Month: August 2024

24Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Lautaro Martinez doubtful for Inter’s clash with Lecce

Inter Milan and manager Simone Inzaghi have received concerning news ahead of their second Serie A match against Lecce. Team captain Lautaro Martinez is experiencing muscle fatigue and is now doubtful for the upcoming fixture. The Argentine striker has reported fatigue in his adductor muscles, putting his participation in the Lecce match in question. Inzaghi will make a final assessment of Martinez’s condition on Saturday. However, it seems unlikely that the club will risk their star forward for this early-season encounter. This setback comes at an inopportune time for Inter, as they look to build momentum following their season opener. Martinez’s absence, if confirmed, would be a significant blow to the team’s attacking prowess. The coaching staff will now have to consider alternat...

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24Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Napoli host Bologna with Conte under pressure

Napoli manager Antonio Conte had no interest in speaking about the transfer window and only wanted to talk about football and their next Serie A game with Bologna, when he faced reporters on Friday. His side suffered a 3-0 loss at Hellas Verona on the opening day and after fielding question after question regarding the club’s ambitions in the transfer market before that game, he was in no mood for a repeat. “Let’s redirect the press conference immediately,” Conte told reporters. “Last week we had a press conference where we spoke only about the transfer market. I received zero questions about Verona, or maybe one, there was no talk of football, and then what happened, happened. Regarding the market you need to ask the club, but I see you are quite informed because I also read about it...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Granit Xhaka scores superb goal as champions Bayer Leverkusen win

Granit Xhaka scored an excellent goal and Florian Wirtz netted a late winner as champions Bayer Leverkusen secured a 3-2 win away to Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga season opener on Friday, extending their unbeaten league run into the new campaign. Leverkusen were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time for Ko Itakura's foul on substitute Amine Adli and Wirtz scored on a rebound to earn the visitors the three points. Xhaka opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the 12th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box before Wirtz doubled their lead in the 38th on a rebound. But defender Nico Elvedi pulled one back for Gladbach just before the hour mark from close range and Tim Kleindienst nutmegged Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba to level for the hosts five minutes f...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Leeds United register first win of Championship season

Brenden Aaronson and Daniel James scored as Leeds United secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Aaronson's second goal of the campaign gave Leeds an interval lead and James raced clear to add a superb second soon after the restart. Wednesday went close through Di'Shon Bernard's second-half header but Leeds created several other chances and ran out worthy winners to kick-start their promotion challenge. A morale-boosting victory was roundly celebrated by Leeds boss Daniel Farke and the travelling fans, who are desperate for their club to bring in reinforcements in the final week of the transfer window after some key departures. "We definitely need a few more signings if we want to be ambitious because with a sq...

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24Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Flick backs Kounde to ‘take care’ of Nico Williams

Hansi Flick is backing Jules Kounde to “take care” of Nico Williams when Barcelona come up against Athletic Club on Saturday in La Liga. Barca spent the summer trying to sign Nico but appear to have given up on their efforts to land the Spain star. The Catalans will now have to find a way to stop the forward on Saturday night, with Flick confident Kounde can do the business at Montjuic. “On this side we have an experienced player, so I can say that Jules will take care of him,” he told reporters. “To speak about him is not my job because he’s not our player. The focus is more how we play him because he’s a good player, so I think Jules will make a good job.” Athletic Club started the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Getafe. Williams came off the bench in that game but is expected to ...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man City received Erling Haaland transfer recommendation as medical ‘booked’

Manchester City were reportedly recommended the signing of Fulham's new midfielder Sander Berge by Erling Haaland before his switch to Craven Cottage. The Blues have been on the lookout for a central midfielder this summer after deciding to allow Kalvin Phillips to join Ipswich Town on loan. In an extraordinary move, Football Flame understands former captain Ilkay Gundogan will be returning on a one-year deal with the option for a further 12-month extension. Before that deal became a reality though, it appears Haaland was pushing for his international teammate Berge to move to City. According to Duncan Castles on The Transfers Podcast, the Blues had received recommendations from Haaland and Vincent Kompany for Berge and it was thought the 26-year-old would fit into Pep Guardiola's syst...

