FOOTBALL

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger plans to complete his transfers early this summer to avoid a situation similar to last season's deadline day chaos

Real Madrid ended APOEL's fairytale run in the Champions League by thumping the hosts 3-0 in the two teams' first leg quarter-final tie of the Champions League in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Blues return to London with narrow 1-0 win.

Tottenham beat Bolton 3-1, in the two sides' rescheduled FA Cup quarter-final tie on Tuesday night.

Arsenal have missed out on German wunderkind Mario Gotze, after the midfielder opted to remain with Borussia Dortmund until 2016.

Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez was the subject of a bid worth €18 million from Arsenal, according to his agent, with Palermo rejecting the offer on the grounds that it wasn't high enough.

Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn believes the club's recent form demonstrates the potential of Arsene Wenger's vision and has tipped them to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

John Flanagan and Sebastian Coates are both hoping to continue to impress Kenny Dalglish this season, with the young duo aiming to make their places on Liverpool's first team a regular occurrence.

A football fan was shot dead and several others were seriously injured after a fight between rival supporters ahead of a derby match in Brazil on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger has dismissed AC Milan's chances of beating Barcelona.

Sepp Blatter has expressed his relief at Fabrice Muamba's recovery.

The vacant managerial position at the San Siro is creating plenty of interest among the more high-profile managers in Europe.

Chelsea Temporary manager Roberto Di Matteo is reportedly holding talks with the FA committee to prepone the Blues' FA Cup semi-final tie with Tottenham/Bolton, if Chelsea make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, according to a ESPN report.

Sir Alex Ferguson remains content for Manchester United to grind out tense victories if it ensures they pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.

Alberto Aquilani looks set to finally make a permanent exit from Liverpool for AC Milan, after the midfielder clocked up 25 appearances for the club so far this season.

Ryan Giggs and Jonny Evans have both sung the praises of Manchester United's surge in the title race, as the side defeated Fulham 1-0 to take a commanding 3 point lead over cross town rivals Manchester City in the Premier League table.

Branislav Ivanovic has travelled with the rest of the Chelsea squad to play Benfica.

Arsenal are set to offer Alex Song an extension to his current contract after a series of impressive displays this season.

Jordi Alba is fielding interest from AC Milan, his agent has confirmed, with the Chelsea target considering his future as a host of clubs swoop for the youngster's signature.

Striker Edin Dzeko is prepared to leave Manchester City in the summer transfer window due to lack of playing time.

Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia believes that his side can knockout a second English side, Chelsea, from the Champions League, having already sent off Manchester United in the early stages of the competition, according to a Goal.com report.

Liverpool legends John Aldridge and David Fairclough have criticised the club's recent abject performances and called on the current squad to raise their game in the final nine games.

Inter Milan could appoint one former Chelsea manager - Andre Villas-Boas - to replace one they just fired.

Davide Santon is not planning on making a return to Italy any time soon, with the Newcastle defender insisting that he has settled into life at St James' Park.

Apoel Nicosia v Real Madrid, Where to Watch, Match Preview and Statistics

Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan is confident that Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres' failure to find goals can help the Portuguese side get past Chelsea as the two sides meet in Lisbon on Tuesday, in the first leg of Champions League quarterfinals.

Italian club Inter Milan have sacked their manager Claudio Ranieri following the Nerazzurri's recent 0-2 defeat to rivals Juventus on Sunday, according to a ESPN report.

Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar has delayed contract talks with the German club till the Euros, alerting several clubs including his long-time admirers Manchester United.

Tottenham's Gareth Bale and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta rally their respective team mates and target third in the league.