Could Liverpool, Manchester United or other top Premier League sides benefit from this Real Madrid goalkeeper?

Iker Casillas has pulled rank at Real Madrid, and as a consequence Diego Lopez is set to leave the Bernabeu. The former Villarreal stopper has been first choice with Los Blancos since returning to the club in January 2013, and was only second to Casillas in cup competitions last season, but in the end Madrid’s golden boy has regained his status as Madrid number one ahead of the forthcoming La Liga campaign. Lopez has been told to find a new club, and according to reports in Spain, he isn’t short of suitors. talkSPORT looks at some of the English clubs that could benefit from the Spaniard...

Liverpool

The Reds have an excellent first choice keeper in Simon Mignolet, but the Anfield side are lacking when it comes to genuine competition for the number one spot, with Pepe Reina unlikely to ever take the field for them again. Joe Hart’s dip in form at Manchester City was a clear indicator of how having no challenge for your place between the sticks can damage a keeper’s game, so Brendan Rodgers will likely be keen to avoid a similar situation with the Reds. Reports from Liverpool's pre-season suggest Rodgers isn't happy with the goalkeeping options he currently has in any case. Lopez is an ideal candidate to come in and create that challenge to Mignolet for obvious reasons given he carried out the same task at Real Madrid, and his significant Champions League experience – something Mignolet lacks – could be a major asset looking forward to Liverpool’s return to the competition.

Chelsea

One rumour doing the rounds in Spain is that Jose Mourinho could look to reunite with Lopez at Stamford Bridge. That seems highly unlikely however given the Blues already have a dilemma on their hands in choosing between Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech, two keepers who aren’t happy to spend time on the bench. If Courtois hadn’t returned to Chelsea then the stories about Diego Lopez moving to the West London side would be more believable, but as things stand it looks like nothing more than a poor attempt to drum up interest from his agent.

Manchester United

Intriguingly, Manchester United followed Lopez closely back in his Villarreal days, when he kept two clean sheets against the Red Devils in the 2008/09 Champions League group stage, while after United’s 3-2 exit to Real Madrid from the same competition in 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson hailed him as better than Iker Casillas. It wouldn’t be a surprise therefore if United renew their interest in Lopez, and with the Manchester side experiencing a similar problem to Liverpool in terms of competition for David de Gea, it could be an option worth considering.

talkSPORT verdict

As previously noted the Chelsea rumours about Lopez look wide of the mark, and of the remaining Premier League sides that could afford him, Liverpool and Manchester United are the ones who would benefit most from his quality. The Red Devils have history when it comes to the Spaniard, while the rumours that Brendan Rodgers isn’t entirely happy with his current options between the sticks could also open a door at Anfield, so don’t be surprised if it emerges that either side will challenge the likes of big-spending Monaco for his signature.

Lampard stateside, Drogba heads home

Returning with its latest summer transfer market round-up, FIFA.com picks out the big moves in world football over the last few days, two of which involve Chelsea legends.

The big deal
What better way for a newly created club to make its name than to recruit one of the world’s top players of the last 15 years? That is exactly what New York City FC have done in snapping up Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer Frank Lampard, who at the age of 36 has given himself a fresh challenge. He joins a club who will make their Major League Soccer debut at the start of 2015, have yet to play a single competitive match and have only five players on their books so far. With Lampard and 2010 FIFA World Cup™ winner David Villa among that quintet, however, the New Yorkers are already making plenty of headlines around the world.

The World Cup effect
While the 2014 World Cup may have been Lampard’s swansong on the international stage, it provided a springboard for many other players, who have earned moves on the back of their displays at the world finals. Antoine Griezmann, after his great season with Real Sociedad and his promising performances with France at the global finals, decided to make a step up by joining Spanish champions and UEFA Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid. A World Cup runner-up with Argentina, Jose Maria Basanta has left Monterrey for Fiorentina, while Ecuador’s Jefferson Montero has joined Swansea City from Monarcas Morelia. Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina has brought an end to his six-year association with Nice to sign for Arsenal, and Southampton and Croatia defender Dejan Lovren has headed north to Liverpool. Netherlands centre half Stefan de Vrij is also on the move, swapping Feyenoord for Lazio, while Ghana forward Jordan Ayew, tired of life on the bench at Marseille, has decamped to Lorient in search of first-team football. And, having spent last season on loan at Everton from Chelsea, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku will be staying at Goodison Park for the foreseeable future, having put pen to paper on a £28m deal, a record outlay for The Toffees.

