Neymar flown home to Sao Paulo by helicopter to begin his recovery

A day after he was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup, Brazilian striker Neymar was flown to his home in Guaruya, Sao Paulo by medical helicopter to begin his recovery.

Neymar was first flown to Brazil’s training ground in Rio where he had a tearful re-union with his team-mates, he then waved to hundreds of fans and media before taking off along with his father.

The 22year old striker fractured a verterbra on Friday after Colombian player Juan Zuniga smashed his knee into his lower back. Speaking about the injury, a tearful Neymar said in a video

“My World Cup has not ended, it has been interrupted by a play but the tournament goes on and I told my team-mates to do everything in order to help me achieve my dream to be world champion,’ Neymar said

Arsenal want Kostas Manolas

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Olympiacos defender Kostas Manolas this summer.

The centre-back, who impressed for Greece at this summer’s World Cup, is believed to be valued in the region of £8m by his club.

Arsenal are expected to be in the market for at least one new centre-back this summer, with Thomas Vermaelen seemingly heading for Manchester United.

According to The Metro, Manolas has emerged as Arsene Wenger‘s main defensive target.

Manolas, 23, joined Olympiacos from AEK Athens in 2012

Tim Krul: “I psyched them out’

Tim Krul has defended his conduct during the Netherlands‘ 4-3 penalty shootout triumph over Costa Rica on Saturday.

The Newcastle United goalkeeper was introduced to the game with just 44 seconds of extra time left of the goalless draw, saving two spot-kicks to set up a World Cup semi-final with Argentina in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

“I psyched them out. You try to do everything you can without being too aggressive. I tried to get in their minds,” Krul is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

“Before the game, the goalkeeper coach came up to me and told me that if we had a change left I would be the man. It is something I have dreamed about since I was a little boy – to have that moment when you make the crucial save and then all the boys are running towards you.”

Krul saved penalties from Michael Umma and Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz after replacing first-choice goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen in a tactical change by Louis van Gaal.

Man City & Chelsea are battling it out to sign Juventus’ Paul Pogba

The papers around Europe are all singing off the same hymn sheet: Paul Pogba is being aggressively chased by the biggest clubs around.

According to regular sources, Pogba is indeed being tracked by some of English football big boys, with Manchester City and Chelsea rumoured to be ready to pay up for the former Manchester United player.

Man City, facing the departure of Yaya Toure from the Etihad, have earmarked Pogba as the Ivorian’s successor. City are willing to pay north of 40 million euros for the star, having previously lodged that bid with the Turin giants in May. As for Chelsea, Jose Mourinho is ready to bid 70 million euros to land Pogba, if the rumours are true.

Yet, with all that said, Pogba is under contract at Juventus until the summer of 2016, and thus the Bianconeri currently hold all the cards on whether to let their star midfielder leave.

Manchester United told to increase their bid for Daryl Janmaat

Manchester United have been told they’ll need to up their offer for Daryl Janmaat if Louis van Gaal wants to link up with the Dutch right-back at Old Trafford.

Feyenoord want £7million for the defender – almost double the £4million offer United are said to have made.

However, incoming manager Louis Van Gaal may be reluctant to up his offer for a player whose current contract runs out next summer.

Should the two teams fail to reach an agreement in the current transfer window Janmaat’s value would be even lower come January as Feyenoord would be faced with the prospect of losing one of their star men for nothing next summer.

Liverpool plot late Ashley Cole move

Liverpool are ready to make a last minute move for ex-Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole.

It appears that the Liverpool boss wants to bring the veteran to Anfield ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, and could attempt to stop him from departing the Premier League. Cole ran out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of last season, so would be available on a free transfer this summer.

He’s enjoyed a fine career in the Premier League, having succeeded at both Arsenal and Chelsea. It’s no surprise, then, that Rodgers wants to bring him to Anfield, as he seeks further improvement to his squad.