Diego Simeone has committed his future to Atletico Madrid in the wake of more rumours about his departure from the Vicente Calderon.
Under the guidance of Simeone, Atletico have challenged the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona in LaLiga, winning the title in 2013-14, as well as reaching two Champions League finals, where they lost each time to their arch-rivals from the Bernabeu.
Having secured top-three finishes in each of the past four seasons, Atletico are languishing in sixth this time around, already nine points off the pace of Zinedine Zidane s table-toppers.
Simeone is contracted with Atletico until the end of next season, but he has been strongly linked with a return to former club Inter rumours his son, Genoa striker Giovanni, has fuelled by sayi…
Everton are keen to secure a deal for Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi, according to the Mirror.
West Ham United and Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the France international though Toffees boss Sam Allardyce is confident of winning the race for his services, while he is also considering a move for Gunners forward Theo Walcott.
Nzonzi has been plying his trade in La Liga since leaving Stoke City in the summer of 2015 and has so far racked up one hundred and six appearances for Sevilla in all competitions, scoring seven goals.
However, he has started just nine of the side’s sixteen league games so far this season and could be set to leave on loan for the rest of the campaign, with a view to a permanent move in the summer.
Everton host C…
Everton have revealed the striking design for their planned new stadium in north Liverpool, which the Premier League club claim will deliver a £1billion boost to the city s economy.
The Toffees, who currently play at Goodison Park, are inching closer to moving into their new home, with planning applications expected to be submitted by the end of the year.
Everton s new stadium, located at Bramley-Moore Dock, includes a single-tier stand reminiscent of Borussia Dortmund s Yellow Wall with room for 13,000 home fans, while the design also features future provision for rail seating.
The concepts show a stunning brick, steel and glass design which takes its inspiration from the historic maritime and warehouse buildings nearby, the club said in a statement.
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Josip Stanisic’s late header extended Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible unbeaten run as he salvaged a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Borussia Dortmund.
In a game of few clear-cut chances between either side the visitors arguably had the best opportunities in the second half through Alejandro Grimaldo and Nathan Tella.
However, drama followed in the late stages when Niclas Fullkrug’s powerful strike gave Dortmund the lead in the 81st minute, but Stanisic struck deep into stoppage time to level.
Diese Bilder, diese Emotionen! 1:1 | |
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball)
A point means the Bundesliga champions remain unbeaten in 45 games in all competitions this season, while Dortmund sit two points away from RB Leipzig in the fight for a Champi…
New stoppage time rules saw playing time increase by around seven minutes on average compared to last season across the EFL’s opening weekend and Sunday’s Community Shield.
Arsenal and Manchester City’s clash at Wembley lasted longer than all but seven of last season’s Premier League games, following on from a league programme in which five games had over 20 minutes stoppage time across the first and second halves combined.
Here, the PA news agency looks at how the new approach affected playing time.
Community Shield
AN EQUALISER AT THE LAST
TROSSARD S EFFORT IS DEFLECTED HOME
1-1 (90+11)
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Substitute Leandro Trossard scored Arsenal’s equaliser in the 11th of 12 minutes added at full-time agains…
Real keen on Modric
Real Madrid are ready to launch an assault on Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric, .
Los Blancos are hoping to sign another creative midfielder and they appear to have set their sights on the Croatian international.
Modric has long resisted the temptation to leave Spurs for greener pastures, but he now looks ready for a new step in his career.
The 26-year-old is disappointed by the fact that Tottenham will not be playing Champions League football next season and Marca claims he is open to a possibility of joining Real Madrid.
Spurs are aware this is the right time to cash in on their prized asset, after the player hugely impressed playing for Croatia at the European Championship.
Modric has spent last four seasons at White…
Lucas Digne played down talk of Barcelona being favourites in the Champions League round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, with the left-back insisting Luis Enrique s men must prove their quality.
Barcelona travel to the French champions for the first leg of the last-16 tie in Paris on Tuesday, with the Catalans enjoying great success against the capital club.
Since 2013, Barca have faced PSG six times, winning three of those matches in the Champions League, while eliminating the French side in two of the past four seasons. PSG s only win over Barca came via a 3-2 success in 2014.
Despite their superior head-to-head record and boasting Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, former PSG full-back Digne dismissed Barca s favourites tag.
They have a new coa…
The South African government has reiterated that no bribes were offered in return for votes during the bidding process for the 2010 World Cup.
United States authorities alleged that $10million was paid as a bribe to secure the showpiece event, with the New York Times reporting FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke was responsible for transferring the funds to CONCACAF then led by the indicted Jack Warner.
The allegations which came as part of a wider operation that saw 14 people, including nine past and present FIFA officials, indicted for racketeering, conspiracy and corruption were met with a strong rebuttal from South Africa s minister for sport and recreation, Fikile Mbalula.
FIFA also released a statement on Tuesday denying that Valcke had any…
Portuguese giants Benfica have informed interested clubs it will take €30 million to sign star midfielder Javi Garcia.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a number of high-profile sides during the past season and he is now widely tipped to join Manchester City before the summer transfer window closes.
However, while Benfica would have nothing against cashing in on their prized asset, they insist the cub won’t be bullied into lowering their asking price.
Javi will only leave if a club matches his buy-out clause. This figure is non-negotiable, Benfica chairman Luis Filipe Vieira said to reporters.
The highly rated midfielder has only recently signed a new deal until June 2018 with the Eagles and his release clause now stands at €30 million.
Chelsea midfielder Oscar says he is on the verge of completing a transfer to Chinese Super League giants Shanghai SIPG.
Reports in England have claimed the Brazil international is set to reunite with former manager Andre Villas-Boas after Chelsea accepted an offer said to be worth up to €60million.
And the 25-year-old is now expected to complete the move when the transfer window opens after claiming that the deal is all-but finalised.
It s 90 per cent certain, he is quoted as telling SporTV. It just depends on a few bureaucratic details.
Oscar has won the Premier League, the Europa League and the EFL Cup since joining Chelsea from Internacional back in 2012.
The attacking midfielder was a key part of former boss Jose Mourinho s plans, particul…