Gonzalo Higuain Joins napoli

Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain has joined Napoli from Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee, the Spanish club has confirmed.



The statement on the club's website reads@ "Real Madrid can confirm that Gonzalo Higuain has been transferred to Napoli".

"The club would like to show its thanks for his dedication and professionalism throughout his years at the club and wish him all the best in his new challenge."

Higuain had publicly declared his desire to leave the Bernabeu at the end of last season, and the transfer ends weeks of speculation about his move

The striker scored has scored 121 times sinces arriving at Real Madrid six and half years ago, and had been strongly linked with moves to Arsenal and Juventus.

The 26 year-old will join former Real team mates Raul Albiol and Jose Maria Callejon in Napoli following their respective transfer to Napoli from Madrid.

Okagbare Beats Fraser-pryce To Win Women's 100m At London Anniversary Games

Okagbare beats Olympic Champion Fraser Pryce to win Women's 100m Final at London Anniversary Games.

The Nigerian as recovers from an average start to power to victory and celebrate in style. It was a poor start from Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and she never recovered, finishing fourth in 10.94. Barbara Pierre of the United States is second with a joint personal best of 10.85 and Trinidad's Kelly-Ann Baptiste third in 10.93.

Okagbare also sets a new African Record of 10.79 sec

Yobo is still National Team Captain - Keshi

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi maintains Joseph Yobo is still the Super Eagles captain, despite the fact he was left out of the  the Abuja training camp.

 

The former Everton defender has 95 caps for Nigerian national team, but has been left out of the squad selected for the Nelson Mandela challenge as the team prepares for the upcoming CHAN qualifier against Cote d'Ivoire.

Keshi said the centre-back is still the team’s skipper, but he was left out of the squad in order to test some of his fringe players.

 "It will not be fair to invite Yobo to the national team and asked him to be on the bench, it will be a huge disgrace and I won't be part of that," He said.

"When the team needs him he will be recalled and will definitely start as captain even if along the line we substitute him."

Real Madrid tops Manchester United as Word's Most Valuable Sports Team

Real Madrid have topped Manchester United as World’s most valuable sports team according to Forbes latest list.

The Premier League champion were on top of the Forbes list of the World’s 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams last year, but they have been surpassed by the Spanish club who are currently valued at $3.3b.  Spanish rival Barcelona are ranked third having climbed from eighth position last year. Arsenal retained the 10^th position to make fourth European team in the top 10.

The list is mainly dominated by the American National Football League (NFL) with 30 teams making the top 50.

Team	2013 Rank	2012 Rank	Sport	Owner	Current Value ($bil)
Real Madrid	1	2	Soccer	Club Members	$3.30
Manchester United	2	1	Soccer	Glazer family	3.17
Barcelona	3	8	Soccer	Club Members	2.6
New York Yankees	4	3 (tie)	Baseball	Steinbrenner Family	2.3
Dallas Cowboys	5	3 (tie)	Football	Jerry Jones	2.1
New England Patriots	6	6 (tie)	Football	Robert Kraft	1.64
Los Angeles Dodgers	7	6 (tie)	Baseball	Guggenheim Baseball	1.62
Washington Redskins	8	5	Football	Daniel Snyder	1.6
New York Giants	9	9	Football	John Mara, Steven Tisch	1.47
Arsenal	10	10	Soccer	Stanley Kroenke	1.33

Thiago Alcantra joins Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara for a fee said to be around £21M.  The 22-year-old will join the Bundesliga champion in a four year deal, subject to a medical.

The Under-21 Spanish international has been linked with the Premier league champion, Manchester United, but has now reunited with his former boss Pep Guardiola who currently manages the German club.

A statement on Bayern Munich’s website reads: "FC Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for the transfer of 22-year-old Thiago Alcantara.

"In the course of the next few days, the Spain midfielder will travel to Munich for the obligatory medical before signing a four-year contract binding him to Germany's biggest club until 30 June 2017.

