Last Minute Gossip

 

TOTTENHAM are hoping to make a late swoop to sign Victor Moses from Chelsea.

Moses, 24, has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge after the arrival of Pedro.

However he is expected to sign a long-term contract and any exit is to be on loan.

Moses featured for Jose Mourinho's side during pre season but has only played eight minutes of competitive football during the Community Shield.
Chelsea have also sent Lucas Piazon, Jeremie Boga, and Nathaniel Chalobah out on loan today.

Brown Ideye Joins Olympiakos From West Brom For Six Million Euros Published: August 31, 2015

Olympiakos have announced the acquisition of Brown Ideye from West Brom and the EPL side also revealed through a statement posted on their official website that the Nigeria international is heading to Greece.

Though the length of contract and financial terms have not been disclosed by both parties, a transfer fee of six million euros is being mooted.

The prospect of featuring in the UEFA Champions League played a crucial role in convincing Brown Ideye to sever ties with West Brom.

During his one - year stint at The Hawthorns, the 26 - year - old scored 7 goals in 31 matches across all competitions.

Ideye previously had spells with clubs in Switzerland, France and Ukraine.

 

Taiwo Awoniyi has penned a contract with Liverpool, who have immediately loaned the striker out to 2 Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt as he is not eligible to be granted a work permit to play in the English Premier League.

Before the transfer was made official by The Reds on Monday evening, Kalmar sporting director Thomas Andersson Borstam reacted to reports the Nigeria youth international was on his way to Anfield.

The bone of contention is Awoniyi had signed a preliminary contract with Kalmar in 2014, meaning the Swedish club are due financial compensation in the event that the player and his minders do not honour the agreement, which is the case now.

“ There may be an answer soon. That said, you ’ll have to wait a few days for an answer there,” Thomas Andersson Borstam told 24kalmar.se.

Taiwo Awoniyi was linked with possible moves to teams in Greece, Tunisia, Austria, France and Portugal before his transfer to Liverpool was announced today.

 

Wolfsburg signed Julian Draxler from Schalke as a replacement for Belgium playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, with the Germany international signing a five-year contract, both clubs confirmed.
Having sold De Bruyne to Manchester City on Sunday, Wolfsburg have moved fast to strengthen their squad by signing Brazil defender Dante, 31, from Bayern Munich on a three-year deal and now Draxler, 21, in the following 24 hours.
Draxler spent 14 years at Schalke and Gelsenkirchen has lost one of its favourite sons. The deal is reported to cost Wolfsburg around €35m and after Dante cost around four million, Wolfsburg have already spent a good slice of the €79.8m they have supposedly received for the De Bruyne transfer.
"Julian has been on our wish list and after the Kevin de Bruyne transfer, we could make it possible," Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs said. "We're convinced Julian will develop further with us."

I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League with Wolfsburg and want to play for the title here in the coming years.

New Wolfsburg signing Julian Draxler

Draxler has won 15 caps for Germany and was a member of the squad which won the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil. He discussed the transfer with national coach Joachim Low before signing for Wolfsburg.
"Wolfsburg is a new challenge for me and I want to keep playing at the top level," Draxler said, who was lured to Wolfsburg by the chance to play UEFA Champions League football this season with Schalke in the UEFA Europa League.
"I am looking forward to playing in the Champions League with Wolfsburg and want to play for the title here in the coming years."

 

Manchester United want to blow £36million on a teenager from Monaco, Bayern join PSG in race for Coleman, Chelsea told to forget going after Marquinhos...

Javier Hernandez is free to leave Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG both want Seamus Coleman, and Arsenal are keen on £5m Riyad Mahrez.

Chelsea move on from Stones, more Pogba guff, Blackett off to Celtic, Everton to sign Blaszczykowski and more...

UNITED'S MARTIAL AWE
Manchester United have opened talks with Monaco over a £36million deal for Anthony Martial.

The 19-year-old, who has 11 goals in 43 games for Monaco, was linked with Tottenham earlier in the summer for half the price, before the forward signed a new contract with the Ligue 1 club, who are reportedly willing to reject United's advances.

United will need a striker before 6pm tomorrow, especially if Javier Hernandez completes his move to Bayer Leverkusen. It'll be Charlie Austin, won't it?

Charlie Austin to complete £15m Man Utd move despite Chelsea, Everton and Spurs interest

MANCHESTER UNITED have emerged as favourites to sign QPR striker Charlie Austin.

The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League since QPR's relegation to the Championship.
Chelsea, Everton and Tottenham have been credited with an interest in Austin, who impressed last term with 18 top-flight goals.
However, suitors have baulked at QPR's £15million asking price considering he only has a year remaining on his Loftus Road contract.

The striker has now seen his odds of a move tumble, with Old Trafford his most likely destination.
Skybet have priced Austin at 4/6 to join United, who were 33/1 rank outsiders just this morning.
The Red Devils are desperate to sign a striker to compete with Wayne Rooney before the window shuts on Tuesday, having just three goals in four league games this term.

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GETTYManchester United favourites to land Charlie Austin this summer

Former Old Trafford defender Gary Neville has highlighted the importance of a new forward at United, with Javier Hernandez's departure looking likely.
He said: "If (Javier) Hernandez leaves, they've got one striker in Wayne Rooney. They have to resolve the centre-forward (situation) in the next two days.
"I'd be absolutely staggered if there wasn't a striker brought in. It has to happen."
On a frantic penultimate day of the transfer window, Monaco striker Anthony Martial headed for Manchester United, while Adnan Januzaj, Javier Hernandez and David de Gea headed out

Updated 3h ago

And with that, we’re done for the day. The blog will be back bright and early tomorrow morning and through to the bitter, bitter end of the UK transfer window which, as you’ll probably know, is at 6pm BST. Clubs can (I think) still buy players from abroad, but obviously won’t be able to sell anyone elsewhere. Cheers for reading, and toodle-pip.

Here we have some details about the De Gea deal, straight from Danny Taylor...

David de Gea on verge of joining Real Madrid from Manchester United

David de Gea’s transfer to Real Madrid is nearing completion after a breakthrough in the talks with Manchester United

Oh, another Liverpool youngster out on the borrow, striker Samed Yesil has joined Swiss side FC Luzern on loan for the season.

Going slightly peculiar at this point so not sure if we’ve mentioned this, but Brentford have signed Liverpool midfielder Sergi Canos on loan.

Slight correction from earlier, when we said Barry Bannan would be moving to Sheffield Wednesday on a loan - turns out it’s actually a permanent move.

