Tag Archives: shot

James Rodriguez: Manchester United told to bid 36million for Poto star

Posted on by

EXCLUSIVE: Ferguson told he must cough up 36m to land Rodriguez in January

|

UPDATED:

12:25 GMT, 6 November 2012

Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of James Rodriguez but been stunned by a massive hike in his asking price.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has
been on the trail of Rodriguez for months and despatched a scout to
watch him in Porto's latest Portuguese League game against Maritimo at
the Estadio do Dragao on Friday night.

Hot shot: Man United scouts watched another impressive display by Porto's James Rodriguez

Hot shot: Man United scouts watched another impressive display by Porto's James Rodriguez

So who is James Rodriguez

One of Colombia's hottest prospects, the 21-year-old has already earned been hailed as the 'new Carlos Valderrama' and the 'South American Cristiano Ronaldo'.

Rodriguez was captain of the Colombian-U20 team, leading them to a victory at the 2011 Toulon Tournament where he was voted the best player.

He joined Porto for 4m from Argentine team Club Atletico Banfield in 2010 and has scored 20 goals in 48 games.

Rodriguez has also made eight appearances for Colombia and scored two goals.

The form report could hardly have been more glowing, after the 21-year old Colombia winger underlined his rating as the South American Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring two goals and laying on another in a 5-0 win.

But Sportsmail can reveal that United have been shocked by news that Rodriguez has renegotiated his Porto deal and agreed a significant increase in his transfer market valuation.

When United last enquired about cost, they were told they would have to pay 24million to buy him out of his contract. In a readjustment that surely places the goalscoring winger beyond their reach, the release clause now stands at 36million.

United have a ready-made bargaining tool in unsettled Portugal winger Nani, who could be used in a part-exchange package.

High praise: Rodriguez has been branded the South American Cristiano Ronaldo

High praise: Rodriguez has been branded the South American Cristiano Ronaldo

Porto would happily welcome him back to his homeland but cannot afford his current wage, let alone the 130,000 a week he is thought to be seeking to stay at Old Trafford.

Porto are unlikely to consider any bid for Rodriguez that falls below the buy-out figure in his contract after seeing him further enhance his reputation by laying on a fourth-minute opener for fellow-Colombian Jackson Martinez and follow up with two goals of his own on Friday night.

It leaves Ferguson exploring ways of raising funds to finance what would be an expensive January transaction, with finding a buyer for Nani appearing to be his main priority.

All change: Rodriguez could replace Nani at United

All change: Rodriguez could replace Nani at United

Manchester United must now cough up 36m for James Rodriguez

Posted on by

EXCLUSIVE: Ferguson told he must cough up 36m to land Rodriguez in January

|

UPDATED:

11:25 GMT, 6 November 2012

Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of James Rodriguez but been stunned by a massive hike in his asking price.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has
been on the trail of Rodriguez for months and despatched a scout to
watch him in Porto's latest Portuguese League game against Maritimo at
the Estadio do Dragao on Friday night.

Hot shot: Man United scouts watched another impressive display by Porto's James Rodriguez

Hot shot: Man United scouts watched another impressive display by Porto's James Rodriguez

So who is James Rodriguez

One of Colombia's hottest prospects, the 21-year-old has already earned been hailed as the 'new Carlos Valderrama' and the 'South American Cristiano Ronaldo'.

Rodriguez was captain of the Colombian-U20 team, leading them to a victory at the 2011 Toulon Tournament where he was voted the best player.

He joined Porto for 4m from Argentine team Club Atletico Banfield in 2010 and has scored 20 goals in 48 games.

Rodriguez has also made eight appearances for Colombia and scored two goals.

The form report could hardly have been more glowing, after the 21-year old Colombia winger underlined his rating as the South American Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring two goals and laying on another in a 5-0 win.

But Sportsmail can reveal that United have been shocked by news that Rodriguez has renegotiated his Porto deal and agreed a significant increase in his transfer market valuation.

When United last enquired about cost, they were told they would have to pay 24million to buy him out of his contract. In a readjustment that surely places the goalscoring winger beyond their reach, the release clause now stands at 36million.

United have a ready-made bargaining tool in unsettled Portugal winger Nani, who could be used in a part-exchange package.

