LIVERPOOL APOLOGISE TO SOUTHAMPTON OVER VAN DIJK
Liverpool have ended their interest in signing defender Virgil van Dijk, the club said in a statement on Wednesday, a day after media reported the player’s club Southampton had made a complaint to the Premier League about an illegal approach.
Liverpool had been heavy favourites to sign the Dutch centre back and the player was reported earlier this week to have told Juergen Klopp’s side that he wanted to join them.
The development is the latest twist in a transfer saga involving the sought-after defender who has been linked with a move away from St Mary’s.
"Liverpool Football Club would like to put on record our regret over recent media speculation regarding Southampton Football Club and player transfers between the two clubs," read a statement on Liverpool’s website.
"We apologise to the owner, board of directors and fans of Southampton for any misunderstanding regarding Virgil van Dijk.
"We respect Southampton’s position and can confirm we have ended any interest in the player."
Strict rules govern transfers, with clubs able to negotiate terms with players only if they are out of contract or once a fee has been agreed with the seller.
The laws also govern indirect approaches via an intermediary.
Southampton have consistently said they do not intend to sell Van Dijk, who joined from Celtic in September 2015 and signed a new six-year contract in 2016.
The new deal was a reward for a series of impressive performances at the heart of Saints’ defence although he has not played since January after sustaining ankle ligament damage.
Liverpool have regularly plundered Southampton over recent seasons with former Saints players Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Sadio Mane and Nathaniel Clyne all currently playing at Anfield.
Those four players joined Liverpool in deals totalling more than 100 million pounds in the past three years.
The transfer row is the second this year involving Liverpool, who received a two-year ban on signing Academy players from other English clubs after accepting they made an illegal approach for a 12-year-old attached to Stoke City.
JUVENTUS SIGN ALLEGRI TO EXTENSION
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has signed a new contract with the Italian champions through 2020, signifying a renewed run at the evasive Uefa Champions League title.
The deal was announced Wednesday, four days after the team’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid.
Juventus, who also lost the 2015 Champions League final under Allegri, have won three straight Serie A titles and three straight Italian Cups since he was hired by the Turin team in 2014.
"Allegri has undeniably transformed the club into a significant player on the continent," a Juventus statement read.
The deal is reportedly worth up to US$9 million (Dh33m) per season, including bonuses.
Allegri’s previous contract was due to expire after next season.
INJURY FORCES VARDY OUT OF ENGLAND’S PLANS
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has withdrawn from England’s squad to face Scotland and France after sustaining an injury in training, the Football Association (FA) said on Wednesday.
England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday before facing France in a friendly international in Paris three days later.
"Jamie Vardy has left the England squad as a precaution after picking up a minor injury in training at St George’s Park," the FA said in a statement. "No further players are due to be added to the squad at this moment in time."
England are favourites to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia having seized control of Group F. They lead the section with 13 points from five games, four more than second-placed Slovakia.
Scotland are fourth in the group, six points off the pace, and are struggling to stay in contention for a place in Russia next year.
Vardy took his England goal tally to six in 16 appearances with the second goal in March’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win at home to Lithuania.
In his absence, Harry Kane, Jermain Defoe and Marcus Rashford will compete for a starting berth.
MONACO MANAGER JARDIN TO STAY UNTIL 2020
Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim has extended his contract with the French champions until 2020.
The Portuguese, 42, had been linked with jobs in the English Premier League after inspiring Monaco to their first French title since 2000 and the Champions League semi-finals.
"I’m very happy to continue my work with Monaco," Jardim said, adding that the "future looks very bright".
"The last three seasons have been exceptional, crowned by becoming French champions in May."
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev added: "He is one of the best coaches in European football and despite solicitations has chosen to continue his adventure at Monaco.
"We had a common desire to continue to develop the club’s plans and it’s therefore a great pride to announce the extension of his contract until 2020."
The concern at Monaco after they wrapped up the Ligue 1 title ahead of Paris Saint-Germain was an exodus of key players.
Although Bernado Silva has already joined Manchester City, Colombian striker and club captain Radamel Falcao has extended his contract until 2020.
Hopes will now be raised that 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe, dubbed the new Thierry Henry, will rebuff interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United to stay under Jardim, who arrived in Monaco in 2014 from Sporting Lisbon, having previously coached Olympiakos in Greece and Braga.
Premier League clubs are also keen on Tiemoue Bakayoko, a revelation last season after a difficult first two years at the club.
