Sports
World Cup Star Elye Wahi Arrested Over ‘Match-Fixing Offences’
There has already been so much to talk about regarding the 2026 World Cup. On the pitch, Lionel Messi showed there’s still magic in his boots as he bagged a hat-trick for Argentina vs Algeria, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino has regularly made negative headlines with his behaviour behind the scenes.
Geopolitical issues also continue to cause concern, with Iran players forced to leave the United States immediately after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand, as they had to fly back to Mexico just two hours after the final whistle. Adding to the chaos, it’s now been revealed that a World Cup star was recently ‘arrested over match-fixing offences’.
The man in question is Ivory Coast footballer Elye Wahi.
As per The Athletic, Wahi was arrested on suspicion of match-fixing offences less than two weeks before the World Cup began. The report adds that, sources with knowledge of events, who have spoken anonymously as they are not authorised to do so publicly, confirmed the 23-year-old is the subject of an active investigation, which is seeking to establish whether the Ivory Coast star, while playing for his club side Nice, deliberately earned a yellow card against Metz on 17 May.
The practice of manipulating events within a game is known as spot-fixing. Wahi received a yellow card in the 35th minute after a late tackle on Metz defender Sadibou Sane. Moments before that, he had committed another foul, sliding in on full-back Bouna Sarr, but avoided a yellow card.
Thanks to the booking, his first of the season at that point, the Nice player was suspended for the first leg of Nice’s relegation play-off against Saint-Etienne on 26 May. He watched from the stands as the game ended 0-0, before then playing in the second leg and scoring two goals as his side won 4-1 to avoid Ligue 1 relegation.
On the same day as his Man of the Match display, 29 May, anti-corruption specialists in the French police arrested Wahi. However, he has not been charged with any crime as the investigation continues.
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Statement Made As Wahi Plays at World Cup Amid Spot-Fixing Investigation
Despite that, Wahi has remained part of the Ivory Coast team competing in the US at the World Cup this summer and even started for the Ivory Coast in their opening 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia, hitting the bar in the second half. Ivory Coast’s next game is against Germany in Toronto on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office has made a statement, telling The Athletic on Tuesday:
“We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”
According to multiple anonymous sources with knowledge of the case, the French police probe began after the Ligue de Football Professionnel (the governing body that runs the domestic game in France) ‘received several notifications of suspicious betting patterns’ in Nice’s Ligue 1 fixture against Metz, involving wagers on Wahi to receive a yellow card.
The footballer only changed allegiance to the Ivory Coast in March this year, having represented France, where he was born, at youth level.
Sports
Liverpool Now Pushing To Sign Adam Wharton
Liverpool are pushing to add a new midfielder to their ranks this summer, as TeamTalk reports of a new target on the scene for the Reds in the transfer market.
Andoni Iraola’s side need some fresh legs across the squad, with work already underway to sign Yan Diomande as an option for the forward areas, following an impressive breakout campaign for RB Leipzig.
The central ranks are next on the agenda, with an injection of energy needed to help impose the pressing style that Liverpool will want to play under the new head coach.
There have been links with a few options, as Alex Scott has been linked as a possible target, with a potential reunion with Iraola on the cards if he does join from Bournemouth.
However, there is seemingly another deal on the cards, as Liverpool are set to intensify their interest in another midfielder instead.
Liverpool Want Adam Wharton
According to a report from TeamTalk, Liverpool are “intensifying” their interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as an option for this summer.
The 21-year-old is believed to be a priority for the Reds, but there are concerns that any move could prove costly for the England international, due to the inflation in the midfield market from moves elsewhere.
Wharton is claimed to be keen on joining, while an offer over £70 million will be sanctioned by the owners for the 22-year-old if a move is made this summer.
While Liverpool continue to monitor the possibility of signing the Crystal Palace star, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of signing Scott from Bournemouth as an alternative option.
The Reds are tracking both England midfielders, with a decision to be made on who they will push for in the coming weeks of the transfer window.
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Wharton Is Perfect For Liverpool
Wharton may not be the first player you think of when it comes to a pressing style of football. The midfielder isn’t exactly the most mobile presence in the middle of the pitch, but his use in an Iraola system may not come from his work off the ball, but rather his work on it.
In a chaotic setup, the England star may offer some balance and an ability to control the game and play it at his own pace, which is incredibly important for a side like Liverpool.
Oliver Glasner described him as “one of the best midfielders in the world”, a reputation that may not be too far wrong when he is playing at his strengths.
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Given that Liverpool need a little more quality in possession, he could be perfect in the base of midfield, capable of teeing up the rest of his teammates to create chances.
A deal could prove tough to do, but it may be an important one to get over the line this summer.
Sports
Sandro Tonali Agrees Personal Terms to Join Tottenham on Long-Term Contract
Tottenham Hotspur are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to return to the Premier League’s elite this summer after agreeing three deals already, and they could be closing in on a fourth deal after agreeing personal terms with another target.
