David Luiz's return, a last minute decision – Conte

Luiz has been backed to become one of the best defenders in the world by Antonio Conte
Chelsea coach, Antonio Conte has spoken
about the event that led to the return of David Luiz to Stamford Bridge. The
Italian said the decision to bring the Brazilian defender from PSG was made on
the final day of the transfer window. The 29 year-old who left Chelsea in 2014
was resigned for £32million.   
‘When we take the decision
about players, we always take the decision together: me and the club. 
‘This transfer market was very
difficult for us to reach our targets, but at the last minute, on the last day,
there was this situation which was good for me and the club to improve the
squad.

‘For this reason, we bought
David Luiz. We invested in David and I’m very happy. We took a player with a
great personality, good technique, he likes to play. I like to play football
and I like defenders who like to play football. 

‘I think every player can
improve. David Luiz is 29, it’s a fantastic age for him to become one of the
best defenders in the world.’
Conte said.

Transfer business is over at Manchester United – Mourinho confirms

Manchester United’s business with the transfer market is over, coach Jose Mourinho has confirmed. The Red Devils splashed a hefty price on four solid acquisitions. Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba  in the summer and the ex Chelsea manager couldn’t be more happier with the quality of the squad.
The Portuguese told MUTV, I think we’ll have a very quiet week in terms of transfers. I am more than happy with the squad. “It’s the first time I’ve worked with such a number of players because I’m
used to working with 20 plus the keepers, and we have in the squad 23 plus the
keepers – and even so we had to make decisions and let some players go on loan,
and try to sell others.”

“But this group of 23 is a great
group and I think in this moment – and I told them this – there is a little bit
of frustration for the ones that I have not selected. They work hard to be in
the match and they aren’t, and this is going to happen in the next two or three
weeks because we have just one Premier League match.
“But,
in September, the League Cup starts, the Europa League starts, we start playing
three matches a week and then everybody is involved and the squad is good. The
empathy between the guys is really good too, so I’m happy with the squad.”

Premier League transfers from the January 2016 window

The transfer window in England opened on Saturday 2 January 2016 and closed on Monday, 1st February, 2016. Below are the Premier League transfers 
ARSENAL: Mohamed Elneny (Basle)
BOURNEMOUTH : Juan Iturbe (Roma); Benik Afobe (Wolves), Lewis Grabban (Norwich), Marius Adamonis (FK Atlantas), Rhoys Wiggins (Sheffield Wednesday)
CHELSEA: Alexandre Pato (Corinthians); Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
CRYSTAL PALACE: Emmanuel Adebayor (free agent), Randall Williams (Tower Hamlets)
EVERTON: Matty Foulds (Bury), Shani Tarashaj (Grasshoppers), Oumar Niasse (Everton)
LEICESTER: Demarai Gray (Birmingham), Daniel Amartey (FC Copenhagen)
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LIVERPOOL: Marko Grujic (Red Star Belgrade), Steven Caulker (QPR)
MANCHESTER CITY: Anthony Caceres (Central Coast Mariners)
NEWCASTLE: Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea), Henri Saivet (Bordeaux), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Seydou Doumbia (Roma)
NORWICH: Steven Naismith (Everton), Timm Klose (Wolfsburg), Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb), Matt Jarvis (West Ham), Ben Godrey (York), Patrick Bamford (Chelsea), Ebou Adams (Dartford), James Maddison (Coventry)
SOUTHAMPTON: Charlie Austin (QPR)
STOKE: Giannelli Imbula (Porto)
Adebayor2701.png
SUNDERLAND: Jan Kirchhoff (Bayern Munich), Steven Harper (free agent), Dame N’Doye (Trabzonspor), Lamine Kone (Lorient), Wahbi Khazri (Bordeaux)
SWANSEA: Alberto Paloschi (Chievo), Leroy Fer (QPR)
TOTTENHAM: Shilow Tracey (Ebbsfleet)
WATFORD: Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland), Nordin Amrabat (Malaga), Mario Suarez (Fiorentina), Abdoulaye Doucoure (Rennes), Adalberto Penaranda (Granada)
WEST BROM: Sandro (QPR), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham)
WEST HAM: Sam Byram (Leeds), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce)

Atletico and Real Madrid banned from registering players

Spanish outfits, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been banned by FIFA from registering players for two transfer windows for flouting rules on signing non-Spanish under-18 players. Atletico were fined 900,000 Swiss francs (623,248 pound) while Real picked 360,000 francs. The players featured in games between 2007 and 2014 for Atletico, and 2005 and 2014 for Real Madrid. Both clubs will not be able to participate in the next two transfer windows until July/August 2016 and January 2017.

“The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players.”
“FIFA works hard to protect the rights of players under the age of 18 — whether male or female, amateur or professional,” 
“This is done through the enforcement of regulations prohibiting the international transfer of minors, or the first registration of minors in a country other than their own, except in specific circumstances.” a FIFA statement read.

EPL success is a blessing and a curse – Biola Kazeem

One of Nigeria’s foremost sport analysts, Biola Kazeem has tagged the tremendous success of the English Premier League as a blessing and equally, a curse to its indigenous country. He mentioned this in an online chat he had with Loladeville yesterday. The chat kicked off on Twitter by 8pm with both accounts – @loladeville_ and @biolakazeem as well as the HashTag – #Loladevillechat

Biola was reacting to a question on the homegrown player rule that compels EPL clubs to play home grown talent in order to improve the quality of indigenous English players. He claimed the success of the EPL will always give the clubs the room to go for the best players while the English players will have to be good to really get played as the rule will only but give them a chance.

