Brazil starlet Neymar admits to being flattered by Real Madrid's interest in his services but insists no deal has been done.
The Brazil forward is set to spark a frenzied scramble for his signature this summer, with it widely accepted that a big-money move is on the cards.
His current employers Santos are clinging to the hope that they can persuade him to spend at least one more season in his homeland, but the chances of that happening are fading fast.
Success in the Copa Libertadores would help their cause, but a move to Europe appears to be on the cards.
Premier League giants Chelsea have been strongly linked with the talented teenager for some time and had hoped that this would be the year in which they got their man.
Reports, however, suggest that the Blues are reluctant to meet Santos' asking price, which is believed to stand at some €45million (£39.5million).
Their reluctance to splash the cash has left the door ajar for the likes of Real Madrid, who are prepared to bankroll such a deal.
Neymar is aware of the mounting speculation linking him with a switch to the Spanish capital but insists his future is no nearer to being decided.
"It is flattering to know that Madrid like me but nothing has been agreed yet," he told AS.
Neymar's father has also revealed that any potential transfer this summer 'must wait' as his son his currently fully focused on Santos' bid for Copa Libertadores glory
Friday, June 17, 2011
TOULALAN MAKES MALAGA SWITCH
Malaga have agreed the signing of France international Jeremy Toulalan from Lyon.
The 27-year-old midfielder has spent the last five seasons at Lyon having previously played for home-town club Nantes. He has won 36 caps with France.
Malaga announced the move in a statement on their website: "The club have reached an agreement with the French side this morning for the midfielder Jeremy Toulalan to join Malaga.
"Toulalan, who has also reached an agreement with Malaga for the next four seasons, will sign his contract in the coming days and will be presented in the final week of the month."
Malaga finished last season in 11th spot in La Liga, three points above the relegation zone, after winning five of their final seven games.
The south-coast club have already signed Ruud van Nistelrooy, Nacho Monreal and Joris Mathijsen this summer.
Ba completes Magpies switch
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has made his second summer transfer breakthrough by finally landing Senegal striker Demba Ba.
The arrival of Ba, who scored seven times in 13 appearances for the Hammers during the second half of last season, comes 24 hours after Magpies skipper Kevin Nolan headed for Upton Park in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £4million.
Pardew said: "Demba made a great impression with West Ham last season and is a great signing for this club.
"He has pace, excellent technical ability, is good in the air and, it goes without saying, has the ability to consistently find the back of the net.
"Moreover he has a great passion to play for Newcastle United."
Newcastle beat off competition from a series off other suitors to land the former Hoffenheim player as Pardew looks to increase his options in attack.
The player seemed to be heading for Stoke in January until he failed a medical on a knee problem and was snapped up by the Hammers.
Despite his best efforts to keep the Londoners in the Premier League, they were relegated at the end of last season, but not before he had proved both his fitness and his prowess in front of goal.
Ba, who was born in the Paris suburb of Sevres and is one of eight children, began his career with Rouen
Team USA face up to their soul brother
By Will Tidey
The Gold Cup is reaching its Eldorado, and with hosts United States and favourites Mexico two games away from a potential showdown at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena next Saturday, all the talk is of a final that could divide a nation.
If the two rivals come together in California it will be third time in a row they've met to decide the Gold Cup - a tournament they've held a virtual duopoly over since its overhaul from the CONCACAF Championship in 1991, sharing all but one of the 10 editions (Canada won in 2000).
The US triumphed at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2007, but Mexico came back strongly last time out in 2009, and gave Bob Bradley's team a footballing lesson at Giants Stadium in New Jersey - romping home 5-0 to collect a record fifth title.
Mexico are odds-on to defend their crown. Jose Manuel de La Torre's youthful collective have been irresistible thus far, and in Manchester United's Javier Hernandez boast the tournament's stand-out player.
Successive 5-0 hammerings of El Salvador and Cuba were followed by a 4-1 win against Costa Rica, and it would be something of a seismic shock if they fail to get past Guatemala, then one of Honduras or Costa Rica to reach the final.
The US campaign has been cumbersome by comparison. A 2-0 win against Canada was followed by a humbling loss to Panama, before a trudging 1-0 victory against Guadeloupe saw them limp into the quarter-finals.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard said the team in front of him have been "lifeless" during the group stages, and most agree they'll need to show considerable improvement to get past third favourites Jamaica in the quarters, and improve on their haul of four titles (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007).
But with the likes of Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey at their disposal, and more than half their squad attached to teams in Europe's major leagues, the US should still have more than enough to reach their fourth successive final.
