Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is said to have been left baffled by a legal bill worth more than £500,000 accrued by Henry Mauriss in the latest news involving the takeover saga.
As per The Chronicle, talks between the chief executive of Clear TV and the lawyers of Ashley were ongoing over the summer but the CEO of Sports Direct has been left mystified by the slow nature of the discussions since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian (KSA) group officially decided to withdraw their own £300m bid after losing patience with how much time it was taking for the Premier League and Richard Masters to decide whether or not to approve their bid.
Nevertheless, the paperwork of the Mauriss bid is said to be examined very carefully by the current owner at St James’ Park. However, it is his failure to follow up on the £350m verbal agreement on a deal earlier this year that has left Ashley casting his own doubts on the intentions of the businessman.
Nonetheless, the approach has still cost Mauriss big in legal fees, which has left Ashley baffled. Indeed, the English tycoon looks more unlikely by the day to come to an agreement with Mauriss over a serious offer, as Ashley is expected to label both the American and the Bellagraph Nova (BN) group as “time-wasters” when he addresses the matter publicly.
It seems as if a prospective takeover of the Tyneside club by Mauriss is all but dead, as the Saudi-led consortium continue to play the waiting game in order to try and get their own deal with Ashley back on track.
Geordies, do you think a Mauriss takeover is still possible? Comment below with your views!
Tottenham Hotspur are in the mood to do business this summer transfer window and next on the list of priorities is surely a striker, of which one target makes a ton of sense…
What’s the word?
According to the Guardian, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is keen to bring Frankfurt attacker Bas Dost to the Premier League before next month’s deadline.
They claim that the Bundesliga outfit value the 31-year-old veteran at just €5.5m (£5m), though the north Londoners would prefer a temporary loan agreement instead.
Mourinho views Dost as the perfect alternative to Harry Kane due to his imposing physical stature. Having failed to sign a back-up option in January, Daniel Levy must deliver this window.
Jose’s new Costa?
If Spurs wanted to find a carbon-copy of Fernando Llorente, then they’re staring right at him in Dost. The former Netherlands international stands 6 foot 5 inches tall and is an absolute powerhouse.
In the Bundesliga last season, the colossus won a career-high 5.4 aerials duels per game on average, via WhoScored. His aggression and strength also makes him hard to beat having only been dispossessed four times in 24 appearances.
He’s been likened to Edin Dzeko in the past but perhaps a better comparison could be Diego Costa, who Mourinho managed to a Premier League and League Cup double in 2015.
It is evident that this is the sort of striker profile he’s after – a mean brute who can bully teams into submission and that’s what Dost would bring say over someone like Joshua King or Villa’s new signing Ollie Watkins.
The Dutch forward has been described as a “top-level” talent who’d have no trouble adapting to the demands of an elite division whilst another one of Mourinho’s former players, the now-retired Andre Schurrle, believes Dost is “phenomenal” and “unbelievable”.
For just £5.5m, Levy should be all over this move.
AND in other news, Spurs could deliver upgrade on a Mourinho favourite with £45m swoop…
Micky Adams expects his former club Leicester City to bid farewell to Ben Chilwell this summer amid serious interest from Chelsea.
The ex-Foxes manager believes the England international is set to leave the King Power Stadium this transfer window. Speaking to the Daily Star, Adams has summed up the situation in a blunt manner, admitting simply that ‘money talks’.
Indeed, Chilwell has been heavily linked to a move to Chelsea who are in a strong position for welcoming new recruits. After enduring their two-window transfer ban, the Blues have a hefty amount of funds to splurge on transforming their squad ahead of this season.
“It’ll be down to Chilwell. The power is always with players,” Adams said. “If he gets his head turned by Chelsea, then money talks.”
Frank Lampard identified his defence as an area that needs attention ahead of what promises to be an exciting 2020/21 season. The Blues conceded the most goals out of the top ten Premier League sides last term (54) and with new quality attackers coming in, Chelsea must balance the squad with similar calibre defenders.
