Arsenal transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea fans FUME as club agrees £89m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer after failing in Enzo Fernandez bid

      by

      CHELSEA fans have lashed out after the club reached a megamoney deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk after giving up on their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez.The Blues have hijacked Arsenal’s bid for Mudryk, 22, as they reached a staggering £97million deal with Shakhtar.
      Chelsea have agreed a megamoney deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Chelsea fans are fuming as they insist the money could have been used for Enzo FernandezCredit: Getty
      The winger is expected to put pen to paper on a seven-year deal with the West Londoners and fly to the UK to undergo a medical.
      However, a section of Chelsea fans are not at all happy with that development as they insist that money should have been invested on Benfica star Fernandez, 21.
      Graham Potter’s side was at loggerheads with the Portuguese giants as they refused to pay the midfielder’s £105m release clause and failed in their bid to negotiate.
      That was after the Argentina international’s stunning 2022 World Cup campaign that saw him win the title and being awarded as the tournament’s best young player.
      Read More on Chelsea
      One fan tweeted: “Mudryk’s worth €100m but apparently Enzo Fernandez isn’t worth €120m. Todd Boehly. Genius.”
      Another posted: “Chelsea would rather pay £85m to hijack Mudryk from Arsenal than bring in Enzo Fernandez. Misplaced priority.”
      A third commented: “Banter aside, add a little extra and go get Fernandez man. Let Mudryk go to Arsenal.”
      That supporter said: “We are going to pay 100M for a player who prefers Arsenal (Mudryk) and we are not going to pay 120M for one of the best players in the world cup (Enzo Fernandez) who WANTED TO GET TO CHELSEA.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “It’s a shame, this club is going to s**t if we don’t change our president and coach.”
      And that one tweeted: “Why are we spending €100m on Mudryk when the Midfield needs more attention?This should be spent on Enzo Fernandez.”
      Mudryk has long teased a move to Arsenal having openly discussed his desire to join as well as posting pictures watching the Gunners’ games on social media.
      But it now appears the Ukraine international is on his way to Chelsea. More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Spurs last season was the catalyst for title charge – this win would be most significant so far

      by

      FOOTBALL managers often talk about learning more from the agony of defeat than the glory of victory.They will tell you the most painful setbacks can inspire magnificent achievements. That the darkest hour comes just before dawn. 
      Mikel Arteta have taken Arsenal to the top of the league as we reach the halfway point of the seasonCredit: Getty
      And most of the time their words are a bloody great pile of horse manure, spoken in vain hope rather than expectation. 
      But when Arsenal capitulated at Tottenham last May – a 3-0 drubbing which eventually saw them surrender fourth place, and Champions League football, to their bitter rivals – it truly was a catalyst for this season’s title charge. 
      Mikel Arteta has frequently used memories of that night – as well as a second limp surrender at Newcastle four days later – to motivate his side for this season’s extraordinary title bid. 
      Arteta’s side had arrived for the North London Derby on the back of four straight wins and were four points clear of Spurs with three games to go. 
      Read more in football
      Victory would have sealed their return to the European elite, a draw would have kept the Gunners as white-hot favourites, but what followed was not just a costly defeat but a total embarrassment.  
      Rob Holding suffered a personal meltdown – sent off after 33 minutes for a string of cynical fouls on Son Heung-Min and Spurs rattled up a three-goal lead two minutes into the second half. 
      In public, Arteta defended his troops, laughably claiming he was ‘proud’ of them and that he could not give an honest opinion on the match for fear of a massive suspension. 
      That was supposed to lay the blame with ref Paul Tierney but it fooled nobody – Holding could have been sent off even earlier than he was and Arsenal had completely failed to show up for their biggest derby in years. 
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Antonio Conte recently claimed it was a ‘miracle’ that he led Spurs to fourth last season but in truth it was an Arsenal disaster-class which gifted them Champions League football.
      Yet today, Arsenal return to the scene of the crime at the top of the Premier League – dreaming of a first title since the Invincibles almost two decades ago and looking nailed-on certainties to finish above Tottenham for the first time in seven years.    
      But Arsenal have failed to win on their last eight visits to Spurs – at three different stadiums, the old White Hart Lane, Wembley and the new Lane – losing six of them.
      So today represents the stiffest test yet of their mettle and stamina. The Lane will be a bearpit, as it was in May, when Son produced his last great performance in a Spurs shirt before this season’s slump.  
      A fesity game last may saw Tottenham take the last Champions League place beating Arsenal 3-0 in the processCredit: AP
      Since then Arsenal have made a couple of decent signings and recalled William Saliba from a loan in France.
      But with Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah standing in, at least seven of those who started at Spurs last season will line up again today. 
      The true difference has been in attitude rather than personnel. 
      Last season, Arsenal were exceeding expectations by reaching fourth but then the naivety and inconsistency of youth struck them down in the final straight. 
      William Saliba has been a key player for the Gunners this seasonCredit: Getty
      This term, Arteta’s men look the real deal. In the space of eight months, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli – who all started last May – seem to have matured from youngsters with huge potential to senior men who can handle expectation. 
      Arsenal have already overcome some serious obstacles – winning their home North London Derby, pipping Liverpool in a classic and winning at Chelsea.
      Read More on The Sun
      But victory at the Lane would be the most significant to date – especially after last season’s humiliation.    
      And if Arteta speaks of that painful night providing the fuel for this title challenge, then this time you’d better believe him. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea AGREE stunning £97m Mudryk transfer after hijacking Arsenal move as he jets in to London for medical

