Despite making a 100% start to life in the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur manager, Thomas Frank still wants to add to his squad to bolster the options at his disposal.

The Dane has already splashed £85m on new additions to date, with Mohammed Kudus the most-expensive signing – costing £55m from West Ham United.

The big-money addition of the Ghanaian has already proved worthwhile, notching two assists in the opening-day triumph over Burnley in North London.

Joao Palhinha has already been added to the ranks, bolstering the options at the heart of the side – already impressing just like Kudus – scoring in the victory over Manchester City at the Etihad.

However, other new arrivals are set to be added to the middle of Frank’s side to provide needed talent and depth, with the September 1st transfer deadline rapidly approaching.

Spurs’ hunt for a new midfielder this summer

In an attempt to bolster the midfield department, Spurs have been preparing a move for Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss – with the Moroccan set to leave the Foxes before the summer deadline.

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It appeared as though he would be set for a move to Crystal Palace, but his transfer to the Eagles has collapsed in recent days – opening the door to a switch to North London.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix as of late, with Marseille star Adrien Rabiot a player in their sights, according to reports in France.

It states that the Lilywhites have entered preliminary talks with the player’s representatives over a move to North London after he was told he’s free to leave the Ligue 1 outfit after a changing room bust-up.

It’s also previously been reported that the Frenchman could be available for as little as €20m (£15m), with AC Milan and Aston Villa also interested in the former Juventus star’s signature.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s answer to Rice

Spurs fans would’ve raised eyebrows when local rivals Arsenal forked out a reported £105m to land midfielder Declan Rice back in the summer of 2023.

However, as hard as it is for the Lilywhites faithful to admit, he’s been a superb addition for the Gunners, notching 16 goals and 20 assists within his 105 outings at the Emirates.

The 26-year-old has been triumphant in six of his 17 appearances against the Lilywhites, often providing a real presence in the middle of the park in such meetings.

His box-to-box nature allows him to have a real impact on proceedings at both ends of the pitch – but if Frank was to land his own version of the Englishman, it would likely cost a pretty penny.

However, a bargain deal for Rabiot could allow the club to land their own version of Rice, with the Frenchman possessing various similar qualities to the former West Ham United star.

The Marseille star was labelled as a similar player to the Gunners star by FBref based on their figures from last season, managing to outperform him in numerous key areas in the process.

Rabiot, who’s been labelled “world-class” by former French star David Trezeguet, posted more combined goals and assists, offering the Lilywhites an added goalscoring threat if he replicates such numbers.

He also managed to impress in finding other teammates, notching a higher pass completion rate, with more of his efforts per 90 being into the final third – offering the likes of Kudus added opportunities in front of goal.

Without the ball, Rabiot has been just as dominant, achieving a higher tackle success rate, whilst also making more interceptions per 90 – arguably being a more all-round box-to-box option than Arsenal star, Rice.

Given the stats produced by the 30-year-old in the 2024/25 campaign, the rumoured £15m transfer fee would be an absolute bargain – possessing the needed Champions League experience for Frank’s side ahead of their European adventure.

If he can replicate such levels in England’s top-flight, the Frenchman would be a superb signing and one that can hand the manager his answer to Rice – and a bargain one at that.

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Bigger talent than Eze: Spurs preparing to hijack move for £60m sensation

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to forget about Eberechi Eze with a move for a top-level talent.

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Aug 27, 2025

After his latest controversial decision, one Sky Sports pundit has admitted that he’d be “absolutely fuming” at Russell Martin if he was in the current Rangers squad.

Martin: Some fans didn't want me in the first place

Five league games, zero wins and sat in 10th place. That’s how dire things have been for Rangers under Martin. Their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Club Brugge could almost be excused – put down to simply being outmatched by better opposition – but that same excuse cannot be applied in the Scottish Premiership.

The Gers have endured a historically poor start and the writing is arguably already on the wall for Martin, who admitted that some fans didn’t even want him at Ibrox in the first place after defeat against Hearts.

Up next for Rangers is the visit of Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final. As things stand, it looks as though Martin will be in charge for that game and maintains the support of the 49ers. Whether another defeat would change that is the question that everyone will be pondering.

What certainly hasn’t helped the manager’s case is the latest decision that he’s made, resulting in criticism from Jamie O’Hara.

