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Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Arsenal ‘launch formal Viktor Gyokeres transfer offer' with huge signing-on bonus and wages just eclipsing Tierney's
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARSENAL have reportedly tabled a "formal offer" for Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker is high up on Mikel Arteta's list of attacking targets this summer, which could be his most crucial yet. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Arsenal are keen on signing Sweden hitman Viktor Gyokeres Credit: GETTY 3 The Gunners have reportedly submitted a formal offer for Sporting Lisbon's talismanic striker Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK And the Spaniard has reportedly moved quickly to try to acquire the Sporting Lisbon striker's services. Correio da Manha claim the north Londoners have tabled an offer in the region of "£62million" for the Sweden international. The Gunners are also said to have sent a contract offer to Gyokeres' agent after meeting him at the women's Champions League final last weekend. A five-year deal with an annual salary of £5.8m - which narrowly eclipses that received by outgoing Gunners defender Kieran Tierney - has reportedly been put on the table for Gyokeres. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS NO RASH MOVES Rashford holding out for CL transfer with Man Utd desperate to sell quickly A massive £10m signing-on bonus is also said to be on the cards for the Swede should he move to the Emirates. Gyokeres, 26, was Sporting's star man last season, scoring a whopping 54 goals and providing 13 assists in 52 appearances. His signing would provide Arsenal with some much-needed firepower, a lack of which saw their Premier League and Champions League challenges peter out last season. Arteta plans to splash the cash this summer in what he's promised will be a "big" transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 season. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 Viktor Gyokeres scored a whopping 54 goals in 54 appearances last season Credit: GETTY He said: "It's going to be a big one and we are very excited about it. 'The way we planned the first five summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives. Who is Sporting's masked man Viktor Gyokeres "Because the turnaround of players and the objective of those windows was going to be different. 'But now, when you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad. "But as well, we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.'
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ruben Amorim's offer to quit Man Utd, Fernandes exit claim, Shaw's honest remark
Manchester United's players and head coach Ruben Amorim have come out with bombshell statements following the side's 1-0 Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, which summed up a diabolical campaign Manchester United capped off their worst season in 51 years by going out with a whimper in their Europa League final clash with Tottenham. Ruben Amorim's side needed a win to salvage their season and qualify for next term's Champions League after a woeful campaign, which could see them finish the Premier League season just one place above the relegation zone in 17th. But the Red Devils couldn't find the net against a Spurs side who had also endured a tumultuous season to forget. It was the north Londoners who emerged the 1-0 victors and lifted their first trophy since 2008, thanks to a goal that deflected in off Brennan Johnson late in the first half. The fallout from United's Europa League heartbreak has been seismic, with fans and pundits agreeing that Wednesday night's defeat marked a new low for the club. And with the side missing out on European football for the first time since 2014/15, Mirror Football takes a look at some eye-opening comments from United's dejected head coach and players in the wake of their loss. Ruben Amorim offers to quit A defeated Amorim offered to quit United in his post-match press conference, promising that he would leave without receiving any compensation if the club believed he was no longer good enough to be head coach. Having been appointed in November, the former Sporting CP boss has only managed to win six out of 26 league games, and has now failed to secure European football for next season by missing out on silverware. Amorim stated he remains confident in his methods but reiterated that it was down to the club's decision-makers and supporters to decide if he is the right man to continue at the helm. "In this moment, I am not going to be here defending myself, it is not my style," Amorim said. "I cannot do it, it is really hard for me. So I have nothing to show the fans to say I am going to improve because of this, I had these problems, I will not do nothing [sic]. "In this moment, it's a little bit of faith. So let's see. Like I said before, coming here before in the flash, I am always open. If the board and fans feel that I'm not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation. But I will not quit again. I am really confident in my job and, as you can see, I will not change nothing in the way I do things." Amorim went on to say that United were the better team against Tottenham but addressed the side's lack of firepower, adding: "What I can say is it was clear we were the better team, but we managed not to score again, and that is really hard to win football matches. But the guys tried everything to win the game. In the future, we will have time to assess everything." Bruno Fernandes follows suit Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes echoed his manager's comments by saying he would be willing to leave this summer if club bosses decide to cash in on him. The 30-year-old, who joined in January 2020 and has made close to 300 appearances, has consistently been United's