Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has confirmed the club have opened contract talks with full-back Nathaniel Clyne.
Clyne, 23, has been one of Saints’ stand-out performers this season and has enhanced his growing reputation with impressive displays for England against Slovenia and Scotland.
“I know Clyne’s contract has one year left after this season so it’s normal to do something now to keep that player,” Koeman said.
“Have those talks already started? Of course, you cannot wait until next season. We will try everything to keep Clyne here because he is a fantastic player.”
Sterling eyes long Liverpool stay
England forward Raheem Sterling is ready to commit his long-term future to Liverpool.
The 19-year-old, whose contract runs to 2017, has attracted the interest of Real Madrid but believes he can realise all his dreams on Merseyside.
“I am happy to be here for as long as possible. Hopefully, I can achieve the goals I want to achieve here at Liverpool in years to come,” he said.
“I am just happy to play football at this club for many years to come. The club has spoken to my representatives and hopefully something can be done soon.”
Maran hopeful
Chievo coach Rolando Maran hopes his players can build on their victory over Cesena last time out by recording their second away win at Udinese today.
The men from Verona beat Cesena 2-1 before the international break to end an eight-match winless run. The outcome was Chievo’s second triumph of the season and their first since Maran replaced Eugenio Corini at the helm last month.
“We wanted and needed that win,” Maran said.
“We took a good step forward against Cesena. But we have to continue to work hard. I want to see a further improvement from my team with respect to the game against Cesena.”
Chievo have mustered just three points of a possible 15 away from home so far.
Nimes chief quits amid allegations
Jean-Marc Conrad quit as president of Nimes following the recent allegations of match-fixing in Ligue 2 games last season.
The president, who has led the ‘Crocodiles’ since April, is under investigation along with Caen chief Jean-Francois Fortin on suspicion of fixing the result of a fixture between their clubs.
“I have taken the decision to resign from my functions as president of Nimes,” Conrad said.
“This decision, which was not forced, is intended to protect the interests of my club.”
The game in question resulted in a 1-1 draw on May 13 that kept Nimes in Ligue 2 while virtually securing promotion for Caen.
Klopp keen on Premier League stint
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has hinted he would be open to managing in the English Premier League.
Klopp has long been linked with a move to England, with Manchester City and Chelsea reported potential destinations in the past.
He has now revealed England is the only country, other than his homeland, in which he would want to ply his trade.
The 47-year-old said: “It’s the only country, I think, where I should work, really, next to Germany, because it’s the only country I know the language a little bit and I need the language for my work.”
He added: “So we will see. If somebody will call me, then we will talk about it.”
Curcic backed for Serbia job
Radovan Curcic should take over as Serbia coach and be given time to develop the team on the back of his impressive record with the Under-21s, the country’s football association (FSS) vice-president Savo Milosevic said.
“My wish is to have a long-term coach appointed and I think Curcic meets all the requirements,” former Aston Villa striker Milosevic told reporters.
“The problem is that we keep changing coaches and that does not make happy reading.”
The 42-year old Curcic stepped in as a caretaker for Serbia’s 2-0 friendly win in Greece on Tuesday after Dutchman Dick Advocaat quit following last Friday’s 3-1 home defeat by Denmark in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Bradford disaster 30th anniversary
The 30th anniversary of the fire at Bradford City’s soccer ground, which killed 56 people in May 1985, will be commemorated by the Premier League and Football League next year.
Although the actual date of the disaster at Bradford’s Valley Parade stadium was May 11, all matches on the weekend of April 25-26 will be preceded by a minute’s silence.
The date ties in with City’s final home match of their League One campaign when they play Barnsley.
The fire started just before half-time during Bradford’s final home match of the 1984-85 season against Lincoln City. As well as the 56 who were killed, more than 260 people were injured.