The Blues coach was asked about speculation with two of his players after their big friendly win against Pescara.

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However, Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia: “Koulibaly has a precise asking price, and if the club doesn’t get the money it is asking for, then he won’t leave.”

Negotations between City and Napoli over the services of Koulibaly have been hindered by bad blood with the two clubs over the Serie A side’s decision to sell Jorginho to Chelsea, according a recent interview from Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

“How can we have a normal and calm negotiation with Manchester City to sell Koulibaly?” the Napoli chief said.

“They won’t talk directly with us because of the Jorginho deal two years ago.”

De Laurentiis also told Canale 21: “Koulibaly and [Arkadiusz] Milik are both on their way out, transfer market permitting.

“So, if the transfer market allows us to sell these two excellent players, we will know how to replace them. If not, then we’ll discuss it again next year.”

Gattuso spoke about Milik’s future after Friday’s 4-0 friendly rout of Pescara – with the Poland international absent from the team.

Roma are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Milik, who is out of contract in 2021 as Napoli look to cash in before losing the 25-year-old on a free transfer.

Serie A champions Juventus and Tottenham have also been linked and Gattuso reiterated that Milik must leave following the arrivals of Victor Osimhen and Andrea Petagna, who scored against Pescara.

“We were very clear with Milik last year, we told him that he had to renew his contract, but he refused to do so and knows our view on this,” Gattuso said.

“If Arek doesn’t find another club, then it won’t be an easy situation for him, because we have already signed another two forwards. There’s no room for him.”

Source – Goal.com

Real Madrid are eyeing up a possible deal for Man City winger Riyad Mahrez if they can offload Gareth Bale, according to reports in France.

The Algeria international provided 11 goals and nine assists in 33 Premier League appearances last season with 21 of those starts.

The 29-year-old has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, League Cup (two) and Community Shield during his time at the Etihad Stadium following his move from Leicester City in 2018.

And Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness) claims that ‘Real Madrid look at Riyad Mahrez’ with contacts made between the Spanish giants and the Man City winger.

A report in the Daily Telegraph yesterday said that Real ‘will pay 50 per cent of Gareth Bale’s salary to grant his wish to move away from the Bernabeu’.

The Welsh international is due to return to Real following international duty, but he is set for a season on the sidelines if he fails to secure a move away, with Zinedine Zidane deeming him surplus to requirements.

And Foot Mercato continues by saying that if Real can get some of Bale’s salary off their wage bill then they could move for Mahrez.

Source – Football365.com

Football’s world governing body FIFA has approved an app designed to help professional players report match-fixing approaches.

The Red Button app, which is owned by world players’ union FIFPRO, will be distributed to players globally via national unions such as England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

It complements existing reporting tools set up by FIFA, and information received via the app will be investigated by the world governing body’s integrity department.

The Europol agency reported in August that football is the sport which is most heavily targeted by criminals involved in fixing.

FIFPRO’s legal director Roy Vermeer said: “We are confident this will strengthen the hand of football and public authorities in the fight against match-fixing.

“With players facing disciplinary action for failing to report a match-fixing approach, there must be a way for them to do this without fear that they are putting themselves, their families and their careers in danger.

“The Red Button app provides this facility and will help players manage this considerable risk that, through no fault of their own, might confront them at any time.”

Source – Sky Sports

The Barcelona star has been cleared to play in two international fixtures scheduled for October.

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The president of the Argentine Football Association Claudio Tapia has confirmed Lionel Messi won’t miss any games for his country as the result of a red card handed out in 2019.

Messi was controversially sent off in a Copa America third-place playoff against Chile in July last year and subsequently handed a one-game ban.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) initially stated Messi would have to sit out a competitive match, with the Argentina captain allowed to play in friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay late last year.

Ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia next month, however, Tapia successfully challenged the outstanding ban with CONMEBOL, claiming that the statute of limitations on the ban had expired.

Messi had been shown a red card following a clash with Gary Medel in the 37th minute, with the Chilean also sent off for the incident. Argentina would go on to win the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala.

The decision to send off Messi left the Barcelona star fuming post-match as he claimed the competition had been rigged for Brazil.

“There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil,” he said. “I hope the VAR and referees don’t play any part in the final and that Peru can compete but it looks tough to me.

“I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn’t have to be part of this disrespect we suffered during the Copa America.

“We could have gone further but we weren’t allowed into the final. Corruption, referees and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football.

“I always tell the truth and I’m honest, that is what keeps me calm, if what I say has repercussions that is not my business.

“I think that what happened is because of what I said [against Brazil]. What I said last time perhaps came back to haunt me.”

