تحدث مصطفى عبده، لاعب الأهلي السابق، عن مباراة القمة بين فريق القلعة الحمراء والزمالك، في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، والمقرر إقامته في الإمارات.
ومن المقرر أن يواجه الأهلي نظيره الزمالك، في الخامسة والنصف مساء غد الأحد بتوقيت القاهرة، على استاد محمد بن زايد بالعاصمة الإماراتية أبو ظبي.
وكان الأهلي قد تأهل إلى نهائي السوبر المصري، بعد الفوز على سيراميكا كليوباترا، بهدفين مقابل هدف، في نصف نهائي البطولة.
وقال مصطفى عبده لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق” على “إم بي سي مصر”: “لو ييس توروب لعب بنفس الأداء الذي قدّمه في الشوط الأول أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، فإن الأهلي يمكن أن يكرر نتائجه الكبيرة أمام الزمالك، مثل مباراة الـ 6-1 الشهيرة”.
طالع|الأهلي يختتم استعداداته لمواجهة الزمالك في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري
وتابع: “لكن عليه أن ينتبه جيدًا إلى خط الدفاع، لأن هناك بعض الهفوات التي قد تكلّف الفريق الكثير، ومع ذلك أؤكد أن الأهلي لو ظهر بنفس مستوى الشوط الأول أمام سيراميكا، فسيفوز بنتيجة كبيرة على الزمالك”.
وأضاف: “لاعبو الأهلي بدأوا يستعيدون مستواهم، والناتج البدني للفريق بدأ يظهر بوضوح في الشوط الأول، وبدأنا نرى أمورًا إيجابية داخل الملعب لم تكن موجودة في الفترات السابقة، لكن تبقى المشكلة الرئيسية في خط الدفاع، الذي يعاني أحيانًا من فقدان التركيز”.
وكشف: “أما بالنسبة لزيزو، فهو لاعب كبير يمتلك ثباتًا انفعاليًا عاليًا، ولاعب محترف يعرف كيف يتعامل مع المباريات الكبيرة، اللاعب الكبير دائمًا يجب أن يغلق أذنيه عن أي ضغوط أو انتقادات، ويركز فقط على تنفيذ التعليمات داخل الملعب، في المباراتين الأخيرتين بدأ زيزو يعود تدريجيًا إلى حالته المعروفة التي كان عليها مع الزمالك”.
وعن المقارنة بين زيزو الزمالك وزيزو الأهلي، اختتم: “يمكن القول إن مستواه الأخير مع الأهلي أفضل من السابق، ففي البداية كان يقدم حوالي 50 أو 60% من مستواه المعروف، أما الآن فأداؤه ارتفع ليصل إلى نحو 80% من مستواه الحقيقي الذي اعتدنا عليه”.
رد روبن أموريم مدرب مانشستر يونايتد على تصريحات كريستيانو رونالدو الأخيرة حول النادي، ودعا للتركيز على المستقبل بدلاً من الماضي.
وكان كريستيانو رونالدو قد أشاد بما يقدمه روبن أموريم مع مانشستر يونايتد لكنه اعترف بأن مواطنه لا يستطيع صنع المعجزات، وأكد أن بعض لاعبي الفريق الإنجليزي لا يفكرون بالنادي.
وفي مؤتمر صحفي، رد روبن أموريم في تصريحات نقلتها “TRIBUNA” :”بالطبع هو يعلم أن لكل ما قاله تأثيراً كبيراً، ما نحتاج للتركيز عليه هو المستقبل”.
أقرأ أيضاً.. كريستيانو رونالدو: أنا أفضل لاعب على مر العصور.. والتسجيل في الدوري الإسباني أسهل من السعودي
وأضاف: “نعلم أننا كنادي ارتكبنا العديد من الأخطاء في الماضي لكننا نسعى لتغيير ذلك، دعونا لا نركز على ما حدث بل على الحاضر”.
