Real Madrid have denied a report in an Italian newspaper that claimed the La Liga club had made an offer to buy Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
“Real Madrid have had no contact either with Juventus or the player’s agent and, as a consequence, the reports published in this newspaper are completely false,” Real said on their website.
France international Pogba, 22, has been a key part of Juve’s run to the brink of a treble of trophies this season as the Serie A and Italian Cup winners will meet Barcelona in the Champions League final on June 6.
According to reports in Spain, Barca are also keen to sign Pogba.
Cruciate jinx strikes again at Burnley
Burnley, relegated from the Premier League, fear striker Ashley Barnes will miss most of next season after becoming their fourth player to suffer a cruciate knee injury in little more than a year.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury in the final game of the season last weekend, which Burnley won 1-0 against Aston Villa.
He will have an operation next week, the club said on their website.
Striker Sam Vokes, defender Kevin Long and midfielder Dean Marney all have all suffered the same fate in the last 14 months.
Figueroa, Sagbo released by Hull
Hull City, relegated from the Premier League, have released six players, including Honduras international Maynor Figueroa and Ivorian Yannick Sagbo.
Defender Figueroa joined the club in 2013 after five years with Wigan Athletic.
Striker Sagbo signed from French club Evian two years ago.
Among the other players released are long-serving pair Paul McShane and Liam Rosenior.
Manager Steve Bruce told the club’s website: “Regrettably following relegation, we have made the decision to release the majority of those players whose contracts have expired.”
Schalke wrong to sack me – Keller
Former Schalke coach Jens Keller believes the Gelsenkirchen club may be regretting the decision to get rid of him last year following their subsequent failure to clinch a Champions League spot.
Keller was shown the door by the Royal Blues in October and replaced by Roberto Di Matteo, who resigned earlier this week after guiding the club to a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
“With me, all of the aims were reached,” the 44-year-old said.
“I think the points and the results I obtained are there for all to see, and we were successful despite all of the adverse conditions. In terms of the average points I had, it wasn’t a bad record and now quite a few people at Schalke are noticing that.”
Casillas would welcome De Gea
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists he would welcome the arrival of Manchester United number one David de Gea at the Bernabeu this summer.
De Gea is under contract at Old Trafford for another season, but has been linked with Real after failing to agree to a new deal with the Red Devils.
“If De Gea does come here, he will be welcomed,” Casillas said.
“Competition is good and there is not a clause in my contract which states that I have to be number one.
“In this club, you have to understand that any day they can sign a goalkeeper or any player and if that is going to increase the level, all the better.”
Flamini praises team-mate Coquelin
Mathieu Flamini has praised the contribution of Francis Coquelin, even though his fellow midfielder is likely to deprive him of a place in the Arsenal team for tomorrow’s FA Cup final against Aston Villa.
Coquelin has been a revelation for the Gunners this season, since returning from the obscurity of a loan spell at Charlton.
“If you look at the stats we nearly won every single game since February,” Flamini said.
“It’s a situation I accept. Competition makes you better, but there’s not much to say when the team is winning every single game.
“We all knew Francis was a great player and I’m really pleased for him because he had the chance to prove it. Now he has been doing very well since he played for the team.”
Gerrard’s MLS debut set for July
Departing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s debut for new side Los Angeles Galaxy has been pencilled in for July 11.
The Reds midfielder signed off a 28-year association with his one professional side in Sunday’s 6-1 defeat at Stoke. He is currently on an end-of-season break in Dubai with his team-mates but will soon begin preparations for a new challenge in Major League Soccer, whom he cannot officially play for until the league’s summer transfer window opens on July 8.
But coach Bruce Arena already has the International Champions Cup at home to Mexico’s Club America in mind for Gerrard’s first appearance in a Galaxy shirt.
“We expect him here before July 11,” Arena told lagalaxy.com.