Manchester United has allowed defender Eric Bailly to make a free transfer move to Turkish club Besiktas but sources have informed ESPN that United is actively seeking to offload Donny van de Beek before the transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia close.
Despite interest from Real Sociedad and Ajax during the summer, no deal materialised for the Netherlands international. Nevertheless, United is still hopeful about arranging his departure.
Van de Beek has been informed that he is unlikely to play a significant role at United this season, particularly after manager Erik ten Hag brought in midfielders Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat during the summer.
Van de Beek originally joinedManchester Unitedfrom Ajax for £35 million in 2020 but had limited playing time last season, making just 10 appearances across all competitions.
Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has explained why he opted to play for the England national team instead of Ghana, following his first senior call-up to the Three Lions.
The 24-year-old, born in England to Ghanaian parents, received his maiden invitation to the senior England squad last week for the upcoming matches against Scotland and Ukraine.
Nketiah accepted the call-up and joined his fellow teammates in camp, despite reportedly engaging in discussions with Ghanaian officials about a potential change of allegiance.
When discussing his decision, he acknowledged that the opportunity to represent England was a tough one to turn down.
“Once the call-up was there and the offer was on the table it was really hard to turn down,” he said.
“I felt it was a natural progression for myself at this stage. I felt now was the good time to kind of make that step and I’m really happy to be here. I am proud to be here and like I said hopefully I can go on and help the team get some cups,” he added.
Nketiah becomes one of the many players to go through the ranks of the youth national teams having played for the U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 and showed remarkable performances.
Chelsea is grappling with offensive challenges, and despite having spent over £1 billion in three consecutive transfer windows, it is still eyeing Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Consequently, it comes as no surprise that they are linked to further attacking acquisitions.
According to the Evening Standard, the top target on their list is Brentford striker Ivan Toney, although there are some complexities involved.
Toney, aged 27, is presently serving an eight-month suspension due to being found guilty by the English Football Association (FA) of 262 breaches of FA regulations related to betting spanning from February 2017 to January 2021.
This suspension is set to conclude on January 16 next year, at which point the England international will be eligible to resume his playing career.
Toney had an impressive track record, scoring 20 goals in 33 league appearances last season, in addition to the 12 goals he netted during Brentford’s inaugural Premier League campaign in 2021-22.
Al Ittihad is reportedly gearing up to present another offer in their pursuit of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah before the Saudi transfer window closes this Thursday, according to Sky Sports.
Negotiations have apparently been ongoing at Al Ittihad since their 4-3 defeat against Al Hilal on Friday, with certain senior figures determined to make another bid.
Liverpool had previously rejected their initial £150 million proposal, and the Saudi club is now looking to sweeten the deal.
However, Liverpool have consistently asserted that they have no intention of parting ways with the 31-year-old, who demonstrated his prowess by scoring in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The Reds have made it clear that Salah is not available for transfer at any price.
Some individuals within Al Ittihad’s leadership hierarchy are of the opinion that they should respect Liverpool’s decision and wait until next summer in the hope of a successful transfer.
Former German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn celebrated the 47th birthday of his ex-Bayern Munich teammate, Samuel Osei Kuffour.
Kuffour, born on September 3, 1976, marked his special day on Sunday, and Kahn sent him a heartfelt message.
In a nostalgic gesture, Oliver Kahn shared a throwback photo capturing the moment when Sammy Kuffour playfully gave him a kiss, jokingly suggesting it was to revive him after a playful collapse.
The legendary goalkeeper captioned the picture with the words, “Happy Birthday to my good friend Sammy Kuffour, who turned 47 yesterday and always had a huge „impact“ on our defence.”
In the 2001 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against Manchester United, Sammy Kuffour demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship by coming to the aid of his teammate Oliver Khan in a moment of crisis.
During that intense match, Oliver Khan suddenly collapsed on the pitch, creating a tense atmosphere that captured the world’s attention.
However, Kuffour, displaying remarkable presence of mind and deep compassion, quickly rushed to Khan’s side. With a symbolic “kiss of life,” Kuffour revived his teammate, allowing Khan to continue playing a pivotal role in the game.
Now, 22 years after this extraordinary act of sportsmanship and empathy,Oliver Khan still vividly remembers Sammy Kuffour’s remarkable gesture.
The Saudi Pro League has significantly impacted the summer transfer market, and it continues to have an extended window of opportunity compared to most European leagues. Given the notable talent that has already joined, it would be surprising if there weren’t a few more headline-grabbing transfers in the works.
Let’s examine the players who might still be enticed to make a move before the upcoming Thursday deadline.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Mohamed Salah to Al-Ittihad saga is a storyline that Jurgen Klopp dismisses but refuses to fade away.
The Saudi club entered the race for the Egyptian star’s signature relatively late, submitting a bid reportedly valued at £150 million during the closing hours of the European transfer window.
Liverpool might have entertained the idea of a sale earlier in the summer, but it appears they will now have to contend with another offer this week, along with potential renewed interest in the months ahead.
Nayef Aguerd (West Ham)
Aguerd, another notable football talent from the Arab world, may find himself lured to theSaudi Pro League this week.
The Moroccan defender played a pivotal role in West Ham’s triumph in the Europa League last season, but it’s been reported that his salary could increase tenfold if he decides to make the move.
While West Ham is likely reluctant to part ways with him, they have at least secured the signing of Konstantinos Mavropanos to provide cover in his absence.
Demarai Gray (Everton)
Demarai Gray has been outspoken this week, taking to Instagram to express his frustration, stating,”it’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person”.
The strained relationship between Gray and Everton manager Sean Dyche appears to be linked, in part, to Everton’s hesitation to transfer the winger to Al-Ettifaq, a club managed by Steven Gerrard.
Considering the apparent irreparable relationship between the former Leicester talent and Dyche, it might be in the best interests of all parties involved to finalise the deal.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho’s public dispute with Erik ten Hag appears to have spelled the end of his Manchester United tenure under the Dutch manager.
Given the limited options for an immediate exit from Old Trafford, Sancho might contemplate a move to the Saudi Pro League.
At 23 years old, the forward is still at an age where a return to European football in the future remains a possibility, making such a transfer a plausible prospect.
Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Despite featuring in two of Juventus’ three Serie A matches so far this season, rumours linking Pogba with a move to the Middle East persist.
The French midfielder has suffered from injuries since returning to Juve last summer, making 10 appearances in all competitions in 2022-23, and there are legitimate fears that his career at the top level is over.
He is reportedly of interest to Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad and would be the latest big name to be attracted to the region.
During the introduction ofJoao Felix as a newcomer to Barcelona, their sporting director, Deco, admitted that they initially believed signing the Portuguese player would be financially challenging.
Joao Felix was earning 14 million euros before taxes at Atlético Madrid, a salary that Barcelona couldn’t afford. Despite Joao’s public expression of his desire to join Barcelona, he had to adapt to the financial constraints.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that realising his childhood dream of playing for Barcelona was worth the financial sacrifice.
According to insiders familiar with the deal, Joao Felix’s Barcelona contract will see him earn half of what he did at Atlético Madrid.
