Latest news with #SportingCP
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Forward Viktor Gyökeres pulls out of Sweden squad with injury
Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres eyes the ball during the Portuguese league last round soccer match between Sporting CP and Vitoria SC at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida) STOCKHOLM (AP) — Viktor Gyökeres has pulled out of Sweden's squad for upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Algeria because of an injury. The Swedish Football Association said the injury was 'minor' without elaborating. Advertisement Sporting Lisbon striker Gyökeres left the national team training base in Bosön after being assessed by team medics. Gyökeres has just completed an outstanding season for Lisbon — scoring 48 goals and winning the Portuguese league and cup double. He has established himself as one of the top strikers in world soccer, sparking speculation about a transfer to one of Europe's giants during the offseason. Arsenal has been heavily linked, with the Premier League club expected to move for a top-class forward in the transfer window. Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko is another reported target. Sweden plays Hungary on June 6 and Algeria on June 10. ___ AP soccer:


Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres addresses Arsenal transfer on FaceTime – 'All I can say for now'
Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres is being targeted by a number of clubs this summer, with the Swedish striker keeping his cards close to his chest regarding a potential move to Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres told former team-mate Leo Ostigard that he cannot say much about a move to Arsenal at present. The Swedish Sporting CP forward has found himself an incredibly sought-after prospect in the summer transfer window thanks to a remarkable Primeira Liga campaign. After helping his side to a league title and a Taca de Portugal triumph in 2024/25, with 39 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances, the striker has been linked with moves to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid as of late. And Gyokeres failed to rule out a move to north London during a recent FaceTime call with former Coventry team-mate, Ostigard. In a cameo appearance on the Flymoduspod podcast, Gyokeres was asked by host Bernt Hulsker: "Where are you going in the summer transfer window? Can you give us a hint? Is it Arsenal? What are the alternatives?" After a brief chuckle, Gyokeres replied: "We will see. Nobody knows anything yet. I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now." Later in the conversation, as he was saying goodbye to his former team-mate, Ostigard then added with a hint of jest: "Viktor! Great talking to you. See you soon, and text me when everything is signed and sorted down in Arsenal." Gyokeres jokingly replied: "Yeah, yeah sure." It comes after he was asked by media last month if he liked London during a post-match interview, to which he ignored the question and shared his admiration for the Portuguese capital instead. It's no secret that Arsenal are in dire need of a striker for 2025/26. Mikel Arteta was forced to utilise midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre forward at times this season after Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were sidelined through injury. Should Arsenal have had a prolific goalscorer fit for the majority of the season, the Gunners would likely have mounted a stronger challenge in the race for their first Premier League title in more than two decades. In reality, the north London side had to settle for second place for the third consecutive year, 10 points behind eventual league champions, Liverpool. Signing Gyokeres will certainly be no easy feat. As well as having to compete with a number of Premier League and European rivals, it is thought that Sporting will only look to part ways with their talisman for a fee of around £60million. That will come as a major profit to the Primeira Liga champions, who only acquired his services from Coventry for a reported £16.8m back in the summer of 2023. Meanwhile, Sporting head coach, Rui Borges, has also recently claimed that Gyokeres is content with his current club, telling reporters after a 2-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes: "He is very happy here. He is very connected to the game, he wants to score and he is obsessed with it." He added: "He is the best striker in Europe, as the numbers show. He will be attractive, but I believe that if he doesn't leave Sporting, he will remain very committed to the club. He feels very happy here." Gyokeres isn't the only striker that Arsenal are thought to be considering at present, however, with RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko also reportedly being monitored by the Gunners' top brass. The Slovenian has proven himself in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists. Once again, however, acquiring Sesko would come at a cost - with reports suggesting that the asking price for the 22-year-old could be as high as £93m, given his age and that he is contracted until 2029. Meanwhile, it is said that Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are also in the race for his signature. 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.


United News of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
Chelsea signs midfielder Essugo from Sporting CP
London, June 3 (UNI) Chelsea has finalized the signing of Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting CP. The 20-year-old joins the newly crowned UEFA Conference League winners for a fee of 18 million pounds (24.3 million US dollars) and has signed a contract through June 2033. Essugo, known for his tough tackling, spent last season on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas, where he made 27 appearances and was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign that ended in relegation. The Portugal under-21 international made history as the youngest ever player to debut for Sporting's first team, breaking the record previously held by Luis Figo when he took the field at 16 years and six days old. He also spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Chaves, appearing in 14 matches. The deal was initially agreed upon in March but was completed with the reopening of the transfer window ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. Essugo will join Chelsea's squad for the tournament, which kicks off with a match against Los Angeles Galaxy on June 16. UNI XINHUA AKT PRS


