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Saturday 3 June 2017

Barcelona congratulated Real Madrid on their arch-rivals clinch the Champions League crown.                                                            Through gritted tweet: Barcelona congratulate Champions League winners Real Madrid                                                  Barcelona congratulated bitter La Liga rivals Real Madrid on successfully retaining the Champions League trophy.
No team had won titles back-to-back in the Champions League era but that changed on Saturday when the title holders defeated 10-man Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero at the Principality Stadium, scoring twice to move a step closer to matching Lionel Messi's record of five Ballons d'Or.
Juventus Champions League glory but they ended up losing their sixth of eight finals.                                           Sadly, there was to be "no happy ending to the fairy tale" for Buffon and Juventus, just the same old sad story.  This defeat hit hard, primarily because it was supposed to be different this time. Juventus were supposed to win this time. They didn't. They lost. Again.
Perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised by Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over the Bianconeri.
After all, the side with the worst record in European Cup finals had gone up against the side with the best record in European Cup finals.                                                                                        No fairy tale for Buffon & Juventus, just the same old sad story                          However, Juve had supposedly learned from their surprise appearance in the 2015 final, a 3-1 loss to Barcelona.
They had matured, they told us, and strengthened their squad in the interim, last summer's €90m signing of Gonzalo Higuain was viewed as a sign that now they could not only compete with Europe's elite on the field but off it too.
The signs were encouraging. Juve had reached the final undefeated, and having conceded just three goals in 12 games.
On a demoralising night in Cardiff, they shipped four in 90 minutes. It was probably the most jarring statistic on a shocking night for Juve.
They had started strongly, with Higuain testing Keylor Navas twice in the opening five minutes.
After being rocked by a classic Cristiano Ronaldo counter-punch 20 minutes in - Real's first shot on target - they responded wonderfully.
             
Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his Real Madrid side, describing their campaign as “amazing” after helping them to a record 12th European Cup triumph.       Zinedine Zidane’s men swept aside Juventus 4-1 at the Millennium Stadium to claim the trophy to become the first team to retain the crown since AC Milan in 1990.
Ronaldo was inevitably to the forefront as he scored their first and third goals of the evening. Casemiro grabbed the second after Mario Mandzukic had equalised in stunning style, while Marco Asensio added a fourth in stoppage time.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo commented: “It's been incredible, another amazing season. To finish the year with the Champions League and the record, I'm very happy.”                                                                   Ronaldo hails Real Madrid’s ‘amazing season’ after Champions League final win over Juventus                                       Ronaldo became just the second player to score in three European Cup finals in Wales, having previously struck in 2008 and 2014, while Madrid also became the first side to reach 500 goals in the competition since its rebrand in 1992-93.
During the last calendar year, the Portuguese has also won Euro 2016 with his country and the Primera Division title. On an individual basis, he claimed both the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Best Player award.     
Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Lionel Messi to the Champions league top scorer award after netting twice in the final against Juventus.                                                 Madrid beat Juve 4-1 in Cardiff on Saturday, the Portugal international getting his side's opener after 20 minutes and later scoring their third after 64.
That means Ronaldo finishes the tournament on 12 goals, one clear of Messi after the Barcelona forward did not play since the quarter-finals, when his side lost to Juve.
Ronaldo has now either won or shared the award for five consecutive seasons – a record - and has six overall top scorer triumphs.
Messi is one behind on five wins. He was outright winner for four straight years from 2009-2012, before sharing the accolade in 2014-15 with Ronaldo and Barca team-mate Neymar, when they all struck 10 times in that campaign. His 600th career goal.                                                             Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to Champions League top scorer award                                                                Ronaldo was nine adrift of Messi going into the quarter-finals this season, but eight goals in two ties against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid brought him back into contention before the Juve clash.   
This Real Madrid and Ronaldo has taken strides towards immortality after beating Juventus 4-1                                 A player of a generation; a team of a generation. That is the only way to describe Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid following the club’s 12th Champions League victory.
Into the bargain Zinedine Zidane has bettered every Real Madrid coach since 1958. Luis Carniglia equalled the feats of Jose Villalonga a year previous in winning a league and European Cup double. No Madrid coach since then could do it until now.
And it took 27 years for a team to match the feat of Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan side. This Real Madrid have no comparison in the modern era.
The path to the final these days is so fraught with danger and teams such hostages to fortune that it is hard for any side to fulfil their destiny as favourites.
