Ghana Sports news

Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri collapsed and was taken to hospital by helicopter during a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen.

The incident, which happened in the second half of the game in Austria, led to the match being abandoned.

Nouri, 20, has played nine league games for the Dutch top-flight club.

"A trauma helicopter landed on the field," Ajax tweeted. "There was talk of heart rhythm disorders. He is stable."

Nouri played in the Europa League for Ajax in 2016-17 and was part of the squad which travelled to Stockholm for the final against Manchester United in May.

However, the Netherlands youth international played no part in the game, which United won 2-0.

Former Netherlands captain Ruud Gullit posted on social media: "#abdelhaknouri we pray for you."

Ajax Cape Town, a feeder club for the Dutch side, also sent a message of support.

"We would like to wish speedy recovery to Abdelhak Nouri from @AFCAjax who collapsed in a friendly game," it posted on Twitter.

Nouri played a total 15 league and cup games for Ajax in 2016-17, scoring one goal in a Dutch Cup tie.

Credit:BBC Sports

Francis Akwasi Poku has emerged winner of the maiden Tropical Cable Invitational Golf Tournament played at the Tema Country Golf Club on Saturday. 

Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan has been awarded a doctorate degree by the Alfred Noble University in Ukraine for his his excellence in football.

The ceremony which took place today at the Faculty of Law of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) saw lots of Sports enthusiasts who troop to School to support the skipper.

The honorary doctorate degree is for his achievements on the football field and his philanthropical works which include building an astro turf pitch worth USD$200,000 for Accra Academy.

Gyan's philanthropic activities also include financial support to hospital, ailing kids’ borehole projects for communities have all contributed to the award.

He is Ghana’s top scorer with 51 goals and African leading scorer at the FIFA World cup with 6 goals. His performances for Ghana, clubs in Italy, France, England, UAE and China have all contributed to the decision to give him the award.

Gyan 32, now joins an illustrious list of Ghanaians, including President Akuffo-Addo, Dr. Osei Kwame Despite, and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh who have been honored with doctorate degrees by the Alfred Nobel University.

He recently signed a 2-year contract with Turkish Side Kayserispor which could be his last spell outside the Country.

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Ghanaian midfielder Michael Anaba has returned to Spanish Segunda Division side Elche after his loan in Uruguay.
 
The former Ghana U20 midfielder ended his nightmare loan spell at Uruguayan Club Sud América where he made only four appearances for the club.

Anaba who had trials in Germany with several clubs signed for Elche after the 2013 U20 World Cup in Turkey where he impressed.

He has so far failed to secure a place in the starting eleven of Elche.

The 22-year-old had initially spent time on loan at Eldense also in the Spanish Segunda Division.

Anaba will be aiming at pinning down a starting spot in team or Elche may decide to ship him out on-loan for the 3rd time.

Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Everton over the transfer of Romelu Lukaku "subject to a medical and personal terms".

Sky Sports News HQ understands United will pay £75m up-front plus £15m of add-ons and Wayne Rooney will move to Goodison Park in the opposite direction.

United have declared they have got their man, despite Sky sources claiming a late intervention from Chelsea on Friday night in which they indicated to Everton they will match United's offer.
The feeling at Stamford Bridge was that Lukaku's agent, Mino Raiola, wants him to go to United while the player himself preferred a move to Chelsea.

Sources in London indicated the decision was down to Lukaku choosing between suiting his agent's agenda or a sporting one to satisfy his long-held desire to return to Chelsea, who originally signed him from Anderlecht for £18m in August 2011.

But Lukaku is already in Los Angeles, where he has been training with prospective United team-mate Paul Pogba, and is expected to undergo a United medical ahead of their pre-season US tour.

Blues boss Antonio Conte is understood to have been frustrated at the prospect of missing out Lukaku, who had been his main target for a new striker this summer.

Conte is understood to want to sell Diego Costa, with Atletico Madrid interested in taking the player back to Spain, and he appears to have missed out on his chosen replacement to a potential Premier League title rival.

