Man City target Wolves defender Ait-Nouri
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Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I'm joining Arteta's team – I tried for Liverpool deal and caused Man Utd rift'
Former Manchester United star Gabriel Heinze once was regarded as a legend in the making at the club. Joining the Red Devils from PSG in 2004, a Premier League title followed as the Old Trafford faithful adored his full-blooded commitment on the pitch – until he tried to leave United under hugely controversial circumstances. Heinze's next move was viewed as self-sabotage of the highest order as the Argentinian star set fire to his United legacy when he attempted to force a move to Liverpool in the summer of 2007. In doing so he subsequently broke one of English football's most sacred yet unwritten rules: players not move from United to their bitter rivals and vice-versa. Heinze, now 47, is now set to join Mikel Arteta 's coaching staff at Arsenal ahead of the new season as the Gunners are in the midst of a coaching reshuffle, with former assistant Carlos Cuesta having departed for Parma. Heinze's return to the Premier League will no doubt ignite memories of one of English football's most brutal transfer sagas of when the Argentinian was seeking to traipse the M62 divide and join then-manager Rafa Benitez at Liverpool. The controversial switch would have made him the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to move directly between the two sides. Yet the union of Heinze and Liverpool will always be a case of 'What if?' Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson spectacularly dug his heels in to ensure that the defender would never get his wish. It began as Heinze's agent, Roberto Rodriguez, was reportedly informed by United's then-chief executive David Gill that he could leave for £6.8million. Yet United never foresaw that the full-back would clamour for a switch to their greatest rivals. An offer matching United's valuation was then indeed lodged by the Reds. However, the Red Devils knocked back Liverpool's proposal, to Heinze's dismay, and so lawyers were consulted. "I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze. We can put that to bed right now and we have done so," Ferguson told Sky Sports at the time. The legendary United boss also claimed United were in the driving seat over the move. Benitez however was left stunned by United's refusal to play ball. "It's clear he's a player we like and he's a very good player," Liverpool's Spanish boss said. "That's the reason why they don't want him to leave for us." In another twist to one of the Premier League's bloodiest transfer tussles, it later emerged that Crystal Palace were offered the chance to buy Heinze by a South American-based agency, and then sell him to Liverpool straight after. This would allegedly pocket the Eagles £1m in compensation, as revealed by former Palace chairman Simon Jordan in his memoir, Be Careful What You Wish For. "My stance was no way were we getting involved and I told Alexander to contact David Gill, Manchester United 's chief executive, and tell him of these attempted shenanigans, which he duly did," Jordan wrote. Heinze and his agent eventually took the case to a Premier League arbitration panel in a bid to engineer the move. However, Jordan's evidence was later used in the hearing which saw United prevail. After losing the right to move to Liverpool, Heinze told the Daily Mail: "My fight is for the freedom to negotiate with any club. United never wanted me to leave for one of the big clubs, but this anti-Liverpool clause is incredible." Liverpool were reportedly expecting Heinze to appeal. Yet a late charge never materialised from the player as United accepted a bid from Real Madrid. "I don't have many regrets from my career as a footballer, but that episode with Ferguson [has] to be one of them," Heinze later said of the ordeal. "I spent three years in Manchester and had some great moments and I regret [leaving the club] a lot." After United, Heinze went on to play for Madrid, Marseille and Roma. The ex-Argentina international called time on his career in 2014 and has since ventured into management, however he has been out of work since November 2023. Arteta and Heinze previously played together at PSG but they will now reunite at the Emirates Stadium. It's fully expected that Heinze's journey to work at another of United's fierce rivals will be without drama this time around.
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Ipswich striker Hirst signs new four-year deal
Ipswich Town striker George Hirst has signed a new four-year deal at the 26, has made 81 appearances and scored 19 goals for the club since joining on loan from Leicester City in January signed a permanent deal in July 2023, and played a part in the club's back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League."I've enjoyed every single day at the club since joining, and am really pleased to have signed a new deal," George told the club website, external. "We have achieved so much as a team, group and club over the last few years and to be part of that going forward, and hopefully achieving even more, is really exciting for me."Manager Kieran McKenna said: "We're very pleased George has decided to extend his stay at the club."George has had a big impact on the progression of the club over the last two-and-a-half-years."
BreakingNews.ie
44 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Pedro Neto could miss Chelsea quarter-final after death of Diogo Jota
Pedro Neto could miss Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras following the death of his fellow Portugal international Diogo Jota. Liverpool forward Jota, who also played alongside Neto at Wolves, died on Thursday following a car crash in Spain. Advertisement Neto did not train following the news and manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will be granted compassionate leave should he want it. Pedro Neto (centre left), could miss Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final after the death of Diogo Jota (right) (Bradley Collyer/PA) The Blues face the Brazilian outfit on Friday evening (2am Saturday UK) at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: 'It's a very sad day. I struggle to find words because it's very difficult, the feeling that you have is of helplessness in this kind of situation. 'The only thing I can say is all my love to his family, the people in this moment. It's a big tragedy for them. Advertisement 'In terms of Pedro it is very sad, probably more than sad. 'It's completely Pedro's decision. I had a chat with Pedro and we support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one. 'It doesn't matter if he'll be on the pitch or not. We'll see how he is feeling but, in any case, we're going to support him.' Chelsea Football Club has agreed a deal to sign teenage forward Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, with the Brazilian to officially join Chelsea next summer. 🤝 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 22, 2024 The game could see Chelsea come up against the teenage Brazilian forward Estevao Willian, who is due to join them after the tournament. Advertisement The highly-rated 18-year-old agreed a move to Stamford Bridge last year and the current competition in the United States is his final assignment with Palmeiras. Maresca said: 'When we prepare for games, we prepare thinking about the team, not the players that are on the other side, and we have done exactly the same in this game. 'We prepare for the game against Palmeiras, not against Estevao. In this moment he is a Palmeiras player. 'We don't care if in the future he will be with us when this competition is finished. The only thing we are focused on is doing our best to try to beat Palmeiras.' Advertisement Chelsea have a fitness doubt over Romeo Lavia due to a muscular injury and fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended. JP. 🇧🇷🔥 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 3, 2025 Forward Joao Pedro could make his debut after completing his £60million move from Brighton earlier this week. Maresca said: 'Joao's situation is a bit strange or different because he was on holiday. Even if he was working it is not the same when you work for yourself, compared with when you work with the team. 'But we are very happy with Joao. In the last two days he worked with us. We'll see if we need him and if we have a chance to give him some minutes we're going to give him some minutes.' Advertisement
