Sports update

[Edoman]

Neymar Offers His PSG Shirt To Lionel Messi

Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar, has offered his number 10 shirt to Lionel Messi amid interest linking the former Barcelona captain to the French Ligue 1 giants, Newspremises reports.

RMC Sport reports on Friday afternoon that PSG’s efforts to sign Messi are now in full swing, with the club’s players also making attempts to convince the six-time Ballon d’Or to join.

Neymar, with whom Messi played at Barcelona, has even gone as far as offering his number 10 shirt to win the 34-year-old over.

Recall that Barcelona officially announced that their captain, Messi, will be leaving Camp Nou as a free agent this summer.

Messi’s contract with the Catalan club expired on July 1 and he was believed to have agreed on fresh terms on half of his wages.

However, the new contract couldn’t be finalised “due to financial and structural problems [rules relating to the Spanish topflight league],” an official club statement revealed.

https://newspremises.com.ng/neymar-offers-his-psg-shirt-to-lionel-messi/

[Edoman]

Romelu Lukaku reportedly 'agrees five-years deal with Chelsea'








Romelu Lukaku has reportedly agreed terms on a five-year contract with Chelsea, worth around £212,000-a-week. 
 
The Belgian goal machine is now edging closer to sealing his return back to west London following his departure in 2014.

 
Despite failing with a bid of £85.3m plus Marcos Alonso, multiple reports suggest that Chelsea will eventually get a deal over the line with Lukaku open to another spell at Stamford Bridge.
 
According to football. london, an agreement is already in place with regards to a five-year contract for the Belgium international. All that is left to resolve in the final fee between the two clubs with negotiations now nearing a conclusion.

 
Inter are now expected to sell up after Lukaku himself made it known that he wanted to join Chelsea.

 
Lukaku has scored 64 goals in all competitions during his first two years at San Siro.
 
Tuchel refused to comment on Chelsea's pursuit of Lukaku on Wednesday night following the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
 
“I will not talk about players who don’t play in my squad,” the former PSG boss said. “He is a fantastic player but a player from Inter and with all due respect I will not talk about him. Not everybody but I can imagine a lot of players want to come and join [Chelsea] but we don’t comment on that.”
 

[Edoman]

Sergio Aguero moves to follow Lionel Messi out of Barcelona


 
on
 August 7, 2021




Newly signed Barcelona striker, Sergio Aguero now wants to leave the club immediately following the departure of Lionel Messi, according to La Porteria.


Barcelona announced on Thursday that Messi, a free agent, will no longer play for the club after 21 years with the Catalan giants.


Aguero left Manchester City as a free agent at the end of last season and joined Barcelona basically to play alongside Messi.



And now the Argentine, according to the report is not taking Messi’s departure lightly and wants to leave the club without playing a single competitive game.


Aguero and Messi have shared the pitch for more than a decade with Argentines winning the Copa America together this summer and the former Manchester City forward is said to be angry the way things turned out.

His lawyers are currently reviewing the terms of his contract with the Catalan giants.

Meanwhile, Barcelona president, Joan Laporta had in a statement made it clear that despite offloading Messi, the club will be unable to register four new players.


The players are Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia, Emerson Royal, and Aguero.

[Edoman]

Toyko Olympics:  Brazil defeat Spain after extra time to win second consecutive Olympic men’s football gold







Brazil have won their second consecutive Olympic men’s football gold after substitute Malcom scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Spain in extra time.
 

 
Matheus Cunha scored in first-half stoppage time after Richarlison missed a penalty when he smashed over the crossbar for Brazil.
 
Spain equalized on the hour when Mikel Oyarzabal scored a volley, but former Barcelona forward Malcom secured Brazil the title with his goal in the 108th minute.
 

 
Brazil, who won gold on home soil at Rio 2016, became the fifth team to retain their Olympic crown on another triumphant night in Yokohama, where they claimed the last of their five World Cup titles in 2002.

