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The Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Sun
Man Utd fans vow to ‘call first born child INEOS' if Ruben Amorim completes incredible transfer for Brighton star
MANCHESTER UNITED fans have vowed to make some madcap life decisions if the club complete a stunning deal to sign Carlos Baleba. Reports suggest Red Devils transfer chiefs have made contact with Brighton over the possibility of signing the 21-year-old. 5 5 5 5 Baleba is seen as one of the brightest talents of his age group, and as reported by L'Equipe in France, United are currently in pole position to sign the midfielder amid a host of interested parties. In the CIES football observatory, Baleba is valued at up to £76million, though it is understood Brighton have no intention to sanction a sale for the rising star this summer, with Seagulls chief Paul Barber denying that an approach had been made at all. Barber said: "There is always going to be interest in our players. Manchester United have not been in touch with me, speculation is speculation. "Carlos is a fantastic talent and we hope he will be here for years to come. But it's subject to the dynamics of the football world, which is not always predictable." Baleba's contract at the Amex Stadium runs until 2028 - while there is also an option to extend for a further year. United are on the hunt for a dynamic midfielder to go in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 pivot after unconvincing displays by Manuel Ugarte in pre-season, with his display against Everton coming in fro particular scrutiny. Baleba was one of the Premier League's top ranked midfielders last season for tackles, blocks, interceptions and recoveries, while his progressive carries and forward passing numbers were also impressive. And such is the fervour for United to sign Baleba - who exclusively told SunSport about his ambition to win the Ballon d'Or - that the thought of getting the deal over the line has seen some of the Red Devils faithful make some stunning promises. One excited fan declared: "If we sign Baleba then I'm calling my first born child INEOS." A second said: "Throw the f***ing bank at him. Incur a lifetime transfer ban. Pull every credit facility necessary. "Include the new stadium naming rights in the deal. Do anything and everything in your power to sign Carlos Baleba." A third said: "I swear, if we sign Baleba after signing Sesko, Mbeumo, and Cunha, then I'm driving down to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's house and kissing his feet while apologising for all the bad things I've said about INEOS." Another said: "Get Baleba and it's the best window since 2007." A fifth said: "Bro what the f*** were we gonna do if we got UCL???????" A sixth said: "Nah the way United fans manifested this Baleba [move] through pure faith and blind optimism We are massive man." A seventh speculated: "[Kobbie] Mainoo-Baleba for the next decade genuinely sorts out the base of the team in every single facet in every single system/shape." These opinions come before a fan protest against Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, organised by The 1958, ahead of United's opening Premier League game against Arsenal on August 17. Baleba made his international debut for Cameroon last year and has played in seven games for the Indomitable Lions so far. And his high ambitions of winning football's ultimate individual prize is sure to go down well with Man Utd fans and transfer chiefs as they look to bring the club back to its former glory. He told SunSport in an exclusive interview: "Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha, Joelinton, they've all told me I've got it in me. I want to win the Ballon d'Or like Rodri. "I watched him during the Euros and before his injury I played against him and time I got the ball, he was right in front of me. 'It was my first game against Manchester City, and it was very difficult. He made it so hard to dribble or pass. That showed his class. 'His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon d'Or someday... I can get to the very top of world football. 'But I need to stay focused, stay calm, not rush, and not let what people write get in my head. If I keep working hard, I can be like Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, I just need to stay grounded." Baleba's journey to football stardom is nothing short of remarkable. He tragically lost his mother three years ago just as he got his breakthrough European move to French side Lille. But he explained the pain of his loss drives him forwards to be the best version of himself. Baleba continued: "It was very difficult for me because I didn't see my mum. I wanted her next to me, but when I signed for Brighton, she wasn't here. 'That's why the first season was really hard. I thought about her a lot. But I vowed that I would be the best version of myself and go as far as I can in my career." His English is still a work in progress, but he's proud of the steps he has taken to settle in, even if the British weather isn't always his cup of tea. He added: "I love it here, to be honest. My favourite English food is the English breakfast, if I'm allowed to say that! But the weather is the only issue, it changes all the time." 5
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Arteta hoping to have Havertz back before season opener
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is hoping to have Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard available for the pre-season match with Athletic Club on was not named in the squad for Wednesday's 3-2 defeat by Villarreal but Arteta is hopeful it is a minor issue."Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn't quite right, so we decided to rest him," he said."I think it's going to be a matter of a couple of days, hopefully the weekend, if everything goes to plan, I think he will be fit."Trossard, Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes all picked up knocks on tour but Gabriel was fit enough to be introduced as a second-half substitute."Yes, the three that we lost during the tour, it was big Gabi, Leo and Ricky, and for Saturday I think both of them have a chance if everything in the next few days evolves in the way it has been evolving in the last few days," added Arteta.
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Mikel Arteta makes Viktor Gyokeres admission after noticing reaction to Arsenal team-mates
Viktor Gyokeres was subbed after an hour but Mikel Arteta has no doubts he'll be in a position to hit the ground running this season, starting against Manchester United Mikel Arteta insists Viktor Gyokeres will be "100 per cent" mentally ready to kickstart Arsenal's Premier League campaign with a bang against Manchester United. The Swede huffed and puffed on his first Emirates outing on Wednesday night as the Gunners were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal in their penultimate pre-season fixture. Gyokeres was subbed after an hour but Arteta has no doubts he'll be in a position to hit the ground running this season, starting at Old Trafford. Arteta said of his marquee £63.7million summer capture: "I think mentally and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100 per cent or more because he's so willing. He's so confident as well that he can deliver for us straight away, I have no doubt he'll be in a really good place." Gyokeres has endured a gruelling, whirlwind summer, but Arteta is adamant he noticed immediate chemistry with his new Arsenal team-mates on the pitch. When asked how long it may take to click for the 27-year-old striker, the Spaniard added: "I hope just days, every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling. "I think he's built connections as well outside of the pitch, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to be in the position that he needs to get in. "He hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done five or six sessions now before today. I think he will take another step in the right direction on Saturday and he will be in a better condition." Teenage sensation Max Dowman dazzled from the bench but Arteta revealed the 15-year-old starlet is now heading on holiday for a well-earned break. The Arsenal boss was unable to provide any assurances that Dowman will be making his top-flight debut imminently ahead of the new season. He said of the nimble attacker: "Let's see how it goes. Let's go into Saturday, into his break as well. He needs a little break because he hasn't had any holidays really. So, in the next few days, he's going to have a break, which I think he needs. Then the following week, he'll be ready again to go." Arsenal play Athletic Club on Saturday in their final pre-season fixture before they gear up for the trip to Manchester United. Arteta has no doubt his side are the finished article - they now just have to prove it after three second-place finishes. He continued: "We know we need to make the next step and we're going to be better. The same as any other team, when you look at the competition, the pieces on the puzzle that they're adding, some of the ones are big ones as well. So, we're all trying to be at our best and ready to compete to win the Premier League." Kai Havertz (muscle issue), Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard could return to face Athletic Club this weekend.
