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Everton and Tottenham stars expected to feature today in Copa America group game
Colombia and COVID-hit Venezuela are set to trade tackles on Copa America 2021 Matchday 2 at the Estadio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico on Tuesday. Boca Juniors star Edwin Cardona propelled his team to a narrow 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their tournament opener. Meanwhile, with most of their star players ruled out after returning positive Covid-19 tests, Venezuela went down 3-0 to the tournament hosts Brazil. The Colombians are odds-on favourites to claim all three points against the South American minnows and get a step closer towards reaching the knock-out stages. Colombia Preview Everton centre-back Yerry Mina played a prominent role in Colombia’s 1-0 win over Ecuador in their Copa America 2021 curtain-raiser, helping the team keep a clean sheet for only the second time in six internati...
Southampton and Norwich City leading race to sign 24-year-old with 34 goal contributions last term
Southampton and Norwich City are leading the race to sign Blackburn Rovers striker Adam Armstrong this summer, Football Insider reports. Armstrong had a superb 2020/21 campaign for Rovers, registering 29 goals and five assists from 43 appearances across all competitions. He was recently rewarded for his efforts with the Championship PFA fans’ Player of the Year award, beating the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Ivan Toney. Armstrong will enter the final year of his Rovers deal next month, and it is reported that they are willing to sell him for £15 million rather than losing him for free next summer. Owners Venky’s previously slapped a £25m price tag on his head, but it appears they may be willing to do business for less due to his contract status. Sportslens view: The Saints currently have ...
Report: Euro giants join Liverpool in the race to sign £70m star
Juventus have joined the race to sign Leicester City winger Youri Tielemans in the summer transfer window. Tielemans is a key player for Brendan Rodgers’ side, but the Belgian international has been linked with a move away from the club. Liverpool are one of the clubs looking to sign the 24-year-old, but Leicester are unlikely to sanction a sale unless they receive a ridiculous offer. The Reds are looking to bolster their midfield options this summer, and Tielemans would be a superb addition to the side. However, fresh reports from Italy suggest that Juventus are also looking to lure him away. The Old Lady have been following the Belgian for a long time, and they now want the FA Cup winner. Juventus have already made contact with the player’s representatives. Should Liverpool move quickly?...
Ronaldo hits double, Liverpool man wasteful – Hungary 0-3 Portugal Player Ratings
A late flurry from Portugal saw them defeat Hungary 3-0 in their opening group stage game of Euro 2020 on Tuesday. The holders had numerous chances to take the lead in the first half but were wasteful in front of goal. Liverpool winger Diogo Jota was particularly dangerous, although his decision making came into question. Jota’s first chance came five minutes in, striking a shot from the edge of the box that was well saved. If he had got his head up, he could have played in Cristiano Ronaldo to his left. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man again had a lovely chance to open the scoring when he found himself free from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick, but he put his effort way over the crossbar. Portugal continued to threaten and almost made an opening when Ronaldo slipped in Bernardo Silva. Ho...
Manchester City sign another South American starlet
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Brazilian midfielder Metinho in the same deal that will see them sign Kayky, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 18-year-old will likely be sent to City’s youth set-up or out on loan to continue his development. Born in DR Congo, Metinho has been living in Brazil since the age of one after his family moved there to flee religious persecution. Manchester City are set to sign also Metinho [2003, Brazilian midfielder] from Fluminense in the same deal with Kayky. The agreement has been reached for €5m + add ons. 🔵🇧🇷 #MCFC Metinho will sign a 5-years contract with City Group and then join Troyes on loan. 🇫🇷 https://t.co/zqmfeN4BZX — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 23, 2021 A product of Madureira, he...
Arsenal face fresh competition from Premier League rival for 25-year-old star – report
Arsenal are facing competition from a Premier League rival for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, Goal.com reports. The Cameroon international recently had his FIFA-imposed ban reduced by three months after an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He is still banned from playing competitive football until November but can resume team training from the first week of September. The Gunners have been heavily linked with his services, and it was recently claimed that they could sign him for around £7 million. They are now facing competition from a club that finished in the top eight of the league while there is plenty of interest from Ligue 1 clubs. Sportslens view: The Gunners have already held talks with the player’s representatives, but they have yet to make a formal approach to Ajax...