"The clubs have agreed a transfer fee totalling 25million euros. FC Bayern will directly pay 20million euros. The remainder will be financed by the proceeds of a friendly match agreed between the clubs. A further proportion of the remaining sum will be indirectly covered by Thiago Alcantara himself, as the player will forego part of his remuneration."

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also said: "Thiago Alcantara was the biggest wish of our new coach Pep Guardiola. We're delighted we've successfully negotiated this major transfer.

"Only recently, Thiago was named best player at the Under-21 European Championship. He's a fantastic player with huge potential, and he will make FC Bayern stronger." He added

Picture: Obafemi Martins upholsters chairs with clubs shirts

Swansea completes Wilfred Bony signing

Swansea have confirmed the signing of Ivory Coast striker Wilfred Bony for £12m from Vitesse Arnhem.

The Ivorian who netted 36 times in 36 games last season for the Dutch side completed the record-breaking move to become Swansea sixth major signing of the summer. The striker completed a medical on Monday after agreeing terms on a four-year deal with the Swans.

Bony has admitted he can't wait to prove his worth in the Premier League.

“I'm very happy to be here, the transfer has been a long process, but I’m happy that everything is done now. I am now thinking about the team and playing football” he said

“Now it is important that I focus my mind on the challenge ahead because I hope to make the Swansea fans very happy.’’

“I hope to bring what I know and do the most - score goals”.

“I want to be ready for the training camp and be in a good condition.”

“The Europa League is my first focus," he added. “I enjoy playing in Europe; I am used to it."

“I am looking forward to joining the training camp out here in Holland as a Swansea player and building up good communications with the team and coaching staff as quickly as possible.’’

Pep wants Alcantra reunion at Bayern

Bayern Munich manger, Pep Guardiola has expressed his desire to sign Spanish starlet Thiago Alcantara from his former club Barcelona.

Pep has identified the 22-year-old as the player to add further quality to his midfield which already contains Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gotze and Javi Martinez.

“Thiago is the only player I want, that’s what I told them. It’ll be him or no one” Guardiola said at a press conference

“We have many players but we the need the special quality that Thiago Alcantara brings.

“The club will decide. I told them my opinion.

“I don’t think it will be a problem. I spoke to club about my concept and told them why I want Thiago Alcantara.

“Nobody will leave Barcelona, unless they feel they won’t play much. He wants to play. That’s why I proposed him to the club.”

The Spain Under-21 international who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, has an £18m release clause in his contract which remains valid until the end of July.

Fabregas considers Arsenal return

Cesc Fabregas is said to be considering a return to Arsenal after a frustrating last season at Barcelona. The 26-year-old is uncertain if he fits into Tito Vilanova’s plan next season as he was often overlooked by the manager in big matches.

The Spanish midfielder made over 300 appearances for the Arsene Wenger’s side and was the team’s captain before securing a move back to his boyhood club. He was signed by former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola after a prolonged negotiation with Arsenal.

Arsenal could trigger the £25m fee clause in his contract should Fabregas requests to leave the Nou Camp. However, reports suggests the Catalans would be reluctant to sell the midfielder following his signing from the Gunners in 2011.

Manchester City set to sign Jovetic

Manchester City have agreed a fee of £28m for Stevan Jovetic. The Montenegrin was also on the radar of Juventus, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, but the Eastland club seems to have won the battle to sign the 23-year-old.

According to reports, City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain and Jovetic’s agent Fali Ramadani met on Wednesday evening and a five-year contract worth £80,000 per week was offered. The Fiorentina star was identified by Manchester City boss as the player to boost the attacking force at the Etihad Stadium.

David Moyes has tried a last minute move for the Jovetic and Ramadani has informed City the deal will be on hold until United’s offer has been tabled. However, City and Fiorentina have enjoyed a good relationship over the years and this makes Manchester City the favourite,

Walcott wants the 'Fear Factor' at Emirates

England and Arsenal forward Theo Walcott wants his Arsenal teammates to turn the Emirates into a stronghold before they can be feared again.

