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Category: Football

  • Man Utd plotting Mateta move – Friday’s gossip

    Man Utd plotting Mateta move – Friday’s gossip

    Manchester United eye surprise move for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, Arsenal to miss out on Joshua Kimmich and Harvey Elliott could leave Liverpool on loan.

    Manchester United are considering a summer move for Crystal Palace’s French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27. (Sun – subscription required), external

    Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Tottenham are all interested in Bournemouth’s Spain Under-21 defender Dean Huijsen, 19, who would cost £50m. (Mail – subscription required), external

    West Ham and Crystal Palace are among the clubs looking to sign Southampton’s England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, this summer. (Football Insider), external

    Atletico Madrid are expected to bid about 60m euros (£50m) to sign Marseille and England forward Mason Greenwood, 23, at the end of the season. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

    Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich, 30, looks set to stay at Bayern Munich this summer despite interest from Arsenal and Paris St-Germain. (Sky Germany)

    Chelsea are interested in Real Betis’ Spain Under-19 winger Jesus Rodriguez, 19, who has a £42m release clause, with Liverpool also monitoring his progress. (Mail), external

    Manchester United and Liverpool have asked about the availability of Atalanta’s Brazil midfielder Ederson, although Manchester City also have a strong interest in the £50m-rated 25-year-old. (Caught Offside), external

    Manchester United hope to make summer sales before activating the 80m euro (£67m) release clause in the contract of RB Leipzig and Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, 21. (Caught Offside), external

    Liverpool also want to make Sesko part of their planned summer overhaul. (Give Me Sport), external

    Liverpool could send England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott, 21, out on loan next season in order to play more first-team minutes. (Football Insider), external

    Barcelona are prioritising agreeing a new contract with Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 27, after interest in him from Arsenal. (Sport – in Spanish)

  • Neymar returns to Brazil squad after 17-month absence

    Neymar returns to Brazil squad after 17-month absence

    Neymar has been recalled to the Brazil squad after a 17-month absence for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

    The Santos forward has not featured for the Selecao since sustaining a knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023.

    However, after an underwhelming spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, he has caught the eye since moving back to his boyhood club in January.

    The 33-year-old has registered three goals and three assists in seven appearances in the Brazilian top flight.

    Only Cafu (142) has more caps for Brazil than Neymar (128) – who is his country’s record scorer with 79 goals, two more than Pele.

    Brazil, who are fifth in the Conmebol table with 18 points from 12 games, host Colombia on 21 March and then visit leaders Argentina five days later.

    Liverpool and Manchester City goalkeepers Alisson and Ederson are among an 10-strong contingent of Premier League players included in Dorival Jr’s squad.

    Arsenal and Nottingham Forest centre-backs Gabriel and Murillo have also been picked, along with Wolves duo Andre and Matheus Cunha, and Newcastle pair Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

    Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Manchester City winger Savinho are among the attacking options.

  • Real Sociedad 1 1 Manchester United

    Real Sociedad 1 1 Manchester United

    Joshua Zirkzee scored his first goal in Europe for Manchester United but the Red Devils were held to a draw by Real Sociedad to leave their Europa League last-16 tie in the balance.

    Dutch forward Zirkzee deservedly put the visitors ahead in Spain 12 minutes into the second half with a low strike from the edge of the box that caught out home goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

    But Real Sociedad equalised through a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty, awarded after a review by the video assistant referee for a handball by Bruno Fernandes.

    Manchester United will feel disappointed not to have won after they dominated the game for almost an hour, with Andre Onana not having had a save to make before the hosts were given the penalty.

    Fernandes had a goal-bound strike cleared off the line by Aritz Elustondo in the first half, while the United captain also sent a free-kick just wide.

    But Real Sociedad’s equaliser appeared to unsettle Manchester United and Onana had to dive to his right to palm away Brais Mendez’s 25-yard curler, before Orri Oskarsson prodded wide from close range.

    Oskarsson then had a chance to win it deep into added time but Onana pushed away his goalbound effort with a strong left hand.

    “One thing that I am sure – they’re anxious to score goals and win games,” said Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

    “They are doing their best and sometimes they want to do their best, but they’re not deciding the best way in their position.”

    The second leg will take place at Old Trafford on Thursday, 13 March.

    Trophy hopes remain alive for Man Utd

    Despite the disappointment of conceding an equaliser, Manchester United will feel confident of progressing to the quarter-finals on home soil.

    But the pressure will be on them as they look to keep alive their sole route to trophy success this season, with last Sunday’s penalty shootout loss to Fulham in the FA Cup ending their hopes of any domestic glory.

    While there is no hiding the fact this campaign has been a hugely disappointing one, the Europa League has been the one shining light for Manchester United.

    They have not lost a game in Europe this season, recording five wins and four draws, while only Galatasaray (19), Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur (both 17) scored more goals than their 16 in the League Phase.

