'Chelsea deserve a lot more credit'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
Chelsea agree deal to sign Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target
Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Ajax full-back Jorrel Hato, according to reports. The Blues have set out their stall in the summer transfer market, completing deals for Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr for a combined fee of around £190million. But the Europa Conference League winners are determined to further bolster Enzo Maresca's first-team squad before the deadline and attentions have turned to bringing in defensive reinforcements. Reports emanating out of the Netherlands earlier this summer claimed Hato's camp had held initial discussions over a proposed transfer move to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal and Liverpool have also been credited with a strong interest in Horrel, 19, who was last season named the Eredivisie Talent of the Season. 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. But the versatile Dutchman, who can play at left-back and centre-half, was said to have been perceptive to Chelsea's advances and talks have been advancing at a pace in recent weeks. According to Fabrizio Romano, Horrel has now asked Ajax to leave and informed the Eredivise outfit of his desire to join Chelsea having agreed personal terms with the Blues. It's claimed negotiations over a possible fee of €40million (£35m) are now in their 'final stages'. Just hours earlier, Romano reported that Chelsea were firmly in the driving seat to wrap up an agreement for the highly rated teenager, as well as RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Hato's agent, Humphry Nijman, said: 'Yes, the club [Chelsea] have contacted Ajax.' Hato made 50 appearances in all competitions last season and played a key role as Ajax narrowly missed out on the Eredivisie title after finishing just one point behind PSV Eindhoven. The youngster's current contract in Amsterdam runs through to June 2028. In a wide-ranging interview with Ajax's official website last month, Hato opened up on the goals and ambitions he hoped to fulfil in his career. At the time, the defender was keen to stress that he felt at 'home' at Ajax. More Trending He said: 'The smartest thing is to look ahead to pre-season, that's what I do. 'Of course you want to achieve things in the end: the Champions League, a World Cup and a European Championship, I still have plenty of time. I don't think I absolutely have to win the Champions League in two years. 'In the Dutch league, you have to show how good you are against the big clubs. Ultimately, I have to continue to develop the things I am already good at, so that it becomes top. 'How do I describe my time at Ajax? Ajax is home for me. I just feel at home here.' MORE: Liverpool announce Hugo Ekitike signing from Eintracht Frankfurt MORE: Gary Lineker makes Marcus Rashford prediction after Man Utd forward joins Barcelona MORE: Jose Mourinho dismisses Chelsea win at Club World Cup
Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres denied dream Arsenal shirt number but second-choice still available
Viktor Gyokeres is finally set to join Arsenal after the Gunners made a breakthrough in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, agreeing to pay a total £63.7million after haggling over add-ons Arsenal won't be able to hand Viktor Gyokeres his dream shirt number when the Swedish striker completes his £63.7million move to the Emirates. Gyokeres, 27, has been determined to join the Gunners throughout the summer transfer window and is on the verge of getting his wish. Personal terms have long been agreed but the finer details of the agreement between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon took weeks to finalise. The Portuguese giants champions, who Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games far, were haggling over the nature of the add-ons which made up part of Arsenal's bid. The Guardian report that Mikel Arteta's side made a late-night breakthrough on Tuesday, with the Gunners boss having been forced to bat away questions about the former Coventry City star in the first few days of their pre-season tour of Asia. Following Wednesday's 1-0 win against AC Milan in Singapore, Arteta reiterated: "You know that I am not going to play against any player that is not with us yet." The Arsenal manager's comments reflect what he said on Monday after his squad landed in Asia. "I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet," he told reporters. "When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player we will do that." But Arteta is set to change his tune once Gyokeres completes his medical and puts pen to paper on a five-year contract. The Sweden international will hope to take his prolific form from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League - but he won't have the same number on his back. Gyokeres has worn the No.9 shirt since he joined Sporting from Coventry in 2023. That number at Arsenal belongs to Gabriel Jesus, who until a long-term injury was linked with a move away this summer. During his two full seasons at Coventry, Gyokeres wore the No.17 shirt. That's currently taken by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who's also been tipped to leave north London. Interestingly, though, the No.10 shirt remains vacant. Emile Smith Rowe's departure last summer gives the 27-year-old the chance to inherit a prestigious shirt number worn by Paul Merson, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Mesut Ozil. Another iconic number which is available is the No.14, most famously worn by Thierry Henry. Other Arsenal greats to wear the shirt include Martin Keown, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alan Smith, Ray Parlour and Kevin Campbell. Gyokeres has only worn the No.10 shirt at youth level while his other numbers after turning professional have been 12, 14, 42 and 9. Other vacant numbers at Arsenal include 10, 14, 25, 26, 34 and 35. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Liverpool complete signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt
Liverpool have completed the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. A deal was reached between the two clubs on Monday for the 23-year-old to join Arne Slot's Premier League champions, which the PA news agency understands to be for a guaranteed £69million plus a potential £10million in add-ons. The striker, who scored 22 goals for Frankfurt in all competitions last season, flew to England on Tuesday to undergo a medical ahead of the deal's completion and will now travel to Asia to join his new Liverpool team-mates on their pre-season tour. We have reached an agreement for the transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, subject to international clearance 😎 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2025 PA understands Newcastle and Manchester United had been interested in Ekitike, whose capture continues Liverpool's summer spending spree. Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in an initial £100m deal that could rise to £116m, while Jeremie Frimpong also joined from the German club in a £29.5m switch and Milos Kerkez left Bournemouth for £40m. Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Liverpool after agreeing a move from Valencia last August, along with fellow goalkeepers Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.