واختتم أموريم: “نحن نفعل ذلك، نغير الكثير من الأمور في هيكلنا، وطريقة علمنا والطريقة التي نريد أن يتصرف بها اللاعبون، نحن نفعل ذلك ونتحسن، لذا دعونا نركز على طريقة عملنا، نحن نتحسن لذا دعونا نواصل وننسى الماضي قليلاً”.
صدم قائد نادي ليفربول، فيرجيل فان دايك، جماهيري فريقه مؤكداً أنه ليس على تواصل مع زميله السابق في الريدز ولاعب ريال مدريد الحالي، ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد.
أرنولد غادر صفوف ليفربول خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، وذلك من أجل التوقيع مع ريال مدريد مقابل 10 ملايين يورو.
وسوف يعود أرنولد إلى ملعب أنفيلد مرة أخرى يوم غدًا الثلاثاء، ولكن هذه المرة كخصم، حيث سيواجه ليفربول، ريال مدريد، في مرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا.
وقال فان دايك في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ذا إندبدنت” عن ما إذا كانت جماهير ليفربول ستستقبل أرنولد بشكل جيد: ”لن أعلق على ذلك، أعتقد أنه كان رائعًا خلال فترة وجوده في ليفربول، وهذا كل ما يمكنني قوله”.
اقرأ أيضًا .. ساليبا يحسم الجدل بشأن أنباء انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد
وعن ما إذا كان على تواصل مع أرنولد الآن، أجاب فان دايك: ”لا علاقة شخصية على الإطلاق، بالطبع أنا أعيش حياتي وهو يعيش حياته في مدريد”.
واختتم الدولي الهولندي: “كنت سعيدًا جدًا بوجوده في فريقي، لقد حققنا نجاحًا كبيرًا لكنه الآن خصم يوم الثلاثاء.د، إذا لعب فسيتعين علينا أن نجعل الأمر صعبًا للغاية عليه في أداء ما يجيده”.
Liverpool have made an approach for a Premier League player and Marc Guehi alternative – one who has been hailed for his “ambitious” nature.
Guehi "extremely unhappy" after failed Liverpool move
The Reds completed a superb summer transfer window by signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125m, but it could have been even better.
It looked as though Liverpool would also snap up Guehi, agreeing a long-term move with the Englishman, only to see Crystal Palace deny him his move at the eleventh hour. Manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to quit if the 25-year-old was sold to the Reds, with the Eagles not having enough centre-back depth without him.
Crystal Palace'sMarcGuehilooks dejected.
It has made for an ugly situation, with Guehi thought to be “extremely unhappy” at the situation, according to journalist Ed Aarons, and he is now unlikely to sign a new deal ahead of his current contract expiring next summer. That will then allow him to depart on a free transfer.
Liverpool may need to look at different defenders looking ahead, should they feel that their chance of signing Guehi has been and gone, and another Premier League player has been linked with a move to Anfield.
Liverpool make approach for Nathan Collins
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have made an approach for Brentford captain Nathan Collins, potentially seeing him as a different option to Guehi moving forward. It’s worth stressing that a formal offer hasn’t been lodged, but the Premier League champions do see the £43m-rated Irishman as “on their shortlist of defensive targets”.
Nathan Collins in action for Brentford
Collins would be a solid signing for Liverpool, having impressed as both a performer and a leader for Brentford, being hailed by Thomas Frank during their time working together.
“He can carry the ball out of defence and also has the composure to find the right pass during build-up play. His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that. I see leadership potential in Nathan. He’s a perfect Brentford player – hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn.”
With all due respect to the Brentford skipper, though, Guehi still stands out as the leading option for Liverpool, whether that be in January or beyond. He has become one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders, and has every chance of starting for England at next summer’s World Cup, and they shouldn’t give up on signing him after one hiccup.
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But Collins could be a shrewd alternative, and he is a year younger than Guehi, allowing Arne Slot to bring him in at a good age and turn him into an even more formidable all-round defender.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he's not worried about criticism he has received for his decision to leave football management and take up his current role as global head of soccer at Red Bull. Fans in Germany have made their feelings clear about his new job, but the 58-year-old says he is happy with his new life and does not regret his decision..
