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Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are really pressing to sign a highly-rated star for their central defence, regardless of claims he could cost £86 million.

Arsenal targeting new defender as Edu eyes four summer signings

Sporting director Edu vowed this week to keep on improving the Arsenal squad, coming after they managed to tie down midfielder Jorginho for another full season.

Arsenal looking into signing "phenomenal" £34 million Partey replacement

The Gunners could wave goodbye to him this summer.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 10, 2024

This message is relayed by Standard Sport journalist Simon Collings, who also shared his own information that Arsenal want a new goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward as they seek to back Mikel Arteta for next season.

"We’re very happy to have Jorgi sign a contract extension with us," said Edu on Jorginho's new deal. "He represents what we stand for here at Arsenal with his professionalism and success. “I know everyone at the club will be very excited that Jorgi will continue to be with us, not only the players and coaches, but all the staff behind the scenes as well.

“It’s great that Jorginho remains with us, as we continue building to be better and stronger."

Some reports have claimed that Arsenal could even be set for a record summer spend this year, despite the club splashing out £208 million in total on new arrivals in 2023. A new centre-back is on Edu's agenda at Arsenal, with the likes of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Sporting Lisbon starlet Ousmane Diomande linked since the start of this year.

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been crucial at the back for Arteta over the last two seasons, but as we've seen from Jurrien Timber's ACL injury at the start of this season, either one of them could be unavailable in the blink of an eye.

Arsenal need astute defensive back ups/alternatives to the duo, and one player who they rate very highly in this regard is 18-year-old centre-half Jorrel Hato. The Ajax starlet, who recently signed a new deal, has been tipped to bring in £86 million by journalist Suleyman Ozturk.

“This is a player who represents a transfer value of a hundred million euros, if you think about the future," wrote Ozturk (via Soccer News).

"Perhaps he will be the first Ajax player to be sold for more than a hundred million euros."

Arsenal "pushing" to sign Jorrel Hato and convinced they can do it

Speaking on the Here We Go podcast, reliable transfer reporter Romano has claimed Arsenal are "pushing" to sign Hato and convinced they can strike a deal – regardless of his new contract.

“Yes, Arsenal are also working on their future, we know they have many wonderkids in the academy, but there is a player they love. He is playing at Ajax, a centre-back and it is Jorrel Hato,” Romano said.

“Hato signed a new deal at Ajax two months ago, but Arsenal are still following him. They believe Hato is a top centre-back in terms of potential. Keep an eye on Arsenal, they are still pushing for Hato, they believe they are frontrunners in the race to sign him. Let’s see if they can make it happen this summer or if it has to be in the future.”

Hoping to make their return to the Premier League's top four next season to prove that the 2022/23 campaign was no blip, Newcastle United are now reportedly in pole position to land a key player in pursuit of their ambitions.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have learned a harsh lesson in squad depth this season, with Eddie Howe's injury list often leaving him short on options as he attempts to navigate playing in four competitions. And that injury list is only set to continue into the next campaign, given that both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles suffered ACL injuries that will rule them out of the start of next season.

Wow: Newcastle reportedly in pole position to snap up off-field addition

A “very important offer” has been made.

By
Henry Jackson

May 1, 2024

The transfer window should help solve Newcastle's problem in the form of Tosin Adarabioyo, however. Reports suggest that those at St James' Park are set to sign the Fulham defender on a free deal this summer upon the expiry of his current deal at Craven Cottage.

Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly could then follow suit in a similar deal as a free agent this summer. But that will still leave Newcastle with a midfield problem that will prove to be a more expensive fix if reports are to be believed.

According to Football Transfers, Newcastle are leading the way to sign Amadou Onana this summer alongside Arsenal and Bayern Munich in a deal that could be worth over £50m in the coming months. This wouldn't be the first time that Newcastle and Everton have done business around that price range, having previously agreed a deal that saw Anthony Gordon head to St James' Park in a deal worth £45m.

That deal has since paid dividends for the Magpies, who have seen Gordon discover his best form in the current campaign. Now, they could see the same happen with Onana if they push on and beat Bayern Munich and Arsenal to the midfielder's signature.

