Official: Walcott joins Everton in £20m deal

The England striker has left the Gunners after failing to establish himself in Arsene Wenger's Premier League squad, linking up with Sam AllardyceEverton have completed the £20 million signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal.

The 28-year-old makes the switch from the Gunners and becomes Sam Allardyce's second signing of the January transfer window,following Cenk Tosun's arrival from Besiktas



Walcott, who was Arsenal's longest-serving player, scored 108 goals for the north London club but has found game time increasingly difficult to come by this season.

The England international failed to make a single Premier League start under Arsene Wenger this season in a campaign which willdetermine whether or not he will be included in Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup in Russia.

As a result of his limited game time at the Emirates, Walcott, who has 47 England caps to his name, has not featured for the Three Lions since their friendly against Spain in November 2016.

With his football limited primarily to cup competitions in 2017-18, Walcott has scored three goals from five Europa League starts and claimed two assists.

It is his lack of opportunity in the Premier League which has seen him decide to leave the club, however, with just 64 minutes of football, spread across six substitute appearances, to his name.

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My dream was always to play for Barcelona, admits Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho says it is a dream come true to join LaLiga side Barcelona because of the ‘Club’s greatness’.



The Brazilian star joined the Camp Nou outfit,signing a five-and-a-half-year for a club-record fee of €160million, making him the third most expensive player in history, behind €222m compatriot Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and will have a buyout clause of €400 million!

In this no hold barred chat, the 25-year-old could not hide his joy following his move to the Catalan giants plus giving an insight about his lifestyle off the field of play.

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Liverpool confirm Coutinho sale to Barcelona

The Brazil international ends five years on Merseyside as he is set to finalise his desired move to Camp Nou Philippe Coutinho will become Barcelona’s most expensive signing after a deal worth €160 million was agreed with Liverpool, which is the new British transfer record.



La Liga’s leaders will part with €120m as a guaranteed base fee, with another €40m in performance and appearance-related add-ons that are expected to be triggered.

The 25-year-old will move ahead of Ousmane Dembele as Barca’s highest-cost recruit, also surpassing Paul Pogba as the biggest player trade involving an English club.

Liverpool Football Club today issued the following statement regarding the future of Philippe Coutinho: click to read full statement— Liverpool FC (@LFC)January 6, 2018

There is a possibility that Coutinho will attend Barca's hosting of against Levante on Sunday, with the club hoping to have him training with his new team-mates on Monday.

Liverpool failed in their exhaustive efforts to convince Coutinho, whodid not travel with the squad to a warm-weather camp in Dubai, to remain on Merseyside until the end of the season at the very least.

The Brazilian declined their proposed incentives and offer of a higher wage, repeating his intention to move to Camp Nou with immediate effect.



Having approached the Reds on July 20 with the first of three unsuccessful summer bids bloated by improbable clauses, Barca finally succeeded in their pursuit of the playmaker on Saturday.

Liverpool were definitive in their stance that Coutinho was not for sale at any price in the summer, rejecting his transfer request in the process, but with their No.10 maintaining his desire to depart and Barca finally tabling an acceptable package for his services, Jurgen Klopp agreed to sanction his sale.

The Brazilian made 201 appearances and scored 54 goals for Liverpool after signing in January 2013 from Inter Milan for just £8.5m.

He is now the third most expensive footballer in the world, behind Paris Saint-Germain pair Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

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Bellerin levels late on for Arsenal plus 5 talking points from Arsenal vs Chelsea game

Hector Bellerin struck in stoppage time to secure a dramatic draw for Arsenal against Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger was left fuming after Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso staged what had appeared to be a stunning smash and grab raid for Chelsea.

Jack Wilshere had shot Arsenalto within 25 minutes of only their third victory in their last eight Premier League games.

The strike was the midfielder’s first goal in 43 Premier League matches, with his last against West Brom in May 2015.

But referee Anthony Taylor ruled Hector Bellerin had fouled Eden Hazard in the box just twominutes later.

The Belgian then netted from the spot.

With six minutes left Alonso rifled in from close range from substitute Davide Zappacosta’s cross.

But with the clock ticking, Bellerin struck for the Gunners.

Here are five key talking points from the thriller at the Emirates.

1. Wilshere tremendous once again

He has been terrific in his bid to win friends and influence people, namely Wenger, the man who makes the decisions over a new deal.

The question marks over his ability to influence a high-intensity game, however, remained.

