Lionel Messi in fresh link to Premier League, with Barcelona in turmoil

Lionel Messi's future at Barcelona has been thrown into fresh doubts, with reports suggesting the turmoil at the club could force the star to leave this summer.

Barcelona sacked sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta while his assistant, Carlos Puyol, resigned after the club lost to Real Sociedad on Sunday night.

The club have also lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and have had their one-year transfer ban upheld for illegally signing under-age players.

The Telegraph says that Messi has also fallen out with manager Luis Enrique, while Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are ready to move for the Argentine should be want to get out of the club.

Messi has scored 15 goals in La Liga this season.

Read More »

Southampton target FC Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi

Southampton are interested in signing FC Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi, according to reports.

Manager Ronald Koeman was said to be interested in the Dutchman last summer but he had already agreed on a move to Portugal, while Manchester United were also said to be keen after Martins Indi enjoyed a successful relationship with United boss Louis van Gaal during the World Cup.

Now, The Daily Mail claims that the centre-back, who has also been on the radar of Liverpool and Everton, is a winter target for Southampton, but the player has hinted that he would like to join up with Van Gaal again at Old Trafford.

Martins Indi moved to Porto from Feyenoord for £6m.

Read More »

Sunderland weigh up £8m bid for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk

Sunderland have lined up an £8m bid for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The 23-year-old is said to be keen on a move to the Premier League and has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past.

The Daily Mail claims that Sunderland boss Gus Poyet sent scouts to watch Van Dijk in Celtic's game at Kilmarnock and are now prepared to put a bid on the table, although the Scottish champions are reluctant to sell one of their prize assets.

The Dutchman has been a regular starter for Celtic and he has scored six goals in 32 appearances.

Read More »

Javier Hernandez to be sold by Manchester United this summer

Manchester United will sell striker Javier Hernandez this summer regardless of whether they sign a replacement, according to reports.

Hernandez is currently on loan at Real Madrid but has failed to establish himself under Carlo Ancelotti, and it seems unlikely that he will move to the La Liga leaders on a permanent basis.

The Telegraph reports that the Mexican will be sold even if United boss Louis van Gaal decides against signing forward Radamel Falcao, who is on loan at Old Trafford.

Hernandez will be entering the final year of his contract and the club don't wish to let run it down and the newspaper says "efforts will be made to find a buyer".

Hernandez has scored four goals in 16 appearances at Madrid this season.

Read More »

Mesut Ozil could play for Arsenal against Stoke City this weekend

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is in line to make his return from injury against Stoke City this weekend, according to reports.

Ozil has been out of action since October with a knee injury but he is back in full training and is targeting Sunday's game as a chance to make his eagerly awaited return.

The Telegraph says that it is more likely the 25-year-old will start amongst the substitutes, with the following weeks trip to Premier League champions Manchester City in mind.

Arsene Wenger could also have midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey fit for the visit of the Potters, while Danny Welbeck is considered a doubt and Mikel Arteta is definitely ruled out.

Ozil got three assists in the corresponding fixture last season.

Read More »

Bafetimbi Gomis wants move away from Swansea City

Swansea City striker Bafetimbi Gomis is keen to leave the Welsh club this January with Crystal Palace keen, according to reports.

Gomis has played second fiddle to Wilfried Bony since his move to the club in the summer and has reportedly become disillusioned with life under manager Garry Monk, despite being set to play much more this month as Bony represents Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Mirror claims that Gomis fears going back to the substitute's bench when Bony returns and is seeking a move to another Premier League club this winter.

Palace and Newcastle United are the early favourites to land the Frenchman, who reportedly has a £7m buy-out clause in his contract.

Gomis netted twice in Swansea's FA Cup third-round win over Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

Read More »

Sergio Ramos: 'Defeat will make us stronger'

Sergio Ramos has insisted that Real Madrid will bounce back from Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Valencia.

Los Blancos entered the match off the back of a 22-game winning run in all competitions, but saw that streak come to an end at the Mestalla.

Ramos, however, is confident that his side will take the positives from the loss and continue to grow as a team.

"Not to take anything away from Valencia, I'm hurt by the loss of the three points and the end of the streak, but the season is long. Now we must go for the league," he told Canal+.

"[Valencia] played their system and managed to do well. They filled up the middle of the park and took all the points.

"Not at all [has losing the streak made Madrid weaker], I think if anything [the streak] has characterised this group's humility and work ethic. Moreover, it's made us stronger. We'll surely continue to grow as a team."

The defeat was Real Madrid's third in the league this season.

Read More »

Hatem Ben Arfa joins Nice

Former Newcastle United midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has joined French side Nice.

The 27-year-old joined Newcastle from Marseille in 2010 and initially impressed at the Premier League club.

However, the midfielder's attitude and commitment was repeatedly questioned during his stint at St James' Park. At the start of the season, Ben Arfa was sent on loan to Hull City, but that deal was cancelled last month.

Newcastle proceeded to cancel the French international's contract upon his return, but he has not taken long to find a new club.

Ben Arfa will wear the number four shirt for his new club.

Read More »

Manchester United 'bid for Mats Hummels and Benedikt Howedes'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly planning a double swoop for German defenders Mats Hummels and Benedikt Howedes this month.

