Football
Wesley Sneijder names ‘perfect match’ for Viktor Gyokeres after Chelsea talks
Dutch football icon Wesley Sneijder believes Viktor Gyokeres would be an ideal addition to Real Madrid this summer. The Swedish striker has become one of Europe’s hottest transfer targets after a phenomenal season with Sporting Lisbon, scoring 51 goals in 53 games.
With a release clause reportedly around £58 million, Gyokeres is expected to leave the Portuguese side in the coming months.
Arsenal have shown strong interest, recently meeting with the forward’s representatives. However, the Gunners are also seriously considering Benjamin Sesko, who is said to be Mikel Arteta’s first choice to lead the line next season.
Chelsea have also entered the race despite closing in on a deal for young striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. The Blues are weighing the need for a more experienced presence in attack.
Manchester United are long-time admirers of Gyokeres, especially with Ruben Amorim now at the helm at Old Trafford. Amorim managed Gyokeres during his breakout campaign at Sporting and would reportedly welcome a reunion.
Yet United’s absence from next season’s Champions League could prove a major obstacle in luring top-tier talent.
Though a goal machine, Gyokeres’ future remains uncertain due to the competing interests of clubs targeting other options. Barcelona have been linked as well, but Sneijder feels that Real Madrid might offer the most suitable environment.
Speaking to Metro via BetMGM, he noted that Real could benefit from Gyokeres’ style, especially if Kylian Mbappé were to shift back to his preferred role on the left wing.
Mbappé has primarily operated through the middle in his first year at the Bernabéu, although many believe he’s more effective coming in from the left, currently occupied by Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid, with one of Europe’s most potent attacking lineups, could use Gyokeres in a more central role—particularly if Rodrygo, who is rumored to be considering his future amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, decides to move on.
Gyokeres could also thrive in the Premier League. A move to Arsenal is especially attractive given the club’s consistent form under Arteta and their near-title finishes despite lacking a natural striker.
Gyokeres would offer an instant upgrade over the likes of Kai Havertz, the injury-prone Gabriel Jesus, and other makeshift options. His 12 assists this season show he’s more than just a finisher—his versatility and intelligence could be a perfect fit in a system that demands creativity and movement from forwards.
Manchester United would appeal to Gyokeres on a personal level, particularly with Amorim at the helm. The striker blossomed under his guidance, and joining a global powerhouse—even one currently underperforming—could be tempting. However, the absence of top-tier European football might reduce the club’s pull compared to other suitors.
Though Gyokeres is widely expected to move on from Sporting this summer, the choice of destination will be crucial. Wherever he lands, expectations will be sky-high. Sneijder warns that any move will bring pressure, especially if he doesn’t score right away.
In his words, the striker position is unforgiving: fans and media alike can turn quickly if early goals don’t come. Gyokeres will need to weigh his options carefully and make a move that matches both his playing style and long-term ambitions.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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