Additionally, before departing for Barcelona, Joao Felix extended his contract with Atlético Madrid until 2029, which was a strategic move to help the club manage depreciation costs and facilitate his transfer to Barcelona.
This arrangement benefits Atlético financially, despite transferring a key player to a direct competitor. Furthermore, Joao Felix hasexpressed his commitment to a long-term stay in Catalonia, even though his initial agreement includes a one-year loan without an option to buy.
The Spanish football federation has issued an apology for the controversial incident involving its president, Luis Rubiales, who kissed Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final.
FIFA suspended Rubiales from all football activities for a period of 90 days due to his refusal to step down from his role as RFEF chief.
In his absence, Pedro Rocha is currently leading the organization, and he seized the opportunity to extend apologies to both the global football community and society as a whole for the situation.
The letter described the behaviour of Rubiales, who grabbed and kissed Spain captain Hermoso after the World Cup final win over England and was seen grabbing his crotch during the match, as “totally unacceptable”, adding the then president’s actions “do not respond in any way to the values of Spanish society as a whole”.
Rocha’s letter began by saying it was “essential to request the most sincere apologies to the whole of world football, to the football institutions (FIFA, UEFA) of the footballers, especially the players of England in Spain, the other agents involved in football and fans around the world”.
“The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to the values of football and sport as a whole have been enormous,” it read. “The RFEF wants to transmit to the whole of society and to the whole of the football world its utmost regret for what happened that has tarnished our national team, our football and our society.
“We feel deeply saddened by the damage caused and therefore,we must apologize most sincerely and make a firm and absolute commitment that events like these can never happen again.”
Rocha reiterated that the regional presidents of the RFEF have demanded that Rubiales resigns from the post and promised “a whole set of actions that improve the governance of the Spanish football federation and allow it to repair, to the extent possible, the damage caused”.
The three-page letter ended with Rocha congratulating the Spain women’s team on their World Cup triumph and with a recognition that the Rubiales controversy had overshadowied their achievement.
“Finally, I want to congratulate our team once again for its historic triumph, recognizing the impact and legacy that his victory will have on the future of Spanish football.
“We are convinced that his spirit has inspired millions of people of all ages, and we cannot be prouder of the way they have behaved, both inside and off the field of play. In due time, I intend to give them back the spotlight and celebrate their achievements as they deserve.”
Virgil van Dijk has rejected the assertion made by former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal that the 2022 World Cup was manipulated.
Van Gaal, who retired from professional coaching following the World Cup last year, recently stated in an interview with NOS that he believed Argentina received unfair advantages in the tournament, insinuating that the World Cup was rigged in favor of Lionel Messi’s team.
However, the Netherlands’ captain, Virgil van Dijk, has countered his former coach’s remarks and expressed his disagreement with the controversial allegation.
Speaking to NOC, the Liverpool defender said, “I heard it this morning, indeed. And that’s actually it. It is, of course, his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion.”
After a shock defeat at the hands of minnows Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener, Argentina went on to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
En route to the final, La Albiceleste met the Netherlands in a dramatic quarterfinal.
The Dutch came back from a two-goal deficit to equalise in the dying moments of the match, only to go on to lose in a penalty shootout.
TheMinistry of Youth and Sports has provided clarification regarding President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo’s commitment to Ghana’s Olympic Bronze medalist, Samuel Takyi, following his outstanding performance in 2020.
In preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers, Samuel Takyi expressed his desire to receive the promised amount of US$20,000 before joining the team.
During an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, Bernard Quartey, the President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, revealed that Samuel Takyi had made certain requests, including inclusion in the Olympic Scholarship program, as a condition for his participation with the Black Bombers.
Nevertheless, the ministry confirmed that Takyi had already received $10,000 out of the pledged $20,000 from President Akufo-Addo.
According to the Sports Ministry, Takyi received both the $10,000 cash prize and a Nissan Sunny saloon car, valued at $20,000, on November 18, 2021.
Additionally, he collected $5,000 on December 16, 2022, and another $5,000 on July 27, 2023, which he claimed was intended to prepare him for the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers.
There remains an outstanding sum of $10,000 from the allocated $20,000 earmarked for Takyi’s personal growth, which will be provided to him upon the submission of an appropriate personal development plan.
Jojo Ephson,the Communications Director of the GBF, has stressed that the boxer has been adequately remunerated, having already received 50% of the promised reward.
Additionally, despite Takyi’s transition to a professional career, he expresses a desire to take advantage of Ghana’s Olympic Scholarship program, even though he may not meet the eligibility criteria.
“He wants to be part of the Olympic Scholarship because they get $9,000 as stipends. He came with that condition because he wanted to enjoy that scholarship. He has been given 50% of that money, which is $10,000,” Jojo Ephson told Angel FM.
The ministry also stated that Samuel Takyi remains a member of the Black Bombers team, which is currently preparing for the qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for September 9–15, 2023.
The Denmark international has become the Red Devils’ most expensive striker ever, with a hefty £72 million ($90 million) transfer fee as he completes his high-profile move to Old Trafford.
Now, he’s living his dream in England and is eager to excel under the guidance of Dutch coach Erik ten Hag.
In Manchester, he should have more freedom compared to his time in Italy, where fellow countryman Joakim Maehle shed light on the strict regime enforced by Gian Piero Gasperini at Serie A club Atalanta.
Maehle has told Tipsbladet of a bizarre set of rules that included Hojlund being barred from driving into training with his team-mates:
“You don’t feel like a person. You feel like a number. You have no relationship with the coach. He would stand there and blame someone for something strange. For example, he was furious when Rasmus and he came to training by car together. He didn’t want us to drive together.
“Because then we could sit and talk together on the way to training, and enjoy ourselves. He didn’t want that, and I got scolded even if it had been agreed with the club because he [Hojlund] had no driver. I don’t know if it’s typical Italian, but some things make you angry and tired in the long run.”
Maehle has also been on the move this summer, leaving Atalanta for Wolfsburg, meaning that he and Hojlund can forget all about the odd restrictions put in place by Gasperini and focus on enjoying their football again.
After a seven-year stint withManchester United, Eric Bailly has bid farewell to the club, opting for a permanent transfer to Besiktas.
The Ivory Coast international initially joined the team in 2016 from Villarreal, marking the first signing made by former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
Bailly played a crucial role in Manchester United’s successful 2016-17 season, contributing to their victories in the Community Shield, Carabao Cup, and Europa League.
During his seven-year tenure at Old Trafford, Bailly featured in 113 matches. Last season, he was loaned out to Marseille in Ligue 1, where he played in 23 matches across various competitions.
The decision to make this move came as Bailly found himself out of favour atManchester United, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans ahead of him in the defensive pecking order.
After signing Bailly from United, Besiktas released a statement that read, “Welcome to Besiktas, Eric Bailly. Our club has reached an agreement with Manchester United for the final transfer of Ivorian defender Eric Bailly.
“We wish Eric Bailly, who we believe will provide important services to our club, great success with our glorious jersey, and present him to the public with our respect.”
