Manchester United lead race to sign Arsenal captain Vermaelen in cut-price deal

Manchester United are considering a fresh move for Thomas Vermaelen.

The Arsenal defender is out of contract at the end of next season and keen to move on to revive his career.

David Moyes was weighing up a move for the Belgium international earlier this year but changed his mind.

Struggled: Thomas Vermaelen only made 14 Premier League appearances for Arsenal last season

National service: Vermaelen is currently with the Belgium squad at the World Cup in Brazil

Vermaelen has suffered at Arsenal after a dip in form last year allowed Per Mertesacker to establish himself alongside Laurent Koscielny.

The 28-year-old is still club captain at Arsenal but only made 14 league appearances last season for Arsene Wenger's side.

United want an experienced centre back and a younger one with the idea the experienced one has knowledge of the Premier League.

Dynamic duo: Koscielny (left) and Mertesacker are Arsenal's first choice centre backs

Incoming United boss Louis van Gaal knows Vermaelen from his time playing for Ajax and believes he may be worth recruiting in a cut-price deal.

Vermaelen has had interest from Italy - notably Fiorentina - but the chance to play for United would be too good to turn down.

Vermaelen is currently with the Belgium squad at the World Cup so any deal is likely to be completed later in the summer.

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Pele: I fear Arsenal and Germany star Mesut Ozil and Bayern star Thomas Muller

The three-time world champion feels Joachim Low's side are one of the biggest contenders for the tournament and added that Bayern Munich made a mistake in not signing Neymar

Brazil icon Pele says he fears "every player" in the Germany World Cup squad - particularly Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil.

Germany have been drawn in Group G with Portugal, Ghana and USA and are seen as one of the favourites to win the tournament.

And Pele believes that, while he feels Brazil will claim a sixth world title on home soil, Joachim Low's men pose a genuine threat.

"Brazil are the favourites. We are playing at home and have a good team," he told Bild. "But I really respect Germany. They are the best team in Europa together with Spain, both are perfectly organised."
"I fear every German player with my heart. Mainly Thomas Muller and also Mesut Ozil. These players could be dangerous."

The three-time World Cup winner added he has spoken to Franz Beckenbauer about the strength of the Germany team, although he warned that the strongest side on paper does not always enjoy the greatest success.
"Franz told me that he is very satisfied with the German team. They have a lot of young top-talented players. The midfield is maybe as strong as ever.

"But great players don't automatically lead to success. In 1982, Brazil had the best team by far with stars like Zico, Socrates or Eder - but in the end Italy won the World Cup. The tournament is never predictable."
Pele was then asked if he feels Bayern Munich made a mistake in not signing Neymar at Pep Guardiola's request, to which he replied:

"Yes, if there is a chance to get Neymar you must take it. He improves every team in the world."

The 73-year-old also revealed he has been approached by several clubs to take over as coach but he has never been interested.

"I have been asked often if I want to become coach. Santos asked me every year since I stopped playing in 1974. Also Milan, Benfica and the Brazilian national team wanted me.

"But I never accepted these offers because the job would have made me crazy. I might have demanded too much of the players.

"As a coach you have to bear a lot. Coaches often suffer with the pressure. I always enjoyed sitting on the stands and not on the bench.
He joked: "I only would have thought twice if Bayern would have asked."

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Casillas may have lost on the pitch... but his wife lit up media centre

Stadium media centres are never the most glamorous of places with the press pack sweating over laptops. But Spanish World Cup games are a different affair.

The presence of Sara Carbonero, a TV reporter for Spanish crew Mediaset but slightly better known as the wife of Iker Casillas, certainly brightened up the place on Friday.

Glamorous: Iker Casillas' wife Sara Carbonero is a TV reporter for Spanish crew Mediaset

Vicente Del Bosque was at pains to emphasise that Spain are not Barcelona on the eve of battle.

Maybe so, but 45 per cent of his starting line-up - five of 11 - were plucked from the Nou Camp.

The Barca numbers in the squad were a little higher than reality with FIFA listing Cesc Fabregas with his former club and not Chelsea.

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Esporte Club Bahia are the usual home team at this gleaming stadium and they've been playing here for over a year.

However, one of their recent star turns, unluckily, left the club the month before they moved in - Kleberson.

The 2002 World Cup winner and one-time 'future of Manchester United's midfield' now plies his trade in the second tier in the US. Not one of Fergie's finest buys.