O'Hara: "I'd be fuming" with Loch Lomond trip

When backs are up against the wall, managers often get creative with their approach and Martin is no different. In the middle of a dreadful run, the Rangers boss took his side to Loch Lomond for a team bonding trip, which featured wild swimming and a hike up a mountain. O’Hara, like many, has shared his opinion on the strangely-timed trip, taking aim at Martin.

Not Aasgaard: Martin is brewing the next Tillman in "fearless" Rangers star

Glasgow Rangers may be brewing their next Malik Tillman at Ibrox and it is not Thelo Aasgaard.

ByDan Emery Sep 15, 2025

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder told Sky Sports: “If I was a player, I’d be absolutely fuming. Why would I wanna go swimming in Loch Lomond as a team bonding session?

“Give me some golf clubs and we’ll go play Loch Lomond or get the fishing rods out and go out on the boat for the day, then fair enough. What are you talking about, go swimming in Loch Lomond?”

Only time will tell whether Rangers’ quite literal uphill climb results in an upturn in form, but for now it is the latest in a growing list of Martin’s decisions to come under fire.

“We are actively monitoring the situation and closely following developments as they unfold,” Cricket Canada says

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Apr-2025Following reports that Nicholas Kirton, the Canada men’s captain, had been taken into police custody in Barbados, Cricket Canada has said it is “actively monitoring the situation”.”Cricket Canada has been made aware of the recent allegations and detainment involving national team player Nicholas Kirton,” the board said in a statement. “We are actively monitoring the situation and closely following developments as they unfold. Cricket Canada is committed to ensuring transparency and will provide updates as more details become available.”We take this matter seriously and remain steadfast in upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the sport. While this situation is being addressed, we would like to assure the public that our national men’s team is fully focused on their preparations for the upcoming North America Cup, set to begin on April 18th in the Cayman Islands.”Cricket Canada remains dedicated to supporting the team as they continue to represent our country with pride and professionalism.”The inaugural North Americas Cup will be held in April, pitting Canada against Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and USA.A report in the said Kirton, a Barbadian, “was taken into police custody on Sunday”.Kirton has played 21 ODIs for Canada, scoring 514 runs, and 28 T20Is, scoring 627 runs. In 2020, he played three CPL games for Jamaica Tallawahs.Before migrating to Canada, he played for West Indies Under-19 and Barbados.

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu thinks Gujarat Titans (GT) left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore is “as good as anybody” who is part of the India team at the moment. Sai Kishore is currently GT’s second-highest wicket-taker and also the second-highest wicket-taker among all spinners in IPL 2025, with eight strikes in four matches at an economy rate of 7.06. His overall T20 economy rate of 5.98 after 74 matches is even more impressive.”This guy has always improved day in and day out. He used to work much harder than many people in the nets,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, having spent time with Sai Kishore when they were part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2020 and 2021. Sai Kishore didn’t get a game for CSK and then moved to GT in 2022, when he made his IPL debut. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, GT used their RTM (Right to Match) card on Sai Kishore and bought him back.”He used to be the first to start, and the last to go out,” Rayudu said. “And he used to bowl to every batsman, [and] ask them for feedback [regarding] what his lengths were. He was constantly learning. That’s the greatest aspect, and now you see his control in terms of length. And he also bowls differently to each batsman. He doesn’t bowl the same ball. A lot of bowlers that we see are so comfortable bowling one length or one line. He is not that kind of bowler; he can adjust accordingly.”Related

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Against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, Sai Kishore bagged 2 for 24 in four overs. That included the wickets of spin-hitters Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar. Rayudu was particularly impressed with how Sai Kishore outsmarted Klaasen.”The way he celebrated Klaasen’s wicket today; he rarely celebrates. I know why he celebrated – because he planned for that,” Rayudu said. “He bowled over the stumps to Klaasen so that he could take the ball away from his arc. And then he came around, and he knew Klaasen would go for his pick-up shot. So he bowled that quicker one. So I think he planned for it; he plans a lot.”Sai Kishore has played three T20Is for India, as part of a second-string side, at the Asian Games in October 2023. Since then, he hasn’t represented India in any format.”He is quite the guy not to get into the Indian side,” Rayudu said. “I think, going forward, it will be great if he gets into the Indian side because he is as good as anybody who is playing in the Indian team now.”Ian Bishop, meanwhile, recalled an interview with Sai Kishore, where the spinner spoke of the adjustments he had to make when GT were playing Mumbai Indians earlier this season.”SKY [Suryakumar Yadav] was sweeping it. I asked, ‘What did you do differently today?’ And he said, ‘Today, I had to bowl more defensively because the ball wasn’t gripping as much’,” Bishop said. “So he was around the wicket to the left-hand batters, [angling] across.”The guy has played only ten [14] games [in the IPL], and this is the first year that he’s going to be one of the leaders of the spin-bowling attack because it’s always been Jaddu and those guys at CSK, and Noor Ahmad and Rashid [Khan] at GT. But now, he has a chance to be a leader.”

