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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Thomas Frank to cast eye over £12m Spurs gem as early loan offers land on table
Luka Vuskovic is set to arrive at Tottenham this summer after they struck a deal to sign the Croatian wonderkid from Hajduk Split in September 2023 Thomas Frank is set to cast an eye over 18-year-old Tottenham centre-back Luka Vuskovic in pre-season despite widespread loan interest in the Croatian. Spurs agreed a reported £12million package deal with Hajduk Split for the teenager, then 16, in September 2023 and they're understood to have pipped Manchester City and PSG to his signature. The towering defender starred on loan in Belgium last season with KVC Westerlo, scoring an impressive seven goals from the back, having also previously flourished in Poland during a six-month spell with Radomiak Radom in 2024. Now a series of top-flight clubs from Germany, France and Belgium including Hamburg and Club Brugge have contacted his representatives to register an early interest in signing Vuskovic on loan for the 2025-26 season, should he become available. However, Tottenham are in no immediate rush to make a decision over his future and they're yet to rule out Vuskovic potentially staying put as part of their first-team squad for the forthcoming campaign. Earlier this week, he was handed his senior international debut by Croatia when he was a late substitute in a 5-1 World Cup qualification win over Czechia. Spurs believe they have a major talent on their hands but they intend to manage his development carefully in a bid to ensure he fulfils his potential in north London. Speaking earlier this month, Vuskovic was full of praise for the Europa League winners and shared his excitement about joining the club, stating: 'First of all, I'm looking forward to feeling that level and seeing where I am in relation to the players who just won the Europa League so that I know what I need to work on the most. 'After that, I'll see in agreement with the club which is the smartest next step. The club has proven to be careful and wise in making decisions so far. Belgium has proven to be an ideal league at this stage of my career, and I think it is otherwise a great development league because it gives a lot of opportunities to young players." Belgian side Westerlo have also made no secret of the fact they're keen to forge a partnership with Tottenham to sign more players on loan from Spurs in the future, though their chances of landing Vuskovic for another year look very slim. Alfie Devine also gained valuable senior experience with the Jupiler Pro League outfit, netting six goals in 30 top-flight appearances. In the past six weeks, even before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Spurs held a series of meetings with the representatives or their loanees to review their progress. New boss Frank has a proven track record for utilising and developing talent both at Brentford and Brondby, having also previously coached Denmark at various youth levels. Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to 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.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtic transfer explosion as Balikwisha talks 'personal terms', striker on brink and Angulo brings the house down
Persistent Celtic have restarted talks with long-term target Michel-Ange Balikwisha with discussions over personal terms underway – according to a leading report in Belgium. The Royal Antwerp winger has been on the Parkhead signing radar over the previous two windows and now the former Red Devils' U21 star is expected to leave his homeland this summer. Advertisement Now signing insider Sacha Tavolieri states the Premiership champions have triggered dialogue with the coveted wide man. READ MORE: Lennon Miller to Celtic transfer bid poised for relaunch as James Penrice scouted amid left back hunt READ MORE: Panicked Rangers diehard drops £40m transfer bomb after Cerny KO as Tierney suffers brutal Hotline slapdown Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Royal Antwerp -Credit:Photonews via Getty Images Balikwisha directly addressed Celtic earlier this year but admitted his injury issues kiboshed any potential switch to Glasgow. Celtic are honing in on fresh impetus in wide areas with Jota out for the long term and fellow starter Nicolas Kuhn widely expected to attract interest from elsewhere in the coming months. Advertisement And that means Balikwisha isn't the only winger on the agenda with fellow Jupiler Pro League star Nilson Angulo attracting interest with reports in Belgium claiming Celtic had an initial bid tossed out. The 21-year-old started Ecuador's gutsy 0-0 draw away to Peru which sealed their qualification for the World Cup in North America. And now Anderlecht are braced for fresh interest in a player who has enjoyed a stratospheric rise since leaving him homeland in 2022. Nilson Angulo of RSC Anderlecht takes a shot at goal -Credit:Alex BierensAnother winger who could also be back in the mix is Sondre Ørjasæter with Sky Sports claiming the £7m-rated Sarpsborg star remains high on the agenda. Advertisement Boss Brendan Rodgers appears to be getting the front-foot window he craves with Kieran Tierney signed, sealed and delivered and Ross Doohan soon to follow as the third-choice goalkeeper after Scott Bain's exit. And the next signing appears imminent with Callum Osmand set to sign a long-term deal after being tempted north from the Fulham B team. The Wales youth international turned heads last season but will join the Premiership champions despite being wanted to become a part of the Cottagers' first team. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. Advertisement You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer explosion as Balikwisha talks 'personal terms', striker on brink and Angulo brings the house down
The Premiership champions are racing ahead in their pursuit of fresh arrivals with three wingers linked Persistent Celtic have restarted talks with long-term target Michel-Ange Balikwisha with discussions over personal terms underway – according to a leading report in Belgium. The Royal Antwerp winger has been on the Parkhead signing radar over the previous two windows and now the former Red Devils' U21 star is expected to leave his homeland this summer. Now signing insider Sacha Tavolieri states the Premiership champions have triggered dialogue with the coveted wide man. Balikwisha directly addressed Celtic earlier this year but admitted his injury issues kiboshed any potential switch to Glasgow. Celtic are honing in on fresh impetus in wide areas with Jota out for the long term and fellow starter Nicolas Kuhn widely expected to attract interest from elsewhere in the coming months. And that means Balikwisha isn't the only winger on the agenda with fellow Jupiler Pro League star Nilson Angulo attracting interest with reports in Belgium claiming Celtic had an initial bid tossed out. The 21-year-old started Ecuador's gutsy 0-0 draw away to Peru which sealed their qualification for the World Cup in North America. And now Anderlecht are braced for fresh interest in a player who has enjoyed a stratospheric rise since leaving him homeland in 2022. Another winger who could also be back in the mix is Sondre Ørjasæter with Sky Sports claiming the £7m-rated Sarpsborg star remains high on the agenda. Boss Brendan Rodgers appears to be getting the front-foot window he craves with Kieran Tierney signed, sealed and delivered and Ross Doohan soon to follow as the third-choice goalkeeper after Scott Bain's exit. And the next signing appears imminent with Callum Osmand set to sign a long-term deal after being tempted north from the Fulham B team. The Wales youth international turned heads last season but will join the Premiership champions despite being wanted to become a part of the Cottagers' first team. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arsenal in talks for teenage talent with Fabregas comparisons
Arsenal Pursue Karetsas Deal as Focus Turns to Future-proofing Midfield Genk starlet emerges as major summer target In a move that blends audacity with foresight, Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks to sign 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk, in a deal that could be worth up to €45 million. The Athenian-Macedonian news agency reports that the Gunners aim to finalise a deal this summer but allow the Greek teenager to stay on loan at Genk for the 2025/26 season. Photo IMAGO It is a strategy that speaks to Arsenal's wider recalibration: youth, sustainability, and calculated aggression in the market. A generation ago, this might have looked like a gamble. Now, it is Arsenal's default setting. Karetsas drawing continental attention The midfielder's stock has surged rapidly, driven by composed displays in the Jupiler Pro League and a standout performance in Greece's 3-0 win over Scotland earlier this year. Comparisons to a young Cesc Fabregas are not handed out lightly, but they reflect Karetsas' control, vision and game intelligence. Photo IMAGO Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is central to the negotiations, with his relationship with Karetsas' agent, who also facilitated Albert Sambi Lokonga's transfer, smoothing the process. Historic price tag expected Should the reported deal be completed, Karetsas would become the most expensive Greek player in history, eclipsing the €36 million Napoli paid for Kostas Manolas in 2019. Arsenal are keen to seal the transfer early to ward off interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG, all of whom are monitoring the player. Photo IMAGO The plan is not to fast-track Karetsas to the Emirates but to let him mature in Belgium. First-team football, week in and week out, is deemed crucial before unleashing his potential in North London by 2026. Long-term vision meets short-term needs While the pursuit of Karetsas represents Arsenal's eye for tomorrow, they are also navigating the present. Talks are ongoing with RB Leipzig over striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted 