Astori: Cagliari have started talks with Juventus and Lazio for Davide Astori as the Italy defender is keen to leave Sardinia this summer. “We are in negotiations with both Lazio and Juventus,” club director Fran-cesco Marroccu said. “At the moment we cannot say whether one club or the other has the advantage. Negotiations will continue by phone, so no meetings are planned over the next few days.”

Bilate: Dundee United have signed striker Mario Bilate on a two-year deal. The 23-year-old Russian-born Dutch citizen arrives from Sparta Rotterdam after three seasons at Het Kasteel. Dundee United, who finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership last season, have sold Ryan Gauld to Sporting Lisbon this summer and lost defender Gavin Gunning under freedom of contract.

Black Cats: Sunderland did their confidence no harm at all on Saturday with an emphatic 5-1 win over Darlington. New arrivals Billy Jones, Costel Pantilimon and Jordi Gomez all played a part in the contest but it was experienced centre-forward Steven Fletcher who did the most damage. Fletcher marked his return from injury with two goals before being taken off at half-time.

Basel: Reigning champions Basel held on as they got the defence of their Super League title in Switzerland underway with a 2-1 away victory over Aarau. Breel Embolo and Naser Aliji handed the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break but Aarau threatened a comeback as second-half substitute Alain Schultz pulled one back after 85 minutes to reduce the deficit, but Basel held on for all three points.

Castelen: Western Sydney Wanderers have strengthened their squad by signing winger Romeo Castelen. The former Dutch international has joined the A-League outfit from Dutch RKC Waalwijk and will be eligible to play in next month’s ACL quarter-final against China’s defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande. The Wanderers have lost marquee player Shinji Ono, who helped them to the A-League final in both of their first two seasons, after the Japanese playmaker decided to finish his career at home.

Malta Summer Cup: Qormi vs Naxxar Lions 1-3.

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