Manchester United are now being tipped to make at least one, but probably two signings in midfield this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano on his latest YouTube post.
Man Utd seem inclined to make it a double signing in that area of their squad due to the fact that both Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will need replacing this summer.
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Kobbie Mainoo will be staying, but the fact that Casemiro and Ugarte will both be heading for the exit means United could look for two replacements in that department.
Fabrizio Romano on Manchester United signing two midfielders
“Man United decision for the midfield position for the summer transfer window is going in a direction to sign eventually two midfielders not just one,” Romano said.
“My information today is that Manchester United are oriented to go for two midfielders – for one reason that Casemiro is leaving … And the other update I can give you today is that according to my information, Manuel Ugarte could also leave Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
“Some movements have already started to find a solution for Manuel Ugarte. So you can imagine with Casemiro leaving, with Ugarte leaving, with Man United probably playing Champions League football, for sure playing European football, it means that Man United need two more midfielders.
“And so the decision of the club is one guaranteed, but the second is starting to become almost guaranteed as a new signing to do for Manchester United. So one for sure, 100%, but could be two.”
A long list of other names have also been mentioned, however, such as Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, and Joao Gomes, as per Manchester World.
Who would your ideal choices be if United were to sign two midfielders this summer? Let us know in the comments!
This time last year it would have seemed unthinkable, but there’s a genuine case growing for Liverpool to sack manager Arne Slot after a disastrous second season in charge.
The Dutch tactician enjoyed the best possible start at Liverpool last term, appearing to rejuvenate a team that had perhaps gone a little stale under the legendary Jurgen Klopp, firing them to Premier League glory – just their second title since 1990.
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But how quickly perceptions can change, as it now looks increasingly like Slot simply inherited a great team from Klopp and got a little lucky that both Manchester City and Arsenal were worse than usual.
There’s more to it than that, of course, so where has it gone wrong for Slot and how much is it his fault?
Mohamed Salah’s loss of form
While Mohamed Salah declining a little at the age of 33 is perhaps to be expected, no one predicted that such a sharp dip in performances would come so quickly. Slot wasn’t the one who handed the veteran Egyptian forward a new contract off the back of such a sensational season last term, so it seems harsh to blame him here.
In fact, Slot has arguably dealt with this difficult situation admirably, having tried to ease Salah out of the team without too much drama, only to find that the LFC front-man wasn’t happy to play ball. Even after this very public row, Slot managed to stop it turning into an Erik ten Hag vs Cristiano Ronaldo repeat, with Salah now back in the first-team fold (and still playing really poorly, it must be said) and preparing for an emotional send-off this summer.
Liverpool did strengthen in attack last summer, so perhaps there was some element of preparing for life after Salah, but a slow start for Florian Wirtz and an injury-hit campaign from Alexander Isak has undoubtedly derailed the changes Slot would have ideally liked to have been able to make.
Style of play
Somewhere Slot has to take the blame, however, is the absolutely dire football Liverpool have produced for so much of this season.
Leaky at the back and predictable going forward, we’ve seen far too many games this season where opponents simply found it too easy to play through Slot’s team, with Manchester City’s 4-0 win at the weekend a prime example. If there’s a repeat of that kind of performance against Paris Saint-Germain this week, we’re surely going to see a similar score-line.
Even more worryingly, Slot doesn’t seem to have any answer for this. Click here for what feels like one of many examples this season when the former Feyenoord boss has been left completely taken aback and unprepared for what Liverpool’s opponents were going to do in a game.
? Liverpool fans and neutrals – should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Let’s be honest, there isn’t really a precedent in modern football for a tragedy like this, with Liverpool’s players and coaching staff all still mourning a teammate and friend in Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese forward was tragically killed along with his brother in a car crash last summer, and it’s important to remember that even the top level of professional footballers are only human – this news was a huge shock, and grief takes a long time to get over. Whilst not wishing to speak for anyone involved, it simply can’t be ruled out that this loss continues to affect mood, confidence, and sap everyone’s energy inside Anfield.
Needless to say, there’s really nothing any manager could have done about this. Slot, just like everyone else at the club, will have been hurting, and there’s no managerial template for how to lift a dressing room after such a tragedy. While there may be legitimate criticisms to be made about tactics and recruitment, there can be no playing down the trauma this group has gone through and may continue to go through for a while longer yet.
Where do Liverpool fans stand?
“I’ve been behind Arne Slot for the vast majority of the campaign,” says Farrell Keeling of Empire of the Kop. “I’ve cited genuine mitigating factors, like the tragedy of Diogo Jota’s passing ahead of the season, the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the absence of pace on the wings, the failure to sign Marc Guehi… and the list goes on.
“While I appreciate there will still be many keen to back the Dutchman (Liverpool is, after all, a manager’s club), I’ve now personally reached a point where the arguments against Slot are overwhelming any reasons or mitigating factors that might see him last beyond the 2025/26 season.
“That’s an awful place to be in as a Liverpool fan, not least of all because Arne Slot gave me one of the happiest days of my life last term, as Liverpool finally lifted the Premier League title in front of the supporters.
“But the warning signs are there in black and white: players “giving up” (in Virgil van Dijk’s own words) at the first hurdle, and the manager seemingly at a total loss to inspire any kind of consistent improvement.”
Liam Togher, also of Empire of the Kop, agrees, saying: “First of all, Arne Slot has my eternal gratitude for winning the Premier League title last season, irrespective of whatever else happens from here.
“I’m not one for turning on a manager/head coach after a few bad results, and I didn’t turn against Slot when the Reds went through a dreadful run in the autumn. However, with no signs of lessons being learned from that slump, the case for keeping the Dutchman has become increasingly difficult to make, especially if (as I think will happen) LFC miss out on Champions League qualification.
This season has become devoid of any enjoyment from a Liverpool perspective, and while that isn’t all on Slot (players and hierarchy are also culpable), unfortunately he must carry a significant portion of responsibility for the malaise over the past six months.
“Champions League qualification is a must if he’s to keep his job, and even then he has a huge task on his hands to win back his detractors. If Liverpool fail in that mission, I suspect a change will be made in the summer.”
While Slot isn’t the only Liverpool figure to blame for the team’s slump, Farrell reiterates that the alarming drop-off from so many of the players who performed so well last season is ultimately the manager’s responsibility.
“Would things be drastically better with a pair of pacey wingers and a centre-back having arrived in the summer? Yes, of course. Should the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes bear some collective responsibility for not handing the manager enough of the right tools? Yes, of course,” Farrell adds.
