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Neymar’s ex-agent reveals how the move to PSG from Barcelona occurred in 2017
In an exclusive interview with L’Equipe, Neymar’s former agent Wagner Ribeiro has revealed how the forward’s world-record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain occurred. The Brazil international made the surprise switch to Les Parisiens in 2017 after the Ligue 1 giants triggered the £198 million buy-out clause on his contract with the Blaugrana. Neymar has since established himself as one of Les Parisiens’ leading performers alongside Kylian Mbappe, but his future could be a talking point this summer with his contract expiring in 14 months. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ribeiro has now revealed that Neymar’s move to Parc des Princes was planned well in advance and disclosed a private meeting in Ibiza in 2016 which involved the forward, his father and Les Parisiens’ president Nas...
West Ham and Leeds linked with a summer move for 28-yr-old defender
West Ham United and Leeds United have been linked with a move for the Sampdoria defender Omar Colley. According to Clubdoria46 (translated by Sportwitness), the centre back recently signed a contract until 2025 and he could cost more than €10-€15 million. The Hammers could certainly use a centre back in the summer and Colley has proven his quality in the Italian League. The 28-year-old has established himself as the mainstay of the Sampdoria defence under Claudio Ranieri and he has the physical attributes to succeed in English football as well. Similarly Leeds United need to improve defensively as well. The Whites could have easily challenged for European football this year if not for their defensive vulnerabilities. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have conceded 49 goals in 31 Premier League games s...
Everton linked with highly talented French youngster, Leicester keen as well
Everton and Leicester City have been linked with the highly talented French youngster Ismael Doukoure. The 17-year-old has made quite a name for himself with Valenciennes in Ligue 2 and he could be on the move this summer. According to La Voix des Sports (translated by Sportwitness), the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, Borussia Monchengladbach, Arsenal, Leicester and Everton are keen on the youngster. The report further states that the French outfit could agree to sell the young defender for a fee of around €6-8 million this summer because of financial pressure. Clubs have been badly hit by the Covid-19 crisis and a few sales could help them cope with the losses. Everton and Leicester are certainly financially capable of spending that kind of money on the 17-year-old defensive talent and it ...
Everton & Chelsea target 104-goal striker amid contract decision
Everton and Chelsea are reportedly targeting a move for Torino’s Andrea Belotti this summer, with his contract set to expire in 2022. The 27-year-old has scored 12 goals this season to take his tally to 104 in Torino colours. Belotti has scored over 10 goals in every season since joining Torino, something which has attracted plenty of attention from Europe over the past few years. He is now being linked with a move to the Premier League. According to Tuttosport, both Everton and Chelsea are targeting the Italian amid some doubts about his future at Torino. The Italian outlet claims that ‘there has been no sign of optimism that it [his contract] will be extended’. As a result, multiple teams have ‘set their sights’ on Belotti. AC Milan, Roma and Napoli are all menti...
Manchester United still interested in signing Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho
Manchester United are refusing to rule out a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News. Sancho was the subject of much speculation last summer, with United attempting to sign the former Manchester City man. However, a deal eventually fell through, and Sancho remained with Dortmund. The Manchester Evening News has now suggested a move to Old Trafford is still on the cards for Sancho. Despite the club prioritising a striker and a centre-back in the upcoming transfer window, it is said ‘United have not ended their interest in the England international’. The report also claims Sancho’s resale value has ‘fallen considerably’ due to a combination of his form, Dortmund’s struggles this season and the pandemic. As a result, Unit...
‘It won’t happen’: Peter Crouch makes bold claim on Tottenham man’s future next season
Peter Crouch has suggested that Harry Kane may not get his wish to move away from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window. Many pundits have suggested or discussed whether Kane should consider leaving the club this summer if Spurs fail to secure a spot for the Champions League next season. Spurs lost ground in the Premier League top-four race after losing 3-1 against Manchester United on Sunday, and the focus has once again shifted back on Kane’s future. David Ornstein of The Athletic has reported that Kane is on Manchester United’s radar, but the Red Devils won’t be paying £120 million for him. Well, that’s the figure doing the rounds in the market. However, it could be more, given Kane has still three years left on his present deal. In a Q/A session for the D...
