Official: Remy signs for ChelseaGOAL

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The striker, who was on the verge of joining Liverpool until he failed a medical, has moved to Stamford Bridge in an £8.5m deal that sees him replace Milan-bound Fernando Torres

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QPR striker Loic Remy has signed a four-year deal with Chelsea after the west Londoners met his £8.5 million buyout clause.

As revealed by Goal on Friday, the Blues reignited their interest in the France international after reaching a deal to loan Fernando Torres to AC Milan.

Arsenal made a late move to hijack Remy's move to Chelsea, but soon dropped their interest to pave the way for the striker to move to Stamford Bridge.

Welcome to @chelseafc, Loic Remy! #CFC pic.twitter.com/uJ9lDoJDKW
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 31, 2014

"I feel very happy and very proud," he told Chelsea's official website. "When I heard Chelsea wanted to sign me I said 'let's go' straight away because they are one of the best clubs in the world.

"I remember the amazing atmosphere at Stamford Bridge when I played there for Marseille and I can't wait to play for the first time in front of my new fans."

Remy came close to joining Liverpool earlier in the summer only for concerns during his medical to prompt the Anfield outfit to back out of the deal, and instead he becomes Chelsea's sixth signing of a busy.

The 27-year-old, who scored 14 Premier League goals while on loan at Newcastle last season, will compete for a place in the starting XI against in-form Diego Costa and Didier Drogba.

Betting: Chelsea the big winners from the Champions League draw

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After being drawn with Schalke, Sporting and Maribor, Paddy Power have cut the odds on the Blues winning the tournament while Carlo Ancelotti's side remain the favourites

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All eyes were on the Champions League draw taking place in Monaco on Thursday afternoon.

Europe's elite clubs waited with baited breath breath to find out which teams they would be drawn against in the group stage and the bookmakers have reacted accordingly.

Champions League Winner Odds
Odds from Paddy Power
	Was	Now
Real Madrid	7/2	7/2
Bayern Munich	4/1	4/1
Barcelona	11/2	11/2
Chelsea	9/1	6/1
Manchester City	12/1	14/1
Paris Saint-Germain	14/1	14/1
Arsenal	20/1	20/1
Atletico Madrid	25/1	25/1

Chelsea were the shortest priced English side and there was no danger of them losing that tag after they were drawn against Schalke, Sporting and Maribor in what looks one of, if not the kindest group.

The Blues, who finished third in the Premier League last season, were the biggest movers within the front running pack, having their price cut by a third.

Jose Mourinho's side have been cut to 6/1 from 9/1 in the outright winner market and with a seemingly favourable group and plenty of summer reinforcements they could well be a popular pick to make another serious tilt at the title.

In some parts it was Bayern Munich who were the pre-draw favourites to win back the crown they secured in 2013 and Pep Guardiola's men were the first team to be drawn by Iker Casillas as the ceremony got underway.

Bayern were 4/1 with Paddy Power and there has beenno movement on that after the German champions were drawn alongside Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Roma.

City have understandably remained steady in the betting at 12/1 with Paddy Power, although they did progress from a group that included Bayern last season in a campaign that included a 3-2 win at the Allianz Arena and they will be well fancied to qualify for the knockout stages once again.

Most firms had holders Real Madrid as the tournament frontrunners and Paddy Power were no exception.7/2 was the pre-draw price for a newly beefed up Madrid side to win back-to-back European titles this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have been kept short by the bookmakers and they remain 7/2 favourites to retain the trophy they secured with victory over city rivals Atletico in Lisbon earlier this year.

The Blancos have been drawn with Basel, Liverpool and Bulgarian side Ludogorets in Group B which has been deemed a favourable draw by the odds compilers. The Reds are still available at the same price of28/1 the same as before the draw took place.

Barecelona retain their place as third favourites at 11/2 in the betting although their odds drifted after the news that the Catalan giants will face Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax and APOEL in Group F.

Paris Saint-Germain may have dominated Ligue 1 for the last two seasons but they have yet to convert that into a serious European challenge. Punters who think that will change can back them at 14/1.

Before the draw Atletico Madrid may have caught the eye as a value bet at a double figure price despite the loss of some key players this summer. Diego Simeone's side came within minutes of securing an historic double last season and have been drawn alongside Serie A winners Juventus, Olympiakos and Malmo in their group and they remain 25/1 to win the tournament with Paddy Power.

Arsenal (20/1) squeezed past Besiktas by the smallest of margins in their play-off tie but were still a top seed in the drawing process and the Gunners will now play Borussia Dortmund, Roma and face another trip to Turkey in the shape of a clash with Galatasaray.

In an otherwise fairly even draw it certainly seems Chelsea are the big winners as far as the bookmakers are concerned.

Draw in full:

Group A: Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Olympiakos, Malmo

Group B: Real Madrid, Basel, Liverpool, Ludogorets

Group C: Benfica, Zenit, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco

Group D: Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray, Anderlecht

Group E: Bayern Munich, Manchester City, CSKA Moscow, Roma

Group F: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, APOEL

Group G: Chelsea, Schalke, Sporting, Maribor

Group H: Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao, BATE

Zaha to rejoin Crystal Palace on loan from Manchester United

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The winger was Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing at Old Trafford but failed to win a place in David Moyes' squad last season, and will now move back to where he started his career

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By Graeme Bailey

Wilfried Zaha is set to rejoin Crystal Palace from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal, Goalunderstands.

