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Transfer deadline: Enzo completes City move, Chelsea loan Sanchez, Mudryk, Fofana joins Sunderland, others

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Manchester City completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández from Chelsea on Tuesday as the summer transfer window closed with a flurry of high-profile moves across the Premier League.

The 25-year-old Fernández joined City on a five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2031, bringing an end to his spell at Chelsea.

The Argentina international, who won the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, said he was eager to continue winning trophies after joining Enzo Maresca’s side.

“Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are.

“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.

“If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player,” he said.

On the club website, City’s Director of Football, Hugo Viana, described Fernández as a “complete midfielder” and said the club believed he would improve the squad.

“At Manchester City, we are always looking to bring in world-class players and Enzo fits the bill,” Viana said.

“He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer.

“To have played in two World Cup finals and won major trophies in multiple countries at just 25 says everything you need to know about his mentality, professionalism and technical quality.

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“We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team,” he noted.

Elsewhere, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez completed a season-long loan move to Serie A side Como after making 112 appearances for the Blues since joining from Brighton and Hove Albion in August 2023.

Sanchez was part of the Chelsea squad that won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup before his temporary move to Italy.

Ukraine international Mykhailo Mudryk also secured a season-long loan move, where he will reunite with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, having previously worked under the Italian manager earlier in his career.

“It’s a great feeling. I can’t wait to start training and playing for the Club, and I’m so excited to be reunited with Roberto De Zerbi,” Mudryk said.

“I’m a player who brings speed and creativity, and I want to help in both the offensive and defensive areas. I want to make the fans excited.”

De Zerbi said he was looking forward to working with the Ukrainian forward again.

“Having worked with Misha earlier in his career, I know exactly what he can bring to our team,” De Zerbi said.

“He has the quality to change a game with his speed and ability in one-vs-one situations, and is an exciting, attacking talent.”

Fofana joins Sunderland

Belgian winger Malick Fofana, meanwhile, joined Sunderland from Olympique Lyonnais on a long-term contract.

The 21-year-old, Sunderland’s fifth signing of the summer window, made 82 appearances for Lyon, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists.

Sunderland Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi said, “Malick has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.

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“He is a player with huge potential and Sunderland AFC will provide him with the right environment to continue to develop and prosper.”

Quinten Timber joins Palace

Crystal Palace also announced the signing of Netherlands international Quinten Timber on a contract until 2031.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who has won 13 caps for the Netherlands, joins Palace after featuring for Marseille and Feyenoord.

Palace chairman Steve Parish said, “With vast experience of representing his club and country at the highest level, Quinten is a player whose leadership, tenacity and ability we are confident will flourish in the Premier League.

“Welcome to Palace, Quinten.”

Jack Grealish returned to Everton on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the 2026/27 season after spending the previous campaign with the Merseyside club.

The 30-year-old England international made 20 Premier League appearances for Everton last season, scoring twice and providing six assists before a foot injury in February brought his campaign to an early end.

“It feels so good. I’m so happy. I think I’m at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved,” Grealish told Everton’s official website.

“That’s what the manager has given me, what my teammates have given me and especially what the fans have given me.”

Meanwhile, Premier League summer transfer window officially closed at midnight on Tuesday, meaning any deals announced afterwards would only be completed and confirmed if the required transfer documents had been submitted to the relevant authorities before the deadline.

Source: punchng.com

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British tennis star, Jodie Burrage receives death threats after defeat

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Jodie Burrage was subjected to death threats and online abuse after losing her first WTA Tour singles match in 16 months.

The 27-year-old Briton, ranked 474th in the world, exited in the first round of the Chennai Open when India’s Vaishnavi Adkar recovered from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

As reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday, Burrage later posted an Instagram story showing a stream of direct messages that included abuse and death threats.

She added the comment: “Nice welcome back to tour. I remember why I left.”

German player Eva Lys publicly supported her, tagging the WTA and asking: “When will something be done?”

Burrage’s previous WTA main-draw singles appearance, outside of qualifying, was a first-round defeat at Wimbledon in July 2025.

