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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was a dealt a significant blow last weekend after in-form summer signing Noni Madueke injured his knee in the 1-1 draw with Man City on Sunday, meaning he could now miss up to eight weeks.

Noni Madueke set to miss at least 10 Arsenal games after injury

The 23-year-old hadn’t managed a goal or assist in Gunners colours prior to his lay-off, but it’s safe to say Madueke has been Andrea Berta’s most impressive summer coup thus far alongside young defender Cristhian Mosquera.

While Mosquera seriously impressed in William Saliba’s absence, Madueke was being a menace for full-backs in the attacking areas – with his burst of pace, trickery and inventiveness in the final third showing exactly why Arsenal splashed £52 million on his signature.

There were huge question marks aimed at Arteta and Berta’s decision to sign the England international after a mixed spell at Chelsea, including from Gary Neville, but the Sky Sports pundit is now among critics to admit they were wrong.

The ex-Eredivisie sensation could have hardly asked for a better start to life at the Emirates Stadium, putting the ‘#NotToMadueke’ movement firmly to rights, but he’s now set to miss a host of crucial games for Arsenal.

Madueke managed to avoid an ACL tear, which in itself is excellent news. However, the winger could be out for a maximum of two months and a minimum of six weeks, meaning he won’t be available for at least 10 games.

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There is a chance Madueke will be back for the North London derby against Tottenham in November, and Arteta will be optimistic that is indeed the case as he seeks to end Arsenal’s two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title.

Arsenal also without Piero Hincapie after groin injury

Madueke isn’t the only summer signing with fitness issues either, with Arteta now confirming that defender Piero Hincapie has picked up a groin injury.

The Ecuador international was a surprise absentee from Arsenal’s matchday squad against City, and their manager has shared why.

The 23-year-old was signed with Mosquera as a quality back-up for Saliba and Gabriel, not to mention a defender who can play full-back as well.

Hincapie is highly-rated after two impressive seasons with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, and was a regular in Xabi Alonso’s famous, domestically unbeaten double-winning side from 2024.

Hincapie has barely played since joining from Leverkusen on loan with a £45 million option to buy, so he’ll be looking to convince Berta he’s worthy of the purchase option at the earliest opportunity once fit and available.

Just six months after Arsenal stunned Lyon on their own patch in the Champions League semi-finals on their way to a second European triumph, the French giants got some revenge on Tuesday night as they spoiled the start of the Gunners' title defence with a 2-1 victory that, in truth, flattered the holders. Alessia Russo gave the hosts the lead with seven minutes on the clock but once Melchie Dumornay had quickly cancelled that out, it was all Lyon as two goals from the Haitian star secured all three points for the eight-time winners.

Russo's early strike was a real moment of quality, too, both in the finish and the excellent footwork from Beth Mead that set it up. However, it seemed to serve to only poke the bear as Lyon battled back ferociously with some relentless play throughout the first half in particular. It was a gift that helped them draw level, as goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar passed the ball to Dumornay when playing out from the back under no pressure, but the 22-year-old's second was a stunner, one she sent flying into the top corner from 20 yards out.

Lyon should've added to that lead multiple times but efforts either flew off target or were parried away by Van Domselaar, who did make amends for her earlier blunder with a terrific double stop just before the break especially. Arsenal couldn't make them rue that wastefulness, either, with chances few and far between bar Mariona Caldentey's well-saved effort a minute after Dumornay's second and Caitlin Foord's strike just wide in the final seconds.

It means it's now four games without a winner for the Gunners, after draws against Manchester United and Aston Villa were followed up with defeat at Manchester City at the weekend and now this loss. It's the first time since January 2022 that they have endured such a barren run. Five months after winning the Champions League, head coach Renee Slegers isn't under any real pressure in terms of her job, it must be said, but she and her Arsenal team are in terms of regaining some momentum and getting their season back on track for success.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Meadow Park…

• AFP
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Daphne van Domselaar (3/10):

  Made a real blunder for Lyon's first goal and her distribution was questionable for the second, too. Made amends to an extent with some terrific saves but the damage was already done.

