Philippe Coutinho looks over his back injury with sumptuous Brazil goal

Philippe Coutinho looks over his back injury with sumptuous Brazil goal

Notably, a diplomatic back injury has kept Philippe Coutinho out of a Liverpool shirt this season, but the goalscoring midfielder looked in fine fettle during Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.  

A second-half substitute, Coutinho scored Brazil's second after an inventive piece of link-up play between the Barcelona target and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus. 

Receiving the ball in the midfield, Coutinho drove at a back-peddling Ecuddor rearguard before picking out Gabriel with a chipped pass over the top. 

The forward then teed himself up to head back into Coutinho's path who tucked home to secure a 2-0 victory in Porto Alegre. 

Barcelona have aggressively targeted Coutinho since losing his compatriot Neymar to Paris Saint Germain, but the English transfer deadline has now passed. 
Coutinho scored Brazil's second against Ecuador CREDIT: AP
Liverpool fans rejoicing at the news might want to put their celebrations on hold, because the Spanish window remains open until 11pm on Friday night. Theoretically, Barcelona could still get their man. 

However, Liverpool's owners FSG have insisted Coutinho is not for sale and reportedly rejected a £138 million offer for the player. 

Liverpool missed out on target Thomas Lemar, who was also subject to a late move by Arsenal, and Coutinho is expected to be reintegrated in the squad. 

Jurgen Klopp's front-three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have been the Premier League's most threatening forward line, so Coutinho might have to play in a deeper role. 

Klopp employed Coutinho in central midfield in their last few games of last season, though there is added competition there too following the purchase of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has been promised games there.

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Tottenham completes deadline day coup by hijacking Chelsea bid to sign Fernando Llorente

Tottenham complete deadline day coup by hijacking Chelsea bid to sign Fernando Llorente

Despite the late blow on Gomes, Tottenham felt the signing of Llorente rounded off a successful transfer deadline day, having confirmed the signing of right-back Serge Aurier from Paris Saint-Germain.

Aurier was on Wednesday informed that the French courts had downgraded the criminal conviction he received last year, allowing him to successfully submit a normal work permit application.

Spurs agreed the deal for Aurier some time ago, but had been left to sweat on whether or not the right-back would be allowed to enter the country.

Aurier was given a suspended two-month prison sentence for the assault of a police officer outside a Paris nightclub, which he appealed against. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international missed a Champions League game at Arsenal last season after being denied permission to enter the UK because of his conviction.

Aurier has also been in trouble for homophobic language used to insult former PSG manager Laurent Blanc in the past, but the 24-year is ready for a fresh start.

“This is a huge and exciting opportunity at a massive football club and I am determined to prove myself as a professional both on and off the pitch,” said Aurier. “This is a fresh start for me and I will do everything to make the Spurs fanbase, which is huge and diverse, proud of me. The fans are the most important people at any club and I am looking forward to showing them and everyone at Spurs the real Serge Aurier.”
Llorente will provide Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino with the top-quality support and cover for Harry Kane he has been seeking since last summer. Not only did Llorente score 15 Premier League goals for Swansea last season, he also has plenty of Champions League experience which will be vital for Tottenham.
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MONACO STAR MBAPPE COMPLETES €180 MILLION PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN MOVE

MONACO STAR MBAPPE COMPLETES €180 MILLION PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN MOVE 

Paris Saint-Germain have followed up their world-record signing of Neymar by completing a deal for Kylian Mbappe from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco, in a deal that is likely to be the second-largest of all time.

Mbappe, 18, arrives initially on a season-long loan, but PSG have an all-but-certain option to buy him next summer on a deal lasting until 2022.

Sources have told ESPN FC that the deal will be worth €180 million plus bonuses, putting it only behind PSG's €222m signing of Neymar from Barcelona earlier in the summer.

The loan may allow PSG time to stay within financial fair play (FFP) regulations, which allow a club only a €30m deficit. Following their record Neymar purchase, PSG wanted to structure their deal for Mbappe so the financial impact of his arrival would not be taken into account this season.

The only way PSG will not be obliged to buy Mbappe next summer is if they are relegated from Ligue 1, sources said.

A fully automatic purchase option would have required the expenditure to be counted in the same season as Neymar's, potentially putting PSG in peril of infringing the FFP limits and exposing themselves to sanctions from UEFA, the most significant of which would be exclusion from the Champions League.
PSG president Nasser Al_Khelaifi said: "It is with a lot of emotion and satisfaction that I welcome Kylian Mbappé to the Paris Saint-Germain family. It was essential for French football that we keep and help develop such a great talent in our championship.

