2014 Summer Transfer Rumours Mk. I

Yohan Modric wrote:

Dani Alves could be on his way out of Barcelona after raising the ire of the club with the way he celebrated his goal against Manchester City.

Alves’ dance to mark the second goal of the 2-1 win was criticised by some of his teammates, AS reports, in the locker room after the final whistle.

The full-back’s contract has 12 months to run and Alves could seek to leave Barca either this summer or next, the newspaper says.

He also exchanged words with some of the Camp Nou supporters, calling for more backing from the stands.

It isn’t the first time Alves’ celebrations have been rounded on by his teammates as Carles Puyol disapproved of a celebration during the 7-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, when Alves was joined by Thiago Alcantara.

No Barca player danced with Alves on Wednesday although Neymar did join in with his compatriot when Alves celebrated scoring against City in the first leg, as he did during this season’s 6-0 win over Rayo.

Alves’ contract is thought to expire in 2015 and it is said that he is considering leaving La Liga in order to experience a new League, having only played in Brazil and Spain.

The World Cup has been described as Alves’ chance to attract suitors and Barca would prefer him to leave this summer so they receive a fee, but AS points out that if Alves leaves on a free transfer, he can command a bigger pay packet for himself.

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed that they have sacked Nicolas Anelka for 'gross misconduct'.

The striker - currently banned for his 'quenelle' goal celebration - announced via Twitter on Friday he was terminating his contract with immediate effect after refusing to accept West Brom's conditions for returning to the squad.

Those conditions - later revealed by Albion - were that he accept a fine and apologise to "the club, its supporters, sponsors and the wider community for the impact and consequences of his gesture."

West Brom initially released a statement branding Anelka's shock announcement "unprofessional", and that was followed hours later by a second statement informing the player his resignation was not valid - and he was, in fact, being dismissed for 'gross misconduct' and the club had given him 14 days' notice of the termination of his contract.

The statement read: "Nicolas Anelka's purported termination of his Premier League contract this evening via Social Media was invalid as this was not conducted under the correct legal process as required by his contract.

"The club considers the conduct of Nicolas Anelka on December 28, coupled with his purported termination on Social Media this evening, to be gross misconduct.

"As a result the club has tonight written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days' notice of termination as required under his contract."

The final tit-for-tat exchange between Anelka and West Brom apparently draws a line under the 'quenelle' saga which began on December 28 when he made the controversial gesture while celebrating a goal at West Ham. The 'quenelle' - popularised by a comedian friend of Anelka - has been associated by some French politicians with anti-Semitism.

Anelka denied any racial or religious motivation and instead insisted his actions were meant as anti-establishment, but that did not prevent a Football Association charge of aggravated misconduct.

An independent commission last month found the charge proven and banned him for five matches - the minimum suspension for such an offence - although they made it clear they did not believe Anelka was anti-Semitic. West Brom, who had hoped to conclude their own investigation next week, had already fined him £80,000 and ordered to complete a compulsory education course.

"The fact that we would like to extend the contract of Ilkay Gundogan is clear," he told Sky Sport News HD. "But there's always more to it.

"We also have a certain degree of respect for his long medical history, which of course has charged him and is why he wants to look further into how his body can be kept fit.

"This will certainly not be a never-ending story. We will use the next few weeks together to make a decision and we are in contact with Ilkay and his family, who also advise him."

rwo power wrote:BTW, for confirmed stuff we have a thread, too. ^^

Mandzukic targeted by Juventus

Juventus are ready to spend €25 million on Mario Mandzukic, however, Bayern want €30m for the striker.

Source: Tuttosport

Art Morte wrote:

Mandzukic targeted by Juventus

Juventus are ready to spend €25 million on Mario Mandzukic, however, Bayern want €30m for the striker.

Source: Tuttosport

  

Some of these Italian media really have no shame what so ever. Llorente and Mandzukic in the same team, yeah, right, not even Stoke would do that.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:That's because Peter Crouch is superior

Yohan Modric wrote:Rumour credibility:

Sky Sports/Sky Italia/BBC/El Confidencial = 70% - 100%

Bild/Gazzetta dello Sport/ESPN = 50% - 70%

L'Equipe = 45%

A Bola/Record/Corriere dello Sport/Marca/AS/any 'Corriere' papers/El Mundo Deportivo/Sport/Super Deporte/O Jogo/Voetbal International/Izvestia/Tuttosport 30% - 40%

Guardian/Telegraph 20%

Metro/Sun/Daily Mirror/Daily Mail/Daily Telegraph/Daily Star 0% - 10%

Yohan Modric wrote:Rumour credibility:

Sky Sports/Sky Italia/BBC/El Confidencial = 70% - 100%

Bild/Gazzetta dello Sport/ESPN = 50% - 70%

L'Equipe = 45%

A Bola/Record/Corriere dello Sport/Marca/AS/any 'Corriere' papers/El Mundo Deportivo/Sport/Super Deporte/O Jogo/Voetbal International/Izvestia/Tuttosport 30% - 40%

Guardian/Telegraph 20%

Metro/Sun/Daily Mirror/Daily Mail/Daily Telegraph/Daily Star 0% - 10%