Chilwell has been named amongst several high profile defensive targets Lampard wants to bring to Stamford Bridge. Others include Declan Rice and Thiago Silva, who is close to joining the West Londoners on a one-year deal
“Leicester are no different to anyone else. If they feel the cash is too good to turn down, then he’ll go,” Adams concluded.
According to a recent report from the Daily Express, Chelsea are willing to table an offer of £50million for Chilwell alongside a wage packet worth £150,000 per week. This will put the 24-year-old in the club’s top three earners, behind only Kepa Arrizabalaga and highest paid player Christian Pulisic (via Spotrac).
Do you want to see Chelsea finalise a move for Ben Chilwell? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
أعلن إيهاب جلال المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز قائمة مباراة عزام التنزاني في إياب دور الـ32 الأول من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.
ويحل عزام التنزاني ضيفا على بيراميدز في التاسعة مساء السبت بإياب دور الـ32 لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية على استاد الدفاع الجوي، بعدما انتهت مباراة الذهاب بالعاصمة دار السلام بالتعادل السلبي.
طالع | إيهاب جلال يعلق على تعادل بيراميدز مع عزام التنزاني في الكونفدرالية قائمة بيراميدز لمباراة عزام التنزاني في الكونفدرالية
حراسة المرمى: شريف إكرامي – مهدي سليمان – يوسف نادر.
خط الدفاع: أحمد أيمن منصور – علي جبر – أسامة جلال – أحمد سامي – محمد حمدي – أحمد فتحي – عبد الرحمن صميدة.
خط الوسط: عمر جابر – إيريك تراوري – أحمد توفيق – رمضان صبحي – نبيل دونجا – إبراهيم حسن – عبد الله السعيد – إبراهيم عادل – عماد ميهوب.
خط الهجوم: دودو الجباس.
ويخوض فريق بيراميدز مرانه الأخير في الثامنة مساء الجمعة على استاد الدفاع الجوي في إطار معسكره المغلق.
Burnley striker Chris Wood has reportedly had transfer interest from two other Premier League clubs.
The print edition of The Mirror claimed [via HITC] that Newcastle and Southampton are both interested in the 28-year-old, following reports from Corriere dello Sport [via Daily Mail] last week that he had been offered to Lazio.
According to The Mirror [via HITC], the New Zealand international is valued at £13m by the Clarets despite still having three years left on his current contract.
Wood enjoyed an excellent 2019/20 season for Burnley, netting 14 Premier League goals and finishing as their top scorer. That campaign wasn’t a freak occurrence for the 28-year-old, either, as he has hit double figures in the league of his three seasons at Turf Moor, as well as in the preceding two years at Leeds (as per TransferMarkt).
His importance to Sean Dyche’s attack is emphasised by the fact that his 2019/20 goal tally was almost twice as much as fellow centre-forwards Matej Vydra and Ashley Barnes combined, while Burnley’s midfielders managed a paltry six goals between them. [via TransferMarkt]
Wood cost the Clarets a reported £15m (as per BBC) when he joined from Leeds three years ago as a player who was virtually unproven in the Premier League. Having since hit 34 goals in the division, he has consistently shown that he belongs in the English top flight.
Indeed, the Yorkshire club had a £22m offer for Ben White rejected by Brighton recently, with the Seagulls apparently holding out for £35m for a defender who has only played twice for the Sussex club and has zero Premier League experience.
Taking all of that into consideration, it seems baffling that Burnley reportedly value Wood at just £13m, particularly when they signed him for £2m more than that when he wasn’t the proven Premier League scorer that he has since become.
He would leave a huge scoring chasm for the Clarets to fill irrespective of the price for which he is sold, and in a market where clubs can seemingly demand £35m for players with no top-flight experience, it would be kamikaze stuff from Burnley to sell the potent Wood for a mere £13m, especially to a Premier League rival like Newcastle or Southampton.
Burnley fans, what price would you put on Wood? Have your say by commenting below!
Glasgow Rangers ace Jermain Defoe seems to have revelled in rubbishing Sky Sports pundit John Hartson’s claims after he arrived at Ibrox in January 2019.