"Exciting" Onana can replace Longstaff

If Newcastle want to push on and return to the Champions League places next season then players of Onana's potential will quickly prove to be the key, especially in place of the likes of Sean Longstaff. What's more, the return of Sandro Tonali will also hand Howe a major boost and perhaps even give Onana the perfect partner if he completes a move this summer.

The Belgian has received high praise during his time in England too, including from former Everton and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, who told Sky Sports "Really exciting footballer. I know that sometimes when we speak about players, it’s very difficult to measure their potential. I think we are talking about a 20-year-old boy, who is probably one of the most talented at that age in European football, and that’s how excited we are in Belgium.

“He’s got the physicality and the presence of a player that the Everton fans know very well in Marouane Fellaini. He can become anything in that central area, so I can understand the excitement around Everton – this is one of the most exciting prospects in European football at this present time.”

Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly thinking over a move to Saudi Arabia as Real Madrid have already identified a replacement for the iconic Italian coach.

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• Ancelotti has a contract at Real Madrid until 2026
• Italian manager being courted by SPL
• If Ancelotti leaves, Alonso will take over

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez, Ancelotti is seriously weighing his options regarding a potential departure from Real Madrid, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a possible destination. Alvarez has reported that Ancelotti has received a major offer from the Middle Eastern country, as they are eager to add him to their rapidly growing football project.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Though Ancelotti extended his contract with Real Madrid in November 2023, a deal that runs until 2026, he can choose to leave the capital club earlier than the 2025-26 season. Real Madrid have already begun laying the groundwork for life after the Italian coach and have shortlisted Xabi Alonso as the ideal candidate to take over as manager when the time comes. Alonso, a former Real Madrid player and current head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, has been garnering praise for his tactical acumen and leadership abilities since taking the reins in Germany. And his stock has been rising steadily after he guided them to a domestic double last season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Liverpool and Bayern Munich were eager to sign Alonso to lead their fresh sporting projects after the departure of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, respectively but Alsonso chose to continue his journey at Bay Arena. With Alonso committed to Leverkusen for the 2024 season, Real Madrid can closely monitor his progress and assess his suitability to take over from Ancelotti. Moreover, club president Florentino Perez and the board are believed to be impressed with Alonso’s development as a coach, and they see him as the ideal figure to lead the club in the coming years.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ancelotti has time and again insisted that he would continue at Real Madrid until he is forced to leave. If the manager continues to deliver trophies then it is more likely that he will continue at the Bernabeu hotseat until the expiry of his current deal. However, if the substantial financial offer from Saudi Arabia gives him food for thought, Real Madrid are ready to usher in a new era with a club legend in Alonso at the helm.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been subtly criticised this week for letting go of a player who's now thriving away from north London.

Casualties of the Postecoglou era at Spurs

The Australian's promising debut campaign in the Spurs dugout has seen a few players become regular first-team stars, like Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr, but the same cannot be said of a few others.

Tottenham eyeing zero cost move for £250,000-per-week ace hailed by Carrick

He’s set to leave his club as a free agent,

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 17, 2024

Once a mainstay under Antonio Conte and previous Tottenham bosses, midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been the main casualty of Postecoglou's arrival. The Denmark international has actually featured in nearly every single Premier League game, playing in 31 out of 32, but only six of them have been starts.

Indeed, Hojbjerg's status as a substitute has prompted reports that the 28-year-old could seek to move on this summer, especially as he enters the final year of his contract.

“Hojbjerg, there has been a conversation for a while now that maybe his Tottenham career was over," said pundit Alan Hutton to Tottenham News this week.

"Ange has brought him back in from time to time and he has played minutes but not as regularly as he would want. I genuinely believe he would have left before now but with a new manager coming in, he probably thought he had an opportunity to force his way in, but it has not quite happened. Again, if they’re going to bring in a midfielder who is relatively similar then you’re thinking maybe my time is up here so he’s somebody who will be looking at his options again come the summer.”

Hojbjerg is by no means the only player to suffer Postecoglou's axe after being a regular before. Former defender Eric Dier, who will fully join Bayern Munich on a permanent deal this summer when his loan expires, was banished from the first team starting line up week-in, week-out by Postecoglou in favour of 2023 summer signing Micky van de Ven.

The 30-year-old wasn't a suitable fit for Tottenham's new high-pressing style, as his pace was pretty limited in comparison to van de Ven, but Postecoglou didn't even select him when both Cristian Romero and van de Ven were injured around December-time.