High praise: Rodriguez has been branded the South American Cristiano Ronaldo

High praise: Rodriguez has been branded the South American Cristiano Ronaldo

All change: Rodriguez could replace Nani at United

All change: Rodriguez could replace Nani at United

Porto would happily welcome him back to his homeland but cannot afford his current wage, let alone the 130,000 a week he is thought to be seeking to stay at Old Trafford.

Porto are unlikely to consider any bid for Rodriguez that falls below the buy-out figure in his contract after seeing him further enhance his reputation by laying on a fourth-minute opener for fellow-Colombian Jackson Martinez and follow up with two goals of his own on Friday night.

It leaves Ferguson exploring ways of raising funds to finance what would be an expensive January transaction, with finding a buyer for Nani appearing to be his main priority.

Terry Bridge given four-year ban for doping offences

Posted on by

Jailed former Oldham reserve Bridge given four-year ban for doping offences

|

UPDATED:

11:15 GMT, 17 October 2012

Rugby league player Terry Bridge has been banned for four years for multiple doping violations.

The UK Anti-Doping agency says Bridge, a former reserve with Oldham Rugby League club, is suspended until February 2016 after having been sentenced to 10 months in prison for possession of steroids.

UKAD says the substances found in Bridge's possession included clenbuterol, stanozolol and testosterone. He was also charged with trafficking in clenbuterol, human growth hormone, testosterone and other substances.

Bridge is the second athlete suspended in the investigation. In November 2011, British shot putter Carl Fletcher was suspended until 2015 for drug trafficking.

Tottenham tracking Jordy Clasie

Posted on by

Tottenham tracking young Feyenoord's 5m-rated Holland international Clasie

|

UPDATED:

07:52 GMT, 15 October 2012

Tottenham are keeping tabs on young Holland international Jordy Clasie as boss Andre Villas-Boas prepares to add to his squad in in January.

Clasie has won two full caps and is a regular for Feyenoord who may be willing to sell him for around 5m when the transfer window opens.

Hot shot: Spurs are keeping tabs on Feyenoord's young midfielder Clasie

Hot shot: Spurs are keeping tabs on Feyenoord's young midfielder Clasie

He impressed for during Holland's recent victory over Hungary in the World Cup qualifier and now Spurs intend to maintain their interest in the coming weeks, according to reports in the Mirror.

The north London club are also interested in Patrick Herrmann, the 7.5million-rated Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder.

The Germany Under 21 star has 70 made appearances and scored 11 goals for the Bundesliga outfit and is one of Europe's top rated talents.

Justin Rose beats Lee Westwood in Turkish Airlines World Golf Final

Posted on by

Rose almost 1m richer after one-shot victory over Westwood in Turkey

|

UPDATED:

10:05 GMT, 12 October 2012

Justin Rose beat Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood for the second time in three days to win the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final and the 935,000 prize.

Rose had got the better of Westwood in the group stages at Antalya Golf Club before beating 14-time major winner Tiger Woods in the semi-finals.

Westwood had shot a 64 in his final group game and then a stunning round of 61 a few hours later in his semi-final win over former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, but was unable to reproduce such devastating scoring and had to settle for 'just' 1million US Dollars (623,000) as runner-up.

Turkey shoot: Rose claimed the top prize after beating Westwood in Antalya

Turkey shoot: Rose claimed the top prize after beating Westwood in Antalya

Turkish Airlines World Golf Final

Click here for full leaderboard

Rose never trailed in the match after
holing from 25ft for birdie on the first, but saw a two-shot lead cut
in half on the 16th when he surprisingly missed from three feet for
birdie after Westwood had holed from three times the distance.

However, Rose responded superbly with
a long-range birdie two on the 17th to give himself some breathing
space on the last, which proved welcome after Westwood made birdie to
complete a 67 and lose by just one shot.

Second best: Westwood missed out on the big prize by a single shot

Second best: Westwood missed out on the big prize by a single shot

Hull boss Bruce hopes for reunion with Sunderland hot shot Campbell

Posted on by

Hull boss Bruce hopes for reunion with Sunderland hot shot Campbell

|

UPDATED:

21:45 GMT, 23 August 2012

Hull boss Steve Bruce has made an enquiry for Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell.

The England striker, 24, has one year left on his contract and is available for around 3million.

He has also interested QPR, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers.

Meet up Steve Bruce wants Fraizer Campbell to come to Hull

Meet up Steve Bruce wants Fraizer Campbell to come to Hull

London 2012 Olympics: Nadzeya Ostapchuk stripped of gold medal for failed drugs test

Posted on by

Olympic champion Ostapchuk stripped of shot put gold after failing drugs test

|

UPDATED:

10:47 GMT, 13 August 2012

Belarusian shot-putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk has been stripped of her Olympic gold medal after failing a doping test for the anabolic agent metenolone.

