President of the Union,Dr. Joseph Obeng, expressed in a statement that this announcement has caught its members off guard.
They have already been struggling due to the repercussions of heightened taxes and levies implemented recently.
Additionally, he emphasized that the GPHA’s recent decision is not acceptable. It is expected to lead to hikes in shipping line fees, a situation that aggravates the prevailing economic difficulties faced by the nation.
“We call on GPHA to suspend the implementation of these new tariffs, coming a year after the last increase, and engage stakeholders as the adverse impact of these increases would further compound the high cost of doing business,” the GUTA president stated.
Read the full statement below:
GHANA UNION OF TRADERS ASSOCIATION (GUTA)
PRESS RELEASE
INCREASED PORT TARIFFS NOT ACCEPTABLE
2nd August, 2023 Accra
The attention of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has been drawn to astronomical increases in Port Tariffs, that have been announced by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
The announcement comes as a surprise to our members, who continue to reel under the effects of the many taxes and levies that have been introduced in recent times, as well as the economic challenges plaguing the country.
And also, at this time that the port authorities themselves have been complaining about low traffic at the country’s ports due to high cost of doing business, this decision would further influence increases in shipping line charges.
We call on GPHA to suspend the implementation of these new tariffs, coming a year after the last increase, and engage stakeholders as the adverse impact of these increases would further compound the high cost of doing business.
Atinka FM sports reported this unexpected turn of events, revealing that the construction contractor for the stadium was fully aware of the cultivation of corn on the premises.
According to Atinka FM, an official from the National Sports Authority named Kofi Debrah disclosed this surprising information.
The ceremonial groundbreaking for the Nkawkaw Sports Stadium took place on Friday, September 18, 2020, under the auspices of the former Youth and Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah.
Just a year ago, Mustapha Ussif, the Minister for Youth and Sports, mentioned in a parliamentary inquiry that the construction expenses for the facility were projected to be around GH¢27 million.
He clarified that the project would be executed in two phases, with the initial phase estimated at approximately GH¢14 million.
The second phase, costing GH¢13 million, was anticipated to be completed within a span of two years.
“Currently, the architectural review has been completed and it is expected that the contractor would move to site in the shortest possible time for work to continue,” Mr. Ussif said.
“The Facility would be an eight-thousand-seater FIFA Standard Football Stadium, with a multi-purpose court for more than 16 sporting disciplines, tennis court, a gymnasium, a World Athletics standard tracks, hostels and a restaurant.”
Oscar Pareja has criticized the excessive attention aroundLionel Messi and argued that the Inter Miami player should have been given a red card in his recent match.
Once again, the Argentine legend took part in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday against local rivals Orlando City.
Despite a heated derby at DRV PNK Stadium, Messi scored two goals to secure a 3-1 victory and a spot in the last-16.
During the match, tensions flared, and Messi was cautioned with a yellow card for a clumsy challenge in the 20th minute.
Furthermore, he narrowly avoided a second yellow and subsequent red card after a forceful shoulder charge on Cesar Araujo just before half-time.
Orlando coach Oscar Pareja expressed his dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions and what appeared to be special treatment for the legendary player on display.
He told reporters afterwards: “Tonight was a circus. There was a second yellow on Messi [that wasn’t given]. I don’t care if he’s Messi.”
The Colombian added, with some big penalty shouts from his side also being waved away: “The penalty kick calls and others, they were ridiculous. We were very frustrated and tried to regain our composure. There were some circumstances in this game that shouldn’t happen.”
Messi has become a star attraction in the United States, with A-list guests flocking to see him in action, and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has now netted five goals through his opening three appearances for David Beckham co-owned Inter Miami.
Reports indicate thatRomelu Lukaku has allegedly agreed to a three-year contract with Juventus, pending the outcome of Dusan Vlahovic’s potential transfer to Chelsea.
Juventus, the Serie A giants, have a strong interest in acquiring the services of the Belgian striker.
Yet, this move is contingent upon Vlahovic’s departure from Juventus.
As per Di Marzio, the two clubs are actively engaged in discussions to orchestrate a swap deal that would involve the exchange of these two forwards.
Meanwhile, Lukaku has already reached an agreement on personal terms with the Bianconeri.
He is poised to sign a three-year contract, inclusive of an option for an additional year.
Chelsea has set their sights on Vlahovic as a valuable addition to enhance their attacking options.
However, they are hesitant to meet the €50 million (£43m/$54.60m) asking price.
Conversely, Juventus seems open to negotiation and may accept a reduced fee of €40m (£34.5m/$43.69m), given their eagerness to finalize the arrangement.
Juventus aims to address their financial situation and seeks to maximize their gains by selling Vlahovic.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged that the deal’s completion is intertwined with the club’s financial considerations.
Ongoing negotiations between the two clubs are striving to bring Lukaku to Turin and secureVlahovic’s shift to Chelsea.
Yet, Lukaku has recently appeared to downplay suggestions of his imminent move to Turin, fueling further speculation about his future.
Arsenal’s midfielder Thomas Partey has offered his support to the Game4Ukraine campaign, an initiative started by his teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko.
This charitable effort aims to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky School in Chernihiv Oblast.
The campaign will reach its pinnacle with a charity match scheduled to take place at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday, August 5.
Partey, along with his teammate Bukayo Saka, expressed their solidarity with the cause through a heartfelt video.
The Ghanaian footballer has joined a notable roster of former football stars and sports figures who will be taking part in this charitable match.
The Game4Ukraine charity game is anticipated to be a star-studded occasion, featuring two teams led by Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Ukrainian international and Arsenal star.
Partey was in the starting lineup for Arsenal during their victory in the Emirates Cup againstFrench Ligue 1 side AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Among the distinguished list of former footballers and sports personalities set to grace the charity game are Michael Essien, Luca Toni, Ricardo Carvalho, Jermain Defoe, Samuel Eto’o, and Claudio Makelele, among others.
The event will also see the participation of football icons like Gianfranco Zola, William Gallas, Danny Drinkwater, Joe Cole, Christian Panucci, Julio Cesar, and James Arthur, among others.
Goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has departed from Manchester United to join Sunderland, a Championship side.
This move comes shortly after an unfortunate collision with Wrexham’s Paul Mullin.
Following his challenge on Mullin, which resulted in the Wrexham striker sustaining a punctured lung, Bishop, the young goalkeeper fromManchester United, has officially left the club.
He signed a three-year contract with Sunderland, the details of which have not been disclosed. This confirmation came from the club’s announcement on Wednesday.
The incident occurred during a pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Wrexham in the United States.
In the 12th minute of the game, Bishop and Mullin had an accidental collision that led to Mullin needing medical attention, including the use of an oxygen mask. Mullin was subsequently substituted and taken to a hospital for further treatment.
As of now, Mullin is in the process of recovery at the residence of Rob McElhenney, one of the club’s co-owners, in Los Angeles.
Erik ten Hag’s team will be back in action for a pre-season friendly against Lens on August 5th, which will take place at Old Trafford.
Following last week’s coup in Niger, ECOWAS has taken a strong stance by imposing sanctions on the country.
The regional bloc has also warned that the situation could escalate to the use of force within a week if the ousted President Bazoum is not reinstated.
In efforts to address the situation, ECOWAS dispatched a delegation to Niger for negotiations with the military officials who orchestrated the coup. Meanwhile, defense chiefs from the region have gathered for a two-day meeting in Nigeria to discuss the unfolding developments.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is resolute in its demand for the reinstatement of elected President Mohamed Bazoum within the specified timeframe.
“The military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.
