Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are keen on acquiring the services of Real Madrid midfield sensation Eduardo Camavinga.
The French international’s future has become an interesting talking point, as he hasn’t been at his best in recent seasons, and Real Madrid are now considering cashing in on him this summer. Multiple top clubs are keeping tabs on his situation, and there could be a bidding war for his services.
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Mikel Arteta wants Eduardo Camavinga at Arsenal
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal have entered the race for Eduardo Camavinga’s signature. The Gunners want to further bolster their midfield and believe the French international’s arrival could significantly strengthen their midfield rotation.
While they already have Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park, Arteta feels Camavinga could give him more tactical flexibility. His arrival would provide much more competition for the likes of Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze.
Since he is only 23, signing him will help them in the short and long run. His ability to feature in any role in the centre of the park, as well as a full-back, could certainly help the Spanish manager.
While his contract at Real Madrid runs until the summer of 2029, the Spanish giants are ready to listen to offers for the youngster. The report suggests an offer in excess of €50 million could be enough for the team in white to sanction his departure.
Meanwhile, Camavinga can seriously consider the chance to join Arsenal, as he will play an important role on a team looking to dethrone Manchester City in English football.
Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on Christian Kofane ahead of a potential transfer this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane is attracting a lot of interest from across Europe following his sensational rise. While he has a long-term contract at the German club, they might still struggle to keep hold of him.
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Premier League trio are after Christian Kofane
According to a report from SportsBoom, Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all keen on acquiring the services of the 18-year-old Cameroonian striker. Other top clubs from across Europe are after his signature, which could lead to a bidding war.
Kofane joined the Bundesliga giants from Albacete for just €5 million. The fee certainly seems to be a massive bargain as his value has skyrocketed since moving to Germany. The teenager has been involved in 38 games in all competitions and has contributed towards 15 goals (7 goals, 8 assists).
While he has had limited game time, Kofane has made quite an impact, and now every top club is after him. Scouts from the biggest clubs in Europe consider him an elite-level attacking prospect.
Newcastle seem to have already set aside a budget for him, as they look to sign a striker with a strong physical presence. They believe he will seamlessly adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
Arsenal are also monitoring him, as they consider him to be an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s team. Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to establish direct contact with the German club, as they look to make him a part of their project.
While all three English clubs are keen on his signature, there are other clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona that could make things difficult for them. With his contract running until 2029, Bayer Leverkusen want a minimum of €60–€70 million for the teenager. They are hoping for a bidding war, as it would further increase the price.
Liam Rosenior has requested that Chelsea sign more experienced players following their Champions League exit.
Chelsea’s quest for the Champions League title came to an end on Tuesday night as defending champions PSG knocked them out in the round of 16. Luis Enrique’s team didn’t just defeat the Blues; they hammered the London club both home and away.
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Chelsea turn down Liam Rosenior’s request
Following their dreadful performance against the French giants, manager Liam Rosenior requested that the club bring in more experienced players. But according to a report from SportsBoom, Chelsea’s hierarchy are set to ignore the 41-year-old’s plea.
While the manager wants more experienced heads, the club will continue to stick with their policy of betting on young stars with massive potential. They prefer experimenting with potential rather than bringing in proven players.
Rosenior certainly accepts the club’s transfer policy under the BlueCo which is why he agreed to become their manager mid-season following the sacking of Ezno Maresca. He was already aware of what he was getting into.
However, following the humiliation at the hands of PSG, the 41-year-old feels the need to have a few more experienced campaigners in his squad. The Ligue 1 outfit completely exposed them. It was quite clear that a lack of experience on big European nights had played a part in their downfall.
As a result, Rosenior is pushing the club to sign proven players. He feels their inconsistency could be rectified if they sign experienced heads, but the club doesn’t share the same view. They will not be accepting his request and will stick to their guns.
Liverpool seem willing to fork out €80 million to sign Sporting CP attacking mainstay Luis Suarez this summer.
The Colombian striker has taken his game to the next level since joining Sporting CP last summer. He has been in red-hot form, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Multiple top clubs are now after his signature.
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Liverpool want Luis Suarez this summer
According to reports from Spain, Liverpool are one of the clubs that are keen on signing Luis Suarez ahead of next season. The Reds could trigger his massive €80 million release clause to bring him to Anfield.
On the back of his impressive performances for UD Almeria, Suarez made the move to Sporting last summer. He came in to replace Viktor Gyokeres and has certainly lived up to the expectations. In his 41 matches across competitions, he has 32 goals and seven assists.
Not only has he done wonders in the Portuguese top flight, but the 28-year-old has also been a standout performer in the Champions League, helping the club secure a spot in the quarter-finals. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and Liverpool have now emerged as a potential destination for the Colombian striker.
While the Reds forked out a fortune on forwards last summer, things haven’t gone according to plan for them. They are now looking for a more proven option in the final third and believe Suarez can help their cause.
His mobility, ability to attack space in behind and clinical finishing make him a perfect fit for their system. As a result, the Merseyside club are willing to break the bank to secure his services. It will be interesting to see if they do actually trigger his release this summer.
West Ham United assistant manager Paco Jemez admits he will leave the club if offered the job at his former club, Rayo Vallecano.
Since joining West Ham United at the start of the year, Paco Jemez has helped significantly bolster the Hammers’ chances of survival in the Premier League. With him assisting Nuno Espirito Santo, the London club have collected 12 points more than relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and eight more than Nottingham Forest.
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Paco Jemez would leave West Ham for Rayo Vallecano
While the 55-year-old Spanish tactician is completely focused on helping West Ham survive the drop, he recently admitted that he would pounce on the opportunity to once again manage Rayo Vallecano.
While speaking to SER Podcast, Jemez said via Hammers News, “When Rayo doesn’t have a coach and needs someone, and I think I’m the right person, it [only] takes me half a second to get there!”
Since he agreed to assist Nuno at the London club, the former Rayo Vallecano manager was asked whether he would like to have the Portuguese as his number two at the Spanish side. He laughed off the suggestion, saying:
“He’d have to return the favour, wouldn’t he?! The day I ask him, he’ll have to return it!”
Jemez has managed the La Liga outfit on two occasions between 2012 and 2020. He has done wonders for them in the past. The Madrid-based outfit enjoyed a best-ever La Liga campaign under the West Ham assistant as they finished eighth. More importantly, they recorded the fourth-highest possession stats in Europe’s major leagues, behind only Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Given the kind of work he has done in the past, many believe Jemez is the spark that has ignited West Ham’s chances of survival. His work ethic and intensity have transformed the mood inside the camp, and everyone seems to believe that they can actually avoid the drop.
While he is loving life at the London club, the 55-year-old was quick to admit that he won’t take half a second to accept the Rayo Vallecano job. The Hammers are certainly glad to have him on their bench and would be hoping that the Spanish club do not come forward with an offer for their assistant manager.
Wrexham are plotting a raid on Sunderland to sign their academy sensations Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones.
Wrexham have had an emphatic rise in English football. They have secured three consecutive promotions and are now eyeing a fourth via the play-offs of the Championship. While their first team has been doing wonders, they are looking to strengthen their youth setup by signing some bright prospects from rival clubs.
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Wrexham are keen on Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones
According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Red Dragons are interested in acquiring the services of Sunderland duo Finn Geragusian and Jenson Jones. They have made quite a name for themselves with impressive performances at the youth level and have caught the attention of the Wrexham recruitment staff.
While everything seems to be going as per plan in the first-team setup, the Championship club’s ownership wants to strengthen their youth setup. They want to build a system that can help them sustain against the big boys. They beleive bringing in some top talents from the academies of rival clubs could fast-track the process.
Their recruitment staff have been closely monitoring several young prospects, and the Sunderland pair of Geragusian and Jones are among them. They rate them quite highly, and Wrexham are now considering making formal approaches for the duo.
18-year-old, Geragusian, is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents to have come up the ranks at Sunderland in recent years. The left-footed striker has already been called up to the club’s first-team squad, and he has been doing wonders for Armenia at the youth level.
As far as Jones is concerned, the teenage full-back has also managed to impress the scouts with his consistent performances at the youth level. Developed at Sunderland’s Academy of Light, the 19-year-old full-back is believed to have a very bright future. While he prefers playing as a right-back, he can feature on the left as well as in central midfield. His versatility and consistency stand out.
Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is set to join VfB Stuttgart on a permanent basis.
Following Leicester City’s relegation to the Championship last season, the Moroccan international wasn’t keen on playing in the second division. While rival clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were ready to offer him an opportunity to stay in the Premier League, the Foxes were not ready to let him join an English club.
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Bilal El Khannouss to join VfB Stuttgart permanently
VfB Stuttgart spotted an opportunity and secured his services on loan last summer. The 21-year-old has been doing wonders for the German outfit, and according to Bild via SportWitness, Bilal El Khannouss will not be returning to Leicester. His move to Stuttgart will be made permanent in the summer.
His loan move to the Bundesliga had a conditional obligation and as per the report, it has been triggered. The Moroccan international has been involved in 32 games for the German outfit and has even contributed towards 12 goals.
The buy obligation was dependent on the number of appearances and since it has been triggered, Leicester will now receive €18 million. Given their financial difficulties, it is a massive boost for them.
The Foxes had received €3.5 million as a loan fee last summer, which means they have recouped €21.5 million out of the reported €24.3 million they paid to sign him from Genk. The final fee could rise further depending on bonuses, and Leicester have also secured a buy-on clause.
While the Championship outfit won’t receive any payment until the summer, it does help their cause as they can borrow against it. The Moroccan international is set to sign a deal until 2030, which includes a salary worth €3 million.
Manchester United are reportedly one of the main clubs in the mix for the potential transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown this summer.
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And they’ve been given a boost as it seems Eintracht need to sell players due to financial issues, with Brown available for an asking price of around €60m, according to Sport Bild, as cited and translated by Sport Witness.
Man Utd could be joined by Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race for the Germany international’s signature, however, while he’s also been linked with other Premier League clubs in the past.
Should Manchester United sign Nathaniel Brown for €60m?
It’s never easy to know whether or not a transfer will work out, but Brown is clearly highly regarded and arguably not too expensive for an in-form player of his age group.
United also look in need of a new left-back as an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw, and with Patrick Dorgu recently playing in a more attacking role.
We have therefore given the potential Brown to MUFC deal a Transfer Fit rating of 19/25, which makes him a strong fit…
Man United could be favourites for Nathaniel Brown
While it’s early days yet, there could be a variety of good reasons to think United would be the favourites to sign Brown.
The 22-year-old would surely see a move to Old Trafford as one that ticks a lot of boxes, especially if they end up qualifying for the Champions League, which now looks likely.
It’s also easier to see a pathway to becoming a starter at United than at Liverpool or Arsenal, who have a number of other left-backs.
Meanwhile, Real and Barca may also be interested, but Premier League clubs have often been able to out-spend major European clubs in recent times, so that could see Brown choose United for higher wages, while United might also find it easier to meet Frankfurt’s demands for the player.
The latest FIFA World rankings have been released and are now being updated in real time so you can keep track of the world’s best national teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There are some interesting recent moves in FIFA’s ranking via their official website, with Morocco all the way up three places to 8th in the world.
Meanwhile, Belgium and Germany are down one place, but there’s no change nearer the top as the usual suspects are positioning themselves as favourites.
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Read on for the current top ten national teams in the world as we gain an insight into the favourites for this summer’s World Cup…
FIFA World Rankings
1) Spain – 1877.18 points
Having won Euro 2024, it’s no surprise to see Spain top of this list, with world class talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri sure to make them a force to be reckoned with at the 2026 World Cup. Last time they won this trophy, they also went into the tournament on the back of success at the Euros two years before, so that’s a good omen for them as they look to lift this title for the second time.
2) Argentina – 1873.33 points
The reigning World Champions, Argentina will be looking to retain their crown this summer, and are only really behind Spain as the favourites. Lionel Messi is four years older now, though, and arguably a long way past his prime, so how crucial will that be for the South American giants?
3) France – 1870.00 points
On paper, possibly the best squad at the tournament. France’s team is absolutely packed with superstars, with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and William Saliba arguably the best players in the world in their respective positions right now, while even the reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele won’t be guaranteed a starting spot. Les Bleus last won this trophy in 2018 and will now be eager to make up for defeat in the final of 2022.
4) England – 1834.12 points
Could this finally be England’s year? They’re certainly looking as strong as ever as they sit fourth in the world rankings, and they’ll hope that new manager Thomas Tuchel can be key in helping them go one step further than Gareth Southgate was able to take them.
5) Brazil – 1760.46 points
The team with the most World Cups, but no win since all the way back in 2002, can Brazil finally re-establish themselves as the big force of world football? There’s plenty of talent in this side, even if it’s not the Brazil of old, and manager Carlo Ancelotti has been a trophy-winning machine at club level, so could be the key to bringing a sixth World Cup to Brazil.
Most World Cup wins by country
Number of titles
Brazil
5 – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Germany
4 – 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
Italy
4 – 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
Argentina
3 – 1978, 1986, 2022
France
2 – 1998, 2018
Uruguay
2 – 1930, 1950
England
1 – 1966
Spain
1 – 2010
6) Portugal – 1760.38 points
Messi finally lifted the World Cup in 2022, so can Cristiano Ronaldo do it with Portugal in 2026? His country are clearly not the favourites, but sitting in 6th in the world rankings shows that they’re up there with the best on their day. With a bit of luck, Ronaldo could finally get that one elusive trophy to end his career on the ultimate high.
7) Netherlands – 1756.27 points
Remarkably, the Netherlands have still never won the World Cup, but they sit 7th in the current world rankings as they continue to be up there with the finest teams in world football. This is not really as great a side as some of their previous ones, but you can never rule them out.
8) Morocco – 1736.57 points
Controversially named AFCON winners after January’s final defeat to Senegal was overturned, Morocco are progressing a lot and will be looking to build on their run to the semi-finals in the last World Cup.
Their golden era of having the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne at their peak has now passed, but 9th is a decent score here for Belgium, who still have a lot of talent in their squad that could take them on a decent run in the World Cup.
10) Germany – 1724.15 points
Germany haven’t been at their best for some time, despite a great history in World Cups, of which they’ve won four. It’s been tough replacing recent legendary figures like Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, and Mesut Ozil, but they often seem to find a way to go far in major tournaments, so could do so again even if it’s not a vintage side.
Posting on X today, the reporter stated that this deal was nearly done due to smooth negotiations between the two clubs, who obviously have a good relationship due to both being part of the BlueCo group led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali…
? #ChelseaFC ?? Chelsea are closing in on Valentin Barco, who has shone at Strasbourg.
It seems Chelsea fans can start to get excited about this one as a deal could be done quickly, and this story comes just a few days after Fichajes also linked the 21-year-old with the west London giants.
Valentin Barco to Chelsea to replace Enzo Fernandez?
A lot could change between now and the summer, but perhaps Barco is being targeted to replace Enzo Fernandez amid question-marks over his future at Stamford Bridge.
According to Simon Phillips, five clubs are eyeing up Fernandez and one source even suggests there’s a 99% chance that the Argentina international will leave CFC this summer.
When analysing the Barco to Chelsea transfer recently, we scored it as just 13/25 with our Transfer Fit rating system, but we can now bump that score up a bit…
Valentin Barco
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
***
Performance
****
Achievements
**
Career phase
****
Squad need
****
We would now rate this at 17/25, adding points because Fernandez’s departure would increase Chelsea’s ‘squad need’ for the player, while smooth negotiations also suggest they’ll be getting this promising young talent for a favourable price.
Chelsea have previously used their relationship with Strasbourg to hire Liam Rosenior as manager, while Emanuel Emegha will join the Blues from the Ligue 1 club next season.
Newcastle drew 1-1 with Barcelona in their first leg tie at St James’ Park, and will tonight look to cause an upset at the Nou Camp.
It won’t be easy for Eddie Howe’s side, but they can perhaps take some confidence from that first leg, even if it wasn’t the result they wanted as Lamine Yamal snatched a 1-1 draw with a stoppage time penalty.
Newcastle United looking to reach Champions League quarter-finals
It remains to be seen if Newcastle can make that step up and get a big result tonight, but even if they do, they’ll have to hope the likes of Tonali, Willock, Joelinton and Burn are careful.
It would be a huge blow for the Magpies to get through to the quarter-finals but then find themselves without these key players.
Tonali has been in superb form this season and would surely be the biggest loss for the club if they were to go through tonight.
For now, though, his focus will surely just be on trying to help Newcastle achieve something special in this competition.