Klopp swaps Liverpool for Red Bull
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season, bringing down a successful era with the Reds that brought great success and Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup trophies to Anfield. The German then started a new non-coaching role at the start of 2025, overseeing the worldwide network of Red Bull football teams, which includes RB Leipzig, Salzburg, and the New York Red Bulls. Klopp signed a long-term contract with Red Bull and reportedly earns around €12 million (£10m/$12.5m) per year in his new position. Red Bull chief executive offer Oliver Mintzlaff revealed it took approximately "20 seconds" for Klopp to say yes to the job after being approached while enjoying a sabbatical and some time away from football after leaving Liverpool.
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Mainz fans protested Klopp's Red Bull move
The former Liverpool boss has received plenty of criticism for his decision to move to Red Bull. Fans at Bundesliga side Mainz, where Klopp also enjoyed success as a manager, displayed banners protesting his move which read, "Have you forgotten everything we made you become?" Liverpool fans also expressed their disappointment, telling Klopp the move "absolutely stinks" and accusing him of "selling out". The reaction even led to Klopp interrupting a holiday to explain why he had moved to Red Bull in a video that he posted on social media.
Klopp hits back at his critics
Klopp has now been quizzed on the situation and told that he's not worried by those who do not like his move to Red Bull. He explained: "I knew it (would come). I’m German. I know what people in Germany think about the involvement of Red Bull in football. They love Red Bull. In all departments. But in football? No. So whatever, they want to do it that way.
“Funnily enough, it was only in Germany where the reaction was like that. But that’s fine – no problem. Everybody can think what they want. You just have to accept that I do what I want as long as I don’t hurt anybody. By the way, I don’t expect people to remember what I did for a specific club. The people in Mainz in the stadium now… they were little kids when I was there (1990-2001 as a player, then seven years as a coach), so their parents had to tell them who I was. So that’s how it is, it is absolutely fine."
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But Liverpool fans happy with Klopp's decision
Klopp also pointed out that Liverpool fans will have been happier to see him join Red Bull than take on a coaching job at another club. He added: "I don’t expect everybody to like what I do. I have to do it for the right reasons – for my right reasons. By the way, in Liverpool, people are overly happy that I do what I do because I am not coaching another team.
"If I went to a foreign country, to Italy or Spain, people would have said, ‘Oh my God, that’s great.’ If I go to Bayern (Munich) or whatever, then especially Dortmund fans would have said, ‘I don’t like it!’ I finished at Liverpool at 57. I was 100 per cent certain and sure that I will not finish working. I had a break for seven months or so. I enjoyed it – wow!"
It feels like it’s now or never for Arsenal in the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta has done a sensational job taking the Gunners from mid-table mediocrity to genuine challengers, but following three back-to-back second-placed finishes, he needs to get them over the line this year.
Granted, Liverpool look as strong as ever, and Manchester City can’t be as bad as they were last season, but after the summer window, the Spaniard has the tools to get the job done.
Moreover, he already had several superstars in the squad to begin with, including one worth more than new signings Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi.
Reviewing Arsenal's summer transfer window
In early April, Mikel Arteta told the press that this summer was “going to be a big one,” and he was certainly right about that.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka,Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera,Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi,Arsenal's Noni Madueke,Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri andArsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly line up
For starters, the North Londoners added some quality depth options to the side in Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke.
However, arguably more important than that, Arteta was handed a few top-quality additions that should dramatically improve the starting lineup.
For example, Zubimendi, who cost around £51m, was one of the most highly sought-after sixes in Europe and once again showed what he can do for Spain last night with a brilliant assist.
Viktor Gyokeres was the most prolific number nine in Europe last year, with a sensational tally of 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 games, and while he wasn’t great on Sunday, he’s still got two goals already this season.
Finally, Eze was one of the most creative and exciting players to watch in the Premier League last season, racking up 25 goal involvements in 43 games, and while £68m is a lot of money, he could be just the player Arsenal need.
Yet, even then, he and Zubimendi are worth less than one of Arteta’s best-ever signings.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Zubimendi and Eze
Just like every other manager in the game, Arteta has made his fair share of poor signings.
