• Fri. Oct 23rd, 2026
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GOOD GORD! Arsenal storm to pole position in £75m Anthony Gordon transfer chase as Arteta plots blockbuster Newcastle raid

ByEditor

Feb 27, 2026
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The Gunners have stolen a march on fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester United, with Mikel Arteta viewing the explosive 25-year-old as the perfect left-wing upgrade to fire them to a first title in 22 years.

Sources close to the deal insist Gordon would jump at the chance to swap the North East for North London, despite publicly rubbishing recent transfer speculation.

Arteta has long been a huge admirer of the former Everton forward, tracking him since his Goodison Park days where the Spaniard first spotted his raw pace, directness and relentless work-rate.

Gordon, who celebrated his 25th birthday this week, has two years left on his St James’ Park deal. Newcastle are braced to demand up to £95m – but Arsenal insiders believe a deal in the £75m-£80m bracket is realistic if the Toon feel the offer is too good to turn down.

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta

The versatile attacker has even been deployed as a makeshift number nine by Eddie Howe in recent weeks, adding another string to his bow that would give Arteta serious tactical flexibility.

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While Gordon has blown hot and cold this season – with three goals and two assists in 21 Premier League appearances – he remains a certain pick for Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad ahead of next month’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. A starring role at this summer’s 2026 World Cup is also on the cards.

Crucially, the Arsenal boss sees Gordon as the ideal replacement should Gabriel Martinelli depart, with the Brazilian struggling for consistency and just three goal contributions in the league so far this term.

After splashing more than £1billion across the last three windows – including £250m last summer alone – the Emirates board are prepared to back Arteta heavily again if it means finally ending their title drought.

Potential outgoings could help balance the books, with fringe stars Christian Norgaard eyeing a move after limited minutes behind Martin Zubimendi, and Ben White open to fresh challenges for more regular football.

Gordon himself has previously come close to a big move, nearly joining boyhood club Liverpool two years ago before the deal collapsed amid Newcastle’s PSR drama. He later penned a long-term extension at St James’ Park but has always insisted he’s happy on Tyneside – for now.

“It’s the same old, same old,” he said last week when asked about the constant links. “I’m focused on me and the team right now.”

Yet behind the scenes, Arsenal are convinced the London lure – plus the chance to play Champions League football week in, week out at the highest level – could prove irresistible.

With Arsenal sitting top of the table and breathing down the neck of the chasing pack, this summer’s window could define Arteta’s reign.

A statement signing like Gordon – Premier League-proven, England-regular, and bursting with the hunger to prove himself at the very top – would send a thunderous message to their title rivals.

Watch this space. The Gordon saga is only just heating up.

Source: sun football

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Ne-Yo Lights Up Nairobi as Stanbic Bank’s Mashujaa Day Concert Draws 3,500 Fans Grammy-winning R&B superstar headlines ‘One Night Only: Brunch Edition’ at Ulinzi Sports Complex as Stanbic Bank backs Kenya’s creative economy and local enterprise NAIROBI, October 21, 2026 — Nairobi’s entertainment scene came alive on Mashujaa Day as approximately 3,500 music fans gathered at Ulinzi Sports Complex for One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo, a premium live-music experience title-sponsored by Stanbic Bank. The concert, held on Tuesday, October 20, delivered an afternoon of live performances, music and networking, bringing together Kenyan and international talent for a celebration that blended world-class entertainment with opportunities for the country’s growing creative economy. Performances began at 3:30 pm and concluded shortly after 8:00 pm, maintaining the event’s signature daytime brunch format while giving fans an opportunity to experience some of the biggest names on the lineup before nightfall. Kenyan musician Mutoriah opened the show with an energetic set, setting the pace for the afternoon. UK-based band Sol and the Gang followed with a vibrant performance before three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B star Ne-Yo took centre stage to close the concert in style. Top Kenyan DJs kept the predominantly millennial audience entertained throughout the event, sustaining the energy between performances and reinforcing Nairobi’s growing appetite for curated, premium music experiences. Stanbic Bank puts creative economy in the spotlight Beyond the music, the concert highlighted the commercial opportunities generated by Kenya’s live-entertainment industry, with Stanbic Bank positioning its sponsorship as an investment in the wider creative ecosystem. The production created business opportunities across multiple segments of the value chain, including artists, sound engineers, stage and technical crews, production specialists, hospitality providers, security personnel, vendors and micro- and small enterprises. For an industry that relies heavily on collaboration among creative professionals and service providers, events of this scale can stimulate local demand, support livelihoods and open new commercial opportunities for businesses operating behind the scenes. Michael Mutiga, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, said the concert demonstrated how large-scale entertainment can combine audience appeal with tangible economic activity. “Yesterday was a powerful demonstration of what happens when world-class entertainment meets meaningful local economic impact,” Mutiga said. He noted that bringing more than 3,000 fans together went beyond the performances on stage, generating business for artists, technical teams, vendors, hospitality partners and small enterprises involved in delivering the event. “Kenya’s creative sector is a dynamic driver of growth, and Stanbic Bank remains committed to strengthening this ecosystem, raising its commercial profile, and supporting the livelihoods anchored in it,” he added. Creative industry contributes 5.32% of Kenya’s GDP The sponsorship comes against the backdrop of the creative economy’s contribution to employment, enterprise development and national output. A 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) placed the creative industry’s contribution to Kenya’s gross domestic product at 5.32%, while estimating that the sector provided formal employment for approximately 195,000 people. The industry also supports livelihoods across the informal economy, including performers, independent producers, event organisers, designers, content creators, technicians and small businesses that supply goods and services to entertainment productions. Stanbic Bank’s approach underscores the potential of cultural events to serve as more than marketing platforms. By bringing together consumers, performers, businesses and corporate sponsors, such events can create opportunities for local talent, showcase production capabilities and connect home-grown enterprises to wider commercial networks. However, the long-term impact of such initiatives depends on whether the opportunities generated translate into sustained contracts, improved incomes and stronger business prospects for local players beyond individual events. 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