Latest news with #Swede


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal fans spot incredible Kai Havertz transformation ahead of Viktor Gyokeres battle
Kai Havertz is set to have a fight on his hands if Arsenal are successful in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres and the German looks - quite literally - ready for battle Arsenal star Kai Havertz has bulked up for pre-season, as he prepares to fight Viktor Gyokeres for a starting place. Havetz, 26, missed four crucial months of the 2024-25 campaign with a hamstring injury and coupled with Gabriel Jesus' absence, Arsenal were left without a recognised striker during the run-in. The Gunners want to bolster their options by signing Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, agreeing to pay an initial £55million plus £8.6m in add-ons. It's understood that personal terms have been agreed in principle over a five-year contract, with the Swede - who Mirror Football understands has his heart set on joining Arsenal - pencilled in for a medical in London on Friday. Gyokeres' arrival would put Havertz's place under threat, having played 56 per cent of his matches for Arsenal as a striker. But there'll be something different about the 26-year-old when the new season kicks off. Images from the Gunners' training camp in Cartagena, Spain show that Havertz has undergone a striking transformation, one which Mikel Arteta alluded to towards the end of last season. The former Chelsea star was always known for his slender figure but he appears to have gained muscle mass since his injury. "Look at the physical transformation, he's so ready to show everybody he means business and lead the line," one Arsenal fan posted on social media. "Boy became a man. What a unit," a second added. Another supporter, looking ahead to Arsenal's first game of the Premier League season away to Manchester United, predicted: "This is part of the reason why I think he starts at Old Trafford." Fans aren't the only ones praising Havertz's physique, too. Arteta himself said: "There's been a transformation in his body. The last three years in his career have been so condensed that he hasn't had time to do that and this has been a window and he really wanted to use it. "To be fair, the staff and how they have explained the opportunity that is within with his physique to go to a different level and the things that he can improve and it can even help him mentally as well as being more effective as a player. "He got on board with that, he worked hard, you can see his presence and I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last 10 years. Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, he's been incredible." Havertz came on as a substitute in Arsenal's last two games of the season but missed out on making the Germany squad ahead of the Nations League finals on home soil. The ex-Bayer Leverkusen star will be determined to have a successful season in order to represent his country at next year's World Cup in north America. 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.


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak, Rodrygo, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez - Liverpool transfer state of play
Liverpool hold a strong interest in Alexander Isak and have informed Newcastle of their intent to sign him, and if they can't get him they could move for Magpies target Hugo Ekitike If Liverpool fans thought that excitement around the Reds' transfer window had peaked with the club record arrival of Florian Wirtz, they were wrong. Tuesday brought a new flurry of activity around Liverpool incomings and outgoings, with the headline act being Alexander Isak after the Reds expressed their interest in the Newcastle United forward. The Magpies don't want to sell, obviously, but they've been painted into a corner by Liverpool's swift moves in the market and their own long-standing interest in Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt, who has turned down Newcastle in the past. On Tuesday it was Frankfurt who were doing the rejecting, as they dismissed Newcastle's bid of £70m for the 23-year-old. And having also monitored Ekitike this summer, Liverpool have sensed their chance to strike. In what could be seen as a power move from the Premier League champions, the Reds have effectively called Newcastle's bluff over their reason for bidding for Ekitike in the first place. The Magpies insist that they want to pair him with Isak, but it is doubtful whether that would be possible from both a tactical and financial standpoint. They perhaps could accommodate both for a season before Isak moves on next summer, but Liverpool's very public expression of interest in the Swede is being seen as a way to force both the player and Newcastle's hand, and now all eyes are on the 25-year-old to see what he does next. If he says he wants to leave then Liverpool will look to do a deal at around £120m, but if Newcastle insist he stays or indeed he wants to stay then the Reds will further explore a move for Ekitike, thereby ruining Newcastle's succession plan. The Reds could still end up with neither player of course, with the likes of Yoane Wissa, Ollie Watkins, Victor Osimhen and even Marcus Rashford discussed as alternatives, however unlikely the latter may be, but Isak and Ekitike are currently top of the bill. Any move for a No.9 will only further hasten Darwin Nunez 's summer exit from the Reds, even though the Uruguayan has seen a potential move to Napoli collapse. The Italian champions have deemed Nunez too expensive and instead moved on to Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca. Nunez is still in the Anfield departure lounge though, and it remains to be seen whether previous interest in him from Atletico Madrid is followed up. Saudi clubs continue to monitor him after a bid was rejected in January, but any move would only happen on Liverpool's terms. The same can be said for Nunez's team-mate Luis Diaz, and right now those terms simply aren't being met. Liverpool rejected an offer of around £58m from Bayern Munich earlier this week, and again reiterated that the Colombian wasn't for sale. Diaz, 28, is known to be open to embracing a new challenge, and perhaps more importantly a new contract, elsewhere though, and with no sign of Liverpool offering him a new deal he remains on the same contract he signed when he joined the Reds from Porto in January 2022, putting him way behind the Reds' top earners. As the Reds have frequently shown in the past, they are happy to let players remain on their existing deals if they feel it makes sense for the club, and they view Diaz as a good character who will continue to give his all for the side despite any unhappiness. They will only consider a sale if their valuation is met. If Diaz does go, then a move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo can't be ruled out. Spanish publication AS have gone big on Liverpool's interest in the Brazilian on Wednesday, and he would be another stunning addition this summer. The 24-year-old is one of those players who has been on Liverpool's list for years, coming close to joining the Reds for just £2.5m back in 2017 before deciding to stay in Brazil with Santos. AS even go as far as to state that 'the first step has been laid' and Liverpool will send a delegation to Madrid in the coming days, although any deal would be an expensive one to try and pull off. The other major potential Liverpool incoming remains Marc Guehi, with the Reds seemingly happy to play a waiting game on the Crystal Palace captain as his contract enters its final year. Liverpool are still looking to do a deal at around £40m, with Palace still looking for more. As Mirror Football revealed on Tuesday, Ibrahima Konate has turned down interest from the Saudi Pro League but there remains no movement on his contract. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring the situation this summer but it would be a surprise if he didn't kick off the season as a Liverpool player. Meanwhile Harvey Elliott has become a top target for West Ham after they sold Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham, with the Hammers also taking a liking to Tyler Morton. 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.


Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak has made Liverpool feelings clear as Reds plan record move for Newcastle star
Alexander Isak is firmly on Liverpool's radar as they prepare to make a move for the Newcastle ace, worth well over £100million, with the Swede previously lauding Anfield Newcastle star Alexander Isak is firmly on Liverpool's radar and the Swede previously made it clear how much he adores playing at Anfield. Since moving to England in 2022 he's only had limited opportunities to play on Merseyside, but it has left its impression. Isak scored on first appearance there early in his Newcastle days and now the Reds are preparing another club-record bid to lure the striker. Liverpool have already spent upwards of £200million this summer but it is understood they are ready to test Newcastle's resolve. The Times claim Newcastle are braced for an official offer from Liverpool, which could be in the region of £130m as they look to land one of Europe's most sought after strikers. Isak has never expressed any desire to leave Newcastle, but it remains to be seen if he has his head turned. He scored against Liverpool when they won the Carabao Cup at Wembley last year but has years to run on his deal at St James' Park. The striker moving would require Liverpool to break the British-transfer record for the second time in a matter of weeks having already signed Florian Wirtz, but Isak's words may give them some encouragement. He said: "There are not many places like St James' Park. The atmosphere is very special and I think you can judge a stadium, not just on the atmosphere but how difficult it is to come as an away team. It's a special place. I think people have a hard time coming to the stadium." Unprompted the Swede then also underlined his admiration for Liverpool's iconic ground. He said: 'I'd say Anfield is probably up there as well," Isak added. "The atmosphere is really good - it's probably the toughest away game.' Newcastle have maintained that their top players are not for sale - and retaining them has been made easier following a season where they won a trophy and returned to the Champions League. Isak, as well as Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes, have been linked with moves away in the past, but the club have no intention to sell and want to bolster their ranks with their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike underlining their ambition. Despite that Eddie Howe admitted he wouldn't give guarantees about who would still be at Newcastle come the new season. The manager said back in May: "I never make those guarantees about any player. It's not to do with Alex's future, I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that." 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.


Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool move for Isak, Arsenal book medical, Man Utd begin talks
Liverpool made headlines once again when they made an enquiry for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak this week. The Reds may be forced to pay another record fee to tempt the Magpies into even entering discussions and have yet to table a bid. But the emergence of such talk has certainly ignited wagging tongues as the transfer window begins to head towards the business end. Should no move for Isak be forthcoming Arne Slot's side have another player in mind — Newcasltle target Hugo Ekitike... interesting. Liverpool are not alone in being active as A rsenal look to get deals for Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres over the line. There appears to be issues still to resolve for the Swede even after they made a breakthrough. Manchester United meanwhile have thus far failed to tempt Brentford into a deal for Bryan Mbeumo. The Red Devils have had two bids rejected and still need to improve their squad while offloading the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. Another story to watch is that of Morgan Gibbs-White and his £60m move to Tottenham. Nottingham Forest are furious having claimed an illegal approach and consider the move off. Are they simply delaying the inevitable? Stick around for all of the latest transfer news as we post updates throughout the day, below. 07:29Scott Trotter Medical booked Arsenal and Valencia have exchanged documents for Cristhian Mosquera deal. Reports claim the player has a medical booked for today after the clubs agreed a £13m+add-ons deal earlier in the week. Alexander Isak latest Where else to start? Liverpool approached Newcastle, informing them of their interest in a a potential £120million deal. Newcastle remain adamant, though, that Isak isn't for sale and a bid has not been made. Liverpool's alternative? The very same Hugo Ekitike that Newcastle saw a £70m bid for rejected today. Is that a power move? 07:26Scott Trotter Martinez move Reports from Argentina claim that Manchester United have 'made a move' for Emiliano Martinez. Speculation has mounted over the club's interest in a goalkeeper this summer and Andre Onana's injury could yet have forced them into action. Talks are said to now be underway with Aston Villa for the Argentina star, who has been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford this summer.


Glasgow Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic & Rangers transfer mystery shrouds imminent deal
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has taken to social media to reveal that Portuguese international Carlos Forbs is on the verge of switching Ajax and Club Brugge. Not a big deal, right? Well, the world-renowned journalist has revealed that Forbs chose Belgium over offers he'd received from Scotland, as well as other European countries. Given he's about to move for around £7.4m, this would only leave Celtic or Rangers as his potential destination. While it's not clear which of the Old Firm might have been in the mix for his signature, both teams have been in the market for wingers this summer. Russell Martin has signed Djedi Gassama today for £2.2m while more wide players are reportedly on his radar. Across the city, Celtic have signed Swede Benjamin Nygren while another could be on the way should Brendan Rodgers sanction the sale of Korean attacker Yang Hyun-Jun. Romano wrote on X: "Carlos Forbs is set to join Club Brugge from Ajax, here we go! Deal done for €8.5m fee. "The player is traveling to Belgium tonight ahead of his medical tomorrow. "Forbs opted for the Brugge project over offers from England, Italy and Scotland."