The Blues face serious competition from leading clubs and are reluctant to pay a €120m buy-out clause, but do want to strike a deal

Manchester City are exploring a big-money move for Benfica forward Joao Felix this summer, Goal understands.

City are planning to reinforce their attack ahead of next season and have also been keeping tabs on Frankfurt forward Luka Jovic.

Felix has also caught City’s eye in recent months, and the Premier League champions are working out whether they can make a move to the Etihad Stadium possible in the face of serious interest from Europe’s top clubs.

The 19-year-old, who can play on either wing or through the middle, has scored 16 goals in 38 matches in all competitions during his breakthrough season.

Several City players are also believed to be keen to see Felix join the club.

City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, travelled to Lisbon last week to watch Benfica’s Europa League game against Frankfurt, where Felix scored a hat-trick.

Sources have told Goal that Begiristain paid particular attention to both Jovic and Felix.

Given the high level of interest in latter, City are working hard to ensure they win the race for his signature

The youngster is also wanted by Juventus and Manchester United, among others, and City do not want to be drawn into a bidding war, nor pay his release clause, which is set at €120 million (£103m/$135m).

Agent Jorge Mendes is overseeing Felix’s potential transfer and that could help City’s cause.

Goal has learned that Begiristain recently met Mendes to ascertain the lay of the land regarding Felix’s future, as well as several topics regarding current City players who are represented by the Portuguese agent.

In the past, City have offset the transfer fees paid for Mendes clients by allowing him to arrange sales of his other players already on the books at the Etihad Stadium.

That could be an option for City this summer, with Eliaquim Mangala and potentially Nicolas Otamendi open to leaving the club at the end of the season.

But while Begiristain and Mendes have an excellent relationship, that is also the case with the agent and most top sporting directors in Europe.

It was reported in Italy on Monday that Juventus are hopeful of signing Félix by taking advantage of their ties with Mendes, who helped take Cristiano Ronaldo to Turin last summer.

But Goal understands that Juventus have also been put off by Benfica’s desire to receive the full release clause, having had an €80m (£70m/$90m) approach knocked back earlier in April.

City have despatched other representatives to Lisbon in recent weeks, after being impressed by Félix’s team-mate Florentino.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder features prominently on City’s radar, and the club sent scouts to watch him in Benfica’s 4-2 victory over Vitoria Setubal last Sunday.

Goal understands, however, that City have prioritised the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri this summer, and that Florentino will continue to be monitored in the short-term future.

Jurgen Klopp has stated that he expects the midfielder to be sidelined for two months, but the Guinea Football Federation are not accepting that

Liverpool have been told their diagnosis of Naby Keita is “hasty and pretentious”, with Guinea expecting a midfielder ruled out for two months by his club to make the Africa Cup of Nations.

When quizzed on the 24-year-old’s fitness, Jurgen Klopp suggested that his club and international campaign had come to a close.

A knock picked up against Barcelona in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final was threatening to keep Keita sidelined until the middle of the summer.

Klopp claimed that an adductor problem was “very serious”, with it highly unlikely that Keita could participate in AFCON.

The Guinea Football Federation are, however, confident that Keita will be involved at the event in Egypt and have asked the Reds boss to “let the doctors do their job”.

Federation president Antonio Souare has told Football Factory Radio: “First we wish a very good and fast healing to Naby, as far as I know the adductors cannot prevent him from playing the African Cup of Nations 2019 that will be played from 22 June for Guinea.

“The adductors [injury] is two to three weeks of unavailability. The Liverpool coach has to pull himself together, let the doctors do their job.

“Naby Keita belongs to a state before belonging to Liverpool. I remind the Liverpool coach a little bit of the rules if he does not know it.

“So it’s hasty and pretentious to make statements like this. What we do know is that Naby Keita will play at the African Cup of Nations 2019.”

Klopp’s assessment of Keita had been: “It was really unlucky. It’s bad news.