  Emily Fox (4/10):

  Was overwhelmed in the first half in particular, dealing with Bacha and Diani both running down her side. Could've done more at times but also needed more help.

  Katie Reid (4/10):

  Her most difficult night of the season but she still wasn't the most culpable.

  Steph Catley (4/10):

  Lost the ball far too often in dangerous areas.

  Taylor Hinds (3/10):

  Caught out of position too often as Lyon thrived out wide.

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• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Kim Little (5/10):

  Kept the ball better than most, though the bar wasn't very high.

  Mariona Caldentey (4/10):

  Poor awareness led to her giving the ball away for Lyon's second goal. A surprisingly sloppy performance from the Ballon d'Or runner-up.

  Frida Maanum (4/10):

  Battled well off the ball, winning most of her duels, but was on the fringes of the game in an attacking sense all night.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Chloe Kelly (3/10):

  Could not get involved at all in attack and didn't do enough defensively to help deal with Bacha, who always had so much space coming forward from left-back.

  Alessia Russo (5/10):

  Took her goal brilliantly. That was about the only service she had all night, however.

  Beth Mead (5/10):

  Showed great footwork and vision to pick out Russo for the opening goal but struggled to make much of an impact after that.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Caitlin Foord (6/10):

  Arsenal's liveliest introduction, she was not far away from equalising in the final moments.

  Olivia Smith (5/10):

  Battled well and won plenty of duels but couldn't really get anything going in attack.

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (N/A):

  Made a rare appearance in the final 15 minutes.

  Stina Blackstenius (N/A):

  On for the final 15 minutes but didn't get any service.

  Katie McCabe (N/A):

  A late sub.

  Renee Slegers (5/10):

  Was too predictable with her team selection and set-up, and the same with her subs. Didn't do anything to give Lyon a particularly different look going forward in order to help Arsenal get back into the game.

Manchester United are looking to finish the transfer window with a flourish and could now be on the verge of finalising an important exit before the focus on their remaining business, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Manchester United prepare for Grimsby Town trip

Intriguingly, Manchester United travel to face Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup second round after being unable to secure European football for 11 years, setting the scene for an exciting tie at Blundell Park.

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Changes will be in the offing, offering the chance for several fringe players to give Ruben Amorim food for thought after a frustrating Premier League start that has yielded one point from a possible six.

Nevertheless, Patrick Dorgu is choosing to remain optimistic with the bulk of the season ahead, claiming his side are laser-focused on their mission to return to continental football this term.

He told BBC Sport: “The facilities help. I think new signings have helped as well. They bring a lot of good energy and quality into the group.

“Everyone has a point to prove this season. We need to get back to Europe, so we need to stick together, be happy and positive and try to do what the coach asks.”

Either way, the hope is there will be more in the way of new additions before the window is over as the Red Devils continue their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Carrington star likened to Yamal could now leave Man Utd, he wanted to stay

The Red Devils could be set for some late window action.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Aug 25, 2025

Nevertheless, departures will be necesarry to ensure the club have an adequate budget to draft in new faces. Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho continue to be tracked by Chelsea and Roma, respectively.

Now, the Red Devils could be close to offloading another high earner as they begin to move the needle in that direction, per recent developments.

Napoli in final stages of Rasmus Hojlund negotiations

According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund is very close to agreeing a deal to join Napoli on loan, but he will effectively leave for good due to a £39 million mandatory purchase option, a significant windfall to boost the transfer coffers.

The £85,000 per week earner is set to sign a contract until 2030 at the Serie A holders, and all that remains is an ‘exit terms’ agreement to sort out before a deal can be ratified.

Struggling to find his best form at Old Trafford, the Denmark international has registered 26 goals and six assists in 95 appearances for the Red Devils. However, Benjamin Sesko’s arrival has meant Hojlund has slipped down the pecking order.

Financially, Manchester United will hope to reinvest money earned into new signings, but it remains to be seen if all parties can finalise terms before the deadline.

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Tottenham Hotspur suffered from a lack of creativity during Saturday’s defeat against Bournemouth on home turf, losing 1-0 after such good work in claiming six points from six to get the Thomas Frank era off to a flyer in the Premier League.

