Manchester United legends beat Barcelona legends at Camp Nou

Barcelona legends 1 – 3 Manchester United legends

Manchester United partied like it was 1999 as the Red Devils legends defeated Barcelona in a charity match at the Nou Camp on Friday.

Despite Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert gracing the pitch once again for the Catalans, it was the men from Manchester who triumphed, goals from Jesper Blomqvist, Karel Poborsky and Dwight Yorke firing them to a 3-1 win.

Blomqvist and Poborsky netted either side of half-time before United captain Dwight Yorke, who famously played here on the way to the Treble in 1999, iced the cake with a fine finish from outside the box. Frederic Dehu scored a consolation for the home side with the last kick of the game.

There was action from the outset as Poborsky got a lob all wrong, unlike at Euro 96 for Czech Republic, from Ji-sung Park’s precise pass before Raimond van der Gouw handled outside his box, redeeming himself with an excellent diving save to claw away Ronaldinho’s free-kick.

Ludovic Giuly fired over the top after good work by Rivaldo and Ronaldinho but he then hobbled off and United took the lead on 14 minutes. Poborsky cut the ball back for Blomqvist, only for Miguel Angel Nadal to block on the line, but Yorke kept the move alive and Blomqvist gratefully poked in at the second attempt.

Barcelona created chances but could have been further behind at the interval with Nadal nodding a Poborsky centre behind after the United midfielder had beaten keeper Jesus Angoy and must have been tempted to shoot towards an empty net. The effervescent Park was also unlucky not to win a penalty after a trip by Edgar Davids.

Ronaldinho, voted Man of the Match, rolled back the years with some outrageous skill, most notably a nutmeg on Blomqvist, and virtually every pass was a no-look one. His fellow Brazilian Rivaldo teed up Patrick Kluivert but he spurned a golden opportunity under pressure and the Reds were far more clinical. A neat move led to Yorke feeding Park and Poborsky’s finish took a wicked deflection off Dehu to double the lead.

Rivaldo’s free-kick flew wide and Edmilson had a set-piece pushed over by Kevin Pilkington before an incredible moment unfolded when Ronaldinho released Rivaldo and he tried a rabona finish that rolled just the wrong side of the post, to huge cheers from the captivated crowd in any case.

Danny Webber blasted off target on the break and caused problems for a tiring defence with his speed but Pilkington had to be alert to stop a toe-poke by Ronaldinho, when Davids outstripped Park down the left. It was United who scored next, courtesy of a superb drive by skipper Yorke that crashed in off a post, following a Webber touch to Mikael Silvestre’s diagonal pass.
Barcelona did pull a goal back to raise their hopes for the second game, as Dehu deceived Pilkington, expertly dummying the substitute keeper, to confidently find the net, following approach work by Ronaldinho, inevitably, and Kluivert. The money raised for charity is always the most important thing but it is still all set up nicely for Old Trafford in September, particularly as away goals do not count.

The return leg will be at Old Trafford on 2 September.
Barcelona:

Angoy (Guzman 73); Belletti (Dehu 36), Nadal (Andersson 46), Edmilson (Amor 67), Goikoetxea (Juan Carlos 73); Giuly (Kluivert 13), Davids (Estebaranz 82), Mendieta (Popescu 56), Simao (Ezquerro 46 (Salinas 84)); Rivaldo (Carreras 73), Ronaldinho. 
Manchester United:

Van der Gouw (Pilkington 46); Brown, Johnsen (Martin 53), Silvestre; Poborsky (Thornley 65), Park, Smith, Djordjic (Beardsmore 74), Blomqvist (Blackmore 74); Yorke, Saha (Webber 56).

Everton confirm the signing of Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru from Eupen

Everton have confirmed the signing of Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru from Belgian side Eupen – a deal which takes their summer spending past £50million.

The 20-year-old, who finished the season as joint top-scorer in the Belgian Super League with 22 goals in 38 matches, has signed a five-year contract after a fee understood to be in the region of £7million was agreed earlier this week.

However, he will immediately go out on loan to Anderlecht for next season where he will play in the Champions League.

He is the third new arrival at Goodison Park this summer, following Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (signed for £25m with £5m of add-ons) and Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen (£23.6m).

“Everton has completed the signing of exciting Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru,” said a statement from the club.

“The pacy 20-year-old has joined the Blues from Belgian side Eupen for an undisclosed fee, becoming the club’s third confirmed signing of the 2017 summer transfer window.”

Onyekuru had caught the attention of Arsenal and West Ham after scoring 30 goals in 60 matches for Eupen but Everton moved quickly to secure the young striker’s services.

Everton are also expected to complete a deal for Malaga forward Sandro Ramirez by early next week.

The Toffees activated the former Barcelona player’s £5.7m release clause a couple of weeks ago but there has been a delay in completing the transfer because of his involvement at the European Under-21 Championship, where he has reached Friday’s final with Spain.

Everton’s spending is likely to break through the £80m barrier next week with a £25m deal in the pipeline for Burnley defender Michael Keane.

Talks have progressed this week between the two sides and agent Jamie Moralee, while not naming the club, confirmed a deal was close.

“Obviously there’s a lot of speculation, a lot of interest, in Michael and rightly so,” Moralee told talkSPORT.

“We are hoping that we can get a deal concluded to a new destination maybe by the weekend. And the key to it all, for Michael, is he wants to continue to learn and develop.

“Finding a home where they have got aspirations and ambitions to move on as a football club, where he plays, is key in his development.

“We feel that we have found the right fit and hopefully things can progress over the weekend and he can be unveiled very shortly.

“There’s no point him now getting that move and then sitting on the bench and sitting in the stands.

“He needs to continue and I think if he continues in the same vein in the next two years, as he has done, he will be England and Europe’s number one centre-half. ”

West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna signs new five-year deal

Angelo Ogbonna has signed a new five-year contract with West Ham.

The Italy defender missed almost the entire second half of last season having undergone knee surgery in January, returning only for the Hammers’ final Premier League game of the campaign in a 2-1 win at Burnley.

However, the 29-year-old has now penned a fresh contract to keep him at the London Stadium until 2022, having originally signed for Slaven Bilic’s side from Juventus in 2015.

“I’m really grateful for this new deal,” Ogbonna told West Ham’s website. “Our position last year was quite high and we are looking forward to improving next season.

“My target is that I can’t wait to get back playing. I think we have a long season ahead and for me my target is to be better than last season. We finished in 11th position but very close to eighth position and we know we can do better than what we did last year.

“I am excited to show my quality on the pitch and the support is always amazing, even when I had my injury. We have got lots of experience in the team at the moment, which is very good.”

Fit-again Obgonna will now bid to secure his place in Slaven Bilic’s side during West Ham’s pre-season tour to Austria, Germany and Iceland this summer.

Scott Parker returns to Tottenham as a coach

​Scott Parker has returned to former club Tottenham as their new U18s coach and a club ambassador.

The 36-year-old  announced his retirement from playing last week  after the end of his  contract at Fulham, and returns to the club where he spent two years and played in the Champions League.

The former England international has been taking his coaching badges and Parker helped Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic in a coaching role while out injured last season.

Th ex-footballer will begin work immediately at Hotspur Way and said: “I’m delighted to be back and look forward to immersing myself in the job.

