West Brom reject transfer request from Saido Berahino amid Tottenham links

West Brom have rejected a transfer request from striker Saido Berahino.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, with reports this week suggesting Spurs had a £15m bid turned down by the Baggies.

Berahino was left out of the West Brom side which lost to 3-2 to Chelsea on Sunday.

A club statement read: "West Bromwich Albion have received a written transfer request from Saido Berahino.

"The request has been rejected and the club's position remains unchanged from that outlined in the statement from chairman Jeremy Peace of August 18."

Peace underlined the Baggies' desire to keep Berahino - who scored 20 goals last season - after turning down Spurs' opening offer last week. 

"We have no interest in selling Saido which is what I have told (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy," he said in a statement.

"I know we are living in an age where no club can say 'never' about the possibility of selling a player.

"However, the prospect of selling Saido is simply not on our agenda."

But Pulis has admitted the club would be powerless to stop Berahino leaving if Tottenham made them an offer they could not refuse. 

"I'm sure Tottenham wanted to keep Bale and Manchester United wanted to keep Ronaldo so I'm not stupid enough to say 'I'm not doing this' or 'I'm not doing that'," he said last week.

Berahino came through the youth ranks at The Hawthorns, having made his debut in August 2012, and spent time on loan at Northampton, Brentford and Peterborough.

He has made 83 appearances and scored 29 goals for the Baggies. 

Jamie Carragher has told talkSPORT John Stones should turn his back on Chelsea and stay at Everton.

The England central defender is wanted by the reigning Premier League champions, who have so far had two bids rejected, but the Anfield hero has urged the 21-year-old to remain on Merseyside.

Carragher told Drivetime: “Every player should want to play at the highest level and win trophies, play in the Champions League and play for his country. That’s the aim of every player. It’s just [a question of] what is the right time for the player to go.

“I think the right thing for John Stones would be to play for another couple of years at Everton. He’s playing really well but you have ups and downs as a young player, especially as a defender where you can make a couple of mistakes, give away a penalty, and your confidence goes. That’s part of being a defender and learning your trade.

“I think it would be better for him to know he’s almost guaranteed to play week in, week out for Everton, go through those times with Everton, and then when he eventually gets his move to a top English club, as he will do, he’ll be going there a bit more experienced, a better player, and a bit more mature in his game.

“When you get to that really top level, any little mistake, anything that’s not quite right, can cost your team a draw, or you drop three points, and that can end up costing a team the league title, or seeing them knocked out the Champions League.

“You don’t want to be learning on the job when you’re at a top club. I think it would be better for him to spend another couple of years at Everton and then make that move.”

Karim Benzema rubbishes exit rumours

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema looks to have ended any speculation regarding his future in the Spanish capital by taking to Twitter to confess Madrid is his 'home'.

The prolific French forward has been linked with a move to Arsenal over the summer as the Gunners look to strengthen their attacking options.

But, despite new Los Blancos manager Rafael Benitez considering moving Cristiano Ronaldo into the number nine role, the former Lyon forward has no intention of leaving.

Benzema didn't feature in Real's 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon on Sunday in their opening La Liga fixture after being sidelined with a thigh injury.

Nasri and Kolarov send Manuel Pellegrini's men top of the Premier League

Goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri were enough to see off Everton as Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table.

Both teams came close to breaking the deadlock but it was not until after the half-time when Kolarov finished from an almost impossible angle.

Nasri made sure of the win at the death with another well-taken finish to continue City's perfect start to the season.

City almost went ahead immediately through Sergio Aguero but Tim Howard moved smartly to block the shot with his legs.

It was the same outcome again minutes later as the Argentine was denied for a second time before Raheem Sterling was guilty of missing a clear-cut chance at the back post.

Everton had the ball in the net after 23 minutes when Romelu Lukaku the ball around Joe Hart but was correctly judged to have been offside after receiving the pass from Ross Barkley.

On the stroke of half-time, Lukaku clipped the crossbar from a free-kick after Tom Cleverley’s driving run was illegally halted by Fernandinho.

City shot out of the blocks after the break as Sterling cut in from the left and found David Silva in space who blasted the ball against the post.

And it was another moment of magic from Sterling which led to the opening goal.

Again cutting in from the right, he played a perfectly weighted ball to Kolarov who beat the offside trap to finish expertly from a very tight angle to put Manuel Pellegrini’s men in front.