The LSG captain said they were “20-25 runs short” after making 171 at the Ekana Stadium

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Apr-20252:13

Rapid Fire: How big a concern is Pant’s form?

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) started IPL 2025 with two big totals in away games – even though one resulted in a very slim loss – but when they got to Lucknow for their first home game, they fell “20-25 runs short” after they were put in to bat because they are “still assessing” the conditions at the Ekana Stadium and captain Rishabh Pant said he is “still figuring out a lot of things for the team.”LSG managed 171 for 7 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and saw the visitors chase that down in just 16.2 overs with eight wickets in hand.”Definitely [our total] wasn’t enough, we were like 20-25 runs short but that’s part and parcel of the game,” Pant said after the game. “It’s our first home game so still assessing the conditions.”LSG went for a track on the slower side, but it came back to bite them after they were asked to bat by PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer. The hosts stuttered to 35 for 3 in the fifth over as Pant fell for a third low score of 2 off five balls to follow a duck and 15 in the first two outings, and finished the first six overs with just 39 on the board, their slowest powerplay of this IPL.”Definitely it’s always going to be tough to get a big total when you lose early wickets, but that’s how the game progresses every day, like you can’t control everything,” Pant said. “Each and every player is trying to take the game forward from there.”When it was time for LSG to defend their below-par total, Pant used three overs of spin – two from Digvesh Rathi and one from Ravi Bishnoi – hoping that the slowness of the track would get him success, but only Rathi got the wicket of Priyansh Arya while Bishnoi was taken apart for 15 runs by Prabhsimran Singh.”The idea was to get a slower wicket because we felt that it was a home game, it’s going to stop a little bit. And I think when you were bowling slow into the wicket, they were still sticking in but we weren’t good enough on the given day. We going to learn from it and move forward.”LSG now have two losses from their first three games but have three more home games out of their next four to get used to the conditions at Ekana.”It’s early in the tournament, can’t say much, still figuring out a lot of things for the team but hopefully it’s going to come nicely for us.”2:11

Aaron: Bishnoi needs to take more responsibility

After Prabhsimran set the base with a 34-ball 69, Iyer sealed his side’s second straight victory, staying unbeaten on 52 off 30 balls. Nehal Wadhera, who was not out on 43 off 25 at the other end, said “all the credit” went to Iyer for the way he is leading them.”All credit goes to the way he’s captaining us and also the way he is boosting our confidence and the way he was telling me things, like, ‘play your natural game, just go with the flow,’ and I just love playing like that,” Wadhera said.Wadhera came on as an Impact Player, in place of Yuzvendra Chahal after he had bowled out, and said he didn’t even know when he reached he ground that he was going to play and was carrying just the one kit for the day. Wadhera was bought by PBKS after playing for two seasons for Mumbai Indians, and is now under a new captain and a new coach, Ricky Ponting.”He’s one of the best coaches I have ever worked under,” Wadhera said. “I’ve never heard any negative talk ever from his mouth and that’s the best thing about him. He just talks positive and when a coach gives you such positive remarks, that automatically boosts your confidence.”

Ange Postecoglou insists he remains confident in Nottingham Forest’s direction despite intense speculation over his future following a poor start to life at the City Ground. The Australian is still searching for his first win after six matches in charge, but says his focus is firmly on improving results rather than the growing uncertainty around his job.

