Archive | July 2015

Schneiderlin set for Man Utd switch….

Morgan Schneiderlin

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is having a medical ahead of a proposed move to Manchester United in a deal worth in excess of £25m. The Saints have confirmed that an agreement is in place for the transfer. Schneiderlin now looks set to join Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger on United’s pre-season tour of the United States. United have already signed PSV forward Memphis Depay and Torino defender Matteo Darmian this summer. Southampton confirmed they had rejected a bid from United for the 25-year-old France international last week. But, providing there are no unforeseen issues, Schneiderlin will now join Louis van Gaal, Schweinsteiger and their new team-mates on their flight to Seattle for the start of their US tour on Monday afternoon. Last summer, Schneiderlin was a target for Tottenham and he missed the start of pre-season after telling the club he was “not mentally or physically ready” to play after a bid was rejected. But he went on to make 30 appearances for the Saints last season as they finished in seventh place. Schneiderlin join the Saints from Strasbourg in 2008 for £1.2m and has played for them in League One, the Championship and the Premier League.

Man City agree £49m Sterling deal….

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the £49m transfer of Raheem Sterling. The transfer of the 20-year-old England winger is subject to contract negotiations and a medical. Sterling had asked to leave Anfield and was the subject of two bids from City in June, which were rejected. The forward, who will become the most expensive English player ever, is under contract until 2017, but turned down a new £100,000-a-week deal at Liverpool. Sterling was signed by Liverpool as a 15-year-old from QPR in February 2010 and the Loftus Road club will receive 20% of any fee the Reds get for the forward. On Saturday, Sterling was named on a 30-man list for the tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, but was then withdrawn. Several former Liverpool players have criticised the player since he told manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre he wanted to leave the club this summer. Former captain Steven Gerrard said he was “disappointed” in the England international. “You don’t have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour,” LA Galaxy midfielder Gerrard added. “The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too.” However, it is understood the Reds decided to leave him out of the tour after the player reported for duty.

Mikel Obi to stay at Chelsea….

Chelsea and Nigeria's John Mikel Obi

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to sanction the sale of midfielder John Mikel Obi, delivering a blow to United Arab Emirates suitors Al Ain and Al Wahda. The Nigeria international, who started only six league games last season, wants to leave Stamford Bridge after failing to hold down a regular starting place. The 28-year-old, who has two years left on his contract, has been told he remains part of manager Mourinho’s future plans. “There’s absolutely no truth to reports linking Mikel with a move to Turkey or any Chinese club for that matter,” a source close to the talks told BBC Sport. “Only two clubs from the UAE showed strong interest last month but they could not meet his club’s valuation. “Mikel has a contract with Chelsea until 2017, as things stand he will not be leaving the club this transfer window as speculated.” Mikel who moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2006 has increasingly become a fringe member of the squad due to the form of Nemanja Matic. With the emergence of highly-rated midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Super Eagle has fallen down the pecking order at the club ahead of the 2015/16 season. Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in signing Mikel but BBC Sport understands Chelsea will only listen to a US $16.8 million offer. The Turkish club’s president Aziz Yildirim has told the local media they cannot meet Chelsea’s valuation. “Chelsea want €15 million and Mikel asked for €5 million a season over four years. We are talking €35 million,” Yildirim told reporters at their Topuk Yayla training ground. “This definitely is not something we can pursue.” Mikel has made 339 appearances in all competitions and has won every possible honour for Chelsea in his nine-year stint at the London club. He has won two English Premier League titles, the Uefa Champions League, Uefa Europa League, four English FA Cup, two League Cup and the Community Shield. Mikel, who has been capped 70 times by his country, won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and appeared in all Super Eagles’ four matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Djokovic wins 2015 Wimbledon title….

Novak Djokovic

Defending champion Novak Djokovic saw off seven-time champion Roger Federer in four sets to win his third Wimbledon and ninth Grand Slam title. The Serb, 28, won 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (10-12) 6-4 6-3 to overtake the likes of Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl in the all-time list of major winners. Federer, 33, had hoped to become the first man to win Wimbledon eight times. The Swiss won a thrilling second set tie-break but Djokovic came through to win in two hours and 56 minutes.

