Liverpool fans have been left thinking about the prospect of signing a new central defensive partner to Virgil van Dijk this week.
It comes after the former agent of Leicester City colossus Caglar Soyuncu made an interesting claim to Spanish outlet AS.
Mustafa Dogru claimed that “only Liverpool” could afford his signature in the Premier League this summer before namedropping financial heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona as other suitors.
This news was relayed on Twitter by popular fan account Anfield Edition and the Reds faithful have been reacting in their droves.
The 23-year-old has been a frequent figure under ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers at the Foxes this campaign, making 28 appearances in the top-flight where he has averaged an impressive 4.6 clearances, 1.8 tackles and an 89.3% passing success rate per game, via WhoScored.
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It remains to be seen what sort of fee he would command, especially in the current climate. He cost the Midlands outfit £19m back in 2018 and according to Transfermarkt, is now worth £28.8m.
Here’s how supporters have been reacting on social media…
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Arsene Wenger’s concluding years with Arsenal were certainly divisive amongst the club’s fanbase, but comments from the Frenchman regarding decisions from the Arsenal hierarchy relating to Aaron Ramsey have got many of the club’s fans talking.
Wenger departed north London after 22 years at the helm, with the veteran manager winning three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups.
However, his former side have failed to adapt to the new regime of Unai Emery, having won just four of their first 11 league fixtures.
Since leaving the club, Wenger has made a number of television appearances offering footballing insight, but the 70-year-old’s comments regarding former midfielder Ramsey and his departure to Serie A giants Juventus on a free transfer have got these fans criticising the club whilst praising their former boss for his honest insight.
Some also reflected on the Welshman’s time at the club after he scored in the Champions League.
Have appeared as a guest on beIN SPORTS, here are some of the best reactions to Wenger’s comments regarding Ramsey’s exit from The Emirates.
Sunderland’s 3-0 loss to Scunthorpe United in the Leasing.com Trophy on Tuesday means new manager Phil Parkinson has won just two of his eight matches in charge.
It is a terrible return, especially when he was meant to come in and turn things around after a lack of direction under Jack Ross.
The Scottish manager had led the Black Cats to the final of both the FA Trophy and the play-offs, but poor form this season meant fan animosity towards him grew, and the owners made the decision to part company with him.
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However, with things only getting worse, some supporters seemingly think that decision may have been a little premature, and they now wish they had kept him in charge. After all, the new man already has five defeats to his name, just six fewer than Ross managed in 76 games at the club.
Patience with Parkinson already seems to be running out and given what most fans thought of the Scot, the fact that some are considering bringing him back says all you need to know about what they think of Parkinson.
Here are some of the reactions from the defeat and the subsequent calls for Ross’ return.
In what could finally see the Bluebirds find their next manager, Cardiff City have reportedly narrowed their options down to two final candidates, which include a Real Madrid legend.
Cardiff's managerial candidates
Since sacking Erol Bulut at the end of September, Cardiff have relied on Omer Riza on an interim basis. But whilst results have improved somewhat after Bulut took charge of their worst start to a season in 94 years, the Welsh side still sit rock bottom of the Championship table, three points adrift of safety and in desperate need of a permanent appointment.
Whoever comes in will have an almighty task, but Cardiff have at least turned a corner in their last two games, with a 1-0 victory over Millwall followed by a 1-1 draw against Bristol City last time out.
Get things right on the managerial front, and the Bluebirds may just build on those results to eventually move out of the drop zone and towards safety to put such a disappointing start behind them, especially if they make the right choice between the two reported final candidates.
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According to Chris Wheatley of LondonWorld, Cardiff have narrowed their candidates down to Ruben Selles and Claude Makelele, with the latter being a potential arrival to steal the headlines. The Welsh side are reportedly in talks with the Chelsea and Real Madrid legend as he prepares to become the latest star to take to the dugout in the Championship.
Leaving after just three weeks in charge of Greek side Asteras Tripolis, Makelele will be desperate for another attempt in the technical area in what would be his second spell in Wales, having been Swansea City’s assistant manager in the 2016/17 campaign.
