Sporting CP defeated FC Porto 1-0 in Taça de Portugal. The fixture is part of the Semi-finals stage in the 2025 season. The match was played at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. C. Pereira officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Sporting CP vs FC Porto meeting in Taça de Portugal with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Sporting CP and FC Porto. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Taça de PortugalRecorded meetings: 20 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Sporting CP defeated FC Porto 1-0 in Taça de Portugal. The fixture is part of the Semi-finals stage in the 2025 season. The match was played at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. C. Pereira officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Sporting CP vs FC Porto meeting in Taça de Portugal with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Sporting CP and FC Porto. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Taça de PortugalRecorded meetings: 20 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Cristiano Ronaldo could make his season debut for Al Nassr in the match against Al Riyadh for the Saudi Pro League. Whether Cristiano Ronaldo actually takes the field on Friday for his Al Nassr’s season debut remains uncertain, but he’s at least back in the conversation. The 41-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season after missing his team opening two matches following his preseason absence. He returned to individual training earlier this week, and while there’s no guarantee he starts, Ronaldo has been included in Ange Postecoglou’s 21-man squad list for the trip to face Al Riyadh, opening the door for him to feature in some capacity even if it’s not from the opening whistle. Ahead of the match, Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dulac had nothing but praise for the possibility of facing him. “When we talk about Ronaldo, we are talking about a legend, someone who has made history in football and in the world of football. If Cristiano plays against us, it will be a pleasure for everyone,” Dulac said during a press conference. Al Nassr head into the match on a two-match winning run, having opened the Saudi Pro League with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh and cruising 4-1 past Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup. For Al Riyadh, who dropped their season opener 4-2 to Al Ettifaq, the match carries extra weight as they’ll need to win to get their campaign back on track. That’s a wrap on preparations 🎬💛Matchday next ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/2Vidi3Bu7s— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 Dulac struck an optimistic tone about the challenge ahead. “They are a very good team with an extremely strong squad and many stars. But I think that is also very good for us, because when we play against good players and very strong teams, we raise our own level as well,” the Brazilian coach added. Postecoglou won’t have his full squad available While Ronaldo’s potential return would give Postecoglou a major boost, it comes as Al Nassr also deals with six absences for the Al Riyadh match. The missing players are Saad Al Nasser, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Mohamed Maran, Raghed Al Najjar, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb. Per Arriyadiyah, the absences of Costa and Simakan in particular are tied to squad management rather than injury, with Postecoglou opting to rest the Portugal midfielder and France defender due to fatigue after a congested start to the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has discovered its next challenge in Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious knockout competition after the King’s Cup Round of 16 draw was completed. With eight single-leg ties scheduled for October, the Riyadh side now knows what stands between it and another step toward domestic silverware. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has discovered its next challenge in Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious knockout competition after the King’s Cup Round of 16 draw was completed. With eight single-leg ties scheduled for October, the Riyadh side now knows what stands between it and another step toward domestic silverware. The draw has produced several intriguing matchups involving Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs and ambitious challengers. Al-Nassr will have home advantage, but the tie could still demand full concentration from Ange Postecoglou’s side. The draw, held at Thmanyah studios on Thursday, August 20, confirmed that Al-Nassr will face Al-Kholood at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The match is scheduled to take place on October 19 or 20, although organizers have also announced November 30 and December 1 as alternative dates if the calendar requires adjustments. The Saudi Pro League champion booked its place in the last 16 with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Al-Diriyah earlier this week. Joao Felix stole the spotlight in that match, scoring twice and adding an assist after Al-Nassr initially fell behind. The cameras kept rolling when the match wasn’t 🎥💛This is the story behind our King’s Cup qualification 🎧 pic.twitter.com/w33ipgReV5— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 The opponent arrives with its own impressive cup story. Al-Kholood defeated First Division side Jeddah 5-0 in the Round of 32, with Spanish midfielder Iker Kortajarena scoring a first-half hat-trick to underline the club’s attacking threat. Al-Kholood brings recent King’s Cup pedigree Al-Kholood enjoyed a remarkable run in the previous edition of the competition. The club reached the King’s Cup final last season, even taking the lead against Al-Hilal before eventually losing 2-1. That campaign was particularly impressive because Al-Kholood was simultaneously fighting to preserve its top-flight status. Under Des Buckingham, the club managed to avoid relegation while establishing itself as a genuine threat in the cup, demonstrating that it can cause problems for more established opponents. 