Arsenal

Newcastle to rival Man Utd for £73m World Cup star as midfield replacement

Newcastle have shortlisted Manchester United target Felix Nmecha ahead of a potential midfield rebuild. The Magpies face losing both Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali this summer to Premier League rivals. Tottenham have reportedly agreed personal terms with Tonali while Arsenal have seen a bid for Guimaraes rejected . Newcastle are therefore making contingency plans and could steal a march on United. Nmecha, 25, is one of the midfielders under consideration at St James' Park, the Mail report. It's added that the German has been on Eddie Howe's radar for several years. Currently at the World Cup with Germany , Nmecha has started all three of their group stage matches, returning one goal and one assist. He has a £73.5million release clause in his contract with Borussia Dortmund , who signed him from fellow Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in 2023. Get the latest World Cup 2026 news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletter Prior to that, Nmecha spent 14 years on the books of Manchester City , making three first-team appearances under Pep Guardiola . His elder brother, Lukas, was also at City as a youngster and now plays for Leeds . Nmecha is under contract at Dortmund until 2030, having signed a new long-term deal back in March before he helped Niko Kovac's side finish second and secure Champions League football. But that hasn't prevented speculation over his future, especially after Germany topped their World Cup group and booked a round-of-32 clash with Paraguay . A box-to-box midfielder, he enjoys getting forward and firing off shots, scoring six goals while registering three assists last season. But his 6ft 3in frame allows him to win aerial duels and break up play. Should Felix Nmecha join Newcastle or Manchester United? Have your say in the comments section . Having moved to Manchester as a child, he'd likely have no problem settling back into English life. Raised by a Nigerian father and a German mother, he's embraced each of the cultures that he's experienced. "With Nigeria a lot of the culture is food, happiness, even just the business mindset, being disciplined," Nmecha told SW magazine. "Then the German side is also very disciplined and has good values and morals. "And then the England side, I think a lot of English people are very open when it comes to conversations, having a laugh and hard working as well." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-27

Arsenal sent powerful Julian Alvarez statement after star confirms transfer plan

Atletico Madrid star Alex Baena is desperate for Julian Alvarez to remain at the club this summer despite a disappointing campaign. Spain international Baena said he would chain his team-mate down if it were up to him, yet acknowledged the forward's desire to move on could ultimately prove decisive. Alvarez, who joined Atleti from Manchester City in 2024, has notched 49 goals in 106 appearances for the Spanish side. However, Diego Simeone's men could only finish fourth last term, and the frustrating campaign prompted speculation over an exit even before the player announced a desire to depart. The Argentina international has attracted considerable interest, with Arsenal among those in the hunt for his signature. Manchester United are now also in the mix, but Baena hasn't given up hope. "I'm not happy with my season either, but I'm keen to stay," the Spaniard told COPE . "I'm where I want to be, and I'm in love with Atleti." JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page When quizzed on what he'd do should Alvarez push for an exit , he added: 'I'd chain him down. ' Though he conceded: 'If he wants to pursue his dream, well, what can we do about it? Baena would rather Alvarez snubbed a switch to a direct rival, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both big admirers but neither expected to get an easy ride. The forward is currently representing Argentina at the World Cup but has already laid the groundwork for a summer departure. "I spoke with the people at [Atletico] I needed to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream," the former City star said. "It's ‌not the time ‌to talk about this, but I also can't ‌hide it. I try to be an honest person." After strong Arsenal links, Manchester United have reportedly established contact with his representatives regarding a possible transfer. United have funds available following their Champions League qualification and have generated close to £40million from selling Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli, while they could potentially also offload Marcus Rashford before the window shuts. Alvarez, who cost Atleti £82million when he arrived from City, has an eye-watering £431m release clause written into his existing contract. That hasn't silenced the speculation, though Diego Simeone's side ridiculed neighbours Real Madrid after a transfer approach on the eve of the World Cup. Real Madrid released a statement confirming a £129m offer had been rejected, with Atleti directing their rivals towards the player's release clause. Atleti's own response, however, was considerably less restrained. "Official statement with our clarifications regarding the official statement from our neighbours @realmadrid: 1. They cut out the part of the Pope's video where he said he was an Atleti fan too," the reply began. "2. You must have confused education with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don't thank you for anything. 3. We neither study nor consider any offer for Julian. 4. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than @FCBarcelona_es does." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-26

