July 2021 – Page 3 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Month: July 2021

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SERIE A

Serie A: AC Milan director Paolo Maldini confirms Olivier Giroud’s arrival, regrets Gianluigi Donnarumma exit

Olivier Giroud of Chelsea celebrates with the Champions League Trophy following their team's victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal.AC Milan director Paolo Maldini confirmed on Wednesday that Chelsea's French centre-forward Olivier Giroud was set to arrive in Italy while regretting the loss of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to Paris Saint Germain."Olivier should arrive in Milan tomorrow (Thursday)," Maldini said at the unveiling of the Serie A calendar for the 2021-2022 season.The 34-year-old World Cup winner is reported to be set to sign a two-year contract worth three million euros per season with the Serie A runners-up, who open next season at Sampdoria."He's a champion, not only with the...
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LALIGA

Lionel Messi ends speculation about his future as he ‘agrees to massive pay cut to sign five-year Barcelona deal‘’

Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the final of Copa America Brazil 2021 between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Lionel Messi looks sure to end his career with Barcelona amid reports that the six-time Ballon d'Or winning star has agreed to take a sizeable pay cut in order to ink a new five-year contract with the cash-strapped Catalan giants.Less than a year since Messi put European football's elite on high alert after announcing his desire to leave Barcelona, the Argentina icon appears to have completed a very public about-face by agreeing terms to the new contract which will tie him to the Camp Nou for the next five seasons – a deal that will reportedly see his annual salary nosedive...
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TRANSFERS

Chelsea offer €100m to Juventus for Euro 2020 star

Federico Chiesa of Juventus FC celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 6, 2021 in Milan, Italy.Chelsea have made a huge offer to Juventus for winger Federico Chiesa but the Italian club don’t want to sell, according to reports.The Italy international was touted back as a cheaper alternative to Jadon Sancho before Man Utd agreed a fee for the Borussia Dortmund winger earlier this month.Chiesa scored ten goals and provided eight assists for his Juventus team-mates in 26 appearances in all competitions last term.He was named in UEFA’s team of the tournament as Italy beat England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final and increase his value.Liverpool have also been linked with the 23-year-old with the Premier League outfit appa...
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TRANSFERS

Wolves ‘keeper Rui Patricio becomes Mourinho’s first signing at Roma

AS Roma new signing Rui Patricio arrives in Rome and meets AS Roma coach Josè Mourinho on July 13, 2021 in Rome, Italy.Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio has joined Roma from Wolves for an undisclosed fee.The Premier League club confirmed the deal, which Roma stated to be for an initial €11.5m (£9.8million), on Tuesday evening.Patricio, 33, becomes Jose Mourinho’s first signing since the former Tottenham boss was appointed as head coach at Roma in May.“I would like to say thank you to all Wolves fans, players and staff for your love and support since the day I joined your ‘pack,’” Patricio said in a statement.“Happy times come and go but the memories with Wolves will stay forever!“It’s not goodbye! We will be forever connected.”He added on Roma’s official website: “Roma is a big club and a new...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Solskjaer: Rashford will bounce back after penalty miss

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United chats to Manchester United Head Coach / Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during a first team training session at Aon Training Complex on April 2, 2021 in Manchester, England.Marcus Rashford will bounce back from missing the penalty in their shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.Substitutes Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed spot kicks in the 3-2 shootout loss after the game ended 1-1 following extra time as England's hopes of winning a first major trophy in 55 years ended in heartbreak.Solskjaer is confident Rashford will not be severely affected by his penalty miss and will step forward for taking spot kicks when playing for United."You know the thing is when you step up to take a ...
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TRANSFERS

Newcastle United starlet poised for loan exit

Lewis Cass of Newcastle United (5) during the Premier League Cup Final between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park on May 08, 2019 in Liverpool, England. Newcastle United starlet Lewis Cass is set to take a medical as he looks to seal a loan move away to League Two side Port Vale, according to the Chronicle.The 21-year-old is part of the Magpies Under-23s set up and spent last season on loan away at then National League side Hartlepool United.Cass played a crucial role in helping Hartlepool earn promotion into League Two, and boss Dave Challinor was keen on having him at his disposal again.Owing to a strong season in Hartlepool colours the centre-back also attracted a lot of interest from several EFL clubs and from Scotland, but it appears League Two side Port Vale have won ...
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TRANSFERS