All the while, Alvaro Morata remains at Real Madrid, having seen United have a number of offers for him rejected earlier this summer and aware that Chelsea have also been interested in his services.

The rest of United's squad travel to the USA on Sunday, with their first friendly taking place against LA Galaxy on July 15.

Former Ghanaian International, Yussif Chibsah has said, he will do everything possible to ensure that jailed Ghanaian footballer in Sweden, Kwame Bonsu is set free. 

Week 21 matches of the Ghana Premier League promises to be exciting and intriguing.

At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium this Weekend President Cup winners Kumasi Asante Kotoko will face one of their biggest test in the league as they face Tarkwa base side Medeama FC.

Kotoko striker Saddick Adams earlier this week said they are confident of snatching all 3 points against the mauves.

Medeama have always proved to be a handfull for Kotoko, managing to draw their last two meetings with Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Kotoko lost 1-2 to Medeama at the Tarkwa T&A Park in the first leg of this fixture and will definitely have revenge at the back of their minds. Coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Steve Pollack, has won three of his last five games and will be expecting his charges to get all 3 points.

Kotoko lie 4th on the league table with 32 points with Medeama on 5th with 28 points.

Hearts of Oak will have to be tough as they travel to Bechem to play Bechem United, Hearts have had two loses on the bounce losing to Ashgold at home in The Premier League and to Kotoko in the President's Cup.

Bechem United have been a bit decent at home and Hearts will have to put in an improved display if they want to get all 3 points.
The game between League leaders WAFA and Ashgold has been postponed because WAFA have seven of their players in the Local Black Stars Camp.

Aduana Stars will have the opportunity to be on same points with WAFA as they take on Liberty Professionals.

GPL Week 21 matches

Tema Youth vs Dwarfs  Venue: Tema

Asante Kotoko vs Medeama Venue: Baba Yara

Berekum Chelsea vs Inter Allies  Venue: Berekum

Bechem United vs Hearts of Oak Venue: Bechem

Aduana Stars vs Liberty Professionals Venue: Dormaa

Ashantigold vs WAFA Venue: Len Clay stadium

Elmina Sharks vs Bolga All Stars  Venue: Elmina

Great Olympics vs Wa All Stars  Venue: Accra

GPL Table

 

 

Former IBF Bantamweight Champion Joseph Agbeko has said, the President of the Ghana Boxing Association's (GBA) description of him as a fraudulent boxer is having a toll on his career.

Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old who captured the hearts of football fans, has died following a brave battle with cancer.

Lowery's family announced on their Facebook fundraising page, on which millions worldwide have followed his battle against neuroblastoma, that their "superhero" had died in the arms of his "heartbroken" family.

The family's words read: "My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family. He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed elsewhere.
"There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are. Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words. Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels."

The six-year-old Sunderland fan has been battling the rare form of cancer since he was 18 months old but in fact beat the disease once only for it to return in July 2016.

His bravery in battling the disease with a huge smile on his face and his passion for football has touched millions around the world.
Through his illness and his love of Sunderland, where he appeared as a mascot in the Premier League match against Chelsea in December 2016, he struck up a friendship with Sunderland and England striker Jermain Defoe.

He soon began to refer to Defoe as his "best mate" and the England star often visited him in hospital to comfort him through his treatment. Lowery was elated when Defoe was recalled to the England side in March 2017 for a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania and walked on to Wembley with his best mate as his mascot.

Defoe this week visited Lowery in hospital to say goodbye and later in a media conference at his new club Bournemouth talked about the friendship with a boy that would "always be in my heart"
"He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life," he said. "We are there for the family, even going forward. It is difficult. It puts stuff into perspective.

"There is not a day that goes past where I do not wake up in the morning and check my phone or think about little Bradley because his love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes. It is special."

A minute's applause will be held for Bradley ahead of Friday's match between Sunderland and Bury Football club, with the players and fans paying their respects to the mascot and his family.

Throughout his illness, Bradley's family and friends have raised thousands of pounds to fight neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children, and will now set up a foundation in his name to offer help and support other children and parents facing the disease.

