Manchester City complete £77.6million signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig
Manchester City have finalised the signing of Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. The 21-year-old completed his medical with City on Friday afternoon after the Premier League champions agreed a fee of 90million euros (£77.6m) with Leipzig. City announced on their official website: “Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. “The 21-year-old becomes the second signing of the summer transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following in the footsteps of fellow Croatian international Mateo Kovacic.” Gvardiol has spent the last two seasons at Leipzig, making 87 appearances in all competitions, and was key to Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar at the end of last year. He said: “I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me. “Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has. “To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.” Gvardiol will add competition on the left side of City’s defence, having helped Croatia reach the last four at the World Cup and then the final of the Nations League, where they were beaten by Spain. He started out at Dinamo Zagreb, making his senior debut for his hometown club aged 17 in 2019, and, after turning down an approach from Leeds, joined RB Leipzig for £13.8million in the summer of 2021. Gvardiol returned on loan to Zagreb for the remainder of the 2020-21 season and helped them win the domestic double. In his first season at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig won the their first major trophy – the DFB-Pokal – and qualified for the Champions League after finishing runners-up to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Gvardiol made 59 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Europa League and ensured a second season in the Champions League last season. After making his first senior international start for Croatia in their opening group defeat to England at Euro 2020, Gvardiol played every minute for Zlatko Dalic’s side as they finished third at the 2022 World Cup.
1970-01-01 08:00
Micky van de Ven set for Tottenham medical
Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven is set to undergo a medical with Tottenham ahead of a switch to the Premier League, 90min understands.
1970-01-01 08:00
Tottenham complete Ash Phillips signing from Blackburn
Tottenham have completed the signing of England youth international Ash Phillips from Blackburn. Phillips, 18, made eight appearances for Rovers in the Sky Bet Championship last season and has been allowed to leave for Spurs after his £2million release clause became active this weekend. The centre-back had been close to joining Tottenham last month before negotiations between the clubs stalled, but he has now signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club. Ex-Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray highlighted the excitement around Phillips back in the 2021-22 season when he described him as “a phenomenal young boy” before he told Lancashire Live: “If you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute.” Phillips earned his full debut in a Carabao Cup first-round tie against Hartlepool last August and also started Rovers’ 4-1 defeat to Premier League side Nottingham Forest in December. The teenager had signed his first professional contract with Blackburn by this point and played 14 times in all competitions last season under Jon Dahl Tomasson, winning Championship apprentice of the year. A regular in England age-group levels since he switched allegiances from Wales in 2021, under-19 international Phillips will continue his development at Tottenham, but the club are still working on plans to further recruit in the centre-back area. Spurs, who conceded 63 goals in the Premier League last season, are edging closer to the signing of Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven but have cooled their interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba. Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham and former loanee Clement Lenglet remain targets. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez completes £25million Chelsea move
Chelsea have completed the signing of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton on a seven-year deal. The Blues agreed a £25million deal with Brighton to sign the 25-year-old Spaniard on Thursday and have now finalised the move. The transfer involves an up-front £25m payment, with an additional sell-on clause included, the PA news agency understands. Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart said on the club website: “We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit. “Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with (head coach) Mauricio (Pochettino) and his coaching team during the season ahead.” Sanchez, who made 23 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season, will challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for a starting place at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have now made seven summer signings under Pochettino, who is rebuilding the squad following his appointment in May as a permanent replacement for Graham Potter. France defender Axel Disasi and 19-year-old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu arrived at Stamford Bridge earlier this week from Monaco and Rennes respectively. Wingers Diego Moreira (Benfica B) and Angelo (Santos) plus forwards Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal) and Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) have also been signed this summer. Sanchez, who has made two senior appearances for Spain and was included in both their Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022 squads, made 91 appearances for Brighton in all competitions after progressing through their academy. He had loan spells at Forest Green and Rochdale before becoming a regular starter for Brighton during the 2020-21 season. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tottenham complete Ash Phillips signing from Blackburn On This Day in 2019: Harry Maguire joins Manchester United Castleford coach Andy Last sacked after heavy home defeat to Huddersfield
