Joaquin got his wish for a return to boyhood club Real Betis from Fiorentina and the Liga outfit also signed Ricky van Wolfswinkel on loan from Norwich City late on transfer deadline day.
Former Spain winger Joaquin has made no secret of his desire to head home as he was no longer happy in Florence.
And Betis confirmed on Monday that the 34-year-old fans favourite will return to Seville on a three-year deal nine years after he left the club to join Valencia.
Having left Valencia to join Malaga in 2011, Fiorentina gave Joaquin the opportunity to showcase his talents in Serie A.
He spent six seasons at Betis after coming through the ranks before making the move to the Mestalla, playing his part in the club s Copa del Rey success in 2005.
The vas…
Kevin De Bruyne s relentless efforts on the pitch for Manchester City have made him so important to Pep Guardiola that the Catalan is wary of granting him the rest he may need.
Belgium international De Bruyne has started all 26 of City s Premier League matches this season and has covered 288 kilometres in the top flight this season the 10th greatest distance of any player and admitted he was feeling like s*** during the busy campaign.
Guardiola concedes the 26-year-old could likely use a break, but his willingness to work to his maximum on every occasion is valued too highly by the former Bayern Munich boss.
I don t have words to express my gratitude as a manager, said Guardiola.
My example is words; the players examples are the facts and one of the bes…
The last 16 of the Champions League began in style last week, with Barcelona and Arsenal suffering humbling defeats at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid overcame an early scare with flying colours against Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Looking to follow in the footsteps of their Ligue 1 counterparts, free-scoring Monaco head to Manchester City, who will hope to replicate their run to the semi-finals last time around.
They fell to eventual winners Real Madrid and beaten finalists Atletico are also back in action at Bayer Leverkusen, having pipped Bayern to top spot in Group D.
Here we look at the numbers behind two more intriguing ties, courtesy of Opta.
Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid
5 – Leverkusen have re…
Arsenal are considering offering Mohamed Elneny a contract extension, according to .
The Egypt international defensive midfielder is out of contract at the Gunners at the end of the season, and the Premier League club are reportedly planning to hand him a new deal.
Elneny spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan at Besiktas after struggling for playing time under then Arsenal manager Unai Emery during the 2018-19 season. The 28-year-old has got the chance under Mikel Arteta this season, and his impressive performances have convinced the Premier League club to hand him a contract extension.
According to , Elneny has played four times in the Premier League and has made three appearances in the Europa League for Arsenal so far this season. The Gunners are challenging for…
Roma have confirmed the arrival of Paulo Fonseca as their new head coach on a two-year deal.
A permanent replacement for Euesbio Di Francesco was needed after interim boss Claudio Ranieri confirmed he would not be staying beyond the expiration of his contract at the end of the season.
Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri and Rafael Benitez were linked with the post, but Roma have sealed a move for Fonseca.
The former Porto coach has the option for a third year at the Stadio Olimpico that would keep him at Roma until 2022.
I am very pleased to be appointed the head coach of Roma, Fonseca said. I want to thank the club s management for the opportunity they have given me.
I am excited and motivated by the task ahead of us. I cannot wait to move to Rome, …
Franck Ribery wants to stay with Fiorentina but is awaiting discussions with the Serie A club over a new contract.
Ribery joined La Viola in August 2019 on a free transfer following his release from Bayern Munich, but his two-year deal expires at the end of the season.
The 37-year-old winger has just one goal and four assists in 17 appearances in Serie A this season, and Fiorentina s win percentage is lower with Ribery in the team than without him.
Since he joined the club they have a won 23.7 per cent of their 38 matches with him in the team and that climbs to 40 per cent without him (20 games).
I am happy in Florence, I have already said it, Ribery told Sky Sport Italia.
It s a beautiful city, I feel good with the fans, with the club and with …
Ronald Koeman does not agree with Gerard Pique s claim that referees favour Real Madrid over other LaLiga sides.
Pique this week quoted a former referee who, according to the Barcelona defender, said 85 per cent of officials in Spain s top flight were from Madrid.
In an interview with Post United, Pique said: How are they not going to whistle in favour of Real Madrid? Even unconsciously, how are they not going to give more for one side than the other?
Pique added last season, when Madrid won the title, was the most absurd refereeing experience ever .
En route to the championship in 2019-20, Zinedine Zidane s side earned a joint-high 11 penalties and conceded a joint-low two.
But Koeman disagrees with his centre-back, who reportedly could be …
Manchester City are keeping close tabs on Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang, .
With the current season likely to turn into a major failure, the Citizens are eager to heavily reinforce the squad over the summer.
They are already searching for potential targets and Il Corriere dello Sport claims City are stepping up their interest in Pedro Obiang.
Roberto Mancini watched the player in action in Sampdoria’s 3-1 win over Roma last weekend and was very happy with the impact the talented midfielder made during the match.
Samp’s €7 million valuation of the midfielder is well within City’s price range, although they could face a stiff competition from Napoli, who are also keen.
Pedro Obiang, 20, joined Sampdoria from Atletico Madrid in 2008 and d…
With the likes of La Liga and the Bundesliga getting back underway on Friday night, we are treated to a handful of heavyweight affairs from across the continent.
Ahead of a stacked Friday schedule, we have found a couple of contests that are worth keeping an eye out for.
19:30 RB Leipzig vs Stuttgart
Opening the 2023/24 campaign with what they would have billed as a missed opportunity last weekend as they slumped to an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig will be desperate to claim an immediate response here. Looking to grab their first Bundesliga victory at the second attempt on Friday night, Marco Rose’s men will be excited to make a return to the Red Bull Arena.
Once again gaining a string of plaudits last season a…
Sepp Blatter s lawyer has confirmed his client will appeal the eight-year ban from football activity handed down by FIFA s Ethics Committee last month.
Outgoing FIFA president Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini received lengthy suspensions following an investigation into a payment of $2million from world football s governing body to the former France international in 2011.
The men were found to be in breach of FIFA Code of Ethics articles relating to offering and accepting gifts and other benefits; conflicts of interests; loyalty; and general rules of conduct .
Blatter and Platini were provided with the written reasons behind the judgement on Saturday, a necessary step prior to the launch of any appeal.
Platini s legal representatives were quick to ann…