Official: Giovinco to join Toronto from Juventus

<img alt="Official: Giovinco to join Toronto from Juventus" src="http://static.goal.com/616500/616571_heroa.jpg" /><br /><a name="more"></a>Sebastian Giovinco<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> will move from Italian champions </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/teams/italy/3/juventus?ICID=PP_14433" style="background-color: white; color: #007954; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Juventus</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> to </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/teams/canada/toronto/7977" style="background-color: white; color: #007954; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Toronto FC</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> at the end of the season after the MLS club confirmed the deal on Monday. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The 27-year-old forward came through the youth system at the </span><span class="rpo0k12cd5" id="rpo0k12cd5_7" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Juventus</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> Stadium but has struggled for regular playing time over the last two seasons.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Giovinco has made 130 appearances for Juve - scoring 20 goals and providing 23 assists - but will leave the club for Toronto at the end of the current campaign, when his current contract with Juve expires.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The 21-cap </span><span class="rpo0k12cd5" id="rpo0k12cd5_4" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Italy</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> man spoke of his excitement at agreeing the move, while stating his intention to finish strongly with Juve.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"I am excited to sign with </span><span class="rpo0k12cd5" id="rpo0k12cd5_8" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Toronto FC</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> today and look forward to joining the club this summer," he told his new club's official website.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"I have heard so many great things about Toronto over the years and I know that it will be a city that I feel right at home in.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"Until then, I have many things I still want to accomplish for Juventus and our fans. I will always give my heart and soul for Juve until I change shirts this summer."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Toronto completed the signing of </span><span class="rpo0k12cd5" id="rpo0k12cd5_1" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">United</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> States forward Jozy Altidore from Sunderland last week - with Jermain Defoe going the opposite way.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Head coach Greg Vanney feels Giovinco can form an important part of Toronto's new-look side ahead of the MLS season, which gets under way in March. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"</span><span class="rpo0k12cd5" id="rpo0k12cd5_6" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Sebastian Giovinco</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> is a complete player with the ability to not only create but also to score goals as he's proven throughout his </span><span class="rpo0k12cd5" id="rpo0k12cd5_2" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">career</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> in Italy," Vanney added.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"We are very excited for the 2015 season and adding another important piece to an already solid core group only makes us stronger."</span>

Official: Giovinco to join Toronto from Juventus

Sebastian Giovinco  will move from Italian champions  Juventus  to  Toronto FC  at the end of the season after the MLS club confirmed the de...

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Samuel Eto'o: Sampdoria set to sign Everton striker

<div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><img height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRiUW0VUrH-5IxmhIQSRBHwnIGDIAuCLoqKWPkWq-JBSu5SmGk2ow" width="400" /></div><a name="more"></a>The 33-year-old former Cameroon international joined the Toffees on a two-year deal in August, and has scored four goals in 20 appearances.<br /><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">"Eto'o should be here in Genoa on Tuesday," sporting director Carlo Osti told Italian broadcaster Telenord.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Sinisa Mihajlovic's side are chasing a <span class="ztqwr" id="ztqwr_2" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; outline-style: none; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Champions League</span> spot, behind third-placed Napoli on goal difference.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Eto'o was left out of the Everton team to face West Ham in the <span class="ztqwr" id="ztqwr_10" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; outline-style: none; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">FA Cup</span> last week after <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30807974" style="color: #5e789b; font-weight: bold; outline-style: none; text-decoration: none;">interest from clubs including Sampdoria.</a></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">He began his <span class="ztqwr" id="ztqwr_3" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; outline-style: none; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">career</span> at Real Madrid but made his name at their arch-rivals Barcelona.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">During his time at the Nou Camp, he won the Champions League twice - in 2006 and 2009 - scoring in both finals, as well as winning the Spanish league three times.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Eto'o moved to Inter Milan in 2009 as part of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's switch to Barcelona and went on to <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30885468#" id="_GPLITA_1" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzk4Nzg6MzI4NTp3aW5uaW5nOmE1OTAyYzY5NzhlNWUyYjU2OGU5YTllZTlmMjRhYTY2OnotMjI0Ny0xNjM4OTc1NDp3d3cuYmJjLmNvbToyMzU4NDM6NTY3NTFiYzI2ODg0YmNhYzUzYzNkYmViOTcxNzVkMmQ6YTIyNDUxNTQ1MjI2NDc4NjgzNjAyY2I2OGIyNjdjYTg6MTpkYXRhX3NzLDcyOHgxMzY2O2RhdGFfZmIsbm87OjQzNDg2MzA&subid=g-16389754-fc5c17e8276945018eb6b2590600404e-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; color: #5e789b; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; outline-style: none; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">WIN<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-size: 0.846em; height: 10px !important; line-height: 1.4546; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; outline-style: none; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> the Champions League again in his first season under Mourinho at the San Siro.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The four-time African Footballer of the Year scored 12 goals in 35 appearances for Chelsea last season after signing a one-year deal from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.</div>

