Latest news with #OllieWatkins
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Arsenal face battle from Saudi Arabia for Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal face competition from Saudi Arabian clubs in the race to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer. Telegraph Sport understands that two Saudi Pro League sides have recently expressed an interest in signing Sesko, who is one of the most in-demand forwards in European football. Arsenal have a long-standing interest in Sesko and have been in talks with Leipzig to understand the size and terms of the deal that would be required to sign him before next season. Sources in Germany have believed for several weeks that Sesko is Arsenal's top priority for the centre-forward position, but it still remains to be seen whether the Premier League club prioritise the 22-year-old over other options and make a formal offer. Andrea Berta, the Arsenal sporting director, has been working hard to understand the required costs, in terms of transfer fee and wages, for a number of different attacking options across Europe. Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres is among those players. Another move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who was targeted by Arsenal in the January transfer window, is regarded by sources as highly unlikely but cannot be totally ruled out. Telegraph Sport understands that Leipzig are willing to sell Sesko, who scored 21 goals in 45 appearances last season, in a deal worth around €80 million (£68 million). The prospect of strong interest from the two Saudi clubs, one of which is believed to be Al-Hilal, could yet drive up the price. However, the Slovenian's current preference is to remain in Europe. Meanwhile, Arsenal are working to finalise the transfer of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in a deal worth £5 million. Kepa, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, has been targeted as a backup option to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya. The 30-year-old has a £5million release clause. Arsenal also remain extremely confident of signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as expected this summer, despite reports in Spain that Real Madrid want to hijack the move. Zubimendi will cost around £50 million. Analysis: Striker search just one issue in Berta's big summer Berta, who was appointed sporting director in March, has had a busy start to life in north London. The former Atletico Madrid executive's main task has been to find a new striker for Mikel Arteta, and he has held talks with numerous clubs over the past few weeks. By now, Berta will be aware of the costs required to sign each of these potential targets. The next step will be to pull the trigger and make a decisive move for one of them. Will it be Sesko, a player Arsenal have wanted for more than a year? Or could it be Gyokeres, who is understood to be the preferred candidate of Berta himself? It could still be someone else, given the amount of conversations Berta has had with other clubs and players. There are many other issues for Berta to address beyond the search for a striker, including the goalkeeper situation and contract renewals for key players such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal want their star players to feel valued and there was good news in this regard last week, when they confirmed a new four-year deal for defender Gabriel Magalhaes. They are also still in talks over a new contract for Thomas Partey, who could leave as a free agent this summer. In the goalkeeping department, Arsenal are in need of a backup to David Raya following the end of Neto's loan spell from Bournemouth. The expectation is that Kepa Arrizabalaga, who spent last season on loan from Chelsea at Bournemouth, will soon arrive at the Emirates Stadium in a £5 million deal. Elsewhere, Berta has also been considering potential options for the wide attacking position. Nico Williams, of Athletic Bilbao and Spain, is known to have admirers within the Emirates Stadium but, as reported by Telegraph Sport earlier this year, a move for the 22-year-old is financially complicated. Arsenal hope to generate funds through sales this summer, with Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract. There is also uncertainty over the future of forwards Leandro Trossard could yet be handed a new deal but there is still uncertainty over his future and Reiss Nelson, who spent last season on loan at Fulham. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira were both loaned out last summer and could leave the club on a permanent basis during this window. Left-back Nuno Tavares has already been sold to Lazio, for around £6 million, while Brazilian winger Marquinhos has joined Cruzeiro in a permanent deal for around £3 million.