“There is a need to demonstrate that we cannot only bark but can bite,” he told reporters in Abuja.
Former Nigerian military leader Abdulsalami Abubakar is leading the ECOWAS delegation to Niger, and discussions with the military government have commenced in Niamey, according to Musah.
Additional details about the mission are not clear, as Amos Lungu, spokesperson for theECOWAS Commission, has not responded to queries from Al Jazeera.
The military administration in Niger is under the leadership of General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who formerly headed Bazoum’s presidential guard. Tchiani took control after detaining Bazoum in his palace on July 26 and subsequently declaring himself head of state.
Previously, ECOWAS had dispatched Benin President Patrice Talon and interim military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby from Chad to engage in negotiations with Tchiani.
ECOWAS has encountered challenges in halting the decline of democratic practices in West Africa. Several member states, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, have experienced coups within the past two years. Additionally, there was an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau.
However, ECOWAS has adopted its most resolute stance yet towards Niger. This includes the implementation of various sanctions, such as the closure of regional borders with the nation.
The bloc also slapped financial sanctions on the coup leaders and the country, freezing “all commercial and financial transactions” between member states and Niger, one of the world’s poorest nations, often ranking last on the United Nations Human Development Index.
A source at Niger’s power company Nigelec told the AFP news agency on Wednesday that neighbouring Nigeria has disconnected the high-voltage line transporting electricity to Niger. The latter depends on Nigeria for 70 percent of its power.
Niger coup supporters attack French embassy Niger is a key Western ally in a fight against armed groups and the coup has been condemned by foreign powers who fear it could allow the groups to gain ground.
“The UK very much welcomes ECOWAS’ actions and [they] are indeed decisive actions with a strong commitment to democracy,” said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly after meeting Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday.
The coup leaders announced overnight they had reopened Niger’s land and air borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Libya after closing them last week.
The reopened land borders are mainly in remote desert areas. Niger’s key entryways for trade and commerce remain closed due to imposed by ECOWAS.
France, the United States, Germany, and Italy have troops in Niger on anti-rebel and training missions, helping the army to fight groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).
There has been no announcement of troops being withdrawn so far. Germany’s defence minister said on Wednesday that there were no concerns about the safety of German soldiers.
Any Western military intervention to restore democracy must be ruled out, as it would be “perceived as a new colonisation”, said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Recent intelligence briefing from the UK’s Ministry of Defence suggests that Russia is aiming to enhance its military capabilities, but it is doubtful that they will be able to recruit sufficient new personnel to form an entirely new army.
The ministry noted that Russia has expanded the age range for conscription and primarily utilized mobilized reservists to fill the ranks of existing military units.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 2 August 2023.
The Kremlin has restated its stance regarding theBlack Sea grain deal, noting that Moscow would re-engage once the portion pertaining to Russia had been executed.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed journalists that President Vladimir Putin had a conversation with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday morning.
Two weeks ago, Moscow withdrew from the grain deal, citing ongoing hindrances to its grain and fertilizer exports.
The U.S. envoy to the United Nations remarked on Tuesday that there were “indications” of Russia’s potential interest in resuming discussions about the grain deal.
In a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his commitment to reinstating the Black Sea grain deal and called on Russia to avoid escalating the conflict, as stated by Erdogan’s office.
The statement from the presidents office added, “President Erdogan expressed the importance of refraining from steps that could escalate tensions during the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasising the significance of the Black Sea initiative, which he described as a bridge of peace”.
Meanwhile, Putin says Russia will return to grain deal if expectations are met Putin has told Turkey’s Erdogan that Moscow is ready to return to the Black Sea grain deal as soon as the West meets its obligations to Russia’s grain exports, the Kremlin said.
In a phone call withErdogan, Putin also listed its reasons for exiting the deal last month.
According to a statement by the Turkish presidency, the two leaders also agreed that Putin would visit Turkey.
A senior Turkish official added that discussions between Ankara and Moscow are ongoing for a visit in late August.
Approximately 40,000 tonnes of grain have been reported as damaged due to Russia’s actions, according to Ukraine’s deputy prime minister. These grains were initially destined for African nations.
Oleksandr Kubrakov communicated on the social media platform Twitter, stating, “The Russians attacked warehouses and grain elevators – almost 40 thousand tons of grain were damaged, which was expected by the countries of Africa, China, and Israel.”
“The world must resist. Attacks on Ukrainian ports are a threat to the world. We can defend ourselves, and our air defence forces can use weapons effectively. We need more of it. Each air defence system saved a life. Speed and determination are the destiny of the strong ones.”
These photos show the lives of hundreds of millions of people. In Ukraine, in Europe, in Africa. The photos show the destroyed infrastructure of the ports of the Danube cluster. Last night, Russia attacked them with Iranian drones. These are the very ports that have become the… pic.twitter.com/DFCI2muwEC
Every year, BU welcomes approximately 20 outstanding students to the Trustee Scholars Program. Many of our current Scholars had perfect 4.0 grade point averages in high school and ranked in the top of their class.
In addition to exceptional academic credentials, Trustee Scholars are intellectually and creatively adventurous and demonstrate viewpoints, experiences, or achievements beyond the usual.
They are, in other words, not just top students, but extraordinarily well-rounded individuals. At BU, Trustee Scholars become part of a unique campus community that offers many intellectual, cultural, and social opportunities.
A Trustee Scholarship covers full undergraduate tuition plus mandatory undergraduate student fees, and is renewable for four years if certain criteria are met.
In order to be eligible for a Trustee Scholarship:
1.Complete the Common Application and fulfill all necessary requirements for admission to any of the undergraduate degree programs at BU by December 1.
2.Include the Trustee Scholarship essay within your Common Application submission as part of your application process to BU.
The Trustee Scholarship Essay:
Please choose from one of the two prompts below and submit one essay, in 600 words or less, as part of your application through the Common Application.
Nobel laureate and BU professor Elie Wiesel once said: “There is divine beauty in learning… To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth.
Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps. The books I have read were composed by generations of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, teachers and disciples. I am the sum total of their experiences, their quests.” Is there a book, film, podcast or life- experience that has made you feel more connected to your personal history/identity, and what is the most important thing you learned from it?
Describe a time when you felt out of your comfort zone or marginalized in a situation. How did you respond to that moment and how has it informed your actions moving forward?
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As AS Roma wraps up their pre-season camp in Portugal,Jose Mourinho is using this opportunity to convey a message to the club’s board. The upcoming season is set to begin on August 20.
Despite facing speculations about his future and receiving tempting offers from prominent European clubs, as well as a lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabia, Mourinho has chosen to stay at the helm.
This decision comes after he led the team to a sixth-place finish in Serie A last season and guided them to the UEFA Europa League final.
Notably, this marked their second European final appearance in two years, with a previous victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League a year earlier. Mourinho is committed to fulfilling the final year of his contract with the club.
Mourinho’s message to Roma board
With the Serie A season commencing in less than three weeks, AS Roma faces a notable void in their lineup as they are yet to secure a new striker.
This situation arises from the extended absence of Tammy Abraham due to injury, sustained on the final day of the previous season.
Moreover, Andrea Belotti’s future remains uncertain, given his struggles to find the net in the league last season.
Jose Mourinho addressing his players after a pre-season training session in Portugal. Photo by Fabio Rossi.
Source: Getty Images
In preparation for their pre-season match against SC Farense in Portugal, manager Jose Mourinho took charge of the team’s final training session.
He shared a snapshot of the group on his Instagram page, highlighting their progress.
Notably, Football Italia observed a subtle gapbetween Mourinho and one of his assistants, which symbolically represents the vacant striker position within the team.
