Van der Vaart off to a winning start in darts career

Russia s wonderful Euro 2008 campaign has showcased the nation s best players to the world s top clubs. Now these players are in high demand across Europe. Andrei Arshavin has announced his intention to play for Barcelona, but Arsenal was rumoured to have made an approach for the winger. Full-back Zhirkov has also attracted interest, according to Setanta Sports.

“Given the team’s performance, I think the transfer value has grown for Arshavin, Yuri Zhirkov and Igor Akinfeev three players who may leave to play abroad,” said Arshavin s agent, according to the television station.

“Zenit have received more than five proposals from England and France, but Arshavin wants to go to Spain – football tha…

Russia coach Dick Advocaat has revealed he will step down after the European Championship this year.

The Dutchman s contract expires after the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Advocaat says that he will not take up an offer of a two-year extension.

After the European Championship, I ll go, the 64-year-old told Sport-Express. I haven t told the players yet, but I m sure it won t affect our preparation for the tournament.

We will make every effort to have a successful campaign.

I can t tell you the reasons yet, but knowing about all the speculation, I ll say right now it s not about the money.

Advocaat succeeded countryman Guus Hiddink in May 2010, and has led Russia successfully through qualification for Euro 2012.

Russia wil…

Sassuolo have agreed to sell Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca to West Ham, according to the Serie A club s chief executive Giovanni Carnevali.

The 23-year-old forward has been strongly linked with a move away from Sassuolo throughout the transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly among the clubs interested.

Carnevali insisted earlier this month that Sassuolo were in no rush to sell their prized asset, adamant they would only let him leave on their terms.

And despite the apparent interest of PSG, West Ham are seemingly close to securing the striker s arrival.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Carnevali said: €36million plus €6m in bonuses and 10 per cent on any resale for Scamacca. A good deal, isn t it? Also, because West Ham is a selling clu…

The agent of Villarreal defender Mateo Musaccio has confirmed AS Roma are set to open talks to sign his client.

The El Madrigal outfit suffered a shock relegation on the final day of the season and a number of star players is expected to leave the club in the summer.

Mateo Musacchio has been one of just a few bright spots in Miguel Angel Lotina’s side this season and he is expected to cash in on his solid showings by joining a bigger club.

The player’s representative now reveals that Roma are interested and that negotiations with the Italian club are set to begin.

“Musacchio is wanted by Roma directors, they have been tracking him for some time and this is why we’ll speak to them soon,” agent Marcelo Lombilla told Tele Radio Stereo.

“…

Jack Wilshere could be set for an England recall from Gareth Southgate, having re-established himself in the Arsenal set-up.

The 26-year-old midfielder has not featured for the national team since the humiliating 2-1 defeat to Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016.

Southgate previously stated Wilshere, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth and is yet to sign a new contract at Emirates Stadium to extend his stay beyond this campaign, would not be considered for a return until he was playing regularly at club level.

With Wilshere having started each of the Gunners last nine Premier League games, the England manager offered some positive words ahead of the World Cup.

It s a real plus to see him playing the way that he is and playing regularly. He s a p…

QPR boss Harry Redknapp has warned West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison that he needs to focus in order to fulfil his potential.

Morrison spent the second half of last season on loan at Loftus Road under Redknapp after falling out of favour with Sam Allardyce.

The former Manchester United trainee made 17 appearances for QPR as the London club sealed promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs, but his future remains unclear.

Redknapp has told the 21-year-old that he must concentrate on playing well for West Ham next season and not allow his talent to go to waste.

I think Ravel has got all the ability to play for England, it s just a case of putting it altogether for him, Redknapp is quoted as saying in Metro.

He s got to find a way of putting his g…

Germany captain Philipp Lahm believes Portugal counterpart Cristiano Ronaldo must be desperate to finally beat his team.

Lahm and his countrymen have defeated Ronaldo and co at the last three of the last four major tournaments.

Germany beat Portugal 1-0 in the group stages of UEFA Euro 2012, and also overcame them 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the same competition four years earlier.

Back in 2006, Lahm led his nation to a 3-1 victory over Ronaldo and Portugal in the FIFA World Cup third-place play-off.

FIFA Ballon d Or holder Ronaldo who made his comeback from knee and thigh injuries in a 5-1 friendly victory over Republic of Ireland on Tuesday has a chance for revenge when the two countries meet in their 2014 World Cup opener in Salvador next week.

And Lahm…

The death of Paolo Rossi hit Dino Zoff like a bolt from the blue as Italy mourned the loss of the man who lit up the 1982 World Cup. 

Striker Rossi won the Golden Boot as the tournament s six-goal top scorer and also took the Golden Ball award as its best player. 

Zoff, the goalkeeper and captain of that Azzurri team, said he had no inkling that Rossi was seriously ill. 

Rossi s death, reportedly following a battle with illness, was confirmed on Thursday by his wife and Rai Sport, where he worked. 

He was 64 and is best remembered for his 1982 feats at the World Cup hosted by Spain. 

Rossi scored a famous hat-trick against Brazil at that tournament, before adding two goals in the semi-final with Poland and going on to net the opener i…

Raul Jimenez vowed he will soon be back in action for Wolves as he thanked Led Zeppelin rocker Robert Plant for his support.

The Mexican forward suffered a serious head injury in the 2-1 win at Arsenal on November 29 after colliding with home defender David Luiz.

Jimenez underwent around 10 minutes of medical attention on the field before he was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital for checks. 

It was discovered the 29-year-old had suffered a fracture to his skull, leading to an operation.

However, Jimenez was able to return home last weekend, and he is already looking forward to getting back to football.

Thank you, I’m gonna be back soon

— Raúl Jiménez (@Raul_Jimenez9)

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo ha…

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has stressed N Golo Kante s future is in his own hands amid reports claiming Real Madrid and Chelsea are keen to sign him.

The holding midfielder was a key figure in Leicester winning the Premier League title in 2015-16 and his performances have not gone unnoticed elsewhere.

Madrid and Chelsea are believed to be interested in luring Kante away from Leicester, but the champions remain hopeful of keeping the 25-year-old.

We offered Kante a new deal before he went to the Euros, Ranieri told reporters.

Now I know there are a lot of big teams interested.

His future is in his hands.

The France international s existing contract with Leicester is due to expire in 2019.

Leicester previously man…