It’s not gone great for Premier League clubs so far, however, with Manchester City and Chelsea already both out, while Liverpool and Tottenham trail going into their second leg ties tonight.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed goalkeeper David Raya to win Player of the season award after his impressive performances.
When an iconic, record-breaking striker starts campaigning for a goalkeeper to win top individual honors, you know he has been special.
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Following Arsenal’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, which safely booked their ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win, Henry used his punditry platform on CBS Sports to give the Gunners’ number one his absolute flowers.
While the usual suspects like Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes are constantly dominating the Premier League Player of the Season debates, Henry firmly believes the man between the sticks is the unsung hero keeping Arsenal’s historic season rolling.
“This guy should be in contention to be player of the season because of what he does for Arsenal every single time,” Henry stated on the broadcast, as reported by Metro.
Raya is a £27 Million masterstroke by Arsenal
Remember when Mikel Arteta’s decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya sparked endless, heated debates across the Arsenal fanbase and media? Well, nobody is arguing anymore.
Securing the Spanish international permanently from Brentford for a reported £27 million is looking like a bargain now.
He has been consistent for the Gunners and some of the saves he has made this season have been absolutely world class.
Raya has been an absolute brick wall for Arteta’s side during this 2025/26 campaign.
With Arsenal currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, preparing for a Carabao Cup final, and pushing deep into both the FA Cup and Europe, Raya’s elite distribution and sweeping abilities have been the ultimate safety net.
Henry continued:
“It’s very difficult sometimes to see what a goalkeeper does but he cannot make you win the game. He can make you hope that you’re not losing it by making saves but he does that two to three times every single game. It’s just outstanding.”
Newcastle United are one of the clubs reported to have set their sights on FC Porto’s rising star Rodrigo Mora ahead of this summer.
The 18-year-old Portuguese playmaker is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about talents in Europe, and it’s no surprise that the heavyweights are starting to circle. Alongside Newcastle United, both Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly keeping a very close watch on his development.
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Reports from Sports Boom suggest that our scouting department hasn’t just been keeping a casual eye on him—we’ve had scouts closely watching many of his games this season! The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with detailed reports already prepared for the recruitment team.
The belief is that official contact with FC Porto could be on the horizon very soon as we look to steal a march on our rivals in the race for Mora’s signature.
Rodrigo Mora transfer won’t come cheap for Newcastle United
Securing a talent like Mora won’t come cheap. It’s understood that his current release clause sits around the £60-70m mark. For a player who has already broken records as Porto’s youngest-ever professional and is making waves in the Europa League, that figure is increasingly being seen as fair value in today’s market.
While Mora is clearly settled at Porto for now, the lure of the Premier League is massive. He hasn’t made a definitive decision on the “right timing” for a move just yet, but if Newcastle come knocking with a clear project and a starting spot in the creative hub of our midfield, he might find it very difficult to say no!
The midfield overhaul at Old Trafford could be kicking off with a massive Premier League raid, and Newcastle fans won’t be happy.
Manchester United are ready to make a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali and the Italian is ready to make the move, according to journalist Christopher Michel.
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The demand of a new midfielder at United has increased and after tracking several midfielders, Man United are determined to step up interest in Tonali.
Midfield shake-up at Man United
It’s no secret that United’s engine room needs some serious attention heading into the transfer window.
With Casemiro leaving in the summer and general inconsistencies plaguing the middle of the park, bringing in a dynamic, elite-level operator is clearly a top priority for INEOS and the United hierarchy.
United haven’t just suddenly stumbled upon Tonali; they’ve been keeping tabs on the midfielder for a very long time.
I’ve heard that #MUFC are seriously working on a move for Sandro Tonali. And the Italian midfielder is apparently quite open to a move to Manchester. The club have been keeping tabs on him for a long time. Would he be a good signing?
Sandro Tonali waves to the Newcastle fans (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
This is where things are going to get incredibly complicated. Newcastle United didn’t just casually sign Tonali back in the summer of 2023, they made him their marquee addition from AC Milan in a blockbuster deal.
They are not interested in selling the Italian international midfielder, despite interest from several top clubs.
Even Arsenal are thought to be in the race to sign the midfield star but their interest is not as serious as United at this stage.
Furthermore, Newcastle are notoriously tough negotiators, and they are under no immediate pressure to sell their top assets on the cheap.
If Tonali really is open to the move, as the report suggests, United will still need to cough up a massive fee to even get the Magpies’ front office to pick up the phone.
The five clubs mentioned in the report are Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr.
It seems Fernandez could ask to leave Chelsea despite being under contract on a long-term deal, with the Argentina international seemingly unsettled and open to a new challenge.
Is the time right for Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez to part ways?
Fernandez hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at Chelsea, and perhaps it would also be fair to say that the club won’t have lived up to the kind of project he thought he was joining.
The 25-year-old arrived from Benfica in a big-money move in January 2023, looking like one of the most exciting talents in world football.
It also seemed at that time like Chelsea’s new owners were building something really ambitious as they focused on elite young players for a long-term project.
By now, however, the likes of Fernandez were probably expecting CFC to be closer to really competing for the biggest trophies.
The nature of Chelsea’s Champions League exit will surely be a big concern, though, with PSG really thrashing them over both legs.
Perhaps Fernandez would now do well to consider another project, while Chelsea might also justifiably feel that they could do something a bit different in midfield.
For all of Fernandez’s qualities, he hasn’t really been consistent enough and perhaps a big offer could be tempting so the Blues can add to their budget and invest in a few positions this summer.
Manchester United are reportedly making it a top priority to retain club captain Bruno Fernandes as speculation surrounding his future begins to intensify ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Daily Mail, the club’s hierarchy are fully committed to keeping the Portuguese midfielder at Old Trafford despite growing external interest.
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Fernandes remains one of the most influential figures in United’s squad, both as a leader and as a creative force on the pitch.
However, the presence of a £57 million release clause, applicable to clubs outside the Premier League, has introduced an element of uncertainty regarding his long-term future.
Bruno Fernandes’ importance to Man United
Fernandes has established himself as the heartbeat of Manchester United’s midfield. Known for his creativity, vision, and goal-scoring ability, the 31-year-old has consistently been among the club’s top contributors in terms of both goals and assists.
This season, has had 16 assists in the Premier League and may well go on to beat the record set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne for assists in a single Premier League season.
Fernandes’ influence extends beyond statistics. As captain, he plays a crucial role in organising the team, setting standards in training, and driving performance levels during matches.
Even during challenging campaigns, Fernandes has remained one of United’s most reliable performers, often stepping up in key moments.
Clubs from leagues such as Saudi Arabia and top European competitions have previously shown interest in experienced, high-profile players, and Fernandes fits that profile.
However, the player himself has not made any immediate decision regarding his future. Reports suggest that Fernandes is expected to assess his options at the end of the season, taking into account both sporting and personal factors.
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The England international has had some good moments in a Leeds shirt since joining on a free transfer from Everton last summer.
However, it would also be fair to say that Calvert-Lewin has not quite been consistent enough, and that Daniel Farke could benefit from more of a goal threat up top next season.
Even if Calvert-Lewin has proven good enough to help Leeds fight against relegation, it would perhaps make sense for the club to think bigger as they’ll want to work their way up towards being more of a safe mid-table side before too long.
Leeds United tipped to sign upgrade on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League scout Mick Brown explained why he thinks there is some concern behind the scenes at Elland Road about Calvert-Lewin’s reliability.
“There are still a few concerns about Calvert-Lewin,” Brown said.
“He’s done better than most people expected him to do since he’s joined Leeds, but he’s still not the type of striker you want to rely on as your source of goals.
“His record, even this season, tells you that he goes through peaks and troughs, so there are doubts about whether he can do it consistently.
“Calvert-Lewin has given Leeds enough to help them stay in the Premier League this season.
“But I’m told they are looking to sign a new striker, somebody with a bit more consistency in front of goal as a replacement for Calvert-Lewin when he’s not doing it.
“The way Leeds play as well, they could start them both up front together, but it would give them more options than what they’ve currently got.
“The only question now is about money and where they’re going to get the player they want. That’s something they’ll be working on behind the scenes.”
Leeds United building for the future as they near safety
Leeds are not safe yet, but they don’t currently look like being one of the more likely teams to get relegated this season.
The newly-promoted side are currently on a run of five games without a win, but their form earlier in the season has still put them in a reasonably strong position.
Leeds currently sit in 15th place, only three points above safety, but clubs like Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are currently in much worse form.
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The veteran England international is set to become a free agent this summer after four years at St James’ Park, but the club could still end up keeping him.
Trippier had fallen out of favour at one point, but he’s now back to his best and performing well in Howe’s side, leading the Magpies boss to change his mind about the player’s situation.
Could Kieran Trippier end up staying at Newcastle?
It remains to be seen if Trippier will definitely accept an offer to stay at Newcastle, having previously come close to moves to Turkish clubs which ultimately fell through.
The 35-year-old has had a fine career, most of which was spent playing in the Premier League, apart from a three-year spell at Atletico Madrid.
Perhaps Trippier will now be keen for a new challenge for what may be one of the final moves of his career.
Newcastle may still need Kieran Trippier
Still, it looks more and more like Newcastle still need Trippier, with some doubts over Tino Livramento’s future ahead of this summer.
The former Chelsea youngster is being linked with Arsenal and other big clubs, and it won’t be easy to replace him if he does move on.
It could therefore be simpler for NUFC to keep Trippier for at least one more year in case they struggle to find another replacement available on the market.
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As per my sources in the industry, Premier League clubs have now cooled their interest in Zirkzee as he’s not keen to stay in England, with Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli on alert over potentially bringing him back to Italy.
One issue, however, is that these clubs are only looking to sign Zirkzee on loan, with his asking price of €35m looking too high.
Sources on Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer situation
“Zirkzee’s return to Serie A is gathering strength,” one source told me in a call this morning. “Premier League clubs have been made aware of his stance, so they’ve dropped their interest. Juventus, Milan, and Napoli are keeping an eye on his situation and could move.”
MUFC will no doubt hope to get a decent offer for the 24-year-old, but it may be that there’ll have to be some compromise somewhere.
It remains to be seen if that will be in the form of a loan with an obligation or option to buy, but the thing that’s clear is that Zirkzee will surely be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Zirkzee impressed at former club Bologna and could still revive his career back in Italian football, but it’s certainly been an underwhelming spell for him with United.
The Dutchman scored 11 Serie A goals in his final season with Bologna, but has only five in 50 Premier League appearances across two seasons with Man Utd…
Joshua Zirkzee all comps
Games
Goals
Bologna 2023/24
37
12
Man Utd 2024/25
49
7
Man Utd 2025/26
20
2
Zirkzee doesn’t exactly look the most tempting option for clubs right now, but there’s always a chance that we’ll see the best of him again once he returns to an Italian club.
Other recent United flops and misfits such as Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay have done well at Napoli, while Antony has also revived his career since leaving United, albeit in La Liga with Real Betis.
Atlético Madrid are reportedly assessing potential moves for Arsenal forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus as they prepare for a crucial summer rebuild.
According to TEAMtalk, the Spanish side have been closely monitoring both players, with the duo’s limited roles this season raising questions about their long-term futures in north London.
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Both Martinelli and Jesus have experienced reduced involvement in Arsenal’s starting lineup, prompting speculation that the club could be open to offers if suitable bids are received.
Interest is not limited to Spain, with clubs across Europe and the Saudi Pro League also tracking their situations.
Martinelli and Jesus have reduced roles at Arsenal
Jesus, now 28, has struggled for consistent game time this season. The Brazilian forward has made just two Premier League starts, with injuries and tactical decisions limiting his impact.
Once a key figure in Arsenal’s attack, Jesus has found himself competing for minutes in a squad that has evolved significantly under Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile,Martinelli, still only 24, has also seen his role shift. Despite being one of Arsenal’s most dynamic attacking players in previous campaigns, the winger has started only a portion of his matches this season, with 16 of his 25 appearances coming from the bench.
The reduced involvement of both players shows Arsenal’s increased depth in attacking areas, as well as tactical adjustments that have reshaped the team’s forward line.
Gabriel Martinelli in action for Arsenal (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Atlético Madrid’s reported interest in the Brazilian duo matches with the club’s plans to refresh their attacking options.
Under Diego Simeone, Atlético have traditionally relied on hard-working forwards capable of contributing both offensively and defensively.
Jesus’ experience and pressing ability could make him an ideal fit for Simeone’s system, while Martinelli’s pace and direct style would offer a different dimension in wide areas.
The Spanish club is believed to be evaluating both players as potential additions, although no formal approach has yet been confirmed.
Manchester United and Arsenal are both looking to strengthen their midfield in the summer and one player on their radar is Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.
According to iNews, the Magpies could demand “in excess” of £100m for the Italian midfielder who is attracting attention from the top clubs.
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Newcastle United are not looking to offload the consistent midfielder but the realities of the transfer market could be difficult for them to deal with.
The midfielder is willing to challenge for major honours and it appears like it is highly unlikely that it will be at Newcastle.
He has now shown any signs of distraction and has performed well for Eddie Howe’s side this season.
The report mentions Chelsea as well among the clubs targeting a move for the Newcastle United star.
Lamine Camara of Monaco and Djaoui Cisse of Rennes are two midfielders on the radar of the Magpies in case Tonali decides to leave the club for a move elsewhere.
Howe’s side want to compete with the top club in the market for new signings, rather than lose their key players to the Premier League giants.
Man United, particularly, will be out in the market actively to sign new midfielders.
The departure of Casemiro this summer will hit them hard and they are ready to make sure they replace him well in the transfer market.
As if there weren’t already enough subplots heading into the 2026 World Cup this summer, Senegal and Morocco are now battling over the AFCON title months after the final actually took place!
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Although Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON final back in January, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) have overturned the result and handed Morocco a 3-0 victory.
The final was marred by a brief period of interruption when Senegal’s players refused to play in response to a penalty decision.
However, the game did end up continuing, with Senegal taking the trophy, only there has now been a decision two months later to strip them of the title as they’re judged to have forfeited the match.
Senegal to appeal decision to overturn AFCON final
Still, Sky Sports are now reporting that Senegal will appeal this verdict, as per the video below…
BREAKING: Senegal say they will file an appeal over the decision to strip them of the AFCON title and award it to Morocco ? pic.twitter.com/QIaCxVXaPO
It will certainly be intriguing to see how this saga develops, and if it’s resolved by the time the World Cup kicks off in North America this summer.
Both Senegal and Morocco have qualified for the tournament, and although they’ve been drawn in different groups, there’s always a chance they could meet later in the competition.
This could be a major distraction for both teams, however, and it’s far from ideal to have another story like this dominating after so many other issues involving this year’s World Cup.
AFCON decision is “absolute madness” says Henry Winter
See below as journalist Henry Winter described it as “absolute madness” and questioned how it took them so long to come to this decision…
"It's absolute madness" ?
Henry Winter and David Ornstein react to the news that Morocco have been awarded the 2025 AFCON following a 'crazy decision' to overturn Senegal's victory ? pic.twitter.com/3K12jhogaE
“How come it’s taken two months to decide something like that? It should’ve taken them about two minutes,” Winter said.
“It’s absolute madness, and it’s damaging to African football, and it was damaged on the night as a lot of people were saying.
“I feel for Sadio Mane, who I thought was one of the few Senegalese who came out with credibility intact having urged his teammates to come back onto the pitch.
“The referee could very easily have made Senegal forfeit on the night.”
He added: “It’s one of the most extraordinary decisions in tournament history. For the hosts to be crowned the winners two months afterwards, it’s ridiculous.
“What are they going to do with these players who’ve got their medals? Are they going to have to give them back, drive around Morocco handing these medals over?
“It’s a crazy decision. If you’re going to do something like this you have to act more quickly.”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Max Dowman could bench Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in the near future.
It sounds crazy to think about Arsenal’s captain packing his bags, but Ferdinand genuinely believes Odegaard is going to be left frustrated on the sidelines if he stays.
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With Dowman emerging as a legitimate wonderkid and the presence of Eberechi Eze already demanding minutes, the competition for that central creative role is suddenly looking ridiculously crowded at Arsenal.
Downman’s emergence could be an issue for Odegaard
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand didn’t hold back on his assessment of the Gunners’ midfield traffic jam.
“You know, Odegaard might not get a game now,” he stated.
“Seriously, your captain might be gone. You’ve got Dowman who can play his position, Eze can play his position. Saka can play his position and go in there and go central. It’s mad.”
When you look at the current numbers, you can start to see why Rio is leaning this way. By his own incredibly high standards, it’s been a tough, stop-start 2025/26 campaign for Odegaard.