“But the scale of the drop-off from last season’s title success isn’t acceptable. A gutless performance in the 4-0 defeat (that flattered the visitors after the first 30 minutes) to Man City in the FA Cup isn’t acceptable. Potentially dropping out of the Champions League places (even with England likely to be gifted an additional spot) isn’t acceptable.
The Uruguay international is likely to leave the Saudi Pro League for a return to Europe, having struggled in front of goal in recent times.
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Nunez wasn’t entirely convincing during his time at Liverpool either, though he did win the Premier League title in his final season at Anfield last term.
According to Fichajes, he now looks set to get the opportunity to move to Juventus, who are targeting him as an option to bolster their depth up front.
This would suggest Juve are now ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Nunez, with our sources unable to give us a significant update since our report last month.
Darwin Nunez could revive his career at Juventus
Nunez showed some potential during his time at Liverpool, as well as during his time as a youngster at Benfica.
Even if things haven’t gone entirely to plan for him in recent times as he fell down the pecking order before being sold by Liverpool, it’s perfectly possible that he could still turn his career around.
The 26-year-old might find that playing in Serie A is a better fit for him than the fast pace of English football, while he’d also have better players around him than he’s had at Al Hilal.
Chelsea might also have done well to bring in a more experienced striker as a squad player at the very least, having invested so much in such a youthful squad.
Still, Blues fans probably won’t mind too much if the club’s interest doesn’t end up advancing at this stage.
Liverpool and Arsenal may reportedly have been dealt a blow regarding their transfer pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
There have been plenty of recent transfer reports casting doubt over Camavinga’s Real Madrid future, but it seems his preference is to stay at the Bernabeu, according to Fichajes.
The Spanish outlet states that Real would ideally like to sell Camavinga, but the France international himself could put a spanner in the works as he doesn’t want to leave.
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It remains to be seen what the outcome here will be, with other reputable outlets like L’Equipelinking Camavinga with Liverpool and stating that his Madrid future is increasingly uncertain.
Meanwhile, we’ve been reliably informed by sources in the industry that Camavinga has been offered to Arsenal as a move is anticipated for this summer.
Does Eduardo Camavinga have a future at Real Madrid?
While Real Madrid might not be able to force Camavinga out, it’s hard to see a world in which he stays at the club when they don’t want him.
The 23-year-old is too good to simply spend the season warming the bench, and he’ll surely get good chances to play regularly for other top clubs around Europe.
Liverpool could do with changing things up and might find that Camavinga is a good partner for Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.
Arsenal, meanwhile, probably don’t urgently need the former Rennes ace, but would probably be tempted to bring in someone to at least provide them with a better rotation option to Christian Norgaard, thereby allowing Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi more opportunities to rest.
Real will surely do what they can to offload Camavinga this summer as it seems very clear that’s the plan they’re leaking to the press as they look to build up interest in the player.
Manchester United look to have been given hope of poaching Cole Palmer from rivals Chelsea amid ongoing uncertainty over his future.
Although Palmer is on a long-term contract at Chelsea, which runs until 2033, it seems Blues fans could have some cause for concern over the England international’s future.
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“There’s constant noise which I suspect will get louder about Cole Palmer wanting out as well,” Luke Edwards told BBC Sport. “This is the problem Chelsea and BlueCo have when they run it like a business. They’ve recruited all these players on long-term contracts but it’s a short career.
“These players might not see that they’re going to win the big prizes at Chelsea so they might want out.”
Cole Palmer transfer saga – how it’s played out
See below for a timeline of recent Palmer transfer speculation as a variety of sources have cast doubt over him staying at Stamford Bridge…
The 23-year-old has been a star performer for CFC, though it is also worth noting that his form has dipped in recent times, so it might not be the worst idea for the west London club to cash in on him soon.
Chelsea will probably try to avoid selling Palmer to a Premier League rival, but there could be tempting big offers from abroad that would allow them to make a huge profit on the player.
The Netherlands international is also said to be a target for Roma, Atalanta, and Como, while Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are monitoring his situation as well, according to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk.
See below as Bailey has posted on X about Zirkzee being most likely to return to Serie A this summer…
Joshua Zirkzee’s representatives are actively exploring his next move ahead of the summer window, with @TEAMtalk understanding that a return to Italy is currently the most likely outcome for the Manchester United forward.https://t.co/sRxm1xhNTh
The 24-year-old’s poor form during his time with MUFC means there will surely be clubs reluctant to pay up to sign him permanently for the time being.
It’s possible that Zirkzee will get back to his best in Serie A, where he shone as a youngster at Bologna, but that’s still a gamble plenty of clubs will probably be reluctant to take.
Major Man United exits this summer
We could see a major clear-out at United this summer, with Sky Sports naming Zirkzee alongside other big names like Manuel Ugarte, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund as players likely to be moved on at the end of this campaign.
Others like Casemiro and Jadon Sancho will also be leaving as they are due to be out of contract.
Earlier this season it looked like Maguire could be coming to the end of his time as a Man Utd player, as his previous deal was due to expire this summer.
We reported on clubs showing an interest in signing Maguire, including Chelsea, but the veteran defender has instead opted to remain at Old Trafford.
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This will surely be seen as good news by United fans as Maguire’s recent form has improved a lot, with the 33-year-old showing what an important member of this squad he can be.
Harry Maguire on signing new Manchester United contract
United have confirmed Maguire’s new contract on their official site this morning, with the player quoted as saying how happy he is to be staying.
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day,” Maguire said.
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”
Kobbie Mainoo next for Manchester United?
With Maguire’s deal now done, Fabrizio Romano expects Kobbie Mainoo to be next, as per a recent post on his YouTube channel.
Maguire staying is a big boost, but probably only a short-term measure, whereas keeping hold of Mainoo will surely be crucial for the club’s future.
The 20-year-old has shown immense potential during his time in the MUFC first-team and he looks like he has many more years of quality performances ahead of him.
The pundit named Anderson as his preferred target over the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, saying he could see the England international being the perfect partner to complement Kobbie Mainoo.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand praised Anderson for his aggression and all-round playing style.
Rio Ferdinand on Elliot Anderson transfer
“It is Elliot Anderson, he is 23, Guimaraes is 28, Tonali is 25, soon to be 26, so that counts for a lot for me. I want young hungry players in my squad.
“He complements Mainoo, because I think Kobbie is going to be one of the main players in the team now, going to build around him and I think Elliot Anderson absolutely complements him.
“They are different, Anderson has that mobility, that energy to get around the park, aggressive, we need those legs and he wins the ball. He is more competitive than the other two.”
