Schalke confirm talks for Khedira
Bundesliga outfit Schalke have moved to confirm they are hoping to lure Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira to Veltins Arena.
The Germany international will be out of contract in the summer and he has already decided not to extend his stay at Santiago Bernabeu.
As a result, there have been quite a few top clubs showing interest in his services, with Schalke clearly leading the chase.
I have a high opinion of Sami Khedira because he s a leader who can improve the team, Schalke chairman Clemens Tonnies told Sport1.
He has an incredible reputation with the national team. We ve spoken (to Khedira) several times.
Now, Horst Heldt (club s sporting director) and Khedira s agent must find a satisfactory soluti…
Scotland gave France an early fright before suffering a chastening 4-1 loss to their classy hosts in Lille.
The Scots went into the friendly knowing they had qualified for the 2024 European Championships at the weekend after Spain beat Norway to ensure Steve Clarke’s side a top-two finish in Group A.
Clarke took the opportunity to utilise his squad, giving a debut to Liam Kelly among eight changes from last week’s game in Seville and they stunned the home side when midfielder Billy Gilmour guided in the opener after 11 minutes – his first ever senior goal.
However, France defender Benjamin Pavard scored twice with headers by way of a rapid response and skipper Kylian Mbappe added a third from the spot before the break.
Substitute Kingsley Coman hamm…
Spanish club Valencia have confirmed they have held talks with Manchester City over a potential move for star striker David Villa, according to BBC Sport.
The La Liga side have been plunged into financial troubles and are likely to lose many of their star players in the summer in order to ease their financial worries.
Villa was instrumental in Spain s Euro 2008 triumph where he was top scorer of the competition with 4 goals.ÂÂ
However, Valencia vice-president Fernando Gomez has revealed that although the two clubs have met, City are yet to make a bid for the striker.
Gomez said: Yes, it s true but they didn t make us an any offer. The president Vicente Soriano asked for a significant amount and they didn t agree.
Gomez al…
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Merry Christmas, football fans! This may not be the festive season that any of us would ve anticipated this time last year, but such is the nature of the global pandemic that we re currently in the midst of. While the news can be a depressing place right now it s important to focus on the positives in life and even though it may seem like a small thing, the escapism of sport can t be undervalued. Today, we re going to be previewing what should be an intriguing showdown between two fascinating teams: West Ham United and Brighton Hove Albion.
West Ham
West Ham United s season has already gone above and beyond what many had expected of them, to the point where a top half finish doesn t seem like such a rid…
Freddie Ljungberg said Mesut Ozil would not have been involved for Arsenal in Saturday s Premier League contest against Everton even if injury had not ruled him out.
Interim boss Ljungberg named a youthful line-up for his final game in charge before handing the reins to new boss Mikel Arteta, who was appointed the Gunners new head coach on Friday.
Ozil, who reacted petulantly to be subbed off in last week s defeat against Manchester City, was conspicuous by his absence and, while he confirmed a foot problem for the ex-Germany international, Ljungberg cast more doubt on the midfielder s long-term future in north London by admitting he would not have been part of his plans at Goodison Park.
Ljungberg told BT Sport: Mesut has something on his foot, but we have thing…
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says he enjoyed the return of the fabled MSN forward line as the Spanish champions hammered Celtic 7-0 in their opening Champions League Group C game.
Suarez partnered Lionel Messi and Neymar for the first time this season, and the trio combined to devastating effect to record Barca s biggest ever margin of victory in Europe s top competition.
Former Liverpool striker Suarez scored the final two goals after earlier laying on an assist for Messi, who scored a record sixth hat-trick in the tournament and teed up his Uruguayan team-mate s second strike.
Neymar, meanwhile, added four assists including one for Andres Iniesta s sumptuous volley to cap a dazzling display in which he also curled home a fine free-kick.
And Suarez …
Barcelona star Luis Suarez strongly hinted that Antoine Griezmann would join the LaLiga giants, saying the Atletico Madrid forward would be welcomed.
Griezmann, 27, has been linked with a move to Barcelona after enjoying another fine season with Atletico, scoring 27 goals in all competitions.
Suarez strongly suggested the France international, who is contracted until mid-2022, would be making the move to Camp Nou.
It makes the club proud to bring players of this quality like Antoine, like [Ousmane] Dembele and [Philippe] Coutinho came, he told Radio Rincon.
He s a player who brings a huge amount, he has a lot of years playing at the highest level, always fighting. He rules up front for Atletico and that is fundamental.
He is not coming to take …
Sergio Ramos is calm over his future, as speculation mounts that the experienced Spain international defender could swap Real Madrid for Manchester United.
Ramos has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League giants United, who are preparing to play hard ball over in-demand goalkeeper David de Gea.
Real are desperate to sign Madrid native De Gea but Louis van Gaal and Co. want one of the club s prized assets in return, preferably Ramos.
Ramos, who is believed to be frustrated over an impasse on contract negotiations with the 29-year-old entering the final two years of his current deal, responded to questions over his future in Madrid on Monday, telling reporters: I never worry.
The former Sevilla centre-back has been an ever-present for Real since …
Monaco have confirmed that Radamel Falcao faces weeks on the sidelines due to a thigh muscle injury.
The Colombia international was substituted during his side s 3-1 Champions League qualifying win over Fenerbahce on Wednesday, having earlier scored a penalty to help Monaco on their way to a 4-3 aggregate win.
Following tests on the problem, Monaco have announced that they expect to be without the 29-year-old for a number of weeks as he attempts to recuperate.
Taken off due to injury just before half-time, Radamel Falcao will be absent for several weeks, the club announced via their official website.
Falcao suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh that will require treatment, a period of rest and recovery over a number of weeks.
. suffers mus…
Newcastle produced a spirited display on Boxing Day and came away empty handed, but can they bounce back against Arsenal on Saturday?
Goals from James Perch and Papiss Cisse and an own goal from Jonny Evans had Newcastle on the verge of an historic victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, Alan Pardew s side was unable to claim at least a point as United ran out 4-3 winners in wet conditions.
The defeat was Newcastle s seventh in nine Premier League fixtures, sending the club down to 15th position, just five points clear of the dreaded relegation zone.
It is important for Newcastle to put the disappointment behind them but all eyes will be on how they respond when they make the trip to Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Arsenal head int…