Latest news with #SportingLisbon
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Gyokeres agreement, Zubimendi announcement, Eze talks
Mikel Arteta's squad is set to receive the reinforcements required to launch an even stronger Premier League title challenge but hurdles remain around Viktor Gyokeres' arrival from Sporting Lisbon Arsenal's move for Viktor Gyokeres appears to be back on track following various reports around clauses being activated and personal terms being agreed. Yet the biggest stumbling block of all remains with Sporting Lisbon not yet showing signs that they will succumb to accepting a lower fee than his €100m release clause. The wait goes on for Martin Zubimendi's move from Real Sociedad to be announced, while talk of an audacious move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is picking up. And that all means that only one summer transfer has so far been officially completed, with Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga arriving to compete with David Raya for the starting job. Here is the state of play at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad with just over a month to go before the Premier League's new season kicks off. Gyokeres latest A clause in Gyokeres' Sporting Lisbon contract that will see the star's agent receive 10 per cent of any bid above £52million (€60m) rejected came into force on Tuesday. And that may strengthen Arsenal's hand further as they look to seal the signature of one of Europe's most coveted centre forwards with L'Equipe claiming, via his representatives, that the Sweden international has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with the Gunners. That means the only hurdle between Gyokeres arriving in north London is the transfer fee - an issue that could soon be solved with the 10 per cent rejection clause now in force. Conversely, it could also further exacerbate the issues between the player, his representatives and the club from whom he wants to depart. United give up chase Those reports have coincided with Manchester United appearing to end their interest in Gyokeres, with suggestions now that they will try to bring Ollie Watkins to Old Trafford from Aston Villa. The England striker was subject to firm interest from Arsenal in January. Sesko impact Should Gyokeres seal his move to the Emirates then interest in RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko is likely to grind to a halt. Talks have been taking place with the Bundesliga star but, similar to the situation with Sporting, no fee has been agreed. There has always been little prospect of both stars arriving at the Emirates this summer. Zubimendi confirmation There are no issues around Martin Zubimendi's imminent arrival with a £51m deal and personal terms already agreed. The Spain midfielder should be announced as an Arsenal player soon with Arteta bolstering his midfield ranks further with only the Is to be dotted and Ts to be crossed regarding a move for Brentford's Christian Norgaard. Eze interest Arsenal's academy let Eberechi Eze go when he was 13. Now the club would like to have him back so he can ease the pressure on captain Martin Odegaard as the team's chief creator and Mirror Football reported earlier this week that talks have been held. Crystal Palace will look for £68m to sell their prized asset, while the FA Cup winners may also be resigned to losing their skipper Marc Guehi to Liverpool because he has entered the final 12 months of his deal. Yet Eze is among the Premier League 's most exciting attackers and Arsenal may well consider that price tag worthwhile if he can help turn second place into top spot.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Viktor Gyokeres 'dumps Portuguese actress girlfriend because he wants NOTHING tying him to Lisbon' as Man United and Arsenal target pushes for summer exit
Arsenal and Man United target Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly split with his Portuguese girlfriend Ines Aguiar as he pushes to leave Sporting Lisbon this summer. Portuguese outlet TV Guia reported that couple ended their relationship before Gyokeres left for his summer holiday in Greece. Speculation had reportedly grown over a potential separation after Aguiar had not joined Gyokeres at the wedding of his Sporting team-mate Morten Hjulmand and Emilie Sofie Nissen, who she is said to be close to. The actress then when on holiday to the Spanish island Formentera, while Gyokeres instead went to Mykonos in Greece. TV Guia reported that Gyokeres had informed Aguiar of his decision to end their relationship before going on holiday. Citing a source close to the Swedish striker, the outlet reported that Gyokeres had decided to he 'doesn't want anything to tie him to Portugal, especially because he has already decided that he won't continue at Sporting next season.' The Sweden international reportedly split with Aguiar before going on holiday to Mykonos