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It was yet another busy summer for Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca making a number of new additions to his squad, but Jamie Carragher has been left unconvinced by one new signing.

Carragher "not a fan" of major Chelsea signing

Carragher has been at odds with Chelsea supporters for a while now, having suggested they don’t have what it takes to compete for the Premier League title, while also criticising BlueCo’s recruitment policy.

The Sky Sports pundit said: “I don’t speak negatively about Chelsea, I give my honest opinion which hasn’t changed in the last 12 months. My comments about players not signing for them is to do with the revolving door at the club, were they just swap players with the same ability, it’s the same this summer.

“I don’t think they are closer to the title because you can’t win the title with the goalkeeper you have or CB’s, plus you will play CL & won’t be able to rotate the team like you did last season in conference cup.”

Chelsea agree record deadline day exit via award-winning agent Ali Barat

The west Londoners have sealed yet another departure.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 1, 2025

In fairness, it is understandable the former Liverpool man is sceptical about a new goalkeeper not being brought in, given the doubts over Robert Sanchez, with the Spaniard being dropped in favour of Filip Jorgensen at times last season.

However, some of the criticism aimed at one of the Blues’ major summer signings may be regarded as a little more harsh, especially considering his own former club’s spending, after Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice in the space of a few months to land Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

Alas, when asked whether Alejandro Garnacho would prove to be a hit or miss at Stamford Bridge, as Carragher and Roy Keane rated the summer’s top signings, the Sky Sports pundit revealed he is not impressed.

The 47-year-old also went on to criticise the new signing for being on his phone while watching Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Fulham.

Roy Keane, on the other hand, claimed it was too early to tell whether Garnacho would be a good signing, although the Irishman is also “not convinced”.

Garnacho capable of reigniting career at Chelsea

It was clear the 21-year-old needed to leave Manchester United this summer, as his relationship with the fans was perhaps beyond repair, having infamously been pictured wearing a Marcus Rashford Aston Villa shirt.

As such, a new environment may be ideal for the youngster, who is clearly a talented player, having already made 144 senior appearances for United, during which time he has picked up 26 goals and 22 assists.

That said, it is clear to see why Carragher has some doubts, given that there are question marks over the youngster, with former teammate Bruno Fernandes even saying he “didn’t have the best attitude” at times.

Garnacho’s first chance to prove the doubters wrong will come after the international break, with the Blues set to travel to Brentford on September 13th.

