Dawson linked with Nottingham Forest return

The Mail Online understands that Michael Dawson is closing in on a return to Nottingham Forest after this contract with Hull City expired.

The thirty-four-year-old defender was linked with a switch to the City Ground in January though a deal never materialised.

However, he could be back at the club where he began his career as early as next week despite having talks with Hull over a new deal.

In three seasons with the Tigers, he played one hundred and thirty-two times, scoring nine goals while he helped them achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2016.

Prior to his move to the KCOM Stadium he spent nine-and-a-half years with Tottenham Hotspur, who he joined from Forest in 2005 with former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid.

Intern…

The 10 most memorable Old Trafford goals in United´s Premier League 1,000

Manchester United brought up 1,000 Premier League goals at Old Trafford against Everton on Sunday when Anthony Martial netted in the second half.

And while it has not been a vintage season for the Red Devils under Louis van Gaal, reaching such a milestone is reason enough for United fans to reminisce on the day the South Stand was renamed after club great Bobby Charlton.

Here, we look at 10 of their best league goals during the Premier League era:

Steve Bruce v Sheffield Wednesday, April 1993

Far from the most stylish of United s 1,000 but almost certainly the most important. Alex Ferguson and his men were chasing a first league title for 26 years, having collapsed spectacularly to the benefit of Leeds United a year earlier. Wednesday led through John She…

Harry Wilson knew he had to step up for Wales after Gareth Bale retirement

Harry Wilson admits the onus was on him to step out of Gareth Bale’s shadow and keep Wales on track for major tournaments.

Boss Rob Page revealed recently he spoke to Wilson last summer and told him he was no longer simply a squad member and that he is a “big player” for Wales.

Wilson responded with a hand in both goals in September’s 2-0 win in Latvia, and then scored twice in the stunning 2-1 victory over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia last month.

Those two wins lifted Wales up to second in Group D and they will qualify automatically for Euro 2024 by taking six points from their final two games, away to Armenia on Saturday and at home to Turkey three days later.

“Gaz provided a lot of moments for us on the pitch in times that we needed him,�…

Guardiola rules out Bayern return after title celebrations

Pep Guardiola does not believe he will return to coach Bayern Munich after the Bundesliga champions celebrated thei
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r third straight league title under his leadership with a 3-1 victory over already-relegated Hannover.

Mario Gotze hit a brace and Robert Lewandowski struck his 30th league goal of the season to cement his status as the German top flight s leading scorer.

Guardiola will take charge of Bayern for the last time in next Saturday s DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund and the coach, who will take over at Manchester City next season, ruled out a return to Bavaria.

I don t think [I will be back], Guardiola said.  Bayern need a new coach, to fight on another level.

Bullseye!

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN)

Benzema realises ´childhood dream´ by winning Ballon d´Or

Karim Benzema said he had realised a childhood dream by winning the Ballon d Or for the first time on Monday.

The Real Madrid captain was rewarded for an outstanding 2021-22 campaign when he was named the best player in the world at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Benzema scored an astonishing 44 goals in 46 games as Madrid accomplished a LaLiga and Champions League double under Carlo Ancelotti last season.

The France striker, who turns 35 in December, became the oldest Ballon d Or winner since the great Stanley Matthews way back in 1956.

Benzema was presented with the award by his former Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane, who had been the last French player to win in 1998, on a special evening in his homeland.

He said: Seeing this award in fron…

Prediction: Liverpool vs Villarreal

Best odds: 13/10

Bookmaker:

Liverpool are set to host Villarreal at Anfield on Wednesday evening in the first leg of their encounter in the semifinals of the Champions League this season.

Liverpool

It has been an incredible month for Jurgen Klopp’s men, one in which they managed to beat all three of their most fierce domestic rivals; all in the last 10 days.

Having flown past the group stages in the Champions League, where they dealt with Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and AC Milan, Liverpool beat Inter Milan in the round of 16 before knocking Benfica out in the quarterfinals. They’ve also reached the FA Cup final and are just one point behind defending Premier League champions Manchester City, with five matches left to play for both sides.

On to…

PSG outcast Ben Arfa welcome back at Lyon – Aulas

A return to Lyon for Paris Saint-Germain outcast Hatem Ben Arfa would be welcomed by the club, president Jean-Michel Aulas has said.

Former Nice forward Ben Arfa has struggled in his maiden season at Parc des Princes, having failed to cement a place in Unai Emery s starting XI, making just 23 Ligue 1 appearances.

Despite limited playing time, the 30-year-old who started his career at Lyon before leaving for Marseille in 2008 has still scored four goals and seven assists in all competitions.

I would love him to come back, Aulas, who attempted to sign Ben Arfa in the close-season, told beIN Sports. But this time, it s up to him to call me.

The offers that were made to Hatem [by PSG], were three to four times higher than what Lyon could do.

Football rumours: Juventus eyeing swoop for Thomas Partey

What the papers say

Juventus have emerged as potential suitors for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, 30, according to the Daily Mirror. The Gunners have been linked with Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, 25.

Chelsea are streamlining their transfer policy with a “one in, one out” approach. The Daily Telegraph says the move could see a number of players making way for new signings.

Among those who could leave the Blues are 39-year-old Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, whose contract is set to expire next summer, according to the Evening Standard. England Under-21 defender Trevoh Chalobah, 24, who is up for sale is another who coule be on the way out.

Social media round-up

Antonio Silva remains on Man United list since September, as revealed. He’s being s…

Tuchel considering Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel is not quite satisfied with his current number one Alphonse Areola and might replace him with Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas, reports.

The 32-year-old Navas joined Real in 2014, when he signed a six-year contract. He appeared in 104 matches altogether.

Alphonse Areola has spent a good chunk of his career with PSG, at least on paper, that is. Between 2013 and 2016 he was on loan to Lens, Bastia and Villarreal, but after he returned to Paris in 2016 he did not manage to prove himself good enough.

After the PSG’s 2-1 defeat from Rennes on 18 August the Ligue 1 champions are adamant that they need to bring a more experienced goalkeeper. They have been eyeing AC Milan s Gianluiggi Donnarumma and Real Madrid s Keylor Navas…

Neymar: PSG teammate Mbappe taught me ´to be French´

Neymar has credited Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe for helping him adapt to Ligue 1 saying he taught him to be French .

The 29-year-old Brazil international has been with PSG since 2017, winning numerous honours including three Ligue 1 titles and reaching last season s UEFA Champions League final.

Neymar has formed a close bond with 22-year-old Mbappe, who he s played alongside since his move from Monaco in 2017.

He taught me a lot about the way to be French … He explained to me the French mentality, Neymar told France Football.

I owe a large part of my adaptation to him, and, therefore, my happiness to be here.

Neymar lavished praise on Mbappe from both a personal and football side, labeling him PSG s golden boy .

First…