PSG, Barca in quarter-final showdown

Ernesto Valverde described Antoine Griezmann as  a great player but was unable to confirm whether he would be joining Barcelona, despite Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain distancing themselves from the World Cup-winning forward.

Griezmann announced his decision to leave Atletico Madrid in a video posted on his social media accounts on Tuesday, thanking the club s supporters for five incredible years .

He has been linked with a transfer to Camp Nou for over a year, opting to sign a new five-year contract at the Wanda Metropolitano before the start of the 2018-19 season rather than pursue a move at that time.

With the 28-year-old set to switch allegiances, and both City s Pep Guardiola and PSG s Thomas Tuchel saying they would not be signing him, Valve…

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri could be joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window, .

Sources from the club have told the newspaper that the player is extremely disappointed by Roberto Mancini’s decision to criticize him in public last week.

As a result, the highly rated midfielder is considering his options and is edging closer to the summer exit from the Etihad.

The latest developments will be music to PSG’s ears and especially sporting director Leonardo, who is keen on luring Nasri to Parc des Princes.

The Saints currently have plenty of options in the final third, but they are prepared to make way for such a high-quality player.

Nasri, 25, used to play for PSG arch rivals Marseille, but that shouldn’t be a problem…

Pep Guardiola thinks Ruben Dias has rediscovered his best Manchester City form, crediting his work ethic off-field as much as on it as key to his success.

The Portuguese has been close to the strongest form of his Premier League career since returning from a thigh muscle injury in mid-January.

City have kept a clean sheet in each of his last four appearances, with Dias work at the back helping to keep them in the midst of silverware challenges on three fronts.

Guardiola was happy to highlight the impact his centre-back has delivered in recent weeks, and believes it has had a trickle-down effect to his team-mates on and off the pitch.

He is the type of player that doesn t just care about he is playing, he said. He is playing the game for everyone. He has …

Carlos Vela and Raul Ruidiaz scored as the MLS All-Stars claimed victory over the Liga MX All Stars for the second straight year, winning 2-1 in Minnesota on Wednesday.

The MLS All-Stars appeared to be cruising to victory before Kevin Alvarez s spectacular late strike was followed up a decent penalty shout for a Deandre Yedlin handball which was declined.

The hosts had won last year s edition 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw and they seemed destined for another triumph when former Mexico international Vela headed home early.

Diego Palacios jinked his way to the left side of the edge of the box before delivering an inch-perfect second-minute cross for LAFC teammate Vela to nod in.

Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St Clair, one of numerous first-half substitutes…

Sevilla have confirmed Ciro Immobile has left the club for Lazio.

The Serie A side were keen to sign a new striker following the departure of Miroslav Klose at the end of last season and they have found their man in Immobile.

The Italy international already underwent his medical with Lazio on Tuesday and Sevilla have now announced the 26-year-old has completed his move.

Immobile had joined Sevilla from Borussia Dortmund ahead of the 2015-16 campaign after an underwhelming spell with the Bundesliga giants, but left the club again for a loan spell with Torino halfway through the season.

He returned to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan side at the end of last season, but has now permanently waved farewell to Sevilla as he returns to his native country.

Quest…

Bastia have hit back at former boss Claude Makelele after he likened his spell in charge of the club to an internship.

Ex-Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Makelele was appointed as head coach by the Corsican club ahead of the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season.

However, after just 13 matches at the helm, he was sacked, before a short spell as technical director of Monaco came to an end on Monday.

On Tuesday, Makelele claimed his time in charge of Bastia was like being in training, telling L Equipe:  Frankly, in Bastia, I was almost in an internship. It allowed me to get my coaching badges.

The club have responded with a stinging criticism of the 43-year-old, accusing him of a deep lack of professionalism .

A Bastia statement read: The statement made t…

How did I do last week? I got five right. That’s 50%. My best for ages. OK, it’s not much to gloat about, I know! Let’s see if we can do even better this week 🙂

Saturday 13th December 2008

Aston Villa v Bolton

Villa are on the crest of a wave. They sit in fifth place just one point behind Arsenal and are coming off the back of that incredible win at Everton last week. That win opened up a six point gap on the team most likely to challenge them for fifth place.

Bolton lost to Chelsea at home last week but they have won their last three away games. To the surprise of many, they are sitting in mid-table.

Villa will continue to pile the pressure on Arsenal with a win in this one.

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Italian giants Juventus are about to sign Brazilian wing-back Felipe Mattioni of Gremio, according to Itasportspress.

The agency reports that the player and his agent had a meeting with Juventus sporting director Alessio Secco on Wednesday, and add that the Old Lady should be only days away from officially announcing the transfer.

The 20-year-old Felipe made his Brazilian Serie A debut in 2008 and soon attracted interest of many European top sides such as Manchester United, Ajax and Juventus. This week, Gremio said that a transfer is unlikely but this now seems to have changed.

Negotiations with Juventus began in November, and the Italian side are reportedly set to pay 7 million Euros for the player.

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Aleksandar Kolarov has done well at AS Roma, but he could be nearing exit from Stadio Olimpico. At least that is what Turkish media are saying these days. According to their journalists, Serbia captain and veteran could be going to Fenerbahce.

Reportedly, Kolarov already made a deal for a six million euro yearly salary. These claims should not be taken as seriously as from some other media, because Turkish media have been known for sensationalism. However, Fenerbahce coach Ersun Yanal apparently thinks signing Kolarov is almost a done deal.

We are bringing in a player that will give us great quality at left-back. I am sure that Kolarov will play well here , Yanal was quoted. After a long-spell at Manchester City, Kolarov made a move to Roma, where he has been for the pa…

Jurgen Klopp lauded the very decisive Naby Keita and believes there is even more to come from the Liverpool midfielder after reaching the Club World Cup final.

Keita opened the scoring in Liverpool s 2-1 semi-final win over Monterrey on Wednesday to continue his fine run of form.

The Guinea international has netted in three straight games, while he has already matched his goal tally of last season with the three strikes.

Klopp praised Keita and said the 24-year-old could get even better for the Premier League leaders.

Naby, what a player, very decisive, super goal, another super chance, the Liverpool manager told a news conference.

That s his strength, in small spaces he feels quite comfortable, so that helps us a lot. The runs in behind when we…