Latest news with #France-born
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Man Utd or Arsenal? Bryan Mbeumo makes huge decision over summer transfer
Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has decided he wants to push through a move to Manchester United, despite attracting strong interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle. The Red Devils kicked off their summer recruitment drive by agreeing a £62.5million deal for Matheus Cunha, who will join the club from Wolves subject to subject to visa approval and registration procedures. But Old Trafford bosses are determined to further strengthen Ruben Amorim's misfiring attack on the back of their miserable campaign – and widespread reports last week claimed initial talks had taken place to sign Mbeumo. Mbeumo, 25, enjoyed an excellent season for Brentford, racking up 20 goals and seven assists in the Premier League to further cement his status as one of the most underappreciated forwards in English football. Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah outscored Mbeumo in the top flight this term. 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 so we can send you football news tailored to you. While Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle have all been keeping close tabs on developments surrounding Mbeumo, the Cameroon international favours a switch to United, according to The Athletic. The report suggests United will now switch their attentions to striking a deal with Brentford. It's understood the Bees will demand a fee of between £40-50million for their top goalscorer. After Brentford's season drew to a close, Thomas Frank admitted he was powerless to preventing Mbeumo from leaving if club decided it was in their best interest. 'I can definitely understand the interest in him,' the Brentford head coach told reporters. 'There should be interest in him. He is at his best age, he has scored 20 goals. 'I would like to keep him but we are a selling club so if someone comes in with the right price…' It appears Mbeumo's team-mates are also resigned to the prospect of the forward departing this summer, with Christian Norgaard telling Sky Sports: 'I think Bryan is likely to go. 'I don't know about [Yoanne] Wissa yet. Everyone hopes that he might stay. More Trending 'Either way, I'm happy for the season and am happy for both of them. They deserve it so much.' Mbeumo has just 12 months remaining on his current contract at the Gtech Community Stadium. The France-born attacker has spent six years with the Bees, finding the back of the net 70 times in his 242 appearances for the west London outfit. Brentford stand to make a tidy profit on Mbeumo considering they signed the forward from Troyes for a fee of just £5.8million – a then club-record – back in 2019. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea tipped to sell 'wonderful talent' Cole Palmer in shock transfer MORE: Chelsea complete first summer signing as Dario Essugo joins from Sporting MORE: Joshua Kimmich reacts to Florian Wirtz rejecting Bayern Munich to join Liverpool
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
LAFC Book Spot In FIFA Club World Cup With 3-2 Win Over Club America
Last Updated: Denis Bouanga scored an extra-time winner to secure LAFC's 3-2 win over Club America, earning them a spot in the Club World Cup. Denis Bouanga scored a dramatic extra-time winner, propelling Los Angeles FC into the Club World Cup with a 3-2 (a.e.t.) victory over Mexico's Club América on Saturday. Club América, from Mexico City, seemed poised to secure their spot in the tournament and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward after a 64th-minute penalty by former LAFC player Brian Rodríguez. However, LAFC's Brazilian player Igor Jesus headed in an equaliser in the 89th minute, forcing the game into extra time. Five minutes before the end of the second extra-time period, Bouanga delivered the decisive goal. The high-stakes match was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd divided between the two teams, with palpable tension from the start. Despite only joining MLS seven years ago, LAFC triumphed, earning a place in the inaugural 32-team FIFA tournament. LAFC will compete in Group D of the Club World Cup, facing Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo, and Espérance de Tunis of Tunisia. The tournament kicks off on June 14. This one-off 'play-in' match occurred following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club León from the tournament due to ownership conflicts with Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, another tournament participant. LAFC was given the opportunity based on their second-place finish to León in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. Club América, founded 108 years ago, was included due to being the 'top-ranked team" in confederation rankings. Though LAFC had the nominal home advantage at their BMO Stadium, California hosts many Club América fans, making the venue effectively neutral. The electric atmosphere saw few first-half chances, with the Mexican team enjoying better possession but rarely troubling LAFC's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved decisive. Giroud's presence troubled América's defence, and his improvised shot and subsequent header forced saves from Club América keeper Luis Malagón. In the final minute of regular