Shkodran Mustafi has talked up a potential move to the Bundesliga after contributing to Germany s World Cup triumph.
Mustafi currently plays his club football with Sampdoria, having joined the Serie A club from Everton in 2012.
A rapid ascent into Sampdoria s first team resulted in a late call to Joachim Low s World Cup squad as a result of Marco Reus ankle injury.
Mustafi featured in two of Germany s three group games as well as the last-16 win over Algeria.
Philipp Lahm s international retirement could open up a spot for Mustafi in Germany s long-term plans and the 22-year-old is interested in a move back to his homeland, having left Hamburg s youth system in 2009 as a teenager.
It would be nice to play in the Bundesliga, being a Germany intern…
Former Argentina coach Alfio Basile does not believe Lionel Messi needs to win the World Cup to cement his legacy.
Messi has enjoyed huge levels of club success with Barcelona, winning every domestic trophy in Spain and the UEFA Champions League on three occasions.
He was named player of the tournament at last year s World Cup but left disappointed as Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Germany after extra time.
Basile coached Messi during his second stint as Argentina coach from 2006 to 2008, having previously led his country to Copa America success in 1991 and 1993.
And he told Perform: The problem Messi has is that people want him to win it [the World Cup] because they think he will then become even better.
But although he is not a world champ…
Former Colombia defender Ivan Cordoba has left his role as Inter team manager by mutual consent.
Cordoba, 38, retired in 2012 after 13 years with the Serie A giants before moving into the backroom staff.
He won multiple league titles and cups at the club, including the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League.
In a statement, Inter paid tribute to Cordoba and confirmed his departure.
FC Internazionale and Ivan Cordoba announce that they have mutually agreed to end their working relationship, the statement read.
FC Internazionale would like to pay tribute to an unforgettable player and a great man. We wish him all the best for the future.
…
Hungary coach Marco Rossi has visited Barnabas Varga in hospital after the forward underwent surgery on the worrying facial injury he suffered against Scotland.
During the second half of Sunday s 1-0 win over Scotland, which sealed Hungary s third-place finish in Group A and likely qualification for the last 16 of Euro 2024, Varga collided with the elbow of opposing goalkeeper Angus Gunn while attempting to reach a cross into the box.
Sheeting was placed around Varga as other players called for urgent medical attention, and it was later confirmed he had been knocked unconscious, suffering a concussion and breaking several bones in his face.
The Hungarian Football Federation later confirmed he had undergone surgery and was expected to be discharged on Wednesday.
AFC Bournemouth have announced manager Eddie Howe has committed his future to the Dean Court club by signing a new contract.
The 37-year-old, who started and finished a playing career shortened by injury at Bournemouth, took charge of the club during the 2008-09 season.
He has since overseen three promotions to guide them to the Premier League, either side of a brief, unsuccessful spell at Burnley between January 2011 and October 2012.
Howe s fine results with Bournemouth have not gone unnoticed elsewhere and he has recently been linked with several other teams.
However, the former defender may have now put a halt to speculation about his future by inking a new deal.
I am delighted that Eddie has committed his future to the club, owner Maxim Dem…
In Serie A, Lautaro Martinez struck his 12th goal of the season to send Inter Milan back to the summit with a 3-0 win at Torino.
After a goalless first half, Marcus Thuram broke the deadlock in the 59th minute before Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu, via the penalty spot, added further goals for Simone Inzaghi’s side.
Napoli secured a 3-1 victory on the road at Verona thanks to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s double to ease the pressure on Rudi Garcia.
Meanwhile, first-half efforts by Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto earned Lazio all three points with a 2-0 triumph away to Sassuolo.
In France, Kylian Mbappe’s early penalty sent Paris St Germain on their way to a 3-0 win over Strasbourg.
A 10th-minute spot-kick from Mbappe got the ball rolling for PSG b…
The Mirror understand Chelsea are considering offering Cesc Fabregas a new contract in an attempt to fend off interest from Manchester United.
The Premier League champions have a policy of only offering twelve-month extensions to players over thirty but may have to make an exemption if they are to keep hold of the Spain international, who’s current deal expires at the end of next season.
Fabregas, who turns 31 in May moved to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona in the summer of 2014 and has since racked up one hundred and forty-two appearances in all competitions, scoring nineteen goals and has helped the side win two Premier League titles, and the League Cup in 2015.
The former Arsenal captain has been capped one hundred and ten times for Spain, scoring fifteen…
Ricardo Quaresma wants to help Besiktas lift the Super Lig title next season after securing a move back to Turkey on Wednesday.
The Portugal international – who left the club in 2012 – agreed a return to Istanbul after spending the last three years with Al Ahli and Porto, and has now set his sights on winning silverware.
Quaresma arrived on Tuesday and passed a medical before being presented to the club s fans, when he vowed to give everything he has got to bring success back to Besiktas.
I am leaving all my past behind and opening a new page in Turkey, he told the club s official website.
I know what the fans expect from me, and I’ll do my best in order not to disappoint them.
Their love and passion was the main reason why I r…
AC Milan forward M Baye Niang believes the club can still finish in the Serie A top three despite a slow start to the season.
Sinisa Mihajlovic has endured a tough start at Milan, with the club in the bottom-half of the table after four defeats in seven games.
Milan s most recent match before the international break finished in a 4-0 loss at home to Napoli their worst defeat at San Siro since August 2009.
Niang, who did a video Q A with his followers on Twitter, said belief within the squad was still there.
Yes we still believe in third place, as there have only been a few games and we are all united. I believe, so does the whole team and the club, the 20-year-old said.
Before he arrived at Milan, everyone knew Mihajlovic because he had a g…
Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders insists the Reds deserve credit for their determination in challenging circumstances following the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
The visitors claimed a share of the spoils after an entertaining encounter at Stamford Bridge, despite the hosts recovering from 2-0 down before half-time.
Lijnders took charge of the 2019-20 Premier League champions in the absence of manager Jurgen Klopp, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.
Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip also missed the trip to London for the same reason, while Andrew Robertson was suspended.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane – who both netted for the Reds – were playing their final match before linking up with Egypt and Senegal respectively…