    This was an unusual encounter in which they looked so comfortable for so long, but could easily have succumbed to defeat, with Real Sociedad’s penalty changing the momentum of the game.

    And should Real Sociedad go out in a week’s time then Oskarsson will no doubt rue his late opportunities in this game.

    It was a good save by Onana to deny his strike from a narrow angle in added time, but the Icelandic forward should really have put away his big chance a few minutes earlier, when he toe-poked wide from six yards when in the middle of the goal.

  • Son hopes for ‘wake-up call’ before ‘biggest game’

    Son hopes for ‘wake-up call’ before ‘biggest game’

    Tottenham must take their 1-0 Europa League defeat by AZ Alkmaar as a “wake-up call” going into their “biggest game of the season”, says captain Son Heung-min.

    Spurs lost their last-16 first-leg tie in the Netherlands – through Lucas Bergvall’s own goal – with a lacklustre performance, and their sole chance of silverware now hanging in the balance.

    Ange Postecoglou’s side created few clear-cut chances and were fortunate to have only a one-goal deficit to overturn in next Thursday’s second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    “It’s nowhere near where we should perform,” Son told TNT Sports. “It was very disappointing that we performed like this, including me. It’s a big wake-up call because next week is the biggest game of the season.

    “We didn’t create anything in the first half, sloppiness, not performing the way we should.

    “Everyone is very disappointed about the individual performance and the team performance.

    “There are no excuses, we were not good enough. It’s just 1-0, it’s still not finished, and next week we have to be much better.”

    Former Celtic boss Postecoglou pointed out in September that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a team.

    That is true of all his jobs where has been in charge for two full years.

    But failure to win next Thursday and that streak will be over. Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League and are out of both domestic cups.

    “It was nowhere near the level it needed to be,” Postecoglou said of his side’s performance in Alkmaar.

    “It wasn’t great from us tonight, pretty much all facets of the game. We didn’t really get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball, we weren’t as aggressive as we needed to be without the ball.

    “I don’t think it’s a matter of effort or attitude. I don’t think it is going out there and not trying, but, like I said, we didn’t really come to grips and have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe.

    “You are going to face some pressure when you play away from home in Europe and weather the storm and get to grips with it, but we never really did so that was a disappointment.”

    Striker Dominic Solanke, a 72nd-minute replacement for Son, went off injured late on his return to action after seven weeks out with a knee problem.

    “It looks like a knock, but I haven’t really seen it – hopefully nothing too bad,” Postecoglou added.

  • Bayern’s Neuer sidelined after costly celebration

    Bayern’s Neuer sidelined after costly celebration

    Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer is set for a stint on the sidelines after tearing his calf muscle during a celebration in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.

    Neuer was seen limping and was subbed out in the second half of the last 16 first leg tie just after Jamal Musiala put Bayern 2-0 up.

    Neuer’s substitution brought debutant Jonas Urbig from the bench.

    Bayern issued a statement on Thursday confirming the 38-year-old’s injury, saying Neuer “would be out for the time being”.

    “It happened while celebrating,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said after the match, adding “that’s a shame for us”.

    The veteran goalkeeper, who recently extended his deal at Bayern until 2025, missed almost a full year with a broken leg from a skiing accident from December 2022 until October 2023.

    Urbig, 21, arrived from Cologne in the winter. Despite making his debut on the big stage on Wednesday, Urbig was largely untested as Bayern dominated the first leg against the defending German champions.

    Bayern, who sit eight points clear in the league with 10 games remaining, travel to Leverkusen for the return Champions League leg next week in a dominant position.

  • Lyon owner backs Fonseca as coach despite nine-month ban

    Lyon owner backs Fonseca as coach despite nine-month ban

    Lyon’s American owner John Textor has given his full support to Paulo Fonseca despite the manager’s nine-month ban for confronting a referee, assuring the Portuguese “you are the right man for Lyon”.

    Former AC Milan boss Fonseca has paid a heavy price for his altercation with Benoit Millot during his side’s 2-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1 on Sunday when he touched heads with the match official.

    The French League’s disciplinary commission on Wednesday banned him from the dugout and the referee’s changing room until November.

    To compound his plight he has also been banned from entering his own team’s changing rooms until mid-September.

    It was not the ideal birthday present on the day Fonseca turned 52.

    The massive setback just weeks after he replaced Pierre Sage as manager inevitably cast doubt on his future at Lyon.

    But Textor was quick to dispel any notion it could spell an early exit from the club placed sixth in Ligue 1.

    “Happy Birthday Paulo! I stand with you today and always,” Textor posted on social media after the commission’s ruling was made public.

    “You made a mistake, your apology was sincere and your punishment is clearly too severe.

    “You are the right man for Lyon and we shall persevere.”

    In their ruling the French League’s disciplinary commission said that “by throwing himself at the referee and shouting at him (Fonseca) displayed an intimidating and threatening attitude”.

    Lyon criticised “the extreme severity of the sanction” and said they were contemplating “all possible remedies”.

