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Barcelona targeting 21-year-old striker as Haaland alternative
Barcelona are weighing up a move for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak as a possible alternative to Erling Haaland, writes Marca. Haaland has become one of football’s hottest properties in the last 18 months since his move to Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian has hit a staggering 55 goals in 57 appearances for the Black and Yellows, including a brace in Thursday’s DFB Pokal final victory over RB Leipzig. Haaland has been exceptional for Borussia Dortmund His performances in Germany have attracted the attention of several of Europe’s top clubs. One of those clubs is Barcelona, who met with the 20-year-old’s agent and father back in April to discuss a possible transfer. However, the Catalan giants have racked up over €1 billion in debt, making a move for Haaland this summer near-impossible...
‘We would just buy him’: Leeds chief responds when asked about £34m Liverpool target
Leeds fans, don’t get your hopes up high. Whisper the name – Rodrigo De Paul – to Leeds fans, and the internet will go frenzy. The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Leeds last summer, and it seems the interest (even if totally fabricated by the media) has not died down. Earlier this week, Il Milanista claimed that the 26-year-old is a player in demand, with Udinese valuing him at around €40 million (£34m). Leeds are being thrown into the mix once again, while the recruitment team from Anfield are keeping tabs on him as well. Liverpool need to sign a midfielder this summer, with Gini Wijnaldum expected to leave on a free transfer. The Yorkshire club could also be looking to sign a midfielder this summer, but they are probably looking at a player with differe...
‘Absolute stinker’, ‘Having a great game for Everton’ – Some Villa fans slam 27-yr-old’s display
Aston Villa were held to a goalless draw against Everton in the Premier League yesterday, and midfielder Ross Barkley had his final opportunity to impress at Villa Park. The 27-year-old will not be able to play against his parent club Chelsea in the next home game due to the terms of his loan deal. Despite making an impressive start to the season, the midfielder’s time at Villa Park will be deemed as a massive disappointment. A return of three goals and one assist in 26 league appearances is a woeful tally for a player of Barkley’s ability. He has been way too inconsistent, and the Villa fans will be delighted that he is returning to Chelsea this summer. During Jack Grealish’s absence, the on-loan Chelsea midfielder was expected to step up as the side’s main creator, but he has been thorou...
‘Seems ridiculous’: Gary Lineker makes big claim about ‘best player’ after Liverpool win vs Man Utd
It’s an open secret that Gary Lineker is a big fan of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former England striker turned popular football pundit has raved about the Liverpool right-back on several occasions, even comparing with him Manchester City’s world-class midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. The 22-year-old put a masterclass performance last night as Liverpool won 4-2 against arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford. The victory ensured Liverpool still have a chance of bagging a Champions League spot this season, with three games left to play. Roberto Firmino scored a brace, while Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah also scored to earn all three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side. However, it was Alexander-Arnold’s performance that left the pundits awestruck. The youngster was simply s...
SL View: Leeds could strike gold as they eye £50m hitman on Man Utd radar
Leeds United are interested in Slavia Prague forward Abdallah Sima ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider. The 19-year-old has been in fine form this term, scoring 19 goals in 36 games across all competitions. Sima’s form has not only attracted Leeds, with Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United, West Ham United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus also keen on the Senegalese. Slavia have already received a £25 million bid for the forward from an unnamed club, but they value him at £50m after slapping that price on his head in January. However, they are expected to accept a lesser fee this summer, and Leeds should not hesitate to go after his signature. Sima has excelled playing on the wings for the Czech giants, and Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa could utilise his q...
QPR set to sign West Brom duo
Queens Park Rangers are closing in on completing deals for Charlie Austin and Sam Field, reports West London Sport. Both players spent the second half of the season on loan at QPR, helping turn the club’s fortunes around. The Rs went from a relegation battle to comfortably in mid-table and ended up in ninth place – their best finish since their promotion-winning season in 2013/14. Austin celebrates the latest of his 56 QPR goals Austin scored eight goals last season, including one on his debut in a win over Luton Town. Field also scored on his debut, netting an equaliser in his side’s 2-1 win over local rivals Brentford. In fact, the January arrivals of Austin and Field, as well as fellow loanees Jordy de Wijs and Stefan Johansen, turned QPR into arguably one of the best sides in the divis...
