Newcastle United have been dealt their perennial early-season injury issues, but there’s little question that Eddie Howe’s side are in a good position to meet their targets this year; perhaps they will even exceed them.
The backline has stood strong and firm for most of Howe’s tenure, but he has reinforced the St. James’ Park defences this summer and appears to have added layers to the existing fold too. Nick Pope has five clean sheets from seven Premier League matches, and as the goalkeeper ranks joint-fifth for saves made (19), all can be observed to be pulling their weight.
However, with Alexander Isak sold to Liverpool for a record-breaking fee, the Magpies entered the campaign freighted with fresh worries about the quality in attack. Yoane Wissa still hasn’t made his debut for the club as he recovers from a knee injury, and that has been fuel for the fire.
But the intensity of the blaze has been allayed through the fast start to life in England of Nick Woltemade.
Newcastle's big-money buy
If Newcastle are fools for spending the big bucks on Woltemade in August, what does that make those who opted against landing such a unique and dangerous centre-forward?
Seven games in, the former Stuttgart man has notched four goals in black and white, and he’s earning the respect and focus of more than just Tyneside’s devoted fans.
Different to Isak, Woltemade still boasts far more than a sharp shot, and his early foray into the English game has told of an exciting future for both player and club, the potential to join Isak and maybe even the legendary Alan Shearer in the highest regard of those strikers who were not one cut but several above the rest.
Four goals in seven hardly make a young and aspiring forward the next Shearer, but already the 23-year-old has proved himself a reliable goalscorer in the Premier League, with the sharpness of mind to rival Isak for the crown as Newcastle’s best modern nine.
However, Shearer’s role and reputation in Newcastle surpassed the success he had as a goalscorer. A true talismanic force, he led the club for many years and understood inherently what it means to be a Geordie.
And Newcastle may have their next version. No, it’s not boyhood fan Dan Burn (although he is of course a legend in his own right).
No, the man in question here arrived from overseas, but he’s an adopted son of this city and one of the key pillars of the Howe era.
Howe's own version of Shearer
It all started with Howe. And then Howe got to work during the January 2022 transfer window and signed a wealth of talented players to climb away from relegation danger and up and up the Premier League ladder.
And among the first through the door was Bruno Guimaraes, who joined from Lyon for a £41m fee toward the end of the window. He was 24 at the time, and it was considered a coup.
bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-united-spurs-isak-howe
Into his fifth campaign on Tyneside, the Brazil international has been both a leader and a marvel in the middle of the park, with his combative defending and fierce pressing and elegant passing leading all the big clubs to come sniffing. He has remained loyal.
But the £100m prices that have been mooted here and there underline his skill and the belief from elsewhere that Newcastle have a truly special player in their mix.
Hailed as a “machine” of a midfielder by blogger Thomas Hammond, the 27-year-old has maintained impressive fitness levels and has been deployed more often than any other Newcastle player across Howe’s tenure.
Howe’s Most-used Newcastle Players
Player
Seasons
Apps
Fabian Schar
5
163
Bruno Guimaraes
5
160
Dan Burn
5
158
Jacob Murphy
5
144
Joelinton
5
138
Data via Transfermarkt
He’d bleed for the badge, and has been rewarded for his tenacity and commitment with two Champions League campaigns in three terms, winning the Carabao Cup last year besides.
The £160k-per-week talent is unquestionably one of the best in the business, and he is also the captain of the United fold, with Howe speaking in the past of his awe for Newcastle’s “difference-maker”.
Had he never arrived, Newcastle might never have hit the heights reached over the past few years. Perhaps the drive and verve they played with for much of 2024/25 would never have led them to triumph in the Carabao Cup.
But even in defeat, Guimaraes speaks with a passion that cannot be forged, cannot be imitated. The loss to Liverpool in August would be a case in point, having taken a subtle dig at Isak as he held his head high even after Rio Ngumoha sank hearts across St. James’ Park with a cruel last-minute winner.
There stood a leader, a talisman Shearer was proud of watching. Isak might have had the 55-year-old’s respect for his ability to find the back of the net, but Guimaraes is by far a better embodiment of what it takes to wear the Newcastle badge.
Shearer is the all-time record scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals. Even for a phenomenon like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (who has 94 goals), that will take some beating.
The retired striker said he lived out his “dream” at Newcastle, even though Manchester United came calling when he was at Blackburn Rovers, even though he unlaced his boots and hung them up without any silverware to display across ten campaigns on Tyneside.
