June 2019 – Football Flame    
Latest Football News

Month: June 2019

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool Owner Focused on Premier League Title

Liverpool owner John Henry has said that while he considers the UEFA Champions League to be the more important trophy, the club will focus its efforts on winning the Premier League title next season.The Reds missed out on the title by one point last season but went on to achieve European glory by beating Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final.Henry told the Press Association: "To me winning in Europe is bigger than winning in England but I think it's true the fans want it."I know we're going to be focused on winning the Premier League next year."We need to get healthy. We need [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] back, we need a healthy [Adam] Lallana."It's not up to me, but I would guess we'll see more of Divock [Origi] next year. I think he brings something special, he comes with powe...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City set to confirm £63m club-record signing of Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Rodri on Monday

Manchester City are set to confirm the signing of Rodri from Atletico Madrid on Monday.It has long been known that Rodri, the 22-year-old midfielder, has been Guardiola's top priority and he has paved the way for a switch to Manchester after telling Atletico Madrid officials that he wants to leave.Rodri has a €70million (£63m) buyout clause, which he will have to pay directly to his current club once receiving that advance from the Premier League champions; City insist there is still work to be done but sources at Atletico believe the conclusion of this transfer is imminent. Discussions, led by City's director of football Txiki Bergiristan, have taken place over a number of months, and Rodri, who has been regarded as Sergio Busquets' long-term successor in the Spain national team, has...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Wan-Bissaka leaves Crystal Palace to join Manchester United

Crystal Palace FC can confirm that Aaron Wan-Bissaka has left the club and joined Manchester United, after a transfer agreement was reached.The 21-year-old right-back has been with Palace for more than a decade, having joined the club’s Academy in 2009. Wan-Bissaka progressed through the club’s Academy ranks and graduated to the first team in February 2018, making his Premier League debut under manager Roy Hodgson.Since then, Wan-Bissaka has played 42 times for the Eagles, becoming a regular fixture in Hodgson’s side and was voted as both Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season in May for his performances during the last campaign.Chairman Steve Parish said: “We are immensely proud to have been part of Aaron’s development as a player and a person."He is a really fantasti...
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TRANSFERS

Leicester City Sign Defender James Justin on five year deal

Leicester have signed defender James Justin from Luton for an undisclosed fee.The 21-year-old right-back, who can also play on the left, has agreed a five-year contract with the Foxes and becomes Brendan Rodgers' first signing since he became manager earlier this year.Justin played 52 time in all competitions last season as Luton clinched promotion to the Championship by winning the League One title.He is looking forward to making the step up to the top flight and working under Rodgers."I'm over the moon. I feel like I'm ready for this moment. I hope to bring a lot of energy and commitment to the badge," Justin told the club website."The manager is great with the younger players and developing them through their careers. Everyone speaks very highly of him and I hope he can help me too."Jus...
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TRANSFERS

Liverpool sign defender Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle

Liverpool have signed center back Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle for $1.6 million.The 17-year-old reportedly narrowed his options down to Bayern Munich and Liverpool, choosing the latter. Van den Berg was signed with an eye towards fast-tracking him into the first team and explained his decision. “I’ve seen what kind of players from the academy have grown into the first team. [Klopp] is a great guy and one of the reasons they are successful – and also one of the reasons I came here. I was thinking about [the idea of] training with Virgil [van Dijk]. For me he is the best defender in the world, so I can learn a lot from him," said Van den Berg.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton open talks with Chelsea over Zouma transfer

Everton have reportedly begun formal negotiations with Chelsea over a potential deal for Kurt Zouma who is now the Blues' top transfer target following the acquisition of André Gomes.The French defender enjoyed a successful loan spell at Goodison Park this past season following a year at Stoke City but had been expected to be called back into the Chelsea fold for 2019-20 on account of the London club's two-year transfer ban.The Stamford Bridge hierarchy are appealing a decision that would prevent them from making incoming signings but, in the meantime, with Gary Cahill departing on a free transfer and Antonio Rudiger now unlikely to recover from knee surgery in time for the new season, Chelsea may be reluctant to let any centre-halves leave in the current transfer window.The BBC's Phil McN...
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NEWS

Brazil Advances to Copa America Semifinals with shootout win over Paraguay

Brazil beat Paraguay 4-3 on penalties to advance to the last four of the Copa America on Thursday after they drew 0-0 in their quarter-final in Porto Alegre.Gabriel Jesus got the winning kick for Brazil after Gustavo Gomez and Derlis Gonzalez missed for the visitors. Roberto Firmino pulled his spot kick wide for the hosts.Brazil will next face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Argentina and Venezuela in Belo Horizonte next Tuesday.Brazil dominated most of the game, especially after Paraguay’s Fabian Balbuena was sent off in the 58th minute for fouling Firmino as he bore down on goal.The home side laid siege to the Paraguayan goal without joy, Willian hitting the post in the last minute and Everton seeing a shot deflected over the bar.In the other two quarter-finals, Colombia pla...
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SERIE A

