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ذكرت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، أن نادي شيكاغو فاير، الذي ينشط في الدوري الأمريكي للمحترفين، تلقى عرضًا من جانب ريال مدريد لشراء أحد لاعبيه.

وأبدى ريال مدريد اهتمامه بالتعاقد مع الحارس الأمريكي جبريل سلونينا، لاعب فريق شيكاغو فاير، ليكون الحارس الثاني للنادي الملكي، وذل في ظل اقتراب أندري لونين من الرحيل.

وحسب صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، فإن ريال مدريد أرسل عرضًا لنادي شيكاغو فاير للحصول على توقيع سلونينا، ألا أن النادي الأمريكي رفض العرض.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير إسبانية توضح حقيقة اهتمام ريال مدريد بضم بوجبا

وأشارت الصحيفة إلى أن ريال مدريد لا ينوي أن يستسلم، وسيواصل المفاوضات مع شيكاغو فاير من أجل إرسال عرض جديد لحسم الصفقة.

وقالت الصحيفة إن ريال مدريد سيجد منافسة من جانب تشيلسي وولفرهامبتون الإنجليزيان، إذ يرغبان أيضًا في التعاقد مع صاحب الـ”18″ عامًا.

ولكن الصحيفة أكدت أن رغبة سلونينا هي فقط الانتقال إلى صفوف ريال مدريد، حيث يحلم باللعب في الليجا.

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Angers midfielder Angelo Fulgini as the club’s new era under Patrick Vieira starts to take shape.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have already secured the signatures of Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise this summer, with Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher arriving at Selhurst Park on a season-long loan deal.

According to the Daily Mail, the highly-rated Fulgini could be the next fresh face to arrive in south London.

The report states that the French outfit are set to demand £12m for their prized asset, although the Palace hierarchy may have to move quickly in order to secure their target as Monaco and Newcastle United are also credited with an interest.

Vieira would love him

Fulgini caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for Angers last season, firing Les Noirs et Blancs to top-flight safety. In 36 appearances in all competitions, the former France Under-21 international bagged 10 goals, laying on a further four assists for his teammates.

However, his underlying statistics were arguably just as impressive, highlighting the technically gifted magician’s importance to his current club.

As per WhoScored, Fulgini recorded two shots, 1.7 key passes and 2.5 dribbles per league game throughout 2020/21, seeing him outperform all of his teammates who played more than three games in each metric.

The 6 ft maestro established himself Angers’ star player last term and cultivated a reputation as an extremely talented dribbler, completing 81 successful take-ons in Ligue 1, far more than any Palace player.

His age, ability and price tag make him an ideal signing for Palace, and Vieira would surely love to have him at the capital club. It’s clear that the Eagles are targeting young, exciting players with bags of potential this summer, and 24-year-old Fulgini would certainly fit that profile.

Therefore, Palace chairman Steve Parish must swoop for the midfielder before any other potential suitors make their move, adding another astute acquisition to Vieira’s ranks.

In other news… Sky Sports drop exciting Crystal Palace transfer update that’ll have fans excited

Newcastle United have suffered a potentially significant blow in their pursuit of Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer.

What’s the story?

According to The Athletic, the Hoops have shocked potential suitors of the 23-year-old by suddenly increasing their asking price to £20 million, forcing talks to collapse with interested parties.

With Ajer having less than a year to run on his contract at Celtic Park, many sides are unlikely to see the new figure as value for money, making any deal extremely difficult to justify at that price.

Steve Bruce will be gutted

During his five-year stint with the Glasgow giants, Ajer has often caught the eye with his impressive performances, winning eight major trophies with the Hoops.

His standout displays have earned several plaudits, including from former Scotland boss Alex McLeish, who praised the 6 ft 4 beast during the recently concluded campaign.

“I go back to that St Johnstone game, you see sometimes when it’s not going for Celtic, and the game’s in its dying embers, and then all of a sudden you see Ajer striding up the pitch trying to inspire like Roy of the Rovers, ” said McLeish.

“Running from defence, augment the attack and then it leads to a goal – these are inspirational moments, and he is an inspirational, influential player for Celtic. Like Virgil van Dijk, he came to Celtic, and we all know what happened next.”

It, therefore, came as little surprise when the Norway international was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Newcastle in recent weeks, with Steve Bruce keen to build on some impressive end-of-season form.

However, the Magpies boss will be gutted at the shock increase in Ajer’s valuation, potentially pricing the St. James’ Park outfit out of a deal.

