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Have Arsenal just made a major £75million mistake?

Arsenal recently handed Bukayo Saka a bumper new contract – the problem is, he’s no longer performing like the star player his pay packet suggests he is.

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The England international is not having his best season, and it was notable how much better Arsenal looked when they subbed him off for Noni Madueke in last night’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

While goals and assists aren’t everything, they’re pretty important currency for the star attacker of a top club, and those numbers only seem to be going in the wrong direction for Saka.

Bukayo Saka’s G/A numbers continue to decline

See below as a quite clear pattern has emerged showing that Saka peaked with his output two years ago, with injuries clearly seeming to take a toll since then…

Bukayo Saka stats in recent seasons
Bukayo Saka stats in recent seasons (Sky Sports)

So far in 2025/26, Saka is on nine goals and five assists in 39 games in all competitions – a distinctly average return, and perhaps more concerning as the season goes on, with the 24-year-old on just two goals and two assists in 2026 so far.

The presence of Saka means Madueke has had limited minutes, but he’s still managed seven goals and one assist in 29 appearances, only 19 of which have been in the starting XI.

Bukayo Saka not justifying huge new Arsenal contract

According to the Guardian, Saka is now on a contract until 2031, with Arsenal set to pay him £15m a year until that time, amounting to roughly a £75m investment.

If Arsenal had agreed that kind of deal a year or two ago, no one would bat an eyelid, but at the moment it looks like the club may have walked into a major mistake.

Saka’s fitness has been patchy, and it’s starting to look like it’s having an effect with his on-pitch displays.

For someone who’s played so much football already at a relatively young age, it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Saka suffer in much the same way as other explosive young forwards did.

Names like Michael Owen and Marcus Rashford come to mind as players who peaked far earlier than the standard 25-28 age bracket due to becoming important first-team regulars as teenagers.

Bukayo Saka needs a rest, but when will it come?

It looks like Saka just needs a rest right now after such a gruelling schedule in the last few years, with the winger playing at a high level every three days pretty much constantly.

Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta needs his star man to be ready to fight for the Premier League title, Carabao Cup final, and continued runs in the FA Cup and the Champions League.

While Madueke is showing himself to be a fine alternative, it seems unlikely that Arsenal are going to bench their highest earner any time soon, with every game at this stage of the season looking hugely important.

And after that, there’s the World Cup with England to think about, with Saka almost certain to be on the plane to North America, and likely to be in Thomas Tuchel’s first XI at the tournament.

Arsenal know they have an elite talent on their hands, hence the big pay day and the frequent minutes, but as time goes on it increasingly seems like those two things can’t go hand in hand comfortably together.

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Exclusive: Arsenal considering 10 G/A star for important transfer upgrade

Arsenal are exploring the market for wingers this summer, and Brentford’s Kevin Schade is understood to be one name being discussed internally.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye in the Premier League, weighing in with seven goals and three assists this season, following on from 12 goals in all competitions last term.

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As reported here recently, Schade’s form has seen him become a target for Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United, though Brentford shut down any interest in the Germany international in January.

My understanding is the summer could be different, however, with Arsenal now also showing an interest in Schade as one of the options to replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal need a new left winger – Kevin Schade could be the answer

Schade looks ready to make the step up to a higher level, just as many other players from Brentford have in recent times.

The Bees have sold big names like Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in recent times, as well as David Raya and Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.

“Arsenal and Brentford have a good relationship, so that could help with Schade,” one source said. “He’s been on the radar of a few clubs for some time now, but Arsenal’s interest is growing.”

Having strengthened with attacking players like Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke last summer, it now looks like AFC just need one more addition to give them something different on the left, with Schade perhaps an ideal pick.

Kevin Schade transfer looks a good fit for Arsenal, but could they do better?

Schade has shown plenty of promise, but his numbers at the moment are perhaps a bit short of what a club like Arsenal need.

He’s young enough that he could still improve, particularly with better players around him, and he has that good blend of experience as well, having been in the Premier League since he was a youngster.

Kevin Schade TOTAL SCORE: 15/25
Transfer fee *
Performance ***
Achievements **
Career phase ****
Squad need *****

We’ve previously been informed that Schade would likely cost around €60m, however, and even if it’s a difficult market for attacking players right now, there are probably some better value-for-money options out there.

That’s why we’ve only given the Schade to Arsenal transfer a 15/25 – very much a medium score on our Transfer Fit rating system.

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Arteta told he has “brave decision” to make after Arsenal star “changed the game” vs Leverkusen

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told that he may have a “brave decision” to make on Bukayo Saka after Noni Madueke played a lot better than him against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners were far from at their best in last night’s 1-1 draw in the Champions League, with Saka in particular struggling to provide the spark he normally does.

Madueke was subbed on to replace his fellow England winger, and it quickly became apparent that he was offering more of a threat.

The former Chelsea man then ended up winning the penalty for Arsenal late on, with Kai Havertz stepping up to equalise from the spot.

Should Mikel Arteta start Noni Madueke over Bukayo Saka?

Discussing how this all unfolded, former Premier League striker Charlie Austin said on Sky Sports News that Arteta may now have a brave decision to make.

Austin felt that Saka didn’t really perform, despite being the club’s star player, while Madueke changed the game when he came on.

“It’s a tough one,” he said. “I think when he’s come on, the performances he’s put in have warranted starting.

"What more can Madueke do" ?

Charlie Austin looks at whether Noni Madueke should be starting over Bukayo Saka for Arsenal and believes Mikel Arteta will be satisfied with the 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen ? pic.twitter.com/YxcpU5tB9E

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 12, 2026

“The issue that he has, unfortunately, is that Arsenal’s star boy plays in the same position as him, so it’s going to take the manager to make a brave decision to make that change.”