Reports: Inter Preparing Loan Bid for Lukaku

Inter Milan are preparing a £9m offer to sign Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku on a two-year loan deal.The deal would also include an obligation to buy the Belgium international for another £54m.Lukaku's agent Federico Pastorello was in Milan on Tuesday for talks with Inter, who will be free to sign players on June 30 when they are released by UEFA from a Financial Fair Play (FFP) settlement agreement.Inter manager Antonio Conte tried to buy Lukaku in 2017 when he was in charge of Chelsea but the 26-year-old opted to join United instead.Lukaku moved to Old Trafford for an initial £75m from Everton and has scored 42 goals in 96 appearances.
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BUNDESLIGA

Borussia Dortmund ready to sell Julian Weigl amid PSG and Arsenal

Arsenal have been given a boost in their attempts to make their first signing of the summer after it was revealed that Borussia Dortmund are willing to sell midfielder Julian Weigl.Dortmund value the 23-year-old at around £27m, which is affordable for the Gunners as manager Unai Emery reportedly has a transfer budget of £45m to spend this summer.The Bundesliga runners-up are allegedly happy to let Weigl go due to their recent capture of Mats Hummels from Bayern Munich, with Weigl falling down the pecking order at the club.The Germany international, who has won five caps for his country, made just 17 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions last season, scoring once, and is not regarded as a key player to hold on to.Arsenal may face competition for his signature, however, as Paris Saint...
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TRANSFERS

Benfica Confirm €126M offer for Joao Felix from Atletico

Benfica are evaluating an €126 million offer for Portugal striker Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese club said in a statement on Wednesday.If terms are agreed, the 19-year-old would become the most expensive player in Atletico's history, smashing the La Liga side's transfer fee record of €72m to sign France winger Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco last season."Atletico Madrid submitted a proposal for the acquisition of [Felix] for a total amount of €126m which is being analysed," Benfica said in a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.Felix would become the fifth most expensive signing in history after Neymar, who holds the record after his €222m move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, Kylian Mbappe(€180m), Philippe Coutinho (£142m) and Ousmane Dembele (€105m).Felix ...
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LALIGA

Jasper Cillessen Seals move from Barcelona to Valencia

FC Barcelona has agreed to a transfer, sending goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to Valencia.The clubs made the deal official Wednesday. Valencia will pay Barcelona nearly $40 million for Cillessen. The veteran net-minder appeared in 32 games and won five titles during his three seasons with Barcelona."FC Barcelona would like to publicly express its gratitude to Jasper Cillessen for his commitment and dedication, and wishes him the best of luck and success in the future," FC Barcelona said in a news release.Cillessen, 30, arrived at Barcelona in 2016 after tenures with Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie and Ajax. He also has 48 international appearances for the Netherlands."I am really proud to have signed for Valencia CF. I am really excited to play in Mestalla," Cillessen wrote Wednesday on social ...
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NEWS

Salah Send Egypt into Africa Cup of Nations last 16

Mohamed Salah scored his first goal of the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Egypt secured a place in the last 16 on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.Ahmed Elmohamady prodded Egypt ahead on 25 minutes after a wicked Salah cross and the Liverpool star slammed in a second shortly before half-time to spark frenzied celebrations at a packed Cairo International Stadium.Record seven-time champions Egypt rode their luck at times as DR Congotwice struck the crossbar in the first half but the Group A leaders held firm to join Nigeria as the first teams through to the knockout phase.Egypt overcame the distraction of Amr Warda being banished from the squad earlier in the day over mounting sexual harassment allegations. The claims surfaced earlier this week on social media p...
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TRANSFERS

Brighton signs Winger Trossard from Genk

Brighton have completed the signing of winger Leandro Trossard from Belgian champions Genk for an undisclosed fee.Trossard has agreed a four-year contract at the Amex Stadium.The 24-year-old captained Genk to the Belgian title last season, scoring 22 times and contributing 11 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.Albion head coach Graham Potter told the club website: "We are delighted to welcome Leandro to the club and excited about the impact he can have for us."He's an attack-minded player who had a very impressive season last year in helping Genk win the league title."He was influential in the side's success last term and scored a lot of goals, as well as creating chances for others."At 24 he also brings good experience, having captained the side and also featured many times in ...
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BUNDESLIGA