Somerset 187 for 4 (Banton 84*, Abell 52) lead Worcestershire 154 (Roderick 58, Aldridge 5-36) by 33 runsSomerset allrounder Kasey Aldridge claimed five wickets in a dramatic Worcestershire batting collapse on the opening day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match at Taunton.From an encouraging 102 for 1, the visitors were skittled for just 154 after losing the toss, tall seamer Aldridge taking 5 for 36 from eight overs and Craig Overton finishing with 3 for 24. Gareth Roderick top-scored with 58, while fellow opener Jake Libby made 30 and Matthew Waite 32 not out.In reply, Somerset stumbled to 39 for 3 before closing on 187 for four, Tom Banton and Tom Abell having shared a century fourth-wicket stand. Abell contributed 52 and Banton an unbeaten 84, off 103 balls, with 17 fours.The toss was staged under overcast skies. But by the time play started the sun was shining and Somerset’s bowlers struggled to make inroads as Roderick and Libby played with assurance.They put together an attractive half-century stand with few alarms, forcing home skipper Lewis Gregory to introduce Jack Leach from the River End. It was the England left-arm spinner who made an important breakthrough with the total on 70.Libby pushed forward to a ball that straightened from around the wicket and edged to slip where Gregory took a smart low catch. Kashif Ali got off the mark in streaky fashion, miscuing a shot off Leach over cover for two, but Roderick looked untroubled in moving to a composed fifty with a square cut boundary off Aldridge.The hundred was brought up in the 26th over and Worcestershire looked to be laying the foundations for a big score. But everything changed when Aldridge bowled Kashif with a ball that hurried through and clipped the top of leg stump.Three balls later Ethan Brookes edged a catch to Overton at second slip and when former Somerset player Adam Hose was bowled by the inspired Aldridge for 4, lunch was taken with Worcestershire suddenly 110 for 4.The procession continued after the interval, with Roderick, having faced 98 balls and hit eight fours, fending a ball from Aldridge to second slip where Overton accepted a routine chance. It was 130 for 6 when Brett D’Oliveira was bowled by Aldridge shouldering arms and 151 for 7 when Tom Taylor was pinned lbw by Overton pushing forward.Waite had batted positively, with three early boundaries and six in all, but was left stranded as Worcestershire could fashion only three more runs. Ben Allison was bowled by Overton on the back foot, Tom Hinley edged the same bowler to second slip and Adam Finch fell leg before to Gregory to end the innings.Only 45.3 overs had been bowled and the last nine wickets had fallen in just 18 for the addition of 52 runs.Somerset were soon in trouble themselves. Archie Vaughan, watched from the boundary edge by father Michael, the former England captain, had made only 12 when nicking Taylor to wicketkeeper Roderick and Tom Lammonby, on 8, edged a loose drive off the same bowler to second slip.Sean Dickson was bowled for 11 aiming a forcing shot to leg off Finch and at tea the hosts had work to do at 53 for 3, still 101 behind. But an evening session played in warm sunshine saw Banton and Abell build a confident partnership that put Somerset firmly in control.Banton, who has worked hard to transfer his impressive one-day batting skills to red-ball cricket, was first to a half-century, off 64 balls, with 11 fours. Abell soon followed with his seventh boundary, having faced 73 deliveries.The pair had added 101 crucial runs, but immediately after reaching fifty Abell fell to a straightforward catch, working a ball from Finch off his hip straight to Taylor at midwicket.Banton went on to delight home fans in a first-day crowd of over 2000 with more meaty boundaries as he and James Rew (17 not out) cemented Somerset’s position.

Athapaththu will be leaving the WPL to take part in Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2025

Georgia Voll was the highest run-scorer in the ODI series against India last December•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

UP Warriorz (UPW) have named Australia top-order batter Georgia Voll as replacement for Chamari Athapaththu, who will be missing the final phase of the WPL owing to national duties. As reported by ESPNcricinfo last week, Athapaththu was supposed to be available for UPW only till February 26, for their game against Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru which they lost.UPW next play on March 3, which will be the first game this season in Lucknow. Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand begins with the first of three ODIs in Napier the following day, followed by as many T20Is. As such, Athapaththu hasn’t played any of UPW’s five games this season.Twenty-one-year-old Voll has only played three T20Is, having made her debut against England in January. But prior to that, she was Sydney Thunder’s second-highest run-getter at WBBL 2024-25, where she scored 330 runs at a strike rate of 144. Thunder had made their way all the way up to the WBBL Challenger, where they lost to Brisbane Heat.Voll scored a century in just her second ODI, against India last December. She had finished as the highest run-scorer in that series, with 173 runs at an average of 86.50. Voll joins UPW for INR 30 lakh (US$ 34,350 approx.).UPW are currently placed fourth on the five-team WPL points table, having won two of their games so far.

A new era awaits Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this forthcoming Premier League campaign.

Thankfully, despite season after season of relegation panic, their swansong offering at Goodison Park wasn’t drenched in the worry of Championship football potentially coming to the Toffees’ new state-of-the-art home, as Everton finished in a comfortable 13th final spot under David Moyes.

Now, it’s up to the Scotsman to deliver more success to the blue half of Merseyside, with more signings presumably in the works to ensure they improve on their 13th position this time around.

Everton in talks to sign £300k p/w ace

Everton have been busy in the transfer department so far this summer.

Indeed, the Toffees have managed to welcome in five new faces ahead of their upcoming adventure into fresh surroundings, with both Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sticking out as notable purchases up top and through the middle.

While Dewsbury-Hall offers plenty of Premier League experience, the top-flight side might well venture down the more untested route when recruiting other midfield assets, with Sunderland’s 18-year-old gem Chris Rigg reportedly on their shopping list.

