SPORTS WITH WIZFLAMES: FOOTBALL UPDATE

A warm welcome to you all. Great day to discuss football. I trust your week turned out as expected.
Let's kick off with the much anticipated encounter which went down during the week.
The God'swill Akapabio Stadium was the place to be as Nigeria team B dared the 2018 Europa league winners Athletico Madrid in Uyo.
Kelechi Nwakali fired in a spectacular strike from range to put the hosts deservedly ahead on the half-hour mark, only to see Ángel Correa immediately level for the visitors after collecting a fine through ball by Thomas Partey.
Having netted a brace in his last competitive game for Atlético on Sunday, Torres came on at half time - to a rapturous reception from the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium - and headed Los Rojiblancos in front when he connected with a Correa corner with an hour gone.
Muhammed Usman looked to have secured a draw for Nigeria B with a sensational solo goal ten minutes from time, but 18-year-old substitute Borja Garcés made sure Atleti had the final word soon after, beating keeper Femi Thomas with an unstoppable drive into the top corner. And it all ended Nigeria B 2-3 Atlético Madrid

Moving away to some transfer news on the foreign scene:
Barcelona icon Iniesta completes move to Japanese side Vissel Kobe.The World Cup-winning midfielder has been officially unveiled by his new J-League employers after bringing an iconic career at Camp Nou to a close.Andres Iniesta has been officially unveiled as a Vissel Kobe player, with the J-League outfit having snapped up the Barcelona legend in the wake of his departure from Camp Nou.
Having graduated out of the famed La Masia academy system in Catalunya, the 34-year-old
matured into one of the most decorated players of the modern era .
He helped Barca to nine La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns during his time at Camp Nou, while also landing World Cup and European Championship honours with Spain.

Inter join Juventus and AC Milan in race for Chelsea striker Morata:
The Spain international's disappointing form saw him miss out on a place in their World Cup squad and he could now be on the move back to Serie A
Inter are the latest club to show an interest in Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, though they are likely to face a fight to sign the Spain international.
They are set to battle Serie A rivals AC Milan and Morata's former club Juventus for the forward's signature, though no deal will be struck until the Blues tie up their current managerial situation.
The 2016-17 champions will not sell Morata for anything less than the up-front fee of £58 million (€66m/$77.5m) that they paid Real Madrid for him in the summer of 2017, and while the player himself could yet push for an exit, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy will wait for Antonio Conte's successor to make the final decision.

Man Utd open talks for Alderweireld:
Manchester United have begun talks with Tottenham over a move for centre-back Toby Alderweireld.
The 29-year-old will not move to Old Trafford cheaply, with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy believed to be seeking £75 million (€86m/$100m) for the Belgium international.
Alderweireld, whose contract expires in 2020, has yet to agree to a new deal with Spurs, leaving the London club open to offers.

Man City near £60m Mahrez deal:
Manchester City are nearing a deal to sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City. The Premier League champions will pay £60 million (€69m/$80m) for the Algerian, with a deal expected to be wrapped up over the next two weeks.
With the addition of Mahrez, City would end their pursuit of Chelsea star Eden Hazard.

PSG to offer Buffon four-year deal:
Paris Saint-Germain plan to offer 40-year-old Gianluigi Buffon a four-year contract. The legendary goalkeeper has departed Juventus but is expected to continue his playing career, with reported interest in England as well as France.
Despite his age, PSG are offering the goalkeeper a four-year deal in the hopes of keeping him on as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup – taking place in PSG ownership's home country of Qatar – whenever he chooses to end his playing career.

Ancelotti wants Benzema, Luiz and Vidal at Napoli:
New Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to land Karim Benzema, Arturo Vidal and David Luiz this summer, claims The Sun.
Ancelotti was named to the post on Wednesday , and wanted assurances from chairman Aurelio di Laurentiis that the club would spend in the off-season to remain competitive.
With Jorginho and Kalidou Koulibaly likely to depart, Ancelotti has identified the veteran trio from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea to help take their place.

