July 2019 – Football Flame

31Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Man utd,Juve agree Dybala-Lukaku Swap

Manchester United and Juventus have agreed a swap deal in principle involving Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, according to Sky in Italy.The deal is now said to hinge on Dybala agreeing terms with United.His agent is understood to be in London for talks with United over a move to Old Trafford.Dybala is valued at €100m (£91.8m) and is keen to stay but wants to meet with Maurizio Sarri when he returns from his holidays on Thursday before making a final decision, according to Sky in Italy.United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, speaking after Tuesday's pre-season win over Kristiansund, would not be drawn on a potential deal for Dybala but confirmed new arrivals could be in the offing."I'm not here to talk about any rumours or speculation about other team's players," said Solskjaer."But of course,...

31Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona Reportedly closing in on Junior Firpo

Barcelona are reportedly closing in on a move for Real Betis full-back Junior Firpo, according to multiple reports.ESPN report that Barcelona are “increasingly confident” of landing the 22-year-old and want the deal all sewn up before they fly out to the United States on Monday.They reckon that Betis are willing to sell Firpo for €25 million, the only problem is that Barcelona are yet to offer more than €20 million.Sport have a similar story regarding Firpo. They reckon the reason Barcelona are reticent about spending big on the youngster is because he will essentially be back-up to Jordi Alba.It seems as though Betis had been expecting plenty of interest from elsewhere for their full-back but that has not happened, and so they are willing to drop their initial asking price of €35m.There s...

31Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid's Pre-Season Struggles Continue With Loss To Tottenham Hotspur

Real Madrid's disastrous pre-season continued on Tuesday as they lost 0-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in Munich. "Our defeat was well deserved," Real midfielder Tony Kroos told German TV after the match. It's true that we're not quite in good shape." In the second match of the evening, Bayern Munich thrashed Fenerbahce 6-1. Champions League runners up Tottenham will play Bayern Munich in Wednesday's final. Real Madrid will have a chance to find winning form run against a Turkish side that finished their game against hosts Bayern in disarray.For Spurs, Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game with a deft finish after pouncing on a disastrous pass by Marcelo, who was trying to prevent a throw in, after 22 minutes.Humiliated 7-3 last week by Atletico Madrid, Real could thank goalkeeper ...

31Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham preparing to let midfielder leave, club interested

Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to let young midfielder Josh Onomah leave the club this summer and have opened talks with Championship club Huddersfield Town, according to the Football Insider.The 22-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs and has spent the past two seasons away from the New White Hart Lane with spells at Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.The £55million signing of Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele this summer has further decreased his chances of playing for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.Onomah progressed through the Tottenham academy to make his debut aged 17 in an FA Cup replay tie with Burnley in January 2015 but has found appearances hard to come by and has featured just 31 times in all competitions since making his first-team bow.Huddersfield are winning the ra...

30Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo Insists Juventus will Win Champions League Soon

Cristiano Ronaldo is confident Serie A giants Juventus will win the Champions League, insisting "it's coming"."After winning what I won at Madrid I needed a change and new motivation," Ronaldo said. "I still have the strength to keep winning. Juventus will win the Champions League. I don't know if it'll be this year or the next, but it's coming."The 34-year-old superstar made a seamless transition from Madrid to Juve, helping the Italian giants to their eighth successive Serie A crown in 2018-19.

30Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Pique's Team Pay £411,000 for Promotion to Spanish 3rd Tier

FC Andorra - owned by Barcelona defender Gerard Pique - have paid 452,022 euros (£411,000) to fill a vacated slot in Spain's third tier.The club, bought by Pique's Kosmos group in December, earned promotion to the fourth tier last season but have now replaced Reus, who were relegated as a result of financial problems.Zamora, Jaen, Intercity and Linares were also keen on replacing Reus.FC Andorra, founded in 1942, have played in the league system since 1948.

30Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Neymar Rape Case Dropped Over Lack of Evidence

Police investigating rape allegations against Brazilian football player Neymar say they have closed the case.The Sao Paulo attorney general's office said the case was suspended due to a lack of evidence, but will be sent to prosecutors for a final decision.The investigation was opened after Brazilian model Najila Trindade alleged the footballer attacked her in a hotel in Paris, France, in May.Neymar has denied the accusations, saying he is being extorted.A spokesman for Neymar said that he was not able to comment on the police decision.The case has gripped Brazil, where it has dominated newspaper headlines.

29Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Brighton loan South Africa's Percy Tau to Club Brugge

South Africa's Percy Tau has been loaned out again by Brighton.The 25-year-old returns to Belgium for next season to play for top-flight side Club Brugge after spending last term at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.He signed for Premier League side Brighton last year on a four-year deal but is yet to play for the first team."It's a step up to the next level in Belgium, and he also has the prospect of Champions League football," technical director Dan Ashworth said."It comes off the back of an impressive Africa Cup of Nations campaign with South Africa, and will give Percy the opportunity to further develop his undoubted talent."Tau played in all of Bafana Bafana's matches at the Nations Cup in Egypt as he helped his side reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.

29Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd: Romelu Lukaku left out of pre-season friendly squad

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has been left out of the 26-man squad travelling for Tuesday's pre-season friendly against Kristiansund.Lukaku was part of the pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East, but did not play because of injury.United remain in talks with Inter Milan over the Belgium international, 26, but there is no agreement over a fee.The Old Trafford club rejected a 60m euro (£54m) bid for Lukaku from the Italian giants earlier in July.Inter boss Antonio Conte has said the forward is his number one summer transfer target.Italy full-back Matteo Darmian, another player linked with move away from United, is also absent from the squad heading to Norway for Tuesday's match.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side play their final pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Cardiff on S...

29Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Klopp & Reus Win Big in German Football Awards

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has been named Footballer of the Year in Germany for the second time in his career.The Association of German Sports Journalists, in conjunction with football magazine Kicker, gave Reus 150 of the 540 votes cast to place him ahead of Bayer Leverkusen prodigy Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich full-back Joshua Kimmich.Reus’ former Dortmund boss, Jurgen Klopp, earned the Coach of the Year title after leading Liverpool to glory in the Champions League.The accolades are considered the most prestigious of their kind in Germany, and this latest honour holds particular value for 30-year-old winger Reus, who battled back from an injury riddled 2017-18 season to score 21 competitive goals for BVB last term.Reds manager Klopp is now a three-time Coach of the Year winne...

29Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Kovac Confident Sane Will Join Bayern

Bayern Munich head coach Niko Kovac says he remains confident a deal can be done to sign Manchester City winger Leroy Sane.The 23-year-old has long been associated with a move to the Bavarian giants from the Premier League champions, with Bayern looking to replace legendary widemen Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben who both left the club at the end of last season after long spells filled with trophies.Kovac has described Sane as Bayern’s ‘dream player’, while club icon Lotthar Matthaus says he could be the new face of the club.Kovac issued an update on their hunt for the player on Sunday and said the whole club was focused on getting a deal over the line.“Our club management is very committed behind it and I’m very confident,” the 47-year-old coach told ZDF in Germany. “I assume that we can g...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Antonio Conte Still Confident on Lukaku Deal

Inter coach Antonio Conte has stated that he remains confident in the club's ability to conduct business as speculation continues to swirl over a move for Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku.The Serie A club have reportedly seen a €60m (£54m) bid for the Belgium international knocked back by the Red Devils, but their boss remains hopeful of bringing the forward to San Siro.The Nerazzurri have already made several eye-catching signings during the off-season, recruiting Valentino Lazaro, Nicolo Barella and Matteo Politano to their squad.But, speaking after his side's pre-season penalty shoot-out victory against Paris Saint-Germain in Macau, the former Chelsea manager has reaffirmed his belief that Inter's hierarchy will deliver, whoever they add in the final weeks of the transfer window."As I'...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Bale Aims to Have Beckham-Like Impact in China

Gareth Bale believes he can be at the forefront of a football revolution in China should he complete his impending move to Jiangsu Suning.While the deal, which is worth around £1m per week to the Real Madrid forward, is being finalised, a key motivation for the Welshman is the chance to effect fundamental change in the game, rather as David Beckham energised football in the United States with his move to MLS.The 30-year-old believes he has achieved everything in the European game, having claimed four Champions Leagues, one La Liga, one Copa del Rey, three Uefa Super Cups and three Club World Cups in six years at Real. He scored three times in the Champions League final triumphs, and six times in six Club World Cup matches, the second highest tally, behind Cristiano Ronaldo. When at Tottenh...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool Complete Signing of Teenager Elliott

