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Nagelsmann experiments with back three in Bayern Munich training
New Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has given another show of the tactical flexibility he exhibited at RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim, where he often switched between a back three and back four. He stated his commitment to a back four earlier this week, testing the centre-back pairing of Tanguy Nianzou and marquee summer signing Dayot Upamecano. However, he opted for a different formation in the Thursday training session. He used Nianzou, Upamecano and Josip Stanisic in a back three, with Bouna Sarr and Omar Richards as wing-backs. Much of the Bayern squad is not present in training yet, so the return of key defensive figures such as Niklas Süle, Benjamin Pavard, Alphonso Davies and Lucas Hernandez are likely to change the composition of the defensive line-up quite a bit. Nagelsman...
Arsenal handed blow as French giants could sign their long-term transfer target – report
Arsenal have been handed a blow in the pursuit of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana as he could favour a move to Lyon this summer, football.london reports. The Cameroon international has entered the final year of his contract with Ajax, and he is likely to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere. The Gunners have been regarded as the front-runners to land his signature, but they have yet to make a formal bid for his services. It is now reported that Onana could prefer a move to Lyon, where he would have the assurance of playing European football next term. He could be reunited with Peter Bosz, who previously managed him at Ajax for one season. Sportslens view: Onana is still serving a FIFA-imposed ban for taking an illegal drug for medical treatment. However, the suspension was recently reduced from ...
West Ham favourites to sign Aston Villa target with 18 goal contributions last season – report
West Ham United have jumped ahead of Aston Villa in the race to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, Football Insider reports. The England international was the Blues’ joint top-scorer last season with 12 goals, but he played just 16 minutes during the final three months of the campaign. The European champions are actively searching for an elite striker this summer, and Abraham is free to head through the exit door for the right price. Both West Ham and Villa have been regularly linked, but the latter are reluctant to make a move with Dean Smith having concerns over Abraham’s finishing qualities. Hammers boss David Moyes has previously suggested that the club may not afford Abraham for the reported £40 million price tag in the media. However, it is now reported that he coul...
€25m-rated star wants to leave Barcelona, feels ‘disrespected’ by contract offer – report
Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba is eyeing a move away from the club after feeling disrespected by the contract offer on the table, Marca reports. The 18-year-old made his breakthrough with the Catalan giants last season, registering one goal and three assists from just 536 minutes in the Spanish La Liga. He has now entered the final year of his contract. Talks over an extension have completely stalled with the club’s offer being well below his expectations. The club have offered him a salary similar to some academy graduates, who are yet to make their debuts or don’t have much chance of playing next term. Moriba has been left angry and disrespected by the proposal. His refusal to sign the extension has seen the club demote him to the B team. There has been no renewed offer on the table, ...
Report suggests Tottenham and Newcastle are keen on highly rated Bundesliga attacker
Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be keen on signing the Schalke youngster Matthew Hoppe. The 20 year old American forward is rated highly at the German club and 90 min are reporting that four Premier League clubs are keen on the player. Apparently, the likes of Spurs, Southampton, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all expected to submit offers for the player. The German club are under financial pressure because of the pandemic and the club hierarchy are looking to cash in on some of their players to ease the situation. Schalke are now looking to recoup a significant fee for the youngster who has two years left on his current deal. Hoppe has established himself as a first-team player for Schalke already and he managed to score six goals in 22 Bundesliga appearances for them l...
26-yr-old could be on the move this summer, Everton are reportedly keen on signing him
Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is expected to leave the club this summer and Everton are hoping to sign him. According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, the goalkeeper is looking for a new experience next season and a move to Everton could prove to be ideal for the 26-year-old. The Toffees are in desperate need of goal-keeping reinforcements and they will have to bring in an upgrade on Jordan Pickford if they want to push for European qualification next season. The England international has been error-prone for Everton in the last couple of years and Gollini could prove to be an upgrade on him. Gollini had an impressive season with Atalanta last year and the likes of Lazio and Fiorentina are keeping tabs on the player as well. The 26-year-old is yet to reach his peak as a goalkeeper and t...
