Latest news with #ClubWorldCup-winning

The 42
2 days ago
- Business
- The 42
Liverpool target €80 million-rated French star
LIVERPOOL ARE preparing to launch a bid for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike after missing out on Newcastle's Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday. The Premier League champions have switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle's refusal to sell Sweden striker Isak, who is valued at around £150 million (€173 million) by the Magpies. The Reds are trying to complete a deal for France U21 international Ekitike by this weekend after he reportedly indicated he was willing to move to Anfield. Liverpool are set to offer over £70 million (€80 million) for Ekitike, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle and Manchester United. The 23-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota's recent death in a car crash in Spain. The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich. Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million (€134 million) on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth, respectively. Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot's side since the end of last season after agreeing to his move from Valencia in 2024. Noni Madueke (file pic). Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Meanwhile, Arsenal sealed their controversial signing of Chelsea forward Noni Madueke in a deal worth a reported £48 million (€55 million) on Friday. Madueke agreed to a five-year contract with the Gunners as he moved to the Emirates Stadium despite complaints from Arsenal fans. The 23-year-old will provide competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks in Mikel Arteta's side. Madueke's switch across London, which could eventually exceed £52 million (€60 million) with performance-related add-ons, has sparked stinging criticism from supporters who believe he is not worth the price tag. Advertisement A petition labelled 'No to Madueke' has attracted more than 5,000 signatures from Arsenal fans, while murals outside the Emirates were vandalised with 'Arteta out' slogans. Madueke left Chelsea's Club World Cup-winning campaign in the United States last Friday to undergo his medical at Arsenal and put the finishing touches to the deal. 'Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality. He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League,' Arteta said. 'At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well. Having seen the quality of Noni's performances up close in recent seasons, we're really excited he is joining us. 'Noni joins our group with familiar England teammates and other players he knows. He will be made to feel at home straight away. His arrival will really improve our squad. We're all thrilled to have him here.' - 'Great to go back home' - Madueke, who was raised in north London, added: 'I'm really happy and really proud, so it's a great moment for me. It's great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house! 'It's already a great team with a clear identity, and I can't wait to bring my style to the team and try and help the boys as much as possible to take that next step. 'I want to win all the competitions we're in. I feel like we're definitely capable of doing that.' Madueke scored 11 times for Chelsea in all competitions last season, taking his overall tally to 20 in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Blues. He helped Chelsea qualify for the Champions League and win the Uefa Conference League last term, as well as making his first England appearances. Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven for £30 million (€35 million) in 2023, is the latest close-season signing by Arsenal after the arrivals of midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. He takes Arsenal's spending so far to around £120 million (€138 million), with Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera's £13 million (€15 million) move expected to be finalised shortly. Arsenal also remain hopeful of signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres. Madueke will join up with his new Arsenal team-mates in early August after their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. – © AFP 2025


eNCA
2 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Arsenal seal divisive move for Chelsea winger Madueke
LONDON - Arsenal sealed their controversial signing of Chelsea forward Noni Madueke in a deal worth a reported £48 million ($65 million) on Friday. Madueke agreed to a five-year contract with the Gunners as he moved to the Emirates Stadium despite complaints from Arsenal fans. The 23-year-old will provide competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks in Mikel Arteta's side. Madueke's switch across London, which could eventually exceed £52 million with performance-related add-ons, has sparked stinging criticism from supporters who believe he is not worth the price tag. A petition labelled 'No to Madueke' has attracted more than 5,000 signatures from Arsenal fans, while murals outside the Emirates were vandalised with 'Arteta out' slogans. Madueke left Chelsea's Club World Cup-winning campaign in the United States last Friday to undergo his medical at Arsenal and put the finishing touches to the deal. "Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality. He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League," Arteta said. "At just 23, Noni already brings experience of club and international football, and he knows the Premier League very well. Having seen the quality of Noni's performances up close in recent seasons, we're really excited he is joining us. "Noni joins our group with familiar England teammates and other players he knows. He will be made to feel at home straight away. His arrival will really improve our squad. We're all thrilled to have him here." 'Great to go back home' Madueke, who was raised in north London, added: "I'm really happy and really proud, so it's a great moment for me. It's great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house! "It's already a great team with a clear identity and I can't wait to bring my style to the team and try and help the boys as much as possible to take that next step. "I want to win all the competitions we're in. I feel like we're definitely capable of doing that." Madueke scored 11 times for Chelsea in all competitions last season, taking his overall tally to 20 in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Blues. He helped Chelsea qualify for the Champions League and win the UEFA Conference League last term, as well as making his first England appearances. Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven for £30 million in 2023, is the latest close-season signing by Arsenal after the arrivals of midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. He takes Arsenal's spending so far to around £120 million, with Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera's £13 million move expected to be finalised shortly. Arsenal also remains hopeful of signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.


