Lyon have announced on their website that Karin Benzema is to join Real Madrid.

According to the French club, it has been agreed that Benzema will be sold for a fee of 35 million euros.

The French forward had been linked with Manchester United, but big-spending Real - who have already captured Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in record deals this summer - have won the race.

Arsenal unveil new third strip

Today the club reveals its third kit for 2009-10 and it's a return to the white away shirt.But a major difference to last term is a redcurrant pinstripe and white polo collar and cuffs.

On the back of the shirt is a panel of horizontal stripes, while engineered into the side seam is a small red label featuring two Arsenal cannons either side of the club motto.

The shorts for this third choice strip are anthracite grey with a redcurrant stripe along the side.

A graphic showing an Arsenal cannon is on the back of the waistband, while the draw cords feature Arsenal's name on the tips.

The look is completed with white socks, again featuring a vertical redcurrant pinstripe pattern with an anthracite stripe on the top band and Arsenal printed on the calf.

LAWRO: JOHNSON IS A MATCH-WINNER

The England full-back put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Reds on Friday after completing his move from Portsmouth, and Kop icon Lawrenson is confident his arrival will prove to be a shrewd piece of business by Rafa Benitez.

"Johnson is a match-winner. The last time I saw him play was at the end of the campaign when England played Andorra and he set up four of the goals," said the former Reds centre-back.

"Now I appreciate the opposition was worse than second rate but it was a performance that summed up what the player is all about.

"He gets forward and causes defenders problems – gives them something extra to worry about in their own third of the field – and has the accuracy in his delivery to create goal-scoring opportunities.

"And that will be absolutely vital to Liverpool in their attempts to break teams down next season.

"This is, of course, only going to come true if Johnson actually plays to the best of his ability but I can't see any reason why he won't.

"His confidence should be sky high after a season in which he has made himself England's first-choice right-back.

"Ahead of the World Cup next summer, it is his shirt to lose now, and that's a great incentive to take into next season – he should be flying by the time he finally takes to the field in the red of Liverpool."

Lawrenson, who made 356 appearances for Liverpool, feels Johnson is well equipped to fulfil the attacking requirements of a modern full-back.

"They are the people who probably see more of the ball than anyone else on the field and Johnson loves being on the ball," he added.

"And the likes of Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt will love that because Johnson's danger will pre-occupy defenders enough to give them more freedom to create."

Lyon Teammate: Benzema Is Close To Joining Manchester United

Wow, this will fill a huge void in our attack if Benzema were to sign with Manchester United. Lethal attack Rooney,Benzema(hopefully), Berbatov, Nani, and Valencia.


Miralem Pjanic has revealed that his Lyon team-mate Karim Benzema is close to joining Manchester United.

The forward has been linked with a move away from Lyon this summer and even numerous claims from his agent that he will stay has not quelled the speculation.

Now, Pjanic has told sportsport.ba that he thinks it is just a matter of time before Benzema moves to England.

"Benzema is nearly gone to Old Trafford. The English club are willing to pay €45 million for him and it is just a question of the day when he will move to England," he said.

"He does not have anything against going to Manchester. Our side will be reinforced by Lisandro Lopez, the Argentine forward from Porto."

Certainly Benzema seems like an ideal signing for United as the club will lose the goals that attacking midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo provided.

At the age of 21, Benzema is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in Europe at the moment and whilst Lyon will not let him leave on the cheap, they have already admitted they might be powerless to keep him.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com

Mosquera Close To Club America

For once, I'm glad we're getting an above average defender. He's been solid throughout his career in Mexico winning the league title in 2006 with Pachuca before heading off to Spain. Defense has always been our problem, this a start.




Sevilla will finally be able to offload defender Aquivaldo Mosquera after spending the last few months searching for potential buyers.

The Andalucian outfit had put the Colombian on the transfer list as soon as the 2008-09 season ended and the player’s agent, Mariano Torres, has exclusively told Goal.com Spain that his client could now complete his switch to Mexican outfit CF America within the next 48 hours.

“America have already made a counter-offer and we are very close [to an agreement],” he said.