Manchester United given Elliot Anderson transfer boost
BBC Sport suggested United would not give up battling City for the 23-year-old’s signature, and now Florian Plettenberg has posted below about MCFC focusing more on a new contract for Rodri…
?? Forest expect Manchester United to remain seriously in the race for Elliot #Anderson. Manchester City have also registered their interest, although their current focus is on extending Rodri’s contract. #MUFC#MCFC
Even if City would be a tempting destination for Anderson after all their recent success, it might also be worth thinking about his playing time there if they remain so keen on keeping Rodri.
The Spain international would likely remain first choice for Pep Guardiola’s side, and so Anderson might do better to join MUFC and have the team built around him.
Liverpool have already had a meeting with the Gestifute agency representing West Ham United central midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Sources with connections to the agents industry have informed me that Liverpool have discussed a potential deal for Fernandes, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.
The 21-year-old has impressed with the Hammers this season and it seems the east Londoners are resigned to the fact that they might have to sell for good enough offers this summer, whether they manage to avoid relegation or not.
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Liverpool in Mateus Fernandes transfer contact
For now, my understanding is that Liverpool have the most advanced interest in Fernandes, having spoken with his representatives to sound out interest over a possible move.
Fernandes is also attracting admiring glances from Arsenal and Manchester City, but there have not been any approaches made by these clubs yet.
“Liverpool have had a meeting with someone from Gestifute,” one source told me. “They’re looking at Mateus Fernandes as a serious option in midfield this summer.”
This comes amid speculation that Alexis Mac Allister could be leaving LFC, but I’ve not had this confirmed at this stage even if Fernandes would make sense as a like-for-like replacement.
Mac Allister’s form has dipped a bit this term, while Fernandes has shown himself to be one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old also shone at previous club Southampton before moving to West Ham once they got relegated, so it makes sense that something similar could happen again this year as he’s surely too good to be playing at this level.
Mateus Fernandes asking price revealed
Sources tell me that West Ham are obviously not keen to sell Fernandes, but they’re realistic about the situation and will probably accept something in the region of £55m for the Portugal international.
I cannot yet confirm what sort of budget Liverpool will be working with this summer, as a lot of that will depend on whether or not they qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool are reportedly not currently in contact over re-signing Jarrell Quansah, but have a buy-back clause option until the end of May.
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That’s according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg on X, with the reporter claiming the Reds have the option to bring Quansah back for a fee of €80m.
See below, however, as Plettenberg claims Liverpool’s current priority in defence is to sort out a new contract for Ibrahima Konate, who is close to the end of his deal…
?? Liverpool still have the option to activate a buy-back clause for Jarell #Quansah until the end of May, set at €80 million.
So far, however, Leverkusen have received no indication – neither from the player nor from Liverpool. #LFC‘s current focus is on extending Ibrahima… pic.twitter.com/nCYRJ8nsAB
Plettenberg posted: “Liverpool still have the option to activate a buy-back clause for Jarell #Quansah until the end of May, set at €80 million. So far, however, Leverkusen have received no indication – neither from the player nor from Liverpool. #LFC‘s current focus is on extending Ibrahima Konaté’s contract.”
Jarrell Quansah transfer return could be a sensible option for Liverpool
Even if Konate does stay, LFC surely need another signing in defence this summer after the dip in form of Virgil van Dijk.
Quansah didn’t really put a foot wrong during his first spell at Anfield, but before he left it was hard for him to get regular playing time.
That would probably be easier for the 23-year-old now, with Liverpool in need of more options and fresh blood for next season after this disappointing campaign.
€80m looks like a lot to pay for Quansah, but it’s probably an option worth considering as there probably won’t be many other easily affordable options out there on the market.
Quansah has improved a lot since his move to Leverkusen and now looks ready to come in and make an impact at Liverpool.
Manchester United are likely to be weighing up a number of candidates to become their next manager, with one club official said to be unsure about hiring Michael Carrick for the permanent role.
Carrick is currently interim manager at Old Trafford, and he’s surely done his chances of landing the job no harm after a strong start since replacing Ruben Amorim.
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So far, Carrick’s record as Man Utd interim manager reads as: played 10, won 7, drawn 2, lost 1.
Not everyone’s convinced, however, with a team of five relite reporters posting on X that one United official is unsure about Carrick, even if he’s looking outnumbered at the moment.
Should Michael Carrick get the Manchester United job?
Carrick isn’t the biggest or most experienced name in football management, but that shouldn’t necessarily count against him.
The Red Devils might be tempted to hire a more proven winner, but things didn’t exactly work out that well for them under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal in the past.
Carrick is showing that he can do the job, and perhaps he can follow in the footsteps of other inexperienced managers who started well at big clubs.
That patient approach has worked well for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, whose move to take over at the Emirates Stadium was his first job in management.
It’s also easy to forget that Pep Guardiola was a gamble when he first became Barcelona manager after his only prior experience was with their B team.
Other Manchester United candidates
Some big names like Xabi Alonso and Xavi are currently out of work, which will surely affect United’s thinking, while there’ll also be others leaving their current clubs soon.
Oliver Glasner has confirmed he’ll be leaving Crystal Palace at the end of this season, while Andoni Iraola is also coming towards the end of his contract with Bournemouth.
With the 2026 World Cup coming up, it will also surely be worth keeping an eye on if big names like Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, and Carlo Ancelotti keep their jobs.
Manchester United are reportedly still very much in the race for the transfer of Nottingham Forest central midfielder Elliot Anderson.
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According to Florian Plettenberg, no club has made contact yet over signing Anderson, and it may even be that Manchester City have other priorities.
See below for Plettenberg’s post on X as he explains that Man Utd still look to be in the race with City, who are currently perhaps more focused on a new contract for Rodri instead…
?? Forest expect Manchester United to remain seriously in the race for Elliot #Anderson. Manchester City have also registered their interest, although their current focus is on extending Rodri’s contract. #MUFC#MCFC
“Forest expect Manchester United to remain seriously in the race for Elliot #Anderson. Manchester City have also registered their interest, although their current focus is on extending Rodri’s contract,” the Sky Germany journalist said.
He added: “So far, no club has made direct contact with Forest. A fee in the region of £100-120 million is still being demanded.”
Elliot Anderson transfer saga hots up
Up until now, there has been a lot of speculation about Anderson’s future, with many outlets suggesting City were the frontrunners for the England international.
That’s what has been reported by BBC Sport, though they did also suggest that United wouldn’t give up on Anderson.
Plettenberg’s post gives the Red Devils hope of landing one of the most exciting midfield players in Europe this season, with Anderson putting in a series of superb displays for club and country and looking like someone who’s bound to shine at the 2026 World Cup.
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Leao has been a key player for Milan down the years, and there’s often been speculation that top Premier League clubs could try to sign him.
