Barcelona manager opens up on his fate at Nou Camp, confirms meeting with club President after scandalous defeat at Anfield

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valvede is confident that he still has the support of the club’s hierarchy, despite speculation about his future.

Reports have circulated in the past week that the club would look to replace the former Athletic Bilbao boss after they were surrendered a three-goal lead to Liverpool in the Champions League semi final, reports Football Espana.

After the capitulation against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Valverde confirmed that he has spoken with club president Josep Bartomeu about the situation.

“I have the strength to face the situation, and to continue on.

“I have spoken with Bartomeu, and I feel supported by him and by the club.

“I know that after a result like that there are always a lot of comments, but we must not overreact to the situation like a child having a tantrum.”

Valverde also stated that he did not expect the club to fire him following the Copa del Rey final later this month, and that he expected to be in charge at the start of next season.

Barcelona face Getafe at the Camp Nou this weekend, before a final La Liga game of 2018-19 at Eibar, followed by the final against Valencia on May 25th.

Manchester United given asking price for Benfica star amid Juventus, Atletico Madrid interest

Reports in England and Spain claim Manchester United have been told to pay £52million for Benfica superstar Ruben Dias who is also on the radar of Juventus and Atletico Madrid.

The talented centre-back, 21, is one of Europe’s hottest properties this summer after an incredible season in Portugal.

Dias is one of three emerging aces from Benfica along with midfielder Gedson Fernandes and forward Joao Felix.

The Sun claims that Manchester United are keen on bringing him to Old Trafford this summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to sign players with huge potential in his attempt for a dramatic squad overhaul.

The Premier League club’s move for Dias has become expedient in the wake of the shoddy performances of the Red Devils’ backline this season.

Eric Bailly is in line to be moved on following his injury woes. While Marcos Rojo is also expected to depart after falling down the pecking order.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are staying at the Theatre of Dreams after signing new deals. Victor Lindelof has become a mainstay after showing signs of development this term.

Meanwhile, Diario AS reports on Saturday that Atletico Madrid are monitoring Dias, as part of their wider plans to replace the departing Diego Godin this summer.

Diego Simeone has confirmed that the club are looking at number of defensive options, but any signing would have to fit within their current financial budget for the 2019-20 campaign.

Gareth Bale missing again as Zidane releases list of Real Madrid players to face Real Sociedad

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has dropped Gareth Bale from the Los Blancos squad for the second game as the club face Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The Bernabau club head to the Anoeta tomorrow night, with Bale left at home in Spanish capital, despite no reports of an injury for the Welsh international.

He was left out of the squad for the home game against Villarreal last weekend and his continued unenforced absence is likely to deepen speculation about his future at the club – however Zidane has insisted that he will continue to rotate his squad between now and the end of the season.

Zidane has recalled Karim Benzema, after he missed last weekend’s game through injury, but captain Sergio Ramos, Keylor Navas, Alvaro Odriozola and Sergio Reguilon remain sidelined.

GOALKEEPERS: Thibaut Courtois, Luca Zidane, Diego Altube

DEFENDERS: Dani Carvajal, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho Fernandez, Marcelo

MIDFIELDERS: Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Federico Valvede, Mrcos Llorente, Marco Asensio, Isco

FORWARDS: Karim Benzema, Brahim Diaz, Mariano Diaz, Vinicius Junior, Lucas Vazquez

Photo Credit: realmadrid.com

Real Madrid set to seal move for sensational defence ace as Zidane begins rebuilding process

Reports in Spain claim Real Madrid will soon seal a move for Lyon defender Ferland Mendy at end of the current campaign.

The 23-year-old has made 70 appearances for the French club since his 2017 move from Le Havre and has been called-up to the France national team, while he has also been linked to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Mendy, who has dual nationality with Senegal, has received comparisons with current Madrid full-back Marcelo, whom Zidane wants to provide competition to.

Los Blancos have been a reported long term admirer of the 23-year old, who joined the Ligue 1 side at the start of the 2017-18 season from the famous Le Havre youth production line.

Marca reports that Real Madrid have sent General Director Jose Angel Sanchez and Head of Transfers Juni Calafat to France to broker a deal with Bruno Genesio’s side for around €45m.

The primary stumbling block for Real Madrid, according to Football Espana, appears to be where Lyon will finish at the end of their own domestic season, with their Champions League qualification in doubt, and they want to wait until that – and a successor for Geneiso – is confirmed before agreeing to a move.

Brazilian international Marcelo has confirmed that he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, after returning to the team following Zinedine Zidane’s comeback, however Mendy’s arrival would threaten Sergio Reguilon’s place.

Reguilon, who was a regular starter under Santiago Solari, is likely to be loaned out by Zidane for the 2019-20 – with Mendy offering cover to the experienced Marcelo.

