Chelsea very close to completing another mega transfer
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea have all but completed a move for Brazilian striker Hulk. FC Porto have reportedly accepted a £40 million offer for their star man, who scored 21 goals as they won back to back titles.

Brendan Rodgers agrees deal to become new Liverpool manager

Brendan Rodgers has agreed a deal to become the new Liverpool manager.

The 39-year-old will sign a three-year contract at Anfield and his appointment is likely to be officially confirmed within 24 hours.

Liverpool are negotiating a compensation package - expected to amount to between £4m and £5m - with Swansea to secure Rodgers' services.

Liverpool sacked former manager Kenny Dalglish on 16 May after finishing eighth in the Premier League.

The Reds were 17 points away from a Champions League qualification spot, but won the League Cup and reached the FA Cup final.

In contrast, Northern Irishman Rodgers guided his Swansea side to an impressive first season in the top flight, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool on the final day of the season.

After parting ways with Dalglish, Liverpool embarked on an extensive search for a new manager.

The Reds were linked not only with Rodgers and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez but also former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, ex-England coach Fabio Capello, and Ajax manager Frank de Boer.

Rodgers declined the opportunity to speak to Liverpool about the vacancy 12 days ago, and instead the club's hierarchy sought a meeting with Wigan's Martinez.

But it appears Rodgers was always the preferred candidate, despite Wigan chairman Dave Whelan at one point suggesting his manager had been offered the job at Anfield.

Swansea released a statement from chairman Huw Jenkins on the club's website on Wednesday, which read: "I was contacted by Liverpool last night and they expressed their wish to speak to Brendan regarding their vacancy.

"I had a discussion with Brendan to talk about their interest and his views on whether he wanted to speak to Liverpool.

"He expressed his wish with me to do that and he has spoken to Liverpool today.

"Following on from discussions with Liverpool's owners, Brendan has informed us that he would like to take up their offer to manage Liverpool.

"At the moment we are currently in talks with the owners to agree compensation.

"We are trying to finalise that within the next 24 hours."

Rodgers' managerial career began at Watford in 2008 after coaching spells at Reading and Chelsea.

His return to Reading was an unhappy one but, after his appointment as Swansea boss in July 2010, Rodgers guided his Welsh side to promotion to the top flight in May 2011, making Swansea the first Welsh team to reach the Premier League.

Former England striker Gary Lineker, tweeted: "I feel this could be a very shrewd appointment. Totally gets the way the game's evolving."

Abramovich will tempt Guardiola with £11 million a year offer Posted on May 30, 2012 by admin
The Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich must have said something to impress Pep Guardiola. The 41-year old announced that he was stepping down after four years managing FC Barcelona. He was exhausted, he said, and was planning a year out of football to recharge his batteries.

Jose Mourinho reacted with scorn, saying that he was older, had managed for longer and was not tired, but he was not a footballer for long and never played at a decent level. Whatever, Guardiola’s mind was made up and Barcelona appointed his assistant as the new manager.

Abramovich thought that he might as well talk to Guardiola before he made his decision about who would be managing Chelsea next season. Maybe he would be able to persuade him to commit to Chelsea after his lay-off and so whoever was offered the job, it would only be for a year. Pep then said that he might cut short his break if a club was to tempt him.

Roman is planning to tempt him alright, £11 million a year and renewed vigour in the transfer market. Eden Hazard is already on his way to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are planning to fight Manchester City all the way. Winning the Champion’s league seems to have given Abramovich a new lease of life. You do have to feel a little sorry for Roberto Di Matteo, but he has now got a great CV.

Come on you Blues