Al-Riyadh have announced their return to the top table of the Roshn Saudi League in style. The “School of the Central Region” have wrapped up one of the standout deals of the summer window, signing Egypt international star Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet.Saudi Roshn League match ticketsBuy your ticket now!Sources close to Al-Riyadh told Saudi Arabia’s “Arriyadiyah” newspaper that the board had secured the Professional League Association’s approval to close the deal. The club have already signed the Egyptian winger, with an official announcement due within the coming hours now that they have met the registration requirements.Saudi Pro LeagueAl-EttifaqALI15 Aug 202602:00Al RiyadhALRClub FriendliesBarcelonaBAR20 Aug 202602:00Al Ahly SCAHLThe move followed a key milestone. Last Thursday, the club chaired by Bandar Al-Muqail received the “financial competence” certificate after satisfying every condition set by the association, becoming officially eligible to register its new players in the first-team squad.Trezeguet, 31, ended his contract with Egypt’s Al-Ahly last month and joins Al-Riyadh on a free transfer, capping a professional journey that spans ten years.Saudi Roshn League match ticketsBuy your ticket now!The Egyptian winger arrives with a rich CV. He has turned out for English side Aston Villa, plus Trabzonspor, Kasımpaşa and Istanbul Başakşehir in Turkey, Anderlecht and Mouscron in Belgium, and Qatar’s Al-Rayyan.He returned last summer to his parent club Al-Ahly, where he came up through the youth ranks before earning promotion to the first team in 2012.His overseas adventure began in 2015 with a loan move to Belgium’s Anderlecht. The club then made the transfer permanent.

The post A new administrative step brings Al-Riyadh closer to sealing the Trezeguet deal appeared first on SportSermon.net.

After a month since his signing was announcedJosue Caicedo has finally landed in Catalonia. The 18-year-old Ecuadorian full-back touched down a full month after Barcelona Atletic officially confirmed his signing, the delay caused by the bureaucratic problems that kept him from joining the reserve team’s training sessions. The reserve side wrapped up their pre-season camp last Sunday at the Vall d’en Bas ground in Girona.Barcelona Atletic announced the deal on 13 July, a loan with an option to buy worth 2.5 million euros from Ecuadorian club LDU Quito that could turn mandatory if a series of conditions are met. Red tape then scuppered his plans, stopping him from flying out of Ecuador and linking up with his new teammates on the scheduled date of 20 July.Caicedo wasted no time spelling out his ambitions on arrival at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. “I am grateful to all the people here. I want to be a champion and stay here. My dream is to make my debut in the first division with Barcelona,” he said, laying bare his hunger despite his tender age.Physically and technically, the Ecuadorian has plenty to offer. He stands out for his attacking threat, his agility and his sharp reactions, qualities he shares with his favourite player at the club. As he told the media waiting for him in Barcelona: “My role model at Barcelona is Balde.”He also admitted he had not “been able to speak with Deco” yet, though he had kept himself “training” through the month of waiting, unable to join the reserves while the paperwork dragged on.Club FriendliesBaselBAS16 Aug 202622:30BarcelonaBARYoung he may be, but Caicedo already has senior experience behind him. He played 8 matches for LDU Quito’s first team, racking up 344 minutes, and the promising defender made his Copa Libertadores debut on 26 May against Bolivia’s Always Ready. That early continental exposure only adds to his stock.Barcelona rate the youngster highly. The club’s hierarchy know, though, that he will need time to bed in and adapt to the Catalan style before he can push for a first-team spot and chase down his dream of playing in the first division.

The post Barcelona signing arrives in Spain appeared first on SportSermon.net.

