Chelsea legend set to seal shock return to join Premier League

Barely days after his departure from Chelsea, Frank Lampard could be set for a shock return to England’s top flight football with a loan move to Manchester City. The 36 year old joined MLS side New York City, partially owned by Manchester City at the end of July. It was believed that the midfielder would feature for City’s sister club Melbourne City but fresh news from last night hint he could play for the Citizens in a six month loan deal.

Speaking at his unveiling in New York, Lampard climed, “I will have to keep fit. I'll have to train at the very top level, whether that's on my own or with a club somewhere, I'll have to see. Of course I'll keep fit and make sure my levels don't drop too much. When we come here for pre-season I want to be ready to go. I want to fly out of the blocks. I don't want to come out sluggish.”

The English midfielder scored 211 goals in 649 matches to become Chelsea’s record goalscorer but was released by the Stamford Bridge side at the end of the 2013-14 season thanks to their policy of dealing with players above 30 years of age. It comes as a major surprise should the player join the Premier League Champion s for he had earlier said, “I can't imagine playing for anyone else after being 12 years at Chelsea. I've got a lot of respect for a lot of other Premier League clubs, particularly the top ones, but I'm not sure I could have done that."

It would be a shock down the nerves for the Chelsea fans to see the apple of their eye featuring for Manchester City but in all certainty, Lampard would be relegated to the bench with nowhere being even close to claim a starting eleven spot for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. The Englishman will however have to be happy with domestic cup games that too coming off the bench. Things might get interesting if he faces Chelsea in the period of time he is with the Citizens.

Arsenal Manager hints defender could join Manchester United

So will another player follow in the footsteps of Robin Van Persie ditching Arsenal to join Manchester United? Guradian have reported that Manchester United ready to move for Thomas Vermaelen with Arsene Wenger saying his captain could move in this month to join the club’s fierce rivals. The Belgian was relegated to the bench thanks to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny’s astute defending and with Calum Chambers joining the Gunners, Vermaelen’s future is set to be well and truly over at the Emirates.

Earlier Barcelona were also interested in signing the 28 year old, but the Blaugrana’s deal for Jermy Mathieu means the Catalan club will pursue Vermaelen with less intent meaning United are given the green light  to sign Vermaelen. Arsene Wenger said yesterday in press conference, “Vermaelen is injured. It is a possibility that he goes. If he goes, we have to replace him because he’s an important player in our squad.”

Wenger: "@T_Vermaelen05 is injured. It is a possibility that he goes." http://t.co/GFNaNzGOGy #EmiratesCup

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Vermaelen would cost around £12m as the Guardian claims and with Manchester United’s needs for central defenders well documented, Louis Van Gaal could snap up the current Gooner who would very well fit in his favoured 3-5-2 at Old Trafford. Wenger however isn’t fully inclined to part with his left footed centre back, ““No, I expect him to stay but he, of course, did not play enough games last year. For me he’s a very important player but I couldn’t guarantee him the games he wanted last year.”

There is no doubt that Vermaelen wants to feature out day in and day out for the London club but Wenger currently cannot promise him that while if he makes a move to Old Trafford the player will effectively get a starting eleven spot every game week.

Arsenal have the knack of selling away players but this time it’s more of the player’s individual will to get more game time. United’s gain will be Arsenal’s pain in what could be hinted at the resurrection of the Belgian’s flourishing carerr which hit a stumbling block over the past season plagued by injuries.

PHOTOS: Arsenal's Big Money Signing Training At The London Colney For The First Time

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez trained with his new team mates for the first time on Friday. The £35m rated winger took part in a full session at London Colney ahead of the Emirates Cup, where the Gunners will face Benfica and AS Monaco in their pre season preparations ahead of the brand new 2014-15 season.

PICTURES: Here he is! Check out @Alexis_Sanchez training with @Arsenal for the first time: http://t.co/PG9NkKLtEu pic.twitter.com/Qz0AXdZk7h

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

It  would be interesting to see what role Sanchez is asked to player by manager Arsene Wenger who would well know the Chilean’s knack for goal scoring prowess, the 25-year old scored 47 goals in 141 appearances for Barcelona during his presence at the Catalan outfit.

