Year: 2023

19Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Report: Arsenal keen to sign Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus

 Mohammed Kudus of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax and Feyenoord at Johan Cruijff ArenA on March 19, 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus. The Gunners have already spent significantly in the summer transfer window, recruiting Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber. Havertz arrived from Chelsea in a £65m deal, before Timber became Arsenal’s second summer signing after completing a £38.5m transfer from Ajax. Arsenal continued their summer spending with the addition of Declan Rice in a British-record transfer said to be worth a total of £105m. Despite adding three new players to Mikel Arteta’s squad, the Gunners are not ruling out further signings during the transfer window. According to the Dail...

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19Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Saint-Maximin in talks over Newcastle exit

 Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin 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.Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin is in transfer talks with an unnamed club as Eddie Howe acknowledged the “impact” of Financial Fair Play on the Magpies. The Frenchman, who joined Newcastle from Nice in August 2019, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Saint-Maximin, 26, missed Newcastle’s 2-1 friendly win at Rangers, and Howe said he had “no issue” with the player. “He’s in early discussions over a potential move away. That’s why he wasn’t here,” Howe said. “It’s doubtful he’ll join us on the tour of America. I don’t think Maxi necessarily wants to leave, but he may feel it’s the ri...

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19Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford signs new long-term Man Utd contract

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United poses with Manager Erik ten Hag after signing a new contract extension at Carrington Training Ground on July 18, 2023 in Manchester, England. England forward Marcus Rashford has signed a new deal to stay at Manchester United until 2028 worth £325,000-a-week The 25-year-old had been in talks with United for a considerable period, with his previous contract due to expire in 2024. The striker enjoyed a resurgence under new manager Erik ten Hag last season, scoring 30 goals in 56 games. Since his debut in 2016 against Midtjylland, Rashford has hit 123 goals in 359 games for his boyhood club. Rashford said: “I joined Manchester United as a seven-year-old boy with a dream. That same passion, pride, and determination to succeed still drives me every...

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18Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Andre Onana arrives at Man United after Erik ten Hag lost faith in David de Gea

 Andre Onana in action during the Istanbul 2023 UEFA Champions League Final, disputed on Ataturk Olympic Stadium, 10 June 2023 Istanbul.The decision for Manchester United to push for a new goalkeeper, Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, for an expected €51 million initial fee, came down to Erik ten Hag. At the start of the transfer window, the priority of the Manchester United manager was to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur. When it became clear that it was going to be exceptionally difficult to do that, Ten Hag looked at other areas of his team that could be strengthened earlier in the window. The attitude of the manager who had long publicly backed David de Gea also hardened. The Spaniard had a poor end to the season and there were longer-standing concerns about his ball possession gam...

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18Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Report: Harry Kane has no interest in Paris Saint-Germain move

 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.Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has no interest in moving to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, according to a report. The England captain has so far not shown a willingness to extend his current Spurs contract, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season. Kane is not believed to be trying to force a move away from North London after his unsuccessful efforts to do so in 2021, but Spurs are running the risk of losing him on a free transfer in under 12 months’ time. Nevertheless, chairman Daniel Levy remains of the view that Kane will not be sold this summe...

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18Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Barcelona President Joan Laporta confirms desire to sign Manchester City star

 Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester City and FC Bayern Munchen at Etihad Stadium on April 11, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Barcelona President Joan Laporta has added a little wood to the fire, after admitting that he would like to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese star has been consistently linked with Barcelona over the course of the past 12 months, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked to Silva. According to Sport, unlike Barcelona they have made formal efforts to make a move happen, offering €70m plus one of Presnel Kimpembe, Marco Verratti or Gianluigi Donnarumma. That offer was rejected by City. Speaking to fans in his car on Monday, Barcelona Presiden...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Gundogan still has ‘a lot to prove’

 Ilkay Gundogan of FC Barcelona looks on as he is unveiled as new FC Barcelona player at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on July 17, 2023 in Sant Joan Despi, Spain.Barcelona’s new signing Ilkay Gundogan says he still has “a lot to prove” after he was unveiled at the Catalan club following his move from Manchester City. The German midfielder, 32, captained City to the Treble last season, playing a key role with 11 goals in 51 games. He has signed a two-year deal at Barca after joining on a free transfer. “Even though I’m older, I’m prepared for the challenge and I still have a lot to prove,” said Gundogan. Gundogan was presented at Barcelona’s training facilities on Monday. He will now play under Xavi – who played under City boss Pep Guardiola at Barcelona from 2008-2012, winning a Spanis...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Uncategorized

Bonucci puts on brave face amidst Juventus exclusion

 Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus FC attends for the Juventus Medical Tests at Jmedical on July 17, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Leonardo Bonucci called his return to Continassa ‘a beautiful day’ despite the various reports that he’s been cut from the Juventus squad. It’s been widely reported in recent days that the Bianconeri have informed the veteran defender that he is no longer in their plans for the coming campaign, allegedly deciding not to bring him on their pre-season training tour to the United States. Bonucci only has a year left on his contract with Juventus and the club are working to cut their wage bill this summer, making the sale of the 36-year-old an obvious choice considering that he’s one of the highest earners in the squad. Writing on his Instagram page today, Bonucci put on a ...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Chelsea reject first Fulham bid for Callum Hudson-Odoi — report

