The ever bubbling European transfer season is abuzz with players crisscrossing clubs and smiling to the banks.

Since the 2017 season ended some weeks back, the market has witnessed many big names on the shopping list of the free spending clubs.

While Alvaro Morata said emotional goodbye to Real Madrid as he joined Chelsea on a five-year deal in club-record £65m transfer, Romelu Lukaku confirmed his move from Everton to Manchester United after he completed £75m transfer to become English football’s most expensive striker just as talks are nearing a finality regarding Barcelona’s Neymar being lured by PSG.

However, the buzz is not the same for Nigerian players as many would expect and this is because the big boys had already been traded in the January window.

Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi had been expected to head to a European team after he fell out of favour with Chelsea’s Antonio Conte but instead headed for Tianjin Teda in the Chinese League.

After spending 10 years at Chelsea, the 29 years old Super Eagle captain, turned down three other offers to join China’s Tianjin TEDA signing a three-year deal worth £140,000 a week.

Brown Ideye joined Mikel in quick succession to the Chinese Super League after joining Tianjin Teda. The 28-year-old left Greek club Olympiakos and signed a three-year deal.

Another Super Eagles striker former Watford forward Odion Ighalo completed £20m move to Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai back earlier in the year.

The former Watford striker, who successfully netted 16 EPL goals in 37 matches, on January 31, completed his move to the CSL side, Changchua Yatai, for a whooping £20m as against his previous £8million earnings at Watford. That’s roughly $615,000 per week.

No doubt football remains a lucrative sport. Little wonder the game is adjudged to be the most popular sport in the world, boasting of about 3.5billion estimated fans across the globe.

Before now, the rush for Nigerian players used to be the top leagues in Europe especially the English Premier League, but so far, the tide has turned towards the Chinese Super League – the new goldfield for footballers especially those in a haste to leave warming up benches and players who place money above ambition.

Perhaps, the only few mentions that have linked Nigerian players in the English Premier League are those of Henry Onyekuru who was snapped up from Kas Eupen of Belgium to Everton.

The pacy 20-year-old has joined the Blues from Belgian side Eupen for an undisclosed fee after he signed a five-year contract until the end of June 2022 and Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho expected to move to Leicester City for a fee of £25m.

With a reported fee in agreement for over two weeks now, the Leicester Mercury suggests the transfer is close to completion, as long as the medical and contract negotiations are handled successfully.

Chelsea managaer and English Premier Leagued 2017 manager of the season, Antonio Conte, has told Barcelona to forget about Eden Hazard as they line up potential replacements for Neymar.

 

According to Dailymail Sports, Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho is top of Barca's list if Neymar leaves for Paris Saint-Germian, and Hazard, long since linked with a move to Real Madrid, has emerged as another option, according to reports in Spain.

 

Speaking on potential move for the Chelsea star to Camp Nou, Conte said; "He is very happy to stay with us and to play for Chelsea. I don't know anything about this situation.

"In the past I read a lot of stories about Hazard with Real Madrid, and now Barcelona. This is the transfer market and we must understand this," he said.

 

Hazard, who has three more years on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, has not been part of Chelsea's pre-season tour to China and Singapore. He has stayed in London to continue his recovery from a broken ankle which will rule him out of the start of the season.

"It is difficult to say when he will be back. After a bad injury, after ankle surgery, it is not easy to programme the date to come back," said Conte. 

 

Tiemoue Bakayoko is another player not involved in the tour as the new £40million signing from Monaco recovers from keyhole knee surgery at the end of last season. 

"We hope for them to recover very well. You know the importance of these players but we will not rush them back.

"Every player must be in the best form to play otherwise they are put in a bad position which could be damaging for the team," added Conte. 

 

Bakayoko will also need time to understand the specific demands of Conte's system before he will be thrust into the team.

The English Football Association has confirmed that this year’s Community Shield game, will kick off one hour earlier than originally scheduled.

The match which will be contested between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, has been rescheduled to avoid a clash with the Women’s European Championship final.

England women’s team are just one match away from the European Championship final in the Netherlands and face the hosts in the semi-finals on Thursday.