The dispute between Julian Alvarez, who is desperate to join Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid has reached the next level of escalation.Alvarez returned to Madrid on Monday after his extended World Cup holiday. According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, he wanted to use the opportunity to underline his desire to leave in face-to-face talks with coach Diego Simeone and chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin. However, neither man was at the training ground. Simeone is currently said to be in Ibiza on a two-day short break.That, according to the report, led Alvarez to “explode”. The 26-year-old striker believes the two most important figures at Atletico lack the courage to face the situation and speak to him in person. At the training ground, Alvarez is also said to have told those present that he had reached the end of his tether and that this would have consequences. There is speculation about the possibility of a training strike. “Do not count on me,” Alvarez is said to have said. The phrase “I’m out” is also said to have been used.Julian Alvarez had already publicly reaffirmed his desire to leaveFor weeks, Alvarez has been pushing for a transfer to Barcelona and is citing an alleged promise from February. The Catalans are said to have already offered 120 million euros weeks ago, but Atletico pointed to the release clause of 500 million written into the contract, which runs until 2030.During the World Cup, in which Alvarez and Argentina lost to Spain in the final, he had already publicly asked to be allowed to leave. “I don’t think this is the right time to talk about it, but I also can’t hide or pretend that nothing is going on,” Alvarez told ESPN. “I try to be an honest person. And I have spoken openly and honestly with the people at the club I needed to speak to. I believe a move is best for everyone, and I want to fulfil my dreams.”Club FriendliesMarseilleOM14 Aug 202623:30Atletico MadridATMClub FriendliesBaselBAS16 Aug 202622:30BarcelonaBARLast season, Alvarez recorded 20 goals and nine assists in 49 competitive appearances for Atletico, after the Madrid club had brought him from Manchester City to Madrid in 2024 for 75 million euros. Atletico begin the new season on 19 August with a home game against Malaga.

The post He reportedly “exploded”! Is Alvarez now going on strike? appeared first on SportSermon.net.

Fifteen years of resilience and battling on the touchline, and now Diego Simeone breaks his silence. The Atlético Madrid boss reveals the other side of his legendary journey: the joy of the beginnings, the weight of expectations and the pressure of competing with Spain’s two giants.Simeone spoke in a lengthy interview with the French magazine “France Football”, carried by the French newspaper “L’Équipe”. Longevity at a single club, he says, demands constant renewal: “I have had to rebuild the team on many occasions, relying on the abilities of the players who joined us, and this is essential to remain for many years.”

The post Álvarez ignored, Mbappé and Yamal praised: Simeone says the pressure is killing me at Atlético appeared first on SportSermon.net.

