Desperate for some extra firepower before the next campaign, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has been linked with some of Europe’s top strikers.

However one name that has been constantly linked with the Gunners this summer is Real Madrid’s Argentine striker, Gonzalo Higuain. The 25-year-old has been looking for a way out of Madrid for some time with playing opportunities becoming limited and Real willing to sell the player for the right price.

Real Madrid continues to dominate the news as the battle for Isco hots up with Manchester City and there’s more on the future of Robert Lewandowski. For all these big rumors and more visit today’s Paper Chase.

Jun

SAF prepared to help United bring back CR7

Manchester United are set to pull out all the stops in their quest to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. That includes using former manager Sir Alex Ferguson as bait for the Portuguese superstar.

Ronaldo has previously described Fergie as a “father figure”, having spent a few years under his wing at Old Trafford before becoming the most expensive player ever when transferring to Real Madrid for £80million in 2009.

Read about this rumor and more in today’s Paper Chase.

14

Jun

PARIS MATCH: LAUDRUP LINKED WITH PSG

Michael Laudrup’s relationship with the Swansea board is starting to show signs of strain. He is unhappy that the Welsh club’s hierarchy will not sanction his transfer targets and they have not severed their ties with the Dane’s agent. PSG are fully aware of these developments and view Laudrup as a potential replacement for Real Madrid-bound Carlo Ancelotti. Check out this and the latest rumors on Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo by clicking here.

10

Jun

Contract Bridge fo Edinson Cavani?

The wheels are starting to turn in Chelsea’s bid for a world-class striker during the transfer window. New Napoli boss Rafael Benitez says he wants to work with Fernando Torres again which could pave the way for Edinson Cavani’s move to Stamford Bridge. More on this and the futures of Real Madrid trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Gonzalo Higuain are just one click away in Monday’s edition of Paper Chase - the best gossip in town.

8

Jun

Real Madrid players struggle mightily with one sentence of English

(via Goal.com)

Check out this funny blooper reel from a video raising awareness for “A Game of Hope,” a charity game organized by Real Madrid’s Michael Essien. In it, several Real Madrid stars struggle to get out one simple message in English: “Hello, I’m ___ and I support the Game of Hope,” .

The highlights: Ricardo Carvalho supporting the “game of dope” instead, Mesut Ozil doing his best to sound like a robot, and pretty much everything Marcelo says. To their credit, at least all the players were having fun with it!

3

Jun

Neymar unveiled at the Nou Camp, shows off juggling skills

Neymar has finally made the official move to Barcelona, signing a five-year contract with the La Liga powerhouse. On Monday, he was introduced at a press conference and also was brought out onto the pitch for the first time.

Tens of thousands of fans waited for over an hour just to get a glimpse of their new Brazilian striker, and how did the young striker respond? By juggling a ball, of course.

It’s as if the team wants fans to think that by proving that he can keep the ball up in the air for 45 seconds straight, they can rest assured that the rumored 30 million euro transfer fee was money well spent.

Juggling skills aside, Neymar couldn’t hold back his excitement:

“I am very happy, very moved to be a Barcelona player and fulfill my dream. I want to help the team. I have come to add my part so that Lionel Messi continues to be the best player in the world.”

Time will tell how the two stars will co-exist, but one thing is for sure, excitement and optimism are running high in Barcelona.

3

Jun

MOUR PLEASE! JOSE RETURNING TO CHELSEA

The ‘Special One’ is returning to Chelsea! Who says so? The man himself of course. All sorts of people have been saying that Mourinho is heading back to Stamford Bridge but now we have it from the horse’s mouth.

Mourinho’s era as Real Madrid boss ended on Saturday night with a 4-2 win over Osasuna in the Primera Division, with the Portuguese having already confirmed he would leave the Spanish giants at the end of the season.

Before he left Spain, Mourinho spoke to Punto Pelota, Spanish football TV show, about his future plans and effectively ended months of speculation about his future.

“I’m going to London on Monday and at the end of the week I will be the manager of Chelsea,” he said. “I feel the people there love me and in life you have to look for that.

“Life is beautiful and short and you must look for what you think is best for you.”

Mourinho managed Chelsea between 2004 and 2007 and led them to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

The 50-year-old looks set to replace former interim manager Rafael Benitez, who left the club are leading them to a third-place finish and the Europa League trophy.

2

Jun

Real target Bale, Suarez forward line

Real Madrid are targeting the double signing of Premier League duo Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez. Liverpool forward Suarez has put on record his desire to move from the club. Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has been reluctant to speak out over his future - although his agent has stated he would listen to an offer.

Real are looking to create the first quarter-billion-pound forward line. Bale and Suarez would join Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to form a deadly quartet.

For more on this rumor and to see the rest of today’s transfer gossip, click here.

1

Jun

Mourinho swarmed with photogs, ref pauses match

Leave it to Jose Mourinho to go out in one final blaze of glory.

Rather than join his team on the pitch for warmups and pregame ceremonies, he decided to wait in the tunnel to make sure that he could make a grand entrance for his final appearance at the Bernabeu with the club.

After the match began and the manager finally appeared, he was swarmed with photographers. It got so hectic that the referee had to pause the game to clear the cameramen from the sidelines. Once the photo opp was finished, Mourinho quietly took a seat on the team’s bench.

Mourinho wishes the team happiness and will exit La Liga on a high note after defeating Osasuna 4-2. Before the match, the former Chelsea manager provided a goodbye statement on Real Madrid’s website after his three-year stint with the club:

”I wish all of Real Madrid’s supporters much happiness in the future,” Mourinho said. ”I want to thank many fans for their support, and I respect the criticism of others. I repeat, happiness to all, and above all, good health. Hala (Forward) Madrid!”

Madrid players Sami Khedira and Alvaro Arbeloa wished Mourinho well on their Facebook and Twitter accounts respectively: