PRE -SEASON UPDATE
Anthony Ujah capped a man - of - the - match performance by scoring a brace against West Ham in Werder Bremen’s final pre - season fixture before their DFB Pokal clash with Würzburger Kickers in six days time.
kelechi Iheanacho was on target as Manchester City was humbled by stutgart by 4 goals to 2.

The Nigeria international took his tally in pre - season to an impressive 10 goals after hitting target in the 20th and 31st minutes.

At the County Ground, Liverpool starlet Sheyi Ojo scored his first senior goal for The Reds in their 2 - 1 win over Swindon Town.

The England youth international’s goal three minutes from time was the game - winner after Jonathan Obika had leveled matters in the 63rd minute for the League One side.

Ex Flying Eagles star Michael Olaitan netted on his debut for Twente in their 1 - 1 draw with Schalke 04.

The 22 - year - old opened his goalscoring account for the Dutch team in the 85th minute.

wenger says no to Benzema, Rafael to Lyon for £2.1m, Liverpool bid £14.9m for Cheryshev, Soldado for £11m...

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Van Gaal still wants Bale (oh god), City want Berahino, Carrick rejected PSG, West Ham and Everton want Austin...

M- City will finally land Pep Guardiola (next season), Spurs are considering a Bender, and Mario Balotelli could head to Qatar.

CATS EYE ENFORCERS
Sunderland are looking to add some serious bite to a midfield that already contains Lee Cattermole.

The Black Cats over the weekend were heavily linked with a move for Yann M'Vila, who is desperate to end his nightmare spell at Dinamo Moscow. M'Vila is a curious player. Once one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe, his stock has plummeted since moving to Russia. If Sunderland are getting an M'Vila keen to prove a point, it could be a hell of a signing.

In addition, Sky Sports claims Sunderland are interested in QPR's Leroy Fer. No agreement is understood to have been reached been a loan deal has been mooted.

PEDRO DEAL 'HOURS AWAY'
The transfer of Pedro from Barcelona to Manchester United could be just hours away, according to a report in Spain.

Sport claim Ed Woodward will meet Barca officials on Tuesday to thrash out the deal, which could be worth around £21million depending upon variables. There is still some haggling to be done, but it seems all parties are keen for the transfer to go through, with United keen to snare Pedro as soon as Angel Di Maria completes his switch to PSG.

If the meeting goes smoothly, Pedro be involved in United's opener against Spurs on Saturday.

TRAORE SET FOR LIVERPOOL MEDICAL
Barcelona's Adama Traore is said to be on the verge of joining Liverpool, with the winger set to travel to England today to undergo a medical.

The Barca B winger has made his debut for the senior side but his prospects at the Nou Camp appear bleak. The 19-year-old came through the ranks at La Masia and would join the first-team squad at Anfield.

UNITED MAY STILL MAKE RAM RAID
Ooh, hello. Seems Sergio Ramos may yet end up a Manchester United player.

Reports in Spain suggest the defender has not agreed a new five-year deal with Real Madrid, contrary to recent claims that an agreement had be reached.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER report the Spain international is still keen on a move to Old Trafford and is annoyed at talk suggesting he's signed a five-year contract in Madrid.

They also say Ramos believes the club have used these reports in an attempt to force him into committing his future.

Spanish newspaper AS Diario is also carrying the story.

DESPERATE DE GEA
With only five days to go until Manchester United kick-off their Premier League season, it's approaching squeaky bum time for David De Gea.

Marca claim the goalkeeper is extremely reluctant to line up for the Red Devils against Tottenham on Saturday due to fears over the reaction he might receive from the club's supporters. Real Madrid are also said to be desperate to avoid having to watch the man billed as their major summer signing play for United due to the 'PR blow'. Precious, much?

Louis van Gaal is said to want shot of De Gea but United are digging in their heels over the price. Just do it already...


WENGER SAYS NO TO KARIMWeird, that. We've spent all summer offering cynicism in the face of widespread rumours that Arsenal will sign Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, reminding Arsenal fans that their desperation for the move makes them ripe for exploitation by the click merchants.

After Sunday's Community Shield, Arsene Wenger was asked about the chances of signing Benzema. His reply was pretty clear: "No, honestly, no. I don't know who brings that up." We'll tell you Arsene, some shameless peddlers.

We just look forward to that being described as a 'cryptic' reply by various You Know Whos.


RAFAEL TO LYONTo some Manchester United supporters it will be a reason for great sadness but, in truth, it's three years since we saw anything decent from Rafael. After a fine start to his Old Trafford career, things have headed south very quickly.

'Heading south' is exactly what Rafael is now doing, with reports linking him with a move to Lyon. The fee is just £2.1m, which some United fans will consider to be paltry in the extreme. That's the problem with letting deals run down - Rafael was out of contract next June.

With Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia and one of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones ahead of him in the queue, the Brazilian certainly needs a move.


LIVERPOOL IN FOR CHERYSHEVIt's a move that has been mooted for most of the summer, but reports suggest that Liverpool might be closing in on a deal to sign Denis Cheryshev from Real Madrid.

It's an odd one, in truth. Cheryshev impressed while out on loan at Villarreal last season, but at 24 he's already older than Lazar Markovic, Jordon Ibe, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. Do Liverpool really need another attacking midfielder?

