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Leeds United have started well in the Premier League, after bouncing back to the top flight for the first time in two years. Daniel Farke’s side have been something of a yo-yo team in recent times, with this being their fourth campaign in the top flight in the last seven seasons.

The Whites only just managed to stay in the Premier League in the 2021/22 campaign, ending 17th that season, after a strong finish of ninth the year before.

The man who kept them up by the skin of their teeth four years ago was Jesse Marsch, who was eventually dismissed despite some statement signings during his tenure.

Marsch’s prominent signings at Leeds

51-year-old Marsch brought 11 new faces to Elland Road during his time at the club. One of those, goalkeeper Joel Robles, was a free transfer, and another joined on loan, with Weston McKennie switching Juventus for Leeds for six months in 2023.

The most expensive addition that the Wisconsin-born manager made during his time as Leeds boss was Georginio Rutter. The Frenchman was, and still is, the club’s record signing from German side Hoffenheim. He cost the Whites £35.5m back in January 2023.

Nowadays, the former Leeds striker plays for Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, where he moved for £40m. He has 14 goals and assists for the Seagulls so far, and is yet to get close to his Leeds tally of 26 goal involvements.

Not only did Marsch purchase Leeds’ most expensive player of all time, but he also bought the man second on that list. Brenden Aaronson cost the Yorkshire outfit £24.7m in 2022 and is still at the club today.

The attacker has chipped in with 15 goals and assists in 95 games.

Aaronson is not the only Marsch signing still plying his trade at Leeds. There is another player now worth far more than what they paid for him.

The Marsch signing whose value has skyrocketed

There are certainly some of the signings made by Marsch which have turned out to be good additions to Leeds’ squad. Rutter, for example, saw the club make a healthy £5m profit on the deal, and Aaronson is a key player under Farke today.

Well, perhaps the biggest success story of the lot has been Italian attacker Wilfried Gnonto. The 21-year-old has been a Leeds player for some time now, joining the club back in 2022 at the end of the transfer window. He cost just £3.8m from Swiss side FC Zurich.

Throughout his time at Elland Road, Gnonto has shown why Leeds invested in him despite being just 18 years of age at the time. In 123 games for the Whites so far, Gnonto has found the back of the net 22 times and assisted 14 goals.

His best season for the Yorkshire giants came in the 202425 campaign, where they got promoted back to the Premier League. Gnonto played a huge part in their Championship title win, scoring nine times and assisting six in 43 games.

To further reinforce Gnonto’s quality in a Leeds shirt, take a look at some of his underlying numbers from the Championship last term.

One of the standout stats is the 4.27 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes he created, which placed him in the top 6% of forwards in the second tier.

Goals and assists

0.59

94th

Key passes

1.82

84th

Progressive passes

4.9

92nd

Shot-creating actions

4.27

94th

Carries into final third

2.41

90th

With all that in mind, it might not be a surprise to learn that the value of the “explosive” winger, as football scout Antonio Mango called him, has absolutely skyrocketed. He has certainly improved leaps and bounds since the Whites paid the cut-price fee of £3.8m three years ago.

Nowadays, according to Football Transfers, the Italian youngster is worth an impressive £22.8m, a higher amount than anyone in the Leeds squad. That is an eye-watering increase of 500% from the original deal the Yorkshire side got.

Gnonto has certainly been worth the cheap fee that the Whites paid for him three summers ago. Given the fact that he is just 21 years of age, there is still plenty of time for his value to shoot up and for the impressive performances to continue.

Leeds ace who's been a "massive signing" would walk into Bielsa's best team

This current-day Leeds United star would walk into Marcelo Bielsa’s best team.

ByDan Emery Oct 9, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras precisou mudar completamente sua logística após o avião da empresa de Leila Pereira apresentar problemas técnicos na madrugada desta quinta-feira (24). A aeronave sairia de Pereira poucas horas após a goleada por 4 a 0 sobre o clube local pelas quartas de final da Libertadores, mas nem saiu do aeroporto. Com isso, a delegação precisou voltar para o hotel e reestruturar o retorno ao Brasil, que acontecerá apenas nesta sexta (25). E quem pagará todas as despesas adicionais será a presidente Leila Pereira.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasApós ‘perrengue’, Palmeiras define logística para voltar de PereiraPalmeiras24/08/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras segue irredutível e descarta negociar Gustavo Gómez nesta janelaPalmeiras24/08/2023Fora de CampoDiretor do Palmeiras coloca site com domínio de Larissa Manoela à venda por quase R$ 50 milFora de Campo24/08/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Como o avião da Placar Linhas Aéreas ainda não tem permissão da Anac para fazer voos comerciais, a mandatária palmeirense tem bancado do próprio bolso essa viagens. Ao todo, o clube usou esse serviço em três oportunidades: na ida ao Rio de Janeiro para enfrentar o Fluminense, na ida para Cuiabá para enfrentar o time da casa, e nessa ida para Pereira, que acabou não completada com a volta.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

