The Rumour Mill didn’t get where it is today closing in on a deal for Pedro, but various reports suggest that’s exactly how Manchester United have got to where they are today. Resigned to being fourth-choice striker behind Barcelona’s three amigos, the 27-year-old wants to go to Old Trafford, where bean-counters have not only met his £22m release clause, but exchanged awkward pleasantries with it, brought it out for a gluttonous and ribald lunch and then escorted it to a hotel room they’d cheekily booked for the afternoon.
Having more or less told his striker he’s welcome to do one by reducing the release clause in question, newly re-elected Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has stopped short of saying he would really, really like Pedro to stay at the Camp Nou, but was gracious enough to point out that it’s nice to have him around the place. “Pedro only recently renewed,” he said. “Sometimes he doesn’t play much, that’s true, but he’s a part of the history of this club. He was part of the first treble, and now the second.” In other Camp Nou housekeeping news, Bartomeu has promised to contest Uefa’s decision to fine them €30,000 because some of their fans waved Catalan flags at the Champions League final in June. If they’d only chanted racist slogans instead, they’d probably have got away with less than half that amount. //youngertime//
-Giannelli Imbula is going to sign at Porto. The midfielder has chosen the Portuguese club yesterday. Marseille will get a fee to the tune of 25 million euros.
-Jeffrey Schluppis reportedly set to sign a new four-deal withLeicester City.
The Daily Mirror report that Schlupp was a target for Arsenal, Aston Villa and Swansea after impressing for the Foxes in the Premier League.
However, he has apparently chosen to extend his stay at the King Power after talks with Leicester director of football Jon Rudkin and the new deal will be announced soon.
-Phil Neville has joined the coaching staff of Valencia. The former Manchester United and England full-back, who has been working as a pundit for the BBC, was as a coach during David Moyes’s ill-fated spell in charge at Old Trafford.The Valencia manager Nuno praised Neville’s experience and knowledge and said he would fit into the team’s approach and was a luxury reinforcement to the bench.
The 30-year-old's future at the Allianz Arena is in doubt due to the strong competition for places in midfield and a number of reports have claimed that the Red Devils are keen to lure him to Old Trafford ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.
-The ex-Brazil international says that his compatriot has what it takes to thrive in Bavaria - if there is not too much pressure placed upon him
Former Bayern Munich striker Giovane Elber believes that Douglas Costa could prove a fine replacement for either Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben ahead of his expected move, but stresses that he must be given time to settle at the Allianz Arena.
-Sam Hinkie said selecting Jahlil Okafor third overall was not connected to the situation with Joel Embiid's injured foot.
But the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be legitimately bewildered and worried about Embiid's injury.
"I'd like to think we'd have had the courage to do it anyway," Hinkie responded when asked if he would have still selected Okafor. "I knew and it's hard to unknow where things stood with Joel, but I'd like to think we'd have the courage anyway."
A CT scan of Embiid's foot about a week ago led to the Sixers making the Saturday night release saying things weren't as healed as "anticipated."
"[Embiid] feels really good," Hinkie said. "That's part of what makes this, um, maybe confusing is the right word.
Euroleague star Nemanja Bjelica is in serious discussions with the Minnesota Timberwolves on an approximate three-year, $12 million-plus deal, but the two sides have been exploring all options, league sources told RealGM.
Bjelica, 27, has moved toward breaking into the NBA after being named the Euroleague MVP this past season. At 6-foot-10, Bjelica is a skilled forward who could play three positions at the NBA level.
-The Philadelphia 76ers were ordered to send the New Orleans Pelicans $3 million in compensation for not fully disclosing the injury history of Jrue Holiday, according to sources.
The 76ers traded Holiday on draft night of 2013 to the Pelicans for Nerlens Noel.
The sources said Holiday played with stress fractures in his lower right leg during his final season with the Sixers. However, the sources said, those injuries weren't fully disclosed to the Pelicans.
Sam Hinkie declined to comment, but a Sixers team source disputed the allegation.
"That's not true," the Sixers source said.
According to the other two sources, the Sixers are now trying to receive a payment from the Los Angeles Lakers for allegedly misinforming them about Andrew Bynum.
-Champions League: EHF announced seedings,some duels already known.
-The participants at the 2016 edition of the VELUX EHF Champions League had been published, 27 teams are already seeded for the group stage played in two divisions - the first in the group A and B and the second in group C and D - and the last place will be awarded in a qualification tournament. -Gr:Groups A and B
-Lopez, young opt out with strong probabilitty of re-signing with Nets
-Brook Lopez has opted out of his contract for the 15-16 season with the Brooklyn Nets.
Lopez is seeking a three-year, $60 million contract with the Nets, though the agreement could include some financial protections for the team if there is a recurrence of his foot issues.
Lopez could agree upon a deal that includes a player option for the third season.
Both Lopez and Thaddeus Young opted out with strong intentions of reaching new deals with Brooklyn.
//Youngtimer//
Young, 27, who opted out of $10.2 million owed him next season, is on course for a four-year, $48 million-plus deal in free agency.
-Marc Gasol has no interest in Signing wiith Lakers.
-Marc Gasol will be a free agent this offseason but he has no interest in the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate Gasol's lack of interest is due to "uneasy" final few years his brother, Pau Gasol, spent with the organization.
Gasol has spent his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
