Sports
Napoli Nearing £30m Deal for Chelsea Striker Romelu Lukaku
Napoli is on the verge of securing a deal to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, with negotiations reaching a significant breakthrough. The 31-year-old Belgium striker is expected to join the Italian club for a fee of around £30 million on a permanent deal, which will also include a sell-on clause.
There is a possibility that this transfer could influence Victor Osimhen’s future, with Chelsea showing interest in a potential initial loan deal for the Nigerian forward as part of the negotiations.
Napoli’s pursuit of Lukaku has been largely driven by their manager, Antonio Conte, who previously worked with Lukaku during two highly successful seasons at Inter Milan between 2019 and 2021. During that time, Lukaku became one of Europe’s most prolific strikers.
Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for a then-club-record fee of £97.5 million but struggled to replicate his form in the Premier League. After an underwhelming return to Stamford Bridge, he spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy, first returning to Inter Milan and then moving to Roma. He has not featured for Chelsea since May 2022.
Chelsea, aiming to reduce the size of their senior squad—which has grown to over 40 players following 11 signings this summer—sees the sale of Lukaku as part of their ongoing efforts to streamline the team.
Sports
Fernandes Reaffirms Commitment to United as Captain Looks Beyond January Turmoil
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is not seeking a move away from Old Trafford during the January transfer window, despite recent upheaval at the club and widespread speculation about his future.
Reports in recent days had suggested the Portugal international was reassessing his position following the dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim, a decision that triggered significant change behind the scenes at United. Fernandes’ meeting with one of Amorim’s coaches, Carlos Fernandes, shortly after the sacking further fuelled concerns among supporters that the 31-year-old might be considering an exit.
However, sources with a clear understanding of the situation have indicated that Fernandes remains committed to Manchester United and has no intention of forcing a move this month. While the club has experienced instability, including Darren Fletcher’s brief two-game spell as interim manager before Michael Carrick was appointed caretaker for the remainder of the season, Fernandes is said to be focused on helping the team through the transition.
It has long been Fernandes’ plan to reassess his future in the summer rather than during the current campaign. By that point, he will be entering the final year of his contract, a natural moment for both player and club to take stock and consider their long-term direction in a more settled environment.
Last summer, Fernandes turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, underlining his desire to continue competing at the highest level. Although interest from the Saudi Pro League remains strong, any potential move away from United would likely see him prioritise staying in European football.
The former Sporting midfielder has spoken candidly about feeling “hurt” by learning that United had been open to selling him, particularly as he believed head coach Amorim wanted him to remain at the club. Fernandes suggested that senior officials lacked the courage to discuss the situation with him directly, adding a personal dimension to the speculation surrounding his future.
Nevertheless, those close to the player stress that Fernandes’ immediate focus is on his responsibilities as captain and on guiding United through a challenging period.
Sports
Eto’o handed ban for misconduct at Afcon
Former Cameroon captain and African football icon Samuel Eto’o has been handed a four-match ban and fined $20,000 (£14,960) after a Confederation of African Football (Caf) disciplinary panel found him guilty of misconduct.
In a statement, Caf said Eto’o, who is now president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), breached its principles of sportsmanship during the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between Cameroon and hosts Morocco. The match, played in Rabat, ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Indomitable Lions.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker was reportedly seen making an angry gesture in reaction to several officiating decisions during the encounter. Caf president Patrice Motsepe, who was present in the stadium, is understood to have witnessed Eto’o’s visible frustration from the stands.
Earlier this week, Caf announced it had opened an investigation into what it described as “violent confrontations and unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials” during the tournament’s quarter-final matches. Eto’o’s case was part of that broader review, which the governing body said was aimed at upholding discipline and respect at its flagship competitions.
Fecafoot has strongly rejected Caf’s ruling, however, arguing that the disciplinary process “raises serious reservations about the fundamental requirements of a fair trial”. In a statement released on Wednesday, the federation expressed full support for its president and indicated that Eto’o is expected to appeal against the sanction, a move that could lead to a fresh examination of the case.
Despite the setback, Fecafoot officials have framed the situation as an opportunity to clarify procedures and reinforce good governance within African football. They stressed that Eto’o remains committed to his role and to the long-term development of the game in Cameroon.
Since taking office in 2021, Eto’o’s tenure as Fecafoot president has been marked by both ambition and controversy. While his legendary status as one of Africa’s greatest-ever players initially raised high expectations, his leadership period has also attracted criticism, including allegations of improper conduct, management challenges and claims of serious irregularities within the federation.
Sports
Mane’s Decisive Strike Sends Senegal into Another AFCON Final as Egypt Exit
Sadio Mané delivered a moment of brilliance to propel Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring the decisive goal that ended Egypt’s campaign and once again denied Mohamed Salah his long-awaited AFCON title.
The Liverpool forward struck at a crucial moment in a tense semi-final encounter, underlining his importance to the Teranga Lions and confirming their place in the final for the third time in the last four editions of the tournament. Senegal, the reigning champions, showed composure, tactical discipline and experience to edge past a resilient Egyptian side that had hoped this year would finally bring continental glory to Salah.
Despite Egypt’s spirited performance and flashes of quality from their captain, Senegal’s organised approach and clinical finishing proved decisive. Mané’s winner sparked celebrations among Senegal’s players and supporters, reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s most consistent and dominant national teams in recent years.
For Egypt, the defeat marked another painful chapter in their AFCON journey under Salah’s leadership. While the Pharaohs once again fell short of lifting the trophy, their run to the semi-finals highlighted renewed competitiveness and offered encouragement for the future as they continue rebuilding with a blend of experience and emerging talent.
Senegal will now turn their attention to Sunday’s final, where they will face either Nigeria or Morocco, both of whom remain strong contenders. With confidence high and momentum firmly on their side, the champions will be aiming to successfully defend their title and further cement their place at the summit of African football.
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