      by

      CHELSEA have agreed a deal worth nearly £100million to sign Ukraine star Mykhailo Mudryk.The Blues have blown Arsenal out of the water by agreeing a mega-fee with Shakhtar Donetsk.
      Chelsea have hijacked Arsenal’s bid to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Getty
      Chelsea reached a megamoney deal to sign Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Rex
      It is understood Chelsea will pay £62m up front, with up to £35m in performance-related add-ons, taking the potential total to an eye-watering £97m.
      Mudryk, 22, has agreed a seven-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge – despite previously hinting that he wanted to join Arsenal.
      The Gunners agreed personal terms with the winger but pulled out of negotiations when Shakhtar started driving the price higher amid interest from Chelsea.
      Blues officials, including director of global talent and transfers Ben Winstanley, are reported to have travelled to Turkey, where Shakhtar are holding a training camp, to thrash out a deal.
      Read More on Chelsea
      The arrival of Mudryk will take Chelsea’s spending so far in January to well over £100m.
      Defender Benoit Badiashile arrived from Monaco for £35m, while David Datro Fofana came from Molde for about £10m.
      The Blues have splashed another £10m on a loan fee for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who was sent off on his debut against Fulham in midweek.
      The new Chelsea regime’s latest splurge on players follows the record-breaking £273m they spent last summer.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Mudryk is one of the hottest properties in world football after his impressive form for Shakhtar, particularly in the Champions League where he scored three goals and made two assists in six games.
      Chelsea boss Graham Potter is said to have personally driven the deal as he seeks to arrest a slump that has left the team in mid-table and facing a real battle to qualify for the Champions League. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Stop toying with us’ – Arsenal fans fume as Shakhtar Donetsk troll them over Mudryk transfer with teasing tweets

