More stories

  • in

    Arsenal outcast Matteo Guendouzi set for Hertha Berlin loan.. two months after turning Germans down

    ARSENAL outcast Matteo Guendouzi looks set for a loan move to Herta Berlin – only two months after turning the Germans down.
    The midfielder, 21, is looking for an escape route out of the Emirates after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.

    1

    Guendouzi is back training with the first-team squad but is yet to make an appearance this seasonCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe has not featured for the club since lashing out at Brighton’s Neal Maupay in June.
    And after weeks of speculation that suggesting the out-of-favour ace was leaving, Goal report that Herta Berlin is the most likely destination.
    He is in advanced talks with the German club, but he is reported as having turned down a loan move there only two months ago.

    His U-turn comes as the transfer window prepares to shut – with Guendouzi showing few signs of getting back into the Gunners first team.
    The youngster has found himself kept at arm’s length since grabbing Maupay by the throat during a loss to Brighton after the season restarted.
    He angered Arteta when he refused to apologise for his actions in an internal disciplinary meeting.
    Guendouzi was then forced to train on his own for the remainder of the season.

    The Frenchman has been linked to Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain in the past few weeks, although boss Thomas Tuchel has ruled out a move to PSG.

    Guendouzi is likely to not be the only departure from North London on deadline day as Arteta seeks to slim down the squad.
    Lucas Torreira is being linked with a move to Atletico Madrid while Sead Kolasinac is close to a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
    William Saliba is also expected to complete a loan move with a trio of clubs trying to sign him up for the season.

    Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal outcasts Mesut Özil and Mattéo Guendouzi to prove to team-mates they are worth keeping More

  • in

    Gary Neville says Jadon Sancho transfer pursuit is ’embarrassing’ and Man Utd not acting like ‘smart clubs’ with deals

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville has laid into his former employers as he labelled their pursuit of Jadon Sancho ’embarrassing’.
    The Sky Sports pundit, 45, has hit out at the Red Devils who look set to miss out on the Borussia Dortmund ace despite four months of negotiations.

    2

    Jadon Sancho looks set to remain at Borussia Dortmund for another seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    BVB have been adamant they will only sell the 20-year-old should they receive a fee in the region of £108million.
    It has been stated that the Red Devils have had a £91m bid rejected for Sancho – which has further infuriated Neville.
    Speaking to Off The Ball about United, he said: “I just don’t think they’re smart enough and wise enough and agile enough in the market.”
    Before adding: “They’re being outwitted in the market by the other clubs and if you lose recruitment you don’t win the league, it’s as simple as that.

    “You can have a great coach but if you don’t get the right players you’re not going to win the league.”
    Commenting on United’s hunt for Sancho, he said: “The Sancho thing is embarrassing.
    “It’s been going on now for fourth months. It’s embarrassing, that.
    “And then to put a bid in that gets rejected, the smart clubs, they have deals sorted behind the scenes, the agents are working hard, club officials are agreed on things and when the bids goes in it gets accepted, it’s done.

    2

    Gary Neville has hit out at United’s pursuit of England international Sancho

    “Who puts bids in nowadays that aren’t accepted? That doesn’t happen that often. Very rarely.
    “Generally clubs have the deal sorted, the agents knows what the player’s getting, the player knows what the club are getting, the club knows what the other club are getting.
    “I just don’t understand it at all, it’s not great. That’s why I’ve been critical.”
    Wayne Rooney has advised United to forget signing Sancho with the window to close on Monday.
    United still haven’t made a breakthrough in their quest to sign Porto left-back Alex Telles, as they continue to haggle over the price.
    But the club are closing in on a deal to bring in free agent Edinson Cavani on a two-year deal.

    Man Utd open Ousmane Dembele transfer talks with Barcelona as they eye season-long loan amid Jadon Sancho struggles More

  • in

    Former Stoke flop Choupo-Moting set for unbelievable Bayern Munich transfer as Lewandowski back up after leaving PSG

    STOKE flop Eric Choupo-Moting is on the brink of a stunning switch to Bayern Munich, according to reports.
    The German Champions League winners want the striker as back-up for their star man Robert Lewandowski, who hit an astonishing 59 goals last term.

