Premier League
West Ham handed big boost in signing £22.5m star with 159 Premier League appearances
West Ham United have been handed a boost in signing Burnley defender James Tarkowski this summer, Football Insider reports. The England international was on the radar of the Hammers last summer, but the Clarets refused to sanction his sale. The Hammers were willing to pay up to £30 million for the centre-back, but the Clarets were firm on their £50m valuation. Tarkowski has since turned down an extension with Sean Dyche’s side, and he could be sold for a knockdown price this summer. With just 12 months left on his contract, the Clarets are open to selling him. The Hammers could renew their interest in his services. Sportslens view: West Ham failed to land a high-profile centre-back last summer, and they ended up signing Craig Dawson on loan from Watford. The 31-year-old proved a ...
Barcelona want Chelsea star as Junior Firpo’s replacement, Serie A giants also interested – report
Barcelona could revive their interest in signing Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso with Junior Firpo likely to leave the club this summer, Mundo Deportivo claims. Firpo has been linked with numerous clubs in recent weeks, and West Ham United have recently emerged as front-runners to sign him. It is now reported that the Blaugrana are braced for his exit, and could look into signing Alonso as a suitable replacement. The Catalan giants had agreed terms with the Spaniard last summer, but a deal failed to materialise after Firpo stayed put. Alonso has received more game time since Thomas Tuchel took charge, but it is suggested that the Blues would be open to his sale. Inter Milan are long-term admirers of Alonso, and they have also been credited with an interest in his services this summer. Sport...
Crystal Palace enter talks with manager, who has 44.8% win rate with current club
Crystal Palace have opened negotiations with Swansea City manager Steve Cooper over their vacant head coach position, Football Insider claims. The south London outfit were initially fancied to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as their manager, but the deal broke down at the final hurdle. Palace were reluctant to employ Santo’s significant number of backroom staff while there was also a disagreement over the transfer plans. Earlier this week, it appeared that they were on the cusp of landing Lucien Favre with the Swiss having agreed terms over a three-year deal. The club had started the work permit process before the 63-year-old decided that he is not prepared to return to club management. It is now reported that Cooper is the front-runner for the job, having ‘wowed’ the hierarchy with his plans...
Chelsea legend Michael Essien extends role with FC Nordsjaelland
Former Ghana and Chelsea star Michael Essien has extended his coaching contract with Danish Superligaen side FC Nordsjaelland until 2023. According to FC Nordsjaelland manager Flemming Pedersen the former Real Madrid enforcer has lived up to expectations on the touchline much to the delight of the technical handlers and he is now certain of continuing his cherished coaching role at the Right to Dream Park. “Michael Essien has chosen to extend with us until the summer of 2023. We have just looked at each other in the first year, but it has been a no-brainer for him, and he told me that he likes to be here,” Pedersen confirmed Essien’s new deal to Sn.dk as quoted by kickgh.com. “We need Michael, and he gets even more focus on the individual focus. Both on the field, but also off. He can give...
David Ornstein reveals Arsenal man could leave permanently for just £3m – report
Arsenal recently agreed to loan Konstantinos Mavropanos back to Stuttgart for another season as he was not in the plans of manager Mikel Arteta. Reputed journalist David Ornstein has now revealed that the Greek defender could join the German outfit permanently in 12 months. The club have the obligation to buy Mavropanos for £3 million if they avoid relegation. In case they don’t, the option won’t be mandatory. The Gunners have agreed £500k as a loan fee, and they stand to receive another £1.5m in performance-based bonuses in the future. Konstantinos Mavropanos joins Stuttgart from Arsenal, worth up to £5m. 1yr loan then 3yr deal if turned permanent. £500k loan fee, £3m chance to buy (obligation if #VfB stay up, option if relegated). Bonuses up to £1.5m. Sell-on clause @TheAthleti...
Why this £34m star would be a perfect upgrade on Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal
Arsenal are planning multiple changes to the squad this summer after a dismal 2020/21 campaign where they finished eighth in the Premier League standings. A new striker is reportedly one of the priorities for them, and they are said to be pursuing Silva, who had an excellent season with Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga. The Portuguese netted 29 goals alongside 10 assists from just 34 appearances last term. He could be prised away for a fee of around £34 million this summer. Meanwhile, the Gunners are preparing for the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, who has been their main striker over the past four campaigns. The 30-year-old has 12 months left on his contract. The club are inclined to sell him rather than renew his deal. We look at why Silva would be an ideal upgrade on Lacazette....
