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Monday's briefing: Arsenal sign Zubimendi but no Vardy party at Rangers yet

Monday's briefing: Arsenal sign Zubimendi but no Vardy party at Rangers yet

Rhyl Journal07-07-2025
Arsenal have signed midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
The Spain international, 26, moves to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term deal after the Gunners reportedly triggered his £51million release clause.
Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.
Zubimendi told the club website: 'This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.
'I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.'
Forward Lauren Hemp insists England know what is at stake when they play the Netherlands on Wednesday as they bid to keep their European title defence alive.
The Lionesses' backs are against the wall after suffering an tournament-opening 2-1 defeat to France to set up what is already being billed as a 'must-win' meeting with 2017 champions the Netherlands.
'This team, a lot of the time, we thrive under pressure,' said Manchester City forward Hemp. 'Obviously it's one of those situations. Every game we go into, we want to win.
'From how we acted in the last 10 minutes (against France), we know what's at stake, and obviously we want to get as far as we can.
'We are reigning champions. It is important to remember that and gain confidence from that.'
Russell Martin refused to be drawn on reports linking Rangers with a move for former England and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.
The 38-year-old forward, who has seen a move to Genoa fall through, has now been heavily touted for a switch to Ibrox after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season.
Recently appointed Rangers boss Martin remained coy but refused to dismiss the prospect, when asked after his side's 2-2 pre-season friendly draw at home to Club Brugge on Sunday if Vardy was a target.
'I think I've been asked about so many players,' he said. 'Some miles away, some on the money. So basically, I'm not going to give you an answer on that.
'But I guess you'll find out who's real and who's not in the next few weeks.'
R̶e̶c̶u̶p̶e̶r̶a̶c̶i̶ó̶n̶.̶̶T̶r̶a̶b̶a̶j̶o̶ ̶e̶n̶ ̶L̶a̶u̶s̶a̶n̶n̶e̶.̶𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 ✅
🔜 Jornada 2 (Fase de grupos).#WEURO2025 | #JugarLucharYGanar pic.twitter.com/NjOHIiERXP
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 6, 2025
In the women's Euros, Spain continue their Group B campaign against Belgium, while Portugal take on Italy.
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Paul Gascoigne seen in TNT Sports trailer for new Premier League season filmed just weeks before hospital dash

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