Samuel Eto'o: Sampdoria set to sign Everton striker

The 33-year-old former Cameroon international joined the Toffees on a two-year deal in August, and has scored four goals in 20 appearances. ...

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Bafetimbi raises doubt on Swansea future

<div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: white; color: #a7a7a7; display: inline-block; max-width: 396px; width: 100%;"><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 150% 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 100%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="594" scrolling="no" src="//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/461034768?et=hEU_sxgeQ21Hxf0Pt770Cg&sig=cQYpL1yD5rGNkNfWP_Fwf-izdekEG1lInuOVX-NBghk=&caption=true" style="display: inline-block; height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" width="396"></iframe></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The 29-year-old </span></div><a name="more"></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">striker is unhappy about his lack of starts, with Wilfried Bony, <a href="http://soccerglee.blogspot.com/2015/01/omg-i-cant-believe-this.html">now sold to Manchester City,</a> preferred up front.</span><br /><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"When Bony was here, it was planned I should play a certain number of games, that wasn't the case," Gomis said.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Today, I <span class="a9o558" id="a9o558_2" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">ask</span> myself many questions. I need time to think."</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gomis also says that a number of rival Premier League clubs are interested in signing him during the January transfer <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30874376#" id="_GPLITA_2" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6NjQ5NTk6NDp3aW5kb3dzOjU1ZDk0ZDY5YTM2ZGMxNGI3YWYwYTQ3MmVhNDJiMTM5OnotMjI0Ny0xNjM4OTc1NDp3d3cuYmJjLmNvbToxOTYzMDc6MTJkYjBkZjkyNTI3MGJmOGU2MjY0ODBmNjQ5Mzk1MDE6YWJhY2YwNWYwZjQ0NDMxN2I2MWU1YzA0ZGExYTI2ODQ6MTpkYXRhX3NzLDcyOHgxMzY2O2RhdGFfZmIsbm87OjQ0MDA3NTE&subid=g-16389754-4a59b1a5ea584259b0e08f17f789547a-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; color: #5e789b; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">WINDOW<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; line-height: 1.4546; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a>.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I have been approached by clubs. I don't know what will happen. Me leaving? It is possible," Gomis added, speaking to the Canal Football Club on Canal Plus.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"It is planned that my entourage will meet with Swansea's representatives. Then I will have a discussion with my representatives to find the best solution.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want to stay abroad. It is true that I have had not a bad amount of approaches from clubs. "</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Arsenal, Newcastle and Crystal Palace have all been linked with a move for the France striker.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The former Lyon and St Etienne man joined the Swans on a free transfer in June 2014, but has been in Bony's shadow, scoring four goals in 23 appearances, mostly as a substitute.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But following Bony's departure to the Premier League champions for a fee that could rise to £28m, Swansea manager Garry Monk has made it clear that he now regards Gomis as his first-choice striker.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gomis has started for Swansea in the last four games, scoring two goals and rescuing a point against West Ham with a header that Mark Noble could only put into his own net.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I have the ambition to play a certain number of matches. I need time to reflect because what was said was not respected. At my age, it is difficult to spend my time sitting on the bench," Gomis said.</span></div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.35; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Gomis added that he has not ruled out returning to Saint-Etienne one day: "It is is a great story between Saint-Etienne and I. Today, it appears complicated but maybe one day. We have been in <span class="a9o558" id="a9o558_3" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 14px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">contact</span>."</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></div></div></div>