It’s been a busy few weeks for Messi at club level, with the 33-year-old initially pushing for an exit from Camp Nou, before confirming to Goal his decision to remain after the club blocked an amicable split.

Source – Goal.com

The two players weren’t completely happy with some of their stats for the new game.

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EA Sports has revealed the top 100 rated players for FIFA 21 with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aymeric Laporte not completely happy with how they stack up.

Alexander-Arnold’s overall rating of 87 makes him the upcoming game’s highest rated right-back with his passing earning an incredibly high 87.

That statistic should come as no surprise with the young defender contributing 13 assists in the Premier League last season as the Reds wrapped up the title in emphatic fashion.

After not making the top 100 for FIFA 20, the England right-back was pleased with his new overall rating but wasn’t quite so impressed with his low shooting stats of 66.

“Yeah, I’m happy of course. 87, jeez. Wow, that’s high,” Alexander-Arnold told BBC’s Match of the Day.

Asked about his shooting rating, the Liverpool defender added: “I think maybe they put that in there because it’s my squad number. I’m hoping. Four goals from full-back…I don’t know.

“I’m not going to challenge it too much. I would have liked it to be higher though.”

The 21-year-old is aiming even higher for his FIFA rating next season, declaring he has an overall score of 89 in his sights.

Manchester City‘s Laporte, meanwhile, has been named as FIFA 21’s equal fourth best centre-back with an overall rating of 87.

With 88-rated defence and 81 physicality, the Frenchman has faired quite well but was quick to point out his relatively poor pace rating of 63 on social media.

In comparison, Virgil van Dijk boasts a pace rating of 76, while even Juventus veteran Giorgio Chiellini is deemed faster with a pace rating of 66.

In terms of slower centre-backs among FIFA 21’s top 100 players, Gerard Pique (57) and Mats Hummels (58) have faired even worse.

Real Madrid‘s Raphael Varane has been classed as the fastest centre-back so far with an impressive pace rating of 82.

FIFA 21 is set to be released on October 9 this year having been pushed back from its usual late September slot after EA Sports’ plans were disrupted by the coronavirus.

Early access is usually granted to those who pre-order the game, meaning they are able to play in advance of that date – this year, FIFA 21 Early Access will be available on October 6.

Source – Goal.com

The 26-year-old could be set to reunite with Ronald Koeman at Camp Nou as reports in France say negotiations are already underway.

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Memphis Depay has confirmed he is aware of interest from Barcelona but says he is unsure on the likelihood of a move this summer.

The Lyon attacker has emerged as a top target for the Catalan side since former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman took over at Camp Nou last month

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said on Sunday that Barca are not the only team trying to sign in him, however, with Serie A side Roma showing interest, too.

Reports in France claim that Barca are already in talks with Lyon over a deal for the 26-year-old, whose contract expires next summer.

While Memphis recently admitted he could leave the Ligue 1 side before the end of the season, he insists he does not know what will happen before the transfer window closes next month.

“We just have to see what will happen. I’ll report to [Lyon] tomorrow and we’ll see what happens,” he told NOS after Netherlands’ 1-0 defeat to Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.

“I haven’t heard much more from my agent. I know that there is interest, but I don’t have much more to say because I don’t know much about it.”

The former PSV and Manchester United winger was disappointed in Netherlands’ performance as they were bested by Italy in the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with Nicolo Barella heading in the decisive goal just before half-time.

“It had to do with the fact that we had little of the ball. The distances were huge. If we had the ball, then we had little energy to do things. No one was really free,” he said when asked about his side’s underwhelming display.

“We are winners and it is just a huge waste of such an evening. It was a tough game. We all have both feet on the ground.”

Depay was shown a yellow card at the end of the game and will be suspended for the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 11.

The Dutch, who beat Poland 1-0 in their Nations League opener on Friday, now sit a point behind Italy in the group.

Source – Goal.com

The forward has been forced to return home to self isolate after returning a positive Covid-19 test while with the national team.

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Paris Saint-Germain and France attacker Kylian Mbappe has tested positive for Covid-19.

The forward, who is asymptomatic, has left the national team squad and will not feature for Les Bleus in their forthcoming Nations League fixture with Croatia in Paris on Tuesday, a match in which he was expected to form a forward trident along with Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial.

He featured in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sweden and scored the winning goal in that clash after breaking through a couple of challenges in the box before finishing from an acute angle.

He will not, however, take part in the rematch of the 2018 World Cup final, in which he memorably found the net.

“Kylian Mbappe will not participate in France versus Croatia on Tuesday evening at 20:45CET at the Stade de France,” a statement from the French FA has confirmed.