      by

      ARSENAL fans have been left fuming with Shakhtar Donetsk after the club teased news about transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk.The Gunners have had two bids rejected already for the 22-year-old by the Ukrainian outfit.
      Mykhailo Mudryk is a top transfer target of ArsenalCredit: Getty
      However a third offer worth around £62million plus add-ons was being lodged, despite the selling club wanting a larger fee up front for their star.
      There is a confidence that a deal will be completed and Arsenal fans are excited about the prospect of seeing the flying winger in their team.
      However, some were less than impressed at Shakhtar Donetsk’s social media account.
      As a way of building up to the announcement that Mudryk had won the club’s player of the year award, they hinted at news concerning the player, as the club tweeted: “Mudryk?”
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      However, Gunners’ fans thought that the announcement was to do with his transfer, and let their feelings known when they turned out to be wrong.
      One tweeted: “Stop toying with us…”
      A second commented: “Really don’t know why they doing this to us anyway…”
      A third added: “Why are you doing this?”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS
      A fourth said: “We will mass report this account you better act accordingly.”
      And another added: “Admin working HARD to gas up us Gooners. I wanna hate it, but I can’t! The hustle is too good.”
      According to the Times, Arsenal believe that he will be part of the squad ahead of their game against Manchester United next weekend. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘That’s our boy’ – Tottenham fans love how Cristian Romero refers to Arsenal ahead of North London derby

      by

      CHRISTIAN ROMERO deepened his affection from the Tottenham faithful with the way he referred to rivals Arsenal.The Gunners sit top of the league going into Sunday’s North London derby.
      Christian Romero refused to name Arsenal in a recent interviewCredit: Getty
      But he admitted the importance of winning the game on SundayCredit: Reuters
      However, as with any derby, form can go out the window, and Romero seems intent to make that happen.
      And he started this off with some mind games in an interview, in which he refused to name Arsenal, instead simply using “them” to refer to Mikel Arteta’s side.
      Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the derby, he said: “I think we can come back from this far back (11 points behind). But there’s a lot of work we need to do, using everything we’ve got.
      “If you’re top of the league, you deserve to be there and that’s where they are. But we want to be there ourselves.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “We know we need to improve a lot of things, but we are working hard thinking about us, not them.”
      With him refusing to name Arsenal, Spurs fans were enamoured by Romero.
      Taking to Twitter, one user said: “That’s our boy.”
      A second user declared: “I love this man.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      A third said: “Good don’t even speak there name 🤢”
      “He just keeps getting better,” added another.
      While the form book may point towards an Arsenal victory, they have not won away at Spurs since 2014 – when manager Arteta was at the heart of midfield.
      A loss in the clash would see Spurs simultaneously lose ground on the top four race and go 14 points behind their North London neighbours.
      And despite not naming Arsenal once Romero was full of praise for the league leaders, also admitting the importance of a win.
      He said: “If I have to say something about them, they’ve got a strong squad.
      “They are in an important moment in what they’ve been building for years and we can see that, at the moment, they’re doing well. For us, we’re in a position where we still need to grow.
      “This game is important. We need to win it. We need the result. It will be hard, but I believe in our team. Between us, we’re always motivated. It’s not only just with the derby, even though it’s a very important game.
      Read More on The Sun
      “The Premier League is difficult, there are many strong squads you play where you have to be 100 per cent for. If not, you can’t play in this climate.
      “We know this season has been a bit up and down, we have to say it, but we hope to win. We will do everything to win this game at home.” More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Mykhailo Mudryk ‘set for baptism of fire against Man Utd with Arsenal confident of completing £84m transfer’

      by

      ARSENAL are reportedly confident of landing Mykhailo Mudryk in time to face Manchester United next weekend.The winger has been tipped for a move to England and is the No1 transfer target for the Premier League leaders.
      Mykhailo Mudryk could be set for a bumper Arsenal debutCredit: Getty
      The Gunners have had two bids rejected already for the 22-year-old by Shakhtar Donetsk.
      A third offer worth around £62million plus add-ons was being lodged.
      However, Shakhtar wanted a larger fee up front for their star, now the North London club are prepared to break the bank with a club record £84m bid.
      Mudryk is in Turkey with his team-mates for a warm-weather training camp during the winter break.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      And despite Shakhtar wanting a larger fee up front for their star, “there is an acceptance” a deal will be concluded soon.
      Now The Times are claiming that Mikel Arteta’s team firmly believe they will have the Ukrainian international on-board for their crunch clash with United at the Emirates on Sunday, January 22.
      Mudryk and his representatives have already agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal.
      And he has broken his silence over a transfer to Arsenal.
      Most read in Football
      After news of a fresh approach broke, Mudryk took to Instagram and posted a praying emoji on his story.
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Arsenal go into the weekend five points clear at the top of the table ahead of their trip to Tottenham tomorrow in the North London derby.
      They then return to home turf next week for the showdown with fourth-placed United, who take on title challengers Man City today, next weekend. More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Tony Adams: I’ve not been this excited about Arsenal in 20 years – Partey is Vieira and Petit rolled into one