1970-01-01 08:00
Manchester City sign second most expensive central defender in history
Manchester City have completed the signing of Josko Gvardiol, making the Croatia international the second most expensive centre-back ever. City have paid RB Leipzig £77 million for the 21-year-old, who passed a medical at the Etihad Stadium on Friday, and he has signed a five-year contract. The fee is just short of the world record for a defender, the £80 million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, and Gvardiol becomes City’s second summer signing, after his international teammate Mateo Kovacic. Gvardiol believes he can improve under Pep Guardiola, who he called the world’s outstanding manager, after agreeing to join the treble winners. He said: “I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me. “Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has. “To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing for me. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football. To be linking up with Mateo Kovacic will also be special. City director of football Txiki Begiristain added: “We are delighted. He is a player we have watched closely, and we feel he has a superb set of attributes. Top clubs all over Europe have been monitoring him, so to bring him here is great news for us. “Josko has so many qualities – everything you want in a centre-half. He is fast, competitive, combative, strong in the air, impressive in possession of the ball, with strong self-belief and a good character. He is left-footed, too, which offers us good options at the back. “He is still young but his progress in the game has been rapid. We feel confident his upward trajectory will continue here at City working with Pep and his staff.” Gvardiol is unlikely to make his City debut in Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal but could be in contention for their Premier League opener at Burnley on Friday. Read More Barcelona landed one Man City star for free - now Pep Guardiola won’t allow another Pep Guardiola keen to avoid ‘difficult’ transfer task after Man City lose ‘incredible players’ When is the Community Shield? How to watch Arsenal vs Man City online and on TV this weekend
1970-01-01 08:00
Charting the Global Economy: US Payrolls Rise at a Moderate Pace
US employers continued to add workers at a steady, yet more moderate pace, suggesting the economy has scope
1970-01-01 08:00
How to watch Manchester United vs Lens: TV channel and kick-off time for preseason friendly
With the Premier League season fast approaching, Manchester United take on RC Lens in the first of back-to-back friendlies on a busy weekend at Old Trafford. The meeting with the French club is followed by a visit from Athletic Bilbao, with Erik ten Hag hoping to find out plenty about his squad as he embarks on a second season in charge. Ten Hag’s side begin their league campaign against Wolves on Monday 14 August and are likely to soon have a new striker, with Rasmus Hojlund’s move from Atalanta close to completion. The Danish forward could be unveiled before the fixture against Lens, who finished second in Ligue 1 last season. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Manchester United vs Lens? Manchester United vs Lens is due to kick off at 12.45pm BST on Saturday 5 August at Old Trafford in Manchester. How can I watch it? The match will be shown live on MUTV, with coverage on the channel from 11.45am BST. Subscribers can stream the action via the MUTV app. Team news Summer signings Mason Mount and Andre Onana could feature for the first time at their new home. Left-back Tyrell Malacia is out, while there are doubts over Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho. Lens have lost Lois Openda and Seko Fofana, two standouts last season, in big money moves to RB Leipzig and Al-Nassr respectively this summer, though Andy Diouf is highly rated and looks a handy addition from Basel. The 20-year-old is a likely midfield starter. Predicted line-ups Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro; Fernandez, Mount; Antony, Rashford, Sancho. RC Lens XI: Samba; Machado, Medina, Danso, Haidara; Diouf, Fulgini; Cortes, Thomasson, Frankowski; Said. Odds Manchester United win 31/50 Draw 16/5 Lens win 17/4 Prediction A narrow home win. Manchester United 2-1 RC Lens. Read More Man Utd look to unveil Rasmus Hojlund as latest signing this weekend Luke Shaw: Time for Man Utd to step up with Man City success ‘hard to take’ Erik ten Hag highlights Manchester United ‘challenge’ in push to ‘raise the bar’
1970-01-01 08:00
Mikel Arteta admits self-doubts after Arsenal's Premier League title collapse
Mikel Arteta admits to doubting his ability as a manager after Arsenal lost the Premier League title race to Man City.
1970-01-01 08:00
West Ham agree £26m deal to sell Gianluca Scamacca
West Ham agree to sell Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca in a deal that will eventually be worth £26m. The Hammers now have Michail Antonio, Danny Ings and Divin Mubama as their remaining options up front.
