For their daring “Private” talks with Dominic Solanke
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein and Jacob Tanswell, Dominic Solanke will undergo his medical at Tottenham Hotspur after a £65million agreement was reached with Bournemouth for the striker.
However, Liam Corless of GIVEMESPORT reports that the striker’s club is said to be highly provoked by Tottenham’s daring timing of swooping for talisman Dominic Solanke.
Solanke is set to relocate to The Stadium following his signing a six-year contract with his potential new club.
Spurs are close to signing Solanke, who accounted for 19 goals in 38 Premier League showings in the just-concluded season.
The Bournemouth striker is said to be determined to leave the Dean Court currently known as the Vitality Stadium for sponsorship purposes and was Spurs’ manager Ange Postecoglou’s prime transfer target for the summer.
Solanke could only leave Bournemouth if a prospector matches a £65million release clause in his current contract at the club, which lapses in 2027, and Postecoglou wants to give some teeth to his attack line a year after Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich snatched Harry Kane from Spurs’ claws.
Postecoglou needs a top striker who can fit into his style of play and is convinced that Solanke’s profile fits the bill.
“What’s important is the type of striker we get,” Postecoglou said during Tottenham’s pre-season tour of Japan.
“You know we play a certain way. We demand certain things from a physical perspective from the technical aspects of it that it’s going be a striker that fits that mold.
“It’s still the area of the park we’re really probably the thinnest when I talk about squad-wise at the moment, so obviously that’s a focus for us.”
ByLiam WoodFootball writer Jake StokesSport Central Audience Writer Jack Flintham
Chelsea have returned to the UK after concluding their pre-season tour of the United States. Preparations across the pond on the pitch have been less than ideal in terms of results, with Enzo Maresca’s side winning just one match out of fiveFootball London reports.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are eyeing up a move for Trevoh Chalobah amid fears that they will lose Marc Guehi. The Chelsea defender was left out of the travelling squad and it now seems inevitable that he will be sold this summer.
Samu Omorodion
Omorodion medical
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea is planning to book a medical for Samu Omorodion today in Paris. The 20-year-old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer as Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his frontline.
Last season, while on loan at Deportivo Alavés from Atletico Madrid, Omorodion featured 34 times in La Liga, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. Playing a key role in Luis García Plaza’s side, the Spain Under-21 international helped the newly promoted club avoid relegation and finish tenth.
Emirates Stadium is likely destination for Napoli star
Eddie Nketiah and Victor Osimhen with Arsenal’s badge
By Ed Emeanua
Victor Osimhen’s drawn-out move to Parc des Princes appears to have hit another brick wall. The Napoli forward may not be joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after all.
PSG Talk points out that according to RMC Sport’s reporter Fabrice Hawkins, Luis Enrique does not like Osimhen’s profile. The PSG manager does not believe that the want-out Napoli forward is the man he wants at the frontline of his attack.
Despite agreeing to team up with PSG who are ready to pay him a heftier salary than Arsenal, Enrique does not feel that Osimhen fits in his style of play.
However, RadioRadio reports that Arsenal appears to be at the forefront of signing the Napoli superstar. But the Premier League outfit is proposing a deal that would significantly lower Osimhen’s take-home pay and increase Napoli’s gains from the sale of their star forward.
Chelsea on the other hand is currently proposing a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku that would see Osimhen move to Stamford Bridge and the out-of-favor Chelsea striker head to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Conor
Football London reports that Chelsea is keen on bringing in a new striker before the end of the transfer season and the talks to sign Osimhen of Napoli and Atletico star Samu Omorodion are ongoing.
Following Chelsea’s agreement with Atletico Madrid for Conor Gallagher to move to the Metropolitano Stadium with La Liga Club, having agreed to a £36million (€42m) deal to sign him from Chelsea, with Gallagher okaying the move after rejecting a contract extension to remain in west London.
Armando Broja and Lukaku are also on Chelsea’s cut list and are next to depart with Ian Maatsen, Omari Hutchinson, and Lewis Hall having all exited Stamford Bridge permanently for huge fees. So too have Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, and Malag Sarr moved from Stamford Bridge to greener pastures.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Djordje Petrovic, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesare Casadei, and David Datro Fofana are all being discussed in recent transfer news.
According to Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy, Manchester United center-back Harry Maguire won’t leave the club this summer, Man Utd News reports.
