More stories

  • in

    Radja Nainggolan loses licence for drink-driving and speeding in nightmare first week at hometown club Royal Antwerp

    BELGIUM star Radja Nainggolan has made an inglorious start to life with his hometown club… by losing his licence for drink-driving and speeding. The 30-cap international has enjoyed a long and successful career in Italy with Cagliari, Roma and Inter Milan.
    Nainggolan is photographed as he arrives in Antwerp to seal a moveCredit: AFP
    He returns to Belgium after leaving his home country in 2004 for ItalyCredit: AFP
    Midfielder Nainggolan joined Royal Antwerp earlier this month after leaving Inter by mutual consent.
    But the 33-year-old quickly landed in hot water when city police reportedly stopped him in his £150,000 Mercedes G63 SUV.
    Nainggolan is said to have been doing over 60mph through a 30mph zone in Antwerp’s Scheldt Quays area around 4am on Sunday.
    Local paper Gazet van Antwerpen reported the player subsequently failed a breath test.
    A court in the north Belgian city sentenced Nainggolan to a two-week driving ban and fine.
    Antwerp public prosecutor Kristof Aerts said: “He has had to surrender his driving licence for 15 days, for a combination of speeding and driving while intoxicated.”

    Nainggolan’s spokesman Omar Souldi added: “Radja had a free Saturday night, and he admits that he let himself get carried away by the emotions of the moment.
    “He’d had a huge boost from the warm welcome he received from lots of his old friends.
    “He hadn’t intended to drive after drinking, but it happened due to specific circumstances.
    “He regrets his actions. There’s no point in talking about it, but it won’t happen again – impossible.
    “He wants to take responsibility.  He has decided to donate money to a good cause benefiting road safety.”
    Nainggolan has past form for motoring offences.
    He landed a one-month ban and £1,400 fine for drink-driving in 2018.
    Nice fans storm the pitch to attack Marseille players during clash More

  • in

    Manuel Locatelli snubbed Arsenal despite Gunners launching higher transfer bid than Juventus, reveals Sassuolo chief

    MANUEL LOCATELLI turned down Arsenal – despite the Gunners offering more money than Juventus.The Italian midfielder earned a transfer this summer, helped by his stellar performances for his country at Euro 2020.
    Manuel Locatelli joined Juventus this summer after rejecting ArsenalCredit: Getty
    He eventually put pen to paper on a deal with the Old Lady, with an initial two-year loan before an obligation to buy in the summer of 2023.
    He came on for his debut in the final seconds of the 2-2 Serie A draw with Udinese on Sunday.
    But Sassuolo chief Giovanni Carnevali revealed the numbers behind the move – and that Locatelli decided to snub Mikel Arteta’s proposal.
    Arsenal offered £34.3million in a transfer fee – £2.3m more than Juve.
    They also were prepared to pay Locatelli more than 50 per cent more – £4.7m per year after tax, around £90,000 per week, compared to £3m in Turin.
    Carnevali told Gazetta di Modena: “It’s not easy to understand for those who do not have the skills.
    “This operation has brought a positive result and benefits to both clubs, even if certain technicalities are complicated to explain.
    Locatelli’s will was to go only to Juventus and we did everything to please himGiovanni Carnevali
    “Surely it is wrong to say and think that we ‘gave’ Locatelli to Juve for two years, someone even spoke of an immoral operation.
    “These are senseless theories. The truth is that at the end of the 2022-2023 season, the obligation to redeem the player will be triggered and we will be guaranteed to collect the €37m plus agreed upon.
    “Locatelli is so far the player bought at the highest price in Serie A this summer.
    “Arsenal offered us €40m, but Locatelli’s will was to go only to Juventus and we did everything to please him.
    “A request, that of Arsenal, which cost us something…”
    Even without landing Locatelli, Arsenal are already the top spenders in this transfer window.

    BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 IN FREE BETS WITH SKY BET
    They have brought in Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale for a combined £134m.
    But Mikel Arteta will be hoping his new additions find form quickly after a torrid start to the season.
    Back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Brentford and Chelsea have left the Gunners 19th in the table, goalless and pointless, in their worst start to a campaign ever.
    ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
    Arteta says fans were reacting positively despite booing at half time More

  • in

    Man City star Bernardo Silva wanted in £45m AC Milan transfer as Pep Guardiola looks to raise funds for Harry Kane swoop

    AC MILAN are reportedly prepared to bring Manchester City star Bernardo Silva to Italy in a £45million deal.Pep Guardiola revealed earlier this month that the 27-year-old is keen to depart the Etihad after four trophy-laden years in England.
    Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva has been linked with a move to AC MilanCredit: Getty
    After three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups, the Portuguese midfielder is claimed to be ready for a new challenge.
    And City are open to parting ways with the former Monaco star in order to bring Tottenham striker Harry Kane to the club.
    It had been reported that Silva was offered to Spurs as part of a deal to sign the England skipper, but the player rejected a move to the North Londoners.
    Silva had been linked with a switch to Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, but that transfer appears to have collapsed.
    The Daily Star have now declared that AC Milan are looking to lure the 2019 Nations League winner to Serie A.
    They state that the Rossoneri want to sign Silva on an initial two-year loan for £15m, before paying a further £30m to make his stay permanent.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ARSENAL AT 28/1 OR CHELSEA AT 8/1

    And having joined City from Monaco for £43m in 2017, the Citizens would pocket £2m in profit should the sale go through.
    City would then use that money to fund their move for Kane, who is valued at around £160m by Tottenham.
    Silva, who was benched for the defeat against Spurs last week before starting in the 5-0 win over Norwich, isn’t assured of regular first-team football this term.
    The £100m arrival of Jack Grealish has led him to become unsettled, with Silva already fighting Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden for a starting spot.
    He may not be the only high-profile departure from the Etihad this month, with centre-back Aymeric Laporte a target for Real Madrid and Juventus.
    And it has been reported that should a potential suitor stump up £60m, City would let the defender leave.
    Pep Guardiola reacts to Man City’s 5 – nil victory against Norwich More

  • in

    Cristiano Ronaldo tells Juventus he will STAY this season and snub transfer away as Allegri hails Portugal superstar

    CRISTIANO Ronaldo will spend another season in Turin with Juventus, manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed.The 36-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Old Lady this summer, but Juve boss Allegri has put those rumours to bed.
    Ronaldo in Juve training ahead of the start of the Serie A seasonCredit: Getty
    Super fit Ronaldo being put through his pacesCredit: Getty
    Speaking to the Italian media ahead of Juventus’ Serie A opener against Udinese, Allegri said: “He [Ronaldo] told me he stays here.
    “And tomorrow he will be available. 
    “It is an added value that guarantees an important number of goals.”
    Allegri is aiming to bring the Serie A title back to Turin after Inter Milan’s scudetto triumph last season.
    The Nerazzurri won their first title since 2010 under Antonio Conte earlier this year, ending Juve’s run of NINE consecutive Serie A victories.
    And they will have Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line for them once again this season.

    BETTING SPECIAL – GET £40 IN FREE BETS FOR THE YORK EBOR FESTIVAL
    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is out of contract at the end of the campaign, but he is set to see out his contract at the Allianz Stadium.
    As well as Allegri putting transfer rumours to bed, Ronaldo himself took to social media on Wednesday to address the reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid.
    In an Instagram post that has been liked over 12.5million times, the end of Ronaldo’s statement read: “There have been frequent news and stories associating me with a number of clubs in many different Leagues, with nobody ever being concerned about trying to find out the actual truth.
    “I’m breaking my silence now to say that I can’t allow people to keep playing around with my name.
    “I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face. Everything else? Everything else is just talk.”
    Juventus kick off their Serie A campaign away at Udinese on Sunday evening before a home clash against Empoli.
    Mouthwatering clashes against Napoli and AC Milan follow those fixtures.
    And Juve boss Allegri said: “The first [game] of the championship is always difficult, we find a physically strong team that last year conceded very few chances and did not concede a corner goal.
    “To win you need a solid and technical performance, you need great patience.”

