Arsenal and Manchester City monitoring Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir as club begins contract talks

Arsenal and Manchester City monitoring Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir as club begins contract talks

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring young Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir with a view to a move in the future.

According to French newspaper Le10 Sport, the Gunners are interested in signing the young Ligue 1 midfielder, who has been impressive for his club this season.

The 21-year-old has established himself as a key player for Lyon after breaking into the first-team last season. Fekir has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 17 league games this campaign.

Apart from the north London club, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are also said to be tracking the young U21 French international.

But the Lyon attacking midfielder's father has confirmed that if Fekir leaves the Ligue 1 club, he will be able to join Arsenal and develop his game under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger rather than sit on the bench at the Etihad Stadium.

"If he leaves, it will be for Arsenal. It is the only club that can enable him to progress, with Arsène Wenger. He will not go to Manchester City to sit on the bench," his father Mohamed Fekir said.

Moreover, the player himself has expressed delight at the Gunners' interest and hopes to play at a big club sometime in the future. But Fekir made it clear that for the moment he is very happy to be playing for his current employers.

But, Lyon are reluctant to let their young and upcoming star leave the club and the report claims that they have begun talks regarding a new and improved deal, despite the midfielder having four more years left on his current contract.

The Ligue 1 club' president Jean-Michel Aulas is adamant that the club keep their young stars, as he believes it is better to develop young players than bring in readymade stars.

"We have a young but talented workforce. Trusting them, we are in the right. In the long term, it will be more profitable than bringing an endless stream of stars. See them play well, it gives off something. Fekir is Messi. It shows right now is really impressive," Aulas said, as quoted by Le10 Sport.

Saudi Arabia's new King Salman promises continuity

Saudi Arabian King Salman has pledged continuity, hours after his accession to the throne following the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah.

The new king moved swiftly to appoint heirs and ministers, including one prince from the ruling dynasty's third generation.

King Abdullah died overnight, weeks after being admitted to hospital with a lung infection.

He was buried in an unmarked grave in Riyadh, following Friday prayers.

His burial was conducted in line with the traditions of Wahhabism - the ultra-conservative form of Sunni Islam followed by the kingdom - where funerals are austere and simple.

King Abdullah's body was wrapped in a shroud, and buried in a public cemetery after prayers attended by Gulf heads of state and some foreign leaders.

'Correct policies'

Within hours of acceding to the throne, King Salman, 78, vowed to maintain the same policies as his predecessors.

"We will continue adhering to the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment," he said in a speech broadcast on state television.

The new king wrote on his official Twitter account: "I ask God to help me succeed in my service of the dear [Saudi] people."

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says he will not rush teenager Martin Odegaard into first-team action.
The 16-year-old midfielder, who has won three caps for Norway, joined the La Liga leaders in a £2.3m transfer from Stromsgodset earlier this week.
Despite training with the first team, he will start off playing for Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserves.
"It's difficult to think that Odegaard could play in the first team straight away," said Ancelotti.
"He's very young, we have to be patient with him, but we're all convinced he will be an important player for Real Madrid. With his qualities and his intelligence, he represents the future of this team."
Ancelotti has also said 24-year-old defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi will not leave the club during the January transfer window.
The Spain Under-23 international moved to Real Madrid in a £34m transfer from Real Sociedad in July 2013, but has only started three La Liga games this season and has been linked with a move to either Athletic Bilbao or Premier League side Arsenal.
"He hasn't played much recently but that does not alter the confidence we have in him and his importance to the dressing room and the team," added Ancelotti.
Real Madrid, one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of La Liga, will be without midfielder Isco (muscle fatigue) for their away game at Cordoba on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with Illarramendi or Sami Khedira set to replace him.

Lucas Silva: Real Madrid to sign Brazil Under-21 midfielder

Real Madrid have reached a deal to sign midfielder Lucas Silva from Brazilian club Cruzeiro on a long-term contract for a reported transfer fee of £9.7m.
The 21-year-old has signed a contract keeping him with the European champions until June 30, 2020, although he still has to pass his medical.
Silva has represented Brazil at Under-21 level and has helped his club side win the league in 2013 and 2014.
Real bought 16-year-old midfielder Martin Odegaard earlier this week.
That transfer cost the club £2.3m with Odegaard, who has already won three caps for Norway, signing from Norwegian side Stromsgodset.
Silva is set to be presented to the club's fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Monday.
European champions Real are currently one point clear at the top of La Liga.

