England

Stamford Bridge return edges closer. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Chelsea will look to unveil Jose Mourinho as the permanent successor to Rafa Benitez on June 2nd according to the Daily Star. Real Madrid have agreed to allow the 50 year old Portuguese boss to leave the Bernabeu for free, opting to cancel Mourinho's contract at the end of the current campaign which in turn eliminates the requirement of any third party to cover an estimated £17m release clause. Mourinho had three years left on his current deal but Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was seemingly keen to bring a swift end to his reign and no doubt hopes to replace the 'Special One' as soon as possible. Perez confirmed: “After the talks with our coach Jose Mourinho we have reached the agreement to end the contractual relationship at the end of this season. “Both the club and the coach agree that it is the right moment to end this relationship. “Achievements this season haven’t been sufficient for demands of a club such as Real Madrid, or a coach like Mourinho.” Mourinho's final game in charge of the Spanish giants comes on June 1st as Real Madrid host Osasuna to bring the curtain down on a poor season that saw the club fail to secure any silverware.

Midfielder may join Moyes in Manchester. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has given the latest indication that he is set to leave the club this summer and could be set to follow David Moyes to Manchester United this summer, The Mirror reports. The 25-year-old had largely been tipped to join Chelsea after the west London club sought to activate the £24 million release clause in his contract this summer. However, the big Belgian international has stated that he won't be leaving the club unless any potential suitors display in same desire that Everton showed to take him away from Standard Liege in 2008. That promise may be in jeopardy, though, after Moyes suggested that he may well look into bringing him to Manchester with him and Fellaini has responded positively. "If I'm leaving Everton, I say if, it will depend on lots of factors," he said. "I only want to go to a club where the manager really wants me. In 2008, Everton did everything to convince me, especially David Moyes. He made me the player I am now. "I'm happy with my season, although I didn't play in my best position," he continued. "I'm not a number 10. David Moyes predicts my future as a defensive midfielder, but due to a lack of offensive power, he plays me up front." "In the future I want to play as a six or an eight. From there, I can create danger and score goals."

Club will allow striker to leave if that's what he wants. Check in to Atletico Madrid vs RCD Mallorca Atletico Madrid chiefs have said that they won't stand in star striker Radamel Falcao's way if he decides to leave the Vicente Calderon this summer, according to The Express. The 27-year-old has been the subject of some heavy speculation this season with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG and Monaco all linked with a summer swoop, but last week the Colombian powerhouse admitted that he was just as in the dark as everyone else when it came to his future. Reports from Monaco had suggested that he was on the way to the Ligue 1 newcomers, but Falcao rejected those rumours and it now appears that the final decision rests with the player himself. "Before the start of the season we talked with (Falcao) and we promised him if he keeps the same performance and he helps us to arrive to the UEFA Champions League next season, Atletico will help to you," Atletico's general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin said. "Every decision he will take, Atletico will be with him." Falcao starred in last week's 2-1 Copa Del Rey victory over cross city rivals Real Madrid by setting up Diego Coasta for the equaliser. He has finished the season with 34 goals in all competitions.

Lambert keen on Griffin Park midfielder. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Brentford midfielder Harry Forrester is set to hold showdown talks with the club this month in the face of interest from Premier League side Aston Villa, according to talkSPORT. The 22-year-old was a member of the squad that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship this weekend as the side went down 2-1 to Yeovil at Wembley, a game which may have been his last in red and white. He is out of contract next month and is set to hold talks with the club's chairman, Matthew Benham, after reported interest from Aston Villa has cast his future into doubt. Forrester began his career with the Midlands side but failed to breakthrough into the first team. He was released in 2011, when he joined Brentford after a short trial with Dutch giants Ajax. The Amsterdam club were keen to offer him a deal but he decided that regular first team football would be more beneficial and made the switch to west London instead. However, with Paul Lambert in charge at Villa and looking to expand on his reputation for signing young and exciting talent from the lower league's, Forrester's future with The Bees may be in doubt, though he hasn't ruled out signing a new deal at Griffin Park. "I can't talk about my future yet. I've got a meeting with the owner coming up to talk about that," he said. "They will probably give me a call about it next week, so I have time to reflect on the Yeovil game, and we can go from there."

Young French ace may be England bound this summer. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts The agent of Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia has claimed that his client is wanted by two Premier League clubs, though their identity remains unknown, according to talkSPORT. The 20-year-old had been on the radars of Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as PSG and Real Madrid, but his agent, Oscar Damiani, has said that the most serious interest is coming from England, but he refused to reveal the identity of the interested parties. Kondogbia has impressed during his first season in La Liga after joining the club from Lens and has already caught the eye of a number of Europe's top teams. He has made 32 appearances this term, notching one goal and creating two others in the process as he looks to fast track his career to the top of the table. "Not only do Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich want him - there are also two English clubs," Damiani told French magazine France Football. "This does not surprise me because he is an excellent player who could play for any big European club." Arsenal have been credited with a serious interest as they failed to replace Alex Song after he joined Barcelona last summer.

Beyoncé took to Tumblr to post pictures of the couple's controversial trip to Cuba earlier this year...

