..::Football IV::..

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Low ‘cannot see’ Draxler completing Arsenal deadline day move


Germany head coach Joachim Low has scotched speculation suggesting that Julian Draxler could make a last-minute move to Arsenal this summer.The Paris Saint-Germain winger has found his place in the French capital side’s starting XI in jeopardy following the arrival of Neymar, which had led to reports that he could move to Arsenal.

Low, however, does not find such rumours credible.“I chatted briefly with Julian yesterday and I cannot see one of our players moving today,” he told the media.“Julian felt really good in Paris until now. He has developed really well and you could see that in Russia this summer."

Low had praise for the player, who was named the Confederations Cup’s most valuable player in the summer and is in Germany's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Norway.
“He started great in France and scored goals. Now they’ve made two big signings and Neymar occupies the position he had,” he continued.

“Julian can play on the right and in the middle. He is versatile and has the self-confidence to come out on top.”The Germany coach did warn that even if a transfer was not possible immediately, it may be on the agenda come January.

“The situation might need reassessing in six months,” he said. “It would be great to read Unai Emery’s mind.”

 

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Man City verbally agree £60m Alexis Sanchez deal but Arsenal want replacement first


Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal over a £60m transfer for Alexis Sanchez, but the move will not be rubber-stamped until the Gunners have secured a replacement.Having had a £50m bid rejected on Tuesday, Goal understands City submitted another offer worth around £60m on Wednesday evening, a figure the Gunners approved on Thursday morning.

But the London club will only sign-off on the deal if they can recruit another forward in the remaining hours of this summer's transfer window.

That is now the main obstacle that stands in the way of City finally securing Sanchez's services, having coveted the Chile international for several months.
Arsenal had been keen to include Raheem Sterling in the deal but City made it clear from the outset that would not be an option.

Goal understands Arsenal have reignited their interest in Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, as they believe the money they would receive from the Sanchez deal would allow them to tempt Monaco into selling.Liverpool are also interested in the France international, however, and sources have told Goal that the Reds are confident of securing his signature.

Julian Draxler has also been mooted as a potential replacement for Alexis but Goal understands that move will not happen and that Lemar is the club's first-choice target at this late stage of the window.

Arsenal’s struggle to add to the signings of Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac this summer is partly because of their failure to offload fringe players on high salaries.

The Gunners can only increase the wage bill by £7m above what it was last season after the Premier League Short Term Cost Control (STCC) rules came into play from the new campaign.

They are looking to send the likes of Lucas Perez and Joel Campbell on loan in a bid to meet the new rules, which only allow for overspend if a club can show that it comes as a result of increased commercial or matchday revenue, or player sales.

Arsene Wenger’s side had a wage bill of £191m two seasons ago, according to the most recent club accounts available via Companies House, and therefore would need to sell Alexis before bringing in a high-profile player.

 

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Man City accept Swansea's £12m Bony bid

Swansea City are close to re-signing Wilfried Bony from Manchester City for £12 million, Goal understands.Bony moved to City from the Swans for £25m in January 2015, but struggled to get a consistent run in the first team under former Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini and has never featured in Pep Guardiola's plans.

The Ivorian spent last season on loan at Stoke City, where he scored two goals in 11 games, and has had a number of offers during the current transfer window, including a late bid from Verona.

But City have now accepted a bid from the Welsh side and the striker will complete the move later on Thursday, having earlier trained in Manchester.
Swansea have long been interested in the 28-year-old but a move for him was depending on Fernando Llorente being sold.

Chelsea had been interested in Llorente but it is now Spurs who are in pole position to secure his signature in a £15m deal.

Former Vitesse striker Bony scored 35 goals for Swansea in his 18 months at the club, but only managed 11 for City since joining in January 2015.

 

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Tottenham complete £23m Aurier signing from Paris Saint-Germain

Tottenham have announced the signing of right-back Serge Aurier from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee believed to be £23 million.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international joins the London club after spending three seasons with PSG, and has signed a contract through 2022.Aurier will wear the No.24 shirt in north London and is set to help replace Kyle Walker, who departed for Manchester City in July. He joins Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker-Peters as right-back options for Spurs.

“This is a huge and exciting opportunity at a massive football club and I am determined to prove myself as a professional both on and off the pitch," Aurier told Tottenham's official website. "This is a fresh start for me and I will do everything to make the Spurs fanbase, which is huge and diverse, proud of me.

