^ ^ Arsenal urged to sign £65m star on deadline day: ‘They would run away with the title’

Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal would ‘definitely run away with the Premier League title’ if they signed Victor Osimhen before the transfer deadline. 

That is the opinion of Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke, who says a late deal for Osimhen would ‘really cement Arsenal as title favourites’. 

Mikel Arteta’s side won the Premier League by seven points last season, clinching the club’s first league title since 2004. 

The Gunners have made a positive start to their title defence, beating Coventry City 3-0 on the opening week before Monday’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa. 

Exclusive Premier League previews

Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free.

Arsenal are widely expected to retain the Premier League trophy after a productive summer transfer window but Yorke says the signing of Osimhen would take them to another level. 

The Premier League champions expressed interest in Osimhen last month after his current side Galatasaray considered deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. 

Osimhen has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe over the past five seasons, scoring 76 goals for Napoli and a hugely impressive 64 in 77 games for Galatasaray. 

Arsenal expressed interest in signing Victor Osimhen (Picture: Getty)

‘Victor Osimhen to Arsenal would be huge,’ Yorke told Reviant. ‘That would really cement them as favourites. 

‘I was actually looking at some clips today and he’s all action, isn’t he? All arms and legs, a little bit unorthodox, but he gets the job done. 

‘He’s not the most elegant player you will ever see, but you will find him very awkward to play against. He’ll be a bit of a nightmare for these defenders because he’s a little bit old-fashioned in that sense. 

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s six-foot, he’s lanky, he’s decent in the air, he takes his opportunities, and he works hard. As a centre-forward, if you have those attributes, defenders are not going to look forward to playing against him. 

‘If that were to happen, then I would say Arsenal would definitely run away with it.’ 

Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s deadline-day plans after the narrow win at Villa Park.

Up Next

‘As I said, we’re trying to improve the squad – until tomorrow night we’re going to try to do that,’ the Gunners boss said.

‘I’ve been disconnected from the world for 24 hours because I think my energy probably has to be on the match, but I will get back on it now.’

Discussing Arsenal’s win more generally, Arteta added: ‘This is a really difficult place to come and win the game.

‘Last season we lost in the last kick of the game. They were hurt after what happened last week. It was a great squad performance tonight.

‘The players that come in make the difference. All of them contributed to create more dominance and more momentum.

‘The level of focus and the way they want to contribute to the team, that is going to be decisive in the season.’

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea, who have started their campaign with three successive wins.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source

^ ^ Arsenal set price to sign former Chelsea transfer target Malick Fofana

Arsenal have expressed interest in Lyon’s Malick Fofana (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal are weighing up a deadline-day move for Malick Fofana after being given encouragement in their pursuit of the Lyon winger.

The Gunners are keen to bolster Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad with one more attacking signing before the summer transfer window shuts on Tuesday night.

Arsenal, who have enjoyed a bright start to their Premier League title defence, have signed Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis so far this summer.

Tzolis has impressed on the left wing but Arteta is interested in another player who can play in that position after agreeing to sell both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

Exclusive Premier League previews

Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free.

Arsenal are considering an official bid for Fofana after being offered the Belgium international by intermediaries ahead of deadline day.

Fofana was linked with a host of clubs last summer, with Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Nottingham Forest all contacting Lyon to discuss a deal.

The Independent say there is ‘a need’ for Lyon to raise some cash after failing to qualify for the Champions League, with Fofana potentially available for around £50m.

Mikel Arteta is keen to sign another attacker (Picture: Getty)

European football journalist Andy Brassell believes Fofana would be a shrewd signing for Arsenal after they failed to bring in Brazil icon Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.

‘Straight off, ever since Lyon have been eliminated from the Champions League play-offs, they’ve had a lot of players on the block,’ he told talkSPORT.

‘They are not just willing to sell, they need to sell, and they need to make around €50million, before the window shuts.

Lyon and Belgium star Malick Fofana (Picture: Getty)

‘The quickest way of doing that, because they have at least one more definitely out already, is Malick Fofana.

‘Obviously, he’s been linked with a lot of different teams so far. Hull City made an approach and rejected that pretty much out of hand, slightly more politely perhaps.

‘Linked to Roma for a number of weeks, seems like Leipzig might be in and there’s even been talk in France that he’s been offered to Arsenal.

Arsenal have agreed to sell Gabriel Martinelli (Picture: Getty)

‘Now, even though he’s not Vinicius Jr, clearly, I think him being offered to Arsenal is really interesting because he is a player exactly in the spot where they want a player.

‘His ceiling is very, very high. He missed most of last season because of a really bad ankle injury that he received in the game against Strasbourg.