“Obviously it wasn’t an easy decision to call time on my playing career, though I’m looking forward to this new chapter and I am grateful to Spurs for handing me this opportunity at such an exciting time in the club’s history.

“It is a great honour to represent the club both as a coach and ambassador.”
His appointment follows those of Wayne Burnett as U23s boss and Perry Suckling as an academy coach on Thursday.

Tottenham’s head of coaching and player development  said: “Scott will need no introduction in terms of his playing credentials.

“He’s been planning a career in coaching for a number of years and during his time here he was not only completing his coaching qualifications but dealing with players in real life situations.

“Scott’s role within the Academy will be to manage the Under-18s players and to instil the standards required to be an elite international and Premier League player.

“I know how passionately Scott feels about the personal qualities Mauricio needs from players to be a success in our first team and I know he will develop these qualities in our players on and off the training pitch.”

Latest Football News

• Arsenal close in on signing of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette for a fee worth more than £50m including add-ons.

• Chelsea have begun talks with Roma to sign centre-half Antonio Rudiger.

• Manchester City have opened negotiations with Tottenham over the transfer of Kyle Walker.

• Real Madrid starlet Oscar Rodriguez has snubbed a move to Manchester City to sign a contract extension with the La Liga giants.

• Monaco do not expect to sell Thomas Lemar this summer and have told Arsenal and Tottenham, two of the 21-year-old winger’s suitors, that he is not on the market.

• But Barcelona are also interested in the France international.

• Thomas Lemar is becoming one of Juventus’ primary transfer targets.

• Barcelona are ready to battle it out with Real Madrid to sign Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos.

• Thibaut Courtois is likely to resume contract talks with Chelsea after Real Madrid cooled their interest in signing the goalkeeper.

• Courtois’ agent has admitted that the Chelsea goalkeeper regularly meets with directors of Real Madrid.

• Arsenal target Rafinha says his “future is open” amid rumours that he will be used as a makeweight in Barcelona’s bid to sign Hector Bellerin.

• Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches is reportedly open to leaving the club this summer as he looks for more playing time.

• Saul Niguez, 22, wants to stay at Atletico Madrid but, amid interest from Barcelona and Manchester United, the Spain international says he would like more money.

• Manchester United will not sell Ander Herrera to Barcelona this summer, despite reports the Spanish giants will consider a move for the 27-year-old Spain midfielder if they fail to sign Italy international Marco Verratti, 24, from Paris St-Germain.

• United are not looking to sell defender Phil Jones during the summer transfer window.

• Juventus are looking to take Leonardo Spinazzola back to the club as Chelsea-bound Alex Sandro’s replacement.

• Nathaniel Chalobah is ready to reject a new contract at Chelsea and move on this summer in search of regular first-team football, with Watford interested.

• AC Milan star winger Suso claims that some Champions League clubs are keen on signing in him, as Tottenham continue to be linked.

• Milan are close to completing their sixth summer signing, with the rossoneri set to agree a deal for Andrea Conti with Atalanta.

• Milan are interested in signing Juan Cuadrado, now that Juventus have set their sights on Mattia De Sciglio.

• Liverpool are ready to bid for RB Leipzig’s £70m-rated Guinea midfielder Naby Keita, 22.

• However, Leipzig have received no approach from Liverpool regarding the transfer of Naby Keita.

• The Reds will not prioritise Keita over Arsenal and England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, and hope to acquire both players.

• Real Madrid defender Danilo is reported to have given his green light to move to Juventus.

• Zinedine Zidane’s son Enzo has left Real Madrid to join Alaves. The former France Under-19 midfielder, 22, has signed a three-year deal after failing to get a regular place in the team managed by his father.

• Everton will complete the signing of Malaga striker Sandro, 21, next week. The Toffees have met the Spaniard’s release clause and he has passed a medical but the La Liga club are refusing to sign release papers until his deal ends on 3 July.

• Stoke City are closing in on Hull City academy product Josh Tymon and could announce the signing of the 18-year-old defender next week.

• West Ham chairman David Gold has played down speculation the club are chasing Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, 25, and says the club are searching for two new strikers with Premier League experience.

• Liverpool have turned down a number of loan approaches for winger Sheyi Ojo. The 20-year-old has attracted interest from Newcastle, Burnley and Middlesbrough following his success with England at the Under-20s World Cup.

• Watford boss Marco Silva is determined to sign Kieran Gibbs from Arsenal. The 27-year-old England left-back has also been linked with Liverpool.

• Southampton want Manchester City and Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 20, who is valued at £25m.

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• Bookmakers have cut the odds of Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, 20, moving to Leicester City, following a rush of bets.

• Valencia have confirmed they have reached an agreement to sell midfielder Enzo Perez to River Plate.

• Newcastle look set to sign Eibar’s French defender Florian Lejeune, 26, and may try to lure striker Andre Gray, also 26, from Burnley.

• Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone, 24, who spent last season on loan at Championship side Aston Villa, is wanted by several Premier League clubs including West Brom, Huddersfield and Leicester.

• PSG attacker Jean-Christophe Bahebeck is attrcting interest from Spanish outfit Real Betis.

• Arsenal target Rafinha says his “future is open” amid rumours that he will be used as a makeweight in Barcelona’s bid to sign Hector Bellerin.

• Swansea City target Roque Mesa could instead be on his way to Atletico Madrid.

• A Nigerian club has sacked 27 players for performing “below expectations”.

• Torino have made an opening €15m bid to sign Genoa star Giovanni Simeone.

• Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, 28, has renewed his executive box at the Emirates – suggesting he will stay at the club.

• Derby County boss Gary Rowett has confirmed Huddersfield Town are keen to sign Rams’ midfielder Tom Ince, but are yet to meet the club’s valuation of the 25-year-old former England Under-21 international.

• Journalist Andy Mitten shared an image of five Manchester United greats using public transport. He  wrote on Instagram:”I’m in Hong Kong. Group of lads from Manchester on the metro going to play 5-a-side.”

Barcelona set re-sign Gerard Deulofeu from Everton

Barcelona have announced that they will re-signing Gerard Deulofeu from Everton on a two-year deal for 12 million Euros.

The Catalan side have activated a buy-back clause for the Spanish winger who signed for Everton on a permanent basis in July 2015.

Deulofeu fell down the pecking at Goodison Park following the signing of Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace and spent the second half of last season on loan with AC Milan.

The 23-year-old, who is a product Barca’s famed La Masia academy, is currently on international duty with Spain U21 and is expected to start Friday night’s European  Championship final  against Germany in Poland.
A statement from Barcelona said: “FC Barcelona have activated the buy-back clause for Gerard Deulofeu. In the following days, the terms will be agreed with both Everton and the player. Deulofeu’s contract will run until 30 June 2019.”

Confusion in Ireland as two Premiership clubs claim to have signed the same player

There is confusion in the Irish Premiership after both Linfield and Crusaders claimed to have signed former York City defender Josh Robinson.

The 24-year-old spent one year with York after joining them from Crusaders before both City and Robinson mutually agreed to his release.

A York spokesperson has told Sky Sports News HQ: “I can confirm that Josh has been released from York City by mutual consent. We are not sure which club he has subsequently joined so, to be on the safe side, we’ll take the ‘don’t know’ option!”