Real Madrid defender very close to Manchester United transfer

Raphael Varane of France poses during the official UEFA Euro 2020 media access day on June 10, 2021 in Rambouillet, France. (Raphael Varane of France poses during the official UEFA Euro 2020 media access day on June 10, 2021 in Rambouillet, France.Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of reaching an agreement to sign French defender Raphael Varane from Real Madrid this summer.According to Diario AS journalist Edu Cornago on Twitter, Manchester United are ‘very close’ to reaching an agreement to secure the transfer of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.The 28-year-old Varane has established himself as one of the finest modern defenders in the game after enjoying a trophy-laded ten-year spell with Real Madrid. The Frenchman has won as many as three La Liga titles and four UEFA Champ...
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NEWS

Italy inflict more penalty heartache on England to win Euro 2020 final

Leonardo Bonucci of Italy lifts The Henri Delaunay Trophy following his team's victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England.Italy were crowned Euro 2020 champions after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout win over England at Wembley tonight.Gianluigi Donnarumma was the Italy hero as the goalkeeper saved penalties from Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, while Marcus Rashford saw his penalty hit the post.Andrea Belotti and Jorginho both saw their penalties saved by Jordan Pickford but Italy held on to win.It finished 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes and there was still no separating the teams in extra-time as a shootout was required to decide the final.Gareth Southgate’s side made a dream start, as Luke Shaw scored h...
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NEWS

Messi finally pays his debt to Argentina with Copa America win

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the final of Copa America Brazil 2021 between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Argentina has finally made Lionel Messi cry with joy.After losing four times in finals, early exits in major tournaments and even a decision to retire from the national team, the superstar celebrated a much-awaited title with Argentina in Saturday's 1-0 win against Brazil at the Maracana Stadium.The title ended Argentina's 28-year drought of major trophies, with Messi as the best player with four goals and five assists. The captain also broke the team's record for international appearances, with 151 matches.When Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich blew the final whistle, Messi knelt down on t...
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TRANSFERS

Watford wrap up three signings in one day with King the headline addition

Joshua King of Bournemouth during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Crawley Town at Vitality Stadium on January 26, 2021 in Bournemouth, England.Joshua King is the most high-profile of three signings Watford have made in one day as they prepare to return to the Premier League.Watford have announced the arrival of Norway striker King as their third signing of a busy Friday. The former Bournemouth frontman has agreed a two-year contract, with the option of another 12 months, after leaving Everton.King struggled to settle during his short spell at Goodison Park, but has proven himself at Premier League level before. He will now hope to make a positive contribution to his new club. At the age of 29, he still has plenty to offer if he can rediscover a rhythm.Ea...
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LALIGA

Real Madrid extend Nacho’s contract until 2023

Lucas Vázquez and Nacho Fernández both of Real Madrid are training at Valdebebas training ground on July 06, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid announced on Thursday that they have extended the contract of central defender Nacho Fernandez until the end of June 2023.The news means that the player, who progressed through the club's youth system, will remain at Real Madrid until he is 33 years old.The adaptable defender who can play in central defense and at left or right full back, he has made 233 first team appearances for the club. Nacho enjoyed an excellent second half to last season when he covered for the injured Sergio Ramos with a series of solid displays at the heart of the defense and with Ramos leaving for Paris Saint-Germain, he is likely to play an important role in the coming se...
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TRANSFERS

Sergio Ramos officially joins Paris Saint-Germain

Sergio Ramos sign a 2 year contract with Paris Saint-Germain on July 08, 2021 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.Sergio Ramos has officially joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer from Real Madrid. The Andalusian leaves the Santiago Bernabeu after 16 years and 22 titles, signing a two-year deal with the French club that will take him up to the summer of 2023. “The best place to keep dreaming,” he posted on Twitter. “We’ll fight with everything and for everything.”  Ramos will be pleased to have been able to sign the two-year deal in Paris he was denied in Madrid. Florentino Perez was clear from the jump that the 35-year-old centre-back would only get a single-year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu due to his age and injury record. Ramos believed he had earned a multi-y...
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NEWS

Nigeria’s Etebo completes Watford medical

Emiliano Buendia of Norwich City and Peter Etebo of Stoke City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Norwich City at Bet 365 Stadium on April 22, 2019 in Stoke on Trent, England.Nigeria midfielder Peter Etebo has undergone a medical with newly-promoted Watford ahead of a move from English rivals Stoke City.Football Flame understands the 25-year-old will join the Premier League side on a season-long loan with an option to buy.It will be a third loan move away from Stoke for Etebo since he signed a five-year deal with them just ahead of playing for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.Last season he was with Turkish club Galatasaray, for who he played 26 times, and that followed a stint in Spain with Getafe. Etebo made his international debut for Nigeria ...
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NEWS