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Juventus training and greeted by screaming fans despite transfer exit talk after Euro 2020 More

  • in

    Man City ready to let Aymeric Laporte leave if £60m transfer fee is met as Real Madrid and Juventus eye defender

    MANCHESTER CITY are ready to let Aymeric Laporte leave but only if their £60million valuation is met, according to reports The defender has seen his game time slashed after the signing of Ruben Dias last summer and the emergence of John Stones.
    Man City will let Aymeric Laporte leave if their £60m valuation is met, reports sayCredit: Getty
    And according to The Mail, the Premier League champions have agreed not to prevent Laporte from leaving.
    But they will demand £3m more than the £57m they paid Athletic Bilbao in 2018 when they signed the centre-back.
    It is claimed Real Madrid and Juvenuts are among the clubs interested in signing him.
    The centre-half spent six years in Bilbao, which qualified him to play for Spain as he switched international allegiances from France.
    The 27-year-old played in all six of Spain’s European Championship matches this summer.
    But they were knocked out on penalties by eventual winners Italy in the semi-finals.

    Heading into the delayed tournament, Laporte had played only 16 league games as manager Pep Guardiola opted to partner Dias and Stones.
    Stones’ turnaround in form was so impressive, and it earned him a bumper new five-year deal worth a reported £250,000-per-week.
    But the defender, who played in all of England’s Euros matches, has missed City’s opening two matches this season.
    The Premier League champions lost the season curtain raiser against Leicester in the Community Shield.
    And they were then beaten by Tottenham in their first game of the domestic season and play recently promoted Norwich today.
    Guardiola claims he’ll be ‘more than happy’ if Kane fails to seal Man City transfer More

  • in

    Juventus agree to sign Manuel Locatelli in £30m transfer after beating Arsenal to Sassuolo’s Euro 2020 star

    JUVENTUS have finally reached an agreement for Manuel Locatelli after beating Arsenal in the chase for the Sassuolo star.The Premier League side have been linked with the Italian international throughout the summer window.
    Italy’s Euro 2020 star Manuel Locatelli is finally about to complete his move to JuventusCredit: Getty
    Arsenal have missed out on the Sassuolo star asfter he arrived in Turin for a medicalCredit: Getty
    However, we reported that the Gunners had given up on signing the 23-year-old midfielder.
    Locatelli’s preferred destination has always been the Bianconeri instead of Arsenal’s more lucrative offer and now his dream switch is set to be completed.
    Several reports in Europe have confirmed that Juventus have agreed to pay Sassuolo £30m for the star.
    Juve have also agreed to initially make it a two-year loan with the obligation to buy for £30m including other potential bonuses.
    That obligation will be activated as soon as Juventus get their first Serie A point of the 2022-23 season.
    Locatelli has now arrived in Turin to undergo his medical and finalise the transfer.

    The move will cap an epic summer for the ace after he helped his country beat England at Wembley to win Euro 2020.
    Last term he made 34 Serie A appearances for Sassuolo – his third season with the Italian side.
    Locatelli started his career at AC Milan, featuring 63 times in all competitions before joining Sassuolo in the summer of 2018.
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
    Barella throws bandage at Locatelli on Azzurri bench during Italy vs Wales match More

  • in

    Roma announce £34m Tammy Abraham transfer from Chelsea as England striker teams up with Jose Mourinho

    TAMMY ABRAHAM’S £34million move from Chelsea to Roma has been confirmed.And the England striker linked up with new boss Jose Mourinho straight away.
    Roma have signed Tammy Abraham from Chelsea for £34mCredit: Getty
    And the England striker has already met up with new boss Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty
    Mourinho personally called Abraham to convince him to make the moveCredit: Getty
    Abraham, 23, had been at Chelsea since he was seven.
    And although he played frequently under Frank Lampard, it soon became apparent Thomas Tuchel was not a fan as his game time plummeted.
    But the forward is looking forward to making an impact in Italy at a club that ‘really wants’ him.
    He said: “You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately. Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies.
    “I’ve had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
    “It’s a massive honour to be the number nine at this club and I just can’t wait to get started and to help the team.”
    Mourinho embraced his new star when he arrivedCredit: Getty
    Abraham underwent medical tests on Tuesday morningCredit: Getty
    And he got involved in his first Roma training session later on TuesdayCredit: Getty
    He was pictured laughing as he took to the training fieldCredit: Getty
    He was pictured in running and shooting drillsCredit: Getty