Postecoglou suffers poor start at Nottingham

Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest tenure has started in disappointing fashion, with the club enduring their worst start to a managerial reign in over a century. A midweek Europa League defeat to Midtjylland only increased scrutiny on the former Tottenham and Celtic boss. Supporters voiced their frustration, but Postecoglou remains determined to turn things around quickly.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPostecoglou determined to turn things around at Nottingham

The Forest boss downplayed talk of being under pressure and reflected on his experience at Tottenham: “I get it. I think it’s a valid assumption in modern football that there’s always a manager under pressure. That’s just part and parcel of what we do,” Postecoglou said. “I don’t think that way. Put it this way, I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham about three or four months before I did, but it didn’t stop me winning something.

“It doesn’t enter my head. My responsibility lies in making sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things. If I start worrying about what’s going to happen next week, then I’m not performing the role I’ve been given. I just don’t think that’s helpful to anyone,” he said. “The things I control are the environment, training and the way we play. I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.”

Nottingham Forest fans get message after sacking calls

Postecoglou also addressed criticism from the stands after fans chanted for his dismissal during the Europa League defeat. He said: “I don’t like sending messages to fans. 

“They love their football club and are obviously disappointed with the way things are going at the moment, and disappointed with last night. “The one thing I can do is fulfil the responsibility I have to get the team out there to change our fortunes. If we do that, then I’m sure the fans will be happier with everything.”

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(C)Getty ImagesForest now face crucial Newcastle test

Nottingham Forest travel to face Newcastle United on Sunday, where Postecoglou will be desperate to claim his first victory as manager. With pressure mounting, a positive result could ease the tension surrounding his position. A loss, however, would deepen concerns and leave his future hanging in the balance just a month into his reign.

عزز فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك، تقدمه بالهدفين الثاني والثالث أمام ديكاداها الصومالي، في إطار منافسات بطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية. 

وانطلقت مباراة الزمالك وديكاداها الصومالي، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساء بتوقيت القاهرة على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، في ذهاب دور الـ32 من بطولة الكونفدرالية.

طالع.. بدلاء الزمالك أمام ديكاداها في الكونفدرالية.. الجزيري يجاور بانزا

وسجل أحمد شريف، لاعب الزمالك، الهدف الأول بعد كرة عرضية وصلته ليضعها بقدمه اليمنى في الشباك بالدقيقة 23.

وفي الدقيقة 34، تمكن البرازيلي خوان بيزيرا من إحراز الهدف الثاني في مرمى ديكاداها من لمسة رائعة، قبل أن يضيف عمرو ناصر ثالث أهداف الزمالك في الدقيقة 36 من الشوط الأول. 

ويطمح فريق الزمالك في استعادة نغمة الانتصارات أمام ديكاداها الصومالي، لا سيما بعد تراجع نتائج الفريق في الفترة الأخيرة في بطولة الدوري المصري.  هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام ديكاداها في الكونفدرالية

هدف الزمالك الثالث أمام ديكاداها في الكونفدرالية

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras entra em campo nesta quarta-feira (5), a partir das 19h30 (horário de Brasília), para encarar o São Paulo, pelo primeiro jogo das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil 2023.

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O jogo será uma oportunidade de revanche do elenco palmeirense que não engoliu até hoje a eliminação para o São Paulo da Copa do Brasil do ano passado.

E mesmo com poucas perdas dentro do time desde então, o Verdão que encara o tricolor hoje será bem diferente daquele que perdeu o primeiro jogo das oitavas, em 2022.

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Danilo, Gustavo Scarpa e Gabriel Veron foram titulares naquela noite e negociados recentemente pelo Verdão, não fazem mais parte do plantel alviverde.

Murilo, Zé Rafael, Marcos Rocha e Rony eram os outros quatro titulares que não estarão entre os onze hoje. O zagueiro fica como opção no banco de reservas, assim como o experiente lateral direito. Zé Rafael e Rony estão fora da partida por lesão.

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Mayke, Luan, Richard Rios, Gabriel Menino, Raphael Veiga, Luís Guilherme (Breno Lopes) e Endrick devem ser as novidades desse novo Verdão que busca um resultado mais favorável neste ano, para decidir a vaga no Allianz Parque, na semana que vem.

Dos titulares do Verdão que jogaram naquela noite no Morumbi, apenas quatro também jogam hoje (Weverton, Gómez, Piquerez e Dudu).

Aquela derrota foi a última do Palmeiras em um clássico paulista até hoje. De lá pra cá, o time de Abel Ferreira jogou dez vezes contra os seus três maiores rivais e não perdeu nenhuma, somando seis vitórias e quatro empates.