He added: “If I’m Noni Madueke, I’m asking the question: ‘What more can I do?’ because when he came on last night he changed the game…

“He got the ball, he ran at defenders, made things happen. In the 58, 59 minutes that Saka was on the pitch, he didn’t.”

Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats

Here’s a look at how Saka and Madueke’s stats compare so far this season…

Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats
Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats (DataMB)

Clearly, Saka still offers a lot, even if he isn’t passing the so-called ‘eye test’ at the moment in the same way as he has in the past.

At the same time, it’s also worth remembering that Saka has had a lot more minutes than Madueke, so perhaps the latter is showing signs that he could do a better job overall if he had more time on the pitch and more opportunities to develop better chemistry with his teammates.

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Talks held: Manchester City director recently met with PSG star’s agent

Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana reportedly met recently with the agent of Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

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The France international’s representative, Moussa Sissoko, recently met with Viana in what is being described as a routine contact, the kind of which often takes place between high-level club officials and player agents.

Still, as reported by Sport, this has led to speculation about Dembele’s future, and it would certainly make sense if the former Barcelona man had interest from another top club like Man City.

This is not the first time recently that we’ve heard murmurings about Dembele’s situation, with TEAMtalk reporting on him being unhappy at PSG.

Ousmane Dembele transfer could transform Manchester City’s attack

Dembele is one of the very best players in the world on his day, as he showed last season when he put in some of the best form of his career to fire PSG to Champions League glory.

The 28-year-old won the Ballon d’Or for his efforts, and with his ability to play anywhere across the forward line, he could be a hugely important addition to this City squad.

See below for our Transfer Fit rating score (find out how it works here)

Ousmane Dembele TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee *
Performance *****
Achievements *****
Career phase **
Squad need ****

Dembele probably wouldn’t come cheap and is clearly not someone with that long left at the very highest level, even if he’s been a bit of a late bloomer in his career.

Still, it’s hard not to give this deal a higher end of medium score overall, as Dembele could provide MCFC with an alternative to the out-of-form Erling Haaland, as well as an upgrade on inconsistent attacking players like Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku.

City haven’t quite looked themselves this season, so injecting a proven attacking talent who can play a variety of roles looks like just what they need to get back to their best.

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Report: Liverpool alerted as Premier League star made available in tempting £60m transfer

Liverpool are reportedly one of the clubs to have been alerted to the availability of Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento this summer.

There have been a lot of recent transfer reports about Livramento, who is coming up to the final two years of his contract at St James’ Park.

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Just yesterday, the Telegraph reported that Arsenal were weighing up a summer bid for the former Chelsea youngster, while TEAMtalk now has further insight into his situation.

It seems Newcastle are open to letting Livramento go for around £60m this summer, and a host of clubs have been informed about his potential availability.

One of those is Liverpool, according to TEAMtalk, though they also suggest the strongest interest may be coming from Manchester City.

Tino Livramento could be an important signing for Liverpool

Liverpool signed both Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez last summer to give them a new right-back and left-back, respectively.

However, it would be fair to say neither player has exactly hit the ground running, even if Kerkez has improved a bit as the season has gone on.

Livramento can play right-back or left-back to a high standard, so even if he wouldn’t come cheap, he’d clearly do a job for Arne Slot’s side, whilst bringing a good amount of Premier League experience…

Tino Livramento TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee **
Performance ***
Achievements ***
Career phase ****
Squad need *****

Overall, we give him a 17/25 Transfer Fit rating, which is the higher end of medium, as he looks a little overpriced, even if he otherwise ticks a few boxes. For that kind of fee, however, there could surely be better options out there.

Liverpool to raid Newcastle again?

Liverpool might not be too keen to enter into a protracted transfer saga with Newcastle again after how long it took them to eventually get Alexander Isak through the door last summer.

It might mean relations between the two clubs are strained, even if Livramento’s situation is admittedly quite different.

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Chelsea explore surprise transfer raid for Arsenal star who’s unsettled for two reasons

Chelsea are reportedly exploring a surprise potential transfer move for Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori, who could be open to leaving the Emirates Stadium.

That’s according to Simon Phillips, who has stated that Chelsea were keen on Calafiori before he joined the Gunners, while the Italy international is now keen to get more playing time and specifically play more often at centre-back than at left-back.

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Calafiori has impressed at Arsenal in his two seasons in north London, but he now seems to have fallen behind Piero Hincapie in the pecking order after some injury problems.

It remains to be seen if this could mean the 23-year-old will move this summer, with Arsenal surely likely to be keen to keep the player.

Riccardo Calafiori transfer still makes sense for Chelsea

Calafiori probably wouldn’t come cheap due to being a player at a rival club who’s yet to reach his peak, but apart from that this seems like a strong deal for Chelsea to be going after.

See below for the score we gave Calafiori to Chelsea with our Transfer Fit rating system, and find out more about how it works here

Riccardo Calafiori TOTAL SCORE: 18/25
Transfer fee **
Performance ****
Achievements ***
Career phase ****
Squad need *****

Chelsea really could have done well to sign Calafiori before Arsenal a couple of years ago, but he’d still surely have a positive impact for Liam Rosenior’s side.

If Calafiori wants to play centre-back, that’s probably ideal, as he’d represent a clear upgrade on unconvincing performers like Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo in that position.

At left-back, it’s less clear if he’d play regularly due to the presence of Marc Cucurella and Jorrel Hato.

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Premier League star claims he prefers West Ham over Villa

West Ham United have been given a boost as Axel Disasi has spoken about how happy he is with life at the London Stadium.

