Today’s top stories:
Swansea City have agreed to a £6.5 million fee with FC Twente for Dutch striker Luc Castaignos. He scored 14 goals in 31 games last season, a great season for the 21 year old. I’m sure that anybody familiar with Football Manager will know that name, he always seemed to develop into a monster.

France Football is circulating a rumor that PSG are preparing a €75 million transfer fee for Eden Hazard. In other Hazard news, Chelsea has announced that Hazard will wear the number 10 shirt next season, changing from 17.

In other news from the Hazard family, Eden’s brother Thorgan, who is owned by Chelsea is a desired loan target for several clubs including Liverpool, Everton, and Valencia. He won the Belgian Golden Shoe award for the best player in the league last season.

Ronny Delia is now considered to be the top candidate for the Celtic manager position. He’s coming off a very successful season with Stromsgodset, who he led to their first Tippeligaen title in 41 years.

Fulham has announced that they have released Brede Hangeland, who is now free to find a new club.

The Daily Mail has reported that Liverpool have activated the minimum fee release clause in Emre Can’s contract with Bayer Leverkusen with a bid of £9.75 million. Report suggests the deal could be done this week.

Inside Futbol is reporting that Thomas Muller is interested in discussing his role at Bayern Munich after the team have brought in striker Robert Lewandowski. He has been linked to Manchester United, where former Bayern Munich manager Louis Van Gaal was recently hired as manager.

The Telegraph is reporting that Sunderland could be making an £8 million bid for Valencia midfielder Ever Banega. Banega was left off of Argentina’s final World Cup squad. In other Sunderland news, Seb Larsson has extended his contract to 2017.

Rayo Vallecano have completed the double signing of Derek Boateng and Antonio Amaya. Amaya is returning to the club where he began his career, The Ghana defender Boateng continues his journeyman ways after only playing 3 matches for Fulham last season.

Football Oranje is reporting that Ronald Koeman is in England and that he is possibly finalizing a deal that will make him manager of Southampton. More on that if a deal is finalized.

Sporting Kansas City has completed a move to send Oriol Rosell to Sporting Club Portugal. Under MLS transfer rules, the club will receive 2/3 of the undisclosed fee.

Multiple sources are reporting that Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa could be on the move to Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid have announced a deal for keeper Miguel Moya from Getafe. Possibly paves the way for Thibaut Courtois’ exit.

Finally today, Kenny Miller has signed with Rangers for the third time.

World Cup News:
It is being reported that Cristiano Ronaldo has multiple fitness concerns which include a muscle injury to the back of his left thigh and a case of patellar tendonitis in his left left. It is rough to be the king.

YahooSports are reporting that the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paolo is not finished. On Sunday the stadium held a test match between Corinthians and Botafogo, but only 40,000 fans were admitted rather than the 65,000 expected for the World Cup. Fire officials have yet to stress test the temporary stand that will fill the remainder of the seats. Stadium construction was marred with two separate incidents including a crane collapse that killed two workers and another worker fell to his death while installing floors in the temporary stand previously mentioned.

Michel Platini has suggested that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was not discussed in meetings between him and alleged corruptor Mohamed Bin Hammam. As this corruption saga unravels, Platini’s role has come into question.

International friendlies from yesterday:
United Arab Emirates ran out 1-0 winners against Georgia. Habib Fardan scoring the winner there.

Austria defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 thanks to goals from Marcel Sabitzer and Julian Baumgarlinger. Thomas Horava getting the goal for the Czechs.

Switzerland scored two goals late in the second half to lift them over Peru 2-0. Stephan Lichtsteiner opened the scoring on a header and Xerdhan Shaqiri scored the second.

Neymar had a goal and two assists in a 4-0 victory for Brazil over Panama. He started off the scoring with a free kick, before Dani Alves scored the second of the match in the 40th minute. Neymar later sent Hulk through with a backheel pass for the match’s third goal. Neymar’s pass then allowed Willian the 4th goal of the match.

In a match in my home state of Pennsylvania, Greece and Nigeria played to a scoreless draw at PP&L Park.

Mexico took on Bosnia-Herzgovina last night in Chicago. Mexico looked disorganized and it showed in their 1-0 loss. Chicarito Hernandez hit the post with Mexico’s best first half chance. Izet Hajrovic’s then scored the matches only goal in the 41st minute, capping off a performance that snaps Mexico’s eight match win streak at Soldier Field.

Upcoming matches today/tonight:
In Major League Soccer action:
The Columbus Crew will face off against Real Salt Lake

And Colorado will take on the Chicago Fire

In our International friendlies for today:
Girbaltar will take on Malta in their third match as a footballing nation

Algeria will face Romania

Hungary square off against Albania

The Netherlands takes on Wales

Italy tune up against Luxembourg

Ecuador and England clash in Miami

Iceland face Estonia

Argentina take on Trinidad & Tobago

Uruguay will see Slovenia

Chile take on the might Northern Ireland


And El Salvador face Didier Drogba and Les Elephants from C’ote D’Ivoire