Harry Wilson was one of the Premier League’s standout players in 2025/26.

The Fulham winger scored 10 goals and got seven assists in what was comfortably the best top-flight season of his career so far.

He turns 30 in March next year, but that has not deterred any of the clubs interested in his services this summer.

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Leeds in talks to sign Wilson

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Leeds United have held “positive talks” with the Wales international.

Wilson is out of contract at the end of June, after which he will become a free agent, assuming Fulham do not persuade him to sign a new deal at the eleventh hour.

Leeds are hoping to attract Wilson to Elland Road and fight off competition from clubs in the Champions League to do so.

The 29-year-old was reportedly close to a move to Leeds last summer, but the proposed transfer collapsed on the final day of the window.

Other clubs are said to be in talks with the player’s representatives, so the Whites may have work to do to complete his signature.

Aston Villa, playing in the Champions League next season, and Everton have also been linked with Wilson.

If Wilson departs, Fulham could be forced into something of a rebuild this summer, following the exit of manager Marco Silva to Benfica.

Leeds, meanwhile, are looking to build on a promising first season back in the Premier League under Daniel Farke.

In FourFourTwo’s view, Wilson would be an excellent signing for most clubs outside the division’s ‘big six’.

While he is about to enter his 30s, he would significantly improve Leeds’ attack as they look to become an established Premier League club once again.

Argentina forward Julian Alvarez has publicly stated that he wants a transfer away from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

Alvarez played the last half-hour of Argentina’s World Cup 2026 win against Austria on Monday, watching on at close quarters as Lionel Messi extended his newly minted lead as the World Cup’s record goalscorer.

The former Manchester City and River Plate striker has been linked consistently with a move in the summer transfer window, with Spanish champions Barcelona and city rivals Real Madrid at the forefront of the speculation along with Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

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Alvarez ‘can’t hide’ desire to move to Barcelona

Alvarez’s name got wrapped up in the politics of Real Madrid’s recent presidential election. Real Madrid claimed that they’d submitted a monster bid for the World Cup winner and Atletico openly laughed off Florentino Perez’s supposed interest.

In a bizarre statement posted on X – of course – Atleti issued ‘clarifications’ on the matter including the ‘clarification’ that they had not considered any offer for Alvarez.

Barcelona’s interest appears to be more substantial. According to The Athletic: “Alvarez is Barcelona’s No 1 transfer target and the Catalans are expected to return with a new offer in the coming weeks.”

Speaking to ESPN after Argentina’s 2-0 win against Austria, Alvarez left no room for confusion when it comes to his plans for the future.

“This isn’t the time to talk about this but I can’t hide it,” said the 26-year-old, talking about this. “I try to be an honest person. I spoke with Atletico de Madrid, and I think a transfer is the best option. I want to fulfil my dream.”

Alvarez joined Atletico from Man City two years ago. After 20 goals in 67 Premier League matches, the former River Plate youngster has continued to thrive in front of goal. He has scored 49 times in 106 appearances in all competitions for Los Rojiblancos, the fruits of a relationship that appears to be coming to an end.

Premier League champions Arsenal were also understood to have been keen on the Argentinian, whose move to the Metropolitano was handled to a significant degree by Andrea Berta, now the Gunners’ sporting director.

All indications are now that Barcelona are in the driving seat. Moving within La Liga would allow Alvarez to continue his efforts to become a league champion in a third different country as well as adding to the Champions League he won under Pep Guardiola three years ago.

He scored four goals in Qatar as Argentina won the World Cup for a third time in 2022. If Messi allows anyone else to get a look in on the goalscoring front, Alvarez will be eager to add to his 14 international goals in North America this summer.

Atletico Madrid are yet to deliver a withering response to his comments.

Liverpool are on the verge of having two stars complete moves to the North London club this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, are making moves to ensure such a scenario does not play out again.

Conversely, or not so much so, the 2024/25 Premier League victors are looking to get back to winning ways under new boss Andoni Iraola, after Arne Slot delivered a torrid sophomore campaign at Anfield.

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Liverpool on verge of having TWO stars pilfered by Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Andoni Iraola's first campaign

Liverpool's Andy Robertson departed from Anfield at the end of the 2025/26 season, ending a nine-year spell with the Reds.

The Scot, currently playing at the 2026 World Cup, could be joined in London by a fellow Red, also lighting it up on the world stage.

Cody Gakpo, currently enjoying a solid 2026 World Cup campaign with three goal involvements for the Netherlands, could join his former team-mate at Tottenham Hotspur next season.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the North London club are in discussions with Liverpool regarding the Dutchman's future.

This arrives after the Reds signed Spain's Victor Munoz, a young but exciting La Liga talent who could rival Gakpo on the left flank.

It also arrives after Spurs' long-time pursuit of Manchester City player Savinho, with the North London club now, reportedly, weighing up the benefits of a move for Gakpo instead.

The Dutchman, who endured a poor season individually under fellow countryman Slot in 2025/26, is concerned about his starter status, or lack thereof, at Liverpool under his new Basque boss.

The signing of Munoz was personally pushed for by Iraola, making it unclear as to whether Gakpo's future lies in being a starting or rotational player.

Mohamed Salah's departure also raises alarm bells, with Gakpo's best years coming under the Egyptian's guidance, and his form dropping significantly without his wing partner performing to the usual level last season.

Despite this, Liverpool's 'out-of-form' stars could be amongst the most intriguing transfers of the 2026 summer window.

Almost every player who performed poorly under Slot last season has seen a significant upturn in form at international level, with Gakpo being no exception.

For now, the Dutchman's future remains undecided, but Spurs are probing and could see two experienced Liverpool players in their team next year.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is reportedly set to leave his post when his contract expires at the end of World Cup 2026.

Martinez is in charge of Portugal at a second major international tournament after leading them to the quarter-finals of the European Championship in Germany in 2024.

The former Belgium boss is managing at the World Cup for the third time but his departure is understood to be imminent amid suggestions that the Portuguese FA had struck an agreement with Jose Mourinho before he was offered the chance to return to Real Madrid.

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Martinez speculation mounts before Portugal’s World Cup 2026 opener

“Roberto Martinez is set to step down as Portugal’s manager at the end of the World Cup,” reported Sky Sports News on Tuesday, one day before Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo at NRG Stadium.

With a host of records potentially waiting to be extended or broken by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal will then face Uzbekistan, also in Houston, and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium.

In a statement issued to the media and reported by the Mirror, the Portuguese FA (FPF) said: “The FPF and Roberto Martinez are focused exclusively on the World Cup. The federation and the coach are aligned on this matter, as they have publicly stated.”

Martinez, now 52, had an extensive career in England, Scotland and Wales before making the move into the international game.

Formerly a player for Wigan Athletic, Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea City and Chester City, the Catalan cut his managerial teeth during successful spells in charge of Swansea and Wigan.

He was appointed as the successor to long-time Everton manager David Moyes in the summer of 2013 and spent the next three seasons at Goodison Park before taking over the Belgium national team in the aftermath of their European Championship exit at the hands of Wales in 2016.

After a decade in international football, Martinez might be tempted to capitalise on the end of his time at the Portuguese helm by backing himself once more to perform in the club game.

If their manager does depart next month, Portugal face a big challenge. 41-year-old Ronaldo is expected to step aside after the World Cup, leaving Martinez’s potential successor all the negatives and positives that might come with that.

Finding the right candidate to fulfil that brief could prove tougher than it sounds with Mourinho now off the table. Taking Portugal into 2028 without their most-capped player and record scorer will be interpreted as a blessing by some possible successors and a curse by others.

In the meantime, Martinez and Portugal have work to do. They reached the last eight in Qatar four years ago but Portugal haven’t made it as far as the semi-finals since 2006. Eusebio scored in their previous semi-final before that.

Tottenham Hotspur are close to finalising the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Van Hecke featured in the Netherlands’ first game of World Cup 2026, a dramatic 2-2 draw with Japan at AT&T Stadium, amid growing speculation about his future. After six seasons on the books at Brighton, the 26-year-old is reportedly on the cusp of joining Spurs.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the clubs have now agreed a fee of £52 million after Van Hecke ‘had shown no interest in extending his terms’ at the Amex Stadium.

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Jan Paul van Hecke bound for Spurs with fee agreed

An initial offer from the North London club was rebuffed but Van Hecke, whose contract expires next summer, will move to Spurs to reunite with former Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian steered Spurs to safety at the end of a dismal Premier League season and the club is now linked with a host of big-money statement signings as they seek to get back on track and back into Europe.

“Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the centre-back, who is close to Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi having worked together at the south-coast club between 2022 and 2024,” reports Ornstein.

“A move would continue a busy start to the transfer window for Spurs, who have already signed centre-back Marcos Senesi and left-back Andy Robertson, following the expiration of their contracts at Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively.”

Van Hecke will be in action again when the Netherlands take on Sweden in their second match at NRG Stadium on Saturday.

Brighton are already working on a replacement for Van Hecke, with another World Cup defender understood to be very much in the frame.

19-year-old Luka Vuskovic is in the Croatia squad after a fine season in Germany with Hamburg, where he was on loan from Spurs after joining from Hajduk Split last summer, two years after agreeing to the move.

The teenager is reportedly a top target for Brighton but Ornstein has confirmed that a second offer worth £35 million has been rejected and the clubs coming to terms on Van Hecke is not linked to Vuskovic’s future.

It was reported on Tuesday that Spurs also want to sign Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, though the Magpies’ £100 million price tag could be prohibitive.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, acquiring Tonali this summer will be a stretch for Spurs, with that rumour believed to be driven by the player's agent, but the capture of Van Hecke is a forceful statement of intent in its own right.

Brighton will take the loss in stride. Former managers raiding their old club is nothing new for the Sussex club, who have seen a host of players and staff walk a well-trodden path to Chelsea in the last few years.

Selling well and identifying younger replacements is a huge part of the challenge for top Premier League clubs now. Brighton are demonstrably better at both than most.

Arsenal have agreed the signing of a new young talent, as manager Mikel Arteta gears up for a huge summer of business.

The Gunners have enjoyed their most successful season in two decades, ending their Premier League title drought, along with reaching the finals of both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

But while FourFourTwo understands that Arteta is currently taking time off, the recruitment team are working hard to make sure Arsenal improve on a winning squad and begin a dynasty in N5.

Arsenal strike wonderkid transfer ahead of Liverpool

Despite a huge influx of investment in the first team last summer, Arsenal remain committed to strengthening with youth, too, as several prospects have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

World Cup 2026 star Ayyoub Bouaddi is reportedly on the radar of both Arsenal and Liverpool, while Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga could well jump ship following the Foxes' relegation to League One, and link up with the English champions.

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Now, the father of Larne teenager Phoenix Blayney has revealed that his son has agreed a pre-contract with Arsenal, as per the Belfast Telegraph.

Alex Blayney, a former Northern Irish goalkeeper himself, has revealed that triallist Phoenix will join the Gunners on professional terms when he turns 17 in November 2027, noting that Liverpool were also in the race.

“Phoenix enjoyed being at Arsenal, he felt a con­nec­tion there and really likes the coaches,” Blayney Snr revealed. “One of his good friends, Daniel Mccar­ron, has joined the club and that’s prob­ably one of the reas­ons, too. He and Daniel play in the same North­ern Ire­land team.”

Arsenal have made significant effort to revamp their goalkeeping department, headed by first-team goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, in recent years – with Kepa Arrizabalaga brought in as no.2 between the sticks last summer, and the likes of Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard acquired for the academy.

2008-born Jack Porter, meanwhile, made his senior debut for the club in 2024 at the age of just 16, after both David Raya and Setford were injured, and the club's then-deputy Neto was cup-tied.

Arsenal have signed a senior goalkeeper every year of Arteta's tenure, with Kepa (2025) following Neto (2024), Raya (2023, on loan, before a permanent move was triggered 12 months later), Matt Turner (2022), Aaron Ramsdale (2021), Mat Ryan and Alex Runarsson (both 2020).

FourFourTwo understands that Blayney is not seen as an immediate option for first-team football and will be eased into the senior set-up in time at London Colney.

Newcastle have reportedly lodged an official bid for Osasuna's highly-rated winger, Víctor Munoz.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies have formalised their interest in the Spanish winger, who has emerged as a top target following the departure of Anthony Gordon earlier this summer.

Negotiations are now said to be actively ongoing on both the club and player side as all parties attempt to reach a final agreement.

Newcastle chase £30m deal for Spanish attacker

The proposed package, reportedly worth an initial €30-35 million (£26-30m) plus add-ons, would comfortably smash Osasuna's previous record sale, which has stood for almost 20 years since Raul Garcia joined Atletico Madrid for €13m (£8.5m) in 2007.

