GRIEZMANN EXTENDS CONTRACT WITH ATLETICO
Atletico Madrid’s France forward Antoine Griezmann has signed a year’s contract extension through to 2022, seemingly ending what was shaping up to be one of the sagas of the transfer window.
Griezmann, third in the 2016 Ballon d’Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, had been heavily linked to Europa League winners Manchester United in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old last month told French television programme Quotidien that a move to United was “possible”, before stating there was a “six out of 10 chance” it would happen.
However, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said on Spanish radio on Tuesday that Griezmann had agreed an extended deal with a pay rise but the same US$112.12 million (Dh412m) release clause.
The club later confirmed the news.
“I want to apologise if anyone misunderstood my words,” Griezmann said on the club website (en.atleticodemadrid.com).
“I may have expressed myself poorly or people have got headlines where there were none but since I’ve been here I’ve given everything for my club, my team mates and this coaching staff and I’m really happy to be here for another season with everyone.”
Local media reported that Griezmann’s new contract makes him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, with an annual salary of about 14 million euros.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to uphold a transfer ban on Atletico for signing minors has prevented them registering new players until January 2018.
That appears to have played a big part in Griezmann’s decision to remain with the club he joined for 30 million euros from Real Sociedad in 2014.
“It’s a tough time for the club and it would be a dirty move to leave now,” Griezmann had said when the ban was upheld this month. He also tweeted, “Now more than ever #Atleti”, in a pledge of loyalty before putting pen to paper on his new deal.
RONALDO ACUSSED OF TAX EVASION
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of evading 14.7 million euros in tax through offshore companies, the latest footballer to fall foul of fiscal authorities in Spain.
The 32-year-old – the world’s highest-paid athlete according to Forbes magazine – follows in the steps of Barcelona forward and Argentina star Lionel Messi, who was found guilty of the same offence last year although the sums involved were allegedly smaller.
The issue of tax evasion has caused anger in a country only just emerging from a damaging economic crisis that has seen countless people lose their jobs and inequalities rise.
Ronaldo is accused of “four crimes against the public treasury between 2011-14 ... which involves tax fraud of 14,768,897 euros”, the office said in a statement.
“The accused took advantage of a company structure created in 2010 to hide income generated in Spain from his image rights from tax authorities, which is a ‘voluntary’ and ‘conscious’ breach of his fiscal obligations in Spain.”
Prosecutors accuse the Portugal international of evading tax via a shell company based in the British Virgin Islands and another in Ireland, known for its low corporate tax rate.
In addition, they say he only declared 11.5 million euros of Spanish-related income from 2011 to 2014, while what he really earned during that time was close to 43 million euros.
And finally, they accuse him of “voluntarily” refusing to include 28.4 million euros in income linked to the sale of his image rights for the 2015 to 2020 period to a Spanish company.
RANIERI LANDS WITH NANTES
Italian Claudio Ranieri is the new coach of Nantes, the Ligue 1 side said, just four months after he was sacked by Leicester City.
Nantes had to ask for – and received – special dispensation from French league officials to hire the popular Italian as he has reached the manager’s age limit of 65.
Ranieri guided Leicester to one of modern sport’s great upsets in the 2015/16 season as the Foxes won the Premier League in his first campaign in charge.
But his second season was a disaster as the team flirted with relegation and he was sacked in February.
Nantes finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season but a week ago agreed to allow Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao to return to his homeland and take over the reins at Porto.
EVERTON CLOSING ON PICKFORD
Everton have agreed a £38 million (Dh178m) deal to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, according to British media reports.
Pickford was Everton manager Ronald Koeman’s top target to take over from Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles, who both endured inconsistent spells last season.
Sunderland have accepted an offer from Everton which could rise to £30 million with various add-ons included in the package.
England Under-21 international Pickford was one of the few bright spots as Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League last season.
He earned a call-up to England’s senior ranks in October and has represented the country at each of the six youth levels from Under-16 upwards.
Should the terms of each of the add-ons be met, Pickford would become Everton’s record signing, eclipsing the £28 million they paid for Romelu Lukaku in 2014.
The fee is short of the £35 million Manchester City parted with earlier in the close-season to land Brazilian keeper Ederson, though Pickford would be the most expensive British goalkeeper ever.
That honour currently belongs to Southampton’s Fraser Forster, who cost £10 million in 2014.
LEDLEY CONSIDERING MOVE ABROAD
Wales midfielder Joe Ledley is ready to play abroad as he aims to get regular first-team action after a frustrating past few months at Crystal Palace under the club’s former manager Sam Allardyce, the 30-year-old has said.
Ledley was released by the Premier League club after making just 21 appearances in the previous campaign, the last of which came in February’s 4-0 loss to Sunderland.
“There have been clubs in touch with my agent all over the world,” Ledley told British media. “I’d be prepared to go abroad. I think it would appeal to me, especially having played international football because I love playing on that stage and I think it suits the way I play.
“I’ll see the options I have and go from there.”
The Wales international played in his nation’s recent World Cup qualifiers, a goalless draw with Ireland in March and a 1-1 draw with Serbia on Sunday.
He said leaving Palace was the best course of action.
“It’s been frustrating. I don’t know why I’ve not been even in the squads, but it was the decision of the manager (Allardyce) and I had to deal with it and get on with it,” Ledley said.
“It’s definitely for the best. I spent three-and-a-half years at the club and gave my all there and I think the fans know that.
“When you’re not getting picked for as long as I wasn’t then you have to do something about it ... I need to be playing, especially at my age having turned 30 now.”
DI FRANCESCO INCHES CLOSER TO ROMA POST
Sassuolo manager Eusebio Di Francesco moved a step closer to taking over at Roma after the clubs agreed a compensation package.
Roma have been looking for a new manager since Luciano Spalletti left last week to join fellow Serie A side Inter Milan.
Di Francesco, a former midfielder with Roma, has been a long-time target for the capital club and, according to reports, could be officially appointed later Wednesday.
Last year, Di Franceso extended his Sassuolo contract to 2019 but Sky Sport claim a compensation deal now has been agreed with Roma.
Di Francesco joined Sassuaolo in 2012 and steered them to the 2013 Serie B title.
Although he was sacked in January 2014 following a run of poor results, Di Francesco was brought back just two months later and has since kept Sassuolo in Serie A.
He made 168 appearances for Roma before taking a role as team manager at the club following his playing retirement, before embarking on his coaching career in 2008 with Virtus Lanciano in the Italian third tier.
Roma finished runners-up last season and will play in the Uefa Champions League next season.
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