Real switching goalkeeper targets

Having been continuously linked with Manchester United s David De Gea and Chelsea s Thibaut Courtois, seem to be looking in completely the other way at the moment.

Spanish outlet that Karlo Letica, shot-stopper for Croatian side Hajduk Split, is their newest target for the job between the posts.

Standing 6 7 tall and boasting impressive technical ability, many consider Letica to have the potential to develoop into a new Jan Oblak. He is the first-choice goalkeeper for Croatia s U21 team, and has been catching the eye of the football public recently. Marca claim Real have already contacted Hajduk and the goalkeeper s agent to relay their intentions.

Having improved his form, it looks like Keylor Navas is set to remain first choice at the Santiago Bernabeu for a…

Clemente sings Song´s praises

Javier Clemente has praised Arsenal midfielder Alex Song and feels the Cameroon international is unlike any other player.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Barcelona, and his former international coach has plenty of positive words about Song, even though he is not convinced with the midfielder s defensive abilities.

He has a very impressive physique and is a great guy. He is a very good player and is unlike any other player, Clemente told RAC-1.

Song is a much better player in attack than he is defensively, though.

Clemente worked with Song during his spell in charge of Cameroon from August 2010 until October 2011. The powerful midfielder has a contract with Arsenal until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Hull striker Proschwitz joins Brentford

Hull City striker Nick Proschwitz has joined Brentford on a free transfer after two years with the Premier League side.

The 27-year-old German arrives at Griffin Park on a one-year contract with an option for a further two seasons after failing to become a first-team regular at Hull.

Proschwitz joined the KC Stadium outfit from German club Paderborn in 2012, but found opportunities scarce, making just five league starts for Steve Bruce s men.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Barnsley, scoring four goals in 14 Championship appearances, and Brentford boss Mark Warburton is looking forward to seeing his new man in action.

Nick is a very experienced player, he said. He put in some fantastic performances in Germany before his move to Hull.

Madrid penalty decision cannot be understood – Koeman

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said he cannot understand how Real Madrid avoided conceding a crucial late penalty in their win against Eibar.

Zinedine Zidane s side clung on for a 3-1 victory after Lucas Vazquez s stoppage-time strike clinched all three points at Municipal de Ipurua.

Karim Benzema and Luka Modric had fired the Spanish champions into a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes before Kike hit back for the home side before the half-hour mark.

Eibar were pushing for a late equaliser when the hosts had appeals for a penalty turned down after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Sergio Ramos inside the penalty area.

Eibar head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar fumed about the incident, which was not reviewed by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.

BRO…

Liverpool handed double injury boost ahead of Man City clash

Liverpool have been handed a fitness boost ahead of their crunch Premier League clash against Manchester City with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez returning to training.

Jurgen Klopp s side make the short trip to Manchester to tackle the defending champions on Saturday when league action resumes following the international break.

The Reds have their eyes firmly set on the hunt for a top-four finish, sitting seven points behind Tottenham but holding two games in hand over their managerless rivals.

City will certainly present a stern test but the return of Diaz, who has been out of action since suffering a knee injury during the loss to Arsenal in October, provides a timely boost.

Whether the Colombia international will be fit enough to tackle City remains to be…

Marseille getting ready for a quartet departure

Olympique Marseille are an odd club. After reaching UEFA Europa League final in 2018, it was expected that the French giants will be making a step up in Ligue 1 the following season and make a real push for Champions League return, but that never materialized. After several unexpected transfers last summer, the team ended up far from the final third place that brings qualification to Champions League and now they are preparing for several departures.

According to Sky Sports, Marseille are willing to listen to offers for their top talents as they endeavour to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. After spending too much money last summer, most notably on Duje Caleta Car, Nemanja Radonjic and Kevin Strootman, they need to offload some players.

Florian Thauvin, Dimi…

LaLiga strugglers Espanyol show Flores the door

Espanyol have sacked Quique Sanchez Flores after a poor run in LaLiga.

The experienced manager who previously had spells in charge of Atletico Madrid and Valencia in Spain, as well as Watford in the Premier League led the club to an eighth-place finish in LaLiga last year.

However, they ve struggled in 2017-18, managing just eight victories in the league to sit 16th in the table, just eight points above the relegation zone with five games to play.

Flores, who had failed to see his side score in their last five outings, is not the only departure either, with Jordi Lardin also leaving his role as director of football.

RCD Espanyol thanks Quique Sanchez Flores for his dedication and work in these two seasons to the club, where he has been an important figur…

Hull´s Odubajo out for six months

Newly-promoted Hull City have been dealt a major blow with the news full-back Moses Odubajo has been ruled out for up to six months with a knee injury.

Odubajo ruptured his medial patellofemoral ligament during the pre-season friendly at nearby Grimsby Town last week and subsequent tests have revealed the extent of the damage.

Hull boss Steve Bruce told the club s official website: First and foremost, it’s desperately disappointing news for Moses.

He was exceptional for us last season as we won promotion back to the Premier League and we expect him to be a top player for many years to come. 

I know how much he was looking forward to testing himself in the top-flight of English football and to now have to sit out the first half of the season is a big…

Wenger convinced under-fire Ozil will prove ´a good investment´

Departing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is adamant under-fire playmaker Mesut Ozil will prove a good investment after the club made a significant financial outlay in convincing him to sign a new contract.

Ozil had been the subject of significant speculation after entering the final 12 months of his deal and had reportedly been targeted by several big clubs.

But, following Alexis Sanchez s departure to Manchester United, Arsenal managed to tie Ozil down as he signed fresh terms at the start of February.

Nevertheless, the German is still a regular target for criticism from fans and pundits, with former Arsenal defender Martin Keown blasting his performance in the Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Wenger has no concerns about hi…

England v San Marino: Focused Milner calls for improvement

James Milner has warned England not to underestimate San Marino ahead of Thursday s Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley.

Roy Hodgson s men are back in Group E action and will be confident of building on their 2-0 win over Switzerland in Basle last time out against the lowest ranked team in the world.

Following a dismal World Cup showing, which saw England exit at the group stage with just one point from their three games, Hodgson s side bounced back with a friendly win over Norway and their impressive victory against the Swiss.

Danny Welbeck s brace at St Jakob-Park handed England the early initiative in Group E, and another six points is expected in this international break as they travel to Estonia after hosting minnows San Marino.

But while Milner is well…