Linfield stated Robinson has signed a three-year deal with them while Crusaders announced Robinson had signed a four-year contract to return to Seaview, with all necessary documentation being sent to the Irish FA.
The Irish FA is currently looking into this and seeking to clarify which club has the player’s rights.

Crusaders won their Europa League game 3-1 last night. Linfield need to get past La Fiorita in San Marino on Tuesday to set up Champions League game with Celtic. Linfield are leading 1-0 after first leg.

Barcelona’s Neymar top World’s Highest-Paid Under 25 athletes

​Barcelona star Neymar is the highest-earning athlete in the world under 25, according to a study by Forbes.

Neymar, who is not 26 until next February, earns $37 million a year, ahead of golfer Jordan Spieth ($34.5m) and NBA duo Kyrie Irving ($29.9m) and Anthony Davis ($28.1m).

The Brazil international signed a new five-year deal with Barca last summer, worth $15m-a-year, but the report states he earns far more money away from the pitch thanks to his wide range of sponsorship agreements.

“The Brazilian wunderkind is the highest-paid of the 25 and under set,” Forbes said after naming the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world.

“The superstar’s current contract ties him to Barcelona until 2021. He is the only [football] player to earn more off the pitch than on it, including from sponsors Nike, Gillette, Panasonic and Beats by Dre.”
However, Neymar is only 18th on the overall list, which is headed by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who boasts annual earning of $93m taking into account his salary and the money he receives from endorsements.

Basketball player Lebron James ($86.2m) is second on the list, followed by Barca’s Lionel Messi ($80m), with Neymar the next footballer to appear on the list after his club teammate.

Earlier this year, Neymar was the only football player to be named in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people on the planet.

Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier signs new five year contract extension

Kieran Trippier has signed a five-year contract extension with Tottenham.

The 26-year-old’s previous deal still had three years left to run but Spurs have improved his terms and extended them until 2022.

Trippier, who signed from Burnley in 2015, enjoyed a superb season in 2015/16, rotated with right-back Kyle Walker and breaking into the England fold with an international debut against France earlier this month.

Trippier has made 41 appearances for Spurs since his £3.5m move from the Clarets, including 13 starts across the Europa and Champions Leagues.

Huddersfield sign Manchester City’s Aaron Mooy for a club record fee

Huddersfield have announced the signing of midfielder Aaron Mooy from Manchester City for a club record fee that could rise to £10million.
Town have paid a guaranteed record fee of £8m to City for the Australian international, with additional contingencies that could see the fee rise to £10m.
The 26-year old played a key role as the Terriers gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time via the play-offs, scoring four times and grabbing seven assists for David Wagner’s side during a season-long loan.

No work permit is required as the player, who has won 28 caps for Australia, holds a Dutch passport through his mother’s heritage.

He has signed a contract until 2020, with Huddersfield having the option to extend that deal by a further season.
“Everybody who has watched our team in our promotion season knows how huge it is to have Aaron back at the club as we enter the Premier League for the first time,” said manager David Wagner. “I’m sure our fans will be very happy to see him back.

“As I said many times last season, Aaron was right at the heart of our team. When he played well, we usually played well – and won.

“His performances for us understandably brought a lot of interest in him this summer, so it is a big statement that Aaron wants to return to us.

“I think he understands that playing so regularly for us at a good level improved his game too and now he has the chance to be a regular in the Premier League; something that is very exciting for every player.”

Sunderland’s new manager Simon Grayson

Simon Grayson has a signed a three-year contract to take over as Sunderland manager.

The 47-year-old leaves Preston to take over at the Stadium of Light and brings with him his assistant Glynn Snodin.

The 47-year-old replaces David Moyes, who resigned in May following the Black Cats’ relegation to the Championship.
The ex-Huddersfield and Leeds boss has signed a three-year deal on Wearside.

After agreeing to leave his four-year spell at Deepdale and move to Wearside, Grayson said: “I’m delighted and excited by the opportunity to manage this club.
“I want to bring the good times back. Sunderland are so fortunate to have such tremendous support and I want to give these fans a team they can be proud of.”
Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain said: “From the outset he demonstrated a tremendous enthusiasm for the job and his desire and ambition to make this football club better shone through.”

Having led Preston to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in 2015 and two successive 11th-place finishes, the club said: “We would like to place on record our thanks to Simon and Glynn for their hard work and service over the past four years.

“Current first team coach Steve Thompson will continue to look after first team affairs whilst this process in undertaken.”

Huddersfield manager David Wagner signs new two-year deal

Huddersfield manager David Wagner has signed a new two-year contract, the Premier League club have announced.

Wagner and his assistant Christoph Buehler have been rewarded with improved deals until 2019 after guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their first full season at the John Smith’s Stadium.

“Head coach David Wagner and assistant head coach Christoph Buehler have reaffirmed their commitment to Huddersfield Town after signing new contracts at the club,” the Terriers announced on their official website.

“David and Christoph have put pen to paper on new contracts that will run until the summer of 2019 ahead of the club’s first ever Premier League campaign.

Wagner’s stock has risen sharply since he and Buehler left their roles with Borussia Dortmund reserves to become shock appointments by Terriers owner Hoyle in November 2015 following the departure of Chris Powell.
The Terriers were 18th in the Championship when Wagner arrived and after steering them clear of relegation at the end of the 2015/16 season, he drafted in 13 new players last summer.

As Town’s transformation last season from also-rans into genuine promotion contenders took shape, Wagner distanced himself from vacancies at various other clubs, including Leicester, West Ham and former club Dortmund.

Bournemouth sign Nathan Ake for club record fee

​Bournemouth have signed Chelsea defender Nathan Ake for a club-record fee, reported to be in the region of £20million.
The transfer fee breaks Bournemouth’s previous record – the £15m paid to Liverpool for winger Jordon Ibe in July 2016.
Ake has signed a long-term deal and is the Cherries’ third summer signing.

England striker Jermain Defoe signed on Thursday from Sunderland and Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir Begovic arrived from Chelsea in May.

The Netherlands international, 22, had a spell on loan with the Cherries last season and scored three goals in 12 games before being recalled to Stamford Bridge in January, featured sporadically to help the Blues win the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.
“I had a great time here last season so I’m really happy to be back,” Ake told the Bournemouth website.

“It’s an exciting challenge. Chelsea is a great club and I learned so much there but this is a new step and the right place for me to develop even more.

“The fans haven’t seen the best of me yet. I always set the bar high so I know there is a lot of things I still have to work on. With the help of the manager here I know I can keep improving and become a better player.”

Ake joined Chelsea in 2012 and made 17 appearances for the Stamford Bridge side. He spent the 2015-16 season on loan at Watford in the Premier League.

Ake made his international debut for Holland against Morocco in March.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said: “I am delighted that we have completed the signing of Nathan on a permanent basis.

“Nathan is an outstanding young player with a fantastic attitude and a great desire to learn and develop.

“He has a very bright future ahead of him and I’m very pleased to say that future is here.”

“He is someone we know all about, having had a very successful loan spell here last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo post picture of new twins – “The two new loves of my life”

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he is the father to twin boys on Facebook, following Portugal’s semi-final defeat in the Confederations Cup.

