June 2023 – Football Flame

30Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

David de Gea: Manchester United’s shot-stopper set to become a free agent

Manchester United's David De Gea during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on April 2, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.Manchester United’s star goalkeeper, David de Gea contract will come to an end on Friday with no decision over whether he will remain at Old Trafford. The news has sent shockwaves throughout the footballing world, leaving fans in disbelief, while rival clubs eagerly line up to secure the world-class shot-stopper’s services. De Gea, 32, arrived at Old Trafford in 2011 with a massive price tag and a promising reputation from his time at Atletico Madrid. Over the years, the Spaniard firmly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, becoming a key figure in United’s successes, includ...

30Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool’s Strategic Move for the Midfielder

Dominik Szoboszlai of RB Leipzig Dominik Szoboszlai of RB Leipzig celebrates after his goal to make it 2-0 during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on September 10, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany.Liverpool FC enters crucial talks to sign RB Leipzig’s highly-talented midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai. The 22-year-old Hungary attacking midfielder helped Leipzig finish third in the Bundesliga and claim the German Cup last season. A meeting took place between the representatives of Szoboszlai’s camp and Liverpool, who are looking to bolster their midfield. A move appeared unlikely earlier in the week but is now a possibility. There are reports that Szoboszlai has a release clause of about £60m which expires on Friday. Szoboszlai made 31 app...

30Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Martino : Messi and Busquets Joining Inter Miami to Create a Trophy-Seeking Legacy

Gerardo Martino former coach of Mexico looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.In the sizzling world of football transfers, two giants of the game, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, have shocked the global football community by making their way to Inter Miami. While some skeptics argue that these legendary players may just be looking for a sunny holiday in South Florida. New Inter Miami manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino insisted Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets are joining the club to win trophies, and not for a holiday. “Sometimes in our world you associate United States and Miami with holidays. And it’s not that. They are coming to compete,” he told a press conference on T...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Antonio starts as Jamaica defeat Trinidad and Tobago

Michail Antonio #18 of Jamaica controls the ball against Shannon Gomez #14 of Trinidad & Tobago in the first half during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup at Citypark on June 28, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. Michail Antonio was in action for Jamaica on Wednesday night as the Reggae Boyz took a step towards qualification from the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage. Having drawn with the United States of America in their tournament opener, Jamaica eased to a 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in St Louis. Antonio started up front and assisted Damarai Gray’s goal which made it 3-0 with just 29 minutes played, unselfishly squaring for the Everton forward to tap home. Gray had earlier opened the scoring, before Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey added a second. While Trinidad and Tobago’s Andre Ramp...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Wolverhampton: South Korea Trip Nixed as Promoters ‘Fail to Deliver’

The official Wolverhampton Wanderers FC club badge on a home shirt on May 3, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. In a surprising turn of events, the much-anticipated pre-season trip of the Wolves, a prominent football club, to South Korea has been canceled. Club officials expressed disappointment with the promoters, citing their failure to meet required deliverables. The unexpected cancellation has left players and fans alike questioning what lies ahead for their upcoming season. “With great regret, Wolves can confirm that it has been forced to withdraw from its pre-season fixtures and tour to South Korea next month,” Wolverhampton said in a statement Wednesday. “The withdrawal from the scheduled matches, which were set to take place at the end of July, comes after numerous...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

New Power Move in Football: Arsenal Break the Bank with Kai Havertz Acquisition

Kia Havertz poses after signing for Arsenal on June 28, 2023 in Marbella, Spain.In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves across the footballing world, Arsenal Football Club has made an audacious statement by securing the signing of German prodigy Kai Havertz, smashing their previous club transfer record. This groundbreaking move has both excited fans and raised eyebrows, as the London-based club positions itself as a true force to be reckoned with in the transfer market. “Arsenal’s Bold Ambition Shines: Havertz Sparks Rebirth for the Gunners” Arsenal’s decision to lure Havertz, one of the most highly sought-after young talents in football, showcases the club’s unwavering ambition to return to the summit of English football. Havertz’s arrival signifies a new era for the Gunner...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Inter Miami reunites Messi with former mentor Gerardo Martino