Manchester City Set to Smash British Transfer Record For England World Cup Hero Elliot Anderson

Manchester City has made headlines by signing midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a record fee of £116 million, surpassing Declan Rice's previous British record., Football, Times Now

2026-06-26

Arsenal signed Real Madrid star and Thierry Henry's 'dream' team-mate in club record deals

Over the years, Arsenal have splashed out record-breaking fees on a string of high-profile signings. As has been the case throughout the Premier League era, attracting the finest talent inevitably comes at a considerable price. When the competition began in 1992, Ian Wright's £2.5million switch from Crystal Palace stood as Arsenal's costliest purchase. Fast forward to the present day, and it is the £105m the Gunners forked out for Declan Rice that holds that distinction, with plenty of thrilling deals struck in between. Dennis Bergkamp remains one of the most iconic figures in Arsenal's history, scoring 120 goals and registering 116 assists across 420 appearances. The Netherlands international arrived from Inter Milan in 1995, penning a long-term deal for what was then a club-record £7.5m. The Dutch forward was brought in by Bruce Rioch but truly flourished under Arsene Wenger when he took charge a year later. The legendary manager chose to build the Gunners' attack around Bergkamp, a decision that paid off handsomely. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page So successful was the partnership that Henry hailed the Dutchman as the "best partner" he has ever played alongside throughout his career. During the final match at Highbury, Bergkamp scored one goal and assisted another in a 3-1 victory over West Brom . The fixture was billed as 'Dennis Bergkamp Day' and marked one of the striker's last outings as a professional footballer. Speaking afterwards, Henry heaped praise on his cherished team-mate as he said: "I have always said Dennis Bergkamp will remain the best partner I have ever had - he is a dream for a striker." Nearly a decade on, the World Cup winner identified Bergkamp as his number one partner in football. During a Q&A session at Sky Sports in 2015, Henry said: "Because of longevity and because I saw him every day in training for more than seven years, Dennis Bergkamp." Bergkamp secured three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three Community Shields. He didn't manage to replicate the same international glory as some of his teammates, including close friend Henry. The club enjoyed success with another French forward, this time Sylvain Wiltord. The right-winger smashed the club record fee that Bergkamp had established five years earlier, arriving in August 2000 for £13m. Wiltord registered 81 goal contributions over four campaigns for Arsenal , lifting the league trophy twice and amassing a collection of domestic cups. He also claimed the European Championship in the same year he joined the Gunners, netting the equaliser that pushed the game against Italy to extra-time and ultimately saw France claim the trophy. He lined up alongside Henry in the French national team, claiming three international trophies and finishing as runner-up at the 2006 World Cup. Another Arsenal record signing who earned global recognition was Mesut Ozil , who featured in the Germany squad that claimed World Cup glory in 2014, having joined the Gunners the season before that triumph for a record £42.5m from Real Madrid . Lukas Podolski also flew the flag for both Arsenal and Germany on the grandest of stages, lifting the coveted golden trophy alongside Ozil. Another forward who once turned out for France - albeit at youth level - and Arsenal was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The striker joined the Gunners in 2018 for yet another club-record fee of £56m. He put pen to paper in January and shared the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, scoring 22 goals in a remarkably brief spell. Auba would go on to spend four years in north London, finding the net 92 times and registering 21 assists. However, he would never quite replicate the domestic or international heights reached by Henry, Wiltord or Bergkamp. The forward went on to represent Gabon in tribute to his family roots, scoring 40 goals in 83 caps. He claimed the FA Cup and Community Shield with the Gunners before making the move to Barcelona in 2022. Aubameyang did make his way back to the Premier League, though it was Arsenal's rivals, Chelsea, who secured his signature, where he spent a year at Stamford Bridge. He remains the sole striker on this list still active in professional football, currently turning out for Marseille at the age of 37.