🗳 | The 2026-2027 King’s Cup draw is out!🆚 | Nassr to face AlKholood🏆 | Round of 16 – King’s Cup🏟 | In @VictoryArena_sa Best of luck to our Nassr 💛 pic.twitter.com/l5NheNuKcK— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 The recent league meeting between the two sides should also give Al-Nassr reason for caution. The teams played out a 1-1 draw, meaning Postecoglou’s players will already know that Al-Kholood can frustrate them when the game becomes competitive and tightly contested. Postecoglou faces another test with Ronaldo’s side Al-Nassr enters the tie as the obvious favorite given its squad quality and ambitions. Ronaldo remains the headline figure, while the Riyadh side can also call upon Joao Felix and a collection of international stars capable of deciding a knockout match. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr is challenged by Nasser Al-Dawsari of Al Hilal. For Postecoglou, the King’s Cup represents another opportunity to build momentum during his first season in charge. The Australian coach will be expected to challenge for multiple trophies, making a favorable home draw something Al-Nassr will want to capitalize on. Still, knockout soccer can quickly punish complacency. Al-Kholood’s cup pedigree, recent 1-1 draw with Al-Nassr and emphatic 5-0 victory in the previous round mean the visitor has enough evidence to believe it can produce another surprise.
A sensational move to Inter Miami has been floated as a possible next chapter for the Frenchman, although the situation surrounding his future is far more complicated than the glamorous destination might suggest. Lionel Messi could soon find himself sharing a dressing room with Karim Benzema, the former Real Madrid superstar who once played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and is now one of his biggest rivals in the Saudi Pro League. A sensational move to Inter Miami has been floated as a possible next chapter for the Frenchman, although the situation surrounding his future is far more complicated than the glamorous destination might suggest. Benzema’s situation has become one of the most intriguing stories of the Saudi transfer window. With his future at Al-Hilal increasingly uncertain, speculation has naturally turned toward where the 38-year-old could continue his career if he leaves the club. Reports from Diario AS and Sky Sports indicate that Benzema is negotiating a possible contract termination with Al-Hilal. The French striker is reportedly out of Simone Inzaghi’s plans, while the club has already identified Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins as a potential replacement. The situation became even more complicated after Benzema expressed his frustration at being substituted during Al-Hilal’s 4-2 victory over Al-Faisaly. Despite scoring in the match, the veteran forward was replaced in the second half, fueling further speculation about his relationship with the new manager. 🎥 BREAKING! Terjadi keributan antara Simone Inzaghi dan Benzema saat pertandingan Al-Hilal vs Al-Fasaily berlangsungBenzema yg ditarik keluar di menit 70 seperti terlihat tidak terima kalau dia harus digantikan ditengah pertandingan dam terlibat adu mulut dengan Inzaghi.… pic.twitter.com/jla1dkERK3— Dokter Gooners (@DokGooners) August 15, 2026 Inzaghi, however, attempted to calm the situation afterward. “We talked about that after the match. It’s normal that he wants to play every match, and I understand him because I was a striker too,” Inzaghi said, according to Saudi media reports. The Italian coach added that he has a respectful relationship with Benzema, describing him as “not only a great champion, but also a very great professional.” The financial problem blocking Benzema’s exit The biggest obstacle to Benzema leaving Al-Hilal is reportedly financial. The striker wants the full value of the final year of his contract, while Al-Hilal and the relevant Saudi soccer authorities are unwilling to simply pay the entire amount to terminate the agreement. Benzema’s contract structure makes matters even more complicated because part of his salary is reportedly covered through bodies connected to the Saudi Pro League. As a result, ending the deal could require approval from multiple parties rather than being a straightforward agreement between the player and the club. That issue has effectively put the next stage of the veteran striker’s career on hold. Al-Hilal wants to free up a foreign-player spot for a new striker, but it cannot fully move forward until Benzema’s contractual situation is resolved. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal during the AFC Champions League Elite. Could Messi and Benzema really unite in Miami? That uncertainty has opened the door to speculation about a stunning move to Major League Soccer. Inter Miami has been mentioned as a potential destination for Benzema, with the possibility of the Frenchman joining Messi, Luis Suarez and several other established stars creating an irresistible storyline, as per Saudi outlet Midan Al Yaum. The idea would reunite two of the most decorated forwards of their generation. Messi and Benzema spent years competing against each other in European soccer, particularly during Benzema’s Real Madrid career, but could now potentially become teammates in the United States.
