FOOTBALL DIGEST

CHELSEA midfielder Mateo Kovacic is in talks over a move to Zenit St Petersburg. The Croatia star, 24, is on loan from Real Madrid for a season but there is no option to buy. Blues boss Maurizio Sarri wants to make Kovacic’s loan permanent but

KOVACIC IN TALKS OVER ZENIT MOVE Chelsea will only be able to buy if their appeal to FIFA against a two window transfer ban is successful.

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN were promoted to the FA Women’s Super League after a 5-0 win over Aston Villa last night secured a top-two Championship finish. Casey Stoney’s side will play in the top tier just a year after being founded.

POLICE investigating an incident in the tunnel after Barnsley’s victory over Fleetwood on Saturday have arrested a man on suspicion of a racially aggravated assault. Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow tweeted that Fleetwood boss Joey Barton confronted opposing manager Daniel Stendel, who is German, after the game.

NEWCASTLE UNITED will explore a swap deal plus cash involving Matt Ritchie (left) and Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser. Ritchie, 29, is valued at £15m and has two years left on his deal but is unlikely to get an extension.

FORMER Watford owner Laurence Bassini has agreed a deal to buy Bolton Wanderers subject to English Football League approval, the club have said. Bassini is understood to have paid a nominal amount to Ken Anderson for shares in Burnden Leisure up front and has vowed to clear outstanding bills.