It was nearly two moments later as Jesus Navas capitalised on a defensive mix-up, but was denied by the face of Howard after neglecting to pass to the better-placed Aguero.

Gareth Barry almost nicked a draw for the hosts but Vincent Kompany cleared the ball of the line.

And City secured the win on 88 minutes after a fantastic one-two between Yaya Toure and Nasri, before the latter lobbed the ball over a helpless Howard.

Liverpool can land psychological blow with win at Arsenal

Liverpool can land a psychological blow on Barclays Premier League rivals Arsenal with victory at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds travel to the capital for an early meeting with another side who have top-four aspirations this season aiming to continue their bright start after back-to-back 1-0 victories over Stoke and Bournemouth.

Rodgers admits the result is unlikely to have too much impact on the final standings at this stage, yet appreciates an away win over Arsene Wenger's men can greatly enhance the confidence among his group.

"You're playing one of the rivals that you're hoping to be competing with at the top end of the table; these games are important," Rodgers acknowledged.

"They don't give the full picture in terms of how it will finish up - you can draw or lose these games and still go on and achieve what you want to achieve. Of course it's for the confidence and psychologically they are important.

"No matter when these games come in the season they are always good for the psychological effect.

"We've got a tough game away from home but we'll arrive into the game with confidence. We know they're an outstanding group of players and some quality individual players but there's a real focus in this group for this season, a real toughness, mentally.

"We know that we've got that ability to scrap and fight to get a result as well as play good football. If we can go there and perform like we think we can and keep to our game-plan we're confident we can get a result."

In studying Arsenal's recent home defeats, Rodgers has discovered his side may not necessarily need to match their opponents in the ball-retention stakes to prosper.

Both sides have earned plaudits for being aesthetically pleasing under their current managers but Rodgers will be happy to cede possession to the hosts if it means they follow West Ham in taking three points at Arsenal this month.

"If you assess Arsenal's last 10 games they've lost at home, the teams that have won, it's been about dangerous possession," Rodgers noted.

"The teams that have been there have only averaged about four shots on target, with 43% possession. It tells you that you can go there and you don't need to dominate the ball, but you can dominate the space and that's something that is important when you go away.

"For us, tactically, we'll arrive into the game in a good mind of how we can win it. Like Arsenal, we do like to dominate the ball, but there are certain games where tactically you look at the approach of what is going to get you the result. That's something we've done and been working on this week."

Usain Bolt beats Justin Gatlin to claim 100m

Usain Bolt claimed a third 100m World Championships title thanks to a narrow victory ahead of Justin Gatlin in Beijing.

The Jamaican sprinter survived a scare in his semi-final after staggering at the start, and looked like finishing second after 70 metres of the final, with Gatlin in front.

But Bolt - so often a clear winner in major finals - dug deep and pipped his rival on the line, to claim gold in his season's best time of 9.79, with Gatlin second in 9.8.

The American had clocked 9.77 in his semi, yet the pressure of being so close to beating the world's fastest ever man appeared to slow him down at exactly the wrong moment in the final.

"Gatlin looked nervous," said Darren Campbell, a 2004 Olympic sprint relay gold medal winner for Great Britain.

"Gatlin couldn't open the lead he needed and he could feel Bolt coming."

Bronze was shared by the USA's Trayvon Bromwell and Canada's Andre De Grasse, who both clocked 9.911 when calculated to the nearest thousandth of a second.

Pedro strikes, Terry sees red as ten-man Blues clinch their first victory

Pedro scored 20 minutes into his Chelsea debut to help the ten-man Blues earn their first win of the season in a barnstorming encounter at West Brom.

Thibaut Courtois saved James Morrison’s penalty before the Spaniard opened the scoring with the aid of a deflection.

Diego Costa capped a flowing counter attack to double the visitors’ lead before Morrison’s half volley pulled a goal back for the Baggies.

Cesar Azpilicueta notched his first Chelsea goal to restore the Blues’ two-goal lead and, despite captain John Terry’s dismissal and Morrison’s second after the break, Jose Mourinho’s side hung on to claim a morale-boosting victory.

The high intensity of the game was set in the early stages, and the Baggies should have gone ahead after the lively Callum McManaman was tripped inside the box by Nemanja Matic.

Morrison went for power from the spot, duly sacrificing placement and making it easy for Courtois to save with his legs on his return from a one-match ban.

With Morrison smarting from his miss, Chelsea delivered a sucker punch through Pedro’s first goal in English football after a fine interchange with Eden Hazard.

