Marcos Rojo saves Argentina and Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream

                  Marcos Rojo saved Argentina’s World Cup dream with a late goal 

Marcos Rojo’s dramatic late goal sealed Argentina’s unlikely qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup.

Needing a win and a favourable result in the other Group D match, Argentina were staring down the barrel until the Manchester United defender popped up to volley an 86th minute winner.

Lionel Messi gave Argentina the perfect start after 15 minutes with a moment of trademark magic.

Arsenal transfer target Ever Banega deserved credit for spotting and locating Messi’s run with a sumptuous long pass, but Messi required three perfect touches with three different parts of his body to score.

The Barcelona superstar controlled the ball on this thigh before nudging the ball away from the defender using his instep without it touching the ground.

When he caught up with the ball he delivered a thumping shot with his ‘weaker’ right foot across goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and into the far corner.

Messi almost doubled Argentina’s lead from a free kick ten minutes before half time, reversing the ball across the face of Uzoho who managed to divert the ball on to the post at full stretch.

With Iceland level against Croatia a win would have been enough to see Argentina progress but a moment of madness from Javier Mascherano handed Nigeria the opportunity to level from the spot.
The former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder was penalised for holding Leon Balogun and Chelsea’s Victor Moses calmly rolled home the penalty.

Jorge Sampaoli waited until ten minutes from the end to summon Sergio Aguero from the bench but it was his strike partner Gonzalo Higuain who wasted Argentina’s best chance, the Juventus striker blazing well over from just 12 yards.

It looked as though Argentina were heading for a premature exit but against the odds, Rojo popped up to thunder home Gabriel Mercado’s deep cross to spark scenes of wild jubilation.

Radja Nainggolan: Roma midfielder joins Inter in £33m swap deal

Radja Nainggolan posed with Inter director Piero Ausilio after signing on Tuesday

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has joined Serie A rivals Inter Milan.

The former Belgium international, 30, who quit international football after failing to make his country's World Cup squad, has signed a four-year contract.

The deal values Nainggolan at £33m, with Inter paying £21m and including defender Davide Santon and midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo.

"Unfortunately fairytales come to an end, and not always by choice," Nainggolan said on Instagram.
Nainggolan, who joined Roma in 2014, only signed a new four-year deal with the club last summer.
He reached the Champions League semi-finals with Roma in May.

The move sees him reunited with former Roma boss Luciano Spalletti at the San Siro.
"I am happy to have found him again," said Nainggolan.

"Why did I choose Inter? The important thing is to feel the trust, the assistant director, the coach and [vice president] Javier Zanetti have called me, they made me feel important, my choice It was simple, I'm full of new adventure."

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio said the signing was a "real coup" for the club.
Meanwhile, Paris St-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore has completed a move to Roma.

      Roma announced Radja Nainggolan's signing with a mocked up version of Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport

Why Barcelona and Real Madrid have not been chasing Man City stars

Manchester City made the world sit up and take notice last season but the transfer speculation surrounding their star players has been curiously quiet

Barcelona are casting covetous glances at Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus.

But the Catalan giants – always used to getting their man in the past – will not be sparking a transfer pursuit of the Brazil striker this summer.

The Spanish daily sports paper AS includes Jesus in a list of players that Barcelona have been eyeing as they seek to spice up their team for next season.

It says Barca are watching Mexico star Hirving Lozano and Russia's Aleksandr Golovin, and that City ace Jesus “is also of Barca's taste”.

But they add that signing Jesus would, like their abortive attempts to snatch Sergio Aguero in the last seven years, be pointless.

They say that Jesus would seem “impossible considering the status of the buying club and the non-seller that is City”.

City have worked hard at that “non-seller” tag, repeatedly killing any notion of their front-line stars leaving, and ensuring that they are happy from the point of view of football, finance and personal life.

That is why there has been no flurry of transfer rumours surrounding Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and the other City Centurions.

It is strange that a team that lit up the Premier League and earned itself a big reputation around the globe has not been at the heart of the transfer speculation merry-go-round.

Of course, Jesus and Sterling have yet to sign a new improved deal with City but the club is relaxed that deals will be thrashed out once the World Cup is over.