Evening Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Noni Madueke: Arsenal FC confirm signing of Chelsea winger as summer spending exceeds £100m
The 23-year-old played a key role for Chelsea last season, helping Enzo Maresca's side seal a top-four Premier League finish and win the Conference League. He was also part of the Club World Cup-winning squad, but left the camp on the eve of the final to undergo his Arsenal medical.


The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea ready to let more than TEN players leave in brutal transfer clear out with Felix and Nkunku at front of queue
JOAO FELIX and Christopher Nkunku are among the TEN-plus players Chelsea are aiming to sell or loan out this summer. The Blues have already seen goalkeeper London for north as well. 5 Chelsea won the Club World Cup on Sunday - and now their attention turns to transfers 5 Felix is among those on the transfer list Credit: GETTY 5 Nkunku (left) played a big part out in the US, but his future remains unclear Credit: Getty Now, Felix and Nkunku are also on the long list of players set to leave after both struggling for game time last term. Felix, 25, joined from summer for £46.3million, while Chelsea academy product The Portuguese attacker signed a seven-year deal in west London - but is already out of the picture after making 12 league appearances last term before being loaned to AC Milan, and having his According to the Benfica . Read more But his £35million price tag could be a sticking point as the Portuguese outfit. Benfica president Rui Costa said: 'If we could bring back players from our academy who have the quality and prominence that a player like Joao has, we would all like that. 'All Benfica fans would like that. 'The amounts involved, both in transfers and salaries, are very high and we have to respect that part.' Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Unlike Felix, Nkunku was involved in Chelsea's Club World Cup-winning campaign. Nkunku impressed club chiefs with his three starts, and one goal, while Stateside. Cole Palmer and Chelsea celebrate in style as they arrive back at their hotel after Club World Cup victory 5 But he is still up for sale, having previously offered to Manchester United in a failed swap deal with Alejandro Garnacho. Raheem Sterling was also left out of the squad for Club World Cup and Chelsea are looking for a buyer or, more realistically, someone who will take him on loan. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic While Renato Veiga , Axel Disasi , Carney Chukwuemeka , Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja are all on the market. A decision is yet to be made on academy product Tyrique George on whether to send him out on loan or not. While Chelsea aren't actively looking to sell ex-Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall , but are open to reasonable offers. 5


Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea ready to let more than TEN players leave in brutal transfer clear out with Felix and Nkunku at front of queue
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOAO FELIX and Christopher Nkunku are among the TEN-plus players Chelsea are aiming to sell or loan out this summer. The Blues have already seen goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga leave for Arsenal, and Noni Madueke is poised to swap west London for north as well. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Chelsea won the Club World Cup on Sunday - and now their attention turns to transfers 5 Felix is among those on the transfer list Credit: GETTY 5 Nkunku (left) played a big part out in the US, but his future remains unclear Credit: Getty Now, Felix and Nkunku are also on the long list of players set to leave after both struggling for game time last term. Felix, 25, joined from Atletico Madrid, first on loan and then permanently last summer for £46.3million, while Chelsea academy product Conor Gallagher went the other way. The Portuguese attacker signed a seven-year deal in west London - but is already out of the picture after making 12 league appearances last term before being loaned to AC Milan, and having his squad number stripped this season. According to the Standard Sport, Felix is now wanted by former club Benfica. But his £35million price tag could be a sticking point as the Portuguese outfit. Benfica president Rui Costa said: 'If we could bring back players from our academy who have the quality and prominence that a player like Joao has, we would all like that. 'All Benfica fans would like that. 'The amounts involved, both in transfers and salaries, are very high and we have to respect that part.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Unlike Felix, Nkunku was involved in Chelsea's Club World Cup-winning campaign. Nkunku impressed club chiefs with his three starts, and one goal, while Stateside. Cole Palmer and Chelsea celebrate in style as they arrive back at their hotel after Club World Cup victory 5 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW But he is still up for sale, having previously offered to Manchester United in a failed swap deal with Alejandro Garnacho. Raheem Sterling was also left out of the squad for Club World Cup and Chelsea are looking for a buyer or, more realistically, someone who will take him on loan. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic asked to be left out of the tournament to focus on his future after his loan at Strasbourg. While Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja are all on the market. A decision is yet to be made on academy product Tyrique George on whether to send him out on loan or not. While Chelsea aren't actively looking to sell ex-Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but are open to reasonable offers.