Image: Bundesliga.de
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Schalke stopper Manuel Neuer, with a view to wrapping up a £5m deal before Bayern Munich increase their bid.
Bayern have long been linked with Neuer who is one of the stand-out young goalkeepers in world football and was hugely impressive in the Under-21 European Championship earlier this summer, but Fergie is also keen to bring in the "new Peter Schmeichel."
The 23-year-old has come through the ranks at Schalke where he made his debut during the 2006-2007 season and, despite some high-profile mistakes, has sealed his first-team place at the German side over the past three years.
New Schalke boss Felix Magath has admitted that he is aware of mounting interest in the young shot-stopper, although would not talk about any potential transfer.
"I have heard Manchester United would be interested in signing Manuel Neuer," he told Die Welt.
"But for as long as I don't receive a concrete approach, I will not make any statement about this."
[ESPN]
Stuttgart general manager Horst Heldt was delighted to welcome Pavel Pogrebnyak to his club after the Russia international passed a medical.
The 25-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg on a four-year contract and will take the place in the Stuttgart attack left vacant following the sale of Mario Gomez to Bayern Munich.
''We are delighted that it has worked out,'' said Heldt. ''He fulfils precisely the profile that we were looking for. He is a target man, just like Mario Gomez.''
Heldt denied reports that the 25-year-old had cost his side a third of the 30m euros they had earned from the sale of Gomez, saying the fee was ''in the region of five million''.
''We said that we would not do anything crazy,'' explained Heldt on DSF television.
''Pavel only had six months left on his contract so 10m would have clearly been too much.''
Since Stuttgart have managed to sign Pogrebnyak relatively cheaply, Heldt would not rule out making any more signings this summer after the club also agreed a one-year loan deal with Barcelona for Alexander Hleb last week.
''Theoretically, we could make some more additions,'' he said. ''The window is open until the end of August and we will leave this opportunity open to us.''
Pogrebnyak was heading back to Russia to obtain a work permit and he is due back in Germany on Monday when he will be officially presented as a Stuttgart player.
[Soccernet]
Franck Ribery has denied he wants to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid and insists he doesn't want a "controversy" with his club.
The midfielder was quoted last week as saying he'd made up his mind to leave Bayern with Real Madrid his intended destination, but he told Munich's Tz newspaper on Monday: "I have never said that I wanted to go.
"They were not my words, what I said was misinterpreted. I don't understand the whole discussion. I don't want a controversy with Bayern Munich. I would gladly clarify the situation.
"We have to wait and see if there is an offer coming and then sit down and talk. I do not want to say anything wrong right now.''
Ribery was reported as telling a French newspaper last week: "I have decided that I want to leave. It will be Real Madrid or nothing. I will wait to see how things pan out but I would like to hold talks with the Bayern management soon.''
Ribery also denied suggestions today he missed training sessions over the weekend so as not to jeopardise a move by picking up an injury.
"That is a lie,'' he said. "I have a heel problem and also a blister. I want to get back training as soon as possible.''
[Soccernet]
Edin Dzeko is due to link up with his Wolfsburg team-mates at a training camp after being told his dream move to AC Milan will not materialise.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina forward, who scored 26 goals in the Bundesliga last season, had been considered the Rossoneri's top transfer target this summer following Kaka's transfer to Real Madrid.
But although the player signalled his interest in moving to Italy, his club have blocked a move and now expect the 23-year-old report for pre-season training.
"I am staying in Wolfsburg," he told Italy's Sky Sport 24 television channel. "I am not happy, but I have got to respect my contract."
Dzeko still has two years left to run on his contract with the Wolves, who are more keen on offering him a new deal than negotiating a sale.
His devastating partnership with 28-goal Grafite last term made a major contribution to Wolfsburg clinching their first ever Bundesliga title and new coach Armin Veh is reluctant to break up such a successful strike duo.
"He is staying with us," confirmed Veh in the Tagesspiegel newspaper. "We are not under any pressure either. His contract still has two years left to run on it."
