Transfer Round Up For January 5th 2016

Our man Paul is back on the football transfer beat, tracking down the latest stories for you, and here are the latest football transfer stories for the 5th of January 2016.

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Done deals:

– Galatasaray have announced the signing of Ryan Donk from Kasimpasa.

– Cologne sign left-back Filip Mladenovic from Belarussian side BATE Borisov on a three-and-a-half year deal.

– Carpi have signed Fabio Daprela on a free transfer.

– Kenwyne Jones has completed a loan move to Abu Dhabi side Al Jazira until the end of the season.

– Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Elliott Bennett from Norwich on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Today’s reports and rumours:

– Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor is weighing up offers from Watford and Crystal Palace, according to reports.

– Palermo’s president has confirmed that Bryan Cristante is set to join the club from Benfica.

– Marco Verratti has agreed a deal to stay at Paris Saint-Germain until “at least 2020,” according to his agent.

– lnter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has said he wants to keep hold of Marcelo Brozovic in the winter transfer window despite reports that Arsenal are ready to table a bid.

– Chelsea and Tottenham are both interested in signing Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel, according to reports in England.

Roberto Martinez
photo credit: Александр Осипов
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– Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists he would not welcome bids for Kevin Mirallas during the January transfer window.

– Brighton have asked Arsenal about the possibility of signing winger Serge Gnabry on loan for the second half of the season, according to ESPN soccernet sources.

– Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are weighing up moves for unsettled Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, according to reports.

– Watford are targeting Fiorentina midfielder Mario Suarez, according to reports.

– Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has extended his contract until 2019.

– Schalke have ruled out selling reported Manchester City target Leroy Sane during the January transfer window.

– Juventus have a good squad and do not need to delve into the transfer market, coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Tuesday.

– Aston Villa’s Joe Cole is on the verge of making a permanent move to Coventry, according to reports.

– According to reports in Brazil, AC Milan are close to securing Atletico Mineiro defender Jemerson for €10.5million.

– Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Fulham’s Moussa Dembele,according to reports.

– According to reports, Swansea are keeping tabs on Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini as Alan Curtis looks to add to his forward line before the close of the window.

– Loic Remy is being ‘blocked’ from making a move away from Chelsea this month, according to reports.

– Basel have confirmed on their website that Arsenal target Mohamed Elneny has missed training and that a transfer could be completed “in the coming days”.

– West Brom and Watford are interested in signing Andros Townsend from Tottenham, according to Sky Sports sources.

– Norwich City negotiations with Inter has progressed, but Andrea Ranocchia has turned down the £7million move, according to reports in Italy.

– Atalanta have reportedly sealed a deal with Dutch side Heracles for attacking winger Oussama Tannane.

– According to L’Équipe, Milan Bisevac has completed his Lazio medical, as a transfer from Lyon gets closer.

– Kevin Grosskreutz is on the brink of sealing a move to Stuttgart from Galatasaray, according to reports.

– According to L’Équipe, Saint Étienne are interested in Belgian left winger Yassine El Ghanassy.

Gareth Bale
photo credit: DSanchez17
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– According to reports, Manchester United are ready to make a summer offer of more than £75m for Real Madrid forward
Gareth Bale, after the Spanish club sacked manager Rafael Benitez on Monday.

– Arsenal are considering making a bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney, according to reports.

– West Ham are reportedly willing to sell striker Andy Carroll for £18million, with Sunderland and Newcastle interested in the 26 year old.

– Bournemouth want to sign Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, according to reports.

– Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi is closing in on signing a contract extension at the club until 2020.

– Birmingham are interested in Sunderland’s Will Buckley, according to reports.

– Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has said that forward Simone Zaza isn’t going anywhere in the current window, despite being linked with a loan move to the Premier League.

Football tit bits:

José Mourinho
photo credit: Aleksandr Osipov
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– Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s representatives are said to be getting “frustrated” with the lack of movement regarding the Manchester United job, according to ESPN Soccernet sources.

– Rafael Benítez has expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to manage Real Madrid and wished his successor, Zinedine Zidane and his staff well.

– FIFA Ethics Committee recommends 9 year ban for suspended FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke for alleged corruption

– QPR have appointed their former manager Chris Ramsey as technical director.

Eva Carneiro

– Eva Carneiro’s case for constructive dismissal against Chelsea will have its first tribunal hearing on Wednesday.

– Pep Guardiola says he did not extend contract at Bayern Munich because he wants to manage in the Premier League.

