Sports
Cody Gakpo’s Expected Move To Manchester City Fails
The reported desire of Liverpool’s winger, Cody Gakpo has failed to materialise following his decision to stay back at Liverpool if they were unable to seal a deal for Yankuba Minteh – for whom Brighton have rebuffed their latest bid – or Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace as replacements.
The Dutch winger, who started both of Liverpool’s first two Premier League games, was closing in on a switch to Manchester City ahead of deadline day, with clubs in talks over a deal worth around £85million.
But the transfer has now collapsed after Liverpool were unable to find a suitable replacement, despite signing 23-year-old winger Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for £123m on Monday.
Liverpool made a breakthrough with PSG last week after several weeks of negotiations to try to bring down the European champions’ stubborn valuation, which started at £145m.
Despite luring the Frenchman on a five-year contract, Liverpool are not willing to let Gakpo join Manchester City until they sign another attacker.
The transfer twist comes just a day after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk urged his Reds team-mate to stay at Anfield.
When asked how he felt about the prospective move after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Van Dijk said: ‘What do you think? He’s a quality player. I think we should keep quality players.
‘Let’s see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he’s a quality player but also because he’s a friend of mine. He’s very important to us.’
On Barcola’s arrival at Anfield, Van Dijk added: ‘He’s a good player, that’s the only thing I can say. I don’t think there’s any doubt that a club like Liverpool is very attractive to very good players.
‘This is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We all know that we’re going through a little bit of a transition. You either want to be a part of it or you don’t.
‘He’s a player with pace. I remember a goal he scored against Chelsea. If he comes here then he will be welcomed with open arms.’
Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, has admitted that Victor Osimhen’s disallowed goal could have made their Champions League clash with Galatasaray more difficult.
Osimhen thought he had made it 2-0 to the Turkish champions in the first half.
However, his powerful header was chalked off following a VAR review.
Barca then fought back and overpowered Galatasaray, scoring four goals to take all three points.
But Yamal has claimed that if Yellow and Red had gone two goals up, their job would have been harder than it became.
“If Galatasaray’s second goal hadn’t been disallowed, our job in Istanbul would have been very tough,” Yamal said per Le Marca Sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Al-Nassr won an AFC Champions League match which was delayed by an hour because of a missile alert.
Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr’s second goal as the Saudi Pro League champions beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana 3-1 on Monday.
Kick-off was delayed after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning just 15 minutes before the scheduled start time in Riyadh, the capital city which has been the target of missiles fired from Yemen-based Houthis.
Following attacks on Riyadh’s airport, explosions were heard in the capital on Monday night. The Saudi-led military coalition said a ballistic missile had been intercepted and destroyed.
Future sporting events could be affected by the regional conflict, including Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Once Al-Nassr were able to get under way, Ange Postecoglou’s team went ahead through Angelo in the 33rd minute and Ronaldo doubled their lead before half-time.
Uzbekistan champions Neftchi pulled a goal back, but they were reduced to 10 men after 65 minutes and an own goal 13 minutes later sealed a first Group B victory for the hosts.
Nigeria international Frank Onyeka made a good account of himself as Coventry City defeated Newcastle United 4-1 in Monday night’s Premier League fixture.
Despite seeing just 12 minutes of action, Onyeka came in and impressed as Coventry made it back-to-back win in the English topflight this season.
It was Onyeka’s fifth appearance in the Premier League this season for newly promoted Coventry.
His Nigerian teammate Taiwo Awoniyi was not in action for Frank Lampard’s side due to suspension.
Early goals at the start of each half from Jack Rudoni and Sidiki Cherif put Coventry City in course for their first brilliant Premier League win at the CBS Arena.
Although the Magpies pulled one back 20 minutes from time, super subs Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni scored in the 81st and 86th minutes to secure a huge three points for the Sky Blues.
The win took Coventry up to 14th place on six points while Newcastle, on eight points, are in 11th in the league table.
-
Health & Wellness1 year agoPresident Tinubu Directs Cut in Dialysis Cost from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000
-
News2 years ago
CBN Debunks Fake Circular on New ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 Notes
-
International News7 months agoIndian Police Arrest Nigerian Over ₦290m Drug Haul
-
Business7 months agoDangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Gantry Price To ₦1,200 Per Litre
-
Business7 months agoAfter Plea Bargain, Court Discharges Stella Oduah of ₦2.5bn Fraud
-
Business2 years ago
Dangote; We Did Not Fix ₦600/Litre Petrol Price
-
Trending News1 year agoNELFUND Disburses ₦86bn To 449,000 Beneficiaries
-
Opinion2 years agoChampioning the People’s Voice: Obasa’s Dedication to Grassroots Representation By Dave Agboola⁰