YAN DIOMANDE MAKES FINAL TRANSFER DECISION AS REAL MADRID JOIN ARSENAL AND LIVERPOOL FOR £100M RB LEIPZIG STAR

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RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has outlined his transfer preference amid mounting interest from Real Madrid, PSG, Arsenal, and Liverpool. The £100m-rated Ivory Coast international impressed during a breakout season in Germany and at the 2026 World Cup, leaving him keen on a summer departure despite Leipzig's public stance that he is not for sale.

Diomande signals summer exit

Leipzig winger Diomande has reportedly made his final decision regarding his next destination amid a fierce transfer battle involving PSG, Liverpool, Arsenal and Madrid. According to The Athletic, Los Blancos have even opened direct negotiations with Leipzig to sign the £100 million-rated winger after he registered 12 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga and impressed in leading Ivory Coast to the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Despite Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer insisting the player is going nowhere, Diomande remains hopeful of finalising a move this summer.

Getty Images 

Winger outlines transfer stance

Asked about the speculation surrounding interest from Europe's elite during the World Cup, the young Ivorian star openly confirmed his expectation to leave Leipzig while leaving negotiations in his agent's hands.

Speaking to reporters, he stated: "First of all I think, like I said, my dream is playing for my country, and to make history with my country. I don't have Instagram anymore. I don't have TikTok as well, so I can't see anything! But I expect to leave, of course. And I have an agent, he's going to manage the rest. But for me, the most important thing right now is the focus on the World Cup with my country."

Meanwhile, regarding his boyhood club, Diomande previously told French media: "Paris Saint-Germain is a team I've loved since I was little. I think my father was a PSG supporter. It's a team I admire as a football fan."

Mourinho enters transfer race

A separate report from TEAMtalkclaims that Diomande's primary preference remains a move to PSG, though the winger is open to joining Madrid if the French giants fail to agree a fee with Leipzig. The race has intensified further after the Spanish giants, now led by new manager Jose Mourinho, entered the frame for the attacker as part of their squad overhaul. Elsewhere, Arsenal have also joined the pursuit after their attempt to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa ended in failure.

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Leipzig demand premium fee

Diomande has now returned to pre-season training with Leipzig following his post-World Cup break. PSG are expected to submit a formal offer swiftly to prevent Madrid or the Premier League duo from hijacking the deal for their top target. Leipzig hold a strong negotiating position and are adamant they will only part ways with their prized asset if a suitor meets his valuation.

- Adhe Makayasa

LIVERPOOL UNVEIL NEW £60M DEFENDER JEREMY JACQUET - AS ENGLISH FOOTBALL AGENTS INVOLVED IN DEAL FOR 20-YEAR-OLD LAUNCH NEW FRENCH VENTURE

English agency Unique Sports Group has invested in leading French counterparts One Team Football, to launch Unique France.

The two have collaborated on the £60million deal that took 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes to Liverpool which was confirmed today.

The move brings together two of the more established football agencies in England and France, combining decades of experience, extensive international networks and a shared philosophy of developing and representing elite players throughout all stages of their careers.

Unique already have operations in the UK, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Ivory Coast and the UAE.

One Team client Jeremy Jacquet, regarded as the best defensive prospect coming out of France, officially became a Liverpool player today on a five-year contract in a transaction where Unique Sports Group worked alongside Michael Manuello from the French agency.

Unique also concluded the transfer of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona in May, two of the biggest moves in terms of fees for the summer window so far.

Liverpool's new signing Jeremy Jacquet with Will Salthouse and Michael Manuello 

Unique’s client roster also includes three members of England’s World Cup squad in Gordon, Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson, as well as Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix who is representing France.

Discussing the launch of Unique France, Will Salthouse, CEO and founder of Unique Sports Group said: 'When Unique was formed, the ambition was always to build a business that could grow beyond the UK and become one of football's leading international agencies.

