Author: Chronicle Editor

Roma boss Jose Mourinho remains hopeful the Serie A side can sign Arsenal and Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 29, before the January transfer window closes. (Mail) Juventus have agreed to sign Fiorentina’s 21-year-old Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has been linked with Arsenal, in a deal worth £62.4m. (Mail, via Guardian) Barcelona are in talks with Wolves over a deal to re-sign Adama Traore on loan with an obligation to buy. (BBC) Porto have rejected Tottenham’s offer of £37m plus add-ons for 25-year-old Colombia winger Luis Diaz, who has a £66m release clause. (Evening Standard) Newcastle United have completed a…

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri will hold a final round of talks on Friday before deciding on a managerial successor to sacked Rafael Benitez. Moshiri pulled back from appointing favoured choice Vitor Pereira – who remains a serious contender – after an angry reaction from supporters. That left Frank Lampard to re-emerge as a serious candidate following an initial round of talks. Caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson is the other name on Moshiri’s list. Pereira was in pole position after impressing Moshiri in his interview, but a toxic reaction from Everton fans to the 53-year-old’s proposed appointment appeared to lead to a…

Aston Villa have signed defender Calum Chambers from Arsenal on a three-and-a half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old, who has only made five appearances for the Gunners this season, was out of contract in the summer and joins on a free transfer. His arrival follows the arrivals of Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona, Lucas Digne from Everton for £25m and Robin Olsen on loan from Roma. “It’s a massive club and they’re in a great moment,” said Chambers. “It’s a very exciting place to be and everyone can see that from the outside. Things are happening here…

Crude oil prices fell on Thursday as the US dollar strengthened following signs that the Federal Reserve will tighten monetary policy soon in the world’s biggest oil user. Futures pulled back amid a broader decline in financial markets after the Fed telegraphed a March interest rate increase and as the dollar climbed against its major peers. Dollar-denominated oil becomes more expensive for buyers using other currencies when the greenback gains. Brent crude futures were down 31 cents, or 0.6%, to $89.44 a barrel at 0720 GMT, after earlier falling by as much as 1.1% to $89. Brent climbed 2% on…

Dr Helen Paul has been inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria. The special investiture of Helen Paul also known as Tatafo took place on Wednesday, 26 January, 2022 at the the Serene Banquet Hall of Mayors and Diplomats Hotel and Suites, Oduduwa Way, GRA Ikeja, Lagos. The induction ceremony was conducted by Dr Uche Okereke, Registrar of the institute on the mandate of the body’s head honcho, Professor A.M Awotoku. Other representatives of the institute included Alhaja Yeye Mosunmola Johnson, Madam Kemi, Mrs Tinuola Mabuso —Secretary General, and Professor…

Justice Peter Lifu of a Lagos Federal High Court has declared that the Independent Corrupt Practice Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) do not have the right or power to place a lien or Post No Debit on any bank account without a valid court order. Justice Lifu stated this in a judgment delivered in a suit filed by a construction firm, Efoba Construction and Engineering Services Limited against ICPC and a bank. Efoba Construction and Engineering Services Limited through its counsel, Mr. Emeka Opara (SAN), had dragged ICPC and the bank before the court in a suit numbered FHC L/CS/1796/2020,…

The Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday arraigned one Edrian Osagie Ididia before Justice S.O. Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Ididia is facing a two-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N84 million. One of the counts reads: “Edrian Osagie Ididia, between the 13th day of September 2019 and the 29th day of October 2019 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, fraudulently obtained the sum of N84, 000,000 (Eighty-four Million Naira) from Mr. Mark…

Liverpool have made contact with Juventus and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala, with the 28-year-old’s current deal set to expire in the summer. (TuttoMercato – via Sun) Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller has attracted interest from Newcastle United and Everton, with the 32-year-old approaching the final year of his contract with the Bundesliga side. (Sportbild – via Star) Barcelona are working on a plan to raise €100m (£83.5m) to fund the signing of 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund and Norway striker Erling Haaland this summer. (Goal) Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has told the club he wants to move to Newcastle, who have tabled a bid…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna state has called for the killings, banditry and kidnappings in the northwest state to stop following renewed crisis. CAN chairman in Kaduna, Rev John Joseph Hayab, noted that the recent massacres in the state is tragic. “Therefore, CAN appeal to citizens and all stakeholders to join hands to bring to a stop this new wave of killings.” He added that, “Our dear state has been on the news for the wrong reasons which include banditry, kidnapping, assaults on communities and killings of innocent citizens. This evil must stop now and those keeping…

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF ) has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of two of its principal officer’s into his government as Board Chairmen. The national publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Emmanuel Yawe, stated this in a statement on Wednesday. The two appointed officers are Senator Ibrahim Ida who is the current Deputy Chairman of the ACF from Katsina State who was appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and Senator Ibrahim Salisru Matori Assistant Chairman of the ACF who is from Bauchi was appointed Chairman of Federal College of…