June 2019 – Page 5 – Football Flame    

Month: June 2019

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Report :Man Utd ready to Splash £50million to secure key signing

Manchester United are heavily linked with England international and Crystal Palace star Aaron Wan-Bissaka. According to multiple reports going on in the media, the Red Devils moved in with an offer worth £40million to sign the highly rated right back, however, the Eagles opted to reject the bid and are looking to get around £60million for their prized asset (Sky Sports) (The Telegraph) (ESPN). As far as personal terms are concerned, renowned Italian journalist Nicolo Schira claimed that the Old Trafford club have already reached an agreement with Wan-Bissaka and are in talks with Palace to get his signing done. Few hours back, Mirror Sport reported that Man Utd are now ready to make another move and believe that they have a chance of securing the signing for a fee of £50mill...
LALIGA

Jan Oblak want to quit Atletico Madrid for Man Utd transfer

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak wants to quit the Spanish club to become David de Gea's replacement at Manchester United , according to a report.ESPN FC claim that the Slovenian - who was seemingly a United fan in his youth - has become increasingly frustrated at the transfer activity at the Wanda Metropolitano this summer, as he's seen Diego Simeone's side become weaker. Star forward Antoine Griezmann has announced his intention to leave the club, and is widely expected to join Barcelona . But Atletico are also losing veteran defenders Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis, as well as young talent Lucas Hernandez to German giants Bayern Munich for a club record fee.Oblak is said to be disappointed with the departures as he feels that they indicate a lack of competitiveness ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd Need Youngsters, Not Big Signings : Rooney

Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to resist the temptation to target world superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale because he fears it could prove a huge waste of money. The Red Devils are in the early stages of a new era under the leadership of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and have been linked with a host of established top-tier players. They are eager to rival neighbours Manchester City, who have pulled away to become the leading side in the Premier League, while United failed even to qualify for next season's Champions League. Speaking on BBC Five Live's Sportsweek show, Rooney said: "For Ole, the first thing he's got to do is try and build the squad. I don't think bringing one or two players in for over £100million is going to really help with the squad and with the ...
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Aston Villa Reportedly linked to sign Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Celta Vigo star Maxi Gomez.The Uruguay striker scored 13 goals as the LaLiga side narrowly avoided relegation last season.He scored in a crucial 2-0 win over LaLiga champions Barcelona last month, which helped Celta finish four points above 18th-placed Girona.President of Gomez’s former club Defensor Montevideo, Ney Castillo, claims the forward has told him that Villa are keen on a deal.Celta are believed to have slapped a £35million price tag on their star man.Villa will need to sign a goalscorer in an attempt to preserve their top-flight status next season.Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, who netted 26 goals in Villa’s promotion-winning season from the Championship, is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer.Speaking about his Villa Park future l...
NEWS

Italy fight back to stun Australia with late goal

Italy fought back from a goal down to beat Australia in stoppage time and pull off a big shock at the end of the best contest of the Women's World Cup.Juventus star Barbara Bonansea struck both goals in the second half for the Italians, who have qualified for the finals for the first time in 20 years, winning it from close range in the fifth minute of added time.Australia captain Sam Kerr had earlier given the Group C favourites a first-half lead as she tucked in the rebound after her penalty was saved.The two sides are joined in the group by Brazil and Jamaica, who meet in Grenoble later on Sunday.The Azzurri celebrated joyously at the full-time whistle in France's north-eastern city of Valenciennes, having not played in a match at the World Cup finals since being eliminated in the group ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Jose Mourinho set to open talks with Premier League club regarding surprise return to management

Jose Mourinho could be set to seal a surprise return to management by replacing Rafa Benitez as boss of Newcastle United.Mourinho has been out of a job in football management ever since departing Man United in December 2018, however it looks like the former Chelsea boss could be set to return to the Premier League by taking over as Newcastle manager.According to the Mirror, Mourinho is willing to open talks with Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan should he take over a Newcastle owner, with it also being stated that Mourinho would seriously consider taking over at St James’ Park.The report also states that the Sheikh’s made a £350M offer to take over the club from Mike Ashley, something that could see Mourinho end up at the club should the bid prove to be successful.Newcastle already have a...
NEWS