However, the financial mechanics of the deal are somewhat complicated.

When Real Madrid sold Muñoz to Osasuna in July 2025 for €5 million, recruitment sources, and now Romano, claim the LaLiga giants retained a 50 per cent sell-on clause.

This means that last season's runners-up in Spain are owed exactly half of whatever Newcastle end up paying for the attacker, presenting a major windfall for the Spanish capital club.

This will also inflate the price Osasuna are likely to command for Munoz, given half of their earnings are expected to be forfeited to Madrid.

Born in Barcelona, 22-year-old Munoz spent his early years developing at the famous La Masia academy before moving away.

In 2021, he made the controversial cross-country switch to join Real Madrid’s youth set-up, eventually thriving for their reserve side, Real Madrid Castilla.

Known primarily for his pace down the flanks, Munoz can operate as a direct winger on either side of the pitch or as an advanced forward.

Last season, he proved a vital spark for a struggling Osasuna side, registering a respectable return of seven goals and five assists across 36 appearances in all competitions.

His stellar domestic performances even earned him a senior international debut for Spain in early 2026, where he caught the eye by scoring in a 3–0 friendly victory over Serbia.

The 28-year-old forward faces a highly uncertain future upon returning from the 2026 World Cup with England.

Having spent the past two seasons out on loan, first a brief stint at Aston Villa followed by a resurgent year with LaLiga champions Barcelona, Rashford has not played for his boyhood club in years.

Despite his 28 goal contributions in Spain, Barcelona have so far opted against triggering their £26 million permanent purchase option, instead finalising a reported €80 million (£69m) deal for ex-Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.

Marcus Rashford to Arsenal? Don't rule it out

Gordon's arrival in Catalonia effectively ends Rashford's time at the Camp Nou, while his reported £325,000-a-week wages mean Man United are keen to offload him permanently.

Reflecting on the situation, Brown believes the psychological gap created by Rashford's multi-year absence changes how a move to Emirates Stadium would be perceived compared to past betrayals.

"Would it hurt to see Marcus Rashford in an Arsenal shirt next season? Yes and no," Brown stated. "He’s already played for Aston Villa and Barcelona so it wouldn’t feel like he’d be going straight there, and that’s a little bit different. He’s not played for Manchester United for a good few years.

"Danny Welbeck leaving [Man] United to join Arsenal was the one that hurt because he was so young and I don’t think he wanted to go. It was down to Louis van Gaal.

"I think it would be a little bit different for Marcus. It'd be weird to see him in an Arsenal shirt but I thought that when I saw him playing for Aston Villa too."

With Gordon occupying his favoured left-wing berth abroad and Michael Carrick building a new era in Manchester, a permanent move to North London could provide the clean break Rashford needs to reignite his Premier League career.

Wes Brown was speaking to Compare.bet, who offer the latest Betting Sites.”

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol's exit is shaping up with a concrete offer received from Barcelona.

Gvardiol returned from a long-term injury at the end of last season with Manchester City and is preparing to play in his second World Cup, following Croatia's third-placed finish in Qatar, in 2022.

With the defender said to be high on the priority list for several of Europe's elite, City are facing a battle to keep the star, as an exodus ensues.

Manchester City could add Josko Gvardiol to the growing number of summer exits

It's been a busy summer already for the Eastlands outfit, with manager Pep Guardiola announcing his departure after a decade – followed by two key lieutenants of his squad.

John Stones and Bernardo Silva both called time on their City careers at the end of the campaign, and FourFourTwo understands that there could be several sales, with the likes of Nathan Ake and Omar Marmoush for the chopping block.

Gvardiol, however, is one player that the Etihad Stadium would hate to let go – yet according to Fussball Transfers, Barcelona are keen on bringing the 24-year-old to Camp Nou.

Arch-rivals Real Madrid have already identified the star as a potential solution to their woes at left-back alongside Arsenal ace Riccardo Calafiori, while Bayern Munich are said to want to improve in that area of the pitch, too.

FourFourTwo understands that Gvardiol is very much a part of City's plans going forward, but with the club very much in flux right now, there is a chance that he could have his head turned by Catalonia.

This new report states that Barça have made a concrete opening offer to City worth €80 million – suggesting that personal terms with Gvardiol will not be a problem for Hansi Flick's side.

It remains unlikely that a deal would be brokered before the World Cup, with the player wishing to concentrate on the tournament and City firm in their stance that Gvardiol is under contract and under no pressure to sell him to a European rival.

City signed the Zagreb-born stopper from RB Leipzig for a fee reported by the BBC to be worth around €90m – or £77m – back in 2023, with Gvardiol's contract still with another two years to run.

The Croatian has been a massive hit in the north west, playing a big role in the Premier League title win of 2024 from left-back and picking up Manchester City Player of the Season in 2025.

Gvardiol is worth €70m, according to Transfermarkt. Croatia take on England in their World Cup 2026 opener.

Liverpool will be keen to hit the ground running in the transfer market after appointing Andoni Iraola as their new manager last week.

The Reds sacked Arne Slot following a disappointing season in which they finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy, with Iraola tasked with ensuring that Liverpool can compete for major honours next term.

The former Bournemouth boss already knows he will be without departing stars Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson when the squad returns for pre-season and the process of giving him a squad to challenge on all fronts is already underway.

Liverpool stunned by surprise development in pursuit of transfer target

Liverpool spent almost £500m last summer as they sought to consolidate their position at the top of English football following their 2024/25 Premier League title triumph, but several star signings including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz endured underwhelming campaigns.

This time around, the Anfield club were confident of wrapping up a lower-profile deal early in the window - but it appears they are set to be disappointed.

Liverpool have spent the past few weeks working on a deal to sign 16-year-old Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, who has a release clause reportedly worth €8-9m (roughly £7-7.5m).

The club believed they had made 'significant progress' in winning the race for the Germany Under 17 international, who was also a target for Manchester City and Chelsea, but TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey claims that the teenager has rejected the Reds.

“Sources indicate the Reds were increasingly confident they could convince Eichhorn to choose Anfield, with the club’s track record of developing young players viewed as a major attraction," he said.

“However, TEAMtalk understands all interested Premier League clubs have now been informed that the midfielder will not be moving to England at this stage of his career.”

Defensive midfielder Eichhorn made 19 appearances for Bundesliga 2 side Hertha last season and now looks set to step up to Germany's top tier.

RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund were also competing for his signature but Eichhorn is set to join 2024 Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen instead, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

"Eichhorn was being pursued by top clubs in Germany and England but chose to continue his career with the 2024 Bundesliga champions," wrote Ornstein. "Given the strength of interest from elsewhere, few tipped Leverkusen to win the race for Eichhorn and many will regard this as a significant coup."

It comes after another Liverpool transfer target, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, appeared to suggest he favoured a move to back-to-back European champions Paris Saint-Germain over the Reds.

Arsenal have been given their biggest boost yet in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez.

FourFourTwo understands that the Premier League champions are preparing for another big summer of investment, as owners Kroenke Sports Entertainment look to build a dynasty in N5 – starting with forward areas.

Despite reaching two finals and ending a six-year trophy drought this season, Arsenal have clear work to do in the attacking department – and are targeting big names, starting with Julian Alvarez.

Arsenal lead the charge for Julian Alvarez, with Barcelona stalling in their move

With Bukayo Saka one of the first names on the team sheet for manager Mikel Arteta and Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz competing for a spot up front the Gunners, the left-wing spot appears to be up for grabs next season at Arsenal.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have both shared minutes over the last year or so, and with Alvarez not the typical Arteta target man, his best position in Arteta's system may well be on that left-hand side.

With TEAMtalk having claimed in March that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta was “finalising” personal terms with Alvarez's camp, a new report has dropped from Spanish outlet Cadena SER that Barcelona's attempts to sign the World Cup winner have stalled.

The Catalan outfit recently unveiled Anthony Gordon as the club's latest high-profile forward, and since Atletico Madrid publicly called out their La Liga rivals over their pursuit of the Argentina star, there hasn't been any progress over a move.

This gives Arsenal the upper hand over Barça – though the Gunners are also interested in Morgan Rogers for their left-wing position.

Alvarez, ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now, is also linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, as FourFourTwo understands that the European champions are seriously interested.

While Arsenal offer the better chance for Alvarez to be a starter, the 26-year-old is said to be unconvinced at the moment by the opportunity of moving to London.

FourFourTwo understands that after using inverted wing-backs for much of his time at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta is keen to keep Myles Lewis-Skelly as a central midfielder and use Piero Hincapie more as an overlapping full-back next season, meaning that the left-winger will be tasked with cutting inside more – hence the links with Rogers and Alvarez, as well as Eintracht Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown, at left-back.

Eberechi Eze may well feature more on the left flank going forward, too, meaning that he can play alongside club captain Martin Odegaard at no.10 – potentially opening the opportunity for Hale Ender and recent England call-up Ethan Nwaneri to come back into the frame.

Alvarez is valued at €100m by Transfermarkt. Argentina take on Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, in their World Cup 2026 opener on June 16.

Twenty-nine year-old Neal Maupay worked under Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille and believes Spurs fans can be optimistic of a much better campaign in the Italian’s first full season in charge.

He told FourFourTwo: “I've got to say I've got big hopes for him and Tottenham next season. I've played for him for a season and a half, and I believe he will be a top manager in the world in a few years’ time. I'm convinced of that.

The interview with Neal was arranged by YRDS.

Neal Maupay is a fan of Spurs coach Roberto De Zerbi

“The hardest part for me was to keep Tottenham in the Premier League. Now he has the time to build the squad he wants, and get the injured players back. Having a full preseason of work will be hugely important too, because he’s very detailed and it takes time to implement his ideas.

“He's very detailed, and at Marseille it took us three or four months to start to be on the same page. Then all of a sudden, everything became easier for us as players.

“So, I think they will be a dangerous team next season. I don’t know to what extent, but I don’t see them having as tough a season as they just had.”

Maupay’s own future is up in the air at the moment after his loan spell at Sevilla came to an end, and the striker’s understanding is that the LaLiga club will not take up the option to turn this into a permanent deal.

“They [Sevilla] said they have a lot of things to fix, and Sergio Ramos was in discussions to buy the club.

“There's a lot going on behind the scenes, and I believe that they’re not planning to bring me back there or take the option [to buy].

“I’m still contracted with Marseille right now, but I don’t know what will happen. They just changed the sporting director and there is expected to be a new manager as well.

“One thing I can say is, I feel really good after my experience in Sevilla. I am in good shape, I feel confident and I'm still very, very, very hungry to play.

“And why not in England? I believe I’ve benefitted from my experience in France, and in Sevilla, and England is where I feel really at my best.

“The country, and the English culture is made for me really so, who knows?

“I would be more than happy to be back. But if I have to stay, Marseille is the biggest club in France, so we’ll see. I can't predict the future, but either way I'm hungry for more.”

As for the immediate future, the striker will have his eyes peeled on the World Cup and feels that reigning European champions Spain will be the ones to beat in North America.

“I see Spain as a really, really strong team. Maybe the best team in a tournament. I think the way that they've been playing for many years now means that everyone's on the same page.

“That's pretty hard to do with national teams, because they only get to see each other every couple of months and for just a few days. So it's not easy to build a chemistry, but they have that.

“The France squad is stacked. When you look at the names on paper, I would love us to win again. Big, big hugs go to [Kylian] Mbappe for the season he’s had at Real Madrid. It's been difficult for him, and he hasn't won any trophies. With that in mind, I think he’ll be very hungry to bring back another World Cup.

“And then there is England. Every World Cup and international tournament, you wonder if it’s coming home or not. I guess we have to see. There have been some strong players that have been left home.

“I think [Thomas] Tuchel is a good manager, and they will be a strong team as well.”

Manchester United are reportedly set to see off Premier League champions Arsenal in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

United are understood to be committed to getting some of their transfer window activity done and dusted in the early part of the summer, though the imminent start of World Cup 2026 represents a significant roadblock.

Michael Carrick was promoted from his interim position to the permanent role of head coach, thanks in no small part to United's third-placed finish and their return to the Champions League.

The attentions of Carrick and his club's recruitment team have already turned to next season and putting together a squad capable of challenging in the Premier League and beyond after playing just 40 fixtures in 2025-26.

According to Simon Stone, BBC Sport's United reporter, Fernandes could beat new signing Ederson into Old Trafford. The Brazilian's transfer will not be completed until the start of July.

