Football News

The Spain striker looks set to complete a move to Chelsea after passing a medical on Wednesday and the former Blues playmaker has tipped him to be a success Juan Mata believes his Spain team-mate Diego Costa will "thrive" in the Premier League as he looks set to complete a move to Chelsea. The striker is expected to join Jose Mourinho's side in a €43 million move from Atletico Madrid in the near future after he passed a medical with the Premier League giants on Wednesday. As the move looks imminent, the Manchester United player is sure Costa has what it takes to shine in the English top flight. "I wish him the best," Mata told reporters. "He is a forward who is very well suited to English football because of his power and strength. He is the type of player that thrives there, but at the moment he is still an Atletico player." Mata was then asked about the World Cup and he says he is elated to be part of the Spain squad again heading into another major

Arsenal fans have given a mixed reaction to the latest leaked kit image, this time for the new 2014/15 third shirt made by Puma. The design features a light blue base colour and navy blue diagonal stripes running across the front. It is completed with a polo neck collar and light green cuffs.

Ryan Giggs has revealed how he wept in his car the day he feared he was saying goodbye to Manchester United for the last time. Giggs spent the last four games of last season as United’s interim manager in the wake of the sacking of David Moyes. The 40-year-old Old Trafford legend has subsequently been invited on to new manager Louis van Gaal’s coaching staff and will remain at the club, even though his playing days are now over. 

Gerard Pique let the cat out of the bag regarding Cesc Fabregas's transfer to Chelsea. The Barcelona defender was speaking to Spain manager Vicente del Bosque at a promotional event and even though they covered their mouths their voices were picked up by an active microphone. Both TVE and AStv managed to pick up the conversation. Read more at: http://www.sport.net/cesc-fabregas-is-going-for-33m-euros-have-gerard-pique-and-vicente-del-bosque-lifted-lid-on-chelsea-move_196401

A couple of hours after our own Jordan Beck wrote a spectacular article discussing some potential midfield targets for next season, it appears that Barça's front office read his piece and decided to take action. Whether or not that's true, there's a solid feeling amongst the Blaugrana that one of those potential targets is closer than ever to a deal that would bring him to the Camp Nou. That would be Sevilla's Ivan Rakitic, according to a report from Diario Sport. It's said that the negotiations between the two clubs and the Croatian have advanced a lot over the last few days, and both teams seem to be accelerating the process so they can have a done deal before the World Cup, which starts next week. The rumors also suggest that the early Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid talks were not serious, and only Barcelona is going after Rakitic from the start. New Barça manager Luís Enrique likes Ivan a lot, and could use him as a long-term replacement for Xavi. Now comes the

The cash bonanza from the Premier League’s new TV deals is going where everyone expected - the players’ pockets - with experts Deloitte saying the total wage bills for the 20 clubs rose over £2BILLION last season. When costs for non-playing staff are removed that works out at something likely to be slightly more than £2.5m per season per man. And as the rich get richer, the gap to the rest of football has got bigger, with Championship clubs suffering a double whammy of lower income and higher wage costs at the same time, meaning bigger losses. 

The France international midfielder has been in good form in 2013-14 but a ligament tear in his knee is set to keep him out for up to eight weeks, disappointing the Chilean coach Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini says that the absence of Samir Nasri with an injury will be a big blow for his side. The midfielder has been ruled out for up to eight weeks after suffering a partial ligament tear in his left knee following a challenge from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in City's 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday. The Frenchman has played a key part in City's good form, which has seen them go 10 matches unbeaten in the Premier League to be within a point of leaders Arsenal, and Pellegrini knows that Nasri will be missed. "He is a very important player for us," the Chilean told the press. "He was also playing in a very good moment so we hope he can come back as soon as possible but I think that less than six or seven weeks would be difficult." The City boss was speaking ahe

  Chelsea frontman Eden Hazard has revealed he will wear the No 10 shirt for the Blues next season. The Belgium international - who is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain - will change from the No 17 shirt which he has worn since signing for the Stamford Bridge club from Lille two years ago. Speaking to the club's official website, Hazard said: 'I am very pleased to be able to wear the number 10 for Chelsea.

Uruguay's star striker Luiz Suarez is 'evolving well' says the national team doctor on Monday following knee surgery last week. Suarez is believed to have picked up the knock in Liverpool's last league game of the season and had an operation last Thursday. In the spotlight: Luis Suarez is mobbed by fans as he leaves hospital following knee surgery.

Luis Suarez is now the third most valuable footballer in the world according to an authoritative new report, published today, that rates the Liverpool striker as worth £79 million - at least. Only Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, with a ‘starting price’ of £161.5m and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, worth at least £85.2m, are valued more highly in the study, compiled by a Swiss-based expert ‘think tank’. The CIES Football Observatory has detailed knowledge of actual prices paid in thousands of transfers to ‘Big 5’ divisions over recent years, and have now published their annual review of players - including ‘market values’. 