Manchester United will return to action after the international break at home to Brighton in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old received the news from the Red Devils that he wouldn’t be part of their plans for the 2023-24 season following an extensive internal investigation.
Since January 2022, Greenwood has been absent from competitive matches.
In February 2023, charges of attempted rape, controlling behaviour, and assault against him were dropped, paving the way for his return to professional football.
Manchester United actively sought offers for the one-time England international, and there were reported interests from clubs in Italy and Turkey.
Ultimately, a deal was struck that saw Greenwood move to Spain as he looked for a fresh start away from his homeland.
Greenwood has told the English-language Twitter account set up by his new club: “Hi Getafe fans, it’s Mason here. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Getafe coach Jose Bordales has said of welcoming the fleet-footed winger into his squad: “It is too delicate a situation to trivialise this issue. Everybody knows what happened, and the appropriate measures were taken.
“Obviously we can only talk about football; about other issues, I think, the people and the relevant systems did what they had to do, and everybody knows how it ended—without a condemnatory sentence.
“He’s a footballer of the highest level, who comes to Getafe with enormous hope. We are going to help him recover his best level.”
Greenwood has the international break to continue working on his fitness, and it is possible that he could make his debut for Getafe when they face Osasuna on September 17.
The ex-FIFA U17 World Cup champion will serve as the deputy to Desmond Offei, following the departure of Samuel Boadu from his role as the U20 team’s coach.
Lamptey brings a wealth of experience in talent development, having held various roles and also served as the head coach of his own GlowLamp Academy.
In his new role, he will collaborate with Fatawu Salifu, who will serve as the second assistant coach for the U20 team.
Nii Odartey Lamptey had a successful playing career with various clubs, including Anderlecht, Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven, Coventry City, Boca Juniors, Ankaraguchu, Shangdon Luneng, Greuther Fürth, and União Leiria.
He notably led Ghana to victory in the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Italy, where he was also named the FIFA Best Player of the tournament.
Lamptey represented Ghana at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the 1993 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Australia, as well as the 1992, 1994, and 1996Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Tottenham is on the verge of completing another late summer transfer as the club has reached an agreement with Galatasaray for the loan of midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, as reported by football.london.
Following the Premier League transfer deadline, Ndombele is set to be the second player to leave north London, with Harvey White having made a permanent move to Stevenage on Saturday.
Ndombele is now poised for a loan stint in the Turkish League.
Galatasaray, which earlier in the summer signed former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, also has the option to purchase Ndombele. The player is expected to undergo a medical examination soon, with an official announcement to follow.
Ndombele spent the previous season on loan at Napoli but struggled to secure a regular spot in Luciano Spalletti’s title-winning side, starting only eight league matches and playing less than 1,000 minutes.
This transfer could mark the end of his somewhat disappointing tenure at Tottenham, where he arrived as the club’s record signing in 2019.
His last competitive appearance for Tottenham was in January 2022, and he spent the past 18 months on loan spells, first back at Lyon and then at Napoli.
The 26-year-old was unable to secure a move away from the club on deadline day and has long been expected to part ways with Postecoglou’s first-team squad.
Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and James Maddison have all impressed in the early weeks of the season, while Ndombele has struggled to regain fitness and match sharpness.
Influential figurehead of King Faisal Football Club, Alhaji Grusah Karim, has revealed that he’s been inundated with calls from prominent figures within the football community urging him to reconsider his stance on the 2023 Ghana Football Association (GFA) elections.
Grusah, renowned for his unwavering commitment to the sport, recently obtained an injunction that has thrown the upcoming GFA elections into uncertainty.
“It is true I have been receiving calls but I won’t mention names I should withdraw .We are all in Ghana I didn’t a football President my children are involved in football my cousins are involved in football my neighbours do football Ghanaians also do football,” he told Peace FM.
“If we do it well, when we are no more, our names will be mentioned with praise, but if we destroy it, we will be called bad names.
“I want to tell football people that we all know that (sic) when fans don’t go to the park, we don’t make money. First, I make the year’s budget with Hearts and Kotoko in mind; now you have to put your own money into it.”
The presentation took place at FC Nordsjaelland’s training grounds on Monday, September 4.
Ibrahim Osman, aged 18, has showcased exceptional skills for The Tigers, contributing two assists during an impressive month.
FC Nordsjaelland achieved notable victories, including one against the formidable FC Midtjylland, and currently holds the top position in the league.
Osman follows in the footsteps of his compatriot Ernest Nuamah, who earned the award in July but later departed to join Olympique Marseille in August.
As a graduate of the Right to Dream Academy, Ibrahim Osman is experiencing his first full season with the Wild Tigers and aims to maintain his impressive form.
An elated Osman, after receiving the award from Essien said “Thank you to the staff. I couldn’t have gotten this from you. All I want to say is thank you”.
Osman helped FC Nordsjaelland reach the group stage of the UEFA Europa League after scoring the winner against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Essien is currently an assistant coach for FC Nordsjaelland, having capped over 50 times for Ghana with over 20 years playing club football in England, Spain, Italy, Greece, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan.
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has taken over as the Head Coach of the Black Galaxies, succeeding Annor Walker. As the Assistant Coach of the Black Stars, Didi Dramani is set to guide the team during the qualifiers for the upcoming Championship of African Nations (CHAN) Tournament.
In addition to his role at Right To Dream Academy, Didi Dramani boasts a track record of success, having led Ghana to a Bronze medal at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan. He also achieved domestic success by securing the Premier League and FA Cup double with Asante Kotoko in 2014.
In his earlier years, Didi Dramani played for Bolgatanga Soccer Masters, Real Tamale United, and Cape Coast Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs before retiring from his playing career in 2000.
Assisting Didi Dramani in his coaching role will be Baba Nuhu and Samuel Boadu.
Ghana’s objective is to secure a place in theCHAN tournament once again, following their quarterfinal exit in the previous edition held in Algeria earlier this year.
Former Ghanaian midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, has issued a warning to the Black Stars ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic on Thursday, September 7 in Kumasi.
Ghana must secure a victory in this match to secure a place in next year’s tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
The ex-Udinese midfielder has offered advice to the team, emphasising the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding any sense of complacency when facing their opponents.
“The most important thing is that we need to concentrate on theAFCON qualifier and build a formidable squad that can compete on the world stage”, he said on Radio Gold Sports.
“The most important thing is we have a promising squad and we just need to build on them, have one or two come and add up to them. Those who are willing to play and those who the coach thinks he needs on board and with this promising squad and the young chaps we have, I think we can go far”.
Ghana leads group E with nine points, two better than the visitors from five games, and needs a draw or a win to progress to the delayed edition of the tournament next year.
Despite reports suggesting that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) might consider firing him, Chris Hughton, the current Head Coach of the Black Stars, enjoys the full support of the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, according to Mark Addo, the Vice President of the GFA.
This affirmation of support comes ahead of Ghana’s crucial fixture against the Central African Republic, marking the final game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. The match is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
To secure qualification for the 2024 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, Ghana needs either all three points or a single point from the upcoming match.
