Former Super Eagles defender, ex-Chelsea star, others released by Frank Lampard’s Derby County

Former Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose and ex-Chelsea star Ashley Cole are among the Derby County players being released this summer after they failed to win promotion to the Premier League.

The Nigerian international invoked a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave Easter Road in January with six months left to run on his contract.

Ambrose was offered an improved deal to stay in Edinburgh, but turned it down given the wages on offer from elsewhere.

He penned a short-term deal with Frank Lampard’s side, but hasn’t played since heading to the East Midlands.

In the same vein, Ashley Cole – who is 38 – joined the Rams on a short-term deal until the end of the season in January and he started in their play-off final defeat to Aston Villa.

Derby are also releasing David Nugent, Alex Pearce and Marcus Olsson when their contracts expire on June 30.

Photo Credit: Sky Sports

Guardiola reacts to pressure on Ernesto Valverde to leave Barcelona after losing to Liverpool, Valencia

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde as pressure mounts on him to leave the club after losing vital matches to Liverpool and Valencia, calling the embattled gaffer “a spectacular coach”.

The Nou Camp club were dumped out of the Champions League by eventual winner Liverpool and losing the Copa Del Rey to Valencia

Despite leading the Spanish giants to successive La Liga titles, Valverde has been faced with increased pressure and there have been suggestions he could be sacked this summer after a poor end to the season.

But the Manchester City boss believes Valverde should keep his job.

“Valverde seems to me, to be a spectacular coach, beyond the friendship that unites us,” the former Barcelona manager told Catalunya Radio .

“He has done a very good job in two years.”

“It is true that Valverde lost in the Champions League, we all lose.

“A team that wins two consecutive leagues and makes good football, I celebrate that it continues. Barcelona is still true to its style.”

Paris Saint-Germain star snubs Manchester United for Liverpool despite Solskjaer’s huge offer for summer move

Reports in England claim that Adrien Rabiot has rejected Manchester United’s huge £170,000-a-week contract.

The Frenchman is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer after falling out with the club’s hierarchy and is keen on a move to the Premier League.

He is however reportedly keen to join to close rivals Liverpool.

According to the Daily Mail, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to add the France international as part of his rebuilding plans, and the club have tabled a deal worth around £9million a year with a £4.5m signing-on.

While Rabiot is tempted by the size of the deal, he is a huge admirer of Steven Gerrard and would prefer to join the newly-crowned Champions League winners.

He was also the subject of interest from Tottenham, Barcelona and Juventus, but excessive wage demands prevented a move for him in January.

In all, the youth product has made 224 appearances and scored 24 goals for his hometown club since his debut in 2012.

EXCLUSIVE: Bournemouth, Crystal Palace hunt for Oghenekaro Etebo

Premeir League clubs Crystal Palace and Stoke City are on the trail of Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo for a move this summer.

The Nigeria international won the Potters’ Player of the Year award after his superlative performances for the bet365 club in his debut season with the Championship club.

According to a reliable source, Roy Hodgson is keen to snap up the 23-year-old from Stoke City as the former Three Lions boss considers Etebo a good player for his Selhurst Park club.

Footballflakes.net reliably gathered that Crystal Palace are preparing an offer for Etebo, who joined the Super Eagles camp in Asaba on Sunday as Nigeria begins preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) later this month in Egypt.

Also, Bournemouth are said to be waiting for the commencement of Afcon so as to fully assess the Nigerian. The Cherries and Eagles are equally tracking Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, who Etebo beat to the Player of the Year award.

Etebo earned rave review from Sheffield Wednesday’s manager Steve Bruce after their teams met in an English Championship encounter.

“Where did Stoke find Peter Etebo?,” Bruce said after the game

The Nigerian joined Nathan Jones’ club from Portuguese outfit CD Feirense last summer, scoring two goals in 34 league appearances for the Championship side.

Photo Credit: Stoke City FC

Romelu Lukaku accepts Inter Milan’s condition for summer move as Manchester United insist on fee

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has reportedly agreed to take pay cut in his bid to leave the Old Trafford and join Inter Milan.

The Belgium international’s role under the Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been bit part, with Marcus Rashford being given a more prominent role in the club’s attack.

Lukaku, according to SportMediaset, is now desperate to join Antonio Conte’s team at San Siro, as the Coach had already tried to sign him at Chelsea.

Football Italia report that his agent Federico Pastorello already worked out personal terms with a contract worth €8m per year, which is less than he currently earns at Old Trafford.

He was also watching Inter’s final game of the season against Empoli, sending repeated messages before and after to his fellow Belgian Radja Nainggolan.

The main sticking point now is Manchester United’s transfer fee, as they rate Lukaku at €70m.

SportMediaset claim Inter have tried to offer Perisic as part of the deal, but since Jose Mourinho left, they are no longer so eager on the Croatia international.

Obviously, if Lukaku is coming in along with Edin Dzeko from Roma for €13.5m, then Mauro Icardi needs to move on.

Icardi and his wife/agent Wanda Nara remain adamant they won’t leave Inter and are threatening to run down his contract so he could become a free agent in 2021.

Manchester United would like the Argentine, but he seems intent on remaining in Serie A and in particular wants to join Juventus.

Photo Credit: premierleague.com