FOOTBALL GOSSIP Brazils sports minister Aldo Rebelo has called for a radical improvement in the countrys youth development system as a response to the deep scar of losing 7-1 to Germany in the World Cup semi-final. Guardian Argentinas 26-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain says his side are not intimidated by the prospect of facing Germany in Sundays World Cup final, despite their crushing 7-1 victory over Brazil. Evening Standard Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain does not believe his side will be intimidated by Germany Manchester City and Brazil midfielder Fernandinho, 29, says he will be haunted forever by his countrys semi-final rout by Germany. Sun (subscription required) Fare, a campaign group promoting equality in world football, has produced a report highlighting dozens of instances where Fifa has failed to punish racist and homophobic activity at the World Cup in Brazil. Daily Telegraph Neymars agent has launched a scathing attack on Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari following the humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in the World Cup semi-final, calling him an old jerk, repulsive and conceited. Independent TRANSFER GOSSIP Former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh, 30, has agreed a two-year deal to stay at Crystal Palace, accepting a significant pay cut in the process. Guardian Arsenal have been given a boost in their bid to sign Germany international Sami Khedira, 27, after the midfielder rejected the offer of a new two-year contract at Real Madrid. Daily Star The Daily Stars back page leads on Arsenals £35m signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona Arsenal are also in negotiations for the £8m transfer of France striker Loic Remy from newly promoted Queens Park Rangers. Independent Leicester City have made a club record bid of £7.5m for Brightons 27-year-old striker Leonardo Ulloa. Daily Telegraph Chelsea are holding out for a fee of £8m for defender Ryan Bertrand as Liverpool and Tottenham consider a move for the 24-year-old. Daily Express Fulham midfielder Kieran Richardson, 29, is expected to complete a medical at Aston Villa on Friday, after turning down offers from three other Premier League clubs. Daily Mail Villa boss Paul Lambert is planning to let eight of his current players leave the club in order to fund new signings. Sun (subscription required) Liverpool have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Swansea Citys 25-year-old Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony, with the Welsh club holding out for a fee of £20m. Talksport Lazio believe they are favourites to sign Feyenoords 22-year-old Dutch defender Stefan De Vrij, who has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United. Daily Express West Ham are facing competition from AC Milan and Sevilla for 25-year-old Ecuador striker Enner Valencia, who is valued at £12m by Mexican side Pachuca. Times (subscription required) Southamptons bid to sign striker Graziano Pelle has stalled after Saints refused to meet Feyenoords £9.5m asking price for the 28-year-old Italian. Daily Star Everton boss Roberto Martinez has made a £4m bid for 21-year-old Bosnia midfielder Muhamed Besic. Daily Mirror Barcelona will press on with plans to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez for £75m even though Fifa have upheld the 27-year-old Uruguayans biting ban. Sun OTHER GOSSIP Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is planning to limit Steven Gerrards first-team appearances next season in a bid to keep the 34-year-old captain fit until the end of the campaign. Daily Mail Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard made his Premier League debut in November 1998 Leeds United began life under new manager Dave Hockaday with a resounding 16-0 win over Italian minnows FC Gherdeina. Yorkshire Evening Post Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton, 29, wants talks with Paul Lambert after the Villa boss blocked his move to West Brom. Daily Mirror Villa are also set to offer defender Ron Vlaar, 29, a bumper new contract to head off interest in the Netherlands international. Daily Star Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, 27, could quit Tottenham this summer according to his agent Mustapha Nakhli. Daily Mirror Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta, 32, has no intention of leaving Arsenal this summer according to his agent Inaki Ibanez. Times BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini tweeted a picture of himself with a new haircut. The Belgium international has got rid of his afro in favour of a shorter style. Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini appeared in all his countrys World Cup matches The nominations for the Golden Ball award at this years World Cup will be announced on Friday through the Twitter account of the official World Cup football. United States and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard tweeted a photo of himself with former United States international Alexi Lalas and media personalities at a Fan Fest in New York. Germany and Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller may well be a success on the pitch with five goals in six games at this years World Cup, but a video posted on Twitter has revealed the 24-year-olds dancing skills are not quite of the same standard. Metro Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic completed just one day of pre-season training with the thick beard he had grown during his time off before shaving it off. Daily Mail Di Maria agrees personal terms with Manchester United Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has agreed personal terms worth £150,000-a-week with Manchester United. The two clubs just need to agree a fee for the Argentina international who also received offers from PSG & Monaco. Filipe Luis close to Chelsea Chelsea will pay Filipe Luis release clause at Atletico Madrid and the Brazilian will travel to London to seal the move in the coming days. Mourinho wants Drogba reunion Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is mulling over the prospect of bringing Didier Drogba back to Stamford Bridge. The 36-year-old striker has a strong relationship with the Special One, and could return in a player-coach capacity. Manchester United put Vidal talks on hold Manchester United have put talks to sign Arturo Vidal from Juventus on hold. The midfielder has not been discussed during the two clubs discussions over Patrice Evra with the defender set to complete a move to Serie A shortly. Tottenham amongst host of clubs keen on Rodwell Tottenham are one of several teams interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell. Newcastle, Sunderland, Stoke, Hull, Southampton, West Ham, Swansea, West Brom and former club Everton are also keen. Madrid open to Khedira bids Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep Sami Khedira at Real Madrid this summer but his €10 million-a-year wage demands have left the club open to offers for his services. Feyenoord reject Newcastle bid for Janmaat Newcastle have seen a bid for the services of Daryl Janmaat rejected by Feyenoord, who are looking to pick up more than €6 million for the right-back. Barcelona to present Suarez on Wednesday Barcelona are close to completing their move for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and have made plans to present the Uruguay international on Wednesday, with confirmation of the transfer expected at the weekend. Real Madrid to unveil Kroos after World Cup Real Madrid will sign Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich on a six-year deal after the midfielder rejected Manchester United and Chelsea. The Spanish giants will unveil their new signing after the World Cup. Monaco target Luiz Gustavo Monaco are interested in a swoop for Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo and are happy to pay his €35 million buyout clause.
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 13:56:50 +0000