Atletico Madrid have agreed a £21.7m (€24m) deal with Tottenham to sign Kieran Trippier, Sky Sports News understands.

Kieran Trippier is nearing a move to Atletico Madrid

Spurs were offered the chance to sign striker Angel Correa during negotiations but have instead opted for a straight cash deal.

Trippier is due in Spain on Wednesday to undergo a medical and there is confidence on all sides that the transfer can be completed by the weekend.

Sky Sports News revealed last week Trippier is also on Bayern Munich’s shortlist, while Spurs’ other right-back, Serge Aurier, is available for transfer this summer.

Marseille’s Hiroki Sakai is the type of player Tottenham want to bring in to replace Trippier and Aurier, Sky Sports News understands.

Trippier’s impending move was discussed on Sky Sports News‘ weekday morning show, Good Morning Transfers – with the panel of the opinion that the move would be good for player, club and even England.

“It’s great business for Tottenham,” said Sky Sports‘ Mark McAdam. “He’s been a loyal servant to the club. It takes a lot of character to go abroad, learn a different language, put yourself in a different environment. What an opportunity to work under Diego Simeone, too.”

Source – Sky Sports

The former Germany star lost a bet to team-mate Alexandre Lacazette and his new style has been compared to that of the USWNT star.

Photo by Getty/Goal

Mesut Ozil looks like Megan Rapinoe, his Arsenal team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joked, after the former Germany international revealed his new bleach blonde hairstyle.

Aubameyang posted photographs of the pair side-by-side on his Instagram story, writing: “Now I know how they won.”

Rapinoe took home the Golden Boot as she helped the USWNT to Women’s World Cup glory in France, with her netting six times over the course of the tournament, including the opening goal of the 2-0 victory in the final.

The 34-year-old scored from the spot in the 61st minute of that game against Netherlands, before Rose Lavelle doubled the USWNT’s lead eight minutes later to seal the win.

But Ozil has revealed that he dyed his hair because of an agreement with Alexandre Lacazette, rather than any nod to Rapinoe.

Asked what he was thinking regarding his new look, Ozil said: “I lost a bet.

“We lost a bet against Laca. Me, Sead [Kolasinac] and Shkodran Mustafi all lost together.”

The 30-year-old forward would go on to reveal that the bet was based on the crossbar challenge.

Ozil’s future with the Gunners remains somewhat uncertain, with the north Londoners having been open to selling the German as part of a summer clear-out.

They do, however, realise that due to a lack of interest from elsewhere and his desire to stay put, it will be difficult to move on their highest earner.

Rapinoe, meanwhile, made headlines for voicing her opinions at this summer’s World Cup, aiming words at US president Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

She made headlines for her “I’m not going to the f*cking White House” remark when asked about the potential of an invitation if the USWNT were to go on and win the tournament.

And the forward also called for greater pay equality in the sport.

When questioned about her views by NBC in the aftermath of the tournament, Rapinoe said: “Do you, you know, believe that all people are created equal?

“Do you believe that equal pay should be mandated? Do you believe that everyone should have healthcare? Do you believe that we should treat everyone with respect? I think those are the basics of what we’re talking about.

“And I understand people feel upset or uncomfortable. There’s, I think, some feelings of disrespect about the anthem protest or things that I’ve said in the past, but, ultimately, I think I am here, open and honest. I’ve admitted mistakes. I will continue to do that.

“I want to have that conversation because I think Trump’s message excludes people that look like me and that are me, of course, but it excludes a lot of people in his base as well. And I think that he’s trying to divide so he can conquer, not unite so we can all conquer.”

Source – Goal.com

The legendary Brazilian full-back has become a free agent again this summer after leaving PSG and may be tempted to retrace his steps to Turin.

Photo by Getty Images

Juventus have joined Manchester City and Inter in the battle to sign Dani Alves as a free agent.

Sources close to developments around the legendary Brazilian full-back have revealed to Goal that the 36-year-old’s representatives were in Turin on Monday.

Discussions have been held regarding a possible deal to take the iconic South American back to Italy after he previously spent one season with the Bianconeri in 2016-17.

