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Just In: Romelu Lukaku To Make Chelsea Return

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Romelu Lukaku, 27, has been linked with being a top target for Chelsea this summer.

According to The Sun, the Belgian striker is a $125 million target for Chelsea, as the Blues believe they will not be able to sign Erling Haaland this summer.

Lukaku has had an incredible season at Inter, scoring 27 goals so far as Antonio Conte’s side are on the verge of winning the Serie A title to end Juventus’ nine-year domination of Italy’s top-flight.

He also scored 34 times last season and has 61 goals in 91 games since joining Inter from Manchester United in the summer of 2019.

Would Lukaku want to leave an Inter team heading in the right direction and head back to Chelsea? Probably not. He is loved at Inter, and especially by Antonio Conte, but financially the Milan club is struggling, and offloading Lukaku (although it would be unpopular) would help ease their issues.

Chelsea needs a clinical finisher and with both Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud expected to move on this summer, that leaves Kai Havertz and Timo Werner as their only forwards. The German newbies have hardly been prolific this season.

Lukaku would be the main man at Chelsea, and he would slot in really well as the central striker in the 3-4-2-1 system they play. It would be a surprise if this happened, and Lukaku has repeatedly said how happy he is at Inter.

Brandt reportedly an easier option for Arsenal

Up to north London, and it appears that Arsenal believes they will not be able to sign Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis.

The Norwegian sensation, 22, has been on loan from Real Madrid since January and has slotted in really well for the Gunners, but it is believed it will be tough to turn that loan deal into a permanent one.

Real Madrid is reportedly counting on Odegaard to be a key player for them in 2021-22.

If that is the case, Arsenal may instead look to Borussia Dortmund and Germany attacking midfielder Julian Brandt, 24, as a cheaper and more attainable option to Odegaard.

According to German outlet BILD, Brandt would cost just $24.4 million and the German international is frustrated with a lack of minutes this season.

Arsenal will clearly have an almighty clear-out this summer as Mikel Arteta is backed by the board and creativity and being clinical in the final third has become a real issue this season.

Brandt would help with that, and for a player of his quality and experience, that transfer fee is very low. Whether or not Arsenal gets into the Champions League or not, they should move for Brandt.

As for Odegaard, another season-long loan move a la Dani Ceballos is perhaps the best they could wish for.

 

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Full List Of Nominees For CAF Awards 2025 Unveiled

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the complete list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards, set to take place later this year.

 

The CAF aawards celebrates outstanding performances and achievements across African football, recognising excellence among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams in both the men’s and women’s categories.

 

This year’s shortlist features a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents who have made remarkable contributions to African football over the past season.

 

Nigerian players such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo headline the women’s nominations, while Nigerian clubs and coaches also appear in various categories — reflecting the country’s continued influence in African football.

 

Below is the full list of nominees in the women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025:

 

CAF Awards: Women’s Player of the Year

  • Portia Boakye
  • Tabitha Chawinga
  • Temwa Chawinga
  • Ghizlane Chebbak
  • Mama Diop
  • Rasheedat Ajibade
  • Esther Okoronkwo
  • Sanaa Mssoudy
  • Barba Banda
  • Racheal Kundananji

Women’s Club of the Year

  • Gaborone United
  • ASEC Mimosas
  • TP Mazembe
  • USFAS Bamako
  • ASFAR
  • DE Agosto
  • Mamelodi Sundowns
  • Bayelsa Queens FC
  • Aigles De La Medina
  • JKT Queens

Women’s National Team of the Year

  • Cameroon U17
  • Ghana
  • Ivory Coast U17
  • Mali
  • Morocco
  • Nigeria U17
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia U17

Women’s Young Player of the Year

  • Habiba Essam
  • Habiba Sabry
  • Stella Nyamekye
  • Doha El Madani
  • Winfrida Gerald
  • Ester Maseke Marwa
  • Adji Ndiaye
  • Shakirat Moshood
  • Mercy Chipasula
  • Ruth Mukoma

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year

  • Chloe N’Gazi
  • Sedilame Boseja
  • Fideline Ngoy
  • Habiba Emad
  • Chiamaka Nnadozie
  • Khadija Er-Rmichi
  • Fatoumata Karentao
  • Cynthia Konlan
  • Adji Ndiaye
  • Andile Dlamini

Coach of the Year (Women)

  • Adelaide Koudougnon
  • Siaka Gigi Traore
  • Lamia Boumehdi
  • Genoveva Anonman
  • Justine Madugu
  • Bankole Olowookere
  • Jorge Vilda
  • Kim Bjorkegren
  • Desiree Ellis
  • Carol Kanyemba
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Nigerian-Born Benin Republic Footballer, Razak Omotoyossi Dies At 39

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Nigerian-born Beninese international Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39, though the cause of death has not yet been revealed.

 

His death was confirmed on Tuesday, August 19, by his former Swedish club, Helsingborgs IF.

 

In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), the club wrote:Helsingborgs IF is in mourning.

 

“We have been informed that our former player Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

 

Omotoyossi, who switched nationality to represent Benin after starting his career in the Nigerian league, became one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.

 

He scored 21 goals in 55 international appearances, placing him among Benin’s all-time top scorers.

 

He is fondly remembered for his performance during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he netted all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 victory over Togo and finished as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Samuel Eto’o.

 

He also made history as the first player to score for Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

 

At club level, Omotoyossi had a career spanning Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with stints in South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Moldova, Sweden, and France.

 

He particularly excelled at Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, where he featured in the UEFA Champions League before moving to French side FC Metz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Super Falcons Arrive Abuja After WAFCON Victory, Set For Trophy Parade

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The Super Falcons of Nigeria have arrived Abuja following their successful outing at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, JomogNews reports.

Players and officials of the team arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday afternoon.

They will hold a trophy parade along popular districts in the Federal Capital Territory.

The contingent is expected to move through Airport Road, Berger Junction, Maitama and Wuse Market.

The Super Falcons will be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa later in the day.

Nigeria won a record-extending 10th WAFCON title on Saturday night following a dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.

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