Modric could make a quick U turn back to England

Real Madrid failure Luka Modric is looking for a way back to England before his career in Spain has even got underway. 

The former Tottenham midfielder hasn’t managed to set La Liga alight this season, producing some patchy performances resulting in him being voted the worst summer transfer in Spain on Marca’s website.

The Croatian has started just eight league games this season and scored  only one goal in 19 appearances in all competitions since his £33 million move from White Hart Lane, being unable to force his way into the side in front of Mesut Ozil, Jose Callejon and Angel di Maria.

Modric knows he hasn’t lived up to expectations, much like he failed to do so in his early career with Tottenham, he told Sportske.net: “This is Real Madrid, I know the huge media pressure on transfers.

“I’m not looking for an alibi, I’m not that guy, but it’s very demanding to adjust to a huge club like Real Madrid.

“I have had some solid performances, I have failed in some but overall I proved I can offer something.”

The Daily Mail suggests there are a whole host of English clubs showing interest in the 27 year old  if he does want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu. Those interested are the two Manchester giants, Chelsea and a return to Tottenham shouldn’t be ruled out. It is unlikely he will move in January but a summer move is  highly possibile if he doesn’t come to terms with life in the Spanish capital.

Manchester United have been linked with a number of attacking midfielders with Paul Scholes’ second retirement on the cards. Wesley Sniejder is the favourite to fill his boots at the moment and with the Champions League clash between United and Madrid would the Spaniards really let  Modric go to Old Trafford. Another reason Old Trafford may not be his destination are the rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo is unsettled and wants a return to Manchester. With the huge amount of cash it is going to take to get the Portugal captain out of Madrid in the summer will they be able to afford Modric.

United’s city rivals have also shown interest, with the absence of Yaya Toure due to the African Cup of Nations it might be an option. Roberto Mancini has expressed his attraction for the Croatian and after failing to bring Daniele De Rossi to the Etihad he might pursue the situation if Modric becomes available.

If it’s not Manchester, London will be his destination. A move back to White Hart Lane is a possibility. Madrid have shown interest and are pushing for a move for Spurs midfielder Gareth Bale, so a switch could be on the cards, but that all depends on Welshman’s wishes. If  Bale doesn’t want to leave Andre Villas Boas’ side, Tottenham will have to stump up the money, which they might not have at the moment, but it won’t cost £33 million this time to complete the deal.

My favourite to sign the 27 year old is Chelsea. Modric has nearly signed for the Stamford Bridge side in the last two summers, but stuck with Spurs then moved to Madrid. He would fit right in with the Chelsea midfield and he should be guaranteed a starting position. With Frank Lampard getting ever closer to the end of his Chelsea days, Roman Abramovich will be looking for a big name to take over; and when the Russian has his heart set on something he usually gets it.

Five Alvaro Negredo facts

Alvaro Negredo is a wanted man by many around Europe, in particular Chelsea and Newcastle and according to Talksport, Sevilla have turned down a £14 million bid for the forward. 

It has been rumoured that the Spanish side have financial troubles, but club President Jose Maria del Nido assures fans that this is not the case and star players are not for sale, one of which is the Spanish international.

Negredo has been scouted for a few seasons now and here are five things that you probably don’t know about him.

1)  Nicknamed La fiera de Vallecas (the beast of Vallecas), Negredo has scored 11 goals in 13 appearances in all competition this season despite this being a struggling campaign compared to recent ones. Overall he has  found the back of the net 65  times in 151 games in his Sevilla career. At 6’1 he’s energetic with a tremendous touch, as well as scoring all kinds of goals he’s a real threat in the air, while possessing a  killer instinct on the deck.

2)  He’s represented his country a dozen times which is no mean feat given he is going up against the likes of Fernando Torres, David Villa, Fernando Llorente and Roberto Soldado. In those 12 appearances he has scored six goals, the majority coming in tournament qualifiers, and made a huge impact in his first international start with a brace of goals and assists. At Euro 2o12 his only start came in the semi-final victory against rivals Portugal.

3) Growing up in Madrid he played for local side Rayo Vallecano (the same club Swansea super star Michu played for) before being spotted by Real Madrid in 2005, playing in the Castillio side. Negredo was a sensation for the B side scoring 18 goals 2006-2007 but was sold to Armenia; it wouldn’t be long before Madrid bought him back for £3 million after scoring 32 goals in 73 games. The striker never broke into the senior side and was sold to Sevilla for £12 million in 2009.

4) He won’t be at the front of the penalty taking queue at his new club if he does eventually move. In September Negredo became the fifth most unsuccessful spot kick taker in La Liga history, while being the worst converter still active in the league with six misses. He is in the company of some great strikers, as Samuel Eto’o leads the way at the top of the list with a penalty miss rate of 33% and Fernando Torres 31%.

5) In 2009 the Spanish star nearly joined Hull City for around £13 million when he was at Real Madrid. Phil Brown had been struggling to gain a striker in the summer leading up to their year in the top flight of English football and saw the forward as a potential target. He eventually joined his current side Sevilla in that transfer window, but just think where Hull could have been now if they could had captured the striker.

http://threeandin.com/2013/01/07/5-alvaro-negredo-facts-some-of-which-are-almost-worth-knowing/

Rodgers lining up a move for Barca Star

Brendan Rodgers is lining up a bid to entice Alexis Sanchez away from Barcelona to Anfield according to the Mirror.

With the lack of service that is available for Luis Suarez at Liverpool, Rodgers is looking to bolster the forward line; but he might have to wait until the summer for the Chilean striker, with Catalan boss Tito Vilanova believed to be unwilling to sell in January.Rogers has looked at all options and has tried loaning the forward with a view of a permanent deal in the summer, but a cash deal is what he wants.

The 23 year old, who can play all the way along the forward line, would bring many options for Rodgers. One role that he could undertake is cover for Suarez if something should happen to Uruguayan, but his major responsibility would be to play on the right of an attacking three or out wide in a midfield five, feeding Suarez while creating opportunities for himself.

At the Camp Nou, Sanchez has proven his worth, with his lightening pace and quick footballing brain he is able to free himself of his marker and is aware of the open space, exploiting it for teammates or his own use. With a fierce shot and the ability of an acute finish he is a danger for any goalkeeper.

This aspect of his game will be a huge bonus for the Liverpool faithful, but it will be the following stat that will wet the appetite of the Kop. In four starts and five appearances coming off the bench this season in La Liga, Sanchez has notched up 13 assists, another four in the Champions League and a further two in his lone outing in the Copa Del Rey.

It has been a major problem at Anfield getting the service requirements to Suarez, with captain Steven Gerrard leading the way with four assists in all competitions. With his pace as his main weapon, alongside his vision and imagination, Sanchez can split defences in half with his passing, while also having the ability to beat a man down the wing and delivering a lethal cross for strikers to meet. Suarez would thrive with the addition of the Chile International and so would the likes of Gerrard, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling.

Liverpool could become a real threat if they add Sanchez to the employment list in January or even in the summer. It would create one of the most feared forward lines in the Premier League; Suarez leading the line, Sanchez and Sterling either side with Gerrard and Allen in behind.

Rodgers’s side sit just four points behind Everton, who are currently in the last Champions League spot and if Sanchez does arrive in January fourth place is not just a dream, it could be a reality.