Man Utd: Everything against us in FA Cup tie - Louis van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal claimed everything was against his side after a goalless draw against Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round.

Ramadel Falcao and Angel Di Maria both went close at the Abbey Stadium.

But Van Gaal's side failed to break down the League Two outfit as they secured a replay at Old Trafford.

"Every aspect of the match is against us - the pitch, the referee. Everything that you can think about this is against you," Van Gaal said.

"The opponents also always give a lot more than normal. Also the fans of course, but that is nice I think and the atmosphere here was fantastic."

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FA Cup: Cambridge United 0-0 Man United highlights

The former Netherlands coach felt his side fell into the trap of not playing their natural game in the first half, a mistake he said they also made in the last round against Yeovil Town and in their Premier League game against QPR.

"We make the same error as against Yeovil Town and against QPR, we did the same playing style more or less in the first half," Van Gaal explained.

"Then I have to be angry again [with the team at half-time]. In the second half we did much better but OK we are not out of the Cup. That is the most important thing."

Van Gaal maintains the FA Cup is a key competition for the Red Devils this season with the Premier League title seemingly out of reach.

United last won the competition in 2004 and with no European football this season the 63-year-old remains desperate to progress.

"The FA Cup is very important - it is the most important title for us," added the Dutchman.

"To win the Premier League is much more difficult now, so the FA Cup is our objective also."

Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love!

Comedy · Slice of Life

Teenage boys are notoriously lazy, and the members of Binan High School's Earth Defense Club are no exception. Their definition of “earth defense” is bumming around all day at the local bathhouse. But when a pink wombat appears out of thin air and begs the boys to help him save the planet, even the idlest high schoolers jump to action. Watch the magical boys transform and save the earth with the power of LOVE!

(Source: Funimation)

Military!

Comedy · Military

The story centers on an ordinary otaku high school student Souhei Yano. One day, two female soldiers from Principality of Krakozhia, Lieutenant Rtgalnikov and Second Lieutenant Haruka suddenly appear in their tanks as his guards. Then an assassin girl from the Grania Republic named Shachirofu also arrives the town to kill him. Unfortunately, none of the girls care about using firearms in or around private houses at all....

(Source: Crunchyroll)

Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen SC

Comedy

The warriors who have been warped by the rampaging power of Justice have been summoned into the world of Xanadu. It is up to Dark Fact, a former villain, and principal Lappi to re-educate these students.

(Source: AniDB)

Absolute Duo

Action · Ecchi · Fantasy · Harem · Romance · School · Supernatural

The story begins with Blaze — a weapon that is the manifestation of a human's soul. Tōru Kokonoe happens to be qualified for this, but for some reason his Blaze is not a weapon, but a shield. Moreover, he enrolled in a school that teaches combat skills, and thanks to the school's Duo partner system, he ends up living with a beautiful silver-haired girl.

(Source: ANN)

Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD

Action · Comedy · Seinen

In the story, the Great Era of Detectives — when detectives and thieves with a power known as "Toys" compete — has given way to the Great Era of Idols. However, someone starts stealing the idols' songs in Yokohama. When super idol Marine Amagi's hit song "Kiseki no Uta" (Miracle's Song) is stolen, she enlists the detectives of Milky Holmes.

(Source: ANN)

Tsukimonogatari: Yotsugi Doll

Comedy · Mystery · Romance · Supernatural

The time is February, after the ordeal with Nadeko Sengoku was resolved thanks to Deishu Kaiki working behind the scenes. As Koyomi Araragi studied for that last push before the college entrance exams, a change to his physical body that "could not be overlooked" was starting to happen. The difference that could be described as retribution for all his past action is...!?
(Source: Anime Consortium Japan)

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Arsenal and Manchester City monitoring Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir as club begins contract talks