Rumors have linked Roma with potential signings like Alvaro Morata and Gianluca Scamacca.
However, it appears that Scamacca might be on his way to rivals Inter Milan, as per reports from Roma Press. Additionally, the prospect of acquiring Morata seems financially prohibitive.
Brazil exited the World Cup on Wednesday, with hopes that a new generation of talent will emerge as Marta’s (37) sixth and final Women’s World Cup came to an end in a 0-0 draw against Jamaica, which sent the Caribbean side to the last 16.
Marta, affectionately known as “Queen Marta” in football-mad Brazil, had her teammates vowing for a more fitting farewell for the iconic forward. However, they were unable to break through the Jamaican defense at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Despite being the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 17 goals, Marta may have been the most frustrated player on the field, as she had opportunities in a match where Brazil needed three points.
Starting on the field for the first time in the tournament, her teammates managed to find her in the area several times, but she couldn’t summon the magical touch she had exhibited in five previous World Cups.
As Jamaica held their ground in defense, Marta’s energy waned, and she was substituted off in the 80th minute to the cheers of anxious Brazilian fans.
Having collected nearly every individual accolade in women’s football, Marta missed out on the World Cup victory she had longed for, extending Brazil’s wait for their first title.
With the team failing to advance from the group stage for the first time in 28 years, concerns will arise regarding their preparations and tactics under the guidance of coach Pia Sundhage (63).
Although contracted for another year, Sundhage admitted that her future with the team might be uncertain. The Swedish coach was direct about Brazil’s need for rejuvenation, a process that will likely proceed without the player who has dominated women’s football in the country for decades.
Sundhage acknowledged that she doesn’t know if Marta intends to continue playing for the national team, but she suspects that Marta’s love for the game might influence her decision to do so.
“Whether she’s good enough to be called up to the national team, let’s see,” said Sundhage.
“As long as I am coaching the national team, I am going to do a lot of work to find new players.
Recent discussions concerning Ousmane Dembele’s immediate future have taken center stage in the news.
The forward was approaching the final year of his current contract with Barcelona and was reportedly being pursued by French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Amidst the uncertainty and speculations encompassing the forward’s destiny, reports from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirming a verbal agreement between Dembele and PSG caught many off guard.
The French forward’s choice of transfer has sparked mixed reactions, as it was just two summers ago that many were eager to see him depart from the Catalan club.
Three years back, Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez, seemed to be the sole supporter of the 24-year-old.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2023, and the forward seems intent on leaving the Spanish club.
Several Barcelona players, including club captain Sergi Roberto, have not held back their thoughts about the swift developments concerning Dembele’s transfer and have publicly voiced their opinions.
Sergi Roberto on Dembele’s transfer The new Barcelona captain had previously expressed his desire for Dembele to continue at Barcelona, and spoke to the media after the club’s 1-0 triumph against Italian giants AC Milan.
As quoted by Barcelona Universal, Roberto said: “We’re all a little disappointed with Dembele. When you love someone, and you want them to be with you, it feels bad if they choose another option.
“After all, this is a job, and he decides what’s best for him and his family.”
While skepticism surrounds thereason for Dembele’s sudden decision to join PSG, Mundo Deportivo reports that the French star told Xavi that he is joining PSG for their sporting project, and not for money.
Throughout his illustrious and highly successful career, the football icon has had the privilege of playing alongside some of the world’s finest footballers.
Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Xavi Hernandez, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar Junior are just a few of the talented players with whom the Argentine has shared the locker room.
However, according to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, there is only one player who truly comprehends him.
During his time as a member of the formidable La Blaugrana, Messi stated that Jordi Alba is the individual with whom he has cultivated an unparalleled understanding.
“Jordi Alba knows me to perfection,” he told Catalunya Radio, via Barcelona’s official website. “He knows when I will give him a no-look pass. I have a special connection with him,” he added. Messi and Alba struck up a perfect partnership together during their time at Camp Nou. According to Sportbible, the Spaniard assisted 23 of the Argentine’s 672 goals for the Catalans.
Alba, Messi reunite in MLS While the two football stars parted ways in 2021 after Messi switched the La Liga giants for Paris Saint-Germain, they are set to reunite at Inter Miami.
Alba recently sealed a move to the Major League Soccer franchise, in a transfer that saw him join the David Beckham co-owned team.
Messi made a blockbuster move to the American League in the summer on a free transfer from the Parisians and has already netted three times in just two games.
Black Stars head coach, Chris Hughton, has affirmed that discussions are in progress to persuade Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah to change their nationalities to represent Ghana.
In what appears to be an extended dialogue about their nationality switch, Hughton elaborated that the players have provided compelling justifications during the numerous conversations held with them.
“We have been in contact with them not only on my time but I think before. I think it is a process and ultimately it will be about both of them making that decision that they want to play. But we have been in good dialog with them and some of it(reason) I think it’s understandable.”
While giving an account on Hudson-Odoi, he said the player played fewer games last season and is hopeful that they will reopen and speed up a conversation if Odoi settles at a new club this season.
“Two very good players. Hudson-Odi I think probably last season he didn’t play the amount of games he would’ve loved to play and it is more down to the system- three at the back.
“It looks like even if he was going to play he would have played mostly as a wingback. So hopefully wherever he goes this season, (he will) play regularly and maybe we would get the process going again,” he said.
The two Ghanaians born in the UK were reportedly on the verge of changing their nationality to Ghana, but the process encountered obstacles.
Amidst the speculations, Eddie Nketiah visited Ghana and obtained his Ghanaian passport.
On the other hand, Callum Hudson-Odoi is believed to be focusing on establishing his club career and regaining his form before finalizing his decision.
Personal terms have been reachedbetween Romelu Lukaku and Juventus, as reported by Sky Italia. However, the Belgium striker’s move to Juventus hinges on Chelsea’s approval.
Lukaku, at 30 years old, has agreed to a three-year contract with the Italian club, which includes an option for a further season.
Juventus has put forth a proposal: they are willing to take Lukaku this summer if Chelsea secures the signature of Juve striker Dusan Vlahovic and pays €40 million as part of the arrangement.
The Serbia international, Vlahovic, was acquired by Juve for €70 million from Fiorentina in January 2022.
However, the 23-year-old has struggled to replicate his prolific goal-scoring form under the management of Massimiliano Allegri.
Lukaku, who joined Chelsea from Inter Milan for €115 million in 2021, experienced a less-than-ideal 2022-23 season while on loan at the Italian club. He purportedly declined a permanent return to Inter and is considering an offer toplay in Saudi Arabia.
Jordi Alba, the fresh additionto Inter Miami CF as a left-back, acknowledged on Tuesday that although he had received more financially rewarding propositions, his decision to join Miami wasn’t solely driven by money. He expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with his former Barcelona teammates.
“Despite the offers I had for more money, the priority for me was to feel important,” Alba said during his official unveiling ceremony at DRV PNK Stadium. “I think I made the right decision. This is the club that tried the hardest to get me.”
Naturally, the 34-year-old, who recently led Spain to victory in the Nations League and is just seven appearances shy of reaching 100 international caps, was understandably thrilled to reunite on the field with his two ex-Barcelona colleagues – Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. Additionally, he is set to work alongside his former coach at Camp Nou, Martino, which adds to his excitement.
“I am very happy to reunite with Leo and Busi here at Inter Miami. Not just us three as players but there is a group of players here who are also very good who will help us and us them so that we win all the games we play,” said Alba, who has only a couple of training sessions under his belt, and so may see limited action — if any — in Miami’s home Leagues Cup round of 32 game against rivals Orlando City on Wednesday.
