London (AFP) – France World Cup star Paul Pogba is determined to end his fractious relationship with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and move to Barcelona, according to British media reports on Wednesday. The 25-year-old — who scored in the 4-2 World Cup final win over Croatia — has agreed terms with Barcelona for a […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Gareth Bale is serving notice that he is ready to shine without Cristiano Ronaldo, factoring in both goals as Real Madrid wrapped up their US tour with a 2-1 win over Roma on Tuesday. Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid who put on a strong performance especially in the […]

Sydney (AFP) – Usain Bolt will be given as long as it takes to prove he deserves a playing contract, the Central Coast Mariners said Wednesday after the Australian club agreed to help the sprint king realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer. The 31-year-old eight-time Olympic champion, who retired from athletics last year, […]

Shenzhen (China) (AFP) – After three pre-season tours in a row to the United States, French glamour club Paris Saint-Germain turned to Asia in search of new fans and business deals ahead of the new season. It's the market "with the biggest growth potential," according to a PSG official discussing the club's two-week summer trip […]

Sydney (AFP) – Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt will join the A-League's Central Coast Mariners for an "indefinite" training period as he works to realise his dream to become a professional footballer. The 31-year-old, who retired from athletics last year, is an avid Manchester United fan who has long wanted to play top-flight football. He […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United need Alexis Sanchez to fire when they kick off their Premier League campaign against Leicester City on Friday as they seek to put a troubled pre-season behind them. United's build-up to the new campaign has been dominated by manager Jose Mourinho's persistent grumbles over the strength of his squad. Unlike […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar is still there, for now at least, and Paris Saint-Germain are set to kick off their defence of the French Ligue 1 title against Caen this weekend. With Marseille playing Toulouse in the opening game on Friday, AFP Sport looks at five of the most interesting new signings in France ahead […]

Paris (AFP) – The dust has barely settled on France's triumphant World Cup campaign, but Ligue 1 returns this weekend with French champions Paris Saint-Germain under new management and with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar taking superstar billing. Less than four weeks after France beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow to lift the World Cup for the […]

London (AFP) – Burnley have signed Czech forward Matej Vydra from second-tier side Derby on a three-year deal, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 26-year-old, who scored a league-leading 21 goals in the Championship last season, will be hoping to have a bigger impact on the English top flight than he did in […]

London (AFP) – Roberto Firmino starred as Liverpool rounded off an impressive pre-season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Italians Torino at Anfield on Tuesday. Despite opening their Premier League campaign against West Ham on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp named a strong team and was rewarded by seeing key players get valuable game time. Brazil forward […]

London (AFP) – Tony Pulis's Middlesbrough claimed an impressive 3-0 victory over Sheffield United on Tuesday, while West Brom struck late at Nottingham Forest to grab their first point of the English Championship season. Middlesbrough, who scored twice late on to snatch a 2-2 draw at Millwall in their season-opener on Saturday, carried on from […]

London (AFP) – Newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham have signed Arsenal defender Calum Chambers on a season-long loan, the west London club announced on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal last month, joins Fulham just four days before their Premier League season-opener against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage. "I'm really […]

London (AFP) – Bournemouth have signed Colombian international midfielder Jefferson Lerma from Spanish side Levante for a club-record fee, the Premier League outfit announced on Tuesday. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year deal, subject to international clearance, for a reported £25 million (27.9 million euros, $32.3 million). "It's no secret that Jefferson has been someone […]

Madrid (AFP) – Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to join Chelsea for 80 million euros (£71.6 million, $92.7 million), according to Spanish media reports on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, who has been capped once by Spain, would be the most expensive goalkeeper in history and the replacement for Belgian Thibaut Courtois, who is expected […]

London (AFP) – Joe Hart said it was the right time to leave Manchester City after Burnley announced on Tuesday they had signed the former England goalkeeper on a two-year deal. Hart played almost 350 games for the reigning Premier League champions, establishing himself as number one for club and country, but fell down the […]