BAYERN KEEN AS MUSTARD ON COLEMAN
Seamus Coleman has suddenly become one of the hottest properties in Europe.

Following PSG's failed bid for the Everton right-back, Bayern Munich are now said to be sniffing, according to the Daily Star.

The same paper reported on Saturday that Coleman was keen to explore his options with PSG but would not rock the boat by submitting a transfer request. Interest from Bayern is surely likely to provoke a similar response from the Irishman, but Everton are unlikely to sanction any deal having dug their feet in over John Stones.

CHELSEA WARNED OFF MARQUINHOS
Chelsea are said to have switched their attention from Stones to Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, but the Ligue 1 champions aren't interested, according to the Daily Mail.

PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi is understood to have told Chelsea 'not to bother' with an offer as the centre-back is not for sale.

Jose Mourinho is desperate to add a central defender before the deadline, but approaches for Marquinhos and Stones have been met with firm resistance, while Monaco's Aymen Abdennour joined Valencia over the weekend.


AND THE REST
Ronald Koeman has advised Victor Wanyama to heed advice from former team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin and stop trying to force a move away from Southampton...Bayer Leverkusen have signed Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, who was attracting interest from Tottenham...Victor Valdes' proposed move to Besiktas is off after the club's manager Senol Gunes decided to pull the plug on the deal...Napoli midfielder Jonathan de Guzman will join Bournemouth on loan for the season on Monday...Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is making one last push to sign West Brom striker Saido Berahino...Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is making a beat-the-deadline push for QPR striker Charlie Austin...Papis Cisse could leave Newcastle before Tuesday's transfer deadline...West Brom are trying to resurrect a cut price deal for QPR winger Matt Phillips... Papiss Cisse could be heading out of Newcastle after admitting his future is up in the air...Corinthians and Brazil striker Alexandre Pato has ruled out a move to Tottenham... David de Gea is still likely to secure a dream move to Real Madrid before the transfer window closes - even if Manchester United miss out on Gareth Bale...

Manchester United have emerged as favourites to sign QPR striker Charlie Austin...Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Liverpool striker Fabio Borini...West Ham has moved for Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic...West Brom want to recruit Liverpool outcast Jose Enrique as they continue to strengthen their defence...Paul Pogba is ready to snub Chelsea and wait for a mega-deal at the end of the season...Neymar has broken his silence on Manchester United's megabucks offer to snatch him from Barcelona and said he wants to stay...Roberto Martinez put an end to the John Stones transfer saga, insisting: "No price can buy him"...Papiss Cisse is ready to quit Newcastle after revealing his hurt at being axed for the last two games...Liverpool striker Fabio Borini has rejected a move to Sunderland so he can push through a deal with Inter Milan...Steve Bruce is closing in on the £1.1m capture of Legia Warsaw and Slovakia keeper Dusan Kuciak...QPR will let Junior Hoilett and Armand Traore leave for free.

Norwich are ready to sign Dynamo Kiev's Dieudonne Mbokani...Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori will go out on loan to Derby...Adrian Ramos' move to Sunderland has collapsed on medical grounds...Bayern Munich central defender Dante will join Wolfsburg on a three-year contract..Napoli have asked about signing Mousa Dembele on loan from Tottenham, who claimed the defender would not leave when there was interest from Sunderland...Thomas Muller says that Manchester United have not spoken to him about a transfer from Bayern Munich...Celtic are set to launch a second £4m bid for Dinamo Zagreb's Jozo Simunovic - as Virgil van Dijk prepares to join Southampton.

MEDIA REPORTS: Mikel has two kids from different women secretly

Chelsea star Mikel Obi has secretly fathered two children with different women in England, according to media reports.
According to a report in the Mirror of UK, the 28-year-old Nigeria international is a dad to a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter after short relationships with the women. He is now dating Russian businesswoman Olga Diyachenko. A spokesperson of Mikel confirmed to The Sun that the Nigeria midfield star is a proud father.
“This is an entirely private matter. John provides for and cares for his children. And will continue to do so. He asks that their privacy is respected,” his spokesman said.
He was said to have bought a £500,000 house in 2013 in the Home Counties for his son and mum and is keen to play a part in the boy’s life.
A source told The Sun: “John also agreed to give her tens of thousands a year in upkeep and agreed I think to give her a new car every three or five years.”
Mikel also financially supports his daughter who was born after the couple met at a London nightclub in 2013.
A friend of the girl’s mum added: “John has provided for her and the girl. She seems to have come to money since having the baby and keeping a low profile.”
Earlier this month, a top official, Obinna Ogba, suggested the Chelsea star get married as this will make him a lot more responsible against the background he is indifferent to the Super Eagles cause.
Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh recently disclosed he has yet to reach Mikel despite numerous attempts and so he overlooked him for next week’s AFCON clash in Tanzania.

Akpeyi still part of Eagles, says Agu

Nigeria goalkeeping coach Alloy Agu has stated that new Chippa United custodian Daniel Akpeyi still remains in the plans of the Super Eagles despite a change of guard.
Agu said Akpeyi is one of the goalkeepers  selected for the Nigerian men’s national team but was left out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Tanzania to allow him settle down at his new club in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).
“Akpeyi is one of the goalkeepers I have monitored in the league while he was with Warri Wolves, and even his performances in the friendly match (against South Africa) recently showed that he is one of our best and I believe that is why the club in South Africa signed him up.
“Like most of the players who were not invited for this game, Akpeyi is very much in our plans as we believe he can also provide competition in the goalkeeping department of the team. For now, we thought it best for him to settle down at his new team and then we can monitor his progress as well,” Agu told supersport.com.
He explained that Ikeme has been putting out impressive displays with Wolves in the English Championship, where he has made two appearances in their five league matches.
“Carl is a decent goalkeeper. He is among the most respected goalkeepers in England and he will certainly be a good addition to the team. As for Ikechukwu, he has spent a week with us and I can say he is one of the best in the league right now and certainly his future remains bright provided he keeps working hard to stay in good shape,” said Agu.

Mikel Agu joins Club Brugge on loan

Porto FC starlet, Mikel Agu, has joined Belgium Jupiler League side, Club Brugge, on a one – year loan deal.
But the central midfielder will have to wait before making his debut for the Belgian giants as he is still nursing an injury, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.
The 22 – year – old started his career back in his homeland with grassroots team Megapp FC and put himself in the shop window after he was chosen as the best player at the 2009 Edition of the Copa Coca-Cola.
He has made two appearances for Porto first team in the Primeira Liga and was on the bench when the two – time European champions played Zenit Saint Petersburg in the UEFA Champions League on November 6, 2013.