    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    The Blues said: “Tammy Abraham has today left Chelsea to join AS Roma in a permanent transfer, ending his long association with the Blues after coming through the ranks in our academy to represent our men’s first team.
    “In total, Abraham scored 30 goals in 82 appearances for the club at senior level, primarily over the last two seasons, and was part of the squad which triumphed in the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup this year.
    “Everyone at Chelsea thanks Tammy for his contribution at Stamford Bridge and wishes him the very best for the future.”
    Abraham will wear the No 9 shirt in Rome.
    He flew into Rome to finalise the deal on Saturday.
    The England international is believed to have signed a five-year contract worth £80,000-a-week – the same as he was on at Chelsea.
    ‘ONE OF OUR OWN’
    And it is understood Chelsea have inserted a £68m buy-back clause into the deal – which can be triggered in two years time.
    Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “Tammy will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as one of our own.
    “We have all enjoyed watching his progress through our academy and into the first-team squad, and are grateful for his contribution to our successes at senior and youth level.
    “His many goals in a Chelsea shirt and, of course, his part in our Champions League triumph last season will never be forgotten.
    “I’m sure all Chelsea supporters will join me in wishing Tammy a long and successful career.”
    As they have done in the past, the Serie A side used Abraham’s announcement video to promote a missing persons charity.

    They tweeted: “Welcome to #ASRoma, @tammyabraham!
    “We are proud to support @ICMEC_official and other organisations around the world who are working tirelessly to bring missing children home.”
    The ICMEC is the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and Roma’s tweet combined footage of Abraham arriving in Rome with a montage of missing people from across the globe.

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Lukaku says returning to Chelsea was a ‘chance of a lifetime’ More

  • in

    Tottenham transfer for Nikola Milenkovic ‘confirmed’ after West Ham pull out of race but Fiorentina want more than £15m

    TOTTENHAM will beat West Ham to the signing of Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports.The Hammers have been chasing the defender for most of the summer window.
    Nikola Milenkovic is expected to leave Fiorentina this summerCredit: Rex
    But frustrated boss David Moyes appears set to miss out on another target, with Spurs said to be in the driving seat.
    Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici has a good relationship with the Serbian’s club Fiorentina, having secured the signing of Federico Chiesa from them for Juventus last year.
    And according to Alfredo Pedulla, Spurs are willing to pay more than the £12.7million that West Ham been offering.
    He claims that the North Londoners could pay around £15m for the 23-year-old centre-back.
    Paratici has already used his contacts in Italy to help secure the signing of defender Cristian Romero earlier this month.
    And Milenkovic may not be the last addition of this summer, should Spurs get the deal over the line.
    Spurs new boy Cristian Romero made his debut from the bench against Man CityCredit: Getty

    SKY BET – GET £30 IN FREE BETS BY BETTING AS LITTLE AS 5p
    The Lilywhites continue to be heavily linked with Bologna’s Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu – with Gazzetta claiming that the deal is now ‘very close’.
    Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also claims that in addition to another defender, Spurs are chasing a midfielder and a striker before the end of the month.
    Gazzetta claim that Paratici has begun negotiations with Cagliari for Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nandez over the last 24 hours.
    And Spurs continue to be linked with Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic up front – irrespective of whether Harry Kane stays this month.
    Lautaro Martinez has been linked with SpursCredit: Getty
    Takehiro Tomiyasu is rumoured to be close to joining TottenhamCredit: Getty
    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Nuno reacts to his first win as Tottenham manager as Spurs defeat Man City More