Latest news with #striker
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mark Goldbridge: Who Should Lead the Line for Man United
Manchester United Transfers: Striker Search Becomes Tug of War Manchester United's transfer window drama continues, with manager targets, agents, and rival clubs creating a chaotic marketplace. On the latest episode of The United Stand, Mark Goldbridge laid out the current striker landscape, comparing stats and questioning both value and fit for several high-profile names. Osimhen Deal 'Not Viable' as Agent Games Take Over Goldbridge opened with strong words on Victor Osimhen, stating, 'Osimhen will not come to Manchester United.' He pointed out the growing influence of Al Hilal, who 'still believe that a deal can be done' after missing out during the Club World Cup. Advertisement More importantly, Osimhen's financial demands appear unrealistic. Goldbridge suggested, 'His agent is probably going around Europe saying we could have earned this money in Saudi, so we want ridiculous money here.' Adding to the doubt, he noted that 'Man United and AC Milan are not seen as front runners,' since Osimhen's priority is Champions League football. In Goldbridge's view, the striker market cannot be allowed to drag on. 'I think we've got to be a little bit more robust… I don't know that it's a player we can afford to waste time on.' Hugo Ekitike: 'Plan C' at a Steep Price Manchester United have made 'concrete' contact over Hugo Ekitike, but concerns are mounting over both price and profile. 'It's a hundred million euros,' Goldbridge said bluntly. 'That's not right… this is the Bundesliga. Since when were players from Frankfurt going for a hundred million euros?' Advertisement Despite Ekitike's creativity, Goldbridge stressed the lack of goals. 'He's not a goal scorer… literally isn't a goal scorer.' With just a 15% goal conversion rate and 0.51 goals per 90, Goldbridge raised doubts over paying a premium. 'If you drop him into a Manchester United shirt… pressure, foreign, media, rivals – it's a lot.' Reflex, a viewer, did offer a more optimistic take: 'I watched Ekitike, I think he could be a top striker.' But even Goldbridge admitted, 'As a Plan C option, I'm not going to sit here and say that's bad.' Gyokeres Remains a Waiting Game With Arsenal prioritising Sesko, United's interest in Viktor Gyökeres is far from over. Goldbridge explained the situation as 'basically where we were three weeks ago,' after confusion caused by reports of Arsenal bids that never materialised. 'United remain cautious and are monitoring the situation,' he read from Fabrizio Romano's latest update. Advertisement Mark didn't shy away from the realities of the race. 'If Arsenal want Gyökeres, they probably win the race. But if they don't, then we've got a great chance again.' Fan Frustration Peaks Over Striker Targets Beyond stats, fans and contributors voiced concerns. Mike JW posted, 'Ekitike is vastly overpriced, he's also not good enough.' JJ added, 'We need someone who's ready – Ekitike isn't.' Meanwhile, Ke summed it up: 'Would we not be better keeping the hundred million euros and just playing Zirkzee up front?' Goldbridge compared the two directly: 'I don't actually see a world of difference… in outputs.' With Zirkzee matching Ekitike's 15% goal conversion rate and bettering him on some metrics, Goldbridge pressed the case: 'Why would you not just play Zirkzee up front instead of spending 100 million pounds on Ekitike?' Concluding Thoughts Manchester United's striker hunt is shaping up to be the defining saga of the summer. Whether they pivot to Gyökeres, revisit Osimhen, or risk it all on Ekitike, the next move must be decisive. Goldbridge put it best: 'We need a goal scorer… it's not about how shiny the toy is, it's what the toy does.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
UFC star Ilia Topuria makes offer to Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso ahead of UFC 317 as Los Blancos eye Mbappe back-up
Chisanga Malata, Senior Digital & Print Combat Sports Reporter Published: Invalid Date, UFC superstar Ilia Topuria has jokingly offered his services to Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who is on the hunt for a new striker Georgian-born Spaniard Topruia is one of the slickest strikers in the sport of mixed martial arts and has electrified the UFC with a string of emphatic knockouts. 5 5 But he's also a dab hand on the pitch, so much so that he shared his footie skills in an Instgram video for his 7.7 million followers to see. The 28-year-old posted a video of himself dribbling past his training partners as they took some downtime from preparations for his UFC 317 next weekend. And the Real superfan sent a message to new Los Blancos boss Alonso, who is in the market for a back-up striker for Kylian Mbappe. His accompanying caption read: "I'm not saying anything but @realmadrid needs a Matador." Topuria, who was presented at the Bernabeu last February after his brutal featherweight title-winning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski, had his comments section flooded by Madridistas. And another said: "Better than Cristiano." JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 One remarked: "Topurinho." Another chimed in: "Barcelona, you have a new problem." Ilia Topuria performs shock Paddy Pimblett U-turn ahead of UFC 317 after seemingly squashing beef with Brit Topuria is pals with Real legend Sergio Ramos, who was cageside for his sole featherweight title defence against Max Holloway last October. 'El Matador' will bid to become a two-division champion a week on Sunday morning when he fights Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas. And he plans to win his second belt in as equally devastating a fashion as his first. He said: Charles is a great fighter. "I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC. "But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round. "Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move." 5
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
How did Gyokeres and Sesko compare last season?
