Modric set to make big money move to Real Madrid

According to reports from Croatia, Luka Modric is close to agreeing a £28 million pound deal from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid. It is said that the transfer is currently at an advanced stage, although Spurs are pushing for a figure in the region of £35 million. Last season. Modric made it clear that he wanted to leave White Hart Lane and had his sights set on a move to Chelsea, but chairman Daniel Levy persuaded the Croatian to stay for atleast another season. Manchester United, Paris St Germain as well as Chelsea were all said to be interested in making a move for the Croatian playmaker. Its said that PSG put in a bigger bid than Madrid but that Modric would prefer a move to the Spanish champions.

Zidane, the next France boss?

When you think about French football and the great French players you immediately think about the french team of 1982 and the incredible Michel Platini, or the french team of 1998/2000 and the incomparable Zinedine Zidane who won the world cup on home soil in 1998 and then won the european championships two years later



Michel Platini



. I've been a huge fan of Les Bleus ever since I can remember (even though I'm South African) and as french fan I'd love to see the great Zinedine Zidane take over and lead Les Bleus back to glory but its hard to picture this especially with his lack of managerial experience. Although not at their worst France are definitely far from their best. Under Laurent Blanc they did well and had an amazing run up to Euro 2012, though, they lacked gumption, didn't seem to pose much of a threat going forward, and at the back looked vulnerable at times. But whoever takes over would have to work on the defense as that's where the french are at their weakest, more specifically the centre back pairing of Adil Rami and Phillipe Mexes. The midfield combination would also have to be sorted out, perhaps introduce Jeremy Menez to act as a driving force and also bring back Yohann Gourcuff to dictate the play in the middle of the park. Upfront it looks good with Karim Benzema and instead of playing him as a lone striker pair him with Olivier Giroud. But much like the the Spurs situation French fans would just have to wait and see what happens.

QPR agree deal for Ji-Sung Park

QPR have continued their raid on Manchester United by agreeing a deal for the versatile South Korean midfileder Ji-Sung Park, this following the capture of Fabio on a loan basis. The fee is said to be in the region of £5 million. After beginning his professional career at Japanese outfit Kyoto Purple Sanga, he shot to prominence during the 2002 World Cup which was co-hosted by South Korea. Guus Hiddink then took the midfielder with him to PSV Eindhoven where Park played for three years before making a £4 million pound switch to Manchester United, winning four Premier League titles as well as the Champions League.

United ready to make move for Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura



Heading for Manchester?

 According to the Daily Mirror, Ferguson is set to make a move for Sao Paulo's Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura. The attacking midfielder is said to be the Red's number 1 target. Apparently a united delegation is set to jet out to Brazil to seal a £30 million deal for the Chelsea and Real Madrid target. Although only 19 years of age and fairly small, he is extremely skillful and incredibly talented. It is said that United have been trailing the midfielder for months and his father had been invited to Old Trafford for talks according to the Mirror Sport. This would be a better option as Moura is much younger than Modric and would also have a re-sale value. Ferguson would be desperate to make this deal happen and inject some freshness and skill to the team after the arrivals of Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell.

RVP set for Gunners exit

This is goodbye!

Robin Van Persie has announced that he will not be signing a new contract with Arsenal. Van Persie met with Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis but revealed that the two parties could not agree on the way the club should move forward thus resulting in Van Persie deciding not to extend his contract at the club. Though it is not clear whether he will play out the remainder of his contract or seek a move away from the Emirates. Van Persie joined the club eight years ago from Feyenoord for a fee of £2.75 million. During his time at the club he has suffered many injuries yet the club, especially Arsene Wenger, have stood by him and last season he really showed his class and finished as the leagues top scorer as well as the PFA and Football Writers' player of the season. This news doesn't bode well for Arsenal as they are trying to build a team yet over the past few seasons their best players such as Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry and Samir Nasri have all left. Though they have already confirmed the capture of Lukas Podolski from Cologne and Olivier Giroud from Montpellier. Arsenal would probably look to cash in on Van Persie, rather than lose him for nothing in 12 months time, with Juventus and Manchester City keen on the 28 year old striker.