A bola rola para São Paulo x Palmeiras a partir das 19h30 (horário de Brasília) desta quarta-feira (5) e o jogo será transmitido apenas pelo Amazon Prime.

Just over four months after Arsenal stunned Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final to win their second European crown, the most prestigious club competition in the women's game is back this week, with the Gunners partaking in perhaps the most eye-catching fixture of matchday one as they prepare for a clash with eight-time winners Lyon, in a rematch of last season's semi-final.

The UWCL has a different look this year, having moved to mirror the men's edition by adopting a league phase rather than a group phase, and it will feature some new teams as well, with Manchester United and OH Leuven both making debuts in the main portion of the competition. Atletico Madrid, too, return to this stage for the first time since the UWCL moved away from a straight knockout format in 2021.

They join the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and more in a campaign packed full of eye-catching clashes, not least the rematch of last season's other semi-final, between Chelsea and Barca, which will take place next month.

So, as the action prepares to begin, what should you be keeping an eye on in the 2025-26 Women's Champions League? Let GOAL walk you through the big talking points…

• Getty Images
  

  Arsenal's change of role

  After causing a serious upset in the Champions League final back in May, Arsenal will go into this campaign with an entirely different status. Last time around, they were so often an underdog. This time, they are the holders. It carries a greater weight of expectation for a team that hasn't often been a favourite in Europe or even in England in recent years, because of Chelsea's dominance of the domestic game. How will the Gunners cope with that?

  It's not been an easy start to the season for Renee Slegers' side, who many would've had high hopes for in the Women's Super League title race given their European triumph. Arsenal have already dropped points in three of their first five games, leaving them five behind leaders Chelsea. They'll need to improve quickly, too, because their UWCL defence starts with a bang, as they host eight-time winners Lyon on Tuesday evening in a rematch of last season's thrilling semi-final.

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• Getty Images
  

  A vulnerable Barcelona

  One of the stories of the summer came in Barcelona, where financial restraints that have proved a concern to various sections of the club over the last few years finally made a telling impact on the women's team. Champions League finalists in each of the last five seasons, winning three of those, the Catalans have been the team to beat on the continent for several years now but the likelihood of rivals doing so certainly feels like it has increased over the last few months.

  That's because Barca's squad decreased massively in size during the transfer window, owing to the one incoming and four outgoings in the first-team squad, plus the departures of another seven youth prospects, some of whom could've been in line to make the step up. It leaves a squad of 18 senior players ahead of the Champions League's return, one much smaller than the likes of Chelsea and Lyon.

  Of course, the flip side is that Barca still have one of the best XIs in the world, featuring six players who just made the top 13 in the Ballon d'Or voting, and a thriving academy which it has now dipped into for some added depth. What happens if there are a couple of key injuries, though? Can those young players develop into difference makers? And will the squad have enough to maintain the club's usual charge across four competitions?

• Getty Images
  

  Chelsea's credentials

  One of the main teams looking to pounce on any potential vulnerability from Barca will be Chelsea, who have so often been eliminated by the Catalans over the years. After being beaten 4-0 by them in the 2021 UWCL final, the Blues have lost in the semi-finals to Barca in each of the last three seasons, last year by a damning 8-2 aggregate scoreline.

  Interestingly, the league phase draw has thrown up a clash between these two sides in November, in what will be their first one-legged meeting since that final over four years ago. It could prove to be a great litmus test for Chelsea's Champions League title credentials this time around and a chance for them to regain some psychological ground in what has been an incredibly one-sided head-to-head.

  After all, the Blues are definitely one of the main contenders for this season's trophy, as they have been for a while now. But have they got what it takes to make that final, and most difficult, step to get their hands on the silverware for the first time?

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• Getty Images
  

  A rejuvenated Lyon

  Another incredibly interesting contender for this UWCL title is Lyon, the eight-time winners having had a terrific summer. Jonatan Giraldez, who guided Barca to two European triumphs in his three years in charge, has taken over in the dugout for the French giants, while the transfers made have been extremely eye-catching.

  In have come Marie-Antoinette Katoto, PSG's all-time top scorer and one of the deadliest strikers on the planet; Jule Brand, who had a terrific Euro 2025 with Germany to remind everyone of her potential; Lily Yohannes, the United States international and one of the most exciting teenagers in the game; and Ingrid Engen, who had one of the best seasons of her career under Giraldez at Barca, among others.