2026-06-26

Liverpool have 'firm' interest in £69m Arsenal transfer target starring at World Cup

Andoni Iraola could pull off another transfer hijack with Liverpool holding a 'firm interest' in £69million Arsenal target Ayyoub Bouaddi. The teenage midfielder has shone for Morocco at this summer's World Cup, fuelling further speculation surrounding his future as Europe's heavy hitters circle. Frequent reports have suggested that Bouaddi could be set for a transfer during this summer's window, with tentative claims that Liverpool might be amongst the contenders to secure the gifted midfielder's signature. Now, fresh information has emerged regarding the 18-year-old's future, involving Liverpool. According to the Daily Mail , Liverpool hold a "firm" interest in trying to sign Bouaddi, with the midfielder rated highly by figures within the club. The Reds will, however, encounter competition from numerous clubs for the highly coveted youngster. The report states that Arsenal , Chelsea , Manchester City and Real Madrid have all been linked with moves for Bouaddi, who is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in world football. Liverpool have already pipped one Premier League rival to a new arrival this summer, with the Reds wrapping up a deal for Victor Munoz, who had attracted interest from Newcastle . Hijacking a deal for Bouaddi will prove more challenging, though. Arsenal are understood to have held talks about submitting a bid to land the talented £69m-rated star. Bouaddi's displays at the World Cup will undoubtedly spark further discussions at some of Europe's elite clubs, with supporters already captivated by his composure at such a young age. He was particularly eye-catching in the draw with Brazil and the victory over Scotland . Arsenal have held a long-standing interest in Bouaddi, meaning Liverpool face a considerable challenge if they hope to beat their Premier League rivals in the race to secure the midfielder's signature this summer. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page A separate report in The Athletic has suggested that Lille are intent on holding onto Bouaddi, though he is understood to be valued at around €80million (£69m) this summer. The same report indicates that Bouaddi, should he depart Lille, would be keen to join a club where he is guaranteed a regular starting berth in the centre of midfield. This could prove to be a welcome boost for Liverpool, given that several other clubs reportedly chasing the teenager may struggle to offer him that assurance. Arsenal already have Declan Rice , Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi as established names in the midfield positions where Bouaddi would ordinarily play. Man City are meanwhile reportedly on the brink of completing a deal for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest , in a transfer understood to be worth in the region of £116million. With City anticipated to spend in excess of £100million on a single midfielder expected to feature regularly in the starting line-up, it is unclear whether a move for Bouaddi would still be feasible. Liverpool, meanwhile, are expected to focus their efforts on bringing in a new forward before turning their attention to other areas of the squad, with RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande firmly in their sights. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-26

Liverpool 'really like' Arsenal's World Cup target as another hijack plotted

Liverpool have once again been credited with an interest in signing Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer. The teenage midfielder is continuing to thrive for Morocco at this summer’s World Cup, which is creating more speculation around his future. There have been frequent reports that Bouaddi could be on the move during this summer’s transfer window, with tentative suggestions that Liverpool could be in the running to sign the talented midfielder. Now, there has been a fresh update about the 18-year-old’s future, and it directly concerns Liverpool. According to the Daily Mail , Liverpool have a “firm” interest in signing Bouaddi, with the midfielder liked by those inside the club. However, the Reds will face competition from a host of clubs for the sought-after youngster. The report claims that Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid have all been linked with signing Bouaddi, who is widely considered one of the brightest prospects in world football. Liverpool have already beaten one Premier League rival to a new signing this summer, with the Reds securing a deal for Victor Munoz, who was wanted by Newcastle. Hijacking a deal for Bouaddi will be more difficult, however. Arsenal are said to have held internal discussions about launching a bid to sign the talented £69m-rated star. Bouaddi's performances at the World Cup will no doubt lead to more conversations at some of Europe's biggest clubs, with fans so far wowed by his composure and strength at such a tender age. He was particularly impressive in the draw with Brazil and the win over Scotland. Arsenal have a long-held interest in Bouaddi, meaning Liverpool will have work to do if they wish to leapfrog their Premier League rivals in the battle to sign the midfielder this summer. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page A separate report in The Athletic has claimed that Lille are determined to keep Bouaddi, but he is said to be valued at around €80million (£69m) this summer. The report also claims that Bouaddi, if he were to leave Lille, would want to join a club where he would be a regular starter in the middle of the park. This could hand Liverpool a boost, given some of the other clubs reportedly interested in signing the teenager may not be able to meet those needs. Arsenal have Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi as regular figures in the midfield role where Bouaddi would typically feature. Man City are reportedly on the verge of signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, for a fee reported to be worth around £116million. Given City are expected to spend more than £ 100million on one midfielder who would be expected to start most games, it remains to be seen whether a move for Bouaddi would still be possible. Liverpool, meanwhile, are likely to prioritise the signing of another attacker before looking to strengthen elsewhere, with RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande a top target.

