Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of top quality to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s ranks, ahead of another Premier League title challenge.
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The Gunners, amid their ongoing talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, which could be done fairly soon after the player agreed personal terms, are also attempting to bolster other positions in the attacking third.
Gyokeres could be joined by Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, with the England international, like Gyokeres, also already agreeing his contractual package.
Interestingly, and what is a very exciting prospect for Arsenal supporters, a move for Madueke or any other left-wing target is independent of their potential deal for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze.
The £100,000-per-week star has reportedly held “positive talks” over joining Arsenal (ESPN), and some reports suggest that Berta is determined to sign Eze. Journalist Rahman Osman also reported in The Sun earlier this week that Berta could offer Palace an “emerging star” as a makeweight to sweeten talks for Eze, but the Eagles are holding out for his £68 million release clause.
Football Transfers provided another update on the ongoing saga this morning.
Berta to hold Wednesday talks with Crystal Palace over signing Eze
The outlet states that Berta will personally hold “Wednesday” talks with Palace over signing Eze, with club-to-club talks seemingly poised to take place today.
Football Transfers relay that Eze wants to join Arsenal, and these negotiations will apparently be centered around how Arsenal would structure the payments of Eze’s release clause, so it appears the north Londoners could steadily be giving in to Palace’s demands.
Not much else is said with regard to the 27-year-old, but Berta is showing no sign of slowing down in his pursuit of Eze, so this could be one to watch in the coming days.
The former QPR star could make a sensational return to the Emirates, 14 years after he was released by the Arsenal academy, and it is clear as day why Berta is reportedly very keen to strike a homecoming.
Eze bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Palace last season – scoring the FA Cup-final winning goal against Man City to end their history-long wait for a major trophy – and 2024/2025 was by no means his only heroic campaign at Selhurst Park.
Sky Sports report that the attacking midfielder would come in to complement Martin Odegaard, but Eze’s versatility means he’s capable of reinforcing Arteta’s wise areas too.
Manchester United now have a “dark horse” candidate in their quest to sign a new striker, potentially turning to hijack a player who has spoken to Arsenal on multiple occasions this year.
Man Utd want Mbeumo through the door before new striker
It’s been a while since the Red Devils wrapped up the transfer of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the hope would have been that they had secured a deal for Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo by now as well. However, United have been unable to reach an agreement with their fellow Premier League side, seeing one bid already turned down.
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The Cameroon international is still seen as a likely arrival at Old Trafford, but the time it has taken to work on the transfer has probably gone on longer than many at United expected, with Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham complicating matters.
But this week there could finally be some good news for the Premier League side. That is because, according to journalist Rudy Galetti, Man United have agreed personal terms with Mbeumo and are now willing to pay £63 million to get a deal done.
The 25-year-old netted 20 goals in the Premier League last season, and his impending arrival at Old Trafford is expected to see him join Cunha as United’s two new number 10s in Ruben Amorim’s system.
Attention will then turn to finding the right number nine to play in front of the pair, with neither of Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee expected to be the man to lead the line.
Man Utd keen on signing £40m star Ollie Watkins
According to a report from Spain, Man United are considering a move to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa this summer, and he has become the “dark horse” target in their race for a new centre forward.
The Red Devils see Watkins as a ‘reliable alternative’ who may not cost as much as other forwards who have been linked with a move to Old Trafford. He is under contract until 2028, but Villa’s PSR complications will force them to sell at least one key player this summer.
It isn’t a straightforward deal for United to complete however, as it’s already been reported that Arsenal have held talks with Watkins, who has been dubbed “the best striker in the world” by analyst Raj Chohan, both in January and again this summer.
Watkins emerging as a target for United also comes as the Red Devils are working on a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Watkins
Ekitike
Apps
38
33
Starts
31
31
Goals
16
15
Assists
8
8
xG
15.3
21.6
Goals per 90
0.55
0.53
Shots per 90
2.84
4.00
Goals per shot
0.17
0.12
It’s been claimed that United have held talks with the representatives of the Frenchman over a move to Old Trafford, and a formal bid is expected to arrive soon. However, it’s been well publicised that he could cost as much as £85 million, so Watkins is seen as a cheaper option, as he is valued at around £40 million by the Villans.
This summer has been a testing one for Arsenal fans so far.
