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Liverpool and Tottenham have set their sights on 21-year-old Wolfsburg centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis, who is rapidly emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s standout young defenders. With Liverpool planning for a future beyond Ibrahima Konate and Spurs seeking depth on the left side of defence, both clubs are preparing potential moves as interest across Europe continues to grow.

• Liverpool and Spurs intensify scouting of Koulierakis

  The Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham are closely monitoring the development of Wolfsburg defender Koulierakis, with both clubs reportedly considering him as a priority target for the upcoming windows. The Greek international has impressed significantly since moving from PAOK in 2024, integrating quickly into the Bundesliga and establishing himself as a composed, left-footed central defender capable of playing in a high-line system.

  Liverpool’s interest is understood to be strategic, with the club preparing for the possible departure of French international Konate, who has not yet signed an extension and could leave on a free at the end of the season. Konate’s injury record has further complicated the situation, prompting Liverpool to explore long-term replacements who can grow under Arne Slot’s evolving defensive structure.

  Spurs, meanwhile, are seeking cover and competition for the Dutch starlet Micky van de Ven, especially after a series of injuries exposed the squad’s defensive depth. The London club have long targeted athletic, progressive centre-backs, and Koulierakis’ ability to play comfortably on the left side makes him an ideal stylistic match.

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• Wolfsburg’s track record and growing market interest

  Wolfsburg have developed a strong reputation for producing high-level central defenders, with recent examples including Van de Ven and Maxence Lacroix, both of whom have earned moves to the Premier League, joining Spurs and Crystal Palace, respectively. Koulierakis appears to be the next in that line, displaying anticipation, ball-carrying confidence, and strong aerial presence despite being just 21.

  Transfer expert Graeme Bailey highlighted the growing demand around the defender when speaking to , explaining: “Koulierakis is attracting a lot of attention across Europe, composed and left-sided, left-footed defenders do tend to carry a bit more of a premium and he is standing out at the moment.”

  Both the Reds and Spurs have been scouting him for months, while several continental clubs are also monitoring his progress. Wolfsburg are expected to resist offers in January unless a significant bid arrives, though a summer move appears more realistic.

• A defender built for possession-based football

  Koulierakis’ profile fits the modern demands of high-tempo Premier League football, and his control in possession, willingness to break lines through passing, and strong spatial awareness allow him to operate in systems that build attacks from the back.

  He has also demonstrated high-potential aerial control, winning a higher percentage of aerial duels than Van de Ven during the Dutch defender’s final season at Wolfsburg. Last season, Koulierakis attempted 256 long passes, completing nearly 44%, a strong indicator of his ability to launch transitions and switch play efficiently.

  Though not the quickest centre-back, Koulierakis compensates through sharp positioning and reading of play, qualities that appeal particularly to data-driven recruitment models like Liverpool’s.

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  Transfer race could heat up as Premier League rivalry continues

  For now, Wolfsburg are not under pressure to sell, but they are aware that interest in Koulierakis is rising rapidly. With both Liverpool and Tottenham planning structural defensive upgrades before next season, a competitive bidding scenario is becoming increasingly likely.

  Liverpool will continue monitoring him as they weigh decisions on Konate and the long-term future of their defensive core. Tottenham, meanwhile, are keen to secure depth ahead of future European ambitions and see Koulierakis as a player with potential to develop into a consistent Premier League starter.

  Whether a move happens in January or next summer may depend on how aggressively the clubs move, and how much Wolfsburg really demand.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has now personally requested the board sign a “special” star, with a £105m opening offer now in the works.

Man City looking to sign successor to Rodri

After spending the majority of the 2024-25 campaign sidelined due to an ACL injury, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is starting to show signs he is getting back to his best, most notably impressing in the 2-0 Champions League victory over Napoli.

The Spaniard received an 8.3 SofaScore match rating against the Italian side, the second-highest of any City player, after making a number of key contributions and touching the ball 109 times, more than anyone else on the pitch.

