Sports
Top European Clubs Desperate for Eaglet Captain’s Signature
For the captain of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, Yahaya Lawali, being edged out by Burkina Faso at the quarter-final stage of the 2023 U-17 AFCON in Algeria cannot stop his career progression.
Biztellers reports that several top European football clubs are falling over themselves to secure the exciting midfielder’s signature.
Top of the clubs seeking the services of Lawali who was the only Nigerian to make the CAF Best XI for the group stage of the tournament include, Spanish champions, Barcelona, Servilla FC, Manchester City of England and others.
This follows a glimpse of what the 16-year-old has in stock a footballer, which had earned him Man-of-The-Match honours against Zambia and Morocco.
Biztellers reports that the multi-talented ball juggler, can slot into the right-back, left-back, central midfielder and winger positions which the top European football sides are finding hard to resist.
Director, Media and Publicity, Player Solution Agency, Olaoluwa Aro, who manages Lawali, revealed that the player had been on the radar of several clubs after he provided three assists to earn a place in the Team of The Tournament during the WAFU B regional U-17 qualifying tournament, where Nigeria emerged champions.
Aro said, “Yahaya did very well at the tournament and has attracted a lot of interests. The latest among the clubs to have shown interest in him are Barcelona.
“Prior to the start of the AFCON, we received offers from some top European clubs but we were in no rush. Recently, Barcelona and Sevilla have also shown interest in him.
“Yahaya is one of the rare talents in Mahanaim FC and we are gratified to say he made us proud despite how the Golden Eaglets exited the AFCON U-17.
“Having three assists in four games at the WAFU tourney in Ghana and the back-to-back Man-of-The-Match awards at the AFCON shows how consistent Yahaya is.
“We would look at the offers diligently as the suitors come forward; however, we shall work with clubs whose proposal is in accordance with the agency’s laid down interest for Yahaya potential developmentally”
Manchester City’s trophy-laden era has come under renewed scrutiny after the club was reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial-rule charges brought against it.
The reported verdict, disclosed by The Athletic on Friday, September 25, relates to alleged breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018.
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The independent hearing lasted more than two years before the outcome emerged.
However, the case is not yet over, as the Premier League has not announced any sanction and Manchester City are expected to appeal the verdict.
The charges include allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information and breached rules relating to payments to players and coaches, as well as financial sustainability requirements.
City have consistently denied the allegations.
The reported verdict could have wider implications for the Premier League because the club has won eight league titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Champions League during the period in which the allegations have been investigated.
Potential sanctions under the league’s rules can include financial penalties and sporting punishments, with points deductions and expulsion among the measures that have been discussed in coverage of the case.
However, no punishment has been confirmed at this stage.
The uncertainty also means questions remain over whether any eventual sanction could affect Manchester City’s past achievements, current squad or future participation in the Premier League.
For now, the reported guilty findings mark a major development in one of English football’s longest-running disciplinary cases, but the final outcome will depend on the sanctioning process and City’s expected appeal.
Chelsea Football Club have confirmed a major ownership change, with Clearlake Capital set to take full control of the club after agreeing to acquire the ownership interests of Todd Boehly and Mark Walter.
Chelsea announced on Wednesday that affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group will acquire Boehly’s ownership interest, as well as Walter’s stake, giving Clearlake full control of the Premier League club.
“Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (‘Clearlake’) will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly.
“Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter’s ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the Club,” the club said.
Mark Walter and Todd Boehly have agreed to sell their stakes in Chelsea to Clearlake Capital in a deal that values the club at about £5 billion.
The development marks a significant change to the ownership structure that has been in place since Chelsea’s takeover in 2022.
Chelsea also confirmed that Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss will remain an important partner and stakeholder in the club.
The announcement comes after weeks of reports that Boehly and Walter were considering selling their stakes to Clearlake.
Liverpool will face Chelsea in the standout tie of the EFL Cup fourth round after the draw was conducted on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The draw saw 13 Premier League clubs discover their opponents for the next stage of the competition, with Liverpool handed a home clash against Chelsea.
The fixture will also see Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso return to Anfield to face his former club.
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Arsenal were drawn away against Fleetwood Town, while Newcastle United will travel to Everton for another all-Premier League encounter.
Other fourth-round fixtures include Sunderland against Brentford, Fulham against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth against Aston Villa.
See complete draw below:
Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
Manchester City/Norwich City vs Brighton
Everton vs Newcastle United
Sunderland vs Brentford
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Bradford City vs Peterborough
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
The fourth-round ties are scheduled to take place during the week commencing October 26, 2026, between Matchweeks 8 and 9 of the Premier League.
Manchester City will determine the final fourth-round pairing when they host Norwich City in their outstanding third-round fixture on Thursday, September 17.
The third round has already produced several notable results. Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3-1, Arsenal beat Ipswich Town 4-2, while Chelsea recorded a 6-3 victory over Leeds United.
Manchester United were eliminated after losing 3-2 to Brighton, while Newcastle United defeated Millwall 1-0. Everton beat Wolves 1-0, Crystal Palace defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 and Bournemouth thrashed Lincoln City 4-0.
Peterborough progressed after beating Barnsley 7-6 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, while Fleetwood Town defeated Sheffield United 1-0.
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