"I would be surprised if the deal for Mateus Fernandes didn't get done," reports Stone.

"I believe the club are in a bit of a stand off with West Ham United at the moment, who are adamant they don't have to sell and want £80m.

"However, that seems to be another deal that could be done reasonably quickly because Fernandes, like Ederson, didn't actually make the cut for the World Cup."

The 21-year-old was capped by Portugal for the first time in April but wasn't called up for Roberto Martinez's final 26-man World Cup squad. At the end of a miserable season, missing out on a World Cup place wasn't the conclusion Fernandes wanted.

West Ham's determination to hold on to their player is to be expected. He signed for the Hammers last summer and has four years remaining on his contract, notwithstanding any relegation-related clauses.

Nevertheless, relegation undoubtedly weakens West Ham's hand. Fernandes is on the up, will have a decision to make on his future, and will command the kind of transfer fee any Championship club could turn into a promotion push.

The former Sporting CP youngster spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Estoril before joining Southampton in the summer of 2024.

The Saints were relegated from the Premier League at the end of his first season in England, just as West Ham were in his second. Fernandes was a rare bright spot in the Hammers' campaign. Regardless, Carrick and Man United must not be the superstitious type.

Everton have reportedly made a play to hijack a deal for the highly-rated midfielder.

A report from the The Athletic indicates that the Merseysiders have stolen a march on their top-flight rivals, positioning themselves at the front of the race for Hackney's signature.

Securing the Middlesbrough skipper will require fending off competition from across the Premier League. The 23-year-old’s reputation has skyrocketed over the past year, culminating in him being named Championship Player of the Season.

Hayden Hackney to Everton?

That standout individual campaign has inevitably triggered top-flight scouting missions, with London pair Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace both credited with a long-standing interest in the England Under-21 international.

The most formidable obstacle to Everton’s pursuit, however, was widely expected to come from Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is thought to have made no secret of his desire to bring his former Middlesbrough prodigy to Old Trafford.

The tactical bond between the pair is considerable, with Carrick entrusted Hackney with a vital first-team role on Teesside, overseeing his development across 104 senior outings. Given that history, footballing circles heavily anticipated that Hackney would jump at the chance to accept a formal proposal from Man United to reunite with his former mentor.

Yet, Everton’s intervention has altered the transfer landscape. Middlesbrough’s promotion ambitions were dashed by a painful defeat to Hull City in the Championship play-off final, rendering Hackney’s departure a near certainty.

With the midfielder entering the final 12 months of his contract, the Boro hierarchy likely realise this window is their final opportunity to command a sizeable fee.

While Manchester United have broader squad rebuilding priorities and Spurs assess their options, Everton appear to have moved decisively. By offering a guaranteed, central role in their Premier League midfield, the Toffees could be on the verge of pulling off one of the summer’s most impressive transfer coups.

Ibrahima Konate is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer after two and a half years of contract negotiations came to nothing.

The centre-back will join Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson in leaving Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, with Virgil van Dijk and Alisson currently looking set to join them next summer unless they are sold in the interim.

The same was true of Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Naby Keita, Divock Origi, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before them.

Where will Konate end up next?

A true Bosman was only averted with Trent Alexander-Arnold thanks to Real Madrid stumping €10m to get the deal done early so he could play at the Club World Cup.

That is a lot of value to walk out the door at Anfield without Liverpool getting a return on their investment…but how big a problem that is is a matter of perspective.

It should be acknowledged that a fair few of those players were in their 30s and had given years of dedicated and decorated service to Liverpool. Others had struggled with injuries before their departures.

That leaves only a handful who left at a decent age to recover a bit of money, the most notable of which are Wijnaldum, Keita, Origi and – if we’re going to count his sale far below market value – Alexander-Arnold.

The degree to which Liverpool actually missed those players is arguable. Wijnaldum’s exit felt very questionable at the time, for instance: he had played in every single one of their Premier League games the previous season.

But the season following his departure saw Liverpool rise from 3rd to run Manchester City extremely close in the Premier League, reach the Champions League final, and win the FA Cup and the League Cup.

The bulk of those departures also came before Liverpool’s Premier League title win of 2024/25, which was followed by an absolutely enormous spending spree last summer.

Whatever you think of the actual signings they made, the sheer amount they spent suggested Liverpool were hardly short of a few bob. That’s hardly surprising, given they were the best-performing English side for revenues in the Deloitte money league that season.

It’s not like Liverpool have not made big-name or big-money sales, either. There are some big names in there – Luis Diaz (€70m), Darwin Nunez (€53m), Fabinho (€46.7m), Sadio Mane (€32m), and Jordan Henderson (€14m).

But the bulk of them are squad players and academy graduates. €35m for Jarell Quansah. €26m for Rhian Brewster. A combined €61.8m for Sepp van den Berg, Caoimhin Kelleher and Fabio Carvalho to Brentford. €23.2m for Benn Gannon-Doak. €20m for Neco Williams. €14m for Harry Wilson. €10m for Tyler Morton. There are more than that, but we don’t have all day.

If we’re being generous, then Liverpool would seem quite happy to let some of their biggest stars run down their contracts and keep playing them until their deals expire, while topping up the coffers by selling players who were never likely to make it into their first team anyway.

Since they signed van Dijk from Southampton for a then eye-watering amount in 2018, Liverpool have tried to carve out a reputation as a side that will spend big on players they think are worth the outlay – but only those players.

From 2020 onwards, Liverpool have only paid transfer fees for 19 players, and that includes Ben Davies from Preston and Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminese for fees that Championship clubs would happily pay, let alone Premier League clubs.

For better (2024/25) or worse (2025/26), that has given the Reds a much greater degree of stability than some of their financial rivals…and also has a side effect not enjoyed by the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Simply put…Liverpool are not a club known for chucking a load of cash at players just to keep them at the club.

They could have done that with Konate if they had so desired. They could have got Salah and van Dijk sewn up much faster last year. Could they even have kept Alexander-Arnold? Who knows.

But that sets a standard. Move the ceiling up for one player, and everyone else will want their wages raised too. Not just current players, but new signings too.

From their point of view, it may be worthwhile letting the odd Konate, Keita or Wijnaldum – starters, but not megastars – get away from them if it makes clear they will not be a soft touch in contract negotiations. If they make an offer, it's because they want you there, not as a means to securing a fee. Take it or leave it.

That’s the kind version. The more damning version is that, fairly or otherwise, it is beginning to make Liverpool look more shambolic and, in the eyes of many fans, is eroding their previous reputation for savvy transfer dealings.

The Salah and Alexander-Arnold affairs, in particular, have given the club no end of embarrassment and public recrimination.

Liverpool can happily ride that out if they keep getting results, and it's no coincidence that criticism of their transfer policy is coming after a notably poor season - regardless that Konate's performances were hardly up to scratch.

In the end, their judgement will always come on the pitch. Get back to winning trophies, and nobody will care. Continue receding, and the scrutiny will only get louder.

The Danish goalkeeper is eager to secure regular first-team football, having seemingly grown frustrated with his position in West London after a difficult campaign.

Jorgensen arrived from Villarreal in the summer of 2024 for a reported €24.5 million fee with the intention of challenging for the starting spot.

However, he has failed to ever truly displace Chelsea No. 1 Robert Sanchez, who remained firmly established as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout the 2025/26 season, save for a mid-season wobble.

Chelsea goalkeeper wants out

Given sporadic opportunities to impress across various cup competitions, Jorgensen has ultimately failed to do enough to usurp his Spanish counterpart, leaving him confined to the bench for the vast majority of the Premier League campaign.

The 24-year-old’s prospects for the upcoming season look increasingly bleak at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new head coach following a highly challenging year. Alongside a change in the dugout, the Blues face a heavily reduced fixture list for the 2026/27 campaign after failing to qualify for any European competitions.

With no continental football to rotate his squad, Alonso is expected to rely heavily on a fixed starting eleven, narrowing the window of opportunity for Chelsea's backup players.

Compounding the issue for Jorgensen is the impending arrival of highly-rated young Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, who is set to formally join the squad and drop the Dane even further down the pecking order.

Recognising that a sale could realistically suit all parties involved, Jorgensen has reportedly initiated talks to cut his losses early.

Jorgensen kept one clean sheet in 12 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea during 2025/26, conceding 17 goals in the process. Only five of his outings came in the Premier League.

Having previously explored exit options during last season's winter window, the goalkeeper is now pushing for a permanent departure to revive a career that has failed to launch in London.

Arsenal are making concrete plans to land a Bundesliga hitman to strengthen their squad.

Mikel Arteta's side were confirmed as Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years last night, with Arsenal now four points clear of Manchester City following the Citizens' dropped points away to Bournemouth.

But Arteta is refusing to stand still, with the club prepared to spend big again this season – and a new striker on the horizon once more.

Arsenal in move for Viktor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz replacement

While Arsenal have brought a first title in 22 years back to N5, the centre-forward position has been one of serious debate throughout the season, with Viktor Gyokeres adapting to Premier League football and Kai Havertz having missed huge swathes of the campaign through injury.

While Gyokeres has netted 14 goals en route to the title, Havertz started away at City and has been seen as a more physical target man in attack – and FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal are looking at ways to rejuvenate an attack that has struggled at times this season in the face of low blocks.

A report from Africa Foot states that Arsenal and Barcelona are tussling for Cameroonian focal point Christian Kofane, as the Gunners look to improve on a team that has scored 118 goals in all competitions this term.

Kofane featured both home and away against Arteta's men in the Champions League this season for Bayer Leverkusen, providing a powerful presence for the Bundesliga outfit up against William Saliba and Gabriel.

The two clubs have dealt with one another on a few occasions in recent years and FourFourTwo understands that the relationship is good, after Xhaka was sold to North Rhine-Westphalia in 2023.

Last summer, a loan move was agreed for Piero Hincapie to come to Arsenal, with an unusual option to buy included, in which Leverkusen were given the power to confirm the move – which will happen in the coming weeks.

This new report states that Arsenal and Barça are both ahead of Newcastle United, Chelsea, Brentford and Bayern Munich for Kofane, who have all made initial contact in the race for the 19-year-old.

Leverkusen signed the teenager from Albacete last summer for just €5 million and could look to turn a healthy profit on the star.

Last night, Die Schwartzroten congratulated the Gunners on winning the title with a post on X (formerly Twitter) celebrating the North Londoners' set-piece prowess, before congratulating former Werkself star Havertz on the title, too.

Transfermarkt values Kofane at €40m. Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace to lift the title this Sunday as Premier League action concludes.

Rodri is edging closer to a move to Real Madrid, with media reports from Spain talking of the midfielder's “great unfulfilled dream” to play at the Bernabeu.

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last night, which confirmed the Premier League title heading to Arsenal for the first time in 22 years, with manager Pep Guardiola missing out on the league title for two consecutive years for the first time in his managerial career.

With noise intensifying that the Catalan will be departing Eastlands after a decade at the helm this summer, an exodus could now be on the way.

Rodri set to leave Manchester City, with Real Madrid circling

While Guardiola last night refused to confirm reports that he will be leaving Manchester City this summer after winning 20 trophies in 10 years in English football, key figures have already confirmed their own exits.

Bernardo Silva and John Stones will both be calling time on their Etihad experiences, and with Rodri a long-rumoured target of Real Madrid, Spanish publication Marca have today led with the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner on their front cover, noting his “willingness to join [Real] facilitates” the ease of a move this summer.

FourFourTwo understands that there have been preliminary contract talks between City and Rodri during the second half of the season, but Los Blancos still lacking a controller at no.6 following Toni Kroos's retirement, the 29-year-old has re-emerged as a target.

Sport Witness has covered the comments in the Spanish media, with claims that Rodri is eager to complete a “dream” to return back to Madrid, where he enjoyed a season with Atletico prior to completing his move to City.

With Guardiola leaving the door has been opened for Rodri – ranked at no.6 in FourFourTwo's list of the best defensive midfielders in the world right now – to move to the Bernabeu, and with president Florentino Perez having “eased the tension with a gesture towards” the midfielder after he beat Real's own Vinicius Jr to the Ballon d'Or, it is believed that personal terms will not be a problem in securing a move.

Eduardo Camavinga, meanwhile, has recently missed out on France's World Cup 2026 squad and could well end his five-year stint in Spain to seek pastures new.

The major sticking point remains City's willingness to sell – especially with two major figures leaving this summer, on top of Guardiola's probable exit.

With his contract expiring next summer, FourFourTwo believes that the most likely scenario right now is that Rodri leaves on a free transfer for Real Madrid as a 30-year-old – and with Perez having engineered such deals for the likes of David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and most notably Kylian Mbappe, it would not be a surprise to see Rodri making a similar transfer.

