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“We are always the underdogs” – Gareth Bale is confident of a “big performance”
Wales captain Gareth Bale is unfazed by his team’s underdog status ahead of their Euro 2020 last-16 clash against Denmark on Saturday. Wales finished runners-up to Italy in Group A with a mixed return from their three group stage fixtures (W1, D1, L1) to reach the European Championships knockout phase for the second tournament running. The Dragons reached the semi-finals at Euro 2016, going down 2-0 to eventual winners Portugal as they hope to emulate similar success this summer. Rob Page’s team will have to overcome Denmark, who became the first nation in Euro history to make it out of the group stage after losing their opening two games of the tournament. Danish Dynamite lost their headline performer Christian Eriksen for the rest of the competition after the Inter Milan playmaker collap...
SL View: Fabrizio Romano has heartbreaking transfer news for Aston Villa
Aston Villa are about to be heartbroken in their pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe if the latest transfer update from Fabrizio Romano is anything to go by. Villa tabled a £25 million bid for the 20-year-old, but it was quickly knocked back by the Gunners. The Midlands side are reportedly preparing to return with an improved bid, but they are not likely to be successful. According to Romano, Arsenal are now looking to hand Smith-Rowe a new five-year deal after Kieran Tierney put pen to paper on an extension today. Official. Kieran Tierney has signed a new 5-year contract at Arsenal. Next step will be to extend Emile Smith-Rowe contract until June 2026. ⚪️🔴 #AFC — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2021 Having established himself as a key player in ...
West Ham keen on Serie A goalkeeper but Paratici could bring him to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur could offer strong competition to West Ham United in the pursuit of Fiorentina goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski, La Nazione reports. The 23-year-old has been with the Serie A outfit since 2016 and has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper over the past couple of seasons. He still has two years left on his contract, but reports claim that Fiorentina would be willing to sell him for a fee of around €15 million this summer. The Hammers are interested in landing his services, but they could be rivalled by Spurs with a ‘whisper of interest’ from sporting director Fabio Paratici. Sportslens view: The Hammers are looking for a long-term replacement for Lukasz Fabianski, but the same could be said for their London rivals. Hugo Lloris has one year left on his...
Brentford and West Brom interested in 24-year-old with 19 goal achievements last season
Brentford and West Bromwich Albion are among the clubs interested in signing Liverpool attacker Harry Wilson this summer, Goal.com reports. Wilson graduated through the Reds’ youth ranks, but he has made just two competitive appearances for them in all competitions. He has spent time on loan with five different clubs and was most recently with Cardiff City in the Championship last season. The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract, and it is reported that the Reds are prepared to sell him for around £12 million. Benfica have explored the possibility of signing him, but Wilson is also on the radar of Brentford and West Brom. Sportslens view: Wilson has struggled to make his breakthrough with the Reds’ first-team in recent years with the fierce competition for places out wide. M...
‘Advanced talks’ – Di Marzio claims Spurs are very close to appointing 47 y/o as their next boss
Tottenham Hotspur are close to appointing Nuno Espirito Santo as their next permanent manager. After checking out several options, and in some cases making a mockery of the managerial hunt, they are finally set to appoint the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss. According to reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Spurs are in advanced talks with the Portuguese, and he is “very close” to moving to north London. #NunoEspiritoSanto in advanced talks and very close to become new @SpursOfficial manager: #Koundé (@SevillaFC) is the first target as central defender #Spurs @SkySports @SkySportsNews — Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) June 25, 2021 If the 47-year-old becomes the new manager, the north London club will be targeting Sevilla defender Jules Kounde. However, there’s nothing to be exc...
‘Incredible’ – Rangers coach in awe of news coming out of Ibrox
Rangers have sold out 45,000 season tickets ahead of the 2021-22 season, with supporters buying the maximum number of tickets available for the sixth consecutive season. Despite the prospects of not having fans at Ibrox in 2020-21, the Light Blues sold out last summer. Rangers won the Scottish Premiership title in the absence of their fans, and while there are no guarantees a return to Ibrox is on the cards ahead of next season, all the tickets have been sold in a huge show of support. Rangers first-team coach Michael Beale has been blown away by the development an cannot wait to have the fans back for the title defence. He has reacted to the news on social media thus: Incredible – we look forward to seeing you all at Ibrox soon 💙 https://t.co/njmqKYPvRr — Michael Beale (@MichaelBe...