According to Sky Sports, the time for the women’s final is 5pm local time. And with the possibility of England making it to the final, the Community Shield clash has been brought forward.

The last time Arsenal met Chelsea in the Community Shield was in 2015, with Arsenal winning 1-0 thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike.

STRIKER Kelechi Iheanacho has completed his medical at Leicester ahead of a £25million move from Manchester City to the King Power Stadium.

The 20-year-old Nigerian had agreed personal terms with the Foxes and he is expected to complete the move today. A deal had been in the pipeline for a number of weeks, but there was

a dispute to settle between his old agents and new representatives. That had been resolved, and a buy-back clause had been agreed between the two clubs so the deal can proceed.

Iheanacho joined Man- chester City’s academy at the start of 2014, before breaking through to the first team a year later. He scored his first senior goal against Crystal Palace at the start of the 2015-16 sea- son, going on to net 14 times in all competitions.

Last season he scored scored seven times and Pep Guardiola had agreed to let the 20-year-old move on.

Leicester, who also wanted to add another centre back, was still pondering a second bid for 20 year-old Coventry City striker, George Thomas

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will return this Saturday.

Ronaldo opted not to speak to reporters after making a court appearance in Madrid over a tax evasion case on Monday.

Prosecutors allege the 32-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, has evaded €14.7million in taxes relating to his image rights between 2011 and 2014.

Instead, Inaki Torres of his management company Gestifute, spoke on his behalf, insisting “everything is in order” with the proceedings.

Madrid face MLS All-Stars to conclude their tour of the United States, before returning to Europe to prepare for their Super Cup meeting with Ronaldo’s former club Manchester United in Skopje next Tuesday.

“If he had spoken, there would also be comments. The important thing is what he said to me. He is on holiday and he’s calm,” Zidane told a media conference.

“He’ll be with us on the fifth [of August] and I hope that, after that day, this topic is closed.

“I don’t believe these things hurt him. He’s happy because it’s over. Now he’s calm about the topic of football, he wants to play and he’ll be with us on the fifth.”

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo said Tuesday his “brilliance” annoys people, a day after he was quizzed by a Spanish judge investigating whether he evaded paying millions of euros in taxes.

“What bothers people is my brilliance, insects only attack lamps that shine!!!!” the Portuguese wrote in an Instagram message that received over a million likes within an hour of being posted.

Ronaldo spent over 90 minutes on Monday answering the questions of investigating judge Monica Gomez at a closed door hearing in Pozuelo de Alarcon, the wealthy suburb of Madrid where he lives.

Prosecutors accuse the four-time world player of the year of having evaded 14.7 million euros ($17.3 million) in tax.

Ronaldo, 32, has denied any wrongdoing. He told the judge he has always filed his tax returns and “never had the intention of evading taxes”, according to a statement from his representatives.

Spanish daily El Mundo said the player — the world’s highest paid athlete according to Forbes magazine — implied during his court hearing that he was only being investigated because of who he is.

“I am only here because my name is Cristiano Ronaldo,” the player told the judge, according to the newspaper.

Ronaldo had been expected to speak to the throng of reporters gathered outside of the court after the hearing but instead his spokesman Inaki Torres emerged from the building to announce the player “was on his way home”, prompting jeers from the press.

Portuguese television SIC reported that Ronaldo aborted the appearance at the podium set up outside the court because the court hearing had gone badly, with many moments of “tension” between him and the judge.

Ronaldo is not the only footballer to fall foul of authorities in Spain.

His arch-rival, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, was found guilty of tax evasion last year.

Other footballers have also recently run into trouble with Spain’s taxman, some of them already convicted and others under investigation.

Matić joined United from Chelsea on the final day of July after the two clubs agreed a fee of approximately £40 million. It is the second time the Matić has worked with manager José Mourinho, who signed the Serbian during his reign at Chelsea from Portuguese club Benfica.

Matić delighted to join one of the biggest clubs in the world

"I feel great," said the midfielder in his first interview with MUTV, calling the Red Devils "one of the biggest clubs in the world" and adding: "I am very happy because I am now part of this great club, part of this great group. I am looking forward to starting to train with the team and starting to play games."