That hasn’t happened so far, but a recent report from Football Transfers stated that Arsenal were in initial discussions over a potential €80m deal this summer.
See below as Fabrizio Romano has quoted Milan chief Tare as appearing to hint at being keen to keep Leao this summer, pointing to the two years he has left on his contract at the San Siro…
???? AC Milan director Igli Tare on Rafa Leão’s future: “Rafa has two years left on his contract and he’s very important for us”.
Arsenal would surely benefit from bringing in something a bit different up front, with Leao’s skill and flair making him an ideal upgrade on inconsistent performers like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Rafael Leao transfer could be a great option for Arsenal
Leao has nine goals and two assists in Serie A this season, despite being limited to only 18 starts so far after a few injury problems.
The Portugal international is clearly more of a goal threat than someone like Martinelli, though his stats below paint an interesting picture in terms of how he compares to Martinelli and Trossard…
Leao vs Martinelli and Trossard (DataMB)
Overall, there are perhaps signs there that Arsenal could do better than Leao, even if he is an option worth considering.
It may also be that the 26-year-old would improve with better players around him, and with a manager like Mikel Arteta to take him to the next level.
Rafael Leao
TOTAL SCORE: 16/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
****
Achievements
**
Career phase
***
Squad need
*****
See the table above for our Leao to Arsenal Transfer Fit rating (more info on this here) and give us your thoughts on whether he’d be good value for money and the right stylistic fit for this Gunners side.
Chelsea are reportedly in a favourable position with regards to Diego Moreira as he attracts transfer interest from Borussia Dortmund.
The talented 21-year-old, who is currently on the books at Strasbourg, was previously a Chelsea player and they have a “very favourable” buy-back clause for him, according to Florian Plettenberg.
Moreira has impressed during his time in Ligue 1 and is said to be planning a move for this summer, with Dortmund showing an interest in snapping him up.
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???? EXCL | Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs to have Diego #Moreira on their shortlist for the summer.
The 21 y/o, currently under contract at Strasbourg until 2029, is planning a move in the upcoming window, with a potential fee in the region of €30–40 million. #BVB… pic.twitter.com/tFgmFEhj7M
“Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs to have Diego #Moreira on their shortlist for the summer,” Plettenberg posted on X.
“The 21 y/o, currently under contract at Strasbourg until 2029, is planning a move in the upcoming window, with a potential fee in the region of €30–40 million.
“Moreira is highly versatile and can operate in almost any role on the left flank. Chelsea are believed to hold a very favourable buy-back option.”
Who is Diego Moreira and will he return to Chelsea?
Moreira is a 21-year-old wide-player capable of filling in as a full-back, wing-back, or winger, and he’s having a fine season with Strasbourg.
The youngster has three goals and four assists in Ligue 1 so far, and he’s also increasingly been involved with the senior Belgian national team.
Moreira won his first two caps for Belgium in 2025, and also had the option of representing Portugal, whom he played for at various stages of youth level.
Moreira joined Chelsea in 2023 but only ever made one appearance for the club, initially going out on loan to Lyon before his permanent transfer to fellow BlueCo team Strasbourg.
It’s not yet clear if CFC are actually interested in bringing him back, but that buy-back clause gives them that option, though it could also allow them to capitalise on interest from someone like Dortmund and sell the player for a profit.
Liverpool are reportedly one of the clubs on alert as Real Madrid look prepared to let Eduardo Camavinga leave this summer.
That’s according to respected French outlet L’Equipe, who describe Camavinga’s future at the Bernabeu as increasingly uncertain.
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Despite being part of two Champions League-winning sides during his time at Real Madrid, Camavinga’s form has taken a bit of a dip this season and it could be the right time for both parties to go their separate ways.
Our understanding is that Camavinga has also been offered to Arsenal, with the France international likely to prioritise Champions League football when it comes to choosing his next club.
Eduardo Camavinga to Liverpool or Arsenal?
Camavinga has long been regarded as a top talent, and is still only 23 years of age, so one imagines there’ll be a lot of interest in him this summer.
The former Rennes star has been something of a utility player during his time with Los Blancos, filling in in midfield and also occasionally at left-back.
That could make him useful for Liverpool and Arsenal, but he’d perhaps also do well to move somewhere where he’ll be the clear first choice in one position.
It’s not necessarily clear that would happen for him at Anfield or the Emirates Stadium.
Is Eduardo Camavinga good enough?
Camavinga has his qualities, but he doesn’t really look at the moment like he’d be an upgrade on Ryan Gravenberch in that defensive midfield role at LFC.
Meanwhile, it’s also hard to see many players starting over Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi on a regular basis in Mikel Arteta’s side.
Camavinga might be a useful squad player for these teams, but he’ll probably have to step down to a slightly less competitive level if he wants more playing time and a more important role next season.
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The Argentina international is seemingly set to be allowed to leave Spurs as long as the money is right, and there have been plenty of transfer rumours about his situation recently.
Man Utd have been linked with Romero by Marca, while Fabrizio Romano also posted on X to confirm that there were serious chances for him to leave Tottenham this summer, with clubs already calling to enquire about a deal…
??? Cuti Romero has serious chances to leave Tottenham in the summer.
Top clubs have started to call as exit is a possibility despite new deal signed last summer.
Romero could be open to a sale, as Telegraph and TyC Sports reported.
Romano also added that Romero himself would be open to leaving THFC for a new chapter, and there’s now been a further update from Fichajes as Atletico Madrid are linked as his main suitor.
Cristian Romero asking price revealed
The Fichajes report states that Spurs will let Romero go for around €50m (£43.5m), with the north Londoners not prepared to lose such an important player on the cheap.
Atletico Madrid are said to have identified Romero as an ideal target to bolster their defence, and one imagines the 27-year-old could also do a job for United.
The Red Devils already have decent defensive options, though, so it’s not clear yet if it would make sense for them to spend a decent chunk of their budget on Romero.
Where next for Cristian Romero?
It will be interesting to see what happens with Romero this summer, but one imagines Tottenham would prefer to sell him abroad.
Of course, it will also be important to see what happens with Spurs in the next few games, as relegation to the Championship will surely complicate things.
Crystal Palace have received a major update on their manager situation as it seems Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has rejected their offer to replace Oliver Glasner.
Glasner will be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season after announcing earlier in the campaign that he would not be signing a new contract, with his current deal expiring in the summer.
Iraola is another top Premier League manager who’s about to become available, and he’s been one of the names linked with the vacancy at Palace.
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However, Sky Sports now report that the Spanish tactician has turned the job down, in what is likely to be a boost for clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United.
Andoni Iraola snubs Crystal Palace for bigger job?
