Arsenal complete £105m Rice transfer from West Ham

15Jul

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Arsenal complete £105m Rice transfer from West Ham

Arsenal latest signing Declan Rice at London Colney on July 15, 2023 in St Albans, England. Arsenal have confirmed the signing of England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham for £100m plus £5m in add-ons. The Gunners’ announcement comes after the 24-year-old issued an open letter to Hammers fans saying how ‘tough’ a decision it had been to leave the club. Rice has signed a five-year contract with Arsenal in a deal which has the option of a further year. “I’ve been looking at Arsenal over the last couple of seasons and the trajectory they’ve been on,” he said. “Not last season but the season before, they [only] finished fifth, but you could see the style of play Mikel was implementing. “Last season was an outstanding season, blowing pretty much every team out of the water with t...

14Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Former Man City footballer Benjamin Mendy cleared of sex attacks on two women

Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy gestures as he leaves Chester Crown Court after being found not guilty on July 14, 2023 in Chester, England. Ex-Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of sexually attacking two women. The 28-year-old stood trial at Chester Crown Court where he claimed the two incidents were both consensual encounters. The French international, who was under contract to Manchester City until July 1, has been cleared of the attempted rape of woman A, aged 29 at the time, at his £4 million mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, in October 2018. He has also been cleared of raping woman B, aged 24 at the time, at his home two years later. Mendy is alleged to have told the second woman “it’s fine, I’ve had sex with 10,000 w...

14Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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United inching closer to signing Andre Onana

André Onana of FC Internazionale during the FC Internazionale training session at the club's training ground Suning Training Center at Appiano Gentile on July 13, 2023 in Como, Italy.Onana reported at Inter’s Suning Training Center on Thursday for the first day of pre-season but United are hopeful he will be involved on their tour of the United States. United and Inter have a productive relationship, having negotiated deals for Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and Alexis Sanchez in the last four years with the assistance of intermediaries. Should United complete the signing of Onana then Dean Henderson is expected to be granted permission to join Nottingham Forest permanently. With De Gea already gone, the additional departure of Henderson would save around £390,000 in wages, which would ...

14Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Rodrigo completes move from Leeds United to Al Rayyan

Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United after Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on May 21, 2023 in London, England. Spanish forward Rodrigo has finalised his departure from Leeds United and made the switch to Qatari side Al Rayyan, with the details of the transfer remaining undisclosed. The 32-year-old initially joined Leeds from Valencia in 2020 for a reported fee of £26 million and emerged as the team’s leading goal scorer last season, netting 15 goals. Al Rayyan, a member of Qatar’s 12-team QNB Stars League, activated a release clause in Rodrigo’s contract, which had only one year remaining at Elland Road. Throughout his time with Leeds, Rodrigo made 97 appearances and found the back of the net on 28 occasions. Although he ...

14Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Pulisic: I had limited playing time at Chelsea

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during AC Milan training session at Milanello on July 13, 2023 in Cairate, Italy.Christian Pulisic was frustrated at Chelsea for lack of playing time, the USA forward told a news conference after he completed his £20m move from Chelsea to Italian club AC Milan. “It was a difficult last few season with Chelsea. For whatever reason I wasn’t getting the opportunities I wanted,” he told a news conference for his unveiling. The USA captain who scored 26 goals in 145 games for the blues, signed a four-year deal with AC Milan, with the option of a further year. “For me it’s a brilliant opportunity to step away, get a fresh start and play for a big team like this.” Pulisic’s move to Italy continues the mass exodus at the club that has already seen more than seve...

13Jul

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Al Nassr handed signings ban over Leicester debt

Ahmed Musa of Fatih Karagumruk SK during the Turkish Super Lig match between Fatih Karagumruk SK and Alanyaspor at Ataturk Olimpiyat stadium on August 7, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr have been banned from signing players until they pay money owed to Leicester City for Ahmed Musa, Fifa has ruled.Leicester, who sold the Nigeria winger in 2018, have lodged a claim for an outstanding £390,000 payment. Al Nassr made headlines by signing Cristiano Ronaldo last year. “The relevant bans will be lifted immediately upon the settlement of the debts being confirmed by the creditors concerned,” Fifa said. Al Nassr added Croatia star Marcelo Brozovic to their squad this summer, and have been linked with a big-money move for Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech.

13Jul

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LALIGA

Real Madrid midfielder suffers thigh injury in pre-season training

Dani Ceballos player of Real Madrid at Valdebebas training ground on July 10, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Only four days into pre-season training, Real Madrid have suffered their first casualty as midfielder Dani Ceballos has picked up a thigh injury, the club have confirmed. “After the tests carried out on our player Dani Ceballos by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the distal tendon of the right femoral biceps muscle. Evolution pending,” the official statement from the club read. Ceballos’ injury comes at an unfortunate time given that the Spaniard would have been hoping to make a strong impression during the pre-season amidst intense competition for places in midfield. The 26-year-old midfielder signed a new contract with the club this summer, ex...