“The result of his Covid-19 test carried out by UEFA on Monday morning was found to be positive. He was placed away from the group after receiving the results, at the end of training, before going back to his own home in the evening.

“Like the entire delegation, Kylian Mbappe had undergone a test prior to the games of the international break. The result was negative, like the one last Wednesday, at the request of UEFA, before Sweden against France.”

It also throws into doubt his immediate participation when PSG finally start their Ligue 1 campaign. Thomas Tuchel’s side are slated to play Lens on Thursday followed by Le Classique against fierce rivals Marseille on Sunday.

They will then face Metz next Wednesday and have a trip to Nice slated for September 20.

PSG could be severely shorthanded for their forthcoming fixtures as they are suffering from a cluster of coronavirus infections.

Several stars returned from holiday having tested positive for the virus, with Neymar, Marquinhos, Keylor Navas, Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi and Leandro Paredes all currently laying low.

PSG reached the Champions League final only a fortnight ago but were unable to seal their first European Cup as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Source – Goal.com

Sergio Ramos scored twice as Spain surged to the top of Nations League A’s Group 4 with a 4-0 win over Ukraine in Madrid. Ramos gave his side the lead with a third-minute penalty, then doubled it just before the half-hour.

Sergio Ramos celebrates his second goal for Spain in their 4-0 victory over Ukraine in the Nations League. Photograph: Europa Press Sports/Getty Images

Ansu Fati quickly stretched the home side’s advantage and Manchester City’s new signing Ferran Torres added a fourth late on.

Spain had begun their campaign with a draw in Germany, who had to settle for a share of the points again, this time in Switzerland. Another City player, Ilkay Gündogan, gave the Germans a first-half lead but Silvan Widmer levelled for the Swiss.

Russia have maximum points from their first two games in League B’s Group 3 after resisting Hungary’s revival in Budapest. Anton Miranchuk, Magomed Ozdoyev and Mário Fernandes put Russia 3-0 up early in the second half before Roland Sallai and Nemanja Nikolic reduced the deficit but Hungary were unable to force an equaliser. Serbia and Turkey played out a goalless draw in the group’s other game.

In League C’s Group 3, Greece and Slovenia are level on top after wins over Kosovo and Macedonia respectively, while the Faroe Islands lead Group 1 of League D after a 1-0 win in Andorra. Elsewhere in the group Malta and Latvia drew 1-1.

Source – Theguardian.com

The Swedish head coach has talked up the talents of the Borussia Dortmund star ahead of a UEFA Nation’s League meeting with Northern Ireland.

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Norway boss Lars Lagerback has described Erling Haaland as “unique”, while comparing him to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 2019-20 season turned out to be a memorable one for Haaland, who scored 44 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions for two different clubs.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Red Bull Salzburg, where his prolific form in the Austrian Bundesliga and Champions League earned him a €20 million (£18m/$24m) move to Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window.

Haaland instantly adapted to the demands of top-flight football in Germany, and his goals helped Lucien Favre’s side finish second in the final league standings behind Bayern Munich.

The Norwegian is now being tipped to reach the very highest level of the game, with Lagerback seeing similarities between the young striker and six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and Juventus superstar Ronaldo.

The Norway manager thinks Haaland’s strong mindset holds him in good stead to follow in the footsteps of the world’s greatest players, as he told a press conference: “I’ve maybe been around too long but I have never seen a guy since maybe Messi or Ronaldo that developed at such a young age.

“That’s very unique and he has all the possibilities to become a really world-class player – if you look at the offensive third of the pitch and in the box then he’s already absolutely top class.

“He perhaps has a little bit more to do in the link play but being so young, he’s already at a really high level.

“With the qualities he already has and his focused personality – if he can stay free from injury then he can be a really top-class player.”

Haaland got on the scoresheet during Norway’s first fixture of the new UEFA Nation’s League campaign last week, but couldn’t stop Lagerback’s side from falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Austria.

The Lions have the opportunity to bounce back quickly when they take in a trip to Northern Ireland on Monday night, with Ian Baraclough’s side also looking for their first win having been held to a 1-1 draw by Romania on Friday.

Lagerback has singled out former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who is now on the books of Leicester, as a man to watch for Norway in both boxes.

“Of course there are some great players and some experienced guys, but now I have heard that Evans is probably back,” he added.

“He’s a leader. I’ve had a lot of respect for him both with Manchester United and now Leicester.

“I think he’s a very important player for them to get back in the team so if I would mention one player I would mention him.”

Source – Goal.com