According to reports in France, English champions Manchester City have re-entered themselves into the race to sign Junior Firpo. The 22 year old is currently enjoying his time with Spanish club Real Betis, but it seems like only a matter of time before he takes a big step up in his career.
Of course, it’s not going to be that simple for City, mainly because the other primary team that is interested is Real Madrid. Firpo may lean towards going to the Bernabeu given his experience in Spanish football, but at the same time, the influence of Pep Guardiola could cause him to alter his plans.
Firpo first turned professional back in 2015 with the Betis B team, before being promoted to the senior squad earlier this year. He’s also appeared for the Spain U21s, too, with some…
Diego Simeone refused to be drawn on the widespread belief that Atletico Madrid are the team to beat in the Europa League this season.
Atletico have been installed as favourites to win the competition ahead of their last-16 showdown with Russian league leaders Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday.
The Spanish club have enjoyed another impressive season under Simeone – second only to Barcelona in LaLiga, while they are seven points clear of city rivals Real Madrid.
Asked about Atletico being seen as favourites to claim their third second-tier European competition title and first since 2012, head coach Simeone told reporters: It s normal that the press always wants to put a headline for every newspaper but for us what matters is tomorrow s game.
It s none of our…
Verdict: Both teams to score yes
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Two of the Copa del Rey’s most successive sides with 52 titles between them will square off in the last 16 phase of this year’s competition, with the first leg taking place at the iconic San Mames. Considering that Athletic have done well of late, this will be anything but a walk in the park for Barcelona.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao are a perfect club for football romantics, and not only because they solely rely on players of the Basque origin, but also because of their in-your-face style of play that is not discarded even when they are facing Spain’s and Europe’s strongest sides. Their incredible passion and full on high pressing are some of the reasons why both Real Madrid and Barce…
Paris Saint-Germain are keeping the best player in the world having convinced Kylian Mbappe to remain with the club, according to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Mbappe had widely been expected to join Real Madrid when his previous contract expired at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
However, prior to PSG s final game of the season against Metz, reports emerged he had in fact decided to take up PSG s offer of a new contract and remain in the French capital.
His mother and agent confirmed on Friday that agreements had been reached with both clubs and, before Saturday s game, it was confirmed Mbappe would be staying put on a three-year deal.
Mbappe was paraded on the pitch before the game at Parc des Princes, with a 2025 shirt, and subsequently scored a hat…
AC Milan have been *really* busy since the start of 2020. It has been just 14 days in the new year, but the Serie A giants are doing a lot of things at the same time. They have signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they loaned Simon Kjaer from Sevilla and they also got a swap for backup goalkeepers. Pepe Reina left the club and moved on loan to Aston Villa, whilst Asmir Begovic arrived also on loan, from Bournemouth.
But now another player could be leaving San Siro. According to the usually reliable Gianluca Di Marzio, PSV Eindhoven have met with AC Milan over a move for their left-back Ricardo Rodriguez. Swiss international has been doing well in some of the recent seasons, but now he has lost his place at San Siro to Theo Hernandez and is looking for more playing time ahead of Euro 202…
Former Manchester United winger Nani has joined Orlando City on a three-year deal, the MLS outfit announced on Monday.
Portugal international Nani arrives in Orlando as a designated player on a free transfer from Portuguese side Sporting CP.
The 32-year-old, who won four Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at United, only re-joined boyhood club Sporting for a third spell in July.
This is an exciting day for our organisation, said Orlando executive vice-president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi. Nani brings tremendous experience to our roster.
He s a dynamic winger with quality abilities to move and cross the ball, impact games and lead the offensive play.
Don t mind us, we re just a tad hype right now. |
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Market: Walsall double chance
Odds: 11/20 @
Looking to spring an upset on the road this weekend, Walsall will make the trip to Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon when they meet Tranmere.
Starting with the hosts, while Tranmere might have managed to sign off 2022 with a pair of much-needed victories against Barrow and Doncaster, Micky Mellon s side are desperate to try and find some stability in the New Year. Last seen on January 7th throwing away the lead as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home against Sutton, the Merseyside-based outfit have won just a pair of their last 14 straight matchups across all formats. With that run stemming all the way back to October 18th, the Rovers have also continued to show some extended issues on home soil. On a run that is…
Spain responded to their defeat to Sweden with an impressive 4-0 victory over Georgia in Badajoz on Sunday in their latest qualifier for Qatar 2022.
Goals from Jose Gaya, Carlos Soler, Ferran Torres and Pablo Sarabia earned Luis Enrique s men a comfortable victory and temporarily put them back on top of their group.
While that 2-1 loss in Stockholm on Thursday ended a 66-game unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying, there was little hangover in Extremadura as the hosts delivered a controlled and entertaining display for the packed crowd.
Gaya s first-time strike from the edge of the box was not the cleanest, but it was enough to give Spain a 14th-minute lead as it took a big deflection on its way past goalkeeper Giorgi Loria.
Soler made it 2-0 with 25 minute…
Benfica will face 19-time Turkish champions Fenerbahce in the marquee tie of the Champions League third round qualifying round.
Runners-up in the Primeira Liga last season, Benfica are looking to reach the group stage for the ninth consecutive season, while Fenerbahce will hope to make their first appearance in 10 years.
It will be the first time the two teams have met since Benfica defeated Fenerbahce over two legs to reach the Europa League final in 2013.
Ajax, who finished second behind PSV in the Eredivisie in 2017-18, face a tricky tie with Standard Liege, while Red Bull Salzburg, semi-finalists in last season s Europa League, face either Macedonia s Shkendija or Moldovan champions Sheriff.
Scottish champions Celtic will meet AEK Athens i…
Chelsea looked slow, tired and lacked freedom in their defeat to Juventus on Wednesday, according to Thomas Tuchel.
Despite having over 70 per cent possession, the Champions League holders went down 1-0 to Juve after Federico Chiesa scored the 10 seconds into the second half at Allianz Stadium.
It was the earliest second-half Champions League goal in Opta records and made Chiesa the first Italian to score in four successive starts in the competition for Juve since club legend Alessandro Del Piero in 1997.
The Blues managed just one shot on target – a tame first-half attempt from Romelu Lukaku – across a disappointing defeat that gave Massimiliano Allegri s side the upper hand in Group H.
Of course, it is impossible at this kind of level to…