Davis Cup 2016: NTF Calls For Sports Ministry Support, Expresses Gratitude To ITF

The Nigeria Tennis Federation has called for support from the Sports Ministry following Nigeria’s listing for this year’s Davis Cup Africa Zone III championship billed for Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The International Tennis Federation on Monday soft-pedalled on possible sanctions for Nigeria despite the last-minute withdrawal of the country from the 2015 edition in Cairo, Egypt which fuelled speculations that the country would be penalized.

However, Nigeria was included in the draw made in its London headquarters on Monday which indicated that there won’t be any sanctions for the country.

NTF President Sani Ndanusa while expressing gratitude to the ITF pleaded to the Sports Ministry for early release of funds to ensure its participation at the four-day tournament billed for the clay courts of the Antanarivo University.

“This is our New Year present from the ITF and we are not surprised because if there’s any country that the ITF has to be lenient with then it has to be Nigeria; our commitment to tennis has never been in doubt.

“Just last month, we hosted the Governor’s Cup championship which is among the top-rated Circuits in the ITF calendar. And in the next few days we will be hosting the Africa Junior Championship West and Central Africa Qualifiers which will be featuring about fourteen countries. This is the second time in barely two years that we will be hosting the event. We also hosted the AJC proper in 2010.

Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President Nigeria Tennis Federation

“So this has put us in the good books of the ITF but that is not to say we will be taking them for granted. We will make sure that we put in place all modalities that will not only see us participate but go for one of the promotion tickets this year,” Ndanusa assured.

Alongside the hosts, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Rwanda are the other countries that will feature in the tournament.

Quadri Gets Colourful Reception In U.S, Now 48 In The World

Despite not being supported in Nigeria by corporate bodies, a Shanghai-based company, Sengled Optoelectronics Company Limited will on Wednesday January 6 at its annual exhibition in United States celebrate Aruna Quadri.

According to a press release by the company, the annual exhibition which involves customers across America will have Quadri signing autographs, taking pictures and playing exhibition matches at the colourful three-day event in the U.S.

Also, the 2014 ITTF Star Player has started the year as number 48 in the world.

In the ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body (ITTF) on January 4, Quadri who ended 2015 in the top 50 now occupies the number 48 position while his continental rival, Egypt’s Omar Assar is now ranked 29 from the 31 he finished in 2015.

Former African king, Segun Toriola is ranked 163 while no Nigerian female player made it to the top 200 while Egypt’s Dina Meshref remains Africa’s best placing 96 in the world. Germany-based Olufunke Oshonaike is the top ranked Nigerian female player now ranked 207 in the world.

Quadri gets colourful reception in U.S now 48 in the world

Meanwhile, China’s Ma Long retains his no.1 spot on the Men’s World Ranking, while Japan’s Yuya Oshima climbs from no.24 to no.18. It is the 41st time that Ma Long has been listed in top spot in the monthly publications.

In the women’s ranking, runner up at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in December in Lisbon, Chen Meng is the player to make the most noticeable progress on the World Rankings.

It is also progress for Ding Ning. She changes places with colleague, Zhu Yuling and is now at no.2, one place behind Liu Shiwen, also from China, who retains her top position.

BetVictor Sponsor Snooker’s Welsh Open

World Snooker is delighted to announce that BetVictor will be title sponsor of the Welsh Open world ranking event for the fourth consecutive year in 2016.

The BetVictor Welsh Open will run from February 15 to 21 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. John Higgins won the title last year, against a strong field including the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, Stuart Bingham and home favourites Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens.

All 128 players will be competing at the Cardiff venue and starting in the same round. And with 12 tables in the arena in the early stages, fans have the chance to see many top players in a single session. The event is televised by BBC Wales with a total prize fund of £324,000.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “BetVictor sponsored the Welsh Open for the first time in 2013 and we are delighted that they have kept their support going for four consecutive years. Snooker’s global television footprint has grown dramatically in recent years so this event will provide BetVictor with exposure to many millions of fans worldwide.

“The Welsh Open is one of our longest running ranking events, ever-present on the calendar since 1992. The support for snooker among the people of Wales is fantastic and we look forward to seeing a packed arena. We moved the tournament to Cardiff last year, it proved a great success and I’m sure it will continue to grow in the coming years.”

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Charlie McCann, Head of Communications at BetVictor, added: “We are delighted to once again sponsor the Welsh Open snooker tournament next month, won so memorably by John Higgins for a record fourth time last year. The switch to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena was a great success last year and we are very much looking forward to more of the same this year. Snooker’s TV exposure is a terrific vehicle for BetVictor as a global brand and it is a week that we all look forward to; it is a big year for Welsh sport with Euro 2016 and the Six Nations to come and we bet 14/1 there is a home winner for the first time since Mark Williams won the second of his two titles back in 1999.”

