Home » Sports » Page 1291

Sports

WazupnaijaNaija Entertainment  blogs & ForumsSports

Report: Villa to ‘lodge a formal bid’ for £25m Smith’s top target

According to reports from Express and Star, Aston Villa are expected to make a formal bid for Ollie Watkins in the coming weeks. The report claims that Villa are poised to step up their pursuit of Watkins as they prepare for the new Premier League season. Brentford striker Watkins is Smith’s No.1 striker target. The 24-year-old forward was in spectacular form last season where he scored 26 goals and provided three assists for the club. However, despite his heroics, Brentford failed to secure promotion to the Premier League. Bolstering the forward department is one of Dean Smith’s top priorities this season. And it seems Villa have earmarked Watkins as an ideal figure for that role. He is Smith’s top transfer target this summer. Villa are expected to lodge a formal bid, though it is likely ...

‘Absolutely shocking’ – John Hartson slams 25-yr-old facing uncertain future at Celtic

Former Celtic player John Hartson has ripped into the hoops defender Boli Bolingoli for breaching the COVID-19 regulations. Celtic players were given two days off after their win over Hamilton and despite the restrictions, Boli decided to fly to Spain. As a result of his actions, Celtic’s next two Scottish Premiership matches have been cancelled. Hartson claims that Boli’s actions have not only damaged the reputation of the club, it has also put the lives of his teammates in jeopardy. He said (via Daily Record): “Bolingoli put everything in jeopardy, he put players lives in jeopardy, he put the reputation of the football club in jeopardy, he never entered into any sort of restrictions that the government have put out. “To get on a plane and just be totally ignorant, it’s absolute...

Report confirms Newcastle are in talks with Bundesliga club to sign 25-year-old

Newcastle remain interested in signing the Schalke midfielder Nabil Bentaleb this summer. The midfielder was on loan at Newcastle last season and the Magpies had the chance to sign him permanently for a fee of around €10 million. Steve Bruce’s side chose not to exercise that option but they are still keen on signing the player permanently. As for reports (via sportwitness), Newcastle are in talks with the German club to sign the midfielder and they believe that Bentaleb can be signed for a fee of around €6 million. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal over the line this summer. Bentaleb made a decent contribution at Newcastle last year and he could develop into a useful player for Steve Bruce next season as well. For the price mentioned, he could prove to be a bargain for...

Report: Leeds United receive boost in signing 26-year-old Premier League defender

Leeds United have received a boost in signing Joe Bryan due to the imminent arrival of Antonee Robinson at Fulham, Football Insider claims. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are on the search for a new left-back this summer and Bryan is said to be one of the top candidates on their shortlist. It is now reported that the 26-year-old could be available for a transfer with the Cottagers on the cusp of signing a new left-back in the form of Robinson from Wigan Athletic. Bryan was instrumental in the Cottagers’ top-flight promotion and he came with a heroic performance in the play-off final against Brentford where he scored both goals in a 2-1 win. He has since revealed his commitment towards the club in a podcast interview with The Athletic, and it would come as a surprise, if he heads for the exit door i...

Report: Leeds looking to beat Brighton to signature of 15-goal Argentine striker

According to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, Leeds United and Brighton are both keen on bringing Stuttgart striker Nicolas Gonzalez to the English Premier League. Brighton and Leeds are both very interested in signing Argentina forward Nicolas Gonzalez from Stuttgart. He is expected to cost around £15m — Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) August 18, 2020 The Argentine is valued around £15 million by the Bundesliga outfit and he isn’t short of suitors. Stuttgart sporting director Sven Mislintat told Suedduetsche that there is serious interest coming from both Italy and England, as well as from a club in Germany for Gonzalez’s signature. Leeds want another striker as they look to prove their worth in the English top-flight following promotion after a 16-year absence, and the 22-year-old could be a fine additi...

Report: Aston Villa eyeing Argentine attacking midfielder who will cost €15m

Aston Villa are interested in signing the Benfica attacking midfielder Franco Cervi this summer. The 26 year old has done well for the Portuguese side this past season and he could prove to be a useful addition to Dean Smith’s midfield. Cervi plays in a similar role to that of Jack Grealish and it will be interesting to see how Aston Villa accommodate him in their starting line-up, should the transfer go through. The Benfica attacking midfielder mostly plays from the left side of the midfield and he will improve Aston Villa’s creativity next season. The player is thought to be valued at €15 million and the report (via Sportwitness) claims that Aston Villa should be able to afford that. The likes of Celta Vigo are keen on the player as well and it will be interesting to see if the Premier L...

