Bayern's Ito breaks foot again after only recent comeback
MUNICH, Germany March 30 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich defender Hiroki Ito suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his right foot for the second time in less than a year, just weeks after his comeback from the first injury, the Bundesliga leaders said on Sunday.
Ito, who broke his metatarsal back in July after arriving in Munich and only came back last month, was brought on in the 58th minute in Saturday's 3-2 win over St Pauli but was injured late in the game.
"He has suffered a recurrence of a fracture in his right metatarsal, a scan by the FC Bayern medical team has confirmed," the club said in a statement.
"Ito, who moved to Munich from VfB Stuttgart last summer, will be unavailable to Bayern for a lengthy period."
He is the third defender ruled out in past days following the injuries of Dayot Upamecano and Alphonso Davies while on international duty just over a week ago.
Bayern, who lead the Bundesliga title race with a six-point advantage and seven matches remaining, face Inter Milan in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 8.
"The news of another serious injury to Hiroki hits us all very hard. He's only just battled back after months of rehab and will now be out for a long time again – we can barely imagine how he's feeling," Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said in a statement.
"After the injuries to Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano, we've now lost a third defender in a short space of time. We will now pool our forces even more to continue pursuing our goals."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Martin Zubimendi Arsenal transfer saga nears conclusion after bold move
Martin Zubimendi looks set to be Arsenal's first signing of the summer transfer window but there are a number of other deals the Gunners are hoping to complete to ensure they remain in the title race next season Arsenal are set to be one of the major players in the transfer window this summer, though fans are still awaiting the club's first signing as they bid to put a difficult 2024-25 season behind them. The Gunners are hard at work trying to lure a new striker to the Emirates after being left without a recognised No 9 for much of the Premier League season. Mikel Arteta 's side still managed to finish second but ended up 10 points behind Liverpool and also crashed out of the Champions League in the semi-finals. Arteta will need quality reinforcements if he wants to challenge Liverpool for the title again, while the pressure is on because rivals Chelsea and Manchester City have already strengthened. Arsenal are hoping to strengthen in every position if they can but a midfielder and striker are the priorities, with more room in the wage budget after sealing the exits of Jorginho and Kieran Tierney. Mirror Football has taken a look through all the biggest Arsenal transfer news and rumours. How Arsenal clinched Zubimendi deal Without doubt, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal's primary focus as things stand, but fans have been sweating on the deal after the player's comments saying he was unsure about his future. There have also been reports from Spanish outlet Marca that Real Madrid are ready to swoop for Zubimendi and hijack Arsenal's deal. But despite the speculation, it's understood Arsenal have now struck a deal to sign Zubimendi by agreeing to pay £54m for his signature - which is £4m more than his release clause. According to the Athletic, Sociedad told Arsenal they wanted the deal to go through in July due to accounting reasons, while the Gunners have been negotiating over the structure of the deal - hoping to pay in instalments - which has added to the delay. As a compromise, Arsenal have now agreed to pay over the odds for Zubimendi in order to spread the cost over a couple of years. It's understood Real Madrid's interest was not a reason for delaying the deal and Arsenal are now happy with the outcome. Saliba contract could complicate Guehi move Another position Arsenal are keen to bolster is their backline after suffering a number of injuries in that position last season. Gabriel, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori all struggled with fitness issues at various points and Arteta will need consistency at the back if his Arsenal side is to mount a serious challenge for silverware next season. While he will be eager to sign a new centre-back, the Spaniard is also desperate to keep hold of key defender William Saliba amid speculation he could join Real Madrid. The Gunners are hoping to tie Saliba down to a new contract, but that in itself could complicate any move to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. Arsenal walked away from a deal for Guehi last summer after reportedly being quoted £70m, but he now has just one year remaining on his contract. There could be difficulties attempting to lure Guehi to the Emirates, however, when the England international knows that Arsenal have two formidable defenders in Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes - which could mean a struggle for game time. The Athletic reports that Arteta is eager to add another centre-back to his ranks but with Guehi having interest from the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle and ex-club Chelsea, he may feel a move elsewhere would be best for his career. Marquinhos finally leaves Arsenal