Diego Costa reveals Chelsea regret and Atletico Madrid frustration during unveiling

DEIGO COSTA has revealed he is “tired” of training after being unveiled at Atletico Madrid today.

Chelsea striker Costa will officially complete his move to Atletico when the transfer window opens on Monday.

The Brazilian, who plays for the Spain national side, went on strike in the summer to force through a move.

Chelsea and Atletico could not come to an agreement back in August but have since settled on terms to send Costa back to his former club.

But the 29-year-old admits he has some regrets about having played in England.

"I did not learn English, which was a pity,” he told reporters.

“I was very well, the people, the fans, the teammates have helped me a lot.

“They made my life easier.

“Chelsea is a great club. I have a special affection for them and there are only good memories.”

Asked if his game has changed since he left for England, Costa said: "I think that with the passage of time you always learn in all aspects of life.

“On and off the field.

“I hope I can contribute to La Liga from what I learned there.”

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/898477/Diego-Costa-Chelsea-Atletico-Madrid-training-unveiling

Barcelona rumors: Christensen wanted, Man City to make Umtiti offer and Real Madrid eye Oriol Busquets

Barcelona eyeing Christensen

Today’s rumors start in west London and with Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, who has apparently been catching Barcelona’s eye.

According to the Mirror, Barca are “long-time admirers” of the defender and are monitoring his progress as they seek to strengthen defensively.

Christensen has become a regular for the Blues in recent months, since replacing David Luis in Antonio Conte’s starting XI.

Barca to seal £125m Coutinho deal

Over at the Daily Express, they have a hot new ‘exclusive’ which tells us that Barcelona are hoping to finally land Philippe Coutinho next week for £125 million.

A meeting is set for Wednesday where the Catalans are hoping to reach agreement with Liverpool owners FSG.

Apparently both parties are now keen to get the deal done as soon as possible to prevent it dragging on throughout January.

Guardiola to offer £50m for Umtiti

Meanwhile, The Sun are reporting that Pep Guardiola is set to offer Barcelona £50 million for defender Samuel Umtiti.

Having missed out on Virgil van Dijk, Pep is ready to spring Umtiti’s release clause as he looks to add another defender to the ranks.

A centre-back is apparently a priority for City this winter as the club aim to continue their brilliant form and end the season with four trophies.

Read More: https://www.barcablaugranes.com/fc-barcelona-transfer-rumors-news/2017/12/31/16835206/barcelona-rumors-christensen-wanted-man-city-to-make-umtiti-offer-and-real-madrid-eye-oriol-busquets

FC Barcelona News: 30 December 2017; Holiday Break Ends, Juventus Looking at Sergi Roberto

FC Barcelona training resumes on Saturday 30 December | FC Barcelona
Since ending the year with a fantastic win at the Santiago Bernabéu, Ernesto Valverde and his squad have been getting some well-earned rest with their families, but they are due back at the Ciutat Esportiva at 6.00pm CET on December 30.

How many kilometres have Barça travelled in 2017? | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona have done no less than 53,398 kilometres on the road this calendar year spread over 36 trips. Starting back on 5 January with an away game in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey in Bilbao and ending with the victorious trip to the Santiago Bernabéu to take on Real Madrid which saw Ernesto Valverde’s men take a 3-0 win that left them nine points clear of their nearest rivals in the league at the turn of the year, the squad have travelled around the world to great success.

Juve eye Barca star, if Can plan fails | Calciomercato
Juventus are said to admirers of Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and their tactic of signing players once their contracts expire will help them sign the German. But Liverpool’s resistance means that the Old Lady could be forced into looking at possible alternatives. One of them happens to be Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto.

FC Barcelona's Most Viral Tweets of 2017 | FC Barcelona
See which Twitter posts on the Club's official account were the most heard 'round the world over the last 12 months.

Real Madrid star requests affordable selling price

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has requested that the La Liga and European champions set their asking price for the forward at an affordable £89m in order to attract potential suitors next summer, reports the Daily Record.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu for some time now, even if he penned a new deal in November 2016.

However, the release clause in that contract is set at a staggering £887m and Ronaldo’s representatives are asking club president Florentino Perez to lower that figure in order not to deter long-term suitors PSG and former club Manchester United.

Tensions between Ronaldo and Perez are believed to be at their lowest, with the former looking to secure a move away from the Spanish capital.

Football’s World Player of the Year is supposedly angered by Perez’s decision not to bring his basic pay to match his accolades, with the 32-year-old basic salary bettered by Neymar and Lionel Messi, of PSG and Barcelona respectively.

Ronaldo’s current deal with Real Madrid runs until 2021, though his time at the Bernabeu could draw to a close next year, with PSG and United willing to match his astronomical demands. 

Read More: https://www.whoscored.com/News/iBaGk-uC50Cf2HZKDChAiw/Show/Real-Madrid-star-requests-affordable-selling-price

Real Madrid ‘Close To Signing Alexis Sanchez’

Reports in Spain today are suggesting that Real Madrid may be closing in on a move to sign the former Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window. The reports also suggest that the player himself is set on a return to Spain, with Los Blancos as his most likely suitors.

The Chile international’s contract at English Premier League club Arsenal is due to expire at the end of the current season and he has shown no intention of signing a new deal. The Gunners would rather not lose such a valuable player on a free transfer in the summer, so are likely to try and recoup whatever money they can in January.

Alexis Sanchez very nearly left Arsenal to join Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City last summer but the deal fell through after Arsenal could not complete a deal for a replacement.

The Player Wants La Liga Return
Alexis spent three years in Spain as part of Real’s rivals Barcelona, and it looks as if the player wants to return to Spain, this time in the famous white of Real Madrid. He has been at Arsenal since 2014 and individually has been very successful. The club have also claimed a couple of trophies in his time in London.

The reports from Don Balon in Spain suggest that Sanchez would now prefer a move to the Santiago Bernabeu rather than joining Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Real are expected to put in a bid, but the final decision lies with manager Zinedine Zidane and club president Florentino Perez.

Read More: http://www.realmadridnews.com/real-madrid-close-to-signing-alexis-sanchez-23582?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+realmadridnewscom+%28Realmadridnews.com%29

Cristiano Ronaldo: I have a lot of space for trophies

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo retained the gong for the second successive year and fourth time overall following a stellar 2017.

Cristiano Ronaldo joked he has a lot of space for trophies after winning the Best Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo retained the gong, winning for the fourth time overall following a stellar 2017.

The honour added to his record-equalling fifth Ballon d'Or and FIFA's The Best Award this year after helping Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory.

"It is a special moment and I am very happy to receive this award," said Ronaldo, whose agent Jorge Mendes was named Best Agent of the Year.

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-i-have-a-lot-space-trophies

Chelsea confident Thibaut Courtois will sign new five-year deal amid Real Madrid transfer links

Chelsea are confident Thibaut Courtois will commit his long-term future to the club despite being linked with a stunning move to Real Madrid. La Liga giants Real have shown interest in Courtois since last year and the goalkeeper has fuelled speculation over a move by stalling over signing a new deal. The Belgium international, who signed for Chelsea from Genk in 2011, will have just one year remaining on his current deal come the end of the season.

Courtois has admitted he plans to put contract talks on hold until the summer but Chelsea are reluctant to wait and have already discussed improved terms for a new deal, according to the Daily Mirror. Courtois, 25, has previously spoken of his desire to return to Spain but it is claimed reigning Premier League champions Chelsea believe he will stay.

Read More: http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/29/chelsea-confident-thibaut-courtois-will-sign-new-five-year-deal-amid-real-madrid-transfer-links-7189767/