Tottenham Hotspur sealed deals for Hugo Lloris and Clint Dempsey on Friday, but failed in their attempts to sign Joao Moutinho from Porto.
Portugal international Moutinho was widely believed to be the number one target of Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, who coached Moutinho during his treble-winning season at Porto in 2010/11.
Tottenham and Porto reportedly agreed a fee of 22 million pounds for midfielder, but could not conclude talks over personal terms prior to the transfer window shutting.
Villas-Boas had hoped Moutinho would directly replace playmaker Luka Modric following the sale of the Croatian to Real Madrid.
Spurs, who also offloaded Rafael van der Vaart to Hamburg, did manage to bring in powerful midfielder Moussa Dembele from Fulham on Wednes…
Olivier Giroud makes an emotional return to Montpellier as Arsenal start their Champions League campaign on Tuesday.
The French striker impressed for the Ligue 1 champions last term before making the move to the English Premier League.
But he has taken time to settle at the Emirates Stadium, still goalless for the north Londoners heading into the Group B encounter at the Stade de la Mosson.
Arsenal enter the clash on the back of a 6-1 thrashing of newly promoted Southampton, an outing Giroud was axed for.
Arsene Wenger admits Giroud, who has said he will not celebrate if he nets against his former club, is no certainty to start in France.
I felt he was under a lot of pressure at the moment and sometimes it s good to get a little breather, the Ar…
Prediction: Belarus to win 2-1
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Belarus and Andorra will lock horns with each other next weekend. The UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group I between The White Wings and The Tricolours will be held at Szusza Ferenc Stadion in Budapest and is scheduled to kick off at 5 pm UK time on Saturday.
Belarus
Belarus are one of the smallest European nations in terms of football pedigree. They do not qualify for major international competitions and do not even tend to come to qualify for any. As harsh as it may sound, Belarus are just there to make up the numbers.
Carlos Alós’s side will not play in the UEFA Euro 2024 finals next summer. Belarus have already been eliminated from qualifying. They are fifth in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Gr…
Market: Over 1.5 goals
Odds: 1/2 @
Two sides who have their sights set on clinching a play-off spot this season, Albacete will welcome Las Palmas to the Estadio Carlos Belmonte on Monday night.
Starting with the hosts, while Albacete might still find themselves sat in pole position to claim a top-six finish in 2023, Ruben Albes men are enduring a recent wobble. Although the one-time Lugo boss might have seen his side eventually claim a 1-1 draw away at Zaragoza last time out, the Whites have claimed just a single victory from any of their last six Segunda outings. With that run stemming all the way back to a 3-2 victory against Malaga on February 12th, Albacete are seeking some much-needed defensive resolve since opening the New Year. Last seen at the Estadio Ca…
Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool fans to show Roma the respect they deserve when the teams meet in Tuesday s Champions League semi-final first leg.
Merseyside Police have vowed to crack down on any troublemakers to avoid a repeat of the incidents before the clash with Manchester City in the quarter-finals, when missiles were thrown from within a crowd of Reds supporters at the visitors team bus as it made its way to Anfield.
Klopp does not want Roma to receive the same welcome and has urged fans to show their opponents the positive side of their fantastic support.
In the stadium – do it again, and do it better. Out of the stadium, please show the respect we need to show, he told a news conference.
This is such a fantastic football club, an outstan…
Alisson hailed the importance of Roberto Firmino to Liverpool after the forward s winning goal against Flamengo in the Club World Cup final.
Firmino netted two winners in as many games for the European champions at the tournament, which Liverpool won for the first time thanks to Saturday s 1-0 victory.
The 28-year-old is often questioned due to his lack of goals – he has six this season – despite his vital contributions, but Brazil team-mate Alisson talked up his importance.
We know and he knows how important he is for the team. And we value him a lot. I think he is one of the most important players for us, the goalkeeper said.
He doesn t just score, but he assists too. He makes the team play from behind, he helps us a lot and makes a difference.
Antonio Conte is not convinced that missing out on Champions League football will hinder Chelsea next season, the coach offering a reminder they won the title in 2016-17 after finishing 10th.
Chelsea go into their final match of the Premier League campaign two points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool in the final Champions League qualification spot, meaning they are in danger of missing out.
Liverpool host Brighton and Hove Albion, while Chelsea travel to Newcastle United as the English top flight draws to a close on Sunday.
The Reds also have the advantage of a goal difference which is 15 better than Chelsea s, essentially requiring Jurgen Klopp s men to lose for their rivals to stand a chance.
But Conte suggested a top-four spot is not quite as importan…
Jack Wilshere is seemingly open to making other plans after reportedly being overlooked for England s World Cup squad, having playfully accepted an offer of a holiday to Zante from a stranger on social media.
The Arsenal midfielder has not appeared for the Three Lions since Euro 2016, but appeared to be in the running for a place on the plane to Russia.
However, a series of late-season knocks are said to have convinced Gareth Southgate to look elsewhere.
And Wilshere suggested he will be free over the off-season with his response to someone inviting him on a trip to Zante with the lads .
Alongside two laughing emojis, he replied on Twitter: Let me know the dates and I m in.
let me know the dates and I m in
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilsher…
Villarreal have boosted their striking ranks immediately after selling Luciano Vietto to Atletico Madrid by taking Leo Baptistao from the Vicente Calderon on loan.
Vietto scored 20 goals in his maiden season for Villarreal last term, form enough to prompt a reunion with Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who coached the striker at Racing Club in Argentina.
With a UEFA Europa League campaign on the horizon, Villarreal have been quick to bolster their attacking ranks.
Baptistao joined Atletico from Rayo Vallecano in 2013, but has made just a handful of appearances since, spending most of his time on loan away from the club, with Real Betis and back at Rayo.
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Sean Dyche concedes he finds the level of spending power in the Premier League astounding , but he is ready to steer Burnley s tight financial ship to top-flight safety.
The 45-year-old led the Clarets to the Championship title last season, the second time he has masterminded a promotion to the top division.
Burnley were relegated from the Premier League in 2014-15, having stuck steadfastly to a thrifty approach to their transfer business, and Dyche insists the inflated market will not make them change tack.
I think the market has gone up again so everyone made a big deal out of the financial package that the TV offers, he said ahead of Saturday s visit of Swansea City.
Everything has gone up from two years ago. It has jumped again and some of the numbe…