Mario Mandzukic rejected move despite Jose Mourinho pleas

JUVENTUS striker Mario Mandzukic reportedly turned down a summer approach from Manchester United - despite the pleas of Jose Mourinho.

The 32-year-old has been a key player for the Old Lady since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2015, and is claimed to have rejected a move to join the Red Devils

.According to Calciomercato, the Special One was desperate to bring the Croatian international to Old Trafford.

The Italian news outlet have reported that the ex-Chelsea boss had identified Mandzukic as a top priority, but the player was persuaded to stay in Turin by Massimiliano Allegri.

They claim that the Juve manager guaranteed him that he would still be a vital member of his squad, and that Mandzukic harbours a dream of winning the Champions League with the Bianconeri.

While he is also hopeful that he will be rewarded with a new contract from the Serie A champions.

Mandzukic netted in the 2-0 win for Juventus against Lazio yesterday - his first goal of the new season.

Despite being a prolific goalscorer at Bayern Munich and Atletico in his one year in Spain, goals have been hard to come by for Mandzukic in Italy.

He has failed to net more than 13 times in a single campaign - while he mustered up just five league goals last tern.

The ex-Wolfsburg ace did however star for Croatia at the World Cup - scoring three goals in Russia - including in the 4-2 defeat against France in the final.

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Eden Hazard Real Madrid

EDEN HAZARD would have joined Real Madrid this summer had Zinedine Zidane still been in charge, according to dad Thierry.

The Chelsea forward's father has opened up about his son's turbulent summer and how a Los Blancos switch was on the cards.

Thierry went on to say he "doesn't know" why a move failed to materialise, suggesting that was down to Jolen Lopetegui going in a new direction.

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Hiet Niewuwsblad, Thierry said: "It could have been a different story if Zidane had continued as Real Madrid coach.

“But he had his reasons to leave.”

When asked why a summer switch failed to materialise, Hazard Snr added: "I can’t say what happened.

Maybe Real Madrid have a policy to give chances to youngsters.

“Eden has another year on his contract next summer, and it’s possible that he’ll still end up at Real.”

The Hazard to Real Madrid speculation was the story of the summer with many believing the Blues star would follow Thibaut Courtois to the Bernabeu.

Hazard's Belgium team-mate Courtois even revealed he tried to coax him into leavingbut with just days left in the La Liga transfer window, a switch seems unlikely.

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Spanish La Liga 2018/19

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EPL Matchweek 3

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CHELSEA FOR SALE?

CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich has put the club up for sale with a price tag of more than £2billion, it was claimed last night.

It follows the Russian oligarch’s dispute with the Government in recent months over his visa status.

The mammoth figure demanded for Chelsea would smash the world record fee for the sale of a football club.

If a buyer summons up the cash it would nearly triple the most expensive takeover in history — the Glazer family’s £790million purchase of Manchester United in 2006.

The Raine Group has been hired to assist with the deal and will seek interest from China, the US and the Middle East, The Sunday Times has reported.

The investment bank also helped Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners to flog a 13 per cent stake to Chinese investors for £1.9billion three years ago.

Abramovich, 51, is said to have rejected a £2billion bid for his club from Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier this year.

The Russian, who has an estimated fortune of £9billion, recently acquired Israeli citizenship amid his visa row in Britain.

He also halted plans for a new 60,000-capacity stadium for Chelsea that would have cost an estimated £500million.

Once renowned as big spenders, Chelsea’s transfer dealings have also slowed significantly compared to their rivals.

Abramovich has been in charge of Chelsea since July 2003 when he bought the West London club for £140million from Ken Bates.

Under his ownership, the Blues have won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup five times

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde ‘hopes’ Ivan Rakitic will stay amid PSG transfer rumours

ERNESTO VALVERDE is desperate for midfield maestro Ivan Rakitic to remain at Barcelona amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

SunSport reported yesterday how the 30-year-old is being chased by the Ligue 1 champions - who are set to offer the Catalan club £81million for his services.

But Barca boss Valverde has stressed the importance of the ex-Sevilla star - insisting he is a vital player in his starting XI.

He said: "He is a fundamental player for us and I am counting on him due to what he does for us, the importance he had for the team last season was clear.

"I hope that he stays here.

“I want to have the best players here and he is one of the best

“He knows how we play, he is integrated into the team and the club.

“We are not here to make money from a player, we aim to win and make the trophy room bigger."

Rakitic - who is tied down at the Nou Camp until 2021 - played the full 90 minutes in Barcelona's 3-0 win against Alaves in the La Liga season-opener last week.

He will be looking to start against Real Valladolid later tonight at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla.

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