The incident forms part of a larger problem. Female tennis players received more than 12,000 abusive social-media posts and messages last year, according to Signify Group data, with similar numbers recorded in 2025.

Angry gamblers were behind 42% of verified abuse and 59% of serious abuse cases that year.

Britain’s Katie Boulter has previously spoken about receiving death threats.

Players have called for identity verification on social-media platforms, while the WTA player board has described the abuse as unacceptable and potentially significant in its impact.

Source: punchng.com

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UCL: No relief, just pride after United win — Carrick

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Man United coach, Michael Carrick, has insisted he felt no personal relief after Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma, saying his only emotion was pride in a group of players who care deeply.

United fought back from behind at Old Trafford to end a long winless run, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice in a frantic late spell before being sent off, and academy product Shea Lacey providing the decisive assists after coming off the bench.

As reported by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, asked whether the result brought a sense of relief, Carrick was clear. “Genuinely no. I didn’t feel relief. It was more, I was genuinely pleased for the players. I know how much they care. I know what they give. It was just more seeing everybody and the feeling that we can generate when we do things right!”

The manager reserved special praise for Lacey, who entered the game with United trailing and immediately lifted the side.

“He’s got great ability. That glint in his eyes and he plays with a bit of mischief. He was desperate to do well. I was just as happy seeing him defend as a right back! He gave everyone a lift coming on the pitch. I am so happy.”

On Cunha’s all-action display, which ended in a red card, Carrick added: “I was a bit disappointed with how it finished but it just shows how much he cares and he’s willing to do when he’s in that frame of mind. When he’s in that mood, and he plays like that… that’s what we want him here.”

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Cunha himself highlighted Lacey’s contribution:

“What an unbelievable pass from Shea! It’s beautiful when you have an academy player that comes and has a great impact in the game. When I saw the ball going, to be honest, I didn’t believe it, the comeback!”

The result leaves United with a much-needed boost in the Champions League.

Source: punchng.com

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Super Falcons get $100,000 equivalent as Tinubu fulfils pledge

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons players have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, while their coaches and officials got $50,000 each, completing the cash component of President Bola Tinubu’s reward package for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Sports Commission announced the payment in a statement on Monday, saying the Federal Government had fulfilled the President’s financial commitment to the team following their record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

The players had earlier received title documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja and certificates of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, thanked Tinubu for fulfilling his promise and recognising the team’s achievement.

“The Super Falcons made Nigeria proud, and Mr President has honoured his commitment to them in full. This means a great deal to the team and to Nigerian sports. We sincerely thank Mr President for recognising their achievement and directing that they received everything promised to them in record time,” Dikko said.

The commission said the payment followed cooperation between the NSC and the Ministries of Finance, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.

Dikko also said the fulfilment of the rewards marked a departure from previous experiences in which Nigerian athletes waited years to receive promised benefits.

“Some of our sports heroes endured years of waiting for promises to be fulfilled. President Tinubu has shown that things can be done differently.

“Our athletes can take encouragement from this and prepare to represent Nigeria with confidence that their efforts are appreciated and commitments made to them will be honoured,” he added.

See also  Falconets lose World Cup opener to Spain

The Super Falcons secured their 10th continental title in July 2025 after coming from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat.

Tinubu announced the rewards at a presidential reception for the team on July 28, 2025, promising each player the naira equivalent of $100,000, while members of the technical crew were to receive $50,000 each.

He also awarded them three-bedroom apartments and the OON national honour.

The latest payment follows a similar development involving Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, whose players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each in September 2026, while officials received $50,000 each, after winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025.

The team had also received three-bedroom apartment documents and OON certificates earlier in February 2026.

In December 2025, the Federal Government also presented housing title documents, confirmation of land allocations in Abuja and national honours to members of the Super Eagles following their silver-medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

PUNCH Online had reported at the time that the housing and cash rewards promised to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress were ready for collection, following the presentation of the Super Eagles’ rewards.

Source: punchng.com

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