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    LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS: Barcelona Plot New Salah Bid: Pogba Offered To Chelsea/Barcelona, Will Emery Offload Ozil: Madrid To Offer Ronaldo Plus Cash To Sign Neymar

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    Mesut Ozil has been a key figure for Germany over the years and it goes without saying that he will essay a crucial role for Die Mannschaft in the upcoming World Cup in Russia as well. But as far as his performances for Arsenal are concerned, people have divided opinions about his overall influence at the Emirates Stadium.
    While some feel he is an important part of the squad, others are of the opinion that he does not really fit in at Arsenal.
    The problem with the £350,000-a-week Ozil is that he cannot adapt to different circumstances and situations. Germany’s playing style under Joachim Loew suits him, and that is why he is able to deliver top-class performances on a regular basis for his country.
    But with the Gunners, the situation is entirely different. During the last few seasons of Arsene Wenger’s tenure, the club were going through a downward spiral of sorts. However, it goes without saying that Arsenal are a team built on playing possession-based high-pressing football.
    Interestingly enough, that is the kind of football we saw at Paris Saint-Germain when Unai Emery was their manager. Of course, at Parc des Princes he had some of the best attackers in the world, such as Edinson Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
    However, now that he is in charge of Arsenal, the former PSG boss will be looking to make some major changes – particularly with respect to the Gunners’ style of play.
    Last season, the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were regarded as the exciting teams in the Premier League. And to get Arsenal back to that level, Emery must take a ruthless approach and do everything he can to prioritise two things – possession and pressing. And this could create a situation of uncertainty for Ozil.
    If Emery does deploy a coordinated pressing system at the club, it is safe to imagine that Ozil might no longer be a regular starter. While he boasts of incredible pace and creativity, the German’s own style is not ideal to support a pressing style of play.
    Hence, it would be better for Emery to offload Ozil, and in doing so, he should be able to generate a decent sum to fund transfers for players who might actually fit into his philosophy at Arsenal.

    Real Madrid to offer Cristiano Ronaldo plus cash to sign Neymar

    Goal.com reports that Florentino Perez is ready to offer Cristiano Ronaldo and some cash to sign Brazilian superstar Neymar from PSG. Perez apparently has had enough of the situation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his apparent desire to leave the club. Real Madrid, reportedly want to build their future team around Neymar. Also, the report claims that Ronaldo would be happy to sign for the French club although there is a desire inside him to move back to Manchester United.
    Neymar signing for Real Madrid will certainly be a controversial move given his history with Barcelona and his close relationships with some Barcelona players like Lionel Messi. If Neymar does sign for Real Madrid, many would certainly believe that the PSG move was only to facilitate a transfer to Real Madrid. As a direct move from Barcelona to Real Madrid would have created too many problems in the first place. Certainly both Ronaldo and Neymar can’t be at the same club or that would cause huge problems for the coach like we saw at PSG between Cavani and Neymar. So it looks like it’s the end of the road for Ronaldo at Real Madrid after a long and a successful time.

    Manchester United want Oblak to replace De Gea

    Manchester United superstar David De Gea is the best goal keeper in the world and the Red Devils must hold on to him no matter what happens.
    However, if reports in Spain are anything to go by then the Spanish international could be leaving Old Trafford to finally join Real Madrid.
    According to Diario Gol, the 27-year-old goalie’s agent met with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez to discuss the transfer of De Gea, who has always been keen on returning to Spain to be close to his girlfriend and family.
    The Spanish source have mentioned that Manchester United want to close the deal to sign current Atletico Madrid goalie Jan Oblak before letting the former Rojiblancos star leave the club.
    Liverpool are also reportedly interested in hiring the services of the Slovenian international, who has got a huge release clause of €100million in his contract (Don Balon).
    The 25-year-old star has been brilliant under the management of Argentine boss Diego Simeone. Last season, Oblak conceded only 2 goals in 6 Europa League appearances to help his club win the competition.
    As far as the La Liga is concerned, the former Benfica player featured in 37 league games and kept no fewer than 22 clean sheets. In all fairness, he has got what it takes to replace De Gea at Manchester United.

    Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy Chelsea

    Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich ‘rejects offer from Britain’s richest man to buy Blues’

    Roman Abramovich has turned down a stunning offer from Britain’s richest man Jim Ratcliffe to buy Chelsea, it has been reported.
    Ratcliffe is the CEO of petrochemical giants Ineos and has an estimated worth of $15.6million, according to Forbes.
    Perhaps more intriguing is that he also holds a season ticket at Stamford Bridge.
    According to the MailOnline, the 65-year-old made an approach for the west Londoners but was quickly rebuffed by Abramovich who has no intention of selling.
    The Brit’s wealth is double that of the Russian’s and he already owns a football club in Switzerland.

