July 2022 – Page 9 – Football Flame

2Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Inter sign Mkhitaryan and Onana in busy few days for Italian giants

Henrikh Mkhitaryan of AS Roma, Eli Dasa of Vitesse during the UEFA Europa Conference League, Knockout stage, 1/8 Finals match between Vitesse and AS Roma at Gelredome on March 10, 2022 in Arnhem, Netherlands Inter Milan's activity in the transfer market continues as the Nerazzurri completed the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Serie A rival Roma. Mkhitaryan spent the past three seasons at Roma after spells in England with Manchester United and Arsenal. Inter also registered a contract with the league's governing body for 26-year-old Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, who joins from Ajax. Both have signed as free agents. The deals come two days after Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter, who also signed Kristjan Asllani on loan from Empoli.

2Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Semi-automated offside in place for World Cup

Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA looks on from the stands prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match between Australia Socceroos and Peru at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on June 13, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.FIFA confirmed on Friday that a semi-automated offside system will be used at this year’s World Cup in Qatar. The optical tracking system was trialled at the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi earlier this year and had also been tested at the Arab Cup in Qatar last December. “Semi-automated offside technology is an evolution of the VAR systems that have been implemented across the world,” the global body’s president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.“This technology is the culmination of three years of dedicated research and testing to provide the very best for the teams, play...

2Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Newcastle complete £35m signing of Lille defender Sven Botman

New signing Sven Botman shakes hands with the Sporting Director Dan Ashworth (L) at St. James Park on June 28, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.Newcastle have completed the signing of Dutch defender Sven Botman from Lille for an undisclosed fee. The Magpies had announced on Tuesday they had agreed a deal in principle for the 22-year-old centre-back, who has now completed the formalities of a deal worth a reported £35million, signing a five-year contract. Newcastle have stepped up their recruitment drive since the arrival of sporting director Dan Ashworth and Botman has become the club's third signing of the summer following the permanent deal for Matt Targett and the arrival of goalkeeper Nick Pope. Botman said: 'I'm really happy - delighted - and I can't wait to st...

1Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Crystal Palace confirm deal for Sam Johnstone on free transfer after West Brom contract expired

Sam Johnstone of West Bromwich Albion makes a save during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and West Bromwich Albion at MKM Stadium on March 5, 2022 in Hull, England. Crystal Palace have signed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on a four-year deal. The 29-year-old played 37 times for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League in the 2020-21 season and won both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards. He started his career at Manchester United, coming through the academy and excelling on loan in the Championship, most notably at Aston Villa. After moving to West Brom in 2018, his form saw him earn international recognition – he has been capped three times for England and was part of the Three Lions squad that reached the European Championship final in 2021...

1Jul

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Southampton goalkeeper signs new one-year contract

Southampton goalkeeper Willy Caballero gathers the ball, protected by James Ward-Prowse and Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton watched by Jarrod Bowen of West Ham during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on March 2, 2022 in Southampton, England.SAINTS goalkeeper Willy Caballero has signed a one-year extension to remain with the club for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The former Chelsea and Manchester City stopper turns 41 in September, but will likely act as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s third or fourth choice. Alex McCarthy and summer signing Gavin Bazunu will tussle for the number one shirt, while Caballero acts as back-up and offers his experience and mentality to the group. He will continue to work along...

1Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Why Chelsea missed out on signing Tottenham-bound Richarlison

Richarlison of Everton scores his side's second goal beyond Conor Gallagher of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on May 19, 2022 in Liverpool, England.Chelsea missed out on signing Everton forward Richarlison after they failed to match Tottenham’s improved offer for the Brazil international. The 25-year-old completed the formalities of his move to Antonio Conte’s side on Thursday after undergoing a medical in his homeland. Richarlison is expected to be confirmed as a Spurs player within the next 48 hours as Conte continues his impressive summer rebuild which has also seen the likes of Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster bolster a squad which enjoyed an impressive end to last se...

1Jul

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TRANSFERS

Rennes open Umtiti talks with Barcelona – report

Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the match between FC Barcelona and the A-League All Stars at Accor Stadium on May 25, 2022 in Sydney, Australia.Ligue 1 side Rennes have reportedly opened talks with Barcelona regarding a possible summer move for center-back Samuel Umtiti. The latest update on Umtiti comes from L’Equipe and a report the French side have “initiated” discussions about a transfer. Rennes want to bring in a replacement for Nayef Aguerd, who has moved to West Ham, and Umtiti might just fit the bill. The report also notes Umtiti knows Rennes boss Bruno Genesio and sporting director Florian Maurice pretty well which may help. Maurice has spoken about the club’s transfer targets recently and admitted “it’s not easy” to find a suitable repla...

1Jul

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NEWS

PSG announce the signing of former Wolves flop Vitinha on a five-year deal

Vitor Ferreira of FC Porto celebrates after scoring a goal during the Taca de Portugal Final match between FC Porto and CD Tondela at Estadio Nacional on May 22, 2022 in Oeiras, Portugal.Paris Saint-Germain have signed midfielder Vitinha from Porto on a five-year contract, the Ligue 1 champions said on Thursday. The 22-year-old, the first signing of the summer for PSG, has joined the French side for a fee of about €40million euros (£34.4m), local media reports said. Vitinha made a total of 59 appearances and scored four goals for the Portuguese club since his professional debut in 2020. He helped Porto win the league title last season as well as two domestic cups and has also been capped three times by Portugal. 'A great challenge awaits me and I cannot wait to sta...

1Jul

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LALIGA

Xavi sacks four first-team players ahead of club’s return to action

Samuel Umtiti during the match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF, corresponding to the week 3 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, on 29th August 2021, in Barcelona, Spain.The former midfielder had no remorse in telling all these players to seek for employment elsewhere after their poor contribution to the team last season. Barcelona fans are quite aware of their team's economic problems, and with that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the former footballer wants to help his employers by letting some of the players within the squad leave so they can leave something for the club to spend before their contracts expire. That being said, the Blaugrana skipper spoke with four players to slap them with an ugly truth: they have been deemed surplus to the team'...

1Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

FIFA lifts Pakistan suspension

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (l) gets into his waiting vehicle after a tour of the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC) in the West Bay district. The DECC will host the Fifa Congress on March 31 and the group draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on April 1. Football’s world governing body FIFA on Thursday lifted the suspension imposed on Pakistan and extended the mandate of normalisation committee for a year. FIFA took the decision after all pertinent requirements were fulfilled by Pakistan, who now will not only return to the international football circuit but will also be able to hold its leagues and other events through the financial assistance of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). “The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on June 29, 2022 to ...