Our expert shares Arsenal vs Como predictions & betting tips as the Premier League winners play their final friendly before the Community Shield.Cesc Fabregas returns to his former employers on Wednesday night. His Como 1907 side face the Gunners in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates.Best bets for Arsenal vs ComoOver 3.5 goals at odds of 2.25 with StakeArsenal to win and Both teams to score at odds of 2.70 with StakeViktor Gyökeres anytime goalscorer at odds of 2.25 with StakeOur analysis: Form of both teamsScore prediction: Arsenal 3-1 ComoGoalscorers prediction: Arsenal: Saka, Gyokeres, Nwaneri – Como: DouvikasArsenal bring their pre-season campaign to a close against Como at the Emirates on Wednesday. A familiar face returns with the visitors. Cesc Fàbregas, who made 303 appearances for the Gunners, is now the Serie A side’s head coach.Mikel Arteta’s side opened the summer with a 4-1 win at Girona, but they have since lost twice. The Gunners went down 3-1 to Real Betis in Dublin and 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. Defending has been a concern, with William Saliba resting a back problem and Jurrien Timber still weeks away. Most engaged fans are already checking the Stake registration to stay ahead of the curve. Arteta works with a full squad from Monday as his World Cup contingent returns four days before the Community Shield.Como arrive off the best domestic season in their modern history. They finished fourth in Serie A to secure Champions League football for the first time. Their summer has been quieter: a 3-1 win over Al-Ula and a 1-1 draw with Villarreal at their own Como Cup. That was followed by a 3-2 victory against Famalicão. Udinese away follows on 22 August.Probable lineups for Arsenal vs ComoArsenal expected lineup: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Gabriel, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Ødegaard, Havertz, Dowman, Gyökeres, TzolisComo 1907 expected lineup: Butez, Van der Brempt, Valle, Ramon, Kempf, Perrone, Caqueret, Kuhn, Paz, Rodriguez, DouvikasHuge value on four or more goals at the EmiratesEvery Arsenal friendly this summer has sailed past this goal line. It’s a similar story for Como, with all but one of their friendlies featuring four or more goals. Four goals were scored in their draw with Paris FC, and five arrived in their win over Famalicao. Arsenal thrashed Girona 4-1 and lost 3-1 to Real Betis before Sunday’s 3-2 Emirates Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund. That’s 14 goals across three matches, with none producing fewer than four. The defending is the reason: Arteta called the display against Betis “below the standard”. There was further comical defending against Dortmund. It doesn’t help that Arteta is without Saliba and Timber, two stalwarts of Arsenal’s title-winning backline last season.Arsenal vs Como Bet 1: Over 3.5 goals at odds of 2.25 with StakeGunners to win, minus the clean sheetBack-to-back pre-season defeats mean the champions badly want to respond before Cardiff. This is a friendly where Arteta gets his reinforcements back. Arteta works with a full squad from Monday, as the World Cup winners and England contingent return. The current Stake promo code is an essential tool for any fan following this development. They will bring serious quality to a front line already featuring the impressive Tzolis, Dowman and Nwaneri.Arsenal should have too much. Yet, they’ve conceded in all three friendlies. Fàbregas sends out technically brave sides, comfortably building through pressure. We can back a home win, with Como netting at a modest probability of only 34.84%.Arsenal vs Como Bet 2: Arsenal to win and Both teams to score at odds of 2.70 with StakeGyökeres to notch his second pre-season goalThe Swede is off the mark. He converted from the spot on 69 minutes against Borussia Dortmund. The goal arrived after a frustrating afternoon that included hitting the bar and firing a free-kick over.The chances are clearly there, and he has led the line in every pre-season fixture. That’s why another start seems highly possible, with Arteta likely to ease his returning internationals in gradually, most engaged fans are already checking the best football betting sites to stay ahead of the curve.Como could lack sharpness after nearly two weeks without a competitive match. That should give Gyökeres opportunities to build momentum ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Arsenal vs Como Bet 3: Viktor Gyökeres anytime goalscorer at odds of 2.25 with Stake

The post Arsenal vs Como predictions: Back Arsenal to win and Como to score appeared first on SportSermon.net.

FC Porto have approached the entourage of Santiago Gimenez, Fabrizio Romano reports. The 25-year-old striker from Mexico appears to be entering his final weeks at AC Milan.Gimenez is under contract at Milan until the middle of 2029, but he does not look likely to see out his deal.Back at the start of 2025, the Italian giants paid more than €30 million to Feyenoord for Gimenez. According to Transfermarkt, he is now worth only €18 million.Across 37 official matches for Milan, Gimenez has managed 7 goals and 6 assists. The appointment of Rúben Amorim does not appear to have changed his situation either.Following the World Cup, Gimenez suffered an ankle injury, which has kept him from playing a single minute in pre-season so far.Now Porto want to offer Gimenez a way out. Francesco Farioli is convinced the striker can rediscover his old form.For his part, Gimenez is keen on the move. However, both clubs will first have to reach an agreement.

The post Farioli wants to bring former Feyenoord crowd favourite to Porto appeared first on SportSermon.net.