Statistic

Number completed

Duels won

6

Accurate passes

87/95 (92%)

Key passes

3

Defensive actions

6

Esteemed Kompany’s Steven McInerney also sung the central midfielder’s praises after his display against the Serie A champions, but it has since emerged that Guardiola is now running the rule over potential long-term successors.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Pep is keen on Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic as an heir to Rodri, and the manager has now set his sights on a different young midfielder.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Pep has personally requested the Man City board sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves, with the manager said to be a keen admirer of the midfielder.

Such is City’s level of interest, they are already preparing a massive initial offer of €120m (£105m) for Neves, but it could be difficult to tempt the French club into a sale.

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The 20-year-old is regarded as an essential part of PSG’s project, given that the youngster has already established himself as one of the best players in the world in his position, so his current employers are extremely hesitant to sanction a departure.

"Special" Neves would be statement signing for Man City

It seems like it will be very difficult to get a deal done, but the Portuguese maestro could be a statement signing for the Blues, with scout Ben Mattinson suggesting he is destined for the very top.

Much like Rodri, the PSG star is an incredibly well-rounded midfielder, placing in the 96th percentile for tackles per 90, the 97th percentile for pass-completion rate, and the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals over the past year, compared to other midfielders.

Despite his age, the starlet is already vastly experienced at the highest level, making 17 Champions League appearances en-route to PSG’s maiden triumph last season, which suggests he could be a top signing for Man City.

That said, given that Neves remains under contract until 2029, PSG should be in a strong negotiating position, and it remains to be seen whether he would even be willing to leave the reigning European champions.

It was another night to forget for Celtic on the European stage as they were condemned to another defeat by SC Braga, but it was VAR that stole the biggest headlines.

Rodgers admits he must find Celtic "solution"

Whilst Rangers’ struggles have taken much of the focus in Scotland this season, Celtic are quietly enduring a frustrating season of their own by their standards. The Bhoys haven’t won in three games and now sit second in the Scottish Premiership courtesy of a surprisingly quick start from Hearts, with things not getting much better on the European stage.

Playing host to Braga in their first home game of the Europa League campaign, Celtic were put to the sword and found themselves behind in the first-half courtesy of Ricardo Horta’s effort from range, before Gabri Martinez sealed the three points from the bench in the 85th minute.

After another disappointing evening, Brendan Rodgers admitted that he must find a “solution” to his side’s current problems.

It’s not just Celtic’s performance that the manager will be frustrated by, though. It was also an interesting night in the VAR room, with the officials deciding to rule Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal out to deny Celtic their equaliser in controversial fashion.

The Nigerian has been in excellent form since arriving in Scotland, but had his best moment yet chalked off in a decision that has left Celtic and Rodgers fuming.

VAR audio exposes why Iheanacho had goal ruled out

The VAR audio, shared by commentator Jamie Lyall, exposed why officials denied Celtic an equaliser. Lyall said: “Officials are saying there is a clear brush of the left arm somewhere in the footage.”

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Now, this is where things begin to get controversial. In the replay of the goal, it’s difficult to spot just where this “clear brush of the arm” is that the VAR officials have spotted. The more that the moment is replayed, the more it seems as though Celtic have every right to be frustrated.

Rodgers had his say on the moment after the game, telling reporters: “I can’t understand why the referee isn’t asked to go and have a look at it.

“Even if you look at it once, twice, and I’m assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that, because of the time it took, there’s absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he’s touched it. It’s hit his face, he’s gone on and finished it really, really well.”

Manchester City star John Stones has revealed that he considered announcing his retirement from professional football last season amid his persistent injury problems. Stones appeared in just 11 Premier League matches for the Cityzens in 2024-25, having to remain sidelined for a long period with foot and hamstring problems. He played his last game of the 2024-25 season in February.

• Stones had an injury-plagued 2024-25 season

  Last season proved to be a nightmare for Stones, who is now back to fitness and ready to make an impact for club and country. However, he's admitted injury problems led him to some dark places mentally.

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• AFP
  

  Retirement became an option

  Speaking to the , Stones said: "Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping. I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in.

