Liverpool ready to offer Ryan Gravenberch new deal, Arsenal interested in Real Soceidad's Takefusa Kubo, Crystal Palace have no intention of selling Adam Wharton, plus more.
Antoine Semenyo scored one goal and set up the other as Bournemouth beat Brighton 2-1. Alex Scott netted his first league goal since December 2023, with Kaoru Mitoma equalising for the visitors. The Cherries handed a surprise top-flight debut to Veljko Milosavljevic, their 18-year-old transfer deadline day signing, with the centre-back Bafodé Diakité injured. At the other end of the age spectrum, the 39-year-old James Milner replaced Carlos Baleba in Brighton’s starting lineup. Continue reading...
The US will face a tall test against another East Asian power – this one with ambitions to make World Cup history in 2026 Not even the most blinkered South Korean fan would deny that Japan presents the United States with the strongest test that Asia has to offer. The Samurai Blue may not have a player like Christian Pulisic who has played regularly at elite clubs, but the roster is full of talents playing at high level, and was the first country other than the hosts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Continue reading...
Today’s rumours don’t really have their heart in it Four days into July, Arsenal fans could be forgiven for getting antsy over their outgoings list outnumbering their incomings by seven to one. If Gunnersaurus had ears they’d be pricking ozone-wards at word that Real Madrid are willing to let Rodrygo leave during the current window. Xabi Alonso seemingly likes the trade-off of losing a player who doesn’t currently waltz into his preferred XI (just 88 mins of action at the Club World Cup to date) and getting a fee not far short of £80m to help continue his reconfiguration at the Bernabéu. The tricksy 24-year-old is seen as a substantial upgrade on Arsenal’s current threats from the left wing, but his arrival would not necessarily herald the exit of his Brazilian compatriot Gabriel Martinelli. A player who will leave, however, is knack-plagued defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, whose contract is being ripped up. That’s, thankfully, a situation suiting both parties, with the Japan international still almost half a year from returning to action after an endless string of knee twangs. Continue reading...
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is leaving the club after reaching an agreement to mutually terminate his contract.
Australia take 1-0 smash-and-grab win over Samurai Blue in Perth Stunning 90th-minute strike all but secures automatic qualification It’s the smash-and-grab to end all smash-and-grabs and one that means everything to Australia. In the 90th minute of a game in which the Socceroos had been besieged by Japan, in which a rampant Samurai Blue had done everything but fashion that clearcut chance they needed to score a winning goal, Aziz Behich went back across his body and bent a shot with his non-preferred right foot beyond Kosei Tani and into the back of the net. With one fell swoop, with his first goal in green and gold in 13 years, the veteran defender had all but ensured that Australia punched their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, in doing so, cemented his place in Australian football folklore. Pandemonium gripped Perth Stadium. Behich streaked away towards the corner flag before being enveloped by teammates from every direction. On the sidelines, Tony Popovic let out a guttural roar before embracing his staff while the pyrotechnics were going off in the stands and strangers embraced each other in delirious jubilation. Continue reading...
The rise of the Samurai Blue has gone hand-in-hand with increased integration of ‘haafu’ into society, although things are still not perfect Through Japan’s previous seven World Cup appearances, the progress of its men’s national team has reflected the country’s ascent within the global soccer community, a result of three decades of professionalism and grassroots development producing a steady stream of Europe-ready players. On Thursday, that streak of consecutive appearances in men’s soccer’s showpiece event was officially extended to eight, as Japan’s 2-0 win over Bahrain made them the first non-host country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading...
Brighton made it three wins in a row as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at rock-bottom Southampton to climb to eighth place in the Premier League and keep their European ambitions on track. Goals from the excellent João Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood were more than enough to condemn the Saints to a 21st defeat of the season and leave them on just nine points, two fewer than Derby’s record low total from the 2007-08 season. Continue reading...
Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest Arsenal player to be ruled out of the rest of the season after the defender has knee surgery.
Manchester United are considering a move for Liam Delap, Liverpool are set to offer Newcastle Darwin Nunez plus cash in an attempt to land Alexander Isak, and Brighton might reluctantly sell Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma.
Enzo Maresca must be sick of the sight of Kaoru Mitoma. A week after he sent them tumbling out of the FA Cup, a breathtaking piece of control from the Japan winger to score the opening goal set up another memorable victory for Brighton and piled more pressure on the Chelsea manager. Three defeats in their last four matches and with Cole Palmer enduring a frustrating night as he laboured as a false 9, at times Maresca seemed lost on the touchline as he watched his side struggle to find a way back into the game after Yankuba Minteh had made it 2-0 before half-time. His second of the night killed off any hopes of a comeback and it could have turned into a Valentine’s Day massacre had Mitoma, João Pedro or Joël Veltman taken their chances late on. Continue reading...
Kaoru Mitoma scores a controversial winner as Brighton beat Chelsea to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Al-Nassr end their attempts to sign Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma after the Seagulls make it clear they have no intention of selling the Japan forward.
Tottenham agree £50m deal with Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel, Al-Nassr plot £90m offer for Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, Ollie Watkins open to joining Arsenal, plus more.
