European Leagues

Newcastle United targeting £55m Chelsea star

Newcastle United are set to bolster their squad with yet another signing – and this time it’s from a Premier League rival

Newcastle United still aren’t finished in the transfer market, and preparing to make a move for a player who only signed for Chelsea last summer.

Having already signed Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento for more than £120m this transfer window, Newcastle United aren’t content with stopping there and are progressing talks to sign another player as they prepare for Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.

Eddie Howe has identified the positions in his squad which need work, too, as evidenced by the latest target they have been linked with.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United are interested in bringing Marc Cucurella to St. James’ Park this summer, though it would likely only be a loan deal.

Cucurella only signed for Chelsea in August 2022 for £55m, potentially rising to £62m with add-ons, but the Spanish left-back could already be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after failing to appear in Chelsea’s opening day 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

While Chelsea would prefer to sell, due to financial fair play considerations and the seemingly imminent arrival of Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m, Newcastle are set to offer a loan deal with either an option or obligation to buy after a season.

Cucurella could join Newcastle United on loan for the season (Image credit: Getty Images)
However, the report also suggests they are interested in a similar deal for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, who looks destined to leave the Emirates this summer after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal would also prefer to sell the Scotsman this summer, meaning any potential deal would likely head into the final week or even days of the transfer window.

If either player joins Newcastle in the remaining few weeks of the transfer window, they’ll likely slot straight into Eddie Howe’s starting XI. Though Dan Burn thoroughly impressed at left-back last season, he is still a centre-back filling in there rather than a specialist.

Premier League

Tottenham defender Dragusin sidelined for the season with ACL injury

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Dragusin is set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee during the club’s Europa League clash against Elfsborg.

The 23-year-old will undergo surgery and is expected to be out for at least six months, with recovery timelines for ACL injuries sometimes extending up to a year.

In a statement, Tottenham confirmed that Dragusin “will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training.”

Having started 21 of Tottenham’s past 23 matches, Dragusin has been a vital part of the defense since his arrival from Genoa in January 2024 for £25 million.

The Romania international expressed determination to bounce back stronger, writing on Instagram:

“Football doesn’t just teach you how to win – it teaches you how to fight when things get tough.”

Dragusin joins a growing list of sidelined Tottenham players, including Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Cristian Romero.

To bolster their defensive options, Spurs recently signed Austrian defender Kevin Danso on loan with a £21 million purchase option. Additionally, the club’s £70 million bid for England defender Marc Guehi was rejected by Crystal Palace, though they secured 19-year-old attacker Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich.

Premier League

Arteta disappointed by Arsenal’s lack of winter signings

Nobody Works Harder Than Me - Arteta On Woeful Arsenal Display

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed disappointment over the club’s failure to strengthen their squad during the winter transfer window but commended the management’s disciplined approach to player recruitment.

The Gunners were linked with potential attacking reinforcements following Gabriel Jesus’ season-ending ACL injury and the continued absence of Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring issue. However, no deals materialized before the window closed.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle on Wednesday, Arteta stated:

“We had a clear intention which is always when a window opens to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact.

“With players injured, we’ve been impacted and we haven’t achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were.”

Despite the challenges, Arteta emphasized the importance of staying true to Arsenal’s recruitment philosophy.

“It’s in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there is a lot of ways, a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve.”

Arsenal face a difficult task in Wednesday’s semi-final after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg against Newcastle.

Premier League

Gary Neville backs Arsenal to challenge Liverpool for Premier League title

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has expressed confidence that Arsenal can still beat Liverpool to the Premier League title this season, despite facing challenges with injuries and a quiet January transfer window.

The Gunners trail Liverpool by six points, with the Reds holding a game in hand. However, Neville remains optimistic about Arsenal’s title hopes.

Speaking as quoted on Arsenal News Channel, Neville said: “It’s a difficult window to do business in, and the type of striker Arsenal need is a significant one, and those players aren’t available. Ollie Watkins would have hit the ground running at Arsenal, but you need to be world-class to get into that team.”

He praised Arsenal’s patience and strategic management:
“I can see why they are being patient. Liverpool did the same with Martin Zubimendi. Both Arsenal and Liverpool are being run pretty well. They won’t panic.”

Neville emphasized that Arsenal’s chances hinge on staying competitive if Liverpool falters:
“Arsenal can still win the title. It’s a long shot, but they just need to be there if Liverpool slip up. Injuries happen to big players in football, and the loss of Van Dijk or Salah would disrupt [Liverpool].”

Arsenal’s next challenge comes on Wednesday in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Newcastle United, who hold a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.