Arsenal Reportedly Keen on signing Borussia Dortmund defender

Arsenal are keen on signing Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou this summer, according to reports in the British media.The Daily Mirror is reporting that the north London club have been impressed by what they have seen from Zagadou in recent months and are pondering a move to bring him to The Emirates.The same story says that Arsenal are also trying to sign Saint-Etienne teenager William Saliba in the summer transfer window.The 20-year-old Zagadou scored two goals in 17 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund last season and also notched up four appearances in the Champions League.Central defender Zagadou has also played at every level of France’s international set-up from the Under-16s upwards.According to the same story, Zagadou could be available for transfer this summer af...
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NEWS

Italy beats China to reach FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal

Italy made its case to be considered a contender in the Women’s World Cup after a convincing 2-0 win over China on Tuesday night.Coach Milena Bertolini believes Italy is set to play in its first quarterfinal since 1991 because her players are striving for a goal that goes beyond the final result.“They have a mission. Their mission is to try and have the Italian public to discover and appreciate the women’s game,” Bertolini said. “This aspect helps you because it allows you to find that extra energy and motivation. I really believe this side has allowed the women’s game to break new ground back home.”Italian viewers have had good reason to tune in. While the men’s team failed to qualify for last summer’s World Cup in Russia, the women are proving to be a revelation in France.China had ...
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TRANSFERS

Ajax sign Promes from Sevilla

Netherlands international Quincy Promes has left Sevilla for Ajax in a €15.7million deal, the Eredivisie champions have announced.The 27-year-old, who spent just a single season in La Liga, has signed a five-year contract in Amsterdam. The fee could rise to €17.2m with bonuses.Ajax are going through a busy off-season, securing a number of key men with new deals while selling Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona and appearing set to see Matthijs de Ligt depart.Erik ten Hag's men reached the Champions League semi-finals last season, losing to Tottenham in devastating fashion, while winning the league and the KNVB Beker.Promes, who featured for finalists Netherlands in the Nations League, scoring in a last-four defeat of England, will join the Ajax squad for pre-season on July 8.He started just 15 ti...
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SERIE A

Juventus Set to Complete Adrien Rabiot Deal

Adrien Rabiot is expected to finalize his free transfer to Juventus, with the final details expected to be worked out as soon as Tuesday.The Frenchman’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of June, and all signs point to him joining the Old Lady on July 1.Sky Sport Italia reports Rabiot will give the green light to a move on Tuesday, making the 24-year-old the second midfielder to join Juventus on a free transfer after Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.The Welsh international wrapped up a deal with the Bianconeri several months ago, and while he has yet to be presented officially, it’s believed the former Gunner will wear the No.8 shirt in Italy.Next up for Juventus is a final push to land Ajax’s Matthis De Ligt, with Tuttomercatoweb stating the Italian side are close to landing the ...
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NEWS

Coutinho: Brazil yet to hit peak form

Brazil's 5-0 victory over Peru on Saturday has provided the five-time world champions with renewed confidence as they prepare for the Copa America knockout phase, midfielder Philippe Coutinho said on Monday.The hosts beat Bolivia 3-0 in their opening match before laboring in a 0-0 draw with Venezuela. But Coutinho said the emphatic victory against the Blanquirroja proves the Selecao are on the right track ahead of Thursday's quarterfinal here against a yet to be determined opponent."We've had three difficult games," the Barcelona attacker told a news conference. "The first one was complicated because of everything it involves. In the second, we didn't play as well as we expected and in the third game we showed that we have made progress. We expect to improve even more from here."Brazi...
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NEWS

Uruguay beats Chile, faces Peru in Copa America quarterfinal

Uruguay beat Copa America defending champions Chile 1-0 on Monday to claim the top spot of Group C.Edinson Cavani’s 82nd minute goal moved Uruguay to seven points and above Chile, which remained with six.Uruguay will face Peru in the quarterfinals on Saturday, while Chile will play in Sao Paulo against Colombia which has won all three of its matches and is yet to concede a goal in the tournament.Ecuador and Japan drew 1-1 in the other match of Group C, a result which eliminated both from the tournament.Cavani scored with a header to the right of Chile goalkeeper Gabriel Arias when more than 58,000 fans at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro were already accepting a goalless result.It was the striker’s second goal in this year’s Copa America.
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NEWS

AFCON 2019: Cote d’Ivoire earn 1-0 win over South Africa

The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire has defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa by a goal to nil in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament courtesy a second-half strike from Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia.The two countries went head to head on Monday afternoon in a Group D encounter in the ongoing AFCON in Egypt. The match which was played at the Al Salam Stadium produced one of the most fiercely contested but entertaining fixture of the continental showdown since its commencement.Lille attacker, Nicholas Pepe dazzled upfront for the Elephant throughout the match but a solo run around the 10th minute particularly attracted cheers from spectators who loved what they saw.Few chances created by the two sides could not produce any goal as referee Louis Hakizimana blew his whistle...
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