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Chelsea are 'deliberately ignoring FFP rules - and Todd Boehly knows EXACTLY what he is doing', claims former Man City financial advisor
AdminFormer Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson has accused Chelsea of 'deliberately ignoring' the Premier League's profit and sustainability guidelines amid the London club's continued spending.
Monday's £115million purchase of Moises Caicedo took the Blues' outlay on new talent to over £800m in the three transfer windows since a Todd Boehly-led consortium purchased the club in 2022.
Chelsea have spent more than every club in LaLiga in that period and have only narrowly been outspent by the 18 clubs in Germany's top-flight.
This has led to questions about how the Premier League outfit have been able to enjoy such an extraordinary splurge while adhering to the league's financial rulings that allow teams to incur loses no greater than £105m across a rolling period of three seasons.
Borson - a former banker and current lawyer with extensive knowledge Financial Fair Play - believes the Blues are knowingly flaunting guidelines after Boehly 'overpaid' in acquiring the club for £4.3billion last May.
'You're talking about a club that's never made a profit in 20 years,' Borson told talkSPORT. 'They have historically operated at a loss and filled that gap by selling footballers.
'Then what's happened is Todd Boehly's come along and I just want to say very clearly [he] knows exactly what he's doing. Nobody would deny the quality of his team, of the individual. There's no question.
'There's nothing that any of us can say on the outside that they haven't thought about and that's why I posit that this is all part of a strategy.
'To deliberately ignore the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules in order to accelerate the success of Chelsea.
'That's partly because we all know in the background that Boehly, for all of his business success and wealth, has overpaid for Chelsea by a very considerable amount.
'It happens. Wealthy people sometimes make mistakes and he's made a mistake in terms of what he paid for the club. He now wants to accelerate the success of the club. '
As in seasons gone by, the Stamford Bridge outfit have successfully used player sales to fuel their purchases. Nine first team players have left the club for a fee this summer, while a further eight departed at the end of their contract which freed up funds in their wage bill.
Owing to Boehly's knowledge of the US sports market, where he has flourished as the owner of MLB outfit the LA Dodgers, Chelsea have become the poster child for amortisation.
The accounting process by which club's are able to spread the cost of purchases over the length of a player's contract, while including the full sum of a sale in that year's books.
This tactic has seen the side agree extended terms with several recent arrivals. Caicedo, the most recent example, agreed an eight-year contract with an option for a further 12 months.
Though, according to reports, it may not be a technique the club will be able to exploit for much longer. As Mail Sport earlier reveled, the Premier League are considering closing the loophole.
'This hasn't been discussed formally,' one league source said. 'This hasn't been discussed formally, but is something we will look at. Alignment with UEFA rules would make sense for all parties.
'The only club currently handing out eight-year contracts on a regular basis is likely to be involved in UEFA competitions soon, as are any others that follow suit.'
[DAilymail]
Tottenham striker Richarlison will refuse to shake Michail Antonio's hand when he plays against West Ham this season. The Brazilian has seemingly not forgotten comments made by his rival last term.
Antonio poked fun at Richarlison on his podcast last season. The Brazilian scored just one legitimate Premier League goal in his debut campaign.
However, he would have scored more if it wasn't for VAR intervention. Speaking on The Footballer's Football Podcast alongside Newcastle striker Callum Wilson in May, Antonio joked: "He's scored four times this season.
"Three of the times he has been offside. He has taken his top off four times this season."
The pair laughed, with Wilson adding: "He's got four yellows. He's almost on a suspension!"
The public mocking of Richarlison didn't go down well with Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason. And Richarlison clearly hasn't taken too kindly to the comments either.
Antonio has revealed that he has spoken to Hammers team-mate Lucas Paqueta, who plays alongside Richarlison for Brazil. And he claims that the former Everton star plans to snub Antonio when their two teams meet in early December.
Asked if Spurs need to sign a striker after Harry Kane's departure, Antonio said on the podcast: "I am no longer commenting on Richarlison. It’s got to the stage where I feel that some people are a little touchy.
"I am not going to talk about the person that is in that position. I am just going to say that Tottenham need a striker. I will leave it at that – It’s banter. We banter with each other.
"I have gone to Paqueta. They play with each other. I have said ‘What’s wrong with your boy? It’s a bit of banter. I don’t understand why he is taking it so personally', to the stage where his manager has to talk.