Not any more. What tremendous character he showed here.At times he was given the runaround by Cesc Fabregas who was offensively more astute and defensively more productive.

Wilshere’s 33rd-minute yellow card, for clattering into his Spanish counterpart, looked to be frustration.Smashing in that 64th minute sizzler was a far better way of expressing it.

Wilshere is back -and he means business.

2. Sanchez has exploded into life again

Fascinating how he has suddenly exploded into life again after a subdued four weeks or so.

There have been times over thepast month or so when Sanchez has looked as though he has been marking time as heruns his contract down.

Now, with the window open, Chelsea and Manchester City inneed of reinforcements and Liverpool about to lose Coutinho, Sanchez is on fire again.Just to refocus a few minds that might have forgotten what he brings to the party.

He is in a win-win situation of course - a big club this month, big money if he leaves on a freein the summer.

But if you didn’t know better, you’d think someone was angling to get out of north London before February.

3. Clean sheets could help Chelsea's charge

If any one can put together a run to get anywhere near City at the moment it is Chelsea.

They have had their injuries and (as always) their political problems, but right now they are back in the zone.We all know what they can do going forward but at the back they are as solid as a rock.

They’d come into this match hunting their fifth successive league clean sheet.

They rode their luck here for sure when Alexis Sanchez’s shot was pushed onto one post,rolled across the goal line and hit the other.

But overall during their current run, they have made their own luck with their ferocious work rate.

4. Courtois kept Chelsea in the game

He might not have signed a new deal just yet, he might still have some who pine for the glory days of Petr Cech, but Courtois showed here just why he is so important to Chelsea.

The brilliant Belgian kept them in it.He was smartly down to his left to save one-handed when Alexandre Lacazette span his defender in the box and fired goalward.

Before that Courtois was simply outstanding to push Sanchez’s shot onto the post when the Chilean looked for all the world as if he had opened the scoring.

And what a tremendous block that was, minutes after half time, from Lacazette.

He has no chance with that Wilshere strike but he'd been let down for that by his defence. Courtois is still the man for the big occasion for Chelsea.

5. Cech matches the Chelsea keeper

Anything Courtois can do, Cech can do just as well.The former Blue is always fired up against his former club and this occasion was no exception.He made himself big in the 14thminute to worry Morata out of a one-on-one from which the Spaniard looked certain to score.

He saved again, a minute later, from Morata at his near post.
He parried Bakayoko’s shot on the 28th minute.He saved superbly with his legsfrom Hazard five minutes after the break.

From the follow-up Cech pushed away Marcos Alonso’s header. There is life in the old dog yet. His old club will bear witness to that.

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Aguero reveals If he might leave city

Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero, has expressed his desire to see out his contract at the club.



Speaking after Tuesday’s game, the Argentine star promised to continue working hard until the end ofthe season.

According to Aguero,

“I have until 2020, I think.

“The truth is that I hope to see out my contract and I’ll try to do my best from here until the end of the season, and after that we will see what happens with me.”

On if he wants to remain at the club, the striker said,

“Yes, for me yes. Obviously my plan is not to change clubs.

The truth is I’m very happy here, but as always, as I said before, the club has the last word, they’re the only ones who decide, because obviously the club is the one who makes the decisions, they are the ones who say you have to go or have to stay, so I’ll respect whatever they tell me.”

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I don’t use Facebook, beware of scammers – Leicester City star, Ndidi

Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has warned his fans to be wary of the multiple Facebook accounts that are being run in his name.



The Super Eagles star has over five Facebook accounts in his name, with his pictures and about three functional fan pages dedicated to him.

Ndidi took to his Twitter account Tuesday morning toward his fans about the fakefacebook accounts.

He wrote: “Hey guys, I’m not on facebook.

If you chatting with anyone using my name on facebook it’s not me so you don’t get scammed… Thank you havea blessed new year.”

Ndidi helped his Leicester side to a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on New Year’s Day.

The victory means that the club has ended their five-match winless run in allcompetitions.

The club sits on 8th position in the league table on 30 points, and will face Fleetwood in the FA Cup third round this Saturday.

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Serena Williams shares 10 personal moments of 2017

New mum and tennis champion,Serena Williams took to her IG account to share her 10 personal moments of 2017 and to share how amazing the year has been for her



This year has been amazing for me. As it comes to its end I wantto share 10 personal moments.

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Dec 29, 2017 at 3:39pm PST

1. The day I found out I was pregnant. I had to pretend I everything was normal but I wasdying inside. After all I had a grand slam to play.