 

Louis van Gaal is famed for his meticulous planning but even by his own sky-high standards, the incoming Manchester United boss pulled off no mean feat.

Holland's starting team lined up with numbers 1 through 11 on their backs. Van Gaal might just have settled on his team a while back.

Happy Holland: Louis van Gaal high fives Robin Van Persie after the frontman's brilliant header against Spain

 

Dutch fans in their droves turned the streets of Salvador a blinding orange before the game and it was also hard to avoid former Oranje frontmen this week.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was the first to cause a stir at training mid-week and Pierre van Hooijdonk was mobbed by his countrymen outside the arena here.

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Spain hitman Diego Costa left to wonder what could have been after his controversial snub to hosts Brazil

The tiny town of Lagarto is 173miles from the Arena Fonte Nova. It's just over a two-hour drive, which in this country the size of a continent is the equivalent of popping down the road for bread and milk.
It's where Diego Costa was born and you'd imagine, where he kicked his first football. So this should have been a homecoming of sorts for the man leading the line for the world and European champions.
When his face came up on the big screen in Salvador with about 30 minutes to go, the 25-year-old probably got the sense that he wasn't going to be welcomed home with open arms. Boos and jeers pierced the afternoon air. It was only going to get worse.

Silenced: Diego Costa was booed by fans in Brazil as Spain were thrashed by Holland on Friday night

 

Costa was playing his first competitive international and winning his fifth cap here. The problem is that the previous four were split evenly between Spain and Brazil.  As recently as March last year he was wearing canary yellow and looked like he could be the future of the Brazilian frontline.
But that all changed in September when he got himself a Spanish passport and jumped ship to his adopted country. It sent Brazil into a rage. Luis Felipe Scolari fumed, accusing him of 'turning his back on the dreams of millions - to represent the national team in a World Cup in Brazil'.
The reaction may not have been so fierce though if Brazil didn't have a lack of attacking options the like of which they haven't known in recent times. As Fred laboured at times during Thursday's opener against the Croatians, Scolari had only Jo as an alternative. The presence of Costa might steel the hosts for a serious tilt at the sixth world crown.
There have been many other Brazilians who stood for another country's national anthem - Deco in Portugal and Eduardo in Croatia more recent examples - but none sparked as much vitriol as Costa's. That's undoubtedly because they weren't as badly needed as he is.

Crucial: Costa earned his side a penalty as Spain opened the scoring in the World Cup game

Costa will become another Chelsea mega-signing once the tournament ends after Jose Mourinho got clearance to trigger the £32million escape clause in his contract with the La Liga winners. He was to keep two other huge Blues buys - the £50m Fernando Torres and £26m Cesc Fabregas confined to the Spanish bench as Del Bosque asked him to lead the line.
He had his first opening on 13 minutes when David Silva sent him scurrying clear but Ron Vlaar, the Aston Villa man as impressive for his country here as he had been awful for Aston Villa this term, snuffed out the chance. Costa skewed another chance horribly wide five minutes later but he was soon to have his first major moment.
Again fed by Silva he invited Stefan de Vrij to overstretch and won a penalty that gave Spain the lead. All was briefly well in his world. But as the half closed out and at the other end Robin Van Persie soared through the Salvador skies to level, the service started to dry up. Things were beginning to take a turn for the worse - both for the striker and Spain.
By the time he was brought off, weary and sodden on 61 minutes, Spain trailed 2-1. He was to have a front row seat to the horror that followed. The team that only conceded two goals on the way to the 2010 World Cup had shipped five in 90 minutes.

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Song offered to Manchester United as Barca bid to offload ex-Arsenal man

Manchester United have been offered Alex Song from Barcelona.

The former Arsenal midfielder is available as Luis Enrique looks to fund buys for other areas.

The Cameroon midfielder left Arsenal in a £15million deal ahead of the 2012-13 season.

Heading back to England? Alex Song has been offered to Manchester United as the Luis Enrique era begins in Barcelona

It doesn't rain but it pours: Song's Cameroon fell to a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their World Cup opener

Song has been linked with a move to Liverpool and United, while the Gunners are also in the hunt for a holding midfielder.

The 26-year-old spent nine seasons at Arsenal, making 206 appearances and scoring 10 goals.

He became an integral part of Arsene Wenger's midfield plans during his time in north London, but has underwhelmed at the Nou Camp.

