21 May 2013 21:08

Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo has revealed he is set to join Arsenal when his contract expires and is relishing playing in the Premier League.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have long been linked with a move for the 20-year-old forward, with manager Arsene Wenger recently confirming that a deal to bring Sanogo to the club was close to completion.

Sanogo admitted he had received offers from a number clubs, but insisted that the London side were always his number one choice.

He told Sky Sports: “Arsenal could be a great club for me, I scored nine goals this season with Auxerre and they think I can improve my level in England.

“I am pleased to be following in the footsteps of Abou Diaby who came through from Auxerre.

“There are many teams interested in me, but Arsenal is my choice.”

Sanogo’s nine goals for Auxerre this season have come in 12 appearances for the Ligue 2 club.

21 May 2013 21:05

Saint-Etienne manager Christophe Galtier has signed a new two-year extension to keep him with the club until 2016.

Galtier has enjoyed great success at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard this campaign, guiding the club to victory in the Coupe de la Ligue and keeping them in contention for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The 46-year-old, who took over from Alain Perrin in 2009, was honoured for his efforts at the Ligue 1 awards on Sunday, sharing the Coach of the Year award with Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti.

And he has now received further justification of his talents with the 10-time Ligue 1 champions making no secret of their desire to keep him at the club.

A statement of Saint-Etienne’s official website read: “The board of AS Saint-Etienne would like to thank Christophe Galtier for the quality of his work and his commitment to the club.

“A first assessment of the current season has been established and a reflection is committed on the prospects for next season.

“The (board) meeting also served to extend the contract of Christophe Galtier until 30 June 2016.”

Saint-Etienne sit fourth in Ligue 1, two points behind local rivals Lyon, who occupy the third and final UEFA Champions League spot, with one game to go.

Galtier’s men will seal a place in Europe’s top club competition if they win at Lille and Remi Garde’s side fail to take all three points against Rennes.

“It’s a tough league and it does become a long old season once you get through the Christmas period and into February, it does start to catch up with you a bit,” the 28-year-old told Everton’s official website.

“It’s about living right then, taking your rest if you get it and doing all the right things off the pitch to try to keep you in a position where you can keep getting out there on the pitch.

“You work hard every day when you come in, you trust the physios and the things they tell you to do; the fitness coaches, I try to abide by the rules that they set.

“And you get the results in the end and I managed to stay fit. There’s obviously a luck element as well, steering clear of bad tackles or whatever.

“But it’s a nice little achievement. These little things are always nice.”

Despite losing 2-1 to Chelsea on Sunday, in what was David Moyes’ last game as Everton manager, Baines said he was not too downhearted.

“It’s football and the way it goes,” he said.

“If we’d gone ahead in the game we would have tried to see it out. Unfortunately in football, it sometimes kicks you in the teeth when teams go up the other end and score.”

21 May 2013 20:28

The future of Stoke manager Tony Pulis is shrouded in doubt after reports suggested that he had parted company with the club.

Pulis’ position at the Britannia Stadium was the subject of scrutiny earlier in the season with his side very much in danger of relegation from the Premier League.

However, the 55-year-old had been expected to keep his job after steering the club away from trouble, but it now appears the Stoke hierarchy have opted to change course following a campaign of little progress.

Reports on Tuesday indicated that Pulis has left his position following talks with chairman Peter Coates, although the club have yet to make an official announcemnt.

Pulis’ first spell at Stoke began in 2002, where he managed to help them avoid relegation from Division One before being sacked in 2005 following a dispute with the club’s Icelandic owners.

However, the former Plymouth and Portsmouth boss was re-appointed in 2006, and successfully guided them to the Premier League within two seasons, and has since established them as a top-flight side.

21 May 2013 20:12

Swansea City goalkeeping coach Adrian Tucker has praised the club’s two stoppers for their roles this season.

Both Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel have been involved as Michael Laudrup’s side secured a top-ten finish in the Premier League, as well as the Capital One Cup.

Tucker feels Vorm has built on his impressive first season with the club, while Tremmel also weighed in with a number of impressive apperances in the Capital One Cup.

“Both goalkeepers have worked extremely hard this year. Michel started the season as number one but after suffering that injury against Manchester City, Gerhard came in and took his opportunity well,” Tucker told the club’s official website.

“I think he has surprised a few people, which has been fantastic and Michel has done equally well when he has played.

“Michael (Laudrup) was adamant that Gerhard would play in the cup games, regardless of whether we reached the final. From his point of view, it has been a massive bonus to play in those games and he has thoroughly deserved his opportunity.

“It is a difficult position to be in, but as long as you remain focussed and give everything in training then you will be confident enough to step in and do the job when required.”

While both players remain intent on being number one goalkeeper, Tucker says there is a good rapport between the two.

“It’s a really positive relationship,” he said.

“From a respect point of view, they have probably gained even more off respect from each other for their performances this season.

“Gerhard has played his number of games and they work well together and know that they are both very good goalkeepers.”