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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold statement speaks volume as Madrid move announced
Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid earlier than expected after the La Liga giants agreed a deal with Liverpool to buy him from the start of the summer transfer window Liverpool's statement announcing the early release of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid contained a less than glowing message of appreciation. Alexander-Arnold graduated through the Reds' academy, becoming a key member of their first-team squad. He won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups during his time at Anfield. The right-back had already announced that he would be leaving this summer once his contract expired. It was widely expected that he would be joining Madrid for free, though Los Blancos were keen to bring him in for the start of the Club World Cup. Had he moved to the Bernabeu for free, Alexander-Arnold would have missed all of their group games. That led to Madrid seeking a way to bring him in early, which has now led to the La Liga side agreeing to pay an £8.4million fee, plus the Englishman's remaining wages to officially sign him on 1 June. Liverpool released a statement to confirm the arrangement. In that statement, the Reds thanked Alexander-Arnold for his service for the club. But that message raised eyebrows for his short and sharp nature. "Liverpool FC can confirm an offer has been accepted for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid for his transfer upon the opening of the June transfer window. The full-back is now set to join the La Liga club ahead of the expiry of his Reds contract this summer," the statement read. "Liverpool will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on June 1. Alexander-Arnold joined the club's Academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks to make his senior competitive debut in October 2016. "He now departs Anfield after 354 appearances and 23 goals for the club, as well as lifting eight major honours alongside his teammates, which consist of two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes." When announcing his decision to not sign a new contract, Alexander-Arnold admitted it had been the 'hardest' call he had ever had to make. The right-back insisted he felt it was the right time to experience a new challenge. "After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season. This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life," he wrote on Instagram."I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven't spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team's best interests, which was securing No.20."This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all."But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally. I've given my all every single day I've been at this club, and I hope you feel like I've given back to you during my time here."From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters - for the last 20 years. I've been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I've been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die."
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Tottenham 'offered chance' to sign Arsenal target as new reality becomes clear
Tottenham are looking to take advantage of their Champions League qualification in this summer's transfer window, potentially beating fierce rivals Arsenal to a key target Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign Leroy Sane, with the winger set to leave Bayern Munich. Sane joined Bayern in 2020 from Manchester City, helping them to win four Bundesliga titles. But while he has been a regular under Vincent Kompany this term, the German looks set to call time on his career at the Allianz Arena. Sane's contract will expire this summer, with Bayern having been unable to agree a new deal. The 29-year-old scored 13 goals in 45 games across all competitions this season as Bayern reclaimed the Bundesliga title. He previously scored 39 goals in 135 games for City, helping them to win two Premier League titles, three Carabao Cups and the FA Cup. During his time in Germany, Sane has emerged as a target for Arsenal. But it now looks as if fierce rivals Spurs have been able to muscle into their pursuit and have moved ahead of the Gunners. Spurs won the Europa League last week, beating Manchester United in the final. With the victory, they ended a 17-year silverware drought and booked their place in next season's Champions League. That new reality looks set to hand them a boost in the summer transfer window. According to Sky Sports, Spurs have been 'offered the opportunity' to sign Sane ahead of the new season. The qualification for the Champions League is highlighted as making the London side a 'more attractive proposition'. Bayern have been left frustrated that Sane is set to move on for free. The 29-year-old appeared to be on the course to sign a new deal, before suddenly switching agents from Christian Schmid of 11Wins to Pini Zahavi. Bayern's board member for sport Max Eberl admitted to being taken by surprise by the move. "We have good relationships with his agencies. It came as a bit of a surprise. We thought we were very far along. We'll see how things develop. Our wish would be to extend Leroy's contract, but we've also set ourselves a framework," Eberl said at the start of May. "We'll see what happens Until the signature is finalized, nothing can be said. We have a clear idea and thought we were on the right track. Of course, we're talking to the new agency. "There's no bad blood; the players are free to make their own decisions. We're very clear. Leroy's performances in recent weeks have been very good; he's shown that he's committed to Bayern Munich. We hope he does it, and if not, we'll move on there as well. "At the moment, the season is still being viewed as a bit too normal. We've been top of the table since the third matchday, we've been very stable, and we've always responded very well to setbacks. It's a special, important championship. We're hungry for more!" Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man City fans make De Bruyne exit feelings clear after star 'surprised' to leave
Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, but the decision to let him move on has not gone down well with everyone at the Premier League side Manchester City fans made it clear they disagree with the club's decision to part ways with Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian has spent a decade at the Etihad Stadium but will depart when his contract expires this summer. De Bruyne has been City's most important player during the most successful period in their history. He has won six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, two FA Cups and the Champions League during his time in Manchester. But the past two years have been more difficult for the midfielder as he was hit by a number of injuries. And with the Belgian turning 34 in June, City opted to part ways at the end of the season. It was a decision which caught De Bruyne by surprise, with club chiefs failing to make any offer for him to extend his stay. The City legend played his final game at the Etihad as a home player on Tuesday night. He captained Pep Guardiola's side from attacking midfield, before being taken off with 20 minutes to go. De Bruyne was allowed to address the crowd after the final whistle and they made their feelings clear on his future. The home crowd could be heard chanting 'we want you to stay' while he was speaking to them on the pitch. City will honour De Bruyne with a statue celebrating his career at the club. He will follow in the line of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Mike Summerbee, Francis Lee and Colin Bell in being awarded a statue. As part of a special post-match ceremony, De Bruyne was also presented with a special framed shirt signed by all of team-mates and staff. A special video tribute was also played on the Etihad big screen. De Bruyne's departure is something the Belgian has made clear he did not expect to happen. "I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision," he said in April. "Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level like I'm showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions. "Maybe if the team didn't struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision. I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I'm not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job. "I'm open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I'm looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family. "I like to play football. I like to compete. That's what I feel so I can't say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I'm in training I want to beat the guys. I feel like I'm doing really well and that's why I've also played a lot lately." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Different types of big games for City - but still big games'
Winning the FA Cup this season would mean a lot to Pep Guardiola. He mentioned after the last round that it is now seven semi-finals in a row and those have come at times when they have been playing in the latter stages of the Champions league and fighting for league titles as stressed the importance of winning four Carabao Cups in a row too. The cup competitions have always mattered to would be huge if City get to the final and win it, not least because last time they lost a derby to Manchester United with a relatively poor would be huge for them to get the chance to redeem themselves, but also to finish a difficult season well. We saw how important that is in the scenes after Tuesday's win over Aston relatively speaking, big games for City in years gone have been in terms of winning the is a different end goal, but the outcome is still celebrated. If they had scored that goal in the last minute to climb to first place, the celebrations would have been the are used to playing in these big games and the cup competitions come alongside that. You just want to finish the season well. Whatever has come before that, a good end to a season leaves you feeling really positive for the next are different types of big games for City - but they are still big games. They still want to achieve their objectives - it is just that the objectives are slightly Villa win is a real momentum-builder and they have all celebrated together. Guardiola has spent a lot of this season making the point about how good this team has been in years gone by - like reaching seven FA Cup semi-finals in a teams have not reached seven in their whole history so he has been more defiant in how he speaks about his wants to make sure that people understand where he is coming from, where the club is coming from, how good they have been in years gone by, and how he still believes in the believe this era at City is coming to an end, but the manager believes in his team and, as a consequence, I think he is finding it easy to make sure the players believe in themselves as would mean more to you - winning the FA Cup and the glory of lifting a trophy, or qualifying for the Champions League?Let us know here Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
New York Times
10-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Betting on Kevin De Bruyne's next club: MLS, Saudi Arabia or Bayern Munich?
