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Aston Villa finalise new contract for midfielder Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa finalise new contract for midfielder Boubacar Kamara

New York Times

time14 hours ago

  • Sport
  • New York Times

Aston Villa finalise new contract for midfielder Boubacar Kamara

Aston Villa have finalised a new contract with midfielder Boubacar Kamara. The Athletic reported on July 18 that Villa were optimistic the 25-year-old would sign a new deal, with two years left on his existing terms, after they had made a contract offer to him in April. Kamara had been waiting to see if the Birmingham-based club would qualify for the Champions League but, despite missing out on the final qualifying spot last season, he has committed to a new deal regardless. Advertisement The France international joined Villa from Marseille in the summer of 2022 and has made 97 appearances for them, scoring twice. He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in February 2024 but since his return he has been a regular in head coach Unai Emery's side. Last season, the midfielder made 42 appearances for Villa, despite also picking up a hamstring issue which caused him to miss three games. Kamara has made five senior international appearances for France after playing in their youth sides. Analysis by Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell There is a widely held school of thought that Kamara is Villa's most important player, which is why they are so determined to keep him. The midfielder had been keeping his options open at the end of last season, following Villa narrowly missing out on Champions League football, with several high-calibre clubs interested, as well as admiration from Saudi Arabia. The France international is the glue in Villa's midfield and has struck up an excellent partnership with Villa's best player last season, Youri Tielemans. Provided Kamara can stay fit for the duration of the campaign, having been out with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last summer, it should make a huge impact to how Villa's season unfolds.

Nayef Aguerd in Limbo as West Ham Stall Transfer
Nayef Aguerd in Limbo as West Ham Stall Transfer

Morocco World

time16 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Morocco World

Nayef Aguerd in Limbo as West Ham Stall Transfer

West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd remains uncertain this summer, as Graham Potter's rebuilding project hangs in the balance. Despite a loan stint at Real Sociedad and mounting speculation, the Moroccan defender's future is unresolved. Marseille have cooled their interest, unwilling to meet the £19.5m (€23m/$25m) asking price or contend with his expected absence during AFCON 2025 in Morocco. Juventus, meanwhile, are circling. Talks have begun, with Daniele Rugani floated as part of a potential swap deal. But negotiations remain at an early stage. Aguerd has resumed pre-season training with the Hammers and even featured in a friendly against Grasshoppers. A behind-the-scenes video showed Potter warmly assigning him to look after new signing Malick Diouf – suggesting Aguerd might yet stay, at least for now. Yet West Ham still aim to offload the 29-year-old before his contract enters its final year. But with few concrete offers and the club keen to move for Albian Hajdari or Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Aguerd's sale may become a necessity. Time is running out. If no buyer emerges, West Ham could be forced to shelve plans for a new centre-back. For now, Aguerd is stuck somewhere between a potential revival and the exit door. Tags: Nayef Aguerdpremier leaguewest ham

Rashid Al Dhaheri clinches second at Formula Regional Championship
Rashid Al Dhaheri clinches second at Formula Regional Championship

Emirates 24/7

time4 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Emirates 24/7

Rashid Al Dhaheri clinches second at Formula Regional Championship

Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri delivered an outstanding performance at Circuit Paul Ricard near Marseille, South France, claiming second place in Race 2 of the Formula Regional Championship and raising the UAE flag on the international stage. Opened in 1970, the Paul Ricard Circuit has hosted numerous prestigious motorsport events, including Formula One Grands Prix. Known for its distinctive blue and red runoff zones and long Mistral Straight, the 5.842 km track challenges drivers with a mix of high-speed sections and technical corners. Twenty-six up-and-coming race drivers from 18 countries participated in the race weekend. Al Dhaheri was competitive from the outset during Friday's free practice sessions. In FP1, he completed two runs, one on old tires and one on fresh tires. In FP2, he focused on race and qualifying simulations. Unfortunately, Qualifying 1 on Saturday proved challenging as a slow puncture on the rear-left tire compromised his session, forcing him to withdraw from Race 1. Despite this setback, Al Dhaheri rebounded strongly on Sunday. In Qualifying 2, he secured pole position in his group, missing the overall pole by a mere 0.055 seconds. Starting from P2 in Race 2, Al Dhaheri maintained his composure, demonstrating excellent tire management and racecraft to finish in second place. He also set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:58.862. His podium finish and fastest lap marked the first time the UAE flag has been raised at Paul Ricard in this championship, highlighting another milestone moment in his young career. The next round of the Formula Regional Championship will take place in two weeks at the iconic Imola Circuit near Florence, Italy, a track steeped in motorsport history.

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