Football / Sports

Newcastle signs Alexander Isak for $70M

Newcastle made its most eye-catching move in the transfer market since coming under Saudi ownership, setting a club record to sign Sweden striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a reported 70 million euros ($70 million) on Friday.

It takes the spending of the richest club owners in world soccer to more than $130 million in the summer transfer window, though Newcastle still isn’t targeting the game’s top players despite its wealth.

The 22-year-old Isak burst into global consciousness through some impressive displays for Sweden at the European Championship last year. He is widely regarded as a potential star of the future thanks to his pace and dribbling ability but has a modest scoring record, having netted 44 goals in 132 appearances for Sociedad and nine in 37 for Sweden.

Isak joined Borussia Dortmund at the age of 17 and was sold two years later in 2019 after failing to break into the team.

“He is an outstanding talent who is capable of making a big contribution to the team,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.

“He is technically very good, with a mix of attributes that will complement us, but he is also at a great age to grow with this club.”

Netherlands defender Sven Botman, England goalkeeper Nick Pope and left back Matt Targett have already joined Newcastle in this transfer window.

Joelinton was Newcastle’s previous record signing after joining for 35 million pounds (then $44 million) in 2019.

That was two years before the buyout by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund that has moved the club from northeast England into a different realm.

Isak will compete with Callum Wilson and Chris Wood for a place up front. Wilson is facing time out of the team after getting hurt in the 3-3 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.

“I’m delighted to have it done,” Isak said of his move. “It was a big, big decision for me but it is a decision I am really happy with.”

He added: “You always want to go into a team and know …

Football / Sports

Champions League group stage draw: Tough tests for Liverpool and Man City as Bayern and Barcelona meet again

The group stage draw threw up some stellar ties, with Bayern in a group with Barcelona and Inter, while Liverpool and Manchester City were given tough starts to their campaigns.

Liverpool and Manchester City face challenging autumns while Bayern will look to continue their recent dominance over Barcelona in a mouth-watering section that also includes Inter after the draw for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage was made in Istanbul, Türkiye on Thursday.

Champions League group stage draw

Group A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, Rangers
Group B: Porto, Atlético, Leverkusen, Club Brugge
Group C: Bayern, Barcelona, Inter, Viktoria Plzeň
Group D: Frankfurt, Tottenham, Sporting CP, Marseille
Group E: AC Milan, Chelsea, Salzburg, Dinamo
Group F: Real Madrid, Leipzig, Shakhtar, Celtic
Group G: Man. City, Sevilla, Dortmund, Copenhagen
Group H: Paris, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa

Teams were divided into four pots based on their UEFA club coefficients. One team from each of the pots was then drawn into the eight groups, A–H. There were a few caveats: no team could play a club from their own association, and sides from the same association were paired to ensure they play on different nights.

 …

Football / Sports

Blame FIFA, not NFF, for Falconets ordeal in Istanbul

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), yesterday, absolved itself and the Federal Government from blame over the ordeal suffered by the women U-20 national team, Falconets, who were forced to sleep on the bare floor of Istanbul Airport after missing their connecting flight from Turkey to Abuja.

The Falconets, who were eliminated from the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women World Cup by The Netherlands at the weekend, were supposed to return to Nigeria on a Turkish Airline flight from Costa Rica on Monday.

The players’ ordeal came to the fore, yesterday when pictures of the girls lying on benches and on the floor at the Istanbul Airport flooded social media. Earlier, sources close to the team had accused the NFF of failing to provide basic kits with the Falconets needed for the competition, saying the players were given only three sets of green home wear and two sets of white away wear for a competition that would last three weeks.

He said this forced the players to wash their jerseys by hand after every game and also stopped them from exchanging jerseys with their opponents after each game.

The source added that the girls did not get the official footwear and were also forced to buy their own footwear despite the fact that the Federation has an existing kitting deal with an international sportswear manufacturing outfit. Reacting to the incident, yesterday, the NFF in a statement by its Media Director, Ademola Olajire, explained that a number of factors, including the inability to secure transit visas for players and officials of the team at the Istanbul Airport, led to the team having to stay 24 hours at the airport in Turkey.