If that happens, America will be asked to pin its colours to the wall - and with an estimated 31 million people of Mexican origin now living in the US, there could be just as much green, red and white on show as there will be red, white and blue.
Looking at the Gold Cup attendances, you could even argue Mexico have bigger support in the US than the hosts. Their three group games drew impressive crowds of 80,108, 46,012 and 62,000 - in Dallas, Charlotte and Chicago respectively.
Meanwhile the US packed out a small stadium in Kansas, but failed to even half-fill the stands for games in Detroit and Tampa.
Even more impressive from a Mexican perspective was the crowd of 50,305 who turned up in Seattle to watch them play a meaningless friendly international against Ecuador in May - a notable increase on the average gate attracted by Sounders FC of the MLS in the same stadium.
They came in sombreros, waving Mexican flags and treating the team to the kind of partisan support they might expect in Mexico City.
Such is the popularity of the Mexican national team in the US that a lucrative annual tour is now in its ninth year. Soccer United Marketing (SUM) and the Mexican Football Federation FMF) put the footballing roadshow together, with the help of no fewer than 13 official sponsors.
Corporate interest like that tells you the Mexican football team is a seriously bankable brand in the US - a country where football, for no lack of trying, remains little more than a sideshow to the major indigenous sports on rotation.
Perhaps the ingrained football culture in America's Mexican population is what gives them an advantage. Perhaps it's the need for Mexicans and Hispanics generally in the US to reconnect with home that drawing them in the thousands. Whatever it is, the moment is being seized with both hands.
"What better way to start this new cycle of the Mexican national team, under the direction of Jose Manuel de la Torre in front of great fans in Atlanta," said FMF general secretary Decio de Maria in December last year.
How the fans and stadium owners back home in Mexico greeted that sentiment is unclear, but the FMF has clearly made it a priority to maximise revenue and make the US its second home. Judging by the reaction, they're onto a winner.
With that in mind, if Mexico and the US do meet in the Gold Cup final, are we safe to assume 'El Tri' fans will be in the majority at the Rose Bowl?
According to 2010 census figures, California is home to an estimated 11 million Mexicans. Bearing in mind states with far smaller Mexican populations have poured to watch Chicharito and Co. in the last few weeks, most would expect Mexican fans to be the dominant factor in Pasadena.
One thing's for sure - a final between the bordering nations would come with considerable baggage. The US and Mexico have squared up 16 times since the turn of the century, with the US winning 10 to Mexico's four, and two draws.
In that time the Mexican fans have earned a reputation for the frenzied nature of support - and for occasionally overstepping the mark.
Back in 2004, it was reported a small numbers chanted "Osama, Osama" and booed the American national anthem during an Olympics qualifier between the two rivals.
When the teams squared off in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca in 2009, Mexican fans were accused of throwing cups of vomit and urine at US star Donovan.
Such actions have only served to magnify what was already a complex cultural and political relationship between two nations who share a border. Some have called it a 'big brother-little brother' dynamic, and when sibling rivalry plays out on the sports field it usually gets messy.
The upward trajectory of US fortunes has unquestionably played its part. Mexico now has a genuine threat across the border to deal with, and when the US knocked them out of the 2002 World Cup things got serious.
Nobody better represents the ferocity of the modern rivalry than Landon Donovan. It was his goal that sealed a 2-0 win for the US in the last 16 of the World Cup in Japan and Korea, and he scored again in the 2007 Gold Cup final between the sides.
The LA Galaxy star divides the two sets of fans like no other. To US supporters he's a swashbuckling hero who put their team on the map; to the Mexicans he's an arrogant personification of the America they want to beat on the football field.
Donovan will look to channel both sets of emotions if the two teams continue their rivalry in his home Los Angeles.
"It's not just another game for me. I clearly, absolutely, desperately want to beat them," he once said of the US-Mexico rivalry.
Every player and fan for both sides feels exactly the same. And with that to draw on, here's hoping they meet in the final, and the battle for North America's soccer soul gets a new
The Gold Cup is reaching its Eldorado, and with hosts United States and favourites Mexico two games away from a potential showdown at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena next Saturday, all the talk is of a final that could divide a nation.
GettyImagesPanama ended the USA's long unbeaten streak in the Gold Cup group stage.
The US triumphed at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2007, but Mexico came back strongly last time out in 2009, and gave Bob Bradley's team a footballing lesson at Giants Stadium in New Jersey - romping home 5-0 to collect a record fifth title.
Mexico are odds-on to defend their crown. Jose Manuel de La Torre's youthful collective have been irresistible thus far, and in Manchester United's Javier Hernandez boast the tournament's stand-out player.