With the impact of the ongoing pandemic continuing to negatively affect football club’s finances, and Newcastle owner Mike Ashley not exactly known for his free-spending nature, Bruce is expected to be working on a tight budget this summer.

As a result, any move for Ajer may have to be put on hold as a consequence of this latest revelation, handing Newcastle a setback in their plans for the current window.

And, in other news…Ashley must sanction NUFC deal for £15k-p/w “leader”, he’d be an upgrade on Fernandez 

Leicester City have become shock contenders to sign Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson this summer after the midfielder’s future was thrown into doubt.

What’s the story?

The 31-year-old dynamo was surprisingly linked with an imminent Anfield exit by The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein in recent days after contract negotiations reached an impasse.

Some of Europe’s biggest clubs were linked with a move as a result, with Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid credited with an interest but now Leicester have entered the conversation.

The Express suggests that both the Foxes and Arsenal have been credited with an interest.

Fans will be buzzing

Henderson’s contract expires in the summer of 2023, but with several other first-team stars also approaching the end of their current deals, he could find himself low down on Liverpool’s priority list.

Since arriving at Anfield a decade ago, the box-to-box midfielder has established himself as a key player for the 19-time English champions, making 392 appearances for the Reds, winning the Premier League title and Champions League crown along the way.

His outstanding leadership qualities and incredible work rate on the pitch have caught the eye of several onlookers, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp publicly praising his captain in the past.

“He is exceptional; he is outstanding. Gini (Wijnaldum) and Hendo, especially, because they have had to play the biggest number of games this season,” said Klopp.

“What they do is just incredible – absolutely incredible. I do not take that for granted for one second. If anybody who is with us still doesn’t see the quality of Jordan Henderson, then I cannot help them.

“Is Hendo the perfect football player? No. Do I know anybody who is? No. But is he unbelievably important to us? Yes.”

However, despite the German tactician’s glowing appraisal of the England international, Liverpool could reportedly be prepared to part ways with the £18m-rated beast over the coming months.

It remains to be seen whether Leicester make a move for Henderson this summer, but the potential arrival of a proven winner with outstanding leadership qualities will surely have the club’s supporters buzzing.

And, in other news…Rudkin must sanction LCFC swoop for “outstanding” £14.4m-rated gem, Rodgers needs him 

Carlton Palmer reckons that Nuno Espirito Santo will want to assess his entire Tottenham squad before deciding their respective futures.

Several of Santo’s players have already been linked with moves away from north London already this summer, which includes top goalscorer and best player Harry Kane.

Kane openly expressed his desire to leave Spurs, although another experienced figure Toby Alderweireld has been the latest Tottenham player to ask for a summer exit.

According to The Athletic, the Belgian, who was a regular for his country at Euro 2020, wants to call time on his six-year stay at the club, having made almost 250 appearances since signing from Atletico Madrid back in 2015.

Alderweireld was once one of the best defenders in the Premier League, although his performance levels have dropped in recent seasons – a major reason for Spurs’ constant defensive problems.

Despite his inconsistent form, Palmer exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he thinks Santo will want everyone on board for the time being:

“You want to keep all of your better players because you want to do well at your football club. That’s only going to add to his ability to do well.

“He will want to sit down with all the players and I’m sure he won’t want to be letting anybody out of the door yet.”

FULL NAME: Barney Guy Rogers BORN: At Harare, 20 August 1982 MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2000/01), Mashonaland (2001/02)