Unlike Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, the North Londoners are yet to confirm a single signing, with the one positive piece of news coming out recently being that of Gabriel Magalhaes’ contract renewal.
Moreover, following reports from Fabrizio Romano, it looks like there is a real chance that Thomas Partey could be the latest player to leave for free this summer, following fellow midfielder Jorginho.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetareacts
Fortunately, the club seem incredibly close to securing the services of Martin Zubimendi, and if reports are to be believed, they are looking to sign another international star who’d be an even more exciting acquisition.
Arsenal's next transfer after Zubimendi
After months of speculation following Sami Mokbel’s initial exclusive around Zubimendi’s move to Arsenal back in January and the countless times it looked like he might be heading elsewhere since then, Romano helped to reassure fans on Friday evening by confirming that the Spaniard’s £55m move to the club was signed.
The Real Sociedad ace, who has long been a target for top sides from Liverpool to Real Madrid, will add some real quality to the middle of the park for the Gunners’ and if his performances for Spain are anything to go by, he is more than just a defensive midfielder.
However, given how long we’ve known about this potential deal and the fact he is, first and foremost, a six, it’s easy to understand why the excitement might not necessarily be there for some fans. After all, the North Londoners’ biggest problem this season was scoring goals.
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So, there’s a hope and an expectation that the next player the club focuses on will be an out-and-out attacker, potentially someone like Rodrygo.
The good news is that that may be what happens, according to a recent report from The Mirror.
The story has revealed that while a deal may take some time to happen this summer, the Gunners’ interest in the Real Madrid star is ‘genuine.’
Moreover, while he won’t come cheap, the report claims that a fee in the region of £70m may be enough to tempt Los Blancos into selling.
While that is still a lot of money, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Arsenal, and as he’d be a far more exciting signing than Zubimendi, this is a deal they should be pushing for.
Why Rodrygo would be a more exciting signing than Zubimendi
Well, simply put, while Zubimendi might be able to have just as much of an impact on the team’s performances from the base of midfield, Rodrygo would be a more exciting signing because attackers are what get people on their feet.
It might sound terribly reductionist, and we are sure there are a few purists who prefer to watch a defensive midfielder, but when it comes down to it, the vast majority of fans want to see goals, and with the Real Madrid gem, that’s what they’d get.
Since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 104 appearances, totalling 7,202 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 138.5 minutes over a two-year period.
Appearances
52
52
Minutes
3777′
3425′
Goals
18
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.51
0.48
Minutes per Goal Involvement
139.88′
137′
What makes those numbers all the more impressive is that for most of the last two campaigns, the Brazilian international has been forced to play out on the right or up top, and while he can evidently still do that to great effect, he is primarily a left-winger, so just imagine how good he could be in his natural position.
However, perhaps just after goals, the next most exciting thing to see on a football pitch is a winger who runs at, takes on and beats his opposing defender, which is a skill the former Santos gem has in spades.
According to FBref, he sat in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers for carries into the final third in La Liga this season, the top 12% for carries into the penalty area and the top 15% for successful take-ons, all per 90.
Those stats help to show that not only is the 24-year-old an incredibly positive runner with the ball and someone who can spearhead attacks, but he also possesses the ability to get past full-backs and centre-backs.
For comparison’s sake, Gabriel Martinelli sits in the bottom 42% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for successful take-ons per 90, so fans would notice a big improvement on the left in that regard.
Ultimately, Zubimendi looks like a great signing for Arsenal and someone who can help them control games next season, but due to his output, tenacity and ability on the ball, Rodrygo would be a far more exciting addition to the team.
A bigger star than Zubimendi: Arsenal make approach to sign £50m midfielder
The midfield monster would be a game-changer for Arsenal.
After winning the Premier League title in the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool have demonstrated no signs of slowing down their ambitions of being a powerhouse once again next season.
The Reds claimed the title by 10 points, losing just four games out of their 38, with two of which coming after they had already secured top spot in Arne Slot’s first season.
It was a year to remember for the club, reaching the next level under the Dutchman, subsequently doing so with only one senior addition during last summer’s window.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotcelebrates after winning the Premier League
However, this time around, it appears the board have massively backed the manager with funds in his quest to retain the title during the 2025/26 campaign.