Germany Ease Past Belarus in Euro Qualifying

Germany bagged their second win in Euro 2020 qualifying on Saturday, beating Belarus 2-0 in Group A. Leroy Sane and Marco Reus got the goals.The Germans dominated the hosts and could have scored plenty more goals, especially in the first half. Sane exploited space in the hosts' defence to score the opener after 13 minutes, and Reus doubled the lead just after the hour mark.Die Mannschaft are second in the group behind Northern Ireland, who have won all of their matches. Germany have two wins but have played one fewer match so far.
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Women's World Cup:Norway stun Nigeria with three first-half goals

Ada Hegerberg was not needed as Norway kicked off their women's World Cup Group A campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nigeria. Without Ballon d'Or winner Hegerberg, who quit international football in 2017 due to a dispute with her home federation, the 1995 champions relied on goals by Guro Reiten, Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland and an own goal by Osinachi Phale to prevail. The result put Norway in second place in Group A behind hosts France, who thrashed South Korea 4-0 on Friday in the opening game of the month-long tournament in Paris. Reiten put Norway in front after 17 minutes when she volleyed home from a corner. Utland doubled the tally with a powerful shot from close range after being set up by Reiten in the 34th. Three minutes later, three-times Afri...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd Offer New Contract to Juan Mata

Manchester United have offered a new deal to Juan Mata as Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia head the list of players leaving the club. Mata, who joined from Chelsea in January 2014, has been linked with a free transfer abroad. But the former Valencia and Chelsea midfielder has been handed the chance to sign fresh terms by United, meaning he could yet extend his time at Old Trafford. James Wilson and Regan Poole, who have both previously played first-team football, are among those to be departing United after spending the 2018-19 campaign out on loan. And United have officially said goodbye to Herrera and club captain Valencia following the expiration of their contracts. Also leaving are DJ Buffonge, Tyrell Warren, Matty Willock, Callum Whelan, James Thompson, Thomas Sang, Zak Dearnley, Ma...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Hazard : I Wouldn't Have Left Chelsea for Any Other Club

Eden Hazard says he “wouldn’t have left Chelsea for any other club” as part of an emotional goodbye to fans as he prepares to head for Real Madrid. The Belgian’s long-anticipated move to the Bernabeu was finally confirmed on Friday, bringing to an end a seven-year stint with the Blues during which he won two Premier League titles. He guided Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and followed up with a sparkling start to the Premier League season – form which reignited talk of a move to La Liga. And in a final farewell to the Stamford Bridge faithful, the 28-year-old consoled fans that it was only the draw of the 13-times European champions that lured him away. “Leaving Chelsea is the biggest and toughest decision in my career to date,” he wrote on his Facebook page...
NEWS

CAF Champions League Final to be Replayed

The second leg of the African Champions League final will be replayed after the original fixture was abandoned and the match awarded to Esperance of Tunisia when Wydad Casablanca left the pitch following a disputed decision. The Confederation of African Football’s executive committee, meeting in Paris on the fringes of the Fifa congress, decided on Wednesday to restage the match at a neutral ground in a decision that could spark an immediate legal challenge. Wydad Casablanca refused to play on after having a 59th-minute effort disallowed in the return leg of the final in Tunis last Friday. The VAR system was not working and after a delay of almost two hours the match was awarded to the home side Esperance, who were handed the trophy and winners’ medals. The first leg in Casablanca on 25 Ma...
NEWS

Neymar Ruled Out of Copa America

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's 2019 Copa America campaign after rupturing ankle ligaments in a friendly against Qatar on Wednesday. The Paris Saint-Germain star started in a front three alongside Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus as Brazil began preparations for this summer's South American tournament. But Neymar was forced out after just 21 minutes after suffering an apparent right ankle injury in a tackle. The Brazil star was seen crying on the bench after suffering the injury and was helped down to the dressing room with the assistance of team personnel. Neymar was replaced by Everton Soares in the Brazil lineup and the CBF has confirmed Neymar has suffered a twisted ankle.
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Juventus Set to Sign Sassuolo Defender Demiral

Juventus have completed the €15 million (£13m/$17m) signing of Sassuolo defender Merih Demiral, as per reports.  Demiral impressed in a half-season with Sassuolo in 2018-19, making 14 Serie A starts after his loan move from Turkish side Alanyaspor. Sassuolo will make that loan permanent on July 1, and are now set to sell the Turkish international to the Serie A champions. Demiral will join the Bianconeri on a five-year contract. Juventus fought off late interest from Atletico Madrid in Demiral, who can play at centre-back and at right-back. Juve are set to evaluate Demiral in the pre-season before determining whether to keep him on the team or send him out on loan for more seasoning.
NEWS

