Steve Green, Author at A Different League

Super agent claims Man United tried to sign Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller ‘at all costs’ this summer

October 2, 2015 Steve Green

Manchester United apparently tried to do everything possible to sign Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller during the summer transfer window, according to super agent Giovanni Branchini (via Daily Mail). The 26-year-old ended up staying with the Bundesliga giants, despite rumours of a £71m bid from the Red Devils, but Branchini claims that United put some serious effort in to bring him to Old Trafford. In a special Q&A feature on Italian publication Calciomercato.com, Branchini was asked to reveal a secret, to which he replied: “Manchester United wanted Thomas Muller at…

Monaco president claims Anthony Martial rejected bigger offer to join Man United

October 2, 2015 Steve Green

Monaco president Vadim Vasilyev has claimed that teenage striker Anthony Martial rejected an even bigger offer from an unnamed club over the summer in order to be able to link up with Manchester United, the Metro reports. The 19-year-old eventually completed a huge deal on to head to Old Trafford on deadline day that could end up costing United £58m (via Metro) in a move that stunned onlookers in the football world. United came in for some heavy criticism for spending so much money on a player that has largely…

Tottenham and Man United stars make 59-name leaked Balon d’Or shortlist

October 2, 2015 Steve Green

A contender list for the 2016 Balon d’Or has apparently been leaked online (via Metro) and shows a few startling additions. Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney have all made the list, but strangely are joined by the likes of Christian Atsu of Bournemouth, Swindon’s Massimo Luongo and Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki. All of the usual suspects are there, too, with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard all included, with the list set to be whittled down to…

Jurgen Klopp heads to England for talks over Liverpool job

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is believed to be heading to England to hold talks with a number of clubs amid speculation linking him with the Liverpool job, the Metro reports. Klopp is currently a free agent having left the Bundesliga giants at the end of the previous campaign, and with pressure on Reds boss Brendan Rodgers continuing to grow, several reports have claimed that talks with Klopp’s representatives are well underway. However, German publication Bild are appearing to refute the claims that he is Liverpool bound, but do…

Man United send scouts to watch Bayer Leverusen starlet Hakan Calhanoglu

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Manchester United are believed to be closing in on a deal to sign highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen youngster Hakan Calhanoglu, according to the Daily Express. United were linked with a £26.4m move for the midfielder at the tail end of the summer transfer window (via Express) only to see the deal fail to get off the ground. The Express claims that the player had been left unimpressed by Leverkusen’s decision to sell star striker Son Heung Min so late in the window, and similarly looked to book his own exit out…

Tottenham to beat Arsenal to the signature of teenage talent Luka Jovic

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Tottenham are set to beat London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea to the signature of highly-rated teenage star Luka Jovic, according to the Daily Express. The 17-year-old is currently on the books with Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, where he has caught the attentions of potential admirers by bagging ten goals so far. That form has already alerted the likes of Benfica, Arsenal and Chelsea (via Express. Reports in Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claim that Benfica have already sent scouts to Belgrade to take a closer look at his prodigious talent.…

Liverpool legend says Brendan Rodgers only has himself to blame

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Former Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has put the boot into current boss Brendan Rodgers by saying that he only has himself to blame for the constant pressure that surrounds his job, the Daily Express reports. Rodgers’ job has continued to look uncertain several weeks into the new season (via Express) following a spell of four winless games in the Premier League before last weekend’s meeting with Aston Villa. Rodgers has addressed the the growing unrest at the club by claiming that a certain ‘group’ for wanting to oust him from…

Chelsea confirm exit of highly-rated young midfielder

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Championship side Brentford over the future of young midfielder John Swift, according to the Daily Express. The England under-20 international has signed for the West London side on a one-month loan deal, with The Express claiming that he will go straight into the side to take on Derby County this weekend. Swift made just one appearance for The Blues’ senior team, but featured 20 times for Swindon Town during a season-long loan in League One. Stand in Brentford boss Lee Carsley expressed his delight…

Chelsea gossip: Mourinho bladed by women’s group as fans call for Terry return

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Thursday’s biggest Chelsea news and transfer rumours. Chelsea captain John Terry has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Fenerbahce, according to the Metro. Terry has struggled for game-time in recent weeks as Jose Mourinho has opted for Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma in central defence over the veteran. However, Blues fans have demanded Jose Mourinho restores axed skipper John Terry to the team, the Daily Star reports. The travelling support sang “we want our captain back” as the 34-year-old did a solo warm-down following their 2-1 Champions League defeat…