INZAGHI EXTENDS LAZIO CONTRACT
Simone Inzaghi has signed a two-year contract extension tying him to Lazio until 2020.
The 41-year-old manager enjoyed a positive 2016/17 season, guiding Lazio to fifth place in the Serie A table and the Italian Cup final, which they lost to Juventus, meaning they will play in next season’s Europa League.
Inzaghi, a former Italy international forward and brother of World Cup winning striker Pippo, took over first team duties at Lazio at the end of the 2015/16 season having previously coached the youth team.
DORTMUND SIGN PHILIPP FOR US$22.5m
BERLIN // Borussia Dortmund signed versatile midfielder Maximilian Philipp from Bundesliga rival Freiburg on Wednesday, one day after hiring a new manager.
Philipp, 23, a member of Germany’s under-21 team for the upcoming European Championship, signed a five-year deal through June 2022, the club said.
"Dortmund is one of the biggest clubs in the world," Philipp said. "It’s an honor for me to be able to play here."
The Berlin-born Philipp, who made his way from Hertha Berlin to Tennis Borussia Berlin, then Energie Cottbus and Freiburg, scored nine goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances last season.
Kicker magazine reported that Dortmund was paying about $22.5 million for the transfer, a record for Freiburg.
Dortmund, which presented Peter Bosz as manager on Tuesday, had already signed defender Omer Toprak from Bayer Leverkusen, midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Moenchengladbach and 18-year-old defender Dan-Axel Zagadou from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of next season.
Dortmund won the German Cup in previous manager Thomas Tuchel’s last game in charge and finished third in the Bundesliga to qualify directly for the Champions League.
Also Wednesday, Augsburg signed Rani Khedira – the younger brother of Germany international Sami Khedira – on a free transfer from Leipzig.
The club said the 23-year-old former Stuttgart midfielder signed a four-year deal.
Promoted Hannover signed right back Julian Korb from Borussia Moenchengladbach and gave him a three-year contract.
FANS PETITION TO RETIRE TIOTE’S NEWCASTLE NUMBER
The sense of loss in Newcastle at the death of Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote has been reflected by over 1,000 Newcastle United fans signing a petition to have his shirt number of 24 retired.
Tiote – who was a member of the Ivory Coast squad that ended a 23 year drought winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations – died on Monday after "suddenly fainting" during a training session with his second tier Chinese club Beijing Enterprises.
Tiote – who received many glowing tributes with former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren saying when he smiled one knew everything was good with the world – had only joined them in February after a seven-year stay with Newcastle.
The petition started on Tuesday by NUFC4Life on change.org quickly attracted over 1,000 signatures.
"In the light of the legends death," read the petition. "The shirt number should be retired in honour of his life. A Newcastle legend taken too soon.
"Get your friends and family to sign. Share on social media. Let’s show Tiote how much we loved him."
Tiote, one of 10 children who did not possess a pair of football boots till he was 15, scored just one goal during his time at Newcastle.
However, the spectacular volley from outside the penalty area is an iconic goal according to former Magpies manager Alan Pardew as it sealed a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down to force a 4-4 draw with Arsenal in a Premier League clash in February 2011.
PORTUGAL’S MARIO TO MISS CONFEDERATIONS CUP
Portugal midfielder Joao Mario will miss the upcoming Confederations Cup with a calf muscle injury, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed.
The Inter Milan player featured in a 4-0 friendly win at home to Cyprus last weekend but will now sit out Friday’s trip to Latvia in a World Cup qualifier and the Confederations Cup, which begins in Russia on June 17 with the European champions facing Mexico in their opening game in Kazan the following day.
Joao Mario’s withdrawal leaves Portugal with a squad of 23 including Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined up with his teammates on Tuesday evening, fresh from helping Real Madrid win the Champions League last weekend.
JAMES HAS TO MAKE RIGHT DECISION
Colombia manager Jose Pekerman defended star midfielder James Rodriguez’s quality and said the 2014 World Cup top scorer has an important decision to make over his future at club level.
Rodriguez was left out of Real Madrid’s 18-man squad for Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of Juventus in the Champions League final, fuelling rumours that his time at the Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end.
"We know that in James we have a star, an exceptional player. There are very few players in the world like him and for Colombia he is fundamental," Pekerman said ahead of Colombia’s friendly against Spain in Murcia.
