Transfer News

TWO Premier League clubs are lining up a shock transfer for Mason Greenwood, according to reports.SunSport revealed last week that the former Manchester United striker is pining for a return to England. Mason Greenwood is a target for two Premier League clubs as he looks to return to EnglandCredit: GettyGreenwood, 23, left his boyhood club United last summer to sign for Marseille for £26.6million. He put pen to paper on a five-year deal in southern France. But after just one season, Greenwood — who had charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour dropped in February 2023 — is yearning for a return to the UK with partner Harriet Robson and their two young daughters.And according to The Telegraph, at least a pair of unnamed Premier League clubs are exploring the possibility of making an approach to sign Greenwood. READ MORE ON MASON GREENWOODSerie A or LaLiga could also be the next destination should he leave Marseille, while the Saudi Pro League may be an option, too, if one of the leading clubs can create a space in the squad. Greenwood spent the 2023-24 season on loan in Spain with Getafe, scoring ten goals in 36 games.This term at Marseille, he has delivered 20 goals in 35 games across all competitions, including the crucial late winner at Le Havre on Saturday night.According to Opta stats, that ranks him as Europe’s fifth most effective player and only narrowly behind Cole Palmer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut fans, who protested his arrival last summer, as well as manager Roberto De Zerbi have made their feelings known about his perceived lack of work rate.He was dropped by the ex-Brighton boss in March because he “expects more from him”.Mason Greenwood to switch allegiance to JamaicaAnd a banner telling him to “get a move on” and leave the club was unfurled at some matches. Now he is keen to explore his options back in England, for whom he earned one senior cap before switching international allegiance to Jamaica. A source told SunSport: “When Mason first left United, he loved Spain.“He and Harriet moved to Madrid and rebuilt their lives.“He loved the fact he could just play football and his life off the pitch was not the subject of such intense focus.“He was really happy to sign for Marseille and loved living in France.”Roberto De Zerbi dropped Greenwood in March over his lack of effortCredit: GettyThe striker played 129 times for Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP More

ARSENAL are on the brink of starting their summer splurge with a £50million deal for Martin Zubimendi.But what will the Real Sociedad and Spain ­midfielder bring to Mikel Arteta’s side? Spanish-based journalist Andy West runs the rule over the 26-year-old. Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal in a £50m dealCredit: GettyZubimendi protects the back four and can smoothly link defence and attackCredit: GettyHe has been compared to midfield great Sergio BusquetsCredit: GettyDynamic, composed, aggressive… it’s long been inevitable Zubimendi’s qualities would lead him to Europe’s elite.When a young Zubimendi progressed from Real Sociedad’s youth ranks to become a first-team regular five years ago, he was quickly touted as a target for Barcelona to replace the fading Sergio Busquets.That never materialised, mainly because of Barca’s well-documented financial problems, but the comparison is largely accurate.Zubimendi occupies the same terrain as Busquets at the base of midfield, protecting the back four and smoothly linking defence with attack.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is also press-resistant, capable of receiving and calmly retaining possession in tight spaces.But Zubimendi is physically more explosive than Busquets, able to evade pressure by driving with the ball into space.Zubimendi is an effective and efficient performer rather than flashy — much of his best work unfussily executed off the ball.He reads the game superbly, always popping up in the right place to receive possession from a team-mate or disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. That includes game management.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSA central aspect of Real Sociedad’s approach is preventing counter-attacks by physically pressing the first phase of possession, using fouls if necessary.Zubimendi’s 47 career yellow cards — but no reds — show he is not averse to controlled aggression.These WILD Liverpool stats spell Arsenal disaster | Experts’ best betsMore tellingly — just 11 goals and eight assists in nearly 250 appearances makes it clear Zubimendi is not a major presence in the opposition final third. That is not his game.Rather than chasing personal glory, Zubimendi makes his team better through positional discipline, distributing simply but quickly, and denying the opposition space.If there is one concern about the long-awaited move to Arsenal, it is whether he can adapt to a new team in a new league.Growing up in San Sebastian and joining his local club aged 12, Real Sociedad is all he has ever known.The Basques boast one of football’s best youth systems, with a clearly- defined style throughout the age groups allowing local talents to enjoy a seamless transition to senior football.Dynamic, composed, aggressive… it’s long been inevitable Zubimendi’s qualities would lead him to Europe’s elite.Away from that comfort zone, Zubimendi has rarely been so ­effective for his country.Since his Spain debut in 2021 he has struggled to become a regular, mostly deputising for Manchester City’s Rodri with just one start at last summer’s triumphant Euros.Can Zubimendi thrive when he leaves the familiarity of his boyhood club?Surely no coach could be better placed to help the transition than Arteta, his fellow San Sebastian native.The Arsenal boss knows exactly what he is getting, with the presence of former team-mate Mikel Merino another help.Read More on The SunAt 26, Zubimendi is in his prime. The step-up to a major title candidate like Arsenal has been brewing for years.As long he is expected to knit the team together rather than win games single-handedly, everything points towards Zubimendi quickly becoming a key piece for Arteta’s Arsenal.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesMikel Arteta should be able to get the best out of himCredit: Getty More