The Frenchman spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, and then spent a few months back at Chelsea before sealing a loan move to West Ham this January.

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It remains to be seen how realistic it will be for the Hammers to keep Disasi if they end up getting relegated, but so far he’s performing well and has made it clear he’s enjoying life under Nuno Espirito Santo.

That surely gives West Ham a good chance of making Disasi’s move from Chelsea permanent if they can still offer Premier League football next season.

Axel Disasi on life at West Ham

“I needed to play, and especially in my position,” Disasi said. “Because it’s something that I missed last season [with Villa], when I was playing out of position.

“The manager has allowed me to express myself.”

Disasi looks back to his best since joining WHUFC and this could be a good move for him, though he’ll understandably prioritise continuing in the top flight if possible.

Chelsea will also surely be keen to offload the 28-year-old, but it will still also be important for them to get a good offer for him.

The Blues spent big money on bringing in Disasi from Monaco, and though he’s flopped at Stamford Bridge, there could still be decent money to make from his sale, which could mean inviting rival bidders to compete with West Ham for this signing.

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“A lot of clubs” tipped to pursue West Ham United transfer raid, club could be “forced to sell”

West Ham United are being tipped to have to sell Crysencio Summerville this summer, especially if they end up getting relegated from the Premier League.

The Hammers are on a slightly improved run of just one defeat from their last five league matches, but they remain in 18th place on goal difference.

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It won’t be easy for West Ham to stay up, and that surely means a talent like Summerville is going to attract interest this summer.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown has weighed in on the saga, suggesting he can see there being a lot of interest in the talented 24-year-old, and pressure on WHUFC to let him go.

Crysencio Summerville transfer warning for West Ham

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said: “A lot of clubs will be interested in Summerville.

“He was always one of those players who I thought would be in and out, show you a bit of quality and then fade away in the game, I didn’t know if he was consistent enough.

“But I have to give him credit, whether it’s been as a substitute or from the start, he’s done more for West Ham this season than most of their other players.

“He’s been their go-to player in recent weeks and has taken a bit of responsibility off of Bowen.

“The big problem, as we always say, is that when a player is performing above the level of his team, it always attracts interest from rival clubs.

If West Ham get relegated, or if these financial issues prove to be a problem, they will probably be forced to sell him as one of their more valuable assets.

“If that’s the case, there will be no shortage of suitors for him and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was allowed to move on.”

Can West Ham stay up?

West Ham remain in real danger, but they’ve improved slightly in recent games, while Tottenham in particular are going through an awful run of form.

That could give Nuno Espirito Santo’s side some hope, but they also face some very tough-looking fixtures in their run-in.

West Ham’s remaining Premier League games 2025/26
Manchester City (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Wolves (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Everton (H)
Brentford (A)
Arsenal (H)
Newcastle (A)
Leeds (H)

As well as facing title-chasers Arsenal and Manchester City, they also face potential six-pointers against fellow strugglers Wolves and Leeds.

Summerville is certainly one player they could use in this period to get them out of the bottom three, but it may well be that we’re about to see the Dutchman’s final few appearances in a West Ham shirt.

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Sources: “Very positive” update as Liverpool expected to step up pursuit of Man Utd target

Liverpool are expected to step up their pursuit of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who has also been monitored by Manchester United.

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As first reported via my exclusive here for the Daily Briefing, the France international is attracting a lot of interest from the Premier League after impressing in Serie A.

Both Liverpool and Man Utd have scouted Kalulu closely, with the feedback being “very positive” so far, though Juventus understandably want to keep him.

It remains to be seen how likely a deal is while Kalulu has a contract that runs until 2029, but he’d likely be able to earn significantly more money at a top English club like Liverpool or United.

Pierre Kalulu transfer interest from the Premier League

As well as LFC and MUFC, there is also understood to be some interest from Tottenham, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa.

However, the Reds really need a top defensive signing amid doubts over Ibrahima Konate’s future, and with Virgil van Dijk set to turn 35 this summer.

“United and Liverpool have had scouts watch Kalulu play recently and the feedback has been very positive,” one source told me.

“United are looking at a long list of options and Kalulu is one they really like,” another source said. “We can also expect Liverpool to step up their interest, whether or not they lose Ibrahima Konate.”

Pierre Kalulu vs other top defenders

We’ll likely see a lot of similar players being linked with Liverpool and United in the weeks and months ahead, so how does Kalulu compare?

Here’s a neat graphic below from DataMB, with Kalulu coming out very well compared to other defenders linked with big clubs in recent weeks…

Defender stats comparison
Defender stats comparison (DataMB)

Kalulu has that ball-playing and ball-carrying ability that top clubs will be looking for, but there is perhaps also room for improvement when it comes to winning his aerial duels.

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“Fantastic” Manchester United star will have to take pay cut to stay at Old Trafford

Manchester United central defender Harry Maguire will reportedly have to accept a pay cut if he is to stay and sign a new contract at Old Trafford.

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The 33-year-old has had a mixed spell at Man Utd, but there’s no doubt that he’s bounced back well after a difficult start to life at the club.

Maguire could even now earn a new deal to extend his stay with the Red Devils, though that would apparently rest on him lowering his wages from £190,000 per week to £100,000 per week, according to iNews.

The report adds that United are looking at defenders in the transfer market this summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo a top MUFC target.

Should Manchester United keep Harry Maguire?

Still, even if United bring someone new in, they could probably continue to benefit from the presence of Maguire in their squad, even if only for his experience and leadership in the dressing room.

The veteran England international arguably seems like a more reliable squad player than the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, who has been inconsistent, and Lisandro Martinez, who has been hugely injury-prone during his time with United.

