Bamzy Sports

  Chelsea confirm deal to sign Sancho from Manchester United Jadon Sancho Chelsea confirmed Jadon Sancho has joined their wealth of attacking options on Saturday with an initial loan deal from Manchester United to be made permanent next season. The Blues made their move for the England international in the final hours before Friday's transfer deadline. United have cut their losses on the 24-year-old, who has failed to live up to his price tag ever since a £73 million ($96 million) move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Chelsea will reportedly pay £25 million to make the move permanent in the summer of 2025. Sancho has not played a league game for United since posting on social media he had been made a "scapegoat" for poor performances just under a year ago. But he shone during a loan spell back at Dortmund during the second half of last season, helping the German giants reach the Champions League final. Sancho scored 12 goals in 83 appearances for the Red Devils and won jus...

  Brentford forward Ivan Toney leaves club to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli for £40m; 28-year-old England forward played 141 times for Bees, scoring 72 goals; he has not played this season since head coach Thomas Frank admitted transfer interest in striker Brentford striker Ivan Toney has joined Saudi Pro League Al-Ahli for a fee of £40m. Toney, who has not played for Brentford this season since manager Thomas Frank admitted interest had ramped up in the forward, leaves the Bees having scored 72 goals in 141 games, including 36 in their three seasons in the Premier League. The 28-year-old missed the first half of last season with a gambling ban but came back from that to feature in England's run to the Euro 2024 final, setting up Harry Kane's winner in the 2-1 win over Slovakia and netting a penalty in the shoot-out against Switzerland. By that point an FA betting charge was already hanging over him, and he was banned for football for eight months by the governing body in ...

  Nketiah joins Crystal Palace from Arsenal Eddie Nketiah Crystal Palace have signed forward Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal on a five-year-deal, both Premier League clubs said on Friday. Financial details about the transfer were not disclosed by either club, but English media reported Palace paid around £30 million for the 25-year-old. "It's amazing to sign for Crystal Palace. I'm excited to get going," Nketiah said in a statement. "Every time I come back to South London, it always puts a smile on my face, so it's good to be back home." Nketiah has scored 38 goals in 168 appearances for the north London club. He joined Arsenal's academy at the age of 16 and made his first team debut in 2018. Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, also a product of Arsenal's academy, joined Fulham on a five-year contract for some £27 million earlier in this month.

  Chiesa may have to wait for Liverpool debut Federico Chiesa Arne Slot says Federico Chiesa may have to wait for his Liverpool debut after the Italy forward's arrival ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester United. Chiesa became Liverpool's first major signing since the end of last season when he joined Slot's side on Thursday on a long-term deal from Juventus. The 26-year-old's capture adds some firepower to Liverpool's attack, but Reds boss Slot does not believe Chiesa will be available for the showdown with arch-rivals United at Old Trafford. "Chiesa is going to train with us today. There's a bigger chance that he's not in the squad," Slot told reporters on Friday. "If injuries might come up in the next two days we might need him, but I don't expect him to be in, but I cannot guarantee it." Chiesa suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2022, and in his first full season back he made 37 appearances for Juve, s...

  Real Madrid held by Las Palmas, Girona thrash Osasuna Real Madrid had a second-half Vinicius Junior penalty to thank as the Spanish champions avoided a first league loss of the season in a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas on Thursday. The Brazilian converted from the spot in the 69th minute after Alex Suarez was found guilty of handball. Madrid had gone 1-0 down after a fifth-minute Alberto Moleiro goal. It was a second draw in three La Liga outings for Real and leaves the capital club fourth in the standings, four points off archrivals Barcelona. In the day's other match, Girona put Osasuna to the sword in a crushing 4-0 victory. Osasuna could only muster a single shot -- not on target -- in a game in which they won no corners and had just two touches in Girona's penalty box. Bryan Gil opened the scoring in the 34th minute, before Viktor Tsygankov and Abel Ruiz hit goals in a quick-fire three-minute period around 53 minutes to put the game out of reach. Uruguay's Cristhian Stuani...

  Holders Real Madrid face Dortmund and Liverpool in new-look Champions League UEFA Champions League Trophy The draw for the league stage of the new-look Uefa Champions League took place on Thursday, throwing up a series of heavyweight fixtures including a trip for holders Real Madrid to Liverpool and a repeat of last season's final between the Spanish giants and Borussia Dortmund. Every team will play eight games against eight different opponents in the new format of Europe's elite club competition, with all 36 clubs now pooled together into one league rather than split into groups. Madrid, who have signed France superstar Kylian Mbappe since winning a record-extending 15th European Cup, will also notably play AC Milan at home and will go to Atalanta. Real beat last season's Europa League winners Atalanta in the Uefa Super Cup in Warsaw earlier this month. Liverpool, who are back in the Champions League after a one-season absence, will also notably meet Milan and take on t...