Jeremie Frimpong has already been announced as a Reds player, with Milos Kerkez appearing next on their list, but their business doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
The latest on Liverpool’s for new additions this summer
Over recent weeks, a striker has emerged as a key target for Slot, as he looks to land a new talisman to hand him that added clinical edge within the front three at Anfield.
The likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké and Viktor Gyokeres have all been mentioned as potential targets, but up until now, none of which appear to be edging closer to a move to Merseyside.
Ekitike and Isak
However, other areas of the pitch are in need of investment, with midfielder Adam Wharton emerging on their radar in recent days, according to journalist Francois Plateau.
He claims that the Reds have made contact with the representatives of the Crystal Palace star, and are set to explore a deal for the 21-year-old.
Plateau also confirmed that Slot’s men aren’t prepared to meet the current £60m price tag on his shoulders, which could lead to negotiations over a move for the England international.
Why Wharton would be a better signing than Wirtz for Liverpool
Liverpool fans have been handed another reason to be excited in recent days, after the club agreed a staggering £116.5m deal with Bayer Leverkusen for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
The 22-year-old registered 22 combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, with Slot’s side appearing to win the race for his signature after rejecting Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Whilst such a deal looks set to cost the board a pretty penny, it’s one that would add a different dimension to the squad and has the potential to set them up for success in the immediate and long-term.
His record throughout 2024/25 would hand other attackers to bolster their own tallies, making the Reds an even bigger force to be reckoned with during Slot’s second campaign at the helm.
However, Wharton could prove to be a better signing than the German. While Wirtz will have to rival Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai for a place in the side, the Reds have long missed a holding midfield player, notably trying to sign the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia since Fabinho’s departure.
At long, long last, Wharton could be the man to transform the Liverpool XI even more than Wirtz could. Indeed, when comparing his stats to those of current midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, he’s managed to outperform them in key areas, further showcasing why he’d be a massive addition for the club.
The 21-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, has managed to complete more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes – having the ability in possession to aid the attackers ahead of him.
Games played
20
37
35
Goals & assists
2
4
10
Progressive passes
7.3
5.1
6.1
Key passes
1.8
0.7
1.5
Passes into final third
5.3
4.3
4.2
Interceptions made
1.7
1.4
0.7
Clearances made
1.9
1.6
1
Recoveries made
7
5.5
5.1
Wharton has also managed to thrive defensively, making more interceptions than the aforementioned duo, whilst making more recoveries – subsequently offering Slot an added presence at both ends of the pitch.
At just 21, to be outperforming the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch is no mean feat, highlighting how impressive he’s been in England’s top flight and having the time to improve further given his tender age.
Should he continue on his current trajectory, he has the potential to be one of the best deep-lying options in world football, with his rumoured price tag at present still an excellent price.
No doubt all the focus and hype is on Wirtz given his English record transfer, but Slot could trump such a move by plotting a move for Wharton – allowing the pair to lead the club to many titles in the years ahead.
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Liverpool may need to sign a centre-back this summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have turned their attention towards the summer window and now have a versatile star on their radar that could be available for a modest fee, according to a report.
Wolverhampton Wanderers enter life without Matheus Cunha
Vitor Pereira deserves immense credit for preserving Wolves’ top-flight status since arriving at Molineux. However, the 56-year-old will be the first to admit that their successful survival mission wouldn’t have been possible without Matheus Cunha.
The Brazil international netted 15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, all from open play, which will heighten the importance of finding a replacement for the classy forward amid his £62.5 million move to Manchester United.
Wolverhampton Wanderers'MatheusCunhacelebrates
In the midst of their hunt for reinforcements, Wolves are considering bringing former Al Shabab sporting director Domenico Teti to Molineux as part of a shake-up in their recruitment department.
Matt Hobbs has left the club and talks are underway to secure the 48-year-old as their new technical director. He has also occupied roles at Verona, Sampdoria, Lugano and Apoel Nicosia and would arrive with a vast knowledge of European and Asian markets.
Old Gold full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri appears set for a move to Manchester City, leading Wolves to pursue Brondby youngster Clement Bischoff as a direct successor due to his versatility across the left flank.
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Despite avoiding the drop, the summer window will be one of change for Pereira’s men. Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss is also on their radar; nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the landscape lies when it comes to new faces in the West Midlands.
Now, another exciting figure who could help replace Cunha’s end product has come to the attention of the Wolves hierarchy, per recent reports.
