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Showing posts from May, 2022

Transfer: Midfielder announces decision to leave Real Madrid amidst interests from the Premier League

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Real Madrid midfielder, Isco has announced he is leaving the club as a free agent this summer after nine successful years in the Spanish capital. Isco, joined Real Madrid from Malaga in the summer of 2013 for a fee in the region of €30 million, becoming Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing at the club. He has gone on to make 353 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 53 goals and 53 assists, winning 19 trophies. His role in the team has however been limited over the past few seasons, including just 11 starts in La Liga in the last two seasons combined. He has now made the decision not to continue at the club. The 30-year-old has always been linked with a move to the Premier league with Chelsea, Arsenal as well as Tottenham Hotspur reported to be interested over the past years. His destination is not yet known but it is certain the player will not be playing for Real Madrid next season. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Transfer: European teams on red alert as Forgotten World Cup winning midfielder leaves Bayern Munich

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Bayern Munich has announced that French midfielder, Corentin Tolisso will leave the club this summer after the end of a five year contract which will not be renewed. The Midfielder, 27, who joined the Bundesliga winners in 2017 from French side Olympic Lyon for what was a club record fee of £35.2 million has struggled to live up to the hype despite having a stunning debut season in Germany. Injuries has limited the former Lyon man to only 23 Bundesliga starts in four seasons and with the five years contract signed in the summer of 2017 running out this summer, the Bavarians has decided to end their relationship with the player. A statement released on Bayern Munich’s social media page on twitter reads: “After five successful years together, @CorentinTolisso will leave #FCBayern this summer.” “Merci, Coco, and all the best for the future! đź”´⚪” Tolisso, who was part of the France National Team squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 2018 made 118 appearances for Bayern across all competitio

Champions League winner set for medical at Premier League club today

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Ivan Perisic will travel to London on Monday in order to undergo a medical ahead of his move to Tottheham Hotspur as a free agent. The Croatian is set to become a Spurs player after Antonio Conte utilizes his stance to influence the players decision, and in the end, he turned down a new contract from Inter in favour of a move to England. Chelsea were in pole position to sign him up before Tottenham entered the race but having played under Conte in Inter Milan's Scudetto win in the 2020/21 season, the relationship between Perisic and the Italian was key. The 33-year-old will sign a two-year deal with Spurs after personal terms has been agreed in the end of last week. He will become Conté's second summer signing after the arrival of goalkeeper, Fraser Forster last week. Perisic won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2020 whilst on loan from Inter and returned to be a crucial part of the side that dethroned Juventus of the Scudetto in 2021. His experience and leadership wi

Christopher Nkunku is open to summer move away from Leipzig as he revealed his preferred destination amidst Manchester United and Chelsea interests

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French star, Christopher Nkunku has admitted he is opened to a summer move away from RB Leipzig this summer as he continues to be linked with European giants. The former PSG teenager enjoyed a stellar individual campaign with the German side, contributing to 55 goals in 51 appearances, which included a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City at the Ethiad and one in the final of the DFB-Pokal against Freiburg. His seven goals in the Champions League this season is only bettered by four players, despite Leipzig’s early elimination from the group stages and in a tough group of PSG and Manchester City. He scored four times in the Europa League where made six appearances, helping Leipzig to the semi finals where they narrowly lost out to Rangers and was named in the team of the season by UEFA's Technical Observer panel. With 20 goals and 15 assists in the the Bundesliga this season, Nkunku was voted the league’s Player of the season by his colleagues in the professional foot

Match report : Cyriel Dessers off the mark but Eagles fell to Mexico as Jose Peseiro’s reign kicks off with a defeat

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Jose Peseiro's era as the boss of that Super Eagles of Nigeria kicked off in the early hours of Sunday at the AT & T stadium in Texas against Mexico’s El Tri. The much anticipated game by Nigerians, which has seen the Portuguese called up a host of home based players stated with Europe based players making the starting XI. Mexico scored an early lead in the 12th minute of the contest as Cruz Azul striker, Santiago Gimenez scored with a shot into the bottom left corner from close range. His initial strike was saved by Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzohor but the ball bounced off the 21-year-old striker to give the North American side a deserved lead. Mexico continued to knock on the Eagles door and just over five minutes after breaking the deadlock, they were presented another great opportunity again with Adres Guardado forcing a brilliant save off Uzohor. Seconds afterwards, Jesus Gallardo failed to get his effort on target after the ball fell to him on the edge of Nigeria’s area,

