Month: August 2024

19Aug By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Brentford set price for Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd to sign Ivan Toney

Brentford will demand between £50m and £60m to sell Ivan Toney after leaving him out of their Premier League opener due to transfer interest. The 28-year-old England striker has been linked with several Premier League clubs this summer, including Manchester United and London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli have shown the most interest in Toney so far and saw their opening £35m bid rejected by Brentford, according to BBC Sport. The Bees valued Toney at around £70m at the start of the summer but are prepared to drop that price due to a lack of significant interest and the player’s desire to leave. If they fail to sell Toney before the summer transfer window shuts at the end of the month, Brentford run the risk of losing him for free in 12 months time. There ...

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19Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Everton’s fresh stance on Jarrad Branthwaite transfer after Man United bids

Everton are reportedly in the dark over rumours that Liverpool are planning a controversial transfer move for Manchester United-linked Jarrad Branthwaite.Despite bookmakers slashing odds on Branthwaite joining Liverpool, insiders from both clubs and those close to the England international have expressed confusion over these developments, claiming they have no idea where such speculation originated. LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Kai Havertz of Arsenal battles for possession with Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on May 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) The Liverpool Echo report that there has been no contact between Liverpool and Everton regarding this matter.Earli...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Angel Gomes update after sickening head injury in Lille’s clash with Reims

Angel Gomes says he is doing ‘okay’ and ‘feeling good’ after suffering a nasty head injury in Lille’s clash with Reims on Saturday.Goals from Bafode Diakite and Jonathan David sealed Lille a comfortable 2-0 victory in their Ligue 1 opener, but Gomes’ worrying injury in the 11th minute overshadowed the match at the Stade Auguste-Delaune. The 23-year-old midfielder, formerly of Manchester United, collided in the air with Reims defender Amadou Kone, who was shown a red card for the challenge by referee Eric Wattellier. The game had to be put on hold for 34 minutes while medical staff treated Gomes, with both sets of fans singing and chanting the player’s name throughout the deeply troubling scenes. Gomes was subsequently strapped to a stretcher and carried from the field shortly befo...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Tottenham Hotspur to reunite midfielder with familiar faces as £20m+ transfer agreed

Leicester City have reportedly agreed terms with Tottenham Hotspur on a deal to take Oliver Skipp off their hands, with the midfielder now set for a medical ahead of a potential move to the King Power Stadium. The Athletic’s David Ornstein writes that fee worth over £20m has between agreed between the two clubs and that Skipp travelled to the East Midlands for a medical on Sunday. As chance would have it, Leicester City will host Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening as the opening weekend of Premier League action comes to a close. Skipp would be ineligible to appear in the fixture, however: his registration would need to have been registered with the Premier League by midday on Friday. Earlier reports had suggested that Tottenham wanted to add to their midfield ranks before the...

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18Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich, England star Harry Kane ready to go again after a “hectic” year

It’s been a whirlwind for Harry Kane. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker and England star made the biggest move of his career last summer to Bayern Munich, Germany’s record champions. Amid while it hasn’t translated to the silverware he has hoped for — either with Bayern or with England at EURO 2024 — Kane has not missed a beat on the field, despite the major changes off it. “It was a hectic 12 months, a lot of change in my life, from a football point of view but also personally, moving to a different country, settling in a new house and getting the kids into new schools,” the 31-year-old said for Hayters TV (as captured via @iMiaSanMia). “All that sort of stuff that goes into a transfer takes a lot of energy out of you. “It was a really good year, and then we were one game away from...

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18Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea vs Man City: Preview, predictions and lineups

The Enzo Maresca era at Chelsea begins with the toughest test possible as the Blues welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge this Sunday. The Italian, who guided Leicester City to the Championship title last season, has replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout and will face his former employers on his competitive Chelsea debut. However, a torrid pre-season campaign - which included a 4-2 defeat to Man City - shows patience will be key as Maresca ushers in a new football philosophy in west London. Some things don't change, though. Chelsea have been as frantic as ever in the transfer market, spending big and snapping up the world's brightest talent. Their squad is overflowing heading into the 2024/25 season. Man City have been comparatively quiet in the market...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Balde offers positive update after Barca beat Valencia

Alejandro Balde has offered a positive fitness update after being taken off during Barcelona’s win over Valencia on Saturday at Mestalla. The left-back was back in the starting XI after a long spell out through injury but had to go off in the second half after seemingly picking up a problem. However, Balde has moved to ease injury fears after the game by posting a message on social media. He wrote on Instagram Stories: “It was only a knock, I’m alright.” The news will be a boost to Hansi Flick who doesn’t have too many options at left-back for the new 2024-25 season. Gerard Martin replaced Balde at Mestalla and made his La Liga debut for Barcelona. The 22-year-old looks like he may get plenty more opportunities this season too. Barcelona how have a week to recover before they return t...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter Milan pegged back late on as they start their Serie A defence

Reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Genoa in their first match of the new season. Marcus Thuram netted a brace but goals from Alessandro Vogliacco and a finish by Junior Messias, who scored the rebound from his saved stoppage-time penalty by Yann Sommer, saw the points shared at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. City rivals AC Milan were also frustrated as they failed to take advantage of Inter’s draw in a similar 2-2 affair with Torino at San Siro. Malick Thiaw diverted the ball into his own net before Duvan Zapata doubled Torino’s lead. Alvaro Morata came off the bench to score on debut before Noah Okafor volleyed in a second half added-time equaliser. Parma managed a point against 10-man Fiorentina in their first match back in the top flight. Dennis Man scored fi...

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18Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Casemiro future remains in doubt

Casemiro has forced his way back into Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans, with two weeks left for clubs to make offers to lure him away from Manchester United. The Brazil midfielder’s future at Old Trafford looked in doubt over the summer, with interest from Saudi Arabia in the player signed two years ago for £60m. He was on the bench for the FA Cup final in May before pulling out of the match-day squad through injury, fuelling suggestions he could leave United. But he played in the Community Shield and impressed in the win over Fulham on Friday night. “In that midfield unit he was very important in and out of possession, organising with smart solutions,” said Ten Hag. “This is the Casemiro we all enjoy.” United have looked at Paris St-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte and Burnley’s Sander Berge sh...

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18Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

Leverkusen hold nerve for German Supercup win on pens

Bayer Leverkusen, playing with 10 men for more than a half, have beaten VfB Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties to win the German Super Cup. Domestic double winners Leverkusen who lost only once in all competitions last season, needed only 11 minutes to take the lead with Edmond Tapsoba heading towards goal at the far post and Victor Boniface pushing the ball over the line. Stuttgart struck back four minutes later thanks to Enzo Millot's shot in the first German season curtain-raiser not to feature Bayern Munich for 13 years. Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen were reduced to 10 men when Martin Terrier was dismissed with a straight red card following a studs-up challenge in the 37th minute and Stuttgart quickly took control. The visitors hit the woodwork three times and went in front in the 63rd minute w...

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18Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Ligue 1

Booed but Greenwood stars in Marseille debut

Mason Greenwood scored twice in his debut for Marseille in a 5-1 victory over Brest in their French league opener Saturday. Greenwood, the former Manchester United forward who made a controversial move to Marseille this summer, had a hand in all five goals as he also provided two assists and won a penalty that Elye Wahi converted. Greenwood's first Ligue 1 appearance was greeted with boos that echoed throughout Brest's Francis-Le Blé stadium every time he touched the ball. The forward, 22, was arrested in 2022 and later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. The case was dropped last year. Brest, who finished third last season and are set to compete in the Champions League, struggled throughout the match. A missed penalty by Romain Del Castillo in t...

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Conte: ‘I expected better from Napoli, you all know Osimhen situation’

Antonio Conte warns he ‘expected better’ from Napoli and isn’t sure if it will take ‘6 months or 2 years’ to make them competitive again, including a Victor Osimhen situation that he inherited on his arrival. Their Serie A opener against Hellas Verona kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday at 17.30 UK time (16.30 GMT). The Partenopei already began their campaign in less than sparkling form, held 0-0 by Serie B side Modena in the Coppa Italia First Round and qualifying only through a penalty shoot-out.“Our mantra is to give 200 per cent, we must go beyond our limitations, because this is a critical moment for Napoli,” said Conte in his press conference. “The President talked about a reconstruction. I evaluated the squad and agree fully, we need to rebuild from the foundations....

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Havertz and Saka star as Arsenal start new season with win over Wolves

Kai Havertz headed Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal towards a winning start to the new season with a message to manager Mikel Arteta that he can be his side’s star striker this season. Arsenal are in the hunt for and being urged to sign a proven goalscorer, but maybe they already have one. The versatile German scored 14 times and served up seven assists in his first season at the club following a big money move from Chelsea last summer. Many of those goals came from midfield. Arteta, who had played Havertz in midfield for much of pre-season, opted to play him ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the main forward role this time and his tactical move ended up being the difference between the two sides. That said, Wolves did little to threaten the Arsenal goal aside from a first-half Jorge...

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mohamed Salah breaks goal record on opening day of Premier League season

Mohamed Salah has broken a Premier League record on the opening day of the season after scoring for Liverpool against Ipswich Town. The Egyptian latched on to Dominik Szoboszlai's pass to slide the ball under Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, doubling a Liverpool lead that been handed to Arne Slot's side by Diogo Jota. Salah's strike was the ninth time he's scored on the first day of a Premier League season, pulling one clear of Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer. The 31-year-old has previously scored on the first day against Watford - his Liverpool debut during the 2017/18 season - before going on to score goals against West Ham, Norwich City (2), Leeds United (a hat-trick), and Fulham. The only time Salah has failed to score on the first day of the season was during 2023/24,...

