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      Tony Adams: Bukayo Saka is second only to Lionel Messi… Arsenal should build entire side around him to conquer Europe

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      WHEN Manchester City paid £100million to sign Jack Grealish 18 months ago, I couldn’t believe that they didn’t even try to buy Bukayo Saka.Even now I’m gobsmacked that Arsenal have been able to hang on to a kid who is already one of the best talents in the world.
      Tony Adams has rated Bukayo Saka alongside Lionel MessiCredit: Louis Wood
      Hopefully, they will soon get Bukayo tied down to a lengthy new contract, so I can stop worrying.
      Like me, he’s a London-born Arsenal fan who graduated through the academy and has the club in his blood.
      But even though the Gunners hierarchy are pretty confident he’s never going to leave them, they should never take that loyalty for granted.
      If Arsenal hadn’t shown the level of commitment I was looking for at the time, I would have been out the door like a shot when Manchester United wanted to buy me in 1996.
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      But they proved their ambitions by signing Patrick Vieira and Nicolas Anelka and that was good enough for me to sign on the dotted line.
      Now Mikel Arteta and the board have to convince Bukayo to stay by going big again in the transfer market this summer.
      Playing in the Champions League next season will be a whole new ball game for this Arsenal team.
      And it’s going to be really difficult for the current squad to compete at that level while also challenging for the title.
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      We all saw what happened when Mikel rested a couple of his big boys in the Europa League the other week.
      The back-up players looked bang average and were played off the park by Sporting Lisbon.
      At the moment they need Bukayo, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Oleks Zinchenko playing every week because they have a team that almost picks itself.
      But I’m sure they’ll give Bukayo that hefty new contract to keep him at the Emirates because they know he is irreplaceable.
      If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi.
      Bukayo is absolutely on fire and the reason Arsenal are top of the table.
      Erling Haaland might be scoring hundreds of goals for Manchester City and Marcus Rashford is also having a phenomenal season for United.
      Messi is the only player Adams rates above SakaCredit: Getty
      Adams says Saka is the Footballer of the YearCredit: Alamy
      But Bukayo is, hands down, the Footballer of the Year because he was England’s best player at the World Cup and he’s been the best player for the team eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
      The first time I saw him was about five years ago in a youth team game at Forest Green and I could immediately tell he was something special.
      I reached out to him straight away because I wanted to know who was looking after him, did he have a good family and a decent agent.
      He told me: “I’m all right, Mr Adams, my family are good, this is OK, I speak to this person.”
      I knew then he would go a long way.
      We’ve kept in contact ever since and I reached out to him after he missed that penalty in the shootout in the Euro 2020 final.
      He appreciated the contact and the next time I saw him at the Emirates he gave me a big hug.
      If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi.Tony Adams on Bukayo Saka
      He’s such a lovely boy, so respectful and polite. The kid has talent but he also has brains.
      And he still calls me ‘Mr Adams’.
      I still don’t understand why Gareth Southgate took him off 15 minutes from the end of England’s World Cup quarter-final against France.
      Mind you, I’m still baffled that Gareth, Arteta and Unai Emery have all tried to play him at left wing-back at one time or another.
      It was interesting that England didn’t pick Ben White for this week’s Euro qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after he came home early from the World Cup.
      I can understand Gareth thinking he has better right-backs available but I don’t think White will give a monkey’s.
      He likes what he’s doing at Arsenal and he likes the players he’s playing with, so he’ll just get on with it.
      Adams has urged Arsenal to tie Saka down to a lengthy contractCredit: Getty
      Ben White was snubbed in England’s latest squadCredit: AFP
      He claims he doesn’t really like football but some guys I played with used to say that too.
      It’s a defence mechanism and some young guys need that.
      Fine, it’s only because they care.
      In my early career I much preferred going to the pub than joining up with the England squad because I was scared of being in that environment and I wasn’t comfortable in those surroundings.
      There were a lot of very big characters looking out for themselves and it was a real dog eat dog world.
      I was thrown to the wolves after the 1988 Euros and there was no one putting an arm around my shoulders like I did with David Beckham and Michael Owen when I was England captain ten years later.
      And on top of all that I had the illness of my addiction at the time, which is why I was always so keen to listen to George Graham when he would tell me I was injured and should pull out of international duty.
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      Mikel will know just how George felt after losing Jesus to injury during the World Cup and then seeing Rodri’s tackle on Odegaard the other day.
      He wants everyone fit and available for the title run-in because, even though Arsenal have a big lead going into April, they still have no margin for error.
      Arsenal legend Tony AdamsCredit: PA More

