Cameroon striker and Benin defender on trial at TP Mazembe

Congolese giants TP Mazembe are assessing Cameroonian striker Landry Ntakeu and Benin international defender Apollinaire Danvide Ogouloye.

Former Cameroon youth international Ntakeu arrives on trial from Angolan side Recreativo de Caala and has also had a stint in Algeria before.

Ogouloye is in the books of Ivorian outfit Sewe Sport and is part of the Benin national team.

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  • Caf Champions League Group B Review: Mazembe continue Group B dominance with El Jadidi win

Following the departure of Salif Coulibaly to Egyptian giants Al-Ahly last week, 25-year-old Ogouloye is being auditioned with the possibility of being a direct replacement for the Mali defender.

“By bringing the 24-year-old forward (Ntakeu), TP Mazembe relies on his technical skills in front of the goal and his speed to give new life to Ravens offensive line,” said TP Mazembe in a statement.

“Apollinaire Danvide Ogouloye central defender is 25 years-old, 1.85m and 78 Kg, is of Benin nationality. He comes from Sewe Sport of San Pedro in Ivory Coast. He is a former player of the AS Douanes de Niamey (Niger), with which he has often distinguished himself in the Champions League.

“The big family of Ravens welcomes them and wish them a very good trial period.”

The two arrive at TP Mazembe as the club is reeling from being dethroned as DRC champions by old foes AS Vita.

On Tuesday the Congolese will play Algerian giants MC Alger in a Caf Champions League Group B in which they so far enjoy a 100 percent winning record.

They prepared for MC Alger with a friendly match against South African giants Orlando Pirates last week in Zambia.

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Latest Transfer Odds: Hazard set to swap Chelsea for Real Madrid

Real Madrid look set to land Eden Hazard after completing the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus according to the bookmakers.

The Portugal star moved to the Serie A champions for €100m (£88m) and the European champions could turn to Chelsea to find his replacement.

SportPesa offer just 1/4 (1.25) that Hazard swaps London for Madrid after spending six years at the Blues and winning two Premier League titles.

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The 27-year-old has been a target of Los Blancos before but with Ronaldo leaving for pastures new, his move to the Spanish capital looks more likely than ever.

“After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different,” said the forward after Belgium’s win over England in the World Cup third place play-off.

However, nothing in football is certain and SportPesa price Hazard staying at Chelsea at 2/1 (3.0) ahead of the new season and playing under his seventh permanent manager there.

Maurizio Sarri was recently confirmed as the new Blues boss and that could play a part in whether the Belgium superstar stays in the English capital.

Club after Summer Transfer Window (1st Sept 18) Price
Real Madrid 1/4 (1.25)
To stay at Chelsea 2/1 (3.0)
Paris Saint-Germain 17/2 (9.50)
Barcelona 14/1 (15.0)
Manchester City 22/1 (23.0)

Similarly, Real Madrid are also under new management in Julen Lopetegui, who infamously agreed to join Los Blancos just days before the World Cup started and was fired by Spain on the eve of their first match.

Real’s reported pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could also have an impact and SportPesa offer 17/2 (9.50) that Hazard moves to PSG this summer.

The online bookmaker also goes 14/1 (15.0) that Barcelona swoop for Hazard, with Manchester City out at 22/1 (23.0) and cross-city rivals United at 25/1 (26.0).

SportPesa footer

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African All Stars Transfer News & Rumours: Nordin Amrabat to join Saudi club Al Nassr

Amrabat to join Saudi club Al Nassr

Morocco star Nordin Amrabat is set to pen a three-year deal with Saudi club Al Nassr from Watford, KingFut reports.

Following his decent performances at the just concluded World Cup in Russia, the winger has earned himself a deal worth $10 million [£7.5 million] and will continue his career in the Middle East with the Saudi Professional League outfit.

The former Galatasaray and Malaga player spent last season on loan at Leganes and helped them maintain their top-flight status with a 17th place finish.