Final Preview: Some interesting facts about Real Madrid and Liverpool as the European heavyweights gear up for Paris 2022

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Real Madrid and Liverpool clash in yet another Champions League final for only the third time in the history of the club. The two are arguably the biggest names in the competition with Spanish giants, Real winning the title a 13 record times while Liverpool’s six titles is only bettered by their opponent and AC Milan. However, in recent times, it is this two that has stand out among peers, with Los Blancos reaching a fifth final in eight years while Liverpool for the third time in five years. Ahead of the final tonight in Paris, we take a look at some interesting facts involving the two clubs. • English teams have suffered a defeat in their last eight UEFA club competition finals excluding Super Cup, against Spanish opposition (four times in the Champions League finals and four more times in the UEFA Cup/Europa League finals. • The two clubs are meeting for the ninth time in the competition. The previous eight meetings has seen Liverpool won three and drew one, with Real Madrid emergin

Arsenal already decided on William Saliba's future amidst speculations of Marseille stay

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Arsenal were put in an awkward position last week after RMC Sports reported that William Saliba wants to remain with Marseille even after the end of his loan spell. According to reports, the player was reported to have said he wants to play in the Champions League after helping Marseille seal a return to the competition for the first time since 2013-14 season. Saliba, 21, enjoyed a stellar campaign with The Phocaeans where he helped them reached the semi finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League and a second place finish in the Ligue un. Amongst his host of impressive stats this season, William Saliba won possession in the defensive third more times (152) than any other player in Ligue 1 this season. He has been named the young best player in the French top-flight, beating the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Castello Lukeba, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Nuno Mendes to the award. Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta told RMC earlier in the week when responding to the claim Saliba wants Marseille stay

Here is why Arsenal should be optimistic of landing Gabriel Jesus this summer despite speculative interests from Tottenham and Milan

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Arsenal’s main priority this summer is signing a striker and Brazilian forward, Gabriel Jesus has been singled out as the perfect fit for the club. Mikel Arteta is convinced that the Manchester City striker is the man, considering him the best pressing striker in the world having worked with him whilst serving as assistant to Pep Guardiola in Manchester. The Arsenal boss is not the only manager that shares this insight of Jesus being the best pressing striker, Pep Guardiola and Brazil manager Tite have both also praised Gabriel Jesus the best pressing forward in the world. Moreso, his intelligent movement on and off the ball, a trait which Mikel Arteta requires in a striker. His versatility is also an added advantage that could make Arteta approach games differently. The arrival of Erlin Haaland and Julian Alvarez this summer means limited chances for the striker, who had not even been a mainstay in the City XI that is most times without a target man. Prior to the end of the season whe

Here is why Arsenal's move for Youri Tielemans is another poor scouting that could lead to another regret for Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal are in the market for a new No. 8 and the odds is on Belgian midfielder, Youri Tielemans to become a Gunner as reports suggest he is the man Mikel Arteta priotize. The 25-year-old is believed to be perfect for the system Arteta wants to play in the sense he uses both feet and can get them a quantifiable amount of goal contributions from the middle of the park. The midfielder also has offers from other top teams but could still choose to move to Arsenal even without Champions League football. The Gunners are also reported to be leading the race for his signature. Tielemans is an established international player with the Belgian Red Devils and has been a crucial part of Brendan Rodgers setup at Leicester City since joining from Monaco on loan in January, 2019 before the move was made permanent the following summer. The former Anderlecht man has been hailed for his technical abilities on the ball. His versatility as a defensive or attacking midfielder, along with his ambidexterity

Laporta aims a dig at Messi, Neymar and Mbappé as he comments on potential return of star

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta is open to the return of Neymar back to the club but reckons there is no chance the club will pay to have him back. Responding to questions when asked of that possibility of having the Brazilian back at the club after reports suggest PSG are open to parting ways with him this summer. Laporta said: “Who doesn't love Neymar? He's exceptional player, but all these players to return to Barça one day should come for free.” Barcelona, after losing Neymar in 2017 also saw Lionel Messi depart for the French capital last summer while the Kylian MbappĂ©'s failed transfer to Real Madrid has also angered La Liga, claiming Les Parisien offer players unrealistic terms. Former Barcelona duo of Neymar and Messi have been accused of moving to PSG because of the money while MbappĂ© has also been criticized for his extension with the club when it was almost certain he is headed for Madrid. Laporta went on to say: “Players who have signed for clubs like PSG, have