‘He still had some pain when he came back, so it took a while for him to get that sorted out and since he has got that sorted out, he’s been really good in the early part of this season for Lyon when he has played.

Up Next

‘I think he can add more goals to his game as well. He’s got speed and he’s really good at bringing the ball up the pitch quickly.

‘I think he was clocked the season before the one he was injured in as the fastest player in Ligue 1. So, I think that’s an interesting one for sure.’

Reports in France claim Fofana has already spoken to Arteta about a move to Arsenal and is excited about the possibility of joining the Premier League champions.

Bukayo Saka earned Arsenal a 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Monday night after the Gunners began their title defence with a routine 3-0 victory over Coventry.

Asked about Arsenal’s transfer plans after the Villa win, Arteta said: ‘As I said, we’re trying to improve the squad – until tomorrow night we’re going to try to do that.

‘I’ve been disconnected from the world for 24 hours because I think my energy probably has to be on the match, but I will get back on it now.’

As well as selling wingers Martinelli and Trossard, Arsenal have also offloaded Gabriel Jesus in a shock deal with Barcelona.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source

^ ^ Manchester United reject £28m bid after Michael Carrick approves transfer

Michael Carrick could trim his Man Utd squad (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United have rejected an offer worth £28m for wantaway forward Joshua Zirkzee, according to reports.

Netherlands international Zirkzee has underwhelmed at Old Trafford since his £36.5m move from Bologna in 2024.

Zirkzee scored just three Premier League goals in his first season in the Premier League before contributing only two in all competitions last term.

Michael Carrick is open to selling Zirkzee, having left him on the bench for Manchester United’s first two games of the season, a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City and a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town.

Exclusive Premier League previews

Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free.

Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a return to Italy, where he began to thrive before his move to Manchester two years ago.

Serie A giants Juventus are keen to secure his signature and have been boosted by the fact Zirkzee has reportedly approved the move as he knows regular minutes are needed if he is to revive his stuttering career.

Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Maria says talks between Manchester United and Juventus are ‘in full swing’ and there is hope a deal will be struck before the summer transfer window closes on Tuesday.

Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee (Picture: Getty)

Juventus offered to pay a loan fee of 2.5m euros (£2.1m) with a buyout option set at 30m euros (£26m), but United have rejected the proposal.

The report says Manchester United want the total price of the package to be 35m euros (£30m) and will request an obligation to buy rather than an option.

Juve are keen to sign Zirkzee as Canadian forward Jonathan David edges closer to a move to Atletico Madrid, who in turn are preparing for Julian Alvarez’s potential exit.

Juventus are in talks with Man Utd (Picture: Getty)

Earlier this month ex-United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen, speaking on talkSPORT, urged Zirkzee to secure a move away from Old Trafford.

‘I’ve heard a rumour that he might be moving to Juventus, and I thought that would be a good move for him,’ Meulensteen told talkSPORT.

‘It’s been evident that he hasn’t been a regular starter; he’s been a bit of a bit-part player.

Up Next

‘I don’t think he has shown he is good enough to warrant being a starter for the coming season, especially with Sesko who has done so well under Michael.’

Manchester United suffered a shock defeat to Hull on the opening weekend but responded with an emphatic win over Ipswich Town last time out.

‘Results are nice to win like that,’ Carrick said. ‘I said after the game last week that we were disappointed and it has hurt all week.

‘We managed it well and didn’t make too much of it in the end. We shouldn’t be going down 1-0 at home. We’re going to have setbacks along the way, but it’s how you deal with them.

‘The quality comes and we have a good day because we score goals and win well.

‘They had a couple of moments and we got back to it and took control. The second half was particularly good. Delighted, a lot of positives.’

Carrick’s Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday against Everton.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source

^ ^ Chelsea agree £38m deal to sign Liverpool target after Emiliano Martinez transfer

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Monaco to sign Lamine Camara, handing Manchester City a huge boost in their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez.

The Blues expressed interest in Senegal international Camara as Fernandez continues to push for a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez, who won the World Cup in 2022 before being sent off in this summer’s final, was hoping to join Real Madrid earlier in the summer but a dream move to the Bernabeu fell through.

Man City have continued to show interest, however, with Pep Guardiola’s replacement Enzo Maresca keen to reunite with a player he managed at Chelsea.

Exclusive Premier League previews

Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free.

City missed the deadline Chelsea set to sell Fernandez for £120m but talks have continued in the past week despite their £86m move for Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea suggested they would ask for even more than the originally quoted £120m for Fernandez if the deadline passed but a deal is in the best interest of all parties as the Argentine was not even included in Sunday’s matchday squad against Brighton.