The 24 year old hitman has yet to win a trophy with the Arsenal club since his transfer from Southampton and he believes that his clubs form at the Emirates is very important to their success

"It's quite frustrating at times," Walcott told Sky Sports. "We finished last season unbeaten but we should have done that at the start of the season, who knows where we would have been.

"We need to remember that and make sure we do it from the start because we could be challenging for anything, we could beat anyone. We want the fear factor at the Emirates like Highbury used to have, we want the fear factor back at Arsenal."

Goalkeeper Nash joins Norwich

Goalkeeper Carlo Nash has joined Norwich on a free transfer following his release release by Stoke

The 39-year-old will provide additional back-up to England international John Ruddy and Mark Bunn.

Norwich are the 11th club in Nash’s career which spans over 20 years. His former club includes Stockport, Preston, Manchester City and Everton.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton explains the importance of the shot stopper to the club

"It is now important to us to bring in a 'keeper of great experience and a player that is used to living life in the Premier League” said Houghton

"The move also allows us to send Declan Rudd out on an extremely valuable season-long loan to Preston where he can get some first-team football under his belt."

Manchester City manager vows to win the Premier League with style

 

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday revealed his reputation for producing teams that win with style was the key to his appointment at Eastlands.

The former Malaga manager replaced Roberto Mancini who won the Premier League title and the FA Cup during his three and half year reign at the Ethiad Stadium.

Pellegrini mentioned he has a reputation of winning with style and that was significant to his appointment as City boss.

The Chilean said at a press conference today "One of the important reasons I am here is the way my other teams always played," the Chilean said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"I think fans of Manchester City will see a different way to their play in the other years.

"I am sure we are going to play an attractive game. We will always try to play in the opposite side, being an attacking team, doing what all the other teams I worked with before did.

"That's why I am here doing it now with Manchester City."

When questioned whether City’s performance in the Champions League would be given priority, he said all Premier League is as important as the Champions League.

 "For me it is exactly the same. We don't have a priority for one competition," Pellegrini explained.

"We know we have to improve in the future what Man City have done in the past few years in the Champions League. But also the Premier League is important. We will try to do our best in both competitions.

"I think the Premier League is as important as the Champions League. I know the last two years of Man City was not very good playing in the Champions League and we will try to improve.

"But that is not the only thing for this year. I will try to take another trophy of the Premier League.

"When Manchester City won the Premier League, it was one of the most important things for the club, we will try to repeat that."

Arsenal to submit new £35 Suarez bid

Arsene Wenger is set to submit an improved offer of £35million to Liverpool for the controversial forward according to reports

Liverpool had earlier rejected the initial bid of £30million by the Gunners, but the North London side are to return with an improved offer following the Suarez’s recent radio interview where he acknowledged he was flattered by Arsenal’s interest

He laughed off reported interest from Chelsea but admitted his holiday in his home country could be cut short should a potential transfer develop.

"Are there any concrete options? No, so far there hasn't been any. There are two or three clubs who I think are willing and the club knows that.

"I have to present myself on the July 21 with Liverpool for their tour of Australia but no one knows what could happen. I've already said what I have to say, and initially I have to be there on July 21 but maybe a phone call one day can change all your plans.

"For now everything is going well. I am very calm but initially I am meant to present myself on July 21 but, like I said, no one knows what can happen."

According to Goal.com, the 26 year old has now become the Arsenals main transfer target, as a result of the complications that have arisen from the Gonzalo Higuain negotiations with Real Madrid.

Kolo Toure honoured to replace Carragher at Anfield

Having recently completed a free transfer from Manchester City, the new Liverpool FC player claims he his honoured to be signed as a replacement for Jami Carragher



liverpool fc


"I've come here and I know that Jamie Carragher was a really important player for this football club.

"He's retired now and Liverpool have looked for somebody to replace him and I'm the one.
"It's a big honour first of all to be chosen to replace Jamie Carragher because Jamie Carragher was a fantastic player for this football club.

"He was a great leader. It will not be easy for me to do, but I will do my best."