Thursday, 25 June 2015

Barcelona must stump up over £85m for Manchester United playmaker Angel di Maria while Crystal Palace eye ambitious move for Swansea skipper Ashley Williams


  • Angel di Maria cannot return to Spain for a penny less than £85.5million
  • Real Madrid inserted clause in his United deal when they agreed to sell star
  • La Liga giants Real Madrid fear Sergio Ramos is keen on Man United move 
  • Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew wants to sign Swansea's Ashley Williams

Barcelona's hopes of signing Angel di Maria will be hindered by a clause placed in his deal that means he can't return to Spain for less than £85.5million.

The Argentina international is unhappy in Manchester but United have no desire to sell and the player has vowed to stay and fight on as United prepare for a return to the Champions League.

Bayern Munich admire the 27-year-old but have made a move for Chelsea target Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk, while Barcelona have constantly been linked but, it is understood, when he was sold to United that Real Madrid asked for an option to be inserted which means any return to their proposed rivals in Spain would cost 120million euros - currently £85.5m. 

Barcelona will have to fork out over £85million if they are to sign Manchester United playmaker Angel di Maria
Barcelona will have to fork out over £85million if they are to sign Manchester United playmaker Angel di Maria.

Di Maria struggled for form during his first season at Manchester United following his big-money move 
Di Maria struggled for form during his first season at Manchester United following his big-money move. 

Real Madrid fear Spain international Sergio Ramos is swaying towards a move to Manchester United 
Real Madrid fear Spain international Sergio Ramos is swaying towards a move to Manchester United. 

Historically, United are not a club that is fond of clauses but that would represent a substantial profit on United's £59.7m outlay last summer.

United, meanwhile, are awaiting a response from Real Madrid over their £35million offer for Sergio Ramos.
Ramos believes he is owed the new deal that was outlined following Madrid's Champions League final victory in 2014.

The club is increasingly concerned at how the deal is swaying in United's favour and have earmarked Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi, also a United target, as the prime candidate to replace Ramos should he leave. Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny has also been discussed.

United remain in the frame for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, however, they are not one of the Premier League clubs pursuing Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan.

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is a target for Real Madrid after starring for the Gunners last season
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is a target for Real Madrid after starring for the Gunners last season.
 
Manchester City have agreed a £2million deal to sign 18-year-old Turkey international striker Enes Unal from Bursaspor, as revealed by Sportsmail earlier this week.

The teenager will arrive in Manchester at the weekend. He scored four goals in 35 league games for his club but has an impressive record of 170 goals in 102 games for youth teams and is regarded as Turkey's best emerging talent.
City moved quickly to fend off competition from Chelsea while Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund were also keen. 

Crystal Palace are eyeing an ambitious move for Swansea centre back Ashley Williams

The 30-year-old has been outstanding for Swansea and Wales over recent seasons and saw a prospective move to Arsenal fall through last year as they baulked at Swansea's £12m asking price.

Palace manager Alan Pardew is a firm admirer and wants to test Swansea's resolve to keep the Wales captain and team him with Everton target Scott Dann.

Swansea captain Ashley Williams, pictured with referee Mike Jones, is being targeted by Crystal Palace
Swansea captain Ashley Williams, pictured with referee Mike Jones, is being targeted by Crystal Palace

Palace have also made a move for Swansea target, Benfica striker Ola John.

The 23-year-old John has two years left on his current deal with Benfica but they are ready to sell the Holland international for around £7million . Swansea have also held talks with his brother and agent Collins John but stopped short of agreeing a fee.
 
Aston Villa have made enquiries for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The Bosnia international is wanted by Chelsea but Villa hope to match their financial offer and tempt him with the prospect of regular football.

Begovic has concerns about moving to Chelsea to start behind Thibaut Courtois. Stoke would counter that they are in a better position than Villa anyway as they look to kick on again under Mark Hughes.

Meanwhile, Sevilla have pulled out of the race for Dnipro's Yevhen Konoplyanka potentially paving the way for the Ukraine winger to finally move to the Premier League.