With the midfielder expected to be named in Spain's World Cup squad any day now, though, a transfer is unlikely to materialise until after World Cup 2026.

Rodri is worth €65 million, according to Transfermarkt. City take on Aston Villa in their final match of the season this weekend, as Premier League action concludes.

Xabi Alonso will have plenty of work to do when he begins his tenure as Chelsea manager.

It is likely to be another busy transfer window as the Blues look to improve a squad that has underachieved in the Premier League.

But one of Chelsea’s top performers this season could be on his way out amid reported interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro is on Barcelona's radar

Joao Pedro has impressed since his summer move from Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists in the Premier League.

According to AS, Barcelona sporting director Deco met with Pedro’s agent in London last week to discuss a potential move to the Catalan club.

The Brazil international is reportedly “keen” on a switch to Camp Nou, with the prospect of potential domestic and European silverware under Hansi Flick an enticing one.

But Barcelona are said to be unable to afford such a transfer as things stand, while Chelsea are not interested in selling their star forward.

Alonso will reportedly decide whether or not he sees Pedro as an indispensable part of his squad.

If not, Chelsea could attract a sizeable fee for the 24-year-old, who they signed in a deal worth up to £60m.

AS claim Alonso may look to move Pedro on if the player is not happy at Stamford Bridge and has his head turned.

The Spaniard had issues with player power at Real Madrid in his short tenure this season, and wants a squad all pulling in the same direction, committed to his vision.

Barcelona’s top target is believed to be Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, formerly of Manchester City, but Los Colchoneros are refusing to sell.

Pedro is contracted until 2033 at Chelsea and the London club would command a huge fee if they opted to sell.

Manchester United's hierarchy are reportedly ready to sanction an overhaul of the midfield department this summer.

Following a successful campaign that has secured a return to the Champions League, the Red Devils are set to enjoy a substantial revenue bump.

This influx of capital is expected to be harnessed to good effect, financing a bold recruitment strategy which is set to include the signing of three high-quality midfielders ahead of the 2026/27 season.

How Man United can sign two players for the price of one Elliot Anderson, sort of

Central to this plan is the club's long-standing interest in Nottingham Forest revelation Elliot Anderson.

The 23-year-old has been on Man United’s radar for some time, and his recent England breakthrough has only increased his value.

Anderson's tactical versatility and high-intensity pressing have reportedly made him a favourite of the recruitment team at Old Trafford, but acquiring his signature ahead of Manchester City, for example, looks as though it will prove troublesome.

Instead, the club are looking to exploit specific external pressures at other major clubs to drive down the costs of their shortlisted midfielders.

Perhaps the most high-profile alternate target is Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni.

The French international is reportedly unsettled in the Spanish capital following a season of internal friction, including high-profile training ground bust-up with Federico Valverde.

Reports from Spain suggest Tchouameni has informed the Madrid hierarchy of his desire to leave this summer.

Real Madrid are said to be willing to facilitate a sale for less than his projected £80m market value. The priority in Madrid has shifted toward restoring squad harmony after a toxic few months, meaning they may accept a lower bid to ensure a swift exit for dissenting voices.

Simultaneously, Man United are keeping a close eye on the precarious situation at the London Stadium. West Ham United are embroiled in a battle against the drop, and relegation to the Championship would trigger a financial fire sale in East London.

Such a scenario would drastically drive down the price of another reported Old Trafford target, Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder has been a standout performer in a struggling Hammers side, and while he is highly valued, West Ham would be financially compelled to sell for less than his true worth to balance the books in the event of dropping into the second tier.

By leveraging the unrest at the Bernabeu and the potential desperation at West Ham, Manchester United could feasibly land a pair of elite midfielders for a total outlay that may not amount to much more than a deal for £100m-rated Anderson.

With the extra revenue from European qualification now guaranteed, the club are poised to strike while the market is volatile.

Julian Alvarez has rejected Arsenal in favour of Paris Saint-Germain.

That's according to a bombshell report from the Spanish media, claiming that Atletico Madrid star Alvarez has already “transferred” to the European champions, ahead of their meeting with Arsenal in the Champions League final later this month.

With PSG also interested in Gunners forward Gabriel Martinelli, there are plenty of moving parts in this saga.

Julian Alvarez has “transferred” to Paris Saint-Germain already, leaving Arsenal bereft

After an impressive season in the Champions League in which Alvarez has scored 20 goals and helped lead Atletico to the semi-finals – where they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Arsenal – Spanish outlet COPE have relayed comments from analyst Jose Antonio Martin Otin, AKA, ‘Peton’ that Alvarez has already decided on his next move.

Peton has claimed that the former Manchester City star – ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo's list of the best strikers in the world right now – has “already been transferred to PSG” ahead of being named in Argentina's squad for World Cup 2026, rejecting overtures from North London.

According to the analysis, however, several options remain on the table for Atleti – who are already losing talismanic forward Antoine Griezmann this summer.

Diego Simeone's side are said to “hold all the cards”, demanding an astronomical for the striker after The Athletic claimed in 2023 that Alvarez's transfer to the Metropolitano cost Atletico €95m.

Peton has noted that the transfer to take the 26-year-old to Paris could see a player move in the opposite direction on top of the nine-figure fee, with Goncalo Ramos and Lucas Hernandez mooted as options.

FourFourTwo understands that the Gunners have shown an initial interest in the forward, along with the likes of Junior Kroupi, but that the Gunners might have to break their transfer record in order to bring the former City star to the club.

Gabriel Martinelli's future is still uncertain at London club, but with interest from European giants, it's possible that Arsenal could have a summer in which they sell big in order to strengthen.

Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are two homegrown Hale End prospects who could fetch significant fees, too – though the possibility of selling Ben White has been complicated by the defender picking up a ligament injury last weekend.

Arsenal are also interested in another midfielder to strengthen their depth.

Alvarez is worth €90m, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal return to Premier League action on Monday night against Burnley.

Manchester United are targeting "the next Nemanja Vidic" this summer as they look to bolster their defensive options.

Harry Maguire has already signed a new contract with the club, but Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have proven to be unreliable options, with both suffering repeated injuries throughout their time at Old Trafford.

That has turned focus to AC Milan's Strahinja Pavlovic, who Man United could look to sign in the upcoming transfer window.

Strahinja Pavlovic could cost as much as £45m

After a strong showing in Serie A this season, the Serbian defender has drawn comparisons with his fellow countryman and former Man United man Nemanja Vidic.

As such, his price tag is expected to be around the 40-50m Euro mark (£35-45m), with Chelsea, Crystal Palace and clubs in Saudi Arabia also reportedly tracking his progress.

Should Milan fail to qualify for the Champions League, it could leave them in a position where they have to sell some of their star players.

Pavlovic's exit would represent a sizeable return on investment, after he joined from RB Salzburg for £15m in 2024.

According to Fichajes, a "bidding war" is expected between Man United and Chelsea, who are reportedly looking for a replacement for Benoit Badiashile.

Crystal Palace are also keeping an eye on the situation, as they look to build on a season in which they could take home a first-ever European trophy.

Milan's preference is to keep the defender, with reports in Italy claiming they see him as a future club captain.

Pavlovic isn't the only defender Man United have their eyes on this summer, with Werder Bremen's Karim Coulibaly another option on their radar.

The 18-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga this season, becoming Werder's youngest ever Bundesliga goalscorer in the process.

The defender's potential has been spotted before, with FourFourTwo even listing him as one of the best wonderkids in Football Manager 26.

Victory for Serie A side Napoli tonight would finalise the permanent transfer of Danish international striker Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United.

It has been widely reported that a specific performance-related clause in the Danish forward's loan contract could result in a £38m windfall for the Old Trafford club as soon as this evening.

Should Napoli defeat Bologna on Monday night, it will all but confirm the club's participation in the Champions League next season with fifth-place AS Roma only able to match the Neapolitans' points tally in their two remaining league fixtures.

Rasmus Hojlund permanent sale imminent

It is qualification for this competition that is expected to trigger Napoli's buy option in Hojlund's loan deal.

Even if the team do not beat Bologna, Napoli face already-relegated Pisa and mid-table side Udinese to finish the 2025/26 campaign, meaning it is highly likely they will be playing Champions League football in 2026/27.

The payment comes as the culmination of a deal struck last summer when Hojlund departed Manchester following a difficult two-year spell in England.

While Man United initially invested £72m to sign the striker from Atalanta, he struggled to find consistent form in the Premier League.

And despite flashes of his physical potential, the burden of being the club's primary goalscorer at a young age appeared to take its toll, leading to his eventual exit in the summer of 2025.

A change of scenery has proved transformative for the 23-year-old. Since arriving in Naples, Hojlund has rediscovered the kind of form that first made him one of Europe’s most coveted prospects.

During 2025/26, he has become the focal point of Napoli's attack, flourishing in Serie A.

Hojlund has made 41 appearances for Napoli across all competitions this season, netting 14 goals. His return to form has not only helped Napoli challenge at the top of the table but has justified the Italian club's decision to include a high-value purchase obligation in the initial loan agreement.

For Manchester United, the timing of this windfall could not be better with the club looking to reshape the squad this summer. An influx of nearly £40m will provide much-needed flexibility regarding Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), even if his market value - according to Transfermarkt - is several million greater than the £38m fee.

To some though, offloading a player who failed to settle while recouping a significant portion of their initial investment will represent shrewd business for the Red Devils' hierarchy.

Arsenal have emerged as the shock destination for a Manchester City midfielder.

Mikel Arteta's side have enjoyed a fantastic week in which results have swung their way in both the Premier League and Champions League – and with both Arsenal and Manchester City still competing for the title, there may be twists to come before the end of the season.

But with attention turning to summer transfer business for both sides, the two rivals may meet at the negotiating table for another deal.

Manchester City star scheduled for talks, with Arsenal ready to move

The Gunners are no stranger to dealing with City, with Arteta having worked at the Etihad Stadium himself after retiring as a player in 2016.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus made the move from Manchester to London in 2022, but aside from former Citizen, Raheem Sterling, going on loan to the Emirates Stadium last year, there haven't been any major moves between the two sides since Arteta's squad started competing in title races.

That could be set to change with Tijjani Reijnders' future in doubt.

The Dutchman started the season with an outstanding display away to Wolverhampton Wanderers but has lost his place in Pep Guardiola's side in recent weeks and struggled for consistency in his first season in England, following a move from Milan last summer.

Now, Caught Offside reports that Arsenal are one of a number of clubs keeping an eye on the situation, with Reijnders set for talks with City at the end of the season.

Man City are looking to strengthen in midfield this summer, with the likes of Elliot Anderson and targeted and Bernardo Silva leaving the club – leaving Reijnders' place in the squad potentially under threat.

FourFourTwo understands, however, that though Arsenal are monitoring the situation, they are not seriously considering an offer for the 27-year-old right now, with other targets in midfield held as higher priorities.

Arteta has been linked with a new no.6, following the lack of minutes given to Christian Norgaard following his move from Brentford last summer, though the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly as an option centrally may mean transfer plans change.

The Gunners are also targeting new signings at right-back and in attack.

Reijnders is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt. Arsenal travel to West Ham United this weekend as Premier League action continues.

Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly may have been given the clearest indication yet over his future.

The Hale End academy graduate burst into Arsenal's first team last season as a left-back during an injury crisis that saw Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney all sidelined, going on to win his first England caps under Thomas Tuchel.

But this season, the 19-year-old has been used a little more sparingly, starting just three fixtures all season and remaining an unused substitute for 17, seriously impacting his chances of going to World Cup 2026.

Myles Lewis-Skelly given indication over his Arsenal future by transfer move that Mikel Arteta is pursuing

Lewis-Skelly played primarily as a midfielder at youth level, but only started his first game as a no.8 at the weekend, as the Gunners battered Fulham – with manager Mikel Arteta claiming he hadn't played him there before because he doesn't “have a clue”.

“Maybe I should have done it earlier,” the Basque boss admitted in his post-match presser, adding, “I have to do things when I believe that the player is ready, the team is ready and the opponent is the right one to play with him in that position.”

Lewis-Skelly appears to have lost his place as a left-back in N5, with both Calafiori and Piero Hincapie preferred in that position – and now, reports from Germany suggest that he may have even more of a struggle to hold down a spot as an inverted full-back under Arteta.

Sky Germany have noted that Arsenal are still interested in Victor Valdepenas of Real Madrid, with a long-standing interest in the teenager still strong despite competition from Eintracht Frankfurt having already made a move.