time, LAFC found a lifeline as Bouanga's corner was met with a powerful header from Jesus. LAFC nearly won in regulation, but Malagón made a brilliant save to deny Timothy Tillman's cross-shot. With penalties looming in extra time, Frankie Amaya fed a ball to Giroud, who laid it off to the on-rushing Bouanga. His fierce shot deflected past the helpless Malagón. Bouanga, the France-born Gabon international, has scored 80 goals for LAFC in all competitions since joining from Saint-Étienne in 2022, but none more valuable than this one. This win ensures that the host nation will have three Major League Soccer teams in the tournament, with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already participating. The tournament concludes on July 13 with a final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the winner will take home over $100 million. First Published: June 01, 2025, 12:22 IST
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Play-off final goalkeeper is TikTok sensation who won reality TV series and has Miss Universe star girlfriend
Meet the model and stopper who is hard to beat for social media fans TIKS ALL THE BOXES Play-off final goalkeeper is TikTok sensation who won reality TV series and has Miss Universe star girlfriend Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALEXIS ANDRE Jr is not your typical footballer. For the Maidstone United goalkeeper is also a social media influencer who won a hit reality television series and whose girlfriend competed in Miss Universe. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Alexis Andre Jr met model girlfriend Zoe Brunet while filming a major TV show Credit: 5 Andre aims to return to the National League with play-off-final success Credit: Instagram / @ 5 The much-travelled Maidstone keeper will take on Boreham Wood in the National League South play-off final on Sunday Credit: The France-born stopper has around five million followers on TikTok and Instagram, something he started at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic when he was at Bristol Rovers. Andre, whose Maidstone side face Boreham Wood in the National League South play-off final on Sunday, said: 'I had nothing to do during the first lockdown. 'I make content about anything, about my life and career and everything. 'After the first lockdown, I came back to Bristol Rovers and I was bigger than the club because I had so many followers! 'Now they have their own TikTok account. 'But I don't want people to think I am just a social media content creator and not a footballer. 'It has never been an issue wherever I have played because I am a professional and respectful, too.' His most recent TikTok videos include dancing with his girlfriend to the latest dance craze, a behind-the-scenes look at Maidstone's play-off semi-final win against Eastbourne, modelling for a number of fashion houses and quizzing his team-mates on their football knowledge. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The son of a man from Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, he was abandoned aged four by his Moroccan mother at a railway station in his native Mulhouse. And it formed his 'secret' on TV show Secret Story, where contestants all have a secret they are trying to hide. 5 Andre's partner Zoe competed in the 2018 Miss Universe competition Credit: Instagram / @ Andre, who bagged £105,000 after winning it last year, said: 'My dad raised me and I have no contact with my mother. 'I didn't miss the love of a mother because my dad, Alex, has given me everything.' He also met his girlfriend, Belgian TV presenter Zoe Brunet – who finished in the top 20 in the 2018 Miss Universe – during filming. Now he is hoping for another win, this time with Maidstone as they look to return to the National League after a two-season absence. The game will take place at the Wood's Meadow Park ground as they finished higher in the league than the Stones. Andre, who has recorded a divisional best of 23 clean sheets, said: 'We have no problem playing there because we are more confident being the away side and we have been all season. 'But we know this is a one-off game and we know we have to perform.' Andre spent seven years in the Strasbourg youth set-up and played lower-league football in France and Germany before he joined the Nike Academy, at St George's Park National Football Centre. From there, he went on trial at Bristol Rovers and signed for the Gas, but only made one senior appearance. Andre, who is also signed to leading model agency SELECT, was signed by Maidstone manager George Elokobi last summer and rates the ex-Wolves defender as the best coach he has worked with.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Play-off final goalkeeper is TikTok sensation who won reality TV series and has Miss Universe star girlfriend