Gylfi Sigurdsson signs for Spurs

Tottenham have won the race for in-demand midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson after completing an £8 million deal for him from German club Hoffenheim. The Icelandic midfielder moved to England to join Reading's Academy in October 2005. He then had loan spells at Shrewsbury and Crewe Alexander and in the 09/10 season established himself in the Reading first team. The following season he was sold to Hoffenheim for £6.5 million pounds and after a good start in Germany fell down the pecking order and was loaned out in January to Swansea City. After having a successful loan spell at Swansea City last season, making 19 appearances and scoring 7 times, he looked to be on his way back to the Liberty Stadium in a deal worth £6.8 million deal but nothing materialized as Bredan Rodgers left to take up the vacant managerial position at Liverpool. And it looked like Sigurdsson would follow him to Anfield but Spurs swooped in to complete a deal which would see him switch to White Hart Lane and become AVB's first signing and perhaps become a replacement for Luka Modric who looks to be heading for the exit doors. And this signing looks to be the beginning of AVB's revolution at Spurs.

AVB appointed new Spurs manager



Welcome to White Hart Lane

 Andre Villas-Boas has been unveiled as the new Spurs manager after signing a three year contract just weeks after Harry Redknapp. But his appointment drew criticism from former Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle who did not think Spurs would go in this direction and believes AVB should gone away from English football to reinvent himself. Though Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy believes he has found the man to take them forward and who has a shared vision for the future of the North London club and is prepared to open the chequebook to help Villas-Boas add to an already strong team and reaffirm his position as one the best coaches in Europe. As head coach Villas-Boas will have total control over the transfer policy at the club and has wasted no time by completing an £8 million deal for Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi  Sigurdsson with a deal for Ajax's Belgium defender, Jan Vertonghen, likely to follow. He has a also made it a priority to sign atleast one big name striker, with Spurs exploring the possibility of making a permanent move for Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor after a successful loan spell at White Hart Lane last season. Though, it looks as he is resigned to losing his midfield maestro, Luka Modric, who looks set for a move to either Real Madrid or Chelsea after indicating that he wants to leave. He also has concerns over his two goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Heurelho Gomes as well as the future of club captain Ledley King who has battled a troublesome knee injury. Villas-Boas certainly has a lot to do and a lot to prove, especially after his failure to succeed at Chelsea, but only time will tell if he succeeds or not.

Spain, the kings of Europe!



David Silva scores Spain's firs goal in the final against Italy



Spain are the European champions...AGAIN! Spain have now taken a grip on the game since they won the European Championships in 2008 and can take their place in history, alongside the great Brazilian team of 1970 and the brilliant French team of 1998 and 2000, after a 4-0 win against Italy to retain the European Championship and their World Cup triumph in South Africa two years ago. Italy started well and actually threatened but Spain got ahead when Andres Iniesta played a ball in behind the Italian defence which found Cesc Fabregas who put in a delightful ball which found David Silva who header it straight into the top corner. Then a devastating run and cool finish from left back Jordi Alba put Spain two up. This was a masterclass from the Spanish in the first half. In the second half things got worst for Italy, having used all their available substitutes they went down to 10 men when Thiago Motto went off injured after being on the field for only three minutes. Fernando Torres came on as a late sub and added to Italy's misery when he added a third and set up his club teammate, Juan Mata, for a fourth. Although being labeled boring and perhaps negative in the way they played, there was nothing boring or negative in the way they went about their business during this game and in the process ticked every box which indicates that they are a world class side and perhaps the greatest side ever! And when you look at the quality in the team, in the starting line up and on the bench, there are signs that this Spain side can continue to extend their reign. Iker Casillas is perhaps a symbol of this Spanish team, are great leader, responsible and mature. Although doubts over their defensive abilities the defense has had a great tournament with Sergio Ramos, stepping in at centre back to replace the injured Carles Puyol, hard as nails and the new Barcelona man Jordi Alba's raids down the left side being a highlight of this Spain side as well as the tournament. In the midfield the Barcelona "carousel" reigned supreme. Andres Iniesta, the man of the match and player of the tournament, controlled the tempo of the game with his amazing technical ability. Xavi's sublime pass set up Spain's second and the Xavi Alonso's distribution must have had Liverpool fans wishing that the club never let him go. Up front Cesc Fabregas did brilliantly in the false nine roll while David Silva was impeccable. And all this without David Villa and Carles Puyol. As for the Italians, their momentum was stopped and the frustrations were clearly expressed by their semi final hero, Mario Ballotelli. Although suffering a brutal defeat Andrea Pirlo, one of the stars of the tournament, as well as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon can hold their heads high and be proud of what this team has done and how far they have progressed after a disappointing appearance two years ago in the world cup in South Africa. Spain's victory against Italy in the final as well as the greatness of this team, after winning three successive major tournaments, will be remembered for years to come.





