Spanish TV programme El Chiringuito de Jugones has suggested that Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa is eager to leave Real Madrid.
Having fallen behind Daniel Carvajal in the pecking order, the Spain international is no longer prepared to wait for his chance and he wants to quit los Leones before the transfer window closes on Sunday.
Arbeloa has also been disappointed by the treatment from the club fans and he looks set to leave Spain altogether.
England and Italy appear to be his most likely destinations, with Napoli boss Rafael Benitez hoping to get reunited with the player he coached at Liverpool.
Alvaro Arbeloa, 31, had began his career at Real Madrid and returned to Santigo Bernabeu in the summer of 2009 following spells with Deportivo La Coruna and L…
Barcelona are interesting in making a move to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen, according to Sky Sports.
The Denmark international, who has also been linked with fellow La Liga giants Real Madrid has been in superb form for Tottenham Hotspur over the past few seasons, once again helping them qualify for the Champions League last term.
Spanish champions Barca are looking for reinforcements this season and may use Brazil international Rafinha as a makeweight in any potential deal.
Eriksen moved to Spurs from Ajax in the summer of 2013 and he has since racked up two hundred and twenty-five appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring fifty-six goals while he was named their Player of the Year in both 2014 and 2017.
Internati…
New Zealand defender Tommy Smith has lauded Barcelona superstar Neymar as the best player he has ever faced – four days before a potential encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo at the Confederations Cup.
Smith faced Neymar at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and admitted he came off comfortably second best despite sensing the Brazil forward was stuck in second gear .
Smith – who runs a soccer school for children in the Ipswich area of England during school holidays – is appearing at a third major tournament for his national team, after also competing at the 2010 World Cup.
The All Whites centre-back is set to make his second start of the Confederations Cup against Mexico on Wednesday in Sochi, after Anthony Hudson s men went down 2-0 to hosts Russia in Saturday…
Jonny Evans is back at Manchester United and starting games under Erik ten Hag, but the Northern Ireland defender thought his career might have been coming to an end last season.
Evans, 35, made a surprise return to his boyhood club in the summer after his contract with relegated Leicester ended, initially on a short-term deal that allowed him to play during their pre-season campaign before he signed a one-year contract.
It came after an injury-ravaged campaign with the Foxes in which Evans was limited to just 14 club appearances, struggling to get over a persistent calf problem that left him wondering if his time was up.
It’s nearly time to go again against Slovenia
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland)
Instead, he has started two of Unite…
As he heads towards the twilight years of his career, Jermain Defoe is targeting a return to the World Cup stage with England.
Having joined Bournemouth from Sunderland on a free transfer following the Black Cats relegation from the Premier League, Defoe is focusing on a place in Gareth Southgate s squad for Russia.
Defoe, who netted 15 times in the league last season, will be 35 by the time the tournament comes around and is relishing the opportunity for a second finals appearance, having featured in South Africa seven years ago.
It s only normal to have one eye on the World Cup, Defoe said.
Every English player will want to get in to that squad but it s based on merit, so you ll have to play well for your club.
I ll focus on doing that a…
Liverpool are working hard to secure the services of midfielder Joe Allen, .
The 24 year old was taken to Anfield by Brendan Rodgers in the summer of 2012, having played under the Northern Irishman for Swansea City for two years.
Since arriving on Merseyside, the Wales international has racked up eighty-seven appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals while he has been capped nineteen times for his country since making his debut in 2009.
Reds boss Rodgers must also decide on the futures of defensive duo Kolo Toure and Glen Johnson, with the latter continuously linked with a summer move overseas.
Liverpool drew 0-0 with Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, with the replay scheduled fo…
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is hopeful an improvement in form will see him rewarded with a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
The Serbia international has been at the club since 2008 but his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Ivanovic and Chelsea have endured a tough start to the season and sit in 15th in the Premier League table after 15 games.
But the right-sided defender is hopeful he can help Chelsea turn their form around.
I know I didn’t start the season well but I am back, the 31-year-old said.
I hope the results will be good for the team. In that case I will be good as well. I hope and I think we will have time to speak about my future.
Honestly, I am so happy [here].
Chelsea face the high-f…
Maurizio Sarri believes Ross Barkley has transformed into the complete midfielder after his starring role in Chelsea s thumping 4-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday.
Barkley created Alvaro Morata s opener with a deft pass before scoring in his third consecutive Premier League game after 52 minutes to double Chelsea s advantage.
Willian and Ruben Loftus-Cheek added gloss to the scoreline as the Blues extended their unbeaten start to the season to 10 games and move up to second, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Alongside Eden Hazard – who missed the victory over the Clarets with a back problem – former Everton man Barkley has been instrumental in the Blues fine start to the season, much to the delight of Sarri.
He s doing very well in t…
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed he is retiring from football at the age of 40.
The former Ivory Coast striker featured for Phoenix Rising in the 2018 United Soccer League (USL) season but will not play on.
Rising, for whom Drogba is a co-owner, lost to Louisville City in the USL Cup final earlier this month, which proved his final match.
Drogba earlier indicated this would be his final year as a professional and the two-time African Footballer of the Year announced his decision on Wednesday.
After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career, he told BBC World Service s Sportshour.
It s the best way to end, helping some young talent to develop.
To give something back to the game was the best way to finish as …
Javier Mascherano has accepted that his time at Barcelona is drawing to a close and he is eager to learn from his Liverpool exit in order to depart Camp Nou on good terms.
The Argentinian joined Barca from Liverpool in 2010 and has gone on to enjoy immense success in Spain, winning the Champions League twice, LaLiga four times and four Copa del Rey titles.
He also successfully adapted to a new role at centre-back after originally being signed as a defensive midfielder.
But at 33 years of age and featuring less frequently under Ernesto Valverde this season even when fit, Mascherano – whose contract expires in 2019 – is aware that his time in Catalonia is running out.
200 Javier Mascherano is the 4th Non-Spanish player to reach 200 apps for Barcelona i…