that Southampton full-back Cedric Soares has emerged as a target for Spanish giants Barcelona.

The Catalans have no choice but to recruit a new right-sided defender in the summer after Aleix Vidal suffered a serious ankle injury.

Barcelona coaching staff are looking at a number of players and Southampton’s Cedric Soares is one of them.

The 25-year-old is one of Premier League’s most accomplished crossers and the Catalans apparently believe he would be a good addition to the squad.

Cedric Soares joined Southampton from Sporting CP in July 2015 and went on to make 42 Premier League appearances for the St Mary’s outfit.

The talented footballer made four outings for Portugal as the Selecao claimed the Euro 2016 trophy and he should b…

that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have set their sights on Real Madrid winger.

Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac is said to be a huge admirer of the 27-year-old Spaniard and has reportedly sanctioned a January move.

Bavarian behemoths are making preparations for life without Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery who are both in the twilight of their careers. Kovac regards Vazquez highly and believes Spaniard would be a great complement to his squad.

Bayern Munich believe their healthy business relationship with Real Madrid would allow them to materialize a January swoop for the player believed to be valued around €30 million.

Lucas Vazquez is a Real Madrid graduate who joined the first team in 2016 after a successful loan spell at Espanyol. He is regarded a…

Roberto Firmino signed off in fairytale fashion with a goal in front of the Kop on his final Anfield appearance but his 89th-minute strike only earned a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa to leave Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

The Brazil international, leaving after eight years, came off the bench to an emotional welcome and responded in perfect fashion with his 110th goal in his 361st and – most likely – penultimate appearance.

That he could not inspire the winner to keep their top-four hopes within realistic reach would have been a massive disappointment to a player who has played an integral part in the huge success under Jurgen Klopp.

Firmino s last Anfield goal for the Reds means the points are shared.

— Liverpool FC (@L…

Ilkay Gundogan is determined not to lose momentum as Manchester City aim to close out the season by winning the treble.

City claimed the first of the three trophies they are chasing by winning the Premier League title over the weekend.

Their sights are now set on adding the FA Cup and Champions League but, before they can switch thoughts fully to their two finals next month, they have to complete the league programme.

A Sunday to remember … but we are not done yet for this season!

— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan)

City, who are unbeaten in 24 games, wrap up their Premier League campaign by travelling to Brighton on Wednesday and Brentford next Sunday and Gundogan is wary of easing up in those matches.

The City captain said: “We …

The Football Association wanted Nicolas Anelka s five-match ban for his quenelle gesture to be extended, it has been confirmed.

The West Brom striker performed the controversial salute after scoring in December s 3-3 draw at West Ham and was charged by the FA in January.

Anelka denied the charge and defended the gesture by saying that it was anti-system and a dedication to his friend and comedian Dieudonne M bala M bala as opposed to being anti-Semitic, but the FA took a dim view of the incident.

An independent tribunal subsequently handed the Frenchman a five-match ban and on Thursday published the reasons for its findings.

It revealed that the FA had been seeking a longer ban, based on the fact that Anelka denied the charge, is a prominent figure and his action…

AZ are on the verge of booking a second UEFA Europa League quarter-final in three years when they face Anzhi in Russia on Thursday.

The Eredivisie side hold a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of their round-of-16 clash and are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the competition to 10 games.

Dick Advocaat s men topped Group L as they came through the first stage courtesy of wins against Shakhter Karagandy and Maccabi Haifa, as well as two draws against PAOK.

Having beaten Slovan Liberec over two legs in the last round, they now stand on the brink of a place in the last eight of the competition again after their run in 2011-12, although Advocaat will have to watch from the stands as he serves a one-game ban.

The 66-year-old was ordered from the dugout during …

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard s dribbling technique is similar to that of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, according to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

After a dismal previous campaign, Hazard is again showing the form that won him the 2014-15 PFA Players Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season awards.

The 26-year-old produced a sublime individual goal as Chelsea thumped Arsenal 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, dribbling from inside his own half before beating Petr Cech.

Martinez feels the 3-4-3 formation favoured by Antonio Conte has brought the best out of Hazard and likened his dribbling ability to that of five-time Ballon d Or winner Messi.

What he does is quite unique. It s that acceleration and stopping and standing still…

Paulo Dybala lauded Massimiliano Allegri s role in his development after signing a contract tying him to Juventus until 2022 on Tuesday.

Dybala joined from Palermo in 2015 and has established himself as one of Europe s leading forwards, evidenced in his exquisite double in the 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory over Barcelona on Tuesday.

This season the 23-year-old has been deployed in a freer role behind main striker Gonzalo Higuain, and he has enjoyed how Allegri has managed the early stages of his time in Turin.

This week is filled with very strong feelings and emotions, I m very happy for what I ve done so far, Dybala, who has ended speculation linking him with Barca and Real Madrid by extending his contract, told Juve s official website.

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Looking to lay down another marker on Saturday afternoon, Manchester City will welcome a struggling Southampton to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, putting in another rampant display earlier in the week while on Champions League duties, Manchester City have their sights set on making real history this season. Eventually cruising their way to a 5-0 romp at home against Copenhagen, Pep Guardiola’s superstars should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. While the former Barcelona boss might still find his side sat one-point adrift of Arsenal and climbing to the top of the table, the defending champions are tipped as a landslide pick to defend their crown this time around. Last seen on top-flight duties pick…

Real Sociedad have confirmed midfielder Martin Odegaard has been recalled by Real Madrid ahead of the new LaLiga season.

Odegaard joined Sociedad last year on a deal that ran for two seasons, although the second had to be ratified this year due to Spanish football regulations.

It was reported by ESPN that Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane decided he wanted the player at his disposal for 2020-21 following their Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester City.

Sociedad announced on Wednesday that the Norway star will be heading back to the Santiago Bernabeu after an unforgettable season in the Basque country.

His goals, his football, his character, his effort and his humility have ensured Martin will be remembered with immense affection by all the Re…