Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be out for at least six weeks after tearing ankle and knee ligaments in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final against Everton, according to his agent.
“Kevin will be out for at least six weeks but it is too early to know more at this stage,” Patrick De Koster told the Guardian yesterday.
The Belgium international was carried off on a stretcher after suffering the injury late in the 3-1 second leg win that secured City’s place in the final against Liverpool on February 28.
If confirmed, De Bruyne will miss the cup final and probably both legs of City’s Champions League last 16 tie against Dynamo Kiev.
Townsend focusing solely on Newcastle
Winger Andros Townsend says his main focus now is to keep struggling Newcastle United in the Premier League even if he hopes the move from Tottenham Hotspur also helps him back into the England squad.
Newcastle signed Townsend this week on a five-and-a-half year deal for a reported £12 million.
“To be honest, I’m not thinking about England at all,” Townsend told British media.
“I know if I am playing well for Newcastle – playing well, scoring and creating assists – helping Newcastle get three points and climb up the table, then the England accolades will come with that.”
Ranocchia secures Samp loan move
Italy defender Andrea Ranocchia has joined Sampdoria on loan from Inter.
The 27-year-old centre-back was named Inter captain for the 2014-15 campaign but has since lost the armband to striker Mauro Icardi.
Ranocchia has moved to Samp for the rest of the season after making only 10 Serie A appearances for the Nerazzurri this term.
His temporary switch to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris was confirmed in a statement published on sampdoria.it and the 20-time Italy international will be available to face Bologna on Sunday.
Argentine duo send Paris SG into final
Holders Paris St Germain reached their third consecutive League Cup final when goals by Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria gave the French champions a 2-0 victory over Toulouse on Wednesday night.
After beating Toulouse twice in Ligue 1 and in the French Cup this month, PSG left it late to subdue the visitors and set up a final clash with Lille who knocked out Bordeaux 5-1 on Tuesday.
Coach Laurent Blanc fielded a largely reserve side with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Motta and Blaise Matuidi on the bench.
The League Cup final will be played at the Stade de France on April 23.
Messi rebuffed Real three times – reports
Real Madrid have tried three times in the last five years to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, according to a report in Spain.
The ‘Partido de las Doce’ programme on the Cadena COPE radio station claimed representatives of the capital club approached the Argentinian in 2011, 2013 and 2015, but were rebuffed on each occasion.
The report claimed the first approach in 2011 came at a time when Cristiano Ronaldo was being linked with a move to Manchester City. In June 2013 it was reported that a Real executive made a renewed attempt to sign him after they had lost out to Barcelona in the pursuit of Neymar.
The final attempt was made last year, according to the report, after Barcelona had dominated Real in Europe and at home, but again they were knocked back.
Berahino staying put
Saido Berahino is set to stay at West Brom, with the Baggies unwilling to sell this month.
Tottenham and Newcastle are interested in the striker, but Albion have no intention of cashing in before Monday’s transfer deadline, Press Association Sport reported.
They rejected four bids from Spurs in the summer – which led to Berahino threatening to strike – but have not received any offers during the January window.
Sporting Lisbon sign Coates on loan
Sunderland have confirmed that defender Sebastian Coates has joined Sporting Lisbon on loan for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old Uruguay international headed for Portugal following Sunderland’s capture of Ivory Coast international Lamine Kone on Wednesday evening.
Coates joined the Black Cats from Liverpool, initially on loan, in 2014 and made a permanent move to the Stadium of Light last summer.
He made 32 appearances for the club, but has been sacrificed as manager Sam Allardyce attempts to rebuild his squad while balancing the wage bill to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.