"Among players of his age, he is without doubt the most promising in the world due to his immense technical, physical and mental qualities. Since his emergence at the highest level, he has earned an excellent reputation as a young talent who is very respectful, open, ambitious and already very mature.

"Under our colours, in the midst of truly great players, Kylian will continue his progression in a way that will also benefit the French national team in the months and years to come. With his arrival, more than ever, our supporters will have plenty to cheer about."

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Eden Hazard reveals Fernando Llorente Deal is close

Eden Hazard reveals Fernando Llorente Deal is close

The Blues star man Eden Hazard urges his fellow team mate Michy
Batshuayi to leave Chelsea after suggesting Fernando Llorente transfer is close.

Eden Hazard has suggested that Chelsea are close to signing Fernando Llorente from Swansea City after saying Michy Batshuayi needsto leave Stamford Bridge in order to progress his in career. Chelsea are currently in talks with Swansea over a £15 million deal for the 32-year-old after Antonio Conte failed with an attempt to sign the striker in the January transfer window. It should also be noted that chelsea completed the signing of Kylian Hazard
Batshuayi, meanwhile, started just one Premier League game last season following his £33m arrival from Marseille and now looks set for a second campaign as Conte's second-choice forward following the signing of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.
Asked about Batshuayi's situation at Stamford Bridge during his press conference with Belgium's national team, Hazard said: 'I spoke with him about it this morning.

'He is 23 years old. If he wants to progress, he must play.
'Especially if Chelsea sign Llorente, he will have less playing time.
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Arsenal waiting on ‘huge offer’ for Alexis Sanchez after rejecting Manchester City bid

Arsenal waiting on ‘huge offer’ for Alexis Sanchez after rejecting Manchester City bid

Chelsea aren’t the only ones looking to make impactful moves in the final two days of the transfer window, with title rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, and even Spurs staying very busy as the window slowly winds shut.

City’s main target appears to be yet another attacker, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, who’s been linked with Pep Guardiola’s new team for the better part of a year, which is almost as long as Chelsea have supposedly been interested as well. But while Chelsea appear to be sitting this one out — grumble, grumble, grumble — City are still having just as many issues as anyone else these days in trying to get a signing over the finishing line.
Basically, Alexis is still on the market. City offered £50m, Arsenal rejected it and countered with a cash, plus Raheem Sterling request, which City in turn laughed off. They have promised to come back with an improved cash-only offer, though it’s unclear just how much Arsenal are demanding.

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CHELSEA SIGN EDEN HAZARD'S BROTHER KYLIAN

CHELSEA SIGN EDEN HAZARD'S BROTHER

The Blues have announced the acquisition of Kylian Hazard, who will train with the club's development squad.

Chelsea have signed Kylian Hazard, the younger brother of star winger Eden.
Aged 22, Kylian is four years younger than his decorated sibling, who has won two Premier League titles, the League Cup and the Europa League at Stamford Bridge, as well as Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France for Lille.
Kylian Hazard joins Antonio Conte's side from Hungarian side Ujpest FC, and will link up with the club's development squad.
The younger Hazard has played for White Star Brussels and Zulte Waregem FC, prior to joining Ujpest in 2015. He has scored four goals in 42 appearances for the side from the left wing position.
He becomes the third Hazard to play for the Premier League champions, with Thorgan Hazard having been on the books at Stamford Bridge before joining Borussia Monchengladbach.
While the signing pads out the youth ranks for Conte, he remains in the market for senior reinforcements, and Goal understands that the club are interested in securing the signature of Swansea striker Fernando Llorente.
The Spanish striker would cost around £15 million, but the Swans are unlikely to allow him to leave unless they can secure a replacement.

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Kylian Mbappe will join Arsenal but Henry comparisons premature, says Gunners legend Pires

Robert Pires knows what it takes to succeed at Arsenal and expects Kylian Mbappe to join the Gunners and blossom under Arsene Wenger.

Kylian Mbappe will sign for Arsenal but the exciting Monaco teenager should not be compared to Gunners legend Thierry Henry, says Robert Pires.
The France striker, 18, is one of the hottest properties in European football having scored 13 goals for table-toppers Monaco in Ligue 1 this season and a further five in their run to the Champions League semi-finals.
Earlier this week, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted the club do not have the financial muscle to compete for Mbappe's signature if he were to become available.
But Pires, a member of the Gunners' famed 'Invincibles' side of 2003-04, believes he will head to Emirates Stadium and that Wenger is the ideal man to nurture him.