Newcastle United eyeing summer swoop for Arsenal's fan favourite

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Premier League money back, Newcastle United are weighing up £50m bid for Arsenal’s Scottish defender, Kieran Tierney. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is a fan of the former Celtic star, who moved to the Emirates in 2019 and ponders £50m bid for him. However, the 24-year-old is not interested in a move away from the club, where he has become one of the focal point of the project, even though he has played only 56% of the Gunners' Premier League matches since joining. He has battled with series of injuries in each of his three seasons at the Emirates but when fit and available, only few in the Arsenal squad offers as much as he does. Tierney made 22 league appearances in the concluded season and it was obvious Mikel Arteta’s side suffered in his absence. The Gunners are in the market for a backup but Tierney surely is the man for them going forward. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Transfer: PSG very close to signing TWO Barcelona stars this summer

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Frenkie De Jong and Ousmane Dembele could be on their way to Paris this summer as PSG look to add the two players to the ranks in bid to challenge for the Champions League title next season, after successfully tying down Kylian MbappĂ©. Barcelona are willing to part ways with Dutch midfielder, Frenkie De Jong as they look to relief the financial burdens and let go of players in high wage. The club is also conceding defeat in the battle to keep Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© and they are 95 percent certain that he'll leave the club as a free agent this summer, and are convinced his most likely destination is PSG. Xavi decided not to start Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© in the last two Liga games because Barcelona would have had to pay Dortmund an extra €1.5m if he played more than 45 minutes and they don't want to take the chance if he eventually leaves this summer. The Frenchman's contract ends this summer and talks on a renewal has proven futile so far with the player certainly not showing any signs of

Chelsea star wants out of club to join European giant

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Marcos Alonso has informally requested to leave Chelsea this summer despite having a year left in his contract with Barcelona emerging heavy favourites to land the left-back. The 31-year-old had lost his place in the team to Ben Chilwell but was able to amase 28 Premier League appearances this season thanks to the injury to the English former Leicester City man. Alonso wants to be part of the Spanish national team squad to the world cup later this year and he wants to get regular football in order to boost his chances of being selected a world of good ahead of the announcement of the squad to Qatar. The former Fiorentina man made his National Team debut in 2018 but has won only seven caps thanks to the current boss, Luis Enrique, who has called him back to the midst recently. Alonso joined Chelsea in 2016 and signed an extension which will see him remain at the club for five more years back in 2018. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will give in to his request. Author: Kehinde Hassan Af

DONE DEAL: English goalkeeper set for Tottenham medical after completing switch from rival club

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Southampton goalkeeper, Fraser Forster will have his Tottheham Hotspur medical this week ahead of a summer move to North London after the end of his contract at the Saint Mary's. The former Celtic goalkeeper has been on the books with the Saints since 2014 and returned to the Scottish club on loan before returning to Southampton in 2020. The 34 year old, also former Newcastle United and Norwich City goalkeeper will join Spurs and deputize for Hugo Lloris, as Antonio Conte side return to the Champions League after securing fourth place finish. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

'Liverpool legend' set to undergo medical with league winner ahead of summer switch

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Belgian striker, Divock Origi is close to leaving Liverpool to join Scudetto winners, AC Milan in the Italian capital. The 27-year-old is reported to have reached an agreement with Rossoneri as he looks to be more involved regularly, something that will not be easy to come by at Liverpool. He is set to undergo a medical ahead of the summer switch as a free agent. Origi currently has a contract with The Red's until 2024 but the club is ready to honour his wishes. He was also honoured in what was Liverpool's last game of the season at Anfield against Wolves on Sunday. Origi, who has been branded a Liverpool legend by manager, JĂĽrgen Klopp is currently one of Liverpool's longest serving player having joined from Lille in 2014. However, he has been unable to establish himself as a regular under JĂĽrgen Klopp. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Transfer blow for Manchester United as targeted Wan-Bissaka replacement close to joining Bayern Munich