Oliseh watches 3SC beat Abia Warriors

Oliseh in Ibadan

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh was in Ibadan to watch Shooting Stars beat Abia Warriors 2-0 in a Week 26 league match on Sunday.
3SC now have 38 points from 26 games. Former El Kanemi Warriors striker Sunday Adetunji scored the opening goal in the 28th minute.
He completed a brace with the second goal to douse the tension as the Chisom Chikatara-led attack in the second half mounted pressure for goal.
Adetunji has now scored six goals this season.
In Jos, Giwa FC defeated Lobi Stars 2-0 in a dramatic game.
Lobi looked good to get a point from the game but in the dying minutes the game turned around for the hosts.
Hassan Abubakar opened scoring in the 83rd minute, before Aminu Mbai doubled the score two minutes to the end of the game.

D’Tigers Win First Afrobasket Title, Qualify For Olympics

Nigeria's D'Tigers have won the 2015 African Basketball Championship in Tunisia after beating old nemesis Angola by 74 points to 65.
The team which has been in the shadows of their Southern African counterparts for years, made their intention known right from the off as they matched the 11-time champions in every aspect of the encounter before finally pulling away.
D'Tigers took a healthy 13-point lead into half-time and extended it to 17 points going into the fourth and final quarter.
The Angolans rallied in the final quarter but it was too little, too late as the Nigerians made sure of a historic victory.
With this victory, D'Tigers have now automatically qualified for the men's basketball event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The third place match went to Tunisia who beat Senegal.
Meanwhile in some of the individual awards that were given out, Chamberlain Oguchi was named the Most Valuable Player and also the best three pointer of the tournament.
He was also named alongside team-mate, Al-Farouk Aminu, in the best five players of the tournament.
Mozambique were given the fair play award.

Nigerian Players abroad.

Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme - Heading to the Eagles camp after helping his club to win at the weekend

Monday Aug 31, 2015. 08:35

Nigeria foreign pros were in action for their clubs and AfricanFootball.com x-rays their performances a week to a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.

Izunna Uzochukwu: The midfielder featured for 26 minutes as his Russia team Amkar Perm lost 1-0 at FK Rostov. Uzochukwu replaced Georgi Peev in the 64th minute.

Vincent Enyeama:  Eagles captain kept a clean sheet for Lille in their 1-0 win over Ajaccio. It was a good birthday gift for the Nigeria No. 1 shot stopper.

Ahmed Musa: He was in action for CSKA Moscow from start to finish as the army team beat hosts Kuban Krasnodar 1-0.

Williams Troost Ekong: He was in action for the entire 90 minutes for Haugesund, who won 3-1 at IK Start.

Leon Balogun: His first start of the season for Mainz as they beat Hannover 3-0. He lasted for 73 minutes when he was replaced by Daniel Brosinski.

Juwon Oshaniwa: He was in action for 90 minutes for Hearts as they lost for the first time this season, 3-2 to Hamilton Academical.

Carl Ikeme: Wolves goalkeeper was in goal as they beat Charlton Athletic 2-1. He will now head to Nigeria for his first training camp with the Eagles.

Kenneth Omeruo: He was on from start to finish for Kasimpasa as they lost 1-0 at Genclerbirligi.

Lukman Haruna: He was in action for the first half of the game as Anzhi Makhachkala won 2-1 at Spartak Moscow.

Joel Obi: He was not listed by Torino for the game against Fiorentina to further trigger doubts he will not be fully fit for Saturday’s qualifier in Dar es Salaam.

Anthony Ujah: He was on from start to finish as Werder Bremen beat Borrusia Monchenglabach 2-1. He will be in the Eagles camp upbeat he will take another chance with the team with both hands.

Godfrey Oboabona: He saw full-time action for Rizespor in a 1-1 draw at Eskisehirspor. Raheem Lawal featured for Eskisehirspor for 90 minutes and was cautioned in the 75th minute.

Odion Ighalo: He featured for 73 minutes when Watford lost 2-0 at Manchester City. He was replaced with Miguel Layun.

Brown Ideye: He was an unused substitute for West Brom in their 1-0 win at Stoke City.

Victor Anichebe: He was an unused substitute for West Brom in the win at Stoke City.

Mikel Obi: He was an unused substitute in Chelsea 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace.

Elderson Echiejile: The defender started and finished for Monaco when they fell 3-0 to champions PSG at home.

Obafemi Martins: The well-traveled striker scored his 10th goal for MLS side Seattle Sounders in a win over Portland Timbers. He looks set to stage a sensational return to the Eagles on the strength on what he is producing in the US.

Transfer Gossip

Javier Hernandez is free to leave Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG both want Seamus Coleman, and Arsenal are keen on £5m Riyad Mahrez.
Moses on the verge of signing for Everton , Totenham.
Monaco rejects Lilles bid for Echegile as Kurzawa joins PSG.
Kelechi Iheanacho to make a sensation loan move to Southampton following arrival of Debruyne.
Arsene Wenger switches his searchlight to yet another Frenchman. Lacazette despite signing a new contract with Lyon is weighing the option of switching to the Gooners. It is believed that Wenger is also considering other options in Loic Remy and Demba Ba.

Chelsea move on from Stones, more Pogba guff, Blackett off to Celtic, Everton to sign Blaszczykowski and more...

Arjen Robben to Manchester United for £73million (no), De Gea staying at/leaving Old Trafford, 'astonishing' £200,000-a-week wage for De Bruyne.

BAYERN AND PSG BATTLE FOR COLEMAN
They may have won the battle to keep hold of John Stones despite Chelsea fluttering their £30million eyelashes, but could Everton be in danger of losing a different defender ahead of Tuesday's deadline?

While Saturday brought news of interest from Paris Saint-Germain in Seamus Coleman, Sunday brings reports of Bayern Munich's advances. This comes from the Daily Star, who claim an EXCLUSIVE on their belief that the German champions are lining up an £18million bid for the right-back.

'The Daily Star Sunday understands that Coleman has been on Bayern's radar since the January transfer window,' the piece continues. Did the Daily Star Sunday understand this before the Daily Mirror and Metro both ran it on their websites in mid-February?

It seems highly unlikely that Roberto Martinez would fight so hard to keep Stones before letting Coleman leave with days of the transfer window remaining. We'll mark this one down as a firm 'no'.


MAHREZ ON ARSENAL RADAR
Another EXCLUSIVE from the Daily Star here. When Daniel Storey discussed Arsenal's need for an elite striker, did he have Leicester's Riyad Mahrez in mind?

