European clubs have agreed to distribute revenue from the Champions League and Europa League more evenly from next season, the European Clubs Association (ECA) and Uefa have confirmed.

The announcement comes amid concerns that the gulf between Europe’s richest clubs and the rest is widening.

“ECA and Uefa have together developed a revolutionary distribution mechanism for the Champions League and Europa League, aimed at sharing the competitions’ revenue growth more evenly among European clubs,” read a joint statement.

“A record funding pot of €2.24bn [£1.6bn] [per season] will be divided with a new focus on solidarity.

“A greater proportion of funds than ever before will go to Uefa Europa League participants, to participants in the qualifying rounds and to clubs in medium/smaller championships.

“The concept means more funding for all, because the new percentage-based system ensures that every stakeholder will benefit proportionally from the competitions’ continued growth.”

Xavi has denied reports that he's agreed to join Al-Sadd in Qatar this summer.

Xavi visited Qatar during the international break and was reportedly going to sign for €10 million per season over three years.

The arrangement was reportedly similar to that which saw former Real Madrid and current New York Cosmos star Raul spend 2012-2014 at Al Sadd, while also studying for his coaching licences at Qatar's Aspire Academy.

"I was just visiting, I was just visiting," Xavi said. "When I am ready to talk about it I will let you know."

Xavi was close to leaving Barcelona last summer.

David Silva insists he's happy with Manchester City, but he also talked about how he'd like to return to La Liga later in his career.

Silva joined City from Valencia in 2010 for €32 million.

Asked on Radio Marca if he would come back and finish his career in Spain, the 29-year-old said he was happy at the Etihad Stadium but may consider it further down the line.

"I feel very good [at City], the fans treat me very well there," Silva said. "We have won two leagues, cups -- we just need to take another step in the Champions League.

"I am not thinking about [returning to La Liga] at the moment. If I had to return to Valencia, I would not rule that out. Also, I would like to play for Las Palmas and end my career there."

Liverpool has no interest in selling Raheem Sterling this summer even if he refuses to sign a new contract with the club.

Sterling is currently committed to Liverpool until 2017 and negotiations on an extension through 2020 began in October.

Liverpool have offered the England winger around £100,000-a-week, a significant increase on his current salary of £35,000-a-week. Sterling is seeking £150,000 per week.

Manuel Pellegrini recently claimed Sterling has a market value of £100 million.

Memphis Depay's agent has denied being in contact with Manchester United about a summer transfer from PSV Eindhoven.

Louis Van Gaal managed Depay in the World Cup for the Netherlands.

"No, there has been a lot of rumors, but he still has a contract with PSV, so for now he is in Eindhoven," agent Kees Ploegsma is reported to have said, in comments appearing in the Daily Mirror. "We have not been in contact with any clubs.

"They [Depay and Van Gaal] had good contact during the World Cup, but since then there has been no contact."

Harry Kane has 19 goals in the Premier League this season.

Based on the location of the 82 shots he's taken in league play, Kane would be expected to have 13.6 goals thus far. At 5.4 goals above expectation, Kane is the second-highest overachiever in the Premier League this season, behind Arsenal's Olivier Giroud at plus-5.7. Over the previous five seasons, the scoring leader has averaged 2.6 goals above expectations, topped by Luis Suarez's plus-9.1 last season.

Harry Kane will represent England in the Under-21s this summer in the Czech Republic.

"Roy (Hodgson) and I know that the seniors are in a good group position and he feels that the experience of going to the Czech Republic in the summer will be more beneficial to Harry than the two games he has got," U-21 manager Gareth Southgate told reporters.

"That is absolutely the case regardless of his displays between now and then.

"We are not short of good players in the seniors but, understandably, for Harry to be there this time, against Lithuania, was merited.

"We still feel we can give the players the best possible preparation to go into the seniors and achieve success if they have got the experience of the European Under-21s Championship behind them. That is still the case with Harry."

Zinedine Zidane would be willing to become manager of Real Madrid, but he's in no hurry to get the job.

The future if Carlo Ancelotti is in doubt as Real Madrid continues to struggle in 2015.

“If the role is offered to me I would agree to it but once again there is an amazing coach in place,” Zidane, the Real Madrid reserve coach, told Canal+.

“I’ve got time, I’m learning. I did not become the player I was in two years, it’s the same in coaching.”

Zidane was an assistant for Ancelotti last season.

“I’ve learnt a lot from Carlo Ancelotti and he knows how highly I think of him. He is the perfect coach for Real Madrid, despite what people are saying,” Zidane said.

A study by CIES ranks Lionel Messi as the best performing forward in Europe's elite leagues, while Cristiano Ronaldo ranks 29th.

The study assesses players according to six Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) -- shooting, chance creation, take-ons, distribution, recovery and rigor.

Luis Suárez ranks fourth, while Neymar comes in 12th.

Arjen Robben and Bas Dost rank second and third.

Eden Hazard and Mesut Ozil were rated the joint-best attacking midfielders.

Philippe Coutinho appeared in Brazil's friendly on Sunday against Chile, playing out wide left rather than in his preferred central role. Coutinho didn't make an impact when he came on in the 60th minute.

Lucas Leiva explained to Liverpoolfc.com: "It's a difficult one because there are a lot of players that are in his position, which is a hard thing for him, but he will get his chances.

"I think being there with the national team and being, I would say, the 12th player at the moment is a big thing for him. The experience he is getting, he will get minutes.

"He has already shown here at Liverpool and also in the international team what he is capable of doing. You have Willian, Oscar and Neymar - all players who are in a good moment. Brazil is recovering from the World Cup and they are playing very well at the moment.

"That makes it even harder for Phil, for example, but I'm sure he will be in the national team for many, many years and he will end up being one of the key players, for sure."