21 goals last season. Sporting director Berta is also in dialogue with Thomas Partey about a potential one-year contract extension, though Barcelona and Saudi clubs remain interested. Advertisement In this moment, Arsenal are plotting parallel paths: building a title-contending squad for now, and constructing the foundation for the future. Our View – EPL Index Analysis Konstantinos Karetsas may not be a household name yet, but neither was Fabregas at 17, and the comparison isn't just flattery. His calmness in midfield, ability to read the game and dictate tempo already sets him apart from many seasoned pros. What's even more encouraging for the supporters is that the club are not rushing this. Letting him develop at Genk shows trust in the process and a clear long-term vision. Arsenal are no longer scrambling for short-term fixes. They're identifying elite potential early, something the best-run clubs have done for years. Advertisement And it's not happening in isolation. With Sesko negotiations ongoing and Partey's situation being managed with care, there's a sense of joined-up thinking behind the scenes. Berta's influence is already being felt — smart, strategic, and forward-thinking. If Karetsas does arrive, he won't just be the most expensive Greek footballer ever. He could very well be a cornerstone of Arsenal's next great side. The future looks not just bright — it looks planned.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arsenal in talks for teenage talent with Fabregas comparisons
Arsenal Pursue Karetsas Deal as Focus Turns to Future-proofing Midfield Genk starlet emerges as major summer target In a move that blends audacity with foresight, Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks to sign 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas from Genk, in a deal that could be worth up to €45 million. The Athenian-Macedonian news agency reports that the Gunners aim to finalise a deal this summer but allow the Greek teenager to stay on loan at Genk for the 2025/26 season. Photo IMAGO It is a strategy that speaks to Arsenal's wider recalibration: youth, sustainability, and calculated aggression in the market. A generation ago, this might have looked like a gamble. Now, it is Arsenal's default setting. Karetsas drawing continental attention The midfielder's stock has surged rapidly, driven by composed displays in the Jupiler Pro League and a standout performance in Greece's 3-0 win over Scotland earlier this year. Comparisons to a young Cesc Fabregas are not handed out lightly, but they reflect Karetsas' control, vision and game intelligence. Photo IMAGO Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is central to the negotiations, with his relationship with Karetsas' agent, who also facilitated Albert Sambi Lokonga's transfer, smoothing the process. Historic price tag expected Should the reported deal be completed, Karetsas would become the most expensive Greek player in history, eclipsing the €36 million Napoli paid for Kostas Manolas in 2019. Arsenal are keen to seal the transfer early to ward off interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG, all of whom are monitoring the player. Photo IMAGO The plan is not to fast-track Karetsas to the Emirates but to let him mature in Belgium. First-team football, week in and week out, is deemed crucial before unleashing his potential in North London by 2026. Long-term vision meets short-term needs While the pursuit of Karetsas represents Arsenal's eye for tomorrow, they are also navigating the present. Talks are ongoing with RB Leipzig over striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted 21 goals last season. Sporting director Berta is also in dialogue with Thomas Partey about a potential one-year contract extension, though Barcelona and Saudi clubs remain interested. Advertisement In this moment, Arsenal are plotting parallel paths: building a title-contending squad for now, and constructing the foundation for the future. Our View – EPL Index Analysis Konstantinos Karetsas may not be a household name yet, but neither was Fabregas at 17, and the comparison isn't just flattery. His calmness in midfield, ability to read the game and dictate tempo already sets him apart from many seasoned pros. What's even more encouraging for the supporters is that the club are not rushing this. Letting him develop at Genk shows trust in the process and a clear long-term vision. Arsenal are no longer scrambling for short-term fixes. They're identifying elite potential early, something the best-run clubs have done for years. Advertisement And it's not happening in isolation. With Sesko negotiations ongoing and Partey's situation being managed with care, there's a sense of joined-up thinking behind the scenes. Berta's influence is already being felt — smart, strategic, and forward-thinking. If Karetsas does arrive, he won't just be the most expensive Greek footballer ever. He could very well be a cornerstone of Arsenal's next great side. The future looks not just bright — it looks planned.