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      Arsenal fans fear Bukayo Saka could still quit despite agreeing new long-term deal over ‘curse’ of highest paid player

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      ARSENAL fans fear that Bukayo Saka could still leave the club despite agreeing a new long-term contract.The deal will see the England international become the club’s highest-paid player, with a salary of up to £300,000 per week.
      Bukayo Saka has agreed on a new deal at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil both struggled at Arsenal after signing new deals with the clubCredit: PA:Press Association
      Saka has been in stunning form for the club this season, helping them to the top of the Premier League table.
      The 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and assisted ten more in his 28 league appearances.
      While he has certainly earned his new deal, it does not guarantee his form will continue.
      Former club stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil all saw their effectiveness fade after signing new contracts.
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      One Arsenal supporter tweeted: “Saka contract curse is pending….”
      While a second asked: “Will Saka beat the “improved contract” curse?”
      However, some were more hopeful, as a third fan added: “Saka about to break our £300,000 big player contract curse.”
      Ozil was a star player for Arsenal and he was awarded with a whooping contract worth £350,000 per week just six months before he was set to leave the club on a free transfer, according to The Mirror.
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      However, the following season, under new manager Unai Emery, he only managed to contribute six goals and three assists.
      The next season he scored one goal before being exiled from the team by manager Mikel Arteta and leaving on a free transfer to Fenerbache in January 2021.
      Aubameyang received a pay rise after helping the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
      But he also went on to fall out with Arteta at the start of the 2021/22 season.
      The Gabon striker was dropped from the squad after a third disciplinary issue in a year. He then left the club in the winter transfer window on a free transfer to Barcelona.
      Podolski might not have been been on a similar wage to the two recent stars but he was among the club’s highest-paid players in 2012.
      Earning £157,000 per week, the German starred in his first season in North London.
      However, in his second campaign, he lost his place in the team after some inconsistent performances.
      He then left the club on loan to Inter Milan in January 2015 and then permanently to Galatasaray in the summer for a measly fee of less than £2million.
      Lukas Podolski also fell victim to the curseCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Alex Iwobi opens up on Arsenal transfer exit claiming ‘it was a nudge’ when club wanted to sign winger in his position

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      EVERTON star Alex Iwobi has opened up on his exit from Arsenal in 2019.The Nigeria international swapped North London for Merseyside in a £40million transfer.
      Alex Iwobi swapped Arsenal for Everton in 2019Credit: Getty
      Nicolas Pepe’s arrival helped to nudge Iwobi out of the clubCredit: Getty
      But he has now revealed he was nudged out of the club following the arrival of Nicolas Pepe.
      Iwobi was told he would not be guaranteed a place in the side and with Everton showing a lot of interest, he decided to opt for a new challenge.
      In an interview with The Beautiful Game Podcast, he said: “Arsenal just signed a new winger [Pepe] and there were a few players there who were not ready to go.
      “So they said ‘we have received a bid for you, it’s a high bid, we’re not going to get this sort of money from anywhere else.
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      “It was a nudge, it’s a winger as well someone who is probably going to play in your position. It’s up to you sort of thing.
      “So I thought ‘cool, they have given me that and Everton’s a club that’s a very big club that wants me’. I want a new challenge so why not pursue it.”
      Iwobi has had tricky patches at Everton but has impressed this season, so much so he is set for a bumper new deal.
      The 26-year-old credits Frank Lampard for his turnaround, with the former Toffees boss responsible for converting Iwobi from a winger into a midfielder.
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      Iwobi added: “I feel like he revitalised and saved my career a bit.
      “He talked to me a lot. He helped me a lot.”
      And Iwobi said of Lampard in September: “Sometimes in training he (Lampard) tells me to relax and calm down, as I’m always running.
      “But he enjoys that I’m being selfless and working hard for the team.
      “I like to progress with the ball and get up the pitch as quick as I can, and he sometimes tells me to enjoy the ball and take care of it. That’s something I’m learning in this deeper role.” More

