FOOTBALL SHORTS
MANCHESTER United defender Phil Jones has welcomed the signing of fellow centre back Victor Lindelof, and said it would increase competition for first-team action at the Premier League club.
The 22-year-old Lindelof was a key player for Portuguese side Benfica last season, missing six of the club’s 46 matches in all competitions as they secured the domestic title for the fourth consecutive year.
In contrast, 25-year-old England international Jones has struggled to book a regular spot at United because of injuries, and featured in 21 of their 64 matches last campaign.
“We’re Manchester United, we’re going to attract the best players and the biggest players,” said Jones. “It would be a strange summer if we weren’t signing players like that. Competition is always good.”
TOTTENHAM Hotspur and South Korea forward Son Heung-min broke his right arm during his nation’s World Cup qualifying defeat by Qatar in Doha on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old was forced off in the 35th minute and a Korean Football Association (KFA) official confirmed he had fractured his forearm in the 3-2 loss.
Son, who has 53 caps for his country, scored 21 goals in 42 appearances for Tottenham last season to help them finish second in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup semifinals.
ARSENAL remain absolutely determined to resist any Manchester City or Premier League offer for Alexis Sanchez this summer.
The north London club will only sell Sanchez abroad, meaning Bayern Munich remain his likeliest destination if he does not see out the last year of his contract at the Emirates.
With the 28-year-old’s current deal set to end next year, there is a growing expectation that City will bid £50 million over the next week to try and test Arsenal’s position.
The London club are resolute they will not sell to a rival, however. Arsenal’s fundamental position is that they are still trying to persuade Sanchez to sign a new deal, but that prospect looks increasingly unlikely, especially after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.
LEICESTER City have agreed a deal worth £17 m for Hull City’s Harry Maguire. The centre half has completed a medical and agreed personal terms.
Leicester have made strengthening their defence a priority this summer – manager Craig Shakespeare has also seen a £10m bid for Jonny Evans rejected by West Bromwich Albion. West Brom have told Leicester the Northern Ireland international is not for sale. Evans has two years left on his contract.
EVERTON are favourites to land Michael Keane from Burnley.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is an admirer of the £25m-rated England centre back, but Everton have yet to formalise their interest.
STRIKER Tammy Abraham will decide on his future at Premier League champions Chelsea after England’s campaign in the under-21 European Championships in Poland later this month, the 19-year-old has said.
Abraham, a product of Chelsea’s youth academy, made two senior appearances for Chelsea last year before being sent on a season-long loan spell at Championship side Bristol City, where he scored 26 goals in more than 40 appearances for the club.
“After this season I need to take myself to the next level. I always want to do better.” – Daily Mail, The Independent & Reuters