Demiral chased by clubs from Premier League and Bundesliga

Ever since Merih Demiral joined Juventus last summer, it never looked like he had a realistic chance of breaking into the starting lineup. The Turkish defender was signed from Sassuolo in summer of 2019, as Juventus wanted to continue bringing in younger players, to help the aging squad. But that did not work out for Demiral.

According to always reliable Gianluca Di Marzio, Leicester City have joined the race to sign Juventus defender and the Turin club might be pushed towards letting him go. If Leicester were to sign him, they would have two defenders from Turkey, alongside with Caglar Soyuncu.

However, Leicester are not the only team interested. Borussia Dortmund are also chasing his signature, although Di Marzio claim the Foxes have submitted a formal offer. Demiral …

Real expect record revenues this season

Real Madrid announced Thursday it expected record revenues for the 2008/2009 season of 407 millions euros (552 million dollars), up from 366 million previously.

The figure is above the 400 million euros budgetary forecast, and pre-tax profits for the season, ending June 30, should rise to 58 million euros from 51 million in the 2007/08 season, the club said.

The optimistic forecast comes days before a general meeting on Sunday that could decide on the date of the next election for club president in early June.

Real said its debt by June 30 should fall to 125 million euros from 200 million last year.

Real s arch-rival Barcelona has forecast a budget of 380 million euros for the season, with a debt of 180 million euros.

The two football clubs, whic…

Advocaat edges closer to Belgium job

The Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA) announced Tuesday they have held a second meeting with Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who is a candidate for the vacant position of Belgian national coach.

The URBSFA is continuing to speak to Mr Dick Advocaat, the federation said in a press release.

The discussions are evolving positively with a view to a possible agreement.

Adovcaat has indicated his interest in the Belgium job a number of times in the media.

He is currently under contract at Russian side Zenit St Petersburg until December 2009, having led the club to the UEFA Cup title in 2008.

According to the Belgian press, Advocaat could take charge of the Belgium team from January 1, 2010, with interim coach Franky Vercauteren continuing in his role …

Kewell expects ´fiery´ Melbourne derby

Harry Kewell is bracing for plenty of verbal sparring from his former team-mates during Saturday s A-League derby in Melbourne.

As he prepares to wear the Heart captain s armband for the first time at Etihad Stadium, Kewell is convinced he can make an immediate impact on his A-League return.

I don t think there s going to be friendly banter, I think it s going to be fiery and I think that s what everyone is looking forward to, Kewell said.

Sometimes a little brother steps up and knocks that killer punch.

The former Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray man admits he failed to fire for Victory early in the 2011-12 season, though he improved late in that campaign, before quitting the club.

The 35-year-old has played just three club games for Qa…

League Cup Preview: Arsenal v Chelsea

High-flying Arsenal will look for their first win against Chelsea in more than two years in the fourth round of the League Cup on Tuesday.

The Premier League table-toppers bounced back from their first loss in more than two months which came in the UEFA Champions League against Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta from the penalty spot and Olivier Giroud scored the goals for Arsenal, who have not lost an away match in any competition since March.

Arteta was later sent off and will miss the Chelsea clash, with the Emirates Stadium outfit keen to reverse a trend that has seen them fail to defeat their London rivals in their last three meetings.

There are still significant injury problems for Arsenal, with Theo Walcott (abdomi…

Dalic focused on World Cup final amid Premier League talk

Zlatko Dalic was coy when asked if he wanted to move to the Premier League as the Croatia head coach maintained his focus on the looming World Cup final.

Dalic has fast become a household name after guiding Croatia to their first World Cup decider, with France standing in the way of the Balkan nation and a remarkable title in Moscow Sunday.

The 51-year-old replaced Ante Cacic as Croatia struggled during qualifying, though Dalic oversaw a successful play-off against Greece to reach Russia 2018.

Dalic – who worked his way up the ranks in Asia where he led UAE giants Al Ain to the 2016 AFC Champions League final – now stands on the cusp of Croatia s biggest achievement.

Quizzed on his future plans and a possible switch to England, Dalic told reporters: …

Prediction: Leicester vs Arsenal

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 

Bookmaker: 

The Premier League is back in action once again this weekend with a host of entertaining fixtures, following on from a string of dramatic twists and turns in Europe during the week. There are a few clear races in which the favourite is becoming clear but in equal measure, there s also a great deal of uncertainty still in the mix as we prepare to head into the month of March. Today, we re going to take a look at Sunday s intriguing game between Leicester City and Arsenal.

Leicester

Leicester City may not quite be at the point yet whereby they can be viewed as legitimate title contenders again, but after being knocked out of the Europa League during the week, they should be able to focus most of their attention o…

Argentina qualify but impressive Spain must be the favourites

Can anyone stop Spain?

A late Mario Bolatti goal gave Argentina the win they needed in Uruguay to see them through to the world cup finals in South Africa next summer. As I said yesterday, the troubled and troubling campaign will now be forgotten as Diego Maradona and his men prepare for the finals and will no doubt be installed as one of the favourites to win it.

Celebrating

Their were a few other teams celebrating qualification last night and they included some big names and some new ones in relation to the world cup.

Honduras is a country in turmoil afyer a military coup earlier on in the year. Despite that their football team has qualified for the world cup finals for only the second time in their history. A 1-0 win over El Salvador was enough to seal …

FIFA Confederations Cup: Brazil 3 Spain 0

Brazil have made a huge statement ahead of next year s World Cup, demolishing Spain 3-0 to claim their third straight Confederations Cup title.

In an ominous performance, Brazil showed they will be genuine contenders at the 2014 World Cup with Fred scoring either side of Neymar s thumping goal as the hosts handed Spain their first competitive loss since the 2010 World Cup.

Brazil started in full flight in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday and stunned the reigning world and European champions after just 90 seconds when Fred hit the back of the net after a cross from Hulk.

While the striker failed to get his head on the cross, Spanish defenders Gerard Pique and Alvaro Arbeloa failed to clear the danger and as the ball hit the ground, Fred, who was lying on his back, scooped it ov…

Mourinho: Martial hasn´t taken chances

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho told Anthony Martial he had to improve after failing to take his opportunities in the first team.

Martial, 21, has scored twice in just nine Premier League starts this season, having impressed in his maiden campaign in England in 2015-16.

Mourinho said the France international had simply not taken his chances when they were given to him.

I don t think he lost his focus. I think he just didn t catch with both hands a big opportunity he had, he told UK newspapers.

We have still five players for these positions — we have Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Martial. I cannot give to the same player chance after chance after chance and not consider the effort of the others.

When…