
Swansea City medical booked as target caught up in bizarre scandal
The latest news from the Swansea.com Stadium
Malick Yalcouye (left) is close to completing a move to Swansea City
(Image: Andre Weening/)
Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Wednesday August 13.
Swans inch closer to Yalcouye deal
Swansea City are hoping to unveil Malick Yalcouye within the next 24 hours after reaching an agreement to take the highly-rated midfielder on a season-long loan.
Yalcouye was in attendance at the Swansea.com Stadium to watch his new side ease their way past Crawley Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and was at Fairwood earlier today to complete a medical and other formalities. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.
It seems he could well be through the door in time to face Sheffield United this weekend as suggested by boss Alan Sheehan after the win over the Red Devils.
"He's been involved with Brighton in pre-season, and we'll have to see in training where he's at," Sheehan said. "We might have to integrate him into it.
"But I imagine he could come into the squad on Saturday."
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Kone joins QPR
Former Swansea City transfer target Richard Kone has completed a move to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.
Sources close to negotiations claimed the 22-year-old was the subject of two failed bids from the Swans earlier in the summer, while Preston North End and Toulouse were also believed to have had bids knocked back.
Swansea were initially expected to return with a third bid, but substantially cooled their interest in search of other targets.
Leicester City were another side to admire the Ivorian, but failed to firm up their interest with a bid, opening the door for a move to Loftus Road.
"It's an amazing feeling, I'm really glad to join an amazing team, a great club. I can't wait to get started," Kone told the club's website.
"I made my mind when the opportunity comes, I'll be ready. I'll be ready to take it. By God's grace, it took the time that it took, four years, and when the time was right, I did take my chances and here I am."
'No offer' for Sylla amid bizarre scandal
Swansea City are reportedly yet to make a concrete offer for alleged target Moussa Sylla.
Reports in France claim Swansea, Sevilla, Valencia, and Angers have all expressed an interest in the Schalke forward, but German publication Bild says there's currently nothing on the table.
The same publication is also tracking a bizarre scandal involving the 25-year-old and his dog.
It's claimed Sylla left his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 'Ghost', with a dog-sitter at the Albert Schweitzer Animal Shelter in Essen earlier this month, and has since refused to take the dog back, allegedly stating he "unfortunately no longer had any use" for it. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone.
Sylla has vehemently denied those allegations, and hit back with a statement through French lawyer Dylan Bourkab.
"For several days, Mr. Moussa Sylla and his family have been the target of a media campaign based on false, distorted and out-of-context information," the statement read.
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It all comes amid growing uncertainty around the player's future in Germany, French publication L'Equipe stating Sevilla, Valencia and Angers are among the other clubs linked with a move.
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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Arne Slot sets Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi target for Liverpool star Florian Wirtz
Arne Slot casually dropped in the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah when talking about Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz's potential Arne Slot knows Florian Wirtz has the ability but he has laid down the challenge to the Liverpool new boy to show his robustness to reach the very top. The Reds boss casually dropped in the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah when talking about the £116m man's potential. But it wasn't any particular skillset of those three greats of the game that Slot was highlighting - it was their availability. The more games you are fit for the more games you can make a big impression in was the message ahead of life in English footballl. As the former Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Wirtz prepares to begin his Premier League career on Friday night against Bournemouth, Slot offered his view on what he needs to do to fulfil his potential. 'Everything we expect is very positive but between expecting and realising something is different,' said Slot. 'Why is Messi and Ronaldo and Mo, why are they so highly regarded? Because they are always fit. 'Every single game they are fit and that is something that Florian first has to show in a league like ours. If he is able to stay to fit then our fans will see great moments.' If Wirtz gets anywhere near the regard Salah is held on Merseyside then he will have fulfilled his potential. But, in a summer of change for Liverpool with over £300m spent and more to come while nearly £200m coming in from transfers out, Salah will find differences in the way the team will play. Not least the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who he played 70 per cent of his games in a red shirt with bringing his total tally of goals to 245 and counting. On Friday night he will have Jeremie Frimpong behind him and, when he is fit, it could be Conor Bradley. Salah seemed a bit isolated in Liverpool's defeat on penalties against Crystal Palace last week as he struggled to impact the game but Slot is not concerned by that. 'No the last time we were at Wembley he didn't play his best game as well,' said Slot, referencing the Carabao Cup final defeat by Newcastle last season. 'By the way Trent wasn't playing behind them then, it was Jarell [Quansah]. But even players like Mo can have a game where they maybe don't play how we expect them to play. 'The good thing for us is that it hardly ever happens, he is nine out of 10 times the best version of himself and sometimes it is also the quality of the opponent or the playing style of the opponent that makes it really difficult for him.' Slot cited Palace's low block and directness from open play posing problems for Liverpool. It is why he has tried to evolve the team this summer, as well as players wanting to move on. Wirtz, 22, is one player who can unlock any defence given his brilliance in the Bundesliga. Anfield will get their first competitive viewing of the Germany international in a Liverpool shirt and excitement is brewing on Merseyside about him more so than any other signing - and there's been plenty. Yet with it comes the pressure of the huge fee. Something Slot is not concerned about. 'He might be young but he already won a lot,' he said. 'Factually, we can see him as a young player but in terms of his experience, I don't see him as a young player. 'He won the league with Germany, won the cup, has played for his country numerous times and apart from that, his mentality is his biggest strength. 'That says a lot because if you see him play, you're like: 'Are you serious because he's so creative'. But how mentally strong he is, he doesn't get distracted at all by a transfer fee or anything else.'

