Do West Ham struggle to attract 'big name' players? Transfer window Q&A
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Daily Mirror
12 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.
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Americans swoop on yet another UK fintech champion: Corpay to buy FTSE 250 Alpha Group in £1.8bn deal
Another British fintech champion is to be bought by American predators – in a deal worth £1.8billion. The board of Alpha Group – led by former Virgin Money boss Jayne-Anne Gadhia – has accepted a bid from US payments giant Corpay. Shares in the FTSE 250 payments company soared more than 25 per cent after bosses recommended that investors back a sweetened 4250p-per-share offer. The deal comes amid a mounting crisis as a takeover frenzy accelerates. Research from broker Peel Hunt shows the UK is on course for the biggest year of takeovers since 2021, after £74billion of offers in the first half of 2025. Scientific testing firm Spectris has agreed to be bought by American private equity firm KKR for £4.7billion in the biggest deal of the year after a bidding war with Advent International. US semiconductor group Qualcomm is to buy British chipmaker Alphawave for £1.8billion and Deliveroo was swooped on by DoorDash with a £2.9billion offer. Another takeover battle saw Primary Health Properties beat KKR to buy GP surgery owner Assura for £1.8billion. And companies are switching listings to New York, with fintech darling Wise the latest planning to defect. Meanwhile, a lack of fresh listings through initial public offerings means they are not being replaced. Alpha turned down Corpay's initial £1.2billion offer in May but, after talks, the latest bid is a 55 per cent premium to Alpha's undisturbed share price of 2745p on May 1, before news of the takeover interest became public. Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'The market completely misjudged how much Corpay would offer, judging by the share price jump on the formal bid. 'While the shares enjoyed a little bump on the initial approach, the market didn't price in a successful bid. The fact Alpha rejected a proposal made it clear to Corpay that it would have to dig a lot deeper or walk away. 'It got the message loud and clear and Corpay looks to have gone in with its best offer. 'The 55 per cent bid premium is much more generous than the 40 per cent average seen across UK-listed takeovers so far in 2025.' Corpay, an S&P 500 company with a market capitalisation of around £17billion, has its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Following the sale, Alpha will continue to be based in London. But there could be 'possible role overlaps' in some administrative and head office functions, the companies have warned. If job cuts are made solely within Alpha's business, it could affect up to 13 per cent of staff. The takeover, which must be approved by 75 per cent of shareholders, is expected to complete in the final quarter of the year. Alpha chairman Gadhia said: 'I am delighted Corpay has made an offer which the board considers to be in the best interests of shareholders, clients and staff.' Corpay boss Ronald Clarke said: 'We couldn't be happier to acquire Alpha.'
The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Luke Littler stuns World Matchplay Darts with one of his greatest ever comebacks agaisnt Jermaine Wattimena
Luke Littler completed one of his finest EVER comebacks to book his place in the World Matchplay Darts quarter-finals. The world champion, 18, slipped to being 4-0 DOWN to Jermaine Wattimena with a total collapse at the beginning of their second round clash. 2 2 Wattimena, 37, is the highest ranked player in the world without a PDC title to his name. So knocking Littler out would have been a seismic shock, and one that looked very real when he restored his four-leg lead to go 7-3 ahead. Yet Littler - who crashed out in the opening round of the World Matchplay last year - had other ideas. He won four legs on the trot to restore the scores, and then stormed into the lead for the first time in the entire match to make the scores 8-7. Wattimena missed a crucial bullseye to make the scores 9-9, but Littler could not capitalise, and the Dutchman eventually levelled proceedings. In the first to 11 clash, players must win by two clear legs, so Littler needed to break his opponent's throw to seal victory - before sudden death should scores reach 13-13. Wattimena refused to make it easy for his opponent, however, restoring the scores to 10-10. With Littler making it 11-10, Wattimena HAD to hold his throw. And that he did. Littler finally broke Wattimena's throw with a double 20 to complete the epic comeback and book his place in round three. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
