Premier League
‘No, no, no’: Arsenal boss set to miss a trick after ruling out intriguing move
Mikel Arteta’s decision to rule Arsenal out of running to sign Sergio Aguero could be a huge blunder on his part. With doubts over the futures of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the Gunners may need to strengthen their forward options this summer. However, in his press conference for Arsenal’s game against Liverpool this weekend, Arteta dismissed the idea that he could make a move for Aguero. “No, no, no – we will see what happens with him in the future,” he said. SL View Aguero has been hugely successful at Manchester City, firing 257 goals in 384 appearances for the club. City’s decision to allow him to leave on a free transfer this summer is undoubtedly surprising given what he has achieved there. Injuries and illness have limited the 32-year-old’s impact this season,...
‘What a player’, ‘Baller’: Some Arsenal fans react to the club’s social media update
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter have expressed their delight after learning that Martin Odegaard was voted the club’s Player of the Month for March. The Norwegian joined the Gunners on a short-term loan from Real Madrid in January, and he stepped up with his performances before the international break. Odegaard scored his maiden goal for the club with a stunning long-range strike against Olympiacos, and he followed up with a goal in the north London derby triumph. Prior to the internationals, he produced his best performance of his Gunners career as he proved the catalyst for the club’s 3-3 draw at West Ham United from three goals down. Odegaard played in the build-up of all three goals at the London Stadium with his clever distribution. He has now become a firm favourite among the ...
Man City will attempt to sign £108m-rated star if they fail to land Erling Haaland
Manchester City will consider a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane if they fail to land the signature of Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland this summer, The Times reports. Haaland has been in exceptional form for Dortmund since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg last year, registering 49 goals and 11 assists from just 49 appearances. His progress has caught the eye of some of Europe’s elite clubs, and the Cityzens consider him as a replacement for Sergio Aguero, who will leave at the end of the season. However, a deal won’t be straightforward with the fierce competition, and it is reported that Kane is one of the alternatives being considered to bolster the frontline. Sportslens view: Haaland, 20, is regarded as the prime striker target for the Cityzens, and he could have a similar...
On-loan Chelsea star could be promoted to first-team amid Crystal Palace interest
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher could be promoted to the first-team squad following his season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion, according to Goal.com. The 21-year-old spent the previous campaign on loan with Charlton Athletic and Swansea City respectively, before making the temporary switch to the Baggies last summer. He has been a regular for the Midlands outfit in the Premier League with 23 appearances, registering two goals and two assists. His performances have left a good impression, and Goal claims that he is the front-runner among the loaned out players to get into Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Crystal Palace are said to be interested in the young midfielder, but a transfer won’t be easy as the midfielder still has four years left on his contract. Sportslens view: Gallagher is ce...
‘Arteta trusts him’: Agent says Arsenal midfielder will sign new contract soon
The agent of Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has said that his client will put pen-to-paper on a new contract with the north London club. Elneny returned from a season-long loan at Besiktas last summer, and there was speculation that his future could lie away from the Gunners. However, he was instead reintegrated into the first-team plans by manager Mikel Arteta, and he has nearly played 2,000 minutes across 31 appearances. His current deal with the Gunners expires at the end of next season, but Elneny’s agent Alan Nazmy has clarified that the Egyptian will prolong his stay. Elneny has been linked with a return to Turkey with Galatasaray in the past, but Nazmy emphasised that he has the trust of the Gunners head coach. He told the Egyptian press via The Sun: “Elneny will renew his contra...
Relief for Chelsea as international boss confirms key player isn’t injured
England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Mason Mount should be fit to face Poland on Wednesday. The Chelsea midfielder sat out part of the training session on Tuesday, sparking talk that he could miss the Group I qualifier tomorrow. However, in his press conference ahead of the game, Southgate told reporters that Mount is available for selection. “No, he didn’t warm up with the team, but he did the rest of the session,” said Southgate. “He should be fine. They are all available as far as we are concerned.” We’re live with Gareth Southgate and @_DeclanRice to look ahead to the #ThreeLions’ meeting with Poland! https://t.co/ambC3bWyDf — England (@England) March 30, 2021 SL View Chelsea fans will be delighted to hear that Mount hasn’t picked up an injury while on international duty...