“The NFF did not book the team’s tickets from Costa Rica; FIFA did. FIFA also did not envisage the hitches that saw the team delayed for more than three hours in Bogota, and another one hour in Panama. By the time the team got to Istanbul, the flight to Abuja had left. “Our officials pleaded for compassionate transit visas so as to …

Football / Sports

Marcus Rashford kickstarts Erik ten Hag era against listless Reds

Manchester United marked the belated launch of a new era under Erik Ten Hag as they deservedly beat rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Having lost to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in their opening two games of the new campaign, the Red Devils looked transformed as they outfought and out-thought their arch-rivals to earn their first win under the Dutchman.

Liverpool had ran out 5-0 victors at this stadium en route to falling agonizingly short of a quadruple trophy success last season, but they were well short of those standards in losing out this time around.

Goals in either half from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford gave the revitalized hosts an advantage that they refused to surrender even after Mohamed Salah’s late header set up a potentially grandstand finish.

And that has left Jurgen Klopp searching for answers to a poor start that has seen his side return two draws and a defeat.

Ten Hag’s tough love pays off

Ten Hag’s decision to force his players to take part in a running session the day after their defeat to Brentford was questioned in some quarters.

But the Dutchman’s hardline approach appeared to pay off on Monday evening as his side outfought opponents who are renowned for their hard-working approach under Jurgen Klopp.

By fulltime against Liverpool at Old Trafford, United had run 18.3km more than they had across the 90 minutes in west London.

And that had played no small part in them forcing a team packed with quality into constant mistakes — a key facet of the victory.

Liverpool midfield question persists

If there is one area of the pitch Liverpool fans would most like to see reinforced before the end of the transfer window, it is undoubtedly midfield. The argument for bringing in a fresh face in the center of the park in the next few days was only strengthened by events at Old Trafford.

Admittedly, youngster Harvey Elliott performed well, but he was a rare bright spot in an engine room that largely failed to …

Football / Sports

Pascal Gross double ruins Ten Hag’s Old Trafford bow

Pascal Gross netted a first-half brace to inspire Brighton to a deserved 2-1 win over Manchester United and ruin Erik ten Hag’s maiden Premier League outing.

Ten Hag named Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench at Old Trafford and his players were left floundering by Gross’ close-range expertise as the German midfielder took his career tally against United to six. A scrappy own-goal from Alexis MacAllister reduced the arrears but, even with Ronaldo on the field as a second-half substitute, the sort of late rally often synonymous with United on their home ground never materialized.

The Seagulls follow the torpor at Old Trafford

“Let’s give Brighton some credit before criticizing Manchester United,” Roy Keane said on Sky Sports at half-time, before immediately speaking in scathing terms about his old club. And that’s what probably hurts the most for United today: it’s all so familiar. There were shades of Louis van Gaal’s debut defeat to Swansea City in 2013, which followed a preseason of hope, renewal and optimism. At least everyone is a little bit longer in the tooth now.

Keane’s sentiment was correct. On paper, this is the 20-time champions of England losing to a team that has traditionally resided a good distance away from the top division. But Brighton are a problem for anyone on their day. When Pep Guardiola refers to them as “A Graham Potter team” it speaks volumes of the esteem in which the Albion boss is held by his most celebrated colleagues.

Brighton had a look at the puzzle they had to solve for the first 10 minutes or so, then proceeded to take United to the cleaners, with each delicate pass, turn and switch of play pricking at wounds that have understandably not healed after United’s dire 2021/22.

Reality check for Ten Hag

Potter reverted to a back three in Brighton’s final preseason friendly and stuck with that ploy to fine effect here, mitigating against the effect of losing Marc Cucurella for blockbusting money. A couple of seasons of calm, clear management and a defined …

Football / Sports

Erling Haaland goals seal opening win for Manchester City

Erling Haaland scored twice on his Premier League debut as Manchester City opened their title defence with a dominant win at West Ham United.

The striker got off the mark in the first half at the London Stadium as he won and then converted a penalty to give City a deserved lead.

West Ham struggled in the heat as City took charge of the ball and it wasn’t until the hour mark that David Moyes’ side posed any questions of the champions.

But it left space at the other end and Kevin De Bruyne’s perfect pass released Haaland, as the 22-year-old finished under Alphonse Areola to double City’s lead.