Ange criticised for underestimating in-form Dier

However, Dier has now turned over a new leaf and found excellent form at Bayern, becoming one of their bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

Interestingly, Postecoglou has been criticised for underestimating Dier and thinking he was a "discontinued model" by newspaper Illertisser Zeitung (via Sport Witness) – who rave over the Englishman as a shining light under Thomas Tuchel.

"The more I look at his profile, the more I see it," said Rugby coach Eddie Jones a few years ago.

"He is totally selfless; will shift from midfield, centre-back and right-back at a moment’s notice."

Boasting stars like Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy, Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall has plenty of quality to choose from

On Wednesday, Arsenal’s season begins as the Gunners take on Rangers in the first round of Women’s Champions League qualifying. Jonas Eidevall’s side have a tough draw as they look to exorcise the demons of last season, in which they fell at this stage. Fortunately, they have plenty of talent to call upon in their bid to do so after a strong transfer window.

The departure of Vivianne Miedema, and her subsequent signing with Women’s Super League rivals Manchester City, drew plenty of criticism earlier this summer and it could well come back to bite Arsenal, not least when they face the Cityzens on the opening weekend of the league season. However, there have been plenty of exciting incomings, too.

Mariona Caldentey, a quadruple-winner at Barcelona, arrives to bolster the front line, while youngster Rosa Kafaji has shown in pre-season that she can help make up for some of that attacking threat the Gunners have lost in Miedema. At the back, Eidevall appears to have finally got the No.1 goalkeeper he desires, too, in Daphne van Domselaar.

But these players join a squad that is already stacked with star talent, featuring huge names such as England Lionesses Beth Mead and Alessia Russo. So how will it all come together? GOAL takes a look at how Arsenal could line up this season…

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  GK: Daphne van Domselaar

  Arsenal fans have still to see Van Domselaar in action and yet it feels like the No.1 spot will be hers. The Gunners have been in the market for a new goalkeeper for a while now and the fact that they have signed one of Europe’s most promising shot-stoppers, after being heavily linked with Mary Earps for a long time before she joined Paris Saint-Germain, suggests that Eidevall hasn’t been searching for someone to simply provide depth behind Manuela Zinsberger.

  The Austria international has been harshly criticised at times in her Arsenal career, with a shaky defence not helping her case, but the commanding of her box can be inconsistent and lead to errors. She still has a huge role to play at the club and will get chances to shine, but Van Domselaar is likely to receive the larger bulk of starts.

  That might not be the case this week, with the Dutchwoman not featuring in pre-season as she works her way to full fitness, and Zinsberger will be keen to make a statement if she instead gets the nod in Arsenal’s European qualifiers. Over time, though, Van Domselaar looks set to come out on top in this positional battle.

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  RB: Emily Fox

  Emily Fox has been superb since arriving at the club in January and is one of the best in the world in her position, so should continue to keep her spot in Arsenal’s first choice XI locked down.

  The United States star won’t play every game, especially when factoring in those trans-Atlantic flights for international duty, and that’s where Laura Wienroither will provide good depth and a more than capable option for rotation. But Fox is certainly on top in the pecking order.

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  CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy

  There are a few differences for Arsenal when it comes to their centre-back options this season. Leah Williamson is back to full fitness after an ACL injury, but Amanda Ilestedt will miss at least the majority of the campaign after announcing her pregnancy in March. That, then, gives promising teenager Katie Reid a chance to be in the picture for minutes when Arsenal rotate, the young defender having impressed plenty in pre-season.

  However, when it comes to the regular starting roles, it’ll be Williamson, Laia Codina and Lotte Wubben-Moy battling it out, and the latter should rack up plenty of games as she looks to build on a fantastic 2023-24 campaign. In Williamson’s absence, the England defender was superb for the Gunners, showing her qualities as a footballer and a leader.

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  CB: Leah Williamson

  Williamson found things difficult upon her return from that devastating knee injury last season, but this pre-season campaign has allowed her to shake off any rust as she prepares to get stuck back into competitive action, a luxury she wasn’t afforded by her January comeback. As the summer has progressed, Williamson has looked sharper and sharper, which certainly bodes well for Arsenal moving into 2024-25.