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23Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Kylian Mbappe set for home debut as Carlo Ancelotti seeks to get Madrid on track

Kylian Mbappe will make his home debut for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe's La Liga debut for Real Madrid did not go as planned, as Los Blancos drew at Mallorca last weekend, with coach Carlo Ancelotti believing the Spanish champions lacked "balance." The French superstar striker will make his first home appearance for Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday against promoted side Real Valladolid, owned by former Madrid forward and Brazil great Ronaldo. Mbappe is on course to enjoy a similarly sizable legacy in soccer, but is hoping to make a far greater impact at Madrid than Ronaldo was able to during the club's "galactico" era. Ronaldo won just one La Liga title and failed to lift the Champions League trophy during five seasons in the Spanish capital...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Vincent Kompany and Nuri Sahin: Big new jobs at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund

The bar is always set high for the coaches of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. When the clubs only managed to come third and fifth respectively in a perceived two-horse race, change was inevitable. With neither side having won a trophy last term, for the first time since 2008-09 season, both have new coaches for 2024-25. Though they won plenty as players, Vincent Kompany (Bayern) and Nuri Sahin (Dortmund) have just an English Championship (second tier) title between them from their short coaching careers so far. So what is it about these two men that has landed them two of German football's biggest jobs? Kompany: Last man standing With Kompany, it was a process of elimination. After Bayern announced Thomas Tuchel's departure long before the end of last season, they publicly blundere...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Socceroo extends stay at German club

Socceroos midfielder Connor Metcalfe has further cemented his European club future by signing a contract extension with German Bundesliga outfit St. Pauli. Metcalfe, 24, is poised to make his Bundesliga debut alongside fellow Socceroo Jackson Irvine when St. Pauli – last season’s German second division champions – start its top-flight campaign with a home match against Heidenheim on Monday morning (AEST). The former Melbourne City star’s deal was set to expire next year; however, with St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin wanting Metcalfe part of the Hamburg-based club’s long-term plans, his contract has been extended by an undisclosed amount of seasons. “Connor brings with him everything required to play an even bigger role with us in the coming years,” Blessin said. “He’s got a good foot...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Ligue 1

Mohamad Salah shows why he means business as PSG make move for Liverpool ‘target’

Liverpool started the Premier League with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town last weekend thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. The win at Portman Road was Arne Slot's first as head coach. Next up for the Reds is a first home game of the season as they face Brentford at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. It's a game that could see them come up against familiar faces in Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, who both swapped the Reds for the Bees this month. But away from the field, here is the latest Liverpool news in the headlines on Friday, August 23. Mohamed Salah showcases incredible physique Mohamed Salah has once again demonstrated his commitment to Liverpool as he took to Instagram to share a late-night fitness session. The 32-year-old's future has been the topic o...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Sporting want Barcelona’s Hector Fort on loan

Barcelona defender Hector Fort is wanted on loan by Portuguese side Sporting, according to multiple reports. The youngster broke into the first team last season and will be hoping to be part of Hansi Flick’s squad this season. Marca are reporting that he’s determined to stay at Barca, despite Sporting’s interest, and is keen to battle for minutes. Fort only signed a contract extension earlier this summer and knows there’s a path into the first-team at present. Joao Cancelo has returned to Manchester City after his loan, while Julian Araujo has been sold to Bournemouth. Jules Kounde has started the season at right-back but has long made it clear his favored position is in the middle of the defence. Barcelona are currently being linked with a move for Marc Pubill but signing the Olympi...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Dybala commits to Roma, rejects big Saudi offer

Argentina star Paulo Dybala announced on Thursday that he would remain with AS Roma, ending weeks of speculation linking him with a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah. Multiple reports indicate that Dybala turned down an offer of €75 million ($83M) over three years. "Thank you Rome...See you on Sunday," he said in an Instagram post. Dybala's decision came amid a period of uncertainty about his future. He trained separately from the Roma first team on Thursday and was absent from the starting lineup in their opening Serie A match against Cagliari last Sunday. Dybala is entering his last year of his contract with Roma but the deal has an automatic extension if he plays at least 15 official matches this season. He will earn €7.5 million plus €2 million in add-ons and bonus...

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23Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update after Servette win

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has downplayed injury concerns regarding Cole Palmer, who left the pitch in apparent discomfort following their Europa Conference League match against Servette. The 22-year-old attacker was listed as a substitute for Thursday's first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge but joined the group warming up at half-time after a poor first-half performance from the Blues. Christopher Nkunku helped calm Chelsea fans' nerves by converting a penalty in the 50th minute before Enzo Fernandez set up Noni Madueke for the winner. Palmer was one of three substitutions made after 58 minutes, replacing Marc Guiu, while Madueke and Fernandez were the other two players brought on. The England international was spotted feeling his hamstring as he made his way off the pitch and straight do...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Atalanta considering offering new deal to 2024 Europa League final standout performer Lookman

Nigeria international Ademola Lookman was officially the standout performer as Atalanta won the Europa League in May, scoring a historic hat-trick to help the Bergamo outfit beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Atalanta are reportedly exploring the possibility of extending the versatile forward's contract and increasing his wages to prevent further transfer issues. This move comes in response to recent speculation linking the Nigerian winger with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.The transfer saga intensified after Lookman requested to be excluded from Atalanta's Serie A opening match against Lecce on Monday. This decision prompted a meeting between Atalanta's Chief Executive Officer, Luca Percassi, and Lookman's representative to address the situation.the me...

