July 2019 – Page 2 – Football Flame

Month: July 2019

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LALIGA

Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy Suffers Injury Blow

Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks with a thigh problem, the club has confirmed. The left-back has been diagnosed with a muscular lesion that will keep him on the sidelines for the opening weeks of the new La Liga campaign. French international Mendy, who made a big money move to Santiago Bernabeu in June from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon, will likely miss his side's first game against Celta Vigo. He has featured in both of Madrid's International Champions Cup pre-season encounters so far, as a substitute in their defeat to Bayern Munich and starting in their penalty shoot-out victory against Arsenal. Los Blancos have already been struck by injury issues, with Marco Asensio suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against the Gunners aft...
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TRANSFERS

Reports : Dortmund in Talks to Sign Malcom

Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are negotiating the transfer of Malcom, which would see the Bundesliga club pay €42 million (£38m/$47m) for the Brazilian winger, as per reports. Malcom has an €180m (£160m/$200m) termination clause in his current contract with the Liga champions, but Barca would accept his departure in exchange for €1m more than the €41m they spent to sign him from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.At the time, it appeared Malcom would be heading to Roma, with the Serie A club having agreed a fee with Bordeaux, only for Barca to swoop in at the last minute to land the winger.But after a bright 2017-18 season with Bordeaux in which he scored 12 goals and added seven assists, Malcom struggled for playing time at Barca, managing 15 appearances for the club and just six starts in La L...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Bailly Injury Not Looking Great, Admits Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer accepted Eric Bailly's condition "doesn't look great" after the centre-back suffered a knee injury in Manchester United's win over Tottenham.United clinched a 2-1 victory in Thursday's International Champions Cup clash thanks to Angel Gomes' well-taken effort in the 80th minute, but the main talking point from the contest was the blow to Bailly.The Ivory Coast international had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes following his half-time introduction before going down in need of medical attention, having attempted to block a shot from Son Heung-min, who was flagged offside.Bailly was carried off on a stretcher and later photographed on crutches with his left knee in a brace, continuing the injury nightmare he has had to endure over the past two years with the Red Devi...
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Arsenal Confirm Signing of Defender William Saliba

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of defender William Saliba for a fee of £27 million ($34m).The Gunners have been hot on the trail of the Frenchman for a number of weeks and the deal was finally announced on the club’s official Twitter page on Thursday afternoon.The 18-year-old made 16 appearances for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 last season as the club finished fourth.He is the second signing Unai Emery’s side have made in a short space of time, with Dani Ceballos also announced as an Arsenal player on Thursday afternoon.
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp Rules Out Liverpool Return for Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho will not be heading back to Liverpool this summer, with manager Jurgen Klopp claiming a move for the Barcelona star "is just not possible" at this stage.The Brazilian left the Reds for Barcelona in a massive £142 million ($201m) deal in January 2018, but his time with the Spanish giants has not been easy.The midfielder has failed to settle with the Blaugrana and the club are reportedly looking to move him on this summer in hopes of funding a move for his Selecao team-mate Neymar.Liverpool are among the clubs to have been linked with a move for their former star, but Klopp has emphatically ruled out any such transfer business for his club this summer."In general, Phil Coutinho helps each team in the world, still - 100 per cent," Klopp told ESPN. "It's not about that."I lik...
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SERIE A

Rumour : Tottenham Approach Juventus for Dybala

Tottenham have made contact with Juventus over an audacious swoop for Paulo Dybala, as per reports in England. Spurs would have to break their transfer record for the second time this summer to sign the Argentina international, who is valued at £80m by the Italian club.Dybala is regarded as one of the finest forwards in the world but he has been a casualty of Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Turin and scored just five goals in the Serie A last season.Juve are thought to be prepared to listen to offers for the 25-year-old and, while hugely ambitious, Spurs believe a deal in the final two weeks of the transfer window is a possibility.Dybala's contract runs until 2022 and he is thought to earn around £120,000-a-week, which should not pose a significant problem for Spurs, with Harry Kane and D...
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NEWS

Friendly : Liverpool and Sporting Play Out 2-2 Draw

Bruno Fernandes, who has been linked with Manchester United, excelled with a goal and an assist as Liverpool ended their US tour with a 2-2 draw with Sporting.The Portuguese midfielder scored a fortuitous opener inside five minutes at Yankee Stadium when his routine effort from 25 yards was misjudged by Simon Mignolet and deflected in.Liverpool responded well and Divock Origi poked in when Jordan Henderson's header was saved (20) and they took a half-time lead when Georginio Wijnaldum's effort struck Luis Neto on its way past Renan Ribeiro a minute before the break.Sporting got back on level terms nine minutes into the second half when Fernandes sold Trent Alexander-Arnold with a lovely turn before feeding Wendel to slot in the equaliser.Despite forcing a number of saves out of Mignolet as...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool's Clyne Injured Out for 6 Months

Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne is set to miss around six months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in pre-season.The 28-year-old suffered the injury in the closing moments of Friday's 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.Clyne flew to Boston for Liverpool's next match against Sevilla but after initial swelling went down, tests confirmed the injury and he flew back to Liverpool from Boston.Liverpool team doctors are optimistic about the injury, however, as there is no additional damage, and as such Clyne is expected to be in line to return after six months rather than the nine which some who suffer the same injury can be sidelined for."What can I say other than how gutted we all are for Clyney. He was training and playing...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep : Sane's Future Not in Man City's Hands

Pep Guardiola says he wants Leroy Sane to stay at Manchester City but admits the decision is out of his hands.Sane, 23, has two years left on his contract but is yet to commit to talks over an extension.The Germany winger scored twice in City's 6-1 win over Hong Kong side Kitchee in their latest pre-season tour game - with David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Spanish youngsters Nabil Touaizi and Iker Pozo also netting.Bayern Munich want to sign Sane."We want him to stay and there is an offer waiting to talk with his agents to extend the contract," said Guardiola. "It is not in our hands. He has to decide. If he wants to leave, he can do it but we will be sad."Hopefully he stays."
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NEWS

ICC : Juventus Edge Inter on Penalties

Matthijs de Ligt scored an own goal on his first Juventus start but Gianluigi Buffon proved the hero for Maurizio Sarri's side as they beat Serie A rivals Inter 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the International Champions Cup.Having come on in Juve's defeat to Tottenham, big-money signing De Ligt was handed a full debut for the Derby d'Italia encounter in China, but the occasion was marred when he diverted Stefano Sensi's 10th-minute corner beyond Samir Handanovic.De Ligt's unfortunate opener was cancelled out midway through the second half - Cristiano Ronaldo making it two goals from two games with a deflected free-kick that looped in to restore parity midway through the second half.Daniele Padelli brilliantly denied Ronaldo a second as penalties were required to settle the contest, b...
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LALIGA

Atletico Madrid Want to block Antoine Griezmann's transfer to Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann's contentious move to Barcelona looks set to get even uglier after his former club, Altetico Madrid, requested La Liga block the French forward's transfer as the two clubs continue to dispute over the fee.World Cup winner Griezmann signed for Barcelona earlier this month for €120 million (Dh491m) after the Spanish giants triggered the buyout clause in his Atletico contract.However, Atletico are insisting Barca did not pay enough. The buyout clause had dropped from €200m to 120m on July 1, but Atletico claim that Griezmann's May 14 announcement that he was leaving the club is proof a deal was struck between the player and Barcelona much earlier.Atletico had previously accused Barcelona of approaching Griezmann behind their back, and have now taken their issues to the Spani...
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NEWS

CONMEBOL Fines Messi for Copa America Comments

CONMEBOL have handed Lionel Messi a $1500 fine for his inflammatory comments about the federation’s “corruption” during this summer’s Copa America.Additionally, the Argentina star will serve a one-game suspension for the red card he received against Chile in the competition’s third-place match.Messi went off on the South American federation earlier this month, but they have responded with a negligible fine and no further suspension beyond the automatic one-game punishment for a red card.After being sent off against Chile, Messi skipped the Copa America medal ceremony, clearly still upset about his red card in the third-place game and what transpired in his nation’s semi-final defeat to host country Brazil.CONMEBOL responded to Messi’s comments with a withering statement of their own, accus...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid's Asensio Suffers Bad Injury

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has been stretchered from the field with a 'worrisome' knee injury during the penalty shootout win in the International Champions Cup against Arsenal in Maryland.The attacking midfielder appeared to get his foot stuck in the turf during a tussle with Gunners star Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang around the hour mark, before falling to the pitch clutching his left knee.Asensio was seen banging the turf in frustration after suffering the issue before covering his face to hide his emotion as he was removed from the pitch by medical staff - with Real coach Zinedine Zidane admitting the injury could be serious."It's worrisome," Zidane said in his post-match press conference."Hopefully not, but he's gone directly to the hospital to test. It looks bad."
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Newcastle Sign Joelington for Club Record Fee