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Nigerian Premier League Results….

Sunday 12 July 2015:

Nasarawa United 1 – 1 Ifeanyi Uba

Kwara United 0 – 1 Sharks

Abia Warriors 3 – 1 Taraba United

Sunshine Stars 2 – 0 Bayelsa United

Enugu Rangers  3 – 0 Lobi Stars

Wikki Tourists 2 – 1 El-Kanemi Warriors

Warri Wolves 2 – 1 Enyimba

Akwa United 1 – 0 Kano Pillars

Shooting Stars  3 – 0 Giwa

Heartland 3 – 1 Dolphins

 

Casillas to join Porto from Madrid….

Iker Casillas

Porto have agreed a deal to sign Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas from Real Madrid. Casillas, 34, who had one year left on his contract, leaves Real after 25 years, during which time he won three Champions Leagues and five Liga titles. He holds the record for Spanish caps (162) and has won two European Championships and the World Cup. Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, has been linked with a move to Madrid to replace Casillas. Casillas joined Real’s youth academy in 1990, made his first team debut in 1999 and has spent his career at the club, winning 17 major honours. He was dropped by Jose Mourinho in 2012-13, with the Portuguese manager favouring Diego Lopez. In the 2013-14 season manager Carlo Ancelotti played Casillas only in the Champions League and Copa del Rey as Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup. Last season he was restored as first-choice keeper but De Gea is expected to replace him as Real and Spain’s number one.

Gerrard makes LA Galaxy debut….

Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard “looked like he belonged” as he played his first game for LA Galaxy in a friendly, the MLS side’s manager Bruce Arena said. Ex-Liverpool captain Gerrard featured in the first half of a 2-1 victory over Mexican side Club America on Saturday, forcing a save from 35 yards. Captain Robbie Keane equalised after Carlos Darwin Quintero put America ahead, before Alan Gordon’s winner. Arena said the 35-year-old’s Galaxy debut was “very encouraging”. “His passing was very good,” the 63-year-old added. “His partnership with Juninho was good. He won some tackles, helped create some chances. He could have had a goal. Steven played well.”

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Van Persie set for Fenerbahce talks….

Robin van Persie

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will arrive in Turkey tonight for talks with Fenerbahce. The 31-year-old joined United for £24m from Arsenal in 2012 but struggled with injury last season, scoring 10 goals. Fenerbahce said on Thursday they had entered into negotiations with United over the Dutchman, who has one year left on his contract. A statement on Fenerbahce’s website  read: “On the evening of Sunday, 12 July, he is coming to Istanbul.” Ex-United team-mate Nani joined Fenerbahce, runners-up in the Super Lig last season, for £4.25m on Monday. The departure of Van Persie, who scored 26 goals in the Premier League as United won the title in 2012-13, would leave boss and fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal with just two fit first-choice strikers in Wayne Rooney and James Wilson. Colombia forward Radamel Falcao, who spent last season on loan at Old Trafford, has joined Chelsea while Javier Hernandez is recovering from a fractured collarbone. Recent £31m signing Memphis Depay, though primarily a winger, can play a central role. He finished last season as the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 22 goals for PSV Eindhoven. While Fenerbahce seem confident that a deal will be completed shortly, on Friday Van Gaal refused to confirm Van Persie was on his way out of Old Trafford. Asked whether he was looking for a another striker because Van Persie was leaving, Van Gaal said: “When we feel we can say he is gone you shall hear it from Manchester United. We don’t have the feeling yet.” Van Persie is the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 49 goals in 98 games, a tally which includes his superb diving header in their World Cup opener against Spain in 2014. His career in England began when he joined Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004 for £2.75m. He scored 132 goals in 278 appearances for the Gunners and has netted 58 times in 105 games for United.

Serena wins 2015 Wimbledon title….