Credit:Skysports

The Black Starlets have been drawn in Group A of the FIFA U17 World Cup alongside the United States of America, Columbia and host India.

The Starlets who finished 2nd in the African Championship behind Mali will be aiming to move a step further to win the World Cup in October.

The Black Starlets of Ghana finished 2nd in the Africa Youth Championship

Group D, obviously the group of death comprises  football power houses Brazil, Spain, African semi finalist Niger and Korea DPR.

African Champions Mali are in Group B with Turkey, New Zealand and Paraguay. The last edition of the tournament was played in 2015 in Chile and was won by Nigeria which failed to qualify to this year's tournament.

The tournament will begin on the 6th of October to the 28 of October
 
Full draw
Delhi Group (A)
India
USA
Colombia
Ghana

Mumbai Group (B)
Mali
New Zealand
Turkey
Paraguay

Goa Group (C)
Germany
Iran
Costa Rica
Guinea

Kochi Group (D)
Brazil
Spain
Korea DPR
Niger

Guwahati Group (E)
France
Japan
Honduras
New Caledonia

Kolkatta Group (F)

Mexico
England
Iraq
Chile

 

Lionel Messi will not spend any time in prison despite being found guilty of tax fraud after agreeing to pay an increased fine.

Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty in July 2016 of three counts of defrauding the Spanish tax authority of £3.59m - 4.1 million euros - by hiding earnings from image rights in offshore accounts in Uruguay and Belize from 2007 to 2009.

He was given 21 months in prison, but Spanish law sees all first time offenders given suspended sentences if the jail term is under two years.

Messi has therefore been spending the time on probation, but now the remainder of his sentence will be scrapped as he has agreed to pay an increased fine, rather than have the remaining months against his name.

The forward's sentence had previously been upheld on appeal in May, but now the unlikely possibility that he might have been forced to spend time behind bars has now been removed entirely.

Messi will pay 250,000 euros - the equivalent of £221,000 - while his father will pay 180,000 euros.

Earlier this week, Messi signed a new £500,000 a week deal with Barcelona until 2021 - meaning he only has to work three days to pay off his debt to the Spanish authorities.

Credit:Daily mail

Everton are waiting on Manchester United to meet their total demands over the sale of Romelu Lukaku, which could amount to £90m, according to Sky sources.

United are confident of landing the Belgium striker and have agreed an initial fee of £75m, but the Toffees want a number of add-ons that will take the total price even further.

Lukaku is currently in Los Angeles, where he has been training with United midfielder Paul Pogba and is expected to undergo a medical with his potential new club ahead of their US tour.

But Sky Sports News HQ understands Lukaku does not have permission to be away from Everton's training base at Finch Farm, and was supposed to report back for pre-season training on Thursday.

Lukaku's future at Goodison Park has been in doubt since he rejected a lucrative new contract offer back in March and said during duty with the Belgium national team that he knew where his future would be.

The 24-year-old has also been a target for Chelsea this summer but United boss Jose Mourinho has also been keen to add a new high-profile striker to his squad after losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to injury.

United had been in talks with Real Madrid over a possible deal for Alvaro Morata and saw a number of offers rejected, but Sky Sports News HQ understands their interest in bringing the Spain international to Old Trafford has now come to an end.

There are also negotiations ongoing between the two north-west clubs over Wayne Rooney's potential return to Merseyside, with a willingness on all sides to get the deal done, according to Sky sources.

Reports emanating from England suggest that Stoke City are closer to signing Torino and Ghanaian midfielder Afriyie Acquah.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to England over the past two years and rumours suggest he has already agreed personal terms with the Potters.

The 25-year old was initially linked to Newcastle United where he would have played with Black Stars winger Christian Atsu but he quickly moved to quash those rumours.

Further report suggest that Stoke City are yet to reach an agreement with Torino and this could see Stoke pay between 7-10 million pounds for the signature of the Ghanaian.