"Lucas is like ‘It’s just how he is, Mickey. I told him that’s how you are. But he says ‘no, no, no. When we play against them. I am not going to shake his hand’."
Antonio and Wilson were criticised by Mason at the time for their initial comments. The Spurs coach said: "I certainly don't feel like I'm ever in a position to criticise another head coach or another manager on the work they're doing or the job they're doing at their football club.
"Richy, I don’t think he’s thinking about other players. His own pride and his own determination will probably drive that most of all.
"Maybe he’s heard it, maybe’s seen it, maybe it will give him a little bit more. I’m not sure on that.
"As a coach I wouldn’t do it, and as a player I’d never have done it as well. I don’t really like that type of thing."
[Express.co.uk]
The Saudi Professional League has become one of the hotspots in the football sphere where top players abound.
From champions league to world cup winners, the SPL has witnessed the arrival of some top players coming with a pool of experience gathered from some of the biggest clubs in European football.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund has pumped money into the league to attract some of the world’s finest players to the oil-rich country.
One of such big names is Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in late last December. He left his old club, Manchester United on a free transfer after he’d returned for a second spell.
French players, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante both signed for Al-Ittihad.
Former Liverpool midfield duo, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson signed for Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq, respectively, and were joined by another formate Reds, Sadio Mane to Al-Nassr.
It’s reported that the PIF owns 75 per cent majority stake in four clubs in the SPL – Al-Nassr, Al Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal.
The biggest transfer in the league, however, is Neymar, from PFremch giant, PSG.
The 31-year-old attacker, who won the treble with Barcelona, and is also Brazil’s joint highest goal scorer with Pele, has had some high and low moments in his former club PSG, as he had to battle with injuries and match fitness issues.
Here, we look at the top 10 most expensive football transfers in the SPL:
1. Neymar: €90m
PSG – Al-Hilal.
2. Malcom: €60m
Zenit to Al-Hilal.
3. Ruben Neves – €55m
Wolves to Al-Hilal.
4. Fabinho – €46.7m
Liverpool to Al-Ittihad.
5. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – €42m
Lazio to Al-Hilal.
6. Riyad Mahrez – €35m
Man City to Al-Ahli.
7. Sadio Mane – €30m
Bayern to Al-Nassr.
8. Jota – €29.1m
Celtic to Al-Ittihad.
9. Roger Ibanez – €28.5m
Roma to Al-Ahli.
10. Allan Saint-Maximin – €27.2m
Newcastle to Al-Ahli.
[Punch]
England secured their first ever place in a Women’s World Cup final after The Lionesses beat co-hosts Australia 3-1 in Sydney.
Australia manager Tony Gustavsson took a gamble starting a not fully fit Sam Kerr for the first time this tournament, signalling that the Matildas wanted to get this wrapped up in 90 minutes. Despite that statement of intent, it was a gamble that would not pay off.
In the first half, England dominated possession, though Australia set out to frustrate their attempts on goal, of which there were a few.
Despite England’s dominance, it never really felt that they were fully in control of the game, and Australia took their chances with lightning speed on the counter-attack.
For a brief spell, they felt the more dangerous side, though an inspired shot by Ella Toone gave England the lead before the first half was through.
Indeed, the partnership between Toone and Alessia Russo shone again, as it did at the Euro last summer.
In the second half, Australia came out all guns blazing, with Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord often finding themselves in the thick of it. But it was Sam Kerr who eventually equalised in the 63rd minute with a stunning strike from outside the box, to keep the Matildas in the game.
That was short lived, as Lauren Hemp showed once again how important she is to the team, emerging between the Australian defence with a fantastic finish.
Australia brought on attacking reinforcements in sub Emily van Egmond, who missed out on a starting spot due to sickness, but despite Australia’s best efforts, they couldn’t contain the pace and power of Alessia Russo, who found the net minutes before full-time.
The Lionesses will now go on to face Spain in Sunday’s final.
It’s one thing to make the final, but the challenge will be epic when England take on Spain. We’ve shown we can beat them in previous contests, but Spain were without Alexis Putellas and Jenni Hermosa in last year’s Euro. Nonetheless, if England put on a display as focussed as this, they will certainly be in with a shot.
[NationalDaily]
Romeo Lavia and Deivid Washington are today undergoing medicals with Chelsea ahead of possible moves to the Premier League side.
The Blues on Tuesday, agreed a £53m plus £5m deal with Southampton for Lavia.
Washington, who was born 2005, joins from Santos.
