Raphinha’s future at Barcelona uncertain

According to Catalan outlet , the future of Barcelona winger Raphinha is rather unclear at this point, despite his excellent performances in recent matches.

North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be maintaining a long-standing interest in the Brazil international, and there has apparently been an offer for his services of €80 million from Saudi Arabia. Raphinha hasn t shown any desire to leave Barcelona at the end of this season for now, but the club s financial worries might prompt them to put him up for sale nonetheless.

Prior to his move from Leeds United to Barcelona in 2022 for just under €60 million, Raphinha was reportedly of interest to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City as well. In case Mohamed Salah leaves Anfield at the …

Golden Boy Haaland going stride for stride with Lewandowski in Bundesliga top goalscorer battle

Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland enjoyed another unforgettable day in his young career on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Norway striker was this week named as the winner of the prestigious Golden Boy award, which recognises Europe s outstanding player under the age of 21.

Just in case there were any doubting Haaland s suitability for the gong, he set about dismantling Hertha Berlin, scoring four times as a rampant Dortmund won 5-2 and closed to within a point of European champions Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

Such exploits underline that Haaland is as much a player for the now as he is for the future and an Opta dive into the top marksman in Germany s top flight this season finds him rubbing shoulders with the best in the business.

18 …

Everton 2-1 Arsenal: Pressure mounts on Arteta as Toffees move second

Arsenal failed to halt their dismal Premier League form as Everton claimed a 2-1 victory to keep the pressure on Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners, without injured captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, have now gone seven league games without a win after Yerry Mina s header and Rob Holding s own goal lifted Everton up to second.

Nicolas Pepe s penalty had restored parity at Goodison Park, where Arteta spent six-and-a-half seasons as a player, but it was not a platform from which Arsenal could build.

Though Jordan Pickford s error led to David Luiz hitting the post, Mina s 45th-minute header ultimately proved enough for Everton to secure a third straight win.

Michael Keane was just inches away from breaking the deadlock as Everton started in confident fashion, and …

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Rayo Vallecano: Gallagher on target in disappointing draw

Atletico Madrid lost early ground to Barcelona in their quest for the LaLiga title as they were held to a 1-1 draw with city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

The visitors withstood an early spell of pressure and almost took the lead in stunning fashion when Julian Alvarez s strike from distance cannoned off the crossbar.

But Diego Simeone s side found themselves a goal down in the 35th minute when Isi Palazon turned home Raul de Tomas cross after good work from Jorge de Frutos.

However, parity was restored four minutes after the break when Conor Gallagher struck beyond Augusto Batalla from the edge of the area to net his second goal in as many games for his new club.

Atletico continued to push for a winner, with Alvarez and Angel Correa going close, bu…

Pele back in hospital but ´stable´

Brazil legend Pele has been admitted to hospital to undergo treatment for a colon tumour, but is in a stable condition.

The three-time World Cup winner required an operation to remove a colon tumour in September and has since continued undergoing chemotherapy as part of the rehabilitation process.

Sao Paulo s Hospital Albert Einstein confirmed on Wednesday that Pele had been hospitalised again, adding he is in stable condition and should be discharged in the next few days.

The patient is stable, and the forecast is that he will be released in the coming days, the statement said.

The legendary striker has suffered from ill health in recent years, having prostate surgery in 2015 after being admitted to hospital twice in six months, and he was hospita…

Suarez deserves a standing ovation on Barca return – Xavi

Xavi hopes Atletico Madrid s Luis Suarez receives a standing ovation from Barcelona s supporters on Sunday, as he ranked the Uruguayan alongside Samuel Eto o as the best modern-day Barca centre forward .

Suarez left Barca – in frustrating circumstances for the former Liverpool star and his close friend Lionel Messi – in 2020, with then-coach Ronald Koeman having deemed him surplus to requirements.

Barca s decision backfired as Suarez went on to propel Atleti to their second LaLiga title under Diego Simeone, scoring 21 top-flight goals last season.

The 35-year-old scored 198 goals for Barca between 2014 and 2020, netting once every 120 minutes, and said he was disrespected by the club when they decided to ship him out.

Xavi played alongside Suarez in…

Premier League data dive: Reds go fourth, Six appeal for Willock, Big Sam gr8 for Moyes

Liverpool took a huge step towards a top-four finish on an action-packed Wednesday in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp s men beat Burnley 3-0 and, with every team in the division now having played 37 games, they head into the final weekend in fourth – ahead of FA Cup winners Leicester City on goal difference.

There were also away wins for Arsenal and West Ham as two former England managers bade farewell, while the current Three Lions captain saw Tottenham s season take another turn for the worst.

Joe Willock also claimed a piece of history for himself and here we look at that and some of the other best facts as the last midweek round of a condensed campaign came to a close.

21y 272d Joe Willock has now scored in six consecutive Premier League appearance…

Dele Alli reveals sexual abuse, addiction and struggle with mental health

Dele Alli has revealed he was sexually abused at the age of six and was dealing drugs by the time he was just eight years old.

In an emotional interview, the Everton midfielder fought back tears as he laid bare his difficult upbringing before he was adopted by the Hickford family.

Alli also told Gary Neville in The Overlap podcast in partnership with Sky Bet that he has battled a sleeping pill addiction and only came out of rehab last month as he struggled with his mental health.

I’m struggling to find the words to put with this post but please watch my most recent interview with Dele. It’s the most emotional, difficult yet inspirational conversation I’ve ever had in my life. Watch the interview on here

— Gary Neville (@GNev2)

The Engl…

Newcastle United 3-4 Manchester City: Torres hits hat-trick for record-breaking champions

Ferran Torres scored his first Manchester City hat-trick as the champions set a new English league record of 12 consecutive away wins with a pulsating 4-3 victory over Newcastle United on Friday.

City – playing their first match since a third Premier League title in four seasons was confirmed on Tuesday – fell behind midway through the first half when Emil Krafth headed past Scott Carson, who was making his first top-flight appearance since May 2011.

Pep Guardiola s side powered back through quickfire goals from Joao Cancelo and Torres, although Joelinton restored parity before the interval from the spot.

Newcastle went ahead again when Joe Willock slotted home after his own penalty was saved by Carson, but Torres scored twice in two minutes to seal a wild…

Michel concerned by Girona injuries as Romeu and Blind limp off against Celta

Michel thinks injuries to key players are a concern for Girona, after Oriol Romeu and Daley Blind limped off during the 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo.

The Blanquivermells winless streak in LaLiga stretched to four matches, after Iago Aspas late strike cancelled out Yangel Herrera s earlier effort at Balaidos.

The stalemate also saw midfielder Romeu forced off in the 14th minute, while defender Blind had to be replaced early in the second half, with both players doubtful for Girona s Champions League clash with Feyenoord on Wednesday.

Michel s side are embarking on the first European campaign of their 94-year history after finishing third in LaLiga last term, and the head coach believes his players are feeling the effects of the increased workload.

That s [inj…