Sports
Arsenal ‘Very Close’ to Signing Bruno Guimaraes Ahead of Third Bid
Arsenal are set to table their final offer for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, believed to be in the region of £72 million, with the player said to be ‘very close’ to making the move, according to Brazilian publication UOL.
Guimaraes enjoyed another stellar season in the north-east last term, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. However, with the player approaching 29 and with Newcastle failing to qualify for the Champions League, the Brazilian is eager for a new challenge with a club competing for major honours.
It was revealed on Wednesday evening that Guimaraes has informed Newcastle of his desire to join Arsenal, although the 28-year-old won’t agitate for a move away from St James’ Park.
The Gunners have already seen two bids rejected for the playmaker, and will now return with one final, significantly improved proposal.
Arsenal to Make Final Offer for Bruno Guimaraes
According to UOL, Arsenal’s initial bid for Guimaraes was worth £55 million and was swiftly turned down by the Magpies. The Gunners then had a second offer worth £65 million rejected.
Mikel Arteta is an admirer of the former Lyon man and is keen on bringing him to the Emirates. Sporting director Andrea Berta is prepared to make this happen, although the North London club aren’t willing to break the bank to land the ageing number eight.
UOL report that the next bid will be Arsenal’s final before they start considering alternatives. The outlet suggest that the Gunners are preparing a £72 million offer, which they hope will convince the Tynesiders to cash in on their captain, who has been described as ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’ by Gabriel Martinelli.
Fabrizio Romano indicated on Thursday morning that Newcastle are staunch in their stance that anything less than £90 million for Guimaraes won’t be accepted.
Eddie Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy view the Brazil international as critical to their project, and would need a substantial offer that reflects this importance to even consider a sale.
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Bruno Guimaraes May Need to Agitate for a Move to Secure Arsenal Transfer
It’s clear from the reporting that Newcastle aren’t keen on selling Guimaraes. The Magpies have already lost Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, and another major departure would leave their squad short of the firepower needed to challenge for a European place again.
Various reports also make it clear that Guimaraes doesn’t want to burn bridges with the north-east club. He isn’t willing to push for a move in the radical ways that Alexander Isak did last summer, as he looks to retain his healthy relationship with the Newcastle fanbase.
If he really wants to be plying his trade in North London next season, he might need to alter his stance on this.
With Arsenal seemingly unwilling to meet Newcastle’s price demands, the only way in which a deal materialises is if Guimaraes makes things uncomfortable for the Magpies.
This may involve refusing to train, which would certainly break his bond with Newcastle supporters, but would put the Tynesiders in a position where they almost have to sell.
Sports
Tottenham Eye Move To Sign Special Player Haaland Loves
Norway have the opportunity to seal a place in the final four of the World Cup when they face England in a quarter-final showdown on Saturday evening.
Last featuring in the world’s biggest competition back in 1998, Stale Solbakken’s team have made a real impression in North America this summer, with Erling Haaland dominating the headlines so far after plundering seven goals in only four games.
The Manchester City striker isn’t the only one catching the attention, though, as international teammate Antonio Nusa is one of a number of players to excel for Norway.
The tricky left-winger who is blessed with pace has one World Cup goal to his name already, a stunning curling strike that found the top corner in their 2-1 round of 32 win over Ivory Coast.
Nusa’s name will already be familiar to many after talk of a Premier League move in the past, something which will now in fact ramp up ahead of the new season after catching the eye for his country at the World Cup.
North London battle for Nusa
Tottenham are among a host of Premier League clubs who are sizing up a summer move for Nusa, according to TEAMtalk, with Spurs now looking to imporve their forward line after bolstering their backline and midfield already in the summer transfer window.
Having already impressed at club level for RB Leipzig, interest in the 21-year-old has stepped up after taking his chance on the international stage.
Tottenham have always admired the Oslo-born star and previously tried to sign him during the January transfer window in 2024 prior to his failed move to Brentford.
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Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are the other three Premier League clubs joining and Tottenham in having an interest in Nusa.
The player looks set to have interest in his services from elsewhere as well, with AC Milan, Napoli, Roma, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona also credited with interest.
Haaland praise for Nusa
Haaland may be the Norwegian player who regularly comes in for praise, but the prolific striker dished out some of his own when previously speaking about Nusa.
Making a name for himself in Belgium with Club Brugge and looking set to secure a Premier League move in 2024, Nusa was hailed by his fellow countryman.
“He’s fantastic,” stated the City striker. “So it is important to take care of him and not hype him too much, even though he is a great talent.
“It is important to leave him alone and give him the opportunity to develop.”
Nusa has taken his game even further in the two years since Haaland’s praise and a summer move from RB Leipzig may well now happen with the Premier League a likely destination.
Sports
Who is Allowed Into the Royal Box Explained
The Royal Box at Wimbledon is one of the most exclusive areas of all of SW19. This week, a picture of tennis legend Roger Federer sat alone in the box went viral, but why is the seating so historic?