      by

      IT takes a lot to impress Tony Adams these days.The Arsenal idol has seen too many false dawns at the Emirates to allow himself to get carried away by a few positive results.
      Tony Adams rates the modern-day Gunners as their most exciting squad in the near 21 years since he retiredCredit: Getty
      Thomas Partey has been ‘out of this world’ and releases fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard for his brilliant playmakingCredit: Getty
      Partey has been compared to the combined talents of iconic Arsenal midfield pairing Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel PetitCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      So when he admits that he has not felt this electrified by his former club since he retired, you know that something special must be happening.
      Because the man who captained the Gunners for 14 years and won ten major trophies, including four top-flight titles, is convinced Mikel Arteta is creating a team to compete with anyone in the game.
      And ahead of Sunday’s North London derby, he predicts a very different outcome to the last time these bitter rivals met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      It is now almost 21 years since Adams made the last of his 669 appearances for the club and he said: “This is the most excited I’ve been by an Arsenal team since I retired.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      “There’s a group of guys who look like they have a chance of actually winning the title and now they’ve come this far they can’t settle for second place.
      “I absolutely love what I’m seeing this season and defensively they’ve gone to another level.
      “The manager has stopped rotating his team and we’re not being so stupid at the back.
      “For the previous two years under Arteta and even before him when Unai Emery was in charge, there was a constant desire to play out from the back at all costs. It was suicidal football and their success rate in getting the ball out of their own half was only ten per cent.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “Now Aaron Ramsdale is happy to put his foot through the ball when it’s needed and I really  like the confidence and swagger he’s brought to the team after  20 years of Arsenal keepers being too respectful.
      “Having Ben White at right-back has also made a huge difference because, hallelujah, we finally have full-backs that can defend.
      “When you have an out-and-out winger like Bukayo Saka, you don’t need an attacking full-back and White has been able to fit in next to William Saliba and fill the gaping hole that we used to leave in that channel.
      “White is comfortable at full-back and though Saliba and Gabriel still have an occasional mistake in them, as a unit they’re really solid.
      “The Dixon, Bould, Adams and Winterburn combination at Arsenal was so successful because we worked as a unit and knew each others’ games inside out.
      “You need consistency and familiarity from playing together on a regular basis and that’s what is happening with this Arsenal back four.
      “But any defence is only as good as the protection from in front and my player of the season so far is Thomas Partey, because he’s been out of this world.
      “He’s Patrick Vieira and Manu Petit rolled into one and I’m loath to bring attention to how well he’s playing because I feel Arsenal have been getting away with it.
      “If you don’t put someone on him, he will dictate the game because he breaks things up for fun and gets the whole team  playing.
      Adams believes the Gunners are rediscovering the type of defensive solidity made famous by his partnership with Steve BouldCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is a ‘wonderkid’ who should be PFA Player of the Year, according to AdamsCredit: Getty
      “Having Partey playing every week after all his injury problems has released Martin Odegaard and means we don’t have that crazy thing with Granit Xhaka trying to drop in at left-back to provide cover any more.”
      But it is not only in defence where Adams has seen this young Arsenal team come on in leaps and bounds.
      He said: “Saka is a wonderkid. He makes goals and scores goals. He should already be the PFA Player of the Year.
      “I’ve been waiting for the last three years for him and Gabriel Martinelli to get tired but they just keep going.
      “And that’s a good job for Arteta, because without those two kids dragging the team for the last two seasons, he wouldn’t still be in a job.”
      Despite Arsenal holding a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, 56-year-old Adams is still not convinced they are heading for their first title since 2004.
      He recalled: “In February 1989, we were 19 points ahead of Liverpool but we still went to Anfield needing to win on the final day to win the title.
      “Absolutely the nerves creep in when you find yourself out in front and suddenly thinking, ‘Oh my God, we’re top of the table and we might actually win the league’.
      “What worries me now is that, when push comes to shove, Manchester City have too many options in their squad.
      “There’s not a lot on the Arsenal bench and, as well as he’s doing at the moment, I don’t think you win the league with Eddie Nketiah as your striker.
      Ben White offers good old-fashioned stability at right-backCredit: Getty
      “They need reinforcements and they need Gabriel Jesus back from injury to get them over the line. That could be the title decider.”
      All of which makes tomorrow’s trip to Tottenham all the more  important.
      No one at the Emirates has  forgotten how Spurs were awarded a soft early penalty last May before Rob Holding was sent off and the team lost 3-0 to effectively wreck their hopes of Champions League qualification.
      But Adams points out: “Last time we had Cedric, Holding and Tomiyasu in defence and Elneny in midfield. This will be an entirely different Arsenal team.
      “Tottenham played a very simple game up to Harry Kane and we didn’t cover it. But this time  we’ll have Partey cutting off his supply line.
      “Kane’s approaching his thirties and Arsene Wenger would tell you he’s not going to be the same player physically for much longer. But that’s Tottenham all over. 
      “This current group of players are miles away from challenging the top teams.
      “The annoying neighbours are there for the taking but it’s also their cup final — and all they’ve got to play for on Sunday is the chance to stop Arsenal from winning the league.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Tottenham had a great team when I started   playing against them. We were the underdogs and we just went out and kicked them off the pitch.
      “But that completely changed once we’d won our first title and they were always in our shadow after that. And that’s how it is shaping up again now.” More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp’s son Mitchel signs for National League side Bromley after failing to bag Gunners deal

