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Chelsea are back in action once again in the Premier League this weekend as they travel away from London to take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The Blues have three more games left to play in the division before the end of the 2023/24 campaign, and they are hoping to seal a place in either the Europa Conference League or the Europa League for next term.

Mauricio Pochettino's side did not have any European football to contend with this season but are currently sat in seventh place and only two points behind Newcastle United in sixth place.

This means that there is still plenty for the London-based giants to play for over their next few matches and every point will count in the race to secure a top-six finish.

However, Todd Boehly and his team are already looking ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window and what they could do to improve the playing squad for the 2024/25 campaign, with a Premier League star reportedly on their radar.

Chelsea's interest in French magician

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are one of the English clubs lining up a summer swoop to sign Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Michael Olise.

Boehly is eyeing up a deal to snap up the France U21 international to bolster Pochettino's options at the top end of the pitch, with the Blues said to be 'in the mix' for the Eagles star.

The report adds that Manchester United are one of the other teams interested in a possible move to sign the former Reading attacker ahead of next season.

TEAMtalk also reveals that Palace will be willing to accept a total package of £65m for Olise this summer, and are prepared to listen to offers that start with £50m upfront and a further £15m in add-ons.

However, it is unclear who is currently winning the race between the Blues and the Red Devils, as they are both seemingly competing to land the left-footed whiz.

This revelation comes after TBRFootball reported earlier this week that Chelsea would be willing to offer a player in exchange for the French starlet, in order to subsidise the cost of any deal.

The outlet named centre-forward Armando Broja, who is currently on loan with Fulham, versatile defender Trevoh Chalobah, and former England international Raheem Sterling as three players who could be offered in exchange for Olise.

Boehly and Pochettino must now work to convince Palace to part ways with the exceptional midfielder as he could arrive as their next version of Cole Palmer, who also joined from a Premier League rival last summer before becoming a star at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer's route to stardom at Chelsea

The Blues swooped to sign the English youngster from Manchester City for a fee of £42.5m last summer, with an initial outlay of £40m for the talented gem.

During his time with the Cityzens, the left-footed maestro produced six goals and two assists in 41 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola.

This season, the England international has racked up a staggering 26 goals and 13 assists in 46 games for Chelsea in all competitions, which shows that he has taken his game to a whole new level since his move to Stamford Bridge.

As you can see in the table above, Palmer has been the outstanding attacking force within the Blues squad this season with his ability to both score and create goals from an attacking midfield position.

He has been directly involved in 30 Premier League goals, with 21 strikes and nine assists, and has showcased his ability to consistently make a huge impact in the final third.

At the age of 22, Palmer, who has created 14 'big chances' in the top-flight, also has plenty of years left ahead of him to develop further and improve as a player, which means that he could be a terrific player for Chelsea in the long-term, as well as the here and now.

Boehly could now land the club's next left-footed magician in an attacking midfield position by winning the race to sign Olise from Palace this summer.

Why Chelsea should sign Michael Olise

Like Palmer, the English-born wizard is a left-footed star who mainly operates on the right side of the attack but can also play as a number ten.

He has been in phenomenal form for Palace when fit this season in the Premier League and has showcased his ability to score and create goals from an attacking midfield position.

Olise currently ranks within the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the division for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.66), the top 4% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.36), and the top 2% for shot-creating actions per 90 (6.31).

This shows that the Eagles star has been one of the best players in his position at scoring goals from open play, creating high-quality chances for his teammates, and being involved in shot-creating actions on a regular basis.

Olise, who was hailed as a possible "world beater" by analyst Ben Mattinson last month, has the quality to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch week-in-week-out, which suggests that he has the potential to replicate, to some degree, Palmer's success at Stamford Bridge.

As you can see in the table above, there has not been a significant difference in their output in the final third in the Premier League so far this season.

Palmer has scored and assisted goals more frequently than the Palace magician but there is not a huge gap between them when it comes to minutes per goal involvement.

At the age of 22, Olise is also another player who would come in to make an immediate impact whilst also having the time left ahead of him to be a star for many more years to come.

