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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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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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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Max Verstappen takes first career pole position in Hungary

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took his first Formula 1 pole position in a thrilling qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman beat Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes by 0.018 seconds, with Lewis Hamilton third and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel next.

Verstappen was 0.9secs quicker than team-mate Pierre Gasly in sixth.

And there were outstanding performances from British rookies Lando Norris and George Russell in seventh and 16th.

Verstappen's pole has been a long time coming in his fifth season, but it came in style.

The 21-year-old, who has won two of the past three races, was quickest on both runs in final qualifying and improved by 0.4secs on his last run to fend off a great effort by Bottas.

Verstappen said: "It feels good but the whole weekend the car was very competitive. It's always a question how it will work out in qualifying where we know (Mercedes) can turn up a bit more power. But the car was incredible, it was really enjoyable to drive.

"To get your first pole is very nice but what happens on Sunday is what counts. I knew it was a matter of time. I made mistakes as well to miss a pole shot. Today we finally got it."

Bottas improved by even more on his final lap - knocking more than 0.5secs off his previous best to come so close to pole.

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Australia lead England by 34 in first Test - Ashes 2019

England is once again searching for a way to remove Australia's Steve Smith after a see-saw third day left the first Ashes Test deliciously poised.

Smith, who crafted a superb 144 in the first innings, moved serenely to 46 not out to take the tourists to 124-3, a lead of 34 when bad light ended play early at Edgbaston.

At 27-2, Australia was in danger of being blown out of the contest on Saturday evening, only for Smith - in his first Test since returning from a year-long ban - to add 48 with Usman Khawaja and an unbroken 49 with Travis Head.

Former captain Smith silenced a riotous crowd, one that was baying for Australian misery when David Warner was dismissed and, earlier, during a ninth-wicket stand of 65 between Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad.

Woakes made 37 not out and Broad 29 to rescue England from a collapse of four wickets for 18 runs, which included 3-4 in 11 balls.

They helped the hosts to 374 all out and a first-innings advantage of 90, which seemed about the minimum required to negate the challenge of batting last on a surface offering increasing amounts of turn.

However, the pitch is also losing pace, removing the encouragement on offer for the pace bowlers.

In their quest to dislodge Smith and run through Australia on Sunday, England again looks set to be without their all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson, who batted but did not bowl on Saturday because of a calf injury.

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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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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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Hosts' batting was an 'embarrassment' - Michael Vaughan

England were an "embarrassment" in being bowled out for 85 before lunch on day one of the Test against Ireland, says former captain Michael Vaughan.

After electing to bat, the hosts struggled to play the moving ball at Lord's, with Tim Murtagh taking 5-13.

Ireland, playing their third Test, were dismissed for 207, with England closing on 0-0, trailing by 122 runs.

"When the ball does anything you shut your eyes and hope England get through it," Vaughan told Test Match Special.

"There were some good balls but there was also some timid play and poor strokes.

"Let's be honest, it's an embarrassment - you're at the home of cricket, in a Test against Ireland and you're all out for 85, there is no other word to describe it."

England have now lost all 10 wickets in a single session four times since 2016, having previously not done so since 1938.

"All out for 85 against Ireland is probably the lowest of the low out of those," added Vaughan.

"Unless they change their mentality when playing the moving ball, there are going to be many more days like this over the coming weeks.

"You wouldn't want to have third day Test tickets for the Ashes."

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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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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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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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Barcelona unveil Antoine Griezmann following £108m move from Atletico Madrid, reveal his shirt No.

Antoine Griezmann has been officially unveiled as a Barcelona player after completing his  £108million move from Atletico Madrid last week Friday.

The 28-year-old France star signed a five-year deal with Barcelona that includes a staggering buy-out clause of £717million. 

Griezmann who was in good spirits as he posed in the Barcelona kit for the first time yesterday will wear the No 17 shirt for his new club.

Addressing the media at the Nou Camp, Griezmann said: 'I'm very excited to be here. I'm accepting a big challenge. I'm ready for what's coming up.'

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Today's Matches

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

17:00

Senegal

Tunisia

20:00

Algeria

Nigeria

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