Guimaraes bears a trophy in his own cabinet, but he too has had offers from more established superpowers, and he remains when some of his high-level teammates have ventured off for greener pastures.
He wears the armband, and he deserves it. Guimaraes is the leader of this remarkable Howe project, and he is closer to Shearer than Isak ever was.
PIF have overpaid for "mega-money" Newcastle signing & it's not Woltemade
One of Newcastle’s key signings over the summer may well have an “inflated valuation” & it’s not Nick Woltemade.
It was their second-highest successful chase, bringing them only their third win over India in the format
Andrew Fidel Fernando04-May-2025
Nilakshika Silva’s innings changed the game•SLC
A spectacular injection of big-hitting energy from Nilakshika Silva, a steady half-century from Harshitha Samarawickrama, and meaningful contributions from Kavisha Dilhari, and the lower order saw Sri Lanka pull off one of their most impressive ODI chases. It was their second-highest successful chase, bringing them only their third win over India in the format.At the toss, Chamari Athapaththu said a total of around 250 would be par. India surpassed that easily on a slow deck, putting up 275 for 9 on the back of Richa Ghosh’s 58 off 48, which would have been the best innings of the match if not for Silva’s 56 off 33 balls.Sri Lanka’s batters hunted as a pack and reeled the big target in 49.1 overs, at a venue which is notoriously challenging for chasing sides. There were contributions all through the innings. Vishmi Gunaratne struggled through the early overs but scratched her way to a 33. Dilhari made a busy 35 off 32.Harshitha Samarawickrama scored a steady 53•SLC
And then Sri Lanka’s Nos. 8 and 9 – Anushka Sanjeewani and Sugandika Kumari – aced the final assignment. Kumari was the more impressive of the two, as she breezed her way to 19 not out off 20 – her highest international score. Sanjeewani made 23 not out off 28, and hit the winning runs – an aerial sweep that floated over short fine leg, sparking joyful celebrations in the Lankan dugout.The best part of Sri Lanka’s victory, strangely, will be the lack of a major contribution from their talisman captain, even as they were pursuing a big total. Athapaththu came in at No. 4, unusually, with Sri Lanka experimenting with their top five this tournament. She hit 23 off 33, which, in the context of this chase, was only a middling effort. But the team-mates that her lone performances had propped up for years had now come through to steal some limelight for themselves.Chief among the big performers was Silva, who produced arguably the innings of her career so far. She signalled her intentions early – fourth ball, she leapt down the track to Sneh Rana, India’s form bowler, and muscled her over long-on for six. This was only one of three big hits, as she motored her way to a 28-ball 50, hitting five fours as well, targeting the square boundaries either side of the wicket, though she also hit two fours through fine leg. Her best six came off left-arm spinner Shree Charani, whom she ran at and thumped over long-on. No other Sri Lanka batter cleared the rope.When Silva arrived at the crease at Athapaththu’s dismissal, Sri Lanka needed 124 off 107 deliveries. When she was dismissed, they needed 38 off 44. India still had the opportunity to charge back into the game at this point, but Kumari’s early boundaries kept Sri Lanka surging, and Sanjeewani added heft to that final partnership.Richa Ghosh lifted India with a half-century•SLC
Earlier, Samarawickrama had produced a smooth 53 off 61 balls, having been the aggressor in the 78-run second-wicket partnership with Gunaratne.For India, Sneh Rana produced another outstanding performance, picking up three wickets in her ten overs, while conceding 45. Arundhati Reddy, Charani, and Pratika Rawal all claimed a wicket each, but also went at more than six an over – largely Silva’s doing. Reddy’s seventh over, the 37th of the innings, was something of a turning point, as Silva and Dilhari plundered 20 from it, and breathed new life into a doddering chase.India would have been the happier team at the innings break, after Ghosh’s dynamic half-century. She scored her runs almost exclusively in the traditional V, each of her three sixes coming in the narrow arc between straight long-on and wide long-on. Her fours she tended to pump through wide mid-on. Like Silva later, she too was a shot of adrenaline to the India innings, which had been marching to a score of about 250 when Ghosh got there in the 30th over, the score at 145 for 4. But then Ghosh whipped it into a higher gear, in the company of Deepti Sharma in particular.Though Athapaththu did not make a significant contribution with the bat, she took 3 for 43 with the ball (although she did also spill a very simple catch, dropping Jemima Rodrigues on 0). Kumari took 3 for 44, making hers an all-round effort.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca boasts an array of star senior players in his large squad, but certain Cobham academy gems are still seriously impressing him.
