Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Everton have completed the signing of highly rated France Under-21 striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal in a deal worth £27 million. The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract, committing to the Toffees until June 2029. He becomes the Merseyside club’s first major signing of the summer transfer window and a key addition to their frontline following the departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the end of his contract. Barry scored 11 goals and recorded four assists in 38 appearances for Villarreal last season, helping the La Liga side secure a fifth-place finish and a return to the Champions League. The Spanish…

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has received a one-year prison sentence from a Spanish court for tax evasion but will not serve time behind bars. The 66-year-old Italian, who recently ended his second spell at Real Madrid to take over as Brazil’s head coach, was found guilty of failing to pay €1 million (£830,000) in taxes during his first stint at Real from 2013 to 2015. Ancelotti must instead pay a fine of €386,361.93 (£333,045.92). Under Spanish law, prison terms under two years for non-violent first-time offenders are typically suspended. Ancelotti testified earlier this year, saying he never intended to commit…

Botswana women’s national team head coach Alex Malete says his team will look to capitalise on any mistakes by the Super Falcons when both sides meet on Thursday in a crucial Group B fixture at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The Mares will face a daunting challenge against Nigeria, Africa’s most successful women’s football team, who started their WAFCON campaign in dominant fashion with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia. Botswana, meanwhile, are under pressure after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Algeria in their opening match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Speaking ahead of…

AC Milan have confirmed that veteran midfielder Luka Modric will join the Italian giants this summer following the end of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign. The 39-year-old Croatian legend, who announced in May that he would leave Real Madrid after 13 years, will begin a new chapter in Serie A under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri. Speaking at his first press conference since replacing Sergio Conceicao, Allegri was full of praise for Modric. “Modric will arrive in August,” said the 57-year-old tactician. “He is an extraordinary player.” Modric has featured primarily as a substitute during Real Madrid’s Club World Cup…

Arsenal are edging closer to securing a marquee summer signing, with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres now firmly in their sights. The Gunners’ pursuit of the prolific Sweden international has accelerated in recent days, with face-to-face negotiations taking place between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and officials from the Portuguese club. Berta flew to Lisbon late last week for high-level talks aimed at striking a deal believed to be worth around £70 million. Sources close to the negotiations have described the discussions as “positive,” suggesting that a resolution could be reached in the near future. Gyokeres, 27, is coming off…

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a horrific injury in his side’s Club World Cup semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old playmaker sustained a broken leg and a dislocated ankle following a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first half of Saturday’s match. The incident occurred near the byline as Musiala sprinted in pursuit of a loose ball. Donnarumma, attempting to clear the danger, clattered into the young German, who immediately screamed in pain and clutched his left ankle. The game was halted for several minutes while medical staff…

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo was named Player of the Match following her outstanding performance in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Tunisia in their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group B opener on Sunday. Despite starting the game on the bench, Okoronkwo made an immediate impact after being introduced in the second half, helping to seal the victory and impressing fans and analysts alike with her skill, vision, and attacking presence. Nigeria, who are chasing a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, were already in control when Okoronkwo entered the game. First-half goals from Asisat Oshoala and Rinsola Babajide had given…

Nigeria’s Super Falcons began their campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Tunisia on Sunday, delivering a commanding performance that underlined their status as tournament favourites. The Group B opener, played at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, saw the nine-time champions stamp their authority early and maintain control throughout. Goals from Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide, and Chiwendu Ihezuo secured all three points and a comfortable lead in the group. It was a statement win for Nigeria, who had never beaten Tunisia at WAFCON, with their only previous meeting ending in…

Marcus Rashford is expected to return to Manchester United training on Monday, marking the beginning of what could be a pivotal summer in the 27-year-old’s career. After a turbulent season that saw him loaned out to Aston Villa following a fallout with manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford’s Old Trafford future remains unresolved. Rashford, who has been with United since the age of seven, spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Villa Park after being frozen out by Amorim in December. During his short spell at Aston Villa, the England international made 17 appearances, scoring four goals and…

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with multiple sexual offences, including five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges, which involve three women and span alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022, were confirmed by the Metropolitan Police on Thursday. Partey, 32, who until recently played for Premier League side Arsenal, has denied all the allegations through his lawyer and said he looks forward to clearing his name in court. According to the police, the charges relate to three separate complainants. Two counts of rape relate to one woman, three other counts of rape involve…