With the national team’s ambition to secure a place in the continental challenge next year, Mark Addo expressed confidence in Chris Hughton’s leadership and stated that the GFA and Sports Ministry have no intentions of dismissing him.
They are committed to providing the necessary resources to support the coach in achieving success.
Chris Hughton initially served as the Technical Advisor during Ghana’s 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar under former Coach Otto Addo.
However, he assumed the role of Head Coach in March 2023 after Otto Addo’s departure.
In his first three games in charge, the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager has recorded two draws and one win.
Chelsea is reportedly planning to make another addition to its squad by targeting Brentford forward Ivan Toney in the upcoming January transfer window.
In the current season, Chelsea has already secured the services of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal and Cole Palmer from Manchester City, while Christopher Nkunku completed his move from RB Leipzig.
Despite these signings, the club continues to struggle to score goals in the 2023/24 season.
Palmer’s arrival at Chelsea occurred on deadline day, and Nkunku suffered an injury shortly before the season began, ruling him out of action until November of this year.
Nicolas Jackson has started in all four Premier League matches but has only managed to find the net once.
With just five goals from their first four league matches, manager Mauricio Pochettino is contemplating adding another attacking option. According to the Evening Standard, Pochettino is interested in securing the services of Ivan Toney from Brentford in the January transfer window.
It’s worth noting thatToney is currently serving an eight-month ban from playing after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules in May.
Neymar‘s six-year tenure at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) didn’t unfold as expected, a sentiment shared not only by fans but also by the Brazilian forward himself.
In a recent reflection on his time with the French giants, Neymar acknowledged the challenges he faced.
After his high-profile transfer from Barcelona in the summer of 2017, PSG fans had lofty expectations for their record signing.
Unfortunately, Neymar’s time at the Ligue 1 club was plagued by recurring injuries.
Despite these setbacks, PSG strengthened their attack by bringing in Lionel Messi, fostering hopes of a formidable partnership among Messi, Neymar, and star forward Kylian Mbappe that could lead them to the coveted UEFA Champions League title.
Neymar holds the record as football’s most expensive player. Image: AFP.
Source: Getty Images
However, the trio’s union was marred by consecutive rounds of 16 exits in the UCL.
In response to their prolonged failure, the club made the decision to part ways with some of their high-profile stars, including Neymar and Messi.
Neymar expressed his feelings about the treatment he and Messi received at the French club, describing it as ‘hell’ in a recent interview with Brazilian outlet Globo.
Neymar’s remarks did not go unnoticed, and PSG’s current manager, Luis Enrique, who inadvertently oversees the club’s departures, has responded.
Luis Enrique reacts to Neymar’s claim The Spanish manager, speaking after his team’s 4-0 win at league rivals Lyon, as quoted by PSGHub, said:
“Neymar’s statements that he and Messi’s time here were like ‘hell’?
These are personal experiences, I don’t want to get into that. I can tell you about my experience. I’m absolutely delighted, I feel like I’m in charge of a rather unique team with a club that trusts me 100%.”
The French club also reacted to the remarks made by their former superstar, as reported by L’Equipe:
“We don’t make any comments. “We have a certain elegance. Curiously, both players wanted to stay at PSG.”
Neymar isn’t the only individual to have taken a swipe at the Parisian club, with the agent of midfield outcast previously labelling the club as a ‘prison’.
Marco Verratti’s agent blasts PSG Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Verratti’s former agent tearing into PSG and how the club is run, comparing the Ligue 1 champions to a prison and even claiming they ‘blackmail’ players to stay.
In an explosive revelation, Donato Di Campli also alleged the Ligue 1 champions blocked his ex-client from joining Barcelona years earlier, and his livelihood as a football agent was also threatened.
Veteran former Spain defender Sergio Ramos said Monday he was returning to his hometown clubSevilla after 18 years away.
“It’s a very special day, returning home is always a tremendous joy, now we have to do the medical,” Ramos, 37, told the media.
“Happy to return and try to contribute as soon as possible, which is the important thing.”
Sevilla sit bottom of La Liga without a point after three matches but as Europa League champions, they have qualified for the Champions League group stage.
They start their campaign on September 20.
Ramos left Sevilla at the age of 19 to join Real Madrid for a then record fee for a Spanish defender.
In 2021, Ramos signed for Paris Saint-Germain but had been without a club since his contract with the French champions ran out in June.
According to the local press, Ramos had a good offer from Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
“I was eager to return home. It made no sense to go anywhere else without passing through here,” said Ramos, who was born on the outskirts of Seville.
In 16 seasons at the Bernabeu, Ramos won La Liga five times, the Champions League four times and the Europa League four times.
He played 180 games for Spain, scoring 23 goals, and was part of the team that won the European Championship twice (2008 and 2012) and the 2010World Cup in South Africa.
Koeman unveiled his lineup for the forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Greece and Ireland but notably omitted the 22-year-old, despite his impressive performances for Leverkusen.
When questioned about the decision on Monday, Koeman confirmed that it was a consequence of Frimpong’s failure to respond to a call-up for Under-21 duty, as per the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) guidelines.
Koeman said at a press conference: “We’re not happy with him pulling out of the Under-21s; we think he should always be available. But in the KNVB, we have said that he is not available for this period. That is your duty as a player: to play for any team… You can see it as a kind of punishment.”
Frimpong is yet to make his debut for the Oranje senior team and has not been called up to the squad since late last year. The ex-Celtic andManchester City player has featured six times for Jong Oranje, but was not part of the team for their last six matches.
Their aim is to persuade Liverpool into agreeing to a potential £200 million deal for the Egyptian talisman.
Previously, Liverpool had turned down a £150 million ($189 million) offer from Al-Ittihad.
Although the chances of Salah transferring to the Middle East this week seemed slim, The Daily Mail now reveals that negotiations are set to continue as the Saudi delegation arrived in England on Saturday.
Liverpool have made it clear that they have no intention of selling Salah. Jurgen Klopp said on Sunday that Salah is “our player and wants to play here” and insisted last week that the player is “super committed” to Liverpool.
Meanwhile, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai said that the forward “wants to stay” at Anfield.
The Saudi Pro League team is poised to challenge Liverpool’s determination by potentially making a groundbreaking offer of approximately £200 million ($252 million) for the talented attacker.
The Saudi delegation is set to engage in discussions withLiverpool regarding this potential deal before the Saudi transfer window closes on Thursday.
In a recent interview with blogger Nkonkonsagh, Lil Win revealed that he is planning to contest the parliamentary seat in his constituency, Afigya Kwabre, in the Ashanti Region. He said he will run as an independent candidate in the next general election in 2024.
Lil Win said he was inspired by his latest movie, Mr President, in which he plays the role of a president who transforms Ghana with his unconventional style of leadership. He said he wants to bring the same change and development to his constituency.
“I want to thank all Ghanaians for their support. It won’t be long. Afigya Kwabre, watch out for my artwork. I am coming as an independent MP. My campaign manager is Kwame Nkrumah Atikese3 of Okay FM,” he said with a big smile.
