List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Romelu Lukaku has joined Roma on a season-long loan from Chelsea, ending the long-running stand-off between player and club. The PA news agency understands the Serie A club will pay an £8million fee with no obligation to buy while also taking on the Belgium striker’s wages, which will be reduced from the £325,000-a-week he earned at Stamford Bridge. Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino hinted last week that there could still be a place for the 30-year-old in his plans if a deal could not be agreed before Friday’s transfer deadline. However, PA understands that Roma owner Dan Friedkin’s prioritising of Lukaku’s signing as a critical part of the club’s hopes to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2019 prompted them to ensure a deal was done. Lukaku has not played for Chelsea, whom he joined for £97.5m from Inter Milan two summers ago, since May 2022 and spent last season on loan back at Inter, helping them reach the Champions League final. The club were keen to re-sign him this summer but he was reportedly unhappy after being left out of Simone Inzaghi’s starting line-up for the final against Manchester City in Istanbul, which Inter lost 1-0 after Lukaku came on and missed a late opportunity to level the game. Juventus had also been keen to take him on loan earlier in the summer but it is understood Chelsea had been holding out for a permanent sale, albeit one that would recoup a significant proportion of the fee they paid in 2021. Lukaku, who first played for Chelsea between 2011 and 2014 but made only 15 appearances between loan spells at West Brom and Everton before being sold to the Goodison Park outfit, will link up with Jose Mourinho, with whom he worked during his time at Manchester United. Read More How Lukaku, football’s nearly man, became Mourinho’s ideal signing Chelsea’s Academy stars can rise to Carabao Cup challenge – Mauricio Pochettino Romelu Lukaku, a chessboard and the Jose Mourinho phone call that lured him to Roma

Luis Rubiales’ family has turned on the beleaguered Spanish Football Federation president after his uncle gave an explosive interview accusing his nephew of being “obsessed with power, with luxury, and with women”. Rubiales remains in his post, however, and has sent new video to Fifa appearing to show Jenni Hermoso laughing over his infamous kiss, as he continues to desperately cling to power. In the video, Hermoso smiles as she shows her teammates a meme about the kiss to her teammates. Rubiales is still hoping to clear his name amid growing pressure to resign his post after Hermoso said the kiss was non-consensual and symptomatic of a broken culture in Spanish football. Rubiales’ mother has meanwhile ended her hunger strike and been admitted to hospital after locking herself in a church in protest over her son’s treatment and the “witch hunt” against him. A priest called Father Antonio said Angeles Bejar had been taken to hospital after feeling tired and unwell. “We have called the son. He’s in touch with her and they have decided that she needed to go to the hospital,” he said. Follow all the latest updates from the Luis Rubiales crisis: Read More Luis Rubiales is just the latest crisis in Spanish FA’s dark history

With the transfer window close to closing, Manchester United go in search of a final few signings having already made a number of high-profile signings earlier in the window. The latest deal saw Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund sign for an initial £64 million to add to Erik ten Hag’s options up front. Mason Mount has also arrived from Chelsea, while Andre Onana from Inter has taken over from David de Gea in goal. With a takeover at Old Trafford still yet to be completed, there is still a degree of uncertainty over how much money Ten Hag has at his disposal, with the Glazer family still in control of the club. Manchester United finished in the top four and reached two cup finals last season, a big improvement on their competitiveness in previous campaigns - but more may still be required to challenge at the very top. LIVE: Follow all the latest transfer moves as deadline day approaches Here’s the latest news and updates concerning any transfers to and from Old Trafford: Sofyan Amrabat After his stellar performance at the World Cup in December last year, Sofyan Amrabat attracted interest from a host of top European clubs. The Fiorentina midfielder has not played for the Serie A club since the start of the season with his future still up in the air, and it now looks like a move to Manchester United is most likely if it can be agreed upon before the deadline. Despite their long-standing interest, United are struggling to raise the funds to buy him because of Financial Fair Play considerations and are looking at a loan instead. The Daily Mail has reported that Fiorentina have already rejected a £1.7m loan offer for the Moroccan, with the Serie A club keen to ensure that there is an obligation to buy clause inserted in any deal between the two clubs. Marc Cucurella United are also working on bringing in a left-back before the transfer window closes after Luke Shaw joined Tyrell Malacia on the treatment table, with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella their preferred candidate. They have also considered Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon and Lyon’s Nicolas Tagliafico. The left-back played 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday, with boss Mauricio Pochettino suggesting that the Spaniard remains in the club’s plans. “I don’t know anything (about Cucurella),” he said after the match. “All the players that are involved every day on the training ground with us are in our plans. Then, things happen, it’s the decision of both the club and the player, and if something happens in the next few days, we will communicate to you.” Dean Henderson Despite the departure of David de Gea, it would appear that Dean Henderson’s time at the Manchester club may be coming to an end after the arrival of Andre Onana earlier in the window. The goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and may yet depart again, with a deal with Crystal Palace set to be announced imminently. Altay Bayindir And another new goalkeeper may already be on their way in, with Altay Bayindir pictured at an Istanbul Airport preparing to fly to England and complete his move to Old Trafford. The Fenerbahçe stopper will join for a fee in the region of £5m. Read More Why Manchester United are no longer big spenders in the transfer market Manchester United made the right Mason Greenwood decision for all the wrong reasons Gary Neville slams ‘horrible’ Man Utd handling of Mason Greenwood case Manchester United receive interest in Mason Greenwood Uefa calls added time rules ‘absurd’ and refuses to follow suit Transfers latest LIVE: Premier League updates ahead of deadline day