Chelsea line up move for "monster" £125k-p/w Petrovic replacement

The Blues are reportedly eyeing up a possible swoop for the Premier League goalkeeper.

By
Dan Emery

May 9, 2024

Therefore, Boehly and Chelsea should swoop to sign the young maestro as he has already proven his quality in the Premier League and could arrive as their next left-footed magician who can score and assist goals consistently.

The Egypt international was terrible as Callum Hudson-Odoi's second-half strike condemned the Merseysiders to a first defeat of the campaign

Heading into Saturday's clash, Liverpool had not lost at home to Nottingham Forest since 1969, but were undone by Nuno Espirito Santo's scrappy side, who turned in a remarkably strong defensive performance as Arne Slot was handed his first competitive defeat as manager.

Luis Diaz had the first major chance, as he chased a lost cause, won the ball high up the pitch, and hit the post with a low effort. Alexis Mac Allister also twice tested Matz Sels in the first half and his header almost led to a horrendous mistake, as the goalkeeper claimed the ball, then dropped it and almost backheeled it into his own net.

Throughout the second half, Liverpool dominated possession and territory, but found it difficult to work their way in behind Forest, and Slot made a bizarre triple change, taking off his best player in Mac Allister, and leaving on the increasingly ineffective Mohamed Salah.

And they were punished in the 72nd minute, as Callum Hudson-Odoi cut in off the left flank and curled a brilliant drive in off the post to secure a 1-0 win for visitors.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Alisson Becker (6/10):

  Rarely tested until Hudson-Odoi scored; he didn't even move. Maybe saw it late but could have done better. Made an excellent late save from Elanga to keep the Reds alive.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

  Attempted to score from a corner, forcing a save. Some lovely passing, as always, but something lacking defensively as the goal came down his side.

  Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

  Absolutely monstrous in the air. Strong defensively and with his distribution, but was subbed with 15 minutes left as Slot went to a back-three.

  Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

  Characteristically calm and composed. Was never going to be beaten himself, as he stood up to Forest's pacey attack, but was nowhere to be seen when Hudson-Odoi cut inside before his goal.

  Andrew Robertson (5/10):

  Struggled to get into the final third and affect the game. Did fine defensively. Booked in the second half and was subbed.

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  Midfield

  Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):

  Some excellent drives forward from midfield. Assiduous in his tidying up too, although he could maybe do more in the opposition half.

  Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

  Made a real impact in the air, as he was never beaten. Couldn't unpick Forest's defence, however.

  Alexis Mac Allister (8/10):

  Some superb midfield play as he was the only player capable of opening Forest up, and forced an excellent save with a great first-half header. Bizarrely subbed, because he was Liverpool's best player.

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  Attack

  Mohamed Salah (4/10):

  His final touch seemed to desert him, as he repeatedly got into promising positions and lost the ball. As close to an anonymous Salah performance as you're going to see.

  Diogo Jota (4/10):

  Struggled to get in behind Forest's defence and couldn't trouble Sels often enough. Replaced by Nunez.

  Luis Diaz (5/10):

  Hit the post early on after some superb pressing. Faded and was subbed in the second half, replaced by Gakpo.

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  Subs & Manager

  Darwin Nunez (6/10):

  On for Jota. A chaotic presence but he didn't have a chance to score.

  Conor Bradley (5/10):

  On for Mac Allister. Had nothing like the same impact and was asked to drop into defence. Pulled down Hudson-Odoi in the box but no penalty was awarded.

  Cody Gakpo (5/10):

  On for Diaz. Barely had an opportunity to run at Forest.

  Kostas Tsimikas (N/A):

  Replaced Robertson.

  Curtis Jones (N/A):

  Replaced Konate.

  Arne Slot (3/10):

  Made a bold change on the hour as he took off his best player in Mac Allister, as well as Jota and Diaz; it did not work. Also moved to a back-three late on but it only served to invite more Forest pressure. A dismal day; neither big tactical decision worked.

Vivianne Miedema has urged the powers that be to take care of players amid increasingly 'dangerous' schedules in both men's and women's football.

