Category: Football

Liverpool midfielder James Milner has penned a new deal at Anfield which will keep him on Merseyside until 2023, the club have announced.

The veteran workhorse was out of contract this summer, and had been approached by two clubs in the Premier League looking to bolster their ranks with his experience.

However, he is set to stay on Merseyside for another season, taking him to eight years under Jurgen Klopp. In that time, the man signed for free from Manchester City has racked up 289 appearances for the Reds, helping them to success in every competition that they have entered in that time.

It is understood that Milner took a substantial pay cut in order to make the deal happen.

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We are delighted to announce that @JamesMilner has signed a new contract extension with the Reds 🙌🔴 pic.twitter.com/uaSHd0W4nJ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 6, 2022

Milner ‘can still contribute to the team’

Speaking to Liverpool’s official site, Milner revealed that despite his age, he feels that he can still contribute to Jurgen Klopp’s and Liverpool’s success.

‘I’m very pleased to be staying for another season,” the veteran revealed. ‘I have never taken playing for this club for granted and I never will.

‘An overriding feeling for me – and a vitally important one in the process – was the belief I can still contribute to the team’, he continued. ‘The gaffer was clear what he thought and that was a big factor in me extending my contract’.

‘As long as I can still play my part, that’s not something easy to walk away from.’

‘Last season was extraordinary, even though it didn’t have the ending we hoped it would. But I think that will only make us all even hungrier for more success, to be honest. I felt that after the parade and that played a part in my decision-making also. It’s a unique club.’

‘Now this is signed, I’m already looking forward to getting back with everyone, refocusing and going again. It’s a brilliant dressing room to be part of.’

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Premier League giants Liverpool have, on Sunday, knocked back an opening offer for the services of wantaway attacker Sadio Mane.

Senegalese international Mane, of course, has seen his name take centre stage in the headlines across the week to date.

This comes with the 30-year-old, fresh off suffering heartbreak in both the Premier League and Champions League, widely reported to have made his intentions to seek out pastures new in the summer known to those in a position of power on the red half of Merseyside.

German champions Bayern Munich, meanwhile, are the early frontrunners to seal a deal for Mane, with the Bavarians on the lookout for attacking reinforcements ahead of the predicted sales of both Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski.

In turn, it did not come as a huge surprise, late this evening, to hear of Bayern tabling an opening offer for the long-time Liverpool star.

What did prove altogether surprising, though, was the value of the bid in question.

As per a report from Paul Joyce of The Times, the board at the Allianz Arena sent a proposal worth £21 million, backed by a further £4 million in potential bonuses, the way of their Anfield counterparts.

The latter, however, are understandably said to have been left unmoved, expected to demand considerably more despite Mane’s contract being due to expire in just over 12 months’ time.

In other Reds-related news, it has also been confirmed that veteran midfielder James Milner is on the verge of putting pen to paper on a new deal on Merseyside.

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Liverpool have turned down Bayern Munich’s opening bid for Sadio Mane. It was for £21m guaranteed, plus £4m in add-ons payable if, for example, Bayern won the Champions League.
Also, James Milner close to signing new deal on significantly reduced terms.

— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) June 5, 2022

 

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Two up-and-coming Premier League talents combined on Sunday evening, to find the net in style on the international stage.

The players in question? Dejan Kulusevski and Anthony Elanga.

Sweden played host to Norway at the Friends Arena a short time ago, in the respective countries’ 2nd Nations League Group H outing.

Tottenham star Kulusevski, days on from finding the net in a meeting with Slovenia, was, as expected, afforded his latest starting berth on the right wing for the clash.

Manchester United wide-man Elanga, though, was forced to make do with a spot on the bench.

And yet, as proceedings rolled into injury time late on Sunday, it was the latter who provided Sweden with a glimmer of hope of securing a share of the spoils.

This came after Norway surged out to a comfortable 2-goal advantage, courtesy of a double on the part of Manchester City-bound star man Erling Haaland:

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OUR Erling Haaland. 🤖🇳🇴 @PremierSportsTV pic.twitter.com/TEGY7Y193G

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 5, 2022

With just a minute remaining in added time, though, Elanga was responsible for a moment of magic.