However, much in the same ilk as the former Chelsea man, Everton could also offer an escape route to another outcast struggling towards the top end of the Premier League, as talks continue to occur between the Toffees and Manchester City reserve star Jack Grealish.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Journalist Dominic King has taken to X to suggest that Grealish would be receptive to the idea of moving to Moyes’ outfit, with talks also ramping up – as per football journalist Mike Joyce writing for the Times – as Everton attempt to bring the £300k-per-week midfielder in on loan, despite those wild wage costs.

Further reports from one Toffees insider note that Grealish is “in agreement” to join Everton on loan.

How Grealish is shades of Barkley

The Birmingham-born 29-year-old won’t be viewed as a complete lost cause, with the idea of Grealish getting back to his prior best enabling Everton to win a temporary star who possesses shades of Ross Barkley’s game when he was at his peak at his boyhood club.

Before finding out the hard way how unforgiving football can be – with a limp 12 goals and 11 assists coming his way for Chelsea from a century of appearances – Barkley was a rip-roaring success story at his boyhood employers with runaway efforts like this one against Newcastle United.

In total, the 33-time England international would power home a respectable 27 efforts from 179 Toffees outings, on top of also picking up 25 assists, leading to one of his former Everton bosses in Roberto Martinez, heralding his overall ability as “incredible.”

Grealish would be showered with the same adoration when he was still pulling on Villa claret and blue, as seen in Brendan Rodgers branding him as “marvellous” to watch when situated in the Leicester City dug-out.

All this lavish praise was warranted, too, as the ex-Villans captain bettered Barkley’s Everton tally by amassing a bumper tally of 32 goals and 43 assists in the West Midlands, leading to the Citizens splashing out an excessive £100m on the attacking menace’s services.

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Unfortunately for Grealish, this dive into the unknown at the Etihad backfired, leaving the 29-year-old now in a position where he needs to breathe life back into his faltering playing days, off the back of a 2024/25 campaign where a middle-of-the-road seven-goal contributions were averaged.

Often chucked out to the left wing under Guardiola, it could well be a masterstroke to come by Moyes if he places Grealish back into his preferred number ten spot, with that freedom perhaps reawakening his Villa best, gifting the much-loved Toffees boss his new Barkley in the process.

After all, Barkley managed to recover his career from the brink when he joined Luton Town in 2023.

The same could soon happen for Grealish, therefore, who was once even labelled as a “magician” when strutting his stuff for his hometown side by ex-Premier League regular Ashley Cole.

It will be up to Moyes and Co. to get this magic back out of him after an underwhelming stint in Manchester, with a version of Grealish back at his very best, an unbelievable weapon to possess.

Just imagine him & Ndiaye: Everton aiming to sign PL star alongside Dibling

As Everton chase Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, David Moyes also wants the Toffees to sign a “magic” Premier League winner who was once worth £100m.

Aug 10, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Na manhã desta terça-feira, o Palmeiras encerrou sua preparação para o confronto com o Tombense, pela Copa do Brasil, que acontece às 20h desta quarta. Depois de um período com muitas baixas por lesão e uma maratona insana de jogos, algumas peças começam a voltar a ficar à disposição para Abel Ferreira, entre elas Piquerez, que retornou ao time diante do Vasco, no último domingo. O uruguaio quer a vaga na próxima fase e pede “pés no chão” para alcançar o objetivo.

> Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui

Em entrevista para a TV oficial do clube, o lateral-esquerdo falou de suavolta à condição de titular após três semanas em recuperação de uma entorse no joelho direito, sofrida no primeiro tempo da primeira partida da final do Paulistão, contra o Água Santa. Ele comemorou o retorno ao Verdão.

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-Estou feliz pelo meu retorno mais cedo do que o programado. Podia ser até dois meses fora e, graças a Deus, foram só duas semanas até a transição física. Foi um jogo muito difícil no Maracanã contra o Vasco, a gente começou perdendo e foi importante ter conseguido o empate. Agora é focar no objetivo de amanhã, contra o Tombense, pela Copa do Brasil – disse o camisa 22.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

De volta em outro momento decisivo da temporada, Piquerez não tem outro foco que não seja ajudar o time a se classificar para as oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. Mesmo com a vantagem de ter vencido o primeiro jogo por 4 a 2, o uruguaio quer que o Palmeiras entre em campo com humildade e máxima concentração para não cometer erros que possam ser fatais em uma mata-mata.

