Newcastle United are set to undergo a major shakeup as all is set for minority shareholders Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi to sell their stake in the Premier League club, according to reports on Wednesday. Staveley was a pivotal figure in brokering a deal which was able to allow Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund buy 80% of the Magpies in October 2021. Alongside her husband, Ghodoussi, Staveley had initially held a 10% stake in Newcastle. Ghodoussi and Staveley were fully involved in running Newcastle after the Saudi-backed takeover which saw the arrival of Eddie Howe, in November 2021, as manager.…
Author: Somto Isaac
Joao Palhinha has completed a move to German giants Bayern Munich from Fulham on a four-year deal. The Portugal international featured 79 times for Fulham and on 31 occasions for the senior national team, had previously moved to the London club in 2022. Although, the financial package of the deal was revealed to be undisclosed, the deal was reported to be worth €51million. “This is one of the happiest days of my life. I’m now playing for one of the top clubs in Europe,” Palhinha said. The 29-year-old was close to joining the Bavarians in 2023 but the transfer did…
Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal revealed in details about the transfer of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, which failed to materialise last season. According the sports chief, Al-Ittihad wanted to sign the 32-year-old for an “astronomical” fee — however, the Premier League giants were unfazed by any attempt. The Egyptian, who is the Reds’ record top flight goal scorer, was heavily touted to make the move as the Saudi Pro League continues their system of recruiting the game’s top stars. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first of a list of notable stars to move to the Saudi top…
Argentina gaffer Lionel Scaloni provided an update on captain and influential player Lionel Messi ahead of his team’s Copa América 2024 semi-final clash with Canada on Tuesday. It was suggested that there was a hamstring concern for Messi, with the 37-year-old likely to miss the game at MetLife Stadium. The Inter Miami forward returned to action this past Thursday in the quarter-final affair with Ecuador – after missing the final group stage game due to injury – but did not look physically convincing with regards to his fitness. Messi also missed a penalty in the shootout victory at Houston’s NRG…
Manchester United have an important 2024-25 season ahead of them and they have been busy in the transfer market. Having retained the services of manager Erik ten Hag and rewarding the Dutchman with a new deal, the club’s INEOS hierarchy have made several notable changes. First is the addition of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to the coaching backroom staff – with also the likes of Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth running things behind the scenes. The Red Devils are also looking to beef up their playing personnel ahead of the season. However, the FA Cup winners…
Luis de la Fuente has expressed confidence and belief in his side’s ability to curtail what Kylian Mbappe and France have to offer when they meet in the semi-final of Euro 2024 on Tuesday. Spain have been tipped by many to come out triumphant in the tournament following their series of impressive performances. La Roja has netted 11 times en route to the last four and they have also recorded five straight wins, including knocking out hosts Germany and beating defending champions Italy. On the flip side, France have made their way to the same stage of the tournament despite…
FC Barcelona have not been able to flex their muscles financially in the transfer market in recent windows due to their well-documented restrictions. The 2024-25 season will be a key one with new coach, Hansi Flick taking charge and club President Joan Laporta has expressed confidence on signing a star player for the Catalan giants. Nico Williams has been on the lips of many due to his standout performances with Spain at Euro 2024, with numerous European teams eyeing the young talent. Barcelona has been touted as a next major destination for the Athletic Club attacker, factoring his electric performances…
Gareth Southgate’s England booked their place in their third semi-final in four tournaments after Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed away the decisive spot kick to in their shootout victory against Switzerland following their keenly-contested 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Alexander-Arnold, who was relegated from the starting team, came off the bench in extra-time to net the crucial kick after Jordan Pickford had saved from Manuel Akanji – who had the only miss in the lottery. The win meant a third consecutive Euro 2024 quarter-final to go to extra-time, with two of them going to penalties.Bukayo Saka levelled with a gem of a…
Brazil coach Dorival Jr has insisted the team are under renovation and are a work in progress after bowing out of Copa America in the quarter final stage against Uruguay. Despite being a man short in the second half, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay are also to keep the South American giants quiet in regular team before sending them packing with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory to book a semi-final ticket to battle Colombia. Brazil had put in a string of unimpressive performances at the tournament, sharing the spoils twice in the group stage and beating only Paraguay before their second successive…
France coach Didier Deschamps said star striker and captain Kylian Mbappe asked to be taken off during extra-time in their Euro 2024 quarter final triumph against Portugal. Deschamps revealed Mbappe admitted to being tired amid his inconsistent performances in the competition – with just one goal to his name, coming from the penalty spot against Poland. The 25-year-old has also failed to convert chances, as he looks uncomfortable in his mask after suffering a broken nose in the opening game of the tournament. In Friday’s quarter final against Portugal, the attacker spent a moment down on the turf, briefly removing…