Arsenal gossip: Wenger set for double £23.3m raid and Cech to be restored to starting XI

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Thursday’s biggest Arsenal news and transfer rumours. Arsenal have reportedly entered the transfer race to sign Ajax forward Viktor Fischer, the Metro reports. The 21-year-old plays predominantly from the left wing, but can also play on the right or up front. Arsene Wenger is set to drop David Ospina and restore Petr Cech to the side for Arsenal’s crunch Champions League clashes, according to the Daily Express. Wenger’s decision making was questioned after he dropped Cech for the 3-2 defeat to Oympiakos on Tuesday evening. Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker admitted…

Man United gossip: Ronaldo refuses to rule out Old Trafford return and van Gaal reveals squad concerns

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Thursday’s biggest Manchester United news and transfer gossip. Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to commit his long-term future to Real Madrid amid reports that a return to Manchester United could be on the cards, the Metro reports. The Portugal star matched Raul’s record of 323 goals for Real with a brace against Malmo in the Champions League on Wednesday night, despite having played 433 games less than the Spain legend. Louis van Gaal fears his players are tired, according to the Daily Express. Manchester United took all three points last night…

(Video) Reading release Europop song and it’s the worst thing you’ll hear all day

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Championship side Reading aren’t the first club you’d think of when hearing that a club from England had released a pop song, but they’ve set the bar at a new low with this excruciating effort. The song, entitled ‘They Call Us The Royals’ was penned by Reading’s new Thai owner Lady Sasima ‘as a gift for the club’. And though it’s good to see owners trying to connect with their club’s fans, this probably isn’t what most had in mind… See the cringeworthy video below, just don’t forget to ‘defend…

Arsenal enter £10m transfer race for prized Ajax striker

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Arsenal have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring to sign highly-rated Ajax youngster Viktor Fischer, according to the Metro. The 21-year-old’s versatility is a key factor in Arsene Wenger’s interest, as he is able to play either on the left wing, right wing, as well as up front for the Dutch giants. The Danish starlet was recently hailed as the next big thing of European football, but a series of injury problems have hindered his progress. And it is that lack of progress that has highlighted him as a…

Chelsea fans react to Marco Amelia’s imminent arrival

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Earlier this week news emerged that Italian international goalkeeper Marco Amelia was on his way to Chelsea on a short term deal to provide cover for the Asmir Begovic and the injured Thibaut Courtois. The former AC Milan stopper has most recently been playing amateur football, but will now travel to Stamford Bridge on Thursday to undergo a medical and put pen-to-paper on a deal until the end of the current campaign. But even though he is a World Cup winning goalkeeper, Blues fans couldn’t hide their confusion at the…

Arsenal keen to beat Barcelona to Nolito signature by meeting buyout clause

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

Arsenal are said to be eager to beat Barcelona to the signature of in form Celta Vigo forward Nolito and will agree to pay the player’s £13.3m buy out clause in order to do so, according to the Metro. The 28-year-old has been in phenomenal form so far this season, bagging himself five goals and three assists in the first six games. He was a key part of Celta’s recent 4-1 demolition of Barcelona, with the Metro claiming that he put in the type of performance that highlighted why exactly…

Chelsea player revolt? Blues stars concerned at Jose Mourinho’s scapegoating

October 1, 2015 Steve Green

A number of Chelsea players are said to be growing discontented in the dressing room following concerns at the perceived scapegoating of certain members of the squad by manager Jose Mourinho, according to The Guardian. After a poor start to the season, Chelsea went down 2-1 to Porto in the Champions League this week – a game in which he chose to leave both Oscar and Radamel Falcao out for. Striker Loic Remy also failed to make the cut, while the continued absence of skipper John Terry was also noted,…

Cristiano Ronaldo hints that he wants to reunite with Man United frontman Wayne Rooney

