Laporte would refuse Barcelona move

Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte says he would turn down an offer to join La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Laporte made his debut for Athletic as an 18-year-old in 2012 and has been persistently linked away from San Mames since establishing himself in the first team in 2013-14.

Manchester United and Barca are among the clubs reportedly tracking the 21-year-old.

However, Laporte, able to play at centre-back and fullback, claimed he has no interest in a move to Camp Nou and hopes to remain in Bilbao for the foreseeable future.

[Barca] is one of the best clubs in the world, but I would refuse them. They have not contacted me yet; not this season nor the last, the defender told Telefoot.

I have a way to go, playing through these years here in Bilb…

Eredivisie Preview: Guardado set for PSV bow, Ajax eye recovery

In-form PSV will seek revenge against Vitesse on Sunday as they look to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Eredivisie campaign.

Phillip Cocu s men have been impressive so far this term and made it three wins from three last time out against defending champions Ajax running out 3-1 victors in the capital.

Cocu s squad has been bolstered further since then with the loan signing of Mexico international Andres Guardado from Valencia as PSV seek to gain a measure of revenge against a side they were beaten heavily by last term.

Vitesse ran out 6-2 winners at the Philips Stadion in December last year thanks to a dominant second-half showing from the visitors.

With PSV seeking to pull clear from PEC Zwolle at the top, Cocu will hope Guardado can link up wi…

Premier League´s financial might unchallenged, Deloitte figures show

The Premier League has cemented its status as unquestionably the world s richest league, with projected collective earnings of £4.5billion last season, according to Deloitte.

The prestigious audit and financial consulting firm has released its Annual Review of Football Finance 2017, covering the 2015-16 campaign, during which total earnings were £3.6bn, a rise of nine per cent from the previous period. 

While the latest accounts are yet to be published, that figure is believed to have increased considerably last term, which was the first season of a lucrative new television rights deal, worth a total of £8.4bn for domestic and international markets, or £2.8bn per season, over three years from 2016 to 2019.

In contrast, clubs in the top two divisions of Europ…

Norwich City v Manchester City: Sagna still believes in title chances

Bacary Sagna says Manchester City remain confident they can win the Premier League title as they prepare to face Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini s side are 10 points behind leaders Leicester City, but recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend and still hold a game in hand over the rest of the top four.

City famously claimed their first Premier League title in 2012 despite sitting eight points behind leaders Manchester United with just six games to play, and a late run of form saw them overhaul Liverpool and Chelsea in their last victorious campaign in 2013-14.

And Sagna sees no reason why they cannot repeat the feat over their final 10 matches this term as they look to sustain their fearsome form at Carrow Road, wher…

Wolves 0 Crystal Palace 2: Ayew and Milivojevic send Eagles soaring

Roy Hodgson s decision to recall Jordan Ayew paid dividends at Molineux on Wednesday as the striker scored in Crystal Palace s 2-0 win over Wolves.

Palace have struggled in front of goal this season and it looked a
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s though they would fail to score in a Premier League game for the 10th time this season until Ayew lashed home his first goal for the club with seven minutes remaining.

Captain Luka Milivojevic doubled their tally in stoppage time to complete the victory after Wilfried Zaha had been felled by Ryan Bennett.

For Wolves it is back down to earth with a bump after their win over Tottenham on Saturday, Nuno Espirito Santo s side falling to a fifth home defeat of the campaign.

What a win!

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC)

Roma interested in Chiesa

According to a recent report from Corriere dello Sport, Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa is considered to be a target for fellow Italian side Roma. The 21 year old has been turning heads ever since he made his professional debut for Fiorentina back in 2016, and is also considered to be a rising star in the Italian national team’s setup. Roma, on the other hand, are currently on the verge of securing a place in the quarter finals of the Champions League.

Despite that there’s growing pressure on the club to find a new manager, which is an operation that could be carried out in the next few weeks. If it does then there’s a chance the links to Chiesa could disappear, but either way, it’s certainly an interesting story.

Chiesa has been tipped for greatness by many f…

Rumour Has It: Conte set to finalise Tottenham move, Pogba prefers PSG

Nuno Espirito Santo s replacement at Tottenham will be no surprise.

Antonio Conte had been rumoured as the top choice.

The ex-Inter man looks set to make it official on Tuesday, barring any late hitches.

 

TOP STORY – CONTE SET FOR SPURS MOVE

With Nuno Espirito Santo officially out, Antonio Conte is set to step in at Tottenham.

According to widespread reports, Conte has agreed a contract through June 2023 and the move will be finalised on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old left Inter by mutual consent after last season.

The Sun claims Spurs will give Conte £150million to spend on new players.

Antonio Conte to Tottenham, confirmed and here we go. The contract until June 2023 will be signed on Tuesday. The verbal agreemen…

Muller back for Germany as Saka keeps England place

Thomas Muller is back in the Germany starting XI for the Euro 2020 last-16 clash against England at Wembley, with Bukayo Saka retaining his place for the hosts.

Muller only featured from the bench when Joachim Low s side scraped a 2-2 draw against Hungary to emerge as runners-up in Group F as he nursed a knee injury.

But the Bayern Munich forward has been passed fit to start alongside wing-back Robin Gosens and defender Antonio Rudiger, both of whom had been struggling with cold symptoms.

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is involved after suffering a cranial bruise, but only on the bench as Leon Goretzka partners Toni Kroos in central midfield.

Your Germany XI to face England!

— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN)

Saka was a surprise…

Berlusconi to return to Milan

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi intends to regain full control of Serie A champions AC Milan.

Berlusconi first bought the club in 1986, staving off bankruptcy and overseeing an era of considerable success.

Now 75, Berlusconi stood down from his role as club president in 2008, when he began his third term as Italian PM.

He resigned from the Italian government earlier this month, with his priorities apparently returning to football.

I will take back AC Milan s presidency as soon as possible, Berlusconi said.

I am the president who has won the biggest number of titles in the world.

(Santiago) Bernabeu, who is second, behind me, won half of my titles.

Berlusconi s claim about being the most successful president i…

Ange Postecoglou praises Son Heung-min for beating tiredness to net winner

Ange Postecoglou hailed the high standards of “tired” Tottenham captain Son Heung-min after his late goal earned a 2-1 home win over Luton.

Spurs were able to get their Champions League qualification hopes back on track with a comeback victory against Luton after the visitors took a third-minute lead through Tahith Chong.

Tottenham captain Son hit both posts during the first half before Brennan Johnson, a half-time introduction, created the leveller when his dangerous cross was smashed into his own net by Hatters defender Issa Kabore.

Johnson turned provider again in the 86th minute from Timo Werner’s cross when he teed up Son, who slotted home via a deflection off Daiki Hashioka to earn the hosts a vital three points.

It was Son’s 15th goal of th…