Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has re-signed for former club Bournemouth on a free transfer worth £20million.
Defoe, 34, leaves relegated Sunderland to return to the club where he spent a season on loan from West Ham 16 years ago – and he is excited by the challenge ahead.
The England international, 34, who has signed a three-year deal, said: “It’s great to be back. The one thing I can guarantee is goals.”
Defoe said: ‘It’s great to be back and I’m really looking forward to this challenge.
‘When the opportunity came about to return to AFC Bournemouth I just knew it was the right one.
‘It was an easy decision, joining a top team with a top manager. It’s a great place to be.
‘The Bournemouth fans know that every time I pull the shirt on I will give 100 per cent, and the one thing I can guarantee is goals.’
The former Tottenham, Portsmouth, West Ham and Charlton player is seventh on the Premier League all-time goals list with 158 in 468 appearances.
Cherries manager Eddie Howe said: ‘This a huge moment for the football club and another step in the right direction.
‘We want to bring players here who can have a big impact on our continued rise and we believe Jermain fits that as a natural, proven goal scorer.
‘We have known him for a long time, since working with him as a young pro and playing with him. I have followed his career and am delighted to say he is going to be playing for AFC Bournemouth again.’
Defoe is Bournemouth’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Chelsea.
The president of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Jamal Malinzi, has been arrested by the country’s Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau.
Manchester City face a potential financial crisis with midfielder Samir Nasri, after it was revealed that he could be banned for up to two years for drug violations.
The £120,000-a-week midfielder, 30, who is currently on loan at Sevilla, is surplus to requirements at City and the subject of a UEFA probe into an alleged breach of doping rules.
According to Daily Mail, investigation was launched after a bizarre incident last December in which Nasri is said to have used the IV drip to maintain his hydration and health for the season.
Nasri made a visit to an LA intravenous therapy clinic, who provided him with an IV drip.
However, the practice is banned by the World Doping Agency unless administered in quantities of no more than 50 milliliters per six-hour period, or when a certificate of special dispensation on medical grounds has been obtained.
If found guilty, the Frenchman could face a two-year ban, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side are stuck with a player they have already deemed surplus to requirements.
According reports, Nasri have been linked with a lucrative move to China, while Turkish giants Besiktas and Galatasaray have also been named as potential bidders, along with AC Milan.
Porto’s Francisco Marques claims to have seen an email exchange between Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira and Dr Armando Nhaga, from the Guinea-Bissau national police commission.
Crystal Place boss Frank De Boer is lining up a shock move for former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
Robin van Persie has emerged as a potential target for Crystal Palace.
Van Persie who currently plays for Turkish giants Fenerbahce but will be looking for an escape route this summer after being keen on a move back to the Premier League for some time.
The 33-year-old has already been offered to the likes of Stoke and West Ham but the duo turned down the opportunity to sign the Premier League winner.
The Dutchman moved to Fenerbahce from United two years ago, and has scored 22 goals in his first season there – including 16 in the Turkish Super Lig.
Van Persie started 14 league matches last season but Fenerbahce are in the market for a new striker and don’t see the veteran as a regular in their first-team.
According to the Mirror, Palace are ready to offer him one last swansong in the top flight of English football.
Fenerbahce are lining up a move for Roma forward Seydou Doumbia as a potential replacement if the Dutchman finally leaves.
Andy Murray hopes of defending his Wimbledon title next week are in major doubt after he pulled out of his exhibition match through injury.
Andy Murray has pulled out of his warm-up match at the Hurlingham Club on Friday, but the world No. 1 insists he will be fit to defend his Wimbledon title, which starts on Monday.
But the world number one is fighting to shake off a hip injury in time to be fit to challenge for his third Wimbledon title.
Murray said: “Sadly I won’t be ready to play at The Hurlingham tomorrow. “My hip is still sore and I need to rest it today, and likely tomorrow.”
Murray’s Mum, Judy, has been keeping in touch with his prepartions, but she admitted in an interview on Talksport she is unsure how his recovery has gone.
Asked if he will be ready to play on Monday, Judy said: “I don’t know, hopefully.
“He took a precaution on Tuesday of pulling out at Hurlingham, although the weather was really bad anyway.
“He’s got another four or five days now before everything kicks off, hopefully everything will be fine.
“He’s been unlucky this year with a few illnesses and an elbow injury. That doesn’t help.
“You have not got as much time to practice on the court and not as many matches as you would like.
“The tennis calendar is relentless, for the men it is 11 months.”
As you may recall, plans are afoot to bestow Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his very own statue outside the Swedish national football stadium in Stockholm.
John Terry has been promised he could be the next Aston Villa boss after Steve Bruce, if he moves to the Championship club.
Former Chelsea player, John Terry, has been offered a one-year deal worth £60,000 a week with a £2m bonus if they seal a return to the Premier League.
But boss Steve Bruce has also tried to tempt Terry by telling him he’d be in line to succeed him as boss if he signs up.
City rivals Birmingham have also tried to lure the 36-year-old with a similar offer.
“John Terry can be manager of Birmingham City in a couple of years if he wants to play for me,” said their boss Harry Redknapp last month.
But 56-year-old Bruce and Villa have told Terry something similar as they bid to land the centre-back.
Terry, who is already taking his coaching badges, has made no secret of his desire to be a manager.
At the end of last season he said: “I do want to be a manager. I think I’ve got too much to give and I’ve learned too much not to pass that on, whether that’s initially to a younger generation or eventually at this level.
“This is the target – being here, managing a top side.”
The Englishman has also had offers after attracting interest from West Brom, Bournemouth and Swansea.
But the chance to help take a club the size of Villa back to the top flight and eventually become the man to try and make them a major force once again appeals to Terry.
Should Bruce’s powers of persuasion prove successful, terry’s arrival at Villa Park could be confirmed as early as Saturday.