Winger Gabriel Obertan and midfielder Sylvain Marveaux have left Newcastle United by mutual consent, the club said.
The Magpies decided to release the French duo, whose contracts were due to expire this summer, as they were unlikely to feature in the club’s bid to avoid relegation.
Former Manchester United winger Obertan, 27, joined the club in 2011 and scored three goals in 77 appearances, but he has not played for the first team since September.
The 30-year-old Marveaux last featured for the club more than two years ago.
Lloris predicts bright future for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has urged his team-mates to forget the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League title and predicted a bright future for a squad that is brimming with young talent.
Spurs, who were chasing a first league title since 1961, lost the race against Leicester City after dropping two points against Chelsea on Monday night.
“We are improving step by step and we don’t know our limits, so that’s very positive for the future, which has to be bright,” the 29-year-old goalkeeper said.
Chelsea defend price of ‘premium’ kit
Chelsea have defended the cost of the premium version of their 2016/17 kit after it was made available for pre-order at £90.
Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek launched the club’s new kit on Facebook on Wednesday, with two versions of the shirt being made available to buy.
Standard replica jerseys will cost from £55 for adults and £45 for children and, for the first time, Chelsea will now also offer an enhanced version called the ‘Adi Zero’ for £90.
Commenting on the new strip, a Chelsea spokesman said: “There are people who want to buy the more expensive authentic version and we are happy to cater for that market but, to be clear, Chelsea FC are selling the main replica shirt for £55 for adults, and from £45 for children.”
No move decided yet says Hummels
Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels has said a much-expected move to Bayern Munich was far from decided, and criticised a “dirty statement” issued by his club last week that said he wanted to move to the rivals.
Dortmund had said the Germany international put in a transfer request after the end of the season with the intent of joining Bayern, an announcement which angered Dortmund fans who whistled and jeered Hummels in a game against Wolfsburg.
“Nothing has been decided yet,” Hummels told fans waiting outside the club’s training ground on Wednesday. “This dirty statement created a different impression.”
Fellaini, Huth handed three-match ban
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini (picture) and Leicester City defender Robert Huth have been banned for three matches by the Football Association (FA) for their violent conduct during Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw.
Fellaini appeared to elbow Huth in the 21st minute of the game at Old Trafford after having his hair pulled by the German defender.
The ban means Huth will miss Leicester’s final two fixtures and their first league game of next season.
Fellaini was ruled out of Manchester United’s final three league games of the season but he will be eligible to play in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 21.
Mahrez attracting interest, says agent
Riyad Mahrez’s agent Kamel Bengougam has thrown the Leicester City winger’s future in doubt by saying there is a “50/50 chance” the Algerian could leave the King Power Stadium amid reported interest from Spanish champions Barcelona.
“When you have been playing the way Riyad has this season it is bound to attract attention,” Bengougam told British media.
“They will play in the Champions League next year as well so he would be happy to stay. But at his age if the opportunity comes to play for a big team then we would have to think about it. I’d say it’s 50/50 at the moment whether he stays or goes.
“We have interest from the UK and overseas.”
Serbia name Muslin as new coach
Serbia have named 62-year-old journeyman Slavoljub Muslin as the Balkan nation’s new coach in a bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after missing three successive major tournaments.
“The Serbian Football Association’s (FSS) emergency board convened today and unanimously voted in favour of appointing Muslin as the new coach,” the FSS said yesterday.
“The contract will run until the end of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign and will be automatically extended if our national team reaches the tournament in Russia.”
Muslin, who has managed 17 different clubs in his coaching career, takes over from Radovan Curcic.