Bernd Leno on Real Madrid radar

Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno, .

Los Blancos are watching at a number of high-profile shot-stoppers as Iker Casillas spell at Santiago Bernabeu draws to a close.

Real Madrid scouts have been keeping a close eye on Germany starlet Bernd Leno of late, and they have been impressed with the 23-year-old footballer.

Los Blancos could turn towards the talented goalkeeper in case they fail to lure primary target David De Gea to Santiago Bernabeu.

And with Leno now in his fourth season at Bayer Leverkusen, the Germany international may be interested in a change of scenery.

The highly rated footballer joined die Werkself from Stuttgart in the summer of 2011 and has since…

With The Game Awards now just a few days away, we’re beginning to get details on what the event will bring at an increasing pace, with another major title now having been confirmed to be getting a new look.

It’s been announced on Twitter by 2K and developer Hangar 13 that Mafia: The Old Country will be showcased at The Game Awards on December 12. A “full world premiere reveal” is confirmed, though what that entails remains to be seen. Hopefully, we’ll be getting our first proper look at gameplay, what with our only look at the game so far being its brief announcement teaser.

Reports have claimed The Game Awards 2024 will be packed with “very big” announcements, with leaks alleging reveals for South of Midni…

Singapore international Noh Alam Shah has announced he has decided to leave Indonesian Premier League outfit Arema FC.

After being reported absent from club training recently, the striker revealed that he has sent a resignation letter to his employers.

Arema media officer Noor Ramadhan confirmed the situation and made a statement about the resignation.

The resignation was submitted to management. We cannot prevent his choice. Therefore, the reason is very personal, Ramadhan said.

Alam Shah insisted he was not comfortable anymore in the team due to inconsistent management.

I just want to play and work in comfort, like a professional player, Alam Shah said.

The dismissal of former head coach Milomir Seslija and physical trainee Dule also …

Verdict: Wales to qualify

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Having reached the Euro 2016 semi-final without winning a single game, Portugal will have to prove they are better than their recent results suggest if they want to stand any chance of reaching the final. Wales, on the other hand, are flying high after the remarkable comeback against Belgium and they head into the game at Parc OL believing they can go all the way.

Portugal

It does not really make sense to describe a team’s performances as disappointing if they exceed expectations to reach a semi-final of a major international competition, but the reality is that Portugal have been incredibly fortunate to go this far after failing to impress in any of their five fixtures at the Euro 2016 finals. Their u…

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta insists his club have received no contact from Manchester United despite the reported interest in Paul Pogba.

The English giants are reportedly preparing a bid in the region of €100million to bring the midfielder back to Old Trafford, where he left on a free transfer in 2012 having made just three league appearances under former manager Alex Ferguson.

United have already done business with Pogba s agent, Mino Raiola, having signed another of his clients already this off-season, with a deal bringing Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund.

But despite all this, Marotta said there had been no correspondence with the Premier League outfit.

When asked on Sportitalia, Marotta simply said there had been no contact …

Aston Villa have made a breakthrough in talks with Brentford over the signing of Ollie Watkins, according to . The Premier League club have told the Bees that they are ready to pay more than £20 million to sign the 24-year-old, who can play as a forward or as an attacking midfielder.

Watkins himself is keen on a move to Villa, having worked with the Villans’ manager Dean Smith at Brentford. Villa are willing to hand the 24-year-old a five-year contract and more than treble his current salary at the Bees.

The Englishman scored 26 goals and provided three assists in 49 Championship matches for Brentford last season, according to , as the Bees reached the playoff final. During the 2018-19 campaign, Watkins made 35 starts and six substitute appearances in the league for …

Joao Felix backed Portugal to go all the way at the World Cup after Fernando Santos welcomed a selection headache following a 4-0 friendly thrashing of Nigeria.

Bruno Fernandes first-half double, coupled with late strikes for Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario, saw Santos side to a comfortable triumph on Thursday before setting off for Qatar.

Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix did not manage to get on the scoresheet but impressed in Lisbon, with Santos noting a credible performance from the 23-year-old.

He was one of the best, with some others. They were all better, nobody plays alone, the Portugal coach said.

Joao played a good game too, at the level of what the others did. I have 26 players knocking on the door. Every day they knock on my door in training.…

Former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has backed Cesare Prandelli s side to pull off a shock victory against Spain at Euro 2012 on Sunday.

Vicente del Bosque s talent-laden world champions are widely expected to pick up an easy win over the crisis-hit Azzurri side, whose preparations have been affected by the controversies of the recent Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal.

However, Donadoni, whose reign in charge of his country was ended by a penalty shootout defeat to Spain in Euro 2008, believes the current crop of Italy players are more than capable of defying the odds by taking the game to the Spaniards.

We can beat Xavi, Iniestia and co. by attacking, Donadoni, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Spain are as strong as they were four years ago, but they h…

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro says the absent Byron Castillo will be with us in an emotional sense after a controversial nationality dispute led to the defender not going to the World Cup.

Castillo was the subject of a complaint made by Chile in May, with the Chilean Football Federation alleging he was born in Colombia rather than Ecuador.

The case initially put Ecuador s World Cup qualification in doubt until the FIFA investigation was closed in June, and FIFA s Appeal Committee confirmed no further action was being taken three months later.

Chile appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who acknowledged Castillo s birthplace as being in Colombia, but the claim was dismissed on the basis of Ecuador legally recognising the player as Ecuadorian.

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Moussa Dembele scored a hat-trick and created another as Celtic secured bragging rights in the Old Firm derby with a 5-1 rout of Rangers on Saturday.

The former Fulham striker may not have even started the contest at Celtic Park had Leigh Griffiths not missed out with a calf injury.

Dembele proved Celtic s hero, though, opening his Scottish Premiership account for the club when afforded a free header at a corner before doubling the lead with a clever finish in the 42nd minute.

Joe Garner brought Rangers back into the game on the stroke of half-time, but Dembele played in Scott Sinclair to make it 3-1 on the hour before the visitors had debutant Philippe Senderos sent off for a second bookable offence.

Dembele then completed his dream afternoon with a dril…