FA Cup finalists Aston Villa have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic
FA Cup finalists Aston Villa have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
 
Watford have spoken to Inter Milan about possible deals for full back Davide Santon and midfielder Zdrako Kuzmanovic but prospective deals for Tottenham pair Etienne Capoue and Paulinho remain some distance off.

Kuzmanovic is a 27-year-old Serbia international who has also been discussed by West Ham but Watford are further down the line in talks.

Inter Milan full back Davide Santon, pictured during his time at Newcastle, is wanted by Watford
Inter Milan full back Davide Santon, pictured during his time at Newcastle, is wanted by Watford.

Premier League new boys Watford are keen on signing Tottenham duo Etienne Capoue (pictured) and Paulinho
Premier League new boys Watford are keen on signing Tottenham duo Etienne Capoue (pictured) and Paulinho.

The Premier League new boys have agreed a £7m fee with Genoa for winger Diego Perotti but are awaiting his decision as Valencia also show interest.

Tottenham are keen to offload Capoue, Paulinho, Benjamin Stambouli and Younes Kaboul and all have been offered to the Vicarage Road club.

Capoue almost joined Real Sociedad in January and has interest from West Brom. Any negotiations with Watford are at the early stages though as they weigh up other options.

Tottenham have made enquiries for Monaco's Belgian winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco. The White Hart Lane club have discussed an offer of around £9million for the 21-year-old but Monaco want £20m

They are also hoping to convince Tottenham target Anthony Martial to sign a new contract.
 
Bournemouth are in talks with Chievo over left back Filippo Costa. 

The 20-year-old was on loan at Pisa last season and is due to arrive in England for talks and a medical. 
The Cherries have also discussed a loan deal for Everton left back Luke Garbutt.

Everton will finalise the signing of Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona for £2.2million. 

Everton and England Under 21 left back Luke Garbutt could join Eddie Howe's Bournemouth on a loan deal
Everton and England Under 21 left back Luke Garbutt could join Eddie Howe's Bournemouth on a loan deal.

Neymar shows off new tattoo of sister Rafaella as he enjoys time with his family ahead of busy Barcelona schedule

Following his early exit from the 2015 Copa America, Brazil superstar Neymar has taken the opportunity to spend some time with his family ahead of a busy schedule with Barcelona.

Neymar was on international duty with the Selecao in Chile, but received a four-game ban following a red card against Colombia, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament. 

The Brazil forward was initially handed a one-game ban after kicking the ball at Pablo Armero, before a melee saw him appear to aim a headbutt at another player.

Neymar (right) poses alongside his sister Rafaella to show off a new tattoo of her on his right arm
Neymar (right) poses alongside his sister Rafaella to show off a new tattoo of her on his right arm

The Brazil and Barcelona forward also posed with his father, who is recovering from an injury to his left leg
The Brazil and Barcelona forward also posed with his father, who is recovering from an injury to his left leg.

Following the decision, Neymar decided to head home, posting pictures alongside his sister Rafaella and father, who is recovering from injury.

Earlier this month, Neymar revealed a new tattoo on his right arm... a detailed portrait of his sister. Showing off the artwork on Instagram this week, the 23-year-old posed alongside Rafaella while she recreated the pose seen on the tattoo.

In another post, alongside the caption 'Dad is recovering', Neymar is pictured alongside his father, whose leg is currently in plaster.

Neymar is enjoying some rare down-time, before returning to Barcelona for pre-season training and a hectic schedule ahead of the new season. 

Neymar (left) argues with Chilean referee Enrique Osses during his final match at the 2015 Copa America
Neymar (left) argues with Chilean referee Enrique Osses during his final match at the 2015 Copa America.

Gonzalo Jara is the butt of the joke, as he's banned from the rest of the Copa America after jabbing Edinson Cavani in the bum

Chile defender Gonzalo Jara has apparently been banned from the rest of the Copa America after bizarrely poking Uruguay's Edinson Cavani in the backside.

