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Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal told they should ignore Real Madrid star after big 'transfer shame'
Arsenal have been tipped to spend big in their first summer with Andrea Berta in place as sporting director but a former club captain has urged them to overlook one target Former Arsenal captain William Gallas believes the Gunners should put their faith in Gabriel Martinelli rather than breaking the bank for Rodrygo. Real Madrid star Rodrygo would cost north of £75million, and Gallas believes there's no need to part with that kind of money while Martinelli is at the club. Arsenal are set for a busy summer as they aim to improve on last season's runner-up finish in the Premier League. Spanish goalkeeper Kepa is due to arrive from Chelsea this week, while te Gunners' striker search is likely to see one of Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko join the club. A new wide forward is also high on sporting director Andrea Berta's list, especially if Leandro Trossard ends up leaving this summer. However, Gallas isn't convinced Rodrygo would be an upgrade on what they have. 'Rodrygo might want to leave Real Madrid, but that doesn't mean he will want to play for Arsenal," Gallas told Prime Casino. 'I think it's important that Arsenal stick with Gabriel Martinelli because we have seen the level he can perform at. "Things are difficult for Rodrygo at the moment but Arsenal might be better off sticking with what they have," he added. The 24-year-old scored 14 times in all competitions this season, but was limited to less than 2,000 minutes in the league Nico Williams is another player linked with that left-sided berth. The Spanish international has been a long-term target, but appears destined for Barcelona if and when he leaves Athletic Club. 'It's a big shame that it looks like Nico Williams isn't going to Arsenal, we always love to see the best players in the Premier League and he would be one of them," Gallas added. 'I think his target is to stay in Spain and potentially join Barcelona. "The football suits him well and he could form a partnership with Lamine Yamal. It'll be sad for Raphinha because he has played so well and extended his contract, maybe if he is going to keep his place then Bayern Munich could push to sign Williams.' The links with Rodrygo come after the Brazil star remained on the bench for Real Madrid's second Club World Cup group game against Pachuca. A 3-1 victory over the Mexican side means Los Blancos will progress with a point against Red Bull Salzburg on Friday, but they're going for all three points. "We have to improve and continue getting to know each other, because new players have arrived," midfielder Fede Valverde said ahead of the game. "We have to prepare in the best possible way because it's going to be a very important and demanding match. We have to try to get the three points to qualify in first place." 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.
Metro
4 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal told to reject Man Utd target and 'break the bank' for ‘perfect' signing
William Gallas believes Arsenal should pull out of the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres and says Victor Osimhen is also the wrong fit for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta will hope the addition of an elite striker this summer takes his Arsenal team to the next level after going another season without a trophy. Kai Havertz has been Arteta's first-choice striker for the past two seasons but does not appear to have what it takes to lead the line for a title-winning side. Arsenal surprisingly decided not to sign a striker in January but are ready to make amends this summer, holding talks with Gyokeres, Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko. Gyokeres has reportedly rejected an approach from Manchester United in favour of a move to the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal are struggling to agree terms with both him and Sporting Lisbon. 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. That has left Sesko as the most likely arrival in north London this summer but RB Leipzig have also set a steep asking price for the Slovenia international. A sudden move for Napoli outcast Osimhen cannot be ruled out but Gallas fears the Nigerian, who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, would 'clash' with Arteta. Gallas says Gyokeres would therefore be a better fit for Arsenal but still not as good a signing as Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. Isak has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe since arriving at St James' Park and Gallas wants Arsenal to 'break the bank' for the Sweden international. 'Victor Osimhen is a top class striker but I could see him clashing with Mikel Arteta,' Gallas told Prime Casino. 'Viktor Gyokeres would be a better fit, but Arsenal have to win the Premier League next season which means they need to sign Alexander Isak. 'Isak is perfect for Arsenal and they should be going all out to sign him. He would adapt instantly and give them the best chance of winning the title out of any player in the world, they don't have time to let a striker adapt. 