State of the Nation, News, Politics, Entertainment, Fashion, Sports, Education, Medicine, Law, Inspirational, Personal, Business, Advertisement and Gossips
Transfer: Chelsea decide on Willian’s move to Barcelona, Atletico
Madrid
Chelsea have
finally decided not to allow forward Willian to leave Stamford Bridge in this
summer transfer window, after rejecting a £35million offer from Barcelona and
Atletico Madrid for the winger, Sky Sports reports.
The report claimed
that Chelsea are willing to offer Willian a new two-year deal after declining
bids from Barca and Atletico.
Willian has drawn
interests from both the Spanish La Liga giants in recent months.
The Brazilian
joined the Blues from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 and has made over 250
appearances for the West London club.
His current
contract at Chelsea will expire next year.
The 30-year-old has
helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles, the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL
Cup during his time at the club.
Transfer: Real Madrid to unveil Zidane’s fifth signing today
Real Madrid will
unveil their latest summer signing, Rodrygo Goes, on Tuesday after the
18-year-old’s loan deal at Santos was brought to an end, AS reports.
Madrid paid the
Brazilian club 40 million euros for the under-20 international last summer and
then loaned him back for a season as part of the deal.
Santos were keen to
extend the arrangement, but the LaLiga giants want the attacker to join up with
the squad as soon as possible, as Zinedine Zidane continues to overhaul his
squad following the arrivals of Eden Hazard, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and
Luka Jovic.
Rodrygo is set to
be presented at the Bernabéu at 13:00 CEST on Tuesday after arriving in Madrid
from São Paulo.
He will undergo the
obligatory medical, before giving his first press conference as a Madrid player
later in the day.
“It motivates me to
go to Madrid. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“For the sheer size
of them, it is scary, but it’s a good fear. It motivates me even more and it
means I have to show why they have confidence in me to sign me,” Rodrygo said
as he bade farewell to Santos.
Transfer: Coutinho snubs Man Utd move ‘because of Liverpool’
Barcelona
midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, will turn down a move to Manchester United this
summer out of respect to former club Liverpool, Sky Sports reports.
Coutinho is widely
expected to leave Spain in the transfer window, after a below-par season at
Camp Nou.
United were thought
to be the frontrunners for the 27-year-old and were weighing up a move for the
Brazil playmaker.
However, Coutinho
is unwilling to consider a move to Old Trafford, after his spell at Liverpool
from 2013-2018.
After a loan spell
in Espanyol, Coutinho left Inter Milan permanently in January 2013, to join
Liverpool for £8.5m.
It was at Anfield
that Coutinho’s career really began to take off, with the Brazil international
quickly becoming a key figure for the Reds.
Coutinho eventually
left for Barca in January 2018 for a reported fee of £142m.
Head coach of
Belgium national team, Roberto Martinez, has urged Romelu Lukaku to leave
Manchester United.
Lukaku’s future at
Old Trafford is in doubt, following a difficult second season.
The 26-year-old
fell out of favour under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Marcus Rashford
being preferred upfront.
Lukaku netted 15
goals in 45 appearances for United in all competitions, a drop from the 27
goals he scored in his debut campaign following his £90million move from
Everton in 2017.
That dip in form
has sparked rumours of a potential summer move, with Serie A outfit Inter
believed to be leading the chase for the striker
“It is clear that
he has to leave Manchester United.
“It would be a good
thing for both parties. It is now important that Romelu finds the right club,”
Martinez told Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws.
Transfer: Barcelona open talks with PSG over Neymar return
Barcelona have
opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain, over a deal to re-sign Neymar, according
to Globoesporte.
There have been
intense speculations about the future of the 27-year-old in recent months and
now it seems a return to the Camp Nou after a two-year absence is edging
closer.
The fee is believed
to be in the region of €100million (£90m/$112m).
However, some
players believed to be Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele and Ivan Rakitic, will
also be offered in exchange.
PSG will consider selling
Neymar this summer, if they receive a substantial offer.
Chairman and CEO,
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, told France Football: “Players will have to be more
responsible than before.
“It must be
completely different. They will have to do more and work harder. They are not
there for their own amusement.
