Football news LIVE: Liverpool announce Mac Allister, Declan Rice to leave West Ham, Lionel Messi confirms Inter Miami move

Live Blog

• Zinedine Zidane has turned down the chance to manage Paris Saint-Germain for the second time.

  Le Parisien claim the former Real Madrid coach was approached to replace the sacked Christophe Galitier, but said no.

  This is the second occasion in recent years he’s turned them down, with another unsuccessful approach in late 2021.

  When asked about the rumours at a recent event, Zidane replied: “You surprise me with your question. Me, for the moment, I have nothing planned.”

  PSG are instead in negotiations with former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann.

  

• Barcelona manager Xavi has rubbished reports of a return for Neymar.

  Earlier transfer rumours claimed the Brazilian, who looks set to leave PSG, would take a significant salary cut to return to Barca.

  Asked about those claims on Jijantes, Xavi confirmed the desire for a move is only coming from one side.

  “This is a surprise what is being said about Neymar,” he said. “In theory he is not in the planning. I appreciate it very much but there are other priorities. The sports area already knows all the names.”

  

• Alexis Mac Allister has said goodbye to Brighton following his move to Liverpool.

  The Argentine World Cup winner has completed a £35million move to Anfield which could rise to £55m in add-ons.

  Departing the AmEx four years after signing, he said he’d always support the club.

  Writing on Instagram, he said: “It’s time to say goodbye to the club that opened the doors for me and gave me such amazing moments. I never thought I was going to live what I have lived in these 3 and a half years, but this club gave me that opportunity and I’ll be forever grateful.

  “First of all, I’d like to thank every person who was part in this journey, Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and managers, Graham and Roberto with all their staff; and most importantly, the players, so beautiful memories and so much learnt from them! And everybody who works at the club, who are the least seen but who work the hardest, so we can enjoy everyday, and the team can achieve big goals.

  “Finally, a special mention to all the fans, your support and respect during this time have been incredible. As well as your welcome after the World Cup, I will never forget it!

  “I don’t have any doubts that this team is going to achieve many important things, because they have the football skills and human quality to do it.

  “I’ll always watch you and support you (except when I play against you)

  “THANKS A LOT SEAGULLS! You will always have a special place in my heart!”

  

• Sergio Rico’s wife has offered an update on the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeepers health.

  It’s been 10 days since the Spaniard was admitted to intensive care after suffering head injuries in a horse riding accident.

  The hospital previously said he was in a ‘serious but stable’ condition, and have now said his condition ‘evolves favourably’.

  His wife added that he “responds to certain stimuli” and that he is “struggling”.

  

• Cristiano Ronaldo believes he ‘opened a box’ by moving to Saudi Arabia, with former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema since following.

  Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr in December, and he will be competing against Benzema next season who has now joined Al Ittihad.

  Discussing the deal, Ronaldo said: “I knew that me going to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn’t wrong. I’m sure in a couple of years or three, this league is going to be one of the most important leagues in the world.”

  

• Brighton’s owner Tony Bloom and manager Roberto De Zerbi have expressed their best wishes to Alexis Mac Allister.

  The Argentine has left the Seagulls in a £35million move to Liverpool.

  Departing four years on from signing, Mac Allister leaves as a World Cup winner and a Brighton great.

  De Zerbi said: “I’m proud to have been Alexis’s coach; he is a very talented player. It has also been a privilege to work with a guy who has strong and traditional values, and I want to wish him good luck for the future.”

  Bloom added: “We are incredibly proud of Alexis and we are sad to see him go. He did something very special, becoming the first Brighton & Hove Albion player to win the World Cup, and was a key player in our best-ever season.

  “He will always be welcome here at the Amex and in the city. On behalf of all Albion fans, I would like to thank Alexis for the many amazing memories and superb performances in a Brighton shirt and wish him well for the next chapter in his career.”

  

• David Sullivan has confirmed to talkSPORT that David Moyes will stay as West Ham manager.

  The Europa Conference League-winning coach has a year left on his current deal, increasing speculation over his future.

  Poor Premier League form also suggested the Scot could be at risk, but Sullivan says those fears are unwarranted.

  “We believed in him,” he said. “We came in for a lot of pressure from supporters, the press and everyone who seemed mad on making changes but we believe in honouring contracts.

  “David had a contract with us and has a contract with us until next summer and next summer we’ll look at it again.

  “Until then, if he wants to remain as manager then he will remain as manager of West Ham.”

  

• Liverpool have announced their signing of Alexis Mac Allister.

  The World Cup-winning midfielder has joined from Brighton in a £35million deal with a potential further £20m in add ons.

  Taking Sadio Mane’s vacant no.10 shirt, he told Liverpoolfc.com: “It feels amazing. It’s a dream come true, it’s amazing to be here and I can’t wait to get started.

  “I wanted to be in [from] the first day of pre-season, so it’s good that everything is done. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates.

  “It was a fantastic year for me – World Cup, what we achieved with Brighton – but now it’s time to think about Liverpool and try to be a better player and a better human being every day.”

• Celebrity West Ham fan Russell Brand has told talkSPORT his dad broke a rib celebrating the Europa Conference League triumph.

  The Hammers took home their first major trophy since 1980 with victory in Prague, and there were jubilant celebrations across London.

  Returning to the talkSPORT studios, Brand said: “I was there with my dad and all my mates that are West Ham fans, my dad broke his ribs, in fact it might be worse than that, he’s not answered his phone this morning.

  “He broke his ribs celebrating, he got knocked into a pew, I hope he’s OK.”

  

• Neymar is happy to take a salary cut in order to return to Barcelona.

  That’s according to the latest from Sport, who claim the LaLiga side are now looking at a plan B after failing to bring back Lionel Messi.

  The priorities for Xavi are reportedly a goalscorer to support Robert Lewandowski, midfielder to replace Sergio Busquets, and Neymar would be willing to take a wage cut to leave PSG and fill the first role.

  

• West Ham owner David Sullivan confirms Declan Rice has played his last game for the club.

  Speaking after the Europa Conference League victory, Sullivan exclusively told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be [his last game].

  “We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.

  “You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.

  “In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.

  “It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.

  “It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go.

  “You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”

  

• David Moyes is absolutely loving life.

  The latest footage released from the West Ham dressing room following their Europa Conference League final win shows just how overjoyed the Scot was with his first-ever major trophy win.

  Dancing along to Scottish group The Proclaimers, Moyes is seen joyously being egged on by his players.

• West Ham have issued a statement regarding the scenes that left Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi bleeding from the head.

  The Hammers end were seen throwing objects on the field during the first half of their Europa Conference League final win, with one striking Biraghi.

  A club statement read: “West Ham United unreservedly condemn the behaviour of a small number of individuals who threw objects onto the pitch during tonight’s UEFA Europa Conference League final.

  “These actions have no place in football, and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.

  “We will work with the police and other stakeholders to review the incidents and act against anyone found guilty of an offence.

  “In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be given an indefinite ban and therefore be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the club. There is no place for this kind of behaviour at West Ham United.”