Fenerbahce reach agreement with Bolasie

Everton winger Yannick Bolasie has agreed terms with Fenerbahce as he closes in on a loan move to the Turkish Super Lig, Fanatik claims.

The DR Congo international is expected to join the Istanbul outfit in a matter of days following Marco Silva’s approval for the winger’s temporary departure.

Bissouma close to Brighton switch

Brighton and Hove Albion are close to completing an £18 million swoop for Lille midfielder Yves Bissouma, according to  Record .

The Seagulls are set to beat Porto to the signature of the versatile 21-year-old who had a fine campaign in the French Ligue 1 last season.

The Mali international could be the second African player to join Chris Hughton’s side this summer after Nigeria’s Leon Balogun.

Trabzonspor keen on Didier Ndong

Trabzonspor have intensified their chase for Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong by submitting an undisclosed offer for the midfielder, according to Taka .

Ndong has attracted interests from Cardiff City and Serie A clubs including Fiorentina and Atalanta after seeing a £6.6million move to Italian side Torino fizzle out this summer.

The Gabon international is one of the top earners at the Stadium of Light that the club want to get off their books as they prepare for life in the third tier of the English league.

Napoli demand £80 million-plus for Koulibaly

Napoli have placed an £80 million price tag on Kalidou Koulibaly to fend off interest from Chelsea, Mirror reports.

The centre-back has been a long term target for the Blues but the Partenopei are reluctant to see one of their key players follow former manager Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho to the Stamford Bridge.

Olympiacos terminate Emenike’s contract

Greek giants Olympiacos have released Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike after struggling regain top form, according to Gunes .

The 31-year-old is now a free agent this summer despite having a year remaining in his contract with the Legends.

Emenike joined Olympiacos from Fenerbahce in July 2017 and was sent out to Las Palmas on loan where he didn’t play a single game in the second part of last season.

Gael Kakuta returns to Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano have reunited with Gael Kakuta after the DR Congo international signed a four-year deal. 

The former Chelsea forward joins the La Liga club from Hebei China Fortune after spending last season on loan at Amiens. 

Check out the full story on Goal! 

Leicester City to offer Ndidi improved contract 

Leicester City are set to have talks with Wilfred Ndidi over an improved deal as a reward for his impressive displays in the past campaign, DailyMail claims.

The Nigeria international who was the best tackler in the English Premier League last season , currently earns £35,000 per week at the King Power Stadium.

Napoli in advanced talks with Sabaly

Napoli held a positive meeting with Youssouf Sabaly’s agents over a possible move, according to Sky Italia .

The Serie A side want to agree terms with the Senegal international before coming to the table with Bordeaux who have requested around €12 million for the right-back.

Wilfried Bony wants Championship fight with Swansea 

Wilfried Bony is keen on staying with Swansea City next season and help them return to the English Premier League despite reported interests from Besiktas, according to BBC .

The Ivorian managed just two goals in 15 appearances before a torn ACL ruled him out for the rest of last season.

Bony is eager to repay the club’s faith but the Swans need to drop their top earners in order to balance their books and adapt to the Championship.

Sako turns down new Crystal Palace offer

Mali international Bakary Sako has rejected a new contract offered by Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson has confirmed.

The 30-year-old is out of contract this summer and might bring an end to his three-year stay at the Selhurst Park.

Sako’s former club Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in signing him on a free transfer as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury he picked up in January.

More to follow on Goal !

Bournemouth, Hull City after Kasimpasa’s Diagne

English clubs including Bournemouth, Hull City and Reading are locked in talks for Kasimpasa attacker Mbaye Diagne, Turkish Football claims.

The Senegal international could be set to leave the Turkish Super Lig club less than seven months after joining them from Tianjin Teda in January.

Diagne scored 12 goals in 17 league games in the second half of the 2017-18 campaign – a run that attracted interests from England.

Ayew, Bolasie close to joining Fenerbahce

Swansea City forward and Ghana international Andre Ayew is close to joining Fenerbahce on a season-long loan, according to Ghanasoccernet .

