By Tim Stannard

1) Napoli president hits back in blistering Higuain backlash

Blimey. After claiming that he had bitten his tongue for a day after accusations from Gonzalo Higuain that Aurelio De Laurentiis was part of the motivation for the striker’s somewhat controversial move to Juventus, the Napoli owner has responded with some gusto on Friday in the form of an open letter, claiming that the pair got on famously despite Higuain’s claims.

“Either he is a false person or a great actor,” fumed De Laurentiis on the chunky chance-chaser before comparing the transfer of the footballer to Napoli’s title rivals to the days of the German occupation of the city in WWII. Naturally. “If Higuain had read about the history of Naples, he would discover that this city was the only to rid itself of the Nazis, even before the arrival of the Americans, who found a city which was already freed when they entered. These people can turn on you if you have no shame but don’t take the p**s [out of them].”

If ever there was a player who was going to suffer a sudden hamstring twinge ahead of a game, it will be Higuain, when Napoli and Juve meet on April 2nd.  

2) LA story continues for Pogba as player set for Man United medical

Yep. The Paul Pogba transfer saga is still going on. The latest stories have a team of doctors chasing the Frenchman around the US of A, where the footballer is currently on vacation, trying to give the midfielder a medical ahead of an expected move to Manchester United, which might well be announced on Friday. Once several dumper trucks laden with cash has been poured into an empty swimming pool owned by the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, that is.

3) Schweinsteiger – out of Germany and out of Old Trafford?

In other Manchester United news, Jose Mourinho has begun his normal process at a new club, which is akin to an alien race mining the Earth for minerals and moving on. That process is to move aside the young talent and take down a couple of big names. All that's left is bringing Michael Essien to England’s North West. Reports from England suggest that a whole gaggle of young players are to be moved out of Old Trafford. But also amongst those names is Bastian Schweinsteiger who only joined a year ago and has also announced that he is stepping down from international duty with Germany.

Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen of all people might be causing more playing surface headaches for Mourinho after the recent Manchester City derby was called off in Beijing. United are set to play a derby in Gothenburg, Sweden on Saturday against Galatasaray but the pitch is showing some wear and tear after a concert by The Boss on Wednesday.

3) Brad Guzan makes quick return to EPL

DONE DEAL! Brad Guzan moves from relegated Aston Villa to EPL outfit Middlesbrough. The current US number one is joining Victor Valdes as the second keeper signed by Boro this summer. Remember that Aston Villa are just one of the very great names in beIN SPORTS Championship coverage which kicks off next Friday with Newcastle United away at Fulham.

DONE DEAL! Barcelona now have one less Brazilian utility fullback in the club’s ranks with the confirmation that Adriano is moving to Turkish side, Besiktas.

DONE DEAL! Swansea striker, Bafetimbi Gomis, joins Ligue Un outfit, Marseille, on loan for a year. The 30-year-old forward is looking for a bit of career reboot after a last season’s Swans-dive.

5) Vietto on brink on Sevilla move as Joao Mario goes nowhere

ALMOST DONE DEAL! Atletico Madrid striker, Luciano Vietto, is currently training with Sevilla – with permission – despite the Argentinean’s move to the Andalusian outfit yet to go through.

NOT DONE DEAL! Joao Mario’s reported move from to Inter Milan looks done and dusted. The player’s agent claims that a bid from the Serie A side was rejected by Sporting and the transfer looks impossible. “There is no possibility that Joao Mario will go there,” huffed Kia Joorabchian. The agent has also revealed that Liverpool also had an offer turned down by Sporting.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.