There clearly seems like an important role for Maguire to play, but it will be interesting to see if he agrees to lower his wages or if he can get a better offer elsewhere.

Michael Carrick on Harry Maguire

United’s interim manager Michael Carrick recently hinted he’d be keen for the club to keep Maguire.

As quoted by the Guardian, when asked about Maguire, he said: “Harry’s an impressive character. He’s had a great career so far, hopefully there’s a lot more to come.

“The journey and the experiences that he’s had, certainly since he’s been here and with England as well, showed exactly what he is. I think we all know the player that he is and what he’s capable of doing.

“The other night [against Everton] I thought he was fantastic. Experience helps. His attributes help, and his character. His willingness to put himself out there. He’s really impressive at his age and he’s been really important for us.”

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Aston Villa rival Arsenal for bargain transfer of classy 14 G/A star

Aston Villa are reportedly the latest club eyeing up a potential free transfer swoop for Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt.

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The 29-year-old is coming towards being a free agent as his contract with Dortmund expires this summer, which has led to recent Arsenal transfer rumours about a possible move.

Sky Germany journalist Patrick Berger, posting on his official account on X, recently linked the Gunners with Brandt, while Barcelona were also mentioned as a name to watch.

Now the latest from Football Insider is that Villa are also exploring Brandt as a transfer target due to his status as a free agent, with the club needing a cost-effective window for PSR reasons.

Where next for Julian Brandt as Premier League transfer suitors linked?

Brandt being out of contract is sure to mean he’ll have a host of options to choose from this summer, with the German playmaker possibly heading to England next.

Football Insider have also previously linked Brandt with Everton, so that’s three Premier League clubs who could possibly be in with a chance of getting him.

With ten goals and four assists in all competitions this season, Brandt continues to show just how effective he can be with his classy performances in the final third.

Julian Brandt career stats Games Goals
Bayer Leverkusen 2013-19 215 42
Borussia Dortmund 2019-26 298 56
Germany 2016-24 48 3

It remains to be seen how successful he’d be in the English top flight after spending his entire career so far in the Bundesliga, but he’d surely be good enough to make an impact for clubs like Villa and Everton.

At Arsenal, it’s less obvious that he’d get that much of a chance to make an impact as there’d be a lot more in the way of competition for a starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s side.

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Pedro Neto and Liam Rosenior speak out after shocking ball boy incident in Chelsea vs PSG

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto and manager Liam Rosenior have both issued apologies after a shocking incident with a ball boy during last night’s defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Neto lost his head towards the end of the game, a 5-2 defeat for Chelsea at the Parc des Princes, with the Portuguese ace shoving into a ball boy and knocking him over in an attempt to get the ball back quicker.

This is not the first time this season that Chelsea players have had issues with their discipline, with the Blues receiving a staggering nine red cards so far this term.

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Neto, however, made it very clear that he was sorry and that he’d spoken directly with the ball boy and given him his shirt.

Pedro Neto apologises for pushing over ball boy

See below as Neto spoke to TNT Sports after the game to explain that he simply lost his head in the heat of the moment and that he was sorry…

"It was the heat of the moment. I want to apologise."

Pedro Neto reacts to Chelsea's defeat in Paris and addresses his incident with the ball boy at the end of the match…@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK | @Becky_Ives_ pic.twitter.com/ogp0Slfzj8

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 11, 2026

“I want to come out and say the situation that happened on the pitch, I want to apologise to the ball boy,” the 26-year-old said.

“I already spoke with him, the emotions of the game with us losing, I want to pick up the ball and I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him and straight away I apologised, I am not like this.

“I gave him my shirt because that cannot happen so I am really, really sorry.”

Liam Rosenior on Pedro Neto incident

Meanwhile, CFC boss Rosenior also had his say on the incident, insisting he hadn’t seen it, and bemoaning his players’ issues with discipline this season…

? Liam Rosenior: "I honestly didn't see it!" ??

The #CFC manager has had his say on *that* Pedro Neto incident…??

©?UEFA 2026 pic.twitter.com/WNYneqaFbt

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) March 12, 2026

Mostly, Rosenior focused on how much Chelsea shot themselves in the foot late on, with PSG scoring twice towards the end of the game to win 5-2.

Had Chelsea kept it together a bit more, a 3-2 defeat or perhaps even a 3-3 draw would have been possible, making the second leg look very different.

Now, however, the west London giants are surely facing elimination from the Champions League as the holders go into the second leg with a three-goal advantage.

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Man United rival Chelsea & Liverpool for “perfect” transfer of Premier League star

Manchester United are reportedly looking at Nottingham Forest star Murillo as a potentially “perfect” signing at centre-back this summer.

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The Brazilian has impressed during his time at Forest, and it seems inevitable that he’ll soon make the step up to a bigger club.

According to iNews, sources at Man United view Murillo as having the “perfect blend” of youth and experience, with the 23-year-old already having over 100 appearances under his belt in English football.

The Red Devils could do with a long-term replacement for the ageing Harry Maguire, who is close to the end of his contract, and it seems clear that the club’s hierarchy view Murillo as a signing that ticks all the boxes.

Why Murillo transfer looks a no-brainer for Manchester United

Using our Transfer Fit rating system, we scored Murillo as a 19/25 match for Liverpool when he was linked as a top Reds target by Fichajes a few days ago.

See below as we calculate the same score for Murillo and United, who also need a top central defender of precisely this profile…

Murillo TOTAL SCORE: 19/25
Transfer fee ***
Performance ****
Achievements **
Career phase *****
Squad need *****

Murillo will also need to think carefully about his next move, however, and it will be interesting to see if he has a clear preference out of all the top teams rumoured to be pursuing him.

