Santi Gimenez's thigh injury isn't the biggest challenge he's had to overcome and he'll use previous experience to overcome.
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Santiago Gimenez’s time on the pitch for 2024 is sadly over.
The Mexico forward suffered a thigh injury in Feyenoord’s match with NAC Breda on Sunday, and the club announced this week he will miss three months because of the injury.
It’s bad news for the Dutch club, which relied on Gimenez up top in its opening seven matches. It’s bad news for Mexico, which has high hopes for the 23-year-old and believes he can be the country's next star. And it’s bad news for Gimenez, who now must work to get back on the field and find the same rhythm he’s shown since moving to the Netherlands.
The good news? It’s nothing Gimenez hasn’t overcome before.
Getty Images Sport
A soccer career that almost didn't happen…
As a 17-year-old in the Cruz Azul academy, Gimenez suffered a health issue that he thought would force him to find a new career, giving up the sport he loves. Being a soccer player was the only thing Gimenez had ever dreamed of. The sport was a part of his family's DNA.
His father, Argentina native Christian “Chaco” Giménez, played as a midfielder for Boca Juniors before moving to Mexico and suiting up for many seasons with Pachuca and Cruz Azul. His form earned several Mexico national team caps after becoming a naturalized citizen.
So news of a complicated thrombosis in his shoulder that could’ve required a lifelong dependence on anticoagulants was tough for Santi to swallow.
“I remember this day the doctor told me, ‘You won’t be able to play football anymore.’ My dad and I went to a room, obviously both of us crying, I asked him ‘Why did this happen to me?’” Santi Gimenez told CalienteTV this year. “I felt I was a good kid, I helped people. I asked, ‘Why is this happening to me if I’m not a bad person?’ My dad said, ‘I don’t know. I honestly don’t have the answer, but there’s someone who has it. That’s God.’”
After three operations and six months away from the soccer field, Gimenez was cleared to return. He quickly began building toward his 2017 professional debut, becoming a regular first-teamer with Cruz Azul in the 2019 Apertura. After making an impression in Liga MX, where he scored 20 goals in 88 appearances, he would earn a move abroad to Feyenoord three years later.
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Look ahead to recovery
Faith is now something Gimenez references often. In response to this week’s injury news, he wrote on social media, “I’m sure God has a plan and I’ll come back stronger." He also posted a Bible verse that starts, “Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
It’s clear Gimenez begins his recovery in a positive mindset, ready to lean on his faith, his family, and his formative years as a soccer player in returning to the field in the Netherlands. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but Gimenez does seem uniquely suited to handle this setback.
How does Mexico move forward?
Ironically, Gimenez might be more equipped to handle his time away from the pitch than Mexico are.
The time away means he won’t suit up for the Mexico national team again until March of 2024. That potentially will be when El Tri play in the Concacaf Nations League Final Four, though they must qualify with a two-legged quarterfinal series in November (matchup to be determined). It is a missed opportunity for Mexico to evaluate whether or not Gimenez is their long-term solution at striker. With less than two years remaining till the 2026 World Cup, every international window in crucial in determining who will ultimately be on Javier Aguirre's squad.
The young forward’s national team performances have been put under the microscope, and understandably so. In a country accustomed to having great finishers, Mexico has suffered through a lack of forward options in the last several years.
Considering his goal output for Feyenoord, where he has 40 goals in 67 appearances, Gimenez looked to be the great remedy to the scoring problem. Yet, he’s only made Mexico fans more frustrated during his 32 appearances with the team. While supporters remain intrigued by Gimenez's potential, they are starting to grow impatient. Gimenez has just four goals in his three years with the national team. Despite multiple managers having called Gimenez into the squad, none have been able to get the best out of him.
There are plenty of factors at play. The tactics that Mexico and Feyenoord employ are different. He is the focal point with his Eredivisie team whereas he has to find a fit while with Plus, CONCACAF defenders zero in on him in a way that he doesn't experience back in the Netherlands.
Imago
How Mexico and Gimenez move forward…
Yet, Mexico still doesn't have another player who offers the vast potential that Gimenez does. So Mexico fans are choosing optimism with his latest setback, opting to believe time away from the day-to-day grind of soccer leads to a Santi who is not only fully fit, but one who is more psychologically ready to break through the issues he currently has with .