The decision was taken at the end of that short spell to take on a new challenge, with Paris Saint-Germain proving to be his eventual destination.

A two-year spell in the French capital has now been brought to a close, with no fresh terms being agreed and Alves is now back on the open market, with no shortage of suitors despite seemingly approaching the end of a distinguished playing career.

Once it was revealed that he would be available this summer, leading sides across Europe were quick to register their interest.

Premier League champions City, who sought to put a deal in place prior to Alves making a move to PSG, are back on the scene.

Pep Guardiola has previously enjoyed success working with a vastly-experienced defender at Barcelona.

Inter, who are now working under the guidance of Antonio Conte, would also welcome the opportunity to bring a proven winner onto their books.

It could, however, be that Alves opts for a different destination in Serie A, one that he is already familiar with, and it is understood that a decision on his next move will be taken this week.

Juventus intend to be in the mix when a future call is made, with terms having been discussed with those advising Alves.

He is said to be looking for a contract of at least two years from one of the many interested parties, while working on a base salary of around €7 million (£6m/$8m) a year – with bonuses to be added on top.

Funding such a deal would be no issue for those involved as Alves’ value is obvious to all of those attempting to strike a deal, with the Brazilian now the most decorated player in football history.

Victory at the 2019 Copa America on home soil has taken his stunning collection of major honours to 40.

That haul includes Serie A and Coppa Italia triumphs from his time at Juve and it could be that he soon joins the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Aaron Ramsey in chasing down more silverware.

The Bianconeri are piecing together ambitious plans in the current transfer window, with Ramsey having been snapped up as a free agent from Arsenal alongside further deals for Adrien Rabiot, Luca Pellegrini, Merih Demiral and club icon Gianluigi Buffon.

A big-money agreement for highly-rated Ajax Matthijs de Ligt is also close to completion, with the Netherlands international heading to Italy for a medical.

Source – Goal.com

Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez‘s stunning free kick in stoppage time gave Algeria a 2-1 win over Nigeria in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semifinal played in a volatile atmosphere on Sunday.

Riyad Mahrez’s wonderstrike in stoppage time pushed Algeria into the AFCON final. Getty

It was a goal from the moment it left Mahrez’s left foot as he stepped up and bent his shot into the far corner to leave goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi helpless and send Algeria to their first final since 1990 — the only time they won the tournament.

Algeria, who face Senegal in Friday’s final, dominated the first half and should have had more than a 1-0 lead to show for it, courtesy of a William Troost Ekong own goal.

Nigeria equalised out of the blue midway through the second half with a penalty for handball converted by Odion Ighalo, his fourth goal of the tournament, after a lengthy VAR review.

There were ugly scenes in the crowd as bottles were thrown after the equaliser.

“It was a very, very tough game against a strong team,” said Mahrez, who plays for English champions Manchester City.

“We were 1-0 up, good in the game and this decision of the VAR, of the penalty… they scored and we have this free kick and we scored, so we are very, very happy because to be in the final of AFCON is unbelievable.”

Nigerian worries about their shaky defence were fully justified.

In Algeria’s first serious attack, Akpeyi dived to stop a cross, missed and the ball bounced into striker Baghdad Bounedjah’s hip at the far post but rebounded wide.

He then made a hash of punching clear a Mahrez cross and Ismail Bennacer’s goal-bound shot was blocked by a defender.

Nigeria had further narrow escapes and, although they had a chance when Ighalo shot just wide from the edge of the area, it was only a respite and they went behind in the 40th minute.

Mahrez got free on the right and crossed into the middle where the ball hit Troost Ekong and flew into the net.

Nigeria saw more of the ball after half-time — possibly because Algeria sat back — but never really threatened until they were handed a lifeline by VAR.

Oghenekaro Etebo’s shot appeared to hit Aissa Mandi‘s hand but the referee waved play on until, at the next break in play, he consulted the video officials and pointed to the spot.

Nearly four minutes after the incident, Igahlo sent goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi the wrong way in the 72nd.

