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Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal transfer news: Eberechi Eze warning sent as Mikel Arteta questioned over deal
Arsenal have enjoyed a busy summer so far, making six new signings, and Mikel Arteta is keen to continue strengthening his squad ahead of the new Premier League season Arsenal have spent almost £200million on new signings so far this summer, bringing in Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to make some more signings before the window slams shut. He is also looking to offload some fringe players, having already sold Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos and released Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Gunners have finished second for the past three Premier League season and will be hoping to win the title this year for the first time since 2004. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours from around the Emirates... Juventus eye Kiwior According to a report from Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior. The report states that Lloyd Kelly, who completed a permanent move to Juventus this summer after initially joining them on loan in the January transfer window, could be set for a return to the Premier League. As a result, Juventus are said to have begun looking at potential replacements for Kelly and Kiwior is among them. However, the report also notes that Wolfsburg's Konstantinos Koulierakis is also on their radar. Eze warning Eberechi Eze has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, but former Gunners defender Mikael Silvestre believes he should remain at Crystal Palace. Speaking to Hajper, Silvestre said: "Eberechi Eze to Arsenal? I don't think it'd be good for him, to be honest, because there is a lot of competition and because he has so much joy and freedom at Crystal Palace. "Going to Arsenal would, I think, be difficult because of the competition for places. But I like him a lot. Since his early days, he has been terrific. It's a shame he's had quite a lot of muscle injuries and he's missed some parts of the season. But whenever he's fit and ready, he is a top player." Gyokeres doubts Arsenal forked out around £63.7m to sign a new striker in Viktor Gyokeres this summer, but Premier League icon Paul Scholes has questioned whether Mikel Arteta "really wanted him". Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, Scholes said: "[Arsenal needed a] centre forward, I just wonder if you've chosen the right one. Because there was a lot of um-ing and ah-ing about it, I wondered if Mikel Arteta really wanted him, as the main one he wants? I'm not too sure, and he's got him now."
Times
44 minutes ago
- Times
Keir Starmer must let in sunlight to avoid further lobbying scandals
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton long ago predicted that lobbying would be 'the next big scandal' to hit politics, warning of the dangers of what happens behind closed doors. 'We all know how it works. The lunches, the hospitality, the quiet word in your ear, the ex-ministers and ex-advisers for hire, helping big business find the right way to get its way,' he said in 2010. It was somewhat apt that despite introducing the first real oversight for lobbyists, the former prime minister was caught in just such a scandal after he departed from office. Despite a repeated cycle of scandals involving what Lord Cameron spoke of, lobbyists have continued to work in the shadows. As this newspaper has exposed, the Starmer government is facing serious questions over 'cash for access' after businesses were approached by a Labour group offering private meetings with 'an influential Labour figure'. The Labour Infrastructure Forum (LIF), which is run by lobbyists from Bradshaw Advisory along with an advisory council of senior party figures, has offered businesses the chance to meet 'key policymakers' to help 'shape the discussion'. The forum has offered sponsorship packages for potential clients, including breakfast meetings for almost £9,500. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has spoken at an LIF event. • Labour 'leaving public in the dark' about payments from lobbyists Although the LIF insists that the sponsorship money is used to cover costs, the group declined a request by The Times to disclose details of which companies had sponsored events at what cost until its next annual report. The Labour Party too has declined to say which senior figures had attended any LIF meetings. Yet undercover reporting has shown Gerry McFall, director of the forum alongside his leading role at Bradshaw Advisory, boasted of meetings between his clients and senior figures in government, including Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary. There is a clear problem here that must be addressed. The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, which was set up during Lord Cameron's premiership, governs lobbying and is supposed to ensure it is transparent and open. Businesses who regularly engage in lobbying, known as 'consultant lobbyists', are required to register their activities. Yet the LIF was not required to register as it did not fall under this category: in-house lobbyists who are employed directly by companies, think tanks or 'forums' are not required to register. This must be addressed: all lobbying activity should be recorded, along with the details of who exactly is meeting which ministers. That being said, ministers should show more common sense. Mr Jones should have done due diligence before speaking at an LIF event. The same goes for Mr Reynolds, the minister most exposed to the potential influence of businesses. The lack of records charting his meeting with a Bradshaw Advisory client at a Labour conference highlights another flaw in transparency rules, which does not require ministers to report meetings at such events not deemed to be in a ministerial capacity. Even if the party insists it was instead 'held in a political capacity', Mr Reynolds should have realised that he should strive for transparency. • How we exposed Labour's cosy links to lobbyists None of this is to say that all lobbying is inherently bad, or that onerous restrictions are required. It is essential to good policy making that ministers hear from businesses — particularly a government that has as little private sector experience as this one. But it must be done in an open and transparent manner, something lacking at present. According to an analysis by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, registered Westminster lobbyists account for just 0.5 per cent of registered lobbyists across a host of similar countries. If Sir Keir Starmer is to avoid further such scandals, he must strengthen the oversight. By letting in as much sunlight as possible, it will go some way to curtail any sense of wrongdoing, real or perceived.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd transfer news: Benjamin Sesko makes choice as contact made for 'unrealistic' deal
Manchester United look to have secured the signing of Benjamin Sesko, fending off Newcastle's interest, with the RB Leipzig striker closing on a move to Old Trafford Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Benjamin Sesko despite Newcastle also wanting to land the RB Leipzig frontman. Both teams are in the market for a striker, but the Red Devils look to have won the race. The Slovenian is poised to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford and compliment the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo with his possible signing taking the Manchester outfit's spending to around the £200million mark. Ruben Amorim knew he needed to get serious quality through the door if he was to improve on last year's horror showing, which ended with United finishing 15th. The club still need to try and get a number of players off their books or risk carrying them for several months. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony are all looking for ways out of Manchester and their exits could help fund some of the club's future business. Here's the latest news involving the Premier League outfit. Sesko training solo after picking Red Devils Leipzig have confirmed Sesko is training away from his team-mates as speculation over his move to Manchester ramps up. The striker reportedly told his team-mates earlier this summer that he would be on the move to pastures new. The German club confirmed on Wednesday morning that the 22-year-old was again working individually. In a brief statement they said: "Wednesday squad update: Andrija Maksimovic is back in Leipzig, but is training individually today. Benjamin Sesko and Lukas Klostermann are also working individually." Sesko is also very much on Newcastle's radar and the Magpies were the club to make the first bid. However the striker has expressed a desire to head to Old Trafford, shunning Champions League football in the process, as Amorim closes on the No 9 he's been after. Baleba contact made Those in Manchester have made contact with Brighton as they look to land explore a deal for midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Cameroon star enjoyed a stellar year last season and the Seagulls have no plans to cash in. The Red Devils are aware the move may be unrealistic, especially if their transfer funds to end up being spent on Sesko, but are looking to gauge whether anything can be done in the coming weeks as Ruben Amorim seeks to further bolster his squad, reports the Athletic. United's current focus is on landing the Slovenian from RB Leipzig after they jumped ahead of Newcastle in the transfer race. There is an acceptance that any move, which could cost more than £70million, will make any swoop for the Brighton star very difficult. Barca confident on Rashford registration Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident the club will be able to register Marcus Rashford and their other signings before the new season starts. The forward has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan. The deal includes a £26m option to buy and involves Barcelona paying his wages in full. There were concerns that Barcelona may not be able to register Rashford due to their financial struggles - but they have been addressed. "It's progressing well," Laporta told ESPN. "We're doing our job and we're confident that we'll be able to register everyone." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
