Virgil van Dijk claims he knows nothing of interest from English clubs.
The 22-year-old’s agent was quoted as saying some “top clubs” in England had shown interest in the Celtic defender.
But the Dutchman played down the prospect of a move after being named on the PFA Scotland Premiership player of the year award. Van Dijk said: “I don’t know anything about it.
“First of all, I have a contract until 2017 so I don’t have to move, and I think the Champions League is always a big thing for every player.
“We disappointed this season in the cup and Europe and we want to do much better next year. That’s what I want as well.”
Neuer expects to be fit for semi-final
Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer expects to be fit to face Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg.
Neuer was substituted at half-time in the 3-0 home defeat by Borussia Dortmund last Saturday with a calf muscle problem.
“I feel fine and I have the feeling that I can play next Wednesday,” he said.
As Tom Starke was also injured, Neuer was replaced by third choice Lukas Raeder, who also played in the 5-1 German Cup win over Kaiserslautern in midweek.
Neymar and Alba out for a month
A nightmare eight days for Barcelona was compounded yesterday when forward Neymar and defender Jordi Alba were ruled out for up to a month with injuries.
Brazil international Neymar has a bruise on his left foot which has caused a build-up of fluid while Spain left-back Alba has a strain in his right thigh, Barca said.
The injuries were sustained during Wednesday’s King’s Cup final defeat to Real Madrid, with Neymar sidelined for about four weeks and Alba for three to four weeks, leaving them in a race to regain fitness before the end of the season.
If they recover in time, they should return for Barca’s final match at home to La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid on May 18.
Atlanta awarded MLS franchise
Atlanta has become the latest city to benefit from Major League Soccer’s rapid expansion plans after being awarded a franchise that will begin play in 2017.
The expansion side are owned by Arthur Blank, owner of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, and will be the league’s 22nd team.
With the addition of Atlanta, MLS has added 11 clubs since the beginning of the 2005 season with two more teams are set to join the league by 2020, including a potential one in Miami owned by David Beckham.
Expansion teams New York City FC and Orlando City Soccer Club will begin play in 2015.
England manager fears Pirlo craft
Roy Hodgson believes that veteran Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo could pose the biggest threat when England begin their World Cup campaign in Brazil against the Azzurri.
The England boss remembers Pirlo during his time as a coach in Italy and thinks the Juventus playmaker still has plenty of quality at the age of 34.
When asked by Italian TV station Mediaset if he feared striker Mario Balotelli, Hodgson said: “Do we fear him (Balotelli)? I know him because he played in England. We have respect for everyone but if I have to give a name, I say Pirlo.
“In the last 10 years, he has made Italy play. I had him for three months at Inter and he has had an incredible career.”
Van Basten for AZ Alkmaar job
Former Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has agreed a two-year contract to take over as manager of Dutch top flight club AZ Alkmaar next season, according to media reports yesterday.
The deal will be formally announced next week but was widely reported as AZ concluded their search for a replacement for Dick Advocaat, who is leaving at the end of the campaign.
The 49-year-old Van Basten, a former European Footballer of the Year, is also departing his job at Heerenveen at the end of the season next month, with the ex-Netherlands striker having an-nounced in January that he would not sign a new deal.
Advocaat announced last month that he would not be staying at AZ after taking them to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Howard extends contract until 2018
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep the United States international on Merseyside until 2018.
Howard, 35, joined Everton on loan from Manchester United in 2006 before signing permanently the following year and has gone on to make 343 appearances in total.
He is expected to start for the United States at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, having played a major role in Everton’s push for a Champions League place by keeping 13 clean sheets in 33 league matches after missing one through suspension.