"The fans are the most important people at any club and I am looking forward to showing them and everyone at Spurs the real Serge Aurier.”

Aurier becomes the fourth signing for Tottenham in the summer window, joining Juan Foyth from Estudiantes, Davinson Sanchez from Ajax and Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton.

 

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Chelsea make £32 million Drinkwater offer but have yet to approach Mahrez


Danny Drinkwater's move to Chelsea is edging closer after the Premier League champions upped their bid for the Leicester midfielder to £32 million on transfer deadline day, Goal understands.

The England international has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to secure his move away from Leicester before the transfer window closes.Chelsea have been trying to finalise a deal for Drinkwater for the past month as they hope to add another English player to their squad after two Premier League games of fielding none in their starting line-up.

Leicester's original asking price for the 27-year-old was £40m but Chelsea are expecting to bring that down a little with the transfer window closing at 23:00 BST.

The Foxes, meanwhile, are pushing to secure a deal for Sporting's Adrien Silva as a replacement for Drinkwater after their attempts to sign him failed last summer. Drinkwater's team-mate Riyad Mahrez has also been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge but it is understood that no approach has yet been made.

Chelsea are also no longer favourites to sign Fernando Llorente after Tottenham agreed a £15m fee to sign the 32-year-old striker from Swansea City.

Chelsea are also no longer favourites to sign Fernando Llorente after Tottenham agreed a £15m fee to sign the 32-year-old striker from Swansea City.

 

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Liverpool complete £35m signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal

Liverpool have completed the £35 million transfer of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal on a five-year deal and hope he will not be their final acquisition ahead of the deadline.

Having agreed a fee with the Gunners on Wednesday for the England international , who rejected Chelsea as he preferred a switch to Anfield, the finer details were completed at St George's Park on the same night.

The 24-year-old becomes the fifth signing this summer for Jurgen Klopp alongside Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke, Andy Robertson and Naby Keita - the latter, however, will only link up with the Reds from RB Leipzig next season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain passed on the opportunity to link up with Premier League champions Chelsea, who reached a pact with Arsenal on Monday, feeling his development would be better served at Liverpool, especially in his favoured midfield role.

Klopp told the club's official website: “I am really, really happy we have got Alex signed. Since the last game I have been waiting and hoping we could make this transfer - and when I got the news he was ours it was fantastic.

“I remember the first time I saw him play live - it was at Dortmund in 2014 and he came on as a sub that day and made a big impact. He stood out immediately because of his pace and skills and his attitude in such a big game for a young player; I remember him chasing back to make a brilliant challenge on Mkhitaryan in the box to save a certain goal.

“We won that game but lost the return match at Arsenal when he started and played well, I think he hit the post. Since then I have followed him and when I heard it may be possible to sign him I didn't need to think twice.

“I hear a lot of talk about positions but let's talk about the player; he is someone with really good abilities who always gives everything for his team. A player that is positive and willing to take risks to try and make positive things happen.

“He may still be young but he has a lot of experience in the Premier League, Champions League and for his country. Already he is a very, very good player and I think he has the mentality and desire to get even better - and that excites me. “This is someone making a tough decision to leave one great club and come to another great club and I think he had many options, so to get him means I am delighted.

“He didn't make an easy decision but I think he made a great one to go on this journey with this squad of talented boys and our great supporters. I welcome him to the Liverpool family.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain is understood to be on a package of around £120,000 a week - he would’ve earned more had he extended his contract at the Emirates, which had entered its final year, or if he had decided to play for Antonio Conte.



Liverpool are trying to follow Oxlade-Chamberlain's addition with a blockbuster move for Monaco's Thomas Lemar , but a fee has yet to be agreed.

The Reds are prepared to make Virgil van Dijk the most expensive defender in the world , but Southampton continue to insist he is not on the market now.

 

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Spurs favourites to beat Chelsea to £15 million Fernando Llorente transfer

Tottenham are favourites to beat Chelsea to the £15 million signing of Fernando Llorente after hijacking their London rivals' deal on transfer deadline day, Goal understands.

The Swansea City striker, 32, will be back up for lead striker Harry Kane as Mauricio Pochettino's side heap more transfer misery on Antonio Conte after the Blues lost out on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain less than 24 hours ago.