Acquah figured 21 times for Torino last season, scoring two goals from midfield

Acquah is known for his robust nature and atletism on the pitch and has been likened to former Chelsea Star and Ghanaian Micheal Essien. He joined Torino from Hoffenheim for £2.3million in 2015 having previously had loan spells at Parma and Sampdoria.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah has said, Ghana is preparing feverishly to conquer the world in the 2020 Olympic Games to be hosted in Japan.

The Local Black Stars will come up  against the Local Hawks of Togo on Sunday, July 9, 2017.

The match will be played in the Togolese capital of Lome, and will serve as preparatory match for Ghana’s home based side as they continue preparation towards the CHAN qualifiers and the upcoming WAFU competition.

The Local Stars have played series of friendly games and are currently being camped at the Ghanaman Soccer of Excellence in Prampram, where coach Maxwell Konadu is keeping the team in shape ahead of their CHAN qualifiers against Burkina Faso next month as well as the WAFU tourney in September.

This game will be a stambling block to some matches in the GPL this weekend with the clash between WAFA and Ashgold already postponed because WAFA have a number of their first team players in the Black Stars B team.

The Premier League Board(PLB) has postponed the Ghana Premier League week 21 clash between WAFA and Ashantigold.

The clash which was scheduled for Sunday has now been postponed because league leaders WAFA have as many as seven of their players in the Local Blackstars team which will play Togo in a friendly this weekend.

WAFA players in camp include Razak Abalora (GK), Gideon Waja, Majeed Ashimeru, Richmond Lamptey, Daniel Lomotey, Musah Nuhu and Caleb Amankwah are all expected to feature for the Local Stars.

The PLB will reschedule the game which is now deemed as an outstanding match to be played later. This move gives Aduana Stars, 2nd on the League table with 37 points an opportunity to be on same point with WAFA who lead the table with 40 points.

Meanwhile Coach Maxwell Konadu has handed Ghana National U17 Captain Eric Ayiah a call-up into the Local Black Stars for the Togo game.

The Ghana Football Association has ordered former Medeama SC Coach, Tom Christian Marcus Strand, to pay a compensation of GH₵34,000 to the Tarkwa based club for the illegal termination of his contract.

According to the GFA Player Status Committee, the Swede defaulted on his contractual agreement with Medeama when he walked out of the club without following due process.

Strand is currently the head Coach of Great Olympics. He went missing in South Africa after Medeama lost 3-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a 2016 CAF Confederation Cup play-off tie in Pretoria. He had a 2-year contract with the miners.

He never came back to Ghana until after 10 months, to sign a contract with Great Olympics.

Medeama Officials wanted to solve the issue amicably but all efforts to get the Swede to negotiate proved futile, they had no option than to report to the FA.

Reports indicate that Medeama are still unhappy because they deem the fine as a meager amount and might appeal to demand  an GH₵84,000 cedi payment.

Elimna Sharks new Brazilian Striker Abner Martins dos Santos Pinto has met with Club owner and business mogul Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom for the first time since joining the Club.

Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom who is the sole owner of the Cape Coast based club is also the flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party.

Santos has already started training with Sharks and is looking forward to hitting the ground running in the Ghana Premier League.

He becomes the first Brazilian to feature in the domestic top-flight.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed spells with Marsaxlokk, FC Swieqi Utd, Portomosense, Melita and Atl. Granadilla.

Elmina Sharks are currently 14th on the League table and will be aiming at escaping relegation, they play bottom placed team Bolga Allstars this weekend at the Nduom Sports Stadium.

 

Elmina Sharks Striker Abner Martins dos Santos Pinto

Japanese top athlete Dae Tamasue,has said Ghana has what it takes to win medals at the Olympic Games especially in athletics.

The athlete who arrived in the country Thursday  morning on a three-day tour would share his experience with Ghanaian athletes to encourage them to win laurels for the country.

He was met at the Kotoka International Airport by members of the Japanese community and the Director General, Technical, at the National Sports Authority, Saka Acquaye. 

