Naija Update

Chuck Blazer, the disgraced American soccer executive whose admissions of corruption set off a global scandal that ultimately toppled FIFA president Sepp Blatter, died Wednesday. He was 72. Blazer’s death was announced by his lawyers, Eric Corngold and Mary Mulligan. At a November 2013 court hearing during which Blazer entered guilty pleas to 10 federal charges, Blazer said he had rectal cancer, diabetes and coronary artery disease. A person familiar with his death said Blazer died in New Jersey. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the place of his death was not disclosed in the lawyers’ written statement. “I’ve known Chuck for a lot of years,” U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena said. “He did a lot for the sport. Sorry about all the issues regarding FIFA, but he was a good man. He helped the sport in the United States.” With girth, charm and a pet parrot, Blazer was a  bon vivant  as he made deals from a Manhattan office and apartment in Trump Tow...

There are sensational reports out of England via The Daily Star that have linked an Arsenal swap deal with Manchester City. Alexis Sanchez would move to City with Sergio Aguero moving in the opposite direction. Both players have been involved in transfer rumors since last winter’s window was open, as both South Americans have had difficulty in their player coach relationships. Sanchez and Wenger’s thoughts of each other were often made public through their body language following the Chilean’s being substituted. Aguero meanwhile has had his own share of instances with Guardiola, but would he be ready to swap sides? Two of the Premier League’s most prolific players will always be of interest when inserted into the same headline. Is there any substance to this deal, it is hard to understand where all the motivations for the clubs and players might be. But should a deal go through, it will be Man City and Arsenal surpassing rivals United in the most spectacular transfer of the summ...

Reports out of England via The Daily Mail confirm that Lyon have officially signed Bertrand Traoré from Ajax. The Burkina Faso striker moves for a fee of 10 million EUR and signs a five-year contract with the French club. The Chelsea owned player had been on loan to Ajax throughout the season, where he had an impressive season helping the Dutch giants to the Europa League final. Traore was on the radar of Schalke among others, but Lyon have acted quickly to jump on the trail of the 21 year old. The striker moves back to France where he started in the Auxerre youth system before being snatched up by Chelsea in 2013. Subsequent loans to Vitesse and Ajax have allowed the youngster to gain quality playing time while maturing as a professional. The Burkina Faso player scored 9 goals and added 2 assists in 24 Eredivisie games, and was even more impressive in the Europa League, with 4 goals and 4 assists in 13 games in the competition.

As Lionel Messi turns 30, Ronaldinho, Neymar and Samuel Eto'o were among the stars to congratulate the Barcelona star on social media. For most people turning 30 can be quite a daunting moment, but when you have enjoyed a life and career like Lionel Messi one imagines the experience is somewhat easier. The Barcelona and Argentina superstar is rightly considered as one the all-time greats and his career at Camp Nou has been laden with goals, records, trophies and, at times, questionable haircuts. While some who turn 30 are approaching the twilight of their careers, it is fair to suggest there is still plenty to come from Messi. And Barca were keen to pay tribute to their brilliant talisman to mark the landmark on social media, as were several of his current and former team-mates… Messi in the  #UCL :  115  94 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15 Greatest of all time ? #HappyBirthdayMessi   #L30Messi   pic.twitter.com/U3LylHgBhe

The Liverpool legend isn’t convinced a raid for Barcelona defender Jordi Alba is on the cards, though. United have already splashed the cash this summer. They coughed up £31m to sign Victor Lindelof from Benfica. And Nicol thinks Morata and Fabinho could also be arriving at Old Trafford soon. "Absolutely it's a no-brainer," Nicol said on ESPN FC regarding Morata’s touted arrival from Real. "It's a position they need and they're going to get somebody who in my opinion could become world class, he's not too far off it. "He's young, so he's going to be there for a long time. If you're a United fan, you're hoping this happens and I think eventually it will." Fabinho helped Monaco to the Ligue 1 glory last season. Alvaro Morata marries gorgeous WAG Alice Campello in Venice ALVARO MORATA has married his gorgeous partner Alice Campello as rumours of a transfer to Manchester United continue to circulate. Alvaro Mora...

