Transfer News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      How Edu’s 24 Arsenal transfers have worked out with more hits than misses as he searches for Mudryk replacement

      by

      ARSENAL missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk when Chelsea stumped up £88million for the Ukrainian winger.That is despite the rising star posting various messages on Instagram hinting at his desire to move to the Emirates.
      Edu and Mikel Arteta work together to bring in new signingsCredit: Getty

      Now the Gunners are looking at other attacking wide players to provide support and competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
      Bayer Leverkusen ace Moussa Diaby is one option while Raphinha reportedly snubbed a move for the second time in six months as he wants to stay at Barcelona.
      Mikel Arteta will be sitting down with his scouts, recruitment team and sporting director Edu to work out their plan.
      But how does Edu’s transfer record stand up since returning to the Emirates in July 2019, firstly as technical director?
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      He has overseen 24 transfers, spending just shy of £500million.
      Thankfully for Arsenal fans there are more hits than misses – and crucially most of the additions under Arteta have been successes.
      HITS
      Starting with the positives and SunSport reckons 11 of the 24 have definitely come off for Arsenal.
      Eyebrows were raised regarding the big-money moves for Ben White and Thomas Partey, who cost £50m and £45m respectively – but the pair have become key components of the starting XI at the top of the table.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is proving why Arsenal were so keen to spend £30m on him with captain fantastic Martin Odegaard arriving for the same price.
      Centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba both cost £27m and the Gunners are getting their money’s worth out of them – just like left-backs Kieran Tierney (£25m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£32m).
      Gabriel Martinelli (£6m) was a superb acquisition directly from Brazil, Takehiro Tomiyasu (£19.5m) has starred when fit and Gabriel Jesus (£45m) made an excellent start to his first season at the club before injury.
      Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko hit the ground running this seasonCredit: Alamy
      Martin Odegaard has been one of the standout successes in the transfer windowCredit: Getty
      MISSES
      But despite the 11 hits, there have been arguably nine misses for Edu since the summer of 2019.
      The biggest and most obvious of those is the club-record signing Nicolas Pepe – the Gunners splashed out £72m on the Ivorian but it has not worked out for him, so much so that he is now out on loan at Nice.
      David Luiz (£8m) also joined Arsenal in 2019 while Dani Ceballos came in on loan from Real Madrid but made very little impact despite 77 appearances.
      Arteta oversaw the additions of Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari as his first deals in charge – both initially on loan before free and £10m transfers respectively but they did not work out as planned.
      Willian signed on a free transfer that failed spectacularly, especially given his eye-watering £200,000-a-week wages, while Gunners fans will be thankful the club only spent £1m on back-up goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.
      The Runarsson flop prompted the signing of Mat Ryan on loan in January 2021 while £7m Nuno Tavares is the only recent addition that it really has not worked out for.
      Nicolas Pepe remains the record signing at £72mCredit: EPA
      Brazilian duo Willian and David Luiz flopped at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      JURY’S OUT
      That leaves four players, with three of those only moving to North London last summer.
      The exception is Albert Sambi Lokonga, who has failed to justify his £17m price tag and still seems unable to secure his role in the squad.
      Read More on The Sun
      The others are Fabio Vieira (£34m), the Portuguese playmaker starting to settle and shine, as well as teenage winger Marquinhos (£3m) and second-choice goalkeeper Matt Turner (£8.2m).
      They are too early on in their Arsenal career to make a judgement call just yet but have shown glimpses of quality and what they can bring for Arteta.
      Fabio Vieira is beginning to show why the club spent £34m on himCredit: Getty
      Marquinhos has not had enough chances to make his markCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal DID match Chelsea’s £88m transfer bid for Mudryk as Shakhtar Donetsk chief reveals nearly TWO MONTHS of talks

