Roberto Firmino is considering a return to the Premier League and may leave Saudi Arabia in January. After signing a three-year deal with Al Ahli following the expiration of his Liverpool contract last summer, Firmino made an impressive start with a hat-trick on the season’s opening weekend against Al Hazem. However, he has since struggled, failing to score in the subsequent 18 appearances and losing his spot in the starting lineup to Saudi international Firas Al Buraikan, who has notched 11 league goals this year. Part of the challenge is Firmino not fitting well into Matthias Jaissle’s system. With no…
Author: Oluwaseun samuel
Manchester United is considering offering Raphael Varane a new contract with reduced terms as he nears the end of his existing deal. The club has chosen not to activate the 12-month extension clause in Varane’s current contract, set to expire this summer, citing concerns over its financial implications. Similar to their approach with goalkeeper David de Gea last season, Manchester United aims to engage in discussions with Varane about an entirely new contract, one that would involve a lower salary for the French defender. Sources suggest that Varane may entertain such an option, expressing his desire to conclude his career…
In a strategic maneuver, Chelsea FC is reportedly exploring the possibility of offering their club captain, Reece James, to Real Madrid in a potential deal to secure the services of the world-class midfielder Federico Valverde. Chelsea’s Offer to Madrid: James in Exchange for 23-Year-Old World-Class Star The initiative, intended to strengthen Madrid’s right-back position, aligns with Chelsea’s goal to reinforce their squad with key additions. According to Goal.com, Real Madrid has identified Reece James as a prime candidate to enhance their right-back options. However, recognizing James’s crucial role and contractual commitment until 2028, Chelsea is prepared to demand a significant…
Former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has advised Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale to contemplate a transfer to Manchester United this month. Schwarzer, who previously played for Chelsea, believes such a move could be advantageous for both the player and the club. Ramsdale has spent a significant part of the season on the bench at Arsenal, serving as an understudy to David Raya, who Mikel Arteta regards as a more proficient ball distributor. Arsenal Star Encouraged to Make January Move to Manchester United Schwarzer contends that Ramsdale outshines Andre Onana and sees Manchester United as an ideal destination for the talented goalkeeper.…
Manchester United has experienced a recent dip in form over their last five EPL games this season, managing one win, enduring three losses, and securing one draw. This places them in the 8th position on the EPL table with 31 points. The Next 5 Matches for Manchester United That Might Lead to a Drop in EPL Standings The team’s lack of a cohesive strategic approach and subpar tactical gameplay has significantly impacted their overall performance in the EPL. Unless they address their defensive strategies, this trend may persist throughout the remainder of the season. Therefore, it is imperative for Manchester…
Real Madrid achieved a groundbreaking club record during the initial half of the 2023/24 La Liga season by allowing only 11 goals in 19 games. Concerns arose earlier in the season when key players Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao suffered serious ACL injuries, and the team faced additional setbacks as David Alaba succumbed to the same issue in December. Despite the absence of three first-choice defenders, Madrid remarkably conceded just 11 goals in the first half of the campaign. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad not only boasts the best defensive record in La Liga but also, as highlighted by Marca, has never…
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is confident that the Super Eagles possess the necessary qualities to secure victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The last time the Super Eagles claimed continental success was a decade ago. Osimhen encouraged his teammates to give their utmost effort in the upcoming tournament. Speaking at a dinner held to celebrate his recognition as Africa’s best player, the 25-year-old expressed, “Our primary focus now is to go to Ivory Coast and clinch the tournament. I have faith in this team; we have a roster of talented players capable of getting the job done. Fingers…
In a bid to inspire success for the Super Eagles in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled a bonus framework, offering a reward of $5,000 for each victory achieved during the group stage of the tournament. This decision by the NFF to implement performance-based bonuses underscores their commitment to cultivating a competitive spirit and recognizing the endeavors of the players. The $5,000 incentive for each group stage triumph is poised to uplift team morale and provide an extra layer of motivation as they vie for supremacy on the continental stage. The…
Xavi has emphatically communicated that Barcelona currently cannot entertain the idea of signing high-profile players like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. The financial challenges faced by the Catalan club in recent years are well-documented, despite substantial expenditures on players such as Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres, among others. For the 2023/24 season, Barcelona has utilized loan deals to bolster their squad as they aim to defend the La Liga title won convincingly in the previous season. While pursuing permanent signings for Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix this summer, the club acknowledges uncertainties regarding the Portuguese duo’s continuity.…
Emmanuel Amunike, former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, has highlighted the pressure on Nigeria’s national football team to secure victory in the upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Amunike specifically cautioned against burdening Victor Osimhen, the reigning CAF Player of the Year and a key player for the Super Eagles, with excessive expectations to lead the team to success in the 2023 AFCON. Osimhen, who demonstrated stellar performance by scoring ten goals during the tournament’s qualifiers, is anticipated to play a pivotal role for Nigeria in Ivory Coast. Despite acknowledging Osimhen’s form with Napoli and his impressive contributions…