This year is over for Santi Gimenez, but that doesn’t mean 2025, and particularly, the summer of 2026 can’t be bright.
NZ wicketkeeper-bat required just 41 balls to take game away from visitors
ECB Reporters' Network24-Jun-2021Glenn Phillips slammed an unbeaten 94 from just 41 balls to power Gloucestershire to victory by 34 runs over Glamorgan at Bristol, sending them top of the South Group.Phillips’ fifth-highest score of his career, and first half-century in the Vitality Blast, powered Gloucestershire to 216 for 2 – their own fifth-highest T20 total. He struck nine fours and six sixes to overwhelm Glamorgan, who gave game chase for a while but could only reply with 182 for 8.Phillips and Benny Howell, promoted to No. 3 in place of the injured Ian Cockbain, shared 130 for the third wicket in 64 balls – a record T20 partnership for Gloucestershire’s third wicket.Phillips arrived after Miles Hammond and Chris Dent had given the innings a lively start after losing the toss, making 60 without loss. He cut Marnus Labuschagne through extra cover before lifting Dan Douthwaite over the sight screen. He blasted Prem Sisodiya twice straight back past his for four and swept him fine for another boundary in going to fifty in 26 balls.He took 14 from the 17th over, clubbing Timm van der Gugten over long-off, before uppercutting Douthwaite for a third six. An extraordinary reverse-scoop flew over third man for six as 23 came from the 18th. In the final over, he launched van der Gugten over the longest boundary at midwicket, crashed him wide of deep cover for four and swung the final ball of the innings over deep-square.Howell took his chance up at three to make an unbeaten 53 in 33 balls. He struck Callum Taylor for four through extra cover and wide of midwicket before a slug down the ground cleared long-off for six. He drove Weighell for four to raise a fifth T20 half-century.Glamorgan needed their third-highest T20 total to win and stayed in the game for the first half of the chase. David Lloyd gave them a rattling start with 44 in 22 balls, striking four sixes, three of them short-arm jabs over midwicket and Glamorgan reached 101 for 4 at halfway. But Tom Smith then bowled an over for 9 followed by a wicket maiden to leave 15-an-over for the final five.Labuschagne was, as ever, a crucial wicket and David Payne yorked him walking across his stumps. His 33 in 21 balls was well light of what Glamorgan needed.
da doce： Formiga é uma lenda do futebol brasileiro. Aos 43 anos, a volante do São Paulo falou com exclusividade ao LANCE!. A despedida da Seleção brasileira e a final do Campeonato Feminino contra o Corinthians foram assuntos.
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da betway： Assim que foi anunciada pelo São Paulo, as expectativas dos torcedores pelo retorno de Formiga foram grandiosas. Afinal, a volante voltaria ao Brasil e vestiria as cores do Tricolor, seu clube do coração, mais uma vez. Fazendo jus ao que os torcedores esperavam, Formiga ultrapassou as expectativas da torcida e participou da campanha que levou o time à final do Paulistão Feminino. O São Paulo venceu o Santos na semifinal , por 4 a 0, e consolidou sua classificação, já que havia vencido a partida de ida por 1 a 0.
– É uma emoção muito grande poder chegar e alegrar a todos. Fui muito mais que bem recebida, então cumprir meu papel em campo é meu dever. Vamos a essa final com foco total. Como eu disse quando cheguei, poder jogar pelo clube do meu coração e sentir o carinho da torcida do São Paulo é indescritível e já de cara encarar a final de um dos principais campeonatos para um clube é um presente – declarou.
VEJA A TABELA E SIMULE AS RODADAS FINAIS DO BRASILEIRÃO
Antes de chegar ao São Paulo, Formiga atuou pelo PSG por 4 temporadas. De 8 jogos disputados desde que chegou, a atleta já marcou um gol. A partida de ida da final do Campeonato Paulista Feminino será no dia 4 de dezembro, no Morumbi O adversário é o grande rival, Corinthians. Formiga projeta um grande duelo.
– Tem tudo para ser um jogo histórico. Sabemos do potencial delas, mas também sabemos do nosso. Temos um time unido, fortalecido e que luta muito diariamente para chegar nas melhores condições em todos os jogos. Dessa vez, não será diferente – afirmou.
