: Man Utd have 'something big on the go says Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Manchester United have "something big on the go" after scoring a bicycle kick on his first Red Devils appearance.

Ibrahimovic, 34, met
Antonio Valencia's cross with a typically athletic volley as United beat Galatasaray 5-2.

The Turkish side bossed the remainder of the half and led thanks to goals from Sinan Gumus and Bruma.

But a much-changed United side turned the match around through Wayne Rooney (two), Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata.

And Swedish striker Ibrahimovic believes the future is bright for the Red Devils, who continue to be linked with a £100m move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

"There is something big on the go, it's going to be very interesting this year," he said. "Let us say that if Pogba comes too, it's going to be very interesting.

"I'm going to help the team as much as I can and do what I'm good at, creating chances and scoring goals."

Manager Jose Mourinho used 22 players and will leave Gothenburg with as many questions as answers as he ponders his starting XI for next Sunday's Community Shield, which sees his FA Cup winners face Premier League champions Leicester at Wembley.

Ibrahimovic led the line in the first half, with Rooney behind him and Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan either side.

But half-time replacements Marcus Rashford, Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard looked far sharper and led to United's revival after a sleepy first 45 minutes.

Rooney equalised with a clean volley from another Valencia cross before Rashford won a penalty with an individual run from near halfway, and captain Rooney converted.

Valencia then made another goal as Fellaini drifted a header into the corner and Mata - who was sold by Mourinho at Chelsea - collected Michael Carrick's clever ball to slide in.

World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger - one of nine players reportedly told they can leave the club - did not feature.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho:
"If the players were not in my plans I would not give them one single minute, I would not keep them in my squad.

"The squad is very competitive, the squad is very important for the season.
"We have 38 matches in the Premier League, we have the possibility of 15 matches in the Europa League, plus domestic cups, we are going to play 60 matches. So with 60 matches we cannot do it with 11 players.

"To be in the squad you have to understand that the squad is more important than the individual, the club is more important than all of us, and to be in the squad you have to be ready for this, to play, not to play, play a lot, play less, play 90 minutes, play one minute, not be selected, everything is part of a squad life."

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Martial, Ibrahimovic. Subs: Johnstone, Romero, Darmian, Jones, Rojo, Fellaini, Carrick, Lingard, Mata, Young, Memphis, Rashford.

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Germany captain retires from international duty

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.


He retires as Germany's fourth most-capped player of all time on 120 - behind Lothar Matthaus (150), Miroslav Klose (137) and Lukas Podolski (129).

"I had the opportunity to experience moments that have been indescribably beautiful and successful," he said.

Schweinsteiger made his international debut in 2004 and holds the German record for European Championship appearances, having played 18 times at the tournament.

The record was broken when he was brought on as a substitute in Germany's 1-0 group-stage win over Northern Ireland, surpassing Philipp Lahm's total of 14, before Joachim Low's side went out in the semi-finals to France.

"I desperately wanted to win that title that we haven't been able to bring to Germany since 1996," said the former Bayern Munich player, who
could leave Manchester United this summer.

"It was not to be, and I have to accept it.
"With the victory of the World Cup in 2014, we achieved something historically and emotionally that I will not be able to repeat in my career.

"Therefore it is right and sensible to stop and to wish the team all the best for qualification and the World Cup in 2018."

Gonzalo Higuain move to Juventus from Napoli

Juventus have confirmed the signing Gonzalo Higuain from Serie A rivals Napoli.
Lega Serie A announced the transfer
of the Argentina striker to the Italian champions had been completed earlier on Tuesday.

And the Bianconeri confirmed the deal has been ratified on their official website, the former Real Madrid player agreeing a five-year deal in something of a coup for Massimiliano Allegri's men.

Africa will get two extra places if tournament expands - Infantino

Africa will get an additional two World Cup finals places should the tournament be
expanded to 40 teams from 2026, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino proposed the expansion from 32 teams before he was elected by world football's governing body in February.
Africa is currently allocated five places at World Cups.

"My proposal has been 40 teams and if that happens then my proposal has been to have at least two extra places for African teams," said Infantino.

The move would not come into effect until 2026 with the format of 32 teams already confirmed for Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

The Fifa boss is still set to be interviewed by ethics investigators after allegedly breaching its code of ethics.

The allegations relate to a possible conflict of interest when using private jets laid on by a World Cup-bidding country; that he filled senior posts without checking people's eligibility for the role; and billing Fifa for mattresses, flowers, an exercise machine and personal laundry.

If there is sufficient evidence then a full investigation could be opened and he could be suspended from his role for up to 90 days.

The signing of Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen to stoke city has been completed

Stoke City have signed Wales midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool for £13m.
The 26-year-old, who had a year left on his contract, was also a target for the Potters' Premier League rivals Swansea, whom he left
to
join Liverpool in 2012.

