Football rumours: Kevin de Bruyne leads Saudi Pro League’s future targets

Inter striker Diego Milito has expressed his admiration for Roma counterpart Mattia Destro s abilities.

Milito s side are currently without a back-up target man and Inter s top scorer last season appears to have reached his own conclusions about who to sign, hailing Destro as an up-and-coming striker to look out for.

I really like Mattia Destro, Milito told Inter Channel.

I watched him play three years ago before he left us. He’s young, he has plenty of time to grow and has his whole career in front of him.

The two strikers were together at Inter in 2010 and Milito saw first-hand the potential of the youngster before he left the San Siro club s youth set up for Genoa.

Destro, 22, currently on loan at the capital club, is fast becoming one of…

Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann has hit back at those questioning whether his side is creative enough, while making it clear he is not concerned by the current standings.

The defending champions came from behind to draw 1-1 with Union Berlin on Saturday, their second draw in a row after winning each of their opening three matches.

Bayern came out of the blocks flying at the start of the season, scoring 15 goals in five matches, but have lost their knack in the final third in their last two Bundesliga matches.

Nagelsmann rebuffed suggestions Bayern were not doing enough with the ball, however, pointing to the club s positive goal difference and creativity in last week s draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.

That s a bold thing to say. We had four clear�…

Cardiff City have broken their transfer record for the third time during pre-season with the signing of Gary Medel from Sevilla.

The fee, which at a reported £9.5million surpasses the £8m paid for Steven Caulker, sees the Chile international midfielder provide Malky Mackay with further attacking options as they prepare for their first Premier League campaign.

Medel has agreed a four-year deal at the club subject to a work permit being granted.

The 26-year-old joined Sevilla in January 2011 and made 94 appearances for the Liga side, scoring nine goals, seven of which came last season.

Mackay was happy to have captured the winger and is in no doubt that he will be able to handle the move to England.

We re delighted to have secured the services of Gary a ten…

Barcelona have announced the signing of Spain striker Paco Alcacer from Valencia on a five-year deal, with Munir El-Haddadi moving in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.

Alcacer, 23, was omitted from the Valencia side that lost 1-0 to Eibar on Saturday and underwent a medical at Barca on Monday before completing a move worth an initial €30million.

Barca could pay €2m more in add-on fees and have inserted a €100m buy-out clause into Alcacer s deal at Camp Nou.

The LaLiga champions sixth signing of the season, Alcacer concludes Barca s long search for attacking reinforcements to support Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

When I found out about the offer from FC Barcelona I asked the club to listen to it, as it was my decision to take a s…

Barcelona defender Marlon is expected to leave the club on a permanent deal after returning from a loan spell at Nice.

The 22-year-old made 23 appearances in Ligue 1 last season after making the move to France s south coast in August.

Marlon s agreement was for a two-year stay but Barca have exercised the option to bring him back to Camp Nou early, prompting speculation he will be sold in the coming weeks.

The Brazilian full-back has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham for a fee in the region of €15million to €20m, although Manuel Pellegrini s side are reportedly concerned about his slight physique.

Marlon moved to Barca from Fluminense in 2016 but has made only three competitive appearances for the senior side.

 Officiel ne sera pas…

Manchester United look set to miss out on Paulo Dybala, but they had a chance to sign another playmaker as the Premier League giants rejected a bid for Paul Pogba.

Juventus midfielder Dybala was reportedly set to be part of a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku, but the Argentina international now seems likely to remain in Turin.

While United appear eager to strengthen before the transfer window closes, they received – and rejected – a bid for Pogba that included James Rodriguez from Real Madrid.

TOP STORY – MAN UNITED REJECT POGBA, JAMES DEAL WITH DYBALA SET TO STAY AT JUVE

Manchester United rejected a bid of €30million (£27.4m) plus James from Real Madrid for Pogba, according to The Times.

The report says the LaLiga giants are …

Journalist Ben Jacobs has told that Liverpool could be able to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. 

The well-known and well-respected journalist has claimed that Liverpool believe that they could be able to secure the services of the England international midfielder for less than £70 million.

Jacobs said: “There is a real chance Mason Mount joins from Chelsea. Mount is no closer to signing a Chelsea extension and Liverpool see a chance to get him for a bargain. 

“Chelsea will still try, and their new manager could be a key factor, but right now Mount can be pitched a more defined and integral role at Liverpool. 

“And although Chelsea may try for £70m, Liverpool believe the price will be less.”

Liverpool are …

The World Cup has reached the tense stage of the last 16, with the first knockout games taking place later today. Russia 2018 has produced some highly entertaining fare so far.

One of the knockout stage games to take place today is an intriguing clash between Uruguay and Portugal. This game could indeed go either way, as both teams have their qualities.

Cristiano Ronaldo the obvious threat to Uruguay

One of the major defining factors in this encounter could be how Uruguay’s defence handles the amble talents of Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The 33-year-old netted four times in the first two group stage games, only to miss a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Iran that saw the Selecao finish runners-up in Group B behind neighbours Spain.

Portugal may have a…

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Nicklas Bendtner can be unstoppable ahead of the Danish striker s return to the first team.

Bendtner is set to take his place in Arsenal s line up for their English League Cup date with West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, and, according to Wenger, the Denmark international can have a real influence on the London side s outfit.

The 25-year-old Dane has not appeared in the Arsenal first team for over two years, having spent time on loan at Sunderland and Juventus, while his last goal for the London-based club was one that earned him an FA Cup hat-trick against Leyton Orient in March 2011.

He has shown a good attitude in training and good, hard work. The real response that he can show is on Wednesday night, Wenger said.

He had n…

AIK goalkeeper Ivan Turina has been discovered dead in his apartment in Stockholm.

The Croatian, who joined the club from the Swedish Allsvenskan in 2010 was found by police after being called to his residence early on Thursday morning. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

I can confirm that Ivan Turina is dead but there are no suspicions of crime, police spokesman Patrik Nuss told the Aftonbladet newspaper
Turina made 89 appearances during his time at the Friends Arena, and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
A statement on the club s official website read: It is with great sadness and shock that AIK Football Club can confirm that keeper Ivan Turina died in the night between Wednesday and Thursday.
Ivan died suddenly in his sleep and there is no suspi…