    Alli and Eriksen set to follow Kane and commit long-term futures to Tottenham

    Harry Kane has signed a bumper new Tottenham deal – and Dele Alli and Christian ­Eriksen are set to follow suit.
    England striker Kane has signed a six year contract understood to be worth up up to £200,000 per week, including bonuses.
    And Danish midfielder Eriksen and England star Alli are the next in line to get bumper new pay deals.
    Eriksen has already emerged as one of the best midfielders in Europe while Mirror Sport revealed months ago that Alli has held talks over a new contract. It is a huge boost for Spurs as they prepare to move into their new stadium, having already secured Mauricio Pochettino to a new deal.
    Pochettino’s hopes of putting them on deals to match their Premier League rivals has been helped by Levy agreeing to again lift the wage ceiling set by top earner Kane.
    Pochettino challenged Spurs “to be brave and take risks” at the end of the season in order to become trophy winners.
    He received enough assurances that he would be backed during end of season talks with Levy to convince him to extend his stay until 2023 last month and Kane’s new deal is another pivotal move for the club’s future.
    Kane has been rewarded after another stunning season in front of goal.
    He scored 41 Spurs goals this season, hitting 30 in the league for the first time as he narrowly missing out on a third successive golden boot to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
    He has bagged 108 goals in 153 Premier League games and a total of 140 in 216 appearances in all competitions for Spurs.

    Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly been offered a contract by Arsenal

    Arsenal in contract talks in bid to beat Man United to £114million transfer

    Arsenal have reportedly made a contract offer to Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as they join the running alongside Manchester United and other major clubs for a transfer. The Serbia international has shone in Serie A, becoming regarded as one of the finest players in the world in his position, and one of the top youngsters in the world overall.
    Arsenal signing him would be a major statement, though the Sun report that his asking price might prove too much for the Gunners.
    This follows a report from Gazzetta dello Sport, translated by the Metro, stating that Manchester United had also agreed a deal in principle for Milinkovic-Savic this summer. Still, it seems his future remains up in the air as the Sun cite quotes given by journalist Giulio Cardone to Radio Sei saying United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also in for him.
    Cardone is quoted as saying Arsenal have offered more money to the player in terms of a contract, but that they are not close to meeting Lazio’s asking price.
    ‘Currently the teams that are really on the player are Manchester United and PSG,’ he told Radio Sei, as translated by the Sun.
    ‘Then there are two others who have shown interest: Arsenal and Real Madrid who have offered more to the player, but do not approach the figures offered by the others to Lazio.’ If Arsenal could somehow find the cash to get this deal done it would be a major statement of intent as they prepare for a new era under Unai Emery.
    With Aaron Ramsey out of contract in a year’s time and the likes of Granit Xhaka failing to impress, Milinkovic-Savic could be a pivotal addition to get the Gunners back on track. Beating rivals like United to his signature would also be a huge boost as various sources have long linked the 23-year-old with the Red Devils.


    Barcelona ‘said no’ to Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, La Liga giants plot fresh bid

    BARCELONA reportedly turned down the chance to sign Mohamed Salah.
    The Egyptian joined Liverpool from Roma last summer and enjoyed a stunning debut campaign at Anfield, scoring 44 goals for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
    Salah’s goalscoring exploits have led to speculation surrounding his future, with suggestions that La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona are lining up bids.
    The 25-year-old will likely cost close to the £142m that Barca paid for Philippe Coutinho in January.
    And reports in Spain have suggested that they could have avoided splashing out such a huge sum.
    According to Diario Gol, a Spanish outlet famous for its outlandish transfer claims, Salah was offered to the Catalan giants last summer.
    Roma were desperate to get rid of their talisman in order to raise funds and Barcelona were in the market for a winger to replace Neymar, who joined PSG.
    But technical secretary Robert Fernandez rejected the chance to bring Salah to the Nou Camp, preferring to bring in Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund.
    The Frenchman has struggled to make an impact at his new club and Fernandez will leave his role at the end of the month.
    Former Barca defender Eric Abidal will replace him and will be tasked with assisting with new signings.
    Diario Gol also claim that Fernandez vetoed a move for Kylian Mbappe, who joined Neymar at PSG and helped them to the Ligue 1 title.
    Ernesto Valverde’s side are looking to bounce back following a disappointing Champions League campaign.
    They’ve been linked with a number of high-profile signings, including Antoine Griezmann and Manchester United star Paul Pogba.

    Man Utd star Pogba ‘offered’ to Chelsea and Barcelona, midfielder has preference

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly offered Paul Pogba to Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
    The midfielder returned to Old Trafford in 2016 for £89m but he has failed to live up to the huge expectations on his shoulders.
    Pogba was regularly criticised for his performances last season and there have been suggestions that he is unhappy at the club.
    Despite publicly calling him out for his displays on a regular basis, Jose Mourinho has denied claims of a feud between the pair.
    But reports in Spain suggest that the club are prepared to sacrifice the 25-year-old in order to fund new signings.
    According to Don Balon, a Spanish outlet famous for its outlandish transfer claims, United chiefs have contacted a number of their European rivals about a move for Pogba. The report states that Chelsea are among those negotiating, as well as La Liga rivals Real and Barca.
    Pogba is believed to prefer a move to the Nou Camp and has an ambition to work under Ernesto Valverde.
    The France international has struggled in Mourinho’s negative system and dreams of playing in a team that allows him more attacking freedom.
    Don Balon claim that Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos has discovered Pogba’s preference.
    And United may prefer to see him move to the Bernabeu as they plot a move to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
    The Portuguese has hinted that he could look to leave Real this summer and Mourinho may consider using Pogba as a makeweight in the deal.