He was immediately loaned back to Selhurst Park for the end of the 2012-13 season and helped the club achieve promotion to the Premier League.

But he failed to nail down a place in David Moyes's squad last season and spent the second part of the campaign at Cardiff City.

And after failing to make his impression on new United boss Louis van Gaal during the summer, the 21-year-old is set to move back to the club where he came through the ranks as a teenager after agreeing the deal on Wednesday.

Palace hired Neil Warnock as manager on Wednesday to replace Tony Pulis, who left the club on the eve of the Premier League season.

Warnock previously managed the club between 2007 and 2010 and left amid financial difficulties and a 10-point Football League deduction for going into administration.

Sunderland open Kalou talks

GOAL.COM

The Lille forward is keen on a return to the Premier League with the Black Cats also interested in Danny Welbeck and Paolo Guerrero while Modibo Diakite is set to leave

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Sunderland have opened talks over a move for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, Goal understands.

The Ivory Coast international is a target for several European clubs but could leave Lille this summer and favours a return to the Premier League.

The Black Cats are eager to conclude a number of deals before the transfer window closes after having already missed out on Eduardo Vargas, who joined QPR on loan from Napoli.

Sunderland remain interested in Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, although any move for the Italian is likely to be a temporary rather than a permanent deal.

Other targets include Danny Welbeck, whose future at Manchester United looks uncertain, and Corinthians striker Paolo Guerrero.

One player who is set to leave the Stadium of Light this summer is Modibo Diakite.

Goal understands the defender is in talks to terminate his contract and complete a move to Fiorentina - where he spent last season on loan.

Eto'o undergoes medical ahead of Liverpool switch

The 33-year-old had attracted interest from Everton, but is excited by the prospect of working under Brendan Rodgers

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EXCLUSIVE GOAL.COM

Samuel Eto'o has opted to join Liverpool and is undergoing a medical on Friday ahead of signing a one-year deal, Goal understands.

Everton's late interest in the 33-year-old had threatened to derail Liverpool's move, with Roberto Martinez's side ready to offer a two-year contract, but the striker is excited by the prospect of working under Brendan Rodgers.

The Cameroon international's medical is taking place outside of the UK, while the deal could be finalised before Liverpool face Manchester City on Monday evening.

Eto'o is available on a free transfer having left Chelsea at the end of last season and had held talks with Ajax earlier this summer before the Dutch club pulled out of negotiations.

Eto'o scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for Chelsea last season but hit out at Jose Mourinho after the 51-year-old joked about not knowing the striker’s real age.

Liverpool are also poised to complete the signing of Mario Balotelli in a €20 million deal from AC Milan.

The Italy international has said goodbye to his team-mates at the Serie A club and has travelled to England for a medical.

Liverpool offer Eto'o one-year deal

The Reds want to sign the former Chelsea man, who could potentially link up with Mario Balotelli at Anfield

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EXCLUSIVE 
Goal.com
Liverpool have made former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o a contract offer as they look to bring the player to Anfield.

Liverpool, who are on the verge of signing Mario Balotelli from AC Milan, are also ready to push through a deal for Eto'o as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his attacking options before the close of the transfer window.

Eto'o is a free agent after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer and has attracted the interest of a number of clubs in Europe, America and the Middle East.

It is understood the Cameroon international's preference is to remain in England and the Premier League after enjoying his one season at Chelsea last term.

Ajax and Everton have both expressed an interest in Eto'o, but it appears Liverpool are now in pole position to land the former Barcelona and Inter star.

Liverpool have offered Eto'o a one-year deal on €93,000 a week with performance-related bonuses with the option of another year if he impresses at Anfield.

Should Eto'o and Balotelli join Liverpool it would see the two strikers link up for a second time after they played together at Inter.

Nasri brands Arsenal supporters 'stupid'

The French midfielder, who spent three years at the Emirates Stadium, has hit back at fans who dubbed him a mercenary and says he joined Manchester City to win titles

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Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri says the abuse he receives from Arsenal supporters is "stupid" as he prepares to take on the Gunners in Sunday's Community Shield showdown.

The French playmaker has been targeted by the north London club's supporters ever since his big-money switch to the Etihad in 2011 - with many believing the move was financially motivated.

But Nasri has hit back at the taunts ahead of Wembley's showpiece, claiming he was never in love with Arsenal and that he left the club to further his career.

"I just think the abuse I get is stupid. I'm not an Arsenal fan, I am not from London," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"To be honest, we are players and we are just looking at what are the best interests for us and our careers.

"When Manchester City came for me it was the best choice to come here. Since coming to City I have won trophies and I have a better life so I am really happy about everything.

"If the fans can't move on it's too bad. I am not trying to have a problem with that. They do what they have to do and they love their club.

"They see that as a treason or that I betrayed them but it's not that.

"I'm not like that. I just look what's best for me and that's what Bacary Sagna did, what Emmanuel Adebayor did and what Kolo Toure did.

"For the fans, the only reason has to be for the money. But it isn't just for the money.

"Of course, it's a factor and it's ­important. But if someone earns £200,000-a-week (€240,000), £150,000 (€190,000) or £100,000-a-week (€120,000), it's not that which is going to make a difference or an ­impact on your life, so that's not true."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/08/10/5023240/nasri-brands-arsenal-supporters-stupid?ICID=SP