Successive 5-0 hammerings of El Salvador and Cuba were followed by a 4-1 win against Costa Rica, and it would be something of a seismic shock if they fail to get past Guatemala, then one of Honduras or Costa Rica to reach the final.
The US campaign has been cumbersome by comparison. A 2-0 win against Canada was followed by a humbling loss to Panama, before a trudging 1-0 victory against Guadeloupe saw them limp into the quarter-finals.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard said the team in front of him have been "lifeless" during the group stages, and most agree they'll need to show considerable improvement to get past third favourites Jamaica in the quarters, and improve on their haul of four titles (1991, 2002, 2005, 2007).
But with the likes of Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey at their disposal, and more than half their squad attached to teams in Europe's major leagues, the US should still have more than enough to reach their fourth successive final.
If that happens, America will be asked to pin its colours to the wall - and with an estimated 31 million people of Mexican origin now living in the US, there could be just as much green, red and white on show as there will be red, white and blue.
Looking at the Gold Cup attendances, you could even argue Mexico have bigger support in the US than the hosts. Their three group games drew impressive crowds of 80,108, 46,012 and 62,000 - in Dallas, Charlotte and Chicago respectively.
Meanwhile the US packed out a small stadium in Kansas, but failed to even half-fill the stands for games in Detroit and Tampa.
Even more impressive from a Mexican perspective was the crowd of 50,305 who turned up in Seattle to watch them play a meaningless friendly international against Ecuador in May - a notable increase on the average gate attracted by Sounders FC of the MLS in the same stadium.
They came in sombreros, waving Mexican flags and treating the team to the kind of partisan support they might expect in Mexico City.
Such is the popularity of the Mexican national team in the US that a lucrative annual tour is now in its ninth year. Soccer United Marketing (SUM) and the Mexican Football Federation FMF) put the footballing roadshow together, with the help of no fewer than 13 official sponsors.
Corporate interest like that tells you the Mexican football team is a seriously bankable brand in the US - a country where football, for no lack of trying, remains little more than a sideshow to the major indigenous sports on rotation.
Perhaps the ingrained football culture in America's Mexican population is what gives them an advantage. Perhaps it's the need for Mexicans and Hispanics generally in the US to reconnect with home that drawing them in the thousands. Whatever it is, the moment is being seized with both hands.
"What better way to start this new cycle of the Mexican national team, under the direction of Jose Manuel de la Torre in front of great fans in Atlanta," said FMF general secretary Decio de Maria in December last year.
How the fans and stadium owners back home in Mexico greeted that sentiment is unclear, but the FMF has clearly made it a priority to maximise revenue and make the US its second home. Judging by the reaction, they're onto a winner.
With that in mind, if Mexico and the US do meet in the Gold Cup final, are we safe to assume 'El Tri' fans will be in the majority at the Rose Bowl?
According to 2010 census figures, California is home to an estimated 11 million Mexicans. Bearing in mind states with far smaller Mexican populations have poured to watch Chicharito and Co. in the last few weeks, most would expect Mexican fans to be the dominant factor in Pasadena.
One thing's for sure - a final between the bordering nations would come with considerable baggage. The US and Mexico have squared up 16 times since the turn of the century, with the US winning 10 to Mexico's four, and two draws.
In that time the Mexican fans have earned a reputation for the frenzied nature of support - and for occasionally overstepping the mark.
Back in 2004, it was reported a small numbers chanted "Osama, Osama" and booed the American national anthem during an Olympics qualifier between the two rivals.
When the teams squared off in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca in 2009, Mexican fans were accused of throwing cups of vomit and urine at US star Donovan.
GettyImagesJozy Altidore is mobbed after his stunning strike booked the USA's place in the last eight
The upward trajectory of US fortunes has unquestionably played its part. Mexico now has a genuine threat across the border to deal with, and when the US knocked them out of the 2002 World Cup things got serious.
Nobody better represents the ferocity of the modern rivalry than Landon Donovan. It was his goal that sealed a 2-0 win for the US in the last 16 of the World Cup in Japan and Korea, and he scored again in the 2007 Gold Cup final between the sides.
The LA Galaxy star divides the two sets of fans like no other. To US supporters he's a swashbuckling hero who put their team on the map; to the Mexicans he's an arrogant personification of the America they want to beat on the football field.
Donovan will look to channel both sets of emotions if the two teams continue their rivalry in his home Los Angeles.
"It's not just another game for me. I clearly, absolutely, desperately want to beat them," he once said of the US-Mexico rivalry.
