According to a recent report from Calciomercato, Manchester City have entered the race to try and sign Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. The belief is that the youngster has been on the radar of City for a little while now, but they’ve only recently taken the steps necessary to make their ambitions known.
Barcelona are also in the running to sign the 22 year old who, notably, is starting to make his presence felt on the international stage with Argentina.
Martinez is at the sort of age now where he’s going to start living up to his potential sooner rather than later. Many believed he would do so with Inter Milan given how desperately they want to challenge at the top of the Serie A table, but with such big clubs making their interest public, it’s going …
Matthijs de Ligt believes he and his Ajax team-mates can thrive under the pressure of being favourites domestically and in the Champions League.
Ajax beat Tottenham 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, thanks to Donny van de Beek s first-half strike.
Before the second leg, Ajax – who lead the Eredivisie on goal difference – could clinch their first piece of silverware this season when they face Willem II in the KNVB Beker final on Sunday.
Ajax are overwhelming favourites to claim what would be their 19th trophy in the competition, and given they are in pole position in the Eredivisie and their Champions League tie, De Ligt acknowledged that there is now added expectation on Erik tan Hag s side.
However, the 19-year-ol…
Kylian Mbappe revealed he would only leave Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid as the forward claimed there have been no new contract discussions for two months.
Mbappe, who joined from Monaco in 2017, has become unsettled at the Parc des Princes with less than a year left on his contract and Madrid attempted to secure his services last transfer window.
Los Blancos are reported to have made three bids for the France international, the last one said to be worth up to €200 million.
However, Madris s advances were turned down and with the arrival of Lionel Messi, Mauricio Pochettino and the PSG board were seemingly confident of keeping Mbappe for the final year of his deal.
RMC released part of an interview – which will be published in full on Tuesday …
Gabriel Jesus wants Brazil to again prove they can win without Neymar after it was confirmed their talisman would miss the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.
Selecao number 10 Neymar is struggling with a groin strain, missing Paris Saint-Germain s past three matches in all competitions – including a Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig.
Brazil are just as reliant on the 28-year-old as his club, with their remarkable semi-final collapse against Germany at a home World Cup in 2014 coming after he was injured in the last eight.
But Tite s men were also without Neymar for last year s Copa America, a competition they won, and Jesus does not believe his side can go looking for excuses.
Obviously we talk about the importance of Neymar with his club …
Gareth Southgate is worried and demanded clarity after expressing concerns England could fall foul to refereeing decisions after a pre-World Cup briefing.
FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina used an example clip of Kalvin Phillips blocking an opponent at a free-kick to help create space for Harry Maguire to score in last year s 5-0 win over Albania.
The video was used to brief referees, competing nations and the media, on how to spot foul play from set-piece situations and seemingly worked against England in Monday s 6-2 thrashing of Iran.
Maguire appeared to be dragged down by Iran s Rouzbeh Cheshmi in the opening stages, with the referee nor the VAR intervening, before John Stones conceded a late penalty for similar on Mehdi Taremi.
South…
Uruguay appointed former Inter Miami boss Diego Alonso as head coach of the CONMEBOL nation, it was announced on Tuesday.
Former Uruguay international Alonso replaces Oscar Tabarez after the legendary coach was sacked last month following a 15-year tenure.
Uruguay parted with Tabarez amid the country s woes after four consecutive defeats in 2022 World Cup qualifying left them seventh in the 10-team standings, but just one point adrift of fourth-placed Colombia and the final automatic qualification berth.
The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) made no further comment upon confirming Alonso as the new coach.
¡Bienvenido, Diego Alonso!
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay)
River Plate s Marcelo Gallardo was reportedly the AUF s number one…
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna admitted his sickness-ravaged promotion chasers did not do enough to take all three points as they were held to a goalless draw by struggling QPR.
The Tractor Boys lost the chance to pull away from the chasing pack in the Championship and have now gone four games without a victory and failed to score at home in a league game for the first time since October 2022.
The result saw Ipswich fall eight points behind leaders Leicester, with the gap to third-placed Southampton just three points, while QPR stayed in the drop zone.
McKenna said: “I didn’t think it was a very good match or general performance or general atmosphere.
“It was a really difficult build up to the match right up to the two minutes before kick off when N…
Luis Enrique has left his position as head coach of Spain following his side s surprise World Cup last-16 defeat to Morocco, the Royal Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed.
Spain were eliminated on penalties after Tuesday s contest at Education City Stadium finished goalless after extra-time.
Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique s contract was due to expire at the end of the tournament in Qatar, and it was confirmed on Thursday he will not be staying on.
The RFEF would like to thank Luis Enrique and his entire coaching staff at the helm of the absolute national team in recent years, the statement read.
The sports management of the RFEF has transferred to the president a report in which it is determined that a new project should start for the Spanish s…
According to multiple sources, Kostas Tsimikas is close to signing a new contract at Liverpool. His current deal is set to run until the summer of 2025, but the new one is apparently devised to extend his stay at Anfield by two years more.
Tsimikas joined Liverpool in 2020, acquired by the Merseysiders to provide cover and competition for Andy Robertson on the left defensive flank, though the Greece international has occasionally played under Jurgen Klopp as winger too. The German tactician obviously has plenty of faith in the 27-year-old, and the player himself is comfortable with his situation at the club, despite not being a regular member of the starting XI.
Since arriving from Olympiacos, Tsimikas has so far made a total of 86 appearances in all competitions for Li…
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Seeking what is a crucial boost when they return to qualifying duties on Thursday night, the Netherlands will welcome to the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven.
Netherlands
Starting with the hosts, while the Netherlands might have gained a string of praise for their eye-catching flurry under Louis van Gaal last year, the European giants have come crashing back down to earth. Really struggling to find their feet since they welcomed back Ronald Koeman, the one-time Everton boss already finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Last seen back in June suffering Nations League heartbreak as they slumped to back-to-back defeats against Croatia and Italy respectively, Holland are desperate to claim a much-needed boost here. However, along wit…