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However, he has also overseen plenty of fantastic ones during his time at Arsenal, and one of his very best has undoubtedly been Declan Rice.
The former West Ham United captain joined the North Londoners for a record fee, and instead of wilting under pressure, he has only improved over the last two years.
Impressively, he is still worth a king’s ransom as well, with Football Transfers valuing him at a whopping €114m, which translates to approximately £99m, or £48m more than Zubimendi cost the club and £31m more than Eze.
It might sound like an absurd valuation, but the Englishman’s performances over the last couple of years more than back it up.
For example, the “world-class” international, as dubbed by journalist Tom Marshall-Bailey, has made 106 appearances for the Gunners, totalling 8665 minutes.
In that time, he’s scored 16 goals and provided 22 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.78 games, or every 228.02 minutes.
Rice’s Arsenal record
Appearances
106
Starts
99
Minutes
8665′
Goals
16
Assists
22
Goal Involvements per Match
0.35
Minutes per Goal Involvement
228.02′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That rate of return is only made more impressive by the fact that he started his career at the club playing as a six, only to move into the eight role.
In other words, his level of output is incredible for someone whose main job isn’t to score or assist goals.
Ultimately, while he cost a lot of money, and the pressure on him to succeed was immense, Rice has been a runaway success at Arsenal; therefore, his valuation more than makes sense.
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It’s well-known at this point that despite winning back-to-back European Championship titles and reaching a World Cup final in between, England’s Lionesses have a problem at left-back. There’s a real lack of options for Sarina Wiegman in the position and shoehorning players into it hasn’t helped much either – leaving many wondering just what Gabby George has to do to get her chance.
George was superb in that role for Manchester United last season, attracting Wiegman’s attention for England’s final camp of 2024, during which she started in a very experimental XI that beat Switzerland in Sheffield. However, that was her most recent appearance for the Lionesses, with her not making the cut for the squad that went on to retain their European title back in July.
Some players would be frustrated; some would use it as motivation. George, though, doesn’t see a reason to go down either avenue. After all, she’s not short of ambition and drive, and she was “over the moon” for her club-mates and close friends who enjoyed success this summer. “Everyone knows what it means,” she tells GOAL.
Instead, the goal for George is something much bigger. “I’ve lost a lot of time not playing football,” she explains. “My main focus is staying on the pitch, staying fit and enjoying my football. We’ll see where that takes me.”
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'I couldn't come to terms with it'
It was almost two years ago now that George was given the devastating news of her second ACL injury in less than four years. The first came in early 2020, while she was at Everton, robbing her of the chance to play in an FA Cup final later that year. The second, though, felt particularly cruel.
The defender was just three games into her first season back at Man Utd, the club she spent the majority of her youth with until having to leave for Merseyside as a 17-year-old because of United’s lack of a women’s first team. To get the chance to return in 2023, then, was a full circle moment for someone who is also a lifelong fan of the club. She started brilliantly, too, until being forced off just minutes into a game against Leicester.
When GOAL asks if it helped having been through the process before, or whether knowing the long road ahead of her made it worse, George grimaces. “It was definitely worse,” she replies. “I think the second one was probably one of the hardest times of my life so far, in terms of football. I couldn't come to terms with it.”
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Coming through the other side
Eleven long months of recovery lay ahead for George, plus the lingering impact of being sidelined for so long. “Research states that it can take up to 18 months after you do the ACL to get back to how you used to feel,” she notes.
But as the 2024-25 season progressed, after her long-awaited return in United’s season opener, George looked more and more like herself, forming a key part of the second-best defence in England as the Red Devils secured a place in Champions League qualifying and reached a third successive FA Cup final. Now, she’s keen to build on that.
“It was a tough season for me, physically and mentally,” she says. “The club were amazing in helping me look after myself and making sure that I lasted the full season. That was my aim last season, to get through. This season is to go above and beyond. I feel like I've got renewed energy and I'm ready to go. I'm on the other side now. I'm over it and we just keep moving.”