Tickets for the tournament are ON SALE NOW and fans are strongly advised to book early as many sessions are expected to sell out quickly. For full details call 02920 22 44 88 or visit http://www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The draw and format will be available after the entry deadline in early February.

Ma Long & Liu Shiwen End 2015 as World Number Ones

Chinese superstars MA Long and LIU Shiwen have ended 2015 as the world’s top ranked table tennis players after both having an amazing 2015, which saw them both being crowned the 2015 ITTF Table Tennis Stars in December.

MA Long had the year of his career winning the Qoros World Championships, Liebherr Men’s World Cup and GAC Group 2015 World Tour Grand Finals, which made him undoubtedly the best table tennis player on the planet.

2015 marks the sixth anniversary that MA Long first ended the year as world number one back in 2010 and December was the 41st month that the 27-year-old has occupied the top position of the world ranking.

Ma Long powered his way to his 18th World Tour victory at the Kuwait Open.

On his achievement, MA Long stated: “I am very happy to end 2015 as the World number one again! I am looking forward to showing even better performances in the 2016 Olympic year.”

Chinese teammates FAN Zhendong and XU Xin finished the year at number two and three respectively, followed by Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. Olympics champion ZHANG Jike, also from China, is at number five just ahead of Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI.

Japan’s Yuya OSHIMA had the biggest rise in the world ranking in a breakthrough year. At the start of 2015, the now 21-year-old was listed as 71 in the world, moving on 12 months and the rising Japanese superstar is a lofty 18th in the world, and closing in fast on the world’s top 10.

LIU Shiwen managed to overcome her bitterly disappointing loss in the Qoros 2015 World Championships final to DING Ning, to finish the year as the world’s number one women’s table tennis player.

On her way to finishing world number one for the third time in her career, LIU Shiwen won a record equalling fourth Women’s World Cup in a highly successful year for the Chinese player.

World Champion DING Ning finished the year in second position on the back of her victory at the year ending GAC Group 2015 World Tour Grand Finals.

Liu Shiwen regains top spot in the world after Women’s World Cup victory

Compatriot ZHU Yuling finishes the year in third ahead of Japanese superstar Ai FUKUHARA. China’s CHEN Meng is next in line at number five, above China’s Olympic Champion LI Xiaoxia and Japan’s Kasumi ISHIKAWA.

14-year-old sensation Mima ITO finishes a remarkable year, which saw her crowned as the 2015 ITTF Breakthrough Star as the 12th best table tennis player on earth.

After a short break for the festive season, the world’s best players get back into action at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open, which begins on 20 January 2016 in Budapest, Hungary.

Check out the full year end world rankings here — > ITTF.com/ittf_ranking/

Preparations For ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016 To Continue

The ICC explained that its own security manager and an independent security agency had been working very closely with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Bangladesh security agencies, and that the planned security arrangements satisfactorily mitigate the risks identified such that it remains appropriate for the event to continue as planned.

The ICC further announced that it has invited Ireland, as the runner-up in the qualifying event in Kuala Lumpur in October, to replace Australia in the 19-day tournament.

“Whilst the ICC notes and respects the position of Cricket Australia, which we understand is based on an advice received from the Australian Government, we are obviously disappointed with the decision.

“The ICC takes its responsibilities around the safety and security of ICC events extremely seriously. And taking into consideration the full and unequivocal support of the Bangladesh government that has been afforded to us at the highest level and through all local security agencies, the advice we have received from our own and independent security experts, and the robust security plan that has been developed, the ICC remains of the view the it is appropriate for event planning to continue as scheduled,” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said.

“Naturally, as part of that planning process, the ICC’s own security team, supported by an independent security agency, will continue to monitor closely the situation in Bangladesh, including all travel advisories provided by relevant government agencies.

“Security plans associated with an event of this size and stature are always subject to continual review to ensure that they remain appropriate and fit for purpose, and this event is no different.

“The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is an extremely important event on the ICC calendar, which has a reputation of producing international stars. We remain confident that the ICC, in conjunction with the BCB, will be able to successfully deliver this event in Bangladesh,” Mr Richardson concluded.

Nigerian Rugby Football Federation Lauds The Media For Their Support

The President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Sir Edward Pam Fom has lauded the members of the sporting press for their effort in promoting the sport in 2015 and wished them a bountiful 2016 which he predicts will be full of amazing surprises.