The England international was heavily linked with an exit last summer, but he turned down interest from West Ham United to stay with the Red Devils.
The 31-year-old was on the bench at the start of the season, but he soon became a key figure with the continuous injury setbacks for Lisandro Martinez.
Maguire’s campaign ended on a sour note after failing to recover from a calf injury, but it seems he has done enough to continue with the club next term.
Maguire set to continue with United next season
The former Leicester City star faced a mixed reception from the fans last summer, but he managed to win over the majority of them with his performances.
United manager Erik ten Hag was also pleased with his form and brilliant attitude and we are not surprised that he will be staying for another season.
Maguire’s contract expires in June 2025, but the club has the option to extend for another year.
There is a possibility that the Red Devils could trigger the clause. In that way, they could recoup a reasonable fee from his sale in the summer of 2025.
Maguire, who was described as ‘brilliant‘ by Alan Shearer back in February, will be eyeing more pre-season minutes under his belt against Real Betis this week.
He could have a new central defensive partner in the starting XI. Leny Yoro picked up an injury against Arsenal last weekend. The club are yet to provide an update.
To give referee instructions to CM Punk and Drew McIntyre on Syfy!
With animosity boiling between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, Seth “Freakin” Rollins entered the fray and became the Special Guest Referee for the SummerSlam match between The Best in the World and The Scottish Psychopath.
Next week, the three Superstars will meet inside the ring for a confrontation that is sure to be filled with vitriol and venom as Rollins will deliver his Referee Instructions to Punk and McIntyre.
Lyra Valkyria teams with Katana Chance and Kayden Carter to take on Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark
Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark mean business.
The trio has been battling in various matches against Lyra Valkyria, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter, and now the two sides will combine for an epic Six-Woman Tag Team Match.
How will this new group fare against their formidable opponents?
Xavier Woods looks to take down Karrion Kross
Next week, Xavier Woods and Karrion Kross will write a vicious next chapter in their rivalry.
Woods has been battling The Final Testament’s leader for the past month, losing his tag team partner Kofi Kingston to the vicious group a few weeks ago.
Woods has defeated Kross in the past but came up short against Kross, Akam, and Rezar in a Six-Man Tag Team Match with Otis and Akira Tozawa last week.
Can Woods finally be rid of his nemesis?
Gunther prepares for SummerSlam with match against Finn Bálor
As Gunther prepares for his SummerSlam title match against World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, The Ring General will face Priest’s ally Finn Bálor.
These two dominant European Superstars have never clashed, setting the stage for what is sure to be a thrilling battle.
Can Bálor derail the King of the Ring Winner’s plan to take the World Heavyweight Title from Judgment Day?
As Arsenal and Chelsea reenter the race to sign Napoli striker
By Ed Emeanua
Victor Osimhen’s intention to move from the Diego Armando Maradona stadium this summer continues to be dogged by twists and turns as the Napoli superstar’s want-away saga drags on.
With a whopping £113m release clause to activate the striker’s move from Napoli standing in the way of prospectors, the embers of interest continue to flare and frost in rapid session.
Once heavily courted by Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United the enthusiasm from these Premier League big spenders has all but evaporated.
PSG who went into overdrive to purchase the Nigeria international has equally suspended their interest just as Arsenal, is reported to have again galloped into the frontline for Osimhen’s signature.
Napoli remained steadfast in their commitment toward adequate pre-season preparations with a well-deserved four-goal win against Egnatia of Albanian, but the Nigerian forward was not listed for the game by the Partenopei.
Osimhen’s omission from Napoli’s team on Sunday afternoon could be a clear sign of an imminent move to pasture anew.
The Standard claims that an agreement is set in stone for the Super Eagles striker to depart Naples this summer if the right fee is paid by a serious buyer.
Antonio Conte is now in charge at Napoli after signing a three-year managerial contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at the beginning of the summer.
Aware that Osimhen is already one foot out of Napoli, the conventional wisdom is that Conte would prefer a reunion with Chelsea reject Romelu Lukaku.
The former Italy boss is now hoping to match Luciano Spalletti’s 2022-23 Serie A championship success with the Partenopei.
However, despite the twists and turns in Osimhen’s likely transfer this summer, Napoli director Giovanni Manna has dropped a hint that the Nigerian will leave Naples this transfer term.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Manna said: “We aimed to provide the coach with a competitive team from the first days of training camp to immediately tackle the championship.