Arsenal have identified Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres as the striker they want to lead the line next season, BBC Sport's Alex Howell reported this week– but how do they compare?Aged 27, Gyokeres is already in his prime and scored 39 goals in 33 league appearances as Sporting were crowned champions in 2024-25 – three times as many as Sesko netted in the same amount of games for RB was a goal machine last term, outperforming his expected goals by more than eight and scoring with 28.1% of his efforts. The Swede, who benefits from playing for a dominant side in a league not quite as strong as the Bundesliga, had a mammoth 327 touches in the opposition box and adopted a shoot-on-sight policy, registering 139 efforts on goal, equivalent to one every 20 22, had to be more patient as Leipzig ended seventh, missing out on European qualification. He had a shot every 35 minutes, while his tally of 68 attempts overall ranked him only 16th in the Bundesliga. However, in both of his seasons with the club he has shown early signs of being an elite finisher. He overperformed his expected goals total by 6.3 in 2023-24 and by 3.1 in the most recent campaign, in which he converted a healthy 19.1% of his area where the Slovenia forward has an edge is in the air. Standing close to 6ft 5in tall, Sesko contested far more aerial duels last season than 6ft 2in Gyokeres and won 57.4% of them. Despite his big frame, he is surprisingly quick, recording a top speed of 35.7 km/h in the season just gone, placing him among a handful of the Bundesliga's quickest attacking players. That unusual combination gives him a high ceiling and explains why Leipzig reportedly want €100m (£85.5m) for their prize asset.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal in race against time to complete striker transfer in order to prevent title being lost by September
SUDDENLY there's a new urgency to Arsenal's long-running manhunt for a centre-forward. Fixture release day has handed Mikel Arteta's eternal bridesmaids trips to Old Trafford and Anfield before the transfer deadline, followed by clashes with Manchester City and Newcastle in September. 5 5 It means Arsenal need to get hitched with a new striker - and fast. Liverpool, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs have all been busy in the early days of the summer market, yet all has been quiet at Arsenal - runners-up for three seasons in a row. While Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga are expected to arrive at the Emirates soon, Arsenal are in desperate need of a frontman. It's a tale as old as Arteta's five-and-a-half-year reign and the Spaniard has made no secret of his desire to capture an out-and-out goalscorer, after Kai Havertz's injury in January kyboshed his slim hopes of challenging Liverpool for the title last term. New Emirates sporting director Andrea Berta is prioritising a striker and has several plates spinning - with RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokores both leading targets. There's a very high chance that Swede Gyokores will play in the Manchester United versus Arsenal fixture on the opening weekend of the season - but for which side? Ruben Amorim hopes his close links with Gyokeres will lure the former Coventry man to Old Trafford - despite the absence of European football for only the second time in 35 years. Meanwhile, Leipzig are playing hardball over a fee for 22-year-old Slovenian forward Sesko - with an eye-watering £85million asking price. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS When fixtures for the new campaign are released, it's always worth pointing out that - yep - every Premier League club will play every other club at home and away. But Arsenal's fixture list is seriously front-loaded. While United may no longer be the United of old, the first Sunday of the season is not an ideal time to visit, with new signings and (perhaps short-lived) optimism in the air. A trip to champions to Liverpool on the weekend before the window shuts on September 1 is formidable. Then comes a September which brings from City and Nottingham Forest, as well as a Champions League opener, before the long haul to St James' Park - where the Gunners were beaten twice last season. Arteta will be dreading the idea of a scramble for a striker on deadline day - and with a winger also wanted, to challenge Gabriel Martinelli - the Gunners boss is keen to get both on board before the pre-season trip to Singapore and Hong Kong in late July. After five seasons without silverware, Arteta's need to hit the ground running is clear, if Arsenal are to clinch a first title in 22 years. Berta is determined not to fall into the trap of singling out one striker, missing out and leaving Arteta to settle for what he has got - namely Havertz, who may well be more effective as a No 10, and Gabriel Jesus, still recovering from an ACL injury. 5 5 Gyokores and Sesko are not the only men on Berta's hitlist - although Arteta's ideal signing, Alexander Isak, looks out of reach now that Newcastle are back in the Champions League. And Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins does not represent value for money at around £80m for a man who turns 30 this year. Arsenal are free to spend big, under PSR regulations, this summer. Yet if they land an expensive striker and a winger - with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, Real Madrid's Rodrygo, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon all on Arsenal's radar - then sales may be needed. Oleksandr Zinchenko is surplus to requirements, while fellow defenders Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori could be off-loaded. Left-back Calafiori - signed only last summer but overtaken by Myles Lewis-Skelly - is wanted by AC Milan but believed to be keen on staying at the Emirates. Inside Arsenal's frustrating striker transfer saga By Jordan Davies ARSENAL'S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall. The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta. But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen's agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated. Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit. But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money. While the players' camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them. So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike? Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Walker to Everton EXCLUSIVE, Wirtz's Liverpool medical, Chelsea's striker hunt
Chelsea target another striker Chelsea have begun talks with Stuttgart star Nick Woltemade amid the summer transfer window. The Blues are in the market for another striker this summer despite already signing Liam Delap for £30million from Ipswich Town. Woltemade has been on the West Londoners' radar for some time and they have now been in contact with the player's agent. Transfer insider Christian Falk claims Chelsea have been told there is no release clause in the Germany internationals contract. The 6ft6in centre-forward sees his contract run until 2028 at the Bundesliga outfit. Other reports in Germany claim the 23-year-old is in talks over an improved deal and a pay rise with Stuttgart. But Chelsea are monitoring the situation in case an agreement cannot be struck between the two parties.