ARSENAL have “agreed a deal” to sign Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi ahead of the summer transfer window.The Gunners have been keeping tabs on Zubimendi, 26, since last summer following a raft of impressive displays with Sociedad and have beaten Real Madrid to his signature.Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Real Sociedad star Martin ZubimendiArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has finally signed ZubimendiAnd according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the North Londoners have finally agreed to meet the midfielder’s release clause worth a whopping £50million.Mikel Arteta’s side will now have to take “formal steps” to meet the player’s expensive asking price.The Spain international has also reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League giants.Zubimendi is now set to sign a “long-term” deal and become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer.Read More on ArsenalHowever, some fans are not too excited about the defensive midfielder’s arrival at the Emirates.That is because Arsenal supporters have been crying out for an elite centre-forward for the last three years.In fact, many fans and pundits have insisted that is the last piece of the puzzle which will finally lead them to their first Premier League title in 21 years.And many have blamed the lack of a quality striker as the reason why Arteta’s side are likely to finish as runners-up for the third season in a row.Most read in FootballOne fan tweeted: “Another midfielder. Do they recognize that they went trophyless without a striker? Lmao.”Another commented: “Striker???”These WILD Liverpool stats spell Arsenal disaster | Experts’ best betsA third wrote: “Misplaced priorities. Arsenal need a proper number 9, not a midfielder.”This fan said: “Everyone: Arsenal still needs a CF – Arteta: Give me my 5th DM.”And another stated: “A striker should be the next target please!”Nevertheless, many Arsenal fans also understand the significance of this signing as Zubimendi is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the world.Furthermore, Thomas Partey’s future is uncertain with his contract running out in June.And Arsenal beat interest from Real to attract the world-renowned prospect, which poses as a major coup.Read More on The SunAccording to Foot Mercato, incoming Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who quit Bayer Leverkusen and is expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu, wanted to sign Zubimendi.The same source claims Alonso asked Los Blancos’ president Florentino Perez to sign the No6 and help Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah follow him to Spain.Arsenal ratings v PSG ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris. More

VIKTOR GYOKERES has decided to move to the Premier League – and has already chosen his next club.The 26-year-old has attracted serious interest since his move to Sporting Lisbon in 2023 from Coventry, scoring 95 in 99 appearances in Portugal.Viktor Gyokeres is set to move to the Premier League in the summerCredit: RexArteta’s Arsenal could do with a striker to lift their squad into the silverwareCredit: ReutersArsenal and Manchester United have been particularly keen amid a league-wide striker drought.Gyokeres, 26, has been widely reported to have an £85million release clause.But it’s now understood Sporting would be willing to accept bids of around £58m.And, according to talkSPORT, it’s Arsenal who are in pole position to get a deal done.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe North London club are set for a huge summer of refreshing their squad after another season without silverware and the striker position is one key weakness.Kai Havertz attempted to fill in the centre-forward position earlier in the season but underwent hamstring surgery in early February and has not been seen since.Neither he nor fellow makeshift striker Gabriel Jesus are natural frontmen however.Despite being only one place below them, Arsenal have scored 17 fewer goals than league-winners Liverpool.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWith Gyokeres on course to become the first player outside of Europe’s top five leagues to win the European Golden Boot in 23 years, he could take the Gunners to the next level.United have also expressed interest as they have only scored 42 this league campaign while Hojlund and Zirkzee find their feet amidst injury and inconsistency.These WILD Liverpool stats spell Arsenal disaster | Experts’ best betsThe Red Devils boast the Sporting connection as boss Ruben Amorim has managed the striker in Portugal.Gyokeres’ newly-reduced price tag makes him an attractive prospect, with Newcastle likely to demand around £150m for Alexander Isak after 23 league goals this season.Gyokeres himself has maintained a tight-lipped silence over his potential summer moves but Arsenal’s sporting director Berta is a well-known fan of his. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More