Arsenal had accepted a bid of £35m from Chelsea for Oxlade-Chamberlain but he opted to reject the Stamford Bridge club for Liverpool.Llorente has had a stronger approach - after Chelsea had much of the deal agreed without making a formal offer, he is closer to moving to Spurs instead of the Premier League champions.

The deal is yet to be fully completed and Chelsea will remain hopeful, but Llorente looks to have made his decision having been offered a more prominent role under Pochettino.

Chelsea still have Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi on their books, with Diego Costa's move to Atletico Madrid still a possibility due to the Spanish window closing on Friday instead of Thursday.

Chelsea and Spurs are both expected to be very active on transfer deadline day, beyond the deal for Llorente.

 

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A.Sanchez - Manchester City
R.Mahrez - Barcelona / Chelsea / Roma
J.Draxler - Arsenal
Coutinho - Barcelona
Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool
T.Lemar - Arsenal / Liverpool
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Dortmund striker Aubameyang rules out late transfer amid Real Madrid rumours


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has ruled out a move away from Borussia Dortmund amid ongoing links to Real Madrid.The Gabon international remains one of Europe’s most prolific frontmen, and as such is a man in demand.

He has been heavily linked with leading sides from across the continent this summer, from the Premier League to La Liga.

Real are reported to remain keen after seeing Kylian Mbappe lured away to Paris Saint-Germain in a deal which will eventually cost them up to €180 million, but Aubameyang has vowed to return to Dortmund once his commitments with his country are over.
Gabon are in World Cup qualifying action against Ivory Coast on Saturday. Real would still have time to put a deal in place, as the window in Spain does not close until Friday, but they would need to move quickly.

Dortmund will be pleased to hear Aubameyang’s words of commitment having already lost one star turn to La Liga this summer.

Ousmane Dembele forced through a €105m move to Barcelona, but his former team-mate appears unlikely to follow suit and will get the opportunity to add to his 126-goal haul for the Bundesliga club – a return which includes six in four appearances this season.

 

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Monaco star Mbappe completes €180 million Paris Saint-Germain move

Paris Saint-Germain have pulled off their latest coup in the transfer market by completing the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

The 18-year-old striker was the subject of intense transfer speculation all summer but has finally joined his hometown club, initially on loan but with the club having a compulsory purchase clause in the deal that means he will arrive on a permanent basis next summer.

At that time, he is expected to become the world’s second most expensive player, with the deal reported to be as much as €180 million. His contract will run through June 30, 2022.

"It is with great joy and pride that I join Paris Saint-Germain," Mbappe said in a press release. For any young person from the Paris region, it is often a dream to wear the red and blue jersey and experience the unique atmosphere of the Parc des Princes.

"I really wanted to be a part of the club’s project, which is one of the most ambitious in Europe. Alongside my new teammates, I intend to continue my progression while helping the team achieve the very big objectives it has set itself."
PSG have already smashed the world transfer record this summer, having acquired Neymar from Barcelona for €222m.

As a result of that deal, they could not also afford to sign Mbappe and stay within UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, hence the move is simply a loan to begin with.

The teenager is regarded as one of the hottest properties in the game, having exploded into Monaco’s starting XI in the second half of last season by scoring 26 times in 44 matches.

He has earned widespread praise, with Juventus great Gianluigi Buffon dubbing him a “future Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo”.

"Among players of his age, he is without doubt the most promising in the world due to his immense technical, physical and mental qualities," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said."Since his emergence at the highest level, he has earned an excellent reputation as a young talent who is very respectful, open, ambitious and already very mature.

"Under our colors, in the midst of truly great players, Kylian will continue his progression in a way that will also benefit the French national team in the months and years to come."

Mbappe has, though, been used sparingly at the start of the new season, given the speculation around his future, with a whole host of Europe's top clubs having been linked with a move at one stage or another.

The forward started the French Super Cup defeat to PSG, and then Monaco's first Ligue 1 game of the new campaign, but has since been an unused substitute or left out of the squad entirely.

 

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Summer Transfer Window 2017

Less than 3 hours remaining........​

 

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Brazil 2 Ecuador 0: Barca target Coutinho and Paulinho inspire win

Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho came off the bench and scored as Brazil defeated Ecuador 2-0 to seal their position as winners of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying section.

Coutinho was named on the bench for Thursday's qualifier in Porto Alegre having not played for Liverpool this season due to a back problem and illness amid ongoing speculation linking him with Barca.

