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Tuesday Kickoff: Arsenal close in on Sanchez; Thousands mourn Di Stefano; and more

AlexisSanchezChile4-AustraliaWorldCup2014 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Arsene Wenger is on the verge of making a big summer signing for the second consecutive summer.

Arsenal have reportedly fended off Liverpool and Juventus for the signing of Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, which will cost Arsenal around £32 million, according to the Telegraph. Sanchez would also be presented with a contract worth more than £100,000 per week, a sign that Wenger is open to spending more for talent than in the recent past.

Liverpool were hoping that Barcelona would add Sanchez in to their payment in exchange for forward Luis Suarez, but numerous reports state that Sanchez has rejected a move to Anfield. Barcelona are expected to allow Sanchez to leave when the Suarez transfer is completed.

Arsenal meanwhile have reportedly had France right back Mathieu Debuchy in for a medical and are finalizing terms of a new contract ahead of confirming the signing. It’s reported that Arsenal could send Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell to Newcastle as a way to bring down the transfer fee in the deal.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Tuesday:

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR DI STEFANO

Thousands of fans in Spain and others from across the world have been paying their respects to former Real Madrid forward Alfredo Di Stefano.

The Argentine-born striker who played club soccer for River Plate, Millonarios in Colombia, Real Madrid, and Espanyol, and international soccer for Argentina and Spain, passed away on Monday afternoon in Madrid at the age of 88. Real Madrid held an open viewing at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and invited fans and players to come and say good bye to Di Stefano one last time.

“Don Alfredo’s figure will always embody Real Madrid. Di Stéfano’s name is synonymous with Real Madrid,” Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas told Marca on Tuesday. “We’ll always be grateful for what he did and we will keep preaching his message.”

Di Stefano scored more than 300 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid and was part of one of the greatest soccer dynasties in history, winning eight La Liga titles and five European cups between 1954 and 1964.

QUICK KICKS

Nike has decided not to renew their kit deal with Manchester United, clearing the way for Adidas to take over for the 2015/2016 season. (REPORT)

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero has reunited with former manager Manuel Pellegrini after completing a £6 million move to Manchester City. (REPORT)

Inter Milan are set to sign Chilean midfielder Gary Medel for a reported €10 million. (REPORT)

The Netherlands squad have been forced to find a new hotel and training ground after only booking it through the quarterfinal round. (REPORT)

Fabio Cannavaro is being linked as the favorite to take over as Carlo Ancelotti’s top assistant after Zinedine Zidane left to become the head coach of Real Madrid Castilla. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Sanchez signing with Arsenal? Do you think he could play as a winger or striker in Wenger’s system? Do you have any memories of Di Stefano as a player or coach?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. CONCACAF or not, I still can’t forgive Campbell’s feigned injury that resulted in Besler receiving a yellow. That type of shenanigans is why I’ll never cheer for a country on the basis of a “region” when it harbors those kind of players.(See: Mexico National Team)

    Best of luck though to him if he goes to Newcastle.

    Reply
  2. “The Netherlands squad have been forced to find a new hotel and training ground after only booking it through the quarterfinal round.”

    Dutch (1) pessimism (2) frugality (3) humility?

    Didnt JK tell the players families to stay until after the Final? More American than German from our boss.

    Reply
  3. Freddy Adu sidebar of the day …

    —text begins—

    Meanwhile, Stabæk boss Bob Bradley wished Adu well for his AZ trial, having passed on his former US national team charge.

    “We do not have interest at this time,” Bradley told MLSsoccer.com. “But he showed some progress while he was here, so hopefully he can show better at AZ.”

    —text ends—

    Folks, once and for all, it’s time to move on from Adu.

    Reply
  4. -As a Liverpool fan, I’m sick of these boo-hoo tweets. Selling 1 cancerous player for 6 solid players for depth isn’t just smart; it’s good business. We won’t need Alexis Sanchez.

    -RIP Alfredo di Stefano. I even see non-soccer sports fans retweeting the news and mourning his death. He’s more than soccer and Real Madrid. He’s a world icon.

    -Especially with the Chevy sponsorship, I’d love to see Warrior get ManU. American company/American company.

    Reply

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