In the last week, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has made all the headlines as Chelsea’s next potential rising star after seriously impressing for England’s Under-17s.
The Young Lions starred in a 12-goal thriller, beating Germany 7-5, with Kavuma-McQueen scoring five and setting up another — making plenty of headlines in the process.
While a lot of noise surrounds 15-year-old Arsenal sensation Max Dowman right now – who recently become the second-youngest Premier League debutant in history behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri – there is reason to believe that Kavuma-McQueen could be the next star of England’s conveyor belt of budding starlets.
The 16-year-old is yet to be given a chance in the senior team by Maresca, but if he keeps up this imperious form at junior level, it may just be a matter of time.
Ian Hamilton
16 years, 138 days
1967 vs Tottenham
Kingsley Whiffen
16 years, 157 days
1967 vs Leicester City
Reggie Walsh
16 years, 193 days
2025 vs Djurgarden
Tommy Langley
16 years, 274 days
1974 vs Leicester City
Michael Woods
16 years, 275 days
2007 vs Macclesfield
Tyrique George is perhaps Chelsea’s biggest talent to watch out for right now, and the 19-year-old was on the verge of joining west London rivals Fulham before the £22 million move ultimately collapsed on summer deadline day.
Tyrique George in action for Chelsea.
However, Kavuma-McQueen is emerging as yet another gem produced by Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy set up.
That being said, the left-winger isn’t Chelsea’s only young prodigy who’s turning Maresca’s head right now.
Enzo Maresca watching Reggie Walsh at Chelsea
According to The Mail and journalist Kieran Gill, Kavuma-McQueen is one of three youngsters being closely monitored by Maresca, and of them is 16-year-old midfielder Reggie Walsh.
The Englishman became one of Chelsea’s youngest ever players to make their senior debut back in May, coming off the bench late on during their 4-1 win away to Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final.
Walsh is apparently on Maresca’s Chelsea radar for this season, as per Gill, and he could yet be given a path to more senior football with summer signing Dario Essugo now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after thigh surgery.
The Blues have suddenly found themselves one man lighter in the engine room, with the prospect of more injuries there as Chelsea attempt to navigate the start of this season after a summer tournament and many games in 2024/2025.
Walsh should be given a chance to shine, as his “top quality” has even been noticed by senior stars like Nicolas Jackson.
Maresca also publicly praised the wonderkid, calling him a perfect player for Chelsea’s system.
After months of stories, reports, and rumours, silly season is finally coming to an end, and West Ham United haven’t done half bad.
Fans were understandably worried for a period, but a late flurry, which has seen the arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa, has given them reason to be optimistic.
Moreover, following his celebration against Nottingham Forest, it now looks like Lucas Paqueta will be staying in East London for a little while longer.
One superstar who is moving today is Alexander Isak, and while he’s not coming to the London Stadium, West Ham have been linked with a striker who’s won comparisons to him.
West Ham target Isak-esque goalscorer
According to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, West Ham are now interested in Victor Boniface.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report has revealed that the Hammers are considering a late move for the Bayer Leverkusen star, who remains on the market following his failed medical with AC Milan earlier this summer.
The Italian side were set to sign the Nigerian striker in a deal that would have seen them pay a €5m loan fee and then a €24m buy clause, which comes to around £25m in total.
There is certainly some risk in signing Boniface, but he has proven himself to be a lethal striker in the past and has even been compared to Isak.
How Boniface compares to Isak
While there are some obvious similarities between Boniface and Isak, from their positions to their age range and ability to run in behind players, it goes deeper than that.
According to FBref, the Swedish goalscorer has been the third most similar forward to the Nigerian in Europe’s top-five leagues across the last 365 days.
You can gain a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached by taking a look under the hood, at the underlying numbers in which they rank closely.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.73
0.70
Non-Penalty G+As
0.80
0.82
Progressive Carries
2.32
2.71
Shots on Target
1.52
1.34
Shot-Creating Actions
2.86
3.01
Carries into the Penalty Area
1.34
1.41
Successful Take-On
1.34
1.37
In this instance, that includes metrics such as actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, shot-creating actions, carries into the penalty area, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
In other words, the 24-year-old is a serious goal threat and not just that, but someone who can drag the ball into dangerous areas on his own when needed.