He also urged his fans and well-wishers to support his campaign by reaching out to the Okay FM presenter. “If you want to support me, you can contact him. Come and join me so I can stand for my people. This year, it will be all about the showdown,” he added.
When asked if he was serious about his political aspirations, Lil Win responded with a resounding yes. He said he believes anything is possible with God and the people’s backing. “It is possible. Where there is no hope is where hope will come from,” he said.
However, some people have doubts about Lil Win’s ability to perform as a parliamentarian, especially when it comes to speaking English. The blogger asked him how he would communicate in parliament, since many believe he does not speak good English.
Lil Win replied that wisdom is more important than English, and that he can speak his native language, Twi, and have it translated for others to understand. He said language should not be a barrier to serving the nation.
“Sorry to say, wisdom is bigger than English. It’s home wisdom and wisdom to speak English that make sense. Without English, our local language is also a language.
“So if I speak, and they don’t understand, there will be an interpreter who will explain it for all to understand. Because if the Chinese president visits Ghana, he will speak Chinese, and there will be a translator who will interpret it for all. So I will also speak Twi and have it translated for all,” he explained.
Erik ten Hag is maintaining his stance on Jadon Sancho’s exclusion from the Manchester United squad, as per sources cited by ESPN. This comes despite the forward’s strong reaction to his manager’s remarks.
Sancho was omitted from the squad for the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, with Ten Hag stating afterward that “on his performance in training we didn’t select him.”
But within an hour, Sancho hit back by insisting Ten Hag’s remarks were “completely untrue.”
In a statement posted on X, Sancho added: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t get into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!”
Ten Hag was made aware of Sancho’s response on the journey back to Manchester from London on Sunday evening but decided against issuing a clarification to his postmatch comments.
According to sources, he believes he was clear on his reasons for dropping Sancho and is standing by the view that he did not deserve a place in the squad because of his performances in training.
Jadon Sancho was not selected for Manchester United’s Premier League defeat at Arsenal.
The 23-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in a £73 million ($92m) deal in 2021, has made three substitute appearances so far this season.
Sancho has risked disciplinary action over his social media posts.
Ten Hag has acted quickly to stamp out perceived indiscipline at United in the past.
When Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview in November 2022 that he “didn’t respect” Ten Hag, the Portugal forward had his contract cancelled by mutual consent before sealing amove to Al Nassr.
In December, Marcus Rashford was dropped to the bench for a game at Wolves after arriving late for a team meeting.
Sources have told ESPN that United are hoping to use extended transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia to offload Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek.
The European window closed on Friday with the pair — both out of favour — still at Old Trafford.
Bailly was not part of the squad for the summer tour of the United States and has been training with the reserves.
Brazilian forward Neymar has expressed that he and former teammate Lionel Messi “lived through hell” during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.
However, both players have since departed PSG, with Messi joining Inter Miami CF as a free agent and Neymar completing a €90 million ($98.6 million) transfer to the Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Asked how he felt about seeing his good friend Messi lift the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, Neymar told Globo’s Esporte Espetacular in an interview given in June that aired on Sunday: “I was very happy for the year he had, but at the same time very sad, because he lived both sides of the coin.
“He went to heaven with the Argentina team, won everything in recent years, and with Paris he lived hell, we lived through hell, both he and I.”
Messi and Neymar, who had previously played together at Barcelona, won league titles at PSG but failed to bring Champions League success to the club.
Messi found it difficult to adapt to Paris and admitted in June that there was a “fracture with a significant group of the PSG fans” during his two seasons at the club.
Both players were booed and jeered by PSG fans following the team’s exits from the Champions League over the past two years.
Messi, who scored 21 goals and set up 20 more in all competitions last season, was also targeted by a section of the crowd in his final PSG home game.
Neymar said he believes the criticism he and Messi were subjected to was uncalled for.
“We get upset, because we’re not there for nothing, we’re there to do our best, [to] be champions, and try to make history,” said Neymar, who missed the second half of last season with an ankle injury.
As part of an inquiry into a suspected assault, 42-year-old Roy Keane has been taken into custody.
This incident occurred following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory overManchester United on Sunday, and video footage revealed an altercation involving Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards with another individual.
It is believed that Roy Keane, a former Manchester United midfielder who is 52, was the target of the assault.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “On Monday, September 4, a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault (ABH).
The man has been taken into police custody. Enquiries are ongoing. Arsenal said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident that took place during our match against Manchester United on Sunday.”
“The Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into the matter and we are fully cooperating with their inquiries.”
Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 against Manchester United on Sunday, thanks to two stoppage goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus.
The Saudi Pro League has officially announced that its transfer window will close on September 7, while Liverpool appears determined to ward off any further bids for Mohamed Salah.
Earlier, ESPN reported that Liverpool had turned down a substantial offer of up to £150 million ($190 million) from Al Ittihad for the Egyptian international.
Al Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club, initiated their move on Friday, offering an initial sum of £100 million for Salah with additional incentives that could have potentially reached £150 million for Liverpool.
However, insider sources have confirmed that Liverpool has rejected the offer for Salah, and the club has firmly closed the matter. A Liverpool source emphasised to ESPN, “The player is not available not for sale.”
A statement from the Saudi Arabia Football Association on Monday read: “As communicated to clubs in Saudi Arabia on Friday, June 30, the summer registration for player transfers for the Roshn Saudi League [Saudi Pro League] closes on Thursday, Sept. 7.”
Salah scored in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday and Klopp said that the forward is fully committed to staying at Anfield this season.
“He didn’t tell me [if he wants to stay], but he didn’t have to,” Klopp told reporters after the game, “He speaks with his training and performances and behaviour. We had meetings this week, and the meetings were not about what we did in the past, it was about what we will do in the future.
“Mo was with the players’ [leadership] committee and had his moments where he was talking and it was nothing like, ‘by the way, this is only until next week’ or whatever.”
Salah’s former teammates Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mané, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino completed deals with Saudi clubs this summer.
Police are conducting an inquiry into a reported assault on TV pundit Roy Keane that occurred during Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Video footage circulating on social media captures a confrontation involving Sky Sports pundits Micah Richards and Roy Keane and another individual.
It is believed that Roy Keane, the former Manchester United captain, was the alleged target of a headbutt, although this specific incident was not depicted in the video.
Sky confirmed Richards, a former Manchester City and England international, was “acting to defuse a situation.”
In a statement, Sky said: “We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media. In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation.”
A Metropolitan Police statement read: “Police are investigating following an assault that is alleged to have occurred at the Emirates Stadium during an Arsenal v Manchester United match on Sunday, September 3..
Saudi Pro League clubs are set to travel to Iran for the Asian Champions League matches, marking a significant change in the competition format.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Monday that games between teams from Saudi Arabia and Iran would now be played on a home-and-away basis, a departure from the neutral territory arrangement that had been in place since 2016.
This development means that Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will commence their Asian Champions League campaign at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on September 19, where they will face Persepolis.
Additionally, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad will also make trips to Iran during the group stage.
