Sports
Wazupnaija – Naija Entertainment blogs & Forums – Sports
Kevin Campbell says Arsenal will reject chance to sign Leeds United target
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes the Gunners will snub the option to sign Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt this summer. The north London club were eyeing a back-up option for left-back Kieran Tierney in January after deciding to loan out Sead Kolasinac to Schalke 04. Van Aanholt was mentioned as a potential target before the deadline, but nothing materialised beyond the transfer speculation. The Dutchman’s current deal expires at the end of June and, as things stand, he will be available on a free transfer in a few months. It was recently suggested that Leeds United could rival the Gunners for the 30-year-old, but Campbell feels his former side may look for a younger option. He told Football Insider: “Van Aanholt could be a shrewd signing on a free, but I think the...
Klopp has come up with an exciting €40m transfer target…Liverpool working to finalise deal
According to The Athletic, Liverpool are in the process of finalising a deal for RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The report claims that the situation is at an “advanced stage”, and if everything goes to plan, he could be added to Liverpool’s ranks at the soonest opportunity. TRUE ✅ @LFC are favorite on the transfer of Ibrahima Konaté (21). The Player of @DieRotenBullen has a release clause @David_Ornstein — Christian Falk (@cfbayern) March 29, 2021 Liverpool have made “significant progress” on the player they see as key to their recruitment plans. David Ornstein of The Athletic claims that there is “still work to be done”, while Leipzig are under no pressure to sell the France youth international centre-back. Liverpool are closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig d...
Everton reportedly willing to cash in on Colombian to fund Koulibaly move
Everton are willing to sell defender Yerry Mina to fund a move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Football Insider. The Toffees were linked with a move for Koulibaly last week, which came as a surprise to many Everton fans. With Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate in the squad, it made little sense for Everton to target a central defender. The Toffees will also have promising youngster Jarrad Branthwaite returning from his loan spell with Blackburn Rovers this summer. However, Football Insider now report that Yerry Mina could be sacrificed to sign Koulibaly due to his erratic nature. They claim that Carlo Ancelotti ‘admires Mina physically’ but privately believes he is ‘too erratic and error-prone for a top-tier side’. As a result, Everton coul...
Spurs dealt injury blow as defender withdraws from international squad due to knock
Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt an injury blow as Matt Doherty has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad due to a knock. 🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Tottenham’s Matt Doherty & Sheffield United’s Enda Stevens have withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad due to injury pic.twitter.com/QktzGffiyS — Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 29, 2021 The Spurs right-back was substituted at half-time during his country’s 1-0 loss to Luxembourg on Saturday and will now miss tomorrow’s trip to Hungary for the friendly clash against Qatar. Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho will be hoping that the injury is not a serious one ahead of the resumption of Premier League action. The north Londoners lost Welsh left-back Ben Davies to an injury at the beginning of the international break, an...
Man United enter race to sign £36m Tottenham Hotspur target with 13 goal contributions
Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in landing the signature of RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer this summer, BILD reports. Sabitzer has been with Leipzig for the past seven years and was part of the side which secured promotion to the German top-flight in 2016. The 27-year-old had his best season for the Bundesliga outfit last term, registering 16 goal and 11 assists while regularly operating on the right wing or the number 10 role. He has played in a more central midfield role this season but has still made contributions with seven goals and six assists in all competitions. It is now reported that Leipzig could sanction his departure this summer amid his reluctance to sign a new contract beyond June 2022. His situation has caught the eye of Liverpool, ...
Two wins from two in World Cup qualification for England
England made it six points from a possible six in 2022 World Cup qualification with a 2-0 victory away in Albania. A second-half strike from Mason Mount added to a first-half header by captain Harry Kane to secure a second win in three days for Gareth Southgate’s side. Following on from Thursday night’s 5-0 triumph over San Marino at Wembley, Southgate made six changes upon arrival in Albania, including the return of Kane, looking to maintain an unbeaten record in World Cup qualification which has lasted since 2009. England – playing in their all-white home kit – lined up as follows: England: Pope, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Foden, Mount, Sterling, Kane Meanwhile, hosts Albania came into the encounter on the back of their best form in 11 years, unbeaten in ...
