Category: Football

Southampton have seemingly replaced Fraser Forster less than 24 hours after he was confirmed to be joining Tottenham in the shape of Manchester City youngster Gavin Bazunu.

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✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of Fraser Forster.

Welcome to Spurs, Fraser! 💙

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 8, 2022

The 34-year-old has penned a two year deal in north London after 134 appearances for the Saints, and has left Southampton with only Alex McCarthy as a recognised option in goal.

Not for long, however, if reports are to be believed. The south coast outfit are thought to be close to signing young Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in a deal that could cost up to £10m once add ons are fulfilled.

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🚨#SaintsFC are closing in on the signing of #MCFC goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

The deal could exceed £10m when add-ons are taken into consideration.

Bazunu is Southampton’s No 1 target for the position & will be competing with McCarthy.

Story w/@OliverKay https://t.co/gT3gU4hWaM

— Dan Sheldon (@dansheldonsport) June 8, 2022

Bazunu spent last season on loan with League One side Portsmouth, in a season where he managed 16 clean sheets. He stole the headlines, however, while on international duty where he saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to deny him the all-time goalscoring record, though he managed it later in that game.

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A huge moment for on-loan #ManCity goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu (19), denying Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot tonight! 💙🚫 @SkyFootball pic.twitter.com/85HPzgeqyt

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) September 1, 2021

Unlikely to unseat Ederson any time soon in between the posts for Pep Guardiola’s side, a move away seems necessary for Bazunu, while Southampton have shown with Tino Livramento and Armando Broja that they are not averse to handing youngsters plenty of responsibility.

Read more:

Wednesday’s transfer rumours: De Vrij, Nunez, Torres, Calvert-Lewin, Bissouma & more

Chelsea and Manchester United keen on £70m Premier League defender in summer swoop

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Erik Ten Hag will begin 2022/23 as Manchester United manager. The Dutchman takes over at Old Trafford at a time when the Red Devils are in need of a serious rebuild.

Plenty of big names are set to leave on free transfers at the end of June, whilst Ten Hag, much like Mikel Arteta had to at Arsenal, will need to quell the negative influences in the dressing room.

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Now, speaking to 101GreatGoals, former Manchester United defender Clayton Blackmore has outlined what would constitute a good 2022/23 campaign for Ten Hag.

When asked that question by 101, Blackmore said: “Ten Hag will be going for the top 4 and the difference will be how the team will work as a team.

“His Ajax team worked as a team and that is what he needs to do at United. They should be hard to play against and they will still have Ronaldo.

“I feel sorry for Ten Hag because he’s not going to get Pogba, Matic, or Cavani to work with. If he came in at the start of the season, we would have easily in the top 4.

“Ralf was supposed to bring the work rate and team spirit. The team spirit is there, that’s at every club, but they don’t have the work ethic.

“Working as a team, pressing together. They have to do it together. City work harder running back than we do going forward and that’s not good. Hopefully, with the players we’ve got he will have them working better as a team.

“Richard Arnold is there now as well with Sir Alex, Bryan Robson and David Gil, so I think the club is in the right hands at the moment.”

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Anthony Elanga has told incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag his best position.

Elanga has spent much of his short career to date on the books of Manchester United, racking up 37 and 29 appearances for their under-23 and under-18 sides respectively.

Now though, with Elanga 20 and United short on attacking options, the Sweden native has been handed a more prominent role in United’s starting eleven of late.

Elanga scored a key goal off the bench vs Atletico Madrid in the 2021/22 Champions League last-16. He also netted two and assisted two in the league, with his drive and desire to win back the ball making him a favourite of Ralf Rangnick.

Now though, Erik ten Hag has taken the reins in Manchester and Elanga has sent a message to his new boss regarding his best position.

During 2021/22, Elanga was largely deployed from the right for Manchester United but for his country, he often excels from the left.