The royals first visited Wimbledon back in 1907, before King George V became the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Since that year, the tournament has always had a royal patron. It wasn’t until 1922 when Centre Court was built that the Royal Box was constructed.
It was previously tradition for the players to curtsy and bow to the Royal Box as they entered Centre Court. Nine-time Wimbledon champion, Martina Navratilova said: “I liked that part. The players walking on the court, curtsying in unison. That was part of the great tradition here.”
The bowing and curtsying ended in 2003 in a policy change which was sparked by Prince Edward. The All England Club chairman, Tim Phillips, said at the time: “The Duke of Kent feels that during his lifetime the tradition of bowing and curtseying is pretty much on the way out.”
Despite this change, in 2010, when Queen Elizabeth made a rare appearance in the Royal Box, Andy Murray bowed to her. He called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Royal Box’s Strict Dress Code
The Royal Box hosts a rather strict, smart, dress code. This means men wear suits, jackets and ties. Ladies are asked not to wear hats in order not to obscure the view of those seated behind.
In 2015, Lewis Hamilton was notably turned away from the Royal Box ahead of the final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic due to a dress code violation. A spokesperson for Hamilton said: “Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding dress code, Lewis is very disappointed to have missed the men’s final.”
How Guests Are Chosen For the Royal Box at Wimbledon
In relation to how guests are chosen for the Royal Box, Wimbledon’s official guidance reads: “British and overseas Royal Families are invited as well as heads of government, people from the world of tennis, commercial partners, British armed forces, prominent media organisations, supports of British tennis and other walks of life.
“Invitations come from the Chair of the All England Club, taking into account suggestions from members of The Championships’ Organising Committee, The Lawn Tennis Association and other relevant sources.”
For those invited to the Royal Box, it’s not just a ticket to watch the tennis. Ticket holders are treated to a full day of luxury, which includes an invite to the clubhouse for lunch, tea and then drinks at the end of the day’s play.
Some, of course, are more interested in the action on the court than others, as Federer proved when he was left all alone in the area during the final match of the day earlier this week.
Federer aside, in 2026, the Royal Box has played host to several high-profile visitors, such as footballers, Phil Foden and Beth Mead. Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship leader, Kimi Antonelli. Actors Michaela Coel, Monica Barbaro, Andrew Garfield and Tom Hiddleston have all enjoyed a day at the Royal Box too.
Sports
Lionel Messi Slammed Copa America For Being ‘Fixed’ For Brazil
FIFA are coming under fire with accusations that the 2026 World Cup is ‘rigged’ for Argentina to retain their crown. Lionel Messi’s side scraped past Egypt in a thrilling Round of 16 clash, but it’s done nothing to quieten the conspiracies.
Egyptian players and staff even publicly claimed the game had been officiated in a way that ensured the South Americans progressed to the next round after a series of controversial decisions. It also comes after Messi avoided a red card for a high challenge vs Algeria.
Should any more favourable calls go in their favour in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, Gianni Infantino will come under even more scrutiny. The FIFA president was already criticised for allegedly saying he ‘suffered’ with Argentina in their win over Cape Verde.
Messi Was Convinced of ‘Corruption’ at Copa America
Argentina defeated Chile to seal a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America, but Messi ended the tournament with a red card. It was just the second dismissal of his career, and it was evident the greatest footballer of all time was livid.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the Argentina icon lashed out at CONMEBOL, claiming referees were making decisions to ensure that Brazil won the competition. The five-time World Cup winners eventually won the final against Peru following Messi’s accusations.
“We don’t have to be part of this corruption,” an uncharacteristically angry Messi stated (per NBC). If allegations of ‘corruption’ weren’t enough, he went on to explicitly claim ‘the cup is fixed for Brazil’. The forward added:
“They have showed us a lack of respect throughout this tournament. Sadly, the corruption, the referees, they don’t allow people to enjoy football, they ruined it a bit. I think the cup is fixed for Brazil. I hope that the VAR and the referees have nothing to do in this final and that Peru can compete because they have the team to do so although I think it’s difficult.”
Footage of Messi’s emotional comments resurfaced on X following recent accusations that FIFA favoured his team at the World Cup. Watch below.
CONMEBOL Responded to Messi’s ‘Fixed’ Claims
While Messi has now won the Copa America twice, as well as finally getting his hands on the World Cup in 2022, he had long been labelled a failure on the international stage at the time of his outburst. Argentina had gone a long time without winning anything meaningful, and that seemed to add tension for Messi.
The governing body of the competition, CONMEBOL, responded to suggestions that there was favouritism towards one team. Without naming Messi directly, the statement read:
“Unfounded accusations have been launched that lack the truth and question the integrity of the Copa America. These accusations represent a lack of respect for the competition, all the participating players and the hundreds of professionals of CONMEBOL.”
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