Real Madrid want David Luiz to play full back

David Luiz has started to be linked with other clubs. It’s only taken a few weeks after he was first dropped, but with a World Cup on the way, it could be a busy January. Among the teams linked with the Brazilian are Real Madrid, surprisingly, in this piece in the Daily Mail.

It’s pretty standard pre-transfer window nonsense. But there is one fresh line in there.

Mentioning that Real Madrid want to use David Luiz as cover in a variety of positions, the author notes that Luiz “can operate as a centre back or as a defensive midfielder and provide cover at full back.”

While we’ve seen him in midfield at Chelsea, full back is a new one. Although given he’s struggling to break into the team at Stamford Bridge ahead of Andreas Christensen right now, perhaps that’s something we could try? It’s not like we’ve got any other cover for Marcos Alonso, and the further Luiz gets up the pitch the more he seems to enjoy himself.

He’s even good in the air, so Conte could aim the team’s goal kicks onto his head.

Read More: http://www.chelsea-news.co/2017/11/real-madrid-want-david-luiz-play-full-back/

Not so great Cristiano Ronaldo sculpture gets a much better version

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo sure has a nice face, but you wouldn't figure that from the bust that was made in his honour earlier this year.

Created by artist Emmanuel Santos, the errant bust was unveiled in the Madeira Islands, Portugal back in March, and bears Ronaldo's name as the country is his birthplace.

Quickly becoming a source of ridicule and plenty of Photoshop, at least now Ronaldo can finally confide in a bust that actually looks like him.

This one was unveiled Saturday at the museum in Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid's home stadium, and it's much, much, much better.

Read More: http://mashable.com/2017/11/28/cristiano-ronaldo-bust-improved/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29#pay_Y_H7ZgqL

Chelsea target “further than ever” from a new contract as Blues move in on potential free transfer

A few weeks ago Chelsea were named as one of the suitors of young Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa.

The youngster has broken into the first team in the Basque Country, and is attracting the attentions of Real Madrid too.

He’s even an outside tip to beat out Pepe Reina to go to the World Cup as third choice.

His contract expires in the summer, so clubs from outside Spain can get the jump on the Spanish champions and start negotiating a Bosman move with the youngster from January.

Now according to flagship Spanish football gossip show El Chiringuito, “the stances of Kepa and Athletic are further apart than ever” with regards to his new deal.

Read More: http://www.chelsea-news.co/2017/11/chelsea-target-ever-new-contract-blues-move-potential-free-transfer/

Ronaldo's super agent scores with €26m profit

Pre-tax profits at the Irish branch of the football super agency Gestifute, which represents Cristiano Ronaldo, last year soared by 26.7pc to €25.97m.
New accounts filed by Gestifute International show it enjoyed soaring pre-tax profits after its operating profit climbed from €20.5m to €25.73m.
The Dublin firm paid €20m during the year in dividends to its shareholders and this followed the company paying out €12m in dividends in 2015 and €6m in 2014.

Gestifute was founded by super agent, Jorge Mendes who represents Ronaldo (pictured) along with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and a host of other international players. The Irish company's principle activity is providing consultancy and marketing services to professional sports people and sporting organisations.
The directors state that the results for the year were considered satisfactory.

Gestifute International had accumulated profits of €16.53m while its cash pile soared from €202,986 to €7.22m.
The accounts show that the firm's tax bill for 2016 totalled €3.28m arising from Ireland's competitive 12.5pc corporate tax rate.

The company's controlling party is Start SGPS, a Portuguese-registered firm that is Mendes's holding company for his businesses in sport.
The accounts show that one of the Dublin company's Irish directors, consultant Liam Grainger, resigned in April of this year.

Read More: https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ronaldos-super-agent-scores-with-26m-profit-36358401.html

What Lionel Messi said to referee after controversial Barcelona no-goal against Valencia

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was denied a goal in the 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Mestalla over the weekend, with replays showing his effort had clearly crossed the line.

Such was the controversy caused by the incident, it’s still being discussed days later, as it could have allowed the Catalan giants to open up a more commanding lead at the top of the La Liga table.

Instead, despite Valencia goalkeeper Neto spilling Messi’s effort over the line, as seen in the image below, the goal wasn’t given and the two sides played out a draw as Messi was left to remonstrate with the officials but to no avail.

Mundo Deportivo claim to have discovered what the Argentine international told the officials, specifically referee Ignacio Iglesias, with the report noting that he told him: “You are wrong, now you are going to see it”.

Read More: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2017/11/28/what-lionel-messi-said-to-referee-after-controversial-barcelona-no-goal-against-valencia/

Cristiano Ronaldo gets a new bust that actually looks like him

The original bust, which was commissioned to commemorate an airport being renamed after him, depicts Ronaldo, equally famous for his handsome looks than his football skills, with an awkward grin and unevenly plump cheeks.

One social media user even likened it to the character Sloth from the film 'The Goonies'.

But fans of the Real Madrid hero were far more receptive of the new bust, which was unveiled at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid over the weekend.

If anything the statue, designed by famous Spanish sculptor Jose Antonio Navarro Arteaga, could be accused of going too far the other way and making Ronaldo look too handsome.

Read More: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/99322941/

European Paper Talk: Barcelona plan cut-price January move for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil

The transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy planning and contacting the players they hope to sign.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.

Spain

Barcelona are accelerating their plans to sign Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil. The Germany international is out of contract in the summer and could be sold for a cut-price in January with the Gunners wary of losing a player of his quality for free. Barcelona are frontrunners for his signature, with Ozil open to the idea of playing at the Camp Nou despite spending three years at their bitter rivals Real Madrid. The 29-year-old is also thought to be a Manchester United transfer target after working with Jose Mourinho in Spain. (Mundo Deportivo)

Real Madrid will revive their long-standing interest in Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea with a €70m (£62m) bid. De Gea has been the subject of Real Madrid transfer rumours for years and came close to signing for the Spanish giants in 2015, until the deal fell through.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11136875/european-paper-talk-barcelona-plan-january-move-for-arsenals-mesut-ozil