The SPFL fixtures may be published this morning but there's still plenty of time for clubs to make changes before they get down to competitive business. Celtic have already been linked with a few defenders during the window and there's a new name to add to the list. Bristol City full-back Joe Bryan has plenty of admirers and the Scottish champions are said to be one of those sides. While one defender is talked about in terms of a move to Scotland, another has agreed to leave. Partick Thistle's talented stopper Liam Lindsay has signed for Barnsley. One of the window's longer-running stories has come to an end. Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera have their work permits and have signed their Rangers deals. Beyond our borders, it's all gone a bit crazy. PSG are ready to smash the world transfer record to land Kylian Mbappe and Juventus are involved in a dispute over a fleet of tractors.

The French coach has returned from his holidays and is due to meet president Florentino Perez to discuss pressing matters in the market this summer Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has returned from a short break with his family and is set for key transfer talks with club chief Florentino Perez in the coming days — with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Gianluigi Donnarumma topping the agenda. Zidane led Los Blancos to La Liga success in May and also added a second straight Champions League trophy with victory over Juventus in Cardiff on June 3, but it is already time to start planning for the new season with Real back in action in the UEFA Super Cup against Manchester United on August 8, before two Clasico clashes versus Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa.

We knew it was coming... Jack Butland is being linked with one of the big ones. The Star claims Arsenal have identified the Stoke number one as their long-term successor for 35 year-old Czech Republic star Petr Cech. Leeds left back Charlie Taylor, a player linked with Stoke earlier this summer, could have the pick of Burnley as well as West Brom according to latest reports. Man City and Chelsea are still poised to sign some pretty mouthwatering cheques.

Liverpool have reportedly seen a staggering €100m offer for Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe rejected as they step up their pursuit of the youngster.

Newcastle United’s search for a second summer signing is set to drag on into next week – as the clock ticks down to the start of pre-season training. The Magpies have signed only one player – winger Christian Atsu – so far this summer, with the Premier League season just seven weeks away. Owner Mike Ashley pledged to back Rafa Benitez with “every penny” the club generated through promotion as Championship champions last month. And Benitez was keen to see several new faces arrive at St James’s Park before the start of pre-season training on July 3.

Newcastle United’s search for a second summer signing is set to drag on into next week – as the clock ticks down to the start of pre-season training. The Magpies have signed only one player – winger Christian Atsu – so far this summer, with the Premier League season just seven weeks away. Owner Mike Ashley pledged to back Rafa Benitez with “every penny” the club generated through promotion as Championship champions last month. And Benitez was keen to see several new faces arrive at St James’s Park before the start of pre-season training on July 3.

Newcastle United’s search for a second summer signing is set to drag on into next week – as the clock ticks down to the start of pre-season training. The Magpies have signed only one player – winger Christian Atsu – so far this summer, with the Premier League season just seven weeks away. Owner Mike Ashley pledged to back Rafa Benitez with “every penny” the club generated through promotion as Championship champions last month. And Benitez was keen to see several new faces arrive at St James’s Park before the start of pre-season training on July 3.

Diego Costa will refuse to leave Chelsea until Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban is over, according to the Daily Star. What’s the story? Everyone knows by now that Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has reportedly not figured Costa into his plans for next season. However, he may have to as the Daily Star claims that the controversial striker is prepared to dig his heels in regarding a transfer. The publication states that the 28-year-old wants to return to his former club in Spain, but may have to wait until January due to Atletico’s ban. The La Liga outfit are allowed to sign players in the summer window, but are prohibited from registering them until January 2018, which means that if Costa joined Atletico now, he would miss the first five months of the season. AC Milan and Juventus are also believed to be keen on the forward, but the Daily Star reports that Costa is not interested in a switch to Italy. Should Conte still play him? If Costa refuses to leave Chelsea until Jan...

My local store always ordered five copies despite the demand far exceeding their supply. Many mornings, a few hardy souls, sitting on their BMX or Raleigh bikes, would wait outside the closed shop, money in hand, waiting for the shopkeeper to arrive and open the heavily wrapped delivery of mags on the doorstep. Shoot! was a staple for keeping in touch with football. The free posters lined the walls of my bedroom, the articles were devoured and filed away, and the centre pages were filled with the results, scorers, and stats from the weekend’s cross channel fixtures – a stato’s dream. Before the total and complete saturation of live football on television, the early Saturday morning viewing of Saint and Greavsie on ITV and Football Focus on BBC Grandstand, with the possibility of a live game now and then if you were lucky, before the must see Match of the Day on Saturday night was largely it. If you missed a highlights show or a main news bulletin or the newspaper reports on Sunday...