2. Melbourne 7 weeks pregnant

3. Wow I won the Australian Open. I was 9 weeks by than. No one knew outside of venus and my fiancé Alexis

4. Everyone got mestuffed animals for my bridal shower.

5. 24 weeks.

6. bridal shower by@thevlvgroup

7. still hitting at 7.5 weeks

8.@vanityfaircover of the year for me

9. Just about ready to pop

10. The day before I checked into hospital to have my amazing baby

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Top facts about Liberia president-elect George Weah

Weah is set to replace incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who leaves office after serving two terms.



Following the feat achieved by the ex-footballer turned politician,

Hopebaygist has gathered 9 facts about the next Liberian president as seen below:

1. He played 60 games for Liberia over 20 years,scoring 22 goals.

2. Weah is regarded as being among the best football players who never got the chance to play at a World Cup.
He contested in the Liberia 2005 presidential election but lost to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting.

3. The footballer turned politician signed for AC Milan in 1995 where he spent four successful seasons, and won the Italian Serie A, twice.
His most notable goal in Italy saw him run the length of the field against Verona.

4. He will be the only retired professional footballer to have achieved the feat of emerging as the president of a country.

5. Weah represented Liberia at the African Cup of Nations on two occasions.

6. Arsene Wenger brought George Weah to Europe where he signed for Monaco in 1988

7. Weah football career saw him move to Paris Saint German in 1992 where he won Ligue 1 in 1994 and became the top scorerof the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League.

8. Weah was elected to the Senate in 2014.

9. He moved to the English Premier League towards the end of his career and had spells at Chelsea and Manchester City, before returning to France to play forMarseille in 2001, and subsequently ending his career with Al-Jazira in 2003.

The report quoted the National Elections Commission (NEC) as saying on Thursday, December 28, Weah had won 61.5 percent of the vote while Boakai was far behind with 38.5 percent.It added that Weah, 51, through the Coalition for Democratic Change, won the hearts of most of the youths as his rival was seen as old at 73.

Weah had won the first round of the election in October with 38.4 percent vote against the 28.8 percent won by Boakai leading to the run-off.

The report however says Weah’s election has some controversies as his running mate, Jewel Taylor, is the former wife of the warlord and ex-President Charles Taylor, who is still serving a jail term in the UK for war crimes.

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martial Accused Of Cheating In Paris!!!!!!

 
According to The Sun, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been accused of having an affair with a model in Paris.

Martial playing vs CSKA Moscow in the Champions league

The source reports that Martial, who is married to his childhood sweetheart Samantha, took Emily Wateman  for a  romantic walk around Paris before taking her back to a hotel room last week.
The 24-year-old  said: “He said he didn’t normally drink but I persuaded him to have a few. We took a picture of ourselves at the restaurant.  
“Back at the hotel we started kissing on the bed and I did tell him I wasn’t that kind of girl. But I was a bit tipsy by then and we were in such a romantic place that I didn’t hold my resolve for long. 
“He was a passionate lover and he complimented me on my lips and my body. He made me feel really good about myself.”

A spokesman for Manchester United said Martial would not be commenting on the situation. Last night Martial’s agent also refused to issue a statement.

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Ancelotti Criticised Real Madrid President

 
Carlo Ancelotti has criticised Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, for his decision to fire Rafael Benitez. 
Rafa Benitez has been sacked by Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane named as his replacement.
I his interview for Sina Sports Ancelotti said: “After many games this season, Real Madrid are still fighting for the titles in La Liga and the Champions League, but the president Florentino Perez decided to say goodbye to Benitez. I know the job of a coach is always about getting results.I also know our work is subject to debate, but this time I really cannot understand the decision. It’s only half-way through the season.”

Ancelotti, who was Real Madrid coach from 2013 to 2015, noted: “Zidane is the fifth coach of Real since 2009, and there are questions that need to be raised. Is it always the coach’s fault? Everyone can draw their own conclusions.”

“But without doubt, Zidane has the sufficient capacity to lead Real Madrid. I sincerely wish him the best,” he added.

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Ronaldinho, Shevchenko, Del Piero Pick Their Ballon D'or Winners

Football legends Ronaldinho, Del Piero, Andriy Shevchenko and Carlos Puyol have chosen their favorites to win the 2015 Ballon D’or.
 The ceremony will be held in Switzerland on Monday, January 11, 2016 to announce FIFA’s best player for the calendar year of 2015.

