Arsenal are preparing to open contract negotiations with Jorginho following a string of standout performances, the PA news agency understands.

The 32-year-old Italy midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season.

Jorginho joined Arsenal from London rivals Chelsea last January and has so far made 41 appearances across all competitions, scoring once.

A Euro 2020 winner at Wembley, the former Napoli player has impressed Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with his professional approach and has added much-needed experience to a young squad at the Emirates Stadium.

It is understood that a one-year deal with the option of a further year is planned as an opening point for talks with Jorginho, who won the Champions League and Europa League during his five-year stin…

With all eyes falling on Prague on Wednesday night, Fiorentina and West Ham will be looking to make their own piece of Europa Conference League history when they meet at the Fortuna Arena.

Although the Hammers might have shown some extended domestic issues this season, David Moyes’ men are just 90 minutes away from getting their hands on a first piece of silverware since their FA Cup success back in 1980.

However, although the Premier League outfit might have came past AZ Alkmaar last month thanks to a 3-1 aggregate victory, the former Manchester United boss will face a huge challenge here.

Watching the Viola mount a stellar semi-final comeback against Basel on May 18th, Fiorentina have certainly claimed a real boost over the past fortnight and they w…

Aymeric Laporte has told Manchester City that he wants to leave in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the Spain international central defender, who has made it known to Premier League champions City that he wants to move on.

Laporte has been on the books of City since 2018 when he joined from Athletic Bilbao. The Spain international central defender has done well for the Premier League champions over the years, but he has not been a regular in manager Pep Guardiola’s side in recent times and has lost his place in the team.

The 29-year-old central defender has made 11 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for City this season. Laporte has also made three starts …

Just under a month ago, Manchester City excitedly announced Pep Guardiola had extended his contract with the club until 2023, but the news was curious in that the response from supporters and media alike was somewhat muted.

While the fact it was only a new two-year deal may have contributed to that, with respect to fans there seemed to be trepidation as to whether Guardiola was still getting the results – stylistically as well as wins – many expected.

Although some will have dismissed the signs of City turning stale as natural by-products of a turbulent year for the sport, others undoubtedly began to voice concern at City s performances and the lack of intensity Guardiola s team have shown.

And City have arguably got worse since the news of his extension brok…

Manchester City defender John Stones will miss the champions’ Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The England international was forced off at half-time of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Young Boys with a muscular problem.

Guardiola has revealed the injury is not as bad as feared but there is no prospect of him travelling to Stamford Bridge. It is also not clear whether Stones will be available for England this month or the November 25 clash with Liverpool.

Guardiola said at a press conference: “He is injured. He is not ready (for Sunday) and we will see when we come back from the international break.

“The doctor said to me it’s not as bad (as first thought) but I still don’t know when he’s goin…

Thomas Tuchel explained his extra-time goalkeeper substitution was based on statistical data, not spontaneity, with Kepa Arrizabalaga making two shoot-out saves to win the Super Cup for Chelsea.

Gerard Moreno s second-half strike cancelled out Hakim Ziyech s opener at Windsor Park and, with penalties looming, Tuchel sent on Kepa for Edouard Mendy in the closing minutes.

The Spain goalkeeper denied both Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol in the shoot-out, ensuring a 6-5 penalties win for Chelsea after a 1-1 draw to secure their second Super Cup.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Tuchel explained his decision to bring on Kepa was pre-discussed and based on data introduced to him by his analysts and goalkeeping coaches.

It was not spontaneous, Tuchel responded…

Portugal defender Pepe has confirmed he will retire from professional football after a glittering 23-year career.

The 41-year-old played 878 times for club and country, winning 34 trophies along the way, with much of his success coming during his time at Real Madrid.

Having made his name with Porto, Pepe completed a move to the Bernabeu in 2007 and would go on to form one of the best defensive partnerships alongside Sergio Ramos.

He would win 12 honours during his decade with Los Blancos, including three Champions League titles, before moving to Besiktas.

Pepe would spend a season in Turkey before returning to Porto, where he would make a further 132 appearances and add another nine honours to his trophy cabinet.

The defender would also enjoy…

Barcelona are willing to sell Ansu Fati for €100 million, with Manchester United interested in signing the forward in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that due to Fati’s poor form, Barcelona have decided to cash in on he 20-year-old and will look for at least €100 million in transfer fees for the Spain international forward.

Fati has been on the books of Barcelona since 2012 and has come through the youth system. The 20-year-old has made eight starts and 13 substitute appearances in La Liga for Barca so far this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists in the process. The forward has also made two starts and four substitute appearances in the UEFA Champions League and has made two substitute appearances in the UEFA Europa Le…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to stay at Milan for life as the evergreen superstar eyes a Rossoneri contract extension.

Ibrahimovic celebrated his 40th birthday in October but the veteran forward has shown no signs of slowing down amid Milan s Serie A title bid.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Ibrahimovic has scored six goals in nine league appearances to help Scudetto-chasing Milan to the top of the table through 16 rounds.

Ibrahimovic has been a revelation since re-joining Milan for a second spell in January 2020 and as the Swede continues to defy Father Time , he has no plans to leave San Siro.

I want to play as long as possible, and as long as I have that adrenaline, I will continue, Ibrahimovic – who was part of the last Milan team to win Ser…

UEFA have revealed the seedings for next month s Euro 2016 qualifying draw, with 53 competing nations split into six pots.

The 2016 European Championship will be the first to feature 24 teams, with hosts France already assured of their place at the event.

Friday s draw saw holders Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina confirmed as the nine top seeds.

Switzerland, among the seeded teams for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, are in pot two on this occasion, together with Ukraine, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary and the Republic of Ireland.

Pot five contains Gibraltar, who will take part in a major tournament qualifying campaign for the first time.

The seeds have been deter…