Gyokeres reportedly explained his position to Aguiar, who was said to have been prepared but disappointed, with the 26-year-old said to have liked the star a lot. Neither Gyokeres or Aguiar have commented publicly on their alleged split, while the duo still follow each other on social media. The reported split comes amid a bitter transfer saga involving Gyokeres and Sporting Lisbon this summer. The striker has been heavily linked with a move away from the Portuguese club, who have been attempting to increase the potential fee for a transfer. Reports have claimed Gyokeres will refuse to return to Sporting, with the forward said to be unhappy with comments made by Sporting president Frederico Varandas. Although he will be given an extra week off before he is expected to return to pre-season training, it is now anticipated that Gyokeres will stay away from the club. The Sweden international has been angered that the Portuguese champions will not honour the agreement that was in place to let him leave for less than his release clause. Varandas said: 'Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset. A video posted on social media last month saw Aguiar promise fans she was attempt to persuade him to stay at Sporting Reports have indicated that Gyokeres will refuse to return to Sporting for pre-season training 'However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.' Although Varandas acknowledged that Gyokeres is likely to depart, he stated that the fee will be much higher than the potential price of £60million plus £10million in add-ons. He also claimed that Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United from Wolves for £62.5million. 'Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.' Gyokeres, whose current contract at Sporting runs until 2028, scored 54 goals in 52 club games last season. The prolific forward has been heavily linked with both Arsenal and Man United as the Premier League giants strive to strengthen their attacking options during the summer transfer window. Gyokeres previously worked with United boss Ruben Amorim at Sporting, where his goals drove the club to the domestic title. Gyokeres has previous experience of working with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim A move to Arsenal could potentially tempt the striker, while the Gunners have also been linked with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Last month, footage appeared on social media of Aguiar promising Sporting fans she would attempt to try to convince Gyokeres to stay for a third season at the club. Gyokeres reportedly began dating the television actress in early 2024, with Aguiar appearing to confirm rumours by sharing a video of him scoring for Sporting on social media.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Ruthless Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres ‘dumps model girlfriend' to ‘completely sever all ties to Portugal'
RUTHLESS Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly dumped his model girlfriend in an effort to 'sever all ties' to Portugal. The Sporting Lisbon superstar, 27, is wanted by the Gunners after scoring 97 goals in just two seasons. 7 7 Gyokeres is desperate to quit his club for the Premier League, with Manchester United and former boss Ruben Amorim also interested. But Sporting are refusing to let him leave for less than £70million. Gyokeres has been left incensed by their demands after insisting he had a gentleman's agreement for a lower price. And the Sweden international is now refusing to return for Sporting's pre-season in a bid to force through an exit. However, Gyokeres has taken his desire to leave to new heights after reportedly axing Portuguese girlfriend Ines Aguiar. The actress and model started dating Gyokeres at the start of 2024 before the couple went public several months later. Earlier this season Ines was caught on camera 'promising' she would convince her man to remain in Lisbon. But Corrieo Da Manha claims they have now gone their separate ways after Gyokeres called time on the relationship. Speculation started when Ines did not accompany him to the wedding of Sporting teammate Morten Hjulmand, who was marrying her friend Emilie Sofie Nissen. Gyokeres then jetted off on holiday by himself to Mykonos, while Ines headed alone to Formentera. Viktor Gyokeres responds as he is asked if he 'likes London' amid Arsenal transfer links 7 7 7 7 7 Now, it's claimed that Gyokeres was the one to break things off in an attempt to 'sever all his ties' to Portugal and thus allowing him the freedom to join Arsenal. A source said: 'Viktor doesn't want anything that ties him to Portugal, especially because he has already decided that he will not continue at Sporting next season. 'Before going on holiday, he spoke to Ines and explained what he felt. 'She was also prepared in a certain way, although it was something that was difficult for her because she liked him a lot.'