Victor Boniface for Bayer Leverkusen.
However, while having so many statistical similarities to someone as unbelievably talented as Isak is more than encouraging, all that matters for a forward is scoring goals, and thankfully, he has no issue doing so.
For example, in 62 appearances for Leverkusen, totalling 3496 minutes, the “absolute monster” of a striker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored 32 goals and provided 12 assists.
That means he’s averaged a goal involvement every 1.40 games, or every 79.45 minutes, since joining the German outfit, which is a world-class rate of return.
Ultimately, even though there is an element of risk in the deal, West Ham should do what they can to bring in Boniface before the window shuts at 7pm.
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The experienced titan is just what Graham Potter and West Ham United need.
Chelsea are now expected to make an official offer for an “elite” player imminently, and they believe a €50m (£43m) bid will be enough to get a deal over the line, according to a report.
Blues set sights on new defender after Colwill blow
After winning the Club World Cup, things were looking up for the Blues heading into the new Premier League campaign, but they have now been dealt a major blow just one week before their opening match against Crystal Palace.
Indeed, it has been revealed that Levi Colwill is set to spend the vast majority of the 2025-25 campaign on the sidelines as a result of an ACL injury.
The news will be particularly tough to take for Colwill, considering he has now established himself as a first-team regular for Enzo Maresca’s side, starting five games en-route to Club World Cup glory.
However, it is clear the Blues are now eager to bring in a replacement for the 22-year-old, and they are looking to move swiftly, with a report from Spain revealing they are expected to make an offer for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo imminently.
Chelsea believe that a €50m (£43m) bid would be enough to tempt the La Liga champions into a sale, and an official proposal is now in the works, but there could be competition from some rival Premier League clubs.
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He’s eyeing a summer exit from Stamford Bridge.
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Emilio Galantini
Aug 9, 2025
Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United are also named as potential suitors, with Spurs viewing Araujo as a key target, given that they value his leadership qualities and versatility.
"Elite" Araujo could be ideal Colwill replacement
Losing Colwill one week before the Premier League season is set to begin is far from ideal, but it is a good sign that Chelsea are being proactive in the transfer market to find a replacement, and the Barcelona defender could be ideal.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill
Lauded as “elite” by journalist Raj Chohan, the Uruguayan has proven himself at the top level over a sustained period, making 175 appearances for Barcelona, and the centre-back has continued to impress over the past year.
The Uruguay international ranks in the top 2% for aerials won per 90 over the past year, when compared to other centre-backs, and his passing ability could make him the perfect fit in a Maresca system.
Statistic
Average per 90
Passes attempted
77.74% (93rd percentile)
Pass completion %
91.8% (88th percentile)
The only concern over the signing of the 26-year-old will be the fact he has struggled injury-wise over the past few campaigns, missing large parts of the 2024-25 campaign.
Season
Games missed due to injury
2022-23
23
2023-24
8
2024-25
31
That said, Araujo is a proven centre-back at the top level, so it could be a risk worth taking for Chelsea, who urgently need to sign a centre-back.
The ICC’s trophy tour of the Champions Trophy will begin on Saturday from Islamabad in Pakistan but will not go to Muzaffarabad in the first leg of its journey. The BCCI had objected to the trophy’s original route, which included Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, a territory disputed by the two countries.The objection caused the delay in finalising a new route, raising the prospects of the tour being delayed altogether. The PCB had announced the launch and route of the tour on its social media channels on Thursday, catching the ICC by surprise; as it is an ICC event, the protocol is that the global body announces those details.But an alternative route was finalised late on Friday, allowing the tour to begin, as originally planned and announced by the PCB, from Saturday. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy on the first day as it is displayed at well-known landmarks in the capital, including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument.From Islamabad the trophy will go to schools, colleges and landmarks in Abbottabad, Murree and Karachi in the opening leg before heading off on an international tour, taking in the seven other countries who are part of the Champions Trophy.The trophy then returns to Pakistan on January 27, three weeks before the scheduled start of the tournament, with another tour of venues around Pakistan.Less than a 100 days before the start of the tournament, however, there remains no clarity about how much of the event will be played in Pakistan. The BCCI has told the ICC its government will not allow the team to play in Pakistan, raising the possibility of a hybrid model tournament that sees India playing its games outside of Pakistan. The PCB has stood firm against that possibility, however, and insists the entire tournament is played in Pakistan.The PCB has written to the ICC asking the BCCI to put down in writing the exact reasons for its inability to visit, as well as asking the ICC when they were informed of the BCCI’s decision.