      by

      ARSENAL matched Chelsea’s £88million offer for Mykhail Mudryk… but missed out due to the Blues’ more “achievable” bonuses.The Gunners seemed to be closing in on a move for the Ukrainian, 22, ahead of the January transfer window.
      Mykhailo Mudryk was confirmed by Chelsea on SundayCredit: Getty
      Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mudryk had been hinting about joining Mikel Arteta’s side and a deal appeared to be in the final stages before Chelsea swooped in to seal an eight-and-a-half-year contract.
      In an interview with The Athletic, Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin revealed Arsenal had made their first contact with the player in “October or November”.
      By contrast, the Blues did not enter negotiations until the end of December.
      But Chelsea’s co-owner Behdad Eghbali and director of global transfers Paul Winstanley swiftly flew out to meet Mudryk in Turkey and brought him back to London on a private jet.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      A lucrative transfer was then finalised and personal terms were agreed.
      It was initially understood that Arsenal had failed to match Chelsea’s offer, something Palkin has refuted.
      He said: “When they (Arsenal) proposed the final offer of €70million (£62m) plus €30million (£26m) in add-ons, we sat down and started to talk internally about how it will be fulfilled in terms of the payments, the fixed part and the bonus issues. 
      “We realised we will not close this deal (with Arsenal). I said to Edu (the Gunners sporting director) that I did my best but it was not possible.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The nature of Chelsea’s payment process was a far more favourable one for Shakhtar compared to the proposition Arsenal had put forward.
      Bonuses within the Blues’ transfer bid included winning the Premier League and Champions League before his contract expires in 2030.

      These were deemed to be “achievable” goals that he can attain at Stamford Bridge.
      Palkin continued: “These bonuses should be somehow achievable and realistic, let’s say. Therefore, in this case, Chelsea was much more serious and fair in some points.
      “When we met Chelsea, we stayed all together. For you to understand the context, it was for nine or 10 hours. They invited the player and explained to us the whole project.
      “We realised that, yes, if you look right now, Chelsea have some kinds of problems but it is normal because they have a transition period from one owner to another. 
      “It is understandable. They would like to change a lot. So when they explain to you the whole story and you look for the next two, three, four, five years, then you see they have a serious project.
      “I believe they will build one of the best clubs in the world because I am telling you, they are very serious in all directions: sports science, the stadium side, the commercial side, on all things. For us, they looked very ambitious.”
      It was revealed on Monday that Shakhtar will donate £20.5m of the £88m transfer fee to help Ukraine’s war effort following the Russian invasion.
      Mudryk played just 44 games for Shakhtar, contributing 12 goals and 17 assists.
      He has also been capped eight times by Ukraine but is yet to register a goal contribution.
      Read More on The Sun
      Meanwhile, Chelsea currently sit 10th in the Premier League table.
      They are 10 points adrift of the top four and a huge 19 behind league leaders Arsenal. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham in fresh Pedro Porro transfer talks but Sporting Lisbon’s £39.9m asking price could prove issue

      by

      TOTTENHAM are set for fresh talks this week with Sporting Lisbon over the signing of defender Pedro Porro.Spurs have identified Porro, 23, as one of their top targets this window.
      Spurs will hold fresh talks with Sporting over a deal for Pedro Porro this weekCredit: Getty
      They feel the ex-Manchester City ace as the ideal candidate to strengthen at right wing-back.
      But Sporting are reluctant to let the Spaniard go in this window.
      So far they have insisted Spurs pay up the full £39.9million written into his release clause.
      Tottenham will hope to soften that stance when talks resume this week.
      READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
      Porro is highly rated after an impressive few seasons at Sporting.
      He helped the side win the league last season and this term he has chipped in with two goals and ten assists.
      Porro has also been capped once by Spain.
      Antonio Conte is still looking to make his first signing this January.
      Most read in Football
      The North Londoners are also interested in wantaway Brighton star Leandro Trossard.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      However, they face competition from arch-rivals Arsenal.
      Spurs are currently fifth and are five points off the Champions League spots.
      That is after they lost to the Gunners 2-0 at home on Sunday. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal consider Moussa Diaby transfer to boost winger options but fear being priced out by Bayer Leverkusen