“If they do not
agree, the doors are open – Ciao! I do not want star behaviour anymore.”
Transfer: Man Utd to offer Pogba £500,000-a-week deal to snub Real
Madrid move
Manchester United
are willing to offer Paul Pogba a stunning £500,000-a-week contract, to stop
him from moving to Real Madrid this summer, SportsMail reports.
Pogba admitted his
intention to leave, after saying “it could be time for a new challenge” last
weekend.
Real Madrid and
Juventus have shown an interest in him, but United are determined to keep their
record signing next season.
Senior officials at
Old Trafford, are also set to address the issue by offering Pogba a pay rise,
that will up his current £290,000-a-week pay to nearer the £500,000 being
picked up by United’s top earner Alexis Sanchez.
Pogba has two years
left on his deal, which United have the option to extend by 12 months.
Real Madrid are
believed to have made an opening offer of £90m, but know that it will take
considerably more than that to test United’s resolve.
Transfer: What Sarri said about bringing Pogba back to Juventus
Maurizio Sarri has
said he can “succeed” with Paul Pogba at Juventus, if the Italian champions
re-signed him from Manchester United, according to Calciomercato.
Sarri was confirmed
as Juventus’ new manager on Sunday, following his exit from Chelsea after just
one season.
The Italian has
reportedly already been in touch with Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici
via his agent and has chatted about the many transfer targets on the club’s
wishlist.
It is reported that
one name that has caught Sarri’s attention more than any other is Pogba’s.
The France
international used to play for Juventus and while Sarri has never worked with
him, he knows of him from his time in the Premier League.
Upon learning of
Juve’s interest in the Manchester United midfielder, he reportedly said: “I
succeeded with [Eden] Hazard, I can also do it with a phenomenon like Pogba.”
Pogba is keen to
leave Manchester United this summer as he publicly
confirmed this to reporters in Japan on Sunday.
Transfer: Sarri tells Juventus to sign two Chelsea players
New Juventus
manager, Maurizio Sarri, is urging the club to sign Jorginho and Emerson
Palmieri from Chelsea, The Times reports.
The 60-year-old had
left Stamford Bridge to return to Serie A, signing a three-year contract with
the Italian champions.
Sarri guided the
Blues to a third-place finish in the Premier League and won the Europa League,
beating Arsenal in the final.
But Chelsea
supporters were not fully satisfied with his style of management and failed to
warm up to the Italian’s style of play.
One key change
Sarri insisted upon was to remove N’Golo Kante from his role at the heart of
midfield and replace him with Jorginho, who followed Sarri from Napoli to
Stamford Bridge in a £57 million deal.
He now wants to
bring Jorginho with him to Juventus to help implement his playing style.
Sarri also wants
Emerson, who struggled for playing time at the start of the season under him,
but as the campaign progressed, was preferred over Marcos Alonso.
Transfer: Man Utd identify two midfielders to replace Pogba after
player revealed exit plan
Manchester United
have finally identified two players to replace midfielder Paul Pogba, after the
France international revealed his plan to leave Old Trafford in this summer’s
transfer window.
Pogba had
on Sunday told reporters in Tokyo, Japan that he wants “a new challenge” this
summer.
The France World
Cup winner, who has been linked with a move to Juventus and Real Madrid, said,
“Like you said, there is a lot of talking a lot of thinking as well.
“For me, I have
been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments
and some bad moments, like everybody, like everywhere else.
“After this season
and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season
as well.
“I think for me it
could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.”
However, Mundo
Deportivo is now reporting that Man United have turned their attention to two
Barcelona midfielders, Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho, as potential
replacement for the 26-year-old when he eventually leaves the Red Devils.
The report claimed
that United have long admired the pair and will step up their pursuit for the
Croatian international and the Brazilian international in the coming days.
Transfer: Nigeria’s most expensive wing-back sends strong message to
Chelsea
Ola Aina has sent a
heartfelt message to Chelsea after completing his move to Serie A side, Torino.
The 22-year-old
wing-back was
signed permanently for a fee of €10million after impressing on loan during
the 2018-19 season making him Nigeria’s most expensive wing-back.