Hampered by injuries, the Norwegian playmaker has only managed 1 goal and 5 assists in 20 Premier League appearances so far this season.
One of the most interesting takeaways from Ferdinand’s comments was his bold prediction about Bukayo Saka.
If Dowman and Eze are fighting for minutes, Ferdinand suggested Saka could occasionally drift centrally to add to the chaos.
More importantly, Rio confidently backed the Arsenal winger to completely explode next year after a relatively quiet current campaign.
Statistically, Saka hasn’t hit his usual heights this season, registering 6 goals and 3 assists in 27 Premier League outings to date.
Dowman’s historic strike against Everton might eventually go down as the moment the torch was officially passed.
Having too much talent is a brilliant problem for Arteta to have, but fitting Dowman, Eze, Saka, and Odegaard into the same system is a puzzle that might only be solved by a shock summer exit.
Former Chelsea player Craig Burley was clearly far from impressed with Blues manager Liam Rosenior in last night’s heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Rosenior was seen passing notes to his players late on in the game when the tie was already well and truly over, and Burley posted his disbelief about it on X, formerly Twitter.
See below as the ESPN pundit hit out at Rosenior for his antics, with the clear implication being that the Chelsea manager must have been doing this stuff for the cameras as there seemed so little point in handing out such sophisticated tactical instructions when six goals behind on aggregate…
Six goals behind with 5 mins left and Rosenior is sending on instructional notes to his players. Couldn’t make this stuff up ????
The 41-year-old is relatively inexperienced at the highest level of management, but looked like a good fit due to having already worked with the BlueCo group.
Liam Rosenior
Wins
Draws
Losses
Win %
Strasbourg
31
15
17
49.2%
Chelsea
10
2
6
55.6%
So far, however, Rosenior has not had the most convincing start to life at Stamford Bridge, with CFC particularly poor in the Champions League.
They’ve also lost big games against Arsenal in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final and in a Premier League trip to the Emirates Stadium.
For now, Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League table and not out of the running for Champions League qualification just yet, but Rosenior will surely know he needs to improve.
? One Chelsea fan has found something to distract them from tonight's awful performance ? pic.twitter.com/f86VJX8wYr
The Champions League dream is officially over for Chelsea.
After getting dumped out by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, the mood around Stamford Bridge is pretty grim.
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But what’s making even more noise than the actual defeat is what Enzo Fernandez had to say right after the final whistle.
Speaking to ESPN about what his future holds, the Argentine midfielder didn’t exactly give the “I’m staying here forever” PR answer that Chelsea fans were desperately hoping for.
“I don’t know, there are eight games left and then the FA Cup,” Enzo said, as reported by Ben Jacobs.
“Then there’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.”
Enzo Fernandez has been impressive for Chelsea this season
Enzo has actually been one of the brightest spots for Chelsea this season. He has taken a massive step forward in adding real end-product to his game.
The 25-year-old has already racked up 8 goals and 3 assists in 29 Premier League appearances.
Across all competitions, he’s sitting on a highly impressive 12 goals for the season, even managing to get on the scoresheet against PSG in the first leg of this Champions League tie.
So, it makes total sense that a player entering his absolute prime, who is about to feature heavily for Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, might be questioning if his best years should be spent enduring yet another transitional phase in West London.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez in action against Fulham (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
For now, Enzo is still wearing Chelsea blue. He has eight crucial league games left and an FA Cup run to focus on before he jets off to North America for the World Cup.
According to Football Insider, although City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Savinho, there is some chance of an exit if further signings come in in that area of the squad.
Could Savinho to Tottenham transfer be back on?
Savinho was a target for Tottenham last summer, but City blocked the move and got the Brazilian to sign a new contract.
Football Insider now suggest Spurs could still look at Savinho, though one imagines that will obviously depend on how the club fares in their relegation battle.
The north Londoners could still go down this season, and that would surely prevent them signing a big name like Savinho.
Is Savinho good enough for Spurs?
We’ve also previously reported on Spurs still being keen on Savinho, but is he actually a good target for them even if they stay in the Premier League?
Signing him from a rival would likely make him quite expensive, and he’s not shown much during his time in the Premier League, even if he looked like a top talent during his time with La Liga outfit Girona…
Savinho
TOTAL SCORE: 12/25
Transfer fee
*
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
****
Squad need
***
Using our Transfer Fit rating, we judge Savinho to be a 12/15 signing, which is the lower end of medium. Would you say that’s about right, too harsh, or even too kind? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Manchester United’s pursuit of Elliot Anderson is set to become increasingly complicated, with Bayern Munich preparing to intensify their interest in the Nottingham Forest midfielder.
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According to Daily Mail, the German giants are ready to enter the race for the 23-year-old, adding another major contender to what is quickly becoming a highly competitive transfer battle.
Despite Nottingham Forest’s inconsistent campaign, the England international has stood out as one of the team’s most reliable and dynamic players.
Elliot Anderson has been a revelation at Forest
Anderson’s development over the past two seasons has been remarkable. The midfielder has established himself as a key figure for Nottingham Forest.
Primarily operating as a central or attacking midfielder, Anderson has demonstrated his ability to influence matches both offensively and defensively.
His ability to carry the ball forward, link play between midfield and attack, and press aggressively has made him a standout performer in a struggling side.
However, Bayern Munich’s reported interest represents a significant challenge. The Bundesliga champions are known for identifying and securing top talent across Europe, and their involvement could complicate negotiations.
In addition, Manchester City have also been linked with Anderson in previous reports, further showing the level of competition for his signature.
Given his importance to the squad, Forest are expected to demand a substantial transfer fee if they are to consider offers, especially with multiple top clubs involved.
Manchester City just got knocked out of Europe by Real Madrid on Tuesday night, and everyone expected Pep Guardiola to talk about Madrid’s legendary Champions League aura or how tough it is to play at the Bernabéu.
Instead, Pep took the mic and completely flipped the script, dropping a massive truth bomb that gave the ultimate shoutout to his biggest rival: Jurgen Klopp.
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Real Madrid had just ended City’s European run, and the Spanish journalists were fishing for quotes about how unstoppable Los Blancos are in this competition.
But when they asked about the toll of facing Madrid, Pep wasn’t having it.
Pep Guardiola names Liverpool as his biggest challenge
“Real Madrid have not been my biggest challenge,” Pep said straight up, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
“My biggest challenge has been Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.”
Pep clearly wanted to make sure the journalists in the room understood exactly what he meant.
He basically told the Spanish press that they missed out on understanding the true grind of English football.
Guardiola continued: “Maybe you’re in Spain and you didn’t notice… You have no idea how it was like to face Liverpool in those games, a great learning experience.”
If you watched the Premier League during the peak Pep vs. Klopp years, you know exactly what he means.
We are talking about seasons where racking up 97 points somehow wasn’t enough to win the league.
Arsenal and Manchester United may have been given some very promising transfer news as Juventus have reportedly cooled their interest in Sandro Tonali.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Newcastle United and Italy midfielder had been a top target for Juve manager Luciano Spalletti, but the deal now looks less likely.
Instead, it seems that the Serie A giants could instead go for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who looks a more realistic target as he’ll be a free agent this summer.
This could mean Arsenal and Man Utd will find it easier to land Tonali, who may well have been tempted by the opportunity to return to Italy, but with that opportunity now gone.
That said, we’ve looked at Tonali as an option for Arsenal and United with our Transfer Fit rating system and he scored pretty low for both.
Sandro Tonali transfer doesn’t look like value for money for Arsenal or Man United
Ultimately, Tonali is probably just going to be too expensive compared to other similar players out there, with neither his overall form or age making him a sensible enough investment.
For United, we scored his suitability at 11/23, as per our table below…
Sandro Tonali
TOTAL SCORE: 11/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
****
That’s the lower end of medium, with the former AC Milan man potentially useful for the Red Devils considering their needs in midfield, but we wouldn’t advise making him a priority.
While Tonali has shone during his time at St James’ Park, he doesn’t have particularly outstanding qualities compared to other in-form midfielders like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, who are also younger so could keep on improving, whereas Tonali turns 26 in just over a month, so has probably just about peaked.
For Arsenal, he gets an even lower score as there’s simply nothing there that suggests he’d start over either Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi.
Sandro Tonali
TOTAL SCORE: 7/25
Transfer fee
–
Performance
**
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
–
Arsenal already have Christian Norgaard as a solid and reliable backup, and that’s surely not a role Tonali would be happy with, so there’s just very little chance that this deal would make any side particularly happy.
The links won’t die down, though, so perhaps we’ll be proven wrong as these clubs seem like they may be really determined to land Tonali, who might also be seen as a tempting opportunity due to the fact that he wants out of St James’ Park to further his career.
Liverpool could reportedly hire Xabi Alonso to replace Arne Slot as manager, and target Adam Wharton, Alessandro Bastoni, and Bradley Barcola in this summer’s transfer window.
The Reds are being linked with this stunning £245m triple swoop in a report from TEAMtalk, which cites claims coming from Spain.
It seems that Slot’s position as Liverpool manager could be in real danger after a disappointing second season at Anfield for the Dutch tactician.
And despite spending so much on new signings like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last summer, they could do so again if they appoint Alonso as the man to take charge of this new-look squad.
This Liverpool transfer story would be sensational, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves
While it’s perfectly possible that we’ll see Liverpool doing crazy things in the market again this year, there’s a lot that needs to happen first before we can really treat these claims as super reliable.
Firstly, there’s still a long way to go between now and the end of the season, with Slot potentially still able to win silverware and guide the club into the top four.
Given that the former Feyenoord boss did so well in his first campaign, even some disappointment this year would surely mean he has credit in the bank, so to speak.
Alonso’s availability might make LFC tempted to make a change while they can, but it definitely seems too early to think of this as concrete.
On top of that, agreeing deals for such top players won’t be easy, with PSG unlikely to be keen on selling Barcola, and under little financial pressure to do so.
Liverpool should resist the urge to splash the cash
There’s also surely an argument that Liverpool need to slow down a bit when it comes to this squad overhaul they’re embarking on.
The Merseyside giants barely made any changes to their squad when Slot first replaced Jurgen Klopp and won the Premier League title.
Bedding in the likes of Isak, Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez hasn’t really gone to plan, with the team perhaps changing too much too quickly.
There’s now surely a case to be made for keeping this squad together and allowing Slot to help them grow as a team, rather than simply rushing into the market for even more new players who’d need time to adjust and settle.
One signing in defence would probably be sensible as Ibrahima Konate is close to the end of his contract, but the rest of the side arguably isn’t in need of wholesale changes anyway.
The race to sign Leon Goretzka is heating up ahead of the summer transfer window, with Juventus now emerging as serious contenders for the Bayern Munich midfielder.
According to La Gazetta dello Sport, the German international is attracting widespread interest as he approaches the end of his contract, potentially becoming one of the most high-profile free agents available.
However, Juventus have now stepped up their efforts, with new head coach Luciano Spalletti reportedly identifying the 31-year-old as a key target for their midfield rebuild.
Juventus renew long term interest in Goretzka
Juventus’ interest in Goretzka is not new. The Italian giants have attempted to sign the midfielder on two previous occasions earlier in his career, but were unable to secure a deal.
Now, with Goretzka potentially available on a free transfer, the club sees a renewed opportunity to finally bring him to Turin.
Spalletti has placed Goretzka at the top of his summer wishlist, viewing him as an ideal addition to add experience and physicality.
The club is currently undergoing a period of transition, and adding a player of Goretzka’s pedigree could provide immediate quality as they look to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
Mikel Arteta’s side is expected to face increasing competition from Italian clubs.
However, with the Premier League side showing strength in all competition this season and more financially capable that the Italian sides, they lead the race right now to sign the Bayern Munich midfielder.
Goretzka would love to have the opportunity to play in the Premier League and at the age of 31, this could be his last chance to make the move happen.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a busy summer transfer window, with plans in place to strengthen multiple areas of the squad as part of their ongoing rebuild.
According to The Sun, the club is targeting four key additions, with a particular focus on reinforcing midfield, defense, and goalkeeping depth ahead of the 2026/27 season.
United’s recruitment strategy is closely tied to potential departures within the squad, most notably the expected exit of Casemiro, whose future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
The club is keen to ensure they remain competitive domestically and in Europe by reshaping the squad with younger, dynamic options.
Midfield overhaul is a top priority for Man United
Central midfield is expected to be the primary focus, with Man United aiming to sign two players in that area. The club is reportedly exploring several high-profile and emerging options across the Premier League.
The emphasis appears to be on athletic, versatile midfielders capable of contributing both defensively and offensively, a shift from United’s previous reliance on more traditional holding midfielders.
Harry Maguire waves to the Manchester United fans (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
In addition to midfield upgrades, Man United are also expected to pursue a left-sided centre-back.
This move is reportedly linked to uncertainty surrounding Harry Maguire’s future, with the club preparing for the possibility of his departure.
A left-footed defender is seen as a priority to improve balance in the back line and provide tactical flexibility, particularly in build-up play from deep areas.
United are also considering changes in the goalkeeping department. With Altay Bayindir likely to leave, the club is expected to recruit a backup goalkeeper to provide competition and cover.
The Red Devils are expected to be busy in the summer and big changes are expected in the squad.
Former Everton star Leon Osman has backed Arsenal to win a historic quadruple this season following their 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
The result at the Emirates on Tuesday night secured a 3-1 aggregate win, sending Mikel Arteta’s side into the Champions League quarter-finals and keeping their hopes of a four-trophy sweep alive.
Leon Osman says quadruple is on for Arsenal
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Osman admitted that while the task is immense, the Gunners have the momentum to pull it off.
Osman pointed to Arsenal’s favorable position across all remaining competitions as a reason for his optimism.
Following the win against Leverkusen, sealed by stunning strikes from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice, the Gunners learned they will face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-finals, arguably the most favorable draw of the lot.
In the FA Cup, Arsenal are set to face Southampton in the quarter-finals.
Osman noted that the draw has been kind to Arteta, especially with rivals Manchester City and Liverpool drawn against each other in the same round.
He said: “It [the quadruple] is on. I know it’s a big ask and incredibly difficult to do still at this stage, but it is.
“They’re into the final of the competition. It’s against one of the best teams in the country at the moment in Manchester City but they won’t mind that at the moment because they feel that they are the best at the moment, being nine points up. It’s an opportunity that they would’ve loved at the start of the season.
“In the FA Cup, they aren’t in the same side of the draw as the better teams, the teams who have the experience. City have pulled Liverpool and Arsenal have Southampton. Arsenal have the most favourable draw in the Champions league as well.
“No game is straightforward but it’s certainly possible. They are in the position to do it with games and the quality of the squad. They’re all fit and raring to go.”
Arsenal could win their first trophy this Sunday
The first trophy could be secured this Sunday, when Arsenal face Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley.
While Arsenal have been on top form, City have been very inconsistent by their standards.
In fact, they have just won one of their last five games across all competitions, drawing two and losing two.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has shared an update on Trevoh Chalobah after the defender was stretchered off during the closing stages of Tuesday night’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to PSG.
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Chalobah appeared to be in significant pain following a challenge from PSG’s Achraf Hakimi in the 85th minute.
With Chelsea having already used their allocated substitutions, the hosts were forced to finish the match with ten men as the defender was carried from the pitch.
Liam Rosenior on Trevoh Chalobah injury
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, a dejected Rosenior confirmed the initial diagnosis but expressed hope that the layoff would not be long-term.
Rosenior said: “Trevoh, I just asked the medical team. He’s got a high ankle sprain, so I’m praying it’s nothing too serious because of the way Trevoh’s been performing and we can’t afford to lose another defender at this moment.
“When you go through a difficult run, you have to make sure your habits are right. We have a really difficult game at Everton on Saturday and we have to be at our best to get a result there.”
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 17, 2026
Chalobah joins Chelsea’s growing injury list
The loss of Chalobah is a significant blow for a Chelsea side already decimated by defensive absences.
Captain Reece James is currently sidelined with his tenth career hamstring injury, while Levi Colwill (ACL) and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen (groin) remain long-term absentees.
To make matters worse, Malo Gusto missed the PSG clash due to illness, forcing Rosenior to play teenager Mamadou Sarr out of position at right-back.
With Rosenior having lost four out of the last six games, the loss of his most experienced available center-back could not come at a worse time.
Chelsea head to Goodison Park sitting outside the top five and facing a desperate fight to secure European football for next season.
Boos rang around Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as Chelsea suffered a humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of PSG.
The reigning Champions League holders clinical 3-0 victory in London snuffed out any flickering hopes of a miracle comeback, leaving the Blues’ European season in tatters.
