Latest Transfer news and rumours

Liverpool looks for an audacious swap deal for Saints duo using Sturridge 

​Liverpool look set to offer Daniel Sturridge in a huge £40m swap deal for Southampton pair Virgil van Dijk and Sam McQueen, according to ​reports.

The 27-year old has seen himself fall down the pecking order under Jürgen Klopp this season, after failing to impress since his return from injury.

The England striker has been linked with a move away from Anfield in January, with West Ham and Stoke City reportedly keeping close watch.

​The Daily Star claim that Liverpool are in hot pursuit of Saints duo Virgil van Dijk and Sam McQueen, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly ready to spend £40m on bringing the pair to Anfield.

Donnarumma will not leave AC Milan

​AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been the subject of rumours that he might leave the Rossoneri for Juventus, but his brother has reassured fans that the 17-year-old would never join the Turin giants.

“He won’t leave Milan for any reason. We talk every day, in the evenings we play video games online. He goes Milan, I go Atletico Madrid or Barcelona."

“We don’t talk about football that much, but we always call each other after games. After Inter he was angry and I tried to calm him down."

“Right now the number one is Buffon, the symbol of the school of Italian goalkeeping. After Gigi, it’ll be him [Donnarumma] in the national team."

“Knowing Gigio though, he won’t leave Milan for the world. He’s really happy with the Rossoneri, and he’s always been a Milanista.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels this player will be a fit for Manchester United

​Zlatan Ibrahimovic is confident that Benfica's Victor Lindelof is ready for a move to Manchester United, after his impressive performances in Portugal ​reports Goal. 

The 22-year-old centre-back is a highly sought-after talent and is being heavily linked with a January move away from Lisbon. 

On whether or not the young Swede has what it takes to make it at United, Zlatan replied:“Is he good enough for United? I think he’s good enough for the big clubs out there." 

“I think Victor is doing great things, he is playing good for Benfica, he gets a lot of responsibility for the national team now, he is growing.” 

With such a special talent, many clubs would be wanting to sign him, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic could play a pivotal role in his transfer to Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho is not so happy with the defence and will look to swap some of the old ones with new talents.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Milan and Inter play out a draw in a pulsating encounter at San Siro

The match witnessed a late, late equalizer.

Milan who took lead in the 42nd minute after some brilliant football and an exquisite finish from Suso, who curled the ball into the back of the net from the right.

Half time score was Milan 1-0 Inter.

Inter came looking for the equalizer and found one in the 53rd minute of the game when Antonio Candreva launched a long range effort into the top corner of the net. 

Inter, though were only level for 5 minutes as there was some neat work down the right flank from Carlos Bacca before he squared it up for Suso again, who showed brilliant composure inside the box to finish superbly after a  shimmy to get past one defender and rolling the ball into the right corner leaving Inter goalkeeper with no chance.
That was really sensational from Spaniard.

Inter were once again left chasing the game, they made a number of attempts but it all went in vain. 

Time was running out for Inter as only 3 minutes of stoppage time was given, but Inter held onto their nerves and found a deserved equalizer in the 92nd minute. 

Ivan Perisic, who was knocking on door all throughout the game finally found the breakthrough when a corner came to him after in the mixer and he put the ball past Donnaruma with his left foot from a close range.

After scoring the equalizer he celebrated by taking off his shirt and thus got booked by the referee.

AC Milan had one last attempt in search of a winner but the ball was put wide by substitute Lapadula.

A derby full of drama and quality goals, Inter rescued a point late in the game.
AC Milan remains 3rd tied on 26 points with Roma and Inter with 18 points are on 9th with 18 points.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Know the most expensive and least expensive ticket prices of clubs in Europe

Though we are happy to watch the leagues on our TV. As a die-hard supporter one must have always wondered how much it would cost to cheer for your favourite teams in the stadium.

Courtesy of BBC SPORT PRICE OF FOOTBALL STUDY we may get to know how much it will burn a fans pocket.

Tickets are sold in two forms :-

1. Season Tickets
2. Single Tickets

Season Tickets

Most Expensive

North London dominates the category in Premier League, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur charging hefty amount. 

Arsenal's season ticket price is £2013 while Tottenham charges £1895. 

The 'cheap' season ticket is also priced at £1014, expensive than most of the London clubs except Chelsea and West Ham. 

When you move outside England, they also charge some heavy amount like PSG asking a staggering £2588.75 for their annual pass while Real Madrid offer season ticket at £1587.84. 

Cheapest 

Hull City leads the chart of offering cheapest season tickets in Premier League. Their prices are cheaper than 88℅ of Championship sides. Other clubs who offer low prices are Stoke, West Ham and surprisingly Man City, all three offer season tickets  under £300. 

Outside England, Bayern Munich have one of the standout low prices, they offer season ticket at just £120.89 - £17 per game. FC Porto charges just £86.31 for their cheapest pass while Barcelona offer season ticket at £113.93. 

Single Tickets

Most Expensive

Arsenal again heads the list in Premier League, charging £97. £10 more than closest rival. 

Chelsea charge £87 and Tottenham £81. 

West Ham is also not far behind with £80. 

Overseas, picture is different, with PSG charging £233.12 for their most expensive single ticket. Another Ligue1 club Marseille, charges £129.49 for their highest single ticket. 

