Newspremises

  Jordan Henderson’s stint in Saudi Arabia came to an abrupt end, much sooner than he or anyone else had anticipated. The former Liverpool captain was among the high-profile footballers who moved to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, enticed by lucrative contracts. However, according to The Telegraph , Henderson did not receive a single penny of his substantial salary during his time at Al-Ettifaq. Despite facing widespread criticism for his decision to join the Saudi league, with many assuming financial incentives were the driving force behind his move, it has now emerged that he never actually collected his wages. The reason for this lies in a strategic financial decision Henderson made upon signing with Al-Ettifaq in July 2023, where he reunited with former teammate Steven Gerrard, the club’s manager at the time. To avoid taxation by the UK government, Henderson opted to defer his salary throughout his six-month tenure in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, this arrangement allowed him great...

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has openly shared his views on the team’s current performances, specifically criticizing Robert Sánchez and Nicolas Jackson for not meeting the standards required to challenge for the Premier League title. Mikel highlighted a recent mistake by Sánchez as a key example of his shortcomings. In the crucial match against Manchester City, Sánchez made a questionable decision to rush off his line, resulting in an error that proved costly for Chelsea. “What are you doing? Rushing out?” Mikel questioned. “I know if you call Petr Cech now, privately, he will tell you the same thing. But I’m the only person who’s coming out to say it.” Mikel believes that past Chelsea goalkeeping greats, such as Petr Cech, would have handled the situation much better.  He also voiced concerns about Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s summer signing, arguing that the striker lacks the finishing ability and consistency needed to lead the team to success. While Jackson has shown ...

  With just four days remaining before the January transfer window closes, the striker market remains highly active, particularly for clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. One of the most unexpected developments of the window has been Jhon Duran’s transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. This move took many by surprise, including Aston Villa, as they had not anticipated receiving such an offer with only 56 hours left before the Saudi market deadline. Al-Nassr had initially set their sights on Darwin Nunez for months and nearly secured a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. However, they ultimately shifted their focus to Jhon Duran upon realizing that both the player and his club were willing to proceed, despite Duran having recently signed a new contract. The total package for this deal, which exceeds €85 million including add-ons, is expected to have a ripple effect on several other transfers. As a result, Victor Boniface will...

Chelsea playmaker João Félix has reportedly requested to leave Stamford Bridge before the close of the January transfer window due to frustrations over limited playing time. According to The Transfers Podcast , the Portuguese international is actively pushing for a move away from the West London club, prompting Chelsea to explore possible solutions before the deadline. Félix, 25, joined Chelsea on a permanent deal from Atlético Madrid last summer but has struggled to cement a spot in manager Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup. The former Barcelona loanee has started just three Premier League matches this season and has fallen down the pecking order behind attacking options such as Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, and Neto. His lack of regular minutes has fueled speculation about a potential move, with Premier League side Aston Villa emerging as a possible destination. Chelsea now faces a crucial decision on whether to offload the unsettled star or retain him for the remai...

  Victor Boniface’s highly anticipated move to Al Nassr has collapsed, despite earlier reports indicating the deal was finalized. The Bayer Leverkusen striker was set to complete a transfer worth between €60-70 million to the Saudi Arabian club. However, the agreement ultimately fell through as Al Nassr decided to sign Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran instead. According to One Football, although Bayer Leverkusen and Al Nassr had agreed on a transfer fee and Boniface had settled on personal terms, the Saudi Pro League side never formalized their interest with a written offer. The 24-year-old forward had even undergone medical examinations and was awaiting the final contract signing when Al Nassr abruptly shifted their attention to securing Duran’s services. Boniface had reportedly agreed to a lucrative €15 million annual salary, which would have made him Nigeria’s highest-paid footballer, surpassing Victor Osimhen. Why Al Nassr Pulled Out of the Deal Emerging reports suggest that Al Nassr w...

  Professional Game Match Officials Limited, PGMOL, have declared their support for referee Michael Oliver following the controversial red card shown to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The incident occurred in the first half of the league clash at Molineux. Lewis-Skelly was sent off by Oliver for bringing down Matt Doherty. While many expected a yellow card from the English referee, it was surprisingly a red card that emerged instead. His decision was upheld by VAR after a review, reducing Arsenal to ten men. Interestingly, Wolves’ Joao Gomes was shown a second yellow card in the 70th minute, nullifying the home side’s numerical advantage. The Gunners capitalised on the situation, going 1-0 up through Riccardo Calafiori four minutes later. The north London side held on to win the game and secure all three points. Any hopes of Arsenal appealing the red card were dashed following PGMOL’s statement, as reported by Sky Sports. The report states...

