Tottenham sign MK Dons wonder-kid

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of 18-year-old Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Dele Alli for £5 million.

The North London club beat other teams to signing the teenager, including Newcastle United who were apparently also interested in the player.

Alli has now been loaned back to MK Dons for the rest of the season, and will re-join Mauricio Pochettino and his new side in the summer.

Alli’s experience                

The young midfielder has certainly had a good amount of playing time in his short career, as despite being 2 months shy of his 19^th birthday, he has so far made 76 first-team appearances for the Dons, scoring 18 goals.

Alli joined the MK Dons Youth System aged 11, and broke into the first team just 5 years later.

He has also played for the three lions, at Under 17, Under 18 and Under 19 level, but has yet to score while wearing the famous white jersey.

In-form youngster

The Dons currently sit in second place in the League 1 table, just 1 point behind top placed Bristol City, and many believe Alli has been a factor for their success this season.

The hot-property youngster has made 32 appearances for Karl Robinson’s side this season, and has scored 12 goals, making him the clubs top goal scorer.

The new Spurs addition, who has been hailed to be ‘the next Gerrard’ also featured in MK Dons’ historic 4-0 win against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup.

 

Liverpool youngster will be leaving Anfield this summer

The Express has revealed that Liverpool forward and England international Raheem Sterling will be leaving the club this summer, according to talkSPORT.

It is rumoured that Sterling will be making a big money move to Real Madrid after the end of this current season.

The 20-year-old has arguably been Liverpool’s star player this year, as the Reds have begun to show last season’s class once again as of late.

Possible transfer ban

It has already been made public for a while that Real Madrid could soon face a transfer ban similar to La Liga rivals FC Barcelona.

Talks of this have appeared to have halted Madrid’s potential signing of Marco Reus this upcoming summer from Borussia Dortmund, who now looks likely of moving to the Premier League.

It has not been announced whether the current UEFA Champions League holders will face a transfer ban, but if they do what will become of this apparently already done deal?

This apparent deal was brought to life by the radio station known as talkSPORT’s La Liga expert.

A sterling signing

Real Madrid have already showed their intentions of signing young talent this past January Transfer Window, with the signing of 16-year-old Norwegian wonder kid, Martin Odegaard, and now they look to be bringing in one of England’s top young talents.

The Liverpool and England winger was signed by Rafael Benitez from Queens Park Rangers’ Academy in 2010 for a fee of £600,000, and in 2012 made his senior Liverpool debut, aged just 17.

Since his debut Sterling has made 82 appearances for the Merseyside club, and has scored 16 goals in the process. Along with this he has also earned 13 caps for Roy Hodgson’s England side.

With the whole possible transfer embargo against Real Madrid and no word coming from Liverpool as a club itself, this is a definitely a story which is going to have to be tracked and kept an eye on.

 

La Liga star eyes Premiership move

According to the Express, Malaga’s Ignacio Camacho is looking to move to the Premier League when the transfer window re-opens this summer.

Arsenal and Liverpool have showed interest in Camacho for a few seasons, with other clubs gaining interest over time, but Malaga have managed to keep the Spanish international at the La Rosaleda Stadium.

However the 24-year-old has spoken of Malaga’s current financial situation, and is seeming to believe that the La Liga club could be forced to sell him for some needed income.

Leaving on good terms      

Camacho has made it clear that if he leaves Malaga this summer that he wishes to leave on good terms.

He said: “If I do leave here then I want it to be done well and that Malaga are not angry with me.

“But I also think you need to look at the market and its value in case you leave. We all know Malaga’s situation, which isn’t too bad, but they could be forced to sell for a reasonable price.”

A key ball winner

The Spaniard traditionally plays as a defensive midfielder and has played in that position for Malaga since 2011.

Camacho has made 110 appearances for Malaga, in which he has scored 10 goals, after joining from Atletico Madrid, where he won the 2009-2010 UEFA Europa League.

At Atletico Madrid Camacho made 30 appearances, scoring 2 goals, along with this club career, the midfielder has represented his country Spain at pretty much every level.

The 24-year-old finally made his Spanish first team appearance last year, coming on for Sergio Busquets in a friendly against Germany.

For his age, Camacho possesses good experience in terms of playing, competing from his early age up until now in a competitive league in the form of the La Liga, and he could fit in well with the fast style of play the Premier League has to offer.

With the potential to be a future star, it seems Camacho would suit either Arsenal or Liverpool, in providing them with more solidity in midfield.

Chelsea plot to re-sign former player

According to the Daily Star, Chelsea are looking at re-signing former attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian and Wolfsburg playmaker is currently enjoying a great season in the Bundesliga, with 11 assists and 6 goals in 19 appearances.

The 23-year-old joined Chelsea from Belgian side Genk in 2012, yet rarely played for the London side, and was loaned to Werder Bremen during his spell in England.

