Blog – Page 406 – Football Flame

Blog

TRANSFERS

Real Madrid Keen to sign Napoli star Fabian Ruiz,says spainish Agent

Fabian Ruiz of Napoli during the football Serie A match SSC Napoli v Torino Fc at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples, Italy on February 29, 2020.Real Madrid are among the clubs ready to move for Liverpool transfer target Fabian Ruiz, the Napoli star’s agent has confirmed. The Spanish midfielder, 24, has impressed since leaving Real Betis for Serie A in 2018 and has been widely tipped to leave Naples in the summer. Liverpool are thought to be in the hunt to land him, along with Real Madrid and their bitter La Liga rivals Barcelona, while Bayern Munich and Manchester United have been impressed by his performances. And Ruiz’s agent Alvaro Torres confirmed he had informed Napoli of interest from Madrid in signing his client, who has scored two goals and provided two assists in Seri...
TRANSFERS

Fiorentina Set €100m Price Tag For Inter Target Gaetano Castrovilli

Gaetano Castrovilli of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio San Paolo on January 18, 2020 in Naples, Italy.Fiorentina have issued a strong hands off warning to Inter with them telling the Nerazzurri that they will have to cough up no less than €100 million if they wish to sign Gaetano Castrovilli according to a report from Italian news outlet CalcioMercato.it.Castrovilli is reportedly one of Inter’s top targets for the upcoming Summer transfer window and the Nerazzurri club told Fiorentina they were willing to pay €50 million but Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso hit back and demanded twice that.Castrovilli has had a breakthrough season this term at La Viola and had cemented himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A and one of th...
TRANSFERS

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti eye shock transfer for Real Madrid star Bale and Rodriguez

Carlo Ancelotti during the Training Session at USM Finch Farm on March 11 2020 in Halewood, England.Everton coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to sign James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale away from Real Madrid, according to a report published on MARCA this Friday. Ancelotti coached both players during his tenure in Real Madrid and believes that they could take Everton to another level.The Italian coach was interested in signing James for Napoli last summer but a deal could not get done. Then, Ancelotti left the club and joined Everton, who should have more money to go after both Bale and James.Neither Bale nor James are on coach Zinedine Zidane’s plans for the future and it looks like the club would be happy to get rid of both, so Everton’s potential offer should probably be considered. However, ...
SERIE A

Milan willing to sell midfielder Paqueta for €28m

2020/02/17: Lucas Paqueta of Ac Milan in action during the Serie A match between Ac Milan and Torino Fc. Ac Milan wins 1-0 over Torino Fc.After failing to express his full potential at AC Milan, Lucas Paqueta could leave the club this summer. The former Flamengo man has disappointed when given the chance and is now considered sellable by the Rossoneri, who could cash at the end of the season.According to reports, Benfica are the latest team to have joined the race for the 22-year-old's services. The management values Paqueta's qualities and he could soon become a serious market target for the club.In order to avoid making a loss, Milan will have to sell the Brazilian for at least €28m. Given the circumstances, it's possible that the clubs could work on a broader operation, as the Portugues...
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Fined Defender Jerome Boateng for leaving the City and visiting sick son without Permission

Jerome Boateng of Bayern Muenchen looks on during a training session at Saebener Strasse training ground on March 12, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich have fined defender Jerome Boateng for leaving the city "without permission", an act in breach of the strict rules of confinement imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak.According to TVO television, the 31-year-old had left the city to visit his sick son and was involved in a minor road accident on Tuesday."Bayern defender Jerome Boateng left Munich yesterday without permission from the club," said the German champions in a statement."Boateng has transgressed the guidelines issued by the club by being too far away from his home."These guidelines govern the behaviour of the FC Bayern players in the current situation in line with governme...
BUNDESLIGA

Kevin De Bruyne hails Man United target Sancho as "crazy" talent

Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park on March 7, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany.Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has hailed Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho as "crazy" following their time together at the Etihad.Sancho spent two years at City between 2015 and 2017, but ultimately left for Dortmund without making a single appearance for the Premier League champions.The 20-year-old has been quick to establish himself as one of the hottest prospects in Europe since arriving in Germany, with Manchester United said to be leading the race for his signature.During an Instagram live session with Belgium team-mates Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku, De Bruyne said: "He is cra...
LALIGA

Barcelona set €20million price-tag for Sevilla target Ivan Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona in action during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on March 07, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona have reportedly slapped a €20m (£17.6m) price tag on the head of Ivan Rakitic.The midfielder is widely expected to leave Camp Nou with his current deal set to expire next summer, and Rakitic is supposedly keen on a reunion with former side Sevilla.According to Marca, Barcelona are confident that they can sell the Croatia international for a €20m figure, and Rakitic will reportedly be inundated with offers should he depart the Catalan giants.The report also claims that Quique Setien's side would be open to a player-plus-cash deal for the 32-year-old, as they look to raise funds to aid their pursuit of Neymar and Lautaro Martinez.Raki...
SERIE A

Ibrahimovic : "Retirement? I haven't made up my mind yet"

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 22, 2020 in Florence, Italy. Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke to Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet to discuss a number of topics, among those the idea of his retirement from football. The idea has floated about that the striker's recent stint at Milan could be his last act, but Ibrahimovic himself is not convinced. "We will see. I still have not made up my mind yet, each day something new happens. Coronavirus was not forseeable. It's tough that the leagues have stopped but we must respect the rules and be patient."
UCL

Uefa suspend Champions League until further notice

POLAND - 2020/03/23: In this photo illustration the UEFA Champions League logo seen displayed on a smartphone.Uefa, football’s European governing body, has moved to put all competitions under its auspices on hold amid the ongoing shutdown caused by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.Following a meeting today (Wednesday) by video conference of the 55 Uefa member associations, Uefa announced this afternoon that all Uefa Champions League and Europa League matches from the current campaign have been suspended “until further notice”.The rescheduled June play-off matches for the 2020 European Championship – a tournament already moved to the summer of 2021 – have been postponed. The play-offs involve 16 different European national sides.Qualifying matches for the Women’s Euro 2021 have also been...
TRANSFERS

Barcelona Reportedly open transfer talks with Neymar and Lautaro Martinez

Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France.Barcelona have opened negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.Despite suggestions that the Catalan giants must sell players before they make any significant additions, Neymar and Martinez continue to be linked with a switch to Camp Nou later in 2020.According to Sport, club officials have already began talks regarding those respective deals, aware that negotiations are likely to be complex.Neymar, who left Barcelona in 2017, has just over two years remaining on his PSG contract and is likely to cost slightly under the £200m which t...
NEWS

Ex-Marseille president Pape Diouf dies from Covid-19

Pape Diouf, former president of French L1 football team Olympique de Marseille, gestures as he responds to journalists' questions in Marseille on November 20, 2014, a few hours after being released from custody. "I have nothing to reproach myself," Diouf said after remaining in custody for 36 hours in a case of alleged fraudulent transfers.Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died after suffering from Covid-19, his club has announced.The club tweeted: "It is with great sadness that Olympique de Marseille learned of the death of Pape Diouf. Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club's history."The club had earlier revealed the 68-year-old, who was also a former LFP official, had been suffering from coronavirus.A statement at lf...
NEWS

‘For 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen’: Pepe Reina on battling coronavirus

Pepe Reina of Aston Villa in action during a training session at Bodymoor Heath training ground on March 12, 2020 in Birmingham, England.Premier League goalkeeper Pepe Reina has revealed his struggle against coronavirus, saying he was worried for his life and unable to breathe."The only real fear I had was when I understood that there was no oxygen: endless minutes of fear, as if suddenly my throat had closed," said the Spaniard, who used to play for Liverpool."The most difficult moment was when I could no longer breathe, the 25 minutes I ran out of oxygen. It was the worst moments of my life."Reina, now on loan at Aston Villa from AC Milan, said he took necessary precautions after feeling unwell, despite not being tested.And speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the 37-year-old opened up abou...
TRANSFERS

Man United Loanee Alexis Sanchez set to leave Milan in summer

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between FC Internazionale and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 27, 2020 in Milan, Italy.Alexis Sanchez is reportedly set to return to parent club Manchester United in the summer after failing to make an impact at Inter Milan.The former Arsenal man has struggled to make a lasting impression during his loan spell at the San Siro, making just 10 league appearances in a campaign plagued with injuries.Indeed, Sanchez has only managed one goal and two assists in Italy's top flight this term, and Antonio Conte reportedly has zero intention of keeping him at Inter.According to The Daily Mail, Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta shares Conte's concerns over the at...
TRANSFERS

Leicester City in talks with Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho

