Junior Agogo: Ex-Ghana, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers striker dies aged 40
Former Ghana, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers striker Junior Agogo has died at the age of 40.
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Agogo, who began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, played 27 times for his country and scored 12 goals.
He finished his career at Hibernian in 2012 having also had spells in the United States, Cyprus and Egypt.
Agogo suffered a stroke in 2015 and struggled with his speech afterwards, telling a BBC Four documentary in 2017 he felt anxious about his language.
Agogo sealed his place in the hearts of Ghana fans with his performances at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations where he scored three goals including a late winner against Nigeria in Accra.
"I think that was the goal that sealed his popularity in Ghana," Laryea Kingston, the former Hearts midfielder said. "During the tournament we could feel his influence in the team grow and his popularity go up but that goal sealed everything."
Despite playing alongside big names like Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan, Agogo was the team's star man.
"A lot of fans didn't know but those of us in the team knew he was going to be good for us," Kingston added.
"He spent a lot of time in the gym and his strength reflected in the way he played. He simply wanted to score goals and make a mark for the team and I am glad he did.
"He had a word for everyone, enjoyed a good dance, could tease a lot and take it too. This has really hit a lot of us."
His former clubs were among those to pay tribute on social media.
Nottingham Forest FC
✔@NFFC
Rest in peace, Junior
#NFFC are saddened to learn that former striker Junior Agogo has passed away.
Fernando Torres: Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker retires after final match
Spanish World Cup-winning striker Fernando Torres has played his final professional match before retirement.
The former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea forward, 35, finished his career in Japan with Sagan Tosu.
They lost his final game 6-1 to a Vissel Kobe side featuring former team-mates Andres Iniesta and David Villa.
Iniesta wrote Torres an open letter, in which he said "it's been a wonderful journey, it has taken us to every corner of the world".
Torres made 110 appearances for Spain and won the World Cup in 2010, as well as the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, scoring in both finals.
Torres announced the date of his retirement in June.
"To say goodbye to football next to my dear friend Iniesta is something I could never imagine," Torres said at the time.
"Also my friend David Villa, with who I share probably the best moments in Spanish football history.
"I tried to find an iconic moment to play my final game and I think that is perfect timing."
Iniesta and Torres have been friends since they played together for Spain's youth teams, with Torres writing on a shirt for Iniesta that someday they would "win the World Cup together".
In a letter published in El Mundo,Iniesta said it was "beautifully strange" that life "brought us all the way to Japan to say goodbye".
"Football brought us together more than 20 years ago, when we were children. Well, you will always be El Nino. And it will never separate us," added the former Barcelona midfielder.
"We began away from spotlights and cameras until we came to share thousands of experiences before winning a World Cup for our country.
"When we meet in Spain, I'll show you that shirt, that treasure that nobody else discovered. Although, it is true, there is no greater treasure than your friendship, Fernando."
Torres scores winning goal in Euro 2008 final
Torres started his career with Atletico, before a £20m move to Liverpool in 2007, where he scored 81 goals in 142 games.
In 2011, he was signed by Chelsea for a then British record transfer fee of £50m.
Although he failed to replicate his goalscoring form at Stamford Bridge, he was part of the Blues' Champions League-winning team in 2012.
He also won the FA Cup and scored in their 2-1 win against Benfica in the Europa League final in 2013.
After 45 goals in 172 games at Chelsea and a brief four-month loan spell at AC Milan, he returned to Atletico in late 2014.
.
He finished on the losing side as Atletico lost the 2016 Champions League final to Real Madrid, but won a second Europa League in 2018 - his final appearance before moving to Japan.
Torres, who is Spain's third-highest goalscorer with 38, played in six major tournaments including the 2010 World Cup triumph.
"During his career he became a legend by his own merits, and left an unforgettable mark both in the field and in the hearts of everyone he worked with," said Atletico.
Cristiano Ronaldo rape accuser suffering from post-traumatic stress, lawyers say.
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Lawyers representing the woman who has accused Cristiano Ronaldoof raping her have said she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and depression because of the alleged 2009 attack in Las Vegas.
Kathryn Mayorga’s lawyer, Leslie Stovall, told reporters on Wednesday that a psychiatrist’s medical opinion is that Ms Mayorga’s psychological injuries made her “incompetent” to legally reach a non-disclosure settlement with the footballer’s representatives in 2010.
Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit last week seeking to void the agreement she claims to have signed while accepting $375,000 to keep quiet about the alleged encounter.
Ronaldo has denied the accusations of rape against him, saying on Twitter that he had a “clear conscience”.
Las Vegas police say they’ve reopened their investigation of a sexual assault complaint filed nine years ago.
Lawyers for Ms Mayorga, who sued Ronaldo in a district court in Clark County, Nevada on Thursday, said the footballer has 20 days from the filing of the lawsuit to respond.
She has left Las Vegas to escape the attention on her case, her lawyers said at a news conference, in which Ms Mayorga was not present.
She has decided not to make herself available to the media and stay out of the public because of her emotional state,” lawyer Leslie Stovall told the news conference. “It is not pleasant for her.”
Her lawyers said they are considering whether to release documents related to the case including police reports, medical records, and an out-of-court settlement that included a non-disclosure agreement about the incident.
The lawsuit, which seeks more than $200,000 in damages, names as defendants Ronaldo and an unnamed team of fixers described as “personal reputation protection specialists” hired to make the situation go away.
Lawyers for Ronaldo on Friday threatened to sue German magazine Der Spiegel that published “blatantly illegal” accusations by Ms Mayorga.
Der Spiegel’s deputy editor-in-chief, Alfred Weinzierl, told Reuters on Sunday that the magazine had worked professionally, laid out the evidence and stood by its story, which it said was allowed under Germany’s press law.
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi returns to training after a preseason calf injury and schools his teammates.
Lionel Messi is perhaps the best and most well-known soccer player on the planet. He’s spent his entire career at FC Barcelona, who acquired him at the ripe age of 13. Messi has earned numerous awards for his play, led his team to titles and captained both Barcelona and the Argentina national team for several years. He battled through a growth hormone deficiency to become what he is, and what he is capable of never ceases to amaze.
After declaring he was retiring from international play in 2016, Messi changed his mind and returned to the Argentina national team to help them qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Argentina would get knocked out in the Round of 16 by France, which eventually won the tournament. He also helped his team place third in the 2019 Copa América.
Messi missed Barcelona’s season opener against Athletic Bilbao after injuring his calf on the first day of preseason training. His absence hurt the team as they lost 1-0, but he returned to training and wasted no time reminding his team why he’s considered the best in the world.
His skill with the ball is ridiculous. He always knows where it is, and it’s almost like there’s a magnet attached to both his feet and the ball. Most people recognize him as the prolific goal scorer that he is, but those who are more familiar with the beautiful game recognize his playmaking ability as well.
It’s not just that the ball seems attached to his feet when he has the ball, but his vision on the field and ability to put the ball exactly where another player needs it to be. He has great anticipation and an uncanny knack for ball placement. Barcelona have to be happy he is back in training, and it looks like he should be well enough to participate in this weekend’s contest against Real Betis.
Sources: Man Utd face £12m Sanchez wages bill
Alexis Sanchez inching closer to a loan with Inter?
Manchester United are facing a £12 million bill for Alexis Sanchez's wages this season, sources have told ESPN FC, even if the forward completes a loan move to Inter Milan before next week's European transfer deadline.
United and Inter remain in talks over a season-long loan deal for the 30-year-old, who has scored five goals in 45 appearances since completing a free transfer move from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018.
But with Sanchez unwilling to take a pay cut in order to end his United nightmare, sources have told ESPN FC that Inter are only prepared to pay up to €5m (£4.5m) of the player's €20m (£18m) salary at the Premier League club.
Alexis Sanchez inching closer to a loan with Inter?
Manchester United are facing a £12 million bill for Alexis Sanchez's wages this season, sources have told ESPN FC, even if the forward completes a loan move to Inter Milan before next week's European transfer deadline.
United and Inter remain in talks over a season-long loan deal for the 30-year-old, who has scored five goals in 45 appearances since completing a free transfer move from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW THE PAGE AND SHARE
But with Sanchez unwilling to take a pay cut in order to end his United nightmare, sources have told ESPN FC that Inter are only prepared to pay up to €5m (£4.5m) of the player's €20m (£18m) salary at the Premier League club.
The Italian outfit have been told that Sanchez has already taken a 20 per cent drop in wages this season as part of his contract due to United not participating in the Champions League this term.