After only making 3 appearances in a 2 year spell with the Blues, De Bruyne joined Wolfsburg last year for £18 million.

Interest from English clubs

The former Chelsea man’s form this season has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United, who apparently are both looking at bringing him in this summer.

But there have been reports from his home country of Belgium that Chelsea look to be getting themselves in the running to sign the player.

In response to all this interest, Wolfsburg are looking to extend his contract to fend of the English clubs.

Wolfsburg’s sporting director Klaus Allofs said: “Kevin is still tied to 2019.

“But if a player develops extraordinary, it may be that we sit down together and see the conditions.”

Financial fair play

The Bundesliga side could struggle with offering De Bruyne a new deal due to Financial Fair Play regulations, after the signing of Andre Schurrle from Chelsea for £22.5 million.

De Bruyne’s agent has also played down talk of a return to England.

“De Bruyne is feeling very good. After a difficult period at Chelsea he is finally playing continuously.”

With receiving week-in week-out first team football with a club that seems to be on the up in the Bundesliga currently sitting in 2^nd place, it doesn’t seem likely that De Bruyne will want to return to the Premier League any time soon.

Chelsea in contact with Real Madrid defender

According to the Express, Chelsea have made contact with the agent of Sergio Ramos over a potential move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 28-year-old has already turned down the offer of a contract extension from Madrid, and his current contract expires in 2017.

Ramos is already drawing attention from other Premier League sides such as Manchester United and Arsenal, but reports say it is Chelsea that have made the first move.

Potential earnings

The Spanish international is looking to be earning as much as teammates Karim Benzema, and the World’s most expensive footballer Gareth Bale.

Ramos is believed to be keeping his options open ahead of a shock move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, and could end up playing for former coach Jose Mourinho.

Rumours are that Ramos is the key target out of a bunch of players in Mourinho’s head, as he looks for a long term replacement for Chelsea veteran and captain John Terry.

Title winner

The Spanish centre-half is no stranger to winning silverware, with a vastly impressive list of honours to his name.

In his time at Real Madrid Ramos has won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, La Liga 3 times and the Copa del Rey twice.

Alongside that he has also with his country Spain won the FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA European Championship’s twice.

New contract from Carlo

Whether or not Ramos fancies giving life in English football a go under either Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal or Arsene Wenger remains to be seen, but his future now remains in the hands of current manager Carlo Ancelotti.

 

Bayern Munich back out of signing Dortmund star

According to the Mail Online, Bayern Munich have pulled out of potentially signing Borussia Dortmund and Germany star Marco Reus, leaving other teams to fight out for the player’s signature.

The door has now been left wide open for Real Madrid and the Premier Leagues top clubs, such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City, who are all apparently interested in signing the forward.

According to Bild, Bayern decided to take themselves out of the equation on the basis that they already had enough forwards, and that they did not want to worsen their relationship with Dortmund.

Notorious buyers

In the past few years Bayern Munich have signed star players from Dortmund, with Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski swapping football at the Westfalenstadion for the Allianz Arena.

Both players have become key members to FC Bayern’s squad, and are showing their worth at the current Bundesliga champions.

Spain or England?

Now that Bayern have withdrawn themselves from the Marco Reus saga, Real Madrid do look to be the favourites to sign the 25-year-old.

But with Real Madrid potentially receiving a transfer ban, it looks like the Premier League where the German star could end up next summer.

The Dortmund forward has made 23 appearances for the German national side, scoring 7 goals, but sadly missed out on the World Cup win last year.

Reus was also Dortmund’s player of the year during the 2013-2014 period, but their poor form this year makes him likely to move on next season.

Manchester United struggling to offload flop signing

Brazilian midfielder Anderson may have to remain at Manchester United due to lack of interest from other clubs.

The 26-year-old who signed in 2007 for £26 million has not made a single first-team appearance under Louis van Gaal, other than a substitute appearance against Burnley last August.

The Red Devils have not received a single offer or have not had a single enquiry made about the former Porto midfielder since the beginning of this transfer window.

Manchester United have stated they may terminate Anderson’s contract at the end of this current season, to help him find a new club and move on from Old Trafford.

Injuries, form and fitness

Injuries, loss of form and failure to prove his fitness have truly ruined his Old Trafford career, with the Brazilian only making 105 appearances since signing in 2007, and scoring only 5 goals.

The 2008 Champions League winner was described as being ‘better than Wayne Rooney’ by Martin Ferguson, Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother and United’s European Scout.

Ferguson scouted Anderson after seeing him impress at Porto as a teenager, and then he was signed during the 2006-2007 season along with Nani from Sporting Lisbon.

Unsuccessful spells elsewhere

Anderson joined Fiorentina last season on loan, and made 7 appearances for the Italian side, but did not impress enough for them to take him on permanently.