‘I wouldn’t be surprised’: Bacary Sagna says £22.5m star could leave Arsenal this summer
Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has said that Hector Bellerin could leave the Gunners this summer in order to challenge himself. Bellerin has made 234 appearances for the north London side since his debut in 2013, but his future with the club is uncertain at the moment. His contract is due to expire in June next year and it has been reported that he has an agreement with manager Mikel Arteta to leave the club this summer. Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Sagna said that the right-back may finally part ways with the Gunners this summer in the quest for a new challenge. While the club have recently won silverware, Sagna emphasised that the 26-year-old may want to test himself at another club during the backend of his career. He said: “Hector has been there for years. He started playing...
‘So happy’, ‘Improving’: Some Chelsea fans praise 22-year-old’s display on int’l duty
A selection of Chelsea fans were delighted with Mason Mount’s display during England’s 2-0 win over Albania in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday. The 22-year-old had come for criticism from some Blues supporters in the past for his inability to convert chances in the final third of the pitch. However, he showed a significant improvement in that aspect and prior to the international break, he registered three goals from six league starts. Mount recently bagged an assist in the Three Lions’ 5-0 triumph over San Marino. He created eight chances in his 45-minute appearance, which was the most in a World Cup qualifier since Xavi for Spain in 2008. He carried his fine form into the Albania game where he scored after the hour mark to make it 2-0 for Gareth Southgate’s side. Harry Kane, who opened t...
Report: Barcelona offer three-year deal to Liverpool star, Serie A club also interested
Barcelona have offered a three-year deal to Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum whose contract expires at the end of June, Italian journalist Nicolo Schira has claimed. Wijnaldum has been with the Reds for the past five years and he has been a quality performer, registering 22 goals and 16 assists from 226 appearances. However, the Dutchman could be on the move in the next few months with no resolution over his Reds contract which will conclude shortly after the end of the season. In a recent update provided by Schira, the Netherlands international has yet to find an agreement over a new deal with the Merseyside outfit He added that the Blaugrana are working towards signing the 30-year-old midfielder, and have offered him a three-year contract worth €8m per year. Inter Milan have...
LOC: Nigerian government yet to release funds for 20th National Sports Festival
The Federal Government is yet to release the funds it promised Edo for the hosting of the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) with less than a week to its commencement. Musa Ebomhiana, a Project Manager in the Media and Communications Sub-Committee of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), disclosed this on Sunday in Benin. He told newsmen however that, while the Edo State Government still remained hopeful the fund would be released, an early release would be better. “This will ensure smooth planning for the nation’s number one sports fiesta,” he said. Ebomhiana pointed out that the need to have a smooth planning was the reason the state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had last week appealed for the funds’ early release. “We are taking seriously the promise by the Minister of Y...
Liverpool reportedly close to agreeing deal with 25-year-old star, club looking to offload
Liverpool are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adam Traore. The Reds have been following the progress of Traore for a while now, and El Gol Digital claim that Wolves are now ready to offload him in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old has made 28 appearances in the Premier League this season. However, he hasn’t scored or registered an assist for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Wolves are now looking to replace him with Sevilla’s highly-rated Lucas Ocampos. The report from the Spanish media outlet claims that Traore is edging closer to joining the Reds in the summer. In fact, they are very close to securing his deal. Last summer, Wolves wanted £70 million for him, but his value has dropped considerably. He could now be available ...
‘What a player’: Some Liverpool fans drool over ‘world class’ star’s latest display
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota scored a brace for Portugal during their World Cup qualifier against Serbia. However, despite his heroics, he couldn’t help Portugal win, although they should have secured the three points. Cristiano Ronaldo stormed off the pitch after he was denied a last-minute winner. The Juventus forward was absolutely convinced his late strike had crossed the line, which would have earned a 3-2 victory for Portugal. The replays showed he was correct. However, Liverpool fans were drooling over Jota’s performance last night. The 24-year-old joined Liverpool during the summer for £41 million from Wolves, and he’s proved a superb signing for them. The versatile attacking midfielder has scored 10 goals for the Reds in all competitions during 2020/21 despite missing a ...