'Arsenal should go and break the bank for Isak. He is a 20 goal a season striker and he would be surrounding himself with quality players. 'He wouldn't be cheap so it's up to the board, but he is guaranteed goals.' Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Isak over the past 12 months and the 25-year-old is believed to be Arteta's 'dream' target for the striker position. 'It's going to be a big one [summer] and we are very excited about it. 'When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step. 'Every summer is big because it is an opportunity – and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now, that is necessary. 'But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.' Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking back in April. But the north London outfit have been put off from a move by Newcastle, who value Isak at around £150m. Arsenal have endured a subdued start to the summer transfer window and are one of the few clubs yet to make a signing. But they are set to welcome Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi to the club in a £55m deal from Real Sociedad. Real Madrid considered hijacking Arsenal's deal but Zubimendi is on his way to Arsenal and Gallas has praised the imminent signing. More Trending 'Mikel Arteta might have found his own version of Rodri in Martin Zubimendi,' added Gallas, who made over 100 Premier League appearances for the Gunners. 'He likes to sit in front of the defence and protect while giving his team-mates freedom to get forward. 'He can offer a lot to the team in terms of giving other players more chances to get forward, Arteta might've seen Rodri doing that for Manchester City and wanted to do it with Arsenal.' Arsenal begin the 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 with a potentially tricky trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd urged to complete shock transfer for 'physical' Premier League star MORE: Atletico Madrid reject chance to sign Arsenal star in summer transfer window MORE: Ruben Amorim sends message to Manchester United over Emiliano Martinez transfer
Metro
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
William Gallas names surprise team his Premier League flops of the season
William Gallas has ignored the struggles of Manchester United and Tottenham to name a surprise team as his Premier League flops of the season. On the domestic front it has been a season of strife, bitterness and calamity for both United and Spurs who are languishing embarrassingly close to the bottom three. Indeed, were it not for the ineptitude of Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich then two Premier League stalwarts would have been fighting to stave off relegation. Their campaigns, however, could still end up with a Europa League sliver lining after both clubs won the first legs of their semi finals last night. It was a different story for Arsenal, however, who now face a mountain to climb after they were fortunate to escape from their game against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday with just a one-goal defeat. 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. Having failed to keep pace with runaway title-winners Liverpool and capitalise on the failures of Manchester City and Chelsea, Gallas cannot look past Mikel Arteta's men for the unwanted moniker of this season's biggest disappointments. 'In the Premier League, Arsenal are my flops of the season!' the former Arsenal captain told Prime Casino. 'If you compare last season and the one from two years ago with this season, their performance has not been good at all. 'Their performances in the Premier League have not been good enough. I'm sorry, I'm still disappointed in them, regardless of the Champions League. After those high quality and world class performances against Real Madrid, I wanted more from them in the league.' He added: 'I'm angry about what happened in the league. I'm furious even, because I can't accept one level of performance in the Champions League and a different level of performance in the Premier League from this group of players. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'We all know that it's difficult to be consistent in the Premier League, but that is what you have to do if you want to become the champions. More Trending 'You have to show up in every game. I'm disappointed because Arsenal didn't do that this season and I tipped them to win the title in August. 'They had a great opportunity to become champions this season, and they let it go without a fight. That's frustrating and difficult for me to understand. 'Yes, you can say that they had some injury problems, but I don't like excuses.' MORE: Aggie Beever-Jones not keen to slow down after Chelsea's latest WSL triumph MORE: Ruben Amorim names two 'nervous' Man Utd stars who needed help against Athletic Bilbao MORE: Athletic Bilbao star Williams hits out at referee and sends clear warning to Man Utd
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'Shocking' Tottenham slammed for 'disrespecting' fans before Bodo/Glimt semi-final