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Is England vs Senegal on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch friendly
England will be hoping for a far better showing in their second engagement of the international window with Senegal their opponents in Nottingham. Thomas Tuchel was left furious with a lacklustre performance against Andorra as his side scraped to a 1-0 win against overmatched opposition. The expectation will be of significant improvements against a Senegal side likely to provide far more forward threat. In these early days of Tuchel's time as head coach, he will see every match as vital as England begin to build in earnest towards next year's World Cup. Here's everything you need to know. When is England vs Senegal? England vs Senegal is due to kick off at 7.45pm BST on Tuesday 10 June at the City Ground in Nottingham. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. A livestream will be available via ITVX. Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the England squad due to injury, while Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher were not considered for the Andorra fixture. Changes are likely, with Morgan Gibbs-White perhaps in line for a start on his home ground. A switch could also come in goal with Thomas Tuchel weighing up whether to use a keeper other than Jordan Pickford. Senegal are without Sadio Mane, who has asked not to feature in this game for personal reasons. Predicted line-ups Senegal XI: Mendy; Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; Sarr, Gueye, Camara; Diatta, Ndiaye, Jackson. Odds England win 2/5 Draw 16/5 Senegal win 11/2 The Independent vets betting sites free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Jude Bellingham misses England training to attend family funeral on eve of Senegal friendly
Jude Bellingham missed training on Monday due to a family funeral but will be available for England 's season-ending friendly against Senegal. The 21-year-old started Saturday's snoozefest in Barcelona as Thomas Tuchel 's side continued their winning start to World Cup qualification with a 1-0 triumph against minnows Andorra. Bellingham was cheered on in Barcelona by girlfriend Ashlyn Castro who sat shoulder to shoulder with his mother Denise. England round off the campaign with Tuesday's friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham, where Bellingham is ready to feature despite sitting out training due to a personal matter. The Football Association said: '24 players are out training at St. George's Park this afternoon. Jude Bellingham is absent to attend a family funeral and will return to camp later today.' Ollie Watkins withdrew from the camp on Friday due to a minor injury, with Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher left out of the 23-man squad for Andorra. Jude's younger brother Jobe, meanwhile, was pictured arriving in Germany on Monday ahead of his move to Borussia Dortmund. Mail Sport reported this weekend that Dortmund will pay an initial £27.8million fee plus £4.2m in potential add-ons, and that a 15 per cent sell-on fee has been included in the deal. The transfer is set to see Bellingham become Sunderland's record sale, overtaking the £25m Everton paid to sign Jordan Pickford in 2017.
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Jude Bellingham misses England training due to funeral but could face Senegal
Jude Bellingham missed training on Monday due to a family funeral but will be available for England's season-ending friendly against Senegal. The 21-year-old started Saturday's snoozefest in Barcelona as Thomas Tuchel's side continued their winning start to World Cup qualification with a 1-0 triumph against minnows Andorra. England round off the campaign with Tuesday's friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham, where Bellingham is ready to feature despite sitting out training due to a personal matter. The Football Association said: '24 players are out training at St. George's Park this afternoon. Jude Bellingham is absent to attend a family funeral and will return to camp later today.' Ollie Watkins withdrew from the camp on Friday due to a minor injury, with Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher left out of the 23-man squad for Andorra.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Ollie Watkins withdraws from England squad as precaution over minor injury
Thomas Tuchel's side are preparing for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona before hosting Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground on Tuesday. Watkins was part of England's training camp in Spain this week but the Football Association has confirmed the 18-cap Euro 2024 semi-final hero will play no part in the June double-header. Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the #ThreeLions camp as a precaution due to a minor injury. — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'Ollie Watkins will play no part in England's forthcoming fixtures against Andorra and Senegal,' read an update from the governing body. 'The Aston Villa striker has withdrawn from the squad as a precaution due to a minor injury. 'A 25-man squad will now continue preparations for Saturday's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.' England will be expected to make it three wins from three in the Group K, having beaten Albania and Latvia at Wembley in March. But Tuchel warned they would need patience to break down the Andorran defence. 'It is on us to keep the tempo high. It is on us to bring the energy to the pitch,' he said. 'It is on us to bring the attacking energy to the pitch and to do this in a relentless way. 'I can fully understand that this is not the easiest time of the season for an international break. 'The players come from a short break of holiday. The players come from a long and tiring season and then accepting again the role. 'It is important not to over expect from us, in terms of that we expect already, like clear result, biggest chances, goals already, after 10-20 minutes and get impatient and get frustrated with ourselves. Friday focus ☑️Matchday 🔜 — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'I think it's a test to our patience. Andorra played against Spain and it was 1-0 at half-time with a set-piece. 'It's a World Cup qualifier. Respect your opponent. You respect the quality, the defensive organisation of your opponent. Then you understand how difficult it is to break down.' Spain and France set the standard with a thrilling Nations League semi-final on Thursday, where the Euro 2024 champions won 5-4. Tuchel said it would be unfair to expect his side to hit the same level on Saturday night. 'It's hard to compare a Nations League semi-final between Spain and France to our match tomorrow,' he said. 'But I personally feel always a responsibility to entertain. We always look to win. We always look to entertain and win and entertain at the same time. 'It was a spectacle yesterday. It was very offensive. It was like dominated by offensive quality of both teams. 'This is, I think, at the moment, one of the highest levels in Europe and it would be not fair to us. 'I think it will be a very, very different, different setting. We will be very offensive tomorrow – the mindset will be offensive.'
