1 hr. ago
Malick Fofana's chaotic move to Sunderland was "a really difficult story to cover", says BBC Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel.
The Black Cats eventually beat Crystal Palace to the signing of the 21-year-old forward from Lyon in a deal worth £30m, after previous interest from ****** nal.
"It was really a dramatic day and definitely one of the narratives of Deadline Day for sure," Mokbel told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"With the flip-flopping, as a journalist I must say it was a really treacherous story to cover because obviously you never want to put false information out into the public domain and as journalists and correspondents we all have responsibilities to be as close to the truth and to be as accurate as possible.
"But, we were accurate at the time of when we were reporting that Sunderland had agreed the deal and it looked like he was going there. Then obviously the Crystal Palace thing emerged and immediately those original stories about Sunderland - you're slightly concerned about have I gone too early with the story?
#really #story #mokbel #crystal
The Black Cats eventually beat Crystal Palace to the signing of the 21-year-old forward from Lyon in a deal worth £30m, after previous interest from ****** nal.
"It was really a dramatic day and definitely one of the narratives of Deadline Day for sure," Mokbel told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"With the flip-flopping, as a journalist I must say it was a really treacherous story to cover because obviously you never want to put false information out into the public domain and as journalists and correspondents we all have responsibilities to be as close to the truth and to be as accurate as possible.
"But, we were accurate at the time of when we were reporting that Sunderland had agreed the deal and it looked like he was going there. Then obviously the Crystal Palace thing emerged and immediately those original stories about Sunderland - you're slightly concerned about have I gone too early with the story?
#really #story #mokbel #crystal
7 days ago
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
James Benge of CBS Sports reported on Tuesday that Al Hilal and ***** nal were closing in on an agreement for the transfer of Gabriel Martinelli, with the fee expected to be around €58m (£49.7m) guaranteed, with €8m (£6.9m) in further bonuses.
The total package of £56.5m would represent a club-record sale for ***** nal, but Benge added that it's all subject to the player's final approval.
Sami Mokbel then confirmed for the BBC that ***** nal are closing in on a minimum £50m deal to sell Martinelli, with talks advanced and a conclusion imminent ahead of the winger making a formal decision.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
#alex #benge #martinelli #closing
James Benge of CBS Sports reported on Tuesday that Al Hilal and ***** nal were closing in on an agreement for the transfer of Gabriel Martinelli, with the fee expected to be around €58m (£49.7m) guaranteed, with €8m (£6.9m) in further bonuses.
The total package of £56.5m would represent a club-record sale for ***** nal, but Benge added that it's all subject to the player's final approval.
Sami Mokbel then confirmed for the BBC that ***** nal are closing in on a minimum £50m deal to sell Martinelli, with talks advanced and a conclusion imminent ahead of the winger making a formal decision.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
#alex #benge #martinelli #closing
9 days ago
Arsenal have held talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal over the sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazil international is free to leave the club this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta making it clear to the attacker that he is not in his plans.
Turkish club Galatasaray showed interest in Martinelli earlier this summer, but the Brazilian would not consider a move to Istanbul, despite **** nal receiving a 45m euro (£38.54m) bid.
As reported by BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, Al-Hilal have communicated that they are willing to bid higher than Galatasaray's offer.
Martinelli made 53 appearances last season, scoring 11 goals, but he was left out of the squad for the champions Premier League opener against Coventry City on Friday.
#league #Brazil
The Brazil international is free to leave the club this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta making it clear to the attacker that he is not in his plans.
Turkish club Galatasaray showed interest in Martinelli earlier this summer, but the Brazilian would not consider a move to Istanbul, despite **** nal receiving a 45m euro (£38.54m) bid.
As reported by BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, Al-Hilal have communicated that they are willing to bid higher than Galatasaray's offer.
Martinelli made 53 appearances last season, scoring 11 goals, but he was left out of the squad for the champions Premier League opener against Coventry City on Friday.
#league #Brazil
21 days ago
Arsenal are reportedly once again keen on signing Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The Gunners have previously been linked with a move for the English centre-back this summer but a big gap in price has prevented any move from progressing.
However, according to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, Mikel Arteta's side are back in for the 28-year-old but will have to improve on their initial valuation of £30 million with Villa said to be more interested in £60 million.
In perhaps a more surprising move, ***** nal were also said to be interested in bringing in Tottenham Hotspur's Cristián Romero. Although signing the player from such a fierce rival would prove to be a big obstacle.
Konsa played 48 times for Villa in all competitions last season, chipping in with two goals from defence.
#move #back
The Gunners have previously been linked with a move for the English centre-back this summer but a big gap in price has prevented any move from progressing.
However, according to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, Mikel Arteta's side are back in for the 28-year-old but will have to improve on their initial valuation of £30 million with Villa said to be more interested in £60 million.
