Jordi Alba says he is happy he stayed with Barcelona. The Spain left-back was linked with Inter Milan over the summer. He told Sport: “I was never told anything about that offer or any other. It didn't hurt me because many things are talked about and whoever knows me knows that my intention is to stay here for many years, as long as I can perform at the highest level. "When I cannot, ...Full Story »

Erling Haaland has been ruled out of Norway's upcoming friendly against the Republic of Ireland but could feature when they take on Finland. WHAT HAPPENED? The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Sunday that the Manchester City striker and Molde goalkeeper Jacob Karlstrom will not be part of the team for Thursday's match in Dublin. THE BIGGER PICTURE: Haaland recently recovered ...Full Story »

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the culture has changed at Old Trafford since he took charge of the club in the summer. WHAT HAPPENED? The Man Utd boss has hailed the improvements that have been made this season at Old Trafford after seeing his side beat Fulham 2-1 in their final fixture before the World Cup. Teenager Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to net a stoppage-time wi...Full Story »

Chelsea have joined Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko. Moukoko is one of the most exciting young talents in world football at the moment. The 17-year-old has become a regular in the Dortmund side, despite his age, and has already scored six times in the Bundesliga. Unfortunately for Borussia Dortmund, they often struggled to ke...Full Story »

Robert Lewandowski says he'd welcome Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona. The PSG attacker has been linked with a return to Barca next summer. Lewandowski told Marca: "Messi is absolutely brilliant with the amazing passes he plays to the striker. "If you think about Messi, he has this brilliant connection with strikers. He knows how to put the ball into the box, between the lines... he's th...Full Story »

Liverpool are being linked with Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente. Mundo Deportivo says the Spanish side are said to be open to selling the 27-year-old with Liverpool keen to improve their midfield options. They add that while Atletico boss Diego Simeone is not desperate to sell the player who is contracted to 2027, the LaLiga giants will listen to any offers. Jurgen Klopp remains ...Full Story »

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Sanchez has been named in Luis Enrique's 26-man World Cup squad to represent Spain in Qatar. The 24-year-old has impressed at Brighton with his form and contribution to the side's performances. United are on the hunt for a David de Gea replacement, who is in the final year of his contract at Old ...Full Story »

A brace from Danny Ings helped Aston Villa end their away day blues in the Premier League at the eighth time of asking with a 2-1 victory at Brighton.Villa’s dismissal record on the road this season contributed towards Steven Gerrard’s sacking last month but successor Unai Emery was able to celebrate three points on the south coast following a fine comeback.Alexis Mac Allister fired ...Full Story »

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has, late on Saturday, spoken out once more on the prospect of Lionel Messi returning to the club. Chatter surrounding a potential reunion between Barca and Messi, of course, has been in circulation almost since the moment of his departure back in the summer of 2020. This comes with the Argentine - owing to ongoing financial concerns at the Camp Nou - having ...Full Story »

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal are outstripping expectations after they went five points clear at the top of the Premier League.Martin Odegaard’s second-half double saw the Gunners take control of the title race with a 2-0 win at Wolves.They put clear daylight between them and Manchester City in the final game before the World Cup break after the reigning champions’ shock 2-1 home defea...Full Story »

Mark Robins hailed match-winner Viktor Gyokeres as priceless following his brace that earned Coventry their fourth win on the bounce with a 2-0 victory against QPR.The Swede opened the scoring on 12 minutes after latching onto Jamie Allen’s mis-kick before slotting past Seny Dieng following Callum O’Hare’s well-weighted pass.“He loves to score goals, he doesn’t love...Full Story »

Joe Willock ensured Newcastle will head into the World Cup break sitting proudly in the top three after beating Chelsea to claim a fifth-successive Premier League victory.The midfielder’s sumptuous 67th-minute strike – his second goal in as many games – handed the Magpies a 1-0 win in front of a crowd of 52,264 at St James’ Park and left them nine points clear of the Blue...Full Story »

Neil Harris warned his misfiring players to start urgently producing results after Gillingham slumped to a dismal 2-0 defeat against Northampton, saying: “I’ve not got a magic wand.”Sam Hoskins netted the opener before then turning provider in the second half to set up Kieron Bowie and help clinch a comfortable victory.Gillingham dumped Premier League Brentford – who stun...Full Story »

Swansea boss Russell Martin expressed his pride at a “brilliant” performance but also his frustration after seeing his side held to a goalless draw at rock-bottom Huddersfield.The visiting Swans failed to return to the play-off fray as they slipped to a fifth successive match without victory.Martin’s side enjoyed 76 per cent of possession and had Michael Obafemi rattle the cros...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff hailed his side’s well-executed away performance in their 1-0 win at Shrewsbury.Adam Phillips scored his first league goal for the Tykes as they made it three wins on the spin in all competitions.Duff’s charges hit the front after 10 minutes and kept the Shrews at bay as they went within a point of the top six.“I thought it was a really good away-from...Full Story »

Rob Kelly admitted Wigan’s victory over Blackpool – their first in eight Sky Bet Championship matches – was dedicated to departed boss Leam Richardson.The Latics surprisingly parted company with Richardson on Thursday, with Kelly stepping up from assistant to take charge of a vital six-pointer.And after trailing at half-time to Gary Madine’s rocket, Wigan showed tremendou...Full Story »

Dumbarton cruised to a third straight league win, beating promotion rivals Elgin 4-0 to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table.Ross MacLean gave The Sons a half-time lead before Gregg Wylde, Aron Lynas and Ryan Wallace added further goals in the second period.Elgin, who remain fourth, have slipped 13 points behind the leaders after losing three of their last four league matches.Stirli...Full Story »

Michael Flynn admitted neither side deserved to win after Walsall made it three games unbeaten with a goalless draw at Carlisle.The home side had the better of the early exchanges with Jack Armer, Callum Guy and Taylor Charters all having decent opportunities to break the deadlock in a first half that saw few clear-cut chances.But the visitors, who have only won once on the road this season, cam...Full Story »

Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens was delighted to see his side claim a comfortable 2-0 victory at Harrogate after a “brutal” fixture list and felt they could have won by a bigger margin.The O’s returned to winning ways following their first back-to-back defeats of the season with last weekend’s 1-0 FA Cup exit at Crewe followed by a 2-0 midweek league loss to Wimbledo...Full Story »

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick had words of praise for two of his players with very different World Cup stories after watching his side come from behind to grab a dramatic 2-1 Championship win at Norwich.Young Australian midfielder Riley McGree equalised for the hosts just after the hour mark with a quite stunning volley, setting the scene for a dramatic finale which saw substitute Matts Cro...Full Story »