Jara gently slapped Cavani in the face before his poke provoked the Paris Saint-Germain striker to flick out at him, collecting a second yellow, while Jara went unpunished.

However, while the ex-West Brom, Brighton and Nottingham Forest man helped his host country into the tournament's semi-finals, with Chile snatching a 1-0 win, he will now miss the run-in.

Edinson Cavani (third left) makes his views very clear as he argues with Gonzalo Jara over the incidents
Edinson Cavani (third left) makes his views very clear as he argues with Gonzalo Jara over the incidents.

Cavani was shown a red card for two yellows after abusing the referee's assistant and the flick at Jara
Cavani was shown a red card for two yellows after abusing the referee's assistant and the flick at Jara.

Cavani had previously collected a yellow card for some over-zealous protestations aimed at an assistant referee, before the unsavoury 63rd minute incidents. 

After some dialogue between the pair while Jara was standing over a free-kick just inside Uruguay's half, Jara slyly poked Cavani in the derriere, after passing the set-piece short and sideways to a team-mate.

With referee Sandro Ricci keeping an eye on the duo, he failed to see Jara's action as he was facing the players but did see Cavani's petty retaliation, followed by Jara's theatrical fall to the ground, deeming the Uruguay man's part in the scuffle worthy of a second yellow card, despite his protestations.

Cavani is shown his first yellow by Sandro Ricci after some over-zealous protestations aimed at his assistant
Cavani is shown his first yellow by Sandro Ricci after some over-zealous protestations aimed at his assistant.

With Uruguay down to ten men Chile’s Mauricio Isla scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute, before Uruguay had another player sent off - Jorge Fucile departed for a horror challenge on Alexis Sanchez on the touchline as Uruguay lost their heads.

But after Mainz’s Jara below the belt deed, which occurred exactly one year after Luis Suarez's infamous World Cup bite on Giorgio Chiellini, reporter Juan Arango has claimed that Jara will be banned.

Reporter Juan Arango has claimed that Jara will be banned for his role Cavani's sending off
Reporter Juan Arango has claimed that Jara will be banned for his role Cavani's sending off.

Nathaniel Clyne set for Liverpool after Southampton accept £12.5m bid


  • Liverpool's £12.5million bid for Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne accepted
  • The initial fee is £10.5m with an extra £2m in additional clauses 
  • Clyne made his England debut against Slovenia in November 2014
  • The Reds have signed Brazilian star Roberto Firmino for £29m

Liverpool have had a £12.5million bid accepted for Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne.
The England international right back will discuss terms on a five-year contract and is likely to have a medical next week once he returns from holiday in America.

The deal reflects Liverpool's persistence in negotiations after Southampton initially said the player was not for sale. However, Clyne, who was in the final year of his contract, indicated he would like his club to listen to Liverpool's offer and they set a price of £15m. 

Liverpool have had a £12.5million bid for Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne accepted
Liverpool have had a £12.5million bid for Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne accepted
Liverpool made an opening bid of £8m plus £2m in add-ons which was rejected but returned this week with £10.5m plus £2m in add-ons which Southampton have accepted.

Following a hugely disappointing Premier League campaign and the departure of coaches Mike Marsh and Colin Pascoe, Liverpool needed to make a statement of their intent to revive the squad.

Clyne will be their sixth signing of the summer following the £29m deal for Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim plus the arrivals of Danny Ings, James Milner, Adam Bogdan and Charlton's Joe Gomez

Manager Brendan Rodgers had pinpointed the 24-year-old Clyne as the ideal replacement for Glen Johnson, who has left the club as a free agent.

The right back has five England caps and made his international debut last November against Slovenia
The right back has five England caps and made his international debut last November against Slovenia.

England fail at another tournament as Under 21s crash out of Euro 2015... but why were Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere not called upon?

England fail at another tournament as Under 21s crash out of Euro 2015... but why were


As the Italian goals went in to confirm another early England exit from the European Under 21 Championship, a familiar feeling began to gnaw.

Just exactly why were the very best players available at this age group not competing?

We have heard the arguments about team unity and understand the exacting stances of clubs on their assets. 

