Viktor Gyokeres 'has Arsenal FC change of heart' after Manchester United contact
Gyokeres was then said to have told friends and family that he will sign for Arsenal this summer, despite the Gunners being in talks with both Sporting and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko over summer deals, before making a decision on one.
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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Valencia captain sends message to Mosquera as club respond to Arsenal bid
Valencia captain Jose Gaya has encouraged Cristhian Mosquera to ignore strong interest from Arsenal and 'continue growing' with the La Liga club. Arsenal have been keeping close tabs on Mosquera's progress for some time and tested Valencia's resolve with an opening bid to lure the young defender to the Emirates in recent days. But this offer was rejected out of hand by Valencia, with the Spanish outfit refusing to be bullied and holding out for a fee in the region of £17million for the highly rated 21-year-old centre-back. The Gunners are intent on strengthening at centre-half to provide greater support and competition for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes next season and Mosquera has emerged as the club's primary target. Dean Huijsen had been heavily linked before leaving Bournemouth for Real Madrid earlier this summer, while Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Roma's Evan N'Dicka are rumoured to be among Arsenal's other potential options. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The north Londoners are not alone in wanting to sign Mosquera, though, and Mikel Arteta's side may have to beat off competition from RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Premier League rivals Aston Villa for the Spain Under-21 international. 'I would like them to continue growing here because they can still bring a lot of joy to the fans,' Valencia skipper Gaya told A Punt when pressed on rumours Cesar Tarrega, Yarek Gasiorowski and Mosquera could all leave the club this summer. Gaya is 'excited' and looking forward to next season, confident Valencia can improve on their 12th-placed finish in the Spanish top flight last term. 'It is important to start well,' the Spain international added. 'We have to try to give everything to have a good year and continue what we did in the final stretch of La Liga. '[Our young players] must fight for their dreams because with desire, enthusiasm and work, anything can be achieved.' Mosquera has just 12 months remaining on his current deal at the Mestalla, but Valencia have the option to extend this contract beyond 2026. Valencia's hierarchy wish to insert a release clause of around €35m (£30m) in any new deal, but Mosquera's camp insist this figure should be no higher than €25m (£21m). More Trending Mosquera joined Valencia's academy ranks aged just 12 back in 2016 and the Spaniard has gone on to make 90 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood team in that time. While Mosquera is yet to win any silverware at club level, the youngster was an integral part of Spain's squad that won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Arsenal are also determined to bolster their attacking options before this summer's transfer deadline, with Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko at the top of the Gunners' wishlist at centre-forward. Out wide, meanwhile, Arsenal are looking at Chelsea's Noni Madueke, Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea agree £55m deal and make decision over Emiliano Martinez transfer MORE: Harvey Elliott taunts Germany with wild gesture as England win Under-21 Euros MORE: Nick Woltemade reaches agreement with next club after Chelsea approach
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Who is Michelle Agyemang? England striker claims Euros place after ‘flattening' Leah Williamson
Michelle Agyemang knows how to make an impression. Leah Williamson still remembers the first time she saw the 19-year-old join in with the senior team at Arsenal, and perhaps even has the bruise to prove it. 'She come and flattened me,' Williamson says. 'I was too slow on it and I think I gave her a bit of stick about it, but in my head I thought: 'You need to move the ball quicker, because she's got something about her'.' England's captain was left similarly impressed as she discusses Agyemeng's impact at another training session a few years later, this time at St George's Park before the Lionesses head to Euro 2025. 'I was screaming for a pass and she put it top bins, and I thought: 'I ain't going to say nothing',' Williamson says. 