HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (Reuters) – German sportswear maker Adidas AG (ADSGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) forecast record sales for its football business in 2014, aiming to retain market leadership in the sport ahead of U.S. rival Nike Inc (NKE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) in a football World Cup year.

Adidas and Nike dominate a market for football kit – replica shirts, balls and boots – estimated to be worth around 5 billion euros (4.2 billion pounds) annually.

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, June 18 (Reuters) – German sportswear maker Adidas AG forecast record sales for its soccer business in 2014, aiming to retain market leadership in the sport ahead of U.S. rival Nike Inc in a soccer World Cup year.

Adidas and Nike dominate a market for soccer kit – replica shirts, balls and boots – estimated to be worth around 5 billion euros ($6.7 billion) annually.

LONDON (Reuters) – Football club AS Monaco is living up to the principality’s reputation for big spending as it prepares for its return to the French first division next season.

Bankrolled by Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, the club has signed coveted Colombian striker Radamel Falcao as part of a 120 million euro ($160 million) investment to try to regain a place among Europe’s elite despite attracting only a few thousand fans to home games at the Stade Louis II.

LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) – Soccer club AS Monaco is living up to the principality’s reputation for big spending as it prepares for its return to the French first division next season.

Bankrolled by Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, the club has signed coveted Colombian striker Radamel Falcao as part of a 120 million euro ($160 million) investment to try to regain a place among Europe’s elite despite attracting only a few thousand fans to home games at the Stade Louis II.