“We know Tata [Gerardo Martino], he knows us. I am a very competitive player, and this project is very familiar. That’s why I made decision to come here. I’ve only been here three or four days, but it feels like I’ve been here all my life.”
Amid his wish to depart the club and his candid declaration of wanting to move to LaLiga competitors Barcelona, Atletico Madrid captain Koke has emphasized that Joao Felix is “training well” in preseason training.
Presently, the team finds itself in Monterrey, Mexico, gearing up for a fixture against Real Sociedad as a component of their worldwide journey.
This comes subsequent to their recent 2-1 triumph over Manchester City in South Korea.
“Joao is training well, he’s calm,” Koke told El Larguero when asked about reports of a rift between the Portugal international and the rest of the squad. “Each player has their mentality, wanting to play in one place or another.
“But when you’re at a club you must respect it, and that’s what Joao is doing, he’s working like everyone else.”
Coach Diego Simeone — who said earliere this week that “no-one is more important than the club” when asked about Felix — was also asked about his fears of losing key players before the transfer window closes, in his prematch news conference.
“We’ll have to compete [with Real Madrid and Barcelona] as always,” he said. “We hope the [transfer] market allows us to have this balanced group [of players].
“Clubs, like players and agents, have their work to do. We have a balanced team, there are good players in every position, but then there are the needs that each person has… Until [August] 31st you’re there waiting, and you have to think about a plan A or a plan B. A huge offer can arrive, for a player and the club.”
Former head coach of the Chinese men’s national soccer team, Li Tie, has reportedly been charged with suspected bribery, as announced by state media on Wednesday.
A Chinese soccer coach who struck a referee on the side of his head during a second-tier match last month has been handed a ban from matches lasting eight months and fined 150,000 yuan ($20,905), as stated by the Chinese football association (CFA) on Wednesday.
In a game that took place on July 23 in Nanjing, Duan Xin, the coach of Liaoning Shenyang, engaged in violent conduct by striking the referee’s face after receiving a red card for insulting the referee.
This incident resulted in a negative impact on society, according to a statement from the CFA.
For this he is “prohibited from entering the sports stadium for matches for a period of eight months” and fined 150,000 RMB, it added.
“The Chinese Football Association will strictly and resolutely handle all kinds of violations of rules and discipline in accordance with the provisions of the Disciplinary Code of the Chinese Football Association, in order to purify the atmosphere of the game.
“We hope that all parties involved will work together to maintain order on the field and preserve the hard-earned development environment of football.”
Many fans complained that Duan’s punishment, especially the ban, was far too light, according to the most liked comments on popular football news app dongqiudi.
However, one dongqiudi user highlighted his shock that according to the CFA’s disciplinary regulations, the suggested ban time for hitting a match official is lighter, at six months, than for spitting at them, which suggests a 12 month ban.
The CFA notice was dated July 29, but only published it on Wednesday on their website.
The reason for the delay was unclear, although there has been heated debate over the disappointing exit from theWomen’s World Cup of the Chinese women’s team on Tuesday and many fans have pointed the blame at the oft-criticised CFA.
The CFA did not respond to a Reuters query on this on Wednesday.
Both parties have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms, and negotiations are underway to determine a suitable transfer fee, as per reliable source Fabrizio Romano.
According to Romano, it is evident that Raya is enthusiastic about a move to Arsenal, and discussions between the London clubs are anticipated to gain momentum.
Nevertheless, Brentford has set a valuation of at least £40 million for the player.
The Gunners are reportedly seeking to bolster their goalkeeping options to provide competition for their starting goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s backup keeper, Matt Turner, is said to be engaged in talks with Nottingham Forest over a potential move.
Raya’s departure from Brentford has been widely speculated upon this summer. The 27-year-old declined multiple contract offers from the club, hinting at an imminent departure from his current position with the west London side.
Notably, Brentford has already secured the services of Mark Flekken from SC Freiburg for their goalkeeping department, indicating their readiness to potentially part ways with Raya.
Although Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have all been associated with interest in the Spanish goalkeeper, the valuation set by Brentford has led these clubs to abandon their pursuit.
However, the project has sparked controversy over its pricing in US dollars, which many have deemed unaffordable for low and middle-income earners.
The project, which is a public-private partnership, will provide 8,000 housing units of different types, ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom houses. The prices are as follows:
A studio apartment: $13,800
One-bedroom house: $20,700
Two-bedroom house: $34,500
Three-bedroom house: $42,550
These prices are payable in cedis at the prevailing exchange rate, and developers are prohibited from selling above the agreed price ceiling. However, they have the flexibility to sell units below the set prices.
The project is part of the National Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to deliver 14,000 housing units in Pokuase and Dedesua in the Ashanti Region. The programme was initiated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who cut the sod for the Pokuase project on Tuesday.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said the project marked a significant milestone in the quest to provide access to safe, quality, decent, secure and affordable housing for Ghanaians.
He also said the project would create jobs and stimulate economic activity in the area.
However, some critics have questioned the affordability of the project, given that the prices are in dollars and that many Ghanaians earn less than $1000 a year.
They have also accused the government of neglecting previous housing projects initiated by former administrations, such as theSaglemi Affordable Housing Project.
Some have also expressed concern over the environmental and social impact of the project, such as the displacement of residents and farmers, the destruction of natural habitats and water bodies, and the lack of adequate infrastructure and amenities in the area.
The government has defended its pricing in dollars, saying that it is necessary to ensure that the houses are affordable to foreign investors and that it reflects the cost of construction materials and labour.
It has also assured that it will complete all ongoing housing projects and that it will provide subsidies and mortgages for eligible buyers.
Manchester City is reportedly on the verge of completing a groundbreaking deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol by the week’s end.
Despite various top European clubs expressing interest in the Croatian international over the past year, Manchester City appears poised to secure his services.
According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, an astonishing fee of £86 million (€90 million/$98 million), including additional provisions, has been agreed upon. Gvardiol’s medical examination is scheduled at the Etihad Stadium this upcoming Friday.
Upon completion, Gvardiol will become the costliest defender in football history, eclipsing the £80 million (€87 million/$96 million) fee Manchester United paid Leicester City for Harry Maguire in 2019.
This acquisition is a significant enhancement to Manchester City’s defensive lineup, which was already among the Premier League’s strongest last season, allowing only 33 goals, a figure matched only by Newcastle United.
Gvardiol will join his compatriot Mateo Kovacic in Manchester, following the central midfielder’s £25 million (€29 million/$32 million) transfer from Chelsea earlier in the summer.
According to Kovacic, Gvardiol is well-prepared for the step up to Manchester City and has his support in showcasing his “best version.”
After securing their fifth Premier League title in six seasons, Manchester City evidently refuses to rest on their laurels.
The addition of Kovacic is a vital boost to the squad, and manager Pep Guardiola will be aiming to reinforce the roster further during the summer, especially in light of potential departures like Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan.
The 2006 World Cup champion spent the previous season with his childhood club Parma, contributing to their fourth-place finish in Serie B and their advancement to the Coppa Italia’s last 16, where they were eliminated by eventualvictors Inter Milan.
Buffon signed an extension with Parma until 2024 in February. However, he has chosen to retire before the start of the 2023-24 season.
During his initial spell with Parma, the Italian goalkeeper secured the UEFA Cup in 1998-99. He later moved to Juventus in July 2001 for a then-record £32 million fee for a goalkeeper.
