Latest news with #FourFourTwo
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool report: 'Historic wage-breaking deal' coming for Alexander Isak, with Reds looking at other attackers
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Liverpool have still not completely dropped their Alexander Isak dream. | Credit: Getty Images Liverpool are not giving up hope of landing star Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. Already this summer, the Reds have broken the British transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, but they have not ruled out potentially repeating the trick to land Isak. Advertisement From the Magpies' perspective, however, they're confident of holding onto their man. Newcastle United ready to hold Isak as Liverpool assess two other targets Eddie Howe will be desperate to hold on to Isak | Credit: Getty Images The Reds spent £116m on Wirtz just last month and, with Newcastle valuing Isak – ranked at no.4 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now – at more than £150m, you'd expect that would be the end of the conversation. That appears not to be the case for the persistent, deep-pocketed Reds, but the Magpies have a plan. Liverpool have already broken the British transfer record once this summer to land Florian Wirtz | Credit: Getty Images Newcastle have Isak under contract for another three years, but such a heavy pursuit from the Merseysiders is likely to be unsettling. Advertisement To reaffirm their commitment to each other, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed to Rousing The Kop that the Magpies are willing to break their wage structure to tie him to a new deal, upping his current £120,000-per-week deal to beyond current top earner, Bruno Guimaraes. Further reports from Football Insider claim that Newcastle are confident Isak will stay with the bumper new deal on the way. This appears to be backed up by the fact that, according to Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool, alongside Isak, are now looking at Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike, the latter of which being 'very high on the list'. Isak was second only to Mohamed Salah in the Premier League scoring charts last term | Credit: Getty Images In FourFourTwo's opinion, based on Newcastle already strong position regarding Isak, and the fact that Liverpool have already spent around £200m this summer, a move taking the Sweden international to Anfield seems difficult. Advertisement That's before taking into account that the Magpies will surely attach a premium to sell to a direct Premier League rival. If the Reds had not spent anywhere else, then pushing the boat out for Isak may have been on the cards, but to land him after their already-agreed business would take an extraordinary spending commitment, to a level never before seen, when slightly more affordable options like Ekitike exist. Isak is valued at €120m, according to Transfermarkt.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal facing transfer hijack from surprise Premier League rivals: report
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will not want to see this deal slip through his fingers. | Credit: Alamy Arsenal are by now no strangers to battling Premier League rivals for their top targets during this transfer window. Advertisement The Gunners have already been widely reported to be locked in battle with Manchester United over Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, and similar is true regarding Benjamin Sesko. But in pursuing a La Liga target, they now have an unexpected competitor from English shores. Arsenal battle Bournemouth for La Liga defender The Gunners are weighing up defenders following William Saliba's Real Madrid link | Credit: Getty Images Arsenal have had to begin considering replacements in the centre of defence after it was revealed by French outlet L'Equipe that Real Madrid are in talks to sign William Saliba – ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo's list of the best centre-backs in the world right now. The north London side have identified their target, but it now looks like they're going to have company in the race to seal the deal. Arsenal and Bournemouth are both eyeing Valencia man Cristhian Mosquera | Credit: Cristian Trujillo/QualityAccording to Cadena SER, Arsenal were preparing an offer last month for Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. Advertisement But a fresh report from the same outlet now claims that Bournemouth are also in the frame. Due to the hierarchy of Premier League football, the Gunners may not often worry about the presence of the Cherries, but the south-coast club's wallet is bulging this summer, following their sale of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and deals progressing for Illya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez to PSG and Liverpool respectively. Mosquera's contract is due to expire next summer, so the two English clubs have a strong negotiating position, but a bidding war could yet drive the price up. Bournemouth have a clear gap in their defence following the sale of Dean Huijsen | Credit: Getty Images In FourFourTwo's opinion, Arsenal have plenty to worry about in losing this transfer to Bournemouth. Advertisement While the Gunners boast a respected Spanish coach in Mikel Arteta, so too do the Cherries in Andoni Iraola, so they have no advantage there. And while Saliba has been linked with moves away, that hasn't actually happened yet, whereas Bournemouth have lost Huijsen and appear to be on the cusp of losing Ilya Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano – so Mosquera's path to first-team minutes could be much clearer at the Vitality Stadium. Mosquera is valued at €30m, according to Transfermarkt.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool reach 'full agreement' for third signing - with Marc Guehi move coming next: report
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Guehi is wanted by the champions. | Credit: Future Liverpool are eyeing Marc Guehi – and have 'full agreement' for their next deal of the window, too. Advertisement After a lean summer 12 months ago, Liverpool are moving quickly this time around, tying up deals for Bayer Leverkusen pair Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz already, as Arne Slot improves his squad ahead of a title defence. The business is far from complete, either, with the Reds feeling as if they require further strengthening needed at both ends of the pitch. Liverpool have tied up a third deal of the window, with Marc Guehi eyed too Arne Slot has been busy with summer signings | Credit: Getty Images Despite having two able centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, transfer expert Ben Jacobs told FourFourTwo in January that the Merseysiders' transfer strategy revolves around securing the next big star to ease into the team gently. Advertisement With Trent Alexander-Arnold departing to Real Madrid, the two other long-serving members of the back four, Van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, are 33 and 31, respectively, with the club looking to assure the future beyond both players this summer. Andrew Robertson could be leaving Anfield | Credit: Alamy 'Liverpool's stance is to try not to leave a void in any area of the field,' Jacobs explained. 