There is such a pervading expectation of success around Madrid, however, and they have broken through that glass ceiling.                                                                                                                                               A player of a generation, a team of a generation: Ronaldo and Real are the history boys                                                                            Madrid’s sense of calm, their ease at coping with pressure, these things don’t come easily. They only come for a team so used to winning – and so sure of it – that every final can be treated as no big deal.
Before the game as the Juventus XI went through a detailed and rigorous pre-match warm-up, the Real Madrid contingent could be seen engaging in an easy-going rondos session and exchanging hugs and smiles. They have been here, seen it and done it. They don’t come to Champions League finals to compete, they come to fulfil a script.
Credit to Juventus. They flew out of the blocks and threatened to disrupt the rhythm of the team in purple but it couldn’t last. Not even one of the greatest Champions League final goals from Mario Mandzukic could knock them from their stride. Indeed, it was appropriate that it required magic to earn Juve some parity because their normal game was sure as hell not good enough to get close. Juventus came here believing and hoping but all it took was one swipe of the Portuguese genius’s boot to smash their expectations back into the earth.
That’s four Champions Leagues for Ronaldo for those keeping score at home. Three for Real and one more for Manchester United. He has scored in three finals including two goals here. He has scored 10 knockout goals this season; many strikers would be satisfied with that over the course of a career.
Comparisons will always be made with Lionel Messi but now it’s time to start thinking about Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas in the Real Madrid context. He is extra-terrestrial; we will never see his like again.
Eden Hazard believes Chelsea can make a big impression in next season's Champions League if they can bring in a couple of key additions.                                    Eden Hazard believes Chelsea can make a big impression in next season's Champions League if they can bring in a couple of key additions
Chelsea romped to the Premier League title in Antonio Conte's first season at the helm, making up for a dismal campaign in 2015-16 that saw them finish 10th.
The Blues will have a more congested fixture list next term having secure a return to European football's top table, but Hazard is confident they can cope with the demands if the squad is bolstered. 
"The Champions League is a very difficult competition with many good teams who are capable of reaching the semi-finals and the final," Hazard told Chelsea's official website.
"You never know, but if we continue with the way we've been playing this season we can go far.
"Maybe with a couple of new players to take the level even higher we can do well, but it's not just about quality, you also need a bit of luck."
Hazard was one of Chelsea's primary underperformers in 2015-16, but he was back to his best under Conte, praising the Italian's tactics for aiding his resurgence.
He said: "I started to play a bit more centrally, like a number 10. [Marcos] Alonso was close to me so he was able to help when we didn't have the ball, just like [N'Golo] Kante, [Nemanja] Matic and [Cesc] Fabregas.   
Hazard: New signings will take Chelsea far in Champions League                                                                                       "The manager said to me I have to try to find Diego Costa. When I play I always try to pass to him, or look for him to make a run which opens up the space for me to come inside.
"I always try to be close to him because I know it makes it difficult for defenders when there is two of you, or even three when Pedro or Willian are there as well.
"When we remain static it makes it easier for them to mark us, so I tried to stay close to him and play one-touch football, which worked well."
A haul of 16 goals represented Hazard's best return in a Premier League season, but he insisted that collective objectives are his main focus.
The Argentina international will be determined to ensure that it is Juve who are victorious on Saturday night, as it would not only bring joy to the Bianconeri fans who have taken him to their hearts, but also Barca supporters everywhere.                                                                              Paulo Dybala hardly needed any extra motivation after helping Juventus reach the Champions League final but then, 24 hours after the Bianconeri had seen off Monaco in Turin, Real Madrid survived a scare against city rivals Atletico to book their place in Cardiff.
It was Los Blancos, after all, whom Dybala had gone to see get beaten by Barcelona at Camp Nou in March 2015. The Argentine had been a long-time admirer of the Catalan club.
He publicly admitted that Blaugrana were of two clubs he nearly always picked when playing football games on the Playstation - interestingly, Manchester City were the other - and, just months before his first Clasico, he confessed that he would "swim to Barcelona and play without a contract" if they wanted to sign him from Palermo.                                                                                                                                                Another reason to beat Madrid! Dybala’s La Liga team is Barcelona                                                           As a result, Barca's reported interest, coupled with the Camp Nou selfie, sparked speculation that the forward's "dream" might just come true.
Two months later, Dybala was in Berlin, where Barca completed a treble with a 3-1 victory over Juve, but he was there as a guest of the Old Lady, after agreeing a €40 million transfer to Turin.
