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Arsenal and Chelsea Circle Honest Ahanor as Premier League Battle Looms

Credit to Caught Offside for first reporting the growing Premier League interest in Atalanta’s teenage defender, Honest Ahanor.

Rise in Bergamo

At just 18, Ahanor has forced his way into the wider European conversation. As reported, “At just 18 years old, Honest Ahanor has emerged as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in European football.” That is not a label handed out lightly, particularly in a season shaped by intense domestic and continental competition.

The Atalanta full back has featured 25 times in all competitions, gaining exposure in Serie A and the Champions League. For a teenager operating in one of Europe’s most tactically demanding leagues, that volume speaks to trust as much as talent. Atalanta’s model, patient, technical and structured, has long prized intelligent defenders capable of stepping into midfield and sustaining pressure high up the pitch. Ahanor appears to fit that mould seamlessly.

Modern Profile Attracts Attention

Caught Offside describe him as physically robust, quick across the ground and adept in defensive duels. They note his “ability to overlap, deliver accurate crosses and recover quickly in transition,” painting him as “the prototype of the modern attacking full-back or even a hybrid centre-back in systems requiring tactical flexibility.”

That versatility is gold dust in the Premier League. Managers increasingly demand defenders who can form a back three in possession, advance into midfield, or hold width as wingers drift inside. Ahanor’s profile suggests he is comfortable across those shifting roles. One scout is quoted as saying privately, “He plays with the composure of someone far older,” an observation that feels pertinent given his age.

Arsenal and Chelsea Monitoring Closely

Interest from England appears concrete. “Scouts from Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly watched Ahanor live in recent months.” City and Arsenal are said to be evaluating bids “in the region of €35 million,” a fee that underlines both promise and projection.

Photo IMAGO

Chelsea, in keeping with their recruitment strategy, “could pursue a structured deal involving a loan spell to accelerate his development before integrating him into their first team.” That model has become familiar, securing talent early and refining it elsewhere.

Atalanta’s stance is firm. They view Ahanor as untouchable and would prefer to retain him for at least another season. Continued Serie A exposure would likely raise both his experience and valuation, a calculation that makes financial and sporting sense.

For Arsenal and Chelsea, the dilemma is clear. Move now and pay for potential, or wait and risk watching the price climb further.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal perspective, this feels like a familiar crossroads. The club have invested heavily in youth with upside, yet the squad now sits at a stage where refinement, not overhaul, is required. Ahanor’s profile is intriguing, particularly his capacity to operate as a hybrid defender in possession. That tactical flexibility would suit a side that often builds with a back three shape.

However, €35 million for an 18 year old remains a calculated gamble. Arsenal supporters may ask whether resources would be better allocated to immediate attacking reinforcement. There is also the question of pathway. With established options already in the defensive unit, would Ahanor receive the minutes required to justify such an outlay?

Chelsea’s loan strategy offers an alternative model, one that reduces short term pressure. Arsenal’s recent evolution has leaned more towards integration and continuity.

Ultimately, if Ahanor develops as projected, missing out could sting. Yet recruitment must balance vision with timing. Arsenal fans will hope that any move reflects a clear tactical plan rather than fear of losing ground to rivals.

Mellomdistanseløperen Diribe Welteji fra Etiopia tapte i Idrettens voldgiftsrett (CAS) og må sone to års utelukkelse for å ha unndratt seg dopingtest.
Welteji ble i fjor frikjent i hjemlandet etter at hun ble anmeldt for å ha gjort seg utilgjengelig for dopingtesting, men Friidrettens integritetsenhet (AIU) godtok ikke avgjørelsen, og saken ble anket inn for CAS.
Nå er hele saken avgjort, og CAS finner at Welteji brøt antidopingreglementet da dopingjegerne måtte forlate hennes hjem med uforrettet sak.
Imidlertid fant man at språkbarrierer bidro til at hennes ektemann avviste dopingjegerne, og det ble også lagt vekt på at hun åtte ganger tidligere var testet utenfor konkurranse uten å legge hindringer i veien for dopingjegerne.
Derfor slipper hun med to års utestengelse i stedet for fire. Med fratrekk for sonet suspensjon vil utestengelsen utløpe 30. juni 2027.
Dermed rekker hun VM i friidrett, som arrangeres i Beijing 11.–19. september. (NTB)

Pedro Acosta has noticed a shift in his KTM teammate Brad Binder’s approach to the new season, saying he looks much more confident after what was a difficult 2025 campaign.

Since joining the grid in 2020, Binder had always been the leader of the factory KTM setup. That began to change last year when Acosta moved over from Tech3. While Acosta finished fifth overall with 307 points and five podiums, Binder was back in 11th without a single top-three finish.

Acosta also mentioned that he believes part of that improvement is down to changes in their dynamic within the team, which now sees him take on a bigger leadership role.

“I think it helps that Brad doesn’t have the responsibility now for development,” said Acosta. “Before he had it all. If we see from my side, before I arrived it was only Brad. Not just about set-up, about everything.”

Acosta believes Binder has got his confidence back

Binder, after testing, said he feels a lot better on the 2026 KTM and hopes that comfort will translate to race pace. At Buriram, his fastest lap was 0.371 seconds slower than Acosta’s, and his average race pace was 1.074 seconds off.

Acosta paid close attention to Binder’s work on the KTM RC16 during pre-season testing. He noted changes in Binder’s attitude around the garage but said that comparing their data directly was tough because they were working with different setups.

“I’ve looked at his data, but we tried very different things during testing. So it’s difficult to draw a comparison regarding tyre management,” Acosta added.

Acosta says KTM tyres no longer fall apart after just three laps

Acosta finished the Buriram test race simulations with an average lap time of 1:30.516, ranking sixth overall. Binder’s average of 1:31.590 was only the 17th fastest and even trailed Acosta’s second-best effort.

The test also gave Acosta confidence that KTM has addressed its tyre issues, despite the challenge of comparing data with Binder due to their different setups. Acosta said he used to burn through tyres in just three laps last year but now feels he can maintain a good pace for 15.

“The turn-in is better, the bike is a bit more stable, and the tyres aren’t under as much stress,” Acosta explained. “Before, the tyres were destroyed after just three laps. Now, we can ride 15 laps at a good pace.”

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The annual NFL Scouting Combine serves as a critical evaluation period for college football prospects seeking to impress NFL teams. For defensive players in particular, strong performances in drills, interviews, and physical measurements can significantly impact their draft positioning and potential contract values.

For many defensive prospects, the combine represents their best opportunity to showcase athletic abilities that may not have been fully demonstrated during their college careers. A strong showing here could elevate them from mid-round picks to first-round selections, while poor performances might cause their stock to drop.