  Codina, also battling for minutes here, should improve this season after some tricky moments in her first year in England and she will hope to showcase her qualities in a bid for regular starts when given the chance. Still, it seems likely that Eidevall’s first choice centre-back pair will consist of Williamson and Wubben-Moy.

A team-mate of Erling Haaland poked fun at the striker as he bagged his tenth Manchester City hat-trick against Ipswich.

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• Haaland's team-mate made fun of striker
• Shared a message on the striker's match ball
• Scored his 10th Man City hat-trick against Ipswich

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Norwegian forward has kick-started the 2024-25 campaign with a bang as he has already scored four goals in Manchester City's first two Premier League games including a hat-trick against Ipswich Town. This was Haaland's 10th hat-trick of his City career and seventh in the league.

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  After guiding the Cityzens to a comfortable 4-1 win against the Tractor Boys, the 24-year-old forward grabbed the match ball and as per tradition many of his team-mates signed the prized possession where they share some kind of a message for the player.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  However, one of his colleagues who remained anonymous, shared a hilarious message for the City star as he wrote, "I'm sick of writing these match balls."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

  Pep Guardiola's men will now look to make it three wins in a row on Saturday as they take on West Ham United in an away Premier League fixture.

Pundit Paul Robinson believes Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling will sign a new Elland Road contract.

The Lowdown: Ayling and Kristensen

Ayling underwent knee surgery towards the end of May and is expected to be out for two to four months. It looks as if the 30-year-old is in a race against time to return for the start of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge, with Leeds acting in the transfer window as a result.

The Whites have signed Rasmus Kristensen from RB Salzburg, and Robinson has now made a claim on Ayling, who is entering the final 12 months of his Elland Road deal.

The Latest: Robinson’s claim

Robinson, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to MOT Leeds News regarding Ayling’s future.

He believes the full-back will ‘extend his contract’ and labelled him as a ‘quality’ member of the Leeds squad.

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“No, he’s signing. He’s signing for an extra year to extend his contract.

“In the last two or three seasons, he’s been one of Leeds’ regular top-performers.

“You’re going to have to do well to replace anyone like that and you give them another two or three-year deal.

“You give him a chance to recover from his injury because you’re going to need him with the type of budget Leeds have in the Premier League.

“They’re not going to get better than what they’ve got in Luke Ayling.

“He’s got quality, he can play anywhere across the back-four and for me, he and Stuart Dallas are the most reliable, dependable players Leeds have got.

“He’s a leader on the field and a voice. He was a man among boys at times this season when they struggled and he’s so versatile. He’s almost irreplaceable and you give him a new contract regardless of what length it is.”

The Verdict: Interesting

With Kristensen coming in and youngster Cody Drameh impressing on loan at Cardiff City last season, it will be interesting to see what Leeds have in store for Ayling over the next 12 months.

Given Ayling’s injury, you’d expect that Kristensen will take over as first-choice on the right after the club spent £11.7m on his services, while Drameh appears to be a star in the making, winning multiple awards in Wales.

There’s no denying that Ayling has been an incredible servant in Yorkshire, making 220 appearances, however, there will eventually come a time when he moves on from Elland Road, and that could well be next summer even if Robinson doesn’t think so.

In other news: ‘Big…’ – The Athletic drop significant update on Raphinha potentially leaving Leeds

Nottingham Forest have joined the race for highly-rated Canadian striker Cyle Larin.

What’s the word?

That is according to Turkish outlet TurkiyeGazetesi, via Nottingham Forest News.

As per the report, Larin has deleted anything to do with Besiktas on his instagram account, with his contract set to expire at the end of this month.

The soon-to-be free agent opted against extending his deal with Besiktas and has attracted interest from Olympiacos, with the Greek side thought to be in pole position as things stand.

As per Transfermarkt, Larin is rated at around £9m and within their current rumours tab, there is a 43% chance that the Canadian opts to ply his trade in the Greek Super League.

Imagine him and Johnson

Since bursting onto the scene with Orlando City in the MLS, Larin’s consistent haul of 12 or more goals across three full seasons saw him secure a move to Besiktas, where he seized his opportunity with the club after a loan spell in Belgium.