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22Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

West Ham verbally agree loan-to-buy exit, ‘deal is very close’ – report

Luizao is “very close” to leaving West Ham for Corinthians with a loan-to-buy offer verbally agreed, according to Gabriel Sa. The Arquibancada Tricolor reporter posted on X (22 August) with an update that Luizao has already accepted a “new challenge” with Corinthians over a return to his native Brazil from the London Stadium. Corinthians have reportedly made a formal bid to the Hammers which was met with a counter-offer; this in turn was given a “verbal okay” by the Brazilian Serie A side, but is yet to be formalised contractually. However, the deal to take Luizao to Corinthians from East London, a loan with an option to buy, is reportedly “very close” to being finalised after the clubs had previously disagreed on a permanent fee [Bruno Andrade, 21 August]. Luizao transfer the right mo...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Report: Man City have already found their Julian Alvarez replacement in shock transfer move

The reigning Premier League champions, are currently contemplating a strategic move into the transfer market following Julian Alvarez’s significant £82 million transfer to Atletico Madrid. Reports from Sky Sports suggest that City’s search has led them to Celtic’s forward Kyogo Furuhashi. This development underscores City’s prudent approach to recruitment, reflecting their willingness to pursue only the right fit to bolster their squad. Kyogo, who has been impressive since his move to Celtic in 2021, has proven his prowess on the field by netting 73 goals in 135 appearances. His potential availability has sparked interest from Pep Guardiola’s side, who are keen on adding a dynamic forward to their lineup. The Japanese international’s current form was highlighted during a pre-seaso...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham in battle with Arsenal over swoop to sign £26m international star – report

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in a battle with Arsenal over a deal to sign Brighton and Hove Albion star Simon Adingra before the end of this transfer window, as per Football London. The Lilywhites have strengthened the midfield department and the frontline by signing Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke this summer. However, it has been reported that Spurs aren’t finished yet in this transfer window and could look to sign a new wide forward as well. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and Pedro Neto were previously suggested as serious targets. However, while Neto has already joined Chelsea, purchasing Eze wouldn’t be easy as Crystal Palace wouldn’t want to let their star man leave late in this window. So, Tottenham may have decided to explore alternative options and now Football London s...

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22Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Andreas Christensen ‘could follow Ilkay Gundogan out of Barcelona’

Former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen could leave Barcelona before the summer transfer window ends, according to reports. The Catalan giants are already on the verge of losing Ilkay Gundogan, with the midfielder set for a sensational return to Manchester City. He landed in Manchester on Wednesday night and met Pep Guardiola for dinner ahead of his proposed free transfer back to the club he left last summer. Now, Christensen could follow him out the exit door as the centre back is open to leaving Barcelona this month, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Christensen was only on the bench for Barcelona's opening LaLiga match at Valencia last weekend, and is unlikely to have a prominent role under Hansi Flick if he stays at the club. With this in mind, he could be tempted by a move aw...

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22Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Juventus’ Federico Chiesa move to Barcelona will only happen in final week of transfer window

Barcelona remain set on bringing in a left winger this summer, even if it looks like being a much more low-profile choice compared to Nico Williams. They are currently in talks with Juventus for Federico Chiesa, who is out of contract next summer. Previous reports state that Barcelona have agreed personal terms with Chiesa, who would take a wage cut to sign a three-year deal with the Catalan side, and has given the green light for the move. Meanwhile talks with Bianconeri are still ongoing. Juventus are keen to raise the fee to €20m, while Barcelona seemingly will not move above €15m. However Cadena SER explain that the deal will not go through this week. Any agreement will have to be rubber-stamped in the final week of the transfer window, due to doubts about Barcelona’s ability to ...

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21Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Man Utd close on Manuel Ugarte but deal formula not what was expected

Manchester United are closing in on a permanent transfer for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte and not a loan deal as had been thought likely. The Red Devils have been holding talks over a period of several weeks with PSG in an effort to land Ugarte. The Uruguayan is Erik ten Hag’s top midfield target and it appeared earlier this week that a deal was on the horizon, not least due to Luis Enrique telling the midfielder he is not in his plans. That was thought likely to come about through a loan with an obligation to buy formula, though the obligation amount was still under discussion. However, according to French daily Le Parisien, an outright transfer is now expected. PSG and Manchester United are close to reaching an agreement for a permanent transfer based on a fee of...

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