Real denies pre-agreement for Ronaldo transfer

Spanish giants Real Madrid denied Friday persistent media reports that it has a pre-agreement to sign Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

Real Madrid wishes to deny news that have appeared in several media regarding an alleged signing of Manchester United s Cristiano Ronaldo. No pre-agreement exists between the club and the player, his agent or Manchester United, it said in a statement.

As everyone knows, Real Madrid tried to sign the player last summer, but Manchester United firmly stated he would not be transferred, it added.

Spanish sports dailies AS and Marca on Friday reported Ronaldo s pending transfer to Real on their front pages while top-selling daily El Pais said last week the player and United had both signed agreements.

Palace enter race for Shelvey

Newly promoted Premier League side Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, according to .

The England international has been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with Swansea City also interested though they aren’t keen on meeting the Reds £5million valuation.

Palace manager Ian Holloway knows only too well of the 22 year olds potential, having taken him on loan at Blackpool back in 2011.

He scored five goals in ten appearances before returning to Liverpool, where he has made just seventeen league starts since signing from Charlton Athletic three years ago.

Shelvey and fellow English midfielder Jay Spearing are two players deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrivals…

Tuchel emphasises need for positivity ahead of decisive period for Bayern

Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel urged his players to retain a positive mindset ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Following a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Freiburg in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, Bayern travel to face the same opponents in the league on Saturday before going up against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Tuchel repeatedly mentioned a need to be positive despite the cup setback.

We need to continue with a positive approach, we can be angry but still be positive, he said, later adding: We need a reaction, but we would have needed one even if we won.

People don t want to hear it but there were positive thi…

Zokora set to sign for Sevilla

Premier League side Tottenham Hostpur and Primera Liga side Sevilla have agreed on a fee for the sale of Didier Zokora to Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

A statement on Spurs website confirmed the departure of the 28-year-old Ivorian, after three years at White Hart Lane: We have reached agreement for the transfer of Didier Zokora to Sevilla.

The Ivory Coast international joined us from St Etienne in July 2006 and went on to make 134 appearances for the club, including being part of the League Cup-winning side of 2008.

We thank Didier for his contribution and wish him every success for the future.

And the Andalusian club also confirmed on their website that Zokora had signed a four-year deal at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, which includes a…

Alex Sandro tests positive for coronavirus as Juve prepare to face Milan

Juventus defender Alex Sandro has tested positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club announced on Monday.

The Brazil international who played in Sunday s 4-1 league victory over Udinese in Turin underwent a test after displaying what Juve described as mild symptoms . 

Alex Sandro is self-isolating after it was confirmed he has contracted COVID-19, a concern for his club ahead of Wednesday s huge showdown with Milan.

Juventus announces that following the appearance of some mild symptoms, a check was arranged for the player Alex Sandro, which revealed his positivity to COVID-19, a statement read.

The player has already been placed in isolation. 

The club is in contact with the health authorities for the definition of an effective implementati…

Mourinho sent off as tempers boil over in Roma friendly

Roma head coach Jose Mourinho has been sent off as tempers boiled over in the 5-2 pre-season friendly defeat to Real Betis on Saturday.

The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United boss stormed on to the pitch and approached the referee to protest a dubious Betis goal.

The incident occurred with the match at 2-2 with Alex Moreno awkwardly netting for Betis appearing to use his arm, but the referee did not disallowed the goal prompting Mourinho s strong reaction despite the friendly s relative insignificance.

Mourinho was red carded for his actions along with Lorenzo Pellegrini before Roma had two more players and two more assistant coaches dismissed and conceded two more goals to lose 5-2.

The Portuguese took over at Roma in the off-season, as the …

Jurgen Klopp happy for Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo’s absences to be minimum

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he would be happy for Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo’s international absences to be kept to a minimum as his side begin their fight on three fronts in January.

Salah is away with Egypt in the African Nations Cup, while Japan captain Endo is at the Asian Cup and both players are expected to go deep into the respective competitions.

That could mean a return in the second week of February but Klopp said he sent them on their way this week without wishing them too much success.

Trivela assists from

— Liverpool FC (@LFC)

“I said if I wish you good luck it would be a lie,” he said ahead of the FA Cup tie at Arsenal.

“From a personal point of view, I would be happy if they go out in the group st…

Mourinho: ´No chance´ of Luiz exit

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has issued a firm hands-off warning to Barcelona over David Luiz, insisting they will reject all offers.

The 26-year-old has been heavily-linked with a shock exit, with the La Liga champions reportedly keen on luring him to Camp Nou.

But Mourinho poured cold water on any hope of a move, declaring Luiz will not be sold for any price.

No chance he is going to leave. He is a player we want to keep, Mourinho told BT Sport.

He is a player with four years (on his) contract, he just signed a contract last year.

We like him. He is an important player for the club and the club is not ready to sell him for any price.

The Brazil international joined Chelsea in 2011 and is just one season into a five-year deal signed last September.…

Liverpool, Roma and Inter remain under FFP spotlight

UEFA will continue to investigate seven clubs including Liverpool, Inter and Roma regarding their Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

European football s governing body introduced the rules in a bid to stop clubs living beyond their means, with high-profile clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain sanctioned in recent years.

In a statement on Friday, UEFA declared that a list of seven clubs remain under investigation, while another six have been asked to provide additional details of their finances.

The UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) investigatory chamber has finished the first round of club hearings with respect to the analysis of the break-even submissions for all clubs with a financial closing date in June 2014, it read.

As a r…

England continue youth success with third Toulon title in a row

England Under-21s have won the Toulon Tournament for a third consecutive year, beating Mexico 2-1 in the final to continue the country s glorious stretch at youth level.

The Three Lions have become accustomed to picking up youth titles in recent years, with the Toulon Tournament among those at which England sides have regularly thrived.

And it is no different this year after Aidy Boothroyd s men came from behind to defeat Mexico with goals from Dael Fry and Kieran Dowell in France.

Mexico had led early through Roberto Alvarado, but Fry and Dowell both Under-20 World Cup winners last year netted before half-time and England held on for the remainder of the match.

The sides had played out a goalless draw in the group stage, before England beat Scotland in …