Tottenham join the race to sign 23-yr-old, asking price will not be a problem
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. Apparently, the player is valued at around €20-25 million and Arsenal are keen on signing him as well. According to Footmercato, the Gunners are currently in talks to sign the technically gifted playmaker and they will face competition from their London rivals for the Frenchman now. The report adds that the asking price will not be a problem for Tottenham as they believe that the 23-year-old has the capability to justify it over the next few seasons. Aouar is highly rated in France and he has a big future ahead of him. Spurs could certainly use a creative midfielder like him in their line-up and his skill-set will complement the likes of Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele perfectly. Aouar will add ...
‘Yes please’, ‘Great player’ – Some Everton fans react to the club’s interest in 26-yr-old
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and we covered reports earlier that Everton are keen on signing the French defender. The 26-year-old centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and he needs to leave in order to play regular first-team football. Zouma is a talented defender but he has not been able to live up to the expectations at Chelsea because of his injury problems. It is evident that the Frenchman needs a fresh start this summer and he needs to join a club where he can regain his sharpness and confidence with consistent game time. He is unlikely to start ahead of Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva next season and therefore a move away from Chelsea would be in his best interests. The player has been on loan at Everton before and i...
Tokyo Olympics Officially Bans Spectators Over COVID Concerns
Tokyo Olympic organizers announced on Thursday that spectators will be banned from the games after the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in Tokyo due to rising COVID cases. The International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan made the determination in response to the state of emergency currently in place. The members agreed in June to restrict spectator numbers at the Games in the event of a public measure put in place to prevent the pandemic spread. Under the new announcement, no spectators will be allowed in any venues in Tokyo during the Olympic Games. If the number of infections changes drastically, organizers will meet again to review the policy. F...
Apple Reportedly in Talks With NFL to Stream Sunday Ticket Games
NFL fans could soon be watching Sunday Ticket games on Apple TV+ as the streaming giant is reportedly in talks with the league for its streaming rights. According to sources, there are no ongoing negotiations as of writing but Apple “has expressed early interest” in acquiring the streaming rights. Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand added that Apple might not be the only company interested in the rights, with The Information stating that other platforms such as Disney‘s ESPN+ and Amazon Prime Video could be throwing their names into the hat for more sports games. Sunday Ticket is currently only available to watch via DirecTV, however the expiration of its contract is already scheduled for 2022. Apple previously hired former Amazon exec Jim DeLorenzo as part of its aim to dive deeper...
Report: Aston Villa walk away from midfielder deal because of ‘ridiculous’ £20m asking price
Aston Villa have been linked with a move to sign Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. Dean Smith was said to be keen to bring the 18-year-old to Villa Park this summer according to The Daily Mail (July 8th, page 11). There has now been a fresh update on the situation, however. The Birmingham Mail’s chief Aston Villa correspondent Ashely Preece reckons that the Villans’ interest has cooled due to Metz’s ‘ridiculous’ asking price. PAPE MATAR SARR METZ FOOTBALL : Metz vs Lille – Ligue 1 Uber Eats – 09/04/2021 FEP/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL It is claimed that the French club are asking for north of £20 million for the teenager. Aston Villa smart to walk away from Sarr deal £20 million or more really is a lot of money to be paying for an 18-year-old who is totally unproven i...
Report: Nottingham Forest want to sign 20-year-old Tottenham ace on season-long loan
Nottingham Forest want to sign Tottenham youngster Jack Clarke on loan this summer according to a report from The Athletic. Exciting times may well lie ahead for Forest. Dane Murphy has just taken over as the new CEO and it will arguably be one of the toughest jobs of his life. Albeit an incredibly exciting challenge. Nottingham Forest are a huge club. Two time European Cup winners, the Reds are a club that deserves Premier League football. Or the fans do at least. And it seems as though Chris Hughton has an exciting plan in place to help get Forest back to where they belong. Nottingham Forest allegedly want to sign Tottenham youngster Jack Clarke – PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xAndyxRowlandx PMI-3812-0053 Nottingham Forest want Jack Clarke The Tottenham youngster is a transfer t...
