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Aston Villa keen on signing 26-year-old with 15 goal contributions before pre-season – report
Aston Villa are eager to land the signature of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse before the beginning of pre-season, Football Insider reports. The Midlands outfit had an impressive 2020/21 Premier League campaign, finishing 11th in the standings with 55 points on the board. The focus is now on pushing for the European places, and the club have already shown ambition in the transfer market this summer. They recently beat Arsenal to the signing of Emiliano Buendia after agreeing to a club-record deal with Norwich City, which could rise to £38 million. It is now reported that the club’s owners are prepared to back manager Dean Smith with additional funds to strengthen the squad. Villa have their sights on Ward-Prowse and are looking to sign him before pre-season so that he can familiarise...
‘Extremely tough December’ – Some Leeds fans react to their fixtures for the 2021/22 season
Leeds United’s Premier League fixtures for the 2021/22 season have been revealed and the Whites will begin their campaign with a baptism of fire. Marcelo Bielsa’s side will face Manchester United on the opening day away from home. That is followed up with a home game against Everton. Leeds have been fearless this past season and they are unlikely to be affected by the tough start to the season. They have what it takes to beat any side on their day and they will fancy their chances at Old Trafford as well. Meanwhile, December seems brutal for the Whites as well. They will be facing the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool back to back, with three of those games away from home. Leeds will face Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in three of their last six games of the se...
Arsenal legend set for fiery clash with Red Devils nemesis
Two of the continent’s big hitters were in action at the European Championships yesterday, with France taking on Germany in Munich. Tournament favourites France were undoubtedly the better team in the first half, but the Germans threatened more after the break. Mats Hummels’ own goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, putting France in pole position to reach the knockout stage. There were plenty of talking points elsewhere, with an on-screen meeting between two Premier League legends providing an interesting sideshow. Keane and Vieira rematch The BBC had been winning the Euro 2020 television battle, but ITV stepped things up in style for the clash between France and Germany. Clive Tyldesley and Ally McCoist returned to the commentary box after impressing during the Netherla...
Aston Villa have been in contact with 39-cap international regarding summer transfer
Aston Villa are interested in signing Ashley Young from Inter Milan this summer. According to The Athletic, the 35-year-old will be allowed to leave the Italian champions this summer when his contract expires. Watford and Burnley have shown interest in the player as well and Young would like a return to the Premier League. Apparently, Dean Smith wants experienced and versatile cover for his full-back positions and Young has been identified as a target. The report further states that the Premier League club has already been in touch with the player regarding a potential return to Villa Park. The likes of Ahmed Elmohamady and Neil Taylor have left the club the summer and Villa could certainly use someone like Young at their disposal. The 35-year-old can operate as a winger as well as a full ...
Celtic aiming to beat Arsenal to signing of Premier League star with 58 international caps
Celtic are aiming to beat Arsenal in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mat Ryan this summer, Football Insider reports. The Australia international fell out of favour with the Seagulls during the first half of last season, where Robert Sanchez jumped ahead of him in the pecking order. He was subsequently loaned out to the Gunners in January. Ryan made only three appearances for the north London club as the back-up shot-stopper. They are keen on re-signing him permanently, but the Hoops are aiming to beat them by offering Ryan a long-term contract and the number one role. Ryan has just one year remaining on his Brighton contract, and he could be available for a fee between £3-5 million during the summer transfer window. Sportslens view: Ryan barely played for the Gu...
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...