Somente nessa viagem para a Colômbia, o Verdão calcula ter economizado mais de R$ 1 milhão com fretamento. No entanto, com a mudança na logística causada pelo problema técnico na aeronave, os gastos acabaram superando as expectativas iniciais.

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Isso porque, na volta ao hotel, foi preciso pagar mais uma diária para que a delegação pernoitasse. Agora, com a ida de ônibus para Cali, o Palmeiras precisou bancar mais esse meio de transporte. Consequentemente, ao chegar na outra cidade colombiana, mais um hotel terá de ser pago por pelo menos uma noite, pois o voo de volta saíra de lá apenas na manhã desta sexta-feira (25).

+ Após ‘perrengue’, Palmeiras define logística para voltar de Pereira

Por fim, nessa conta entra também o voo fretado que sairá de Cali e chegará em São Paulo no fim da tarde desta sexta (25). Ou seja, todos esses gastos, mais alimentação e outras despesas foram em decorrência do impedimento da viagem com o avião da empresa de Leila Pereira. Assim, a presidente irá assumir com o próprio bolso todos esses valores investidos pelo clube nesse atraso na volta ao Brasil.

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Além do prejuízo financeiro, o Palmeiras precisará lidar com as questões esportivas. O treino que estava previsto para esta sexta (25) não vai acontecer. Dessa forma, o elenco terá apenas a atividade de sábado (26) antes de enfrentar o Vasco, no domingo (27), no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão. É possível que o time faça um trabalho leve na manhã do dia do jogo.

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Leila PereiraPalmeiras

Newcastle United are feeling optimistic after claiming their first three points of the season, though Eddie Howe has now been dealt a frustrating injury blow involving one of his prize assets.

Newcastle show resolve to defeat Wolves after Woltemade winner

Nobody of a black and white persuasion needed to be told twice how important their clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers was yesterday, and supporters will feel a sense of relief that they managed to secure a gritty 1-0 triumph courtesy of Nick Woltemade’s debut header.

After draws against Aston Villa and Leeds United with a defeat to Liverpool sandwiched in between, the Magpies are finally on their way up the Premier League table in another campaign where they will target Champions League qualification.

Making his feelings known post-match, Eddie Howe showered £69 million striker Woltemade with praise, complimenting his excellent showing and signalling that there is plenty more to come from his towering Alexander Isak replacement.

“There was a lot of love for Nick and a lot of pats on the back. The group are really good at doing that, when someone does well.

“It was a great moment for Nick. I was very pleased with how he played. You saw his technical qualities and his intelligence. But most importantly for a striker, when the ball comes into the box, you need to be there – and he was. It was a great finish. I’m really pleased for him personally because that just settles him down and relaxes him. He’s a very humble guy, he wants to do well and he’s delighted to be here.”

£60m Newcastle target now open to Tyneside as PIF hold talks over transfer

The Magpies could look to try again to land his signature.

BySean Markus Clifford Sep 13, 2025

While drama surrounding Isak’s departure to Liverpool has come and gone, Howe has suffered another sizeable blow before some crunch fixtures as his side work to find their groove.

Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa out for at least a month

According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie on X following the win against Wolves, Newcastle summer signing Yoane Wissa will be out for four to five weeks after sustaining a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo.

Despite disappointment over the £140,000-per-week earner being unable to feature since joining from Brentford on deadline day, the Magpies have evaded concerns that his knock is ACL-related. However, he will now miss their next six matches prior to the next international break.

This comes after the news about Jacob Ramsey, another summer signing, who will also be out for a month with an ankle problem, with things going from bad to worse for Howe.

Wissa scored 20 times in 39 appearances for Brentford last campaign and established himself as Thomas Frank’s go-to man in West London, albeit Howe will now face a period where he is short of striking alternatives behind Woltemade.