Murillo transfer options

As well as United and Liverpool, we’ve also previously been informed of Chelsea’s strong interest in Murillo, and other outlets such as Football Insider and TEAMtalk have also mentioned the Blues, suggesting they’re in a good position in the race for his signature.

One imagines this season’s battle for a Champions League place could be crucial in the transfer market, with Murillo perhaps unlikely to pick Liverpool or Chelsea if they can’t work their way back into the top four.

The South American will also need to factor in playing time, but it seems likely that he’d be first choice for any of those clubs.

United have a lot of depth in that department thanks to the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven, but it’s easy to see Murillo being an upgrade on most of those, while Martinez has had repeated fitness problems during his time at Old Trafford.

LFC will need Murillo too as Ibrahima Konate nears the end of his contract, and there’d surely be a starting spot for him at Stamford Bridge over unconvincing performers like Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.

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Major club monitoring important Chelsea star’s uncertain transfer situation

Chelsea central midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain amid some uncertainty over his long-term future.

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The Argentina international has been one of the major signings of the Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali ‘BlueCo’ project, but it seems he might not be staying for the long term after all.

That’s according to a report from L’Equipe, who cast some doubt over Fernandez seeing out his long-term contract with Chelsea as he prepares to play against transfer suitors PSG in the Champions League this evening.

We’ve previously covered Fernandez transfer interest from Real Madrid, but it seems PSG could also be one to watch as they look to make changes to their midfield.

PSG eyeing Enzo Fernandez transfer to build star-studded midfield

PSG already have some of the finest midfield players in world football in the form of Vitinha and Joao Neves, but there’s still perhaps also some room for improvement.

Fernandez would likely be an upgrade on Fabian Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery, though one imagines he wouldn’t come cheap as CFC surely won’t be too keen to let him go.

In fact, a recent report from TEAMtalk stated that the Blues were keen to open talks with both Fernandez and Moises Caicedo over new contracts.

That is perhaps a message to a club like PSG over their chances of landing Fernandez, though aside from the cost we’re adamant that he’d be a great fit at the Parc des Princes…

Enzo Fernandez Transfer Fit rating

Using our Transfer Fit rating system, we’ve scored Fernandez a high 18/25 for PSG.

Enzo Fernandez TOTAL SCORE: 18/25
Transfer fee ★☆☆☆☆
Performance ★★★★☆
Achievements ★★★★★
Career phase ★★★★☆
Squad need ★★★★☆

Fernandez is close to ideal for the Ligue 1 giants’ needs, as he’s one of the finest midfielders in world football on his day, who’s won major trophies such as the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League with Chelsea, and the World Cup with Argentina.

His price tag would likely be an issue, but at the age of 25 they’d also get him for what should be his peak years in the near future, so this could be a player well worth paying over the odds for.

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Talks scheduled: Manchester City star could leave for surprise La Liga transfer

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is reportedly attracting transfer interest from Atletico Madrid ahead of this summer.

This comes as Man City and Doku have talks scheduled to resolve the Belgium international’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, according to TEAMtalk.

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Despite showing moments of real quality since joining City, Doku hasn’t quite established himself as a regular starter, particularly since Pep Guardiola brought in Antoine Semenyo in January.

Doku could surely still have a role to play as a squad player at City, but that’s also probably not something the 23-year-old himself would be that happy with.

Jeremy Doku could get La Liga transfer opportunity

TEAMtalk’s report adds that Doku could get the opportunity to move to Spain as Atletico Madrid are planning to make major changes to their attack this summer.

It remains to be seen if City will allow such a deal to go ahead, as the report suggests they have already planned talks over a possible new contract for a player they rate highly.

Still, Doku himself seems to be unsettled, so Atletico may fancy their chances of getting a deal done here.

Should Man City keep Jeremy Doku?

Doku is an exciting talent who could still blossom into a more well-rounded player, but City might also do well to cash in on him.

With only three goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season, Doku isn’t really contributing enough on a regular basis.

It’s not too surprising that MCFC felt they needed to add someone like Semenyo to their squad in January, while there was also the addition of Rayan Cherki in the summer.

All in all, that gives Guardiola a lot of options, so it might make sense to offload one or two of those players to perhaps make room for signings elsewhere in the squad.

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Bid prepared: Arsenal considering move for contract rebel who’s also United & City transfer target

Arsenal are reportedly considering a summer transfer window move for Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento amid uncertainty over his future.

The 23-year-old will have just two years left on his Newcastle contract this summer and has so far not shown a willingness to sign a new deal.

That’s according to a report from the Telegraph, which goes on to state that Arsenal are keen on Livramento and eyeing up a possible summer offer for him.

This is not the first time we’ve seen Livramento linked with Arsenal, while we’ve also covered Manchester United and City’s interest in the England international.

Tino Livramento transfer opportunity will surely be tempting for Arsenal and other big clubs

Livramento has done well at Newcastle, despite some injury problems, so his situation will surely continue to be of interest to Arsenal and other big clubs in the weeks and months ahead.

The former Chelsea youngster’s contract situation might mean he is able to move for relatively cheap this summer, though the Telegraph do not name a specific price in their report.

That requires a bit of guessing for our Transfer Fit rating, but see below for the score Livramento to Arsenal got, and click here to read more about how our methodology works

Tino Livramento TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee ★★★☆☆
Performance ★★★☆☆
Achievements ★★★☆☆
Career phase ★★★★☆
Squad need ★★★★☆

Livramento looks like he has it in him to be at the higher end of ‘medium’ for Arsenal in that he’d most likely add good depth to a position they may well need to strengthen in.

As noted by the Telegraph and by our previous reports, Ben White’s future at the Emirates Stadium could be in some doubt this summer, so the club will need to replace this experienced and influential player.

