Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has emphasised his loyalty to Arsene Wenger amid “flattering” transfer links to former club Barcelona and Manchester City.
The 22-year-old signed a new six-year deal with Arsenal in November, but that may have been with the understanding that Wenger would remain as manager beyond the end of the season – something that is currently far from certain.
“The loyalty one has to a person is worth more than money, it is something that is very important for me. And him being there carries a lot of weight for me,” he told Mundo Deportivo from Spain’s training camp.
Ireland must shut down Bale – Keane
Ireland assistant coach Roy Keane has urged his side to relish the challenge of facing Wales forward Gareth Bale, while making sure the Real Madrid man has no room in which to operate in their World Cup qualifier tomorrow.
“Bale is a world class player,” Keane told reporters.
“The basic advice to any player... is to get to him (Bale) as quick as you can, don’t let him get his head up like he does at Real Madrid. “Don’t give him space in behind because the boy can run. Tackle him. Hit him... fairly.”
Former Barcelona president dies
Former Barcelona president Agusti Montal, the man who signed Johan Cruyff, has died at the age of 82.
Montal was president of the club between 1969 and 1977, bringing the league title to the Nou Camp in the 1973-74 campaign after a 14-year wait.
A statement said: “Barcelona express their sorrow for the death of Agusti Montal Costa, president of the club between 1969 and 1977, who left us on Wednesday at 82 years of age.
“Barcelona wish to convey their deepest condolences to the family, with whom they are sharing these moments of pain, along with members, supporters of the club and the world of football.”
Verratti should join top Euro club
Marco Verratti’s agent believes the Italy playmaker should consider joining “a top European club” in the future, claiming he will not win any more major trophies with Paris St Germain.
Verratti, 24, has lifted the Ligue 1 trophy four times since moving to PSG from Pescara, but the reigning French champions are off the pace this season.
Agent Donati Di Campli said: “It’s a complicated situation, because he has a good contract there. But he wants to win things and PSG, in the state they’re in now, cannot win things.
“It’s not a question of money - anyone who would take Verratti would pay him a lot - and one thing is sure... if he leaves PSG, it will be for a top European club.”
Chelsea’s Costa open to China move
Diego Costa is refusing to rule out a move to China at the end of this season despite insisting that he is happy to stay at Chelsea, and admits he did everything in his power to force a return to Atletico Madrid last summer.
The Spanish striker enters the final two years of his contract this summer and admits he could still follow former Brazilian teammates Ramires and Oscar to China at the end of the season.
Asked if the Chinese Super League could still be an option in the summer, Costa told El Larguero: “Anything can happen. Why not? You never know. Now I’m happy at Chelsea but if tomorrow the Chinese come and Chelsea tell me I have to go, I will no longer want to stay with them.”
Bennell denies 20 child offences
Former coach Barry Bennell has denied 20 child sex offences.
The 63-year-old appeared via video-link from prison at Chester Crown Court yesterday. He had already denied eight of the offences, but entered not guilty pleas again as 12 further charges were added to the indictment.
The ex-Crewe coach was charged with 14 counts of indecent assault, five counts of buggery and one count of attempted buggery.
The charges relate to four complainants who were boys under the age of 16 at the time of the alleged offences, which are all reported to have taken place between 1980 and 1987.
The case was adjourned to July 3.
Manchester rivals to meet in USA
Manchester United will play Manchester City as part of the 2017 International Champions Cup in the United States, while also taking on Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The Premier League sides were scheduled to meet in Beijing during last summer’s tour to the Far East, but that match was postponed just hours before kick-off because of concerns over the state of the National Stadium pitch following torrential rain.
City will also take on Tottenham as part of the American section of the 2017 ICC, playing at the Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on July 29.
The venue for the July 20 match, which will be the first Manchester derby played overseas has yet to be announced.