    The former multiple French champions are in action on Thursday in the Europa League with Fonseca in the dugout as his ban only extends to domestic competitions.

    The ruling against Fonseca comes a week after Marseille president Pablo Longoria was banned for 15 matches for alleging “corruption” in refereeing in the aftermath of his side’s 3-0 loss at Auxerre.

    Sebastien Deneux, the head of the French league’s disciplinary commission, said he regretted that “once again a major figure in Ligue 1 has demonstrated such behaviour”.

    “Mr Fonseca is a coach in Ligue 1, he is above all a teacher, and it goes without saying this attitude is completely incompatible with his duties,” he added.

  • Former Sevilla, Man City striker Negredo retires

    Former Sevilla, Man City striker Negredo retires

    Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo announced his retirement from football on Thursday.

    “Thanks, football,” he said in a video posted on social media of him hanging up a pair of boots on a hook.

    The former Sevilla, Manchester City and Valencia forward, 39, has been without a club since the end of last season when he helped Real Valladolid earn promotion to La Liga.

    Negredo won the Premier League and League Cup with Man City after arriving for the 2013-14 season, before leaving on loan to Valencia.

    The striker was part of the Spanish squad which won Euro 2012, playing twice at the tournament.

    Negredo also spent time in Turkey with Besiktas, as well as with Middlesbrough in the Premier League, among other teams, netting 290 goals in 755 appearances at club level and 10 for Spain in 21 games.

  • Bayern’s Neuer sidelined after costly celebration

    Bayern’s Neuer sidelined after costly celebration

    Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer is set for a stint on the sidelines after tearing his calf muscle during a celebration in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.

    Neuer was seen limping and was subbed out in the second half of the last 16 first leg tie just after Jamal Musiala put Bayern 2-0 up.

    Neuer’s substitution brought debutant Jonas Urbig from the bench.

    Bayern issued a statement on Thursday confirming the 38-year-old’s injury, saying Neuer “would be out for the time being.”

    “It happened while celebrating,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said after the match, adding, “That’s a shame for us.”

    The veteran goalkeeper, who recently extended his deal at Bayern until 2025, missed almost a full year with a broken leg from a skiing accident from December 2022 until October 2023.

    Urbig, 21, arrived from Cologne in the winter. Despite making his debut on the big stage on Wednesday, Urbig was largely untested as Bayern dominated the first leg against the defending German champions.

    Bayern, who sit eight points clear in the league with 10 games remaining, travel to Leverkusen for the return Champions League leg next week in a dominant position.

  • FIFA ranking: Super Falcons retain global position, remain 1st in Africa

    FIFA ranking: Super Falcons retain global position, remain 1st in Africa

    Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have held on to their 36th position in the latest FIFA global rankings, according to the list released on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

    The Super Falcons also remain the top-ranked women’s football team in Africa, underscoring their dominance on the continent.

    South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, and Ghana are the other countries in the top five.

    Top 10 teams in the world, according to the latest FIFA ranking

    United States of America

    Spain

    Germany

    England

    Japan

    Sweden

    Canada

    Brazil

    Korea DPR

    Netherlands

  • Okoye in fresh controversy over driving offence

    Okoye in fresh controversy over driving offence

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has found himself embroiled in yet another legal controversy, this time for a serious driving-related offence that further complicates his already turbulent professional and personal life.

    Italian authorities have reported catching the 25-year-old goalkeeper driving an unregistered vehicle without a valid driver’s licence or insurance. Authorities fined Okoye for the offence, adding to a growing list of off-field challenges that threaten to overshadow his sporting career.

    The latest incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for Okoye, who was recently named in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

    The driving offence represents another significant setback for the Udinese goalkeeper, who has been struggling with a series of personal and professional controversies.

    The goalkeeper is currently under investigation for an alleged betting scandal related to a yellow card he received during a Serie A match against Lazio in March 2024. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, betting agencies detected unusual gambling activities surrounding a booking Okoye received for time-wasting in the 64th minute of a match.

    The betting investigation has potentially serious consequences. If found guilty, Okoye could face a ban of up to four years under Article 24 of the Italian Code of Sports Justice, which strictly prohibits professional footballers from gambling on official events organised by FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA.

    Adding to his troubles, Okoye’s personal life has also been fraught with controversy.

    In September 2024, his relationship with Dutch model Jelicia Westhoff became a public spectacle when she accused him of disrespecting their relationship and her family. Although Westhoff later retracted her statements and apologised, unverified allegations of emotional and physical abuse emerged, which Okoye strongly denied.

    Since joining Udinese in 2023 following a disappointing spell at Watford, Okoye had established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper before being sidelined by wrist surgery. The club has already signed Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik as cover, indicating potential uncertainty about Okoye’s future.

    With these mounting off-field issues, questions are increasingly being raised about Okoye’s focus and discipline. His return to the national team comes at a critical moment, with the goalkeeper having not played any games this year and facing multiple investigations and personal challenges.