Sports
Wolves confirm eight player departures
Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as Wolves announce that Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa are among those leaving Molineux this summer
Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that Joao Moutinho will leave the club this summer along with Diego Costa – but have not ruled out the possibility of Adama Traore staying at Molineux.
All three players are coming to the end of their current contracts with Wolves. And an update has now been given on the situation following the end of the 2022-23 season.
The club said in a statement: “Moutinho passed the 200-appearance mark for Wolves appearance under (Julen) Lopetegui earlier this calendar year, during the fifth year of a glittering career in old gold, after he joined the club from Monaco during the summer of 2018. Player of the Season following his debut campaign, Moutinho scored a collection of stunning goals for the club and was a midfield ever-present alongside Ruben Neves for much of his time at Molineux but will now move on to pastures new this summer.”
Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “Joao’s going to go down as one of the best players to ever pull on the old gold, in my opinion. He was an integral part of the team the entire time he was here. Our success over the last four or five years, he’s been instrumental in. So, he now departs with nothing but thanks from the football club.
“Everything he does is meticulous. He’s shown a lot of the younger players what you have to do to look after yourself and have a good career in the game. When he first came to the club, he was a big part of the culture change, because of his work ethic and how he managed himself before and after training. He definitely raised the levels and expectations amongst the players themselves.
“When he came in, we had a huge Portuguese contingent, and he was a hero to a lot of the guys for what he’d achieved in both club and international football. He just had that presence and people wanted to follow what he was he doing. We thank Joao for all he did at Wolves and wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Costa was drafted in amid a striker crisis and made 25 appearances in his nine-month spell at Molineux, helping the team retain their Premier League status. Hobbs said: “Diego came off the back of Sasa’s [Kalajdzic] injury and has been incredible whilst he’s been here, the way he’s bought into the club, the values and the culture. On the pitch, he’s shown that he still has a lot to offer and off the pitch he’s been an incredible teammate, especially for the young Brazilians like Joao [Gomes] and Matheus [Cunha] – he’s been a real asset for them.
“We’ve seen the relationship he’s had with the women’s team, where he was in the gym in the evenings and they came in and formed friendships, and he was very supportive of them. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done over the season – he was a really important part of what we managed to achieve, staying in the Premier League.
“It feels the natural time to part ways because he was on a one-year contract. There was some internal conversations and we felt this was right. I’ve got no doubt that Diego will get another club off the back of his performances for sure. If a club calls me to ask about the person, he’ll get nothing but praise from me.”
Traore, meanwhile, is free to speak to other clubs after five years – and 194 appearances – at Wolves but Hobbs said: “As the manager said in his press conferences recently, Adama is a player we’d like to keep and we’re still talking to him. He’s now out of contract, but it doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to still come to an agreement, so conversations will be ongoing. He’s probably earned the right to understand what else is out there.
“He’s a great guy around the place, always happy and friendly, so on every level we’d like to keep him. Sometimes it’s not possible, but we’ll certainly be trying. We hope we can come to an agreement but let’s see what happens over the next few weeks.”
Elsewhere, six members of the under-21s squad will be leaving the club this summer – Taylor Perry, Luke Matheson, Michael Agboola, Lee Harkin, Jack Hodnett and Jack Scott.
Hobbs added: “There are some good players in there, but we’re keen on keeping pathways clear for the younger players. We like to keep our average age young across the 18s and 21s, so some of these boys get to a stage where we have to make the decision for us, but also for them to start a career in men’s football.
“Jack Scott, for example, has already got a new club and there’s a lot of interest in all the boys. For us, it’s the right time for both sides, one so we can move 16 and 17-year-olds into the 21s and for them to start a career.
“The reality is, to reach our first-team is really tough, but there’s a lot of players who will have good careers and we think holding on to them for too long, and sending them on loans where they never really feel part of it, is not fair. It’s about finding the right time to say off you go, when they have options to get themselves going.”
The club statement concluded: “Everyone at Wolves thanks all those players departing the club this summer for their effort and wish them the best of luck in the future.”