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Now Barca join race Liverpool in race for wantaway Saints defender Lovren

Barcelona have pinpointed Southampton's Dejan Lovren as they consider options for central defence.

The 24-year-old has told Southampton he wants to leave and has attracted interest from Liverpool also.

Tough start: Dejan Lovren suffered some rough justice in Croatia's World Cup opener after referee Yuichi Nishimura gave a debatable penalty

The central defender wrote an email to executive director Les Reed and chairman Ralph Krueger on May 30 with notice of his desire to leave St Mary's this summer.

In it, he outlined his ambition to play Champions League football next season and wants to move this summer.

On the move: Lovren has submitted a transfer request to leave Southampton with Barcelona rivalling Liverpool for his services

Lovren, 24, was signed from Lyon last summer for £7million and is determined to quit the club to stay in the Barclays Premier League with a top four team.

The defender, who was outstanding in his first Premier League season, is among a number of players who want to leave following the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham and Rickie Lambert to Liverpool for £4m.

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Get festival ready is a gorgeous graphic gown like Katy Perry

This is a dress and a half. Note the cocoon shape of the shoulders gliding effortlessly into that half sleeve and the way the pattern perfectly mirrors the shape of the body.

The quilted effect also sets it apart from your run of the mill summer printed shift as it gives it real structure. This dress doesn't just whisper 'hello pleased to meet you' it veritably shouts 'I have arrived let the the party commence!'

In fact rather like its wearer, warbler Katy Perry sporting a new green hair do which, strangely, looks rather fetching.

As do its designer, Alice Temperley this is a serious departure but we like it! Sure she's known for dressing boho babes but although this is indeed perfect festival wear it has some serious attitude. The long catwalk version has something of the 70s about it but Katy's version is eminently more wearable and cocktail party ready.

If you like this, other designers who make graphic prints their signature are Peter Pilotto and Holly Fulton. We're loving the River Island though!

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Go grey on the beach this summer

Not only is the entire cast of The Only Way Is Essex in Marbella at the moment but Jermaine Jenas and his wife Ellie have also landed at the uber glamorous Spanish resort. Footballers, WAGs and TOWIE... yep, pretty much how we imagine Marbella to be.
And Ellie is giving those Essex girls a run for their money as she turns heads at in her stylish grey two-piece. She has an amazing beach body which we're going to use as inspiration for getting ourselves bikini ready this summer.
Her steely look is by Lotty B which has unfortunately now sold out. But that doesn't mean we can't recreate her look with the power of the internet and the ever more brilliant virtual high street. What did we do before we could shop online in the comfort of our own homes?
For those with a healthy beach budget try the Melissa Odabash bikini at Asos below. It's got the luxurious design, fabric and metal detailing you'd expect but is in the sale so is worth buying now before it sells out.
Or keep things purse friendly with Topshop's lovely plaited version which at only £24 leaves plenty of money to spend while you're on holiday!

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Get a golden glow in Danielle's embellished bikini

The perfect bikini can be like gold dust to find, but Danielle Lloyd's latest holiday has shown she has found a winning formula.
Beach Bunny is one of her go-to brands, and she's not the only one. Their boudoir-inspired, often slightly risqué designs are also loved by the likes of Rihanna, the Kardashians and Coleen Rooney.
The bright lights of Las Vegas clearly inspired Danielle! She wore this gold sequinned two-piece, which also features beaded details and is perfect to offset sun kissed skin. It might be pricey, but you sure do get a lot of bang for your buck! Click (right) to buy yours now at Anna Lous.
You might not think that sequins and water mix, but for plenty of poolside glamour, it's the way forward. But if Danielle's doesn't float your boat, opt for embellishment, metallics, and sequins galore in your favourite bikini from our alternatives below. This Wonderland option will help you to shimmer and shine in the sun, or Boohoo's bargain is as good as gold!

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Get Ibiza beach ready in a vibrant tribal print bikini

Sure she's now starting to show properly but Rachel Bilson is still the belle of this beach, and is, no doubt, still putting a fair few of her fellow sunbathers to shame.

She is wearing a halterneck Aztec style print bikini top which Fashion Finder believes to be Mara Hoffman. The designer is a big fan of tribal style print PLUS if you look closely at the pictures of Rachel's rear view, you will spot those tell tale Hoffman signature multi weave straps.

We think it might be an old one though as we can't find it online so we're pointing you in the direction of a similar one by the designer instead.