First pictures Alexis Sanchez in Arsenal training http://t.co/AmpbkIsZCy #afc pic.twitter.com/HbvyIR6Oy5

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 1, 2014

With the plethora of midfielders at his disposal, Wenger would be tempted to play Sanchez in a more advanced role, relieving of his defensive contribution so as to take up his goals coring attributes to take the pressure off Olivier Giroud up front.

PICTURES: Here he is! Check out @Alexis_Sanchez training with @Arsenal for the first time: http://t.co/PG9NkKLtEu pic.twitter.com/Qz0AXdZk7h

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Sanchez as it appears looks in fantastic shape and will look to gel well with his team mates at London, hoping to strike a cordial bond as soon as the season kicks off where Arsenal will look to mount a serious Premier League title challenge. 

€ 60m Manchester United target set to wear number 7 shirt at Old Trafford

When you are in new love with your girlfriend, you can’t stop thinking about her. You can’t just get enough of her blonde hair, her cuddly cheeks and the fragrance you sensed in your first date. Manchester United’s situation in their ongoing transfer saga with Juventus midfielder for the past month has the setting on similar lines. Now if reports from Vidal’s native country Chile is to be believed thanks to the national daily Le Tercera, the player is set to be a Red Devil soon.

That’s not all, Vidal is set to follow the footsteps of the iconic players like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham and everything is placed for the 27 year old to wear the number seven shirt. It is believed that new manager Louis Van Gaal is pushing the club’s executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward to continue his recruitment drive and has asked him to go all out for Vidal, even if it means to double his wages (£200,00 a week )  if the player switches loyalties to join the Manchester club.

Juventus understandably are playing hardball, first they have maintained they won’t sell the player despite knowing their crunch financial crisis would be tough to reject a €60m offer from the English giants. Secondly, they don’t  want to force the player out and to appease fans, despite being Serie A champions three times in a row, would want Vidal to put in a transfer request if all it comes down to the wages, which the Bianconeri cannot afford to pay.

Vidal’s agent Fernando Felicevich has been quit in the past few days but Sebastian Giovinco’s representative Andrea D’Amico is a certain loudspeaker as of now. The gentleman has given his verdict saying that Vidal will leave the Turin club in the summer transfer window. “Vidal and Pogba? One of the two will leave. I’ll go a step further I’m convinced Vidal will certainly leave.”

Juventus chief Beppe Marotta however looks like a sage in strict denial saying Sky Italia, “Vidal feels good with us, and we are happy to have him here. We have already renewed his deal, I don't think there will be problems." We understand you Marotta, who wants to lose his favourite player!

Manchester United's Rising Star vs Chelsea's Blistering Left Back - Who Will Make Bigger Impact This Season?

The old left-backs have been left back, as newer, comparatively younger left-backs have been purchased by Manchester United and Chelsea. Luke Shaw is the new kid on the block, while Filipe Luis brings a wealth of experience with him.

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Chelsea offered Manchester United target for World Cup winner

According to reports in Madrid based daily MARCA, Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle could be headed to Atletico Madrid with Brazilian defender Miranda heading the other way to Stamford Bridge. The Rojiblancos have well and fully understood the price of success with their major players Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois all joining Chelsea in what would be rightly called a mass exodus.

Manager Diego Simeone however has acted quickly in the transfer market to acquire French sensation  Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad and is now on the prowl to sign German midfielder Schurrle whose assist for Mario Gotze at the Maracana against Argentina won the World Cup for the Die Mannschaft.  Schurrle has primarily been a bit part-player for Jose Mourinho, with his majority of appearances coming from the bench.