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• Miedema describes football calendar as 'dangerous'
• Comments come after Rodri suggested possible strike
• Both players recently struck down with ACL injuries

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  More and more players are speaking out about how demanding football is becoming for the athletes, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri last month even going as far as saying that men's players were getting 'close' to going on strike due to the relentless schedule. Those comments came just days before the Spain star suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Fellow Man City star Miedema had a very similar situation herself in the 2022-23 season while at Arsenal. In a column for Dutch newspaper , she wrote about the "worrying pattern" that had made the schedule "simply too full" for the men and the women. A month later, she ruptured her ACL and would have to endure a complex recovery, requiring two surgeries.

• WHAT MIEDEMA SAID

  Speaking to the this week, Miedema emphasised the point again. "[Change] is way too slow," she said. "It’s something, especially in women’s football, we’ve been shouting about for years. It’s not about not wanting to play the games. People can easily turn around and be like, 'Why do you not want to be a professional footballer? Why do you not want to play more games?' But if you put everything together and look at the physical and the mental health that we are put in, it’s dangerous.

  "It’s going to lead to not just physical injuries but also mental health issues. If we don’t start taking care of our players right now, I don’t know when it will be the right time. We see players, left, right and centre falling out with big injuries. They’re probably burned out, they’re not fresh to play football. As football fans, you always want your best players on the pitch. The way football is going right now, that’s not going to happen."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Leah Williamson, Miedema's former Arsenal team-mate, has previous expressed her belief that the demanding schedule is "one of the main reasons" why there is an ACL crisis in women's football. In recent times, several organisations have started to conduct research into why this epidemic is occurring, but Miedema is frustrated that "so many different entities are doing similar or the same instead of putting everyone together and a bigger plan in place".

  As someone who has endured the long road to recovery that an ACL injury requires, she knows how difficult it can be and clearly would not wish it on anybody else. "There’s times and games where I feel really good and I definitely feel like I’m up to my level," she explained. "It’s a process of trying to trust your body again. It’s very easy to say 'you’re signed off, you’re fit' – but that’s just on paper. I’ve had set-backs along the way. At times, I do feel like me. Then at other times I know it’s different. Even now, there’s still slight adjustments we need to make."

When I was 15 years old, I didn’t really know what I wanted from life, yada yada. But I did know that I loved football and I also knew that I adored Liverpool.

But we weren’t very good. Despite the thrilling Luis Suarez-charged success of the 2013/14 season, Liverpool had spent far too long adrift from the position of prominence and power that was fitting for a club of its stature.

Then Jurgen Klopp came along. The former Borussia Dortmund manager had enjoyed acclaim in his homeland, toppling Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title in successive years before suffering a nosedive and calling time on his Signal Iduna Park career.

As Liverpool prepare to host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League for the last dance, fans will cheer Klopp’s name one final time, the 56-year-old having been roared on for the best part of nine years.

Were it not for him, I likely would not be writing this salute to a man who, seriously, has had such a profound impact on so many like myself.

Liverpool’s rise and rise coincided with my conclusion of studies at secondary school, and so I entered into the unknown with no clue where to head. But Klopp sculpted a journey that lifted the hearts of many, and so when it came to choosing a profession at this fledgling phase I followed my love for football and the joy that I had found through his forged connection with the club.

Of course, football’s inevitable circularity precludes lasting success – for most, anyway – and it would be foolish to only take joy in the good times, but Klopp proved that football is a life force that doesn’t need the rubber-stamping of silver objects to provide a sense of fulfilment and wonder that few things else can give to those stalwart supporters.

Klopp, to put it another way, proved that football’s beauty is an incredible, at times ineffable thing, and so this is a profession worth pursuing, for here is the palpable intensity of a person who gets it, a person who provided the balmy warmth that fans crave, to feel worth something, a part of something.

I will forever hold a dear place in my heart for Klopp, whose all-consuming passion for Liverpool and its success has created so many memories, leaving the city aglow. To see him step down from his duties is sad, yes, but it has certainly been worth the tears.

Self-indulgent stream of consciousness out of the way. But this is simply one story in a million of how Klopp stretched his wings down onto Liverpool and touched the lives of so many.