Yup. The man topping the Premier League scoring charts after four goals in as many games is headed to the Emirates, according to Mr. Paul Hetherington. The in-form 24-year-old would be available for just £5million.

It just isn't going to happen. That won't stop Hetheridge of course, with quotes from Wenger after his side's 1-0 win over Newcastle used.

The article reads: 'Wenger regards him as one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League and, on the chances of signing Mahrez, said: "I can't predict what will happen. I am optimistic and we're working on it."

Expect he obviously didn't say anything of the sort in relation to Mahrez. This was the response given by the Frenchman when asked of Arsenal's overall transfer aims. Tuesday can't come soon enough.


HERNANDEZ FREE TO LEAVE
Big old claim from the Sunday Telegraph's Chief Football Correspondent Jason Burt here. Apparently, Javier Hernandez has been told he is free to leave Manchester United.

One of just three senior strikers and the main back-up to Wayne Rooney, it does appear incredibly unlikely that Louis van Gaal would be so open to letting the Mexican go. Burt goes on to say that United 'do not now expect' to sign a striker, but are still willing to let Hernandez go.

According to Burt, the 'final straw' for Van Gaal was Hernandez's performance in the Champions League play-off against Club Brugge, where he missed a penalty.

Burt reports that the club may make a final bid for Southampton's Sadio Mane - of course, not a striker - but Van Gaal is happy to enter the season with midfielder Marouane Fellaini, wingers Memphis Depay and Adnan Januzaj and 18-game James Wilson as striking competition for the struggling Rooney. Utterly bizarre.

Bayer Leverkusen have emerged as the frontrunners for Hernandez's signature, with the Germans keen to replace new Spurs signing Son Heung-min.


BEST OF THE REST
Chelsea have begun a move to sign Zenit St Petersburg defender Ezequiel Garay...Tottenham are considering a move for one-time Brazilian wonder-kid Alexandre Pato...Paris St Germain have offered Dutch international Gregory Van der Wiel to Everton in a £20million part-exchange deal for Seamus Coleman...Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk is set to join Southampton in an £11.5m deal...Leicester are making an audacious bid to land Bayern Munich and Brazil defender Dante...Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is resisting a late move for Bayern Munich centre-back Dante because he has concerns about Brazilian players fitting in with his philosophy...West Ham United are considering a late move for Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic.

 Raheem Lawal Reveals He Has Been Offered Three - Year Deal By Besiktas

Beşiktaş are in advanced talks with Eskişehirspor over the signing  of Raheem Lawal.

The central midfielder is optimistic that the deal will be wrapped up before the end of this weekend, with Eskişehirspor expected to shred the contract binding them with the Nigeria international for a fee of €2.5 million - €3 million.

“The transfer is almost done. By the grace of God, this weekend we should close the deal, ” Raheem Lawal said.

“I have been offered a three - year contract by Beşiktaş.”

The 25 - year - old was sensationally linked with a move to Roma earlier in the summer but the proposed shift did not come to pass.

Lawal had stops at Atlético Baleares, Adana Demirspor and Mersin İdmanyurdu before joining Eskişehirspor in 2014.

Friday Europe Round Up : Ogude Takes Walk Of Shame, Akpan And Osede Missing

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Hope Akpan was not listed in match day squad while Anglo-Nigerian striker Nathan Delfouneso was substituted 12 minutes from time.

Derik Osede was also not listed in Bolton’s match day squad as Blackburn Rovers played out a goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers.

DUTCH EREDIVISE

Central midfielder Funso Ojo played 90minutes as his club Williem II lost 0-1 to NEC Nijmegen. He was booked in the 76th minute of the game.

BELGIUM-PRO LEAGUE

Onyinye Ndidi came off the bench at 15minutes for injured Bryan Heynen as his club Genk defeated Sporting Charleroi 2-0.

NORWAY-TIPPELIGAN

Akeem Latifu and Leke James were both in action for 90 minutes as Aalesund beat Valerenga 2-0.

Leke James was on target in the 12th minute of the game.

RUSSIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

Amkar Perm lost their fourth game of the season on Friday night 1 - 0 to Rostov at Stadion Olimp 2 .
Three Nigerians could have been named in the starting line - up but only Fegor Ogude made it, with Izunna Uzochukwu and Brian Idowu dropping to the bench.

Ogude was dismissed 13 minutes out of intermission, six minutes before new Super Eagles invitee Uzochukwu hopped off the bench.

Super Lig New Boys Kayserispor Announce Signing Of Yakubu Aiyegbeni Published: August 29, 2015

Through a press release, Turkish Super Lig club Kayserispor have announced the signing of former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

The experienced forward has appended his signature to a season - long contract, with the club retaining the option to extend his stay by a further year.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni last plied his trade in England but has also had spells with teams in Portugal, China, Israel and Qatar.

Now 32, he previously sported the jerseys of Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Kfar Saba, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Leicester City , Blackburn Rovers, Guangzhou R&F, Al Rayyan and Reading.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni will be presented to the fans and media on Monday.

Boyd Okwuonu And Gboly Ariyibi Get United States Under 23 Call - Up

USA Under-23s head coach Andi Herzog has included two players of Nigerian descent in his roster for a get - together ahead of the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in October.

Boyd Okwuonu (Real Salt Lake) was amongst the eight defenders that made the provisional squad list while midfielder Gboly Ariyibi, who was on the books of League One side Chesterfield last season, has also been called up.

Ex Southampton, Leeds United and Tranmere Rovers youngster Ariyibi is on the brink of being promoted to the USA Under 23s thanks to his impressive displays for the Under 20 team.

The United States are in Group A of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship alongside Canada, Cuba and Panama.

The Americans have played in the Olympic Games 13 times in the past but did not qualify for the last edition in London.

Alex Iwobi Delighted Arsenal Kept 100 Percent Record Intact

Arsenal Under 21s striker Alex Iwobi was delighted that the young Gunners kept their 100 percent record in the Under 21 Premier League Division 2 intact after thrashing West Ham 5 - 0 on Friday night in their third game of this season.

The Dream Team VI target was named in the starting line-up for the third time this term while teammate Aaron Eyoma was an used substitute.

Shortly after the game against West Ham, Iwobi posted on Twitter : “ Good 5 - 0 win today . ”

The 19 - year - old was credited with assists in Arsenal U21s first two games against Fulham Under 21s and Derby County Under 21 team.

West Ham’s 18 - year - old defender Emmanuel Onariase lasted the distance at the Emirates.