“He has a high grade adductor injury. The tendon is ruptured. It will keep him out for at least two months. It’s bad news for us and for Guinea as well because the Africa Cup of Nations is coming up.

“He was in a really, really good moment but it’s happened. That’s how football and life sometimes are. Not too nice. It’s very serious.

“On the one side he won’t be involved be involved in an interesting part of the season and on the other hand side Guinea aren’t a regular starter in the Africa Cup of Nations and that was for sure a big target for him.

“Of course he’s not in a good moment but that’s when you have to help the players. We will try everything we can.”

Guinea are due to take in a friendly date with Egypt on June 16.

They will then kick off their AFCON campaign against Madagascar on June 22.

Further meetings with Nigeria and Burundi will be taken in after being placed into Group B.

New year, new kits. 

The four Super Rugby franchises have each tweaked their kits for the 2019 season, keeping things simple for the new year.

Take a look at the four teams’ jerseys for the season below.

Super Rugby kicks off on Friday February 15 with the Brumbies hosting the Rebels in Canberra. 

REBELS

The Rebels have stripped their design back to a simple navy blue look in 2019, taking out a white gradient from the past season.

Their away jersey is similar to past years, with a predominantly white strip containing blue and red stripes.

WARATAHS

The Waratahs are yet to officially unveil their 2019 jerseys with a host of new sponsors logos but a fresh away jersey design can already be bought on the Canterbury website.

Gone are the red accents of 2018 and instead the Waratahs will wear a white jersey with blue stripes that feature a waratah design.

The Waratahs are also expected to wear their popular heritage jersey again in a home game.

The simple sky blue kit with a white collar was introduced by NSW when they played against Queensland at the SCG last year, to mark their long association with the ground.

Fans loved it but the jersey wasn’t made available for public sale. The 2019 jersey is now on sale, however.

BRUMBIES

The Brumbies have kept a traditional thread to their 2019 Super Rugby kit but their away jersey will look a whole lot darker next season.

Both their main and alternate kits have kept the old school design they returned to in 2018 but next year their secondary jersey will be all blue.

Last year both kits were simply reverse designs of each other, with white and navy designs.

REDS

The Reds are going back to maroon full-time in 2019. They were the first side to confirm their jersey for the new year, bringing back their classic maroon.

The maroon kit Queensland first wore in 1894 carried them through until 2006.

That’s when the jersey transformed to the red strip the team has worn until now.

Coach Brad Thorn donned the Queensland State of Origin strip 14 times and he openly encouraged the change.

“When you think about representing sport in Queensland, you think about maroon,” he said.

“It’s great to recognise our history and be back in the maroon jersey again.”

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Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty has labelled Wallaby in waiting Isi Naisarani the “complete package” and a player to shine if the Rebels are to make a maiden Super Rugby finals appearance this season.

Naisarani has been named at No.8 for Friday’s season-opener against the Brumbies in Canberra, with Haylett-Petty expecting him to be out to make an impact in his first outing against his former club.

The giant backrower gains eligibility to play for Australia in April and both Haylett-Petty and Rebels coach Dave Wessels expect big things as Naisarani attempts to fill the shoes of departed No.8 Amanaki Mafi and demonstrate he can be a genuine contributor to Michael Cheika’s World Cup squad.

“I think Mafi was good for us last year but he was also our most heavily penalised player,” Haylett-Petty said.

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“Isi is a more complete package, great workrate, good in defence, good in attack, I think he’s going to be very good for us throughout the year.

“Obviously there’s a point to prove playing against the Brumbies for him and he’s just a really good guy, great guy to have around the group, very humble, comes and works hard every single day so he’s great for the team.”

Wessels is familiar with Naisarani’s potential, having handed him his Super Rugby debut at the Western Force in 2017.And he’s thrilled to be working with him again after the Rebels snapped him up from the Brumbies in the off-season.

