FOOTBALL

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has denied all rumours of the Gunners captain Robin van Persie being transferred to Manchester City this summer, according to a Telegraph report.

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez has revealed his head has been turned by reports linking him with a move to the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton Preview

Newcastle chairman Derek Llambias has admitted for the first time that the club risk losing midfielder Cheick Tiote in the summer, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly keen on the Cote d'Ivore international.

Arsene Wenger has praised Newcastle's quiet efficiency in the transfer market and believes Alan Pardew's side have to be considered challengers for the fourth Champions League spot on the back of their continued good form.

Chelsea v Stoke City Match Preview

Sir Alex Ferguson has denounced the refereeing decision that preceded Athletic Bilbao's controversial winning goal and threatens to end Manchester United's Europa League campaign.

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has questioned Arsenal's decision to sign Lukas Podolski and claims the striker remains unproven at the highest level.

Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale has refuted suggestions he is a chronic diver and claims he goes to ground so often because he is trying to avoid a career-ending injury.

Sunderland V Liverpool Preview

It was a match that could have gone either way but it has gone Sporting's way as the home side managed to sneak a 1-0 victory against Premier League giants Manchester City in the two teams' Europa league, round of sixteen (first leg clash) on Thursday.

The heroics of Rooney and De Gea was not enough as Manchester United were outclassed by Athletic Bilbao in their own back yard, losing 3-2 to the visitors in the Europa League, round of sixteen (first leg) clash between the two teams.

Kenny Dalglish has reacted angrily to suggestions Luis Suarez is a summer transfer target for cash-rich Paris Saint Germain.

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For David De Gea, criticism over his performances since succeeding Edwin van der Sar are all part and parcel of a new life at Old Trafford.

Almost 2,500 football hooligans will be slapped with travel bans to prevent them from travelling to the European Championships.

Liverpool have been warned off making an approach for Barcelona prodigy Cristian Tello, after the player's agent revealed his client was close to signing a new deal at the Nou Camp.

Liquidation looms for Scottish Premier club after players reject 75% wage loss they first agreed to.

Johnson has made a public apology for his misconduct.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has lauded the recent form of "fantastic" Tomas Rosicky, after a string of impressive performances from the midfielder in recent weeks.

German striker Lukas Podolski will reportedly join Arsenal from German club FC Köln, for a transfer fee of £10.9m, at the end of the season, according to a Daily Mail report.

Balotelli, while talking to Irish musician Noel Gallagher (who is also a City fan) for a BBC interview, admitted to needing to grow up a little bit.

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has reignited the Suarez-Evra race row after he accused the Manchester United captain of instigating the handshake controversy between the two players at Old Trafford last month.

Chelsea defender John Terry has admitted the squad must accept culpability for the acrimonious end of Andre Villas-Boas' reign at Stamford Bridge.

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has expressed an interest in signing Dutch striker Robin van Persie from Arsenal in the upcoming transfer season, according to an ESPN report.

A report in The Sun suggests Juventus may be targeting Michael Essien and Alex Song.

Tottenham continue to impress, this time coming from a goal down against Stevenage to win 3-1 in the replay of their Fifth Round FA Cup game on Wednesday night.

Barcelona's Argentine wizard led a 7-1 rout of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, in the second leg of their Champions League tie.