John Ward03-May-2002FULL NAME: Barney Guy Rogers
BORN: At Harare, 20 August 1982
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2000/01), Mashonaland (2001/02). Present club side:Old Georgians Sports Club (Harare)
KNOWN AS: Barney Rogers. Nickname: Barnes
BATTING STYLE: Left Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Off Breaks
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy studentFIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 16-18 February 2001, CFX Academy v Mashonaland, at HarareSports Club.
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaitedBIOGRAPHY (updated April 2002)Barney Rogers comes from a cricket-loving family, his father having played first-team cricket at school and his uncle Brian for the national schools team in 1974 and 1975. Naturally his first contact with the game was at home, in the family garden, at the age of about three or four. Like Alistair Campbell, he is a natural right-hander, but his father changed him round on the theory that the strongest hand should be at the top of the bat. His father batted left-handed and bowled right, and his uncle just the opposite, so the ability to be ambidextrous seems to run in the family.He attended Bryden Country School for his primary years, and was first selected for the school colts team at the end of his Grade Three year. This was followed by two more full years at colts level and two years in the school first team, both as captain. He was in a strong side, with Sean Ervine and Glen Goosen in the same team, and the school’s practice was to retire them soon after reaching their fifties to give others a turn, so he was unable to build any really big scores. His best, as far as he remembers, was 87 not out against a South African touring team, for a combined team of Bryden and Lilfordia School players. As a bowler, he was a leg-spinner until Grade Five or Six, but then switched to off-spin because there were no other bowlers of this type around.Barney’s promise was so obvious that he played for the Midlands primary schools team in the national cricket week for his last three years at junior school, and in the last two was also selected for the national primary schools team. His most influential coach at school was Mr Tony Brouse, but Barney gives most credit to his father, who used to give him practice every day.He progressed to St John’s College for high school, batting at number three in his age-group teams for three years before being promoted to the first team as opening batsman. In his final year he dropped down to number four, a position he prefers. His best innings, and the most memorable of his career to date, was a score of 136 against the school’s Old Boys team. He scored a century against Churchill, as well as several other eighties and nineties during his time there, and a couple of five-wicket hauls with the ball. He also played winter cricket for Chegutu, scoring centuries against Matabeleland and Kadoma, together with a couple of eighties and nineties.At representative level he played for the national Under-13 team that participated in the South African week; he failed to make the Under-16 team but was back for the Under-19 week and the development side to Kenya in August 2000, making big fifties but no centuries on both these tours. He has played club cricket for Old Georgians Sports Club during the last three seasons, his best score being a sixty against Manicaland. He left school at the end of 2000, having set his sights on a career in cricket, and was accepted for the CFX Academy in 2001.He batted with remarkable consistency in the Logan Cup, scoring four fifties and only once failing to reach 20 in the five matches. He was included in first-class warm-up matches to play the Indian and West Indian tourists, scoring 65 not out against the former. He feels that his year at the Academy may not have changed his technique very much but helped him to mature quickly and become more determined.After his year was over he successfully applied to stay in Mashonaland. At club level he continued to play for Old Georgians, but without any outstanding returns. He is playing for Irvine, in Scotland, in the 2002 season, his first venture overseas.As a batsman he can score fluently all round the wicket, and especially enjoys the cover drive, although he wouldn’t label it as his best stroke. With the ball he does not have much variety, but hopes to develop the ball that goes the other way. He enjoys fielding at point, but when captaining a team will generally take mid-on or mid-off so as to communicate better with his bowlers.Cricket heroes: Jacques Kallis, and Gary Kirsten’s ability to concentrate for long periods of time. "And Sachin Tendulkar, obviously."Toughest opponents: "It’s difficult to say because on different pitches bowlers can pose different threats. I’d say Harbhajan Singh was the most difficult of the international bowlers I’ve faced. The most difficult batsman was definitely Ganguly."Immediate ambitions: "I want to be in the national side for the World Cup. It’s quite high hopes, but that’s what I’m aiming for. I’d like to average about 40 in this Logan Cup, and with my bowling average two or three wickets an innings."Proudest achievement so far: "I enjoyed my 136 against Old Boys. All my hundreds were good."Best friends in cricket: "I’d like to say I’m friends with everyone, but can’t name any one best friend."Other qualifications: "I’ve done two coaching courses and have quite a high qualification in coaching cricket."Other sports: "First-team hockey and Zimbabwe hockey at Under-20 level. Tennis (Mashonaland Country Districts in Grade 7), rugby, squash and swimming. Nothing except cricket since I left school."Outside interests: "I enjoy spear-fishing."

Some Everton fans have been left to fume over Paul Joyce’s manager update on Rafa Benitez.

Writing in his latest piece for The Times, Joyce confirmed that previous rumours are true and the former Liverpool boss is indeed being considered for the vacant manager’s job, following the exit of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid.

He is a candidate on the shortlist of Farhad Moshiri, which also includes the likes of David Moyes, Nuno Espirito Santo, Roberto Martinez, Christophe Galtier and Graham Potter.

Some members of the Goodison Park faithful simply do not want to hire a man who used to manage and was so fondly remembered by Liverpool, given that he won the UEFA Champions League with them back in the 2004/05 term (Transfermarkt), while others believe that other candidates like some of the ones mentioned above would be far more suitable for the role.

Everton fans on Benitez manager updateThese Toffees supporters fumed as the manager update on Benitez was shared across Twitter:

“Benitez no”

Credit: @jorge_alk

“BENITEZ walked away from Newcastle for money nothing else, if we get him in am done with us. 50 years supporting the Toffees through good and bad, but appointing Benitez is more than I could take”

Credit: @MalcolmGregor18

“Not watching us if Rafa is boss”

Credit: @1878Ket

“Rafa is a big no. Galtier is the only one the fans are together on, and nobody wants to see the Spanish Sam Allardyce in charge of Everton”

Credit: @LiamTownson

“Lord help us. Not Benitez under any circumstances”

Credit: @waynewhewell

“Moshiri picked Allardyce and it was bad enough seeing Sammy Lee with him. I can’t forgive him if he gets Benitez”

Credit: @mikjaal

In other news, find out what big manager update has Blues talking here!

Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he is surprised by former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to join Crystal Palace.

The 47-year-old was available following his shock Molineux exit last month and had been linked with a host of clubs.

According to The Telegraph, Nuno had been interviewed by Everton after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to Real Madrid, while Palace spoke to Frank Lampard and monitored the likes of Sean Dyche and Steve Cooper.

In the end, though, the south London outfit have seemingly opted for Nuno in a move that has surprised Palmer.

“I wouldn’t have thought he would leave Wolves to take the Crystal Palace job,” the ex-Leeds United player said. “That’s just in my opinion because it’s the same of the same for me.

“Palace, they might have a good season and finish just below halfway or whatever, but they’re not going to burst into that top five or top six. So, to me, Wolves and Crystal Palace are much of a muchness. So I’m surprised.”

Wolves and Palace finished in 13th and 14th respectively, so the above is a very fair point.

The latter, though, could need a massive rebuild job this summer, as the futures of so many players remain in doubt. Perhaps that is a challenge and task, creating a brand new team, Nuno is relishing.

Everton are diving through their list of potential managers following the swift departure of Carlo Ancelotti back to Real Madrid and Forza Italian Football editor in chief Conor Clancy has backed Paulo Fonseca to do well at Goodison Park if given the chance.

The Toffees will need to get this appointment spot on as they have spent far too much money over the last few years to be languishing in mid-table, and Fonseca has been tipped as a contender to take up the hot seat at Everton by The Athletic.

Fonseca was the man who guided Roma to the Europa League semi-final which they ultimately lost against Manchester United because of their defensive frailties, however they showed glimpses of real quality especially on the counter-attack and from set-pieces.

Everton have hired and sacked their fair share of managers recently with the likes of Marco Silva, Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce the most recent examples, but Clancy has backed Fonseca to be the man to get it right at Everton, as he told Football FanCast exclusively:

“He got Roma to the semi-final of the Europa League which they shouldn’t have been anywhere near, and I know they got hammered in the end by Man United but that was just a 15-minute collapse.

“I quite like Fonseca and I do think that level of job just below the very top tier is one that he would do really well at and I think if he got the Everton job then I’d back him to do a very decent bit of work there.”

Everton started the season brightly, however, once their form fell off a cliff in 2021 their hopes of a European spot were dashed and considering they lost to the likes of Sheffield United and Newcastle United at home, fans must have expected that outcome.

The Toffees may struggle to keep some of their top players such as James Rodriguez and Richarlison now that Ancelotti’s has left as he appeared to be the glue keeping them all together after several poor seasons at Everton.

Manchester City fans are livid after it was revealed the club hope to make over £100m by selling Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Raheem Sterling this summer.

The previous campaign was a mixed one for the Citizens. They was plenty of success as they won both the Premier League and the League Cup but in the Champions League, the trophy they wanted to win more than any other, they suffered heartbreak at the hands of Chelsea in Porto.

As such, there is likely to be a small overhaul of the playing squad as Pep Guardiola eyes more silverware.

According to Mark Ogden of ESPN, City could sell Mahrez, Laporte and Sterling this summer to raise more than £100m for new players. However, the trio of players are valued at £159.3m (Transfermarkt) – it seems the targetted sum is particularly low.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, with one fan calling the news ‘ridiculous’.

Let’s see what the Man City fans had to say below

“We are useless at selling players”

Credit: @Paul24677815

“If we get rid of mahrez we’re actually so stupid”

Credit: @hallgeelez

“Txiki needs to be sacked asap”

Credit: @ItsErenCity

“That’s ridiculous Why should we sell Mahrez?? Actually Mahrez took us to the UCL final”

Credit: @ArashDclover

“100m+ from Laporte, Sterling and Mahrez are we a joke instead of talking about outgoings can we talk about incomings this is becoming a really annoying window”

Credit: @sinquarae

“All of this players leaving or not because Kane and Grealish signings?? To be honest really sad how a team can speak about players that gave everything in the pitch for City during years. Just for two players that may be City even don’t need. Disapointed to be honest.”

Credit: @jdiazm11

In other news, Man City fans want to sign this Champions League-winning midfielder.