Aina joined Chelsea
Academy at 10 and won the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League with the side.
He made his senior
debut for the Blues in August 2016 under Antonio Conte but was limited to three
Premier League appearances.
After ending his
Stamford Bridge stay, Aina has taken to social media to appreciate the support
of the club as well as his former coaches during his time with the side.
“The start of a new
chapter. Words cannot express how I feel, joining the club as a 10-year-old it
was the best thing that happened to me, combined with playing football for the
team which I support, it was just amazing.
“Now I’m 22, I look
back on all the great times I’ve had from training, going on tours every year
and spending time with some amazing players I looked up to most of my life.
“I’ve also had the
pleasure of playing and training with some great players in the first team, but
most importantly the players that I can call bros from the academy over the
years. My best highlights will always be the memories of growing up and
becoming a man whilst also improving my craft with these players.
“I want to say a
big thank you to all the coaches, medical staff and more, that I’ve had
throughout my years at Chelsea. I am very grateful for constantly helping me
out and taking an interest in me.
“I would like to
thank my first coach Joe Edwards for everything he’s helped me with over the
years also; Micky Beale, Ciril (got me using my left foot), Adi Vivash (our
father figure) Andy Myers, Jody Morris Dermot Drummy and Antonio Conte (for all
my appearances for Chelsea).
“Lastly, a big
thank you to Eddie Newton and the loan staff. 12 years have gone so quick and
I’m forever grateful to Chelsea FC – (my boyhood club) this place will forever
be in my heart.
“Until next time I
wish this club all the success in the future, love you guys at Chelsea,” Aina
posted on Instagram.
Liverpool boss,
Jurgen Klopp, would be willing to sacrifice Mohamed Salah, if it meant landing
Lille forward, Nicolas Pepe, according to le10sport.
Pepe has been
subject of one bid from Liverpool already, but the Ligue 1 outfit do not deem
it enough.
It is believed that
Lille have received two other offers for the Ivorian forward.
However, Klopp
wants the player and due to an increasingly complicated relationship with
Salah, would be willing to see the Egyptian sold if it allows the Reds to land
Pepe.
Both men reportedly
clashed last season, while Liverpool was trying to win both the Premier League
and Champions League.
The Reds eventually
won the latter, defeating Tottenham 2-0 in the final.
Transfer: Man United offers Nigerian forward two-year contract
Nigerian forward,
Ayodeji Sotona, has been offered a two-year contract by Manchester United, as
reported by Allnigeriassoccer.
The report claimed
that the Red Devils will promote the 16-year-old to the Under 18 team after
extending his stay at Old Trafford ahead of next season.
Sotona, an
Irish-born winger of Nigerian parentage, was impressive for Man United’s Under
16 team last campaign.
The player had
represented the Republic of Ireland at Under 15 and Under 16 levels
respectively.
He made his first
Under 18 debut for Man United in their 3-1 victory over Newcastle United in
March.
Transfer: Ramon Calderon predicts Hazard’s future at Real Madrid
Former Real Madrid
president, Ramon Calderon, has predicted the future of Eden Hazard at the
Bernabeu.
According to him,
the former Chelsea star can make a real difference for his new side.
“I think it is
fantastic news for Real Madrid,” Calderon was quoted by Express Sports.
“The player is one
of those that anyone would like to have on their team – good dribbling,
excellent passing and he can play both flanks because he uses the two feet.
“He can play as a
winger, attacking midfielder and also a false nine so it’s perfect.
“I think it has
been a good opportunity to take advantage of the decision of the player to
leave Chelsea.
“This is the real
one, the other three [signings] I’m not quite sure but Eden Hazard is really
that player that can make the difference in a team and I hope he would be able
to play at the same level he has been in the Premier [League].”
EPL: Manchester United reveals final decision on Nigerian defender
Manchester United
have revealed their final decision on American-born Nigerian defender Matthew
Olosunde.
The club stated
that the player will be departing once his contract expires on June 30, 2019.
The club confirmed
this through a statement on their official website.
Olosunde who is
eligible to play for Nigeria, joined Manchester United from New York Red Bulls
in March 2016.