William Osula may deputise when needed despite seeing a late move to Eintracht Frankfurt fall through late on in the summer, while Anthony Gordon is another option once he comes back from suspension.

رد هاري كين مهاجم بايرن ميونخ ومنتخب إنجلترا على ما يتردد عن عودته للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز والرحيل عن صفوف البافاري.

وانضم قائد المنتخب الإنجليزي إلى بايرن ميونخ قادماً من توتنهام مقابل ما يبلغ قيمته 100 مليون يورو قبل عامين ويرتبط بعقد حتى عام 2027.

ويتضمن عقد كين مع بايرن ميونخ شرطًا جزائيًا بقيمة 65 مليون يورو، وهذا العقد قابل للتفعيل الصيف المقبل، وسيحتاج لإعلان نيته بشأن رغبته في مغادرة بطل الدوري الألماني قبل نهاية سوق الانتقالات الشتوية في يناير.

ويملك توتنهام أيضًا خيار إعادة شراء هاري كين، وقد أوضح توماس فرانك مدرب السبيرز أنه سيرحب بفرصة العمل مع المهاجم الإنجليزي.

وسئل هاري كين عن احتمالية عودته إلى توتنهام هوتسبير، قال لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية: “لست متأكداً”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. تعديل موعد مباراتين لـ مانشستر سيتي في الدوري الإنجليزي

وأضاف: “أنا سعيد جداً هنا في ميونخ، لا أفكر في هذا، لقد قضيت حياتي كلها في الدوري الإنجليزي، أنا من محبيهم وسأتابعهم دائماً وأرى كيف يصبحون، سيظلون جزءًا من حياتي بالتأكيد ولكن في الوقت الحالي أستمتع بوجودي هنا”.

وواصل: “كان من الرائع رؤية توتنهام يفوز بالدوري الأوروبي، لدي كثير من الأصدقاء هناك واللاعبين والجهاز الفني، انتظرنا كثيراً واقتربنا من الفوز في الماضي، لذا كان شعور رائع للجميع، الجماهير والنادي وجميع المعنيين أن يشعروا بهذا الشعور وأن يحققوا الفوز، هذا مهم دائماً ونأمل أن يواصلوا ويحققوا المزيد من الانتصارات”.

وحول بداية هاري كين الرائعة مع بايرن ميونخ والذي أصبح أسرع لاعب في هذا القرن يسجل 100 هدف مع نادي يلعب في إحدى الدوريات الخمس الكبرى في 104 مباراة فقط متجاوزاً رقم كريستيانو رونالدو وإيرلينج هالاند.

واختتم كين عن بدايته الرائعة هذا الموسم: “أفضل بداية موسم لي على الإطلاق، أشعر بسعادة كبيرة وأعيش هنا في ميونخ قبل عامين وأشعر بالاستقرار خارج الملعب مع عائلتي وهذا يساهم في نجاحي، أنا في حالة جيدة جسدياً وذهنياً واكتسبت خبرة كبيرة، ألعب في فريق يخلق فرصًا كثيرة ويساعدني للتسجيل إذا أتيحت لي الفرصة”.

Conway, Ravindra, Santner, Phillips and Ferguson were not available for selection because of IPL commitments