The hunt for a playmaker worth their salt has dominated much of the Lilywhites’ transfer window, with Xavi Simons signed on but only after botched efforts for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, who left Crystal Palace and joined Arsenal.

But the defeat against the Cherries, requiring more than an hour of action for a first shot on target, and Simons alone won’t provide the answer across the wide span of the campaign.

Mohammed Kudus has racked up a few assists already at this early point in his Tottenham career, but it’s not enough, and Daniel Levy looks ready to attack the market one last time and land a player with properties better suited to fixing this chink in the armour.

Spurs lining up D-day signing

Tottenham have what it takes to come on leaps and bounds this season, but much will depend on the coherence threaded through the first-team squad.

And without enough creative ammunition, Frank’s lofty ambitions might prove hard to hit. To put it another way, he could do with another impactful addition in the coming hours.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, that man could be Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with Tottenham having made an enquiry to ascertain the potential of a last-gasp bid for the England international.

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The chances of the energetic attacking midfielder leaving are admittedly slim, but Tottenham may well pull it off if they offer a sum in the ballpark of £80m, the figure quoted as other clubs – including Liverpool – circle.

What Rogers would bring to Spurs

Aston Villa only signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in the Championship for £15m in January 2024, and already, the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.

After all, he notched 30 goal involvements across all competitions last term, blending his prolific touch with such power and confidence when carrying the ball forward.

Might Spurs be set to land a stunning repeat of their one-time masterclass in winning the race for Dele Alli, who also had strong interest from Liverpool before leaving MK Dons in League One and joining Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham in a £5m package, aged 18.

The rest is history. While Dele’s career has sadly swerved down a dark path, he will always be remembered fondly down N17 for his incredible and prodigious emergence, with Pochettino actually saying back in 2017: “If he is not the best young player in Europe, he’s one of the best. Look at his age and his statistics, the potential is massive.”

Rogers doesn’t quite carry the same weight, but he’s still showcased immense potential under Unai Emery’s wing at Aston Villa.

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Not just a prolific midfielder, Rogers is something of “a machine” when on the ball, as has been noted by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell. He won 4.7 duels per league match last year, as per Sofascore, and shifted from the centre to a more attacking berth with such gusto.

While he can play out on the flank, Rogers shares a further likeness with his countryman in that he is best utilised from the centre, with journalist Carl Anka actually remarking that he has a “Dele-esque” way about him in that regard.

Adding him to the ranks would strengthen Tottenham’s creative potential, to be sure, adding something that Kudus, for all his ability, doesn’t quite inject with the needed skill at this present moment. Indeed, last term, Kudus chalked up just nine goals and assists for the Hammers in all competitions, far fewer than Rogers’ haul of 30.

Kudus is a direct and dangerous winger, but he’s not the most effective of playmakers, and with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both sidelined, adding a player of Rogers’ profile to the mix could go a long way toward weaving together the kind of tactical harmony needed for Spurs to hit their targets and exceed them.

More exciting than Simons: Spurs chasing "one of the best LWs in the world"

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Following a difficult start to life at Rangers, Russell Martin now reportedly faces the threat of losing one of his most influential players amid regular contact from an interested club.

Martin tells Rangers to "seize" Club Brugge chance

Martin would have been the most relieved man in Glasgow when his side got over the line against Scottish League One side Alloa Athletic in the Scottish League Cup. Despite securing a 4-2 victory, the Gers were once again forced into a frantic affair and were found wanting defensively as they allowed their underdog opponents back into the game on two occasions.

Now, arguably the toughest game of Rangers’ season so far awaits. Set to square off against Club Brugge in their latest Champions League qualifier, Martin urged his side to “seize” their opportunity against their Belgian opposition and to play “with a bit more joy” this evening.

Qualifying for the Champions League could be the major turning point that Martin so desperately needs in the early days of his tenure and it could also help keep hold of one star player.

AEK Athens in regular contact to sign Dessers

Despite reports emerging that a deal broke down between AEK Athens and Rangers to sign Cyriel Dessers earlier this summer, it now seems as though the Greek giants have reignited their interest. According to TeamTalk, AEK Athens have been in regular contact to sign Dessers, despite Martin being desperate to keep him in Glasgow.

