Man United 'weighing up January swoop' for Real Madrid outcast Isco

Isco in Man United's sights

It hasn't been a good week for Manchester United. First came defeat in the Manchester derby, then the Europa League defeat to Feyenoord, then a dismal day out at Watford.

But here's something that might lift the spirits of United fans a bit: The Red Devils are "weighing up a January swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Isco," according to the Mirror.

It reports that the Spain international is on boss Jose Mourinho's list of targets for the next transfer window as he looks to address his side's creative struggles. Isco would cost around £25 million and, the Mirror reports, is a realistic target, despite being under contract until 2018, because he "has fallen down the pecking order at Madrid under boss Zinedine Zidane"

The 24-year-old has made only two substitute appearances in La Liga this season, but United could face competition from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, all of whom have been interested in the recent past, if United are to sign him.

Arsenal, Liverpool want to keep up with the Jones

It seems to be the end of the line for England defender Phil Jones at Man United, with the Sun reporting that the club "are looking to get him off their books." And that has alerted Liverpool and the Gunners, with both prepared to swoop for the 24-year-old, who is currently on the sidelines with a ligament problem.

The Sun quotes an Old Trafford "insider" as saying: "Jose Mourinho is looking to offload Jones. They have reached the end of the line with him." He would cost in the region of £10m.

Barca to resume Bellerin chase

Shades of earlier in the summer all over again for Arsenal: Before the window closed, they were reported to have knocked back Barcelona approaches for right-back Hector Bellerin.

The one-time Camp Nou youngster -- under contract at Arsenal until 2019 -- is reported to be happy with life in North London, but the Mirror doesn't think that will stop the Catalans from making another effort to bring him back.

It quotes Barca vice president Jordi Mestre describing Spain international Bellerin as "a great player, there's no doubt about that," but it adds that the Liga champions would have to pay around £40m to land him.

If a move for the Gunners defender falls through, Barca could also consider Valencia's Joao Cancelo -- also reported to be interesting Arsenal -- or Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna.

Reds watch striker with a touch of Sass

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to add another striker to his ranks, but who might that be? None other than Sassuolo star Gregoire Defrel, reports the Sun.

The Anfield manager sent a scout to watch the French forward play, and score, in his side's 2-0 win over Genoa on Sunday, as Klopp looks to introduce extra competition for Daniel Sturridge. Defrel, 25, has scored five goals in six games for the Italian club this season, and Liverpool reportedly could be ready to make a January offer for him.

FIFA confirm transfer ban on Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid

On Thursday, FIFA dismissed appeals by Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid against a ban on registering new players in the next two transfer windows for irregularities in the signing of foreign players under 18.

Real and Atletico — last season’s Champions League finalists — were also fined 360,000 ($358,000) and 900,000 Swiss Francs respectively.

However, the Spanish giants still have a final right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“The FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by Spanish clubs Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid and to confirm in their entirety the decisions rendered by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in the respective cases relating to the protection of minors,” FIFA said in a statement.

Both clubs were sanctioned in January, but by appealing had temporarily held off the ban during the transfer window which closed last month.

They will now not be able to register any new players in either of the next two windows, in January 2017 and July-August 2017.

European champions Real responded by saying they will now go to the CAS in an attempt to have the decision overturned “as quickly as possible”.

“The club regrets the decision on the ground that it is profoundly unfair and contrary to the most elementary principles of penal law,” read a statement posted on their website.

“The club will begin the appropriate appeals procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, requesting that the decision be completely overturned, with absolute confidence that said organisation will come to an entirely favourable decision.

“Real Madrid C. F. will request that the procedure be undertaken in an urgent manner in order to obtain a decision from the CAS as quickly as possible.”

Diego Costa responds to Spanish media: ‘If I was a natural Spaniard my critics would say I had a good game’

Diego Costa believes he is unfairly criticised by the Spanish media and feels it happens because he is not Spanish by birth and does not play for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

An injury to Álvaro Morata saw Costa come off the bench in the first half of Spain’s 2-0 win away at Belgium in an international friendly on Thursday, and shortly after coming on he provided the lay-off for David Silva’s opening goal.

The 27-year-old has scored just one goal in 11 appearances for Spain since switching nationalities from his native Brazil in 2014, but defended his performance against Belgium.

“They criticise me a lot and if I played for Real Madrid or Barça and was a natural Spaniard they’d say I had a good game, possibly my best for the team,” Costa said on Thursday.

“I didn’t score but I can be useful to the team. I participated a lot in the game and I leave here happy, unlike in other games.“

Costa has had disciplinary breaches with his club Chelsea, including being banned for three games for stamping on Liverpool’s Emre Can last year, but has largely kept out of trouble while representing Spain.

“I haven’t done great things for Spain, I can’t lie, but when I play well they should say so. They criticise me for my character, but I also have quality,” said Costa.

Silva scored the second goal against Belgium from the penalty spot to round off a comfortable 2-0 win in coach Julen Lopetegui’s first game in charge since succeeding Vicente del Bosque.

Lopetegui recalling Costa after Del Bosque left him out of the squad for Euro 2016 was one of a number of eye-catching decisions the new coach made in his first squad announcement, including dropping the former captain Iker Casillas.

Spain begin their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup at home to Liechtenstein on Monday and Costa said he is optimistic about his and the team’s fortunes under the former Porto and Spain Under-21 coach.

“A new era has started. I have faith in my team mates,” said Costa. “It’s true that I have unfinished business with scoring but today I felt good and the goals will come.

“I’d be more concerned if I didn’t have chances, but the team is creating them and that’s good. I will score soon.”