Jurgen Klopp words offer sole certainty on Thiago to Liverpool talk

17Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Jurgen Klopp words offer sole certainty on Thiago to Liverpool talk

Thiago of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the Ball during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Muenchen at PreZero-Arena on February 29, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. Jurgen Klopp has been a long-time admirer of Thiago Alcantara. That much is certain. The Liverpool manager first came into close contact with the midfielder when he made the move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013. Bayern had given Klopp one of his lowest moments in the game just a few months earlier when they edged out his Borussia Dortmund side in the Champions League final at Wembley. That his arch-nemeses went and spent the best part of €25m just a couple of months later to bring the gifted technician to Bavaria from Barcelona will have only added to Klopp's Bayern-induced headache. Som...

17Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea FC closing in on £40m deal to sign Lewis Dunk from Brighton – report

Lewis Dunk of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Turf Moor on July 26, 2020 in Burnley, United Kingdom. Chelsea FC are closing in on a £40m deal to sign Lewis Dunk from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, according to reports in the British media. The Sun is reporting that the west London side are keen on a deal to bring the 28-year-old defender to Stamford Bridge this summer as Frank Lampard aims to bolster his back-line ahead of the new campaign. According to the same article, Chelsea FC could be set to face competition from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for Dunk’s signature this summer. The same story, however, claims that Dunk is a lifelong Chelsea FC fan and he “believes” that he is on his way to ...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Manchester United’s Europa League dream crashed by Sevilla

Fred and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United look dejected following their sides defeat in the UEFA Europa League Semi Final between Sevilla and Manchester United at RheinEnergieStadion on August 16, 2020 in Cologne, Germany. Manchester United’s long season ended on game No 61 and in semi-final heartbreak. Extras time appeared the favoured outcome before Luuk de Jong stole ahead of a dozing Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to score the winner 12 minutes from time for Sevilla. While they will meet Shakhtar Donetsk or Internazionale in Friday’s final, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side head for the beach and reflection on what might have been. A third-place Premier League finish is admirable but losing in the League Cup, FA Cup and now Europa League semi-final is a disapp...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

UCL

Neymar faces Leipzig and Red Bull, one of his own sponsors

Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates victory after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. There’s an extra twist for Neymar entering Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig. Both Neymar and Leipzig have strong links to the Red Bull energy drink company, which sponsors the Brazilian and is behind the creation of the Leipzig team just over a decade ago, with the club still unpopular among many fans in Germany. Neymar, seeking his first Champions League title with PSG, has a longstanding relationship with Red Bull and is often promoted by the company. Last week Red Bull was praising him for leading PSG to the semifinals of...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Tahith Chong Joins Werder Bremen

Tahith Chong of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester United and LASK at Old Trafford on August 05, 2020 in Manchester, England. Manchester United's 20-year-old forward, Tahith Chong, will join SV Werder Bremen on loan for one year. Werder executives reached an agreement with both the player and the Premier League record champions on a one-year loan. "We're delighted that Tahith has decided to join us. He's a talented youngster with real potential, who has already gained some experience at the highest level with Manchester United. Now he will have to get used to the Bundesliga and take the next step in his development with us," said Frank Baumann. Florian Kohfeldt is equally pleased about the...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

AC Milan Gearing Up For Seven Departures This Summer

AC Milan's Spanish forward Samu Castillejo (L) and AC Milan's Italian defender Davide Calabria (C) celebrate as AC Milan's Danish defender Simon Kjaer (R) looks on after AC Milan opened the scoring during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) semi-final first leg football match AC Milan vs Juventus Turin on February 13, 2020 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. Calcio Mercato are reporting that AC Milan have already registered a significant capital gain from the sale to Suso this summer but are looking to off load a lot more dead weight from the squad. The report indicates that Milan could sell seven more players significantly trimming the club's massive wage bill. The departures of Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura, Ricardo Rodriguez and Pepe Reina will save Milan in excess of 20...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona have four options to replace Quique Setien – report

