A round-up of the biggest football transfer news stories around Europe including major interest in Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, Liverpool’s attempts to sign a Roma midfielder, and a proposed move from Manchester United for a Stockport teenager.
Inter Milan
Serie A club Inter Milan look set to have a summer of resistance on their hands after various media reports claimed Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus are all keen on striker Mauro Icardi.
Icadi, 21, has reportedly been identified by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as the ideal replacement for Didier Drogba and wants the Argentine to be backup to first-choice striker Diego Costa.
United, meanwhile, are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements, with Radamel Falcao unlikely to extend his stay beyond the current loan deal and Robin van Persie struggling to recapture his previous best form.
However, both Premier League clubs face major competition from Italian champions Juventus.
The Turin club are ready to launch a big-money offer in an attempt to prise Icardi away from the San Siro, and it is reported Inter have already begun searching for replacements.
The Argentina international is valued in the region of £30 million (DH 170m) thanks to his current exploits in Serie A.
Icardi has scored 15 goals this season and his second only behind Juventus striker Carlos Tevex in the goalscoring charts.
Liverpool
Liverpool will have to break their club record transfer if they want to sign Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic, according to reports in the British media.
The Anfield club are in the market for a successor to Steven Gerrard, who will leave at the end of the season for LA Galaxy.
Pjanic has long been linked with a move to Liverpool and is viewed by manager Brendan Rodgers as his top target to replace the departing captain.
However, Roma are not willing to let the 24-year-old Bosnian go easily and have quoted Liverpool £37 million (DH 208m) if they want to open discussions.
On top of that, the Premier League side will have to pay Pjanic a reported £160,000 a week (DH 902,390), making him the club’s highest earner.
Rodgers is also thought to be interested in two more Roma players; central midfielder Radja Nainggolan and attacking midfielder Adem Ljajic, but it is Pjanic that remains his primary target.
Napoli
Palermo striker Paulo Dybala has been priced out of a move to Napoli after his club’s president insisted no Italian clubs could afford him.
The 21-year-old striker is considered one of the most exciting talents in football, and Napoli were hopeful of opening talks over a summer move.
Dybala, who previously stated his wish to play for either Barcelona or Manchester City, was reportedly close to a move to Naples where he would link up with fellow Argentine Gonzalo Higuain.
However, Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini insists any deal is some way off.
“Paulo Dybala, although very young is one of the best strikers in the world,” Zamparini said.
“His future? The problem is not the boy but his agents. I am sorry for this. I’ve been to London and I have received calls from all over Europe.
“I would be happy Napoli bought him, but I don’t think he is within their reach. Dybala is out of reach of all Italian companies.”
Manchester United
Manchester United may be linked to a host of superstar names, but a Stockport teenager could be the next signing after Drew Lewis was offered a trial with the Premier League champions.
The 19-year-old forward has been playing in Stockport’s reserve team this season and has scored a whopping 38 goals.
His performances have not gone unnoticed by a host of league clubs, but it seems United have acted first by offering him a trial.
If all goes well, Lewis could become the next non-league player to sign for United after Sadiq El Fitouri, who was spotted while playing for local club Salford City.
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Shamkha – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
6pm: Shakbout City – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Ghayyar, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