Official: Gigi Buffon retires ❤️🇮🇹#INDSports Mohammed Kudus | Mac Allister | Bayern Munich | Argentina | Black Stars | Balde | Davies | Lewandowski pic.twitter.com/8SDKfERJGM
Buffon’s time at Juventus was marked by significant triumphs, clinching the Serie A title 10 times in two separate tenures with the Turin-based team and amassing a total of 685 appearances.
He spent the 2018-19 season at Paris Saint-Germain, where he contributed to another league championship.
With 176 international caps earned over his 23-year tenure with the Azzurri, Buffon ranks ninth among male players with the most international appearances.
Despite the indictment, Alves’s lawyer stated that he would not prolong the legal proceedings by appealing against the indictment.
The judge noted evidence of misconduct by the 40-year-old player, who maintains that the sexual encounter was consensual.
Alves was apprehended on January 20 and has been in custody at a prison outside Barcelona without the option of bail. In the event of a conviction, he could potentially face a prison term ranging from four to 15 years.
“Dani Alves is upset with the narrative of the facts, he disagrees with it,” Alves’ lawyer Cristobal Martell told reporters minutes after his client appeared before the Barcelona court.
“He has also said that he will not appeal due to his desire to expedite the judicial process,” Martell added.
The prosecution must now submit formal charges to the court, while the defence will present its allegations in writing. After that, a date for the start of a trial will be set.
However, coach Nelson Abadia has confirmed her complete fitness for Colombia’s upcoming match against Morocco on Thursday, stating that she is “100 per cent” ready.
Despite her previous battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 15, Caicedo has been a standout player in the World Cup, showcasing her skills with goals against South Korea and Germany.
Her impressive performance includes a remarkable goal against two-time champions Germany, which was widely regarded as one of the tournament’s highlights.
This comes shortly after she encountered a health scare during training, where she experienced chest discomfort.
During the 2-1 victory over Germany, Caicedo also faced breathing difficulties but remained on the field.
Coach Abadia has reassured that X-rays conducted on Caicedo revealed no underlying issues, ensuring her readiness to continue contributing to Colombia’s success in the tournament.
“She’s here training with us. She was not feeling well in one of our training sessions but it was brief.
“We are always careful with players’ health. We want to make sure that Linda feels that she’s okay… and she is.”
It might prove tempting to rest Caicedo against Morocco.
Colombia only need a draw to top the group and even a defeat might see them through, depending on what happens in the other group game between South Korea and Germany.
“We are not forced to win, but we would like to win,” said Abadia. “When you go for a draw then you might actually lose.
“Every single match is a news story (in Colombia). Expectation is huge.”
Coach Milena Bertolini attributed Italy’s surprising exit from the Women’s World Cup to their shaken confidence.
The dented morale played a significant role as South Africa’s 3-2 upset in Wellington brought an end to Italy’s campaign.
Italy’s expectation of progressing required only a draw against their lower-ranked opponents.
However, their failure to capitalize on crucial opportunities, coupled with Thembi Kgatlana’s stoppage-time winning goal, sealed their fate.
While they began with a promising 1-0 victory against Argentina, Italy faced a crushing setback with a 5-0 loss to Sweden in their subsequent match.
This devastating defeat left an enduring impact on the team’s psyche, making it difficult to regain their footing.
“I’m sure that the game against Sweden and also the goals we conceded effected our trust, our confidence, our peace of mind,” she told reporters via a translator.
“It’s clear that today the emotional side was actually important, (a) major factor but this is an aspect that is part of the growth that this team has to make.”
Their early exit marked the latest major disappointment for Italy after Euro 2022, where they finished bottom of their group following a demoralising 5-1 opening defeat by France.
It is a disappointing trajectory for the team four years after they stunningly reached the World Cup quarter-finals, following a two-decade-long absence from the tournament.
But Bertolini insisted there was cause for optimism.
“We’re in a transition period for that historical group of players in 2019 and now we’re actually inserting new players, young players,” she said.
“This is part of our pathway and perhaps in (the) future, in the next competitions, the Italian national team will have young players that are very experienced, have accrued experience.”
Peter Gerhardsson’s Sweden team demonstrated their dominance by securing their position as Group G winners in a convincing display against Argentina, who extended their unfortunate streak of 12 consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches without a victory.
Argentina, holding the record for the highest number of Women’s World Cup matches played without a win, aimed to break this pattern to advance.
However, Sweden, unsurprisingly, had the upper hand in the first half, with Olivia Schough’s long-range free-kick collected by Argentina’s goalkeeper Vanina Correa, followed by Schough’s header from 12 yards wide of the post.
The second half brought a turning point for Argentina, as their resistance eventually crumbled 20 minutes in when Rebecka Blomqvist scored with a header from inside the penalty area, granting Sweden a well-deserved lead.
The goal was made possible by an exquisite cross into the 18-yard box from Sofia Jakobsson.
Jakobsson’s cross, delivered from the right-hand side, showcased one of the standout assists of the tournament so far, underlining the evident difference in quality between Sweden and Argentina.
Before the final whistle, Sweden received an opportunity to reflect their dominance on the scoreboard.
A moment of recklessness from Argentina’s Gabriela Chavez led to her fouling Blomqvist in the penalty area, prompting referee Salima Mukansanga to award a penalty.
Elin Rubensson confidently converted the penalty, increasing the lead and solidifying Sweden’s impressive performance.
Despite resting several key players prior to the match, Sweden’s coach Gerhardsson must have been pleased with their ability to maintain their winning streak and conclude the group stage with a flawless record.
Nevertheless, Sweden now faces the challenging task of competing against reigning champions USA in the knockout stage. The team’s pursuit of their first Women’s World Cup triumph remains alive.
In a thrilling encounter, Thembi Kgatlana’s injury-time goal secured a historic place for South Africa in the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup.
The 3-2 victory against Italy in their final Group G match in Wellington on Wednesday has propelled Banyana into the next stage, where they will face Netherlands.
For coach Des Ellis, this achievement marks an extraordinary moment of history for the country’s sport.
In their third consecutive match, South Africa demonstrated remarkable resilience, a far cry from their debut World Cup appearance four years ago. This time, they successfully sealed the deal.
Italy took an early lead through Arianna Caruso’s penalty, while an own goal by Benedetta Orsi drew South Africa level just past the half-hour mark. Hildah Magaia then gave South Africa the lead, only to see Caruso equalize for Italy from a corner.
However, Thembi Kgatlana’s close-range goal secured the triumph for South Africa, a fitting reward for her impressive performance alongside Magaia.
Italy’s early penalty, resulting from Karabo Dhlamini’s challenge on Chiara Beccari, illustrated South Africa’s occasional lapses in judgment during this tournament. Caruso efficiently converted the penalty.
Robyn Moodaly nearly leveled the score for South Africa with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box, only to be thwarted by the post.
In a stroke of fortune, Italy’s Orsi inadvertently scored an own goal from outside the box, equalizing the game for Banyana.
The goal stemmed from Orsi’s attempt to clear the ball under pressure from Thembi Kgatlana, with goalkeeper Francesca Durante unable to intervene in time.
Both teams faced near-misses, with Italy hitting the post from a header and Banyana clearing the goal-mouth scramble.
Banyana’s goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart,who had faced criticism, made a crucial save when Italy’s Valentina Giacinti was through on goal, ensuring a one-on-one situation did not result in a score.
Banyana seized the lead in the second half with an excellently executed play. Kgatlana’s skillful advance drew the Italian defense, allowing her to deliver a reverse pass that set up Magaia’s clinical finish—a testament to her finishing prowess.
In a captivating match, South Africa’s victory stands as a testament to their determination and growth on the international stage.
Italy were level when Caruso turned the ball in from a corner, even if there was a long VAR check over whether she was offside.