 

[Edoman]

Dani Alves wins his 44th title at the Olympics, extends his advantage as most the decorated footballer of all time. 








Former Barcelona defender, Dani Alves helped Brazil secure Olympic gold and lifted his 44th title in an illustrious career, extending his advantage as the most decorated footballer of all time. 
 
With the 2-1 win after extra-time over Spain in the Olympics, the 38-year-old Sao Paulo defender has bettered his already incredible record.

 
The Brazilian, whose career includes stints with Bahia, Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona, has now picked up his 44th title.
 
See Alves’ 44 titles below:
 
Barcelona: 23 – La Liga (6), Copa del Rey (4), Spanish Super Cup (4), Champions League (3), UEFA Super Cup (3), FIFA Club World Cup (3)
Paris Saint-Germain: 6 – Ligue 1 (2), Coupe de France (1), Coupe de la Ligue (1), Trophees des Champions (1)

Sevilla: 5 – Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Cup (2), UEFA Super Cup
Juventus: 2 – Serie A, Coppa Italia
Bahia: 1 – Copa do Nordeste
Sao Paulo: 1 – Campionato Paulista
Brazil: 6 – Copa America (2), Confederations Cup (2), Olympics, U20 World Cup

[Edoman]

Fabrizio Romano reveals player delaying Chelsea to complete Jules Kounde transfer


on
 August 9, 2021




Respected football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has identified Kurt Zouma, as the player delaying Chelsea to complete a Jules Kounde transfer from Sevilla.


Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move to sign Kounde, 22, in recent days.
Speaking on the development, Romano said Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with Kounde and it now just remains for the Champions League winner to strike a deal with Sevilla.
“They [Chelsea] are in talks for Kounde. They are working on it,“ Romano told Don Robbie YouTube channel
“They were including [Jacob] Zouma as part of the negotiation but they have no agreement on the value of Zouma.

“Sevilla want €45million plus Zouma in the deal. Chelsea were offering €30million to €35million with Zouma. The value of Zouma is the problem at the moment. Let us see what happens in the coming days.

“The next one could be Kounde. They want to sign him with or without Zouma.


“He has an agreement of personal terms with Chelsea on a five-year contract. He is ready to join Chelsea.
“After the [Romelu] Lukaku saga, we will have the final answer.”

[Edoman]

Barcelona win first trophy after Messi’s exit

 
on
 August 9, 2021




Barcelona began life without their talisman Lionel Messi with a 3-0 win over Juventus in the Gamper Trophy on Sunday.


Messi is leaving the Nou Camp after 21 years, after failing to agree fresh terms with the club.


Earlier in the day, the 34-year-old bid farewell in an emotional press conference.
But his team mates put his departure behind to crush Juve.


Memphis Depay opened the scoring after just three minutes. Martin Braithwaite made it 2-0 with a thumping header just before the hour mark from a corner.


Riqui Puig added a third in stoppage time with a curling left foot drive.

The new LaLiga season gets under way on Friday, but Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Sunday in their opening fixture.

[Edoman]

How Messi’s move to PSG affects Cristiano Ronaldo

 
on
 August 9, 2021





Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, is monitoring Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to AS.


Ronaldo has reportedly been looking to leave Italy, as a result of their poor performances in the Champions League.


Juve were also toppled as Serie A champions last season by Inter Milan.
PSG are said to be one of the few clubs capable of signing Ronaldo, but bringing in Messi would make any move for the Portugal captain unfeasible.


There has also been talk of Kylian Mbappe moving to Real Madrid.
But it is believed that even if Mbappe leaves for a huge transfer fee, it would not be enough to help get Ronaldo to the Parc des Princes.

So, while the idea of Ronaldo and Messi playing in the same team is enough to get football fans excited, it seems as though there is no chance of that happening.

This makes things very complicated for Ronaldo as he plots his route out of Turin.

