De Gea opens contract talks with Man Utd

The agent of Spain international David de Gea, Jorge Mendes, has confirmed he has entered contract talks with Manchester United over a new deal for the in-form goalkeeper.

De Gea, 24, has been the subject of reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid in recent times.

Some reports have suggested De Gea, United’s Player of the Year in 2013/14, has already agreed a deal to join Los Blancos in the summer, but Mendes has rubbished such speculation.

“I am negotiating with Manchester United about De Gea’s renewal,” Mendes told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

“It is not true that De Gea has found a deal with Real Madrid. I’m negotiating with Manchester United his extension.”

De Gea, whose current contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer of 2016, has kept seven clean-sheets in 24 English Premier League appearances this season.

Suarez turns the corner

FC Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has revealed he never got ‘nervous’ despite a tough start to his career at the Camp Nou.

The Uruguay international, who joined Barcelona from Liverpool for €94 million last summer, has bagged just seven goals, including one in Barca’s 5-2 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan side in 2014/15.

However, after a wonderful performance against Bilbao on Sunday, Suarez is confident the goals will continue to come.

“I did not get nervous, because the only thing I worry about is not being able to help the team,” Suarez told Canal Plus. “I’m very self critical and when I play badly, I get very angry.

“But I knew that the goals would come and, with the support from my teammates and my family, now they have arrived. It is a pleasure to play alongside phenomena like Leo and Neymar.”

Yaya Toure delighted with Côte d’Ivoire triumph at AFCON

Côte d’Ivoire captain Yaya Toure is over the moon after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

After helping his country win their first continental title in 22 years, Toure told reporters: “When you win with your club it’s quite amazing but with your country it’s unbelievable.

“I’ve been waiting I don’t know how many years to lift this trophy – as captain it is something special. The luck came to our side today. I’m delighted and very happy.”

“I’ve failed twice in final and it was hard to take. Today is fantastic. It was a great stress because of the penalties. I must congratulate Copa [goalkeeper Boubacar Barry]. He showed us the true example of solidarity.”

Toure, 31, is arguably the beating heart of Manchester City, as the club having failed to win a game without him this season.