Borussia Dortmund are determined to sign Said El Mala. However, if the transfer does not go through, Giannis Konstantelias of PAOK Saloniki is apparently the alternative. Bayern Munich also once made an offer for the now 23-year-old.For weeks, Borussia Dortmund’s decision-makers have kept schtum over their long-standing and very strong interest in Said El Mala of 1. FC Cologne. The two clubs have been locked in tough talks for some time. It would take something extraordinary for BVB not to get the deal for the 19-year-old over the line.Still, years of footballers’ interviews have taught us one thing: never rule anything out in this business. That brings us to Giannis Konstantelias. The 23-year-old from PAOK in Thessaloniki is said to be Dortmund’s Plan B if the El Mala move does not happen.”A bit of pace and a bit of one-on-one dribbling are certainly elements we are looking out for,” BVB sporting director Ole Book recently revealed, at least in terms of the player profile being sought. That makes perfect sense because nobody in the current squad offers those qualities. Karim Adeyemi had, after all, been moved on to Barcelona.Getty ImagesCrazy transfer saga involving Giannis Konstantelias and VfB StuttgartKonstantelias has exactly those attributes. His strengths are close control, dribbling, outstanding technique and a good view of the game between the lines. The Greek is two-footed, secure in possession and can play as a classic No. 10 or out wide.For Book to contact PAOK, the Greek champions of 2024, if interest in Konstantelias unexpectedly became serious after all, would almost be a miracle. The 18-time international has already come close to leaving several times. So far he has made 189 competitive appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 44 goals and providing 26 assists.Europa League QualificationAnderlechtAND14 Aug 202602:30PAOK Thessaloniki FCPAOClub FriendliesBorussia DortmundBVB15 Aug 202623:30RomaROMIf it comes to that, Book would do well to ring his counterpart Fabian Wohlgemuth at VfB Stuttgart. Exactly a year ago, the Swabians’ board member for sport went through a true odyssey in trying to lure Konstantelias to the Neckar and failed.Getty ImagesPAOK’s “pistol president” forbids Konstantelias transferThat was not through any fault of his own. Ivan Savvidis blocked it. The Russian-Greek businessman has been PAOK president for nearly ten years. By way of reminder: Savvidis is the man who, in March 2018 during a heated match between PAOK and AEK Athens after a disallowed goal, stormed onto the pitch in a rage with a pistol in his belt to confront the referee. The Greek championship was then suspended for three weeks, and four years later the 67-year-old received a 25-month suspended sentence.Savvidis did not want to let Konstantelias go under any circumstances, but the player’s desire to leave and the prospect of receiving the targeted €20 million transfer fee from VfB softened his stance. He had not reckoned with PAOK’s highly emotional fans. They went, and this is putting it mildly, up in arms and heavily criticised the club’s approach in wanting to let the best player in the squad leave in the very season of the club’s 100th anniversary.Then, at the gate at Amsterdam airport shortly before departing for Stuttgart, Konstantelias received a call from Savvidis. The message: transfer off, come straight back to the training camp in The Hague. A few days later, Konstantelias and Savvidis posed for a photo with thumbs up and lavished praise on each other in statements that appeared staged because Konstantelias had extended his contract until 2029.Getty Images”Like watching Neymar”: Giannis Konstantelias shone from an early ageLast season, Konstantelias then followed that up with 14 goals and nine assists in 40 matches. He seems to have shaken off the transfer saga straight away and increasingly grew into the team’s leader. PAOK captain Dimitris Pelkas wrote in his Instagram story: “A little magician among us.”Failed transfers are nothing new to Konstantelias. Three years before making his debut in an international competition in September 2021 and being described in Greek media as an “18-carat talent”, Konstantelias spent time on trial at Barcelona. The Catalans offered €500,000 for the then only 15-year-old. Bayern Munich and Fulham also submitted offers, while Ajax and Chelsea also showed interest.PAOK insisted on a seven-figure fee. Nobody wanted to pay that, so Konstantelias stayed with the club he joined in 2013. He had arrived from amateur club Agia Paraskevi in Konstantelias’ home city of Volos. There, he had already left people stunned as a child. Alexandros Malakasiotis, the club’s academy director at the time, said of him: “A player like him does not come along every day. Not even every 50 years. He has unique gifts. To me, he is a phenomenon. When he is one-on-one, it is like watching Neymar.”IMAGO”Can do magical things”: This is Giannis Konstantelias’ role modelKonstantelias once described the Brazilian as “my biggest role model” because: “I find his style of play more attractive than that of anyone else.” He described his own game as “creative, I always want to provide that little extra in the final third of the pitch”.He very nearly got the chance to do that in the season after the title won on the final matchday at Red Bull Salzburg. Konstantelias was 21 at the time and his Austrian team-mate Stefan Schwab told kicker about him: “He is an attacking type of player who can basically play in any system. He has superb technique. He has pace, is good on the ball, can beat players, can bring other players into the game. He is an exceptional player, he can do magical things. He absolutely has the quality to play in a top league.”Yet, as you might expect, the move did not happen despite multimillion offers from Salzburg. PAOK have only let Konstantelias leave once, and only for 162 days at that. He spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Belgian club KAS Eupen, among others under German coach Stefan Krämer.Getty ImagesGiannis Konstantelias: BVB’s Plan B, interest from Juventus TurinOn paper, that spell does not look particularly impressive, with just 157 minutes played and no start in eight appearances. But the brief experience abroad was hugely important for his development. After that, Konstantelias increasingly became PAOK’s rising star.Now it is summer again. Once more, plenty of rumours surround the midfielder, with one strong lead pointing to Juventus Turin. Perhaps Konstantelias will soon become the traditional club’s record sale. That ranking is led by Stefanos Tzimas, who moved to 1. FC Nuremberg in 2025 and from whom PAOK earned just under €22 million in total.Konstantelias has clearly grown used to the fuss around him. Will a move happen this time? Either way, he is not letting his unclear future affect him, as he is currently proving: in three Europa League qualifying matches, he has already scored three goals and set up one more.Giannis Konstantelias: His professional career at a glancePeriodClubMatchesGoalsAssistssince 2021PAOK18944262022KAS Eupen800

