Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United are in optimistic mood as they travel to Burnley on Saturday, having spent the week closing in on the signing of Alexis Sanchez, and with Jose Mourinho close to agreeing to a new contract. The build-up to the game at Turf Moor has been dominated by the pursuit […]

Brighton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Antonio Conte will attempt to find a solution to Chelsea's problems in front of goal without the services of suspended pair Alvaro Morata and Pedro when they face Brighton on Saturday. Michy Batshuayi's strike in the midweek FA Cup third-round replay win against Norwich City, a success achieved on penalties […]

London (AFP) – Nicolas Otamendi has given due notice to Manchester City's rivals that the Premier League leaders won't let their unexpected collapse at Liverpool derail their title charge. Pep Guardiola's side saw their unbeaten start to the league season come to an end as Liverpool's 4-3 victory inflicted City's first top-flight loss in 30 […]

Madrid (AFP) – A last gasp goal from Marco Asensio gave a virtually second string Real Madrid a 1-0 first leg Spanish Cup quarter-final victory at Leganes on Thursday. The 21-year-old midfielder converted a cross from French full-back Theo Hernandez from the centre of the box. That ended a run of three matches without victory […]

New York (AFP) – International political controversies involving US President Donald Trump could hurt worldwide perceptions of America and its joint 2026 World Cup bid with Canada and Mexico, outgoing US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati warned Thursday. In comments reported on ESPN's website, made at a public forum in Philadelphia at the United Soccer […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – World Cup winner Ronaldinho took the unusual step of thanking his ball on Thursday as he spoke for the first time about his retirement, announced on Tuesday by his brother. "After three decades dedicated to football I'm leaving my childhood dream — a dream realised," said the 37-year-old, who hasn't actually […]

Athens (AFP) – The Greek Super League and qualifying Greek Cup matches will use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system next season, the Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media announced on Thursday. "We welcome the VAR system and I'm sure that from next September the system will be on Greek pitches. We will develop […]

Madrid (AFP) – FC Barcelona shelled out more than 200 million euros ($245 million) for Neymar including his salary and the "countless hidden clauses of the transfer," Spain's El Mundo daily said Thursday. If confirmed, this would be greatly superior to the 57.1 million euros the club said it paid for his 2013 transfer, or […]

London (AFP) – Everton manager Sam Allardyce is to adopt a more defensive strategy in order to prevent his side becoming embroiled in the Premier League relegation battle. The 63-year-old engineered a revival in the club's results when he took on the job in early December but they have fallen into another rut without a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund said Thursday they have had no contact with Arsenal amidst reports their star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is chasing a move to the Premier League giants. Aubameyang's father and agent Pierre has reportedly been in London this week to negotiate a transfer for the Gabon hot-shot. According to German magazine Kicker, […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Resurgent Barcelona were given a fresh boost Thursday when key defender Gerard Pique signed a contract extension until 2022. Having recently lost Brazilian superstar Neymar in an aggressive contract buy out by Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona have put a 500 million euros ($611 million) buy out clause in Pique's new contract. "The club […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United are set to land Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal by making him the Premier League's highest paid player, according to several reports on Thursday. The Chilean striker would earn between 400,000 and 500,000 pounds ($555,000 and $690,000) a week before tax by moving to Old Trafford, according to The Sun, the […]

Berlin (AFP) – All eyes will be on whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will return to Borussia Dortmund's starting line-up at Hertha Berlin on Friday, with the star striker reportedly chasing a move to Arsenal. Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger has told magazine Sport Bild he "assumes" Aubameyang, who has scored 21 goals in 23 matches this season, […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta confirmed on Wednesday the Serie A champions are targeting Liverpool's German international Emre Can. The 24-year-old's contract with the English Premier League side runs out on June 30. "Emre Can is a player whose contract is running down, so it allows us to approach him for […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea needed a penalty shoot-out before finally killing off Norwich after a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's FA Cup third round replay, while Bournemouth slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Wigan. Antonio Conte's side finished extra-time down to nine men after late red cards for Pedro and Alvaro Morata at Stamford Bridge. They […]