Na última semana, durante o Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino, Formiga fez sua última participação pela Seleção brasileira, na vitória por 6 a 1 sobre a Índia. Ela falou sobre a despedida e agradeceu o apoio de todos, desde as jogadoras até os torcedores.
– Quero agradecer o carinho de todos. Tantas mensagens que recebi… de coração, fico muito feliz com tudo que aconteceu. Agradeço por toda essa visibilidade que estão dando ao futebol feminino. Agradeço a CBF, minha esposa, minha mãe e a todos que estavam comigo ali naquele momento. O meu último ato ficará para sempre no meu coração – disse.
da bet7k： Everton are reportedly pushing hard to complete the signing of Sevilla right-back Juanlu Sanchez, but there is more Premier League interest in him, too.
da apostaganha： The 22-year-old is an exciting young talent who has already won an Olympic gold medal with Spain, winning a total of four caps for his country and hoping to be a part of their 2026 World Cup squad.
Juanlu emerged as a target for Wolves during the summer transfer window, with talks opening at one point and a move to Molineux potentially looking on the cards.
In the end, he rejected their advances, however, and decided to remain at Sevilla for the time being, continuing to be an influential player for the Spanish giants this season.
Juanlu has made 10 La Liga appearances in 2025/26 to date, assisting once in the competition, but it looks as though his long-term future may lie away from the club, with Everton seemingly in the mix to acquire his signature.
Everton applying "strong pressure" to sign Juanlu
According to Diario de Sevilla [via Sport Witness], Everton are putting “strong pressure” on to sign Juanlu from Sevilla, with Crystal Palace also in the same boat.
Sevilla’s financial issues could see them forced into selling the wide man, with as much as £17.6m possibly needed to prise him away from Spain.
Juanlu looks like such a shrewd target for Everton, with the Spain international possessing the versatility to add so much depth to David Moyes’ squad, being able to thrive on the wing and even in midfield alongside his natural right-back role.
Still only 22, his best years are ahead of him, with former manager Xavier Garcia Pimienta heaping praise on his qualities as a player in the past.
“He has played as an inside midfielder [before], we were short on space in midfield due to Saul’s [Niguez] suspension and [Albert Sambi] Lokonga’s injury. I spoke to him, I knew he could do well in that position. Juanlu has an incredible present and a better future.”
Aston Villa's move to sign James Garner amid new update on Everton future
The Villans have come forward to sign a new midfielder, with his future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium up in the air.
ByDominic Lund Nov 17, 2025
The lure of Palace may be big, given their status as reigning FA Cup holders, but Everton are enjoying life in their sparkly new stadium, with Jack Grealish a big-name loan signing, and Juanlu will hopefully see them as the more exciting proposition.
Everton enter race to sign £88m South American "machine" with Newcastle
Manchester United are now ready to join the race for an “unbelievable” £75m midfielder amid the interest in Bruno Fernandes and doubts over Casemiro’s future.
Man Utd keen on new midfielder with Casemiro's future up in the air
Casemiro’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, but the Brazilian has remained a key player for Man United, having arguably proven Jamie Carragher wrong since the Sky Sports pundit infamously suggested he needed to “call it a day.”
The 33-year-old has made seven Premier League appearances this season, with the only game he missed being due to suspension, and the midfielder’s defensive attributes have been on display on a regular basis over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90 (past year)
Tackles
4.05 (99th percentile)
Blocks
2.33 (99th percentile)
Clearances
2.81 (94th percentile)
There have been widespread reports suggesting the former Real Madrid man could still extend his contract, but his future remains up in the air, while there are also some doubts over whether Fernandes will remain a United player.
According to a report from The Mirror, the Portugal international, who is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, is attracting interest from elsewhere, with Saudi Pro League clubs known to be keen.
Consequently, Man United are now ready to enter the race for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has been a shining light for the Tricky Trees amid their poor start to the season.
Having impressed for Forest and England, Anderson’s asking price is now a whopping £75m, with a number of rival Premier League clubs also keen, including Manchester City and Chelsea.
Ruben Amorim views rebuilding his midfield as a priority, having previously looked at signing Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, with United now big admirers of the Forest star too.
Carragher said Man Utd star was "awful" in 24/25, now he's their best player
Manchester United appear to have conducted incredible business with the addition of one star.