2026-06-26

Arsenal news: First summer signing made as bid for Man Utd target gets immediate response

Arsenal have made their first move in the transfer market this summer. The Premier League champions have been linked with a host of stars since securing their 14th top-flight title. Mikel Arteta is said to be eager to build on a position of strength . The Spaniard wants reinforcements in central midfield, at left wing and up front. Such an outlay this summer could bring the Gunners close to the record £250million they spent on new recruits last year. The club have also reportedly lodged a bid for a highly promising youngster. Mirror Football takes a look at two of the most recent transfer developments regarding Arteta's side. Arsenal have clinched their first summer signing after they confirmed the permanent capture of Piero Hincapie. The defender impressed while on loan this season and the Gunners have triggered an option worth £34.5million, plus add-ons, to retain his services. Hincapie joined the north London club last September from Bayer Leverkusen, on a temporary basis. A deal to make the Ecuador international a permanent fixture of Arteta's squad has long been viewed as a formality. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page The 24-year-old, who is currently on World Cup duty with Ecuador, made a major impression for Arsenal. He featured 25 times in the Premier League to help them win a first domestic title since 2004. Arsenal's decision to lock Hincapie down came as clubs such as Real Madrid reportedly showed interest. However, he has signed a contract with Arsenal until 2031 and the deal will become official on July 1. Arsenal's £5m bid for Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga has been rejected. As reported by football.london , the Foxes want a minimum of £10m for the 16-year-old. It's believed the Gunners are seeking a compromise regarding the youngster, given his contract situation and his purported desire to move to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are reportedly hoping to avoid a tribunal, which would decide a fee for Monga. Monga became the Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Preston North End in August 2025. He is the Premier League's third-youngest player, having made his debut aged 15 in April 2025, only beaten to the top spot by Arsenal's very own Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal seem to be the likely destination for the winger, despite interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United , Manchester City and Chelsea . The Gunners are believed to be holding firm and have not been deterred by their bid being rebuffed. The youngster signed an academy scholarship when he turned 16, but with Monga turning 17 next month, that deal could turn professional. However, he could want out of the King Power Stadium after Leicester were relegated to League One. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-26

Arsenal transfer stance emerges after Real Madrid chief watches player at World Cup

Arsenal consider Piero Hincapie to be a focal part of their plans after triggering their option to sign the Ecuador international. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have monitored the 24-year-old in recent months, however, he is simply not for sale after penning a long-term contract with the Gunners. Mirror Football understands Real Madrid's chief scout Juni Calafat was at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to watch Hincapie in action at the World Cup against Ivory Coast on June 14. Intriguingly, he had a rough evening against Liverpool wide target Yan Diomande, who utilised his speed to cause the versatile Arsenal left-back real problems down the channel. Calafat has attended several World Cup matches to check on potential targets. He was also in New Jersey on June 13 to watch Ayyoub Bouaddi, whom the Gunners also admire, feature for Morocco in their 1-1 draw with Brazil . Los Blancos are looking to add a new left-sided centre-back to Jose Mourinho's squad following David Alaba's departure. Hincapie is firmly appreciated but as reported, Arsenal have no interest in a sale and other options are also on their shortlist, including Manchester City's Ruben Dias. Real Madrid are believed to have lodged an enquiry with Riccardo Calafiori's agent Alessandro Lucci at the start of the window - prior to signing Marc Cucurella from Chelsea - but their interest was never followed up. Hincapie, who made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Premier League champions last term, joins the Gunners for an initial £34.45m (€40m) plus £5.17m (€6m) in bonuses following an excellent loan spell in N5. Arsenal also agreed a £5.17m (€6m) loan fee with Leverkusen last summer when negotiating the deal; additionally, the Bundesliga outfit will have a 10 per cent sell-on clause moving forward. Thursday was certainly a productive day for Hincapie. First his permanent transfer to Arsenal was announced before he helped Ecuador qualify for the Round of 32 of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Kai Havertz's Germany at the MetLife Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side had also tracked Germany left-back Nathaniel Brown, who is now set to join Bayern Munich from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £47.35m deal. The thinking was that Myles Lewis-Skelly now looks set to make a permanent switch into midfield, while both Hincapie and Calafiori will be needed as centre-back cover to ease the burden on Gabriel Magalhaes next term following a gruelling 63-game season. Leverkusen said in a club statement on Thursday: "The conditions for the purchase option were met and defender Hincapie will therefore continue his career with the London club in the Premier League in the coming years." Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-26