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Fresh new faces
It’s not been the start to the campaign that George would’ve wanted, with a small knock ruling her out of United’s first four games, the last of those a 1-0 defeat to Brann in the first leg of their final Champions League qualifier. But she made her return in the thumping 5-1 win over London City Lionesses at the weekend, a game which also brought about a club debut for Fridolina Rolfo, the Red Devils’ marquee summer signing.
Rolfo won two Champions League titles at Barcelona, and played another final at Wolfsburg, so the club will hope she can provide a boost in their quest to beat Brann in Thursday’s return leg and secure a place in the competition’s new league phase. “She’s an amazing player with loads of experience,” beams George, who is likely to play behind the Swede on that left flank as the season progresses.
Julia Zigiotti Olme, the midfielder from Bayern Munich who George describes as “a phenomenal footballer” and one she “admires watching”, has also joined the club, alongside England star Jess Park, whose deadline day switch concluded a transfer window with less activity than some might’ve expected from United.
George, though, believes there are positives to that limited change. “Hopefully we can pick up where we left off in terms of the league and stuff, and hopefully we can keep pushing together,” she says. “We know each other a bit more and bringing in the new faces will obviously freshen that up still. We just want to keep pushing.”
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Taking that next step
United have come on plenty since reforming in 2018, firmly establishing themselves among the Women’s Super League’s best teams before winning a first major trophy at the end of the 2023-24 season, beating Tottenham in the FA Cup final. But there is still another step for them to take in order to seriously challenge for that WSL title and become a regular in the Champions League.
“I think at a club like Manchester United, the ambition talks for itself,” George says. “We do want trophies and we're going to keep working hard together to try and bring them back to Manchester. Every year, we've got to keep pushing and pushing and hopefully we can get closer and closer every time.
“We've obviously made a few signings but we already have a great base as well, so I think it's just about us as individuals continuing to improve and progress, and hopefully we can take the club to where it should be. That's the aim.”
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for a £63.5m total fee at the weekend. Not a bad price, all things considered.
He’s one of the most prolific centre-forwards across Europe, after all.
Gyokeres, 27, is the positional solution to Mikel Arteta’s most pressing positional problem. Several windows have come and gone without the Gunners signing a centre-forward that they all saw they needed.
The Sweden star scored 97 goals across two seasons for Sporting, winning the Liga Portugal both years.
However, Arsenal may yet need another signing to complete their frontline. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have all made improvements this summer, and Arteta has hit sights set on lifting the Premier League title next May.
Could that man be Real Madrid’s Rodrygo?
Arsenal's interest in Rodrygo
There’s no question Rodrygo is a terrific footballer, hailed by his former teammate Luka Modric for his “world-class” quality on the ball.
The 24-year-old’s desire to feature more regularly on the left wing aligns with Arteta’s Arsenal vision for the remainder of the transfer window.
As a senior professional, Real Madrid is all that he has known, having joined the Spanish giants from Santos in his homeland when he turned 18.
The Londoners have been keeping checks on the Brazilian this summer, with reports from earlier in July even claiming that Arsenal lead the race.
The problem, naturally, is that other suitors are lining up for the Brazilian forward, who Real Madrid would only consider selling for a fixed €90m (£78m) fee.
That’s an awful lot of money, and technical director Andrea Berta might be inclined to direct his club’s transfer cannon in a different direction.
Arsenal could sign Rodrygo alternative
Given that Rodrygo went 17 matches without a goal or an assist across the second half of last year’s La Liga campaign, Arsenal might be wary about forking out such a heavy sum to bring him over.
Rodrygo stats
Instead, technical director Andrea Berta might be inclined to act on Arsenal’s interest in AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, who has been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer. In May, it was revealed that the club were engaged in talks with the Serie A giants for their Portuguese winger.
As with Rodrygo, Leao would cost a pretty penny, though perhaps he’d be the cheaper man, with Manchester United previously pushing to seal a £60m package this summer.
Regardless, there’s an elite player in there. Analyst Ben Mattinson has even gone as far as to say that he’s “one of the best left wingers in the world” while Milan coach Stefano Pioli once said that “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry.”