Relive the action from the London Stadium below after Manchester United were beaten by Brighton

West Ham vs Manchester City

  • 35’ GOAL! Haaland wins and scores penalty to get off the mark in the Premier League
  • 65’ GOAL! Haaland races clear and finishes to double City’s lead with his second

West Ham United FC 0 – 2 Manchester City FC…

Football / Sports

Chelsea sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton for £63m

Chelsea have signed Marc Cucurella from Brighton and Hove Albion, it was announced on Friday.

Cucurella joins Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £56m with a possible £7m in add-ons. Chelsea’s Levi Colwill will join Brighton on a season-long loan in return for the Cucurella transfer. The loan deal does not include an option to make the transfer permanent.

In a press conference on Friday, Thomas Tuchel said: “Marc is a fantastic player, a young player. He is young, hungry, mobile and a very intelligent player who can play a lot of positions in our system.”

On signing for Chelsea, Cucurella said: “I’m really happy. It’s a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world and I’m going to work hard to be happy here and help the team.”

Cucurella, 24, was wanted by Manchester City and Cucurella handed in a transfer request but the two clubs couldn’t strike a deal, with Brighton standing firm on a £50m valuation for the left-back. The deal stalled, as sources told ESPN that City weren’t willing to pay the asking price for the transfer, allowing Chelsea to battle for his signature

Sources told ESPN that City were only interested in signing the Spain left-back if the asking transfer fee was lowered to £35m.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly said: “Marc is an elite defender of proven Premier League quality and he further strengthens our squad going into the new season. We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we’re delighted Marc will be a part of the present and future at Chelsea.”

Throughout the transfer window, Tuchel has looked to bolster his defensive options with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen joining Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Chelsea wanted to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde, but the two defenders opted to move to Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Cucurella, who won Brighton’s player of the season award last season, played 38 games during his one year stay with Graham Potter’s team.

.…

Football / Sports

Alex Telles Closing In On Move To Sevilla

Telles has suddenly fallen out of favour at United due to the addition of Tyrell Malacia at the club, with the Dutch full back already being named as direct competition for Luke Shaw.

Despite playing more league games than Shaw last season, it’s understood that Telles isn’t directly part of Erik Ten Hag’s plan and that a move away from the club is best suited.

Telles has been listed as a possible exit for some weeks now with many rumors about potential clubs floating around, however it looks like the saga is about to be closed.

The Brazilian full back has been an ever present face in United’s pre season fixtures despite practically being out of the plans.

Telles has picked up valuable minutes and fitness ahead of a move that could happen imminently.

According to a report from Tati Mantovani via TNT Sports Brazil, Telles is set to join Spanish side Sevilla on loan.

“Alex Telles to Sevilla is practically done. Only medical exams and details of the loan contract with Manchester United are missing.”…

Football / Sports

Premier League players will limit taking a knee before matches, league announces ahead of new season

Premier League players will no longer routinely take a knee before matches, the league has announced ahead of the new season.

Players began taking the knee during Project Restart, in the wake of George Floyd’s unlawful killing in the USA and the Black Lives Matter movement which followed.

More recently, a number of individual clubs and players have announced they will stop taking a knee and now, the Premier League have followed suit more than two years since the initiative was first introduced.

Players will still take a knee before certain rounds of matches, including the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals, as well as Boxing Day matches and the Premier League’s No Room For Racism rounds.

In a statement, the Premier League said: “Ahead of the new season, Premier League club captains have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination.

“The players have decided to use specific moments during the upcoming campaign to take the knee, to amplify the message that racism has no place in football or society.

“The Premier League supports the players’ decision and, alongside the clubs, will use these opportunities to elevate anti-racism messaging as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan.”

Speaking as a collective, the 20 Premier League captains added that they would use “significant moments” of the forthcoming season to take the knee.

“We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all,” they added.

The Premier League has also announced that £238,000 will be donated to a number of youth clubs on behalf of the club captains, with £119,000 coming from the royalties of the ‘No Room for Racism’ sleeve badges sold on club shirts …

Football / Sports

Chloe Kelly’s heroics gift Lionesses historic UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 victory

Chloe Kelly wrote her name in football history – scoring the winner to hand the Women’s EURO 2022 to England, who beat Germany 2-1 at Wembley.

