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Sterling and Sancho seal deadline day loans to rival clubs, Toney makes Saudi move

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2024

Champions League - Final - Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 1, 2024 Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

A flurry of activity on transfer deadline day finished with frozen out England wingers Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho finalising loan deals with rival Premier League clubs while Ivan Toney sealed a move to Saudi Arabia on Friday.

While Sterling crossed the London divide to move from Chelsea to Arsenal, Sancho left Manchester United on loan once again to effectively replace his international teammate at Stamford Bridge, the British media reported.

Sterling was told by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca that he had no place in the squad and Arsenal swooped in to sign him with manager Mikel Arteta an admirer having worked with the winger at Manchester City during his spell as assistant coach.

England Training – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, Hertfordshire – 16/11/15 England’s Raheem Sterling during training Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley/File Photo

Sancho had been at odds with United boss Erik ten Hag and despite being an 85 million euros ($93.90 million) recruit, the Old Trafford club saw fit to let him go on loan a second time after his spell with former club Borussia Dortmund last season.

Toney, once Brentford’s lynchpin in attack, has moved to Al-Ahli for 40 million pounds ($52.50 million) after the club cashed in on the striker who helped them gain promotion to the top flight in 2021.

But Toney did his career no favours when he received an eight-month ban for 232 breaches of betting rules, which saw him miss half the 2023-24 season.

“I’m happy he has an opportunity to try something new in his life and career,” Brentford coach Thomas Frank said.

“We thank him for so many magic moments and wish him all the best for his next chapter. Ivan leaves as a Brentford legend.”

Arsenal were quite busy with players leaving on deadline day as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made a permanent switch to Southampton, which forced the north London club to sign Neto on loan from Bournemouth.

PALACE AND WOLVES BUSY

Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah became the latest academy player to leave Arsenal as he moved to Crystal Palace for around 30 million pounds while Reiss Nelson joined Fulham on loan.

Palace also signed centre back Maxence Lacroix while Matt Turner arrives for a season-long loan. Wolverhampton Wanderers had three incoming transfers on deadline day – keeper Sam Johnstone, midfielder Andre and winger Carlos Forbs.

Chelsea allowed Armando Broja to join Everton on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent in 2025.

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay ended a 22-year stay at United, a club he joined when he was five years old, to make the switch to Serie A side Napoli for 30.5 million euros. The Italian club also signed his Scotland teammate Billy Gilmour.

McTominay’s departure allowed United to sign their primary target Manuel Ugarte from Paris St Germain on a five-year deal in a deal worth 50 million euros.

AC Milan added to their attacking options by snapping up AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham on a season-long loan.

-Reuters

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Points of Interest as Napoli’s coach apologises to Victor Osimhen

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Antonio Conte has tendered an apology to Victor Osimhen. Photo: Ciro De Luca. Source: UGC

Napoli manager Antonio Conte has apologised to striker Victor Osimhen over the treatment meted to the player by the club during the summer transfer window.

Conte froze the striker out of the Napoli squad, forcing him to seek top football elsewhere as he joins Turkish club Galatasaray on loan.

The tactician admitted that a lot happened during the transfer window, which was impacted by unresolved issues between Osimhen and the club.

He believes the striker’s transfer should have been sealed earlier as offers from several clubs eventually collapsed.

The Nigerian footballer has since moved on as he will now play in the Turkish Pro League, but Conte seems disappointed.

The manager has since apologised to the forward but emphasised that the club has to maintain its rules, as per The Cult Calcio

Unresolved issues:

The Italian manager believes certain issues hindered the striker’s transfer process. He said:

“Some issues blocked it; perhaps if we had unlocked that [Osimhen] situation, we would have completed the team differently and earlier.”

Osimhen’s Impact:

Conte attested to Osimhen’s talent, suggesting that such a player should not have issues moving to another club

“Perhaps if we had unlocked that [Osimhen] situation, we would have completed the team differently and earlier.”

Regret for Missed Opportunities:

The former Chelsea manager expressed regret that the unresolved circumstances prevented the club from monetizing effectively.

“I’m sorry for the club that didn’t monetize.”

Personal Disappointment:

After freezing Osimhen out of the squad, the manager seems disappointed in such action.

“I am sorry for myself because we didn’t complete the team as we wanted.”

Club’s Consistency:

Despite the challenges, Conte hailed the club’s processes.

“The club proved to be consistent in this situation.”

Team’s Coherence:

Conte stated that maintaining coherence and respecting the rules was essential as he applauded the club’s decision.

“Coherence is the starting point when it comes to respecting the rules. The club proved consistent, so I praise them for this attitude.”

– Tuko.co.ke

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Napoli and Galatasary announce Osimhen’s loan transfer

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Victor Osimhen has signed for Galatasaray on loan from Serie A side Napoli, the two clubs announced on Wednesday.

Galatasaray will pay six million euros ($6.65 million) net to the 25-year-old Nigeria international for the 2024-2025 season, the club said in a statement, with Napoli adding that the agreement lasts until the end of June.

Osimhen signed a contract extension with the Italian club last December through to 2026 with a reported release clause of 130 million euros.

Napoli have also reached an agreement with Osimhen which means they retain an option to extend his contract until 2027, the Serie A club said in a statement.

He was a target for a number of clubs in the recent transfer window, according to media reports, with Saudi side Al-Ahli and Premier League club Chelsea linked with a move for the Nigerian.

The striker was not included in Napoli’s 23-man Serie A squad for the current campaign, with the club signing Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku seemingly as a replacement.

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Lukaku pays respect to Osimhen

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Belgian striker, Romelu Lukaku has paid respect to Victor Osimhen as he declined the number 9 shirt that the Nigerian was wearing while still in Napoli.

When he was signed on by Napoli as a direct replacement for Osimhen, Lukaku rejected the opportunity to take Victor Osimhen’s no.9 shirt after joining Napoli, despite the club having told him that he was free to do so.

Osimhen was removed from Napoli’s Serie A squad at the start of the weekend after a move away from the club collapsed in spectacular fashion on deadline day.

A short-lived update on the Serie A website had Lukaku down as Napoli’s new number nine, but he then turned out against Parma wearing the no.11 instead.

Reports from Il Mattino and Tuttonapoli on Monday claim that Lukaku refused Napoli’s offer of taking the no.9 shirt as a show of respect for Osimhen. The feeling was that even though he is not part of the Serie A squad, the no.9 jersey still belongs to the Nigeria international.

Lukaku got off to a flying start in his Partenopei career, coming off the bench to score a 92nd minute equaliser against Parma, which gave Napoli a boost ahead of Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa’s 96th minute winner.