Every player and fan for both sides feels exactly the same. And with that to draw on, here's hoping they meet in the final, and the battle for North America's soccer soul gets a new
Luka Modric reveals he wants to leave Tottenham for Chelsea
Harry Redknapp described Chelsea's £22m bid for Luka Modric on Wednesday as 'ridiculous'. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto
Luka Modric has told Tottenham Hotspur that they do not match his ambitions and admitted for the first time that he would like to join Chelsea.
Despite Tottenham rejecting a £22m bid from Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, on Wednesday for the Croatia midfielder and Harry Redknapp, the manager, saying the 25-year-old is not for sale, Modric has broken rank to try to force his dream move through.
He said: "I would like to go to Chelsea. A lot of players would like to go there and play for Chelsea because it is one of the best clubs in the world, and so do I. I would like to play there. But we will see what will happen. Chelsea are a great club, they play in the Champions League every year, they have great players, they are ambitious and have an ambitious owner who wants to invest in the club and make it win the Champions League, the Premier League and other titles.
"They are going in a great direction and everything about the club is very good. They [Chelsea] are the only one who sent an offer and they are at the moment my first choice."
Although Modric is adamant he wants to leave he is hopeful his departure will not be acrimonious. "I don't want to fight and argue with Tottenham," he said. "I'll want to go in a good way, a friendly way so I can stay friends with them. I have spent three great years there and the fans are great, the club is great.
"I love them and they love me but that's the way it is and I have to think what is best for my career. But first I need to speak to the chairman [Daniel Levy] and see his view on everything. I don't know when that will be, but soon."
Modric admitted in interviews with the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph that Tottenham's failure to qualify for the Champions League, which they played in last season, had caused him to look elsewhere.
"It's a short period [your career] and you want to fulfil your personal ambitions as a football player, win trophies, play Champions League football every year," he said .
"That is what I want. Last season it was the first time I had played in the Champions League and it was amazing. It's a great competition, the best in the world, and I would like to play in it again. I would like to play in it this year – it's going to be difficult to play without the Champions League."
Although Manchester United and Manchester City retain an interest in the playmaker, Modric appeared to rule out a move away from London. "I like the city, I want to stay in London. I am very happy here and so are my family," he said. "Spurs will always have a place in my heart [but] my experiences in the Champions League have left me with the desire for more."
Asked what might be the next move Modric said: "I need to talk with the chairman. I won't ask for a transfer, no. That would be disrespectful.
"I hope they can reach an agreement [with another club] that is satisfactory for everyone. I am on holiday [until 6 July], but I need to speak and to see if I can find a solution to this."
Despite Tottenham rejecting a £22m bid from Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, on Wednesday for the Croatia midfielder and Harry Redknapp, the manager, saying the 25-year-old is not for sale, Modric has broken rank to try to force his dream move through.
He said: "I would like to go to Chelsea. A lot of players would like to go there and play for Chelsea because it is one of the best clubs in the world, and so do I. I would like to play there. But we will see what will happen. Chelsea are a great club, they play in the Champions League every year, they have great players, they are ambitious and have an ambitious owner who wants to invest in the club and make it win the Champions League, the Premier League and other titles.
"They are going in a great direction and everything about the club is very good. They [Chelsea] are the only one who sent an offer and they are at the moment my first choice."
Although Modric is adamant he wants to leave he is hopeful his departure will not be acrimonious. "I don't want to fight and argue with Tottenham," he said. "I'll want to go in a good way, a friendly way so I can stay friends with them. I have spent three great years there and the fans are great, the club is great.
"I love them and they love me but that's the way it is and I have to think what is best for my career. But first I need to speak to the chairman [Daniel Levy] and see his view on everything. I don't know when that will be, but soon."
Modric admitted in interviews with the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph that Tottenham's failure to qualify for the Champions League, which they played in last season, had caused him to look elsewhere.
"It's a short period [your career] and you want to fulfil your personal ambitions as a football player, win trophies, play Champions League football every year," he said .
"That is what I want. Last season it was the first time I had played in the Champions League and it was amazing. It's a great competition, the best in the world, and I would like to play in it again. I would like to play in it this year – it's going to be difficult to play without the Champions League."
Although Manchester United and Manchester City retain an interest in the playmaker, Modric appeared to rule out a move away from London. "I like the city, I want to stay in London. I am very happy here and so are my family," he said. "Spurs will always have a place in my heart [but] my experiences in the Champions League have left me with the desire for more."