    1

    Stoke flop Eric Choup-Moting is set to join Bayern Munich from PSGCredit: Getty – Pool

    Choupo-Moting was PSG’s super sub in their journey to the Champions League final last season.
    He is a free agent now as his PSG contract has finished and is set to sign two-year deal with the Bavarians.
    But he struggled to get a game at the Potters.
    The Cameron international – who was born in Hamburg in Germany – spent one season at Stoke in 2017/18.

    City started the season under the management of Mark Hughes.
    But he was sacked as Paul Lambert came in during a disastrous season for the Midlands club after several years of avoiding relegation battles under previous boss Tony Pulis.
    Scot Lambert could not stop them going down and left that summer.
    Stoke have been struggling in the Championship for the last two seasons.

    Choupo-Moting scored five goals in 26 Prem starts that term, having been brought in on big wages on a free transfer from Schalke.
    The striker was the hero for PSG in the Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta, as the sub scored and helped overturn what looked to be a shock exit for the French giants.
    And that sort of display as impressed Munich who need cover for Lewandowski.
    He struggled for starts at PSG with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Angel di Maria blocking his path to the first team.
    But he is ready to return to his roots in Germany even though he will once again struggle to get a starting spot.
    Respected Italian sports journalist Nicolo Schira tweeted: “Done deal! Eric Maxim #ChoupoMoting to #BayernMúnich as a free-agent. The striker will sign 2-year contract. #transfers”
    The 31-year-old joined PSG in August 2018 and made just 13 Ligue Un starts in two years, scoring six goals.
    He has previously played for Hamburg, Nuremberg and Mainz.

    Bayern Munich plot emergency last-minute Thomas Lemar loan transfer from Atletico Madrid after Leroy Sane injury More

  • in

    Tottenham set to lose left-back Ryan Sessegnon on season-long loan transfer to Bundlesiga side Hoffenheim

    TOTTENHAM left-back Ryan Sessegnon is set to complete a season-long loan to Hoffenheim.
    The 20-year-old is reportedly prepared to leave for first-team football as he slips down the Spurs pecking order.

    2

    Ryan Sessegnon has struggled to get his Tottenham career going since switching from Fulham last summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    2

    Manager Jose Mourinho has not often found a space for Sessegnon in his first teamCredit: EPA

    The ex-Fulham ace saw Sergio Reguilon arrive in North London last month – pushing him further away from the starting line-up.
    And now he’s ready to be the latest young Premier League kid to head to Germany in search of playing time.
    And Hoffenheim are said to leading the chase.
    That will be a blow to Celtic who were also interested in signing the defender, One Football report.

    The youngster played just six league games last season as he struggled to get a run in Jose Mourinho’s team.
    He will be hoping a move to the Bundesliga can help revive his career after he was tipped for big things while at Fulham.

    Jadon Sancho blazed the trail when he left Manchester City for Dortmund, but is now linked with a move to Manchester United.

    Recent years has also seen young hotshot Ademola Lookman make the change, before returning to England earlier in the week.
    Reiss Nelson and Ethan Ampadu have also made loan moves to Germany.

    Mourinho comments on Eric Dier running down Tottenham tunnel for toilet break during clash against Chelsea More

  • in

    Solskjaer admits he was wrong to say Man Utd could ‘exploit’ Coronavirus pandemic as boss faces more transfer window woe

    OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admits he was wrong to say Manchester United would ‘exploit’ the Covid-19 economic situation as they face more transfer woe.
    Borussia Dortmund will not budge on their £108million asking price for Jadon Sancho before Monday’s deadline.

