Latest news with #PierreEmerickAubameyang
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marseille reach agreement for Aubameyang return
Marseille have reached an agreement to sign their former star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer, according to journalist Santi Aouna. The Gabonese striker moved from Marseille to Al-Qadsiah last summer on a two-year deal but terminated his contract with the Saudi Pro League club after just one season. Premier League clubs and Saudi giants Al Ettifaq came forward with a lucrative proposal, but the former Arsenal star had his heart set on a return to the Ligue 1 giants. The 36-year-old will pen a two-year contract until 2027 with Les Minots. Aubameyang has shown that he is ageing like a fine wine after a prolific campaign in Saudi Arabia last season. He netted 21 goals and three assists in all competitions, including the strike in the defeat in the King's Cup final against Al Ettifaq. Even in the 2023/24 season, Aubameyang was at the peak of his powers, netting 30 goals and 11 assists as well as finishing as the Europa League's top scorer. The former Barcelona star will look to replicate his rich vein of form for Roberto De Zerbi's side this season, where they will compete in the Champions League. Aubameyang will compete with talented Algerian Amine Gouiri for the centre-forward role at Marseille. Les Phoceens are also actively scouring the market for a winger, and Juventus' Timothy Weah is at the top of their wishlist. The former Lille star is not in Juve's plans and has reportedly agreed personal terms over a move to Marseille. De Zerbi's side are also monitoring Feyenoord's Igor Paixao and Lyon's Malick Fofana.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang terminates contract with Al Qadsiah as Marseille return edges closer
According to a report from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (36) has signed a contract termination agreement with Al Qadsiah and is now free to sign with any club. The Gabon international is currently in talks over a return to Olympique de Marseille, as Romano reports that the former OM striker is in negotiations over a potential two-year deal at the Phocéen club. Aubameyang scored 21 goals and registered four assists in Saudi Arabia last season, after he joined the club from Marseille last summer. L'Équipe report that the 36 year-old is prioritising a move back to Marseille over other European clubs. Les Olympiens pounced on the opportunity and are reportedly in advanced discussions with their former player and have tabled a two-year contract offer. The former Arsenal and Barcelona man's interest is reportedly mutual, but there are offers also from the AUE, Qatar, and within Saudi Arabia – although a move to Provence seems to be the most likely course of action at this stage. |
France 24
6 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Italy and Norway kick off the Women's Euro quarter-finals
France continue their preparations for Saturday's quarter-final clash against Germany. 'Les Bleues' are full of confidence after having won their last 11 matches. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to returning to Marseille, just a year after leaving the club. In cycling, the Tour de France had a rest day on Tuesday, giving Mathieu Van der Poel the chance to receive the prize for the most combative rider of the first week.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal ‘advancing' in Benjamin Sesko transfer talks
Arsenal are advancing in talks to sign Benjamin Sesko but no agreement has been reached with RB Leipzig. Sesko has emerged as the leading target for Arsenal as the Gunners look to sign a centre-forward this summer. Arsenal failed with a move to sign the Slovenian striker 12 months ago but have returned with renewed interest. Advertisement Despite signing a new deal last summer, Sesko is now keen to leave Germany after Leipzig's failure to secure European qualification. The 22-year-old has a release clause of around €80m (£67.4m) in his contract but Arsenal are hopeful of negotiating a lower fee. However, any deal is expected to represent a club-record fee for a centre-forward, eclipsing the £56m spent to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018. Arsenal progressing in Sesko transfer talks Fabrizio Romano has revealed that negotiations between the clubs are progressing but no agreement is expected imminently. Arsenal are relaxed on the situation and have also assessed the cost of signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Sesko is a player endorsed by the recruitment team with the forward regarded as one of Europe's best number nine prospects. Advertisement He has scored 39 goals in 87 games since joining Leipzig from sister-club Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and has netted 16 times in 41 caps for Slovenia. At five years younger than Gyokeres, Sesko is viewed as a more sensible long-term addition. The 6ft 5in forward would offer Arsenal an out-and-out forward presence, though Arteta remains a big believer in Kai Havertz's ability to fulfil the role. Havertz scored 13 goals in 27 starts for Arsenal before a hamstring injury sustained in February decimated the latter half of his 2024/25 campaign. Read – Midfield Magicians: Juan Sebastian Veron, a f*cking great player See more – Iconic Performances: Rivaldo and the greatest hat-trick ever scored Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Al Arabiya
31-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Three Takeaways: Al Ittihad wins King's Cup to complete first Double