Mikel Arteta hits back at Arsenal fans calling for Martinelli inclusion
Mikel Arteta has asked for patience from Arsenal fans calling for Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli to feature more often. The 19-year-old has excited Arsenal fans for a while now, with the Brazilian’s potential among the highest in Europe. However, Martinelli has only featured 14 times this season, despite Arsenal’s attack coming under criticism. That has lead to calls from fans and pundits alike asking for the Brazilian to be given a chance. Arteta chose to start Martinelli when Arsenal faced Sheffield United on Sunday, with the forward scoring his first goal of the season. The Arsenal manager has now urged fans to be patient regarding Martinelli’s inclusion. “I’m asking you to be patient because we have a lot of players at 19 and 20 years old,” Arteta explained, as quoted by the...
Zidane reportedly joins Conte in race for Hammers attacking midfielder
According to ESPN, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have joined West Ham United in the race for Jesse Lingard’s signature ahead of the summer transfer window. The England international joined the Hammers on loan until the rest of the season from Manchester United in January. He has hit the ground running at the London Stadium, grabbing eight goals and three assists in nine Premier League games. West Ham are desperate to secure Lingard’s services permanently as a result, but they have to finish in the top-four to have a chance of doing so. The 28-year-old wants to play Champions League football next season, and the Hammers are currently fourth in the Premier League with seven games to go thanks to him. Sportslens View The Red Devils academy graduate has caught the attention ...
‘Brilliant performance’, ‘Class today’ – Some West Ham fans drool over 24-yr-old’s display
West Ham United picked up a thrilling 3-2 win over Leicester City in the Premier League yesterday. Goals from Jesse Lingard and Jarrod Bowen were enough to earn the three points for David Moyes’ side. The Hammers are now back in the top four and will fancy their chances of securing Champions League football for the next season. The fans were delighted with some of the performances, with Bowen leading the way by stepping up when his side needed him. The winger replaced the injured Michail Antonio and led the line well for the Hammers. The 24-year-old capped off an impressive performance with a goal and an assist. Bowen has been quite impressive since his move to West Ham, and Moyes will be hoping that the winger can continue to perform at a high level until the end of the season. It is...
Real Madrid man may have played last game for the club following season-ending injury
Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s El Clasico victory, as confirmed by Marca. Vazquez has been an important part of Madrid’s title challenge this season, featuring 24 times in the league. During these games, he has recorded two goals and five assists, including his set-up for Karim Benzema’s opener on the weekend. Vazquez has featured 24 times in La Liga this season Despite primarily being a winger, the 29-year-old has played the majority of his games at right-back, largely due to the absence of Dani Carvajal. The former Bayer Leverkusen man has had a succession of injuries this season, restricting him to just 12 appearances in all competitions. However, it seems as if Vazquez’s season is over, after Marca c...
‘It is understood’: David Ornstein delivers latest update on player who is ‘next on United’s list’
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in the summer. The Red Devils are interested in signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, but Kane is “next on United’s list”, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. The report claims that while United are interested in signing the England striker, they will not do business at the proposed £120 million fee mooted within the industry. On top of that Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, will not sell Kane to another English club under any circumstances. Ornstein wrote for The Athletic: “Harry Kane is next on United’s list, but they would not do business at the proposed £120 million fee mooted within the industry. It is understood that Tottenham Hotspur chairma...
Tokyo Olympics: Minister confident Nigeria will return to track and field podium
Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare is confident Nigeria’s 13 year wait for a track and field medal at the Olympics will end this year at the Tokyo Games. Nigeria last won a track and field medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when the women’s 4x100m relay team and Blessing Okagbare (long jump) won silver medals and the Sports Minister is confident track and field will start delivering the medals like it did in 1996 in Atlanta. Track and Field has accounted for 13 of the 25 medals Team Nigeria have won at the Games. The sport has also delivered two of the three gold medals won with a first ever individual gold by Chioma Ajunwa in the women’s long jump. ”The performances of our athletes so far this year have given us renewed hopes that Nigerian track and field athletes can be...