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      Bukayo Saka ready to sign new Arsenal deal that will make him club’s top earner on up to £15MILLION-a-year

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      BUKAYO SAKA will become Arsenal’s top earner when he signs a new five-year contract worth up to £300,000-a-week.The 21-year-old England international has been in talks with the club for more than a year and is now ready to put pen to paper.
      Saka has very quickly become a fan favourite among the Arsenal faithfulCredit: Getty
      And the agreement will more than quadruple his current £70,000-a-week salary to make him the club’s highest paid player.
      He will overtake Gabriel Jesus in the Emirates pecking order after the Brazilian striker agreed a £250,000-a-week deal when he signed from Manchester City for £45million last summer.
      Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu were both keen to reward Saka’s efforts with a deal which reflects his status as the team’s most valuable player.
      And though he won’t be getting quite as much as the £350,000-a-week deal which made Mesut Ozil the highest paid player in the club’s history, a breakthrough was still reached last month following negotiations to iron out the final details over various bonus payments.
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      Now the club are set to announce the lengthy new deal to 2028 which will end all the speculation surrounding Saka’s long-term future and delight Gunners supporters.
      And with Gabriel Martinelli having already signed a new deal to 2027 and talks with William Saliba progressing, Arteta is assured of keeping the core of his young squad together for Arsenal’s impending return to the Champions League next season.
      The club currently have an eight point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
      The two will meet in a crunch game at the Etihad next month that could have a big say in the outcome of the title.
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      Saka is enjoying a stunning individual season as well and continues to impress despite the high bar he has already set himself.
      The star has 12 goals and 10 assists in the league this season, already his best return in a single campaign.
      A star for club and country, Saka scored a beauty against Ukraine on the weekend for EnglandCredit: PA More

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      Emile Smith Rowe breaks silence on Arsenal pal Folarin Balogun’s decision over England or USA international allegiance

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      ARSENAL ace Emile Smith Rowe insists Folarin Balogun has to do “what’s best for him” regarding his international future.Balogun is currently part of England’s Under-21 side but he can also choose Nigeria and USA, who have expressed an intense interest.
      Emile Smith Rowe wants Arsenal team-mate Folarin Balogun to join him at EnglandCredit: Getty
      Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe insists Folarin Balogun must do what’s best for himCredit: Getty
      Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun can play for England, USA or NigeriaCredit: AFP
      The striker has been shining bright in Ligue 1 this season during his loan stint at Reims from the Gunners as he is second in the league’s goalscoring charts.
      Smith Rowe insists he would love to have the 21-year-old in the Three Lions after spending many years playing with him in North London.
      However, the playmaker insists that’s his decision and he needs to look after his best interest.
      Smith Rowe said: “Of course [I would prefer he choose England], but obviously it’s his decision.
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      “That’s down to him to do what he wants to do. It would be nice if he could be with us in the summer [for the European Under-21 Championship] but like I said, that’s down to him and he’s got to do what’s best for him.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate admits he is impressed with Balogun, who has scored more goals than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar this season.
      However, Southgate insists the centre-forward, who has registered 17 goals in 27 league appearances, will have to be patient.
      The 52-year-old tactician claims Balogun has yet to make his squad due to a lack of Premier League experience.
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      Southgate said: “It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and feels he can push his way into our squad?
      “Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don’t want them to go somewhere else.
      “We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins. Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.
      “I know there are going to be offers as 80 per cent of our players can play for more than one country now, and we are not arrogant expecting everybody to want to come to play for England. We have to make them feel wanted and feel part of that.” More