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Mar-2025

Allrounder Michael Bracewell will captain a different looking New Zealand T20I squad for the five-game series against Pakistan at home that starts on March 16. Seven members of New Zealand’s silver-medal winning Champions Trophy squad have been selected for the series while those with IPL commitments were not considered.The series will mark Bracewell’s second series as New Zealand captain, having led the side during the tour of Pakistan in April 2024.”Mitch Santner’s done a great job since taking over as white-ball captain and I’ll really just be trying to build on his good work and create an enjoyable environment for the guys to perform in,” Bracewell said in an NZC statement. “Pakistan are always a dangerous short-form side with lots of power and pace and we know they’ll be hurting after an early exit in the Champions Trophy.”Among the players selected for the series are Ben Sears, the fast bowler who has recovered from his hamstring injury, and Ish Sodhi, who missed the recent home series against Sri Lanka. Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have been included for the first three games only, with the selectors managing the workloads of the pacers from the Champions Trophy.In a glance: New Zealand’s T20I squad for home series against Pakistan•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Matt Henry, who injured his shoulder in the Champions Trophy semi-final, has been selected for the last two T20Is – subject to fitness – while Finn Allen, James Neesham and Tim Seifert have also been included after confirming their availability, if selected, for the build-up series to the 2026 T20 World Cup.Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman will have a bigger responsibility with the bat as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are all unavailable due to the IPL. Lockie Ferguson and Santner will also miss the series with the IPL starting March 22. Kane Williamson opted out of selection; he has PSL commitments, starting from April 11, with Karachi Kings.From the recent series against Sri Lanka, top-order batter Tim Robinson, fast bowler Zakary Foulkes (only last two games) and wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay are in the squad.”We’re certainly starting to narrow our sights on the ICC T20 World Cup in India next February and March,” selector Sam Wells said. “Half of this squad is only returning from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday and so we’re going to need to manage those players really carefully.”The Pakistan series will provide an opportunity for all players to put their best foot forward and push their case for selection in the 15-player squad for next year’s major global tournament.”Each game of the five-match series will be played as a double-header with New Zealand Women facing Sri Lanka and Australia on the same day at the same venue.New Zealand squad T20Is against PakistanMichael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes (games 4 & 5), Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 & 5), Kyle Jamieson (games 1, 2 & 3), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Will O’Rourke (games 1, 2 & 3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

تحدث مصطفى عبده، نجم الأهلي السابق، عن فوز الأحمر بهدفين مقابل هدف، على الزمالك في اللقاء الذي جمع بين الفريقين مساء اليوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتحدث عبده عبر قناة MBC مصر 2: “الزمالك أهدَر الفوز في الشوط الأول، بينما سيطر الأهلي على الشوط الثاني، الأهلي يمرض ولا يموت”.

طالع.. عماد متعب يدافع عن تريزيجيه.. ويصرح: الأهلي كان في حاجة للفوز على الزمالك

وتابع: “الأهلي اليوم عاد، ولو خسر أو تعادل كان سيدخل في متاهات كبيرة، ولكن عودته بهذه المباراة كانت فارقة، وحجم النجوم الذين انضموا للفريق كبير جدًا”.

وأكمل: “في الشوط الثاني، كان الأهلي مسيطرًا على المباراة وقدم كرة الأهلي التي عودنا عليها وهناك لاعبان أثبتا أنهما لا يستحقان الجلوس على دكة البدلاء، مثل حسين الشحات رغم أنني كنت زعلان منه، وأليو ديانج لاعب ممتاز، وعبد القادر يستحق المشاركة”.

وواصل:” تريزيجيه فعل كل شيء في الملعب، وكنت خائفًا منه في ضربة الجزاء، وهذه التجربة ستمنحه ثقة كبيرة”.

حقق الفريق الأول لكرة اليد بنادي الزمالك، الفوز على نظيره توباتي البرازيلي، في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد.

وتستضيف مصر بطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد خلال الفترة من 26 سبتمبر وحتى 2 أكتوبر 2025، بمشاركة 9 أندية من مختلف القارات.

طالع.. تاريخ مشاركات الأهلي في كأس العالم لأندية اليد

والتقى الزمالك مع الفريق البرازيلي ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية على صالة نادي النادي بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة.

وقدم الزمالك أدءً قويًا أمام الفريق البرازيلي، حيث انتصر بنتيجة 26-24.

ومن المقرر أن يتأهل متصدر كل مجموعة إلى نصف النهائي، رفقة أفضل فريق يحتل المركز الثاني، فيما تتنافس الفرق الأخرى على المراكز الشرفية.

ويتواجد فريق كرة اليد بنادي الزمالك في المجموعة الثالثة، رفقة كل من برشلونة الإسباني وتوباتي البرازيلي.

Tottenham Hotspur were gearing up to welcome Morgan Gibbs-White to Thomas Frank’s early-stage project, with Daniel Levy having overseen a £60m approach for the Nottingham Forest playmaker.

But he has since penned a new deal at the City Ground, with the Tricky Trees claiming Spurs made an illegal approach for the Three Lions star.

He’s now sign a new deal at the City Ground. It’s a bitter pill to swallow after transfer guru Fabrizio Romano had placed his catchline, ‘Here we go”, on the move, signifying a done deal.

However, Spurs must now move forward, and Frank is assessing his options, with sights still set on a new midfield playmaker.