Swansea sign goalkeeper Erwin Mulder from Heerenveen

Swansea have signed Dutch goalkeeper Erwin Mulder on a free transfer, the Premier League club have announced.

The 28-year-old arrives at the Liberty Stadium having turned down a new contract at Eredivisie club Heerenveen, for whom he played for the last two years.

Mulder has signed a three-year deal and becomes Swansea manager Paul Clement’s first signing of the summer.

He began his career at Feyenoord, where he made 120 appearances, had a season on loan at Excelsior in 2008-09, and joined Heerenveen in 2015.

In all, he has played more than 250 senior games in his native Holland.

Mulder will compete for the number one spot at the Liberty Stadium alongside Lukasz Fabianski and Kristoffer Nordfeldt, who he succeeded at Heerenveen when the Sweden international joined Swansea.

“I am very happy to be here,” Mulder told the official Swansea website.

“Now the opportunity has come and I have taken it with both hands.

“The Premier League is the biggest league in the world. As a player, you want to be part of that.”

Mulder becomes the third Dutch goalkeeper to join Swansea with Dorus de Vries and Michel Vorm having played notable roles there in the past decade.

“There have been many Dutch players here, including some goalkeepers,” Mulder said.

“A lot of them have done well here so it is nice for me to be here now.

“I know a little bit about the club. I spoke with Leroy Fer and Mike van der Hoorn.

“They told me some good things about the club.

“Of course I want to challenge to play here, but Lukasz is here and Kristoffer is here, so it is going to be difficult. But I am going to do my best.”

FIFA Confederations Cup – Russia 2017: Goretzka scores twice as Germany beat Mexico to cruise into final

Germany 4 – 1 Mexico

Leon Goretzka scored twice in the opening eight minutes as Germany beat Mexico 4-1 in Sochi to join Chile in the Confederations Cup final.

The Schalke midfielder scored two goals in the space of three minutes sweeping home a Benjamin Henrichs pass from 20 yards and then slotted home from Timo Werner’s through ball.

Timo Werner finished off a nice team move to make it 3-0 after the break (59), and though Marco Fabian’s stunning 30-yard strike threatened to make things interesting late on, sub Amin Younes rounded off the win at the death for Germany.

While Germany go onto Sunday’s final in St Petersburg, Mexico face Portugal in a third-fourth play-off earlier that day.

Latest Football News

• ​Reports in the Italian media claim it was Manchester United, and not Chelsea, behind Kostas Manolas’ decision to snub a €35m move to Zenit on Wednesday.

• Jose Mourinho has reportedly urged Ed Woodward to bring Neymar to Manchester United.

• Manchester United have made another move for Torino striker Andrea Belotti. The 23-year-old scored 26 goals in Serie A last season and has been a transfer target for Arsenal and Chelseain the past. United’s advances have again been rejected as Torino try to hold on to the forward.

• Everton are in advanced talks to sign Burnley centre-back Michael Keane.

• Fabio Borini’s transfer from Sunderland to AC Milan is set to be confirmed after the 26-year-old Italy forward was pictured having a medical with the Rossoneri.

• After moving closer to a deal for Sunderland  striker Fabio Borini, AC Milan will decide who their last forward signing should be. The dream is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but they have lined up Nikola Kalinic from Fiorentina as the alternative.

• Monaco and France midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 22, has edged closer to completing his £35m switch to Chelsea after having a medical with the Premier League champions.

• Chelsea have asked Bayern Munich  over the availability of defender  Jerome Boateng and are set to  make a €30million bid.

• Real Madrid have enquired about signing 25-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, according to the Belgium international’s agent.

• Ajax have completed the signing of 17-year-old goalkeeper Issam El Maach on a three-year-deal from Vitesse.

• After a reported £31m  offer for Thomas Lemar was rejected, it is now claimed Arsenal’s bid was actually closer to £36m with bonuses, but Monaco still turned it down. Also a transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur, the London rivals are apparently preparing their bid for the France international.

• Arsenal are interested in Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, 25, after Roma were put off by the £35m release clause for the Ivory Coast international.

• Barca will move to plan B, with Riyad Mahrezand Ander Herrera leading the shortlist if Marco Verratti stays at PSG.

• Reported as a transfer  target for Liverpooland Manchester United, Inter Milan have asked Atletico Madrid about the availability of defender Jose Gimenez. The 22-year-old played at centre-back, right-back and defensive midfield last season and Inter would see his versatility as a huge plus. The player only started 12 league games under Diego Simeone and is keen to find more first-team minutes.

• Inter are stepping their efforts to snatch Angel Di Maria from PSG.

• Manchester United target Ivan  Perisic could perform a U-turn and  may sign a new deal to stay at Inter Milan.

• Sampdoria and Bologna are interested in signing former Inter star Wesley Sneijder, despite interest in the player from MLS.

• AC Milan have struck a €14million  deal with Santos for midfielder  Thiago Maia.

• Napoli have no intention of letting Pepe Reina and Faouzi Ghoulam leave despite only having 12 months left on their San Paolo deals.

• Torino have placed Napoli’s Duvan Zapata and Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen on their wanted list.

• Marseille have pulled out of the race to sign £17.6m-rated Besiktas star Oguzhan Ozyakup and he could now be targeted by Arsenal and West Ham.

• Chelsea remain favourites to sign Alex Sandro from Juventus despite PSG offering both Blaise Matuidi and Serge Aurier as part of the package.

• The Blues are also emerging as favourites to sign unhappy Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and are ready to make the striker their No 1 target.

• Chelsea defender Nathan Ake, 22, is on the verge of joining Bournemouth in a club-record £20m transfer.

• Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin will reportedly force his way out of the club to rejoin Barcelona.

• Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is being tipped to make a return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace.

• Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry, 36, has been told he could succeed Steve Bruce as manager of Aston Villa – if he joins the club.

• Liverpool target Naby Keita says  he is aiming to play “for one of  the very big clubs” like Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester City.  The 22-year-old Red Bull Leipzig  midfielder is wanted by the  Anfield club.

• Liverpool are reportedly set to rekindle their interest in Hull left-back Andy Robertson as a replacement for Alberto Moreno, who is edging ever closer to leaving Anfield.

• Tottenham have held talks with Scott Parker over a position on the club’s coaching staff. Parker, 36, retired from playing on Wednesday.

• Borussia Monchengladbach are putting together a formal offer of £12m for 23-year-old Tottenham and Netherlands forward Vincent Janssen.

• Huddersfield Town will complete a move for Montpellier striker Steve  Mounie on Thursday. The 22-year-old, who scored 14 league goals last season, is set to sign a four-year-contract and will cost the Yorkshire club around £11m.

• Real Madrid remain keen on Chelsea forward Eden Hazard despite being told that the Blues have no intention of selling.

• Gabriel Jesus has revealed he spoke to Dani Alves about his future and hopes his compatriot will join him at Manchester City.

• Manchester City fear they could be stuck with Samir Nasri and his stay could cost up to £25m.

• Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is closing in on a return to Ligue 1.
• Lyon and Marseille are leading the race to sign the France international.

• New Nantes manager Claudio Ranieri is looking to add Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina to his squad.