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Chelsea entered the second leg needing to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the Parc des Princes, but the tie was effectively over within 15 minutes.
Early strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola silenced the home crowd, before teenager Senny Mayulu added a third in the second half to complete the rout.
Chelsea fans not happy after another disappointing performance
The atmosphere in West London turned toxic long before the final whistle. Supporters made their feelings clear by booing the team off at both half-time and full-time.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 17, 2026
The frustration peaked in the second half when a triple substitution, which saw stars Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandez withdrawn, was met with a chorus of jeers from the Matthew Harding Stand.
It has been a miserable run for the Blues, who have now won just one of their last five matches across all competitions.
To compound the misery, defender Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off in the closing stages, forcing Chelsea to finish the game with ten men.
For many fans, the 8-2 scoreline represents the largest aggregate defeat in the club’s European history and a stark reminder of how far they have fallen from the continental elite.
Arne Slot appears to have questioned the level of unconditional support from Liverpool fans after boos rang out around Anfield following a disappointing 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Tottenham.
The result, which saw Spurs snatch a point through a 90th-minute Richarlison equaliser, has left the defending champions’ European hopes in serious jeopardy.
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Ahead of Wednesday’s must-win Champions League second leg against Galatasaray, Slot addressed the audible frustration from the stands, but his comments have sparked further debate about his relationship with the fanbase.
Arne Slot questions Liverpool fans unconditional support
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Slot admitted he was surprised by the shifting atmosphere at the club.
The Dutchman then appeared to challenge the long-held narrative of Anfield’s unwavering loyalty to its managers.
He said:
“It’s never nice they are frustrated, as fans aren’t frustrated after you win. You are frustrated and disappointed when you don’t win.”
“When I came here, I was told this club was different and the fans will support the manager for a long time. If it’s true [the fans are restless], I don’t feel it at all. I must have done a lot of things wrong then, that’s never a nice feeling to have!”
While he delivered the Premier League title in his debut season, the goodwill he built up appears to be eroding quickly.
Patience had already begun to wear thin following his earlier claim that Liverpool “have only won the league twice in 30 years”, a comment intended to manage expectations, but one that many felt undermined the club’s stature.
Before the Qarabag clash, Slot also suggested that last season’s title win was aided by Liverpool’s early Champions League exit against PSG, which reduced fixture congestion compared to their rivals.
His latest comments questioning the unconditional support of Liverpool fans only add to a growing list of remarks that risk further alienating the Anfield faithful.
With The Athletic reporting that Xabi Alonso is already being considered as a “top candidate” should the hierarchy decide to make a change, Slot’s defensive tone in press conferences is being viewed by some as a sign of a manager feeling the walls close in.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the AS Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. The central midfielder has impressed in the Italian league, and he has the technical attributes for the Premier League as well. Tottenham need more control and composure in the middle of the park, and could prove to be a long-term acquisition.
Tottenham have long admired the midfielder, and they tried to sign him for €20 million previously. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal over the line this time. According to a report from AS Roma Live, they are plotting an ambitious swap deal to sign the player.
They could offer the Italian defender Destiny Udogie in exchange for the midfielder. It will be interesting to see if all parties can finalise the move in the coming months.
The 21-year-old could be attracted to the idea of playing in the Premier League. It would be a major opportunity for him, and he will look to prove himself at the highest level. He will add control and creativity in the middle of the park for Tottenham. The London club have done well to groom young players, and they could help fulfil his tremendous potential in future.
If they can get the deal done for a reasonable investment, the move could prove to be a masterstroke in future.
Meanwhile, Tottenham should look to bring in a quality defensive midfielder as well. A reliable central midfielder and a defensive midfielder could complete their midfield unit.
Caleb Yirenkyi has been linked with a move away from Nordsjaelland at the end of the season.
Several Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on him, and the 20-year-old defensive midfielder could be on the move this summer. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all scouting the player extensively, and it will be interesting to see if they follow up with an official proposal to sign him at the end of the season.
The talented young defensive midfielder has a bright future and could develop into an important player for Premier League clubs.
Liverpool and Manchester United, in particular, need a quality defensive midfielder. They have looked vulnerable at the back, and they need someone who can protect the back four and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. The 20-year-old would be a solid long-term investment for them. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done.
Meanwhile, Yirenkyi could be a solid replacement for Christian Norgaard at Arsenal. The former Brentford midfielder has barely had any opportunities at Arsenal since joining the club, and he is clearly not a preferred option for Mikel Arteta. It would make sense for Arsenal to replace him with a younger, more promising player.
At Chelsea, they have been overly dependent on Moises Caicedo. He needs more support, and signing the 20-year-old could be a wise decision. Yirenkyi is already an international with Ghana, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He is a promising young player who could develop into a future star with the right guidance. Regular football in the Premier League could accelerate his development and bring out the best in him.
Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in signing the Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old could be on his way out of the Spanish club in the summer. Real Madrid is reportedly willing to listen to offers for him, as per SportsBoom, and it will be interesting to see if the two Premier League clubs come forward with an acceptable proposal.
Liverpool needs more quality in the middle of the park, and the French International could be an excellent addition. They need someone who will provide defensive cover and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. Camavinga seems tailor-made for them. He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football as well. He could be the ideal partner for Ryan Gravenberch at the heart of the Liverpool midfield.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have been overly dependent on Rodri in recent seasons. They need another reliable defensive midfielder, and the Real Madrid star could be the perfect fit for them. The 23-year-old is entering the peak years of his career, and this could be the right time for him to take on a new challenge in the Premier League.
Both Liverpool and Manchester City are elite clubs, and Camavinga could be attracted to the idea of joining them. He has shown his quality in La Liga and with the French national team. He has won major trophies at the club level, and his winning experience could prove to be invaluable.
The 23-year-old has two league titles and two Champions League trophies to his name at Real Madrid. He was a part of the French national team that reached the 2022 World Cup final as well.
Waldemar Anton has been linked with a move away from German club Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
According to a report from SportsBoom, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and West Ham United are interested in the 29-year-old defender. The player is at the peak of his career, and he has impressed in Germany.
He has the physicality and technical attributes for English football as well. He could prove to be an excellent acquisition for all three clubs.
It is no secret that Tottenham need more quality in the defence. The experienced defender has been described as “impenetrable”, and there is no doubt that would help him tighten up at the back. Cristian Romero has been linked with a move away from the North London club, and they will need to replace him properly. The 29-year-old defender could be the ideal replacement for the South American.
Aston Villa need to improve defensively as well. They have looked mediocre at the back this season. They will be hoping to compete regularly in Europe, and they need to improve their team. The Liga defender could prove to be a solid addition for them. It will be interesting to see if they can convince the player to join the club in the summer.
West Ham United are keeping tabs on his situation as well. They are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and a quality defender could help them improve at the back. It will be interesting to see if they follow up on their interest with an official offer at the end of the season.
The report claims that the 29-year-old could cost around €40 million in the summer. All three clubs have the financial means to afford him, and it remains to be seen where Anton ends up.
Manchester United could let up to four goalkeepers leave this summer as the club prepares for a significant overhaul of their defensive department.
According to The Sun, the Red Devils are planning to clear out several high-profile names to balance their squad and meet Premier League profitability and sustainability rules.
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At the heart of the exit list is Andre Onana, who is currently on a season-long loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor.
United reportedly plan to sell the 29-year-old permanently when he returns in July. Having joined for a hefty fee in 2023, the club is said to require at least £18.88 million for the Cameroonian to avoid recording a loss on their books.
For Manchester United goalkeepers could leave this summer
Onana is not the only shot-stopper facing an uncertain future. The report claims that Altay Bayindir will also be sold following a poor six-game run earlier this season.
The Turkish international has struggled to settle at Old Trafford, and a return to his homeland is on the cards, with Besiktas, as per the report, leading the race for his signature.
Meanwhile, the report adds that veteran third-choice keeper Tom Heaton is set for talks in the coming weeks.
With him turning 40 next month, Heaton is said to be open-minded about whether to extend his stay for one final season or hang up his gloves.
Additionally, 23-year-old reserve goalie Dermot Mee is expected to be released.
Senne Lammens has established himself as number one
The decision to trim the goalkeeping department comes as Senne Lammens has firmly established himself as the undisputed number one under interim boss Michael Carrick.
The 23-year-old Belgian, who arrived from Royal Antwerp last September has provided the composure and shot-stopping ability that Onana and Bayindir lacked.
However, with four potential departures, United will be eyeing a new backup goalkeeper this summer.
Report suggests the recruitment team is scouting the Premier League for a reliable number two who can provide competition for Lammens while fitting into the club’s new, younger wage structure.
Michael Carrick backed for permanent role at Manchester United
The looming clear-out comes amid a wave of support for interim manager Michael Carrick to be given the role on a permanent basis.
Carrick’s winning percentage is currently the highest of any United manager after nine games, having secured 22 out of a possible 27 points.
His ability to unify the dressing room and get the best out of revitalised veterans like Casemiro has reportedly impressed the INEOS hierarchy, making him the frontrunner for the post regardless of other high-profile candidates like Roberto De Zerbi.
Porto midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
According to a report from Sports Boom, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United are interested in the 18-year-old playmaker. It will be interesting to see if they decide to come forward with an offer to sign him.
The report claims that he could cost around €80 million. The Portuguese “wonderkid” has done quite well for Porto this season, and he is highly rated across Europe. He could develop into a quality player with the right guidance. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for him. However, he should look to join a club, where he will get regular opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club will not benefit him.
The report claims that there could be a “bidding war” for the midfielder in the summer.
The 18-year-old primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, and he will help create opportunities with his technical ability and vision in the final third. Arsenal and Manchester City could use more quality in the final third. Arsenal, in particular, have struggled to create opportunities and players like Martin Odegaard have not been at their best.
As far as Manchester City is concerned, Bernardo Silva has been linked with an exit in the summer, and they will need to replace him properly.
At Newcastle, they have been overly dependent on Anthony Gordon for creativity. They need more cutting-edge in the final third, and the 18-year-old would be a long-term investment. It will be interesting to see where Mora ends up eventually.
Manchester United are interested in signing the Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has been quite impressive since the move to La Liga, but he has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot at the Spanish club. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid is willing to sanction his departure in the summer.
According to reports from Spain, it would take a stratospheric offer from Manchester United to get the deal done. The report further claims that Manchester United will intensify talks to sign the player at the end of the season. They are prepared to offer in excess of €50 million for the French international.
Camavinga can play in multiple roles, and he could be an asset to Manchester United if they can sign him. He will add physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park. The report claims that he could be a partner for Kobbie Mainoo at the heart of the Manchester United midfield.
Casemiro will leave the club in the summer, and Manchester United have identified the Real Madrid star as his replacement. He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a top-class player for Manchester United.
The Red Devils are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they could be an attractive destination for players in the summer. It will be interesting to see if the French international is prepared to join them.
He needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and Manchester United can provide him with the platform he needs.
Chelsea are hoping to sign Michael Kayode from Brentford at the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a reliable performer in the top-flight, and he could prove to be a very useful addition for Chelsea. According to reports from Spain, Chelsea would be prepared to pay €70 million in order to sign the defender.
Brentford signed him for €17.5 million last summer, and he has been a very important player for them. However, the opportunity to make a significant profit from his departure could be tempting. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea comes forward with the €70 million proposal for the defender at the end of the season.
Reece James has recently picked up a serious injury, and he has had his fair share of injury problems in the past as well. Chelsea needs more quality and depth at full-back, and Kayode would be a solid long-term acquisition. He is a young player who is already impressing in the Premier League. He will only improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a key player for Chelsea in the long-term.
Chelsea will be hoping to fight for major trophies next season, and they need to improve defensively. Signing a quality defender could make a big difference for them. The 21-year-old could be attracted to the idea of joining one of the biggest clubs in the country as well. It could give him a platform to compete in the UEFA Champions League and fight for trophies.
It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can finalise an agreement in the coming months.
Lazio defender Mario Gila has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are interested in the defender, and the former Real Madrid player could cost around €30 million.
According to reports from Spain, Aston Villa is leading the race for his signature. Unai Emery wants to improve his defensive unit, and he has identified the Spaniard as a target. All three clubs have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and it will be interesting to see where Gila ends up.
The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be exciting for him. It would be the ideal next challenge for him. He has proven himself in Italy, and he could look to make his mark in English football.
The 25-year-old defender is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to take on a new challenge. He has the quality to succeed in the Premier League, and he could help all three teams.
Aston Villa need to add more quality to the defensive unit if they want to compete for Champions League football regularly. Signing the Spanish defender could prove to be a wise decision. On the other hand, Tottenham have been quite poor at the back this season. In addition, players like Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin have been linked with a move away from the club in the summer. They need to sign a quality central defender, and the Lazio star could be the ideal acquisition.
Everton could use an upgrade on James Tarkowski as well. It will be interesting to see where the 25-year-old Spaniard ends up eventually.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the fate of Arsenal’s season probably rests on the club’s next four games, one in each competition they’re still challenging for.
It’s been an exciting season for the Gunners, but there do still seem to be some signs of nerves in Mikel Arteta’s side, who haven’t enjoyed too many moments of playing their best or most stylish football.
Still, this is an Arsenal side that knows how to grind out results and nick goals on well-worked set-pieces, and that’s served them well so far, with the north Londoners seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table and preparing for a Carabao Cup final.
They’re also still in the Champions League and FA Cup, having lost only three games in all competitions all season, but things could change very quickly in just the next four games. Here’s how…
Saturday: Arsenal vs Everton (Premier League)
Arsenal may be seven points ahead of Man City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand. After some recent slip-ups with draws away to Brentford and Everton, it’s absolutely vital that Arsenal get three points.
This will be seen as a winnable fixture just as City travel to take on a resurgent West Ham, so expect football betting sites to start leaning even more heavily towards the Gunners if results go their way today.
A win for Arsenal and either a draw or defeat for City will feel very much like too far for the Sky Blues to come back from. At the same time, if AFC slip up again, there could be enough of a swing to majorly put things back in MCFC’s favour.
17th March: Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League)
Just a few days before the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal will have to focus hard to avoid an upset against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Arteta’s side were not too convincing in that first leg tie, but escaped with a 1-1 draw thanks to a late Kai Havertz penalty. If they don’t play much better at the Emirates Stadium, then this Leverkusen side is more than good enough to cause a surprise.
This Arsenal side is surely good enough to end the club’s hoodoo in the European Cup, but it’s fine margins at this level and they’ll need to be on their game even if they do have one eye on potentially picking up silverware just a few days later.
22nd March: Arsenal vs Manchester City (Carabao Cup final)
Needless to say, this is a huge game that not only represents the chance for some early-season silverware, but it brings together the two title contenders and will likely tell us a lot about who is in a stronger position to go on and finish as champions.
Arsenal could really do with that psychological boost against City, even if their record against them has improved in recent times, with the club still chasing a first trophy since all the way back in Arteta’s first season in charge in 2020.
If City come out on top, it could really spur them on to go on the kind of run that has previously seen them overpower Arsenal in the closing stages of the campaign.
On paper, this is a pretty favourable tie in the next round of the FA Cup for Arsenal, but they can take nothing for granted.
If the Gunners end up out of the title race, the Champions League, and on the losing side of the Carabao Cup final by the time this match comes around, it will be hugely important to salvage the season by winning the FA Cup.
Southampton looks like a decent opportunity, but this is a club that have a surprisingly good record against Arsenal when they’ve been in the Premier League, so there can be no room for any complacency at the St Mary’s Stadium.
As we push through the crucial month of March in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, the race for the Player of the Season award is fiercely contested.
Three players stand out for their immense contributions, Manchester United’s creative force Bruno Fernandes, and Arsenal’s defensive spine in Gabriel Magalhães and midfield commander Declan Rice.
Bruno Fernandes: The Creative Engine
If the award was strictly based on attacking output, Bruno Fernandes would be running away with it.
He currently leads the Premier League with 76 key passes and is threatening Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s all-time single-season assist record (20).
He is the undeniable catalyst for Man United, single-handedly pulling the strings and keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish.
Gabriel Magalhães: The Defensive Colossus
On the other side of the ball, Gabriel Magalhães has been an absolute titan. Arsenal are currently sitting at the summit of the Premier League, and their title charge is built upon a rock-solid foundation.
He boasts a passing accuracy north of 90%, leads his team in ball recoveries (148), and dominates progressive carries (145).
With Martin Zubimendi handling more of the deep defensive duties, Rice has been unleashed, consistently breaking lines and driving Arsenal forward while simultaneously snuffing out counter-attacks.