Southampton manager Ruben Selles andKamaldeenSulemana
Meanwhile, although Selles wouldn’t grab the same headlines, the Reading boss represents a solid option in his own right amid the chaos that he’s been forced to deal with in charge of the Royals amid their financial crisis.
Makelele could follow Rooney and Carrick path
In what makes a lot of us feel old these days, the likes of Tom Cleverley, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick no longer find themselves competing or playing alongside each other on the pitch. Instead, the former Premier League players find themselves competing in the technical area to add an added element of intrigue to the Championship.
All have had varying fortunes during their time in management, and could now be joined by former Chelsea midfielder Makelele. The Frenchman, perhaps alongside Rooney at Plymouth Argyle, would arguably have the most difficult task out of the fresh crop of former players turned managers.
Keeping Cardiff afloat – particularly without extensive experience – looks a tough task on paper, but this could be the true rebirth of Makelele’s managerial career which stalled in Greece, having returned to the dugout after five years away.
As the international break goes on, the Frenchman could be one to watch with Cardiff now down to their final candidates in their search to replace Bulut.
Jhon Duran has been a stand-out and even somewhat surprise performer for Aston Villa this season. The 20-year-old Colombian striker has scored six goals in nine games in all competitions, with all of his strikes coming as a substitute, following a summer of turmoil over his future.
In the Premier League, he’s netted against West Ham, Leicester, Everton, and Wolves, while in the Champions League, he scored the only goal as Villa recorded an historic win over Bayern Munich – thumping in a stunning half-volley from the edge of the area.
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Unsurprisingly, Villa boss Unai Emery is over the moon with how well his back-up forward is performing.
“He arrived here two years ago and he is young, his potential is huge,” the Spaniard said of Duran after the win over Bayern, which was a repeat of Villa’s famous European Cup final victory over the German club.
“Sometimes he has been impatient and I need to speak to him as a person and connect to him as a person,” Emery added. “As well as a player to try to let him play, putting him on the field because his talent is there and the capacity to help us.”
Duran pens new contract
In light of Duran’s good form, on Monday, Villa announced that the forward has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club until 2030. While on the face of it, that might seem like good news for Villa fans, Chelsea News reporter Simon Phillips doesn’t agree.
Chelsea had come close to signing Duran, who, according to TEAMtalk, Villa now value at £80 million, in the summer, with a £42 million deal collapsing at the last hurdle. Phillips, however, doesn’t believe the new contract will stop Chelsea coming back in for the player, but rather just give Villa more power at the negotiating table if they do.
Chelsea likely to make another move for Duran in 2025
“Just because a player signs a new contract extension at their club, in this day and age it means very little other than the club who owns said player having much more power in negotiations should they sell,” Phillips wrote for Chelsea News on Monday.
“We have seen various examples of this in recent times where a player agrees to a contract extension with their club after being linked with moves away for months and even getting as far as being in talks with other clubs. Said player then ends up being sold not too long after the new contract was agreed,” he added.
Phillips wrote that he’d be “shocked if it doesn’t contain a release clause,” or “at least some kind of agreement to let him leave the club down the line”, adding that “Chelsea will absolutely still hold an interest in the striker”.
Arsenal fans have been handed a much needed fitness update on Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori after speculation swirled on social media suggesting he had picked up a knock against Leicester City.
Arsenal leave it late to beat Leicester City
Mikel Arteta’s side needed two stoppage time goals to claim all three points against a resolute Leicester City side at the Emirates Stadium, despite leading 2-0 at half time and seemingly comfortable. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard put them in the driving seat to continue their unbeaten start to the Premier League, but a complacent second half saw them pegged back to 2-2 thanks to two goals from Leicester defender James Justin.
Arsenal vs Leicester City Match stats
Arsenal
Leicester City
Possession
74%
26%
Shots
36
5
Shots on target
16
3
Big chances
9
0
Expected goals
4.62
0.32
Heroics from Mads Hermansen threatened to deny Arsenal, with the Foxes goalkeeper making 13 saves to keep his side in the game.