Villa braced for record-breaking bid for 25-year-old star — report
Manchester City are determined to break their bank for Jack Grealish in the summer transfer window. Earlier today, Daily Mail wrote an exclusive about the Grealish transfer saga where the tone of the report gives you the impression that City have already agreed a deal for the 25-year-old, and that it is only a matter of time (the end of Euro) before he joins the champions. Check the report here — I’ve deliberately used bold letters to quote the lines from the Mail. All the major media outlets have now covered the story, but I find the versions slightly different from one another. Sky Sports They claim that it’s not a done deal yet, which is obvious. Man City are merely planning to make a formal offer to sign Grealish. They have added new info that was absent in the Dai...
From Man Utd to Juventus via Madrid – celebrating a footballing phenomenon
One of the greatest players of his generation – Cristiano Ronaldo – has repeatedly proven himself on the biggest stage. His mesmerising goalscoring records and match-winning contributions have put him up there in conversations as the greatest player of all time. Let’s look back at his illustrious career and key highlights from his time at various clubs. Club Career Sporting Lisbon (2001-03) At the age of 16, Ronaldo broke into the Sporting first team under manager Laszlo Boloni. He started as a traditional winger, mainly focusing on crossing and attacking the byline. His pace and agility made him a challenging prospect to defend against. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma for Portugal U-17s Ronaldo caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson in a friendly match between Manchester United and Sp...
David Ornstein reveals Arsenal man could leave permanently for just £3m – report
Arsenal recently agreed to loan Konstantinos Mavropanos back to Stuttgart for another season as he was not in the plans of manager Mikel Arteta. Reputed journalist David Ornstein has now revealed that the Greek defender could join the German outfit permanently in 12 months. The club have the obligation to buy Mavropanos for £3 million if they avoid relegation. In case they don’t, the option won’t be mandatory. The Gunners have agreed £500k as a loan fee, and they stand to receive another £1.5m in performance-based bonuses in the future. Konstantinos Mavropanos joins Stuttgart from Arsenal, worth up to £5m. 1yr loan then 3yr deal if turned permanent. £500k loan fee, £3m chance to buy (obligation if #VfB stay up, option if relegated). Bonuses up to £1.5m. Sell-on clause @TheAthleti...
‘Just to be clear’ – 17-goal Nigerian reacts to comments that ‘will cause a stir’ at Leeds
Bournemouth attacking midfielder Arnaut Danjuma has taken to Twitter to clear things up after granting an interview where he had appeared to send a come-and-get-me-plea to Leeds United. “Leeds is a bigger institution than Bournemouth,” the 24-year-old had told Voetbal International when asked what he thought about joining the Elland Road outfit. “It has a very nice history, and they play Premier League.” “And I don’t think I can play another Championship season – I’ve outgrown the competition a bit. Leeds United would be a nice step.” According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Danjuma’s comments to the Dutch magazine “will cause a stir in both West Yorkshire and on the south coast”, and the Nigerian-born winger has now reacted on social media. Seen a few quotes, just to be clear I was put on...
Fabrizio Romano says midfielder ‘only wants Arsenal’ amid interest from Champions League club
Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is determined to make the switch to Arsenal during this summer’s transfer window, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. The Gunners are planning a spending spree this summer after a disappointing 2020/21 campaign where they finished eighth in the Premier League. Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi have been linked with summer exits, and the club could bring in more than one central midfielder. The Gunners recently failed with an opening bid worth £13 million for Lokonga. They are expected to come in with a fresh proposal in the coming days. Serie A club Atalanta have also made an approach for his services, but the Belgium youth international has opted to snub their advances. As per Romano, the 21-year-old ‘only wants Arsen...
Outgoing Liverpool star confirms he is ready to walk, sends important message
Day 14 at the European Championships was an opportunity to relax after the thrills and spills of the group stage. With no games scheduled, you could be forgiven for thinking that there would be no talking points. You’d be wrong. England’s Sheeran gig stinks ‘England’s preparations for Euro 2020 Germany clash begin with a surprise gig… by Ed Sheeran’. Well, isn’t that nice for them? Putting aside how utterly dismal Sheeran’s ‘music’ is for one moment, how exactly was this allowed to happen? How lovely England’s football team enjoyed a private Ed Sheeran concert. Meanwhile my brother who is also a musician hasn’t played for 15 months. This two-tier interpretation of the Covid rules is a farce. — Bella Wallersteiner (@BellaWallerstei) June 24, 2021 For starters, England’s players are supposed...