And, although the Chile forward is keen to kick-start his career by returning to Italy -- Sanchez spent three years in Serie A side Udinese prior to signing for Barcelona in 2011 -- United and Inter remain some distance apart on an agreement over sharing the burden of the player's wages.
With Inter only prepared to pay £85,000-a-week towards Sanchez's £350,000-a-week basic salary at Old Trafford, United could be forced to fork out in excess of £1m a month simply to get a deal done with Inter.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Inter, who paid a club record €80m to sign United striker Romelu Lukaku earlier this month, remain hopeful of reaching an agreement for Sanchez.
Manchester United are facing a £12 million bill for Alexis Sanchez's wages this season, sources have told ESPN FC, even if the forward completes a loan move to Inter Milan before next week's European transfer deadline.
United and Inter remain in talks over a season-long loan deal for the 30-year-old, who has scored five goals in 45 appearances since completing a free transfer move from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018.
But with Sanchez unwilling to take a pay cut in order to end his United nightmare, sources have told ESPN FC that Inter are only prepared to pay up to €5m (£4.5m) of the player's €20m (£18m) salary at the Premier League club.
The Italian outfit have been told that Sanchez has already taken a 20 per cent drop in wages this season as part of his contract due to United not participating in the Champions League this term.
And, although the Chile forward is keen to kick-start his career by returning to Italy -- Sanchez spent three years in Serie A side Udinese prior to signing for Barcelona in 2011 -- United and Inter remain some distance apart on an agreement over sharing the burden of the player's wages.
With Inter only prepared to pay £85,000-a-week towards Sanchez's £350,000-a-week basic salary at Old Trafford, United could be forced to fork out in excess of £1m a month simply to get a deal done with Inter.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Inter, who paid a club record €80m to sign United striker Romelu Lukaku earlier this month, remain hopeful of reaching an agreement for Sanchez.
United have already paid Sanchez's wages for July and August, leaving approximately £15m of his annual salary to be covered.
And with the player having been omitted from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad for the games against Chelsea and Wolves this season, Inter are confident of a breakthrough being made before the deadline.
THE FIRST FIVE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Juventus: Serie A champions call for earlier kick-offs for Asian market
Italian champions Juventus have called on Serie A to schedule more early kick-offs to help the club grow in Asia.
Juve are below last season's Premier League top six clubs in revenue and see China as a major area for growth.
The Serie A season begins on Saturday, and every game in the first two weeks starts at midnight or later in Beijing.
We have to find the right balance between domestic and global audiences," Juventus chief revenue officer Giorgio Ricci told BBC Sport.
"It is not just about the broadcasting times, it is also about the rights distribution and who is showing the games.
"In that sense, the difference between the Premier League and Serie A is huge.
"This is a very old story and one of the more frequent reasons for fights with the league."
Italy's top clubs have long debated with the league about the need for more games to be played at earlier times to maximise their chances of exposure in China and South East Asia.
The bigger clubs do not believe the Italian system, which revolves around evening matches, helps them 'sell their brands' globally.
And while there is an acceptance that viewing habits are changing, Juventus are frustrated at the present situation, which they feel tilts the commercial market hugely in favour of Premier League clubs.
During the opening two weekends of the 2019-20 campaign, no Italian top-flight matches will kick off before 17:00 BST, because of hot weather conditions in Italy.
From the third round onwards, there will a Saturday fixture at 14:00 and a Sunday game at 11:30. Kick-off times cannot be changed during the current TV rights deal, which ends in 2021.
A Serie A spokesman agreed that the league must find a balance, "taking into consideration every place in the world because Serie A is broadcast in 200 territories".
Speaking in March, Serie A president Gaetano Micciche said the possibility of playing a Serie A match in Chinawithin the next three years had been discussed, but it was unlikely to happen in that timescale.
Deloitte's Football Money League,published in January, placed Juventus 11th in the table of the world's 20 richest clubs.
Ricci said that an aggressive commercial strategy, including becoming the first Italian club to open a branch, in addition to offices in Asia in Hong Kong, is aimed at increasing revenues as they pursue winning the Champions League for the first time since 1996.
Juventus have proceeded with their plans despite the recent civil unrest in Hong Kong.
Juve have also bought high-profile players, signing Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo for £99.2m from Real Madrid in 2018 and £67.5m Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax this summer.