The former Celtic striker told the Daily Record that Steven Gerrard does not know his best team.
And he blamed two big signings for confusing the situation after Rangers agreed to sign Defoe and Steven Davis on loan deals from Bournemouth and Southampton.
Hartson said “they brought in a big signing in Jermain Defoe, but it just confused the situation. It left Gerrard wondering who to play.”
And he added “Davis hasn’t kicked a ball.”
However, it looks like Defoe has had the last laugh, as he has been directly involved in 35 goals in just 55 games for Steven Gerrard’s side, including a hattrick against Hiberian in only his second Scottish Premiership start last season.
The highly-rated 38-year-old striker could displace Colombia international Alfredo Morelos after he came off the bench to score his first goal and supply his first assist of the season against Lincoln Red Imps in the Europa League last month.
Despite his advancing years, Defoe has routinely continued to defy the critics. He famously scored a stunning solo goal against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light to win the Wear-Tyne Derby in 2015.
If you take a look at his heatmaps last season, you can clearly see his playing style hasn’t really changed a great deal with an even greater emphasis on being inside the box, although he has also become somewhat of a poacher-turned-provider.
He formed a prolific partnership with the more mobile Gareth Bale during his time at Tottenham Hotspur with the pair combining for thirteen goals between them in all competitions, via Transfermarkt. Imagine what he could do with Ianis Hagi fully fit and firing on all cylinders.
With Defoe working his way back from fitness after a hamstring injury ruled him out for the start of the season, Gerrard should seriously consider starting his old comrade up top for their next game which is a huge one against Old Firm rivals Celtic, and relegating Morelos to the bench.
Defoe was once described as an “unbelievable” player by his former teammate Alan Hutton who believes the veteran is more than capable of recreating his clinical form for many more years to come.
Meanwhile, Morelos rather tends to make a meal of things against Celtic as he has so far failed to score a single goal in the Old Firm Derby whilst suffering the ignominy of being sent off several times already, as per Transfermarkt.
This time Rangers need someone they can rely on and Defoe is exactly the type of player who can get the job done. He is a goalscorer with a much calmer temperament and is someone who has experienced huge derbies in the past, including the one in North London as well as the Tyne-Wear clash.
AND in other news, Steven Gerrard right to send Rangers’ Kai Kennedy to Inverness Caledonian Thistle…
With the international break coming to an end, it means the return of Premier League football is just around the corner – and with that comes the return of Fantasy Premier League football too.
Gameweek 4 turned out to be one of the most surprising and unpredictable we have seen for some time, with players such as Ollie Watkins and Jack Grealish topping the points tallies after Aston Villa’s 7-2 romping of Liverpool.
A new gameweek means new transfers in an attempt to strengthen your squads ahead of the deadline for the first game of the weekend – Everton vs Liverpool.
There are plenty of big games this weekend, with plenty of great opportunities for points, so let’s take a look at five players you should consider transfering into your fantasy team (if you haven’t already)…
James Rodriguez – £7.8m
The Colombian has been a revelation for Everton’s midfield since signing from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window – and has picked up points aplenty throughout the past few game weeks.
Against Brighton, Rodriguez picked up 18 points for his 2 goals and assist, and this week the Toffees face Liverpool in his first Merseyside derby for the club. Despite the level of opposition, Everton have had a great start to the season and look the strongest they have ever been – so they will be optimistic going into the game against a Reds side that lost 7-2 to Aston Villa during GW4.
The clubs following two fixtures against Southampton and Newcastle will also be great chances for the 29-year-old to continue his run of form and points scoring and for just £7.8m, that’s something worth thinking about.
More than 591,000 FPL users have transferred him in ahead of GW5, so maybe you should too!
Patrick Bamford – £5.8m
Soccer Football – Premier League – Sheffield United v Leeds United – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – September 27, 2020 Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring their first goal Pool via REUTERS/Alex Livesey EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account re
The Leeds United forward has proven plenty of doubters wrong since gaining promotion back to the Premier League with the Whites. Bamford’s Premier League career prior to this season involved bouncing between a handful of clubs on loan from then-parent club Chelsea but failed to make an impression due to minimal substitute appearances.
