Soccer

REAL MADRID are reportedly trying to hijack Arsenal’s deal to sign Martin Zubimendi in a move that could scupper the Gunners’ summer plans.Arsenal were thought to be leading the race for Zubimendi’s signature with reports claiming that a deal was on the brink of completion.Real Madrid could hijack Arsenal’s move for Martin ZubimendiCredit: GettyMikel Arteta is keen to bring Zubimendi to the Emirates stadium with the hopes of strengthening his midfield options and replacing Jorginho – who has left to join Flamengo.Arsenal are thought to have agreed to pay Zubimendi’s £51m release clause to pry him away from Real Sociedad.However, according to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid are planning a “final attack” to try and sign him instead, with new boss Xabi Alonso keen on a new central midfielder.It’s claimed that Zubimendi is “attracted” to the idea of playing for Madrid, while he is also said to prefer staying in Spain next year.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt had seemed all-but-confirmed that he would be heading to Arsenal, but the news of Madrid’s last ditch attempt could spell trouble for the North London club. Liverpool looked set to sign Zubimendi themselves last summer, but after long talks and drawn out negotiations he ultimately snubbed the Reds to stay with Sociedad.Zubimendi is reportedly keen on the idea of playing under Alonso, who he worked with at Real Sociedad B.Arsenal need reinforcements in midfield with Jorginho’s confirmed exit. Thomas Partey is yet to sign a contract extension with the club and his current deal expires at the end of this month.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesZubimendi didn’t rule out a move elsewhere when asked about his future while on international duty with Spain.He said: “Of course there are options, but it’s true that it looks like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it’s going to end.David Raya reveals Arsenal career changed overnight following two-hour meeting “Right now, thinking about it isn’t my priority. I’m here with the national team, which is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”Asked about playing under Alonso and the influence he has had on him, Zubimendi replied: “I’ve always said that he was my idol and that for me it was a stroke of luck that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year.”[But] I don’t like to talk about those hypotheses, I like to talk about the present.”I think it would be disrespectful to answer a question [about a Madrid move] while I’m in the national team, and facing such an important competition.”Zubimendi scored two goals and registered one assist in 36 La Liga appearances for Sociedad this season.Meanwhile Arsenal look set to complete the £5m signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, with the goalkeeper arriving to provide back-up for David Raya.A striker also remains a top priority for Arteta and his team, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres admired by the Gunners hierarchy.Zubimendi is a big fan of new Real Madrid boss Xabi AlonsoCredit: AP More

SUNDERLAND have agreed a club-record fee of £26.9million for Jobe Bellingham to join Borussia Dortmund.The deal also includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause, and will put Jobe second on the list of Dortmund’s most expensive signings.Jobe Bellingham has officially joined Borussia Dortmund from SunderlandBellingham, whose older brother Jude played for the Bundesliga club for three seasons, helped Sunderland secure promotion back to the Premier League last month.The versatile midfielder’s Dortmund deal includes £4.2million in performance related add-ons, and is only £1million behind the club’s most expensive ever player Ousmane Dembele.Like his brother Jude, Jobe came through Birmingham’s academy and spent two years in the first team after making his debut in 2021 aged 16.Sunderland signed him from the Blues in the summer of 2023 and he quickly became a first team regular.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZNJobe started 39 out of his 40 Championship games this season, only missing one through injury and two through suspension.Remarkably, the 19-year-old was only subbed ONCE throughout the entire campaign, playing 90 minutes on all other occasions.The teenager, who can play anywhere across the midfield, scored four goals and provided three assists for the Black Cats this season.He leaves Sunderland on a high after the club returned to the top-flight after nine years away following their sensational comeback 2-1 win against Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJobe won Young Championship Player of the Season this term and was called up to England’s under-21s again this week.In the end, he scored 11 goals and gifted four assists in 90 appearances for Sunderland.Jobe Bellingham takes swipe at Sky Sports pundits in live TV interview before awkward moment with panel at WembleyDortmund have forked out more for Jobe than they did for his older brother, who joined for £25million in 2020.Jude left Dortmund in the summer of 2023 and became Madrid’s second-most expensive signing behind Eden Hazard. The brothers will play against EACH OTHER in the upcoming Club World Cup, if the deal is finalised before June 10 and both teams make the final in the US.And they will join brothers Lucas and Theo Hernandez as the only other siblings to play each other in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Sunderland have already eyed their replacement in Manchester City kid Charlie Gray.Jobe has followed in his brother’s footsteps More

NEYMAR JR has been ruled out for Santos once again as his nightmare run on the sidelines continues.The Brazilian superstar has played just 12 times for Santos since rejoining his boyhood club back in January.Neymar Jr has been ruled out with Covid-19Credit: ReutersFitness and injury struggles has meant fans have barely caught a glimpse of the 128-time Brazil international.And they won’t be able to see him play any time soon either after it was revealed that he has contracted Covid-19 and is unable to play.A statement from Santos confirmed that the former PSG and Barcelona winger has been isolating since Thursday and is now recovering at home on the advice of a doctor.Fans can’t quite believe that Neymar is set to be out of action once again, having already missed ten games this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne wrote: “He will do anything but play football”.While another asked: “Does he Google excuses?”A third added: “Bro ran out of injuries, he brought back the pandemic”.And a fourth joked: “Bro really does everything to not play a game at his club”.Most read in FootballNeymar managed just seven appearances for Al-HilalCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNeymar saw his time in Saudi Arabia follow a similar trend, with an ACL injury seeing him miss the majority of his time in the Middle East.The Samba star manged just SEVEN games in total for Al-Hilal, despite signing a two-year deal worth a reported £129m-per-season.Neymar and girlfriend Bruna Biancardi hold spectacular gender reveal to announce she is expecting their second child Injuries and a lack of football have also meant that Neymar hasn’t represented the Brazilian national team since 2023.But new Selecao boss Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t ruled out a shock call-up in the near future, despite leaving the 33-year-old out of his first squad selection.Speaking to the media, he said: “In this call-up, I selected the players who are doing well.”Neymar has just returned from injury, everyone knows his quality and we are counting on him” More