The Aztec or tribal look has Ibiza written all over it and if Fashion Finder were looking to supplement its burgeoning bikini wardrobe we'd head to River Island as our first port of call!

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Steal some supermodel style in a pyjama top by Kate Moss

We love a Kate Moss sighting.
The supermodel always manages to give us plenty of fashion inspiration and reignites our love of her style and general awsomeness. And here she is in Italy in a lady like look that is a departure for this rock chick.
This full midi skirt is lovely on our Mossy and worn with lace up high heel sandals she looks elegant and very 'dolce vita'. And those with keen fashion eyes will also have noticed that Croydon's finest has worn one of her own designs for Topshop as a cover up.
This striped satin, button-through top is actually a pyjama style affair to be worn wth the matching wide leg trousers (below) but of course Mossy has styled it up in her own way wearing it as a blazer with just one button done up. She's just so cool it hurts.
Happily this is one of the pieces from her latest collection that is still available to buy so click through to Toppers now before it's gone for good. Or perhaps you'd prefer her floral version which also comes with co-ordinating bottoms...
Either way these luxurious tops will be a key piece in your wardrobe for seasons to come.

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Don't be sheer shy in an embroidered blouse like Melissa's

Australian actress Melissa George starred in an Agent Provocateur advert when she was two months pregnant, so she was never going to let a little thing like giving birth hold her back when it came to red carpet style.
Just four months on from the arrival of her son, she attended the Convivio 2014 charity event wearing high waisted tailored trousers and this daring embroidered top. Once you've manage to get past the supersized shoulders, you notice it's sheer. Pretty much completely sheer. She's most famous for her role in Home and Away as Angel Parrish, but she's not an angel anymore!
You can thank Rihanna for the sheer trend that we've seen everywhere this season. Remember the mesh top she wore at Paris Fashion Week? Or the totally transparent dress she rocked on the red carpet of the CFDA Awards earlier this month?
But you've got nothing to fear when it comes to sheer. The options we've found for you would look even better when worn over your bikini on holiday (because what's the point in splashing out on swimwear, only to go and cover it up?) or with a bralet beneath it back home.

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Make waves in Fran's monochrome bikini

Life really is good for the cast of TOWIE right now. They've swapped the bars of Brentwood for the beaches of Marbs and are taking every opportunity to soak up some sun in their itsy bitsy bikinis.
Whilst Jasmin Walia went bright and beautiful in her bold Ashish x Topshop bikini for today's poolside antics, Grace Andrews, Georgia Kousoulou and Fran Parman all got the more muted memo.
Fran's bust boosting bikini particularly caught our eye with those front and side cut outs. It might give her some rather interesting tan lines, but it's an easy way to stay on trend when it comes to swimwear. And although it looks like she splashed out on this one, it's actually from River Island. Click (right) to buy yours now.
Bikini buying can be a complete nightmare, so we've saved you the trouble of trekking around the shops to try them all on with our round up of the best black and white bikinis. This Asos contrast option is top of our list - just team with wedges and a colourful kimono for true TOWIE vibes.

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Give your bikini the edge with mesh stripes from New Look

When it comes to poolside style, nobody does it better than the Essex ladies. They're back in their natural habitat, Marbella, so we can expect to see pool parties aplenty, as well as a whole load of wedge heels, kimono cover-ups and super glamorous bikinis.
Grace Andrews is a bit of a newbie, but she's already got beach chic down to a T. She showed off her gorgeous figure and TOWIE tan in this black mesh striped two-piece. And just when we thought every bikini this lot had packed in their suitcases was custom made, Grace's is from the trusty old high street! It's from New Look and you can buy it now by clicking the link (right).
Thanks to the sports luxe trend, mesh has turned up everywhere this season. We've spotted sheer panels on dresses, tops, bodysuits, skirts... in fact just about everything! And although it's only two tiny pieces of material, there's no reason why you can't tap into the trend when it comes to your swimwear.
But if, like us, you've got a bit of a bikini habit (you need at least two for every day of your holiday!), check out the mesh swimwear we've sourced for you below.

