London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool to stay focused and not get carried away by celebrating their success in the transfer window as they plot a Premier League title challenge. The club have spent £174 million ($229 million) on midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho, winger Xherdan Shaqiri and, perhaps most crucially, Brazil goalkeeper […]

Berlin (AFP) – German politicians on Wednesday accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of using Mesut Ozil's controversial retirement from international football to boost Turkey's bid to host Euro 2024 — and weaken Germany's. On Sunday, Ozil, 29, dropped a bombshell by announcing he will not play for Germany again and accused Reinhard Grindel, the […]

Singapore (AFP) – Petr Cech said on Wednesday he was prepared to fight for his place as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper and denied any contact with Chelsea over a return to Stamford Bridge. The 36-year-old veteran's spot has come into question after a patchy season last year, and following new manager Unai Emery's signing of Bernd […]

Madrid (AFP) – Portuguese winger Gelson Martins will join Atletico Madrid from Lisbon-based Sporting on a five-year deal as a free agent, the Spanish club announced Wednesday. The 23-year-old Portuguese international was one of nine players to quit Sporting after they were attacked by hooded fans, soem armed with sticks, during a training session following […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng could join Paris Saint-Germain providing the price is right, the German giants' chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge suggested on Wednesday. "There is no direct contact between the clubs at the moment, but there is contact between the agents, Jerome has two," Rummenigge said in Philadelphia on Bayern's tour of […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp says Daniel Sturridge can be a "decisive player" for Liverpool after impressive displays from the injury-plagued striker in pre-season matches. Sturridge, 28, went to West Brom on loan in January but was injured early on and managed just six appearances. With 12 months left on his contract it appeared Sturridge's […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany winger Andre Schuerrle is set to return to the Premier League by joining Fulham on loan from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, according to reports on Wednesday. "Andre is having his medical check at FC Fulham," his agent Ingo Haspel told German daily Bild. German magazine Kicker report that the transfer is […]

Singapore (AFP) – Arsenal boss Unai Emery said Mesut Ozil has nothing but respect from his team-mates after his decision to quit Germany's national team claiming racism sparked uproar in his home country. Emery on Wednesday said Arsenal were taking pains to make sure Ozil, 29, feels comfortable at the club as controversy rages in […]

London (AFP) – Bournemouth have signed Diego Rico from Leganes, subject to the defender receiving international clearance, the English Premier League club said Tuesday. The 25-year-old Spaniard has joined the south coast side on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. "I'm very happy to be here and would like to thank everyone at AFC […]

London (AFP) – Joao Moutinho believes his winning mentality can help Wolverhampton Wanderers become a Premier League side to be reckoned with after he joined the Midlands club from Monaco on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Portugal midfielder has signed a two-year contract. Newly-promoted Wolves, whose six-year wait for a return to the Premier League ended when […]

London (AFP) – Everton have lured Brazilian forward Richarlison away from Premier League rivals Watford on a five-year deal worth a reported £40 million ($53 million, 45 million euros). The 21-year-old is Everton's first signing since Marco Silva, under whom he played at Watford, was appointed manager of the Merseyside club on May 31 in […]

East Rutherford (United States) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has ruled out another record-breaking Premier League campaign, warning fans that a repeat of last season's feats will be "impossible." City's dominance in England last season was underscored by a slew of records that were set as they romped to their first league title […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has warned his team they will have to fight for early points in the upcoming Premier League campaign after pre-season preparations disrupted by the World Cup. The late World Cup runs of France, Belgium and England have wreaked havoc with United's pre-season tour of the United States, with […]

Paris (AFP) – Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak has joined Lokomotiv Moscow on loan from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, the Russian club said on Tuesday. The 28-year-old struggled to break into the PSG side following his arrival from Sevilla in 2016, which came just after Unai Emery took over as coach of the Ligue 1 club. […]

London (AFP) – Brendan Rodgers reckons the "explosive" style of Moussa Dembele was a major cause in yet another hamstring injury that will see the French striker miss Celtic's Champions League second-round qualifier at home to Rosenborg on Wednesday. Dembele, 22, scored two goals in last week's 3-0 win against Armenian club Alashkert at Parkhead […]