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REVEALED: WHAT POGBA SPENT HIS FIRST WAGE PACKET ON Harry Sherlock 10:07 The Manchester United midfielder grew up relatively poor, but now earns a staggering £290,000-per-week, and he has not forgotten his roots Paul Pogba has revealed what he bought with his first ever wage packet… two pairs of designer shoes! Now the world’s most expensive footballer, having cost Manchester United £89 million, Pogba came from a relatively impoverished background in France. However, after making his way into the Manchester United youth team, Pogba began earning a wage unlike anything he had ever seen, and decided to reward himself with some expensive Louboutins. In a wide ranging interview with Esquire, Pogba confessed: "This I will always remember all my life. I was 18 or 19 and I bought my first pair of Louboutins; they were white. I bought two pairs, actually. “I didn't go out for one month after that, I didn't buy anything, I was so shocked. I said, 'I'll never ...

PERISIC READY TO FORCE €30M MOVE TO MAN UTD Kris Voakes The Croatia international has given his agent the go-ahead to make his potential switch from Inter to Old Trafford happen Manchester United could still sign Ivan Perisic from Inter for their preferred price of €30 million despite the news the San Siro outfit are set to meet Financial Fair Play requirements. The Nerazzurri believe they have managed to stave off sanctions by UEFA thanks to a number of smaller deals which have raised the €30m they needed by the June 30 deadline, cancelling out the immediate need to offload Perisic. But the Croatian midfielder could yet force Inter into a corner by demanding a move, with United remaining on standby in the hope of making a swoop for far less than the Italians’ €45m valuation. Perisic is keen to test himself in the Premier League and changed agents during the 2016-17 season after being dissatisfied with his former agent Tonci Martic’s attempts to help him complete a move to E...

CRISTIANO RONALDO TO LEAVE PORTUGAL SQUAD TO BE WITH NEWBORN CHILDREN Dejan Kalinic 6/29/17 After Portugal's Confederations Cup loss, the Real Madrid star confirmed the arrival of two children overnight Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he had become the father of two more children during the Confederations Cup. Portugal were eliminated from the tournament on Wednesday, suffering a 3-0 penalty shoot-out loss to Chile after a 0-0 draw in Russia. Ronaldo was left disappointed by his side's exit, appearing to confirm the birth of his two boys and that he would miss the third place play-off on Sunday. However, Portuguese media outlet SIC claim that he's had a son and a daughter, named Mateo and Eva. "I was in the service of the national team, as always, body and soul, even though my two children were born," he wrote on Facebook. "Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve the main sporting objective that we wanted, but I am sure we...

'RONALDO IS ANGRY BUT I THINK HE'LL STAY' - PEREZ 00:27 The Portuguese superstar is rumoured to want out of Madrid, but the club's president feels that he will stay put this summer Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at the club, even though he admits the Portuguese is angry.  The 32-year-old has been accused of tax evasion by authorities in Spain, and reports in Portugal earlier this month suggested Ronaldo wants to leave Madrid. Perez didn't deny that Ronaldo is upset, presumably with the club for failing to more strongly back him, but says he thinks the superstar will not leave. "I know Cristiano is angry, but I think he will stay," Perez told esRadio. "I haven't spoken with him," Perez said of Ronaldo. "The only thing that has to be done is to wait and talk after the Confederations [Cup]." Ronaldo is currently with Portugal at the tournament in Russia, where the Euro 2016 cha...

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS 10:01 Let's take a look at the biggest transfer stories from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond ahead of the opening of the summer window RONALDO HOLDING UP MORATA'S MAN UTD DEAL The uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is delaying an announcement over Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata’s move to Manchester United, according to Diario Gol . Real are reportedly prepared to accept an offer from United for Morata, who has confirmed to both Madrid president Florentino Perez and coach Zinedine Zidane that he wants to be playing at Old Trafford next season. However, following reports that Ronaldo wants to quit Madrid after being accused of tax fraud, Real want to resolve that matter before letting Morata join United. BARCELONA SET BELLERIN DEADLINE Barcelona have set a deadline to agree a deal to bring Hector Bellerin back to the club from Arsenal, according to M...