But the Liverpool star put uncertainty surrounding his future aside to double Brazil's lead with 14 minutes remaining after a stunning one-two with team-mate Gabriel Jesus.It was a sight to excite Barca fans after new signing Paulinho broke Ecuador's stubborn resistance seven minutes earlier – his fourth goal in four internationals.

Already assured of their spot at the World Cup in Russia next year, Brazil cannot be caught atop the South American standings after moving 11 points clear of second-placed Colombia with three games remaining, while Ecuador are seventh and three points adrift of the play-off position.

There were no surprises in Brazil's starting XI following their 4-0 friendly rout of Australia in June as the world's most expensive player Neymar headlined Tite's line-up, which also included Jesus, Willian, Casemiro, Marcelo and Dani Alves, who did not play in March's 3-0 qualifying win at home to Paraguay.Ecuador – who lost 2-0 to Colombia in their most recent qualifier – named the likes of Antonio Valencia, Enner Valencia, Christian Noboa and Gabriel Achilier.

The first half did not reach any real heights as Brazil – devoid of ideas and synergy – struggled against a resolute Ecuador side.Barcelona recruit Paulinho tried his luck early, while Chelsea attacker Willian went close inside 10 minutes.

Manchester City star Jesus almost opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark after outmuscling his opponent en route to goal but Ecuador goalkeeper Maximo Banguera was up to the task, using a strong hand to push the ball away for a corner.

Jesus came close again 11 minutes into the second half after being picked out by Alves with a sublime cross but his close-range header was saved.The 20-year-old forward was thwarted minutes later as Ecuador defender Robert Arboleda glanced a header away before Jesus could head home the opener.

Seeking a goal, Tite introduced Coutinho before the hour-mark – his first playing time of the 2017-18 season – but it was his potential Barca team-mate Paulinho who broke the deadlock.

Paulinho lashed home the opener from just outside the six-yard box with 20 minutes remaining following Willian's corner.Brazil could smell blood as Banguera denied Willian and Neymar with back-to-back saves only moments later.



But Banguera was unable to deny Coutinho, who combined with Jesus before side-footing into the net in the 76th minute.

 

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Uruguay 0 Argentina 0: Suarez hobbles off in draw

Luis Suarez appeared to aggravate a knee injury in Uruguay's goalless draw at home to Argentina in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.

Suarez was surprisingly included in Uruguay's starting XI, despite being sidelined with a knee injury since Barcelona's Supercopa de Espana second-leg loss to Real Madrid on August 16.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde and the LaLiga club were left sweating when Suarez dropped to the ground clutching his knee in pain with seven minutes remaining before hobbling off in Montevideo on Thursday.

Argentina dominated proceedings at Estadio Centenario but they were unable to make their possession count in Jorge Sampaoli's competitive debut as head coach after he replaced Edgardo Bauza in June.

The draw saw third-placed Uruguay – winless in six matches – improve to 24 points after 15 matches, a point adrift of Colombia and a point ahead of Argentina.Uruguay were boosted by the inclusion of Suarez, who was not expected to play.

There were also three changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Peru in the country's previous qualifier in March as Martin Caceres, Gaston Silva and Nahitan Nandez came in for Jorge Fucile, Maximiliano Pereira and Carlos Sanchez.

It was a first competitive outing as coach for Sampaoli following friendly victories over Singapore and Brazil in June. And Argentina's line-up on Thursday was almost unrecognisable to the side who went down 2-0 to Bolivia in March's qualifier, when Bauza was still in charge. Sergio Romero, Angel Di Maria and Guido Pizarro were the only players to feature that day as the likes of Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Lucas Biglia and Nicolas Otamendi came into the XI. Inter captain Mauro Icardi also earned his second cap, having not featured since making his debut in 2013.

The start of the match was relatively subdued, though Argentina enjoyed most of the possession without creating any real clear-cut opportunities against a Uruguay side desperate to end a run of five consecutive defeats.

Argentina – who won the reverse fixture last year – continued to control possession but they were almost caught out by Suarez's audacious long-range attempt from just inside the halfway line as the clock ticked past the 30-minute mark.

Uruguay had the best opportunity of the match in the 37th minute when Edinson Cavani's rebound was charged down by Romero, who struggled to deal with Cristian Rodriguez's shot, while Biglia fired narrowly wide at the other end.

