FOOTBALL

Sir Alex Ferguson will leave Manchester United as manager at the end of the 2012/13 season, according to Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan.

Tottenham's failure to qualify for the Champions League next season could see them miss out on Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, despite speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.

Roberto Martinez must make a decision on the Liverpool job after his holiday, according to Dave Whelan

Chelsea, after confirming the departure of their star striker Didier Drogba, have reportedly also asked Portuguese defender José Bosingwa and Ivorian forward Salomon Kalou, who have both run out of contract, to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to The Telegraph.

Robin van Persie is not just needed at Arsenal for his goal-scoring abilities, according to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the youngster insisting the skipper provides a great deal of support off the pitch as well.

From Robin van Persie's sublime volley against Everton, to Papiss Cisse's wonder strike at Stamford Bridge, IBTimes Sport reviews the goal of the season contenders.

Does Didier Drogba's impact on the English game match the contribution of Thierry Henry?

Alan Shearer believes that Andy Carroll has shown what he is capable of at Liverpool this season, and the former England international believes the striker will show the Reds that he was worth every cent of the £35m transfer fee next season.

Chelsea have been linked with FC Porto's Hulk, Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain as potential replacements for outbound Didier Drogba

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has revealed the club are targeting a raft of new signings in the summer transfer window.

Roy Keane insists that he would have chosen Rio Ferdinand and John Terry to be in the England squad, after Roy Hodgson left the Manchester United defender claiming 'footballing reasons' as a justification.

Joel Campbell has insisted that he will work hard to get into the Arsenal first team next year, with the 19 year old aiming to use his time at Lorient to break into the side.

Roberto Mancini dismisses any notion of a bid for AC Milan's Thiago Silva, while there are reports Manchester City have launched a £25mn bid for Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard remains adamant he can continue playing at the highest level for both club and country for a number of years to come.

Dirk Kuyt has revealed that although he is considering offers from numerous clubs, the winger is will stay at Liverpool if the new manager can promise him more game time.

The futures of Tottenham stars Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor are all up in the air

Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo, who seems to have grown sick of his uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, says that he will quit the Blues unless he is offered a permanent contract by club owner Roman Abramovich, according to a Sun report.

Queens Park Rangers skipper Joey Barton will probably be not playing for the Hoops first team next season after he was slapped with a record breaking 12 match ban following his poor conduct during his team's final Premier League clash (of the season) against Manchester City.

Spanish star striker Fernando Torres, who had earlier hinted at leaving Chelsea due to his "starting" frustrations, has been given assurance by the Blues chief executive Ron Gourlay that he will be leading the European Cup's Champions' attack next season, according to an ESPN report.

Andre Villas-Boas' agent has addressed the rumours linking the former Chelsea manager with a move to Liverpool and Roma, insisting that he is only going to yes to a side that is a perfect fit.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre believes the club are close to a decision regarding whether they leave Anfield.

The Spaniard, who became the highest-scoring midfielder in La Liga by netting 17 times, has reportedly been on the Red Devils' radar for some time.

Eden Hazard will reveal his destination this summer after Belgium's friendly with England on 2 June.

Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho has signed a new two year old contract with Real Madrid which will bind him to the club till 2016, according to Real Madrid's official web site.

Newcastle are close to signing 22 year old Romain Amalfitano, according to reports in the BBC, with the Toon already starting to make waves in the transfer window as they continue to build on their squad.

Offloading fringe players from the wage bill and bringing through a raft of the club's Under-19 stars will top the agenda for Liverpool's new manager.

Juventus say they've agreed a deal with Paul Pogba, despite Manchester United trying to keep the midfielder

Roman Abramovich is expected to sign at least two forwards in this transfer window after Didier Drogba's decision to leave Stamford Bridge.

Former England manager Fabio Capello will not become the new Liverpool manager, according to the Liverpool Echo.