  "There comes a point where you don't know why it happens and it is even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available. When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say 'well I didn't do X, Y and Z that's why' – but when you do it, it's then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don't go back to that place.

  "My emotions were high. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think deep down I would have ever done it [retired].

  "I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said 'I am going to fight'. That's all I have known since I was a kid – why should I stop that now? So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn't want to stop."

• Stones ready to sign new City contract

  The reported last month that City want to keep Stones at the club and are ready to open talks over a new contract. The England star's current deal expires at the end of the season but he remains a key member of Guardiola's squad, and he is now minded to remain at the Etihad.

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  Stones set to make England comeback

  Stones was forced to pull out of the England squad in September after suffering a minor muscle injury, but he is now up and running and has earned a Three Lions call-up for the October international games. Thomas Tuchel's side face Wales in a friendly on Thursday, before travelling to Riga to face Latvia in a World Cup qualifier five days later.

Tottenham are set to be very active in this final stretch of the window, and we can expect talks for attacking targets to intensify quickly after they were robbed of a deal for Eberechi Eze by north London rivals Arsenal.

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The Lilywhites thought they were closing in on Eze, then Arsenal moved, and everything changed.

Spurs were deep in talks with Crystal Palace, seemingly on the brink of agreeing a deal for their star number 10.

However, Arsenal reignited their long-standing interest almost immediately after losing Kai Havertz to injury – seizing the initiative and agreeing a deal worth £60 million upfront, plus £7.5 million in add-ons.

Despite Tottenham agreeing both personal terms and a deal in principle with Palace, the final decision rested with Eze, and he chose a move to the Emirates.

The 27-year-old grew up a Gunners fan, trained in their academy as a youth, and Mikel Arteta’s side needed fresh attacking flair amid Havertz’s fresh knee problem. Arsenal have been targeting Eze all summer, but Havertz inadvertently pushed them into action whilst breaking Spurs’ hearts in the process.

Now Spurs are left scrambling for different options to plug the creative voids left in their squad – made worse by Son Heung-min’s departure and James Maddison’s long-term ACL injury.

In just a few hours, the tag-team of Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta snatched the deal from under Daniel Levy’s nose. From nearly finalized by Tottenham to firmly Arsenal’s – this one will sting in N17 for some time.

Levy and Thomas Frank will be desperate to put the saga behind them whilst making a serious statement of intent, and they’ve been linked with a few intriguing attacking options in the aftermath of their botched Eze deal.

Tottenham are still trying to loosen Man City’s grip on Savinho, but another option is still there in the form of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

Tottenham could be close to agreeing loan deal for Rodrygo

According to Defensa Central, the Brazilian is not in Xabi Alonso’s plans, and his pool of suitors is running thin.

As things stand, Spurs are the most realistic destination for him, and their eagerness to offload him has resulted in Bernabeu chiefs softening their stance when it comes to his £86 million price tag.

So much so, in fact, that Real are now prepared to green-light an initial loan for Rodrygo, something that is enticing Tottenham as Levy maintains an interest in the 24-year-old.

As per Defensa, this means that Tottenham “could be close” to reaching an agreement for Rodrygo, as they’re also ready to cover the player’s entire £208,000-per-week salary.

The only roadblock is apparently whether Levy will agree to include a buy-option/obligation, as Florentino Perez would ideally like his price tag paid in full, but could be forced to wait until 2026.

Rodrygo, for his part, has decided to leave Real in pursuit of more game time, and while not explicitly stated, the prospect of a Premier League move could well tempt him.

Called a “superstar” by Luka Modrić, Rodrygo bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Los Blancos last term.

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Chelsea have been one of the busiest Premier League sides this summer, and that’s been the case in pretty much every summer window since Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital’s takeover of the club in 2022.

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Only this time, the west Londoners head into next season looking like genuine title contenders.

Chelsea are fresh off the back of a very promising last few months, winning both the UEFA Conference League and the inaugural new edition of the Club World Cup, not to mention qualifying for the 2025/2026 Champions League.