Serena Williams beat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza to win Wimbledon for the sixth time and became the holder of all four major titles. The 33-year-old American won 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court to claim her 21st Grand Slam title and third of 2015. Williams withstood a late fightback from 20th seed Muguruza, 21, to come through in one hour and 23 minutes. She will head to the US Open next month aiming to complete the first calendar year Grand Slam of her career. Muguruza was playing in her first Grand Slam final and took a 4-2 lead, before giving the top seed a mighty scare by battling back from a set and 5-1 down with two breaks of serve. She could not quite complete the comeback, however, with an error-strewn service game setting up Williams to clinch a landmark win when the Spaniard found the tramlines. “There was definitely pressure towards the end,” said Williams, who also won all major titles in 2003. “Garbine started playing really well and I just had to think to stay out there and work really hard. “I am having so much fun out on the court. Everyday is a pleasure to be playing and winning Wimbledon.”

Sterling to miss Liverpool tour….

Raheem Sterling

Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling has been withdrawn from the club’s pre-season tour, with the Reds in talks over a transfer with Manchester City. Sterling has asked to leave Anfield and was the subject of two bids from City in June, which were rejected. The 20-year-old is under contract until 2017, but has turned down a new £100,000-a-week deal at Liverpool. He had asked to be left out of the tour of Thailand, Australia and Malaysia but was named on a 30-man list on Saturday. Several former Liverpool players have criticised Sterling since he told manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre he wanted to leave the club this summer. Former captain Steven Gerrard said he is “disappointed” in the England international. “You don’t have to throw in illness, or refuse to go on tour,” LA Galaxy midfielder Gerrard added. “The fans have shown him great support, they want him to stay and I believe that he should too.” However, it is understood the Reds decided to leave him out of the tour after the player reported for duty.

Manchester United medical for Schweinsteiger….

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Bastian Schweinsteiger will have a medical today before moving from Bayern Munich to Manchester United. The 30-year-old Germany midfielder is believed to have told Bayern he does not want to extend his contract, which runs to 2016. United announced in a club statement  on Saturday that they had reached an agreement to sign him. The Old Trafford club hope to complete the medical to enable Schweinsteiger to be involved in their tour of the US. Louis van Gaal’s men fly out to America on Monday afternoon and will be based in Seattle for their first game against Mexican team Club America on Friday. Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge  said: “It’s regrettable because Bastian meant a great deal to the club. “He achieved great things but he wants to do something new at the end of his career. He asked that we meet his wishes. “We tried to convince him to stay with Bayern Munich. But I also understand that a player who has spent 17 years at Bayern Munich still wants to gain a new experience.” Schweinsteiger has made 536 appearances for Bayern since his debut in 2002 and played under Van Gaal while the Dutchman was in charge at Bayern between 2009 and 2011. He helped his country win the 2014 World Cup and has one Champions League, eight Bundesliga titles and seven domestic cup triumphs to his name while at the German club.

UAE club Al Ain seal Emenike deal….

Emmanuel Emenike

UAE side Al Ain have completed the loan signing of Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike from Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Emenike replaces Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan who has joined Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG on a two-year deal. The deal includes an option for Al Ain to buy Emenike at the end of the loan. The 28-year-old, who scored 4 league goals in 27 matches last season, knows he has much to live up to after Gyan’s 128 goals in four years in the UAE. “This is a big club with high expectations and I promise to give my best,” he told BBC Sport. “It is true that [Asamoah] Gyan has done a remarkable job here so I understand there will be expectations. “But I also want to succeed alongside the fantastic players here and win trophies because that is what the club is all about. “On a personal note this is a fresh challenge that I need in my career and I hope to make a great contribution at Al Ain. “I’ve been given an amazing welcome by the club and my focus now is to deliver on the pitch.” Emenike endured a turbulent period at Fenerbahce having initially transferred to the Turkish side in 2011. However, a match-fixing scandal, for which he was later cleared, prompted the Istanbul club to sell him to Russian side Spartak Moscow less than two months later. He re-joined Fenerbahce in 2013 and helped propel them to the 2013/14 Super Lig title and the 2014 Turkish Cup crown. But Emenike, who made his Nigeria debut in 2011 and was top scorer at the 2013 African Cup of Nations, suffered a dramatic dip in form last season which attracted negative reactions from Fenerbahce fans. He demanded to be substituted after he was booed by his own fans during their 1-0 home win over rivals Besiktas in March. A Nations Cup winner with Nigeria in 2013, Emenike started all four of the Super Eagles’ matches at last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Forlan returns home….