Arsenal and Barcelona could work on a deal (Pictures: Getty) Mikel Arteta’s trust in Kai Havertz and Arsenal’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen has led Viktor Gyokeres to explore a move away from the Premier League champions. Sweden international Gyokeres endured a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. While that contribution helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004 and reach the Champions League final, there were concerns over Gyokeres’ all-round play. As a result Arsenal expressed interest in signing Julian Alvarez earlier in the summer but Atletico Madrid are still determined to keep hold of the Argentine World Cup winner. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The Gunners have also been linked with a fresh move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins while last week they reportedly opened talks with Galatasaray over a deal for Victor Osimhen. Like Atletico, Galatasaray have no interest in selling their superstar striker so close to the transfer deadline, but that has not deterred Arsenal who are still interested in striking a deal. Even if a new striker does not arrive in north London before the summer transfer window shuts, Gyokeres faces a battle for game-time with Kai Havertz starting last weekend’s emphatic Community Shield win over Manchester City. Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal last summer (Picture: Getty) Havertz missed much of last season through injury, only making 12 Premier League appearances, but looks set for an influential campaign given he has the trust of Arsenal boss Arteta. The prospect of playing back-up to Havertz and possibly even Osimhen has forced Gyokeres to consider his future at Arsenal and the 28-year-old in fact ‘wants to leave’, according to COPE. The Spanish outlet say Gyokeres’ has a ‘desire’ to move on this summer and has ‘offered himself’ to Barcelona as the La Liga champions look for a new striker. Mikel Arteta is interested in signing a new striker (Picture: Getty) Barca have been linked with a move for £64m former Sporting star Gyokeres as they too struggle to persuade Atletico to sell first-choice target Alvarez. It is claimed Gyokeres’ representatives are hoping to land a meeting with Barcelona transfer chief Deco to discuss a move to the Nou Camp. Earlier this week, Gyokeres insisted he was fully focussed on the new Premier League campaign amid speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal. Victor Osimhen has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty) ‘I’m looking forward a lot, it’s going to be nice to start a league campaign again and to start against my old club,’ Gyokeres told talkSPORT. ‘It’s a great way to start at home so I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t played against them so of course it’s going to be nice to see a few of them that are still there and meet the fans as well. ‘Everyone starts on zero points again, so we have to do it all over again. We don’t have to defend it [the title], we just have to win as many games as we can and then hopefully, we’ll be there in the end again.’ Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given insists Arsenal should be looking to sign an upgrade on Gyokeres after his ‘okay’ first season at the club. ‘A signing like Bruno Guimaraes can give Arsenal the strength in depth they need to win multiple trophies,’ Given told BoyleSports. ‘But I think they still need to strengthen their options up front with another striker as well. ‘Viktor Gyokeres did okay last season but I still think when you want to win multiple trophies, you need somebody at the very top of the pitch who only needs one chance to score, not three or four chances a game. ‘That’s the level Arsenal are at, at the minute. If there is an opportunity to bring in more quality up front, that’s part of the puzzle too.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and
