Sport
Emmanuel Petit Questions Why Arsenal Chose Watkins Over Isak or Osimhen
Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal midfielder, has raised eyebrows over the Gunners’ decision to focus on signing Ollie Watkins instead of pursuing more established strikers like Alexander Isak or Victor Osimhen this January.
Recent reports revealed that Arsenal made a £60million bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but Villa swiftly rejected the offer. Petit, however, believes that the Gunners should have prioritized Isak or Osimhen over Watkins, who he described as more of a backup option.
Arsenal has been grappling with inconsistent finishing in the final third, a key area where they have struggled to find the back of the net. This has led to speculation about potential signings to boost their attacking options, with numerous strikers being linked to the club.
Petit, speaking to Metro, shared his thoughts on the club’s approach: “The pursuit of Ollie Watkins seems like a bit of a panic move. He wasn’t necessarily their first-choice target, and with the transfer window winding down, they were forced to act quickly.”
While he acknowledged Watkins’ attributes, Petit made it clear that Arsenal would likely have preferred a different striker. “I do like Watkins as a player. He has a competitive edge, a strong desire to score, and brings real energy to the attack. His pace and physicality would bring something fresh to the Arsenal frontline,” Petit said.
However, he emphasized that players like Isak and Osimhen would have likely been at the top of the Gunners’ list. “Isak has everything Arsenal would need in a striker: the right technical ability, intelligence, and composure. He’d be a great fit for their style of play,” he continued.
Jadon Sancho is attracting serious interest from two top Italian clubs as he weighs his next move away from Manchester United this summer.
Juventus have reportedly opened talks with United in recent hours over a potential deal for the England international. Napoli are also keen and have made direct contact with Sancho’s representatives to explore the possibility of bringing him to Naples.
The winger spent last season on loan at Chelsea, but the London side chose not to make the move permanent. Sancho has since returned to Old Trafford, but with new manager Ruben Amorim yet to finalize his squad for next season, the winger’s future remains uncertain. A final decision on his next club is expected soon.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly turned down an offer from River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo to join the Argentine side for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Gallardo revealed that he personally reached out to Ronaldo through a mutual friend to explore the possibility of having the Portuguese star feature for River Plate in the tournament.
The two have a bit of history—Gallardo previously managed Ronaldo during a 2023 friendly in Saudi Arabia when he coached a Riyadh All-Stars team in a match against Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking ahead of River Plate’s clash with Monterrey, Gallardo told ESPN that their conversation earlier this year was casual but meaningful.
“In March, we spoke informally,” he said. “I asked if he would be interested in playing the Club World Cup. A player like him, who defined an era—it made sense to ask.” Gallardo added that Ronaldo appreciated the gesture and gave it serious thought but ultimately turned it down. The reason? He wanted to focus fully on getting ready for the new season with Al-Nassr.
Despite the rejection, Gallardo praised Ronaldo’s professionalism and character, saying they’ve kept a respectful relationship since their brief time working together. While fans won’t get to see Ronaldo in a River Plate shirt, the story shows the kind of admiration he still commands globally—even from clubs outside Europe.
Ola Aina is close to signing a new long-term deal with Nottingham Forest. The club has already activated the one-year extension in his current contract, keeping him at the City Ground until the end of the 2025/26 season. However, Forest are pushing to secure his future beyond that and are working on a new extended deal.
Talks are said to be going smoothly, with both sides confident that an agreement will be reached soon. Aina, who joined Forest in 2023 after leaving Italian side Torino, has become a key figure under manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The 28-year-old made 35 league appearances last season, scoring two goals and providing one assist, impressing with his consistency and versatility.
-
Sport7 hours agoCristiano Ronaldo Turns Down Club World Cup Offer to Focus on Al-Nassr
-
Entertainment7 hours agoBeyoncé Surprises Paris Fans by Bringing Out Miley Cyrus for Surprise Duet
-
Sport8 hours agoVictor Osimhen is Sad as Big Clubs Ignore Him While Galatasaray Want to Sign Him
-
Sport8 hours agoOla Aina Set to Sign New Long-Term Deal with Nottingham Forest
-
Entertainment8 hours agoRihanna Spotted in LA Looking Stylish as She Shows Off Her Baby Bump
-
News24 minutes agoAkpabio Says Tinubu Will Win Big in 2027 as Governor Eno will be Re-elected
-
Sport21 minutes agoJuventus and Napoli Hope to Sign Sancho as He Prepares to Leave Man United
-
Entertainment18 minutes agoRema Says Being Trolled Online Helped His Career and Global Success