On the chance to work with Mourinho again after a season apart Serbian international Matić added: "Also, my wish was to train with José and, of course, when you have a club like him and a club like Manchester United is, you don’t need to think a lot so my decision was very easy."

Matić hailed Mourinho as "a great coach" and insisted that the Portuguese coach "always took the best" from him when they worked together at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old continued: "I improve if I work with him, so I am very happy to be again with him. When the coach wants you to come to the club, it gives you motivation, more possibility and I will give my best to show that I deserve to be in this club and part of this group."

"I am not 100 per-cent ready, but I will be very soon"

Matić trained away from Chelsea’s first-team before his move to United and despite moving to a new club, he still hasn't joined his new team-mates in training.

United's new No.31 has a challenge on his hands to be fit for the start for his new club's first game of the new season on the at home to West Ham United on August 13.

Matić revealed that he "trained alone with a fitness coach" in his first few sessions at United, explaining: "It's not the same when you train alone, but I have enough time before the season to prepare myself. I am not 100 per-cent ready, but I will be very soon."

Matić believes his new club has the potential to go on and do big things this season starting with the UEFA Super Cup in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, next Tuesday.

The midfielder declared himself "happy" to "have some days to train before the first big game" against Real Madrid in the Super Cup, insisting that he is "sure this season" that "all together" United can "do big things."

Three commercial motorcyclists, names given as Koffi David, Hakimi Adamu and Saidu Ibrahim, have been charged to court for allegedly abducting a housewife, Hadiza Goma, for sex.

The men, who also threatened to kill the woman’s husband, were arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate’s court, Lagos.

The defendants reside at number 9, Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, abduction and threat to life.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Ingobo, had earlier told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 4, at about 11:30p.m. at 9, Flood Gate Close, Alasia Ajah, Lagos.

Ingobo further explained that the defendants conspired and abducted one Hadiza with the intention of having sexual intercourse with her.

He said, “The trio abducted Goma from the custody of her husband, one Seriki Goma, with the intent of having sexual intercourse with her.

“They abducted Goma without her consent.”

He said that on July 19, one of the defendants, David, threatened to kill Mr. Goma through phone calls.

The prosecutor said the offences are punishable under Sections 56, 269 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

However, the Magistrate, Martins Owunmi, granted them N100,000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

According to the judge, the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The magistrate adjourned the case until August 22, for mention.

Obajana area of Kogi State was weekend thrown into mourning following the discovery of the decomposing bodies of a man, his wife and two children in their building.

The man was identified as Mr John Oluwasegun Ayodele.

The family of four was suspected to have been killed by fume from a power generator mounted in the house.

The late Ayodele was reported to have been last seen on Friday 28th July, 2017.

Apprehension reportedly set in when the deceased was not seen by his neighbors the following day.

Tension heightened over his continued indoor till Saturday evening with calls on his mobile telephone unanswered.

His cousin, Chief Richard Asaje said they had gone to check on him at home following the stench that was emanating from his house in Obajana.

Consequently, policemen from Obajana Division were alerted and when the door was forced open, the decomposing bodies were discovered.

Asaje explained that power generator fume was suspected as the cause, following the discovery of a power generator there.

According to him, “The incident happened between Friday/Saturday. It should be around 12am Saturday. He put a generator inside his toilet and locked the door. The house is a concrete building and it was discovered that he locked the window.

“Unfortunately, we never knew something had happened the second day; so, we forced the door open following the stench emanating from the house.”

“The Husband should be around 35, but the wife is less than 30 years. The daughter that died is around four years and the last born is a boy and is about three months.

“To us as a family, it is a shocking thing but there is no suspect because their death was caused by the fume of the generator. It has indeed thrown the family into serious mourning mood.

“The entire family will be laid to mother earth on Friday 4th August, 2017 at Obajana Cemetery,” Asaje concluded.

Describing the incident as sudden and unnatural death, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Asp William Aya said “four people died and we got the information. The police Divisional Police officer went to the place and evacuated the body to the mortuary.