Harry Kane (centre), Danny Ings (left) and John Stones look dejected during England's defeat to Italy

But in each individual case of an absentee name of Premier League pedigree there is a compelling argument for inclusion.

Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Phil Jones have to be considered better options than Nathan Redmond, Nathaniel Chalobah, Jake Forster-Caskey, Jesse Lingard and Ben Gibson.

No disrespect to that quintet who donned the national jersey against Italy – Redmond and Lingard performed towards their potential – but the calibre of those players elsewhere is a cut above.

Only four of the starting line-up for the final game of Gareth Southgate’s campaign are established at Premier League level: Carl Jenkinson, John Stones, Danny Ings and Harry Kane. 

For the Italians you could make a case for all bar Marcello Trotta. The 3-1 victors could register players with 264 Serie A games combined this season. For the losers the figure is 133 matches in England’s top flight.

Southgate took the admirable position to maintain faith with the group who had qualified for this tournament, beating Croatia over two legs in the play-off.

But against opposition a level above some looked short of standard.

Sterling, on the other hand, would have stood out. He let it be known back in October he would be ready to sacrifice his holiday to play in the Czech Republic this summer, provided an agreement could be made between Liverpool and the FA.
Jack Butland  labelled his England Under 21s side as 'not good enough' after their Euro 2015 exit
Jack Butland labelled his England Under 21s side as 'not good enough' after their Euro 2015 exit.
Instead the 20-year-old has been pictured apparently inhaling hippy crack on a party boat in Ibiza. The merits of taking nitrous oxide can be debated elsewhere, but presciently in this case could he not have moored for an experience of international tournament football?

He is an established member of Roy Hodgson’s team, but by his own admission wishes to leave Liverpool to win trophies. Is a youth-level title with England not something to cherish?

He could also have placed himself in the shop window with a standout few games. Elite clubs are interested but only Manchester City are bidding. Would another manager have pressured for his signature with a tournament-winning display? 

Carl Jenkinson, who spent last season on loan at West Ham from Arsenal, is challenged by Marco Benassi
Carl Jenkinson, who spent last season on loan at West Ham from Arsenal, is challenged by Marco Benassi

Wilshere is another who may have benefited from reminding the continent of his talent. At 23, he has been a senior international for five years. But only against Slovenia earlier this month did he score his first goals.
Neither he nor Oxlade-Chamberlain are assured starters at Arsenal but would have offered dynamism to an England Under 21 side too pedestrian to progress. 

Barkley, 21, did not enjoy a season to rubber-stamp his breakthrough campaign. He is an exciting player of great potential but instead of bursting through midfields in the Czech Republic he is on holiday having played 24 minutes for Hodgson’s team in the friendly against Ireland. Was that the correct call?

The issue should be seen through the prism of previous Under 21 winners. Two years ago Spain could call on David de Gea, Manchester United’s No 1. He also won the tournament in 2011 having established himself at Atletico Madrid.
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is one of the best young talents in the Premier League but did not feature
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is one of the best young talents in the Premier League but did not feature.

Manchester City to increase £40m Raheem Sterling bid after Liverpool seal Roberto Firmino signing


  • Manchester City have seen two bids for Raheem Sterling rejected 
  • Their owners have sanctioned a final offer of £40m plus bonuses
  • Sterling turned down a £100,000-a-week contract offer at Anfield
  • Liverpool signed Roberto Firmino for £29million on Wednesday

Manchester City are set to make a third bid for Raheem Sterling following Liverpool’s £29million capture of Roberto Firmino.

City were also tracking Firmino but have made Sterling one of their top summer targets and are ready to try again after two unsuccessful bids of £25m and £35m plus add-ons.

It is understood that City’s Abu Dhabi owners have sanctioned a final offer of £40m in cash with bonuses that will push the deal closer to the £50m Liverpool are demanding for the unsettled England star.