Although they have won the Italian title on 35 occasions - including for the past eight seasons - they have lost five Champions League finals in the past 23 years.
Several Premier League clubs have offices in Hong Kong, including Manchester United and Manchester City, and Federico Palomba, head of Juventus' Asia-Pacific operation, says it is a region "with huge scope for growth".
Since Ronaldo joined last year, Juventus have carried out studies that showed their global fanbase has risen by 16% and their 'digital community', their combined followers on various social media platforms including Weibo, has risen by 59% to 81 million.
"In the 1990s, Serie A was very popular in China. Now it is coming back again," added Palomba.
Inter Miami: David Beckham's US stadium site 'contaminated'
David Beckham (left) co-owns Inter Miami with three other parties including Jorge Mas (right)
The proposed stadium site for David Beckham's Inter Miami franchise in the MLS has arsenic contamination levels more than twice the legal limit, says an environmental report.
Melreese golf course has been closed until further notice by Miami's city council after the findings.
Plans are in place to build a stadium, shopping mall, hotel and public park on the site as part of a $1bn development.
"This obviously causes great concerns," Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said
Basically, the site has significantly more contamination than is commercially reasonable," Suarez added in an interview with the Miami Herald.
Long-term exposure to the chemical arsenic can lead to a variety of chronic health conditions, including skin disorders, cancers of the lung and bladder and cardiovascular issues.
Environmental firm EE&G, commissioned by Inter Miami, found barium and lead levels also exceeded legal limits. The site used to be a waste site for incinerator ash.
A deal to build a stadium for Inter Miami on the proposed Miami Freedom Park has not yet been finalised.
An Inter Miami spokesperson said: "Miami Freedom Park has continued to move forward with the various studies needed for the redevelopment of the site.
"Our legal team and engineers have been meeting with city commissioners and staff about the environmental report our consultants conducted on the city's land.
"We will be working with the city to implement a remediation plan that is thorough, and provides residents and visitors a destination that is safe for all to enjoy."
Inter Miami are set to join the MLS in 2020 as a new franchise and will initially play in an 18,000-seat arena in Fort Lauderdale.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW THE PAGE AND SHARE
Former Ghana, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers striker Junior Agogo has died at the age of 40.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW THE PAGE AND SHARE
Agogo, who began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, played 27 times for his country and scored 12 goals.
He finished his career at Hibernian in 2012 having also had spells in the United States, Cyprus and Egypt.
Agogo suffered a stroke in 2015 and struggled with his speech afterwards, telling a BBC Four documentary in 2017 he felt anxious about his language.
Agogo sealed his place in the hearts of Ghana fans with his performances at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations where he scored three goals including a late winner against Nigeria in Accra.
"I think that was the goal that sealed his popularity in Ghana," Laryea Kingston, the former Hearts midfielder said. "During the tournament we could feel his influence in the team grow and his popularity go up but that goal sealed everything."
Despite playing alongside big names like Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan, Agogo was the team's star man.
"A lot of fans didn't know but those of us in the team knew he was going to be good for us," Kingston added.
"He spent a lot of time in the gym and his strength reflected in the way he played. He simply wanted to score goals and make a mark for the team and I am glad he did.
"He had a word for everyone, enjoyed a good dance, could tease a lot and take it too. This has really hit a lot of us."
His former clubs were among those to pay tribute on social media.
Nottingham Forest FC
✔@NFFC
Rest in peace, Junior
#NFFC are saddened to learn that former striker Junior Agogo has passed away.
Fernando Torres: Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker retires after final match
Spanish World Cup-winning striker Fernando Torres has played his final professional match before retirement.
The former Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea forward, 35, finished his career in Japan with Sagan Tosu.
They lost his final game 6-1 to a Vissel Kobe side featuring former team-mates Andres Iniesta and David Villa.
Iniesta wrote Torres an open letter, in which he said "it's been a wonderful journey, it has taken us to every corner of the world".
Torres made 110 appearances for Spain and won the World Cup in 2010, as well as the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, scoring in both finals.
Torres announced the date of his retirement in June.
"To say goodbye to football next to my dear friend Iniesta is something I could never imagine," Torres said at the time.
"Also my friend David Villa, with who I share probably the best moments in Spanish football history.
