Man Utd convinced Real Madrid do not have the money to sign Pogba (Mail)

Paul Pogba has put a dampener on Manchester United's uplifting win over Chelsea by 

claiming that a question mark still hangs over his future at Old Trafford.

Pogba set up the third and fourth goals in a 4-0 victory that got United's season off to a

flying start on Sunday.


But the Frenchman has clearly not given up hope of a move to Real Madrid before the 

transfer window closes in Spain on September 2 after he and his agent Mino Raiola 

indicated earlier this summer that he wants to leave United.

According to Mail Sport, Man United's coaching staff are said to be surprised that Pogba is still at the club even though executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been unflinching in his refusal to consider selling the club's £89million record signing.

Woodward blocked Pogba's move to Barcelona a year ago and has been equally determined to withstand any attempts by Madrid to sign him this summer.

United dismissed a bid from Real of £27.6m plus James Rodriguez last week which only reinforced the view that the Spaniards do not have enough money to finance a move for Pogba in this transfer window.

It's understood United would have considered offers of around £170m before the Premier League transfer deadline last week, but it seems unthinkable they would sell Pogba now when there is no chance of signing a replacement.

It follows another summer of uncertainty in which the 26-year-old told team-mates he wasn't going to turn up for United's pre-season tour but then reported for duty on time.

It seems the midfielder will have to wait until next summer to try again for the move he wants when there will only be a year left on his contract. United have an option to extend it by a further 12 months, but they will be in a weaker bargaining position than now.

Algeria have won the Africa cup of Nations for the second time.

Algeria won the African Cup of Nations for the second time in their history.

FT: Algeria 1-- 0 Senegal(Algeria goal was scored by Baghdad Bounedjah 

22:24

ALGERIA EDGE TO AFCON GLORY

A second-minute goal from Baghdad goal for Algeria seal them to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

SENEGAL 0-1 ALGERIA

West Ham eye Diego Costa transfer with Everton and Wolves also keen

West Ham are exploring a move for Diego Costa.
The Irons are examining all options after losing out to Valencia in the race to sign Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez, with manager Manuel Pellegrini wanting quality to replace frontmen Marko Arnautovic, Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez after their departures this summer.

Bad-boy Costa, 30, is on the way out of Atletico Madrid this summer following the breakdown of his relationship with the club he went ON STRIKE in 2017 to rejoin after three stormy seasons with Chelsea.

Everton and Wolves have also been mooted as possible Premier League destinations for him, but none of the three clubs has yet made a firm bid for the Brazil-born Spain international.

West Ham also have Gonzalo Higuain, another former Chelsea striker, in their sights as well as Eintracht Frankfurt marksman Sebastian Haller.

Argentina international Higuain is available following the Blues' decision to send him back to Juventus at the end of a loan spell that began in January and saw a return of only five goals in 18 appearances.

The Hammers would look to take Higuain on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy, and Juve want any such deal to include an obligation to buy the now 31-year-old.

Koscielny is reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Rennes

According to Yahoo Sports journalist Manu Lonjon, Arsenal captain Koscielny is reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with Ligue 1 side Rennes.
The Gunners are due to ramp up preparations for the new campaign with a friendly against Colorado Rapids in Denver and three International Champions Cup encounters but will do so without their captain.
Koscielny's refusal to join his team-mates in making the trip comes amid intense speculation surrounding his future.
He is reported to be unhappy at Arsenal and has a big offer from France according to Mail.

'I'm just a goalkeeper' - Alisson plays down Ballon d'Or talk

Alisson Becker doesn't believe he's worthy of

being a contender for the Ballon d'Or this year,

despite a phenomenal season for Liverpool

which has carried into the Copa America with

Brazil.

In the award's history, only one goalkeeper 

has been on the receiving end of it, with 

that being the legendary Lev Yashin in 1963.

"I just limit myself to doing my job," he

modestly said when asked if he could win the 

Ballon d'Or this year after helping Brazil reach 

the Copa America final.

"There are a lot of top players aspiring for that

prize.

