Arsenal agree £8m deal for Chelsea defender, David Luiz

Luiz has spent six and a half years at Chelsea during two spells and has made 160 Premier League appearances, scoring 11 goals.

His departure, if confirmed, comes five weeks after Frank Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge to manage his former club.

Chelsea are banned from signing players until the end of January 2020 following an investigation into their signing of foreign under-18 players.

With Gary Cahill, who has since joined Crystal Palace, released at the end of last season, Chelsea's options at centre-back include Germany's Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, who was on loan at Everton last season, and Denmark's Andreas Christensen.

Having signed for Chelsea from Benfica in a £21m deal in January 2011, Luiz joined Paris St-Germain for £40m in June 2014 before returning to Stamford Bridge in August 2016 for £34m.

Luiz was present at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on Wednesday, although he did not take part in first-team training.

The 32-year-old Brazil centre-back, who signed a new two-year Chelsea deal in May, will have a medical at Arsenal on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Arsenal sold defender Laurent Koscielny to French side Bordeaux for a fee of up to 5m euros (£4.6m).

They are also set to sign Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney for £25m.

Luiz has spent six and a half years at Chelsea during two spells and has made 160 Premier League appearances, scoring 11 goals.

His departure, if confirmed, comes five weeks after Frank Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge to manage his former club.

Chelsea are banned from signing players until the end of January 2020 following an investigation into their signing of foreign under-18 players.

With Gary Cahill, who has since joined Crystal Palace, released at the end of last season, Chelsea's options at centre-back include Germany's Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, who was on loan at Everton last season, and Denmark's Andreas Christensen.

Having signed for Chelsea from Benfica in a £21m deal in January 2011, Luiz joined Paris St-Germain for £40m in June 2014 before returning to Stamford Bridge in August 2016 for £34m.

Luiz was present at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on Wednesday, although he did not take part in first-team training.

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Kenneth Omeruo deserves better than Chelsea stasis

In spite of strictures in the transfer market necessitating a focus on youth, there is no room for the Nigeria international at Stamford Bridge.

There is something cruel about the fact that, for two of London’s biggest clubs, their longest-serving players are considered surplus to requirements.

Carl Jenkinson, a boyhood Arsenal fan, at one time looked like the future of the club at right-back, and was even capped by England, but now has a long-term contract, which runs out next year, to thank for his longevity in North London.

For Kenneth Omeruo, however, there have never been any pretensions about his influence, or lack thereof, at Chelsea.

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Breaking News: Ex-Arsenal captain Koscielny disrespects club by taking off red shirt to reveal Bordeaux jersey during his unveiling

Former Arsenal captain, Laurent Koscielnyhas angered Arsenal supporters for disrespecting the club during his unveiling at his new club, Bordeaux.

The French defender, 33, who refused to commit his future to Arsenal, forced his move to French club Bordeaux in a £4.6million deal.

Bordeaux announced Koscielny's arrival on Tuesday, August 6, via a Twitter video which also included the launch of their new home shirt. But the clip has left many Arsenal fans angry as he is seen taking off their shirt to show the kit of his new club.

'New player, new jersey, find it nowhere,' Bordeaux captioned the video.

Former striker Ian Wright reacted to the disrespectful unveiling, writing on Twitter: 'This hurts. The level of disrespect... You should be ashamed for the way you've left the club after 9 years! Got what you wanted and still trying to have a dig... Hope it's worth it in the long run.'

'This is unreal, imagine being a club captain and showing this much disrespect in your unveiling,' tweeted @Dowdsy12.

'You shouldn't have done that to Arsenal shirt. Very very disrespectful, I'm disappointed Kos,' wrote @GooneretteXhaka.

Arsenal confirming his departure in a statement, saying: 'We decided to sanction his move to Bordeaux once we agreed acceptable transfer terms.

'We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future.'

Koscielny took to Instagram on Tuesday to thank his former side: 'After 9 years spent at Arsenal, I took the decision to leave.' he wrote.

'I have spent wonderful years with this club, nine years during which I learned, evolved, grew up. 

'This experience made me the player I am today. My decision to leave has been discussed for months with my club, my teammates, my coach, and it has been a well-thought decision. 

'I see this departure like a new turning point in my life as a player but also in my life as a man and a family man. 

'However I hope you understand, and in any case, I cannot be thankful enough for these years past at Arsenal. I am aware of everything that the club and you supporters have brought to me. But it is time for me to go home so today my will is to join the @girondins. This is a new challenge that I count on taking with determination. Lolo.'

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Mbappe pushes Neymar away in PSG trophy celebration

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe was seen pushing  Neymar away during PSG’s recent celebration.

The Parisiens picked up a comeback 2-1 win over Rennes recently despite having gone 1-0 down early in the game. Goals from Mbappe and Angel di Maria saw them win the Trophee des Champions.

