
Monday's briefing: Arsenal sign Zubimendi but no Vardy party at Rangers yet
The Spain international, 26, moves to the Emirates Stadium on a long-term deal after the Gunners reportedly triggered his £51million release clause.
Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.
Zubimendi told the club website: 'This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.
'I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.'
Forward Lauren Hemp insists England know what is at stake when they play the Netherlands on Wednesday as they bid to keep their European title defence alive.
The Lionesses' backs are against the wall after suffering an tournament-opening 2-1 defeat to France to set up what is already being billed as a 'must-win' meeting with 2017 champions the Netherlands.
'This team, a lot of the time, we thrive under pressure,' said Manchester City forward Hemp. 'Obviously it's one of those situations. Every game we go into, we want to win.
'From how we acted in the last 10 minutes (against France), we know what's at stake, and obviously we want to get as far as we can.
'We are reigning champions. It is important to remember that and gain confidence from that.'
Russell Martin refused to be drawn on reports linking Rangers with a move for former England and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.
The 38-year-old forward, who has seen a move to Genoa fall through, has now been heavily touted for a switch to Ibrox after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season.
Recently appointed Rangers boss Martin remained coy but refused to dismiss the prospect, when asked after his side's 2-2 pre-season friendly draw at home to Club Brugge on Sunday if Vardy was a target.
'I think I've been asked about so many players,' he said. 'Some miles away, some on the money. So basically, I'm not going to give you an answer on that.
'But I guess you'll find out who's real and who's not in the next few weeks.'
R̶e̶c̶u̶p̶e̶r̶a̶c̶i̶ó̶n̶.̶̶T̶r̶a̶b̶a̶j̶o̶ ̶e̶n̶ ̶L̶a̶u̶s̶a̶n̶n̶e̶.̶𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 ✅
🔜 Jornada 2 (Fase de grupos).#WEURO2025 | #JugarLucharYGanar pic.twitter.com/NjOHIiERXP
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 6, 2025
In the women's Euros, Spain continue their Group B campaign against Belgium, while Portugal take on Italy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
38 minutes ago
- Reuters
New Ranger Rowdy Tellez keys win over Tigers with HR
July 20 - Rowdy Tellez hit a three-run home run to back a strong start by Kumar Rocker as the Texas Rangers defeated the struggling Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Saturday in the second of three-game series in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers' pitching has been dominating thus far, shutting out Detroit in the first game of this set on Friday and nearly doing it again on Saturday. The Tigers did not get a runner past second base until a Riley Greene home run to open the ninth inning. Tellez's homer was a boon for Rocker (4-4), who allowed one hit, walked three and struck out six over 6 1/3 innings of work. Rocker worked out of a jam in the fourth inning when he walked the first two batters and didn't allow a hit until Wenceel Perez singled with two out in the sixth. Texas has captured five of its past six games and, with the victory on Saturday, is guaranteed of winning its second straight series against a first-place team. The Rangers took two of three from American League West frontrunner Houston prior to the All-Star break. The Tigers lost their season-high sixth straight game but still own a double-digit lead in the AL Central and are tied for the most wins in the majors (59). Detroit has just seven combined hits in the first two games of this set, however. Tellez, who was signed to a minor league contract on July 5 by the Rangers a week after being released by Seattle, wasn't on the team until Friday, when he went 0-for-3. But he made the most of a green light on a 3-0 count in the second inning in his first at-bat on Saturday, ripping a three-run homer over the center field fence off Tigers' starter Keider Montero (4-2). Texas added a run in the fifth when Corey Seager's single drove in Alejandro Osuna, who had walked. Montero went 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Rocker was lifted with none on and one out in the seventh after 96 pitches for Hoby Milner, who allowed a single to Matt Vierling and a walk to Jake Rogers but no further damage. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for Texas. Greene's home run in the ninth snapped a 19-inning scoreless streak for the Tigers. --Field Level Media


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
This Rangers side can't possibly be ready for Europe, writes GARY KEOWN... and Russell Martin is in big danger of his own Artmedia moment
For years, that iconic badge has been emblazoned proudly on the wall of the main stand at Ibrox. A golden lion on a royal blue background with the word 'Ready' underneath — in big, bold capital letters. If one club looks the absolute opposite of its motto right now, though, it's Rangers. We all know the summer takeover by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and his US consortium ate up a lot of time and energy. We know their plan is one based on long-term investment rather than short-term splurges.
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Sir Alex Ferguson provides ‘incredible' support to Rangers boss Russell Martin
Ferguson joined former Ibrox team-mate and ex-manager John Greig in meeting the Rangers players during the week to back up Martin's attempts to instil a winning mentality. Speaking ahead of his competitive debut in the Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos at Ibrox on Tuesday, Martin told Rangers TV: 'We have to get into the habit of winning. We have to get in the habit of playing the way that we want to play, regardless of who we play against. 'I said that to the team from day one. It has to be about us and it has to be about our intention and our habits and what we do. If we're going to do something, we're going to do it all the time. 'If we're going to run, it's not a choice. We're going to run all the time. If we're going to fight, we're going to fight all the time. There's never a choice at this football club. You have to do it. 'We've had a couple of people in this week, in John Greig and Sir Alex Ferguson, who understand that. 'It's been brilliant for the guys to see them. They're desperate for this team to do well and for us to do well as a group. They've echoed that message. 'That's what they want to see as fans of this club. Any team talk or any message I have for the players I think is done when those two guys speak about this club and what it means to them and what they expect from the performance. 'I hope we can put in a performance that those two feel proud of as well.' The former Aberdeen and Manchester United had earlier contacted Martin through his son's connection with the Gers boss. Martin said: 'I played under Darren Ferguson at Peterborough and he reached out a few weeks ago when I got the job and said his dad wanted to give me a call and was that OK? I said, of course. Since then, Sir Alex has been in touch really regularly. He's been great. 'I said to him, you need to come in as soon as you can. He came up and he's been in. It was brilliant for everyone to see him. 'It's the first time he's ever been here. It was a really good moment for everyone to meet him and see him. He's been so supportive of me personally, which has been incredible. 'Then, Mr Greig, he messaged me and it's just been the first chance he had to get in. They both told stories about each other and it was nice to see them both. They're both really behind us and what we're doing. 'They just want to feel the same way as all the fans. We want to see a team that fights and works for everything and has a way about them on the pitch that typifies and exemplifies what they believe this club to be about.'