Everton manager David Moyes has hinted that he will look to deploy Marouane Fellaini in a more advanced midfield role.
The Belgian has predominately been positioned with a defensive mindset since his big-money move in 2008, although his manager is of the belief that his long-term position is further up the field.
Tim Cahill has long featured in the role, but Moyes has suggested that Fellaini could become the 32-year-old s successor.
Marouane is probably seen as more of a defensive midfield player, Moyes told the club s official website.
But he s far better when he s joining in and getting forward because he can do a bit of everything.
He plays for Belgium as one of a three-man midfield. For us, we ve tended to play with two midfield players an…
Switzerland international Fabian Frei is set to join Mainz from Basel, agreeing terms on a four-year deal, following fellow midfielder Johannes Geis departure from the Coface Arena.
The Swiss champions announced the transfer on Tuesday, with Frei to undergo a medical before completing his move next month.
The 26-year-old who scored against Liverpool at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League last December has been with Basel for a decade and made 31 league appearances in their title-winning campaign last time out the club s sixth in a row.
He missed two of those seasons after being sent on loan to St Gallen, while his international bow came in October 2011 against Wales.
Geis switch to Schalke was confirmed earlier in the day, while Mainz have alread…
Juventus have completed the signing of Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli from Serie A rivals Sassuolo.
The Bianconeri will pay an initial €25million, plus add-ons that could be worth a further €12.5m, to land the 23-year-old on a five-year deal.
Locatelli arrives on a two-year loan with the permanent deal to be completed at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Locatelli scored twice against Switzerland and made five appearances in Italy s Euro 2020 triumph.
Juve vice president Pavel Nedved revealed at the start of this month that the Turin giants had made what they considered to be an appropriate offer for Locatelli and they have now got their man.
Locatelli had the second best goals-per-90-minute ratio of any Italy player (0.66) in Euro 2020 aft…
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Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Serie B standings, Sport Recife will travel to the Almeidao in the early hours of Saturday morning when they meet Tombense.
Starting with the hosts, suffering a woeful second-half collapse away at Atletico GO in midweek, Tombense find themselves in the midst of a real nightmare blip. Eventually getting hit with an action-packed 3-2 loss, Marcelo Chamusca’s men have now mustered just a single point from any of their last four straight Serie B appearances. Opening August with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ituano, the Whites have also gained a reputation for their extended inconsistencies. Likewise, shipping eight goals on their four-match winless r…
Michael Owen is in line to make his Stoke debut against champions Manchester City on Saturday at the Britannia Stadium.
The former Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid attacker signed a one-year pay-as-you-play deal in a free transfer on deadline day and could link up with England striker Peter Crouch, if selected by Stoke boss Tony Pulis.
Owen s move was awaiting ratification from the Premier League but he was successfully registered in the 25-man playing squad in time.
Owen along with Charlie Adam (Liverpool) and Steven Nzonzi (Blackburn) were among seven off-season signings for Stoke, who again proved you do not need to break the bank to sign quality players.
Adam played over a half in Stoke s 2-2 draw at Wigan on September 1, while Nzonzi may…
Manchester City appears to be on the verge of completing a deal for Raheem Sterling after they agreed to a record-breaking $76 million transfer fee for the winger with Liverpool, according to multiple media sources.
The England international is expected to complete his move to the Etihad Stadium next week, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.
Having initially been included in Liverpool s squad for the club s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, Sterling was later withdrawn from manager Brendan Rodgers party, as the two clubs continued to negotiate over the weekend.
City has already seen two bids turned down, but apparenlty its third offer of £49 million has been accepted.
As yet, neither club has confirmed the deal, with City maintain…
Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou insists there is no basis to allegations that he has previously been guilty of corruption.
Speaking at the FIFA Executive Committee media briefing, in which proposed reforms to the structure of world football s governing body were outlined, the 69-year-old was adamant he has never accepted illicit payments in relation to World Cup bidding processes.
FIFA was dealt a further blow prior to the event when Alfredo Hawit, president of CONCACAF, and Juan Angel Napout, president of CONMEBOL, were arrested in Zurich on suscpicion of taking bribes.
Responding to questions over whether the timing of the ExCo s briefing was appropriate given the arrests, Hayatou said: FIFA does not control justice, as you know very well. They [Swiss an…
Bolivian club Universitario have been branded shameful after an unpaid wages dispute saw them field youth players and forfeit their match with Wilstermann after going 7-0 down at half-time.
Universitario s first-team players are on strike due to allegations of not being paid, meaning coach Oscar Sanz had to use youth players, with 15-year-old goalkeeper Santiago Arancibia among them.
Such was the gulf in class between Universitario s youngsters and Bolivian Primera A leaders Wilstermann s first team, the hosts were 7-0 up by the interval.
Only seven Universitario players returned for the second half, as four opted not to return after apparently picking up knocks in the first, with coach Sanz s hands tied due to no substitutes being named for the match.
An…
Chelsea s Hakim Ziyech is on Milan s transfer wish list.
The winger was a shock omission from Morocco s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
He has impressed for the Blues but could be prised away by the San Siro outfit.
TOP STORY – MILAN EYEING CHELSEA S ZIYECH
Milan are keen to lure Ziyech to Serie A, according to Calciomercato.
Ziyech has played 18 times in all competitions this season – the 10th most appearances of any Chelsea player – with 13 of those being starts, but the Italian club sense an opportunity to make him their own.
The 28-year-old has been directly involved in seven goals – three goals and four assists – a tally that is bettered by only Jorginho (8), Mason Mount and Reece James (both 11).
M…
Newly promoted Serie A outfit Verona have completed the signing of striker Luca Toni on a one-year contract.
The 36-year-old joins Andrea Mandorlini s side as a free agent following a second term with Fiorentina last season.
Toni has enjoyed spells at Roma and Bayern Munich and will now attempt to help Verona survive in their first top-flight campaign since 2002.
A statement on the club s official website read: Hellas Verona FC announces the acquisition of Luca Toni. The striker has signed a one-year contract.
Toni won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006 and the Bundesliga title with Bayern in 2008.
His return to Fiorentina ended in disappointment, though, as they missed out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League on the final day of the season.