Manchester City plan £150m splurge

Manchester City are ready to spend another
£150 million next summer, with Hector
Bellerin, Leonardo Bonucci and Pierre-
Emerick Aubameyang their top targets.

Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho downs Zambia

The strikers were on target as the Super
Eagles began their World Cup qualifying
campaign with a win after seeing off the
Chipolopolo in Ndola
Nigeria cruised past Zambia 2-1 at the Levy
Mwanawasa Stadium thanks to first half
goals from Alex Iwobi and Kelechi
Iheanacho to give coach Gernot Rohr a
winning start in the 2018 World Cup
qualifying series.
The visitors made light work of their hosts
who got their consolation courtesy Collins
Mbesuma at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
The Super Eagles were less relentless in
attack even with the presence of Zambia
president Edgar Lungu, as the trio of Iwobi,
Iheanacho and Moses Simon gave Stopilla
Sunzu’s marshaled backline a torrid time.
Brown Ideye failed to cash in on Adrian
Chama’s defensive blunder in the third
minute and few seconds later, impressive
Carl Ikeme was forced to make a fine save
from Fwayo Tembo’s cross.
It took prodigy Iwobi 32 minutes to put
Rohr’s men ahead – his first international
goal since making his debut against Congo DR
on October 8, 2015.
The Arsenal forward riffled past goalkeeper
Kennedy Mweene after a defensive mishap
from Wedson Nyirenda’s men.
The hosts’ afternoon got worse when
Iheanacho got a pass from Brown Ideye,
rounded up three Chipolopolo defenders and
slotted home the second three minutes from
the half time break.
Zambia looked stronger in the second half
and Ikeme had to produce sensational saves
to deny Mbesuma, Rainford Kalaba and
Chisamba Lungu.
But Nigeria's hopes of keeping a clean slate
got dashed as Mbesuma reduced the deficit
in the 71st minute, no thanks to Kenneth
Omeruo’s blunder.
Kalaba and Jackson spurned two excellent
opportunities to level scores in the closing
stages of the game, as the Super Eagles
calmed their nerves to seal maximum points.
Nigeria host Algeria in their second game on
November 7, 2016 while Zambia chase their
first victory with an away tie against
Cameroon.

Barcelona cool Bellerin interest

Barcelona have seemingly dropped their
interest in Arsenal right-back Hector
Bellerin and have instead turned their
attentions to signing Valencia defender Joao

HEARTLAND RELEGATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

HEARTLAND RELEGATED FOR
FIRST TIME IN HISTORY
By okonkwo ozzy
The Naze Millionaires have been
confirmed for the second tier
following an abysmal season, with
their show of shame versus
Plateau United confirming their
demise
Heartland Football Club have suffered
their first relegation since the advent
of professional football in Nigeria.
The Owerri based side had endured a
torrid season boasting of 11 wins and
11 draws, but their relegation to the
Nigeria National League was sealed
following their appalling act against
Plateau United.
Victory against the Jos side plus a
defeat for MFM versus FC Ifeanyi
Ubah could have kept them in the
topflight, but the Naze Millionaires
abandoned the match after the
referee disallowed their goal for an
offside with scores still at 1-1.
Reviewing the abandoned game on
Thursday, the League Management
Company awarded the game in favour
of Plateau United while Heartland
were fined the sum of three million
naira.
“The League Management Company
following a review of reports and
video of the match issued separate
Summary Jurisdiction Notices to the
clubs,” LMC said in a statement.
“In the case against Heartland, the
LMC charged the club for breach of
B13.26 for failing to continue with the
match. The team is also fined N3
million and will forfeit three points
and three goals to Plateau United.
“For the breach, the LMC fined
Plateau United N1 million and both
clubs have 48 hours to submit to the
ruling or elect representatives to
appear before the commission if they
are not satisfied with the decision.”
Giwa FC, Ikorodu United and Warri
Wolves are the other teams to begin
life in the lower division next season.

Mertesacker hints at exit

The 32-year-old's contract at the Emirates is set to expire at the end of this season.
He is currently injured but appears unlikely to get back into the team once he returns to full fitness.
Countryman Shkodran Mustafi was signed in the summer and has bedded in well to life in the Premier League.
"I look at the perspectives for me and my family, and I think that I’ll intensify those thoughts from January on," Mertesacker told
Kicker.
"That’s also the time when you can listen to other things [offers] when your contract is expiring."

Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovic is set to break the bank for BONUCCI

By okonkwo ozzy Thursday 6:03am

In an attempt to shore up Chelsea's defence, owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly prepared to give manager Antonio Conte a sizeable amount of spending money in the January transfer window.
Leonardo Bonucci is the man once again being linked with the Blues, just as he was during the summer, and Juventus could be offered as much as £60m for him, which would be a record for a defender.
Conte is never usually discussed without his favoured 3-5-2 formation being mentioned and here, talkSPORT looks at the line up Chelsea could field if Bonucci joins.
This is just one way the team could look, so leave your suggestions in the comments below – will Kurt Zouma get back in the team when he returns from injury?

