From the Back Pages, September 5: David Luiz reveals he snubbed official offer from Barcelona
New Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has set England the task of winning the 2022 World Cup. (Daily Mirror)
Gareth Bale has not even stepped on to the Bernabeu pitch following his world-record £86million move, but already trouble is brewing in the Real Madrid dressing room. The bond Mesut Ozil shared with his Real team-mates was obvious on Wednesday as a series of players voiced their support for the man Bale will replace — not least Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Mail)
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Hide AdManchester United believe their disappointing summer – which would have left them without a single new signing if Marouane Fellaini had not sacrificed £4m to seal a move from Everton – was the product of extreme circumstances in which David Moyes had only eight weeks to undertake his entire strategy in an unfamiliar transfer market. (The Independent)
Manchester United’s failed attempt to sign Ander Herrera is not the only time the Premier League champions have experienced bizarre tactics at the top end of the market during a difficult, complicated transfer window that has brought fierce criticism on the club. (The Guardian)
Germany coach Joachim Low has criticised Real Madrid for selling Mesut Özil to Arsenal as “incomprehensible”, although he feels the attacking midfielder will benefit from the move. (The Telegraph)
Usain Bolt geared up for the end of the season by contemplating the end of his career. “After the Olympics in Rio,” he said of his retirement plans. (The Times)