Related Even worse than Jefte: Euro club set for talks with Rangers to sign £4m dud

Rangers are reportedly set to hold talks with a European club over a potential deal for one of their players.

Posts ByDan Emery Aug 19, 2025

The forward’s exit would be the most frustrating twist of the summer for those at Ibrox and Dessers himself is reportedly open to the move before the transfer window slams shut.

Earning praise from Martin for the “brilliant” job that he did in a 3-0 win against Viktoria Plzen earlier this season, Dessers remains an important player at Ibrox despite previous criticism.

After scoring 29 goals and assisting seven more in all competitions last season, it should come as no surprise that Martin is keen to keep hold of Dessers in the remaining weeks of the window. Whether Rangers manage to do so may be another question entirely, however.

Leeds United are believed to have reached an agreement over the signing of an international attacker this week, but a deal is far complete as the Whites have yet to convince the player to join.

Leeds targeting three more signings

The Whites need as much squad depth as possible upon their return to the Premier League, with plenty of new faces already arriving at Elland Road, from Anton Stach to Jaka Bijol. Leeds’ summer business is unlikely to be done there, however, with former scout Mick Brown claiming that as many as three new faces could still arrive this month given they have yet to truly reinforce their attack.

“The feeling at Leeds has been that if they want to compete in the Premier League, the squad is going to need strengthening and that hasn’t changed. Their recruitment has been okay so far, but I would suggest none of them are nailed-on Premier League players who you know are going to be a success.

“They don’t have the type of Premier League experience in their squad that they would like. Before the window closes, there are two or three new players they want to bring in and I think it’s something they’re working on behind the scenes. There are still positions they want to strengthen in, and they’re going to concentrate on getting in Premier League players to aid that transition.”

A new forward needs to be near the top of Leeds’ wishlist, in order to have enough firepower to cope in the top flight, and a promising update has dropped regarding one target.

Leeds reach agreement to sign Serie A attacker

According to an update from Italian media [via Sport Witness], Leeds have reached an agreement to sign Sassuolo attacker Andrea Pinamonti this summer, who has been capped once by Italy.

That said, the update does also state that the 26-year-old has rejected the chance to join the Whites, with his reasoning for the decision not explained. It is now a case of Daniel Farke and those high up at Elland Road working to change his mind.

Pinamonti is a proven attacker at the highest level, having scored 50 goals in 212 Serie A appearances. Former coach Moreno Longo has heaped praise on him during their time working together in the past.

At 26, Pinamonti is both an experienced head and someone with years ahead of him, so he could come straight in as an influential leader of the line for Leeds.

Leeds closing in on "underrated" striker who's scored over 200 career goals

He’d hand Daniel Farke a major boost.

6 ByTom Cunningham Aug 9, 2025

Last season, the Italian scored 10 Serie A goals on loan at Genoa, also winning six Man of the Match awards from WhoScored, and the lure of moving to the Premier League will hopefully sway his thinking.

Aaron Hardie claimed two wickets in two balls while Josh Hazlewood also impressed on return

