07/06/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JUNE 7, 2025

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Feeding frenzy Club World Cup, Saudi money, PSR and No. 9s driving transfer market

Ű BY MIGUEL DELANEY

O VER the three days around the Champions League final in Munich, in hotels like the £900-a-night (RM5,000) Rosewood, a number of intense meetings were taking place. Security was tight, agents and club representatives were trying to find secluded corners. They were so close to the transfer window that a certain discretion was needed. At least one big deal was struck. For some in football, the regular season’s games have stopped so the real business begins. A strand of modern fans might feel the same. They are likely to be very engaged over the next few months, because there is going to be a lot of activity. This end-of-season window is already unique in how we have an extra mini-window. The imposition of Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s expanded Club World Cup has necessitated a new market spell up until the tournament, which begins on June 14. While it has already seen Trent Alexander Arnold go to Real Madrid in a £10 million (RM55m) move that is no longer a Bosman, that is expected to be about the height of it. Cristiano Ronaldo is now staying at Al Nassr, even if many in the game still openly wonder whether a way will be found to get him in Fifa’s new showpiece tournament before it starts. That seems far-fetched right now. As it is, only minor deals are expected. This is because clubs are still more concerned about getting best value for targets rather than getting them in now. The Club World Cup isn’t that important to them, despite how Infantino speaks about it.

A far greater consideration for value is what the new PSR (profit and sustainability rules) world has done, and that it might be affected by this tournament. Those clubs who go the distance at the Club World Cup are going to win close to US$100m (RM425m). That might create market waves in the final weeks of the window. Another potential driving force of the window could be Saudi Pro League transfer escalation, especially since this is the first year after the country was named host of the 2034 World Cup. They want to start making even more statement signings. The big one is currently Florian Wirtz, who is deciding between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, with Real Madrid looking on. It’s where an extra £80m (RM440m) from the Club World Cup could be so influential. Liverpool are able to consider offering sums of well over £100m (RM550m) because they barely spent last year, meaning they have “a lot of PSR headroom”. That is going to be one of the phrases of the summer. Arsenal are among a few major clubs that are expected to sign at least four players, along with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United. Newcastle United are more emboldened after qualifying for the Champions League. With Chelsea, you can take high activity as a given.

There might be an element of musical chairs. While the game does now have more strikers than a few years ago, they are still at a premium. All of Chelsea, Arsenal and United see the position as their main priority. Liverpool may look, too, but they are currently seeking to complete business in other areas first. The names standing out in all analyses are Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. Who gets their first choice

are two of those clubs whose model is built on selling high, and it is something that may have even further influence on the Premier League’s market. Bournemouth willingly want to sell some of their season’s stars, including Antoine Semenyo. That’s now the model, as we’ve seen with Dean Huijsen going to Real Madrid. Crystal Palace’s Europa League qualification does change things there. They always drive a hard bargain but have developed in a similar way. There is naturally interest in a series of their players, through Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton, Daniel Munoz, Jean-Philippe Mateta and – above all – Eberechi Eze. A European run will see a few be more willing to give it another season. Eze may not quite have that luxury, since a few clubs have previously demurred to his age. At 26, it’s now or never. Eze seizing the moment in the FA Cup is now making Tottenham Hotspur really consider a move. Whether they have competition may depend on a number of other factors. This may be another busy summer – but the number of variables is unprece dented. – The Independent

may dictate the next moves, and all the way down. United, for example, are understood to have gone cooler on Gyokeres since January. They may now have to go back in strong given Delap’s decision, but could face competition from Arsenal… if they don’t press ahead with Sesko. Leipzig and Sporting

Desire caps dream season by starring in PSG triumph

Desire Doue. – REUTERSPIC

TEENAGE star Desire Doue topped off a dream season by scoring twice in a stunning performance as Paris Saint Germain comprehensively beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final. “I don’t have the words. It is a dream come true. It is just magnificent,” Doue told broadcaster Canal Plus in a brief interview as delirious PSG fans invaded the pitch at the Allianz Arena after seeing their team win the trophy for the first time. No player embodies the youthful energy and dynamism of Luis Enrique’s thrilling PSG side quite like Doue, who has enjoyed a remarkable campaign and has now announced himself to the wider world with his display in Munich. Doue’s masterclass, which came only three days before his 20th birthday, saw him set up Achraf Hakimi for PSG’s early opener. He then became just the third teenager to score in the final of the modern Champions League as he made it 2-0 on the night. The French international followed in the footsteps of Patrick Kluivert, who was still 18 when he netted for Ajax in 1995, and the Brazilian Carlos Alberto Gomes, a 19-year-old scorer for Porto in 2004. Doue later scored again before being brought off to rapturous applause and seeing another teenager get on the scoresheet, substitute Senny Mayulu wrapping up the victory with the fifth goal a fortnight after turning 19. “What we have done today is magical. We have made French and Europan football history and I am so pleased with how everything has gone this season,” Doue said after what was

the biggest ever win by any club in the final. Doue joined PSG from Rennes in August for a reported €50 million (RM240m), signing a five-year deal.

He had made 76 appearances for Rennes across the previous two campaigns, getting his debut aged 17 in August 2022. He started just four games for Luis Enrique’s side in the first four months of the season, including in a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. Doue has become a regular starter, and played a key part in Luis Enrique’s team getting to the final. Doue, whose name appropriately translates as “talented”, finishes the campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances. “It is my first season here, and it was a dream when I came here to win (the Champions League). Great players have played here and not won it but we have shown incredible collective strength and it is just magnificent,” he said. “I needed time to adapt to playing for Paris Saint-Germain but I have great players alongside me and that helps me get better every day. “We still have great things to try to achieve with this club.” – AFP