In a video that has emerged after the game when PSG was celebrating the trophy win, Mbappe was seen pushing Neymar away from celebration huddle.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 'no doubt' midfielder will stay at Manchester United - Paul Pogba

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has "no doubt" midfielder Paul Pogba will stay at the club this summer.

The France World Cup winner missed United's final pre-season game, a penalty-shootout win over AC Milan in the International Champions Cup.

But Solskjaer said Pogba, who did not travel to Cardiff for the match, was not risked due to a back strain.

"I wasn't expecting him [to travel]," he said.

"I spoke to him after training and he didn't feel right. It's not an injury, it's just some pain. I wasn't going to risk anything."

Reports claimed Pogba failed to make the trip to Cardiff in an attempt to force a move to Real Madrid.

Solskjaer also confirmed the £80m signing of Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire is set to be announced "very soon".

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Four-time champion targets Tour de France return

Britain's four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome says next year's race is his "only goal" as he continues his recovery from a serious crash during the Criterium du Dauphine.

Froome, 34, broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs as he hit a wall at 54km/h in the accident on 12 June.

In his absence, Ineos team-mate Egan Bernal won the Tour last month.

"It's safe to say I'm ahead of all the predictions made initially of how long it would take," Froome told Team Ineos.

Speaking in his first interview since the crash, the seven-time Grand Tour winner added: "The news from the surgeon when he said I could make a full recovery and there's nothing stopping me - that's all I wanted to hear at that point.

"From then, everything was so positive. I was incredibly lucky not to be more seriously injured.

"For me the underlying goal is to get to the start line in 2020 and be at a similar or better position than I was this year. That's what is driving me at the moment."

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Breaking News: Andy Murray and Jamie Murray lose in quarter-finals

Andy and Jamie Murray lost in three sets to Raven Klaasen and Michael Venus in the quarter-finals of the Washington Open.

The British pair took the first set on a tie-break but lost a second as all 24 games followed serve.

South African Klaasen and New Zealand's Venus, seeded third, trailed 5-7 in the final tie-break but won five points in a row to win 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (8-6) 10-7.

Andy Murray, 32, is playing his fourth event since hip surgery in January.

The former world number one feared his career might be over before having the hip resurfacing operation, but returned to the doubles court five months later when he won the Queen's title alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

The three-time Grand Slam winner says he could make a singles return at the Cincinnati Masters later this month - two weeks before the start of the US Open in New York - and has been practising singles play this week.

"I feel fine, just disappointed," Murray said of his fitness after the defeat. "Practices have been fine.

"Just keep pressing next 10 days. If I feel ready, I'll give it [singles in Cincinnati] a go. If not, I'll probably wait until after New York."

The Murray brothers, who were playing in doubles competition together for the first time since 2016, reached the Washington quarters after a gutsy three-set win over experienced French pair Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in their opening match.

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Mikel Obi trains for the first time with his new club, Trabzonspor

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, 32, has been pictured for the first time training with his new club, Trabzonspor.

On Thursday, August 1, 2019, the former Chelsea midfielder took part in a training session alongside Italian striker, Caleb Ekuban.

See Photos below;

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Mikel Obi receives rousing welcome as he joins Turkish football club, Trabzonspor

Mikel Obi received a rousing welcome last night as he was officially welcomed to Turkish Football club, Trabzonspor.

The 32-year-old football star who announced his retirement from International football shortly after AFCON in Egypt, shared videos of Trabzonspor fans welcoming him to the club. The excited fans were chanting his name as he arrived the club house. 

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Real Madrid call off Wales forward's China move - Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale's move to China is off after Real Madrid cancelled the deal, with the Wales winger now set to stay at the Spanish club.

Bale, 30, had been expected to join Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning on a three-year deal, earning a reported £1m a week.

Last week Real boss Zinedine Zidane said Bale was "very close to leaving"having fallen out of favour.

Zidane added his exit would be "best for everyone".

Bale joined the Spanish club for £85m from Tottenham in 2013 in a world record deal at the time.

He has three years left on his contract with the Bernabeu club where he has won four Champions Leagues, one La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, three Uefa Super Cups and three Club World Cups.

Bale scored three goals, plus a penalty in a shootout, in four Champions League finals for Real as they won the competition in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

However, injury problems have limited him to 79 La Liga starts in the past four seasons.

He played 42 matches for Real Madrid last season but was booed by the home supporters at times during the campaign.

It has been reported Real blocked Bale's move as they are demanding a transfer fee for the player.

Real have also had their attacking options depleted with winger Marco Asensio set to miss the majority of the 2019-20 season after rupturing his knee ligaments.

Zidane's return as Real boss in March was described as "bad news" by the forward's agent, Jonathan Barnett, because the Frenchman did not want to work with Bale and the two men disagreed on playing style.

