2014 Summer Transfer Rumours Mk. I

Carlos Bacca has conceded that he would love to play for Barcelona one day, admitting that a move to Camp Nou would be ‘a dream’.

The Sevilla striker scored twice on Wednesday as the Rojiblancos beat Real Madrid 2-1 to dent Los Blancos’ title hopes.

And after impressing in his first full season in Spain, the former Club Brugge forward revealed that he harbours an ambition to play for the Blaugrana.

“As a kid I dreamed of becoming a professional so I could face the best teams in the world. On Wednesday I had a new chance to face a great team like Madrid," he told La Xarxa.

“I've always liked Madrid as much as Barca, but I've always had an affinity for the game that Barca play, although I like that Madrid always play with a fixed No.9 or two central strikers.

“It would be a dream to be at a club as big as Barca, but one always has to live in reality. I'm with Sevilla, where I'm very happy and have a contract. What happens next is whatever God wills.”

Ruud Gullit says Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has met with Louis van Gaal and claims it is a "done deal" that the Dutchman will take over as Spurs boss.

Van Gaal, 62, will be replaced by Guus Hiddink as coach of the Netherlands after this summer's World Cup.
Spurs named Tim Sherwood, 45, as head coach on an 18-month deal in December.

Ex-Chelsea boss Gullit told BBC 5 live: "I know for sure he was at Van Gaal's house, the [Spurs] chairman. I think it's a done deal, but you never know."

Van Gaal, who has previously managed Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich, said recently: "I've always said that I want to work in the Premier League, so there's a chance."
One proviso Van Gaal had made previously was that he was not prepared to combine two roles, but the end of his second spell as Netherlands coach this summer would allow him to pursue other jobs.

However, a Spurs source questioned the timing of a rumoured meeting between Levy and Van Gaal, intimating any such conversations might have been before Sherwood's appointment, adding: "We don't comment on speculation."

In his first managerial role, former Spurs midfielder Sherwood has presided over 10 wins, eight defeats and three draws in his 21 games in charge since taking over from Andre Villas-Boas in December, initially as interim boss.
But he accepts that with only a short-term contract, speculation will continue about his future.

He told the Independent: "Daniel wants the club to do well. He cares for the club. And I believe he wants me to do well. I would like [the contract] to be 10 years but I am realistic enough to know this is a dress rehearsal. I am untried.

"What I would say is there is no guarantee [about the alternatives]. Someone could win 19 trophies elsewhere and they might not fit at Tottenham. The club has to fit the manager and you don't know until you bring them in. But they have a better idea with me than anyone else."
Following the world record £85.3m sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid last August, Spurs spent £107m on seven new overseas players, recruitment overseen by technical director Franco Baldini, the former England assistant manager.

"They are all internationals, but it is like fixing a washing machine with someone's tool bag," Sherwood added. "Sometimes you might not have the right bit."

Thibaut Courtois has insisted that rumours of a move to Real Madrid are false, claiming that his future is at Atletico Madrid or Chelsea.

The goalkeeper is on loan at the Colchoneros until the end of the season, where he would normally go back to his parent club in west London.

However, after a series of astonishing displays, the Belgium international has intimated that he will only go back to Stamford Bridge if he’s the number one choice.

With Petr Cech still performing, that may not be an option for the youngster – thus leading to rumours that Los Blancos could make a move.

Courtois though, has claimed that he will either stay at Vicente Calderon, or move to the Premier League.

“If the rumours [about Real Madrid] are not true, then they are not true. The one thing I have always said is this - it's Atletico or Chelsea," he told Castilla La Mancha TV.

“I'm very happy to be with Atleti, my desire is to play and if I can't do that at Chelsea and I can continue here, I'll be very happy.

“I've never spoken with Mourinho. At the moment Chelsea cannot guarantee me a place in goal, because [Petr] Cech is there, he is playing well and is one of the best keepers in the world.”

M99 wrote:AC Milan attacking midfielder Kaka has revealed he would like to move to the MLS when his career at San Siro comes to and end.

The Brazilian, who rejoined the Rossoneri last summer from Real Madrid, is in line to make his 300th appearance for the club against Chievo on Saturday.

While he insists he does not regret his return to Milan despite their difficult season to date, Kaka has hinted he could consider leaving in the summer - and he would like to move to North America should he quit the club.

"I have no regrets at my decision to come back to Milan," he told Corriere della Sera. "It is part of life to experience strange moments and every team has had a crisis at one stage, so this is Milan's moment.

"I don't think [Clarence] Seedorf expected to find such a difficult situation, but Clarence is still only at the start [of his coaching career].

"In future I'd like to play in America. At the end of the season I'll talk to Adriano Galliani to understand his ideas and those of the club.

"If I were to leave, then I would like a transfer to the United States."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho cannot rule out moving on.

Mourinho is keen to stay at Chelsea for the long-term.

But he said: "In football you should never say never.

"I am very happy at Chelsea. This is a new project for me, a new Chelsea to be built with a new team. I am very happy. My family feel good here, so for now I do not think of another future. "But I love football and if one day I am no longer at Chelsea, why not go to PSG?"

Spoiler:

Ricky Kaka has a clause allowing him to leave Milan this summer, but insists “I am very happy here.”

The Brazilian bagged a brace in last night’s 3-0 victory over Chievo, which was his 300th appearance in a Rossoneri jersey.

However, CEO Adriano Galliani revealed there is a clause in Kaka’s contract allowing him to walk away if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League.

“Since I first arrived at Milan there have been rumours on my future,” said a frustrated Kaka to journalists after the game.

“I am in no hurry and I am very happy here. I ask you not to talk about these things any more. I am very happy at Milan and that is my last word on my future.”

The concerns grew among the fans this weekend when Kaka confessed to the Corriere dello Sport that he would like an experience in America.

Orlando City appear to be the prime candidates after their owner Phil Rawlins tweeted: “We’re ready when you are Ricardo” with a link to the story.

Kaka’s current contract holds him to Milan until June 2015 and Orlando City won’t officially join the MLS until 2015.

Adel Taarabt revealed he wants “to stay with Milan” and his agents are already working out the deal with QPR.

The Moroccan international joined on loan in January and is eager to make this move permanent at the end of the season for €7m.

“My agent is already talking to Milan, as I am very happy here,” he told Mediaset.

“I played important games, I really like Italy and I want to stay with Milan.”

Taarabt spoke after the 3-0 victory over Chievo, which seems to have put the crisis behind them.

“It was a negative period for Milan after the Champions League exit, but with the draw at Lazio everything changed.

“Europa League qualification is an objective above all for the fans, but we must take it one game at a time.”

Fluminense left-back Carlinhos has revealed he's in talks with Inter Milan.

Carlinhos, 27, has been with Flu for three years.

“I had the chance to play for Galatasaray, but Fluminense asked me to stay,” revealed Carlinhos to local media.

“The possibility to go to Inter emerged and they are a great European club. There are talks on-going, but I am enthusiastic about this idea.

“I think I am the right age to make my mark in Europe, but of course it all depends on Fluminense.”

“Abroad? Yes, and I have a soft spot for Italy and Spain,” the 27-year-old explained to L’Equipe on Sunday.

“I have had a crush on Serie A since 2008, in Messina, a friendly match between Monaco and Juve.

”I loved feeling the pressure of Tifosi behind my back. I had impression the stands would collapse. I would like to experience that every weekend.”