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has scored two brilliant goals as Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-0 to win the Turkish cup at the Gaziantep Stadium on Wednesday.
The hot-shot Nigerian striker was the hero of the night after scoring to brilliant goals to lead the awaiting Turkish league champion to first trophy of the season.
The former Napoli hitman, who has been in hot form for Galatasaray has attracted big offers across major European clubs as well as Saudi Arabian clube.
Osimhen has now scored five goals and registered one assist in the Turkish Cup this season.
Galatasaray, who are on the verge of winning the Turkish Super Lig title are targeting a double.
The Yellow and Reds last won the Turkish Cup in the 2018/19 season.
Hot-shot Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has responded to the transfer rumour from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal with annual offer of €35 million after a successful season in Turkey.
It was reported that Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal have tabled a big offer for Osimhen to join them this summer from Napoli.
Osimhen’s loan deal at Turkish champions Galatasaray will end this summer and speculations are rife where he will take his scoring boots to.
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Last summer, he was very close to joining another Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, but at the last minute Napoli caused it to collapse after they increased their asking price.
A source within Osimhen’s camp has reacted to the speculation, saying that players across the world play for Money’ and Osimhen could consider the offer from Saudi Arabia ahead of other interested club’s in Europe.
According to Corriere dello Sport, top Riyadh club Al Hilal have tabled before Osimhen an “indecent” salary of between 30 and 35 Million Euros-a-year.
This is moe than double what he currently receives at Galatasaray.
“No players in the world playing for the sake of club passion or playing for free. At the moment, there are many clubs that want Victor and he has to sit down and chose the best for his career. Victor has nothing to prove again, except he wants to win Ballon d’Or,” Osimhen’s source told ThePapers.
“All players play for Money, we must understand that very well because at the end of his career the same people will questions his achievements despite being top scorer in Turkey and Italy,” he concluded.
Osimhen will also reunite with Senegal star Kalidou Koulibaly at the nine-time Saudi champions, who again look set to miss out on the league championship this season.
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Arsenal’s talented winger Bukayo Saka, is set to play a pivotal role in potentially swaying Atalanta and Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman towards a transfer to the Emirates stadium next summer, ThePapers.ng reports.
Both players share a Nigerian heritage, which could strengthen their connection and impact the decision-making process.
Lookman, known for his speed and skill on the ball, would add significant depth to Arsenal’s attacking lineup, making this influence from Saka all the more critical as the club looks to bolster its squad for the upcoming season.
Arsenal’s interest in Ademola Lookman may appear surprising on the surface. After all, this is a player once deemed surplus to requirements at Everton and Leipzig, drifting between top-flight sides without leaving a lasting imprint.
But football thrives on reinvention, and Lookman, crowned African Player of the Year in 2024, has carved a compelling second act in Serie A with Atalanta. Now, the 27-year-old may be preparing to bring that rebirth full circle — back to the Premier League.
According to sources within Arsenal’s organization, Bukayo Saka has been actively advocating for the club to pursue the acquisition of Nigerian player Ademola Lookman from Atalanta. Saka has engaged in discussions regarding the potential contributions that Lookman could make to the team for the upcoming season.
“Lookman is likely to move to Arsenal, there are underground discussions in Arsenal, and Bukayo Saka is looking forward to see the move happen as soon as possible due to LKookman’s quality and maybe because he’s also a Nigerian”, the source said.
Lookman’s resurgence in Italy has been nothing short of remarkable. His 17 goals and 10 assists in 2023/24 were not simply numbers on a score sheet — they were milestones in a narrative of redemption. His Europa League final hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, halting Xabi Alonso’s side’s historic unbeaten streak, immortalised him in Bergamo folklore.
Still, statistics only tell part of the story. His performances have blended directness, intelligence, and composure — qualities that once flickered inconsistently but now blaze with purpose. It’s no coincidence that Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg confirms Arsenal have “added him to their shortlist”. Nor is it surprising that Lookman, despite a contract running until 2027, is reportedly “searching for a new club for the summer.”