Over the past two terms, the 26-year-old Leao has scored 27 goals and has supplied 27 assists across all competitions for Milan, making an interesting comment on his prolific capacity.
Just imagine how high he could reach in Arteta’s Arsenal team, playing alongside a higher calibre of goalscoring teammate in Gyokeres, and with Bukayo Saka matching him out on the right too. Writer Theo Mwangi has actually claimed that the high-speed winger is a “superstar”.
Rodrygo might have been earmarked as an exciting option to complete the set, but there’s little question that Leao is on a similar level, and given that he would arrive for a cheaper fee, it feels right that Arsenal should push for the latter man.
Goals
0.32
0.35
Assists
0.26
0.22
Shots taken
2.37
2.54
Shot-creating actions
4.13
4.56
Touches (att pen)
6.15
5.84
Progressive passes
3.58
4.69
Progressive carries
4.74
5.07
Successful take-ons
2.83
2.15
They match up rather well. The Milan winger might not be the most prolific on the block, but he’s in the same ballpark as Rodrygo – and that’s hardly an indicator of poor form.
Leao is actually a bit more of an effective dribbler, successfully taking on more opponents per 90 than the Los Blancos star. He also ranks among the top 19% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for his success rate (49%) in such duels.
Such a balanced and well-rounded physical force, Leao could be the missing piece in an Arsenal puzzle which just needs that extra injection of quality to cross the boundary that has lingered between them and glory over the past three campaigns.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
Moreover, Leao has come off the back of a difficult campaign, with AC Milan struggling for form and finishing eighth. Even so, he held his own, notching eight goals and eight assists apiece in the league and averaging 4.5 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.
Leao has also been regarded by Napoli sensation Scott McTominay to have been the most impressive opponent he has faced since swapping Old Trafford for Naples.
Capable of outrageous tricks, flicks and moments in key areas, Leao would both raise the fun factor at the Emirates next season while improving Arteta’s squad’s output concurrently.
With both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard mooted for an exit from north London this summer, this may well be a signing that becomes a necessity for the Gunners, especially if a move for Rodrygo comes to nothing, and he signs for a rival or indeed stays put in Madrid.
Arsenal have some tough choices to make over the coming weeks, but having enjoyed such an impressive transfer window so far, it would hardly be a bad thing to forge ahead and make a play for Leao.
Saka will love him: Arsenal reach agreement in principle to sign £68m star
Arsenal are ready to supply Viktor Gyokeres with an exciting new wideman.
It has been a quiet summer so far for Aston Villa. After the disappointment of losing out on a Champions League finish at the back end of last season, the Villans have only made a couple of signings to strengthen ahead of the new season.
With the season now less than two weeks away, Unai Emery’s side have reportedly agreed a deal to sign OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand. The 24-year-old, who was also a target for Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, cost £30m including add-ons.
Evann Guessand in action for Nice in Ligue 1.
With Guessand all but through the door, Villa have seemingly turned their attention to another attacker, who can help to strengthen in forward areas.
Aston Villa’s next target after Guessand
The Villans lost Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio at the end of last season, with the loans of both players expiring. There is a clear focus from the club to strengthen in attack, with the signing of Guessand the first new forward through the door at Villa Park.
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Now, a report from journalist Graeme Bailey suggests that the West Midlands club are ‘holding an interest’ in Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho.
The 21-year-old is said to be a target for three Premier League sides, with a desire to stay in England’s top flight, and Villa ‘have also entered the race’ for his signature.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachoduring training
Although it is West London giants Chelsea who are the ‘standout option’ for the youngster, he is ‘open to working’ with Emery, and Tottenham Hotspur are also showing an interest. Last month, it was reported by The Mirror that the Red Devils have slashed their asking price to just £40m.
Why Garnacho would be a good signing
Despite being just 21 years of age, Garnacho has already gained lots of experience at the highest level for United. Statman Dave described him as a “special talent” last season, and there were some standout moments.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachoreacts
He played 58 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, whose academy he came through back in 2022. In that time, the winger scored 11 goals and grabbed a further ten assists. However, just eight of those goal involvements came in the Premier League, in 36 appearances.