Some footballing figures exist beyond their stay. Klopp is the embodiment of a person who takes a club and its people beyond the mere enjoyment of watching people hoof an object between two sticks.

From doubters to believers

It’s quite hard to articulate just how much football means to many, many people. To those observing from afar, away from the prism, it all must look a bit naff.

Klopp must look a bit naff sometimes, even to those absorbed and engulfed in football and all its myriad facets. But that’s what makes him so brilliant, an irreplaceable part of Liverpool.

Be it his fury of post-match fist pumps, his scorn at the weather and how it stifled his team, or be it his hilarious in-match facial expressions, his explosion of passion when Mohamed Salah curls yet another strike beyond the hapless keeper, Alisson Becker contorts to make an acrobatic, all-important save.

The thing is, Liverpool is an emotional football club; it’s an emotional city. Klopp understood this, alighting in Merseyside following Brendan Rodgers’ dismissal.

There’s something very earnest about Liverpool and its path over the last nine years or so, a deep, visceral connection between player and club and fan and gaffer. Klopp transformed Anfield, wrapped the outfit in on itself with his quirks and convictions and his heart and his soul.

You could feel it in his very first game, which, inaptly perhaps, was a goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, a fixture that has since produced 62 goals from 19 matches in all competitions.

The starting line-up for that fixture tells the tale of Klopp’s dynasty, taking a – frankly – average team and turning it into something special. Sure, high-money signings were made along the way but Klopp battled tooth and nail against superior financial powers and cemented legendary status along the way.

What to pin down as the pinnacle of Klopp’s reign? Would it be the historic comeback against Barcelona – corner taken quickly is now a phrase synonymous with his reign – coming from behind to dismantle Lionel Messi’s team to advance to the final and dispatch Tottenham, a first slice of silverware under the 56-year-old?

Or perhaps, a few months into the new era, Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at home against West Bromwich Albion was the watershed moment, when Divock Origi salvaged a deflected last-gasp point and an incensed German manager ordered his team to link hands and celebrate in front of the Kop. It was a ridiculed reaction but Klopp was building something down Anfield Road and it paid dividends.

There are too many to count, but Klopp’s legacy is not defined by trophies and nor is it defined by statistics and tables and tallies, although he sits favourably on many. He changed lives, his influence transcends what it means to be a successful football manager in English football and his absence will leave a disconsolate piece missing from Liverpool and all involved.

The end of an era

But what if this isn’t the end at all? Possibly, Liverpool have simply entered the next phase of a glowing era that started nearly nine years ago, when a gegenpressing, thrash-metal style was inculcated into a football club crying for fresh life.

Klopp arrived and pulled Anfield’s denizens from the shadowed recess where they languished, nurtured them, enriched them and lifted them. This is not the end. This legacy endures.

Football is cyclical. Managers come; managers go. Players come; players go. Success arrives, ephemerally, and then disappears, flaking away and dissipating in the wind, like a sheet of paper caught aflame, as rivals shift ahead and revel in the glow of the limelight.

But while this cynical standpoint carries truth, it’s the fleeting nature of the success that makes it so special. Klopp knows this. The 56-year-old recently remarked that “other managers collect trophies, I collect relationships,” when reflecting on his time at the Anfield helm.

It was a comment that, naturally, was met with a measure of scorn from rivals, but Liverpool have won it all in the timeframe since the German’s advent. We’ve conquered all of Europe, and thanks to the outfit’s outgoing manager, we’re never going to stop.

Klopp, let’s not forget, restored Liverpool and gave it power and purpose as a behemoth of the global game once more. His mere presence has left fully-grown fans giddy with childish avidity, taking Liverpool’s hard-working, respite-seeking football faithful back to their springtime. To a better time. Away from life and all of its struggles. A utopia sculpted within Anfield’s four stands.

Arne Slot is the man to succeed Klopp, an unenviable task if there ever was one, and while he will come and he will go, Feyenoord’s successful head coach takes the reins of a club geared for more prosperity down the line.