Veh believes it would also be in the player's best interests to stick around for at least one more year and prove last season was not just a one-off.
"I have seen players all too often disappear after such a transfer," he said. "My advice to him would be to stay at least one more year.
"He is a very good player, but he still needs time and a bit of harmony to develop further."
Milan had reportedly laid 20m euros on the table while there had also been talk of them including Italy striker Marco Borriello in a deal, but Wolfsburg stood firm.
[Soccernet]
Bayern Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger believes the club can convince Franck Ribery to stay by matching his lofty ambition.
Ribery has made no secret of his desire to play for the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona while Chelsea and Manchester United are also tracking the Frenchman, who Bayern claim is one of the best three players in the world at present.
However, Nerlinger is convinced he can help build a team around Ribery; one that he can be proud of and one which will not only convince him to fulfil the remaining two years of his contract, but stay with them even longer.
''We have got to provide Franck with the perspective of being on the same level as Europe's elite,'' he said. ''That is what he wants and then he will be happy in Munich.''
Bayern have already splashed the cash in the transfer market this summer, giving new coach Louis van Gaal several new players to work with next season, including 30m euro striker Mario Gomez and former Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk.
Yet Nerlinger has not ruled out spending even more to ensure Bayern can challenge in the Champions League as well as the Bundesliga in the coming seasons, if only to satisfy the Frenchman.
''In the mid-term, we will have very, very positive conditions here,'' he added in the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. ''We have got to offer him a top European club.''
Ribery will report back for pre-season training with Bayern on Wednesday, barring a last-minute change of heart by the Bavarian club's management as Real maintain their interest in the 26-year-old, aided by their new transfer advisor Zinedine Zidane, who appears to be doing all he can to convince Bayern to part company with the winger.
A sale is still possible until the end of August, though, and Bayern's bosses may well change their minds if they get the impression Ribery is no longer committed to their club.
''Obviously Ribery himself is decisive: what does he want and how does he behave,'' added Nerlinger, who will be keeping a close eye on the Frenchman in the build-up to the new season.
[Soccernet]
The transfer of German U-21 international Marko Marin from Borussia Moenchengladbach to Werder Bremen has finally been completed.
The 20-year-old midfielder has signed a four-year contract at the Weser Stadion with Gladbach receiving a reported €8.4 million.
Die Welt have reported that Werder will make the official announcement this afternoon. The club and the player have been in agreement for a number of weeks now, but the stumbling block was the transfer fee being demanded by Moenchengladbach.
The Fohlen were at first asking for €12 million, but with the fear that Marin could move for nothing at the end of next season Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl has settled for €8.4 million.
Marin has now becomes Werder’s second most expensive signing in their history and along with Mesut Oezil, he will be seen as the replacement for the departed Diego.
This signing once again proves how highly rated the young German is. We previously featured Marko Marin as a Player of the Day last year before Euro 2008.
[Source: Goal.com]
The long wait to decide the future of Franck Ribery could soon be over after the player's agent revealed that the Frenchman wants to sign for Real Madrid. Ribery has his pick of Europe's top clubs this summer, but appears set on a move to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid and Barcelona head the queue for the midfielder, but agent Alan Miglaccio says that the Bayern star has been persuaded that joining Madrid would be a better option by compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who now works for Los Merengues.
Bayern have previously stated that they do not want to sell Ribery and, although the club's board and officials are currently on their holidays, a deal appears to be edging closer.
"Ribery would prefer to play for Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona," Miglaccio told RAC-1. "The player has spoken with Zinedine Zidane and wants to sign for Los Merengues.
"At this time any move is off because the people at Bayern are on holiday until the end of the month. I cannot say anything more until we meet with them in the coming weeks."
Zidane, in his new role as Los Blancos' sporting advisor, revealed last week that the club will do everything they can to bring Ribery to the Bernabeu.
"I am not in Madrid at the moment, but there are meetings being held at the moment regarding this matter. The negotiations are on the right track," he told Le Parisien. "I am all for Ribery joining Madrid and I will do everything to make it possible."
