PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay is aware of reports linking him with English Premier League trio Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur but will not decide his future until after the World Cup.
The Holland international, 20, has scored twice and set up another in two substitute appearances for the Oranje at this summer s World Cup finals in Brazil and is the third-favourite, behind Paul Pogba () and Raphael Varane (), at to be named Young Player of the Tournament.
Depay, whose current deal at the Philips Stadion expires in the summer of 2017, is viewed by many perhaps including new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal as one of Europe s brightest attacking prospects.
United have already completed big-money moves for Ander Her…
Hearts head coach Steven Naismith has told his players they have to use the pressure and expectation that comes with playing for the club to spur them on to Hampden.
Naismith faced the wrath of some Hearts fans on Saturday when a 1-0 reverse against St Mirren left them with five defeats in their last six games.
The former Scotland international views Tuesday’s Viaplay Cup quarter-final at Kilmarnock as the perfect opportunity to atone.
“Being at a club like Hearts, when you don’t win on a Saturday, there’s that frustration and that’s something that builds,” the 37-year-old said.
“I’m comfortable and confident that by the end of the week we can look back on it being a good week and that starts on Tuesday night.
Defeat in Paisley
Arsenal are interested in signing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window, . The report has claimed that Premier League and European giants Arsenal are closely following Sweden international forward Isak with a view to making a move at the end of the season.
Isak has a release clause of €90 million at Sociedad, and it is likely that the La Liga club will not sell him for anything less. The 22-year-old has made 19 starts and four substitute appearances in La Liga so far this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in the process. During the 2020-21 campaign, Isak scored 17 goals and provided two assists in 30 league starts.
Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League table at the moment with 51 points from 26 matches. Meanwhile, Socied…
Barcelona midfielder Xavi says the club s punishment for transfer irregularities at youth level is disproportionate and unfair .
The Catalan club were slapped with a transfer embargo effective for the next two windows by FIFA last week.
Barca were found to have breached rules in making 10 signings between 2009 and 2013, but have since confirmed their intention to appeal the sanction.
However, Xavi revealed the mood at the club is one of injustice.
In the dressing room and the club, we believe that the sanction is disproportionate and unfair, he said. La Masia (home of the youth squad) does everything perfectly correctly and we’ll try to defend it to the maximum.
We hope that it all comes to nothing.
Barcelona meet Atletico Madrid in the second leg …
Julian Nagelsmann hailed his Germany players for the way they handled the pressure of being Euro 2024 hosts in their 5-1 win over Scotland, adding he was surprised by the lack of aggression on show from Steve Clarke s men.
Germany recorded the biggest opening-game win at a European Championship, with Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can scoring.
The result made Nagelsmann just the second coach to win his first Euros game by four or more goals, after Sweden s Lars Lagerback in 2004 (5-0 versus Bulgaria).
It was also Germany s biggest victory at the Euros, and the first time Scotland had conceded five or more goals in a competitive game since they were trounced 6-0 by the Netherlands in a Euro 2004 qualifier 21 years ago.
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Two sides who have their sights set on finding a route out of Group F this year, Fiorentina will welcome Ferencvaros to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Thursday night.
Fiorentina
Starting with the hosts, while Fiorentina might have been disappointed after only opening their Europa Conference League adventure with a 2-2 draw away at Genk a fortnight ago, the Purples have impressed since returning from September’s international break. Picking up some perfect momentum earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a routine 3-0 win against Cagliari, Vincenzo Italiano s men are unbeaten in each of their five appearances since returning from September’s international break. Tipped as a leading contender to claim top spot in Group F th…
Bundesliga success gives Bayern Munich the motivation to push for more trophies in a potential treble-winning campaign, according to midfielder Javi Martinez.
The German giants wrapped up their sixth straight domestic title in last weekend s win over Augsburg and remain in the hunt for both the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal.
Snaring both would see them repeat the hat-trick of major trophies they managed under current boss Jupp Heynckes, who came out of retirement in November to replace Carlo Ancelotti until the end of the season, in the 2012-13 campaign.
Spain international Martinez says the domestic triumph has fuelled the desire for bigger things, although he is wary of looking too far into the future.
To be successful, it s better to take things …
Sergio Aguero s ability was never in doubt despite his time out of Manchester City s starting XI, says team-mate Fernandinho.
The Argentina striker has been prolific at Etihad Stadium since arriving from Atletico Madrid in July 2011, but doubts emerged as to whether boss Pep Guardiola saw him as part of his long-term vision.
Aguero s lost his place in the starting line-up after Gabriel Jesus made a superb start to life at City following his arrival from Palmeiras before injury brought an end to his season.
That saw Aguero return to the starting line-up and he showed his class with two goals in City s remarkable 5-3 victory over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
And Fernandinho insists City s squad always retained faith in Ague…
Marko Marin is relishing the chance to prove himself in Italy after joining Fiorentina on loan from Chelsea.
After coming through Borussia Monchengladbach s ranks and moving to Werder Bremen in 2009, the winger s form was enough to convince Chelsea to part with an estimated £10million to secure his services in April 2012.
Injury prevented Marin from hitting the ground running at Stamford Bridge with subsequent struggles for game-time under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez in 2012-13.
The 16-cap Germany international spent last season on loan at Sevilla, chipping in with seven assists in 30 appearances, and hopes to have a similar impact at Fiorentina.
I m looking forward to an exciting time at ACF Fiorentina and I will do my best to support the team…
Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic scored a fine first-half winner to earn a 1-0 Premier League victory over Leicester City at Selhurst Park.
Milivojevic lit up a scrappy affair on Saturday with an impressive long-range strike shortly before half-time, and that proved enough to earn his side only their second win in 12 top-flight games and their first in 14 attempts without Wilfried Zaha.
The closest Leicester came to an equaliser was when Jamie Vardy had a shot tipped onto the post with 11 minutes remaining, with Claude Puel s men having now lost three straight Premier League games against Palace.
With goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey injured, Vicente Guaita was handed a Premier League debut by Roy Hodgson and he survived a scare when Vardy – …