Galatasaray leading race to sign Babel

Juventus survived a late barrage to deal a blow to Roma s Scudetto hopes and keep pace with Serie A leaders Napoli as Medhi Benatia clinched a tense 1-0 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Former Roma defender Benatia scored the only goal following a corner from another ex-Giallorossi star Miralem Pjanic, ensuring Juve stayed one point behind Napoli, who beat Sampdoria 3-2 at the Stadio San Paolo earlier on Saturday.

Roma, meanwhile, sit a further six points back and have now lost to each of Serie A s top three sides, though they do possess a game in hand which, if won, would move them ahead of third-placed Inter.

Juve s defence rarely looked like being breached as Edin Dzeko s difficulties in front of goal continued after a prolific start to the season, the Bosnia-Her…

Corinthians forward Alexandre Pato has dropped a big hint that he plans to return to Italian Serie A in the near future.

The highly rated footballer returned to Brazil in January 2013 following an injury-plagued spell with AC Milan, but he returned to full fitness surprisingly quickly .

The 25-year-old has impressed while on loan at Sao Paulo and with his loan spell set to end at the start of the New Year, the former Brazil international could be on the move in the winter transfer window.

Pato has now suggested that he misses Italy and hinted that he would seriously consider any proposal from Serie A.

“I am on loan at Sao Paulo until 2015, but I miss Italy and friends that I left,” Pato told Il Corriere della Sera.

“At the moment, there a…

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has spoken of his pride at securing the transfer of Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal.

Fiorentina currently sit third in Serie A, nine points behind leaders Juventus, and their coach believes that their latest signing is a coup that shows the club is heading in the right direction.

Montella s side will look to open 2013 with a win at home to Pescara on Sunday.

Giuseppe Rossi is a great signing. He s a fantastic talent and hopefully we ll have him fit again before the season is out, the 38-year-old Italian told Viola Channel.

It shows that the club is working well on the transfer market and can convince the right sort of player to join us by offering them the right motivation and incentive.

Rossi could have chos…

Despite being 38 years old, Zlatan could be one of the most coveted free agents available during the January transfer market.

The Swedish star has been out of contract since the end of the 2019 MLS season, where he featured for Los Angeles Galaxy. Zlatan scored 53 goals in 58 appearances for the California-based franchise, but he chose to move elsewhere after the recent season came to an end.

Several experts believe Zlatan is “too old” to return to Europe. But he knows he can still play at the level. Zlatan itself said he wants to join a team with ambitions, and several squads have already expressed interest to acquire him. Napoli, Tottenham and Manchester United were all mentioned as potential destinations for the Swede. Bologna were also linked with a push for the…

Eljero Elia opened his Premier League account with a brace either side of Yoan Gouffran s effort as Southampton won 2-1 at Newcastle United.

Eljero Elia opened his Premier League account with a brace as high-flying Southampton claimed a 2-1 win at Newcastle United.

Southampton had further strengthened their top-four credentials with victory at Manchester United last weekend and again looked impressive in typically tough surroundings at St James Park.

Werder Bremen loanee Elia made his Southampton debut in that Old Trafford success and put them ahead on Saturday after 14 minutes following slick build-up play his first goal since November 2013.

Newcastle more than matched Southampton s efforts during the first-half ultimately meriting the huge slice of fort…

Before the season started I predicted that Chelsea would win the Premier League title. I should make it clear that I am writing this article prior to this weekend’s games and I may look a bit silly if Chelsea have lost 5-0 to new title contenders Manchester City.

There are several reasons why I think Chelsea will win the league and although I am going to explain them here, please don’t think for a second that I am a Chelsea fan. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I am just giving an objective opinion.

Petr Cech is still probably the best keeper in the world. He didn’t have a great season last year following his horrific head injury and a further nasty injury to his mouth seemed to set him back eve…

Athletics great Usain Bolt claims he has signed for a football team and will announce the club in question on Tuesday.

Bolt, who brought his glittering sprint career to an end following the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, has frequently talked up his footballing prowess and revealed last month he was set for a trial with Borussia Dortmund in March.

The 31-year-old Jamaican has also repeatedly expressed an interest in turning out for Premier League giants Manchester United, the club he supports, while he also recently offered his services to David Beckham s new Major League Soccer franchise, Futbol Miami.

On Sunday, Bolt announced on Twitter that an update was on the way regarding his bid to carve out a footballing career.

I ve signed for a fo…

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas believes it would be spectacular if Jose Mourinho returns to the Premier League.

Mourinho hinted that a return to Chelsea could be on the cards after seeing his side, Real Madrid, knocked out of the UEFA Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Villas-Boas was part of Mourinho s backroom team at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan before embarking on his own managerial career in Portugal.
He said: He obviously wants to come back to England, whether he has a club aligned or not, we never know.
It s extremely unlikely when someone makes it that public that something is not set out already but he is a great addition to the Premier League.
He has a wonderful history in this league and I think it will be spectacular to have him back.
Mourinh…

Chelsea have confirmed the capture of teenage midfielder Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan, as reports suggest the Blues are preparing another bid for Everton s Anthony Gordon.

The Blues have signed the 19-year-old on a six-year deal, and becomes their latest signing of a busy maiden transfer window for the Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge.

An Italy youth international, Casadei was named to the Inter senior squad for the first time in February, but ultimately did not make an appearance for the club as they narrowly missed out on a successful Serie A title defence.

Casadei becomes Chelsea s second piece of business with the former Scudetto holders this transfer window, after striker Romelu Lukaku returned on loan to the San Siro outfit following a disappointing …

Aston Villa are considering a move for West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore, according to the Mail Online.

The Baggies are facing a summer exodus with their relegation to the Championship all but confirmed while Villa are well in the mix to replace them in the top flight.

Livermore is one of a number of players set to leave the Hawthorns with Salomon Rondon, Gareth Barry, Jonny Evans and Jay Rodriguez also linked with moves away.

Despite West Brom’s tough season, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City man is hopeful of being included in England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia having been involved in the squad for the recent friendlies against Italy and the Netherlands.

Since signing in January 2017, the twen…