Iraola has become highly regarded during his time at Bournemouth, even if his side have suffered a slight dip in form in more recent games.
It seems likely that the 43-year-old will have plenty of opportunities once he becomes available this summer, having previously been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd.
LFC, meanwhile, are doing really badly under Arne Slot right now, and that’s put the Dutch tactician under growing pressure ahead of the summer.
For now the word is that the Reds will keep faith in Slot, but if things get any worse between now and May it’s easy to imagine them being tempted to swoop for Iraola instead.
Glasner, meanwhile, has also been linked as an option for the Old Trafford job.
The talented 24-year-old has nine goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season, and looks like he’s surely going to earn himself a big move sooner or later.
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Akliouche has been with Monaco since joining their academy in 2017, playing for their B team before notching up over 130 appearances for their senior side.
According to TEAMtalk, he’s now being eyed up by both Man United and Liverpool this summer after both clubs had scouts monitoring his performances.
Maghnes Akliouche to Liverpool or Manchester United?
We have also seen Akliouche linked with Liverpool in the last few days, with Fichajes claiming the Reds are looking at him as one of their potential options to replace Mohamed Salah.
Still, it seems the Red Devils are also keen on the France international, who could be a useful addition for either club due to his ability to play a variety of roles.
WhoScored note that Akliouche has played as a central attacking midfielder, on the right flank, and even as a striker so far this season.
That could be useful for MUFC as there could soon be the need to replace the ageing Bruno Fernandes, who is approaching the final year of his contract.
Liverpool will also surely hope to be in the mix for Akliouche, not only because of Salah’s imminent exit, but with Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa both being fairly underwhelming with their recent performances.
That’s according to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, which states that Man Utd now look prepared to make a big offer for Gueye by paying the €45m required to get him out of Villarreal.
The Senegal international looks like he could be a good fit for United to replace Casemiro as he nears the end of his contract, and he’d be a lot cheaper than some of the club’s other targets in that position.
Pape Gueye to return to the Premier League?
Gueye has shone in La Liga and doesn’t have any experience of playing in the Premier League, despite briefly being a Watford player.
In a bizarre saga back in 2020, Gueye agreed to join Watford on a free transfer, though he never actually kicked a ball for the club.
As reported by the Daily Mirror at the time, Gueye was sold to Marseille just 17 hours after becoming a Watford player as he immediately changed his mind about his move to Vicarage Road, claiming he’d been badly advised.
Pape Gueye to Manchester United transfer could accelerate
Fichajes now suggests MUFC are really keen on Gueye, and a deal for the 27-year-old could accelerate in the coming weeks.
Now we know the Gunners’ record from those four matches – two wins, against Everton and Leverkusen, followed by two defeats to City and Southampton.
So, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup are gone now, but Arsenal actually extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table by beating Everton while Manchester City could only draw at West Ham.
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What next for Arsenal?
7th April – Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal
While it may only be the first or two legs, so unlikely to be decisive, if Arsenal play as badly as they have in their last two games then it will surely be another defeat. Losing by a single goal wouldn’t be the end of the tie, but Arsenal on current form probably wouldn’t have it in them to come back from a two-goal deficit, and this is a quality Sporting side who shouldn’t be taken for granted.
11th April – Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Arsenal’s first league fixture since the win over Everton, and it looks on paper like a fairly generous one. Even if this Bournemouth side have looked very decent at times this season, they’re currently without a win in their last five games and down in 13th in the table. If Arsenal can’t pick up three points at home in this context then that doesn’t bode at all well for them holding on to their current lead at the top of the table.
15th April – Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon
After this game, Arsenal will either be out of a third competition in the space of just a few weeks and facing a full-blown crisis, or they’ll be heading for the Champions League semi-finals and keeping their double hopes alive. Given the fixture coming up after this one, they’ll want to avoid extra time and avoid feeling like their entire season rests on how they do in the league.
19th April – Manchester City vs Arsenal
The big one. Arsenal were really poor in the Carabao Cup final defeat, and it’s unclear at this stage how that game will affect this one. Before their recent meeting at Wembley, Mikel Arteta boasted a good recent record against Pep Guardiola, albeit not so much at the Etihad Stadium. So, will Arteta learn lessons from that cup final defeat and coax a response from his players, or will that result wreck the team’s confidence and lead to another damaging result?
Arsenal’s season can still be a success
It’s been nervy for Arsenal at times, and the football hasn’t always been pretty, but this is a team that knows how to grind out results, and they could still scrap their way to a successful season.
You’d imagine that once they finally get their hands on a big trophy like the Premier League or the Champions League, there’ll be a new-found confidence flowing at the Emirates Stadium, but for now they just need to do whatever it takes to get points on the board.
And, let’s be clear about this, because there’s been a lot of nonsense of this nature written on social media – even if Arsenal only manage to win the Premier League title this season, that’s still a huge success.
Arsenal were never realistically in the race for a quadruple, which even Pep’s best Man City teams never managed. To measure any success the club has against a fantasy outcome like that is absurd, and the reality will be a first title in 22 years against a City side with far more in the way of resources, and an expensively-assembled Liverpool side everyone was expecting to stroll to the defence of their title.
What do you expect from Arsenal in their next four games and do you still see this as a potentially great season for the club? Let us know in the comments!
Ibrahima Konate is reportedly now expected to stay at Liverpool, with a new contract increasingly considered more likely than a summer exit.
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The France international is coming towards the end of his current deal, making him a free agent this summer, which has led to plenty of speculation over his future in recent months.
However, it now looks like things are heading in a more positive direction, according to L’Equipe, who report that Konate has never been closer to staying at LFC than he looks now.
Ibrahima Konate could be staying at Liverpool after all
With Virgil van Dijk looking past his best at times this season, it’s surely vital for Liverpool to keep Konate as a key figure in their defence.
If the 26-year-old were to leave this summer, it would likely mean the Reds would have to enter the market for two new central defenders.
There are increasingly positive noises about Konate’s future now, though, with the Athletic also reporting that an Anfield stay could be the most likely outcome now.
What Fabrizio Romano told us about Ibrahima Konate
“There are discussions ongoing with the French defender. At the moment there’s still nothing done or agreed, but the conversations are still underway.”
He added: “Let’s see if they can find a financial agreement … The player is open to continuing at Liverpool, but obviously it’s an important contract for his career.”
Romano also mentioned that Real Madrid had cooled their interest in Konate.
Arsenal have been linked with Yan Diomande and my understanding is that they’d have the edge over Liverpool in the race for his signature.
Having reached out to a number of sources close to the situation, I can reveal that Champions League football is considered a must for Diomande when it comes to deciding his future.
