Manchester United appear on the verge of making two new major signings as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan edge closer to moves to Old Trafford.

Plenty of reasons have been propounded for Dimitri Payet’s meteoric rise from international underachiever to France’s outstanding player at Euro 2016 — but the best words to explain it probably came from Didier Deschamps.

Claudio Ranieri has raised the stakes in the battle for the Barclays Premier League title by claiming Leicester's big-spending rivals will now feel the pressure in this most unpredictable of seasons.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists he is not dreaming about winning the Barclays Premier League despite moving five points clear in the title race with a 1-0 victory at Watford.

A judge has rejected charges of drug trafficking against Brazilian football star Adriano.

Everton have rejected Manchester United’s bid for Leighton Baines as they insist the defender is not for sale at any price.

Newco Rangers have been left without any pre-season matches after organisers of their tour of Germany cancelled the trip.

ALEX FERGUSON may turn to 18-year-old Paul Pogba to ease his Manchester United midfield crisis.

St Etienne are closing in on the loan signing of striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle from Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon.

Aston Villa’s hopes of signing France Under-19 captain Gueida Fofana appear to have been dashed.

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is hoping to make a double transfer swoop early in the January transfer window.

MANCHESTER UNITED supporters opposed to Malcolm Glazer’s ownership do not believe the American will still be in control at Old Trafford in five years’ time.

Paul Pogba is to become a Manchester United player after FIFA approved his transfer to the Premier League champions.

THE France-based Chelsea scout at the centre of the Gael Kakuta affair has broken his silence on the controversy and insisted French clubs are willing participants in the transfer of their best talents abroad.

FURIOUS Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United will force Le Havre to retract their claims that the Premier League champions paid off the parents of a French teenager and said it would be “crazy” to even contemplate such action.

Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United will force Le Havre to retract their claims that the Premier League champions paid off the parents of a French teenager and said it would be “crazy” to even contemplate such action.

THESE days, you have to get in fast if you want to laugh at your rivals’ misfortune, lest your chuckles turn to ashes in your mouth.

LEEDS have called for possible points deductions for “predator clubs” who poach promising teenagers – on a day when Manchester City became the latest Premier League power to be embroiled in a row over the signing of a French teenager.

Manchester City insisted they have acted “within the rules” over the signing of 17-year-old defender Jeremy Helan after FIFA confirmed they are investigating a complaint by French side Rennes.

AFTER spending four days watching their name get dragged further into the Chelsea ‘tapping up’ saga, Manchester United have finally snapped.

Manchester United have warned Le Havre they will take action against them unless they stop repeating claims that the Red Devils offered financial inducements to Paul Pogba’s family in order to lure the teenager to Old Trafford.

FIFA say they have received no complaint so far about Manchester United’s signing of 16-year-old French midfielder Paul Pogba last month.

Manchester United seem certain to launch a vigorous defence of their position if the case of Paul Pogba is referred to FIFA.

Christophe Lemaire will next year replace Christophe Soumillon as the Aga Khan's retained jockey in France.

Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has undergone a scan and is now expected to visit a specialist over the thigh injury suffered during this week’s win over Hull.

MANCHESTER UNITED have dismissed claims they have ‘stolen’ teenage midfielder Paul Pogba from French club Le Havre.

Le Havre striker Amadou Alassane is hoping to win a move to Celtic after being offered a trial with the Glasgow giants.

CHRISTOPHE Lemaire is confident Stacelita can maintain her unbeaten record as she goes in search of Classic glory in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly tomorrow.

Le Havre came with a power-packed late drive to land the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has accused Charles N’Zogbia of trying to engineer his way out of the club.

PORTSMOUTH have accepted a “substantial” bid from Real Madrid for midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Portsmouth have confirmed they have accepted a “substantial” bid from Real Madrid for midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Le Mans scored twice in the dying minutes to steal a 2-1 win and leave Le Havre rooted to the foot of the Ligue 1 table.

French midfielder Charles N’Zogbia has dealt Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan a blow by admitting he is still keen on a move, with Premier League rivals Arsenal a preferred destination.

Middlesbrough target Didier Digard has been suspended by Paris St Germain after he accused them of holding up his move to England.

Liverpool have confirmed they have completed the sale of midfielder Anthony Le Tallec to Le Mans.

Middlesbrough are having to remain patient in their pursuit of Frenchman Didier Digard, after hitting a major snag.

Newcastle are on the trail of Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra as manager Sam Allardyce looks to add creativity to his midfield.

Liverpool misfit Anthony Le Tallec could be heading back to France on a permanent basis after it was made clear he has no future at Anfield.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is expected to decide by the weekend whether to firm up his interest in signing goalkeeper Steve Mandanda from Le Havre.

Sheffield United 1 Arsenal 0

Liverpool’s Anthony Le Tallec is hoping his move to Sochaux will allow him to catch the eye of France coach Raymond Domenech.

Premiership newcomers Sheffield United have signed French striker Christian Nade on a three-year deal.

Anthony Le Tallec wants Paris St Germain to end his Liverpool nightmare after admitting he is “fed up” of being shipped out on loan by the Anfield club.