Barcelona captures Nelson Semedo from Benfica

By

According to Marca, Nelson Semedo has signed a deal to join Barcelona this Thursday afternoon, with the right-back to move from Benfica to the tune of 30 million euros, plus a potential 5m euros in add-ons.

Marca reported that a group of Blaugrana directors - led by Jordi Bordas, Robert Fernandez and Raul Sanllehi - travelled to Lisbon on Thursday to finalise the deal, one which ticks off one of the club's transfer market priorities, that of signing a right-back.

Given this price tag, Semedo will become the second most-expensive defender in Barcelona's history, following Dani Alves and the 36m euros - 30m plus 6m euros in variables - that Sevilla received for his move to the Camp Nou.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abramovich move to settle rift between Conte and David Luiz

By
Image
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is investigating whether there is a growing problem between manager Antonio Conte and the players. The Russian billionaire is increasing his involvement in the day-to-day running of the club following the resignation of technical director Michael Emenalo on Monday. According to Sportsmail, Abramovich visited Chelsea’s Cobham HQ last week, and has already made enquiries over the relationship between Conte and his squad. Having fallen out with Diego Costa last season before selling him in the summer, question marks are being raised over Conte’s relationship with David Luiz. The Brazilian was axed from the squad that beat Manchester United on Sunday. Despite Conte’s insistence that the decision was tactical, it is understood the axe came after Luiz questioned the Italian in training last week. But while Abramovich is not questioning Conte’s handling of the Luiz situation, the latest stand-off has raised concerns of a rift between the manager and
Read more

Chelsea coach Conte rubbish talk of him joining A.C Milan

By
Image
Antonio Conte has brushed aside talk of a return to Italy after he led his Chelsea side to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Chelsea edged United in a tense game at Stamford Bridge to keep their hopes of defending their title alive. It has been a difficult season so far for Chelsea with several disappointing results and injuries to key men.  Conte has often bemoaned the size of his squad and criticised Chelsea’s transfer activity, but the Italian was not interested in questions about links to AC Milan. ‘Milan? Leave it out,’ Conte told Sky Sport Italia after the win on Sunday. ‘We’re trying to stay concentrated, because it’s a tough run from here to the end of the season. Chelsea earned a crucial win against Manchester United. ‘I am only concentrated on Chelsea and purely want to do what is best for Chelsea.’ Milan have been consistently linked with Conte as they look to re-build their status in Serie A. Conte has been suggested as the l
Read more

Miroslav Klose to be special guest at world cup draw

By
Image
His name is synonymous with the World Cup so it is only fitting that former Germany striker Miroslav Klose will bring out the trophy as the draw is made for Russia 2018. Now retired, the upcoming tournament will be the first that the former Lazio man has missed since 2002, with his record of 16 World Cup goals intact. "For very obvious reasons, the World Cup holds very special memories for me," Klose told FIFA.com. "I feel very honoured to somehow still be a part of the World Cup, even after my retirement, and particularly to present to Russia and to the world this trophy that we fought so hard to win in Brazil in 2014." A total of eight draw assistants are to be drafted in by FIFA for the December 1 ceremony, with the first such confirmed to be 91-year-old Russian football legend Nikita Simonyan. click here for more
Read more

Ramos scores brace, Madrid beats Napoli 3-1

By
Real Madrid came from behind to secure a 3-1 away win against Napoli as the European Champions are through to the quarter finals with a 6-2 aggregate score. Knowing that they need to put pressure if they are going to have any chance of going through, Napoli took the initiative in the early stages of the match and were close after seven minutes. Marek Hamsik hit a low shot from outside the penalty area that ended up slightly wide.  The Italian team had another chance on the 13th minute. This time it was Lorenzo Insigne who fired a shot from distance that was parried by Keylor Navas for a corner.  Real Madrid responded five minutes later. Gareth Bale received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent a shot that was neutralised by Pepe Reina.  Napoli’s efforts paid off on the 24th Minute as they went ahead. Hamsik sent a through ball towards Dries Mertens who went inside the penalty area and finished past the opposing goalkeeper.  Conscious that they can’t sit back the whole
Read more