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The Ivory Coast international is yet to decide on his future, and he could even sign a new deal with Leipzig, as they remain in contention for Champions League qualification.
Liverpool, by contrast, currently face an uphill battle to get into Europe’s top club competition next season, so could fall behind in the race for Diomande.
Arsenal register interest in Yan Diomande
Liverpool have been strongly linked with Diomande for some time now, but I’m now also aware that the Gunners have registered an interest.
“Arsenal have reached out to those around Diomande to be kept informed over his future,” one source said. “That doesn’t mean a bid or an offer is imminent or definitely going to happen, but it’s a position they’re looking to strengthen and he’s appreciated by their recruitment team.”
“Diomande is Liverpool’s preferred Salah replacement, but the reality is that they’ll struggle to get him without Champions League football, and there is a huge amount of interest from all over Europe, with Arsenal very much in the race,” another source added.
Yan Diomande transfer looks ideal to add spark to stale Arsenal attack
Arsenal have had a strange season as they sit top of the Premier League table without really looking that convincing with their performances, particularly in attack.
Mikel Arteta’s side often get results through a strong defensive set-up and a threat from set-pieces, but someone like Diomande could help turn them into much more of a threat in attack.
The talented 19-year-old has an impressive return of 11 goals and six assists this season, and that could make him an upgrade on the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Yan Diomande
Games
Goals
Assists
RB Leipzig 2025/26
29
11
6
Arsenal fans will hope there will be more emphasis on creativity and flair next season, with Arteta’s tactics this season not really in keeping with the club’s traditions.
AFC were always great entertainers under Arsene Wenger and even if some tactical tweaking has been useful to improve results, there have also been times this season when it looks like it’s cost the team.
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Kofane has impressed in Leverkusen’s first-team this season, and it seems Arsenal are now expected to step up their interest in him, and Falk believes they’re the favourites over Bayern Munich for the moment.
Elsewhere in the report it also states: “Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for the highly rated youngster, although they may prioritise alternative options.”
Christian Kofane transfer eyed by Arsenal and others
See below for a timeline of recent Kofane transfer stories as speculation over the 19-year-old’s future has grown ahead of the summer…
18th March – Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle are linked with an interest in Kofane by Sports Boom.
1st April – Arsenal described as ‘monitoring’ Kofane, while Real Madrid are also mentioned by Florian Plettenberg.
It certainly sounds like the Gunners’ interest is the strongest for the moment, but Kofane is clearly an exciting talent who’s going to be on the radar of a lot of top clubs.
Arsenal would surely benefit from bringing in a top young attacking player this summer after some issues at that end of the pitch this season.
Although Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the Premier League table, they’ve recently been beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton.
Players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus don’t look the same after repeated injury problems, so bringing in Kofane could be ideal to give Arteta a better alternative to Viktor Gyokeres.
Manchester United are reportedly accelerating talks over new contracts for key first-team duo Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire.
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That’s according to Fabrizio Romano on his latest YouTube post, with the Italian journalist confirming the pair will sign “soon”.
It seems Man Utd’s aim is to finalise these deals before the start of the 2026 World Cup, so that could be some important business completed by the club by the end of this season.
Fabrizio Romano provides Manchester United contract update
“Let me start by mentioning that Manchester United with Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo returning from the national team are now prepared to accelerate and formally close both new contracts for the players before the World Cup.
“So this is the mission before the end of the season – sign everything with Kobbie Mainoo 2031 and with Harry Maguire to extend the contract for one more season, 2027 plus option 2028 club option.
“So the negotiation is already very advanced with Kobbie Mainoo is almost done, with Maguire who will sign soon and so Man United plan to announce everything before the end of the season.
“This is the club’s wish now working with the lawyers of the players with the camp of the players to sort everything but advancing very well for both Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire to be important parts of Manchester United project, not just this season but also for the future.”
How Mainoo and Maguire revived their Man United careers
This is positive news for United fans, and it’s an impressive achievement for both Mainoo and Maguire after they’d previously fallen out of favour.
Mainoo was barely playing for MUFC earlier this season while Ruben Amorim was in charge, but he’s shone since returning to the team under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Maguire, meanwhile, was widely seen as a flop at Old Trafford a couple of years ago, but he’s remained professional and worked hard to re-establish himself as a first-team regular.
Keeping both players on new deals looks like important business for United to help their preparations for next season and beyond.
Chelsea are reportedly in control over Valentin Barco’s future as he looks ready to complete a transfer to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The talented young Argentine is said to have given his green light to joining the Blues from Strasbourg, who are under the same ownership.
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It looks like this is all heading in a positive direction for Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on the saga on his YouTube channel.
We’ve also previously reported on Chelsea’s interest in Barco, with the west London giants competing with the likes of Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid for the 21-year-old’s signature.
Fabrizio Romano on Valentin Barco to Chelsea transfer
“Chelsea have total control on the Barco situation,” Romano said.
“Same ownership as Chelsea, but Valentin Barco is a player that Chelsea already have in their list for season 26-27.
“So for this summer, what I can tell you is that Valentin Barco together with his agents already gave his green light on leaving eventually Strasburg in the summer transfer window and joining Chelsea.
“Barco is okay with that. Barco is ready to make his move to Chelsea. Now obviously club to club is the same ownership, so it’s not going to be any issue.
“It’s still not done sealed, but Chelsea intention is to control the Barco situation and to consider Valentin Barco as one of the first signings for a season 26-27.”
Barco has mostly played as a defensive midfielder for Strasbourg, and is a player that manager Liam Rosenior will know well.
He can also operate as a full-back if required, so that’s surely someone who’ll be useful for CFC over the course of a long and challenging season.
Valentin Barco
TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee
****
Performance
***
Achievements
**
Career phase
****
Squad need
****
For that reason, as well as his likely low asking price due to Chelsea’s connections with Strasbourg, we’ve scored this a high-medium 17/25 with our Transfer Fit rating system – click here to read more about how these are calculated.
Chelsea were notably close to signing Jules Kounde during his time at Sevilla back in 2021, only for him to join Barcelona instead.
However, the Blues are now on alert for Kounde again as it looks like he could be made available for the right price this summer, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.
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My understanding is that Chelsea are now ready to try an “aggressive” push for the France international’s signature, though other clubs could also get involved.
Jules Kounde to add more experience to Chelsea defence?
Despite Chelsea’s current owners prioritising investing in elite young players, there is some degree of openness to adding a bit more experience to their squad this summer.
I’ve previously mentioned that Chelsea view Harry Maguire as an option in that position as he nears the end of his contract, and Kounde is another who could come in and offer something that the west Londoners have sorely missed since Thiago Silva’s departure.
