Highlights: Raya secures win v. Man United
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool sent stark warning as Paul Merson thinks Arsenal has found $91M 'missing piece'
Paul Merson thinks Eberechi Eze might be the "missing piece" in Arsenal's bid to derail Liverpool's title defense. However, echoing William Gallas' stance, Merson added that the pressure will mount on The Gunners to end the 22-year championship drought this season should they complete the signing of Crystal Palace's star. Arsenal has reportedly struck a deal valued at approximately £68 million ($91M) for the 27-year-old midfielder, with a medical examination anticipated on Friday. The North London club is making the move following an injury to Kai Havertz, having already secured Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres during this summer's transfer window to revamp their attacking options. Their business commenced with the recruitment of Martin Zubimendi to strengthen the midfield ranks. READ MORE: Every word from Arne Slot's press conference including latest on Alexander Isak transfer READ MORE: Arne Slot confirms Liverpool suffering from injury crisis ahead of Newcastle game Merson now considers Arsenal to be under significant pressure after addressing all their problem areas under sporting director Andrea Berta. "He's the X factor; I think he's the missing piece for Arsenal winning the Premier League," Merson declared on Sky Sports News regarding Eze as Liverpool continues its pursuit of his Crystal Palace teammate, Marc Guehi. "The pressure's on now if they don't win it. "I think [Berta's] bought amazingly. They needed a holding midfield player; they bought a top-drawer one. "They've needed a centre-forward; they bought a centre-forward. Now, they bought someone who can break defences; he could get in a lot of teams. "I watched Arsenal a lot; when the pressure's on, they find it hard to break teams down. They rely on [Martin] Odegaard; if Odegaard doesn't do it, and he didn't do it last season, they struggle. "[Bukayo] Saka got injured; he's the other one they rely on. All of a sudden, you've got him [Eze]; he is different class, he's different class." READ MORE: Arne Slot hints at Liverpool's Federico Chiesa plan after summer transfer links READ MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool transfer latest as Swedish striker issues statement When questioned if Eze was a more significant acquisition than Viktor Gyokeres, he responded: "I think so, because [Kai] Havertz can play up front. With Eze in the team, he makes things happen; he's the X factor. "Give him the ball; he will make things happen and break defences down." Merson concluded, "I think he's an amazing signing for Arsenal; he's one of the players I would pay to watch play football."
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
The Same Tottenham Hotspur Flaw Ruins An $80 Million Deal
Sometimes, when it comes to bitter feuds between soccer teams, victories off the field can be as sweet as the glories on it. For several days, Eberechi Eze appeared to be heading to Tottenham Hotspur from Crystal Palace in an $80 million deal. However, just as the move was set to be sealed, there was a twist. Arch rivals Arsenal swept in at the last minute and hijacked the deal. It's the type of transfer that will feel like a derby day win for fans of the Gunners, especially as it also appears to have been enabled by sluggishness. As Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol put it: "Today's a great day to be an Arsenal supporter. "They have pulled off a real coup here. At the last minute, they matched Spurs' offer, and it's important to remember Eze himself is an Arsenal supporter. "His wish was very important in this - Arsenal matched Spurs' bid of [$80]m including [$10]m in add-ons. Remember, he had a release clause which expired last week which was worth up to $91m. "I have some sympathy for Spurs. This is not football manager, this is real life. I don't want to kick Spurs when they're down - I'm trying to see it from the perspective of their hierarchy. "I think they did everything they could to try to sell the club to Eze. A lot of Spurs fans are asking why they didn't trigger his release clause before Friday, but maybe they tried to do that and the player could've dragged his feet. Maybe he was keeping his options open. "Spurs fans are very angry and criticising Daniel Levy and the owners, but I think we should keep things in perspective; these kind of things happen all the time in the window. 'Why didn't Spurs trigger the release clause? It might've needed paying in one lump sum. They might've waited until it expired to get a better deal.' It didn't take long for the gushing statements about Eze being the final piece in the jigsaw for Arsenal to emerge. "Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal," former Gunner playmaker Paul Merson said. "It's a game-changer and a perfect fit. "Arsenal struggle when teams come to the Emirates and put everyone behind the ball. Teams want to limit the space Arsenal have to play in and they have struggled to break teams down with those tactics. "We've seen it over the last few years where they have struggled to break teams down when it gets right to the business end of a game and the business end of a season. 'For me, that's where Eze comes in at Arsenal. He's got the X-factor and in tight, tight games, he has the ability to break a low block down.' Yet Again Spurs Are Outflanked The frustration for Tottenham Hotspur fans is that this is far from a one-off. A similar scenario occurred when Arsenal swooped for Leandro Trossard in the January 2023 transfer window. His agent claimed Spurs had been in contact for two weeks, but the Gunners struck an agreement in 24 hours. Spurs were in advanced talks with Porto one year earlier regarding a move for Luis Díaz. However, negotiations dragged on, and the club was beaten by a more efficient Liverpool, which wrapped up the transfer in a matter of days. Those are just a few of the most recent examples; the club also lost out on Michy Batshuayi in 2016 for dithering and Adama Traoré in 2022. However, the most embarrassing last-minute gazumping was Willian, who'd completed a Spurs medical only to wear Chelsea's blue. The failure to sign Eze represents the second transfer slip-up of the summer after a move for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White collapsed spectacularly. Writing in the BBC's Fans' Voice section, Spurs supporter Bardi expressed this frustration. "It's not so much the player, it's what the failed transfer of Eberechi Eze means long-term for a club that at some point has to negotiate with other Premier League teams. "Daniel Levy's reign has seen an upturn in fortune and fortunes at Spurs, but they still seem unable to compete and complete transfers. "With Morgan Gibbs-White's move to Spurs in pieces, Eze seemed the next logical step, especially with top-four rivals out of the equation, but somehow Levy and Spurs failed to get it over the line. "Who moved the line depends on where you stand in the great Levy debate, but what's clear is that he seems unable to work with other Premier League clubs. "Levy's self-promotion over the years as an "always-on" figure, someone involved with every aspect of the club, has made him a trophy. Over his 24 years at the wheel, he's broken relationships across the league and Europe. Just compare how easy it is for Arsenal to pry players from Chelsea and now Palace. "Premier League chairmen know what to expect from him. They expect to be "drawn over the coals," and they've had enough. People want to move quickly and get on with the business of selling and buying players. Once so adept at negotiating, Levy is now a VHS in a streaming world—everyone has moved on." Levy's defence is that Spurs are very rarely short-changed. But you can hardly argue that the times a rival has outflanked them were a blessing in disguise; in most cases, the players went on to great success. Tottenham Hotspur fans will just pray that isn't the case with Eze.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man United Target Bayern Star in Major Summer Move
Manchester United Lead Race for French Centre Back Man United Target Bayern Star in Major Summer Move Manchester United've made French centre back Dayot Upamecano their top defensive target this summer according to German outlet Bild. The Bayern Munich star's contract runs until Jun 2026 but there've been no signs of an extension. This situation could force Bayern to consider selling now to avoid losing him for free in the near future. Key Player for Bayern Upamecano's been vital figure for Bayern since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021. His pace, strength and aerial ability have made him cornerstone in the Bavarian defence. Premier League Links The report claims Upamecano's agent has offered him to several Premier League clubs with Man United showing the strongest interest. Bayern, however face dilemma as they try to avoid repeat of recent free departures such as Leroy Sane to Galatasaray & David Alaba to Real Madrid.