The 23-year-old has since become a huge fan favourite at the Juventus Stadium, his popularity only enhanced by his stunning two-goal salvo during Juve's blitz of Barca in the first leg of this year's Champions League quarter-finals.However, having eliminated his beloved Blaugrana, one can be sure that Dybala will be even more determined to ensure that he remains in the Catalan's good books by taking down their great rivals in Cardiff this weekend.
It would still be slightly bittersweet for Dybala because as well as being a childhood fan of Real coach Zinedine Zidane – admitting that he would have relished the opportunity to play alongside the iconic No.10 – he remains close with former Juve striker Alvaro Morata, as underlined by the fact that he ‘liked’ an Instagram photo of the Spaniard celebrating his side qualifying for the Cardiff final.
Earlier this season, there were even reports that Real were keen to reunite Morata and Dybala in Madrid, only for the latter to commit his future to Juve by signing a new contract in April.
Gianluigi Buffon may be "the best goalkeeper in history", but he has little chance of preventing Cristiano Ronaldo from winning another Ballon d'Or, according to former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos.                                           Ronaldo is the current holder of the coveted individual award and is aiming to win it for the fifth time to pull level with Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
While the Portugal icon remains at the top of the game, there is growing support for Buffon, 39, to be named the world's player of the year for his role in Juventus' journey to Saturday's Champions League final against Madrid and winning another Serie A title.                                                                                                   Buffon can't beat Ronaldo to Ballon d'Or - Carlos                                                         And while Carlos believes Buffon's place in history is secure, he feels Ronaldo will continue to dominate titles and individual accolades.
"Of course, Buffon is the best goalkeeper in history but for what Cristiano is doing, it’s difficult to take the Ballon d’Or from him. He is the best in the world," Carlos told Goal ahead of the clash in Cardiff which sees the two go head-to-head. 
The 44-year-old, who enjoyed a trophy-laden 11-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, also expressed hope that Juventus ace Paulo Dybala, who has been linked with a host of top clubs, can make a move to Madrid in the future.  Maybe one day he can wear the t-shirt of the biggest club in the world!" 
Meanwhile, Dani Alves has been key for Massimiliano Allegri's side's run to the Champions League final. Despite having enjoyed a stellar career as a right-back, Carlos feels the former Barcelona man hasn't eclipsed the achievements of Cafu, another great Brazilian full-back.

Friday 2 June 2017

Arsene Wenger is adamant that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will not be allowed to leave Arsenal in the transfer window.                                                                                                                         The future of the Gunners' star duo remains the subject of intense speculation, with both entering the final year of their contracts at Emirates Stadium.
Sanchez has been heavily linked with Manchester City and Bayern Munich, while Ozil has also been tipped for a potential move away following Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League.
But Wenger, who signed a new two-year contract to stay on as Arsenal manager this week, says neither player will be sold before next season begins.
"This summer, first of all they will stay at the club and hopefully we can extend their contract," Wenger told beIN SPORTS  when asked about Sanchez and Ozil's futures. When pressed on whether they would leave, he replied: "No. You cannot weaken the club and weaken the team. You want to strengthen the team. Unless you find a player of the same calibre and if they absolutely want to leave...                                                                                                                                                                              Wenger adamant Sanchez and Ozil will not leave Arsenal                                                              "I believe, at the moment, we're not on that front. We're focused on keeping the team together and to see how we can strengthen the team.
"When you sign a contract somewhere, you commit to give your best until the end of the last day of that contract. I would say 'why should they not give their best?'.
"The interest of any player is always to play football and well, even more so at the end of your contact. If you're a winner, you want to win the game you're playing."
AC Milan have agreed terms with Alvaro Morata over a €60 million move and the club's sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli hopes to tie up a deal for the Spain striker with Real Madrid in Cardiff this weekend.     The Spain striker is unhappy at a lack of opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu and has agreed terms on a return to Italy with the Rossoneri. Mirabelli travelled to Wales on Friday and will attend Saturday's Champions League final clash between Madrid and Juventus at the Millennium Stadium, but the Milan director will also use the trip to negotiate for Morata.
Milan have money to spend this summer following the recent takeover by a Chinese consortium and the Rossoneri have made Morata their top target in the transfer window, with Carlos Bacca set to leave San Siro and the club in the market for a top-class replacement.