“Chelsea still have faith in their transfer policy and are expected to stick with it,” one source in the industry told me. “But they’re open to adding more experience if the opportunity arises, and Kounde is someone they’ve been interested in for a long time. They’re aware he could leave Barcelona this summer and are preparing an aggressive approach to lure him to Stamford Bridge.”
Jules Kounde transfer won’t come cheap
This deal is far from straightforward, however, as some sources I’ve spoken to have also indicated that Kounde himself is not desperate to leave Barca.
Their asking price for the 27-year-old could also be pretty high, with his valuation in the region of £65-70m.
That could be an important sale for Barcelona to help them with their current financial issues, but Chelsea and other clubs would likely look to strike a deal for well below that, or else explore options elsewhere.
Kounde is not getting any younger, so probably doesn’t have much resale value at this stage in his career, while his salary is also expected to be high, perhaps around €18m a year.
There are a lot of moving parts here, but Chelsea’s strong interest and Barcelona’s desire to sell makes this an intriguing saga to keep an eye on this summer.
Arsenal fans may be interested to hear that Fabrizio Romano rates the chances of Castello Lukeba leaving RB Leipzig at around 80-90% likely this summer.
The talented 23-year-old has impressed in his time in the Bundesliga and it makes sense that he’s now seen as someone Leipzig could cash in on.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano says it now looks very likely that Lukeba will be moving on this summer, though he did not name a specific club the Frenchman could be joining.
A recent report from L’Equipe stated that Arsenal were in initial discussions over signing Lukeba, so that could be one to watch out for in the weeks and months ahead.
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Fabrizio Romano on Castello Lukeba transfer
“There is a lot of interest in Castello Lukeba,” Romano said.
“The release clause is around €80m but the player can leave for less than this in this summer’s transfer window. So there are several clubs following the situation.
“For Lukeba it’s close to 80-90% the possibility to see him leaving already in this 2026 summer transfer window. There will be movement for the player for sure.”
Do Arsenal need Castello Lukeba?
Lukeba is a fine player at a good phase of his career, and it seems like he wouldn’t cost a fortune.
However, do Arsenal really need another centre-back? It’s perhaps hard to see Lukeba getting much playing time due to the presence of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, while Cristhian Mosquera is a solid backup and Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber can also fill in in that position.
Luka Vuskovic says he will be back at Tottenham this summer after his successful loan spell with Bundesliga side Hamburg this season.
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The 19-year-old has been hugely impressive during his loan spell in Germany and it’s led to interest from a host of top clubs.
We recently reported on Chelsea being keen on Vuskovic, though the deal could be problematic due to his market valuation of around £86m.
Liverpool have also been linked with the Croatian wonderkid by Sport Bild, and it certainly seems like it could be tricky for Spurs to keep hold of such an elite prospect, especially if they get relegated.
Luka Vuskovic planning Tottenham return
Still, one positive for now is that Vuskovic himself has hinted he’ll be coming back to Tottenham to be part of their squad next season.
It may be that the teenager doesn’t want to fuel speculation too much and is simply commenting on the fact that his current loan will be coming to an end, but it also perhaps at least suggests some openness to being involved with this Spurs team.
“In football, you never know,” Vuskovic said, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
“It could happen next year, or in ten years. I don’t want to promise anyone anything.
“After this season, I’ll be a Tottenham player again. I have a contract there until 2030.”
Luka Vuskovic return could be a big boost for Spurs
After such a terrible season at THFC, it would certainly be a major boost if they could welcome such a top young defender into their ranks for the next campaign.
For now, new manager Roberto De Zerbi urgently needs to focus on keeping Spurs up in their final few fixtures, but if they do that then they should be capable of rebuilding and perhaps challenging for the top four again.
Vuskovic could be a key part of that, but he’d also surely be tempted by an opportunity like Chelsea, with the Blues building around young players and looking like being able to offer some form of European football next season.
See below for details as Romano provides this update, while Florian Plettenberg has recently stated that Diomande’s current asking price is around €100m…
? RB Leipzig are discussing new deal with Yan Diomandé new agents to try keep him at the club for one more season.
Increased salary, longer contract… and a release clause being considered. ?
Diomandé will decide also based on bids this summer.
Diomande faces an important summer as he’ll no doubt be tempted to jump at the chance to join a big club like Liverpool.
The Reds need a long-term replacement for departing club legend Mohamed Salah, so this could be a signing that suits everyone.
At the same time, however, Diomande needs to be careful not to rush into a big move too soon, and it could be that staying at Leipzig for a bit longer would be the best thing for his development.
Leipzig have often sold their star players for big money, so one imagines Diomande won’t be there for the long term, but one more season could be better for him to gain a bit more experience before the challenge of replacing someone like Salah at Liverpool.
Yan Diomande
Games
Goals
Assists
RB Leipzig 2025/26
29
11
6
It would be exciting to see Diomande in the Premier League at some point, but if Liverpool don’t get him this summer then it will surely only become a more competitive race for his signature in future.
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The Brazil international is coming towards the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, leading to intermediaries sounding out potential suitors.
That’s according to TEAMtalk, who name Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich as the teams approached.
The report suggests there has been a major development in Vinicius’ contract talks with Real Madrid as there’s no agreement reached so far, and no sign of the Spanish giants improving their offer.
Vinicius Junior exploring transfer options
While TEAMtalk also state that Vinicius has not necessarily indicated that he wants to leave Real Madrid, it seems intermediaries are exploring other options for him.
Los Blancos also won’t want to lose the 25-year-old on a free transfer next summer, so that could mean they’ll be open to cashing in on him now if a big enough offer comes in.
It remains to be seen if the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool would sign Vinicius due to his high wage demands, though he is undoubtedly up there with the best players in world football.
Should Arsenal and Liverpool try signing Vinicius Junior?
Vinicius has 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this season, once again showing that he’s an elite attacking talent who can influence big games.
Arsenal certainly need someone like that on their left-hand side after the inconsistent performances of players like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in that department.
Onana has shone at Villa Park and could be a good option for Man Utd, with Villa’s ongoing financial issues perhaps meaning they’ll have to sell the Belgium international.
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Football Insider have previously reported on United eyeing Onana and they have now quoted former Premier League scout Mick Brown as providing further insight into the situation.
Amadou Onana could leave Aston Villa
Villa have been tipped to be under pressure to accept “huge” bids for Onana, so that could be a boost for MUFC as they look for new signings in the middle of the park.
It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old will be one of United’s priorities in that position, but Brown also noted that the player himself has previously hinted he could look for a big move to further his career.
