The Catalans’ woes in the Supercopa against Real Madrid were down to the Brazilian’s transfer saga, according to the coach Neymar’s world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain was a contributing factor to Barcelona’s false start to the season, according to head coach Ernesto Valverde. Brazil superstar Neymar completed a stunning €222million switch to PSG in August and Valverde’s reign got off to an inauspicious start shortly afterwards as Real Madrid stormed to a 5-1 Supercopa de Espana triumph over their bitter rivals. Neymar 11/1 to be CL top scorer Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre…

The Brazilian used social media just hours before his long-awaited first start for the Spanish side to deny reports he wants to leave the club Barcelona forward Malcom insists he has no intentions of leaving the La Liga champions. The 21-year-old made his first start for the Catalan giants following his July move from Bordeaux in their 1-0 Copa del Rey win over Cultural Leonesa on Wednesday, but was replaced after 80 minutes by Arthur. The Brazilian had played just 25 minutes over two substitute appearances before that start, but he used social media before the game to deny reports he had his eyes on an early exit from Ernesto Valverde’s…

The latest dispute over the venue of the cup final has begun, with the Merengue president saying that the club’s home ground will be unavailable The final of the Copa del Rey cannot be held at the Santiago Bernabeu because there will be construction work taking place, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said. Disputes over where the match should take place have become commonplace in Spanish football in recent years, specifically when Madrid or Barcelona are set to be involved. De Gea tight-lipped on Madrid links Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders…

Alexis Sanchez could make a sensational return to Arsenal, according to Marc Overmars. The Chilean left left the Gunners in January 2018 for rivals Manchester United in a move which saw him become the Premier League’s highest-paid player. However, he has failed to show his best form for the Red Devils, scoring just one league goal this season. He looks a shadow of the player which took English football by storm after signing for the Gunners in 2014, netting 80 goals in 166 games. His relationship with the fans who once adored him appears to be tarnished after he mocked Arsenal following his goal in United’s FA Cup win at…

talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Sunday’s papers and online… Chelsea are leading the race to sign Mauro Icardi, the Inter and Argentina forward, as Real Madrid no longer want him. Los Blancos have been put off moving for Icardi as they do not want to deal with his wife-turned-agent Wanda. (Sun) Manchester United are ready to offer Romelu Lukaku to Juventus as part of an offer for Paulo Dybala. The Red Devils have started planning for the summer transfer window despite not confirming who will be their manager beyond the end of the season. (Mirror) United are also hoping to sign Benfica teenager…

PSG took control of their Champions League last 16 clash against Manchester United with a 2-0 victory in the first leg at Old Trafford to inflict Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first defeat as manager. Two priceless away goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe ensured the French champions take a commanding lead back to the Parc des Princes. As if Solskjaer’s men were not already facing a mountain to climb on March 6, Pogba will miss the trip to the French capital after picking up a late second booking to compound injuries to Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial. Former United man Angel Di Maria was heavily involved throughout, providing the assist for…

Neymar’s penalty saw the Catalan giants to victory at the Basque venue for the first time since 2007, much to the pleasure of their coach Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique saluted the defensive performance of his team as the Spanish champions edged Real Sociedad to move a step closer to the Copa del Rey semi-finals. VIDEO: Inside Spurs’ new stadium Neymar scored a first-half penalty to see holders Barca beat hosts Sociedad 1-0 on Thursday, ending their curse at the Anoeta. Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show…

Rangers Under-17s have become the first British side to win the Alkass International Cup after beating AS Roma in the final in Qatar. The Light Blues, who had one of the youngest squads at the tournament, beat the Italian side 9-8 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after the game finished 1-1. The winning penalty was scored by Kai Kennedy, who was subsequently named as player of the tournament. Rangers got off to a bad start when Mory Bamba headed Roma into the lead but some excellent work from Nathan Young-Coombes set up Ciaran Dickson to level the game. The tournament saw twelve teams compete with Aspire Academy, Real Madrid, Paris St…

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David Beckham will attend Salford City vs Dover Athletic on Saturday after being confirmed as a co-owner of the National League side. It was announced last month that the England legend was following his ‘Class of 92’ team-mates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Phil Neville in taking a 10 per cent share in Salford. The former Manchester United star’s appointment as a director was formally approved by the Football Association on January 31, and it had been planned that he would be introduced to fans at the FA Trophy match against Maidstone two days later. The visit was then postponed, with the fixture having been rearranged…