Transfer round-up: Leeds register striker interest, Man United keeping tabs on winger

It’s been nearly three-and-a-half weeks since the reopening of the Premier League transfer window. There have already been a number of signings made by the top-flight clubs and earlier today, Spurs confirmed their second addition of the summer. Two-time Premier League winner Joe Hart joined the north London side on a free transfer. The England international has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal. Let’s have a look at the trending transfer rumours at the moment. Top Transfer Rumours: Michy Batshuayi’s time at Chelsea appears to be coming to an end. The Belgium international has already entered the final year of his contract and is expected to be sold by the Blues. Leeds United have expressed an interest in signing him (Standard Sport). Manchester United are prioritising the signing of Boru...

Journalist shares how much Brighton are now asking for Leeds target Ben White

According to Sunday Times and Daily Record journalist Duncan Castles, Brighton & Hove Albion want £55 million for Leeds United target Ben White. The 22-year-old played every minute of the Whites’ Championship campaign while on loan at Elland Road last term, helping them to keep 22 clean sheets and weighing in with a goal and an assist. White’s form has attracted both Liverpool and Chelsea, but the centre-back wants to play for Leeds after helping them seal Premier League promotion. Brighton have already knocked back three bids from Marcelo Bielsa’s side, and if they will return with an improved offer remains to be seen. • Barcelona: A Messi of their own making? • Man City: A mess of Pep’s making?• Semi-Solskjaer still trophyless• £55m for Chelsea, Leeds, Liverpool target White• P...

Phil Hay confirms that Leeds have signed player from Ajax

Leeds United have signed teenage goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel on a three-year deal from Ajax. The Athletic’s Phil Hay shared the information on his Twitter page, and the 17-year-old will link up with the club’s academy. Another academy signing for Leeds – 17-year-old goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel signs on a three-year deal from Ajax. #lufc pic.twitter.com/JuD4A7xBhr — Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 18, 2020 The Netherlands youth international joins the likes of Charlie Allen, Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt as the fourth young player to join the club this summer, and he will initially link up with the Under-23 squad. Leeds are expected to bring in a goalkeeper for the senior team with Kiko Casilla expected to depart, but French youngster Illan Meslier will hope to impress head coach Marcelo B...

Report: Celtic legend tipped to be part of new managerial set-up at Barca

Barcelona are expected to announce Ronald Koeman as their new manager in the coming hours following the dismissal of Quique Setien, and Celtic legend Henrik Larsson could be one of his assistants. According to Dutch portal ‘AD.nl (via Sport), the Swede could join the Dutchman’s backroom staff as they share the same agents and are friends. They also both played for Barcelona and Feyenoord, and the Hoops hero also has some experience in the dugout. Larsson has had managerial stints at Swede sides Helsingborg, Falkenberg and Landskrona and Celtic manager Neil Lennon reportedly weighed up bringing him back to Parkhead as a coach after he was named the permanent manager following Brendan Rodgers’ exit. The former Sweden international striker was a fans’ favourite during his playing days with th...

Report: Celtic want midfielder again after move fell through last summer

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic still want Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull and are scouting him again a year after a deal fell through. The 21-year-old was set to move to Parkhead last summer only for his medical to reveal that he needed a preventative surgery on a potentially career-threatening knee issue. Despite having agreed to part with £3.25 million for his services, Celtic attempted to renegotiate terms following the discovery, and that saw the move fell through. Turnbull has since returned to action in February after undergoing surgery, and Celtic have been monitoring his recovery closely. Manager Neil Lennon sent first-team coach Gavin Strachan to run the rule over him during the weekend and he would have been impressed with the report he got. The Motherwell star e...

Liverpool goalie & Kyle Walker send messages to Joe Hart as he joins North London giants

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has joined Tottenham Hotspur on a two-year deal. We are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Hart on a contract until 2022! 🙌 #THFC ⚪️ #COYS — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 18, 2020 The 33-year-old left Burnley at the end of the 2019-20 season and is expected to provide quality back-up for Spurs first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho wanted another goalie following the departure of Michel Vorm, and Hart and Paulo Gazzaniga will now compete to be the club’s number 2. The Man. City legend brings a lot of experience and quality to the table and will now look to get his career back on track at the North London club. The four-time Premier League Golden Glove award winner and two-time PFA ...