As an English paper drops the blockbuster, perhaps a bit improbable, rumour that Manchester United are in real talks with James Rodriguez, Marca quotes Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane saying "I like what I see of James here".
England’s Express reports on Sunday morning that despite Zidane’s explicit words, he “isn’t happy with the player’s attitude in training and wouldn’t be against Rodriguez leaving”.
James has battled injures this season and made just 11 La Liga appearances for Madrid, though he has been productive scoring three goals with four assists in that time.
The 2014 World Cup darling is said by Zidane to be “working really hard and we know just how important a player he is for this team”.
“I’m pleased with what he’s doing,” says Zidane. “I like what I see of James here. He’s fully focused on what he’s doing and I don’t believe what is being said about him outside of the club.
“He looks committed and focused on what he does every day.”
Read more: Richard Jolly on how Louis van Gaal's aversion to strikers doomed Manchester United to the doldrums
Despite those comments, the Express says agent Jorge Mendes has been in talks with multiple clubs about the Colombian star, of note in particular Manchester United.
"United enjoy a good working relationship with the Portuguese fixer," the Express reports, "and have discussed ways of trying to make the deal happen in this transfer window."
The paper goes on to say Real Madrid would be looking for a fee similar to the £63 million (Dh330m) they paid to AS Monaco for James a year and a half ago.
Rodriguez flourished last season, his first with Real Madrid, under then-manager Carlo Ancelotti. The 24-year-old scored 13 goals with 13 assists in 29 league appearances, all starts. He and recently sacked manager Rafa Benitez never developed a cohesive relationship.
Also see: The National's Transfer Talk page
It has been speculated a similarly sour dynamic exists already with Zidane, but the Frenchman himself put in a defence of Rodriguez, telling Marca "I'm angered by what people are saying about James".
United would certainly figure to want a player of Rodriguez's attacking skill, following another lacklustre performance on Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Southampton. It left Louis van Gaal's side five points adift of the Champions League places at fifth in the Premier League.
Juventus
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has dismissed speculation linking him with Chelsea and said he was focused on the Serie A title race ahead of Sunday's match against AS Roma.
While Juve are looking to extend their 10-game winning streak in the league and keep pace with leaders Napoli, fifth placed Roma are still struggling for consistency following a miserable winless run at the end of 2015.
Allegri said his side would not take Roma lightly despite their opponents managing just two wins, six draws and two defeats in their last 10 games.
"Roma are still scudetto contenders because they have quality players, there will certainly be a reaction after changing coach and this game is still Juve v Roma, so it will be complicated," Allegri told reporters on Saturday.
“They have a squad capable of putting together a positive run of results,” he continued. “I don’t believe any of the top five can be ruled out of the title race.”
Allegri also said he had no plans to leave Juventus despite British media reports suggesting he could take over at Stamford Bridge next season.
“Just as there’s transfer speculation around players, we get the same as coaches. It’s normal, and I’m proud to be the coach of a big club like Juventus,” Allegri said
“My thoughts are on Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. I am under contract with Juventus until 2017 and, as I’ve said many times, I am happy here. So that’s that.”
*Reuters
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 (Gundogan 56')
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Solomon 69')
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
F1 line ups in 2018
Mercedes-GP Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas; Ferrari Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen; Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen; Force India Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez; Renault Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr; Williams Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa / Robert Kubica / Paul di Resta; McLaren Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne; Toro Rosso TBA; Haas F1 Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen; Sauber TBA