And now, after starring for Sweden during the current international break, Elanga has been speaking about how the left-wing is his favourites position:

“It suits me very well,” Elanga told Fotbollskanalen. “At United I play a lot on the right but now I get the chance to play on the left, that is my favourite position. I can do more there. I can go both inside on the pitch and also the outside.”

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This leaves Ten Hag in something of a tricky situation as all of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and now seemingly Elanga operate best from the left.

However, if all three were used in that spot, Manchester United would have no real options for the right-wing next season, apart from youngster Amad Diallo.

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Manchester United have been linked with another central defender this week.

The Red Devils are expected to have a busy summer transfer window that will see at least one new central defender come through the door.

This comes with United lacking any real quality in that position outside of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire.

One of the main names tipped to make the switch to Old Trafford was Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.

Now though,  Correio da Manhã via Sport Witness claim that United are interested in Goncalo Inacio of Sporting.

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Inacio is just 20 years of age and has spent his entire career at Sporting where he has already notched over 70 appearances for their senior side.  The centre-back has also been called up to the Portuguese national team, but is yet to make his debut at the time of writing.

The Lisbon side will not let Inacio go for less than that €45m price tag, but Manchester United do remain interested in him

It is added that United manager Erik ten Hag ‘appreciates Inacio’s characteristics’, as he believes the player has the qualities ‘to impose himself in English football’.

As for the player himself, whilst he is said to ‘calm’ and ‘comfortable’ at Sporting, Inacio knows playing at a club ‘of Manchester United’s dimension’ and ‘in the best league in the world’ would ‘catapult him to another level:

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Gonçalo Inácio | Player knows move to Manchester United will ‘catapult him to another level’ – Ten Hag appreciates characteristics.https://t.co/wOsvk5WV9b #mufc

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) June 7, 2022

 

Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier betting tips: Previews, predictions and odds

Wales vs Netherlands betting tips: UEFA Nations League preview, predictions and odds

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Tottenham are set to face competition for Inter Milan and Italy centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, according to reports.

Tottenham are, of course, in the market for some fresh legs at centre-back this summer. This comes with Antonio Conte deploying a three at the back system, something Spurs did not have that much experience with before 2021/22.

The Lilywhites have been most heavily linked with the Inter star, who is left-footed. And given Spurs’ links to the Serie A via their manager and sporting director, as well as their recent £150m cash injection, the north Londoners did appear to have an almost straight run at the stopper.

However, that has seemingly changed with Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reporting on Tuesday evening that: “in the last hours even Manchester United has been moving for the 23-year-old Nerazzurri central.”

In the same report, Di Marzio adds that both United and Tottenham could also vie for Lille defender, Sven Botman: “Both teams are currently looking for a left-footed defender. For this reason, in fact, both Tottenham and Manchester United could contest (together with Newcastle ) the profile of Sven Botman”

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#Calciomercato @Inter | Su #Bastoni non c’è solo il @SpursOfficial, anche il @ManUtd l’ha messo nel mirinohttps://t.co/KdZSTu4By9

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) June 7, 2022

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Will Manchester United sign Bastoni?

Given United’s troubles at centre-back of late, signing someone like Bastoni would be a great move for them.

However, in pretty much all areas, Tottenham are currently the more attractive option.

The Lilywhites have Champions League football, their boss has previously worked with and won the Serie A with Bastoni, and Spurs also recently signed Ivan Perisic from Inter on a free, meaning Bastoni would be able to work with a familiar face on the left of Spurs’ defence.

Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier betting tips: Previews, predictions and odds

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Liverpool have set their asking price for Neco Williams.

The Reds are braced for lots of interest in the full-back following his performances for both Wales and Fulham.

The Cottagers are among the clubs who want to sign the Welsh international on a permanent deal.

Williams’ price tag revealed

The Liverpool Echo report that Liverpool want £15 million for Williams.

But also Jurgen Klopp’s side are happy to keep their academy graduate if they do not receive such offers.