Both Milan clubs, AC and Inter are also very costly with the most expensive single ticket costing their loyals £215 and £241, respectively. 

Cheapest

Liverpool offers cheapest ticket at £9. Hull City matches the Merseyside club in offering the cheapest single ticket.

Crystal Palace offer ticket at £23 while Stoke, West Ham, West Brom and Sunderland all offer tickets for £25. 

Chelsea have the most expensive 'cheap' ticket priced at £52. 

Valencia and Marseille, offer cheapest single ticket in the continent at just £8.53 each. 

PSG, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke and Porto all offer the tickets at under £20.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

The big matches in Europe this weekend

This weekend get ready for some exciting matches as some big matches are coming up after the international break.
For your convenience, sportskafun brings you some interesting facts and build up for the matches.

1. Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid (Madrid Derby)

• La Liga

• Sunday, 20 November, 1:15AM (IST)

• Vicente Calderón, Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo(R)  in action with Atletico Madrid's Juanfran

Since Diego Simeone has taken charge of Atletico Madrid, this derby has become more exciting. With an excellent home record against Real Madrid in recent time this match will be a treat for the fans of both the clubs around the world. 

Atletico have not lost at home to Real Madrid in Liga BBVA since September 2013. A lot has changed since then, Atletico Madrid has won La Liga in 2014 while Real Madrid last won the league in 2011/12. The two sides have met several times in different competitions including twice in UEFA Champions League finals in 2013/14 and 2015/16, with Los Blancos winning on both occasions, on penalties.

After their loss to Real Madrid in 2013/14 UCL final in Lisbon, Atletico Madrid only lost twice to Real Madrid in 12 meetings. Their latest defeat coming in 2015/16 UEFA Champions League final, in Milan. At home, Atletico Madrid's record is something to deal with. They humiliated Real Madrid 4-0 in February 2015. Their last meeting at Vicente Calderon ended in 1-1 draw and their last La Liga meeting was won by Atletico at Santiago Bernabeu. Since then, Real Madrid have gone onto a winning streak which is still on.This season Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane were off to a great start, currently on top of the table with 27 points in 11 matches and with 21 points Atletico Madrid are on 4th losing two of their last 5 matches in La Liga.

2. Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich (Der Klassiker)

• Bundesliga

• Saturday, 19 November, 11:00PM (IST)

• Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

Robert Lewandowski(L) in action against his former club Borussia Dortmund

Also known as German Clasico, this is the most exciting game in Bundesliga. This classic derby once became the pinnacle of European Football, when the two sides met in 2012/13 UEFA Champions League final in Wembley. Bayern Munich won the treble that season. 
Borussia Dortmund won two back to back Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12. Since then Bayern Munich took charge and won 4 Bundesliga titles on the trot. Their last meeting in Bundesliga ended in a 0-0 draw. Borussia Dortmund has always been the closest competitors of Bayern Munich, and with young players like Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Ousama Dembele, and also the return of Mario Gotze this classic derby will be huge one. Bayern Munich, under Carlo Ancelotti, are still unbeaten and currently lead the Bundesliga table with 24 points in 10 matches while Borussia Dortmund are at 5th position with 18 points. Bayern Munich were last defeated by Dortmund in Bundesliga in April 2014.

3. AC Milan vs Inter Milan (Derby di Milano)

• Serie A

• Monday, 21 November, 1:15AM (IST)

• San Siro

Milan Derby got abandoned when Inter fans threw flares on the ground

This classic Milan derby has a very rich history. With the two clubs meeting 164 times till date, Inter has upper hand with 61 wins to that of Milan's 51. Both the clubs have won 18 Serie A titles. With such a close rivalry, the Milan derby has always been a treat to watch. Legends like Paolo Maldini, Andriy Shevchenko, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Baggio have all been a part of this derby. 

AC Milan last won Serie A in 2010-11 while Inter last won the Scudetto in 2009-10.Milan won their last meeting in Serie A 3-0 in February. 

Currently AC milan are on 3rd position with 25 points in 12 matches while Inter are way below them on 9th position with 17 points.

Irrespective of the positions in the table this classic Milan derby will be exciting.

4. Manchester United vs Arsenal

• Premier League

• Saturday, 19 November, 6:00PM (IST)

• Old Trafford

Termed as one of Premier League's greatest rivalry, this battle between the two big clubs from England is going to be one of the matches of the season. Arsenal last won the Premier league title in 2004, as ' The Invincibles', while Manchester United won it in 2012/13 when Sir Alex Ferguson had managed the Red Devils for the last time. Since the departure of SAF, Manchester United have struggled failing to finish outside top 4 for the first time in Premier League since its inception in 1992.Manchester United have tried rebuilding their team with some big money moves, appointing different managers but they have still not found their rhythm, Arsenal on the other hand have improved season by season finishing above Manchester United in all previous 3 seasons. 

Manchester United's largest win against Arsenal

This match is also going to be exciting because of the two managers Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger who always are in for a battle of words against each other. Arsenal are currently 4th in the table with 24 points while Manchester United are on 6th with 18 points. 

So gear up Football fans for one of the most exciting weekend. 

Also read : War of words between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho

©sportskafun.blogspot.com