Football news

The pair were photographed on an evening out in the English capital just weeks after they were seen doing the same in Barcelona

Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas have once more caught the headlines after a visit to a casino – this time in London.

The Barcelona star was the subject of scrutiny after he went to a casino in Spain in the build-up to the clash with Manchester City, along with team-mate Gerard Pique and the Chelsea midfielder.

And Messi has again something of a stir after a night out in London on Sunday along with former Barca team-mate Fabregas, with whom he remains close friends.

The pair visited ‘Colony Club’, an exclusive casino in Mayfair, with girlfriends Antonella Roccuzzo and Daniella Semaan.

Messi was linked with a possible sensational transfer to Chelsea earlier this season when tensions with head coach Luis Enrique came close to breaking point.

The 27-year-old fanned the flames of the rumours by following the Blues’ official page on Instagram.

While Messi has maintained he is happy with the current Liga leaders, speculation over his future remains rife, with the Argentina international and Luis Enrique still not on full speaking terms at Camp Nou.

Barcelona sporting director Ariedo Braida has admitted that, while Messi’s sale remains highly unlikely, a transfer cannot be ruled out due to the player’s €250 million release clause.

“I think that it is nearly impossible to see Messi leave Barcelona, but it could happen with clubs like PSG and Manchester City around, who have a lot of money to spend,” Braida told Esport 3.

“Strange things happen every now and then.”

Messi has been in exceptional form in recent weeks, with his hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano drawing him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

Images courtesy of FameFlynetUK

The Portuguese giants have a handful of injury concerns ahead of the clash with Basel but their coach has told the squad to step up to fill the absences

Porto head coach Julen Lopetegui has called on his players to step up in the absence of key first-team stars when they take on Basel on Tuesday.

Jackson Martinez picked up a groin injury in the win over Braga which will rule him out of the Champions League last-16 second leg, while Oliver Torres remains a doubt.

Lopetegui says his players must be ready to fill the void left by any injuries and has warned they must not underestimate the Swiss champions despite holding a slight advantage after a 1-1 draw at St Jakob Park.

“We have to be able to cope with our injuries, it has to be accepted,” he told reporters. “We started this journey without a ticket [after qualifying via the playoffs], we had to earn it and now we are here.

“We are talking about the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the opportunity to be among the best eight of the competition. We’re tied [after the first leg] and Basel will ensure they are at their best to go through.

“We have to overcome an opponent that has had a great campaign in the Champions League and has been doing well in Europe in the past two seasons as well.”

Midfielder Casemiro has acknowledged that Martinez could be a big loss but is confident they can progress if they play to their best.

“Jackson is an important absence, but I’m sure that the player that will replace him will do the best he can,” he said. “We know Basel have a strong midfield. In this round, the level of the opponents is very high, so I’m positive tomorrow’s match will be great.

“We have to enjoy this competition, play good  football and win – that’s the most important thing. We need a good performance to go through to the next phase of the competition. We have to think game by game, step by step. First, it’s Basel, then the quarter-finals.”

From 5pm the online bookmaker are enhancing the prices on either Louis van Gaal or Arsene Wenger’s sid winning a high scoring match FA Cup quarter final at Old Trafford

For a limited time only, William Hill customers can take their pick from two big price enhancements for tonight’s FA Cup clash between Manchester United and Arsenal.

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Goals are normally on the cards when these two sides clash, with both teams finding the net in five of the last seven clashes with only one of those five meetings ending in a draw.

Both teams have been picking up wins in recent weeks with United running out victorious in four of their last five matches while the Gunners can also boast the same recent record.

With neither side seemingly able to challenge Chelsea at the top of the table and Arsenal’s European future hanging by a thread after a 3-1 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League, the FA Cup certainly represents the best chance for either side to secure some silverware in this campaign.

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The full-back says there have been no talks about staying at Anfield but admits he is tempted by the idea of moving to a foreign club when his contract expires in the summer

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has revealed he has held talks with foreign clubs as he prepares to leave Anfield at the end of the season.

The full-back is out of contract in the summer and will leave the Reds after having been told back in October to look for a new club.

The 30-year-old was keen on a January move to Roma but his €167,000-a-week wages have proved something of a stumbling block.

However, Johnson admits the idea of moving abroad still appeals although he admits he is unsure where he will be playing his football next season.

“There’s no update. There have been no talks,” he told reporters. “At this point I have no idea [where I will be next season]. I haven’t thought about it.

“I’ve got two months left here and we will see what happens after that. I’m just going to keep my head down and keep training.

“I do like the idea of going abroad.

“There have been talks. I’m still young and it would be great for the kids. But I’m not thinking about that at the moment. We will have to wait and see.”

The central defender suffered the ignominy of being dragged off after half an hour at the weekend but has no plans to walk out on the Bundesliga champions

Dante has dismissed talk of him leaving Bayern Munich and vowed to fight for his place under Pep Guardiola.

The Brazil international was hauled off after 32 minutes of Bayern’s 3-1 win at Hannover on Saturday and speculation has emerged in Italy that Napoli and Inter could be keen to pursue his signature.

Former Bayern star Steffen Effenberg said at the weekend that Dante’s days at the Allianz Arena are numbered, claiming he will be sold in the summer.

The 31-year-old insists, however, he has no desire to quit the Bundesliga leaders – even though he admits a role as a substitute would be frustrating.

He told Sport Bild: “I have a contract with Bayern and I want to help Bayern win on the pitch or, if necessary, from the bench.

“However, I will not lie and say that I am satisfied to be on the bench.”

A return to former club Borussia Monchengladbach has also been mentioned but general manager Max Eberl has refused to add to the speculation.

“I do not want to get involved in the discussion about whether we want him back or not now,” he said.

Dante was defended by Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer at the weekend, with the former Germany international insisting he still has a part to play.

“Dante is a world-class guy and a superb player for us,” said Sammer.

“I urge you to judge with him respect. I will stand up against populist criticism, he does not deserve that. The club rate him very highly.”