But Xabi Alonso has been waiting to sign a new midfielder before sanctioning Fernandez’s exit and has made Camara his top target.

Incoming Chelsea signing Lamine Camara (Picture: Getty)

The 22-year-old has enjoyed two impressive seasons at French side Monaco and earned 49 caps for Senegal, featuring heavily during this summer’s World Cup.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Crystal Palace were all heavily linked with Camara at the start of the summer window but Chelsea are set to win the transfer race.

Reports in France say Camara will sign for Chelsea in ‘the coming hours’ after the Blues agreed a £38m deal with Monaco.

Enzo Fernandez could be sold to Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

Camara’s arrival in west London will pave the way for Fernandez’s exit, providing Manchester City are willing to meet Chelsea’s steep demands.

Chelsea are working hard to sign Camara after welcoming World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez to the club from Aston Villa.

Martinez, who has immediately replaced Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s No. 1, made his debut in Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 win over Brighton.

New Chelsea signing Emiliano Martinez (Picture: Getty)

Discussing Martinez’s signing, Alonso said: ‘It’s great to have him. We saw that even today.

‘Even if we conceded three goals, he had a straight impact and he helped the team really well. We are happy we have him.

‘He is a great personality and a great goalkeeper. His expression and his charisma influence the rest of the team.’

Martinez, meanwhile, said: ‘I spoke with Chelsea legends John Terry and Petr Cech. I know how big this club is and what we want to achieve this season.

‘I came here to help. I had an amazing seven years at Aston Villa. I have come here to challenge and to try and win the Premier League.

‘I trained only one day with the team. The guys have treated me really well in the last day or two. I know the talent we have up front. I try to bring that solidity in the back.’

Chelsea boast a perfect record after their opening three games of the season, having beaten Fulham before Brighton in the Premier League and easing past Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source

^ ^ Bruno Fernandes responds to £133m transfer offer to leave Manchester United

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (Picture: Getty)

Bruno Fernandes has rejected an offer worth £133m to leave Manchester United, according to reports.

Fernandes, who has been United’s most important player for the best part of a decade, came close to leaving Old Trafford last summer.

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal offered Fernandes a lucrative contract and approached Manchester United with a proposal worth almost £100m.

United did not instantly reject the proposal despite Fernandes’ influence on the team but the 31-year-old turned down the offer in favour of staying put.

Exclusive Premier League previews

Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free.

Fernandes proceeded to enjoy one of his best-ever seasons, breaking the Premier League assist record and being named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

There has once again been speculation over Fernandes’ future this summer as the Portuguese playmaker has entered the final year of his contract, although Manchester United have the option to extend for a further 12 months.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Fernandes has received another huge offer from Saudi Arabia worth an eye-watering £640,000-a-week and £133m over a period of four years.

Fernandes almost left Old Trafford last summer (Picture: Getty)

But the report says Fernandes once again rejected the approach from Saudi Pro League officials, which arrived during the World Cup, as his focus is on Manchester United.

Galatasaray, Juventus and AC Milan all expressed interest in signing Fernandes earlier in the summer but United indicated they were ‘wasting their time’.

BBC Sport said Manchester United informed interested parties that Fernandes would not be sold ‘at any price’.

Michael Carrick is desperate to keep hold of Fernandes (Picture: Getty)

The Red Devils have largely struggled during Fernandes’ spell at the club but United climbed to third in the Premier League last season once Michael Carrick took over.

There was some hope United could even challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title in Carrick’s first full season in charge but a shock opening-day defeat to Hull City has tempered expectations.

Reflecting on his time at Old Trafford so far and ambitions for the future, Fernandes told ESPN back in June: ‘Obviously, I wanted to have won more, it wasn’t quite what I had expected for myself and for the club.

Up Next

‘But I had very good times. We managed to reach some finals, some of them we won, others we didn’t.

‘But my goal has always been to win the biggest competitions and the Premier League is part of it. And I still have that dream in me and I hope to achieve it.’

Asked about Carrick’s impact since replacing his compatriot Ruben Amorim, Fernandes added: ‘I think he brought a very positive energy to the team, he tried to be very positive, because obviously we were in a moment of coaching transition, which is always a difficult time for the team.

‘He tried to be positive, obviously he brought new ideas and a different way of playing, which was also important for some players to find an escape to be protagonists again.

‘And it’s been good, obviously, because the results demonstrate that too. We hope that we will continue to do so.’

After losing to Hull on the opening week, Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways on Sunday against fellow newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source