After being introduced from the bench, the 20-year-old picked the ball up on the left wing, before spotting the aforementioned Kulusevski in space on the edge of the visitors’ area.

Elanga, in turn, drilled a pass into the feet of the Spurs star, who went on to drag two defenders in tight, before returning the ball to his attacking partner in crime.

And Elanga, from here, made no mistake, bending a sumptuous finish into the far corner from 20 yards, to provide Sweden with a moment of renewed hope en route to an eventual 2-1 defeat:

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16e et dernier but d’une folle soirée sur les antennes de L’Equipe ! Et le premier en sélection suédoise pour Anthony Elanga, le jeune attaquant de Manchester United ! #lequipeFOOT pic.twitter.com/adlxmCkGYr

— L’ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 5, 2022

 

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An insight into the kind of financial package expected to be on the table for Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona has been provided on Sunday evening.

Links between Polish international Lewandowski and La Liga heavyweights Barca have of course been rampant for several weeks now.

This comes with the 33-year-old having made public his desire to seek pastures new this summer, on the back of a prolific stint in Germany with Bayern Munich.

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Lewandowski: “My era at Bayern is over. I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore” 🚨 #FCBayern

“Bayern’s a serious club and I believe they won’t keep me, I don’t want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me”. pic.twitter.com/ieO3q0tEBO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2022

The Camp Nou, meanwhile, is widely understood to be Lewandowski’s landing spot of choice, with Barca’s mutual interest in securing a deal meaning a transfer is viewed as altogether likely to come to fruition at some point over the coming months.

And now, as alluded to above, an insight into the financial terms likely to be on offer to the legendary hitman in Catalunya has been forthcoming online.

The info comes courtesy of Javi Miguel of Spanish outlet Diario AS, who points towards a wage cap being put in place at Barcelona moving forward.

Amid negotiations with the representatives of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, the Blaugrana hierarchy are said to have made clear that they will no longer sanction contracts featuring wage packets which exceed 10 million euros net-per-year.

Lewandowski, as a result, is primed to take home a sum of nine million euro each season, should he ultimately go on to link up with Barca.

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Va a ser muy complicado, por no decir imposible, ver a Salah de blaugrana. este verano pedia 17 millones limpios de ficha. en el Barça le dijeron que el tope en la nueva politica salarial eran 10 millones. Lewandowski cobrara 9. ningun fichaje sobrepasara esta cantidad nunca mas

— Javi Miguel Club (@fansjavimiguel) June 5, 2022

 

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Reports emerging from England over the weekend have suggested that Mikel Arteta will scale back his transfer plans for the 2022 summer window.

The Spaniard and Arsenal were expected to have another big summer transfer window as they continue their rebuild.

However, according to The Sun, the Arsenal boss is scaling back on his plans for a major spending spree after initially targeting up to seven new signings. It is believed that he will now focus on three signings for the upcoming season.

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The report goes on to claim that the Gunners’ failure to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the campaign has resulted in the decision to change Arsenal’s transfer plans.

“We are going to have certain resources. Not unlimited resources, certain resources. With those resources, we have to do what we have to do in the best possible way,” Arteta said at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

And now, whilst Arsenal’s spending looks set to be limited this summer, Tottenham have given themselves a cash boost of £150m and have already signed Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

Antonio Conte’s squad are also, on the whole, a more experienced team than Arsenal who generally rely on young talent under the age of 25.

So, as well as seeing them miss out on Champions League football for one season, Arsenal’s collapse at the end of 2021/22 looks to have caused a major setback in their rebuilding process, handing Tottenham the advantage in the race to be England’s 4^th-best club.

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Word stemming from the media late on Saturday suggests that Manchester United have joined a number of Premier League rivals in the hunt for a soon-to-be free agent midfielder.

The player in question? Christian Eriksen.

Danish international Eriksen, of course, secured a return to English football this past January.

After seeing his contract with Italian heavyweights Inter Milan terminated owing to Serie A’s rules surrounding the use of implanted cardioverter defibrillators, a device which the 30-year-old was fitted with on the back of his frightening cardiac arrest at last summer’s European Championships, Eriksen was afforded a fresh start by Premier League newcomers Brentford.

And to say that this is an opportunity which the Dane went on to take full advantage of would be putting it lightly.