"Ghana has great potentials in sports and coming to Ghana, I would interact with several sporting personalities, share my experience and encourage them to excel at the world stage,"he stated.

The Olympic bronze medalist, who is visiting Ghana for the first time would also interact with the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee(GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah and executives of the NSA.

He would hold seminars for school children at the Accra Academy as well as the Accra Sports Stadium before departing on Saturday.

"I am very excited to be in the country and believe my visit would go a long way to develop sports and also improve the relationship between the two countries."he stated.

Sports he said is very good for developing the social skills of children and he would be teaching Ghanaian kids to help them understand the impact of sports in their lives.

Athletics he noted is currently huge in Japan and wish Ghana would also develop especially with regards to hurdling.

The track hero is the first ever Japanese sprinter to win a medal at the world championships and current Japanese record holder for the men's 400m hurdle as of July,2016.

www.primenewsghana.com

Ghana has dropped one position in the latest Coca-Cola FIFA Ranking for July.

The Black Stars who lost their two friendly matches against Mexico in June and USA in July now ranks 50th in the world. They however maintained their position in Africa at 9th.

The games were played outside the FIFA select dates for International friendly matches but still had a significant impact on the current position of the Black Stars.

The position on the African rankings was maintained partly due to the 5:0 win over Ethiopia in the recent AFCON qualifier 

Top ten in Africa

Egypt also maintain their spot on the African map with 566 points, but dropped four places to 24th in the FIFA global football rankings published on July 6, after placing 20 last month.

Confederations Cup winners Germany are now number 1 in the world having usurp Brazil who occupied 1st spot and Argentina who were previously 2nd to go top for the first time in two years.

England are 13th, Wales dropped from 13th to 20th and Scotland are 58th.

Top ten in the World

 

Kumasi Asante Kotoko Striker Saddick Adams believes that the President Cup win over Accra Hearts of Oak will be a morale booster for his team as they prepare to face Medeama this Sunday in the Ghana Premier League super clash at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The Striker who scored Kotoko's last penalty to win them the President Cup with a cheecky chip over Hearts goalkeeper Ben Mensah says the win has come at a perfect time.

"Playing almost 90 minutes in two days against Hearts was not an easy game but we told ourselves that we had to win and this has given us a huge morale ahead of the game against Medeama."

Medeama have always given Kotoko a tough time at the Baba Yara Stadium and have not lost in their last 2 visits to Kumasi.

They beat Kotoko 2-1 in the first leg of this fixture at the Tarkwa T&A Park. Coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Steve Pollack has been able to restore some consistency in Kotoko's game after picking up 3 wins in their last 5 games.

Kotoko are now 4th on the league table with 32 points and Medeama lie 5th with 28 points.

Kotoko beat Hearts of Oak 4-1 on penalties to win the 2017 President Cup

Officials of the Ghana National Under-17 team have arrived in Mumbai-India for the FIFA U17 World Cup draw to be held on Friday.

Management team chief of the Black Starlets Kweku Ayiah and head coach Paa Kwesi Fabian are expected to witness the draw.

The officials are also expected to be part of a FIFA delegation that will be inspecting various facilities like pitches and hotels as part of preparations towards the tourney.

The two Officials return home on Sunday, 9th July, 2017 for Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin will continue to get his team ready for the tournament.

He has invited 25 players who are currently training at the Ghanaman Soccer of Excellence in Prampram.

The Black Starlets finished second at the African Championship after they were beaten 1-0 in the final by Mali.

The two finalist Ghana and Mali will be joined by Guinea and Niger to represent Africa.

They could be paired with South America oppositions Paraguay, Chile, Brazil and Colombia.

Europe had Spain, Turkey, France, England and Germany qualify from the UEFA Championships.

The 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup finals will be played from 6-28 October.

Qualified teams for 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup

Asia: Iraq, Iran, Japan, Korea DPR and India

Europe: Spain, Turkey, France, England and Germany

CONCACAF: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and USA

Oceania: New Caledonia and New Zealand

South America: Paraguay, Chile, Brazil and Colombia

Africa: Ghana, Guinea, Mali and Niger

Forty-one percent of African footballers receive their salaries late or are not paid at all, a study conducted by the international players union, FIFPro has revealed.

