Cech to undergo medical with Arsenal

Chelsea's Petr Cech will undergo a medical with Arsenal, after the clubs agreed a fee for the keeper, a UK paper reported.

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London - Chelsea's Petr Cech will undergo a medical with Arsenal on Friday, according to British media reports, after the clubs agreed a fee for the 33-year-old goalkeeper.

The BBC said Cech, who was displaced as Chelsea's first-choice keeper by Belgium's Thibaut Courtois last season, had agreed personal terms with Arsenal and would become their first close-season signing.

Cech, who joined Chelsea in 2004 from French club Stade Rennais, played 16 times for Jose Mourinho's side last season.

The goalkeeper position has been an issue for Arsenal over recent years with Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina sharing the role last season.

Reuters



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City snap up £2m Turkey wonderkid

Turkey’s teenage sensation Enes Unal will fly into England this weekend to seal a £2m move to Manchester City.

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London - Turkey’s teenage sensation Enes Unal will fly into England this weekend to seal a £2million move to Manchester City.

City have beaten off interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal to sign the 18-year-old Bursaspor striker.

The Turkish club’s president, Recep Bolukbasi, confirmed the deal on Thursday.

Unal scored a staggering 182 goals in 110 games for Bursaspor’s youth team before becoming the youngest player to strike in the Turkish league and be capped by his country.

He will have a medical before completing a transfer that is worth an initial £500 000 to Bursaspor, building to £2m, and includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

Providing he receives a work permit, Unal will start with City’s Under 21 squad and is likely to be the club’s only new striker this summer.

City are focused on strengthening in midfield and the wide areas, with Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne their top targets.

Daily Mail



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Gerrard reveals moment he knew Liverpool career was over

LONDON: Steven Gerrard knew it was time to leave Liverpool when he was omitted from the starting lineup for their Champions League group match at Real Madrid last November.

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LONDON: Steven Gerrard knew it was time to leave Liverpool when he was omitted from the starting lineup for their Champions League group match at Real Madrid last November.

The 35-year-old former England captain left Anfield in May after more than 17 years and 700 matches with the Premier League club and has signed for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.

He said in an interview to be broadcast on Wednesday that he was “devastated” when manager Brendan Rodgers put him on the bench in Madrid and realised his days at the club were numbered.

“When I was told I wasn't playing, for the sake of the team and the squad and my relationship with Brendan, I took it and accepted it,” Gerrard tells his former England team mate Rio Ferdinand in the interview, to be televised by BT Sport.

But the ex-Liverpool skipper said that was the moment he realised his long career at the club was coming to an end.

“I sat on the bench devastated because I wanted to play. It sort of pushed me into making a decision to move on and try something different,” he explained.

Gerrard eventually came on in the 69th minute of the match, which Liverpool lost 1-0, and although he played 41 times last season, he was no longer the automatic first-choice he had been for most of his 17 years at Anfield.

He is now about to start the next phase of his career with the California-based LA Galaxy and can be seen on promotional posters dotted around the city under the banner 'Greatness'.

Liverpool, who finished second in the Premier League in 2014, had a poor season by comparison last term finishing sixth.

He also said the slip he made that effectively cost Liverpool the title in 2014 “will hurt me till the day I die.”

That happened in April 2014 when they lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea after Gerrard's slip on the turf allowed Demba Ba to score the opening goal.

Liverpool never recovered from that and Manchester City snatched the title from their grasp.

“The slip happened at a bad time, it was cruel for me personally. There's not a day goes by when I don't think, “What if that didn't happen?” Gerrard said

“I've got memories, good memories, that will live with me forever. But that one moment will hurt me until the day I go.

“It's because if I had got that title, I'd have achieved every dream with Liverpool. And, as a man, that hurts.” – Reuters



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United upbeat on Ramos despite failure

Man United have been encouraged by Sergio Ramos agreeing to their request to make his desire to leave Madrid public.

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London - Manchester United have been encouraged by Sergio Ramos agreeing to their request to make his desire to leave Real Madrid public, despite an opening £32m bid for the defender being rejected out of hand on Thurday.

It is thought that United wanted Ramos to be open about his request for rival clubs' bids for him, in order to protect the Premier League club against accusations that they have been used by the 29-year-old as a device to get a new contract at Real. The defender has not gone public himself - despite suggestions he might issue a statement - but his interest in United has been made known, at his own request.

Privately, United will know that such developments offer no guarantees. The boot was on the other foot when Wayne Rooney issued a statement saying he would not sign a new United contract in 2010 - and let it be known that he was unhappy in 2013. But he signed new deals on both occasions and stayed.

