AFCON 2017: Tunisia beat Algeria to boost quarter-finals chances

Tunisia on Thursday boosted their chances of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon with a 2-1 win over neighbours Algeria in Group B.

The the match’s first half was a cagey affair as both sides probed each other’s area in search of an opening goal.

But, both teams failed to take their chances as the first half ended 0-0.

However, it was Tunisia who drew the first blood in the second half, even though it was from an own goal.

Memphis Depay: Lyon agree £14.7m deal to sign Manchester United forward

French club, Lyon, have agreed to a deal to sign Manchester United forward, Memphis Depay. The Red Devils have agreed to sell him for around €17m (£14.75m), with the fee capable of rising to €25m if a series of add-ons are triggered.

United rejected a £13m bid from Lyon earlier this month. However, it seems the two clubs have reached an agreement after Lyon improved their offer in the second bid.

According to reports from the Guardian, United will have a buy-back option as well as sell-on clauses inserted into the deal. Depay joined United from PSV Eindhoven for £25m in the summer of 2015 under Louis van Gaal, but has struggled to make a strong impact for José Mourinho.

Conte wants Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata to replace Diego Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge following a recent bust-up with manager Antonio Conte.

The duo were involved in a training ground spat and the Chelsea striker was dropped for last weekend’s game as a result of that. Telegraph are now reporting that Antonio Conte has already identified a long-term replacement for the Spanish international.

Liverpool plotting move to sign Southampton skipper José Fonte

Liverpool are are looking to sign Southampton defender, José Fonte, in the January transfer window to plug their leaky defence.

Fonte has recently rejected a new contract deal at St Mary’s, and he is looking for a move elsewhere. Southampton will demand a fee of around £10m for the 33-year-old defender.

According to reports from the Mirror, Liverpool are keen to bring the Portuguese to Anfield to reinforce the defensive area. Jürgen Klopp wants to bring in an experienced defender to his squad, and Fonte fits the bill. His wealth of experience could be a major asset for Klopp, as he aims to guide Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Mourinho wants Matic at Old Trafford

José Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, is ready to test Chelsea’s resolve with a shock move for Nemanja Matić next summer.

United will be looking to spend big next summer as Mourinho is keen to build the squad to his own taste. While Atlético Madrid duo Antonione Griezmann and Saúl Ñíguez are the top of his shopping list, according to the Mirror, the Portuguese wants Matić as well to bolster his midfield department.

Chelsea recall Patrick Bamford from loan spell at Burnley

Chelsea have exercised the option of recalling striker Patrick Bamford from his year-long loan spell at Burnley. After Nathan Aké, this is the second player whom Chelsea have recalled to strengthen the push for the Premiership title in the second half of the season.

Bamford has been one of the numerous young talents perennially on loan outside Stamford Bridge. The Burnley move was his sixth such loan spell. Bamford has disappointed by and large in this spell, playing a grand total of only 33 minutes across six games in the Premiership.

Swapping Batshuayi for Swansea’s Llorente makes sense for all four parties

With Chelsea raring to win the Premier League, Antonio Conte needs to carry out some preemptive measures. Not surprisingly, there have been suggestions that the Chelsea boss wants to add another striker to the ranks. With Diego Costa being sublime this season, the Blues don’t need a first-team striker, but they do require a capable back-up whenever the need arises. Costa has been disciplined this season, but still carries the risk of blowing up anytime, and hence, precautions must be taken.

Chelsea signed Michy Batshuayi from Marseille in the summer. The Belgian had done exceedingly well with the French club in the last couple of seasons, and it made sense for the player to move to greener pastures, especially considering Marseille were in deep crisis after Marcelo Bielsa resigned.

Chelsea lining up move for Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson to replace John Terry

Chelsea are looking to sign the highly talented Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson at the end of this season.

As per Daily Mirror‘s report, The 23-year-old is one of the most sought after defenders in the Premier League alongside van Dijk right now and Antonio Conte sees him as the perfect replacement for club legend John Terry.

Slaven Bilic: Dimitri Payet wants to leave West Ham United

West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic, has revealed that French midfielder, Dimitri Payet, has expressed his desire to leave the Premier League club.

Ahead of West Ham’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, Bilic said in his pre-match press conference that Payet has not trained with the club, and he will not play this weekend.

Payet joined from Marseille for a reported fee of £10.7m in 2015 on a long term contract. He was simply outstanding for the Hammers in his first season, and his impressive form also won him back a place in Didier Deschamps’s France squad for Euro 2016 last summer.

Liverpool to make concrete approach for Tiemoué Bakayoko

Till last week, the interest in Monaco midfielder, Tiemoué Bakayoko, was limited to three heavyweight Premier League clubs – Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. To make the transfer saga more appealing, what more can you do? Yes, you guessed it right. Just add more clubs to the mix.

According to reports from Le 10 Sport, Liverpool and Arsenal have joined the race for the highly rated 22-year-old French midfielder. The Reds have made a concrete approach and have contacted Monaco to enquire about their asking price for the player.