Monaco have announced the capture of Belgian starlet Eliot Matazo, with the Ligue 1 outfit having seen off the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona to sign the teenager. At just 16 years of age, the highly rated midfielder saw his exploits at Anderlecht attract plenty of interest from afar. Leading sides from England, Spain and France flocked to watch the youngster in action as his profile began to rise. As skipper of Anderlecht’s U-16 side, the club that first noted his obvious potential were eager to see him commit to fresh terms in his homeland. Matazo, however, opted against penning a professional contract once reaching his 16th birthday and opened himself up to an ever-growing list of suitors. Monaco have now prevailed in that transfer scramble, with another addition made with one eye on the future. Matazo will initially link up with the academy sides at Stade Louis II, but is expected to be pushing for senior recognition before too long. A statement released by the Ligue 1 outfit on their official website read: “We are very happy to welcome Eliot Matazo to AS Monaco. “His arrival is in line with our desire to attract the best young talents of European football. L’AS Monaco est heureux d’annoncer la signature de Eliot Matazo ! https://t.co/4q1RD2KUj1 — AS Monaco  (@AS_Monaco) June 11, 2018 “Eliot showed some very nice things in Anderlecht. He was watched by the biggest European clubs and chose the project of AS Monaco to continue his progression.” Manchester United, along with arch-rivals Manchester City, were reported to be leading the chase for Matazo at one stage, as La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid waited in the wings. They have all been left empty-handed, though, as an exciting prospect looks to enhance his career and reputation in the principality of Monaco.

Pep Guardiola has rubbished claims from Yaya Toure suggesting he has had "problems with Africans", stating: "It's a lie and he knows it." In an interview with France Football, Toure strongly criticised the Manchester City boss. The veteran midfielder, who was handed a solitary Premier League start in the final season of a hugely successful eight-year stint at the Etihad Stadium, accused Guardiola of having "problems with Africans wherever he goes" and said he was treated as a rival. City and Guardiola initially declined to comment on the quotes, but the latter has now made it clear he totally refutes Toure's comments. "It's a lie and he knows it," Guardiola was quoted as saying by Marca in an interview with Catalan station TV3. "We were together for two years and now this is when he says it. He never told me face to face." Toure and Guardiola have clashed in the past, and his agent, Dimitri Seluk, went one step further, insisting that calling the Catalan a “dog” – which another representative, Mino Raiola, did previously – is too kind to the City boss. "You know, Guardiola cannot be called a dog,” he told Sport24. “Because a dog is a good and kind creature, man’s best friend. But Guardiola, by his very nature, is man’s worst enemy," he added. Such is the ill-feeling between Toure and Guardiola, Seluk says that the Ivorian would be willing to play for any top-six club next season with a weekly wage of £1, supplemented by selected bonuses. "At a time when English clubs are spending huge sums of money on players, I officially declare that Yaya is ready to move to any top-six English club as a free agent with a salary of £1 per week,” he said. “As long as a success-based bonus system is in place. "I think a player like Yaya would be good for a club like Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Tottenham or Liverpool. Yaya is a winner.” That, of course, opens the door to a potential cross-city move for Toure, who could join United and work under Jose Mourinho. Toure made his final appearance for City in a 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in May. The 35-year-old has enjoyed a sparkling career at the Etihad Stadium, winning three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield, making over 300 appearances and scoring a total of 79 goals.

Julian Draxler says Manchester City star Leroy Sane will not let the disappointment of his shock exclusion from Germany's World Cup squad affect him in the long term. Joachim Low's decision to cut the winger from the final squad for the tournament in Russia after an excellent season at club level was questioned by the likes of Germany legend Michael Ballack and City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. The 22-year-old, who featured in six of Germany's previous seven games before he was dropped, pledged to "bounce back" from the disappointment, and Draxler has faith that his friend will be fine. "That he had to go home was also a surprise for us," Draxler told reporters. "He has had a very, very strong season in England. "I've known Leroy for a long time, we're friends, so I'm especially sorry for him. But we all have to accept the decision, the national coach will have had his reasons. "Leroy is certainly not as relaxed as he always is. He will be very disappointed, but it will not throw him off track." After captaining Germany to Confederations Cup success in 2017, Draxler will play a key role for the world champions this year and he is happy with his standing in the national team. "I have been here permanently since I was 18 years old. I know the processes and I've matured as a player," the 24-year-old. "At some point there will be a change, and then there are players who have to grow into new roles. It would be desirable for me to take a leading role. But that is of course only done by performing at club level and for the national team. "You don't stand up and say: As of today, I'm a leader. It's a process. But it's already my goal to accomplish that." Draxler will begin working with new Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel after the World Cup, and he is looking forward to meeting the former Borussia Dortmund boss. "Professionally, everyone is convinced of him. I have no prejudices. It may have been said that he is a difficult guy, but he has his personality and I am really looking forward to meeting him. It's certainly an advantage if you can communicate in German. I'm very much looking forward to Thomas Tuchel and I am pleased that he is coming to Paris."