Bulgarian hotshot wanted by Lazio

Lazio are leading the race for Lech Poznan winger Aleksandar Tonev, according to the player s representative.

Tonev, 23, has been in scintillating form this season, which has seen him caught the eye of some of Europe s top clubs.

A number of Italian clubs plus Celtic are all keen on the highly rated midfielder and his agent reveals the Bulgaria international can be acquired for mere £2 million.

“During the winter break, several Italian clubs showed interest in him, but we could not do a deal,” agent Gianfranci Cicchetti .

“Then the price was £1.5m, but after his recent excellent displays and his hat-trick for Bulgaria against Malta, I would say the transfer is close to £2m.”

The agent has moved to suggest that Lazio are leading the cha…

Santos play down Ganso exit rumours

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues says the club are not considering the sale of sought-after midfielder Ganso.

The 22-year-old s future has been thrown into doubt after Delcir Sonda, owner of the investment company DIS, which holds 55 percent of the midfielder s economic rights, claimed on Sunday the Brazil international would not play for the club again.

However, Rodrigues has played down the remarks, insisting Santos have no intention of parting company with one of their prized-assets.

There is no such thing as Ganso not playing again for Santos, Rodrigues told Globoesporte.

He did not play against Gremio on Sunday because of some physical problems.

We would not like to comment on such matters. He is a player of Santos and has a contra…

Bitesize Prediction: Lazio vs Bologna – 14/08/22

Market: Ciro Immobile to score anytime

Odds: 1/1 @

Looking to open up the 2022/23 Serie A campaign with a flurry on Sunday evening, Lazio will welcome Bologna to the Stadio Olimpico.

Starting with the hosts, while Lazio might have eventually fallen six points adrift of clinching a top-four finish last season, the Eagles did impress many across Italy. Appearing to enjoy life under one-time Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, the Biancocelesti will be hoping to lay down an early marker on Sunday evening. Losing just one of their final eight Serie A matchups last season, there is no doubt that fans around the Stadio Olimpico will be calling on Ciro Immobile to spearhead their charge here. Enjoying what was another stunning campaign, the Italian international bagged 27 top…

Ribery set to miss 10 weeks after ankle surgery

Fiorentina star Franck Ribery is set to miss 10 weeks after undergoing surgery on his ankle on Saturday.

Ribery, 36, suffered the injury during Fiorentina s 1-0 loss to Lecce in Serie A on November 30.

Fiorentina announced on Saturday that the French attacker had undergone surgery and they expect him to resume full training in around 10 weeks time.

Franck Ribery today underwent surgery for stabilisation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis, a club statement read.

The operation, carried out by Professor Gabel, was a complete success.

THANK YOU so much for all your messages.  The operation went well. I’m fine.  With the help of God I will come back stronger!

— Franck Ribéry (@FranckRibery)

The player will return to Florence o…

Evian complete Bruno signing

​Evian have strengthened their attacking options with the signing of Lille striker Gianni Bruno on a four-year contract.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Bastia, scoring eight Ligue 1 goals to bring him to the attention of Evian.

The Belgium Under-21 international worked his way through the youth system at Lille before making his first-team debut in January 2012.

With the likes of Solomon Kalou and Divock Origi ahead of him in the pecking order, Bruno moved to Corsica on loan and impressed in his 31 league appearances.

He had a year left on his Lille contract but chose to move to Evian after being convinced by coach Pascal Dupraz that it was the best place for his development.

The speech from the coach simply seduced me, Bruno told …

Could Paul Pogba’s arrival upset Real Madrid’s midfield balance?

Paul Pogba s agent has revealed the midfielder s holding initial talks with Real Madrid ahead of a world record transfer this summer.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly close to signing for Real Madrid this summer, according to the player’s agent Mino Raiola.

But given the competition for places in the Real side, as well as a settled midfield that helped win the Champions League in May, where will Pogba fit in?

Pogba could be seduced by idol Zidane

The French international is currently representing his country in this summer’s European Championships, but his agent has been speaking on his behalf. Raiola recently revealed how Pogba has begun the initial phase of what promises to be a drawn out saga. Talking about how his client wants to beco…

Bayern Munich – a blackhole for Germany´s rising stars?

Just like Germany stars Lukas Podolski, Jan Schlaudraff and Marcell Jansen before him, talented teenager Toni Kroos has become the latest star to opt out of Bayern Munich.

For a young player, to play is most important and it is something which was only proposed to me on occasion at Bayern, said Kroos, voted the best player at the Under-19 World Cup in 2007.

Kroos, 19, signed an 18-month loan deal with Bayer Leverkusen last week having made just seven league appearances for Bayern this season.

It remains to be see whether he ever returns to Bayern and he is not the only rising German star to leave the Bavarian giants in frustration at a lack of first-team chances.

Podolski, voted the best young player at the 2006 World Cup, also shone for the national te…

Hughes: Taarabt must force his way in

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes says Adel Taarabt remains in his plans but wants the Moroccan to earn a first-team place.

Former Tottenham midfielder Taarabt was a key figure as QPR gained promotion to the English Premier League in the 2010/11 campaign, scoring 19 goals in 44 Championship appearances.

He made 24 league starts last term and has not featured since the west London outfit s 5-0 opening day defeat to Swansea.

Hughes was keen to underline the 23-year-old s importance to the squad, and he challenged Taarabt to make it impossible to leave him out.

On the first day of the season we were beaten at home quite comprehensively, and I made changes, Hughes told the Times.

Those changes affected Adel. But he s very well thought of here…

New York Red Bulls double chance against Toronto 2/3 for Thursday’s MLS matchup

Market: New York Red Bulls double chance

Odds: 2/3 @

Looking to find a route back into the Final Series spots in the early hours of Thursday, New York Red Bulls will make the trip to Toronto in midweek.

Starting with the hosts, while Toronto might not have been at their best once again over the weekend, they did manage to land themselves a hard-fought point against Orlando thanks to a 1-1 draw. Just about able to build off of that action-packed 3-2 victory away at New England earlier in the month, interim boss Javier Pérez still finds his side seeking some stability. Only showing a host of issues since opening the 2021 campaign and really failing to match a similar level they set in their second-place finish last year, The Reds hold just a single-point buffer …

Messi completing ankle injury treatment ahead of Barcelona return

Lionel Messi will complete a course of treatment on an ankle injury before returning to Barcelona training ahead of next week s game with Huesca.

The club had already confirmed the captain had been granted an extended Christmas break, with Messi having gone to Rosario in Argentina to spend time off with his family.

It means the six-time Ballon d Or winner will miss the LaLiga match with Eibar on Tuesday.

Barca later announced Messi is due to finish treatment on his right ankle and is expected to return to training before they face Huesca on January 3.

After a difficult start to the season following his failed attempt to leave the club, Messi has recovered some form, scoring six of his seven league goals in 2020-21 in his most recent eight appearances.