Furthermore, Biola believes that the signing of Cech by Arsenal will give them a much needed balance ahead of the new season. He argued that the signing may be important than getting a striker which seem to be a more pressing need. He hinged his argument on the fact that Manchester City had the highest goalscorer in the league the previous season but failed to win it.
On the teams in Manchester; Biola spoke high of Ed Woodward who he believes has made some great moves and more importantly, brought down the wage bill and reduced average age of the Manchester United squad.

In the same vein, he opined that Manchester City have made some good signings including that of Raheem Sterling although he admitted that was extortionate.
Speaking of good signings, Biola thinks the loan move for Falcao and Wilnaldjum to Newcastle doesn’t entirely belong in that category.

In conclusion, he is looking out for Liverpool whom he believes will score goals aplenty, Stoke City and crystal Palace while also anticipating a far more dramatic end to the summer transfer window.

Schweinsteiger off to United, Casillas says goodbye and other transfer news

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sing Bayern Munich’s midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger. The hugely-experienced 30yr old reportedly told Bayern he does not want to extend his contract and sought to face new challenge in a new league. Schweinsteiger made his debut for Bayern in 2002 and went on to make 536appearances with major titles like The Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal to his name.

Iker Casillas will be saying goodbye to his boyhood club, Real Madrid, after 25 years as Porto have agreed a deal to sign the goalie. Casillas who has been in the middle of several controversy since he was dropped from the first team by Mourinho in 2012 joined Real Youth Academy in 1990, made his debut in 1999 and won 17 major honors with the club.

World Cup winner and two-time FIFA player of the year, Ronaldinho has signed with Brazilian side, Fluminense.  The player confirmed the move on his Twitter page.  He will be earning 600,000reals ($190,000) plus bonus from Jersey sales and other club products.  Ronaldinho ascribed the rational behind the move to his quest to win the Brazilian league.

Former Manchester city striker, John Guidetti has joined Celta Vigo on a fiver year deal for free. 
The Swedish striker who spent last season on loan at Celtic making 35appearances and scoring 15goals is expected to blossom at the Spanish club.

Manchester United have completed the signing of Italian defender, Matteo Darmian from Torino. 
The 25year old passed his medical and was awarded a four year contract which cost £12.9Million.
He becomes United’s second signing after the arrival of Memphis Dephay from PSV.

Schweinsteiger to United, Delph to Manchester city and other transfer news

German tabloid, Bild reports that Manchester United and Bayern Munich have agreed a deal for world Cup winner, Bastian Schweinsteiger. The report says that Bayern will receive €20 Million for Schweini and the player will receive wages that sums up to €10Million a year.

Manchester City have reportedly triggered the £8Million buy out clause of Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph. Personal terms have been agreed with the midfielder and the player might be playing at the Etihad next season if everything go as planned.
Senegalese Midfielder, Idrissa Gueye have completed a move from Lille to Aston Villa for a fee around £9Million.
Gueye’s arrival is borne out of Delph’s imminent move to Manchester City.

AC Milan forward, Stephan El-sharawy will undergo medical on Sunday as he close in on a €20Million move to Monaco. 
Xerdan Shaqiri have reportedly accepted a move to Schalke after having rejected Stoke City.

Asmir Begovic to Chelsea, Given to Stoke, Llorente to Spurs and other transfer gists.

Asmir Begovic will complete his move to Chelsea football club today with his has team, Stoke City, getting £8M and Marco Van Ginkel on loan. Begovic will play backup to Courtois following the departure of Petr Cech to Arsenal. Stoke City moved a step closer to signing Aston Villa’s goalie, Shay Given as he passed a medical at the club. Shay Given will be coming in to replace Begovic who is about to secure a move to Chelsea.

In a bid to bolster their attack, Tottenham Hotspur launched a £10M bid for Juventus forward, Fernando Llorente and there are indications that the Spaniard will accept the offer. Matteo Darmian is expected to have his medical today (friday) at Manchester United to complete his move to the English side.
QPR defender, Steven Caulker is on the radar of West Brom as the club is looking to improve its defence. Caulker is already fast becoming a liability at QPR given his high salary and could be sold this summer to ease up spending.

Darmian to Manchester United, Vidal to Madrid and other transfer gists.

All seems set for Italian right back, Matteo Darmian to complete a €20M move to Manchester United.  Torino manager, Giampero Ventura affirmed this in a statement to Sky Sports Italia. 

“Matteo Darmian will play for Manchester United, it’s a dream for him” Ventura said.

General manager of Juventus, Beppe Marotta, has dismissed talks of Arturo Vidal moving to Real Madrid.  Marotta termed the talks ‘utopic’ while also reiterating that Paul Pogba will not be sold. 

“there have been rumors about Arturo and we have a relationship with Real so these rumors are utopic””at the same time, I think we’ve already said enough about Pogba. Juventus do not deprive themselves of their most important players”.

The news of Robin Van Persie moving to Fenerbahce gathered momentum as their Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Emenike is close to signing a loan deal with Qatari club, Al Alin. The club is confident of landing Van Persie to replace Emenike.
Yohan Cabaye might be switching sides this summer as PSG has agreed price deal with Crystal Palace and he is about to undergo a medical test.
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