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has advised his former club to bring back French midfielder Paul Pogba once his doping suspension concludes in March this year. Saha, speaking to Spaceportsweden.com (via Goal), emphasized that if Pogba is available, the Red Devils should not hesitate to secure his return. Pogba, who has endured a tumultuous career marked by moments of brilliance and controversy, has already had two separate stints at Old Trafford. He first emerged from Manchester United’s academy, making his senior debut in 2011 before departing for Juventus. After a successful spell in Turin, he rejoined the Premier League giants in 2016 for a then-world record fee. However, his second tenure was marred by inconsistency and a strained relationship with former manager José Mourinho. Between both spells, Pogba accumulated 233 appearances across all competitions, contributing 39 goals and 48 assists. The 2018 World Cup winner seemed to be rediscovering his form at Juventus bef...

    In a significant development, Manchester United has reached a verbal agreement with Italian club Lecce to acquire the highly-rated left-back Patrick Dorgu. The transfer, valued at approximately £29 million, is set to be finalized in the coming hours, pending the completion of contractual formalities and a medical examination.  Patrick Dorgu, a 20-year-old Danish international, has been a standout performer for Lecce since his debut. He has made 57 appearances and netted five goals, showcasing his prowess both defensively and offensively. His consistent performances earned him a call-up to the Denmark national team, where he has already earned four caps and scored with his first touch on his senior international debut against Switzerland.  This acquisition marks the first signing under Manchester United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim. Amorim, known for his tactical acumen and preference for a 3-4-2-1 system, identified Dorgu as a key target to bolster the left flank,...

  In a surprising turn to the ongoing transfer drama, Chelsea player Christopher Nkunku has allegedly given Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim a firm ultimatum, stating that he will not finalize a move to Old Trafford unless a key condition is fulfilled. Sources suggest that Nkunku is insisting on the departure of a United player valued at £70m before agreeing to join the club in January.  Nkunku, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks, has reportedly made up his mind to leave Chelsea. However, the French forward is reluctant to proceed with the transfer due to concerns about aligning himself with a player he deems a “flop” at United. While players like Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes have been ruled out, there is ongoing speculation about the identity of the player involved.  Nkunku’s Concerns About Squad Dynamics The former RB Leipzig star is said to have privately expressed concerns about joining a squad that includes a player...

  Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr are on the brink of finalizing a high-profile transfer deal for Bayer Leverkusen's prolific striker, with all details now agreed upon. The 24-year-old forward is set to make the switch for a staggering transfer fee exceeding €60 million, cementing Al-Nassr's intent to bolster their squad with world-class talent. A verbal agreement between the clubs was reached earlier, and the player has already undergone and passed his medical examinations, clearing the final hurdle for the move. The deal will see the striker earning a lucrative €15 million net per season, showcasing the financial strength of Saudi football and its ambition to attract top-tier talent from Europe. This exclusive news, which first broke last week, is expected to be confirmed officially in the coming days. The addition of the young forward is poised to provide Al-Nassr with another attacking option to complement the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané, strengthening their ...

Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has joyfully announced the birth of his baby boy, marking the arrival of his third child. The football star, who is already a father to two daughters, expressed his gratitude and excitement through a heartfelt message on social media. Simon shared the news early Monday morning, shortly after his wife gave birth to their son. In a series of posts across his social media platforms, the Nantes winger shared beautiful family photos alongside a touching tribute to his wife, Ibukun Adenuga. Heartfelt Tribute to His Wife Accompanying the announcement, Simon wrote: "I am at a loss for words to fully express my feelings. I am deeply thankful to GOD for blessing my home with a baby boy," he shared on Instagram. "Thank you, my Queen, for this incredible gift to our family. You are truly a strong woman, and I am always proud of you." Simon and Ibukun, who tied the knot in 2015, were already parents to two daughters, both of whom were present to ...

