Category: Sports

Manchester United is planning to sign two players to replace outgoing midfielder Casemiro at Old Trafford.

Recall that Man United recently announced that Casemiro will leave the Red Devils at the end of the season.

The Brazilian had joined the Premier League club from Real Madrid in 2022.

However, Man United is already planning to sign two midfielders in the summer transfer window to compensate for Casemiro’s departure

The likes of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been heavily linked with United.

But, according to talkSPORT, United are now planning to sign two of the three transfer targets to bolster the midfield options for their next permanent manager, as Michael Carrick was only appointed on an interim basis following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

EPL: Man Utd to sign two midfield players to replace Casemiro

Former Nigeria international, Ifeanyi Udeze has disagreed with former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh over his recent comments on Victor Osimhen.

Oliseh had blamed Osimhen for Nigeria’s failure to win the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.

The former Juventus midfielder claimed that the Galatasaray striker’s outburst with Super Eagles teammate Ademola Lookman affected the chemistry of the squad and also affected the Atalanta player psychologically.

But speaking on Brila FM, Udeze disagreed, insisting that Oliseh should have advised Osimhen because he is his younger brother.

“Osimhen is a younger player than Sunday Oliseh. Sunday should have used his channel to advise the Super Eagles striker regarding the discussion about him being the reason Nigeria didn’t win the AFCON,” Udeze said.

“I don’t think what happened between Osimhen and Lookman cost us the AFCON. I don’t think so.

“Victor Osimhen is your younger brother. You can also use your channel to speak to him; he’ll see it.”

AFCON: He’s your younger brother – Udeze disagrees with Oliseh over comments on Osimhen

Sudesh Singh, former coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has expressed his desire to see Alex Iwobi join three other Nigerian players, Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, in the 2025 CAF AFCON Best XI.

CAF recently unveiled the Best XI for the 2025 AFCON tournament, which notably featured Iwobi’s Super Eagles teammates Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman.

However, Iwobi himself was not selected as Senegal’s Pape Gueye secured the midfield spot over the Fulham star.

Alongside Gueye, other notable selections included Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Moussa Niakhaté, Noussair Mazraoui, Idrissa Gueye, Brahim Díaz, and Sadio Mane.

Discussing the AFCON Best XI on SuperSport, Singh said: “I would’ve loved to see Iwobi, but then who do you replace him with in that lineup that they had? Pape Gueye, with age on his side, he was still outstanding in the tournament.

“With the leadership he showed and the goals he scored, I think it was very fair. Calvin Bassey was outstanding as well,” he said.

AFCON Best XI: South Africa’s Singh wants Iwobi to join three Nigerian players

Serie A club Lazio are targeting a move for Everton midfielder, Tim Iroegbunam, DAILY POST reports.

Iroegbunam would be seen as a replacement for Rade Belahyane if his sale is completed, according to Sky Sport Italia and Sky Sports UK.

The Nigerian-born midfielder is due to celebrate his 23rd birthday in June.

Iroegbunam joined Everton for €10.7m in July 2024.

The 22-year-old has contributed three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions for the Toffees this season.

He previously played for West Bromwich Albion, and Aston Villa.

Transfer: Lazio line up move for Nigerian-born midfielder 

Victor Osimhen became the fastest ever player to score a milestone 50 goals for Galatasaray after hitting target in the Yellow and Reds 3-1  win at Fatih Karagumruk on Saturday night.

Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s third goal of the game.

The Nigeria international achieved the feat on his 59th appearance for the Turkish Super Lig champions.

Former Argentina international, Mauro Icardi previously held the record.

Icardi got a half century of goals on his 68th game for Galatasaray.

Osimhen will hope they increase his goal tally when Galatasaray take on Manchester City in a UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Turkey: Osimhen makes history as fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray 

Taiwo Awoniyi is set to return to Bundesliga outfit Mainz O5 for the second half of the season, DAILY POST reports.

Awoniyi has struggled for regular playing time at the Premier League club this season.

The arrival of striker Lorenzo Lucca has further pushed him down the pecking order at the City Ground.

