Stefano Pioli is set to unleash Rafael Leao on Inter in Saturday s Milan derby after keeping suitors at bay before the transfer window closed.

The exciting Portuguese forward was thought to be a target for Chelsea but remains with Milan and is poised to make his 100th Serie A appearance against the Nerazzurri.

Up to this point, Leao has started in 69 of his 99 league games, and among players born from 1999 onwards he has provided the most assists (16) in the competition.

In terms of goals scored among that age group, the 23-year-old stands third on the list with 24, behind only Dusan Vlahovic (55) and Andrea Pinamonti (25).

Pioli never believed he would lose Leao before the shutters went up on the market on Thursday, but the finality will have come as a …

Pep Guardiola says there is a greater chance of him leaving Manchester City than staying, despite the Spaniard wanting to continue in charge after Sunday s Premier League title triumph.

City manager Guardiola offered a cryptic description over his future after his side lifted their fourth successive top-flight trophy following the 3-1 victory over West Ham at Etihad Stadium.

That success marked Guardiola s sixth Premier League title, with only Alex Ferguson (13) managing more in the competition s history, though speculation persists over his future.

When pressed on his plans by Sky Sports after the title celebrations, Guardiola said: The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying.

We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now…

Granit Xhaka found himself at the centre of another controversy involving Serbia after donning a shirt with Jashari on the back following Switzerland’s 3-2 win in Doha on Friday.

Xhaka produced a man of the match display as the Swiss hit back from 2-1 down to secure second place in Group G and advance to a last-16 clash with Portugal on Tuesday.

But his actions after the final whistle could attract the attention of FIFA.

In the post-match celebrations, Xhaka put on a shirt carrying the name Jashari . Asked afterwards what it meant, the Arsenal midfielder claimed it was for Switzerland squad member Ardon Jashari.

However, the name carries significance in other ways with Adem Jashari a late founder of the Kosovo Liberation Army, a Kosovo Albanian separati…

Harry Kane is trying not to think about becoming Tottenham s record all-time goalscorer after he moved one shy of Jimmy Greaves haul with an FA Cup winner against Portsmouth.

The England captain put Spurs into the fourth round with a clinical finish early in the second half of the tie at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Kane s next goal will put him level with the legendary Greaves on 266 for the London club, a feat he could achieve against fierce rivals Arsenal next Sunday.

The prolific striker, who has scored four times in as many games since the World Cup and 17 this season, is determined not to let the prospect of making history play on his mind.

I try to not think about it, he told BBC Sport.

Sometimes you can think too much. Obviousl…

Belgium became the first team to secure qualification for Euro 2020 with a huge 9-0 win at home to minnows San Marino.

Romelu Lukaku s 50th international goal broke the deadlock in Brussels on Thursday, and the striker set up Nacer Chadli for the second before Cristian Brolli s own goal made it 3-0.

Lukaku struck again, Andrea Grandoni deflected in Toby Alderweireld s shot and Youri Tielemans scored ahead of the interval, after which Roberto Martinez s side took their foot off the gas.

Christian Benteke, Yari Verschaeren and Timothy Castagne wrapped up the scoring and, with seven wins out of seven in Group I, Belgium are guaranteed to finish in the top two and can look forward to the European Championship.

Despite dominating, it took Belgium until the 28…

Harvey Elliott insists he is ready to take his game to the next level as he eyes Euro 2024.

The Liverpool midfielder captained England Under-21s for the first time on Monday, leading the Young Lions as they slipped to a late 3-2 defeat to Ukraine in Slovakia.

He returns to domestic action this weekend, looking to force his way into the Liverpool line-up for Saturday’s Merseyside derby with Everton.

Despite a frustrating lack of starts for the Reds this term, Euro 2024 remains a real goal for Elliott, after England’s 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday booked their place in Germany, and he is primed to take his chance.

He said: “Absolutely, I’ve felt ready for a while now. It’s just about making sure I keep applying myself to be the best possible playe…

It is fair to say La Masia is one of the more famous football production lines.

Barcelona have built legendary teams using many of the graduates to have come through their academy.

While the club may have gone for more of a transfer-based approach in recent years, there remains a romance about the idea of La Masia churning out more stars of the future.

With the announcement on Wednesday that the latest product, Gavi, has signed a new deal until 2026 after becoming a vital cog in Xavi s first team despite only turning 18 in August, Stats Perform has taken a look at other teen sensations who broke through over the years; those who flourished, and those who did not.

From promise to stardom

Lionel Messi

Let s start with the most obvious one. …

Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has confirmed midfielder Adrien Rabiot has left the club ahead of the 2024-25 Serie A season.

Rabiot, who featured for France in their semi-final run at Euro 2024, made 212 appearances for Juventus since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

The 29-year-old featured in 35 matches for the Old Lady under Massimiliano Allegri last season, helping them to a 15th Coppa Italia title.

Rabiot became the fifth Frenchman to reach 200 appearances for Juventus, leaving him third in the list of the club s all-time French appearance makers alongside Zinedine Zidane.

Only Michel Platini (224) and David Trezeguet (320) have completed more outings for the 36-time Serie A champions.

I want to thank Adrien Rab…

Rob Page believes Wales possess a bright future and are “going places” despite Euro 2024 play-off heartbreak.

Wales missed out on a third successive European Championship as Poland won 5-4 on penalties at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday following a goalless 120 minutes.

But boss Page insists Wales’ young squad are heading in the right direction ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifying.

“I just know I’ve got a good group players, great staff, and we’re going on the right path,” said Page, who has over two years left on his contract.

“There are younger players to be introduced as well, so that’s my next aim.

“We haven’t got there this time, but with the games in June we can start to introduce a couple of the younger players and build…

A first-half strike from Ashley Young put England on the brink of Euro 2012 qualification as they beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley on Tuesday.

Young drilled home Stewart Downing’s cross after 35 minutes to secure the three points for Fabio Capello’s team, but it was far from plain sailing against a spirited Welsh side who belied their lowly ranking.

And they could have come away with a point if substitute Robert Earnshaw had not missed an open goal with 10 minutes remaining.

For England, it is a first win in three competitive matches at Wembley and means a draw in Macedonia next month will secure qualification to Euro 2012.

But they will not have been greatly enthused by a performance which, Young and Downing aside, was not very encouraging.

Instead…