𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄, 𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍! 🤩🏴
✍️ Der BVB reagiert auf den verletzungsbedingten Ausfall von Giannis Konstantelias und leiht Ethan Nwaneri vom FC Arsenal aus. Die Leihe des 19-jährigen Mittelfeldspielers ist bis zum Ende der Saison 2026/27 befristet. 🤝
Summer “Plan”
Feb/March - Spoke to Julian, who was relaxed and open to all options.Also had serious interest in Kenan Yildiz leading up to the summer. Approached Juve, who said absolutely no chance.
Early summer: Worked for months on Morgan Rogers. Mikel’s main target, after Kenan was not for sale. Got Morgan on board and knew we could do it for £85 - 100m but decided to play the field to spin plates. Waited too long, and now the Elliott A. deal dictates the new market price. Villa now want more than £115m. We check in with Barcola, who is also in a similar price range.
The club decide, after weeks of delaying, to finally engage in some talks with Villa, who tell us they want an amount close to the Elliott A. deal. While we delay, Alonso has spoken to Morgan, Behdad has spoken to Nassef, and they wrap up months of our work and delays in 36 hours. We were even offered the chance to match and refused.
We then internally agree that Morgan was not worth that, so we pivot to the market opportunity that was “Vini Jr.” The hierarchy accept this is a generational signing and say, “Let’s do whatever it takes to get him.” They agree personal terms and leave the final decision up to him. He chose Madrid. The club are then deflated but satisfied with their efforts in this particular case.
They then pivot back to Kenan in a desperate attempt to convince Juve with creative deals, such as using Martinelli, but the answer is clear: not for sale.
We have been checking in with Alvarez this whole time, who is fixated on Barça despite being told it will never happen. They realise he is the only “level raiser” left, so push hard for Julian, who doesn’t believe his Barça dream is over.
They check on Gakpo (I’m sure many other names too). N’Diaye’s agent is saying, “Come get me.” They bite on the Fofana offer and consider it to some degree.
In the end, they feel disappointed with the outcome of the whole window. Its been below par for sure.
Personally, I tried to voice my concerns early when I saw patterns during the Morgan saga. I was alarmed because you don’t just become competent overnight after being this “dithery” and hesitant, trying to spin plates. Read the post I quoted.
Side note, but a big side note, because the truth matters : They explored the sale of Myles via Kia to understand his market value. Myles always said he wanted to stay. He is settled now, and the matter is closed.
I am a fan just like you. I also, like you, get excited when MY club promises big things. I think if there is disappointment within the club about the conclusion of the summer, then fans should be entitled to voice their opinions too. Again, your frustrations are justified. Many who know more feel the exact same way.
My argument is PSG signed Doué, who at the time was on the come-up. The market is there for shrewd people to take advantage of. Mikel deserves world-class people around him. Premier League champions, UCL finalists, and we end up with a weaker attack?
Man City rebuilt their whole midfield in one summer and we have not signed a true world class attacker in how many windows? 5 or 6?
It was the summer of Premier League champions, but we didn’t plan nor execute a Champions summer.
I am gutted and very worried we are very short on numbers, but I will always back Mikel and the lads. They give it their all.Mikel, being the person he is, will want to now focus on what’s next, and that is Chelsea.
If anyone at Arsenal is reading this, fans are not crying about a shiny new toy, they back the squad and understand we are in good place but wanted to be in a great place.
🚨 Exclusive Folarin Balogun has failed his medical with Everton. The deal could collapse despite Monaco and Everton having reached a full agreement.. @RMCsport
🚨 Malick Fofana has CHOSEN Sunderland. 🔴⚪️🇧🇪
The Belgian winger has decided he wants to join the Black Cats over Crystal Palace.
The day's crazy transfer safa is over.
(Source: @sachatavolieri)
🚨 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗭𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗔 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗. 🇧🇪🍿
▪️ Arsenal showed late interest yesterday but decided against meeting Lyon’s £30M asking price.
▪️ Sunderland then swooped in, agreed a £30M package and lined up a five-year contract for Fofana. A medical was booked. ✍️
▪️ Crystal Palace HIJACKED the deal by offering £33.5M, which Lyon accepted. 🦅
▪️ Fofana’s camp had TWO private jets ready — one for London and another for the North East. He initially chose London to complete his Palace move. ✈️😭
▪️ Sunderland responded by matching Palace’s £33.5M offer while improving the commission package for Fofana’s representatives.
▪️ ANOTHER U-TURN. Fofana then headed back towards Sunderland, leaving Palace in the dark over his whereabouts. 😳
▪️ Palace responded AGAIN by increasing their salary and agent commission offer to roughly match Sunderland’s package — and became confident they could hijack the transfer for a SECOND time. 💰
🚨 And now for the craziest part: Fofana is undergoing a medical… WITHOUT KNOWING WHICH CLUB HE’S ACTUALLY HAVING IT FOR. 😭😭
Sunderland. Palace. Sunderland. Palace.
Absolute Deadline Day CHAOS — while Fofana’s representatives look set for a very nice payday. 🍿💸
🚨💣 BREAKING: Enzo Fernández to Manchester City, HERE WE GO! 🇦🇷
Deal in place for fee over £125m after a long negotiation as Chelsea approved the sale.
Enzo only wanted Manchester City and he’s now set for medical at #MCFC.
🚨 Agreement in principle for Colorado Rapids to sign Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker for a club-record fee. Player has permission to undergo a medical. Exclusive story from earlier.⬇️
🚨 BREAKING: Crystal Palace working to hijack Sunderland move for Malick Fofana. Pierre Sage spoke to 21yo in bid to sway deal for #CPFC on same terms #SAFC struck with #OlympiqueLyonnais; not closed but situation advancing @TheAthleticFC after @Santi_J_FM https://t.co/9OR0QSgSar
🚨🔴⚪️ BREAKING: Malick Fofana now on his way to undergo medical at Sunderland, here we go!
Deal verbally agreed — understand fee is €30m plus add-ons accepted by Lyon.
Arsenal were never planning to pay €35/40m package. Follows @Santi_J_FM@David_Ornstein.
🚨 EXCL: Sunderland reach agreement with Lyon to sign Malick Fofana. 21yo winger given permission to travel for medical & complete permanent transfer from #OlympiqueLyonnais to #SAFC. Paperwork stage for Belgium int’l to move on 5yr contract @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/zGVGu8X4kM
🚨🇧🇪 Arsenal will not meet €40m asking price for Malick Fofana, considered too high.
Different structure/conditions or #AFC will move on.
Sunderland remain in negotiations for Fofana with both player’s camp and OL.
#SAFC are very keen on Malick, as @SkySports_Keith reported.
🚨🐯 EXCLUSIVE: Hull City reach verbal agreement to sign Brooke Norton Cuffy from Genoa, here we go!
Deal worth €14m for the English fullback. Arsenal had a sell-on clause for former #afc defender.
🚨 Ethan Nwaneri flying to do medical & join Borussia Dortmund from Arsenal. Straight season-long loan for 19yo #AFC attacker agreed verbally. #BVB moved after Konstantelias injury + deemed right step for regular minutes @TheAthleticFC post @FabrizioRomano https://t.co/7lIWcYAOLN
🚨 Saka “Very tough game, I will be honest. Its never easy coming here. He (Arteta) gave us a lot of credit in the changing room. Everyone put a shift in today.”
Theirry Henry tells Saka he expects a 15 Goals 15 assists type season again from him.