William Carvalho of Real Betis during the Liga match between Real Betis and RCD Mallorca at Benito Villamarin Stadium on February 21, 2020 in Sevilla, Spain.Leicester City have held "conversations" with Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho, according to reports.And the 27-year-old is in "a good position" to sign for the Foxes, reports Coliseo Verdi Blanco.Defensive midfielder Carvalho, who is valued at £18m, notably won Euro 2016 with Portugal, playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo - and the inaugural UEFA Nations League last year as they beat Holland 1-0 in the final.He joined Betis from Sporting Lisbon on a five-year contract in July 2018, having spent six years with the Portuguese giants.He has played almost 40 times for Betis in La Liga, but has been restricted to just nine appearances...
LALIGA

Asensio will train with Real Madrid squad when quarantine ends

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio (20) dribbles the ball during the International Champions Cup soccer match between FC Bayern and Real Madrid on July 20, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio will train with the rest of the squad as soon as the club ends their quarantine due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a report from Spanish newspaper AS. There’s no date for Madrid’s return to action yet and it looks like the confinement could last at least two more weeks.Asensio picked up a worrying ACL injury during Madrid’s pre-season stage in North America last summer. The winger seemed destined to be a key starter for Zidane this season but he has spent the last seven months recovering from surgery and now he’s ready to begin the last part of his reh...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Rashford helps feed children during virus shutdown

Marcus Rashford of Man Utd looks on from the stands before the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on January 29, 2020 in Manchester, England.Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is working to get food to children who rely on free school meals after the coronavirus shutdown.The 22-year-old England international has teamed up with charity FareShare to help children in the Manchester area after schools were closed.And he revealed that his own childhood had inspired him to want to make a difference to the next generation."In the past I have done a lot of work in regards to children and when I heard about the schools shutting down, I knew that meant free meals for some kids that they are not getting at school," Rashford told the...
SERIE A

Serie A chiefs to discuss cancelling season on Monday

(LtoR)Demetrio Albertini, Manuela Ronchi and Damiano Tommasi arrive at the "Gran Gala del Calcio" Italian Football Association (Associazione Italiana Calciatori - IAC) awards ceremony on December 2, 2019, in Milan.President of the Italian Footballers’ Association Damiano Tommasi fears the Serie A season could be cancelled due to the outbreak of coronavirus.Italy has been hit hardest in Europe by the virus and on Sunday had over 10,000 confirmed deaths from Covid-19.Serie A has been suspended since March 9 and sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora revealed last week a blanket ban on all sport could continue until May.Spadafora’s words have alerted the attention of the Italian FA, who are due to meet on Monday via a conference call when the topic of Serie A being cancelled will be discussed.&nb...
SERIE A

Juventus, Ronaldo agree to wage reduction that will save club €90 million

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and his partner Georgina Rodriguez push two strollers as they have a walk with their children in Funchal on March 28, 2020.Cristiano Ronaldo and his Juventus team-mates along with coach Maurizio sarri agreed to forgo 90 million euros ($100 million) in the wages on the Saturday to help the club during the coronavirus crisis.The club said the money amounted to four months worth of wages, a third of the players’ salaries.The first agreement of its kind in Serie A since play was halted three weeks ago means Ronaldo, the highest-paid player in the Italian league, will give up 10 million euros (more than $11 million).Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini, who has an economics degree, led the negotiations with the club and fellow players.The agreement comes at a time when many ...
TRANSFERS

Report suggests Spurs' Jan Vertonghen is a player Barcelona have always liked

Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on March 7, 2020 in Burnley, United Kingdom.Barcelona could reportedly attempt to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen this summer.The 32-year-old will see his current deal with Spurs expire on June 30, and it is widely thought that he will leave Jose Mourinho’s side on a free transfer in search of pastures new.Vertonghen recently revealed that he was weighing up "the pros and cons" of staying at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as his contract continues to run down.According to Sport, Barca 'have always liked' the versatile defender, who could be 'a magnificent option' for Quique Setien’s side ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Harry Kane sets limit for Premier League season to finish or 'consider other options'

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 19, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.Harry Kane fears the Premier League season may not be completed following the coronavirus pandemic unless it has reached a conclusion by the end of June.UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin admitted this weekend the European football season "would probably be lost" if it won't restart by the end of June at the latest.The governing body of European football has set up a task force to draft up a potential calendar for federations to follow after the coronavirus pandemic forced all of its major leagues to halt.Speaking to Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp, Tottenham and England striker Kane hopes...
Blogarama - Blog Directory