Jack Grealish discussing new deal at Aston Villa

Jack Grealish discussing new deal at Aston Villa

Jack Grealish has been allowed to leave the Republic of Ireland U21 squad to discuss a new contract at Aston Villa.


The 19-year-old has withdrawn from international duty in an effort to resolve outstanding issues regarding his domestic future.

He is expected to commit to an extension at Villa Park, allowing him to remain at the club he supported growing up and one that has nurtured him through their academy system.


Grealish has been billed as an exciting prospect since breaking into the senior fold and Paul Lambert is eager to tie him to fresh terms.

England are also hoping that the talented midfielder can be persuaded to switch allegiance before making a competitive senior appearance for Ireland, with U21 coach Gareth Southgate looking to bring him into his ranks.

That is a matter for a later date, though, with the youngster currently focused on talks that will prolong an agreement at Villa that is due to expire at the end of the season.

Ireland’s U21 boss Noel King said: “The facts are that he is in contract talks with Aston Villa and they have reached an important stage.

“His deal is up at the end of the year and his future is of paramount importance to him. So you can see why they would want to sort that matter out.

“I accept Jack’s reasons for withdrawing and understand it. I have no issue with it.”

Angelo Henriquez eager to impress Manchester United staff

Angelo Henriquez eager to impress Manchester United staff

Angelo Henriquez hopes an outing on British shores will help him to catch the eye of parent club Manchester United.

The 20-year-old Chilean will be in Glasgow on Thursday for a Europa League clash with Celtic.

He will be turning out for loan employers Dinamo Zagreb, having agreed a season-long deal over the summer.

Henriquez is aware that he needs to make the most of his time away from Old Trafford, having previously taken in spells at Wigan Athletic and Real Zaragoza.

He needs to show those on the coaching staff at United that he has a future in England, with Sir Alex Ferguson having invested £3.5million in his potential back in 2012.

The highly-rated South American is confident he has what it takes to make a positive impact at a Premier League heavyweight, but is also aware that fierce competition for places may force him to look elsewhere.

Henriquez said: “I don’t think it was a backwards step in my career (joining Dinamo) but a good chance to play and get experience of European football.

“Dinamo is a special challenge for me because I know the club aspires to be the best in Croatia and that will help me achieve my goal.

“I have constant contact with people from Manchester United.

“Not (Louis) van Gaal, but people from Carrington, the coaches. They want to know every detail – from the intensity of training here, diet, life in Zagreb. With that amount of care for a year, I know I’m still being followed by United.”

However, on rumours that Dinamo will look to make his move permanent next summer, Henriquez added: “I heard about this idea but I honestly do not know what to say.

“Should I wait for the end of the season and draw the line and see where we are?

“Basically, I would not mind staying in Dinamo because it’s a great club and if things go well I would love to stay here after the expiry of the loan.”

Barcelona Unwise to Allow Gerard Pique to Make Manchester United Return

Barcelona Unwise to Allow Gerard Pique to Make Manchester United Return

A number of Manchester United supporters might point to the likes of Jaap Stam and Paul Pogba as players Sir Alex Ferguson would regret allowing to leave Old Trafford during his reign at the club.

But others would point to the departure of Gerard Pique in 2008 as a significant error by the wily United boss.

Ferguson had snatched Pique from under the noses of Barcelona in 2004, but after only a handful of appearances for United during his four-year spell, he returned to Camp Nou in a £5 million deal.

One year later, Pique helped Barcelona win the 2009 Champions League final against his former employers in Rome.

It was hardly the gratitude United wanted, but according to AS (per Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express), current Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal is going back to the future with a move for Pique.

It is no surprise United are seeking defensive reinforcements, particularly after the embarrassing loss of a 3-1 lead in the 5-3 defeat at Leicester City, and their former player fits the bill perfectly.

Pique played a significant role in Barcelona's dominance of European football under Pep Guardiola, and he has won numerous La Liga titles, Spanish cups and two Champions Leagues during his time at Camp Nou.