Analysis - Champions League takes on less predictable look

• 

MONACO (Reuters) - The Champions League group stages took on a less predictable look after Thursday's draw, helped by UEFA's decision to tweak the seeding system.
Only Group A, where Paris St Germain and Real Madrid should steam through, and Group F, set to be dominated by Bayern Munich and Arsenal, appeared to be foregone conclusions after the hour-long ceremony in Monaco.
Other sections looked far more difficult to call, particularly Group D where anything could happen between Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
In past years UEFA have based their seeding system for the draw on club coefficients, a complex ranking based on results in European competition.
This time European football's governing body brought in a change, the top seeds were the champions of the eight most successful nations in club competition.
Real Madrid, who lead the club coefficients but were not La Liga winners last season, were one of the eight second seeds while Dutch league champions PSV Eindhoven, 37th in the coefficients, were one of the eight top seeds.
Whether by accident or design, the draw could pump a little more excitement into a competition that, recently in the group stages, has been short on romance and shock results.
Last season all but five places in the round of 16 were taken before the final round of matches in the group stages.
In addition, 11 teams have reached the round of 16 for the last two seasons in a row.
GROUP B THRILLS
This time the thrills could start in Group B featuring Manchester United, VfL Wolfsburg, CSKA Moscow and PSV.
PSV will want to show Dutch club football is alive and kicking, Wolfsburg were Bundesliga runners-up last season and CSKA came through a dramatic playoff against Sporting Lisbon.
While United should go through, they will not want to depend on getting a result in their final match at Wolfsburg.
Atletico Madrid should progress from Group C, leaving Galatasaray and Benfica to scrap for second place with Kazakh outsiders Astana adding an exotic touch.
There are no clear favourites in Group D where Serie A champions and last season's runners-up Juventus could struggle after the departures of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.
City's poor European record has shown that Premier League status and riches do not guarantee Champions League success.
Europa League winners Sevilla are seasoned campaigners with a talented coach in Unai Emery and outsiders Moenchengladbach are capable of springing an upset.
Holders Barcelona should cruise through Group E but there is likely to be a fascinating battle for second place between Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma.
BATE Borisov of Belarus are unlikely to qualify but could throw a spanner in the works of Leverkusen and Roma, having beaten Bayern Munich and Athletic Bilbao in recent years.
Chelsea should dominate Group G although Porto are always dangerous opponents with a knack of replenishing the team after selling their top players.
Porto, however, are by no means certain to get the better of Dynamo Kiev having recently sold Alex Sandro, Danilo and Jackson Martinez.
Last season Kiev wrested the Ukrainian Premier League title from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Zenit St Petersburg, who as Russian league champions avoided the likes of Barcelona and Bayern, drew Valencia, Olympique Lyonnais and Ghent in Group H where two of the first three have a realistic chance of advancing.

Adebayor set for West Ham medical on Sunday

Out-of-favour Tottenham’s striker Emmanuel Adebayor is set to complete his move to West Ham United before the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday.

Deemed surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane, the Togo international, who has one year left on his £100,000-a-week contract, is expected to have a medical on Sunday according to Telegraph Sport.

Very close to joining the Hammers last January, the 31-year-old’s move to Upton Park was ultimately blocked by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in the closing hours of the transfer window.

However, Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino made it clear his desire to offload the former Arsenal and Manchester City hitman this summer.

Heavily linked with a reunion with former manager Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa a few weeks ago, Adebayor will more than likely be remaining in the English capital with Hammers coach Slaven Bilic desperate to boost his attacking options.

Transfer Gossip

Chelsea move on from Stones, more Pogba guff, Blackett off to Celtic, Everton to sign Blaszczykowski and more...
 Everton, Totenham, Westham and Stokes are locked in last minute battle for the signature of Victor Moses who we understand has requested for the transfer following Pedro's arrival Stamford Bridge. On a similar vein, A spainish based newspaper wrote that Barcelona have spotted Victor Moses as the perfect man to be the back up for Neymar.

Despite enquiry by Totenham for the services of Kelechi Iheanacho, Man City have shrugged that off saying t their man will remain with the citizens till the end of the season.
Arjen Robben to Manchester United for £73million (no), De Gea staying at/leaving Old Trafford, 'astonishing' £200,000-a-week wage for De Bruyne.

Barcelona look set to hold contract talks with Neymar, Kevin De Bruyne looks all set for Man City and Sunderland chase Jonathan de Guzman and Ola Toivonen.

CHELSEA MOVE ON FROM STONES
It does seem like Roberto Martinez has got his way, and that Everton will be keeping hold of John Stones. I have been insistent in my view that selling Stones for £35m would not be an admission of weakness for Everton, but instead let them reinvest the money across their thin squad. It looks as if Leandro Rodriguez and Ramiro Funes Mori could be the only incomings. That's a risk.

Anyway, Chelsea must now move on to other targets, if they are not prepared to go higher on Stones. The Daily Mail report that Jose Mourinho will switch his focus to Monaco's Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour. Abdennour is 26, and would cost Chelsea around £15m.

Meanwhile, the Guardian believes that Chelsea are interested in Zenit St Petersburg's Ezequiel Garay, who seems to have been linked with a move to England since the beginning of time.


MORE POGBA GUFF
The papers are still pushing the line that Chelsea may sign Paul Pogba by the end of the transfer window, despite all logic disagreeing with that claim. Juventus have already lost Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo from central midfield; are they really likely to let Pogba go now after rejecting bids all summer?

Anyway, the Daily Express say that Chelsea will pay £72m for Pogba, while The Sun goes big on their claim that Pogba will earn £300,000 a week when he moves to Stamford Bridge.

We're prepared to smear egg into our own faces, but just can't see the deal happening. The Sun reporting his wages as if the deal is far down the line is certainly ballsy.


BLACKETT TO CELTIC
Having got rid of Johnny Evans to West Brom (pending a medical), Manchester United have got the big for shipping out reserve defenders.

Various outlets are reporting that Tyler Blackett will join Celtic on a season-long loan deal, with the club preparing for the loss of Virgil van Dijk to the Premier League.

Blackett is 21, and impressed during his 12 appearances last season. However, with United's injury crisis abating Blackett soon dropped down the pecking order, and a loan would seem to make sense.


EVERTON TO SIGN BLASZCZYKOWSKI
This all seems a touch fanciful, but a number of outlets are reporting that Everton have serious interest in Borussia Dortmund's Jakub Blaszczykowski. Get ready for ctrl+c, ctrl+v moves aplenty.

Blaszczykowski has dropped out of the first-team picture under the new stewardship of Thomas Tuchel, and the Poland international is thought to be seeking a move to get regular football before Euro 2016. Poland currently top Group D ahead of Germany, Scotland and Ireland.