The 23 year old former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has hit the back of the net 8 times and grabbed a couple of assists in 30 outings for the Blues from London. However it is believed that his enormous work rate that has convinced Simeone to land him at the Vicente Calderon by offering Manchester United target Miranda to Chelsea.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United’s need for a central defender are well documented and MARCA reported a couple of days ago that Mourinho is insistent to sign Miranda and is set to offer €25m for the player.  The Brazilian has the same super agent as Costa and Luis, i.e Jorge Mendes and Mourinho is confident that a deal can be agreed upon. Chelsea were earlier interested in Raphael Varane after their pursuit of Roma’s Mehdi Benatia had hit a roadblock but it is believed that Real Madrid have no intentions in selling the young Frenchman with Pepe entering his early thirties.

Miranda however has a €30m release clause and should both Chelsea and Atletico agree on a deal, the English giants will have to pay some significant cash worth around €10m and also allowing Schurrle to witch loyalties for the La Liga winners. Finally after breaking the Real Madrid and Barcelona hegemony in Spain last season can the Rojiblancos defy the odds and defend their title successfully?

Colombian sensation headed to London airport ahead of Arsenal move

Reports in Portuguese newspaper O Jogo has claimed that Arsenal are preparing a deal close to €20m for the signing of Porto’s Colombian playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero from Porto. English tabloid Metro has however taken the story to a different level altogether saying that the 21 year old is set to fly to London ahead of the move which they expect to be completed by Monday. The report has been based around respected journalist Diego Rueda who took to Twitter saying that Quintero is headed to London.

Rory Smith of the Times too tweeted that the Colombian is in the process of potentially becoming the Gunners’ fifth signing of the summer. The youngster first footsteps in Europe was during a loan spell at then Serie A side Pescara but Porto later bought the player and it was reported that the player would have a €40m transfer release clause. Though is confusion over the price tag, Arsenal’s €20m offer certainly shows that the London club mean business ahead of the 2014-15 season as they realistically want to mount a strong Premier League title challenge.

The attacking playmaker likened to James Rodriguez scored a goal in the World Cup against Ivory Coast sealed the South Americans’ passage through to the round of sixteen. However the player caught the eye when he smacked inthree goals in four appearances in Under-20 World Cup in Turkey which fuelled his senior debut against Cameroon in 2012.  

Quintero would seamlessly fit into Arsenal’s free flowing passing style and with reports that Santi Cazorla attracting interest from Atletico Madrid, the youngster would be a superb long term option. The question however is can Wenger fit him into the starting eleven immediately after having rejected the chance to sign Cesc Fabregas back from Barcelona, the Spaniard who later joined Chelsea. 

Quintero can also play the number ten role to utmost perfection thanks to his dazzling ability on the ball and the ease at which he gets past defenders. Moreover with Arsenal desperate to sign a quality striker the Colombian can also take up the mantle to support Giroud up front. 

Reds Eye Marco Reus - Why Liverpool Could Make A Move For The Winger

Brendan Rodgers is believed to considering submitting a bid in the region of £30 million to Borussia Dortmund for attacker Marco Reus. Reus, 25, recently turned down a contract extension with the 2013/14 Bundesliga runners-up. The winger scored 21 times in 39 appearances last season, gaining the interest of arch rivals Bayern Munich, Brendan Rodgers' new-look Liverpool, Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona.

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5 World Cup Stars, Who Might Be Heading For The Premier League

A busy summer of transfer dealing always follows a major tournament and already in 2014, we’ve seen Enner Valencia, Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina complete moves to the Premier League. But who will follow them? Here are five players who could switch to the Premiership after starring roles at the World Cup.

Mats Hummels

Manchester United are third favourites at 6.00 with Betfair to win the Premier League this season and manager Louis Van Gaal is linked with the majority of available talent in the wake of Brazil 2014.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic having left the club, there is a serious need for a replacement centre half and German World Cup Winner Hummels is believed to be a long term target. The 25 year old defender was a solid performer at the back for Germany while scoring two vital goals along the way to the final but it’s felt that Barcelona may prove to be a bigger draw for the Borussia Dortmund star.

