Новости за 07.05.2018

Andres Iniesta's expected move to the Chinese Super League could be off. A tearful Iniesta announced at a news conference last month that this season would be his last at Barcelona. The Blaugrana captain was expected to join CSL side Chongqing Lifan, with the club's sponsor stating they were "positive" about the chances of a deal. But a statement from Chongqing released via Chinese social media site Weibo on Monday indicated a deal for the 33-year-old could be off due to financial concerns. "Recently... Читать дальше...

Garry Monk's face will soon appear on one Birmingham City supporter's bottom after the Blues boss paid for the fan to fulfil a promise as they avoided relegation. Birmingham required a win against Fulham on the final day of the Championship season to ensure they would avoid dropping into League One and Monk's men delivered, beating the promotion hopefuls 3-1. And one fan was honest enough to acknowledge that he had promised to have Monk's face tattooed onto his bum if such a result came in. The supporter... Читать дальше...

Michael Carrick was "devastated" to learn former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson required emergency surgery after a brain haemorrhage. United confirmed in a club statement on Saturday that a procedure undergone by Ferguson had gone well, with no further medical updates released since. Carrick was brought to United by Ferguson in 2006, the midfielder going on to become the club's captain. "I was devastated," the former England international told MUTV. "I got a text on Saturday evening and I couldn't quite believe it. Читать дальше...

Midfield star Ruben Neves insists he wants to stay with Wolves following their promotion to the Premier League, despite reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester United. Neves was Wolves' standout performer as they won the Championship, having joined from Porto in a surprise move last year reported to be worth £15.8million. And the Portugal international's performances - including six league goals - have brought about talk that Liverpool and United could swoop. However, speaking at an open-top bus tour on Monday... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid fan Rafael Nadal says he only wore an Atletico Madrid shirt because he was cold. Tennis world number one Nadal was pictured at the second leg of Atletico Madrid's Europa League semi-final against Arsenal. Diego Simeone's men won 1-0 to book a final clash against Marseille, but Nadal's presence at the Wanda Metropolitano - wearing an Atletico shirt around his neck - raised eyebrows. The Spaniard, set to begin his Madrid Open title defence on Tuesday, attended the game as a guest of Atletico's president Enrique Cerezo. Читать дальше...

Claude Puel believes Leicester City have had a good season by finishing in mid-table and the manager is already looking forward to next term, despite speculation surrounding his future. Puel replaced Craig Shakespeare in October and looked to be guiding the 2015-16 Premier League champions towards a European push before their campaign tailed away, with Leicester now winless in five. Although the Leicester board have given Puel their backing, rumours persist that Newcastle's Rafael Benitez or David... Читать дальше...

Mario Mandzukic could be ready for the Coppa Italia final after returning to Juventus training. The Croatia international required stitches in an ankle wound after a poor tackle from Inter's Matias Vecino during a Serie A game last month and he missed Saturday's 3-1 comeback win against Bologna. There were initial fears Mandzukic could be ruled out of the rest of the season, with his place at the World Cup also rumoured to be in doubt. But the 31-year-old took part in Monday's training session... Читать дальше...

Roberto Mancini has been backed to become the new coach of the Italy national team by Marcello Lippi. Zenit coach Mancini will enter talks over the job at the end of the Russian Premier League season, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has confirmed. The FIGC previously named Mancini on their shortlist for the position, along with Chelsea's Antonio Conte and interim boss Luigi Di Biagio, while Claudio Ranieri and Carlo Ancelotti were among the other rumoured candidates. Italian great Lippi... Читать дальше...

Barcelona are attempting to strike a balance with Samuel Umtiti's wage demands and their salary structure as negotiations continue over an improved deal. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed discussions are ongoing with the France defender, who is reportedly a target for Manchester United. Umtiti still has three years remaining on his contract and last week professed his "love" for the club he joined from Lyon in 2016. But a relatively low release clause of €60million provides encouragement for rival bids... Читать дальше...

The French Football Federation (FFF) has extended a ban given to Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to five matches. Lopes initially received a three-match suspension after clashing with Marseille's Adil Rami at the end of the game between the Ligue 1 rivals in March. But after a further meeting of the Ligue de Football Professionnel's disciplinary commission on Thursday, the decision was taken to add a further two matches on to Lopes' suspension. Lopes will therefore miss the rest of the season, as... Читать дальше...

Barcelona have never been forced to fend off interest in Lionel Messi because no club has ever submitted an offer, according to Josep Maria Bartomeu. Messi, who scored a sublime goal in Sunday's thrilling 2-2 draw with Real Madrid, has been with the Blaugrana since arriving from his native Argentina as a 13-year-old. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has reportedly been the subject of regular interest from Manchester City, who have been steered to the Premier League title this season by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola. Читать дальше...

Franck Ribery has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with Bayern Munich. French winger Ribery, who had made no secret of his desire to remain at the Allianz Arena, will spend a 12th season with the Bundesliga champions after penning a one-year deal. Ribery missed two months of the season with a knee injury but has returned to play a pivotal role in helping Bayern retain their title. The 35-year-old has now won the league in Germany eight times since joining Bayern from Marseille in 2007... Читать дальше...

Malcom is hopeful of sealing a transfer to Bayern Munich at the end of the season, with Bordeaux president Stephane Martin encouraging the winger to dream. The Brazilian has established himself as one of the up-and-coming stars of European football this term, netting 10 goals in 33 Ligue 1 games and reportedly earning a five-year contract with Bundesliga champions Bayern. And while Malcom insists he has no knowledge of such a deal, he would welcome the move. "I do not know, my advisors and I did not talk about [the contract]," he told Bild. Читать дальше...