The stat
5 - the number of leading players Southampton have seen leave the club since the transfer window opened. The Saints are paying a high price for their success last season, when they finished eighth, with the English Premier League’s big guns moving in for their brightest talents. Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have all joined Liverpool, Luke Shaw has gone to Manchester United and Calum Chambers to Arsenal, leaving new coach Ronald Koeman more determined than ever to hang on to the equally in-demand duo of Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez.

The globetrotter
Greece forward Theofanis Gekas has showcased his goalscoring skills all over Europe in a career that began nearly 16 years ago. Now 34, the much-travelled Gekas has played for 12 clubs in all and has just made another move, rejoining Akhisar Belediyespor from fellow Turkish side Konyaspor. Since starting out with Larissa in 1998, the Greek goalgetter, who has struck 24 times in 76 appearances for his country, has plied his trade in Greece with Larissa, Khallitea and Panathinaikos; in Germany with Bochum, Bayer Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt; in England with Portsmouth; in Spain with Levante; and in Turkey with Samsunspor, Akhisar Belediyespor and Konyaspor.

Back to their roots 
Two years after bowing out at Chelsea with a UEFA Champions League winner’s medal, Didier Drogba has made his return to Stamford Bridge. “It’s amazing to be back. It’s a wonderful feeling,” said the Ivorian striker, who ran out for The Blues between 2004 and 2012 before enjoying spells with Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray. American utility man DaMarcus Beasley is also going back to his roots, heading back to the MLS ten years after leaving Chicago Fire to play in the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Germany and most recently in Mexico for Puebla. A forward when he left MLS, Beasley, who has signed on the dotted line for Houston Dynamo, will return a defender. Finally, Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez has made his way back to Germany, having distinguished himself with Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund between 2002 and 2010. Following spells in Spain, Russia, the UAE and latterly in Greece with Olympiacos, he has now signed for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Player to watch
A surprise inclusion in Marc Wilmots’ 23-man Belgium squad for Brazil 2014, Divock Origi had a big hand in Les Diables Rouges’ run to the quarter-finals, where they went out to Argentina. With his performances, the young front man turned the heads of the powers that be at Liverpool, who have succeeded in purchasing him from Lille. Still only 19, the promising Origi will remain with the French Ligue 1 club for another season however, on loan from his new employers.

What they said
“It was an easy decision to make. You just can’t say no to Jose Mourinho and Chelsea,” Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Transfer talk on Twitter
Rene Higuita sends his congratulations to David Ospina on signing for Arsenal:
"​I know you very well and you're going to do an excellent job with Arsenal. Such great news brother!"

Exclusive - Newcastle legend warns Pardew he's only got five games to get things right

Newcastle legend Warren Barton has told boss Alan Pardew he does not have long to get things right at St James' Park before the fans get on his back again.

The Magpies suffered a troubled season last time out, finishing 10th but losing six matches on the trot at one stage, leading approximately 7,000 furious Toon Army fans to walk out in protest during the 3-0 victory over Cardiff in the final home game of the season.

Pardew was spared the sack by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and has since brought in six new signings to Tyneside this summer, but Barton believes that will make little difference if the boss does not get immediately get things right on the pitch.

"I think Alan has got maybe five or six games and then the pressure will start to mount again," he told the Sports Bar.

"They've gone into the transfer market and bought good players but I know what the St James' fans are like. They want top class players."

And Barton believes United's lack of leaders on the pitch could once again cost them this season.