Wolves battling to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche
According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Wolves are in a three-way battle to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche, who can also feature as a second striker or centre-forward.
Leeds United and Brentford are also keen on the Nigeria international – he has a release clause in his current deal at the La Liga side that can be triggered for £21 million this summer.
Christantus Uche’s statistics at Getafe – La Liga (Sofascore)
Shots per game
1.5
Tackles per game
1.1
Goalscoring frequency
625 minutes
Big chances created
7
Key passes per game
0.9
Dubbed “fabulous” by boss Jose Bordelas, the 22-year-old registered four goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this term.
Earning international recognition for the first time this year, Uche is clearly a rising star and has previously been tracked by Chelsea due to his progress.
Cunha’s departure may mean that more than one solution is required to replicate his influence at Molinuex, but Wolves supporters can take solace from the fact that they are already scoping out the market for quality reinforcements.
With Emiliano Martinez seemingly bidding a tearful farewell to Villa Park last week, Aston Villa have reportedly been given the green light to sign a Premier League-winning shot-stopper.
Aston Villa's goalkeeper search continues
All signs are pointing towards the end for Aston Villa and Martinez after he was pictured saying an emotional goodbye to the home fans following victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Unai Emery also failed to rule out an exit for the goalkeeper to only add to the belief that the Argentine will be playing his football elsewhere next season.
The Villa boss told reporters: “We will see. Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”
Ever since that potential goodbye, the rumours have been circling. Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have already been linked with moves for Martinez, whilst Villa themselves have set their sights on replacing their No.1.
Names such as Lucas Chevalier have already been mentioned in what would certainly be an excellent move for both the LOSC Lille star and those at Villa Park. One of the most promising young goalkeepers around, the big question will be whether the Villans can win the race for his signature.
Lucas Chevalier for Lille.
Meanwhile, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia is also a name that has been in the headlines as of late. The talented goalkeeper, like Chevalier, has been fantastic this season and is one of only a few options who could seamlessly replace Martinez in the Midlands.
Amid competition for both of those players, however, Villa may yet turn to an option far closer to home amid reports that they’ve been handed a major boost in pursuit of a Premier League-winning goalkeeper ahead of the summer window.
Aston Villa receive green light to sign Kelleher
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have now been given the green light to sign Caoimhin Kelleher by his current club, Liverpool. The Reds have Giorgi Mamardashvili on his way and already have Alisson Becker to call on, meaning that the door has swung open for Kelleher to depart.
Already thought to be high on Villa’s list of targets, the Irishman will leave Merseyside somewhat of a cult hero, having often stepped up in place of Alisson amid his injury issues, and particularly starred whenever given the opportunity to feature in a number of Wembley finals.
However, he is now ready to become an undisputed No 1, with the latest claims suggesting that Liverpool “will accept the right offer” for Kelleher should one come forward.
Starts
10
36
Saves per 90
2.40
2.60
Save percentage
67.6%
67.9%
Clean sheets
4
8
When compared, it’s clear that the Liverpool man would not be a significant downgrade on Martinez. In fact, at 26 years old, there’s an argument to be made that Kelleher could yet become better than the Argentine shot-stopper if he pushes on from here in the coming years.
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He’s a rising star.
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Dubbed “fantastic” by Premier League legend David Seaman following last season’s Carabao Cup final display, Kelleher has been ready to take hold of the opportunity that Aston Villa may hand him for some time.
Already pursuing deals to sign Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap, Manchester United and INEOS have now reportedly submitted an opening bid to sign another Premier League talent.
Man Utd's attacking rebuild
Attack is often the best form of defence and if Ruben Amorim is to turn his Manchester United spell around before the pressure increases, it seems as though Manchester United must old saying to the test. Already, the Red Devils are reportedly advancing in deals to sign both Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Delap from Ipswich Town, but they may not be done there.
The two forwards should have an immediate impact on a struggling side at Old Trafford, who are set to end the Premier League campaign without back-to-back wins for the first time in the club’s history in a record that Amorim would have been desperate to avoid.
A big reason for that record has been Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to leave their marks when given the opportunity and both could now be heading for departures in ruthless fashion.
When compared with Delap and Cunha throughout the current campaign, it’s clear to see why the Red Devils are eyeing such an attacking overhaul, however.
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They could be the future of Amorim’s midfield.
