Lazio want to sign veteran Liverpool defender Kolo Toure in this month’s transfer window.
The Serie A team are hunting for a central defender following injuries to Stefan de Vrij and Santiago Gentiletti.
Il Messaggero reported yesterday one of Lazio’s targets is Toure, brother of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.
An Ivory Coast international, the 34-year-old be out of contract in June. Toure only managed eight appearances this season.
Late winner lands punter £32,000
One Sky Bet punter enjoyed a very happy New Year when a late Reading goal helped turn a £5 stake into just over £32,000.
The customer placed a £5 accumulator on seven teams – Cardiff, Reading, Gillingham, Coventry, Bristol Rovers, Northampton and Middlesbrough – across the Football League to win to nil and with time nearly up, six of these selections were good.
Reading were still being held 0-0 by Bristol City in their Championship clash but in the second minute of stoppage-time, Nick Blackman beat City goalkeeper Frank Fielding with a low shot to seal a 1-0 victory.
Mane actions anger Saints boss Koeman
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman said he dropped Sadio Mane because missing a pre-match meeting was “unacceptable”.
The Senegalese midfielder started his side’s 1-0 defeat by Norwich on the substitutes’ bench, and appeared only for the final 10 minutes.
“You have to respect your team-mates, the fans and the club because they pay good money for the players,” Koeman told BBC Sport.
“To change the line-up two hours before the game, it’s unacceptable.”
The 23-year-old Senegal international, signed from Red Bull Salzburg in 2014, had featured in all of his side’s 19 Premier League matches this season, scoring three times.
Stoke City likely to appeal dismissal
Boss Mark Hughes believes Stoke City will appeal Geoff Cameron’s red card last weekend.
The midfielder was sent off in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at West Brom for pushing Claudio Yacob in the back of the neck.
Stoke host Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final first leg tomorrow with Cameron looking at a three-match ban if the Potters fail to get his dismissal overturned.
Hughes said: “We’ll have a look at that and decide whether or not to appeal but I think it’s likely.
“It was unfortunate. I thought Geoff has reacted to a late challenge on a leg he injured in the first half. It is understandable to a certain extent.”
Gerrard plans move into coaching
Steven Gerrard is planning a move into coaching when he ends his playing career, most likely later this year.
Gerrard left Anfield in the summer, moving to LA Galaxy, but has been back on Merseyside during the MLS close season and taking part in Juergen Klopp’s training sessions.
The former England captain said: “I’m not 100 per cent sure but I think it will probably be my last year as a player.
“I have had a chat with Klopp. I haven’t had an offer as such, but the club have let me know they are keen for me to come back.
“I am basically available from November 2016... hopefully I will be 75 per cent into my coaching badges.”
Chambly upset
Third division Chambly pulled off a shock 4-1 victory to knock Reims out of the Coupe de France with a hat-trick from Wilfried Louisy-Daniel.
With Ligue 1 clubs being drawn away from home, Reims, who are 17th in the French top division, came unstuck at the Stade des Marais where Louisy-Daniel struck twice early on.
The forward completed his treble just before half-time to leave the visitors stunned.
Algerian Youcef Touati made it 4-0 while a last-minute penalty from Gaetan Charbonnier proved little consolation as Reims crashed out.
West Ham will fill new stadium – Brady
West Ham United will sell out the Olympic Stadium for every Premier League match next season, vice chairwoman Karren Brady said.
The Hammers leave their 35,000-seater Upton Park venue at the end of this campaign to set up home at the remodelled London 2012 Games arena that will have a capacity of around 54,000.
“The opportunity this represents for West Ham is huge,” Brady said.
“There are five times as many people on the priority list as there are available season tickets. All of the corporate hospitality facilities have already sold out. Every seat will be sold for every match.”
Excitement over the Olympic Stadium move is also having an impact on the pitch.
West Ham are sixth this season under impressive new coach Slaven Bilic.