Sports

According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have been in talks with Juventus over the possibility of them having first refusal of Philippe Coutinho. The belief is that the Brazilian could be allowed to leave for a fee of around €90 million during the summer transfer window with Bayern Munich not planning on taking up the option to sign him on a permanent basis. 

While Bayern and Barcelona don’t appear to be all too eager to have him, there are still plenty of top clubs around European football who seem to be entertaining the idea of bringing him on. 

Coutinho was a phenom during his days with Liverpool and if he’s able to recapture even a small percentage of that, he could serve as a useful tool for plenty of teams. 

Whether or not anyo…

Points were dropped by several Premier League sides with top-six aspirations on a weekend when leaders Liverpool were rescued by Mohamed Salah s finishing as they extended their winning streak and their cushion at the top.

The Reds beat Watford 2-0 at Anfield to move 10 points clear of Leicester City, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home by struggling Norwich City.

There was also frustration for a top-four side at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea failed to score for the second time in three Premier League home games as they succumbed 1-0 to Bournemouth.

Manchester City suffered no such slip-up when they travelled to Arsenal on Sunday, as a 3-0 win for the third-placed defending champions moved them to 14 points behind Liverpool.

Tottenham nudged up to fi…

Bayern end their Trippier chase

With dealing with some public financial limitations at St. James’ Park this month, it is no secret that Eddie Howe’s side are forced to part with some of their first-team stars in a bid to balance the books.

However, although there might be continued speculation that Miguel Almiron could be set for a big-money move to Saudi Arabia before January’s transfer window slams shut, the former Bournemouth boss has made it clear that will not be allowed to leave the north east under any circumstances.

While German giants Bayern Munich might have been desperate to complete a January swoop for the England international, Thomas Tuchel’s men are unwilling to meet Newcastle’s reported price tag.

Although there might have been sugg…

Manchester United fans do not need telling that the team is in a rut. The thousands who left Old Trafford early during Wednesday s miserable 2-0 home defeat to Burnley made that abundantly clear.

The loss is United s second in a row in the Premier League – the first time that has happened since last April – and means they have won just twice in all competitions since the turn of the year.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer conceded their performance was not up to scratch but, given their overall from since he took permanent charge, questions are being asked as to how much longer these defeats can be accepted as minor bumps on the road to a more promising future.

United have endured some difficult days since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, but how does the current ma…

Leeds United won an enthralling encounter over Blackburn Rovers to extend their Championship lead over Norwich City, who in turn produced late heroics to salvage a draw against Nottingham Forest.

The top two both struck twice in stoppage time, Leeds coming from behind to beat Blackburn 3-2 at Elland Road, while Norwich somehow recovered to draw 3-3 with Nottingham Forest, having been three goals down with 14 minutes left.

Jay Rodriguez scored twice as third-placed West Brom recorded a rather calmer 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic to close within three points of Norwich, while Sheffield United defeated promotion rivals Derby County 3-1 on a Boxing Day card where all 24 teams were in action.

Middlesbrough lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday to lose ground in the pl…

Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Manchester United will make a fresh decision on the future of forward Mason Greenwood and will “justify it one way or the other”.

Greenwood, who is on loan at Spanish side Getafe, was suspended by United on January 30, 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.

The now 22-year-old faced charges including attempted rape and assault but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February last year that the case had been discontinued.

Reports last year that United were planning to retain him following an internal investigation were met by public outcry and Ratcliffe acknowledges that a decision will have to be made when Greenwood returns about what happens next – but insists nothing has be…

Manchester City have commissioned a statue in honour of departing star David Silva to be located at the club s Etihad Stadium.

The Spain playmaker is leaving City after 10 years, during which time he won four Premier League titles, the EFL Cup five times and the FA Cup twice.

As well as the statue, City have dedicated a bespoke mosaic of Silva at their City Football Academy reflecting his contribution to the 6-1 defeat of Manchester United in 2011.

Silva follows former skipper Vincent Kompany in being immortalised in statue form, with both pieces to be unveiled in 2021.

David Silva is a transformational player; a quiet leader who has acted quietly and deliberately and inspired everyone around him, from the youngest academy player to his senior team-ma…

Moise Kean became the youngest player to score in four consecutive Serie A games in the era of three points for a win, the teenager surpassing Mario Balotelli s record on Saturday.

Juventus star Kean is often compared to Balotelli, who netted in three straight games in 2009, and he extended his fine run of form with the opening goal away to SPAL.

A shot from Joao Cancelo looked to be on target but Kean was alert and clever enough to divert the ball away from the dive of goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.

Should Juve avoid defeat at SPAL, they will become Serie A champions for the eighth year in a row, breaking the league s record for the fastest title triumph.

30 GALLLLLLL!!!!!! KEAN GETS US OFF THE MARK!!!!!! [0-1]

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) <…

With the FA Cup making its return on Tuesday night, we certainly have a stacked English schedule on the cards in midweek.

Ahead of a full fixture list from both League One and League Two respectively, we have found a pair of Tuesday betting markets that are worth keeping an eye out for.

19:45 Derby vs Charlton

Eventually falling to what was a costly 2-1 loss at the hands of Barnsley over the weekend, Derby will know the importance of claiming a crucial response here. Nevertheless, still battling it out at the top of the League One table and with their sights firmly set on clinching a Championship return in 2024, Tuesday’s hosts will be smelling a golden opportunity at Pride Park.

Opening Tuesday’s showdown still scrapping it out in the automatic pr…

Harry Maguire is pleased with the defensive improvements made by Manchester United on the back of their 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham this month.

United suffered their joint-heaviest defeat in the Premier League as they lost by a five-goal margin for the fourth time, and the first since October 2011 against Manchester City.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s men are unbeaten in four matches since then, though, keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Chelsea and RB Leipzig after winning away at Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Maguire, who has played every minute in the Premier League this season, admits his side were at crisis point after conceding 12 goals in their first three matches.

After Tottenham, we were all devastated, he told the club s official w…