While Bruno Fernandes’ sheer weight of assists is staggering, Player of the Season awards almost always favour the defining figure of the league’s most successful team.
Gabriel Magalhães has a fantastic shout as the league’s premier defender, but Declan Rice edges it as the most deserving candidate.
He is the glue that binds Arsenal’s elite defense with their fluid attack. Rice’s ability to dominate the midfield physically while dictating play technically makes him the single most irreplaceable player on the pitch for the league leaders.
If Arsenal go on to lift the Premier League trophy, it will be Rice’s commanding presence in the middle of the park that ultimately seals the deal.
Liverpool could soon face an important decision regarding the future of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with several clubs from England and across Europe reportedly contacting the Reds about a potential transfer.
Teams have enquired about both permanent and loan deals for the Georgian international as uncertainty grows over his role at Anfield, according to TEAMtalk.
When Liverpool secured Mamardashvili’s signature for roughly £30 million in the summer of 2024, he was widely viewed as the heir apparent to Alisson Becker.
However, the Georgian international has found himself firmly rooted to the bench for most of this season. He has made just 12 appearances across all competitions, including a mere five in the Premier League, accumulating an underwhelming 934 minutes of action.
Mamardashvili on his way out of Liverpool?
While he has stepped in during Alisson’s injury absences, including recent Champions League outings against Galatasaray, it hasn’t been enough to unseat the Brazilian.
To compound Mamardashvili’s frustrations, Liverpool recently activated a 12-month extension in Alisson’s contract, tying the 33-year-old to the club until at least 2027.
This decision essentially blocks Mamardashvili’s pathway to the No. 1 shirt for the foreseeable future.
Some teams are considering a permanent transfer, while others are evaluating a loan move that could allow him to gain more experience while still remaining tied to the Merseyside club.
Reds may have to make a difficult decision in the summer
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili celebrates (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
There is no chance Alisson Becker is going to be the second choice goalkeeper at Anfield.
That could mean Mamardashvili could be open to leaving the club, even if it is in a loan move.
Mamardashvili offers qualities many clubs desire in a modern goalkeeper. Standing close to two metres tall, he commands his penalty area well and is particularly strong in shot-stopping situations.
A loan move may be the most sensible solution for all parties. Liverpool would retain a highly talented long-term option, while the player gains valuable first-team experience at a high level.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called on the club to prioritise signing another central midfielder this summer, arguing that the team’s inability to control matches in the final stages has become a recurring issue.
The former defender made the comments while analysing Liverpool’s performance during their recent match against Tottenham at Anfield, where the Reds once again struggled to maintain authority in midfield as the game progressed.
The match ended 1-1 with Dominik Szoboszlai scoring for the hosts and Richarlison scoring a 90th minute equaliser for Spurs.
The result was a huge blow for Arne Slot’s team who are fighting for a place in the top four of the Premier League.
Carragher believes the club must address the issue in the upcoming transfer window if they want to maintain competitiveness at the highest level.
Liverpool face concerns over midfield control
Carragher’s analysis focused particularly on Alexis Mac Allister, who has played a key role in Liverpool’s midfield this season.
While the Argentine World Cup winner has been one of the team’s most technically gifted players, Carragher suggested that the demands placed on him throughout matches are beginning to show late in games.
Speaking during the broadcast, Carragher said, as reported by Sky Sports:
“The longer the game goes in every game, Mac Allister struggles and that’s a real problem for Liverpool, the centre of midfield.
“It’s something they have to address in the summer, or whether Szoboszlai goes back to the central midfield position.
“When Jones comes on and the game goes end to end, I don’t know why he takes the Wirtz position.
“He’s not that player anyway, just go 4-3-3 and have an extra body in front of the back four. There’s too much space.”
Reds need to find a solution to their midfield issues
Alexis Mac Allister in action for Liverpool (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Carragher’s comments show an issue that Liverpool’s coaching staff may already be evaluating ahead of the summer transfer window.
With the club competing across multiple competitions and aiming to challenge for major trophies, midfield balance remains a crucial factor.
Whether Liverpool opt to recruit a new midfielder or adjust their tactical approach, the ability to control games in the closing stages could prove decisive in determining their success in the seasons ahead.
Their midfield strength will be tested once again this week against Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Real Madrid are reportedly monitoring Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot as a potential defensive reinforcement ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to reports from Spain, via TEAMtalk, the Portuguese international has emerged as a possible target for the La Liga giants as they evaluate options to strengthen their right-back position.
While the club has been linked with several high-profile names, Dalot has reportedly appeared on their shortlist due to his versatility and consistent performances in the Premier League.
Madrid are believed to be assessing whether a move for the 26-year-old could represent a cost-effective solution compared to some of their more expensive targets.
Dalot has been a crucial squad member at Man United
Dalot has gradually developed into one of the club’s most dependable defenders.
Dalot’s ability to operate on both sides of the defense has made him particularly valuable.
While naturally a right-back, he has often been deployed on the left when needed, demonstrating tactical adaptability that has caught the attention of several top European clubs.
During the current campaign, Dalot has continued to deliver steady performances, contributing both defensively and in build-up play. His attacking runs and crossing ability have made him an important outlet in United’s system.
Diogo Dalot applauds the Man United fans (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s interest in Dalot is partly linked to their long-term planning in defense as they prepare for life without Carvajal.
The Spanish giants are believed to be exploring several options as they look to strengthen the right side of their backline in the coming seasons.
Reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi remains one of Madrid’s preferred targets, but any deal for the Moroccan international would likely involve a significant transfer fee.
As a result, Dalot has emerged as a more affordable alternative.
Dalot would have to compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold for a spot in the starting line up.
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has publicly expressed his hope that Harry Maguire will remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of the current season, highlighting the experienced centre-back’s importance both on and off the pitch.
Speaking after United’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, the young French defender praised Maguire’s leadership and revealed how much he has benefited from the England international’s guidance.
The French centre-back joined the club with significant expectations, and he has openly acknowledged the role experienced teammates have played in helping him adapt to life in the Premier League.
Yoro revealed that Maguire has been particularly supportive, frequently offering tactical advice and guidance during matches and training sessions.
“Having Harry in the team is good for us,” Yoro said after United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa, as reported by Sky Sports.
“If he can stay next season, it’s really good for us, so I hope he’s going to extend his contract and he can stay with us. We’ll see, we’ll see anyway.
“With all the experiences he has, he gave a lot of tips, he spoke to me a lot on the pitch, so this helped me a lot.
“He always speaks with me, sometimes he speaks before the game, or at half time, about positioning as well, so playing with him is really good for me.
“We speak a lot. Even before the game, during the week, we speak a lot about the opponent.”
Man United still value Maguire’s experience and leadership
Harry Maguire waves to the Manchester United fans (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Despite facing criticism at times during his United career, Maguire remains one of the most experienced players in the squad. The England international has played hundreds of matches at the highest level, including major tournaments with the national team.
His leadership qualities have become particularly important during a period of transition for Man United, especially as younger defenders such as Yoro continue their development.
In recent weeks, Maguire has delivered several strong performances, demonstrating his ability to remain a reliable option in defense. His presence in the dressing room is also viewed as a valuable asset as United integrate younger players into the team.
Arne Slot’s tenure at Anfield is under intense scrutiny. After a dream debut season that saw Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy in 2025, the 2025/26 campaign has been a stark contrast.
Following a string of poor performances, including a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the Reds are battling just to salvage Champions League qualification for next year.
The former Liverpool midfielder was heavily touted for the role when Jurgen Klopp departed in 2024, but he opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen before eventually moving to Real Madrid.
Alonso is currently a free agent after parting ways with Real Madrid in January 2026 following a difficult seven-month stint at the Bernabeu.
He knows the club inside out and already has the backing of the Anfield faithful. While his agent recently dismissed rumors of a verbal agreement already being in place, reports suggest Alonso is open to the move and represents the most seamless, popular appointment the board could make.
2. Julian Nagelsmann: The “Klopp 2.0” Blueprint
While Alonso brings emotional weight, many football analysts are pointing to Julian Nagelsmann as the optimal tactical fit for the current Liverpool squad.
Nagelsmann is currently managing the German national team, boasting a strong win percentage and a wealth of top-level European experience from his time at Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.
If FSG wants to return to the high-intensity, aggressive pressing structures that defined the Jurgen Klopp era, Nagelsmann is the ideal candidate.
His energetic style of play could be the perfect antidote to the slower, more labored performances fans have criticized under Slot this season.
If Liverpool’s domestic and European form collapses entirely, the board may decide to pull the trigger before the season ends.
In such an emergency scenario, club legend Steven Gerrard has emerged in recent days as a shock interim option.
Rumours indicate Gerrard is being eyed for a potential short-term appointment to steer the ship until the end of the 2025/26 season while the club lines up a permanent successor.
Even though his managerial track record has been heavily scrutinised since his time at Aston Villa,
Gerrard’s presence would instantly galvanise a frustrated fanbase and lift the dressing room’s morale for a late-season push in the Premier League.
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan and Inter Milan are actively monitoring the situation and are preparing to challenge Arsenal for the signature of midfielder Leon Goretzka.
Discussions are believed to have already begun between Milan representatives and Goretzka’s camp, while Inter are assessing the financial feasibility of a deal.
The Germany international is approaching the final months of his contract in Bavaria, and unless a late extension is agreed, he will be free to negotiate with clubs ahead of a potential move at the end of the season.
Arsenal hold genuine interest in the decorated midfielder
Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have built one of the Premier League’s most dynamic midfield units in recent seasons, but the club continues to explore experienced additions who can provide leadership and tactical flexibility.
Goretzka’s profile fits that requirement well. Known for his powerful box-to-box style, physical presence, and ability to contribute goals from midfield, the German international has been a key figure at Bayern Munich since arriving from Schalke in 2018.
During his time at Bayern, he has helped the club win multiple Bundesliga titles, as well as the UEFA Champions League in 2020, establishing himself as one of Germany’s most reliable midfielders.
Even in the later stages of his career, Goretzka remains highly regarded for his work rate and expereince.
Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Despite Arsenal’s current advantage, the Serie A giants are determined to compete for the midfielder’s signature.
AC Milan have reportedly made initial contact with Goretzka’s representatives as they look to strengthen their midfield with a player capable of providing immediate impact.
The Rossoneri have increasingly focused on signing experienced players on free transfers to complement their younger talents.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan are exploring the possibility of completing another high-profile free transfer.
The club has successfully executed similar deals in recent years, signing players such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan without paying a transfer fee.
Arsenal are reportedly standing firm over the future of Riccardo Calafiori, with the club having no plans to sell the Italian defender despite growing interest from several major Serie A sides.
According to TEAMtalk, clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and Napoli are monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation closely.
However, Arsenal remain fully committed to keeping the versatile defender at the Emirates Stadium as part of their long-term plans.
The Gunners view Calafiori as an important component of their defensive setup and have little appetite to entertain offers during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Calafiori has been crucial to Arsenal this season
Calafiori has quickly established himself as one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League.
His ability to play as a left-back, as well as a centre-back, has been crucial for Mikel Arteta’s team this season.
The player himself is settled in London and not actively pushing for a move, which further strengthens Arsenal’s position in negotiations.
The club believes he still has significant room to develop and could become one of the pillars of their defense for years to come.
Inter Milan and AC Milan are both looking to reinforce their defensive units, while Juventus and Napoli are also reportedly interested in bringing the defender back to Serie A.
The appeal of returning to his home country could potentially become a factor in the future, although there are currently no indications that Calafiori is seeking an exit.
Unless the situation changes dramatically, the Italian defender is expected to remain at the Emirates, where Arsenal believe his best years are still ahead of him as they continue building a squad capable of challenging for major trophies.
Chelsea are reportedly considering accelerating their plans for Rayane Messi, the highly rated teenage winger currently owned by Strasbourg, as interest from several European heavyweights intensifies.
According to TEAMtalk, the London club is closely monitoring the 18-year-old’s development and could move to secure his future within their system sooner than originally planned.
Messi, who is currently gaining experience on loan at Saudi Pro League side Neom, has attracted the attention of clubs including Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Chelsea’s ownership group BlueCo, which also controls Strasbourg, is determined to keep the talented youngster within its multi-club structure.
Discussions are ongoing internally about the best pathway for the winger’s development.
Messi is a rising talent in the BlueCo network
Messi is widely regarded as one of the most promising young attackers emerging from Strasbourg’s academy in recent years.
His temporary spell in Saudi Arabia is seen primarily as a developmental move, allowing him to gain regular first-team experience in a competitive environment.
Scouts from several major European clubs have reportedly continued to track his performances during this loan period, which has only increased interest in the young winger.
Chelsea’s multi-club ownership model has played a key role in managing Messi’s progression. When BlueCo purchased Strasbourg, one of the long-term goals was to create a structured pathway for promising players to develop before potentially transitioning to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea readying move for French winger Rayane Messi.
Initially, the strategy was for Messi to return to Strasbourg next season and gradually integrate into the Ligue 1 side’s first team.
After establishing himself in France, the long-term objective was for him to make the step up to Chelsea.
However, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and PSG reportedly making enquiries about his availability, Chelsea’s leadership is said to be reviewing that timeline.
The club does not want to risk losing a highly rated prospect from within their own network.
Chelsea see Messi as a player with significant long-term potential and are exploring ways to ensure his development remains under their control.
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing an ambitious move to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise during the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to Bild, Los Blancos president Florentino Pérez has identified the French international as one of the club’s priority attacking targets as they continue planning the next phase of their squad rebuild.
The Bundesliga leaders are determined to keep hold of one of their most influential attacking players and are not currently considering offers for him.
Olise remains under contract at the Allianz Arena until 2029, and his deal does not contain a release clause that could make negotiations easier for interested clubs.
Real Madrid face competition from Liverpool
The Frenchman is also being chased by Liverpool who are looking to sign him as Mohamed Salah’s long term replacement.
Olise has shown his quality in the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season and it is hardly a surprise to see top clubs closely monitoring him.
His ability to operate both as a traditional winger and as an inverted playmaker has made him a key figure in the club’s push for domestic and European success.
Bayern’s leadership views Olise as a central figure in their long-term project, which explains why they are unwilling to entertain offers despite growing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
Reds are monitoring the situation of Bayern Munich winger
Michael Olise in action for Bayern Munich (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are not the only club keeping an eye on Olise’s development. Liverpool have also been linked with the winger as they prepare for a potential transition in their forward line.
Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly is approaching a pivotal moment in his development as the summer transfer window nears.
The highly rated 19-year-old left-back remains one of the most promising academy products at the Emirates Stadium, but limited first-team opportunities this season have raised questions about the best pathway for his progress.
The decision could allow Lewis-Skelly to gain the regular top-flight experience needed to accelerate his development while keeping him firmly within Arsenal’s long-term plans.
Competition for minutes at Arsenal
Lewis-Skelly’s path into Arsenal’s starting lineup has become increasingly difficult over the past year.
The arrivals of Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori have strengthened the Gunners’ defensive depth, pushing the young academy graduate further down the pecking order at left-back.
Both defenders have been trusted by Mikel Arteta in high-pressure matches, particularly in the Premier League and European competitions. As a result, Lewis-Skelly has found his opportunities limited, despite impressing during his breakthrough campaign last season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates after Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Another factor influencing the situation is Lewis-Skelly’s growing international recognition. The Arsenal defender has caught the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who reportedly sees him as a potential future option for the national team.
However, Tuchel is believed to have emphasized that players must accumulate consistent competitive minutes, ideally over 30 appearances in a season, to strengthen their chances of earning a place in England’s squad ahead of major tournaments.
That expectation has made a temporary move away from Arsenal increasingly attractive for Lewis-Skelly.
Several Premier League clubs are already monitoring the situation closely. Everton,
Crystal Palace, and West Ham United are among the teams interested in bringing the young defender in on loan.
Arsenal are open to a loan move but are insisting on guarantees of regular playing time before approving any deal.
Adam Crafton of The Athletic has revealed that Xabi Alonso is expected to be a top candidate for the Liverpool manager’s job if the club decides to sack Arne Slot at the end of the season.
The Spaniard, who remains a beloved figure at Anfield from his playing days, is widely believed to be open to a return to Merseyside despite his recent stint at Real Madrid.
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Speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic FC Podcast, Crafton suggested that the former midfielder would be the natural choice to lead a new era.
He said: “I imagine he would probably take the job and I’m sure he would be a contender if they chose to let Slot go.”
Xabi Alonso top contender for Liverpool job
The link to Alonso comes at a time when his managerial stock remains high, despite a challenging five-month spell at Real Madrid that ended briefly in January.