Ayew who returned to the Liberty Stadium from West Ham in January, is keen on top-flight football after the Swans were demoted to the Championship last season.

Meanwhile Fanatik reports that the Turkish Super Lig side representatives are in England to convince Everton winger Yannick Bolasie over a loan move this summer.

The DR Congo international has struggled for form at the Goodison Park due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for over a year.

Stoke want Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo in Shaqiri deal

Stoke City want Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo as part of the deal to take Xherdan Shaqiri to Anfield, according to The Sun .

The Potters are in talks with last season’s Champions League finalist to take the Anglo-Nigerian on loan as Shaqiri edges closer to a £13.5million move to the Merseyside club.

Ojo was on loan at Fulham last season and played a key part in ensuring the Cottagers return to the English top-flight next season.

Brighton in talks for Yves Bissouma swoop

Brighton and Hove Albion are in talks with French Ligue 1 club Lille over a summer swoop for midfielder Yves Bissouma,  according to DailyMail .

The Mali international is priced at £17.7 million and still has three years left in his contract with the Stade Pierre-Mauroy outfit.

Bissouma who moved to the French top-flight from Real Bamako in 2016, has attracted interests from Everton, Schalke 04, Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco.

Badou Ndiaye set for Galatasaray return

Senegal international Badou Ndiaye is for a return to Galatasaray this summer – after spending less than seven months in the English Premier League, Milliyet claims.

Following Stoke City relegation to the Championship, the 27-year-old is pushing for a move to the Turkish Super Lig and he is ready for a €750,000 pay cut from his current earning of €2.75 million per-year at the bet365 Stadium.

Chelsea agree to end Koulibaly hunt

Chelsea will no longer chase Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly after reaching an agreement with Napoli to sign just Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho, according to Napoli CalcioLive .

Jorginho is expected to join Sarri at the Stamford Bridge when he succeeds Antonio Conte but the Italian club will still have Jose Callejon, Elseid Hysaj and the centre-back in Naples.

Koulibaly has been strongly linked with the Blues this summer following his fine defensive displays last season.

Nabil Maaloul leaves Tunisia for Qatari club

Nabil Maaloul has joined Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail after leaving his position as Tunisia coach.

The 55-year-old guided the north African country to the World Cup in Russia as his side managed a win and two defeats before their group stage exit.

Check the full story on Goal! 

Lyon turn to Ziyech as Fekir’s replacement

With Nabil Fekir set for new Liverpool talks after the 2018 Fifa World Cup, Lyon have opened negotiations with Ajax for Hakim Ziyech’s permanent switch, Mirror reports.

The Ligue 1 club are ready to beat Roma and Liverpool to the signing of the 25-year-old who is yet to confirm a new home after disclosing his intention of leaving Holland.

Last month, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag revealed that the Morocco international has a deal in place elsewhere .

Wahbi Khazri close to joining Saint-Etienne

Tunisia international Wahbi Khazri is finalising his permanent move from Sunderland to French top-flight club Saint-Etienne, Fox Sports claims.

The 27-year-old is set to ink a four-year deal with Les Verts that will see him earn an annual salary of €4 million [ £3.5 million].

Khazri was on loan at Rennes last campaign where he returned nine goals in 24 matches across all competitions.

Genoa approach Christian Kouame

Genoa have offered Serie B side Cittadella €4 million [£3.5 million] for the signing of Ivorian forward Christian Kouame, according to Football365 .

The 20-year-old could be heading to the Italian top-flight this summer after an impressive form of 12 goals and 11 assists in 43 league appearances last term.

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Four more years! Mbappe-inspired France can create a football dynasty

France’s path to World Cup glory began with the bitter taste of defeat.

Two years ago, with Les Bleus expected to claim the Euro 2016 title on home soil, they came up short against Portugal. An extra-time goal from Eder consigned them to a devastating 1-0 loss in front of nearly 76,000 fans at Stade de France. It was a harsh lesson in game management and tournament football, one that forced Didier Deschamps to assess both his personnel and tactics.