Chelsea have a number of players they wish to get off the books before deadline day on September 1, with Blues boss Enzo Maresca set for a few key decisions surrounding high-profile first-team stars.
£50m "game-changer" would now love to join Chelsea despite Arsenal approach
The Blues have been handed a boost in their pursuit of an attacker.
By
Dominic Lund
Jul 21, 2025
Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Nicolas Jackson, João Félix and Alfie Gilchrist have all been linked with the Chelsea exit door in recent weeks.
Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season
Average match rating
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
Benoit Badiashile has also hinted that he could leave Chelsea this summer, with The Athletic’s Simon Johnson reporting they’ll consider offers for Trevoh Chalobah too, despite his heroics during the second half of 2024/2025, so Maresca could oversee a major reshuffle of his defence.
Chelsea have already sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Djordje Petrovic and Mathis Amougou for an estimated total fee of around £100 million, but they remain under pressure from UEFA to balance out their squad.
Failure to do so could even result in Maresca not being able to register new players for their Champions League campaign next season (Kaveh Solhekol), even if Chelsea are currently making a profit after also winning the Club World Cup and taking home £87.5 million.
Financially, Chelsea are in a very good position to carry on signing players, and that is certainly their intent towards the latter stages of this transfer window (Simon Phillips), but they’ll need to seal more departures.
Unofficial swap deals could be a key method that Chelsea utilise to both bring in upgrades and trim their bloated squad (Simon Phillips), with £195,000-per-week forward Christopher Nkunku a potential sacrifice in this regard.
Reports earlier in the window suggested that Chelsea and Man United have explored an exchange involving Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho, and journalist Simon Phillips has now shared an update on the Frenchman’s future.
Chelsea looking to replace Christopher Nkunku as Newcastle eye "surprise" move
Writing via his Substack, the reporter claims that Chelsea are actively looking to replace Nkunku, and Newcastle have emerged as “surprise” suitors for him.
Eddie Howe’s side have expressed an interest, and even though it hasn’t advanced further than that right now, the Magpies are believed to be considering a swoop for the former RB Leipzig sensation.
This follows other audacious claims from Spain that Chelsea offered Nkunku to Real Madrid as part of a two-player swap deal for Rodrygo, but it is unclear whether the west Londoners would propose the versatile attacker for any Newcastle player.
Nkunku, despite not being a firm fixture in Maresca’s starting elevens, still managed double digits in terms of goals scored in all competitions last season, and most recently put in some impressive displays at the CWC.
“Yeah, he’s a top player, we all know his quality, how he is as a player,” teammate Felix told the media about Nkunku last campaign.
“We already saw him doing amazing things at Leipzig. And yeah, I like to play with him. I think we think the game kind of like the same way. So I think he already know what I’m going to do, and I know what he’s going to do. I think it’s pretty easy to play with him. I think we connect very well.”
يستعد عشاق الكرة الفرنسية لمواجهة مرتقبة مساء اليوم الإثنين، والتي سوف تجمع بين نادي باريس سان جيرمان ونظيره أوليمبيك مارسيليا، في اللقاء المعروف بالكلاسيكو ، وذلك لحساب قمة الأسبوع من بطولة الدوري الفرنسي.
ويسعى باريس سان جيرمان إلى الفوز على مارسيليا من أجل تعزيز صدارته لبطولة الدوري الفرنسي، في اللقاء الذي سوف يلعب على ملعب فيلودروم.
اقرأ أيضًا .. رودري يكشف عن ترشيحاته للفائز بالكرة الذهبية 2025
وسوف تقام مباراة الكلاسيكو الفرنسي في نفس وقت حفل الكرة الذهبية، مما أثار الكثير من الجدل حول موعد اللقاء.
وفي هذا السياق، صب الصحفي الفرنسي المعروف، دانيال ريولو، جم غضبه على إدارة باريس سان جيرمان في ظل عدم احترامها لمواجهة الكلاسيكو أمام أوليمبيك مارسيليا.