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS We takes a look at the biggest transfer stories from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond ahead of the opening of the summer window MATIC NEARS MAN UTD MOVE Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic is on the verge of joining Manchester United in a £40 million deal, according to The Guardian. Jose Mourinho signed the Serbian in 2014 while managing Chelsea, and is now set to bring the 28-year-old to Old Trafford. The two clubs have already settled on a transfer fee and Matic has agreed personal terms with United. AC MILAN TARGET KOSCIELNY DEAL AC Milan have made Arsenal centre-half Laurent Koscielny a prime target as the Italian club look to strengthen their defence this summer, according to Telefoot. Koscielny has also been linked with the likes of Manchester City, Marseille and Chinese clubs this summer, but it is likely to take a big offer and persuasive argument to get Koscielny ...

'SPECTACULAR' ALEXIS SANCHEZ WOULD IMPROVE 'BEST IN THE WORLD' BAYERN, SAYS VIDAL 12:02 Despite being 'the best club in the world', the German champions could use the Gunners star in their squad, says his international team-mate Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal believes signing Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez would only improve the Bundesliga champions, describing his international team-mate as "spectacular". The Gunners forward has long been linked with a move away from the Emirates following stalled contract negotiations.  With just a single year remaining on his current Arsenal contract, Alexis has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, while Bayern are also said to be looking to secure a deal.  The 28-year-old Arsenal star struck 24 Premier League goals for the north London club last season, with a further six coming in cup competitions. Alexis was also on target in Chile's Confederations Cup tie against Germany on Th...

FABINHO EDGES CLOSER TO €45M MAN UTD MOVE Julien Quelen & Bruno Andrade 14:03 The Monaco defensive midfielder is attracted by the chance to play at full-back at Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho's side step up their interest Monaco star Fabinho is keen to join Manchester United this summer and an agreement is edging nearer, Goal understands. Fabinho, who has played over 180 games for the principality club, scoring 23 goals, is valued at around €45 million, and sources have confirmed that the transfer could be sealed in the coming days. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Goal understands the 23-year-old has been been given assurances that he would be played in a full-back role too, something that appeals to the Brazil international. And Fabinho, who has also played for Real Madrid, is desperate to increase his chances of making Tite's national team squad for the 2018 World Cup, having been largely overlooked up to now. Regarding United's interest, Fabinho said ...

RONALDO CLOSES IN ON REAL MADRID LEGEND PUSKAS AT TOP OF EUROPEAN GOAL CHART MLADEN ANTONOV The Portugal international netted his 75th international goal against New Zealand on Saturday, drawing level with Hungary legend Sandor Kocsis Cristiano Ronaldo has moved on to 75 goals for Portugal and is now just nine adrift of Ferenc Puskas at the top of the European international goalscoring chart. The iconic Hungarian netted 84 times for his country between 1945 and 1956, which remains a record across the continent to this day. Puskas was also a prolific frontman for Real Madrid, much like Ronaldo. The Portuguese enjoyed another standout club campaign in 2016-17 – helping Los Blancos to a league and Champions League dounle – and has carried that form into World Cup qualifying and the Confederations Cup. Ronaldo has netted four times in as many appearances for Portugal over recent weeks. He bagged a brace against Latvia on the road to Russia 2018, before finding the target aga...

Leaving Chelsea made me a better player- Salah ON JUNE 23, 2017 New Liverpool boy, Mohamed Salah says it has only been upward and forward since he parted ways with Chelsea. Salah completed the move Thursday that is said to be worth an initial €42million, but could go on to reach €50m with add-ons. The winger had a short forgettable stay at Chelsea after joining from FC Basel before being loaned out to Fiorentina and then sealed a permanent deal with AS Roma where he scored 15 Serie A goals and 11 assists in 31 games. “100 per cent, yes! the Egyptian replied when asked if he returns to England as a better player. “Everything has improved. Even my personality was different, I was a kid – I was 20 or 21. Now I’m four years older, everything is different. “I have lots of experience in three clubs: I was at Chelsea, then Fiorentina and then Roma. I have good experience. “Yes, always, I have a point to prove.  Even if I see myself playing very well in one thing, I try...

IHEANACHO HAS TO PROVE HIMSELF ELSEWHERE, SAYS AGALI Tolu Olasoji The former Schalke 04 striker said the young marksman has to move away from the Citizens to salvage his promising career Ahead of the 2017/18 season, former Nigeria international, Victor Agali believes Kelechi Iheanacho has to leave Manchester City so as to remain relevant. The 20-year-old, considered as a backup to main striker Sergio Aguero, slipped further in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium following the arrival of Brazilian youngster, Gabriel Jesus in January. But still he managed to finish the season with four goals in 20 English Premier League appearances - mostly coming off the bench - in a turbulent season which saw Pep Guardiola record his worst spell as a coach. His situation at City has led to couple of English outfits jostling for his signature as Leicester City reportedly lead the race to prize him away from the Citizens. "His situation at Manchester City is expected because I was o...