Ribery has been valued at around €70m by the German club but, with Madrid pulling out of negotiations over Valencia's David Villa, could now be the next big name to arrive in the Spanish capital.
[Soccernet]
Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko is has been dreaming of a move to AC Milan since the winter, according to his team-mate Zvjezdan Misimovic.
But Misimovic claims the Serie A giants are still to lodge a bid for the Bosnian, whose 26 goals last season inspired the Wolves to the title.
The Rossoneri have held talks with the Bundesliga side, but Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh, who has replaced Felix Magath at the VW-Arena, has stressed that Dzeko is not for sale.
His countryman Misimovic, though, said in an interview with Kicker: "We talk about Milan. He said half a year ago that they are his dream club.
"There still hasn't been an offer though. You don't get something like that every day. I can understand Edin, that he wants to move. I can also understand Wolfsburg. We need Edin's quality. It's my wish that he stays."
Dzeko is under contract with Wolfsburg until 2011 and Misimovic admits losing him would be a blow.
He added: "It would certainly be the wrong sign if we were to sell him. We have much in front of us, we are playing in the Champions League this year."
Midfielder Misimovic himself attracted interest with his displays last season, with one of his former clubs, Bayern Munich, reportedly among his admirers.
But the 27-year-old, who failed to make the grade at Bayern earlier in his career, insists he is happy to stay put.
He said: "I assume (I will be staying here). I have a contract here until 2012 and feel completely contented here. The rest, what enquiries there have been, does not interest me. That is a subject for my agent and the club."
[Soccernet]
Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba has contradicted his own club by claiming he is now free to join Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart.
The Senegalese striker met with Hoffenheim bosses Ralf Rangnick and Jan Schindelmeiser on Thursday and it appeared he had been told to stay after general manager Schindelmeiser emerged saying he was "not interested in selling Demba".
But Ba told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper: "They agreed that I can go.
"They are obviously not happy about it, but they said they would do nothing more to stop me.
"I want to play in the Champions League. Stuttgart and Hoffenheim will now meet to resolve the transfer."
Stuttgart have already expressed their desire to sign Ba, but they cooled off their interest when Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp pronounced him not for sale at any price.
Depending on who they listen to, Stuttgart may now revive their interest with a bid in excess of 10m euros for a man who scored 14 goals in his debut season in the top flight last year.
Ba remains their number one target to replace Mario Gomez, who they sold to Bayern Munich for over 30million euros this summer.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim appear to have won the race to sign Argentinian midfielder Franco Zuculini from Racing Club for a fee in the region of 5m euros.
According to reports in Argentina, the deal will go through next week when the player arrives in Germany for a medical.
[Soccernet]
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has dismissed reports linking goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen with Bayern Munich as "nonsense''.
Last week stories in the Danish press suggested the 33-year-old was a target for the four-time European champions.
However, Pulis is confident Sorensen will remain at the Britannia Stadium for a second season after the Potters survived their maiden top-flight campaign.
"Those reports are a load of nonsense as far as I'm concerned,'' he told The Sentinel.
"We are playing in the greatest league in the world and you'd have to ask why Thomas would want to move out of it at this stage.
"He's more than happy here as far as I'm aware. He had a great first season for us last year and I have to say how much I was impressed by his stature about the place.
"His experience and calibre was just what we needed as we stepped into the big time.''
[Soccernet]
Energie Cottbus star Dimitar Rangelov has claimed that he rejected the chance to move to The Premier League this summer.
The Bulgarian has just left Cottbus, who have been relegated to the second tier of German football, to join Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal.
The striker has declared that he snubbed three Bundesliga sides, as well as various English clubs, in order to move to the 1997 Champions League winners.
“I received offers from Hertha Berlin, Hamburg, Bochum and from several English clubs,” Rangelov claimed during his presentation.
“I am aware that I turned down the chance to play Europa League football, but I have no regrets. Joining Dortmund was my intention and I think I took the right decision.”
