Sports
Wazupnaija – Naija Entertainment blogs & Forums – Sports
Barcelona star with 20 goal contributions last term, has no plans of leaving the club
Spain international Jordi Alaba has no plans of leaving Barcelona amid the reported interest from Inter Milan, Mundo Deportivo claims. Inter are interested in signing a new left-back this summer, and Alba has emerged as a potential target this month. It was recently reported that the Blaugrana would be prepared to sell the Spaniard to reduce their wage bill. However, the 32-year-old does not intend to leave the club and is keen to honour his contract expiring in June 2024. Sportslens view: The Blaugrana need to lower their wage bill to comply with La Liga rules following the arrival of four new signings this summer. It was recently claimed that they could offload one of their highest earners in Alba, with Valencia’s Jose Gaya joining as a replacement. That appears unlikely to happen w...
Liverpool will strike gold if they can land 21-year-old Man Utd target this summer – SL View
It is an open secret that Liverpool need a midfielder this summer. Following Gini Wijnaldum’s departure, the Reds need to add depth in midfield, although they may not look to bring in a like-for-like replacement. Curtis Jones, who progressed immensely last season, is an ideal in-house candidate to take the Dutchman’s role. On that basis, an attack-minded central midfielder would be a sensible addition and Hoffenheim’s Christoph Baumgartner is an excellent option. According to German publication Kicker, both Liverpool and Manchester United are battling to sign the highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder. The Austrian youngster has impressed at Euro 2020. They were knocked out at the last 16 stage by Italy, but he was impressive throughout the campaign. He scored in a 1-0 win over Ukraine t...
Gabriel Agbonlahor shares how he’d react if Grealish leaves for Man City
Aston Villa attacking midfielder Jack Grealish has been linked with a summer move to Manchester City, with the Premier League champions said to be willing to part with £100 million for his signature. The England international is not expected to make a decision until after Euro 2020, and Villa fans are hoping he remains at the Midlands outfit beyond the current transfer window. Dean Smith’s side are not keen on selling Grealish, but the opportunity to win continental and domestic silverware at Man City could be too attractive for him to turn down. Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor has insisted the fans would not hold anything against the academy graduate if he chooses to leave. “I think if I’ve got my Villa head on, disappointed,” the ex-striker replied when asked on talkSPORT how he feels ab...
Leeds United want 26-year-old with 3.3 take-ons per game, Bielsa has spoken with him
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has contacted Huesca’s left-back Javi Galan ahead of his potential move to the club, Football Insider reports. The Whites are actively searching for a new left-back irrespective of whether Ezgjan Alioski stays or leaves the club this summer. Alioski, whose contract expires on June 30, has been the club’s regular in the position, with Stuart Dallas occasionally featuring in the role. However, Dallas has excelled playing higher up in midfield, and the club want to bring in a new left-back after failing to do so last summer. They are currently in advanced negotiations to sign Galan, who has a £3 million release clause on his contract expiring in June 2022. Bielsa has reportedly contacted the 26-year-old to discuss how he could fit into his team next se...
West Ham and Leeds linked with 23-yr-old winger, player will cost around £12.8m
West Ham United and Leeds United have been linked with a move for the Sporting Lisbon Winger Jovane Cabral. According to A Bola, the Portuguese outfit are prepared to sell the player for a price of around €15 million (£12.8m). The 23-year-old had a reasonably good season with the Portuguese outfit last year and he scored eight goals and picked up five assists across all competitions. SL View: Bargain squad option for both clubs For the reported asking price, he could prove to be a handy option for the two Premier League clubs. Cabral is quite young and he’s likely to improve with experience. The Cape Verde international could prove to be a bargain in the long run. Leeds could definitely use more depth in the wide areas and it seems that Marcelo Bielsa is looking to bring in a winger this s...
Liverpool in advanced talks to sign £34m-rated ace, Klopp has requested his signing
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian attacking midfielder Otavio from Porto. According to Portuguese publication A Bola, the Premier League side are currently in advanced talks to sign the 26-year-old midfielder who has been requested by Jurgen Klopp. SL View: Much needed balance for the Liverpool midfield The Reds could definitely use more creativity in their midfield next season and the technically gifted Brazilian could prove to be a quality addition. The midfielder chipped in with five goals and twelve assists since last season. Otavio can play in the wide areas as well because of his flair and his versatility could prove to be very useful for Liverpool. The midfield pivot of Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho has excellent ball retention skills, passing and defensive...