Bafetimbi raises doubt on Swansea future

The 29-year-old striker is unhappy about his lack of starts, with Wilfried Bony, now sold to Manchester City,  preferred up front. "Whe...

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Messi thrashes Deportivo

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;"><img src="http://level3.soccerladuma.net/cms2/image_manager/uploads/News/198349/7/default.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35;">Lionel Mes</span></div><a name="more"></a>si was at his best for Barcelona with a hat-trick as his side beat Deportivo 4-0 in a Spanish La Liga match at the Muicipal de Raizor on Sunday night.<br /><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">It was a quick start from Barcelona who opened the scoring after only ten minutes when Lionel Messi headed home a looping header after getting on the end of an Ivan Rakitic cross, 1-0.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Luis Suarez should have scored the away side’s second goal in the 23<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">rd</span> minute when David Iniesta slipped him clean through on goal, but with just the keeper to beat the Uruguayan flashed his shot wide.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Messi did double Barcelona’s lead in the 33<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">rd</span> minute with his second goal of the game after he broke into the box and dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net, 2-0.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Deportivo nearly hit back three minutes later when Cuenca was presented with a clear cut chance from eight-yards out, but he skied his shot from close range.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Barcelona had the last say of the half when Iniesta clipped a wonderful ball over the Deportivo defence for Suarez, but his shot from close range was well-saved in the 42<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">nd</span> minute.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Lionel Messi made certain of all three points for Barcelona on the hour mark after concluding his hat-trick when he cut into the box from the right flank and fired a shot into the far corner, 3-0.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Salt in the wounds of Deportivo was an own goal scored by Dani Sidnei as he attempted to clear a Dani Alves cross, 4-0.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Barcelona closed out the game with relative ease in a win that sees them move within one point of league leaders Real Madrid.</div>

Messi thrashes Deportivo

Lionel Mes si was at his best for Barcelona with a hat-trick as his side beat Deportivo 4-0 in a Spanish La Liga match at the Muicipal de Ra...

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Arsenal Masterclass Shock the Citizens