Speaking to Bwin, he said: "I do think Arsenal will sign him. 
"The problem is how much. Mbappe has the potential to play for Arsenal and Wenger is the right manager to manage him. 
"Monaco and Arsenal are very similar in clubs, so it won't be much of a transition."

Robert Pires knows exactly the criteria of a player who can succeed at Arsenal and expects Kylian Mbappe to join the Gunners and blossom under Arsene Wenger.
Kylian Mbappe will sign for Arsenal but the exciting Monaco teenager should not be compared to Gunners legend Thierry Henry, says Robert Pires.
The France striker, 18, is one of the hottest properties in European football having scored 13 goals for table-toppers Monaco in Ligue 1 this term and a further five in their run to the Champions League semi-finals.
Earlier this week, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted the club do not have the financial muscle to compete for Mbappe's signature if he were to become available.
But Pires, a member of the Gunners' famed 'Invincibles' side of 2003-04, believes he will head to Emirates Stadium and that Wenger is the ideal man to nurture his blossoming talent.

Speaking to Bwin, he said: "I do think Arsenal will sign him. 
"The problem is how much. Mbappe has the potential to play for Arsenal and Wenger is the right manager to manage him. 
"Monaco and Arsenal are very similar in clubs, so it won't be much of a transition."

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Arsenal star Bellerin set for transfer move if Wenger leaves

Albeit he signed an incipient six-and-a-half year deal in November, it is reported that Hector Bellerin would consider joining Barcelona in the summer if Arsene Wenger were to depart, according to the Guardian.

Bellerin has been continually linked to Barcelona following the departure of Dani Alves with many Spanish news outlets concluding that Barcelona have identified Bellerin as their main target this summer. Barcelona have endeavored to convert Sergi Roberto into a right-back but have conclusively concluded that Roberto is not up to standard.

The Catalan club are disposed to spend sizably voluminous mazuma on the precedent La Masia player. Like multiple players at Arsenal, Bellerin is incredibly allegiant to Wenger, who was a major factor in him abnegating interest from Manchester City last summer. If Wenger were to depart, however, Bellerin would certainly question his future at the club, consequently inviting interest from other clubs.

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Arsenal on alert as Sevilla boss delay contract talks

The former Chile boss has become one of the most sought after coaches following his prosperity with the national team while withal guiding Sevilla to third in La Liga this season,

The Spanish side are keen to tie the Argentinian down to an incipient contract as his current deal only has a buy-out clause of €1.5 million. Barcelona are reportedly leading the race to sign Sampaoli with Luis Enrique expected to leave in the summer and has Sampaoli has done little to silenced the rumours linking him with leaving the club.The former Chile boss has become one of the most sought after coaches following his prosperity with the national team while withal guiding Sevilla to third in La Liga this season. 

The Spanish side are keen to tie the Argentinian down to an incipient contract as his current deal only has a buy-out clause of €1.5 million. Barcelona are reportedly leading the race to sign Sampaoli with Luis Enrique expected to leave in the summer and has Sampaoli has done little to silenced the rumours linking him with leaving the club.

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Intolerable Arsenal was once invincible, but fans want wenger out

Arsene Wenger, on his part, appears to be considerate of the protests; he has admitted that he could manage elsewhere next season,

but then just as expeditiously alluded that he would stay, claiming “my predilection is always to manage Arsenal”.
Intolerable Arsenal was once invincible, but fans want wenger out.

And so the wheel spins. Arsenal fans perpetuate to pine for the prosperity Wenger initially brought with him when he was appointed as a virtual unknown; he transformed English football, and introduced the term ‘Invincibles’ into the wider lexicon, as his swaggering side eschewed defeat for 38 breathless games.
Back then, however, his squad gasconaded the relishes of the pernicious Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp's silken-touch, the destructive Patrick Vieira and the galloping Robert Pires. Now he has Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, and 21 others.

But that matters little in a game obsessed with the short-term gains that football offers. Wenger is, mundane sagacity suggests, abaft the times. He has been left behind by the relishes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp.
Intolerable Arsenal was once invincible, but fans want wenger out

Where there was once steel at the heart of Arsenal Football Club there is now a soft underbelly, all too yarely exposed. Since their last designation win Arsenal have culminated above third on only two occasions, and the fans are caught in a perpetual cycle of disappointment.

Wenger remains Arsenal’s most embellished manager, and is withal the longest accommodating boss in the Premier League, but he has gone from Insurmountable to Intolerable, and a transmuting of the sentinel feels long overdue.

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