The post Trial at Barca, offer from Bayern: this is Borussia Dortmund’s alternative to El Mala appeared first on SportSermon.net.

The Mexican striker is edging closer to a move to Porto, and AC Milan have begun the hunt for a new back-up to RamosSanti Gimenez’s future is moving further and further away from AC Milan and ever closer to Porto. The Mexican striker arrived in Milan just 18 months ago, but his Rossoneri adventure now looks set to end. The Portuguese club have opened official talks with AC Milan to bring the former Feyenoord player to Portugal, and negotiations are moving quickly.Early feedback has been positive and the two clubs now seem to have settled on a clear direction: a loan with an option to buy set at around €20 million. Porto are pushing hard for the deal, helped by the player’s approval. Francesco Farioli, Porto’s manager, has in fact already held talks with Gimenez, receiving the Mexican’s full openness to a move to Portugal, as reported by SportMediaset. That is a major signal and could speed up negotiations that have already entered a decisive phase.

The post Milan, Gimenez close to Porto: contact with Farioli. What happens with Camarda appeared first on SportSermon.net.

Mercato works against BarcelonaBarcelona face an unusual attacking dilemma as the new season approaches. The out-and-out striker position has become one of the biggest question marks at the Catalan club, with Robert Lewandowski gone, Marcus Rashford not staying on and Ferran Torres edging closer to a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Lewandowski walked away the moment his contract expired, robbing the team of one of its most prominent attacking weapons and its most reliable finisher. The club then failed to renew Rashford’s loan or strike a deal with Manchester United to buy out his contract, deepening the crisis before a ball had been kicked.
The blows kept coming. Ferran Torres, who deputised for Lewandowski in recent seasons, is now pushing to leave for a fresh challenge at Paris Saint-Germain. Negotiations between the two clubs are progressing, and the deal is into its final metres.

The post Risk or confidence? Flick opens the door to surprises to make up for Lewandowski appeared first on SportSermon.net.