The Blues then doubled their lead after a brilliant breakaway involving Azpilicueta and Willian before Pedro turned provider for Costa to slide in at the back post.

Morrison halved the arrears and made up for his poor penalty with a sweetly struck volley but Azpilicueta was on hand to restore the two-goal lead just seven minutes later with a cool finish.

After the break, the rollercoaster game took another twist when Terry, following a difficult week in which his selection came under scrutiny, was shown a straight red card for clumsily felling Salomon Rondon when the Venezuelan was through on goal.

The sending off tipped the momentum firmly in the favour of the hosts, and Morrison was on hand again to grab a goal back with a clever header from McManaman’s perfect cross.

Costa and substitute Radamel Falcao were both wasteful as the visitors looked to guarantee the three points, while Rondon and McManaman went close at the other end.

Serge Gnabry, on loan from Arsenal, looked bright in a brief cameo for the Baggies but they couldn’t make the numerical advantage count as Mourinho’s men held out.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal refuses to comment on Neymar rumours

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has refused to comment on speculation the club are in about a bid for Barcelona star Neymar.

Rumours surfaced on Friday night about the Red Devils’ interest in the player and after a 0-0 draw, where they lacked firepower, the Dutchman was questioned about his interest in the play.

Van Gaal though was adamant he would not talk about any transfer talk.

“I don’t enter into this discussion,” he said.

“You can ask about all the players in the world and you are doing it in every press conference and in everyone I have to say the same.

“I have to protect the interest of Manchester United. I have to protect the players in my selection. I have to protect the people in my organisation and you can say anything, you can mention any player but I can’t answer these questions.

“I know your problem because the media wants to know but I cannot say anything.”

And then when asked if he would be looking at signing any forwards at all, he replied: “No, because three times we were the better team.”

Chelsea sign Pedro from Barcelona on long-term deal

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Chelsea have completed the signing of Spain international forward Pedro.

The World Cup winner was given the green light to join Jose Mourinho’s side after the Blues agreed a £21.4million deal with Barcelona.

He has now signed a long-term contract with the Premier League champions after undergoing a successful medical at the club’s training ground on Thursday afternoon.

"I am very happy to be here," he told Chelsea's official website. 

"I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.

"Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on."

Pedro had been a top target for Manchester United, with their executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward holding talks with Barca chiefs earlier this week over a deal.

But Chelsea made a late move for the 28-year-old and acted quickly to wrap up a deal ahead of their Premier League rivals.

Pedro will have some familiar faces at Stamford Bridge in fellow Spain internationals Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta and Diego Costa.

Manchester City sign Nicolas Otamendi on a five-year deal

Tags:Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia.

The 27-year-old Argentina international is understood to have cost the Premier Leagueside £28.5million and has penned a five-year contract.

Otamendi will bolster central defensive ranks at City that include two familiar faces in former Portoteam-mate Eliaquim Mangala and international colleague Martin Demichelis, as well as captainVincent Kompany.

He will wear the number 30 shirt at the Etihad Stadium and is the third addition to Manuel Pellegrini's squad this summer, following deals for Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph.

Otamendi said: “I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles. 

"That’s the most important. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream.”

Otamendi joined Valencia from Porto in 2014 for a fee of around €12million and made 25 league appearances last season, scoring six goals, to help Los Che finish fourth in La Liga.

He has won 25 caps for Argentina and was part of the squad, alongside new City teammates Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta, which reached the Copa America final this summer.

Pellegrini added: “Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I’m delighted to have added a player of his quality.

“He is an established international for one of the best nations in world football and I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal.

“As a footballer, Nicolas has all of the qualities to be a success in the Premier League – he’s strong, he’s excellent in the tackle and he’s very good technically.

“I am sure he will become another Argentine player our fans will enjoy watching.”

Done deal, Utd stunned over Pedro's choice of Chelsea

Chelsea have stunned Manchester United by sealing a deal for Barcelona forward Pedro.

United have been chasing the World Cup winner all summer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been in advanced talks with the Spanish club this week over a deal.

However, Woodward's reluctance to meet Pedro's £22million buy-out clause opened the door for Chelsea to make a late move.

And the Premier League champions have moved quickly to wrap up a deal after agreeing to pay the £22m fee.

The 28-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Jose Mourinho's side and is in London to undergo a medical before putting pen-to-paper.

Losing out on Pedro's signature to their Premier League rivals will come as a huge blow to United boss Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal had targeted the Spain international as the ideal replacement for Angel di Maria, but will now have to turn his attentions elsewhere.