However, Real president Florentino Perez has often defended the Welshman.

Bale ended last season on the bench as Real endured their poorest domestic campaign in 20 years, with 12 defeats, 68 points and a third-place finish - 19 points behind champions Barcelona. They were also knocked out of the Champions League by Ajax in the last 16.

Bale has reportedly been nicknamed 'The Golfer' by his Real team-mates, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Bale did not attend a team meal because he did not want to miss his bed time.

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Egan Bernal wins, Geraint Thomas second, Caleb Ewan wins in Paris

Egan Bernal became the youngest rider in 110 years to win the Tour de France after Caleb Ewan won the traditional sprint finish in Paris.

With the race leader not challenged on the final stage, 22-year-old Bernal became the first Colombian winner.

He crossed the line in the peloton, hand-in-hand with his Ineos team-mate and last year's winner Geraint Thomas, who finished second this time.

"To finish second behind a team-mate makes it OK," said Welshman Thomas.

"Two years ago I had my arm in a sling with a broken collarbone watching Chris Froome win, wishing I was riding and I would've taken second then, but it just shows how time and expectations have moved on.

"Egan is the future and when I'm 45 and old and fat and sat in the pub watching him win a 10th Tour de France I can say I told him all I know."

Thomas went into the three-week race as joint leader with Bernal but his preparations had been disrupted when he crashed while travelling at around 50mph in the Tour de Suisse in June.

He had to abandon that week-long race and then he had three minor crashes during this year's Tour.

Thomas led Bernal for much of the race but his team-mate was stronger in the final week in the Alps, and ended up winning by one minute 11 seconds, with Dutch rider Steven Kruijswijk 20 seconds further adrift in third.

"Thanks to all my team and thank you G [Geraint Thomas] for giving me the opportunity," said Bernal. "I'm the happiest guy in the world. I have just won the Tour de France and I can't believe it."

Bernal's victory is the seventh in eight years for a British-based team, after Ineos took over the ownership of the Team Sky squad earlier this year.

Bradley Wiggins became the first British winner of the race in 2012, with Chris Froome triumphing in 2013 and then claiming three in succession from 2015 before Thomas took last year's title.

Bernal is just the third Colombian to win one of cycling's three Grand Tours. Nairo Quintana won the 2014 Giro d'Italia and 2016 Vuelta a Espana, while Luis Herera won the Vuelta in 1987.

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Corpse found in Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny's home in Egypt

A dead body was reportedly found in Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny's home in Egypt.

According to Gazetta, the midfielder's father found the corpse at the house in the city of Mahalla Al-Kubra.

The shocking discovery was made on Friday, July 26, 2019, before police were alerted. The home where the body was found is currently under construction.

The website 24.ae claim the body was found ‘in the patio’ at the home.

Police are yet to formally identify the deceased and it is not known whether it was a criminal act or an accident but an investigation has been launched.

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Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac face carjacking gang

Two Premier League footballers have been involved in a carjacking attempt by an armed gang in a London street.

Arsenal players Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac were targeted, the club confirmed, but both escaped uninjured.

Footage on social media appears to show Kolasinac chasing the robbers in Platts Lane, near Golders Green, at about 17:00 BST.

In a video that has circulated on social media, full-back Kolasinac is seen fighting off two men who are wielding knives.

The player can be seen jumping out of a vehicle to confront the masked men who had pulled alongside the car on mopeds.

In the footage, both car jackers were seen to be armed and were filmed brandishing knives at 26-year-old Kolasinac.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "It was reported that suspects on motorbikes had attempted to rob a man who was driving a car.

"The driver, along with his passenger, managed to get away unharmed and travelled to a restaurant in Golders Green, where they were spoken to by officers."

There have been no arrests so far.

Kolasinac and midfielder Ozil are not the first footballers to be targeted on London's roads.

In 2016, then West Ham striker Andy Carroll was threatened at gunpoint on his way home from training.

Arsenal said in a statement: "We have been in contact with both players and they are fine."

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Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent announces his retirement from football at the age of 35

Former England and Tottenham striker, Darren Bent has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

Bent, who has been without a club since being released by Derby County at the end of the 2017/18 season, scored 216 goals in 568 appearances in all competitions during his 18-year playing career. He also won 13 caps and scored four goals for England.

 
Bent, who began his career at Ipswich before joining Charlton in 2005, with big money transfers to Tottenham, Sunderland, and Aston Villa announced his retirement live on talkSPORT’s Drivetime show on Thursday July 25th.

Bent said: "It's something you think about for a while and every footballer has that point when you think enough is enough.

"But I'm excited for the next phase of my life."

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Just In: Gernot Rohr set to quit as super eagles coach

Gernot Rohr may resign his role as the head coach of the Super Eagles in the next days.