Eriksen featured from the off in ten of Brentford’s final 11 league outings, notching a goal and four assists along the way, proving beyond any measure of doubt that he remains more than capable of cutting his teeth at the top level of the game.

With such form, though, has come inevitable speculation surrounding Eriksen’s future beyond the summer.

The 30-year-old’s terms with Brentford are due to come to a close at the end of the month, with it currently unclear where he stands on the possibility of putting pen to paper on an extension in west London.

And, as alluded to above, should Eriksen ultimately come to the decision to move on, then he should not be at all short on suitors.

Both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, the latter of whom the midfielder enjoyed such a successful stint with earlier in his career, are understood to be keen to snap him up with a view to next season.

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Most chances created in the Premier League since Christian Eriksen made his Brentford debut on February 26th 2022:

◎ Kevin De Bruyne: 42
◎ Martin Ødegaard: 38
◉ Christian Eriksen: 30

The Dane remains to be one of the most creative players in the league. 🧐

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 4, 2022

And now, yet another Premier League outfit have joined the Eriksen sweepstakes, in the form of Manchester United.

As per a report from The Mirror, the Dane ‘has emerged as an option’ for the Red Devils, amid the club’s ongoing rebuild under the watch of new boss Erik ten Hag.

The Dutch tactician is understood to be keen to stretch his transfer budget as far as possible over the coming months, with a view to adding as many as six players to his ranks at Old Trafford.

The prospect of landing one such performer with proven Premier League experience on a free transfer is therefore a highly tempting one for ten Hag, who was left impressed by Eriksen’s form and desire during a brief spell training with Ajax’s first-team before his eventual move to Brentford.

One to keep an eye on on the red half of Manchester…

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EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United join Christian Eriksen fight with Erik ten Hag keen on free transfer

✍️|@MullockSMirror https://t.co/0QXX4OH67N pic.twitter.com/Jv3X2OYYoo

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 4, 2022

 

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Liverpool star Sadio Mane has, on Saturday night, etched his name ever further into the history books of the Senegalese national team.

The name of wide-man Mane has of course taken its place front and centre in the media headlines across Europe over the last week.

This comes with the former Southampton standout widely understood to have informed those in a position of power at Anfield of his intention to seek pastures new ahead of next season, amid mounting links with German champions Bayern Munich.

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Sadio #Mané is very close to joining Bayern Munich. He has decided to leave Liverpool, Klopp and his teammates are informed.

PSG is not completely out of the race yet, but he prefers Bayern – as he can be the big star there.

— Kerry Hau (@kerry_hau) May 29, 2022

And now, as alluded to above, Mane, late on Saturday, has grabbed the spotlight once more.

On this occasion, though, it comes owing to his efforts on the pitch.

Earlier this evening, Senegal were back in action, playing host to Benin in an Africa Cup of Nations Group L qualifying fixture.

Mane, unsurprisingly, was afforded a starting berth for the clash, taking his place in a central role in the hosts’ attack, alongside the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Boulaye Dia.

And to say that the wantaway Liverpool man went on to steal the show at the The Diamniadio Olympic Stadium would be something of an understatement.

En route to a 3-1 Senegal triumph, Mane bagged all three of his country’s goals, two of which came from the penalty spot.

Not only that, but, in the process, the 30-year-old secured for himself a special piece of history in his home country.

After heading into Saturday’s action sitting joint-top of the all-time goalscoring charts for the Lions of Teranga, Mane has now established himself as the undisputed most prolific player in the history of the Senegalese national team:

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A hat-trick sees Sadio Mané become Senegal’s mens top goalscorer of all time. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jdwTRh1Ob2

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 4, 2022

 

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Karim Benzema has this weekend responded to the recent comments of Lionel Messi, in which the Argentine showered praise on Real Madrid’s captain and talisman.

For those not aware, earlier this week, Messi, beyond qualified to discuss the prize owing to his seven career wins to date, was asked for his take on the player most deserving of the Ballon d’Or for 2022.

And the 34-year-old was in no two minds when it comes to his choice, labelling the aforementioned Benzema, fresh off another Champions League triumph, the runaway frontrunner for world football’s most coveted individual accolade:

“I think there are no doubts Benzema should win the Ballon d’Or,” Messi explained during an interview with Argentine outlet TyC Sports.