Man United chief executive Ed Woodward flies to Spain to finalise £22m deal for Pedro

Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward has travelled to Spain to try and complete a deal for Barcelona forward Pedro, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spain attacker, who has won every club and international honour in the game, has a £22m buyout clause, which the Red Devils look set to trigger.

Any potential deal appeared to have slowed last week due to emerging interest from Premier League champions Chelsea, but Woodward looks to have flown to Barcelona ahead of their Spanish Super Cup second leg to finalise the move.

Pedro struggled for first-team action last season as the devastating trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar proved impregnable, and is known to be seeking a new challenge in England.

He is a like-for-like replacement for Angel di Maria, who ended his ill-fated spell at Old Trafford by moving to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

It is also reported that Woodward will take the opportunity to cast his eye over Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, with the Basque side leading the European Champions 4-0 from the first leg.

Sergio Ramos: My heart and head is with Real Madrid

Sergio Ramos has denied claims he wanted to leave Real Madrid this summer, with the defender insisting it was always his plan to retire at the famous club.

The defender was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United this summer, but ended one of the summer’s most high profile transfer sagas by signing a new five-year contract with at the Bernabeu on Monday.

Reports from Spain had previously suggested Ramos was keen to leave the La Liga giants having become frustrated by life under an intense spotlight from media and fans.

But the Los Blancos captain is adamant there was no truth in the claims and that he never wanted to leave Real Madrid.

"I know this renewal has taken a while but my heart and head have always been with Real Madrid so I couldn't be happier," he said in a press conference.

"I've never spoken about my renewal. With a contract that had two years to go, whatever the press want to say I respect but the reality is a bit different.

"My idea was to always be here and I always wanted to retire here if the president would allow it, and I'm thankful I have a new challenge to be the captain of this team. The priority is always Real Madrid, keeping our fans happy and winning titles.

"I'm being honest I never said I wanted to leave, I was quiet. I never said anything out of respect for my team-mates and the president, I never rang the office to ask for more money. I'm just very happy that I have renewed and I want to stay here for the rest of my career.

"At the end of the day I have been here almost my whole life. My first year was in Sevilla and the rest of my life has been here, that is sufficient motive to want to stay. There is nothing like this institution. My own happiness is the priority, in the end that was fundamental."

United were reportedly ready to offer Ramos a pay rise in a bid to lure him to Old Trafford after he was identified as one of Louis van Gaal's main transfer targets.

But, having been a Real Madrid player for a decade, the former Sevilla youngster said money is not his main concern.

"Honestly, if it was an economic decision I wouldn't have stayed," he said.

"It wasn't a question of money. There were personal and professional things that I needed to organise and that is all sorted.

"It is reality that I wasn't happy in certain ways. I never said I wanted to leave but I spoke to the people I needed to speak to and couldn't continue how I was. Those personal things were nothing to do with money.

"The economic situation, the president and I solved that in five minutes. There were other things to talk about - past, present and future. Now everything is cleared up I'm excited to get everyone together and try and win. Everything is cleared up now, I'm very happy to be here."

Ramos added that he is counting on the continued support of the club's fans now that his protracted contract talks have come to a satisfactory conclusion.

"I think they will always receive me with the same affection they always have," he said, when asked what sort of reaction he expected from the supporters.

"I have never felt anything untoward in this stadium and as long as the fans love me that is one of the important things that helped me to stay.

"The fans will always ask a lot of you but the footballers of Real Madrid know we have pressure and responsibility, and I hope I will have the same affection I have always had."

Jose Mourinho v Eva Carneiro: Chelsea manager says doctor could return to bench

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists under-fire medical duo Jon Fearn and Eva Carnerio could return to the Blues’ bench at some point this season.

The duo have been banished from pitchside duties following last weekend’s misunderstanding over an injury sustained by Eden Hazard, but the Portuguese claimed that situation may not be permanent.

Speaking for the first time about the argument that has raged around Stamford Bridge all week, Mourinho said: “First of all I want to say I have a fantastic medical department led by Dr Paco Biosca. I have a good relationship with them.

“They tell me they have never been praised as much as they have been by me in the last couple of years.

“Jon Fearn and Dr Carneiro will not be on the bench on Sunday, but that doesn't mean they cannot be in the future.”