The AFC said it “welcomes the historic move” as it reflects the commitment of Saudi Arabia and Iran “towards fostering closer ties between their respective footballing communities”.
It allows “clubs to host matches on their home turf while visiting the respective away stadiums, creating a more engaging and exciting experience for the fans and players alike”.
In addition to Al Nassr’s upcoming visit to Tehran in Group E later this month, Al Hilal, the club that recently acquired Brazil winger Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, is slated to travel to Tehran to face Nassaji Mazandaran in Group D on October 3.
The Saudi champions, Al Ittihad, which includes former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, have been drawn to compete against Isfahan-based Sepahan in Group C.
These two teams are scheduled to clash in Iran on October 2.
Saudi Pro League teams have a rich history of success in the Asian club competition, with Al-Hilal securing the title four times and Al Ittihad claiming the championship in 2004 and 2005.
On the other side, Iran’s Persepolis enjoys immense support and has played in front of crowds exceeding 100,000 at the Azadi Stadium, notably during the second leg of the 2018 Asian Champions League final when they faced Japan’s Kashima Antlers.
The group stage is set to commence on September 18 and will run until December 13, with the knockout rounds beginning on February 12. The two-legged final is scheduled for May 11 and 18.
His suspension by the Cameroon Football Federation resulted in his exclusion from the World Cup in Qatar last November.
Onana has not been part of the national team since his disagreement with manager Rigobert Song. However, he was recently included in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi, as revealed last Tuesday.
Cameroon is set to host Burundi on September 12, and they require at least a draw in this match to secure their place at the Nations Cup in Ivory Coast, scheduled for January.
“I answer the call of my nation with an unshakeable certainty, aware that my return is not only to honour my dream, but also to meet the expectation and support of Cameroonians, who deserve a national team determined to shine,” the keeper said in the statement posted on the social media site X.
Manchester United’s new signing from Inter Milan, who has made 34 appearances for Cameroon, also referenced unspecified problems before confirming his return.
“In the world of football, as in life, decisive moments arise that require crucial choices to be made,” he added.
“In recent months, I have been confronted with trials marked by injustice and manipulation. Yet my unshakable love and attachment to my homeland, Cameroon, remain intact.”
Qualification could see Onana miss a number of United’s fixtures if he is included in Cameroon’s squad for the finals.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) has released the ticket prices for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and the Central African Republic, scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2023.
As per the official MOYS Twitter account, the VIP section tickets are priced at GH₵150, while VIP wing tickets will be available for GH₵70 each.
For those seeking seats along the Centre Line, tickets are priced at GH₵70, and fans on a tighter budget can opt for the popular stand tickets, which are available for just GH₵30.
Additionally, for the convenience of e-ticketing, fans can purchase their tickets online by dialling *711#.
The Black Stars of Ghana are set to face the Central African Republic in their final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Ghana currently leads Group E with nine points, and a victory in this match will secure their spot in the 2024 AFCON, scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Before the game on Thursday, September 7, eleven players have already arrived at theBlack Stars camp in preparation for the clash.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commended his team’s mental fortitude following their dramatic 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
However, he emphasised the need for his team to secure wins earlier in matches rather than relying on late “magic moments.”
The win was sealed with Declan Rice’s goal in the 96th minute, and Gabriel Jesus added a third in the closing seconds, following Captain Martin Odegaard’s equaliser after Marcus Rashford’s opening goal.
“I love the mentality of the team—the determination, the eagerness to win,” Arteta said. “The team was very dominant and deserved to win the game, but the margins with this team are so small and it could have gone in a different way.”
Arsenal were held by Fulham the previous week after beating Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace by one-goal margins. They return to action on September 17 against Everton.
“The margins that we have in the later stages of the games are not big enough,” he added. “That’s something that we have to improve because you notice a lot of anxiety and you have to wait for a magic moment at the end. We don’t want to rely on that.”
Midfielder Rice, who joined from West Ham United for a club record 105 million pounds, scored his first Arsenal goal and said he felt no added pressure because of his transfer fee.
“I can’t control the price,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve been playing well at West Ham for a few years and I gave everything there. Since then, I’ve tried to block it out and do what I do best.
The match started frantically, as Frenkie de Jong fired wide with a close-range shot on the rebound before Pablo Ibanez had his effort blocked down the other end.
Teenage starlet Lamine Yamal then weaved his way into the area and teed up a chance up for Ilkay Gundogan, who missed the target.
Cheered on by a partisan crowd in Pamplona, Osasuna caused their more illustrious opponents problems as Jose Manuel Arnaiz tested Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a shot that took a hefty deflection off Jules Kounde.
Ter Stegen was called into action again as the Barca defence was sliced open by Jesus Areso’s cut-back, but the resulting strike from Aimar Oroz was parried to safety by the German.
Ultimately, though, the visitors went into the break ahead thanks to Koundé, who brilliantly headed home from Gündogan’s cross in stoppage time.
Xavi reshuffled his pack with the withdrawals of Yamal and Sergi Roberto, as Ferran Torres and Joao Cancelo, who was making his debut following his loan move from Manchester City, entered the fray in their place.
Cancelo nearly made an immediate impact with a sublime cross towardsRobert Lewandowski at the far post, but the Portugal international was in an offside position when doing so.
Los Rojillos were politely knocking on the Barcelona door without hammering it down, as typified by some promising build-up play before Chimy Ávila’s strike, which sailed wide of the target.
However, the hosts had their equaliser when the Argentine blasted in a fantastic long-range strike that clipped in off the post.
That joy was short-lived, though, as, in the 85th minute, Alejandro Catena was penalised and subsequently sent off for pulling down Robert Lewandowski inside the box.
He proceeded to dust himself down and convert the resulting spot-kick to restore the champions’ lead.
As the match approached its climax, Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate was incandescent on the touchline when Iñigo Martínez appeared to bring down Ante Budimir right on the edge of the box, and, instead of blowing his whistle, referee Miguel Ortiz waved play on.
Ultimately, though, Xavi’s men got the job done, and they now move up to third with 10 points from four games. Meanwhile, this defeat for Osasuna means they have now lost their opening two matches at El Sadar for the first time since the 2013/14 season, when the Pamplona outfit were relegated.
The former girlfriend of Antony, Gabriela Cavallin, has alleged that the Man Utd winger became extremely jealous after she liked posts featuring Neymar.
She has made a series of accusations, including claims of physical and emotional abuse by the Brazilian footballer.
Among these allegations is the assertion that Antony sent Gabriela 13 insulting messages within just one minute.
Additionally, he reportedly reacted with anger when she engaged with social media posts from Neymar’s close friend Gil Cebola, which also involved the Brazilian national team player.
Gabriela is pursuing her case through the appropriate authorities, and Brazilian publication UOL has obtained access to photos, screenshots from mobile phones, and the allegations made against Antony.
When it comes to the Neymar saga, it is claimed that Antony said: “What I don’t understand is that everything Gil Cebola posted about Neymar you liked. Even though it’s an old photo. There’s even a commented photo.”