He has already made 33 appearances for the club and would compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The player will understandably be keen to be playing regular football ahead of the World Cup.

He played a key role in helping Wales defeat Ukraine on Sunday and reach their first World Cup in 64 years.

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WE ARE GOING TO A WORLD CUP A DREAM COME TRUE 🌎🏆 WOW pic.twitter.com/KjJtgPeB26

— Neco Williams (@necowilliams01) June 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also closing in on the signing of Aberdeen right-back Calvin Ramsay.

Should the Merseyside club complete a deal, Williams would almost certainly leave Anfield this summer.

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This article was edited by
Ben Browning.

 

A fresh photo of the kit set to be worn by Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur in home fixtures next season has come to the fore online on Monday.

And the jersey showcases a number of new features.

When lining out in north London this past season, Antonio Conte’s troops of course donned a sleek, simple design, featuring little more than an all-white base, AIA logo, club crest and Nike tick.

Next time out, though, manufacturer Nike are set to shake things up, introducing a head-turning collar and sleeve cuff combo, featuring a navy and luminous green colour pattern.

In addition, a curved white stitched design will make its way from sleeve to sleeve, through the area beneath the collar.

Otherwise, the base colour, and accompanying features, look set to remain largely the same.

Such information comes after a new photo of Tottenham’s latest shirt made its way online on Monday.

The image in question showcases the Lilywhites’ kit on sale in Australia, a full month before its predicted release across the United Kingdom in July:

Check out further images of Tottenham’s new-look home kit below, courtesy of the reliable Footy Headlines:

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ICYMI: Tottenham Hotspur 22-23 Home Kit Leaked: https://t.co/2lm989XA7M

— Footy Headlines (@Footy_Headlines) June 6, 2022

 

Ivan Perisic names the ex-Tottenham stars he intends to contact ahead of next season

Watch: Tottenham’s Heung-min Son nets stunning free-kick for South Korea

 

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Footage of incoming Arsenal defender William Saliba’s latest endeavours on the international stage has piqued attentions amongst the Gunners’ fanbase on Monday.

Saliba, of course, was back in action a short time ago.

On the back of Raphael Varane’s departure from Didier Deschamps’ France squad owing to injury, the 21-year-old was afforded a start for Les Bleus, in the country’s Nations League meeting with Croatia.

The world champions headed into proceedings desperate for a bounce-back result, on the back of a surprise 2-1 opening day defeat at the hands of Denmark.

When all was said and done, however, the French were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

This came after Adrien Rabiot’s opener early in the 2nd-half was cancelled out by an Andrej Kramaric equaliser inside the closing ten minutes in Split, giving rise to a 1-1 stalemate.

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🥶 Ice cold!

Andrej Kramarić scores from the spot with a VERY confident penalty! 🙌

🇭🇷 Croatia 1-1 France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/KjRNAHjvBt

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 6, 2022

One club fanbase, meanwhile, who kept a particularly close eye on proceedings between France and Croatia, as alluded to above, came in the form of the Arsenal faithful.

This came with defender William Saliba, fresh off confirming his intention to stay put in north London next season, having started alongside Presnel Kimpembe at the heart of the visitors’ backline.

And, in tuning in for the clash, Gunners supporters were treated to some of the best aspects of their incoming stopper’s game – pace, timing and overall ability in the tackle:

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Saliba with a vital tackle. #fra pic.twitter.com/EtUcEiAhG1

— My life in read & white (@Arsene1034) June 6, 2022

Later, though, an area which the Frenchman will need to clean up upon taking his place in Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of next season was too highlighted.

This came as Saliba was caught badly in possession, giving rise to a chance for Croatia to break towards goal.