The Premier League have released a statement to explain why VAR disallowed Manchester United's late goal against Fulham on Sunday. Amad Diallo thought he scored in the 94th minute to seal the points for Ruben Amorim's side as they led 1-0 thanks to Lisandro Martinez's deflected effort. The Ivorian played a delicious one-two with Joshua Zirkzee before firing underneath Bernd Leno with a low strike in stoppage time. However, VAR official Jarred Gillett and assistant VAR Darren Cann reviewed the goal at Stockley Park after spotting an incident in the build-u. The goal was subsequently ruled out by match referee Anthony Taylor, before United managed to hold on to secure a vital three points at Craven Cottage. And the Premier League have clarified that Amad's goal was chalked off due to offside against the 23-year-old, with replays showing his shoulder was slightly ahead of Timothy Castagne. Posting via their official Match Centre account on X (formerly Twitter), it read: ...

  A Nigerian man has gone viral on social media after winning millions on SportyBet in three separate tickets. He reportedly won ₦111,345,000, ₦92,168,000, and ₦111,010,000, sparking widespread attention on the platform.   The man, identified as @Mrbankstips, shared the incredible news in a post on X (formerly Twitter). According to rumors, hours before the post, he had shared a booking code online, which a number of people used to place bets and win as well. From the booking code, he placed his own bets and emerged victorious, winning millions on three different tickets. Along with the post, he shared a photo showing proof of his winnings and captioned it, “I think I’m getting really good at this NCAA thing.” As the post went viral, many people flooded the comment section to share their thoughts and reactions to the remarkable win. See some reactions below:  @Ashabul_Jannaah: “Absolutely, you’re crushing it, no doubt! Your confidence and growth are shining through and it...

  In a stunning development, the Premier League has officially acknowledged a major officiating blunder during Manchester United’s clash with Fulham, sparking outrage among fans, players, and pundits alike. The incident in question revolved around Amad Diallo’s disallowed goal, which was controversially ruled offside. Upon review, the league confirmed that the decision was the result of an egregious error by the match officials and VAR team. The controversy erupted in the 68th minute when Diallo latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Bruno Fernandes and slotted it into the bottom corner. United players and fans erupted in celebration, only to have the joy cut short by a raised flag and a VAR review. After a lengthy deliberation, the goal was chalked off for offside. However, replays and subsequent analysis revealed that Diallo was clearly onside when the ball was played, raising serious questions about the competence of the officiating team. “When you look at the pict...

Fans on social media have voiced their disappointment with England star Jadon Sancho after he ranked former Manchester United midfielder Nani above Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha in terms of skill. Sancho, who is currently on loan at Chelsea, expressed his opinion during a player comparison discussion, sparking a debate among football enthusiasts. Many fans believe Okocha’s exceptional skill set deserved more recognition. Jay Jay Okocha, a revered figure in Nigerian football, made a lasting impact during his time in the English Premier League, playing for Bolton Wanderers between 2002 and 2006. Before joining Bolton, he had captained Nigeria at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. His arrival at Bolton on a two-year deal was a major boost for the club, with manager Sam Allardyce telling the club's official website, as quoted by the Irish Times : "I'm absolutely delighted to bring Jay Jay to Bolton. He is a player with tremendous ability and one of great experi...

 Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea from Manchester United. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano and other top football reporters have, in recent days, revealed that Chelsea has approached Manchester United for the Argentina international. Garnacho's agent was spotted at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The young winger has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford this January, fueling widespread speculation. In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United is expected to accept Chelsea's £60.5 million offer for Garnacho on Friday, January 24, 2025. Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella seemingly confirmed the rumor of Garnacho joining the London club by ‘liking’ an Instagram post about the Blues’ pursuit of the Manchester United winger, offering a fresh transfer hint this month. Additionally, Garnacho himself appeared to hint at a potential move to Stamford Bridge after Man...

Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly on the verge of joining Chelsea from Manchester United. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano and other top football reporters have, in recent days, revealed that Chelsea has approached Manchester United for the Argentina international. Garnacho's agent was spotted at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The young winger has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford this January, fueling widespread speculation. In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United is expected to accept Chelsea's £60.5 million offer for Garnacho on Friday, January 24, 2025. Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella seemingly confirmed the rumor of Garnacho joining the London club by ‘liking’ an Instagram post about the Blues’ pursuit of the Manchester United winger, offering a fresh transfer hint this month. Additionally, Garnacho himself appeared to hint at a potential move to Stamford Bridge after Manc...