best player in their worst era in recent memory. But his efforts proved fruitless again on Wednesday. He missed out on the chance to land his biggest trophy as a United player with a second Europa League final defeat, which ensured he will not be playing any European football next season. The midfielder, who turns 31 in September, has two years remaining on his contract with the option of a further year. He has recently been linked with a stunning move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, with such a transfer transforming the financial picture at United. While Fernandes insists he's happy to stay at Old Trafford and help Amorim in his rebuild, the Portugal international astonishingly revealed he would be willing to leave if club bosses look to sell him. "I have always been honest. I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go," he admitted post-game. "I'm eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days. On the day that the club thinks that I'm too much or it's time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I've always said it and I keep my word in the same way. "If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it's what it is, and football sometimes is like this. It's very sad. We wanted to win more than anything in this final. It's a very sad day because we've done some very good things in this competition until today. "But today was the day that mattered, the most important day of the competition. It was the day we could have been in the history of the Europa League, but it's not like that. And football is cruel, and it's been our turn to lose." Luke Shaw's brutal honesty Defender Luke Shaw, who played the full 90 minutes of the crushing defeat in Bilbao, said his team-mates must take a look at themselves and decide whether they are good enough to be at the club. "It's hard to put into words the season, but I think for a club like Manchester United, it's not really good enough," said the England left-back. "I think definitely me and I think all of us have to question ourselves tonight. Are we good enough to be here? Because this club, this season, it's not acceptable. We know that and it's down to us. I think we have to look at ourselves. Something has to change." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. 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
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Alan Shearer fires Man Utd accusation and labels Maguire call 'embarrassing'
Alan Shearer didn't mince his words as he addressed Manchester United's shambolic display in the Europa League final, where they capped off a horrendous season with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur Alan Shearer says Manchester United didn't want to win the Europa League final as much as Tottenham did. The pundit and former England striker went on to slam the Red Devils' tactics, calling their last-ditch attempts to score by putting Harry Maguire up front 'embarrassing'. Two of the Premier League 's worst sides this season produced a truly forgettable Europa League final on Wednesday night. Spurs, ravaged by injuries all season, took the lead 42 minutes in through Brennan Johnson after a comedy of errors by Luke Shaw and Andre Onana saw the ball brush onto the Tottenham winger and trickle in at the near post. The north Londoners sat deep for the rest of the match as Ruben Amorim's side chased the game and dominated the second half possession stats. But United offered no imagination in their attacking play and resorted to lumping balls into the box - to no avail - as Spurs held firm to win 1-0 and claim their first trophy in 17 years. United even used central defender Maguire as a makeshift striker in the final 10 minutes as one last throw of the dice, which failed to come off. And Shearer, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, blasted the Red Devils' tactics at the end of the game while calling into question their desire to win on the night. The former Newcastle captain said: 'It was just [Spurs] bodies on the line trying to chuck themselves in front of whatever Man United were throwing at them. And they did that. 'Man United never did enough, they were rotten and they've been rotten all season. They've been awful, it's been embarrassing for them. "Spurs deserved it, I thought. I think they wanted it more and they were up for it more than United, that was apparent to me.' Venting his frustration at their reliance on Maguire to score, he added: 'Let me say one thing to you, Man United were an embarrassment tonight. And in the semi-final. 'They chuck a 6ft 4in centre half up to centre forward in desperation in the last ten minutes of the game, lugging huge balls into the box. 'That's how you're going to get out of trouble? That's how they got to the final, because of Maguire going into that position. 'Man United are not the club that they were 20 years ago, only by name. They're a million miles off it both on and off the pitch. I don't know how they're going to get over this.' United's only big chances came from crosses, with Leny Yoro failing to meet a Bruno Fernandes free-kick while Rasmus Hojlund's header was cleared off the line. Fernandes himself also fizzed a header past the post, while Guglielmo Vicario made a last gasp save to keep out Luke Shaw's header in added time. As Spurs lifted their first European trophy since 1984 and cemented their place in next season's Champions League, United lost to Ange Postecoglou's side for the fourth time this season. The night was widely regarded as a new low for a club which has lost all sense of identity in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson 's departure. For United, there will be no European football next season off the back of their worst ever Premier League finish to date. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. 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.