It's been a big week or so for Frank Lampard. This weekend saw him bag a brace in a comfortable 3-0 victory for Chelsea at Upton Park, defeating his former club West Ham United in the process. Before that, he had been on international duty with England, being presented with a special cap ahead of the Three Lions' clash with Chile to mark his 100th appearance for his country. Lampard captained England that night, too, ensuring it would be one to remember for him. Indeed, there have been many moments throughout his international career that he will struggle to forget—some of them good, while others equally painful. Bleacher Report takes a look at the highs and lows of Lampard's time playing for England. 

Liverpool winger Luis Alberto is returning to Spain to join Malaga on loan. The 21-year-old signed for Liverpool for £7m from Sevilla last summer. Disappoinjtment: Liverpool's Luis Alberto is set for a return to Spain after failing to make a breakthrough Liverpool remain in talks with Sevilla for left-back Alberto Moreno. Adam Lallana has told Southampton he wants to join Liverpool as the clubs haggle over the structure of a £30m fee. Unsettled: Liverpool target Adam Lallana has told Southampton he wants to move Emre Can of Bayer Leverkusen also wants to join Liverpool in a £10m deal but has yet to agree wages.

Chelsea could live to regret allowing Frank Lampard to leave Stamford Bridge after 13 years and a club-record 211 goals, according to Harry Redknapp. Lampard confirmed on Monday evening that he will quit the Blues this summer, with the 35-year-old widely tipped to join Sheikh Mansour’s new Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC. And QPR boss Redknapp, speaking at a press conference on Monday morning, felt the Blues may rue deciding to let his nephew go.

Gary Lineker thinks Roy Hodgson should seriously consider dropping Wayne Rooney from England's starting line-up in Brazil. The former Barcelona and Tottenham striker, who scored 48 times in 80 appearances for England, said that Hodgson shouldn't be afraid to leave Rooney out of the side. Lineker, who tweeted a picture of him with Frank De Boer on a beach, wants Daniel Sturridge to play as the most advanced striker for England in Brazil. Smile for the camera: Gary Lineker tweeted this picture of him with Frank De Boer.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp says Chelsea could regret allowing veteran midfielder Frank Lampard to leave the club after 13 seasons at Stamford Bridge. The 35-year-old, Chelsea's all-time record goalscorer, has confirmed he will leave the club and has been linked with a move to new MLS franchise New York City FC. "Absolutely I would keep him at Chelsea," Redknapp said of his nephew, who is continuing his World Cup preparations in Miami as part of England's 23-man squad. "He's worth his weight in gold just to be around the place. "I think Roy Hodgson feels the same. You need good characters around whether it is England or your football club. "You've got Steven Gerrard and Lampard with England - proper guys that the youngsters can look up to." Redknapp played in the MLS himself with a three-year stint with the Seattle Sounders in the late 1970s, and he said he could understand why his nephew could be attracted by the prospect of a move to the Unit

The boringness of James Milner has taken on something of a life of its own. It has its own Twitter account with a quarter of a million followers and is starting to dictate the emotions of the crowd at England games. When Milner appeared as a substitute against Peru at  Wembley on Friday a slight groan rippled around the arena. Nothing too nasty but, for some England fans, an appearance from the Manchester City midfielder reflects Roy Hodgson’s natural caution as a coach. If he starts ahead of Raheem Sterling, for example, in the World Cup opener against Italy, Hodgson will be accused of opting for containment at the expense of flair. Full of running: James Milner appeared as a substitute during England's 3-0 win over Peru at Wembley   Milner shrugs it off. This is all part of it. He is so incredibly sensible, the model professional, who does as he is told, eats and drinks exactly what he ought to, runs an average of about 13 kilometres per game and is seldom distracted by the glitz

Romelu Lukaku insists he is hoping to stay at Chelsea next season, despite uncertainty surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian striker joined the Blues in 2011 but has spent the last two seasons on loan - with West Brom and Everton respectively - and Chelsea are reportedly prepared to sell to anyone willing to meet their £25million valuation. However, the 21-year-old is determined to fight for his place at a club where he has only started a single Premier League game and is yet to score a goal. Scroll down for videos... Uncertainty: Romelu Lukaku hopes to be playing at Chelsea next season despite unrest over his future.

Arsenal have been offered the chance to bring Mario Balotelli back to England. AC Milan are prepared to sell the 23-year-old to fund an overhaul of their squad and want around £30million. Balotelli has scored 30 goals in 54 games for Milan but the fallen Italian giants are strapped for cash and are struggling to finance even smaller deals such as Adel Taarabt’s £5m move from QPR.

Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen returns with the latest installment of his weekly column for MailOnline Sport. The Barnet boss does not hold back with his views on current issues in football.   RICKIE LAMBERT GOT ME THE SACK I'm so pleased for Rickie Lambert, getting a dream move to his hometown club Liverpool. What a remarkable story going from the lower leagues to playing in a World Cup and the Champions League aged 32.