“They (Villa) don’t have the room to spend money unless they sell players, we’re told, so then of course the talk is about which players could leave,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Onana is one who I wouldn’t be surprised to see go. If a huge offer came in for him from a top club, Villa might see him as somebody they can cash in on.
“He hinted at it before in an interview, suggested he could leave for a bigger club, so if that opportunity comes up now then it could happen.
“Unai Emery, ideally, wouldn’t be losing any of his best players because he wants to build on the success they’ve had, but it’s difficult with their finances.”
Onana has been a solid performer for Villa, and previously also impressed during his time at Everton.
Proven in the Premier League, and still not at the peak years of his career, this seems like a pretty sensible signing for United, though they could probably do better given his likely cost…
The talented 22-year-old has impressed during his time in the Saudi Pro League, with a record of 44 goals in 69 games.
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Leonardo’s performances have seemingly caught the eye of clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham, according to a recent report from Sports Boom, and it could be that there’ll be a chance for a swap deal.
According to Give Me Sport, this could be a deal that satisfies all parties, as Salah could finally get his long-mooted move to Saudi Arabia by joining Al Hilal, with Leonardo moving in the opposite direction.
One issue with Mohamed Salah swap transfer talk…
It is worth noting, however, that the expectation for the moment is that Salah will leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer.
Although the Egypt international has another year left on his contract, Ben Jacobs previously reported that an agreement was in place for him to leave on a free a year before that deal comes to an end…
? Mo Salah will leave Liverpool on a free transfer. Parties came to an agreement over a termination in a similar manner to the exit the club negotiated with Jurgen Klopp when he decided to leave #LFC. pic.twitter.com/sVyChqoW4Y
This means LFC can’t use Salah in a swap deal, as he’ll no longer be their player this summer, unless of course the Reds go back on this agreement.
Still, perhaps a more informal kind of deal could be agreed, with Salah heading to Al Hilal and Liverpool using that as leverage in any talks over Leonardo.
Is Marcos Leonardo good enough for Liverpool?
Leonardo looks like an impressive young player, but it’s also worth noting that his experience in the Saudi Pro League alone won’t prepare him for Premier League football.
The Brazilian’s only previous experience in Europe was with Benfica, and he only scored 8 goals in 24 games there, so Arne Slot will perhaps be looking for some more proven when it comes to replacing a legendary figure like Salah.
Marcos Leonardo
TOTAL SCORE: 12/25
Transfer fee
**
Performance
**
Achievements
*
Career phase
****
Squad need
***
We’ve given Leonardo a low-ish medium score with our Transfer Fit rating system, as he meets certain criteria, but not others.
His recent form is good, but with the caveat that it’s only in the Saudi Pro League, while his career achievements aren’t much to write home about at this stage.
Still, Liverpool need attacking players and he probably wouldn’t cost a fortune, and is at an age where he can improve a lot in the next few years.
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Watch below as Guardiola paid tribute to Rodri as an “incredible” player, but also told him in no uncertain terms to knock on the door of the club’s sporting director if he wants them to sort out his sale…
?? Pep Guardiola has sent a CLEAR message to Rodri – if you want to leave, you have to leave! ? pic.twitter.com/j9J2txlp5I
What Fabrizio Romano has said about Rodri transfer situation
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano provided his insight into the Rodri situation, which sounds like it’s still fairly open.
The 29-year-old has been discussed as a target for Real, but City have also offered him a new contract as they’d ideally like him to stay.
“The key point here is that Rodri in this moment, then we never know in football, but in this moment has two ways to decide whether he wants to stay at Manchester City and also eventually sign a new contract if he wants, or plan for a move away from Man City,” Romano said.
“So his statements about Real Madrid were quite strong. Obviously the appreciation from Real Madrid is there. So for sure Real Madrid internally are discussing about Rodri and is an option for Real Madrid. But at the moment there is still no bid, no direct club to club talks for Rodri.
“But what’s the point? Rodri from what I understand already has a new contract proposal into his hands from Manchester City. So Man City are offering a new contract to Rodri and they are prepared to give him an important salary.”
Romano added that Rodri would now have to decide whether to stay for one more year, stay and sign a new deal, or leave for the Bernabeu.
Given how important Rodri has been to City down the years, they’ll surely want to avoid his departure this summer, with the club already struggling since Kevin De Bruyne’s exit last year, while Bernardo Silva and John Stones are set to be out of contract at the end of this campaign.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has reportedly given his agent the clear instruction of getting him a dream transfer to Real Madrid.
The Argentina international feels ready for a new challenge and the coming weeks could be crucial to determining his future, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
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Of course, it wouldn’t exactly be ideal for Liverpool, but there’s perhaps also an argument that Mac Allister’s form has gone a little downhill this season, so he could be replaced.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Fernandez, who has been suspended by Liam Rosenior for Chelsea’s next two games, perhaps hinting that his time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.
Still, CFC also invested a lot in the former Benfica man, so surely won’t be too keen to let him go for anything other than huge money.
That could make Mac Allister the more realistic option for Los Blancos.
Could Liverpool replace Alexis Mac Allister?
LFC might do well to change things around in midfield this summer after a disappointing campaign, with Mac Allister not exactly looking like someone who’d be totally irreplaceable.
The 27-year-old was recently linked with Real in a potential swap deal that could bring Eduardo Camavinga to Anfield, as per Fichajes.
That could be smart business by Liverpool if they pull it off, with Camavinga offering more of a physical presence and more defensive discipline in that position, whilst also being younger, with the potential to keep on improving in the next few years.
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On top of that, the Spanish tactician addressed the situation with Madueke, who did play for England but who had to go off with what looked like a bad problem.
Still, as quoted by the Evening Standard, Arteta now says it looks like it will only be a minor issue for Madueke, with the Gunners boss describing it as “really good news”.
Mikel Arteta on Noni Madueke injury
“It looked really bad. Noni was really worried, especially after what happened in his other knee a few weeks out and he was out for six weeks. But no, it’s nowhere near that injury. That was really good news,” Arteta said.
The 24-year-old should now have a role to play for Arsenal towards the end of this season as they chase the Premier League title, Champions League, and FA Cup.
Arteta on other Arsenal injuries
Arteta also spoke somewhat cryptically about Arsenal’s other injuries, simply stating that the club have a good relationship with the national teams.
It seems like some AFC players might have pulled out in order to rest for the run-in, but Arteta didn’t confirm or deny that.
“We have very good relationships and communication with most of the national teams,” Arteta said.
He added: “In the end there was a medical decision that has to be made. It was clear what the conclusion was.
“When a player is fit and available, he has to play. It makes us very proud that we have that many players in the national team and the players are desperate to play with the national team.
“We are fully supportive of that. When we can do it, we do it.”
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