Andrew McGlashan21-Sep-2024

Mitchell Starc pinned Harry Brook lbw with a brilliant delivery•Getty Images

Mitchell Starc made a dramatic entrance to the ODI series with a searing inswinging yorker to England captain Harry Brook, after Alex Carey had produced a match-changing innings as Australia, strengthened by the return of key names, went 2-0 up in the series with a convincing 68-run victory at Headingley.Starc’s brilliant set-up of Brook, which he capped off with a wicked delivery that thundered into his pad as he was beaten for pace, added to England’s early problems in a chase of 271 after Carey’s 74 provided crucial late runs to a curious Australia innings. A short while later the home side were 65 for 5 when Aaron Hardie claimed two wickets in two balls, including a brilliant caught-and-bowled to remove the in-form Ben Duckett, to leave them with a mountain to climb.Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell stopped the bleeding with a stand of 55 before Bethell somehow managed to skew a short, wide long hop from Glenn Maxwell to backward point. The game was just about done when Smith clipped Josh Hazlewood to midwicket for a very neat 49 although England’s lower order showed there were few demons in the surface.Australia had been bowled out with more than five overs remaining, having been nine-down in the 37th over before a last-wicket stand of 49 between Carey, only playing due to Josh Inglis’ quad injury, and Hazlewood. But with the visitors having welcomed back Hazlewood and Starc from illness, it still felt as though it would be a considerable test of an England side still trying to reestablish their one-day credentials. The Test duo would finish with five between them.Hazlewood landed the ball on a handkerchief to give Phil Salt a working over – a tough chance was put down at second slip by Matt Short – and it was little surprise when Salt slashed an edge to Carey. In the next over Will Jacks drove expansively outside off stump against Starc and this time Short held on safely in the cordon.Starc, playing his first game since the T20 World Cup in June, then produced a classy over against Brook, barring a delivery on the pads that was clipped for four, probing away across the right-hander before going fuller, straighter and with sharp inswing to have Brook trapped in front of leg stump.Alex Carey pulls during his fighting half-century•AFP/Getty Images

Duckett had again played well, scooping Hazlewood over the keeper and sending a bottom-handed whip over the leg side for six, but toe-ended a slower ball to the left of Hardie who took a spectacular catch low to his left. Next ball Liam Livingstone glanced a leg-side delivery to Carey who took an excellent grab to his left and England’s frontline batting was nearly done.In the first half of the game, Australia were not as dominant with the bat as they had been at Trent Bridge. Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne took them to 145 for 3 when Bethell and Adil Rashid, who claimed his 200th ODI wicket, took three quick wickets with another mini-collapse following a stand of 55 between Carey and Hardie.But Carey, who had been welcomed to the crease by a crowd needlessly reminding him of events last year, played smartly as he took singles late in an over to protect Hazlewood – who contributed just four to the stand – while exploiting boundary opportunities including handsome off-side sixes against Potts and Olly Stone.There had been movement for England’s new-ball attack, particularly Stone who was impressive after being recalled for the rested Jofra Archer, but Travis Head was just starting to move through his gears when he picked out deep backward square with a whip-pull off his hip. In his second spell, Potts nipped the ball both ways: movement away found Short’s edge then a peach of a delivery zipped back to take Smith’s off stump.Marsh and Labuschagne went about their task carefully and the run-rate slowed. They had to combat some sharp spin from Rashid, but Marsh flicked a switch with two sixes in three balls off the struggling Carse, the first a huge pull deep into the Western Terrace to take him to a 47-ball fifty and the second coming from a free hit after Carse overstepped.Adil Rashid claimed his 200th ODI wicket when he removed Glenn Maxwell•Getty Images

Then, much as it did for Australia two days ago, spin made an impact. Labuschagne spliced a pull against Bethell to mid-on and Marsh missed a sweep to give the left-armer his second. Maxwell pummeled his first ball from Bethell for six but picked out deep midwicket while attempting a repeat to hand Rashid his 200th ODI wicket.Carey and Hardie played positively as they took advantage of Brook’s decision to squeeze out some extra overs of spin, with Livingstone and Jacks going for 34 in three between them. A curious innings involved another twist when Carse’s day took a turn for the better. Recalled to the attack, he removed Hardie first ball with a pull spliced to midwicket and next delivery had Starc flicking into the leg side.When Adam Zampa carved Rashid to point it appeared the innings was on the brink of a very early finish but the final-wicket stand, coupled with Australia’s start with the ball, put a very different complexion on the game.

Fast bowler returns from back injury; Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are set for their ninth T20 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Sep-2024

Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates will have played each of the T20 World Cups•ICC via Getty Images

New Zealand will be boosted by the return of fast bowler Rosemary Mair for the women’s T20 World Cup 2024, after she suffered a back injury during their home series against England in March. Meanwhile, their captain Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are set to play their ninth T20 World Cup when the competition begins in the UAE in October.This means the two would have played in every edition of the T20 World Cup.Mair, who has 18 wickets from 24 T20Is, will bolster a pace attack comprising the experienced Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold, while Brooke Halliday is also an option as a fast-bowling allrounder. The spin-bowling department includes Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Fran Jonas and Eden Carson.It’s a largely experienced squad, with wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze the only player not to have played a T20 World Cup before.New Zealand squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024•ESPNcricinfo