Blaszczykowski turns 30 in December, and this might be his last chance to get a move abroad. Make it happen, Roberto.

Gareth Copley

Wanted: Yarmolenko (right) is a reported target of Arsenal

Here are all the latest Gunners stories from today's Daily Mirror - plus follow all the latest in our rolling transfer news live blog.

Neville: Arsenal don't have title winning character

Gary Neville has slammed Arsenal and claimed the Gunners don't possess the character required to win the Premier League.
Arsene Wenger's side are already five points behind top flight leaders Manchester City after just three games of the season.
Arsenal's shambolic opening day defeat to West Ham was followed up by a narrow win away to Crystal Palace before Liverpool left the Emirates unlucky not to take all three points with them on Monday night.
In his Telegraph column, Neville wrote: "The Liverpool teams of the 1970s and 80s; all the Manchester United sides of the 1990s and 2000s, the Arsenal XI of Petit and Vieira and Jose Mourinho’s first Chelsea team of Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Claude Makelele.

"The Manchester City of Kompany, De Jong, Yaya Toure. You see power, character and a winning urge. There are no exceptions to this rule."
He added: "We cannot be blind to the hard facts of football over 30 or 40 years. Pure football has never prevailed, though I would be delighted to see it happen for Ozil, Ramsey, Sanchez, Giroud and Coquelin, who together can summon a great deal of technical ability but not much pace, power, height or strength."

Chambers set to keep place against Newcastle

Arsene Wenger insists he is ready to gamble on Calum Chambers again to solve Arsenal's centre-back crisis.
England Under-21 defender Chambers endured a torrid night against Liverpool on Monday because Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were both out, though he helped prevent the Reds scoring in the 0-0 draw.
Manager Wenger is facing the same problem again for the Saturday lunchtime trip to Newcastle but says he will have no fears about pairing the 20-year-old with Brazilian Gabriel in central defence again.

Getty

The Gunners' boss said of former Southampton starlet Chambers: “He showed character. The positive of the night - he did not have the best performance in the first half - was the way he recovered. He showed his mental strength.
"He has lost a bit of confidence, compared to the player he was last year. Maybe it’s through not playing too much, the Under-21 tournament [with England this summer] did not help him too much, as he did not play at all.
“I have spoken to him and he’s a strong footballer, a dedicated player who is ready to work day and night. He has the talent to be a good player.”

Gunners sign Ipswich teenager

Arsenal have signed 15-year-old striking prospect Harry Clarke from Ipswich Town, according to the Sun.
The teenager shot to prominence when he finished off this fine team move with a clinical finish while playing for one of the Tractor Boys' academy sides.
A video of the goal, which now has over one million views on YouTube, shows the young side holding onto the ball in defence while coming under increasing pressure from the opposing team.

A series of one-touch passes then helps to relieve the pressure on Ipswich's young defence and begin an explosive counter-attack.

The ball is then fed through to Gunners new boy Clarke who slots the ball past the goalkeeper and inside the far post.
Previous young Ipswich stars to go on to make a name for themselves in the Premier League include Darren Bent, Kieron Dyer and Connor Wickham.

Walcott and the Ox take on Essex cricketers

With Australia's batting order performing so poorly during the latest Ashes series, there are a lot of people in Britain who currently reckon they could play cricket at the highest level without too much of a fuss.
However, anyone overestimating their skills should consider this clip a warning. As four Arsenal players have proved, cricket is nowhere near as easy as it looks.

Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, goalkeeper David Ospina and Brazilian defender Gabriel have all tried their hands at bowling here - even competing against Essex cricketers Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate.
Their attempts are of varying quality. While Theo and the Ox bowl with relative confidence, even hitting the stumps occasionally, Gabriel throws a cricket ball like it's a ninja star while Ospina is permanently an inch away from taking someone's head off.



AND THE REST
Everton ace Seamus Coleman is targeting a shock switch to French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain... Arsenal striker Joel Campbel could still leave the club before the transfer window closes... Everton have completed the signing of Leandro Rodriguez from River Plate Montevideo for £500,000... Stoke's Ivica Olic bid has collapsed over his wage demands after Hamburg gave a deal the green light... Cardiff have held talks with Kevin Nolan following his exit from West Ham... Ronald Koeman has denied that Tottenham target Victor Wanyama has asked to leave Southampton... Ipswich Town youngster Harry Clarke has been snapped up by Arsene Wenger and joins the club's academy... Beşiktas board member Erdan Torunogulları has travelled to England to wrap up a deal for Victor Valdes... Adrian Ramos is set to leave Borussia Dortmund for Sunderland.

Aston Villa’s striker Gestede returns to Benin squad

Aston Villa’s striker Rudy Gestede is making his return to the Benin national team, ahead of their clash with Mali in their Group C of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Cotonou on 6 September.

The 26-year-old, who scored the winner in Villa’s Premier League opener at Bournemouth, has already three goals to his name in six appearances for the Squirrels.

Benin’s coach Omar Tchomogo announced a 23-player squad to face the Eagles this Friday, also welcoming back Bayelsa United’s right-back Lazadi Fousséni, SM Caen’s midfielder Jordan Adéoti and Westerlo’s hitman Frédéric Gounongbé.

However, defenders Réda Johnson and Nana Badarou, midfielders Mouri Ogounbiyi and Jodel Dossou and forwards Jacques Bessan and Mohamed Aoudou have been left out, together with injured Emmanuel Imorou.

Skipper Stéphane Sessegnon and his teammates will be looking to seal their first win of the campaign, after holding Equatorial Guinea to a 1-1 draw in Bata in their Group C opener last June.

Emenike stars for Al Ain in cup game

Nigeria international striker Emmanuel Emenike is back to full fitness after he played for Al Ain in a league cup game against Al Jazira.

He is now expected to join the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja on Monday ahead of an AFCON clash in Tanzania on September 5.

The Fenerbahce loanee, who suffered muscle complaint which made him miss the Gulf League opening match last week Friday, featured for Al Ain in a 2-2 draw at Al Jazira and was on for the better part of the game.

On Friday, Emenike lasted for 82nd minute when he was replaced with Rayan Yaslam Mohammed.

Al Ain came back from 2-0 down to snatch a point off hosts.

Ryan Babel's pass meant for Emenike in the 41st minute was cut off by Al Jazira defender.

Al Ain are fourth in Group B with a point from one game.

Why Eagles dropped Gbolahan Salami - official

Warri Wolves striker Gbolahan Salami’s passport palaver caused him to lose concentration and form and so he was dropped by the Super Eagles, AfricanFootball.com has learnt

Salami was  a surprise exclusion from a list of players from the domestic league who will continue training with the Super Eagles in Abuja in the new week.