Prior to his time in Spain, Alonso achieved legendary status at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German team to a historic unbeaten domestic double in 2024.
According to some reports, a verbal understanding may already be in place for Alonso to take over on a three-year deal starting in June 2026, provided Liverpool’s current campaign continues its downward trajectory.
Many fans see Alonso as the tactical and emotional successor to Jürgen Klopp, believing his ‘exceptional‘ coaching pedigree is exactly what a disjointed Liverpool squad needs.
Additionally, the presence of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, two of his star players from his time at Bayer Leverkusen could further prove to be incentive for all parties to make the reunion happen.
Liverpool could sack Slot at the end of the season
While Arne Slot has earned the patience after winning the Premier League title in his debut season, the current season has proven to be a major disappointment.
They also face a crucial Champions League rescue mission against Galatasaray tomorrow, following the 1-0 defeat in the first-leg last week.
Crafton has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting, that Slot has just won the league, making a decision to sack a year later a difficult one. However, he has stated that a sacking is ‘very possible’.
But if Liverpool fails to secure Champions League football for next season, the hierarchy may feel forced to pull the trigger to avoid a long-term decline.
With Alonso currently out of work and waiting for a call, the pressure on Slot has never been higher.
Liverpool academy star Jayden Danns has suffered a heartbreaking injury setback during his highly anticipated return for the Under-21s against Manchester City.
The 20-year-old forward, who had been sidelined for five months following hamstring surgery in September, lasted just 29 minutes before pulling up in visible distress.
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The injury occurred as Danns attempted a characteristic burst of pace to track back into midfield.
He immediately clutched the back of his right leg and signaled to the bench, appearing devastated as he was helped from the pitch at the Kirkby Academy.
Liverpool starlet Jayden Danns suffers injury setback
The timing of this latest issue is a cruel blow for the striker, who had only just returned to full training in late February.
Having scored 29 goals in 48 appearances at youth level, Danns is considered among the emerging stars from the academy.
But the injuries have impacted his development recently, as he now faces another extended period on the treatment table, with reports suggesting his season could be over before it truly began.
Danns has produced some memorable Liverpool moments
Under Jurgen Klopp, he provided some of the most memorable moments, notably scoring twice in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Southampton and starring in the League Cup final victory over Chelsea.
Slot’s lack of trust in youngsters has drawn considerable criticism.
Team
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Liverpool U18
33
24
4
Liverpool U21
16
5
2
Liverpool (senior)
10
3
1
Liverpool FC YL
2
1
–
Total
61
33
7
With Slot prioritising a massive half a billion summer recruitment drive over promoting from within, there are growing concerns that the development pathway for talents like Danns and Rio Ngumoha is being overlooked in favour of experienced senior players regardless of their form.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber will miss Arsenal’s crucial Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
The announcement comes as a significant blow to the Gunners, who are looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Arteta was direct about the availability of his captain and star defender.
“Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard will be out tomorrow against Bayer Leverkusen,” the manager stated (as quoted by Fabrizio Romano).
??? Mikel Arteta: “Jurrien Timber and Martin Ødegaard will be out tomorrow against Bayer Leverkusen”. pic.twitter.com/dq1xU4V882
While there was hope he might return for this fixture, he remained absent from Monday’s training session.
Jurrien Timber’s injury is a more recent setback; the Dutchman, who has been one of the most effective defenders in the competition this season, hobbled off during the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
While Arteta suggested Timber’s issue might not be too serious, the recovery time might just too short for the European clash.
Tottenham have decided to keep Igor Tudor as interim head coach for the time being, following a spirited 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
According to a report from The Times, the Croatian tactician is set to remain in charge for this week’s critical fixtures against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
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Igor Tudor to remain Tottenham manager for next two games
While the draw against the defending champions has eased the immediate pressure, Tudor’s position remains under heavy scrutiny.
The club is currently in a race against time to overturn a 5-2 deficit in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid tomorrow night.
The board is also aware of the relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
With Spurs currently sitting in 16th place, just one point above the drop zone, the result against Forest is viewed as non-negotiable.
Should Tudor fail to secure a win in either of these fixtures, the club may turn to a somone like Sean Dyche to help them survive the drop.
Tottenham results under Igor Tudor
The point at Anfield was notably the first that Tottenham has earned under Tudor since he replaced Thomas Frank on February 14.
Despite the slight boost in morale, the club is still yet to record a victory in the calendar year 2026 and remains winless under the new manager’s tenure.
Match
Venue
Result
Competition
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Home
L 1–4
Premier League
Fulham vs Tottenham
Away
L 1–2
Premier League
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
Home
L 1–3
Premier League
Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham
Away
L 2–5
Champions League
Liverpool vs Tottenham
Away
D 1–1
Premier League
Tudor described the draw as ‘immense’ given the squad’s injury crisis, which left him with only 12 senior outfield players available for selection.
However, with 14 goals conceded in just five matches, the Croatian must find a way to improve the defence that has looked alarmingly fragile if he hopes to keep the job beyond the weekend.
Arne Slot could face the sack at the end of the season despite his historic debut campaign at Anfield, according to The Athletic reporter Adam Crafton.
The Dutchman, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title just last year, is currently navigating a period of intense pressure as the club’s title defence has completely collapsed.
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Crafton, speaking on the latest situation surrounding the Liverpool manager, suggested that while Slot may deserve patience, the ruthless nature of elite football makes a departure a genuine possibility.
Adam Crafton says Arne Slot sacking ‘very possible’
“If you win the league in your first season and then get yourself in the Champions League even if it’s by hook or crook, then I do think you deserve another year to get out of the little rut you are in.
“The guy has won the league. It’s mad to think about someone being fired a year after winning the league, but I think that’s very possible.”
The comments reflect a growing sentiment that even a manager who delivered the club’s first post-Klopp title is not immune to the consequences of a dramatic drop-off in performance.
Premier League title in debut season has kept Slot in job so far
The primary reason Slot remains in the dugout is the immense credit he earned during the 2024/25 season.
Replacing a figure as influential as Jürgen Klopp was widely seen as an impossible task, yet Slot achieved the unthinkable by securing the Premier League trophy in his first attempt.
That achievement has acted as a shield during the current campaign, as FSG and the Liverpool board are reportedly hesitant to pull the trigger on him.
The statistics, however, paint a grim picture for the defending champions. Liverpool currently sit in fifth place, 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Reds have already suffered nine league defeats this season, the most by a defending champion at this stage of the season since Leicester City in 2017.
Coupled with a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 and shock home defeats has resulted in serious frustration among fans.
Arsenal could be set for a significant financial windfall as Serie A giants Juventus plot a £30 million move for defender Jakub Kiwior this summer.
The 26-year-old, who left North London in September to make room for the arrival of Piero Hincapie, is currently on a season-long loan at Porto, where his stock has risen dramatically.
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Juventus revive longstanding interest in Jakub Kiwior
According to Tuttosport, Juventus have revived their long-standing interest in the versatile centre-back, who is equally comfortable operating on the left-hand side of a four-man defense.
The Bianconeri are reportedly keen to bring Kiwior back to Italy, where he previously excelled with Spezia, to provide competition and cover for former Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, whose move to Turin was made permanent last summer.
Juventus’ interest in the Polish international dates back to his time in Serie A between 2021 and 2023.
While Arsenal ultimately won the race for his signature in a £21 million deal, the Italian club has continued to monitor his progress.
Report suggests that Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini was in Portugal last week to scout Kiwior during Porto’s high-profile fixtures against Sporting and Benfica.
The 26-year-old has established himself as a staple of Francesco Farioli’s defense, helping Porto keep 12 clean sheets in Liga Portugal this season.
Juventus reportedly view him as a player who can immediately improve their defensive unit as they continue their rebuilding process.
Arsenal set for transfer windfall from Kiwior sale
The situation is complicated by the structure of Kiwior’s current move. His loan deal at the Estádio do Dragao includes a mandatory obligation to buy, meaning Porto are set to pay Arsenal approximately £23 million to make the transfer permanent this summer.
However, a permanent stay in Portugal is not guaranteed. If Juventus follow through with their £30 million interest, Porto could be tempted to make an immediate profit on the defender.
For Arsenal, such a quick flip would be highly beneficial; the original agreement between the Gunners and Porto reportedly includes a sell-on clause, which would see Mikel Arteta’s side receive an extra £1.7 million should Porto sell him on this summer.
Kiwior arrived at the Emirates in January 2023 for a fee of £21 million.
During his tenure in North London, he made 68 appearances for the Gunners and was often called upon by Mikel Arteta during crucial title-run periods to fill in for the injured Gabriel Magalhaes or Oleksandr Zinchenko.
While he was a reliable squad player, he struggled to cement a permanent starting spot over the club’s preferred central pairing.
His departure in September 2025 was seen as the best move for all parties, allowing Arsenal to bring in Piero Hincapie while granting Kiwior the regular first-team football.
Chelsea have been handed significant sanctions following the conclusion of a Premier League investigation into historical financial breaches dating back to the ownership era of Roman Abramovich.
An independent commission has imposed a £10.75 million fine, along with additional sporting penalties related to transfer activity and academy recruitment, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The sanctions include an immediate nine-month ban on academy player registrations and a one-year transfer ban on first-team signings, although the latter will remain suspended for two years provided the club commits no further violations.
Chelsea have accepted both punishments after cooperating with the Premier League’s investigation.
Findings of the investigation against Chelsea
The investigation focused on financial activities that occurred between 2011 and 2018, during Abramovich’s ownership of the club.
According to the Premier League, the inquiry uncovered undisclosed payments made by third parties associated with Chelsea to players, agents who were not properly registered, and other intermediaries involved in transfers.
These payments were not reported to the league at the time, which constituted a breach of the Premier League’s financial reporting regulations, as well as rules regarding third-party involvement in transfers and youth development structures.
In its statement, the Premier League explained that Chelsea had accepted that these payments, and the failure to disclose them, violated the league’s requirement for clubs to act in good faith and maintain transparency in their financial dealings.
Impact on the sporting operations at Stamford Bridge
Liam Rosenior shouts instructions during Chelsea’s defeat vs Arsenal (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The most immediate sporting consequence of the ruling is the nine-month ban on registering academy players.
This measure could impact Chelsea’s youth recruitment strategy, an area the club has historically prioritised as part of its long-term development model.
The suspended first-team transfer ban is also significant. While Chelsea can still sign senior players during the next transfer windows, any future breaches of financial regulations during the two-year probation period could trigger the full sanction.
Despite the penalties, the club is not expected to face points deductions or further financial punishment.
Chelsea have acknowledged the findings and accepted the sanctions imposed by the commission.
The club reportedly cooperated with investigators and has emphasised that the violations relate to activities under previous ownership.
The future of Jack Grealish could get attention in the summer with Aston Villa and Everton reportedly preparing to compete for the England international’s signature.
According to SportsBoom, both clubs are closely monitoring Grealish’s situation at Manchester City, where the attacking midfielder is expected to evaluate his options at the end of the season.
Grealish’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium appears uncertain.
After several seasons with City, the 29-year-old could be open to a new challenge, prompting interest from clubs eager to bring the creative playmaker back into a more prominent role.
Aston Villa are dreaming of an emotional return
The possibility of Grealish returning to Villa Park would represent a deeply emotional reunion.
The midfielder famously captained the club and rose through its academy before leaving for Manchester City in a record-breaking £100 million transfer in 2021.
Villa manager Unai Emery is reportedly interested in the idea of bringing Grealish back to the club where he first established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents.
Under Emery’s leadership, Villa have developed into a competitive side with ambitions of maintaining a place among England’s top teams.
With European football virtually secured for next season, Villa believe they could offer Grealish an attractive sporting project as well as the opportunity to reconnect with the club where he became a fan favorite.
Everton are also keen on signing Grealish
Jack Grealish celebrates a goal for Everton (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
However, Aston Villa are unlikely to have a clear path to Grealish. Everton manager David Moyes is also believed to be keen on signing the midfielder and hopes to act quickly in the transfer market.
The English star has impressed on his loan spell at Everton this season and the Toffees are considering signing him in a permanent deal.
If Grealish ultimately decides to leave Man City in a permanent move in the summer, both clubs appear ready to make strong cases for why he should join their project for the next stage of his career.
Carragher called out Vicario for his poor performance, particularly how he dealt with Szoboszlai’s free-kick in the first half.
Although Szoboszlai is a world class free-kick taker but replay showed that Vicario could have saved the free-kick as he got a strong hand on the ball.
Jamie Carragher called out Vicario for his mistake
While speaking on commentary, Carragher said, as reported by Football365:
“We don’t see enough direct free-kicks scored in the Premier League these days but there’s absolutely no doubt that Liverpool have a free-kick specialist.
“He is a specialist but I tell you what, Tottenham don’t have a goalkeeping specialist.
“It’s not far off the middle of the goal, you’ve got to save that. Wow, that’s awful, absolutely shocking from the goalkeeper.
“Liverpool find themselves one goal in front thanks to their best player by a million miles this season.
“The reason the other fella’ [Kinsky] played in midweek was because he [Vicario] is not good enough.
“That’s what it was and then he ends up coming on in the game and it’s been well documented what happened.
He was dropped by manager Igor Tudor for the big match against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and replaced by Antonin Kinsky, who made high-profile errors and was eventually taken off and replaced by Vicario in the match against the La Liga side.
The goalkeeping position has been Spurs’ achilles heel this season and it is an issue that the club would be desperate to address in the summer.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is attracting attention from the biggest clubs in the Premier League.
The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the young English midfielder who has impressed highly at Selhurst Park.
At Palace, he has shown consistency, quality passing and maturity at such a young age.
With Palace losing players like Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi recently and manager Oliver Glasner also heading out of the club, Wharton’s future is uncertain and the club and it appears like Palace would not stand in his way if they get what they are demanding for the young midfielder.
Crystal Palace asking price for Wharton is revealed
Pete O’Rourke of the Football Insider has discussed the future of Wharton and revealed how much teams would need to pay if they are interested in signing the midfielder.
He said:
“He’s obviously one of the players that’s on United’s list as they look to restructure their midfield next season.
“There are a number of players that they are looking at, and Wharton is on that list. I think it would be a huge fee to try and prise him away as well.
“You’re probably looking around £70million plus for such a young player who has shown huge potential and can get better.
“It’ll be an open race for Adam Wharton if there is any indication he can be prised away from Palace this summer.”
Wharton is being eyed as a player who can bring stability to their midfield and offer control to the midfield with his passing and ability to retain possession.
On the other hand, Man City are perhaps looking for a long term Rodri replacement and Wharton fits the profile of the player they are looking for.
He is a young, homegrown player who offers support to the attack, as well as the defense.
Newcastle United are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Elliot Anderson back to the club this summer, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder emerging as a potential priority target in the upcoming transfer window.
According to TEAMtalk, the Magpies are evaluating contingency plans amid growing interest in their own midfield stars, and Anderson’s name has resurfaced as a possible replacement option.
Newcastle, however, could have an emotional advantage in the race, given the midfielder’s history with the club’s academy system.
Newcastle United preparing for possible midfield changes
Newcastle’s interest in Anderson is closely linked to uncertainty surrounding the futures of two of their most influential players, Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali.
Both midfielders have been heavily linked with moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent months.
Guimarães, in particular, has been connected with teams such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, while Tonali continues to attract admiration following his consistent performances in the Premier League.
With the possibility that one of their star midfielders could depart in the summer, Newcastle’s recruitment team is reportedly preparing alternative options to maintain the strength of the squad.
His performances this season have significantly increased his market value, with reports suggesting Forest now rate him between £90 million and £100 million.
Such a fee would represent a huge financial commitment from Newcastle. It would surpass the club’s current transfer record, set when they signed Nick Woltemade for £69.3 million last summer.
Arsenal are reportedly keeping a close watch on Club Brugge forward Nicolò Tresoldi, as the young striker continues to attract interest from several of Europe’s top clubs.
According to Bild, the Gunners are among the teams tracking the 21-year-old’s development, alongside Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.
Tresoldi has enjoyed an impressive season in Belgium, establishing himself as one of the most promising young forwards in European football.
His performances for Club Brugge have placed him firmly on the radar of elite clubs searching for emerging attacking talent.
Tresoldi has shown a habit of scoring goals
Since joining Club Brugge in 2025, Tresoldi has quickly adapted to Belgian football and emerged as a key attacking option.
The young striker has registered 15 goals and five assists across all competitions this season, showcasing his ability to both finish chances and contribute to his team’s overall attacking play.