Perhaps this is an end. Maybe that’s okay. It’s one end, an end as such that will close the door on a slice of history in one football club’s journey among many. But it isn’t the end.

To say it’s the end would be to say that Jurgen Klopp and all that he stands for is no more, that this electric, larger-than-life German has been stripped away from the outfit’s DNA like bark from a tree.

So, no. Stand still. Crane your neck. Listen close. He’s here. Can you hear him? He’s in the crowd, cheering Liverpool on come August. It’s a booming, infectious noise, carried with care through the crowd’s song, passed through to the pitch, where Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold bellow and bay at their teammates, spurring them on.

This isn’t the end. Klopp has etched his name into Anfield’s very core, scrawling his teachings and tricks across Merseyside. And away from the figurative, he truly will return, for real, one day – lopsided grin, gleaming gnashers, awe-inspiring gaze and all. There to watch his club, always his club, to cheer them on.

He’s there, waving, taking it in, lapping it up. Klopp stands, cameras fixed, Anfield fixed, 61,000-odd pairs of eyes pinned on him. For he is here – perhaps he always will be. This isn’t the end.

He’s waving. And he is laughing. And we are singing.

Darwin Nunez axed, £180m trio sign: Arne Slot's dream XI at Liverpool

Things could be looking rather different at Anfield come August.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 9, 2024

Everton will desperately want to build on the 15th-placed finish in the Premier League this season, with the club needing to dip into the market to improve Sean Dyche’s squad.

The Toffees managed to string together a great end to the campaign, winning five of the last eight matches to secure another season of top-flight football, despite receiving multiple points deductions during the 2023/24.

However, over the course of the season, the club’s biggest issue on the field was highlighted, with the lack of goals evident during the 38 league matches in the campaign.

Dyche’s side only managed to score two or more goals in a game on ten occasions, accumulating a tally of just 40 goals – an average of just 1.05 goals per game, the second-lowest in the division.

Only two players within the squad managed to score more than five goals, with Beto failing to reach such heights despite his £25m move to Goodison from Udinese before the start of the campaign.

However, his side are already targeting attacking options ahead of the summer window, including one player who could prove to be excellent value for money.

Everton interested in signing talented free agent

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Everton are interested in signing Fulham attacker Bobby Decordova-Reid during the summer transfer window.

The 31-year-old Jamaican forward is out of contract at the end of the month and has been offered a new deal at Craven Cottage, but Dyche’s side could offer him a longer-term contract to tempt him into swapping London for Merseyside.

He featured 33 times in the Premier League during 2023/24, scoring six times, the third most of any player within Marco Silva’s squad.

The report goes on to state that Leeds United are also in the race for his signature, but, undoubtedly, the Toffees have the advantage over Daniel Farke’s side given their Premier League status.

Decordova-Reid, formerly of Bristol City and Cardiff City, is a versatile option who is capable of playing on either side of midfield, as a central striker or even as a right-back, potentially allowing the club to forget about loanee Jack Harrison.

How Decordova-Reid compares to Harrison

During the 2023/24 campaign, Harrison joined Dyche’s side on a temporary basis after Leeds’ relegation back to England’s second tier.

The 27-year-old Englishman featured 29 times for the Toffees in the Premier League, scoring just three goals in an all-round disappointing season for the forward.

However, upon the expiry of his loan move on Merseyside, rumours were linking Harrison with a return to Goodison, following his parent club’s failure to return to the Premier League following the play-off final defeat against Southampton.

Despite the interest, Everton can forget about re-signing the English forward, and pursue a move for Decordova-Reid, who would prove to be an upgrade on the former Toffees loanee.

In the Premier League, the “immense” talent, as dubbed by former boss Scott Parker, has dominated the one-time Everton loanee in all attacking aspects – potentially a huge benefit given the Toffees' lack of goals this season.

Decordova-Reid has contributed with more combined goals and assists, with his tally of 2.1 shots per game nearly double that of Harrison in 2023/24.

He’s also completed 75% of his passes, 10% higher than Harrison and also winning more aerial duels per 90, demonstrating his qualities with his feet and in the air.