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona listens his Head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Camp Nou on January 8, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.In the wake of Lionel Messi’s star-studded arrival, Inter Miami CF has announced the hiring of Gerardo “Tata” Martino as their new head coach. This comes as a reunion for Messi, who has been under Martino’s leadership previously at both Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Inter Miami confirmed Martino’s appointment on Wednesday, a decision welcomed enthusiastically by Jorge Mas, Inter Miami managing owner. “Tata has coached at the highest levels and we believe that experience will be hugely beneficial to us as we aim to compete for titles here,” Mas st...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich: Thomas Tuchel gaining more power at Sabner Strasse

Head coach Thomas Tuchel of FC Bayern München smiles during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground on March 28, 2023 in Munich, Germany.After dramatically winning the Bundesliga title on the final matchday of the season, Bayern Munich made some drastic changes at the club. Despite winning the league, Die Roten endured a difficult campaign in terms of finding consistency in performances. The Bavarian club parted ways with Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic. Kahn didn’t travel with the squad to Cologne to celebrate the league title since he didn’t take his exit kindly. Meanwhile, Salihamidzic’s departure was on amicable terms. Bayern appointed Jan-Christian Dressen as the replacement for Kahn. Die Roten is yet to appoint a new sporting director. Thomas Tuchel currently ...

29Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Spurs agree €46m deal for James Maddison

James Maddison of Leicester City celebrates after scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on February 04, 2023 in Birmingham, England.Tottenham are set to complete the signing of Leicester City’s James Maddison after agreeing an initial £40m (€46.3m) deal. Maddison had a medical yesterday and is expected to become the first major signing for new Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou. Tottenham stepped up their interest this week and after 48 hours of intense negotiations have struck a deal with relegated Leicester for the England international. It is understood the fee will be £40m with the promise of further instalments on appearances and achievements. Leicester had been initially seeking £60m (€69.5m) for M...

28Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Arsenal increase Declan Rice bid, West Ham mull over payment structure

Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on May 21, 2023 in London, England.Arsenal have ramped up their bid for Declan Rice to £105million, but West Ham want a faster payment structure. Football Flame understands Arsenal’s third bid, which would see Rice become the most expensive British player of all-time, was made on Tuesday. It is believed to be a £100million offer with £5million in add-ons, eclipsing Arsenal’s record transfer as the Gunners aim to fend off interest in Rice from Premier League champions Manchester City. However, it is understood West Ham are unhappy with the payment structure put forward but are looking to negotiate rather than dismiss t...

28Jun

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Sadio Mane makes decision on Saudi Pro League transfer

Sadio Mane of Bayern Muenchen controls the Ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München at Signal Iduna Park on October 8, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany.Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has made a decision on his future following interest from the Saudi Pro League.Mane traded Liverpool for Bayern last summer and endured a troubling campaign as he struggled for form and ended up getting suspended by the club in April after a bust-up with Leroy Sane. The Senegal international was often used in a central role to compensate for the sale of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona, but managed only seven Bundesliga goals, missed a chunk of the season with a leg injury and didn’t start any of the final three league games as Bayern snatched the title. Mane could be fo...

28Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Camavinga, Real Madrid reach agreement for contract extension until 2028

Carlo Ancelotti head coach of Real Madrid and Eduardo Camavinga central midfield of Real Madrid and France during the Copa Del Rey Quarter Final match between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 26, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has reached an agreement to extend his contract with the club until the summer of 2028, according to a report published on MARCA.Camavinga will get a significant raise in his salary and his release clause will also increase to €1,000 million, per that same report. This extension comes just two years after Camavinga’s signing for Real Madrid. The young Frenchman has made a statement in his two seasons with the club and is clearly a generational talent the club needed to keep around. ...

28Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Unai Emery pushing hard for Pau Torres

Pau Torres of Villarreal CF celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Villarreal CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 23, 2023 in Seville, Spain. Villa are increasingly confident they can pull off a swoop for Villarreal defender Pau Torres this summer. Bayern Munich are also chasing the 26-year-old but it is Villa, according to multiple reports in Spain, who have so far made the strongest overtures to the player. Unai Emery is a huge fan of Torres having previously worked with the player at Villarreal and has been leading the efforts to convince him of the long-term project at Villa Park. The deal will become more attractive if Villa, already relatively well-stocked at centre-back, can negotiate a cut-price fe...

28Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Late own goal lets Guadeloupe tie Canada

Thierry Ambrose #9 of Guadeloupe heads the ball during the first half of a 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup match against Canada at BMO Field on June 27, 2023 in Toronto, Canada.Thanks to a stoppage-time own goal, Guadeloupe – a French overseas territory without FIFA membership – stunned Canada 2-2 in their opening match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday night in Toronto.Guadeloupe’s Thierry Ambrose scored in the 23rd minute of the Group D match before the highly favored Canadians moved ahead 2-1 in the 70th.In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Ambrose tried a low pass in the box and Canada’s Jacen Russel-Rowe, a forward with the Columbus Crew, accidentally kicked the ball into his own net while trying to block it. The Canadians faced a 1-0 deficit at halftime before Lucas Caval...

28Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Kovacic completes move from Chelsea to Manchester City

Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Leicester, England.Manchester City have completed the signing of Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. The treble winners have announced the 29-year-old has signed a four-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after the clubs agreed an initial fee of £25million, with a potential extra £5million in add-ons, last week. Kovacic joins Pep Guardiola’s side after five years at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and Europa League and made 221 appearances.Manchester City have completed the signing of Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. The treble winners have announced the 29-year-...

27Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Rabiot: ‘Juventus was a choice that came from the heart’

Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot (25) celebrates after scoring his goal to make it 1-0 during the Serie A football match n.22 JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA on February 12, 2023 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. After signing a contract renewal with Juventus on Tuesday afternoon, Adreiedn Rabiot has declared that he is ‘proud’ to be a Juventus player and that the decision to stay on with the Bianconeri is one that ‘came from the heart.’ Juve officially confirmed that the 28-year-old former World Cup winner has put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension, which ties him to the club until the end of the 2023-24 season. Rabiot could have walked away for free upon the expiry of his previous deal on June 30 and had concrete interest from a host of other clubs across E...

27Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Chelsea’s Loftus-Cheek close to joining AC Milan

Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions Round of 16, 1st leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea at Signal Iduna Park on February 15, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany.Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is close to joining Italian giants AC Milan. The 27-year-old, who has 10 England caps, has been at Stamford Bridge since he was a youth player and has also had loans at Crystal Palace and Fulham. In his time at Chelsea he has won two Premier League titles, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Uefa Supercup. A handful of players have left Chelsea this summer as the west London club look to balance the books. Kalidou Koulibaly’s move to Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal was completed on Sunday. N’Golo Kante has signed for Saudi champions Al-Ittihad, while team-mate Edouard Mendy ...

26Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Chelsea defender Koulibaly joins Neves at Al Hilal

Kalidou Koulibaly of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions Round of 16, 1st leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea at Signal Iduna Park on February 15, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany.Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly has joined Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal from Premier League side Chelsea, the two clubs announced on Sunday. “We’ll continue to make history together,” Al Hilal said on Twitter, alongside a short video featuring Koulibaly. The four-time Asian Champions League winners said Koulibaly’s contract would run until 2026 without giving any financial details. British media reported that the Saudi club would pay around £17 million ($21.61m) for the centre-back. “I’m here with those who make the glory in the present and the future,” the Africa Cup of Nations winner said. Koulibaly,...

26Jun

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Chelsea one step closer to sealing €35 million deal with La Liga giants

Nicolas Jackson of Villarreal celebrates a goal during the Santander League match between Villareal CF and Cadiz CF at the La Ceramica Stadium on May 24, 2023, in Castellon, Spain.Nicolas Jackson has completed his medical tests with Chelsea as he moves a step closer to sealing a €35 million move from Villarreal. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Nicolas Jackson has successfully completed his medicals with Chelsea. The Senegal international is now a step closer to sealing a €35 million move to Stamford Bridge after a successful season with Villarreal. Mauricio Pochettino is all set to welcome his first signing since becoming Chelsea’s manager. Nicolas Jackson is a step closer to sealing a €35 million move from Villarreal, as the Senegal star completed his medicals. His addi...

26Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Inter Miami set date to unveil Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets as new arrivals

Farewell ceremony for Sergio Busquets after having played 722 games during the 15 seasons he has played for FC Barcelona, in Barcelona, on 31th May 2023.For the first time in almost 20 years, neither Lionel Messi nor Sergio Busquets will be playing for Barcelona next season, with both having agreed to sign for MLS side Inter Miami. Messi recently turned down the chance to return to the club he left two years ago in favour of the move stateside, while Busquets departed Barcelona at the end of the 2022-23 season in favour of a new challenge. ❗️El Inter Miami presentará a Messi y Busquets juntos➡️ El club americano planea que sea el 16 de julio y trabaja para que tenga un gran impacto mundial✒️ @gbsans pic.twitter.com/x6lcXgQtjq— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) June 25, 2023 Busquets...