RECORD-BREAKING ALEXIS SANCHEZ SHINING BRIGHTEST FOR CHILE'S GOLDEN GENERATION Peter Staunton At the Confederations Cup in the group-stage game between Germany and Chile, the Arsenal forward broke his nation's long-standing goalscoring record If there’s one thing Alexis Sanchez doesn’t need it’s a helping hand in front of goal. His Arsenal team-mate Shkodran Mustafi was however kind enough to oblige with the kind of gift that simply doesn’t go unpunished with world-class players like Alexis around. And so against Germany the 28-year-old added his 38th international goal for Chile, an all-time record. When you think of the quality that Chile have boasted up front in the past such as Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano you can appreciate the impeccably high standards that Alexis has now set. He never shirks the challenge of turning out for his country – much to the chagrin of his club manager Arsene Wenger, who’d no doubt prefer to see him rest. Rest is one thing Alexis ha...

OSCAR BANNED FOR MAMMOTH EIGHT GAMES AFTER INCITING CHINA BRAWL The former Chelsea midfielder has been slapped with a massive suspension for smashing a ball at two separate players deliberately Former Chelsea attacker Oscar has been banned by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) for inciting a brawl in Shanghai SIPG's 1-1 draw on Sunday. The Brazilian kicked the ball violently and purposefully against two Guangzhou R&F players, resulting in a fight on the pitch between both sets of teams. Oscar will now not be eligible to play in the Chinese Super League until August 13 while also receiving an additional $5,000 fine from the governing body of Chinese football. “Oscar’s immoral foul, which sparked a massive bust-up on the pitch, has had a huge negative impact on China’s professional football leagues,” read a statement of CFA.

JUVENTUS CONFIRM IMMINENT DANI ALVES EXIT AS MAN CITY MOVE NEARS Chris Myson The right-back has agreed a two-year contract with Pep Guardiola's side and Bianconeri director Giuseppe Marotta confirmed he is set to leave Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed Dani Alves is set to leave the club, as Manchester City are poised to sign him. Goal understands the right-back has agreed a two-year contract with City and Chelsea have also shown interest, with only his contract in Italy delaying a deal in the Premier League. But Juve have revealed they will not stand in the 34-year-old's way as he aims to leave Turin with a year still left on his contract. The Brazil international had angered fans of the Italian champions last week by stating star striker Paulo Dybala would need to leave to fulfil his potential. However, Marotta insists there is no bitterness between Juve and Alves, revealing the club would allow him to leave this close-season. "Dani Alves ha...

SANTOS BACKS RONALDO'S RIGHT TO SNUB MEDIA AFTER PORTUGAL WIN Jon Fisher in Moscow The Real Madrid star again refused to answer questions following his nation's 1-0 defeat of Russia in the Confederations Cup Fernando Santos defended Cristiano Ronaldo's right to give the media the brush off once again after the Real Madrid star grabbed the only goal as Portugal beat Russia 1-0 on Wednesday. Ronaldo's eighth-minute header settled an entertaining contest at the Spartak Stadium and, although the European champions' captain did not have his finest evening, he was still named man of the match by a star struck home crowd. The 32-year-old did, at least, attend the obligatory press conference for the winner of the award - he skipped it altogether on Sunday in Kazan - but refused to answer any questions, instead reading out a couple of bland lines about the match itself . Ronaldo has not spoken to the media since reports emerged in Portugal of his desire to quit Ma...

AUSTRALIA 2 GERMANY 3: GOALS GALORE AS WORLD CHAMPIONS GET OFF TO WINNING START Lars Stindl, Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka were on target as Germany got the better of Australia 3-2 at the Confederations Cup. Germany beat Australia 3-2 in their Confederations Cup opener at Fisht Stadium in Sochi courtesy of goals from Lars Stindl, Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka. Stindl opened the scoring early on with a tidy finish after some good work from Julian Brandt, but the Asian Cup holders somewhat surprisingly restored parity shortly before the break when some poor goalkeeping from Bernd Leno allowed Tom Rogic to net. The world champions, however, were back in front just three minutes later as Draxler converted a penalty, with Goretzka adding a third early in the second half. Tomi Juric ensured an exciting finish to the game when he pulled one back in the 56th minute - the goal awarded following the latest Video Assistant Referee (VAR) referral - but Australia lacked the indivi...