“We’re lucky with Isi because obviously we’ve worked with him before as a coaching group and he’s just aside from anything, just a great guy,” he said of the former Brisbane club star who turned 23 on Thursday.

“He’s just a really humble, hard working guy and a great guy to have around.

“People forget he’s only going into his third season of Super Rugby – he’s a hell of a player for a guy who’s only going into his third season.

“The really exciting thing about him is he’s still young and being as coachable as he is, he’s still got a huge amount of upside.

“He could really be anything in years to come as long as he keeps working hard.”

While Brumbies coach Dan McKellar labelled Naisarani “just another player”, he and his side are well aware of the No.8’s ability.

“He’s good fella and a very good footballer – powerful, dynamic, (we’ve got to) be aware of his little sneaky pick-and-goes through the middle of a ruck,” McKellar said.

Discipline was one of the major issues for the Rebels last year despite their many other improvements, it’s something Haylett-Petty and his men are aware of heading into Friday’s season opener.

“I think that probably hurt us more than anything last year was the discipline,” he said.

“I feel like last year we probably, on the field, took a few too many shortcuts, probably (were) a little bit lazy and it’s something we maybe didn’t pick up through the preseason.

“Once the season starts it’s a little bit hard to turn around but we knew that was an issue coming out of last season.

“We obviously reflected really hard on the season and made a lot of changes and hopefully we stamp that out.

“Against the Brumbies more than anyone, we know that’s going to be very important.”

The Rebels take on the Brumbies on Friday, February 15, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au radio. Buy tickets here.

Rebels lock Adam Coleman is  set to sit out Melbourne’s clash with the Sharks on the weekend.

Coleman is being rested for the clash and returned to Australia on Monday night AEDT while the bulk of the squad travelled to Durban for the second tour leg.

Coach Dave Wessels, speaking before the team left for South Africa, had suggested this week’s match against the Sharks would be a chance to rotate some of his international players.

It is unclear which of the other Rebels Wallabies could miss the clash and indeed what impact last weekend’s 36-33 loss to the Lions will have on selection decisions.

The Rebels’ undefeated 2019 ended in Johannesburg last weekend with that heartbreaking loss depriving them of their first win in South Africa, making the Sharks match even more important.

Melbourne plays the Sharks on Sunday morning (AEDT) in Durban before a pivotal derby against the Reds in Brisbane on March 30.

The Rebels second row is one of its most competitive areas, with Coleman, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty and Luke Jones all starting roles through the season so far.

As part of the Wallabies’ resting strategy, Rugby Australia is understood to have proposed two possible matches for players to sit out, ideally on overseas trips rather than in front of home, but the final decision sits with the club.

Every Super Rugby club has had a player sit out at least once this year – Kurtley Beale was left out of the Waratahs’ round one team, while the Reds rested Izack Rodda and Taniela Tupou from last week’s win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

Brumbies duo David Pocock and Allan Alaalatoa have missed weeks with injuries but it was revealed last week that those layoffs would also count towards their required rest.

The Rebels will name their full team on Thursday ahead of the weekend’s game.

Australia’s teams aren’t the only franchises enacting a resting policy – New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams have also been rotating their Test stars as part of pre-World Cup preparations this season.

The Rebels take on the Sharks in Durban on Saturday March 23, 5:15pm local, Sunday March 24, 2:15am AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

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Former Australian Super Rugby player of the year Amanaki Mafi won’t be taking on the Waratahs for the Sunwolves on Friday night after being left off the team sheet.

Mafi only made his return to the field for the Sunwolves two weeks ago, after being stood down by the club, NTT Shining Arcs and the Japanese Rugby Football Union in the wake of his alleged assault of then-Rebels teammate Lopeti Timani.

Mafi is facing legal proceedings in New Zealand over the alleged incident in Dunedin last July, in which Timani claimed he was attacked by his Rebels teammate.

Mafi filed a not guilty plea in September after being charged with injuring with intent to injure, while both players were also fined $15,000 by the Rebels for their involvement in the late night bust-up.

