Gossip: Blues keen on Joao Pedro

Chelsea are planning to hijack Newcastle's move for Brighton and Brazil forward Joao Pedro, 23. (Sun), externalBorussia Dortmund's English winger Jamie Gittens, 20, is intent on joining Chelsea this summer and remains their main target in that position. (Standard), externalEngland winger Noni Madueke, 23, is on the radar of a host of clubs this summer, including Arsenal. (Telegraph - subscription needed), externalFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Reuters

31 minutes ago

• Reuters

Sinner and singer Bocelli strike up partnership for new single

June 20 (Reuters) - World number one Jannik Sinner has formed a new doubles partnership but the duo will be battling for chart success rather than Grand Slam titles after the Italian released a single with compatriot and opera tenor Andrea Bocelli on Friday. The three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner promoted the song titled 'Polvere e Gloria' or 'Dust and Glory' on Instagram. The video features footage from the pair's childhoods and more recent clips of the singer and Sinner, clutching a racket and tennis ball, in front of a piano in Bocelli's home in Tuscany. Sinner's speeches form part of the song, which is in Italian and English, with Bocelli in full flow. "Every life is a potential work of art: each of us bears the sweet responsibility of nurturing our talents in the daily acrobatics of living, pursuing our dreams while remaining steadfastly true to our values," the pair wrote on Instagram. "This duet is such a bold leap that it has ignited our passion, born of shared and unwavering desire to express our deep belief that nothing is impossible." Sinner, the U.S. Open and Australian Open champion, said he was honoured to be part of the project with Bocelli, describing the singer as a "unique and extraordinary voice" and "a flag for our country in the rest of the world". "I could never have imagined hearing my voice in one of his songs. It's extremely moving," the 23-year-old added. Sinner, who was beaten by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in an epic French Open final earlier this month, lost in the last 16 of the Halle Open on Thursday in a blow to his preparations for Wimbledon which gets underway on June 30.

The Independent

33 minutes ago

• The Independent

Mark Wood hoping to play a part in England's Test series against India

Mark Wood is on the 'comeback trail' as the England fast bowler revealed he is optimistic of a Test return against India this summer. The 35-year-old was expected to miss the entirety of the marquee five-match series after undergoing knee surgery in March, the latest in a long line of injury setbacks. But the Durham quick says he is back bowling in the nets and harbours hopes he could return in the final Test against Shubman Gill's India, which is set to begin on July 31 at the Kia Oval. 'I have just started bowling – very lightly – but I am on the comeback trail now officially,' Wood said on the BBC's Test Match Special. 'I am hoping still to play a part in this series. I am still targeting maybe the last Test. 'Anything before that is probably a bit too soon. The last Test I might not get there but at the minute that is still my focus, that I might play a part.' Wood's ability to hit breakneck speeds of up to 97mph mark him out as an invaluable asset and, if he stays fit, he is likely to be crucial to England's bid to regain the Ashes in Australia later this year. He is among a lengthy list of pacemen currently on the sidelines, with Olly Stone out for the summer and Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson missing the first Test at Headingley, which started on Friday.

Daily Mirror

41 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

Arsenal to break seven-year transfer rule for Benjamin Sesko after £60m deal

Arsenal are interested in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and are taking a different approach to the transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to solve his side's problems in attack Arsenal have taken a specific approach to their transfer dealings since Mikel Arteta took over as Gunners boss. The club targeting RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko would represent a departure from Arsenal's usual tactics as they look to sign a player from the Bundesliga for the first time since 2018. The Gunners may have bought players from across Europe and even the Brazilian market in recent years, but the Premier League has remained the preferred shopping destination. From Aaron Ramsdale to Ben White, Arsenal have often turned to players with experience in England. That is because Premier League proven players are a known quantity and are more likely to succeed if they are already performing well in the top-flight. ‌ Predicting the success of players changing country and league style is a trickier task. There's a general consensus that those from La Liga will fare well. Meanwhile, Arsenal have primarily targeted defenders from Serie A. Ligue 1 is full of young talent and South America is a similar treasure trove of promising players. However, Arsenal have chosen to steer clear of signing players from Germany. ‌ Arsenal's squad is a blend of academy players and a strong Premier League core - White and Declan Rice have elevated their game, while Kai Havertz has adapted well. Even Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus played their roles expertly for 12 to 18 months after arriving from Manchester City. New additions to the league have come in the form of Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard from either side of Madrid, as well as centre-back partnership Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba signing from French clubs. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu caught the eye in Serie A before making their moves to north London. However, Arsenal have not signed a first team player from the Bundesliga since 2018. A move for Sesko could change that. Arsenal missed out on deal for the striker months ago ahead of the Euros and his stock has continued to rise, as has his price. The last players to join the club from Germany were Benrd Leno and Sokratis seven summers ago, but the move for Sesko is more akin to Arsenal's £60million move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earlier that year. Aubameyang proved successful but had already established himself on the elite stage, unlike Sesko. He had netted 13, 16, 25, and then 31 Bundesliga goals in his four full seasons at Borussia Dortmund before departing with a record of 13 in 16. Aubameyang also had a Champions League record to brag about and was considerably older than Sesko, being in his mid-20s. Sesko, on the other hand, is still relatively young compared to Aubameyang. There's an eagerness to tap into his raw potential before it fully blossoms, but this approach carries its own risks. ‌ Now 22, Sesko put together another impressive scoring season in Germany and showed exactly why he has attracted interest from elsewhere. However, there are concerns about how Sesko might adjust to England. When the striker could prove pivotal to Arsenal's title hopes, there are various factors to consider. Given the success of players moving from Germany to England, it's understandable why there is caution. ‌ Havertz's move to Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 is a prime example. Initially, opposition players and his own manager pushed him around the pitch in search of the perfect position. Havertz eventually settled into the role of a striker. Arsenal had hopes of converting him back into an attacking No.8 from midfield, but he has been forced to cover up front instead, a job he now performs well. He bulked up, lost some of his flair, and is now a functional target man at times. He's strong in the air but lacks the finesse he initially brought with him. Sesko probably wouldn't have to make such a drastic change as he is already a striker, but there will be a period of adaptation. Both Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku signed for Chelsea from RB Leipzig and struggled to hit the mark for various reasons. Dominik Szoboszlai has had more luck at Liverpool but plays in a deeper role. Arsenal seem determined to do something they haven't done for seven years in their attempt to purchase Sesko from the Bundesliga. Before the signing of Aubameyang, Arsenal's last transfers from Germany were Lukas Podolski in 2012 and Per Mertesacker the year before. Arsenal have a peculiar relationship with Bundesliga players, but they hope Sesko can rekindle the spark. 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.