Katsouranis released by Panathinaikos

Greek giants Panathinaikos have announced on their official website that the contract of captain Kostas Katsouranis has been terminated by mutual consent.

The Greece international has been heavily criticized for his form at the start of the new season, with club president Giannis Alafouzos reportedly unhappy with his attitude.

This has led to the club canceling the contract of Kostas Katsouranis, who is now free to negotiate to other clubs.

The news comes just a day before Panathinaikos’ is set to take on Tottenham in a Europa League match.

The 33-year-old midfielder joined PAO in a €2.5 million deal from Benfica in the summer of 2009 and has enjoyed a lot of success at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis.

Despite operating as a holding midfielder …

Hughes´ philosophy critical to Stoke´s revolution – Afellay

Ibrahim Afellay has declared manager Mark Hughes the most important factor in attracting the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan Krkic to the Britannia Stadium.

Since Hughes took over from Tony Pulis as Stoke s manager, the Staffordshire-based club have been able to lure players who were previously rated some of the hottest prospects in Europe but are now looking to reboot their careers.

Afellay fits that mould exactly, with the ex-PSV captain having joined Barcelona midway through the 2010-11 season but never having settled at Camp Nou.

At the Britannia, the 29-year-old midfielder is part of a squad that includes other Barca alumni in Bojan and Marc Muniesa, as well as ex-Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel and former Bayern Munich forward Shaqiri.

It…

Manchester City v Juventus: Big names in doubt ahead of Champions League opener

Manchester City have fitness concerns over three key players as they look to improve their poor UEFA Champions League home record at the expense of Juventus.

Although Manuel Pellegrini s men have swept all before them domestically thus far this term, they have won just three of their 11 home Champions League games to date, a record that simply must improve if they are to make a serious impact in this season s competition.

But their preparations for Tuesday s visit from the Italian champions have been hindered by injury doubts surrounding Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling.

Aguero looks to be the most likely absentee after limping off during the first half of Saturday s Premier League win over Crystal Palace with a knee injury.

Pellegrini …

Malaga plotting Brahim Diaz reunion

La Liga outfit Malaga are believed to be exploring the opportunity to bring back Brahim Diaz to La Rosaleda Stadium at the end of the season.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder began his youth career with Malaga before he moved to in 2013 in a deal worth £200,000.

Diaz waited for three years before making his professional debut for Manchester City in an EFL Cup tie against Swansea City after which he signed his first professional contract with the Citizens.

Pep Guardiola is known as a manager who likes giving opportunities to youth players and is believed to be a huge admirer of Brahim Diaz.

The 17-year-old talent is unlikely to be given a prominent role next season however given the huge competition for places in his position and Malaga are trying t…

Hazard determined to add FA Cup to medal haul

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is determined to add an as yet elusive FA Cup winners medal to his lengthy list of personal and collective accolades.

The Belgium star has won the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League since moving to Stamford Bridge from Lille, with who he won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, in 2012.

Hazard, a two-time Ligue 1 Player of the Year and the 2014-15 PFA Players Player of the Year, has yet to win the FA Cup, though, with Chelsea last winning the trophy in the season before he joined.

Chelsea, who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League in Antonio Conte s first season in charge, must negotiate their way past Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Monday to reach the semi-finals and Hazard pledged to give all he can to b…

AC Milan worried about Bennacer

According to a recent report from Calciomercato, AC Milan are worried a club could trigger the £43 million buyout clause for Ismael Bennacer.

The clause was included as part of his contract when he first made his way over to the San Siro, and now, they believe it could unlock the key to him leaving potentially in the summer.

The 23-year-old midfielder first joined Milan on a permanent deal back in 2019 from Empoli and since then, he hasn’t looked back. He even had a spell with Arsenal but was barely given any time on the pitch throughout his stay there, although we wouldn’t rule out the Gunners coming back in for him to make up for lost time.

A lot of this will come down to whether or not Bennacer believes in Milan as a sustainable club who can really go pl…

Sevilla spree surpasses €120m with Oliver Torres capture

Sevilla have continued their close-season spending spree by completing the reported €12million signing of former Spain Under-21 midfielder Oliver Torres from Porto on a five-year deal.

Torres, 24, came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid and showed real promise in his early days before Porto signed him for an apparent €20m fee in 2017, having had two successful loan spells at the club.

The first of Torres loan stays saw him coached by new Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, who had also worked with the playmaker while in charge of the Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 sides in the Spain setup.

Torres struggled to hold down a first-team spot at Porto across the last two seasons, however, starting a total of 21 Primeira Liga games.

Signing number nine! 

Sociedad to bid for Matias Suarez

that Real Sociedad are set to launch an assault on Anderlecht striker Matias Suarez.

La Real have been keeping close tabs on the player for quite a while now, but they finally appear ready to step up their interest.

After his proposed transfer to CSKA Moscow fell through, Suarez is again available for sale, while he has finally recovered from a serious knee injury.

Real Sociedad have launched an official enquiry into the player s availability and have been told they can sign him for €9 million.

With La Real having qualified for the Champions League through league finish, the Argentine should be well within their price range.

Matias Suarez, 25, joined Anderlecht in 2008 from Belgrano and has since scored 35 goals in 126 league games for the Bel…

Pele to watch Brazil´s World Cup tie with South Korea from hospital

Pele will watch Brazil s World Cup last-16 tie against South Korea from hospital, according to a message posted to his social media accounts.

The three-time World Cup winner was hospitalised last Tuesday, though his daughter subsequently said there was no surprise or emergency pertaining to his condition.

Amid unconfirmed reports Pele had been moved to palliative care after failing to respond to chemotherapy treatment, the hospital housing the 82-year-old described his condition as stable .

Pele moved to ease fears surrounding his health with a post to his Instagram account on Saturday, saying he remained strong, with a lot of hope .

A message posted from the legendary forward s Twitter account has now revealed he will be watching on when Tite s side face…

Rolando joins Inter on loan

The Cape Verde-born 27-year-old has been with the Portuguese side since 2008 and has experience of playing in Serie A, having been on loan at Napoli last season.

According to Inter, the Portugal international will further strengthen Walter Mazzarri s defensive options ahead of the league campaign, which gets under way on August 25 against Genoa.

The central-half is due to start training with the Nerazzurri when they return from their US tour, the club added in a statement.

Before moving to the Estedio do Dragao, Rolando, who has 18 caps for his country, enjoyed a four-year stint at Belenenses.

During his spell at Napoli under Mazzarri last season, he made just seven appearances, including two in the UEFA Europa League.