Rhyl Journal
8 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Thursday's briefing: PSG beat Spurs on penalties as Rashford hits out at Man Utd
Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford criticised the progress of parent club Manchester United, while the Premier League's chief executive dismissed the prospect of taking a top-flight fixture abroad. United were later drawn to face League Two Grimsby in the pick of the Carabao Cup second-round ties. Tottenham endured penalty shoot-out pain in Thomas Frank's first match in charge as Paris St Germain overturned a two-goal deficit to claim the UEFA Super Cup. Set-piece goals from defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero put Spurs on course for another trophy – only three months since Frank's predecessor Ange Postecoglou clinched Europa League glory in May. But Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute before PSG substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home in the fourth minute of added time to secure a 2-2 draw and force spot-kicks. Tottenham were handed the initiative when Vitinha missed the Champions League holders' first penalty, only for Van de Ven and Mathys Tel to fail from 12 yards as PSG triumphed 4-3 in the shoot-out to claim the silverware. 🚨 Rashford Ep is Now LIVE! 🚨 🏴 The 2nd English Player At Barca👏 Getting Back To His Best 🤔 What Does Success Look Like?@GaryLineker & @MicahRichards is joined by @MarcusRashford in this exclusive interview ahead of his new season at Barcelona in the latest show below 👇 — The Rest Is Football (@RestIsFootball) August 13, 2025 Marcus Rashford described Manchester United as being in 'no man's land' as he claimed the transition under manager Ruben Amorim 'has not started yet'. England forward Rashford last month left his boyhood club for a season-long loan at Barcelona, having finished the 2024-25 campaign with Aston Villa after falling out of favour following Amorim's arrival. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the 27-year-old said: 'People say that we've been in a transition for years but to be in a transition you have to start a transition. The actual transition has not started yet. 'We've had that many different managers, different ideas and different strategies to win that you end up in no man's land.' Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said there are no plans to play a top-flight match abroad. Italy's Serie A and Spain's LaLiga have unveiled plans to stage league fixtures in Australia and the United States respectively as those competitions seek greater worldwide exposure. Masters believes the Premier League has gone global by other means since the idea of a 39th match round abroad was first floated in 2008. 'There are billions of people who will be tuning in over the course of the next the next nine months to watch Premier League action, so we've achieved that objective by different means, that necessity has dissipated,' he said. The #CarabaoCup Round Two draw is now complete🔽#EFL — Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 13, 2025 Fourth-tier Grimsby were paired with Manchester United in one of the standout clashes of the Carabao Cup second round. Blundell Park is set to host the six-time winners, who were the last team out of the hat in Wednesday evening's draw, during the week beginning August 25. United have not lined up against the Lincolnshire club since the 1947-48 season, when they lost 4-3 at home before drawing 1-1 away in the the old First Division. Promoted Leeds face a trip to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Everton will host League One Mansfield, while there are all-Premier League ties between Bournemouth and Brentford and Wolves and West Ham. Hibernian take a 2-0 aggregate lead into the home leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie with Partizan Belgrade, while Dundee United and Rapid Vienna are level at 2-2 ahead of the meeting at Tannadice. Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will hold press conferences to preview Friday's Premier League opener at Anfield.