Banyana were headed out at that stage, but they came up with the winning moment as again Magaia was slipped in behind the Italy defence, and this time she passed rather than shot, allowing Kgatlana to make history.
The prevailing narrative regarding the selection of Chris Hughton as the Black Stars coach revolves around claims that the decision was influenced by the government and imposed upon the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party and a relative of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been linked to orchestrating the appointment of Chris Hughton as the head coach of the Black Stars.
However, as Chris Hughton recounts the path that led to his appointment, he seems to absolve the government and, to some extent, Gabby Otchere-Darko from any direct influence.
During an interview on TalkSports, Hughton shared his experience of the discussions that ultimately led to him securing the coaching role, highlighting that the primary deliberations were conducted by the GFA.
“It actually started when I was on holiday in Ghana and we hadn’t done so well in the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and the FA changed the coach and they wanted to bring in another coach…,” he said.
“Most people thought I was there for the job but that was not the case. It worked out because I was not working…I was asked if I will want to be a technical advisor for the two big games against Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup playoffs which we won.
“So the fact that we won, they asked me if I would want to continue this role going through to the World Cup because they saw me as an experienced coach and also have a Ghanaian background so I was asked if I could help. My role was to support the head coach and the technical team.
“Post-World Cup, I was asked if I would be the head coach and it didn’t take me a long time to accept,” he added.
His account of events seems to be in line with that of Gabby Otchere-Darko who also denied any involvement in the appointment of Chris Hughton as manager of the senior national team.
“He is a Tottenham fan and I am an Arsenal fan. The president is also a Tottenham fan. These things happen because God works in mysterious ways in putting strange people together.”
The legal practitioner added: “Chris is the choice of the Ghana Football Association and I think it’s a good decision.
“When there is a vacancy anywhere people lobby and at the time, people thought Hughton deserved the job. The GFA also needed someone who knew the team.”
Since his appointment in February this year, Chris Hughton has won one and drawn two of three games played so far.
Manager of Liverpool, Juergen Klopp has appealed to FIFA, the global soccer governing body, to investigate the situation where Saudi Arabia’s transfer window closes three weeks after Europe’s.
He is concerned that major European leagues might suffer from losing players without the ability to replace them adequately.
While the transfer window for the Premier League concludes on September 1, aligned with most of Europe’s top leagues, the Saudi Pro League permits clubs to make signings until September 20.
Liverpool has already experienced the departure of three crucial players to Saudi clubs, including captain Jordan Henderson and midfielder Fabinho, along with striker Roberto Firmino, who left on a free transfer.
“The influence of Saudi Arabia is massive at the moment,” Klopp told reporters on Tuesday, a day before their pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich in Singapore.
“Pretty much the worst thing I think is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. If I am right, I heard something like that, then at least in Europe that’s not helpful.
“UEFA (Europe’s soccer body) or FIFA must find solutions for that. But in the end, at this moment, I don’t know exactly what will happen. It’s already influential for us but we will have to learn to deal with it… Time will show.”
Saudi Arabia have flexed their financial might by luring some of the best players from European clubs with lucrative contracts, including French Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and his World Cup winning compatriot N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane among others.
The European exodus began last year when Al-Nassr completed the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo soon after the World Cup in Qatar, making the Portugal forward the highest-paid athlete in the world.
Recent reports suggest that Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have not received any recent updates regarding their bids toacquire Manchester United.
Concerns have risen that the takeover process for the club might be in a holding pattern, as the Glazer family, who own the club, has not provided further guidance to INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, or Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation regarding their bids.
One of the bidders mentioned that they have “not been given any guidance at all on what comes next” and noted the lack of communication lately.
Manchester United signaled its openness to potential ownership changes when the Glazer family released a statement indicating they were “exploring strategic alternatives.”
The bid process comprised three rounds, with Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation reportedly submitting a final bid of £6 billion ($7.6 billion) after the May deadline.
Despite these efforts, the Glazers and the Raine Group, handling the sale, did not accept the offers.
Sources cited in the report from the I Paper imply that the Glazers might not find INEOS or the Nine Two Foundation’s offers satisfactory.
The Glazers seem to anticipate the club’s value to increase further due to upcoming television rights deals and the growing popularity of football in the United States and other regions.
Manchester United recently signed a record-breaking 10-year extension with Adidas worth £900 million ($1.15 billion), the largest kit deal in Premier League history.
In terms of team news, Manchester United is reportedly set to announce the signing of Rasmus Hojlund this week, and they are scheduled to play against Lens at Old Trafford in one of their final pre-season matches.
Ajax, the prominent Dutch team, remains optimistic about retaining the services of Ghanaian talent Mohammed Kudusfor another season.
Recent reports from Footballghana have highlighted that several European clubs are vying to secure Mohammed Kudus as a transfer target.
Notably, English Premier League outfit Chelsea seems to be leading the pursuit to acquire the skilled attacker.
While acknowledging the possibility of Mohammed Kudus departing before the summer transfer window closes, Ajax officials have expressed their desire for the player to remain with the club for an additional season.
In the past day, sources have revealed ongoing discussions between the Eredivisie powerhouse and representatives of the Black Stars forward.
These talks are aimed at persuading Kudus to dedicate the upcoming football season to Ajax in the Netherlands.
Sources suggest that Kudus is not feeling rushed and is committed to performing at his best for Ajax in case a transfer doesn’t materialize this summer.
This event marks the first of its kind since 2019 and comes after a hiatus due to the pandemic.
Landing in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on Wednesday, the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has engaged in the World Youth Day event, which convenes young Catholics, including teenagers and those in their early twenties, from around the world.
The event, spanning five days, was initiated by Pope Francis’ predecessor and takes place every two to three years. The most recent event occurred in 2019.
Arriving at the Figo Madura military air base on Wednesday morning, Pope Francis subsequently proceeded to a welcoming ceremony, hosted by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Notably, this visit is the 86-year-old pontiff’s first trip since undergoing intestinal surgery in June.
During his visit, Francis is also scheduled to have meetings with survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
The Catholic Church has been deeply affected by thousands of allegations of child abuse committed by clergy members worldwide.
These revelations have significantly impacted the Church’s credibility and led to many believers leaving.
Ahead of the Pope’s arrival, advocates for victims erected a large billboard highlighting the widespread issue of sexual abuse within the Portuguese Catholic Church.
Approximately six months ago, a Portuguese commission released a report indicating that there have been at least 4,815 instances of sexual abuse involving minors by clergy since 1950. The victims in these cases were predominantly aged between 10 and 14 years old.
“There will be young people from all over the world and the reality [of abuse] is present in all continents,” Filipa Almeida — who was abused by a priest when she was 17 — told Reuters news agency. “It’s a great opportunity for theChurch to do something.”
Nigerians on various social media platforms are advising Victor Osimhen to seriously consider accepting the highly lucrative €1 million-per-week deal from Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal.
The consensus among many is that this offer has the potential to be a life-changing opportunity, and thus, Osimhen should take inspiration from his fellow Super Eagles teammate, Odion Ighalo, who previously made a similar move to Hilal.
If the Nigerian striker agrees to join the Saudi Pro League side, he could potentially earn a staggering €52 million annually.
According to Sky Sports, Hilal has also put forward a substantial €140 million as a transfer fee to Napoli.
However, reports from Italian outlet Il Mattino suggest that both Osimhen and Napoli have rejected the offer on the table.
It’s worth noting that the Italian club, Napoli, who are open to cashing in on Osimhen, are reportedly holding out for a fee of €150 million.
