Nani has heaped praise on incoming Chelsea signing Geovany Quenda and admits he wishes the Sporting Lisbon winger was heading to Manchester United.

Chelsea spent over £40m to sign the 17-year-old star following his breakthrough season for Portuguese giants Sporting.

Quenda will spend next season on loan at Sporting before linking up with his new club before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Portugal U21 international was naturally linked with Manchester United after Ruben Amorim, who gave him his professional debut, left Sporting to take over the Premier League giants.

United were said to be interested in signing Quenda this summer but Chelsea quickly swooped in to secure his signature last month.

‘There is a kid at Sporting, Quenda, who is 17 years old and he is unbelievable,’ Nani told A Bola.

‘He has energy, he has speed, he can improve his physical ability, but he is a very intelligent player. Very mature. 

‘He knows how to play as part of a team, when he should calm down and speed up the game.  

‘Of course he can improve his finishing and be more consistent, because he also shoots very well, knows how to dribble, he’s skinny, but he’s a fantastic player and has the right attitude.’

Asked if he felt Manchester United had ‘missed out’ on Quenda, the ex-Old Trafford star added: ‘I think so.

‘There are no players like him at 17. Why did Chelsea sign him? Because they know that.

‘It’s difficult to have this type of player who is aggressive with the ball, taking the game forward and creating danger in the box.

‘And when he sees that there is no space to take risks, he knows how to calm down and play with the team. He really is a fantastic player.’

Sporting defender Ivan Fresneda recently delivered his verdict on incoming Chelsea signing Quenda.

‘I have a very good relationship with Quenda, I’m 20 and he’s 17. Because of our age, we also have that relationship,’ he told FlashScore.

‘I was surprised [by his rapid rise], of course. All you have to do is watch the training sessions, stay here for a week and see what that kid does, you’d go mad.

‘Chelsea’s interest doesn’t surprise anyone at the club. Quenda is going to be big in the future. This season, next season and from now on. He’s going to be something to talk about.’

Sporting assistant manager Tiago Teixeira has also spoke glowingly of Quenda, who has already played in the Champions League and looks set to help his club win the league title.

‘He is very, very good as a dribbler. He is impressive physically and can beat his direct opponent both inside and outside,’ Sporting assistant he told The Athletic.

‘I see similarities with Lamine Yamal. Both of them started playing senior football at 16, 17.

‘Yamal is already playing for Spain but Quenda has just been called up by Portugal for the first time and I’m certain he’s going to be a regular in the national team for years to come, and a star of the Champions League.

‘He will get better with age and keep growing in confidence. He has everything he needs.’

As part of their deal for Quenda, Chelsea also agreed to sign Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon for almost £20m.

Essugo, 20, will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer after spending this season on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas.

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Timo Werner faces an uncertain future as he is seemingly unwanted by loan side Tottenham or parent club RB Leipzig.

The 29-year-old initially joined Spurs on loan in January last year and was extended last summer to run until the end of the this season.

While there was enough promise in the first six months for Tottenham to want to keep the German around, things have not gone well since.

It has been a very poor season for Spurs and Werner has not contributed much, with no goals in 18 Premier League appearances and one in 21 across all competitions.

Tottenham have an option to buy Werner in the summer for just £8.5m but it seems unlikely that they will take up that opportunity given his form and RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer appears to have confirmed that.

‘Timo Werner is currently at Tottenham. We spoke with his agent two or three weeks ago. I think the loan isn’t going quite as well as we might hope,’ Schafer told RB Live.

‘[Leipzig will] think about Timo Werner and all the players who are returning in the summer in due course.’

It does not seem likely that the forward has much of a future at Leipzig either, with Schafer adding: ‘We want to have a team on the pitch starting this summer that corresponds to what I’ve already answered several times.

‘We need a breath of fresh air, a new spirit, to recapture that attitude, that life, brutal energy that has distinguished this club.’

Even with Tottenham struggling with a lot of injury problems this season, Werner has started just four Premier League matches and has faced open criticism from manager Ange Postecoglou.

After a Europa League draw with Rangers in December, the Australian said of the former Chelsea man being subbed off.

‘When you’ve got 18-year-olds in the team, it’s not acceptable to me,’ Postecoglou said when asked about Werner’s withdrawal.

‘I said that to Timo, he’s a German international. In the moment we’re in right now – it’s not like we’ve got many options, I need everyone to at least be going out there and trying to give the best of themselves.

‘His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable. We need everybody, including him, to be contributing because we don’t have the depth to leave people out if they perform poorly.

‘I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys, and tonight wasn’t that.’

Expanding on those comments at a press conference on Friday morning, Postecoglou said: ‘We’re in a fight here. I’m not going to go around worrying about bruised egos. We want to achieve things, we want to be successful and we’re down to the bare bones in players.

‘If someone is fit and able to contribute and someone who feels they need a bit extra [motivation], they are probably not the right person. If they can’t give me extra right now, that shows me where they are at.

‘We are in a difficult situation because of where we are squad wise. We have 15 fit players. If you want to make excuses there’s millions of excuses of them why they can’t be successful. If that’s you, move on, go somewhere else.