In his brief New Year message, Pam Fom described 2015 as a year that saw Rugby taking a big leap with the ever trusted support of the sport writers family.

He said “when you quantify the media mileage enjoyed by Rugby in 2015, you will see that the federation remains indebted to our highly esteemed media partners”.

“The gospel of Rugby was everywhere which has not only helped the federation’s course of seeing the sport rated amongst the top 5 federations in Nigeria.

The Plateau state born administrator pledged his unalloyed commitment to the development of rugby as he called on all stakeholders to come together in improving on the achievements recorded last year.

Edward Fom Pam, NRFF President

He thanked CMB Building Maintenance & Inv Co ltd. for standing behind the federation through thick and thin.

“The South West League would not have been possible neither will camping and traveling for our international competitions be possible” He also thanked Kelechi Mbagwu who has continuously and generously doled out funds to the federation through his company.”

He promised that 2016 will be bigger and better if early indications are anything to go by.

LAGOS STORMS SAGAMU FOR NATIONAL U-15 ZONAL FINALS- By Akeem Busari.

The Lagos State U-15 football team, this evening stormed Sagamu, Ogun State, for the South-West zonal finals of the National U-15 football championship.

Team Lagos delegation of 23 players and five officials, led by the State FA Technical Committee Chairman Dotun Coker, is expected to feature in the championship alongside Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and host Ogun state.

Dotun Coker, LSFA BOARD MEMBER, Leader of Delegation

The tournament is tentatively billed to kick off, Thursday, this week.

Speaking during a telephone interview, Coach Bankole Olowookere, brimming with confidence stated the readiness of Team Lagos, to come out tops at the end of the 3-day football championship.

“We have prepared well for this championship,” he explained.

“The state FA, has done their part in terms of preparing this team and the boys are ready to do the state proud” the highly-regarded youth coach enthused.

He, went ahead to praise the board of the Lagos FA, for its several innovative and result-oriented youth football developmental projects. “We want to win this championship,but what is of essence and importance to this state, is to produce genuine young and talented players, that would go on to represent the state and country in the nearest future” Olowookere, added.

Glo-Caf Awards: Nigeria U-23, U-17, Amuneke, Etebo, Osimhen In Line For Honours

Two Nigerian champion teams, World Cup-winning Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, and star players Azubuike Okechukwu and Victor Osimhen are in line to be honoured at the Glo-Caf African Football Awards on Thursday evening.

The annual showpiece, which rewards African football players from across the world who had excelled in the preceding year, will take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja from 7pm on Thursday.

Nigeria’s U-23 team, which won the 2nd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal last month, in the process qualifying for this year’s Olympics football tournament in Rio de Janeiro, is nominated in the category of ‘National Team of the Year,’ alongside Nigeria’s U-17 squad which successfully retained the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in November.

Azubuike Okechukwu, who captained the Nigeria U-23 to glory in Senegal and was selected the Most Valuable Player, is nominated for ‘Most Promising Talent’ alongside team-mate Etebo Oghenekaro, who finished the tournament as top scorer.

Golden Eaglets Coach Emmanuel Amuneke

Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, is listed for ‘Coach of the Year,’ while his players, Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen are in consideration for ‘Youth Player of the Year.’

Eaglets’ captain Nwakali was named the Most Valuable Player of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with Osimhen the top scorer of all time with 10 goals.

Super Falcons’ defender Ngozi Ebere is nominated for ‘Women Player of the Year.’

Siasia: No Player’s Guaranteed Shirt For Rio Olympics

Coach Samson Siasia has affirmed that no player is guaranteed a shirt in his squad for the men’s football tournament of this year’s Olyimpics, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The former Super Eagles’ manager has also disclosed that the African champions will commence preparations for the Rio Olympics in the first week of February.

Speaking from his base in the United States of America, where he is presently on vacation, Siasia disclosed that himself and his assistants will use the February camping in Abuja to see any new player could add value to the team that won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal last month.

Siasia Samson Nigeria U23 Coach credit fifa.com

“Since we qualified for the football event of the Rio Olympics, a lot of players both at home and abroad have been calling me that they want to play for the country, so myself and my assistants intend to use the first week of camping to see these players who will bear the cost of their trip to the camp and accommodate themselves. Any of them selected will now be added to the players who made us proud in Senegal for a full camping. Mind you, no player is yet guaranteed a shirt in the team, as I have always said only the best legs will make it to Rio de Janeiro.