Club insider: Chelsea prepared to agree £120 million transfer

Real Madrid have been given the green light in pursuit of Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard. The Spanish club has been told by the player’s agent that the Blues are ready to sell the 27-year-old attacker for £120 million.

Hazard has failed to clear the doubts of the Chelsea fans who feel who will break their hearts with a move to Madrid this summer. The Belgium captain has been linked with a move with several clubs with Spanish giants Madrid top on the list of clubs vying for his signature.

The player was once caught saying his favourite colour is white, and it is now reported that Madrid president Florentino Pérez is keen to make Hazard his marquee signing of the summer. The Madrid giants have been linked with a move for Brazilian superstar Neymar, though it is reported that they view Hazard as a cheaper option.

According to same source, Abramovich is ready to sanction the sale of the 27-year-old, as his departure could raise funds for incoming manager Maurizio Sarri. Sources close to Hazard indicate the player is angling for a move to fulfil his dream of winning the Champions League. However, Chelsea fans should not be too disappointed as the player revealed last week that he is happy in London.

Hazard is a fan favourite and considered the best player in the Premier League in his position. The skilful winger made 51 appearances last season and led the club to a FA cup final win against United.

READ ALSO: 

Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea deal, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds, Real Madrid,                        Barca.

PSG chief Henrique has Chelsea price for Kante after London summit

PSG chief Henrique has Chelsea price for Kante after London summit

PSG chief Antero Henrique has travelled to London for talks with Chelsea over N'Golo Kante's situation, it has been revealed.

France Football says Henrique was recently in London and left his summit with Blues directors encouraged.

Chelsea, indeed, are willing to sell Kante this summer - at a starting price of €90m. The Blues paid Leicester City less than €40m for the midfielder two years ago.

Just a few days ago, Kante said from France's World Cup camp: "The rumour about the interest of PSG? It does not worry me more than that. I do not pay attention to what is said about me.

"I'm with Chelsea and I play in the World Cup."

READ ALSO: Signed, sealed and officially confirmed! Neville delighted after Manchester United deal is signed!

Fellaini’s future to be resolved on Sunday, while midfielder knows where he will  be next season

Signed, sealed and officially confirmed! Neville delighted after Manchester United deal is signed!

Manchester United have moved quick and signed up club legend Phil Neville’s son Harvey, after being impressed by the sixteen year old.

Neville returns to United having started out there before a spell with rivals Manchester City, and will look to develop in one of the best academies in world football.

Harvey won the Premier League International Tournament with City U13s in 2015 before moving to City.

United regularly scout the world for possible talents of the future and have spotted something in the young man that they can work with.

“I am proud and excited to have signed for the club I have supported my whole life,” he wrote alongside a picture with him signing the contract on Instagram.

England Women’s manager Neville also posted a picture of him with a No 7 shirt captioned: “Proud of you Harvey Neville. Go follow your dreams!”

Red Devils legend Gary Neville opened up on the news and admitted he is delighted to see his talented nephew sign up.

Gary Neville said: “Congratulations Harvey Neville you’ve practised so hard to get where you are! Keep going.”

With red Devils boss Jose Mourinho currently working hard on transfer deals for the first-team, he is expected to follow up the signings of Fred and Diogo Dalot with some of the biggest names in World Football.


But for now, Harvey Neville will hope he follows in his fathers footsteps and makes a big impact on the first team in a few years time.

Fellaini’s future to be resolved on Sunday, while midfielder knows where he will be next season

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has made a decision over his future and will reveal all on July 1.

The Belgian, who signed for United for £27.5 million on transfer deadline day in September 2013, will become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the week.


Manager Jose Mourinho is understood to be keen to keep hold of the midfielder while a number of clubs across Europe are reported to be interested in signing him.

READ MORE: Chelsea reach£4.4m agreement with Napoli to buyout Maurizio Sarri contract with Italian to sign three-year deal

Until now the player has refused to reveal his plans but he has confirmed that he will make an announcement on his future this Sunday. 
“I know where I’m going to play next year and that does not affect my performance at World Cup,” Fellaini told reporters in Russia, as per Sky Sports.
“The contract has been signed and I’m going to announce it within a few days.”
Speculation over his future has done the rounds for some time but the 30-year-old has done his utmost to make it a tiresome saga. For some reason, this appears to be a method used by footballers of late to draw attention their way.