The game seemed headed for extra time until a late flurry by Algeria saw Bennacer rattle the bar with a long-range drive and the outcome seemd almost inevitable when they won a free kick on the edge of the area and Mahrez stepped up to strike the winner.

Source – ESPN

Supporters’ groups and other influential fans have come together to demand the Gunners owner starts to show some ambition.

Photo by Getty/Goal

Arsenal’s largest fan groups have come together to issue a statement calling on owner Stan Kroenke to reinvigorate the club.

The Gunners are preparing for a third successive campaign of Europa Leaguefootball having missed out once again on a top-four finish in the Premier League last season.

And currently the north London club have made just one summer signing, with Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli the only new addition to Unai Emery’s squad.

There is huge frustration amidst the club’s fanbase about how the club are being run, with many believing Kroenke does not have the ambition to try and close the gap on the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

The American billionaire first arrived on the scene at Arsenal in 2007, soon after the Gunners had reached the Champions League final in 2006 against Barcelona, which they lost 2-1 in Paris.

Since then, Arsenal have won just three FA Cups and they have not qualified for the Champions League since 2017.

The decline on the pitch has led to games being played out at the Emirates in front of thousands of empty seats each week – and the situation has now led to an unprecedented step being taken by fans.

For the first time ever, the club’s biggest supporters’ groups, as well as other influential fans, websites and bloggers have come together to call for action.

Using the hashtag #wecaredoyou, they have issued a joint statement demanding Kroenke and the club start reversing the decline that has been seen in recent seasons.

The statement begins: “As Arsenal fans we have watched with frustration as the team’s football performances have declined over the past decade. When Stan Kroenke began buying Arsenal shares the club had just competed in a first Champions League final. Twelve years on, Arsenal are about to play in the Europa League for the third year running.

“Off the pitch, fans have never felt more marginalised, less listened to or valued. This was sadly illustrated when Stan Kroenke forcibly bought out the last remaining supporter-shareholders without even a word of appreciation for their custodianship role in the club.

“It feels as though Arsenal is at a crossroads. Things need to change.

“What all of us as signatories to this statement want to see is meaningful action by Stan Kroenke to reinvigorate our football club.

“This requires work to strengthen the club’s board and football executive and to once again make Arsenal a place where fans have a real sense of belonging. Change needs to start with better leadership.”

It continues: “In his takeover document Stan Kroenke said: ‘KSE’s ambitions for the club are to see it competing consistently to win the Premier League and the Champions League’.

“We see little evidence of how this is to be achieved. Instead our club feels like an investment vehicle, personified by the owner’s statement that he didn’t buy Arsenal to win trophies.

“It is sad that an institution like Arsenal FC has such passive ownership. All of us want to see a clear sense of purpose and direction. KSE should start by being more open and accountable and explain how they intend to achieve the goal of winning the game’s major trophies.”

The joint statement – which has the support of groups such as the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, the Black Scarf Movement (BSM) and REDaction – also addresses the need for an improved ticketing system, calls for the club to support safe standing and to publicly reject proposals for a European Super League with guaranteed entry each year for Europe’s elite clubs.

It ends by saying: “As Arsenal supporters, we care deeply.

“We would like to hear from our club and see actions that demonstrate that they do too. The first opportunity comes when the managing director and head of football speak to invited supporters on July 25th. We urge them to address the issues raised here.

“We will watch with interest.”

Source – Goal.com

Frank Lampard claimed his first win as Chelsea manager at the second attempt with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Irish club St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday.

Frank Lampard earned his first victory as Chelsea manager during his second match in charge of the club. Photo by Donall Farmer/PA Images via Getty Images

First-half goals from Mason Mount and Emerson Palmieri were followed up with an Olivier Giroud brace after the break, sealing the win at Richmond Park in Dublin after the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday at Bohemians.

“We should have scored more goals but there were big elements of the performance we were pleased with, particularly in the first half,” Lampard said afterwards. “Some of our build-up play and combinations in midfield and around their box was fantastic.”

Mount, who scored 11 times for Lampard during his loan spell at Derby County last season, got Chelsea off the mark with 15 minutes played when he latched on to Jorginho‘s through ball and slotted past goalkeeper Barry Murphy for his first ever Chelsea goal.