Torino forward Andrea Belotti is also interesting Milan, but the Turin-based club are asking for €80 and Morata is their first choice, with wages of around €6.5-7m already agreed with the Spain striker.
                          Morata agrees to €60m move as Milan meet Madrid in Cardiff                                                                   
 Now Milan must convince Madrid, with a transfer fee yet to be settled. The Rossoneri are willing to pay €60m for the 24-year-old, although Real are keen to hold out for more and hope to earn closer to €70m for the player they brought back from Juventus last summer.
Madrid originally sold Morata to Juventus in 2014 after the striker appeared as a substitute in the 2014 Champions League final win against Atletico in May of that year. And history seems set to repeat itself as the player now looks likely to move on after another European showpiece in Cardiff this weekend.
Morata is due to marry Italian girlfriend Alice Campello in Venice later in June and she is known to favour a return to her homeland over a move to England, where Chelsea are interested in the Spain striker. Manchester United have also been linked with a move.
Juventus would also be keen to take back Morata, but the Italian champions are unwilling to buy back their former player for at least double the amount they received from Madrid last summer, when the striker returned home for a cut-price €30m.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes David de Gea is a top-class goalkeeper but is unwilling to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.                               A report in England this week claimed that Manchester United have rejected a £60million bid for De Gea, who has been linked with the Spanish champions for much of the last year.
Ronaldo, who left United for Madrid in 2009 for what was then a world-record transfer fee in the region of £80m, says it is unsurprising to read rumours surrounding his side's transfer plans.
He did, however, suggest that only "one or two" of Madrid's reported targets will be signed before the start of next season.
"Keylor Navas is Real Madrid's goalkeeper. De Gea is a very good keeper but he is at United," he told La Sexta. "They talk about 50,000 footballers every year and they are always the same. Of the players they talk about, maybe one or two will arrive and that's it."
De Gea made 45 appearances for United in 2016-17 but his future was cast into further doubt when manager Jose Mourinho overlooked him for the Europa League final in favour of Sergio Romero, who had played more regularly in the tournament.                                                                                                                 Ronaldo unconvinced by Real Madrid's rumoured De Gea chase                                                                    Mourinho insisted De Gea had no issues with the decision, however, stating last month that the former Atletico Madrid man "is top of the world and we want to keep top of the world".
Former Juventus defender Gianluca Zambrotta believes the moment has arrived for the Bianconeri and captain Gianluigi Buffon to win the Champions League against Real Madrid on Saturday.                                                         Former Juventus defender Gianluca Zambrotta believes the moment has arrived for the Bianconeri and captain Gianluigi Buffon to win the Champions League against Real Madrid on Saturday.
The two teams go head-to-head in Cardiff as Juve look to complete a treble, after Serie A and Coppa Italia wins, while Madrid aim for consecutive European titles.
Juve last won the competition in 1996, with stalwart Buffon yet to taste Champions League success after final losses to Milan in 2003 and Barcelona in 2015, and Zambrotta believes they are ready to end the drought.                                                                                                                                                                  'This is Juve's moment' - Zambrotta backs Buffon for Champions League glory                                           "Buffon has a big chance - he will give everything, him and his team-mates, to use his experience to help the team," he told Sky Sports
"Juventus arrive prepared. They have a big chance to win this trophy, but it will be a very close game.                                             
Ander Herrera has reaffirmed his commitment to Manchester United amid talk of interest from Barcelona.    Former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde was appointed Barca boss this week and, having worked with Herrera before, he has been linked with a move for the United midfielder. 
But Herrera - who made 50 appearances in all competitions in 2016-17 as United won the Community Shield, the League Cup and the Europa League - is happy at Old Trafford, insisting he still strives to pay the club back for signing him.
"I'm very thankful with Manchester United because they came to Spain to sign me three years ago," the Spain international told Sky Sports.
"The only thing I have in my mind every time I'm on the pitch is that I want to give all the affection back.                                                                                                             Herrera happy at United despite Barca links                                 "I think that's the right way. I try to go to the pitch and to finish the game and I cannot complain to myself. I can say I have given everything. I don't want to stop - I am very optimistic and a hard-working player.
"I want to keep playing, keep working hard, keep improving, not only personally but also with the club and the team; I want to keep improving to continue winning things
Cristiano Ronaldo believes he will go down in history at Real Madrid but says he does not consider himself to be "a galactico".                                                                           The Portugal ace has scored 40 goals in all competitions to help Madrid to a second Champions League final in a row and claim their first La Liga title since 2012.