>Sem Artur, Palmeiras tem nova disputa para o ataque diante do Tombense

-Temos de ter pés no chão. A gente viu no primeiro jogo que o Tombense é um time que tem qualidade, os gols que fizeram mostram isso. Temos que ir lá com respeito, fazer o nosso trabalho como fazemos em todos os jogos e construir um ótimo resultado para avançar de fase. Temos que cometer a menor quantidade de erros possíveis e continuar trabalhando, fazer o que estamos fazendo. É lógico que temos coisas para corrigir, mas precisamos também manter o que estamos fazendo bem – finalizou o lateral uruguaio.

Como o resultado da partida de ida, no Allianz Parque, o Palmeiras pode empatar ou até perder por um gol de diferença, que mesmo assim estará classificado para a próxima fase da Copa do Brasil.Será o primeiro jogo do Verdão no Parque do Sabiá, em Uberlândia (MG).

General manager Trent Copeland said it “feels right” that the 21-year-old should lead the side

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-2024

Phoebe Litchfield will take on the Sydney Thunder captaincy•Getty Images

The future of Australian leadership will have a chance to shine in this season’s WBBL with Phoebe Litchfield named Sydney Thunder captain and Annabel Sutherland taking over permanently from Meg Lanning at Melbourne Stars.At 21, Litchfield will be youngest full-time captain in WBBL history as she continues her rapid progression. She has been appointed ahead of England captain Heather Knight who led the side last season but enters the WBBL on the back of the injury she sustained at the T20 World Cup and will also miss the latter stages of this year’s competition due to a tour of South Africa.Related

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“It’s a huge honour to be named captain of Sydney Thunder,” Litchfield said. “I’ve grown up playing for this club and learning from some incredible leaders, so to now have the opportunity to lead such a talented group of players is really exciting.”We’ve got a great mix of experience and young raw talent, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of captaining the side this season.”Sutherland, meanwhile, led Stars in three games last season when Lanning wasn’t available.”Annabel has proven herself as a standout performer at both domestic and international level and has worked extremely hard on and developed her leadership skills, particularly over the last couple of years,” Stars general manager Blair Crouch said. “Despite still being so young, Annabel is vastly experienced and her reputation within the game is second to none.”I’d also like to pay tribute to Meg Lanning’s captaincy during her time at the club and what an amazing resource and support for Annabel to still have, both on and off the field.”Litchfield made her Thunder debut aged 16 and has scored 1212 runs in 67 matches at an average of 24.24. Last season saw a notable increase in her strike-rate as she made 309 runs at 130.37.”Phoebe becoming captain of Thunder just feels right,” Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said. “She’s young, but her experience in the game makes this a natural progression. Phoebe has always been mature beyond her years, and her leadership qualities have been evident from the moment she joined Thunder.”We’ve seen Phoebe thrive under pressure, whether it’s for Australia in the World Cup or in key moments for Thunder. She’s a great leader, both by character and by example, and we are excited to see her step into this role.”Alongside Knight, Litchfield will be able to call on the experience of Chamari Athapaththu, Hannah Darlington (who led Thunder as a stand-in captain aged 19), Shabnim Ismail and Sammy-Jo Johnson alongside coach Lisa Keightley.Thunder, who reached the Eliminator final last season where they were beaten by Brisbane Heat, will begin their tournament against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28. Stars begin against Perth Scorchers at the WACA as the third game on the opening day on October 27.

Ben Coad on eight wickets for the match and seeking more as visitors keep sights on promotion