"I'm just a goalkeeper."

To reach the final, Alisson and Brazil had to

see off Argentina and Lionel Messi.

.

"Stopping his [Messi's] shots is a combination

of preparation and intuition," he said.

'Manchester gets bluer' - Rodri hails City for usurping Utd in English football

Rodri revealed Manchester City have changed 
the landscape of English football as the club's record signing outlined the reasons for 
teaming up with Pep Guardiola.

The £62.8million central midfielder believes the Premier League champions have permanently usurped Manchester United as the region's top side while making his arrival from Atletico Madrid.

'In the last five or six years has changed story of the football here,' Rodri said.

'Not only Manchester but the whole of England. Manchester is becoming bluer.
'I've been following this team for four or five years now. Not just because of the good players but because of the way they play. I don't watch too much football but I've been watching City.

'There wasn't another option. This was the place I wanted to be. Once I knew the club was interested in me there was no doubt. It was very clear for me to decide to come here.

'Since Pep's arrived it has been a radical change in the way they've played and they are one of the most feared in Europe. It's not just pretty football. City are in the top two or three teams in the world. They even make good teams change their style.'

Rodri has been talked up as Spain's natural successor to Busquets and added: 'Sergio has been the greatest defensive midfielder of the last 10 years.

'I watched him when I was little. I'm close (in style) to him but have other skills. I've learned about him, learn from Fernandinho - these guys in my position - and we are similar. Sergio told me about Pep, that he likes improving you. He doesn't stop.

'I'm going to grow under Pep. I'm not coming here because the manager's Spanish. I think he's the greatest coach in the world.'

Rodri will start pre-season training with City on Monday and was taken on a tour of the club's campus on Thursday.

'The city is tiny - it's good for me,' he said. 'I've never lived in big cities. I don't want massive cities. I'm joining a great league that will make me grow in many aspects.'

Chukwueze: Mikel is my role model

The Villarreal youngster admits he looks up to the Super Eagles captain and counts his current team-mate as one of his idols

Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze has revealed why he regards Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel as a "role model".

The highly-rated forward enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2019, as he sealed his place in Villarreal’s first team and also made the country's Africa Cup of Nations squad.

The 20-year-old, who has been compared to Arjen Robben due to his dribbling skills, made his Afcon debut against Burundi before making a cameo appearance against Guinea after replacing Alex Iwobi.He could not be in better company, though, with the youngster admitting that he considers former Chelsea star Mikel to be ideal role model.

“All the players have been good to me but the one who stands out is [John Obi] Mikel,” Chuwkwueze told Goal.

“He always tells me to always be focused and concentrate on my game because I’m still growing up. To him, hard work is the easiest way to greatness.”

If Chukwueze gets close to achieving what Mikel has done in his career then he will undoubtedly have fulfilled the potential he is showing at present.

However, the less-pressured lad is still savouring his achievement of making his Afcon bow, while revealing his Egypt ambition with the three-time Africa champions.

“Playing in the Africa Cup of Nations is huge for me and a dream come true. I’ve been hoping to play in this competition as a kid and I’m so happy it’s coming at this time,” he continued.

“The technical crew has been kind to me too. They keep encouraging me to do more and better because they believe in my ability.

“There is no pressure at all because I play week in week out for my club before a huge crowd, so playing among the big boys is what I am used to.

“We have everything to win the trophy and with luck on our side, we will achieve that with everyone playing his own part.”

Gernot Rohr’s men are through to the Round of 16 with a game to spare. They face Madagascar in their last Group B encounter with the Super Eagles chasing their 47th win in the history of the competition.

Buffon 'to sign contract with Juve that stipulates him at least 10 appearances'

Gianluigi Buffon will reportedly sign a contract with Juventus that stipulates he must make at least 10 appearances.

Buffon has all-but-agreed a one-year deal with Juve worth €1.5m a season, prior to taking up a coaching or directorial role at the club.

However, La Repubblica claims it will include a clause that forces Coach Maurizio Sarri to play him in at least eight League games.