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Joao Felix agrees personal terms with Chelsea with double agreement close

Joao Felix has agreed personal terms with Chelsea with the Blues and Atletico Madrid nearing an agreement over the forward and Conor Gallagher. Gallagher was set to complete his move to the La Liga giants but that deal was halted when Chelsea’s attempts to sign Samu Omorodion from Atletico fell through. In response, the Premier League side pivoted towards a deal for Felix, who spent half a season on loan in west London in 2023. The situation has left Gallagher in limbo, returning from Spain this week and training with Chelsea’s Under-21s until his future is resolved.More talks between Chelsea and Atletico are expected this weekend as they to find a way to break the impasse, The Telegraph report. Atletico need to raise cash to get the Gallagher deal over the line with Felix’s e...

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern give Kompany winning start in German Cup stroll

Bayern Munich's new head coach Vincent Kompany has enjoyed a winning start as his side cruised to a 4-0 German Cup win over third-tier Ulm. Bayern Munich have begun the new season with a 4-0 win against second-division SSV Ulm in the German Cup, as Vincent Kompany made his official debut as the team's coach. Veteran Thomas Müller broke the deadlock in the 12th minute and completed a brace just three minutes later. The Bavarians found a third goal in a slow second half as Kingsley Coman finished off a cross from newcomer Michael Olise in the 79th, and substitute Harry Kane headed in a fourth in stoppage time. "Our game approach, our game idea and behaviour when with the ball were overall good. I feel good, not only with my body, but also with the guys. I had fun in the game," Müller tol...

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Official: Lazio announce Dia signing from Salernitana

Lazio have officially announced the signing of Senegal international Boulaye Dia on a what is likely to be a permanent deal from recently-relegated Salernitana. The 27-year-old striker joins in a deal reported to be worth €12m, while Lazio are also set to send teenage defender Fabio Ruggeri in the other direction to sweeten the deal. Dia has technically joined on a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy if certain sporting conditions are met. The club have confirmed that he has agreed to a four-year-contract at the Stadio Olimpico, which means he will be tied to the Biancocelesti until the summer of 2028. He has signed in time for Lazio’s Serie A season opener at home against Venezia, which kicks off at 19.45 on Sunday evening. Dia will wear the no.19 shirt during his first...

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17Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Iago Aspas steers late winner for Celta Vigo in La Liga

Iago Aspas avoided an early red card thanks to a video review, had a goal chalked off just before half-time and then capped an eventful game by scoring Celta Vigo's winner against Deportivo Alaves in the Spanish league. The 37-year-old Aspas was the focal point for Celta for much of last season and picked up where he left off in their opening game, netting in the 84th minute to seal a 2-1 victory for the hosts. He had been shown a red card after seven minutes when his arm made contact with Antonio Blanco, but it was downgraded to a yellow after a VAR review. Blanco's cross to Kike Garcia then set up the opening goal for Alaves 10 minutes later. Aspas had a goal disallowed for offside before half-time but Celta equalised midway through the second half thanks to Williot Swedberg's superb...

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17Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Liverpool boss responds to Luis Diaz to Barca transfer talk

New Liverpool boss Arne Slot has shut down talk about a possible move to Barcelona for Luis Diaz. The forward has once again been linked with the Catalans after Barca became frustrated in their attempts to land Nico Williams. Diaz’s father has previously admitted his son would love to play for Barca, but Slot says the Colombia international is going nowhere. “When I walked in, the whole day is about talking about football, it’s no surprise I hear speculation about Diaz,” he told reporters. “Is there anyone we don’t talk about? His future is with us. I like a lot of what I saw. He has had a big impact on Liverpool and I hope he has one for the coming season.” Barca have already signed Dani Olmo this summer but any more signings are now looking unlikely, with the club’s financial situat...

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17Aug By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man United 1-0 Fulham: Dream debut for Zirkzee as Red Devils avoid frustration

Manchester United got off to winning ways with a 1-0 win against Fulham as the Premier League returned on Friday night. After a goalless first half with several chances, the second 45 needed a moment to echo the game into life a bit more. It took 87 minutes for a goal to ripple the net but, for Joshua Zirkzee, it was a debut to remember, as his effort went past Bernd Leno in goal for Fulham. Fulham did make a good name for themselves throughout the game as they challenged United right to the end, but it was their keeper who kept them in it with several saves made. Obviously, Man United go top and Fulham are bottom but it's gameweek one. Both sides will be looking to build on this opening result. Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United were looking to start their league campaign off with a win...

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