Monaco midfielder Fabinho would be tempted by a move to Manchester United.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from the principality, having helped Leonardo Jardim’s men to impressively win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

United are among those linked with the Brazil international, who told Esporte Interativo in his homeland that he would be open to an approach.

“If Mourinho invites me (to join United) it would be very tempting, but, first of all, I would have to talk with my agent and with Monaco to make the things right,” Fabinho said.

Nice perfect for Balo – Cassano

Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano said he believes Mario Balotelli has “found his level” at Nice as the Ligue 1 club prepare to extend the former Manchester City forward’s stay.

Balotelli signed a one-year deal when he joined last summer, with his 15 goals in 23 games helping the club to an unexpected third-placed finish.

He is expected to sign a new two-year deal in the coming days.

Balotelli’s former Italy team-mate Cassano said: “Mario’s had a good career, and his luck has been having Mino Raiola as his agent because he earns his clients a lot of money.

“He’s found his level at Nice.”

Crouch getting hungrier with age

Stoke City’s 36-year-old striker Peter Crouch is not contemplating hanging up his boots anytime soon and the club’s top scorer last season believes his age has made him “hungrier” to continue playing.

Crouch netted his 100th Premier League goal last season as he helped Stoke’s finish 13th in the standings.

“Getting to a certain age where people are supposed to be retiring has made me hungrier,” Crouch told BBC Radio Stoke.

“I want to stay around for a lot longer yet. I love what I do. Coming in every day and playing football, then having a match at the end of it all, to work towards, is something that I’ve always loved and still want to do.”

Colgan to sue Huddersfield

Premier League newcomers Huddersfield Town are facing a claim of wrongful dismissal after sacking their goalkeeping coach Nick Colgan last week, the Times reported yesterday.

Former Ireland goalkeeper Colgan has asked the League Manager Association’s legal team to prepare the claim against the club where he served for seven years both as a player and coach, according to the report.

Colgan initially joined as an understudy to goalkeepers Ian Bennett and Alex Smithies in 2010 before taking up a full-time coaching position at the end of 2011-12 season.

China plan a circus – president

A German FA (DFB) plan to grant China’s under-20 team a place in one of Germany’s regional fourth divisions, the Regionalliga, has been described as “a circus” by the president of one of the fourth-tier clubs.

Only 19 teams have qualified for the regional southwest division of Germany’s fourth tier, and to even out the fixture list the DFB has invited China’s U20 team to join.

The move would allow China to prepare for the 2020 Olympics, but Oberhausen’s Hajo Sommers told Reviersport: “The league turns into a circus so Bayern Munich can sell more jerseys in China.”

Asano rejoins Stuttgart on loan

Arsenal forward Takuma Asano will return to VfB Stuttgart for a second successive season on loan, the English Premier League club said yesterday.

The 22-year-old Japan international joined Arsenal in July last year and was loaned out to Stuttgart shortly after for the 2016-17 campaign, where he scored four goals in 26 league appearances as the club won promotion to the top tier.

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