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Club World Cup manager sacked after dismal tournament and losing to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami
PORTO have ruthlessly sacked Martin Anselmi after just SIX months. The Argentine was installed as Vitor Bruno's successor at the Estadio Dragao in January. 3 3 But he oversaw a torrid run of form for the Portuguese giants, winning just ten of his 21 matches in charge. Porto 's poor domestic form continued in the Club World Cup, where they picked up a measly two points from three group matches. And Anselmi, who guided Porto to a third-placed Primeira Liga finish last season, has paid the price for the team's woeful run, which culminated with a defeat to Lionel Messi 's Inter Miami. A snippet of a club statement read: "FC Porto - Futebol, SAD informs that it has begun negotiations with coach Martín Anselmi to terminate the sports employment contract that has been in force since January 2025." Anselmi, 39, revealed that he was hoping to make additions to his squad just days before his axing. He said late last month: "This season didn't go well. "We didn't achieve any of FC Porto's goals. "We have to take advantage of the market to put together a good squad and correct some mistakes so we can attack next season.' JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 Porto reportedly already have a replacement for Anselmi, who failed to stop the club's bitter rivals Sporting Lisbon from winning their 21st domestic title, lined up. It's claimed the club have earmarked Francesco Farioli as their new manager. Farioli guided Ajax to a second-placed Eredivisie finish last season, with his troops being pipped to the title by fierce rivals PSV Eindhoven by a mere point.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Semedo poised to complete Watford move
Striker Vivaldo Semedo is set to complete his move to Vicarage Road (Image: Action Images via Reuters) Striker Vivaldo Semedo has flown to this country to complete the formalities of his move to Watford. The Watford Observer reported last week the 20-year-old was close to finalising a move from Udinese and we understand he will sign a five-year permanent deal at Vicarage Road. Advertisement Striker Vivaldo Semedo is set to complete his move to Vicarage Road (Image: Action Images via Reuters) Sporting director Gian Luca Nani has reiterated strengthening the club's attacking options was 'our immediate concern' in the transfer window and Semedo, who spent last season on loan at Liga Portugal 2 club Vizela, will not be the last forward to join this summer. The Hornets struggled for goals last season and the need for more firepower is clear, with only Mali teenager Mamadou Doumbia and Mileta Rajovic, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Brondby in Denmark, currently available. Offensive reinforcements are also required if Pezzolano is to play his preferred 4-3-3 formation and given the demands a 46-game Championship campaign brings. Angolan-born, Semedo joined Sporting Lisbon's academy in 2018 before moving to the fellow Pozzo-owned club on a three-year deal in 2022. Advertisement The 6ft 4in forward made his debut for Udinese against Hellas Verona in January 2023, moving to Dutch club Volendam on loan 12 months later where he made 13 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring once. He returned to Portugal in September last year and firmly establishing himself in the Vizela starting XI at the start of 2025 by scoring nine goals in a run of 18 games to help his side reach the play-offs where they lost 5-2 on aggregate to Avs FS. The forward, who has been capped at every international age group from Under-17 to Under-20, made a total of 29 appearances last season. As long as the move for Semedo is confirmed, he will become Watford's fifth new addition of the summer following the signings of Hector Kyprianou, Nathan Baxter and Marc Bola, and with James Abankwah returning on a new season-long loan. Advertisement One player who looks to be heading in the opposite direction is Daniel Bachmann. The goalkeeper's departure has been on the cards after the Hornets signed Baxter from Bolton Wanderers, and with Egil Selvik having quickly established himself as first-choice after joining from Udinese in January. Watford do not view Bachmann as a number two, the 30-year-old wants first-team football and, further to national media reports, we understand a mutually agreeable solution is being sought with the player still having three years of his contract to run. The keeper, who turns 31 next week, made 22 appearances last season but has proved to be one of the most divisive players among fans in the squad. Advertisement He signed a new five-year contract in July 2023 and was named as captain by then head coach Valerien Ismael. His most recent appearance for the Hornets was on January 4 in the 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United which ended with him being stretchered off after suffering a serious injury. Signed from Stoke City in 2017, Bachmann has made a total of 138 appearances for the Hornets and been capped 14 times by Austria.