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Ajax right-back, Noussair Mazraoui is close to sealing a move to Bayern Munich at the end of his contract with Dutch Champions, Ajax Amsterdam, this summer. The 24-year-old Moroccan has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United to team up with his former boss at Ajax, Erik Ten Hag, who is set to lead United at the start of next season. After the reports that English right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not in the Dutchman's plans, the speculations of Mazraoui moving to United intensified but it now looks Bayern Munich has beaten them in the race and the defender will be headed for Germany. He is set to undergo a medical in the coming days before signing the necessary papers to complete the move. Mazraoui graduated from the Ajax Amsterdam Academy in 2016 and has only played for the club as well as the Atlas Lions of Morocco. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

OFFICIAL: Liverpool confirm the arrival of Midfielder from Premier League newcomers

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19-year-old Fabio Carvalho has officially joined Liverpool from Fulham after the clubs had already reached an agreement for the player in the winter. The Reds have now confirmed that the Portuguese attacking midfielder, who made 36 appearances for Fulham in the Championship last season, helping the finish as Champions with his ten goals and eight assists, will be registered as a Red on the first of July. Liverpool will pay £5 million plus another £2.7 millions in add ons to Fulham and the player has already signed a five-year contract at Anfield. Carvalho is a product of the Fulham academy and has represented England in the U17 and 18 before switching to Portugal to play for the U21s. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Done deal: Aston Villa confirms the signing of French star from Marseille

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Premier League club, Aston Villa has completed the signing of 22-year-old midfielder, Boubacar Kamara from Olympic Marseille on a five-year contract. Steven Gerrard has identified the player as one of the key part of his project at the Villa Park and the club has now done justice by bringing the player to England. Kamara was key in helping Marseille return to the Champions League next season, playing 34 league games as Jorge Sampaoli side finished behind Champions, Paris Saint-Germain in the French top flight. He has been linked with move away from Marseille with top clubs, mostly Atletico Madrid showing interest but Steven Gerrard has successfully own his man, and Kamara will star from the Clarets Blue next season. Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

Mbappé Saga: Real Madrid's complacency left Frenchman in the spot as PSG employ 'bad threats' to emerge winner in the biggest transfer of the summer

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The biggest and the most anticipated transfer of the summer has now been decided with Kylian Mbappé having to give up on his long time dream of playing for Real Madrid as he is now set to put to pen another three year agreement work PSG Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid have waited for fours and planned a project with the 23-year old the only missing piece of the process, only for them to be let down in the final moments, when they had thought they had everything under control. The decision of Mbappé's future, became something more than the player himself had under control as the French club seek political help just so the forward could remain at the club. Last summer, PSG refused to let him join Real Madrid, even though the Spanish giants tabled a lucrative offer for Les Parisien for a player with just a year left on his contract. PSG's resistence has finally paid off as Mbappé will now sign a new contract. Mbappé's entourage had a big role to play in this decision even tho

Final Day Preview: Dreams now hanging on hopes but all still to fight for at every end of the standing as teams battle for glory and European tickets while others fight to avoid further disaster

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The 2021-22 Premier League season is coming to an end with a lot still undecided after the completion of matchday 37 and a lot of team still await the results of the final day to determine their fate this season. It has not been a plain sailing season for a good number of the teams but some will still be grateful to remain in the fight, as some had already pounce on the stumble of others. Some had hoped too much and ended up being heartbroken and at the same time, some became a peacock that panders to the gallery only to be brought down to earth and realize they are not that sophisticated. The impossibly at a time became possible for some but reality later showed how vulnerable they are and some others did recover from their early season upset to make history, inspite of their stance but it's all about the standard. Unfortunately happenings hurt some really bad, making what could have been another season where they try and build on what they had achieved in the previous campaign b

Arsenal defender seals permanent move to the Bundesliga

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Arsenal's Greek defender, Kostantinos Mavropanos has joined Bundesliga side, Stuttgart on a permanent basis after spending the last two seasons on loan at the club. Mavropanos joined Arsenal in Arsene Wenger's final six months at the club and made a total of six Premier League starts before joining Nurnberg for the final six months of the 2019-20 season. The 24-year-old spent the last two season on loan at Stuttgart and helped them survive relegation this season, starting in all of his 31 league starts. The clause in the previous loan agreement with Arsenal include an obligation to buy should the club avoid relegation and that has now be honoured after Wataru Endo’s late goal on the final day of the season secured their status in the top flight next season. Stuttgart paid £3 million to Arsenal and the Gunners have also inserted a ten percent sell on clause in the agreement.