Everton linked with £15 million move for striker with Lukaku qualities
Everton have been linked with a move for striker Daryl Dike. The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Barnsley from Orlando City FC and is due to return to the United States in time for the new MLS season. He has made a big impression with the Tykes, scoring five goals in 11 appearances to fire the club into the Championship play-off places. According to Eurosport, Everton scouts have monitored Dike over the past few weeks and have been impressed with his performances. Dike has scored eight goals in 22 appearances for Orlando and is believed to be valued at around £15 million. SL View The USA international has looked an exciting prospect during his time at Oakwell, and it is no surprise to see him attracting interest from elsewhere. Teammate Jordan Williams recently likened Dike to Romelu L...
Mo Salah dreams of future La Liga action
Mohamed Salah has hinted his future could lie in Spanish football amid continued speculation the forward could leave Liverpool. The Premier League’s joint-top scorer this season is under contract at Anfield until 2023 but has been linked with a move elsewhere, with Barcelona and Real Madrid often touted as potential destinations for Salah if he were to depart Merseyside. Last year, the forward described the Spanish sides as two “great” clubs, but Jurgen Klopp later played down any transfer talk surrounding the Egypt international. Liverpool play Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in April as the two sides meet for the first time since 2018’s final in Kiev which finished 3-1 to the Spanish side and ahead of the games, Salah refused to rule out a future move to La Liga...
Jorginho leads Manchester and Tottenham stars as best performing player in the league
The final phase of the Premier League campaign will resume after the international break and there is plenty of stake for clubs in both ends of the table. While Manchester City appear to be cruising to a third league title in four seasons, there is plenty of competition for the remaining three Champions League spots. At the bottom, Fulham have given themselves a fighting chance of beating the drop as they are only two points adrift of 17th-placed Newcastle United, who have a game in hand. There have been many standout performers this season and the CIES Football Observatory has published a list of players ranked on the basis of their performances. Here are the top-five best-performing players in the league since the turn of the year, who have played at least two-thirds of the ava...
Arsenal enter race to sign in-demand Tottenham Hotspur target valued at €40m
Arsenal have entered the race to sign highly-rated Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic during this summer’s transfer window, according to Calciomercato. The Gunners have experienced a poor league campaign, and they are presently languishing in the ninth spot, nine points adrift of the Champions League places. Regardless of how their season ends, the club are planning for a summer rebuild and there could be a change of personnel up front. The contracts of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah expire in 15 months, and both players could head for the exit door. The north London giants will be eyeing reinforcements, and it is reported that they are monitoring Vlahovic’s progress in Florence. RB Leipzig, Atletico Madrid and Roma have also been credited with an interest, while Tottenham Hotspur ar...
Kevin Campbell says Arsenal will reject chance to sign Leeds United target
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes the Gunners will snub the option to sign Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt this summer. The north London club were eyeing a back-up option for left-back Kieran Tierney in January after deciding to loan out Sead Kolasinac to Schalke 04. Van Aanholt was mentioned as a potential target before the deadline, but nothing materialised beyond the transfer speculation. The Dutchman’s current deal expires at the end of June and, as things stand, he will be available on a free transfer in a few months. It was recently suggested that Leeds United could rival the Gunners for the 30-year-old, but Campbell feels his former side may look for a younger option. He told Football Insider: “Van Aanholt could be a shrewd signing on a free, but I think the...
Daniel Sturridge on the verge of MLS move
Daniel Sturridge could be set to move to the MLS, according to the Daily Mirror. Sturridge has been without a club since being released from Trabzonspor back in March 2020. The striker had just received a four-month ban and a £150,000 fine after a breach of betting rules. It’s been a difficult few years for the Englishman, who was once one of the Premier League’s deadliest strikers. In his first season-and-a-half at Liverpool, he scored 31 league goals in just 43 appearances, finishing as runner up in the 2013/14 Golden Boot race behind strike partner Luis Suarez. However, he suffered numerous injury problems which severely limited his game time over the next few years. Suarez’s departure and the replacement of manager Brendan Rodgers with Jurgen Klopp also impacted his form, and he found ...