In a scout report in January, FourFourTwo described the young Spaniard as a “Calafiori-type defender” who is “able to use his pace and physical prowess in a defensive duel or bombing up the pitch” – and with Valdepenas able to play either as a centre-back or a left-back, the youngster could well act as cover for Gabriel, as well.

This would indicate that Lewis-Skelly's future lies purely as a midfielder, with a recent tactical shift seeing Declan Rice move deeper to no.6.

The youngster could well be fighting the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino for a place in the starting XI to the left of Rice (or Christian Norgaard) in defensive midfield, with Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri all options as no.10s.

FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal are interested in another midfielder this summer, with the likes of Sandro Tonali and Ayyoub Bouaddi having been linked in recent weeks, and Lewis-Skelly's status as a homegrown academy talent providing the easiest opportunity for a quick sale.

But with Norgaard having featured so sporadically this season, Merino coming off the back of injury, and Odegaard having struggled for consistent starts this season, it may well be that the Gunners stick with the star as depth – especially given Calafiori's injury issues and a bedding-in period that Valdepenas may face, should he join.

Lewis-Skelly is worth €35m, as per Transfermarkt. Arsenal face West Ham United this weekend, as Premier League action returns.

Manchester City are preparing for another big exit at the end of the season.

The Sky Blues have won everything over the past decade or so, having swept six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and a Champions League title – and now, the core of that side are leaving, with Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva and centre-back John Stones the latest to confirm their Eastlands exits.

With the club having recently undergone a rebuild, there may yet be bigger names leaving, too, as the would-be champions prepare for another busy summer.

After capturing a League Cup in March, City are still chasing a third Treble under manager Pep Guardiola, with an FA Cup final to come at Wembley Stadium and the chance of a ninth Premier League title still a possibility, should Arsenal fail to win their remaining games.

Along with Silva and Stones looking to end their Etihad careers on a high, there could be other big names following, with Rodri linked with an exit, James Trafford and Omar Marmoush likely to demand first-team football and Tijjani Reijnders having failed to settle following a move from Milan last summer.

Nathan Ake could well be leaving the club, too, with Guardiola allowing the defender to move on with his blessing.

Ake gave a telling interview with Dutch Algemeen Dagblad earlier on this season, admitting that he was unsure about his future but heavily hinting that his time at City would be coming to an end, with the League Cup triumph at Wembley being “a nice ending” to his six years in the northwest.

Now, a report from a fellow Netherlands-based publication, Voetbal International, says that the 31-year-old is nearing a move to Serie A, with Juventus and Roma options after Milan tried to snare him in January.

After joining from Bournemouth following their relegation during lockdown, Ake has been an exceptional signing for City, playing an integral role in 2022/23's Treble at left-back and providing key cover at centre-back, too.

With Nico O'Reilly and Rayan Ait-Nouri having established themselves as on the left now and the likes of Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol options on the left side of central defence, Ake's become ever more of a peripheral figure.

The Dutchman has seen just 25 league appearances in the last two seasons after playing 26 and 29 games respectively in 2022/23 and 2023/24, as age and injuries catch up with him.

FourFourTwo understands that Dutch clubs have enquired about a move, too – but Ake's own preference is not to return to his homeland just yet.

The Oranje international is worth €15 million, according to Transfermarkt. City host Brentford this weekend when Premier League action returns.

Manchester United are looking to complete a first summer signing after qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Michael Carrick's Manchester United have now beaten every one of the other clubs in the so-called ‘Big Six’ this season, following the weekend's 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford, meaning that a return to Europe's elite is on the cards next term.

With the Red Devils making excellent progress in ticking off some of their short-term goals, the focus now turns to transfer business this summer.

Manchester United 'intensify contact' for Ederson signing

Though Casemiro is set to leave English football this summer when his contract at the Theatre of Dreams winds up, Kobbie Mainoo has signed a long-term extension to keep him at the club.

Who partners the Carrington graduate in the centre of midfield next season is still to be determined, however, though Atalanta schemer Ederson has been heavily linked over the past 18 months or so.

A report from Calciomercato in Italy states that the Brazilian no.6 has a verbal agreement in place with Atletico Madrid, though there is a complication over the fee needed to take him to the Spanish capital.

La Dea are said to be demanding around £40 million, which Atleti are reluctant to pay: a figure that wouldn't be a problem for United.

Diego Simeone's side have a backup Brazilian brawler in mind, in the shape of recently relegated Joao Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, though Gomes is also wanted by Napoli – who, in turn, have been linked with Man United's Joshua Zirkzee.

In securing their place in next term's Champions League, United will perhaps be the best placed to make an offer for Ederson – though they will have to juggle a deal around other wants and needs in their squad.

It's possible that the 20-time English champions bring in two new midfielders, with Manuel Ugarte having failed to impress since his move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.

United could well look to bring in new full-backs on either side this summer, while the need for another central defender may have been eased by Harry Maguire committing to another year in the northwest.

Further forward, there may be a new arrival in forward areas, with limited quality in attacking areas beyond the first-choice front three of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, and the likes of Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount all linked with exits this summer.

Ederson is valued at around €40m by Transfermarkt. United are back in Premier League action this weekend when they travel to Sunderland.

Cesc Fabregas will rebuff any approaches by Chelsea as he looks to hold out for the Arsenal job.

Fabregas has caught the attention of top clubs across Europe with his last two seasons in charge of Como.

They currently sit fifth in Serie A, and just three points off a Champions League place with just four games remaining.

Fabregas wants to manage Arsenal and would reject Chelsea should the Blues make summer approach

He was temporarily in charge of Como for a month between November and December 2023, and was not allowed to take on the full-time role due to not holding a UEFA Pro coaching licence.

After a permanent appointment was made, Fabregas stayed on as a coach helping them gain promotion to Serie A in May 2024 but was given the job as manager in June 2024 days after being admitted to the UEFA Pro coaching course.

Chelsea are looking for their next manager after parting ways with Liam Rosenior after just three months, and Fabregas’ name has crept up in discussions surrounding who may take the reins at Stamford Bridge.

However, Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports has suggested that the Spaniard, who played for Chelsea for five seasons, would snub a move to west London in favour of waiting for the Arsenal job.

Speaking on Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast he said: “Cesc Fabregas, what I’ve been told, there’s some kind of suggestion that long-term, the plan for him is to manage Arsenal one day. I’m not sure moving to Chelsea would be part of his career progression.”

Fabregas played 198 games at Chelsea, winning five trophies, including the Premier League twice, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Europa League.

The only team Fabregas played more for in his career was Arsenal, who he played 303 games for. He was named club captain at just 21 by Arsene Wenger.

Whilst it seems unlikely the Arsenal job will be available come the end of the season, should Arsenal fail to win the Premier League and the Champions League, questions may be raised over Mikel Arteta’s future, potentially paving the way for Fabregas’ appointment.

With Como almost certain to play in Europe for the first time in their existence, Fabregas may not be too keen to make the jump up to the current Premier League leaders just yet, and test himself against continental opposition first.

Chelsea are next in action in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal take on Fulham.

Manchester United are interested in signing AC Milan’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leao.

The Red Devils currently sit third in the Premier League and are just two points off confirming a return to the Champions League next season

It is unclear who will be in the dugout at Old Trafford next season, but the clubs hierarchy are looking to bolster their squad ahead of European football returning to the Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United could offer three players in bid to sign Leao from AC Milan

After spending over £200 million in the summer transfer window it looked like Manchester United were going to suffer yet another mediocre season, sitting in sixth and out of the Carabao Cup when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.

However, Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim manager has completely changed their fortunes and they are on the verge of returning to Europe’s elite competition after a two-year absence.

Early elimination from the FA Cup has meant that Man United will play the minimum number of games available to them this season (40), and as such they have been able to keep their squad relatively fit, with summer signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko only missing seven games through injury combined.

Return to the Champions League will mean at least an extra eight games in their schedule for the 2026/27 season, and therefore will require some squad depth, and they have turned their attention to fleshing out their attack.

Rafael Leao has long been touted with a move to the Premier League, yet nothing has ever materialised, but Man United may offer a new opportunity.

Italian outlet La Gazzeta dello Sport is reporting that Man United have Leao on their shortlist of attackers to come in and rotate with their current front three.

They state that top of the shortlist at Old Trafford is Morgan Rogers, but Aston Villa are said to have slapped a €100 million price tag on the England international, and Leao at just €50 million may represent better value.

It has been suggested that Man United would be willing to offer a player in exchange, potentially Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte or Joshua Zirkzee.

Rashford has impressed on loan at Barcelona this season, but the Spanish champions are said to have reservations about signing him permanently.

Milan would prefer just cash for Leao as they look to revamp their attack ahead of a return to European football as well.

Leao has scored 80 goals and registered 65 assists in 288 appearances for Milan and is valued at €65 million by Transfermarkt.

Manchester United are next in action against Liverpool in the Premier League and know that a win will see them return to the Champions League next season.

Yoane Wissa has admitted he rushed back from injury earlier this season, but insists he is ready to fight for his place in the Newcastle team next season.

Wissa joined the Magpies on deadline day as they looked to fill the hole Alexander Isak left as he moved to Liverpool.

It’s been far from plain sailing for the DR Congo international, who has managed to score just one Premier League goal and rumours suggest Newcastle may be willing to cash in on him this summer.

Yoane Wissa insists he is a 'soldier' as he sends a strong message to Eddie Howe

Immediately after securing his move to the north east, Wissa suffered a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo and it significantly derailed his start to life in the Toon.

He was forced to wait until 6 December to make his debut and he has failed to nail down a regular place in the starting line-up since.

Although Wissa was sidelined for over two months, he has admitted he rushed back from injury, which may have had an impact on his form this season.

Speaking on JoelBeyaTV, Wissa said: "I didn't wait for the proper time to come back (from injury). It should have definitely been more. You just want to catch the train, but that was impossible, because my knee wasn't right."

FourFourTwo understands that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is open to Wissa's sale this summer, but the 29-year-old is determined to stay and fight for his place next season.

"I am a soldier. I will keep going. I want the fans to know the love I have for this shirt. Looking forward to next season, I understand how big this club is, I hope I'm going to do better. It's such a privilege. I just want to wear the shirt.”

Across all competitions Wissa has made just eight starts and scored only three goals.

Newcastle are currently not mathematically safe from relegation, and face Nottingham Forest and West Ham in their final four games of the season.

Both sides are fighting for their own Premier League survival and two losses to them could be catastrophic for the Toon Army.

Newcastle are next in action at home against Brighton in the Premier League.

Tuesday night's Champions League meeting between Bayern Munich and semi-final first leg hosts Paris Saint-Germain highlighted yet again the unbelievable talent Kvaratskhelia possesses.

The Georgian has played in Russia, Italy and now France, but never the Premier League, although there was a chance he may have ended up in English football's top flight five years ago.

Kvaratskhelia was on Leeds United's transfer shortlist ahead of the 2021/22 season, having had a hand in 12 goals for Russian side Rubin Kazan during the 2020/21 campaign.

Did Leeds really pass on opportunity to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

Leeds had spent heavily, by the standards of newly-promoted sides, the previous summer and their plan was to consolidate their position in the Premier League with only a handful of signings the summer after their ninth-place finish under Marcelo Bielsa.

While Kvaratskhelia was on the scouting team's radar, it is not clear how advanced talks were in their pursuit of the then-20-year-old Georgian - but they did take place.

Speaking to TV station Rustavi 2 at that time, Kvaratskhelia said: “Negotiations are underway with many clubs. We are already in a decisive phase.

“Negotiations with Leeds? Yes, they’ve been conducted and may resume.”

Leeds ultimately kept their powder dry, waiting until the end of the window to add a winger who had long been a transfer target: Daniel James.

The club were convinced by James' Premier League experience that, on the balance of probabilities, the Welshman would represent a smarter investment than a little-known winger in the Russian Premier League.

Kvaratskhelia did not move that summer, remaining in Russia until the country's invasion of Ukraine. FIFA regulations in 2022 permitted players contracted to Russian clubs to unilaterally suspend their deals, allowing them to join clubs elsewhere.

The winger returned to his homeland, representing Dinamo Batumi for the remainder of the 2021/22 season, scoring eight times and registering two assists.

That summer, Napoli decided to spend a reported €10-12 million on Kvaratskhelia, bringing him into Europe's major leagues at the age of 21. Leeds, meanwhile, signed the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams and Willy Gnonto, and were subsequently relegated at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Had Leeds signed Kvaratskhelia, whether it had been in 2021 or 2022, the likelihood is he would have also had a relegation loan release clause in his contract, similar to many of the aforementioned names.

