25/07/2025

SPORTS FRIDAY | JULY 25, 2025

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Done deal deal Liverpool sign forward Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt

SHORTS

L IVERPOOL completed the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday for a reported £69 million (RM400m) as the Premier League champions continued their summer spending spree. “The 23-year-old has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds, allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia later this week,” Liverpool said in a statement. The deal taking the France U-21 international to Anfield is set to push Liverpool’s spending past £250 million (RM1.45b) this summer. Liverpool switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle’s refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million (RM870m) by the Magpies. Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool have won the race for one of Europe’s hottest young stars. It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10 million (RM58m) in add-ons to sign Ekitike, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million (RM458m). Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain. He was named in the Bundesliga team of the season as Frankfurt finished third in Germany last term. Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota’s recent death in a car crash in Spain. The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich. Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million MANCHESTER UNITED are prepared to kick off the new season without a fresh striker spearheading their front line, according to reports. Ruben Amorim has bolstered his firepower with the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but he is believed to also want a striker to complete the attacking overhaul. TheMirror report that a striker was top of United’s shopping list in this summer’s transfer window. Their decision followed a meagre tally of just 44 goals in the Premier League last term as they languished in 15th place – their worst position for 51 years. However, United’s only two acquisitions thus far have been Cunha from Wolves for a hefty £62.5 million (RM363m) and Mbeumo from Brentford for an even steeper £71 million (RM412m), neither of whom typically play as a No. 9. United have watched their prime

his first season in Paris alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but claimed a Ligue 1 winner’s medal. His opportunities were again limited at the start of the 2023-24 campaign before he joined Frankfurt on loan. “Hugo has improved tremendously in his 18 months with us and has been a real asset to our team and the club as a whole on and off the pitch,” said Eintracht sporting director Markus Krosche. “We’re delighted he can now take the next step - a step he

(RM673m) on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively. Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot’s side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024. Ekitike began his career with his hometown club Reims and had a brief loan spell in Denmark in 2021 before earning a move to PSG the following year. He struggled to make an impact in

Ederson (left) and Pep Guardiola. – REUTERSPIC

Ederson set to stay at City MANCHESTER City want to keep Ederson, rather than selling the goalkeeper to Galatasaray. The Turkish champions have reportedly agreed personal terms with the 31-year-old and are confident of signing him. Ederson has entered the last year of his contract but while City risk losing him on a free transfer next summer, they are keen to ensure he stays at the Etihad Stadium. If Ederson goes, City could turn to James Trafford. They sold the U 21 international to Burnley two years ago but have a buyback clause which could enable them to re-sign Trafford, who is also a target for Newcastle, from the promoted club. Ederson claimed last month that talk he would leave City was “fake news” but then Galatasaray came in for the goalkeeper. The Brazilian had attracted interest from the Saudi Pro-League last summer, when he was given a large offer. Ederson has made 372 appearances in eight years at City and, becoming the most decorated goalkeeper in their history. While Pep Guardiola has already signed one goalkeeper this summer, in Marcus Bettinelli, losing Ederson would mean he would have to make a fourth major buy, after Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Hato’s agent reveals Chelsea interest THE agent of Dutch defender Jorrel Hato has revealed that “Chelsea have contacted Ajax” over a deal for the 19-year-old. Hato is one of a number of defensive targets that Chelsea are keeping tabs on, with the Dutch international particularly valuable due to his ability to play both left back and centreback. And his agent Humphry Nijman confirmed that“Jorrel is now in talks with Chelsea” when asked by Dutch publication De Telegraaf , adding that Ajax and Chelsea are now engaged in club-to-club discussions too. Hato has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the Eredivisie since making his international debut in November 2023, and he has six appearances for Netherlands, including against Spain in the Nations League in March. Despite only being 19, Hato has made 111 appearances for Ajax, having made his debut for the senior team in a KNVB Cup match in January 2023. Several of the continent’s biggest clubs have been linked with moves for the defender, with

Real Madrid and Arsenal having monitored his situation in the past. But it is Chelsea who have made the first move towards securing a deal for the Dutch prospect, with De Telegraaf also reporting that the Blues initially made a move in December before initiating talks this summer. BAYER LEVERKUSEN manager Erik ten Hag has insisted that midfielder Granit Xhaka will not be able to join Sunderland this summer, with the Switzerland midfielder heavily linked with a move to the Premier League. The Black Cats had appeared to be closing in on a deal for the former Arsenal captain as they continue a spending spree that has exceeded £100m (RM580m) this summer, with the club keen to add top-flight experience to their squad as they look to beat the drop next season. But former Manchester United boss Ten Hag, who has already seen Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah depart since succeeding Xabi Alonso at the end of last season, is resisting the proposed move. The Dutchman told reporters: “The agent can say anything, but this club has sold three important players – and we won’t sell any more players. That’s not possible. “Granit is a leader. He signed for five years here and has three more years left. He’s too important for us to let go.” BARCELONA have cancelled their pre-season friendly match against Vissel Kobe in Japan, citing contractual breaches by the promoter, while their two scheduled friendlies in South Korea are also at risk of suspension, the club said. The La Liga champions were scheduled to play Japanese side Vissel Kobe on Sunday, and to play South Korea’s FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu FC on Aug 4. “Barcelona announces that it has been obliged to suspend its participation in the game scheduled for Sunday in Japan due to serious contractual breaches on behalf of the promoter,” Barca said in a statement yesterday. “Nevertheless, the club will consider readjusting the leg of the summer tour in South Korea,”it said, “if certain conditions are met by the promoter. “If these conditions are met, then the club will travel to South Korea in the coming days. Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact it will have on the many, many Barca fans in Japan.” Ten Hag hits back at Xhaka’s agent Barca cancel Japan pre-season friendly

has earned through his performances with us.” – AFP

Hugo Ekitike. – REUTERSPIC

Man Utd face striker crisis

million (RM232m). Garnacho is keen to remain in the Premier League, with Chelsea his preferred destination, although there is some hesitation at United to sell him to a domestic competitor in a move that could ultimately prove detrimental. Jackson has found himself further down the selection order at Stamford Bridge, following the signings of Delap from Ipswich and Joao Pedro from Brighton. United are concentrating their summer transfer efforts on players with established Premier League experience, who can make an immediate impact without needing time to adjust. This strategy is evident in their successful acquisitions of Cunha and Mbeumo, with Jackson being a feasible solution that would address two issues – securing a new striker and transferring Garnacho. – Express Newspapers

striker targets sign for rival clubs this summer – Liam Delap has moved to Chelsea, Viktor Gyokeres is nearing a switch to Arsenal, while Hugo Ekitike joined Liverpool. In light of this, high-ranking officials at United have privately admitted there’s a strong possibility they will commence their Premier League campaign at home against Arsenal on Aug 17 without a new striker. United still hold an interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, who was on their radar two years ago when they eventually forked out an exorbitant fee of £72 million (RM418m) for Rasmus Hojlund. The Red Devils might also consider a swap deal involving winger Alejandro Garnacho – omitted from the United States tour squad after requesting a transfer – and Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, both valued at around £40