Coming soon…

Judgment Day. 1st July 2018.#mufc #fellaini pic.twitter.com/rCfGY1wfDj
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) June 26, 2018

Unfortunately, Fellaini is not Antoine Griezmann.
Next up for Belgium, England, a side that needs to prove themselves against one of the bigger nations. Belgium may be without their main attacking threat, too.

Indian captain Virat Kohli picks his G.O.A.T between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has picked his G.O.A.T between the never-ending debate of Barcelona star Lionel Messi vs the Real Madrid legend, Cristiano Ronaldo. Although the skipper didn't deliver a direct statement, it was evident that he picked Cristiano Ronaldo in a video he posted on his Instagram handle.

The decade-long debacle between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is still to have a conclusion, but Kohli has picked his favourite. Being an ardent football fan, Kohli is the co-owner of the Indian Super League franchise, FC Goa. Currently engaged in a whopping 81-day long UK tour, the 29-year-old took time in getting a glace at the month-long footballing festival, the FIFA World Cup.

Uploading the video of Portugal's tournament opener against Spain, where Ronaldo scored a
sensational last-minute free-kick, Kohli wrote, "Self-belief, determination, courage and pure passion. The G.O.A.T."


Ronaldo started his World Cup journey in absolute style by scoring a hat-trick against the tournament favourites, Spain. In his celebration for the second goal, where David De Gea was at fault, the Portuguese captain stroked his chin, which many believed was a dig to Adidas' poster where Lionel Messi starred alongside a goat.

Ronaldo even went on to don a goat-styled beard when Portugal faced Morocco in the second game of their group. Ronaldo went on to score the only goal, which took his tally to four goals in two games. In his final group stage game though, Ronaldo failed to find the net even after being awarded a penalty.


As for Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain has had a horrific campaign thus far, failing to find the net even once. His horrors started in as early as the first game against Iceland where he missed the penalty. Argentina, eventually, were crushed to a 3-0 defeat against Croatia in the second and will take on Nigeria in a game, which will decide their fate in the tournament.

Merkel on the BRINK: Attempt to strike migrant deal will NOT save her, warns EU chief

ANGELA Merkel’s desperate attempts to cobble together a Europe-wide deal over asylum seekers are unlikely to appease her coalition partners, European Commissioner Günther Oettinger has said – increasing the prospect of her being
forced out of office.

              Angela Merkel is desperately trying to hold her coalition government together

The German Chancellor was granted a fortnight’s reprieve by critics within the Christian Social Union, led by interior minister Horst Seehofer, in order to try agree a solution with other EU nation states which would ease the burden on Germany.

Mr Seehofer’s party wants tougher immigration laws in the country, which has accepted more than one million migrants since 2015.

He is threatening to turn away migrants who are registered elsewhere in the EU at Germany’s borders.

Mrs Merkel met with other international leaders at a hastily convened “mini-summit” over the weekend which she hoped would break the deadlock prior to the full EU summit which starts on Thursday.

However, no solution was agreed by representatives of Austria, Greece, Malta, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Croatia, Slovenia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Mr Oettinger, who is a member of Mrs Merkel’s party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), warned: “I believe there will be progress by the time of the EU summit on Thursday and Friday, but there won’t be an agreement of the dimension that some in the CSU are expecting.”

Under the so-called Dublin rules, asylum-seekers need to be processed in the country in which they first arrive, usually Mediterranean countries like Italy, Greece and Spain.

In December EU leaders fixed a deadline of the end of June to reform the rules by establishing a permanent mechanism to relocate asylum-seekers throughout the bloc and setting time limits for how long a migrant must be in a country before they cannot be returned to where they first arrived.

However, Germans are increasingly opposed to Mrs Merkel’s open-door policy to asylum seekers, while new governments in Austria and Italy are also pushing back against proposed reforms to EU-wide migration policy.

Italy is vehemently opposed to reforms which could effectively mean it retains responsibility for migrants for ten years from the date when they first arrive in the country.

And Austrian Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache (FPÖ) says Mrs Merkel has been weakened by the weekend’s debate.

He believes it could be “her political end”.