Tottenham's interest in Victor Wanyama will be compounded by statistics collated from his defensive midfield performances at Southampton. Mauricio Pochettino is looking at bringing in the big Kenyan over the summer after utilising him as a defensive screen while at St Mary’s. Tottenham had the ninth best defensive record in the Premier League and the new coach recognises that will have to improve if he is to make an impression on the Champions League qualifying places.

Chelsea target Diego Costa is hopeful of playing in Spain’s friendly against El Salvador on Saturday as he battles to be fit for the World Cup. The Atletico Madrid striker, who limped out of his side’s 4-1 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid, has been struggling with muscle problems for two months but was included in coach Vicente del Bosque’s 23-man squad on Saturday. Costa said: ‘I hope to have some minutes next week against El Salvador in Washington. Hopeful: Diego Costa hopes to play in Spain's friendly against El Salvador on Saturday.

Manchester City are looking to complete the £14.5million transfer of Porto midfielder Fernando later this week. The 26-year-old was the subject of a failed bid by City in January and subsequently signed a new contract. However, City have made an increased offer from five months ago and the Brazilian is heading for Manchester. Etihad bound: Manchester City hope to wrap up a transfer for Porto's Fernando.

Liverpool are leading the chase to sign £30million-rated Cesc Fabregas who is determined to return to England after Barcelona made it clear they are willing to sell him. The relatively low fee for the 27-year-old midfielder, who was confirmed as part of Spain’s World Cup squad on Saturday, will tempt several Premier League clubs, but the Anfield side have a real chance of signing him because they are in the Champions League next season. Fabregas’s availability will also test the willingness of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has a £100million transfer kitty, to return for his former captain.

The Italy boss says he will take time to assess the squad on Sunday before finalising his World Cup party after the AC Milan man and Alberto Aquilani suffered injuries Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli admits the team is reeling from the injury suffered by Riccardo Montolivo against Republic of Ireland on Saturday. The AC Milan captain was stretchered off after just eight minutes with what was later confirmed as a broken leg, ruling him out of the World Cup, while his replacement Alberto Aquilani also picked up a knock. Prandelli says the squad have been left hurt by the incidents at Craven Cottage, where the game finished 0-0, and suggested he could wait until Monday's deadline before finalising his 23-man party for Brazil "Unfortunately this match was marked by injuries," he was quoted as saying by La Repubblica after the match. "We were playing pretty well at the beginning of the game, but when two team-mates suffer injuries, it is difficult to speak about pattern

Carlos Marchena's solitary goal against Real Jaen ensures the Galician side return to Spain's top flight at the first time of asking Deportivo La Coruna sealed an immediate return to La Liga on Saturday as a 1-0 win over Real Jaen earned promotion back to the top flight. Following their relegation last season, Deportivo have wasted little time in bouncing straight back, with Carlos Marchena's 29th-minute strike proving enough to secure second place in the Segunda Division with one game to go. Fernando Vazquez's men went into the weekend six points clear of rivals Las Palmas and Sporting Gijon, but with no wins in their previous five matches concerns were beginning to build at the Riazor. Marchena's strike just before the half hour broke the deadlock, and as news from elsewhere began to filter through it was clear they were up. Deportivo's match finished before their rivals but the news that Las Palmas had lost to Mallorca and Gijon had drawn with Real Zaragoza m

There was much more than one title at stake in Lisbon. Winning the Champions League opens the door to two more pieces of silverware. Only the kings of Europe can play in the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. In the case of Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso, these are the two final frontiers in their bid to win every single big trophy for club and country. The 'Décima' gives Ramos, Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso the chance to go for the Grand Slam and enter a select group of players who have won the World Cup, European Championship, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, 'La Liga', 'Copa del Rey' and the Spanish Super Cup - eight great titles and a feat within the reach of very few footballers over the course of history. The members of the Spain team who won the World Cup and the Euros were given the opportunity to conquer the Grand Slam. With the most difficult part completed - winning such a prestigious double - the challenge then lies in ticking off the boxes at cl

The Dutchman claims he is grateful for the support of the club's fans as Filippo Inzaghi is lined up to replace him as head coach AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf says he has had no contact from the club as speculation mounts about his future. Seedorf's future at the club has been shrouded in doubt for some weeks and the Milan hierarchy have lined up Primavera coach Filippo Inzaghi as his replacement for this summer. And the Dutchman has confirmed he is in the dark over whether he will take charge of the team next season, though he admits he appreciates the support of the Rossoneri faithful. "I'm reading everything, just like you," he told Sport Mediaset. "I have had no communication from the club. "I'm well, I've been spending some time with my family and friends. The affection of all the fans I've been bumping into has really pleased me. "I can say 'Forza Milan' because Milan will always be there, like the fans." Seedorf, w