Transfers

Huddersfield Confirm Olayinka Ladapo Signing

Olayinka Ladapo, a former Blues striker, has been confirmed by Huddersfield Town as their new signing on a two-year deal.

Ladapo, who is 31 years old, left Portman Road on the final day of the summer transfer window after his contract was terminated with mutual agreement.

“I’m really happy to be here, and excited to get started and contribute to the challenge ahead,” he told the Terriers club site.

“As a free agent, you have a choice to make, but luckily for me mine wasn’t a hard one once I knew how serious the interest was from Town.

“From the very beginning, the talks with [sporting director] Mark Cartwright and [manager] Michael Duff couldn’t have been more positive.

“The size and ambition of the club is really appealing to me, and reminds me of joining Ipswich Town in the same league.

“I’ve had a really good pre-season and feel great, so I just want to show the best version of myself in training and then in games for supporters, too.

“Having played here before, I know the atmosphere the home fans can create, so I’m looking forward to experiencing that.

“We have a squad I’m delighted to be part of with a healthy competition for places within our forwards and across the pitch.

“I know this division and what it takes to get out of it, and I love that we haven’t been shy about admitting that’s exactly what our collective ambition is. My job is to now play a role in that.”

Duff said: “With our numbers in attack limited through suspension and injury, Freddie’s arrival comes at a very important time for us and I’m really happy to have him.

“Our fixture list isn’t getting any kinder or quieter, and with a number of matches coming up against sides around us in the table, adding proven quality is never going to hurt.

“A player who has been promoted from League One three times already and been in a winning environment at other ambitious clubs, his record speaks for itself and he arrives knowing what it takes to thrive at this level and finish the season where you aspire to.

“We’re looking forward to getting Freddie involved in training alongside his new teammates right away, and we have another important fixture this weekend that I’m sure he’ll want to put himself in consideration for.”

Cartwright added: “Freddie is a player we have been monitoring all summer, and once his contractual status with Ipswich Town was concluded, we acted swiftly to bring him to the Club.

“Having been aware of Freddie’s circumstances and likelihood of becoming a free agent, we had the ability to not rush our approach under the constraints of the transfer window, but with the timing now right we couldn’t be happier to have him join.

“He has a natural ability and physical attributes we find especially exciting, as he’s a different profile of forward than we currently have available to us.

“Having thrived in a winning team at this level previously and maintaining that same level of ambition, his character was also a factor we believed to be a good addition to our dressing room.”

Ladapo, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Charlton, joined the Blues after leaving Rotherham in the summer of 2021 and the Romford-born striker went on to make 33 starts and 42 sub appearances, scoring 25 goals as he played a part in Town’s back-to-back promotions.

Transfers

Chelsea Launch Transfer Bid For Bellingham

Chelsea have reportedly made an offer to sign Sunderland’s rising star Jobe Bellingham.

The Blues have made a habit of investing in young talent as part of their long-term strategy, and the midfielder has emerged as a prime target to bolster Enzo Maresca’s midfield options.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who is the younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, had previously shown a preference for a move abroad. However, Chelsea’s fresh offer appears to have altered the situation significantly.

“I left Arsenal because my wife told me she wanted to get out of London – then six months later she told me to go BACK!” – which Arsenal legend instantly regretted leaving?

Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace have all been linked with Bellingham, but Chelsea’s bid could now put them firmly in the driving seat. Sunderland, meanwhile, are hoping to keep hold of their young star, particularly if they achieve promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs.

With Bellingham contracted until 2028, the Championship side holds a strong position in negotiations – while it’s not clear whether he’d be open to a switch to west London.

FootballTransfers previously reported that Sunderland have a gentleman’s agreement in place, allowing Bellingham to leave this summer if a suitable offer arrives, which is believed to be in the region of £20million.

Unlike his brother who is deployed as a No.10 at Los Blancos, the younger Bellingham operates more as a traditional box-to-box midfielder.

Transfers

Arsenal Ready Bid For ‘World-Class’ La Liga Defender

Arsenal are preparing to test Barcelona’s resolve this summer with a bold €60 million move for Jules Kounde, according to reports in Spain.

While the Gunners’ priority remains strengthening their attack, Fichajes claims manager Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his defence too, and Kounde – called “world-class” by scout Jacek Kulig – has emerged as a prime target ahead of the summer transfer window.

Despite Barcelona’s stance that Kounde isn’t actively on the market, Arsenal believe the Catalan giants’ financial situation could force them to consider offers. The Gunners are prepared to offer €60m for the versatile defender, but the likes of Chelsea are reportedly in the race, too.

“I left Arsenal because my wife told me she wanted to get out of London – then six months later she told me to go BACK!” – which Arsenal legend instantly regretted leaving?

Barcelona’s ongoing financial concerns, coupled with the delayed reopening of the Camp Nou, may leave them with little choice but to cash in. The club is said to value Kounde closer to €70m but could still accept Arsenal’s bid if they secure a suitable replacement. Man United were previously linked with a huge €100m move.

Arteta is reportedly drawn to Kounde’s ability to slot in at both right-back and centre-back, with Arsenal already having similar players who can play across the backline.

It’s thought that the Frenchman’s pace, distribution, and experience at the top level are seen as key assets that would enhance the Gunners’ backline.

Transfers

Mikel Arteta Told To Complete ‘No-Brainer’ Transfer To Replace Arsenal Duo

Mikel Arteta has been urged to push ahead with a move for Joshua Kimmich this summer.

Kimmich has emerged as a top target for Arsenal as his contract talks at Bayern Munich continue to stall. The German has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s top players since arriving at Bayern in 2015.

He has won eight league titles, three DFB-Pokals and the 2020 Champions League. But his contract with Bayern will expire at the end of this season and the German giants are struggling to tie him down to a new deal.

Those roadblocks have seen Arsenal become interested in the 30-year-old. Former Spurs star Michael Dawson has urged the Gunners to push to sign him, singling Kimmich out as the perfect man to replace Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

“I think he’s a very, very good player. He’s done it for a long time in Germany at the age of 30. His contract is coming to an end and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be renewed,” Dawson told Sky Sports.

“The reason Arsenal are probably looking at this is because you go, ‘Is Jorginho going to go? Is Thomas Partey going to go?’, so you need to replace them. And if he’s a free agent then you get the experience, the quality that he possesses and it’s a no-brainer really on that front.

“Kimmich, I can see why they would go for him, of course. The experience and what he could bring if those two players [Jorginho and Partey] do leave Arsenal. You’re bringing in someone who is tried and trusted… no-brainer.”

It has been reported that Bayern recently withdrew their latest offer of a new deal to Kimmich. The German is thought to be pushing for an increase on his current £320,000 per week wage packet.

According to Sky Germany, Arsenal are looking to take advantage of the situation and have already held talks with Kimmich over a move. He is said to interested in hearing what they have to say.

It is understood that has informed Bayern chiefs Max Eberl and Christoph Freund about the offers. Sporting director Eberl remains hopeful an agreement can still be reached with Kimmich over a renewal before the season comes to an end.

“Generally speaking, nobody is above the club,” he told German newspaper Bild. “If a player decides differently, then he decides differently. Things will continue at FC Bayern. We are not at that point with Kimmich.

“I’ve never given updates on negotiations, won’t be doing that now either because that’s inappropriate. We treat each other with big respect – we’re talking. What’s important is how Josh and we as a club treat each other.”