BlueCo have therefore sought to back manager Enzo Maresca with a complete revamp of the squad, with Chelsea being extremely active in terms of both incomings and outgoings.

In the last 72 hours, a host of surplus players in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja have sealed permanent exits from Stamford Bridge – with the trio’s departures poised to yield around £65 million (The Mail).

After being fined for breaching FFP rules by UEFA last month, player sales are absolutely key, as Chelsea must produce a “positive transfer balance” or face not being able to register new signings for their Champions League squad next season (Nizaar Kinsella).

The Blues are intent on spending even more money before deadline day too, adding to their already-impressive collection of new signings in Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and left-back Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea have been in talks for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons for some time, but a potential deal for the Dutchman apparently won’t impact their long-standing interest in Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Reliable media sources indicate that Chelsea are expected to bid for Garnacho before the window shuts as they pursue another left-winger after Gittens. Now, Sky Sports have shared an update on this.

Chelsea in talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons

The broadcast giant reports that Chelsea are in ongoing talks to sign both Garnacho and Simons right now, and Maresca’s side are “pushing” to make the duo their next signings of the summer.

Simons is apparently valued at around £60 million, according to talkSPORT, while The Mirror recently claimed that United have slashed Garnacho’s asking price to around £40 million with the clock ticking to strike a deal.

The latter is on Ruben Amorim’s ‘for sale list’ after his Old Trafford fallout, while Simons has apparently made it clear that he’d like to leave Leipzig this summer, with manager Ole Werner leaving him out of their Saturday squad for a friendly defeat to Atalanta.

This potential £100 million double-signing would be a real statement of intent from Chelsea.

Garnacho and Simons bagged a combined 22 goals and 20 assists in all competitions last term, and depending on their role in the squad, the promising young attackers could be major assets as Maresca looks to compete with Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City at the very top.

“These guys are still hungry, and still have the passion to play for the country and deliver for the country”

PTI01-Feb-2025India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will both have “massive roles” to play for the team in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Gambhir said that both players still have “so much value” to offer, despite their recent poor run of form.”I think both Rohit and Virat, they add so much value to the dressing room. They add so much value to Indian cricket as well. They’ve got to play a massive role (in the Champions Trophy),” Gambhir said in Mumbai on Saturday, at the BCCI annual awards.”And I’ve said it before as well, those guys are so hungry, they want to play for the country. They have the passion to play for the country and deliver for the country.”Gambhir said India cannot afford to relax even for a moment in the Champions Trophy because they have just three league matches, unlike the 2023 50-over World Cup where there were nine each.Related

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“Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge as compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break, so you can’t stop anywhere in this tournament.”So hopefully we’re going to start off really well, because ultimately, if you want to go on and win the competition, you have to win five games.”Gambhir played down the hype surrounding the India vs Pakistan match, which is scheduled to be played in Dubai on February 23.”Look, we don’t go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. I think five games, all the games are important. The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not only win one particular game. But yes, if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we’re going to try and take it as seriously as possible.”And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakistan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same.”Gambhir also hailed Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, for infusing fresh ideas into the squad following the retirements of Kohli and Rohit from the shortest format after the T20 World Cup last year.”Me and Surya have been on the same page when we talk about selflessness and fearlessness. But yes, we want to be more smart going forward, because that is how we’re going to grow as a T20 team, and hopefully in all the other formats as well.”But I think the guys have been absolutely phenomenal. They’ve got the skills, they’ve got the temperament, they’ve got all the ability. And what they’ve done in the last six months, I think that’s been incredible.”I think the foundation of this T20 team was based on two principles. That is selflessness and fearlessness. I think that is something which we want to create in that dressing room, and these young boys have responded really, really well.”

