David De Gea is seeking a massive pay rise at Old Trafford as reward for his loyalty in the transfer market. Manchester United offered De Gea a new contract three months ago, knowing Real Madrid could have come calling this summer. And while fresh terms with the Old Trafford club were not signed, nor did the Spaniard force the issue on a move to La Liga.
His current deal ends next summer. And United are desperate to avoid losing De Gea on a free transfer in 2019.
Talks over a contract are ongoing and De Gea, 27, has supposedly demanded an eye-watering £350,000-a-week salary. The proposal, which would run until 2023, would see De Gea extend his stay at Old Trafford to over a decade.
The Sun claim De Gea wants pay parity with the biggest earners at United – namely Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba. Were United to agree to the contract, De Gea would be in line to earn £72.8m over the duration of the contract. (Daily Express)

Marcelo to Juventus?

Marcelo will look to leave Real Madrid in January and join Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.
That’s according to Spanish website El Confidencial, who claim the Brazil defender wants to be reunited with his old team-mate Ronaldo at Juventus. Ronaldo, 33, joined the Italian champions from Real Madrid in July for £105million – ending his nine-year trophy-laden stay at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo netted 450 times in 438 appearances for Real Madrid and struck up a formidable partnership and close friendship with Marcelo. But could we see the pair together again in Turin?
El Confidencial reports that the left-back will push to leave the Champions League holders in January and is “desperate” to make the transfer happen. However, there’s a catch.
The report adds that Juventus will need to find a buyer for full-back Alex Sandro before any new additions. (Daily Express)

Thibaut Courtois’ Chelsea dig

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has taken aim at former club Chelsea. Courtois made his debut in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Leganes having arrived from Chelsea for £35million in August. But having spent four successful seasons at Stamford Bridge, Courtois says that his new club are operating at a much higher level.
“In training, you see that the level at Real Madrid is high,” the Metro quote Courtois as saying. “I am now experiencing on a daily basis that Ramos is the best centre-back in the world. The level at Real Madrid is higher than at Chelsea.” (Daily Express)

Lacazette discusses transfer away after Cardiff heroics

ARSENAL striker Alexandre Lacazette has rubbished transfer talk of a move away after scoring the winner against Cardiff yesterday. Arsenal signed Lacazette from Lyon a year ago with the France international’s Gunners career yet to take off.
He was unleashed against Cardiff yesterday for the first time this season with Unai Emery previously omitting him from starting XI’s against Manchester City, Chelsea and West Ham. Lacazette was linked with a move away from Arsenal last week, with rumours swirling that he was hell-bent on securing regular football elsewhere.
But, speaking after his winner against Cardiff yesterday, the France international moved to dispel talk of a move away. “I don’t know who said this stuff, but I am at one of the best clubs in London and I am happy at Arsenal,” Lacazette said. Lacazette was not the only Arsenal forward to break their duck for the new campaign.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a £53million arrival from Borussia Dortmund in January, also found the net. And Lacazette is happy to play alongside the Gabon international for Arsenal, despite the player often ousting him from Emery’s team. “It’s nice to play together because we compliment each other’s strengths,” Lacazette added. (Daily Express)