At times, their progression has not been obvious. Deschamps initially failed to impose a clear identity on his side, who stumbled and stuttered their way through qualifying before arriving in Russia without having settled upon a formation or clear game plan.

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Their 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow on Sunday was the result of four weeks of intense development, in which the coach and his squad showed that they had learned from their European Championship heartbreak.

First and foremost, France made themselves difficult to beat. They produced the tournament’s outstanding defensive performance in the semi-final win over Belgium and were largely superb at the back. When big mistakes were made, these came in moments in which they already had insurance. 

While they served to frustrate neutrals due to their preference for a safety-first approach when they had a whole arsenal of attacking talent, the maturity and streetwise attitude of the team was formidable. 

“We had imperfections,” Deschamps admitted shortly after lifting the trophy. “We had some today. We didn’t do everything well but we showed decisive mental and psychological qualities in this World Cup, in which controlling possession was not enough.”

They managed their games almost flawlessly throughout, solved whatever problems were put in their way and played magnificent, measured, tournament football.  

It was the performance of a team at its peak – and yet what is most exciting about this France side is that so many of their players are so far from their zenith.

Of the 32 teams that arrived in Russia in the middle of June, only Nigeria could boast a younger squad.

From the 11 players that Deschamps started on Sunday, only Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi and possibly Hugo Lloris are unlikely to be challenging for a place in the squad in 2022. The trio are all 31 – everyone else was aged 27 or younger. 

In the entire 23-man panel, only eight are aged 26 or over, and two of those are goalkeepers, Lloris and Steve Mandanda. 

Didier Deschamps PS

Counting only the players who were given game time, France had an average age of 25 years and 10 months – only the Brazil team of 1970 have won the cup with a younger squad, and only by a month.

Deschamps has not yet spoken of the future beyond confirming that he will remain in charge, but when he does, he will have to recognise that he is leading what has become the team to beat in world football.

When the World Cup rolls into Qatar in around four-and-a-half years, France will undoubtedly travel as one of the favourites. And so they should – Sunday’s success has teed them up for a generation of success.

Many of their young squad will be approaching their peak in 2022, while Mbappe could feasibly play the final of that competition two days before he turns 24 on December 20. 

They already have all the tools required to win the competition. Beyond the all-important winning mentality, they have a flexibility to play in several different ways, having won a slugging match with Argentina in the last 16 before coming out on top in a chess game against Belgium in the semi-finals.

Deschamps also has a depth of quality that is the envy of anyone in the international game. Indeed, it is to the team’s credit that there is no individual who is utterly key to how it performs.

France Croatia World Cup 15072018

Talents such as Kingsley Coman, Adrien Rabiot, Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette did not even make the 23-man squad for Russia yet will all have set themselves the long-term ambition of making up part of the group that travels to the next World Cup. 

And there is no dearth of talent coming through the youth ranks, with a raft of promising players currently working their way through the academy systems at the likes of Rennes, Lyon, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain. 

This ability to produce youngsters of the highest quality in France, develop them at first-team level and then sell them on to top clubs is reaping rewards for individuals, clubs and for the national team.

The exposure to senior football early is a theme that runs throughout the current team and has allowed Deschamps’ side to flourish young.

Mbappe epitomises this more than anyone else, having been handed his Monaco debut as a 16-year-old then thrust into the spotlight of the Champions League less than a year later. His progress has been astounding. 

“I want to do even better but being a world champion already is good,” he told TF1 after winning the award for the tournament’s outstanding young player – a gong it was barely worth even voting for given his outstanding World Cup.

If he and his squad can retain the hunger and togetherness they have shown over the last four weeks over the next four years, they have the potential to become one of the truly great international sides.

France have had their first taste of glory in 20 years, but with this generation, it is hard to imagine they will have to wait that long before another major title follows.

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