The Old Trafford club would probably feel greater security if Ramos were to go public himself. There is a genuine feeling at United that the club are not being played by the Madrid defender, though, and a sense of enthusiasm among supporters that the club are opening the bidding for a Real player this time - rather than waiting for the Spaniards to arrive and hand-pick their prize assets, as they did Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.

As of last night, no bid had been received by United for goalkeeper David De Gea from Real. Ramos is thought to be anxious for progress in the next two weeks - to prevent him being dragged into the Spanish club's long-haul pre-season tour with his future still unclear.

If the situation remains unresolved, Ramos could find himself flying to Australia on 11 July - facing Roma and Manchester City that month - then heading on to China where Madrid play a further two games, against Internazionale in Guangzhou and Milan in Shanghai.

It is the Spanish side's first visit to China for four years and the last thing president Florentino Perez will want in the series of choreographed media appearances there is a disgruntled Ramos in the frame - and all of the attendant negative publicity. Neither does new coach Rafael Benitez want his first weeks in charge to be consumed by a media storm around Ramos.

Reports in the AS newspaper, which is close to the Ramos camp, said United had offered the defender a salary of €55m net (£39m) over five years, which could see the Spain centre-half finish his career playing at Old Trafford.

The nature of the offer would see Ramos earn £8.5m in his first season in England. A sliding scale would lead his annual wage to decrease by £356,000 to leave the Spanish defender earning £7.1m a season.

In a further sign that De Gea's move to Madrid is moving closer, the United goalkeeper's six-bedroom house in Altrincham was listed for sale on Thurday, at £2.75m.

The Independent



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Liverpool close in on Clyne

Liverpool expect to add Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne to their list of new signings, after agreeing a £12.5m deal.

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London - Liverpool expect to add Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne to their list of new signings next week, after agreeing a £12.5m deal for the Southampton right-back.

The 24-year-old is on holiday in the United States and not expected immediately in Liverpool, but he is set to become the club's sixth signing of the summer, with a medical to undergo at Anfield and personal terms to finalise.

It is thought that £2m of the fee agreed with Brendan Rodgers' club - which is less than the anticipated £15m - will be contingent on appearances.

The Liverpool chief executive, Ian Ayre, was on his way back from Chile on Thursday, after a successful three-day trip in which he signed Brazil forward Roberto Firmino. With a third, potentially decisive, bid from Manchester City for Raheem Sterling expected next week, the pursuit of further goalscoring reinforcements will continue.

Despite the presence of £20m Colombian Carlos Bacca and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Venezuelan Salomon Rondon at the Copa America in Chile, there are not thought to have been any developments on that front. Liverpool are waiting to see if Aston Villa capitulate on the hard line they are taking on Christian Benteke's £32.5m release clause.

The Independent



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Guerrero eases Peru into Copa semis

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick to give his side a comfortable victory over Bolivia at the Copa America.

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Chile - Peru striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick to give his side a comfortable 3-1 victory over Bolivia at the Copa America on Thursday, setting up a last-four showdown with hosts Chile.

Guerrero scored twice in three minutes midway through the first half to put the Peruvians in the driving seat in their quarter-final clash in the southern Chilean city of Temuco.

His first was a header from a Juan Vargas cross, his second came on the counter-attack after a corner, and his third arrived in the 74th minute when Bolivian midfielder Danny Bejarano gifted him the ball with a misplaced pass and left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Marcelo Moreno scored a late consolation from the penalty spot after Damian Lizio had been tripped in the box but Peru were never in danger of losing and will face Chile in Santiago on Monday in the first of the Copa semi-finals.

“We're getting better and better,” said Guerrero, who is closing in on Teofilo Cubillas' all-time scoring record for Peru.

“Not many people had much confidence in us before this tournament but once again we're showing that we're a good side.”

Peru, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2011 Copa America, dominated from the outset and could have been out of sight by the break.

After Guerrero's early double, his striking partner Jefferson Farfan grazed a post with a low shot and then rattled the crossbar with a curling free kick.

Bolivia's best chance came from a Moreno header which Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese did well to parry.

The Bolivians rallied slightly in the second half and had a good appeal for a penalty turned down after Gallese appeared to bring down midfielder Pablo Escobar as he headed goalwards.

There was no way back for Bolivia after Guerrero completed his treble, however.

Reuters



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Dempsey gets two-year ban in US

Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey was banned from the US Open Cup after he ripped up a referee's notebook.

