Roma president James Pallotta says Manchester United will have to pay a "huge" fee to sign Kevin Strootman.

Champions League Group E

European roundup: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both scored hat-tricks in easy wins as Real Madrid remained two points ahead of Barcelona atop the La Liga table.

Italy coach Antonio Conte has defended his decision to again omit Mario Balotelli from the national team.

Roma captain Francesco Totti has thanked Manchester City for giving him extra motivation to score on Tuesday.

Champions League Group E

Champions League Group E

Liverpool last night completed the signing of defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton on a long-term contract for a "significant fee’" thought to be in the region of £20 million (€25.3m).

Louis van Gaal looks set to speak to Jose Mourinho over his claim that signing Luke Shaw would have “killed” Chelsea.

Didier Drogba said he couldn’t turn down the chance to work with Jose Mourinho again after agreeing a one-year deal at Chelsea yesterday.

At 8.47pm on Sunday night, Italian football returned from its winter break; at 10.37pm, the title race was over.

European round-up

Arsenal have confirmed the sale of Ivory Coast forward Gervinho to Roma.

Newcastle are happy to play a waiting game over their bids to land striker Andy Carroll and full-back Mathieu Debuchy.

Seven members of the Barcelona side which claimed last season’s Champions League and Primera Division double were today named on the 23-man shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or.

Lille midfielder Yohan Cabaye is set to quit the French champions for Newcastle, according to the French club’s coach Rudi Garcia.

FOOTBALL in Europe is a season of two halves. True, the winter break has become more like a pause in Spain; they start back on Saturday, while Portugal, Italy and Greece have a few more days leave.

LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Jose Reina has echoed team-mate Fernando Torres’ calls for significant investment in players to make the club title challengers again.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was left to rue missed opportunities in the 1-0 Europa League last 16 defeat in Lille but has backed his side to turn things around in next week's second leg.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez insists his side can still progress in the Europa League despite a 1-0 defeat in their last 16 first leg against Lille last night.

Lyon moved clear at the top of Ligue 1 today following a 3-1 win against Monaco.

Reigning Ligue 1 champions Lyon enjoyed a convincing start to the defence of their title on today with a comfortable win over Auxerre.