The no.8, who was named Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year in 2017, was named in Japan’s Rugby World Cup squad at the start of March and has since come off the Sunwolves bench against the Reds and the Lions.

He was not included in the Sunwolves’ touring party to play NSW in Newcastle on Friday night, however.

Kyodo News rugby journalist Rich Freeman reported on social media that Mafi had been not travelled to Australia due to a visa issue.

Though the Mafi court matters are yet to be resolved in New Zealand, the 29-year-old was allowed to play by the JRFU and the Sunwolves after “assessing his self-reflection and willingness to change his conduct” and releasing a letter of apology through the team.

With 22 Test caps, Mafi is considered one of the top players in the national side and starred in their 2015 World Cup campaign, which included an upset win over South Africa.

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UPDATE: Assistant coach Peter Ryan has given a brutal assessment of the Reds’ insipid defensive effort against the Bulls, saying if they turn in a repeat performance in Durban on Friday, they are in for a mauling from the Sharks.

The Reds lost 32-17 to the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday, in an effort Ryan said left the team “disgusted” in their effort.

“If you asked any one of the players we would all say we were pretty disgusted with our performance,” Ryan said.

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“And there’s no excuse for the way that we played.”

The Reds were forced to defend for massive periods of the game after failing to treasure the ball and made life hard for themselves, missing 35 tackles against the rampaging Bulls.

“If our defence is as it was last week, they’ll put 50 points on us clearly and easily,” Ryan said.

“(But) with the quality of our group, our attitude towards the defensive side of the game is at a premium.

“Therefore, we can expect a lot better situation with regards to our effort and attitude to our defence, so that’s a big plus for me.”

The Reds face a massive challenge against the Sharks, who were embarrassed by the Jaguares in front of their home crowd and will want to make amends against a wounded Queensland side.

Samu Kerevi has been retained for the clash against the Sharks as the Reds attempt to end their South Africa hoodoo with an upset in Durban.

The Queensland captain had been expected to be rested under the Wallabies rotation policy ahead of the World Cup but travelled to Durban with teammates following Sunday’s clash against the Bulls in Pretoria and has been named in a near full-strength Reds line-up.

The Reds have made three changes to the XV that took on the Bulls, with Sefa Naivalu returning from his rest period and Harry Hoopert and Angus Scott-Young promoted to the starting side.

Naivalu missed the Bulls match in line with Rugby Australia’s workload management policy and will be a welcome addition for the Reds after their failure to work the ball wide last start.

Brothers prop Hoopert will earn his first Super Rugby starting spot, while a Scott-Young will start at blindside flanker in a reshuffled pack with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto moving to no.8.

JP Smith and Harry Hockings drop to the bench, with Aidan Toua out of the 23 after Naivalu’s return.

After making his Queensland debut in South Africa four years ago against the Bulls in Pretoria, University of Queensland backrower Adam Korczyk could potentially play his first game of 2019 after being added to Queensland’s 23.

 

Reds head coach Brad Thorn said his team was ready for a tough challenge against the Sharks, who lost to Argentina’s Jaguares at Kings Park last start.

“After last week’s result, they’ll be hungry and looking to put in a big performance in front of their home fans,” Thorn said.

“It’s great to have Sefa back. He was missed last week. After sitting out against the Bulls, he’s ready to rip in.

“Harry Hoopert gets an opportunity to start for the first time. It’s reward for his hard work and as a group we congratulate this achievement.

“Apart from Scott Higginbotham, the starting forward pack all played Queensland U20s with each other.

“They’ve all worked and grown together since then. It goes to show the strength and importance of the Queensland pathway.”