'So when they bring in a name, it's often with a view for the now and the future, and a kind of succession planning.' 'In an ideal world, Liverpool renew Van Dijk while simultaneously in 2025 looking to replace them. It means that the player may extend and have between one and three years at the club, whilst their younger replacement acclimatises, and then it makes the transition much more seamless.' Advertisement At left-back, Liverpool have reached a full agreement to sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, according to Sky Germany, while in the centre of defence, The Telegraph reports that the Reds are to make their move for Marc Guehi. The England international is approaching the final year of his Crystal Palace contract, and FourFourTwo understands that it is likely that the Eagles look to cash in while they still can, with Ousmane Diomande of Sporting lined up as his replacement. Ousmane Diomande is wanted by Palace | Credit: Getty Images Kerkez, meanwhile – ranked at no.3 in FourFourTwo's list of the best left-backs in the world right now – agreed terms with Liverpool as early as last month, with Reds chief Richard Hughes negotiating a fee with his former club, Bournemouth, over the sale of the Hungarian, which now appears to have been concluded. Advertisement The Cherries have, in turn, agreed to sign Adrien Truffert at left-back to replace the outgoing Kerkez. FourFourTwo understands that Newcastle United and Arsenal both still hold an interest in Guehi, with Jarell Quansah's exit to Bayer Leverkusen freeing up space in Slot's squad for another centre-back. Guehi is valued at €45 million by Transfermarkt.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool close to agreeing club record transfer for Florian Wirtz
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Future Liverpool's summer transfer business has gotten off to an incredibly exciting start. Trent Alexander-Arnold's early departure from Liverpool to Real Madrid has been confirmed, with the club set to make around £10 million for releasing him early, and Jeremie Frimpong is set to come in immediately as his replacement for just £29.5 million. Advertisement It now appears a deal for Florian Wirtz, who is ranked at no.3 in FourFourTwo's list of the best attacking midfielders in the world right now, is on the brink of being completed, with a monster bid tabled. Liverpool submit club record bid to sign Florian Wirtz Florian Wirtz opened the scoring at EURO 2024 with a goal against Scotland | Credit: Getty Images Wirtz is on of the hottest properties in world football right now, with plenty of suitors across Europe. His 15 goals and 16 assists in all competitions helped Bayer Leverkusen to second placed Bundesliga finish, a Champions League quarter-final and a DFB Pokal semi-final, while he won Bundesliga Player of the Season for a second year in a row. Florian Wirtz on the ball against Michael Olise in the Bundesliga | Credit: Getty Images It now appears Liverpool are prepared to break their club record transfer in order to bring him to Anfield. Advertisement Reliable transfer journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that a bid worth €130 million (£109 million) has been submitted to Bayer Leverkusen from Liverpool to sign Wirtz. Sport BILD have suggested the breakdown would be a £100 million fixed fee, with around £10-12 million in bonuses. They suggest that the bonuses would include targets such as qualifying for and winning the Champions League. The report also suggests that a contract until 2030 has already been agreed between club and player, and that both clubs are closely aligned on the fee, so an agreement is 'a matter of time'. Liverpool manager Arne Slot with the Premier League trophy | Credit:It would represent a huge increase on the fee paid for Darwin Nunez in 2022, which was in the region of €85 million according to Transfermarkt, but would still be below what Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez, the most expensive Premier League signing ever, in 2023. FourFourTwo believes the move can only be a positive for Liverpool. It signals their intent to stay at the top of English football, and top class depth will help them as they look to achieve big on all fronts next season.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant': Arsenal legend says Alexander Isak would be tailor-made for the Gunners
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Alexander Isak has been continuously linked with a move to Arsenal. | Credit: Getty Images Alexander Isak has been described as a 'brilliant' fit for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team. Isak, ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now, has been a revelation since his move to Newcastle United in 2022, having now scored 62 goals in just 109 appearances for the Magpies. Advertisement Arguably one of the best centre forwards in Europe, the Gunners have been continuously linked with a move for the Sweden international, but are said to have cooled their interest earlier this year, much to the dismay of one ex-Arsenal hero. Why Alexander Isak is PERFECT for Arsenal yet still so out of reach Alexander Isak is valued by Newcastle United at around £150m | Credit: Getty Images For now, Arsenal look set to explore other striker options which include this likes of Viktor Gyokeres and fellow long-term target Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. Having discussed all three, one man who knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net for Arsenal believes Isak's Premier League experience already sets him apart the rest. Benjamin Sesko is another striker option Arsenal have been pursuing | Credit:"It's tough simply because there aren't many options out there and the ones that are out there, everyone is looking for," said Ian Wright when speaking to Betway recently. Advertisement "I'm seeing Šeško, Gyökeres – Isak is probably someone who isn't going anywhere now. If I could have taken anyone, I would have taken Isak. That's not being disrespectful to the others, but he is just brilliant. "I think we need another forward too," continued Wright when asked about Arsenal's summer plans. "Bukayo Saka is amazing but if we can get him more rest time, that will only benefit our club. We need another forward who can either play on the right or the left, alongside a Number 9. Would also love us to get a back-up centre back. Myles Lewis Skelley has probably got the left-back slot. "I don't know what is happening with Partey although (Martin) Zubimendi looks to be coming in. So, if we can strengthen defence, midfield and the forward line – but with two up front, with one of them as a Number 9 – then I would be happy with four players coming in." Ian Wright says Arsenal should be looking to strengthen in all areas this summer | Credit: Getty Images In FourFourTwo's opinion, Wright is correct to point out how good Isak would be at Arsenal, but we cannot see why or how Newcastle would sell the talented forward, especially to a direct Premier League rival. With continuing murmurings suggesting Gyokeres is edging closer to a move to the Emirates, he may present better value, and his record in Portugal speaks for itself.
