Category: Sports

Atletico Madrid winger Ademola Lookman has declared he is fit to face Arsenal, DAILY POST reports.

The LaLiga outfit will host Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie at the Metropolitano on Wednesday.

Lookman has missed Atletico’s last two games due to an adductor injury.

The Nigeria international has however declared he is ready to face the Gunners.

“I missed the last few matches, but now I feel much better,” assured Lookman, who had his first full team training today.

The 27-year-old scored in the Red and Whites last Champions League game against Barcelona.

UCL: Lookman ready for Arsenal showdown

Emmanuel Fernandez has been voted Rangers’ Player of the Season, DAILY POST reports.

Fernandez won the highest number of votes from the club’s supporters after a remarkable debut season at Ibrox.

The 24-year-old, who was signed from League One club Peterborough United last summer has established himself as key player for the club.

The centre-back has gone from strength to strength with commanding performances in defence, also showing his threat in set-piece situations.

Fernandez has scored five times in 23 league appearances for the Light Blues.

He was the only Rangers player included in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Season.

Scotland: Fernandez named Rangers’ Player of the Season

Arsenal are considering doing a deal for Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen this summer.

Last week, the Gunners’ sporting director Andrea Berta, watched on as Osimhen scored in the 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in a league fixture.

It is understood that Arsenal could be in the market for a new striker, with Gabriel Jesus set to depart.

But Galatasaray would demand big money for their talisman, who only made his move from Napoli permanent at the star of this season.

According to FourFourTwo, Osimhen would likely represent a total financial commitment of approximately £200 million over a standard five-year contract.

Galatasaray would likely hold out for a transfer fee in the region of £100 million, which would make him one of the Gunners’ most expensive signings. However, the main complexity lies in the wage structure.

Osimhen currently earns a staggering €21 million (£17.5m) per year in Istanbul.

Arsenal would need to offer the Nigerian roughly £300,000, before loyalty bonuses and image rights.

EPL: Details of possible Arsenal deal to sign Osimhen from Galatasaray revealed

Former Arsenal player, Paul Merson, wants Chelsea to appoint Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe as the permanent replacement for Liam Rosenior at the end of the season.

Chelsea sacked Rosenior last week and appointed Calum McFarlane as their interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

However, Merson feels Howe would be the perfect manager at Stamford Bridge, who will lead the Blues to glory next season.

“I’m a big fan of Eddie Howe. If Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle, they will be queuing up around the corner for him. He’s a top manager,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“So that tells you everything. Be careful, Newcastle. Chelsea would take him tomorrow morning, you would like to think so wouldn’t you?

“In my opinion, they’d take him all day long. We’re talking about the next England manager, 100 per cent.”

EPL: They would take him – Merson on manager Chelsea should appoint permanently

Former England international, Gary Lineker, has identified a tricky fixture that could stop Arsenal from winning the Premier League title this season.

Arsenal moved top of the Premier League table on Saturday after defeating Newcastle United 1-0.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said, “Arsenal might go six points ahead of Man City before they play again, and Arsenal’s last four games are very winnable.

“They have Fulham at home and then West Ham away, now that will be tricky. West Ham are fighting for their lives and playing well at the moment.

“They’ve got pretty much as good a record as almost anyone since the turn of the year, so that’ll be a tough one for Arsenal.”

Arsenal and West Ham will face each other on 10 May at the London Stadium.

EPL: Tricky fixture – Gary Lineker identifies team that could ruin Arsenal’s title hopes

Victor Osimhen will take bigger responsibilities at Galatasaray starting from next season, according to head coach Okan Buruk.

Osimhen is highly respected among his teammates with his goals, helping the Yellow and Reds win a domestic double last season.

The 27-year-old has netted 20 times across all competitions this season, with Galatasaray closing in on a fourth consecutive league title.

Former Argentina international Mauro Icardi, who is the current captain of the team, is expected to leave at the end of the season.

Buruk hinted the club is considering naming Osimhen one of the captains.

“Of course. Our president and board, together with me, will make the best decision on that. He’s a very strong leader, and he is already one of the hidden captains within the team,” Buruk declared.

Turkey: Galatasaray move to boost Osimhen’s influence

Manchester United legend, Gary Neville, has predicted the Champions League semi-final clash between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

Atletico will host Arsenal in a semi-final first leg tie in Madrid on Wednesday night.

However, Neville doesn’t believe Mikel Arteta’s side would defeat Diego Simeone’s team in the last-4 stage.

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville also expressed confidence that the Gunners can win the Premier League.

“Arsenal only got four (matches) left in the league, so you could argue that it’s easy to win both (Premier League and Champions League),” Neville said.

“But I don’t see them getting past Atletico Madrid and the other teams in the semi-final, but I do see them having a chance with the league.”

UCL: Gary Neville predicts Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid semi-final

Former Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernández, has named five teams that can win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Romario’s YouTube channel, Xavi named Brazil, Spain, France, Portugal and Argentina as the countries that can win the World Cup this year.

This year’s World Cup will begin in the summer, and Argentina is the defending champion after winning it in 2022.

“They [Brazil] can be champions. First, because Ancelotti is their coach who brings out the best in players and second, because Brazil dominates at the World Cup. They have good players. Ancelotti always competes,” Xavi said

“The other favorites are Spain, Argentina, France, and Portugal. I see Germany as less of a favorite. England could make a run as well,” he added.

World Cup 2026: Xavi names five favourites to win trophy

Shooting Stars midfielder, Alade Balogun, says it is important for the team to win their next league game against Nasarawa United.

The Oluyole Warriors will lock horns with Nasarawa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasinga, Ibadan at the weekend.

Balogun assured the supporters that they will secure the maximum points in the game.

“We are going to get all the maximum three points against Nasarawa United,” Balogun stated in a chat with Shooting Stars media.

“Victory in the game is non-negotiable.”

Shooting Stars occupy fifth position in the league table with 54 points while Nasarawa United are sixth with 53 points.

NPFL: Victory over Nasarawa United non-negotiable – 3SC’s Balogun

Shola Adegun is in pole position to be appointed new head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 men’s team, the Golden Eaglets, DAILY POST reports.

Adegun, who is one youngest coaches in the domestic scene in Nigeria will replace Manu Garba.

Garba failed to qualify the Golden Eaglets for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

Adegun’s first major job was with newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, club, Sporting Lagos.

The young tactician has also worked with top academies in Nigeria including Clique Academy, Barcelona Academy and AS Roma.

He handled Plateau United in the first half of the current season, before he was sacked with the Jos club fighting against relegation.

Shola Adegun favoured to lead Golden Eaglets