The biggest surprise package in the Bundesliga RB Leipzig look set to begin making preparations for the next season, which will see Germany’s outsiders play at the brightest stage next season together with Europe’s biggest sides.

With the Champions League place all but confirmed, the Red Bulls are eyeing reinforcements that will allow them to make their presence known at the biggest continental stage as well and German media outlet Bild has learned that Bundesliga runners-up have set their sights on Mitchell Weiser.

The 22-year-old Germany right-back, who can also operate on the wing is linked with an €11 million summer switch to the Red Bull Arena.

Weiser is the former Bayern Munich player who joined Hertha Berlin in 2015 after failing to break into the f…

Andres Iniesta insists Luis Enrique enjoys unequivocal backing from Barcelona s squad and hopes the head coach stays in charge at Camp Nou.

Luis Enrique is still to commit to Barca beyond the end of the current campaign and the 4-0 Champions League humiliation at Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month brought him under increased scrutiny.

A laboured 2-1 win over Leganes did little to lift the gloom, but a victory by the same scoreline – and again courtesy of a late Lionel Messi winner – at Atletico Madrid on Sunday briefly returned the defending champions to the top of LaLiga before Real Madrid s 3-2 comeback triumph at Villarreal in the late game.

Iniesta was part of the Barca XI that switched to an unfamiliar take on 3-4-3 at the Vicente Calderon, but main…

17:30 Hibernian vs Motherwell

While Hibernian might have found themselves slumped in the bottom half of the Premiership table when last season was brought to an early finish, few would have expected what has been a stellar start to life this time around. Keeping up what has been an extremely eye-catching start to the new campaign with a 1-0 win away at a returning Dundee United earlier in the week, Head Coach and one-time Sunderland boss Jack Ross has been rightfully filled with praise for his side. Along with opening up the new campaign with a deserved 2-1 win against Kilmarnock on home soil, Hibs have won each of their first three top-flight appearances and are enjoying their most fruitful Premiership patch since opening 2020. Really impressing with a thumping 4-1 win away at …

Rodrygo Goes says it is a shame he never got to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and does not want to be seen as a replacement for the Real Madrid great.

The 18-year-old has made a quick impact at the Santiago Bernabeu since arriving from Santos in a reported €45million deal agreed last year, scoring five goals in six appearances.

Rodrygo has already earned comparisons to Ronaldo, who scored a club-record 450 goals for Madrid before leaving for Juventus in July 2018.

However, the teenage forward – in line to earn his first senior Brazil cap in Friday s friendly with Argentina – is cautious about playing with such high expectations. 

Being able to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid was a dream of mine and it s a shame that he left beca…

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes their current status as Premier League leaders has made a “statement” but knows the situation can quickly unravel.

Their lead over Manchester City is a point and two over third-placed Arsenal, but Klopp admitted maintaining their winning run was the only way to stay ahead of the chasing pack and their advantage was balanced on a knife edge due to injuries ravaging his squad.

There are similarities to two years ago when Liverpool also had 60 points after 26 matches – although that was only good enough to be three points behind City – and were chasing another quadruple.

Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai may be available for , but Mohamed Salah will not return from injury at the City Ground:

— Liverpool FC …

Gareth Southgate was not surprised by Phil Foden s outstanding England display against Andorra, while he backed Jadon Sancho to recover his best form at Manchester United.

Foden came into the international break having dazzled on the left wing for Manchester City in last week s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, scoring one goal and having a hand in the other.

The 21-year-old was not on the scoresheet in Saturday s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win, but he controlled the game from the centre of midfield.

Having played the pass that cut Andorra open for Ben Chilwell s opener, Foden got an assist for Bukayo Saka s second. The last England duo aged 21 or under to combine for a World Cup qualifying goal had been Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen against Germany in 2001.

Tammy…

Catalan daily newspaper that Sevilla are stepping up their efforts to sign Almeria winger Aleix Vidal.

Los Rojiblancos are in need of attacking reinforcements as their main creative outlet Ivan Rakitic is set to complete a switch to Barcelona.

And Sevilla seem to have made Almeria winger Aleix Vidal their number one priority at the moment.

While the player s employers are holding out for €4 million, their league rivals plan to offer €3 million in cash plus either Julian Cuesta or Papa Diawara.

Considering that the two sides are not that far apart at the moment, chances are an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks.

Aleix Vidal joined Almeria from Mallorca B in the summer of 2011 and he immediately developed into an important player at…

Hull City chairman Assem Allam said he will stay true to his word, and sell the Premier League club, should a name change be rejected.

The English Football Association s membership committee voted against Steve Bruce s side being re-named Hull Tigers on Tuesday, and Allam who pledged to cut ties with the club he has backed since 2010 said he will keep his promise, despite the recent setback.

The full FA council must adhere to the recommendation from the membership committee, in order to officially block the proposal.

Allam said: How could you imagine I would change my mind? People who know me know that I do not go back on what I say.

The 74-year-old Egyptian has not given up hope of the name change still taking place, as he revealed his intention to bal…

Atletico Madrid applied pressure on Barcelona ahead of El Clasico as a 5-1 victory over Real Betis saw them move to within six points of the Liga leaders.

With Luis Enrique s men playing Real Madrid later on Saturday, Atletico took their opportunity to cut Barca s lead with a comfortable victory inspired by Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres.

The pair struck late in the first half to put Atleti ahead at Vicente Calderon, Torres netting with a smart finish before Griezmann enjoyed a stroke of good luck as Betis goalkeeper Adan allowed his throughball to go all the way in.

After Jan Oblak had made a fine double save to deny Heiko Westermann, Atleti resumed their control and saw Griezmann denied again before Juanfran added the third just after the hour.

…

that Tottenham Hotspur could be lining up a bid to bring Bournemouth’s Adam Smith back to White Hart Lane.

With Kyle Walker strongly linked with a move away from the North London club manager Mauricio Pochettino is on the lookout for reinforcements and Smith could fit the bill.

The twenty-six year old began his career with Spurs, but made just two appearances for the club spending much of his early years out on loan with the likes of Leeds United, Derby County and Bournemouth – who he signed for permanently in January 2014.

Since then, Smith has played seventy times in all competitions helping them win promotion to the top flight two years ago.

Internationally, he has been capped eleven times for England U21s but is yet to represent his country…