Football transfer rumours: Arsenal rival Liverpool for Mbappe; Man Utd plot £160m raid
Thursday's football transfer rumours, with updates on Kylian Mbappe, Joao Neves, Antonio Silva, Joao Cancelo, Anthony Martial & more.
2023-11-30 17:48
Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games
Keira Walsh says she is “feeling fresh” as she targets a fourth consecutive summer of international football. Barcelona midfielder Walsh played for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and then for England when they won Euro 2022 before finishing as runners-up at the summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The latter tournament saw the 26-year-old miss a game due to a knee injury, and a subsequent calf problem saw her sit out the Lionesses’ two September matches in the Women’s Nations League – a competition through which England can secure qualification for GB for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Walsh said: “After so many tournaments, and somebody actually sent me a thing the other day that I’d played the second-most games in Europe, I think naturally that’s going to take a toll on your body. I think obviously that’s potentially a factor of why I got injured at the start of the season. “But I did my rehab, the club and England have looked after me, we’ve had a camp since then and a lot of games in between. “I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and I think that was my little break for me to now go again and push on this season.” Walsh says another tournament next summer is something she is “definitely” up for, adding: “Honestly, the thought of pre-season is worse! “I’d rather go to a tournament. It’s special. People talk about the winning, but just the feeling of being part of a team for so long, and you spend every day with each other – I think then when you go home and you’re not with 50 people is also a bit weird. Even off the pitch it’s a special feeling to be part of a group at a tournament.” I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh, and I think that was my little break for me to now go again and push on Keira Walsh England need to finish first in Group A1 to have a chance of obtaining the Olympic qualification and head into their final two pool matches in danger of falling short of top spot. Sarina Wiegman’s side are currently third, three points behind the Netherlands, 2-1 victors against them in September, and one behind Belgium, who last month – with Walsh back in the side – they beat 1-0, then were defeated by 3-2. It leaves England needing to win to remain in contention when they host the Netherlands at Wembley on Friday, before they take on Scotland at Hampden Park four days later. Walsh said: “I think obviously we want to put the things right that weren’t so good in the Belgium game, and it’s going to be a difficult game for us. We know it’s a must-win. “But I’m hoping we can show the resilient side to us and the character, and put in a good performance. “I think (in the second match against Belgium) it was maybe just a slight lack of concentration at times. But let’s not catastrophise it, it wasn’t the worst game in the world for us.” Regarding next week’s contest, Walsh said the fact England are in a group with Scotland players holding hopes of making the GB squad is “a little bit strange”, but said: “If I’m putting myself in their shoes, it’s a big game against England. They’re going to want to win – and so do we.” As well as regular captain Leah Williamson still being out injured, England also have Millie Bright, who has been skipper in her absence, sidelined at the moment. Walsh, holder of 67 England caps, believes there are “a lot of natural leaders in the team”. On her personal role, she added: “That’s something that Sarina has also asked of me, to take on a little bit more responsibility in that aspect, especially in the midfield, to try to vocalise and communicate a little bit more, and hopefully that is something that I can work on and improve on.” Read More He’s amazing – Martin Odegaard hails ‘brilliant’ Declan Rice impact at Arsenal On This Day in 2004 – Sir Matthew Pinsent announces retirement from rowing Arsenal through to last 16 as Manchester United squander lead again Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain
2023-11-30 17:28
He’s amazing – Martin Odegaard hails ‘brilliant’ Declan Rice impact at Arsenal
Martin Odegaard believes his “amazing” midfield partner Declan Rice is already proving his worth after Arsenal eased into the Champions League knockout stages. England international Rice, a £105million summer signing from West Ham, was among a host of standout performers as the Gunners secured top spot in Group B with a 6-0 demolition of French club Lens. Arsenal captain Odegaard has been impressed with the instant impact and consistency of his 24-year-old team-mate, who has been ever-present in the Premier League and Europe this term. “It’s brilliant – I think he’s been amazing since he came here,” the Norway international said of Rice. “Every game he’s showing his qualities. He’s a great player, a great guy, so a great addition to the squad.” Rice was afforded a rest for the final 15 minutes on Wednesday evening as in-form Arsenal won their pool with a fixture to spare, four days after going top of the Premier League. Odegaard volleyed home the last of the rampant hosts’ five first-half goals against last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up before Rice’s replacement Jorginho converted a late penalty to complete the rout. The former Real Madrid playmaker says the Gunners are constantly striving to produce statement performances. “Every time we play we want to send a message,” said Odegaard. “Of course, we want to win every time we play and we want to put on performances like this. “The way we started the game was brilliant. We had complete control of the game with the ball. We played with a really high rhythm and intensity and we were effective in front of goal. “The last few games we’ve been really good defensively and we wanted to show even more on the ball and to get some more goals as well. “We did that and we knew what we were playing for and we saw the motivation and the hunger out there.” Read More Keira Walsh ‘feeling fresh’ before latest round of Women’s Nations League games On This Day in 2004 – Sir Matthew Pinsent announces retirement from rowing Arsenal through to last 16 as Manchester United squander lead again Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain
2023-11-30 17:28
Sebastian Stan to star as a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice biopic
Sebastian Stan has been cast as a young Donald Trump in Ali Abbasi's biopic 'The Apprentice'.
2023-11-30 17:27
Dollar edges up from three-month low, French inflation data dents euro
By Samuel Indyk and Ankur Banerjee LONDON (Reuters) -The dollar edged up from a three-month low on Thursday but was
2023-11-30 17:25
Mideast Broadcaster’s $222 Million Saudi IPO Sells in 1 Hour
MBC Group, the Middle East’s biggest broadcaster, received more orders than shares available for its initial public offering
2023-11-30 17:24
Nigeria Debt Costs Pressure Social Spending in 2024 Budget
Nigeria will spend at least six times more on servicing its debt next year than on building new
2023-11-30 17:20
Dutch Government Kicks Off €1 Billion ABN Amro Stake Sale
The Dutch government plans to sell shares worth about €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in ABN Amro Bank NV
2023-11-30 17:18
German Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Rises to Highest Since 2021
Germany’s unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to the highest level in 2 1/2 years, a sign that the weakness
2023-11-30 17:15
Analysts at China's CICC told not to publish bearish views, wear luxury items -memo
HONG KONG China International Capital Corp (CICC), the country's third-largest investment bank by market value, has told analysts
2023-11-30 17:15
OPEC+ Meets With Aim of Resolving Deadlock on Production Cuts
OPEC+ meets on Thursday as the group seeks to resolve a deadlock on oil quotas and considers further
2023-11-30 16:57
Traders Fully Price ECB Rate Cut in April as Inflation Eases
Traders are betting on an ever-earlier start to European Central Bank interest-rate cuts next year after surprisingly low
2023-11-30 16:57