The Guardian
8 hours ago
- The Guardian
Carabao Cup: Huddersfield stun Leicester in shootout drama, Birmingham beat Blades
The goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was the hero for Huddersfield, who overcame Championship opponents Leicester via a penalty shootout after an entertaining 2-2 Carabao Cup first-round draw at the League One club's Accu Stadium. Huddersfield started strongly and Ruben Roosken and David Kasumu both had strong penalty shouts turned down early on after both appeared to be tripped inside the box. The hosts held Leicester at bay until nine minutes after the break, when the right-back Hamza Choudhury smashed a half-cleared ball into the far top corner. That brought the game to life and Huddersfield reacted best, with Roosken awarded a penalty after Choudhury brought him down. Dion Charles's spot-kick was saved but the 19-year-old midfielder Dan Vost headed home the rebound in the 65th minute for his first senior goal. Leicester restored their lead three minutes later, Stephy Mavididi squaring for his fellow substitute Harry Winks to curl the ball into the bottom corner. Again Huddersfield found a response, with the youngster Cameron Ashia claiming his second goal in two games by curling a fantastic effort into the top corner. That sent the game to a shootout, where Huddersfield prevailed 3-2 as Bilal El Khannouss hit a post and Nicholls saved efforts from Jordan Ayew and Kasey McAteer. The Terriers will visit Sunderland in the second round. Gustavo Hamer produced an early contender for goal of the season but it was not enough to stop Birmingham advancing with a 2-1 victory against Sheffield United thanks to Jay Stansfield's late winner. Stansfield, an England Under-21 international, struck three minutes from time with a deflected effort which booked the hosts a home tie against Port Vale. The nine Premier League teams involved in European competition this season – Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, holders Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace – will enter the League Cup at the third-round stage. South SectionFulham v Bristol CityNorwich v SouthamptonOxford v BrightonReading v AFC WimbledonBournemouth v BrentfordMillwall v CoventryWolves v West HamSwansea v PlymouthBromley v WycombeCardiff v CheltenhamCambridge v Charlton North SectionTranmere or Burton v LincolnAccrington v DoncasterWigan v StockportStoke v BradfordBurnley v DerbySunderland v HuddersfieldBirmingham v Port ValePreston v WrexhamBarnsley v RotherhamSheffield Wednesday v LeedsEverton v MansfieldGrimsby v Manchester United Birmingham had made almost all the running and wasted numerous chances to build on a fifth-minute lead given to them by Kyogo Furuhashi after good work by Demarai Gray. But Hamer's introduction off the bench early in the second half breathed fresh life into the Blades and he stunned the home crowd with a magnificent drive from 50 yards. The midfielder picked up a loose ball in midfield before sending a shot beyond James Beadle, a debutant, who had strayed marginally off his line. However, with spot-kicks beckoning, Stansfield twisted and turned inside the area, firing off a shot which was diverted past Adam Davies by a slight touch from a covering defender. Pierce Charles saved twice and Liam Palmer scored the winning spot-kick as the Championship crisis club Sheffield Wednesday beat Bolton of League One 4-2 on penalties. Charles, the only player to retain his place from Sunday's league defeat at Leicester, kept out efforts from Aaron Morley and Max Conway before Palmer booked a home derby with Leeds. Victory was well deserved for Henrik Pedersen's young guns despite Wanderers going down to 10 men after the defender Sam Inwood's 30th-minute red card. Pedersen named five teenagers in his starting lineup and Gui Siqueira smashed them into a 20th-minute lead. Bolton equalised for the first time through Jordi Osei-Tutu after 36 minutes. However, the Owls' skipper, Ike Ugbo, restored the visitors' advantage with a cool right-foot finish a minute later. The substitute Thierry Gale's first Bolton goal after 77 minutes looked to have earned penalties, only for Reece Johnson to make it 3-2 after 80 minutes. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Wednesday were heading through until the substitute Amario Cozier-Duberry's dramatic stunning stoppage-time leveller. However, Charles was the hero with his double saves to delight Wednesday's travelling fans. Oakwell hosted another first-round shootout, with Barnsley emerging victorious 5-4 on spot-kicks against Fleetwood after the match finished 2-2. The visitors had forced penalties deep into added time, with Owen Devonport bringing up his side's second equaliser. However, Murphy Cooper was the hero, saving Fleetwood's first penalty by Ryan Graydon and later denying George Morrison as the shootout went to sudden death. Cheltenham scored in each half to ease past Exeter 2-0 – the defender James Wilson gave the hosts the lead in the 28th minute before the midfielder Ryan Broom, back at the club this season after a spell at Fleetwood, gave his side breathing space and set up a visit to Cardiff next month. Manchester United will travel to League Two Grimsby in the Carabao Cup second round as they attempt to bounce back from one of their worst seasons in recent history. The 2023 winners will head for Blundell Park during the week beginning 25 August after being paired with the Mariners in Wednesday night's draw, in which they were the last team out of the hat. Elsewhere, there are all-Premier League clashes between Bournemouth and Brentford and Wolves and West Ham, while promoted Leeds face a trip to either Bolton or Sheffield Wednesday and Everton will host League One Mansfield at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Sides involved in Europe this season – Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, League Cup holders Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace – will enter the competition in the third round.