Gerardo Martino is prepared to end Carlos Tevez s international exile after taking over as Argentina coach.

Martino was named as Alejandro Sabella s successor on Tuesday and returns to the game following a disappointing season as Barcelona boss.

Tevez has not featured for his country since 2011 and Sabella s decision to overlook the Juventus striker prompted talk of a rift between the two.

Sabella denied falling out with Tevez and Martino revealed at his first press conference as the new manager that the slate would be wiped clean in a new era for Argentina following their World Cup final defeat to Germany last month.

All the Argentine footballers will have the doors open to them,” Martino said.

Tevez-Sabella? The decision was purely on footb…

Villarreal have told French giants Lyon it will take a major offer to prise Karl Toko Ekambi away from El Madrigal this month.

With Memphis Depay injured and seemingly out for the rest of the Ligue 1 season, Lyon are seeking a replacement to strengthen their attacking options.

Ekambi, who previously played in France with Paris FC, Sochaux and Angers, has caught Lyon s attention and Spanish newspaper AS reported an initial €12million offer has been turned down.

That led Villarreal boss Javi Calleja to say on Thursday that any club wanting the striker must consider his release clause, which is said to be over €60million.

There has been real interest, Calleja said in a news conference, according to Marca.

The player has not trained in recent da…

Russian powerhouse Zenit St Petersburg have officially approached Serie A giants AS Roma over the possible summer deal for defender Kostas Manolas.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Zenit have submitted an offer in excess of €30 million for the Greek international who could be allowed to leave Giallorossi during the summer transfer window. AS Roma were reluctant to sell their first-choice defender at an earlier date despite plenty of interest for Manolas with the reason being a clause in the player’s contract which obliged the Italians to pay a certain percentage if Manolas was to be sold before a certain date.

This is why AS Roma previously turned down similar proposals from Arsenal and Chelsea during the past two transfer windows.

Zenit representatives are tho…

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has backed recalled midfielder Ronaldinho to flourish at international level.

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year has been included in Brazil s squad for their friendly with Ghana at Craven Cottage on Monday, 10 months after his last international appearance.

Ronaldinho has scored 12 times in 18 appearances for Flamengo in the Brazilian Serie A this campaign and Menezes said the 31-year-old was capable of playing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Yes, there s a long time to go yet but a player like Ronaldinho has got the qualities we need, Menezes said.

It s about playing well at this time and he s been doing that with Flamengo so I do believe he is able to play at the World Cup.

Menezes said the former Barcelona mid…

According to reports in Italy, Chelsea are said to be planning on registering a £36 million offer for PSV Eindhoven star Hirving Lozano. The 23 year old turned some heads during his appearance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Mexico last year, and ever since then many top clubs around Europe have been sniffing around in the hope of landing his signature.

Lozano made the switch over to Dutch football back in 2017, when he joined from Pachuca. He’s been pretty consistent for PSV which is one of the reasons why he’s considered to be such a hot property, with his age being another.

It’s no secret that the Blues are in need of a natural goalscorer, and it would certainly appear as if Lozano fits the bill in that regard.

Giroud and Morata are the club’s two ma…

Cardiff have signed Greece defender Dimitrios Goutas on a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old most recently played for Sivasspor, making 84 appearances for the Turkish club and scoring five goals.

He joins the Sky Bet Championship side as a free agent ahead of the 2023-24 season and cannot wait to get going.

“I’m very excited to be here,” Goutas told Cardiff City TV. “From the first day I came here, I’ve felt warmth from everybody. I’m happy to join the team and I will give my best to achieve our goals.

“I can’t wait to train with the team and help with my experience. I will always give 100 per cent and try to help the young players – that’s why I’m here.”

Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut said: “He can organise from the back and …

Paulo Dybala scored twice as Juventus confirmed their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a 4-2 victory over Zenit.

The Bianconeri had suffered consecutive domestic defeats but Dybala s first-half finish edged them ahead before Leonardo Bonucci s own goal.

Dybala restored the hosts lead in contentious fashion after the break. The Argentina international dragged a first penalty wide but converted after a retake was ordered, with goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk adjudged to be off his line.

Federico Chiesa then scored for a fourth consecutive home game in the competition and Alvaro Morata got in on the act as Massimiliano Allegri s men maintained their perfect record in Group H and claimed their spot in the knockout stages.

Sardar Azmoun s late…

Erik ten Hag s obsession with success has both surprised and impressed Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.

The Brazil international moved to United from Real Madrid as part of Ten Hag s spending spree heading into his first season Old Trafford, joining compatriot Antony in making the move to England.

Casemiro has made an impression at United already, and the same is the case for the 30-year-old when it comes to the former Ajax coach.

A mainstay of Madrid s midfield for much of the last decade, Casemiro has won the Champions League five times and LaLiga on three occasions, but acknowledged he has been taken aback by Ten Hag s will to win.

After being in football for quite a while even though I m only 30, his obsession for winning is what surprised me t…