Spanish midfielder Denis Suarez said he hopes Hector Bellerin leaves Arsenal to return to Barcelona.

Bellerin progressed through Barcelona s youth system before moving to Premier League side Arsenal in 2011.

The 22-year-old Spain international full-back has been linked with a return to LaLiga giants Barca, despite signing a six-year contract extension in November, and Suarez is ready to welcome him back with open arms.

The people want the best at Barcelona and I hope Bellerin can come, Suarez – who is playing alongside Bellerin at the Under-21 European Championships – told Radio Marca as

The players of a top level are welcome.

Contracted to Arsenal until 2023, Bellerin made 33 Premier League appearances last season as the Londoners finished…

Sao Paulo confirmed on Monday that coach Muricy Ramalho has left the club due to illness, bringing to an end his third stint in charge.

Ramalho, who was hospitalized in January with diverticulitis a digestive disease, met with Sao Paulo president Carlos Miguel Aidar and vice president of football Ataide Gil Guerreiro after expressing concerns about whether he could lead the team.

Last year, Ramalho spent time in hospital with tachycardia a faster than normal heart rate.

While Guerreiro claimed Sao Paulo were happy with the job Ramalho was doing, he told the club s website they had to let the 59-year-old go.

Aidar and I had a long meeting with Muricy, Guerreiro said.

I wanted the whole way for him to continue with us. He was doing a good job, it …

Carlo Ancelotti believes his Napoli side will be coming up against the heirs to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when hosting Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Napoli head into the Champions League clash ahead of PSG by a single point after three matches in Group C.

But Ancelotti – who coached PSG for two years until 2013 – is wary of the talent at Thomas Tuchel s disposal, particularly Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

World Cup winner Mbappe is among the favourites for this year s Ballon d Or, as the coveted award appears set to be won by someone other than Ronaldo or Messi for the first time since Kaka in 2007.

12/12 RECORD BATTU  

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe)

But even if he is beaten to the individual gong, Ancelotti is convinced Mbap…

Didier Drogba feels playing under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti has given him the tools to carve out a successful career in management.

The Chelsea legend called time on an illustrious playing career this week and has wasted little time suggesting that a move into management could be next.   

The 40-year-old played under Mourinho and Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge and is confident he learned enough from them to set him up for a successful career of his own in the dugout. 

I ve met enough managers to make it possible, he told Soccer AM.

I ve worked with a lot of managers different skills, different approaches and I ve played with a lot of very good players who understand the game.

I learned so much that this could be an option, a good optio…

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Zinedine Zidane is the best choice to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

United are on the hunt for a permanent replacement for manager Mourinho, who was sacked by the Premier League giants on Tuesday.

Club favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stepped in on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, with United reportedly keen to lure Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester in 2019-20.

Zidane – who led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles before leaving the LaLiga side ahead of the 2018-19 season – has also been linked.

In an interview with Omnisport, Saha backed former France team-mate Zidane to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams.

For me, I am a supporter o…

Our Open Cup run comes to an end.

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD)

Montreal, meanwhile, snatched a late point in their last league fixture against Vancouver Whitecaps as Matias Coccaro struck late for the hosts.

Laurent Courtois’ side have endured an indifferent run of results of late, winning two of their last eight matches, four of which have ended in a draw.

Montreal sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, and know a victory will see them leapfrog their opponents while also bridging the gap between the sides at the bottom of the table.

Que de l amour

We love to see the bromance

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim

Sunusi Ibrahim is Montreal’s top scor…

Playing beyond the age of 40 is arguably a barometer of a person s conditioning rather than ability, but Gianluigi Buffon is a rare example of lasting talent which shows no sign of diminishing even in the twilight of his career.

Buffon celebrates his 40th birthday on Sunday, providing the perfect opportunity to appreciate one of the finest careers in modern football.

Ever since bursting on to the scene as a 17-year-old at Parma, keeping a debut clean sheet against an AC Milan side spearheaded by Roberto Baggio and George Weah, Buffon has received widespread acclaim for his quality and consistency.

Providing Juventus do not win the Champions League, Buffon will be hanging up his gloves at the end of the season, bringing his illustrious career to a close.

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Victor Valdes wants to help Standard Liege mount a challenge for the Pro League title after joining on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season.

Valdes endured a difficult time at United after joining in January 2015, making just two Premier League appearances as he was unable to force himself into Louis van Gaal s plans.

The former Barcelona goalkeeper s loan to Standard was confirmed on Sunday, with the club sitting seventh in the Belgian top flight.

Standard have finished in the top three just once in the past four seasons, but that campaign in 2013-14 also ended in disappointment as they surrendered their regular-season lead to Anderlecht in the championship play-off.

In his first interview with the club s official website, Valde…

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette said he was flattered by rumoured interest from Barcelona as he added to mounting speculation a transfer away from Emirates Stadium could be in the offing.

Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona see the 27-year-old as an ideal alternative should their attempts to sign Antoine Griezmann continue to prove fruitless, and Lacazette indicated he would be open to a move to Camp Nou.

When asked about the Catalan club s apparent interest by French broadcaster Telefoot, he said: It s flattering.

Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon in July 2017 for a reported fee of £52.7million.

His Premier League goal tally stood at 13 in 35 appearances ahead of Arsenal s final-day clash with Burnley his lowest domestic return in a single season…

Aston Villa s Premier League relegation was confirmed as a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, again inspired by Marcus Rashford, sealed their fate.

Villa s drop to the Championship has looked inevitable for much of the season but United s triumph finally ended any chances of a miraculous escape, comfortably dispatching Eric Black s men and keeping the pressure on fourth-placed Manchester City.

Wayne Rooney – one of five changes to the United team – started for the first time in two months following a knee injury and played a pivotal role in the opener, picking out Antonio Valencia who in turn set up the lively Rashford for his fourth Premier League goal.

The 19-year-old, whose wondrous effort secured an FA Cup semi-final spot at West Ham in midweek, could have …