The player started
with the U18 team at Old Trafford before he was promoted to the U23 squad in
the 2016-2017 campaign and went on to make 33 appearances across three seasons
in the Premier League 2.
He, however,
struggled with injuries in his final season at the club.
Olosunde began his
career at Princeton Football Club, where he spent seven years before shifting
to NYRB.
The club’s
statement reads, “At this time of year, players’ contracts are set to expire at
all levels within Manchester United as the squads start to take shape in
advance of the upcoming 2019/20 season.
“While some will
inevitably move on, the Under-23s welcome the older members of the Academy
group, who step up to Premier League 2 football. An intake of first-year
scholars then replaces them in the Under-18s. Of course, all players named on
the actual retained list published by the Premier League remain under contract
to the club.
“In terms of the
first team, it has already been confirmed that Ander Herrera and Antonio
Valencia are leaving United after distinguished service in the red shirt. Juan
Mata, meanwhile, has been offered a new contract.
“At Under-23s
level, the club has taken up the option to extend midfielder Aidan Barlow’s
deal. Fresh terms have also been offered to keepers Alex Fojticekand Paul
Woolston, plus Italian defender Luca Ercolani.
“Several players
who spent time away from the club on loan last term will be seeking deals with
new teams as they continue their careers elsewhere.
“Regan Poole helped
Newport County reach the League Two play-off final, while Zak Dearnley (Oldham
Athletic), Tom Sang(AFC Fylde), Callum Whelan (Port Vale), Matty Willock
(Crawley Town) and James Wilson (Aberdeen) also had loans away from Old
Trafford.
“Of course, both
defender Poole and striker Wilson have represented the United first team.
“Matthew Olosunde,
Tyrell Warren, DJ Buffonge, Callum Gribbin, Millen Baars and Josh Bohui have
also been released, as has Under-18s goalkeeper James Thompson.
“We would like to
wish all the players leaving the club the very best of luck for the future.”
Transfer: Coutinho finally decides to leave Barcelona for another club
Barcelona attacking
midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, has finally decided to leave the club in this
summer’s transfer window.
According to Cadena
SER, the Brazilian is unhappy at Nou Camp and his representatives have already
told Barcelona about his decision to leave the club this summer.
The Spanish
newspaper is also reporting that the former Liverpool star is distressed by his
failed move to the La Liga champions and his failure to make an impact at
Barca.
We had
reported that Coutinho
is among the seven players Barcelona placed on transfer list.
The Catalan club
are open to selling Coutinho this summer, but are demanding a transfer fee of
at least £80million for the player.
Coutinho has failed
to impress since arriving from Liverpool in a £105million deal in January 2018
despite playing his part in two La Liga title wins.
A disappointing
performance against his former club at Anfield saw Barcelona crash out of
Europe, raising more questions about the 26 year old.
Coutinho has drawn
interests from Liverpool, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the past
few weeks.
Transfer: Klopp tells Liverpool board player to sign this summer
Liverpool manager,
Jurgen Klopp, has told the club’s board to sign Ajax captain, Matthijs de Ligt,
in this summer’s transfer window.
According to Sport
Bild, Klopp is eager to sign the defender this summer in a bid to bolster his
squad ahead of next season after winning the Champions League last weekend.
De Ligt is the most
wanted player in Europe after an outstanding season with Ajax.
The 19-year-old has
been linked with a move to Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona
in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, speaking
on De Ligt, Liverpool defender, Virgil Van Dijk, a fellow country teammate with
the youngster, believes the centre-back deserves to join a top club in Europe
this summer.
“I think Matthijs
is a fantastic player and any decision he makes will be the right one for him,”
Van Dijk was quoted by Mirror UK as telling reporters ahead of Holland’s UEFA
Nations League semi-final fixture against England on Thursday night.
“His big quality is
that he’s only 19 and, at times, he looks like he has the experience of a
player who is 25.
“He’s a great
professional, really clever. He can improve, of course – and he will be better.
Hopefully he can choose a big club because he deserves that.
“I spoke to
Matthijs about his future and that [his next club] is secret. The most
important thing is to keep playing, getting minutes to develop your football.
“The way a club is
playing is also an important decision in your choice,” De Ligt said.