Chelsea did us proud in the Europa League final, but they’ve already handed back the Champions League trophy — the prize that will be fought over at Wembley on Saturday night by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. If a ticket for that was beyond your luck or means, try the accompanying Festival taking place over four days (23-26 May) at The International Quarter, close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Some features of the festival will be available throughout. Champions League sponsors will each offer activities and skill challenges, and there’s also the tournament’s mobile museum where visitors of parental age can show young ‘uns the exploits of guys called Platini, Cruyff and Eusebio who hand out the medals these days. A highlight for many will be the opportunity for a photo alongside the Big Cup itself, though our experience of the Milanese celebrations of 2001 suggests you’ll need to be there on Thursday or Friday before the trophy is whisked across town and thence Westphalia or Bavaria. Which day you attend might also be governed by your choice of special footballing interest. UEFA have, quite imaginitively, decided to dedicate three of the four days to facets of football that deserve wider attention. The festival’s opening day, Thursday 23 May, showcases women’s football, with girls’ training sessions led by Arsenal legend Faye White and appearances by current stars of Chelsea and England Eni Aluko, Hannah Blundell and goalkeeper Carly Telford. Then, round off the day watching the UEFA Women’s Champions League final between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge (7.30pm, tickets £10/£5). On Friday you can immerse yourself in Futsal, the small-sided indoor format of football. There will be tournaments and coaching alongside two showpiece games. The first at 4.30pm features FC Barcelona U-23 against England’s senior futsal team. Then at 6.15pm the likes of former Arsenal stars Robert Pirès and Giovanni van Bronckhorst take on five-time English national futsal champions Helvécia Futsal London. There will also be appearances during the day by James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter films) and members of rock band ‘You Me at Six‘. On Saturday at 12.30pm, the Ultimate Champions Match between five-a-side teams of famous ex-players will act as a curtain-raiser for the Champions League final at Wembley while Sunday‘s activities include a demonstration of disability football, the opportunity to try out an unsighted penalty shoot-out at 1pm and an hour later the world’s top 16 trick-meisters in the final of the World Freestyle Championships. Further details on the whole festival can be found at www.UEFA.com/championsfestival. UEFA Champions Festival, 23-26 May, The International Quarter, Stratford. Entrance is free, and you just need to turn up.

White Hart Lane wing wizard issues salary ultimatum. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Tottenham's prized asset Gareth Bale has given his North London side an ultimatum ahead of contract talks with his White Hart Lane employers. The 23 year old has demanded a whopping £200k a week to stay at the club, who failed to secure a Champions League berth for next term. Bale has three years to run on his current £110k a week deal but will look to secure a massive pay-rise to make up for the fact that he will once again have to do without Champions League football. Daniel Levy is keen to avoid another lengthy transfer saga, similar to the one that saw Luka Modric push for a Tottenham exit for the best part of two years before he was finally sold to Real Madrid, however the Spurs chairman may find it hard to justify such a pay-rise. Tottenham's failure to secure a Champions League berth will have cost the club dear in terms of projected revenue targets and will also affect the level of player Andre Villas-Boas will be able to attract this summer. Bale had a phenomenal season, scoring 20 Premier League goals and winning numerous accolades including both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

Sevilla line up former City winger as Navas replacement. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Spanish club Sevilla are preparing for life without Manchester City target Jesus Navas, as they look to sign Vladimir Weiss from Italian side Pescara, according to talkSPORT. Weiss, who was formerly of Manchester City, is available on a free transfer this summer and looks likely to leave Pescara following their relegation from Serie A. This suggests that Navas will indeed join up with Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium, after rumours emerged that the Spanish winger was one of the Chilean manager's main targets this summer after he joins the Premier League club from La Liga side Malaga. Navas has also been linked with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, who are considering a number of attacking midfielders to replace star player Mario Goetze, who will be joining Bayern Munich next season. However, City will now be in the driving seat to land the 27-year-old, in a somewhat surprising move due to the player's well-documented problems with homesickness, meaning he has stayed at his home town club for his whole career so far. But it seems now that this talented winger will be making the step up to a bigger club, and will be terrorizing defences in England next season.

Outspoken Napoli coach steps down. Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri has announced that he won't be in charge of the Serie A side next season and the club are expected to approach Rafa Benitez to replace him, according to The Express. Benitez ended his interim spell at Chelsea with a victory over Everton this weekend and had reportedly instructed his agent to begin the search for a new position for him, and though he had hinted at a preference toward staying in England, the lure of Champions League football may prove too impossible to resist. The former Liverpool boss had a successful season in west London after leading the club to a Europa League title and Champions League qualification in the face of some heavy fan protest at his appointment in November when he replaced Roberto Di Matteo. And he has now emerged as a target for Napoli after Walter Mazzarri confirmed his exit this weekend. "I won't be the coach of Napoli next season," Mazzarri told Italian TV network RAI. "I think I've got the most out of this group of players. My cycle at Napoli has ended." "They have been four fantastic years, [and] I want to thank the lads and everyone who has been close to me." "Napoli is a great club to work at and I'm leaving because I need a new challenge and so do the players." Benitez in now the overwhelming favourite with bookmakers to take over the post.