Latest news with #Sunderland
Metro
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal star Mikel Arteta sold for £21m linked with shock Premier League return
A former Arsenal star whom Mikel Arteta sold for £21million could make a surprise transfer back to the Premier League, according to reports. After a slow start to the summer transfer window, the Gunners have kicked into gear as they look to plug the gaps in Mikel Arteta's squad ahead of the new Premier League season. Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard have all arrived, while deals for Cristhian Mosquera and Noni Madueke are both nearing completion. Another side who have enjoyed a productive start to the window is Sunderland as they prepare for their first season back in the top flight since 2017. The Black Cats have already made six signings this summer, including spending a club-record £30.5m to sign central midfielder Habib Diarra from Strasbourg. 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 we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. However, Regis Le Bris' side are still keen to make further signings in the middle of the park to replace Jobe Bellingham who left for Borussia Dortmund this summer. And according to transfer reporter Sacha Tavolieri, the newly-promoted side have now held club-to-club talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka. Xhaka has spent two seasons at the German club and helped them win the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso, but could be set for a return to England on a three-year deal for a fee of around €10million (£8.7m). Sunderland will face competition for Xhaka's signature, though, with Neom SC also interested in the Swiss international after securing promotion to the Saudi Pro League. Joining Arsenal in 2017, Xhaka racked up 297 appearances in all competitions during his seven seasons in north London. The 32-year-old was made captain by Unai Emery in September 2019, but was stripped of the armband just months later after an angry confrontation with fans. Despite winning back some fans in the following years, Xhaka eventually left the Emirates in 2023 to join Leverkusen, admitting he cried 'tears of joy' when the deal was completed. More Trending 'I'm a very emotional person, I like to cry and I'm not ashamed of it,' he said. 'Of course, I also cried for joy at times. For example, when I made my transfer here to Leverkusen. 'I also cried tears of joy because I really wanted to go back. I think it's also part of it as a person.' Xhaka might not be the only former Arsenal midfielder set for a move to the Stadium of Light, with other reports linking Sunderland with a move for Matteo Guendouzi.. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd open talks to sign £40m star after Andre Onana injury MORE: Arsenal told they are making big mistake spending £50m on 'back-up player' MORE: Chelsea learn asking price after 'fresh talks' to sign Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Sunderland City Council block 'unacceptable' HMO
Plans for a new shared home have been blocked after being labelled "unacceptable" and "harmful" by council development City Council has refused proposals for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) at Riversdale Terrace in Sunderland's Millfield ward, due to the number already in the area and risk of anti-social behaviour. Planners said the house, which was proposed to be converted into a seven-bedroom dwelling across three floors, would "lead to an overconcentration of HMOs" if applicant has the right to challenge the council refusal decision by lodging an appeal with the Secretary of State. The initial proposed site plan showed all HMO bedrooms offering an en-suite bathroom, and some bedrooms served by also stated there would be a bin storage area and noted no parking would be provided, although plans were later amended to provide one space, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. 'Undermine quality of life' Council planners said there would be "adequate living space and an acceptable standard of amenity" for future they said its approval would result in the number of HMOs exceeding 10% of all residential properties within 100m (328ft), which went against council planning said the plans were an "inappropriate development" and would work against "the aim of creating places that are safe, inclusive and crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience".Northumbria Police also objected to those living in rooms on the second floor having to "travel the full height of the building to store food and prepare meals", as well as the "small amount of external space" and "potential for anti-social behaviour to spill out into the surrounding locality".Council planners concluded it would be "unacceptable as it would be considered to be harmful to the character and amenities of the area". Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
I still have that fire – Jordan Henderson back in Premier League with Brentford
The 35-year-old England midfielder has completed a free transfer to the Bees and signed a two-year contract after leaving Ajax. The former Liverpool title-winning captain left Anfield in 2023, making a controversial move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. Hendo's new home 🏟️ — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025 'After a couple of years away I still have that fire to come back and play in the Premier League again,' he told Brentford's social media. 'Obviously it's the best league in the world, with the best players. So it's a big challenge but one I'm keen on doing. 'When I was given the opportunity by Brentford and after speaking with the club it became an easy decision.' Henderson has been reunited with former Reds players Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho at the Gtech Stadium, while he also played against new Bees boss Keith Andrews early in his career. 'I think when I was at Sunderland I might have played against him a few times. He's another reason I wanted to come,' he added. 'Caoimhin isn't in yet but I've spoken to Sepp and Fab a bit, along with the rest of the lads. It's nice to have a few familiar faces, for sure. 'They're great lads that I got on really well with at Liverpool, so that's been nice for us to settle in.' Henderson will come up against boyhood club Sunderland at the end of August and will return to Liverpool in October. 'Both clubs mean a lot to me. I owe a lot to Sunderland and then Liverpool was a huge part of my life,' he said. 'But when I'm playing against them there's no friends, we know that in football.' Andrews moved for Henderson after losing Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard to Arsenal. 'When we became aware of Jordan's availability, it was a pretty simple decision,' Andrews told the Bees website. 'We did our due diligence around his recent games to see where he is. He's still phenomenally fit and he's still phenomenally motivated to achieve things in the game, having already achieved a lot. 'With the void of experienced players leaving the building – Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken and Ben Mee – it was important to replace that. Hend6️⃣rson — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025 'What Jordan will bring is that he has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years. He's been at the forefront of driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a fantastic football club. 'He also has experience at international level with England and, with that, comes a level of experience, professionalism and dedication to his profession – that's the exact way we want to be as a football club.' Henderson now has 84 caps, having been recalled by England boss Thomas Tuchel this year. He admitted he regretted the move to Saudi Arabia after joining Dutch side Ajax in January 2024.