Mauro Icardi is to leave Inter Milan’s pre-season camp in Switzerland and will not join the squad for their summer tour in Asia.

Mauro Icardi will not be part of Inter Milan’s summer tour of Asia

The Serie A side released a statement on social media saying the club and player had agreed on the decision, which comes a week after Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta admitted the former captain and Radja Nainggolan were not part of the San Siro team’s plans for the future.

Icardi, who has been linked with moves to Juventus and Napoli in recent weeks, was stripped of the Inter captaincy in February and has endured a strained relationship with both the club and fans at different times in his six-year spell with the Nerazzurri.

Icardi was stripped of the captaincy at the Serie A club in February

“Mauro Icardi will today return to Milan from our training camp in Lugano. The club and the striker have come to this decision by mutual agreement,” a club statement said.

“Icardi will continue his pre-season training over the next few days and will take no part in our summer tour in Asia.”

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio met Manchester United officials over a potential move for Romelu Lukaku during the week where the Old Trafford side said they will need to pay more than £79m to sign the Belgian.

The sale of Icardi may yet help Inter afford a deal, but it is understood that there have been no offers as yet for the 26-year-old Argentina international striker.

Romelu Lukaku is a transfer target for Inter

Earlier in the week, CEO Marotta said the club were looking to move both Nainggolan and Icardi on this summer.

Source – Sky Sports

The La Liga club have confirmed the French coach is on leave after the passing of his brother Farid following a long-term illness.

Photo by Getty Images

Real Madrid have confirmed coach Zinedine Zidane’s brother Farid has died at the age of 54.

Zidane left the club’s training camp in Montreal on Friday due to personal reasons, with Madrid announcing he was to be absent for an unspecified period.

His son Luca, a goalkeeper at Madrid now playing on loan at Racing Santander, also left received permission to depart training from his new club after receiving the news.

The Madrid squad held a minute’s silence ahead of training on Saturday after being made aware of Farid’s death, which followed a lengthy battle with illness.

Real Madrid confirmed Farid’s passing on their website, with a statement announcing the minute of silence.

“All members of the Real Madrid first-team squad held a minute’s silence ahead of training in Montreal following the passing of Farid Zidane, the brother of our coach, Zinedine Zidane,” the statement read.

Zidane’s assistant David Bettoni will be in charge of the first team until the head coach’s return. Bettoni and Zidane are close friends, having first met when the pair were in the youth team together at French side Cannes.

Madrid are currently in their fourth day of training in Montreal on a pre-season training camp ahead of a number of matches in the United States.

Their first pre-season contest comes against Bayern Munich on July 20 in Houston, Texas, in the International Champions Cup.

Next Los Blancos will face Arsenal on July 23 in Landover, Maryland and close out their ICC schedule with a Madrid derby with Atletico at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 26.

The club open their 2019-20 La Liga schedule on August 17 away from home against Celta de Vigo.

Source – Goal.com

Manchester United have told Inter Milan they will need to pay more than £79m to sign Romelu Lukaku, increasing the prospect of the Belgian staying at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku does not appear to be any closer to moving to Inter Milan

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio was in London yesterday to meet United officials but was left in no doubt that their current proposal would not be good enough as they struggle to meet the Premier League club’s valuation.

United paid Everton £79m for Lukaku in 2017 and Sky Sports News has been told that United officials believe that figure is not an accurate valuation in the current market.

That is some way short of Inter’s initial plan of a loan followed by structured payments.

The sale of Mauro Icardi may yet help the Serie A club afford a deal, but there have been no offers for the Argentine and they are also struggling to offload Joao Mario, Dalbert Henrique and Radja Nainggolan.

Despite interest from Inter and Juventus no acceptable proposals are yet to emerge for Lukaku, meaning the possibility of staying at Old Trafford cannot be ruled out.

Lukaku, who is open to a move to Inter after feeling like he was mistreated last season, is currently with his Manchester United team mates in Perth having returned three days early from his summer break.

Source – Sky Sports