Monthly Archives: February 2018

Transfernewz

Liverpool target Napoli midfielder for summer swoop

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Liverpool are the latest side to be linked to a move for Napoli’s Italian international midfielder Jorginho this summer.

Jorginho, 26, has starred in the Napoli side that is currently 4 points clear at the top of Serie A, and has scored 2 goals in 21 appearances.

Unsurprisingly, many clubs are now looking at signing the Brazilian-born player, with Liverpool the latest side said to be interested. While manager Jurgen Klopp is already bringing in Naby Keita from RB Leipzig in the summer, he could be tempted to make another move as his side looks to mount another title challenge in 2018/19.

Other clubs said to be interested are Manchester United – who are searching for a replacement for Michael Carrick, who retires at the end of the season – Manchester City and Serie A rivals Juventus.

While Napoli will be reluctant to sell – especially if they win Serie A – if they do, they may look to clubs in the Premier League for a destination, rather than a direct rival in Juventus.

However, if he were to be sold, he wouldn’t come cheap. At 26 Jorginho is in the prime years of his career and would likely cost £50-£75 million.

But he won’t be at the World Cup in the summer – Italy haven’t qualified – so he could be a good signing as he will start the season fresh.

Transfernewz

Tottenham Hotspur line up bid for Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon

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Tottenham Hotspur are said to be lining up £35 million summer bid for Fulham’s teenage star Ryan Sessegnon.

Sessegnon, 17, has caught the eye this season with his performances for Fulham, who currently sit in the Championship play-off places. He has scored 8 goals so far this year – only Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has scored more since January 1 in the top 4 divisions of English football – and 13 in all this season.

However, Fulham are believed to be unwilling to sell their England U-19 star, especially if they get promoted to the Premier League. Should their promotion bid fail, it is thought they may look to sell, but, if so, the club also values Sessegnon at closer to £50 million.

Spurs are also likely to face competition for Sessegnon’s signature, with Manchester United also having shown an interest. Other clubs will also be no doubt monitoring the player, who has played left back, left wing and as part of a front three for Fulham this season.

However, Spurs may be able to convince Sessegnon to join, given manager Mauricio Pochettino’s record in bringing on young English talent in recent seasons such as Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Harry Winks and others.

Transfernewz

Chelsea target summer move for Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski

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Chelsea are assessing the potential of a move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski in the summer.

Lewandowski, 29, is said to be thinking of a move in the summer, by which time he will have spent four seasons in the German capital. He has also recently signed up with super-agent Pini Zahavi, which has helped to stoke speculation. If he does move, it is thought the Premier League is his preferred destination, according to a report in The Sun.

Lewandowski has been prolific for Bayern, scoring 97 goals in 119 appearances. Previously, he scored 74 goals in 137 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. He has also scored 51 goals in 91 appearances for Poland.

Chelsea would be front-runners for his signature, as boss Antonio Conte still appears dissatisfied with his current strike force, having kept both Alvaro Morata and Oliver Giroud on the bench at the weekend. Lewandowski would be seen as an upgrade on both.

Of course, the Blues would face competition for his signature. Manchester City would likely be interested – Pep Guardiola worked with Lewandowski at Bayern – as would their rivals from across the city, United. Liverpool could also be in the mix, with Lewandowski having played under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund.

However, Bayern will be reluctant to let their talismanic striker leave. He is under contract until 2021 and Bayern’s management have previously warned potential suitors off making a bid for him.

Also, in today’s inflated transfer market, Lewandowski would likely cost north of £50 million – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a similar age to the Pole, cost Arsenal £56 million when they bought him from Dortmund in January – and possibly closer to £100 million.

Football Factz

All the factz you need on the Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City including what TV channel its on

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The first major silverware of the season will be decided today, as Arsenal meet Manchester City at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final. The match kicks off 4.30pm at it is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Here are the factz you need to know:

* Arsene Wenger has never lifted the League Cup – the last time the side won it was in 1993.
* If City win, it will be Pep Guardiola’s first trophy in England, after winning 21 in Spain and Germany.
* This is City’s 6th appearance in the final of what is now the Carabao Cup and 3rd in the past 5 years. They’ve won it 4 times.
* For Arsenal, this is the 8th time they have reached the final, but they’ve only won the trophy twice.
* Arsenal have lost their last 2 League Cup finals – to Chelsea in 2007 and Birmingham City in 2011.
* This is the first time the sides have met in a major final, although the did play each other in the 2014 Community Shield.
* To get the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal have scored just 6 goals – the fewest by any finalist. City haven’t fared much better with 8.
* City beat Arsenal 3-1 in the Premier League earlier in the season.
* Arsenal have beaten City once in their last 5 meetings. City have won twice.
* Guardiola has won 6 of the last 7 finals he has managed a team in. The only defeat in that run was the 2011 Copa Del Rey final, when Barcelona lost to old enemies Real Madrid.

Football Factz

All the factz you need on Manchester United v Chelsea including what TV channel its on

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The second game in the Premier League today sees 3rd place in the Premier League take on 4th place as Manchester United host Chelsea. The match kicks off at 2.05pm and the match is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Here are the factz you need to know: 

* Chelsea are United’s bogey side – they’ve beaten them 8 times in the past 14 meetings. United have won just one of those.
* However, United are strong at home – 1 defeat this season (to Manchester City) and just 5 goals conceded.
* Meanwhile, Chelsea aren’t brilliant away from home: they’ve won 2 of their last 9 away from Stamford Bridge (although only 3 defeats).
* Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s man in form, with 6 goals in his last 6 matches.
* A win for United takes them back into second place in the PL. Chelsea need to win by three clear goals more to overtake United into 3rd.