However, he was eventually beaten as a set-piece took a deflection off Wilfred Ndidi deep in stoppage time, before Kai Havertz added a fourth with the last kick of the game to ensure all three points for Arsenal, which moved them within a point behind league leaders Liverpool after six games.
Though far from their fluent best and still without several first team options including talisman Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s start to the season suggests that they should be firmly in the mix for the title come the end of it.
However, there was concern on the injuries front after Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu all missed the clash with the Foxes, leaving Calafiori and Jurrien Timber as the only options for Mikel Arteta at full back.
Calafiori concern and latest injury news
And in the aftermath of the game, Arsenal insider TeamNewsandTix set alarm bells ringing by telling his followers of “unconfirmed reports that Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knee injury”, which left him “apparently in tears after the game”.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted the moment that he appeared to suffer an issue when challenging for the ball late on, before photos surfaced of the Italian defender with his left knee in a compression sleeve in the aftermath of the win.
Having suffered a horror injury to that knee during his time at Roma, and with Timber having suffered a serious knee injury in August last year, there were fears that history may be repeating itself. However, the same source has now since confirmed that Calafiori’s scans have shown no sign of a major injury, which will come as a major relief to Arsenal fans, while Fabrizio Romano has shared an update directly from the manager on Monday morning.
“Calafiori? We’ll see how he feels today, he was a bit emotional after the game,” Arteta has admitted about the Italian’s injury scare.
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It may also mean that Calafiori keeps his place as the Gunners welcome PSG to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, looking for their first win in the Champions League this season after drawing with European Champions Atalanta in Bergamo last week. That news will come as a major boost to Arteta, who is already a big fan of his latest defensive addition.
“He’s really good. He’s adapted really well to the group, his understanding is exceptional and you see he’s a player with an enormous courage and personality to play, so he’s going to give us a lot”, he told the media after he scored in their draw against Manchester City.
With left-back options at a premium in north London, his fitness could be key across the course of the season.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in FC Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, as the Gunners bid to add depth to their title-challenging squad this summer.
Mikel Arteta and Edu have had a stellar transfer window so far, confirming the signing of Chelsea star Kai Havertz while Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are in the pipeline to be announced as arrivals next week.
Despite surpassing expectations last season, the north Londoners will aim to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City, with adding quality in depth essential this summer.
Is Taremi going to Arsenal?
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, relayed by football.london, Arsenal are interested in Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, who could be a valuable asset in Arteta’s bid to add strength in numbers.
The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United already this summer, with a separate report in Portugal valuing him at no less than €20m (£17m).
O Jogo claim that the Gunners are monitoring the striker, who is entering the final year of his contract at Porto.
How good is Mehdi Taremi?
Praised as “intelligent” by scout Antonio Mango, the 30-year-old has been an integral member of Porto’s squad, cementing himself in the top three of the side’s best performers in Liga Portugal.
Averaging a match rating of 7.38, the Iranian striker registered a mammoth 29 goal contributions in 33 league appearances, scoring 22 and assisting seven in a memorable individual campaign, via Sofascore.
Adding numbers like these to his CV, there’s little surprise that the forward is attracting interest from the Premier League.
Indeed, he stacks up well compared to a certain Harry Kane too. Over the last two campaigns, the Spurs star has found the net on 59 occasions compared to Taremi's 57.
For Arsenal, a player as clinical as the Bushehr-born ace could give Arteta an added outlet for goals in attack, with a figure that could provide significant depth to the title-challenging squad.
While the Gunners have a strong attack, there’s always room for improvement, and with Gabriel Jesus netting 11 goals in 26 Premier League appearances last term, there is undoubtedly room for more goals in the front line.
FC Porto's Mehdi Taremi
The north Londoners have welcomed Folarin Balogun back from his emphatic loan spell at Reims, in which the 22-year-old scored 21 in 37 Ligue 1 appearances, giving the boss a potential headache for selection.
There has, however, been speculation that the United States international could depart this summer having made his wishes to be the leading striker for Arsenal clear, leaving a potential gap in the squad for a forward to challenge Jesus.