Luis Rubiales has sent new video to Fifa appearing to show Jenni Hermoso laughing over his infamous kiss, as the Spanish Football Federation president continues to desperately cling to power. Rubiales was suspended from all football-related activity for 90 days while Fifa investigates the incident, in which he grabbed Spain forward Hermoso and kissed her on the lips during the World Cup final presentation in Sydney. He was also seen handling other players and kissing them on the cheek in the aftermath of the 1-0 victory over England, and footage also showed him grabbing his crotch in an aggressive celebration. Rubiales has received widespread condemnation from across sport and politics, including the prime minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, but he has denied wrongdoing, insisting the kiss was consensual and refusing to resign in a dramatic press conference. His mother has gone on hunger strike in protest against the “witch-hunt” and is currently being treated in hospital. The Spanish FA initially tried to point to still photos indicating Hermoso had lifted Rubiales off the ground in celebration and thus initiated the kiss. Now footage has emerged of the player laughing with teammates on the team bus after the final while holding up a meme on her phone which poked fun at the incident. The meme compared the Rubiales incident alongside a photo of former Spanish men’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas kissing reporter and then girlfriend Sara Carbonero. In the video, Hermoso can be seen smiling as she shows the image while some of her teammates chant “beso”, meaning kiss, and “presi”, referring to the FA president Rubiales. A member of Rubiales’ camp told the DailyMail that they believed the video to be “gold dust” in his defence against both Fifa’s investigation into his conduct and any potential criminal charge of sexual assault, which the Spanish police authorities are exploring. However, Hermoso has insisted the kiss was not consensual and that both herself and her friends and family were “pressured” to speak out in support of Rubiales. She criticised the “manipulative, hostile and controlling culture” of the Spanish national team. “I have to state that I have been under continuous pressure to come up with a statement that could justify the act of Mr Luis Rubiales,” Hermoso said in a statement on Twitter. “Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured those around me (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) to give testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings. “It is not up to me to evaluate communication and integrity practices, but I am sure that as the world champion national team we do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile and controlling culture. This type of incident joins a long list of situations that we players have been denouncing in recent years, so this event, in which I have been involved, is just the straw that breaks the camel’s back and what everyone has been able to see. But attitudes like this have been part of the day-to-day life of our team for years. “For all these reasons, I want to reinforce the position I took from the beginning, considering that I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sport.” Meanwhile Uefa, of which Rubiales is a vice-president, has finally broken its silence over the incident. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin described the behaviour Rubiales as “inappropriate” – but called for Fifa’s investigation to be allowed to run its course. Read More Luis Rubiales is just the latest crisis in Spanish FA’s dark history Luis Rubiales news LIVE: Mother ends hunger strike as new video emerges Uefa boss: Rubiales was ‘inappropriate’ but says Fifa will decide his future

