Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Clint Dempsey is now only days away from officially joining Fulham FC on loan.
The U.S. Men’s National Team forward underwent a medical examination Friday morning according to the club’s official Twitter account and is set for a return to Craven Cottage on a two-month loan through late February. Following the loan, Dempsey could potentially represent the USMNT in a friendly match on March 5 before returning to the Seattle Sounders for their home opener on March 8 against Sporting Kansas City.
Dempsey spent five and a half seasons with Fulham as he made his name in Europe, scoring an impressive 17 goals in the English Premier League and 23 in all competitions in his most recent season at the club in 2011-2012. After a year at Tottenham, Dempsey agreed to a move back to Major League Soccer to play for the Sounders.
Fulham is in desperate need of an injection of talent up top as they currently sit in 19th place in the EPL standings with 13 points.
Here are some more stories to kick off your Friday:
SUAREZ SIGNS NEW CONTRACT AT LIVERPOOL
Barely six months after trying to engineer a move away from Anfield, Luis Suarez has decided to remain a Liverpool player for the coming years.
The leading goal-scorer in the Premier League signed a new “long-term” contract today, pledging his future to Liverpool as they look to return to the UEFA Champions League next season. There had been rumors that Liverpool was interested in signing the Uruguayan international to a new deal but it seemed like it would be a few months before anything was signed.
“I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with Liverpool and have my future secured for the long term,” Suarez told Liverpool’s official website. “We have some great players and the team is growing and improving all the time. I believe I can achieve the ambitions of winning trophies and playing at the very highest level with Liverpool. My aim is to help get us there as quickly as possible.”
Since returning from his 10-match suspension for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, Suarez has been in the best form of anyone in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals in 11 games, including a world-class four-goal performance against Norwich City. Suarez has also added four assists for second-place Liverpool.
WILSHERE GIVEN TWO-MATCH BAN
Arsenal will be without key midfielder Jack Wilshere for a crucial portion of the club’s busy year-end schedule.
After conducting an investigation, the FA ruled that Wilshere will serve a two-match ban for an inappropriate hand gesture he made towards Manchester City fans during Arsenal’s 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Englishman now misses Arsenal’s next match against Chelsea at home and a trip to West Ham United on Boxing Day. The FA rejected an appeal from Wilshere.
Wilshere is eligible to return for Arsenal’s match at Newcastle on Dec. 29. The 21-year-old has made 22 appearances this season in all competitions, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
MAN UNITED REJECTS OFFERS FOR CHICHARITO
With the World Cup less than six months away, there’s plenty of speculation over the future of Manchester United forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
In the past few months, Chicharito has been subject of a number of transfer rumors about potentially leaving United, but the player’s agent confirmed that he doesn’t want to leave and that the club has even rejected offers for the Mexican international.
“About 10 days ago I met with the club and confirmed that there have been offers from European clubs, but they have no intention of accepting,” Hernandez’s agent Eduardo Hernandez told Spanish newspaper Marca. “The leaders of Manchester United are aware that (he) has had little involvement, but little by little he’s becoming more integrated. He played Wednesday against Stoke City and gave an assist. He’s only missing more match fitness.”
The 25-year-old Mexican forward has played only 14 times this season, with one goal and two assists in all competitions.
QUICK KICKS
Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has issued a “resign or be sacked” ultimatum to manager Malky Mackay, though Mackay will reportedly be on the sidelines for Cardiff’s next match against Liverpool. (REPORT)
Current Iran and former Portugal, Real Madrid, and Metrostars manager Carlos Queiroz is interested in the open Tottenham job. (REPORT)
Former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has been approached by AC Milan for their head coaching position should Massimiliano Allegri be sacked. (REPORT)
Brazil has scheduled a friendly match in March against South Africa in Johannesburg to pay tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. (REPORT)
Germany will play Cameroon on June 1 in one of their final warm-up matches before the 2014 World Cup. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these developments? Glad to see Dempsey back in the EPL? Do you think he’ll give Fulham the lift they need? Surprised that Suarez signed a new deal with Liverpool?
Share your thoughts below.