ECB Reporters Network19-Sep-2024

Ben Coad has eight wickets for the match so far•Getty Images

Yorkshire need three Glamorgan wickets to secure victory on the final day and remain in pole position to earn promotion along with already promoted Sussex.The Welsh County ended the day 141 for 7, 254 behind, Yorkshire opening bowler Ben Coad picking up his 50th wicket of the season as he finished with 4 for 30.Glamorgan had managed to bowl Yorkshire out for 273, James Harris taking his 600th first class wicket on the way to 5 for 73. Jersey international Asa Tribe was the only Glamorgan batter to hold firm with an unbeaten maiden first class half-century.That still set the improbable target of 396 for Glamorgan to win and Yorkshire will feel confident of wrapping up victory given the way wickets have fallen in every morning session of this match.Once again the morning conditions were helpful to the bowlers and Jamie Harris and Andy Gorvin were determined to take advantage, Harris getting Finlay Bean lbw in the first over and Gorvin clean bowling nightwatcher Matthew Fisher with an off cutter.Harris was working on the basis that if the batter missed he either hit or appealed for lbw, it was the latter form of dismissal for both James Wharton and Jonny Bairstow.Timm van der Gugten got in on the act, clean bowling George Hill, until a partnership between captain Jonathan Tattersall and Dom Bess settled nerves.Both got into the forties and the lead climbed closer towards 400, before Tattersall was lbw to Ben Morris to give the Abergavenny debutant his opening first class wicket.Van der Gugten removed Jordan Thompson lbw, the eighth wicket in a row to have been bowled or pinned in front, before they finally achieved a different form of dismissal when keeper Chris Cooke caught Bess, again off van der Gugten.Harris returned to claim the wicket of Dan Moriarty and complete his five wicket haul, another clean bowled.That mountain of chasing 396 to win got a little higher after the opening overs as they lost their two highest run scorers this season, Sam Northeast and Colin Ingram.Northeast was lbw to Ben Coad in the first over of their reply, while Ingram set about the bowling in typically positive style before chipping one to midwicket, Coad again the bowler and James Wharton taking the catch, for Coad’s 50th wicket of the season.Kiran Carlson would have wanted to get into form ahead of Sunday’s One Day Cup final against Somerset at Trent Bridge, following his golden duck in the first innings.Tribe is in his second first class match and this was comfortably his best score as he held the innings together.An excellent leg cutter from Coad that hit the top of off made the breakthrough as Carlson departed for 41. He was soon followed by Ben Kellaway and Cooke, both also falling to Coad, before Matthew Fisher bowled van der Gugten.A brilliant one-handed diving catch by Finlay Bean saw the end of Mason Crane off the bowling of Jordan Thompson.

كشف مصدر مسؤول داخل النادي الأهلي، عن قرار جديد من مجلس إدارة القلعة الحمراء تجاه لاعبي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، وذلك عقب سوء النتائج في بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويتولى الفريق فنيًا، في الوقت الحالي، جهاز فني مؤقت بقيادة عماد النحاس ومعه عادل مصطفى ومحمد نجيب وأمير عبد الحميد مدرب للحراس، وذلك بعد قرار إقالة المدرب الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو.

وقال المصدر في تصريحات لـ بطولات: “مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي قرر تجميد مستحقات لاعبي الأهلي لحين عودة الانتصارات”.

طالع أيضاً.. ملف المدير الفني الجديد تصدر المناقشات.. تفاصيل جلسة محمود الخطيب في مران الأهلي

الجدير بالذكر، أن محمود الخطيب كان قد أعلن عدم استكمال فترته في رئاسة النادي الأهلي، وعدم الترشح في الانتخابات القادمة للقلعة الحمراء، راجعًا ذلك لأسباب صحية.

الأهلي خاض 5 مباريات حتى الآن في الدوري المصري، تعادل في 3 أمام مودرن سبورت وغزل المحلة وإنبي، وخسر أمام بيراميدز وحقق انتصارًا وحيدًا على فاركو.

ويحتل فريق النادي الأهلي، المركز الخامس عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 6 نقاط، بعد مرور 6 جولات من عمر المسابقة المحلية.

Derby County are now plotting a summer move for a record-breaking defender, whose contract is set to expire next month, according to a report.

Derby looking to kick on after final-day survival

After securing promotion back to the Championship in the 2023-24 campaign, Derby’s main aim last season was always likely to be avoiding the drop, and they just about managed to get the job done.

A goalless draw against Stoke City on the final day ensured the Rams will remain in the second tier for another season, with manager John Eustace taking the time to praise his players’ efforts after avoiding an instant return to League one.

“What a fantastic effort from everyone connected with the football club. The players have been outstanding every day in training they have dedicated themselves to getting to this moment and I couldn’t be any more proud of them.”