[Setanta Sports]
Bayern Munich have denied reports earlier on Wednesday that they were preparing to sell midfielder Franck Ribery.
LarsBaron/GettyImages
Quotes attributed to club president Franz Beckenbauer in the Sport Bild magazine suggested they had decided to allow their star player to move clubs: "We discussed the issue at our last board meeting and we all agreed that, if he really wants to leave, then we will deal with the issue."
However, Bayern have now come out to say the article was a "false announcement and does not reflect the truth". Even so, it is sure to alert those interested that there is the possibility of a deal before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
"There is no such resolution by the advisory board of FC Bayern Munich AG which includes the issue of a sale of the player Franck Ribery," explained the club in an official statement.
"The transfer (sale) of a player does not need the approval of the advisory board, according to the constitution of the FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors.
"The FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors have made the overwhelming resolution that the player Franck Ribery is not for sale."
The Bundesliga side have previously refused to consider selling the France international unless they receive a "crazy offer".
Real Madrid were thought to be favourites to sign the 26-year-old but stated earlier this week that they felt he was too expensive. That could mean Manchester United step to the front of the queue as they look to spend some of the £80m set to come their way from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.
Barcelona and Chelsea, eager to sign top players in a younger age bracket, will also be watching with interest as to how the transfer saga develops in the coming weeks.
Previously it was though Bayern would look for €75m for Ribery, but if the player has suggested he wishes to move on the German outfit will not have such a position of power over the fee they demand.
Chelsea, United and Barca have already made firm enquiries about the playmaker.
But Real could come back into the running by offering Bayern some of their Dutch stars, who are all set to leave the club, as a makeweight. Reports in Spain suggest Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder have both been put forward as options for new Bayern's new Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.
Zinedine Zidane, an advisor to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, has spoken to France midfielder Franck Ribery to try and convince him to move to the Spanish capital from Bayern Munich. OliverLang/GettyImages Ribery: A man in demand this summer "I am in talks with Franck," the former three times World Player of the Year, who wore the Real shirt from 2001 to 2006, told Sunday's edition of French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere. "He is a fantastic player who has his place at Real. And playing in this team is a career opportunity, which, to me, you do not refuse. "It would be a nice opportunity for Franck. It is up to him." Real are on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo after Manchester United accepted a world record bid of £80m ($132.1m) for the Portuguese forward earlier this week. Brazil playmaker Kaka has already joined from AC Milan for a reported fee of 67m euros ($94.27m), while Ribery is likely to cost around the same amount, if reported bids for the 26-year-old are anything to go by. "Bringing together the best players in the world has a cost," said Zidane.
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has confirmed they want to sign Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa. MNChan/GettyImages Bosingwa: A wanted man The right-back slot is the only area Bayern are still looking to strengthen after making seven signings already this summer - and Hoeness feels Bosingwa fits the bill. "Our transfer activities are basically closed," he told Munich's tz newspaper. "We are only looking at whether there are possibilities for the right-back position." He added: "We are interested in Bosingwa. That's correct." The Portugal international only moved to Stamford Bridge last summer, but Bayern are noticeably short of cover in his position. Their only recognised right-back is Christian Lell, still yet to prove himself at the highest level. Philipp Lahm is more comfortable on the left, while veteran Willy Sagnol retired earlier this year because of persistent injury problems. Turkey international Hamit Altintop can play at right-back but is more effective in midfield. Hoeness also hinted Bayern could change their stance on Franck Ribery. The Bavarian giants have repeatedly stressed the France midfielder is not for sale, but that determination could now be wavering. "We have said we will only deal under certain conditions," said Hoeness. "Namely if the others want to do really crazy things." That suggests a huge offer - thought to be at least ¬60m - could persuade Bayern to part with their prized asset. Manchester United - who will certainly have the money to finance a deal should Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid go through - and Madrid themselves have been linked with Ribery. Bayern's seventh summer signing was completed earlier on Thursday when Holland defenderEdson Braafheid joined from FC Twente. The 26-year-old has penned a four-year deal at the Allianz Arena after passing a medical this morning. Braafheid was also wanted by Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Ajax but turned them down last week and opted instead for a move to the Bundesliga. A statement from Bayern read: "Braafheid was a player sought after by new Bayern coach Louis van Gaal and can play as a left-back as well as a centre-back."
Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has called for the future of Franck Ribery to be decided one way or another to prevent a long-running soap opera this summer.
The France international has been linked with a host of clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, but Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has sent out mixed signals by first claiming he was not for sale at any price and then expressing his willingness to speak to new Real president Florentino Perez.
Beckenbauer wants the issue resolved, either by signing Ribery to a new contract or selling him.
"I can see only two solutions: Ribery extends his contract so the issue is dealt with or we release him,'' he said. "I rate Ribery alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi as the best footballers in the world at present,'' he added in the Bild newspaper.
"If he were to leave, it would be the second huge loss for the Bundesliga after Diego. However, if Ribery wants to leave, then it will be hard for us to keep hold of him.''
Nevertheless, Beckenbauer does not believe Bayern's world would fall apart without the 26-year-old.
"So many so-called irreplaceable players have gone yet football has still moved on,'' he said. "Obviously it would be a shame, though, and it is hard to imagine Bayern being better without Ribery.''
Real are believed to be preparing a bid which would tempt Bayern's new Dutch coach Louis van Gaal by offering his two compatriots Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder offered together with a sizeable sum for a man who, according to Hoeness, has just one of his legs valued at €50m.
Ribery is unsure where his future lies.
"I will see how my situation is going to develop. Honestly, I don't know - my situation isn't easy to deal with,'' the former Marseille winger said.
"I am under contract until 2011 with Bayern, I am fine over there. I'm not someone who likes to clash - I have spent two good years at Bayern. We will see how everything turns out.''
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has sent out mixed signals by first claiming Ribery was not for sale at any price, then expressing his willingness to speak to Perez.
[Soccernet]
Bayern Munich are to seal the €10m capture of Croatia international Danijel Pranjic, according to reports.
Pranjic, a left-sided defender and midfielder, will move to the Allianz Arena from Dutch side Heerenveen.
"What can I say other than I am delighted," Pranjic was quoted as saying by the Bild newspaper. "We are talking about a huge club. I will give my best to pay back the faith of (new coach Louis) van Gaal. And I am already really looking forward to playing together with Ivica Olic in the future."
Olic, Pranjic's fellow Croatian, has also signed for Bayern from Hamburg.
"We are in agreement with the player,'' Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness told the club's official website. "But the discussions with the club are still not closed. Therefore we cannot yet give 100% confirmation of the transfer.''
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claims Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer is keen on a move to the Allianz Arena.
Neuer, 23, is being tipped as a potential long-term replacement in the Germany team for Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann and made his international debut in a friendly win over United Arab Emirates this week.
"I believe that Manuel Neuer is interested in coming to FC Bayern," Rummenigge told the club's official website. "Should Schalke give us a signal that they are ready to talk we will start negotiations."
Bayern are on the lookout for a new keeper after Michael Rensing failed to live up to expectations last season. He was dropped towards the end of the campaign.
New Schalke coach Felix Magath insists, though, his number one is going nowhere.
Magath, who guided Wolfsburg to their first Bundesliga title last term before swapping the VW-Arena for the Arena AufSchalke, said in the Bild newspaper: "Manuel Neuer has a contract with Schalke until 2012. He will play for Schalke next season. There is nothing more to say."
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has once again stated that Franck Ribery is not going to be sold this summer after discussing the issue with new coach Louis van Gaal.
Ribery is regarded as one of the hottest commodities on the transfer market this summer, with some of Europe's top clubs reportedly lining up to sign him, but Bayern's new coach has requested he be allowed to work with the Frenchman next season.
''He really wants to keep him,'' announced Hoeness after holding talks with van Gaal. ''We will not let Ribery go.''
Nevertheless, Hoeness expects a busy summer of turning down offers for the midfielder.