A crowd of 87,192 – the highest attendance for any Euros final men’s or women’s – were present as it took extra-time to separate them, as one might have expected from these two teams whose defenses have proved impressively solid throughout the tournament.

Substitute Ella Toone put England in front against the eight-time European champions with a beautiful lob after a slide-rule pass from Keira Walsh. But Lina Magull equalized with another fantastic strike – her third of the tournament – to force the added half-hour.

And then Kelly – another sub – made herself a legend by bundling the ball over the line, and then stripping off her shirt in celebration, emulating the USA’s Brandi Chastain back in 1999.

England’s USA moment

It ended with a delirious Kelly tearing off her shirt and whirling it around her head – just as Brandi Chastain of the USA did as she scored the winning penalty in the final of the 1999 Women’s World Cup. That, too, was the most successful edition of that tournament up until that point.

But England’s matchup with Germany was a game that did not go quite according to plan.

England would have expected to set up to deal with Alexandra Popp, the Germany striker who had scored in every single match of the campaign up until the final, and Beth Mead’s nearest challenger for the Golden Boot.

That would have involved a strong aerial threat, with four of Popp’s six goals of the tournament coming from her head.

But seconds before the teams took to the pitch, word filtered through that Popp was out of the starting lineup due to an injury incurred in the warmup. She was replaced by Lea Schuller – a very different type of threat, with additional pace and tricky feet.

Either way, the match was always going to have plenty of determination and the additional …

Football / Sports

Lingard joins Forest after leaving United

Nottingham Forest pulled off its biggest signing since clinching a return to the Premier League by bringing in Jesse Lingard on a free transfer. The England midfielder was available after ending his 22-year association with Manchester United during the offseason.

Lingard’s move to Forest was announced late Thursday. He is the 11th signing made by the promoted club as it prepares for a first season in the Premier League since 1999. The length of Lingard’s deal was not disclosed.

The 29-year-old Lingard spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at West Ham, scoring nine goals in 16 starts in the league, and he was linked with a permanent move to the London club.…

Football / Sports

Djed Spence: Tottenham sign Middlesbrough defender on five-year contract in £20m deal

The right wing-back, who completed a medical at Hotspur Way on Friday, has signed until June 2027 after Spurs agreed a deal that will see them pay an initial £12.5m, with a further £7.5m coming in performance-related add-ons.

The 21-year-old made 46 appearances on loan for Nottingham Forest last season and there was a chance he might have joined Steve Cooper’s side on a permanent deal this summer.

But Spence has become Spurs’ sixth major signing of the season, following the arrivals of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and loanee Clement Lenglet.
To play in the Premier League and for a big club like Tottenham, it’s a dream come true,” Spence told Tottenham’s official website.”I’m thankful I’m here and I’ve got the opportunity to play for the club. It’s a privilege to be here.
…
Football / Sports

Dybala set to join AS Roma on free transfer

Argentina international forward Paulo Dybala has agreed a deal in principle to sign for Serie A side AS Roma on a free transfer following his departure from Juventus, a source close to the club told Reuters on Monday.

Dybala, who was linked with a transfer to Inter Milan after his deal with Juventus expired, will sign a three-year contract with Roma worth 6 million euros ($6.09 million), Italian news agency ANSA said.

The 28-year-old won five league titles and four Coppa Italia trophies with Juventus after joining the Turin-based club from Palermo in 2015, scoring 115 goals in 293 appearances across all competitions.

Dybala will become Roma’s fourth signing of the transfer window after the arrivals of midfielder Nemanja Matic, goalkeeper Mile Svilar and defender Zeki Celik.

Roma finished sixth in Serie A last season and won the Europa Conference League under Jose Mourinho.…

Football / Sports

Chelsea complete signing of England forward Raheem Sterling from Manchester City

Chelsea on Wednesday announced that they have completed the signing of England forward Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.

Sterling has signed a five-year contract with The Blues and has already linked up with the squad in Los Angeles where the team is currently on their pre-season tour.

The English forward has been a consistent performer for Manchester City over the past seven seasons, hitting double figures in goals in each of the campaigns and winning nine major honors during his time. He has also won the Premier League title four times.