وذكرت صحيفة سبورت ، أن مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان ومارسيليا قد تم تأجيلها إلى اليوم الإثنين، بعدما كان من المفترض أن تلعب يوم أمس الأحد، في ظل خطر هطول أمطار غزيرة على مارسيليا والتي تعتبر مدينة ساحلية وتقع في جنوب فرنسا.
وأضافت الصحيفة، أنه وفقًا للوائح رابطة الدوري الفرنسي في حال تعذر إقامة اللقاء في موعده يتم تأجيله إلى موعد لاحق، أو يتم استثناف اللقاء من لحظة توقفه بسبب سوء الأحوال الجوية.
وأوضحت الصحيفة، أن غضب ريولو من باريس سان جيرمان يعود إلى سعي الفريق الفرنسي إلى محاولة جعل المباراة تلعب في الساعة 3 أو 5 مساءً، حرصًا على حضور لاعبي باريس والجهاز الفني حفل الكرة الذهبية الذي سيقام في مسرح دو شاتليه في باريس مساء اليوم.
ووصف ريولو موقف باريس سان جيرمان من تغيير موعد المباراة بأنه قلة احترام للجماهير وللكلاسيكو.
وقال ريولو: ”إلى أي مدى يمكن لباريس سان جيرمان أن يصل؟ اللعب في الثالثة أو الخامسة مساءًا! من المؤسف اقتراح هذا، إنه قلة احترام مطلقة وهذا يعني أنك لا تهتم إطلاقًا بقيمة هذه المباراة ولا يهمك إن كان جمهور الفريق الذي يستضيفك سيتمكن من الحضور أم سيضطر لأخذ يوم راحة لأنه ليس الوقت المناسب بالنسبة لك كناد”.
واختتم: ”تقديم هذا الاقتراح يعني أن باريس سان جيرمان لا يكترث لهذه المباراة وأن كل ما يهمهم هو حفل الكرة الذهبية، هذه هي الرسالة التي بعث بها باريس بهذه المقترحات. على أي حال أعتقد أن أولمبيك مارسيليا لم يكن ليقبلها أبدًا احترامًا للجماهير. نعم يأتي حفل الكرة الذهبية في وقت غير مناسب وهكذا هو الوضع، لكن هذا لن يمنعنا من رؤية ديمبلي وهو فائز بالجائزة، حيث هناك احتمال كبير أن يحصل عليها وسيكون احتفالًا كبيرًا”.
Arsenal are ready to splash the cash in a serious show of ambition this summer, with Mikel Arteta and co desperate to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title, which has spanned over 20 years.
Arsenal convinced they can seal "huge signing" after "showdown talks"
The Gunners are growing in optimism.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 5, 2025
Sporting director Andrea Berta has already sealed deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter two unofficial but confirmed by multiple reliable media sources.
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
£5m
Arsenal will pay around £56 million for Zubimendi, with all documents regarding the Spaniard’s transfer signed and finalised, while Norgaard has apparently undergone the first part of his medical in N5.
Berta has shown a tendency to spin many plates at once when it comes to transfer targets, with Arsenal also believed to be after two new wide players. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke have all been linked this week, but signing a right and left-winger could depend on whether Berta sells one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli.
In any case, Arsenal have been working on deals for Eze and another star for the left-hand side (Fabrizio Romano), all while actively seeking their desired new striker – which could be one of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal are advancing talks for Sesko and Gyokeres, before deciding which one would best suit the club’s needs both in a financial sense and on the field.
However, one player who’s likelier to arrive before any of the aforementioned attackers is Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Arsenal enter "decisive" phase of talks for Cristhian Mosquera
As per CaughtOffside, Arsenal have entered their “decisive” phase of talks for Mosquera, who’s already agreed personal terms over a move to the Emirates.
The versatile centre-back could come as a like-for-like replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who mutually shook hands on a contract termination this week following his Arsenal injury hell.
Real Betis' Vitor Roque in action with Valencia'sCristhianMosquera
Arteta’s side have seen a £12 million offer rejected for Mosquera, but are planning to go back in with a new bid which could be as high as £26 million, including bonuses and add-ons.
The Spaniard is said to be very keen on joining Arsenal and even snubbed a new contract proposal from Valencia, with Berta said to be edging closer to a full agreement.
The move could be sealed pretty soon, and barring any unexpected twists, Mosquera appears poised to become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window.
Footall Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes him as an “elite” young player, with Mosquera playing more minutes than any other player under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues last season.