10/07/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | JULY 10, 2025

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‘Arsenal not sold on Gyokeres’ Ex-Watford striker pours cold water on Gunners target A RSENAL aren’t convinced by Viktor Gyokeres as they haven’t managed to com plete a deal to take him to the Emirates Stadium – that’s the opinion of ex-Watford Fenerbahce want in on the scuffle for his serv ices and will consider a loan swoop.

at the weekend after prising him away from Real Sociedad. But Deeney questioned whether the Spain inter national will have the required impact to take the north London giants to the next level. “I think it’s an improvement from a ball-playing, keeping the ball type of place,” he added. “I don’t think he has the energy plus the defensive awareness. “And from what I understand from people I know at Liverpool, they weren’t too disheartened by not getting him (last year), they thought he would slow their game down too much. So it will be interesting to see how Arteta brings him into the frame.” – Express Newspapers/Agencies

push through a transfer to north London. Arsenal have reportedly made an offer for Gyokeres of £56 million (RM324m) plus £13 m illion (RM75m) in add-ons, with the goals corer apparently contacting Sporting presi dent Frederico Varandas to explain how frus trated he is by the ongoing transfer impasse. Deeney assessed the situation during an appearance on talkSport yesterday. And the 37-year-old explained: “You’ve got a goal keeper come in, you’ve got another centre back, you’ve got another holding midfielder. “The only thing you’ve wanted for about a year-and-a-half now is a striker. I don’t think they’re sold on Gyokeres, I really don’t, because you’d just go and get him, you’d get it done, the same way Liverpool did with (Florian) Wirtz. They just went ‘bang,’ go and get him, get it finished. “I think they’re worried that he’s not just not only the short-term answer but not the long-term answer.” Deeney then told Arteta to sign Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins instead as he added: “Short-term fix, go and get Ollie Watkins. “I just feel like – and this is just my

striker Troy Deeney. The Gunners are said to be in advanced talks to sign the striker after he netted 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season. Sporting Lisbon were said to be worried that Gyokeres would strike at the start of this week rather than returning for pre-season training in an effort to

The newspaper adds that Gyokeres is “pre pared for the worst” regarding his prospective switch to London. An irritated Gyokeres had accused Sporting of rowing back on an agreement to let him leave for £60 million (RM347m), to which club president Frederico Varandas said he had received no offers and vowed he would not succumb to “blackmails and insults”. Sporting do have some cards in their hands though, beause Gyokeres is under con tract until 2028. He pushed back on lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al Qadsiah earlier this year. Gyokeres was also on Juventus’ radar

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Draw Date: 09/07/25 (Wed)

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but the Serie A giants have missed out, too. Arsenal con firmed the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi

opinion – I think Arteta is a little bit stubborn at this moment in time. “Because eve ryone’s been calling

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Viktor Gyokeres. – AFPPIC

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for it, if he does that (sign a striker) and then wins it, it’s going to be like, ‘We told you that.’ It’s not going to be his thing.” Should negotiations with Arsenal fail, Portuguese outlet Record claims that

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Pundits praise new Blues hitman JOAO PEDRO made a “dream first start” for Chelsea as his brace sealed a 2-0 win over Fluminense and booked a place in the Club World Cup final. The former Brighton man deservedly won the “Superior Player of the Match” award for his overall performance, and pundits were quick to praise the Brazilian after his first start for his new club. Speaking on DAZN , Gareth Bale praised Pedro’s“link-up play”as well as“the passing and the vision” on show. “Even just coming into a new team and trying to understand your teammates is very difficult. It was a great all-round performance and he thoroughly deserved the player of the match,” said Bale. “He has made the next step up to a team that are playing Champions League and challenging for trophies. “He is on the right trajectory and I think if he keeps his feet on the ground and keeps working hard – you can see the ability he has so hopefully he can keep ticking on.” Former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson was also full of praise for the Chelsea forward, saying that he has managed to “hit the ground running straight away”. “Now he will have even more confidence because he’s scored not one but two goals,” said Wilson. “I preferred the first goal because he’s dropped outside the area and has no other thought in his mind other than taking it on. It was a fantastic finish and what a signing he could turn out to be.” Neto seeking success for Jota CHELSEA forward Pedro Neto wants to win the

Club World Cup in memory of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota. Jota, the Liverpool striker, died last week along with his brother Andre Silva following a car crash in Spain. Neto was close friends with Jota and the pair, previously teammates at Wolves, were both in the Portugal side that won the Nations League final last month. Neto now has a chance to win another trophy having helped Chelsea beat Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0 in New York yesterday to reach Monday’s (3am) Club World Cup final. “It’s been really difficult in the last few days and I just want to leave a message that this final is for him and his brother,” said Neto. “It’s a really tough time for me, it’s difficult to speak about it and let’s hope I can do it for him. “I want to dedicate this final to him and his family and show my support in these difficult times for them.” Speeding likely cause of car crash: Cops LIVERPOOL and Portugal star Diogo Jota was likely speeding when his car veered off a motorway in Spain last week killing him and his brother, Spanish police said yesterday. An ongoing investigation is examining “the marks left by one of the vehicle’s wheels … everything points to a possible excessive speed beyond the road’s speed limit”, the Civil Guard said. “All the tests conducted so far indicate that the driver of the vehicle was Diogo Jota,” it added. The force had previously said a tyre had probably blown out while the vehicle was overtaking, causing it to crash and burst into flames in the northwestern province of Zamora.

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