Szczesny announces retirement following Juventus exit

Mino Raiola holds all the cards when it comes to Manchester United s transfer plans.

United are interested in Salzburg sensation Erling Haaland, while Paul Pogba wants to reportedly leave Old Trafford.

With that in mind, the Red Devils may be forced to pick between the two.

TOP STORY – HAALAND IN, POGBA OUT?

Manchester United are worried signing Salzburg striker Erling Haaland may force Paul Pogba out of the club, according to the Daily Star. 

United are interest in-demand sensation Haaland, who has also been linked to Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. 

Haaland is represented by Mino Raiola, who is also the agent of United star Pogba – previously linked to former club Juve and LaLiga giants Real Madrid.

U…

Eddie Howe believes he will be going up against one of the very best coaches in Mauricio Pochettino when Bournemouth host Tottenham on Saturday.

Bournemouth were taught a harsh lesson by Pochettino and Spurs in the two clubs first top-flight meeting in October 2015, the Cherries losing 5-1 at home despite Matt Ritchie s opener in the first minute.

The return fixture at White Hart Lane was not quite so crushing, but Spurs still cruised to a straightforward 3-0 win – Harry Kane leading the way with a double, just as he did at the Vitality Stadium.

Howe is convinced Bournemouth are now hardened to the rigours of the Premier League and will put up more of a fight this time, though he feels he is going up against one of the country s best coaches.

Tottenham…

Lionel Messi is on the brink of completing his sensational transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, according to the player s father.

Messi was expected to sign a long-anticipated new contract at Barcelona last week, only for the LaLiga giants to announce the deal could not be completed due to financial and structural obstacles .

PSG have moved quickly to secure the 34-year-old, who is poised to form an all-star forward line alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Multiple reports in Paris suggest Messi is expected in the French capital on Tuesday, and Jorge Messi was approached by reporters at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

Asked by La Sexta whether his son would sign for PSG, Messi Sr replied: Yes.

A follow-up question en…

Real Sociedad came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw from an entertaining clash with Atletico Madrid in LaLiga, as Alexander Isak s replacement Umar Sadiq scored on his debut.

La Real fell behind early on when Alvaro Morata pounced to continue his fine start to the new season, but the hosts gave as good as they got in a first half that saw both teams hit the woodwork.

Having been introduced as a half-time substitute, Sadiq met Momo Cho s hanging cross to nod home a leveller, making an instant impact for his new club.

Diego Simeone s men stood firm despite the hosts enjoying the better of a lively second half, ensuring the two teams remain locked together on seven points from four games in LaLiga.

Atleti needed just five minutes to hit the front, with Morat…

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has added fuel to speculations linking him with a summer switch to Old Trafford by admitting he expects to leave the Britannia Stadium at the end of the season.

The Bosnian keeper has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, with the arrival of Jack Butland a signal that the Potters plan to sell Begovic at the end of the season.

He has now moved to deny that he has already reached an agreement with the Red Devils, but also stated that he plans to leave Stoke at the end of the season.

I read in the papers that I said no to City and yes to United, Begovic . But the truth is, I haven t decided on anything.

I didn t say yes or no to anybody. I haven t signed anything no contract, no pre-contract. But I believe th…

Chelsea have completed the signing of Christian Atsu on a five-year contract, immediately sending the winger to Vitesse Arnhem on loan.

The 21-year-old had also been linked to Liverpool early in the transfer window, but has now opted to sign a deal at Stamford Bridge after moving from Porto.

The Ghana international enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2011-12, scoring six goals in 27 Primeira Liga outings, but saw his output hampered last term by an ankle injury.

Atsu only managed 17 league games last term, scoring once, but that has not served to detract Jose Mourinho from signing the winger from one of his former clubs.

After making his international debut against June 2012 against Lesotho, a game in which he scored, he has gone to net three times in 16 games.

…

that Napoli are keeping close tabs on Sampdoria forward Luis Muriel.

The Azzurri’s attacking problems are well documented, and the Stadio San Paolo outfit appear to have decided to reinforce their front line in January.

And while Leonardo Pavoletti and Simone Zaza remain on their radar, Napoli are also weighing up move for Luis Muriel.

The Colombian has raised his form after a slow start to his career at Marassi, and he has been heavily linked with a big club move.

Capable of operating as a second striker or on either wing, Muriel would be a good addition to the squad at Stadio San Paolo, although Napoli could face stiff competition for his services.

The 25-year-old joined the Blucerchiati on loan from Udinese in January 2015, and his deal was…

Tony Pulis first return to face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday could be overshadowed by the saga surrounding Saido Berahino s West Brom future.

Pulis spent nearly a decade in charge at Stoke across two spells, managing them in three different divisions until his departure in 2013 – but this will be the first time he has gone back there as manager of the opposition. 

Any sentiment attached to the occasion is likely to quickly dissipate as Albion seek to move off the foot of the Premier League table, with their early-season form also hampered by Berahino s apparent desperation to leave The Hawthorns.

Chairman Jeremy Peace underlined the club s desire to keep the England Under-21 international on Thursday, ruling out a departure despite th…

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were spoken to privately by Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier following their latest on-pitch contretemps.

The PSG forwards have begun the season in fine scoring form, but their relationship has faced intense scrutiny after appearing fractious at times.

It has again come under the microscope after Neymar s upset reaction to Mbappe ignoring the chance to feed him a pass for a likely tap-in in the 2-1 Champions League win over Juventus.

That moment early in the second half of Tuesday s game saw Mbappe charge in from the right flank after receiving a pass from Lionel Messi and blaze a shot wide, rather than square the ball for the advancing Neymar. With two goals already in the game, the France international was chasing a hat-tri…

Chelsea have maintained their good run of form under new manager Thomas Tuchel by getting the better of Sheffield United 2-1 away from home in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

Mason Mount put the Blues in the lead after 43 minutes when he found the bottom corner following Timo Werner’s cross from the left.

The Blades restored parity at Bramall Lane in the opening minutes of the second half when Antonio Rudiger poked past Edouard Mendy into his own net.

However, Chelsea soon went ahead. Werner was adjudged by VAR to have been brought down by United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, and Jorginho made no mistake from the spot.

The result leaves the Blades in real danger of getting relegated from the Premier League, while the chances of Chelsea finishing in …