Gabriela has claimed that Antony said in a series of messages that were sent across the space of just one minute: “I never want to see you in front of me again in my life. Ridiculous. Males can’t see. You’re disgusting. You still leave WhatsApp. Who’s there? What girls? Answer. Synic (sic). Destroyer of lives.”
Antony is said to have posted on another occasion: “It was already you and me. I hope you die, f*ck you. You even left WhatsApp, how disgusting are you really?”
Subsequently, it came to light that Antony attempted to contact Gabriela, although she did not respond.
Audio recordings that have now surfaced purportedly capture Antony apologising for his previous instances of erratic conduct and seeking forgiveness.
However, there are allegations that Antony damaged Gabriela’s phone on two distinct occasions, with witnesses providing evidence to corroborate these claims.
Back in June, Antony issued a statement refuting the allegations made against him after a complaint was filed with the police in Sao Paulo.
Manchester United fans find themselves in a split over whom to support as Jadon Sancho responds to Coach Erik Ten Hag’s explanation for omitting him from the match-day squad against Arsenal.
In the aftermath of Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal in their league fixture, Ten Hag, clearly disheartened by his team’s performance, shared his thoughts on Jadon Sancho.
He justified his decision to exclude the winger from the squad by pointing to Sancho’s subpar performance during training sessions.
“On his performance on training, we didn’t select him,” Ten Hag said when asked about Sancho’s absence from the travelling squad.
“You have to reach that level every day at Manchester United. You can make choices in the front line, so in this game, he wasn’t selected,” the coach said.
However, in a sharp response on social media, Jadon Sancho denied the claims made by his coach.
“Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people to say things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and am grateful to do so, which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
While some believe that Ten Hag was wrong in giving out his player, others defend the coach, claiming that Sancho has not proven himself in matches since joining the Red Devils.
— KWESI PLUG ????????✌️???? (@Kwesi_Plug) September 4, 2023 Scapegoat? We all know your performances are poor, what scapegoat?
— Lατιf (@iLatif_) September 3, 2023 I like this from Sancho but it’s quiet concerning from the manager and player to be having a go at each other through media/social media
— Aidan Walsh ???? (@AidanWalshMUFC) September 3, 2023 Ten Hag might be the problem
— Mod (@CFCMod_) September 3, 2023
Disrespected Cristiano Ronaldo and slandered his name.
Disrespected De Gea and replaced him with a downgrade in the form of Onana.
Tried to use Maguire as an escape goat but failed.
Now disrespecting Jadon Sancho and telling lies about him.
TEN HAG is a FRAUD.
— ???????????? Ä????????????????™️ ???? (@Lil_Aziiz) September 3, 2023 Erik ten Hag is always looking for a scapegoat every season. Too bad he had to make those silly comments to the press.
— Uncle Wilson. (@iam_wilsons) September 3, 2023 We dey behind you ❤️
Wrexham’s ambitious plans to secure a club-record transfer on deadline day hit a roadblock when the transfer window closed before they could complete the deal.
The League Two club, famously owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had successfully negotiated terms to acquire the services of 27-year-old striker Luke Armstrong from Harrogate Town.
In a surprising turn of events, Harrogate Town even officially announced Armstrong’s transfer to Wrexham, mentioning an undisclosed fee.
Wrexham reported that they had promptly submitted all the necessary paperwork to the English Football League to finalise the transfer.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the deal failed to materialise before the 11 p.m. BST deadline, leavingArmstrong to remain with Harrogate.
A video circulating on social media today depicts a truckload of sacks, purportedly containing rice, intended for distribution to someNew Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates in the Ashanti Region.
The video, recorded by an individual identifying himself as “Akufo-Addo,” shows at least two fully loaded trucks carrying bags of rice. Several individuals introduced as supporters of Kennedy Agyapong are also seen scattered across a compound.
“Akufo-Addo” can be heard saying, “Ashanti region, this belongs to us. The three cars are ours. All of this is rice. We are offloading these items at Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s party office in the Ashanti Region.
“Speaking for myself, many call me Akufo-Addo of Kwabre-East. We have come to remove the items. As for the cars, there are plenty of them.
“Everyone is helping. Kennedy all the way! Do you see the driver? He is very serious. He says he wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for Kennedy Agyapong. But for Kennedy Agyapong, you wouldn’t see some of these things. We have created pressure for you; you will rest.”
While the video shows the trucks parked near a large campaign sign with the inscription “Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for President, 2024,” and the individuals on the ground wearing T-shirts with the same inscription accompanied by his image, there has been no official statement from the presidential aspirant’s camp confirming the claims made in the video or the identities of the people involved.
This new development in the NPP flagbearer race has reignited discussions on vote buying and the previous and ongoing allegations that some candidates have made against their rivals during the recently concluded Super Delegates Conference on August 26, 2023.
A member of the camp of former Trades Minister and NPP presidential aspirant, Alan Kyerematen, made a candid but startling revelation to the effect that Mr Kyerematen’s camp engaged in vote buying in the just-ended Super Delegates Conference in his attempt to accuse his opponents of influencing voters with money and gifts.
“Ask the delegates whether they received money or not. I’m saying that nobody will deny the fact that when you’re contesting in an election, you don’t pay money,” he said in response to a question posed by one of the journalists.
Asked by another journalist if the Alan camp also paid some money, he noted that: “If I sit here and I say no, I’m a hypocrite. How can you believe someone who says he’s contesting an election and did not give a dime? We have something small that we give to them for T&T,” he said.
US President Joe Biden , Prince Harry, along with a host of top celebrities, attended the Inter Miami match led by Lionel Messi against Los Angeles FC at the MO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Among the notable celebrities present were musicians Selena Gomez and Tyga, as well as Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Holland, James Harden, and more.
Videos circulating online captured Selena Gomez’s excitement while watching Messi, and she appeared visibly shocked when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner missed a significant opportunity.
Rapper Tyga, seated next to Gomez, was equally amazed by Messi’s skills.
In another clip, President Biden and Prince Harry were seen sharing a laugh as they watched the extraordinary Argentine icon in action.
Messi played a pivotal role in Miami’s 3-1 victory over LA FC, contributing two assists. He set up Jordi Alba for the second goal and orchestrated Leo Campana’s goal to secure the win.
With these two assists, Messi has now tallied five assists and eleven goals in ten games.
Although the win boosted Inter Miami’s standings, placing them eight points behind the championship playoff position with two games in hand, they currently occupy second-to-last place on theEastern Conference table with 25 points.
Kyle Walker has disclosed that he came very “close” to leaving Manchester City for Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window.
However, he has now decided to remain at the Etihad Stadium after receiving a new contract offer from City.
The 33-year-old defender is on the verge of signing an extension that will tie him to the club until 2026.
Following City’s 5-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday, Walker was asked about how close he had come to making the move to Bayern.
“It was close,” the England international said. “It was close but in football, things can happen. Decisions can be made. Things can turn around.
“It wasn’t meant to be.
“Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would have done so. But this club is a great club and you can’t underestimate what this club has done in thelast six or seven years.”
