Author: Olukayode Oke

Paris Saint Germain are set to complete a stunning deal to sign Ousmane Dembélé from Barcelona, according to sources. The French champions have been interested in the 26-year-old for a long time, and, according to sources, the forward has already agreed a five-year contract at PSG. Dembélé has a €50 million ($55m) release clause in his Barca contract that is valid until July 31, when it goes up to €100m. The France international also has an extension offer from Barca on the table, but PSG are confident that the player is more attracted by their project. According to sources, there are still details…

Australia captain Sam Kerr says she is “definitely” going to be available to face Canada in Monday’s crucial group match at the Women’s World Cup. The Chelsea striker missed the co-hosts’ opening two games with a calf injury she suffered on the eve of the tournament. “I’m feeling good,” said Kerr. “I was out on the pitch today.” The Matildas suffered a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria on Thursday to leave them facing a battle to reach the last 16. “It’s going to go down to the wire – I’m definitely going to be available,” said Kerr, Australia’s all-time top scorer. “The…

Manchester United have rejected a £20m bid from West Ham for England defender Harry Maguire. Hammers boss David Moyes is keen on Maguire and has funds to spend following the £100m sale of England midfielder Declan Rice. Maguire’s Old Trafford future is uncertain after he was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag earlier this month. The Dutchman has said the move could help the 30-year-old regain his form. United would be prepared to listen to offers that matched their valuation – if Maguire indicated a willingness to leave. However, the centre-back is believed to currently be earning £200,000-a-week at Old…

Fulham have signed Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey from Ajax after the two clubs agreed a 22.5m euros (£19.3m) deal. The 23-year-old has agreed a contract until the summer of 2027, with a club option to extend by a further year. “I know how big of a club Fulham is, I didn’t have to think much about it,” said Bassey. The move is subject to international clearance, which the club said it expects to receive next week. Bassey, an Italy-born Londoner, came through the ranks at Leicester before joining Rangers in 2020. Following a successful two-year spell, in which he won…

Juventus have been kicked out of this season’s Europa Conference League by Uefa and fined for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. European football’s governing body has also fined Chelsea for breaching FFP rules as a result of “submitting incomplete financial information”. Uefa says the matter relates to transactions which took place between 2012 and 2019. Juventus have been fined £17.14m, while Chelsea have been fined £8.57m. The Italian club will only have to pay half of their fine if their financial records for the next three years comply with regulations, while Chelsea have already agreed to pay the settlement…

Arsenal have unveiled a bronze statue of legendary former manager Arsene Wenger outside Emirates Stadium. He helped the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his reign from 1996 to 2018. The Frenchman is lifting the Premier League trophy in the 3.5-metre statue outside the North Bank Stand. The 73-year-old will be a guest of honour for Arsenal’s home friendly against Monaco, another of his former clubs, on Wednesday. Wenger, who now works for Fifa, is so synonymous with Arsenal’s recent history that last season’s title battle and second-placed finish under Mikel Arteta is their best…

Riyad Mahrez has completed his transfer from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. The 32-year-old, who had two years left on his contract, is the latest big-name recruit by the SPL in a deal worth up to £30m. City paid £60m for Algeria winger Mahrez in 2018, and he scored 15 goals in 47 games in the Blues’ Treble-winning campaign last season. “To play for Manchester City has been an honour and privilege,” said Mahrez. “I came to City to win trophies and enjoy my football. I achieved all that and so much more. “I’ve made a lifetime of wonderful…

China earned their first victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup by beating Haiti in Group D, despite playing for more than an hour with only 10 players. The win for China means England, who beat Denmark 1-0 earlier on Friday, have not qualified for the last 16 yet. Midfielder Zhang Rui was sent off after 29 minutes for a dangerous knee-high challenge on Haiti’s Sherly Jeudy. But Wang Shuang scored the only goal, converting a 74th-minute penalty after Ruthny Mathurin fouled Zhang Linyan. England would have advanced to the knockout stages with a match to spare if China had drawn…

England are on the brink of last-16 qualification in the Women’s World Cup after a much-improved performance saw off Denmark – though they lost key midfielder Keira Walsh to a worrying injury. Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with a superb strike from the edge of the box just six minutes into her first World Cup start and it proved to be the decider in Sydney. However, a serious-looking injury to Barcelona midfielder Walsh dampened what was a positive, attacking performance from the Lionesses after a scrappy 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening group match. Walsh went down under little contact…

Barcelona have been provisionally cleared to play in the 2023-24 Champions League amid a Uefa investigation into allegations the club made payments to a referees’ chief. In March, European football’s governing body confirmed it was looking into claims of payments made by Barcelona for favourable refereeing decisions. Barcelona have denied any wrongdoing. While Barcelona have been allowed in Europe, Uefa reserved the right to punish the club in the future. The Uefa investigation came after a criminal investigation was brought by the Barcelona public prosecutor’s office on 10 March. It was alleged that Barcelona paid 8.4m euros (£7.4m) to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira,…

Super Falcons media officer, Oluchi Tobechukwu has dispelled fears some of the team’s key stars might miss Monday’s last group game against Republic of Ireland as a result of injury. Dependable midfielder, Halimat Ayinde limped off the pitch with what look like an ankle problem in the second half of Thursday’s clash against Australia. Right-back Michelle Alozie also picked up a knock in the game, while Osinachi Ohale also sustained an injury. Tobechukwu, however, stated that the players are in good shape and will be fit for the match against the Republic of Ireland. “They are good, a lot of…

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has approved the appointment of former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi as his Honorary Adviser on Sports. Mikel’s appointment was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere. The 36-year-old was born in Jos, the capital of Plateau State. The former Chelsea star started his career at local club, Plateau United, before moving to Norwegian outfit, Lyn Oslo at the age of 17 in 2004. Mikel had an illustrious career winning multiple titles with Chelsea, including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. The former midfielder…