"They have gone so far with the French influence. If it's going well it's perfect, if it doesn't then you start getting problems. I don't think they've got a character in there that can really lift them.

"When I was there we had Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Gary Speed and Shay Given to help the younger players coming through. I don't think they've got that, I think as soon as they get off that bus they're going in different directions and they're not together as a team.

"When it's going well it's easy, it's when it's not that you really need leadership."

Transfer rumours and paper review - Friday, August 1

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Friday's newspapers...

Arsenal have been told transfer target Juan Quintero, 21, will only be allowed to leave Porto if the Colombian midfielder's £32m release clause is activated. (Daily Express)

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the Italian club's interest in Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, although he is not the only name on his list. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool are closing in on a double deal for Spanish defenders Alberto Moreno, 22, of Sevilla and Javier Manquillo, 20, of Atletico Madrid. (Daily Star)

West Ham have held contract talks with unattached former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, and are also considering a move for Besiktas's 30-year-old forward Hugo Almeida. (The Times)

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is ready to bid £14m for Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 25, having already enquired about the availability of the Japan international. (Daily Express)

QPR have turned their attention to 29-year-old Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, who ended last season on loan at West Brom. Their bid to sign Iceland's Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, 24, from Ajax has stalled over personal terms. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, is keeping the club waiting over signing his new contract as he weighs up his future at the Premier League champions. (The Independent)

Pizarro strike lifts Bayern to win over Chivas

Claudio Pizarro scored the only goal as Bayern Munich beat Chivas Guadalajara 1-0 on Thursday in a friendly match at Red Bull arena to launch the Bundesliga champions' US tour.

Pep Guardiola's men controlled the majority of possession and took the lead in the 10th minute when Pizarro slotted home Franck Ribery's corner.

Pizarro nearly had two more goals in the first half, with Carlos Fierro getting Chivas' best chance to equalise in the 81st minute, only for Bayern goalkeeper Tom Starke's save to preserve the winning margin.

A crowd of 25,073 fans turned out for the match at the home of Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey.

Bayern, who hadn't played a pre-season match in the United States since 2004, next heads across the country to Portland, Oregon, where they will take on a team of MLS All-Stars in the North American league's annual mid-season showcase on Wednesday.

It's all part of Bayern's bid to raise their profile in the United States, a move that other European clubs - notably such English Premier League outfits as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool - have already made. The club has opened a US office in Manhattan, and is launching a US website.

A majority of Bayern's German internationals - including goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and FIFA World Cup™-winning goal-scorer Mario Gotze - are still resting after their triumphant campaign in Brazil.

Nor did the sell-out crowd get to see 19-year-old German-American Julian Green, who scored as a substitute for the US in their 2-1 World Cup loss to Belgium. Green only recently returned to training after picking up a minor knee injury and Guardiola opted to play it safe with the youngster.

But France's Ribery - who missed the World Cup with a back injury - looked sharp as he ably exploited Guadalajara's defence. The Mexican side finally resorted to fouling him repeatedly, with both Jair Pereira and Jesus Sanchez Garcia receiving yellow cards after tangling with him.

After Guadalajara's Fernando Arce pulled a shot wide in the eighth minute, Bayern went ahead. Ribery curled a corner toward the near post where Pizarro headed it home.

Ribery set up Pizarro again in the 24th, but the Peruvian's shot was wide. Guadalajara's best chance to level the score came in the 81st when Fierro controlled a cross on his chest before slamming a shot from six yards out straight at Starke.

Bayern put the ball in the net once more in injury time, but Lucas Scholl's effort was ruled out for offside.

I'll be 100 per cent for Barça - Neymar

Neymar expects to be 100 per cent fit for Barcelona by the time the new Spanish La Liga campaign kicks off. The Brazilian forward fractured his third lumbar vertebra during the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final with Colombia after being challenged by Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Neymar was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the tournament, but the 22-year-old has told Japanese media he is now well on his way back to full fitness.

"I am recovering from the injury day by day. I'll be coming back to Barcelona 100 per cent fit," he is quoted as saying on Barcelona's official website. "I want to have a really good season and I'm looking forward to helping my team-mates to get some good results."

The 22-year-old is currently in Japan taking part in a series of promotional events and is due to return to Barca on 5 August. He is targeting the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Club Leon on 18 August, which is a week before the 2014-15 La Liga season begins.

Leon Osman claims Everton CAN finish higher than arch-rivals Liverpool this season – despite the Reds’ summer spending Exclusive - Everton have the quality to surpass Liverpool this season, claims Osman

Leon Osman claims Everton CAN finish higher in the Premier League table than arch-rivals Liverpool this season – despite the Reds’ spending spree.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have splashed the cash this summer, following Luis Suarez's departure for Barcelona, laying out around £90million on Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Divock Origi, along with Southampton trio Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren.

The Toffees haven’t been shy in the transfer market either, signing Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku for a club record £28m, and Osman, who will celebrate his testimonial on Sunday, believes Roberto Martinez’s side has what it takes to surpass their Merseyside rivals.

When asked whether Everton can finish higher than Liverpool, he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show: “Yes we can. It’s going to be difficult though.

“Liverpool have strengthened, but so have we.

“We both have extra commitments with Europe this year but we aim to finish above them every season.”

England thrash India in third Test to level series

England have won the third Test against India by 266 runs at the Ageas Bowl to level the series at 1-1.

Moeen Ali finished with figures of 6 for 67, while James Anderson picked up 2 for 24, as Alastair Cook's side sealed their first win in 11 Tests.

Having been set a world record run chase of 445, India resumed on 112 for four.

But any faint hopes they had of rescuing the match were soon over, with Anderson taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma with just his third delivery.

Sharma appeared shocked to be given out caught-behind pushing forward at a delivery he might perhaps have left.

He had to go, though, without addition to his overnight six - and India did not reopen their account either until well into the fourth over of another sunny morning.

There was no doubt about Anderson's next success, another caught-behind and Jos Buttler's sixth on debut, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni got a much more obvious edge on some full-length swing to also go for six.

Given their recent history, and impending hearings, new batsman Jadeja was surely also on Anderson's hit-list.

But having got both Dhoni and the left-hander among his five first-innings victims, Anderson could not double up this time.

Instead, after a 13-over wait for England, it was Moeen who got Jadeja - yorking himself as the off-spinner drifting one into him to hit the bottom of off-stump.

For good measure, Mooen then saw off Bhuvneshwar Kumar - so often England's stumbling block in the India tail this summer - for a duck, his second wicket in the same over, with an inside-edge on to his pad and into the hands of gully.

Moeen then made short work of Mohammed Shami, clean-bowling him and soon afterwards number 11 Pankaj Singh as the visitors were bowled out before lunch for 178 to end the match.

The only shame was that, although a much bigger crowd than expected was in attendance to cheer Cook's team to their first win since last summer's Ashes, some arrived barely in time to see the tourists' terminal falter.

Park-and-ride arrangements at this out-of-town venue did not extend until the last day of the match, and demand turned out to be high to witness the culmination of England's mid-series resurgence.

In the end, though, India lasted long enough to ensure almost everyone arrived in time for the end of England's party.

The hosts will now be hoping for good news with regards to Anderson.

The linchpin seamer, who finished with match figures of seven for 77, could miss the fourth Test next week if found guilty of the Level Three offence India have cited him for.

Pura vida and a personal best for Ticos

It was in September 2013 that Costa Rica finally consigned to history the trauma of missing out on the previous FIFA World Cup™. Eight games into the final round of qualifying for Brazil 2014, Los Ticos had amassed 15 points, sufficient to guarantee them one of CONCACAF’s three automatic berths, and all with two matchdays to spare. A clear case of mission accomplished.

The success was also mirrored on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, where they found themselves in 31st place the following month. Just one year earlier, by contrast, Jorge Luis Pinto’s charges were ranked a distant 72nd. In the intervening 12 months, results had been overwhelmingly positive, as they claimed the 2013 Copa Centroamericana and navigated the region’s World Cup qualifiers with just a solitary defeat. Yet for all that, the best was still to come.

