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Tag: Epl

  • EPL: Man Utd put Jesse Lingard up for sale

    EPL: Man Utd put Jesse Lingard up for sale

    Manchester United will listen to offers for Jesse Lingard, according to reports.

    The 27-year-old has struggled mightily this season, admitting recently that he has been distracted by off-the-field troubles.

    His summer expires in the summer of 2021, but the club do have an option to extend by another year.

    And the Guardian says United are open to cashing in before then if the right offer arrives.

    Newcastle United, Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach have been linked with the United academy graduate

  • EPL: Newcastle back to square one after Saudi take-over bid fails

    EPL: Newcastle back to square one after Saudi take-over bid fails

    Newcastle United head into the short English Premier League (EPL) close season surrounded by uncertainty.

    This has come after the collapse of the proposed Saudi take-over ——-with an owner who wants to sell the club but with no viable purchaser in place.

    Club owner Mike Ashley was ready to sell the club to the investment group in a deal worth more than 305 million pounds.

    This group included Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers.

    But the take-over bid, announced in April, never emerged from the Premier League’s owners and directors test and on Thursday the consortium pulled out.

    Fans, who had dreamt of big money signings and competing for European places, now face a more mundane reality for a team which finished 13th in the Premier League last season.

    While there have been some reports of possible interest from potential purchasers in the US, no actual proposal has appeared.

    Sources close to the Saudi consortium said they never had to deal with any rival bid.

    The consortium blamed the prolonged scrutiny process and global uncertainty linked to the COVID-19 pandemic for their decision to withdraw.

    Staveley has however suggested there may yet be some way to get the deal done.

    Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley offered similar hope by saying Ashley, founder of retail firm Frasers Group, remains committed to the Saudi deal.

    “We acknowledge yesterday’s statement. Never say never, but to be clear Mike Ashley is 100 percent committed to this deal.

    “However our current focus must now be on supporting (manager) Steve Bruce in the transfer market and on the preparations for the new season,” he said.

    Ashley has not taken the club off the market but his chances of finding a new buyer may be hampered by the economic uncertainty following the pandemic.

    “It is genuinely unlikely at the moment. Premier League buyouts either need very deep pockets (sovereign funds, et cetera) or a high degree of borrowing,” said football finance expert Rob Wilson of Sheffield Hallam University.

    “This risk associated with the latter in an unsteady market looks unlikely. Hence, with no Saudi acquisition, it looks difficult,” he added.

    Newcastle United have not featured in the UEFA Champions League since 2004.

    They have not even won the English title since 1927 or the FA Cup since 1955, in spite of claiming one of the country’s largest fan bases.

    One of the key problems for the bid was the continued conflict over Saudi Arabia’s response to cases of unauthorised broadcasting of Premier League games in the country.

    This is part of a long-running dispute between the kingdom and neighbouring Qatar.

    A source close to the bid said that PIF had offered to put together a Saudi consortium to buy the rights to broadcast the games in Saudi Arabia.

    This is in view of the fact that Qatari company BeIN Sports, who owns the rights, has had its licence to broadcast in the kingdom removed.

    Another source close to the deal put the blame for its collapse firmly on the Premier League.

    “The problem with the deal was the intransigence of the Premier League. Everyone else was happy to proceed,” the source said.

    The Premier League, who last year hired legal counsel to deal with the broadcast issues in Saudi, has declined to comment.

    Former Newcastle United and England forward Alan Shearer said on Friday that disappointed fans were hoping that a new owner would yet emerge.

    “There’s a lot of anger, understandably so, and a massive amount of disappointment,” he said.

    “We can only hope and pray that new owners come in at some stage and take the club back to where it belongs because that’s what the fans of Newcastle United deserve.”

  • EPL: Raul closer to Man Utd move

    EPL: Raul closer to Man Utd move

    Manchester United are a step away from signing Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, according to Portuguese media sources.

    A Bola and RTP report that Wolves are close to sealing a deal for Braga forward Paulinho as a replacement for the Mexican who is described as ‘on his way to Manchester United’.

    Paulinho, who has scored 23 times this season – including against Wolves in that dramatic 3-3 draw in the Europa League – is set to leave the club in the transfer window and has attracted interest from across the continent.

    The Portuguese striker, 27, has Jorge Mendes for an agent and he is looking to move his client on – and that could lead him to Molineux.

    Paulinho, formerly of Gil Vicente, currently has three more years left on his contract with Braga and would cost any potential suitors up to £30m.

    Meanwhile, Wolves are demanding £70m to sell Raul to United this summer.