Chelsea appeal against Thibaut Courtois dismissal

Chelsea will appeal against the red card shown to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old Belgium international was sent off on 52 minutes for denying Bafetimbi Gomis a clear goalscoring opportunity, with the Swans striker equalising from the penalty spot.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho refused to discuss the decision after the match.

Chelsea's appeal will be heard by the Football Association on Tuesday.

If it fails, Courtois' expected one-match ban would see him miss the trip to last season's runners-up Manchester City on Sunday.

Asmir Begovic, a summer signing from Stoke, made his Blues debut as Courtois' replacement against the Swans.

Silva inspiration earns the City a comfortable win

Manchester City got their Premier League campaign underway in style after David Silva inspired them to a resounding 3-0 victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Silva was instrumental throughout, and will claim the visitors’ opener when he deflected Yaya Toure’s effort past a stranded Boaz Myhill after nine minutes.

Toure emphatically doubled City’s lead halfway through the first half, before Rickie Lambert and Saido Berahino went close to halving the defecit for the Baggies.

City captain Vincent Kompany headed in a fine third to make sure of the points after the break, duly sending City top of the infant Premier League table on goal difference.

Baggies manager Tony Pulis adopted a bold formation from the outset considering the calibre of the opponents, with both Berahino and new signing Lambert starting up front.

But the visitors soon began to unpick those tactics, and they took the lead in bizarre circumstances inside ten minutes when Silva got the faintest touch to Toure’s weak effort before it trickled over the line.

If the first goal was scrappy, City’s second was delicious. Toure, who showed glimpses of the form that saw him fire 20 goals in the 2013/2014 season, exchanged passes with Wilfried Bonybefore caressing the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.

£49m Debutant Raheem Sterling could have had a third before the break but shot feebly at Myhill, before Berahino had an effort correctly disallowed for offside.

The hosts began the second half far more positively and went close twice through Lambert and Berahino again, but Kompany’s superb header from from Silva’s corner just before the hour mark quashed any thoughts of a comeback.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini will be encouraged by the clinical manner of his side's display, particularly with title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points on the opening weekend and Jose Mourinho’s champions up next at the Etihad on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne’s ‘head has been turned’, admits Wolfsburg director

Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs has admitted consistent links away from the club have “definitely turned Kevin De Bruyne’s head”, amid reports of a £46million bid from Manchester City.

The Belgium international attracted a host of top suitors following a shining campaign for the Bundesliga side last season, with the playmaker crowned Germany’s Player of the Season as Wolfsburg finished runners-up to Bayern Munich.

And speculation over the 24-year-old's future continued to circulate this week, with reports surfacing of a huge offer from Premier League side City.

Reports in a number of newspapers this weekend suggested the Blues are confident of tying up the deal ahead of next weekend’s clash with De Bruyne’s former club Chelsea.

And while club chief Allofs insists Wolfsburg are in no way pressured to sell their midfield star, he admits De Bruyne is leaving his options open.

"I think some other clubs have definitely turned Kevin's head," Allofs told Kicker magazine.

"Some huge figures are doing the rounds and I can understand why Kevin is leaving everything open.

"He's got to listen to the offers. I can't expect from him that he doesn't even want to entertain them."

The final decision ultimately rests with his club, however, and Allofs has repeated over and over again that Wolfsburg are not willing to sell.

But at the same time, he knows it is going to be difficult to keep De Bruyne in Germany for the remainder of his four-year contract.

"If he was only contracted to us until 2017, then yes, it would be different," Allofs told the Wolfsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "But let's be honest about it - it's highly unlikely that he'll stay with us right up until 2019."

Hertha Berlin team bus shot at in Germany

Hertha Berlin's team bus has been shot at on the eve of a German Cup match.

The Bundesliga club say  the bus was fired at by a motorcyclist in Bielefeld in north-west Germany but added that no-one was injured.

Hertha are staying near Bielefeld before their first-round tie with German second division side Arminia Bielefeld on Monday night.

Only the driver was on board at the time of the shooting and police are now investigating.

The vehicle was travelling from the team hotel to pick the players up from Bielefeld Central Station.

Hertha say the motorcyclist had overtaken the bus and threatened the driver "with his fist", before turning and pointing a gun at the bus and the driver.

Pictures from the club show the windscreen of the bus with a bullet hole.

Hertha chief executive Michael Preetz said: "We are deeply shocked and hope that the perpetrators will be caught. Luckily our bus driver got off with a fright."

Arminia Bielefeld tweeted:  "We are shocked by the attack on the team bus from HerthaBSC."