Isco admits future uncertain as Manchester City join Arsenal + Tottenham in chase – report Could we? Should we? Would we? By Ozzy Okonkwo- Oct 7, 2016

Arsenal, Spurs and now Manchester City are all reportedly willing to snap up Isco, should Real Madrid sell, after the player admitted that his future isn’t perhaps as certain as everyone thought.
The Gunners were linked with the 24-year-old pretty much all summer but – obviously – nothing came of it and, considering we’re not short of midfielders, you can probably understand why.
Spurs were also heavily linked and now Manchester City, clearly feeling left out, have
apparently joined in the chase.
Interestingly, the 24-year-old, who appeared so certain of his future just months ago, has now spoken to Marca, claiming that he finds it odd that a new contract hasn’t been brought up yet and that it’s down to Real if he renews.
“The truth is that I have not yet thought about it, nor have they asked me to renew, so I am calm,” he said.
“I take it day by day, which is important.
“It seems a little weird [that Real haven’t spoken about it yet], but I can’t do anything.
“If they don’t want me to renew, I won’t go asking for it. It’s something for the club to decide, not me.”
It’s a difficult position to be in. His current deal runs out in 2018 so you can imagine he’d rather have his future sorted sooner rather than later.
Before, I would have said I doubt we’re even interested but now I don’t know.

Neymar jr was covered in blood after getting with an elbow by Ozzy Okonkwo

Antonio Conte considering to offer €100m for No.7 superstar Date: October 7, 2016 by Ozzy Okonkwo

According to the latest transfer news, Chelsea are reportedly ready meet sensational £88m asking price to seal the deal of Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann.
The Stamford Bridge side are prepared to spend big to improve their squad after a tough start to the term, with Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci is also linked with Chelsea for a £60m transfer fee.
But it’s still clear that Antonio Conte needs reinforcements in attacking position as well, with Michy Batshuayi seemingly not in his plans after joining from Marseille this summer, and with Eden Hazard is still struggling to regain his best form.
The 25-year-old Antoine Griezmann has emerged as Chelsea’s perfect candidate to come in, with the French No.7 establishing himself as one of the deadliest goalscorers across the Europe for the last several seasons.
The France international managed to score 62 goals in 113 apps for Atletico Madrid, and his form for France at Euro 2016 has seen him talked up as a potential Ballon d’Or contender this year.
Th former Real Sociedad man has a release clause of £88m at Atletico Madrid, and the Daily Telegraph claim Chelsea would be willing to pay that club-record fee to bring him in London in the near future.
     

Club Boss Confirms Chelsea’s £50m Move Published October 7, 2016 by Ozzy Okonkwo

Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that Chelsea made a host of offers for defender Kalidou Koulibaly over the summer, with as much as £50 million on the table from the Premier League side.
Antonio Conte clearly has ambitions of playing with three at the back at Stamford Bridge, with the Italian trainer reverting to this system in the second half against Arsenal and from the start against Hull City recently.
Chelsea brought David Luiz back to the Premier League on transfer deadline day, but Koulibaly was rumbled as a potential Blues target earlier in the summer.
The powerhouse centre-half has impressed since moving to Naples from Belgian football and played an important role in Maurizio Sarri’s side finishing as Serie A runners-up last term.
De Laurentiis, who is known for his outrageous comments and erratic behaviour, has admitted that Conte was committed to landing Koulibaly over the summer.
‘They offered to me £30, 35, 40, 45, 50 [million], the Napoli owner told Sky Sports.
‘Mr. Conte I said, [The] marina is behind me, follow me, I offered him that.
‘Last moment, two days before the closing of the market, I hear £58 [million] – something like that.
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea return for Koulibaly in the future, with talk in the press that Conte wants to add an extra centre-half to his contingent in January.

Alvaro Morata dismisses 'unthinkable' January return to Juventus despite lack of action at Real Madrid

Alvaro Morata rapidly dismissed speculation linking him with a January return to Juventus, calling a potential move 'unthinkable'.
The striker has struggled to establish himself in Real Madrid's star-studded side since his return to the Spanish capital.
A lack of game time has led to suggestions that Juventus might be interested in bringing the goalscorer back but Morata nipped those murmurings in the bud.