Livramento is also young enough that he could improve with time and perhaps challenge to be a starter later on, all without costing a fortune.

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Report: Tottenham star immediately linked with transfer away after Atletico Madrid disaster

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is reportedly already expected to leave the club after last night’s disaster performance against Atletico Madrid.

The 22-year-old was thrown in at the deep end last night as Spurs manager Igor Tudor named him in the starting line up against Atletico Madrid.

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However, Kinsky was then remarkably substituted off after a nightmare opening 15 minutes that saw him concede three goals, including one from a major howler.

Tudor replaced Kinsky with the usual number one Guglielmo Vicario, in what really feels like the ultimate humiliation for the young ‘keeper who’d been given a very difficult task coming into such an out-of-form and unconfident team.

Antonin Kinsky expected to leave Spurs on loan in summer transfer window

According to the Telegraph, this incident now looks likely to mean that Kinsky leaves Tottenham on loan this summer.

The Czech Republic Under-21 international is seemingly considering his options in a bid to rebuild his career, in what now looks like a long way back for him with Spurs.

It’s not often you see goalkeepers substituted during games unless they’re injured, and the overall feeling is that Tudor handled this badly.

The Telegraph are already casting serious doubts over Kinsky’s future, with the report also quoting a former club employee as describing Tudor’s behaviour as “disgraceful”.

Antonin Kinsky had looked set for no.1 position at Spurs

The Telegraph’s report also suggests Kinsky had looked set to challenge for the number one spot at Spurs, though this plan is now in tatters.

It will be interesting to see where his career goes from here, but it’s going to require huge mental toughness to overcome this humiliating incident.

Kinsky had been highly rated before joining THFC as a youngster, and this will now be a big test of his quality and his character.

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Legendary goalkeeper sends classy message to Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky after humiliating moment

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has sent a classy social media message to Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky after his horror-show against Atletico Madrid.

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Kinsky was brought into the starting line up for Spurs against Atletico in something of a surprise call from interim manager Igor Tudor, who then subbed the young shot-stopper after just 15 minutes.

Things couldn’t really have gone much worse for Kinsky, who conceded three goals, including making one absolutely shocking mistake, in that opening quarter-of-an-hour period.

Still, Tudor has received strong criticism for publicly shaming his ‘keeper by starting him in such a big game and then substituting him so quickly, with De Gea sending a clear message of support…

No one who hasn't been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position.

Keep your head up and you will go again.

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) March 10, 2026

“No one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position. Keep your head up and you will go again,” the Spaniard posted on X.

Footballing world rallies around Antonin Kinsky

This was a really nice touch by De Gea as Kinsky must be going through his own personal hell right now after such a disastrous outing last night.

The 22-year-old is still relatively inexperienced and learning the game, and surely needed backing from Tudor at that crucial moment.

Another former Man Utd ‘keeper, Peter Schmeichel, also stood up for Kinsky when he spoke on punditry duty after the game.

The Red Devils legend slammed Tudor for putting him in such a difficult position and seriously harming his career.

“This will be a moment that everybody in football will remember when they see or hear (Kinsky’s) name…You’ve got to stick with him at least until half-time… He’s absolutely killed his career. I feel really sorry for him,” Schmeichel said.

Joe Hart also criticised Tudor’s decision on TNT Sports, as quoted by the Daily Mail: “To get to this level, signed by Spurs, one mistake does not alter you. That is a technical error, but what precedes that… was it the right decision? Maybe it was. But what I saw after…

“I hate being reactive because I like to know all the facts. But the fact he has taken him off in that situation having played him… he is young, 22, he is not a man, he has done nothing to try and hurt Spurs.”

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FIFA chief confirms USA-Iran World Cup boost after talks with Donald Trump

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that he’s spoken with US President Donald Trump about Iran’s possible participation at the 2026 World Cup.

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Trump recently put the US at war with Iran, but there have been mixed messages about how soon the conflict could come to an end.

Infantino, posting on his official Instagram account, says he’s spoken with Trump and been given reassurances that Iran would still be welcome to participate at the World Cup, which will be held in North America this summer.

Gianni Infantino’s update after talks with Donald Trump

“This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days,” he said.

“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.

“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”

FIFA rule out delaying World Cup

Elsewhere, a FIFA spokesperson has publicly ruled out postponing the World Cup, which is due to start in just over three months’ time.

It could be that everything has blown over by then, but this whole saga will once again raise serious question-marks over giving the US this tournament.

Mexico and Canada will also be co-hosts, but the US is obviously a big player in this and simply looks too unstable right now to be able to welcome fans from all over the world.

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Report: Real Madrid & PSG on alert as Liverpool star notifies them he wants to leave

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly two clubs on red alert as Alexis Mac Allister looks to have decided to leave Liverpool.

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The Argentina international has 19 goals in 137 appearances for Liverpool, helping them win the Premier League title last season, but it seems he now wants a new challenge.

According to Fichajes, Mac Allister has notified the Reds of his desire to leave as he wants to make the move out of the Premier League.

The report names Real Madrid and PSG as Mac Allister’s main suitors, and it’s certainly easy to imagine the 27-year-old being a success with either of those teams.

Alexis Mac Allister transfer blow for Liverpool

Mac Allister has been an important player for LFC, so if he really is looking to leave Anfield then it’s going to be hard to replace him.

The former Brighton man is a fine all-rounder in midfield, providing work rate, quality on the ball, and an eye for the occasional goal from the middle of the park.

Having lost Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz last summer, and with Ibrahima Konate coming towards the end of his contract, it’s far from ideal that another key part of this squad could be moving on.