By making a key investment with One Team and launching Unique France alongside Michael and his team it represents another significant step on that journey. France continues to produce some of the world's best talent and bringing together the strengths of both businesses creates an exciting platform for the future.'

Steve Hitchen, Director of Football at Unique Sports Group added: 'I've known Michael and One Team for many years. They have built an outstanding reputation through their knowledge of the French market and their ability to identify and develop top players. 

'Bringing our joint experience together through Unique France is hugely exciting, not only because of the quality of players already within each of our organisations, but because of what we can build together over the coming years.'

Michael Manuello, founder of One Team Football said: 'This is an exciting new chapter for One Team. We have built a fantastic business in France and are proud of the players we represent. 

'Joining forces with Unique in this venture gives us access to one of the strongest Premier League platforms in football, creating even more opportunities for our clients and allowing us to continue doing what we do best in France. We share the same values and long-term vision, and I'm excited about what we can achieve together through Unique France.'

- SIMON JONES

JÜRGEN KLOPP' STORMS OUT OF INTERVIEW AS LIVERPOOL LEGEND REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

Jurgen Klopp stormed out of an interview after the Liverpool legend refused to answer a question following controversy regarding one of his fellow World Cup pundits

Jurgen Klopp stormed out of an interview(Image: DW Sports)

Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp abruptly ended an interview when questioned about the racism row involving Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The World Cup champion has been accused of making racist comments while analysing Germany's victory over the Ivory Coast. The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich star works for German broadcaster ARD.

Schweinsteiger, 41, has faced criticism for his depiction of the Ivory Coast's playing style. While evaluating the west African team, he referred to their football as "African football" before characterising it as being "a bit unorthodox sometimes, a bit wild, not quite as tactical."

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been accused of making racially insensitive comments(Image: Getty Images)

He also suggested that Julian Nagelsmann's squad must be "prepared for it to be unpredictable at times" prior to their 2-1 win. The ex-midfielder's comments have sparked backlash and become a significant talking point in Germany.

So much so that Klopp, who is currently working as a pundit for Magenta TV in the US, was pressed by another journalist to comment on the controversy. When confronted, he promptly cut off the interview and walked away.

In conversation with DW Sports, the former Liverpool boss said: "And now you want to carry on this subject. No, no, I have no chance, I have no chance to answer this question.

"Everybody likes it, so you bring me into this situation. It's not my job that everybody likes it, but this is a serious subject. I don't even know what is appropriate to say.

"For African people it's one thing, for other people it's another thing, and I'm not here. Thank god I thought nobody asked me about that. You found a moment and surprisingly you are German. That surprised me so much. Thank you very much."

Klopp then walked away from the gathered journalists, many of whom were heard calling out "no, no" as he departed.

Phillip Awounou, a sports journalist and author from Germany, slammed Schweinsteiger's comments in a recent article. Penning his column for Spiegel news magazine, he wrote: "Behind attributions like 'wild' and 'unpredictable' are stereotypes which are older than football and which have racist, colonial roots.

"In the past, Black people of African heritage were stigmatised as uncivilised ('wild'), different ('unorthodox') and potentially dangerous ('unpredictable').

"These are racist stereotypes," sports content creator Patrick Schnitzler told his 50,000 Instagram followers, referencing recent academic research which has demonstrated that commentators and supporters are more likely to emphasise Black footballers' physical attributes than those of non-Black players.

"We learn such stereotypes because we have grown up in a society with stereotypes. Schweinsteiger, too. You and me, too."

Awounou did make clear that he does not consider Schweinsteiger to be a racist, explaining: "That's simply wrong. Regardless of his problematic remarks, Schweinsteiger is absolutely not a racist and shouldn't be labelled as such."

After the match, Schweinsteiger took to social media, stating: "Ivory Coast were the difficult opponent we expected and showed their technical quality and physicality," shortly after Germany clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory.