And the winners are...



Super Mario 2!

Super Mario 2!

The German machine was stopped by a superb performance from Mario Ballotelli as he fired the Azzurri into Sunday's final in Kyiv. The Manchester City bad boy was in top form last night against Germany. Germany started off better and most of the possession in the early stages while the Italians defended brilliantly and in the fifth minute Andrea Pirlo came to the rescue of the Italians when he cleared Mats Hummels header of the line from a Bastian Schwiensteiger corner. By the 20th minute the Italians started to impose themselves on the Germans, and it payed off as Antonio Cassano swirled past Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels to put in a delightful cross which was put away by Ballotelli. And 16 minute's later Ballotelli was on the score sheet once again as he got on the end of a deep cross from Riccardo Montolivo which caught the Germans napping at the back. Ballotelli thundered in an unstoppable shot, which left goalkeeper Manuel Neuer helpless, after a great first touch. The Italians went into the half time break with a two goal lead. Though at the beginning of the second half the Germans changed things and introduced the Borrussia Dortmund New boy Marko Reus, dubbed the Rolls Reus, as well as the veteran Miroslav Klose. The Germans dominated possession in the second period and had chances to pull one back but the Italians put on a defensive master class. But the Italian defence was broken early in added time when Germany were awarded a penalty after a handball by Federico Balzaretti, which Mezut Ozil put away but nothing could stop Italy and Super Mario's night of triumph as they move on the final to face the current World and European champions Spain. As for Germany they crash out and once again fail to beat the Italians in a competitive match.

Spanish Domination

Spanish Domination

Spain are through to yet another final of a major tournament, but not without a fight from the Portuguese. Going into this game Spain were odds on favorites to win the match and march on to the final but Portugal started well. The Portuguese pressed hard, defended well and disrupted Spain's usual "tiki-taka" style. Over the 90 minutes players from both sides had good opportunities to put their side ahead. First Iniesta with a wonderful header at the near post which looked to be heading to the bottom corner which brought about a fine save from the Portuguese keeper Rui Patricio. The Portuguese did have their chances from a number of set pieces yet Ronaldo couldn't find his range and put one in the back of the net, and just as the 90 minutes were coming to an end and extra time was in sight the Portuguese had a glorious chance to steal a victory when they countered quickly after defending a Spanish corner kick. The Portuguese broke quickly with Raul Meireles finding Ronaldo in space, but Ronaldo's shot was poor and ended up going high and wide. With it all level after 90 minutes it was down to extra time. Spain got out the blocks fast and looked full of energy and began to finally start moving the ball around like only Spain can, though, they could not find an opening and after extra time it was once again all level and down to penalties to decide who would take their place in the final of Euro 2012. With the real drama set to begin in the penalty shootout, expectations were that Ronaldo would step up first to put his team ahead but was instead jotted down at number five. Fortunately for Spain, it didn't come down to the fifth penalty as Bruno Alves' spot kick was hit against the crossbar and then stepped up the Barcelona man Cesc Fabregas who stuck his spot kick away to win it and send Spain into their third consecutive final of a major international tournament. It was a sad ending to Portugal's great run in the tournament, as the Portuguese captain was left with an expression of astonishment on his face. Ronaldo did so much for the Iberian underdogs at the European Championships but he had no say in their final effort to seal a place in the final as he didn't even get to take a penalty kick. All eyes will now turn to the final as the current European and World champions Spain prepare to take on the Azzurri at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv on Sunday.