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS PEPE URGES RONALDO TO JOIN PSG Pepe has called on Cristiano Ronaldo to join him at Paris Saint-Germain as the forward looks to quit Real Madrid, according to the El Transistor programme. Ronaldo is currently with Pepe at the Confederations Cup with the Portugal squad, and the defender has been discussing the future with his club and international team-mate. It is widely expected that Pepe will sign for PSG and he has urged Ronaldo, who is reportedly interested in a return to Manchester United, to follow him to the Parc des Princes. ARSENAL READY €30M TURAN BID Arsenal are preparing a €30 million offer to sign Arda Turan from Barcelona, according to reports in Turkey and Spain. The 30-year-old has been told he is no longer wanted at the Catalan side, prompting Inter to make an approach. However, the Gunners are closer to a deal, with the former Atletico Madrid star interested in the j...

RONALDO DODGES PRESS CONFERENCE AMID MADRID EXIT RUMOURS The forward was man of the match in Portugal's draw with Mexico, but skipped the post-game questions as he was 'undergoing treatment' Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to answer questions from the press at the Confederations Cup amid reports he wants to leave Real Madrid. The Portugal captain was named Man of the Match as his side drew 2-2 with Mexico, meaning he is obliged to speak at the post-match press conference. But reports have surfaced that he is "undergoing treatment", and as such will not be taking any questions either regarding the game or his future. Doubts over Ronaldo’s future emerged earlier in the week following accusations that the Madrid forward had concealed earnings and defrauded the Spanish tax authorities out of €14.7 million. Prosecutors in Madrid had filed a complaint to a court in Pozuelo de Alarcon that accused the four-time Ballon d'Or winner of a "voluntary...

MAN UTD STAR POGBA MANAGES TO PUT A SMILE ON TEVEZ'S FACE AMID CHINA EXIT TALK FOR ARGENTINE The former Red Devils striker is being linked with a return to Boca Juniors after a short spell in China, but was happy to meet the Frenchman Carlos Tevez has not had the happiest of times in China, but Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has put a smile on his face. After completing a move to Shanghai Shenhua in December, in a deal which made him the world's highest paid player on a reported salary of $41 million, Tevez has struggled for form. He has managed just one goal in six CSL games and is already being linked with a return to Boca Juniors. The 33-year-old has clearly not had much to get excited about of late, but he was happy to catch up with Pogba during the latter’s visit to Asia – with the pair having previously played together at Juventus. Tevez has admitted that he is uncertain as to what the future holds for him. He told TyC Sports: "I left not to h...

RONALDO SHOULD BE THANKING REAL MADRID, NOT LEAVING THEM The Portuguese forward is unhappy in Spain after accusations of tax evasion, but there is nowhere else he would be better off than at the Bernabeu COMMENT Cristiano Ronaldo has had enough. The 32-year-old attacker feels he is the victim of a witch-hunt in Spain as he seeks to defend himself against accusations of tax evasion. Unhappy at everyone including his club, the Portuguese has decided to leave Real Madrid. Like Pepe recently, Ronaldo believes Madrid could have done more to protect him in the ongoing case, which claims he has failed to pay €14.7 million in taxes during his time at the Spanish side. Currently away with Portugal on Confederations Cup duty in Russia, Ronaldo posted a picture on Instagram on Thursday with a finger over his lips and a caption that read: "Sometimes the best answer it's to be quiet". The very next day, however, he set the alarm bells ringing in Madrid as Portuguese paper ...

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO SIGN CRISTIANO RONALDO? Alberto Pinero & Ben Hayward Reports in the Portuguese press claim the 32-year-old forward is set on a summer move - but what would it take to sign him and who could afford it? ANALYSIS It is the news that has shocked Spain. According to Portuguese sports daily A Bola, Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to leave Real Madrid and the paper describes the decision as "irreversible". The four-time Ballon d'Or winner is enjoying the best spell of his career since signing for Los Blancos, having helped his club to a first Liga title since 2011-12 and also a third Champions League crown in four seasons. His important goals en route to those two trophies make him odds-on favourite to win a fifth Ballon d'Or later this year. Off the pitch, however, the Portuguese has been accused of evading €14.7 million in taxes and it is a perceived lack of support from his club that is allegedly behind his decision to leave Madrid. ...