Arsenal have confirmed their latest outgoing deal with Brazilian forward Marquinhos moving permanently to Cruzeiro after being loaned out for a number of seasons. The 22-year-old joined Arsenal from Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo in 2022 and hopes were high for the youngster - but he failed to make an impact at the Emirates. Marquinhos' first and only season playing for the club came in the 2022-23 campaign, where he featured six times, and has since been loaned out to Norwich, Nantes, Fluminense and Cruizeiro. Cruzeiro have now opted to make that move permanent, bringing an end to his difficult spell. Arsenal had originally signed Marquinhos for around £3m after finding a loophole in his contract, angering Wolves - who had struck an agreement to bring him to Molineux. There were fears Wolves could take legal action against the player, Arsenal and Sao Paulo before the Molineux outfit opted not to go ahead with it.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko makes transfer decision amid Saudi Arabia interest in the Bundesliga star
Al-Hilal have made an enquiry about RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko but were informed his preference is to join Arsenal. Sesko has emerged as Arsenal's No 1 transfer target as Mikel Arteta looks to add more firepower to his attack. But their chances of landing the 22-year-old appeared to have taken a hit after Al-Hilal made an approach for the Bundesliga star ahead of the Club World Cup. However, Sesko intends to stay in Europe for now, and has his sights set on a switch to the Emirates instead. Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig since joining the German club two years ago. His goalscoring exploits have caught the eye of some of Europe's top teams, including Arsenal. Leipzig only finished seventh in the Bundesliga in 2024-25 and will not be able to offer their star striker Champions League football next season, while the Gunners will be playing in Europe's elite club competition. Al-Hilal now look set to miss out on Sesko, but have also sounded out Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. The Anfield club value the Uruguay international in excess of £70m, which was the figure Al-Nassr were prepared to offer earlier in the year. Nunez scored just five goals in 30 appearances during Liverpool's title-winning campaign, and could push for a fresh start elsewhere this summer.
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Arsenal reignite interest in Newcastle and Chelsea target as asking price slashe
Arsenal are showing an interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi again, as the defender heads into the final year of his contract. The 24-year-old was a target for the Gunners 12 months ago, along with a number of other clubs including Newcastle, Liverpool and his former team Chelsea. The Eagles stuck firm to their lofty asking price of £70m and no deal was done, with Guehi staying put and going on to win the FA Cup with Palace. However, the England international's contract at Selhurst Park expires next year so his price tag will be significantly lower this summer. The Mirror report that with Guehi now much more affordable than a year ago, Arsenal's interest has been reignited, although their pursuit of him will not be straightforward. 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. Not only will there be plenty of competition again from their Premier League rivals, but the 23-cap England international may take some convincing to move to the Emirates. Mikel Arteta has established a very reliable partnership at centre-back in Gabriel and William Saliba, one that will not easily be broken. Gabriel signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal earlier this month and the club is working on Saliba doing the same. There is interest from Real Madrid in the Frenchman and the Gunners are very keen to keep hold of the impressive centre-back. That puts in question their interest in Guehi as he will not want to move to any club where he would not be a guaranteed starter. The Athletic report that Arteta wants genuine competition to his first-choice central defenders and Arsenal made a move for Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen before he made his £50m transfer to Real Madrid. Newcastle made three bids for Guehi last summer, going as high as £60m, but could not convince Palace to sell. With a return to the Champions League, the Magpies could come back with another offer as he is now likely available for less than they bid in 2024. Joined from Chelsea in July 2021 for £18m Appearances: 155 Goals: 8 Trophies: 2024/25 FA Cup Guehi has offered little on his future, saying before Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final: 'My only focus is this game. 'My only focus is the fact that I am under contract at Palace. So as far as I am concerned, I am a Palace player.' Last month The Sun reported that Guehi may choose to run down his contract at Crystal Palace and see his options expand further when he will be available on a free transfer next summer. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been touted as possible destinations for the defender if he were to leave Selhurst Park on a free. MORE: When does the transfer window reopen and why has it closed? MORE: Son Heung-min casts doubt over Tottenham future with response to Spurs exit link MORE: Chelsea submit new offer for Jamie Gittens as Borussia Dortmund respond
