Jackson Martinez talks up summer exit
FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez has said in no uncertain terms that he plans to quit Estadio do Dragao in the summer.
The Colombian forward has been linked with a big club move for over a year now, but the Dragons somehow managed to keep hold of his services.
But, while Martinez remains focused on his job at FC Porto, he is looking to leave the club for greener pastures at the end of the season.
“I have made it clear that my departure to a new club will surely happen next summer,” the 28-year-old confessed to Colombian newspaper El Espectador.
“Right now I only focus on doing my job with Porto, but I’m ready to take the leap in the next window.”
Jackson Martinez has proved to be one of cl…
German champions Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Spain Under-21 international Juan Bernat from Valencia on a five-year deal.
The left-sided defender, whose contract was set to expire next June, came through the ranks at Valencia and nailed down a regular first-team place last season, making 32 appearances in La Liga.
Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer said: Juan Bernat is an exceptional, young player we have observed for a long time.
He is quick, good in the tackle and can get forward.
We are confident that we have made a very good investment for the future of our team. We welcome him at Bayern.
Bernat, a member of the Spain squad that won the Under-19 European Championship in 2012, added: I am very happy that I can play at th…
Roberto Mancini defended calling up Argentina-born forward Mateo Retegui as he bemoaned Italy s lack of attacking options.
Mancini has turned to former Argentina under-19 and under-20 international Retegui for the start of the Azzurri s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
The Italy head coach did not expect the 23-year-old, on loan at Tigre from Boca Juniors, to accept the invitation to play for the European champions.
Eyebrows were raised when Retegui, whose grandmother was born in Italy, was named in Mancini s squad ahead of a Group C opener against England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday.
Mancini said on Monday: We ve been following him for some time, he has quality and he s a young boy. We didn t think he d say yes, we hesitated a bit and inst…
Folarin Balogun would be a great addition to the United States team, but Arsenal s Matt Turner only wants the striker to make the switch if it comes from the heart .
Arsenal forward Balogun has excelled on loan with Reims this season, scoring 17 goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances – behind only Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappe (both 19).
The 21-year-old s excellent form has prompted talk of a tussle for his international allegiance, with the New York-born star eligible to represent England, the United States and Nigeria.
Balogun has been a mainstay in the England Under-21 set-up, but he withdrew from the squad for this month s internationals due to injury.
That development has led to fresh hope Balogun will pledge himself to the USMNT, and Turner confirmed …
Competition: Community Shield
Market: Man Utd to win against Leicester City
Odds:
Leicester City and Manchester United lock horns in the Community Shield final at Wembley, in a game that could see United coming out on top.
City reached the Community Shield by winning the Premier League title last season, while Manchester United booked their place in the final by winning the FA Cup.
Leicester City would normally be big favourites given they’re defending champions of the Premier League, but the Foxes haven’t had the best pre-season, and may of their players still look burned out from their excursions in 2015/16.
City will name a strong squad for the final, but Manchester United will be better prepared from their pre-season this summer, and…
The Croatian Football Federation [HNS] has praised its supporters for confronting the hooligans that marred the 2-2 draw with Czech Republic and demanded the country s government does more to stamp out the problem.
Croatia were winning the Euro 2016 match 2-1 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Friday when, in the final minutes, a volley of flares rained down on the pitch from the end of the ground their team s fans were standing in Saint-Etienne.
A banner was unveiled to accompany the pyrotechnic display in a premeditated disruption aimed at embarrassing the HNS and former Dinamo Zagreb president Zdravko Mamic, who has been investigated for financial irregularity and is considered to be a major influence behind the scenes of the country s football administration.
The …
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
Best Odds:
Bookmaker:
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…