<div class="getty embed image" style="background-color: white; color: #a7a7a7; display: inline-block; max-width: 594px; width: 100%;"><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 73.400673% 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 100%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="436" scrolling="no" src="//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/461724990?et=_DXmmbD-Qd9OTGYpZ8DKyQ&sig=NUDVb6kHG9eI7MKFZBKjjnqIvl7dsyyCYRQddvb-y5I=&caption=true" style="display: inline-block; height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" width="594"></iframe></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: RobotoMedium, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Manuel Pellegrini's side failed to close the five-point gap to </span><span class="hcmkx3f95j" id="hcmkx3f95j_7" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: RobotoMedium, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Chelsea</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: RobotoMedium, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> at the top of the table</span></i></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud were </span></div><a name="more"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on target as Arsenal picked up a thoroughly impressive and richly-deserved three points at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.</span><br /><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arsène Wenger’s side took the lead midway through the first half when Cazorla converted from the spot after Vincent Kompany had felled <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/nacho-monreal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(30, 76, 146); color: #41465c; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;" title="Nacho Monreal player profile">Nacho Monreal</a>.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having dealt with a wave of pressure after the break, the Gunners made the game safe after 67 minutes. This time Cazorla turned provider, sending over a <span class="hcmkx3f95j" id="hcmkx3f95j_12" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">free</span>-kick for Giroud to nod beyond Joe Hart.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having showcased the fluid and attacking side to their game in recent matches, this was an altogether <span class="hcmkx3f95j" id="hcmkx3f95j_1" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">more</span> rugged performance - and one which will have pleased the boss immensely.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arsenal were committed and resilient against the Premier League champions, efficient when in possession and disciplined when not on the ball.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Gunners have been criticised of late for their failure to <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1415/post/first-team/54495/man-city-v-arsenal-match-report#" id="_GPLITA_3" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzk4Nzg6MzI4NTp3aW4gYmlnOmYxZTRjYjEwYmEyNTIxODcyNWIzMmUwZTIxZDQxMjhkOnotMjI0Ny0xNjM4OTc1NDp3d3cuYXJzZW5hbC5jb206MjM1ODQzOjU2NzUxYmMyNjg4NGJjYWM1M2MzZGJlYjk3MTc1ZDJkOmVjNDU2MGQ0YzhhMDQ3MWFhYzI1MmYxZWYxNjUxYTI4OjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo0NDY0MTA4&subid=g-16389754-7c2521672665437eb17aac3a967c0683-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(30, 76, 146); background: transparent !important; border: none !important; color: #41465c; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">WIN BIG<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> games away from <span class="hcmkx3f95j" id="hcmkx3f95j_13" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">home</span>. They answered those perfectly here, with a first <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1415/post/first-team/54495/man-city-v-arsenal-match-report#" id="_GPLITA_4" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzk4Nzg6MzI4NTp3aW5uaW5nOmEzNTgyNmUyMzU5ZDFjZTgyOGIxMTU3MjQ3MzIzOGRlOnotMjI0Ny0xNjM4OTc1NDp3d3cuYXJzZW5hbC5jb206MjM1ODQzOjU2NzUxYmMyNjg4NGJjYWM1M2MzZGJlYjk3MTc1ZDJkOjRkY2EwMTRlOTc3ZjQyY2I5OWI1YWIzN2U5Mjk3NDI5OjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo0MzQ4NjMw&subid=g-16389754-7c2521672665437eb17aac3a967c0683-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(30, 76, 146); background: transparent !important; border: none !important; color: #41465c; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">WIN<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> at Etihad Stadium since the 2010/11 season. With Southampton, Manchester <span class="hcmkx3f95j" id="hcmkx3f95j_3" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">United</span> and Tottenham Hotspur all having won on Saturday, this was a crucial result for Arsenal.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As things stand, the Gunners are just one point off the top four.</span></div></div></div>

Arsenal Masterclass Shock the Citizens

Manuel Pellegrini's side failed to close the five-point gap to  Chelsea  at the top of the table Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud were o...

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Team News: Man City Vs Arsenal