Since the Dutchman took charge of the Red Devils in the summer, United's defence has come under criticism and numerous centre-backs have been linked with moves to Old Trafford.

The Express claims that Van Gaal has identified Borussia Dortmund's Hummels and Schalke 04's Howedes as his prime targets when he reinforces his back line.

United had been linked with a move for Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, but Los Blancos are thought to be unwilling to sell.

However, World Cup winning duo Hummels and Howedes are rumoured to be looking for a way out of their respective clubs during the January transfer window.

Arsenal are said to be interested in the pair, but both are understood to prefer a move to United.

Read More »

Manchester United's Louis van Gaal: 'Rafael da Silva has unbelievable mentality'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was impressed by Rafael da Silva's commitment when the Brazilian continued to play on against Yeovil Town with a suspected fractured cheekbone.

Van Gaal confirmed after United's 2-0 win over Yeovil in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday that both Rafael and Luke Shaw suffered injuries during the away fixture.

Despite getting injured in the first half, 24-year-old Rafael chose to stay on the field until half time at Huish Park.

"Rafael has an injury, a fracture of his bone, so it was fantastic that he had the guts that he could play through but I had to change him," the Manchester Evening News quotes Van Gaal as saying.

"He played through the pain because in the last few weeks he hasn't played much but he now can play he is injured. He has a fantastic mentality Rafa, he is unbelievable."

Shaw suffered an ankle injury during the encounter.

Read More »

Tottenham Hotspur 'deny Hugo Lloris exit rumours'

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly dismissed speculation linking goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a move away from the club.

It was suggested by a national newspaper on Sunday night that Spurs were close to selling the France international to Real Madrid for around £25m.

However, the North-London club has no intention of allowing the 28-year-old to leave White Hart Lane, according to Goal.com.

The shotstopper signed a five-year contract extension with Tottenham in the summer.

Lloris has kept seven clean sheets in 25 games so far this season.

Read More »

Liverpool make Neto offer

Liverpool have reportedly made a £3m offer for Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto.

The 25-year-old is highly-rated at his current club, but as it stands, the Brazilian will be out of contract at the end of the season.

According to The Mirror, Liverpool have made an offer in the region of £3m and the Reds are confident of completing a deal this month.

The Premier League champions are in the market for a new stopper this month following an injury to Brad Jones and Simon Mignolet's struggles.

Neto gained two caps for Brazil's Under-23 side, but has not yet gained full honours.

Read More »

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla scoops PFA Fans' Player of the Month award

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has been named the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for December.

The Spaniard scored four goals and provided one assist last month to help the Gunners stay in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Cazorla and his teammates are currently in sixth place in the Premier League table following a busy festive period.

Arsenal continue their league campaign on Sunday when they welcome Stoke City to the Emirates Stadium.

Read More »

English FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

Manchester United have been drawn against League Two outfit Cambridge United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Holders Arsenal will travel to Brighton & Hove Albion, while Manchester City's reward for beating Sheffield Wednesday is a home tie against Middlesbrough.

There is a potential London derby in store for Chelsea, as they will take on the winners of Millwall and Bradford City's third-round replay.

West Midlands rivals Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion will go head to head at St Andrew's and their neighbors Aston Villa are set to welcome Championship leaders Bournemouth to Villa Park.

FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:

Southampton/Ipswich vs. Crystal Palace

Cambridge United vs. Manchester United

Blackburn Rovers vs. Swansea City

Chelsea vs. Millwall/Bradford City

Derby County vs. Scunthorpe/Chesterfield

Preston North End vs. Sheffield United

Birmingham City vs. West Bromwich Albion

Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth

Cardiff City vs. Reading

AFC Wimbledon/Liverpool vs. Bolton Wanderers

Burnley/Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester City

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal

Rochdale vs. Stoke City

Sunderland vs. Fulham/Wolverhampton Wanderers

Doncaster Rovers/Bristol City vs. Everton/West Ham United

Manchester City vs. Middlesbrough

Ties to be played on the weekend of January 24

Read More »

Barcelona sack Sporting Director Zubizarreta

The Catalan club have announced that their former goalkeeper has been sacked from the role of sporting director he took up in 2010

Barcelona have terminated the contract of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, the Catalan club announced on Monday.

Zubizarreta took up the role in 2010 as Sandro Rosell succeeded Joan Laporta as president, but was an unpopular figure among many of the fans following the side's troubles in the transfer market in recent years.

"The president of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has decided to rescind the contract of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta," the Blaugrana announced in a statement on Monday.

"The president, in the name of the club, would like to thank Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution, dedication and professionalism in these four years as sporting director."

Zubizarreta played for Barca between 1986 and 1994, appearing more than 400 times for the Catalan club.

The Basque had been in a precarious position for some time, but his public criticism of Bartomeu on Sunday appears to have been the final straw for the Barca board.

Asked - after Luis Enrique's side had lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad - about the club's transfer ban for irregularities in the signing of young players, Zubizarreta said: "I take full responsibility for my duties. [But] Mr. Bartomeu knows the situation better than anyone as he was sporting vice-president during that time."

Read More »