Real Madrid join Arsenal in race to sign €70m star excelling at Euro 2020 – report
Real Madrid have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak this summer, Spanish publication AS claims. The 21-year-old had a good 2020/21 season with Sociedad, registering 17 goals and two assists from 44 appearances in all competitions. He is currently playing a leading role for Sweden at Euro 2020, and it appears that Madrid have now registered an interest in his services. Los Blancos have contacted the player’s representatives after learning that the marksman could be prepared for a new challenge. Arsenal are also interested in the young striker, who has a buy-out clause worth €70 million on his current contract with Sociedad. Sociedad are reluctant to sell him for anything less than the release clause this summer. They intend to keep him for another s...
‘Best news’, ‘Missed the bus’: Some Villa fans react as 24-year-old joins PL rival
A section of Aston Villa fans have reacted on Twitter after Norwich City confirmed the signing of Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen. The 24-year-old was heavily linked with Villa last summer, but the threat of relegation may have contributed to his decision to stay with Bremen. Ironically, Bremen have now been relegated from the Bundesliga, and Rashica has joined the Canaries, who could face a tough relegation fight next term. Norwich are back in the Premier League after a solitary season down, and they have already shown better transfer ambition than last time around. Their deal for Rashica came out of the blue. Some Villa fans believe the Kosovo international could have a tough season with the Canaries. Twitter reactions: Watch him score against us 😂 — Joe (@Joe43097071) June 22, ...
Newcastle United handed boost in signing two of Arsenal’s promising stars this summer – report
Newcastle United have been handed a boost in signing Arsenal duo William Saliba and Joe Willock, Football Insider reports. The Gunners are keen on signing a new centre-back this summer, and they are in advanced negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion for Ben White. Their opening bid worth £40 million was rejected by the Seagulls, but they are expected to come in with an improved offer for the Englishman. If they are successful in landing White, Saliba could be free to leave on loan. It is reported that the Magpies are keen on signing the Saint-Etienne graduate. Meanwhile, Joe Willock was excellent for the Magpies on loan last term, netting in seven successive Premier League appearances at the end of the campaign. The Gunners are open to parting ways with Willock permanently....
Bundesliga giants interested in Arsenal man, who has played just 12 games under Arteta
Borussia Dortmund have joined Marseille in the race to sign Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi this summer, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna claims. Guendouzi spent the previous season on loan with Hertha Berlin after falling out of favour under Gunners manager Mikel Arteta. He had a good campaign with two goals and three assists from 24 outings, but his season ended in disappointment with a foot injury. Guendouzi’s contract with the Gunners expires in June next year, but the club have the option to extend his stay for another 12 months. However, they are keen to part company with the Frenchman and are willing to sanction his exit during the summer transfer window. Marseille have already agreed personal terms with Guendouzi, but they are yet to negotiate a transfer fee with the north L...
Arsenal in advanced negotiations for Belgian star, player has agreed personal terms – report
Arsenal have agreed personal terms with midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, and they are now in advanced negotiations with Anderlecht over the transfer fee, Football Insider claims. The Gunners are planning a major squad rebuild this summer, and there are looking at the possibility of signing more than one central midfielder. They have been linked with Ruben Neves and Yves Bissouma in recent weeks, but Lokonga has emerged as the prime midfield transfer target. The club recently failed with an opening bid worth £13 million for the Belgium international. It was reportedly short of Anderlecht’s £17m asking price. It is now reported that the player has agreed terms over a contract, and the Gunners are aiming to use add-ons to convince Anderlecht over a deal. Sportslens view: The Gunners...
Manchester United told to pay €90m for attacker with 36 goal contributions last season
Borussia Dortmund have set a non-negotiable asking price for Jadon Sancho amid ongoing negotiations with Manchester United, talkSPORT reports. The Red Devils were heavily linked with the forward’s services last summer, but they were put off by Dortmund’s €120 million valuation. Sancho is likely to be available for a lesser fee this time around with just two years remaining on his contract with the German club. United recently failed with a £67m (€78m) bid for the England international, and they have since made an improved offer of more than £75m (€87m). Dortmund are unsatisfied with the latest proposal from the Red Devils, and they have now set a take-it-or-leave-it asking price of €90m plus add-ons. Sportslens view: United tried to negotiate the transfer fee for Sancho last summ...