Head coach Quique Setien of FC Barcelona gestures prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona at Stadio San Paolo on February 25, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Quique Setien is expected to be relieved of his duties as Barcelona manager in the coming days, and the club are reportedly have four candidates in mind. According to Sport, Xavi is not on the list because he’s simply not interested in returning to the Camp Nou now (while Josep Maria Bartomeu is still around basically). The report reckons that Mauricio Pochettino is still the early favorite and believe the ex-Spurs boss is “the best prepared for the change of cycle Barca need.” Yet there are a few other names under consideration too. Ronald Koeman’s name has cropped up even t...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho backed to spoil Man Utd transfer plans with £80m swoop

Head coach Jose Mourinho of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 19, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Jose Mourinho has been backed to disrupt Manchester United's transfer plans by making a swoop for Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish by former Premier League midfielder Jamie O'Hara. United have been long-term admirers of Grealish and have placed the 24-year-old high on their summer wishlist. The Red Devils are primarily focussing on trying to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho but once those talks are finished they will turn their attention to other targets. Grealish could be one of those Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asks his superiors to bring to ...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Vinicius: ‘I had two days to choose’ between Real Madrid, Barcelona

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid controls the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Vinicius Junior has revealed Barcelona were interested in signing him but he opted to join bitter foes Real Madrid after being given just two days to make a decision. The Brazil international officially arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in July 2018, a year after Madrid agreed a reported £38.7 million (A$70m) deal with Flamengo. He has yet to hit double figures for the club in terms of goals but was on target in March's huge 2-0 win over La Liga title rivals Barcelona. However, things could have been a lot different for Vinicius as the winger was offered the chance to join Barca in 2017. "I had proposals f...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

UCL

Pep Guardiola defends Manchester City approach after shock defeat by Lyon

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City speaks with Rodrigo and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Manchester City and Lyon at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 15, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Pep Guardiola stood by his decision to shake up Manchester City's tactics in their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon after his team suffered a shock 3-1 defeat by the unfancied French outfit. Guardiola strayed from the 4-3-3 formation with which City had outclassed 13-times winners Real Madrid in the last 16, instead fielding a back-three including vastly inexperienced Erik Garcia, 19, as the central defender. "In this competition the tactics are not the most important thing," Guardiola told a news conference. "They (Lyon)...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

John Mikel Obi: Stoke City set to sign former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder

John Obi Mikel of Trabzonspor controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League group C match between Getafe CF and Trabzonspor at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on September 19, 2019 in Getafe, Spain. Stoke City are set to sign former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi on a one-year deal. The former Nigeria captain, 33, is a free agent having left Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent in March. Earlier this week he told BBC Sport Africa he was open to a return to English football. Mikel made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell, which ended when he left Stamford Bridge in 2017. He won the Champions League and Europa League, two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and the League Cup with the London side. After leaving Stamford Bridge he joined Chinese side Ti...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Lille president confirms Gabriel Magalhaes is leaving amid Manchester United transfer Links

Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes of Lille during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon, OL) at Stade Pierre Mauroy on March 8, 2020 in Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, France. Man Utd and Arsenal target Gabriel Magalhaes is leaving Lille this summer, the French club have confirmed. The 22-year-old defender has reportedly been attracting interest from both clubs as well as Everton and Serie A giants Napoli. But according to the MEN, it looks as though the Premier League trio are set to miss out on his signature as he has already agreed terms with the Italian outfit. In fact the MEN's report claims that United were never interested in signing the Brazilian centre-back, who is expected to announce his next move within the next week. "The way we work is ...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Jeremy Ngakia looking to excite after joining Watford

Jeremy Ngakia of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Watford's new full-back Jeremy Ngakia has told fans he hopes to excite them after arriving at Vicarage Road from West Ham United. The Hornets announced the much-anticipated signing last night after it was announced weeks ago that he would be arriving in the near future. In an interview for the club website, the full-back said he was an attacking player who was "over the moon" to be at Watford. Asked what he would be bringing to the club, he said: "Excitement, that's what I would say. "I would say I'm a pacey skillful attacking full-back. "I'm absolutely over the moon to be at a great club like Watford. ...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Leeds United submit bid for Mainz midfielder Jean-Paul Boetius