Chelsea’s Chairman and co-controlling owner Todd Boehly expressed his happiness about signing Sterling and said that the forward is a serial winner and the move is an important step in strengthening the squad.

“Raheem Sterling is a serial winner and his signing is an important step in strengthening our squad. We are delighted for Raheem to return to London with Chelsea, and we look forward to seeing his world-class talent on display at Stamford Bridge,” said Boehly.

The 27-year-old also opened up on his happiness in joining Thomas Tuchel’s side and said he aims to achieve more success with the Blues. Sterling is also happy to be back in London, his hometown, and said it would be a great opportunity to play in front of friends and family.

“First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be here. I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’s management.”

“London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans there soon.”

“I do want to take the opportunity to thank Todd, Behdad, the ownership group, Thomas, and all involved in the process of getting me here.”

“I can’t wait to get going now and continue …

Football / Sports

Sebastien Haller joins Borussia Dortmund from Ajax Amsterdam

German club Borussia Dortmund has sealed the transfer of striker Sebastien Haller from Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam, both clubs have confirmed. The 28-year-old former Eintracht Frankfurt striker returns to the Bundesliga after putting pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Black and Yellows, the clubs said in an official statement on Wednesday.

We are very pleased that with Sebastien Haller we were able to sign a seasoned striker who caused a sensation in the Champions League. He also knows the Bundesliga and has already proven his class and quality in front of the goal,” said Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl on Wednesday.

Haller knows the Bundesliga very well as he played for the “Eagles” from 2017 until 2019 to provide 24 goals in 60 competitive matches. He most recently finished the season as a top scorer (21 goals) in the Dutch Eredivisie and ended up in third in the Champions League goal-getters standings after marking 11 goals, behind Robert Lewandowski (13) and Karim Benzema (15), reports Xinhua.

“It is a great stadium, but the greatest stadium is nothing without supporters. I can hardly wait to be able to feel the support of more than 80,000 spectators. Hopefully, we will achieve great things together in the coming years,” Haller told the club’s official website.

Dortmund’s new arrival received the number 9 jersey after the departure of Erling Haaland.

The eight-time German champions clash with lower league side TSV 1860 Munich in the first round in the German Cup on July 27 before they host Bayer Leverkusen for their Bundesliga opener on August 6.…

Football / Sports

Barcelona sign Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen on free transfers

Barcelona have confirmed the signings of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers from AC Milan and Chelsea respectively.

Kessie, 25, has joined Barca on a four-year deal after his contract expired with Milan on June 30.

The midfielder has a €500 million release clause in his new contract, which runs to 2026. Barca will present him on Wednesday.

The Ivory Coast international’s move to Camp Nou ends his five-year stay at the Rossoneri where he made 224 appearances and scored 39 goals.

Kessie strengthens coach Xavi Hernandez’s options in midfield and will compete for a place in the team with Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi and Nico Gonzalez.

After moving to Italy with Atalanta in 2015 and following a loan spell with Cesena, Kessie joined Milan on loan in 2017 before making the move permanently in 2019.

He played a central role this season as Milan won a first Serie A title in 11 years, scoring six times in 31 appearances, including one against Sassuolo last weekend as the league was wrapped up.

Meanwhile, Denmark international Christensen, 26, joins Barca after his contract expired with Chelsea last month.

The defender’s move to Camp Nou brings an end to his 10-year stay at Chelsea, where he made 161 first-team appearances.

Christensen strengthens the centre-back options for the club that includes Ronald Araujo, who recently signed a new long-term contract, Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia.

Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza all remain at the club, too,

After making his senior debut for Chelsea in 2014, Christensen completed a two-year loan spell at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach between 2015 and 2017.

He has featured regularly under several different coaches since returning to Stamford Bridge, helping the club win the Europa League in 2019 and the Champions League in 2021.…

Football / Sports

Tyrell Malacia signs for #mufc on a four-year contract plus the option of an extra year

“Tyrell [Malacia] is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands.

John Murtough: “We look forward to seeing him [Malacia] continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead. Everyone at #mufc welcomes Tyrell to the club.”