He has already played a lot of first-team football, notching up an impressive 144 games for United. His record of 26 goals and 22 assists stands out for someone aged just 21, and he’s scored some excellent goals, too. The most famous one came against Everton in 2023/24, with his stunning overhead kick earning him the Puskas Award.
The winger, who was born in Madrid, could well become unplayable with Guessand. Villa’s new attacker shone last term for Nice, scoring 12 goals and grabbing nine assists in 33 Ligue 1 games.
The Ivory Coast international can play right across the front line, highlighted by former manager Antoine Kombouare during his loan spell at Nantes in 2022/23.
Kombouare also described him as a “powerful” and “fast” attacker.
With the Nice academy graduate, a player who is effective both in and around the penalty box and out wide, he could form a deadly partnership with Garnacho at Villa. The winger is a player who loves to drive inside from wide positions, which could lead to some fluid rotations between the pair.
Garnacho’s numbers from the 2024/25 Europa League campaign suggest he could become a regular provider of goals for Guessand. The stats on FBref show he averaged 2.04 key passes per game and 0.37 assists, ranking him in the 82nd and 85th percentile, respectively. If he achieves those numbers for Villa, Guessand could strike gold.
Assists
0.37
85th
Key passes
2.04
82nd
Shot-creating actions
4.17
73rd
Goal-creating actions
0.65
78th
Progressive carries
5.84
95th
Despite his age, Garnacho is already very experienced and has shown his ability to score and assist regularly for United. With Guessand being a striker who facilitates play and creates chances, plus his ability to put the ball in the back of the net, this could become a deadly duo.
£40m is not too much of an investment for 21-year-old Garnacho, with United looking to move him on this summer. Perhaps he is the perfect player for Villa’s new look attack, alongside Guessand.
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Mikel Arteta was handed a major boost earlier this week with the Gunners finally sealing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres, but Arsenal haven’t had it all their own way.
Gyokeres would love him: Arsenal eyeing up move for £100m "nightmare"
The international dangerman would be unreal for Arsenal.
2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 23, 2025
The Sporting CP striker and his camp are now putting the finishing touches on his blockbuster Premier League move after weeks of talks. Arsenal reached an agreement in principle to sign Gyokeres for around £64 million nearly a fortnight ago (The Athletic), with the hold-up centered around final bonus payments.
Arsenal’s confirmed transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£140m
However, it appears that any and all issues have now been rectified, and Gyokeres is about to become their sixth signing of the summer after Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
It is worth noting that Gyokeres, despite his incredible 54 goals in all competitions last season, wasn’t always sporting director Andrea Berta’s main target, nor was he Edu Gaspar’s constant priority either.
Arsenal also worked on a deal for Benjamin Sesko at around the same time they started moving for Gyokeres (BBC), and they tried to sign the Slovenian last summer as well as in January (Ben Jacobs).
According to reliable media sources, Newcastle United star Alexander Isak was also a “dream” signing for Arteta at one stage (Fabrizio Romano).
Arsenal informed Alexander Isak is focused on joining Liverpool
The north Londoners, as per journalist Graeme Bailey, gave up hope of signing the Swede after being informed that Isak is focused on joining Liverpool if he is to depart St. James’ Park.
Chelsea were apparently told exactly the same thing, with Arsenal swiftly moving on to Gyokeres as they prepare to welcome Isak’s international teammate.
Isak
Isak’s rumoured price tag of around £150 million was always too steep for Berta and co, even if Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie suggests a deal would more likely be done around the £130 million mark, which would still smash the Premier League’s all-time transfer record.
Eddie Howe’s side are set to dig their heels in over any potential exit for their star striker, especially after his exceptional 2024/2025.
“Alex is a world-class talent,” said Howe in a December press conference.
“The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he’s got it all.
“He has unique skills, and the challenge is to get him into the game as much as we can. Earlier in the season we weren’t doing that, but now the team are performing much better.
“He’s a player with a real confidence and we’re seeing a return to his really best levels – that’s highlighted by the goals he has scored.”