''Most clubs only ended their season (recently) and when the players go on holiday, the bosses start with their planning,'' he added in Munich's Abendzeitung newspaper.
''There will be enquiries for Ribery in the next four to six weeks, I'm sure. But we have not had any decisive enquiry and we are not interested in any of the rumours in the English press.
''We will be polite, but we will not negotiate. We are not going to celebrate on the telephone when somebody offers a certain amount.''
Van Gaal arrived in Munich on Monday and has also addressed the issue of Luca Toni, who seems to be surplus to requirements following the signing of Mario Gomez from Stuttgart and Ivica Olic from Hamburg.
Unlike with Ribery, Hoeness would not hang up the phone immediately on an offer for the Italian.
''In general, four strikers are enough, but if we have five, then we have five,'' he said. ''We will not be sending anybody away. But if somebody comes to us and wants one of our strikers, then we will talk.''
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has put a price tag on Franck Ribery of "at least 100 million euros'' as several clubs continue to be linked with the Frenchman.
Chelsea were reported to be considering making an offer in the region of 50 million euros, but Hoeness insists he would only listen to an offer of double that much, claiming yesterday that you could "get one of his legs at best" for such a sum.
"If I hear that there was an offer for 125 million euros for Kaka, then Ribery has a market value of at least 100 million,'' Hoeness told the Bild newspaper. "But I don't want to talk about a fee we would consider because we want to keep hold of Franck.''
According to Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Ribery will still be a Bayern Munich player next season, no matter what Chelsea or any other club offers.
He told Munich's Tz newspaper that "only FC Bayern decides what happens, however many millions are offered. We do not want to sell Franck."
Werder Bremen were able to confirm Marcelo Moreno Martins as their first new signing for next season after the Bolivian forward passed a medical in the northern Germany city.
The 21-year-old joins on a one-year loan deal from Shakhtar Donetsk, the side who defeated Bremen in the final of the UEFA Cup only last week.
However, it was not there that Bremen noticed his talents since he was an unused substitute for the Ukrainians. According to Bremen's director of sport Klaus Allofs, the Bolivia international has long since been a target.
"We have been watching him for several years now and wanted to sign him last year, which is why we are delighted that it has worked out now, albeit with a bit of a delay," he said.
Should Martins impress while on loan in the Bundesliga, Bremen have secured an option to make the move a permanent one on a four-year contract.
After passing the medical tonight, Martins left a quick comment before flying out to link up with his national team for their games against Venezuela and Chile over the next fortnight.
"We were very close (to an agreement) last year, but then I chose Donetsk," he said in a press release. "I am really pleased that Werder have given me a second chance. I would like to show my ability at Bremen and help both myself and the team develop."
[Soccernet]
Bayern Munich have dismissed reports that Chelsea have opened negotiations to sign midfielder Franck Ribery, claiming that the Frenchman is ''not for sale''.
Various tabloids in the UK have linked the 26-year-old playmaker with a move away from Germany and the Bundesliga in recent weeks, and new speculation had suggested that the two clubs have now agreed a fee for the French international.
Bayern have stated that they want to keep Ribery, although that has not stopped the speculation about his future, forcing the club into another public statement.
"This story is completely untrue," Bayern media officer Markus Horwick told Deutsche Presseagentur. "Franck Ribery remains not for sale."
''Our stance has not changed: we would like to extend Ribery's contract, not sell him.''
The in-form Frenchman has been consistently linked with a move away with Chelsea the latest club to be linked with the former Marseille man. Chelsea's managerial target Carlo Ancelotti recently revealed that Ribery would be one of the first players he would try to sign if he took control at Stamford Bridge.
Ribery's contract with Bayern still has two years left to run on it, but general manager Uli Hoeness recently admitted Manchester United had made a ''casual inquiry''. Whether that inquiry develops into something more serious will depend on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and the long-running saga over a prospective move to Real Madrid.
Ribery has also been linked with Real in recent months, while Barcelona dropped their interest after talks with Bayern over a possible deal were made public.
