23/07/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JULY 23, 2025

30

Ű BY DAMIAN SPELLMAN

‘No one can afford to buy Isak’

Anderson played alongside Kevin Keegan and Peter Beardsley at St James’ Park and watched Alan Shearer scored a record 206 goals for the club and he believes Isak is a special talent. He said: “Shearer was a great out and-out goalscorer, but this boy has got everything. “Not only does he score goals, but he creates goals, he makes space for other people, he frightens the life out of defenders with his movement. “And at the age that he’s at, he’s still got his prime years ahead of him. He’s only going to get better.” – The Independent

ALEXANDER ISAK will remain a Newcastle player next season because nobody can afford to buy him. That is the view of former Magpies defender John Anderson amid frenzied speculation over the Sweden international’s future on Tyneside following his absence from the club’s first pre-season friendly at Celtic on Sunday. The 25-year-old striker hit the headlines once again last week when Premier League champions Liverpool indicated they would be prepared to

for BBC Radio Newcastle , has witnessed Isak’s meteoric rise since his £63 million (RM365m) arrival from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022 and knows how vital his retention is. He said: “Oh God, he’s huge. It’s okay getting whatever you get for him, but how do you replace a player like that? That’s the bottom line. “You’ve got all the money in the world, yes, but can you get a player in who can do what he does?”

that’s the truth of it. “There’s a lot of speculation about whether he’s going to sign a new contract and have the club offered him a new contract. “I don’t think the boy is in any hurry to sign a new contract because he’s got three years left on his present deal. Why would he be?” The former Republic of Ireland defender, who now covers the Magpies’ games as a co-commentator

offer £120 million (RM696m) – around £30 million (RM174m) shy of Newcastle’s hands-off valuation – for him should he become available. “Once you’ve got good players and you’ve got very, very good players, they’re always going to be linked with other teams. That’s always been the nature of the game and that’s never, ever going to go away,” Anderson said. “I just don’t think anybody at this moment in time can afford Isak and

‘Club of my dreams’ Childhood fan Mbeumo joins Man Utd re-build C AMEROON winger Bryan Mbeumo said he “grew up wearing” the Manchester United shirt yesterday after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, “My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday,” Mbeumo said. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.” Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists

A spokesperson for the 58-year-old’s man agement company has now confirmed that he has been struggling with a throat condition. The MNT Agency representative allegedly told The Times that the ex-Three Lions favourite “is already back home and doing well”. Paul Foster, Gascoigne’s friend, driver and personal assistant, found the former midfielder at his home. Foster told the Sun : “He would like to thank everyone for the support he’s received so far from so many old friends who wish him well and want to see him back to his best. Paul is in hospi tal, which is the best possible place for him to be right now.” Gascoigne’s stepdaughter Bianca, a reality TV star, his two sisters Lindsay and Anna, along with footballing friends Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle, Paul Merson and Vinnie Jones are believed to have been kept informed of his con dition. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was bought last summer, has also joined them after spending a season back on loan at Valencia. – The Independent LIVERPOOL have agreed a £69 million (RM400m) deal with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign striker Hugo Ekitike. The fee could rise to £79 million (RM458m) if add-ons are triggered and the French forward is set to become their fourth summer signing. Ekitike will travel to Merseyside for a medical and will sign a six-year deal, with personal terms not expected to be a problem. Liverpool hope the 23-year-old will be able to fly to Asia to link up with his new teammates on their pre-season tour. Sporting director Richard Hughes has remained behind in England to complete the deal, along with some of Liverpool’s medical staff. Liverpool entered into advanced talks with Frankfurt last week after making an inquiry with Newcastle for Alexander Isak, who United do not want to sell. While Ekitike had an £86 million (RM499m) release clause in his deal with Frankfurt, Liverpool were able to negotiate a lower fee. The £10 million (RM58m) in add-ons are dependent on which trophies Liverpool win and the extent of Ekitike’s contribution. Newcastle had also offered £70 million (RM406m) for the former Paris Saint-Germain player but without the add-ons while Ekitike made it clear his preference was to go to Liverpool. He scored 22 goals last season, including 15 in the Bundesliga, and joins when there are doubts about the futures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, who has been the subject of a bid from Bayern Munich. Ekitike’s arrival will take Liverpool’s summer spending towards the £250 million (RM1.45b) mark – with the potential for it to rise due to add-ons – after the signings of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez and the club-record £100 million (RM580m) move for Florian Wirtz. Liverpool reach agreement to sign Ekitike from Frankfurt Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY

“He has the opportunity to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world, and we are very happy for him,” he added. Mbeumo helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumen tal in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024/25. “We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre season tour,” the Red Devils’ director of foot ball Jason Wilcox said. “The experience in the US will be the per fect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new teammates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead,” he added. In terms of United outgoings, Marcus Rashford is set to leave his boyhood club for Barcelona. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia continue looking for new clubs and are not expected to fly to the US as part of the tour squad.

with an option for a further year. Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million (RM377m) having scored 20 goals in 38 League games last season for the Bees. Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the France-born attacker before United’s improved offer sealed the move. United’s third bid, worth an initial £65 million with £6 million (RM35m) in add-ons, was accepted last week. “As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportu nity to sign for the club of my dreams,” Mbeumo said in a United statement. “The team whose shirt I wore growing up. This is a massive club, with an incredible sta dium and amazing fans, we are all really deter mined to challenge for the biggest trophies,” he added. United coach Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season’s catastrophic display.

in 242 appearances in all compe titions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019. “There is always a right

time for a player to move on and, for Bryan, that time is now,” Brentford

director of footbal l Phil Giles said.

United start their pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday by facing West Ham before their open

ing game of the new Premier League sea son against Arsenal on Aug 17. – AFP

They lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th place finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74. Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage

New Man United forward Bryan Mbeumo.

Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim’s main strikers last term.

SHORTS

do his thing, I guess. “It’s not really his (Amorim’s) fault. If he doesn’t believe in someone. He needs to win. If he doesn’t win they’re going to sack him. But I’m happy for Marcus.” Arteta defends Partey release MIKEL ARTETA has defended how the club handled the departure of former midfielder Thomas Partey after the 32-year-old was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. Partey left the Emirates at the end of June after he was not offered a new contract by the club, days before he was charged by police for the alleged offences as he faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He is due to appear before magistrates on Aug 5. Asked on the club’s pre-season tour of Singapore whether the allegations and impending police action formed part of the

decision not to renew the Ghana international’s contract, Arteta said: “The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.” The Arsenal boss was also questioned whether he felt confident the club had followed the proper processes, to which he replied: “100%, yes.” Gazza leaves hospital PAUL GASCOIGNE has reportedly left hospital and is recovering at home after being admitted to an intensive care ward. The England football icon is said to have been found semi-conscious by a friend at his residence in Dorset. Gascoigne was rushed to intensive care but was soon transferred to an acute medical unit. He was said to be in a stable condition.

United losing a great player: Pogba PAUL POGBA has shared his verdict on Marcus Rashford’s transfer to Barcelona, as the attacker’s Manchester United career comes to an end. Ahead of Rashford’s presentation to the media today, one-time teammate Pogba has claimed his former club are losing a “great player”. Speaking during a social media clip with streamer iShowspeed, the midfielder said: “That’s crazy, but I’m happy for him because they (Manchester United) took his number. Manchester United are losing a great player. Unlucky for them.” Pogba continued: “It’s great for Barcelona to be honest. I’m not even talking about Manchester United, because they’ve bought a few new players and the new manager wants to