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      Seven players who left Arsenal and flopped, including Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, as Gunners plan clear out

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      THE grass is not always greener on the other side, as these ex-Arsenal flops have proved.The Gunners are planning on a massive overhaul of their squad in the summer.
      Alexis Sanchez was in the form of his life at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      At Man Utd, Sanchez was a big flopCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo have been linked, while a new striker to compliment Gabriel Jesus could arrive in the form of Danish sensation Rasmus Hojlund.
      But that means some high-profile stars may have to make way, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney potentially facing being cut from Mikel Arteta’s squad.
      And let this be a warning; it doesn’t always work out – as these seven who left North London for pastures new then flopped when they left Arsenal show.
      Alexis Sanchez
      As high-profile as it got, Sanchez, 34, had it good at Arsenal – where he scored 80 goals in 166 games.
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      But, the allure of a big money transfer to Man Utd and a huge £350,000-per-week deal saw the Chilean head north.
      However, he had a miserable time at Old Trafford – scoring just five times in 45 games.
      An inconsistent spell at Inter Milan followed, although he’s picked up at Marseille – where he’s managed 16 goals this campaign.
      Aaron Ramsey
      A cult hero at the Emirates, FA Cup final goals were Ramsey’s speciality.
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      The now 32-year-old gave Arsenal 369 games and managed 64 strikes from midfield.
      However, when Juventus came calling in 2019 and dangled a £400,000-per-week contract in front of him – he was quick to jump ship.
      His time in Turn was miserable. Injuries hindered him and he managed to hit the back of the net a measly six times in 70 games.
      He hardly pulled up trees during a loan spell in Scotland at Rangers, and now plies his trade at Nice.
      Aaron Ramsey scored 64 goals for ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Moving to Juventus saw Ramsey’s career suffer a dipCredit: Reuters
      Mesut Ozil
      The recently retired World Cup winner was brilliant on his day.
      And when he arrived on our shores, for £42.5million in 2013 from Real Madrid, it was seen as a massive coup that Arsenal had managed to lure Ozil to the Premier League.
      There were some great times in the capital, but when Mikel Arteta arrived it was clear his days were numbered – with a different playing style preferred.
      Ozil, now 34, then bounced around Turkey – first with Fenerbahce for a season, then with Istanbul Başakşehir – but it was never the same.
      Ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil recently announced his retirementCredit: Getty
      A disappointing spell in Turkey followed when Ozil left ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Alex Hleb
      The Belarusian was blessed with flawless technique and bamboozled Premier League defenders with his dribbling skills.
      A £12 million signing from German side VfB Stuttgart, Hleb was an integral part of the Gunners side that reached the Champions League final in 2006.
      But, after missing out on the trophy to Barcelona, he thought the next best thing would be to join the Spanish giants in 2008.
      Four years later, having played just 36 times for the Catalans, his career petered out – with spells at Birmingham City, and several Russian and Belarusian clubs, including Bate Borisov which handed him a return to the Emirates.
      Needless to say, he has said he regretted leaving Arsenal.
      Alex Hleb was a wing-wizard for ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Hleb returned to Arsenal with Bate BorisovCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Alex Song
      Another one who jumped ship for the Camp Nou.
      An offer of £15million prised Song, who is still playing at 35 in Cameroon, from the Emirates to Spain in 2012.
      That was after his best season in an Arsenal shirt – where he contributed 12 assists after replacing Cesc Fabregas as the Gunners’ creative force in the middle of the park.
      Song has previously revealed he left Arsenal for the money and didn’t care if he played or not.
      Alex Song’s best years were with ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Song flopped at Barcelona – admitting he went for the moneyCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Hector Bellerin
      Fashion-conscious Bellerin’s career trajectory has been miserable since his contract was terminated in North London.
      After falling out of favour under Arteta, a free transfer move to Barcelona was supposed to reignite his career.
      But, he played back-up to Sergino Dest – who hardly missed a game.
      Bellerin has played just 141 minutes of football for the LaLiga giants. Now, he’s on loan at Sporting Lisbon, but has suffered with injuries.
      Hector Bellerin was given a free transfer by ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Bellerin has played just 141 minutes of football at BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
      Injuries can be a cruel thing in football.
      The Ox, still only 29, has had his fair share of problems, including severe knee injuries.
      A bid of £35million from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was too good for Arsenal to turn down in 2017.
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      Initially it looked like the Reds had got themselves the player Arsenal thought he would become, alas injuries again wrecked those plans.
      Two severe knee injuries, as well as a loss of form, have seen Oxlade-Chamberlain become a periphery figure in Liverpool’s squad now.
      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left Arsenal for Liverpool for £35mCredit: Reuters
      Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled at Liverpool with injuries and poor formCredit: Reuters More

