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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jack Grealish's telling response to Napoli transfer question as he cracks Kevin De Bruyne joke
As Jack Grealish continues to be linked with a move away from Manchester City, the ex-Aston Villa captain answered a direct question about a potential move to Napoli Jack Grealish refused to rule out a move to Napoli when asked by fans during his trip to Italy. The Manchester City winger has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for weeks and recently agreed to train on his own in pre-season. The last year has proved to be a difficult one for England's first-ever £100million player. He only started seven Premier League matches and was left out of City's squad for their final game of last season against Fulham, as well as their travelling party for the Club World Cup. The ex-Aston Villa captain has been linked with moves to West Ham United and Newcastle United this summer. However, Napoli, who have already signed Kevin De Bruyne, have also emerged as a potential destination. Grealish only furthered those rumours when he spoke to supporters while on the Amalfi Coast, where he flew into earlier this week to continue his solo training. He has been spotted on football pitches in Ravello, a picturesque town in the Campania region of Italy. Speaking to Radio Marte, Emanuele Falcone, municipal councillor of Scala, claimed Grealish hinted he could soon be moving to Napoli when quizzed by onlookers. Falcone said: "Grealish has booked our sports facility for the whole week, from Monday to Thursday. "On Friday, he might pop over to Naples. He trained very seriously, like a true professional. Lots of fans stopped him for a photo and asked him if he really could come to Napoli? "Him? Never a denial, just laughter and winks. In fact, he let slip a joke, 'You already have De Bruyne in Napoli.'" De Bruyne joined Antonio Conte's side this summer on a free transfer after City opted not to give him a new contract. He will be reunited with Grealish if the England international chooses to follow his former colleague to Naples. In June, the Sun claimed the reigning Italian champions would be willing to spend £45m on Grealish. The Englishman may factor in the ascent of Scott McTominay, who has transformed from Manchester United outcast to Serie A MVP since joining last summer, into his decision-making. With the 2026 World Cup in the back of his mind, Grealish will be desperate for first-team football after being left out of the England squad for Euro 2024. Last year, Guardiola heavily insinuated that it may be better for him to seek pastures new if he wants to appear regularly. After City ended the season by beating Fulham 2-0, the City boss said: "Of course Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. "It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it. With us or another place. It's a question for Jack, his agent and the club."
Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Callum O'Dowda move confirmed as Cardiff City eye ex-Aston Villa midfielder
Callum O'Dowda move confirmed as Cardiff City eye ex-Aston Villa midfielder The latest Bluebirds news from Cardiff City Stadium Kyrie Pierre of Aston Villa celebrates (Image: Getty Images ) Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Friday, July 4. O'Dowda exit confirmed Callum O'Dowda's departure to Hungarian side Ferencvaros has been confirmed. The Republic of Ireland international has joined the Budapest side on a permanent deal. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community. His departure represents the first exit of a contracted player this summer after nine senior players saw their contracts expire earlier this week. The 30-year-old signed a new contract with Cardiff earlier this year which should have taken him to 2028, however following relegation he has opted to head to the continent for a new challenge. The Hungarian side are managed by former Republic of Ireland and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane and are in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League. They won the Hungarian top flight last season. Article continues below O'Dowda signed under Steve Morison back in 2022 and went on to represent the club on 94 occasions, scoring six goals and providing eight assists. After injuries to several senior stars last year - like Joe Ralls, Aaron Ramsey and Jak Alnwick - the utility player donned the captain's arm band on a number of occasions. "We'd like to thank Callum for his efforts over the past three seasons and wish him the best of luck for the future," the club said in a statement. Ex-Aston Villa midfielder on radar While Cardiff fans are likely to have to wait until after the pre-season tour of Spain for senior signings, there could be movement at under-21s level. It is understood Cardiff are keen on signing recently-released Aston Villa midfielder Kyrie Pierre. The 20-year-old, who plays centrally but can also operate on either wing, left Villa last month, having joined their academy from Bristol Rovers back in 2021. He played in Europe in and Premier League 2 for the young Villans. The youngster scored five times in 32 Premier League 2 appearances for the Midlands club. City, who are yet to agree personal terms with Pierre, on Thursday announced the addition of another midfielder in Matthew Apter, another who left a Premier League club —Everton— this summer. Centre-back duo Charlie O'Brien, a Cork native just like new first-team boss Barry-Murphy, and Gabriel Keita were also confirmed as academy signings. Isaac Jefferies has also put pen to paper on a new deal with the club. Ramsey completes Mexico move Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has completed his move to Mexican top-flight side Pumas UNAM, becoming the first high-profile British player to sign for a club in Liga MX. The 34-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the Mexico City-based outfit, officially named Club Universidad Nacional, and says he is 'excited by the challenge' of continuing his career in North America. Ramsey, who shares an agent with Pumas manager and former Celtic player Efraín Juárez, said the head coach played a key role in convincing him to make the switch. 