PARIS, May 31 — French champions Paris Saint-Germain today said the club had activated an option worth an estimated €40 million (RM187 million) to sign Portugal international Nuno Mendes on a permanent deal.

The agreement ties the 19-year-old Mendes under contract with PSG until 2026.

Mendes spent the past season on loan at PSG from Sporting Lisbon. He made 37 appearances and established himself as the first-choice left-back at the Parc des Princes.

The teenager was one of four PSG players named in the Ligue 1 team of the year — alongside Gianliugi Donnarumma, Marquinhos and Kylian Mbappe. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Asian football’s governing body invited bids today to stage the 2023 Asian Cup after China withdrew as hosts because of the coronavirus, with Japan a possible replacement.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) set a deadline of June 30 for member associations to submit new bids, after which officials will make a decision on the host.

In May the AFC said that China had pulled out as hosts of the 24-team Asian Cup, due to take place in June-July next year, as the country pursues a zero-Covid policy — a stance that makes staging sports events a major challenge. Japan Football Association chairman Kozo Tashima recently told local media that his country had been “sounded out” about holding the tournament next year.

“If Japan were to host it, it would be exciting, no doubt about it,” Tashima was quoted as saying.

The Asian Cup is staged every four years, with Qatar winning the last edition in 2019. — AFP

NEWCASTLE, May 31 — Former English Football Association's technical director Dan Ashworth will become Newcastle United's sporting director, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The club said they had reached an agreement with league rivals Brighton & Hove Albion to release Ashworth, 51, from his current contractual obligations.

Newcastle added that they would not disclose the terms of the agreement with Brighton and that the deal was subject to Premier League approval.

Ashworth joined Brighton in 2018 after his tenure with the FA, during which the senior team reached the World Cup semi-finals in Russia in the same year of his departure.

Newcastle ended 11th in the table this season. — Reuters

LONDON, May 30 — Arsenal defender Ben White has been withdrawn from the England squad ahead of the Nations League fixtures because of injury, the FA confirmed today.

The 24-year-old White, who struggled with hamstring injuries towards the end of the season, will return to his club.

Most of England’s squad reported for duty today as they prepare for four Nations League games in June, but Raheem Sterling, Kieran Trippier and James Ward-Prowse and Trent Alexander-Arnold will arrive tomorrow.

England face Hungary away this weekend, followed by Germany away and Italy at home next week. They then host Hungary. — Reuters