However, new Barca head coach Luis Enrique has thus far favoured a central-defensive axis of Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano, leaving a possible question mark over Pique's future.

But despite the occasional lapse in concentration, Pique epitomises the modern central defender with his excellent passing and natural ability to read the game.

It is little wonder Van Gaal is eyeing Pique for a possible move—he is certainly a better option than the Old Trafford boss currently has—but Barcelona are not going to be rushing to sell the defender.



Believability Meter: Low

It is entirely understandable that United and Van Gaal should be linked with quality defenders such as Pique after their disappointing start to the Premier League campaign.

However, the Spain international is still only 27 and still offers Barcelona with a strong defensive presence. Don't expect a Camp Nou departure for Old Trafford here.

No Pirlo Party for Galaxy, Interest in Barcelona Star Piqued

No Pirlo Party for Galaxy, Interest in Barcelona Star Piqued

By BR UK News , Featured Columnist



We are still three months away from the opening of the January transfer window, but that has not prevented speculation and rumours continuing this week.

Joe Hart, Ross Barkley and Andy Carroll are among the Premier League players to have been linked with moves to rival clubs in the English top flight.

Andrea Pirlo is also interesting a high-profile Major League Soccer club, while Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has been linked with a return to Manchester United.

But which moves are plausible? Let's take a closer look at the transfer gossip from this week.

Bournemouth ease to 2-0 victory over Wigan at Dean Court

Bournemouth ease to 2-0 victory over Wigan at Dean Court

Goals in each half from Yann Kermorgant and Simon Francis gave Bournemouth a 2-0 victory over Wigan in an assured display from the Cherries at Dean Court.

Kermorgant headed the hosts into the lead from a Matt Ritchie cross eight minutes before half-time and Francis started and finished a tremendous passing move in the 70th minute to seal the three points and extend Wigan's winless run to four games.

Midfielder Ritchie orchestrated the majority of Bournemouth's attacks in the first half. He surged down the right in the 16th minute and his dangerous cross was hooked away by Ivan Ramis as the lively Callum Wilson was about to convert.

Wilson had already gone close in the third minute, weaving inside of Wigan captain Emmerson Boyce from the left before shooting narrowly wide.

Bournemouth's strong start continued on 18 minutes as Richie failed to connect properly with a shot from 25 yards out, allowing Scott Carson to make a straightforward save.

He made no such mistake from an identical position after 25 minutes, but his signature strike flashed the wrong side of Carson's post.

Ritchie then turned provider for Bournemouth's opener, picking out Kermorgant with a teasing delivery, and the striker outmuscled Robert Kiernan to head the cross back beyond Carson and into the far corner.

Kermorgant had earlier been denied by an excellent one-handed save from Carson after twisting into space in the area, and his goal gave Bournemouth a deserved lead.

Wigan had come close when Emyr Huws cut into space from the right before sending his shot high and wide and again when Ramis headed a corner onto the roof of the net.

Wilson had a superb opportunity to double Bournemouth's lead on the counter-attack in the 59th minute but was forced wide after his initial effort was blocked by a last-ditch sliding challenge from Ramis and Wigan cleared at the second attempt.

Marc-Antoine Fortune brought a routine save from Artur Boruc, making his home debut for Bournemouth after completing a loan move from Southampton, with a bouncing header from a neat cross by Andrew Taylor.

Wigan manager Uwe Rosler looked to give his side some impetus with a double substitution in the 66th minute, replacing Robert Kiernan and Martyn Waghorn with Leon Barnett and Oriol Riera, but it was to no avail.

Four minutes after the swap, they were undone by an intricate passing move.

Wilson dummied Francis' pass, letting it run into the feet of Kermorgant, who returned the ball into onrushing Francis and the defender tucked the ball underneath Carson first time to secure Bournemouth's first league win in seven games.