Liverpool continue to hunt reinforcements as they bid to put a difficult season last campaign behind them. Jurgen Klopp’s club entered the transfer window with a clear emphasis on bolstering their midfield, particularly considering the confirmed departures of James Milner, Fabio Carvalho, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as the exit of Jordan Henderson. The club has been proactive in pursuing this objective, and still may not be done yet in the market. Meanwhile, one of Jurgen Klopp’s stars has been linked with a mega-money transfer to Saudi Arabia, with both Henderson and Fabinho already having moved to the Middle East. LIVE: Follow all the latest transfer moves as deadline day approaches Here are the latest news and transfer updates around Anfield: Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah has emerged as a target for Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad as the Middle Eastern league continues to flex its financial muscles after significant backing from the country’s Public Investment Fund. The Saudi Pro League have already bought Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson from the Merseyside club this summer but are now said to have turned their attention to Jurgen Klopp’s star forward, who only signed a new contract at the start of last season. The Daily Mail have reported that the Saudi club are willing to pay as much as £118 million for the 31-year-old but, despite that, Liverpool’s stance remains clear. The player is not for sale under any conditions and especially this late in the window. Ryan Gravenberch Versatile midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been once again linked with Liverpool late in the window, with the Anfield club reigniting their interest in the Dutchman after missing out on other midfield targets, including Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the Dutch midfielder is keen to leave the German club having started just three games last season. Negotiations remain ongoing between the two clubs with the defending Bundesliga champions said to want around €30m for the 21-year-old who joined from Ajax last summer. Cheick Doucoure Should a deal for Gravenberch fail to materialise, Liverpool may turn their attention back to Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure, with the central midfielder attracting long-standing interest from the club. According to The Indeependent’s Miguel Delaney, Klopp’s side remain interested in the 23-year-old, although they have so far been put off by Palace’s asking price - believed to be around £70m. Read More Jurgen Klopp wanted a midfield change at Liverpool – instead he got a revolution New signing Wataru Endo compared to ‘one of the biggest Liverpool legends’ by Jurgen Klopp Jurgen Klopp makes definitive statement on Mohamed Salah transfer saga Transfers latest LIVE: Premier League updates ahead of deadline day Rumours: Salah bid well over £100m; Chelsea winger set for exit Liverpool hold talks with Bayern Munich over deal for Ryan Gravenberch