The potential to get the Jamaican on a free transfer would be excellent business, with Dyche able to dramatically improve his forward options whilst complying with the league’s PSR rules.

Everton eyeing 6ft 6 "revelation" who'd be a monster Branthwaite partner

He’s enjoyed a remarkable campaign during 2023/24.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 6, 2024

Chelsea are reportedly not looking to offload Mykhailo Mudryk during the January transfer window.

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• Mudryk failed to fire at Chelsea so far
• Struggled for Premier League game time
• Blues won't let him leave in January

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Ukraine international swapped Shakhtar Donetsk for Chelsea in an £88.5 million (€105m/$109m) move in early 2023 but he has failed to fire at Stamford Bridge thus far. Following links with Marseille, journalist Ben Jacobs claims the Blues don't want to let the 23-year-old leave the club in January in any shape or form. He adds head coach Enzo Maresca is challenging the winger to improve and still sees him as an important player.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mudryk signed in a big-money move but in 66 appearances he has scored just seven goals and provided as many assists. He is on a contract at Chelsea until 2031 and if his form doesn't improve, the Blues will have a depreciating asset on their books – one that may be difficult to sell.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Ukrainian has made eight appearances in all competitions this season, five of which have been starts. However, he has predominantly been used in the cup competitions rather than in the Premier League – where he has just one start to his name this term.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Mudryk, who according to Jacobs is offering 'strong competition' to Jadon Sancho for a starting spot in Maresca's side, will hope to get more minutes for Chelsea in their next match away at table-topping Liverpool on October 20.

Having already welcomed Luis Guilherme, West Ham United have reportedly turned their attention towards a surprise transfer target who will soon officially become a free agent.

West Ham transfer news

Into a new chapter under Julen Lopetegui following David Moyes' exit, West Ham have the chance to build on what the Scot left and attempt a return to European football next season. The transfer window will be crucial in achieving that goal, however, and those at the London Stadium seem well aware of that after signing young winger Guilherme.

Speaking for the first time after completing his move, the 18-year-old told the club's official website: “I’m very happy to be signing with West Ham United, a Club that trusted in my work.

“I also want to thank everyone at West Ham, particularly Tim and his team who came to Brazil, and not only talked with me, but also with my family. They presented the project, and both my family and I liked it. So, I'm very happy to be signing with this Club and hope to contribute as much as possible. If things go well, we have a beautiful journey ahead."

West Ham eyeing move to sign £325,000-a-week star for Lopetegui

His current club want him gone.

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 14, 2024

With one deal signed and sealed, the Hammers are now eyeing another too. According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon, West Ham are eyeing a surprise move to sign Tim Krul following the expiry of his contract at Luton Town. A free agent, West Ham would only need to cover the veteran goalkeeper's reported £25,000-a-week salary in a move that should be feasible at the London club.

Given that Lukasz Fabianski is in the final year of his contract, welcoming a goalkeeper with similar experience could be a wise move from the Hammers, especially if they avoid a transfer fee.

"Outstanding" Krul can bring underrated experience

Whilst he may past his best at 36 years old, what Krul can add to a dressing room is the invaluable experience among a younger squad with players like Guilherme on his way. It's the type of experience that West Ham may miss when Fabianski does depart and the type that Krul can instantly step in to take responsibility for.

The Dutchman has certainly earned fans during his extensive career in English football, including from Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber, who told the club website after Krul's exit last summer: "Tim has been an outstanding servant for Norwich City. He has been a top class goalkeeper and leader during his time with the club.

“He has played a key role in developing the right culture at our club, and was instrumental in our two Championship title-winning seasons, with his form recognised in him winning the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy as our Player of the Season for 2019/20. To see him rebuild his career, which resulted in a recall to the Dutch national team, was also a special moment for Tim, his family and the club."