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed enthusiasm about his initial meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new consortium, describing it as “very positive” and “constructive” after the billionaire acquired a 25% stake in the club through his INEOS firm. Ratcliffe’s investment also includes taking control of sporting operations in collaboration with the Glazer family, who retain majority ownership. Sir Dave Brailsford, the director of sport for INEOS and the mastermind behind the success of British Cycling and the INEOS Grenadiers, is expected to play an active role in the new setup. Despite the deal being in the works for…
Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach, Ange Postecoglou, has expressed his lack of concern regarding the potential encounter with Andre Onana, who is bound for AFCON, during next week’s match against Manchester United. Onana has been called up to the Cameroon squad for the winter tournament, with their group stage starting on January 15. Despite Erik ten Hag’s revelation that talks are ongoing with the Cameroonian FA to retain Onana for the clash against Tottenham on January 14, Postecoglou, in a press conference on Thursday, asserted that he holds no opinion on United’s efforts to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that he…
Charlie McNeill has re-entered Manchester United’s ranks after completing his loan stint at Stevenage. The 20-year-old striker, who had joined the League One club in September, played for Man United in the EFL Trophy match against Stockport County, contributing a goal in the penalty shootout. In a statement released on Wednesday via its website, Manchester United expressed their welcome back to Charlie, stating, “We’d like to welcome Charlie back to the fold again.” McNeill initially made his senior debut for Manchester United in the Europa League encounter against Real Sociedad in September 2022.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai sustained a hamstring injury during the New Year’s Day match against Newcastle, ruling him out for at least the upcoming two games. The Hungarian player was substituted in the second half of Liverpool’s 4-2 victory at Anfield, solidifying their position at the top of the Premier League. Klopp, addressing reporters at his latest press conference, stated, “I can confirm it’s not a potential injury – it is an injury. Muscle, hamstring. But now we have to see. Dom is very positive, doesn’t have a lot of pain, but we have to…
Jadon Sancho is on the verge of a return to Borussia Dortmund following a breakthrough in negotiations with Manchester United. Sancho, who has been sidelined from the Red Devils since August, faced a fallout with Erik ten Hag after being omitted from the matchday squad against Arsenal due to perceived low performance levels in training. Despite Sancho disputing these claims on social media and refusing to apologize, tensions escalated, leading to the winger training separately from the first-team. His departure during the January transfer window has been widely anticipated. Earlier reports suggested that Dortmund was considering bringing Sancho back on…
Erik ten Hag hasn’t dismissed the possibility of Anthony Martial extending his stay at Manchester United beyond the current season, revealing ongoing discussions with the striker regarding his contract. Martial’s existing agreement is set to conclude at the end of the season, but it includes a standard option for another 12 months until the summer of 2025, a detail often included in the club’s contracts. While it was initially thought that United might not exercise their option on Martial, given his struggles with fitness and form, Ten Hag has now indicated that there is a potential for a different outcome.…
Barcelona initiated the year 2024 with a hard-fought victory on Thursday night, overcoming Las Palmas 2-1, thanks to Ilkay Gundogan’s 93rd-minute penalty in La Liga. Former Barça forward Munir El Haddadi gave Las Palmas an early advantage, maintaining control until Ferran Torres secured a fortunate equalizer early in the second half. Despite a sluggish start, Barcelona clinched the win when Gundogan, initially denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity, successfully converted the subsequent penalty. Vitor Roque, making his Barcelona debut following a €61m transfer from Athletico Paranaense, missed a golden opportunity to mark his start with a goal. The outcome ensures that…
France striker Kylian Mbappe has reportedly forgone “several tens of millions” of euros to facilitate a potential departure from Paris Saint-Germain, according to a source involved in the negotiations as of Thursday. Under an agreement reached with the club last summer, Mbappe is said to have waived bonuses totaling approximately 60 to 70 million euros ($65.6 million to $76.6 million), thus financially safeguarding the club in anticipation of his likely exit when his contract concludes in June. Despite claims from French daily Le Parisien suggesting an 80 million euro ‘loyalty’ bonus due last September and additional bonuses totaling 100 million…
Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has expressed his openness to contribute to the Nigeria National team but not in a managerial role. During an interview with CNN Sports, the ex-Chelsea midfielder stated his preference for addressing issues from a higher position. Mikel said, “I would love to get involved with the Super Eagles, but not as a manager; I don’t want to get sacked; I don’t think I can handle that very well. I want to be involved with the national team as someone trying to fix the problems from the top, if it means being a mediator…
Arsenal goalkeeper and former England U-18 international, Arthur Okonkwo, has reportedly agreed to play for Nigeria, as per dailycannon. Currently on loan with Wrexham, competing in English League Two, Okonkwo has showcased his skills, building on impressive performances with Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz last season. Despite his promising club progress, Okonkwo hasn’t secured international opportunities with England for over four years since his involvement with the England U-18s. Recent reports suggest that Jose Peseiro has reached out to Okonkwo, expressing the possibility of a nationality switch to Nigeria, to which the 22-year-old goalkeeper has reportedly indicated his willingness. Peseiro,…