Metro
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Carragher makes Arteta sack prediction after Arsenal draw with Liverpool
Jamie Carragher has warned Mikel Arteta that Arsenal could start 'looking at how many managers can make that next step' should the club fail to win any trophies again next season. It has been an immensely disappointing end to the campaign for Arsenal both domestically and in Europe, with PSG knocking the club out of the Champions League after Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions. It means the Gunners will once again finish without any silverware to their name this term and Arteta has come in for a fair amount of criticism from fans and pundits alike, despite the obvious progress made under his watch at the Emirates. Barring two Community Shield triumphs, the 2019/20 FA Cup remains the only trophy that Arteta has lifted during his managerial reign. On Sunday afternoon, the north Londoners looked to be heading for a fourth straight defeat in all competitions as Liverpool raced to a two-goal lead in front of a rapturous Anfield crowd. 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. But the visitors dug deep in the second period to rescue a point from the top-of-the-table clash after Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino – who was later sent off – both struck on Merseyside. Facing the media after the 2-2 draw, an irate Arteta branded his side's lacklustre first-half performance 'unacceptable'. 'What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level so to do it after that [fight back] is not acceptable. We reacted, great but it is unacceptable,' the Arsenal head coach said in his post-match interview with Sky Sports. Carragher sang Arteta's praises for the consistently challenging at the top of the Premier League since the Spaniard took over the reins from Unai Emery in Unai Emery in 2019. But the ex-Liverpool and England defender believes the Arsenal boss could face an uncertain future should it be a similar story for the club next season. 'I'm a massive fan of Mikel Arteta, I think he's a brilliant manager. The job he's done, to get Arsenal where they are,' Carragher said in the Sky Sports studio. 'Let's not forget, for a good few years it was them and Tottenham fighting for the Champions League positions. 'They made this jump to compete with Manchester City and they followed it up again last season. And they're the team that have pushed Liverpool this season. 'This season felt like it should have been their season. There's no doubt next season that the pressure will be on Mikel Arteta massively in terms of winning something and winning something big. 'The Arsenal board, if they don't do that [win a major trophy] will have a massive issue because they won't want to change their manager, but there will be that many people saying: five or six years without a trophy. 'They will be looking at how many managers can make that next step.' Carragher says another trophyless season would leave Arsenal's board with a 'big conundrum' in 12 months' time. 'The problem with changing Mikel Arteta because, as I said, he's done a brilliant job at Arsenal,' he added. 'Arsenal could easily become what Chelsea are right now. They could go from a team coming second year in, year out to a team that doesn't actually get into the Champions League. 'That's the big conundrum that Arsenal as a football club will have in 12 months, if Arsenal go close again don't actually get across the line.' More Trending Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, though, is confident Arteta still has the strong backing of club bosses, despite the club's inauspicious end to the season. 'I don't worry for him because I know how much the owners think of him, I know how hard he's working to get this right,' Wright said on Premier League Productions. 'Obviously, the forward is something we've missed out on and when you look at certain games, yeah, a forward would probably help us get it over the line. 'That is something I believe, in this next window, needs to happen.' Should Arteta be sacked if Arsenal don't win a trophy next season? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Jamie Carragher makes Trent Alexander-Arnold prediction after Anfield boos MORE: Arne Slot sends message to Liverpool fans after Trent Alexander-Arnold is booed in Arsenal draw MORE: Jamie Carragher blasts William Saliba for 'poor' mistake in Liverpool vs Arsenal clash
Straits Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to use Liverpool guard of honour as title fuel
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to use Liverpool guard of honour as title fuel LONDON – Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the frustration of having to give champions Liverpool a guard of honour on May 11 as fuel to win the English Premier League title next season, after admitting they have gone 'backwards' this term. Arteta's side are destined to finish the season without a major trophy after failing to keep pace with Liverpool and crashing out of the Champions League semi-finals on May 7. The Gunners' 2-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain ended their bid to win the tournament for the first time. It was a painful loss for Arsenal, who created a host of chances in the early stages of the second leg but could not find a way past inspired PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Still licking their wounds from the disappointment in Paris, Arsenal head to Anfield this weekend for the uncomfortable task of watching Liverpool's ongoing title celebrations. Arne Slot's men wrapped up the title two weeks ago, leaving second-placed Arsenal trailing in their wake. After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City for the previous two seasons, the north Londoners remain with a title since 2004. 'Something has to drive you, motivate you, and pain for this is a good one to use, when you really want to do something. It's the right thing to do, usually as a motivation for next season,' Arteta said of Arsenal's guard of honour for the champions. 'They've been the best team, they've been the most consistent... They fully deserve it, and that's the sport. If somebody is better, you have to accept it and try to reach that level.' Arteta attracted criticism in some quarters for claiming Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League this season, despite their last four exit. The Spaniard stood by his claim days later, saying: '100 per cent. I'm watching the impact, I'm watching all the stats because they were the best stats and the best goal difference in the semi-final, so it's very clear. 'When you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it's crystal clear who was better.' Arteta conceded Arsenal have been unable to match his expectations this season. But he is adamant they have the quality to end the club's five-year trophy drought. 'In the Premier League we've done a step backwards. With the points that we have created, it's clear that we haven't done as good as last season, that's obvious,' he said. 'But with the amount of points that we have generated in the last few seasons, we could have two Premier Leagues... We have to be a little bit luckier, but still do better to make sure that nobody has a season better than you.' Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot has warned excessive transfer fees could prevent him from signing a tailor-made replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who looks set to join Real Madrid after announcing on May 5 that he was leaving the Reds when his contract expires in June. His exit leaves Liverpool short of cover in his position, with 21-year-old Conor Bradley, who has made 54 senior appearances, now their only recognised right-back. Said Slot: 'If you just won the league is that it is not easy to find better players than we already have. 'And if they are there then they still need to be affordable and need to want to come. That last thing is mostly not a problem, by the way, but transfer fees sometimes are.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