Indeed, the 41-year-old is exactly eight matches away from surpassing the Serie A record of 674 appearances, held by Paolo Maldini.
The clause would also entitle the goalkeeper to featuring in at least two Champions League fixtures.

Brazil 0 Paraguay 0 (4-3 on penalties): Hosts edge into semi-finals

Brazil needed penalties to get past Paraguay in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Brazil were pushed to the brink in Porto Alegre by the 10 men of Paraguay, but the hosts survive a scare as Gabriel Jesus scores the decisive penalty in the shootout, after Derlis Gonzalez missed the target, to send the Selecao into the semi-finals. Paraguay battled bravely after going a man down following Fabian Balbuena's sending off, but they just fail to complete the job as Brazil keep their dreams of winning on home soil alive.

Senegal 0 Algeria 1: Belaili strike settles turgid encounter as winners progress

Youcef Belaili's goal fired Algeria into the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 after they beat Senegal 1-0.

Algeria booked their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 with a dour 1-0 win over Senegal on Thursday.

It was a match billed as a blockbuster between two of the best sides in African football but Youcef Belaili's second-half goal was the only moment of genuine quality in Cairo.

Even with Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane on the pitch, the forgettable Group C encounter was littered with an incredible 53 fouls and devoid of goalmouth action.

Chelsea reject fresh Bayern approach for Hudson-Odoi (Mirror)

Chelsea have rejected a fresh approach from Bayern Munich for Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The Blues are determined to tie the England winger, 18, to a new five-year deal despite the lengthy Achilles injury he was hit with at the end of last season.

Bayern have been keen to land Hudson-Odoi with the German champions looking for a long-term replacement for Arjen Robben.

They have now reverted back to Manchester City winger Leroy Sane despite the former Schalke winger’s reservations about going back to the Bundesliga.

City want close to £100million for Sane, a price that Bayern are unwilling to pay. But the Germans are hopeful a deal can be struck.

Hudson-Odoi hopes to hand expected Chelsea boss Frank Lampard a boost by returning to action by the start of September.

Liverpool makes Sepp van den Berg their latest signing

The 17-year-old defender has not been signed for the starting XI, but neither has he been brought in to make up the numbers in the academy.

Jurgen Klopp is set to use Van den Berg sparingly in the hope that he can learn from the stars already at the club and transform into the next Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool have parted with an initial £1.3million to get the transfer for the PEC Zwolle youngster over the line.
The transfer will be formally agreed on July 1.
The fee is tiny by today's standards, and shows Klopp is content with the team he has built at Liverpool and is now planning for the future.

But the Reds may be required to pay PEC Zwolle an additional £3.1m - a grand total of £4.4m - due to a clause in Van den Berg's new contract, which will be triggered when he makes 350 appearances for the Anfield club.
After putting pen to paper with the Reds, Van den Berg told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's just an amazing feeling. It is, for me, the biggest club in the world and it's a dream come true. I am really excited.

"I've seen what kind of players from the

Academy grew into the first team here. It is

unbelievable, especially when this kind of big

club does that.

"Of course, the trainer [Jurgen Klopp] is a great guy and one of the reasons they are successful – and also one of the reasons I came here.

"I think this is the best place for me to grow and hopefully play a lot of games here."

Van den Berg made 15 appearances in the Dutch top flight last season, helping Zwolle to a 13th place finish.

He is also an international for the Netherlands at U19 level, winning four caps to date.

Yaya Toure set to continue career as he edges closer to joining Chinese side

Manchester City legend Yaya Toure is set to

continue his illustrious career with a move to

China.

Toure, 36, has been training with Qingdao Huanghai and is now close to agreeing a deal with the second-tier side.

Three times Premier League champion Toure has been without a club since leaving Olympiacos in December, terminating his contract by mutual consent after a disappointing brief return to his former club.

Toure denied suggestions last month that he had subsequently retired as he is hungry to keep playing and insisted he still has ‘a few more years’ left.