Ronaldo netted the winning penalty in the shoot-out when Madrid won the Champions League against Atletico Madrid last season and scored from the spot when they beat their city rivals in the 2014 showpiece.
However, he says he has not considered any specific preparation for Saturday's match in Cardiff, when he will attempt to find a way past the imperious Juventus defence and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
"I'm not a typical player who likes to look at videos because I think that things come naturally. Obviously it's important to know one or two points but not to obsess," he said.
"For example, in penalties, thinking about which side you shoot more towards: when you're there, a lot of things go through your head and it's one moment to decide. It's instinct. And that's why I don't really like to plan what I'm going to do.
"A penalty in the final? It's not fear. I like to take risks. It's a calculated risk, not life or death. I can score or miss.
"But I'm not going to miss. You have to think positively. That's the difference between good players, very good players and galacticos.
"I don't consider myself a galactico. But I consider myself a player who has created history in Manchester, Madrid and with the national team."                                                                                                                          Ronaldo: I'm not a galactico                                                  25 - Cristiano Ronaldo has become the second player to score 25+ goals in eight La Liga seasons in a row, after Lionel Messi. Monster. Ronaldo also insists he will never be an out-and-out striker and admits that he prefers playing in a 4-4-2 system.
The 32-year-old has developed into more of a centre-forward during Zinedine Zidane's time in charge at Santiago Bernabeu and has often been partnered in attack with Karim Benzema this season.                    
Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus are a different beast to the one who stumbled in the Champions League final two years ago and he will accept nothing but victory against Real Madrid on Saturday.                                                          Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri                                                          Massimiliano Allegri says Juventus are a different beast to the one who stumbled in the Champions League final two years ago and he will accept nothing but victory against Real Madrid on Saturday.
As they will be in Cardiff, Juve sought a treble when they faced Barcelona in Berlin, but they were left dented by a 3-1 defeat.
Allegri freely admits that his side then had not reached the final out of expectation, but he says - with a sixth straight Serie A title and the Coppa Italia in the bag - that this year feels much different.
He told a news conference: "In 2015 we got to the final but at the same time we were not strongly motivated, we were not confident enough because we had lots of years of struggle in the Champions League.
"We certainly didn't end up in the final by chance but we didn't expect to win. "This year is different. Last year, we had a good season in the Champions League, lost to Bayern Munich [in the round of 16] just one minute before the end of the game and we have been growing gradually.
"Now it's completely different, Juventus has improved a lot."
Dominant domestically once again, Allegri hopes Juventus can draw strength from pummelling their league.
"All I can say is we worked for a year and all the trophies and wins we've had this year have been training for tomorrow," he said.
"Tomorrow we have to win. It's a final, it's one game. 
"So like all one-game finals, you have to play in a certain way. You have to analyse when you need to attack and when you need to defend.

Sunday 28 May 2017

The club icon came off the bench to help Roma record a dramatic 3-2 home win against Genoa in the last game of the Serie A season, securing second spot and automatic Champions League qualification at Napoli's expense                Francesco Totti suggested he could postpone his retirement and carry on playing after hinting at "a new adventure" during an emotional farewell following his final Roma appearance. Totti was expected to take up a non-playing role at Roma after it was confirmed he would not sign a new deal, but in an poignant speech at Stadio Olimpico he implied he might have changed his mind.
"I like to think of my career as a fairytale to tell - and this is the worst part," Totti said. "Now it really is over. 
"I take off my shirt for the last time. I will fold it nicely, even if I have to admit I'm not ready to say it's over and maybe I never will be.
"Sorry if during this period I didn't give interviews or clarified my thoughts, but it's not easy to switch that light off. Now I am afraid. It's not the same fear you have in front of the goal when you need to score a penalty. This time I cannot see through the holes in the net what lies beyond.                                                              Image result for totti francesco                                                                         "So allow me to be a little afraid. This time I am the one who needs you and your warmth. What you've always shown me. With your affection, I will certainly be able to turn the page and throw myself into a new adventure."                                                                                                    
Jose Mourinho is ruling at Manchester United in a similar manner to legendary predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson, says Ruud Gullit.                                                                        The Portuguese inherited the reins at Old Trafford in the summer of 2016 with the remit of lighting a fire under an underperforming squad.
He has delivered in his first season at the helm, with Mourinho making history along the way.
