Sampdoria president confirms Torreira departure

                                 Sampdoria president confirms Torreira departure

Sampdoria’s president Massimo Ferrero has confirmed that the club has agreed to sell midfielder Lucas Torreira for €30 million.

It’s yet to be confirmed that Arsenal are the club that have bought the Uruguay international although it’s been widely reported that personal terms have been agreed and that the deal will be ratified by the Gunners when the player’s World Cup duty ends.

Torreira came off the bench in Uruguay’s opening game in Russia as they beat Egypt with a 90th-minute winner.

Speaking to Italian TV station TMW, Ferrero revealed: “Torreira has left for €30million, I bought him from Pescara when nobody believed in him.

“We took a gamble on him and we won, paying just €3million. The money that comes in will be used to capitalise the company.”

He’d earlier stated: “Sampdoria do not sell unless there are excellent offers.

“We do not look for buyers. We have natural talents whose values increase exponentially.

“Sampdoria is a stepping stone. It’s a family-run club and that allows players to grow up.

“It’s normal they have aspirations to play for big clubs, but I do not need to sell out.”

Unai Emery has already welcomed right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner and goalkeeper Bernd Leno to the club, while centre-back Sokratis is due to sign from Borussia Dortmund in Jul

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England 2-1 Nigeria Alex Iwobi pulls one back for Super Eagles

England 2-1 Nigeria  Alex Iwobi pulls one back for Super Eagles

Goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane saw England to victory versus Nigeria as Gareth Southgate's World Cup preparations build to a climax.

England enjoyed a morale-boosting Wembley triumph with a 2-1 win over Nigeria in their penultimate match before heading to the World Cup in Russia.

Gareth Southgate's side, who have one more friendly to come against Costa Rica on Thursday, begin their Group G campaign against Tunisia on June 18 and looked primed and ready on the evidence of Saturday's energetic outing. 

After a week of being subjected to media scrutiny for his choice of tattoo and subsequent late arrival at the team's training camp, Raheem Sterling – who was booked for diving in the second half – had a sight of glory soon after the opener, but he miscued when one-on-one.

Despite seeing Sterling spurn another couple of promising openings, England did double their lead before the interval when captain Harry Kane's low drive squirmed underneath Francis Uzoho.

Nigeria halved the deficit two minutes into the second half courtesy of Alex Iwobi's cool finish after Odion Ighalo had struck the upright.

But Gernot Rohr's men could not force their way through again and England improved their record at Wembley to just one defeat in the last 21 matches.

Southgate, who was an unused substitute when England last met Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup, handed Jordan Pickford a start in goal, but the Everton goalkeeper was largely a spectator in the first half.

The home side won an early free-kick and Trippier's strike forced a smart stop from Uzoho.

But it was from the resulting corner that England took the lead, Cahill leaping to powerfully head home Trippier's outswinging delivery. 

Key Opta Facts:

- England are unbeaten in 18 encounters against African nations (W12 D6), with this the third time they've faced Nigeria – winning twice and drawing once.
- The Three Lions have conceded in successive internationals at Wembley for the first time since November 2013 (v Chile and Germany).
- Alex Iwobi's goal was the first Nigeria have ever scored in an international match against England, in what is the third meeting between the two nations.
- Gareth Southgate's men have only lost one of their last 21 games at Wembley Stadium (W16 D4), conceding just eight times in this run.
- England scored as many goals in the opening 39 minutes against Nigeria as they had in their previous four international friendlies.
- Harry Kane has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for England, scoring at least once in six of those matches.

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Arsenal to bid £60m for Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso?

Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso has reportedly emerged as a possible transfer target for Arsenal.

Last month, it was suggested that new Gunners boss Unai Emery would be given as much as £70m to spend in the summer window but it appears that the Spaniard is ready to use a large chunk of that to make a major addition.

According to CalcioInsider, Emery wants to sign Tolisso and is willing to part ways with £60m to bring the Frenchman to the Emirates Stadium.

The 23-year-old has just completed his first campaign at the Allianz Arena, with nine goals and six assists coming from 34 outings in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

However, while reports have suggested that a number of star men could leave Bayern this summer, the German giants are said to be unwilling to sanction the sale of Tolisso for any price.

The former Lyon player still has four years remaining on his contract.

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Deal close – Versatile player to sign for Arsenal

Arsenal are close to completing their first summer signing under the management of new boss Unai Emery.

According to L’Equipe, French international Yacine Adli has rejected the chance to stay with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and instead, he is close to joining Arsenal.

The French source has claimed that even the likes of European champions Real Madrid and German giants Bayern Munich covered the 17-year-old midfielder but perhaps the project proposed by the Gunners has convinced him the most.

The teenage starlet is a versatile talent, who naturally plays in the central midfield but at times, he has been deployed in the No.10 role as well.

In the last campaign, Adli featured in 7 UEFA Youth League fixtures for PSG and scored one goal. So far, he has made 7 appearances for France’s U-18 side and scored 3 goals.

Two months back, in an interview with Goal.com, the midfielder stated:

“I think I’ve become more mature, largely thanks to my integration into the adult game with the reserves, certain training sessions with the professionals. I’ve also improved technically, tactically thanks to David Hernandez, who I’ve watched a lot of videos with, which has really helped me.

“But I think there are still some aspects I can improve. I’m aiming higher, so I’m full of things that can make me better.”

During Emery’s time at PSG, he showed a lot of faith in a number of youngsters and Adli was one of them. Therefore, it is clear that the Spanish manager’s presence at the Emirates is the key reason why the Gunners are close to signing Adli.

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£110,000-a-week star drops biggest hint that he might agree Arsenal deal

Many Arsenal fans have wished for one player to sign a contract at the Emirates and express his desire to work with the new manager, Unai Emery. You may think it’s a new player to put on the red of Arsenal however it is already one of our own.

The recipient of the player of the season award, Aaron Ramsey, has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will be putting pen to paper and signing a new contract.

The Welsh midfielder who is currently earns £110,000-a-week at Arsenal, has one year left to run on his contract with many previously fearing him and Jack Wilshere will leave with the club for free when their contracts expire.

When asked if he was looking forward to working with Emery, Ramsey replied after the Wales fixture against Mexico. According to BBC, he said:

‘Of course. I haven’t spoken to him at all yet, but I think it’s an exciting time for the club.

You may not think too much of that quote but he followed up with his excitement of re-joining the club for pre-season: ‘I can’t wait to get back there now.’

Still no confirmation from the number eight extending his stay, however, The Telegraph is reporting that the club has offered Ramsey a new five-year contract.

The club is hoping the confirmation comes soon and they can avoid experiencing a situation like last year, where Alexis Sanchez moved to Manchester United on the cheap and Mesut Ozil bargained himself a new wage packet.

Should he extend his contract then a certain Spanish manager will be jumping for joy in his new surroundings. Unai Emery has expressed his desire to build the team around the 27-year-old and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The news is likely to play in the midfielder’s favour as he demands to be put in the same wage bracket as the striker and new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan earning closer to the £200,000-a-week mark. We are likely to see a further indication in the coming weeks, whether Ramsey will be a star in North London for many years to come.

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