While it is undeniable that 'Kvaradona', as he came to be known in Naples, would have been an affordable signing, the logic behind Leeds' approach at the time was widely regarded to be sound.

Of course, in hindsight it proves to have been a transfer misstep, one which could have seen the Georgian replicate the success of Brazilian forward Raphinha at Elland Road, who was similarly plucked from under the noses of Europe's elite.

The reality of football transfers is that talks are underway between clubs and players almost constantly, throughout the season and during summer breaks. Not every player spoken to by a club will be signed by said club; sometimes negotiating teams will deem an agent or selling club's demands to exceed what they're willing to pay, or what their budget will allow, and as a result talks peter out.

Since 2022, Kvaratskhelia has excelled in Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Champions League. He helped Napoli win the Italian title in his first season at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and has scored a combined 54 goals for Napoli and PSG, joining the French giants in January 2025, months before their maiden Champions League triumph.

Berta was in attendance for the recent derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, where Spanish outlet AS indicate preliminary talks were held with intermediaries to discuss the feasibility of a transfer.

The pursuit represents a continuance in Arsenal’s recruitment plans as they, for a second summer running, appear to be prioritising a marquee No. 9 ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Unlike previous windows where Osimhen’s status has been complicated by loan agreements, the striker is now a permanent Galatasaray player, having completed a reported €75m move from Napoli last year.

Arsenal transfer chief 'initiates contact' over Osimhen move

Any deal would now require a direct club-to-club negotiation with the Turkish giants, who are expected to demand a premium for their most prolific asset. There is no indication at this stage that any official approach has been made.

Osimhen would likely represent a total financial commitment of approximately £200 million over a standard five-year contract, assuming Arsenal stepped up their reported interest.

Galatasaray would likely hold out for a transfer fee in the region of £100 million, which would make him one of the Gunners' most expensive signings. However, the main complexity lies in the wage structure.

Osimhen currently earns a staggering €21 million (£17.5m) per year in Istanbul, according to ESPN. For Arsenal to successfully lure him to North London, they would need to facilitate a weekly wage of roughly £300,000, before loyalty bonuses and image rights.

The pursuit of Osimhen raises immediate questions regarding the future of Viktor Gyokeres. Since joining the Gunners last summer, the Swedish international has not exactly been an unmitigated success, although he has found the net 18 times in his debut campaign.

A move for Osimhen would likely signal a departure for Gyokeres, or may indicate that Mikel Arteta is seeking to provide elite-level rotation to sustain title challenges on multiple fronts. However, balancing the minutes of Osimhen and Gyokeres could prove especially tricky.

It does suggest, though, that Gabriel Jesus will be moved on this summer. The 29-year-old has appeared 24 times this season, predominantly from the bench, scoring five times across all competitions.

Can Arsenal afford Osimhen?

Arsenal’s most recently published financial accounts show the club is in a strong economic position. Revenue has surpassed £690 million, driven by deep Champions League runs and record-breaking commercial partnerships. Meanwhile, their expenditure on wages represents approximately 50 per cent of their total revenue, which is much healthier than other top clubs.

The Premier League is transitioning to the 'Squad Cost Ratio' (SCR) as its primary financial regulatory tool at the start of next season, moving away from the old Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) which focused on a limit of £105m in losses over three years.

SCR is designed to mirror UEFA's financial regulations, shifting the focus from total losses to spending power relative to revenue, which means Arsenal are already in a good position to continue recruiting aggressively as they have done in recent windows.

SCR uses a tiered system to maintain a level playing field while acknowledging the extra revenue and costs associated with European football, so for a club like Arsenal who are in Europe regularly, wages, amortisation and agent fees must not exceed 70 per cent of the club's revenue.

Arsenal can, in theory, afford the move, however, the addition of a £300k-a-week wage packet requires careful navigation. To maintain a safe buffer, Arsenal would likely need to sanction £40m-£50m in fringe player sales this summer.

If Berta can navigate these financial hurdles, the sporting director's initial trip to Istanbul may well prove to be a sliding doors moment for the Gunners.

Newcastle United face the possibility of a squad rebuild this summer after a trying campaign which has petered out of late.

Despite making it to the Champions League knockout stages, the club will almost certainly miss out on European football next season, due to poor domestic form.

A year on from the club's Carabao Cup triumph, supporters are asking questions of head coach Eddie Howe and his future at St. James' Park, whilst it appears likely the club will also need to sell at least one key player to reinforce the squad this summer.

Newcastle United scouting Nigerian centre-back ahead of summer rebuild

Anthony Gordon has been strongly linked with Bayern Munich in recent weeks, meanwhile Sandro Tonali looks to be another likely departee. There is no guarantee over the long-term futures of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, either, even though the pair were only signed last summer.

Had Newcastle enjoyed a more fruitful domestic campaign, the squad would not require as much surgery as is forecast, but one position would have needed reinforcing anyway.

Newcastle have an ageing cohort of central defenders, some of whom may leave the club this summer at the end of their contracts.

Fabian Schar has spent the second half of the season injured, while Emil Krafth has also been sidelined for a significant portion of 2025/26. Both players' Newcastle deals are up this summer and at 34 and 31, respectively, will most likely move on.

Dan Burn has featured at centre-back since joining his boyhood club but he will also be 34 by the end of this season and is contracted only for another 14 months. Malick Thiaw arrived last summer from AC Milan, adding youth to the backline but with Kieran Trippier already confirmed to be leaving and Tino Livramento courted by the likes of Manchester City, the Newcastle defence will look decidedly different come the beginning of 2026/27.

It is for that reason Newcastle have been keeping an eye on Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu, 22, according to industry insiders.

FourFourTwo understands there is Premier League competition for the Nigerian who only joined the Turkish Super Lig club in January, but Newcastle are among his admirers.

Such is the impact he has had since leaving Wolfsberger AC in Austria, it is expected he will leave Trabzonspor this summer and join a team in a top five European league.

Nwaiwu cost Trabzonspor €5.5 million (£4.75m) earlier this year, but is signed to a contract which runs until 2030, meaning interested clubs will need to offer significantly more if they are intent on buying him.

The 22-year-old is dominant in the air and has already scored three times with his head since joining Trabzonspor. He is regarded among the most impressive players in Turkey, hence the interest from Newcastle, fellow Premier League club Fulham and reportedly Bayer Leverkusen, too.

Nwaiwu played in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) as recently as September 2024, where he represented Enyimba FC. This summer could see him continue on a rapid ascent to the upper levels of European club football.

Fulham were one of the least active clubs in the transfer market last summer, only acting decisively as the window drew to a close.

Marco Silva's side brought in Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk and Samuel Chukwueze on loan from AC Milan, as well as adding experienced back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte earlier in the window.

Youngster Jonah Kusi-Asare also arrived on loan with an option-to-buy towards the end of the summer, but has rarely featured for the West Londoners and is likely to return to Bayern Munich.

Fulham eye Trabzonspor pair

Recently the likes of Ferdi Kadioglu and Altay Bayindir have moved to the Premier League from Turkish clubs, joining Brighton and Manchester United, respectively.

Typically, though, modern transfer flows tend to see players leaving the Premier League for Turkish football's top flight, not the other way round. However, Fulham could buck that trend this summer.

It is understood to club have had eyes on Trabzonspor pair Chibuike Nwaiwu and Wagner Pina, aged 22 and 23, respectively.

Nwaiwu scored the winner for title-chasing Trabzonspor against table-toppers Galatasaray earlier this month and has helped himself to two more goals, both of which came in a win over Fatih Karagümrük, since joining in January.

The Nigerian centre-back has recently been capped for the first time by his national team after spending just shy of 18 months in Austrian football with Wolfsberger AC.

Pina, a right-back and fellow standout Super Lig performer this season, is a Cape Verde international and has six league assists to his name during 2025/26.

The defender joined Trabzonspor after a two-year stint with Portuguese club Estoril and is widely expected to be name in his country's World Cup squad.

Pina and Nwaiwu are both said to be attracting admiring glances from the Bundesliga, too, with Bayer Leverkusen also credited with an interest.

Fulham have predominantly used Timothy Castagne and Kenny Tete at right-back this season, however the pair both turn 31 later this year. Castagne has 12 months left on his Craven Cottage deal, while Tete has an additional year on top of that.

There could be movement in Fulham's stable of central defenders this summer, too, with Issa Diop and Jorge Cuenca featuring less regularly than first-choice pairing Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey. Nigeria international Bassey and Diop are both out of contract in just over a year.

Leicester City’s season has been, by every metric, a disaster, with relegation to League One a nadir for a club that won the Premier League title 10 years ago.

Gary Rowett has been unable to save a sinking ship, and the Foxes will play third-tier football for only the second time in their history.

There have, though, been some shining lights in the gloom at the King Power Stadium.

Arsenal target Monga could be available for reduced price

Teenager Jeremy Monga has made his breakthrough in the Championship this season, impressing across 25 league appearances.

The 16-year-old only has started seven of those - scoring once and getting two assists - but he has done enough to demonstrate his talent.

Monga has been linked with a move to Arsenal, and confirmation of Leicester’s relegation could make a move easier for the Premier League side.

The Foxes find themselves in a precarious financial situation, after cashing in their remaining Premier League parachute payments in January by borrowing from a bank against the future income.

That could mean they will have to sell their most valuable assets to the highest bidder as they look to cut costs and cash in on players who will likely want to move to a higher level.

Monga, while still something of an unknown quantity, is amongst the players Leicester could make money on.

But their negotiating power has been diminished significantly, and the sharks are likely to be circling.

Arsenal - as well as Manchester City and Manchester United, also rumoured to be interested in Monga - could now see an opportunity to sign an exciting youngster for a relatively low fee.

If Leicester manage to keep hold of Monga for the time being, he will almost certainly be a key player in League One.

If he is to stay and help Leicester to promotion, his value will undoubtedly increase again - but a move to a Premier League club seems an inevitability for the Leicester youth product.

Liverpool target Yan Diomande is ‘ready to agree’ a move from RB Leipzig to replace Mohamed Salah, according to sources close to the player.

The talismanic Salah revealed in March that, despite signing a two-year extension last summer, this will be his last season at Liverpool, having fallen out of favour in recent months with manager Arne Slot.

The Reds are expected to invest heavily once again this summer after a tough campaign defending their Premier League title, but have identified RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande as their primary target to replace 33-year-old Salah, with the deal moving closer to completion in recent days.

Yan Diomande ‘ready to agree’ Liverpool switch, with £87m move touted

After trials with Chelsea and Rangers, Diomande has found his way to the top of European football the long way around, having cut his teeth in the fifth tier of Spanish football with Leganes' B team before a move to East Germany in January 2025.

FourFourTwo's Joe Donnohue profiled the Ivorian in our The Boy's A Bit Special series, claiming that the winger, “has always been an early developer for his age and leverages his physicality to great effect, drifting past challenges and making it look easy, as well as working hard out of possession,” marking him out for his similarities with Salah – who leaves Merseyside ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest Premier League players of all time.

According to a new report from TEAMtalk, sources have confirmed Liverpool are confident of striking personal terms with Diomande ahead of a blockbuster move this summer, with the teenager “ready to agree” to a move.

Liverpool struck gold last summer with the last big-money Bundesliga attacker they signed, bringing Hugo Ekitike to England from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69 million, as per the BBC – with the Frenchman netting 17 goals before his season was curtailed prematurely by an Achilles rupture sustained against former club, Paris Saint-Germain.

FourFourTwo understands that Diomande has been a target for well over a year, with his tactical flexibility said to be a key factor in the interest, though the fee demanded by Leipzig for his sale could well reach up to €100m, around £87m.

The Reds will be keen to keep that figure down, with the club looking at bringing in new signings in goal, at centre-back, left-back, defensive midfield and attack, in what could be another expensive transfer window.

Leipzig, meanwhile, are said to be keen to tie Diomande down to a longer-term deal with a release clause, similarly to how they kept Benjamin Sesko amid interest from Arsenal in 2024, only to sell him to Manchester United for more money in 2025.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, a player of the Ivorian's profile is a must this summer with Slot having plenty of attackers who demand the ball played to feet in his squad, and fewer ‘runner’-type wingers available to him – and with Ekitike having been a hit after a move from the Bundesliga, Diomande could well thrive with a similar blend of physicality and technical prowess.

The 19-year-old is valued at €75m, according to Transfermarkt. Liverpool host Crystal Palace this weekend when Premier League action returns.

Would Yan Diomande be a good signing for Liverpool? Tell us in the comments below

James Trafford’s return to Manchester City has not gone entirely to plan, through no fault of the young goalkeeper’s own.