Al Hilal’s pursuit of Osimhen comes after their unsuccessful attempt to secure the services of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Checkout some reactions below
He should take it. Poverty is not an option.
— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) July 31, 2023 He should take it he should not try to chase glory of winning European trophies that is for European players…take the money, be rich forever simple
— ANATHii (@Nathi_manando) July 31, 2023 Almost 1b naira every week, grab it victor grab it ????
— Nwadike Ifeanyi (@ifeanyi_nwadike) July 31, 2023 — Slimfit (@iSlimfit) July 31, 2023 Me:When VICTOR OSIMHEN signs the deal to Move to Saudi Arabia to earn €1m a Week. pic.twitter.com/nEP0Q1lSj5
— ➰FRANKPRENUER➰ (@Thefranknation) July 31, 2023 Abég…how old is Oshimen now. You know African retired early Oga go chop life for Arab.. just carry me along I no mind
— Adekunle suraj (@suraj_adekunl) July 31, 2023 life is very short take your chances and enjoy it while you can,48m / season is better than winning italian league 3 times in a raw
— ⓓⓞⓝ ⓜⓞ7ⓐⓜⓜⓐⓓ⏱ (@DONMO7AMMAD) July 31, 2023 In as much as I love to see Osinmeh dominate European football the more, I will be selfish to say he should turn down an offer that will pay him Billions of Naira a month!
He should follow the money for now… that’s what’s good for him.
— Femi Oguntayo ???? (@FemiOguntayo2) July 31, 2023 He’s better off playing in Europe
— Rahamon Kabiawu (@Kabiawu_) July 31, 2023 Stay in Europe and do what? No be the same football? The trophies won’t matter as an African when you retire
Kylian Mbappe has reportedly declined a contract clause proposed by Paris Saint-Germain, which would have ensured his ability to transfer to Real Madrid in the coming summer.
Amid escalating speculation regarding the French player’s future, the passing of the August 1 loyalty bonus deadline suggests he may be more inclined to pursue a departure.
The ongoing saga has taken a new twist, as revealed by Sky Sports’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. Mbappe turned down PSG’s offer of an inserted clause in a contract extension that would have guaranteed his departure next summer.
Real Madrid has emerged as the probable next destination for Mbappe, with reports suggesting an existing agreement for his acquisition once he becomes a free agent.
By declining the new PSG contract provision, Mbappe appears to signal his intent to explore his options as a free agent, rather than further binding his future to a club that recently listed him for transfer.
The prospect of the 24-year-old departing this summer remains viable, with Premier League outfits like Chelsea striving to secure his services before the deadline.
Solhekol also notes that Mbappe is refraining from commenting publicly on his decision to reject the contract offer.
The global community of fans, players, and coaches remains uncertain about Mbappe’s next moves. If he were to stay at PSG for another season, it would come as a substantial surprise if it didn’t mark his final year in Paris.
Given that the PSG star has declined to comment on the latest twist in his transfer saga, it’s hard to know what’s going on inside Mbappe’s head right now.
However, his position in Paris looks increasingly untenable, and clubs like Chelsea are keenly dialled in to what could be a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sign the World Cup winner at his peak.
In a heartbreaking scene,Real Madrid legend Marcelo was overcome with emotion as he left the field in tears following a red card for a devastating challenge on Luciano Sanchez during Fluminense’s Copa Libertadores encounter with Argentinos Juniors.
During the match, Marcelo unintentionally placed his foot on Sanchez’s shin while attempting to maneuver the ball past him.
The consequence was a harrowing moment as Sanchez cried out in pain due to the impact.
The game came to a halt as the medical team from Argentinos Juniors rushed to attend to Sanchez on the field.
Eventually, he had to be carried off on a stretcher, and the referee brandished a red card to Marcelo for the challenge.
The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, leaving the round of 16 Copa Libertadores tie delicately balanced.
Following the game, Marcelo turned to social media to extend his well wishes to Sanchez for a swift recovery.
He wrote: “Today I have had to live through a very difficult moment on the pitch. I have inadvertently injured a colleague. I want to wish you the best possible recovery, Luciano Sánchez. All the strength in the world!”
Fluminense released their own message of support towards Sanchez, which read:
“Fluminense FC expresses its solidarity and wishes a speedy recovery to Argentinos Juniors defender Luciano Sanchez, who was injured in an accidental move in tonight’s match.”
Argentinos Juniors thanked the Brazilian club before adding: “We are rivals, not enemies.”
Marcelo will be back in action against Palmeiras onSaturday in the Brazilian Serie A but will be suspended for the second leg of the round of 16 tie against Argentinos Juniors on August 8 at home.
As ESPN reports, Sanchez suffered a suspected broken leg and will now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Following his £48 million ($62 million) transfer fromInter to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, Andre Onana wasted no time getting started.
He showcased his exceptional distribution skills in his initial series of pre-season matches.
Onana also grabbed attention when he was observed rushing out of his goal to express his displeasure with teammate Maguire during a friendly against Dortmund.
Nevertheless, Martinez views this incident as a natural part of football and believes there’s no issue with Onana’s reactions.
“It’s better for [it], it’s better for [it]. If you are focused, you can fight with your teammates as well, you need to make sure everyone is really sharp, but nothing happened. It’s part of football,” commented the United centre-back.
Martinez has a history of playing alongside Onana during their shared time at Ajax.
He lauded the goalkeeper for his “big personality” and expressed his confidence in Onana’s ability to excel at the highest level with Manchester United.
On Tuesday, August 1st, AS Monaco, a team in the French Ligue 1, officially announced the signing ofMohammed Salisu, the Ghanaian international and center-back, from Southampton.
“AS Monaco is pleased to announce the arrival of central defender Mohammed Salisu from Southampton Football Club.
“The Ghanaian international, 24, has signed up for 5 seasons and is now linked with the Monegasque club until June 2028,” the French Ligue 1 outfit said.
Aged 24, Mohammed Salisu has completed his move to AS Monaco, where he aims to further his growth as a player and contribute to the team’s accomplishments.
With a promising potential, he has already demonstrated his skills as a premier defender in the English Premier League.
AS Monaco now possesses a commanding and robust central defender known for his imposing stature.
Chelsea full-back Reece James has responded to his sister Lauren’s impressive performance at the Women’s World Cup, where she scored two goals and provided three assists in England’s victory against China.
The only goal she wasn’t involved in was the last, which was scored by Lauren Coombes and Rachel Daly.
Unfortunately, Lauren James was denied a World Cup hat-trick due to an offside decision confirmed by VAR.
Reece kept it short and sweet, reposting a post uploaded his sister to his Instagram story, simply adding to it, saying: “Another day @ the office,” with two football emojis as well as three capital A’s, symbolising his sister’s hat-trick of assists.
England’s victory was never in doubt, as they secured a comfortable lead with first-half goals from Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, and a goal from James.
The impressive 3-0 victory allowed the Lionesses to clinch the top spot in Group D with a flawless 100% record, a feat shared only with Japan in the tournament.
Sweden and Colombia also have the opportunity to finish their group stages with three wins out of three, should they emerge victorious in their final matches.
As the opening day game between Chelsea and Liverpool approaches, Reece James will undoubtedly focus on his preparations with Chelsea.
However, it’s clear that his attention will also be partly on the Lionesses and his sister’s performance at the Women’s World Cup.
Barcelona defender Julian Araujo is poised to embark on a season-long loan to LaLiga side Las Palmas, as sources close to the negotiations confirmed to ESPN.
The 21-year-old Mexico international is expected to travel to the Canary Islands this week to finalize the move, which does not include an option for Las Palmas to make the transfer permanent.