• Bordeaux have approached Leicester City about the possibility of signing midfielder Papy Mendy.

• Several European clubs are lining up to end Bartosz Kaputska’s unsuccessful time at Leicester City.

• Wanted by Real Madrid, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe has updated his Twitter profile and it could include a masked hint about his future. His background has changed to show an advertising hoarding with the word ‘priceless’ behind the player. The 18-year-old might be suggesting the interested clubs need to look elsewhere.

• Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu has rejected the chance of a return to Barcelona with AC Milan and Juventus both vying for the 23-year-old’s services.

• Tottenham target Carles Alena has penned a new three-year deal at Barcelona, containing a buyout clause worth £66m. The midfielder, 19, captains Spain at under-19 level and has been on Spurs’ radar for some time.

• Spurs are eyeing AC Milan star Suso and boss Mauricio Pochettino is also plotting a cut-price swoop for £25m-rated Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.

• West Ham are ready to offload Robert Snodgrass, just six months after his £10m move from Hull.

• Defender Jonny Evans is seriously considering his future at West Bromwich Albion after being left frustrated at seeing Darren Fletcher leave the club. Evans, 29, has been the subject of a £10m bid from Leicester City.

• West Brom are closing in on a £12m deal for Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez, 27.

• Watford striker Stefano Okaka, 27, has been offered a big-money move to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

• Newcastle United are in talks with Liverpool over a possible loan deal for winger Sheyi Ojo, 20.

• The Toons are still waiting for a decision from Yoan Gouffran after offering the French winger a Premier League lifeline.

• Middlesbrough have appointed their former defender and captain Jonathan Woodgate as the club’s new Under-18s assistant coach.

• Sunderland have confirmed that a proposed takeover has collapsed and that Ellis Short will stay in control of the club.

• Swansea City are leading the chase to sign Coventry City’s George Thomas this summer. Leicester City also want the 20-year-old midfielder.

• Brighton are set to land Joe Gomez  on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

• Brighton have cooled their interest in Aaron Mooy.

• Swansea striker Fernando Llorente is a doubt for Swansea’s opening game of the season after breaking his arm on holiday.The 32-year-old was involved in cycling accident.

• Mark Hughes will assure Bojan the slate has been wiped clean when the Spanish playmaker returns to the club for pre-season training next week.

• Brendan Rodgers has no intention of signing his son Anton for Celtic despite giving him a run-out as a trialist in the pre-season friendly against BW Linz last night.

• Romelu Lukaku has hit back at critics who questioned him for playing football on holiday after a video emerged of him on a pitch surrounded by Chelsea club crests.

• Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he is the father to twin boys on Facebook, following Portugal’s semi-final defeat in the Confederations Cup.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has posted a video of a new statue created in his honour, with the post: “The symbol of Sweden is almost done”.

• Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford posted a photoof him chatting to “the king” – Ronaldinho. The former Brazil forward called Rashford “humble, young and good”.

• Porto have accused rivals Benfica of resorting to hiring a witch doctor to aid their push for the title last season.

• Former England defender Stuart Pearce believes Everton have stolen a march on the Premier League’s leading clubs with their move for Burnley defender Michael Keane.

Bournemouth sign Jermain Defoe on a three year deal

Bournemouth have completed the signing of Jermain Defoe from Sunderland on a three-year deal.
The 34-year-old agreed terms with Bournemouth last month, according to reports, with his Sunderland deal including a clause that allowed him to leave for free after they were relegated.
The Cherries have now finalised his transfer, with Defoe set to earn £65,000-a-week to stay in the top flight with Eddie Howe’s side.

Defoe’s signing marks his return to the club where he first made headlines during a loan spell from West Ham in 2000-01.
The striker scored 18 goals in 29 appearances for the club, including a run of 12 goals in 10 matches during the second half of the campaign.

Defoe leaves Sunderland having scored 37 goals in two-and-a-half seasons for the Black Cats – form which has seen him earn a recall to the England national side.

He becomes Bournemouth’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Asmir Begovic from Chelsea while Nathan Ake is closing in on  £20m move to the south coast
“It’s great to be back and I’m really looking forward to this challenge,” said Defoe. “When the opportunity came about to return to AFC Bournemouth I just knew it was the right one.
“It was an easy decision, joining a top team with a top manager. It’s a great place to be.

“The Bournemouth fans know that every time I pull the shirt on I will give 100 per cent, and the one thing I can guarantee is goals.”
Howe added: “This a huge moment for the football club and another step in the right direction.

“We want to bring players here who can have a big impact on our continued rise and we believe Jermain fits that as a natural, proven goal scorer.
Defoe is one of a number of players set to depart Sunderland this summer following their relegation, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford already having signed for Everton and Fabio Borini set to join AC Milan.
Despite Sunderland finishing bottom of the Premier League, Defoe still managed 15 goals in 37 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats last season.

Jermain Defoe is seventh on the all-time Premier League scoring list.

FIFA Confederations Cup – Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo the hero as he saves three penalties to send Chile to final

Portugal 0 – 0 Chile (0 – 3 Penalties)

Chile reached the final of the Confederation Cup after Claudio Bravo saved three penalties as Chile edge Portugal on a 3-0 shoot-out.

The Chile captain denied Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani to send his team into Sunday’s final after the game in Kazan ended 0-0 after extra time.

Chile, who scored all three of their spot-kicks taken by Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz and Alexis Sanchez, will face the winner of Germany against Mexico.
Nani missed the decisive penalty as Portugal did not call on Cristiano Ronaldo, who likely was scheduled to take the fifth.

Chile created the better opportunities and were unfortunate not to win the game in extra-time when they struck the woodwork twice in quick succession through Vidal and Martin Rodriguez.

New Manchester City signing Bernardo Silva overcame a foot injury to start, while Cristiano Ronaldo captained his country and Jose Fonte replaced the suspended Pepe. Alexis Sanchez and Claudio Bravo featured for Chile.

Bafetimbi Gomis joins Galatasaray from swansea

Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis has agreed a permanent transfer to Turkish giants Galatasaray, the Welsh club confirmed on Wednesday.
Gomis leaves Paul Clement’s side for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.5million after spending last season on loan in with Marseille.

The 31-year-old joined Swansea on a free transfer from Lyon in 2014.

Gomis, capped 12 times by France, had a limited impact during his time in south Wales after beginning his Swansea career as back-up to Wilfried Bony.

After Bony’s departure to Manchester City in January 2015, Gomis established himself as Swansea’s main striker and scored 17 goals in 71 games.

But he spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 club Marseille, where he scored 20 goals in 31 league games.

Before leaving for Turkey, he posted a farewell to the club’s fans on Instagram, saying: “I had come with a very specific goal, to help the club qualify for Europe and score 20 goals, and this happened.

“Today a page turns for me. I have made the choice to leave for a new experience, I leave with a heavy heart because I leave friends, brothers, a stadium, a city, a family, great men.”

Swansea are set to replace Gomis  by signing Chelsea’s England Under-21 striker Tammy Abraham on a season-long loan.

Abraham spent last season at Bristol City – scoring 23 goals in the Sky Bet Championship – and Chelsea were keen for the 19-year-old to gain further loan experience in the Premier League.