[Edoman]

Saleh To Messi: You Are Greedy, Shedding Crocodile Tears

The former Pharaohs coach does not buy into the Argentina international’s tears at final Blaugrana press conference, claiming he is greedy.

Former Egypt and Libya coach Mohsen Saleh has slammed Lionel Messi for his ‘crocodile tears’ at his final Barcelona press conference on Sunday.

With that, Messi’s trophy-laden spell with the 26-time Spanish topflight giants came to an end and he is expected to announce his next destination in the coming days.

But Mohsen stated that the 34-year-old could have continued by forfeiting part of his wages to help the Spanish elite division side who are in a financial mess.

“Crocodile tears are when a hypocrite cries despite not feeling any kind of sadness. He in fact feels the opposite way,” the 72-year-old wrote on Twitter.

“Messi, why are you crying when you could have stayed by sacrificing a part of your salary due to the club’s current financial state?

“You’re greedy, and you’re not the only one, you claim you left because of the rules while others claim they left for ambition.”

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top-scorer with 672 goals from 778 appearances across all competitions.

He also picked up 34 titles with Barca, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League diadems.

https://www.goal.com/en/news/youre-greedy-not-the-only-one-saleh-slams-ex-barcelona-star/kvwrsxqb1ii01qrub83xbtcqw

[Edoman]

EPL: Tuchel names three Chelsea players to benefit from Lukaku’s arrival


 
on
 August 10, 2021





Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has said the imminent arrival of Romelu Lukaku at the club, will help to bring the best out of other forwards at the club like Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.


The Blues have struck a £98million agreement with Inter Milan for Lukaku.
The 28-year-old is set to return to the Premier League after two years in Italy.
Tuchel has identified Lukaku as the striker with the “right profile” to get his team firing as a collective attacking unit.


“He has the kind of profile that loves to play with his back towards the opponent’s goal, who likes to hold the ball and will create space for Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, who love to play around him.

“This is the kind of profile we don’t have in our squad right now and are looking for.

“If it is possible to sign him, we will try to sign him. If it is not possible to sign a player, we will find other solutions,” Tuchel told Sky Sports.

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi flies to Paris with wife Antonella and their kids for his medical with PSG (Photos)








Lionel Messi is currently flying down to Paris to seal his move to Paris Saint-Germain after reaching an agreement with the French club to sign a two-year deal after leaving Barcelona. 

The 34-year-old was pictured at Barcelona airport alongside his wife Antonella and their three children, Thiago, eight, Mateo, five, and Ciro, three. 
 

Antonella later posted a selfie alongside her husband as they sat in their private jet waiting to fly to France. 

  
A press conference is set to take place on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. 

France's highest tax bracket is 45 percent and so Messi's gross annual salary will be in the region of €63m (£53m), taking his gross earnings to just over £1m a week.  

[Edoman]

Roma agree £34m deal with Chelsea to sign Tammy Abraham







Italian Serie A side, Roma have agreed a £34m deal to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea.

Abraham, 23, must now decide if he wants to join Roma, who are managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, according to new reports by Sky sports.

 
Atalanta and Arsenal are also interested in Abraham, but Chelsea’s preference is to sell him to a foreign club, so he won't hunt them in the premier league.

 
Abraham is unwanted at Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel prefers a faster more fluid attacker.
 
Despite his limited game-time during the second half of last season, Abraham ended the campaign as Chelsea’s joint-top scorer with 12 goals.
 
He has featured in each of Chelsea’s three pre-season friendlies and could be involved as Chelsea take on Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday.
 
He was left out of the squad for May’s Champions League final, despite being fully fit.

The imminent arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan is set to push Abraham further down the pecking order so he might be forced to leave Chelsea.

[Edoman]

Real Madrid to take legal action against LaLiga over €2.7bn deal







Real Madrid have announced they will take legal action against LaLiga president Javier Tebas, CVC Capital Partners, and its director Javier de Jaime Guijarro after the Spanish league agreed to sell 10% of its business to the investment fund for €2.7 billion.
 