According to SportsBoom, a loan move to Mainz is now being discussed.

The Bundesliga club have opened talks with the Tricky Trees to resign Awoniyi.

The 28-year-old spent the 2019/20 season with Mainz, scoring once in 12 league appearances.

Transfer: Awoniyi set to Bundesliga on loan 

The teams with the most cards, offsides and clean sheets during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tournament in Morocco have been confirmed.

DAILY POST reports that the 2025 AFCON was recently concluded in Morocco last weekend.

Senegal emerged champions following a 1-0 win against Morocco in the AFCON final, thanks to Pape Gueye’s second-half goal.

However, in a post on CAF’s website, the country with the most cards are champions, Senegal.

The Teranga Lions had 17 yellow cards and 1 red card during the tournament in Morocco.

The country with the most offsides is Egypt.

The Pharaohs, who were defeated in the third-place playoff, recorded 15 offsides.

Similarly, the countries with the most clean sheets are Senegal and Morocco. Both teams have 5 clean sheets each.

AFCON 2025: Teams with most cards, offsides, clean sheets confirmed

Former Liverpool player, Didi Hamann has urged winger, Mohamed Salah to consider leaving the club for the Saudi Pro League this summer transfer window.

Hamann expressed concern that Salah has become a source of distraction for manager, Arne Slot and the team at Anfield.

“He had the chance to go to Saudi Arabia last season and he did not. I am not sure he wants to go there,” Hamann told BetGoat (via GOAL) as reported by Sportskeeda.

“If you ask me today, the best solution would be to part ways. It would probably benefit him and the team.

“He came out with statements I didn’t really understand, it lingers around the camp and every time he does not play, the Arne Slot gets asked why, and it becomes a distraction.

“There have been poor performances without Salah as well, so it is unfair to put the blame all on him.”

EPL: Leave Liverpool, you’ve become distraction for Slot – Hamann urges Salah

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has dismissed Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola’s claims that the Gunners are the best team in the world.

In a pre-match press conference before Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Wolves, Guardiola expressed his belief that Arsenal is the best team in the world.

However, when questioned about Guardiola’s remarks,  Arteta downplayed the compliment, asserting that his team cannot yet be considered the best due to their lack of major trophies.

“I don’t know,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League tie with Manchester United on Sunday when asked about Guardiola’s claims.

“I think we’re the team that wants to be constantly better, that were doing a lot of things right, but we’re far from perfect.

“To be related to that [best team in the world], you’ve to win a lot of things [trophies] and we’ve not.”

EPL: We haven’t won many trophies – Arteta dismisses Guardiola’s claim about Arsenal

Birmingham City’s manager, Chris Davies, has praised Bright Osayi-Samuel, who plays as a fullback for the Super Eagles.

He hailed the player for his performance during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Osayi-Samuel was very important as Nigeria won the bronze medal by beating Egypt 4-2 in the third-place match on penalties.

The former Fenerbahçe player played well on defense and also helped attack, making the Super Eagles one of the most aggressive teams in the tournament.

During his pre-match press conference, Davies praised Osayi-Samuel’s performances for Nigeria,  saying he performed well even though the Super Eagles sadly missed out on  the Afcon title.

Davies told reporters, “He’s back, which is good news, and I congratulated him on his performances and Nigeria for making it to the tournament.

“Although they didn’t win the competition, they made the country proud, and Bright really enjoyed being part of that, so we’re happy to have him back.”

Osayi-Samuel was taken out of the third-place match against Egypt after he hurt his hamstring in the second half.

This made people wonder if he would be prepared for the game at St. Andrew’s Stadium.

The Blues manager shared an update on his fitness, saying the Nigerian player has been checked by the club’s doctors and is ready to play against Stoke City.

“He is available. There was a little issue, but we’ve had him checked out and he’s trained today, so he’s okay,” Davies added.

Osayi-Samuel, 28, has been part of the club’s last nine games and is eager to keep up his good performance against Stoke City on Saturday.

AFCON: ‘You made Nigeria proud’ – Birmingham manager hails Osayi-Samuel