Rodriguez has struggled to find a regular place in the Madrid midfield since Zinedine Zidane took charge 18 months ago and fell even farther down the pecking order this season as Isco and Marco Asensio came to the fore to help Real complete a first Primera Liga and Champions League double for 59 years.
However, Pekerman said Rodriguez’s return of 11 goals and 13 assists from just 33 appearances this season shows he still has the talent to succeed at a top club.
"James is clear that it has been a difficult year, but in the second half of the season I have seen great determination.
"Knowing the club he is at is a world-class club and the high demands, he had a lot of good performances and contributed to their good season."
Rodriguez, who joined Madrid for a reported $90 million from Monaco in 2014, has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Inter Milan, and Pekerman is particularly keen that his next move is the right one just a year out from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
"They will have to decide what options could be best for him and for the club," the Argentine said.
"It is an important joint decision and hopefully it is for the best."
NANTES AGREE TO LET CONCEICAO JOIN PORTO
Sergio Conceicao is the new manager of Porto after Nantes agreed to let the Portuguese leave and return to his homeland, the French club said.
"An agreement has just been reached with Sergio Conceicao’s representatives, his three assistants and FC Porto," a statement from Nantes read.
The French club said they had "defended its economic and sporting interests".
Conceicao, who recently signed a contract extension until 2020, had helped Nantes climb from 19th to seventh in Ligue 1 in just five months.
As a player, Conceicao won three Portuguese titles with Porto and helped Lazio win Serie A in 2000.
He made his name as a manager by guiding unfashionable Braga to the Portuguese Cup final in 2015, where they lost to Sporting Lisbon.
GIROUD WARNS ARSENAL OVER PLAYING TIME
rance forward Olivier Giroud said he will not accept a bit-part role with Arsenal next season.
The 30-year-old was often a substitute over the last campaign as manager Arsene Wenger preferred to line up Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott in attack.
Giroud, who also had an injury-disrupted campaign, made only 11 league starts and, with 18 appearances from the bench, was the Arsenal player most used as a substitute last season.
But while he said he is happy at Arsenal, the former Montpellier striker adds he wants to play more.
"I still have two or even three years left on my Arsenal contract, for the moment my future is at Arsenal," he said. "I feel good here, I want to win the Premier League with Arsenal.
"But I don’t know what the future holds."
Giroud has told French television station TF1 that he would be interested in a move back to France, in particular Marseille, although he said he still wanted to win things in England.
"Obviously, I’m not going to be happy with another year of playing so little," he said. "I’m going to have to think about it with those close to me and my advisers."
While he was often on the bench at Arsenal, Giroud has been first choice for France since Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was omitted due to his implication in the Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape scandal.
Giroud hit a hat-trick in Friday’s 5-0 win over Paraguay in Rennes, taking his tally to 26 goals in 62 France appearances.
He is set to feature for France in their crunch World Cup qualifier in Sweden on Friday.
NO CHARGES AGAINST REAL MADRID-BOUND HERNANDEZ
No charges were brought against French wonder kid Theo Hernandez after a complaint of sexual assault had been made against the 19-year-old whilst on holiday in Marbella, a judicial source confirmed.
The court in the southern Spanish city "decided to provisionally dismiss the case", meaning there "had been no signs of a crime", a spokesperson for the Andalusian High Court of Justice told AFP.
The plaintiff, named as reality TV personality Luisa Kremleva, 22, by various Spanish media outlets, can still appeal the decision.
Kremleva confirmed she has known Hernandez for "a long time" and posted pictures of injuries to her hands and knees on social media site Instagram claiming they had been caused by the footballer before later deleting the images.
Hernandez, currently owned by Atletico Madrid, was on holiday in the popular resort after an outstanding season on loan with Alaves that has brought him to the attention of European champions Real Madrid.
The left-back looks set to become the first player to cross the Madrid divide in 17 years with a $34 million fee reportedly having been agreed between the two clubs.
However, his decision to go on holiday following Alaves’ 3-1 Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona had already drawn criticism as he had failed to report for duty with the French under-21 squad, "without explanation", according to coach Sylvain Ripoll.
Born in Marseille but raised in Spain, sports daily Marca reported this week that the player wants to play his international football for Spain.
His elder brother, Lucas Hernandez, 21, also is an Atletico player, and was ordered to do 31 days of community service alongside his ex-girlfriend following a case of domestic violence in February.
Lucas was also ordered not to contact the woman for a period of six months.
* Agencies
Follow us on twitter at @NatSportUAE
