Stoke City confirm interest in winger Nani

Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen has confirmed the club's interest in Portugal international and former Manchester United midfielder Nani.

The talented winger is currently in France preparing for Portuagal's Euro 2016 semi-final against Wales.
After leaving Old Trafford for Fenerbahce last summer, following a season-long loan at Sporting Lisbon, the Portugese winger could find himself plying his trade in Premier League again next season.
Potters boss Mark Hughes is reportedly keen to bring the 29-year-old back to England, however he faces competition from La Liga outfit Valencia.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Bowen revealed that Hughes is keen on securing Nani's services and also acknowledged that a number of clubs are interested in him.
"I know there is an interest there. Valencia are a big club but it is the draw of the Premier League," he said.
"He is player that Mark admires a lot and he has had a very good tournament. Without giving too much away, there is an interest there and let's see what happens.
"In my opinion, he left the Premier League far too early. He had his time at Manchester United and had been a big player for them and he seemed to drift away rather than step into another club in the Premier League.
"If he is ready to come back, then I'm sure there will be a lot of clubs interested in him," he concluded.

Fernando Torres extends his contract  with Atletico Madrid

Spanish striker Fernando Torres has put all speculation regarding his future to bed after penning a new one-year contract with current club Atletico Madrid.

“Our club has reached an agreement with Fernando Torres by which the forward from Madrid will play next season with Atlético de Madrid,” read a statement by a club’s official website.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea and AC Milan forward, who netted 12 goals in 44 appearances last season, was thrilled to prolong his stay in the Spanish capital.
"I’m delighted to continue at home, the only place where I ever wanted to be, and it has finally come true," he said.
“I’m happy to be here, I've never had doubts about where I wanted to be during all this process in which we didn't know what was going to happen and, in the end, what matters is that I have achieved what I was waiting for."
Sporting director José Luis Pérez Caminero was equally pleased to retain the forward.
"It’s great news for everyone, since Fernando is part of the family and all the Atléticos are delighted with the fact that he can continue with us,” he said.
“He knows the club perfectly and is a benchmark for all of his teammates. The players trained in our Academy have a model to follow and he always has good advice to give to them. He is a man with a tremendous experience, used to winning titles and competing at the highest level."

 Kalidou Koulibaly to join Chelsea

S.S.C Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly edging closer to a move to English Premier League (EPL) giants Chelsea from the Italia Serie A club.

The utility player is coming off a successful 2015/16 campaign with Napoli who secured a top two finish in Italy's top flight league.

EPL sides Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with the 25-year-old defender since midway through the recent season.

According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea want the Senegalese centre-back and they are confident of getting a deal done.

It is believed that he had a bust-up with Napoli club management earlier this summer over not being handed a new contract as a reward for his fine form.

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is also said to be a fan of the former Racing Genk defender-cum-midfielder who has been with Napoli since 2014.

Koulibaly featured in 33 Italian Serie A matches as Napoli finished second behind champions Juventus this past season.

Musa Mohammed set to replace Efe Ambrose at Celtic.

Musa Mohammed

Musa, 19, still has two more years left on his contract at Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, but there are now strong indications that several clubs in Europe are casting their dragnet on the all-action right back, who recently made his Super Eagles debut.

Modest French club Lorient are one of such clubs interested in the defender, who is also set to feature at the Rio Olympics in August.

“Those who moved Efe Ambrose to Celtic from Israel now wish to take Musa to the same club,” a top source told AfricanFootball.com specially.

“It will be a very good move for a very promising player like Musa.”

Big things are expected of perennial Scottish champions Celtic in the coming season particularly in the UEFA Champions League following the arrival of former Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers.

 Efe Ambrose is set to join Bayern Leverkusen

Efe Ambrose has emerged as a transfer target for German Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, who are reportedly ready to fork out 1.5 million pounds for the Nigeria defender.

Reports from Britain said the experienced Nigeria central defender could therefore be on his way out of Scottish champions Celtic on account of this interest from Germany.

The 27-year-old Ambrose joined Celtic in 2012 from Israeli club FC Ashdod for 800,000 pounds.

He has since established himself at the Glasgow club, but last season his first-team appearances were limited to 21 games as against 27 in the 2014/15 season and 38 in 2013/14 season.

New boss Brendan Rogers is already ringing the changes  at the perennial Scottish champions.

Three Nigerian Starlets Kelechi, Adarabioyo & Ogbeta, Picked To Represent Man City Teams At Guardiola Unveiling

Published: July 04, 2016 Three Nigerian youngsters - Kelechi Iheanacho, Tosin Adarabioyo and Nathanael Ogbeta - were picked to represent the various tams of Manchester City during the unveiling of new coach Pep Guardiola this past weekend.

During the two-day event, fans came to welcome their new Spanish manager and witnessed the launch of the club’s new badge, website and kit.

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho represented the first team squad, Adarabioyo was appointed to represent the U18s, while Ogbeta stood in for his colleagues in the U15s team.

Nathanael Ogbeta is regarded as one of the brightest prospects at City Football Academy, and helped the U15s win the league last season.

At the moment, the Three Lions are ahead of the Super Eagles in the race to secure his international future at senior level as he skippers England U15s.

Aston Villa Goalkeeper Idem Commits International Future To Nigeria Ahead Of England

Published: July 03, 2016 The young Aston Villa goalkeeper Emmanuel Okokon Idem has committed his international future to Nigeria ahead of England.

Though the netminder was born in the United Kingdom, he qualifies to represent Nigeria through his parents, and it is understood that he could be called up to train with the Flying Eagles in future.

“Emmanuel Idem is playing for Nigeria definitely, he is available for selection. We will meet with them, NFF and the Technical executives at the glass house soon in Nigeria.


Emmanuel Idem turned out for the youth teams of Arsenal and Stoke City prior to his move to Aston Villa in 2015.