ByEthan Lamb Oct 21, 2025 "Unbelievable" Anderson impressing for club and country
The 22-year-old has become a regular starter for the Three Lions under the helm of Thomas Tuchel, recently putting in a fantastic display in the 5-0 win against Latvia, completing 121 passes and making four tackles, the highest number of any player.
Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has also made it clear he is a huge admirer of his former teammate, taking the time to praise his performances for Forest.
A £75m asking price is steep, but Anderson is a very well-rounded midfielder, also placing in the 85th percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, compared to other midfielders, so he would undoubtedly be an exciting addition to Amorim’s squad.
The San Francisco Giants pulled off the biggest trade of the season so far by acquiring slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday evening, trading away pitchers Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Jose Bello and outfielder James Tibbs III. San Francisco will take on the remaining roughly $250 million of Dever's $313.5 million deal with Boston.
Following the trade, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey broke down how the blockbuster move came into place. Per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Posey shared that he first reached out to Red Sox executive Craig Breslow a few weeks ago to talk about Devers.
Posey shared Monday on KNBR that he initially thought it was a low possibility the trade would come into place, but after he reached out, Giants general manager Zak Minasian remained in touch with the Red Sox about the trade. Posey and Breslow hammered out the final details, and as the trade approached, ownership got involved, with the Giants' owners agreeing to take on the remainder of Devers's massive deal to bring him to the Bay Area.
The trade notably took place in June, adding to the surprise of the move, but Posey said to KNBR that when he and Breslow became aligned on a deal, they didn't feel the need to wait around until closer to the trade deadline.
"We didn't need to wait around," Posey said. "Craig and I talked a lot about trying to make a good baseball deal. At that point there was no need to wait for another six weeks."
Posey also touched on the decision to acquire Devers, noting that it was tough to give up several talented pitchers and take on as large of a contract as Devers's.
"I believe the foundation to success is pitching and defense," Posey told KNBR. "We had to give up a promising young starter in Kyle Harrison, which is not an easy thing to do. Another big arm in Jordan Hicks and our first-round pick last year and another intriguing arm in Bello."
Ultimately though, the Giants didn't want to pass up the opportunity to acquire a batter like Devers, especially when it's been tough for them to sign great hitters in free agency.
"The bat is so special," Posey said Sunday of Devers, via Pavlovic. "It's just really hard to acquire this type of talent at this point of his career. We're obviously taking on a lot of money. We're giving up some pitching, we're giving up our first-round pick last year, so it didn't come without a cost. It felt like this was a chance to take a shot."
The Giants are thrilled about the addition of Devers, who will make his debut for San Francisco this week.
Back in Ahmedabad for the second Qualifier, Shubman Gill scored his third century in four matches. Here is how the cricket community reacted
ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-2023
His ability to identify moments and accelerate, with consistency, puts him in a class of his own. Also keep in mind, most of his games have been at Ahmedabad, one of the bigger grounds around. Well played Shubman
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 26, 2023
What a player. 3rd hundred in 4 matches and some breathtaking shots. Amazing consistency and hunger, the kind of stuff big players do, cash in on the purple patch #ShubhmanGill pic.twitter.com/nUjXoLRKaA
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 26, 2023
Another brilliant century by the young maestro @ShubmanGill ! The future of Indian cricket shining bright. Keep rocking, champ! #MIvGT #IPL2023
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) May 26, 2023
What a player @ShubmanGill
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) May 26, 2023
Special player! Delightful to watch
— Shai Hope (@shaidhope) May 26, 2023
Doesn’t get better…Shubman Gill . Wow what a special player, just 23! #GTvMI
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) May 26, 2023
Love watching @ShubmanGill Bat .. Like all high class players he makes it look so easy .. he is the next big thing in Indian cricket .. #IPL2023 #Sachin #Virat
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 26, 2023
Shubman brought MI into the play offs, he might very well knock them out of the tournament too #GTvMI
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 26, 2023
It’s a joy to watch subhman gill bat… #wow
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 26, 2023
Shubman Gill
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) May 26, 2023
Serious form Gill is in!!! #GTvsMI
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 26, 2023
Whatta player @ShubmanGill Shows up when his team needs him. A big match player!! #GTvMI
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) May 26, 2023
Shubman Gill is the tweet.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 26, 2023
. @ShubmanGill takes a 'century' step towards glory – He’s definitely the superstar #ShubmanGill #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/0gGXlLVetm
Manchester City are continuing to push to complete the signing of a “wonderful” new forward player, with Txiki Begiristain leading the pursuit, according to a reliable journalist.
