Madrid (AFP) – Ronald Koeman has extended his hand to Lionel Messi by calling him "the best" as Barcelona get ready to play their first game since Messi's failed attempt to leave this summer. Barca face Gimnastic Tarragona in a friendly on Saturday and Messi could feature after Koeman said he will field two separate […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is adamant that owner Mike Ashley wants the best for the Premier League club following the collapse of a Saudi-backed takeover bid. An investment group, which included the Saudi Public Investment Fund, withdrew its bid for the club in July after waiting months for the English top-flight's approval. […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho is confident Tottenham will have a new striker before the end of the transfer window as he aims to build a squad capable of dealing with a brutal early-season schedule. Spurs face having to play two midweek matches for two consecutive weeks later this month should they progress in the […]

London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's FA Cup triumph last season had raised expectations at the club as he chases new signings to boost their Premier League challenge. The Gunners finished eighth in the top-flight last year, their lowest position since 1995, but beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final and overcame Liverpool on […]

Berlin (AFP) – Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has been linked to Liverpool and Manchester United, took part in Bayern Munich's first full training session on Friday in preparation for the new season. With a year left on his contract, the 29-year-old has stalled over signing an extension with the Champions League winners having been […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp branded the decision to not extend the use of five substitutes in the Premier League as a lack of common sense as he voiced his concerns for player welfare in a congested season. The Reds begin the defence of their Premier League title at home to Leeds on […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona have taken heed of Lionel Messi's scathing criticism of the club as they begin a "fresh and exciting project", vice-president Pau Vilanova has said. Vilanova's assessment is the first time someone on the Barca board has spoken publicly since Messi's explosive interview with Goal last week. Messi admitted he had been […]

Paris (AFP) – Suddenly Paris Saint-Germain's home debut at Parc des Princes on Sunday to face old enemy Marseille is looking as likely to turn into a car crash as a triumphal parade. Less than three weeks after playing their first Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 with a thud on Thursday […]

London (AFP) – Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has set his players the minimum target of qualifying for Europe this season after they finished a lowly 12th in the Premier League in his first season in charge. The Italian, a three-time Champions League winner, enjoyed a bright start to his reign after his appointment in December […]

London (AFP) – Leeds confirmed that manager Marcelo Bielsa signed a one-year deal on Friday ahead of the club's first Premier League game for 16 years. "Leeds United are pleased to confirm Marcelo Bielsa has signed a new one-year deal with the club to remain as head coach for the 2020/21 season," Leeds said in […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Edinson Cavani has swapped football boots for ballet shoes to help popularize classical dance for boys and smash stereotypes in his native Uruguay. As the football world speculates on the 33-year-old's future, Cavani donned tights at the Uruguay National Ballet school in Montevideo recently to lend himself to efforts to get young […]

London (AFP) – After 16 years in exile, Leeds United are counting down the hours until their return to Premier League action, with their enigmatic manager Marcelo Bielsa guaranteed to steal the limelight. Leeds face a baptism of fire when they visit Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday for their first top-flight match since 2004. […]

Madrid (AFP) – La Liga begins on Saturday without its top teams and still without fans but with hope that an unusual summer could lead to a season of surprises. Lionel Messi has stayed but will be playing a friendly against Segunda B's Gimnastic Tarragona on Saturday because Barcelona do not start their league campaign […]

London (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's title rivals that splashing out on new signings is no guarantee of success as the Premier League champions start their new campaign against Leeds on Saturday. Klopp's side are back in action just seven weeks after Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy to mark the culmination of Liverpool's […]

London (AFP) – Fulham signed Netherlands defender Kenny Tete from Lyon for an undisclosed fee on Thursday. Tete agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League side, who have an option to extend the deal by a further 12 months. "I feel blessed to be here. I cannot wait to start my new journey and […]