Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal FC striker target releases cryptic statement as transfer rumours fly
Reports in the Portuguese press claim he feels Sporting's hierarchy have reneged on a gentlemen's agreement, where it was understood he would be allowed to leave the club for less than his £85m release clause.
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd files: Victor Osimhen is shock Plan B to Viktor Gyokeres transfer but huge wages will cause major dilemma
NIGERIAN ace Victor Osimhen is emerging as a genuine back-up plan if Manchester United's move for Viktor Gyokeres falls through. Swede Gyokeres' relationship with Sporting Lisbon appears to be completely broken down after the Portuguese club attempted to jack up his asking price after agreeing he could leave for £59million. 8 Man Utd will consider a move for Victor Osimhen if they can't sign Viktor Gyokeres Credit: Getty 8 Gyokeres is United's No1 target Credit: Getty But while Ruben Amorim wants to be reunited with the former Brighton and Coventry striker, who scored 57 goals in 57 games under him at the Estadio Alvalade, United are also aware of Osimhen's availability. The Nigerian spent last term on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, where he was not wanted by Antonio Conte. Osimhen, 26, bagged 32 goals in 37 appearances for the Istanbul club, who want him to stay but have also seen Saudi clubs including Al-Hilal join a bidding war. So far, though, no deal has been agreed, with Osimhen seemingly ready to consider all his options - including a potential move to the Premier League. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GET IT DON Sancho at centre of three-way Prem transfer war as Chelsea line up Man U pal But the striker's Galatasaray contract is understood to be worth £300,000 per week after tax, which would equate to around £500,000 weekly in the UK - a figure United cannot afford to pay. Nevertheless, a move has not been ruled out amid uncertainty over the Gyokeres situation, although no matter who arrives - following the £62m signing of Brazilian Matheus Cunha from Wolves - there will have to be big money departures. SOLD TRAFFORD? TALKING of players set to go through the exit doors - and at least United should be able to cash in on two of those felt least likely to have a future under Amorim. Number crunchers at the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory have unveiled their updated list of the 100 most valuable players in global football. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford Top of the rankings, which features Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham in the top three, is Barcelona teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, valued at a staggering £343m. Prem clubs dominate the list, with 42 of the top 100 making their living in England. Liverpool's £100m Barcola bid / Gyokeres forces Man Utd move / Grealish City axe | Transfers Exposed But in a worrying sign of what has gone wrong at Old Trafford over the past decade, the only two United players in the list are unwanted Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho. Dane Hojlund is 52nd, rated as worth £68m. Given his struggles to establish himself since his £72m move from Atalanta, United bean counters would snatch the hand off anyone making an offer anywhere near that - although the club needs to take £38m to 'break even' on the left-over amortisation costs on his five year contract. Garnacho is ranked 85th and valued at £54m - a sum which would be 'pure profit' in PSR terms if a deal was made. 8 Rasmus Hojlund is rated as worth £68m Credit: Getty 8 Alejandro Garnacho is set to leave Man Utd this summer Credit: Getty CLIFFE JUMP SOME rare good United news off the pitch for Sir Jim Ratcliffe - with the club's share price bouncing back. United shares dropped to less than £10 each in the immediate aftermath of the Europa League Final defeat by Spurs, representing a 60 per cent fall from the £26 per share he paid for his total £1.487bn investment last year. It was a public response to the £100m black hole in income for next season after United's worst campaign since they were relegated from the top flight in 1974. That meant the club's market capitalisation - its value in terms of the share price - had plummeted from the £4.54bn implied by Ratcliffe's purchases to just £1.72bn. But the past month has seen a change in fortunes, with the price of shares on the New York Stock Exchange briefly touching a 2025 high of £14.51 each on Monday. At close of business on Wednesday that price had dropped slightly but the total value of the club has recovered to a fraction under £2.5bn. Sir Jim will be hoping for a similar recovery on the pitch next term. 8 Man Utd's share price has bounced back - three weeks on from the club's Europa League final defeat Credit: Alamy IN THE RED THE Glazer debt is still taking a heavy toll on Old Trafford - as outlined by the latest Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance. According to the latest figures, while United's net debt of £482m is significantly less than the £793m owed by Spurs after the building of their new ground it costs Ratcliffe and Ineos far more to service. United's debt repayments stood at £61m per year in 2023-24, compared to the £47m cost of meeting Tottenham's schedule. Deloitte reported that United's wage bill in the last full season under Erik ten Hag stood at £365m, below only Manchester City and Liverpool, representing 55 per cent of their £662m revenues. But the price of past transfer mistakes is crippling, with United losing £186m in 'amortisation costs' - the amount of each player's first contract after being bought divided by its length in that season - while Ineos made a further £159m cash injection. 8 The Glazer debt is still taking a heavy toll on Old Trafford Credit: AFP LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION TRYING to put a positive spin on Manchester United is not easy – particularly when the Red Devils have a year like last season. So perhaps it is no surprise that the Red Devils currently have two jobs being advertised for their in house media department at Old Trafford. They are searching for a director of communications and a media director as they begin preparations for the 2025/26 season. OH MAN MANUEL UGARTE might be in line for a ticking off when he returns to Carrington for pre-season training early next month. The Uruguayan midfielder went early by unveiling United's new home shirt on his social media pages a few hours before he was meant to. Perhaps it was due to the time difference being in South America during his time off but plenty of eagle-eyed United fans spotted the mix up. 8 Manuel Ugarte leaked the new United kit early Credit: Getty MAKING HIS MARC MARCUS RASHFORD is obviously keen to show his admirers he is returning to full fitness after injury wrecked his final few weeks at Aston Villa. The England forward posted footage of himself doing some warm weather training early this week. He also uploaded footage of him playing padel – which prompted a couple of cheeky replies from ex team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo. Rashford is aware there is unlikely to be a way back for him at Old Trafford so the clock is ticking for him to find a new club. It is just over three weeks until United return to training at Carrington and Rashford will be keen to avoid an uncomfortable few days by finding a new club before then.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic fans beg former star to return as old team-mate says ‘green suits you'