Taremi could be a risk-free alternative to Balogun, who has had just one imposing senior goal-scoring season in his budding career so far.
Last season wasn’t an unusual feat to record for Taremi, who has become a favourite in Porto since signing for the club in 2020 from fellow Portuguese outfit Rio Ave.
In 147 appearances in all competitions, the 30-year-old has contributed to a monstrous 129 goals scoring 80 and assisting 49 to showcase his consistent ability in the final third, via Transfermarkt.
Averaging 0.52 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, the Iranian could be a safer bet for Arteta than the 22-year-old Balogun who averaged 0.45 non-penalty goals per 90.
It could be a smart move for Edu to cash in on Balogun while his value is high, and to add a seasoned scorer to the side to compete with Jesus next campaign.
Celtic confirmed the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as their replacement for Australian Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, and the new coach has already secured his first signing.
The club officially unveiled central midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on a five-year deal from Valerenga for an undisclosed fee with the 50-year-old manager saying:
“We are delighted to bring Odin to the club and to secure his signing so early in the window. He is a player who has been in the club’s scouting and recruitment system for some time. I have looked at him closely and believe he is someone who can make a big impact at the club."
The former Leicester City boss still has over two months left to make further additions to his side, and the Northern Irishman must now reignite the club's previous interest in Denis Huseinbasic.
Who is Denis Huseinbasic?
In April, the Hoops were touted with interest in the FC Koln prospect, who is a central midfielder by trade and he could be the future of Celtic's midfield alongside Holm.
The £4k-per-week prodigy only started seven matches in the Bundesliga during the 2022/23 campaign, but managed to showcase his potential at both ends of the pitch in limited minutes.
FC Koln midfielder Denis Huseinbasic.
Huseinbasic ranks in the top 1% of players in his position in the men's top five leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for tackles (2.62) and blocks (1.82) per 90, which shows that the 21-year-old has excelled defensively when given an opportunity to play.
The talented youngster also scored five goals in all competitions, which also places him in the top 5% of players in his position for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.45) over the past year.
These statistics suggest that the Germany U21 international has the potential to be an impactful player at both ends of the pitch, and playing regular football in Scotland, as opposed to rarely starting in the Bundesliga, could allow him to flourish and showcase his talents week-in, week-out.
At the age of 21, Huseinbasic could be an excellent long-term addition, which is also the case with Holm, who caught the eye in his home country of Norway last year.
The 20-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.96 across 22 Eliteserien matches in 2022 and completed 88% of his passes to go alongside a duel success rate of 60%, which shows that the new Hoops signing has the potential to be a reliable passer and a midfielder who can dominate games from a physical perspective.
Therefore, Huseinbasic – who manager Steffen Baumgart hailed as "very ambitious" – and Holm could both be future stars of Celtic's midfield as they, hopefully, progress and develop with more experience.
Aston Villa are reportedly interested in West Bromwich Albion youngster Rico Richards, as Unai Emery plots to steal a rising star from the club’s rivals.
It’s expected to be a busy summer at Villa Park, as both Emery and Monchi aim to take the side to the next level following on from last season’s highs.
The Spanish duo will be hoping to bolster the squad with depth in all areas, as Emery explained to The Athletic in April, which is something they could do by introducing the talent of West Brom’s Richards.
What’s the latest on Rico Richards to Aston Villa?
As reported by Football Insider, Villa are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign the 19-year-old talent who will leave West Brom this summer at the expiry of his contract.
The report states that talks are ‘well underway’ and making good progress, with Villa ‘confident’ in reaching a full agreement with the player.
Who is Rico Richards?
Hailed as a “technician” by analyst Tom Williams, the teenager has shone for the Baggies’ academy sides and made his Championship debut earlier this year, playing ten minutes against Hull City.
Deployed primarily an attacking midfielder, the 19-year-old is versatile in his position behind the striker, with the ability to play on either flank as well as centrally.
In 19 Premier League 2 Division 2 appearances last season, the 6 foot Englishman contributed to nine goals, scoring four and assisting five in an impressive feat in the final third for the skilled teenager.