And a spell in the Far East represents a chance for the Ivorian midfielder to recapture his form of just a couple of seasons ago when he was a regular in Pep Guardiola’s City side.

Toure has also been the subject of interest from the Middle East but moving to China will allow him to resume playing straight away with the League One season underway and running until November.

Toure, who also counts Monaco and Barcelona as his former clubs, spent eight years at City, winning seven major trophies, before leaving when his contract expired last summer.

His prospective move to China comes two years after he scoffed at the idea of leaving European football.

'Me? No. I'm still looking young, right? I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet. I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there,' he told The Telegraph.

'Do you play football because you love football or do you play because you want to make money? Me, I just want to play football because I enjoy it. I love playing. I enjoy helping my team-mates, I enjoy playing against the big players and teams.

'I want to carry on in that way. Some people

have the mentality that they want to do that

[go to China] – to try something different. But

for me, my feeling is that I want to play more

football.'

Spurs close to signing starlet Clarke as he has completed medical (Sky Sports)

Leeds United youngster Jack Clarke completed a successful medical at Tottenham yesterday ahead of his £8.5million switch, Sky Sports News understands

Although there are still a few details of the deal to be finalised, the 18-year-old is on the verge of an £8.5m switch from Leeds.
Clarke was a part of Leeds' youth set-up before being added to the first-team squad in January 2018, but made his debut a few months later in October 2018.

In the 2018-19 season, Clarke played 25 games, starting 5 times for the Championship side, scoring twice and assisting twice as Leeds missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

In his very first year with the senior team, Clarke won the Leeds United Young Player of the Year award.

BREAKING: Barcelona sign goalkeeper Neto from Valencia

Barcelona and Valencia CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Norberto Murara Neto. The cost of the transaction will be €26m plus 9m in add-ons.

The player will be signing a contract with the club for the next four seasons, until the end of the 2022/23 season, and his buyout clause has been set at 200 million euros.

The 29-year-old's agility and quick reactions have made him the sure-handed goalkeeper who turned in outstanding performances at Valencia (2017-2019), Juventus (2015-2017), Fiorentina (2011-2015 ) and Paranaense (2002-2011).

The Brazilian goalkeeper has a large presence between the sticks. His height, at almost two meters(1.91m), combined with his agility, make Neto a goalkeeper who gives strikers very little net to shoot at. Neto is sure-handed in the aerial game and is very tough to beat one-on-one. In addition, despite his height, Neto has shown speed and quick reflexes in playing goalkeeper at some of Europe’s most demanding clubs.

The deal resulted as a swap deal in which Barcelona sold Jasper Cillissen earlier to Valencia for €35m

FIFA takes action over Cameroon's misconduct

The world football body have opened

disciplinary proceedings against the African

nation after their behaviour against England

Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings

against the Cameroon Football Association

(Fecafoot) relating to players' behaviour and

misconduct during their Women's World Cup

clash with England.

Phil Neville's ladies secured a 3-0 win to seal a

quarterfinal date with Norway, but the victory

was overshadowed by the Central Africans'

on-field protests against a number of VAR

calls.

In a series of controversies, the Indomitable

Lionesses had threatened to quit the game

Augustine Ejangue spat on Toni Duggan and

Alexandra Takounda dismissible tackle on

Steph Houghton.

Regretting her inactions, Ejangue took to her

official Instagram page to post her apology to

Duggan, claiming she did not mean any harm

against the Barcelona star on Wednesday.

However, soon after, Fifa confirmed that

disciplinary proceedings have been opened,

but could not comment further on the matter.

"Following the Round of 16 match between

Cameroon and England on the 23th June at

the Fifa Womens World Cup, we can

confirmed that proceedings have now been

opened by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee

against the Cameroon Football Associationfor

alleged breaches related to article 52 [team

misconduct] and article 57 [offensive

behaviour and fair play] of the Fifa disciplinary

code," Fifa confirmed in a statement.

"As proceedings are now ongoing, please

understand that no further comment can be

made at this stage. Further updates will be

provided in due course."

The development could see the African nation

facing a fine for the actions of their players.