Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has confirmed the club are closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international is poised to move to St James Park on a club-record deal of £60million, showing a major statement of intent from the Saudi owners.
While yet to be officially confirmed, Howe expressed his confidence on pushing the deal over the line when speaking ahead of Sunday s Premier League clash against Wolves.
It s not completed. We hope to get it done, he said, adding he hopes Isak could yet make his debut this weekend.
Yes, fingers crossed. There s no guarantee with these things because we re in other people s hands, but hopefully.
The imminent signing of Isak comes amid another injury blow …
Russia s second position in Group 4 of the European World Cup qualifiers has come under pressure as both Finland and Wales won their matches on Wednesday.
Finland are only two points behind the Euro 2008 semi finalists after beating Liechtenstein 2-1. The visitors surprisingly took the lead through Mario Frick in the 13th minute, their very first goal in this qualifying campaign.
But Mikael Forssell levelled 20 minutes later and Jonatan Johansson netted the winner in minute 72.
Wales secured a narrow win in Azerbaijan, beating the home team 0-1. The only goal came from David Edwards in the 41st minute. The Welsh are in fourth place, one point behind Finland.
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Ralph Hasenhuttl has been given the green light to end his self-isolation period following extensive testing for coronavirus, Southampton have confirmed.
The Saints boss was not on the touchline as his side drew 0-0 with West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday after entering a period of quarantine when his wife tested positive for COVID-19, despite not displaying symptoms.
However, it was later determined that result was a false positive and when two further tests undertaken by everyone in Hasenhuttl s household came back negative it was determined he can return to Southampton s Staplewood Campus training base from January 1.
A club statement said: Southampton Football Club can confirm that following extensive testing and consultation with the Premier League, R…
Jurgen Klopp could not believe Scott Parker was sacked by Bournemouth after losing 9-0 to his Liverpool side, suggesting the right owners would not have made such a decision.
Saturday s game at Anfield tied the record for the biggest defeat in Premier League history, with Bournemouth completely outclassed.
It was a third defeat in a row for the newly promoted outfit, who had also been comfortably beaten by Manchester City and Arsenal without scoring.
A Bournemouth statement confirming Parker s departure on Tuesday appeared to suggest his dismissal was not based on results alone, as it stated the head coach had to be aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably .
We must also show belief in and respect for one another, it added.
Parker had …
France defender Benjamin Mendy sees no reason why his nation cannot win the World Cup in Russia.
Didier Deschamps men will be among the favourites for the showpiece event, where they will face Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C.
Mendy believes in his team s chances of success as they bid for a second World Cup crown and first since 1998.
The goal is victory. The French team must win this cup, the Manchester City defender told Canal +.
With the team we have, there is no reason not to go all the way.
One country. One people. One team. One for all, and all for one.
— French Team (@FrenchTeam)
Mendy played just 62 minutes for City late in the campaign after returning from a knee injury in April.
But the 23-year-ol…
He is already a 16-time grand slam winner but Novak Djokovic may just have added another string to his bow thanks to a helping hand from football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Djokovic was given tips by fellow sporting icon Ronaldo on how to perfect his jumping technique during a training session.
The Juventus forward posted a video on his Instagram page of him and Djokovic undertaking a workout in Dubai, where they are both enjoying breaks from their respective sports.
The pair were seen laughing as Ronaldo, well known for his trademark leap, challenged the Serbian to head some dangling ropes after a short run-up.
Djokovic gave it his best shot and was congratulated by the Portuguese for his attempt, which can be seen in the clip below.
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Rangers suffered Champions League disappointment as Antonio-Mirko Colak s brace ensured 10-man Malmo ran out 4-2 aggregate winners in the third qualifying round tie.
Steven Gerrard s side started brilliantly in the second leg after suffering a 2-1 defeat in Sweden last week, drawing level through Alfredo Morelos opener before Bonke Innocent was sent off for two bookings in the space of five minutes.
The tide seemed to have turned in the hosts favour, but Colak delivered a second-half shock to secure a 2-1 win in the return fixture in Glasgow.
Buoyed on by a vocal Ibrox crowd, Morelos flicked a deft header past Johan Dahlin from Ryan Kent s inswinging cross to level the tie after 18 minutes.
Allan McGregor escaped with a caution after he was deemed to have…
England midfielder David Beckham finally confirmed on Friday he s in talks for a short-term loan to AC Milan in early 2009.
The former England captain will play his final game of the MLS season for the Los Angeles Galaxy here on Sunday and intends to be back in a Galaxy shirt by the start of next season in late March or early April.
Although nothing is confirmed at present, we can confirm that talks are taking place with Milan with regard to a short-term loan move at the start of next year, a short statement on Beckham s official web site said.
David very much remains a Galaxy player and he will be in Los Angeles for the start of the 2009 MLS season.
Beckham, 33, has 107 England caps and wants to stay in match-fit shape by playing for AC Milan durin…
Everton are lining up summer bid for Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady, .
David Moyes is a bag fan of the former Celtic star, but club’s difficult financial situation prevented him from making a move on the player in the past.
With Everton likely to cash in on Marouane Fellaini in the summer, the Scottish manager should have more than enough funds to launch an assault on McGeady.
The player’s agent says his client is currently happy in Moscow, but states that he would welcome any offer from the English Premier League.
“Aiden has a contract with Spartak, which he will honour as a professional,” Jan Dreyer explained to Izvestia.
“If Aiden receives a very serious offer from England that suits the club chiefs, we will certainly consider i…
Stoke City have made their third signing of transfer deadline day with a loan move for Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi.
The Netherlands international follows Wilfried Bony and Lee Grant in arriving at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday, strengthening Mark Hughes squad for the 2016-17 campaign.
Martins Indi has opted to switch the Primeira Liga for the Premier League after two seasons with Porto, the 24-year-old having signed for a reported £6million fee in July 2014.
During his time in Portugal he made 71 appearances in all competitions, but the lure of the English top flight proved too much.
Martins Indi s arrival comes as Stoke defender Philipp Wollscheid agreed a move away from the club, the 27-year-old joining Wolfsburg.
BREAKING | sign Brun…