Described as a player that “loves dribbling” by Williams, the youngster could offer a lot to Emery’s side, and would follow in the footsteps of academy stars that have made the cut to the first team, including the likes of Jack Grealish and a certain Jacob Ramsey who transitioned into being a regular starter.
Possessing the ability to play centrally and on the flanks like Richards, Ramsey initially filtered out Bertrand Traore with his top performances over the past few seasons, a trend that Richards could follow as he bids to dislodge someone of Emiliano Buendia's standing.
Signed from Norwich City in the summer of 2021, the Argentine playmaker secured 32 goals and assists in his final Championship campaign with the Canaries, however, has failed to show his full potential as of yet in the Midlands.
The 26-year-old has registered just 18 goal involvements in the entirety of his Villa career which has spanned over 78 appearances so far, showing his struggle for form in the Premier League.
With the "splendid" Richards – as dubbed by Joe Chapman – potentially arriving at Villa Park, the youngster could target Buendia’s spot in the starting 11, just as Ramsey did in claiming the right-flank as his quarters.
As per The Athletic’s Steve Madeley, the teen has been described by unnamed coaches that have worked alongside him as being an individual with an ‘eye for a goal-creating pass’, to a level that is ‘rarely seen in players his age’.
With his composure on the ball and in the final third, Emery could discover a revelation in Richards, in a talent that could grace his side for years to come and emulate the success of youngsters that have excelled before him at Villa Park.
Chelsea's desperation to land top midfield target Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion could come at a particular cost for academy product Conor Gallagher.
Brighton's insistence on Chelsea paying £100m for a player who has four years to run on his recently-signed contract may see the Blues offer a player in part exchange.
According to The Mirror, Gallagher could be the fall guy, with Chelsea potentially set to give the long-serving midfielder – thought to be worth £30m – to Albion plus a fairly sizable sum on top.
Should Chelsea keep hold of Conor Gallagher?
Selling a player of Gallagher's quality, who has been shaped by the club during his 15 years in West London, could be the first howler of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.
Gallagher starred on loan with Crystal Palace in the 2021-22 season, earning the first of his six England senior caps in the process, before being given a chance to impress in a tumultuous season for Chelsea last time out.
The 23-year-old made 35 appearances in the Premier League – the joint-most of any Chelsea player, along with Kai Havertz – while no Blues player won WhoScored's Man of the Match award on more occasions.
Gallagher's 0.14 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes over the past 12 months ranks him in the top 13% of his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues, meanwhile, and he is in the top 4% for progressive passes received (6.09 per 90), which records completed passes of at least ten yards towards the opposition's goal.
Borussia Dortmund'sJudeBellingham
With figures like that, FBref's comparison model adjudges Jude Bellingham to be the player most like Gallagher in terms of statistical profile. For example, Gallagher's 0.17 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes last season was similar to that of Bellingham's 0.23 at Borussia Dortmund.
Gallagher and Bellingham also find the target from a near identical number of their shots (39.3% and 34.8% respectively), and likewise when it comes to passes completed – 81.1% v 81.7%.
The similarities do not stop there, as Gallagher and Bellingham touched the ball in the opposition penalty box 3.28 and 3.51 times respectively per 90 minutes last season – showing a knack to get themselves in dangerous positions.
Factor in the defensive side of their games, with Gallagher averaging 2.56 tackles per 90 last season compared to 2.54 for Bellingham, and Chelsea may just have a future £100m player on their hands – the fee Real Madrid were happy to splash out for the England international.
It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino once dubbed him "Kante with goals."
Gallagher has been hailed plenty for the way he goes about his business, with then-Palace boss Patrick Vieira describing him as "really humble" after scoring twice in a 3-1 win against Everton in December 2021.
Vieira also predicted Gallagher would continue to improve throughout his career, yet the Blues will not reap the rewards of that if they are to let him leave this summer.
Caicedo would be a superb and potentially transformative signing for Pochettino, but it should not come at the expense of letting such a superb homegrown talent in Gallagher leave.