Manchester City are set to make a final bid for Raheem Sterling of £40million plus bonuses
Manchester City are set to make a final bid for Raheem Sterling of £40million plus bonuses

Liverpool, who will pay an initial £22m to Hoffenheim for Firmino, do not need to sell Sterling to finance the deal for his Brazilian replacement and are unlikely to soften in their bargaining stance with City.

But managing director Ian Ayre, who is due back on Merseyside later on Thursday after negotiating the Firmino deal at the Copa America in Chile, still has other transfer business with Liverpool in the market for Southampton’s £15m-rated right back Nathaniel Clyne as well as a striker.

Although Chelsea could yet mount a rival bid for Sterling they are said to be reluctant to pay over £40m, particularly in one go.

City are desperate to sign the 20-year-old, who has refused to sign a new £100,000-a-week contract at Anfield, with manager Manuel Pellegrini admitting that they must close the gap on Europe’s top clubs following a disappointing season.


Firmino was unveiled as a Liverpool player alongside Chief Executive Ian Ayre
Firmino was unveiled as a Liverpool player alongside Chief Executive Ian Ayre

‘We need to improve the squad,’ he said. ‘The teams always want new faces and City must make a jump in quality. It was shown against Barcelona (in the Champions League).

‘But I’m at a club which keeps growing because it has the financial power to do that. There is still a very big distance to the best clubs in Europe, and we are trying to narrow that.’


Roberto Firmino vs Raheem Sterling: How does Liverpool's £29m new boy fare against want away winger over last three seasons?




Roberto Firmino vs Raheem Sterling: How does Liverpool's £29m new boy fare against



Liverpool fans will be hoping Roberto Firmino has been signed to play alongside Raheem Sterling rather than to replace him. However it seems more likely that the Brazil international's £29million move to Anfield will hasten the departure of the club's wantaway winger. 

Sterling, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho would form a formidable trio behind a main striker such as a fully fit Daniel Sturridge or Liverpool target Carlos Bacca, however Manchester City look set to dash Brendan Rodgers' hopes of playing the aforementioned players in a new-look attack.



The Northern Irishman will not be as worried about losing Sterling after finalising a deal for the Hoffenheim playmaker as Firmino's statistics over the last three years make for better reading.

In fact, Firmino appears to be the superior player across nearly every department - especially when it comes to scoring and setting up goals.

Over the last three seasons, Firmino has scored a combined total of 28 Bundesliga goals whereas Sterling has hit the back of the net 18 times during the same time period.

The 23-year-old, who has become the Barclays Premier League's fourth most expensive Brazilian signing, has claimed 23 assists since the beginning of the 2012-13 season while Sterling has just 14.

Sterling was heavily criticised last season for squandering golden opportunities, particularly against Manchester United in December 2014 when the former Queens Park Rangers starlet was deployed in the No 9 role.

Firmino may have to deputise for the injured Sturridge at the beginning of the season and is a far bigger threat in front of goal. 

The Liverpool new boy has scored a Bundesliga goal every 364 minutes since the start of the 2012-13 campaign, whereas Sterling only manages to contribute to his side's goalscoring tally every 519.

Liverpool's new No 11 has also managed to make a name for himself on the international scene. 

The 23-year-old midfielder is currently training in Chile ahead of Brazil's quarter-final against Paraguay

Firmino, who is currently training with the Brazil national team squad in Chile, has scored four goals in nine games for the Selecao since making his international debut in 2014.

In comparison, Sterling has found the back of the net once during his 16 appearances for the Three Lions.

Sterling is also overshadowed by Firmino when it comes to defensive work such as clearances, tackles made and duels won.

All in all, Liverpool fans may soon have to wave goodbye to Sterling but they have a more efficient player on their hands and will be around £21m better off.






Another year, another tournament and yet ANOTHER England failure: Young Lions are humiliated in early Euro U21s exit

Not good enough. The words will sting, coming after such a chastening night, but they are unavoidable. They are, simply, the brutal truth.

For all the good work that has gone on over the past two years, for all that preparations had gone according to plan and the spirit in the squad could not have been better, when it came to the crunch, England were found wanting. Isn’t that always the case?