The striker will cost Chelsea €16m plus €4m in potential add-ons.
Roméo Lavia, in London today in order to complete medical tests as Chelsea player after £53m plus £5m deal agreed yesterday night.
Brazilian talent Deivid Washington also completing final part of medical today ahead of club statement, transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, tweeted.
Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini is on the verge of sealing a move to Juventus Ladies.
According to transfer expert, Giova Albanese, she is already in Turin to negotiate to conclude negotiations with the Bianconeri.
The 22-year-old will join Juventus from American club, Florida State Seminoles.
Echegini made three appearances for the Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The player, who was born in London, England, will have the chance to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time next season.
She will also become the first Nigerian to play for Juventus Ladies.
The Turin-based club are five-time league winners. They finished second behind AS Roma last season.
Famous afrobeat musician, Davido is set to perform at the forthcoming Professional Footballers’ Association Awards, PFA.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester, on Tuesday, August 29th.
Announcing the news on his official handles on Tuesday, Davido tweeted, Ballers. Are you ready? We are bringing some TIMELESS vibes to you at the 50th PFA AWARDS in Manchester on the 29th of August. Let’s have an unforgettable night.
The PFA is the union for professional association football players in England and Wales, with more than 5,000 members across the divisional levels.
Davido had on December 18, 2022, performed at the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The stadium that stands on the site of a mock-African village from the Twenties. A Soho nightclub where Britain’s first all-black band was founded. The Old Kent Road restaurant where Harrison Ford tucked contentedly into Nigerian pounded yam and stew. Though they are not always marked by blue plaques, London teems with locations that relate to the long, complicated history of black African settlement in the capital.
That was the lesson that I learned, over and over again, during the writing of my first book, Settlers. And, of course, the capital’s fidgety aversion to standing still has only expanded this map. What may once have been merely a tour of inter-war institutions and culturally significant buildings now encompasses markets, amapiano-fuelled day parties and sleekly appointed restaurants.
Each one tells a story of specific African influence — and with it, of course, the linked but distinct tale of the black Caribbean diaspora — that continues to shape our mad, multi-faceted and ever-thrumming city. So here, to coincide with the paperback publication of my book, are nine unheralded landmarks that speak to the past, present and future of African London.
Ridley Road Market
From the moment this east London icon was established in the late 19th century it has been the unofficial stronghold of interwoven migrant groups; a polyphonic outdoor bazaar where Irish, Jewish, Turkish, Caribbean and South Asian communities have come to haggle, gossip, buy and organise. However, from the Eighties especially, Ridley has been a particular point of connection and commerce for London’s African heritage settlers. It is a legacy written in wax print fabrics, calabash bowls and African land snails writhing in cardboard boxes. An amorphous, unruly cultural centre but also a deeply meaningful one.
West African Students’ Union House
Camden would probably not be the first place that most would identify as a long-standing stronghold of Black African culture. But from 1933 it was there that the West African Students’ Union opened its first hostel. Ostensibly a residence for overseas students, it was also a social club, cultural embassy and base for a powerful political pressure group (Kwame Nkrumah, first president and founding father of independent Ghana, was a regular). Also, it was home to perhaps the first formal West African restaurant in Britain.
DLT Brunch and Recess
These two roving day parties — which can be found at the likes of BoxPark Croydon as well as at far-flung editions everywhere from Malta to Margate — are nothing less than the Henny-burping quintessence of what it is to be young, black and carefree in modern London. Both founded by second-generation British-Nigerians, they balance a heavy Caribbean influence with a pronounced African accent. A truth exemplified by the Afrobeats acts that have performed (notably, Wizkid) and the fact that Dave name-checked DLT on his last EP. They continue a proud tradition of politically purposeful, diasporic partying.
Sumner Road Chapel
In 1906, this Peckham building was turned into holy and historically significant ground. That’s because it was here that Thomas Brem Wilson — a high-born Ghanaian entrepreneur turned preacher — initiated the first black majority Pentecostal church in the country. The Sumner Road Chapel had a tumultuous existence (the fervour of its faith-healing sermons drew complaints from neighbours, bricks through the window and at least one newspaper investigation) but it established a blueprint for London worship houses tailored to the African diaspora.
Wembley Stadium
Initially erected as part of a purpose-built site to mark 1924’s British Empire Exhibition, this vast “living museum” and imperial muscle-flex featured an ersatz West African village inhabited by invited Nigerians. Of course, as well as the original stadium, almost all the Empire Exhibition’s buildings have been knocked down. The sole exception is the India Pavilion which, incongruously, is now a carpet warehouse.