'I had many conversations with him,' said the former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder. 'What he's done in his young career so far has been exceptional. The vision and the values this club have really excited me and was something I wanted to be a part of." The Caerphilly-born playmaker has not featured for Wales since September 2024 and last played a competitive game in March. Now, he faces the physical demands of playing at altitude in one of the world's most challenging footballing environments. 'The altitude is definitely something to get used to,' he admitted. 'I'm doing well at the moment. Now it's about taking the next steps and hopefully I'll be on that pitch as soon as possible helping my team-mates. I don't want to put a date on it but hopefully very soon.' Despite his recent injury setbacks, Ramsey remains determined to prolong his career and hopes to lead Wales at the 2026 World Cup. He joins a Pumas side who finished sixth in the Liga MX standings last season and qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup. 'I've played with players who understand this league and have had conversations with them,' he said. 'It's very technical, a lot of great players have been produced, and the national team is very good.' Ramsey added: 'I've played for some of the best teams in the world and have always had pressure to win. I know what this club is capable of and I want to help them be successful and hopefully lift some silverware.' Pumas have not won a Mexican league title since 2011, but Ramsey says he is undaunted by the challenge and is eager to make his mark. 'I've experienced a lot in my career and that puts me in a good place going forward,' he said. 'I realise the expectation on this club and I'm here to play my part and help deliver what we all want this season.' First away game moved Cardiff City's first away game of the season against Port Vale has been moved to be on TV. The Bluebirds will feature on live television four times in August after Sky Sports selected a number of their League One fixtures for broadcast. Brian Barry-Murphy's side will kick off their 2025/26 campaign in front of the cameras at Cardiff City Stadium, with their opening match against Peterborough United moved to a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday, 2 August. The EFL and Sky Sports have now confirmed their live picks through to the end of September, with three more Cardiff games chosen for coverage in the opening month of the season. City's first away game of the campaign, against Port Vale, has been rescheduled for an 8pm kick-off on Thursday, 7 August. Later in the month, their trip to Luton Town will also be shown live, with a lunchtime kick-off at Kenilworth Road set for 12:30pm on Saturday, 23 August. Article continues below The final televised fixture in the current selection window will see Cardiff host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, 30 August, also kicking off at 12:30pm. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here. Confirmed televised fixtures:
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ex-Celtic hero sees value plummet with shock transfer 'likely' as potential bidding war opens up for flop
Here are the latest transfer rumours surrounding Celtic Park, as a former hero is linked to a potential return. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Celtic hero Kyogo Furuhashi looks set to end his nightmare six-month stay at Rennes by making a shock switch to the EFL Championship, with the French outfit reportedly ready to accept a cut-price fee for the Japanese forward. The 30-year-old striker, who scored 85 goals for Celtic across all competitions during his three-and-half-year stay in Glasgow, moved to the Ligue 1 outfit in January but has endured a miserable spell in France, where he has yet to find the net for his new club following his £10million move just 151 days ago. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Furuhashi's transfer to Rennes hit a roadblock almost instantly when the man who brought him to club, Jorge Sampaoli, was sacked just days after his arrival at Roazhon Park. From there on, Furuhashi struggled for regular game time, and barely featured under new head coach, and ex-Aston Villa defender, Habib Beye, which led to reports in France that they club were desperate to 'part ways' with the Japanese international this summer. Kyogo Furuhashi is expected to leave Rennes this summer. | Getty Images And it looks like the Brittany-based club may have found a suitor for the ex-Hoops hero after L'Equipe claimed the club were 'ready to cut their losses' on Furuhashi, lowering their asking price for the striker to just £5million - half of what they paid to bring him to the club. The shock news has now seemingly alerted newly promoted EFL Championship side Birmingham City, with reports in his homeland saying the Blues are readying an ambitious offer aimed at bringing him to St Andrews this summer. The report reveals that the striker is 'likely' to complete a move to the Midlands and link up with fellow countryman, and ex-Celtic midfielder, Tomoki Iwata, with Furuhashi believed to be 'positive about the transfer' and hoping to depart Rennes shortly. Meanwhile, Celtic have received an offer in region of £1.7million from Braga for out-of-favour defender Gustaf Lagerbielke, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Italian says that the Swedish international is 'keen on the move' and that the two club's are in active discussions over a move to the Portuguese outfit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gustaf Lagerbielke is expected to leave Celtic permanently this summer, with interest from several clubs across Europe reported. | TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Ima Lagerbielke has struggled since moving to the Hoops from IF Elfsborg, though he was able to resurrect his form on loan to FC Twente in the Eredivisie last season. A regular starter at De Grolsch Veste, he earned praise for his domestic performances and in the Europa League, where he scored a goal against Malmö. FC Twente had an option to trigger a permanent deal for Lagerbielke this summer, but surprisingly opted against taking the option up, leaving the defender in limbo.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leeds in talks with agent of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz
Leeds United have reportedly opened preliminary talks with the entourage of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, who is not part of Igor Tudor's plans. reports that Leeds United have shown interest in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz by opening preliminary talks with the midfielder's entourage. Leeds call agent of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Douglas Luiz of Juventus is challenged by Karol Linetty of Torino during the Serie A match between Torino and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) Douglas Luiz formally joined Juventus in a €50m deal from Aston Villa a year ago, but has struggled with injuries and limited playing time in Turin, accumulating just 877 minutes on the pitch without contributing to any goals. Premier League options for Douglas Luiz TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Douglas Luiz of Juventus reacts to a missed chance during the Serie A match between Juventus and Venezia at Allianz Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) Douglas Luiz was seen chatting to Pep Guardiola during a Club World Cup game between Manchester City and Juventus on Thursday, but according to the report, the Premier League giants are not pursuing a potential deal for the ex-Aston Villa star. ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JUNE 26: Teun Koopmeiners #8 of Juventus FC scores his team's first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Juventus FC and Manchester City FC at Camping World Stadium on June 26, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by) Manchester United could be a possible destination for the 27-year-old, but only after July 1. In contrast, the pathway leading to Leeds is more feasible in the final days of June due to financial reasons.
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wrexham wanted to sign me but I turned down transfer – I don't know why I did it
Wrexham wanted to sign me but I turned down transfer – I don't know why I did it An ex-Aston Villa youngster has admitted that he turned down a move to Wrexham, but his decision may have actually been for the best in the long term, given how things panned out Former Northern Ireland international Jamie Ward has admitted he rejected Wrexham (Image: PA Wire ) A former Aston Villa youngster has admitted he turned down a move to Wrexham – but he now can't actually recall the reasons for his decision. Jamie Ward came up through the youth ranks of the Premier League club during the early 2000s before turning professional in 2005. Despite captaining Villa's reserves, the forward did not make a single first-team appearance for his boyhood team and was loaned out to League Two's Stockport County in March of the following year. Ward's performances in the fourth tier were impressive enough to attract the attention of several teams following his release by Villa in the summer of 2006. The decision sparked a battle between Wrexham, Stockport and Torquay United to secure his services. The ex-Northern Ireland international, who spent most of his career in the Championship with the likes of Derby County and Nottingham Forest, took some time to consider his options. However, while Wrexham are now a highly attractive prospect under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, he decided a move to North Wales was not for him at the time, opting for Torquay instead. Ward showed signs of regret over the choice during a recent appearance on the Undr The Cosh podcast after admitting he'd been impressed by the Red Dragons' home stadium. "After the Stockport loan, I was done at Villa," he said. "Getting in that environment and knowing that I was actually capable of playing league football at a young age was the kick up the backside I probably needed. Article continues below Jamie Ward discussed his career, including his decision to reject Wrexham, on the Undr The Cosh podcast (Image: Undr The Cosh ) "I had Stockport, Wrexham and Torquay after me, and I decided to go to Torquay. I was worried about Stockport struggling again, so that's why I didn't go there. I actually don't know why I didn't choose Wrexham, because the stadium was nice. "I think the thing that swung it for me at Torquay is that the manager was from Birmingham, so he knew how far I was away from home. He said to me, 'Listen, if you're ever struggling and you want to go home for a few days, all you have to do is tell me.' "That was a nice option to have where you can just get in the car, get up the road free and you're back with your family three hours later." Ward's time at Torquay was short-lived following an ownership change and a new manager being brought in soon after he joined. He later put in a transfer request in December 2006, before moving to Chesterfield the following month. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Article continues below Despite voicing some remorse at not going to Wrexham, Ward's decision turned out to be for the best. The 2006/07 season was a tumultuous one for the Red Dragons as they struggled for form and manager Denis Smith was sacked in January 2007. His successor Brian Carey kept the club in League Two by the skin of their teeth with a 3-1 home win over Boston United on the final day of the season. However, their relief was only temporary as Wrexham dropped out of the Football League in 2008 and spent 15 years in exodus in non-league's top tier. Ward was to enjoy a more positive trajectory after his impressive performances for Chesterfield caught the eye of Championship outfit Sheffield United. He later spent time with Derby and Nottingham Forest and also had a short spell on loan at Cardiff City in 2018, before turning out for several non-league sides in the twilight of his career.