Man City transfer news
The Blues’ woes in the Premier League continued on Tuesday evening, as they surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Brentford. Pep Guardiola’s side have a lot of work to do if they are to get not only near the top of the table but also into the top four; therefore, it isn’t a surprise to see City enter the transfer market to strengthen their squad.
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One of Manchester City’s most-experienced players is on the brink of leaving this month, but now is the right time to sell.
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Ben Gray
Jan 15, 2025
One player City are close to signing is defender Vitor Reis from Brazilian side Palmeiras. Fabrizio Romano reported that City have reached a verbal agreement for a package under £33 million to sign the player. The Blues want Reis to join them straight away, and all that is left for the deal to be completed is for the player to complete his medical and sign his contract.
Palmeiras'VitorReisin action
Reis is not the only defender that is close to arriving at the Etihad, as City have also agreed to a deal to sign Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov. The Premier League champions have agreed to a £33.5 million fee with the French side, and Khusanov is now set to undergo a medical and again complete the necessary paperwork before becoming a City player.
Txiki personally leading Man City chase for new attacker
Guardiola doesn’t want to stop there, as according to Sky Sports German reporter Florian Plettenberg, City and Begiristain are pushing to find an agreement to sign Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt, hoping to agree to a deal worth £59 million plus add-ons.
Marmoush, who has been dubbed “wonderful” in the past, has become a top target for City in this transfer window. The 25-year-old, who joined Frankfurt on a free transfer in 2023, has been an impressive performer for the Bundesliga side, with 15 goals to his name in 17 league games this season. The forward was in action on Tuesday evening and scored one goal and registered two assists as Frankfurt beat Freiburg 4-1.
His performances have placed him on City’s list of targets, with it being reported that Marmoush and City have already agreed personal terms. However, a transfer fee is yet to be agreed upon, but that is not expected to be an issue, as Plettenberg states that the two clubs are not that far apart now and could even bridge their gap in the next two days.
Omar Marmoush’s Eintracht Frankfurt stats
Apps
67
Goals
37
Assists
20
The Bundesliga side wants €80 million (£67m) for Marmoush, but City’s offer for the forward is below that. The Blues believe they can get their man for a fee in the region of €70 million (£59m) plus €5-10 million add-ons. Begiristain is pushing to find an agreement in the next 48 hours, and at this stage, it is unlikely that Marmoush will play for Frankfurt in their game against Borussia Dortmund on Friday.
Chelsea chiefs have held “fresh” negotiations over signing a marquee centre-forward this week, following a personal request from manager Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea targeting new forward and midfielder before deadline day
The Premier League top four chasers have suffered a slight dip in form lately, winning just one of their last five top flight matches, and their latest defeat at the hands of Man City was swiftly followed by a behind-closed-doors meeting.
Chelsea in January talks for £40m forward with elite club open to selling
The west Londoners want a new attacker.
ByEmilio Galantini Jan 28, 2025
That is according to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, who also claimed that Maresca reiterated his desire to bring in a new striker during these internal talks with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
The tactician also apparently shared how he’s still minus a particular profile of midfielder, which has led to Chelsea’s reliably reported interest in Man United starlet Kobbie Mainoo throughout January, but Maresca is also believed to be keen on players with more experience.
West Ham (home)
February 3rd
Brighton (away)
February 14th
Aston Villa (away)
February 22nd
Southampton (home)
February 25th
Leicester City (home)
March 9th
Chelsea’s decision to activate their recall clause and bring back Trevoh Chalobah solves their centre-back issue, and the Englishman may even act as a possible replacement for Axel Disasi, who is being seriously targeted by Aston Villa amid reports of agreed personal terms.
However, Maresca is still allegedly in the market for both a striker and engine room technician. Interestingly, as per Phillips, Villa’s serious interest in both Disasi and summer signing João Félix could re-open the door for Chelsea to swoop for Jhon Duran.
Chelsea hold fresh talks over signing Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran
It is believed that Chelsea sense an opportunity to reignite a move for the Colombian, and Disasi would be used as a sweetener in any deal, as the Blues attempt to make Villa relax their reported £85 million price tag.