“For now, time is not on our hands and as such, we need to start work in a bid to present a team that will make Nigerians proud in Brazil. For me, after winning silver at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, my next target is to go all out for gold in Rio, and I strongly believe we have the players that can achieve this.”

Siasia, who also led the U-20 boys to the African title and runner-up position at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in The Netherlands in 2005, stated that he intends to utilize all the FIFA windows available to him and his technical crew in seeing players at close range.

Nigeria U23 Eagles photo credit @theNFF

“For now my plans are to utilize fully all the FIFA windows beginning with the one in March, with the hope of taking players selected to an accessible country in Europe where all the overseas -based players can come with ease, play one or two friendly games and then have them return to their respective clubsides. ”

The former Super Eagles’ captain added that for now, he has not made up his mind on the issue of which over-aged player(s) to take to the Olympics.

Eagles Confront Palancas Negras Ahead CHAN

The Super Eagles B will take on fellow Rwanda-bound Palancas Negras of Angola in an international friendly in Pretoria on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Super Eagles B lashed the University of Pretoria 3-0 in a test game at the school, with two goals from forward Tunde Adeniji and one from midfielder Ifeanyi Mathew.

Nigeria’s home –based senior boys, who arrived in Pretoria on Saturday and commenced training on Sunday, are using the encounter as a big test ahead of the 4th African Nations Championship starting in Rwanda on January 16.

Head Coach Sunday Oliseh arrived in Pretoria ahead of the group and said on Tuesday that he is looking ahead to the clash with the skillful Angolans.

Angola finished as runner-up at the 2nd African Nations Championship in Sudan five years ago, while Nigeria finished in third place at the 3rd edition in South Africa in 2014.

Wednesday’s clash comes five days before another top duel – a friendly with Cote d’Ivoire at the same Tuks University Stadium.

Super Eagles B team photo credit: @theNFF

The Super Eagles B delegation will fly into Rwanda on January 15, three days before the team trade tackles with neighbours-to-the-north Niger Republic in their first match of the tournament, at the astro-turf Stade Regional Nyamirambo on the outskirts of Kigali.

Nigeria’s hopefuls, to be captained by left–back Chima Akas in the absence of forward Gbolahan Salami, will also play Tunisia and Guinea in Group C, with the match against the Guineans scheduled for the city of Rubavu.

CP Inalegwu Extols, Charges NFF On Strong Structures

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Wilson Inalegwu, on Tuesday extolled the efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation which fetched the country various successes on and off the field in the year 2015, while also charging the Federation to create strong structures that will endure over the coming years and decades.

The football –loving Commissioner of Police spoke during a courtesy call by the top officials of the NFF Secretariat, led by the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

“I must first congratulate you on the successes of the various National Teams in year 2015, including an U-17 world title, an U-23 African title that gave us Olympics football ticket, an U-20 African title and qualifications for major tournaments. Several Nigerian players are also excelling in the top Leagues of Europe. I believe our teams would do even better in this year 2016.

“Your organizational ability and administrative acumen have shown clearly in these successes. The FCT Police Command is prepared to partner with you for even better security at football stadia and on integrity issues. For us, there is no sector that guarantees tourism better than football.”

Inalegwu stated that the style of play and indomitable spirit of the National Teams, particularly the Super Eagles, have endeared Nigeria football to millions of fans across the globe.

“You administer a very critical sector of Nigeria life. My advice is that you create strong structures that will endure, because it is better always to create strong institutions rather than strong individuals.

“We will do everything to support your programs and activities.”

Earlier, Dr. Sanusi had congratulated CP Inalegwu on his rise to the position, while commending the work he had always done to ensure security of lives and property at the various stadia and in the FCT in general, before his elevation.

Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Wilson Inalegwu with General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi

“Your hardwork, energy and honesty have endeared you to the NFF and the Nigeria football fraternity. We believe that we will work very well with you and that our desire for greater security at football stadia and on integrity issues will always receive speedy attention.

“The NFF has already keyed into the change agenda of the present administration, with various successes in the year 2015, and we also brought in world –renowned companies as auditors, financial consultants and management consultants. We are also taking integrity issues very serious.”

Also present during the brief call were ACP Daniel Gwambal (OC, Training and Development), NFF’s Deputy Director (Competitions) Bola Oyeyode, Assistant Director (Communications) Ademola Olajire, Chief Legal Officer, Barr. Okey Obi, Integrity Officer/SA to GS, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, personal assistant to GS, Aliyu Ibrahim and chief security officer, Daniel Musa.