The Africa Centre
A spiritual antecedent of the WASU hostel, this “home from home” for London’s broad African diaspora was first established in Covent Garden in 1964. Multi-faceted and politically purposeful (the Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a fan) it is nonetheless mostly remembered for being an enormous vibe — the home of the raucous basement Soweto bar, the pan-African restaurant Calabash, and Soul II Soul legend Jazzie B’s mythical parties. Unlike so much of hazily remembered African London, it actually lives on in the form of a swish new complex in Southwark.
66 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0BL, africacentre.org.uk
Draughtboard Alley
This area of Canning Town — so-called because it was a part of the city where black and white lived semi-harmoniously — was where Somali and Asian sailors put down roots after the First World War. They established a strikingly cosmopolitan community replete with mixed-heritage families and, a little later, charitable organisations such as The Coloured Men’s Institute — a proto-food bank and community centre established by a Ceylonese Methodist organiser called Kamal Chunchie. Sadly, Draughtboard Alley’s ragged utopia would not last. In 1917 it suffered racist attacks, and by 1930 Chunchie’s neighbourhood hub was demolished.
805
It was autumn 2014 when John Boyega took his Star Wars co-star Harrison Ford for a much-mythologised Nigerian meal at a certified Old Kent Road institution called 805. That Ford had to sprawl out in the taxi home, in a semi-catatonic state, will not surprise anyone who has taken on a platter of pounded yam and egusi stew. Still, it was fitting that 805 should be the venue for this modern piece of African-themed celebrity folklore as it was the unofficial starting line for a long list of restaurants that show how the continent continues to shape the capital’s landscape and appetites.
805 Old Kent Road, SE15 1NX; 24 Kendal Street, Connaught Square, W2 2AW; 60 Vivian Avenue, NW4 3XH, 805restaurants.com
The Black Mile
In the Thirties, this was the name used to describe an area of Soho famed both for its dark licentiousness and as a playground for the inter-war period’s black community. A long roll call of clubs and restaurants — The Nest, The Shim Sham, and the Blitz-era Abalabi, where Nigerian musician Ambrose Campbell formed pioneering all-black band the West African Brothers — survived an atmosphere of police raids and moral panic to become legendary cradles of sexual and social progressiveness. If Soho still has a freeness, grit and cool, then it was definably shaped by these clubs, and those of African descent.
[standard]
At their first home World Cup, the Matildas have already created history. By winning the longest penalty shootout in World Cup history against France, they took Australia to a football World Cup semifinal for the first time ever.
Despite reaching these dizzying heights for just the first time ever, Australia seem to have everything necessary to go all the way. Although most models are calling them the third-best team among the four semifinalists, they might have a pretty good chance of winning the tournament if they play their match-ups right.
A Shaky Start
The Matildas must have been feeling on top of the World after that penalty shootout victory in the quarterfinal, but there was a time not so long ago when their very participation in the knockouts was seriously jeopardized.
After Sam Kerr’s calf injury ruled her out of the opener, Australia’s tournament got off to a good enough start on the pitch with a 1-0 win against a staunch Irish side on the opening day. They were far from convincing, though, and it seemed that a stronger side could get at them pose serious problems.
That proved to be true in the next group game against Nigeria, which was a five-goal thriller that went the Super Falcons’ way. The Matildas did score the opener on the stroke of half-time but failed to hold on to their advantage until the break, and then were opened up on the counterattack in the second half as they chased a positive result.
This defeat dropped Australia down to third in their group, setting up a matchday 3 decider against Olympic Gold Medalists Canada, whom they would have to beat to stay in the tournament. While this was a big scare that no one would have wanted to endure, it seems to have proven beneficial for them in the bigger picture.
The reason behind that is the fact that the defeat to Nigeria was the necessary shock to the system that forced Tony Gustavsson and his coaching staff to tweak their tactics a little bit.
Finding The Right Formula
Ever since Gustavsson took charge of the Matildas in 2020, they have been a team that thrives in transitions and counterattacks but seem to struggle when allowed to keep a lot of possession. This was clear right from the last Olympics, when they failed to win a single match where they had the majority of the ball. Their disappointing elimination from the Asian Cup quarterfinal reinforced this, as they lost to South Korea in a match where they had about two-thirds of possession.