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Real Madrid megastar added fuel to the fire in stories linking him with a return to Manchester United by hinting that he wants to line up alongside former strike partner Wayne Rooney once again, the Daily Express reports. Ronaldo left Old Trafford in 2009 to sign for Spanish giants Real Madrid in a then world record £80m deal (via Express). After bagging 118 goals for the Red Devils he has since gone on to break a number of personal and team records. In the meantime, Rooney has become United’s third…

Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker wary of Man United backlash as injury crisis deepens

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has called on his teammates to shake off their Champions League hangover quickly as they prepare to host Manchester United this weekend, the Daily Express reports. The Gunners square up with United in a 4pm kick off on Sunday, just days after losing 3-2 to Greek giants Olympiacos on Tuesday night. That result now leaves Arsenal bottom of their qualifying group, having suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the first round of games (via Express). And now Mertesacker believes that he and his…

Liverpool target bid for Schalke starlet Leroy Sane

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Liverpool are apparently preparing to table an offer for Schalke striker Leroy Sane after seeing one £11m bid for his services turned down over the summer, the Metro reports. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers already invested heavily in his squad during the transfer window, but the Metro claim that he still feels Liverpool are left wanting for specialist wide players. And a report in German publication Bild believes that Rodgers has targeted Schalke’s Leroy Sane as the man to correct that problem and will go in with a fresh offer after…

Legendary Juventus star Gianluigi Buffon eyes Premier League move before retiring

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Iconic Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has apparently outlined his desire to test himself in the Premier League before hanging up his gloves, according to the Metro. Speaking ahead of Juventus’ Champions League clash with Sevilla this week, the 37-year-old not only highlighted that the tournament is still one he is yet to win, but that he wants to test himself in the Premier League. “I would have loved to have played in the Premier League,” he said. “I have spent 10 years at Parma, 15 at Juventus and I…

Chelsea captain John Terry reveals exit offers from China and Europe

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Iconic Chelsea skipper John Terry has revealed that he has several options to continue his career in either China or Turkey, the Daily Mirror reports. The 34-year-old has lost his status as a guaranteed starter at Stamford Bridge this season, but has been offered one final big pay day in China after impressing during an ambassadorial tour of Guangzhou last summer. He is said to have several offers from Chinese clubs (via Mirror) but Turkish giants Fenerbahce are also believed to be monitoring his situation with the view of making…

Man United to allow Victor Valdes to leave, but not for another Premier League club

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Manchester United are apparently willing to terminate the contract of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, but will only do so if he leaves the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail. How do Manchester United stand to get on vs Wolfsburg in the Champions League? Fine out on My Betting Bonus! The former Barcelona stopper, who joined the club on a free transfer in January this year (via ManUtd.com), has become an outcast under Louis van Gaal, making just two appearances in the first team during that time. The Mail highlights that…

Chelsea gossip: Blues close in on free agent goalkeeper and Terry reveals exit options

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Wednesday’s biggest Chelsea news and transfer rumour gossip. Chelsea are set to sign former AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia, 33, on a short-term basis as cover for injured first-choice Thibaut Courtois, The Guardian reports. Blues skipper John Terry, 34, has had several offers from Chinese clubs, while Turkish side Fenerbahce have stepped up their interest in the former England captain, the Daily Mirror reports. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Terry still has a lot to offer the Blues, according to the Daily Star. “Looking at a couple of…

Arsenal gossip: Wenger refuses to blame Ospina for Champions League failure but Belgian starlet linked

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Wednesday’s biggest Arsenal news and transfer rumours. Arsenal are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven defender Aboubacar Kone, 14, if the in-demand Belgium youth international is not tied down by the Dutch champions before his 16th birthday, according to Anderlecht Online (in Dutch). Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker admitted the side’s 3-2 defeat to Olympiakos was “not acceptable”, the

Man United gossip: Rooney denies transfer request and Dr Dre CONFIRMED as Red Devils fan

September 30, 2015 Steve Green

Wednesday’s biggest Manchester United news and transfer rumours. Manchester United are prepared to terminate the contract of out-of-favour goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 33, but only if the Spain international leaves the Premier League, the Daily Mail reports. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal wants silverware before his Reds deal ends in 2017, but he still could stay on and break a promise to his wife, according to the Manchester Evening News. Manchester United’s German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, 31, says he does not always understand skipper Wayne Rooney’s Liverpool accent, according to…