Mr Strache also demanded urgent action: "Either there is a European solution or we must ensure that people who have been rejected, don't come back to Germany."

He said if Germany stopped migrants there would be a “domino effect” with other EU states, beginning with Austria.

Mr Strache said: “Then there will finally be pressure so that the EU takes note that we have to initialise efficient external border control.”

If no deal is struck between EU member states at this week’s summit, Mrs Merkel may have to rely on bilateral talks with hardline nations such as Austria and Italy, with no guarantees of success ever then.

Leopold Traugott, a policy analyst with the Open Europe think tank, told Express.co.uk last week the collapse of Mrs Merkel’s government would have “terrible consequences for Europe”.

He added: “Should Merkel fail to reach any European deal – either at the EU summit, or in bilateral talks - we are back to the meltdown talk once again.

“The Bavarian CSU has announced it would in this case go ahead with its policy to reject certain asylum seekers at the national borders, which would put Merkel in a very delicate situation.

“Either she could reign Mr Seehofer in, thereby risking the unity of the government, or she could accept his unilateral action – which would be a sign of sheer powerlessness on her side.”

Meanwhile, Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is urging member states to support an African trust fund as a way of screening asylum seekers on the continent.

EU leaders are believed to be ready to back centres in countries including Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.

Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea deal, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds, Real Madrid, Barca

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - Updates from Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and more…

Tuesday, June 26

Chelsea’s Robert Lewandowski boost

05:30: Robert Lewandowski has offered Chelsea hope of a summer switch after reiterating his desire to play in a new league.

The 29-year-old has been linked to Stamford Bridge with new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri thought to have made the Bundesliga front-man one of his targets.

Lewandowski has scored 40-plus goals for four successive years with Bayern since establishing himself as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers with Borussia Dortmund.

The player’s agent, Pini Zahavi, revealed last month that Lewandowski wants “a change” and “a new challenge” and has informed Bayern bosses of his desire to move on from the Bavarian club.

And in a new boost for Chelsea, Lewandowski - who has also long been linked with Real Madrid - admitted to Barcelona defender Pique in an interview for The Players’ Tribune that his future is uncertain despite being contracted to Bayern until 2021.

He revealed: “I’ve already said that I don’t want to play in the same league forever, that’s for sure. But I don’t know my future right now.”

Thibaut Courtois Chelsea hint

03:00: Thibaut Courtois has hinted that he will still be a Chelsea player next season.
The Belgium goalkeeper has been linked with a potential summer exit as he continues to stall over signing a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

Just 12 months remain on his current contract but no agreement will be reached until at least after his country’s World Cup campaign ends, with the 26-year-old currently Belgium’s No 1 in Russia.
Real Madrid have long been touted as a destination for Courtois given their desire to upgrade on Keylor Navas and Courtois’ public revelations that he wants to play in the Spanish capital again given his family ties to the city.

Speaking about Belgium’s upcoming winner-takes-all decider against the Three Lions where he will come face-to-face with Chelsea team-mates Gary Cahill and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Courtois said to talkSPORT: “I don’t think it matters if you finish second or first [in the group].

“But if you want to have that winning feeling, it’s best to keep on winning. And for me there is pride at stake.

“I don’t want to go back to England in July with a losing feeling. I want to win. I think everyone feels that way.”

Paul Pogba demand

01:30: Jose Mourinho is urging Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba to sack his agent, according to reports in France.

After a series of poor displays last term, the Frenchman was axed from Mourinho’s starting line-up.
Reports have surfaced that United could let Pogba head to Real Madrid with Gareth Bale coming the other way.

And now according to France Football, Mourinho is urging Pogba to part ways with his representative Mino Raiola.

It is said that Pogba has been instruced to do this several times before.

Monday, June 25

Arsenal worry

23:30: David Ospina has broken his silence over his Arsenal future following the signing of Bernd Leno.

Arsenal confirmed a deal for Leno last week from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £19.3million.
With Leno’s arrival, the Gunners now have three shot-stoppers on their books, although Petr Cech could head for the exit door with Napoli interested in snapping him up.

However, Ospina fears he could be increasingly marginalised with Leno now at the club.