  Cristiano Ronaldo to be honoured as UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo to be honoured as UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in the Uefa Champions League, will be honoured with a special award from Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin in recognition of his remarkable legacy in the world’s most prestigious competition. Ronaldo's achievements in Europe's premier club competition – over the course of more than 18 years – will be recognised during the inaugural 2024/25 Uefa Champions League 36-team league phase draw ceremony, which will take place on Thursday 29 August at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The former Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has scored 140 Champions League goals in 183 appearances. He is 11 goals clear of Lionel Messi and 46 ahead of third-placed Robert Lewandowski at the top of the scoring charts. "Cristiano Rona...

  Liverpool sign Italy international Chiesa from Juventus Federico Chiesa Liverpool have signed Italy forward Federico Chiesa from Juventus on a long-term contract, the two clubs said on Thursday. Juventus said the deal was worth 12 million euros ($13.30 million) plus 3 million in add-ons for the 26-year-old, whose contract with the Serie A club was set to expire in 2025. Chiesa suffered a serious knee injury in 2022 that sidelined him for 10 months, but he bounced back and last season scored 10 goals and registered three assists in 37 appearances for Juventus across all competitions. Chiesa scored 32 goals in 131 appearances for Juventus in four seasons at the club. He initially joined the Turin-based side on loan from Fiorentina in 2020. "I'm so happy to be a Liverpool player," Chiesa said in a statement. "When (sporting director) Richard Hughes called me and he said, 'Do you want to join Liverpool?' – and the coach called me – I said yes immediately becaus...

 England's Trippier retires from international football Kieran Trippier Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier announced his retirement from international football on Thursday after winning 54 caps for England. The 33-year-old played a major role in helping the Three Lions become a force at major tournaments over the past six years. Trippier's sole international goal came in a World Cup semifinal defeat by Croatia in 2018. He was also part of the side that reached back-to-back finals of the European Championship and the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. Interim England boss Lee Carsley is set to name his first squad later on Thursday. Gareth Southgate stepped down as manager in the aftermath of losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain last month. "It's been one of the biggest honours of my life to represent my country at four major tournaments," Trippier posted on social media. "I want to say a big thank you to Gareth and all the staff that have worked with the Eng...

  Liverpool agree deal to sign goalkeeper Mamardashvili from Valencia Giorgi Mamardashvili Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the player set to move to Anfield ahead of next season, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, whose transfer is subject to a work permit and international clearance, will spend the remainder of the current campaign with the LaLiga club, where he has made 102 appearances, before moving to Merseyside next summer. We have reached an agreement for the transfer of Giorgi Mamardashvili, subject to a work permit and international clearance – with the Valencia goalkeeper set to move to Anfield ahead of the 2025-26 season  British media reported the deal was worth around £30 million. Mamardashvili enjoyed an impressive European Championship campaign with Georgia as they reached the last 16. His 21 saves in their three group games were the joint-most by a goalkeeper in the tournament's history.

 Arsenal completed the signing of Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on Tuesday. The Spain midfielder will reportedly cost the Gunners an initial 32 million euros with a further five million euros in add-ons. "Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. "He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. "Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality." Merino scored the winner in Spain's dramatic Euros quarter-final win over hosts Germany. The 28-year-old has spent the last six years at Sociedad, but does have prior experience of English football. Merino spent a season at Newcastle in 2017/18 but largely struggled to shine before returning to Spain. He becomes Arsenal's second new signing of the transfer window after the...

  Harry Kane Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane received the Golden Shoe award as the highest goalscorer in a European football league at a ceremony in the Bavarian capital on Tuesday. Kane scored 36 goals during the previous Bundesliga season, more than any other player in Europe. Despite being the top Premier League scorer three times, Kane had never won the award. "It's a fantastic feeling," Kane said." "The award is for everyone. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here today. "I feel good and am looking forward to the new season. I feel a new energy. "I'm very proud to receive this award." The prize was the latest won by the striker in a long list of personal awards, but Kane is still yet to win a team title in his career. Kane went trophyless in his debut year in Munich, the first time Bayern finished a season without silverware since 2012. He told reporters "I want to continue on as I started last season, but it is im...

  Exclusive Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney emerges as late summer transfer target for Chelsea; Toney, who is also wanted by Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, has less than a year left to run on his existing contract Chelsea have made a move to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford. Chelsea are after a proven goalscorer to be their new No 9 and have been linked with a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Toney has less than a year left on his contract and was left out of Brentford's first two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. The 28-year-old striker has a lucative offer from Al Ahli and Chelsea would not be able to match the wages on offer from Saudi Arabia, but can offer Premier League football and the chance to remain in West London. Al Ahli, who have former Premier Leagure players Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino in their squad, have yet to meet Brentford's valuation of the England striker. Brentford boss Thomas Frank was tight-lippe...