"It's been a whirlwind 48 hours for me but I am delighted to have finally been able to put pen to paper," said Allen, who has signed a five-year contract.

"I was really excited as soon as I heard of the club's interest and it wasn't a difficult decision to make."

Allen was Stoke's second signing of the day after
Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi joined the club from Al Ahly for a fee that could rise to £5m.

Despite starting only eight league games for Liverpool last season, Allen was named in the Euro 2016 team of the tournament after helping Wales reach the semi-finals.

Liverpool rejected an £8m offer from Swansea in June but Allen will now link up with Stoke's Welsh manager Mark Hughes.

"Joe is a player that Mark has admired for a considerable amount of time," said the club's chief executive Tony Scholes.

"We have had to act swiftly to conclude the deal but we are delighted that we have managed to get it over the line."

Costa is going nowhere say Chelsea Manager conte

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says striker Diego Costa will stay at the club next season and is of
"fundamental importance" to his plans.

Spain international Costa has been linked with a
return to former club Atletico Madrid.

The 27-year-old has scored 36 goals in 77 games since joining Chelsea in 2014.

"Diego stays with us. He is working very hard. He is very happy to work with his team-mates and with me," said former Italy boss Conte.

"He is a fantastic player, a player with a fundamental importance, and there is no problem.

"He is an important player, one of the best in the world, and I am sure when he goes into our ideas he will score a lot of goals for us."

Liverpool close in on Augsburg defender Ragnar Klavan

Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Augsburg central defender Ragnar Klavan for a fee
of £4.2m.

The Estonia captain, 30, would act as cover for Frenchman Mamadou Sakho, who is expected to miss the start of the season with an Achilles tendon injury.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to strengthen his defensive resources after Kolo Toure was released and Martin Skrtel sold to Fenerbahce.

Klavan would be the Reds' fourth signing of the summer.
Klopp has already signed Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius, Schalke centre-back Joel Matip and Southampton forward Sadio Mane this summer.

Arjen Robben will be missing out for six weeks

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben could miss the start of the season after being ruled out
for six weeks with an adductor muscle injury.

The 32-year-old Dutchman missed the last two months of 2015-16 with a similar injury and pulled up in their pre-season opener against fifth-tier Lippstadt.

He only made 15 Bundesliga appearances last season.
Bayern face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on 14 August.
The German champions' league opener is against Werder Bremen on 26 August.

Deontay Wilder: Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury fights on table for American

Deontay Wilder wants to fight Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua after
retaining his WBC heavyweight title with a technical knockout of Chris Arreola.

The American, 30, dominated Arreola, whose corner stopped the fight after eight rounds in Birmingham, Alabama.
That came despite Wilder suffering a suspected broken hand and torn bicep.

"Of course I want the Furys, of course I want the Joshuas, but the question is, do they want me?" Wilder said.

"My goal is to unify the division. I'm one of the baddest, hardest-hitting heavyweights in the business, so whoever's got those belts, that's who I want."

Wilder extended his undefeated record to 37 wins with 36 knockouts with his fourth title defence, but went to hospital for treatment on his right hand.

American Arreola, 35, only took the fight - his fourth world heavyweight title bout - when Alexander Povetkin failed a drugs test in May.

N'Golo Kante moves to Chelsea from champions Leicester

Chelsea have signed Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante on a five-year deal for a fee
believed to be in the region of £30m.

The defensive midfielder joined from Caen last summer for £6m and went on to make 40 appearances in Leicester's Premier League-winning campaign.
Kante, 25, was part of the France squad that reached the final of Euro 2016.
"I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It's a dream come true for me," he said.

Kante is Chelsea's second signing of the summer after Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi joined from Marseille .
"The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down," said Kante.

Foxes receive club record fee

Leicester said they accepted a club record fee on Friday before Kante finalised terms and completed a medical.

"Despite the offer of a substantially improved, long-term contract, it became apparent that N'Golo's wish was to join Chelsea," said a Foxes statement.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy turned down a move to Arsenal earlier in the summer, but there is continued speculation winger Riyad Mahrez could leave.
Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo described Kante as a "fantastic" signing with "exceptional quality".

"He is a perfect fit in terms of Antonio Conte's philosophies and the style of football he wants to play," added Emenalo.

Meanwhile, Conte lost his first game in charge as they were beaten 2-0 by Rapid Vienna in a friendly. Chelsea fielded a strong side captained by John Terry and including Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic, Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Diego Costa.

Juan Camilo Zuniga: Watford sign Napoli full-back on loan

Watford have signed Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga on a season-long loan from
Italian side Napoli.

Zuniga can play in either full-back position and has 62 caps for his country.
The 30-year-old joined Napoli in 2009 from Siena, and played for four years under new Watford boss Walter Mazzarri.

