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Monday Kickoff: Wenger interested in Rooney; Neymar arrives at Barcelona for medical; and more

WayneRooneyEngland2 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Wayne Rooney could be calling London home as soon as this summer.

The England forward submitted a transfer request to Manchester United last month, and though it was rejected, it’s well known that he is looking to change clubs. One club that is interested is Arsenal, who are reportedly considering making a bid for Rooney.

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger said that he would be interested in the 27-year-old, saying on a television interview that if there was a chance to sign Rooney, Wenger wouldn’t turn it down. Paris Saint-Germain have also been heavily linked to sign Rooney, offering the England international a large amount of money to make the move across the English Channel.

Rooney missed a number of key matches this season due to injury and the decision of Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring just 12 Premier League goals in this campaign after a stellar season where he scored 27 goals.

Here are some more stories to get your Monday kicked off:

NEYMAR ARRIVES IN SPAIN TO BE INTRODUCED AT BARCA

Taking a red-eye flight from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona, Neymar has arrived at the FC Barcelona’s headquarters as he undergoes a medical, signs his contract, and is officially presented to the public.

The 21-year-old played 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with England at the new and improved Maracana on Sunday afternoon, before leaving to jet across the ocean. Neymar agreed to move to Barcelona on May 25, officially announcing his decision last Monday.

Neymar, already holding 33 caps with Brazil at a young age, looks to help rejuvenate an aging Barcelona team with that is looking to reload after an embarrassing loss to eventual champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals. Neymar scored 136 goals in over 200 matches during his time with Santos FC, first coming into the first-team in 2009.

NAVAS COULD BE ON HIS WAY TO CITY

Sevilla and Spanish National Team winger Jesus Navas could be calling Manchester home as soon as this summer.

The diminutive 27-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Sky Blues according to reports, while Manchester City and Sevilla negotiate a transfer fee. The reports out of Spain suggest that City will have to cough up anywhere between $32 and $36 million to complete the transfer.

Navas’ story is an interesting one, as he has played his entire career to this point at Sevilla. He had numerous chances as a youngster to move to clubs like Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, but refused to leave, citing homesickness.

The transfer with Manchester City is expected to be confirmed this week.

QUICK KICKS

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has won re-election, meaning he’ll be in charge of the Spanish club until the age of 70. (REPORT)

Borussia Dortmund winger Jakob “Kuba” Blaszczykowski has signed a new five-year contract to keep him at the club through 2018. (REPORT)

Xabi Alonso, Javi Garcia, and BeƱat have all been cut from the 26-man provisional squad named by Vicente Del Bosque, finalizing the Spain Confederations Cup squad. (REPORT)

Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama wants a move to Arsenal this summer. (REPORT)

Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo has finished as La Liga’s top scorer for the second time, bagging 25 goals this season. (REPORT)

Phil Neville is on the shortlist to take over at Brighton and Hove Albion for next season. (REPORT)

Israel defeated Honduras, 2-0, in a friendly match played at Citi Field. (REPORT)

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What do you make of these reports? Do you see Rooney being a good fit at Arsenal? Do you see Neymar working well alongside Messi? Do you see Navas being successful in the Premier League?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Will their be a SBI viewing guide to all the Hex qualifying games. I dont have Bein anymore (and wont add it till La liga and Serie A starts up again) but theyre pretty much at every bar witht he Hex games at night in my timezone i could just go out to watch it.

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  2. Doesn’t Jesus Navas suffer from some kind of crippling homesickness? Can’t see a move to City as a good one, not on the current information I have.

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    • He suffered from anxiety attacks seeded in whatever the medical term is for homesickness–can’t remember.

      Reportedly he’s managed to conquer that and is ready to try a move abroad again.

      If true, what a coup for City. Navas is an animal on the wing–lungs of steel.

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  3. Sorry, I don’t believe that Arsenal will offer Manchester United enough to pry Rooney away. And I don’t think that Wenger believes it either.

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  4. If Rooney is serious about Arsenal he would be looking at a massive pay cut, I dont see Wenger breaking his entire wage structure for him. I think Walcott is currently highest paid around 110,000 pounds a week, you wont see much more than that offered I would think

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  5. do they really give a medal for being the top Spanish striker in Spain? do they do this for the top english striker in the PL or top dutch striker in Eredivisie? I doubt it

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  6. The whole SPANISH NT is split between Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Premier League

    and is every friendly in the USA these days

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  7. if I were Rooney I’d head back to Everton, but seeing as that’s impossible, he should head to PSG. His only competition is Ibrahimovic. Bayern Munich he’d fight for the no2 spot.

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    • Aww, come on, don’t be such a hater. Arsenal have always striven to play the beautiful game. They’re the Barcelona of England. Rooney will be nicely challenged in that environment.

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    • I’m a big Arsenal supporter, and 2e’ve actually already resigned the potential top-leaving name (Walcott) and for the first time in half a decade we’re heading into a season with a settled central defense that very well may be the best in the Prem. Add in a Higuain or a Rooney and we may break the Manchester duopoly.

      This is the first time in years that I’m heading into the silly season excited and confident that next year will be better than this one.

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      • I’m the opposite of an Arsenal supporter but clearly, they are positioned to improve this season. The top 4 (maybe 5) are going to be a war this coming season.

    • For the record, I’m playfully giving Arsenal a hard time. I’ve always appreciated the style they play.

      Although, I’m not a fan of Wenger, if that makes any sense. I think he makes too many excuses and is too “woe is me”.

      Reply

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