Torino's Ricci responds to Man City links
Torino star Samuele Ricci admits he is flattered by the links to Manchester City, while revealing he has studied Rodri's game to improve his own.
On being linked with City and Milan, he told RAI Sport: "It is very pleasing of course, but I have learned to understand football a bit now. When things go well, you are linked with these big clubs and it is gratifying because it means you are on the right track."
He added: "I’ve done a lot of training on turning my head to check what’s behind me, as it can make the difference. Sometimes you need to look more than twice, Luciano Spalletti taught me that too. My coach sends me videos to study, many of them are of Rodri. You can see the importance of the little things.
Vini Jr to replace Neymar? Al-Hilal eye bid for Real Madrid star
Vinicius Jr has seen multiple approaches from Al-Hilal, and the Saudi Pro League side are now set to make another major approach for the Brazilian.
As per Marca, Al-Hilal are pondering making yet another major offer to Real Madrid for Vinicius as they are unsure about Neymar's future at the club with his contract at the Saudi Arabian side set to expire next summer. The Saudi Pro League champions also attempted to make a move for Vinicius in the summer as they looked to improve their side ahead of the season but saw their attempts thwarted.
Liverpool and Chelsea keep tabs on Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been on top form, and two Premier League sides are now plotting a bid for the 20-year-old.
As per German publication Bild, Chelsea have reportedly sent out scouts to keep tabs on Bynoe-Gittens as they ponder upon making a move for the England youth international, who has previously spent time in their youth system. As per the report, Liverpool are also interested in the 20-year-old over a move next summer.
Artem Dovbyk's agent opens up on Roma move
Artem Dovbyk deal intermediary Giuffrida has opened up on the Ukranian's move to Roma amid interest from Atletico Madrid: “It’s been a difficult deal as it was a battle between Atletico Madrid and AS Roma.
“The player always wanted to join Roma as priority, he had special feelings about the club”.
Man City sign Hugo Viana as new DoF
Manchester City have officially signed the deal to bring Hugo Viana in as the new Director of Football replacing the outbound Txiki Begiristain. Viana will officially take up the mantle starting from the 2025/26 season but is likely to join the team at the start of 2025 to learn the ropes under the current Director of Football, Begiristain.
Man City confirm DOF Txiki Begiristain's exit
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have officially confirmed the director of football Txiki Begiristain will leave his role at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The official statement from the club read, "Manchester City can confirm that Txiki Begiristain will step away from his full-time role as Director of Football at the end of the 2024/25 season. Following a trophy-laden twelve years at the Etihad Stadium, Txiki will leave his current post following the Club’s involvement in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and will be succeeded by Hugo Viana of Sporting CP. Viana will begin his full-time role in the summer of 2025, but will collaborate with Txiki in the preceding months to ensure a smooth transition. We look forward to paying tribute to Txiki’s outstanding contribution to Manchester City at the end of the season."
Aston Villa to compete with Chelsea and Real for Lukeba
Football Insider reports, that Aston Villa have emerged as the latest club to show interest in signing RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba. The 21-year-old central defender is already on the radar of European giants like Real Madrid and Chelsea who consider the youngster to be a top player.
Newcastle eyeing move Bournemouth winger
Per Football Insider, Newcastle United have shown interest in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. Eddie Howe's current priority is to sign a right winger and as a result, he has identified the 24-year-old.
Semenyo has performed well for the Cherries thus far in the new season and is capable of playing in any position in the front three.
Arsenal to compete with Chelsea for Brazil's Igor Jesus
Igor Jesus, who scored on his international debut in Brazil's 2-1 comeback win over Chile in the recent World Cup qualifiers, has reportedly attracted interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Fichajes. Botafogo currently value the player at around €35m-40m as the Gunners look to sign him in 2025.
Arsenal & Liverpool set to compete for Reis
Per Football Insider, Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool are all set to compete to secure the signature of highly-rated 18-year-old Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.
The English clubs will also face competition from Real Madrid in the transfer race for the Brazilian who reportedly has a £84m release clause in his current contract.
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
