Curtis Goff, Author at Footy Extras

The £22m Monaco Star Confirmed Interest From Arsenal

Monaco new signing Youri Tielemans has confirmed why he didn’t make a move to Arsenal this summer.

The 20-year-old caught the eye of top European clubs after rising through the ranks at Anderlecht in his homeland.

He was claimed to move to the Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United said to be interested in sign him.

Ligue 1 champions Monaco signed Tielemans up in a £22m deal. They prepared for the loss of Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea.

After the month from his transfer, Tielemans has explained why he ended up at the Stade Louis II instead of The Emirates.

The Belgium international said: “I knew not much was going to change with Arsenal’s squad.

“Their management wanted to keep the same group of players together to finish high in the Premier League.

“I had to be honest with myself and take a look at the midfielders Arsenal have got. They have top-class players.

“I knew that I would not get many first-team chances with them, so I didn’t give any more thought to join them.

“I have never rejected any club. But it was clear for me where I wanted to go.”

Published by Curtis Goff on October 5, 2017 | Permalink

Arsenal Powerhouse Linked With £40m January Move to Everton

Everton are planning to return for Olivier Giroud in January, and this time they have probably better chance to get their man.

The Mirror claim that they’re willing to pay £40m for Giroud in January. Ronald Koeman failed to find the replacement of Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian signed for Manchester United with the reported £75m transfer fee.

£40m is double what the Toffees were willing to cough up in July and considering the soon-to-be 31-year-old and is out of contract in June 2019; this would be a quite massive offer.

The BBC’s David Ornstein claims that Arsenal were willing to sell Giroud in the summer if he wanted to go but the France international chose to stay, saying that while he’d prefer to be playing, his ‘heart and soul’ prevented him from leaving.

Giroud said back in August. “There was something in my soul and in my heart which told me to stay,”

“I’ve been hesitating because I’m the happiest man when I play, and I am on the pitch.

“But I keep the faith, and I still believe I can have an important part to play this season in the club, and I feel good in my head and also physically.

“So I am 100 percent focused on the club project. I’ve been through five amazing years here, so I felt like the story had to continue.

“There are nice days to come from me in an Arsenal shirt.

“Good competition is always good for the team – it forces you to always give your best.”

This time, Everton are far more likely to be successful in their pursuit of the striker.

Published by Curtis Goff on October 5, 2017 | Permalink

Man City Boss Set to Block £49m-rated Forward’s Transfer to Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted there is “no chance” of Raheem Sterling leaving the club in the near future despite speculation over his future in the summer.

It was reported late in the transfer window that City were willing to move Sterling on to Arsenal in the hope of bringing Alexis Sanchez to the Etihad Stadium. In the end, City were unable to convince the Gunners to sell their star man.

When asked about Sterling’s status at the club after he netted a brace in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, Guardiola said a departure was never on the cards.

“Raz [Raheem] is staying here,” said the coach. “The club trusts him, that is why we have invested a lot of money in him, so the players we have are going to stay. If they want to leave they are going to leave, but he wants to stay. If players want to leave they have to ask the chairman, but there is no chance of that. He is going nowhere.”

According to the Daily Star Sunday, City have been so impressed with the way in which Sterling has acquitted himself this season that they are prepared to offer him a new contract.

Sterling signed for City from Liverpool in 2015 for £49 million when he was rated as one of the best prospects in world football. Some will be disappointed by his relatively slow development at the Etihad, though.

With so much attacking talent on their books, it wouldn’t have been a massive surprise if Sterling had been tempted by a possible move away to guarantee regular football.

Published by Curtis Goff on October 5, 2017 | Permalink

Arsenal Keeping Close Tabs on Creative German Playmaker

Arsenal have reportedly watching Schalke star Leon Goretzka, and willing to hand him a bumper deal to entice him to north London.

The 22-year-old has been gaining plenty of interest since his performances at FIFA Confederations Cup for Germany. Joachim Low considers him as one of the key members of Germany for the World Cup.

The German midfielder, who’s out of contract with the Gelsenkirchen club at the end of the season, has been linked with the European giant’s likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona. However, The Gunners are allegedly willing to try their luck by offering him a bumper deal.

According to the Mirror, the north London club have been scouting the 22-year-old recently with one of Arsene Wenger’s top men.

Barcelona are currently seeing out their transfer embargo, which means that Arsenal could be in with a good chance of signing the 22-year-old player if they’re willing to splash the cash on his wages.

Goretzka joined Schalke from VfL Bochum in the summer of 2013. He played in 125 games so far, scored 16 goals and collected 14 assists for the club.

Last season, he scored eight goals and collected six. This season, he’s scored once and assisted once so far.

Published by Curtis Goff on October 5, 2017 | Permalink

Arsenal Transfer News: German Playmaker on Radar, £49m-rated Forward Won’t Sign For Gunners, £40m Offer For Frenchman

Published by Curtis Goff on September 26, 2017 | Permalink

The £22m Monaco Star Confirms Interest From Arsene Wenger