Crystal Palace close to appointing Sage as manager

Pierre Sage won the Coupe de France with Lens last season.

Crystal Palace are close to finalising a deal for Lens manager Pierre Sage to become their new head coach.

BBC Sport previously reported that Palace were in talks with the 47-year-old Frenchman as they look to replace Oliver Glasner, who left the Premier League club at the end of last season.

Palace are now putting the finishing touches on a financial package that will accelerate his departure from the French club to take the reins in south London.

Sage joined Lens 12 months ago and led them to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and the club’s first Coupe de France triumph in their 120-year history.

Palace had been keen on a move for former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola but he signed a two-year deal with Liverpool earlier this month.

The Eagles also discussed Coventry manager Frank Lampard, former Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and ex-Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Everton head coach Sean Dyche as alternative options.

However, Sage’s style of football is likely to appeal to supporters and the Frenchman’s English is also understood to be at a good level which will not hinder him once he arrives at Selhurst Park.

Palace’s Uefa Conference League triumph means they will play Europa League football next season, but they face a tricky summer ahead.

The future of France forward Jean-Philippe Mateta yet to be resolved as he enters the final year of his contract and England midfielder Adam Wharton has linked with several other Premier League clubs.

Palace have also offered a new deal to midfielder Daichi Kamada with the Japan international’s deal expiring at the end of the last campaign.

Florentino joins Burnley permanently from Benfica

Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis has officially made his loan move to Burnley from Benfica permanent for an undisclosed fee.

Florentino had an obligation to make the switch permanent for a reported £20.8m when he moved to Turf Moor on transfer deadline day last summer, and this was triggered last season.

Florentino, 26, made his Clarets debut against Liverpool in September and registered the first of his two assists in the 2-0 home win over Leeds United in October.

He quickly established himself as a key part of former manager Scott Parker’s side in their unsuccessful fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League and made 33 appearances in total.

The Clarets will look to Florentino and his experience next season in the Championship, and he also had loan spells at Monaco in France’s Ligue 1 and Getafe in Spain’s La Liga.

He helped Benfica win Portugal’s Primeira Liga in 2019 and 2023, partnering Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, and their Taca da Liga in 2025.

Florentino has also played in the Champions League and has been capped by Portugal at every level from Under-15 to Under-21.

Weir's title regret as she confirms Real Madrid exit

Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir has confirmed her exit from Real Madrid without giving a hint of her next destination.

The 30-year-old says it was “a dream come true” to have played for the club and that her “only regret is that I could not give you a first title” in her four-year spell.

Weir, who had been given a guard of honour by team-mates in her final game for Real, exits having played 125 matches and scoring 63 goals, becoming the player with the most goals and assists in their history.

Real said it had been Weir’s decision to leave but expressed “gratitude and affection for everything she has contributed to our club and for her professionalism, commitment and hard work during these four seasons”.

Weir joined from Manchester City in 2022 but was sidelined for a year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while playing for Scotland against Belgium in September 2023.

“With your support and that of my team-mates, managers, staff, friends and family, I overcame my knee injury, the biggest setback in my career,” she said on Instagram.

“You also gave me the freedom to become the player and person I am today. For that, I will always be grateful.”

The news of her departure comes two days after she captained Scotland to top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, having scored seven goals in their final two victories over Israel.

Weir, who has netted 31 times in 121 appearances for her country, had won silverware with both City and Arsenal but trophies eluded her in Madrid amid Barcelona dominance, although she was twice voted club player of the season and was a Ballon d’Or Feminin nominee last year.

“The time has come for me to leave this special club,” she said. “I do so with a heart full of love, memories and gratitude.”

“My only regret is that I could not give you a first title. I therefore say goodbye with sadness but also excitement to watch from afar and see this club continue to grow.”

Gillingham sign Oxford striker Goodwin

Gillingham have signed striker Will Goodwin following his release by Oxford United.

The 24-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the League Two side.

He spent last season on loan at Colchester United where he scored four goals in 30 games and also had a spell at Wigan.

He moved to Oxford in January 2024 from Cheltenham Town for an undisclosed fee, but struggled to break into the side, scoring one goal in 11 appearances.

“I am really excited to be here, it’s a great club,” he told the club website.

“After speaking to the manager, his philosophy and playing style suits me to a tee.”

Man City second offer worth £120m for Anderson rejected

Elliot Anderson helped Nottingham Forest to the Europa League semi-finals last season

Manchester City’s second offer worth £120m for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has been rejected.

City have intensified their pursuit of the 23-year-old England international, with an offer of an initial £106m plus add-ons.

Should they sign Anderson, it would eclipse the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice in 2023 as the record transfer for an English player.

City had an opening bid rejected by Forest earlier this month and Anderson’s preference is a move to Etihad Stadium over Manchester United, while personal terms are not an issue.

United are effectively out of the running, having not wanted to get into a bidding war and only wanting players eager to join them.

City have long been admirers of Newcastle academy graduate Anderson. The player is currently preparing for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but club-to-club talks can continue to take place.

He started England’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday - the final friendly for the Three Lions before their opening World Cup game against Croatia on 17 June.

Anderson was one of Forest’s star performers last season as they reached the Europa League semi-finals and avoided relegation from the Premier League, despite having four managers.

He arrived from Newcastle in 2024 for £35m and has made 92 appearances, scoring six goals.

Bernardo Silva’s exit from City at the end of his contract means they are looking to bolster their midfield and Anderson tops the list of potential targets.

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is another player understood to be highly rated by City, with reports suggesting the Italy international has also been monitored as a long-term target.