Manchester united to trigger contact extension clauses on 4 first team stars

By
Image
Manchester United will trigger contract extension clauses on four first team stars that will stop them from holding talks with other clubs in January. According to reports, the Red Devils are ready to extend the deals of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and Daley Blind. All are out of contract at the end of the current season but Manchester United have the option to extend their deals by a further 12 months, tying them at the club until summer 2019. The call follows an earlier decision to make the same move with Luke Shaw. Making the decision before the turn of the year will stop the players from being able to talk with foreign clubs in January about a potential move, at least openly. Herrera in particular has become a concern with the Spaniard linked with a move to Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile Juan Mata, who has struggled to get into the Manchester United side this season, has been linked with Real Madrid. The decision to extend their contracts, reported by The Te
Read more

Ibrahimovic: Since I left nobody except much from Sweden

By
Image
The 36-year-old had already retired from international duty before sustaining a serious knee injury, but spent much of his career in Italy with Juventus, Milan and Inter, so is the perfect person to discuss the World Cup play-off. “These are going to be two great games, difficult for both sides,” Ibra told Sky Sport Italia. “The teams will do everything to get through, so these are basically like cup finals. The play-offs are completely different to a group stage game.” The first leg is in Stockholm on Friday evening, with the decider in Milan next Monday. “Sweden are playing without pressure, because since I left, nobody expects much of them now, from the media to the fans. When I play, the level is raised, so it is lowered in my absence. “Having said that, this squad remains a good collective, just with less responsibility on their shoulders. The players are not very experienced, but the project is ambitious.” Would Ibrahimovic play for Sweden if they qualify for the
Read more

Barcelona have taken a big step in signing Griezmann according to reports

By
Image
Barcelona have reportedly taken a significant step toward acquiring the signature of Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann after it emerged they've reached a "principle of agreement" with their target. French newspaper Le10Sport (h/t Calciomercato.com) reported Griezmann has given the green light to a move to the Camp Nou and could be well on the path to joining the Blaugrana next summer. The same article explained how Griezmann pulled the plug on a switch to Manchester United last summer due to Atletico's transfer ban, and he then extended his contract to raise his release clause to €200 million (£178 million). One would therefore assume that's the figure Los Rojiblancos will hold out for in order to sell Griezmann, despite the fact he's struggled to regain top form this season, as recently illustrated by Sky Sports Statto: United fans will undoubtedly be saddened to hear rumours of any pre-agreement with Barca, which could well mean their purs
Read more

Clint Dempsey scores twice to take Seattle Sounders to the final of Conference Cup

By
Image
SEATTLE -- Three thoughts on the Seattle Sounders' 2-0 Western Conference semifinal win against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup Playoffs. There had been speculation prior to kickoff as to whether this could be Clint Dempsey's final match at CenturyLink Field. It is the Sounders' call whether or not to pick up the 34-year-old's team option for 2018 -- and after earning close to $3.9m this season, that decision is going to be agonized over in the front office. Dempsey's arrival in the summer of 2013 was a watershed moment in the modern history of the club, a personification of its long-term ambitions. It would be unfair to label him a bust, or anything close to it. The Texan has netted nearly 50 goals in more than four seasons in Seattle, and he helped deliver the memorable Open Cup/Supporters' Shield double back in 2014. There is a bit of a sense, however, that he hasn't completely lived up to the outsized hype that heralded his arrival. Throu
Read more

Tammy Abraham ready to prove his Worth for England national team

By
Image
Tammy Abraham keen to prove his international credentials with England Tammy Abraham wants the opportunity to prove himself at international level after being handed his first senior England call-up for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil. Abraham was drafted into the squad alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Gomez, with the trio all fledgling Premier League players who have been fast-tracked into the England set-up for the fixtures at Wembley. Abraham has scored five times in 14 appearances while on loan at Swansea from Chelsea this season and now hopes he can show enough to Gareth Southgate in training to hand him his England bow against either Germany on Friday or Brazil next Tuesday. The 20-year-old striker said on Sky Sports: “It would be a massive achievement for me and a big confidence boost as well, it would show that I’m going in the right direction. If I do get my opportunity I’d like to grab it as much as I can. “I feel like I’m ready but it won’t be easy.
Read more