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 …
Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi has departed Anfield to sign a deal with Arabian Gulf League side Al Ahli.
The Morocco international cut short a second season-long loan spell with Stoke City in order to complete the switch, having made just two Premier League starts at the Britannia Stadium this term.
Having switched to Anfield from Heerenveen in 2012 for an estimated £2.5million, the winger failed to break into Brendan Rodgers first-team plans, making 12 outings in his debut camapign on Merseyside.
Last season, Assaidi made 26 appearances for Stoke, scoring five goals, including a memorable winner against Chelsea in a 3-2 victory.
However, he could not replicate that form regularly and has struggled to get a look-in past the likes of Bojan Krkic and M…
Thuso Phala believes South Africa can use their agility to good effect as they aim to beat Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Thuso Phala is hoping he and his South Africa team-mates can run rings around Senegal when the two teams face off in the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.
Bafana Bafana face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages after slipping to a somewhat unfortunate 3-1 defeat against Algeria in their opening Group C match.
Midfielder Phala opened the scoring in that fixture and South Africa appeared set to kick on thereafter.
However, Algeria came roaring back after surviving a major scare when Tokelo Rantie hit the crossbar with a 55th-minute penalty.
Senegal, 2-1 winners over Ghana in the first round of matches, …
River Plate striker Lucas Alario has been the subject of interest from top European clubs, according to the latest reports.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to his career at Estadio Monumental and it appears he will soon be leaving the Millionaires for greener pastures.
that Paris Saint-Germain are set to meet with the striker’s representatives as they are readying an official proposal for the player’s services.
Meanwhile, El Litoral has learned that Monaco, Genoa, Inter Milan and an unnamed Russian club are also keen, meaning we could witness a genuine bidding war in January.
Lucas Alario joined River Plate from Colon in July 2015, and he has since made 32 league appearances, scoring 16 goals in total.
The highly rated footballer …
Antoine Griezmann has reiterated that a move to Paris Saint-Germain is not in his plans and reaffirmed his commitment to Atletico Madrid.
The France forward s sporting advisor Eric Olhts claimed in July that talks were held with the Ligue 1 champions before Griezmann extended his stay at the Vicente Calderon until June 2021.
Griezmann has become one of Europe s top talents since moving to the Spanish capital in 2014 and he has started this season in terrific form with six goals in as many LaLiga matches.
The 25-year-old was again questioned about the possibility of moving to Paris following Les Bleus 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in the Netherlands on Monday, but he insists he is focused on winning major honours with Atleti.
It is not know what will happe…