The league's executive committee unanimously approved the sale last week but it must be ratified in Thursday's general assembly.

 
La Liga needs two thirds of the 42 voting clubs in the top two tiers of Spanish football to be in favour.

 
Madrid will oppose the sale and have warned it will take every action possible to prevent the deal from going through.
 
A club statement on Tuesday read: "Real Madrid C.F. Board of Directors unanimously agreed to initiate both civil and criminal legal action against the LaLiga President, Mr Javier Tebas Medrano, Mr Javier de Jaime Guijarro, head of the CVC Fund, and against the CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS Fund itself.
 
"In addition, the Board of Directors has resolved to take any legal action it considers appropriate to annul and render ineffective any possible resolutions adopted by the LaLiga Assembly, due to be held on Aug. 12 2021, in relation to the agreement between LaLiga and the CVC Fund."
 
Tebas has pushed for LaLiga to compete with the Premier League on an economic level. He said in October that while La Liga had grown financially under his seven-year stewardship, the Premier League is still No. 1 and there was work to be done on foreign markets such as China.

 
Tebas responded to Madrid's statement on social media and tweeted: "The threatening method that FP (Madrid president Florentino Perez) has been using in private for years is now being transferred to the public. Clubs and institutions have been putting up with their threats for years.
 
"Since 2015 against the centralised sale, the constant challenges of agreements, the Super League ... Real Madrid deserves better."
 
The deal is expected to bring more money into LaLiga. For their initial investment, CVC will pocket 11% of the money raised by LaLiga through the sale of television rights and sponsorship for the next 40 years.
 

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi completes his sensational move to PSG on a two-year deal worth "£1million a week"








Lionel Messi has completed a sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal after leaving Barcelona following 21 incredible years. 
 
The Argentina captain became a free agent this summer after his contract with Barcelona expired. The club was expected to re-sign him after positive initial talks between all parties but  LaLiga's financial regulations made it impossible. 
 
On Tuesday, August 10, Messi flew from Spain to France to sign a two-year contract which includes an option to extend by a year and gives the forward a net salary of about €35m (£29.6m) with bonuses factored in.
 
According to Mail Online, the deal will see Messi earn £1million a week, and he will wear the number 30 shirt, his first Barcelona number.
 
A statement on PSG’s official Twitter account said: “Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the signing of Leo Messi on a two-year contract with an option of a third year. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is justifiably considered a legend of the game and a true inspiration for those of all ages inside and outside football.
 

 
“The signing of Leo reinforces Paris Saint-Germain’s aspirations as well as providing the club’s loyal fans with not only an exceptionally talented squad, but also moments of incredible football in the coming years.”
 
Upon competing his move, Messi said: 'I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain. Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans.'

 
The Argentina superstar will be officially presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Wednesday August 11.

 
Messi joined Barcelona as a 15-year-old and went on to make his senior debut in 2004 at just 16 years old, featuring 778 times for the club in total across his 21-year-career. 
 
During that time Messi became Barcelona's record scorer with 672 goals including 120 Champions League goals and a record 474 LaLiga goals.   He also managed 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys. 
 
Messi's individual contribution also saw him claim the European Golden Shoe award for the continent's top scorer on six occasions.
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

France defender Raphael Varane undergoes Manchester United medical ahead of transfer from Real Madrid







Raphael Varane is undergoing the first part of his Manchester United medical ahead of completing his transfer from Real Madrid.

The world cup winning defender arrived the UK two weeks ago but had to undergo a mandatory two weeks of quarantine before he was allowed to go to Manchester United today.


Manchester United, who hope to finalise the signing in the next 24-28 hours, reached an agreement with Real Madrid last month to sign the France defender for a fee believed to be in the region of £41m including add-ons.
 
Varane, 28, on Tuesday, August 10 started his medical according to a report by Goal.

