Neymar took a route-one approach to attracting the interest of Lionel Messi, but discretion may be order of the day for Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Moments after coming off the pitch after PSG s 3-1 Champions League win at Manchester United, Neymar said he hoped to be reunited in 2021 with former Barcelona team-mate Messi.

That sparked inevitable debate about how it might happen, should Neymar be serious about that wish.

PSG would appear better placed to sign Messi than Barcelona are equipped to re-sign Neymar, given the Camp Nou great could be available on a free transfer at the end of this season.

To land the Argentine forward LaLiga s all-time record scorer would be a remarkable coup for PSG and president Al-Khelaifi.

Sp…

Barcelona have been put in an awkward place by Neymar s revelation that he wants to play with Lionel Messi next season, with presidential candidate Joan Laporta unsurprised by the Brazilian s comments.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, who left Barcelona when his buy-out clause of €222million was met three years ago, made his stunning comments after scoring twice at Manchester United on Wednesday.

He told ESPN:  What I want most is to play with Messi again. I want to play with him. I ll let him play in my position if he wants! Next year, we have to play together, for sure.

Barcelona s finances, hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, are such that launching a big-money bid to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou appears out of the question.

Messi s contract is due t…

Manchester United are interested in signing James Tavernier from Rangers in the January transfer window, according to . It has been reported that Premier League giants looked into the possibility of signing Tavernier in the summer transfer window and remain interested in the 29-year-old right-back.

Tavernier has been on the books of Rangers since 2015 and has established himself as an important player in manger Steven Gerrard’s team. The former Newcastle United right-back helped Rangers win the Scottish Premiership title last season and has also succeeding with the Gers in the Europa League.

United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and a move to Old Trafford would be a step-up for Tavernier. However, it is unlikely that Rangers will entertain offers for the r…

Substitute Juan Cuadrado struck in added time against his former club as Juventus finally broke down 10-man opponents Fiorentina to win 1-0 in Saturday s Serie A clash.

Juve were on the verge of going a fourth league game without a victory when Cuadrado, on the field for just 13 minutes, beat Pietro Terracciano at his near post late on.

The hosts had struggled for large parts of the contest but momentum swung in their favour when Nikola Milenkovic was sent off 17 minutes from time.

After Federico Chiesa hit the bar and Alvaro Morata had a goal ruled out for offside, Cuadrado found a way through to lift Juve level on points with their opponents in eighth place.

’S CLASS WINS IT LATE!!!

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)

Both sides struggl…

Gareth Bale dismissed the suggestion he has been frustrated during his second stint with Tottenham, insisting he has been happy all season .

Bale marked just his third Premier League start of 2020-21 in style on Sunday, scoring twice and setting up another goal with a superb long pass as Spurs thrashed Burnley 4-0.

The 31-year-old, signed in loan from Real Madrid in September, opened the scoring after 68 seconds – the quickest goal conceded by Burnley in the Premier League – and Bale has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last four appearances for Tottenham in all competitions (four goals, three assists).

It has been far from plain sailing for the Wales star since his return to north London, however, with fitness struggles having made Jose Mou…

Aaron Ramsdale praised Harry Maguire for his continued “outstanding” England displays as the under-fire defender blocks out unrelenting criticism and scrutiny.

The world’s most expensive defender was named in the Euros team of the tournament in 2021, but game time and form at Manchester United have dropped off since then.

Gareth Southgate has stuck by Maguire and brought him on at half-time in Tuesday’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland, during which he was mocked mercilessly by the Hampden Park crowd before scoring an own goal.

Furious Southgate believes the reaction was as a result of wider “ridiculous” criticism of the defender, which he called “a joke” and said was “beyond anything I’ve ever seen”.

England fans backed Maguire and ch…

Manchester City are in talks with the representatives of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to multiple sources. Things are apparently going the right direction for the transfer to happen. The 29-year-old Croatia international is believed to be on the list of the players Chelsea could agree to sell this summer as they strive to rebuild their midfield section under the newly appointed boss, Mauricio Pochettino.

Meanwhile, City appear set to lose Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer at the end of the month, with Bernardo Silva labeled as another potential departure. The proposed arrival of Kovacic would cushion the loss of so much experience within the ranks of the Premier League champions.

Kovacic joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2018, on an initial one-season lo…

Captain Keith Watson has departed Ross County after five years with the Dingwall club.

The 33-year-old former Dundee United defender joined the Staggies in 2018 and made more than 100 appearances.

County described Watson as “a great servant to the club” as they announced on Thursday that he will be moving on this summer following the expiry of his contract.

“Unfortunately, my time at County has come to an end, what a 5 years it’s been,” Watson said in a statement on the club’s website.

“From winning the Championship to a dramatic play off win to stay in the Premiership – where County belong.

“That last play-off game (against Partick Thistle earlier this month) was one of the craziest games I’ve ever played in and the belief and…

Julen Lopetegui believes West Ham have deserved more than just four points from their opening five Premier League games but called on his players to be more clinical in front of goal.

The Hammers exited the EFL Cup in midweek against Liverpool despite taking the lead, with a second-half collapse seeing them end up on the wrong end of a 5-1 defeat at Anfield.

Lopetegui has endured a frustrating start to his West Ham tenure thus far but is hoping that a victory against Brentford this weekend will kick his side into gear.

I am sure that these players will overcome but it is true that we need one win, and we want to win the next match,” Lopetegui said.

Brentford are a strong team and we have to head into the match with big energy and commitment. In the Pr…

Kevin De Bruyne warned Erling Haaland s spectacular form is just the start after the striker s brace helped Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Haaland was shut out as City fell to their first defeat of the season at Liverpool last week, leaving them four points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

But normal service was resumed as City downed Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the Norway international latching onto Ederson s long pass to open the scoring before lashing home from the penalty spot.

The 22-year-old became the first City player to score in seven consecutive home games since Sergio Aguero in the 2017-18 season.

Haaland has now scored 17 goals in 11 Premier League appearances and team-mate De Bruyne says t…