Three PSG vs Aston Villa predictions for their Super Cup meeting on Wednesday night, including value on the goalscorer bet. Our betting expert expects PSG to raise their level for this fixture. There’s an opportunity to create history if they can get over the line. Best bets for PSG vs Aston Villa 1×2 – PSG at odds of 1.73 on StakeBTTS – Yes at odds of 1.79 on StakeAnytime goalscorer – Kvicha Kvaratskhelia at odds of 2.95 on StakeOur analysis: Form of both teams Score prediction: PSG 2-1 Aston Villa Goalscorers prediction: PSG: Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ibrahim Mbaye – Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins Paris Saint-Germain’s short pre-season didn’t go according to plan. Luis Enrique’s men failed to win either of their two outings. The French champions suffered a surprise 3-0 defeat to Segunda División side Mallorca, the current Stake promo code is an essential tool for any fan following this development.On Saturday, Manchester United held them to a 1-1 draw, despite the Parisians taking an early lead. The defending Super Cup champions have a chance to make history at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday. If they win, they’d be only the second team in the modern era to retain the title since Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017. Yet, Aston Villa are standing in their way. Most engaged fans are already checking the Stake registration to stay ahead of the curve. Unai Emery has seen a couple of his stars depart, but he’s known for delivering the goods in Europe. The former Arsenal boss led Villa to the Europa League title last season and a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.Pre-season hasn’t been too kind to them, as they have suffered three defeats in five matches. Villa’s most recent defeat was to Bayern Munich on Friday, but they hope their match fitness could offer an edge against PSG. Both teams will be without some crucial starting XI players, so it will be interesting to see how this pans out, most engaged fans are already checking the best betting sites to stay ahead of the curve.Probable lineups for PSG vs Aston Villa PSG expected lineup: Safonov, Zabarnyi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Fernandez, Mbaye, Mayulu, KvaratskheliaAston Villa expected lineup: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Maatsen, Gomes, Kamara, McGinn, Buendía, Garnacho, WatkinsBack to their bestEnrique’s team are still building up their match fitness. They’ll also be without several important players. However, PSG are back-to-back European champions, and they will be eager to snatch that Super Cup record. The Parisians claimed a thrilling victory against Tottenham in last season’s European opener. The same is expected in Salzburg on Wednesday. We shouldn’t read too much into their pre-season fixtures, although they were much better against Manchester United than they were against Mallorca. They’re expected to bounce back here. Even if it’s a close encounter, they are still favourites to defend their title. Villa’s three defeats in their last five all came against established European teams. They lost to FC Porto, Real Sociedad, and Bayern Munich, while their two triumphs were against an Indonesian All-Star team and Thailand’s Pathum United. Squaring up against PSG is likely to deliver the same outcome as their clash with the German champions. The only two head-to-heads produced a win for either side, but the Parisians should edge this one to retain their Super Cup title. PSG vs Aston Villa Betting Tip 1: 1×2 – PSG at odds of 1.73 on StakeJoy expected for both sidesWith neither side fully up to speed ahead of this clash, we expect there to be several defensive lapses. PSG have already conceded four goals in their two pre-season outings. They conceded an xG of 1.48 against United and surrendered seven shots on target to their three. Villa should take encouragement from those numbers, especially given their greater match fitness. The good news for Emery’s men is that they’ve found the back of the net in each of their recent five club friendlies. They averaged two goals per 90 in that run, which is why we expect them to breach the Paris defence. It’s worth mentioning that Villa’s pre-season run has seen both teams score in five consecutive matches. PSG’s regular attack won’t be available here, but they should be good enough to get through the Villa backline. Only two of the last 11 Super Cup matches haven’t produced goals for both teams. That’s another sign joy is destined for both sides. PSG vs Aston Villa Betting Tip 2: BTTS – Yes at odds of 1.79 on StakeOne man to unlock the defenceWith Enrique’s primary front line still lacking match fitness and likely to get limited minutes, if at all, the responsibility shifts to one man. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of the most exciting forward players in Europe, and he’s enjoyed a full pre-season. The Georgian is well-rested, as he wasn’t involved in the World Cup in North America. He’s played both pre-season matches, but his fitness should be in a better place ahead of this match. Kvaratskhelia managed two shots against United over the weekend, with both coming from outside the box. PSG need to get him in the box more frequently against Villa, where he can be a menace. His pace and movement make him a constant threat, particularly against a Premier League defence. In his last piece of competitive action, it was his quick movement that won PSG their equalising penalty against Arsenal in the Champions League final. As the primary attacker in Salzburg, he will be the one to unlock the Villa defence. PSG vs Aston Villa Betting Tip 3: Anytime goalscorer – Kvicha Kvaratskhelia at odds of 2.95 on Stake

The post PSG vs Aston Villa predictions: A chance to create history appeared first on SportSermon.net.