Alan Pardew has admitted he failed to convince Jermain Defoe to sign for Crystal Palace over Sunderland. Defoe is on the brink of rubber-stamping his move to Wearside from Toronto FC, with Pardew conceding Palace were forced out of the race for the former England striker. Palace have secured Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo on loan […]

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League made a splash on Wednesday by unveiling Brazilian legend Ronaldo as a part-owner and potential player. The Strikers got an international and national publicity bump out of the announcement. Ronaldo himself was well-spoken and thoughtful in his responses to the assembled media. But underlying problems exist […]

Sampdoria are closing in on the signing of Everton striker Samuel Eto'o, according to reports in Italy. The Genoa outfit, which sold top scorer Manolo Gabbiadini to Napoli earlier this month, are desperately looking to reinforce their attacking line after negotiations aimed at signing Udinese forward Luis Muriel collapsed on Thursday. Samp met with Eto'o […]

Arsenal duo Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are both expected to be sidelined for around three months, the club have announced. Both players have undergone surgery, with Arteta recovering from an ankle injury and Debuchy struggling with a problem to his right shoulder. Arteta has not played for the Gunners since November 26, when he […]

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana's return to training ahead of schedule has given manager Brendan Rodgers a boost as he heads into a potentially season-defining month. Lallana was expected to be sidelined for a month with a thigh injury sustained against Leicester on New Year's Day, but he – along with captain Steven Gerrard – will […]

Starting lineups are in for Real Madrid versus Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Round of 16 Copa del Rey match with Atleti holding a 2-0 aggregate lead from the first leg on January 7. Starting lineups: Real Madrid: Navas, Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal, Kroos, James, Isco, Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema Atletico: Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, […]

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has urged frustrated fans to call off a planned protest at the start of Saturday's clash at home to Liverpool. Three unofficial fans' websites – Villa Blog, My Old Man Said and A Villa Fan – have called on fellow supporters to boycott the opening eight minutes of the Barclays […]

A business standing in the way of Tottenham's £400million stadium redevelopment plans has launched a High Court battle to stay put. It was agreed on Thursday that the case brought by Archway Sheet Metal Works will be heard on February 17-18 by Mr Justice Dove, who revealed in court he is an Aston Villa fan. […]

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre has left the door open for Steven Gerrard to return on loan once he moves to Los Angeles Galaxy. The Reds captain will end his 25-year-long association with his boyhood club this summer when he departs for a new challenge in Major League Soccer. Principal owner John Henry and manager […]

Today's Copa del Rey derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid promises to be a scintillating game featuring some of the best players in the world on one pitch — Ronaldo, Bale, Koke, Godin, Mandzukic, Modric and others. Programming note: If you live in the United States, the game is being televised on beIN SPORTS and beIN […]

After their pride took a knock in their first-leg defeat, Copa del Rey holders Real Madrid look to overturn Atletico’s two goal lead to progress to the quarter-finals at home today at 1:55pm ET on beIN SPORTS and DishWorld (for viewers in the United States). Last week’s defeat to their cross-town rivals marked a mini-slump […]

Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic has been suffering from the flu and missed yesterday's training session with the squad. That means manager Diego Simeone may choose to start Fernando Torres during today's decisive leg in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu. When asked about his starting eleven during yesterday's pre-match press conference, […]

Arsenal have announced that midfielder Mikel Arteta will miss a further three months after undergoing surgery to repair his ankle. The Spaniard has not played for the Gunners since the end of November having been sidelined by a calf injury; and later a related ankle problem. Following his most recent surgery, the 32-year-old isn't expected […]

Jonas Gutierrez admits a return to first-team football with Newcastle after overcoming cancer would trump all his other achievements in the game. The 31-year-old winger was diagnosed with testicular cancer 15 months ago but, having made a full recovery and featured on several occasions for Newcastle's under-21 team, he is dreaming of a day he […]

Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore was on his way to Toronto on Thursday morning as he and Jermain Defoe prepared to trade places. Press Association Sport understands the 25-year-old United States international was booked on a flight to Canada after traveling down to London from the north-east on Wednesday evening with Defoe, 32, having headed in […]