The deal should be formally completed following England U21’s departure from Euro 2017, where Abraham scored in normal time before missing a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out defeat to Germany.

Swansea also hope to conclude the signing of Las Palmas midfielder Roque Mesa for 13million Euros (£11.5m) in the next 48 hours.

The 28-year-old central midfielder had a pass completion rate of 91.4 per cent last season, the fourth highest in LaLiga in the campaign just finished.

Swansea have began clearing the decks for Mesa’s arrival by parting company with Franck Tabanou.

The former France Under-21 defender joined from Ligue 1 club St Etienne in June 2015, but made only three appearances for Swansea, all in cup competitions.

Former Chelsea, West Ham, Spurs midfielder Scott Parker retires from football

Former England international Scott Parker has officially announced his retirement from football.

The 36-year-old began his career at Charlton, before playing for Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham, and most recently Fulham. He was capped by England on 18 occasions in a career which spanned two decades.

Parker was also named the Footballer Writers’ Player of the Year in 2011 during his four-season spell at West Ham.

“The decision to retire has not been an easy one for me but having thought long and hard over it, and having discussed it with those closest to me, I believe that now is the right time to move on to the next chapter in my life and career,” Parker said in a statement released to Sky Sports on Wednesday.

“When I started my career at Charlton Athletic all those years ago I could only have dreamt at that time just what was to follow over the next two decades.

“I feel incredibly honoured and proud to have enjoyed the career that I have and I’ve loved every moment of it.”

Parker made 31 appearances for Fulham last season, with his last professional outing coming as a second-half substitute in their 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the Championship season. He was an unused substitute in both legs of Fulham’s play-off defeat against Reading.

Parker made his professional debut as a teenager for Charlton in 1997. He made nearly 150 appearances for the east Londoners before Claudio Ranieri took him to Chelsea for £10million in January 2004, shortly after Roman Abramovich had taken over the Stamford Bridge outfit.

The midfielder however, found opportunities at the Blues hard to come by and was sold to Newcastle the following year. Parker captained the Magpies after Alan Shearer retired -but following 55 Premier League appearances on Tyneside he headed back to London to sign for West Ham.

Parker became an integral player for the Hammers, making more than 100 league starts, before he handed in a transfer request following their relegation to the Championship. Tottenham would be Parker’s next stop. He enjoyed two seasons at White Hart Lane but signed a three-year deal at Fulham in 2013 which expired this summer.

The midfielder played every match of England’s Euro 2012 campaign under Roy Hodgson and featured for the Three Lions at all age levels. His last international appearance was as a second-half replacement for Frank Lampard in England’s 8-0 World Cup qualifying victory at San Marino in May 2013.

Latest Football News

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the verge of joining Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian from Dortmund for over £70m. It seems he has chosen to earn over £26m a year in China.

• Monaco have turned down Arsenal’s €35million offer for Thomas Lemar and declared he is not for sale.

• The Gunners have also failed in their bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette 

• Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is prepared to battle Juventus to bring in Danilo from Real Madrid.

• Aston Villa will complete the signing of defender John Terry, 34, this weekend when his Chelsea deal runs out.

• Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is expected to complete his move to Bournemouth this weekend.

• Swansea captain Leon Britton has signed a new one-year deal at the Premier League club.

• Fulham teenager Ryan Sessegnon has signed a new three-year deal with the Sky Bet Championship club.

• AC Milan are reportedly set to confirm the signing of Sunderland forward Fabio Borini.

• Bordeaux youngster Adam Ounas is  reportedly on the verge of joining  Napoli in a blow for Jose Mourinho,  who was watching the player.

• Manchester United will still try to sign Monaco midfielder Fabinho, 23, even after recruiting Nemanja Matic, 28, from Chelsea. Jose Mourinho could play Fabinho as a right-back.

• Ivan Perisic has reportedly told Inter Milan he will reject their latest contract offer in a bid to force through a move to Manchester United.

• Manchester United’s bid for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, 24, has stalled with the Spanish club upping their valuation of the player to nearly £80m.

• However, Real Madrid president Florentino  Perez has said no negotiations  have taken place with United about Morata.

• Morata has taken a break from his honeymoon in an attempt to speed up his transfer to Manchester United.

• United have made a bid of €80 million for Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez

• Barcelona could keep former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen in their squad for next season.

• July 4 is likely to be a decisive date in Barcelona’s interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti.

• Barcelona are furious with former club captain Carles Puyol after a 16-year-old defender he represents, Eric Garcia, decided to walk away from the club to join Manchester City.

• Paris Saint-German are trying to hijack Chelsea’s move for Juventus defender Alex Sandro.

• ​Juventus want to keep Chelsea targets Alex Sandro and Leonardo Bonucci.

• ​The Serie A champions are going to make an opening €40m bid to sign Fiorentina star Federico Bernardeschi.

• AC Milan are planning a big-money bid for Real Madrid midfielder Isco.

• Milan have given Manchester United and Chelsea a boost by pulling out of the race to sign Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez, 25, from Real Madrid.

• Manchester City are now focusing on their number one target Alexis Sanchez and are not interested in the services of Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane Dembele at this moment in time.

• Chelsea are expected to extend the contract of 22-year-old midfielder Mario Pasalic, with Leeds and Galatasaray interested in a loan deal.

• Everton will beat Manchester United to the £25m signing of Burnley and England defender Michael Keane. The 24-year-old will complete his transfer to Goodison Park in the next few days.

• Everton striker Romelu Lukaku’s transfer to Chelsea has been delayed – because the Premier League champions are waiting for their new kit deal to begin.

• Liverpool target Naby Keita will not  leave RB Leipzig this summer. Keita can leave next year for approximately €55million due to a clause in his contract.

• Trabzonspor are willing to meet Liverpool’s £5m asking price for midfielder Lucas Leiva, 30.

• Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 32, will not join Stoke City because he is “settled” in Turkey with Fenerbahce.

• Fenerbahce are considering a bid for Everton’s 29-year-old winger Kevin Mirallas.

• Tottenham are ready to offer Toby Alderweireld, 28, a new deal to tie down the defender who is wanted by Inter Milan.

• Inter will sign Sampdoria centre-back Milan Skriniar in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

• AS Roma are set to complete the signing of Lyon star Gonalons.

• Werder Bremen’s German goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald, 27, could be heading for Elland Road after an approach from Leeds United.

• Valencia’s possible signing of Neto would give Juve green light to sign Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny.

• Former Ajax, Inter Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 33, is close to agreeing a deal to join Los Angeles FC, who will enter the MLS in 2018.

• Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton, Leicester, Southampton and Stoke are keen on Ben Gibson, 24, but will have to pay £25m for the Middlesbrough defender.

• Kurt Zouma or team-mate Michy Batshuayi, 23, could be sold to Sevilla as part of a deal to bring Spain winger Vitolo, 27, to Stamford Bridge.

• Manchester United are keen on Middlesbrough’s Netherlands midfielder Marten de Roon, 26, and believe he could be available for about £8.8m.

• Leicester City have yet to receive any bids for Riyad Mahrez, who has been linked with Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea.

• Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have been offered 20 per cent pay rises by Arsenal in a bid to persuade the star duo to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

• Arsenal youngster Kaylen Hinds is set to leave north London and join Wolfsburg.

