Hoffenheim sign Togo-born striker

Hoffenheim have signed 19-year-old striker Peniel Mlapa from second division club 1860 Munich for an undisclosed fee.

Mlapa, who has been with 1860 Munich since the age of nine, played 23 games in the second division last season as well as an additional 13 matches for the club’s reserve team in the fourth flight of German football.

The Togo-born striker becomes the first new arrival at Hoffenheim this summer and should go straight into their first-team squad.

1860 director of sport Miki Stevic confirmed that his club simply could not turn down Hoffenheim’s offer.

“Peniel is a player with a great deal of potential and we would have liked to have tied him down on a long-term deal with our club, but we have got to consider the economic conditions attached to such a transfer,” Stevic said in a club statement. “We are convinced that he will successfully take the next step in his career with Hoffenheim and we wish him all the best there.”

Hoffenheim also believe they got a good deal out of the transfer. “We are very happy that Peniel has decided to join Hoffenheim,” said general manager Ernst Tanner on Hoffenheim’s website.

“We are convinced he will show his attacking qualities in the Bundesliga and, as a Germany youth international, he fits into our philosophy for new players.”

Aliko Dangote

Nigeria’s richest man, billionaire Aliko Dangote, on Monday denied media reports that he was considering buying a 16 percent stake in English Premier League club Arsenal.

The Sunday Times and other media sources reported that Dangote had registered his interest in buying a stake being sold by Nina Bracewell-Smith, the club’s fourth biggest investor.

“I am a longstanding supporter of Arsenal Football Club and have been involved in conversations around investment in the past,” Dangote said in a statement.

“However, I can say categorically at this time that I have no intention of investing in the club and will not be acquiring a stake. I wish Arsenal Football Club the best for the future and will continue to follow the team as a fan.”

Bracewell-Smith has appointed U.S. private equity firm Blackstone Group to find a buyer. A person familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this month that 8-12 parties were taking a detailed look at the club.

Nigerian Alaba savours Champions League final

Striker David Alaba, whose father is from Nigeria, has paid tribute to Louis van Gaal and Bayern Munich’s senior players as the German side attempt to round off a remarkable season with victory in the UEFA Champions League final.

The 17-year-old Austrian international has enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2010, making his Bayern debut in the round of 16 second leg at ACF Fiorentina to join fellow tyros Thomas Müller, Holger Badstuber and Diego Contento – all 21 or younger – in appearing on the road to Madrid.

Van Gaal has a simple explanation for their involvement, saying: “If I see that a player has talent I’ll put him in the team, whatever his age.”

Alaba duly acknowledges the coach’s influence in his progress this term, telling UEFA.com: “He has played an important role in my career so far, he’s always been there for me when I needed him. Louis is a very important person for me.”

VIDEO: Alaba talks about his rapid rise in football

Defender Badstuber agrees that the faith Van Gaal shows in the junior members of Bayern’s squad has helped them thrive, saying: “The coach believes in us, and we know what we’re capable of. When we play well, that faith is repaid by the team. They support us every day. That makes it easy to forget your nerves.”

After the 3-0 win at Olympique Lyonnais in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge described Bayern’s pride in their emerging youngsters: “It’s often said that Bayern simply use their financial clout to buy quality. That’s a myth, and tonight will go some way towards debunking it.”

Alaba, however, reckons those high-profile stars have been enormously helpful towards their rookie colleagues. “You can learn every day with them and can develop further,” the Vienna-born forward said.

“[Getting into the senior squad] was an important step for me. I can learn a lot, not only on the pitch but also in everyday life. I have developed as a player but also as a human being. I’ve improved a lot in every part of the game.”

Although he hopes its finest moment is yet to come, Alaba – who has three international caps, the first two coming before he had broken into the Bayern side – is already able to look back on a memorable first campaign. He calls his debut at Fiorentina “an incredible dream”.

There could be more heightened emotion in store at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, and Alaba is relishing the prospect – something he admits he could barely have believed 12 months ago.

“In previous years you sit in front of the TV to watch the final and this time you have the opportunity to play in it – incredible.

“Personally I haven’t come to terms with it yet. It’s simply incredible. To be involved in the final is a dream for every single player, not only young ones. Of course I am thinking about what could happen. I am in the middle of a dream and maybe it will come true.”

Portsmouth in shock contract offer for Nigeria's Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu has been offered a new contract by his financially striken club Portsmouth despite doubts over his ability to carry on in a tough league.

The Nigeria captain was eyeing a move to the Middle East to start his process of ending his playing career and the new offer has come as a shock to fans of the Super Eagles.

This is a huge confidence boost for him ahead of coach Lars Lagerback naming of his final 23 players for the World Cup.

The FA Cup runners-up, who have been relegated from the English Premier League and are tens of millions of pounds in debt, say they want to retain a “firm base” for the future.

England star David James is among those who have also been offered a new deal.

But Aruna Dindane and Hassan Yebda will return to their previous clubs after the expiry of their loan deals.

“The football club can confirm it has offered new contracts to influential first-team FA Cup heroes David James, Kanu, Hermann Hreidarsson and Ricardo Rocha,” a Portsmouth statement said.

“It’s hoped the popular quartet will bring a wealth of experience and strength to the Blues’ side as they seek to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.”

Kanu has made more than 120 appearances for Pompey, including coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea.

The 33-year-old is preparing to lead Nigeria at the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa.

Ivory Coast’s Dindane will return to his French club Lens, whilst Hassan Yebda of Algeria is to go back to Benfica of Portugal.

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