Category: Sports

Real Betis defeated Arsenal 3-1 in a pre-season friendly match on Wednesday night.

The Premier League champions began the game in sharp fashion and almost took the lead through Viktor Gyokeres.

But it was the LaLiga side who went in front, after Rodigo Riquelme pounced on a Kepa Arizabalaga error.

Nelson Deossa doubled the lead for Betis, before Piero Hincapie pulled one back for Arsenal.

Just before the break, the Spanish side scored again, with Pablo Fornals finding the bottom corner.

Arsenal’s next game will be the Emirates Cup fixture against Borussia Dortmund this weekend.

Preseason: Real Betis beat Arsenal 3-1

FIFA have released a statement claiming that president Gianni Infantino has not promised the 2026 World Cup Final to Morocco.

There have been speculations that Infantino offered it to the North African country, as he fights for his job.

But FIFA has insisted the reporrs are “false and misleading”.

The statement read: “It is false and misleading to claim the FIFA President has made any promise in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 Final.

“A decision will be made by FIFA in due course.”

Spain hope to stage the final of the next World Cup.

The Portugal FA declined to comment when approached by TalkSPORT.

FIFA releases statement on Infantino offering Morocco 2030 World Cup final

Doma United have received an injury boost with the return of Benedict Adikwu ahead of the 2026-27 season, DAILY POST reports.

Adikwu rejoined his teammates for pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign following his injury layoff.

The defender played an important role in the Savannah Tigers’ promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season.

Adikwu’s return is expected to add valuable experience, quality, and defensive strength to the team.

He has been warmly welcomed by the management, technical crew, teammates, and supporters, who believe his experience and defensive mentality will be instrumental in the team’s quest for success.

The Gombe-based club is currently taking part in a pre-season tournament in Enugu.

NPFL: Doma United defender Adikwu returns from injury layoff 

Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior, is set to remain with the LaLiga giants this season, Marca reports.

This follows “very positive” meeting between his agents and the club on Wednesday.

Madrid had been reluctant to meet Vinicius Jr’s demands for a contract extension.

But it is believed that the 26-year-old has now received a much improved offer from the club’s hierarchy.

Madrid are however asking for a quick response from Vinicius Jr and his camp.

This comes amid serious interest from Arsenal, who are ready to go all out for the Brazilian.

Vinicius Jr is into the final months of his current contract and could leave for free in June 2027.

Transfer: Vinicius Jr set to snub Arsenal move as Real Madrid make final offer

Jeremy Monga has calimed it was a “no-brainer” to join Manchester City rather than Arsenal.

The 17-year-old winger moved from League One outfit Leicester to the Etihad Stadium in a summer switch worth a reported £10million plus a further £2.5million in potential add-ons.

Monga – the third-youngest player to make a Premier League appearance – signed a deal until 2031 with City having turned down the advances of Premier League champions Arsenal.

“(Arsenal’s interest) was very strong because it was very close to me going there, very close,” he told BBC Sport.

“The main decision was probably the pathway and the club itself.

“They’ve been so successful that it was a no-brainer when City call. It’s every child’s dream to win trophies and be at the top with the best.”

Monga made his first City appearance as a substitute in Wednesday’s 3-1 win against a K-League XI in sweltering Seoul, South Korea.

Transfer: Why I snubbed Arsenal for Man City – Monga

Chelsea currently leads all Premier League clubs in net spending this summer transfer window.

According to Polymarket Sports, the Blues have spent £217 million in signing new players.

The Premier League west London club is ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Xabi Alonso’s side have already signed the likes of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson, Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra and Danny Welbeck this summer.

Net spend of Premier League clubs so far this summer transfer window  [Top 5]:

Chelsea – £217m

Tottenham – £154m

Manchester City – £121m

Liverpool – £89m

Manchester United – £50m

Transfer: Chelsea leads EPL clubs in net spending this summer [Top 5]

Kano Pillars forward, Ahmed Musa, has joined the team in preparations for the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

Musa took part in the team’s training session at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano.

The session was supervised by the club’s technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede.

It would be recalled that Musa was relieved of his duty as the general manager of the club at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Musa played a role in the Sai Masu Gida’s escape from relegation last season.

He registered six goals for Kano Pillars in the campaign.

Musa’s return to the squad is expected to lift the team’s spirit ahead of the new season.

NPFL: Ahmed Musa joins Kano Pillars for 2026-27 preparations

Alladoum Kolimba is close to joining Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Niger Tornadoes, DAILY POST reports.

The Central African Republic, CAR, goalkeeper was spotted at the Ikon Allah Boys training camp this week.

Kolimba is reported to have held talks with Niger Tornadoes hierarchy over a move to the club.

A decision is expected to be reached before the start of the 2026-27 season.

The experienced shot stop left Remo Stars at the end of last season.

Kolimba previously featured for Katsina United.

He recorded 16 clean sheets in 36 appearances for the Chanji Boys,and earned multiple Man of the match award during the stint.

NPFL: CAR goalkeeper nears Niger Tornadoes switch 

The Arsenal dressing room has already accepted that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior will be joining the club, according to AS.

The Spanish outlet claims that the players are beginning to ask questions of the club and sporting director Andrea Berta.

Bertia is believed to haveconveyed the Premier League champions’ intention to complete the deal.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has already spoken to Vinicius Jr on what his role would be at Arsenal.

But the Brazil international is yet to decide if he wants to leave Real Madrid.

Vinicius Jr remains in talks with Madrid over fresh terms and has a year left on his current deal.

Transfer: Arsenal players confident Vinicius Jr will join from Real Madrid

Manchester United almost have their full first team available in their pre-season training camp.

Captain Bruno Fernandes returned to training at Carrington this week after his World Cup exploits with Portugal.

He was joined by Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha.

Fernandes is expected to be involved in Man Utd’s next friendly – which takes place in Gothenburg on Saturday against PSG.

Summer signing Youri Tielemans could also make his first appearance in that game.

Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez are the only first-team players yet to rejoin the squad.

They are likely to return next week for United’s training camp in Dublin, ahead of their friendly against Leeds at Croke Park.

Preseason: Three more players to join Man Utd