Pogba impresses, Real Madrid man MOTM – France 1-0 Germany Player Ratings
France won their opening game of Euro 2020, defeating Germany 1-0 thanks to a Mats Hummels own goal. It was a strong start by the world champions, who twice came close to taking the lead in the first 20 minutes. Paul Pogba headed over from Antoine Griezmann’s corner, and Kylian Mbappe had a shot well saved by Manuel Neuer. And it wasn’t long before Les Bleus took the lead. Pogba was once again involved, floating a lovely ball over to Lucas Hernandez. The Bayern Munich man drilled a low cross into the box, and Mats Hummels sliced into his own net. Germany responded with a couple of efforts of their own. Thomas Muller flicked a header wide from Robin Gosens’ cross, and Ilkay Gundogan scuffed his effort after being set up by Serge Gnabry. But they weren’t able to clinch an equaliser before ha...
Everton and West Ham linked with a summer move for 64-cap international
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been heavily linked with a move away from Turin this summer. Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Everton are reportedly keeping tabs on his situation. According to Calciomercato, Ramsey’s suitors are in constant contact with Juventus regarding a summer move. The 64-cap Welsh international earns around €7.5 million per year and has a contract with Juventus until the summer of 2023. Ramsey has failed to establish himself as a key player for the Italian giants, and his wages have now become a burden. It appears that Juventus are willing to cash in on the player, and a return to the Premier League would be ideal. SL View: Return to the Premier League would be ideal for Ramsey Ramsey has not been at his best since leaving Arsenal, and he...
Championship club keen on appointing highly-rated Fulham manager
Bournemouth are interested in recruiting Fulham’s Scott Parker as their next manager, according to The Guardian. The 40-year-old was most recently relegated from the Premier League with Fulham. However, his stint at Craven Cottage has been impressive in context, and it is hard to fault him for the club’s relegation from the top-flight. Keeping the Cottagers in the Premier League was always going to be a challenge considering the club’s lack of resources and players who are proven performers in the upper ranks of English football. After being appointed as permanent first-team boss of Fulham in 2019, Parker impressively guided the club back to the Premier League after they were relegated the previous season. Due to the structural changes that unfold at clubs after relegation, it is always im...
Brighton & Hove Albion in contract negotiations with two-time FA Cup winner – report
Brighton & Hove Albion are in negotiations with Danny Welbeck over a new contract, according to The Argus. The England international joined the Seagulls on a free transfer last summer after the termination of his contract with Watford. Welbeck was restricted to only 24 Premier League appearances due to a knee injury but still impressed with six goals and three assists. He ended the campaign on a high with four goals and two assists from the final 10 games. The club are now eager to extend his deal. Sportslens view: Welbeck was only handed a 12-month contract last summer, which was justifiable considering his injury troubles over the years. He suffered a knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for five weeks this year but proved his worth with a fine end to the season. It appears a n...
Report: Spurs join the race to sign 24 y/o after Liverpool submit £25m bid
Tottenham Hotspur have joined the race to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini this summer. According to reports from La Repubblica (h/t The Express), the north London club are keen to sign the highly-rated Roma playmaker. A change in transfer strategy is expected from Spurs under the guidance of managing director of football Fabio Paratici, who was officially appointed to his new role last Saturday. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be hoping that Paratici can bring in the right quality of players to improve Spurs’ fortunes/ The north London club are close to appointing Paulo Fonseca as their next manager. He was replaced by Jose Mourinho at Roma earlier this year, and it looks increasingly likely that he will occupy the vacant managerial role at Spurs. The report claims that Fonseca is lo...
Report: Five-times league winner Everton and Leeds target has made his decision already
Real Madrid left-back Marcelo wants to stay at the Bernabeu Stadium next season. According to reports from Defensa Central, the Brazilian wants to continue at Madrid, even after knowing that he won’t be the first-choice under Carlo Ancelotti. The report claims that Marcelo has had conversations with Ancelotti. The Italian boss has told him that he won’t be a major part of his plans. Marcelo accepts that Ferland Mendy is in better shape at the moment, and he will be the first-choice left-back next season. However, Marcelo still wants to continue at the Spanish club. The 33-year-old joined Los Blancos in 2007 and has made over 525 appearances in all competitions. The 58-times capped Brazil international has enjoyed rich success with Madrid, winning five La Liga titles and four Champions Leag...