Alexis Mac Allister TOTAL SCORE: 14/25
Transfer fee **
Performance ***
Achievements ****
Career phase **
Squad need ***

We’ve given Mac Allister to Real Madrid a Transfer Fit rating of 14/25 – find out more about how it works here.

Could the Premier League lose big players?

It’s been a strange season in the Premier League, with many fans and pundits bemoaning a dip in the overall entertainment value of the competition.

Arne Slot himself has said he’s not finding the football here much of a joy to watch anymore, and it will be interesting to see if that leads to players like Mac Allister looking to move abroad.

Fichajes’ report makes it clear that Mac Allister wants to try something different from the fast and frenetic pace of English football.

It’s always been a highly competitive league, but it seems to be getting even more so, while the style of play is also increasingly physically demanding and based a lot around set piece tactics and physicality, rather than free-flowing, attack-minded football.

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Igor Tudor could be sacked already, Tottenham legend “has been spoken to” about emergency move

Tottenham could reportedly already be set to part ways with interim manager Igor Tudor after just four games in charge.

The Croatian tactician has made an awful start to life at Spurs, culminating in last night’s dire performance in a 5-2 Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid.

It seems Tudor’s struggles could now seriously lead Tottenham into making a speedy change in the dugout, with former player and club legend Robbie Keane contacted about coming in, according to TEAMtalk.

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Tudor probably thought he’d have a bit more time, but things have been so bad that it seems Tottenham’s board are now already exploring options to replace him.

The latest on Igor Tudor and Tottenham’s manager situation

TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey has provided an update on Spurs’ manager situation, with Tudor seemingly in real danger, and with Keane approached over coming in to try to rescue the club as they look to be facing the very real threat of relegation.

“The club’s hierarchy are now in talks having previously decided that Tudor would get until after the Atletico second leg…but the first leg defeat has forced a rethink,” Bailey said.

He added: “As it stands the club are continuing to do work, as they have been for more than a week, on options to replace Igor Tudor – the hierarchy are aware that the squad have not reacted to Tudor as they hoped.

“Robbie Keane has been spoken to, but he is also a top target for Crystal Palace and has been linked to Celtic, heading into the summer.

“Spurs are considering all options and we understand a host of agents and intermediaries have contacted them about potential replacements. But Keane is very much a preferred option.”

? Igor Tudor on possibility of getting sacked: “It's not about me. We need to stay calm. Less talking”.

“Better less talking. Now is not the moment to try and give a big explanation”. pic.twitter.com/DTkEyWrEms

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 11, 2026

How bad could things get for Tottenham?

Tottenham are currently on a run of six consecutive defeats in all competitions, with the team’s dire form leaving them just a point above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, last night’s heavy defeat in Spain surely means the team can kiss goodbye to their Champions League campaign this season.

There’s not a lot of time left for THFC to turn things around, and it perhaps seems like hiring Tudor is a gamble that has majorly backfired.

At the same time, however, Keane isn’t that experienced and might not be the best option either, considering the seriousness of the club’s situation.

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Sources: Liverpool, Man Utd, & Chelsea eye signing of “strong” £30m Premier League star

Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea are all on the lookout for a proven Premier League midfielder this summer, with sources telling me about one name attracting growing interest.

As first reported in my exclusive here for the Daily Briefing, Tyler Adams’ name has begun to surface in conversations with sources recently, with the USA international impressing scouts at a host of top clubs, with Liverpool, Man Utd, and Chelsea the three names confirmed to me.

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These clubs, in search of dynamism and pressing power in midfield, are said to view Adams as “a strong candidate who fits their tactical needs”, while there’s also the feeling that he could be available without costing a fortune this summer.

“Bournemouth could consider offers in the region of £30 million for Adams,” one source with ties to the agents industry told me. While this figure is seen as reasonable within the context of Premier League transfer strategies, Bournemouth’s position remains strong given Adams’ contract length and his importance to the squad.

Chelsea have long been linked with midfield reinforcements, and Adams’ recovery aligns with their plans to strengthen squad depth in the summer. Manchester United, meanwhile, are seeking greater energy and resilience in midfield, and Adams’ blend of Premier League experience and international pedigree makes him an appealing option. Liverpool are also believed to be tracking the player, aiming to expand their rotation in the middle of the park.

Tyler Adams transfer might have to wait until after the World Cup

According to sources, some clubs may prefer to wait until after the FIFA World Cup to make a definitive move, allowing them to assess Adams’ form and fitness over a longer period. This approach suggests that while negotiations could accelerate in the summer, a final decision might not be made until after the tournament.

Adams’ potential transfer is significant not only in financial terms but also in its impact on the strategic direction of these clubs’ midfields. For Bournemouth, a possible sale would generate substantial funds that could play a key role in reshaping their squad.

We’ve seen the Cherries being forced to sell star players in the past, such as Dean Huijsen last summer, and Antoine Semenyo in January, so it makes sense that Adams could be the next to attract interest as a realistic and affordable target.

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“Seriously, shut up!” – Jamie O’Hara loses it at co-host again as Spurs crisis continues

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara reacted angrily again at Jason Cundy in a major blow-up on talkSPORT.

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O’Hara stormed out of a recent session alongside Cundy after Spurs’ defeat at home to Crystal Palace that saw them drop worryingly closer to the relegation zone.

Now the ex-Spurs man has again failed to keep his cool, slamming Cundy for clearly winding him up on air after last night’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Watch below as O’Hara tells Cundy to “shut up” and insists he needs to do better as a professional pundit…

A truly sensational 75 second clip pic.twitter.com/fAOE8Bwoji

— The City Ramble (@TheCityRamble) March 10, 2026

Pictures from talkSPORT

O’Hara also insists he has to try his best not to swear on air, before once again simply walking away in a fit of rage.