After being given encouragement in the form of Unai Emery targeting Maresca’s outcasts, Phillips writes that Chelsea have held “fresh talks” over signing Duran this week, and they’ve also approached the player’s agents to gauge whether he’d be keen on swapping the Midlands for London.
“Chelsea are sensing a deal for Jhon Duran potentially being back on the cards,” wrote Phillips.
“They have asked about him in recent conversations with Villa for Axel Disasi and Felix. Disasi would be sent on loan as a ‘sweetener’ to any Duran deal, although he could still end up going there anyway because the player has expressed his desire to go out and play this window.
“Villa told Chelsea a high price tag for Duran when they enquired again last week, but fresh talks have happened again this week. Chelsea feel that if Villa were open to offers that came in for Duran last week (from West Ham), then they would be up for a discussion, especially if they want Felix and Disasi. On the player side, I have no idea if he would accept a move to Chelsea, but we have been speaking to his agents again this week to see if it is possible.”
The 21-year-old has bagged 12 goals in 29 appearances throughout 2024/2025, mainly as a very impactful substitute behind Ollie Watkins, and he could be an excellent alternative to Nicolas Jackson.
The last few seasons have been nothing short of a roller coaster for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has dragged his side from fighting for Champions League qualification to battling for the Premier League title.
However, this season has seen the North Londoners take a slight step back, and instead of playing the high-octane football they did in their first title-challenging campaign, they’ve played slightly more pragmatic football.
Interestingly, most fans would probably agree that most of the changes made to the XI that played that year have been upgrades, like David Raya for Aaron Ramsdale and Riccardo Calafiori or Myles Lewis-Skelly for Oleksandr Zinchenko, but there is one player from that team many would argue has not been replaced adequately, Granit Xhaka.
Fortunately, recent reports have linked the club with a player who’s previously won comparisons to the Swiss international.
According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Larsson.
The report has revealed that the Gunners have already made ‘several enquiries into the availability’ of the midfield gem, who joined the Eagles for around €9m – £8.6m – in May 2023.
However, if the North Londoners were under the impression that they’d be able to sign the Swede for anything close to that, they’d be mistaken, as per the report, the Bundesliga club currently value the 20-year-old at a whopping €80m, which is about £68m, although it is unclear whether they’d accept a slightly lower offer if presented with one.
It could be a costly and rather complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Larsson’s ability and potential, it is worth pursuing, especially as he’s already won comparisons to Xhaka.
How Larsson compares to Xhaka
So, before looking into some of the other reasons Arsenal might want to sign Larsson this year, let’s examine this comparison to Xhaka and where it has come from.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
In this instance, it has stemmed from respected analyst Ben Mattinson, who, when looking into the young Swede, made the bold claim that he was, in fact, “similar to Xhaka” among other high-profile midfielders, including Jude Bellingham and İlkay Gündoğan.
However, while the latter two are utterly sensational players, we are more interested in the former Malmö prospect’s similarities to the former Gunners’ ace, similarities which make him such an appealing transfer today.
Appearances
61
63
Goals
3
6
Assists
4
3
Goal Involvements per Match
0.11
0.14
Well, according to Mattinson, the 20-year-old has several strengths, which the Swiss legend demonstrated during his final campaign with Arsenal, such as the way he “receives the ball from deep and turns casually past pressing attackers,” which was one of the reasons the Gunners’ left-hand side was so dangerous in 22/23.
On top of that, he is also “very composed on the ball” and “press resistant,” which, for all of his outbursts off the ball, was very much true of the former Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder.
However, perhaps the most significant similarity is that the Frankfurt ace is “a top ball-carrier,” and that, like the Bayer Leverkusen star did in North London, he can “ping long passes out to the wings.”
With all that said, another reason that Arteta and Co might want to bring the Svarte-born gem to the Emirates this year is that, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho looking increasingly likely to leave come the end of the season, the team will need fresh blood in the middle of the park, and based on the similarities Mattinson claims he shared with Xhaka he could prove to be an excellent investment for the long term.
Ultimately, midfield might not be the most pressing concern for Arsenal at the moment, but securing the services of Larsson this month or in the summer could be a brilliant decision and one that pays off in a big way a few years down the line.
Arsenal hold January talks with £51m striker as elite club open to selling