  With experienced stars such as Eugenie Le Sommer, Amel Majri and Dzsenifer Marozsan going out the other door, all of whom played crucial roles in the club's ascension to the very top of the European game, it has been a big summer of change and there may be some teething pains as a result. However, it does feel like an exciting transition for the most successful team in UWCL history, as they pursue a record-extending ninth title.

Arsenal may well have romped to a 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday evening, marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice, but arguably, the spotlight was taken away from that performance.

Why? Well, before a ball was kicked at the Emirates Stadium, Eberechi Eze was formally announced as a new Arsenal player.

Eze walked down the tunnel and stepped onto the turf, donning his new shirt which read Eze 10.

What a moment, what a signing this is, not least because of the quality Eze possesses but the circumstances in which a deal happened.

In midweek, it looked as though the England international was destined to sign for Spurs. A fee had been agreed and once Crystal Palace’s Conference League tie had taken place, he was set to head to north London.

Eze did indeed head to north London but it was Arsenal he signed for instead. The Athletic reveal that a phone call between the playmaker and Mikel Arteta on Wednesday turned the tide and by the evening, everything had been sewn up.

So, what’s next, if anything for the Gunners?

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With the Eze deal sewn up, attention will turn to player exits at the Emirates. Before the window slams shut on 1st September a whole wave of players could be heading for the exit door.

Polish defender Jakub Kiwior continues to be linked with a move away, as does Reiss Nelson. You sense they are two of the most expendable assets right now.

If Kiwior does leave, then reports suggest a replacement could be brought in.

That’s according to club insider Hand of Arsenal, who reported on Saturday that Kiwior is still “insisting” on leaving the club behind.

Transfer Focus

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

As a result, discussions have been held behind the scenes about signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in a late deal.

That being said, Guehi has reservations about moving to Arsenal given he’d have to compete with William Saliba and Gabriel for a place in the team. Not ideal in a World Cup year, it must be said.

Liverpool have been leading the race for Guehi’s signature this summer with a deal mooted at around £45m.

An amazing Eze repeat

Have you ever seen a deal unite the fanbase more than Eze? We’re struggling to think of many examples, such is the rarity of the event, but Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are perhaps two examples that spring to mind.

So, why is there so much fuss? Well, back when he was just 13, Eze was released by Arsenal, a moment that left him in tears as he struggled to train.

This is a comeback story, it’s a tale of redemption, a character arc we very rarely see in football. Eze has gone away, done the hard yards via the likes of QPR and Wycombe Wanderers. His dream, however, is now fulfilled. He always wanted Arsenal. This move was a no-brainer.

The obvious emotional connection is a big factor here but plainly, the attacker is a phenomental talent. Like the Declan Rice move two years ago, he’s proven Premier League quality. As Gary Neville once said, “this was the banker”.

While success is never guranteed in life, it’s hard to see a world where Eze isn’t a rip-roaring success. Just last season, he was on fire in an Eagles shirt, scoring 14 and assisting 11 in all competitions.

Club allegiances aside, acquiring Guehi would be a very similar signing. Not just would the Gunners be hijacking Liverpool’s bid for the defender but he’s a Premier League-proven star, someone who would be nothing but a success.

2024/25

43

14

11

2023/24

31

11

6

2022/23

40

10

4

2021/22

19

1

1

2020/21

36

3

6

Starring alongside Eze for a number of years now, Guehi was notably described as “England’s best player” by some at the European Championships last summer and since then he’s only gone from strength to strength.

Dubbed a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, the centre-back is a natural leader having captained the side to duel FA Cup and Community Shield wins in recent months.

It’s rare an opportunity comes along to sign an established England international but in the space of just a few days here, Arsenal could spring a surprise and grab two of them.

If the Rice move two years ago was mega, then getting deals across the line for Eze and Guehi would be quite something.

One might argue that Arsenal don’t necessarily need a new defender. We hear that view point. The Gunners have added Cristhian Mosquera to their ranks over the summer. He looks like the perfect combination of Gabriel and Saliba.

However, if Kiwior does go, Arteta knows he needs a big squad after an injury riddled 2024/25. Guehi would be the perfect signing, sealed in Eze-esque fashion. How about that?

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