London (AFP) – Harry Maguire, described as a "special player" by Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, is set to become the world's most expensive defender after Manchester United agreed to pay a reported fee of £80 million ($97 million). The 26-year-old central defender –coveted by United since he starred as England reached the World Cup […]

London (AFP) – Led by a manager steeped in the club's rich history and inspired by a dynamic young star who bleeds claret and blue, Aston Villa return to the Premier League united at last after years of turmoil. After three seasons in the Championship wilderness, Villa are back in the big time with boss […]

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City to prepare for the "incredible challenge" of battling Liverpool for the Premier League title by landing an early blow against their rivals in Sunday's Community Shield. Guardiola's side pipped Liverpool to the Premier League by one point last season after a thrilling title race went down […]

Asuncion (AFP) – Argentina star Lionel Messi was banned for three months and fined $50,000 on Friday by CONMEBOL after he heavily criticized the South American football governing body during the Copa America. The 32-year-old Barcelona forward had accused CONMEBOL of "corruption" after he was sent off against Chile during the third-place play-off during the […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool must learn to deal with their standing as European champions as they kick off their campaign against Premier League winners Manchester City in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley. Klopp admits his side have been under intense scrutiny since their Champions League final success against Tottenham in June, but […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle swooped for promising Nice forward Allan Saint-Maximin and also signed Eintracht Frankfurt defender Jetro Willems on loan on Friday. Saint-Maximin, a French Under-21 international, moved to the Premier League club on a six-year contract for a fee reported to be £20 million. The 22-year-old made his professional debut for Saint-Etienne at […]

London (AFP) – Former Chelsea star Claude Makelele has returned to the Premier League club to work as a technical mentor to young players. Makelele is working with Chelsea for the first time in 11 years after the former France midfielder had coaching roles at Paris Saint-Germain, Bastia, Swansea and Belgium's Eupen since his retirement […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hit back at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's claim the Premier League champions operate on a transfer "fantasy island". Klopp named City, along with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as teams who can carry on spending millions seemingly regardless of UEFA's Financial Fair Play […]

London (AFP) – Harry Maguire is set to become the world's most expensive defender after Manchester United agreed to pay Leicester City £80 million ($97 million) according to media reports on Friday. The 26-year-old central defender –coveted by United since he starred as England reached the World Cup semi-finals — is to undergo a medical […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Zenit Saint Petersburg have signed Malcom from Barcelona after shelling out 40 million euros ($44.4 million) for the Brazilian winger, the two clubs announced on Friday. The fee is one million euros less than Barcelona paid Bordeaux for him a year ago. "FC Barcelona and Zenit Saint Petersburg have reached an agreement for […]

Shenzhen (China) (AFP) – French World Cup-winner Kylian Mbappe urged troubled Brazilian Neymar to stay at Paris Saint-Germain on Friday as he apologised for sparking speculation about his own future at the club. Mbappe, speaking before the Champions Trophy against Rennes in Shenzhen, China, said Neymar was a key player for the French league-winners who […]

New Delhi (AFP) – The world's number one batsman, Virat Kohli, said Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo remains the world's top footballer. Kohli, who tops the global batting rankings, said that the Portuguese goalscorer remains a superstar even at the age of 34. "For me, Cristiano is above everyone else. His commitment and work ethic is […]

Paris (AFP) – Stephanie Frappart will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul on August 14, becoming the first woman to referee a major men's match in European competition. France's Frappart, 35, refereed the Women's World Cup final between the United States and the Netherlands in July, and last […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – England-born Stuart Baxter quit Friday as South Africa coach after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) campaign in Egypt during June and July. "I feel that I cannot continue to work with the required professionalism and passion as I have done,," the 65-year-old told a press conference at a Johannesburg […]

Brasília (AFP) – After 17 years playing for the top clubs in Europe, Brazil captain Dani Alves has decided to return home, signing a three-year deal with Sao Paulo. A free agent after his contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain expired in June, Alves explained his decision on a Twitter video posted on the club […]