With the Portuguese superstar working his way back to full fitness, the Australian coach faces a delicate call over how quickly to bring his captain back into the action. Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to competitive action is becoming one of the biggest talking points around Al-Nassr as Ange Postecoglou weighs an important decision ahead of the Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Riyadh. With the Portuguese superstar working his way back to full fitness, the Australian coach faces a delicate call over how quickly to bring his captain back into the action. According to Arriyadiyah, Ronaldo continued his rehabilitation plan on Wednesday without joining Al-Nassr’s group training session. The 41-year-old is recovering from a pelvic muscle injury after experiencing pain during a team session last week, although he reportedly felt no discomfort during Wednesday’s work. Instead, the Portuguese superstar completed specific fitness exercises alongside his recovery program as he continues to follow the medical staff’s return-to-play plan. The club is expected to assess him again during Thursday’s training session before determining whether he can feature against Al-Riyadh this Friday. View this post on Instagram That assessment could ultimately determine whether Ronaldo makes his first competitive appearance of the new season. Medical and physical tests will play a major role in deciding how much involvement, if any, he is ready to handle. Postecoglou faces crucial call The latest information has added another layer of intrigue to Ronaldo’s situation. 365Scores Arabic reports that the current inclination is for Ronaldo to be rested against Al-Riyadh, although Postecoglou is discussing the possibility of giving his captain some minutes. “The current inclination is for Cristiano Ronaldo to be rested against Al-Riyadh. However, Postecoglou is consulting with Ronaldo about giving him some minutes, with the final decision expected to be made in the coming hours,” the report stated. That means the door remains open to a short cameo from the bench, even if the veteran is ultimately deemed unready to start. Postecoglou’s decision will depend on both the medical assessment and the player’s own response to the workload. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Carefully managed return Ronaldo has already missed Al-Nassr’s opening competitive fixtures of the campaign. He was absent for the 3-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Fateh on August 15 before also sitting out the King’s Cup meeting with Al-Diriyah. His absence from those matches came after a demanding summer that included the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, followed by his return to club soccer later than some of his teammates. Postecoglou has therefore taken a cautious approach as he attempts to manage the workload of one of the most important players in his squad. The Australian coach took over at Al-Nassr in July following Jorge Jesus’ departure and has already overseen a positive start to the league campaign. With the club defending its Saudi Pro League crown, Postecoglou will want Ronaldo available for the long haul rather than risk rushing him back for one early-season fixture.
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Cristiano Ronaldo could make his season debut for Al Nassr in the match against Al Riyadh for the Saudi Pro League. Whether Cristiano Ronaldo actually takes the field on Friday for his Al Nassr’s season debut remains uncertain, but he’s at least back in the conversation. The 41-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season after missing his team opening two matches following his preseason absence. He returned to individual training earlier this week, and while there’s no guarantee he starts, Ronaldo has been included in Ange Postecoglou’s 21-man squad list for the trip to face Al Riyadh, opening the door for him to feature in some capacity even if it’s not from the opening whistle. Ahead of the match, Al Riyadh coach Mauricio Dulac had nothing but praise for the possibility of facing him. “When we talk about Ronaldo, we are talking about a legend, someone who has made history in football and in the world of football. If Cristiano plays against us, it will be a pleasure for everyone,” Dulac said during a press conference. Al Nassr head into the match on a two-match winning run, having opened the Saudi Pro League with a 3-0 win over Al Fateh and cruising 4-1 past Al Diriyah in the King’s Cup. For Al Riyadh, who dropped their season opener 4-2 to Al Ettifaq, the match carries extra weight as they’ll need to win to get their campaign back on track. That’s a wrap on preparations 🎬💛Matchday next ⏭️ pic.twitter.com/2Vidi3Bu7s— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 Dulac struck an optimistic tone about the challenge ahead. “They are a very good team with an extremely strong squad and many stars. But I think that is also very good for us, because when we play against good players and very strong teams, we raise our own level as well,” the Brazilian coach added. Postecoglou won’t have his full squad