"I tried to find an iconic moment to play my final game and I think that is perfect timing."
Iniesta and Torres have been friends since they played together for Spain's youth teams, with Torres writing on a shirt for Iniesta that someday they would "win the World Cup together".
In a letter published in El Mundo,Iniesta said it was "beautifully strange" that life "brought us all the way to Japan to say goodbye".
"Football brought us together more than 20 years ago, when we were children. Well, you will always be El Nino. And it will never separate us," added the former Barcelona midfielder.
"We began away from spotlights and cameras until we came to share thousands of experiences before winning a World Cup for our country.
"When we meet in Spain, I'll show you that shirt, that treasure that nobody else discovered. Although, it is true, there is no greater treasure than your friendship, Fernando."
Torres scores winning goal in Euro 2008 final
Torres started his career with Atletico, before a £20m move to Liverpool in 2007, where he scored 81 goals in 142 games.
In 2011, he was signed by Chelsea for a then British record transfer fee of £50m.
Although he failed to replicate his goalscoring form at Stamford Bridge, he was part of the Blues' Champions League-winning team in 2012.
He also won the FA Cup and scored in their 2-1 win against Benfica in the Europa League final in 2013.
After 45 goals in 172 games at Chelsea and a brief four-month loan spell at AC Milan, he returned to Atletico in late 2014.
.
He finished on the losing side as Atletico lost the 2016 Champions League final to Real Madrid, but won a second Europa League in 2018 - his final appearance before moving to Japan.
Torres, who is Spain's third-highest goalscorer with 38, played in six major tournaments including the 2010 World Cup triumph.
"During his career he became a legend by his own merits, and left an unforgettable mark both in the field and in the hearts of everyone he worked with," said Atletico.
Cristiano Ronaldo rape accuser suffering from post-traumatic stress, lawyers say.
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Lawyers representing the woman who has accused Cristiano Ronaldoof raping her have said she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and depression because of the alleged 2009 attack in Las Vegas.
Kathryn Mayorga’s lawyer, Leslie Stovall, told reporters on Wednesday that a psychiatrist’s medical opinion is that Ms Mayorga’s psychological injuries made her “incompetent” to legally reach a non-disclosure settlement with the footballer’s representatives in 2010.
Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit last week seeking to void the agreement she claims to have signed while accepting $375,000 to keep quiet about the alleged encounter.
Ronaldo has denied the accusations of rape against him, saying on Twitter that he had a “clear conscience”.
Las Vegas police say they’ve reopened their investigation of a sexual assault complaint filed nine years ago.
Lawyers for Ms Mayorga, who sued Ronaldo in a district court in Clark County, Nevada on Thursday, said the footballer has 20 days from the filing of the lawsuit to respond.
She has left Las Vegas to escape the attention on her case, her lawyers said at a news conference, in which Ms Mayorga was not present.
She has decided not to make herself available to the media and stay out of the public because of her emotional state,” lawyer Leslie Stovall told the news conference. “It is not pleasant for her.”
Her lawyers said they are considering whether to release documents related to the case including police reports, medical records, and an out-of-court settlement that included a non-disclosure agreement about the incident.
The lawsuit, which seeks more than $200,000 in damages, names as defendants Ronaldo and an unnamed team of fixers described as “personal reputation protection specialists” hired to make the situation go away.
Lawyers for Ronaldo on Friday threatened to sue German magazine Der Spiegel that published “blatantly illegal” accusations by Ms Mayorga.
Der Spiegel’s deputy editor-in-chief, Alfred Weinzierl, told Reuters on Sunday that the magazine had worked professionally, laid out the evidence and stood by its story, which it said was allowed under Germany’s press law.
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi returns to training after a preseason calf injury and schools his teammates.
Lionel Messi is perhaps the best and most well-known soccer player on the planet. He’s spent his entire career at FC Barcelona, who acquired him at the ripe age of 13. Messi has earned numerous awards for his play, led his team to titles and captained both Barcelona and the Argentina national team for several years. He battled through a growth hormone deficiency to become what he is, and what he is capable of never ceases to amaze.
After declaring he was retiring from international play in 2016, Messi changed his mind and returned to the Argentina national team to help them qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Argentina would get knocked out in the Round of 16 by France, which eventually won the tournament. He also helped his team place third in the 2019 Copa América.
