3/09/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | SEP 3, 2025

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Drama at Selhurst Park Glasner ‘threatened to quit Palace’ in furious Guehi transfer demand C RYSTAL PALACE manager Oliver Glasner emerged victorious in a transfer tug-of-war with Steve Parish as Marc Guehi’s move to Liverpool three days prior. Parish, on the other hand, has discussed the club’s outstanding debts for players who have joined Selhurst Park in recent years, and his conviction that it would be financially reckless not to sell Guehi if their valuation was met – something Liverpool promptly did.

Key EPL moves as window shuts

THE Premier League transfer window shut yester day after a record-breaking summer of signings across the division. Liverpool led the way with blockbuster swoops for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United also spent big. Here’s a look at 10 of the most intriguing deals: Alexander ISAK (Newcastle to Liverpool) The Reds finally got their man, ending a long-run ning transfer saga with a British record swoop for the Sweden striker, whose £125m (RM710m) sign ing took Liverpool’s remarkable spending spree to more than £400m (RM2.27bn). Florian WIRTZ (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool) Signed for an initial £100m (RM568m) in a deal that could rise to £116m (RM659m), the Germany play maker immediately set his sights on“winning every thing every year” with the Premier League champi ons. Gianluigi DONNARUMMA (PSG to Man City) Just months after playing a key role in winning PSG’s maiden Champions League crown, the Italy goalkeeper has reportedly been lured to the Etihad Stadium in a £26m (RM148m) deal after City boss Pep Guardiola decided to move on from his long serving number one Ederson, who is set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce. Benjamin SESKO (RB Leipzig to Man United) The Slovenia striker’s £73m (RM415m) arrival from Leipzig completed Ruben Amorim’s overhaul of his misfiring attack, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha the other new faces in a £200m (RM1.13m) revamp that will make or break their manager’s reign. Jack GREALISH (Man City to Everton) Four years after City paid a then British record £100m (RM568m) to sign Grealish from Aston Villa, the flamboyant England winger’s stock had fallen so far, amid poor performances and concerns about his penchant for late night partying, that he was allowed to make a season-long loan move to Everton. His improved form suggests a career ren aissance is possible. Viktor GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal) Entranced by Arsenal’s dazzling 5-1 victory over Sporting last season, the Sweden striker set his heart on a move to the Emirates and was rewarded with a £64m (RM265m) switch as Mikel Arteta finally landed a prolific target man to serve as the fulcrum of his attack. Alejandro GARNACHO (Man United to Chelsea) After falling out of favour with Manchester United boss Amorim, the Argentine winger will hope to relaunch his career at Stamford Bridge following a £40m (RM227m) move that gives Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca the dynamic presence he craves on the flanks. Nick WOLTEMADE (Stuttgart to Newcastle) The Germany striker was signed for a Newcastle club-record fee of £69m (RM392m) to replace the departing Alexander Isak, putting huge pressure on the shoulders of a 23-year-old who stands 1.98m tall but is known as much for his creativity as his aer ial prowess. Xavi SIMONS (Leipzig to Tottenham) The skilful Dutch midfielder is the standout signing for new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, who paid £51m (RM290m) to bring the 22-year-old to north London after he scored 22 goals and assisted 24 times in 78 appearances for Leipzig. Jadon SANCHO (Man United to Aston Villa) Following in the footsteps of United teammate Marcus Rashford, England winger Sancho com pleted a loan move to Birmingham. He hopes Villa boss Unai Emery can reinvigorate his stalled career after last season’s disappointing loan spell with Chelsea.

rate, or next year when he’s a free agent. The Palace hierarchy faced a dilemma, further complicated by Bayer Leverkusen’s abrupt dismissal of Erik ten Hag after just two league matches. This sparked concerns that Glasner might be tempted back to the Bundesliga. Glasner’s impressive track