Standing out for his intelligent movement, physical presence, and composure in front of goal, the striker has proven capable of leading the line while also linking effectively with teammates in advanced areas.
His performances have been particularly impressive considering his relatively recent arrival in Belgium, where he made the move after developing through the youth system at Hannover 96 in Germany.
Arsenal face competition to sign the young attacker
Alex Baena of Atletico de Madrid battles for possession with Nicolo Tresoldi of Club Brugge (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Under manager Mikel Arteta, the club has placed a strong emphasis on building a squad capable of competing at the highest level while maintaining a core of developing talent.
Adding a forward like Tresoldi could provide Arsenal with long-term attacking depth.
With the demands of domestic and European competitions increasing, clubs are placing greater value on versatile young attackers who can develop into future first-team stars.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both pose a threat to Arsenal’s pursuit of the young attacker.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones could face a pivotal summer as uncertainty grows surrounding his long-term future at Anfield.
According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old academy graduate will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the current season, prompting increased interest from clubs across Europe.
Both Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be keeping a close watch on Jones’ situation.
With his contract set to expire in June 2027, Liverpool’s hierarchy may soon have to make an important decision regarding whether to offer a new deal or consider selling the player before his market value begins to decline.
Jones has been a crucial presence for Liverpool
Jones has been part of Liverpool’s setup for over a decade, rising through the club’s academy before making his senior debut in 2019.
The midfielder quickly gained attention for his technical ability, composure in possession, and confidence in attacking areas.
Over the years, Jones has become a dependable squad member capable of operating in multiple midfield roles. His versatility has allowed him to feature as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, and occasionally in wider positions when required.
One of the most memorable moments early in his career came when he scored a stunning goal in the FA Cup Merseyside derby against Everton in 2020, a strike that highlighted his natural attacking instincts.
Jones’ technical qualities and Premier League experience make him an appealing option for clubs seeking a midfielder who can contribute creatively while maintaining tactical discipline.
Liverpool may face a difficult choice in the coming months. As a homegrown player, Jones represents valuable squad depth and contributes to the club’s registration requirements for domestic and European competitions.
However, allowing him to enter the final stages of his contract without an extension could risk losing him for free.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has emerged as one of the most coveted young talents in the Premier League, with several top clubs reportedly preparing to battle for his signature this summer.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United and Liverpool are among the clubs monitoring the 22-year-old closely, while Chelsea have also shown strong interest following the midfielder’s impressive performances at Selhurst Park.
Wharton remains under contract with Crystal Palace until June 2029, placing the London club in a strong negotiating position.
Wharton remains under contract with Crystal Palace until June 2029, placing the London club in a strong negotiating position.
Wharton continues to impress at Crystal Palace
Wharton has enjoyed a remarkable progression since establishing himself as a regular starter for Palace. The England international is widely praised for his composure on the ball, intelligent positioning, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches from midfield.
Operating primarily as a deep-lying playmaker, Wharton has become the heartbeat of Palace’s midfield.
His passing range allows him to control the rhythm of games, while his awareness and defensive work rate help provide balance between attack and defense.
His performances have earned him recognition at the international level, with England managers increasingly viewing him as a long-term option for the national team.
Arsenal have reportedly joined a growing list of clubs interested in RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, as the highly rated centre-back continues to attract attention from across Europe.
According to L’Équipe, the Gunners have recently intensified their monitoring of the French international, with club scouts attending multiple matches to assess his performances.
RB Leipzig are believed to be prepared to consider offers in the region of €70 million, with several clubs from both the Premier League and La Liga closely following the 23-year-old’s development.
Lukeba has experienced a rapid rise in European football
Lukeba has developed into one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young defenders since his move to Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais.
His style of play reflects the qualities modern elite clubs often seek in centre-backs. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, Lukeba is capable of building attacks from deep while also excelling in defensive duels.
His ability to read the game and recover quickly during transitions has made him a key figure in Leipzig’s defensive structure.
The Frenchman’s progress has also been recognized at international level. After impressing in youth competitions for France, Lukeba has gradually moved into the senior national team conversation, further boosting his profile among Europe’s biggest clubs.
Castello Lukeba in action for RB Leipzig (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have focused on strengthening the defense of the team more than the attack.
The Gunners are known for their quality defense and Arteta is keen to add more quality and depth as the Premier League side continue to compete on multiple fronts.
Lukeba’s age, potential, and ability to operate as a left-sided centre-back make him an attractive option for the club’s recruitment team.
Real Madrid could be set for a significant decision regarding the future of Eduardo Camavinga, with reports suggesting the Spanish giants are willing to listen to offers for the French midfielder this summer.
Camavinga’s role at the Santiago Bernabéu has come under increasing scrutiny after a season in which he has struggled to secure consistent minutes.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe, the 23-year-old has started just 12 of Real Madrid’s 21 La Liga matches this campaign.
Reports indicate that any club looking to secure his services would likely need to submit an offer exceeding €50 million.
Eduardo Camavinga journey at Real Madrid
Camavinga joined Real Madrid from Rennes in 2021, arriving with a reputation as one of the brightest midfield prospects in European football.
His early performances quickly justified the excitement surrounding his signing, as he displayed remarkable composure and technical ability for such a young player.
Over the past few seasons, Camavinga has contributed to several key moments for Madrid, particularly in European competitions.
His versatility has also made him a valuable squad option, with the French international often deployed not only in midfield but also occasionally as a left-back when injuries affected the squad.
However, competition for places in Madrid’s midfield has intensified. With players such as Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde playing prominent roles, Camavinga has sometimes found himself rotating in and out of the starting lineup.
The French international’s profile fits well within the fast-paced style of the Premier League, where his athleticism and pressing ability could be particularly effective.
Despite this interest, Real Madrid remain in a strong negotiating position. Camavinga is still under contract and remains a highly valued member of the squad, meaning any potential deal would require a significant transfer fee.
Aké remains under contract at Man City until 2027, but his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium has become a subject of speculation.
The versatile defender’s ability to operate as both a centre-back and a left-back has made him an attractive option for clubs seeking experienced players capable of fitting into multiple tactical systems.
Aké has played a substitute role at Man City
Aké has developed into a reliable squad member under Pep Guardiola. The Dutch international has often been praised for his defensive intelligence, composure in possession, and tactical discipline.
The intense competition within City’s squad, particularly in defense, has sometimes limited his opportunities to secure a regular starting role.
Despite this, Aké has consistently delivered solid performances when called upon, particularly in matches requiring defensive stability and positional awareness.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, view Aké’s versatility as a major advantage. The Dutch defender’s ability to play in multiple defensive roles could offer valuable depth as the club continues to compete for domestic and European honours.
John Terry has claimed that Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman reminds him of Lionel Messi, following the teenager’s record-breaking performance against Everton on Saturday.
The Chelsea legend took to TikTok to praise the 16-year-old, who became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history during the Gunners’ 2-0 victory.
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John Terry compares Max Dowman to Lionel Messi
Terry has seen Dowman shine with the Arsenal academy during his role at Chelsea’s academy and was unreserved in his praise.
He said:
“Max Dowman, what a player by the way, 16 years of age, absolutely incredible.
“I watched him play against Chelsea about a year ago and I’ve not seen anyone glide past people like this man does, other than Messi. That’s a big, big comparison but this man is a proper talent and will play a big part in Arsenal’s future and also England as well.”
Max Dowman, what a player and pleased for him to get his first goal tonight. Poor goal we conceded tonight and disappointing to lose at home against Newcastle. #premierleague#arsenal#chelsea#chelseafc#football
Dowman’s historic moment arrived in stoppage time against the Toffees. With the score at 1-0 and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stranded upfield for a corner, the 16-year-old collected the ball deep in his own half.
Displaying the composure Terry alluded to, Dowman glided past two Everton players before sprinting half the length of the pitch to roll the ball into an empty net.
At 16 years and 73 days, Dowman shattered the 20-year record held by former Everton striker James Vaughan.
Rank
Player
Club
Age
1
Max Dowman
Arsenal
16y 73d
2
James Vaughan
Everton
16y 270d
3
James Milner
Leeds United
16y 356d
4
Wayne Rooney
Everton
16y 360d
5
Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool
16y 361d
6
Cesc Fàbregas
Arsenal
17y 113d
7
Michael Owen
Liverpool
17y 143d
8
Andy Turner
Tottenham
17y 166d
9
Federico Macheda
Man United
17y 226d
10
Lewis Miley
Newcastle
17y 229d
The goal capped a sensational cameo for the midfielder, who had already provided the initial cross that led to Viktor Gyokeres’ opener in the 89th minute.
Mikel Arteta hailed the youngster as a “game-changer” after the match, noting that his natural talent and lack of fear make him a unique asset for the league leaders.
Manchester United fans serenaded Casemiro with a resounding “one more year” chant following another masterclass performance from the Brazilian midfielder in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The scenes at Old Trafford marked a dramatic shift in sentiment for a player who, just months ago, appeared to be winding down his career in England.
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As the final whistle blew, the stadium echoed with the plea, as reported by The Mirror: “One more year, one more year, Casemiro.”
Casemiro with another solid performance against Aston Villa
The 34-year-old was instrumental in securing a result that tightens United’s grip on third place.
Casemiro opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, meeting a Bruno Fernandes corner with a glancing near-post header that left Emiliano Martínez helpless.
The goal was Casemiro’s seventh of the season, his most prolific return since joining the club from Real Madrid in 2022.
Beyond the goal, his defensive work was equally vital; a crunching tackle on Amadou Onana ignited the counter-attack that led to United’s second goal, scored by Matheus Cunha.
By the time he was substituted for Manuel Ugarte in the closing minutes, the veteran midfielder had touched the ball more than any other United player, proving he still possesses the engine many critics like Jamie Carragher claimed had failed him last season.
Casemiro’s impact under Michael Carrick has been huge
The catalyst for this revival appears to be the arrival of interim manager Michael Carrick. Since taking over in January, Carrick has started Casemiro in all nine matches, a period in which United have dropped points only twice.
Reports suggest that Casemiro has ‘connected deeply’ with Carrick’s tactical approach.
Under Carrick, the ‘fantastic‘ Casemiro has been given more license to progress the ball, supported by the energy of Kobbie Mainoo.
While the club’s hierarchy, led by INEOS, is reportedly still planning for a future without the Brazilian’s £350,000-a-week wages, Carrick admitted after the game that the midfielder’s form makes him indispensable to the current project.
With Champions League football for 2026/27 now looking like a certainty, the pressure is mounting on the board to reconsider the veteran’s departure.
Dominik Szoboszlai gave a brutally honest assessment of Liverpool’s current state following a frustrating 1-1 draw against a struggling Tottenham side at Anfield.
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The draw leaves Liverpool’s top-four hopes hanging by a thread, and Szoboszlai warned that if the team’s form does not improve drastically, even the secondary European competitions might be out of reach.
Dominik Szoboszlai blasts Liverpool after draw against Tottenham
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the final whistle, the Hungarian midfielder did not hold back. He said:
“That is a huge disappointment. I don’t know what happened, I have nothing to say. In the last minute, again, I don’t know how many times this season already. We have to wake up.
“I feel flat. We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League. I don’t know why this is happening, I honestly don’t know.
“I think in the first-half we played very well, we controlled the whole game and they hardly created chances apart from one or two headers. Second half we just didn’t so the same things.
“We will sit down together, and this is the most difficult time, but we have to stick together.”
“I didn’t hear the boos, but we can understand them. We are not performing how we should. They should stand behind us because last season we became Champions four games before the end everybody was happy. Support us in a difficult time.”
“There is still time to show how much we want it, we have to stick together and fight for the club.”
Questions need to be asked of Arne Slot
The result has placed further scrutiny on manager Arne Slot, who has seen his side’s title defence crumble into a desperate fight for Champions League qualification.
Despite the hierarchy reportedly remaining behind him, the inability to kill off a Tottenham side that arrived at Anfield in complete disarray is being viewed as a significant tactical failure.
Slot’s decision to retreat into a defensive shell in the second half backfired spectacularly when Spurs found a way through in the final seconds.
With a critical Champions League rescue mission against Galatasaray ahead and a looming clash with Manchester City, it does not look good for Liverpool.
Fans are getting increasingly frustrated by the Dutchman and while the Liverpool hierarchy may be behind the manager for now, it remains to be seen if their stance chances at the end of the season.
Jamie Redknapp has blamed Guglielmo Vicario for the opening goal Tottenham conceded against Liverpool during their high-stakes clash at Anfield.
The Italian goalkeeper, who was restored to the starting lineup after a midweek benching, failed to stop a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick that has left Spurs reeling.
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Guglielmo Vicario slammed for poor goalkeeping
The goal came in the 18th minute when Szoboszlai, who has been in sensational form for Arne Slot’s side, curled an effort towards the left corner.
Despite having a clear sight of the ball, Vicario’s footwork appeared sluggish, and although he managed to parry the strike, he succeeded only in pushing it into the side of the net.
Speaking on Sky Sports (via BBC Sports) at halftime, Redknapp was critical of the keeper’s technique. He said:
“We have seen some beauties from Dominik Szoboszlai, like against Arsenal and Manchester City, but this one is a goalkeeping mistake.
“Just look at Vicario’s feet pattern, he almost trips himself over. He doesn’t get any elevation, doesn’t move properly. He gets a really big hand to it. He has to save it.”
Phil Mcnulty also criticised the Italian, claiming that his mistake would have made Igor Tudor incredibly frustrated.
He said (via BBC Sports): “Spurs and interim head coach Igor Tudor will be bitterly frustrated with that after a making such a decent start.
“It was another goalkeeper error, with Guglielmo Vicario getting his positioning wrong then making a feeble attempt to keep out Dominic Szoboszlai’s free-kick. Not been substituted, though.”
Tottenham’s goalkeeping crisis continues
The error further compounds a dire goalkeeping situation for interim manager Igor Tudor.
Last Tuesday, Tudor made the shock decision to drop Vicario for the 22-year-old Antonin Kinsky during the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
Vicario has been notably out of form, making a string of high-profile mistakes during Tottenham’s current 11-match winless run.
With Spurs sitting just one point above the relegation zone, the lack of a reliable presence between the posts is becoming a primary concern.
With reports already suggesting Vicario could be sold this summer, his latest blunder at Anfield has only intensified calls for the club to seek a permanent replacement.
Liverpool have taken a 1-0 lead over Tottenham thanks to a moment of pure Hungarian magic from Dominik Szoboszlai.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute after Alexis Mac Allister drew a foul just outside the penalty area.
As the Spurs wall braced itself, there was little doubt who would take charge. Szoboszlai stood over the ball with his trademark composure.
The Hungarian stood over it with confidence and executed it perfectly, curling it with power into the top left corner. Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario got a hand to it but it was not enough to keep it out.
His ability to generate incredible whip while maintaining pinpoint accuracy makes every set-piece within 30 yards feel like a high-percentage chance for the Reds.
He scored one against Bournemouth as well as against Marseille in the Champions League.
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s best player this season
Beyond his set-piece heroics, this goal is yet another highlight in what is becoming a truly special individual campaign.
Szoboszlai has been the heartbeat of this Liverpool side throughout the 2025/26 season, driving the team forward with his relentless work rate and creative vision.
He has been one of the first names on Arne Slot’s team sheet, playing anywhere and everywhere from attacking midfield to right-back in what has been a crisis season.
Whether winning the ball back deep in his own half or firing rockets into the top corner, Szoboszlai is currently playing some of the best football of his career.
Wayne Rooney has backed Michael Carrick to be appointed Manchester United’s permanent manager following a decisive 3-1 victory over Aston Villa.
The win at Old Trafford has strengthened United’s grip on third place and further fueled the debate over whether the interim boss has done enough to earn the role full-time.
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Wayne Rooney backs Michael Carrick for the Manchester United job
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Rooney was unequivocal in his support for his former teammate.
Rooney emphasised that Carrick’s impact extends beyond tactical tweaks, noting the renewed unity within the squad.
The United legend also highlighted Carrick’s historic start, which has seen him surpass the early win percentages of previous illustrious managers.
He said:
“100% he should [get the job]. I have said this. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick.
“I know him very well. I know his character, his personality. It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that.
“We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. For me, why would you change?
“He has got the best winning percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games. For me, he has to get the job.”
Michael Carrick has made a strong case for himself
The statistics certainly support Rooney’s “no-brainer” stance. Since taking over in mid-January, Carrick has steered the Red Devils to seven wins, one draw, and just one defeat in nine Premier League outings.
This remarkable run has seen United collect 22 out of a possible 27 points, transforming them from seventh-place outsiders into the favorites for a Champions League spot.