Manchester United have reportedly enquired about Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim despite rumours he could succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

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• Man Utd 'enquire' about Amorim
• Sporting boss also linked with Man City
• Seen as potential Guardiola replacement

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Sporting manager Amorim is being considered as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag at United if the Dutchman is sacked. He adds the Red Devils have put out the feelers for the 39-year-old, but are still sticking with Ten Hag for now. City are also monitoring Amorim's situation, with Guardiola out of contract next summer.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Plettenberg adds Amorim is not planning to leave the Portuguese side this season but his contract – which runs until 2026 – includes a release clause next summer. It seems both Manchester club are keeping tabs on the young manager's situation. Replacing Guardiola or Ten Hag will be a huge task, for different reasons.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Amorim, who was linked with the Liverpool job earlier this year before Arne Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, has been in charge at Sporting since March 2020. In that time he has chalked up a 71.49 per cent win record to guide the club to two Primeira Liga and two Taca da Liga successes.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Aside from the speculation about his future, Amorim's Sporting side, who sit top of the Portuguese top-flight with a perfect record, return to Champions League action on Tuesday night away to Sturm Graz.

Arsenal could launch an opening bid to kickstart negotiations over signing a £50 million England star this summer, as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen one key area of his side.

Edu and Arteta planning defensive overhaul at Arsenal

Assisted by the club's sporting director, Edu, Arsenal's manager could oversee a defensive overhaul in the coming weeks – despite the Gunners boasting a better defensive record than any other Premier League team last season.

Arsenal contact club over signing £52m Euro 2024 star who Barcelona want

Hansi Flick’s side are one of many elite sides interested.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 19, 2024

No other top flight side conceded fewer goals than Arteta's men over 2023/2024, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba shining at the heart of Arteta's defence yet again, but a cause for concern is their lack of central defensive depth behind the pair.

Indeed, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and Ben White are all capable of playing centre-back, but Arteta seems more inclined to use them as makeshift full-back options at this moment in time.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Euro 2024 star Ferdi Kadioglu, after his impressive season at Fenerbahce, so perhaps the Turkey international full-back's signing would allow Arteta to deploy one of Tomiyasu, Kiwior or White at centre-half more often.

However, reports suggest that Arsenal are in fact keen on bringing in another central defender, who can provide solid back up to Saliba and Gabriel. Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal are big fans of Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, and Gunners chiefs believe they're in fact frontrunners to seal a potential deal.

"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 on the Here We Go podcast last month.

“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.”

Another defensive acquisition to watch out for, and one who would greatly bolster Arteta's ranks, is Crystal Palace stalwart Marc Guehi.

Arsenal could launch opening Guehi bid to kickstart talks

The Eagles ace, who was rewarded for his excellent form last season with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 England squad, started for the Three Lions against Serbia and earned plaudits for his performance.

Arteta and co are now ready to test Palace's resolve when it comes to selling the 23-year-old. According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal could kickstart talks by making an opening bid for Guehi, but they face competition from Newcastle United in this regard.

He's valued at around £50 million by Selhurst Park chiefs, which Arsenal consider too steep for the time being, but it isn't ruled out that they could try and whittle the price down in negotiations.

It'll also be interesting to see whether Guehi would consider a move to north London, as the presence of Saliba and Gabriel means he'd have to battle much more for regular game time.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has reacted to reports of Championship sides Stoke City and Preston North End keeping tabs on midfielder Ryan Barnett.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Barnett in top form for Wrexham
• Stoke and Preston monitoring midfielder
• McElhenney responds to transfer reports

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barnett has been in top form this season for Phil Parkinson's Wrexham as the midfielder leads the assists charts in League One so far. The Red Dragons have only lost twice this season of English football and a third-straight promotion is not entirely out of the question. Barnett has been a top performer for Wrexham and naturally has been linked with an early move to the Championship.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Per , Stoke City and Preston North End are keeping an eye on Barnett ahead of the January transfer window. The report also states that the two Championship sides have already sent out scouts to watch the midfielder in action. As such, Wrexham co-owner McElhenney has reacted to the reports with a simple and hilarious response.

• WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID

  Replying to a post on X with the report from , McElhenney said: "I hope they have good binoculars."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BARNETT?

  The 25-year-old will hope to extend his lead atop the League One assist table when Wrexham take on Charlton Athletic on Saturday, October 26 in their attempts to keep up with first-place Birmingham City.