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Delap, in a relegated Ipswich side, has clawed his way to 12 Premier League goals, whilst Cunha has been the star of the show at Wolves – scoring 15 league goals. Meanwhile, by some contrast, Hojlund and Zirkzee have managed a combined total of seven Premier League goals.
That said, INEOS may not stop after securing two fresh faces. Instead, reports are indicating that they’re pushing on to secure another Premier League star this summer.
Man Utd submit £55m offer to sign Mbeumo
According to reports in Spain, INEOS and Manchester United have now submitted a €65m (£55m) bid to sign Bryan Mbeumo for Amorim. Like Delap and Cunha, the Brentford star would be an instant upgrade on the current options at Old Trafford and could finally form a front three capable of matching Bruno Fernandes’ quality behind them.
Starts
36
22
14
Goals
18
4
3
Assists
7
0
1
Expected Goals
11
5.2
4.8
Scoring over double Hojlund and Zirkzee’s combined tally this season, it’s no surprise that Mbeumo has found himself at the centre of Thomas Frank’s praise.
The Brentford boss spoke about the form of both the Manchester United target and his strike partner Yoanne Wissa after both scored in an impressive victory against Brighton & Hove Albion last month, telling reporters: “That’s an incredible achievement from the two of them.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
“All praise due the two of them for the hard work, how much they push, and then of course to my staff, and then I think a little bit to the way we play.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has suggested that he would like to extend his Everton contract, which is due to expire this summer, in comments which pertained to the excitement surrounding David Moyes’ budding project. BBC Sport report that a new deal is in the pipeline.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Injury-prone and inconsistent this season, some will feel the £100k-per-week star should depart, but keeping him on the books would lessen the urgency for a new number nine.
Thus allowing for signings across other areas, signing one new striker instead of two. It means Everton could move for their next Iliman Ndiaye, a player who has been nothing short of a revelation for the Toffees this term.
Iliman Ndiaye will be the key for Moyes
Ndiaye has proved this season that Everton do have the players to become a high-level attacking force while still being rooted in Moyes’ core defensive principles.
Everton star Iliman Ndiaye
Joining from Marseille in a deal worth £15m last summer, the Senegal international has scored nine goals across 34 Everton appearances, a shining light for Dyche and one of the driving forces behind the Moyes-led resurgence, scoring three in a row before being unfortunately injured in February’s Merseyside derby.
He’s quite the player, this 25-year-old left winger, all electric pace and frightening directness, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp hailing him for his “dynamite” ability earlier in the campaign.
Matches (starts)
30 (27)
Goals
7
Assists
0
Shots (on target)*
1.1 (0.5)
Big chances missed
3
Pass completion
84%
Key passes*
0.6
Dribbles*
2.1
Tackles + interceptions*
2.2
Duels won*
5.5
It would take some beating to secure a signing capable of topping Ndiaye this summer, but The Friedkin Group are the harbingers of a new era, and they might just have their sights set on a real force.
Everton could seal their best signing since Ndiaye
Earlier this week, Football Insider revealed that Everton will explore the possibility of signing Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United this summer, though a deal will likely hinge on whether the Blades qualify for the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.
Hamer, who last week was named the Championship’s Player of the Season, joined United from Coventry City in a £15m deal in 2023 and has since made 81 appearances, notching 29 goal contributions, with his technical quality and tireless work rate setting him apart from his positional rivals in England’s second tier.
This season, he’s been a fearsome presence off the left flank of Chris Wilder’s system, with journalist Ryan Dilks even going as far as to call him a “creative genius.”
Shifting beteen the left lane and a more central creative berth for his outfit this season, Hamer ranks among the top 20% of positional peers in the Championship for goal involvements, the top 6% for passes attempted, the top 1% for progressive passes and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, underscoring his value as a high-class playmaker.
Given that he demonstrated his ability to thrive in England’s highest tier last year – and in an imperilled Blades team at that – by clinching ten goal contributions, creating 11 big chances and averaging 4.4 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore, there’s every chance that the 27-year-old could rival Ndiaye for that left-sided berth and potentially even elevate his game to the next level.
Gustavo Hamer for Sheffield United.
His playmaking prowess seems tailor-made for the success of a player like Ndiaye, and Calvert-Lewin, for that matter. It would be a fantastic signing and the perfect way for TFG to show to Moyes and the Blues fanbase that this new chapter could be one to remember.