• Tottenham are attempting to hijack Manchester City’s move for Juventus full-back Dani Alves.

• Spurs are also interested in Southampton’s Portuguese full-back Cedric Soares, 25, but face competition from Barcelona and Juventus.

• Brighton target Markus Suttner has asked Ingolstadt to let him leave, but the German side are holding out for a £4m bid for the 30-year-old defender.

• Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, 29, is attracting interest from Ligue 1 side Montpellier.

• Crystal Palace confused new manager Frank de Boer with his twin brother Ronald in a Twitter post.

• Leeds United have announced the club has repurchased Elland Road.

• Kevin Bond is to work with Harry Redknapp once again after being named assistant manager at Birmingham.
• The duo having previously teamed up at Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and QPR.

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard holds talks with Oxford United over vacant manager position

Frank Lampard has spoken to Oxford about their vacant manager’s position.

Lampard is just one of a number of candidates along with Pep Clotet, who was Garry Monk’s assistant at Swansea and Leeds, and more interviews are scheduled.

But it is understood the League One club are seriously considering offering the former England midfielder a first job in management.

Oxford are looking for a new boss following Michael Appleton’s departure for Leicester, where he will work as Craig Shakespare’s assistant.

Lampard announced his retirement from playing in February after a career which brought three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League with Chelsea.

The 39-year-old also won 106 England caps and scored a club record 211 goals during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Another former Chelsea player Hasselbaink, who has been out of work since his sacking at QPR in November, is understood to have held talks with Oxford United last week.

Daniel Alves bids emotional farewell to Juventus fans ahead of next move

Dani Alves has taken to social media to confirm his departure from Juventus and pen a heartfelt goodbye to the club’s supporters.

“I would like to thank all the Juventus fans for the year I’ve had, to my team-mates who welcomed me like the professionals they are, for a club that wins and reaches finals.

“I think that my respect for this club and its supporters was my dedication, my passion and all my effort to make the club greater every single day.
“I apologise to the Juventus fans if sometimes they thought I had done something to offend them. I never had that intention, I just live very spontaneously and few people understand it. Even though it appears that I am not perfect, my heart is pure.

“Today our professional relationship ends and I will carry with me all of those who with love and a true heart make Juve a great club.”

Alves also thanked Marotta and said that money never plays a part in his footballing decisions.
“As everyone knows, I always say what I think and feel, so I feel that I should say thank you to Mr Marotta for the opportunity he gave me, he’s a great professional and someone who loves his job like few others,” he added.

“I don’t play football for money, I play football because I love the profession and those who are part of it. I leave it up to you to judge what I have done and worked for. I love football and money will never take me to any other place.”

Torino signs goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu from PSG

Torino have signed PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu on a free transfer, therefore ending any chances of Joe Hart returning to Turin.

Sirigu spent the first half of last season on loan at Sevilla, but having made only three appearances for the club he joined Osasuna in January for the second half of the campaign.

Sirigu has 17 Italy caps to his name, and will link up with Torino boss Sinisa Mihajlovic in a bid to try and get his career back on track.

Sirigu told Torino’s official website: ‘I am very happy to be part of this club. I chose Toro because they wanted me strongly and have a sound project in place to grow over the coming years.
‘The club and the president made me feel important and I thank them for that. I am honoured to be part of a club that has a unique story.’
Club president Urbano Cairo added: ‘Salvatore Sirigu is a goalkeeper of international calibre, with considerable experience in European and world competitions and an enviable list of honours.

‘He is 30 years old, in the prime of his career for a goalkeeper, and still has many years ahead of him as a leader. We are pleased to warmly welcome Salvatore Sirigu.’
Sirigu won four Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France and three Coupes de la Ligue with PSG but lost his place to Kevin Trapp last season, spending much of the campaign on loan at Spanish sides Sevilla and Osasuna.
PSG, confirming the news on their official website, writing: ‘The club thank ‘Salva’ for his great professionalism and wish him the best for the new challenges that await him in his country.’ 

For Hart, the future looks uncertain as he looks set to be out of Guardiola’s plans again, after the club announced the £35m signing of Ederson from Benfica earlier this summer.

With the World Cup taking place next summer, he will need regular game time in order to convince England manager Gareth Southgate he is worthy of a place on the plane.

Mourinho not right for Manchester United -Graeme Souness

​Manchester United only appointed Jose Mourinho as manager as they knew they needed a “big name” to rival Pep Guardiola, according to Graeme Souness.

But while Mourinho won both the EFL Cup and the Europa League in his first season, the fact the club finished as low as sixth in the Premier League will have been a huge embarrassment to the club and Souness believes it proves the Portuguese ‘isn’t the right man for United’.

“I didn’t think Mourinho was right for United and I said that from day one,” Souness told Yahoo.

“Because Guardiola was coming in at Manchester City, the people making decisions at Old Trafford felt compelled to go and get a big name manager and they ended up with Jose.

“He has taken on a very difficult job at United and struggled to find his find his best eleven last season, if he ever found it.

“A big concern for me that their best player for most of last season was a 35-year-old in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with 35-year-old Michael Carrick also one of the top performers.

“Mourinho is used to winning league titles and finishing where he did last season in the Premier League will not be acceptable, but it won’t be easy to put it right.”

Everton agree deal for Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru

Everton have pulled off a significant transfer coup by reportedly securing a deal for Henry Onyekuru from Belgian outfit KAS Eupen.

The Nigeria frontman finished last season as the joint leading goalscorer in the Belgian Super League with 22 goals in 38 games, and that led to plenty of speculation over his future this summer.

Arsenal were said to be right at the front of the queue for the 20-year-old but the Toffees appear to have surged ahead of their Premier League rivals and landed Onyekuru.

Everton have done a deal that will see Onyekuru spend a season on loan with Anderlecht before eventually coming to the Premier League in 2018-19.
Onyekeru, who has a £6.8m release clause in his contract, will spend next season on loan at Anderlecht as he does not yet qualify for a United Kingdom work permit.
Everton also thinks his spell with Anderlecht will aid his development, particularly with the Belgian outfit playing in the Champions League next season.
The 20-year-old is the third high-profile close-season arrival at Goodison Park following the signings of Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen.
A deal for QPR teenager  Josh Bowler is also close.

Latest Football News

• Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele has met with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola regarding a potential summer move.

• Borussia Dortmund aren’t worried about losing Dembele this summer. They have put a €90m (£79.3m) asking price on the 20-year-old Frenchman but despite interest from across Europe, they haven’t entered in any negotiations to sell the player and say they are unlikely to let him go.

• Manchester City are confident of signing Juventus’ Brazilian full-back Dani Alves this week. Chelsea and Tottenham have both been linked with the 34-year-old.

• Pep Guardiola remains confident of signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and is prepared to be patient in his pursuit of the Chilean star.

• Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy is poised to leave the club, after telling Liverpool he has made up his mind to join Manchester City.

• Diego Costa’s move from Chelsea to former club Atletico Madrid could be in jeopardy as the Spanish club’s manager Diego Simeone is reportedly interested in Borusssia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with both players aged 28.