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="TEAM NEWS: Aguero starts for Manchester City but no place for Ozil or Walcott in Arsenal starting XI" src="http://static.goal.com/800500/800562_heroa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sergio Aguero</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Sergio Aguero </span><br /><a name="more"></a>has returned to the <span class="a25188me01u" id="a25188me01u_1" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Manchester City</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> starting line-up to face Arsenal, but Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil will start Sunday's clash on the bench.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The striker returned to action as a substitute in last weekend's </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4067/england/2015/01/18/8077402/team-news-aguero-starts-for-manchester-city-but-no-place-for?ICID=HP_BN_4#" id="_GPLITA_0" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzk4Nzg6MzI4NTp3aW5uaW5nOmVlYmMxMTBlMDg4NTM3YjgzZjUzNDI4ZTY3OTVjN2NiOnotMjI0Ny0xNjM4OTc1NDp3d3cuZ29hbC5jb206MjM1ODQzOjU2NzUxYmMyNjg4NGJjYWM1M2MzZGJlYjk3MTc1ZDJkOjE3ZTQ1NjMxMWRkMDQyMTJhMjU1OGU3NWM0NGZjMWQxOjA6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo0MzQ4NjMw&subid=g-16389754-e8e8300f2e7841efad4c7e6d4dd96fa8-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=DIV" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; color: #007954; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">WIN<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-image: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> over Everton, playing 23 minutes after overcoming a knee ligament injury, and is one of three changes as Vincent Kompany and James Milner also return.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Meanwhile, Eliaquim Mangala and Stevan Jovetic both drop to the bench and Samir Nasri misses out completely after suffering a calf during.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Arsene Wenger makes two changes from the team who beat </span><span class="a25188me01u" id="a25188me01u_6" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Stoke</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> last time out as Hector Bellerin coming in for the injured Mathieu Debuchy and David Ospina keeps his place in goal ahead of Wojciech Szczesny.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Manchester City</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas, Silva, Milner, Aguero.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Subs: Caballero, Mangala, Sagna, Kolarov, Lampard, Jovetic, Dzeko</em><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><span class="a25188me01u" id="a25188me01u_3" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; font-weight: normal; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Arsenal</span></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis, Giroud.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Chambers, Flamini, Rosicky, Ozil, Walcott.</em>

Team News: Man City Vs Arsenal

Sergio Aguero Sergio Aguero has returned to the  Manchester City  starting line-up to face Arsenal, but Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil will sta...

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Sebastian Giovinco is on his way to Major League Soccer, reports say.

<div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;"><img src="http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/photo/2014/0115/soc_g_Giovinco01jr_1296x729.jpg&w=738&site=espnfc" style="background-color: transparent;" />Juventus player Sebastian Giovinco has </div><a name="more"></a>signed a contract to join Toronto FC, according to reports in Canada.<br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">Giovinco, 27, will join Toronto FC on a four-year contract worth $7 million a year,<a href="http://www.tsn.ca/toronto-fc-signs-italian-international-giovinco-from-juventus-1.185336" style="color: #1eb848; text-decoration: none;">according to TSN</a>, though the timing of the move remains unclear.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">Toronto FC plans to announce Giovinco's new deal next week, the reports say. If the contract figure is accurate, Giovinco would become the second-highest paid player in Major League Soccer behind Orlando City's Kaka.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">The 5-foot, 5-inch Giovinco, who can play a variety of attacking positions, has found it difficult to break into the first team at Juventus this season, where he must compete with the likes Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">He has started just two Serie A games under Massimiliano Allegri, while also appearing as a substitute in four more league games and three Champions League matches. He scored twice in Juve's Coppa Italia match on Thursday.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">However, Giovinco has made regular appearances for the Italian national team since Antonio Conte took over as coach after the World Cup. He started in Italy's most recent friendly, against Albania in November.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">The move comes just days after Toronto FC signed another Designated Player, U.S. international striker Jozy Altidore. Together with midfielder Michael Bradley and Brazilian striker Gilberto, the addition of Giovinco would bring the number of Toronto's DPs to four, meaning the club would have to release one -- most likely Gilberto -- if the league's new collective bargaining agreement does not increase the number of DPs per team.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">TSN reported that Toronto will pay Juventus a "multi-million dollar transfer fee." The 27-year-old would be available on a free transfer once his Juventus contract expires this summer, but by moving now the MLS club would fend off competition from other interested parties in Europe. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">But </span><a href="http://www.juventus.com/juve/en/news/15_january_2015_timcup_juventus-hellasverona_allegri" style="color: #1eb848; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Allegri as recently as Thursday said</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, "Giovinco has never been up for sale. There's always plenty of talk, but he's never expressed a desire to leave."</span></div>

Sebastian Giovinco is on his way to Major League Soccer, reports say.

Juventus player Sebastian Giovinco has signed a contract to join Toronto FC, according to reports in Canada. Giovinco, 27, will join Toronto...

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