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    She Cranes Star Nuba Reveals Why She Decided To Play For Uganda Not South Sudan; Why She Regrets Giving Birth Early…

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    She Cranes player Mary Nuba

    Born in South Sudan but grew in Uganda, that’s the story of the She Cranes goal shooter Mary Nuba Cholhok who was voted as the best shooter in the just concluded Fast5 Series tournament which was held in New Zealand.

    Uganda emerged in fifth position in the tournament. theGrapevine had a chance to talk to Nuba before she went back to England for her professional career.

    Grapevine: Why did you decide to play for Uganda and not for your native country South Sudan?

    Nuba: South Sudan is still lagging behind in Netball and I’m getting old, that’s why I decided to play for Uganda’s She Cranes.

    Grapevine: What challenges have you faced so far in your career?

    Nuba: Thinking about my five-year baby who stays in Uganda yet I’m in England playing for my professional club.

    Grapevine: Then what about your husband [the baby’s father] ?

    Nuba: I’m not married, though I gave birth.

    Mary Nuba was awarded Fans player of the Fast5 Series tournament

    Grapevine: How did you manage giving birth and playing Netball?

    Nuba: I realized that later that I made a mistake of getting pregnant. But I stood on my feet, forgot all the past and decided to move on with my child and my career.

    Grapevine: How do you manage those good performances?

    Nuba: I work very hard ever day in order to achieve my goals.

    Grapevine: Where do you see She Cranes in four years to come?

    Nuba: I see She Cranes winning the Netball World cup because we have good players who are still young.

    Grapevine: Tell us about the best game in your career?

    Nuba: When we defeated South Africa in the Common Wealth games in Birmingham.

    Grapevine: Who’s your role model in the game of Netball?

    Nuba: Peace Proscovia because of the way she managed to lift her life from a poor background. She is now superstar in the game.

     

     

    By Juma Ali

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    MIRACLE: All She Cranes Players Return After Incidents Of Players Disappearing While On Duty Abroad…

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    She Cranes players and one of the start player Goal Shooter Mary Cholhok Nuba

    It was a miracle this time around after all the She Cranes players returned from New Zealand.

    It has been a habit for some Netball players to escape when the team travels for international tournaments.

    Just last month, two She Cranes players; Nakanyike Shakira, who was a Police Player and Rose Namutebi, who was a KCCA Player, disappeared in UK, during She Cranes international friendlies.

    The disappearance of these two players followed the disappearance of centre Player, Halimah Nakachwa, who disappeared in UK, in 2017 during another international friendly in UK.

    However, this time around, all the nine players who went for the first five series tournament in New Zealand, where She Cranes emerged fifth, after wining three games and losing three games, all returned with the team.

    National players disappearing while on duty abroad is also a habit in other sports disciplines like; boxing, table tennis, Rugby among others.

     

    By Juma Ali

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    It’s Time For Golola To Rest: I’m Going To Punch Him Into Retirement – General Fungu Vows…

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    Moses Golola (L) and General Fungu (R)

    General Hamza Fungu has vowed to fight Moses Golola and send him into retirement come 26th December. 2022.

    Fungu said this during the launch at Akamwesi gardens today.

    Uganda’s middle weight kick boxing champion, Golola Moses is set to face his former trainer, General Hamza Fungu on bixing day at Akamwesi shopping mail gardens.

    Golola, who is known for his many words said that he has beaten many fighters who were better than Fungu, “now look at this piglet, I’m going to show him why I’m called Golola Moses ‘of Uganda ‘  and I call upon Ugandans to come and be witnesses on that day.”

    Though Golola said that he signed a contract which allows both fighters to fight until one gets tired, officials in charge of organizing the show said they will fight K-1 style for five rounds.

    Grapevine had a chance to sit down with Golola’s challenger General Fungu and and this is what he had to say;

    theGrapevine: How are you prepared for this fight?

    Fungu: I’m well prepared but they have also given us enough time. So, I’m going to prepare more.

    theGrapevine: Why, among fighters did you choose Golola?

    Fungu: I have been asking to fight Golola for the last five years but he has been dodging me. He one time asked for 20,000 dollars to fight me.

    theGrapevine: Why do you think he accepted this time around?

    Fungu: I think this time, he has been given a lot of money.

    theGrapevine: Which tactics are you going to use to defeat Golola?

    Fungu : Golola has words but I have the tactics which will defeat Golola.

    theGrapevine: Many people have come out to challenge Golola but he finally wins?

    Fungu : He has been favoured many times.

    theGrapevine: Is it true that the contract you signed for the fight allows you to fight until one of you gets tired?

    Fungu : The contract is a disadvantage to Golola not me because I was born a fighter.

    theGrapevine: What next after this fight?

    Fungu : After this fight, I will fight three more three bouts and retire.

     

    By Juma Ali

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