Araujo joined Barcelona from LA Galaxy last season but has been unable to make his competitive debut for the club due to the timing of his signing falling outside the transfer window.
Despite this, he has been training with the first team since February and was given an opportunity to showcase his skills in a friendly against Vissel Kobe at the beginning of June, allowing coach Xavi Hernandez to evaluate his performance.
Considering Araujo’s development, Barcelona has decided that a loan spell at a Spanish club for the upcoming season would be most beneficial.
This move will provide him with regular playing time and the chance to adapt to the challengesof LaLiga football.
Kylian Mbappe is not on Liverpool’s radar, according to Jurgen Klopp.
The 24-year old Mbappe wants to leave PSG, and the club wants to sell him this summer for €150 million rather than let him leave for free the next year.
“We laugh about it,” Klopp told Sky Germany. “I can say that I think he’s a really good player but the financial conditions don’t suit us at all. I wouldn’t like to ruin the story now … but as far as I know, there’s nothing to it.
“It’s possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me…that hasn’t happened in the eight years that I’ve been here.That would be the first time.”
Kylian Mbappe’s the Parisian star has seen many clubs express interest with the Serie A club leading the bidders.
However, few weeks ago, Saudi club, Al-Hilal made world record £259m bid for PSG striker after which they were given a greenlight to start talks with Mbappe.
But per reports, Mbappe is not ready to move to Asia.
Football Insider reports thatAFC Bournemouth is on the verge of securing the signing of Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott, outpacing Wolverhampton Wanderers in the pursuit.
The 19-year-old displayed an impressive performance last season, catching the attention of various Premier League clubs, particularly during an exciting FA Cup match against Manchester City.
Despite multiple attempts by both Bournemouth and Wolves to acquire the talented playmaker, Bristol City has stood firm on their £25 million valuation.
The report indicates that Wolves seem to have missed out on yet another target this summer, as their only addition so far has been defender Matt Doherty, acquired on a free transfer.
Chelsea is reportedly open to a swap deal that would send Romelu Lukaku to Juventus in exchange for Dusan Vlahovic heading to Stamford Bridge.
According to Sky Sports Italia, Juventus is the only club currently showing interest in the 30-year-old striker, as his potential return to Internazionale has been ruled out.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter, but with their interest withdrawn, he is now uncertain about his future.
While there have been some interests from Saudi clubs, Lukaku is said to be keen on returning to Serie A.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been impressed with Dusan Vlahovic’s performances, as the 23-year-old Serbian forward netted 14 goals for Juventus during the 2022-23 season.
Mane, who joined Bayern just a year ago, is set to join Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, joining the ranks of players moving to the Middle East. The 31-year-old’s reported deal with Al Nassr is worth around $45 million.
Mane expressed his regret about leaving Bayern, stating, “Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending.” Tuchel, speaking in Singapore ahead of a friendly against Liverpool, echoed Mane’s sentiments about the departure.
“We had a long, big hug and we both agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now, but we think it’s for the best in this situation,” said the Bayern coach.
“Sometimes things don’t work out as everybody wants it to work out. In person I have always had a very good relationship with him and this will stay.
“I can totally understand that he feels hurt and I also wouldn’t feel happy if things like this happened.
“Obviously it’s something that we didn’t bring into the full potential, which is my job and my responsibility, but in this particular situation, it was the best solution to untie the knot.”
While Mane is leaving Bayern, the German side are being heavily linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, with club representatives reportedly travelling to London to discuss a deal with the Premier League side on Monday.
While Tuchel refused to discuss the future of the England captain, he said the club is clear about the players they hope to bring in during the transfer window.
“I think it’s very important in our position to take clear positions and focus on a few players to strengthen the squad,” he said.
“We want to bring additional players to the squad that we are absolutely convinced of in terms of personality and quality, and to not be distracted in the transfer window by pressure of time or by alternatives.”
Andre Onana’s agent disclosed that Tottenham and Chelsea inquired about his availability before he made the move to Old Trafford.
With David de Gea’s departure earlier this summer, Ten Hag recognized the need for a goalkeeper who is comfortable playing out from the back.
Eventually, he opted to bring Onana, whom he previously managed at Ajax, to Manchester – but the process wasn’t straightforward.
Both Tottenham and Chelsea were also interested in acquiring the services of the former Inter Milan stopper to address their goalkeeping issues.
Speaking to Calciomercato, Onana’s agent Albert Botines said: “It all started a few months ago. Towards April, many inquired about the player. Tottenham have asked for information. Chelsea have had a very strong interest.
“There were meetings in London and Chelsea also met with Inter, but Ten Hag was key.”
Like United, Spurs saw their long-term number one, Hugo Lloris, leave the club after 11 years of service.
They eventually settled on Guglielmo Vicario with the Italian moving to north London from Empoli for a fee of around £17.2 million ($21.9m) earlier in the window.
Chelsea are yet to make any signings in the goalkeeping department despite the exit of Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia. Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to be Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice ‘keeper going into the season.
Barcelona manager Xavi reportedly made a last-ditch effort to dissuade Ousmane Dembele from joining Paris Saint-Germain, referring to Neymar’s struggles at the French club.
Xavi’s attempt comes as PSG’s move for Dembele is close to completion, with the club triggering his €50 million release clause before it expired on August 1.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Xavi had a crucial meeting with Dembele to discuss his future, where he urged the French forward to consider Neymar’s difficulties at PSG and highlighted the Brazilian’s past attempts to return to Barcelona.
Despite facing criticism over his form and injury record, Xavi has consistently supported Dembele and sees him as a vital part of his plans.
The coach remains hopeful that the intense discussion at the Thompson Hotel in Dallas will lead Dembele to reconsider his move to PSG.
While Dembele has already agreed toa five-year deal with PSG, he has requested that Barcelona engage in official talks with the Ligue 1 champions to expedite the transfer, indicating his determination to leave the Catalan club.
Ousmane Dembele’s future at Barcelona has been the subject of intense speculation, with recent reports suggesting that he is increasingly likely to join Paris Saint-Germain next season.
This decision has not been well-received by the Barcelona hierarchy, who are working tirelessly to convince the forward to extend his stay beyond his current contract.
Last week, Dembele reportedly verbally agreed to a five-year deal with PSG, but he also expressed his desire to win the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona during a conversation with his coach, Xavi Hernandez.
The news of Dembele’s potential move to PSG has surprised many in the Barcelona dressing room, prompting Xavi to engage in discussions with the player in an attempt to persuade him to remain at the club.
Despite facing harsh criticism from Barcelona fans during the 2021/22 season, Xavi remained steadfast in his decision to include Dembele as a crucial part of his project.
This faith was rewarded, as Dembele played a vital role in helping the team reclaim the La Liga title last season.
According to SPORT, Xavi is disappointed with Dembele’s decision to turn down the opportunity to continue with Barcelona, despite their recent discussions.
The Barcelona coach even suggested the idea of re-signing former forward Neymar Junior in an attempt to persuade Dembele to stay.
Neymar, who moved to PSG for €222 million, has not fully lived up to the initial expectations during his time in Paris and could be open to a return to Barcelona.
Currently, Dembele has a release clause of €100 million, and his agent, Mousa Sissoko, is reportedly negotiatingwith Barcelona to accept the proposal put forth by Paris Saint-Germain.
Dembele rejects new Barcelona contract
Sports Brief also reported on Dembele rejecting Barcelona’s latest contract offer as his departure from Spanish football appears very likely.
The French star is said to be keen on a move to PSG and Ligue 1, and is reportedly not entertaining the idea of staying with the Catalans.