- Cameron Winstanley and Cameron Winstanley

SIBLINGS PLAYING FOR DIFFERENT NATIOMAL TEAMS AT 2026 WORLD CUP

IVORY COAST'S ELYE WAHI DENIED CANADA VISA FOR WORLD CUP MATCH AMID FIXING ALLEGATIONS

Striker, who started against Ecuador, will miss Saturday’s Germany game in Toronto

Elye Wahi of Ivory Coast in action in the World Cup against Ecuador. Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi will ‌not travel to Canada for this weekend’s World Cup clash with Germany, ‌the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said on Thursday, a day after the player was linked to an investigation into suspected sports corruption in a Ligue 1 match.

The FIF said they had full confidence in Wahi and he was not travelling for Saturday’s match in Toronto because authorisations for ⁠his travel to Canada had not been obtained. French ‌authorities ‌said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue ⁠1 match while playing for Nice last month.

“To date, the FIF has not been officially notified of any ‌legal or administrative proceedings concerning him,” the FIF said in a statement.

“During this particularly ⁠difficult period, the FIF ⁠offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him. Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.

“The player will not be able to join the delegation’s trip to Canada. This is because the administrative authorisations required ‌for him to ⁠enter Canadian territory have not yet been obtained. Elye Wahi will therefore remain in the United States ‌until the team returns.” Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in their first Group E match, where Wahi started for Côte d’Ivoire. He will remain in the United States pending the team’s return, the FIF said.

- The Irish Times

ROC NATION SPORTS' CEO JAY-Z CAME TO SUPPORT HIS CÔTE D'IVOIRE PLAYER YAN DIOMANDÉ

Yan Diomandé, who is signed with Roc Nation Sports, linked up with Jay-Z pitch side ahead of Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 🆚 Ecuador 🇪🇨 

Jay-Z was also presented with a jersey by Ivorian Football Federation President Yacine Idriss Diallo

COUNT IT MORE | WORLD CUP SONG

 

CÔTE D'IVOIRE | LAST 3 GAMES

 

AFCON 2025: CAMEROON, IVORY COAST SHARE THRILLING DRAW; AUBAMEYANG'S GABON KNOCKED OUT

Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring a goal for Ivory Coast against Cameroon at AFCON. Getty Images

Amad's thunderous strike and Ghislain Konan's own goal ensured Africa Cup of Nations title holders Ivory Coast and troubled Cameroon shared the points in a 1-1 draw in Marrakesh on Sunday that leaves both on course for the Last 16.

Amad, who had struck the winner in Ivory Coast's opener against Mozambique, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when he gathered possession on the right flank, cut inside, and curled a powerful effort beyond Devis Epassy.

However, the title holders' lead was short-lived, with Junior Tchamadeu forcing the equaliser three minutes later when the Ivorians failed to clear their lines, and the Stoke City man's shot deflected off Konan and looped over Yahia Fofana into the net.

With Kylian Mbappe, Samuel Eto'o, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde among those watching on, Cameroon had the first major chance of the half, with Christian Kofane slapping an effort against the bar after being picked out by Tchamadeu's cutback.

Cameroon's ascendency was short-lived, however, with Amad becoming increasingly influential -- first setting up Vakoun Bayo, who headed over from close range in the 41st minute, before winning a corner after an effort was blocked by the Cameroon defenders.

Soon after the break, the Elephants had the ball in the net, with Franck Kessie meeting Bayo's knockdown with an acrobatic finish, only for the referee to determine the midfield general had been in an offside position.

As the game became increasingly frenetic, Cameroon struck next, Danny Namaso hitting a deflected effort which rattled the Ivorian bar, before Amad's decisive intervention to give the title holders the lead.

They were unable to settle before the Indomitable Lions were level, Tchamadeu collecting the ball in the box and watching on as his deflected effort fell in over the stranded Fofana.

