After the Independent reported that Chelsea were in talks with Atletico Madrid regarding the transfer of Marcos Alonso, Marca now report that an agreement is close to being reached between the sides. Alonso has found himself cast aside at Stamford Bridge and on the offloading pile after he infuriated Frank Lampard with some questionable and disrespectful behaviour during the draw against West...Full Story »

Mikel Arteta is going to face relentless calls to reinstate Mesut Ozil to Arsenal’s Premier League squad as soon as the registration window opens, so it might be wise to get him out of the club to shut them down before it becomes more of a problem. If there’s any manager in world football who would appreciate an elegant playmaker then it would be Andrea Pirlo, so Arsenal fans will...Full Story »

The Barcelona superstar is wanted by Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City with just six months left on his deal at the Nou Camp. Lionel Messi will have three European giants after his signature Credit: Reuters Messi, 33, looks almost certain to leave Barcelona following his summer of turmoil. After having his transfer request rejected, Messi was forced to stay after refusing t...Full Story »

Tottenham booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals as two goals in the final 20 minutes gave them a 3-1 quarter-final win at Stoke.Spurs looked on course for a routine evening when Gareth Bale put them ahead midway through the first half, but the Championship outfit levelled with their first shot on goal early in the second half as Jordan Thompson converted.But Jose Mourinho’s men...Full Story »

Steve Bruce admitted he will have to accept the wave of criticism which will come his way after Newcastle crashed out of the Carabao Cup at Brentford.The Magpies had a golden chance to reach a first major cup semi-final in 15 years, and a first in this competition since 1976.But following a 1-0 defeat in west London, Bruce is only too aware that large swathes of a disgruntled Toon army will once...Full Story »

Newcastle missed out on a first major semi-final in 15 years after they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Brentford in the last eight of the Carabao Cup.Magpies boss Steve Bruce was looking for some respite from a torrid spell on Tyneside, but a second-half goal from England Under-21 midfielder Josh Dasilva merely piled on the misery.Newcastle arrived in west London in a familiarly beleaguered state, h...Full Story »

Neil Lennon has no fresh injury worries for Celtic’s delayed William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hearts.The Parkhead boss insists there will be no room for sentiment as he considers bringing Scott Brown back into the side after the veteran skipper started the last two matches on the bench.Winger James Forrest remains sidelined after ankle surgery.Hearts have a full squad for Sunday&rsq...Full Story »

Interim Livingston boss David Martindale welcomed the Old Firm-free Betfred Cup semi-finals after the Lions’ 2-0 win over Ross County earned them a last-four tie against St Mirren.First-half goals from midfielder Craig Sibbald and forward Alan Forrest earned victory for Livingston at the Tony Macaroni arena, while the Buddies sensationally beat Rangers 3-2 in Paisley.St Johnstone will take...Full Story »

Livingston booked their place in the Betfred Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win over hapless Ross County at the Tony Macaroni arena.Midfielder Craig Sibbald gave the Lions the perfect start after four minutes with a goal that had a question of offside in the build-up before attacker Alan Forrest took advantage of a fluke chance after 23 minutes to head in a second, which proved enough for a last-fou...Full Story »

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross praised his side’s character after they came from behind to beat Alloa 2-1 in the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.Peter Grant’s Scottish Championship part-timers played some good football in the first half and led at the break through Paul Hanlon’s own goal.But Hibs dominated after Kyle Magennis and Stevie Mallan came on and the latter provided two del...Full Story »

St Johnstone won through to the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Dunfermline at East End Park.After a goalless 90 minutes, Shaun Rooney drove Saints into the lead four minutes into extra-time before Pars substitute Iain Wilson levelled with a shot in the 113th minute and then came the tension of penalties.Perth goalkeeper Zander Clark made saves from Paul Watso...Full Story »

Christian Doidge’s second-half double sent Hibernian into the Betfred Cup semi-finals as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Alloa.The Scottish Championship part-timers threatened to emulate their second-round win over Hearts as they led through Paul Hanlon’s 34th-minute own goal following some impressive first-half play.But Hibs dominated the second half and Doidge converted two of ...Full Story »

Steven Whittaker is battling to be fit for Dunfermline’s Betfred Cup quarter-final against St Johnstone.The player/coach trained on Friday after a hamstring injury but went over on his ankle and missed out on Saturday’s defeat by Morton, the Pars’ first of the season.The former Hibernian and Rangers player has been working hard to give himself a chance of facing Saints.St Johns...Full Story »

Leicester eased past AEK Athens 2-0 as they marched on in the Europa League to win their group.Quickfire first-half goals from Cengiz Under and Harvey Barnes ensured the Foxes clinched top spot in Group G.Brendan Rodgers’ side finished ahead of Braga, who beat Zorya Luhansk 2-0, and will be seeded in Monday’s draw for the last 32.AEK Athens end their campaign bottom after losing five...Full Story »

David Turnbull’s first Celtic goal earned the Hoops a battling 3-2 win over Lille to finish their disappointing Europa League campaign on a high.A much-changed home side had no chance of qualifying prior to their final Group H game against the French side but showing impressive energy and desire they took the lead in the 22nd minute when Christopher Jullien headed in from a corner.Jonathan...Full Story »

Tottenham ensured they finished top of Group J in the Europa League with a 2-0 win over Royal Antwerp.Spurs needed to beat the Belgian side to finish at the summit and secure a seeding for the next stage, and second-half goals from Carlos Vinicius and Giovani Lo Celso got the job done.Jose Mourinho again saw his side produce a flat first-half performance, a key feature of their group campaign, b...Full Story »

Steven Gerrard has warned that Rangers are ready to take on anyone after marching into the last 32 of the Europa League as group winners.A 2-0 win over Lech Poznan – sealed with goals from Cedric Itten and Ianis Hagi – sealed top spot in Group D and will be seeded for Monday’s midday draw in Nyon.Gers are unbeaten in 26 games at home and abroad this term and had it not been for...Full Story »

The Tottenham boss says the Red Devils have a great chance of winning the second-tier competition after being knocked out of the Champions League Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United are now "one of the top favourites" to win the Europa League. United suffered a 3-2 defeat away at RB Leipzig on Tuesday which ensured that they missed out on qualification for the Champions League knockout ...Full Story »

The 29-year-old was used as an attacking midfielder and played a crucial role as his side maintained their perfect Europa League record Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta believes Alexandre Lacazette has found his new position after his standout role in the 4-1 win against Rapid Vienna on Thursday. Lacazette was utilised as a number 10 for the Europa League clash and opened the scoring 10 minutes. H...Full Story »

Rangers overcame their stiffest examination yet as they booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a 3-2 win over Standard Liege.On a night of milestones, the Light Blues marked Allan McGregor’s record-breaking 83rd European appearance for the club with their 150th win in continental competition to seal qualification with a game to spare.It also mean boss Steven Gerrard &n...Full Story »