With that in mind, it should be no surprise that they had close to 65% possession in both of their first two group games, which were clearly their two most disappointing performances. After the defeat to Nigeria, Gustavsson realized that they were best off playing in a way that they were most comfortable with, so he switched things up.
Australia adopted a less possession-based approach against Canada, allowing the Olympic champions to keep much more of the ball. Their aim was to set up a centrally compact 4-4-2 mid block with pressing traps in midfield, where they looked to win the ball back.
The blueprint is quite clear: win the ball back in midfield and immediately play forward. That is why the wide midfielders are usually positioned a little bit higher than the central ones, as they often serve as the outlets for the transitions and counterattacks. This tactic helped them put four goals past Canada as well as a couple past Denmark in the Round of 16, where this one epitomized Australia’s changed approach:
In addition to this stylistic change, Gustavsson made one crucial adjustment in terms of personnel. After watching Caitlin Foord struggle without her usual strike-partner Sam Kerr in the front-two, he decided to shift her out to the left wing where she could form a connection with left-back Steph Catley, whom she regularly plays with at Arsenal. Further, Foord’s runs in behind make her a great counterattacking outlet for her side, as is evidenced by the above clip.
Besides Foord, this new approach has also unlocked the best of Mary Fowler. The 20-year-old striker has looked fantastic in transition, not just with her runs in behind but also with her ability to hold the ball up and release through passes for teammates to chase (as she did for Foord against Denmark).
Moreover, this new approach has also helped Australia shore up their defense. After letting in three goals against Nigeria, they have kept three clean sheets and restricted their opponents to 3, 3 and 5 shots on target respectively in their subsequent matches. Clearly, this mid-tournament tweak has been the key to Australia’s success in all aspects so far.
Home Advantage
All the on-pitch action and tactics are, of course, the most important aspect in analysing football, but it is also important to consider wider contexts. In this regard, Australia have something the three other semifinalists don’t–thousands upon thousands of supporters cheering them on in the stadiums.
Attendance records have been broken as every game involving Australia has been sold out, but it is not just the die-hard football fans who are behind them. The World Cup fever has swept across the entire country, as public watch parties have been filled to the brim all over the country and the Matildas have become the talk of the town. Videos all over the internet can attest to this, but perhaps none better than this flight:
In this sense, the Matildas might already have achieved something greater than winning the World Cup. Their performances and the support they have received will surely go on to create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond this tournament, perhaps even one that converts Australia into a full-on footballing nation.
But that is a separate discussion and one that will become less and less debatable the further the team advances. Indeed, they look in decent shape to compete for the trophy. Their semifinal opponents, England, are yet another team who look to dominate possession and have themselves looked susceptible to counterattacks in previous matches, so Australia’s current style of play seems to be the right one to defeat the European champions.
Should they advance to the final, the Matildas will come up against Spain or Sweden in the last game of the tournament. Of course, there are a lot of factors that can influence a World Cup final especially, but on paper, they seem to have what it takes to get the better of either team. Sweden’s performances so far have often been unconvincing so they are the least-fancied of the four semifinalists, while Spain also play a possession-dominant style that makes them susceptible to counterattacks.
But the biggest boost for Australia could be the complete return of Sam Kerr. After her calf injury ruled her out of the group stage, the star striker has appeared off the bench in both knockout games so far and spent over an hour on the pitch against France, so she will surely be fit to start against England. Her world-class clinicality will add yet another threat to this Australian attack, making them all the more dangerous on the break.
Having survived what seemed to be the most grueling penalty shootout humankind has ever seen, Australia will surely be ready to face anything in their last two matches. If things go their way, we could well witness one of the greatest and most historic successes in World Cup history.
Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu is optimistic his team will have a good outing in the Nigeria Professional Football League next season.
Ilechukwu said the Flying Antelopes have all it takes to challenge for the title.
He admitted that the team needs some improvement but assured that the players are ready for the new season.
“We are still building, and I am optimistic that we shall be ready to hold our own should the season kickoff today,” he told the club’s media.
“Our game against Enyimba, I give it to them as they have been together for a longer period. At the same time, I commend my players for the way we played in containing them.
“Enyimba possessed more balls in the game, but we created more scoring chances but took only one. In all, I am satisfied with the output of my players ahead of the new season.”
[DailyPost]
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The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is hosting members of the female football team, the Super Falcons, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Super Falcons crashed out of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, having lost through penalties to the English team last Monday.