“The cause of the death is yet to be ascertained. It is the autopsy that will ascertain the cause of the death.”

Meanwhile the Kogi State Government has sent a team to Obajana to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of the family of four.

Speaking during an interview with DAILY POST on Monday, the Commissioner for Environment, Kogi State Mrs Rosemary Osikoya explained that his Ministry will liaise with other agencies in the sensitization of the public on the dangers of carbon dioxide and monoxide in their Environment.

“Looking at it from the environmental point of view and the circumstantial evidence available, we have a generator put in an enclosed place, if what we hear is correct, you will find out that there is not enough of it going out, so that possibly could lead to poisoning.

“But until the investigations are complete, there may not be much we could do other than to sensitize the public that it is dangerous to allow their generator to be within their house or sitting rooms.

“It should be kept far away from the house. Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide is harmful. It leads to most of the environmental challenges we are having such as flooding. We sympathize with the family and we do hope we take care of our environment and keep our surroundings clean,” the Commissioner added.

Patoranking – Mama Aboyo ft. Olamide. Nigeria Music scenes biggest artist’s Patoranking Fire & Olamide are here with 2017’s biggest banger Mama Aboyo which is off Pato’s 2016 released album titled God Over Everything.


Enjoy the Clarence Peters directed flick below

Destiny Boy drops several covers with the likes of Davido’s IF, Ycee’s Juice & Humblesmith’s Focus. Destiny Boy drop his Official First Hit Single title ” OMO BETTER” track produced by 2T Boys

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The EFCC today, August 1st, arraigned eight suspected oil bunkerers before Justice H.I. Oshoma of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a 2-count charge, bordering on conspiracy and dealing in petroleum products without a licence.

 

The suspects: Christian Nwankoafor (Captain); Solomon Avwenaghagha; Egwiniwin Felix; Anthony Onyenedum; Bassey Akpan; Ezra Njoku, Moses Jonah and Imeh Michael, were arraigned with their vessel: MT Rockfish

They were arrested by the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder, around Jonny River, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on 24 March and 20 April, 2017 for suspected illegal bunkering activities and handed over to the EFCC for prosecution. They pleaded not guilty to all the count charges brought against them. Their bail applications shall be decided tomorrow.

Marouane Fellaini scored on what could prove to be one of his last Manchester United appearances in a friendly win over Valerenga.

 

Manchester United got back to winning ways in pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Valerenga in Oslo on Sunday.

Headers either side of half-time from Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku, followed by a Scott McTominay strike, enabled Jose Mourinho’s side to bounce back from their International Champions Cup loss to Barcelona on Thursday.

Fellaini was something of a surprise starter in Norway, Galatasaray having confirmed they are in talks to sign the 29-year-old, with United expected to finalise a deal for Nemanja Matic in the coming days.

A relatively strong United line-up controlled the early possession and Paul Pogba was inches from giving them a prompt lead, cutting inside to the right of the penalty area before curling a left-footed shot off the far post.

Mourinho’s side continued to dictate the play but chances were scarce against a compact Valerenga defence, with a speculative effort from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a teasing Daley Blind cross looking likely to be the closest they came to a first-half breakthrough.

That was until Fellaini struck with just over a minute to go before the break, the Belgium international’s header from a Mkhitaryan cross deflecting past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and into the net.

Mourinho made nine changes to his side at half-time and it was two of his substitutes who combined to double the lead in the 48th minute, Andreas Pereira bending in a corner that was powered into the net off the head of Lukaku.

Sergio Romero and the excellent Pogba were withdrawn for Joel Pereira and McTominay as Mourinho made good on his promise to give everyone a chance to impress, just before Valerenga missed their first clear chance of the opening hour, Ghayas Zahid blazing over from 12 yards out.

United made the win safe with 20 minutes to play, as McTominay collected a deflected Anthony Martial throughball before turning and curling home his first senior goal from inside the penalty area.

The visitors now travel to Dublin for a meeting with Sampdoria on Wednesday – their last pre-season game before the UEFA Super Cup clash with Real Madrid on August 8.

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