The Reds take on the Sharks at Jonsson Kings Park in Durban on Friday, April 19, at 11:15pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

TEAM

Reds to play Sharks

1. Harry Hoopert – Brothers

2. Alex Mafi – Bond University

3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers

4. Izack Rodda – Easts

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths

6. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland

7. Liam Wright – Easts

8. Scott Higginbotham – Wests

9. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland

10. Bryce Hegarty – GPS

11. Jack Hardy – Easts

12. Samu Kerevi (c) – Souths

13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths

14. Sefa Naivalu – Norths

15. Hamish Stewart – Bond University

Reserves

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Sunnybank

17. JP Smith – GPS

18. Ruan Smith – GPS

19. Harry Hockings – University of Queensland

20. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland

21. Moses Sorovi – Wests

22. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths

23. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland

Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu is finally back in the frame to return to the fold against the Sharks this weekend and according to teammate Jed Holloway, he won’t be the same player he was two months ago. 

He’ll be better.

Latu hasn’t played Super Rugby since a round two clash with the Sunwolves, handed a six-week suspension for foul play that effectively became eight weeks due to bye rounds but the hooker will finally be available this weekend.

Though he hasn’t been able to play, Latu has been training fully with the team, bar a short trip to visit family.

In that time, he has managed to drop weight and focus on developing his fitness.

Fitness has been a struggle for Latu over his career and it was only last season that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was overlooking him for selection because of his physical shape.

Holloway said Latu was looking fitter than ever after his sideline stint.

“I think he’s at the best weight he’s been at since I’ve played with him and his skin folds are at the best as well,” he said.

“Whether he’s picked or not, I’m sure Tolu will be ready to go – he’s actually looking the best I’ve seen him look.”

While defence coach Steve Tandy said selection decisions wouldn’t be discussed until later on Monday, Latu would be a handy addition to the side.

Latu would have to displace one of regular starter Damien Fitzpatrick or rookie rake Andrew Tuala to earn his spot.

“He obviously brings a physical edge, he’s good over the ball, strong in the set piece and the scrums and a good ball carrier,” Tandy said.

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“There’s loads of attributes that Tolu can add to the group which would be exciting.”

That extra physicality, balanced with the need for strict discipline, would be timely for the Waratahs as they prepare for a run of three matches against South African outfits.

NSW takes on the Sharks this weekend before a two-week tour to South Africa to take on the Bulls and the Lions.

It’s a block that could shore up their status as finals contenders or make their road to the final eight that little bit more difficult.

That they were able to match it physically with the abrasive Rebels last Saturday gives Holloway confidence they could do the same this weekend.

“The Rebels are South African-coached by Dave (Wessels) so they’re all cut from the same cloth. It was great preparation for the week ahead,” he said.

“We’ve got the Sharks this week and then two weeks up in Pretoria and Joburg.

“It’s definitely a test that’s coming but it’s one we’re not going to shy away from.

“I’m sure the physicality going to be up at training over the next couple of weeks but we’re ready for it.”

The Sharks lost to the Reds at home for the first time in 15 years last weekend and pointedly tried to target the Queensland scrum by turning down points deep in attack.

Though it didn’t work out for the Sharks as they had planned, Tandy said NSW needed to ensure they didn’t give them that opportunity on Saturday.

“The Sharks, they play direct in the way they want to play, the expectation is probably going to be a lot more mauls to defend so I think discipline you have to be really spot on and I think it’s really focusing on not giving cheap penalties away,” he said.

“You look at the likes of the Sharks, they turn down the three so they are kicking to the corner, they want to keep going.

“It’s really important we have discipline because ultimately you know these are huge men going to come at you and as much as you trust your defensive system, you don’t want to be defending for large periods in the wrong end of the field.”

The Waratahs take on the Sharks on Saturday April 27 at Bankwest Stadium, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.

Two major Saudi oil refineries were ablaze on Saturday following drone strikes claimed by Houthi rebels in Yemen amid that country’s ongoing civil war.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties from the drone strikes, which reportedly hit several miles within Saudi territory, targeting a key element of the country’s economy.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia was shutting down about half its oil output in the wake of the strikes targeting facilities run by state-owned oil company Aramco.