Benfica president arrested for tax fraud and money laundering

President Luis Filipe Vieira of Benfica Lisabon looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Benfica Lissabon at Commerzbank-Arena on April 18, 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.Luis Filipe Vieira, president of Benfica of Portuguese top football league Primeira Liga, was arrested on Wednesday. Charges against him included "crimes of breach of trust, qualified fraud, forgery, tax fraud and [money] laundering," according to the Portuguese Public Prosecutor's Office.Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action said "businesses and financing in a total amount exceeding 100 million euros (118 million U.S. dollars), which may have caused considerable damage to the State," are being investigated.Vieira's son Tiago, football ma...
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NEWS

England reaches Euro 2020 final, beats Denmark 2-1 in extra time

England's forward Harry Kane (L) shoots and scores a penalty kick during the UEFA EURO 2020 semi-final football match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium in London on July 7, 2021.England will face Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley on Monday (AEST) after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Denmark at the same venue.Harry Kane’s 104th-minute penalty was initially saved by Danish gloveman Kasper Schmeichel but the England captain made no mistake with the rebound to send the majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance into raptures.The Danes took a 30th-minute lead when Mikkel Damsgaard stunned the home crowd with a brilliant free kick from 25 metres out which flew into the net.It was the first goal England had conceded at the tournament but their response was strong and they were...
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TRANSFERS

Erling Haaland finally reacts to Jadon Sancho’s transfer to Manchester United

Erling Haland of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with teammate Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 at Signal Iduna Park on October 24, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany.Erling Haaland has finally reacted to Jadon Sancho's imminent transfer to Manchester United - with a crying emoji.Haaland and Sancho played together for a season after the Norwegian joined Borussia Dortmund from RB Salzburg in 2020.But in the short space of time, they struck up a sensational understanding on the pitch, which has seen both players garner the attention of top clubs in Europe.In one of the last games the pair played together they won the German Cup, beating RB Leipzig 4-1 in the final.Haaland has been linked with a ...
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TRANSFERS

QPR announce signing of Jordan Archer

Jordan Archer of Middlesbrough during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough on Saturday 24th April 2021.Queens Park Rangers have signed goalkeeper Jordan Archer on a two-year contract, the club have confirmed via their official website.The Rs were in need of a new goalkeeper this transfer window. Joe Lumley departed to Middlesbrough upon the expiry of his contract, and Liam Kelly returned to Scotland to play for Motherwell.This left them with just one senior goalkeeper on the books. However, they have now solved this problem, bringing in Archer on a free transfer.The 28-year-old, who has one cap for the Scotland national team, began his career at Tottenham Hotspur. Following several loan spells, he eventually mo...
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NEWS

Italy into Euro 2020 final with penalty shootout win over Spain

Italy's midfielder Federico Chiesa celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 semi-final football match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London on July 6, 2021.Italy beat Spain on penalties to reach the Euro 2020 final after an enthralling semi-final at a noisy Wembley.After Alvaro Morata's penalty was saved, Jorginho strolled up to score and set up a final with either England or Denmark in London on Sunday.Federico Chiesa looked as if he had sent Italy - who are unbeaten in 33 games - to the final in normal time with a delightful curled finish to cap off a quick counter.But Morata stepped off the bench to slot an equaliser with 10 minutes to go after a one-two with Dani Olmo.However, the Juventus forward's penalty miss in the shoot...
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NEWS

Gareth Bale set to retire from club football – but will keep playing for Wales

Gareth Bale of Wales celebrates after their side's second goal scored by Connor Roberts (Not pictured) during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Turkey and Wales at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on June 16, 2021 in Baku, Azerbaijan.Gareth Bale is planning to retire from club football next summer but could still play for Wales at the 2022 World Cup.Wales' captain and record scorer Bale is on holiday after leading his nation into the last 16 at Euro 2020.He is due to return to Real Madrid later this month where he has a year left on his contract worth a huge £600,000-a-week.Bale, who turns 32 next week, intends to see out the final 12 months of his deal at Real now Carlo Ancelotti has replaced Zinedine Zidane, who froze him out.The star, who spent last season on loan at Spurs, ha...
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NEWS

Neymar wants Brazil to face Argentina in Copa America final

Neymar Brazil player during a match against Peru at the Engenhão stadium for the Copa América 2021, this Monday(05).Brazil forward Neymar said he hopes Argentina will be their opponents in the Copa America final and has no doubts that the hosts would come out on top against their fierce rivals.Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in Monday's semi-final in Rio de Janeiro thanks to a 35th minute goal from Lucas Paqueta to book their spot in Saturday’s decider at the Maracana stadium.The second semi-final between Argentina and Colombia is on Tuesday.“I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar said with a smile. “I have friends there and in the final Brazil will win.”The last time the two sides met in a Copa America final was in 2007, when Brazil won 3-0 in Venezuela, and a title match between the arch ...
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