Liverpool have completed their second signing of the summer after confirming the arrival of Fulham teenager Harvey Elliott.Elliott links up with the Merseyside outfit after a memorable campaign at Craven Cottage during which he became the Premier League's youngest ever player.He could make his first appearance for the Reds on Sunday after being named in their squad to face Napoli at Murrayfield.He follows teenager Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg through the doors at Liverpool after the 17-year-old's arrival from PEC Zwolle was confirmed in June.The signing of 16-year-old Elliott is being seen as something of a coup at Anfield, with the Reds beating off interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to sign the forward.But it is understood that Ell...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Valverde : Griezmann Will Flourish With Messi

New boy Anotine Griezmman will likely settle well alongside Barcelona veterans Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez when the trio link up for the new season, says coach Ernesto Valverde.The striker, who arrived from Atletico Madrid as the Blaugrana's biggest recruit of a busy off-season so far , made his second appearance for the club in Saturday's 2-0 friendly win against Vissel Kobe in Japan.The La Liga champions, who also lost to Chelsea in Saitama on their pre-season tour, return to Spain now ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, where they will link up with Argentina duo Messi and Suarez following the duo's extended post-Copa America break."The good players always understand things easily," Valverde told the media, addressing how the France international has settled since the switch to Camp Nou."We'...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Everton in Talks to Sign Juve's Moise Kean

Everton are in talks to sign Juventus striker Moise Kean, as per reports.The Serie A club are looking for €40M (£36M) for the 19-year-old and also want a buy-back clause inserted into any deal.Following the departure of Ademola Lookman to RB Leipzig, the Toffees are looking to bring in another forward and the Italian international is seen as the perfect fit.Talks are believed to be ongoing for a player who scored six Serie A goals in 13 appearances last season and has also played three times for Italy, scoring twice.

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Reports : Dybala Wants to Stay at Juve and Fight

Paulo Dybala wants to stay at Juventus and fight for his place under Maurizio Sarri, according to reports in Italy.Juventus are preparing to make an offer for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku and had been willing to include the Argentina striker as part of the deal.But Dybala wants to remain in Turin and could return from his summer break early in order to start learning Sarri's methods.Dybala is currently due back at Juventus on August 5 having been given extra time off by the Serie A champions after featuring for Argentina in the Copa America this summer.United have been negotiating with Inter Milan for Lukaku but the clubs remain far apart in their valuation of the Belgium international.

27Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Oscar Holds Talks With Both Milan Clubs

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar says he has spoken to "two Milan clubs" as he attempts to engineer a move to Serie A.The Brazil international joined Shanghai SIPG as the record signing for an Asian club in 2017. He won the Chinese Super League last year as well as the 2019 Super Cup.The 27-year-old now seems keen to return to Europe and is taken with the idea of playing in Italy's top flight.When asked if he knew of any interested teams, he told passioneinter.com: "Yes, I've spoken to two Milan clubs in these [last few] weeks."I can't go into details, but, yes, one thing I can say: I want to play in Italy."Oscar won two Premier Leagues, the EFL Cup and the Europa League during a five-year stint with Chelsea.It has been suggested Inter or AC Milan could pursue a loan deal for the player, in...

27Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Reports : Gareth Bale Closing in on China Move

Gareth Bale's representatives are in talks with Chinese side Jiangsu Suning about a deal which could see the Welshman earn £1m a week.Reports claim that negotiations are progressing and there is still some work to do, but Jiangsu Suning are increasingly confident they can convince Bale to sign.The 30-year-old has been told he can leave Real Madrid, even though he has three years left on his £600,000-a-week contract.However, any deal will have to be concluded by Wednesday as that is when the Chinese window closes.Another hurdle is that all Chinese clubs have to pay 100 per cent transfer tax on foreign signings, meaning Jiangsu Suning will effectively have to pay double to secure Bale's services.

27Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

'We Lacked Everything' – Zidane Upset After Atletico Rout

Zinedine Zidane is upset but "convinced" Real Madrid will enjoy a good season following their 7-3 rout at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid at the International Champions Cup.Madrid were put to the sword in New Jersey, where La Liga neighbours Atletico led 5-0 at half-time in the pre-season fixture on Friday.It was an incredible match at MetLife Stadium, where the margin of defeat could have been greater if not for some desperate defending and late goals from Karim Benzema and Javi Hernandez."At eight minutes we were down 2-0. There was no response from us to change something. The first part was difficult. We never entered the game. We have lacked everything. Especially intensity."Zidane continued: "They scored seven goals, it can't happen. That is also known to the players, who are disa...