Tyrell Malacia: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined #mufc. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager leading us.” “I know from playing against his [Ten Hag] teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players. “Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the #mufc fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt.…

Football / Sports

Mauricio Pochettino sacked at PSG: What’s next for the Argentine manager?

After weeks of being one of the worst kept secrets in European soccer, it is now official: Mauricio Pochettino is no longer Paris Saint-Germain head coach. The Argentine has been shown the door by the French giants along with sporting director Leonardo with Luis Campos of AS Monaco and Lille OSC fame now shaping the project and Christophe Galtier leading it on the pitch.

“Paris Saint-Germain confirm that Mauricio Pochettino has ended his role at the club,” read an official statement on Tuesday. “The Argentine coach and his team joined the club in January 2021. A former captain of the Rouge & Bleus, Pochettino took charge of 84 competitive games. Under his tenure, Paris Saint-Germain won the 2020 Trophée des Champions and the 2020/21 Coupe de France, as well as the club’s historic 10th Ligue 1 title last April. The club would like to thank Mauricio Pochettino and his staff for their work and wish them the best for the future.”

Galtier, who led the Lille OSC side which pipped PSG to the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title, replaces Pochettino in the French capital after an underwhelming 18-month spell at Parc des Princes with a 50% domestic cup success rate given that he secured one Championnat, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions title apiece. The 50-year-old South American did manage one UEFA Champions League semifinal from two which can only be bettered by predecessor Thomas Tuchel, but the recent round of 16 exit at the hands of Real Madrid negates that somewhat.

Ultimately, the ex-PSG captain’s spell in France was a false dawn given that the emotional return of a former player who had spoken so highly of never truly materialized. However, where Pochettino was judged and failed to deliver was on the pitch with his only full season in charge bitterly disappointing despite the presence of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi in his squad.

The man from Murphy’s inability to stamp any real identity on this group of players meant that PSG never really felt like a …

Football / Sports

Arsenal sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City

Arsenal have completed the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, both clubs and the player announced Monday.

Sources also added that Arsenal will pay £45 million plus a further £10 million in add-ons to sign the striker, who will wear their No. 9 shirt.

“It’s been a pleasure to play for Manchester City,” Jesus said. “I feel like I am a better player now than when I arrived — and to win 11 trophies has been amazing.

“My four Premier League titles are particularly special for me. I want to thank everyone at City — the manager, my teammates and the fans — for all the support they have given me over the past 5½ years.”

As Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta added, “I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.

“This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now, and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”

Arsenal, who have already signed midfielder Fabio Vieira and United States goalkeeper Matt Turner, are looking to strengthen after missing out on Champions League football.

Arteta’s side were in need of a striker after Alexandre Lacazette returned to Lyon on a free transfer this summer while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona for free in January.

Jesus, who had only one year remaining on his contract at City, contributed 13 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for the Premier League champions last season, and the 25-year-old can play in all attacking positions.

In total, he scored 95 goals in 236 matches for City.…

Football / Sports

Man City sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United

Manchester City have completed the signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds on a six-year contract, in a deal worth an initial £42m.

Phillips becomes the Premier League champions’ third signing of the summer following the arrival of Erling Haaland and back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega Moreno.

The 26-year-old, who will wear the No 4 shirt at the Etihad, was Pep Guardiola’s priority target to replace Fernandinho at the base of midfield.

Phillips leaves boyhood club Leeds having become a key figure at Elland Road as part of their return to the Premier League during Marcelo Bielsa’s three-and-a-half seasons in charge.

“I am absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City,” Phillips said. “City have again proved to be the best team in the country with an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world.

“To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about.

“City are a world-class club with world-class staff and facilities and it’s a dream come true to have joined the club. Now I can’t wait to get started and to look to try and help the team to go on and achieve more success.”

Injury restricted Phillips to just 23 appearances in all competition last season but he returned towards the end of the campaign to help Jesse Marsch’s side escape relegation to the Championship.

The 26-year-old is also considered a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England set-up and is expected to travel as part of the squad for the World Cup in Qatar in November.

Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, said: ““We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Kalvin to Manchester City.

“He is a player that we have long admired, and at both domestic and international level, he has proved his fantastic ability and quality over the past few seasons.

“His reading of the game, alongside his passing …