Atletico agree deal for Villa

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson insists his rivalry with Liverpool counterpart Alisson only exists on the pitch, despite competing with each other on multiple fronts.

The pair have battled it out for domestic and European honours during their time in English football, while also vying for the number one jersey with Brazil.

Ederson has played second fiddle to Alisson on the international stage, but the 26-year-old believes their intense on-field competition can only be considered a positive.

I think it s a good sign for all the goalkeepers in Brazil and for the country, he is quoted as saying by several British newspapers.

You look at Europe and you find two great goalkeepers playing at high level in two of the best clubs.

— Alis…

Xherdan Shaqiri scored a pair of sensational goals to earn Stoke City a 2-0 victory over struggling Hull City, who slipped into to the Premier League s bottom three with defeat in front of a sparse crowd at the KCOM Stadium.

Switzerland international Shaqiri was instrumental in Stoke winning successive Premier League matches for the first time since March with a brilliant display, suggesting the Potters sluggish start to the season may be behind them.

The former Inter winger picked out the top corner with a 25-yard stunner in the 26th minute to put Mark Hughes team, unchanged from their first top-flight win in eight against Sunderland last weekend, on the path to victory.

Shaqiri added his second early in the second half via a sweetly struck free-kick, making him…

RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano s long-term future appears uncertain, though there is a strong possibility he will end up in the Premier League.

The France international centre-back has emerged as one of Europe s most-promising defenders in recent seasons and is part of a Leipzig side that has conceded just 12 goals in 15 Bundesliga games this season.

Upamecano, 22, looks certain for a big-money move eventually, and although his next destination is unclear, he has plenty of admirers in England.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA TO RIVAL MAN UNITED FOR UPAMECANO

Chelsea are going through a difficult period as they sit ninth in the Premier League, and their options at centre-back do not appear to be entirely to Frank Lampard s liking.

While 36-year-old Thia…

Manchester United will not sell Anthony Martial, according to . It has been reported that United have decided that they will not offload the France international forward in the summer transfer window, as he remains part of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plan for this season.

 claimed on July 24 that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Martial. claimed last week Spurs and Everton want to sign the former AS Monaco striker this summer.

Martial has scored  in 167 appearances in the Premier League so far. The United forward made 17 starts and five substitute appearances in the Premier League , scoring four goals and providing three assists in the process. The 25-year-old scored two goals and gave one assist in five Champions League matches and played thrice in the Eur…

River Plate striker David Trezeguet has revealed that he rejected an opportunity to return to Juventus in the January transfer window.

The experienced striker left the Bianconeri on a free transfer in the summer of 2010, and has since featured for Hercules, Bani Yas and River Plate.

Following a disappointing start to the current season, the 35-year-old was linked with a return to Turin, but the transfer never materialized.

Trezeguet now reveals there were some contacts, but that he ultimately pulled the plug on the deal.

“There was a key contact to return to Juventus, but my future is at River Plate, where I want to end my career,” the Frenchman told radio programme This is River on AM 770 Radio.

Trezeguet has also revealed his plans to becom…

Inter have been fined 50,000 euros after their fans racially abused Milan forward Mario Balotelli in Sunday s derby.

Inter have been fined 50,000 euros after their fans racially abused Milan forward Mario Balotelli in Sunday s derby.

Reports in Italy claim Inter fans waved inflatable bananas at their former player, who was also fined 10,000 euros for spitting in the fans direction during the 1-1 draw.

Inter were previously handed a 15,000 euro fine after the club s supporters racially abused Balotelli during the win over Chievo earlier in February.

Milan were handed a 10,000 euro fine after their supporters showcased insulting banners aimed at Inter players and fans.

Balotelli, who played for Inter from 2006 to 2010, moved to Milan from Manches…

Belgium striker Jonathan Benteke, also known as the brother of former Aston Villa and Liverpool forward Christian Benteke will join his sibling at Crystal Palace, according to reports from Belgium.

Leading Belgium newspaper HLN reports that the 21-year-old leaves Zulte-Waregem as a free agent and that the Premier League side Crystal Palace have already made an approach to lure the younger Benteke to Selhurts Park.

Alan Pardew is keen to bring Christian s younger brother in order to help the club-record £32 million signing settle in as best as possible.

With summer transfer window now closed, European clubs can still make moves in the market for free agent such as Jonathan Benteke who leaves the Belgian side after only two years spent with the Essevee.

A…

Swansea City manager Garry Monk has revealed that, even if the club fail to sell outcast Michu before Tuesday s transfer deadline, the forward will not force his way back into contention at the Liberty Stadium.

Michu proved a revelation when, after completing a £2million move from Rayo Vallecano, he scored 18 Premier League goals in his debut season, earning his solitary Spain cap as a result.

However, injuries halted his momentum during the 2013-14 campaign and an unsuccessful loan spell at Napoli followed last term.

For a man who was arguably one of the hottest properties in English football at one stage, Swansea have found it particularly tough to offload Michu, but his exit remains a priority for Monk in the coming days.

We are still negotiating, …

Play will resume at the BMW PGA Championship on Saturday after a day s pause following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Event organisers halted play late on Thursday and all day Friday following news of Her Majesty s passing at the age of 96.

However, the DP World Tour has confirmed play will resume at Wentworth on Saturday, with the tournament to be contested over 54 holes rather than 72.

The decision to restart on Saturday has been taken in accordance with Official National Mourning guidance and in consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the DP World Tour s statement read.

The Wentworth event will give players, caddies, staff, volunteers and spectators the opportunity to come together across the weekend, not only…

Market: Lille win

Odds: 3/4 @

Two sides turning their attention back to Coupe de France action on Wednesday evening, Lille will make the trip to a struggling Dijon in midweek.

Starting with the hosts, hit with what turned into a thumping defeat away at Montpellier over the weekend, Dijon find themselves in the midst of an extended rut since returning from the festive break. Eventually shipping a quartet of goals away at Montpellier in what was a 4-2 drumming, the Owls are already tipped as a leading relegation scrapper this season. Already sat seven points adrift of safety, David Linarès men have lost their four three Ligue 1 contests on the bounce and they have failed to land a single win since returning to action last month. Holding a woeful record for their…