When quizzed over his Gunners future, Ospina said: “I’m now fully concentrated on national team.
"I know that Arsenal signed new goalkeeper, but I’m now focused on national team and after the World Cup I will think what to do next."

Chelsea to get Sarri

22:30: Chelsea have agreed a deal to appoint Maurizio Sarri as their new manager.

The appointment should be in place within the next 48 hours and means Antonio Conte will be shown the exit door.

Sarri will get started on Chelsea transfers this week, with Juventus’ Daniele Rugani expected to be the first arrival.

But also on the shopping list are Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj and Roma centre back Kostas Manolas.

Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Nice midfielder Jean Michel Seri make up the extensive list.

Martial exit

21:00: Jose Mourinho is resigned to losing Anthony Martial this summer.

That is according to magazine French Football.

Mourinho had wanted to retain Martial but the player’s agent revealed earlier this month that the Frenchman wants out of Old Trafford.

And Portuguese boss Mourinho has seemingly given up trying to keep the forward.

A number of clubs have been linked with Martial, including Tottenham.

Chelsea done deal

19:40: Chelsea youngster Trevoh Chalobah has gone on loan to Ipswich.

Chalobah, 18, will move to Portman Road on a season-long loan.

He is Ipswich’s first signing of the summer but manager Paul Hurst is expecting more arrivals.

"He's very comfortable on the ball, and he's a very good player,” Hurst said of Chalobah.

"He's at an age where people might question him as he's a bit young. There will be demands put on him that he might not have encountered in the past but from speaking to him I know he's hungry to succeed.”

Real Madrid eye Colombian

19:00: Real Madrid have contacted Columbia playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero during the World Cup.

Quintero played under Julen Lopetegui at Porto and AS claim the manager wants to bring him to the Bernabeu.

However, Quintero is on loan at River Plate, meaning Real would have to negotiate with two clubs to secure a deal this summer.

Quintero joined Porto in 2013 and has impressed at the World Cup in Russia, scoring in Colombia’s 2-1 loss to Japan.

Torreira to Arsenal

17:55: Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Lucas Torreira, says the agent of ANOTHER player.

Arsenal are chasing Torreira and his capture is expected to be announced soon.
They are also after Celta Vigo star Stanislav Lobotka.

And it is Lobotka’s agent Branislav Jasurek who says Torreira is heading to the Emirates.

"Arsenal have bought Torreira to play six, so I do not think it's going to happen," Jasurek told La Voz de Galicia.

"We only had a few words about feelings about the club, about what we think about Stanko's future, but nothing in particular."

Fekir to Man Utd

17:30: Could Manchester United be set to swoop in on Liverpool target Nabil Fekir?
Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas recently revealed he had been in contact with Jose Mourinho, before going on to discuss Fekir.

It has opened up speculation the France playmaker could be heading to Old Trafford this summer.
Liverpool are still supposedly interested but the Manchester Evening News reckon Fekir would fit in at United as a replacement for Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini is set to leave United when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Arsenal snub Dunk

17:15: Arsenal manager Unai Emery is not interested in signing Brighton defender Lewis Dunk.
That is despite Arsene Wenger chasing the centre-back during his latter days at the Emirates.
That is according to GMS, who reckon 26-year-old Dunk will be overlooked by Emery this summer.
The new manager has already signed Bernd Leno and Stephan Lichtsteiner to bolster his Gunners defence.

Hazard to Real Madrid

17:00: Eden Hazard will reject a £340,000-a-week contract offer at Chelsea in order to move to Real Madrid.

That is the sensational claim emerging from Spain this afternoon.

Marca claim Hazard, who is currently impressing at the World Cup, is ready to leave the Blues.
He is supposedly unhappy Antonio Conte is due to be replaced by Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea’s failure to secure Champions League football for next season is supposedly another major problem for the playmaker.
Hazard will instead push to join Real Madrid this summer, even though his Chelsea contract expires in 2020.

Leeds United transfer update

16:50: New Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has revealed some worrying transfer news for fans.

Leeds supporters have been desperate for the club to get started on deals following Bielsa’s appointment.

The club have been trying to lock the ex-Argentina manager down for almost a month, having sacked Paul Heckingbottom at the start of June.

But Bielsa has warned fans not to expect too many done deals this summer.

