July 2024 – Page 4 – Football Flame

Month: July 2024

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LALIGA

Real Madrid target Kepa return as potential replacement for Andriy Lunin

 Kepa Arrizabalaga of Real Madrid lifts the UEFA Champions League Trophy after his team's victory during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England.Real Madrid is eyeing Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga as a potential replacement for Andriy Lunin, should the Ukrainian goalkeeper depart this summer accroding to various sources including Revelo and AS. While Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed number one, the coaching staff is keen on securing a reliable backup who can step up when needed.Lunin, who has shown glimpses of his enormous potential this past season in Courtois’ absence, is reportedly seeking more regular playing time. If Lunin decides to move on, Real Madrid sees Kepa as an ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Goodbye Sergio: Gomez leaves Manchester City

Manchester City's Sergio Gomez during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City and F.C. Copenhagen at Etihad Stadium on March 6, 2024 in Manchester, England.Manchester City’s Spanish defender Sergio Gomez has left the club to join Real Sociedad in a permanent deal. Gomez joined the Blues in 2022 in a £10m deal from Anderlecht but struggled to establish himself in the first team.During his first season at the Etihad Stadium, the Spaniard made just 12 Premier League appearances and just five in the Champions League as City secured the European treble. Last season, his appearances were limited to just 15 in all competitions and overall, Gomez played just 38 matches in total.A left-back, Gomez made his debut as City came from 2-0 down to beat Cryst...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Spurs agree to sell Irish international Troy Parrott to Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar

 Troy Parrot of SBV Excelsior controls the ball during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Excelsior Rotterdam and sc Heerenveen at Van Donge & De Roo Stadion on January 19, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Ireland striker Troy Parrott is going Dutch again, this time on the verge of sealing a permanent transfer to AZ Alkmaar from Tottenham Hotpsur.The Dubliner has been tied to Tottenham since the age of 14, but the dream of succeeding Harry Keane has ended after eight years and just four first-team appearances. His last three years have been predominantly spent out on loan.His 17 goals and five assists for a struggling Excelsior side last season brought him to the attention of bigger outfits and, as Ange Postecoglou doesn’t see the 22-year-old in his plans, Spurs were open...
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SERIE A

Buongiorno Takes Medicals Ahead of Napoli Transfer

 Alessandro Buongiorno of Torino is playing in the Serie A soccer match between Torino and Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin, Northwest Italy, on May 3, 2024. Alessandro Buongiorno has completed the physical tests and will soon ink the contract that will tie him to Napoli until 2029. Only the celebratory tweet from president Aurelio De Laurentiis is missing for the move to become official.Per Corriere dello Sport, the Azzurri will disburse €35/40M including add-ons for the highly-rated defender. He’s their second addition in the back after Rafa Marin and the third overall. They recently onboarded Leonardo Spinazzola on a free transfer.Buongiorno has been a priority for Napoli since they hired Antonio Conte. They staved off a late interference by Inter, which w...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Jurgen Klopp turns down USMNT manager role

 Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans after the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on January 24, 2024 in London, England. The United States were plotting an ambitious move to appoint Klopp as their next manager after Gregg Berhalter’s departure.Berhalter left his role after the USA’s Copa America exit at the group stage, bringing an end to his second stint in charge.According to The Independent, contact had been made with Klopp’s representatives as the United States begin preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with Canada and Mexico but David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed that the German wanted to continue his time away from football.Klopp currently enjoying well-earned breakKlopp is ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United set to sign Joshua Zirkzee

 Joshua Zirkzee of the Netherlands enters the field during the Semi-Final - UEFA EURO 2024 match between Netherlands and England at BVB Stadion Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.Manchester United are set to complete their first signing of the 2024/25 season, and the club’s first transfer since INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over football operations at Old Trafford. Joshua Zirkzee, 23, is set to join the club from Bologna on a five-year contract pending a medical on Friday, per multiple reports.United will pay a total of €42.5m in fees over the next three years to complete the transfer.Zirkzee has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for a couple of weeks. The move was able to progress after the Netherlands were eliminated in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Champ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Virgil van Dijk has simple demand to referee ‘who should be blacklisted’

Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands reacts as Referee Felix Zwayer gestures during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk reckons referee Felix Zwayer should have to explain his decision to award an England penalty against the Netherlands at Euro 2024.Van Dijk and the Dutch were dumped out of Euro 2024 in heartbreaking fashion by England, which defeated the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to an injury-time winner from Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.However, there was huge controversy surrounding England's equalizer following Xavi Simons' opener for the Netherlands. In the 18th minute, England skipper Harry Kane went down in the box from a Denzel Dumfries challenge ...
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NEWS

England through to Euro 2024 final after tense win over Netherlands

 Head Coach of England Gareth Southgate celebrates their victory and entry into the Final during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.England is through to a second consecutive European Championship final, coming from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund.Xavi Simons's stunning opener gave the Dutch an early lead, but England hit back almost immediately through a Harry Kane penalty.England dominated the first half, but aside from Phil Foden hitting the post and having a shot stopped on the line, it could not break through for a second goal.The Netherlands grew in stature during the second half, testing Jordan Pickford's goal.But second-half substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watki...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea interested in Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England.Chelsea are interested in a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, football flame understands.The Blues are looking for a new right-sided forward to fit in Enzo Maresca's preferred setup and are drawing up a list of alternative targets after missing out on Michael Olise, who has joined Bayern Munich.Sources have confirmed to 90min that Chelsea have been impressed by Adeyemi and believe his potential asking price of £25m represents good value in the current market, with club officials assessing a possible move internally.Contact has not yet been made with Dortmund, who are prepared to...
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LALIGA

Lamine Yamal, the Spanish ‘genius’ who keeps rewriting history

 Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-0 during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Real Mallorca at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on March 8, 2024 in Barcelona Spain.It seemed fitting that in a season where Lamine Yamal has been setting new records for precociousness almost by the week that he would leave an indelible mark on Euro 2024.Already the youngest player since Pele in 1958 to appear in the semi-final of a major men's tournament, Yamal further etched his name in history with a goal so sublime in its execution that it topped all other accomplishments in a fledgling but so far meteoric career.Yamal's benchmarks even before he turns 17 would be enough to define many a career. Already the youngest Barcelona debutant since the 1940s, at 15; the club’s younge...
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NEWS

Manager Southgate confident in England to make history at Euro 2024

 Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, celebrates following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany.Gareth Southgate, manager of England, believes that his team will make history by reaching the Euro 2024 final after failing to appear in a final at any international tournament on foreign soil.England will play the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals in Dortmund, Germany, for the opportunity to face Spain in the final. Though the "Three Lions”have progressed so far at the tournament, they had to go through extra time to win both knockout games against Switzerland and Slovakia, not to mention that England allowed both opponents to score fir...
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NEWS

Netherlands hit by travel chaos ahead of Euro 2024 semi

 Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Ronald Koeman, Head Coach of the Netherlands, during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Poland and Netherlands at Volksparkstadion on June 16, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany.The Netherlands' planned pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against England was cancelled on Tuesday after the Dutch had their travel plans disrupted.Ronald Koeman's men were due to travel to Dortmund from their base in Wolfsburg by train but were unable to do so due to a blockage on the line.Instead, the Dutch were forced to fly but were unable to fulfil their media duties due to their late arrival."Due to disruption of the Netherlands' planned team travel to Dortmund, their arrival has been signific...
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SERIE A

Juventus sell Moise Kean to Fiorentina

 Moise Kean of Juventus reacts after a missed chance during the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and Atalanta BC - Serie A TIM at the Allianz Stadium on March 10, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Moise Kean returned to Juventus during a time in which things were certainly far from stable — both for him personally after two years away from Turin and just simply the club in general. Things were nothing close to something you would consider ideal and, in all likelihood, not the kind of environment in which somebody who has had a rocky couple of seasons after leaving the club you grew up at.Three years later, it’s pretty easy to figure out that Kean coming back didn’t work out well.Kean’s second stint officially came to an end on Tuesday, as Juventus announced that they have sold Kean to Fior...
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SERIE A

Chiesa Not in a Rush to Decide on His Juventus Future

 Federico Chiesa of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Coppa Italia Semi-Final match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Allianz Stadium on April 02, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Juventus have put Federico Chiesa on sale amid challenging extension talks, but the players isn’t necessarily chomping at the bit to depart. The Bianconeri had intense talks with Roma, but he’s taking his time before choosing, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.The winger wants to be part of the pre-season retreat and start working under Thiago Motta first. He’ll report back late as all the footballers who participated in Euro 2024.Chiesa hasn’t ruled out staying at Juventus without renewing his contract, which expires in 2025. Given the gulf between the offer and the demand, the Old Lady ...
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SERIE A