Falcao Plays Down Copa America Injury Fears

Radamel Falcao insisted the injury that forced him off the field at half-time of Colombia's 3-0 friendly victory over Panama was "nothing to worry about". The Monaco forward scored Colombia's third goal from the penalty spot at Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin, but was replaced by Duvan Zapata at half-time. Falcao scored 15 goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco in 2018-19, and his contract at the principality club expires in 2020. After being hauled off against Panama, he said: "I'm fine, it was just part of the game. But there's nothing to worry about. It was just a knock." Colombia and Falcao will have one more warm-up game before this month’s Copa America in Brazil, where they will be looking to add to their solitary title won in 2001.
BUNDESLIGA

Rangnick to Leave RB Leipzig

Ralf Rangnick will leave RB Leipzig on July 1, the Bundesliga club have announced, and Markus Krosche has been appointed as the club's new sporting director. The club confirmed the news in a statement, saying: "Markus Krosche is the club's new sporting director for the upcoming season. The 38-year-old arrives from newly-promoted Paderborn and has signed a contract until June 30, 2022. "In addition, the two clubs have agreed a long-term partnership. The fee, at both clubs' behest, will remain undisclosed. "Current sporting director Ralf Rangnick, at his own request, will become Head of Sport and Development Soccer at Red Bull from July 1. The 60-year-old will have an advisory role for football clubs in New York, Brazil and Leipzig." Rangnick had been sporting director at Leipzig since June ...
LALIGA

Sevilla Confirm Lopetegui Appointment

Sevilla have announced the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new coach. The former Spain and Real Madrid boss joins the club on a three year deal. Lopetegui has been out of work since he was sacked by Real Madrid last October after just 10 league matches in charge of the club. He takes over from Joaquín Caparros who was diaognosed with chronic leukemia . He is expected to take a directorial role at the club.
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Real Madrid Sign Luka Jovic for €60million

Real Madrid has officially announced the signing of Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported fee of €60million. Jovic was in fine form last season scoring 17 Bundesliga goals and a further 10 in Eintracht's run to the semi-finals of the Europa League. Jovic becomes the second player to join Madrid since Zidane's return, with a €50million move for Porto defender Eder Militao concluded in March.
PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola Believes Liverpool Won't Be Man City's only Title Rivals Next Season

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are starting from scratch next season and warned his side will have more than just an "amazing rivalry" with Liverpool to contend with. "We have an amazing rivalry, but not only with them [Liverpool], there are five other strong teams and that's why the Premier League is so tough," he said. "Next season we will start from scratch and we'll see what happens." Man City managed to defend their title after a tense race with Liverpool in the 2018-19 season.
PREMIER LEAGUE

Sarri To Be Released by Chelsea Ahead of Proposed Juventus Move

Maurizio Sarri expects to be released from his Chelsea contract, paving the way for him to take over as Juventus manager, reportedly. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Sarri secured Chelsea a return to the Champions League by sealing a third-placed Premier League finish, before claiming the first major trophy of his career by lifting the Europa League. However, Sarri endured consistent criticism from a significant portion of the club's supporters throughout the season and, amid interest from Serie A champions Juventus, the 60-year-old held talks with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia on Friday. Sarri informed her he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and she promised to talk to the club's owner Roman Abramovich about his future.
NEWS

Brazil Coach Tite: "I Refuse to Comment on Neymar Rape Allegations"

Brazil head coach Tite has refused to pass judgement on rape allegations that “indispensable” Neymar strenuously denied ahead of Copa America. “First of all, I know the importance of the subject, the real extent of it,” Tite told a press conference on Monday. “The subject is a personal one and there will be time for people to judge the facts. For now, I won't allow myself to judge. “What I can say is that, in three years together, in our discussions about personal subjects, he was always loyal and truthful." “I cannot comment or cross any lines – I have a lot of energy to spend on what is essential and important, on preparing the team." “If I keep searching and making assumptions it will consume energy and take me away from what I should be focusing on. I want to focus on my work. I had tw...
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