FC Steaua Bucuresti defender Vlad Chiriches is reportedly attracting interest from Chelsea, Real Madrid and Zenit St Petersburg, .

Chiriches, who has previously been linked with Italian giants Internazionale Milano, is currently valued at €15 million.

The 23-year-old centre-back started his youth career at Ardealul Cluj before joining Portuguese Primeira Liga side S.L. Benfica in 2007.

After 12 months in Lisbon, Chiriches returned to Romania, signing a deal with lower league club FC Internațional Curtea de Argeș.

In 2009, Chiriches helped International earn promotion to Liga I. One year later, he joined CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu.

Finally, in 2012, the Romania international defender joined current club Steaua Bucuresti, his third…

Tito Vilanova has admitted it was not easy to leave Barcelona after stepping down as manager due to illness.

Vilanova, who was diagnosed with cancer for a second time in December 2012, resigned on Friday after learning that he needed further treatment to deal with a relapse in his condition.

The 44-year-old took charge at the Camp Nou in June 2012, succeeding Pep Guardiola, but his tenure was overshadowed by his health issues, with assistant Jordi Roura mangaing the team for much of last season.

Vilanova spent five years with the Catalan club, joining in 2008 as Guardiola s assistant after the pair had enjoyed great success with the Barcelona B team.

In an open letter to supporters on the club s official website, Vilanova said: After five marvellous years as part…

I have made no arrangement with the club about that. I will just wait and see what happens.
The former Ajax and Atletico Madrid man has been a regular fixture in Everton s squad since joining in 2009 and has spent much of his time alongside Phil Jagielka.
Both were signed by David Moyes and the England international says the Scot has done wonders for his growth as a player.
David Moyes gave me a chance to play at a higher level, coached me to a better level and helped my game progress, Jagielka said.
Over the last six years he has taken me from possibly being a Premier League defender to playing some games for England. But I would also like to think I put myself on the line for him as well.
That is why we did so well as a club during the time he was there.
…

Luis Enrique can equal a record set by Pep Guardiola when he takes his Barcelona side to face Levante in La Liga on Sunday, in what will be his 100th game in charge.

The Liga leaders stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 27 matches when they thrashed Valencia 7-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday, equalling a tally set by Rinus Michel s side in 1973-74.

Guardiola s class avoided defeat for 28 consecutive games between September 2010 and January 2011 before they were eventually beaten by Real Betis, meaning Luis Enrique can draw level with his former team-mate this weekend.

Barca s formidable form since they lost to Sevilla on October 3 last year suggests Levante, who sit bottom of La Liga, will find it supremely tough to i…

Sergio Ramos is not sure if Alvaro Morata will be at Real Madrid next season as Manchester United reportedly close in on the Spaniard.

Morata is believed to be on the verge of joining the Premier League giants after struggling for regular game time in Madrid.

The 24-year-old Spain international forward only started 14 league games as Madrid won LaLiga, and the Champions League.

Asked about Morata s future following Spain s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win in Macedonia on Sunday, Madrid captain Ramos said: It will be seen if Morata leaves.

I have a special affection for him and I always wish him the best.

It is not up to me if he stays.

Morata scored 20 goals in all competitions for Madrid, who won their first LaLiga title since 2012 and bec…

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri believes Pep Guardiola will be a lucky man to have him at his disposal next season.

Nasri returned to the City starting XI for the first time since September to draw a line under his injury nightmare with the winning goal in Saturday s 2-1 Premier League win over West Brom.

A close season of upheaval is expected at the Etihad Stadium when Bayern Munich coach Guardiola replaces Manuel Pellegrini as manager.

Nasri, a richly-gifted playmaker whose inconsistency have seen him frustrate and dazzle in equal measure since completing a protracted move from Arsenal to City in 2011, feels his talents fit the bill for Guardiola s renowned brand of high-tempo passing football.

Additionally, the 28-year-old expects the combina…

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan admitted he is  okay with handing Liverpool the Premier League title following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Reds are 25 points clear at the top of the table but uncertainty over when the 2019-20 season will resume is leading some to suggest it may not be finished at all.

City clinched back-to-back titles in the previous two seasons, but Gundogan who won the Bundesliga under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during their time together at Borussia Dortmund would have no issue in conceding the crown to their rivals this season.

He told German broadcaster ZDF: It would be okay for me. You have to be sporting.

Asked whether playing out the rest of the season behind closed doors might appeal as an optio…

Gonzalo Higuain returned to form in timely fashion as he scored one goal and played a key role in another to help Juventus claim a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Olympiacos in Champions League Group D.

The Argentina forward had netted just twice this campaign prior to Wednesday s clash at the Allianz Stadium and was benched for the second game running, with Mario Mandzukic preferred up top.

However, with Juve shorn of Miralem Pjanic, who was injured in the warm-up struggling to break Olympiacos stubborn rearguard, Massimiliano Allegri called on the former Real Madrid man just short of the hour.

Higuain duly made his mark, thumping in from close range with 69 minutes played, giving the excellent Silvio Proto no chance.

Allegri s tactical switch paid …

Tottenham Hotspur did not sign anyone in two years and then when they finally decided to do so, they opted for Jack Clarke from Leeds United. The winger was the first one to be announced as new Tottenham player since the deadline day in 2017, when Davinson Sanchez joined Spurs from Ajax.

But Clarke was not the centre of the attention this summer, as he was immediately moved back on loan to Leeds, and others also joined. Tanguy Ndombele, Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso were all bigger names and therefore took the limelight. Clarke went on a season-long loan to Marcelo Bielsa s team, but he might be going back to Tottenham earlier than expected.

According to The Sun, Tottenham are ready to recall the winger from Leeds following the youngster being frozen out of Champi…

Jose Mourinho has been given a vote of confidence by Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who appears to be fully behind the Portuguese coach despite a poor start to the season.

Following Saturday s 1-1 draw with promoted Wolves, United sit seventh in the Premier League having picked up 10 points from six matches.

Even in their three victories over Leicester City, Burnley and Watford, United have rarely looked convincing and some attacking players – such as Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez – have appeared out of sorts.

Yet, despite United s indifferent form and fans divided opinion on Mourinho, Woodward and the club s hierarchy are seemingly unwavering in their support.

6 Man Utd have dropped six points from seven …