3 reasons why Madrid picked Bale to replace Ronaldo

Real Madrid have given Bale the freedom to lead the attack after Ronaldo left for Juventus in a £105million transfer in July.
So far, the move has paid off, with the Wales international finding the net three times in as many matches. Real Madrid were linked with Eden Hazard, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the wake of Ronaldo’s exit but chose to ultimately keep faith in Bale, who was linked with a move to Manchester United.
And Spanish newspaper Marca say the 29-year-old was chosen to be Ronaldo’s natural heir for three reasons. Firstly, the club are well aware of the talent Bale possesses. He signed from Tottenham for a then world-record £86million in 2013 and fired them to the Champions League title in his first season at the club.
Bale has never scored anywhere near the amount of goals as Ronaldo but has still been a key part of their side over the last five years. And his quality meant Real were never panicking about having to invest in a big-name replacement.
They also reportedly made Bale their talisman because of the potential he still possesses. In recent years, injuries have prevented him from kicking on. So much so that Zinedine Zidane benched him for Champions League triumphs both back in May and 2017. Real have always felt, though, that Bale has the potential to be even better.
And that looks accurate with the forward now finally resembling the same forward who took the Premier League by storm with Tottenham. Marca add Bale’s salary also meant he was in line for a starring role.
The Wales star earns £350,000 a week – something that places him above heavyweights such as Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the wage table. And Real were reluctant to fork out more cash on a superstar when they have one already in their ranks. (Daily Express)

Henderson signs new long-term contract at Liverpool

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has signed a new long-term deal with the club. Henderson made his first start of the season as the Reds continued their 100 percent start to the season at Leicester on Saturday. The England midfielder joined Liverpool in 2011 and inherited the captain’s armband when Steven Gerrard departed in 2015, Henderson has now taken in 283 appearances for the club.
He has managed 24 goals during those outings and will hope that there are many more to come. Henderson will be also be looking for his Liverpool performances to keep him in England contention, with his tally of caps for his country taken to 44 while helping the Three Lions to reach the semi-finals of World Cup 2018.
Liverpool new boy Naby Keita had started the season ahead of Henderson after he returned late to pre-season after the World Cup. But the midfielder was recalled at the King Power as Liverpool ran out 3-2 winners.

Ronaldinho asks Barcelona to retire No 10 shirt when Messi retires

Ronaldinho has claimed that Barcelona should retire the No 10 shirt once Lionel Messi retires. Messi took the No 10 shirt when Ronaldinho left the club to join AC Milan in 2008 and has continued to hit new heights ever since, with the Argentina international undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time.
The 31-year-old’s current deal at the Nou Camp runs until the summer of 2021, and Ronaldinho believes that Messi’s shirt number should be retired in recognition of his myriad achievements.
As reported by The Sun, Ronaldinho said: ‘When Messi retires, which I hope will be a long time from now, they should leave the No 10 there so that nobody can touch it again.’
Other notable names to wear the No 10 shirt for Barcelona include Rivaldo, Romario and Pep Guardiola. Ronaldinho believes that Messi is Barcelona’s best ever player and expressed hope that the attacker will continue playing for many years to come.
Messi has started the season in typically impressive form, scoring four goals in his first three La Liga games, which included a brace in the 8-2 thrashing of Huesca at the weekend. In total Messi has mustered an incredible 556 goals in 641 appearances for Barcelona. (Daily Mail)

Giroud on Chelsea contract

Olivier Giroud says there is currently no plans to discuss a contract extension with Chelsea. Giroud signed for the Blues from Arsenal in January but was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer.
The Frenchman is under contract until the end of the season. He said: “I still have one year of contract, plus possibly another year. “The management of the club was rather favourable to give it to me. “I do not know yet, we will do the accounts in April-May, but I do not exclude any possibility. We’ll see.” (Daily Express)

Messi misses out on podium place at FIFA’s ‘The Best’

If UEFA’s award ceremony didn’t make enough headlines last week, FIFA’s ‘The Best’ might just eclipse it. Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly threw a strop and refused to turn up to the UEFA ceremony in Monaco on Thursday when he discovered his former teammate Luka Modric would get his hands on the prize.
And now, just days later, FIFA have revealed the three players that will contest ‘The Best’ Men’s Player award. Ronaldo and Modric will be on the podium alongside Mohamed Sarah.
That means Lionel Messi won’t be in the top three. The Argentine has been on the podium for every major award (Ballon d’Or and The Best) since 2008.
But he won’t be in London come September 24.
That’s all despite helping Barcelona win La Liga and the Copa del Rey last season, also claiming the Pichichi and the European Golden Shoe. (Givemesport)