They left two years ago after scoring 15 goals in the Hoops HOMECOMING Celtic fans beg former star to return as old team-mate says 'green suits you' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FANS are calling for a former Celtic star to "come home" after their stint at a Euro giant ended. After announcing their departure on social media, supporters clamoured the comments section with pleas for them to return. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 1 Jacynta was a fan favourite at Celtic Park Credit: SNS Jacynta Galabadaarachchi joined Celtic in 2021 and would go on to become a fan favourite at the club. She scored five goals in 25 league games for Celtic Women, scoring 15 goals before leaving two years ago to join Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. The Australian attacker, 23, has now departed the Portuguese capital after playing 63 times for the Lionesses. A statement from the Lisbon side said: "Thank you for everything you gave in 63 games with Leo on your chest. "Forever a Lioness." Their statement was accompanied by a video of her highlights playing in Portugal. The player herself said: "My time at Sporting has come to an end, I want to say a massive thank you to my amazing teammates, staff, and loving fans. "You all made my time at Sporting memorable and enjoyable. "I'll cherish the moments I shared with you all and I'm happy to have experienced my years at this club. "Thank you for everything." The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up What's next for her is up in the air, but Celtic fans would love her back in Glasgow. Caitlin Hayes, another former Celt who is now at Brighton, wrote: "Green suits you." While this fan said: "Come home Jaz." Another referenced her relationship with ex-Hoops defender Carl Starfelt, saying: "Come back to Celtic and bring Carl with you please." A third fan said: "Come back to Celtic please. Me and your other fans miss you." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Can Estevao Willian play against Chelsea in Club World Cup?
Estevao Willian will have his final act as a Palmeiras player at the Club World Cup before making his blockbuster move to Chelsea. Last year, the Blues saw off interest from almost every elite club in Europe to secure the services of a player regarded as Brazil's most promising talent since Neymar. Chelsea paid an £29million which could eventually rise £57million – but it could all be worth every penny. Having turned 18 in April, Estevao is now permitted to make his move to London this summer. Before that, he will be part of the Palmeiras side competing in the revamped Club World Cup – a competition also featuring his new club. The competition is underway this weekend with Palmeiras in action against Portuguese giants Porto on Sunday night. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Chelsea are then up and running on Monday evening, in action against Los Angeles FC. If both clubs enjoy successful campaigns out in the US, there is a good chance their paths will cross. Palmeiras have been placed in Group A of the competition alongside Al Ahly, Inter Miami and Porto. Chelsea meanwhile find themselves in Group D alongside ES Tunis, Los Angeles FC and Flamengo. There is a possibility Chelsea and Palmeiras can meet at the quarter-final stage of the Club World Cup. Should both progress as group winners or runners-up and beat their last 16 opponents, they are possible opponents for each other at the last eight stage. Those matches in question will take place on Friday 4 July in Philadelphia and Saturday 5 July in Atlanta. With Estevao registered for the Palmeiras squad, there would be nothing to stop him from lining up against the players he will be playing alongside side as early as next month. Estevao's agent Andre Cury said in April: 'Yes, he's arriving [at Chelsea] after the Club World Cup. He's a world-class player. Very good. A guy who's going to make history here.' New signings Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo are in the Chelsea squad for the Club World Cup and will be joined by Estevao later in the summer when pre-season gets started. Chelsea routinely send their young stars out on loan, with Estevao's countryman Andrey Santos enjoying a superb campaign with Strasbourg last season. But the Brazil international is expected to be part of Enzo Maresca's first-team squad heading into the 2025-26 campaign. On top of a participation fee, clubs will receive prize money as follows: Group Stages : £1.5m for a win and £800,000 for a draw : £1.5m for a win and £800,000 for a draw Round of 16 : £5.8m : £5.8m Quarter-Final : £10.1m : £10.1m Semi-Final : £16.2m : £16.2m Runners-up : £23.2m : £23.2m Winner: £30.0m Estevao will be joined by another prodigious South American talent at Chelsea in Ecuador's Kendy Paez – although there are suggestions he may be shipped out to Strasbourg shortly after he touches down in London. More Trending Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel sees huge potential in both players who must be aware of the club's need to win trophies 'from the word go'. 'The important thing is to give them time, we shouldn't put pressure on them,' Mikel told Metro. 'Let them come into the club, bed them into the system and the way Maresca wants to play. There is always pressure at Chelsea, we win trophies. So they have to know that from the word go. But they are young players so you have to find a way to manage it. 'They will come good. If we can find a way to get the best out of them. If it happens straight away, fantastic, we are all happy. What I have seen from both of them, they are so exciting.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Tottenham begin talks to hijack transfer of £60m Man Utd target MORE: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool's future Ballon d'Or winner who could be worth every penny MORE: Man Utd target 'waiting for transfer' as Ruben Amorim's side consider move