Cameroon enjoyed the better of the late exchanges, and although Emerse Fae turned to Wilfried Zaha to give Ivory Coast an extra attacking dimension, neither team could alter the result in their favour.

The result also condemns Gabon to an early elimination after they were defeated 3-2 by Mozambique in Agadir in Group F's earlier kickoff, with the Mambas ending their 39-year wait for a victory at the Nations Cup.

First-half goals from Faisal Bangal and Geny Catamo gave Mozambique a commanding lead, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - playing despite ongoing fitness concerns - halved the deficit in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.

Soon after the break, Diogo Calila restored Mozambique's two-goal cushion, and while substitute Alex Moucketou-Moussounda gave the Panthers hope with a 76th-minute finish from point-bank range, they were unable to get the equaliser their superiority arguably deserved.

After two games, Gabon are already out of the running on zero points, while Mozambique are in third on three, with Ivory Coast and Cameroon on four apiece and with identical records. Ivory Coast will be looking to advance as group winners when they face Gabon in their third group game in Marrakesh on December 31, while Mozambique and Cameroon clash in Agadir.

Earlier, Algeria secured their progression to the Last 16 as Group E winners following a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

 "Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game - a 23rd-minute penalty after Rayan Ait Nouri was fouled by Ismahila Ouedraogo - to send the Fennecs through with six points from their opening two matches.

Sudan, who had been defeated by Algeria in their opener, responded with a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea following Saul Coco's 74th-minute own goal.

Algeria will now meet the runner-up from Group D - Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Benin - in Rabat on January 6, with the winner of this match potentially set to meet Nigeria in a quarterfinal in Marrakesh on January 10.

The 2019 champions conclude their Group E campaign against Equatorial Guinea on New Year's Eve, while Sudan face Bu"

- Ed Dove

CÔTE D'IVOIRE 1-0 MOZAMBIQUE | AFCON HIGHLIGHTS

 

FIFA RANKINGS OF THE TEAMS QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP

LATEST TOP 15 FIFA WORLD RANKINGS IN AFRICA

 

FRENCHMAN BEAUMELLE TAKES OVER AS ANGOLA COACH

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Round of 16 - Ivory Coast v Egypt - Douala Stadium, Douala, Cameroon - January 26, 2022 Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle reacts REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Angola have named Patrice Beaumelle as their coach, with the Frenchman taking over a week before their final set of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

He replaces Pedro Goncalves, fired last week after Angola lost at home to Libya and fell out of the race for a place at the finals in North America next year.

The 47-year-old Beaumelle has been a long-standing fixture on the African coaching circuit, mostly as assistant to compatriot Herve Renard, including a stint with Angola between 2010-2012.

Beaumelle also served as head coach of Zambia and Ivory Coast, and took Algerian club Mouloudia Alger to the group phase of last season’s African Champions League.

He will start his job with World Cup qualifiers in Eswatini on October 8 and Cameroon on October 13 before taking charge of the Angolan side at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the end of the year.

- Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond

HARAMBEE STARS | 2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS | FINAL SQUAD

The Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy names the squad 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers squad to play against Burundi and Ivory Coast 

October 9 – Burundi 🇧🇮 

October 14– Ivory Coast 🇨🇮

#Atekersportsupdates #HarambeeStars #kenya

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION | CAF | GROUPS

 

AFRICAN NATIONS WITH THE MOST WORLD CUP APPEARANCES AND BETTER PERFORMANCE

 1. Cameroon 🇨🇲 (8 Times)

- 1982

- 1990

- 1994

- 1998

- 2002

- 2010

- 2014

- 2022

Best Result (Quarter Finals)

2. Morocco 🇲🇦 (6 Times)

- 1970

- 1986

- 1994

- 1998

- 2018

- 2022

Best Result (4th)

3. Nigeria 🇳🇬 (6 Times)

- 1994

- 1998

- 2002

- 2010

- 2014

- 2018

Best Result (Round of 16)

