Sports
When EPL turns into ‘Billionaires Club’

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The English Premier League (EPL) threatens to see more competition and attraction from another emerging force backed by another “Arab Money” gradually marking the turn of the teams in the League into “Billionaires’ Club.”
Before the turn of the millennium, now well-known clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City were considered underdogs in every Premier League campaign. Their classification as one of the biggest clubs in England became evident due to their takeover by billionaires.
The emergence of billionaires in the league over the past decade has grounded the complete dominance of heavyweights such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Chelsea and Manchester City have become testaments that big money produces trophies; following the propose takeover of Newcastle United by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, the English topflight campaign will be expected to see at least six clubs (Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Newcastle United) competing for the title with lot of respect to other clubs.
Chelsea
The owner of the Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 for 140 million pounds from Kent Bates, and immediately invested over two billion pounds into club.
The success revolution began in 2005 when Chelsea its first premier league during Abramovich’s era.
They would go to win 16 major trophies in the past 17 years making them the most successful in England since the Russian’s take over. The Stamford Bridge has celebrated the following titles in quantum; 1 Champions League, a pair of Europa League, 5 EPL, 5 FA Cups, and 3 League Cups. The club has attracted fine stars including Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Eden Hazard, Glen Johnson, Hernan Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, etc as well as top managers in the world of football including; Jose Mourinho, Carlo Anceloti, Antonio Conte, Filipe Scolari, Roberto Di Mateo (won the UCL), and Maurizio Sarri.
Manchester City
Another scenario of the movement of the “Billionnaires Club” empire in the EPL is the emergence the Arab billionaire from Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan in 2008. He took over City Football Group of which Manchester City is a part for a whooping 265 million pounds from then owner Thaksin Shinawatra. According to reports from The Sun Sport in February this year, the Etihad owner has forked 1.5 billion pounds worth of investment over the past decade.
Though the Club has never tasted glories in Europe, they have become a buttress root in the English topflight and other domestic trophies. Their 10 trophies haul including last season’s domestic treble during the Mansour era include; 4 EPL, 2 FA Cups, and 4 League Cups.
The Etihad Stadium has welcomed great players such as; Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Joe Hart, Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Eden Dzeko, Vincent Kompany, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Kevin De Bryne. The best of managers including current coach Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Mark Hughes have been at the helm of affairs.
Newcastle United
Following the proposed 80 per cent shares takeover of the St. James Park by the PCP Capital partners backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Aradia, the EPL as well as Newcastle United fans are preparing to welcome a new owner.
The PIF headed by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman is expected to pay a mammoth 300 million pounds to current owner, Mike Ashley to complete the takeover. The PIF is reported to be worth 260 billion pounds.
Albeit, drawing references from Chelsea and Manchester City who also have billionaires investing in them, many Newcastle United fans are very excited and optimistic that they will become a force to reckon with due to the investment expected to be made by the Deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.
The investment is expected to translate into several trophies in the year to come for the St. James Park that has not tasted any trophies for the past two decades and over. It is imperative to note that Newcastle United will have the richest club in the EPL as well as in Europe.
BY BENEDICTA NUAMAH TAKYI
Sports
Clubs complete late business ahead of new GPL season

With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
Sports
Black Princesses to face Polish side Sleza Wroclaw in friendly

The Black Princesses will play Polish side Sleza Wroclaw, a team in the Orlen Ekstraliga Kobiet, in their first international friendly match in Wroclaw, Poland.
The game will be held behind closed doors as Ghana continue preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly offers Black Princesses head coach Charles Sampson another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, build cohesion and sharpen tactics.
The game will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Stadion Sportowy Olawka in Wroclaw at 14:00 GMT.
The Black Princesses are making their eighth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament, aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in their history.