Leader Live
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
I still have that fire – Jordan Henderson back in Premier League with Brentford
The 35-year-old England midfielder has completed a free transfer to the Bees and signed a two-year contract after leaving Ajax. The former Liverpool title-winning captain left Anfield in 2023, making a controversial move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. Hendo's new home 🏟️ — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025 'After a couple of years away I still have that fire to come back and play in the Premier League again,' he told Brentford's social media. 'Obviously it's the best league in the world, with the best players. So it's a big challenge but one I'm keen on doing. 'When I was given the opportunity by Brentford and after speaking with the club it became an easy decision.' Henderson has been reunited with former Reds players Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho at the Gtech Stadium, while he also played against new Bees boss Keith Andrews early in his career. 'I think when I was at Sunderland I might have played against him a few times. He's another reason I wanted to come,' he added. 'Caoimhin isn't in yet but I've spoken to Sepp and Fab a bit, along with the rest of the lads. It's nice to have a few familiar faces, for sure. 'They're great lads that I got on really well with at Liverpool, so that's been nice for us to settle in.' Henderson will come up against boyhood club Sunderland at the end of August and will return to Liverpool in October. 'Both clubs mean a lot to me. I owe a lot to Sunderland and then Liverpool was a huge part of my life,' he said. 'But when I'm playing against them there's no friends, we know that in football.' Andrews moved for Henderson after losing Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard to Arsenal. 'When we became aware of Jordan's availability, it was a pretty simple decision,' Andrews told the Bees website. 'We did our due diligence around his recent games to see where he is. He's still phenomenally fit and he's still phenomenally motivated to achieve things in the game, having already achieved a lot. 'With the void of experienced players leaving the building – Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken and Ben Mee – it was important to replace that. Hend6️⃣rson — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025 'What Jordan will bring is that he has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years. He's been at the forefront of driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a fantastic football club. 'He also has experience at international level with England and, with that, comes a level of experience, professionalism and dedication to his profession – that's the exact way we want to be as a football club.' Henderson now has 84 caps, having been recalled by England boss Thomas Tuchel this year. He admitted he regretted the move to Saudi Arabia after joining Dutch side Ajax in January 2024.
South Wales Guardian
10 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
I still have that fire – Jordan Henderson back in Premier League with Brentford
The 35-year-old England midfielder has completed a free transfer to the Bees and signed a two-year contract after leaving Ajax. The former Liverpool title-winning captain left Anfield in 2023, making a controversial move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. Hendo's new home 🏟️ — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025 'After a couple of years away I still have that fire to come back and play in the Premier League again,' he told Brentford's social media. 'Obviously it's the best league in the world, with the best players. So it's a big challenge but one I'm keen on doing. 'When I was given the opportunity by Brentford and after speaking with the club it became an easy decision.' Henderson has been reunited with former Reds players Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho at the Gtech Stadium, while he also played against new Bees boss Keith Andrews early in his career. 'I think when I was at Sunderland I might have played against him a few times. He's another reason I wanted to come,' he added. 'Caoimhin isn't in yet but I've spoken to Sepp and Fab a bit, along with the rest of the lads. It's nice to have a few familiar faces, for sure. 'They're great lads that I got on really well with at Liverpool, so that's been nice for us to settle in.' Henderson will come up against boyhood club Sunderland at the end of August and will return to Liverpool in October. 'Both clubs mean a lot to me. I owe a lot to Sunderland and then Liverpool was a huge part of my life,' he said. 'But when I'm playing against them there's no friends, we know that in football.' Andrews moved for Henderson after losing Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard to Arsenal. 'When we became aware of Jordan's availability, it was a pretty simple decision,' Andrews told the Bees website. 'We did our due diligence around his recent games to see where he is. He's still phenomenally fit and he's still phenomenally motivated to achieve things in the game, having already achieved a lot. 'With the void of experienced players leaving the building – Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken and Ben Mee – it was important to replace that. Hend6️⃣rson — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2025 'What Jordan will bring is that he has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years. He's been at the forefront of driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a fantastic football club. 'He also has experience at international level with England and, with that, comes a level of experience, professionalism and dedication to his profession – that's the exact way we want to be as a football club.' Henderson now has 84 caps, having been recalled by England boss Thomas Tuchel this year. He admitted he regretted the move to Saudi Arabia after joining Dutch side Ajax in January 2024.
