Antonio Conte wants to start his summer squad strengthening programme at Chelsea by signing Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, sources have said. Chelsea can seal the Premier League title with a win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, but Conte, who remains a target for Inter Milan, is determined to move quickly in order to add to his squad ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League next season. The former Italy manager is keen for defensive reinforcements due to John Terry’s planned departure from Stamford Bridge and Gary Cahill approaching his 32nd birthday later this year, as well…
Author: David Folami
The Governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure the party wins all the 57 local council seats in the July 22 polls. The Governor said this at a stakeholders meeting which was held at the APC secretariat in Lagos, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Ambode also thanked the party members for voting for him overwhelmingly during the 2015 governorship election. He said “We are meeting on a very happy note. I am able to look back and say that that confidence you reposed in me to defeat the PDP…
Ex-Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the defection of ex-Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, to the All Progressives Congress as saddening and irritating. In a report by Punch, Fani-Kayode said it was unfortunate that Obanikoro would join the APC at the heat battle. He said, “My brother, Musiliu Obanikoro’s decision to join the APC irks and saddens me. I say this because I have always loved him and I care. You cannot fight evil by joining it. You cannot bring light by entering the darkness. You cannot find joy by partaking in the bread of sorrows. “You…
Ahead of the July 22 council polls in Lagos State, the Peoples Democratic Party says it is confident that its internal wranglings will be resolved for a “good showing” at the polls. The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Saturday said the party was “closing ranks” for the forthcoming council elections. “The factions in the party in Lagos State are resolving their differences to put up a strong showing in the election. “The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)or any other party that had ruled out the PDP’s chances will be surprised at the…
Ahead of 2018 governorship election in Osun, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola said that he has not endorsed anyone to succeed him. The governor made the declaration in an all night interactive programme tagged: ‘Ogbeni Till Daybreak’ on Saturday in Osogbo. Aregbesola, said it was not true that effort to choose who would succeed him in 2018 was threatening his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The governor said APC in the state was as solid, strong and effective as any party could be. “There is no any aspect of our party’s organisation and management that have suffered in…
The report that the former minister of defence, Musiliu Obanikoro has decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is false, sources say. According to Premium Times, a relation said that Obanikoro is still a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The source also revealed that the former minister went to see the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu, in his home for reconciliation. Obanikoro’s associate however said that there is still a possibility that the former minister might decamp. The close political associate also told Premium Times that Obanikoro said he can never work with Ali Modu Sheriff. He…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not win any seat in the upcoming Local Government election in Lagos state. Tinubu said this on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at a stakeholders meeting which was held at the APC secretariat in Ikeja. The meeting was organised to galvanise resources towards the upcoming LG polls in July 22, 2017. According to Vanguard, Tinubu called on the party leadership to carry along women and youths when making political appointments. The APC national leader also urged the party members to support the Lagos…
If Manchester United are to sign Antoine Griezmann and Andrea Belotti they might have to shell out £170million for both of them. “Increasingly ridiculous sums are being spent,” Belotti scotched on Italian television last month of his £85m release clause. “The cost of players has gone up far too much.” The tattoos and celebration are misleading to the casual observer. Belotti is nicknamed il Gallo – the Rooster – because he used to chase after chickens on his aunt’s farm and that cockerel comb celebration is a reminder of his humble origins. The son of a builder, Belotti likes to…
Manchester United had Monaco defender Fabinho watched again in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to Juventus. The Red Devils are linked to a number of the Principality’s big names, with claims made this week they have lodged a £78m offer for teenage strike sensation Kylian Mbappe. Old Trafford insiders, however, have quickly distanced themselves from those reports, insisting 23-year-old Fabinho is the player Jose Mourinho wants to bring to the Theatre of Dreams this summer. United are understood to have scouted the Brazil international on at least eight separate occasions since the start of the year, and the 2-0…
Having given Manchester United the edge in their UEFA Europa League semi-final with Celta Vigo, Marcus Rashford will look to continue his love affair with the competition when the two sides reunite on Thursday. The 19-year-old struck the winner in Galicia last week when his superb free-kick – his first senior set-piece goal – gave United a 1-0 lead they will attempt to build on at Old Trafford. It was just reward for Rashford, and not merely because he had drawn the pick of three outstanding saves from Celta goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez during the first half. “He’s a 19-year-old kid…