“There will be movements, as there is still a month of the market left, and we might make some additions. This is a process, a project starting this year with the coach at its center.
“We share a strategy with the club, and we are calm and clear-headed. We will not make any reckless moves but will make decisions that support our technical and tactical ideas.”
According to Yahoo Sport, Napoli is keen to add Romelu Lukaku in a deal with Chelsea over Osimhen, with the Partenopei determined to conclude their move for the Belgium forward.
Lukaku is expected to report for training at Chelsea’s Cobham headquarters this week after two seasons out on loan at Inter and Roma.
The 31-year-old Belgian will train with other Chelsea teammates who were not on the tour to the United States, in addition to defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has been placed on transfer.
Mauritania has made history by qualifying for their first-ever CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024, set to take place in Egypt later this year after all the eight countries to play at the tournament, secured their spots, CAFonline reports.
The Mauritanians sealed their place in dramatic fashion on Sunday, eliminating two-time champions Nigeria on away goals after a thrilling 6-5 victory in the second leg of their qualifier.
The result marks a significant shift in the landscape of African beach soccer, with Nigeria now missing out on their third consecutive tournament.
The Super Sand Eagles, who won the competition in 2007 and 2009, had seemed on course for qualification after a 5-4 away win in the first leg.
However, Mauritania’s resilience and determination saw them overturn the deficit in a match that will long be remembered in the annals of their footballing history.
While Mauritania’s qualification has stolen the headlines, defending champions Senegal once again demonstrated their dominance in the discipline.
The Lions of Teranga, seeking their eighth continental title, cruised past Guinea with a comfortable 5-1 victory in the second leg, following a 9-3 win in the first encounter.
The cumulative 14-4 scoreline underlines Senegal’s status as one of the favourites heading into the tournament.
In other qualifying matches, Ghana secured their return to the competition after a two-edition absence by defeating Côte d’Ivoire 5-2 in Abidjan, securing a 10-5 aggregate win.
The Black Sharks’ comeback was particularly impressive, having trailed 2-1 at the end of the first period before dominating the latter stages of the match.
Malawi edged out Burundi in a high-scoring tie that ended 15-14 on aggregate, while Mozambique comfortably dispatched Seychelles with a 9-4 aggregate victory.
Morocco benefited from Angola’s withdrawal to qualify automatically, as did Tanzania following Uganda’s forfeit after the former won the first leg 6-1.
As the continent’s attention turns to Egypt for the upcoming championship, all eyes will be on Mauritania to see if they can continue their fairy-tale run on the beach while Senegal will be looking to extend their impressive record in the competition.
List of countries qualified for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations
Mavericks’ Jason Kidd Throws Shade at Celtics’ Jayson Tatum
Celtics star Jayson Tatum. Image credit: Getty Images/Heavy.com
Ahead of Game Two of the NBA Finals, Dallas Mavericks head Jason Kidd deployed an off-court tactic in hopes of throwing off Boston Celtics‘ star Jayson Tatum, Collin Loring reports for Heavy.com.
Asked about going against Jaylen Brown, who had 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks, and 2 assists in Game One, Kidd labeled him the Celtics’ best player.
“Jaylen’s their best player,” Kidd said on June 8. “Looking at what he does defensively, he picked up Luka full court, got to the free throw line, he did everything and that’s what your best player does.”
The true intention of Kidd’s comment isn’t lost on anyone. Tatum is widely, if not unanimously, viewed as Boston’s best player.
Dallas’s head coach is attempting to frustrate him with his comments.
Kidd wants Tatum touching the ball more in Game Two, aggressively seeking shots to prove the comment invalid.
He had just 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting in Game One. The Mavericks want him to shoot his team out of it.
It’s unlikely Kidd’s comments get the desired result. It’s not the first time Tatum’s heard such a narrative. And it won’t be the last.
Especially if the rest of the NBA Finals continues along the trends of Game One.
Tatum Responds to Kidd
Tatum met with reporters after Kidd. So there was an opportunity for the media to ask him about the comment. His response was characteristically professional.
“We understand that people try to drive a wedge between us,” Tatum told reporters on June 8. “I guess that’s a smart thing for Jason to try to do. But we’ve been in this position for many years, of people trying to divide us, saying that one of us should be traded and one’s better. So it’s not the first time.”
