Schalke captain Benedikt Hoe-wedes said he would not play for another club in Germany after signing a three-year contract extension until 2020.
The 2014 World Cup winner with Germany has been at Schalke since 2001 and cannot envisage leaving a “unique club”.
The 27-year-old rugged defender joined Schalke as a youth player, breaking through to the senior team in 2007.
Schalke are fourth in the Bundesliga, two points off third-placed Hertha Berlin and battling for a Champions League place.
Carvalho signs new deal with Sporting
Reported Arsenal target William Carvalho has extended his contract with Sporting Lisbon until 2020.
The 23-year-old’s impressive displays for Portugal and the Leoes have attracted admiring glances from across Europe.
Arsene Wenger’s side have long been linked with Carvalho, with that speculation fuelled in October when the midfielder revealed his fondness for the Gunners.
However, the Sporting academy graduate has committed to the Estadio Jose Alvalade until 2020, with his new and improved contract including a €45 million buyout clause.
Allegri denies Chelsea rumours
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri says there is “nothing” in reports linking him with Chelsea.
The 48-year-old Italian has been touted as a possible successor to Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge, with the Dutchman in interim charge of the Blues until the end of the season.
However, Allegri, who has won the Serie A title with both Milan and Juventus, has dismissed speculation he may be on his way to the reigning Premier League champions.
Allegri said: “There’s nothing to it. I cannot either confirm or deny something that doesn’t exist.
“What’s important for me right now is to get to the end of the season with Juventus and try and win some silverware.”
‘Bouncing balls’ ticket protest
Borussia Dortmund fans turned to tennis balls to demonstrate against high ticket prices, interrupting their side’s DFB-Pokal win over Stuttgart on Tuesday night with an unusual protest.
After boycotting the first 20 minutes of the cup tie at Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, where they were upset at having to pay upwards of €19.50 for a ticket, the fans entered the arena to throw numerous tennis balls onto the field of play.
Players from both sides helped to clear the field and ensure play was not halted for too long.
The message is understood to have been that football fans do not have as much money as followers of tennis.
Mou tells friends ‘United job is his’
Jose Mourinho has told friends and associates that he will replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager at the end of the season, according to reports yesterday.
The Daily Mail, Daily Star, Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph all quoted an unnamed source close to the 53-year-old Portuguese as saying his installation at Old Trafford was a “done deal”.
The former Real Madrid, Inter and Porto coach was sacked by Chelsea in December but said in an interview last week that he would soon be back in management, preferably in England.
Van Gaal, who has another year left on his contract after this season, has had to deal with constant speculation about his position after United made a stuttering start to the season.
Ben Arfa out
Nice will be without top scorer Hatem Ben Arfa for around a month due to a hamstring injury.
The 15-cap France international was substituted late in last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Monaco and will miss at least four matches.
A statement on the club’s website read: “He had tests at the start of the week which revealed an injury to the right hamstring.
“He will be absent for between four and five weeks.”
The former Newcastle playmaker, who was blocked from playing for Nice last season having played competitive games for the Magpies’ under-21s and on loan at Hull before signing for the Ligue 1 club, has made up for lost time with 11 goals this season to help Nice to third place.
Stones, Howard set for Everton return
Everton’s John Stones and Tim Howard are on the verge of returning from injury and are in contention for Saturday’s league clash against West Bromwich, manager Roberto Martinez said.
Defender Stones and goalkeeper Howard, with hamstring and knee injury respectively, were forced to sit out thumping league victories over Newcastle United and Stoke City.
“John had a really good feeling after his work and we are hoping that he can join the group this week leading up to the West Brom game,” Martinez said.
“Howard is similar. He had a very good session on a one-to-one basis. Hopefully they will be available for the West Brom game.”