• Chelsea are interested in Sevilla’s 27-year-old winger Vitolo, who would cost about £35m.

• Arsenal are set to miss out on a deal for Arda Turan after reports in the Turkish media suggested Besiktas had submitted an offer to sign the playmaker.

• The Gunners are the favourites to sign Riyad Mahrez in a £38million deal from Leicester after Barcelona ended their interest in him and amid claims they have ‘other transfer priorities’.

• Riyad Mahrez, 26, is considering the offer of a four-year deal from Arsenal after growing “tired” of pursuing a move to Barcelona.

• Barcelona have set a 10 days deadline to agree a deal to bring Hector Bellerin back to the club from Arsenal.

• Manchester United have all-but completed a deal to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, 24, but an official announcement has been delayed by the uncertainty over 32-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at the Spanish club.

• Former Portugal midfielder Raul  Meireles believes the Premier League would be the right destination for  Cristiano Ronaldo.

• With Roma aware that Radja Nainggolan’s transfer value will only decrease in the future, they are open to selling the 29-year-old. Manchester United could make a €45m (£39.6m) bid for the midfielder.

• West Ham are prepared to break  their transfer record by paying  more than £20m for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 30.

• West Ham are also interested in Sampdoria’s 26-year-old Colombian striker Luis Muriel.

• The Hammers actually want to sign Giroud and forward Theo Walcott, 28, from Arsenal for a combined £50m and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would not stand in the way of the two players if they wanted to join West Ham.

• Lyon have ended their interest in Giroud, with the president of the French club claiming Arsenal want to keep him.

• Liverpool have enquired about Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 23-year-old could cost about £25m, with Manchester City and Chelsea also interested.

• The Reds will not face any punishment over the alleged tapping up of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, 25, after a preliminary investigation from the Premier League found there was insufficient evidence to start disciplinary proceedings.

• Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane regards forward Gareth Bale as untouchable and will not let the 27-year-old Wales international leave the Bernabeu club.

• Paris Saint-Germain have four main transfer targets this summer – Monaco duo Kylian Mbappe and Fabinho, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro.

• PSG have reportedly told clubs looking to sign Brazilian winger Lucas Moura that he will cost just €30million this summer.

• AC Milan have made Arsenal centre-half Laurent Koscielny a prime target as the Italian club look to strengthen their defence this summer.

• Donnarumma’s family have urged the Real  Madrid transfer targetto stay at AC Milan. The goalkeeper rejected a new deal at his current club, but there’s growing speculation he’ll reconsider.

• Chelsea transfer target Leonardo Bonucci won’t be leaving Juventus. Manager Max Allegri has blocked a potential move.

• Bayern Munich want to sign Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer in the summer of 2018.

• Real Madrid will officially announce the signing of Theo Hernandez from neighbours Atletico Madrid next week.

• Real Betis are closing in on the signing of Middlesbrough right-back Antonio Barragan.

• Guangzhou Evergrande want €40m (£35m) for Barcelona transfer targetPaulinho. But the Catalan side aren’t willing to pay more than €25m (£22m) for the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.

• Santos have approached FIFA to denounce a supposed harassment of their midfielder Lucas Lima by Barcelona.

• If Barcelona fail to sign Bellerin, they have lined up Benfica’s Nelson Semedo, who’s also a Manchester United  transfer target, Southampton’s Cedric Soares or Valencia’s Joao Cancelo as back-ups.

• Barcelona are set to activate the repurchase clause in Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu’s contract. The Catalan club can bring the Spaniard back to the Nou Camp for €12m (£10.5m) until June 30, but are likely to do so before the deadline.

• Everton have shown an interest in Sheffield United teenager David Brooks and are considering a bid for the midfielder during this transfer window.

• The Toffees are not looking to sign Inter Milan’s 24-year-old Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.

• Tottenham have been told they will need to pay £26m to sign Portuguese midfielder Adrien Silva, 28, from Sporting Lisbon.

• Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy ‘will refuse to pick up the phone’ to any club interested in bidding for Harry Kane.

• Everton are maintaining interest in Las Palmas defender Mauricio Lemos.

• Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 31, wants to return to former club Lazio in the future.

• Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to steal Federico Bernardeschi from under Juventus’ noses.

• Juventus have put talks to sign Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa on hold.

• Inter, Juventus and AC Milan are pushing to sign Genoa starlet Pietro Pellegri.

• Inter Milan are close to signing Milan Skriniar, Borja Valero and Mamadou Coulibaly for a combined €28million.

• Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has agreed personal terms on a potential move to AC Milan after completing his four-month FIFA ban, his agent has told kicker.

• Holland international Rick Karsdorp, a target for Arsenal and Manchester United, is in Italy to complete a €14million move to Roma.

• ​Former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is wanted by Serie A side Torino.

• ​Sevilla have offered €28 million to sign Sampdoria star Luis Muriel.

• Inter Milan’s Ever Banega is close to a return to Sevilla for €9 million.

• Rayo Vallecano are looking to re-sign Southampton goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

• Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy could be set for a return to France with Bordeaux after reportedly saying he wants to join the Ligue 1 club.

• Jose Mourinho did not make Ryan Giggs an offer to stay at Old Trafford as assistant manager, the former Manchester United winger has revealed.

• The prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has called on UEFA to investigate his country’s elimination at the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship.
• His call came after Italy beat Germany 1-0 — the only result that could have sent both teams through.

• Southampton are monitoring Sassuolo forward Gregoire Defrel, but face competition from Roma.

• Stoke have submitted a €10million bid for Inter Milan defender Jeison Murillo.

• The Potters have ruled out a loan for French flop Giannelli Imbula, insisting there will be no cut-price exit for the midfielder.

• Watford have been offered the chance to sign Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic for £12m.

• Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was among the celebrities at Khloe Kardashian’s 33rd birthday party.

• Burnley are favourites to sign 23-year-old left-back Charlie Taylor when his contract at Leeds expires at the end of June.

• Burnley boss Sean Dyche wants Nottingham Forest forward Britt Assombalonga as Andre Gray’s replacement.

• New Hull manager Leonid Slutsky is prepared to cash in on Andy Robertson to fund his post-relegation rebuilding work.

• Sunderland’s Fabio Borini is in talks over a £6m return to Serie A with Lazio.

• Jurgen Klinsmann has opened up on  rumours suggesting he could return  to management with Championship  Sunderland- “… no truth on rumours coaching Sunderland FC in the near future.”

Tiemoue Bakayoko in London for medicals ahead of his move to Chelsea

Tiemoue Bakayoko is in London for a medical and will finalise a move to Chelsea.
RTL Sport claim the 22-year-old Monaco man arrived in London on Monday night with Chelsea now close to wrapping up a £35million deal for the midfield enforcer.
Bakayoko made 47 appearances for Monaco last season, scoring three times and claiming one assist as Monaco won Ligue 1 and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Marseille signs Valere Germain from Monaco

Marseille have signed Monaco forward Valere Germain on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old, who scored 49 goals in 200 league appearances for Monaco, passed a medical to become Marseille’s first summer signing.

He has spent the majority of his career with Monaco, but had a brief spell on loan at Nice in 2015-2016.

Germain, whose father Bruno played for Marseille, scored 10 goals and added four assists in Ligue 1 last season.