Today’s top stories:

Bild along with other sources are revealing that Barcelona are on the verge of completing a €20 million transfer for Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic. He is expected to receive a salary over €8 million per year. I will let you know as soon as that deal is completed.

Celtic has appointed Ronny Delia as manager of the club. The Scottish champions now have new manager and may have a new goaltender to join him.

Craig Gordon is in contract negotiations with Celtic FC, he is on the verge of completing his return to soccer following several knee injuries.

34 year old midfielder Seydou Keita has signed a one year contract with Roma. He looks to add to his impressive trophy collection, which included 14 trophies he won with Barcelona.

Zenit St. Petersburg has revealed their plans for construction on their unnamed stadium. Some really great looking proposals for the stadium which will be able to host football and hockey matches as well as other events. The stadium is expected to open next year and should be a good host site for the 2018 World Cup.

Metro is reporting that Tottenham could be making a £5 million bid for USMNT talent Julian Green.

Aston Villa has unveiled their first signing of the summer and it is defender Philippe Senderos. The 29 year old Swiss defender signed a 2 year contract with the club.

David Moyes has revealed that he has turned down two managerial offers and seeks a club with Champion’s League aspirations.

Chelsea has been all over the transfer rumors after it has been learned the club could spend up to £200 million this summer. With the Diego Costa signing all but wrapped up, they have now set their sights on Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas’ family is said to have enjoyed living in London and after Arsenal denied talks, Chelsea have been deemed front runners for his signature. Mourinho also announced that Frank Lampard is only taking a break from the club and can return after his playing career to any position he wants. He also said that Ashley Cole could be in his plans for next season.

Robert Pires has not played a competitive match since 2011, but that has not stopped him from signing a contract with Bombay to play in the Indian Super League starting in September. Would be the biggest star to sign for the league thus far.

Dutch defender John Heitinga has joined Hertha BSC.

Gennaro Gatusso has been appointed manager of Greek League side OFC Crete. He was sacked by FC Sion and Palermo last year. Best of luck as his managerial career continues.

AC Milan has completed the signing of former Chelsea and PSG defender Alex.

Inter president Erick Thohir has been cleared to buy out the club and clear their debts and will invest and estimated €200 million into the club. This move confirms Thohir’s status as the majority shareholder in the club.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said he would be open to an MLS switch in two years. He cited the success that has been found by Thierry Henry as a reason he would go.

Newcastle United has completed the signing of 20 year old striker Ayoze Perez to a long term contact. He comes to the club after a successful season with Tenerife and scored 16 goals in 34 matches with them.

Atletico Madrid are completing a signing for left back Guilherme Siqueira from Granada who has undergone a medical examination. He spent last season on loan at Benfica.

Finally today, during the friendly match between Honduras and Israel on June 1, Buthayna Hammad was removed from BBVA Compass Arena for waving a Palestinian flag in recognition of her Palestinian-American heritage. Security at the stadium determined it to be a racist gesture, despite her sitting with the Honduras fans. She was prohibited from returning to her seat until she surrendered the flag.

World Cup News:
American sports pundit Michael Wilbon hit out against USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann after Klinsmann questioned the American practice of giving aging sports stars like Kobe Bryant large contracts. Wilbon’s rant referenced Jurgen’s claim that the USMNT cannot win the World Cup before he told Klinsmann to get out of the country twice.

Keisuke Honda has claimed that Japan could be contenders to win the World Cup. Bold words from the captain there.

Roy Hodgson has made similar claims saying there is “No reason England cannot win the World Cup.” Says it would take 100% commitment and would be a big ask.

American referee Mark Geiger has earned a coveted assignment at the World Cup. Geiger was MLS Referee of the Year in 2011 and worked two games during the 2012 Olympics in London.

French Football journalist Julien Laurens is reporting that Franck Ribery is officially out of the World Cup for France.

Yesterday only had two matches:
Platense faced off against Temperley. It was a really tight affair between these two teams at the top of the Argentina Premiera Division B. Platense managed to get a valuable away win in their two legged promotion final thanks to Patricio Rodriguez’ goal in the 79th minute. He earned them the win, but the tie is not over and these teams will meet again on Monday.

The Montreal Impact has won their second consecutive Canadian Championship after winning 1-0 against Toronto FC. A half-volley from Felipe gave them the goal they needed to win 2-1 on aggregate over the two legs. Congratulations to the Impact.

On to our upcoming matches for today:
In the only MLS match of the evening, Kansas City will take on the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

On to our international friendlies which will match:

Russia against Morocco

Poland will face Lithuania

Guatemala takes on Ghana

Germany have a tune up match against Armenia

Brazil will meet Serbia in a great friendly matchup

Columbia will see Jordan

Croatia faces off against Australia

Japan takes on Zambia

Costa Rica meets the Republic of Ireland

Greece will face Bolivia


and finally Mexico will face Portugal who will be without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo