Here are the latest stories for Wednesday.
LA LIGA: Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has come out to deny that he is retiring from football and revealed that Valencia have made an approach for his services.
- Carlo Ancelotti says the key to Zinedine Zidane's success at Real Madrid is his relationship with the players, telling ESPN FC that his predecessor Rafa Benitez struggled even though he "probably has more experience and more knowledge of the game."
BAYERN MUNICH: Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso is planning to retire from professional football at the end of the season, Sport Bild reports, and it is claimed he has already informed the club's hierarchy about his decision.
- Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti says he has "no concerns at all" over Thomas Muller's form and dismissed criticism he has used the Germany international out of position, telling ESPN FC: "I'm not stupid."
- Bayern winger Arjen Robben has criticised stars at the peak of their careers who accept "crazy" money to go to China.
BARCELONA: Luis Enrique says Barcelona are among four teams competing for the La Liga title after Sevilla ended Real Madrid's 40-game unbeaten run.
- Luis Enrique has lauded the impact Louis van Gaal had not just at Barcelona, but on his own career as well.
MAN CITY: Joe Hart believes he has played his last game for Manchester City and expects to be sold once his loan spell with Torino concludes at the end of this season, sources have told ESPN FC.
- Yaya Toure's agent has told Sky Sports News the Manchester City midfielder "likes football more than money" amid reports there has been renewed interest from China.
- Danny Rose remains one of Manchester City's top targets as they plan a major summer overhaul, a source has told ESPN FC.
FIFA: Marco van Basten has confirmed FIFA is considering using shootouts in group-stage games at the 2026 World Cup and may revive the old NASL-style penalties for the tournament.
MLS: Giovani Dos Santos is ready to step into a leadership role with the LA Galaxy ahead of the 2017 season.
- New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips had just landed in Los Angeles on Monday when he got a message from Dax McCarty telling him to call him as soon as possible. He knew it wasn't good news.
- Real Salt Lake and Armenia international forward Yura Movsisyan insists that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be "the best World Cup this world has ever seen," and that fans need not worry about their safety.
- U.S. international forward Herculez Gomez confirmed his retirement on Tuesday and joined ESPN as a television analyst.
REAL MADRID: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the squad for Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg at home to Celta Vigo -- marking a change in policy as he was rested by coach Zinedine Zidane for both games in the previous round of the competition.
CHELSEA: Diego Costa returned to Chelsea first-team training on Tuesday and could be in contention to face Hull City this weekend.
MAN UNITED: Manchester United believe they have become the first sports club in the country to have a full-time counter-terrorism manager.
- Marcus Rashford has said Zlatan Ibrahimovic has helped him and Manchester United's other young players to improve.
- Ibrahimovic has said that handling pressure is like child's play for him -- and teammate Pogba has to handle it too.
- United left-back Luke Shaw will get a chance to impress in the coming games as he tries to fight his way back into Jose Mourinho's plans, Press Association Sport has reported.
ARSENAL:Olivier Giroud has said he would be open to a move to China one day -- but only after he wins the Premier League with Arsenal.
TOTTENHAM: Tottenham Hotspur want to keep defender Kevin Wimmer despite offers from Cologne and several other clubs in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, agent Mithat Halis has told ESPN FC.
LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that Liverpool are disrespecting the FA Cup by fielding younger sides in their ties.
- Klopp has said Liverpool still do not know if they are able to field Joel Matip without breaking FIFA rules.
JUVENTUS: Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has told Marca he finds his €90 million transfer fee "hard" but he tries to use it as a motivation to fire the Bianconeri to glory.
AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: Andre Ayew scored a penalty as Ghana beat Uganda 1-0 on Tuesday in a lacklustre opening to the four-time champions' bid for a first African Nations Cup title in 35 years.
- Seven-time champions Egypt struggled in a 0-0 draw with Mali in the other group match.