New York (AFP) – Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano calls Brazilian star Neymar the future of the Spanish giants, telling ESPN on Friday that he hopes the 25-year-old striker stays with Barca for years to come. Neymar's future at the Camp Nou is in question amid reports the Brazil international could be set for a world-record […]

London (AFP) – Premier League champions Chelsea completed the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on a five-year-deal on Friday in a deal reported to be worth up to 80 million euros ($92.2 million). "I am so happy to be here. It’s an incredible emotion to be part of this big club. I am […]

London (AFP) – Premier League champions Chelsea completed the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on a five-year-deal on Friday in a deal reported to be worth up to 80 million euros ($92.2 million). "I am so happy to be here. It’s an incredible emotion to be part of this big club. I am […]

Deventer (Netherlands) (AFP) – Captain Lotta Schelin and Stina Blackstenius powered Sweden to a 2-0 win over Russia at the women's European Championship in the Netherlands on Friday. Schelin scored Sweden's opening goal on 22 minutes in Deventer, heading in a superb free-kick taken by Magdalena Ericsson. Blackstenius made it 2-0 in the 51st minute […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Defending champion Mexico faces Jamaica and host United States meets 2014 World Cup quarter-finalist Costa Rica in weekend semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Bruce Arena's US squad is on a 12-match unbeaten run since he replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as coach with seven wins and five drawn, but figures to get […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar's decision to post a photo of himself in thoughtful contemplation sparked a fresh wave of speculation that he is on the verge of sealing a world record 222-million-euro ($256.8 million) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. The Instagram picture, even accompanied by a matching emoji, shows the 25-year-old Brazilian superstar stretched […]

Beijing (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte marvelled Friday at the "crazy" transfer fees demanded for players, though he praised 80-million-euro ($92.2-million) newcomer Alvaro Morata as a young but experienced striker with a bright future. The Italian coach said Morata, 24, will be a "first choice" player for his squad in the upcoming Premier League […]

London (AFP) – Stoke City have secured the signing of Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma on a season-long loan deal, they announced on Friday. The French centre-back is believed to have turned down a host of sides from around Europe, and has opted for the West Midlands club after completing a medical at the Potters' Clayton […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Istanbul giants Fenerbahce on Friday announced that Chilean international defender Mauricio Isla was joining the side on a three-year deal. "Agreement has been reached in all areas," the club said in a statement, adding that the player would be formally unveiled in the coming days. Financial details have yet to be disclosed. […]

London (AFP) – Spanish striker Alvaro Morata has passed his Chelsea medical ahead of his move to the Premier League champions from Real Madrid, according to Sky Sports on Friday. The 24-year-old is now expected to fly to Singapore to link up with his new team-mates, who are preparing to play Arsenal in a friendly […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is close to signing a new contract with the Gunners, according to British media reports on Friday. The German World Cup winner's current deal runs out at the end of the 2017/18 season, but Arsenal are confident of wrapping up negotiations in the next couple of weeks. According […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City's left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is on the verge of a move to Serie A side AS Roma, Blues boss Pep Guardiola said Friday. The Serbia international was left out of the side beaten by Manchester United in the Houston friendly on Thursday, and former Barcelona boss Guardiola says he won't stand […]

London (AFP) – Leicester City boss Craig Shakespeare confirmed on Friday that the club had turned down an offer from Italian side AS Roma for winger Riyad Mahrez. The Paris-born Algeria forward is likely to command a fee of around £50 million ($65 million, 55.8 million euros), with Roma's offer believed to be some way […]

Hong Kong (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Friday brushed off a reported $93 million offer from Barcelona for Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, insisting: "We're not a selling club." "We want to work together and we want to make the next step, and to do this we need to stay together," the German told […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Defending champion Mexico claimed the final semi-final berth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 1-0 win over the offensively-challenged Honduras national team on Thursday at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Rodolfo Pizarro scored the only goal of the contest in the fourth minute, finishing off a nice passing series in […]