In perhaps a more surprising move, ***** nal were also said to be interested in bringing in Tottenham Hotspur's Cristián Romero. Although signing the player from such a fierce rival would prove to be a big obstacle.
Konsa played 48 times for Villa in all competitions last season, chipping in with two goals from defence.
#move #back
2 months ago
Arsenal are stepping up efforts to sign Kolkheti 1913 attacker Andria Bartishvili, according to the BBC reporter Sami Mokbel. The Gunners missed out on Jeremy Monga after the England youth international snubbed the Emirates Stadium club for Manchester City. ***** nal are looking elsewhere and the 17-year-old Bartishvili has emerged as a target as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his ranks at the North London club. The Gunners are monitoring the Georgia under-21 international, sending recruitment specialist Micheli to watch him play for Iberia 1999 against Flora in their Champions League qualifier last Wednesday.
The 'very special' teenage sensation is currently on loan with Iberia 1999 and has been dubbed the biggest Georgian talent since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. ***** nal are not the only Premier League keen on Bartishvili, with Liverpool also looking to bring him to England. The Emirates club will be desperate not to miss out on another talented attacker after the Monga blow. They are now stepping up efforts to sign him and could look to integrate him into the first-team immediately.
Bartishvili has played 39 games at senior level in the Georgian top-flight, weighing in with two goals and four ***** ists. Joining ***** nal could appeal to him as Arteta gives chances to the players in the Gunners' youth ranks. 16-year-old Max Dowman made 13 appearances across all competitions for the North Londoners last term and Bartishvili will get opportunities if he is good enough. A deal could be reached in the coming weeks if ***** nal and Kolkheti 1913 can come to an agreement.
The 'very special' teenage sensation is currently on loan with Iberia 1999 and has been dubbed the biggest Georgian talent since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. ***** nal are not the only Premier League keen on Bartishvili, with Liverpool also looking to bring him to England. The Emirates club will be desperate not to miss out on another talented attacker after the Monga blow. They are now stepping up efforts to sign him and could look to integrate him into the first-team immediately.
Bartishvili has played 39 games at senior level in the Georgian top-flight, weighing in with two goals and four ***** ists. Joining ***** nal could appeal to him as Arteta gives chances to the players in the Gunners' youth ranks. 16-year-old Max Dowman made 13 appearances across all competitions for the North Londoners last term and Bartishvili will get opportunities if he is good enough. A deal could be reached in the coming weeks if ***** nal and Kolkheti 1913 can come to an agreement.
2 months ago
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that England will ****** s Declan Rice’s fitness before their next game against Panama, after the midfielder limped away from their last match against Ghana with heavy strapping on his left calf.
But Mokbel adds that sources have indicated there is no major concern that the problem will affect Rice’s long-term involvement at the tournament, it just requires ****** sment and rest before a decision on the Panama game can be made.
Mike Keegan and Craig Hope confirm for the Daily Mail that Rice’s problem is not thought to be serious, but add that no chances will be taken in the Panama game. Kobbie Mainoo is on standby to start if Rice is unable to.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that England will ****** s Declan Rice’s fitness before their next game against Panama, after the midfielder limped away from their last match against Ghana with heavy strapping on his left calf.
But Mokbel adds that sources have indicated there is no major concern that the problem will affect Rice’s long-term involvement at the tournament, it just requires ****** sment and rest before a decision on the Panama game can be made.
Mike Keegan and Craig Hope confirm for the Daily Mail that Rice’s problem is not thought to be serious, but add that no chances will be taken in the Panama game. Kobbie Mainoo is on standby to start if Rice is unable to.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
3 months ago
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
At the time of writing, Eli Junior Kroupi looks an unlikely summer signing for ***** nal, despite confirmed interest from the club and the obvious appeal of a young forward who has already made a serious impact in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old Bournemouth striker has been heavily linked with a move after scoring 13 goals in 35 games in his first Premier League season, including goals home and away against ***** nal and the decisive goal against Manchester City on May 19, 2026, which ultimately helped the Gunners win the ***** le.
That alone would explain why he has become a player of interest at the Emirates.
Sami Mokbel of the BBC and Fabrizio Romano have both confirmed that ***** nal hold an interest in the forward and have made calls to enquire about his situation.
At the time of writing, Eli Junior Kroupi looks an unlikely summer signing for ***** nal, despite confirmed interest from the club and the obvious appeal of a young forward who has already made a serious impact in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old Bournemouth striker has been heavily linked with a move after scoring 13 goals in 35 games in his first Premier League season, including goals home and away against ***** nal and the decisive goal against Manchester City on May 19, 2026, which ultimately helped the Gunners win the ***** le.
That alone would explain why he has become a player of interest at the Emirates.
Sami Mokbel of the BBC and Fabrizio Romano have both confirmed that ***** nal hold an interest in the forward and have made calls to enquire about his situation.