Messi came to life as the first half drew to a close, linking up with Dybala before surging down the middle and forcing Fernando Muslera into a save.Tensions were high in the second half, though neither team appeared any closer to breaking the deadlock.

Messi did go close to making the breakthrough – his lovely free-kick approaching the hour-mark forcing Muslera into a diving save as he pushed the ball away for a corner.



The clash petered out to a draw, not before Suarez was forced from the pitch after appearing to re-injure his troublesome knee.

 

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Chile 0 Paraguay 3: Pizzi's side stunned in qualifying blow

Chile's World Cup qualification hopes were dealt a blow with a surprise 3-0 loss at home to Paraguay on Thursday.

Arturo Vidal scored a first-half own goal in Santiago before Victor Caceres and Richard Ortiz struck after the interval for Paraguay, who won in Chile for the first time in 10 years.Chile dominated possession and looked threatening, but they struggled to create chances as they fell to a second defeat in three qualifiers.

Eduardo Vargas went closest twice in what was a below-par display from Chile, who were left in danger of slipping out of the automatic qualification spots with three matches remaining.The win was a huge boost for Paraguay, ending their four-match losing run and moving them to within two points of Chile.

Alexis Sanchez was unable to get going for the hosts as Chile lacked the creativity needed to break down the visitors.


Juan Antonio Pizzi started a strong Chile line-up, with Sanchez, Vidal and Claudio Bravo all in the XI. The hosts began brightly but struggled to create anything of note against Francisco Arce's side, who sat relatively deep.Mauricio Isla hit the post in the 18th minute for Chile, but he was rightly ruled offside.

It seemed Paraguay's best chances would come via set-pieces, and it proved the case with the opener against the run of play.A teasing delivery from the right was met by Vidal, his flying header finding the top corner of Bravo's net to give Paraguay a 1-0 lead.

Chile continued to dominate possession, but they rarely tested Antony Silva, the Paraguay goalkeeper forced into a save by a 25-yard Vargas effort four minutes prior to half-time.Pizzi's side went close again in the 53rd minute, but Vargas saw his volley from inside the area blocked by Oscar Romero.

Paraguay stunningly doubled their lead just two minutes later through Caceres.
A rebound fortuitously fell into the path of Caceres, whose powerful strike beat Bravo despite the shot-stopper almost keeping it out.

Chile thought they had pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining, but a tight offside call saw substitute Esteban Paredes' strike ruled out.



Along with their continued threat from set-pieces, the visitors started to look dangerous on the counter-attack, sealing their win on the break in additional time through Ortiz.

 

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Belgium 9 Gibraltar 0: Trebles for Meunier and Lukaku as Hazard makes scoring return

Thomas Meunier and Romelu Lukaku scored hat-tricks and Eden Hazard marked his return to competitive action with a goal as Belgium cemented their place at the top of Group H with a 9-0 demolition of Gibraltar in World Cup qualifying.

Hazard featured in a competitive game for the first time since breaking his ankle while on international duty in June and played 77 minutes as the Red Devils outclassed their part-time opposition from start to finish.

Meunier also recorded three assists while Lukaku proved a typically menacing presence, taking full advantage of the gulf in class to help Belgium maintain their unbeaten record in qualifying.

Axel Witsel, who earlier lit up the Stade Maurice Dufrasne with a stunning bicycle-kick, was sent off for going in high and late on Jamie Bosio shortly before the break, but the damage was well and truly done by then with Roberto Martinez's side leading 5-0.Hazard got in the action on the stroke of half-time before Meunier and Lukaku completed their respective trebles after the restart.

Witsel's dismissal means he will miss Sunday's important trip to Greece, and Gibraltar lost a man of their own when Erin Barnett was dismissed having brought down Kevin De Bruyne to give away a late penalty from which Lukaku slotted home his third.Gibraltar goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim started impressively, twice denying Lukaku early, but it was his error in the the 15th minute that opened the floodgates.


The England-born shot-stopper let Dries Mertens' tame cross slip between his legs and break the deadlock and right-back Meunier quickly compounded the mistake by tucking Mertens' clever cut-back inside the near post to double the lead.

Lukaku made it three goals in the space of six minutes when Meunier put a right-wing cross on a platter for the Manchester United man.

Witsel fluffed a clear chance in the 23rd minute, but the midfielder produced the highlight of the half moments later. Mertens dinked a clever cross towards the far post and Witsel lashed home spectacularly to make it 4-0.