Like Wolfgang Wolf managing Wolfsburg or Arsene Wenger taking charge of Arsenal, perhaps Romelu Lukaku’s imminent arrival in Rome is striking a blow for nominative determinism in football. When Roma secure his services on a year’s loan, it may seem a triumph for the Giallorossi’s negotiating skills and an extension to the strange on-off relationship between Lukaku and Jose Mourinho. Yet for Lukaku and Chelsea, trapped in a loveless marriage during which neither has been able to formalise a lasting parting of the ways, it represents a failure on both fronts. Even as Chelsea have sold a host of players this summer, it is ever likelier that they will not recoup a transfer fee for a man who cost them a then club record £97m. Chelsea, it feels, have been doubly culpable in the last two summers, first being too generous and too willing to loan him out to Inter for a relatively small sum last year and then overpricing him 12 months on, when cash-strapped Italian clubs were unlikely to pay £40m and Lukaku had little interest in moving to Saudi Arabia. It was a sign he still has footballing ambitions. The wrong ones, perhaps. Lukaku’s flirtation with Juventus cost him a chance of a return to Inter; he has often had the feel of an outsider everywhere he has been but there was a sense of belonging among the Nerazzurri as a catalyst in their first Scudetto in 11 years. A willingness to join their enemies led Javier Zanetti, whose loyalty to Inter was established over 858 appearances, to accuse him of betrayal. So Roma it is, as the short-term replacement for Tammy Abraham, whose cruciate ligament injury will sideline him for much of the season. The odd, interconnected history of the supposed new Didier Drogbas continues: neither Lukaku nor Abraham has actually assumed the Ivorian’s totemic role at Stamford Bridge, the destiny that seemed to await each when he debuted at 18. When Lukaku makes his Roma bow, they will have played for a combined total of seven other clubs on loan when owned by Chelsea. Each has missed a decisive penalty in a Super Cup; Lukaku at least scored in a Club World Cup final but Abraham, with 18 goals in a breakthrough season under Frank Lampard, has arguably had the better Chelsea career. Tellingly, Mauricio Pochettino seemed to have little interest in resurrecting Lukaku’s. Meanwhile, he appears to be a curiously unfulfilled figure. A move to Mourinho’s United was supposed to be the end to his days as a wanderer, rendering him an iconic figure for an elite club. So, four years later, was his return to Chelsea. And, had he gone back to Inter this year, that could have been his mantle. Instead, he is forever a staple of transfer market discussion. And a player with a remarkable 355 goals by the age of 30 – 280 in club football, 75 for his country – now feels defined by those he didn’t score: the four misses in 45 minutes by a semi-fit Lukaku as Croatia held on for a stalemate that brought Belgium’s Golden Generation to an undignified end, the late header that Ederson somehow saved in the Champions League final. It may be harsh or recency bias: time can supply more context. For now, however, Lukaku can be portrayed as a nearly man, a player who has lost more finals than he has won, one who has a solitary league title since leaving Anderlecht as a teenager, who, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic – another sizeable Mourinho striker – is among the most prolific forwards never to win the Champions League. Strikers can require a selfish streak but Lukaku may end up defined by individual exploits: he could join Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei and Lionel Messi in the select group who score a century of international goals. At club level, meanwhile, Chelsea may deem him Thomas Tuchel’s folly, the most damaging part of their Champions League-winning manager’s legacy, his huge salary making him the hardest player to shift. For Roma, where the wider perception of Mourinho is a manager in decline, raging against the brightest of lights dying out, Lukaku might be a boost to the ego. Lukaku spent some of an injury-hit affected 2022-23 on the bench but in his previous campaign in Serie A, two years earlier, he was the division’s best player. In his first spell at Inter, he delivered 23 and 24 league goals in two seasons, adding 11 assists in the second. Even last year, he was directly involved in a goal every 100 minutes in Serie A. For Roma, whose tally of 50 Serie A goals was both meagre and their lowest in 26 years, he shapes up as their ideal acquisition. For them, Lukaku could be forgiven for a few big-game misses in exchange for a consistent return in lesser matches. There is something poignant in Mourinho bringing together another band of thirty-somethings, chasing figures from his past as he bids to recreate it. The previous times he and Lukaku linked up, it was with more of a promise of greatness and, while the Belgian scored 25 goals in their first year together at Old Trafford, their finest exploits came without the other. For now, though, Lukaku is a coup for Mourinho and Roma offer an escape from Chelsea for him. Read More Romelu Lukaku, a chessboard and the Jose Mourinho phone call that lured him to Roma Chelsea transfer news: Brennan Johnson, Romelu Lukaku, Trevoh Chalobah and more The answers to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter quiz Chelsea’s Academy stars can rise to Carabao Cup challenge – Mauricio Pochettino Romelu Lukaku, a chessboard and the Jose Mourinho phone call that lured him to Roma Roma set to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on season-long loan

Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes has been given permission to travel to Manchester City for a medical after Wolves agreed a club-record £53million deal. After overcoming some minor sticking points in final negotiations over an initial £47.3m deal late on Wednesday night, both clubs were able to come to an agreement which involved a bigger fee. The PA news agency understands there are no add-ons included but there is a 10 per cent sell on fee on any profit City make on the 25-year-old. Nunes became Wolves’ record signing when he joined from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £38m last summer on a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. He made 34 appearances last term, scoring one goal and proving one assist. However, on learning of City’s interest Nunes absented himself from training in an attempt to force through a move. In a separate deal, City’s 21-year-old midfielder Tommy Doyle is set to undergo a medical for a season-long loan at Molineux, with Wolves having a £4.2m option to buy and City retaining a 50 per cent sell-on fee on any profit made on the player. The England Under-21 international is the grandson of Manchester City greats Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe and impressed on loan at Sheffield United last season, scoring four goals and providing seven assists in 38 appearances as he helped the Blades earn promotion to the Premier League. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The Champions League is back and the draw will take place later today to decide the 2023/24 group stage. Four English clubs are in the draw: the reigning champions Manchester City, along with Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United. For the final time before the competition takes on a new format next season, 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four. Each group will contain one team from each of the four seeded pots, and clubs from the same national league will not be drawn together in the same group. Pot 1 will consist of the Champions League winners, the Europa League winners and six domestic champions of the highest ranked leagues. The remaining pots will be decided by Uefa’s club coefficient rankings. The final will take place at London’s Wembley Stadium on 1 June 2024. When is the Champions League draw? The draw for the group stage will take place in Monaco on Thursday 31 August, at 5pm BST. How to watch on TV and online The draw will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) for subscribing customers, and will be available on the TNT Sports app. You can also live stream the draw for free on the Uefa website and YouTube channel. Which clubs have qualified? There are 32 clubs qualified for the Champions League group stage: England: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United Spain: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Union Berlin Italy: Inter Milan, Lazio, AC Milan, Napoli France: Lens, Paris Saint-Germain Portugal: Benfica, Porto, Braga Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV Austria: Salzburg Scotland: Celtic Serbia: Red Star Belgrade Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk Belgium: Antwerp Switzerland: Young Boys Turkey: Galatasaray Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk What are the Champions League group stage dates? Matchday 1: 19/20 September 2023 Matchday 2: 3/4 October 2023 Matchday 3: 24/25 October 2023 Matchday 4: 7/8 November 2023 Matchday 5: 28/29 November 2023 Matchday 6: 12/13 December 2023 Read More When is the Champions League group stage draw? On This Day in 2016: David Luiz returns to Chelsea Rangers fail to qualify for Champions League after thrashing by PSV Eindhoven Is PSV vs Rangers on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch On this day in 2015: Manchester City sign Kevin De Bruyne for club-record fee Chelsea’s Academy stars can rise to Carabao Cup challenge – Mauricio Pochettino