Cristiano ROnaldo won the 2014 FIFA Ballon D’or

Speaking to Eurosport TV, the four legends of football gave their thoughts on who they feel deserved the award and why.
Ronaldinho (choose Lionel Messi): “Lionel Messi has been playing at the highest level for many years now, its difficult to single out a single individual moment. He keeps on winning titles for Barcelona, thats why he is number one.”
Andriy Shevchenko: “I think next year, Neymar and Luis Suarez will have a chance as they play in the same team of course. Its interesting that Barcelona have this trident of Neymar Messi and Suarez playing together.”
Alenssandro Del Piero: “Next year Neymar could win it, this year he stepped up his game and played with a big heart when Messi was injured. I think his time will come.”
Carlos Puyol (chose Lionel Messi): “I think the difference between Messi and Ronaldo is that Messi has had a fantastic year. Barcelona won everything and Leo was the key player in everything and so for me he is the best and deserves the Ballon D’or.”
Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr (both Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) have been shortlisted as the finalists for the award though Leo is seen as the overwhelming favorite.

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i will buy more players this january-arsene wenger

The Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger has revealed his club’s plan ahead of the January transfer window which is just around the corner.
According to Wenger, Arsenal plan to be busy during the transfer window with a number of key players still a long way from returning,
Youngster Krystian Bielik and Petr Cech were the only arrival in 2015 but the Frenchman expects 2016 to be active.

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will be busy in January Transfer window and Egyptian Mohammed Elneny has been tipped to be his first buy.

“I’ll be busy, that’s for sure,” he replied when asked about his January transfer business.
“I’m already busy and I said already one month ago we are a bit short to deal with all the competitions we face, especially in midfield. We will be busy, yes.”
FC Basel and Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny is expected to be the Gunners first signing when the transfer window opens later this week.

Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny tipped to be Arsenal’s first signing in 2016.

But when asked specifically about him, Wenger said: “You know more than I do.
 “Unfortunately we cannot announce anything at the moment about this player because nothing has been concluded.
“We are a bit short to deal with all the competitions we will face, especially in midfield. We will be busy.”
Wenger is currently without midfielders Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin – all of which are unlikely to return for a matter of months.
On who may likely leave the club, Wenger admitted full-back Mathieu Debuchy may be likely fall in this category.
The 30-year-old has fallen below Hector Bellerin in the pecking order having missed a large portion of last season due to two serious injuries.
The Gunners top the Premier League table going into the new year after their home victory over Bournemouth on Monday, December 28.
Wenger has his eyes on the Premier League title having gone more than 10 years without the title. He last won the Premier League in 2003–04 with the club without losing a single match.

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Arsenal Triumphs Over City At The Emirates

Mesut Ozil produced a master class performance to help Arsenal to a 2 – 1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League. 
The German provided the assists to Walcott’s stunning strike from the edge of the box and another as Giroud slot the ball between Joe Hart’s legs in goal to carry his assist tally to 15 in 17 games.

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Neville Pleads For More Van Gaal Stay

Former Manchester United defender, Phil Neville has publicly expressed confidence that Louis Van Gaal will do well for the club, adding that comparing the embattled manager with Sir Alex Ferguson is mere distraction.

Louis van Gaal

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Who Was Nigeria's Sportman Of The Year?

Nigeria is a diverse sporting country and the success of many sportsmen in 2015 cannot go unnoticed.

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Why Hiddink Wants Drogba At Chelsea As Assistant Coach

Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba could become one of the coaching assistants at Stamford Bridge as interim manager as Guus Hiddink has disclosed he wants to include the Ivorian in his crew.

Didier Drogba

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Arsenal to face Barca in Champions League

   The Champions League draw produced some familiar pairings Monday with defending champion Barcelona facing Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain again taking on Chelsea.

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Top 3 Richest Nigerian Footballers Of 2015 (Photos)

The year is drawing to an end and some Nigerian footballers have made a lot in their various football clubs. With the like of Obafemi Martins, Victor Moses and Mikel Obi, sit back and enjoy our list of the seven richest footballers in Nigeria 2015.

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John Mikel Obi Names Joe Cole, Michael Essien In His Chelsea All-Time 11

John Mikel Obi’s best Chelsea team

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has named his best Chelsea players in an eleven-man team.

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Putin orders doping investigation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an investigation into claims the country's athletes have been part of a systematic doping programme.

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