Pellegrini wants Caballero at West Ham:
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero. Pellegrini managed Caballero at Malaga and Man City, and wants to reunite with the Argentina international, who served as the backup to Thibaut Courtois during the 2017-18 season.
The 36-year-old would be the starter at London Stadium though, with Joe Hart having returned to City from his loan and Adrian likely to leave the Hammers.

Alcacer told to find new club:
Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer has been told to find a new club, reports Mundo Deportivo.
The striker joined the Catalans from Valencia in 2016, but has struggled to make an impact in two seasons with the club.
Alcacer, along with Aleix Vidal and Andre Gomes, have now been told they are not in manager Ernesto Valverde's plans moving forward.

Rodri completes Atletico Madrid move from Villarreal:
Atletico Madrid have completed a move for Villarreal midfielder Rodri on a five-year deal.
The Europa League winners confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old on Thursday following prolonged speculation .
Rodri will officially join Diego Simeone's side on July 1, having made 47 appearances for Villarreal in the 2017-18 campaign.

Leon Balogun joins English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion:
The Nigeria international becomes the first player to join the Seagulls this summer, bringing an end to his nine-year stint in the German league
Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the signing of Leon Balogun on a free transfer.
The Super Eagles centre-back joins the Falmer Stadium outfit on a two-year deal after departing Mainz 05 at the end of the season.

Santi Cazorla leaves Arsenal after six years:
The Spain midfielder has endured an injury nightmare over the last two seasons, and will now seek a new club after coming to the end of his deal.
Santi Cazorla has parted ways with Arsenal after coming to the end of his contract, the club confirmed on Monday.
Cazorla joined the Gunners in 2012 and became a key part of the side that lifted back to back FA Cups in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
The last two seasons, however, have seen the Spain midfielder largely inactive due to serious complications following an Achilles injury that at one point could have led to his leg being amputated.

Neymar desperate to force Real Madrid move – but PSG ready for a fight:
Robert Lewandowski has been lined up as a replacement for the Brazil ace, but the Parisians will do everything to keep hold of their star man
Neymar has made it clear to Paris Saint-Germain that he would like to move to Real Madrid this summer, but the French treble winners will not allow their prized asset to depart without a fight.
Goal understands that the 26-year-old Brazil international has made his feelings known to the board of the Ligue 1 champions, just one year after making a world record €222 million (£200m/$262m) switch from Barcelona last summer.
PSG are ready to play hardball with their ace, who they desperately want to keep hold of.

Leicester agree deal for Porto full-back Pereira:
The Portugal international will be reunited with Claude Puel, who coached the 24-year-old during his time at Nice. Leicester City have agreed terms with Porto for the £17.5 million ($23.5m) transfer of Ricardo Pereira, subject to international clearance.
The Foxes announced the Portugal full-back has signed a five-year-deal, having arrived on Saturday to finalise personal terms and complete a medical in a deal that could reach £21.9m ($29.4m).

Benfica sign Tyronne Ebuehi from ADO Den Haag:
Next season, the Super Eagles right-back will line up for Rui Vitória's side after completing a deal that runs through till the winter of 2023
Tyronne Ebuehi has signed for Benfica from Eredivisie outfit ADO Den Haag in a five-year deal.
The Nigeria international who was tracked by the Eagles during the winter transfer window said ‘it was very easy to choose’ the ‘best’ Primeira Liga outfit when they came calling.

Unai Emery succeeds Arsene Wenger as Arsenal gaffer:
Arsenal have appointed former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery as Arsene Wenger’s successor, and the Spaniard has a number of pressing issues to attend to upon taking over at the Emirates.
The club are willing to sanction a £50m transfer spend this summer, bolstered by any fees received for outgoing players. But Emery is unlikely to be handed total control of the club kitty.
Instead, Emery will need to work alongside head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, a state of affairs that appears to have deterred Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta from taking the top job.

Away from the transfer news, and a perfect way to end the week;
Liverpool face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday 26/05/2018 in Kiev.
7:45pm tomorrow, two of Europe's biggest clubs meet in Ukraine for the showpiece match, with Liverpool chasing their sixth European Cup as they bid to deny Real an unprecedented 13th triumph in the competition. All is set for the big showdown tomorrow 7:45pm.

Post by: Wisdom Joseph
Facebook: Wiz Flames
Instagram: Wizflames