The next Barkley: Everton considering move for "unbelievable" £15m star
David Moyes is looking to overhaul his Everton squad this summer.
Amid a sea of red celebration at Anfield on Sunday, the cameras panned for a moment on Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, locked in conversation.
Have the conversations relating to improvements already begun? What, indeed, do these discussions pertain to? Are Liverpool now focusing on the additions which will surely rain down on this incredible Reds squad, which has been so dominant in the Premier League yet clearly needs reinforcing across a range of positions?
With Darwin Nunez expected to leave at the end of the season, much has been made of Liverpool’s conundrum at number nine. Alexander Isak would be a golden ticket toward the next level in Slot’s project, but Newcastle United will demand north of £150m for their talisman. It might not happen, sadly.
A robust midfield could do with another part, and Andy Robertson’s waning influence and athleticism has seen Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez placed at the top of the shopping list, report The Times.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have renewed their contracts but Hughes will no doubt be thinking about signing understudies who could bloom into superstars down the line.
Then there’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose resolution to a protracted saga feels right around the corner.
The latest on Alexander-Arnold's future
No one can dispute Alexander-Arnold’s passion as he capered around after Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, sealing the Premier League title for the second time in his career.
However, it’s also becoming increasingly difficult to argue that the 26-year-old will be playing his football in a Liverpool shirt next season, now on the eve of free agency.
Salah and Van Dijk have committed the final few years of their primes to Anfield, but Alexander-Arnold has stayed radio silent with Real Madrid working tooth and nail to bring him to La Liga.
Reds supporters have attempted to theorise scenarios in which Trent is staying, flashes of hopeless hope, however, with those such as Fabrizio Romano revealing that a deal is all but done, it seems this is one pill that the club will have to swallow during an momentous achievement.
Premier League
255
18
66
Champions League
60
2
13
FA Cup
13
1
3
Carabao Cup
10
0
6
Europa League
5
0
2
Club World Cup
2
0
1
CL Qualifying
2
0
1
Community Shield
2
1
0
UEFA Super Cup
1
0
0
However, it’s frankly unlikely that Romano is simply acting as a mouthpiece for Los Blancos. The esteemed transfer journalist has repeatedly stressed that the England international’s Bosman move is in the final stages, with all parties confident that a deal will be struck.
Moreover, the word on the street is that Liverpool are scouring the market for a successor; Conor Bradley is an exciting talent but he missed out with injury once again on Sunday and cannot, surely, be Slot’s only real option next term.
Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley
With that in mind, Liverpool appear to be aiming for the stars.
Liverpool chasing exciting Trent replacement
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are among clubs interested in signing Jules Kounde and are being kept informed on his situation at Barcelona, though Chelsea appear to have the lead at this stage.
The Frenchman, who scored the winning goal in Saturday’s hotly-contested Clasico Copa del Rey final, is about to enter the penultimate year of his contract at Camp Nou, and his future is up in the air.
Barcelona's Jules Kounde
With Liverpool potentially in need of a high-class right-back, this could be a dream deal for Slot’s side, though Kounde wouldn’t come cheap, with Chelsea reportedly willing to offer €80m (£68m).
What Jules Kounde would add to Slot's squad
Barcelona signed Kounde from Sevilla for a reported £42m fee in 2022, beating Chelsea to the France international’s signature.
FC Barcelona's JulesKoundein action
He’s since amassed 140 appearances for La Blaugrana, scoring seven goals and providing 18 assists for his teammates. A regular dynamo, Kounde is versatile, balanced and robust in his performances, having actually been described as “one of the best defenders in the world” by his former boss Xavi.
This season, for example, he ranks among the top 11% of full-backs in La Liga for pass completion, the top 3% for passes attempted and the top 7% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Such metrics highlight, clearly, the ball-playing ability that Slot would make fantastic use of. He differs from Alexander-Arnold, but you can see that his passing game would still add a dimension to and enrich Liverpool’s defence.
Barcelona'sJulesKoundecelebrates scoring their second goal with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and teammates
Though the 26-year-old has only supplied three assists across 29 league fixtures under Hansi Flick this term, it’s clear this is a more stylistic choice, indeed completing 89% of his passes, as per Sofascore, working tirelessly toward promoting build-up play, funnelling the ball into the danger areas, where the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha can wreak havoc.
