Kylian Mbappe has donated £27,000 to help keep the search for missing pilot David Ibbotson ongoing. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has also contributed £1,000 to the investigation, as the search for Ibbotson’s remains continue. On Thursday, Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala’s body was formally identified in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu plane which crashed into the English Channel on January 21 by the Air Accident Investigation Branch and privately funded search teams. The official search for Sala was called off after four days, but more than £260,000 was raised to fund a private search; Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe donated £26,267 (€30,010), along with a host of other football stars, to help keep…

David de Gea will become the best paid player in Premier League history if he signs a new Manchester United deal, according to reports. The United goalkeeper is out of contract in 2020 and Old Trafford chiefs are desperate to extend his stay. De Gea is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has come to his side’s rescue on numerous occasions since joining in a £18.9million deal from Atletico Madrid in 2011. The Times claim the club want to reward his form with a new five-year deal worth in excess of £90million, which would be the largest basic pay package in Premier League history. The…

After the club-record signing made a bright 22-minute cameo from the bench, his boss was full of praise and expectation for what is to come Ernesto Valverde has high hopes for Philippe Coutinho after Barcelona’s record signing made his first appearance for the club in a Copa del Rey victory over Espanyol on Thursday. Barca trailed 1-0 from the opening leg but goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the first half turned the tie around for the holders, who are seeking a fourth straight Copa del Rey title. With Barcelona’s place in the semi-finals all but secured, Coutinho came off the bench for the last 22 minutes and…

Chelsea beat Malmo 2-1 in the Europa League on Thursday night, but manager Maurizio Sarri still came in for criticism from some fans. It was the Blues’ first match since their 6-0 humiliation at City and a strong response did not materialise. Sarri’s side were uninspiring throughout, but did ultimately take a 2-0 lead through Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud. As the last-32 first leg neared it’s conclusion with Chelsea in a comfortable position, the manager withdrew Jorginho and replaced him with N’Golo Kante. However – rather than play Kante in the deeper central midfield position he was previously accustomed to – he ordered the Frenchman over to the right…

After leading the Spanish side for the 400th time the manager described his greatest achievement as the emergence of a defined style Diego Simeone has reflected enthusiastically on the development of Atletico Madrid’s “identity” during his 400 matches as head coach. The highly decorated former Argentina international celebrated the milestone with a 4-0 defeat of Sant Andreu in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey. The second-leg success, which sealed a 5-0 aggregate victory, keeps Simeone in contention to claim his eighth major trophy in charge of the club he represented with distinction as a player. Article continues below Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro…

The €160 million signing from Liverpool made his Blaugrana bow as he replaced Andres Iniesta after 68 minutes and straight away looked at home The Barcelona fans had been made to wait. After the Catalan club missed out on signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in August, the Brazilian was finally signed by the Blaugrana earlier this month and following a 20-day injury layoff, he belatedly made his debut on Thursday. Barca boss Ernesto Valverde had hinted earlier in the week that the Brazilian could feature following his €160m move from Anfield, yet there was no place for the 25-year-old in the starting line-up against Espanyol at Camp Nou. The Blaugrana, winners…

Manchester United have shortlisted three defenders to address their defensive woes, according to reports. The club’s top targets are believed to be Inter’s Milan Skriniar, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Sampdoria’s Joachim Andersen. Skriniar, 24, and Andersen, 22, are developing into top centre-halves in Serie A, while Koulibaly is regarded as one of Europe’s best defenders. Inter are in talks with Skriniar over a new deal, but he is aware of United’s interest and Andersen is also a target for Tottenham. Landing Koulibaly, who is rated at £100million by Napoli chiefs, could prove difficult after he signed a five-year deal with the club last August. The Independent claim United are determined to sign a…

Chelsea defender David Luiz has been slammed by Vinnie Jones after Sunday’s mauling at Manchester City, with the Brazilian accused of ‘hiding’ when the going gets tough for the Blues. The footballer-turned-actor joined talkSPORT to react to his former club’s 6-0 humiliation at the Etihad Stadium. It was another a shambolic display on the road, as Chelsea were put to the sword in ruthless fasion by the defending champions. The result – their heaviest ever Premier League defeat – ramps up the pressure on Maurizio Sarri, whose side were stunned 4-0 by Bournemouth in their previous away trip and who apologised to fans after the final whistle. Collectively, it was…

Celta Vigo inflicted a double blow on Zinedine Zidane’s once-proud side and the midfielder put the latest loss down to the effects of the earlier one Casemiro said Real Madrid were still feeling the effects of Sunday’s dramatic defeat to Sevilla as Celta Vigo claimed a 2-1 Copa del Rey quarter-final advantage. Madrid & Ronaldo caught cold as Copa future hangs in the balance Zinedine Zidane’s side saw their 40-match unbeaten run ended by Stevan Jovetic’s stoppage-time winner at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. 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…

Scott Brown scored a dramatic last-minute winner and was sent off as Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to eight points with a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Nearest challengers Rangers‘ goalless draw at home to St Johnstone on Saturday offered the Hoops the opportunity to extend their lead on an afternoon filled with controversy. Former Gers srtiker Kris Boyd was hit by a coin thrown from the away end and targeted with verbal abuse during a tense first 45 minutes. Steve Clarke’s men also gave as good they got in the second half until defender Kirk Broadfoot was sent off for a…