A 13-ball over from Naveen-ul-Haq and a dramatic final over in which Tashinga Musekiwa found the boundary and sprinted between the wickets gave Zimbabwe a thrilling last-ball win in the opening T20I against Afghanistan.With Zimbabwe chasing 145, frugal spells from Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan and a four-run 18th over from Mujeeb Ur Rahman brought the equation down from 60 off 42 balls to 21 off 12. But Naveen’s final over went for ten, and Azmatullah Omarzai’s changes in pace and length could not defend ten in the final over.Musekiwa slogged a slower slot ball over cow corner and almost cleared the fence first ball of the 20th. He then rushed back for three twos, and with the scores level and the field up for the last ball, drove straight of mid-off to unleash celebrations with his partner in front of a vibrant Harare crowd.The tension went up and down in the last seven overs beginning with a quicker ball from Mohammad Nabi leading to a miscued slog from the well-set Dion Myers. It broke a 75-run stand between Myers and Brian Bennett and took the asking rate to over nine runs an over.Richard Ngarava returned 3 for 28 off his four overs•AFP/Getty Images

Naveen returned for an over that didn’t exactly go as expected. The wide yorker was his default plan, and five of the first eight balls resulted in wides apart from a high full toss that Sikandar Raza flayed over short third for four. When he went full and wide again, Raza went across to lash the ball down the ground before a slower ball finally dismissed the Zimbabwe captain, whose innings only lasted five legal balls.Rashid, who wasn’t as effective in his first three overs, knocked over the well-set Bennett for 49 with a slider. He then had Ryan Burl mistime a pull to deep backward square leg. But neither his nor Mujeeb’s stump-to-stump bowling was enough for Afghanistan to stop Zimbabwe from getting home.The chase began with Zimbabwe under pressure because of Naveen, who started with a maiden before cramping Tadiwanashe Marumani for room on the pull.But Naveen dropped Bennett on 8 off Azmatullah Omarzai in the fifth over. Rashid introduced himself in the final over of the powerplay but could not keep a lid on the scoring. He erred short and wide (both off and leg-side) to Myers, who picked up two fours.The duo consolidated but a few quiet overs took the asking rate up to nine. They picked up a boundary in each of Fareed Ahmad’s first two overs and Myers deposited another Rashid long-hop over long-on in the 12th. Bennett continued the charge by smashing Omarzai for two fours before Nabi’s intervention set up a rollercoaster finish.Earlier, Rashid had no hesitations in batting first. Rahmanullah Gurbaz wanted to take the early initiative but was undone by Richard Ngarava’s extra bounce off the third ball of the match. Sediqullah Atal was offered a chance by Wessly Madhevere in the third over but fell in the next trying to heave Trevor Gwandu over mid-on.Hazratullah Zazai, meanwhile, was off to a promising start, carving Ngarava through point in the first over and launching Bennett down the ground in the third before holing out off Blessing Muzarabani.Karim Janat was the top-scorer from either side•AFP

Omarzai and Karim Janat lowered the risk post-powerplay but got a boundary each off Raza to lift the run rate towards run-a-ball again. But an attempt to launch Wellington Masakadza over the top led to Omarzai getting caught at long-on.Nabi joined Janat with Afghanistan in trouble at 58 for 5 in the 11th over. Their start together was scratchy but was made easier by sloppy fielding from Zimbabwe. Burl’s misfield at long-off turned two into three in the 12th over before Muzarabani lost sight of the ball and gave Janat the first of two boundaries in the next.Nabi hit the gaps to get some risk-free twos before going after the returning Ngarava in the 16th over. Two boundaries took Afghanistan past 100 with four overs to go. Nabi began the death overs by taking down Gwandu for a six and three fours, the last of which came about via another fielding lapse.Janat and Nabi added 79 off 49 before Ngarava dismissed Nabi in a seven-run 19th over. Janat, who played the anchor role, remained 54 not out off 49 balls at the end, and neither he nor Rashid could put Gwandu away for a boundary in the final over.

علق جناح نيوكاسل يونايتد على خسارة فريقه أمام برشلونة بهدفين لهدف واحد، في الجولة الأولى بمرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وعلى الرغم من أن أنتوني جوردون سجل هدفًا متأخرًا لتقليص الفارق مع برشلونة لكن هذا الهدف لم يكن كافياً ليمنع برشلونة من الخروج بالثلاث نقاط من ملعب سانت جيمس بارك.