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Earn your stripes in Alex's Reebok top

With England's first World Cup game taking place tomorrow, the team are training hard over in Brazil. But back home, the WAGs are hot on their heels, hitting the gym to keep up with their other halves!
We're definitely a fan of Alex Gerrard's style. She always goes seriously high end and she doesn't rest on her laurels when it comes to workout wear. You won't catch her in old leggings and a tired tee!
She looked ready for action in this striped Reebok vest, which she teamed with New Balance trainers, her favourite Givenchy bag and a pair of aviator shades. We love the racerback style and the contrast yellow stripes on the reverse. Plus, it's even got a built in sports bra, so you're getting two for the price of one!
This turquoise colourway is now all sold out, but it's available in five other options on the Reebok site (click right). And since Alex is giving us just enough motivation to get up and go, we're going to need more than one gym outfit. Get the shorter version of her top in the edit below, where you can also find our favourite similar styles.

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Join the jet set in a classic bikini by Vix

The World Cup has officially kicked off, so we're on WAG watch. England captain Steven Gerrard's wife Alex isn’t even in Brazil but she sure has got hot holiday style down to a fine art!
With a wardrobe packed full of designers like Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney and Saint Laurent, she always goes luxe, so of course her suitcase is full of high end swimwear too. We love the classic slider bikini she's wearing here, which is by Vix.
A brand named after a beach in Brazil (appropriately enough!), which is home to designer Paula Hermanny, Vix has found fans around the world. Kim Kardashian, Coleen Rooney and Cameron Diaz are just some of the A-listers that love the label.
She seems to have a Vix bikini in every colour, because only recently she wore one in lilac. We can't quite work out whether it's thanks to the Ibiza sun, or if she's got an exclusive shade, but we love the teal hue of this one. You can, however, buy the classic black option with Vix's signature sliders at Matches (click right) or check out the similar styles we've found for you in the edit below.

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Steal Amal's style in her Stella McCartney floral jeans

George Clooney isn't the only one to fall in love with Amal Alamuddin. We've got the biggest crush on this amazing woman.
Obviously she is very beautiful (with perfect hair) but Amal is also incredibly clever and is a human rights barrister and activist to boot. How can normal women ever compete? It's no wonder George was begging her for a date.
And to top it all off, Amal is super stylish. She's perfected the knack of always being appropriately dressed whether representing her high profile clients or running errands on an off-duty day.
And this cute daytime look is adorable. She's showing off her slender frame in this cute pink cropped top but how cool are her jeans? They're by Stella McCartney and we love the pale blue hue and floral pattern. Buy them now, in the sale no less, at Ssense by clicking the link on the right.
Then style like Amal with a pastel top, simple sandals and oversized shades or dress them up for night with high heels and a silk camisole. We can't promise you'll bag a Clooney but you'll be one step closer.

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Go green in a turquoise dress by Goat

Myleene Klass looks like she's having a ball as a panellist on daytime talk show, Loose Women.
And we've also noticed that the television presenter and ex-Hearsay singer has also been taking a break from wearing her own collection for Littlewoods, which she is spotted in on an almost daily basis.
Instead, today Myleene wore a statement turquoise dress by British label Goat, a favourite of stylistas like the Duchess of Cambridge, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Victoria Beckham to name a few.
This is a really flattering cut that will work on all body shapes. Cut on the knee it's a sophisticated length while the detail on the waist helps to focus the attention on the slimmest part of the body and create curves. The block colour is a great option for summer ensuring Myleene stands out from the crowd. Buy a similar version of her dress from the Goat online store now. With short sleeves it's great for disguising any upper arm issues.
Or steal Myleene's style for less by taking a look at our selection of turquoise dresses below. Warehouse has our top pick or accentuate your waist even more in a belted number by Oasis.

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Get a golden glow in Danielle's embellished bikini

The perfect bikini can be like gold dust to find, but Danielle Lloyd's latest holiday has shown she has found a winning formula.
Beach Bunny is one of her go-to brands, and she's not the only one. Their boudoir-inspired, often slightly risqué designs are also loved by the likes of Rihanna, the Kardashians and Coleen Rooney.
The bright lights of Las Vegas clearly inspired Danielle! She wore this gold sequinned two-piece, which also features beaded details and is perfect to offset sun kissed skin. It might be pricey, but you sure do get a lot of bang for your buck! Click (right) to buy yours now at Anna Lous.
You might not think that sequins and water mix, but for plenty of poolside glamour, it's the way forward. But if Danielle's doesn't float your boat, opt for embellishment, metallics, and sequins galore in your favourite bikini from our alternatives below. This Wonderland option will help you to shimmer and shine in the sun, or Boohoo's bargain is as good as gold!

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