Angels Links: Arsenal drama continues

ARSENAL CONFIRM AUBAMEYANG TALKS

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese international has not featured for Dortmund the past two games, due to a disciplinary issue followed by a lack of focus. Rumors are that Dortmund want cash from Arsenal, plus Olivier Giroud. The reported fee that Dortmund want is around $70 million, and Arsenal have apparently offered around $61 million.

BARCELONA CONFIRM MASCHERANO EXIT

Seven and a half years after joining Barcelona from Liverpool, Javier Mascherano will leave the Catalan club this month. Barcelona has confirmed that the Argentine will exit the club, and Manuel Pellegrini, manager of Hebei Fortune in the Chinese Premier League, said over the weekend he expects the player to join him. The reported fee is around $10 million, and Mascherano will hold a press conference on Wednesday to say goodbye to the club. After his spot was taken by Samuel Umtiti this season, Mascherano has been in search of regular minutes, as he is looking to the World Cup in the summer with Argentina.

PHIL NEVILLE NAMED ENGLAND WOMEN’S TEAM COACH

Here’s an odd one: Phil Neville has been named head coach of the England Women’s National Team. He signed a three-year deal, and replaces Mark Sampson, who was fired for “inappropriate behavior.“ Neville does hold a pro coaching license, and served under David Moyes at Manchester United, and under his brother at Valencia, as well as with the England U-21 Men’s team. However, he has never been manager on his own, and has no experience in the women’s game. He also did not apply for the job, but was approached by the FA, overlooking the woman who has been caretaker of the team since Sampson was fired. Neville now has the task of taking charge of one of the best teams in the world, headed to the World Cup in France next year.

MOROCCO LAUNCHES 2026 WORLD CUP BID

Morocco has officially launched its bid to host the 2026 World Cup, competing with the tri-host bid of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The decision will be announced on June 13, right before the World Cup starts in 2018. Morocco has bid for the World Cup, unsuccessfully, four times before, and has now thrown its hat into the ring for the first World Cup that will be held in an expanded format, with 48 instead of 32 teams.

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