Solskjaer leads Molde to Norwegian title

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has defended his side s spending spree on new players like Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the cash-rich club can afford it.

Real Madrid is the richest club in the world. It generates a lot of money and this is why it recruits first rate players, he said after unveiling new defender Raul Albiol, who joined Real from Valencia for a reported fee of 15 million euros late Thursday.

Valdano made the comment when asked by reporters about the criticism by UEFA president Michel Platini over the more then 200 million euros which Real has shelled out for new talent.

Real paid 93 million euros to recruit Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Footballer of the Year, from Manchester United and 65 million euros to secure Kaka, the FIFA Wo…

Xavi warned Barcelona they cannot consider the league title won even if they beat Girona to open up a 15-point lead over Real Madrid on Monday.

Barca were crushed 4-0 by Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in midweek, meaning the Blaugrana only have the LaLiga title left to play for.

They were already 12 points clear at the summit before this weekend, and Madrid s surprise 3-2 home defeat to Villarreal on Saturday gives Barca the opportunity to increase the gap.

No team has ever overturned such a deficit at this stage of a LaLiga season, so Barca s position looks very secure.

But Xavi was keen to stress the importance of not taking their lead for granted, with the former midfielder acknowledging his young squad does lack a degree of …

Erling Haaland is going to Juventus. No, sorry, that should say Manchester United. Or is it Leipzig, I can never quite remember. Did the papers say Dortmund? You might be right.

What we know about Haaland is that it should be a matter of days before his future becomes clear. The Salzburg striker is surely going somewhere in January.

If his eventual destination is Old Trafford, then that raises an issue. Because on the evidence of the 4-1 Boxing Day win over Newcastle United, the Red Devils have a set of forwards who should be going nowhere.

In 22-year-old Marcus Rashford and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood, they possess two of the brightest young forwards in the Premier League certainly, perhaps in all of Europe.

And with two-goal Anthony Martial looking the…

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted Wednesday there is no deal with Spanish giants Real Madrid to sign French midfielder Franck Ribery for next season.

Throughout the summer, transfer speculation constantly linked the 26-year-old Ribery to a multi-million euros switch to Real and, as the transfer window closed on Monday, Rummenigge says no agreement is in place for the future.

We do not have an agreement to sell Franck for next season to Real Madrid that is a fact, Rummenigge told the Munich newspaper AZ despite claims in the German media a deal has been arranged for next summer.

Relations became strained between the two European super clubs during the summer while the Ribery saga rumbled on, but Rummenigge insists the signing of Arjen Robben …

John Terry is determined to make amends for the worst moment of his career by helping England finally punch their weight at the World Cup.

Terry still carries the psychological scars of England s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 during his first spell as the national team s captain.

England missed out on a major tournament for the first time in 14 years as Steve McClaren s men were beaten by Croatia in November 2007 when they needed just a draw to reach the finals.

But Terry was given a shot at redemption by McClaren s successor Fabio Capello who installed the Chelsea defender as his skipper after a lengthy audition period.

Terry rates that failed campaign under McClaren as an even more agonising experience than his missed penalty kick in the 2008 Champi…

Sam Nicholson scored the winner as Hearts made a triumphant return to the Scottish Premiership with a thrilling 4-3 win over St Johnstone.

After being relegated as the bottom club in 2013-14, Hearts secured an immediate return last season as Division One champions, finishing a mammoth 21 points ahead of Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

Hearts made a flying start at Tynecastle on Sunday, moving ahead in the fourth minute through Juanma.

​That lead was doubled shortly after half-time by Jamie Walker, who followed up when Osman Sow s penalty was saved, but the visitors hit back quickly through Simon Lappin.

Callum Paterson restored Hearts two-goal advantage just after the hour, only for Saints to draw level for the first time thanks to two goals in quick suc…

Robert Lewandowski is in no rush to extend his Bayern Munich contract but is confident an agreement will be reached.

Poland international Lewandowski has scored 73 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions since joining Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2014.

The striker s existing deal runs until 2019, and while the Bavarian giants are keen to offer him fresh terms, executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge this month warned he should not expect a crazy wage rise.

Lewandowski, who Carlo Ancelotti considers a key figure at the Allianz Arena, however, remains calm about the situation.

There is no pressure. I made clear that Bayern can talk to me anytime. I m sure there is a solution, he told Sport Bild.

These words [Ancelotti ruling out his sale…

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed his frustration at Niko Kovac s decision to publicly express his confidence that a deal will be struck for Leroy Sane.

Germany international Sane has spent three seasons at Manchester City since leaving Schalke, developing into one of Europe s best wingers.

Bayern have made no secret of their desire to bring the 23-year-old to the Allianz Arena and, although City s reported £90million asking price is said to have initially put them off, boss Kovac recently suggested an agreement could soon be reached.

He said on Sunday: Our club management is very committed. It is not easy in this day and age, you see, otherwise it would already be sorted. But I am very confident. I assume we can get it [done]. <…

Watford have completed the signing of Marc Navarro from Espanyol.

The 22-year-old defender has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League side, with Espanyol confirming a €2million fee has been paid.

Navarro came through Barcelona s youth ranks before switching to Catalan rivals Espanyol, where he made his LaLiga debut in January 2017.

Marc has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs, therefore we are delighted to have secured his services,  said Watford chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury.

Navarro joins fellow Spaniard Gerard Deulofeu at Vicarage Road after Watford announced a permanent deal with Barcelona for the previously on-loan winger.

|

— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC)

…

Carles Puyol has admitted that he may consider international retirement after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Barcelona defender has been an integral part of the Spanish national side for the last decade.

He has acquired 80 caps since making his debut in November 2000 and tasted European Championship glory in Austria and Switzerland in 2008.

At 31-years-old he admits his body cannot withstand the rigours of domestic and international endeavours for much longer, but insists he will consult with coach Vicente del Bosque and sporting director Fernando Hierro before making any decision regarding his future.

Puyol told Radio Marca: Is South Africa going to be my last big competition with Spain? It is possible because I am getting older and there are q…