Coach Jose Pekerman, who steered Colombia to the World Cup quarter-finals last month, will stay on for the 2018 qualifiers and the next two Copa America tournaments, the Colombian federation (FCF) said.
The 64-year-old Argentine led an impressive Colombia side, which included the tournament’s top scorer James Rodriguez, to their first finals for 16 years in Brazil, where they were eliminated by the hosts in the last eight.
The qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup finals are expected to begin late next year.
Milan: No Liverpool bid for Balotelli
Milan insist they have not received an offer from Liverpool for their striker Mario Balotelli.
Reports in England claim Balo-telli is being lined up as a replacement for Luis Suarez following his move to Barcelona, with the Mer-seyside club prepared to make a £17.5 million bid for the former Manchester City player.
“At this time we have not received any offer from Liverpool for Balotelli,” Milan club administrator Adriano Galliani said.
“Hence, there is no negotiation. We will see as the transfer market ends on September 1.”
Balotelli played almost three seasons at City before being sold to Milan for £17m in January 2013.
Mackay front-runner for C. Palace job
Malky Mackay is expected to beat Tim Sherwood to the vacant Crystal Palace job.
The former Cardiff boss is now the clear front-runner to succeed Tony Pulis at the south London club, but Palace have remained tight-lipped on the situation.
Selhurst Park bosses are believed to be close to finalising a three-year contract for Mackay, with bookies suspending bets on his appointment.
Former Tottenham bosses Sherwood and Martin Jol had been under serious consideration by the Palace board, but Mackay’s close relationship with sporting director Iain Moody should tip the balance in his favour.
The duo worked in tandem at Cardiff, before Mackay was sacked in December.
Talks resume over N’Diaye future
Sunderland midfielder Alfred N’Diaye could finally be on his way out of the club as talks resume over his future.
The 24-year-old Frenchman, who spent the second half of last season on loan to Real Betis, has attracted interest from Betis, Celta Vigo and Elche in recent months.
But despite agreeing a fee with the Black Cats, Betis were unable to table personal terms which were acceptable to N’Diaye.
Sunderland are keen to offload the player, signed in January 2013 by then manager Martin O’Neill, as they re-shape their squad after last season’s remarkable fight for Premier League survival.
Modric commits to Real with new deal
Real Madrid’s Croatian midfielder Luka Modric will remain at the European Champions for the next four years after signing a new contract.
Modric, 28, has made 67 league appearances since joining Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012. He struggled in his first season under then-manager Jose Mourinho, having been asked to play in a deeper midfield role.
The former Dinamo Zagreb star came into his own in his second term, playing a key role in his side’s run to their 10th Champions League triumph, having also won the Spanish Cup, Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup in his time in the capital.
He played all three matches as Croatia failed to progress from their group at the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Defender Rojo becomes a Red Devil
Manchester United have completed the signing of defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon with winger Nani heading in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.
The Argentina international will cost United €20m and moves to Old Trafford on a five-year deal.
Rojo is equally comfortable at centre-back as he is at left-back and played all 120 minutes of July’s World Cup final as Argentina lost to Germany after extra-time in Rio.
The 24-year-old began his career in his homeland with Estudiantes de la Plata and spent a single season with Spartak Moscow before moving to Sporting in 2012.
He also has 28 caps and cannot wait to play his part in Louis van Gaal’s new era at United.
De Guzman moves to Napoli
Netherlands World Cup midfielder Jonathan de Guzman has joined Napoli from Villarreal after spending the past two seasons on loan at Swansea City.
De Guzman, born in Canada to a Filipino father and Jamaican mother, played in three matches as the Netherlands finished third in the World Cup in June and July.
The 26-year-old, whose brother Julian plays for Canada, will team up with Spanish forward Michu, who moved from Swansea to Napoli earlier in the transfer window.
Third in Serie A last season, Napoli have been relatively quiet in the transfer market with defender Kalidou Koulibaly their only other new signing.