Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri is keen to add another central midfielder to his squad to cover for the loss of several key players this summer.
The club lost midfielder Esteban Cambiasso who refused to renew his contract.
To add to Ranieri’s woes, midfielder Matty James is likely to be out until after Christmas with a serious knee injury.
“I want to build the team more or less like last season,” said the former Chelsea manager.
“The two central midfielders who played all the time last season, James and Cambiasso, are not available.”
Di Maria says sorry to Man. United fans
Angel Di Maria apologised to Manchester United fans for his underwhelming stint at Old Trafford but insisted it was not due to a lack of effort.
The Argentina international joined United for a British record fee of almost £60 million from Real Madrid last year but completed a switch to French champions Paris Saint Germain on Thursday.
“I write this note to thank all the Manchester United family for the great support received during the year I’ve been part of this club,” Di Maria told United fans in an open letter, published widely by the British media.
“I’m aware things didn’t work as we all expected and believe me, I feel really sorry about it.”
Karanka commits to Middlesbrough
Manager Aitor Karanka has signed a new four-year contract with Middlesbrough, chairman Steve Gibson has announced.
The Spaniard, 41, took over at the Riverside Stadium in November 2013 and guided Boro to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final last season, where they lost to Norwich City.
The former Real Madrid coach, who worked alongside Mourinho, had been linked with other jobs but decided instead to reaffirm his position with Boro.
Ashley Young extends contract
Winger Ashley Young has signed a new three-year deal with Manchester United which will keep him at the club until at least 2018, the Premier League club said yesterday.
The 30-year-old England international has made 115 appearances and scored 13 goals for the club since he joined from Aston Villa in 2011, and his new contract has an option to extend for another year.
“I am delighted to have signed a new contract. The spirit and motivation amongst this team is very high and we are all determined to make this a season to remember,” Young said.
“All I have ever wanted to do is play football and to be able to continue to do that at the biggest club in the world means everything to me and my family.”
Slutskiy named new Russia coach
Russia yesterday put CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutskiy in charge of the national team on a short-term deal, weeks after sacking Fabio Capello and paying the Italian millions of dollars for contract severance.
The country’s football association said Slutskiy, 44, signed a contract until the end of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. He will continue to coach CSKA Moscow, after his club gave him the go-ahead to combine the two roles.
However, the national coach would not be able to combine the roles when preparing Russia for the 2018 World Cup, which the country will be hosting, according to Russian sports officials.
Adebayor loan deal could be ‘revived’
Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has refused to rule out reviving a deal for Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Tottenham striker had been in talks over a loan move with Villa – and been given a tour of their training ground – but the deal has stalled.
“If it can be revived and we think it’s necessary two parties have got to agree on it.
“At the moment there’s no agreement and he’s a Tottenham player,” said Sherwood, ahead of today’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
“I am really happy with the four we have here at the moment but if there is something that becomes available and it's better than what we’ve got then you look to improve.”
Grant Hall completes his move to QPR
QPR have signed Tottenham defender Grant Hall for an undisclosed fee. Hall, who has been on trial at Loftus Road over the summer, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract.
The 23 year-old was registered prior to the midday deadline and is therefore expected to go straight into the Hoops squad for today’s Championship opener against Charlton at The Valley.
QPR head coach Chris Ramsey told www.qpr.co.uk: “I’ve always liked Grant from when I worked with him at Spurs.
“He’s an old fashioned defender – he can head the ball, he can tackle and he doesn’t mind putting his foot in when he needs to.”