Spurs lining up Gibbs-White alternative

Gibbs-White would have been perfect for the Tottenham project. The succession of recent pre-season draws have illustrated the need for more spark in the midfield, and it’s something Frank is now placing emphasis on, having already signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for a £55m fee.

Romano has confirmed that, while the Gibbs-White deal is dead, the Lilywhites have already started working on alternatives, saying: “They’re working on it [alternative targets for Gibbs-White. As soon as I know, I will tell you.”

Well, according to reporter Graeme Bailey, internal discussions have begun over the potential signing of Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who is expected to leave Anfield this summer due to a lack of playing time under Arne Slot.

Elliott, 22, would likely be open to the move, Champions League competitors as Tottenham are, and he would come in at a cheaper price than Gibbs-White, valued at £50m.

Why Spurs should sign Harvey Elliott

Having joined Liverpool from Fulham for a compensation fee of about £4m in 2019, aged only 16, Elliott has since established himself as a fixed part of the wider Reds squad, featuring 147 times and notching 35 goal contributions.

Former Liverpool U18s head coach Neil Critchley said in the past that the England U21 superstar is able to produce “some real bits of magic” on the ball, and his ability to shift between the right flank and attacking midfield even suggests that he could bring shades of Dejan Kulusevski to Frank’s first-team squad.

Kulusevski, 25, played a crucial part in the Ange Postecoglou era, really coming into his own as an all-action central midfielder last season, having previously played out on the right.

He’s injured right now, but there’s no disputing how important he is to this Tottenham team, with Sofascore recording that he scored seven goals and supplied four assists in the Premier League last year, having also averaged 2.1 key passes and 4.1 successful duels per game.

Elliott lacks the Sweden international’s completeness, but he’s a veritable wizard across his areas of expertise, and would certainly add a ball-playing dimension that was targeted through the acquisition of Gibbs-White.

24/25

28

5

3

23/24

53

4

14

22/23

46

5

2

21/22

11

1

0

*20/21

1

0

1

19/20

8

0

1

The left-footer’s ability to score goals and create chances aplenty offers shades of Kulusevski, though the Tottenham man has more of a full-throttle engine about him, Elliott’s technical skill is up there with the very best.

As per FBref, the Liverpool man ranked last season among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for all of goals plus assists, passes attempted and progressive passes, as well as the top 15% for goal-creating actions per 90.

Considering the dimension it would add to Tottenham, Frank must take these internal discussions and push ahead with a formal approach for Liverpool’s talented prospect.

Not only would he be a dream Gibbs-White alternative, but he’d bring a sense of Kulusevski’s flair to the side.

Bad news for Bissouma: Spurs start talks to sign a £30m "monster"

Tottenham are hoping to sign a new centre-midfielder this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 27, 2025

Worcestershire Rapids ended a run of seven successive defeats in the Vitality Blast and dealt a blow to Leicestershire’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages with a 16-run victory at New Road.Worcestershire achieved their highest score of the season thanks chiefly to Adam Hose’s 63 off just 39 balls, beating last weekend’s previous best of 181for four versus Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford.The Leicestershire spinners, Lewis Goldworthy and Rehan Ahmed, both bowled excellent spells which gave them combined figures of 8-0-45-3 before Hose’s late onslaught.But their powerful batting top order line-up was blown away by Tom Taylor and youngster Harry Darley as they were reduced to 28 for 5.Louis Kimber revived Leicestershire’s hopes with their fastest-ever T20 fifty off 21 balls including five sixes in a two-over spell and he and Ben Cox added 85 in eight overs.But his dismissal for 53 ended their hopes of a remarkable win against the odds despite Ben going onto complete a fine 50 off 35 balls. Matthew Waite cleaned up the innings with a stream of late wickets including Cox in the final over for 55 to give him a career-best Blast return of 5 for 21.The injury-hit Rapids have lost several games by tight margins but this was a convincing performance whereas Leicestershire have now gone four games without a win courtesy of two defeats, a tie and a wash-out.Adam Hose top-scored for the Rapids•Getty Images