Tottenham are looking to salvage some positivity from a dreadful season by earning success in the Europa League and they must first find a way past semi-final opponents Bodo/Glimt William Gallas has ripped into Tottenham's stars for their dismal Premier League efforts ahead of their Europa League semi-final. The Lilywhites sit in the bottom half of the Premier League but face Bodo/Glimt in the last four of the European competition. Spurs were dismantled by Liverpool at Anfield ahead of facing their Norwegian opponents and suffered their 19th loss in the Premier League. While the north London side are safe from relegation, they could yet finish just one place above the bottom three and are a single point above West Ham having lost their last three league matches. And ex-defender Gallas believes that Tottenham's stars have disrespected their supporters. The Frenchman, who spent three seasons at White Hart Lane during his career, lamented the efforts of Ange Postecoglou's stars. "The Tottenham players, what they are thinking right now?" Gallas said to Prime Casino. "Because now they know they are safe in the Premier League. Their position is what, 16th? It's very crazy. It's shocking. It's very disrespectful to the fans. It's not good enough. "They will stay in the Premier League, that's what they are thinking right now. They are thinking only about that semi-final they have to play in the Europa League. "All of them are thinking about the semi-final. They don't care about winning games in the Premier League anymore. That's unacceptable." Gallas believes Postecoglou could lose his job without winning the Europa League this term. The Aussie's position has already come under a great deal of scrutiny and he is under growing pressure, despite repeatedly defending his position. "If they win the Europa League, OK, everybody will clap," Gallas added. "But we don't know if you will manage it. But if they don't, I'm sorry. I think the manager is going to be sacked. Some players, they don't know how to defend, they are not defending, they are not giving 100 percent." Speaking ahead of the game against Bodo/Glimt, James Maddison revealed he was embarrassed by Spurs' efforts against Liverpool. 'No-one in the whole club - from top to bottom - can be satisfied internally, to be satisfied with where we are. It definitely hurts. I had to do an interview at Liverpool on Sunday and we had lost 5-1," he said. "It is a little bit embarrassing, I am a bit embarrassed myself and you have to go and talk. And I know no-one actually wants to hear what I have got to say because they want to see the reaction. And get the reaction. "And that is the chance we have on Thursday night which is the beauty of the quick turnaround because we can go and put it right on Thursday if we get a good result."
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'He can't stay': Chelsea urged to perform u-turn over £25m transfer amid talk of Manchester United agreement
Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has launched a stinging criticism of Jadon Sancho following the loanee's performance in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. Sancho started at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, playing for 76 minutes before being replaced by Chelsea youngster Tyrique George having failed to end a run of nine-Premier League appearances without registering a goal contribution. Switching over to the right-hand side after operating on the left in the Conference League win over Copenhagen three days prior, Sancho has been criticised by Gallas for doing 'nothing' despite being up against Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly. Speaking on Stadium Astro, Gallas said: "Did you see him dribble past his left-back today? No. He did nothing. "He didn't challenge his left-back opponent. He always gets the ball, does some skills, and then passes the ball back. We want to see more, especially when you are the winger." As part of Sancho's loan move from Manchester United, an obligation to make the move a permanent one in the summer for a fee of around £25million has been included if certain criteria is met. That criteria is believed to be Chelsea finishing 14th or higher in the Premier League table - which is not mathematically guaranteed yet. Regardless, Gallas believes Sancho 'can't stay' at Chelsea, thus instructing his former club to perform a u-turn on the deal amid reports they can back out of the arrangement if they pay a significant penalty to break the terms of the agreement. "That player has talent. He's a talented player, everybody knows this, but we don't know why he can't perform and can't show what he can do,' Gallas added. He always gets the ball, does some skills, and then passes the ball back. We want to see more, especially when you are the winger. William Gallas "At Dortmund, he was magnificent. At Manchester United it didn't work well for him. He came to Chelsea and at the beginning we saw that Sancho from Dortmund, but then he disappeared. "I don't know what the problem is, but at the moment he can't stay at Chelsea because he has to do more. "When you play in the Premier League you have to play every game at the highest level. It's not easy, but you can't just play well for a few games and then chill out."