  • EPL: Jan Vertonghen confirms exit from Tottenham

    EPL: Jan Vertonghen confirms exit from Tottenham

    Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen on Monday in London confirmed his departure from the English Premier League (EPL) club after eight years.

    This has come in view of the Belgian international’s contract expiration at the end of the 2019/2020 EPL season.

    The defender, who has made 315 appearances for Spurs in all competitions since arriving from Ajax Amsterdam in 2012, has struggled for playing time this season under Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho.

    “So, my time at the club comes to an end. A sad day for many reasons,” Vertonghen, 33, wrote in an emotional message on Twitter.

    “I will miss the friends I’ve made here, the staff that make the club run, playing at the amazing new stadium, and of course you (the) fans.

    “Thank you for all the support over the years. You’ve been amazing. We had many unbelievable memories. But for now, it’s goodbye.”

    Tottenham captain Harry Kane had earlier wished Vertonghen and 36-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who is also out of contract, well in the next chapter of their careers.

    “Wish nothing but the best for @JanVertonghen and @Vorm_Official with whatever is next for them,” Kane said on Twitter shortly after a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

    “Been a pleasure sharing a dressing room and playing with them both.”

    Midfielder Harry Winks posted a picture with the duo on Instagram, adding: “Gonna miss these two.

    “Been a huge part of my career since I came through the academy both on and off the pitch. All the best in your next chapters, boys.”

  • Apostle Suleman reacts to Arsenal 1-0 defeat to Villa

    Apostle Suleman reacts to Arsenal 1-0 defeat to Villa

    Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries has insisted that Arsenal need a proper investment for next season.

    The cleric said this while reacting to Arsenal’s Premier League 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday.

    Arsenal saw their quest to qualify for the UEFA Europa League via the Premier League all but end, following a shock loss against their relegation-threatened hosts.

    Trezeguet scored the only goal of the match in the first half, as Aston Villa boosted their chances of survival.

    Reacting to the development, Suleman, who is a strong fan of the Gunners, wrote on his Twitter handle on Wednesday morning: “These guys just give somebody headache..well, it’s my typical Arsenal..Days after elevation to such great heights..we need proper investment for next season..the season ain’t over though..#COYG.”

  • EPL: City win leaves Watford vulnerable to relegation

    EPL: City win leaves Watford vulnerable to relegation

    Watford failed to ease their relegation fears in the wake of Nigel Pearson’s surprise sacking as they were hammered by a Raheem Sterling-inspired Manchester City.

    Defeat means the Hornets’ battle to stay up will go to the final day of the season on Sunday, when they visit Arsenal.

    Pearson became the Hornets’ third managerial casualty of the campaign on Monday, leaving Under-23 coach Hayden Mullins and his assistant Graham Stack in charge for their final two games.

    And they could hardly have had a tougher first assignment than against City, who completed the double over them with this win, at an aggregate score of 12-0 – a joint Premier League record for one team against another in a single season.

    Sterling took the game away from the home side before half-time, firing in a rising shot to open the scoring before doubling the advantage by following up his own saved penalty – awarded for a foul on him by Will Hughes.

    Phil Foden added a third after Ben Foster had parried a Sterling shot before Aymeric Laporte nodded in from Kevin de Bruyne’s free-kick.

    City’s fourth straight league win could have been even more emphatic but Gabriel Jesus had an injury-time header ruled out for offside.

    This could well be important to Watford, with goal difference potentially a crucial deciding factor going into the weekend.

    The defeat leaves the Hornets 17th, three points above Aston Villa and Bournemouth – all three clubs have the same goal difference of -27.

    A Villa victory over Arsenal later on Tuesday will mean the Hornets start Sunday in the bottom three, with their fate no longer in their own hands.

    BBC

  • Leeds United back in EPL after 16-year absence

    Leeds United back in EPL after 16-year absence

    Leeds United returned to the Premier League after a 16-year absence on Friday as West Bromwich Albion’s loss at Huddersfield Town guaranteed them a top-two finish in the Championship.

    A huge favour from Leeds’ Yorkshire neighbours, who won 2-1, meant the celebrations could start in earnest at Elland Road.

    The club’s Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani will also be toasting promotion which is worth an estimated 170 million pounds.

    Leeds have 87 points with two games remaining, five more than second-placed West Brom who slumped to defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday with one game left.

    Leeds are six points ahead of third-placed Brentford, who have also played 44, and a point from their last two matches will ensure Marcelo Bielsa’s team rejoin the elite as champions.

    They could even claim the second-tier title on Saturday if Brentford fail to win at Stoke City.