 Callum Hudson-Odoi of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Porto at BayArena on October 12, 2022 in Leverkusen, Germany.Callum Hudson-Odoi has been training away from the first-team group since the start of pre-season, as part of the “bomb squad” of unwanted or unneeded players in the shop window (alongside the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang), and it sounds like he has managed to generate some interest in the process. Unfortunately, the first offer to arrive as a results of that interest was found to be unsatisfactory, with Chelsea rejecting Fulham’s transfer bid of unknown value. That’s according to The Athletic and Sky Sports, who add that Fulham are now “deciding” whether to come back wi...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Kylian Mbappe’s Future: A Tug of War Between Real Madrid and PSG

 Footballer Kylian Mbappe is seen attending the Men's Singles Final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Casper Ruud of Norway on Day Fifteen of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 11, 2023 in Paris, France. In the world of football, the summer transfer window is a time of intense speculation and strategic maneuvering. This year, the spotlight is firmly on Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) star player, Kylian Mbappe, who finds himself at the epicenter of a European striker scramble. Mbappe’s future at PSG hangs in the balance as he contemplates his next move ahead of the 2023/24 season. The French international’s contract with the Ligue 1 champions runs until the summer of 2024, but a clause to extend it to 2025 needs to be activated before the end of July. As of now, M...

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17Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Mexico beats Panama 1-0 in CONCACAF Gold Cup final as Giménez scores 88th-minute goal

 Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico lifts the CONCACAF Gold Cup Trophy after defeating Panama 1-0 during the Concacaf Gold Cup final match between Mexico and Panama at SoFi Stadium on July 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California.Eight months and two coaches after Mexico crashed out of an embarrassing World Cup, most of the same players triumphantly raised the CONCACAF Gold Cup amid confetti and raucous cheers Sunday night. El Tri has reversed its fortunes with stunning speed, and its winning goal at SoFi Stadium came on an end-to-end play that was every bit as dramatic. Late substitute Santiago Giménez scored after an electrifying sprint in the 88th minute, and Mexico won the Gold Cup for the record ninth time with a 1-0 victory over Panama. After Edson Álvarez slid to block Iván Anderson’s cross in...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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West Ham interested in Man Utd captain Maguire

 Harry Maguire of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023 in Manchester, England.West Ham are interested in signing Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. The 30-year-old England defender has an uncertain future at Old Trafford as Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have emerged as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice centre-backs. United also need to sell players to boost Ten Hag’s chances of reshaping his squad in the current transfer window as he closes in on Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. Maguire’s contract runs to 2025. The centre-back arrived at United from Leicester City for £80m in 2019, but is known to be among the players Ten Hag would now sell if a suitable offer came in. Maguire is...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Tijjani Reijnders to undergo Milan medical on Tuesday

 Tijjani Reijnders of AZ during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AZ and FC Emmen at AFAS Stadion on May 14, 2023 in Alkmaar, Netherlands.Tijjani Reijnders will complete his medical examination on Tuesday before joining Milan on a permanent transfer. Daniele Longo reports that Milan have concluded the deal for Tijjani Reijnders with AZ Alkmaar recently and the Dutchman will arrive in Italy on Monday before undergoing his medicals on Tuesday morning. The Rossoneri have agreed to pay a transfer fee of around €20 million with bonuses to the Eredivisie side for the 24-year-old. Reijnders has received clearance from his current club to join the Italian side as he is set to sign a five-year contract and will earn €1.7 million net per season. Alkmaar sporting director Max Huiberts confirmed...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Bayern’s Hoeness confident of Kane deal

 England's Harry Kane during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness is confident they will sign England captain Harry Kane this summer. The German champions have reportedly bid £70m for the Tottenham striker. Chairman Daniel Levy met Bayern Munich officials on Thursday over a possible sale, and Hoeness says there have been talks with the striker’s advisers. “Kane has clearly signalled in all conversations that his decision stands – and if it stays, then we’ll get him,” Hoeness told Sport1. “He wants to play in Europe and luckily for us Tottenham will not be next year. He now has another opportunity to come to a top club in Europe.” ...

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16Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Aaron Ramsey returns to boyhood club Cardiff — as son, 7, joins academy on same day

 Welsh football star Aaron RamseyAaron Ramsey has completed a return to his boyhood club Cardiff City — with his son signing a contract at the club’s academy on the same day. Ramsey’s contract at French club Nice expired earlier this summer, but the 32-year-old has now signed a two-year-deal at the Welsh club where he started his professional career 16 years ago. Ramsey’s seven-year-old son, Sonny, signed a contract alongside his father, who admitted he “owed so much” to the Championship side. “It feels unbelievable to finally be back here,” Ramsey said. “I always thought one day I’d come back, and now it’s the perfect time to do that. “To be back with my family and around familiar faces is just brilliant, so I’m delighted to be back here now. I’ve missed that a lot in the last year o...

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15Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

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...

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