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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal target stunning Eze transfer swoop years after leaving star 'in tears'
Arsenal have contacted Eberechi Eze's representatives to discuss signing the Crystal Palace star, who they released aged 13 but are interested in signing this summer Arsenal could be about to offer Eberechi Eze the chance to resurrect his childhood dream. The Gunners are interested the signing the Crystal Palace star, who enjoyed his best season yet last term. Eze, 26, memorably scored the winning goal for Palace in this year's FA Cup final and has made himself regular in England squads. And now the playmaker could be set for Champions League football. Mirror Football reported on Friday that talks between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and Eze's representatives have taken place, and the Gunners are now considering triggering his £68million release clause. Arsenal would be competing with north London rivals Tottenham, as new Spurs boss Thomas Frank is understood to be a big fan of the 26-year-old. But Berta could make use a trump card thanks to Eze's past. The England international played for Arsenal as a youngster, only to be released aged 13 in a crushing blow to his hopes of becoming a professional footballer. "I remember crying in my room for a solid week, my mum telling me that it's going to be okay but not being able to get over it," Eze told the Independent in 2020. "Then I went to Fulham and I was finally starting to enjoy my football again. "We played Arsenal a few months later but, when I went over to shake the academy manager's hand, I started welling up. All the feelings came back." Eze's eventual breakthrough with Queens Park Rangers was testament to his resilience, having also been snubbed by Millwall and Sunderland. The future Wembley hero considered quitting football and getting a part-time job at Tesco before QPR snapped him up. The pain of his early struggles still fuels him, telling BBC Sport in May: "I remember the deflation. But all I kept asking myself was: 'When's the next trial? When's the next trial?'" Should Arsenal pay £68million for Eberechi Eze? Have your say in the comments section. Eze is under contract at Palace until 2027 and the Eagles will be hoping to convince him to stay for at least one more season after they qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup. Their entry, however, is subject to a UEFA decision over whether or not both Palace and French giants Lyon can be in European competition due to shared ownership links. "I really hope that that's not the case and I hope that Palace do get the reward for that (FA Cup win), because of what it took to actually achieve it," Eze commented last month. "It would be a huge shame if that was the case, but I'm trusting that it will work out in the end. I'm sure it will work itself out and it should work itself out, because there are players who have worked to be in this position. "There are fans who have been with the team throughout the whole season and experienced everything. It would be unfortunate, but I'm positive that it won't be the case."
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace's Europa League hopes hang in the balance after Lyon agreement
Crystal Palace earned a place in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, but UEFA's multi-club ownership rules threaten their participation amid a nervous wait for a decision Lyon have struck a deal with UEFA which they hope will pave the way for them to play in the Europa League next season. The announcement could spell bad news for Crystal Palace, whose own participation in Europe is up in the air. Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to earn a place in the 2025/26 Europa League, but UEFA's multi-club ownership rules have thrown a spanner in the works. Eagle Football Holdings, who have a 43 per cent stake in Palace, are also the owners of Lyon and UEFA doesn't allow two clubs with the same owners to compete in the same competition. John Textor, of Eagle Football Holdings, announced on Monday that he had sold his stake to US billionaire Woody Johnson for £190million in an effort to rectify the issue. But that deal still has to be ratified by the Premier League because Johnson, who also owns NFL franchise the New York Jets, has to pass the owners' and directors' test. The situation was further complicated by the news on Tuesday that Lyon had been relegated from Ligue 1 due to financial issues. The French giants finished sixth in Ligue 1 but saw their demotion confirmed by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG). Nevertheless, they have now announced that they should be able to keep their place in the Europa League next season, despite playing in Ligue 2. 'After validating its financial viability procedure, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has signed an agreement with UEFA's club financial control body,' the statement read. 'The club could thus participate in the Europa League competition next season, subject to a favorable outcome during the appeal of the DNCG's decision. OL thanks to the UEFA representatives who supported it in this procedure.' Eagle Football Holdings are reported to have mounted up debts of around £422m to fall foul of the regulators. But chiefs Textor and Michael Gerlinger are understood to have personally given financial presentations to provide guarantees and reassurances to UEFA's Club Financial Control Body. According to reports in France, Textor has reportedly promised a €35m (£30m) investment to steady the ship. But it remains to be seen whether the DNCG and UEFA have different interpretations of Lyon's finances. Palace are remaining hopeful that Textor's decision to sell the club to Johnson will allow them to compete in the Europa League next season. A decision from UEFA is expected by the end of the month after club officials flew to Switzerland for high-stakes talks. A club statement earlier this week read: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson 'Woody', an American businessman and co-owner of the New York Jets, has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football's holding in the Club. 'Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women's Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club. We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Young Watford winger reunited with Barrow boss
Young Watford winger Michael Adu-Poku has again linked up with Andy Whing after joining Barrow on a season-long loan. The 19-year-old played under the League Two club's head coach when he was in charge at Solihull Moors last season and Adu-Poku is pleased to have the opportunity to work again with the former Coventry and Brighton defender and his assistant Craig Pead. Advertisement Michael Adu-Poku in action for the Hornets last season. (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC) 'Obviously, being with them at Solihull, they contributed towards my progression in men's football and gave me a lot of opportunities, so them bringing me here is a great compliment,' Adu-Poku told the club website. Whing said: 'Having worked with Michael previously, I'm delighted to be able to bring him in and work with him again. 'He provides out-and-out pace and gives us something completely different to what we've already got. 'I'd like to extend a big thanks to Watford for trusting us and me again in aiding Michael's development this year.' Advertisement This is the fifth loan move in the young career of Adu-Poku, who made his Hornets debut in the FA Cup at Reading in January 2023 and followed this with his first league appearance against Rotherham United at Vicarage Road two weeks later. He then spent time on loan with the Hornets' neighbours Kings Langley before joining Maidstone United in March 2024 where he made six appearances in National League South. Having signed a new three-year deal at Vicarage Road in October, Adu-Poku linked up with Whing and Pead for the first time at Solihull where he made 13 appearances in the National League, scoring once. He was recalled by the Hornets in January and came off the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Norwich City on February 1, before leaving on loan again in March to return to the National League with Rochdale where he made seven appearances.