What next for Tottenham after Champions League humiliation?

While losing to a top side like Atletico Madrid is no disgrace, the manner of last night’s result will surely be a big worry for Tottenham fans.

The north Londoners look absolutely clueless under new interim manager Igor Tudor, and found themselves 4-0 down inside 22 minutes yesterday evening.

No wonder O’Hara was in a foul mood afterwards, with this Spurs side becoming almost unwatchable as they make awful mistakes in every game at the moment.

This heavy loss surely means the second leg is pretty much a formality for Atletico, with Spurs needing to focus on staying in the Premier League.

Based on how bad they’ve been under Tudor, however, it’s hard to see them staying up, and another change in manager may even be necessary to turn things around in the final few games of the season.

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Igor Tudor has “absolutely killed” Tottenham star’s career, says PL legend

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has hit out at Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor for his handling of Antonin Kinsky.

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Watch the video clip below as Schmeichel spoke on CBS Sports about Tudor’s surprise decision to sub Kinsky off after less than 15 minutes on the clock in last night’s defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Having made the big decision to start Kinsky over Spurs’ usual first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, it quickly looked like that call backfired as Kinsky looked really poor and conceded three early goals.

Still, Schmeichel says he feels Tudor needed to stick with his ‘keeper at that point, instead of taking him off and replacing him with Vicario in a humiliating moment…

“This will be a moment that everybody in football will remember when they see or hear (Kinsky’s) name…You’ve got to stick with him at least until half-time… He’s absolutely killed his career. I feel really sorry for him,” the Man Utd legend said.

Igor Tudor’s Tottenham nightmare continues

This latest result means Tudor has lost all four of his matches in charge of Tottenham so far since he came in as interim manager after Thomas Frank’s sacking.

The Croatian tactician is doing an awful job of trying to steady the ship at Spurs, and he could really have done without headlines like this as he looks to improve the morale in his squad.

There is now surely a very real risk of Tottenham getting relegated, and last night’s 5-2 defeat away to Atletico surely means they’re heading out of the Champions League.

It will be interesting to see if Tudor actually lasts much longer as he only seems to have made things worse since being trusted with the THFC job until the end of the season.

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U-turn: Report reveals surprise outcome of recent Arsenal transfer meetings

Arsenal may reportedly have cooled their interest in the potential transfer of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.

The Gunners were notably linked with the Italy international in January, but there is now growing uncertainty about a possible move.

That’s according to a surprise report from the Chronicle, which states that Arsenal did not mention Tonali’s name in recent transfer meetings, with the north London giants possibly set to only have £40m to spend this summer.

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That’s good news for Newcastle as it boosts their hopes of keeping Tonali, but Arsenal fans will surely be concerned if that’s really the kind of budget their club will be working with.

Sandro Tonali transfer doesn’t look ideal for Arsenal anyway

Using CaughtOffside’s own Transfer Fit rating system, we recently showed that Tonali doesn’t look a good fit for Arsenal at the moment anyway, primarily due to how expensive he’d be, whilst also taking into account what Mikel Arteta already has in that area of his squad.

Sandro Tonali TOTAL SCORE: 7/25
Transfer fee
Performance **
Achievements **
Career phase ***
Squad need

Tonali is a fine player, but if AFC are going to spend big on a new midfield signing, then he would need to be someone who’d represent an obvious upgrade on Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.

For all his qualities, Tonali doesn’t really look like that, nor is he someone who’d be happy with a place on the bench in most games.

Arsenal to sell before they can buy?

Arsenal’s budget issues follow a busy summer last year when they brought in Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Zubimendi, and other major signings to bolster both their starting XI and squad depth.

It’s perhaps not too surprising that the club are now a bit more limited with what they can spend, and that sales might need to happen before further new arrivals can join.

Our understanding is that Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are two big names who could be likely to leave the Emirates Stadium to raise funds this summer.

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Senior figures make decision on Chelsea star amid Man United transfer interest

Senior figures at Chelsea have reportedly decided that Liam Delap is not going to be allowed to leave this summer as they’re confident he can turn his Blues career around.

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Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer and has not made the best start to life at Stamford Bridge, with just two goals in 28 appearances in all competitions so far.

Still, it seems Chelsea remain confident that the 23-year-old will come good and mainly blame injury problems for his disappointing debut campaign, according to Sky Sports, as cited by the Daily Mirror.

Chelsea fans will likely have mixed feelings about this Delap transfer update, as he’s looked out of his depth so far but perhaps deserves a bit more time to develop and improve.

Mixed reports over Liam Delap’s Chelsea future as Man United still keen on transfer

Delap continues to be eyed by Manchester United, as we recently reported, with the Red Devils having notably been keen on the England Under-21 international before he joined Chelsea.

It may be that Delap will come good, but CFC supporters will be desperate to see their club prioritising players that can make an impact straight away.

At the same time, however, it would undoubtedly be a big blow if the west London giants allowed Delap to join a rival like Man Utd and he ended up flourishing there.

Liam Delap Chelsea stats Games Goals
Premier League 20 1
Champions League 3 1
League Cup 2 0
FA Cup 3 0

Chelsea’s striker curse continues

Chelsea fans will be optimistic about Joao Pedro’s form this season, but for the most part they continue to really struggle when it comes to signing strikers.

Delap has flopped, just as Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku did in recent times, while going further back they have also brought in big names like Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao, and Gonzalo Higuain, only to find them performing well below expectations.

Building around Pedro is now surely what Chelsea need to focus on, and Delap could therefore still be a decent squad player or backup, but some fans will also question the logic of keeping someone who just seems to have found this move too big a step up.

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