Maldini hints at AC Milan role

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini could end his exile from football if the Chinese consortium buying the seven-time European champions gave him a “direct role of responsibility”.
With seven league titles, five Champions League trophies and 902 appearances in Serie A where he played 25 years with AC Milan, Maldini is one of the club’s most emblematic figures.
However the 48-year-old has remained an elusive figure in the sport, until now.
After years of watching from the sidelines as Milan drop further down the pecking order of the domestic and European game, Maldini hinted he is finally ready to return.
But only if he is offered a role which allows him to have a direct say in what happens on the pitch.
“I’ve been told that the objective is to hoist Milan back among the top five clubs in the world,” Maldini told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.
“But that means working 24 hours a day for a very long time. I am prepared to do it, but I have to fully understand the situation at the club.
“I have to meet directly with the future owners and find out their full intentions.
“I still have a deep love for this club and I can only help if I use my heart and my head. If Milan is to benefit, I have to remain true to myself.”
Maldini has met “four times” with Marco Fassone, who was appointed to a key administrative role by the future owners, Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing, last August.
He has also spoken “for 10 minutes on the phone” with Han Li, a vice-president of the consortium which has been negotiating the sale of Milan with owner Silvio Berlusconi’s holding company, Fininvest.
“He told me they really wanted me at Milan, but we didn’t get any further,” added Maldini.
“The job would be hard, and a challenge. I would be leaving the tranquility of my life behind to put myself back in the game, so I need to know everything. From the owners,” he added.
After years of crisis, Milan fans would likely welcome Maldini back with open arms.
He is still considered one of the greatest ever defenders and, along with other key Milan players, came to symbolise the Italian giants in their heyday.
However Milan’s future owners better come prepared to the negotiating table.
“I’m not in a hurry and, to be honest, I don’t think I need to be given the enormity of the project that lies ahead,” added Maldini.
Months after his retirement from the game, following a 3-2 San Siro win over Roma in May 2009, Maldini rejected an offer from Carlo Ancelotti to become the team manager at Chelsea.
He also turned down an offer to become Milan’s general manager in December 2013.
He added: “I realise I might come across as complicated, but my character and my approach to sport and to life made me into the man I am and who I was on the pitch.
“I have to be like this: we’re talking about Milan. It’s no laughing matter.”

Report: AC Milan, Bologna interested in Toronto FC's Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley is drawing the eye of a pair of Italian clubs, according to Sports Illustrated ’s Grant Wahl .
Wahl reported on Thursday that Serie A clubs AC Milan and Bologna are interested in acquiring the Toronto FC and US national team captain.
According to Wahl, Bologna, who are owned by Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo and managed by former MLS player Roberto Donadoni, are interested in bringing Bradley in for an offseason loan in January. Milan would be interested in acquiring the 29-year-old on a permanent basis. Neither club would be able to acquire Bradley until the Italian transfer window opens in January.
Bradley is currently with the US national team ahead of Friday’s friendly match at Cuba (4 pm ET; ESPN2/UniMás) and next Tuesday’s exhibition against New Zealand at RFK Stadium (8 pm ET; ESPN).
The former AS Roma and Chievo Verona midfielder has one goal and four assists in 22 MLS appearances this season, his third with TFC.

Andre Silva, left, is on Arsenal's radar, according to reports

Arsenal are interested in signing young striker Andre Silva from Porto, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is said to have sent scouts to watch Silva during the Primeira Liga club's recent European match against Leicester.
The 20-year-old has scored five goals in seven league appearances so far this term.
Silva signed a five-year contract extension in the summer, which ESPN say included a €60million (£52.8m) release clause.

Leonardo Pavoletti is wanted by Liverpool and Arsenal, according to reports

A Tuttomercatoweb report claims the two Premier League giants have been impressed by his goalsocring exploits for Genoa.
He has scored 22 goals in 40 appearances for the Serie A club since snubbing a move to Championship outfit Leeds two years ago.

Divock Origi has been linked with a move to Juventus

Divock Origi has played down reports linking him with a move to Juventus, claiming he hasn't even heard them.
Calciomercato this week claimed the Italian champions were keeping an eye on the 21-year-old, but he isn't interested in the speculation.
"I’ve not heard it. It’s a rumour, as there are many. No, I concentrate fully on Liverpool and the Belgium national team," Origi told Belgian outlet HLN.
"I’ve started both matches of the League Cup, and I scored in both games, Liverpool have won almost every game."

Darmain set to quit Manchester United

Matteo Darmian could leave Manchester United in January, according to his agent.
The right-back has struggled for playing time this season under Jose Mourinho and he almost left in the summer.
Clubs in Italy wanted to bring the defender back to Serie A on loan, while Chelsea were also linked with a late move on transfer deadline day.
In the end Darmian stayed put, but his agent - Fausto Pari - has now revealed that his client maybe forced to leave in January - with Inter Milan linked with a move.
"We've got to see what United want to do. Italian clubs have tried [to sign him], but United closed the door immediately," Pari told Radio CRC.
"He's playing little or nothing and it's a shame because he's an Italy international. If the situation doesn't change by January, we'll have to think of something.
"He risks also losing his place in the national team."
Transfer Rumours Manchester United
Matteo Darmia.

Abramovic ready to break the bank for Leonardo Bonucci

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to bankroll a huge January move for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci. The juventus and italian defender has been a top target for the London club after missing out on him during the summers transfer window.   Leonardo Bonucci will be a very good singing for the blues.

Chelsea's Conte monitoring England goalkeeper amid ongoing Courtois speculation

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, is lining up a move for Manchester City goalkeeper, Joe Hart, after flying to Italy with his scouts to watch him in action for Torino, where he is on-loan,
independent.co.uk are claiming this morning.
In light of the recent speculation linking current Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, with a move back to La Liga with Real Madrid, Antonio Conte has been lining up a potential replacement, should the homesick Belgian international leave.
Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, has made it quite clear that the 29-year old doesn’t feature in his plans at the Etihad, quickly signing Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo when he took over the job. Leaving Joe Hart free to leave after his loan spell in the Serie A and it looks as if Conte will swoop on his availability.