“The only thing missing now is the exchange of documents and as such, I believe that in a period of no longer than 24 to 48 hours, we will have some form of agreement,” he continued, before going on to add that Sevilla’s only condition was that the move be made permanent and not a loan deal as was first discussed.

Torres then went on to reveal that the Aztec Eagles had initially decided to drop their pursuit for the 28-year-old.

“We had dropped the negotiations but the talks picked up because I think America did not find another player who could fit Aquivaldo’s characteristics,” he affirmed.

“It was during the weekend that the club sought to reopen negotiations and now things are at the advanced stages. We are now only discussing the player’s personal terms. The deal is close and I do not believe there will be anymore complications.”

MJ Tribute

Chelsea Sign Yuri Zhirkov

You can watch some highlights below..

Chelsea's long overdue rebuilding operation is expected to begin in earnest this week with Yuri Zhirkov poised to be the centrepiece of three new additions.

Zhirkov, who is a left-back by normal trade, is set to arrive in London on Wednesday to put the final touches on an £18m transfer.

'Zhirkov was recommended to Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's owner, by Guus Hiddink, the interim manager for the final three months of last season, but will effectively become Carlo Ancelotti's first signing after the Premier League club deflected interest from Barcelona, to secure the 25-year-old Russian,' reports The Guardian.

Both the newspaper and Daily Mirror also claim that Zhirkov will be followed by Ross Turnbull and Manchester City's Daniel Sturridge.

'Striker Sturridge's fee from Manchester City is still to be assessed by a Premier League tribunal, while Middlesbrough goalkeeper Turnbull arrives on a free as Petr Cech's understudy,' asserts the Mirror.

Quite how Chelsea plan on incorporating Zhirkov is unclear, however. Although he will provide cover for Ashley Cole, without a recognised back-up since Wayne Bridge's exit to Manchester City, it's thought that he could be used on the left of midfield where he will offer competition to Joe Cole and Florent Malouda.

50 Cent Says He Is Still Number 1

Obama Likes Michelle's Dance

World Soccer Daily

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Eto'O Agent: City Offer Fake

The Samuel Eto’o soap opera at Barcelona shows no signs waning after the player’s agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, revealed his displeasure with the club's bosses.

The Blaugrana yesterday offered the striker a new two-year contract extension without any changes to his existing conditions, but Mesalles wasn’t impressed with the proposal or with the way the directors have dealt with his star client.

“No one at the club can doubt Eto’o’s love and devotion to Barca,” he said during an interview with Radio Marca.

“But someone is trying to force him out through the back door, and this is something habitual at the club.”

When asked about the supposed €30 million bid from Manchester City, he simply replied, “The offer from City is fake. Barca should be more respectful to my client and they shouldn’t interfere with any possible offers that might arrive.”

Mesalles had previously acknowledged that Eto’o wants to finish his contract at the Camp Nou, which expires a year from now, and that at no time did coach Pep Guardiola ever rule the 28-year-old out of his first-team plans.

United Sign 23-year old winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan

Manchester United is delighted to announce it has completed the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old Ecuador international has played 34 times for his country, scoring four goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan. I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team.”

Antonio Valencia said: “Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I have enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here.

“Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can’t wait to get started.”

Kaka Presented at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid's new signing, Kaka, has conducted his first press conference since being unveiled as the new Bernabeu number 8.

The attacking midfielder took the chance to explain why he left AC Milan, and why he chose to come to the Spanish capital.

"Milan opened the door to negotiations for the first time. It was a time of world crisis, this was back in January," he explained.

"After the season finished, they said again there were some offers and they had to begin the transfer negotiation procedure again. So then I said I would love to go to Real Madrid if at some point Milan decided to let me go.

"Today for me was incredible, unforgettable - not only in my life but the lives of many other people. It was historical for me.

"I chose Madrid because it appeals to me in every way. When i talk to my colleagues from the national team, they always talk to me about Real Madrid. I had this information and that's why I decided that one day, if I left Milan, it would be to play for Real Madrid, and now it has come true."

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