Football News: Review Of The Day 14th January 2019

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Review of the Day

Transfers

Mansfield Town have released goalkeeper Jake Kean.

Former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo has been released by Al-Nasr of the UAE Gulf League. The 33 year old former Spanish international only joined them in September from Besiktas. Negredo leaves with 9 goals in 11 games under his belt in the UAE. Al-Nasr also released Brazilian forward Samuel and former PSG and Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye who they signed on a free from Crystal Palace in July.

Contracts

Girona have announced a new contract for their Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The 27 year old number one has extended his deal by 2 years, to 2021. 'Bono' has been with Girona since making the move from Atletico Madrid in 2016.

Leeds Sadly Hit By Double Death

It was a bad day for Leeds United, despite the club being 4 points clear at the top of the Championship, as they lose both Toby Nye and Phil 'Waltzing' Masinga. Nye was a 6 year old boy who had suffered with high-risk neuroblastoma that had become a close friend of all at the club, as they worked to raise the £200,000 needed for his treatment. Despite the club managing to raise the funds the treatment was unsuccessful and he passed away just days after his birthday. Former South Africa captain Phil Masinga also died, at the age of 49, after losing a battle with a form of cancer. Noel Whelan said: "He was not just a friend and strike partner but one of the nicest kindest guys I've met. It was a pleasure and privilege to have known and played with you Phil." Masinga was also the man that scored the goal which earned South Africa their first ever appearance in the World Cup in 1998.

Gattuso Wants To Keep Higuain

AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain is being targeted for signing by Chelsea, but Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso has said he wants to keep the 31 year old. The Argentine has scored 8 goals this season on loan at Milan from Juventus and that is enough to make Gattuso keen to hang on to him. Gattusso said: "When a player makes up his mind it becomes hard to convince them otherwise. I have a relationship with him that features great honesty - we say things to one another's face. At the moment, he's our player and we're holding on tightly to him. I don't know what will happen. If it was up to me, I'd keep him at my house and feed him my dinner."

Hammers Know Arnie Wants To Go

West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has told Sky Sports that everyone at the club knows Austrian star Marko Arnautovic wants to leave for China. Antonio said: "Everyone knows Marko wants to go. He's massive for the club, the fans love him. Players come and go, we are used to it. Obviously I'd rather he stayed, he's a talisman for the club. In his life right now he feels it's another step for him and he's going to one of the best clubs over there and will be able to win some trophies. It's a difficult question. He's coming to the latter end of his career and he might feel that he needs a new step before he retires. This might be the step he wants. He is a great character, he's like a brother to me. If he goes he will be truly missed. Replacing him would be a difficult situation. He has experience of playing, he scores goals and right now who could we sign to replace him? That's where the problem lies. We would definitely need to sign someone too."

Messi Hits Number 400

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has scored his 400th La Liga as the Catalan club stretched their lead at the top of the table to 5 points with a win over Eibar. Messi is the all-time top scorer in the Spanish top flight and has now become the first player to score 400 goals in just one of Europe's top 5 leagues. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 409 league goals, but they were spread across England, Spain and Italy. The 400th goal came in Messi's 435th game, 63 games quicker than Ronaldo took to reach the mark.

Fabinho Hints At PSG Foul Play

Liverpool midfielder (or should that be defender?) Fabinho has responded to the constant rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting they were simply a bit of gamesmanship by the Parisiens. Fabinho told L'Equipe: "I never thought of going elsewhere. I know a lot of things were written in the newspapers, but it wasn't true. What's funny is that this PSG loan story came out just before our Champions League match. And I had already experienced a similar story the day before the final of the Coupe de la Ligue between PSG and Monaco. It's a strange coincidence, isn't it?"

Rabiot Left Behind By PSG

Paris Saint-Germain have left contract rebel midfielder Adrien Rabiot behind while they head off for a tour of Qatar. With Rabiot's contract ending at the end of the season and his confirmation he intends to leave when it does so, Rabiot has been frozen out by manager Thomas Tuchel this season and is now left behind for 'family reasons'. A PSG statement read: "Adrien Rabiot will not participate in our Qatar tour for family reasons. The club will not give any public comment on this decision out of respect for the player's family and loved ones."

Doucoure Wants To Move

Despite signing a new 5 year deal with Watford in August, Hornets midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has said he expects to leave the club. Doucoure told French TV show 'Canal Football Club': "I think I am going to leave Watford. The club know my ambitions and want to help me get to the next level. I'm flattered by the interest of PSG but for the moment there's nothing concrete. I will focus on my performance for my club. I've not had contact with PSG and they've not contacted Watford. My goal is to play well for Watford and then maybe join a Champions League team. The chances of me joining PSG? Probably small as they follow a number of players. I'm not the priority that's for sure but if there is an opportunity then we will look into it. I can play at 10, 8 or even 6 but my favourite position is as a defensive midfielder. This winter we'll study all possibilities on offer. The most important thing for me is to continue to progress and with my performances I'll succeed in playing for a club in Europe. Staying in England is a possibility and the Italian league is becoming more interesting. There are clubs who have returned to show interest in me again. The first criteria for me is that the club plays in the Champions League."

Carrasco's Wife Confirms Interest From Europe

The wife of Yannick Carrasco, Noemie Happart has claimed that he has received a number of offers from clubs in Europe. Happart told RTBF: "There is a lot going on. He has received offers from many clubs in Germany, Spain, England and Italy, but nothing is concrete and nothing has been signed. Yannick likes China, but it's a very different culture and we are far away from our families and friends. We'll see what happens and how it unfolds, but it is possible we'll return to Europe."

Bologna Fans Deny Racism Allegations

Following reports in publications such as Tuttosport that Bologna fans were racially abusing Juventus striker Moise Kean during Saturday's Coppa Italia game, Bologna ultras have released a statement denying the allegation. Their statement read: "With reference to the media coverage of supposed racist chants towards Kean, the Centro Bologna Club demands an immediate retraction. The accusation is unfounded, as the 'boo' noises were simply jeers towards the opposition team and their supporters." A number of outlets believe the 'boos' were really monkey chants.

Written by Tris Burke January 14 2019 06:00:59