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Los Angeles - Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey has been banned from the U.S Open Cup for at least two years after an incident in which he was sent off for ripping up a referee's notebook.

United States international Dempsey has already been suspended for three games by Major League Soccer (MLS) after the incident in which he was given a red card.

The United States Soccer Federation said in a statement that Dempsey had been banned for “a total of six US Open Cup matches or the next two years of US Open Cup competition, whichever is greater. In addition, Dempsey has been fined an undisclosed amount.”

The former Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur forward has waived his right to appeal the decision which related to the US Open Cup match between Seattle and the Portland Timbers on June 16.

Dempsey lost his cool after the Sounders' Michael Azira was sent off, leaving Seattle with eight players.

He took referee Daniel Radford's notebook and threw it to the ground, earning a yellow card for dissent. Dempsey then tore up the notbeook, drawing a straight red card for abuse.

Since MLS clubs enter the US Open Cup in the later rounds, Dempsey could miss more than two years of the competition.

“Due to the suspension, Dempsey cannot play in any US Open Cup matches in 2016 or 2017, and possibly longer depending on the number of tournament games in which Dempsey's team participates in those years,” said the statement.

The Sounders have appeared in five of the last six US Open Cup finals, winning four.

Reuters



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Mashaba retains bulk of Bafana squad

Shakes Mashaba retained the bulk of the Bafana squad that defeated Mauritius in the first leg of the Chand qualifiers.

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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has retained the bulk of the squad that defeated Mauritius 3-0 in the first leg of the 2016 Chand qualifiers at Dobsonville last Saturday.

South Africa will face Mauritius in the second leg on Sunday, July 5 at 5pm (SA time) at the 18 000-seater Stade Anjalay, in Mapou, Mauritius.

Mashaba named 16 players in his 18-man travelling squad that did duty against Mauritius in the first leg - bringing in only two players who were not available for the home leg - defenders Thabo Matlaba and Ntsikelelo Nyauza.

“We did not have much to do in selecting this squad because we looked at the players who played the first leg and needed to add just two more,” said Mashaba.

“What we are looking for are players who will show big match temperament because Mauritius is going to throw everything at us, they won’t sit back like they did last weekend. You could see after the match they were not too disappointed by the 3-0 scoreline. They believe they will reverse the result. I believe the boys will do well though.

“The good thing though is that we also know what we are going to face. The first match gave us an indication of our strong points and weak points, but we will go out there and improve our performance. We are not going for a draw; we will go for a win. An early goal will dampen their spirits so we will do our best to get one.”

Siphelele Ntshangase scored two goals with the other coming from Thamsanqa Gabuza to give Bafana Bafana a convincing win, but Mashaba will urge his players not to be complacent.

“The question of complacency is not an easy thing to deal with because it is in the players’ minds, but we will be guarding against it. We will drum it in the players’ heads that that approach and attitude won’t do us any good,” said Mashaba.

The Bafana Bafana mentor said he was confident all players selected would travel to Mauritius.

“This game does not fall on the Fifa Calendar Week, but we are hopeful the clubs will release the players. We request them to bear with us and we are thankful of those that released their players for the first leg,” said Mashaba.

“But I would also like to say to our fans, media and everyone - let us not allow yesterday to take too much of our energy for tomorrow. Let us put everything in the past and focus on the road ahead, and channel our energy in the right way.”

Bafana assemble for camp on Sunday, in Johannesburg.

The team is scheduled to travel to Mauritius for the Chan return leg on July 2.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers

Jackson Mabokgwane (Black Aces), Itumeleng Khune (unattached)

Defenders

Wandisile Letlabika (Bloemfontein Celtic), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates), Tshepo Gumede (Orlando Pirates), Marc van Heerden (Amazulu), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United)

Midfielders

Gift Motupa (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Monare (Jomo Cosmos), Musa Nyatama (Bloemfontein Celtic), Mandla Masango (unattached), William Twala (Chippa United), Vuyisile Wana (Moroka Swallows)

Strikers

Bonginkosi Ntuli (Amazulu), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Ndumiso Mabena (Platinum Stars), Siphelele Ntshangase (Black Leopards)

ANA



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Messi and Pekerman to face off

The pupil faces up to the master when Lionel Messi leads Argentina against Jose Pekerman's Colombia.

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Chile - The pupil faces up to the master when Lionel Messi leads Argentina against Jose Pekerman's Colombia in their Copa America quarter-final on Friday.