Gareth Southgate won’t try to paint a different picture. In conversations over the past week at England’s team hotel, he readily admitted no team that lost two of their three group games could expect anything other than criticism to come their way. 

Harry Kane (centre), Danny Ings (left) and Jake Forster-Caskey all stand with hands on hips after England fell behind in the crucial fixture

Harry Kane (centre), Danny Ings (left) and Jake Forster-Caskey all stand with hands on hips after England fell behind in the crucial fixture
The Italians celebrate their third goal, Benassi's second, which ensured England would not be able to mount a late comeback
The Italians celebrate their third goal, Benassi's second, which ensured England would not be able to mount a late comeback


MATCH FACTS 

England: Butland, Jenkinson, Stones, Gibson, Garbutt, Chalobah, Forster-Caskey (Loftus-Cheek 63 mins), Redmond, Ings, Lingard, Kane 
Subs: Bond, Pritchard, Ward-Prowse, Carroll, Keane, Afobe, Hughes, Moore, Chambers, Targett, Bettinelli
Goal: Redmond 93
Booked: Loftus-Cheek 
Italy: Bardi, Zappacosta (Viviani 83), Rugani, Romagnoli, Biraghi, Benassi, Crisetig, Cataldi, Berardi (Sabelli 62), Belotti, Trotta (Verdi 75)
Subs: Sportiello, Bernardeschi, Barba, Bianchetti, Baselli, Izzo, Battocchio, Leali
Goals: Belotti 25, Benassi 27, 72
Booked: Zappacosta 
Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia)
Normally, defeat to Italy could be accepted but this was dreadful. England crumbled, turning to dust quicker than rotten bricks, suffering a 3-1 defeat that left them propping up Group B. It is the biggest loss the Under 21s have suffered since losing by the same score to Norway at Euro 2013
All kinds of debates will, inevitably, erupt in the wake of this exit but they are for another day. What first must be examined is why, after conceding goals to Andrea Belotti and a double from Marco Benassi, England could not respond.

Yet it all started so encouragingly. Southgate had been bold in his selection, giving Danny Ings his first start of the tournament, and the intensity in England’s game in the early stages was better than it had been against both Portugal and Sweden.

The message before the game from Southgate was that he felt England would score and in the first 20 minutes, as they pushed Italy back and pressed every loose ball, there was a real sense his words were not just bold rhetoric.

Nathan Redmond, one of England’s brighter performers, was the first to serve notice of the intent, jinking his way to the by-line and zipping in a cross for Harry Kane but a deflection from Alessio Romagnoli took the ball agonisingly away from the Tottenham striker.

You could see the heart they took from almost landing an early jab. They kept pushing forward, gaining in belief, but – unbeknown at the time – events in the 13th minute would have a profound effect on the destiny of the match.

When Kane looked up and spied Ings peeling off the shoulder of the last defender, he rolled a perfect ball into his path. Here was the moment Liverpool’s new striker had been waiting for, a chance to stamp his presence on the game.
Unfortunately, though, he lacked the required composure, his left foot shot going into the side netting as goalkeeper Francesco Bardi went to ground. From one direction, it appeared he had scored but the way he clasped his hands to his head told the true story. 

Taking the lead at that juncture would have been huge. This always felt like a game in which the first goal would be decisive, but, initially, it did not seem as if the miss had unsettled England and they were again unlucky in the 23rd minute when Kane forced a tremendous save from Bardi.

But a mere 240 seconds later, England’s hopes of progressing in this competition lay in ruins, as they were pole-axed by two devastating counterpunches from Italy. Normally so assured at the back, the ease with which Italy found a way through left Southgate, standing in his technical area, bewildered.

First came the mood changing goal. A wonderful ball from Marco Benassi, clipped in left-footed with curl and pace, put John Stones and Ben Gibson on the back foot and Belotti, Italy’s dangerman, lunged in at the precise moment, diverting his volley beyond Jack Butland.

England needed to stay cool and re-gather their composure but, in the very next attack, the worst thing possible happened and they were breached again, this Benasi was the scorer, his shot deflecting off Ben Gibson beyond Butland after Lorenzo Crisetig sent him through. 