Asked what might be the next move Modric said: "I need to talk with the chairman. I won't ask for a transfer, no. That would be disrespectful.
"I hope they can reach an agreement [with another club] that is satisfactory for everyone. I am on holiday [until 6 July], but I need to speak and to see if I can find a solution to this."
http://www.guardian.co.uk
Blues in talks over Lukaku move
Anderlecht have confirmed for the first time they and Chelsea are in discussions over Romelu Lukaku moving to Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku: Could be bound for Stamford Bridge
Lukaku, 18, has long been linked with Chelsea, who he has confessed to support.
Rumours have been rife that Anderlecht general manager Herman van Holsbeeck had visited London to thrash out a deal with the Barclays Premier League club.
And he has now confirmed that he has been in talks with them, in addition to other clubs, amid reports Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham are also interested in the teenager.
Van Holsbeeck told Sky Sports: "There is still a long way to go in the negotiations.
"We are indeed negotiating with Chelsea, but there are other clubs we are talking to."
Van Holsbeeck refused to put a timescale on any deal, saying: "It could happen in the next half hour, it could take until August 31 - that is football."
Lukaku's Belgium team-mate De Bruyne could be used as a makeweight in any deal, with the 19-year-old midfielder revealing that would be acceptable to him were he to sign for Chelsea.
"I have had time to think about my future and I would love to join Chelsea, but the important thing next season is that I play," he said.
"With Chelsea, there is not that guarantee, but there would be at Anderlecht and they would be an ideal springboard for me.
"I know Genk are in the Champions League but they must get through two rounds anyway, and if I can improve sporting wise and obviously financially, then I hope Genk will not put any obstacles in my way."
De Bruyne's agent denied his client's loan move to Anderlecht would be dependent on any Lukaku deal.
Patrick de Koster said: "No, that is not the case.
"Kevin, though, is happy with the prospect of joining Anderlecht - he has stated that himself.
"He knows Chelsea have a history of this (loaning out players) and, if you do well, you will get your chance.
"And, yes, although he would benefit financially from this move, he is young and this is about his career and sporting opportunity."
Chelsea are continuing to make moves in the transfer market, despite having been without a manager for almost a month.
Wednesday saw them have a reported £22million bid rejected for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, an offer they will have to increase significantly to stand any chance of prising him away from White Hart Lane.
The Blues' managerial vacancy could soon be filled, with Turkey boss Guus Hiddink reportedly set to return to Stamford Bridge if a compensation package with his current employers can be agreed.
Coyle ponders Cahill future
Owen Coyle concedes he will have a tough job hanging on to Gary Cahill this summer but insists Bolton will not be short-changed if he leaves.
Cahill: Will be in demand this summer
However, having seen Blackburn's England Under-21 star Phil Jones join Manchester United in a deal which could be worth £20million, Coyle is well aware of the value of his centre-back.
"I believe he could play for any club - I'd put my reputation on it," said the Scot.
"There's been a lot of interest - and you don't have to be a genius to work out some of the top clubs in this country have been interested - but nothing concrete yet.
"It would take a lot of money. It is up to those clubs to put something firm to the chairman.
"He is not a player we want to lose, I have to stress that, but we have to accept if it is the right deal for the club and the player it has to be done and that then frees up cash for us to invest in the club.
"I would love him to stay. He is a fantastic player for the club and I am not saying I want him to go, but if he does it will be the right business for the club."
If Cahill were to leave, likely for a fee in excess of £15million, Coyle is keen to plough that money back into bolstering his squad.
The Bolton boss has made considerable progress since taking over in January 2010 but is keen to push on further.
He accepts, however, the club have to be on the ball with their transfer business if they are to stand a chance of beating rivals with bigger budgets to their targets.
"I am in the market to improve the club and I am looking to make sure we get the right quality to add to the squad and take the team forward," Coyle added.
"We have to make sure when we have targets we are first on the scene for them because if we arrive at the same time as Chelsea or Manchester United we will lose out.
"There comes a time when you are a manager when you need some help and finances might need to be made available.
"Hopefully we can add. There has been tremendous progress as we were a team favourites for relegation when I joined.
"We hope to have a couple of new faces in by the time we start pre-season on July 4."
Having brought in Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge on loan for a successful second half of the season Coyle has been linked with returning for a permanent move.
It remains to be seen whether the Stamford Bridge side are prepared to sell but Coyle offered a word of warning to the England Under-21 international.
"We would love to have Daniel back at the club but he may be in Chelsea's plans," he told Sky Sports News.
"Given the development Daniel has made he has to keep playing - it would be detrimental for him to be sat on the bench."
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