Golden Soccer 360

Toby Alderweireld insists his prolonged spell out of Tottenham's first-team last season was "unjustified" and admits he still unsure about his future. Alderweireld struggled for opportunities after returning from a hamstring injury midway through the 2017-18 campaign, with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino preferring to pair Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez at centre-back. Pochettino insists Alderweireld's omission was purely down to form and not related to reports of a stalemate over a new contract for the Belgian, who has just one year left on his current deal. Despite his lack of game-time last season, Alderweireld was included in Belgium's squad for the World Cup, where he made six appearances as the Red Devils finished third. The 29-year-old believes his solid form in Russia proves he is back to best after a frustrating spell with his club. "I was very focused on this tournament," he said. "I wanted to prove something to me, show...

France are world champions after an incident-packed 4-2 victory over Croatia. Didier Deschamps had been criticised for his conservative tactics, but his team were the most efficient in the tournament and that was all that mattered in the end… At half-time of this World Cup final, it was difficult to comprehend quite how France were ahead. Croatia had dominated the first period, with Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic picking up where they left off against England, and yet they were 2-1 down. With an own goal and a controversially-awarded penalty, France had scored more goals than they'd had shots on target. It was a freakish scenario but in many ways it was typical of a France team who simply know how to win. Deschamps insisted on substance over style and he was vindicated in the most emphatic way possible. France were fortunate with the penalty but they made their luck count after that. In the end, they were winners and worthy world champions. Deschamps deserves credit for his ...

Jorginho is ready to snub to Manchester City in order to join Chelsea, according to Napoli's president Aurelio De Laurentiis. De Laurentiis previously claimed Napoli had rejected a bid of £44m (€50m) from City for Jorginho and  Sky Sports News  understands the Premier League champions have been in advanced talks over a deal for the 26-year-old for a number of weeks. De Laurentiis revealed he agreed a deal for Jorginho with Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak over two weeks ago but, according to Sky in Italy, Chelsea have since come in with a bigger offer, in terms of both the transfer fee and wages. "These offers did not start from Chelsea, but from Manchester City. As a matter of fact, I will apologize to Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], because I found a deal with Khaldoon 15 days ago," De Laurentiis said. "He called me, we spoke on the phone and I said, 'ok, I don't agree with you on A, B, C'. 'Let's solve the situation the two of us',...

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Juventus on a four-year contract, bringing to an end his nine-year stay at Real Madrid. The fee for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is in the region of £105m, according to Sky sources. A statement from Real Madrid on their official website said the Portuguese forward had asked to leave the club. It read: "In response to the will and request expressed by the player Cristiano Ronaldo, he has agreed to transfer to Juventus. "Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude to a player who has proved to be the best in the world and who has marked one of the brightest times in the history of our club and world football. "Beyond the conquered titles, the trophies achieved and the triumphs achieved in the playing fields during these nine years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and improvement. "For Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of his great symbols and a unique ...

Manchester City have completed the signing of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City for a club-record £60m. Mahrez was the subject of four failed bids from Manchester City in the January transfer window and, after a move to the Etihad did not materialise he missed training for over a week, with the Algeria international forced to deny going AWOL. However, the Premier League champions returned with a successful bid for the Leicester winger, who scored 13 goals in 41 appearances for the Foxes last season. "I am so pleased to have joined City, a side playing great football under Pep Guardiola," Mahrez said. "Watching them from afar has been a pleasure. Pep is committed to playing attacking football, which is perfect for me, and City's performances last season were outstanding. They're redefining the English game and I wanted to be a part of it. "I think we can be successful over the coming years and I believe my own game can develop under Pep's mana...

Liverpool are in talks to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke, according to Sky sources. The winger, who scored seven goals for the newly-relegated Potters last season, has a release clause of £13.5m. Following Stoke's relegation to the Championship, the 26-year-old expressed a desire to remain in the Premier League, recently stating it is "no secret" he will leave the bet365 Stadium. A move to Anfield would make Shaqiri the Reds' third signing of the summer following the arrival of midfielders Fabinho and Isaac Christie-Davies. Shaqiri joined Stoke in 2015 from Inter Milan before going on to make 84 league appearances for the club. One of Switzerland's star performances in Russia, his last-minute winner against Serbia sent the side through to the World Cup's round of 16 before their campaign drew to a close with a defeat to Sweden. The Swiss' contract at Stoke runs until 2020. via Sky Sports

Arsenal have signed midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from French Ligue 2 side Lorient. Sky sources understand the fee for the 19-year-old will be in the region of £8m. Guendouzi started his career at the Paris Saint-Germain academy before joining Lorient's academy in 2014. He made his first-team debut for Lorient aged 17 in October 2016 and went on to make 30 appearances. He is a France youth international, having represented them at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level. Head coach Unai Emery said: "We are delighted Matteo is joining us. He is a talented young player and a lot of clubs were interested in him. "He has big potential and gained good first-team experience last season with Lorient. "He wants to learn and improve and will be an important part of our first-team squad." Guendouzi is Arsenal's fifth signing of the summer, joining goalkeeper Bernd Leno, defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis Papastathopoulos and midfielder Lucas To...