Dries Mertens has confirmed he is set to sign a new deal with Napoli that will keep him at the Serie A club until June 2021.
The Belgium international s existing contract is due to expire in 2018 and Napoli are keen to hold on to the winger beyond that date.
Negotiations have been dragging on for some time, but Mertens is hopeful he will be able to put pen to paper by the end of the week.
I expect to sign a new deal this week. I am ready to sign for three additional seasons, the Belgium international told reporters.
Negotiations have been going on for a long time, but I am happy that things will work out in the end.
I am feeling very well at Napoli and the club believes in me. My family is happy in Naples as well.
It would be nice if…
Despite being suspended, Jerome Boateng said he will help to inspire Germany for their Euro 2012 date with Denmark.
The 23-year-old picked up yellow cards in both of his nation s games so far, meaning that he will miss the final Group B game against the second-placed Danes, in which they need just a point to secure progression.
The Bayern Munich man admitted that it is a blow to be unavailable for the deciding game, but assured supporters he will still do his bit by visiting the team before kick-off to make sure they are raring to go
He told reporters: I m disappointed that I can t play. The coach has done everything right.
I can only watch, but I will motivate the players before the game, wish them the best. Every player knows what it s about, it s a v…
Ante Rebic has completed a permanent move to Milan from Eintracht Frankfurt, signing a five-year contract.
The Croatia international impressed on loan with the Rossoneri last season, scoring 12 goals in 30 appearances to finish as their top goalscorer.
Excluding penalties, only Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo (12) has scored more goals in Serie A in 2020 than Rebic (11).
With Andre Silva having secured a permanent switch to Frankfurt for a reported €9million, Milan are said to have signed Rebic for effectively no transfer fee.
Rebić 12
A new season, a new adventure, a new number
Un nuovo anno, un nuovo inizio, un nuovo numero di maglia
— AC Milan (@acmilan)
The 26-year-old made 100 competitive appearances for Eintrach…
Michael Owen will be released by Manchester United after the club decided against offering him a new contract.
The former England international, 32, has spent three years at the club and will be fondly remembered by United fans for his injury time winner in the 4-3 derby win over Manchester City in September 2009.
The manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would not be offering me a new contract, Owen revealed on his Twitter account on Thursday.
I have loved every minute of the 3 years I have spent at such a fantastic club. I would like to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish them well for the future.
I now plan to have a short holiday during which I will contemplate my next move.
Unit…
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the potential of Rafael.
Ferguson said the Brazil international is destined to become one of the world s best full-backs, after the 21-year-old signed a new four-year deal with the club.
Rafael joined United from Fluminense alongside twin brother Fabio in 2008, but has yet to secure a regular first-team berth.
However, his manager said the 21-year-old can go on to become one of the best in his position given his development since joining the club.
Ferguson told the club s official website: Rafael has all the attributes to become one of the best full-backs in the world and I am delighted he has signed a new contract.
The boy has developed immensely since joining United, his energy and enthus…
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri will not be moving to Inter, according to his agent Jean-Pierre Bernes.
Nasri struggled for regular game time at City last season and he has emerged as a transfer target for former manager Roberto Mancini and Inter, who are set to sell Mateo Kovacic.
Mancini brought out the best in Nasri during City s Premier League-winning campaign in 2011-12, but the 28-year-old France international has no plans for a reunion.
I ve heard rumours in Italy about Inter and Samir, Bernes told FCInterNews. However, there s absolutely nothing concrete with the Nerazzurri.
Will he stay in Manchester? I can say that there s nothing with Inter.
Nasri has been named among the substitutes for City s opening two league victories thi…
Rennes midfielder Tongo Doumbia has claimed that he is set to seal a move to West Brom.
The 22-year-old is believed to have held talks with the Baggies earlier this week, despite reported interest from Arsenal.
And Doumbia, who is thought to cost around two million pounds, has revealed that the increased chances of regular first-team action led him to choose West Brom.
I have no regrets about leaving Rennes, I go quietly and with a smile on my face, I have no grudges against the club, he told 20Minutes in France.
I felt a lot of desire from them, obviously it is less glamorous than Arsenal, but I will be able to continue my progress.
Tongo, who has been at Rennes since 2009, learned his trade at Ligue 2 outfit LB Chateauroux, before making the…
Against Bournemouth I played on the left. It’s one of his ideas of the game. We tried to implement it and I think this is a very important aspect and quality to have.
To be able to adjust in different positions and try to keep a good rhythm during the match and help the team to win is good for the whole team and as individuals because we broaden our own experience. If there’s a situation where we have to slot in somewhere else, we may already know that role well.
Against both Swansea and Bournemouth, second-half substitutions saw Fernandinho revert to the screening midfield role he carried out with aplomb earlier in the season before red cards against Chelsea and Burnley meant a total of seven games on the sidelines.
The previously exiled Yaya Toure took o…
UEFA vice-president Marios Lefkaritis believes Michel Platini should be allowed to stand for the FIFA presidency despite his implication in the corruption scandal that has rocked world football s governing body.
Platini has served as UEFA president since 2007 but was suspended for 90 days by FIFA after the Swiss attorney general opened a criminal investigation into an alleged disloyal payment made by outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter to Platini in 2011.
The payment is widely reported to be £1.35million relating to work the former France captain undertook for FIFA between 1999 and 2002.
Platini had previously announced his intention to stand as a candidate in next year s FIFA presidential election after Blatter laid down his mandate in June, six days after …
Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller says he cannot guarantee he will spend the rest of his career at the club, although he insists he is happy at the Allianz Arena.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence in form under Jupp Heynckes and registered a goal and two assists in the 4-0 Bundesliga win over Freiburg on Sunday.
Muller, who has spent his whole career with the German champions, admitted last September to being tempted by an offer from Manchester United in 2015, when former Bayern boss Louis van Gaal was in charge at Old Trafford.
And although he has no plans to leave at present, he concedes his circumstances could change.
It s hard to look three or four years into the future, he told Sport1. If things are going well, why should I want to leave?
…