      by

      ARSENAL are considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, according to reports.The Gunners are hoping to bolster their wide options this month amid their title push.
      Moussa Diaby is on Arsenal’s wishlistCredit: Getty
      Top target Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea insteadCredit: Reuters
      Ukrainian ace Mykhailo Mudryk had been their No1 target going into the January window.
      But after being gazumped by Chelsea’s huge £88million offer, Arsenal have moved on to other options.
      According to Sky Germany, French international Diaby is on the Gunners’ wishlist.
      But the 23-year-old won’t come cheap.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Last summer, Leverkusen demanded £75m when Newcastle tried to sign Diaby.
      He still has two-and-half years remaining on his contract with the Bundesliga club, meaning they are in no rush to sell.
      Diaby, who can play on either flank, has scored eight goals in 22 appearances for Leverkusen this term.
      Another player on Arsenal’s radar is Barcelona star Raphinha.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The Brazilian snubbed interest from the Gunners last summer to secure his dream move to Barca.
      But having been underwhelmed by the former Leeds ace, the Catalan side have reportedly shown a willingness to sell.
      He will not come cheap, however, with Spanish paper Diario Sport claiming that Barcelona will demand £100m for his signature.
      Arsenal would be very unlikely to match this asking price.
      Barcelona will demand big money for RaphinhaCredit: Getty More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea ‘still chasing £27m transfer for PSV’s ex-Tottenham winger Noni Madueke despite staggering £97m Mudryk swoop’

      by

      CHELSEA are reportedly still chasing £27million winger Noni Madueke – despite just splashing out £97m on Mykhailo Mudryk.The Blues stunned Arsenal by hijacking the deal for the Ukrainian winger.
      Noni Madueke is a target for Chelsea in the transfer windowCredit: Getty
      However, Todd Boehly’s January business for attacking talent may not be over just yet.
      Dutch football reporter Rik Elfrink states Madueke is “still waiting” to see where his future lies because the “transfer troubles with Chelsea are not over”.
      The PSV Eindhoven star, 20, remains a target for the Blues – and Elfrink suggested he appeared distracted as he struggled to find his best form in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Fortuna Sittard.
      Madueke spent four years in the Tottenham academy before switching to PSV’s youth set-up.
      READ MORE ON TRANSFERS
      Chelsea made contact with the Eredivisie club last week to enquire about the England Under-21 international.
      PSV – who sold Cody Gakpo to Liverpool this month – told the Blues their winger is not for sale.
      However, the Stamford Bridge club still reportedly tabled an offer worth around £27m.
      Chelsea have already signed striker David Datro Fofana and £35m defender Benoit Badiashile this month.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But Graham Potter is a keen admirer of Madueke and was interested in bringing him to the AmEx during his time at Brighton.
      PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to hold on to Madueke but accepts he could leave this month.
      He said: “I know of the interest in Noni.
      “I’d rather not have that, but it’s not something I decide.
      “The fact that there’s a lot of interest in him is of course due to his quality and his performances. But I do find it worrying.
      “We will certainly do everything we can [to keep him]. But you also know that things can change real quick if the interest heats up.
      “As a club, you’ve got to be ready and have replacements lined up because if he leaves it would mean that we lose another player this winter.
      “But there can also be situations like with Cody [Gakpo], where a certain type of club comes with a certain offer. Then it might be that it’s no longer possible to stop the deal from taking place. I hope that’s not going to be the scenario this time, but I can not exclude it.” More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo could link up with Real Madrid legend Keylor Navas again with Al-Nassr in transfer talks with PSG

