Chesnokov signs pre-contract with Hearts
Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov has signed a pre-contract agreement with Heart of Midlothian, who are now in talks with Tobol Kostanay over a transfer fee, but the Kazakh club are reluctant to allow the 25-year-old to leave before his deal with them expires at the end of October. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), externalRead Wednesday's Scottish gossip
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The secrets behind England's U21 success: No holds barred chats with Ashley Cole, team bonding meals at Wagamama and Oasis hits spur on Young Lions to retain championship
It is the day before the European Championship final and while some players and staff are out exploring Bratislava for the final time, Lee Carsley is sat in the waterfront Sheraton hotel inspecting a list. Specifically it's a list of players who are going to be eligible for the Under-21's at the 2027 Euros in Albania.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Viktor Gyokeres is 'left FURIOUS with Sporting Lisbon after club chief's comments' - as 'betrayed star repeats strike threat' in boost for Arsenal and Man United
Viktor Gyokeres is 'left FURIOUS with Sporting Lisbon after club chief's comments' - as 'betrayed star repeats strike threat' in boost for Arsenal and Man United Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly looking to force a move away from Sporting Lisbon The striker is unhappy at comments that were made by the club's hierarchy LISTEN: Will Liverpool sign Alexander Isak? Merseyside reporter Lewis Steele provides the latest on the potential transfer on Whistleblowers podcast Arsenal and Manchester United target Viktor Gyokeres will reportedly attempt to force a transfer from Sporting Lisbon this summer. The striker has been heavily linked with a move away from the Portuguese club, who are attempting to increase the potential fee for a transfer. As reported by Record, Gyokeres will refuse to return to Sporting as he looks to secure a departure. Gyokeres is unhappy with comments made by Sporting president Frederico Varandas. Although he will be given an extra week off before he is expected to return to pre-season training, it is now anticipated that Gyokeres won't show up. Gyokeres has also reportedly threatened to publicly voice his opinion on the situation. The Sweden international isn't pleased at suggestions that the club won't honour the agreement that was in place to let him leave for less than his release clause. Viktor Gyokeres could attempt to force a transfer from Sporting Lisbon this summer Reports have indicated that Gyokeres will refuse to return to Sporting for pre-season training Gyokeres is unhappy with comments made by Sporting president Frederico Varandas Varandas said: 'Sporting is calm regarding this matter. Secondly, Sporting does not need to sell Viktor Gyokeres. Fortunately, we have moved past the phase of selling our main asset. 'However, we remain sensitive to Viktor's dreams or those of any other athlete. Sporting has made a commitment that, after weeks of meetings, we will not demand the full amount of the clause; we will be reasonable regarding the amount requested for Viktor.' Although Varandas acknowledged that Gyokeres is likely to depart, he stated that the fee will be much higher than the potential price of £60million plus £10million in add-ons. He also claimed that Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United from Wolves for £62.5million. Varandas said: 'Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not. 'We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65million. I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75million. 'Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.' Gyokeres, whose current contract at Sporting runs until 2028, scored 54 goals in 52 club games last season. Mikel Arteta could look to bring in Gyokeres to add to Arsenal's attacking options Gyokeres has previous experience of working with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim Both Arsenal and United are looking to add to their attacking options during the summer transfer window. Gyokeres previously worked with United boss Ruben Amorim at Sporting, while he could be tempted by the possibility of joining the Gunners, who have also been linked with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Women's Euro 2025 team guides: Netherlands
This article is part of the Guardian's Euro 2025 Experts' Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 16 countries who qualified. is running previews from two teams each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 2 July. The Netherlands did not have a smooth journey to the Euros and qualified in the final group game, away against Norway in the coastal town of Bergen. They were 1-0 down until Vivianne Miedema avoided disaster for the coach, Andries Jonker, by scoring an equaliser. They would surely have reached Switzerland via the playoffs but nearly missing out on automatic qualification is a snapshot of where the team are. The main problem, as for some time, was a lack of punch: in the six group matches they never scored more than one goal. Injuries have played a big part since Jonker took over after a disappointing Euro 2022, and the past year has been no different. Miedema was coming back from a cruciate ligament injury and suffered a few niggles on the way while Jill Roord and Victoria Pelova also sustained ACL injuries. The Oranje goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, meanwhile, was also forced to miss the important home game against the group winners Italy. That match began a new era for the side, being the first one after the retirement of Lieke Martens, who had announced she was hanging up her boots the previous month. Up until the last friendly before the Euros, Jonker had opted for a 5-3-2 (or 3-5-2). It had proved the most successful for him and the team. At the 2023 World Cup he played with wing-backs Esmee Brugtsand Pelova. However, against Finland towards the end of June – with Lineth Beerensteyn injured – he reverted to a more traditional Dutch 4-3-3 and may well start the tournament that way. There is healthy competition in central defence where Sherida Spitse looks set to lose her place to the teenage sensation Veerle Buurman. In January Andries Jonker was told the Dutch FA (KNVB) did not want him to continue after the Euros. Jonker was furious, disappointed and offended, but he would not reveal the reason behind his departure. 'That is something the technical director, Nigel de Jong, will have to do,' he said. Jonker has not been keen to make many changes and that has resulted in an ageing squad. The number of players over 30 is significant. However, with a quarter-final at the 2023 World Cup, reaching the semis of the 2024 Nations League and qualifying for Euro 2025, it cannot be said Jonker has failed. Other countries, however, have made more progress in that time. For years Miedema was the undisputed Oranje star with Roord, Jackie Groenen and Daniëlle van de Donk just behind her. Lineth Beerensteyn often had to play a supporting role to those players but no longer. In the past two seasons the Netherlands have come to rely on the Wolfsburg player's goals. She doesn't score the flashiest goals but finishes with both feet – and her head. She is unpredictable and extremely fast. 'I'm getting better at recognising which runs to make and knowing which angle to shoot from,' she said recently. 'That is happening more and more.' Was carrying a knock coming into the tournament and may not be fully fit for the first game. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Renate Jansen has been in the squad for what seems like ages but is still not among the best-known players. Maybe because she has never played abroad. A No 10 or a winger, Jansen has been named the Eredivisie MVP on several occasions during spells with Den Haag, Twente and PSV. She has good memories of playing group rivals England, having scored a beauty against the Lionesses in a 2-1 win in September 2023. 'Lieke Martens played a beautiful through ball between two opponents. I thought I shouldn't take a touch so just hit it. It went nicely into the top corner.' Probable lineup Much was expected of the women's Eredivisie following the outstanding performances of the Orange Lionesses during the Wiegman era but the domestic top flight has been overtaken by the Spanish and Italian leagues. Other countries such as England, France and Germany, were already miles ahead. Most clubs are semi-pro and the minimum requirement for a licence is three players earning at least the minimum wage. The average age of the playing squads is getting lower and most of this squad play abroad. There is some stardust, though, including the USWNT player Lily Yohannes, who plays for Ajax. The average attendance is 1,100 and ESPN has the broadcast rights. The knockout stages seem unlikely. The group is hard, including France and England, and the recent heavy defeat against Germany showed how far they have fallen. Too old, no form, and little belief in the manager. The Netherlands team guide was written by Steven Kooijman for De Telegraaf.