He is the Premier League club's fourth summer signing, following centre-back Christian Kabasele, striker Jerome Sinclair and record buy Isaac Success.

Zuniga played four times for Colombia at the 2014 World Cup, and it was his challenge that
caused Brazil forward Neymar to miss the 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany.

The defender has appeared 125 times for Napoli during seven years at the Serie A club and spent a short spell on loan at Bologna at the start of 2016.

Marc Wilmots drop post as Belgium coach after Euro 2016 defeat

Belgium have parted company with manager Marc Wilmots, two weeks after the team lost
3-1 to Wales in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

The 47-year-old former Belgium international held the position for four years and managed 50 games.

The Red Devils are ranked second in the world.
Belgian FA president Francois de Keersmaecker said: "The objectives set for the Euros were not achieved. We need a new momentum."

Belgium dominated large periods of the game against Wales, and Radja Nainggolan opened the scoring. But goals from Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes dumped the Red Devils out of the competition.

Wales went on to lose to eventual champions Portugal in the last four.

There were high expectations for a Belgium side second in the Fifa world rankings and described as the "golden generation" prior to both the Euros and the 2014 World Cup.

However, they fell in the last eight of both competitions, losing to eventual runners-up Argentina in Brazil.

Wilmots scored 28 goals in 70 appearances for Belgium, and won the European Super Cup in 1988 with Belgian side Mechelen.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Manchester United striker could miss club's China tour

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is considering leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic behind when they go on their two-game pre-season trip to China on Tuesday.


United's England contingent Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Marcus Rashford will be on the tour.

However, Mourinho has said the trio will not play against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on 22 July and Manchester City in Beijing on 25 July.
And new signing Ibrahimovic, 34, may not be involved at all.

If he does not go to Asia, it is not known precisely when Ibrahimovic will make his first United appearance.

The striker, who arrived at United on a free transfer after his contract with Paris St-Germain expired, last played in Sweden's final match at Euro 2016, a 1-0 defeat by Belgium on 22 June.

When it was confirmed on Monday a United XI would play Salford City at Moor Lane on 26 July, the National League North club's co-owner Gary Neville said on Twitter: "Zlatan first game!!"
United's first team play Galatasaray in Gothenburg in Ibrahimovic's native country on 30 July.
They play Everton in Wayne Rooney's testimonial at Old Trafford on 3 August and Premier League champions Leicester City in the Community Shield on 7 August.

Barcelona sign Lucas Digne from Paris St-Germain for £13.9m

Spanish champions Barcelona have signed France full-back Lucas Digne from Paris St-
Germain for £13.9m (16.5m euros).

The 22-year-old, who played 33 times for Roma last season during a loan spell, joins on a five-year deal with a buy-out clause of £51m (60m euros).

He made 44 appearances for French champions PSG following his 2013 switch from Lille.

Digne, who has won 13 caps, was part of the France squad to reach the Euro 2016 final, but he never made an appearance.

He is the second Les Bleus international to join Barcelona this summer after the arrival of fellow defender Samuel Umtiti from Lyon.

Internationals: Chelsea striker Solanke strike sinks young France

Dominic Solanke was on target as England Under-19s began their quest to become
European champions for their age group with a win.

The Chelsea striker, who spent last season on loan at Vitesse, netted with a good finish against France following an own-goal as England went into an early two-goal lead. They conceded before half-time but held out for a 2-1 victory over strong opposition.

Solanke was one of four Chelsea players involved on the second day of the European Under-19 Championships which are being staged in Germany. He and Izzy Brown were in attack, as they had been when England won the Under-17 Euros two summers ago, and Fikayo Tomori began in defence. Tammy Abraham came on 20 minutes into the second half.

Next up for England Under-19s is a game on Friday against the Netherlands who won their first group game against Croatia. The top two from each group go into the semi-final stage.

Portugal overcame the early loss of captain Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal overcame the early loss of captain Cristiano Ronaldo to beat hosts France in the
Euro 2016 final and win their first major tournament thanks to substitute Eder's superb extra-time strike.

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo was carried off in tears in the 25th minute at Paris' Stade de France, eight minutes after injuring his knee in a clash with France's Dimitri Payet.

France, the firm favourites, were unable to capitalise on Ronaldo's absence, although they almost won it at the end of normal time when substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac turned and hit the inside of the post.

Raphael Guerreiro hit the bar with a free-kick for Portugal after 108 minutes, but seconds later they were ahead when Eder fired a low, 25-yard drive past keeper Hugo Lloris.

Ronaldo, who had given his Portugal team-mates animated encouragement in the break before extra time, was offering as much tactical advice as coach Fernando Santos in chaotic closing moments - and he was reduced to tears once more at the final whistle before lifting the trophy that has eluded his country for so long.

Transfer window spending in Premier League tops £300m in first week

Premier League clubs have spent an estimated £300m during the first week of the summer transfer window.