Messi missed Barcelona’s season opener against Athletic Bilbao after injuring his calf on the first day of preseason training. His absence hurt the team as they lost 1-0, but he returned to training and wasted no time reminding his team why he’s considered the best in the world.
His skill with the ball is ridiculous. He always knows where it is, and it’s almost like there’s a magnet attached to both his feet and the ball. Most people recognize him as the prolific goal scorer that he is, but those who are more familiar with the beautiful game recognize his playmaking ability as well.
It’s not just that the ball seems attached to his feet when he has the ball, but his vision on the field and ability to put the ball exactly where another player needs it to be. He has great anticipation and an uncanny knack for ball placement. Barcelona have to be happy he is back in training, and it looks like he should be well enough to participate in this weekend’s contest against Real Betis.
Sources: Man Utd face £12m Sanchez wages bill
Alexis Sanchez inching closer to a loan with Inter?
Manchester United are facing a £12 million bill for Alexis Sanchez's wages this season, sources have told ESPN FC, even if the forward completes a loan move to Inter Milan before next week's European transfer deadline.
United and Inter remain in talks over a season-long loan deal for the 30-year-old, who has scored five goals in 45 appearances since completing a free transfer move from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018.
But with Sanchez unwilling to take a pay cut in order to end his United nightmare, sources have told ESPN FC that Inter are only prepared to pay up to €5m (£4.5m) of the player's €20m (£18m) salary at the Premier League club.
Alexis Sanchez inching closer to a loan with Inter?
Manchester United are facing a £12 million bill for Alexis Sanchez's wages this season, sources have told ESPN FC, even if the forward completes a loan move to Inter Milan before next week's European transfer deadline.
United and Inter remain in talks over a season-long loan deal for the 30-year-old, who has scored five goals in 45 appearances since completing a free transfer move from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW THE PAGE AND SHARE
But with Sanchez unwilling to take a pay cut in order to end his United nightmare, sources have told ESPN FC that Inter are only prepared to pay up to €5m (£4.5m) of the player's €20m (£18m) salary at the Premier League club.
The Italian outfit have been told that Sanchez has already taken a 20 per cent drop in wages this season as part of his contract due to United not participating in the Champions League this term.
And, although the Chile forward is keen to kick-start his career by returning to Italy -- Sanchez spent three years in Serie A side Udinese prior to signing for Barcelona in 2011 -- United and Inter remain some distance apart on an agreement over sharing the burden of the player's wages.
With Inter only prepared to pay £85,000-a-week towards Sanchez's £350,000-a-week basic salary at Old Trafford, United could be forced to fork out in excess of £1m a month simply to get a deal done with Inter.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Inter, who paid a club record €80m to sign United striker Romelu Lukaku earlier this month, remain hopeful of reaching an agreement for Sanchez.
Manchester United are facing a £12 million bill for Alexis Sanchez's wages this season, sources have told ESPN FC, even if the forward completes a loan move to Inter Milan before next week's European transfer deadline.
United and Inter remain in talks over a season-long loan deal for the 30-year-old, who has scored five goals in 45 appearances since completing a free transfer move from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018.
But with Sanchez unwilling to take a pay cut in order to end his United nightmare, sources have told ESPN FC that Inter are only prepared to pay up to €5m (£4.5m) of the player's €20m (£18m) salary at the Premier League club.
The Italian outfit have been told that Sanchez has already taken a 20 per cent drop in wages this season as part of his contract due to United not participating in the Champions League this term.
And, although the Chile forward is keen to kick-start his career by returning to Italy -- Sanchez spent three years in Serie A side Udinese prior to signing for Barcelona in 2011 -- United and Inter remain some distance apart on an agreement over sharing the burden of the player's wages.
With Inter only prepared to pay £85,000-a-week towards Sanchez's £350,000-a-week basic salary at Old Trafford, United could be forced to fork out in excess of £1m a month simply to get a deal done with Inter.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Inter, who paid a club record €80m to sign United striker Romelu Lukaku earlier this month, remain hopeful of reaching an agreement for Sanchez.
United have already paid Sanchez's wages for July and August, leaving approximately £15m of his annual salary to be covered.
And with the player having been omitted from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad for the games against Chelsea and Wolves this season, Inter are confident of a breakthrough being made before the deadline.