Meunier teed up Lukaku for the second time in the 38th minute and, despite Witsel capping a mixed half with a straight red card, the Red Devils still pressed forward and added a sixth goal through a Hazard tap-in on the stroke of half-time, the Chelsea star converting Menuier's third assist of the half.

Lukaku twice spurned chances to complete his treble shortly after the restart, first heading straight at Ibrahim before turning another cross around the post.Meunier volleyed in Hazard's cross for his second and Belgium's seventh on the hour mark, and the Paris Saint-Germain defender beat Lukaku to a hat-trick with 23 minutes remaining, storming on to a De Bruyne cross at the far post.



The visitors looked to have stemmed the tide until defender Barnett bundled over De Bruyne, Lukaku stepping up to net his third and add further gloss to an emphatic scoreline.

 

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France 4 Netherlands 0: Lemar, Mbappe score in rout of disappointing Dutch

Thomas Lemar scored twice and Kylian Mbappe also found the net as France thrashed 10-man Netherlands 4-0 at the Stade de France, moving them to the top of Group A in the race to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring, slotting through Jasper Cillessen's legs after 14 minutes, before Kevin Strootman saw red for the Dutch early in the second half in Paris.

Lemar then took centre stage, cutting across a bouncing ball to send a left-footed volley beyond the overworked Cillessen in the 73rd minute to record his first international goal.

The Monaco winger didn't have to wait too long for his second though, Griezmann unselfishly squaring the ball for his team-mate, before Mbappe broke his France duck on the same day he officially signed for Paris Saint-Germain with the fourth in injury time.

The result, coupled with Sweden losing 3-2 in Bulgaria, means Didier Deschamps' side move three points clear in the standings, while the Dutch now sit six points adrift in fourth place.


Lemar - who started the game after his name had been heavily involved in transfer speculation during the day, with both Arsenal and Liverpool linked with a move - was one of several home players to dazzle the crowd.

His appearance on the team sheet effectively ended talk about his future and he looked unperturbed as he helped France seize control right from the kick-off.
The hosts had already gone close through Olivier Giroud before Griezmann broke the deadlock.

Having worked a one-two with Giroud to get in behind the Dutch defence, the Atletico Madrid striker cleverly opened up his body as he ran clear, allowing him to pass the ball with his favoured left foot through Cillessen.The goalscorer picked up a booking soon after for a crude lunge on Quincy Promes near the touchline, although the French had few alarms at the back.

As if Dick Advocaat's side didn't have enough trouble with 11 against 11, their hopes of getting back in the game were dealt a severe blow when Strootman was dismissed, picking up two bookings in the space of six second-half minutes for late tackles.

Stefan de Vrij stopped N'Golo Kante from converting Kingsley Coman's low cross with a crucial block before Robin van Persie was summoned from the bench to make his first international appearance since October 2015.However, not even the introduction of their leading scorer could inspire the Netherlands.

While Cillessen denied Paul Pogba from close range, there was little the goalkeeper could do to stop Lemar's sweetly-struck effort from outside the area finding the net.



The same player tapped home a third before substitute Mbappe rammed home a low shot from a tight angle just 15 minutes after replacing Giroud.

 

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Portugal 5 The Faroe Islands 1: Ronaldo surpasses Pele mark with classy treble

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a sublime hat-trick as European champions Portugal cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Faroe Islands in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.The Real Madrid forward netted his 12th, 13th and 14th goals of the campaign - in just his sixth appearance - with the first a stunning scissor-kick early on that set the tone.

Ronaldo could have been excused for showing signs of rustiness having not featured at club level since receiving a five-match ban for a push on an official in the first leg of Madrid's Supercopa de Espana victory over Barcelona, but he was at his scintillating best in Porto to punish the Faroe Islands.

He followed up his spectacular opener with a second from the penalty spot and, although Rogvi Baldvinsson hit back for the visitors before the break, Ronaldo then created a goal for William Carvalho before completing his hat-trick with a strike that reached two major milestones.

Ronaldo's 14th of the current group stage matches the record held by Predrag Mijatovic's from qualifying for the 1998 tournament, while a 78th international goal betters the tally of Brazil great Pele.

Nelson Oliveira added the fifth late on and Portugal have now won six consecutive Group B games since losing their opening fixture to pool leaders Switzerland, who they still trail by three points ahead of a trip to Hungary on Sunday.