'So my first impression was she let me know she was there, which I love. As a young player coming through, you can do all the fancy flicks and tricks you want, but somebody needs to know about you, and you need to tell people that you're there, and that's what she does.' It's a big introduction, but then Agyemang has made a big arrival to be the youngest player to be included in England's Euros squad. Back in April, Agyemeng was a last-minute call-up to England's senior squad ahead of the trip to Belgium, after Alessia Russo took a knock in their previous win and was forced to withdraw. With the Lionesses trailing in the second half, Sarina Wiegman turned to the teenager and within seconds, Agyemeng brought down a long ball on her thigh, swivelled, and fired a first-time volley into the net. A debut goal could not help England avoid defeat, but that night in Belgium may well be remembered as the moment where Agyemang made her mark: certainly, it's hard to imagine how the striker, who spent last season on loan at Brighton from Arsenal, could have made England's Euros squad without those 41 seconds unfolding as they did. In another world, she is spending her summer at the Under-19s Euros instead. 'The turnaround has been really quick,' Agyemeng says. And not just this season, either. Take Wiegman's first game in charge of the Lionesses at Wembley, a 4-0 victory over Northern Ireland in October 2021, secured by a Beth Mead hat-trick. Agyemeng played her part, too, but as a ballgirl on the sidelines. By that stage, those at Arsenal had a sense of what was coming. A lifelong Gunner, she signed for Arsenal at the age of six. She made her first-team debut at the age of 16, before loan spells at Watford and, last season, Brighton. Agyemang scored three goals in the Women's Super League for the Seagulls, where she learned to be more versatile. 'I consider myself a striker, but playing across the front three at Brighton was a challenge for me and it's helped me improve.' Agyemang is one of seven forwards in the England squad. The teenager comes with the least experience, but also perhaps an unknown quality for opponents to deal with. 'Something completely different,' Williamson said when asked what Agyemang can bring to the tournament. 'Michelle's athleticism is something I can only dream of. Playing against her, training against her at Arsenal as well I knew about Michelle before she came into this environment. Her first training session was just a demonstration of what she was about. 'I think it's good to know who you are but she knows how much I believe in her. So whenever I have a conversation [with Michelle], it's always about wanting her to be in the best environment to push herself as far as she can go. But I think those strengths, it's things that we don't necessarily have, which is a strength for me and the reason that she's here. It adds value.' Agyemang's coach at Brighton, Dario Vidosic, believes she can be a 'household name' in the future. 'She's got a beautiful strike, she knows how to hit a ball, she's dangerous, she possesses a lot of weapons,' he said earlier this season. And perhaps England have a secret one, even if Agyemang is keeping her feet on the ground. 'For myself personally, keeping my head down, getting ready for the tournament and whatever my role is, that's my main priority,' she says. 'And I'm sure that's the same for any other player going into a main tournament.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Arsenal and Man United 'given boost in pursuit of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres as Portuguese club grant wantaway star extended break'
Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly been given some extra time off this summer with his future yet to be resolved. Arsenal and Manchester United are both reportedly interested in signing the Sweden international, who has scored 97 goals in 102 matches in two seasons in Portugal. He is believed to have contacted Sporting president Frederico Varandas to demand a transfer but Sporting's valuation remains an issue. Gyokeres is said to have believed that he reached a gentleman's agreement with Sporting last summer that would see the Portuguese league champions accept a fee around €70million (£60m), including add-ons, at the end of the 2024-25 season. However, Sporting are now appearing to hold out for a significantly increased fee - with Gyokeres having a €100m (£84m) release clause in his current contract. The 27-year-old was seen enjoying his holidays on the Greek island of Mykonos this past week with Sporting's pre-season preparations set to begin on Tuesday. However, The Sun claim he has been told that he can return on July 7, meaning more time to negotiate with his Premier league admirers. Despite Gyokeres' apparent agitation for a move, Varandas accused his team of attempting to 'blackmail' Sporting, while he reportedly threatened to go on strike after vowing to 'speak at the right time'. Now Gyokeres has made his thoughts clear to Varandas in a phone call, where he told him he wants to join Arsenal and should be allowed to after 'giving everything for the club,' according to Portuguese publication Record. The report claims that the Swede will refuse to return to Lisbon and will 'never forgive those responsible' if a move to Arsenal breaks down. Arsenal are also exploring options over the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who is believed to be sporting director Andrea Berta's preferred option over Gyokeres. Sources close to the club suggest that Sporting Lisbon's keenness to offload Gyokeres has become clearer by the day and arguably weakened their hand as they hold out for their valuation.
