London (AFP) – Colombian international defender Davinson Sanchez became Tottenham Hotspur's first signing of the close season on Friday when they paid a reported club record £42million (46m euros, $54m) to Dutch side Ajax. The 21-year-old, who was a pivotal member of the side that reached the Europa League final only to lose to Manchester […]

Paris (AFP) – France midfielder Blaise Matuidi has completed a move to Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain, the two clubs confirmed on Friday, ending a successful six-year stint in the French capital. Matuidi, 30, has signed a three-year deal in Turin with the Italian club saying they had paid 20 million euros ($23.5 million, £18.2 million) […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool have rejected a third bid from Barcelona for star playmaker Philippe Coutinho, a source from the Premier League club confirmed to AFP on Friday. British media reports said Barcelona's latest bid was worth around £114 million ($146.5 million, 124.7 million euros), a significant increase on their previous offer of £90 million. […]

Madrid (AFP) – While Spain mourns following the terror attacks in Catalonia, security will be in the spotlight as two global sporting events get under way this weekend in La Liga and the Vuelta cycling race. After a three-month summer break, La Liga returns on Friday night with the first of 10 matches over the […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City squad can challenge for honours even if he is unable to make any more signings before the transfer window closes. The City manager is eager to strengthen his defence and is expected to pursue a deal for West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans. But […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte has warned troubled champions Chelsea not to look for excuses after their turbulent start to the season. Since Chelsea won the title last term, Conte has endured a surprisingly difficult period that shows no signs of abating heading into Sunday's clash with title rivals Tottenham at Wembley. Not only has […]

Berlin (AFP) – Ghana 'bad-boy' midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng could feature for Eintracht Frankfurt in this weekend's German league match at Freiburg after signing a three-year deal with the Bundesliga club on Friday. Berlin-born Boateng is back in the Bundesliga after stints at Hertha Berlin, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, plus spells abroad with Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, […]

London (AFP) – Antonio Conte refused to make peace with Diego Costa as he laughed off the Chelsea striker's claim that he has been treated like a criminal by the Premier League champions. Costa is in exile in Brazil after falling out with Blues boss Conte during the close-season when the Italian sent the forward […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed calls for the Premier League to close its transfer window before the season starts, rather than at the end of August. Several English top-flight clubs have called for the move in order to minimise disruption once the season gets under way and they […]

Rome (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri added his voice on Friday to calls to shorten the transfer window. "I'm against closing the transfer window on August 31," said the 50-year-old, who guided Juve to the Champions League final last season. "I hope that sooner or later the transfer window will close earlier. From this […]

London (AFP) – West Bromwich Albion have rejected an offer for centre-back Jonny Evans from Manchester City, manager Tony Pulis confirmed on Friday. "They made an offer and we've turned it down," Pulis told a press conference ahead of West Brom's trip to Burnley on Saturday. British press reports said City had tabled an offer […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Chinese football fans and media are urging underperforming Carlos Tevez not to return from a trip to Argentina, nicknaming him "Very Homesick Boy" as speculation swirls that he wants out of China. The 33-year-old Argentine former international has been a flop since moving this year to Shanghai Shenhua on a fat salary, […]

Paris (AFP) – After dazzling on his first appearance in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt, Neymar is in line to make his home debut for his new club against Toulouse on Sunday. The world's most expensive player scored one goal and set up another in a starring performance as PSG beat Guingamp 3-0 away in Brittany […]

Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal head to Stoke City this weekend aiming to register a second victory of the season and divert attention away from continuing questions about the future of Alexis Sanchez. Arsene Wenger's side kicked off the Premier League campaign in exciting, if not entirely convincing, fashion against Leicester City, coming from […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Anthony Martial has warned Manchester United not to get carried away by their impressive start to the Premier League season as the leaders head to Swansea on Saturday. An emphatic 4-0 victory over West Ham in their opening game suggested United have shaken off a tendency to draw matches they […]