The 23-year-old made the £27m move back to his former club last summer after an excellent season with Burnley in the Championship.

The expectation was that Trafford would become City’s No.1 after Ederson’s switch to Fenerbahce.

Juventus monitoring Trafford situation

Trafford would not have accounted for the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who became available late in the transfer window, and has since become Pep Guardiola’s first-choice keeper.

The Italian has been City’s stopper for the Premier League and Champions League, leaving Trafford to play in cup competitions - though he did get to celebrate helping his side to Carabao Cup glory.

It seems a handful of cup appearances may not be enough to satisfy Trafford in the long-term, though.

According to the Daily Mail, Juventus are “keeping close tabs” on the City keeper as they search for a new No.1.

Premier League sides Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested, while Newcastle United attempted to sign him last summer.

City do not intend to make a loss if they sell Trafford this summer, but Juventus are “shopping in the region of £17m”.

That could mean the Serie A club look to negotiate a loan deal, though they have also looked at Liverpool’s Alisson and former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea as more experienced options.

Toulouse’s Guillaume Restes and Olympiacos’ Konstantinos Tzolakis are other young goalkeepers on Juve’s radar, should a move for Trafford not materialise.

In FourFourTwo’s view, another City exit probably makes sense for Trafford, who will want to advance his career and play more regularly.

Donnarumma, despite his now vast experience, is still only 27, and could be City’s No.1 for several years, so Trafford may need to move elsewhere.

Junior Kroupi’s emergence at Bournemouth this season has been hugely impressive.

The 19-year-old forward has scored 10 goals in 28 Premier League appearances this season following his £10m move from French side Lorient last summer – catching the eye of Manchester United.

And Bournemouth could be set to make a sizeable profit on one of the brightest young talents in the division.

Manchester United watching Junior Kroupi closely

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United scouts have “closely tracked” Kroupi in recent weeks, impressed by his positional versatility.

The teenager scored against the Red Devils in a 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium last month, and then netted as Bournemouth beat league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates.

United scouts then watched Kroupi in the Cherries’ 2-1 win at Newcastle United last weekend.

His ability to play across the frontline is considered a major benefit for United, who are said to be looking for a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee.

But they could face a battle to secure his signature, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all interested.

There is also reportedly interest from several European clubs, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.

Bournemouth may have a fight on their hands, then, if they hope to keep hold of their in-demand star, who is under contract until 2030.

The Cherries are said to be determined to avoid losing another prized asset after the exit of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January.

If he is to leave, a valuation of £60m has been given, though it remains to be seen of Bournemouth would even consider any offers.

It also remains to be seen where Kroupi sees his long-term future, but big things are expected of the youngster based on his remarkable first year in the Premier League.

Liverpool’s transfer window last summer was hailed at the time as one of the most ambitious in recent Premier League history.

After a quiet summer the year before, the Reds flexed their financial muscle to bring in the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.

The expectation was that this added firepower would help Liverpool retain the Premier League title, but reality has proved far different.

Liverpool looking to upgrade at right-back

The summer additions, barring the now injured Ekitike, have struggled to make a significant impact at Anfield, and the season has been a disappointing one.

And one of those summer signings could soon find himself pushed further down the pecking order.

Jeremie Frimpong has flattered to deceive since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, only starting 10 Premier League games.

The exciting, creative right-back who lit up the Bundesliga has not been on show in the Premier League, and as a result Liverpool could look for an upgrade.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool are still interested in Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries.

The Reds reportedly attempted to sign the Netherlands international on loan in January, but their offer was rebuffed.

That is an indication that Arne Slot is not happy with his current options in the position, with Conor Bradley out injured since January.

Dumfries is said to have a £21.7m release clause in his contract at Inter, and several “European giants” are interested in signing him this summer.

A potential sticking point could be that Dumfries has just turned 30, and Liverpool’s transfer policy is typically to sign younger.

But he is more of a proven quantity than Frimpong, who is five years younger but has been unable, so far, to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Bayern Munich have reportedly intensified their pursuit of Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, with a formal meeting between the German giants and the player’s representatives scheduled, according to a report from Sky Sport Switzerland.

The Bundesliga club have reportedly identified Gordon as a primary target to revitalise their attacking options under Vincent Kompany.

It is suggested that Bayern are prepared to test Newcastle’s resolve with a significant summer bid, viewing the England international as the ideal profile to bring directness and pace to the Allianz Arena.

Anthony Gordon meeting scheduled ahead of summer Bayern move

Gordon was a notable absentee from Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, officially ruled out with a slight hip injury.

However, his absence has only fueled growing speculation regarding his long-term commitment to the club.

Supporters fear the ex-Everton winger has already had his head turned by the lure of Champions League football in Munich.

In anticipation of a potential exit, Newcastle’s recruitment apparatus has reportedly begun drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements.

High on that list is understood to be Köln breakout star Said El Mala, whose physical profile and goal-scoring exploits in the Bundesliga have drawn interest from Brighton and Hove Albion and Bayern, among others.

While Eddie Howe remains publicly supportive of his star man, the financial reality of Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) means Newcastle may be forced to make a big-money sale this summer.

If scheduled talks in Munich prove successful, Gordon could become the latest high-profile Englishman to swap the Premier League for the Bundesliga, following in the footsteps of Harry Kane and Eric Dier.

For Newcastle, the priority will shift to ensuring they aren't left short-staffed as they prepare for a pivotal summer of rebuilding.

The club will aim to avoid a similar situation to the one which played out last summer involving Alexander Isak.

Newcastle sit 14th in the Premier League table and look set to miss out on European football altogether next season.

David Moyes is reportedly looking to inject fresh energy into the Everton frontline this summer.

According to a report from SportSport.ba in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Merseyside club have identified the 21-year-old Bosnian international as a transfer target on the back of his development in the Eredivisie and on the international stage.

Bajraktarevic, who made the switch from MLS outfit New England Revolution to PSV in early 2025, has shown glimpses of what he's capable of in the Netherlands with the back-to-back-to-back Eredivisie champions.

Everton reportedly want future World Cup star

During the current 2025/26 campaign, the 21-year-old left-footer has established himself as a versatile threat, contributing five goals and two assists across all competitions.

His ability to impact games from the right flank has reportedly caught the eye of Everton scouts, who are said to have been tracking him throughout Bosnia’s recent World Cup qualifying campaign.

Interest from the Hill Dickinson Stadium comes at a time when Everton are considering reinforcements in wide areas.

With other targets like Harry Wilson also on the radar, Bajraktarevic represents a younger, potentially higher-upside alternative that could complement fellow attacker Thierno Barry.

However, a deal for the Bosnian won't come cheap. Having signed a contract with PSV until 2029, the Dutch giants are under no pressure to sell.

Bajraktarevic’s current market value according to Transfermarkt is €5 million (£4.35m) but could surge north of that if he has a strong World Cup. The US-born winger scored the decisive spot-kick in the play-off penalty shootout against Italy during March that helped secure Bosnia's place at the 2026 World Cup.

For Everton, signing Bajraktarevic would represent shrewd squad building as they look to cultivate a group capable of competing for European places next season.

Arsenal have set their price for a major squad player to be sold this summer.

The Gunners spent a club-record amount in a transfer window in 2025, bringing eight new faces to the club, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres playing key roles in leading the club into a title race and the Champions League semi-finals.

There is an acceptance, however, that Arsenal will have to sell this summer to balance the books – and it appears as if one leader within the squad has been earmarked for an exit.

Arsenal green-light exit for star… who doesn't want to leave

While Arsenal are six points clear in the title race and have reached successive appearances in the final four in Europe's premier competition for the first time in their history, a squad that looked to have plenty of depth at the start of the campaign is beginning to creak under the pressure of what will be a minimum of a 62-game season.

Key stars Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori all missed out in last night's fixture against Sporting, while Noni Madueke went off injured: and while injuries have dogged their ability to score goals, there have also been questions over the quality of the frontline, raised again on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football this week by pundit Jamie Carragher, in the wake of Arsenal's weekend defeat to Bournemouth.

Now, a report from Brazilian outlet A Critica claims that Arsenal have slapped a €30 million price tag on Gabriel Jesus' head – though according to ESPN Brazil journalist, Bruno Andrade, last month, the forward has made his priority to renew his contract in N5.

Jesus had an immediate impact upon moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2022, leading the line for manager Mikel Arteta in the club's first title challenge since 2015/16 and even being named as a vice-captain at the club, due to his experience of winning titles at Manchester City.

After an injury while on World Cup duty that winter, however, the Brazilian has struggled to recapture his early form in red-and-white, suffering a succession of further blows before an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January of 2025 ruled him out for almost a whole year.

FourFourTwo understands that there was a chance that Jesus could have left in the winter, with his former club, Palmeiras, interested in bringing him back to his homeland – but with both Arteta and Jesus himself opting against a move, the 29-year-old has remained on the fringes of the first team and has been used sparingly as an impact player, as he steps up an ambitious attempt to force himself into Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad this summer to play at his third World Cup.

Next January marks a decade since Jesus first arrived in English football, and the forward is said to favour staying in the Premier League even if his employers don't want him, while Arsenal are said to be open to the possibility of letting their no.9 leave on loan with an obligation to buy, with clubs in Italy said to be interested.

FourFourTwo understands that as much as Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta would like to receive a fee for Jesus, ahead of the final year of the contract he signed in 2022, part of the allure of selling him is to get his wages off the books, with the star still among the very highest earners at the club – as Capology estimate that he earns around a base salary of £265,000 a week.

Sport Witness have relayed the news of Arsenal's asking price, noting that, “Until now, most of the discussion had been based on intention rather than concrete terms,” with the figure of €30m, giving “real shape” to the probability of the move.

Jesus is worth €20m, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal are back in action against Manchester City this weekend when Premier League action returns.

Newcastle United transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke looks increasingly likely to depart the Amex Stadium in the coming months.

The Dutch international will shortly enter the final 12 months of his deal, with every indication of a growing reluctance from the player to sign a contract renewal.

Despite Brighton’s reputation for securing long-term commitments from their stars, Van Hecke appears ready for a new challenge, leaving the Seagulls with a difficult decision: sell this summer or risk losing him for free in a year's time.

Jan Paul van Hecke to leave Brighton this summer

Newcastle are high on the list of suitors, having registered significant interest in the 25-year-old during the previous two windows.

According to Dutch outlet VI, Brighton have tried 'several times to entice Van Hecke to sign a new, significantly improved contract'.

The 25-year-old has reportedly pinned his hopes on the next step in his career, though, and is understood to be aware of the Premier League interest in his signature.

Van Hecke could modernise Newcastle's defensive unit that has faced scrutiny this season.

With Fabian Schär entering the twilight of his career and ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Sven Botman, a new central defender is needed on Tyneside this summer.

Van Hecke's ball-playing ability and vast Premier League experience would allow him to compete for the right-sided centre-back role at St. James' Park.

The financial dynamics of any deal will be heavily influenced by the contract stand-off. While a player of Van Hecke's statistical profile would typically command upwards of £50 million, his expiring contract and apparent reluctance to extend mean a reduced fee, perhaps in the region of £25m to £30m, is more realistic.

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has been vocal in his admiration for the defender, previously describing him as the 'heartbeat' of the team’s build-up play.

However, with Hürzeler also emphasising the need for players fully committed to the Seagulls' project, the stage is set for a summer exit that could see Van Hecke follow in the footsteps of current Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who swapped the south coast for a return to the north east shortly after the Magpies' 2021 takeover.

Van Hecke is currently valued at €35m by Transfermarkt.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has caught the eye of Europe’s elite as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are reportedly preparing an offer for Dutchman Brian Brobbey, according to The Independent.

The 24-year-old Dutch international who arrived at the Stadium of Light last summer has enjoyed a productive campaign in the North East, recently scoring the decisive goal in the Tyne-Wear derby win over arch-rivals Newcastle United.

A product of Ajax's famed 'De Toekomst' academy, Brobbey is a powerhouse striker known for his physical strength, hold-up play, and finishing. His influence has helped Sunderland remain in with a chance of qualifying for European football next season.

Brian Brobbey to Bayern Munich

Brobbey’s impact has been so profound that he has successfully usurped fan favourite Wilson Isidor in the Black Cats' starting XI.

While Isidor was instrumental in the club’s promotion charge last term, Brobbey’s performances have offered Regis Le Bris' side a different dimension in attack.

By pinning defenders and creating space for Sunderland’s creative midfielders, Brobbey has featured as a traditional No. 9 and the focal point of the team’s attack.