The Italians celebrate after taking the lead, with the goal putting England's chances of reaching the semi-finals in doubt
The Italians celebrate after taking the lead, with the goal putting England's chances of reaching the semi-finals in doubt.

Arsenal prepare to reward Wilshere with new contract to ward off Man City

Arsenal will not entertain any offers from Manchester City for midfielder Jack Wilshere this summer - and will underline his importance to the club's future with a new contract next season.

The England star - who scored his first international goals in the 3-2 win in Slovenia earlier this month - is a serious transfer target for City this summer.

But after years of financial constraints, the Gunners are no longer in a position where they have to consider offers for their best players.

Arsenal will not entertain any offers from rivals Manchester City for Jack Wilshere in the transfer window

Arsenal will not entertain any offers from rivals Manchester City for Jack Wilshere in the transfer window

Arsene Wenger views Wilshere as the future of Arsenal's central midfield and wants to keep him at the Emirates Stadium for the long term.

Sportsmail understands City are undeterred by the Gunners' stance, believing, at the right price, that Wilshere is obtainable.

But Arsenal are determined to keep Wilshere - who is viewed as a future Arsenal captain.

Whether an astronomical offer from City will force the Gunners board into a rethink remains to be seen - but - as it stands - Arsenal will reject all offers for their academy graduate.

The 23-year-old's existing deal expires in 2018, so there is no immediate rush from the Gunners to tie him down to fresh terms.

Nevertheless, formal discussions over a new and improved deal will commence during the opening months of next season as the Gunners look to ensure there is no uncertainty over his long-term future.

Arsene Wenger views Wilshere as the future of Arsenal's central midfield and wants to keep him at the club 
Arsene Wenger views Wilshere as the future of Arsenal's central midfield and wants to keep him at the club

Wilshere currently earns in the region of £60,000-per-week - but he can expect a significant pay increase.
Having missed most of last season through injury, Wilshere's focus is on ensuring he hits the ground running next term.
And if he can stay injury free, the midfielder can expect a bumper new deal that would put him among the club's top earners.






This is just the start... Mayweather poses in front of shrine to $300m earnings for 2015 as he tells Forbes there's a lot more to come


They don't call him the Money Man for nothing. Forbes announced Floyd Mayweather was the highest paid athlete in the last year earlier this month, earning an eye-watering $300million (£210m).

And the pound-for-pound king has taken it with typically good grace. The 38-year-old was pictured standing in front of a display at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas to commemorate his huge earnings.

The exhibition shows the 'skim room' where mobsters would steal some of the cash in a casino counting room and reads '$300 million easy'.

Floyd Mayweather poses, arms outstretched as he celebrates his wealth after earning $300million in one year

Floyd Mayweather poses, arms outstretched as he celebrates his wealth after earning $300million in one year

Mayweather defeated Manny Pacquiao on points in their Fight of the Century clash in Las Vegas on May 2
Mayweather defeated Manny Pacquiao on points in their Fight of the Century clash in Las Vegas on May 2

Mayweather shared the picture of him posing, arms out stretched in celebration of his wealth on social media site Shots and wrote: 'Fobres, I'm just getting started this year.' 

The undefeated American beat Manny Pacquiao in the Fight of the Century on May 2 and Forbes claim that he picked up a $100m cheque on the night without factoring in his cut from pay-per-view money.

Added to his earnings from his bout with Marcos Maidana in September 2014, Mayweather earned an incredible $285m in the ring, which was supplemented by a further $15m in endorsements.

HIGHEST PAID ATLETES 

Floyd Mayweather - $300m
Manny Pacquiao - $160m
Cristiano Ronaldo - $79.6m
Lionel Messi - $73.8m
Roger Federer - $67m 

In contrast Pacquiao, who was the second-highest earner, made only $160m, just more than half that of Mayweather.

Mayweather is famous for flaunting his wealth and is regularly pictured showing off his vast and expensive collection of cars and jewelry.