A top official told AfricanFootball.com that the non-release of his international passport by the Norwegian embassy in Lagos was a big distraction for the striker and as a result his form suffered.

“Salami’s mind was not in the training camp. He really wants to move to Norway and the non-release of his passport by the embassy really took his mind away from the training camp. This affected his form and it was why he was dropped,” revealed the official.

“He will most likely get his passport and fly out to sign in Norway before the transfer window closes. Thereafter he will be better focused when he is invited again by the Eagles.”

Salami scored when Nigeria beat visiting Chad 2-0 in an AFCON qualifier in June in Kaduna.

AfricanFootball.com further gathered that Nasarawa United midfielder Bature Yaro, Sunshine Stars striker Tunde Adeniji and Ezekiel Bassey from Enyimba were seriously considered for the final squad to Tanzania.

“Adeniji has been scoring goals in test matches, but already we have enough strikers from abroad and that was why he was not picked,” a source disclosed.

Friday Ekpo tips home-based players to shine

Ex-international, Friday Ekpo, has said the players invited from the Nigeria Professional Football League would likely do better than their overseas-based counterparts when the Super Eagles face the Taifa Stars in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on September 5 in Dar es Salam.

The 23 home-based players, who were invited by the Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, reported to camp on Monday. Five of them would be chosen to complement the 18 overseas-based players who have also been invited.

Ekpo told our correspondent that the home-based players would be more match-fit than their counterparts, who would be flying in from Europe, considering that the European leagues resumed barely two weeks ago.

The former Nigeria midfielder added that the players invited from the NPFL have the quality to compete favourably with their overseas-based counterparts.

He said, “The leagues have just started in Europe but the home-based players have been playing every weekend in the NPFL. The European leagues are just about two weeks old and not many of our players have featured for their European clubs.

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“Therefore, the home-based players have an advantage over the Europe-based players in terms of physical fitness. However, it all depends on who the technical crew wants and what the game plan is. I have the confidence that the home-based players have the quality to give Oliseh what he wants against Tanzania.”

Ekpo added that he believes Oliseh will choose the best players, irrespective of whether they play for clubs in Nigeria or abroad.

Transfer Gossip

Roberto Martinez has denied claims that John Stones has handed a transfer request in to Everton in order to force through a move to Chelsea.
Taye Taiwo jets off to conclude a Move with Helsinki in Finland.
Mourinho has asked Victor Moses to forget about joining Everton, Stokes and Totenham but stay and fight for a place with Hazard.
Brown Ideye may soon be on his way to join Newcastle Utd.

Thomas Muller says he is "quite relaxed" about reports linking him with a "crazy" £71million move from Bayern Munich to Manchester United.

Chelsea have been pursuing 21-year-old central defender Stones all summer, with bids of £20million, £26million and, most recently, £30million, having been reportedly rejected by the Toffees.
The Sun reported on Friday morning that Stones was willing to hand in a transfer request in order to push through the move to Stamford Bridge.
When asked at his pre-match conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City whether he understood that to be the case, the Everton manager replied: "Not at all, no.
"The only focus is on Man City on Sunday," said Martinez. "I have no problems picking John for that game.
"I think the situation is going to be exactly the same. This has been the hot topic of this transfer window and I believe it will be a subject that is highlighted every day of this window.
"For us, the focus is the games and Manchester City this weekend. It's natural and positive that we have interest in our players from other clubs.
"It's not an area that we need to concentrate on, we need to concentrate on playing the team that is top of the league in 48 hours.
"Any individual matter is not an important issue."

Koeman: Mane not for sale

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman insists they have not received any bid for Sadio Mane and once again declared the forward would not be sold to Manchester United.

Roberto Martinez has denied claims that John Stones has handed a transfer request in to Everton in order to force through a move to Chelsea.

Roberto Martinez has said he is on the lookout for "quality additions" at Everton, but refused to discuss a reported £15million move for Andriy Yarmolenko.

Sadio Mane (l): Saints insist he is not

The Senegal international emerged as a transfer target for the Old Trafford club after they claimed to drop interest in Pedro, with the Spaniard instead moving to Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Southampton immediately played down reports suggesting United had made an approach for the 23-year-old, who played in their 1-1 Europa League play-off draw with FC Midtjylland on Thursday night.
Louis van Gaal has missed out on a number of main transfer targets this summer and fellow Dutchman Koeman is keen to add Mane to that ever-growing list of names who United have failed to recruit.
"The situation is so easy," Koeman said.
"We have to deal with that. I don't like it because maybe players think they are not then focused on what they have to do. There is no bid for any player, no bid by the club.
"We have to deal about rumours from the press and maybe from Manchester United - I don't know because there is no contact and no bid for nobody and we don't sell any more players. That is very clear in my opinion.
"I spoke to Sadio and I will speak to everybody we have to deal with those rumours, we made a statement and everyone knows that statement.
"We will always have rumours, but nobody is for sale. We like to continue with these players and that's the most important."
Koeman has seen a host of first-team regulars depart St Mary's since his appointment last summer, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne leaving this year after Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers all departed 12 months ago.
But he is keen to keep hold of Mane, who joined from Red Bull Salzburg last year, and believes Saints are suffering because their players will always be linked with seemingly bigger clubs.
"That is the worst situation for the smaller clubs because no-one talks about the best players of City, United or Chelsea because they are in the best place to be," he said.
"But teams likes Southampton, they have to deal and that is not easy, that makes rumours and everyone is talking about it. We have to play and that is difficult. If they don't change the (transfer) window from (closing on) September 1st we will always have these rumours.
"Timing is always bad. Worse maybe one day before we play at home but it is always bad. We keep going, it is still not September 1st and there are still 10 or 11 days more, write all you like and we will see what happens."

Liverpool midfielder Lucas is set to leave Anfield and join Turkish side Besiktas on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.
Roberto Martinez has denied claims that John Stones has handed a transfer request in to Everton in order to force through a move to Chelsea.

Roberto Martinez has said he is on the lookout for "quality additions" at Everton, but refused to discuss a reported £15million move for Andriy Yarmolenko.

Lucas: Liverpool's longest serving playe

Lucas is Liverpool's longest-serving player but has fallen out of favour at Anfield and failed to make either of Brendan Rodgers' starting line-ups for their opening two Premier League wins over Stoke and Bournemouth.
According to Sky sources, the Turkish side say they are confident of signing the Brazilian midfielder, who has two years remaining on his current contract, within the next two days.
Besiktas are in the market for a midfielder following injuries to Toglay Arslan and Veli Kavlak.