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      ‘I can’t believe that…’ – Chelsea star Ben Chilwell in awe of Arsenal ace after sensational week with England

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      CHELSEA ace Ben Chilwell “can’t believe” England team-mate and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka started out as a left-back.Saka led the Three Lions to a routine 2-0 victory over Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley on Sunday as he set up record goalscorer Harry Kane’s opener and then netted a wondergoal.
      Chelsea star Ben Chilwell praised England team-mate and Arsenal star Bukayo SakaCredit: Rex
      Saka started out as a full-back and turned into a lethal goalscorerCredit: PA
      The winger was named Man of the Match amid a stunning season that has also seen him register a total of 13 goals and 10 assists in 38 matches across all competitions for Arsenal.
      Chilwell has been left in awe of the 21-year-old’s incredible development as he went from a full-back to one of the Premier League’s most lethal goalscorers.
      The 26-year-old Chelsea ace, who also plays as a left-back, sang Saka’s praises as he revealed how important he is to the team both on and off the pitch.
      Chilwell said: “I can’t believe he played at left-back when he can do that.
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      “Bukayo is such a great talent. I think everyone can see what he gives on the pitch but he’s one of the best people I have met in football as well.
      “We see him on a daily basis around the camp and he just brings happiness to everyone.
      “He is always smiling and a good guy to be around, and then he comes out on the pitch and delivers like that for us.
      “An assist and a goal and it ultimately wins us the game. I am delighted for him.”
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      Saka has played a key role in England’s qualifying campaign getting off on the right foot as Gareth Southgate’s side have won both of their first two matches.
      The Three Lions also got a little payback for their loss in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
      Southgate’s men defeated the reigning European champions 2-1 in Naples.
      Fellow Group C outfits North Macedonia and Malta are next for in-form England. More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal in Dusan Vlahovic transfer boost as Juventus ‘prepare for life without’ Serbia striker

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal have reportedly received a huge boost in their pursuit to sign Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic.SunSport revealed last month that Erik ten Hag has made Tottenham star Harry Kane his No1 transfer target this summer.
      Man Utd and Arsenal have received a boost in the chase for Dusan VlahovicCredit: Reuters
      Kane, 29, has less than 18 months remaining on his deal and United are hoping to take advantage of the England captain’s contract situation.
      But as we stated previously, they are still anticipating a “nightmare” pursuit as Spurs chief Daniel Levy is renowned as a tough negotiator.
      That has led to Ten Hag identifying striking alternatives, and Vlahovic is among his top picks.
      Now he has received a boost as La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Juventus are “preparing for life without” the forward.
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      And it also states that they have identified potential replacements for him.
      Juve are believed to be plotting moves for either West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca, who has struggled in the Premier league, and Galatasaray’s Nicolo Zaniolo.
      Vlahovic, 23, joined Juventus from Fiorentina back in January 2022 after snubbing the chance to move to the Premier League with Arsenal.
      Mikel Arteta’s side were desperate to bring the Serbian international to the Emirates – but he rejected them in favour of Turin – but they are still keen.
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      Vlahovic has scored eleven goals this term but has struggled for goals over recent weeks for his club.
      He has just one in his last eight appearances.
      And, after Juve’s early Champions League exit left them needing to raise funds, he could find himself as one of their stars to be sacrificed once the transfer window re-opens this summer. More