Sunday’s win over Villa makes if 7 wins out of 9. Despite Ross Barkley’s second-half equaliser, United remained composed, with goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, and super-sub Benjamin Sesko sealing the win.
With Bruno Fernandes also breaking the club record for assists in a single season (16), the mood around Carrington has shifted from crisis to confidence.
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Man United and Tottenham could use Nathan De Cat
They could use more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the Belgian would be the ideal acquisition. He is a defensive midfielder who will add control, composure, and defensive cover to the side.
The opportunity to move to England could be exciting for him. It would be a huge step up in his career, and he would get to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Manchester United and Tottenham have done well in grooming players in the past, and they could play a key role in his development.
The asking price is quite affordable for the Premier League clubs, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to break the Bank for him. He could justify the investment in future, and the deal could look like a master stroke.
The Belgian needs assurance of gametime before making the move. He will need to play regularly in order to continue his development. Sitting on the bench at Manchester United or Tottenham could be detrimental to his development.
The player has been described as an “elite-level” talent. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
De Cat has a contract with his club until 2027, and they could be under pressure to consider his departure in the summer unless he commits to a long-term future with them by signing a new deal.
Liverpool have reportedly won the race to sign the Celtic youngster Dara Jikiemi.
The defender is expected to complete the move to Liverpool soon. The 16-year-old has been on their radar for quite some time, and a report from TeamTalk claims that Liverpool have been working on the transfer since the start of the year.
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Liverpool win the race for Dara Jikiemi
Celtic wanted to keep the player at the club, and they had offered him a three-year contract. However, the player has declined the offer. He will sign a professional contract with Liverpool when he turns 17 next January. For now, he will join the Premier League champions on a scholarship deal.
Multiple clubs were interested in signing the 16-year-old, who can operate as a central defender as well as in the middle of the park.
Jikiemi is a top talent with a bright future, and Liverpool will be delighted to have won the race for his signature. They are looking to build a formal theme for the future, and the teenager could develop into an important player for them with the right guidance.
The opportunity to join the Premier League champions will be exciting for the young defender as well. It will be a major step up in his career, and he will look to force his way into the first team set-up at Liverpool in the coming seasons. For now, he will join up with the youth team.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have had a disappointing season so far, and they are looking to finish the season strongly. They are still in with a chance of securing Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and it will be interesting to see if they can win the remaining matches of the season.
Manchester United are very interested in signing Assan Ouedraogo from RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
According to reports from Spain, the player could cost around €65 million, and Manchester United are in the lead to secure his signature. They will also face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
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Assan Ouedraogo is a top talent
The 19-year-old German midfielder is a tremendous talent with a bright future, and it is no surprise that top clubs are monitoring him closely. It will be interesting to see if any club is willing to come forward with an official proposal to sign him. The asking price is quite high, and they might prefer to sign the player for a more reasonable amount.
Ouedraogo has done nothing to justify the pricetag yet, but he has immense potential and might be able to justify the investment in the future.
Similarly, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have shown a willingness to invest in premium Young talent in recent windows. They are looking to build for the future, and the German would be an excellent acquisition.
Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in signing the FC Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio.
The 22-year-old Chilean has done quite well this season, and he has attracted the attention of the two Premier League clubs. According to a report from Team Talk, he could cost around £12 million in the summer. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs decide to follow up on their interest with an official offer to sign him.
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Arsenal and Liverpool could use Dario Osorio
There is no doubt that they need more quality in the wide areas. Osorio is naturally a right-sided winger, but he can operate on the left as well. He will add goals and creativity to the team. The player has registered 16 goal contributions this season.
The asking price is quite nominal for a player of his quality, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. He has also been linked to clubs such as West Ham United and Fulham. All four Premier League clubs have the financial muscle to afford him, but he needs to choose his next destination carefully.
Osorio must join a club that will give him regular opportunities. The 22-year-old needs to play more often at this stage of his career in order to continue his development. Sitting on the bench at a top club will not benefit him.
Arsenal and Liverpool need more cutting-edge in the final third, but they might prefer to aim higher. They will look to bring in a ready-made star who can make an immediate impact. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
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Elliot Anderson is set for a big move
According to a report from TeamTalk, Newcastle United are keeping tabs on their former midfielder, and they could be willing to break their transfer record for him if they lose Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes.
It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. He has established himself as a key player for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and has consistently shown his ability. He has done well for his country as well, and this could be the right time for him to take the next step in his career and join a bigger club.
Manchester United or Manchester City could be the ideal destination for him. Both clubs need more quality in the defensive midfield area, and Anderson would be an excellent addition. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he could improve with coaching and experience. Even though the asking price is quite high, the player might be able to justify the investment in future.
He will help both clubs, tighten up defensively and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom. He is well settled in English football, and he could make an immediate impact next season.
It will be interesting to see if the player is willing to move to Manchester in the summer. The opportunity to return to his boyhood club could be tempting as well.
West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The Portuguese under-21 international has impressed in the top flight with the Hammers and has attracted the attention of top clubs. Manchester City are very interested in signing the player, and they view him as a long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva.
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Both teams need more control and composure in the middle of the park, and Fernandes would be ideal for them. The opportunity to join some of the country’s top clubs will be quite exciting for him. Meanwhile, the report claims that the player could cost around £57 million. It will be interesting to see if Manchester City or Manchester United is prepared to pay that kind of money for him.
West Ham is currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will look to secure safety. If they go down to the Championship, they could lose multiple key players in the summer. They will be desperate to stay up and hold onto their key assets.
Fernandes will want to compete at a high level and fight for trophies in future. Joining either of the two Manchester clubs could be tempting for him. They could provide him with the platform he needs. Both clubs are likely to be in the UEFA Champions League next season, and it remains to be seen whether they can convince West Ham and the player to move in the summer.
Barcelona are interested in signing the Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old Croatian is highly rated across Europe, and he is expected to develop into a top-class defender with the right guidance. He is currently on loan at German club Hamburg, and he has been outstanding for them.
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Luka Vuskovic is a man in demand
Apart from his defensive qualities, he has been exceptional going forward, contributing 6 goals. Barcelona are hoping to secure his signature in the summer, and have already held positive talks with his representatives.
The 19-year-old could be tempted to join an elite club like Barcelona, and it remains to be seen whether they can secure an agreement with Tottenham. The London club will not want to lose an elite young talent like Vuskovic anytime soon. They need more quality and depth in the defensive unit, especially with players like Cristian Romero linked with an exit.
Vuskovic could develop into a key player for Tottenham in future, and they must do everything in their power to keep him at the club. They cannot afford to lose elite prospects like him if they want to build a formidable team for the future.
Meanwhile, it has been a very disappointing season for Tottenham, and they are fighting for survival in the Premier League. If they go down at the end of the season, they are likely to lose multiple players. The 18-year-old could seriously consider exiting as well. He will not want to compete in the second division of English football.
Lewis Hall is regarded as one of Newcastle United’s most important prospects for the future.
His standout performance against Barcelona caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Sources have informed CaughtOffside that scouts from Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and several La Liga sides have been “closely monitoring” him, though no official bid has yet been made.
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Lewis Hall could be a superb option
Even though Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have options at left back, there is no doubt that Hall would be a quality acquisition for them. He can help all three clubs improve. He could be an upgrade on Rayan Ait-Nouri at Manchester City, and the ideal long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson as well.
Newcastle’s stance is crystal clear: Hall is not for sale. Despite financial pressures, the club has excluded him from any transfer list. Eddie Howe considers him a cornerstone of his project. Moreover, his current deal runs until 2029, and the club is preparing a new contract with a significant pay rise and long-term commitment. This move aims to strengthen Hall’s sense of belonging while sending a firm message to suitors that negotiations are off the table.
Market experts suggest that if Newcastle were ever to consider talks, they would start at £65–70 million. However, the club intends to balance its transfer budget by offloading other players rather than sacrificing Hall.
Fans see him as “one of their own” and would strongly oppose any sale. The English media also describe him as the national team’s left-back for the next decade, highlighting his importance for both club and country.
In summary, the Barcelona match marked a turning point in Hall’s career, elevating him to elite status. While interest from European giants is growing, Newcastle are keeping the doors firmly shut. The most likely scenario is Hall remaining at St James’ Park for many years, becoming the symbol of the club’s long-term project.
Tottenham’s interim manager Igor Tudor has aimed a subtle dig at Xavi Simons as he attempted to explain why he’s not starting him.
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The Netherlands international looked like an exciting signing when he joined Spurs from RB Leipzig last summer, but he’s had a fairly underwhelming first season in the Premier League.
Still, the north London outfit spent a lot of money on the 22-year-old last summer, with BBC Sport reporting his fee as being £52m at the time.
Igor Tudor on his decision not to use Xavi Simons
When asked about Simons in his press conference, Tudor made it clear that even if the former Leipzig man was a major signing for the club, he currently felt he couldn’t start him as he was simply doing his best for the team.
Watch below for Tudor’s answer, with the Croatian tactician still offering Simons something of a lifeline, however, by suggesting that he could still get into the team at a later date even if he hasn’t been so far…
? Igor Tudor has explained why he's not giving playing time to big summer signing Xavi Simons…? pic.twitter.com/GQJE4GywMZ
There could also be some sense in the club selling him or sending him out on loan so he can improve certain aspects of his game.
For all his natural talent and ability, Simons looks like he still needs to mature with his decision-making, while he’s perhaps also struggled with the physicality of English football, which is something he can work on and which could happen with age anyway.
Speculation surrounding the future of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has resurfaced once again, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly continuing to monitor the Norwegian star.
According to TEAMtalk, the two Spanish giants remain interested in Haaland as part of their long-term attacking plans.
However, the latest reports have been quickly downplayed. Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has firmly rejected claims that negotiations have taken place with Barcelona, dismissing suggestions that discussions over a potential future move are already underway.
Haaland remains firmly under contract with Man City after signing a major extension last year that ties him to the club until 2034.
Barcelona’s interest sparks intense debate
The renewed speculation began after Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font claimed he was attempting to secure a “preferential option” to sign Haaland if the striker ever decided to leave Man City.
Font’s comments immediately drew attention across European football, as Barcelona have long been linked with the prolific Norwegian forward.
The club has been rebuilding its squad in recent years and is expected to pursue high-profile signings if financial conditions allow.
Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Haaland’s current situation makes any immediate move unlikely. The striker signed a long-term contract extension with Man City in 2025, committing his future to the Premier League champions for the foreseeable future.
Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has established himself as one of the most dominant goal scorers in world football.
Haaland has consistently delivered impressive goal-scoring numbers, playing a key role in Man City’s domestic and European ambitions under manager Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid’s interest in Haaland is not new. The Spanish giants have previously been linked with the striker as part of their long-term strategy to assemble one of the strongest attacking lineups in Europe.
Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni could soon develop into a transfer battle with Barcelona.
According to Sport, the Premier League side will face strong competition from Barcelona, who are also closely monitoring the Italian international’s situation.
Bastoni has emerged as one of the most highly regarded central defenders in European football.
Inter Milan are believed to value the 26-year-old at around €70 million, and reports suggest the player could be open to a move away from Italy should the right opportunity arise.
Bastoni has become one of Europe’s best defenders
Bastoni has become a central figure in Inter Milan’s defence over the past few seasons.
Operating primarily on the left side of Inter’s defensive line, Bastoni has excelled in a system that demands defenders to initiate attacking play from deep areas.
His precise passing range and ability to carry the ball forward have made him particularly valuable in possession-based systems.
The defender has also established himself as a regular for the Italian national team, further enhancing his reputation across Europe.
With veteran leaders such as Virgil van Dijk approaching the latter stages of their careers, the club is exploring long-term solutions capable of anchoring the back line.
Bastoni’s ability to play progressive passes and operate comfortably in a high defensive line makes him an appealing fit for Liverpool’s tactical philosophy.
Reports suggest that the Catalan club’s transfer strategy could be influenced by the outcome of their presidential election, which may shape the club’s recruitment priorities moving forward.
Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams has emerged as a key transfer target for several Premier League heavyweights ahead of the upcoming summer window.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are all actively monitoring the situation of the United States international, with United currently believed to be leading the race for his signature.
While Bournemouth remain keen to keep hold of the player, reports suggest the club could consider offers in the region of £45 million if serious interest materialises.
Tyler Adams has impressed top Premier League clubs
Adams has become an integral figure in the team’s midfield structure. The 27-year-old is widely admired for his work rate, tactical awareness, and ability to disrupt opposition attacks.
Adams typically operates as a defensive midfielder, providing protection for the back line while helping his team transition quickly from defence to attack.
His ability to cover ground, press aggressively, and recover possession has made him one of the most effective ball-winning midfielders in the Premier League.
In addition to his club performances, Adams is also a key player for the United States national team, where he has frequently served as captain.
His leadership qualities and experience at international tournaments have further boosted his reputation across European football.
Adams’ playing style, combining defensive intensity with intelligent positioning, makes him an appealing option for teams that prioritize high pressing and quick transitions.
Despite the growing interest, Bournemouth are under no immediate pressure to sell. Adams is under contract until 2028, which gives the club a strong negotiating position.
However, a substantial offer could test Bournemouth’s resolve, particularly if the player expresses a desire to take the next step in his career.
Manchester United’s season has taken a more positive turn since Michael Carrick stepped in as interim manager following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this year.
However, despite the recent improvement in results and performances, the club is still believed to be planning for a long-term managerial appointment once the season concludes.
According to reports from The Sun, United’s hierarchy have drawn up a shortlist of five potential candidates to take permanent charge at Old Trafford.
The list reportedly includes Oliver Glasner, Unai Emery, Andoni Iraola, Roberto De Zerbi, and Julian Nagelsmann, all managers with strong reputations in European football.
Michael Carrick faces uncertain future at Man United
Carrick’s appointment as interim boss initially appeared to be a temporary measure designed to steady the club after Amorim’s difficult spell.
Since taking over, however, the former United midfielder has overseen a noticeable improvement in the team’s structure and results.
Players have responded positively to Carrick’s leadership, with several improved performances helping United regain momentum in the Premier League and reestablish some confidence within the squad.
Despite this progress, sources suggest the club’s leadership remains committed to appointing a long-term head coach with a clearly defined tactical identity.
United have five managers on their radar
Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Oliver Glasner, currently at Crystal Palace, is expected to leave the London club at the end of the season. The Austrian manager gained widespread praise during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he led the club to UEFA Europa League glory in 2022.
Unai Emery, meanwhile, has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most tactically astute managers. His work at Aston Villa has earned admiration across the Premier League, while his previous success, including multiple Europa League titles, highlights his pedigree.
Andoni Iraola, currently impressing with Bournemouth, is viewed as one of the league’s most progressive coaches thanks to his high-energy tactical style.
Former Brighton and Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi is also being considered. Known for his possession-based football and innovative tactical approach, De Zerbi has previously attracted interest from several top European clubs.
Finally, Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann remains a highly respected figure in the game. At just 38, Nagelsmann has already managed clubs like RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, gaining recognition as one of the brightest coaching minds in modern football.
Real Madrid are reportedly continuing to track the situation of Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, as uncertainty surrounds the French centre-back’s long-term future at Anfield.
According to talkSPORT, the Spanish giants remain attentive to developments regarding Konaté’s contract negotiations with Liverpool, which are still ongoing.
Liverpool are working to secure the 26-year-old’s future, but interest from top European clubs means the situation is being closely watched.
Konaté has become increasingly important for Liverpool
Konaté has grown into one of the club’s most reliable defensive players. The France international has formed an important partnership in Liverpool’s backline, combining physical strength with impressive recovery pace and strong aerial ability.
Konaté’s defensive attributes make him particularly well suited to the high-intensity style Liverpool have often employed in recent years.
In addition to his club performances, Konaté has also continued to establish himself within the French national team setup, further enhancing his reputation as one of Europe’s leading young defenders.
Real Madrid are looking to strengthen their defense
Ibrahima Konate in action for Liverpool (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s reported interest in Konaté aligns with their long-term efforts to refresh their defensive line.
With some experienced defenders entering the latter stages of their careers, the club is believed to be evaluating options capable of strengthening the squad for the coming years.
Despite the growing speculation, Liverpool are unlikely to let Konaté leave easily. The club considers him a key part of their future defensive plans.
Liverpool are already preparing for defensive changes with young centre-back Jeremy Jacquet set to arrive from Rennes at the end of the season, while promising defender Giovanni Leoni is also expected to return after recovering from injury.
Liverpool remain committed to keeping the French defender, but interest from Real Madrid ensures that the situation will continue to attract attention.
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