Al Ittihad underlined its dominance of Saudi football in 2024-25 as it beat Al Qadsiah 3-1 to win the King's Cup in Jeddah. Less than a week after officially being crowned Saudi Pro League champion for the 10th time, Al Ittihad also added a 10th King's Cup trophy - the first time in the club's history that it has won both titles in the same season. Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema was his team's hero as he scored twice in the final, while Agerian Houssem Aouar also netted for Laurent Blanc's side. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given Al Qadsiah some hope but Al Ittihad held out for a historic victory at King Abdullah Sports City, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presenting Benzema and his teammates with the King's Cup trophy. For more Saudi sports news, visit our dedicated page. Here, Al Arabiya English brings you Three Takeaways from Al Ittihad's 3-1 King's Cup final triumph over Al Qadsiah. Al Ittihad makes history Although Al Ittihad is widely regarded as the second most successful club - after its great rival Al Hilal - in the history of Saudi football, the Jeddah giant had surprisingly never claimed a Saudi Pro League and King's Cup Double. The last chance Al Ittihad had to achieve the feat was back in 2009. Then coached by Argentine Gabriel Calderon, Al Ittihad lifted the Pro League title but was denied the Double by a rampant Al Shabab, which convincingly won the King's Cup final 2009. The same thing happened to Al Ittihad in 1982, when Al Hilal emerged as 3-1 victor in the King's Cup final. Al Ittihad has also been prevented from winning the Double by circumstance. The King's Cup was not played between 1991 and 2007, and during that time Al Ittihad managed to win both the Crown Prince's Cup and Pro League titles in the same season on two occasions - 1997 and 2003; had the King's Cup been held, Al Ittihad would have certainly been favorite to lift it. But on Friday night, Al Ittihad's fans could finally celebrate a maiden Pro League and King's Cup Double. For Laurent Blanc, it was a third Double of his coaching career, having achieved the feat with PSG in 2015 and 2016. The former France captain also managed to do so as a player with Auxerre in 1996. Blanc had spoken ahead of the final about it being a 'special kind of match' and Al Ittihad's players delivered for their supporters - securing a first King's Cup triumph since 2018. That the Double was completed at Al Ittihad's own King Abdullah Sports City Stadium also made the night even sweeter for the club. 'Al Ittihad fans in Jeddah are a vital part of this club's identity,' Blanc said. Benzema brings it home On the pitch in Jeddah, it was Al Ittihad's man for the big occasion who again came up with the goods. Benzema's influence this season has been undeniable - both in his role as a senior leader in the dressing-room and with his performances on the pitch. When the pressure has been on in 2024-25, Benzema has consistently delivered. The ex-Real Madrid striker put Al Ittihad ahead in the 34th-minute, completing a move that also involved Moussa Diaby and Steven Bergwijn. That front three has been irrepressible for Al Ittihad over the past few months and it was apt that they combined for the opening goal of the final. Diaby released Bergwijn, whose cross found Benzema; the Al Ittihad captain improvised impressively to chest the ball past Al Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels. Diaby and Benzema were involved again for Al Ittihad's second nine minutes later. French winger Diaby stood the ball up for his compatriot, who saw his powerful header magnificently saved by Casteels. Sadly for the Belgian shot-stopper, his defense did not react quickly enough to prevent Houssem Aouar from stealing in at close range to nod home and double his team's lead. It was the 13th goal of what has been the most prolific campaign of midfielder Aouar's career to date. Al Qadsiah reduced the arrears thanks to a penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in first-half stoppage time but when midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez was red carded in the 81st minute, it left the team from Dammam facing an uphill battle to equalize. And in the 94th minute, Benzema struck again - with yet another clutch contribution for his team. Once more it was Diaby who provided the assist, enabling Benzema to sweep the ball past Casteels for the 25th goal of a magnificent season for Al Ittihad's No. 9. It was fitting that Benzema, this week named Saudi Pro League Player of the Year, was the man to put the exclamation point on Al Ittihad's historic Double triumph. Heartbreak for Al Qadsiah Nine months ago, Al Qadsiah was a newly promoted side whose primary goal was to stay in the Saudi Pro League in its first season back in the top flight. But led by savvy Spaniard Michel, Al Qadsiah has defied expectations from day one - staying around the Pro League's top three for almost the entirety of the campaign. This was chiefly thanks to a series of intelligent summer 2024 signings - including defender Nacho Fernandez from Real Madrid, goalkeeper Koen Casteels from Wolfsburg, and forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Julián Quiñones from Marseille and Club America respectively. The latter pair have been sensational for Al Qadsiah. Quiñones finished the season on 25 goals from 33 games and ended as the King's Cup top scorer with five goals. Aubameyang managed 21 in 36 across all competitions and scored in every round of the King's Cup in which he played - netting Al Qadsiah's winner in the semifinal and also bagging in the final. Aubameyang's coolly-taken penalty in Jeddah looked to have helped his team get back into the game, before Benzema's second broke Al Qadsiah hearts. As one of the most consistent sides in Saudi Arabia in 2024-24, a maiden King's Cup title would have been a fitting reward for a fine season for Michel and his players. Al Qadsiah has made a significant impression on the Kingdom's football landscape this season - competing successfully with the PIF-owned 'big four' of Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ahli. But it finishes the campaign empty handed. A defeat to Al Hilal last week meant Al Nassr pipped Al Qadsiah to third place in the Pro League; the loss to Al Ittihad means it will be Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, not Al Qadsiah, now competing in the AFC Champions League Two in 2025-26. Still, Al Qadsiah will now regroup and with further smart additions in the coming months, there is no reason that the club cannot be a contender for major trophies again next season.