available While Ronaldo’s potential return would give Postecoglou a major boost, it comes as Al Nassr also deals with six absences for the Al Riyadh match. The missing players are Saad Al Nasser, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Mohamed Maran, Raghed Al Najjar, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb. Per Arriyadiyah, the absences of Costa and Simakan in particular are tied to squad management rather than injury, with Postecoglou opting to rest the Portugal midfielder and France defender due to fatigue after a congested start to the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has discovered its next challenge in Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious knockout competition after the King’s Cup Round of 16 draw was completed. With eight single-leg ties scheduled for October, the Riyadh side now knows what stands between it and another step toward domestic silverware. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has discovered its next challenge in Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious knockout competition after the King’s Cup Round of 16 draw was completed. With eight single-leg ties scheduled for October, the Riyadh side now knows what stands between it and another step toward domestic silverware. The draw has produced several intriguing matchups involving Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs and ambitious challengers. Al-Nassr will have home advantage, but the tie could still demand full concentration from Ange Postecoglou’s side. The draw, held at Thmanyah studios on Thursday, August 20, confirmed that Al-Nassr will face Al-Kholood at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh. The match is scheduled to take place on October 19 or 20, although organizers have also announced November 30 and December 1 as alternative dates if the calendar requires adjustments. The Saudi Pro League champion booked its place in the last 16 with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Al-Diriyah earlier this week. Joao Felix stole the spotlight in that match, scoring twice and adding an assist after Al-Nassr initially fell behind. The cameras kept rolling when the match wasn’t 🎥💛This is the story behind our King’s Cup qualification 🎧 pic.twitter.com/w33ipgReV5— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 The opponent arrives with its own impressive cup story. Al-Kholood defeated First Division side Jeddah 5-0 in the Round of 32, with Spanish midfielder Iker Kortajarena scoring a first-half hat-trick to underline the club’s attacking threat. Al-Kholood brings recent King’s Cup pedigree Al-Kholood enjoyed a remarkable run in the previous edition of the competition. The club reached the King’s Cup final last season, even taking the lead against Al-Hilal before eventually losing 2-1. That campaign was particularly impressive because Al-Kholood was simultaneously fighting to preserve its top-flight status. Under Des Buckingham, the club managed to avoid relegation while establishing itself as a genuine threat in the cup, demonstrating that it can cause problems for more established opponents. 🗳 | The 2026-2027 King’s Cup draw is out!🆚 | Nassr to face AlKholood🏆 | Round of 16 – King’s Cup🏟 | In @VictoryArena_sa Best of luck to our Nassr 💛 pic.twitter.com/l5NheNuKcK— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 The recent league meeting between the two sides should also give Al-Nassr reason for caution. The teams played out a 1-1 draw, meaning Postecoglou’s players will already know that Al-Kholood can frustrate them when the game becomes competitive and tightly contested. Postecoglou faces another test with Ronaldo’s side Al-Nassr enters the tie as the obvious favorite given its squad quality and ambitions. Ronaldo remains the headline figure, while the Riyadh side can also call upon Joao Felix and a collection of international stars capable of deciding a knockout match. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr is challenged by Nasser Al-Dawsari of Al Hilal. For Postecoglou, the King’s Cup represents another opportunity to build momentum during his first season in charge. The Australian coach will be expected to challenge for multiple trophies, making a favorable home draw something Al-Nassr will want to capitalize on. Still, knockout soccer can quickly punish complacency. Al-Kholood’s cup pedigree, recent 1-1 draw with Al-Nassr and emphatic 5-0 victory in the previous round mean the visitor has enough evidence to believe it can produce another surprise.