Thomas Tuchel vows to keep 'Chelsea's Mbappé' amidst poor form and fitness issues

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Thomas Tuchel says N'Golo KantĂ© is still a significant part of Chelsea's project and and the club will to have his back even as he struggles for fitness and form this season. KantĂ©, 31, has endured a season plighted by injuries, making 20 Premier League starts and has been in and out of the squad lately. Speaking about KantĂ©’s future after the draw with Leicester City on Thursday evening, Thomas Tuchel said: “I think he is our key, key player but key, key players have to be on the pitch and he only plays 40% of games. He is our Mohamed Salah, van Dijk. He is our Kylian MbappĂ©.” When asked about the player’s fitness issues, which has kept him out of a good percentage of Chelsea’s games this season, Tuchel answered: “This is huge for us to solve. I don't play him but it's a fact we miss him a lot and he brings something unqiue in world football. He can lift everybody up and make the difference.” “Last year, I think in the last five matches of the Champions League they han

Mikel Arteta keen on Manchester City midfielder as players wants out of the Ethiad

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Arsenal are interested in a deal to bring Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to the Emirates in light of speculations the player is ready to leave his current club this summer. The 31-year-old German has been a City player since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016 and Arsenal boss, Arteta is very familiar with the player having served as assistant under Pep Guardiola before moving to Arsenal. Gundogan, who has made over 250 appearances for City in the six years is also being monitored by Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona but Arteta is hopeful that he can leverage on his relationship with City as an edge to seal the deal.

Forgotten Premier League star set for a return to England after impressing in Russia

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Everton midfielder, currently on loan at Russian club, CSKA Moscow, Jean-Philippe Gbamin is set to return to the Premier League club after the end of his six months loan spell. The Ivorian, 26 has struggled to get on since moving to England from Bundesliga club, Mainz 05 in 2019. Injury issues and depleted form has limited him to just two league starts in three seasons but the move to Russia in February did him a world of good. JPG started and impressed in all ten of his ten appearances for CSKA, capping it off with a goal and a couple of assists. The former Lens star will make his final appearance for the Russia club on Saturday against FC Rostov before heading back to England to prepare for a new season under new manager Frank Lampard, who has just managed to rescue the club from relegation this season.

Pep Guardiola welcomes City duo back from injury ahead of crucial final game of the season

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Manchester City have been boosted with the return of their injured duo, Kyle Walker and John Stones ahead of their final game of the season against Aston Villa at the Ethiad. The duo have missed of huge part of City's game in the run-in with their absence costing them a place in this year's UEFA Champions League final. Since his injury against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano, Kyle Walker has never been really fit to play for City and was hauled off just after half time in the second leg of their Champions League elimination at the BernabĂ©u. Former Everton defender, John Stones has not played since he was replaced by Fernandinho in the first half of the first leg of their Champions League meeting with Real Madrid. The duo are now back and in contention for the final game of the season which will also be the title decider as Pep Guardiola’s side need a win to ensure that they finish above Liverpool and claim a consecutive Premier League title. Author: Kehinde Hassan Af

Gabriel Martinelli gets new Jersey number as Arsenal unveil home kit for next season

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Arsenal have released their new home kit for next season and will be debuted when The Gunner's entertain Everton at the Emirates in Sunday's final game of the season. Gabriel Martinelli will wear the No. 11 shirt, previously occupied by Lucas Torreira who is currently on loan at Italian club, Fiorentina and the Uruguayan might be on a move out of the club on a permanent basis this summer. Martinelli previously used the No. 35 shirt since arriving at Arsenal from Brazilian side Itauno FC in 2019.

Thomas Tuchel ready to give chance to two of Chelsea's loaned stars next season

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Thomas Tuchel says 20-year-old Armando Broja and 22-year-old Conor Gallagher will return to Chelsea and be given the chance to prove themselves this summer. The duo have spent the season at fellow Premier League clubs, Southampton and Crystal Palace respectively. Gallagher has had a really impressive spell at the Selhurst and was awarded the club's Played of the Season having scored eight goals and registered three assists in 32 Premier League games under Patrick Vieira. He has also been nominated for the best young player award in the league this season alongside Mason Mount and former Chelsea academy star and now teammates at Palace, Marc Guehi. Armando Broja has also managed to hit nine goals for Southampton across all competitions and with Chelsea really struggling for a striker to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s system, the Albanian will get a chance to prove the right man. Responding to questions about the loaned players, Tuchel made mention of Gallagher and Broja as two players he&