The centre-back, will become United's third summer signing following the arrival of England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £73m and the free transfer of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

 
He made 360 appearances for Real Madrid during a decade-long stay, winning the Champions League and La Liga both three times.

[Edoman]

EPL: Rudiger gives Romelu Lukaku nickname


 
on
 August 10, 2021





Chelsea defender, Antonio Rudiger, has come up with a new name for Romelu Lukaku ahead of his side’s UEFA Super Cup final tie with Villarreal on Wednesday.


Rudiger shared his nickname for Lukaku while speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday in Belfast ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Villarreal.
Lukaku’s transfer to Chelsea will soon be officially announced after he had his medical in Milan on Monday before flying to London to complete the deal.
Speaking on Lukaku, Rudiger branded the Belgium international as a ‘beast’.
“You can see in his body type that he is a beast,” Rudiger said.

“He’s someone who is very strong and I think also he showed it in Italy over the past two years. He did very well over there. Also for his national team.
“He is a goalscorer and for me a top striker.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea will begin their 2021/22 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace this weekend.

[Edoman]

'I can smell champions' - Ronaldinho insists PSG can win the Champions League after Lionel Messi signing









Brazilian football legend, Ronaldinho believes Paris Saint-Germain will finally clinch the Champions League following the signing of Lionel Messi on a two-year deal.


The Argentina international was officially announced as a PSG player on Tuesday August 10, after joining from Barcelona following a 21-year stay at the Spanish club.

 



 

Messi's former Barca team-mate Ronaldinho - who also played for PSG - has backed the French side to lift the Champions League, a prize they have long wanted to secure.


'It's a great joy to have played in these two clubs and now see my friend wearing this shirt, may there be many moments of joy Leo!!!' he wrote on Twitter.



 

'I'm also very happy with my partner @SergioRamos on the team and a super cast, I'm smelling Champions huh hahaha'.

 



 

Messi will play with some of the best players including Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Mbappe, Di Maria, and many others. 

[Edoman]

Lukaku flies into UK to complete Chelsea transfer


 
on
 August 11, 2021





Romelu Lukaku has arrived in London ahead of his transfer to Chelsea, the UK Mirror reports.


The 28-year-old is set to complete a £97.5m move from Inter Milan back to Stamford Bridge seven years after leaving.


Lukaku’s transfer has been pending for days, as personal terms and the finer details of the deal were ironed out.
But it now appears that most of it has been sorted and Lukaku is set to finalize the deal.


The Belgian striker was signed by Chelsea in 2011 from Anderlecht, but he made just a handful of appearances.

He was sent out on loan to West Brom and then Everton, who eventually signed him on a permanent basis.


Lukaku joined Manchester United, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer offloaded him to Inter, where he helped them win the Serie A title last term, scoring 30 goals.

[Edoman]

Mbappe tells PSG he wants to leave for Real Madrid after Messi joins club


 
on
 August 11, 2021




Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has told the club he wants to leave for Real Madrid following the signing of Lionel Messi from Barcelona on Tuesday night.


This claim was made by respected French journalist, Thibaud Vezirian.
Vezirian stated this in a tweet on Twitter on Wednesday.


According to him, Mbappe has informed PSG that he actually doesn’t want to play with Messi and added that he dreams of playing for Real Madrid and he is hoping that it happens before the transfer window closes.


“Kylian Mbappé wants to leave. He has requested his exit voucher and does not wish to extend. Either it’s Real Madrid this summer, or a free start in a year,” Vezirian tweeted.

“He had already warned several weeks ago that he did not want to play with Messi.”

Meanwhile, Mbappe is yet to sign a contract extension with PSG.
[url=https://dailypost.ng/2021/06/04/mbappe-reveals-why-he-snubbed-real-madrid-move/][/url]
The France international will be able to leave on a free transfer next summer as things stand.


Mbappe has drawn the interest of Real Madrid and Liverpool in the past.