According to the Secretary General of the international players union, FIFPro, Theo van Seggelen, a labour market research of 14,000 players in 54 African countries found that 41% of football professionals do not get a salary and 45% earn less than $1,000 a month.

Mr van Seggelen made this known on Wednesday when he addressed the 2017 FIFPro Division Africa General Assembly at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.

He said FIFPro finds the situation unacceptable and hopes to address it during talks with with Confederation of African Football vice president Kwesi Nyantakyi.

"I understand that we will meet the CAF vice president and the president of the Ghanaian federation, Kwesi Nyantakyi. I really look forward to speaking with him and I will like to confront him and you also with the facts, as you all know we have published our labour market research which shows that still, 41% of professional players in Africa do not receive their salaries on time or even are not paid at all," Mr van Seggelen said in an address to a gathering of FIFPro members from across Africa.

"This is something for FIFpro which is not acceptable and I really hope that we can convince FIFA, the clubs and also the leagues that we have to make an end of that it is our collective responsibility and we must not rest till we tackle it.

"The football player has a very short career which is his job and work and everybody working in the world has to be paid and why not our professional players and this a priority and we must stop this before the end of the year," he stressed.

His comments were re-echoed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah who advocated for the introduction of standardised contracts which will provide a basic salary for all players in the local league. who also addressed the Congress.

Mr Asiamah said the situation where footballers became destitute in retirement must be consigned to the past, stating that the MOYS was hoping to compliment the efforts of the PFAG by establishing a sports fund which will contribute a portion of its proceeds to cater for retired players.

He said, retired footballers must be role models to the youth of the country who must look to them for inspiration and not as cautionary tales.

The two-day FIFPro Division Africa General Assembly which ends today was addressed by Liberty Professionals and Black Stars defender, Samuel Sarfo, the General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana, Tony Baffoe and the Chairman of the GFA Player Status Committee, Lawyer Opoku Agyemang who all pledged their commitment to the welfare of players in Africa.

Also present at the Congress was deputy Black Stars coach, Ibrahim Tanko, former Ghana internationals, Samuel Osei Kuffuor and Yussif Chibsah, Wa All Stars skipper, Hafiz Adams as well as former Cameroonian international, Geremi Njitap.

After a short break for interviews, the membership of the FIFpro Congress later held closed-door deliberations ahead of a scheduled unveiling of their offices later in the day.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

Ashantigold Coack C.K Akunnor and goalkeeper George Owu have been named NASCO Coach and player of the month of June respectively.

Akunnor fend off competition from WAFA Coach  Klavs Rasmussen and Tema Youth coach Edward Odoom both of whom had led their sides to an impressive runs in the month of June.

C.K has done an incredible job so far at Ashgold by lifting them from the relegation zone of the Ghana Premier League.

Owu who many doubted becuase of his age, now 34 has been in fine form for the miners and has been part of their recent success that has seen them rise to 13th on the league table.

Ashgold have won 4 of their last 5 matches and their last victory came against Hearts of Oak at the Accra sports stadium.

Meanwhile George Owu becomes the first goalkeeper to win the monthly prize since its inception after being named ahead of his contenders; David Abagna of Wa All Stars and Joseph Paintsil of Tema Youth.

He registered an impressive four clean sheets in four matches in the month of June, helping his side move out of the relegation zone.

Sponsors of the Ghana Premier League's weekly Man of the Match awards and the monthly Player and Coach of the Month Awards, NASCO Electronics, will present its sleek Q6 mobile phones to the winners at their next league match in Obuasi this weekend when Ashantigold face leaders WAFA.

 

Everton have accepted a £75m bid from Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku, Sky sources understand.

Belgium international Lukaku had been linked with a move back to Chelsea this summer but it appears the 24-year-old will instead become a high-profile Jose Mourinho signing.