Atalanta Disinterested to Engage Valencia in Pelestra Pursuit

 Marco Palestra of Atalanta BC poses for a photo during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 finalists access day on May 13, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. Spanish side Valencia’s hunt for a right-back has brought them to Italy, with Los Che eyeing a particular talent from Atalanta’s youth ranks in Marco Pelestra.As per Il Giorno, Atalanta have been alerted of Valencia’s interest in signing Palestra, who joined Atalanta as a youngster aged just 10 back in 2015. However, La Dea seem disinterested in hearing any proposals for the teenage prodigy, although the right offer may just change their opinion.Pelestra, well-touted for his ability to advance down the right flank, is highly-regarded amongst the Nerazzurri ranks, with Gian Piero Gasperini inviting the 19-year-old to the first team bench on...
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TRANSFERS

Joao Felix to Aston Villa transfer latest as Monchi handed deadline

 Joao Felix of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on January 21, 2024 in Seville, Spain.Aston Villa have reportedly rekindled their interest in Joao Felix, but would face competition from his boyhood club Benfica if Unai Emery sanctioned a move.The 23-year-old forward does not want to return to Atletico Madrid this summer after spending last season on loan at Barcelona. Villa were in the mix to land Felix on loan in January 2023 when he joined Chelsea for the rest of the campaign.Following his short stint in the Premier League, where he scored four goals in 16 appearances for the Blues, Felix featured regularly for Barca last term. The Portuguese recorded 10 goal contr...
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NEWS

Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in Copa America semifinal against Canada

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on in the second half against Ecuador during an International Friendly match at Soldier Field on June 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.Lionel Messi won’t be stopped by a leg injury and will play in Argentina’s Copa America semifinal against Canada on Tuesday night.Messi has been dealing with a right leg problem since a group stage victory over Chile on June 25. He missed the first-round finale four days later but played the entire match in the quarterfinal victory over Ecuador last Thursday.“Leo is good. He will be playing tomorrow,” Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni said Monday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.At 37, Messi has 13 Copa America goals and is four behind the record shared by Argentina’s Norberto Méndez and Brazil’s Zizinho, but...
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TRANSFERS

Real Madrid ‘set date’ for fresh Alphonso Davies move

Alphonso Davies of Canada celebrates the victory after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Venezuela and Canada at AT&T Stadium on July 05, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Real Madrid will make one final push to sign Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies after the Copa America comes to an end, reports in Spain have claimed.Davies has long been a major target for Madrid this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, but they are reluctant to pay a significant fee to sign a player who could join for free at the end of the coming season.Bayern are reported to be chasing a fee of around €50m (£42.2m) to part ways with Davies but, as AS note, Madrid feel as though that price should be lower considering the left-back's clear desire to make the move to S...
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BUNDESLIGA

Dortmund sign Germany defender Anton from Stuttgart until 2028

Borussia Dortmund unveils new signing Waldemar Anton (BVB) on July 8, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.The Champions League runners-up confirmed the addition of the former Stuttgart captain on Monday, although Anton's signing had been widely reported since June.German media reported Dortmund triggered the Uzbekistan-born defender's 22.5-million-euro ($24 million) release clause.Anton, 27, received his first Germany call-up in March and was named in Julian Nagelsmann's Euro 2024 squad. He played two games, coming on as a substitute in Friday's 2-1 quarter-final loss to Spain after extra time.At Dortmund, Anton joins Germany teammates Nico Schlotterbeck, Niclas Fuellkrug and Emre Can."I had no intention of changing clubs, but then Dortmund came along," Anton said in a statement on Monday."A top clu...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Mason Greenwood trains alone with Man United in advanced talks over exit

Mason Greenwood of Getafe CF warms up prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and RCD Mallorca at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on May 26, 2024 in Getafe, Spain.Marseille are in advanced talks with Manchester United over a move for Mason Greenwood, Football Flame understands.Greenwood is training alone away from the rest of the Man United’s players who have already returned for pre-season while the club try and resolve his future.The Red Devils value the former England striker at £40million and would prefer a straight sale rather than a loan with an option to buy.Last month talkSPORT reported Marseille are keen to add Greenwood to their squad and have held positive talks with him.The 22-year-old has also attracted strong interest from Lazio, Napoli and Juventus as well as clubs in S...
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