60 Palace 'troublemakers' ordered to leave Leipzig

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano are taking part in their first European final

Police say 60 Crystal Palace fans classified as “known troublemakers” were ordered to leave Leipzig city centre on Tuesday evening while two arrests were made following clashes between supporters of the Eagles and Rayo Vallecano.

Thousands of fans have travelled to Leipzig for the Conference League final between Palace and Spanish side Vallecano on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

After videos appeared online of rival fans clashing in the German city on Tuesday, Saxon State Police confirmed two arrests were made and all individuals involved in the disturbance were ordered to leave the area.

Two officers, one from the Federal Police and one from the State Police, sustained minor injuries during clashes with both sets of fans.

“At approximately 20:00 (19:00 BST), around 300 Rayo Vallecano fans, considered to be at high risk of hooliganism, were gathered in the city centre,” read a statement from Saxon State Police.

Police say clashes “suddenly broke out” with Palace fans sat on the outdoor terraces of both Leo’s Brasserie and Dhillons.

“Bottles, beer glasses, and pub furniture were thrown at each other. Physical altercations also occurred,” added the police statement.

“Officers on the scene immediately intervened and separated the two groups of fans, checked the identities of more than 300 people, and issued dispersal orders.

“Known troublemakers from Crystal Palace moved to the area of the Penguin Ice Bar and approximately 60 individuals provoked passing Spanish fans and were surrounded by federal police.”

The police operation concluded at approximately 03:15 on Wednesday morning, with more than 320 fans involved.

Local police say the ‘fan fest’ in the market area of Leipzig remained peaceful throughout, with about 2,000 fans from both clubs present.

Barcelona in talks with Newcastle to sign Gordon

Gordon scored 17 goals for Newcastle United in all competitions this season

Barcelona have joined Bayern Munich in the race to sign Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon.

The La Liga champions hold an interest in the England international and are in talks with Newcastle over a potential deal.

Although Barca have had financial restrictions in recent years, the club are understood to have the ability to spend whatever is generated from player sales.

Bayern Munich have also held formal discussions with Newcastle, but BBC Sport previously reported there was a gap in valuation between the two clubs.

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson made it clear they will only sell players on “our terms” in March.

The club are in a relatively strong position to command a minimum of £70m for Gordon, whose contract does not expire until 2030.

Newcastle will ultimately need to trade to rebuild this summer, particularly after a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League.

Gordon, who has previously played for Everton, looks the likeliest of Newcastle’s key players to depart and the club’s top-scorer was even left on the bench for the final four games of the campaign because head coach Eddie Howe had an eye on the future.

Supporters in the away end briefly sang Gordon’s name following the 2-0 defeat at Fulham on the final day in what felt like a farewell.

Howe was asked afterwards if the 25-year-old had played his last game for the club.

“I don’t know, as I said in the build up to the game,” he said. “You can never predict what’s going to happen.

“He obviously goes to the World Cup now so we wish him well.”

Barcelona also hold an interest in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez and Chelsea striker Joao Pedro.

Hansi Flick’s side have the option of signing Marcus Rashford, Gordon’s international team-mate, on a permanent basis for £26m following his loan from Manchester United.

There is the very real prospect that Newcastle could end up losing their top-scorer for the second summer running.

So, have lessons been learned from the damaging Alexander Isak saga?

Newcastle initially held firm after Isak pushed to join Liverpool but the club ultimately buckled and sold the striker for a British-record £125m on deadline day.

In contrast to last summer, though, when Newcastle operated without an executive structure, the club now have a chief executive, Hopkinson, and sporting director, Ross Wilson, firmly in place.

The absence of a sporting director in particular was felt when it came to handling the Isak situation and dealing with agents.

There has since been a shift in tone and approach.

Former chief executive Darren Eales previously said it would be “crazy” for Newcastle to sell their best players but Hopkinson has struck a slightly different note.

The Canadian said last March the club would look to “maximise the opportunity” and extract the best possible price if individuals were to move on this summer.

So, rather than Newcastle looking over their shoulder, the prospect of Bayern and Barcelona going head to head will be viewed as a potential opportunity to secure a substantial sum to reinvest and refresh a floundering side.

In truth, it has felt like the club have been preparing for Gordon’s potential departure for a while now.

Although Gordon has continued to train with his team-mates – his attitude has been praised by head coach Howe – he has had to make do with a place on the bench in recent weeks.

Youngsters Sean Neave and Alex Murphy even came on ahead of the unused substitute against Fulham on the final day, which was rather telling.

Fernandez wants Chelsea exit but club would demand £120m

Enzo Fernandez wants to leave Chelsea after they failed to qualify for Europe, but the club will ask for £120m for the Argentina midfielder.

The 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £107m, is under contract until 2032, which is reflected in the potential fee.

The World Cup winner remains part of the club’s planning for next season, but Chelsea would consider offers that meet their valuation.

After scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists last season, Fernandez finished runner-up in Chelsea’s player of the season award.

Javier Pastore, Fernandez’s agent, is exploring potential destinations, notably his preferred option of Real Madrid.

Alternatives include Manchester City - who are expected to appoint former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor in the coming days - but their priority is signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

Meanwhile, French club Paris St-Germain have downplayed the likelihood of a transfer despite having been linked with a move.

Real are known to be unwilling to pay Chelsea’s asking price unless they are able to raise significant funds in player sales, having also been linked with a move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Senior figures at Stamford Bridge accept they will need to invest in established, Premier League-ready talent for new manager Xabi Alonso after a disappointing season in which Chelsea finished 10th and without a trophy.