1970-01-01 08:00
Eva Mendes reveals she doesn’t let her and Ryan Gosling’s daughters use the internet
Eva Mendes has revealed that she doesn’t let her and Ryan Gosling’s daughters use the internet. The actor, 49, took to Instagram on 3 August to share one of the rules that she has for her and Gosling’s daughters - Esmeralda, eight, and Amada, seven. Mendes shared a video of herself shaking her head no and wagging her finger, as she pointed out that’s how she responds to her children when they ask to use the internet. “When my kids ask me if they’re old enough to go on the internet, social media or anything requiring wifi,” she wrote in the caption. When a fan in the comments asked when she will allow her children use the internet, Mendes candidly confessed that she’s still figuring that out. She also specified that she’s been doing research on how social media can impact children as they continue to get older. “I honestly don’t know. I have to see where it goes,” the Hitch star responded. “For now, I’m observing them and keeping up with research about how social media can impact a child’s brain.” She responded to another fan who praised her parenting decision, with Mendes noting that while she’s “just sharing what [she] feels now”, she thinks it’ll be harder to keep her children away from the internet as they get older. Mendes clarified that her children are still given screentime, adding: “I let my kids use the iPad to make movies and watch films I’ve downloaded, but I don’t have internet access on the iPad.” The actress was also hit with some criticism for her parenting rule, with one Instagram user writing: “We are in the internet century so eventually everyone will need or want to access the internet sorry.” While it appears the comment has since been deleted, Mendes responded to the remark by explaining why she doesn’t feel like the internet is a safe space for her children. “In my house, children do not have access to the internet,” she responded to the remark, as reported by E! News. “It’s too dangerous. Just like drinking or voting or getting a driver’s license (etc..) isn’t allowed for children, the internet falls under that category for me. Especially social media.” While Mendes and Gosling - who’ve been together since 2011 - are notoriously private about their family life, the couple have shared a few details about raising children together. During an interview with Byrdie in July 2022, Mendes explained that she and her partner want to make sure that their children feel confident in themselves throughout everything they do in life. “Hopefully Ryan and I are doing the work by just loving them, completely loving them, and doing most of that work for them so that they grow up feeling like they’re enough,” she said. “That’s the one thing that’s really important to me. Because once they feel like they’re enough, no matter what they do, no matter what they end up doing, that will feed into every area of your life. Especially into how attractive you feel, or any of that stuff.” In a cover story interview with GQ in June, Gosling also shared some candid thoughts about fatherhood. He revealed that prior to his relationship with Mendes, he didn’t think much about becoming a father. However, that all changed when Mendes told him she was pregnant. “Eva said she was pregnant,” he recalled. “I would never want to go back, you know? I’m glad I didn’t have control over my destiny in that way, because it was so much better than I ever had dreamed for myself.” Elsewhere in the interview, the Barbie star clarified previous comments he made about the moment Mendes learned she was pregnant. While he maintained that he “wasn’t thinking about kids” before they met, Gosling said: “After I met Eva, I realised that I just didn’t want to have kids without her.” Read More Eva Mendes shows off dress made out of sponges as she jokes it’ll be her Oscars outfit Ryan Gosling’s daughters hilariously prove ‘nobody plays with Ken’ Ryan Gosling’s subtle tribute to Eva Mendes at the Barbie premiere Eva Mendes reveals she doesn’t let her daughters use the internet What is Stiff Person Syndrome? Nearly half of US adults are interested in taking weight loss prescription drugs
1970-01-01 08:00
World Scout Jamboree Sees Early Pullouts Amid Deadly Korean Heat
The US, the UK and Singapore pulled out of a youth scout gathering in South Korea where hundreds
1970-01-01 08:00
Watch live: Japan and Norway fans gear up for World Cup clash
Watch live as fans gear up to watch Japan and Norway's World Cup clash as the last-16 begins on Saturday, 5 August in Wellington, New Zealand. Japan have emerged as one of the tournament favourites after finishing top of Group C and becoming the top scorers in the group stage. They scored 11 goals in the group stage without conceding. Norway finished second in Group A despite playing most of the first round without Ada Hegerberg. The star striker took part in training in the New Zealand capital on Friday but has not played in more than two weeks. Hegerberg has not been named in Norway's starting XI, which is: Emilie Haavi, Sophie Roman Haug, Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten, Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Vilde Boe Risa, Tuva Hansen, Mathilde Hauge Harviken, Maren Naevdal Mjelde, Thea Bjelde, and Aurora Mikalsen. Follow our live coverage here. Read More Staking a claim for the World Cup – Ireland versus Italy talking points Danny Care will not hold back in bid to secure spot in England’s World Cup squad Ireland out to change World Cup story after 2019 disappointment – Tadhg Beirne
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