What’s the story? Manchester City are undergoing a squad overhaul under manager Pep Guardiola, who struggled in his first season at the helm of the club. The Etihad outfit have already shelled out in excess of £75 million for the transfer of Bernardo Silva and Ederson, while also having released 5 first-team players namely – Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Jesus Navas, Gael Clichy and Willy Caballero.The Citizens have been linked with moves for a few full-backs as they are a little bit light in that department, however, according to Italian newspaper Calciomercato, defenders are not all that Guardiola is targeting. According to the report, the Spanish manager has established contact with former pupil and Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta to persuade him to join him in Manchester.

Manchester City are keen to strike a deal for the Brazilian, who lifted the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles last term. Express Sport   understands the 34-year-old has broadly agreed personal terms of a two-year contract which would see him earn £8.6million. City are prepared to pay £5m for Alves, but should he sacrifice his wages, Pep Guardiola could get him on a free. Talks were supposedly held last week over Alves’ future. And Marotta has revealed Alves is keen to leave Turin.    Dani [Alves] has decided that he wants to change his surroundings, so we will come to a mutual agreement and we wish him luck," Marotta said.

Gomes joined Barcelona last summer from Valencia in a £41.7m deal, snubbing interest from  Manchester United  and Real Madrid. But the 23-year-old struggled in his debut season at Nou Camp, failing to break into Luis Enrique’s favoured starting XI on a regular basis. The Portugal international made just 17 La Liga starts as Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic kept him out of the team. Gomes’ future at Barcelona has come under scrutiny with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti being strongly linked with a move which would drop him down the pecking order even further. But despite Barcelona’s interest in other midfielders, they appear unwilling to sell Gomes. According to Spanish newspaper  Marca , Barcelona rejected the £30.8m (35m euros) bid from a Premier League club for Gomes. The report says Gomes’ agent Jorge Mendes was told by the Catalans the player will not be sold, declaring him “non-transferable”. It is claimed the possible signing of Verratti...

It has already been a time of change at Barcelona with Ernesto Valverde replacing Luis Enrique as manager. Enrique left after the club won the Copa del Rey but Barcelona are in need of reinforcements if they are to challenge Real Madrid for La Liga and the Champions League next term. Real won both prizes under Zinedine Zidane's stewardship - also becoming the first club to retain Europe's top club competition in its modern format. Barcelona   underwhelmed last term and it now seems that two of their biggest stars, Messi and Neymar, are pushing for the club to splash the cash.  But Spanish outlet   Don Balon   claim they both have different targets in mind. Neymar wants some of his fellow Brazilians to arrive with the number of his compatriots set to lessen this transfer window.  Dani Alves left for Juventus a year ago while the likes of Rafinha and Douglas Pereira both look likely to be shown the exit door.  The report says that Neymar th...

Tottenham are interested in a move for Fiorentina midfielder Matias Vecino, according to reports in Italy. TMW claim that Spurs have made contact with the Uruguay international’s agent over a potential transfer, as they eye reinforcements to their squad. With Eric Dier reportedly a target for Manchester United, Vecino is thought to be on Tottenham's radar as a possible replacement. The 25-year-old enjoyed an impressive season for the Serie A side, chipping in with three goals and four assists from the centre of midfield. Vecino joined Fiorentina in 2013, and after loan spells with Cagliari and Empoli, the midfielder has now established himself with the Viola. His performances have also brought international recognition, winning 13 caps for his country in only a year since making his debut.

Manchester United are on the verge of beating bitter rivals Manchester City to youth star Aliou Badara Troare. PSG teenager Troare is close to signing a three-year-deal at Old Trafford, according to L'Equipe. The 16-year-old has been branded the "next Paul Pogba" and was also touted by Juventus. Midfielder Troare, who captains the France Under-17 side, spent last season on loan at amateur side Sarcelles.