There’s no doubting Lookman’s pedigree now. He’s no longer the inconsistent winger from his Everton or Fulham days. He’s a continental champion, an African Player of the Year, and a genuine match-winner on the European stage. His hat-trick in the Europa League final was the kind of elite, big-game moment Arsenal have too often lacked in recent seasons.
Of course, the price tag of £51 million may raise some eyebrows. But in today’s market — especially considering his versatility and current form — that’s arguably good value. What really excites fans is how he might complement the squad. With Martinelli blowing hot and cold, Leandro Trossard not quite dominating games, Lookman could provide quality depth and a new dimension.
Additional reports from Yahoo Sports
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is currently one of football’s biggest sensations — and his showings on the pitch have secured him a significant salary.
The exact details of football contracts are usually kept under wraps; however, the 17-year-old prodigy’s current deal, signed in 2023, is estimated to net him €32,000 ($36,000) a week — or €1,664,000 ($1,871,941) per year.
Accordingly, the Barcelona winger makes roughly $5,142 per day, $214.29 per hour, and $3.57 per minute.
Lamine Yamal’s salary is set to increase amid Ballon d’Or hype
At present, Lamine Yamal is one of the frontrunners to receive the 2025 Ballon d’Or — and currently ranks second in the running for the prestigious award per crypto prediction betting markets.
In addition, Barcelona is expected to offer the young winger a long-term contract this summer. Beyond an obvious and enormous degree of talent, Yamal also happens to play the fourth-most minutes of any current member of Barca’s squad.
While it’s an oversimplification to equate minutes so directly with salary, a remuneration equal to his workload — one which would see him become the fourth-highest earner on the team, would require lifting his salary more than eightfold — up to €265,000 per week, $42,607 per day, $1,775 per hour, and $29.59 per minute, which would put his earnings above those of much more seasoned players like Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Finbold.com
Kingsley Emenike, the younger brother of former Super Eagles legend, Emmanuel Emenike, has continued to soar high in the Latvian top league, scoring a vital goal to rescue his club FS Jelgava to a 2-2 draw against league leader FK RFS.
At just 20 years old, Kingsley Emenike joined the Latvian Premier Division in March and has wasted no time in making his mark. His dedication to goal-scoring and unwavering commitment on the field suggest that he is well on his way to emulating the success and glory achieved by Emmanuel, and perhaps even establishing his legendary status in European football.
His physical presence on the pitch has become an enduring situation for opponent defenders, helping his team gain important points.
Kingsley Emenike has emerged as a promising talent in the football arena. The young striker showcased his exceptional skills during a recent match in the Latvian top league, where he scored two impressive goals in FS Jelgava’s commanding 4-1 victory over BFC Daugavpils last month.
Kingsley’s performance not only highlights his capability but also indicates his determination to carve out his path in the beautiful game, much like the esteemed former striker. His goal tally is now 3 goals in 8 matches. FS Jelgava currently sit in 5th position on the table.
“I’m excited for the goal, and my progress in the league. I am settling down well, and everything is working fine for me. We wanted to win the match, but we will do better in the next game. I want to keep scoring for my club and hopefully move to a good position that will take us to European qualifiers. I don’t like putting myself under pressure by setting a goal target, but I wish to score as many as possible that will lift the team at the end of the season. Scoring 20 goals not too much for me, and it is possible.
Fans and pundits alike are eager to witness the unfolding of Kingsley’s journey, as he aims to leave his imprint on the sport.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the premier striker in Europe highlights the significant acclaim garnered by Victor Osimhen due to his remarkable and consistent performance throughout the current season.
Victor Osimhen and Erling Haaland stand out as two of the most discussed and debated strikers in contemporary world football. Osimhen, known for his blistering pace, exceptional aerial ability, and keen goal-scoring instincts, has quickly risen to prominence during his time at Napoli, where his contributions have been instrumental in the club’s success.
On the other hand, Haaland, with his remarkable physicality, clinical finishing, and impressive goal tally, has made headlines while playing for Manchester City, consistently proving himself as one of the most lethal forwards in the game today.
As fans and analysts continue to compare their unique skill sets and achievements, the debate over who holds the edge in this striking duo captivates the football community worldwide.