    2

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he was wrong to say Man Utd could exploit the coronavirus pandemicCredit: EPA

    2

    The Red Devils have been heavily linked with Jadon Sancho all summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Solskjaer urged his board, who have spent just £35m on Donny van de Beek, to take advantage of the pandemic in April but was forced into a U-turn yesterday.
    He said: “My wording in lockdown, ‘exploit’, was a bad word by me.
    “I didn’t mean it in that respect, I meant there might be clubs and players out there who have to move because of the situation and it might be something interesting.
    “At the moment we’ve not had those situations.

    “We’ve lost loads of money, as the other clubs have as well.
    “And when I talk about squad depth, we’ve got a big squad.
    “Of course the transfer window is still open for a little while and the club has been working hard.
    “They know my view and that’s that we’re here to strengthen it, in the long term as well.”

    United, who host Spurs tomorrow, have failed to land England and Dortmund winger Sancho following a summer-long pursuit.
    The Bundesliga club are refusing the offer from Old Trafford of £70m rising to £100m.
    Dortmund sporting chief Michael Zorc said yesterday: “Everything there is to tell on this matter from our end has already been said.
    “And that won’t change over the next three days.”

    Solskjaer reveals Man Utd ‘have been working’ on transfers but refuses to stick boot into Woodward over failed targets More

  • in

    Bayern and RB Leipzig pull out of Thomas Lemar transfer race after baulking at £15m loan fee and wages for Atletico flop

    BAYERN MUNICH and RB Leipzig have pulled out the race for Atletico winger Thomas Lemar, according to reports.
    The Bundesliga sides reportedly baulked at the Frenchman’s loan fee and excessive wages which would have totalled £15.4million for the season.

    2

    Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have pulled out the race for Atletico winger Thomas LemarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Leipzig have already bought in six new players this summer and the 24-year-old would have been the seventh.
    But the former Arsenal target proved too expensive for them which also put their German rivals Bayern off too, according to Bild.
    Atletico reportedly want a £9m loan fee.

    And whichever club takes Lemar on will have to cough up his £6.4m annual salary too.
    Either way, an agreement must be reached swiftly with the window slamming shut on Monday.
    Bayern were keen to bring Lemar in as cover for Leroy Sane whose knee problem is likely to keep him out for around a month.
    Sane endured an injury-riddled campaign last year, managing only 11 minutes on the pitch after tearing his ACL in August 2019.

    Lemar joined Diego Simeone’s side in 2018 from Monaco for a staggering £62m but has failed to hit the heights expected at the Wanda Metropolitano.

    2

    A return of ZERO goals or assists in 29 games in all competitions last season, convinced Atletico to put him up for sale.
    However, like Bayern, reports suggest interested clubs have so far only put forward loan options.
    The Gunners were linked with Lemar when he was still at Monaco, but talk of a swap deal with Alexandre Lacazette surfaced in May.
    Yet his dismal form and the signing of Willian from Chelsea means it is unlikely Lemar will be arriving at London Colney to play under Mikel Arteta.
    Lemar was thought to have rejected a move to Porto with his heart set on joining a Premier League club.
    Everton and Wolves are both reportedly interested in making a move but time is running out for a deal to be completed.
    Lemar’s stock has fallen dramatically after previously being linked with Prem big-hitters Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham – none of whom are interested now.

    Sergino Dest absolutely butchers kick-ups at Barcelona unveiling before saving himself with sublime bit of skill More

  • in

    Erling Haaland names seven strikers he thinks are better than him including Arsenal star Aubameyang and Harry Kane

    ERLING HAALAND named the seven strikers he thinks are better than him – but would back himself in a crunch tie.
    The Borussia Dortmund star, 20, burst on to the European stage last year with his performances for Red Bull Salzburg.

    Erling Haaland could only think of seven strikers in world football better than him right now

    Scoring goals for fun, Haaland made his transfer to Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window where he continued his hot streak with 19 goals in his first 22 appearances.
    And in an interview with VG, the Norwegian sensation could only think of seven centre-forwards in world football currently better than him – and it is some list.
    The seven is made up of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and last season’s 55-goal hero Robert Lewandowski from rivals Bayern Munich.
    All of the remaining five strikers all ply their trade in the Premier League including Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as well as Tottenham hero Harry Kane.

    Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Roberto Firmino of Liverpool and Chelsea new boy Timo Werner – who arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer – complete the elite group.
    But despite the hundreds of goals between the seven, Haaland emphasised he had the self-confidence to choose himself to lead the line in a huge match.
    There are, however, a few of the biggest No9 names left out.
    Haaland omitted the likes of Luis Suarez, Karim Benzema or Romelu Lukaku.

    3

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of five Premier League strikers to get on the listCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    3

    Haaland rates Harry Kane among the very best No9s in world footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    3

    There was no space for Kylian Mbappe despite the Frenchman’s heroics for club and country alreadyCredit: AFP or licensors

    But the biggest surprise sees no Kylian Mbappe, arguably the most valuable player in the world, on the Norwegian’s list.
    The pair, both transfer targets for Real Madrid, may not see eye to eye after Mbappe, Neymar and their Paris Saint-Germain team-mates mocked the Dortmund star’s celebration following their comeback win in the Champions League.
    Haaland was also a target for compatriot Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before his Dortmund switch – but revealed the “good vibes” he got from the Bundesliga side convinced him to join Die Schwarzgelben.
    He said: “There were of course a couple of clubs involved, but at the same time I did not know too much about this.
    “But it was I who first mentioned Dortmund to my father (Alf Inge Haaland).
    “We were sitting at home in Salzburg and watching a game Dortmund played, and I said to him, ‘Oi, look at that wall behind the goal. There had been something to play there.’
    “I think he was half asleep on the sofa, but suddenly it became a reality. When I talked to them, I got a good vibe. I felt a little sold after that.
    “What I liked so much about them was how direct they were. They said exactly how it was right for me. I liked that.” More

  • in

    Bayern Munich plot emergency last-minute Thomas Lemar loan transfer from Atletico Madrid after Leroy Sane injury

    BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly plotting an emergency last-minute loan for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Lemar following an injury to Leroy Sane.
    Bild Sport claim former Manchester City winger Sane, 24, has a knee problem which is expected to keep him out for three to four weeks.

    2

    Leroy Sane has picked up a knee injury at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    2

    Thomas Lemar could be brought in on loan from Atletico MadridCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Sane only joined Bayern earlier in this window for £54.8m but his fitness blow could see the German champs making another move in the transfer market.
    Arsenal target Lemar, 24, is potentially available immediately to help plug the gap and add depth to boss Hansi Flick’s attacking options.
    Bild report the Champions League winners would prefer a loan deal but Atleti would rather a permanent sale.
    Either way, an agreement must be reached swiftly with the window slamming shut on Monday.

    Sane endured an injury-riddled campaign last year, managing only 11 minutes on the pitch after tearing his ACL in August 2019.
    Lemar joined Diego Simeone’s side in 2018 from Monaco for a staggering £62m but has failed to hit the heights expected at the Wanda Metropolitano.
    A return of no goals or assists in 29 games in all competitions last season, convinced Atletico to put him up for sale.

    However, like Bayern, reports suggest interested clubs have so far only put forward loan options.
    The Gunners were linked with Lemar when he was still at Monaco, but talk of a swap deal with Alexandre Lacazette surfaced in May.

    Liverpool boast the most valuable squad in world football

    Yet his dismal form and the signing of Willian from Chelsea means it is unlikely Lemar will be arriving at London Colney to play under Mikel Arteta.
    Lemar was thought to have rejected a move to Porto with his heart set on joining a Premier League club.
    Everton and Wolves are both reportedly interested in making a move but time is running out for a deal to be completed.
    Lemar’s stock has fallen dramatically after previously being linked with Prem big-hitters Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham – none of whom are interested now.

    Bayern Munich officially announce Leroy Sane’s £55m transfer from Man City More