India's 'unsafe' 70ft Messi statue to be moved

Lionel Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup in 2022

A 70ft statue of Lionel Messi in India is set to be taken down after it was spotted “swaying in the wind”.

The giant monument in Kolkata, West Bengal, was erected in December during Messi’s ‘GOAT’ tour of the country - GOAT meaning ‘greatest of all time’.

According to local media, engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) carried out an inspection of the statue following complaints from local residents on Monday.

Its immediate removal and relocation were ordered after the inspection found the statue’s structural integrity to be severely compromised.

“The statue of the Argentine football legend was found [to be] unsafe,” said West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee.

“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”

Mukherjee said the proximity of the statue to a busy road and a subway make the statue’s removal “easier said than done,” but that they plan to “remove the statue at the earliest opportunity.”

Local media say the fibreglass and iron structure has been secured with heavy-duty nylon ropes, while barricades have been erected to keep people and traffic clear of the site.

Authorities are reportedly exploring alternative locations for the statue, which was assembled over the course of 27 days by a 45-strong crew.

Messi, widely regarded as one of the games greatest players, unveiled the statue virtually - he appeared on a video screen and pressed a button on a remote control - in December, though his visit to Kolkata was overshadowed by violence during an appearance at Salt Lake Stadium.

Man Utd closing in on £38m Ederson deal

Ederson has made 180 appearances for Atalanta, scoring 16 goals

Manchester United are in advanced talks to make Atalanta’s Brazil midfielder Ederson their first summer signing.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport a deal is close to completion, with an initial fee of £35m, plus £3m in add-ons, likely for the 26-year-old.

Senior United officials played down speculation and say there is still no agreement for Ederson, who has 12 months left on his contract.

However, on the day they announced third-quarter profits of £37.7m for the nine months to 31 March - and chief executive Omar Berrada said he was “very positive about the club’s progress” - it is clear United are eager to build on their unexpected third-placed finish under new head coach Michael Carrick.

United do still owe a huge amount in outstanding transfer fees, which makes up the vast majority of the £482m owing in ‘trade and other payables’, and underlines the work needed to get their finances in order.

But they are determined to be competitive in the transfer market, while pledging not to fall into the trap of offering expensive long contracts as they have in the past.

United are prioritising strengthening central midfield this summer after the exit of Casemiro and uncertainty over Manuel Ugarte’s future.

Ideally they would like to make two, or possibly three, signings in that area - although it appears first choice Elliot Anderson would prefer to join Manchester City.

While it is not unknown for United to negotiate with more than one target before making a final decision, they appear to have opted to move early for Ederson, who has three full Brazil caps but has missed out on World Cup selection.

Atletico Madrid were thought to be keen on the player, who has spent the past four and a half years in Serie A - initially with Salernitana - but the Spanish side have plumped for Wolves’ Joao Gomes instead.

Another potential United target, Mateus Fernandes, is likely to be sold by West Ham this summer as they come to terms with the financial consequences of relegation to the Championship.

United were keen on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba last summer, but would look to sign the Cameroon international for a lot less than they were willing to offer 12 months ago after his underwhelming season.

Ederson was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup long list of 55 players, but the midfielder - who turns 27 in July - did not make Brazil’s final 26.

With only five midfielders in the squad, the Selecao could yet regret not taking him to the tournament - although his country’s loss could be his possible new club’s gain.

Ederson would seem to have plenty to add to United, who are looking to bolster their midfield options.

His Brazilian compatriot Casemiro is leaving the Red Devils - and Manuel Ugarte could follow. Ederson offers more on the ball than the Uruguayan and is more dynamic around the field.

He is a midfielder in the mould of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. After three splendid seasons in Italy with Atalanta, Ederson would seem overdue for a move - and may blame his final season in Serie A for missing out on the World Cup.

Old Trafford calls for big personalities, and the good news for United fans is Ederson has dealt well with difficult circumstances.

He made his name in Brazil’s first division with Cruzeiro, a huge club who - after a highly successful few years - were imploding under the weight of debts and off-the-field scandals.

The midfielder made his mark as a 20-year-old in 2019, standing out in a side that was hurtling towards relegation towards the second division.

More recently Ederson has been part of an Atalanta side that have consistently punched above their weight. Two years after their fine Europa League triumph the time has surely come for him to go in search of a bigger stage.

Meanwhile, United have confirmed it cost them £16.7m to dismiss former manager Ruben Amorim.

United sacked the former Sporting boss in January, less than 14 months after they paid £11m to bring him to the club from Portugal.

The exact figure was contained within the latest accounts. Amorim was sacked in January after a run of poor results and arguments with director of football Jason Wilcox over the team’s style of play.

Carrick won 12 of his 17 games in caretaker charge as United finished third in a season where they had initially targeted a Europa League spot - and the former Red Devils midfielder has since been appointed permanently.

The club also confirmed borrowings on a revolving credit facility on 31 March were £262.5m. With the addition of a £490.1m ($650m) debt which was a legacy of the Glazer takeover in 2005, plus the outstanding transfer fees, it means United’s three main areas of debt remain just under £1.3bn.

Nevertheless, Berrada is adamant the club are heading in the right direction on and off the pitch as he spoke of the “continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives”, which included two lots of redundancies.

The club also said work was continuing behind the scenes on its ambitious new 100,000-seater stadium project.