His return of 19 goals and six assists in 38 Super Lig games in the 20/21 season was demonstrative of his ability and potency in front of goal.

And whilst he is quick, his strength in holding up play could make him an integral addition to the Tricky Trees’ front-two partnership with Brennan Johnson.

Cooper’s side are expected to start the Premier League in their tight-knit 3-4-1-2 system, which has proven to be a safe choice for a newly promoted team, with Brentford perhaps the best example of recent times.

With Johnson’s creative ability, having managed ten assists among his 28 attacking returns in the Championship last season, he could operate as a floating striker and create chances for the more bolshy asset in Larin.

Dubbed “big and strong” by John Welsh on Twitter and as a “predator” in the box by John Herdman, the 92-goal striker would be the brawn in what could prove to be a mischievous Premier League strike force.

In other news: Nottingham Forest plot bid for “electrifying” £3m magician, he can be Cooper’s Sancho 

Reliable journalist Ryan Taylor has now shares some big transfer news on reported Newcastle United target Moussa Diaby.

The Lowdown: Diaby eyed

It has been widely reported that the St. James’ Park outfit are eyeing up a potential move for Diaby this summer.

It is certainly no surprise to see the interest given the season that he has had at Bayer Leverkusen, where he managed to score no fewer than 17 goals and supply a further 14 assists in total across all competitions, mainly operating from the flanks (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Not for sale

Taking to Twitter, Taylor has revealed that Diaby is ‘not for sale’ after talking to Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes:

“Sat down with Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes, who told me NUFC target Moussa Diaby is not for sale.”

The Daily Express journalist shared the following comments made by Rolfes when asked if Diaby could leave:

“We want to keep Moussa for as long as possible. We have no offers & aren’t looking for them at the moment.”

The Verdict: Big blow

It would be a big blow if the North East club were to miss out on signing Diaby this summer.

Morade Djeddi, the president of his first club Esperance Paris 19e, has claimed that the France international has a ‘supernatural, divine gift’, evidenced by his form in front of goal.

He has been praised by German media for his ‘amazing’ dribbling, ‘irresistible’ pace and ‘astonishing’ speed of thought, and was even dubbed ‘unstoppable’ after scoring one goal and setting up another in a crushing 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach (Bundesliga).

Diaby and Allan Saint-Maximin could form a quite deadly duo on either wing for the Magpies, but it looks like this is one PIF will have to re-visit some time in the future.

In other news, find out what significant NUFC transfer update has now been dropped here!

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has made a claim involving Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou’s future. 

The lowdown: Unbridled success

Since taking over the managerial reins a year ago following the departure of Neil Lennon, Postecoglou has been a breath of fresh air in Glasgow.

The 56-year-old has transformed the fading fortunes at Parkhead and guided the Bhoys to the Premiership title, having lost their grip on the crown in 2021.

Coupling smart recruitment with an impressive tactical nous, the Australian has proven to be a sensational appointment and one that the club will surely be desperate to tie down beyond a current 12-month rolling contract.

The latest: Whelan urges Postecoglou contract offer

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has implored the Celtic hierarchy to offer Postecoglou a lengthy deal after the 56-year-old recently exclaimed that the Hoops are ‘everything I’ve ever wanted in a football club’.

The former BBC radio host said: “I think you always want that security in place with a manager. That way, he knows he has the backing to go into the transfer market and build the club over a number of seasons.

“He had a fantastic season and shut up a lot of doubters. I was one of them – I had no idea who he was when he came in. It was shambolic at the time, but he’s had an unbelievable first season – his transfer business has been spot on.

“He’s in a really strong position. I’m sure all the Celtic fans would love it if he signed a two or three-year deal.”

The verdict: No-brainer

Appointed as somewhat of a risk having never managed in Europe previously, Postecoglou has certainly silenced his detractors in his first year in Scotland.

Not only has the experienced coach guided Celtic back to Scottish top-flight glory after looking devoid of inspiration under Lennon in the latter stages of the Northern Irishman’s reign, he also ensured a return to the Champions League group stage and with it the ensuing financial windfall.

These feats alone should be enough to offer Postecoglou a lucrative new deal, along with full backing in the upcoming transfer window, having already proven to be an astute market operator.

In other news: Ex-Scotland manager makes Celtic transfer claim