Brown, too, met with reporters. He nearly ignored Kidd’s comment altogether.
“It’s a team game and we’re trying to focus on that,” Brown said. “And, you know, everybody has their own opinions.”
Veteran center Al Horford had to smile when he heard about Kidd’s comment.
“Jason Kidd, I see what he’s doing,” Horford said. “I see what he’s doing. Jaylen Brown is an unbelievable player. Very special for us.”
Brown and Tatum have been a duo since 2016. The Celtics went 47-17 this season when both played. Boston is 13-2 this postseason, and only three wins away from earning the team’s first championship since 2008.
Porzingis Shines in Return to Floor
Tatum is averaging 25.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in the playoffs. Brown is averaging 24.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Returning after a 10-game absence due to a calf strain, Porzingis came off the bench on a minutes restriction in Game One.
He showed no signs of rust, putting up 11 points in his first 6 minutes on the floor in the first quarter. Porzingis set the tone for the Celtics from the jump and finished the night with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
He told reporters postgame that keeping it simple was the secret in his return to form.
“So whether it’s playoffs, regular season or whatever, I know how to do this,” Porzingis said on June 6. “That’s it, just having that confidence, going out there whatever, first round or finals, just going out there with full confidence and giving what I have to the team.”
Game Two will again be on Boston’s home floor at TD Garden.
Brown, Porzingis, and Tatum will look to take a 2-0 series lead before heading to Dallas for Games Three and Four. And to not let Kidd’s comments prevent them from recreating their Game One dominance in the process.
Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics put on a clinic in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Ernesto Cova reports for The Cold Wire.
The Dallas Mavericks never knew what hit them, struggling to keep up with them on the offensive end of the floor and failing to defend the perimeter as well.
The Celtics led by as many as 29 points at one point in the game, and outside of a brief stretch in the third quarter when they managed to get back to within 8 points, it was never actually close.
With that in mind, sports analyst Colin Cowherd believes Game 2 will actually be way more competitive and closer.
Talking to Jason Timpf, he stated that he thinks the referees will allow both teams to be more physical at this point, adding that the Mavs must be way more aggressive and put bodies in front of Celtics players to establish their dominance.
The Celtics had a great night shooting the basketball, but they can’t count on their three-point shooting to bail them out throughout the course of an entire series.
The Mavericks are a much better team on defense than they showed in Game 1, but they will also need to be better at feeding off each other and trusting one another on offense.
Having just eight assists in a game is unacceptable, especially on a night when Kyrie Irving couldn’t get his shot to fall, and their stars must get everybody involved and going if they want to stand a chance of winning this series.
Cameroon delivered a scintillating performance as they roared to a resounding 4-1 victory over Cape Verde in their 2026 African World Cup qualifier at the Stade Omnisport Roumdé Adjia on Saturday, CAFonline reports.
The Indomitable Lions showcased their attacking prowess, surging to the top of Group D with an impressive seven points, level with Libya but boasting a superior goal difference.
The hosts wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Michael Ngadeu opening the scoring in the 13th minute.
The powerful header from the center of the box was expertly assisted by Moumi Ngamaleu, setting the tone for Cameroon’s offensive onslaught.
Captain Vincent Aboubakar doubled the lead in the 25th minute, finishing clinically from the center of the box after another precise assist from Ngamaleu.
Cape Verde briefly threatened a comeback when Jamiro Monteiro netted from close range in the 37th minute, but the Indomitable Lions swiftly restored their two-goal cushion.
Aboubakar confidently converted a penalty in the 44th minute after Cape Verde’s defense was caught napping, ensuring Cameroon took a 3-1 lead into the halftime break.
The second half saw no let-up from the rampant hosts, as Nouhou Tolo headed in from the center of the box in the 54th minute, assisted by Ngadeu, making it 4-1 and effectively sealing the victory for the Indomitable Lions.
Cape Verde made several substitutions in a bid to claw their way back into the match, but Cameroon’s defense remained resolute, thwarting any potential comeback.
The final stages witnessed a flurry of substitutions and bookings, with Carlos Baleba and Jackson Tchatchoua of Cameroon receiving yellow cards.
The comprehensive victory propels Cameroon to joint top of Group D alongside Libya, setting the stage for their crucial clash against Angola in Luanda on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde, who host Libya in their next match, will need to regroup quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive.