“I’m really pleased with this squad; I think these are our best 15 players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said. “Soph [Devine] and Suze [Bates] have a huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we’ll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what’s going to be a pretty intense competition.”Rosemary’s had an unfortunate run with injury over the past few months, and she’s worked hard to be fit for this tournament. She’s proved herself as one of our key pace options and we’re excited she’s returning.”New Zealand will also tour Australia for three T20Is in the lead-up to the World Cup, with the same squad set to participate in the games on September 19, 22 and 24 in Mackay and Brisbane.They then play warm-up games against South Africa and England on September 29 and October 1, respectively, before the start of the World Cup proper, where they face India in their first match on October 4. Apart from India, those in New Zealand’s group include Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.The World Cup will be Devine’s last assignment as New Zealand’s T20I captain.New Zealand squad for women’s T20 World Cup 2024Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Arsenal are undergoing a major restructure of their squad ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign, with manager Mikel Arteta desperate to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title.

Arsenal in discussions for £85m Serie A star as "close" circle contacted

The north Londoners have a number of targets they’re exploring.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 20, 2025

New sporting director Andrea Berta’s arrival in north London three months ago brought plenty of anticipation with it, and the Italian has already been busy for a long time behind-the-scenes.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal after the Gunners and Berta agreed to pay over his release clause. While Arteta’s side need to stump up a larger fee overall for the Spain international, this cost will be spread out across installments, allowing Arsenal to both navigate PSR regulations and take less of a chunk out of their summer transfer kitty for this year.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is also still joining Arsenal from Chelsea as David Raya’s new back-up goalkeeper (The Times), and the experienced 30-year-old is set to compete for Arteta’s number one spot between the sticks.

While Arsenal are yet to bring in a new striker, despite talks for both Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Arteta’s dire need for a centre-forward means it’ll surely only be a matter of time.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)	Money on new signings
19/20 – winter	£0
20/21 – summer	£81.5m
20/21 – winter	£900k
21/22 – summer	£156.8m
21/22 – winter	£1.8m
22/23 – summer	£121.5m
22/23 – winter	£59m
23/24 – summer	£208m
23/24 – winter	£0
24/25 – summer	£101.5m
24/25 – winter	£0

Amidst all of this activity, when it comes to recruitment, players deemed surplus to requirements have been going the other way as well.

Jorginho and Kieran Tierney have officially departed Arsenal, with the former terminating his contract early so he can link up with Flamengo for the Club World Cup, and the latter re-joining former club Celtic on a free transfer.

Now, amid challenging talks over a new deal for star £200,000-per-week midfielder Thomas Partey, the Ghanaian is close to joining them.

Thomas Partey could leave Arsenal in the next few days

He made over 50 appearances under Arteta last season in what was his best-ever campaign for Arsenal, prompting the club to open discussions over an extension, but these negotiations have gone nowhere.

As things stand, Partey could now leave Arsenal in a matter of days, as explained by Fabrizio Romano.

The 32-year-old seemed nailed-on to quit the north London club before 2024/2025, given his well-documented past injury problems, but Partey’s resurgence has suddenly made the star’s exit a much bigger blow for Arteta.

Arsenal’s manager was public in his desire for Partey to remain in N5, after the ex-Atletico Madrid man thrived playing in both midfield and as an emergency right-back last term, which included some pretty big performances against the likes of Real Madrid.

Amid serious interest from AC Milan and José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, the curtain appears to be drawing on Partey’s five-year stay at the club, which could now leave Arteta one “sensational” player short in the engine room.

Manchester United had problems aplenty last season, but one of the most damning issues was the inability to produce the kind of slick attacking performances that would have merited a European-qualifying finish or indeed a trophy.

Bruno Fernandes did all he could, posting 19 goals and assists apiece across all competitions, but it wasn’t enough to stop Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, nor did it amount to silverware, or a respectable Premier League finish.