MBAPPE 'SORTING THROUGH OFFERS' AS HE CLAIMS MADRID HAVE WANTED HIM SINCE HE WAS 14 The Monaco forward has become one of the most sought-after talents in world football and is expected to attract bids during the summer transfer window Kylian Mbappe admits that he will “sort” through any offers this summer, with Real Madrid among those hoping to land the Monaco youngster. The 18-year-old has positioned himself in the shop window with his exploits during a breakthrough campaign in 2016-17 which delivered 26 goals, the Ligue 1 title and senior international recognition. Any deal to lure him away from Stade Louis II will not come cheap, but Europe’s top clubs are preparing to buy into his considerable potential. That interest is likely to have grown on the back of Mbappe’s performance for France against England on Tuesday, with the youngster admitting afterwards that he has some big decisions to make. He told reporters: "We're going to go away with the family a...

CRISTIANO RONALDO NAMES ANDRE SILVA AS PORTUGAL HEIR Chris Myson The Porto striker is set to move to AC Milan in a major transfer and his Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is the real deal. Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo has named soon-to-be Milan striker Andre Silva as his heir with the national team. Silva, 21, is on the brink of moving to San Siro from Porto in a reported €38 million move after undergoing a medical on Monday. The striker has already racked up seven goals from eight caps in an impressive start to his burgeoning international career. And Portugal's current talisman Ronaldo said earlier this season he is optimistic that the Euro 2016 winners will be in good shape when he hangs up his boots due to the presence of Silva. "When I retire, Portugal will be in good hands because they have already found a great striker: Andre Silva," Ronaldo told Gazzetta dello Sport. Asked what he thought about Ronaldo's comment...

ROONEY THE LAST OF THE STREET FOOTBALLERS - ENGLAND TEAM SHOULD BE MADE UP OF HUNGRY KIDS FROM ESTATES' The World Cup victory on home soil in 1966 was a long time ago and since then Germany, France, Italy and Spain have leapt ahead of England as Europe’s pre-eminent national teams on the world stage. The Times’ chief football writer Henry Winter examines England’s half-century of failings in his book “Fifty Years of Hurt: The Story of England Football and Why We Never Stop Believing”, updated this year to reflect last summer’s Euro 2016 horror show. “I knew England were going to screw up in the Euros,” he told Goal. “I didn’t think the manager was good enough, I didn’t think the players were good enough. “The other thing is that they’re fairly exhausted when they go into tournaments. “So it’s partly the quality of players, partly the quality of coaches but ultimately I think it’s psychological. “There’s no reason England shouldn’t beat Iceland. But you looked at Iceland...

OVERRATED DYBALA IS NO MARADONA – PELE The Juventus star has been compared to the Argentine icon by some, but the former Brazil star only sees one similarity between them Brazil legend Pele has scoffed at suggestions Juventus and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala is comparable to former great Diego Maradona. Dybala has emerged as one of Europe's most talked-about players since joining Palermo from Instituto in 2012 before moving on to Juventus, with whom he has won successive Serie A titles. The 23-year-old has scored 30 league goals in his two seasons in Turin and was instrumental in the run which saw Massimiliano Allegri's men reach the Champions League final. Juve ultimately lost that match 4-1 to Real Madrid, as the Spaniards retained their European  crown, with Dybala receiving criticism from some quarters for an ineffective display. Dybala also played 69 minutes as Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in Melbourne in Jorge Sampaoli's first match in charge on Friday, but...

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS MORATA AGREES MAN UTD MOVE Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has agreed terms in principle to join Manchester United this summer, according to the Daily Telegraph. United have already had one offer for Morata rejected, but are hoping a bid in the region of £60 million will persuade Real to sell the Spain international. MILAN MOVE UNLIKELY FOR COSTA Chelsea striker Diego Costa looks unlikely to join AC Milan during the summer due to his wage demands, according to the Daily Telegraph. Costa claims he has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge by manager Antonio Conte, but his £200,000 a week salary is too much for Milan. MAN UTD RIVAL LIVERPOOL FOR GELSON Manchester United are trying to beat Liverpool to the signing of Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins, says O Jogo. Martins has a £46.5 million release clause, but Sporting would reportedly be willing to let the 22-year-old go for ...

