SPORTS

Neymar will be denied an immediate return to Barcelona when the Champions League draw is made in Monaco on Thursday. Both his Paris Saint-Germain team and the Catalan giants he left earlier this month for a world record €222 million have been placed in pot two — amongst the second seeds. Reigning champions and Spanish title-holders Real Madrid head the ...

  Defender Lalas Abubakar was named Man of the Match after his impressive showcase in Columbus Crew’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City FC in the MLS last week. Abubakar opened the scoring which was his first goal for the club and the American top-flight. The centre back invaded the Orlando City penalty box and wedge himself between two defenders before ...

Brighton have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Zurich FC for the permanent signing of Raphael Dwamena, with the fee believed to be around £12m. Sportsmail reported Brighton’s opening £8m offer earlier this month and they have since tried for Cardiff City’s Kenneth Zohore only to see a £9m bid rejected. Another option, Everton’s Oumar Niasse is in ...

Barcelona may lose Lionel Messi before the summer window shuts, as reports from Europe claim the Argentine wizard is “seriously considering” leaving the Nou Camp. Reports claimed Manchester City met with Messi’s representatives in Barcelona last week to try and convince the 30-year-old to swap loyalties. The Argentine, whose current deal runs out next year, agreed a new four-year contract ...

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is happy to take a pay cut to return to Manchester United – who never wanted him to leave in the first place. Manchester United are set to re-sign Ibrahimovic on a short-term deal despite fears over his fitness. The 35-year-old plundered 28 goals across all competitions after signing on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. However, the ...

PHILIPPE COUTINHO cannot be blamed for wanting to leave Liverpool, according to Joey Barton. Philippe Coutinho has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks and reportedly wants to leave Anfield for the Nou Camp. Liverpool have been resisting Barca’s attempts to sign the Brazil international, rejecting three bids, with the latest worth £118million. Coutinho is yet to ...

JEAN SERI has agreed a four-year deal to move to Barcelona, it has been claimed today. Get French Football News are this morning reporting that Seri has given the green light to a four-year contract to move to the Nou Camp. Barcelona are poised to trigger the £36million release clause in the Nice midfielder’s contract to get their man. They then ...

TOTTENHAM and Manchester United remain interested in Ryan Sessegnon and could make a move before deadline day. Tottenham saw a £25m bid rejected earlier in the window but could make another, according to Sky Sports. Manchester United are also keen and would be happy to loan the youngster back to Fulham for the season. Sessegnon, 17, broke into the Fulham ...

THE OPENER defied mathematics. The manner of the victory was coolly calculated. A mixture of inspiration and perspiration has swiftly nipped talk of a crisis at Chelsea in the bud. Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld is 6ft 2in tall. He jumped a good two feet in the air and strained every sinew of his neck to stretch a further couple of ...

CHELSEA striker Diego Costa has revealed he has demanded to speak face to face with manager Antonio Conte. Costa has been vocal of his anger at Chelsea after the Blues dumped him via text message in June. The Spain international’s career at Stamford Bridge is over after Conte opted to spend a huge £70million on Alvaro Morata. Morata scored against ...