***European Soccer Thread***

[Street Novelist]

Chicharito, Michael Carrick & Rafael To Miss Community Shield Due To Injury

 

Manchester United has confirmed that Javier Hernandez, Michael Carrick and Rafael will all miss Sunday’s Community Shield game against Manchester City due to injury. Hernandez suffered a concussion in a preseason practice while Carrick complained of “feeling a tightness in his Achilles” during Wednesday’s testimonial game for Edwin van der Sar. Rafael had to come off in last week's friendly against Barcelona with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

[Street Novelist]

Report: Arsenal Rejects Barcelona's Final Offer For Fabregas

 

Arsenal has rejected Barcelona's latest bid for captain Cesc Fabregas, according to Sky Sports. The offer was reportedly worth $29 million plus another $6 million in performance-related bonuses. Fabregas himself reportedly offered $3 million to finance the move, but Arsenal is believed to be standing firmly by their $45 million valuation.

[Street Novelist]

Champions League Draw

 

The first legs will be played on August 16/17, with the return matches taking place one week later on August 23/24.

 

League route

 

Odense v Villarreal

Twente v Benfica

Arsenal v Udinese

Lyon v Rubin Kazan

Bayern Munich v Zurich

 

Champions Route

 

Wisla Krakow v APOEL

Maccabi Haifa v Genk

Dinamo Zagreb v Malmo

BATE v Sturm Graz

Copenhagen v Viktoria Plzen

[Street Novelist]

AC Milan 2-1 Inter Milan (Italian Super Cup)

 

http://videa.hu/vide...fHGUx78SP2oLx2P

[Street Novelist]

Manchester United 3-2 Manchester City (Community Shield)

 

http://videa.hu/videok/sport/manc-2-3-manu-all-sCXjl7O6o81Hkmni

[Street Novelist]

OFFICIAL: Joe Harts Signs 5 Year Contract With Manchester City

 

Joe Hart has put pen to paper on a 5 year contract with Manchester City, the club has confirmed. Hart told the club's official website: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed a new deal and it is a very exciting time to be a City player. I can’t think of myself being anywhere other than City and it really feels like home. I feel very privileged to be staying here for another five years."

 

The 24-year-old keeper arrived at City for a fee of just $600,000 from Shrewsbury Town in 2006.

[Street Novelist]

Carlos Tevez Returns To Manchester City

 

Carlos Tevez has returned to Manchester City to report at the club’s Carrington training complex. City had given their captain a deadline of Monday to report for training after he took a prolonged rest after representing Argentina at this summer’s Copa America.

[Street Novelist]

Gasperini: Future Of Wesley Sneijder To Be Decided By Next Week

 

Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed that the future of Wesley Sneijder, who has been strongly linked this summer with a move to Manchester United, will be decided by next week. Inter has placed a $35 million price tag on the Dutch striker.

[Street Novelist]

OFFICIAL: Chelsea Signs Romelu Lukaku From Anderlecht

 

Chelsea has reached an agreement with Anderlecht for the transfer of 18-year-old Romelu Lukaku and the striker will join the club subject to a medical and personal terms being agreed, the Belgian club has confirmed.

 

"RSC Anderlecht and FC Chelsea reached today, Saturday August 6 2011, a final agreement on the transfer of striker Romelu Lukaku," read a statement on Chelsea's official website.

 

"Subject to the results of medical tests and handling the final details between the player and his new club Romelu Lukaku will from the current 2011-2012 season be a player of Chelsea FC."

[Street Novelist]

OFFICIAL: Newcastle Signs Obertan From Manchester United

 

Newcastle United has signed Gabriel Obertan from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old winger completed a medical on Monday and has penned a 5 year deal at St James' Park.

[Street Novelist]

Tottenham's Stephen Pienaar Out 6 Weeks After Groin Surgery

 

Tottenham Hotspur has announced that midfielder Steven Pienaar faces up to 6 weeks on the sidelines.

 

A statement on Tottenham's official website reads: "Following scans and consultation with an independent groin specialist, Steven Pienaar underwent groin surgery this morning (Tuesday, August 9). The South Africa international was forced off with the injury in the first half of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao and is expected to be sidelined with the injury for up to six weeks."

[Street Novelist]

Fernando Torres Suffers Concussion In Friendly Against Italy

 

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres was substituted after 15 minutes in Spain's friendly with Italy after suffering a mild concussion, according to Spanish news agency EFE. Reports suggest that while he remained conscious, he was taken to a hospital in Bari for further examination as a precaution.

[Street Novelist]

Report: Cesc Fabregas Close To Completing Move To Barcelona

 

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is on the verge of completing a move to Barcelona, according to the BBC. It is believed Arsenal will receive around $34 million up front with a further $6 million in variables, bringing the total fee up to around $40 million. Fabregas will be accepting a reduction in wages in order to facilitate the move.

[Street Novelist]

Report: Inter Milan Sells Eto'o To Russian Club Anzhi Makhachkala

 

Inter has agreed to sell Samuel Eto'o to Anzhi Makhachkala, according to a report from Bloomberg. The transfer fee is expected to be in the region of $35 million, with the player making $20 million per season over the course of 4 years.

[Street Novelist]

Manchester United's Bebe Out 6 Months After Tearing ACL

 

Manchester United winger Bebe has been ruled out for 6 months with a serious knee injury. The attacker, who is on loan at Besiktas, suffered the injury while playing on Portugal's Under-21 team on Tuesday and will now undergo surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.