Diego Forlan

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has joined Penarol in his homeland of Uruguay after leaving Japanese side Cerezo Osaka. The 36-year-old’s father, Pablo, used to play for the club, winning the Libertadores Cup and Intercontinental Cup in the 1960s. “With a surname linked to the club’s history, son of a champion of the Americas and the world with Penarol, Diego will wear the yellow and black as he did when he was a boy and dreamt of being a professional footballer,” the club said.

West Ham sign Ogbonna….

Angelo Ogbonna

West Ham have confirmed the signing of defender Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus. The 27-year-old Italy international has signed a four-year deal after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. Ogbonna, who was on the bench for the Champions League final in May, has twice won the Serie A title with Juventus but says he is eager to play under new West Ham boss Slaven Bilic. “I wanted to play in the Premier League and am happy to be in London,” Ogbonna told whufc.com. “My heart told me that the right decision was to play for West Ham United. “I cannot wait to start working under Mr Bilic and with my new team-mates. I feel ready for this new adventure.”

Djokovic in Wimbledon final….

Novak Djokovic

Novak has done what he does best and delivers for the big occasion. He’s through to the Wimbledon men’s final on Sunday after beating a game Richard Gasquet in straight sets.

Palace sign Cabaye for record £10m….

Yohan Cabaye

Crystal Palace have signed Yohan Cabaye from French champions Paris St-Germain for a club-record transfer fee of £10m. The 29-year-old midfielder joins on a three-year deal, with the fee possibly rising to around £13m with add-ons. Cabaye joined PSG from Newcastle for £19m in January 2014 but started just 13 matches as Laurent Blanc’s side won a domestic Treble last season. Palace’s previous transfer record was £7m, paid in 2014 to Wigan for 27-year-old Scottish midfielder James McArthur. Palace manager Alan Pardew signed Cabaye from Lille in 2011 during his time as Newcastle boss, with the France international going on to score 18 goals in 93 appearances for the Magpies. Cabaye said he was focused on his “new life” and believed that Palace could “compete to get into the top eight”. He said: “I also know the gaffer and have worked with him before and I’m confident with him. I want to do my best for him because he’s made a big effort to get me to come here, as well as the chairman.” Last year the form of Thiago Motta, Javier Pastore, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi meant Cabaye, who has 38 international caps, was used largely as a substitute at PSG. The French club won the Ligue 1 title, the French cup and the French league cup last season.

Pep wanted Brazil job….

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Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola wanted to coach Brazil at last year’s World Cup, says defender Dani Alves. The Barcelona full-back said his former boss at the Nou Camp had a plan to make the hosts world champions again. But Alves claimed Brazilian football officials were afraid of hiring a foreign coach for the national side. “Pep said he wanted to make Brazil a World Cup champion and had an entire strategy to make us a world champion,” the 32-year-old told ESPN Brasil. “They didn’t want it, because they said that they didn’t know if Brazil would accept a foreign coach.”

Spurs sign Alderweireld….

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Tottenham sign defender Toby Alderweireld on a five-year contract from Atletico Madrid. The 26-year-old was on loan at Southampton last season and the Saints had an option to make the deal permanent for £6.8m. However, they have lost their battle to sign the Belgian. “I’m very proud to be a Tottenham player. I’m happy to be here and hope to have a wonderful time with this team,” he said. Alderweireld made 26 Premier League appearances for Southampton last season, and was also reported to interest Manchester City.

Sammy Ameobi joins Cardiff….

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Newcastle’s Sammy Ameobi has joined Cardiff on a season-long loan deal after signing a new two-year contract at St James’ Park. The 23-year-old, who was out of contract at the end of last month, put pen to paper on a two-year deal before heading for South Wales. Sammy’s older brother, Shola Ameobi played for the Super Eagles at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Oliseh could be the next Super Eagles Coach….

Sunday Oliseh is reportedly in advanced talks with the Nigerian Football Federation over becoming the new Super Eagles coach. The 40-year-old former midfielder, who captained Nigeria and won 63 caps, is set to be appointed in the coming days. The NFF have acted quickly to fill the vacancy following the sacking of Stephen Keshi on Saturday.

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