The First Lady, who held a similar meeting with the victorious Nigeria female basketball team, D’Tigresses, last Monday, has since been encouraging female sports by urging them on.
Anthony Joshua, the British boxer of Nigerian heritage, defeated Robert Helenius, his opponent, via knockout in their heavyweight boxing bout at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
The former heavyweight champion won the fight after he handed his opponent from Finland a brutal punch in the seventh round.
With the triumph, Joshua scores his first knockout win since December 2020 when he defeated Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in a WBA, IBO, IBF and WBO title defence.
Helenius, who replaced banned Dylian White one week before the bout, required oxygen but recovered to congratulate a slim-looking Joshua before exiting the ring unaided.
“I knew this would happen, everyone’s talking about the new AJ and the old AJ and after two or three rounds the crowd starts to get a little bit impatient,” said Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, in a chat with BBC.
“He finds the measure of his right hand and he delivers one of the knockouts of the year on Robert Helenius… this is just the AJ you’re going to see now.
“He’s still got to be more aggressive than we saw tonight but there’s a lot on the line.”
It is back-to-back wins for Joshua after his decision victory against Jermaine Franklin in April.
It is also his second victory since relinquishing his heavyweight title belts to Oleksandr Usyk who defeated him on two occasions.
Usyk defeated Joshua on September 25, 2021. The British boxer also suffered in the hands of his Ukrainian counterpart for the second time on August 21, 2022.
Joshua extends his record to 26 wins and three defeats, with 23 of his wins coming via knockout.
The 33-year-old is expected to fight Deontey Wilder in January 2024.
Wilder knocked out Helenius in the first round of their fight last October.
[TheCable]
Nigerian track and field athlete, Tobi Amusan, has been cleared by the World Athletics to compete in the World Championship starting this weekend in Budapest, Hungary.
Amusan’s chances of participating at the Budapest 2023 World Championships had been hung in the balance as she was undergoing the doping investigation.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) did not include her name in the upcoming competition as the world’s athletics body had not confirmed her.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) initially suspended the 26-year-old for missing three consecutive tests but has now given her the nod to represent Nigeria at the World Championship.
She appeared before the jury Thursday and got a favourable verdict.
Amusan ran the fastest time ever in the hurdles at 12.12 seconds in the semi-final of the women’s 100m hurdles and in the final she recorded 12.06, it was adjudged to the wind aided. The stunning delivery left the world spellbound.
And ahead of the Budapest 2023 contest she is the woman to beat, but her suspension in July cast a shadow on her quest to retain the title. She had posted a 12.34 seconds after a slow start to the season.
Nia Ali leads the world ahead of Budapest athletics showpiece with 12.30 seconds. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Kendra Harrison have 12.31 season best.
After protracted negotiations between Napoli and the agent of Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, reports have emerged that a deal has been agreed upon with the striker now set to sign a new contract with the Serie A champions.
Recently, Napoli’s head coach, Rudi Garcia, confirmed that the Nigerian would extend his stay in Naples, ending the speculation surrounding the striker’s future.
“I want Osimhen to be happy. The club and the player have executed commendable efforts. He’s an essential driving force for us; we rely on his goal-scoring capabilities,” Garcia said.
“Once the agreement is official, he’ll be able to focus solely on his on-field contributions, a prospect that I find preferable.”
Details published by Italian publication, Football-Italia, on Saturday, revealed that the Nigerian has been offered a new three years contract extension that includes a release clause at €150m and a salary at €10m (N8.4bn) per season.
This new deal is expected to run to June 2027 and will see his wages sky-rocket to €10m per season from his current €5.5m including bonuses and a portion of his image rights.
Football-Italia added that the release clause is set to be at two different levels, one for clubs outside of Italy and one specifically for the Saudi Pro League, reaching €150m.
Osimhen recently helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years and also became the first African to win the Capocannoniere (Serie A Top Scorer Award).
The striker also broke a 14-year jinx of being the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere same season.
His impressive performance received interest from numerous clubs this summer, including Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and several Saudi Pro League sides like Al-Hilal.
While various prominent European clubs faltered in their pursuit, the Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal seemed poised for success.
Al-Hilal made not one but two bids for Osimhen and offered an alluring salary package that would have rendered him the highest-earning African footballer in history.
However, President Aurelio De Laurentiis and Osimhen were always focused on continuing their rapport together at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The 24-year-old forward was again on target during Napoli’s 2-0 victory against Apollon Limassol in a recent friendly match on Friday.