FOOTBALL

Newcastle have insisted that the £35 million sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool made financial sense, despite the club having to let go of one of their up and coming stars.

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli was in the news for the wrong reasons again after a training ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini on Wednesday, causing yet another controversy.

As a seventh consecutive season without a trophy becomes a reality for Arsenal, the burden of expectations will be on Arsene Wenger to be a key man in the summer transfer market and contrary to popular belief, Wenger has stated, this time, he is not afraid to spend big, if he finds "quality".

On-loan Arsenal starlet Benik Afobe has been taking advice from Robin van Persie, as the striker continues to move forward from injury woes and push for current side Reading to seal promotion to the Premier League.

Jose Enrique has praised the contribution of Martin Skrtel and believes the Liverpool centre-back is the best defender in the Premier League.

Scottish club Celtic have reportedly been fined £21,000 because of their fans' inappropriate behaviour during a Europa League clash against Italian club Udinese.

Patrick Vieira and Rio Ferdinand have both reacted to comments by the Manchester City excecutive, after Vieira made the explosive claim to BBC reporter Dan Roan that Manchester United receive preferential refereeing at Old Trafford.

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll has chastised Patrick Vieira for claiming Manchester United receive preferential treatment from match officials.

Arsenal are not targeting Luis Muriel, according to the forward's agent, with Helmuth Wennin claiming that talk of a move to the Emirates is just that for the Udinese star.

Rafa Benitez continues to maintain that there have been no offers made for his services at Chelsea, with the former Liverpool manager currently odds-on to take over the role left vacant by Andre Villas-Boas.

Gerrard Houllier has cautioned Kenny Dalglish that cup success will not be enough to suppress Liverpool fans' 'obsession' with claiming a first league crown since 1990.

Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as a front-runner to become the Chelsea manager on a permanent basis after spearheading the London club's recent rejuvenation.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is reportedly plotting a £42 million deal to fish in Colombian star striker Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid in the upcoming summer transfer season, according to a Sun report.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may receive his third UEFA touchline ban, inside of a year.

Notts County teenage goalkeeper Fabian Speiss has caught the attention of many big Premier League teams.

Juventus are believed to be ready to move for Chelsea's Raul Meireles.

Bayern Munich took one step closer to the final four of the Champions League.

A 16-year-old Cameroonian youth international has created quite a stir among European football circles.

French club Paris St Germain are preparing to move for Marouane Chamakh.

Milan and Barcelona played out an entertaining goalless draw, in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Arsenal summer signings Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson have both given their verdicts of their first season at the club, with the duo hoping to keep improving and take the Gunners to end their trophyless spell.

Former Newcastle star Tino Asprilla has revealed his thoughts on Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, with the striker claiming that the then-Toon man destroyed a once great side.

Manchester United youngster Federico Macheda has weighed in on the Paul Pogba exit speculation that has been following the club for some months now, with the striker claiming that he would do well to sign for a side in Italy.

All eyes will be on Frank Ribery when Bayern Munich visits Marseille's Stade Velodrome in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals as the French winger returns to his former club since leaving them for the German giants around five years ago.

AC Milan v Barcelona, Where to Watch, Match Preview and Statistics

Harry Redknapp has admitted that he had been chasing defender Ryan Nelsen for years, with the Tottenham manager finally landing his prize on a free transfer just after the January window closed.

Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to be offered a substantial pay rise, numerous media outlets claim, with the winger currently one of the lowest paid members of the first-team squad.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's counsels have started negotiations with the representatives of Pep Guardiola regarding the chances of the Barcelona boss becoming the London club's manager next season.

Rio Ferdinand believes that the key to Manchester United winning the title this season won't be beating Manchester City on April 30, but will rather be the trust that his own squad have in one another as the season hits the business end.