Jean-Paul Boetius of Mainz runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Borussia-Park on January 25, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. Leeds United have tabled an offer for Mainz midfielder, Jean-Paul Boetius according to German outlet Bild. The 26-year old has attracted interest from all over Europe, with Fulham, Sevilla and Fiorentina also in the mix for Boetius’ signature. Playing in the Bundesliga during the 19/20 campaign, Boetius hit four goals while setting-up five from 28 appearances, accumulating to a direct goal involvement every 252 minutes of football. Overall in the Bundesliga, the one-time capped Dutchman has scored eight goals and assisted fifteen, making a direct goal involvement every 209 minutes over hi...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea urged to seal Declan Rice transfer to help Timo Werner and Kai Havertz succeed

Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford FC at London Stadium on July 17, 2020 in London, England. Chelsea have been urged to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to help out Timo Werner and potential new signing Kai Havertz. Blues boss Frank Lampard is rumoured to be eyeing up the Hammers star as he looks to bolster his defensive options at Stamford Bridge. Rice, who is valued at £80million, came through the Chelsea academy and is believed to be keen on linking up with some former teammates like Mason Mount. German international forward Werner has already arrived from RB Leipzig, while Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Havertz is being chased by the Blues. And former Liverpool d...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus ‘ready to offer’ Paulo Dybala to Man United in bid to seal Paul Pogba transfer

Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba applauds during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on July 4, 2020. Juventus have reportedly made Paul Pogba their top summer target and are ready to offer Paulo Dybala to Manchester United as part of the deal. Pogba rejoined United from the Old Lady for a world record fee of £89million in 2016 but has continually been linked with a return back to Turin. The Frenchman was rumoured to be keen to leave Old Trafford until recently but is now finding his feet under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The midfielder is forming a potent partnership alongside new signing Bruno Fernandes and the team as a whole is much improved. Argentina ace Dybala wa...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

UCL

Brutal Bayern hit eight in stunning defeat of Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Munich scores his team's sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on August 14, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Bayern Munich mercilessly defeated Barcelona with a stunning 8-2 win in a Champions League quarterfinal in Lisbon on Friday, notably one of the darkest days for Lionel Messi and probably a hint of the end of his era in Catalonia. The question left for Barcelona is what happens to them now. Messi was 27 when they last won the Champions League in 2015. He is 33 now and he may have to make up his mind whether he needs to leave the Camp Nou if he wants to win one again. It isn't likely that Quique Setién will stay as Barca manager after this tough loss. The...

14Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Willian joins Arsenal after Chelsea exit

Willian of Chelsea looks up during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Brazil international Willian has signed a three-year deal to join Arsenal ahead of the 2020/21 season. The 32-year-old forward has a wealth of experience and has made more than 600 club appearances in a career spanning 13 seasons. Willian started at Brazilian side Corinthians, before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in August 2007. In his six years there, he won four Ukrainian Premier League titles and the Uefa Cup in 2009. Four years later, he briefly signed for Anzhi Makhachkala before joining Chelsea, winning the Premier League and League Cup in his second season in England. Throughout his seven years at Chelsea, he wo...

14Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Brom to ease into Premier League life

The Premier League has confirmed that just four fixtures will be scheduled between the big kick-off on September 12 and October 16 – the day the transfer window closes. Slaven Bilic is eager to build his squad for the 2020/21 campaign as early as possible. But Albion believe more value is likely to be found towards the end of the window – meaning some of their new recruits may not arrive until mid-October. With the season more congested due to the coronavirus pandemic, there were fears the Baggies may have to play six or seven games before the transfer window closed. But the Premier League has decided there will be no midweek matches in September or October. It means Albion will play on the weekends commencing September 12, 19 and 26. They will also play on the week...

14Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus contact Roma to sign Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko of AS Roma controls the ball during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio San Paolo on July 5, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Juventus has started negotiations with FC Roma about acquiring Roma's captain Edin Dzeko, local media reported on Thursday referring to the Sport Italia TV channel. The 34-year-old striker from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) recently said he would like to stay in Rome, but last week his club was sold for 591 million euros (about 698 million U.S. dollars) to the Friedkin Group, Inc., owned by the American billionaire Thomas Daniel Friedkin. On Wednesday evening, FC Roma has posted a six-minute-video showing all 106 goals that Dzeko scored since he came to Roma five years ago. Some commented that the Roma's Facebook post could be a farewel...