was dramatically halted at the last minute. Guehi, an England international, had already completed a medical in London after Palace agreed on a fee with Liverpool for his transfer to Merseyside. The reigning Premier League champions were planning to unveil him as part of a £160 million (RM928m) deadline day double deal – pushing their summer spending over the £450 million (RM2.6b) mark – alongside Alexander Isak. However, despite all parties reaching an agreement and even submitting a deal sheet to the Premier League just before yesterday’s deadline, Palace supremo Parish called off the deal, outmanoeuvred by his head coach. Glasner had threatened to resign if his captain was sold. Glasner, who has guided Palace to FA Cup glory and a significant European competition for the first time in the club’s history, has been against selling his captain from the outset. The Austrian highly regards Guehi both as a player and a dressing room leader and has publicly expressed his desire to retain the England centreback. Throughout the year, Glasner has been vocal about his firm stance against selling. Even after a fee was agreed on Sunday, he fielded Guehi in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa – where Guehi netted a fantastic goal – before emphasising the importance of retaining him, echoing his sentiments from MANCHESTER UNITED have bought Senne Lammens from Antwerp from £18 million (RM104m) in a bid to solve their goalkeeping crisis. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford after United saw off interest from several other clubs to recruit him. They had also considered making a move for Aston Villa’s World Cup winner Emi Martinez at the end of the window after Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana were culpable for goals in three different games already this season. United noted how Lammens made more saves than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top 10 leagues last season and had one of the best goals prevented metrics, a post shot expected goals of +14.5. Lammens said: “I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United, it is a real dream come true.

record at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he clinched the Europa League title, puts Leverkusen bosses under immense pressure to make a significant appointment that will placate fans. They had previously hyped up the arrival of former Manchester United manager Ten Hag, only to swiftly realise he was not the right fit. The Austrian coach could be the answer, and the chance to join a Champions League club may be too enticing to resist – especially if he doesn’t receive support over Guehi. Feeling empowered, he threatened to leave the club if Guehi was sold without his consent. When push came to shove, Parish backed down on the transfer, demonstrating his high regard for his head coach – opting for him over a potential £35 million (RM2.3m) windfall he believes the Eagles desperately needed. – Express Newspapers

However, Glasner’s resolve not to sell was further strengthened recently by the £68 million (RM394m) sale of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.

While he tentatively agreed that a deal for Guehi could happen if two replacements arrived on deadline day, he never believed a player of

Oliver Glasner. – REUTERSPIC

sufficient quality

would

arrive.

Yesterday, Glasner spoke to Guehi, who has been a model professional throughout, and expressed his wish to keep him for the season. Guehi understood, wanted to leave but again insisted he wouldn’t cause a scene, knowing Liverpool will still be there in January, at a reduced

United sign Lammens to solve goalkeeping crisis Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY

“The past few years have been an amazing journey, it’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special. “You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, and I know that I can make a real impact at the club in the coming years. “I cannot wait to get to know my teammates and begin working with Ruben (Amorim) and the coaching staff. “This is the perfect place to keep developing, grow together with this exciting team and achieve my career objectives.” Lammens becomes United’s fifth summer signing, after they spent £200 million (RM1.16b) on the attackers Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and also brought in wing-back Diego Leon. Meanwhile, United have sold Antony to Real Betis and loaned Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli for the season. – The Independent

Senne Lammens. – REUTERSPIC

Villa secure last-minute double deadline day deal ASTON VILLA have completed a double deal by signing winger Jadon Sancho and midfielder Harvey Elliott on loan as Unai Emery belatedly brought in reinforcements. £35 million (RM2.3m) next summer. Villa beat off competition from RB Leipzig for Elliott’s signature, while West Ham and Fulham had also been interested in him this summer.

Alexander Isak this year. But they included both a sell-on and a buy back clause in the deal with Villa to keep open the option of bringing him back to Anfield in the future. Villa are the only team who have yet to score a Premier League goal this season and Emery had been operating with a weaker squad after the loss of loanees Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford and the departure of Leon Bailey. But they made three signings at the end of the transfer window, with Sancho’s former Manchester United teammate Victor Lindelof arriving on a free transfer, while goalkeeper Emi Martinez stayed. – The Independent

Sancho has left Manchester United on a third loan in successive seasons, after spells at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea. Villa will pay a loan fee and have guaranteed 80% of his considerable wages but United had hoped to sell the England international this summer. Roma and Dortmund had both been interested in him. Elliott has joined on a season-long loan while Villa have an obligation to buy the England U-21 international from Liverpool for

The 22-year-old, a boyhood Liverpool fan, was named player of the tournament when England won the European U-21 Championships but then admitted he may need a transfer to avoid “wasting years” of his career. Elliott only started two Premier League games last season and Liverpool felt his chances of first-team football were reduced by the arrivals of players such as Florian Wirtz and