4. Ghana 🇬🇭 (4 Times)

- 2006

- 2010

- 2014

- 2022

Best Result (Quarter Finals)

5. Algeria 🇩🇿 (4 Times)

- 1982

- 1986

- 2010

- 2014

Best Result (Round of Two)

6. Senegal 🇸🇳 (3 Times)

- 2002

- 2018

- 2022

Best Result (Quarter Finals)

Tunisia could not make it on the list due to her poor World Cup performance though with quite a good number of participations

Tunisia 🇹🇳 (6 Times)

- 1978

- 1998

- 2002

- 2006

- 2018

- 2022

Best Result (Never passed group stage)

The rest countries like South Africa (2 + 1 as hosts) , Egypt (3), Ivory Coast (3), Congo DR (1), Angola (1) and Togo (1) all have poor outings at the World Cup.

In the Photo: At Gelsenkirchen at the 1974 World Cup, and aready 0-3 down, Zaire's Bwanga Tshimen (4), Kibonge Mafu (15) and Lobilo Boba (5) line-up to defend a free kick against Brazil's (L-R) are... Jairzinho, Paulo Cesar Carpegiani, Rivelino and Francisco Marinho. Zaire were the first and only African country at the world cup in 1974.

#worldcup

IVORY COAST VS. GHANA | 1992 AFCON

Ghana's black stars stand in skipper Tonny Baffoe, and his ivorian counterpart St-Joseph Gadji Celi observes pleasantries exchange tradition before kick of the Afcon 1992 final match in a sold out De l' Amitie Stadium, Dakar, Senegal.

Ivory Coast edged out Ayew less Ghana 11-10, in a marathon post match spot kicks after a goalless stalemate to bag home their first continental championship title.

The famed shootout notably stood loud as it was the first time every player in the field participated in a major international final.

The longest penalty shootout in the history of the Afcon championship would coincidentally, much later on involve the same Ivory Coast against Cameroon in Egypt 2006 quarter final duel where it took a total of 23 shots before Didier Drogba inspired Cote d' ivoire  saw off the stubborn indomitable lions.

- Philip Muhama

WRC AND DAKAR RALLY WINNER KENJORO SHINOZUKA DIES AT AGE 75

Dakar Rally and World Rally Championship event winner Kenjiro Shinozuka has died aged 75 after a battle with illness.

Shinozuka shot to fame by becoming the first Japanese driver to claim outright victories in both the WRC and the gruelling Dakar Rally.

"Born in Tokyo, Shinozuka's greatest success came as a factory Mitsubishi driver. In 1988, he claimed the inaugural Asia-Pacific championship alongside co-driver Fred Gocentas. The pair took the title scoring a solitary rally win in India at the Himalayan Rally, driving a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4.

But it was in 1991 when he and co-driver John Meadows left their mark on the WRC by taking a factory-backed Galant VR-4 to victory in the Ivory Coast round of the WRC to claim one of two WRC wins. On this occasion, Shinozuka claimed a first WRC win for a Japanese driver with a margin of more than two hours over local Mitsubishi driver Patrick Tauziac.

Shinozuka outlined his skills in particularly challenging rallies by repeating his Ivory Coast success the following season, this time beating Belgian, Opel driver Bruno Thiry.

This was the last of the Japanese pilot’s WRC triumphs having racked up 88 points from 20 starts in a WRC career that began in 1976 and ended with his last outing in Australia in 1997. All bar one start was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi in a relationship with the Japanese brand that extended into rally-raid.

DORTMUND GAVE SEBASTIEN HALLER A WARM WELCOME BACK AFTER WINNING AFCON 2023

 

🇨🇮 𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗡 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 🇨🇮

July 2022: diagnosed with testicular cancer and stopped playing football. 

January 2023: returns to playing after beating cancer following 2 OPs & 4 cycles of chemotherapy.

February 2024: Scores winning goals in 2023 AFCON semi-final and final.