By comparison, £870m was spent during the nine weeks of last
summer's window.
Business analyst Deloitte expects gross outlay to rise above £1bn before the window closes on 31 August.

A new £5bn three-year television deal, which starts this season, is fuelling "unprecedented" spending amid "unreal" player valuations, football finance expert Rob Wilson told BBC Sport.
"There's no questioning the impact of the TV deal," added Sheffield Hallam University's Wilson, who said he had expected spending in the first week of this summer's window to be even higher.

Each club can expect to receive between £30m and £50m from the Premier League for 2016-17 as a result of the TV contract, under which Sky are paying £4.2bn and BT £960m for the rights to show live top-flight matches over the next three seasons.

Wilson believes that is driving player values through the roof. "We've seen this trend, over the last two or three deals at least, but we never thought the valuations would go up that much. It's unreal," he said.

The combined total spent by Premier League clubs over the summer and winter transfer windows last season was £1.045bn - up from £965m for 2014-15.

Based on our estimate on actual fees announced by clubs and on reported figures when the value of a transfer has been undisclosed.

Where has the money been spent?

Manchester United have been among the biggest spenders, reportedly paying £26m for Borussia Dortmund attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and £30m for Villarreal defender Eric Bailly.

Neighbours Manchester City bought Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for a reported £20m, and also spent an estimated £13.8m on Celta Vigo winger Nolito.

Liverpool, one of the biggest gross spenders in 2014-15, paid £34m for Southampton forward Sadio Mane this summer. That deal was announced in late June but clubs can only complete the transfers and register players from 1 July onwards, when the window opens.

Champions Leicester have broken their transfer record with a £16m deal for CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa, and have also brought in
midfielder Nampalys Mendy from Nice for a reported £13m and German goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler from Hannover 96.

Even clubs promoted from the Championship have spent heavily. Middlesbrough can count Denmark international winger Viktor Fischer, signed from Ajax, among their new arrivals, while midfielder Marten de Roon was signed from Atalanta for a reported fee of around £12m.

In recent seasons, more - and bigger - deals have been completed during the second half of a transfer window, analysts say.
"As we go through the window, some other teams respond, such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City," Wilson said.
"Prices go up quite sharply. With the European Championships finishing, players such as Antoine Griezmann will see their value increase, because of his performances and the valuation of the TV deal."

France international Paul Pogba, for example, has been linked strongly with a £100m move to Manchester United, the club he left in 2012. His agent, Mino Raiola, also represents Mkhitaryan and another of United's summer signings, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It is thought a number of clubs have shown interest in Juventus midfielder Pogba and, if he were to move to the Premier League, the 23-year-old would be likely to command a fee in excess of the world record £85.3m Real Madrid paid to Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in September 2013.

Premier League season opener moved to Monday

Four of our Premier League matches in the first couple months of the season have been
selected for live television broadcast, two at home and two away, starting with our opening game against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Conte’s first league match in charge of the Blues, against the Hammers, will now take place on Monday 15 August, kick-off 8pm, and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Our trip to Swansea City will also be shown on Sky, with the game at the Liberty Stadium being held at 4pm on Sunday 11 September.

During the coming campaign a selection of matches will be played on a Friday night, and our home fixture against Liverpool, which will also be broadcast on Sky, has been chosen as one of those matches. The game against Jurgen Klopp’s side will take place on Friday 16 September at 8pm.

The following week we travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, and that match will kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday 24 September. It will be shown live on BT Sport.
Our home game against Manchester United will also be rescheduled due to their involvement in the Europa League. However, the new date is yet to be confirmed.

BALOTELLI SAID TO THE JOURNALISTS THAT RONALDO IS ONLY DISPLEASING

Mario Balotelli believes that the quality of the Real Madrid star's performances has been overstated by the media during the summer's tournam
ent in France

He does not think Cristiano Ronaldo's performances at Euro 2016 have been disappoining as he prepares to lead Portugal into their semi-final against Wales.

Two second-half strikes against Hungary are all that the Real Madrid star has been able to muster in terms of goals at the tournament in France, with his displays labelled as under par despite Portugal's run to the last four.

But Balotelli said that too much has been made by the media of the Real Madrid forward's showings.

Pedro shirt number switch

There has been a change to the squad number Pedro will wear on the back of his shirt ahead of the upcoming 2016/
17 season.

The Spaniard will take the no.11 shirt - vacated by the departure of Pato - having worn the no.17 on his back during his first campaign in west London.

Eleven is the number Pedro has long worn when representing his national team including at this summer’s European Championships (pictured right).

-  Chelsea Football Club understands that some supporters will already have purchased the new 2016/17 home shirt with Pedro’s name and the number 17 on the back. We will be offering anybody who has proof of purchase from an official club store a free exchange, subject to availability, from 1 July - 31 July 2016 inclusive.