[Edoman]

Chelsea 1-1 Villarreal (aet, 6-5 pens): Blues win Super Cup on penalties




Kepa Arrizabalaga came on to be Chelsea's shoot-out hero

Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero as Chelsea secured their first Super Cup triumph since 1998, running out 6-5 winners in a penalty shootout against Villarreal following a 1-1 draw in Belfast.


Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring after good work down the left flank from Kai Havertz before the former Ajax man's shoulder injury marred an entertaining first half.


Alberto Moreno and Gerard Moreno both hit the woodwork either side of half-time, though the latter restored parity with a fine finish to send the final to extra time.
Kepa, who was brought on in the closing minutes solely for penalties, denied both Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol to make sure Chelsea came out on top.


The Champions League holders had started proceedings impressively too, Timo Werner forcing the first save as Sergio Asenjo had to react quickly to parry away a close-range effort from Havertz's inswinging corner.
Asenjo, though, was no match for Ziyech's sweeping finish after Havertz found space on the left and drilled towards his team-mate near the penalty spot.


Ziyech's injury, suffered while defending a set-piece situation, offered Thomas Tuchel a reason to be concerned, with Alberto Moreno then smashing an effort onto the crossbar.


Gerard Moreno was also denied in similar circumstances after the break, capitalising on Edouard Mendy's wayward clearance before seeing his low strike smack the post.
However, the Villarreal forward quickly made amends, exchanging a one-two with Boulaye Dia before lifting over Mendy for his 23rd goal of 2021, ranking him fifth across Europe's top-five leagues.


Both Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount could not find extra-time winners and, with a shoot-out in sight, Tuchel sent on Kepa.
Opposite number Asenjo drew first blood with a stop against Havertz, but that advantage faded away when Kepa saved for the first time.


With no further misses between the other eight takers, sudden death kicks were necessary. After Antonio Rudiger rolled in his attempt, Kepa guessed the right way to deny Villarreal captain Albiol.


What does it mean? Blues banish Super Cup demons

Chelsea reigned victorious in the Super Cup for the second time in five attempts, having previously lost to Atletico Madrid in 2012, Bayern Munich the following year on penalties and then Liverpool two years ago, also following a shoot-out.


Wednesday's game at Windsor Park was the first competitive meeting between the two teams, but Tuchel's side extended their unbeaten streak to seven against Spanish opponents following their run to Champions League glory last term.


Astute Alonso

Marcos Alonso may not steal the headlines, but he was a constant nuisance for Juan Foyth down Chelsea's left flank, providing four key passes to rank joint-first in the game with the injured Ziyech.


The left wing-back also won 80 per cent of his aerial duels and converted his penalty, proving he can be a capable deputy for England left-back Ben Chilwell.


More wanted from Moreno

While Gerard Moreno did add to his tally this year with a second-half equaliser, as well as tucking away a penalty, he was largely contained by Chelsea's three-man defence.


The Villarreal forward missed a glorious chance to level things up before his goal and lost possession a game-high 27 times. Factor in the 29-year-old winning just 18.8 per cent of his 16 duels and Unai Emery may be asking for more from his front man in terms of what he can provide when leading the line.


Key Opta facts

- The Champions League winners have now won the Super Cup in eight of the past nine seasons, while they had won just four of the previous nine before this run.


- For the third year in a row, the Super Cup has been won by a German manager (Jurgen Klopp in 2019, Hansi Flick in 2020 and now Tuchel in 2021).


- Chelsea became the first English team to triumph in the fixture when playing a non-English side since Liverpool in 2005.
- Villarreal were the seventh different 
Spanish team to feature in the Super Cup, and the first to lose on their maiden appearance since Real Madrid in 1998 – also against Chelsea.
- Gerard Moreno has scored eight goals in his last nine appearances in European competition for Villarreal. 


What's next?

Chelsea start their Premier League campaign by hosting Crystal Palace on Saturday, while Villarreal welcome Granada on Monday in the opening round of LaLiga fixtures.