With him, we managed to win – Pjanic congratulates departing Allegri

Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Renato Sanches from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that new PSG Sporting Director Luis Campos has stepped up the French champions’ pursuit of the 24-year-old Portugal international midfielder.

AC Milan are also interested in Sanches, but talks over a potential transfer have stalled, and PSG are now ready to swoop in and secure the services of the former Bayern Munich midfielder. It was Campos who signed Sanches for Lille when he was their sporting director.

Sanches made 20 starts and five substitute appearances in Ligue 1 last season, scoring two goal and providing five assists in the process. The Lille no. 10 made 14 starts and nine substitute appearances in the …

Napoli star Victor Osimhen will miss the Africa Cup of Nations after undergoing surgery on broken bones in his face.

The forward was hurt in a clash of heads with Inter defender Milan Skriniar as the Nerazzurri ended leaders Napoli s unbeaten start to the Serie A season on Sunday.

He was substituted in the 55th minute and taken for tests, which the club later confirmed had revealed multiple displaced fractures of the left orbit and cheekbone .

Osimhen had an operation on Tuesday that included the fitting of titanium plates and screws.

The club confirmed he will be out of action for three months, meaning he will play no part in Nigeria s AFCON campaign in Cameroon, with the tournament beginning on January 9.

Osimhen is Napoli s leading goalscorer…

Abby Wambach defended the United States after the reigning Women s World Cup champions routed Thailand 13-0 amid criticism over their merciless performance and celebrations.

USA put Thailand to the sword in Tuesday s record-breaking win as titleholders showed no mercy in their World Cup opener.

Alex Morgan scored five goals in Reims, where USA claimed the largest margin of victory ever at a World Cup in both the men s and women s tournaments.

However, some criticised USA s relentless pursuit of goals and celebrations while holding a substantial advantage, which frustrated former star Wambach – the team s all-time leading scorer with 184 goals.

For all that have issue with many goals: for some players this is there first World Cup goal, and they should …

Market: Fulham win

Odds: 10/11 @

Desperate to make a return to winning ways this weekend, Fulham will make the trip across the capital on Saturday afternoon when they face off against Luton.

Starting with the hosts, managing to make a thumping return to winning ways with a 3-0 romp against Blackpool last weekend, there is no doubt that Luton will be desperate to build off of that result. However, while the Hatters might still find themselves hanging onto their spot in the top-half of the Championship table, Nathan Jones men will know that they face a stern test on home soil here. Bringing an end to what was a worrying four-match winless run on either side of November s international break, Luton will still be worried by their recent issues at Kenilworth Road. In…

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has hinted that he would be open for a return to France, but reiterated his primary choice is to remain in the Premier League.

Giroud left France in 2012, signing with Arsenal on the back of scoring 21 goals for Montpellier as they claimed the Ligue 1 title.

The 32-year-old moved across London 12 months ago but has struggled to hold down a regular spot under Maurizio Sarri, the striker only starting six league games under the Italian.

Marseille have been heavily linked with a move for Giroud, although the club have brought in former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in the January transfer window, while Lyon are also rumoured to be interested.

4 Olivier Giroud has scored four goals in his last three Europa League appea…

Ivan Rakitic believes Croatia s blend of talent and experience gives them the opportunity to make a major statement at Euro 2016.

Barcelona midfielder Rakitic was one of a number of Croatia stars who came to prominence during their Euro 2008 run to the quarter-finals progress that was halted by a penalty shootout defeat to Turkey, who they face in their opening Group D encounter in Paris.

Rakitic is now 28 and stands alongside international team-mate Luka Modric, 30, as one of the most accomplished midfielders in Europe and with plenty of flair alongside that impressive fulcrum, the former Sevilla man believes now is the time to shine.

It is true that we have a lot of years together, Rakitic told reporters at a news conference. 

I was talking to Luka […

Best Odds: 5/7

Bookmaker:

Two nations who are looking to extend on their Olympic adventure out in Japan, Germany and the Ivory Coast will meet at the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu on Wednesday morning.

Germany U23

Starting with Germany, after opening this summer s delayed Olympic Games with a dreadful display against defending champions Brazil, the 2016 silver medalists would have been glad to have got their first victory on the board. Opening up their Group D run with a 4-2 drumming at the hands of the South American giants, Stefan Kuntz s side just about managed to avoid what would have been a real banana skin over the weekend. Eventually watching Augsburg s Felix Uduokhai bag a late winner in their action-packed 3-2 victory against Saudi Arabia, The Whites did once…

Roberto Mancini will be searching for answers after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup, and his mother has helpfully provided one: Mario Balotelli should have been called up.

Speaking on Rai Radio 1 on Friday, Marianna Puolo said Mancini s Azzurri would have benefited from Balotelli s power, and his inclusion could have staved off what played out in Palermo, where Italy lost 1-0 to North Macedonia.

Balotelli, a one-time teenage wonder who now plays for Adana Demirspor in Turkey s Super Lig, has long been a favourite with Mancini, dating back to their time together as player and coach at Inter and Manchester City.

Now 31, Balotelli earned a recall for an Italy training camp at the beginning of this year. He had not been capped by Italy since head coach Man…

Everton are interested in signing Motherwell’s  forward and Scotland’s under-21 player James Scott, The People reports (as relayed by ).

The 19-year-old played for the Scottish Motherwell’s under-20s team in the Scottish Challenge Cup, where he made his debut in 2015, at the age of 15.  He made his senior debut for the club in April 2018, when he came in as a late substitute during the team’s away game against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. This year Scott was called to Scotland’s under-21 squad for the European under-21 Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Croatia and made his international debut against San Marino, coming in as a substitute.

Last season Scott made twelve appearances for his club and scored one goal, but this year has be…

Soon-to-be free agent Stephan Lichtsteiner revealed he will leave Italian champions Juventus and the Serie A as the Swiss full-back seeks a new challenge.

Lichtsteiner – out of contract in June – has won six successive Serie A titles since arriving from Lazio in 2011 and the 34-year-old is on the cusp of a seventh following Saturday s
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3-1 victory over Bologna.

After Juventus moved seven points clear of Scudetto rivals Napoli – who are due to play Torino Sunday – Lichtsteiner told reporters: These are my last 14 days at Juventus. I need new challenges and motivation.

I have improved in my mentality. I didn t know what it meant to play at Juventus when I arrived, as there is pressure and obsession for the victory, Lichtsteiner – who could add…