Besiktas have made an 'enquiry' for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, according to a former board member of the Turkish club.

Roberto Martinez has denied claims that John Stones has handed a transfer request in to Everton in order to force through a move to Chelsea.

Roberto Martinez has said he is on the lookout for "quality additions" at Everton, but refused to discuss a reported £15million move for Andriy Yarmolenko.

Ozil has endured plenty of criticism since joining the Gunners for a club-record £42.5million in the summer of 2013, with the likes of Juventus reportedly showing an interest.
However, the 26-year-old, of Turkish descent, has been the subject of an "enquiry" from Super Lig side Besiktas - according to a former club board member.
"Erdal [Torunogullari, Besiktas transfer chief] met with Mesut Ozil's representatives last week and made an enquiry," Erol Kaynar told reporters.
If Ozil's move to the Turkish club seemed unlikely at first, consider too that he is a boyhood fan of their bitter rivals Fenerbahce.
The German international revealed last month that he wishes to play for Fenerbahce at some point during his career.
"In the future I want to wear a Fenerbahce shirt. It would be an honour. Everyone knows I am a Fenerbahce fan."

Newcastle's £13million winger Florian Thauvin says he wants to be the best player in the world and already has his sights on Euro 2016.

The club’s hierarchy will be hoping his confidence is not misplaced, as was the case with Hatem Ben Arfa, who declared his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or during his time at St James’ Park.

Thauvin was named in the worst XI of last season by French newspaper L’Equipe and, like Ben Arfa, has previously gone on strike to force through a move.

But the 22-year-old was rated as one of France’s most exciting young players – winning comparisons to Franck Ribery and Michel Platini – before last year’s dip.

Florian Thauvin has set his sights on becoming one of the best players in the world

He will make his debut at Manchester United this lunchtime and believes he can rediscover his best form at Newcastle.

‘I hope to be one of the best players in the world,’ said Thauvin, who was joined at his unveiling by girlfriend Charlotte Pirroni, last year’s Miss Cote D’Azur.

‘Newcastle have signed some very good players, young players like me, and hopefully it can be a springboard for themselves, for the club and for me to go on to big things.

‘Last year was hard for me. I’m here now and I think I can have a fantastic season and give 100 per cent to this club.

Roberto Martinez has warned Chelsea that Everton will not sell John Stones even if the England defender hands in a transfer request.

Chelsea are continuing to pursue Stones aggressively and, having had three offers rejected, they are expected to make a fourth in the region of £35million in an attempt to land a player they regard as John Terry's long-term successor.

It has been reported that Stones has told Martinez he wants to leave but Everton's manager insisted he had not had any such conversation with the 21-year-old. More significantly, he stressed it would not make any difference.

Roberto Martinez has told Chelsea to forget about signing 21-year-old Everton defender John Stones

Chelsea are pursuing Stones aggressively after three rejected bids and will go in one more for the defender

Everton manager Martinez has told Chelsea that he will not allow Stones to leave during this transfer window

Asked if a transfer request would force the issue, Martinez said: 'No. When you got a long-term contract those things don't change at all. If someone comes in from nowhere and puts in a transfer request that is a different situation.

'In a saga of I don't know how many weeks now, we are very clear. I speak to John every day. As a footballer, unless two clubs reach an agreement, you can't do anything.' 

Story that touch....Wenger bemoans 'shortage' of strikers

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has bemoaned the "shortage" of "top class" strikers in world football, and says the club are "not close" to any new signings.

he Gunners have been regularly linked to the likes of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic throughout the summer transfer window, but Wenger continues to rubbish such rumours.

Many onlookers, including Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, have raised doubts over Olivier Giroud's capability to lead the club to a Premier League title challenge, but Wenger believes there is an overall lack of quality forwards in world football.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday's clash with Liverpool, Wenger said there is a "shortage in the world" of top class strikers.
"There is a difference between financial power and the availabilty of top class players."
The Frenchman also bemoaned the transfer window, which remains open until September 1, by which time each Premier League side will have played four games already.
"When the season starts the window should be finished," Wenger said. "Simple as that. It is too big an advantage for clubs that didn't work well during the transfer window.
"The funds are there, people know that you have the resources, but the players are not available."
When asked of any imminent deals for his side, Wenger responded: "We expect, like you, but at the moment, we are not close.
"I'm more focused on developing the team and the players we have inside the club.
"I'm not against buying if it is right.

Joel Obi out for a week

Torino midfielder Joel Obi has been ruled out of action for a week, his club have announced.

The skillful midfielder, whose career has been plagued by a series of injuries, underwent a medical test on Thursday after persisting symptoms of painful flexor muscle of the left thigh.

According to a statement on Torino's official website, Obi is suffering from overload on the leg: "MRI he underwent Obi showed an overuse the semitendinosus muscle of the left thigh. Recovery times are currently estimated at approximately 5-7 days."

He is among the 18 foreign-based pros called up for a 2017 AFCON qualifier against Tanzania by Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh.

Akabueze's club succumb to Dortmund firepower

Akabueze in action in Norway

Chukwuma Akabueze’s Norwegian club Odd Ballklubb fell to the firepower of Borussia Dortmund and Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as they lost 4-3 at home in a UEFA Europa League playoff first leg game on Thursday.

Akabueze and his Norwegian team mates could not have hoped for a brighter start when they led after the first 22 minutes, only to then allow the German Bundesliga outfit to fight back and claim victory on the road.

Gabon skipper Aubameyang was Dortmund hero as he scored a brace in the game.

Akabueze played for 65 minutes before he was replaced with Oliver Berg.

Odd now face an uphill task in Germany if they are to progress.

Obafemi Martins wins MLS Goal of the Week

Obafemi Martins still a winner in the MLS

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins has won the MLS Goal of the week award.

‘Oba’ returned to action for Seattle Sounders last weekend after two months on the sidelines due to injury and scored a brace in a 4-0 win over Orlando City.

One of those goals has won AT&T Goal of the Week, as well, making it the third time this season that the Nigerian has won the award.

Martins' intricate footwork and passing to get through Orlando City's defense collected 45.34 percent of the ballots, easily outpacing the rest of the field.

Here is the percentage of the vote cast for the goal of the week award:

1. Obafemi Martins (SEA) - 45.34%
   2. Nat Borchers (POR) - 21.97%
   3. Pedro Morales (VAN) - 13.29%
   4. Paulo Nagamura (SKC) - 10.21%
   5. David Villa (NYC) - 9.19%