This season, the 27-year-old has led the line for Leeds after helping them win the Championship last season and faces a string of fixtures that could prove lucrative for Leeds. GW5 sees them face Wolves at home, and Bamford could be a great option to lead the line of your FPL team for the next few weeks, with following fixtures against Aston Villa, Leicester, and Crystal Palace.
The Englishman has 30 points in FPL so far this season and has been brought in by more than 165,000 other users.
Ben Chilwell – £5.6m
The 23-year-old finally made his debut for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea during game week 4, in a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, where the defender scored, assisted, and kept a clean sheet, earning himself 18 points in the process. This week, the Blues face Southampton at home, and with the new signings finally starting to settle and their defensive capabilities also starting to merge – it may be a great choice to bring Chilwell into the mix.
The Blues’ following two fixtures involve a game against a Manchester United side that has had a poor start to their season, and Burnley who are yet to record a win in the league. More than 475,000 other FPL users have transferred in Chilwell ahead of GW5, the most of any defender – so maybe you should follow the trend too…
Ollie Watkins – £5.9m
Soccer Football – Premier League – Aston Villa v Liverpool – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – October 4, 2020. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their fourth goal and completing his hat-trick with Ezri Konsa. Pool via REUTERS/Rui Vieira EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications.
The Aston Villa striker had a great game against Liverpool during gameweek 4, scoring his first goals for the club with a hattrick over the Premier League champions.
This week sees the Villans face Leicester City away at the King Power Stadium, with the Foxes coming off the back of a 3-0 defeat to West Ham, meaning Watkins could be in with the chance of adding to his account in the league this weekend.
Villa’s following two fixtures against Leeds and Southampton could be another lucrative opportunity for Watkins, and with their form so far this season looking impressive, there is no telling how most games will go at the moment. The 24-year-old will only cost you £5.9m out of your budget, and along with the 157,000+ FPL users, you should get him in your squad!
Kurt Zouma – £5.0m
Soccer Football – Premier League – Chelsea v Crystal Palace – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – October 3, 2020 Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma scores their second goal Pool via REUTERS/Kirsty Wigglesworth EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further
The Frenchman has been a commanding figure at the back for Chelsea this season and has certainly earned his place among Frank Lampard’s side. Last game week, the defender scored a great header against Crystal Palace, as well as keeping a clean sheet, earning himself 13 points. GW5 will see Chelsea face Southampton, and just like Chilwell, Zouma would be a great option in defence given Chelsea’s defensive form starting to improve.
Not only their game against the Saints, but following matches against a poor Manchester United side and a Burnley team that are yet to record a win this season could be great opportunities for the 25-year-old, who has become one of the first names on Lampard’s team sheet. Zouma will cost you just £5.0m, and has been transferred in by more than 101,000 other FPL users – clearly, they see the same as what I do.
O procurador-geral da República, Rodrigo Janot, vai solicitar à Justiça americana nos próximos dias as provas existentes contra Marco Polo Del Nero, presidente licenciado da CBF, e Ricardo Teixeira, ex-mandatário da entidade. A informação é do Jornal Estado de São Paulo. O objetivo de Janot é avaliar a possibilidade de julgar os cartolas no Brasil, já que não há um acordo de extradição entre os governos brasileiro e americano.
Apesar de existir um projeto em andamento no Congresso, no Brasil ainda não há uma lei para punir os casos de corrupção privada. Ainda que aprovado, os crimes passados não seriam investigados, valendo apenas para as novas investigações. Desta forma, Del Nero e Ricardo Teixeira teriam a chance de escaparem da prisão, desde que não saiam do país. Uma possível saída seria entrar no caso de dimensão de evasão fiscal, algo que dependeria de uma análise dos documentos a serem enviados pela Justiça americana.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalOpinião: “A CBF deveria ser refundada”Futebol Nacional04/12/2015Futebol NacionalProcurador-geral manda recado a envolvidos em escândalo da FIFA: ‘Momento de confessar’Futebol Nacional03/12/2015Futebol NacionalAs ligações perigosas de Ricardo TeixeiraFutebol Nacional03/12/2015
Na última quinta-feira, Del Nero e Teixeira foram indiciados pelo FBI. Assim como José Maria Marin, o trio é acusado de receber propinas em contratos da Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, Copa América, além de contratos da CBF com a Nike.