Manchester United star confirms his exit from Old Trafford as club begin mass clear-out of first team stars

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has confirmed he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season when his contract expires.

There were reports in the English media last month that as many as six established players are possibly leaving Old Trafford this summer.

It would represent the biggest exodus of talent since the summer of 2015 when Louis van Gaal sanctioned the departures of half a dozen players, including Angel Di Maria, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.

Herrera, Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian were reportedly on the list.

Spain international Herrera, 29, made the announcement in a farewell message posted on the club’s Twitter account.

According to ESPN FC, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona are among the clubs interested in signing the midfielder as a free agent in the summer, with PSG the most strongly linked.

Herrera spent five years at Old Trafford after signing from Athletic Bilbao in 2014. He helped the club win the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup in 2016-17 and claimed the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award that season.

Neymar’s former club President supports PSG star’s summer move to Real Madrid

Neymar’s former club President Santos Jose Carlos Peres has expressed his joy at reports of that Real Madrid are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain star.

Reports in Marca this week have claimed the Brazilian could be on his way to the Barnebau this summer from the Parisian club.

The Brazil international joined the Parisian club from Barcelona in a world record €222m back in the summer of 2017 and has been linked with a return to Spanish football since.

“I want to speak about the Neymar issue,” Peres said in Brazil’s Oglobo Esporte.

“I read a report in Marca which spoke of the increasing possibility that Neymar was going to join Madrid, which would be very good news for us.

“We have a four percent option because of the fact he came through our system, we formed him, so this would be an excellent bit of business for us and all money is welcomed.”

Antonio Conte tells Inter Milan to sign Manchester United star as his San Siro move gathers momentum

Reports in Italy claim Antonio Conte has asked Inter Milan to sign Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United to reinforce their attack.

Multiple sources are confident Conte has agreed terms to take over at Inter next season, with Luciano Spalletti being shown the door.

He would request many changes to the squad in order to forge it into his identity, particularly on the wings and in attack, reports Football Italia.

Diego Godin has already signed a three-year contract as a free agent, after letting his deal with Atletico Madrid run down.

The Corriere dello Sport claims Conte has specifically called on the Nerazzurri to bring in Belgium international striker Lukaku from Manchester United.

It is certainly not the first time that Lukaku, who turns 26 on Monday, has been linked with a move to San Siro.

So far this season, the Belgian has scored 15 goals with four assists in 45 competitive games for Manchester United.

He’d be the replacement for Mauro Icardi, who is on his way out after a season filled with controversy and poor form.

Ivan Rakitic’s brother clears air over midfielder’s Barcelona future as Inter Milan eye summer move

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic’s brother who doubles as his agent has insisted that his client is ‘happy’ at Barcelona but ‘can’t say what his future will be’.

Reports emerged on Friday that the deal for Rakitic’s move to the Serie A giants was almost done as Mundo Mundo claimed that the Nerazzurri were close to agreeing a fee in the region of €50m for the Croatia international.

His representative was quick to dampen any talk of a potential move when he spoke to Tuttomercatoweb – without ruling one out completely.

“Today the situation is easy to explain: Rakitic is very happy at Barcelona, Barca are one of the biggest clubs in the world and Ivan is happy to be a part of them,” explained Dejan.

“However, I can’t say what his future will be. The season isn’t over yet, there’s still a few games left.

“Ivan wants to focus on the Copa del Rey Final against Valencia and he wants to bring home another trophy.

“He has had a great season and many at Barcelona think so too. As for the match with Liverpool, it was a game for everyone, but that doesn’t take away from the good year Barca had.”

Photo Credit: fcbarcelona.com

Eden Hazard makes dramatic U-turn over his Chelsea future amid Real Madrid pressure for summer move

Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will commit his future to the Stamford Bridge club this summer.

The Belgian may have played his final game at Stamford Bridge, sending the Blues into the final of the Europa League with the winning penalty against Eintracht Frankfurt.

He has just over 12 months remaining on his contract and has failed to agree an extension amid heavy interest from Real Madrid.

But on Friday night the 28-year-old gave a response over his future that had Chelsea fans cheering at the club’s end-of-season awards, reports the Daily Mail.

Hazard cleaned up at the ceremony, and as he was presented with one of his three awards on stage, a member of the audience shouted out: ‘Sign the contract!’

To which he calmly responded: ‘Where is the pen?’

Twenty-four hours earlier he was coy about his future, saying: ‘I don’t think about that. I’m only thinking about winning something for this club and this squad.

‘If it’s my last game I will try to do everything for this club to win a trophy. In my mind, I don’t know yet.’

It comes with Hazard ‘on the verge of agreeing personal terms with Real Madrid’, according to a report in The Independent.

They say the two parties are close to agreement as the summer window approaches and the deal looks likely to go through.