Liverpool faces a significant decision regarding the future of Mohamed Salah as Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad express their interest.
According to the Daily Express, Al Ittihad submitted a £150 million offer for the 31-year-old last Friday, but reports from Sky suggest that they are preparing an increased bid of £200 million as the Saudi transfer window’s September 7 deadline approaches.
After Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, during which Salah scored his 188th goal for the club, manager Jurgen Klopp expressed confidence that the Egyptian forward would continue to stay at Anfield.
However, behind the scenes, the club is considering PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko as a potential replacement.
The 20-year-old Belgian international had offers from Burnley and Brentford rejected during the summer transfer window, but PSV might be open to letting him go in January for a fee of around £45 million.
While Haaland couldn’t be present in person, his gift packages were distributed to every football club in the Time municipality in Norway, which is the same place where the striker spent his formative years.
Each child received a package containing a football, a T-shirt, shorts, a football bag, and an Aquafigure drinking bottle—a brand that Haaland not only endorses but also has invested in.
The total value of each package is 1500 NOK (£111).
The Norwegian sensation has continued his impressive form from last season, already netting six goals in just four Premier League appearances, which included a remarkable hat-trick against Fulham over the weekend.
Erling Haaland thanks fans for support in a tweet
The 23-year-old striker’s upcoming matches will see him representing his national team, Norway.
They are scheduled to play a friendly against Jordan on September 7, followed by a Euro 2024 qualifying gameagainst Georgia on September 12.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta anticipates that Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will be sidelined for a “couple of weeks” due to a groin injury he sustained during training.
Arteta, however, expressed concern about the severity of the injury.
As a result of this injury, the 30-year-old was unable to participate in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Additionally, he is expected to miss Ghana’s crucial final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic.
Although Thomas Partey was present in Arsenal’s recent training images, reports from England suggested that he could be sidelined for several months.
However, speaking before Arsenal’s match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta clarified that the midfielder would likely need only a few weeks to recover.
“It doesn’t look good. We need a few more tests but he felt something in training and I think he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“He had the capacity to play in various positions and today was a game for him to play in a different position but he is not available.”
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Ghana is set to host the Central African Republic in their ultimate Group E match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Chris Hughton’s squad currently topsGroup E with nine points, holding a one-point lead over Angola and a two-point advantage over the Central African Republic. Madagascar occupies the bottom spot in the group with two points.
The Black Stars require just one point from this match to secure their qualification for the tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast next January.
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting a three-month absence, it now appears that Thomas Partey’s injury might keep him out for just six weeks, with Arsenal expecting him to return after the October international break.
The Ghanaian midfielder suffered an upper leg muscular issue during training, prompting further tests that revealed groin damage.
Initial speculation indicated a potential three-month recovery period, but new information from England, as reported by the Mail Sports on September 4, 2023, suggests that Partey could be back in action after six weeks.
Thomas Partey had been a starter in Arsenal’s first three matches of the 2023/2024 season but missed their 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
In his absence, Declan Rice performed exceptionally well, earning the Man of the Match award and scoring a goal.
The match saw a familiar scenario reminiscent of the 2022/2023 season, with Marcus Rashford scoring for United in a splendid counter-attack.
Arsenal quickly responded, as Martin Odegaard netted a goal after an assist from Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli.
The real drama unfolded during eight minutes of injury time when Declan Rice scored from close range after a failed corner clearance.
Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory with his first goal of the season, capitalising on a break as United pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey’s legal representative, Gabby Otchere-Darko, tweeted on September 4, 2023, that Partey is in recovery and will soon return to the field.
Brentford, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Roma have all reportedly turned down the opportunity to takeMason Greenwood on loan from Manchester United.
Manchester United recently announced, following an extensive internal investigation, that they would be parting ways with the 21-year-old forward during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Greenwood was given the green light to continue his professional career after the charges of attempted rape, controlling behaviour, and assault against him were dropped in February 2023.
He has been inactive in competitive matches since January 2022, but remains under contract with Old Trafford until 2025.
Manchester United have made the decision to part ways with Mason Greenwood, and they encouraged interested clubs to come forward before the latest transfer deadline on September 1.
After reaching out to several European clubs, a season-long loan deal was eventually agreed upon with La Liga side Getafe.
According to reports from The Athletic, Premier League club Brentford declined the opportunity to secure a deal, as did Bundesliga giants Dortmund.
Roma, where former United manager Jose Mourinho was considering a reunion with Greenwood in Italy, were also linked with interest, but both Roma and Serie A rivals AC Milan decided that a deal did not align with their best interests.
Lazio attempted to arrange a loan package but missed the Italian transfer window deadline, resulting in Greenwood heading to Spain.
Manchester United is reportedly covering at least £50,000 of his £75,000-a-week salary, in addition to providing a six-bedroom villa for the one-time England international and a private translator.
The Athletic reports that Getafe’s deal forGreenwood includes a break clause that can be triggered in January if all parties decide that the switch has not worked out as planned.
That is standard practice when it comes to loans, with it yet to be determined when Greenwood will be back in action or how he will fare outside of English football.
Last month, Manchester United officially confirmed Greenwood’s departure from Old Trafford, following an extensive internal investigation involving the forward.
In 2022, Greenwood faced charges of attempted rape, domestic violence, and controlling behavior, but these legal proceedings were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to the lack of a realistic chance of conviction.
Various clubs from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey have recently expressed interest in Greenwood.
Manchester United were also believed to have offered the player to Lazio, with manager Maurizio Sarri reportedly having the final say on whether the Serie A club would sign the striker.
However, according to Gianluca Di Marzio’s report, Lazio has decided against offering him a contract. It appears that the two clubs couldn’t reach an agreement before the close of the transfer window.
With a move to Italy no longer on the table,Greenwood’s options are dwindling. There’s still a possibility of a transfer to Saudi Arabia before September 7, although sources in the Saudi Pro League have ruled out such a deal.
Turkey remains another option, as Super League clubs have until September 15 to complete transfers. Besiktas has recently been linked with a potential move for Greenwood.
FIFPRO has released a statement in support of Jennifer Hermoso, who was subjected to a non-consensual kiss by the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales.
The players’ union has taken to social media to express their stance, emphasising that governing bodies worldwide are failing female players.
Despite FIFA launching an investigation into Rubiales’ conduct, he has repeatedly maintained his innocence and appears to have received support from the Spanish Football Federation.
At one point during this ongoing situation, the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) even requested UEFA exclude them from European competitions, citing government interference.
UEFA, however, rejected this appeal.
FIFPRO has delivered a resolute statement, asserting that Jennifer Hermoso and all female players deserve better treatment and respect.
They wrote: “Contigo, Jenni. Your struggle is my struggle. Her struggle is our struggle. And we have had enough. We, the players, are stronger, more united, and more determined than ever. We demand change. We demand better.”
“The systems are failing us. Governance is failing us. Accountability is failing. Discrimination runs deep and occurs at every level. Football must respond and rise to this critical moment, not only in Spain, but around the world.”
“Football, without us, is nothing. And we are watching. Together.