O FBI ainda reitera que nomes de outros brasileiros continuam sendo investigados, e que em 2016 novas ordens de prisões e indiciamentos serão feitos. De acordo com o departamento americano, dos 27 cartolas já indiciados, outros 24 de diversos países, inclusive do Brasil, ainda estão na mira da justiça americana.
After missing out on Callum Wilson, Aston Villa are set to go back to Bournemouth to try and land one of their other attacking stars…
What’s the word?
According to the reliable John Percy at the Telegraph, Dean Smith’s side are set to make a £16m bid for Cherries forward Joshua King as he steps up his pursuit of a new striking option.
It’s claimed that Villa are keen to sign two strikers this summer and that they withdrew their offer for Wilson when it was made clear he was moving to Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Brentford talisman Ollie Watkins is still a top priority but it appears King is another target for the club.
However, The Sun have previously suggested that the south coast side would want £25m to let him go.
Proven and versatile
If those reports are to be believed, then potentially adding someone like King alongside Watkins could be exactly what Villa need this summer.
Smith’s current striking duo of Wesley Moraes and Mbwana Samatta combined for a mere six goals last season, two fewer than Jack Grealish’s eight – they can’t rely on their skipper every single week.
This struggle for goals has been one of Smith’s biggest nightmares and one of the huge reasons why the club were embroiled in a relegation dogfight for most of the season.
The 28-year-old can play anywhere along the front three and has netted at least six goals in the last five Premier League campaigns with a career-best coming during the 2016/16 season where he bagged a whopping 16 times, via WhoScored.
He still did well in a struggling Cherries outfit, contributing directly to ten goals whilst averaging 2 dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game also.
It’s no wonder Eddie Howe once labelled him a “complete package” as he’s “outstanding physically, technically and mentally” and has also added that he’s “quite unique”.
If Villa are to avoid another relegation scrap, then adding proven PL players such as King is a smart way to go about business – though, they may have to increase that £16m bid if they are to secure him before next month.
AND in other news, £20m target would be an instant upgrade on Douglas Luiz…
A partida contra o Santos, além dos três pontos e da esperança de escapar do rebaixamento na última rodada, marcou a comunhão entre time e torcida do Vasco nesta reta final de Brasileirão de 2015. Um dos momentos mais marcantes do jogo de São Januário foi quando os jogadores entraram para aquecer no gramado. Com o vestiário alagado, essa entrada se deu pelo meio da torcida, que fez uma festa bonita que arrepiou alguns atletas do elenco.
– Para fazer o aquecimento contra o Santos, passamos pela torcida. E aquilo arrepiou. Muito tempo que eu não via algo como o que a torcida do Vasco fez neste jogo. Lembrando que estava chovendo. Se a torcida abraçar o time, não tem como dar errado. Só tenho que agradecer aos torcedores pelo papel. Quando estávamos em uma situação pior, em momento nenhum eles nos largaram. Claro que existe a cobrança, mas eles apoiaram mais do que cobraram. No domingo, podemos confirmar a permanência graças a essa ajuda – disse Serginho.
Agora, o Cruz-Maltino conta com o apoio dos torcedores que irão comparecer ao Couto Pereira, para a partida contra o Coritiba, que poderá marcar o capítulo final dessa grande arrancada dentro do Brasileiro. Serginho comentou sobre a dificuldade do confronto e garantiu o time focado.
– Iniciamos a semana alegres, mas focados no próximo jogo. Vai ser uma partida muito difícil, que pode selar a nossa permanência na Série A. Vamos respeitar o Coritiba e procurar fazer uma grande partida – destacou o volante.
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