Premier League
Chelsea want to hand new contract to £144,000-a-week star, but in ‘no rush’
Chelsea are prepared to reward midfielder N’Golo Kante with a new contract, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. The Frenchman produced several standout performances during the final months of last season as the Blues finished in the top four and won the Champions League. The 30-year-old has another two years remaining on his contract, but the west London club are keen to finalise a new long-term deal with him. However, there is ‘no rush’ to reach an agreement as they have a great relationship with Kante, who rejected offers from two clubs last summer. Sportslens view: Kante had a disappointing 2019/2020 season with the Blues where he missed part of the campaign with four different injuries. There were suggestions that midfielder could be shown the exit door amid regular injury...
Watford keen on signing 25-year-old defensive midfielder with 33 international caps – report
Watford are interested in landing the signature of Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara this summer, The Mail reports. The Hornets are back in the Premier League after a solitary season, and they are likely to make quality signings to boost their survival prospects. A new defensive midfielder is one of the priorities, and it is reported that Kamara is a player that has been discussed extensively by the club. Rangers are reluctant to part company with the Finland international but may have to cash in with just one year left on his contract. Sportslens view: The Hornets comfortably secured promotion at the first time of asking, and they will be aiming to re-establish themselves in the top-flight. The club have plenty of experienced Premier League players in their ranks, and they need quality signi...
Manchester United could lose their star player for just £50m this summer – report
Manchester United will sell midfielder Paul Pogba this summer if he does not put pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract, The Mirror reports. Pogba’s current deal with United expires in June next year, and the midfielder recently admitted that there have been no concrete negotiations. He is likely to hold fresh talks after the European Championships, but there are doubts whether he will commit his future to the club. United are fearful that the midfielder is looking to run down his contract such that he can negotiate a free transfer elsewhere in January. They are keen to avoid the prospect, and will sanction his sale this summer if there is no breakthrough in the contract negotiations. Pogba was once valued by United at around £150 million. It is suggested that they may be lucky to r...
Manchester United make £75m bid for attacker with 36 goal achievements last season
Manchester United have made an improved bid to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho, Sky Sport reports. The Red Devils were heavily linked with the Englishman last summer, but a deal failed to materialise as they were put off by the £108 million valuation. Sancho could be available for a lesser fee this time around, but United are yet to reach an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit for his services. United recently made an opening offer of £67m plus add-ons which was rejected, and they have now made an improved bid of more than £75m. The offer remains short of Dortmund’s valuation, but there is ‘a willingness from all parties’ to get the deal done with Sancho’s contract expiring in June 2023. Sportslens view: Sancho was in sublime form for Dortmund this past season, registerin...
Leicester City win the race to sign Liverpool target with 46 goal contributions – report
Leicester City are set to complete the signing of highly-rated Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. The Zambia international had a superb 2020/21 season with the Austrian champions, bagging 34 goals and 12 assists from just 42 appearances. In recent weeks, the 22-year-old has been associated with some of Europe’s elite clubs including Premier League duo Chelsea and Liverpool. It is now reported that the Foxes have finalised a transfer fee with Salzburg while Daka has also agreed personal terms over a five-year contract. The Midlands outfit are now completing the necessary paperwork and formalities, and a formal announcement could be made in the coming days. Sportslens view: Daka has been garnering plenty of attention over the past year after th...
Why this Portuguese manager is the perfect signing for Everton or Tottenham Hotspur
We are just a few weeks away from pre-season training for Premier League clubs, but Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are yet to appoint their next manager. The Toffees saw the surprise exit of Carlo Ancelotti earlier this month, as he took the opportunity to become Real Madrid’s manager for a second stint. They have since been linked with the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo and Rafa Benitez but are yet to decide on their new head coach. Spurs were recently in advanced negotiations with both Antonio Conte and Paulo Fonseca, but they failed to get a deal over the line for either. Gennaro Gattuso emerged as the front-runner for the role 24 hours ago, but Spurs have reportedly turned him down amid furious fan reaction. Both clubs are likely to stay patient to make the right appointment. We look at w...
Everton handed blow as European giants enter race to sign 25-year-old with 13 goals/assists
Inter Milan could compete with Everton to sign PSV Eindhoven defender Denzel Dumfries this summer, Dutch outlet Voetbal International claims. The right-back had an impressive 2020/21 season for PSV, registering four goals and nine assists from 41 appearances in all competitions. He recently played for Netherlands at right wing-back against Ukraine at Euro 2020, and produced a dominant attacking display over 90 minutes. Dumfries was culpable of missing two clear-cut chances, but made amends by playing in the lead-up to two goals, and finding the winner in the 3-2 triumph. The Toffees are weighing up an approach for the PSV captain, but it appears that they could face direct competition from the Nerazzurri. Sportslens view: Inter are open to selling Achraf Hakimi this month as they aim to ba...
Imama Amapakabo: Why Andre Onana should consider Arsenal move
Andre Onana leaving Ajax and joining Arsenal would be “a good move” for the Cameroon international, according to former Nigeria U23 coach Imama Amapakabo. The Gunners have held discussions with the 25-year-old’s representatives, albeit, they have yet to decide whether they will step up their chase of the goalkeeper. Arsenal was on the lookout for a keeper following the departure of Emiliano Martinez in September 2020 and the underwhelming form of summer recruit Alex Runarsson. Despite technical director Edu and Mikel Arteta being big admirers of Onana, financial issues prevented the North London outfit from making a firm offer, instead they opted to sign Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. Amapakabo – who was a goalkeeper during his active career – and was part of the Nigeria...
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...
Liverpool given go-ahead for Anfield expansion
Liverpool have been given the go-ahead to expand Anfield by around 7,000 seats, taking the total capacity at their historic stadium to more than 61,000. City council planners voted in favour of the redevelopment of the Anfield Road Stand on Tuesday, despite concerns expressed by residents and environmental groups about the impact on nearby Stanley Park. The Premier League club’s project is expected to be completed in 2023. “This is a huge milestone in our journey towards bringing more supporters into Anfield,” said Liverpool managing director Andy Hughes. “We underwent a rigorous two-stage public consultation period during the planning process for this project and I would like to thank everyone who has offered a contribution to that.” As part of the application, the club have also been giv...
Juventus eye move for Liverpool target Youri Tielemans
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. Tielemans has been simply outs...
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...