Leicestershire received a treble boost with captain Peter Handscomb (shoulder), Rehan (concussion) and leading wicket-taker Scott Currie (Injury niggle) all returning to the side.Hanscomb won the toss and put the Rapids into bat and Jimmy Neesham made the first breakthrough when Brett D’Oliveira sliced his shot into the hands of third man. Kashif Ali got into his stride with four and a massive six over backward square leg off successive balls from Josh Hull.Josh Cobb inside edged Mike for four but was then caught down the leg side by former Worcestershire keeper Cox off the same bowler. The Rapids reached 61 for 2 in the powerplay but then Gareth Roderick made room to hit Rehan through the off side and was bowled.Kashif, having hit Goldsworthy for a straight six, was given out lbw next ball aiming a blow to the legside. His 41 came off 25 balls with two sixes and three fours. Ethan Brookes also perished aiming to hit Goldsworthy to leg and was bowled but Hose looked in good form and kept the scoreboard moving at a decent rate for the Rapids.Ed Pollock fell to a good catch over his shoulder at long off by Kimber off Currie who next ball trapped Waite lbw as Worcestershire lost momentum. But Hose ensured a sizeable total with a series of big hits as he completed a 33-ball half-century before on 63 he was caught by Cox attempting to scoop Neesham.When Leicestershire replied Rishi Patel, the competition’s leading scorer with 400 runs, was bowled for a duck driving at Taylor. There was joy then for Darley with his first Blast wicket as Rehan sliced the ball to Brookes at wide third. Darley then bowled a wide but his second legitimate ball accounted for Handscomb who clipped straight to Pollock atmid wicket to leave the Foxes 9 for 3.There was no let-up for the visitors and Taylor struck again as Sol Budinger went for a big hit and was caught behind and Waite then disposed of Neesham in the same manner. Then came the remarkable hitting from Kimber to revive the Foxes; chances before he holed out to Cobb in the covers off Brookes.Two wickets in two balls from Waite ensured there would be no late heroics from Leicestershire as he got rid of Mike and Goldsworthy. He struck twice more in the final over in sending back Cox and Currie to complete his five-for.

Arsenal are also “in talks” over signing a marquee former PSG player who could come as an alternative to RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with sporting director Andrea Berta seemingly holding discussions for numerous transfer targets.

Andrea Berta's reported approaches as Arsenal target forward signings

In one of his “first acts” as the Gunners’ transfer chief, Berta reached out to the agents of Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams (Ed Aarons), so the 53-year-old has been working extensively on the club’s recruitment drive for quite some time.

When Arsenal could now announce Martin Zubimendi deal after surprise update

The Spain international is on his way to north London.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 29, 2025

Since then, it’s been reported that Berta’s held “numerous talks” with a succession of targets for the wide area, including Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Atalanta star Ademola Lookman and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma also under consideration at the Emirates (Florian Plettenberg).

Arsenal are described as “very active” in the market, and this is especially true when it comes to their search for a new striker.

A plethora of reports from Portugal in the last fortnight have claimed that Arsenal have offered a contract to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres (O Jogo), and while this is yet to be backed up by sources closer to home, Sky Germany believe that Berta has at least held extensive talks with the Swedish international.

However, reliable sources with much more recent information indicate that Sesko is emerging as the primary centre-forward target.

Fabrizio Romano, for example, confirms that Arsenal are in “concrete” initial talks for the Slovenia international and a deal is “on”.

Given Arsenal missed out on Sesko last summer and in January, not to mention his price tag is now mooted at up to £93 million (The Telegraph), it is wise for Berta to carry on testing the water for alternative options as well.

Arsenal also "in talks" over Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké

Eintracht Frankfurt sensation and ex-PSG striker Hugo Ekitike, who’s fresh off the back of an excellent full debut season in the Bundesliga, is being courted by Arsenal as well.

The Frenchman scored 22 goals and racked up 12 assists in 48 appearances across 24/25, with Eintracht valuing him at around £84 million, which still makes him a slightly cheaper deal to do than Sesko as things stand.

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, taking to X, Frankfurt and Ekitike have been planning his exit for months, and Arsenal are believed to be one of the sides “in talks” over a potential move for the 22-year-old.

“Hugo Ekitike and the board of Frankfurt have been planning the transfer of the French striker this summer for several months,” wrote Aouna.

“As revealed in March, some European clubs are already in talks, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

“A meeting is scheduled this week between Ekitike’s agent and Chelsea. Frankfurt are already looking for a substitute and opened talks with Jonathan Burkardt.”

His goalscoring exploits in Germany showcase a fierce talent who’ll surely only get better, leaving little surprise Arsenal are also in the race given their dire need for a striker.