Veron confirms talks with Iniesta over Estudiantes move

Saham reached the GCC Champions League final after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win at Al Shabab on Tuesday.

The Omani side – in the competition for the first time since 2011 – were pre-match favourites after winning the first leg 3-1.

But a 10-man Al Shabab claimed a 3-1 win of their own to force a shootout, only to run into the inspired Saham goalkeeper Sulaiman Al Bariki.

Al Bariki made two penalty saves in the shootout to give his side victory, meaning they will face either Al Nasr or Al Nahda in the final.

UAE Pro League side Al Shabab took just 35 minutes to level the aggregate score at 3-3 after strikes from Carlos Villanueva and Esam Dahi.

Saham responded through Mohsin Jahar on the stroke of half-time, but their lead was short-lived, as Dahi…

Liverpool remain in the dark over reports Luis Suarez has suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Uruguay.

Reports surfacing in the Uruguayan media on Thursday suggested that Suarez will require surgery on a problem picked up in training.

The 27-year-old is said to have damaged his meniscus and could be out for four to six weeks putting his FIFA World Cup participation in serious doubt.

However, when contacted by Perform, Liverpool revealed they have heard nothing from the Uruguayan Football Association about the injury, and are unlikely to have any input on any subsequent treatment Suarez requires.

Suarez s absence from the World Cup would represent a severe blow to Uruguay s hopes of emulating their superb performance at the tournament four yea…

Edgardo Bauza believes the in-form Sergio Aguero will seamlessly slip into Argentina s attacking quartet with Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain against Chile.

With Juventus forward Paulo Dybala ruled out, Aguero could take his chance to secure a starting berth for his national team just as he did at club level when Gabriel Jesus was injured for Manchester City.

After falling behind the Brazil international at City, Aguero has returned to score seven goals in his last seven games in all competitions and Argentina coach Bauza is delighted with his return to form.

For me, [Aguero] is the best we have as Dybala isn t available, he told a pre-match news conference ahead of Thursday s World Cup qualifying clash.

I think he is going through a go…

that Ajax are set to cash in on striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson in the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye of Europe s top clubs and with his contract due to expire in a year s time, the Amsterdammers have no choice but to sell this summer.

It is believed that Swansea, QPR and few more English sides are showing interest, with the Swans also keen on Twente s Luc Castaignos.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson joined Ajax from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2011, but he needed a while to establish himself as a first team regular.

After scoring a total of 14 goals in his first two seasons at the club, the talented forward showed some improvement last term, notching 10 goals in 30 Eredivisie appearances.

Sigthorsson was in fine form to help Icelan…

Former Newcastle United captain Rob Lee believes the club could challenge the Premier League s top teams within a couple of years following a lucrative takeover – as long as the new owners bring the right people in.

Lee joined Newcastle in the second tier in 1992, but the Magpies were quickly promoted under Kevin Keegan and immediately challenged for the title.

Newcastle finished third in their first season up, then sixth, then second twice – agonisingly missing out on the championship in 1995-96 having led Manchester United by 12 points at one stage.

Although Bobby Robson led Newcastle back into the Champions League following the turn of the century, the Tyneside club have largely struggled to compete since.

Mike Ashley s purchase of Newcastle in 200…

Harry is important from set-pieces, as he showed at the World Cup. But I have to be honest, I wouldn t take players that are 50 per cent fit, said Ferdinand, who was speaking to Stats Perform on behalf of Heineken, an official UEFA Euro 2020 partner. 

If I m worried about a player being able to make 90 minutes, I wouldn t take them. Too much energy goes into talking about it and worrying about it, that it takes the focus off what you are there for as a team.

Who to play alongside John Stones in the heart of defence should Maguire fail to win his fitness battle is not the only big selection call Southgate has to make ahead of Euro 2020 getting under way next week.

The England boss is spoiled for choice in the final third, with Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jack G…

Neil Warnock has stepped down as Aberdeen manager after guiding the club into the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-finals.

A 3-1 quarter-final victory over Kilmarnock proved to be the final match of the 75-year-old’s short spell in charge.

Warnock was handed the job until the end of the season after Barry Robson was sacked but did not enjoy a cinch Premiership win in six matches.

Interim manager Neil Warnock has stepped aside following today’s Scottish Cup Quarter Final victory at Pittodrie.

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC)

The Dons stated that Warnock had “stepped aside” and chairman Dave Cormack added on Aberdeen’s website: “The club would like to thank both Neil and Ronnie Jepson for their efforts.

“With the search for a new m…

Veteran Spanish international Marcos Senna celebrated becoming Villarreal s all-time record league appearance holder with a fine opening goal as his side won 3-0 at 10-man Real Zaragoza on Saturday to close to within five points of league leaders Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old Senna, a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, made his 220th league outing for Villarreal to beat the previous best of Argentine Rodolfo Arruabarrena and scored a superb goal to boot, firing in a long distance shot in the eighth minute.

Spanish international winger Santi Cazorla, who along with Senna was left out of Spain s World Cup winning squad, doubled Villarreal s lead on 17 minutes and Brazilian international forward Nilmar weighed in with his eighth league goal of the season on 65 minutes.

Za…

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup return leg at Anfield against Exeter City on Wednesday, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp reflected on his team’s chances in the game, striking deficiencies, but he also ruminated on young players chasing the money.

The German tactician was asked to comment on the subject amid transfer speculation that revolve around Liverpool’s wantaway young striker Jerome Sinclair, whose contract expires in the summer.

Sinclair has already become Liverpool’s youngest ever first-team player having made his debut at West Brom in 2012 at 16 years and six days, but he has refused to sign a new deal with the club which means he could leave at the end of the season.

How can I say? To get the highest wages in your life in the first year…

Manchester City have announced Pep Guardiola will take over as their new manager at the end of the season after Manuel Pellegrini confirmed he will leave the club in June.

Guardiola had already revealed he would depart Bayern Munich at the conclusion of the 2015-16 campaign and City have now confirmed the Etihad Stadium will be his next destination.

The Premier League club s statement read: Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalized contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 2016-17 EPL season onwards.

The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.

Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the clu…