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS MORATA AGREES MAN UTD MOVE Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has agreed terms in principle to join Manchester United this summer, according to the Daily Telegraph. United have already had one offer for Morata rejected, but are hoping a bid in the region of £60 million will persuade Real to sell the Spain international. MILAN MOVE UNLIKELY FOR COSTA Chelsea striker Diego Costa looks unlikely to join AC Milan during the summer due to his wage demands, according to the Daily Telegraph. Costa claims he has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge by manager Antonio Conte, but his £200,000 a week salary is too much for Milan. MAN UTD RIVAL LIVERPOOL FOR GELSON Manchester United are trying to beat Liverpool to the signing of Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins, says O Jogo. Martins has a £46.5 million release clause, but Sporting would reportedly be willing to let the 22-year-old go for ...

TRANSFER NEWS: THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM MAN UTD, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND ALL THE TOP TEAMS MORATA AGREES MAN UTD MOVE Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has agreed terms in principle to join Manchester United this summer, according to the Daily Telegraph. United have already had one offer for Morata rejected, but are hoping a bid in the region of £60 million will persuade Real to sell the Spain international. MILAN MOVE UNLIKELY FOR COSTA Chelsea striker Diego Costa looks unlikely to join AC Milan during the summer due to his wage demands, according to the Daily Telegraph. Costa claims he has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge by manager Antonio Conte, but his £200,000 a week salary is too much for Milan. MAN UTD RIVAL LIVERPOOL FOR GELSON Manchester United are trying to beat Liverpool to the signing of Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins, says O Jogo. Martins has a £46.5 million release clause, but Sporting would reportedly be willing to let the 22-year-old go for ...

REVEALED: WHY CONTE TOLD DIEGO COSTA HE'S NOT WANTED AT CHELSEA The Spain striker says that his career at Stamford Bridge is over but why would Chelsea get rid of their top scorer? Diego Costa dropped a bombshell after Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday by revealing that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had sent him a message to say that he was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. The 28-year-old has been Chelsea's top scorer for three consecutive seasons but he hasn't always been happy in west London and hasn't adapted well to life in England's capital city. Despite Costa’s unhappiness, those around the club had hoped he would eventually settle in England but it has become increasingly clear in recent months that this was never going to happen. The Blues hierarchy have been planning to offload Costa for a long time, with both Conte and owner Roman Abramovich in agreement that the striker needs to be sold. They have long since lost pa...

  MORATA OR BELOTTI, LUKAKU OR MBAPPE - WHICH NO.9 SHOULD MAN UTD SIGN? The Red Devils have narrowed down their striker search but there is still a quartet of front men who are being linked with a move to Old Trafford Losing a 28-goal striker would hit anybody hard, but Manchester United recovered from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee ligament injury in April to win the Europa League six weeks later and clinch a place in next season’s Champions League. The next step is to find a replacement ahead of the new campaign. Manager Jose Mourinho is known to be a huge fan of Marcus Rashford following the impression left by the teenager in their first year working together at Old Trafford, but he is also keen to ensure that he has options in the number nine position. And while United have spread the net far and wide, four candidates stand out in the transfer market. ALVARO MORATA (REAL MADRID) "Alvaro Morata is still only 24 and has played an important role in his second spell at Real M...

LIONEL MESSI HAILS 'PHENOMENAL' CRISTIANO RONALDO AFTER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TRIUMPH Barcelona and Real Madrid players do not regularly praise one another, but the Argentine made an exception for the Portuguese ace Lionel Messi hailed the quality of Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal star helped Real Madrid to retain their Champions League title. The Barcelona icon and Ronaldo are often competing for the top team and individual honours in the world game, with the Madrid forward hot favourite to win his fifth Ballon d'Or in 2017. That would see the former Manchester United star match the Argentina international after his side's 4-1 final win over Juventus in Cardiff. Messi, though, insisted the perceived rivalry between the pair is hyped up by the media and was happy to talk up Ronaldo's ability.  Ronaldo's constant drive to improve is what most impressed Messi, who labelled him as one of the world's best players. "That...

The Real Madrid star earned $93 million to edge out LeBron James and rival Lionel Messi for the top spot on annual list for the second straight year Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid athlete for the second straight year, according to Forbes. The Real Madrid forward earned $93 million — including $58m in salary and bonuses and $35m in endorsements —  over the past 12 months to retain the title. Ronaldo ranks above NBA superstar LeBron James ($86.2m) and Barcelona's Lionel Messi ($80m) in the top three of the annual list produced by the American publication. Rounding out the top five are tennis great Roger Federer and basketball star Kevin Durant. The top five remained the same from last year with only James and Messi swapping places. Other footballers who made it into the top 50 are Neymar (18), Gareth Bale (24) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30). The honour of being named the world's richest athlete comes as no surprise for Ronaldo, whose 121 million Face...