The Daily Telegraph claim that Liverpool will make a bid of £14.9m for Cheryshev. As we say, it would be a strange one.


AND THE RESTTottenham ready to take huge loss on Roberto Soldado as they open talks Villarreal over £11million move... Enner Valencia could be sidelined until Christmas as Charlie Austin leads West Ham striker shortlist... Roberto Martinez pledges to keep John Stones from Chelsea's clutches... Liverpool starlet Sheyi Ojo is set to join Wolves on season-long loan deal... Middlesbrough's Lee Tomlin trying to force Premier League move with Bournemouth and Norwich on alert... Antolin Alcaraz has put pen to paper on a one-year deal at La Liga new boys Las Palmas following his release from Everton... Arsenal have reportedly beaten Manchester United to the signing of teenage goalkeeper Joao Virginia... Roberto Martinez claims Everton are 'not a selling club' as he tries to keep John Stones from Chelsea.

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Ujah Hits Brace, Kayode Scores

Super Eagles striker Anthony Ujah struck a brace on Sunday as his German side Werder Bremen defeated West Ham 2-1.
Diafra Sakho drilled home a powerful shot after 19 minutes but a quick response from Ujah a minute later restored parity for the German side after he unleashed a ferocious 25 yarder into the bottom corner.
He grabbed his brace in the 61st minute  with a well taken shot from inside the box into the back of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance of making a save.
Ujah has now scored ten goals in pre-season for Werder Bremen who face Schalke in a fortnight when the Bundesliga league kicks off.
In Austria, Kayode Olanrewaju scored his first league goal in Austria Wein’s 3-1 win over Altach.

Garba Lawal, Echiejile Hail Siasia, U-23

Former Nigeria international, Garba Lawal, and Super Eagles defender Elderson Echiejile have hailed the country’s U-23s for qualifying for the African U-23 Championship after holding Congo to a 0-0 in Pointe Noire.
In a chat with completesportsnigeria.com, Lawal praised coach Samson Siasia and the players for emulating the feat of the 1996 set, who held Egypt to a 1-1 after taking a slim 3-2 lead to Cairo.
“I want to say congratulations to Siasia and his boys. They were able to do what we did in 1995 when we held Egypt to a 1-1 draw after we went there with a 3-2 advantage,” the Atlanta ’96 gold medallist told completesportsnigeria.com.
“They have done themselves and the country proud and I say congratulations to them.”
AS Monaco defender Echiejile also applauded the team after their impressive feat in Pointe Noire on Sunday.
“It’s a good win for the coach and the team,” Echiejile told completesportsnigeria.com.
“I’m impressed with their feat.”
Echiejile charged the team not to relent in their efforts as they still have to win a ticket to feature at the Olympics next year in Rio De Janeiro.
“For them it’s time for them to celebrate but the task is not over yet as they must do well in Senegal again to fly Nigeria’s flag in Brazil,” he added..

Tags: Elderson Echiejile, Garba Lawal, Samson Siasia, U-23 Eagles

• Akpom, Odubajo Set For Hull Medicals

Akpom, Odubajo Set For Hull Medicals

Hull City are poised to announce the signings of Nigerian-born duo of Chuba Akpom and Moses Odubajo on Monday subject to medicals.
The players travelled to East Yorkshire on Sunday night for the mandatory medical examinations.
Hull, the club of Super Eagles forward Omatsone Aluko, were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season.
The Tigers also once had in their books former Super Eagles midfielder and captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.
Akpom is joining The Tigers on a season-long loan while Odubajo is a £3.5m signing from Brentford.
“We’ve still got a little bit to do. I’m very confident that we’ve got Chuba and the same goes for Moses too.
“We’ve triggered the release clause (with Brentford) for Moses. They’re up in Hull ahead of medicals,” Hull manager Steve Bruce told the Mail.
“All being well, I hope we can get them over the line. I’m never going to count my chickens but they’re just the type I’m looking for.
“I’ve got to add an injection of young, hungry players to go with the experience d ones we’ve got. I believe that’s the best way of approaching the Championship and let’s hope I’m right.”

Tags: Chuba Akpom, Hull City, Moses Odubajo

Siasia not satisfied with team’s finishing, celebrates with players

CAF U23 Championship qualifier: Congo 0-0 Nigeria, the Dream Team VI celebrate their group stage qualification.

Siasia not satisfied with team’s finishing, celebrates with players

Captains of the team with Match officials conclude the pre-match formalities inside the Stade Municipal, Pointe-Noire.

Nigeria may have entered the group phase of the Olympic qualifiers but Coach of the Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia has lamented his team’s inability to shake off their lethargy in front of goal.
Host Congo shutout the Dream Team VI but also failed to breach the opponent as the sides finished the encounter goalless as Nigeria prevailed 2-1 on aggregate.
Siasia told www.footballlive.ng after the match the team has earned a good result and a break but will reconvene in a matter of weeks.

Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Arsenal have pulled off the best signing of the summer in luring ex-Chelsea keeper Petr Cech across London. The former Manchester United defender thinks the former Blues keeper will massively improve Arsenal this season
The Czech Republic international kept a clean sheet on his competitive debut against his former club as the Gunners won the Community Shield, and Ferdinand has claimed that Cech's move to the North London side has boosted their hopes of winning the Premier League.

Cech joined Arsenal after 11 years with the Blues.