HERE ARE THE good, the bad, and the unlikely football moves being talked about today…
Yesterday, we explained how Manchester City are planning to bolster their squad with the addition of Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Now it seems the Premier League leaders will also bring in another defender this month. Having toyed with the idea of signing former Man United centre-half Jonny Evans from West Brom, City have turned their attention to Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbaro.
The Frenchman, 23, has a release clause of €65 million but Marca are reporting that they’re willing to pay it.
Northern Ireland international Evans, meanwhile, could instead end up heading to Arsenal as the Gunners would like to secure his services. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has already come in, while they are working hard to wrap up a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Wenger has also insisted that he wants to keep hold of Danny Welbeck despite interest from Besiktas and Crystal Palace.
Brighton are in the market for a striker and they have reportedly bid for Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic. However, the offer has been rejected as the Magpies hold out for £15 million.
That’s because Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has set his sights on Nicolai Jorgensen of Feyenoord. The Danish centre forward has 26 goals in 43 games for the Eredivisie side, who want £20m.
Retro Deal of the Day: Fernando Hierro to Bolton Wanderers
After a 16-season career at Real Madrid that saw him win five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues, Fernando Hierro opted to make a surprise move to Qatari club Al Rayyan in 2003.
However, that was short-lived as Sam Allardyce enticed him to join his foreign legion at Bolton Wanderers — along with the likes of Ivan Campo, Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff and Bruno N’Gotty.
A world-class defender in his day, Hierro was well passed his best by the time he made it to English football but managed 29 league appearances for the Trotters in his one season before retiring in May 2005.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
Fair play to him.
This is truly an amazing thing to do , but it’s just another on a long list of things that he does for people outside of football. He came from a very poor background and has never forgotten that or what it’s like to be less off. Hopefully this will put the begrudgers back in their boxes for abit.
Pretty amazing thing to do considering those big golden balls would be standout pieces in his trophy cabinet at home. Probably could get someone to make a replica if he was so inclined. Fair play.
Class act. Really has gone on to greater things in his personal and sporting life ever since he left United. Well done CR7 !!
@Mrs. Nugent: So he couldn’t have done this while still playing for Man United?
@Mrs. Nugent: this is an unbelievable gesture helping children with life threatening medical conditions. There is no need to have a swipe at a football club just because you dislike them. Really shows the type of person you really are nee nee, alan b, jamie, or whatever your latest name you’re hiding behind.
@An Observer: in fairness Ronaldo stepped up a couple of levels after leaving United.If he had to have stayed at United he’d probably have ended up like Rooney
@Ardmore02: Ronaldo is the current best in the world of not of all time and his generosity knows no bounds but I’d say even he still has a sense of humour
@Jamie: You’re like that movie ‘Split’, you just don’t know which account is gonna reply
@Stephen Lyons: you’re mad if you think I’ve several accounts
@Ardmore02: he’s just a trolling child that can’t help himself
@Mrs. Nugent: couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a dig at United eh Marcus? I’ve also seen many snide remarks from you about Ronaldo on the 42 in recent times. This makes you a total hypocrite as well as a sad and pathetic individual. Get a life.
@Jamie: That’s all i meant.
@Ardmore02: An unbelievable gesture is something maybe Princess Diana / Mother Theresa done their whole life’s. A multi millionaire donating a trophy ball, UNBELIEVABLE. What a bell end you really are. You’re starting to get a fetish for Ronaldo similar to sloppysloop has with beachboys. I said a nice thing dont be so paranoid.
@Mrs. Nugent: a nice thing? Total opposite to what you’ve said before. Like I said….hypocrite. you have so many accounts Marcus that you can’t keep track of what you’re saying. Must be time for Mrs. Nugent to disappear and yet another new account to open in its place. I pity the fool :-)
Have to admit I always preferred Messi as a footballer, but credit to Ronaldo. .. that’s pretty classy.
Legend
Good lad Ronny. Hopefully not too much of his generosity goes to the ceo’s