Diego Simeone says Diego Costa returned to Atletico Madrid to exert a decisive impact on big matches, and hailed the importance of the striker s rage in helping the team reach the Europa League final at the expense of Arsenal.

Costa, who re-joined Atleti from Chelsea this season, scored the only goal of a 1-0 victory in the second leg of the semi-final at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday, the result setting up a decider against Marseille in Lyon on May 16.

The Brazil-born Spain international helped Chelsea to win the Premier League title in 2016-17, but fell out with manager Antonio Conte amid rumours of interest from Chinese Super League clubs.

And Simeone knows the combative 29-year-old, who was unable to play until January as the Rojiblancos served a FIFA-i…

French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia will leave Monaco for Inter after the Serie A club confirmed the transfer on Sunday.

Inter revealed the news via their official Twitter account, with Kondogbia pictured signing his contract.

The 22-year-old France international will arrive in Milan on Monday to undergo a medical, while he could be joined in black and blue by Atletico Madrid s Miranda next season, after the central defender confirmed he is in discussions with Inter.

Speaking after leading Brazil to a 2-1 victory over Venezuela at the 2015 Copa America, Miranda told Spor TV: I do not know, there is a possibility, but there are responsible people, who are knowledgeable conducting this situation.

Kondogbia was tipped to join city rivals Milan after CEO Ad…

that Manchester United have submitted an official proposal for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

The Red Devils are desperate to lure the Spain hotshot to Old Trafford this summer and they have tested los Blancos resolve with a £28.6 million bid.

Manchester United believe that Ramos has plans to leave Santiago Bernabeu this summer, with the club yet to offer him an extension on the contract that expires in June 2017.

It is no secret the Red Devils are in the market for high-quality centre-backs and no doubt that the 29-year-old would be an excellent addition to the squad at Old Trafford.

Ramos developed into one of world s top defenders shortly after arriving from Sevilla ten years ago, but it appears he is now looking for a fresh challenge.

T…

Liverpool have confirmed that 18-year-old winger Raheem Sterling has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Earlier this week, Goal.com exclusively revealed that Sterling was on the brink of signing a five-year-deal with the Reds.

And Liverpool have today confirmed that the talented youngster has pledged his future to the Merseyside club.

Sterling told the club s official website: It s every 18-year-old s dream. I m just really grateful to be at such a big club like this.

There s a lot more to be done. I haven t begun yet, as the manager has said. Hopefully I can kick on after the New Year and try to do my best for the team and the football club.

Sterling was signed from QPR in 2010 for an initial fee believed to be around 500,000 pound…

Valencia striker Paco Alcacer is keen to sign a new deal and resolve his long-term future with the club.

The 21-year-old is enjoying something of a breakthrough season as he has scored three goals in four games for Spain since making his senior international debut in September.

Alcacer has also netted four times in nine La Liga appearances – he managed six in the league in the whole of 2012-13.

That form has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Premier League leaders Chelsea and Tottenham, but Alcacer wants to stay at Valencia beyond his current contract, which runs until the end of next season.

Both parties have the same desire, the youngster told reporters ahead of Sunday s league clash at Villarreal.

I am concentrati…

Adnan Januzaj was singled out for praise by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, as the Dutchman hailed his team s attacking display in their win against Barcelona.

Van Gaal claimed his main highlight of the 3-1 victory was that his team had the same amount of chances as Barcelona , with both sides finishing the International Champions Cup game with six shots on target.

Wayne Rooney, Jesse Lingard and Januzaj scored for United in California as they maintained their perfect record on their United States tour, and Van Gaal was impressed with how the latter led the line in the final half-hour on Saturday.

Van Gaal replaced his front four of Rooney, Ashley Young, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata in the 63rd minute with Januzaj, 20, playing as the centre forward in Un…

Ronald Koeman empathised with Lionel Messi s frustration after the superstar captain was sent off in Barcelona s Supercopa de Espana final loss against Athletic Bilbao.

Messi saw red for the first time in his illustrious club career as embattled LaLiga giants Barca were upstaged 3-2 by Athletic after extra time in Seville on Sunday.

After Athletic star Inaki Williams struck in the third minute of extra time, Messi swung at Asier Villalibre in an off-the-ball incident that was spotted by VAR and referee Jesus Gil Manzano brandished a red card.

Messi – who has been tipped to leave Camp Nou amid links with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain – is facing a lengthy suspension, but Barca head coach Koeman defended the 33-year-old.

I can understand what…

Hansi Flick says defender Jerome Boateng will have the final say over his own future after falling out of favour at Bayern Munich.

Boateng has started eight of Bayern s 17 Bundesliga matches this term and has been strongly linked with an exit in the January transfer window.

Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have been tipped to move for the Germany international, while Arsenal are rumoured to have already made an approach.

And stand-in boss Flick will let Boateng, who is out of contract at the end of next season, decide whether he stays on at the Allianz Arena or finds a new challenge elsewhere.

I get along with him and we talk openly, Flick told German sports magazine Kicker. 

No time for distractions, only look forward. 2020 is getting closer

The United States on Tuesday announced it has released 125 million dollars for initial UN refugee agency operations worldwide this year, with the lion s share earmarked for Africa.

The United States is pleased to announce an initial contribution of 125 million toward the 2009 operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the State Department said.

Some 65.08 million dollars goes to Africa; 15.88 million to the Asia and Pacific region; 9.92 million dollars to Europe; 7.16 million dollars to global operations; 6.73 million to North Africa and the Middle East; 9.87 million dollars to UNCHR headquarters; 5.5 million dollars to the Americas; and 4.87 million dollars to emergency response activities.

It said the funds will support refugee r…

English Premier League club Manchester City are set to secure a three-year sponsorship deal with United Arab Emirates telecoms giant Etisalat, the company said on Tuesday.

The value of the contract was not disclosed at a news conference in the oil-rich Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi, where the Manchester club is to play a friendly on Thursday with the UAE national team.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed here, Etisalat will be the exclusive telecommunications sponsor of City in all countries where the company has a presence.

Etisalat is the second UAE company to have reached a sponsorship agreement with Manchester City after Abu Dhabi airline Etihad, which has a four-year shirt deal with the club.

Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment …