Ex-Socceroo links up with Kewell after shock axing; Arteta reacts as stars near exit — Transfers
An A-League skipper will unite with an Australian football legend after claims he was axed by the club.
Perth Glory captain and former Socceroos striker Adam Taggart signed a one-year deal for the 2026/27 season only three months ago.
But the West Australian reports the 33-year old has been told he is no longer required, and left the city on Thursday night.
His next move is to join Australian icon Harry Kewell at Vietnamese club Hanoi FC on a permanent contract, provided he successfully clears his medical.
Kewell has managed the V. 1 League club since 2025.
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A report from football360.com.au states the Glory reject any claim they initiated the axing, with an insider telling the website it was a mutual decision to part ways, with the club unable to match Hanoi’s offer.
The fan favourite became Glory’s all-time leading goalscorer in March, and has 61 goals across three separate stints for the club beginning as a 17-year old in 2010.
He spent his first two professional seasons with the club before being transferred to Newcastle.
Taggart remained at the Jets for two further years before signing a three-year deal with English club Fulham, where he failed to play a competitive game through a combination of injury woes and a loan to Dundee United.
He’d return to Glory for a second stint from 2016-2018, and then be back again in 2022, before being named captain a year later.
An outstanding 2023/24 season, when he won the A-League’s golden boot despite Glory finishing last, saw him called up for the Socceroos, having previously featured at the 2014 World Cup against the Netherlands and Spain.
He currently has 21 Socceroos caps.
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‘DON’T GO THERE’: ARTETA COY ON ALVAREZ LINK
Mikel Arteta revealed he has had difficult conversations with forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, as both Brazilian internationals appear set to depart Arsenal.
Martinelli left training early on Thursday amid speculation he is set for a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal for a fee that could reportedly rise to £50 million ($94 million).
“It’s inevitable, at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough,” Arteta said.
“I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi (Martinelli).
“Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that.”
Jesus has fallen well down the pecking order during an injury disrupted time in north London and was not even included in training on Thursday as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
“It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players – they have some personal situations,” Arteta said of the former Manchester City striker.
The Gunners have been linked with bolstering their forward line with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine is caught in an acrimonious stand-off after Atletico refused to let him depart the Spanish capital for Barcelona.
“Don’t go there,” Arteta said about Arsenal’s interest in Alvarez.
“I’m not going to make any comment about any player that is not with us.”
Ezri Konsa is already an Arsenal player and could make his debut back at Villa Park on Monday after securing a £51 million move from Aston Villa.
The England international could receive a frosty reception but Arteta said that would not influence his decision in throwing Konsa into action.
“If I see something different in the player then I may have a question about that,” he said.
“But the way I’ve seen Ezri since day one, knowing his personality really well and through people that have worked with him, I have no concern there.”
Bruno Guimaraes could also be fit to make his first competitive Arsenal appearance after missing the 3-0 win over Coventry last weekend due to a groin problem.
CHELSEA SIGN WORLD CUP HERO AFTER KEEPER’S NIGHTMARE
Chelsea have agreed on a $14 million transfer fee with Aston Villa for star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, just days after shot-stopper Robert Sanchez’s torrid Premier League opener.
Martinez was the hero for Argentina in their 2022 World Cup final win over France, making a crucial extra time save before stepping up again in the penalty shootout.
He then made a record 11 saves in La Albiceleste’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 final.
The move comes after Villa signed Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki from Parma earlier this month.
The Blues’ move signals a loss of faith in Sanchez, who made a pair of bad errors in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham to begin their Premier League campaign.
The 33-year old’s arrival could coincide with the departure of fellow Argentine international Enzo Fernandez, who was left out of Chelsea’s squad to face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.
Fernandez has been linked to a transfer to Manchester City in recent weeks, but manager Xabi Alonso said the choice to sideline the World Cup villain, who was red-carded against Spain in East Rutherford in July’s final, had nothing to do with any impending move.
“It was just because of the game today,” Alonso said.
“We have other players that need minutes. It was that way. It’s a decision that I took.”