ALEXIS ANDRE Jr is not your typical footballer. For the 5 Alexis Andre Jr met model girlfriend Zoe Brunet while filming a major TV show Credit: 5 Andre aims to return to the National League with play-off-final success Credit: Instagram / @ 5 The much-travelled Maidstone keeper will take on Boreham Wood in the National League South play-off final on Sunday Credit: The France-born stopper has around five million followers on TikTok and Instagram, something he started at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic when he was at Andre, whose Maidstone side face 'I make content about anything, about my life and career and everything. 'After the first lockdown, I came back to Bristol Rovers and I was bigger than the club because I had so many followers! READ MORE IN FOOTBALL 'Now they have their own TikTok account. 'But I don't want people to think I am just a social media content creator and not a footballer. 'It has never been an issue wherever I have played because I am a professional and respectful, too.' His most recent TikTok videos include dancing with his girlfriend to the latest dance craze, a behind-the-scenes look at Maidstone's play-off semi-final win against Eastbourne, modelling for a number of fashion houses and quizzing his team-mates on their football knowledge. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The son of a man from Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, he was abandoned aged four by his Moroccan mother at a railway station in his native Mulhouse. And it formed his 'secret' on TV show Secret Story, where contestants all have a secret they are trying to hide. 5 Andre's partner Zoe competed in the 2018 Miss Universe competition Credit: Instagram / @ Andre, who bagged £105,000 after winning it last year, said: 'My dad raised me and I have no contact with my mother. 'I didn't miss the love of a mother because my dad, Alex, has given me everything.' He also met his girlfriend, Belgian TV presenter Zoe Brunet – who finished in the top 20 in the 2018 Miss Universe – during filming. Now he is hoping for another win, this time with Maidstone as they look to return to the National League after a two-season absence. The game will take place at the Wood's Meadow Park ground as they finished higher in the league than the Stones. Andre, who has recorded a divisional best of 23 clean sheets, said: 'We have no problem playing there because we are more confident being the away side and we have been all season. 'But we know this is a one-off game and we know we have to perform.' Andre spent seven years in the Strasbourg youth set-up and played lower-league football in France and Germany before he joined the Nike Academy, at St George's Park National Football Centre. From there, he went on trial at Bristol Rovers and signed for the Gas, but only made one senior appearance. Andre, who is also signed to leading model agency SELECT, was signed by 5 Andre has become a fans' favourite in his first season with the Stones Credit:
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Merricks vows Birmingham City will give their all in WSL promotion battle with London City Lionesses
AMY MERRICKS will urge Birmingham to give it everything in today's promotion decider with London City Lionesses. And Brum boss Merricks reckons the women's second tier deserves far more attention than it currently gets. 4 4 4 City must win at St Andrew's to deny London the Championship title and a place in the WSL for the first time. Blues whose club's co-owners include NFL legend Tom Brady are bidding to return to the league they helped establish 15 years ago. Ex-Lionesses Under-19 boss Merricks, who took charge of Birmingham City last April, said: "This club was one of the founding members of the WSL and to take it back there would be amazing. "But we have to focus first and foremost on the process to get there. The performance is that process and we're taking nothing for granted." Today's 2:15pm showdown is the first Women's Championship game to be shown live on Sky Sports. Brum have already sold more than 7,000 tickets but Merrick hopes TV coverage will help attract even more fans to the second tier. She added: "My squad are ready to give everything. I'm really excited and what a great showcase for the Championship. "This is a league that deserves so much more attention. We have so much talent here and we are focused on showcasing the best of ourselves." An away win for London City would see them become the only standalone women's team competing in the WSL next season. The club, who share their Hayes Lane home ground with League Two men's side Bromley, have been a force to be reckoned with this term after finishing eighth last term. Since being purchased by USA-born Michelle Kang, the club that was following a May 2019 breakaway from Millwall has undergone an overhaul in recent years. Her December 2023 takeover has been followed by a revamp of London City's squad. A team whose players include senior internationals such as Sweden veteran Kosovare Asllani, 35, and rising young stars such as defender Teyah Goldie currently on loan from Arsenal. And last June the club appointed France-born Jocelyn Precheur as head coach following his one-season stint as Paris Saint-Germain during which he led the team to a Women's French Cup win. Among the younger players who have helped London City register 13 victories and three draws from 19 games is England Under-23s player Isobel Goodwin. The forward 22, is set to win the Women's Championship Golden Boot for this term after scoring 15 goals so far during the campaign. 4 Goodwin said:'The Championship is such a big league now and the growth in it each year is getting better and better. 'Being in the promotion race, it's just so exciting and this is probably one of the biggest games of my career knowing that we could possibly lift that trophy. 'It's every girl's dream is to play in the WSL and get promoted. So hopefully we can do that.'
