Immers signs new Feyenoord contract

Feyenoord attacking midfielder Lex Immers has signed a new contract to keep him at De Kuip until 2017.

Immers joined the Rotterdam club from ADO Den Haag in July 2012 and has established himself as a regular with the 14-time Eredivisie champions.

The 27-year-old enjoyed an impressive season in 2013-14, scoring 12 goals in 37 appearances as Feyenoord finished second behind fierce rivals Ajax in the Dutch top flight, ensuring a place in the UEFA Champions League.

Immers deal was due to expire in 2016, but Feyenoord have now secured his services for another year.

At the time I switched to Feyenoord, I needed some time to get used to it, Immers told the club s official website. After a difficult start things began to get better.

From the beginning I played pret…

Reina set for Napoli medical

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed Pepe Reina will have a medical on Tuesday as he edges closer to a return to the Serie A club.

Reina joined Bayern Munich last August but has only played three games for the German champions  serving as back-up to first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for the most part.

The Spaniard s lack of action has prompted speculation over his future, with former club Napoli  for whom he made 43 appearances on loan from Liverpool in 2013-14 seemingly in pole position to secure his signature.

Pepe has an appointment with us, we will see him tomorrow in Rome for the medical and then if all goes well he will sign the contract, De Laurentiis confirmed to Radio Kiss Kiss.

Meanwhile, the Napoli owner has backed ne…

Clough content with Evans decision

Nigel Clough said the decision to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to return to training was deliberated properly by Sheffield United.

The League One club confirmed on Tuesday that the striker would be allowed to train with them, at the request of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).

Evans was released from prison last month after serving half of his five-year sentence for rape, with the Welshman having left Bramall Lane when he was convicted of the offence in April 2012.

His potential return to United in a full-time capacity a matter the club are not prepared at this time to make a call on has been met with strong criticism in some quarters, but manager Clough has no qualms about Evans training with his side.

I think everything has been deli…

RSL taking nothing for granted

Real Salt Lake boss Jason Kreis has warned his side against complacency ahead of their MLS semi-final second leg against the Seattle Sounders.

RSL head to Seattle for their Western Conference semi full of confidence after their resounding 3-0 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah on Saturday.

Alvaro Saborio bagged a brace for the 2009 champions who look on track to advance to the Western Conference final, but Kreis is taking nothing for granted and is reluctant to merely protect their lead.

I don t think we are in a position to do that. I m taking nothing for granted and making no assumptions about this game so we will play our strongest line-up possible and hopefully get the result we need, Kreis said.

I think we need to approach it as we would any oth…

Guardiola hails ´magnificent´ Grealish ahead of England squad announcement

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on England World Cup hopeful Jack Grealish after a magnificent display in Wednesday s 2-0 EFL Cup win over Chelsea.

Grealish is expected to be named in Gareth Southgate s 26-man World Cup squad on Thursday and offered a timely reminder of his quality against the Blues.

The 28-year-old midfielder forced Edouard Mendy into a couple of saves early in the second half and was full of confidence and energy in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden.

Jack was magnificent, Guardiola told reporters. He played really well. I want Jack to have responsibility when we play with Kevin or Phil.

When he gets the ball and attacks the backline, his intention is always to pass the ball.

All the time we tel…

Sevilla seal deal to sign Nolito from Manchester City

Sevilla have sealed a deal to sign Manchester City forward Nolito on a three-year contract, pending a successful medical.

Nolito will leave City in a transfer reportedly worth €9million after only one season in the Premier League, having signed for Pep Guardiola s men from Celta Vigo.

The 30-year-old, who is due for his Sevilla medical on Sunday, only started nine Premier League matches under Guardiola last season and stressed last month that his priority was a move back to Spain, giving him the best possible chance of selection for next year s World Cup.

Nolito had struggled to settle at City, revealing he found the English language and weather a challenge, in addition to his lack of regular first-team action.

63 The last time he played in Spain, Nolit…

Rayo Vallecano reappoint Paco Jemez

Paco Jemez has returned for a second spell in charge of Rayo Vallecano as the LaLiga club bid to avoid relegation.

Michel was sacked by Rayo on Monday after seven straight defeats left them 19th in the table, six points adrift of safety.

And with 10 games left after the international break, Rayo have turned back to Jemez by handing their former coach a deal that runs until June 2020.

Jemez, who also played for the club, was at Rayo from 2012 to 2016 but they were relegated from LaLiga during his final season in charge.

2 Rayo Vallecano won their first two LaLiga games under Paco Jémez (2012). Hope.

— OptaJose (@OptaJose)

Zaha: My future is at Palace

Wilfried Zaha says he is not thinking about anything other than Crystal Palace as rumours of an exit continue to mount.

The 26-year-old has been in fine form for the south London club this season, scoring eight goals in 29 Premier League appearances.

Speculation that he could rejoin Manchester United has arisen in recent weeks but the Ivory Coast international insists he is not targeting a move away from Selhurst Park.

“My future is at Palace,” he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“I am at Palace, I am not thinking about anything [else].

“I m just playing my football and I will just see what the future holds for me.”

Zaha became Alex Ferguson’s final signing at Manchester United when he moved to Old Trafford in 2013, yet he …

Solari keen on Premier League move

Santiago Solari is keen on taking a job in the Premier League, having been sacked by Real Madrid earlier this year.

Solari s short spell in charge of the LaLiga giants came to an end in March 2019, with Zinedine Zidane returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The former midfielder initially thrived as Julen Lopetegui s temporary replacement but was dismissed soon after Madrid s three-year reign as European champions was brought to an end in stunning style by Ajax.

Solari has not been employed as a coach since leaving Madrid but the 42-year-old is ready to return to the dugout, with the Premier League holding a particular appeal.

I would like to coach in Europe, in a serious project in one of the big leagues, he told BBC Sport.

I saw the Premier Lea…

European Super League: Atletico Madrid officials will do what´s best for club, insists Simeone

Diego Simeone is confident Atletico Madrid officials will do what is best for the club amid talk of a new European Super League.

Reports emerged on Sunday claiming that 12 clubs – including LaLiga leaders Atleti – will compete in the new competition, a rival to the UEFA Champions League. 

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Milan and Inter are said to be the other sides involved, though the proposal reportedly includes an expansion option to 16 or 18 teams.

UEFA responded strongly, insisting it will do everything in its power to block the plans, including banning the 12 clubs from their own competitions, while there has also been a suggestion that players involved may not be allowed …