“It is very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up elevating himself with the Champions League, being essential from the last 16 onwards in all the games. I think there are no doubts this year.”

Speaking to the media on the back of France’s surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Denmark, in which the striker bagged his country’s only goal of the night, Benzema was therefore unsurprisingly pressed on Messi’s comments regarding his form.

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Karim Benzema has now scored in five consecutive games for France:

⚽️ vs. 🇧🇪
⚽️ vs. 🇪🇸
⚽️⚽️ vs. 🇰🇿
⚽️ vs. 🇫🇮
⚽️ vs. 🇩🇰

Sitting the Denmark defenders down. 💀

(video via @PremierSportsTV)pic.twitter.com/nkrhe4YahP

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 3, 2022

And the 34-year-old went on to confirm both his ‘content’ and ‘happiness’ with such praise coming by way of a player of the PSG superstar’s status, responding:

“I heard the words from Messi and they made me very happy, very content that they come from a player like him.

“They give me motivation to do more.”​

 

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With the summer transfer window fast approaching, the future of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is sure to be a major talking point.

Rice is one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League at present and at 23 is, in theory, still nowhere close to his best.

As a result, the Englishman is expected to make the switch to a ‘top-six’ club at some point in the near future.

Speaking about Rice earlier this year, Moyes stated that he was not for sale: “Let me tell you, he’s not for sale. So, that may shut down any questions about Declan, but we do expect questions on him because he’s doing so well.

“Is he irreplaceable? Well, I had to sell Wayne Rooney early when I was at Everton. I thought Wayne was irreplaceable but what happens in football is you move on. That is what happens in football.

“Sometimes things like this do happen but we’ve got no intention of letting that happen at this present time here at West Ham.”

Who will sign Declan Rice?

However, despite Moyes obviously wanting to keep Rice, a team such as West Ham are unlikely to be able to do so in the long run as they cannot offer him the wage nor the chance to win trophies someone such as Chelsea, Manchester City, etc, can.

So, who is the current favourite to sign Rice?

Well, not too surprisingly given they currently do not have a senior defensive midfielder, Manchester United are the favourites with odds of 3/1 with Betfair.

To find out how to claim up to £100 in free bets with Betfair, click here.

Following United, Chelsea are priced at 7/2, Manchester City at 5/1, Newcastle United at 14/1 and Liverpool at 20/1.

 

*Note – All odds cited are correct at time of publishing.

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The agent of Manchester City talent Julian Alvarez has, on Friday evening, responded to suggestions that his client is in line for a 2nd successive loan move away from the club this summer.

Argentine sensation Alvarez, of course, put pen to paper on terms with the Sky Blues earlier this year.

The 22-year-old, who has long established himself as one of the most highly-regarded young talents in South America, agreed to the terms of a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad, before immediately rejoining long-time club River Plate on loan for the remainder of the season.

It therefore came as something of a surprise when, earlier today, claims began to spread across the media that a 2nd successive temporary spell away from Manchester was being lined up for Alvarez.

Reports stemming from his home country of Argentina went as far as to suggest that the Sky Blues’ transfer team had offered their incoming attacker to Olympique Marseille for the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking to the media late on Friday, the subject of his client’s future was therefore inevitably put to Hidalgo, Alvarez’s agent.

And, in news which will no doubt be met with excitement on the part of the Man City faithful, Hidalgo went on to confirm that ‘there is no chance’ of the Cordoba native making the move to Marseille.

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Julián Álvarez’s agent Hidalgo denies reports of Olympique Marseille loan from Man City: “There is no chance that Julián will go to Olympique de Marseille”, tells @marcepalaciosmp ⛔️🇦🇷 #OM

Manchester City want Álvarez to be part of the team next season, as things stand. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/Cqe7wmELmi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2022

Such comments have since too been followed by further assurances in the press that Alvarez will not be departing Manchester this summer, ahead of battling it out for a first-team spot under Pep Guardiola next season.

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Understand links with Julian Alvarez and Marseille (or anyone) are wide of the mark. @ManCity intention is to keep him as part of Pep’s squad next season.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) June 3, 2022

 

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