Former Argentina coach Pekerman gave Messi his international debut 10 years ago and took him to his first World Cup finals in Germany in 2006.

The final image of the pair at the tournament had Messi sitting head bowed on the bench as Pekerman overlooked him when making substitutions and the team lost to hosts Germany in a shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the quarter-finals.

Messi will be looking to ensure it is Pekerman left staring at the ground at the end of Friday's match at Vina del Mar with 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina progressing to the semi-finals.

But, with 100 caps under his belt, Messi has nothing but praise and gratitude towards Pekerman and has often said: “He gave me a lot of advice that I don't forget.”

It should be an open match which both Messi and Pekerman will be looking forward to given the attacking inclinations of both men and their teams after struggling to overcome defensive tactics from their group rivals and only shining intermittently.

“Colombia has a game that can favour us because they play and come out (of defence) more than the majority of our rivals up to now,” Argentina winger Angel Di Maria told Reuters.

“I think we'll have more room to move up front They have great players who also need mobility. We're expecting an end to end match.”

Pekerman is now working with another classy number 10, James Rodriguez, top scorer at last year's World Cup and the man some believe should have been named best player instead of Messi.

“We all know they have good players but I think it's going to be 50-50 because Colombia also play, that's why it will be a nice match,” Rodriguez told reporters.

“I think it's obvious that in these three (group) matches I had little room, they were tight matches, intense, with a lot of friction and with little space I can't play much.”

It will be the countries' ninth meeting in the tournament, known as the South American Championship until its revamp in the late 1980s, with Argentina coming out on top in six.

In two previous Copa America clashes in Chile, Argentina won 9-1 in 1945 in the teams' first ever meeting and 2-1 in 1991 when they won their 13th and penultimate title.

Reuters



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Liverpool targeting another striker

Liverpool's readiness to add another attacking option to the squad suggests the club believe they will lose Raheem Sterling.

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London - Liverpool are prepared to add further attacking reinforcements for next season, despite the rapid deal which has made Roberto Firmino the second most expensive acquisition in the club's history at a fee of £22m rising to £29m.

The club also have Seville's £20m Colombian Carlos Bacca and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Venezuelan Salomon Rondon under consideration and though not close to signing either, they will move for another forward if - as seems highly likely - the pursuit of Aston Villa's Christian Benteke falls through.

The Liverpool managing director, Ian Ayre, is staying at the Copa America in Chile for an additional day, having flown out to tie up the Firmino deal, and is in position to progress moves for additional attacking options. Villa have been implacably unwilling to soften on Benteke's £32.5m release clause. Liverpool will simply not buy for that price, meaning the pursuit of the Belgian appears to be over.

Liverpool's readiness to add what would be a ninth attacking option to Brendan Rodgers' squad suggests the club believe they will lose Raheem Sterling - with a third Manchester City bid expected any time, taking the offer close to the £50m asking price which Liverpool are holding to. The Anfield club may look beyond Bacca and Rondon for further attacking options. Real Madrid are expecting Liverpool's interest in Denis Cheryshev, a Russian winger who spent last season on loan at Villarreal, to firm up if they do lose Sterling.

There are impediments to either Bacca or Rondon signing. Seville will not stand in the way of Bacca's sale, though Liverpool are aware they are dealing with another release clause - £21m in his case.

The 28-year-old, who is the more mobile of the two players, was expected to be the first Seville player to leave this summer but the club qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League last month. That complicates the task of persuading Bacca to move. Signing players from Russian clubs like Zenit can also carry challenges, so a move for Rondon would not be straightforward either.

Firmino has been signed on a five-year deal from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim after rapid negotiations were concluded by Ayre. He risked another of the public setbacks which Liverpool have experienced in the transfer market when he flew to Santiago, via Paris, on Monday evening - arriving early on Tuesday morning - but has concluded all the formalities.

All that remains is a medical, which will be completed when the forward has finished his duties at the Copa America with Brazil.

The Independent



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Chiefs to take on Mbabane Swallows

Kaizer Chiefs were drawn to face Mbabane Swallows in the semi-final of the King’s Super Cup on July 18.

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs were drawn to face Mbabane Swallows in the semi-final of the King’s Super Cup on July 18.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, will face Royal Leopards.

The King’s Super Cup is an initiative of Swaziland’s King Mswati III.

The semis will be held in the morning, with the final taking place in the afternoon at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, between Mbabane and Manzini.

Mbabane Swallows finished second in the Swazi league last season, with Royal Leopards taking the title.

