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NBA trade rumors: LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs

NBA trade rumors have reached a new high with the trade deadline nearing. LA Lakers power forward, Dwight Howard has once again emerged as the subject of a potential trade before the deadline ends on February 21. Though the Lakers general manager, Mitch Kupchak, has refuted the rumors of a possible trade of Howard, some reports suggest that Howard’s teammates doubt his ability, which might force Kupchak to change his mind.

Kobe Bryant is reportedly not sure about Howard’s approach, mental toughness and overall willingness, that will help the Lakers to flourish. Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and several others have also echoed the same concern about Howard. Lakers are still in contention to reach the playoffs and make a championship run, which might not be an unlikely situation.


Atlanta Hawks are still immersed in the confusion surrounding the trade of Josh Smith. The team is reportedly now looking for a combination of expiring contracts, young players and draft picks in exchange for the power forward. Phoenix Suns have apparently been the most aggressive team in the pursuit of Smith, though the uncertainty of the trade has created a lot of confusion.

Earlier reports suggested that Brooklyn Nets were on the brink of signing Smith while Boston Celtics are also reportedly chasing the point guard. The Hawks reportedly approached Philadelphia 76ers to acquire Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes in exchange for Josh Smith, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

DeJuan Blair might be on his way out of the San Antonio Spurs as the Spurs are reportedly looking to trade the power forward before he becomes a free agent this summer. Rumors suggest that Miami Heat or New York Knicks might make a run for Blair, but nothing can be confirmed yet.

Arsenal transfer news: Ashley Williams, Jeremy Toulalan, Jordan Lukaku

Arsenal FC transfer news hint that the Gunners are preparing to bid for the Swansea captain, Ashley Williams, to correct the problems with the defence of the Emirates side. The 2-1 loss against Tottenham Hotspurs places the Gunners 7 points behind the North London team as Wenger continues to find his team in problems.

The Emirates side is not the only club interested in the Williams, as Brendan Rodgers is also looking to procure the centre-half, who led Swansea to a Capital One Cup title. Wenger had already been looking to acquire a defender during the January transfer window and the result against the Spurs has hastened his search for a key player in defense.


Williams is rated at £8 million and is under contract until 2015. Arsenal FC has set its sights on Malaga midfielder, Jeremy Toulalan and might bring in the player to the Emirates side during the summer transfer window. Jeremy runs out of contract this summer and Wenger might be looking to purchase the 29-year-old at a reduced price.

Considering the recent form of Arsenal FC, Toulalan will be apt for the side, which is struggling to make it into the top four of the Premier League. Arsenal FC has also been linked to Jordan Lukaku, the younger brother of Romelu Lukaku. The 18-year-old plays on both the flanks for Belgian club, Anderlecht.

The Gunners face competition from AC Milan towards the signing of the player. Arsenal FC seems to be leading the race for signing Jordan as the winger had earlier expressed his admiration for the Gunners.

UEFA summons Red Devils for disciplinary hearing

Latest news from UEFA implies that Manchester United FC will be facing disciplinary proceedings over the absence of Sir Alex Ferguson at the post-match press conference and the much talked event of the red card. Champions League rules obligate the manager of the team to attend the post-match press conference.

UEFA also stated that it had no problems with the performance of Turkish referee, Cuneyt Cakir, who sent off Nani during Man U’s match against Real Madrid. The Red Devils were leading 1-0, but the Spanish side scored two goals after the Portuguese player was shown the red card for posing a high challenge for Arbeola.


Sir Alex refused to show at the post-match press conference and sent assistant manger, Mike Phelan to answer the questions by the media. Mike stated that the manager of Manchester United FC was distraught after the loss against Real Madrid. UEFA has not made any statements regarding Rio Ferdinand’s sarcastic applause for Cakir.

Informing about the disciplinary proceedings, a statement from UEFA read, “UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United FC for the red card of Nani and post-match media obligations not fulfilled under III 2.6 and 2.7 of the competition regulations. The case will be dealt with by the UEFA control and disciplinary body on Thursday 21 March.”

There have been many opinions about the red card incident from former players and the debate is still on for deciding whether the referee was correct or not. Manchester United FC face Chelsea FC in an FA Cup tie on Sunday. Do you think the loss against Real will affect Man U’s performance against the Blues?

Manchester United transfer news: Is Wayne Rooney’s stay at Old Trafford over?

The tabloids have started spreading the word on Wayne Rooney’s transfer as Manchester United FC latest news reports state that Sir Alex has apparently lost faith in the English star. The transfer news reports affiliated with Wayne Rooney went into overdrive as the Red Devils manager decided to bench him against Real Madrid in their Champions League encounter.

Many former Man U players have stated that Rooney’s stay at Old Trafford is nearing its end and the axe against Real has reportedly made it even clear. The English star was reported to be furious after being left out of an important match, which the Red Devils lost. Considering the encounter against Real Madrid, Danny Welbeck and Nani dominated the Spanish side, which hints towards the exit of Rooney.


Wayne Rooney has been a major attraction at Old Trafford, but since the arrival of Robin Van Persie, some might suggest that the importance of the English star has considerably reduced. With Persie doing most of the scoring this season, Sir Alex might be looking to sell Rooney at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old is priced at £35 million and Daily Star reports that Manchester United FC will look for a buyer at the end of the season for offers around or higher than £20 million. Rooney will be out of contract at the end of the 2014-15 season. With rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford looming large, Rooney could be on his way out, paving way for a grand return.

One thing which is certain about the speculations of Rooney’s transfer is that there will be many takers for the English star. Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly waiting in lurk for signing Rooney. Do you think Sir Alex should sell Wayne Rooney?

Arsenal transfer news: Carl Jenkinson, Victor Wanyama, Yaya Sanogo

Arsenal FC transfer news reports confirm that the Gunners are looking for major changes as the summer transfer window approaches. Full-back Carl Jenkinson has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester City as reports suggest that the Etihad side is monitoring the English international. Earlier this season, Wenger had stated that Jenkinson was not available and might repeat the same stance this time too.

The Gunners are reportedly looking to ship off Bacary Sagna and replace him with Daryl Janmaat of Feyenoord. Sagna has been offered an extension of one-year, which expires at the end of the next season. Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, a Gunners target, has set the speculations about his future at the club, as he expressed uncertainty over it after Celtic’s loss to Juventus.


Talking after being outclassed by Juventus, Wanyama said, “What I don’t know is whether we will all be together next season. I hope so, but no one knows yet. I believe if we stay together, we can get better. We just have to wait and see.” Manchester United FC has also been tracking the midfielder’s progress.

Another Arsenal FC target, Andreas Cornelius, has intended towards moving to the Premier League, but the Danish footballer ruled out a move during the summer transfer window. Barcelona FC are looking to sign the Gunners captain, Thomas Vermaelen as the Catalans try and build their defence, which has been faltering in recent times.

Arsene Wenger was reported to meet Auxerre star, Yaya Sanogo during his side’s week off. The Gunners boss travelled to Paris accompanied by his head scout, Gilles Grimandi hoping for a possible deal. Sanogo is out of his contract this June making him available for a transfer during the summer transfer window.

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