An EFL Cup triumph in February saw him become the first United manager to deliver a major trophy in his debut campaign, with even Ferguson unable to match that achievement.
He also lifted the Community Shield and Europa League, while his dealings with senior stars such as Wayne Rooney – who has been phased out of the starting XI – have shown that he is not afraid to make big decisions.                                                                                                                                                         Image result for jose mourinho chelsea                                                                   There are likely to be plenty of other comings and goings at Old Trafford as Mourinho seeks to freshen up his squad and push United into Premier League title contention next season.       
Mesut Ozil has offered a cheeky response to the so-called experts who wrote Arsenal off in their FA Cup final clash with Chelsea.                                                                   Mesut Ozil has offered a cheeky response to the so-called experts who wrote Arsenal off in their FA Cup final clash with Chelsea.
With the Premier League title already in the bag, the Blues headed to Wembley Stadium on Saturday as strong favourites to complete a domestic double.
They were, however, to put in a disjointed display which saw them finish with 10 men and on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline.
Ozil has delighted in proving the Gunners’ doubters wrong, with the Germany international quick to remind those who expected little of Arsene Wenger’s side of how wrong they were.                                                          Ozil trolls 'experts' following Arsenal's FA Cup triumph                                                                     Arsenal were brighter throughout against Chelsea as they helped to banish the memories of a disappointing Premier League campaign.
Having missed out on Champions League qualification by finishing fifth, the Gunners were determined to salvage something from 2016-17.
Alexis Sanchez edged them in front early on, before Aaron Ramsey offered a quick-fire response to Diego Costa’s leveller in the second half.
Ozil has now tasted three FA Cup triumphs during his time in north London, with focus shifting back to the contract extension talks that have sparked plenty of transfer speculation this season.                                                                 
The Real Madrid star is to be a father again following the attacker's publication of a romantic photo on Instagram     Dolores Santos has denied rumours that son Cristiano Ronaldo is due to become a father again, calling the claims "nonsense".
Ronaldo posted a loved-up photograph of himself and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on Instagram earlier this week, with the Real Madrid star's hand placement leading many to jump to conclusions.
In the photo, which Ronaldo had captioned with a simple heart emoji, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner had his hand on Georgina's belly, causing people to question as to whether the model was pregnant. "I hope he has more children, he wants to be a father again, now that Cristiano has money, he can raise more children as well."
Ronaldo will be back in action on Saturday, June 3 as Real Madrid take on Juventus in the 2016-17 Champions League final in Cardiff.                                                                                                                'It's just nonsense' - Ronaldo's mother denies Georgina Rodriguez pregnancy claims       
Bernardo Silva has signed for Manchester City on a five-year deal, the club have confirmed                                        Bernardo Silva has signed for Manchester City on a five-year deal, the club have confirmed.
City will pay Monaco £43 million up front for the Portugal playmaker, though reports in France indicate add-ons and other bonuses will increase the total figure
Silva completed a medical at City's Etihad Campus training ground on Friday and has put pen to paper on a long-term contract. City are also thought to be close to sign Kyle Walker from Tottenham, and there is firm interest in bringing in left-back Benjamin Mendy from Monaco. The Blues have kicked off their summer in style, and have announced Silva's arrival little over 24 hours after confirming that Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas, Bacary Sagna and Willy Caballero will leave the club on free transfers this summer. 
"Manchester City are delighted to confirm Bernardo Silva will join the Club from Monaco on July 1," City announced in a statement.
"The Portuguese playmaker will arrive at the Etihad having just helped the French side to the Ligue 1 title and the Champions League semi-finals."
Silva in turn admitted that the prospect of working alongside Pep Guardiola was a big factor in his decision. 
“It feels great. To be honest I’m now at one of the best teams in the world. To be part of this club and to have this opportunity is great," he said.
                                      Bernardo Silva signs for Manchester City in £43m move from Monaco                                                 "I’m very happy to be part of Manchester City’s team and I look forward to trying to do my best to help the team reach their goals.
“If not the best coach in the world, he is one of the best.
"Of course when you have the opportunity of being trained by Guardiola, you don’t say no.
"As we all know, what he did in Barcelona and Bayern Munich was amazing and we expect also here that he will win titles. It’s great to be working with him and to have this opportunity.”
It was also announced on Friday that Pablo Zabaleta will join West Ham on a two-year deal when he officially leaves City in July.