Report confirms Leeds offer for 25-yr-old, player could sign on loan with obligation to buy
Leeds United have been heavily linked with a move for Nahitan Nandez for weeks now. According to La Nouva Sardegna (via Sportwitness), the Premier League side have offered a fee of around €15 million to loan the midfielder for one season. The report further states that Marcelo Bielsa’s side will have an obligation to buy the player for another €15 million at the end of next season. The 25-year-old South American midfielder has done well for Cagliari in the Italian league and signing him for a fee of around €30 million seems quite reasonable. The player reportedly has a release clause of around €36 million and it would be quite impressive if Leeds managed to sign him for less than that this summer. Apparently, Cagliari chief Tommaso Giulini has a good relationship with Leeds chief Andrea Ra...
Brazil vs Ecuador – Copa America 2021 Preview, Head To Head, Players to Watch & Predicted Line-ups
Brazil and Ecuador will trade tackles at the Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico on Sunday in the final round of the Copa America 2021 Group B fixtures. The Brazilians have already nailed down the top place in Group B as they continue to build momentum ahead of the knock-out stages. Meanwhile, the Ecuadorians could miss out on the tournament’s quarter-finals for the second time in a row if they fail to secure a positive result here. Brazil Preview Brazil staged a stunning second-half comeback to beat Colombia 2-1 last time out and maintain their perfect start to Copa America 2021. Even though they have already sealed a top place in Group B, the Selecao won’t be lacking motivation against Ecuador as they look to conclude a group stage at Copa America with a 100% record. Brazil’s attacking set-u...
‘Yes, definitely’ – Journalist confirms Liverpool want £42m int’l this summer
After addressing their defensive problems by signing Ibrahima Konate this summer, Liverpool have turned their attention to making additions to other areas of the squad. Signing an attacking midfielder is a priority. With Xherdan Shaqiri, Harry Wilson, and Divock Origi likely to depart, the Reds need to add more depth in that position. Liverpool are reportedly tracking Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman and have already made an approach. The Frenchman has spent six successful seasons with the German giants (two years on loan) and is under contract until 2023. He has won six Bundesliga titles at Bayern. Coman is a highly talented player, but his poor injury record is a big concern. It has been claimed Liverpool have submitted an offer of €35 million (£30m) for the 25-year-old winger&nb...
Report: Tottenham keen to sign 28-year-old West Ham target…need to submit “mega offer”
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, according to Sport Bild (h/t Sky Germany live blog). Spurs striker Harry Kane has been linked with Manchester City, and he could leave after the European Championships. The north London club have already rejected a £100 million bid from City, but Spurs could be tempted to sell him for £150m. Bild claim that Spurs are interested in signing Weghorst from Wolfsburg. He has a contract until 2023, and it will take a “mega offer” to lure him away from the German club. Weghorst will change clubs this summer if “something big” arrives. Roma are also interested in signing him, but no offers have yet been received. Interest from West Ham According to The Athletic, the Wolfsburg star could be allo...
Real Madrid will show patience to sign €160m star, waiting for player’s public statement
Real Madrid are prepared to show patience in the pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, Mundo Deportivo reports. The Frenchman had a superb 2020/21 campaign for Les Parisiens, registering a stunning 42 goals and 11 assists from 47 appearances. Despite his efforts, the club were beaten by Lille to the Ligue 1 title while they were eliminated in the Champions League semi-final. Mbappe has another 12 months left on his contract, and he has yet to give the green light over a possible extension with the club. Madrid are keeping a close eye on the situation but don’t want to anger Les Parisiens by making a formal approach for the player. They are prepared to wait for Mbappe to make a public statement over his future and give signs that he wants to join them this summer. Sportslens vi...
Manchester United make formal contact to sign €55m Arsenal midfield target – report
Manchester United have officially expressed an interest in signing Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi reports. The Red Devils are searching for a new midfielder, and it was recently claimed that the club had joined the race for the France international. The club have now made formal contact with Rennes, and they will hold negotiations with the player’s entourage next week to convince him. Camavinga, who has just one year left on his contract, is eager to join Paris Saint-Germain, but United are optimistic about luring him to the club. Sportslens view: Camavinga is regarded as one of France’s best young midfielders, and he is reportedly a priority target for Premier League rivals Arsenal. The Red Devils appear to have made the first move for the teena...
