The Asian Champions League campaign is expected to be Robbie Kruse s farewell to Melbourne Victory, with the striker set to move to Germany.
German newspaper Bild has said a deal for Kruse s services is as good as done with a move to Bundesliga II club Fortuna Dusseldorf in the European summer set to be finalised.
Kruse s manager John Grimaud has strong contacts in Germany and secured a dream deal for another promising Victory youngster, goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak, to current Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund 12 months ago.
Kruse s contract with the A-League club expires after the Asian Champions League group stages which begin for Victory on March 1 against Japanese club Gamba Osaka upon which time the club appear resigned to his departure.
Kruse i…
Cesc Fabregas, Carles Puyol and Pedro Rodriguez have withdrawn from Spain s Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
Spain host the Czech Republic in Grenada on Saturday before travelling to Kaunas four days later to face Lithuania, and will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifying rounds.But the reigning world and European champions will need to do so without the services of Arsenal talisman Fabregas and Barcelona duo Puyol and Pedro, all of whom are unavailable due to injury.Spain coach Vincente del Bosque has called up Valencia winger Juan Mata along with Athletic Bilbao team-mates Andoni Iraola and Javi Martinez as cover.World Cup winners Mata and Martinez return to the national side after missing Spain s friendly against Colombia las…
Julian Nagelsmann has become the youngest head coach in Bundesliga history after beginning his tenure at Hoffenheim earlier than planned.
The 28-year-old agreed a three-year contract last October to take the reins from the start of the 2016-17 campaign, with veteran Dutch coach Huub Stevens installed on a short-term deal at the same time
But Stevens resigned on Wednesday due to a heart condition, meaning Nagelsmann will be in charge for the crunch relegation clash against Werder Bremen on Sunday.
Hoffenheim lie second bottom of the Bundesliga having won only two matches all season. They are seven points from outright safety and five behind Werder, who currently languish 16th in the relegation play-off spot.
Official! 28-year-old Julian takes over as he…
Juventus have announced Roberto Pereyra has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2020, while Simone Padoin has agreed a new deal until June 2017.
Pereyra joined Juve from Udinese in July 2014 on an initial one-year loan deal, before the Serie A champions made the Argentina international s stay permanent in June 2015.
The versatile midfielder has developed into an important first-team member over the past 18 months and Juventus have now rewarded him with a new and improved deal.
The 25-year-old s previous contract ran until 2019, but he has now inked a one-year extension.
Pereyra, who recently returned to the pitch after shrugging of a muscular problem, has made 11 appearances in all competitions this campaign.
Padoin, meanw…
Arsenal have joined the race to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, according to the Express.
The centre-back has been strongly linked with a move away from St Mary’s Stadium this summer with a whole host of clubs interested in securing his services.
Liverpool remain in the hunt, while Chelsea and Manchester City have also thrown their hat into the ring though Arsene Wenger is keen to steal a march on his rivals as he looks to assemble a squad capable of finishing back in the top four following last season’s disappointment.
Van Dijk has played sixty-eight times in all competitions since signing for the Saints from Celtic in the summer of 2015, scoring for them seven times.
During his time in Scotland the twenty-six year old won back to bac…
Nuno Espirito Santo has returned to Porto as the club s new head coach on a two-year deal.
The 42-year-old former goalkeeper represented the Portuguese giants during his playing days, earning four Primeira Liga titles and the 2004 Champions League during two spells at the club.
Nuno subsequently turned his hand to coaching and built a fine reputation having led Rio Ave to the Taca de Portugal and Taca da Liga finals in the 2013-14 season and was snapped up by Valencia.
During his first season, Nuno led Valencia back to the Champions League, but the team struggled during his second campaign and he resigned as head coach in November.
Porto subsequently confirmed that Nuno has returned to the club on their official website, with the team having endured a d…