Mauricio Pochettino insists he is happy at Tottenham following speculation linking him with the vacant Argentina job.
The 44-year-old, a former Argentina international, was reportedly on the shortlist to succeed Gerardo Martino, who resigned as head coach of the national side after last month’s Copa America final defeat to Chile.
“I think the speculation is normal because I am an Argentinian coach at a top club in England,” Pochettino was quoted as saying yesterday.
“There are a lot of rumours that appear in the media but I am happy at Tottenham and for that reason, this is not the right moment.”
Henderson feeling in prime shape
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is ready to put his injury troubles behind him and said he was feeling in prime shape ahead of the new Premier League season.
Foot and knee injuries res-tricted the 26-year-old to just 17 league appearances last season as Juergen Klopp’s side finished eighth in the table.
“My foot is feeling good to be honest,” Henderson told LFC TV.
“I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time so hopefully that will continue and I’ll have a good pre-season and it will get even better.
“It’s a massive season for everyone and I feel I need to get back and prove myself again but I look forward to doing that.”
Hull team up with Kenyan betting firm
Kenyan betting firm SportPesa has secured a three-year, multi-million pound shirt sponsorship deal with promoted Hull City, officials at the Premier League club said.
“We are delighted to form a three-year partnership with SportPesa. SportPesa are so much more than a betting brand, this is a company with a huge footprint across grassroots sport in Kenya, as well as the rest of Africa,” Hull City commercial manager Simon King said.
“The deal is by far the largest in our history and a sign of our ambition to grow our club and become a household name in our sport globally,” he added without disclosing details of the deal.
Morgan urges Mahrez to ignore speculation
Leicester captain Wes Morgan has told Riyad Mahrez to ignore the speculation over his future.
“I’m sure it’s expected, we won the league and the bigger teams are going to try and poach our best players,” Morgan told ESPN FC.
“You know, as a player, you can’t really take much notice to that. We just have to do what we do best. Get on the training field, try and train and keep focus on our job.
“There is going to be speculation and it’s sad to see N’Golo Kante go but we’ve got new players in now and everyone is settled in well and we’re just training hard and looking forward to the season.”
Stoke City complete Allen transfer
Stoke City have confirmed the signing of Wales midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool.
The 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £13 million.
Allen has struggled for playing time at Anfield but was one of the stars of the Wales squad which reached the semi-finals at 2016 European Championship earlier this summer.
Allen told the club website: “It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for me but I am delighted to have finally been able to put pen to paper.
“I was really excited as soon as I heard of the club’s interest and it wasn’t a difficult decision for me to make.”
Kranjcar escapes injury after bad tackle
Rangers boss Mark Warburton insists Niko Kranjcar will be able to handle the rough and tumble of Scottish football after seeing the Croatian escape serious injury.
The 31-year-old fired home his first Gers goal against Stranraer as the Ibrox men rounded off their Betfred Cup group-stage schedule with a fourth straight win.
But Kranjcar was left wincing after Ryan Thomson careered through the back of his legs near the end of the League One part-timers’ 3-0 Ibrox defeat.
“It was a bad tackle but he got up,” the manager said.
“You don’t play 80 caps for Croatia (if you need protecting), he can look after himself, don’t worry about that.”
Arsenal’s €35m offer for Lacazette rejected
Arsenal have had an offer of €35 million for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette rejected by the French club.
Lyon also denied that the Gunners have tabled a new bid of €48 million for the 25-year-old French international, who, they insist, is not for sale.
“Arsenal made an offer of €35 million which Lyon didn’t accept for one reason alone – we will keep Alexandre Lacazette,” read a statement released by the club.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to spend up to €90 million in a double swoop for Lacazette and Leicester’s Algerian playmaker Riyad Mahrez, but Lyon are determined to keep the jewel in their crown.