But the Red Devils can now look forward to a pre-season of preparation under the wing of Ruben Amorim, and despite all the issues, optimism remains that a corner can be turned, especially with the prestigious club’s pull still firmly intact.

Perhaps the greatest British outfit of all time, United fell by the wayside last term, but Old Trafford remains one of the most attractive destinations for high-quality players, with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha rejecting offers from teams like Arsenal to complete a “dream” £62.5m move to Manchester this week.

The Brazilian forward has been hailed as “one of the most coveted players in the league” by content creator Dev Bajwa.

However, he’s not the only top Premier League forward INEOS have pushed to reel in this summer, with Bryan Mbeumo in talks to move to the Theatre of Dreams.

The latest on Bryan Mbeumo to Man Utd

Man United’s reputation as one of Europe’s big boys was underscored when Brentford’s Mbeumo intimated his preference to join Old Trafford this summer, even though Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, all of whom have Champions League football to look forward to, have been firmly in the race.

After scoring 20 goals across 38 league outings, the intrigue is understandable, and also points toward a revised United strategy to strengthen by securing Premier League-proven players.

However, Mbeumo’s stock is high, and while he is hoping to make the move to Old Trafford, Spurs’ appointment of Thomas Frank has thrown something of a spanner in the works, with the former Bees boss’ arrival giving the Londoners renewed optimism that they could strike a deal for the Cameroon international.

United will remain confident that they can complete a statement signing, but if not, why not turn to an alternative who has also enjoyed success on English soil over the past couple of years?

Man United join race for PL star

As per Caught Offside, Manchester United have joined the race for Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert, who’s coming off the back of a prolific campaign in the Premier League.

The Dutchman, 26, is highly regarded at the Vitality Stadium, who are under no pressure to cash in. However, if suitors were to make an offer worth roughly €55m (£47m), they might just be tempted.

A host of rivals, such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham, are also keen, but the Red Devils registered their interest some time ago and could use their peerless pull once more to bring him in.

Why Man Utd want Justin Kluivert

Kluivert has truly stepped out of his famous father’s shadow to become his own player, joining Bournemouth from Roma two years ago in a deal just shy of £10m.

Across his two campaigns at the club, the Netherlands international has scored 22 goals and supplied ten assists, though it’s been his “red-hot” 2024/25 season that has taken him into another sphere, as has been noted by journalist Ryan Taylor.

If Man United do miss out on Mbeumo, Kluivert could prove the perfect alternative. As per Sofascore, he only missed six big chances in the league, putting away 12 more chances. Moreover, he averaged 1.4 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game while completing 81% of his passes, bespeaking technical control and indeed the right application of his abilities.

This offers shades of Mbeumo, in a way. The Brentford sensation, 25, supported his prolific success through a base range of talents, averaging 1.8 key passes, 1.4 dribbles, and 4.7 successful duels per game.

Kluivert was utilised across a range of attacking areas by Andoni Iraola last season, and that is in keeping with his career at large, suggesting he could perform across different berths for Amorim, whose three-pronged attacking set-up could see him dovetail right in.

Left winger

136

35

25

Right winger

85

20

21

Attacking midfield

57

15

8

Centre-forward

7

2

1

He’s proven his capacity to impress across the frontline, which speaks of dynamism in a similar vein to Mbeumo, a right-sided forward by trade but not without his strengths as a focal frontman, actually playing seven times as Frank’s striker over the past year, scoring four goals and laying on one assist.

Kluivert’s demonstrable Premier League success, so clinical and composed, could see him become a star in Amorim’s system. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of forwards in the division for goals and assists per 90, leading the data-driven site to rank Mbeumo up as one of his most comparable players.

United need more goals, and by injecting Amorim’s fold with talents such as Cunha and Kluivert (or indeed Mbeumo), they would take a confident step toward a lifting resurgence.

Furthermore, they’re hardly one-trick ponies. All are physical and multi-faceted players, capable of creating chances and using their athleticism to serve the fluency of the wider team.

Amorim has weathered a storm, all right, but there might just be light at the end of the tunnel. United have been here before, roused by ostensibly effective transfer windows, but there’s a certain astuteness about INEOS’ dealings right now which suggests brighter fortunes may lie around the corner.

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