THE FIRST FIVE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Juventus: Serie A champions call for earlier kick-offs for Asian market
Italian champions Juventus have called on Serie A to schedule more early kick-offs to help the club grow in Asia.
Juve are below last season's Premier League top six clubs in revenue and see China as a major area for growth.
The Serie A season begins on Saturday, and every game in the first two weeks starts at midnight or later in Beijing.
We have to find the right balance between domestic and global audiences," Juventus chief revenue officer Giorgio Ricci told BBC Sport.
"It is not just about the broadcasting times, it is also about the rights distribution and who is showing the games.
"In that sense, the difference between the Premier League and Serie A is huge.
"This is a very old story and one of the more frequent reasons for fights with the league."
Italy's top clubs have long debated with the league about the need for more games to be played at earlier times to maximise their chances of exposure in China and South East Asia.
The bigger clubs do not believe the Italian system, which revolves around evening matches, helps them 'sell their brands' globally.
And while there is an acceptance that viewing habits are changing, Juventus are frustrated at the present situation, which they feel tilts the commercial market hugely in favour of Premier League clubs.
During the opening two weekends of the 2019-20 campaign, no Italian top-flight matches will kick off before 17:00 BST, because of hot weather conditions in Italy.
From the third round onwards, there will a Saturday fixture at 14:00 and a Sunday game at 11:30. Kick-off times cannot be changed during the current TV rights deal, which ends in 2021.
A Serie A spokesman agreed that the league must find a balance, "taking into consideration every place in the world because Serie A is broadcast in 200 territories".
Speaking in March, Serie A president Gaetano Micciche said the possibility of playing a Serie A match in Chinawithin the next three years had been discussed, but it was unlikely to happen in that timescale.
Deloitte's Football Money League,published in January, placed Juventus 11th in the table of the world's 20 richest clubs.
Ricci said that an aggressive commercial strategy, including becoming the first Italian club to open a branch, in addition to offices in Asia in Hong Kong, is aimed at increasing revenues as they pursue winning the Champions League for the first time since 1996.
Juventus have proceeded with their plans despite the recent civil unrest in Hong Kong.
Juve have also bought high-profile players, signing Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo for £99.2m from Real Madrid in 2018 and £67.5m Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax this summer.
Although they have won the Italian title on 35 occasions - including for the past eight seasons - they have lost five Champions League finals in the past 23 years.
Several Premier League clubs have offices in Hong Kong, including Manchester United and Manchester City, and Federico Palomba, head of Juventus' Asia-Pacific operation, says it is a region "with huge scope for growth".
Since Ronaldo joined last year, Juventus have carried out studies that showed their global fanbase has risen by 16% and their 'digital community', their combined followers on various social media platforms including Weibo, has risen by 59% to 81 million.
"In the 1990s, Serie A was very popular in China. Now it is coming back again," added Palomba.
Inter Miami: David Beckham's US stadium site 'contaminated'
David Beckham (left) co-owns Inter Miami with three other parties including Jorge Mas (right)
The proposed stadium site for David Beckham's Inter Miami franchise in the MLS has arsenic contamination levels more than twice the legal limit, says an environmental report.
Melreese golf course has been closed until further notice by Miami's city council after the findings.
Plans are in place to build a stadium, shopping mall, hotel and public park on the site as part of a $1bn development.
"This obviously causes great concerns," Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said
Basically, the site has significantly more contamination than is commercially reasonable," Suarez added in an interview with the Miami Herald.
Long-term exposure to the chemical arsenic can lead to a variety of chronic health conditions, including skin disorders, cancers of the lung and bladder and cardiovascular issues.
Environmental firm EE&G, commissioned by Inter Miami, found barium and lead levels also exceeded legal limits. The site used to be a waste site for incinerator ash.
A deal to build a stadium for Inter Miami on the proposed Miami Freedom Park has not yet been finalised.
An Inter Miami spokesperson said: "Miami Freedom Park has continued to move forward with the various studies needed for the redevelopment of the site.
"Our legal team and engineers have been meeting with city commissioners and staff about the environmental report our consultants conducted on the city's land.
"We will be working with the city to implement a remediation plan that is thorough, and provides residents and visitors a destination that is safe for all to enjoy."
Inter Miami are set to join the MLS in 2020 as a new franchise and will initially play in an 18,000-seat arena in Fort Lauderdale.
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