The German man managed Nigeria to a third-place finish in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, after they missed the last two editions.

However, Rohr has come under heavy criticisms from several directions, for what some see as ‘lack of tactical nous’ or, in other words, an ‘inability to read matches’.

It is noted that the 66-year-old has informed close associates, that he is unsure if he wants to carry on.

“A lot of things have been going on but he has taken it all because he does not want to cause any controversy.

“But now, he is not sure if he will continue,” sources have told ESPN.

Rohr is due to face Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick this week as part of that assessment.

And if both parties reach an agreement, he might leave the role sooner as expected.

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Breaking News: Footballer Odion Ighalo retires from Super Eagles

Odion Ighalo has retired from international football and is expected to make the announcement soon, after a successful outing at the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

The Shanghai Shenhua striker had limped off in the 44th-minute of the third-place match against Tunisia on Wednesday, after scoring the only goal that gave the Super Eagles team the bronze medal.

Ighalo’s retirement is coming after he made his national team debut under Daniel Amokachi in 2015, and playing his first World Cup competition in 2018 in Russia. Sports journalist Osasuo reported that Ighalo agreed with Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, not to make a public statement before the third-place playoffs with Tunisia.

Though retiring, he is also a strong contender for the 2019 Golden Boot award at AFCON with five goals as Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Algeria’s Adam Ounas are closest with three goals.

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CAF Removes Amaju Pinnick As 1st Vice President

Nigeria Football Federation chairman, Amaju Pinnick, has been reportedly removed as vice president of CAF.

The action was taken at CAF’s exco committee meeting taking place after the conclusion of Thursday’s congress, according to BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana, who did not detail the reason in his twitter post.

Nigeria Football Federation chairman, Amaju Pinnick, has been reportedly removed as vice president of CAF.

The action was taken at CAF’s exco committee meeting taking place after the conclusion of Thursday’s congress, according to BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana, who did not detail the reason in his twitter post.

Constant Omari is now CAF’s first vice president, while Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa is the second vice and South Africa’s Danny Jordaan the third.

CAF exco has been faced with fraud allegations in recent time, with president Ahmad Ahmad arrested and detained for hours in France.

The 46-year-old had replaced Kwesi Nyantakyi, who resigned from the post last year amid corruption scandal that rocked the Ghana Football Association, GFA.

“Breaking: @PinnickAmaju has been removed as @CAF_Online 1st Vice-President,” SportingLife quoted a source, Osasu Obayiuwana, who attended the congress in Cairo as saying.

“The action was taken at CAF’s ongoing exco committee meeting, taking place after the conclusion of Thursday’s congress. Details to follow. Soon.

“This decision is immediately applicable, in accordance with article 27 para. 2 of the statutes which will be ratified by the Executive Committee in its session scheduled on the 27 and 28 of September 2018.”

This is coming after Pinnick on Wednesday night allegedly snubbed Gernot Rohr in a video seen by DAILY POST during the medal presentation for winners of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, third-place bronze.

As the German tactician walked towards the podium, the NFF chief did not shake hands with the coach like the other dignitaries but simply looked away and walked past the coach

Pinnick is also facing court case over fraud allegation in his home town in Nigeria, where he has refused to show up in court.

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Humbsblog.com unveils new outfit wear

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Seedorf sacked by Cameroon after AFCON exit

Clarence Seedorf has been sacked by the Cameroon Football Federation, barely a week after the Indomitable Lions exited the 2019 African Cup of Nations competition following a defeat by Nigeria's Super Eagles. 

Coach Clarence Seedorf who was sacked alongside his assistant Patrick Kluivert, had taken over the role in August 2018.

"After consulting the Fecafoot Executive Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Education, in the wake of the premature elimination of Cameroon senior male national team from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cameroon Football Federation, in conformity with the stipulations of the resolutive condition of their respective employment contracts, has decided to terminate the duties of coach Clarence Clyde Seedorf and his assistant Patrick Stephan Kluivert with immediate effect," a statement signed by Fecafoot president Seidou Mbombo Njoya read.

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Nigeria will respond to Algeria setback - Moses Simon

After the three-time African champions were defeated in Afcon sem-final, the forward has backed his side to respond.

Moses Simon believes Nigeria will recover from their 2-1 defeat to Algeria ahead of Wednesday’s third place game.

Gernot Rohr’s men had started the Algeria game on the wrong foot after William Troost-Ekong’s own goal. Late on Riyad Mahrez powered home the winner after Odion Ighalo’s equaliser.

Defeat to the Desert Foxes mean the Super Eagles have been eliminated in five of their last six semi-finals at Afcon, after qualifying in six of their previous seven.

However, Rohr’s team still have the third-place medal to fight for, and Simon backed his teammates to refocus ahead of the Tunisia clash.

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