The Belarus athlete tested positive for anabolic agent metenolone during in-competition testing on August 5 and 6 and has been disqualified from the final results.

The gold medal is instead awarded to Valerie Adams of New Zealand, with Russia's Evgeniia Kolodko now taking silver and Lijiao Gong of China elevated to bronze.

More to follow…

Not so fast: Shot put winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk has failed a drugs test

Not so fast: Shot put winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk has failed a drugs test

Bernd Wiesberger wins Lyoness Open

Posted on by

Wiesberger delights home fans as Austrian wins Lyoness Open after storming final round

|

UPDATED:

15:29 GMT, 28 July 2012

Winner: Wiesberger celebrates his birdie putt on the 18th

Winner: Wiesberger celebrates his birdie putt on the 18th

Home favourite Bernd Wiesberger snatched victory with a superb seven-under-par last round of 65 in the Lyoness Open in Austria.

The 26-year-old from Vienna caught the long-time leader Thorbjorn Olesen with a burst of four birdies in five holes around the turn and then took the lead with two more birdies at the 15th and 16th.

He finished with a spectacular 50-foot putt on the final green for a 19-under-par total at Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg – only an hour away from his home.

Ireland's Shane Lowry posted a final-round 66 to share second place with Frenchman Thomas Levet two shots back. Dane Olesen, who had led since midway through a rain-hit second round, slumped to a 74 to leave him a further two shots adrift in fifth place, one behind Sweden's Rikard Karlberg.

Victory saw Wiesberger become the second Austrian to win his national open after Markus Brier in 2006.

Blue is the colour: Wiesberger is delighted with his victory

Blue is the colour: Wiesberger is delighted with his victory

It came just three months after his first European Tour victory at the Ballantine's Championship.

Any doubts over whether Wiesberger could hang on to his lead were dispelled at the 17th – when his mis-hit tee shot clattered into a tree but then bounced into short semi-rough to leave him an angle to the green to save his par.

A jubilant Wiesberger said the victory had made it 'the best day of my life so far'.

'It seems like it went my way, especially the last two holes,' he said.

'I had such a great country and such great fans backing me. I'm very proud to be following in such big footsteps [as Brier]. I'm sure I'm not going to be the last home winner.'
end

Fulham talk with Yannick Sagbo after Vincenzo Iaquinta"s wage shock

Posted on by

Jol hopes Evian's Sagbo can make waves at Fulham after Iaquinta trail runs dry

|

UPDATED:

21:50 GMT, 18 July 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Fulham are in talks with French club Evian over striker Yannick Sagbo.

Manager Martin Jol has shown interest in Huddersfield hot-shot Jordan Rhodes and Juventus veteran Vincenzo Iaquinta, but Sagbo could prove better value at 3.5million.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international is quick and scored 10 goals in a struggling Evian side last season.

Pretty in pink: Yannick Sagbo is being targeted by Fulham boss Martin Jol

Pretty in pink: Yannick Sagbo is being targeted by Fulham boss Martin Jol

Jol and Watford manager Gianfranco Zola may be put off their interest in 32-year-old Iaquinta after learning he earns 60,000 a week after tax at Juventus.

The Italian's agent, Andrea D’Amico said: ‘We are verifying a number of options for Iaquinta in Italy, but especially in England. Fulham That is a concrete hypothesis.’

Former Fulham striker Orlando Sa is in talks with Sheffield Wednesday.

Arsenal have M"Baye Niang bid rejected

Posted on by

No you Caen't! Arsenal see 5m bid for in-demand France striker Niang rejected

|

UPDATED:

22:34 GMT, 18 July 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Arsenal remain in the hunt for teenage hot shot M'Baye Niang despite having bid rejected by French club Caen.

Premier League rivals Tottenham and Manchester City are among a clutch of clubs chasing the 17-year-old.

Hot prospect: Caen forward M'Baye Niang is set for a Premier League switch

Hot prospect: Caen forward M'Baye Niang is set for a Premier League switch

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was first to make his move after the striker enjoyed a successful trial at London Colney last
week.

Caen are resigned to losing Niang following their relegation from Ligue 1.

Wenger is expected to improve the offer in the coming days.