Halilhodzic sacked by Japan two months before World Cup

The future of Ansu Fati at Barcelona appears to be increasingly uncertain.

Fati was a revelation when he first broke into the Barca first team, but has suffered several injury issues that have halted his momentum.

Even when fit, Fati has struggled to get into Xavi s side this season, featuring in 30 games but only nine times from the start, with six goals and three assists to show for it.

And reports are starting to emerge that vultures may be circling to offer the Spain international more regular football.

TOP STORY – BAYERN LEAD THE WAY IN HUNT FOR ANSU FATI

Mundo Deportivo reports that Bayern Munich are at the head of a queue of seven European clubs interested in making a move for Fati at the end of the season.

It is also mentioned th…

Michy Batshuayi was poised to complete a move to Fenerbahce on Friday after finding himself frozen out at Chelsea.

The Belgium striker had a successful loan spell with Besiktas last season and was linked with Nottingham Forest this week, before that City Ground switch failed to come to fruition.

It has since emerged he is heading back to Turkey s Super Lig to join Fenerbahce, who announced his impending arrival.

Fenerbahce – fierce rivals of Besiktas – said in a statement: Our club has reached an agreement with his club for the transfer of Michy Batshuayi to our team.

The footballer is coming to Istanbul to conduct negotiations, undergo a medical checkup and continue the process.

Always in style  

— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshua…

Pep Guardiola s Manchester City take their eight-point lead to Old Trafford on Sunday, with the stage set for them to take a vice-like grip on the title race or Jose Mourinho s Manchester United to blow the battle for the Premier League open once more.

The top two sides in the country will put forth a plethora of talent at one of its most famous arenas this weekend, but which players win the nod to get into Omnisport s combined Manchester XI?

Unfortunately for the likes of the suspended Paul Pogba and injured stars including Benjamin Mendy and John Stones, only players available to feature this weekend are eligible for our team.

So, Reds, Blues and neutrals, read on – you ll almost certainly disagree strongly…

David de Gea (Manchester Unite…

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will donate all proceeds from his testimonial season towards an initiative to tackle homelessness in Manchester.

Kompany has launched Tackle4MCR alongside Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who has pledged to end rough sleeping in the English city by 2020.

I ve received much from Manchester: a great career at the highest level, unconditional support from the fans through thick and thin, a lovely family and so much more to be grateful for, the 32-year-old Belgium international told the Manchester Evening News.

Over the past decade I ve been lucky to have witnessed and played a part in Manchester City s rise as a club and a brand. This has also run parallel alongside the rise of a whole region.

However, with t…

Brentford have confirmed the capture of 18-year-old forward Gustavo Nunes from Gremio for a reported £10million transfer fee.

Nunes, who operates predominantly on the left-hand side of the front line, has signed a six-year contract, with the Bees having an option to extend the deal by two years.

The Brazilian made his first-team debut for Gremio in February 2024, coming on as a first-half substitute and providing an assist in a 1-1 ‎Serie A draw with Sao Luiz.

Nunes netted his first goal six days later, scoring the opener in a 6-2 triumph against Santa Cruz-RS, going on to feature 20 times in Brazil s top flight.

He made 40 appearances in all competitions for Gremio, scoring seven goals as well as adding four assists in that time.

Nunes becom…

Jose Mourinho was not surprised to see his very tired team lose at Manchester City, although he felt Tottenham were in the match before conceding a modern penalty .

Spurs have won once in six matches in all competitions after suffering a 3-0 defeat at City in the Premier League just three days on from an extra-time FA Cup exit against Everton.

Tottenham have conceded eight goals this week, having shipped five at Goodison Park, the worst two-game total of Mourinho s coaching career.

Despite having just seven shots to City s 15 and only three on target all of them in the second half the Spurs head coach was pleased with his side s effort and frustrated with the circumstances surrounding the 23rd-minute opening goal.

Tottenham had had the best effort to tha…

Marseille booked a place in the final of the Europa League after surviving a stirring Red Bull Salzburg comeback, Rolando s extra-time goal proving decisive in a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The French giants led 2-0 from the opening leg at home, but a flat performance from Rudi Garcia s men opened the door for Salzburg to battle their way back into the tie with a 2-0 victory over the 90 minutes at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday.

Throughout a low-quality first half a Salzburg comeback appeared improbable, but two goals in 12 minutes got the Austrian side level on aggregate and dreaming of a place in the final.

Amadou Haidara s brilliant solo goal sparked life into Marco Rose s side and when Bouna Sarr could only deflect a shot from Xaver Schlager into his own net, the …

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon criticised the club s decision to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, describing the transfer as a historic error .   

Ronaldo touched down in Turin on Sunday ahead of his medical after Serie A champions Juventus agreed a €112million deal with Madrid on Tuesday.  

A five-time Ballon d Or winner and Madrid s all-time leading goalscorer, Ronaldo helped the Spanish giants to a third consecutive Champions League crown last season after netting 44 goals in all competitions.  

Calderon was responsible for luring Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabeu from Manchester United in 2009 and he lambasted Madrid s decision to part with the 33-year-old superstar for such a fee.

He s here!  Watch s first moments in …

Julian Nagelsmann does not expect Jurgen Klopp to be tempted by the Germany job after Joachim Low announced he would step down after Euro 2020.

The search for Low s successor is underway, and a poll by Germany s Sky Sport News broadcaster on Tuesday showed Liverpool manager Klopp would be a popular pick.

With over 7,000 votes counted, some 54.6 per cent selected Klopp as the right man for the job, with Ralf Rangnick next in line with a 15.4 per cent share.

Klopp s Liverpool are enduring a deep dip in the Premier League after last season s title triumph, and six successive defeats in the competition at Anfield have seen them slip to eighth place.

But Klopp has enjoyed huge success during his Liverpool reign, winning the Champions League in 2018-19 before t…

Spain and Barcelona icon Xavi played the final match of his playing career in Al Sadd s 2-0 AFC Champions League defeat to Persepolis on Monday.

One of the most decorated players in football history, Xavi won 19 honours during his 17-year Barca stay and also enjoyed great success on the international stage, winning the World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012 with Spain.

He joined Qatari club Al Sadd in 2015 to see out his playing days and on Monday he pulled on their jersey for the last time after announcing his impending retirement earlier this month, as he bids to embark on a coaching career.

Before kick-off in Tehran s Azadi Stadium, Xavi was honoured with a framed commemorative jersey and other gifts.

Persepolis honoured captain Xavi Hernandez, as he played…