For more stories like this, follow The Athletic's sports betting section. Undoubtedly, Kevin De Bruyne will be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders to grace the Premier League. The 33-year-old will leave Manchester City at the end of the season with six league titles, five Carabao Cups, two FA Cups and a Champions League title in his brimming trophy cabinet. Advertisement De Bruyne didn't just play the game; he orchestrated it. But even the finest symphonies eventually reach their final note. After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall. Now, the spotlight shifts to the handful of clubs vying to snap up the Belgian maestro. From bookmaker favourites to compelling wildcards, here are the most likely — and most intriguing — destinations for the next phase of De Bruyne's career. The bet: Any MLS club at 17/20 MLS has traditionally been a popular destination for ageing European stars winding down their careers. Gareth Bale, Sergio Busquets and David Beckham have all made the leap. Could De Bruyne be next? For a while, expansion side San Diego were in the frame, but thanks to the league's discovery process, the focus has shifted to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. The Florida club hold De Bruyne's MLS discovery rights, potentially giving them 'first dibs' on negotiations. Should Javier Mascherano be able to broker that deal, a pairing of Messi and De Bruyne would be a mouthwatering combination. There is, however, a glaring tactical puzzle for Miami's coaching staff to consider. Both playmakers thrive on dictating tempo, drifting deep to pick up the ball and threading pinpoint passes. Can two conductors lead the same ensemble? New York City offer a compelling alternative. As a fellow City Football Group club, the cultural connection is already there. And from an MLS perspective, landing a star of De Bruyne's calibre would be a marketing dream. The catch? De Bruyne has never seemed the type to chase the spotlight or serve as a league ambassador. Still, a move stateside remains firmly on the table — at 17/20 odds, the bookmakers clearly think it's more than just a fantasy. The bet: Any Saudi Pro League club at 6/4 In June 2024, De Bruyne said he was 'open' to a move to Saudi Arabia — a path already taken by former City teammates Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte. The Saudi Pro League has lured its fair share of elite European talent in recent years, including stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N'Golo Kanté. As a result, the list of world-class professionals now residing in the Middle East continues to grow, along with their bank accounts. Advertisement So, would De Bruyne follow suit? The bookmakers suggest there's genuine interest, but it's not a straightforward decision. A move to Saudi Arabia comes with political complexities and lingering stigmas. Recall Jordan Henderson's transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq; the 34-year-old received intense backlash, tarnishing his reputation. De Bruyne, who has maintained a largely pristine public image, will likely consider this carefully. While the financial incentives are substantial, this isn't just a footballing decision — it's a legacy one. The bet: Bayern Munich at 9/1 Around the same time De Bruyne confirmed his City exit, news broke that another modern great, Thomas Müller, would be leaving Bayern Munich. Müller, a one-club legend, departs after helping the German giants to 12 Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues since he joined the senior team in 2008. If Bayern are looking to replace his experience and leadership in the centre of the pitch with another proven veteran, De Bruyne could fit the bill. This move makes sense for several reasons. De Bruyne has Bundesliga roots from his time with Wolfsburg, and Bayern are now managed by Vincent Kompany, his former City teammate and Belgian compatriot. Additionally, if De Bruyne wants to remain in Europe, his options are limited. He's unlikely to join a Premier League rival and would still want to play at a high level. Bayern, offering Champions League contention, is a logical next step. Securing De Bruyne's signature is a high priority for the handful of clubs capable of affording his price tag. But, while the bookmakers have highlighted their favourites, there are also a few plausible wildcard options to consider. Fenerbahce at 33/1 might initially raise eyebrows, but the connection becomes clearer upon closer inspection. De Bruyne had a brief stint under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, and a reunion with the legendary manager isn't entirely out of the question. Advertisement There's also the possibility of a sentimental return to Belgium. De Bruyne came through the youth academy at Genk between 2005 and 2008, which has sparked speculation about a potential homecoming. And then there's Wolfsburg, where De Bruyne truly made his name in the Bundesliga. The German club reacted to his departure announcement on X with this cheeky response: Dear Kevin, do you remember? You and I ten years ago? How about the two of us again? — VfL Wolfsburg (@VfL_Wolfsburg) April 4, 2025 Click here for more of the latest odds on De Bruyne's next destination with Betfair. Betfair's spokesperson Sam Rosbottom also weighed in on some of the potential clubs that might succeed in getting De Bruyne to put pen to paper. 'Following the trend of recent years,' Rosbottom told reporters, 'Saudi Arabia is a likely destination and a move.' Rosbottom has also not ruled out a Belgian reunion at Bayern: 'A move to join his former City and Belgium teammate at Bayern is his third most likely option.' Genk and Fenerbahce are long shots but the odds still hold some appeal. 'A romantic return to first club Genk could also be on the cards [with a price of 50/1 for this to materialise] in the coming months,' Rosbottom said. 'Having played under Jose Mourinho at the start of his career, he could go full circle and reunite with 'The Special One', with a move to Fenerbahce.' Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Kevin De Bruyne: Matt McNulty / Getty Images)