That’s not to say he’s averse to his playmaking duties, of course. See below.
They can be a tad frustrating at times, but you can’t deny FSG know their stuff. Replacing Klopp was an impossible task, and so they opted not to.
Slot is cut from a different cloth. His tactical expertise aligns in some lanes with the German’s, but he’s a different character, cooler, more businesslike. Fist pumps after exhilarating victories, there are not.
In the same way, Liverpool simply won’t succeed in replacing a one-of-a-kind star such as Alexander-Arnold. Kounde is different, but bears some similarities.
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldwalks off the pitch
Kounde’s “enormous potential” was sounded out by talent scout Jacek Kulig before he got his big Barcelona move, and the defender has proved ever since that he has the capacity for greatness.
It’s exactly what Liverpool need at right-back, and if the finances are there, he should be signed this summer.
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Manchester United played out a tame 0-0 draw at home to cross-city rivals Manchester City in the Premier League. The game was one of the more passive Manchester Derby clashes, with neither side having too many chances of note.
The first half went by with few moments to write home about. City’s best efforts came from long-range, with Phil Foden early on and Ilkay Gunodgan towards the end of the half, firing shots wide of Andre Onana’s goal. As for Ruben Amorim’s side, their best opportunity fell to Alejandro Garnacho. However, he squandered the chance, failing to fire Diogo Dalot’s cross into the back of the net.
The second half picked up slightly more, although each side was still fairly passive. Omar Marmoush saw two shots saved by Onana; one was a well-struck free kick, and the other was a ferocious volley that was parried away by the Cameroonian.
Joshua Zirkzee came close to scoring for United at the death. He hooked Patrick Dorgu’s cross goalward, and had it not been for an excellent reflex save from Ederson, the Dutchman might have won the game for his side.
As far as Manchester derbies go, this was not a memorable one. There were certainly some poor performances on the pitch, with Manuel Ugarte one player who struggled.
Ugarte’s stats vs. Man City
It is fair to say that Ugarte struggled to have any impact on the game against City. Too often, he dove into tackles but did not see much success in those. He also struggled to retain possession for United in midfield.
In fact, his stats from Sofascore suggest that he did struggle to control the game in the centre of the park. The Uruguay international made just 17 passes from 22 he attempted, a pass accuracy of just 77%. He also lost the ball seven times and won just two from six ground duels.
Samuel Luckhurst, writer for the Manchester Evening News, gave Ugarte a 5/10 for his efforts on Derby Day. The journalist was critical of his ability in possession, describing him as ‘erratic with the ball’ against City.
The former Sporting midfielder did go close for United in the second half, though. His volley from outside of the box was sweetly struck but ended up going wide of Ederson’s left-hand post without troubling him.
It was certainly a tough day at the office for the United number 25, although he was not the only player who struggled against their East Mancunian rivals.
The other United player who struggled vs. Man City
It has been a tough season for Rasmus Hojlund, with Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Citizens summing that up in many ways. The Dane really struggled to impact the game and barely had any involvement throughout the 71 minutes he was on the pitch.
Indeed, the stats really reflect just how tough he found it at a sunny Old Trafford. Hojlund had just 15 touches in that time and completed just seven passes from an attempted nine, a 78% accuracy. He also lost the ball four times.
Touches
15
Pass accuracy
78%
Passes completed
7/9
Number of times ball lost
4
Duels won
1/4
Shots
0
Luckhurst also seemed to think the United number nine struggled against City. He gave Hojlund a 4/10 for his performances, the lowest of any United player. He explained that the Dane ‘showed why he has to be replaced up front in the summer’, a scathing assessment indeed.
With a huge game next up in the Europa League for United, Amorim will need to get his selection right. They face a trip to French side Lyon, who pose a tough challenge, and Hojlund’s recent form may well leave him with a selection headache.
Zirkzee seems to be the only viable option to replace Hojlund in the starting lineup, given that Chido Obi is unavailable in the Europa League. The Dutchman will certainly bring technical excellence and the ability to link up play.
It is a big call for Amorim, who cannot afford to lose this tie; it certainly feels like United’s whole season rests on their European campaign. Perhaps rotating Hojlund out of the side for Thursday is the right call, given his tough run of form in recent weeks.
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