Passion in their veins
The expression pura vida (pure life) has become synonymous with Costa Rica, where it is widely used in greetings and goodbyes, as well as countless other social interactions. The catch-all phrase is a constant reminder of the people’s passion for life and joyful demeanour. Interestingly, it is not just used during good times, but also in difficult moments when positivity and a lift may be required.

It was precisely the latter scenario that Los Ticos found themselves in as the World Cup approached, despite many having predicted plain sailing. The year began badly with friendly defeats to Chile (4-0) and Korea Republic (1-0) then got even worse with a serious injury to Bryan Oviedo. The team’s first choice left-back broke both his tibia and fibula in late January and would eventually miss out on Brazil 2014. Costa Rica’s travails were also reflected in the following month’s FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, where they slipped back to 35th place.

The Central Americans had little choice but to call upon their renowned determination and passion to get back on track. Pinto’s side looked to be doing just that in a trio of pre-World Cup friendlies, beating Paraguay (2-1), losing to Japan (3-1) and drawing with the Republic of Ireland (1-1) – results that moved them up to 28th on June’s global ladder.

With everything set for their Brazilian adventure, Tico fans got the untimely news that Alvaro Saborio, the team’s top scorer in qualifying with eight goals, had fractured a metatarsal in training and would miss the World Cup.

With no time to feel sorry for himself, Pinto shuffled his pack and opted for a 5-4-1 formation in the Group D opener against Uruguay. Junior Diaz patrolled the entire left flank, providing a raft of crosses for Joel Campbell, while on the right, Oscar Duarte linked up well with midfield maestro Bryan Ruiz. Playing with speed and great mobility, Costa Rica downed a strong Uruguay side 3-1 to rack up their first three points.

Against Italy, it was the turn of Yeltsin Tejeda and Celso Borges to dominate the midfield. With Andrea Pirlo neutralised, the Central Americans were able to defend the lead given them by their skipper Ruiz. They then rounded off the first phase with a scoreless draw against England, in the process topping Group D and progressing to the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history.

Greece provided the next opposition and a tense encounter required penalties to separate the sides. A combination of flawless spot-kicking from the Tico players and Keylor Navas’s save took them into the unchartered waters of the last eight.

There was sense of déjà vu against the Netherlands in the quarter-final, when they also defended well and looked to hit their opponents on the break. And although penalties were once again required, this time Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana failed to score and the dream was over.

With their heads held high, Costa Rica bade farewell to Brazil 2014, the bitter taste of elimination sweetened somewhat by the fact they had made history. It was the culmination of a long journey paved with wonderful triumphs, difficult moments and, above all, pura vida.

As for the numbers game, all those highs and lows produced a happy ending in the form of 16th place on the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Now they can look to the future, and Russia 2018, with optimism thanks to a generation of young players who have shown their capacity to rewrite the record books and make history.

Nacional edge past Defensor into final

Paraguay's Nacional booked their place in the Copa Libertadores final despite losing the second leg of their semi-final against Defensor Sporting 1-0 in Montevideo on Tuesday.

A 55th-minute strike by Adrian Luna saw Uruguayan side Defensor win the match, but Nacional's 2-0 first leg victory in Asuncion was enough to see them through to the two-legged final.

Nacional goalkeeper Ignacio Don told Fox Sports: "This in unique, unbelievable. I hope Paraguayan people can be altogether in the name of the country.

"I've always dreamt of playing in professional football and then the Copa Libertadores. Now, I'm playing the finals because we've been warriors on the field."

Nacional seem certain to meet San Lorenzo in the final, with the Argentine side playing the second leg of their semi-final against Bolivian outfit Bolivar in La Paz on Wednesday night, holding a 5-0 advantage from the first leg in Buenos Aires.

The first leg of the final takes place on 6 August, with the return leg seven days later.