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reached agreement with Antoine Griezmann’s representatives ahead of a summer transfer, according to reports in Spain. Mundo Deportivo claims unless Griezmann has a change of heart he will join United this summer – providing his Atletico Madrid release clause is met by the club. The Frenchman remains the top target as Mourinho looks to strengthen his attack ahead of next season, although there is also interest in Everton frontman Romelu Lukaku. Meanwhile, The Sun claims Mourinho is chasing two new centre-backs with the future of both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones uncertain. Michael Keane…
Super agent Jorge Mendes has made contact with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez about Bernardo Silva’s situation. Mendes is fielding offers from across Europe for the AS Monaco star, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Barcelona all in contact. Don Balon says the Portuguese has this week also alerted Perez to the latest developments. Perez would prefer to do business for PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, but if a deal can’t be done he’ll turn to Silva. The Real president, particularly, is eager not to see the Monaco man strengthen Barca next season. Monaco management believe they can raise as much…
Monaco star Kylian Mbappe has left open the chance of a summer blockbuster transfer after his club’s Champions League semi-finals defeat. The Monte-Carlo club have slapped a €110million price tag on the teenage star who has attracted the interest of Real Madrid and both Manchester clubs. And Mbappe, who became the youngest ever play to score in a Champions League semi-final at the age of 18 years and 140 days, said: “The transfer period this summer will be long, I will have time to think about my future then. “I will have enough time to consider my options, for now…
Yemi Alade’s debut music video, ‘Johnny’ remains the second most viewed in Nigeria. ‘Johnny’ was directed by Clarence Peters and presently has over 67 million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, Tiwa Savage has only managed to surpass 20 millions views, six years after ‘Kele Kele’ was released. The Mavin star’s top performing video is for the song, ‘Eminado’, which features Don Jazzy. The music video has 20,854,887 views at the time of this report. While Tiwa’s released more videos and collaborations than Yemi, you already know the winner when we argue the best music video by a Nigerian female singer.
For Beyoncé, pregnancy only doubles as a chance to further her innate goddess factor. Case in point: that supernatural, shape-shifting mane. Yesterday the pop star shared photos on Instagram of a shaken-out, soft, blonde blowout that extended to nearly hip level, framing her growing bump in glamorous and unexpected fashion. And though her glossy, honeyed lengths could have stolen the scene on their own, the pop phenomenon finished the look with exaggerated and embellished hoops and a well-placed black topper that upped the drama factor. It’s the latest in a series of scene-stealing hair moments for the singer, who has…
The 31-year-old Goodies hitmaker gave birth to Sienna Princess on 28 April (17), and to celebrate the new arrival, has shared a simple black and white shot on social media. In the photo, a standard issue hospital bracelet is visible on Ciara’s wrist, as well as one labelled “Big Brother” hanging from the arm of her two-year-old son Future Zahir, whom she shares with her ex, rapper Future. The arm of Ciara’s husband, NFL player Russell Wilson, is also evident. Ciara has also shared a snap on Instagram of the generous gifts she has received since giving birth. “So Much…
Model Amber Rose turned heads on the red carpet at the inaugural MTV Movie & TV Awards in a revealing red two-piece. The curvy star showed off her hourglass figure in a silky bra-style top and an elegant high-waisted maxi skirt with an eye-popping slit in the leg. A host of celebrities from the big and small screen took to Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium to celebrate the best in moving picture entertainment – with the red carpet being evacuated due to a freak storm. But Amber, 33, didn’t let the rain spoil her fun, and made the most of her…
Karim Benzema and Rihanna were rumoured to have been dating back in 2015 The duo were spotted together on several occasions as they were assumed to be’ dating’ A Spanish publication reported that Chris Brown was the reason they stopped seeing each other Real Madrid star Karim Benzema and popular singer Rihanna were spotted on several occasions back in 2015. It was rumoured that the high-profile duo were dating as they were consistently seen together partying till sundown. The pair were enjoying each other’s company as they were allegedly dating but, later stopped seeing each other because of Rihanna’s ex…
Her new autobiography The Secrets Of My Life is said to have caused a rift in her relationship with stepdaughter Kim Kardashian. And Caitlyn Jenner admitted that she hasn’t spoken to the reality TV star in a long time. The 67-year-old former Olympian appeared on breakfast TV show Today on Thursday and said she has purposefully kept a distance from Kim who slammed her new book on Ellen DeGeneres’s show last month. When pressed on the last time she had contact with Kim, Caitlyn revealed she was giving her a wide birth. ‘Well, to be honest with you, I really…
With Manchester United’s 25-match unbeaten streak finally at an end in the Premier League, the state of their season again falls into sharp focus, and the view is not an exhilarating one. The performance against Arsenal was not only very disappointing but also deeply revealing. Sunday’s 2-0 defeat came after manager Jose Mourinho made eight changes in order to rest players for the second leg of the Europa League semifinal against Celta Vigo. United were listless and thoroughly short of ideas. The very same weekend, Real Madrid provided an unfortunate contrast. Fielding what was essentially a B-team against Granada, they…