Barcelona considering Ajax boss to replace Ronald Koeman
Barcelona are reportedly lining up Erik ten Hag if they replace current manager Ronald Koeman. Koeman returned to Barcelona this summer, having spent six incredibly successful years at the club during his playing career. In those six years, he won four La Liga titles, one European Cup and one Copa del Rey. The Dutchman arrived at an incredibly turbulent time at Camp Nou. The club had been plunged into financial turmoil by then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, they had just ended the season without a trophy, Bayern Munich had humiliated them 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals, and star man Lionel Messi had handed in a transfer request. Koeman helped Barcelona end their mini trophy drought Koeman had a difficult start to life as manager of La Blaugrana, but managed to somewhat turn th...
Liverpool trio missing as squad arrive for Manchester United clash
Liverpool trio James Milner, Naby Keita and Ben Davies are set to miss the Manchester United game, having not been pictured with the squad. The Reds have suffered from several injury problems this season, contributing to a less than impressive campaign. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have missed most of the season due to long-term injuries, leaving Liverpool with a central defensive crisis at one point. Ozan Kabak has also recently been injured and is set to miss the game against Manchester United. There has now been another blow for Liverpool with news that three players have not travelled with the squad to Old Trafford. Milner, Keita and Davies missed the game against Southampton last weekend due to injury and all three have not travelled to Manchester, according to the Liverpo...
Chelsea favourites for FA Cup final against Leicester City despite contrasting midweek results
Chelsea and Leicester City are set to square off at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 15, and you watch it live on BBC and BT Sport (see our FA Cup live streaming page for more information). Rocked by a 1-0 Premier League loss to cross-town rivals Arsenal on Wednesday, Chelsea will be looking to bounce back and win their first trophy under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel’s Leicester counterpart Brendan Rodgers is aiming to become only the second manager after Sir Alex Ferguson to win both the English and Scottish FA Cup. Rodgers led Celtic to back-to-back Scottish FA Cup titles back in 2017 and 2018. Mid-week wins and the Tuchel factor Leicester will have an extra day’s rest after travelling away to Old Trafford and getting a 2-1 win against a weakened Manchester United team playi...
Leeds man reportedly on the verge of signing new Elland Road deal amidst Spurs links
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa is on the verge of agreeing a new deal at Elland Road, according to The Telegraph. The Argentine’s current contract ends at the end of the season, and he has been linked with succeeding Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are weighing up a move for Bielsa as they narrow down their list ahead of interviewing candidates for the job. However, the latest reports will end fears that the Leeds boss could walk away once his contract ends. The 65-year-old has signed one-year contracts ahead of every season since joining the Yorkshire giants in the summer of 2018, and he is now expected to do so once the campaign ends. Tottenham will have to strike Bielsa’s name off their target list from the look of things, and Leeds fans will be delighted with the late...
‘You never know’: Martin Odegaard speaks out on his Arsenal future
Martin Odegaard has revealed that he’s still unsure about his Arsenal future with the midfielder’s loan deal expiring at the end of the season. The 22-year-old has become a regular presence in the first eleven since joining the Gunners in January, chipping in with two goals in 18 appearances. Ahead of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday, the midfielder was asked by Sky Sports about his future. “You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Every time you step onto the pitch you want to do as well as you can, and you want to try to win.” SL View Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is believed to be interested in signing Odegaard permanently this summer. However, his hopes of getting a deal over the line are likely to rest on where they finish in the Premier League this season. The Gunn...
Memphis Depay will join Barcelona this summer on one condition
Memphis Depay has agreed to join Barcelona this summer if they can meet one condition. Depay has been one of Lyon’s main men since signing from Manchester United in January 2017. In his first full season in Ligue 1, he was the league’s joint-third top goalscorer with 19 – a tally beaten only by Edinson Cavani and Florian Thauvin. Depay has been excellent for Lyon The forward suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December 2019 which put him out for the season, but he has bounced back from this and returned to his best form. This term, he has 19 goals and 10 assists in the league, making him one of only nine players from Europe’s top five leagues to hit double figures in both categories. Depay was one of Ronald Koeman’s main transfer targets when he first arrived at Barcelona. How...
