Leicester agree £3m fee for Inter's Nagatomo
Leicester City have agreed a fee of £3m with Inter Milan for Yuto Nagatomo but face competition to complete the transfer from Benfica, writes Duncan Castles. Nagatomo, 28, has spent five seasons at Inter and can play either side of the defence. Leicester have offered the Japan international a three-year contract worth £40,000 a week but must convince the player to pass up on the opportunity of playing Champions League football with the Portuguese club.
United defender Blackett joins Celtic
Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett receives a warm welcome from Celtic supporters at half-time during their defeat of St Johnstone yesterday, above, after joining the Scottish champions on loan for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford in February, made 12 appearances for Louis van Gaal’s side last season.
No loan deal for Liverpool's Ilroi
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Liverpool have informed Tiago Ilori that he will not be sent out on loan for a third consecutive season, writes Duncan Castles. Signed from Sporting for an initial £6.4m in 2013, the Portugal Under-21 international has yet to play a competitive match for Brendan Rodgers but has gained experience playing against Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani during loan spells at Granada and Bordeaux. Ilori is training with the first team as he attempts to gain playing time ahead of his defensive teammates Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure and Joe Gomez.
Norwich 'to investigate' Grabban walkout
Norwich manager Alex Neil yesterday refused to be drawn on Lewis Grabban’s future. The 27-year old has been the focus of a series of rejected bids from former club Bournemouth, which culminated in him walking out of the team hotel last week. The forward was believed to be unhappy at being left out of the Capital One Cup side for the win against Rotherham, and was suspended by the club for a breach of discipline. ’I think it’s been well documented why he is [suspended],’ said Neil. He added: ’It’s an ongoing matter and we’re investigating the fact that he left the hotel without permission. The feeling is that if any player leaves without permission, they bear the consequences that come their way and that’s the way it is.’
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Muller double sends Bayern to the summit
Thomas Muller scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to go top of the Bundesliga. Arsenal’s champions League opponents went in front in the 26th minute when Muller fired in from close range. He doubled the lead from the penalty spot on the hour, sending the ball down the middle of the goal, and another spot kick, 11 minutes later, was converted by Arjan Robben, who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. David Moyes’s Real Sociedad have made it two goalless draws from two La Liga games after being held by promoted Sporting Gijon.
Walsall thrash Blackpool to go top
Walsall moved to the top of League One and deepened Blackpool’s woes with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Bloomfield Road. Romaine Sawyers gave the unbeaten Saddlers the lead after 25 minutes and it got worse for bottom side Blackpool as Tom Aldred put through his own goal at the start of the second half. Sawyers rounded off the scoring after Sam Mantom’s header to ensure Walsall took full advantage of Gillingham’s 1-1 draw at Peterborough. Adedeji Oshilaja’s 85th-minute header appeared to have won it for the visitors but Jon Taylor’s 90th-minute strike earned the hosts a point. Gillingham dropped from first to fourth after wins for Sheffield United, 2-0 at Swindon, and Burton, who won 1-0 at Shrewsbury. Chesterfield moved up to sixth after goals in either half from Jay O’Shea gave them a 2-0 success at Millwall. They are level with fifth-placed Rochdale, who beat Barnsley 3-0.
Five out of five for buoyant Orient
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Leyton Orient’s unbeaten start to the season continued with an impressive 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers at the Matchroom stadium. The League Two leaders opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Paul McCallum was brought down in the area and Lloyd James converted the penalty. Jay Simpson doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time with a low strike into the corner of the net. Plymouth, second in the table, kept up the pressure with a narrow 1-0 win over Newport. Graham Carey scored his fourth goal of the campaign three minutes before the interval. Substitute Matt Tubbs hit a 90th-minute winner as Portsmouth heaped further agony on Luton. Craig Mackail-Smith’s penalty had cancelled out Gareth Evans’ opener before Tubbs sealed a 2-1 success.
Harmison FA Cup journey comes to an end
Steve Harmison’s FA Cup dreams are over. Ashington AFC, the Northumberland team now managed by the former England Ashes hero, were beaten 2-1 at Woodhorn Lane yesterday by Thackley in the competition’s preliminary round.
Colombia drop Falcao and Cuadrado
The misery goes on for Radamel Falcao and his, briefly, former Chelsea teammate Juan Cuadrado. Both players have been dropped from the Colombia squad, for a friendly against Peru in New York on September 8, as they prepare for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, which starts against the same opponents on October 5. Coach Jose Pekerman said his hand had been forced by injuries and lack of first-team football for Falcao, who joined Chelsea on loan last month, and Cuadrado, who left the Premier League champions for Juventus last week.