13Jul

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ashley Young excited to work with Sean Dyche at Everton

Ashley YoungAshley Young has joined Everton on a one-year deal. The 38-year-old winger turned full-back becomes the Toffees’ first summer signing, joining on a free transfer after his contract expired at Aston Villa. Young has signed a one-year deal at Goodison Park to work under manager Sean Dyche, who was his captain when first breaking through at Watford. “The manager was important in me signing,” the former England international and Manchester United captain said. “I know him and know what his passion and desire is like. His honesty, will to work hard and his hunger for the game is second to none. “I know things haven’t gone too well for Everton in the past couple of seasons but the manager’s ambition, speaking to him and hearing what he wants to do to change the club around, was...

13Jul

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Joao Felix, unwanted by Atletico and Chelsea, faces anxious career limbo

Portugal international Joao Felix, brother of Hugo Félix, before the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Finals 2022/23 group A match between Poland and Portugal at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on July 3, 2023 in Paola, Malta.First they took away his favourite jersey. Then he angrily cast off his training bib. The rupture of the relationship between Joao Felix and Atletico Madrid – the club who not so long ago made him the costliest player in their history – is being vividly enacted through garments and gestures. Soon enough, there will be frosty words. The Portuguese playmaker arrived at pre-season training with Atletico this week making clear his intention to be somewhere else as soon as possible. It will not be West London, where he spent most of 2023 on loan at Chelsea, part of a fle...

12Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Aston Villa sign Villarreal defender Torres

Pau Torres of Villarreal in action during the LaLiga Santander match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de la Ceramica on January 07, 2023 in Villarreal, Spain.Aston Villa have announced the signing of Spain centre-back Pau Torres from Villarreal for a reported £31.5m. Torres, 26, played under Villa boss Unai Emery with the Spanish club between 2020 and 2023. The defender, who joined Villarreal’s youth academy in 2003, played a pivotal role as the Yellow Submarine finished fifth in La Liga last season. He made 173 appearances for his boyhood team, scoring 12 times, and has played 23 times for Spain. Torres made his first Villarreal appearance in 2016, becoming the first player born in the small Valencian town to debut for the club in 13 years. He quickly established ...

12Jul

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Nice expect Ramsey back for pre-season training

Aaron Ramsey of Wales gestures during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Turkey and Wales at Samsun Yeni 19 Mayis Stadium on June 19, 2023 in Samsun, Turkey.Nice say they expect Aaron Ramsey to return to the club for pre-season training as the Wales captain’s future remains uncertain. Ramsey’s contract at Nice expired last month, but there is a suggestion his 34 appearances for them last season were enough to trigger an extension clause. With no confirmation either way, the 32-year-old has held talks with Cardiff City about a potential return. But the Championship side are not the only club interested in signing Ramsey. A statement on Nice’s club website read: “The rest of the players who were involved in international matches over the summer: Kasper Schmeichel...

12Jul

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NEWS

Lionel Messi excited for fresh challenge at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts during the international friendly match between Argentina and Australia at Workers Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Beijing, China.Lionel Messi has expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge that awaits him at Inter Miami and has no regrets about his decision to join the club. The 36-year-old football superstar arrived in the United States on Tuesday, in preparation for his official presentation as an Inter Miami player, which is scheduled to take place at a special event on Sunday. In an interview with Argentinian TV, Messi shared his contentment, saying, “I’m happy with the decision we made. I’m ready and eager to face this new challenge.” He emphasized that his mindset and dedication to the game will remain unaltered, and he will cont...

11Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Pulisic close to £20m move from Chelsea to Milan

Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States looks on in the second half of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Canada 2-0. USA forward Christian Pulisic is close to completing a £20m move from Chelsea to AC Milan. Pulisic, 24, is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and is due to have a medical in Milan this week. He joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund in a £57.6m move in 2019 that made him the most expensive player from North America. Pulisic scored 26 goals in 145 games and played in the 2021 Champions League final win over Manchester City. His switch to Serie A will mean linking up with former Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has also joined Milan this summ...

11Jul

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Inter looking to sign Lukaku on permanent deal

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium during the Group D - UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round match between Belgium and Austria at the King Baudouin Stadium on June 17, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.Inter Milan are keen to bring Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku back to the club this summer. Lukaku, 30, spent last season on loan with Inter from Chelsea. The Belgian scored 14 goals in helping Inter to finish third in Serie A and reach the Champions League final. Ongoing negotiations with Manchester United over goalkeeper Andre Onana could help Inter raise the finance to bring Lukaku back to the San Siro on a permanent basis. Chelsea are thought to want £40m for Lukaku, with Inter looking for £50m from United for Onana, which the Old Trafford club believe is too much. With David de Gea gone, Erik ten Hag woul...

10Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Report: Thomas Meunier Agrees Move to Club Brugge

Thomas Meunier of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Koln at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2023 in Dortmund, German.After some short negotiations, it seems Thomas Meunier has agreed a move back to his home country with Club Brugge. The Belgian fullback is lining up a 3-year contract with Brugge, which would end a three year stay at BVB. Meunier made the move from PSG to BVB in 2020 on a free transfer, replacing the outbound Achraf Hakimi, who would go on to take up the Meunier’s role at PSG a year later. Despite his pedigree and consistent success as the international level, Meunier failed to impress in black and yellow. The latest failure in a string of attempts to replace Lukasz Piszczek, Meunier was not able to stamp his aut...

10Jul

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Burnley close in on loan deal for Dortmund’s Coulibaly

Soumaila Coulibaly of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at Mercedes-Benz Arena on April 15, 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany.Newly promoted Premier League side Burnley are closing in on a season-long loan deal for Borussia Dortmund defender Soumaila Coulibaly, with an obligation to buy him for £15m. Coulibaly, 19, came through the academy at Paris St-Germain before moving in 2021 to Dortmund, for whom he made two first-team appearances last season. The centre-back is scheduled to have a medical with the Clarets on Monday. Coulibaly would become Burnley’s fifth signing of the summer. Manager Vincent Kompany has so far completed permanent deals for defenders Jordan Beyer and Dara O’Shea, forward Michael Obafemi and goalkeeper Lawrence V...

9Jul

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Bayern Munich make improved offer of £70m plus add-ons for Harry Kane

Harry Kane of England, celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group C football match between Italy and England at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy on March 23, 2023.Bayern Munich have made an improved offer of £70m plus add-ons for Harry Kane and hope it will be prove enough to prise the striker away from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs rejected Bayern’s opening offer of £60m plus add-ons for Kane last month, the club deeming it too low for a player they value at at least £100m despite the fact his contract expires next summer and he has has shown little sign of wanting to sign an extension, leaving Spurs at risk of losing their record goalscorer on a free transfer. Kane has held positive talks with Bayern over a move to the Bund...

9Jul

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Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to sign Ligue 1 defender

Axel Disasi of AS Monaco during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg two match between AS Monaco and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Stade Louis II on February 23, 2023 in Monaco, Monaco.Axel Disasi is an emerging player for Monaco and France – now Manchester United and Newcastle United want him. Fabrizio Romano is reporting that both Manchester United and Newcastle United are ‘exploring’ a deal for AS Monaco’s Axel Disasi. Romano states that Newcastle recently reached out to the player’s camp on potential contract details and is expected to contact Monaco soon. What will be good news to Man United fans is that Erik ten Hag has approved the pursuit of the Ligue 1 defender, and the club has already been in contact with the player. Despite having close talks with Disasi, Manc...

9Jul

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Lazio agree personal terms with AZ Alkmaar defender Kerkez

Milos Kerkez of AZ Alkmaar during the UEFA Europa Conference League Semi-Final Second Leg match between AZ and West Ham United at the AFAS Stadion on May 18, 2023 in Alkmaar, Netherlands.Lazio have agreed a deal on personal terms with AZ Alkmaar left-back Milos Kerkez according to reports from Fabrizio Romano on Sunday afternoon. The two respective clubs remain in negotiations over the price tag, although numerous outlets value the talented young full-back at a minimum of €15m. It is believed that AZ will push for a fee closer to the €20m mark. Romano details that the discussions between Lazio and AZ will continue into next week. Kerkez also has been subject of interest from a number of clubs across Europe in recent weeks, with Benfica in Portugal and AFC Bournemouth in the Premier...

9Jul

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Hernandez completes switch from Bayern to PSG

Lucas Hernandez of Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Köln and FC Bayern München at RheinEnergieStadion on May 27, 2023 in Cologne, Germany.Paris St-Germain have signed 27-year-old defender Lucas Hernandez from Bayern Munich for a reported £34m. A 2018 World Cup winner with France, Hernandez won a treble with Bayern in 2019-20 – his first season at the club. After winning the domestic league and cup double, Hernandez helped Hansi Flick’s team defeat PSG to win the Champions League. Hernandez, who played 107 times for the Bundesliga champions and scored twice, has signed a five-year deal. “I’m really excited,” Hernandez said. “I’ve been waiting to join PSG for a long time, and it’s finally happened. It’s a very special day for me and I’m very happy to be here.” ...