Arsenal have just confirmed the sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal, leaving them short of depth in attack until the transfer window opens up again in January. A frustrating summer ends with Arsenal arguably weaker in attack than they were last season, when it was already a clear area of concern, despite them going […] The post Confirmed: Arsenal wasted huge transfer opportunity to replace departing star for net cost of just £5m appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Paris Saint-Germain have drawn both of their league games so far Monaco pose a tricky task on Friday“It’s like we’re at school,” Luis Enrique quipped as he entered the press conference room, hearing the journalists respond in unison to his hearty bonjour.His remark was fitting on the eve of Paris Saint-Germain’s first home match of the season, which lines up nicely with France’s rentrée, the term for the nationwide return to school and the office at the start of September. Although the new campaign is in full swing by now, the team have had to wait several weeks before making their return to the Parc des Princes, where they welcome second place Monaco on Friday night. Continue reading...
Lucas Digne has rejected comparisons between Barcelona’s current attacking approach and the system Luis Enrique has developed at Paris Saint-Germain, insisting that the Spanish coach has never been ...
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are landing one of Europe’s top young talents (Picture: Carl Recine/Getty Images) Andria Bartishvili has completed a medical with his move to Arsenal set to be completed this weekend. The Gunners have seen off interest from Liverpool and other top clubs from around Europe to land the Georgian wonderkid who flew into London on Thursday, as reported by Geo Team. The 17-year-old has now completed his medical and will now sign a five-year contract at the Emirates. Bartishvili, who has been christened ‘the new Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’, will officially join Arsenal next summer, turning 18 in March next year. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The teenager will arrive from Georgian side Kolkheti 1913 and has been hailed ‘new Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’. After he was pictured travelling to the capital this week, Bartishvili took to Instagram to pass on his gratitude for the kind messages he had received ahead of his move to Arsenal. ‘A very big thank you to everyone for the congratulations,’ he wrote. 🚨🔴⚪️ BREAKING: Andria Bartishvili has completed his medical as a Arsenal FC new player. 🩺✅The 17-year-old Georgian talent is set to put pen to paper on a 5-year deal with AFC tomorrow. ✍🏻🇬🇪Congratulations, Gooners — Georgia’s gem is yours. 💎 pic.twitter.com/wM2XUh7NBl— Geo Team (@Geo__team) September 3, 2026 Arsenal will be hopeful Bartishvili can replicate the rise of his countryman Kvaratskhelia, who emerged as one of the best wingers in world football following his rise at Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain. In June, former France and Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol – now in charge of the Georgian national team – picked Bartishvili out as a special talent. But Sagnol was keen to stress that talent alone was not a gurantee of the young star making it to the highest level. https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ-wQMzjXKL/?hl=en&img_index=1 ‘I watched the youth team play, Bartishvili is a very talented player,’ Sagnol explained. ‘However, for a talented player to take a step forward in his career, technique alone is not enough. ‘The right mindset is needed, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is an example of this. ‘Hopefully, Andria and the other young players will continue to work and develop to become great players in the future.’ Arsenal have made a number additions of their academy this summer with Igor Tyjon, Vincent Joseph, Axel Donczew, Elijah Upson and Mylo Bernard joining the ranks. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
After the failed deal in the summer, FC Barcelona are reportedly set to go all out for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez in the upcoming winter transfer window, with his signing turning into a "personal matter." Julian Alvarez pushed aggressively to seal a move to FC Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window, but Atletico Madrid‘s firm stance ultimately caused the deal to collapse. With relations frayed between the player and the supporters at Atletico, reports indicate that Barcelona view Alvarez’s signature as a “personal matter” and will pursue him relentlessly when the window reopens. During the 2026 World Cup, Julian Alvarez dropped a massive bombshell by making clear his intent to leave Atletico Madrid in order to “fulfill his career dream” of joining Barcelona. His public statement prompted CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin to issue a strict directive barring any negotiations with the Catalan club for the Argentine forward. An alternative exit route surfaced with Arsenal expressing interest, but Alvarez’s reluctance to return to England combined with his singular focus on Barcelona brought discussions to a complete standstill. Despite getting booed by Atletico supporters ahead of the deadline, the board’s refusal to negotiate with Barcelona prevented the move from going through, though the pursuit is far from over. According to Spanish insider David Bernabeu on Sport TV, Barcelona “are going to go all out” to secure Alvarez during the winter transfer window opening on January 1. The situation inside Camp Nou offices has intensified to the point that “it has become a personal matter,” the journalist reported. Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid walks off the field. After the Alvarez deal fell through alongside the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona settled on a €10 million ($11.6 million USD) deadline-day deal for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus. However, with the Brazilian limited to 13 goals across 54 appearances over his past two seasons, the club’s search for an elite long-term focal point like Alvarez remains fully active. Julian Alvarez receives advice from Atletico Madrid legend Having publicly declared his desire to leave, Alvarez’s relationship with the fanbase has grown hostile, as evidenced by his recent reception at the Metropolitano. During Atletico’s home opener against Villarreal, the Argentine was jeered by supporters whenever featured on the stadium screens, though he has received backing from a prominent club icon. Posting a video on his X account, Paulo Futre sent an open message to Alvarez, offering counsel on how to rebuild his standing with the Colchoneros: “Forgiveness isn’t with words, it’s with goals. And I have no doubt that you are going to give everything and sweat the jersey down to the last drop for this crest. Come on Atleti Julian! Let’s go, champion!“ Mensaje a Julián Álvarez pic.twitter.com/vmo2Fon448— Paulo Futre (@Futre) September 3, 2026 After arriving at Atletico in 1987 following a Champions League title with FC Porto, Futre spent eight seasons in the Spanish capital, totaling 209 appearances, 51 goals, and four assists while lifting two Copa del Rey trophies. His legacy extends beyond raw statistics, headlined by a memorable performance against Real Madrid in the 1992 Copa del Rey final and his famous rejection of a transfer to Los Blancos out of loyalty to Atletico.
MATT BARLOW: Tottenham's latest great hope is that Roberto De Zerbi will work some magic on Chelsea loanee Mykhailo Mudryk who he once hailed as a future Ballon d'Or winner.
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