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO could be reunited with former Real Madrid team-mate Keylor Navas at Al-Nassr, according to reports.The pair played together at Santiago Bernabeu between 2014 and 2018.
      Keylor Navas starred for Real Madrid alongside Cristiano RonaldoCredit: EPA
      Ronaldo, 37, joined Al-Nassr last month after being axed by Manchester United.
      And having recruited a star forward, the Saudi side are now in the hunt for a new goalkeeper.
      Former Arsenal stopper David Ospina is Al-Nassr’s first choice.
      But after an injury suffered by the Colombian, his club are looking for a short-term solution.
      READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
      According to Spanish outlet Marca, Al-Nassr have entered negotiations to sign Navas until the end of the season.
      The experienced goalkeeper could be offered around £3.5million.
      And it’s not ruled out that they could offer him a longer stay.
      Navas, 36, will be in Riyadh this week for PSG’s exhibition match against a team made up of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal players.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Ronaldo, 37, joined Al-Nassr last monthCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo is set to feature in the game, his first appearance since moving to Saudi Arabia.
      Navas has fallen out of favour at Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Costa Rican was first choice at Parc des Princes between 2019 and 2021, prior to the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
      Last season under Mauricio Pochettino he shared No1 duties with the Italian.
      But this term with Christophe Galtier at the helm, Donnarumma is now undisputed No1.
      Navas has played just once this season, in a recent Coupe de France win over third tier Chateauroux.
      Navas, 36, recently made a rare appearance in the Coupe de FranceCredit: Getty More

    • 250 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal ‘make Declan Rice top summer transfer target’ and are ‘confident’ of beating Man Utd and Chelsea to £80m star

      by

      DECLAN RICE has been identified as Arsenal’s top summer transfer target, reports suggest. West Ham star Rice is entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer – although there is an optional extra year – and with their recent struggles, Rice may finally opt to jump ship.
      Declan Rice has been made Arsenal’s number one targetCredit: Alamy
      Rice could be on the move next summer
      A number of top clubs are interested in the 24-year-old, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
      This summer is set to see a bidding war for the Englishman, which could see him eventually leave for £80million.
      However, according to The Times, Arsenal believe they are in the strong position to sign Rice because they are the Premier League leaders.
      The report indicates the Gunners remain keen on a new midfielder, and consequently have made Rice their priority.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Rice fits the mould of player targeted by Mikel Arteta in recent windows.
      He is young, aggressive, and has a burning desire to play in the Champions League – something Arsenal look all but certain to be able to offer next season.
      Arsenal did prioritise signing a new winger this month but saw their efforts to land Mykhailo Mudryk fail after Chelsea threw a colossal package at the Ukrainian.
      The Blues paid £88million for Mudryk, narrowly pipping Arsenal’s own £84m bid, before offering wages worth DOUBLE the Gunners offer.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Chelsea have been long-term favourites to sign Rice due to him supporting the club and being best friends with Mason Mount, as well as being a former member of their academy.
      Meanwhile, Man Utd were put off a deal for Rice last summer due to being quoted a price tag of £150m.
      But with this now almost halved, Rice’s decision could depend on who has the best footballing project available.
      The Gunners sit eight points clear at the top of table following their victory in the North London derby – a game where they cruised to victory.
      However, while the likes of Paul Merson believe the title is now “Arsenal’s to throw away”, defeat to United next weekend could throw things wide open. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd, Arsenal and Newcastle set for summer transfer battle for £135m-rated Napoli striker Victor Osimhen

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED, Arsenal and Newcastle are set to battle it out to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen, according to reports.The striker is valued by the Serie A club at £135million.
      Premier League sides are set for a transfer fight for Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
      The 24-year-old’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2025 but he has told his representatives he won’t make a decision on his future until the end of this season.
      Osimhen has been in amazing form for Napoli this term, netting 13 goals in 17 matches.
      He has helped Luciano Spaletti’s side top their Champions League group and they sit in first place in the domestic league, nine points clear of AC Milan in second.
      Osimhen is also well out in front in the Serie A golden boot race.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The Nigerian is wanted by the Premier League trio but a deal will not happen this month, claim outlet Il Mattino.
      Manchester United could be prepared to spend big on him as they look to fill the void left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Manager Erik ten Hag sees buying a striker as a top priority and he has Osimhen down as one of his dream signings.
      As for Arsenal, they could spend big on a centre-forward in the summer with Gabriel Jesus set to be out for some time due to a knee problem.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      The title challengers will surely be back playing in the Champions League next season and reportedly want Osimhen to bolster their front line.
      Newcastle could also make an ambitious move for him, splashing their mega-rich owners’ cash.
      The Toon already have Chris Wood, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak on their books as forward options, so they may have to sell if they did sign Osimhen. More