Flamengo also showed slight interest in the misfit signing last year, but Anderson turned down a loan move after the Brazilian club picked up a reputation for not paying wages on time to their players.

Newcastle United in race with Arsenal to sign young Ipswich defender

Newcastle United have declared their interest in signing highly rated Ipswich Town defender Tyrone Mings this January transfer window.

The 21-year-old is one name on a list of players that Newcastle are looking to bring in halfway through this Premier League season.

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy is aiming to keep Mings for the rest of this season at least, but interest from Arsenal and now Newcastle could see the full-back moving on.

The Magpies would like to sign the player now as they know they will face much more competition to sign the player during the summer.

Huge potential profit

Ipswich Town have been having a fantastic season in the Championship so far, as they currently sit in third place, one point off of first place Bournemouth.

McCarthy’s men have been given huge amounts of praise this season, as they are challenging for the league title with a team of free signings and loanees.

Only £10,000 has been spent on the current Ipswich side, with that being spent on in-demand Tyrone Mings, as the Tractor Boys signed young Mings from Chippenham Town in 2013.

There have been rumours of Arsene Wenger’s side being willing to spend £10 million make Mings one of their own this transfer window.

Other stars in demand?

Mings is not the only Ipswich player that Arsenal have their eyes on at the moment though, as there is speculation that Arsenal could also want to sign 18-year-old midfielder Teddy Bishop for a similar fee.

Bishop and Mings have both been influential in Town’s great season so far, so will McCarthy decide to let go of his two most prized assets?

Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang aiming to become an African great

Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stated his intent on becoming the next superstar of African football.

The forward scored in Gabon’s 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the African Cup of Nations this past Saturday, and after the game said: “I try to do the maximum to become one of the greats like Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o.

“I don’t feel any pressure to be like them, but there is maybe a level of expectation around me.”

Is he Dortmund’s saviour?

The 25 year old, best known for his blistering acceleration and speed currently leads the way for his club in terms of goals, yet has only scored 5, as his side Dortmund have surprisingly struggled this year.

Borussia Dortmund currently sit second-bottom in the Bundesliga, and need big performances from star players such as Aubameyang to save their season.

The skipper of the Gabonese national side is finding international football much less of a struggle at the moment.

In Gabon’s first game of Africa’s biggest football tournament, Aubameyang scored one and set up the other in his sides 2-0 win, and looks to push on from the result.

Learning from past mistakes

His most recent Cup of Nations performance was hugely different to his last contribution in the 2012 tournament, as he missed the decisive penalty in a quarter-final shootout defeat to Mali.

He said: “That penalty I missed against Mali in the quarter-final, even if I missed it, remains a good memory for me because it made me grow up.

“I hope we reach the quarter-finals again this time, and if we get another penalty then I will score it.”

Gabon find themselves in Group A of the African Cup of Nations this year, alongside Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Congo, who they face next with a win certainly qualifying them for the next stage.

Coach Jorge Costa described Burkina Faso as the toughest side in the group, and believes Aubameyang is vital to Gabon’s tournament.

Real Madrid remove Christian cross from the clubs crest to seal alliance with Abu Dhabi bank

Real Madrid are the current UEFA Champions League holders, currently sit top of the Liga BBVA table, and have millions of fans from all around the globe. They are without a doubt one of the biggest sporting superpowers known to man at this current time, and have been for quite some time too. But have they just made a huge error on their part?

The Spanish giants have made the decision to remove the commonly found Christian cross out of the clubs logo, after making a deal with Abu Dhabi bank ‘NBAD’. It is believed that the new badge was formed to avoid offending Muslim sensibilities in the United Arab Emirates, along with sealing the deal with the bank itself.

Pictures have emerged of Real Madrid Football Club President Florentino Perez holding a large makeshift credit card of the Abu Dhabi bank with Madrid’s crest featuring on it, which is now also going to double as a Real Madrid membership card, without the Christian symbol in the unmistakeable club crest. Also featuring in the picture are a few Real Madrid players, such as Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal, along with representatives of NBAD.

Florentino Perez labelled the deal as a “strategic alliance with one of the most prestigious institutions in the world”, but Spanish sports paper Marca has labelled the redesigning of the famous club badge shows how far clubs are willing to go to create new forms of revenue, even sacrificing parts of their famous identity.

Perez also said recently: “This agreement will help the club to keep conquering the hearts of followers in the United Arab Emirates”. But the question is, what about the hearts of the fans found in other parts of the world? Especially the fans from home, situated in Spain and Madrid.

Real Madrid is a football club situated in a Christian country, so it is highly likely that they have gone and offended their local supporters. Nevertheless, the original logo will still be used when they compete in Europe, featuring the tiny Christian cross at the top of the crest.