Newcastle United have announced the signing of the Hoffenheim striker Joelinton for a club-record fee, believed to be in the region of £40m.“I’m really happy to be here,” Joelinton told the club’s official website after signing a six-year deal. “I know it’s a large investment that the club has made in me and that comes with a huge responsibility. I’m highly motivated and hope to give back on the pitch.”The 22-year-old Brazilian has been handed the No 9 shirt, leaving the Bundesliga club after four years – two of those spent on loan at Rapid Vienna.“The kid’s got an exciting time ahead of him,” Steve Bruce, the Newcastle manager, said. “He’s a smashing young player and we’re obviously delighted to get him.“It’s been going on for a little bit now, so to get him is great for everybody,” Bruce...
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NEWS

ICC : Bayern Edge AC Milan

Leon Goretzka scored the only goal of the match as Marco Giampaolo's first game in charge of AC Milan resulted in a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich at the International Champions Cup.Giampaolo arrived from Serie A rivals Sampdoria after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as head coach of Milan at the end of the 2018-19 season.New signing Theo Hernandez made his debut for Milan following his transfer from Real Madrid, while Paolo Maldini's son – Daniel – was also in the starting XI for the Rossoneri.And Giampaolo oversaw defeat in Milan's pre-season opener as Goretzka's well-taken 48th-minute goal guided Bayern to their second ICC victory.
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NEWS

ICC : Bale Stars as Real Beat Arsenal on Penalties

Gareth Bale sent a message to Zinedine Zidane after coming off the bench to score and inspire Real Madrid's comeback against Arsenal at the International Champions Cup.Bale – tipped for an imminent Madrid exit after sitting out last week's loss to Bayern Munich – was surprisingly introduced by Zidane at half-time and the Los Blancos outcast helped erase a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 draw before the LaLiga giants won on penalties on Tuesday.Arsenal – who had Sokratis Papastathopoulos sent off prior to half-time after Nacho Fernandez was dismissed for a handball – were in control thanks to Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, until Bale entered the fray.Bale pulled a goal back with a simple finish in the 56th minute before fellow substitute Marco Asensio restored parity three min...
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Nabil Fekir Set for Real Betis Move

France midfielder Nabil Fekir will undergo a medical at Real Betis later today, ahead of a permanent €20 million (£18m/$22.4m) switch from Lyon.The 26-year-old had one year left to run on his existing contract at Lyon's Olympic Stadium but was given permission to speak to potential suitors at the end of last season.The mercurial playmaker had no intention of extending his stay in Ligue 1, with it his desire to undertake a new challenge after six successful years in his homeland.Lyon boss Sylvinho excused Fekir from pre-season training so he could fly to Spain and negotiate terms on a five-year contract with Betis on Monday.The France international is expected to put pen to paper on the long term deal, which brings to an end one of the year's longest-running transfer sagas.The Andalucian cl...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

De Gea Eyes Man Utd Captaincy Ahead of New Deal

David de Gea says he would be "really happy" to be named Manchester United captain and insists he is ready to fight for trophies at Old Trafford as he closes in on a new deal.The Spain international has been in talks over a new contract at Old Trafford for a number of months and now appears set to commit his future to the Premier League outfit.With Antonio Valencia having departed the club at the end of last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is searching for a new permanent captain, and De Gea wants to be considered.Speaking at an event for supporters in Singapore on Sunday night, the 28-year-old said: “I’ve been captain for some games. Of course it is amazing to be captain of a club like Manchester United and defend this badge.“It’s amazing, so of course I’ll be really, really happy to captain...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Injured Kante Leaves Chelsea Tour for Treatment

N'Golo Kante has travelled back to the UK to continue his rehabilitation for an injury connected to the knee problem he sustained at the end of last season.Kante, who has not featured for Chelsea during pre-season, suffered the injury during their 2-0 win over Watford in May.At the time, then head coach Maurizio Sarri said it was a mistake to play Kante and that he should have rested the France midfielder.Chelsea's current head coach Frank Lampard suffered his first defeat in charge as they lost 1-0 to Kawasaki in Yokohama on Saturday.Despite the loss, Lampard still saw plenty of positives in his team's performance in Yokohama.
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SERIE A

Ancelotti: Napoli Still Trying to Sign James

Carlo Ancelotti says Napoli are still negotiating a deal to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid as Atletico Madrid reportedly circle.James has been linked with Napoli throughout the current transfer window, but a deal that would reunite the Colombia star and head coach Ancelotti is yet to materialise.Atletico have emerged as a possible destination for James amid a deadlock in talks between Napoli and La Liga giants Real.Asked about Napoli's pursuit of James, Ancelotti told TV Luna: "I'm not aware of a deal with Atletico."We're still talking for James, a player that I really like. I'm very attached to James, I rate him very highly and he can certainly improve our team."He doesn't need to re-announce himself, he's a great player. But he's not the only player we're openly negotiating for. W...
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