Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has completed a move to Turkish side Besiktas. The Ivory Coast international, 29, is not part of United manager Erik ten Hag’s plans and spent last season on loan at Marseille. Bailly was former boss Jose Mourinho’s first signing when he joined from Villarreal in June 2016. He went on to make 113 appearances for United, scoring one goal, but has struggled with injuries. Bailly’s last competitive appearance for United was in a 3-1 win over Burnley in December 2021. A statement from the Turkish Super Lig side said: “Our club has reached an agreement…

Brazil have dropped Manchester United winger Antony following allegations of abuse by his former girlfriend. The Brazilian football federation said the 23-year-old had been withdrawn from the squad after “facts became public” that “need to be investigated”. Brazilian news outlet UOL published allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner on Monday. Police in Sao Paulo and Greater Manchester are investigating the claims, which the player has denied. “I can calmly state that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and the other evidence that will be produced demonstrate that I am innocent of the accusations made,” Antony said on social media.…

Uruguay’s new coach Marcelo Bielsa left veteran strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez out of his squad Monday for the first two rounds of South American World Cup qualifying. Bielsa took the Uruguay job in May with the aim of rejuvenating the squad, and 30-year-old goalkeeper Sergio Rochet is the oldest player picked for the games against Chile in Montevideo on Friday and at Ecuador on Sept. 12. Cavani and Suárez are both 36 and are playing for South American clubs now. Cavani is at Boca Juniors in Argentina and Suárez plays for Gremio in Brazil. Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez is expected to lead Uruguay’s…

Sergio Ramos has returned home to continue his illustrious career with first club Sevilla after turning down interest from the Saudi Pro League. Ramos has been a free agent since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract over the summer. He had spent two years in France, making 58 appearances and winning Ligue 1 twice. The veteran defender, who turned 37 in March and collected four Champions League titles during 16 glittering years with Real Madrid, isn’t ready to retire just yet. Sevilla have now confirmed that Ramos has returned to the club he played for until 2005. Born and…

Andre Onana has confirmed he will represent Cameroon moving forward. The Manchester United goalkeeper, 27, retired from international duty following a disagreement with manager Rigobert Song at the 2022 World Cup. But he is set to play for the Indomitable Lions again, writing in a statement on social media: “I answer my nation’s call with unshakeable certainty, aware that my return is not only to honour my dream but also to respond to the expectations and support of Cameroonians, who deserve a national team determined to shine. “In the face of manipulation, lies and abuse of power, I choose to…

Premier League giants Liverpool are eyeing PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko as a replacement for Mohamed Salah should he leave the club. Anfield’s beloved Egyptian international has been liked with a move to the Saudi Pro League and could be tempted by the idea of a huge salary abroad. Al-Ittihad are reportedly preparing to offer the Premier League side £200million for the 31-year-old to test Jurgen Klopp’s claims that he is not for sale. Salah has already provided four goal contributions for the Reds this season and they sit two points behind leaders Manchester City heading into the international break. Should he leave for…

Sergio Ramos is in advanced talks over a return to Sevilla. Ramos, 37, has been a free agent since his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired in July. The former Real Madrid centre-back attracted interest from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, Galatasaray, FC Porto and MLS, sources said, but has opted for Sevilla as he prefers to stay closer to home. Sevilla are hoping to close the deal in the coming hours. Club president Pepe Castro appeared to rule out a move for Ramos last month, saying he had “never been an option” and said the defender had been offered to the club “directly and indirectly.” Sevilla — who won the Europa…

The Metropolitan Police are investigating an alleged assault following Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday after video footage showed Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards involved with an altercation with an individual. Former United midfielder Keane, 52, was reportedly a victim of the assault. The Metropolitan police said in a statement: “Police are investigating following an assault that is alleged to have occurred at the Emirates Stadium during an Arsenal v Manchester United match on Sunday 3 September.” Arsenal said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident that took place during our match against Manchester United on Sunday.” “The…

Jadon Sancho has claimed he has been made a ‘scapegoat’ at Manchester United after Erik ten Hag revealed he was left out of the matchday squad at Arsenal for poor performances in training. Sancho has made three substitute appearances for United so far this campaign but didn’t make the cut for the 3-1 loss at Arsenal, with Marcus Rashford and Antony supporting Anthony Martial in attack. When asked why the former Borussia Dortmund winger was left out of the squad altogether, Ten Hag said: “Jadon, on his performance in training, was not selected. “You have to reach a level at Manchester United every…

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has called up 23 players ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe this month. The list includes new invitees — Jordan Torunarigha, Victor Boniface and Gift Orban, while the duo of Bruno Onyemaechi and Raphael Onyedika also got invites. Familiar faces like Kelechi Ihenacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost-Ekong also got invited. Recall the Super Eagles have already qualified for the tournament with a game to spare. In the reverse fixture, the three-time African champions hammered Sao Tome 10-0. The game is slated to hold…

Kylian Mbappe bagged a first-half brace as Paris Saint-Germain ran out 4-1 winners over Lyon in Ligue 1 – with all four of their goals coming in the first half. Mbappe bookended PSG’s goals with an early penalty and a smart finish when through one-on-one, with Achraf Hakimi and Marco Asensio scoring in between. PSG have two wins and two draws from their opening four games. Paris Saint-Germain seem to be putting all the right building blocks in place as they eased to a second Ligue 1 win of the season at Lyon, running out 4-1 winners at the Groupama…

Juventus maintained their unbeaten record in Serie A with victory on the road at Empoli on Sunday evening. While a draw at home to Bologna last weekend means they are two points adrift of AC Milan and Inter Milan, Massimiliano Allegri’s side took the lead in the first half through Danilo and the points were secured when Federico Chiesa scored in the final 10 minutes. Goals from Danilo and Federico Chiesa were enough to secure victory for Juventus at Empoli in Serie A. The opener came midway through the first half when Filip Kostic’s corner eventually dropped to Danilo who…