"For the moment we're not intending to bring too many new faces in,” the Argentine said.

“From my point of view the club have got plenty of players I feel should remain here, who we should keep."

Chelsea reach£4.4m agreement with Napoli to buyout Maurizio Sarri contract with Italian to sign three-year deal

ITALIAN'S JOB Chelsea reach £4.4m agreement with Napoli to buyout Maurizio Sarri contract with Italian to sign three-year deal

                            Chelsea are expected to pay Napoli £4.4m to buyout Maurizio Sarri

Premier League giants ready to release the Italian coach from his current contract with big payment to Napoli and will replace Antonio Conte in the Stamford Bridge dugout

CHELSEA will pay Napoli £4.4million to buyout Maurizio Sarri from his contract in Italy and make him the new manager at Stamford Bridge, it is reported.

Sarri, 59, still has two years remaining on his current Napoli contract but is expected to replace Antonio Conte in west London in the coming days.

The Napoli boss has already been replaced at Stadio San Paolo by Carlo Ancelotti but, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino, Chelsea will pay Napoli the money to cut Sarri out of his deal.

After pushing Juventus close in the Serie A title race last season, Chelsea sought Sarri as the ideal candidate to replace Conte following a poor second season at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues finished outside of the Champions League places but despite winning the FA Cup in May, off-field troubles tainted Conte's reputation inside the club and led Roman Abramovich to try and replace him.

According to reports, Sarri will sign a three-year contract worth £5m per season after negotiations were finally completed.

He is likely to bring in his former Empoli assistant Giovanni Martusciello and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola as well as five members of his Napoli backroom staff.

Sarri plans to live at the Chelsea training ground in Cobham, which has a five-bedroom house on the site, so he can fully immerse himself in the club upon his arrival.

At this moment, though, Conte is still in his post at Chelsea and is yet to be dismissed, which has led to uncertainty over transfers.


Sarri has a wishlist of his own which is topped by Napoli and Belgium forward Dries Mertens and his club team-mate Kalidou Koulibaly.

Taylor Swift surprises London Wembley Stadium with Robbie Williams on Reputation tour

SUPERSTAR Taylor Swift surprised fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night by bringing out Robbie Williams on her world-wide Reputation tour. 

                               The pair sang a duet of Robbie’s most popular track ‘Angels’. 

Swift told fans before introducing the pop legend: “I wanted to sing a song that you all knew the words to.”

The pair sang a duet of Robbie’s most popular track ‘Angels’.

Robbie sported a Taylor Swift t-shirt while singing the classic with the star to a packed out stadium.
The crowd, which had already been treated to performances by supporting acts Charlie XCX and Camilla Cabello, filled social media with pictures and videos of the duo.

One fan, Joshua Fox, tweeted: “Taylor Swift ft Robbie Williams at Wembley Stadium just then was everything I never knew I wanted from a gig.”

Robbie later shared a photo of them together with the caption: “What an honour to sing with you tonight @taylorswift13 I’ve got a proper crush. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU x”
Taylor, who was once known for standing alone on stage with a guitar, took it up a notch on her Reputation tour.

The show kicked off to hit song ‘Are You Ready For It’ as red lighting flooded the stage and dancers swung from a trapeze.

Later, making use of the arena, Swift used wires to transport herself above the crowd not once but twice.

Pyro technics, confetti, snakes and outfit changes were all common place during and in between performances of hit song after hit song.

Die-hard Taylor fans weren’t left disappointed either as Swift performed, ‘Love Story’ and ‘Fifteen,’ from her album ‘Fearless’ which propelled the singer to stardom in 2008.

While Taylor’s latest tour has proved to be the biggest show on the 2018 pop calendar, fans originally complained about ticket prices.

One fan Hannah Curry tweeted the Taylor saying: “Hey @taylorswift13, I’m so disappointed. Your ticket prices are unreasonable and your fans have to watch you from the back / not go at all.”

Fans that dig bag themselves a seat seemed to agree however, that it’s definitely worth paying the price to see Taylor when she comes to town.

Why Gareth Bale should avoid Manchester United

It's a strange situation when a player who single-handedly decided the 2018 Champions League final is not a regular at his club. This season, despite staying injury free, Real Madrid's Gareth Bale started only 24 competitive games. He was subjected to fighting for a place with Marco Asensio and Isco, two talents he's proven more effective than. 