It took just three minutes for Ronaldo to make his mark, meeting Bernardo Silva's deep cross with a stunning acrobatic effort that flew past a helpless Gunnar Nielsen.

Portugal were initially slow to build on the fine start, however, with Joan Simun Edmundsson shooting tamely from a good position for the Faroe Islands while both Andre Silva and Ronaldo nodded off target for the hosts.

But Portugal's toil was eased in the 29th minute. Joao Mario was tripped in the area by Roaldur Jacobsen and Ronaldo coolly converted the resulting spot-kick.
Only a smart Nielsen stop denied Ronaldo a first-half hat-trick - a feat Andre Silva had managed in Torshavn last October - with the rebound escaping the AC Milan man.

However, the home side were caught off guard seven minutes before the break when Baldvinsson thumped a fine volley past Rui Patricio after Jonas Tor Naes' long throw-in was flicked into his path.

Nielsen was called into action again to parry Joao Moutinho's curler and then blocked well from Bernardo Silva shortly after the restart.Portugal kept pushing to restore their two-goal advantage and a cute Ronaldo pass to Andre Silva in front of goal should have been rewarded with a finish, but the 21-year-old forward flicked narrowly wide.

But Carvalho was ruthless with the next opening Ronaldo created, directing a header inside the right-hand post from the Portugal captain's pinpoint cross.And Carvalho then turned provider. He teased a pass into Ronaldo and then stood aside as the 32-year-old sold Nielsen a dummy and calmly stroked into the net.



Nielsen saved well from Eliseu's speculative blast, but Oliveira added the fifth with a late rebound as Fernando Santos' men draw ever nearer to a potentially decisive final fixture at home to Switzerland.

 

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Nani joins Lazio on loan from Valencia


Nani has sealed a loan move from Valencia to Lazio, with the Serie A club holding an option to make the switch permanent.

The Portugal international only transferred to La Liga from Fenerbahce last July, signing a three-year deal at Mestalla, but he has opted for a deadline-day switch to the Italian capital for the remainder of the season.

Simone Inzaghi's Lazio are expected to be busy on Thursday as they seek to build on last season's fifth-placed finish and compete for Europa League honours.
Former Manchester United forward Nani's career has also included spells in Portugal, Turkey and Spain.

It was at Old Trafford that he enjoyed his greatest successes, winning four Premier League titles and the 2007-2008 Champions League.

 

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Bony seals Swansea return in deadline day move from Man City

Wilfried Bony has sealed a return to Swansea from Manchester City on transfer deadline day, penning a two-year contract.Bony underwent a medical earlier on Thursday ahead of a reported £12million move, with Fernando Llorente leaving to join Tottenham.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international left Swansea for Manchester City in 2015 but failed to establish himself at the Etihad Stadium and spent an underwhelming season on loan at Stoke City last campaign.

A statement from the Swans on the club’s official website read: “Bony has signed a two-year deal, with the option of a third, at the Liberty Stadium after the Swans paid an undisclosed fee for the Ivory Coast international.

“Bony, who has opted for squad number two, returns to South Wales just over two-and-a-half years after he left the Swans for City in a deal worth up to £28 million.“He was a huge fans’ favourite during his first spell as a Swan, when he established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading frontmen.

“Bony originally signed for the Swans from Vitesse Arnhem, where he had an exceptional goalscoring record, in a club-record deal in the summer of 2013. “He netted 34 goals in 70 appearances – only 56 of which were starts – and became a focal point of the Swans side.”

The return of Bony completed a positive day of business for Paul Clement’s side, with a shock loan deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches already wrapped up.

 

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Drinkwater signs for Chelsea at transfer deadline

Chelsea have completed the signing of Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater, the Premier League champions have confirmed.

Drinkwater, who was instrumental to Leicester's remarkable title triumph in 2015-16, signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge, completing a £35 million move.

The 27-year-old joins Antonio Conte's side having made 218 appearances for Leicester across all competitions, scoring 14 goals after signing for the club from Manchester United in 2012.

"I'm delighted to be a Chelsea player and can't wait to get started," Drinkwater said. "It has been a long journey to get here but I am very happy and am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies."

Drinkwater, who reportedly handed in a transfer request to force a move, could be in line for an immediate return to the King Power Stadium, with Leicester hosting Chelsea on September 9.