And yet, a combination of athleticism and sheer determination saw the 21-year-old quickly atone for his error, courtesy of a superbly-timed challenge:

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Saliba made an error here and quickly rectified it. Top defensive work

pic.twitter.com/8zPd8gFTOu

— My life in read & white (@Arsene1034) June 6, 2022

 

Newcastle join Arsenal in race for Alvaro Morata

Arsenal must beware Sassuolo repeat in Gianluca Scamacca chase as interest confirmed

 

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Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski has, on Monday, sent a crystal clear message to the club, regarding his desire to link up with Spanish giants Barcelona.

Links between Polish international Lewandowski and Barca have of course been rampant for several weeks now.

This comes with the 33-year-old having made public his desire to seek pastures new this summer, on the back of a prolific stint in Germany with Bayern Munich.

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Lewandowski: “My era at Bayern is over. I don’t see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore” 🚨 #FCBayern

“Bayern’s a serious club and I believe they won’t keep me, I don’t want to play there anymore. A transfer is the best solution. I hope they don’t stop me”. pic.twitter.com/ieO3q0tEBO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2022

The Camp Nou, meanwhile, has long been tipped as Lewandowski’s landing spot of choice, with Barca’s mutual interest in securing a deal meaning a transfer is viewed as altogether likely to come to fruition at some point over the coming months.

Speaking in an interview with Sport Onet on Monday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his future was put to ‘Lewa’ once more.

And, with Bayern already seeking out a replacement for his services in the form of Liverpool star Sadio Mane, the Pole took full advantage of the opportunity to not only request, but essentially demand that the German champions cut him loose:

“I only want to leave Bayern,” Lewandowski began. “Loyalty and respect are more important than work. The best way is to find a solution together.”

“Something has died in me, I want to leave Bayern for more emotions in my life.”

From here, the veteran striker too reiterated his desire to join Barcelona, in assuring that:

“No other offers were even considered by me other than that of Barcelona.”

“I want to leave Bayern, that’s clear.”

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Robert Lewandowski confirms he’s only intentioned to accept Barça as of today: “No other offers were even considered by me other than that of Barcelona”, tells @OnetSport. 🚨🇵🇱 #FCB

“I want to leave Bayern, that’s clear”.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2022

 

Ángel Di María says yes to Barcelona move with Juventus set to miss out

Bayern Munich’s new Sadio Mané offer set to match Liverpool’s demands

 

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Liverpool midfielder James Milner has penned a new deal at Anfield which will keep him on Merseyside until 2023, the club have announced.

The veteran workhorse was out of contract this summer, and had been approached by two clubs in the Premier League looking to bolster their ranks with his experience.

However, he is set to stay on Merseyside for another season, taking him to eight years under Jurgen Klopp. In that time, the man signed for free from Manchester City has racked up 289 appearances for the Reds, helping them to success in every competition that they have entered in that time.

It is understood that Milner took a substantial pay cut in order to make the deal happen.

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We are delighted to announce that @JamesMilner has signed a new contract extension with the Reds 🙌🔴 pic.twitter.com/uaSHd0W4nJ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 6, 2022

Milner ‘can still contribute to the team’

Speaking to Liverpool’s official site, Milner revealed that despite his age, he feels that he can still contribute to Jurgen Klopp’s and Liverpool’s success.

‘I’m very pleased to be staying for another season,” the veteran revealed. ‘I have never taken playing for this club for granted and I never will.

‘An overriding feeling for me – and a vitally important one in the process – was the belief I can still contribute to the team’, he continued. ‘The gaffer was clear what he thought and that was a big factor in me extending my contract’.

‘As long as I can still play my part, that’s not something easy to walk away from.’

‘Last season was extraordinary, even though it didn’t have the ending we hoped it would. But I think that will only make us all even hungrier for more success, to be honest. I felt that after the parade and that played a part in my decision-making also. It’s a unique club.’

‘Now this is signed, I’m already looking forward to getting back with everyone, refocusing and going again. It’s a brilliant dressing room to be part of.’

Read more:

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Monday’s transfer rumours: Nunez, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel, Diaby, Gavi and more

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