New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
Chelsea announce £18.5m signing of Dario Essugo from Sporting
Chelsea have announced the signing of midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting CP. The Athletic reported in March that the two sides had agreed a fee of £18.5million ($23.9m) for the 20-year-old, with no add-ons or sell-on clauses included as part of the deal. Essugo has now signed a long-term contract with the UEFA Conference League winners, a deal that will see him contracted to the club until 2033. Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo. Welcome to Chelsea, Dario! 🔵 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 2, 2025 Chelsea have been in the market for a midfielder to act as back-up for Moises Caicedo, given the club are lacking cover in that area. The expectation is that Essugo will be rotated with Caicedo next season. Essugo, a Portugal youth international, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Las Palmas, making 27 La Liga appearances. Advertisement The defensive midfielder made his senior Sporting debut in 2021, becoming the club's youngest debutant, and has made 29 first-team appearances. Essugo spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at fellow Portuguese top-flight side Chaves. The Athletic reported in March that Chelsea had reached an agreement with Sporting CP to sign winger Geovany Quenda. The 18-year-old will remain at the Portuguese club next season and then move to Stamford Bridge in July 2026. A seven-year contract until 2033, with an option to extend by 12 months, is in place. Chelsea have also reached an agreement with Liam Delap over personal terms, and the striker will join from Ipswich Town on a contract that runs until 2031, subject to completing his medical checks.


The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Man United transfer guide: Pedro Goncalves and top targets for Ruben Amorim's rebuild
Manchester United face a crucial summer as Ruben Amorim finally gets the chance to shape his squad and transform his failing team into contenders at the top end of the table. It shouldn't be forgotten that Amorim initially rebuffed United's approach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, telling the Old Trafford hierarchy he was only willing to join at the end of the season. United gave the Portuguese coach an ultimatum – now or never – and Amorim quit Sporting CP mid-season to take the reins. Perhaps he was wise to try and delay the move, because what followed was a disastrous campaign as he tried and failed to fit the United squad to his unique 3-4-3 system. The team finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final to 17th-placed Tottenham. Now Amorim has a full preseason to prepare his side and a summer transfer window to mould his squad, before a season without European football to distract his players, and he must take full advantage. Not only is the manager's future likely to be called into question should United struggle at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will come under increasing pressure to deliver some much-needed improvement. Ratcliffe has made clear that the money pot is not deep, so offloading high-wage players such as Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford will be key to funding the revolution, while there remains a question over the future of Alejandro Garnacho. Here's everything you need to know about Manchester United's summer transfer plans. Areas to improve Perhaps it is easier to try and identify some parts of the team that don't need improvement. Three players could genuinely claim to have had decent seasons – Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo – while Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Diogo Dalot all did OK in spells, but that is about the extent of United's reliable performers last season, and captain Fernandes is being heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Now that Matheus Cunha's arrival is secured, the top priorities are: sign a proven goalscorer, given the toils of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee up front; buy a goalkeeper to compete with (or outright replace) the error-prone Andre Onana; recruit a wing-back who can excel in Amorim's system. A central midfielder will also be needed, if Fernandes leaves. Done deals Ins: Matheus Cunha (Wolves, £62.5m agreed) Outs: Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton (all out of contract) Potential targets Pedro Goncalves, Sporting CP The Sporting midfielder knows Amorim well and could fit into his team as a one of the attacking No 10s. Goncalves is reported to be valued at around £70m by Sporting, but United are expected to receive at least £100m for Fernandes should their captain depart for Saudi Arabia, to help fund any bid. Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP Another Sporting player, Gyokeres was sensational under Amorim in the Portuguese league and knows the manager's tactical approach. Sporting would command a fee of at least £60m for the in-demand Swedish striker, who plundered 54 goals in all competitions this season. But Gyokeres will have his pick of clubs across Europe, with Arsenal and Italian champions Napoli both interested, and he may be put off by United's lack of European football. James McAtee, Manchester City McAtee's future is up in the air after the midfielder was left out of Manchester City's squad for the Club World Cup this summer, despite featuring semi-regularly for Pep Guardiola in the latter half of the season. McAtee is 22 and is yet to extend his deal at the Etihad, with his contract set to run out at the end of the upcoming season, so City may feel they need to cash in now on the academy graduate or lose him – although as he's younger than 24, any club signing McAtee for 'free' would be required to pay suitable compensation to his previous club. Oumar Solet, Udinese The imposing defender has been linked with a move away this summer. United may need a defensive addition with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans departing. Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford The 25-year-old has just enjoyed the best season of his career with 20 goals in 42 games, catching the eye of a raft of clubs in the process. United deploy Mbeumo in one of their No 10 roles, but Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham are also thought to be interested. Ryan Ait-Nouri, Wolves United had been monitoring the Wolves wing-back, but it appears Manchester City are now leading the race to sign the Algeria international.