      by

      DENNIS BERGKAMP’S son Mitchel has joined National League side Bromley.The attacking midfielder, 24, played for Watford Under-23s after a trial with his legendary dad’s old club Arsenal.
      Bergkamp Junior, Mitchel, could make his Bromley debut on Saturday after signing for the non-Leaguers the day beforeCredit: Bromley FC
      Dad Dennis Bergkamp was one of Arsenal’s greatest-ever playersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But Bergkamp Junior is dropping to the fifth tier after admitting his footballing dream was to play for the Gunners.
      The Dutchman has failed to break through in England since being released by home-country club Almere City in 2021.
      But Bromley boss and ex-Brentford keeper Andy Woodman told his club’s website: “I was lucky enough to work with Mitchell when I was at Arsenal.
      “So having seen him up close and the way he’s been fitting into our group, I’m delighted to have him on board.”
      READ MORE TRANSFER STORIES
      Bergkamp is available for Saturday’s home clash with lowly Yeovil.
      Bromley, in 10th, are four points adrift of the play-off spots.
      And fans on social media believe they will go up – should Mitchell possess just a fraction of his dad’s talent.
      One fan said of Mitchel: “If he’s anything like his old man, Bromley are going up.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Another said: “If he’s got even 1/10th of what his Dad has he could be a joy to watch. Welcome to the club!”
      Bergkamp Senior was one of Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles.
      The former striker retired in 2006 after 120 goals in 423 games during 11 year glorious years with the Gunners.
      That spell brought him three top-flight titles and four FA Cup successes.
      Bergkamp also notched 37 goals in 79 matches for Holland.
      He was then assistant manager at first club Ajax from 2011-2017.
      Dennis Bergkamp was No2 at Dutch giants Ajax for six yearsCredit: Getty More