Tottenham clearly have no intention of finding themselves in another relegation battle next term, and they are ready to seriously back manager Roberto De Zerbi in the transfer market to give the Italian the best tools to bring them back up the Premier League standings.
One of the key areas of focus appears to be the defence after Spurs conceded 183 goals in their previous three top flight campaigns, with three new faces arriving to bolster the backline already.
The north Londoners have already announced the signings of free agent duo Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while Jan Paul van Hecke is set to join them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he returns from the World Cup after a £52m deal was agreed with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Tottenham are also in talks to make Joao Palhinha’s move permanent after De Zerbi made it clear he wants the 30-year-old after a successful loan spell, while they are also in discussions to sign Manchester City winger Savinho.
Tottenham Agree Personal Terms With Sandro Tonali
Fabrizio Romano dropped a bombshell earlier this week that Tottenham were pushing to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, as De Zerbi looks to add a statement signing to his squad ahead of next season.
Despite links with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United this summer, the Magpies man is said to be keen to link up with his Italian compatriot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
That belief has been backed up by one trusted Tottenham source on X, who claims that the 26-year-old has now agreed personal terms to join Spurs on a long-term contract.
The next challenge for club chiefs will be to find an agreement with Newcastle, with GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs suggesting that the Tyneside outfit will demand a total fee worth up to £100m for their midfield maestro.
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Tonali Deal Would Send Statement Out to Premier League
Tottenham were a laughing stock for rival clubs’ fans last season, but there is no doubt that the addition of Tonali would send out a real statement to them and Spurs’ rivals ahead of next season.
Tonali has established himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League since making the move to St James’ Park, and he should be in the prime years of his career at 26 years of age.
The Italy international has shown that he can be an all-round midfielder, offering physicality, energy, quality on the ball, and a goal threat.
What would be interesting to see is if Tottenham do end up landing Palhinha and Tonali, who ends up leaving.
De Zerbi currently has Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to choose from in midfield, and at least one of those would surely be on their way if Palhinha and Tonali both join.
Sarr has been linked with an exit, while you wonder if one of Gray and Bergvall could be sent out on loan if their minutes are going to be limited, like they were in the closing stages of last season.
Sports
Man Utd Open Talks to Sign ‘Incredible’ £50m Star After Fernandes
Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to sign new players in the summer transfer window, as Fabrizio Romano claims that talks have been initiated for one fresh transfer target.
The Red Devils are working at pace to give Michael Carrick the best chance of succeeding next season, with a return to the Champions League on the cards, following an impressive second half of the campaign.
There are clear areas for improvement, with the midfield identified as the one position that needs the most work over the course of the next few months of the transfer window.
However, there is also consideration being made for an attacking addition, who could bring even more firepower to the squad, following a season filled with goals from last summer’s new signings.
Plenty of options could be on the cards, but the one who appears to be of most interest to Man United is West Ham star Crysencio Summerville.
Man United Open Talks For Crysencio Summerville
Man United have been linked with a move for Crysencio Summerville, who appears to be available this summer following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.
Reports have claimed that a £50 million price tag has been slapped on the Netherlands international for any suitors who want to land him in the coming weeks.
While Paris Saint-Germain have been in the picture, Fabrizio Romano claims that Man United have opened talks over a potential switch for Summerville, who has been described as “incredible“, as well as Mateus Fernandes in a potential double swoop from the Hammers.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “There are many clubs interested in Crysencio Summerville, scored at the World Cup with the Netherlands on the opening game, and Summerville is attracting interest from several clubs, so Manchester United are one of them, it’s true.
“So he’s one of the names being considered for the winger position. Appreciated by them, United are readying conversations with West Ham for Matues Fernandes. Don’t forget that.
“So there is talks underway about the midfielder, and so they also asked about the situation of Crysencio Summerville and the price of the player, so there is interest.
“Then also Paris Saint-Germain last week made a call to understand the situation of Summerville. They could add one more winger to the squad in case Barcola leaves, it’s not sure yet, but it’s still a possibility to follow and watch.”
It means Man United could swiftly add the pair to their ranks heading into the busy part of the summer, with a lot of work still left to do.
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Summerville Deal Could Be Costly
Any deal for Summerville could cost Man United upwards of £50 million, a figure that may well seem a little costly for a player of his current stature.
While the winger has shown plenty of quality, which included a goal for the Netherlands on his World Cup debut this summer, there hasn’t always been that consistency in performances.
The 24-year-old picked up just five goals and four assists in the Premier League last season, as West Ham suffered relegation to the second tier.
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In part, his performances gave the side some hope of survival, but the lack of consistency in them also ended up with the Hammers falling just short when it really mattered.
While there could certainly be a deal there, especially for a player on the up, there may be some worries about such a strong transfer fee being attached.
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