However, this success comes with a steep price for potential suitors, which reportedly includes Bayern Munich who are also interested in signing Newcastle's Anthony Gordon.

With three years remaining on Brobbey's contract, Sunderland will likely hold out for a sizeable fee and would be expected to make a considerable profit on the player signed for just €20 million (£17.5m) less than 12 months ago.

For Bayern, Brobbey is reportedly seen as an ideal long-term successor to provide physical presence and rotation in their frontline which boasts 32-year-old Harry Kane at the spear-tip.

For Sunderland, the dilemma remains whether to cash in on a massive profit or fight to keep the player who has helped redefine their top-flight ambitions.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, Brobbey is unlikely to play as central a role at the Allianz Arena as he currently does at the Stadium of Light, due to Kane's presence.

However, the lure of Champions League football and a likely pay increase has the potential to turn the player's head, if Bayern take further steps to firm up their interest.

Brobbey is currently valued at €25m by Transfermarkt.

Chelsea have again appeared to push the boundaries of standard football accounting, with the release of their most recently available annual accounts.

Whilst technically compliant with regulations, the club is operating in a state of structural fiscal dependency on its BlueCo parent company ownership, and one-off asset sales.

A core pillar of Chelsea's strategy has been selling assets to other entities under the BlueCo umbrella to book immediate profits. In 2023/24 and 2024/25, the club booked massive profits, approximately £76m for hotels and £200m for the women's team, by selling them to BlueCo subsidiaries.

Chelsea's financial gymnastics explained

Whilst very much within the rules, the strategy has been viewed by rivals as the Blues exploiting loopholes not available to everybody else, in order to spend more freely.

Such profits exist on paper to offset operational losses, of which Chelsea's are significant, but do not generate new cash for the BlueCo group or Chelsea - they simply move value from one pocket to another.

Chelsea made a pre-tax loss of £262 million during the relevant accounting period which represents a significant deficit.

Under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), clubs are permitted to lose up to £105m over a rolling three-year period.

However, the league allows for specific 'add-backs' - expenditure that is considered beneficial to the long-term health of the game or the community.

These costs are deducted from the club’s bottom-line loss, meaning a club like Chelsea can technically lose £262m but will still be compliant if £150m was spent on these exempt categories.

Categories which are exempt include academy investment, women's football, community and charitable projects as well as infrastructure and capital expenditure, such as stadium or training ground improvements.

The ownership's overall pre-tax loss is £700.8m, however, bringing 22HoldCo's accumulated losses to in excess of £1.5 billion as at June 30, 2025.

UEFA’s Financial Sustainability Regulations (FSR) and the Premier League’s new squad cost controls (SCR) are moving toward a system where spending on wages, transfers, and agent fees must not exceed 70% of revenue, or 85% for Premier League clubs not in Europe.

For the 2024/25 period, Chelsea’s wage bill reached approximately £390m, reportedly the sixth highest in Europe, with amortisation costs soaring to £212m. Combined, these costs exceed Chelsea’s reported turnover of £491m.

Therefore, unless Chelsea dramatically increase their commercial revenue or consistently reach the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League, they will struggle to meet the 70% SCR ratio without significant annual player sales.

The club are locked into a high-wage, high-amortisation cycle whereby players who are signed for large sums but do not perform, end up becoming a significant drain on resources.

The bottom line is if the team fails to secure Champions League football consistently, Chelsea's squad cost ratio will breach regulatory limits, leading to potential points deductions or transfer bans, unless the club regularly engage in the sale of key players for sizeable fees.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, this is hardly what Chelsea fans will want to hear. Not only is their club running a significant financial deficit, they are at risk of becoming a selling club this summer and in perpetuity.

The introduction of SCR will force the club to cut spending or increase revenue. They are no longer able to pull on the one-time levers of selling the women's team or hotels on the Stamford Bridge site, both of which are now reflected in the consecutive years' accounts.

Arsenal could lose one of their brightest academy talents this summer, with Real Madrid circling.

The Gunners are focused on the current season as things stand, with a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League, which could produce their first league title since 2004.

Their closest challengers, Manchester City, beat them in the Carabao Cup final and still have a game in hand over the top club, with the pair set to face off later this month.

Arsenal may be forced into fielding Real Madrid approach

But some inside the Emirates Stadium will already be looking to the future, and that includes outgoings as well as incomings.

Under current financial rules, the biggest boost comes from selling academy products, with anything earned booked as ‘pure profit’ as no fee was paid to bring them in.

With that in mind, Real Madrid are circling young Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, according to Fichajes.

The 19-year-old was a key feature under Arteta last season, but has struggled for minutes this term against the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie.

Both of those competitors have age on their side, so Lewis-Skelly’s route to first-team football is not clear in the current setup.

Based on the report, Florentino Perez is monitoring the situation, seeing an opportunity to replace the likes of Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia.

BBC Sport reported that Arsenal are will to listen to offers for Lewis-Skelly, as well as fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, while Arsenal fans are unlikely to agree, it feels like the time is probably right for Lewis-Skelly to move on.

He still has plenty of value in the transfer market, and clearly has a number of top teams interested, but that could fade the longer he’s out of the first-team frame.

It’s in the interest of Arsenal and the player to agree a deal now, to maximise the fee and playing time, respectively.

Lewis-Skelly is valued at €35m, according to Transfermarkt.

Newcastle United are facing a summer of significant upheaval after new reports from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg that Anthony Gordon is the subject of intensifying interest from several top-tier European clubs, including Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old winger, who has been among Newcastle’s more reliable performers during a difficult campaign, may move on this summer with the Magpies likely to miss out on European football next season.

For a fanbase already reeling from the departure of Alexander Isak last year, the prospect of losing Gordon would represent a sizeable blow to the club’s attacking identity.

Anthony Gordon to Bayern Munich

The timing could not be worse for manager Eddie Howe, whose own future remains a subject of intense debate on the terraces.

While Howe retains the backing of his higher-ups, the club’s inability to find consistency this term has led to dissent amongst supporters.

Compounding the uncertainty is the growing likelihood of a wider exodus. Rumours persist that Tino Livramento is being courted by Manchester City, while Sandro Tonali is also being linked with a move away from St. James' Park.

Underpinning all of these potential departures is the club’s need to improve its Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) position.

Having spent heavily last summer and without the sustained windfall of Champions League revenue, Newcastle may look to generate profit through player sales.

Selling Gordon, who joined for £45 million but is now valued closer to £85m, would provide the vital financial breathing room the club needs to rebuild a squad that has looked increasingly misshapen as the campaign has progressed.

Gordon excelled in the Champions League this season, netting 10 times before Newcastle's elimination in the Round of 16 by Barcelona. Only Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane have scored more than the ex-Everton winger in this season's competition to date.

Bayern missed out on Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade last summer, however, the German has endured a difficult second half of the campaign and has seemingly lost his place in attack.

The Champions League favourites welcome Real Madrid to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night with a 2-1 quarter-final first leg lead over the Spanish giants.

According to Sky Germany, Gordon has been made aware of Bayern's interest in his services.

"The 25 y/o is currently the preferred candidate for the left wing as a back-up and competitor for Luis Díaz. Gordon has been informed. Concrete talks have already taken place, though the clubs are not yet in contact," the report states.

Arsenal have made a “concrete offer” for Julian Alvarez, as they look to close the signing of the Argentine as their marquee summer buy.

The Gunners are reeling from a disastrous weekend in which their lead at the top of the table was cut, with manager Mikel Arteta describing Arsenal's defeat at home to Bournemouth as a “punch in the face” to his side's title aspirations.

With Manchester City closing the gap between first and second at the top of the table to just six points and a game in hand ahead of the two sides meeting at the Etihad Stadium next weekend, the momentum may well have just shifted from London to Eastlands.

Arsenal submit offer for Julian Alvarez

Arsenal are not alone in their pursuit of Alvarez, with both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested in the World Cup-winning forward, with Spanish outlet Sport having detailed how the former have made Alvarez their “priority target”.

Though Gunners striker Viktor Gyokeres is the club's top scorer in all competitions this term, the Swede has struggled with the physicality of the Premier League and hold-up play, with Alvarez deemed to be a better fit in terms of movement and dynamism.

In a bid to edge ahead of rivals, Media Foot have reported in France that an offer has been presented to Alvarez by Arteta's side.

The report states that Gabriel Martinelli could be the forward sacrificed as a result, with the Brazilian of interest to PSG – despite having only scored a single Premier League goal all season.

While striking terms with potential transfer targets is common practice ahead of a transfer window, FourFourTwo understands that a departure is key to getting Alvarez through the door, with Arsenal having signed eight players last summer and a need to balance the books.

Recently, Sami Mokbel of the BBC claimed that a move for Alvarez could only materialise should either Gyokeres or Kai Havertz depart the club, though Gabriel Jesus may be another outgoing this summer, with the no.9 looking a shadow of his former self after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Gyokeres' exit is currently unlikely after joining last summer, while Havertz has been used in midfield more of late.

With Alvarez's release clause said to be at €500 million, according to The Athletic, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta might have a tough time signing the star.

Berta, formerly of Atleti himself, may have to negotiate a move that could well be worth around nine figures, with the Spanish giants having spent €95m to sign the forward from Manchester City just two years ago.

Alvarez is worth €90m, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal host Sporting this week in Champions League action, as the quarter-finals conclude.

Andy Robertson officially confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season, with a summer transfer to Tottenham Hotspur now considered likely, as per The Athletic.

Robertson's departure, announced by the club on Thursday April 9, follows months of speculation regarding the Scotland captain’s future.

The 32-year-old will depart as a free agent after nine trophy-laden years on Merseyside, during which time he helped redefine the modern full-back role, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League in the process.

Liverpool veteran Andy Robertson nearing new club

A prospective move to North London would represent a successful second attempt for Spurs, who are said to be front-runners.

Tottenham were close to landing Robertson’s signature during the January transfer window, reportedly getting as far as agreeing terms with the player. However, the deal collapsed on deadline day after Liverpool failed to secure a replacement, specifically due to an injury to Joe Gomez and the inability to recall Kostas Tsimikas from AS Roma.

"It’s never easy leaving a club like Liverpool," Robertson said in his official statement.

"But I know football moves on. I think now is the time for me to go wherever my next move takes me."

The arrival of Milos Kerkez at Anfield earlier this season saw the veteran’s minutes limited under Arne Slot, but Tottenham evidently believe Robertson’s leadership qualities are what's needed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He follows fellow icon Mohamed Salah out of the door at Anfield as the club continues to transition away from the Jurgen Klopp era.

Robertson will receive a rousing farewell when Liverpool face Brentford in their final home game of the season and could officially join Spurs in July upon the expiry of his contract, although this is contingent on Tottenham remaining in the Premier League.

The club are perched precariously above the relegation zone and find themselves amidst the unfamiliar territory of a battle against the drop.

Robertson reportedly has alternative options to Spurs, including offers and interest from other top European leagues, which may move to the top of the pecking order should the North London club succumb to the drop.

Tottenham remain 2/1 to be relegated with mainstream bookmakers.

Arsenal are looking at a wonderkid to replace one of their biggest talents.

The summer transfer window will seem like an age away to anyone of an Arsenal persuasion, as for now, the focus is fully on the conclusion to the Premier League season, and the stressful pursuit of a first title in over two decades.

But all elite clubs are incessantly searching for the next great talent, and Arsenal appear to have identified one.

Arsenal leading race to sign Lucca

The Gunners have been linked with a move for Sao Paulo’s 18-year-old winger Lucca Marques, who has caught the eye in Brazil.

And according to a report from German outlet BILD, Arsenal are ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the race to secure his signature.

Lucca is under contract with Sao Paulo until 2028, so a significant fee could be required to prise him away.

Dortmund reportedly see the youngster as a player that could develop and follow in the footsteps of other young stars to have cut their teeth at Signal Iduna Park: Ousmane Dembele, Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho amongst them.

There are said to be “other European clubs” monitoring Lucca, so Arsenal and Dortmund could face further competition.

The teenager holds the record for the youngest ever player to appear for Sao Paulo and scored his first goal in the Copa Libertadores this season.

The news comes as BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel broke the news that one of the Gunners' most exciting young talents, Ethan Nwaneri, could be leaving the Gunners this summer.

Nwaneri and fellow Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly are said to be up for sale this summer, as the club look to balance their heavy spend last summer with ‘pure profit’ sales during this transfer window.

Arsenal are also open to offers for Gabriel Martinelli, who has scored just a single league goal this term.

The Gunners host Bournemouth this weekend, as Premier League action returns.