وقال جوردون في تصريحات نشرتها “بي بي سي” البريطانية: “مباراة صعبة للغاية، فريق قوي، شعرت أننا أتيحت لنا أفضل اللحظات لكنهم حافظوا على الكرة”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. راشفورد: اللعب مع برشلونة يثير حماسي.. وفليك مدرب من الطراز الرفيع

وأضاف جناح نيوكاسل مشيداً بثنائي خط وسط برشلونة :”لقد صعب برشلونة علينا الضغط المعتاد وسيطروا على مجريات اللعب، لقد أبدعوا في الحفاظ على الكرة، كان بيدري ودي يونج رائعين”.

وواصل عن ماركوس راشفورد: “إنه مستوى رائع، سجل راشفورد هدفين من العدم، يجب أن يكون الأمر نفسه بالنسبة لنا وأن نستغل الفرص عندما تتاح لنا”.

وتابع :”هذا طبيعي كبشر، فالتأخر بنتيجة هدفين للاشيء أمام برشلونة يبدو معركة شاقة، سجلنا الهدف وهذا دليل على عقليتنا، كنا منهكين”.

وختم :”يمكننا أن نفخر بأسلوب لعبنا، بذلنا قصارى جهدنا ضد أحد أفضل الفرق في العالم، لم أكن أعتقد أن المباراة مليئة بالفرص، كانت لدينا أفضل اللحظات لكننا كنا بحاجة لاستغلالها”.

Arsenal could be closing in on two successive signings in the space of a few days, if all goes to plan, with another key transfer target reportedly nearing a switch to London Colney this week.

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Sporting director Andrea Berta has made quite an impression already since he was announced as Edu Gaspar’s replacement in late March.

Berta’s deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard – all of which have been formally announced – strengthen key areas of Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of another Premier League title challenge.

Arsenal 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

£75m

The experienced Kepa and Norgaard provide top-level competition for nailed-on starters in Arteta’s preferred eleven, while Zubimendi comes in to replace Jorginho after many years impressing with Real Sociedad in La Liga.

Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last year, having long been linked with a move to the Premier League, but Arsenal were the side who ultimately tempted him to finally leave his boyhood club.

Noni Madueke also signed his contract as an Arsenal player today, after the north Londoners agreed a deal worth around £52 million to sign the England international from Chelsea.

As links still surround Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, who could join Arsenal as a central playmaker to complement club captain Martin Odegaard (Ben Jacobs), Berta is far more likely to see striker Viktor Gyokeres arrive at the club next.

Arsenal are believed to be closing in on Gyokeres after weeks of talks, and Arteta is on the verge of seeing a much-needed number nine arrive. Some reports in Europe have even suggested that he’s set for a medical on Friday (Diario AS), but this is yet to gain traction among reliable media outlets close to home.

As supporters wait for further updates, The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has shared what is holding up the deal just now.

Arsenal talks for Viktor Gyokeres near conclusion

According to the reliable journalist, Arsenal’s talks for Gyokeres are nearing their conclusion – and this last round of negotiations revolves around bonuses.

They’re thought to have reached an agreement in principle to pay an initial £54.8 million, plus £8.6 million in add-ons, and the striker’s agent even waived his commission fee to help this move go through (The Athletic).

However, Aarons reports that some add-ons discussions are ongoing, which could take the final cost of the transfer to around £68 million.

In any case, it looks like this will be done sooner rather than later, and there is reason for supporters to get excited.

Gyokeres bagged 54 goals in all competitions for Sporting last term, helping them to a first domestic double in 20 years, and former Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas believes he’d be a perfect signing for Arteta.

“He is an extraordinary striker,” said Fabregas on Amazon Prime. “He is a focused player, who pays attention to details, he is competitive, never lets his guard down, and doesn’t want to rest. He is an athlete, a player and team-mate who instils confidence in his team-mates with what he gives to the team.”