Chiefs’ opponent won the league title five times since the club’s foundation.

“This tournament is about love & peace and unity,” Amakhosi’s Football Manager Bobby Motaung said on Wednesday.

“It also reconfirms our relationship with Swaziland through soccer. It’s about bringing people together.”

ANA



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Pirates sign new trio

Orlando Pirates have quietly added three new names to their books for next season.

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Johannesburg - While Kaizer Chiefs have grabbed much attention for their offseason signings, arch-rivals Orlando Pirates have quietly added three new names to their books for next season.

Pirates have acquired the services of Felipe Ovono of Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwean forward Tendai Ndoro and Bafana midfielder Gift Motupa.

Motupa was pleased to be joining the Buccaneers on a five-year contract.

“I am happy for the opportunity to play for Pirates and I hope I can grab it with both hands and excel,” said Motupa.

“I am aware that not every player that gets this opportunity so I plan on making the best of it. I am a central midfielder and for me it’s important that I measure myself against the best and playing for a Club like Pirates gives me that opportunity.”

Ovono, meanwhile, said he had signed with Pirates last season but work permit issues prevented him from turning out for the club.

“I signed for Orlando Pirates during the previous season but I had to go back to my country, Equatorial Guinea in order to apply for a work permit,” said Ovono.

“I am excited to be finally with my team, it has been difficult following them from the side-lines but I am just honoured to be finally here. Pirates is a big team and people back home and across the African continent know and respect this Club which is why I am grateful for the opportunity to play for them.”

Ndoro was excited to provide firepower in the Pirates frontline, and said the competition for spots would bode well for the team.

“I know I have my work cut out for me because Pirates has one of the best striking departments currently in the PSL,” said Ndoro.

“All the strikers are in form and are scoring goals regularly which is a good thing because it shows we have a strong striking department and knowing that I am surrounded by good and talented players is a huge motivation for me. I can only hope that I am able to contribute positively by scoring goals next season.”

ANA



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Everton sign Barcelona winger Deulofeu

Everton have signed winger Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona on a three-year contract for six million euros.

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London - Everton have signed winger Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona on a three-year contract for six million euros ($6.7 million), the Premier League club said on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Spaniard spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Goodison Park and made 29 appearances, scoring three Premier League goals.

“Gerard needs no introduction to anyone here at Everton, for we are all well aware of his incredible footballing talent,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez told the club's website.

“We got to know him really well from his loan period, not only as such a talented player but also his great character. He will be a fantastic asset to our club.”

The contract includes a release clause if Barcelona make an offer meeting certain requirements within the first two years, and the European champions also have a right of first refusal if the Premier League club decide to sell Deulofeu, Everton said.

Deulofeu, who spent last season on loan at Sevilla, is Everton's second signing of the close season following the arrival of midfielder Tom Cleverley from Manchester United on a free transfer.

Reuters



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Wilkins named Villa assistant manager

Ray Wilkins has been appointed as assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa, the former England captain said.

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London - Ray Wilkins has been appointed as assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Premier League club Aston Villa, the former England captain said on Thursday.

The 58-year-old, who won international 84 caps, has managed London sides Queens Park Rangers and Fulham and most recently had a spell as coach of the Jordan national team.

Wilkins played as a midfielder for clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, QPR and Rangers.

He was appointed player manager of QPR in 1994 and has had coaching roles at Fulham, Chelsea, Watford and Millwall.

“Tim is similar to me in that he wants to win and is pretty bubbly. As soon as I spoke to him it seemed to click,” Wilkins told Sky Sports.

“I've been very fortunate over my coaching career to be involved with lots of managers of a very high level. Hopefully, I can give the lads at Villa that experience.”

FA Cup runners-up Villa finished 17th in the Premier League last season.

Reuters



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Arsenal won't sell Wilshere

Arsenal will not entertain any offers for Jack Wilshere and will underline his importance by awarding him a new contract.

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London - Arsenal will not entertain any offers from Manchester City for Jack Wilshere and will underline his importance to the club by awarding him a new contract.

The England midfielder - who scored his first international goals in the 3-2 win in Slovenia earlier this month - is a serious target for City this summer.

But, after years of financial constraints, the Gunners no longer have to consider offers for their best players.

Sportsmail understands City are undeterred by Arsenal’s stance, believing that a massive bid will convince them to sell.

The 23-year-old’s existing deal, worth £60 000 a week, expires in 2018 but talks over an improved contract will start in the opening months of next season.

Daily Mail



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