Man Utd 'make contact' with Julian Alvarez as Arsenal and Barcelona transfer hijack rumoured

Manchester United have reportedly been in direct contact with Julian Alvarez's representatives. The transfer saga involving the Atletico Madrid star has intensified recently following his explosive exit declaration, a scathing statement directed at Barcelona and two substantial bids being knocked back. Those two approaches both originated from Atletico's La Liga rivals, with Real Madrid publicly confirming their €150million (£129m) offer was declined, while Barca likewise saw a hefty bid rejected. In a bid to engineer a move, Alvarez made a striking admission while on World Cup duty with Argentina . Speaking to ESPN, he said: "The best thing for me is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream. I don't want to hide or act like I don't want to be clear. I try to be honest. I spoke to Atletico people and I think the best for everyone involved is for me to leave." The latest reports emerging from Spain suggest that Diego Simeone's outfit do not plan on negotiating with Barcelona regarding Alvarez. That seemed to position Arsenal as frontrunners for his signature, but United have now entered the fray. According to Diario AS journalist Marcos Duran , United have held discussions with Alvarez's agent after monitoring the 26-year-old's circumstances. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page He has further stated that United possess funds to deploy now they've secured Champions League football, with his impressive displays at bitter rivals Manchester City clearly influencing their thinking. The Argentine netted 36 goals in 103 appearances at the Etihad Stadium, yet frequently played second fiddle to Erling Haaland . He has since established himself as Atletico's key man, which goes some way to explaining the considerable interest in securing his services. Having bolstered their attack substantially last summer, midfield reinforcement is firmly at the top of Michael Carrick's agenda ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. A deal has already been struck for Ederson to arrive from Atalanta, with West Ham's Mateus Fernandes also a firm target. Spurs have since entered the running for his signature and United are facing stiff competition from Roberto De Zerbi's side, who appear better placed to meet the Hammers' valuation and Fernandes' wage expectations. Arsenal have also been linked with the Portuguese midfielder but now seem more focused on Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi and Newcastle United skipper Bruno Guimaraes. His club teammate Sandro Tonali is similarly attracting attention from both north London clubs, with the Italian favouring the Gunners but remaining open to a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

2026-06-25

William Saliba reveals he disagreed with Arsenal transfer decision

William Saliba is starring for France at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) William Saliba has revealed a decision to ignore Arsenal’s transfer advice helped dramatically change the trajectory of his career. The France international joined the Gunners in the summer of 2019 following a £27million move from Saint-Etienne. Saliba had already cemented a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising defenders and, as such, Arsenal were forced to agree that the centre-half could return to hit boyhood club on loan for another season. Upon his return to Arsenal, Saliba found that Unai Emery had been replaced by Mikel Arteta who immediately deemed he was not yet ready for first team Premier League football. Saliba subsequently spent six months at Nice before Arteta and Arsenal were forced to make another decision about his future. Arsenal’s hierarchy at the time decided another loan to a Premier League rival would help get him ready to contend with the unique demands of the English game, but Saliba dug his heels in and argued a year at Marseille would serve him best. ‘Arsenal wanted me to go to Newcastle United or Crystal Palace, but I didn’t want to [do that],’ Saliba told L’Équipe. William Saliba impressed on loan at Marseille before rejoining Arsenal (Picture: Getty) ‘I remember that summer, it was either Lille OSC or Marseille. I was on the verge of joining Lille but there was a financial problem. ‘It was this financial problem that led him to OM. But Saliba admits that there was initially some reticence. ‘Marseille is a big club, but it is scary. ‘It was the season where it was a bit crazy, where the supporters had gone to the Commanderie (OM’s training ground). William Saliba joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 (Picture: Getty) ‘But, with my agent, we said: ‘Marseille, if you go there and have a good season, it is the team in France and things can move quickly. ‘Jorge Sampaoli really wanted me. I went to Marseille and things moved so quickly. I played almost all of the matches. My value rose again. I started having fun again.’ ‘By March, I was playing my first matches for France. It was an incredible year. I honestly loved Marseille: the supporters, the club, my teammates… football is like that. ‘You build again from the bottom; it’s not a problem. Buckle up. If you do things well, you’ll get back to the top.’

2026-06-25