After almost three decades in the sport, Italian motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi has finally announced his retirement following the 2021 MotoGP season. With a Grand Prix career spanning over 25 years, the 42-year-old is the only competitor in the World Championships’ history to win titles for all categories: 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP. He’s also the only rider who has started in 400 or more races, out of which he obtained nine world titles, 115 wins and 235 podium finishes. “I decided to stop at the end of the season so, unfortunately, this will be the last full season I’ll have as a MotoGP rider. It’s difficult. It’s a very sad moment because it’s difficult to know that next year that I will not race with motorcycles,” Rossi said during a press conference. “I do this for more...
The Ben Simmons saga continues in Philadelphia as it is reported that the guard has seemingly cut off all communications with the team, including ignoring Joel Embiid‘s phone calls. According to Jason Dumas of KRON4 News, Simmons has stopped speaking to “basically everyone in the Sixers organization.” The only line of communication open with Simmons is reportedly through his agent Rich Paul. Dumas commented on the tarnished relationship between the Philadelphia 76ers and Simmons stating that it is now “beyond repair” and is “getting worse by the day.” As trade discussions are continuing to be on a high, Simmons’ main concern is supposedly ending up in a “bad situation.” The athlete is willing to move to one of California’s teams. He is, however, unwilling to be traded to the Toronto Raptor...
Wolves have been offered the chance to sign Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara according to a report from Siamo La Roma. Bruno Lage has a lot of work to do at Molineux this summer. The Portuguese desperately needs to sign a new centre-forward and an attacking wide player. Amadou Diawara in action for Roma last season Copyright: xPedroxFiuzax The addition of a new centre-back is needed at Wolves as well. In all fairness, the last thing Wolves really need is another central midfielder…unless Ruben Neves is sold of course. Wolves offered Amadou Diawara The 24-year-old Guinea International, has been offered to the Black Country outfit by Jose Mourinho according to Siamo La Roma. The three-time Premier League winning boss is keen to freshen up his options in the Italian capital. Wolv...
Joaquin Correa is just waiting for a move to Everton this summer according to a report from Corriere dello Sport (print edition August 5th, page 13). Toffees boss Rafa Benitez desperately needs to bolster his attacking ranks at Goodison Park this summer. His goal-shy Everton team recorded the lowest goal tally out of the top eleven teams in the Premier League table last season. Ideally, Rafa would sign a versatile attacker who can play anywhere along the front-line – someone in a similar mould to Richarlison. Everton target Correa celebrates after scoring a goal for Lazio Joaquin Correa wants to join Everton CDS claim that the Argentinian attacker is waiting in suspense for a move to Goodison Park to materialise. The 26-year-old would be a fine addition for the Toffees. Correa can play any...
Azerbaijani millionaire and PAI Capital’s founder Nasib Piriyev has insisted passing the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test would not be an issue as his consortium aims to buy West Ham United. PAI Capital has made a bid of £400 million for the Hammers, but the offer has since been knocked back. Piriyev is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with his country, but insists that would not get in the way in his takeover bid for West Ham. “We are well prepared for those questions — our legal counsel and industry consultants have prepared our documents and are sure we pass the fit and proper test with flying colours,” the 40-year-old told The Athletic’s Matt Slater when asked if the dispute would cause issues with the EPL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test. Sportslens View Passing the fit...
Celtic picked up a morale boosting 4-2 win over Jablonec in the first leg of the Europa League qualifier last night. Ange Postecoglou has now picked up his first win as the manager of the Scottish club and Celtic will be looking for more of the same against the Czech outfit in the second leg. The visitors showed some defensive vulnerabilities during the game against Jablonec but they were outstanding going forward and the hosts struggled to contain them. The fans will be delighted with the reaction from the players especially after the defeat against Hearts in the opening game of the season. The win last night should give Celtic a much needed confidence boost and they will be hoping to build on this and put together a winning run now. The performance of the highly rated winger Liel Abada w...
Manchester United have stalled in their transfer business, claim The Athletic. Any further incomings will now solely depend on sales. United are in the market for a midfielder and have been linked with Saul Niguez, Eduardo Camavinga and Ruben Neves. However, more signings after Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane are dependent on sales, and movement on that front is slow. While Jesse Lingard has attracted interest, particularly from West Ham United, there have been no significant developments. Solskjaer confirmed after United’s 2-1 friendly win over Derby County that he does not expect Lingard to leave the club. “Jesse has come back, he’s been bright, and he wants to fight for his place,” he said. “There’s nothing better than seeing players willing to fight for their place. “Of course, wh...
Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the Danish attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard this summer. According to a report via calciomercato, the Londoners have already submitted an offer of around £17 million to sign the 21-year-old. Damsgaard had an impressive campaign with Sampdoria last year and his performances in the European Championships were eyecatching as well. It is no surprise that Spurs are looking to sign him. The Londoners have missed a creative presence like him last season. The report adds that the Italian club are hoping to pocket a fee of around €40 million for the young midfielder. Damsgaard is highly rated across Europe and he has the potential to develop into a top-class attacker in the future. It is understandable why Sampdoria are looking to demand a premium for his ...
Leicester City face off against Manchester City for the Community Shield on Saturday. The Foxes created history last season by lifting their maiden FA Cup title with a slender 1-0 win over Chelsea. They could not secure a top-four finish thereafter, but they will try again to qualify for the Champions League this term. Before that, they have the chance to win more silverware with a Community Shield clash against Man City. The Foxes have been hampered by defensive injuries, but they take on a City side that is far from full strength. The English champions could be missing several players that have yet to return to training after international commitments. Formation: 3-4-1-2 Predicted Line-up: Kasper Schmeichel had a superb European Championships with Denmark, and he is now back in the ...
West Ham United are interested in signing the Brazilian wonderkid Igor Gomes. According to reports via the Sun, the 22-year-old playmaker is on the London club’s radar as an alternative to Jesse Lingard. The Manchester United player was on loan at West Ham this past year and he was highly impressive for David Moyes’ side. The Hammers are thought to be keen on signing him permanently but the player wants to secure a place in the Manchester United line-up next season. The Premier League side now view Gomes as the ideal alternative and the Brazilian playmaker could cost around £13 million this summer. The midfielder has been likened to the former Brazilian international Kaka because of his playing style. The central attacking midfielder can slot into the wide roles as well and his versatility...
Star player Lionel Messi is leaving FC Barcelona, the club announced on Thursday. “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations),” the club said in its statement. “As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.” The club expressed gratitude to Messi “for his contribution to the aggrandizement of the club” and wished him well in his future endeavors. Messi is often touted as one of the greatest FC players of all time, and since his Barcelona debut in 2004, he and his team have wo...
Leeds are keen to sign Dundee United defender Kerr Smith this summer, according to a report from the Daily Record. The young centre-back is just 16 but is incredibly highly rated in Scotland. He has already made seven appearances for the senior team. Smith has already been given trials with Chelsea and Manchester United [The Courier]. Given his age, he could leave for just £500k this summer, according to the Daily Record. Leeds chasing Kerr Smith Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa is keen to bring the Scottish teenager to Elland Road. Local Leeds website MOT Leeds News claims that one of Bielsa’s main priorities this summer is to reinforce the academy. Given how much interest there is in Smith, signing him would be a big statement for the future from Leeds. A cultured young central ...