  Dani Olmo Barcelona were finally able to register new signing Dani Olmo with La Liga on Tuesday and he is expected to make his debut later on against Rayo Vallecano. The Spanish midfielder missed the club's first two La Liga matches after joining from RB Leipzig as the Catalan giants struggled to meet the Spanish top flight's strict financial rules for player registrations. However, after allowing Ilkay Gundogan to return to Manchester City and loaning Clement Lenglet to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona were able to name Olmo in their squad for the clash at Rayo later Tuesday. Spanish media reported that defender Andreas Christensen's long-term injury absence with an Achilles tendon issue also allowed Barcelona more financial leeway with La Liga. Olmo starred for Spain as they won Euro 2024 in Germany this summer before completing a 60 million euro ($67 million) move to Barcelona.

  Enzo Maresca Chelsea's main aim in the transfer window is to offload players from their squad so the club can balance its books, manager Enzo Maresca said on Tuesday. Chelsea have been busy in the market since American owner Todd Boehly took over two years ago. The West London club have spent over 160 million pounds ($211.50 million) on 11 new signings for this season, including winger Pedro Neto, forward Joao Felix, midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Chelsea sold Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid and defender Ian Maatsen joined Aston Villa, but they still have over 40 senior players registered are at risk of falling foul of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. "The target is to solve the economic problem in terms of selling players," Maresca told the club website. "From there, we try to do our best and see where we arrive." Chelsea's struggles to offload players are well documented, with England internat...

Amad Diallo Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has been recalled to the Ivory Coast squad for the first time in some 18 months as they begin the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title. Diallo, 22, won the last of his six caps for the Ivorians in March 2023, missing out on Cup of Nations success in February when Ivory Coast won the tournament on home soil. They begin their bid to qualify for the next finals in Morocco in late 2025 with qualifiers against Zambia at home in Bouake on Sept. 6 and away to Chad on Sept. 10. Diallo was included by coach Emerse Fae in a 25-man squad for the two matches, with first call-ups for Swiss-based striker Benie Traore and midfielder Mario Dorgeles from Danish club Nordsjaelland. SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers), Mohamed Kone (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium), Badra Ali Sangare (Sekhukhune United) Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Stade Reims), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon), Guela Doue (Racing Strasbourg), O...

Transfer Manchester United agree deal with PSG to sign Manuel Ugarte for initial fee of £42.2m, which could rise to £50.7m with add-ons; Ugarte was a primary midfield target and always had his heart set on Old Trafford move;  Manuel Ugarte is due in the UK for his Manchester United medical on Tuesday Manchester United have a full agreement with PSG for the signing of midfielder Manuel Ugarte. United will pay an initial of £42.2m but the deal could be worth as much as £50.7m (€60m) including performance-related add-ons. Ugarte, who was the club's primary midfield target throughout the window, is expected in the UK on Tuesday to have a medical and sign off on personal terms. PSG went into negotiations wanting the £51.1m (€60m) fee they paid Sporting Lisbon last summer before bonuses. The clubs have compromised given the willingness of all parties to get a deal done. United are understood to be happy with the deal that they have struck. PSG and United had both been keen to agree on a ...

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia through injury, with Paulo Dybala recalled to coach Lionel Scaloni's squad on Monday. Messi has not played for club side Inter Miami since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final. Roma forward Dybala has not made an international appearance since March 2023 but could get an opportunity to add to his 38 caps in Messi's absence. The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger's international retirement. Argentina are currently top of South American qualifying for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The top six teams in the 10-nation table will qualify automatically for the finals. Scaloni's men will host Chile on 6 September, before facing Colombia in Barranquilla four days later. ARGENTINA SQUAD Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/ENG), Juan ...

  Former German international Bruno Labbadia has been named as Nigeria’s new coach, becoming the third appointment to the post this year. The Nigeria Football Federation made the announcement on social media on Tuesday, saying his appointment was "with immediate effect" but without giving any details of the contract duration. Labbadia takes charge 12 days before Nigeria kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a Group D tie home to neighbours Benin in Uyo. The team also play away in Rwanda three days later. The 58-year-old, is a seasoned Bundesliga coach with spells at Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburg, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin. This will be his first job outside Germany. He replaces Finidi George, who was in charge for four matches earlier this year. German, Bruno Labbadia, becomes 37th Head Coach of the @NGSuperEagles The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, ...

Manor Solomon  is set to complete his move from  Tottenham  to  Leeds  on Tuesday. The 25-year-old winger is joining the Championship club on a season-long loan which does not include an option to make the deal permanent.  Solomon has four years remaining on the Spurs deal he signed last summer after signing from Shakhtar Donestsk. The Israel international made just six Spurs appearances last season after suffering a serious knee injury.