Dejan Lovren does not believe Liverpool should be worried, despite failing to seal Champions League qualification at Chelsea on Sunday. The Reds have reached the final of Europe's premier club competition, yet their participation in next season's tournament remains in doubt, as a defeat at Stamford Bridge allowed Chelsea to close to within three points of Jurgen Klopp's men. Although Chelsea have a game in hand, Liverpool's superior goal difference almost certainly means victory against Brighton and Hove Albion will secure a top-four finish. Читать дальше...

Goalkeeper Jack Butland has hit out at Stoke City's recruitment policy, believing their "farcical" work in the transfer market contributed to the side's relegation. The Potters dropped into the Championship on Saturday as they let a lead slip at home to Crystal Palace, losing 2-1 to extend their winless Premier League run to 13 matches. And while Butland was visibly distraught at the defeat, he feels too many of his team-mates - including several who were absent at the weekend - should not have been signed. Читать дальше...

Phil Jones believes Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson has the fight to recover from a brain haemorrhage. Ferguson, who managed United between 1986 and 2013, was rushed to hospital to undergo emergency surgery, having reportedly fallen ill on Friday. Well wishes have poured in from around the footballing world and Jones, signed by Ferguson in 2011, was among those to offer his support, describing his devastation at the news but adding a belief that his former boss will be able to recover. "When the news broke... Читать дальше...

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club held talks with Antoine Griezmann's agent as early as October. The France star has been heavily linked with a move to Barca from Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, with Luis Suarez hinting last week that a deal could already have been agreed. Although Atleti boss Diego Simeone denied that was the case, Griezmann – who is said to have a €100million release clause in his contract – is expected to resolve his future before the World Cup begins in June. Читать дальше...

Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou thinks Mikel Arteta would be a good choice as manager for the "new era" after Arsene Wenger's exit. Wenger, who will step down at the end of the season, made an emotional farewell to Gunners fans on Sunday as his final home game in charge of the club ended in a 5-0 win over Burnley. Speculation persists over who will replace the 68-year-old, with former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri and Liverpool assistant Zeljko Buvac among the favourites. Читать дальше...

RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has again insisted the club will not sell Emil Forsberg before next season. The 26-year-old continues to be linked with the likes of Arsenal and AC Milan, despite not quite hitting the same standards of form he managed in 2016-17. Forsberg appeared to hint at a move away when he tweeted "Thanks for everything" after his red card in the 5-2 defeat to Hoffenheim on April 21, which sees him banned for the final games of the season. Rangnick, though, is adamant... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos criticised Luis Suarez, saying his team refused to stop play for the Barcelona forward because of "how he is". Another thrilling Clasico ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou on Sunday as Barcelona remained on track to finish the LaLiga season unbeaten. But Madrid angered the hosts late after refusing to kick the ball out with Suarez on the ground injured as they pushed for a winner. However, Ramos had no regrets afterwards, saying the Uruguayan's history meant Madrid had no intention of stopping play. Читать дальше...

Colombia star James Rodriguez hopes he can lead his team into at least the World Cup semi-finals in Russia. The South Americans are coming off their best result at the showpiece tournament, having reached the quarter-finals in Brazil in 2014. James, 26, believes the nation can produce even better later this year after being drawn with Poland, Senegal and Japan in Group H. "I want to have a good World Cup and help my team-mates get to the semi-finals or the final – why not?" he told bundesliga.com.... Читать дальше...

Maurizio Sarri said it might be best to walk away while he is still adored by Napoli fans as the Italian boss cast doubts over his future. Sarri's future is far from certain despite threatening to dethrone six-time reigning Serie A champions Juventus, with his free-flowing and entertaining Napoli side set to finish runners-up following Sunday's 2-2 draw against Torino. The 59-year-old – who arrived from Empoli in 2015 – has been linked with a move to the Premier League, where Chelsea and Arsenal have emerged as possible destinations. Читать дальше...

Melbourne City star Daniel Arzani was named in Australia's preliminary squad for the World Cup, while veteran Tim Cahill was also included. Arzani, 19, enjoyed a fine A-League season, doing enough to impress coach Bert van Marwijk to be part of the 32-man squad. The tricky winger scored two goals and provided three assists in the league this campaign, leading to suggestions Iran – his place of birth – could poach the teenager. Meanwhile, Cahill is on track to play at his fourth World Cup despite limited game time at Millwall. Читать дальше...

Arsene Wenger believes whoever replaces him as Arsenal manager will inherit a "special" squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title in 2018-19. Wenger's 22-year reign is close to ending after his final home game in charge of Arsenal resulted in a 5-0 rout of Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal secured sixth position in Wenger's Emirates swansong as the Gunners were left 34 points adrift of champions Manchester City with two matches remaining. Liverpool assistant Zeljko Buvac... Читать дальше...

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says LaLiga teams will have to show patience with the introduction of video technology next season. VAR, which is already used in Serie A and the Bundesliga among other leagues, will be implemented in LaLiga for the 2018-19 campaign, with the video assistant referee also set to be used at the World Cup in Russia. Valverde was commenting after a typically frantic Clasico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday, the champions remaining unbeaten following a 2-2 draw despite Sergi Roberto's first-half red card. Читать дальше...