The predicament haunts Bale nightly. That's why he was open when speaking on BT Sport, proclaiming he needs to 'be playing week in, week out'.

That statement must have been music to Ed Woodward's ears. Manchester United's executive vice-chairman would love nothing more than to sign Bale this summer. For the Wales international, however, a move to Old Trafford would be catastrophic. 

If Man United is the answer, then what's the question? Bale as a Red Devil isn't a good fit. Jose Mourinho persists in putting together an uninspiring and robotic team, one which the Welshman has no place in. The Portuguese manager demands his attacking players track back, doing their fair share defensively.  

Bale would be shackled at United, unable to showcase his true talent. He requires freedom in the final third, not defensive burdens. 

Furthermore, Premier League stars are scrutinised to a greater extent than those in La Liga. Bale's performance is likely to be blasted on a regular basis. Averaging almost a goal every two games for Los Blancos soon long forgotten.

Bale must find another route out of Madrid. His reputation means Europe's top clubs will queue up. There aren't many better wingers than the 28-year-old.     

Bale's best options

Paris Saint-Germain

The French giant is on the verge of reaching European football's summit. PSG will look to use their extensive resources to achieve that feat. Bale, having played an integral part in Real Madrid's last four Champions League triumphs, would offer much-needed expertise at the Parc des Princes.  

The Welshman scored three times in Europe's most prestigious club competition this season. Two were in the showpiece against Liverpool. The Parisiens, despite possessing top quality wingers such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler, didn't come close to reaching Kyiv's final. Bale would have made the difference. He still could next campaign.  

Bayern Munich

With both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on their last legs, as well as Kingsley Coman struggling to fulfil potential, Bayern Munich is in the hunt for an explosive wideman. 

The Bundesliga is renowned for its technical playing style. Bale's technique has always belonged in the game's upper echelon. His acceleration and power would perfectly suit Bayern's heavy metal football.  

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola is building an Etihad empire, one founded on attacking principles. It's quite the opposite to his rival's kingdom in Manchester's other half. 

At City, Bale would have the license to play freely. When he previously had such freedom at Tottenham Hotspur, he delivered the most exciting moments of his career thus far. Guardiola's influence can rediscover Bale's unstoppable form.  

Is Eden Hazard heading for Real Madrid this summer?

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, something that would obviously spell disaster for the Blues who will desperately try and avoid such a thing.

Transfer rumours come and go all the time so it’s no surprise that Hazard, one of the most highly rated stars on the planet, is a constant source of media attention when it comes to being linked with transfers.

However, there’s something about this summer’s speculation surrounding his future that seems to be rather more concrete than in previous transfer windows.

This week it has been reportedly that Hazard’s father contacted Real Madrid just days before last month’s Champions League final, in order to discuss a move for his son to Los Blancos.
If true, it means the Belgian looks set to end his six year stay at Chelsea, where he has played a star role in them winning two Premier League titles.

Before the World Cup started, Hazard admitted he could be persuaded by the lure of Madrid, but said he would wait to see what the situation at Chelsea would be like for next season: “I do not want to talk about transfer right now. I have been asked so many times about that. I am focused on the World Cup.

“But as I said before, I won everything in London except the Champions League. If I’m here in my career, it’s thanks to Chelsea.

“It would be too easy to say: I want to leave because I have done everything.

“It is for that before everything that I would really like to know what will happen at the club next year.

“I am waiting to see if the coach stays or leaves. If I stay, it will be because the team will be better than the season we have just had. I do not want to stay if we are less good.

“Real Madrid can interest me, everyone knows it. But if tomorrow this club does not want me, we will not talk about it anymore. If they want to buy me, they know what to do. Go there for the sake of it… no. It takes a project. I still have a project in Chelsea. If I have a good World Cup, things will be easier.”

Hazard has always flirted with a move to Real, and according to Marca, Hazard’s father Thierry took matters into his own hands by contacting the La Liga giants to offer them the chance to sign his 27-year-old son.


He reportedly explained that talks over a new deal at Chelsea were on hold as Hazard believes the time is now right to move on.