    The success will be doubly sweet for Leeds who missed out on promotion last season in the playoffs despite looking favourites for automatic promotion for much of the campaign.

    It also comes less than a week after the death of one of the club’s greatest players — England World Cup-winning centre-half Jack Charlton.

    Three times English champions, Leeds were relegated from the Premier League in 2004 after hitting financial trouble and being forced to sell a host of big-name players such as Robbie Keane, Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer.

    The problems were only just starting though and after three years in the Championship they slipped to the third tier and into administration with the future of the club in doubt.

    While they eventually regained their place in the Championship in 2010 they never really challenged for promotion until the enigmatic Bielsa took charge in 2018.

    They have been transformed under the former Argentina coach and can now look forward to renewing old rivalries with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

  • EPL announce dates for summer transfer window

    EPL announce dates for summer transfer window

    The Premier League have announced the dates for this summer’s transfer window.

    The Premier League summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 to October 5, it has been confirmed.

    A domestic-only transfer window will be added from October 5-16 to enable Premier League clubs to sign players from the English Football League.

    No transfers can take place between Premier League clubs in this particular window, which will close at 5pm on October 16.

    The transfer window is subject to the approval of FIFA.

    The window will open just one day after it was originally intended to, immediately following the final day of the Premier League season.

  • ‘I didn’t want to coach De Gea any more’

    ‘I didn’t want to coach De Gea any more’

    Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez has revealed that he left the club following a fallout with David De Gea over the player’s future, after the shotstopper put pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford.

    The 48-year-old has played down suggestions that he was released from his role at Carrington, instead revealing that his exit came down to personal and professional differences with the Spaniard between the sticks.

    De Gea extended his stay with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side last September, signing a new four-year contract that will keep him in Manchester until 2023, potentially taking him up to a dozen years with the Red Devils.

    “It’s not true that Manchester United relieved me of my duties,” he told AS . “In fact, once De Gea renewed, United put an offer on the table for me. It was me who asked to meet with the club so I could tell them I wanted to leave the club.

    “It was at this meeting they asked me to renew. I told them I was going but not because I wanted to leave United. I wanted to stop coaching De Gea.

    “Aside from being his mentor at Atletico Madrid, where I backed him strongly, I was the person who convinced him to sign for United. I was his right-hand man in Manchester.

    “I came to United thanks to the great work of Jorge Mendes and because Mourinho wanted to sign me to help David develop and to keep him at the club. At that moment, he wanted to leave United.

    “It’s not true that Manchester United relieved me of my duties,” he told AS . “In fact, once De Gea renewed, United put an offer on the table for me. It was me who asked to meet with the club so I could tell them I wanted to leave the club.

    “It was at this meeting they asked me to renew. I told them I was going but not because I wanted to leave United. I wanted to stop coaching De Gea.

    “Aside from being his mentor at Atletico Madrid, where I backed him strongly, I was the person who convinced him to sign for United. I was his right-hand man in Manchester.

    “I came to United thanks to the great work of Jorge Mendes and because Mourinho wanted to sign me to help David develop and to keep him at the club. At that moment, he wanted to leave United.

    Goal

  • EPL: Burnley end Liverpool’s 100% home record

    EPL: Burnley end Liverpool’s 100% home record

    Burnley ended new champions Liverpool’s hopes of completing the season with a 100% Premier League home record thanks to Jay Rodriguez’s second-half equaliser.

    Clarets striker Rodriguez swivelled and fired home from inside the box following a James Tarkowski header to reward Sean Dyche’s side for their resilience and persistence in the face of large periods of home dominance.

    The visitors could even have left Anfield with all three points, but Johann Berg Gudmundsson fired an effort against the crossbar with just minutes remaining.

    Andy Robertson had given the home side the lead in the first half, but they also spurned a number of good opportunities to score more, with Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones guilty of wayward shooting.

    They also found Nick Pope in superb form, with the England goalkeeper producing a string of good saves to deny Salah and others.

    Roberto Firmino struck the inside of the post with a low shot as Liverpool poured forward to try to capitalise on having more than 70% possession.

    The draw means Liverpool can now no longer beat the Premier League record for home wins in a season; they need to beat Chelsea in their last game at Anfield to equal the league high of 18.

    Liverpool remain in decent shape to achieve a highest-ever Premier League points haul; although with three games left and seven points short of the record of 100 set by Manchester City in 2017-18, they have no room for error.

    Burnley are now five games unbeaten since they returned from the Premier League’s three-month shutdown by losing 5-0 at Manchester City.

    A draw leaves them ninth and still firmly in the mix for a place in next season’s Europa League.

    BBC