Barcelona could be expelled from this season’s Copa del Rey after they allegedly fielded an ineligible player. Defender Juan Brandariz, who is better known as ‘Chumi’, started in Barca’s first leg tie at Levante last Thursday – a game the Catalan club lost 2-1. However, Chumi, who was substituted for Clement Lenglet in the 58th…

It is being widely reported Manchester City are close to agreeing a £7million deal with Hajduk Split for midfielder Ante Palaversa. The 18-year-old is viewed as a potential long-term replacement for Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho. He has broken into the Hajduk Split first team this season, making 17 appearances and scoring twice and is the Croatia Under-19…

Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy… Tiemoue Bakayoko – Monaco’s 2016/17 team was star-studded. It was a season that ended with them being crowned champions of France, as well as claiming a place in the Champions League semi-finals, beating Manchester City en route. It was inevitable the bigger European clubs would make a move for…

Sam Allardyce believes Chelsea are taking a ‘big risk’ with the signing of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain. The Juventus man is set to join the Blues on loan, with the view to a permanent deal, before the transfer window shuts where he will be reunited with manager Maurizio Sarri. Higuain enjoyed a prolific scoring spell…

Paul Pogba did not take part in Manchester United training on Wednesday morning, but Alexis Sanchez was able to join the session after missing Sunday’s defeat of Tottenham Hotspur. Preparations are under way for Saturday’s Premier League match against Brighton, with United looking to make it seven wins in a row when they host the…

Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko has been ruled out for two weeks with a groin injury. The Frenchman suffered the problem in Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday. Sissoko, who is set to miss at least three games, joins Harry Kane in the treatment room. Kane will be sidelined until early March after it…

Rafa Benitez will leave Newcastle United at the end of the season unless the club fulfil his transfer demands, according to reports. The Magpies have still not signed a single player in the January transfer window, despite Benitez allegedly demanding two new arrivals at St James’ Park before the end of the month. He is…

Both the police and the fire service had declared Hillsborough safe before the disaster that killed 96 Liverpool supporters, a court has heard. Match commander David Duckenfield denies the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 fans. Graham Mackrell, the Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, denies breaching safety regulations prior to the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and…

Liverpool are to start entertaining offers from kit suppliers as they plan for parity with Manchester United’s £75million-per-season Adidas agreement. The Reds’ existing deal with New Balance expires at the end of next season, and Peter Moore, the club’s CEO, admitted Liverpool will open the market to potential suppliers. In the seven years since Liverpool…

Manchester United will look to continue their incredible resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when Brighton visit Old Trafford on Saturday. The Red Devils have won all six games since the departure of Jose Mourinho as interim boss Solskjaer leads an unlikely charge on the top four. A seventh consecutive victory would take United above Arsenal…