He rejected a lucrative contract offer from Everton back in March and said, somewhat cryptically, last month that a decision had been made over where he would be playing this season.
Mourinho had been looking for a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and talks had been held with Real Madrid over a possible deal for Alvaro Morata.

But Sky Sports News HQ understands their interest in bringing Morata to Old Trafford has now come to an end.

Lukaku, who scored 25 Premier League goals last season, is expected to have a medical later this week with the hope that he can join United for their tour of the United States next week.

United return to training on Saturday before flying off to Los Angeles on Sunday.
Sky sources also understand the Lukaku deal is not linked to one which could see Wayne Rooney head in the opposite direction, moving back to Goodison Park and re-joining a club he left back in 2004 as a teenager.

Negotiations are continuing between the clubs and Rooney's representatives over his return to Merseyside.

Japanese top track athlete Dae Tamasue, will arrive in the country today(July 6) to begin a three-day visit as part of his tour in Africa.

David Beckham is a footballing legend without doubt, but even the former England captain may be surprised by his latest accolade.

The 42-year-old ended his glittering career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 - with his five-month spell there resulting in the club winning another Ligue 1 title.

While Beckham's part in the French giants' triumph cannot be questioned, their recent appraisal of him may be.
On Tuesday, the Parisian outfit unveiled their new 'Hall of Fame' section on their website - and yes, Beckham was included.

A number of legendary figures from the club's past were inducted such as Ronaldinho, Pauleta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - all who contributed more to the club's rise than Beckham.

Beckham, who made just 14 appearances, is described by PSG as 'fashion icon and ambassador' who ended 'his career in beauty as a champion of France'.

Clearly, the iconic midfielder made a huge impact in a short space of time in the French capital.

Credit:Daily mail

Ghana International goalkeeper Razak Brimah has ended his stay with Spanish second-tier side Cordoba.

Brimah who is now 30 years of age has ended his four-year association with the side after a frustrating spell last season.

The goalkeeper refused to extend his contract with the club which expired last month over the lack of assurances he may  be guaranteed regular playing opportunities.

He joined Cordoba two seasons ago from Mirandés where he was a regular starter and enjoyed a run in.

Brimah struggled for game time last season after making just three appearances for the side who had a bit of a mix season.

Brimah's decision to leave Cordoba may be down to the lack of playing time and he may have to look for another club to achieve that aim.

The Ghanaian will not be short of suitors as he was in parts of the Black Stars team that reached the 2015 Africa Cup of Nation final and was also a member of the team that got to the 2017 AFCON Semi final.


The shot-stopper was recently not part of the Ghana's squad that walloped Ethiopia 5-0 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home last month.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah has asked Ghanaian footballers to have a high sense of patriotism and volunteerism.

Arsenal have completed the signing of France striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for a club record £46.5m fee on a five-year deal.

The fee - up to £52.6m with add-ons - will surpass the £42.4m Arsenal paid Real Madrid for Mesut Ozil in 2013.

"He has very interesting technical qualities and a strong character," said Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.

The 26-year-old is expected to travel with the squad this weekend for two friendly matches in Sydney next week.

Those games will be followed by a match against Bayern Munich in Shanghai the following week.

Lacazette, who has won 11 caps for France, was the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 28 goals. He netted 129 goals in 275 matches in all competitions for Lyon after breaking into the first team in the 2009-10 campaign.

His league tally last season was bettered by only Paris St-Germain's Edinson Cavani, with 35.

Wenger added: "We are very happy to have Alexandre join our group. He has shown over a number of years that he can score goals and that he is a very efficient finisher.

"So he is a guy who is a great addition for us, and someone who will help us challenge at the top level this season."

Lacazette has been linked with several top clubs and looked set to join Atletico Madrid before their transfer ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Last week Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis promised fans "top-quality" summer signings during a question-and-answer session.

Left-back Sead Kolasinac, who joined from Schalke, is Arsenal's other recruit since the end of last season.

Credit:BBC Sports