Arsenal appear to have missed out in the race to Samuel Chukwueze after the Nigerian wonderkid performed a U-turn and opted for a move to Porto instead. Chukwueze and fellow Nigeria Under-17 starlet Kelechi Nwakali were pictured with boss Arsene Wenger and former Gunners star Nwankwo Kanu ahead of the pair finalising long-term deals with the club earlier this year. But it appears a deal has now fallen through for Chukwueze with the president of his Nigeria club Diamond Academy claiming the player would now sign with the Portuguese club. Martin Apugo said: “Chukwueze is going to FC Porto. “They are waiting for him to sign the papers but he couldn’t travel because he is with the Flying Eagles. “We don’t know the length of contract he will sign until we … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: I only care about what Joachim Low says- Ozil
Germany coach Joachim Low lauded Mesut Ozil after his side beat Ukraine at Euro 2016, and his is the only opinion the playmaker cares about. Mesut Ozil only cares about the opinion of one man on his performances at Euro 2016 - Germany coach Joachim Low. Arsenal star Ozil played the full 90 minutes of the world champions' tournament-opening 2-0 victory over Ukraine on Sunday, setting up Bastian Schweinsteiger for their second goal with a typically classy assist in injury time. Despite his key role in securing the three points for Germany, the 27-year-old faced criticism in some quarters for his overall performance in Lille. Low was effusive in his praise of Ozil before the start of the European Championship, hailing his "outstanding physical condition", … [Read more...]
Vardy to decide his future- Ranieri
Arsenal have activated Jamie Vardy's release clause but Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri is keen to hang on to the England striker. Claudio Ranieri has not given up hope of keeping Jamie Vardy at Leicester City, but admits his star striker will have "the last word" on a potential move to Arsenal. The Gunners are believed to have offered Vardy a three-year deal after activating a release clause of around £20million in his contract, but the 29-year-old is thought to be delaying making a decision on his future until England's participation at Euro 2016 is over. Vardy scored 24 Premier League goals last season as Leicester stormed to the most unlikely of title triumphs, and Ranieri wants him to stay at the King Power Stadium - even if, as he admits, the … [Read more...]
Borussia Dortmund to make a decision on Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed the Bundesliga club “will make a decision this week” as Henrikh Mkhitaryan continues to be linked with a switch to Arsenal. The 27-year-old has confirmed he is in no rush to sign a new deal at Dortmund while Mino Raiola, the player’s agent, has indicated his client could leave the Westfalenstadion this summer a year before his contract expires. Mkhitaryan scored 11 goals and provided 15 assists as Dortmund finished second behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga but a move to England has long been suggested as a possibility. When quizzed on the future of Mkhitaryan – and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Zorc said Dortmund will act “this week” as rumors continue to overshadow their summer recruitment … [Read more...]
Zouma eager to work with Conte next season as he continues to recover
Kurt Zouma has confirmed that he will not be fit for the start of Chelsea's season as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury, but says he is relishing the prospect of learning from new boss Antonio Conte. The 21-year-old has not featured for Chelsea since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a Premier League clash with Manchester United in February, ruling him out of the rest of the season and France's Euro 2016 campaign. Prior to the injury, Zouma had become a regular starter in the heart of Chelsea's defence under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, and the Frenchman insists he has no fear of falling down the pecking order under Conte despite the fact that he will miss pre-season. "I am working hard every day, from 10 … [Read more...]
Joao Teixeira joins Porto after four years withat Anfield
After over four years at Liverpool, Joao Teixeira will return to his homeland after signing a four-year deal with Porto. Joao Teixeira will join Porto from Liverpool on a free transfer, the Portuguese club announced on Monday. Teixeira, 23, has struggled for first-team opportunities since making the switch from Sporting CP in 2012. The midfielder played just three minutes of Premier League football in 2015-16, making six other senior appearances. He will return to his homeland after over four years at Anfield as Porto look to break Benfica's dominance on the domestic front. "I am very happy," Teixeira told Porto's official website. "It's a dream for me to play in this great club. "I have aspired to wear this shirt because I was used to seeing FC … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho plans showdown talks with Phil Jones
Jose Mourinho is set to give Phil Jones assurances about his future at Manchester United, according to a report. Mourinho has reportedly requested a meeting Phil Jones to clear up the defender’s future at Old Trafford with Goal claiming the Portuguese boss is intent on keeping the versatile player at the club. Jones, 24, signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford in June 2015, but numerous ankle problems and a blood clot in his calf meant he made only six Premier League starts last season. Dutch utility player Daley Blind also filled in at centre-back under Louis van Gaal limiting Jones’ first-team action, but Mourinho is understood to be keen on keeping the player at Old Trafford, Mourinho will sit down with Jones when he returns from … [Read more...]