Football enthusiasts from across the globe are rallying behind the remarkable Nigerian striker who has made headlines for his outstanding performance in the Turkish Superliga.
With an astonishing tally of 33 goals this season, he played a pivotal role in guiding Galatasaray to clinch the championship title. His relentless dedication and skill on the pitch not only showcased his talent but also inspired his teammates and captivated fans, solidifying his status as a key figure in the world of football.
Given Victor Osimhen’s exceptional form and remarkable goal tally, one could argue that he stands as the most prolific striker in the world today. However, many English fans—particularly those loyal to Manchester City—would fervently contest this claim.
They would point to Erling Haaland’s astonishing records over the past two seasons, which are nothing short of historic in the realm of football.
Haaland played a pivotal role in leading Pep Guardiola’s squad to an impressive double last season, clinching both the English Premier League title and the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy.
Erling Haaland has become the quickest player to reach 100 goal involvements in the Premier League. The Manchester City striker tucked away a penalty against Brighton Albion after 11 minutes to reach a century of combined goals and assists after just 94 matches.
In a detailed analysis of their performances this season, Victor Osimhen has outscored Erling Haaland by a notable margin. Osimhen has netted an impressive total of 33 goals for Galatasaray, playing a pivotal role in securing the Turkish league title for the current champions.
His contributions have solidified him as a key player in their successful campaign. On the other hand, Haaland has found the back of the net 29 times for Manchester City.
However, despite his prolific scoring ability, his goals have not been sufficient to guarantee a trophy for the Citizens, who are currently in a fierce competition for a UEFA Champions League spot within the English Premier League.
The pressure is mounting as they pursue both domestic and European glory, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of these two prolific strikers.
Although coaches, players, and football analysts have different opinions with many still pick Erling Haaland as the most prolific striker with the quality of goals and laurels he has championed.
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk has ranked Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, declaring the Napoli striker the best in Europe.
Speaking to Kibris Gercek, Buruk lauded Osimhen’s skill and character, particularly highlighting his resilience and impact on the pitch.
When asked about how Osimhen compares to Haaland, the Galatasaray coach said:
“Maybe Haaland comes to mind first, I would say Victor Osimhen is the best right now.”
In validating Osimhen’s prolific quality, former Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli has praised the qualities of Erling Haaland but says he would choose Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen over him.
Two years ago, Victor Osimhen’s remarkable achievement of scoring 25 league goals in 31 matches significantly contributed to Napoli’s attainment of their first Serie A title since the era of Diego Maradona in 1990. Furthermore, the Nigerian striker established a new record by surpassing Samuel Eto’o as the African player with the highest number of goals scored in a single Serie A season.
His consistent performances earned him the prestigious Capocannoniere award, making him the first African player in the 125-year history of the Italian top-flight to win the Serie A Golden Boot.
This achievement also saw Osimhen become the highest-scoring African player ever in Serie A, a record he further extended by scoring the winning goal against Fiorentina shortly after breaking Eto’o’s record.
He scored five goals in the UEFA Champions League, helping Napoli reach the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
His overall tally of 31 goals in 39 games across all competitions underscored his status as one of the most prolific forwards globally.
Meanwhile, in the same 2023, Haaland broke all records in his first year in England, scoring 36 goals in 35 matches to help Manchester City win a third successive Premier League title.
The ex-AC Milan attacker says that although Haaland is special, Osimhen has more to his game than the former Borussia Dortmund man.
“Haaland is extraordinary. Mino Raiola had had great intuition about him, too. Assist men abound in City: Guardiola knows how to serve him and he is a formidable sniper. Inter also have top-level strikers, they will be very open. Who is the strongest striker in the world? The numbers say Haaland, but for me, it’s a matter of taste. Osimhen, for example, is special. He can do everything on the pitch, a bit like me in my green years,” Balotelli told Calciomercato.
In light of the thorough and insightful analysis presented regarding the two strikers, it ultimately falls upon the passionate fans to decide who truly stands out as the superior striker as the season reaches its thrilling conclusion.
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