What the papers say With the transfer deadline looming, Premier League sides are making their final moves as the clock ticks down to September 1. According to the Daily Mail, one of the big moves could see a star name leave the Premier League, with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad gearing up for a £118million bid for Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, 31. The Daily Star reports that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would be “furious” if the move went ahead. The Daily Mirror reports Manchester United are keen to nab a midfielder before the transfer window closes, with Sofyan Amrabat, 27, their prime target. The Daily Mail reports Fiorentina have turned down a £1.7million loan deal but would consider a deal with an obligation to buy. One player who could be on his way out of Old Trafford is English defender Teden Mengi. Luton are close to signing him, according to the Daily Mail. Tottenham’s move for Wales forward Brennan Johnson, 22, from Nottingham Forest has stalled, according to The Independent. Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, 25, has emerged as a new target. Social media round-up Players to watch Callum Hudson-Odoi: Nottingham Forest are close to a deal for the England winger, 22, from Chelsea, according to the Guardian. James McAtee: Manchester City’s England Under-21s midfielder could return for a second loan spell at Sheffield United, who are leading the chase for him, according to Football Insider. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

David Luiz rejoined Chelsea from Paris St Germain in a £32million deal on this day in 2016. The Brazil international returned to familiar territory as then Blues boss Antonio Conte shuffled his pack with full-back Marcos Alonso also arriving from Fiorentina as midfielder Juan Cuadrado joined Juventus on loan. Luiz, then 23, had initially joined Chelsea from Portuguese side Benfica in a deal worth up to £25million in January 2011. He had arrived at Stamford Bridge on the same day as striker Fernando Torres, who cost the reigning champions £50million – a record transfer fee between British clubs – when they lured him away from Liverpool. The defender made 143 appearances in his first spell and won the Champions League, Europa League and the FA Cup before Paris St Germain paid £50million for his services in June 2014 with then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho preferring to use Gary Cahill and John Terry at the heart of his rearguard. Luiz’s time in France proved hugely successful as PSG dominated on the domestic front, but after two seasons at the Parc des Princes, he could not resist the opportunity to renew his acquaintance with English football. Speaking as his return to the Blues was confirmed, he told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted to return to Chelsea. We had a fantastic story during my first time at the club and I want to help the team and Antonio Conte achieve a lot of success. “I always had a wonderful relationship with the fans and I am looking forward to wearing the blue shirt at Stamford Bridge once again.” Over the length of his three-year contract, Luiz added a league title, an FA Cup and another Europa League trophy to his tally before making a shock – and for some, controversial – £8million move to derby rivals Arsenal in August 2019 after indicating his desire to leave. Luiz spent two seasons at the Emirates Stadium and, now 36, is currently playing his club football with Flamengo in Brazil’s Serie A. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

In the biggest non-surprise of all time, Kirk Ferentz's favorite game is a 6-4 win over Penn State. Is this the type of play that Iowa plays winning football in 2023?

College football fans will have to wait to see any implications the conference realignment might have on the College Football Playoff.