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SPORTS

Updates in football scores and transfers news

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By Timothy Akintola

Stories on Durán, Manchester City, Nico Kovač, Ollie Watkins and Real Madrid.

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Al Nassr agrees a £58m deal for Jhon Durán; dumps Victor Boniface interest.

Saudi Arabian club, Al-Nassr has shifted their focus to signing Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán after their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface collapsed. Despite negotiations progressing with Leverkusen, the German champions valued Boniface at €50m, and his move to Saudi Arabia ultimately fell through. Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, confirmed the Nigerian is now unlikely to leave. Instead, Al-Nassr has reached an agreement with Villa for Durán, with the Premier League club prepared to accept an offer exceeding €70m (£58m/$73m). The 21-year-old Colombian, who has scored seven Premier League goals in 20 appearances this season, has already agreed to personal terms and is set for a medical in London on Thursday. Durán had previously attracted interest from PSG and Real Madrid, but Al-Nassr are now poised to secure his signature. Cristiano Ronaldo has been pushing for attacking reinforcements as the Saudi club aims to challenge for the league title.

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Man City keeps their Champions League hopes alive after win over Club Brugge.

Pep Guardiola’s men produced a dominant second-half display to overturn a deficit and secure a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, booking their place in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs. Facing a Brugge side unbeaten in 20 games and needing only a draw to progress, City had no margin for error in their final league phase match. Their European hopes were in jeopardy when Raphael Onyedika’s stunning strike put Brugge ahead just before halftime. Needing a response, Pep Guardiola introduced Savinho for İlkay Gündoğan, a move that proved decisive. Eight minutes into the second half, Mateo Kovačić equalized with a brilliant solo effort. City then took the lead as Joško Gvardiol forced an own goal from Joel Ordóñez, before Savinho sealed the win with a composed finish from John Stones’ pass. The Premier League champions will now face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the play-offs.

Nico Kovač appointed as the new Borussia Dortmund’s head coach.

Borussia Dortmund has appointed Nico Kovač as their new head coach to revive a challenging season. The former Bayern Munich and AS Monaco manager will officially begin his role on Sunday, as confirmed by Dortmund’s sporting director Lars Ricken after the team’s 3-1 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. Ricken stated, “We have reached an agreement in principle,” adding that discussions on potential transfers will occur before the window closes Monday. Youth coach Mike Tullberg, who led Dortmund to their first win of 2024, will remain interim coach for Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Heidenheim. Kovač, who was dismissed by Wolfsburg in March, takes over a squad sitting 11th in the Bundesliga and preparing for a Champions League playoff after finishing 10th in the league phase. The Berlin-born coach, a former Croatian international, previously managed Croatia’s national team from 2013 to 2015. He replaces Nuri Şahin, who was sacked following a 2-1 loss to Bologna.

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Aston Villa reportedly rejects Arsenal’s formal bid for Ollie Watkins.

Club has turned down a formal bid from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins, sources have confirmed. The Gunners are eager to sign a forward before Monday’s transfer deadline but have shifted focus after accepting that Benjamin Šeško is unlikely to leave RB Leipzig this month. Arsenal’s opening offer for Watkins was swiftly rejected, though they are considering returning with an improved bid after Villa’s Champions League clash with Celtic. The England international, who previously expressed a desire to play for Arsenal, remains under contract for three more years, giving Villa a strong negotiating stance. Adding to the complexity, Al-Nassr are pursuing Villa’s Jhon Durán, with the Saudi window closing on Friday. Villa is unlikely to sell both Durán and Watkins in the same window, making Arsenal’s pursuit even tougher. Al-Nassr are also weighing a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, with Durán valued at around £80 million.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men cruise past Brest in their final CL league phase clash.

Real Madrid wrapped up their Champions League phase campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brest but results elsewhere saw the defending champions miss out on a last-16 spot, settling for a play-off place instead. Both Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo had early chances, but it was the Brazilian who broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, weaving through the Brest’s defense before firing into the bottom corner. The hosts thought they had equalized after Ludovic Ajorque found the net, but his effort was ruled offside. Madrid quickly capitalized, with Jude Bellingham orchestrating and finishing a brilliant move—dribbling from midfield, spreading the play wide, and slotting home the return pass. Rodrygo sealed the win, cleverly flicking in after Mbappé’s shot was parried. Despite the convincing victory, Carlo Ancelotti’s side finished 11th in the standings and will now face a play-off to advance further.

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