Divock Origi

19 year old Lille striker Origi attracted media attention when he replaced Romelu Lukaku to score Belgium’s only goal in their group stage win against the Russians. Almost as soon as the ball hit the back of the net, Liverpool and Spurs were linked with the player’s signature but having lost out on Loic Remy, it’s expected that Brendan Rodger’s side will now complete the purchase.

Origi was described as a teenage scoring sensation by one area of the press but his overall record in France suggests there is work to be done if he is to become an Anfield regular. In 40 games for Lille, he has found the net on just six occasions and while he often plays on the wing in Ligue 1, that’s a record that needs improvement.

Islam Slimani

Algerian forward Slimani may have the record for having the highest number of links to Premiership sides this summer. Stoke City, West Ham, Newcastle, Everton and Crystal Palace are just five of the names mentioned in connection with a signature but any move has stalled amidst reports that current club Sporting Lisbon are holding out for a fee of £10m.

Slimani was one of the stars of a positive World Cup for the Algerians and his two goals sparked the interest. £10m may be seen as too much for a man who has scored eight goals in 26 league games in Portugal but expect further negotiations ahead of the new campaign.

Memphis Depay

20 year old PSV winger Depay scored twice for the Netherlands in Brazil and his pace would be an undoubted asset for any Premier League side. Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked but according to some areas of the press, Spurs are the front runners in this particular chase.

If Depay does travel to White Hart Lane, he will face competition from Andros Townsend and Nacer Chadli so overall, Old Trafford seems a more likely destination.

Arturo Vidal

Once again, it’s Manchester United leading the way in the chase for Vidal who featured for Chile in Brazil. Louis Van Gaal will, however, face competition from Liverpool and possibly Chelsea so it’s a question of whether the 27 year old will sacrifice Champions League football this season in the hope that United will be challenging for the Premier League title once again.

Current club Juventus were said to be demanding in excess of £40m for the playmaker but the key to the deal could be Manchester United’s Nani who may head to Turin as part of the overall fee.

Fellaini And Kagawa Rumoured To Be Part Of Old Trafford Clearout - Why United Could Sell The Players

It could be argued there are just as many players being linked with moves away from Old Trafford this summer as there are potential Manchester United targets.  Last year’s disastrous campaign is one of the main reasons for this, as new boss Louis van Gaal attempts to address the side’s problems and mould a squad of his own.

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Liverpool Linked With Yet Another Southampton Star - How The Reds Could Continue Their Recruitment Of Saints Players

Not for quite some time has one side been targeted so much during a transfer window.  This summer has seen Southampton lose their manager and several of their key players, with most of them interestingly all heading to the same club.  Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and now Dejan Lovren have joined Liverpool, whilst Calum Chambers, touted as a star of the future, has moved to Arsenal.  French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has attracted the interest of several sides, but the latest name to be linked with a transfer is that of arguably the most important player they have left.

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Problems Arise With Remy's Liverpool Medical - Why Brendan Rodgers' Side Have Missed Out On A Proven Goalscorer

With the completion of his move to Liverpool seemingly imminent, Loic Remy’s future has taken a drastic turn.  According to the Telegraph, a failed medical has dashed the striker’s hopes of joining the Reds this summer.

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Rooney Stakes His Claim For United Captaincy - Why He Could Be The Man To Lead The Club's Next Generation

With the departure of Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United are in need of a new captain. According to the Manchester Evening News, Wayne Rooney fancies himself for the job.

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Tom Cleverley Believes Van Gaal Will Allow Him To Shine - Why The Midfielder Must Look To Restore His Reputation

After watching their side demolish LA Galaxy in their first game of pre-season, optimism has begun to creep back amongst Manchester United fans.  One player who is sharing that sense of optimism is Tom Cleverley.

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Kevin Strootman Linked With Manchester United - Why The Red Devils May Struggle To Sign The Midfielder

Many of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad have been linked with Manchester United since Louis van Gaal was named as the Red Devils’ new manager.  One Dutchman who was not in Brazil, however, has also been talked up as a potential target for the club.  Kevin Strootman missed the tournament through injury, but his displays for his country in qualifying and in Serie A for Roma were impressive enough to make him a viable option.

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