Haha! Xabi Alonso Shows Why He Is The Coolest Footballer [PHOTOS]

Posted on by gbolade

Xabi Alonso is a cool customer most of the time but the Spanish midfield maestro looked a bit too chilled out on the bench during Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow.

With qualification to the 16 of the Champions League already secured, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola choose to field a new-look side at the Allianz Arena and temporarily froze out the likes of Alonso and Arjen Robben.

But while most of fellow substitutes decided to have rugs over their legs to keep them warm, the former Liverpool star opted against (imposing a blanket ban, you could say).


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Thursday Transfer Gist: United bid £20m for Juventus Star, Nigerian Striker Joins Schalke + More!

Posted on by gbolade
  • Real Madrid have ended speculation about Xabi Alonso’s future by tying him to a new contract. The 32-year-old midfielder’s deal expired at the end of the current season and had been linked with a move to Chelsea and a return to former club Liverpool, but Madrid announced on Wednesday that he has penned a two-year extension.
  • Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, 31, is on the brink of a £6m move to Toronto FC – a Major League Soccer record – and is likely to be loaned back to Spurs until March. [Daily Telegraph]
  • Manchester United are ready to bid £20m for Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, 27, despite the Italian wanting to remain in Turin. [Daily Express]
  • Juventus will look to sign Tottenham winger Erik Lamela, 21, in the summer, although Spurs’ expectation of recouping most of the £30m paid for the Argentine has deterred Inter Milan. [Daily Mail]
  • Tottenham will also consider a cash-plus-player deal for Lamela, with Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic, 30, potentially part of the deal. [Daily Mirror]
  • Bundesliga club Schalke 04 has announced that it has reached an agreement with rivals Bayer Leverkusen over the transfer of Germany international Sidney Sam, 25. The four  year contract will start running with effect from July 1, 2014, meaning he will complete this season at Bayer Leverkusen before heading to the Royal Blues.
  • Arsenal and Liverpool are targeting Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate, 24, with his agent declaring he has been in talks with both Premier League sides. [Daily Star]
  • Arsenal will have to pay a loan fee of £1.7m for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, 21, although they would also spend big if the right target became available. Mario Mandzukic, Diego Costa, Jackson Martinez, Edin Dzeko and Wayne Rooney are among the club’s preferred options. [Daily Mail]
  • Italy’s number one sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport says Chievo Verona and Parma have not given up in their chase for Victor Obinna, striker currently representing Lokomotiv Moscow. It had earlier been reported that Celta Vigo were in pole position to capture the signature of the 26 year old.
  • David Moyes faces a fight to convince several senior Manchester United players of his credentials following three consecutive defeats for the first time in 13 years. [The Guardian]
  • Nicklas Bendtner has given Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a boost after recovering from his ankle injury quicker than expected. The Denmark striker, 25, could return to training within a few days. [Metro]
  • Fulham have not made an enquiry or official offer for Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, 31. The England international has also been linked with West Ham and Turkish club Besiktas. [Sky Sports]
  • New Middlesbrough recruit, Nigeria international Kenneth Omeruo has been handed the number 25 jersey for the remainder of the season. The 20 – year – old formalized his loan switch to the championship side late on Monday though it was made official by the club today.
  • Lille club president Michel Seydoux has warned off Premier League interest for Ivorian attacker Salomon Kalou, 28, by saying an 87m euro bid for him would “maybe” be considered. [Daily Star]
  • Celtic’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, 22, admits he is flattered in reported interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, but insists he is happy at the Scottish champions. [Daily Express] 


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