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronaldo vindicated Jurgen Klopp's transfer stance after ruling Liverpool out
Jurgen Klopp spent nine years as Liverpool manager, winning a host of major honours and building a squad that is still going strong without him - and he had a very clear transfer strategy Jurgen Klopp's approach to transfers at Liverpool, focusing on long-term prospects rather than big-name signings, has proven to be a winning strategy. The German will be remembered as one of Anfield's most successful managers, having led the Reds to Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup glory during his nine-year tenure. His exceptional man-management skills, tactical acumen and tireless work ethic were key to Liverpool's successes between 2015 to 2024, but his transfer strategy also played a significant role. In the summer of 2021, the 58-year-old gave a glimpse into his recruitment philosophy. Amidst rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo was set for a Premier League return with Manchester City, Klopp explained why he would avoid splashing out on a player already in or past their prime - given Ronaldo was 36 at the time. Instead, he shared a preference for planning for the future with his signings. When asked about Ronaldo at the time, Klopp said: "I watch that like a football supporter actually. I have no more knowledge about it, you probably have much more knowledge about it, if it will happen or not, than I have. "It's not about me to judge that. It's about if other clubs can do things like this, it's obviously not business for the future. In three or four years we will have the benefit of that, it's for now and immediately if that happens. "That is how some clubs are obviously working and that is absolutely fine, but there must be different ways. There must be a team a year later and two years later, for us at least. And three years later as well. "You need success. We felt that if you can win trophies it is great but it's not, even with the best squad in the world, possible every year. If that's not possible, you still need to make sure you develop as a team and a club. "That's what we did and that's what we do. Anything else is really not in our hands. We watch it like all of you and will see what happens," reports the Liverpool Echo. It turned out that Pep Guardiola had no intention of bringing the Portuguese superstar to the Etihad Stadium, and Ronaldo eventually made his way back to Old Trafford in 2021 in a £12.8million transfer from Juventus. His second stint at Manchester United was short-lived, as he parted ways with the club after just one season and took up a new challenge with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Klopp's strategy has clearly paid dividends for Liverpool in the long term, with many of his early signings still forming the backbone of the team as the club heads into 2025/26 season without him. For instance, Klopp splashed out £43.9m on a 25-year-old Mohamed Salah from Roma back in 2017 - a player who ended up as the Premier League's top goal-scorer this season. Other key figures that Klopp brought to Anfield and are still part of the squad include Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota. And it seems Arne Slot is following in Klopp's footsteps. The Dutchman, fresh off a Premier League-winning debut season with Liverpool, has been quick to make changes to his squad in the current transfer window. Following the departure of first-choice right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Slot swiftly secured the services of Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong in a £29.5m deal. At just 24, the versatile star only looks set to improve, and with a contract until 2028, Liverpool know they have a dependable player for the next three seasons. In addition, Liverpool broke their club-record transfer fee by also signing Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen earlier this month, in a deal believed to be worth around £116m. The German international is currently just 22 years old, and with the deal reportedly set to last until 2030, Liverpool could reap the rewards of his prime years. Moreover, if European powerhouses such as Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG show interest in the future, Liverpool could potentially make a significant profit from their investment, should they decide to let him go. 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.
Evening Standard
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Arsenal FC add Eberechi Eze to transfer shortlist as Tottenham battle looms
Eze, who turns 27 on Sunday, finished the season in superb form, following up his first international goal for England against Latvia in March by scoring nine times in Palace's last 13 games of the campaign, including the match-winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City as the Eagles lifted their first-ever major trophy at Wembley.