A sensational move to Inter Miami has been floated as a possible next chapter for the Frenchman, although the situation surrounding his future is far more complicated than the glamorous destination might suggest. Lionel Messi could soon find himself sharing a dressing room with Karim Benzema, the former Real Madrid superstar who once played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and is now one of his biggest rivals in the Saudi Pro League. A sensational move to Inter Miami has been floated as a possible next chapter for the Frenchman, although the situation surrounding his future is far more complicated than the glamorous destination might suggest. Benzema’s situation has become one of the most intriguing stories of the Saudi transfer window. With his future at Al-Hilal increasingly uncertain, speculation has naturally turned toward where the 38-year-old could continue his career if he leaves the club. Reports from Diario AS and Sky Sports indicate that Benzema is negotiating a possible contract termination with Al-Hilal. The French striker is reportedly out of Simone Inzaghi’s plans, while the club has already identified Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins as a potential replacement. The situation became even more complicated after Benzema expressed his frustration at being substituted during Al-Hilal’s 4-2 victory over Al-Faisaly. Despite scoring in the match, the veteran forward was replaced in the second half, fueling further speculation about his relationship with the new manager. 🎥 BREAKING! Terjadi keributan antara Simone Inzaghi dan Benzema saat pertandingan Al-Hilal vs Al-Fasaily berlangsungBenzema yg ditarik keluar di menit 70 seperti terlihat tidak terima kalau dia harus digantikan ditengah pertandingan dam terlibat adu mulut dengan Inzaghi.… pic.twitter.com/jla1dkERK3— Dokter Gooners (@DokGooners) August 15, 2026 Inzaghi, however, attempted to calm the situation afterward. “We talked about that after the match. It’s normal that he wants to play every match, and I understand him because I was a striker too,” Inzaghi said, according to Saudi media reports. The Italian coach added that he has a respectful relationship with Benzema, describing him as “not only a great champion, but also a very great professional.” The financial problem blocking Benzema’s exit The biggest obstacle to Benzema leaving Al-Hilal is reportedly financial. The striker wants the full value of the final year of his contract, while Al-Hilal and the relevant Saudi soccer authorities are unwilling to simply pay the entire amount to terminate the agreement. Benzema’s contract structure makes matters even more complicated because part of his salary is reportedly covered through bodies connected to the Saudi Pro League. As a result, ending the deal could require approval from multiple parties rather than being a straightforward agreement between the player and the club. That issue has effectively put the next stage of the veteran striker’s career on hold. Al-Hilal wants to free up a foreign-player spot for a new striker, but it cannot fully move forward until Benzema’s contractual situation is resolved. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal during the AFC Champions League Elite. Could Messi and Benzema really unite in Miami? That uncertainty has opened the door to speculation about a stunning move to Major League Soccer. Inter Miami has been mentioned as a potential destination for Benzema, with the possibility of the Frenchman joining Messi, Luis Suarez and several other established stars creating an irresistible storyline, as per Saudi outlet Midan Al Yaum. The idea would reunite two of the most decorated forwards of their generation. Messi and Benzema spent years competing against each other in European soccer, particularly during Benzema’s Real Madrid career, but could now potentially become teammates in the United States.
Arsenal and Barcelona could work on a deal (Pictures: Getty) Mikel Arteta’s trust in Kai Havertz and Arsenal’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen has led Viktor Gyokeres to explore a move away from the Premier League champions. Sweden international Gyokeres endured a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. While that contribution helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004 and reach the Champions League final, there were concerns over Gyokeres’ all-round play. As a result Arsenal expressed interest in signing Julian Alvarez earlier in the summer but Atletico Madrid are still determined to keep hold of the Argentine World Cup winner. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The Gunners have also been linked with a fresh move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins while last week they reportedly opened talks with Galatasaray over a deal for Victor Osimhen. Like Atletico, Galatasaray have no interest in selling their superstar striker so close to the transfer deadline, but that has not deterred Arsenal who are still interested in striking a deal. Even if a new striker does not arrive in north London before the summer transfer window shuts, Gyokeres faces a battle for game-time with Kai Havertz starting last weekend’s emphatic Community Shield win over Manchester City. Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal last summer (Picture: Getty) Havertz missed much of last season through injury, only making 12 Premier League appearances, but looks set for an influential campaign given he has the trust of Arsenal boss Arteta. The prospect of playing back-up to Havertz and possibly even Osimhen has forced Gyokeres to consider his future at Arsenal and the 28-year-old in fact ‘wants to leave’, according to COPE. The Spanish outlet say Gyokeres’ has a ‘desire’ to move on this summer and has ‘offered himself’ to Barcelona as the La Liga champions look for a new striker. Mikel Arteta is interested in signing a new striker (Picture: Getty) Barca have been linked with a move for £64m former Sporting star Gyokeres as they too struggle to persuade Atletico to sell first-choice target Alvarez. It is claimed Gyokeres’ representatives are hoping to land a meeting with Barcelona transfer chief Deco to discuss a move to the Nou Camp. Earlier this week, Gyokeres insisted he was fully focussed on the new Premier League campaign amid speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal. Victor Osimhen has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty) ‘I’m looking forward a lot, it’s going to be nice to start a league campaign again and to start against my old club,’ Gyokeres told talkSPORT. ‘It’s a great way to start at home so I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t played against them so of course it’s going to be nice to see a few of them that are still there and meet the fans as well. ‘Everyone starts on zero points again, so we have to do it all over again. We don’t have to defend it [the title], we just have to win as many games as we can and then hopefully, we’ll be there in the end again.’ Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given insists Arsenal should be looking to sign an upgrade on Gyokeres after his ‘okay’ first season at the club. ‘A signing like Bruno Guimaraes can give Arsenal the strength in depth they need to win multiple trophies,’ Given told BoyleSports. ‘But I think they still need to strengthen their options up front with another striker as well. ‘Viktor Gyokeres did okay last season but I still think when you want to win multiple trophies, you need somebody at the very top of the pitch who only needs one chance to score, not three or four chances a game. ‘That’s the level Arsenal are at, at the minute. If there is an opportunity to bring in more quality up front, that’s part of the puzzle too.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and
With the Portuguese superstar working his way back to full fitness, the Australian coach faces a delicate call over how quickly to bring his captain back into the action. Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to competitive action is becoming one of the biggest talking points around Al-Nassr as Ange Postecoglou weighs an important decision ahead of the Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Riyadh. With the Portuguese superstar working his way back to full fitness, the Australian coach faces a delicate call over how quickly to bring his captain back into the action. According to Arriyadiyah, Ronaldo continued his rehabilitation plan on Wednesday without joining Al-Nassr’s group training session. The 41-year-old is recovering from a pelvic muscle injury after experiencing pain during a team session last week, although he reportedly felt no discomfort during Wednesday’s work. Instead, the Portuguese superstar completed specific fitness exercises alongside his recovery program as he continues to follow the medical staff’s return-to-play plan. The club is expected to assess him again during Thursday’s training session before determining whether he can feature against Al-Riyadh this Friday. View this post on Instagram That assessment could ultimately determine whether Ronaldo makes his first competitive appearance of the new season. Medical and physical tests will play a major role in deciding how much involvement, if any, he is ready to handle. Postecoglou faces crucial call The latest information has added another layer of intrigue to Ronaldo’s situation. 365Scores Arabic reports that the current inclination is for Ronaldo to be rested against Al-Riyadh, although Postecoglou is discussing the possibility of giving his captain some minutes. “The current inclination is for Cristiano Ronaldo to be rested against Al-Riyadh. However, Postecoglou is consulting with Ronaldo about giving him some minutes, with the final decision expected to be made in the coming hours,” the report stated. That means the door remains open to a short cameo from the bench, even if the veteran is ultimately deemed unready to start. Postecoglou’s decision will depend on both the medical assessment and the player’s own response to the workload. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Carefully managed return Ronaldo has already missed Al-Nassr’s opening competitive fixtures of the campaign. He was absent for the 3-0 Saudi Pro League victory over Al-Fateh on August 15 before also sitting out the King’s Cup meeting with Al-Diriyah. His absence from those matches came after a demanding summer that included the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, followed by his return to club soccer later than some of his teammates. Postecoglou has therefore taken a cautious approach as he attempts to manage the workload of one of the most important players in his squad. The Australian coach took over at Al-Nassr in July following Jorge Jesus’ departure and has already overseen a positive start to the league campaign. With the club defending its Saudi Pro League crown, Postecoglou will want Ronaldo available for the long haul rather than risk rushing him back for one early-season fixture.
The third official presentation of the summer arrivals at Real Madrid took place today. After manager Jose Mourinho on Tuesday and Bernardo Silva yesterday, it was Ibrahima Konate’s turn. The Real M...
Crystal Palace are now pressing hard to be able to strike an agreement to bring in Lecce defensive talent Tiago Gabriel. The post Crystal Palace Now ‘Pressing Hard’ To Land 21-year-old appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Jose Mourinho has offered a surprisingly positive assessment of Barcelona’s work under Hansi Flick, praising both the German manager and sporting director Deco despite the fierce rivalry between the...
Everton consider Assane Diao as a Jack Grealish alternative, Sunderland move closer to a record Geny Catamo deal, and Hull and Ipswich join the race for Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi as Premier League transfer activity intensifies.
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