After securing their Championship status, however, Eustace’s side will be looking to kick on next season, and plans are being made for the summer, with the manager recently confirming he would like to sign loanee Nat Phillips on a permanent basis.

Alongside the centre-back, Derby could also look to make an addition at left-back, with a report from Football League World revealing they are now plotting a move for Charlton Athletic’s Thierry Small, whose contract is set to expire next month.

As such, Small could be available for a low fee, with compensation required seeing as the defender is just 20-years-old, although his current employers are still hopeful of keeping hold of him, should they secure promotion via the League One play-offs.

There is widespread interest in the youngster, with the Rams joined by Championship rivals Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and Oxford United in the race for his signature, having caught the eye in the third tier this season.

The 15 most expensive signings in EFL Championship history

The second tier has had its fair share of mega-money deals.

ByRoss Kilvington Feb 3, 2025 Small could be "fantastic" long-term signing

Back in 2021, the left-back broke Jose Baxter’s record by becoming Everton’s youngest-ever player, and while he didn’t manage to kick on by becoming a regular starter for the Blues, there are signs he could be capable of reaching the Premier League.

The full-back has been a vital player for promotion-chasing Charlton this season, making 39 appearances in League 1, and he has proven himself to be useful on the front foot, picking up two goals and three assists.

Not only that, but Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes the starlet has “bags of potential”, while manager Nathan Jones has described him as a “fantastic athlete”, perhaps in part due to his pace.

Small’s performances in the third tier this season indicate he could be more than capable of making the step-up to the Championship soon, so it is promising news that Derby are now plotting a summer move.

Arsenal and new sporting director Andrea Berta are prepared to offer Barcelona around £65 million for one of their “key” players this summer, according to a report this week.

Arsenal play Real Madrid in crucial Champions League quarter-final

Following on from their historic 3-0 triumph over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium last Tuesday, the Gunners travel to Spain for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Carlo Ancelotti’s side this week.

Arsenal now among favourites to sign £39m forward after Sane blow

The Gunners are switching to a different option.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 13, 2025

Two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks and a Mikel Merino goal helped Arsenal plant one foot in the next round, and if they do get past Real on Wednesday, it’ll be their first time in the semi-finals of Europe’s most prestigious competition since the 2008/2009 season.

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

After surrendering the Premier League title to Liverpool, with nothing to play for domestically, Mikel Arteta has a golden chance to make history and potentially go on to win Arsenal their first ever Champions League crown.

If the north Londoners end this season on that major high, it could also have a very positive effect when it comes to attracting their key summer transfer targets.

Arsenal targeting new forwards and defender this summer

Arsenal are now believed to be contending for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman as a serious option to bolster their wide area (Florian Plettenberg), while Berta is also targeting a prolific striker and defender.

Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen’s agents are reported to have held recent talks with Arsenal, as well as Tottenham (David Ornstein), with both Arteta and Berta said to be huge fans of the Spaniard.

His contract includes a £50 million release clause which will be active this summer, following a very impressive 2024/2025 campaign, where he’s played a starring role for Bournemouth at just 20-years-old.

However, the competition for Huijsen’s signature will be fierce, meaning Arsenal are also looking at alternatives.

Arsenal prepared to offer £65 million for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde

According to reports out of Spain, one of them is Barcelona star Jules Kounde. The France international’s started 28 La Liga matches for Hansi Flick this season, impressing in a right-back role whilst also making 49 appearances in all competitions.

Kounde’s bagged eight assists in that time, including three in one Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg, which are very impressive numbers for a defender.

It is clear to see why Arteta and Berta could be attracted to the 26-year-old, and it is now believed that Arsenal are prepared to offer around £65 million for Kounde this summer as the club seek to add more defensive quality.

While Barca have no desire to sell him, which is very understandable given his status as a “key” man and one of La Liga’s “standout players”, as per this report from Spain, the Catalans could still be forced to consider significant offers due to their precarious financial situation.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Flick about Kounde this season, showering him with praise.

“I have never experienced this before. After the match, he wants to train. He is a great professional and takes excellent care of his physical condition. In every training session, he wants to give it his all. This attitude is not common, but it’s very good.”