Sources told the Journal that it amounted to the loss of about 5 million barrels of oil per day, or roughly 5 percent of the world’s total daily production of crude oil.

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The Saudi interior ministry announced there were fires at Aramco facilities in the eastern city of Abqaiq and farther southwest in Khurais as a result of the strikes.

State media reported that the fires were “controlled and contained” but provided no additional information.

No residential areas are located near the sites, though they are key to the country’s oil production.

Khurais is home to the country’s second-largest oil field, producing about 1 percent of the world’s oil, while the refinery in Abqaiq is Saudi Arabia’s largest oil facility, the BBC noted.

The Houthi rebels took responsibility for the attacks in a statement from spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare’e broadcast by the group’s media arm.

“Air Force of the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees, Saturday morning carried out a large-scale operation with 10 drones, targeting Abqaiq and Khurais refineries east of Saudi Arabia,” Sare’e said, adding that Houthi operations will “expand” and be “more painful” as long as Saudi Arabia continues its military efforts in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia is currently leading a regional coalition with U.S. support to try to dislodge the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from power in Yemen in a conflict that started in 2015 as a civil war but morphed into a proxy conflict between Riyadh and Tehran.

The air assaults have killed thousands of Yemeni civilians and produced one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world as the conflict grinds to a stalemate.

Houthis have launched attacks into Saudi territory before, sending an explosive-laden drone targeting Aramco oil pipelines in May, but Sare’e said Saturday’s assault, which hit about 500 miles from Yemeni territory, was one of the largest operations the rebels have launched yet.

Environmental experts on Wednesday warned House lawmakers about risks to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) posed by climate change, saying the situation is likely to worsen in the coming years.

The hearing, hosted by the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy, focused on the macroeconomic effects from climate change and the monetary risks associated with it. 

“Flood insurance is top of perils we have to face,” said Andy Karsner, who served as U.S. Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy during the George W. Bush administration. “It is imperative for [insurance companies] to develop new tools of risk management because they are operating on very old model inputs and ancient legacy flood maps.”

Subcommittee Chairman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) said the Financial Services Committee has had to “deal with the issue of flooding repeatedly.”

“In my state of Missouri, just in the first 5 months of the year we have had 262 flash floods,” he said. “It has been decimating for our farm community.”

The NFIP covers more than 5 million flood insurance policies and collects approximately $4.75 billion in premiums, fees and surcharges each year, according to a May report by the Congressional Research Service.

But, in 2017-2018, hurricanes Harvey, Maria, Irma, Florence and Michael crippled the federal program, leading to billions in losses. President TrumpDonald John TrumpMexico says it disagrees with ‘astonishing’ Supreme Court decision allowing Trump asylum rule The Afghan negotiations — echoes from the past Democrats grill Army, Air Force nominees on military funding for border wall MORE later signed a disaster relief bill that included provisions to help the NFIP pay off the claims.

Marshall Burke, assistant professor of earth system science at Stanford University, said at Wednesday’s hearing that the evidence from climate change research suggests southern states are most vulnerable to flooding.

“On the coast, what we know about tropical cyclones or hurricanes — we don’t have clear evidence that there will be more or less of them — but we know they will be more powerful and move more slowly. That will dramatically increase the likelihood of coastal flooding,” Burke said.

Because of the upsurge in the power and frequency of hurricanes, some lawmakers have been looking to expand the role of private insurers in the NFIP to share the risk and to ensure the availability of flood insurance. But it is unclear whether letting private insurance companies take on more risk will effectively help mitigate the problem.

“Everyone, everything, has insurance for home, for business, for transportation — and what I’ve been told by the executives across the industry is they cannot have in a single year Houston, Miami, and San Juan Puerto Rico go down in this way bleeding balance sheets,” said Karsner, who is now executive chairman at Elemental Labs.

Updated at 8:30 p.m.

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