‘Last night wasn’t about Timo Werner wasn’t about him. It could have been someone else. Other players could have given more. It’s not about Timo, it’s about the situation we are in. It could be anyone. It’s not about bringing someone down or blaming someone.’

Roberto Di Matteo has named two strikers Chelsea should be looking to sign this summer and urged his former club to launch a shock move for Emiliano Martinez.

Despite spending over £1bn on signings in recent years, there remains a number of obvious holes in the Chelsea team, most notably up front and in goal.

Chelsea have missed Nicolas Jackson since his recent injury lay-off but the Senegal striker was hardly prolific before his setback, going eight games without a goal.

Chelsea’s Champions League-winning manager Di Matteo ‘likes’ Jackson but believes the club should be looking to sign another striker in the summer, naming Alexander Isak and Victor Osimhen as two players he would love to see arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Goalkeeper has also been a problem position for the Blues and Di Matteo has recommended a shock move for ex-Arsenal shot-stopper Martinez to fix the ‘issue’.

Martinez has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world since joining Aston Villa in 2020, helping Argentina win the last World Cup.

‘When it comes to strengthening the team in the summer, I’d probably be looking through the middle, first of all,’ Di Matteo told Ladbrokes.

‘It’s a very talented team, but they’re probably lacking a bit of experience, maybe, in terms of players who’ve had a lot of success, playing many years in the Premier League, knowing certain ways to win games.

‘You can only gain that experience with time, and minutes in the league. I like Nicolas Jackson a lot, and he’s someone who can only get better.

‘I still think, though, Chelsea need a striker who is going to score them 25 goals a season – if you want to win the league, or challenge, that’s what you need.

‘That’s not a criticism of Jackson though; I also think another striker would allow you the option to sometimes play with two up-front.

‘I’d also look at the goalkeeper – that’s been an issue for Chelsea in the last couple of seasons, so maybe an experienced goalkeeper, with a big personality, who can come in and have an immediate impact on the back four.

‘That’s very important; that there’s a trust from your defenders to the goalkeeper, and vice versa.

‘For me, there’s one name at the top of my mind who has those attributes… Emi Martinez, from Aston Villa. He’s at the right age now, he’s won titles, he’s a big personality.

‘Up-front, there are a couple of options you could go for. Alexander Isak, at Newcastle – he’s been playing in the Premier League for a while now, so he knows very much what the league is about.

‘Then you’ve got Victor Osimhen, who has already been linked with the club before and he’s a top, top striker. I’d be looking at either of those two, personally.’

Di Matteo also discussed Chelsea’s main priority between now and the end of the season.

Maresca’s side looked set to mount a title challenge earlier in the season but have since dropped to fourth in the Premier League table.

‘It’s very tight in the top half of the table – there’s just five points separating Chelsea in fourth and Bournemouth in 10th,’ Di Matteo added.

‘All of those clubs right now will be looking at the top five, and Champions League qualification, as a realistic goal.

‘That’s Chelsea’s priority now; Champions League football would be seen as a step up – an improvement. I think they’re more than capable of doing it; they have a strong team, and some injured players are coming back – there’s definitely reason to be optimistic.

‘I really like Enzo Maresca – his team plays great football, on the front foot, and they create a lot of chances. Things could be better in terms of conversion, but there’s a good system in place there.

‘I don’t see an issue there, with Maresca, at all. He’s a very dynamic, well-prepared, knowledgeable manager and coach.’

After almost three weeks without a game, Chelsea return to Premier League action on Thursday night with a London derby against Tottenham.

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Jadon Sancho has been urged to cut ties with both Chelsea and Manchester United this summer.

Sancho hoped to revive his career at Chelsea, the club he supported growing up, after joining the west London club last summer.

The England international secured a loan move away from Manchester United and was expected to sign permanently with Chelsea at the end of the season.

It was reported at the time that Chelsea had agreed to sign Sancho on a permanent transfer for between £20-25m, but it recently emerged that the Blues could cancel the agreement at the cost of £5m.

Sancho has underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge following a bright start but Chelsea are still expected to turn his loan move into a permanent transfer.

However, the situation has been complicated by recent reports suggesting Sancho himself is questioning his future at the club and could push for a summer move.

Sancho is reportedly keen to secure a move back to former club Borussia Dortmund and Dietmar Hamann has thrown his support behind that transfer.

It was at Dortmund that Sancho first burst onto the scene after he left Manchester City’s academy in 2017 and the 25-year-old also impressed on loan at the German club last season.

‘Borussia Dortmund might just be looking at Jadon Sancho because although it started well at Chelsea, it looks like it hasn’t worked out,’ ex-Germany midfielder Hamann told PokerScout.

‘It looks like Chelsea might pay millions to send him back to Manchester United, so it looks like he might be an option for Dortmund this summer.

‘They tried to keep him last summer but it wasn’t possible, I think he wants to go back. Dortmund wouldn’t be struggling like they are if he had stayed, he has been absolutely brilliant for them.

‘He took Dortmund to the Champions League final last season and I think they would have him in a heartbeat.’

Another pundit, Emmanuel Petit, is reluctant to say Sancho is ‘not good enough for the Premier League’ despite his recent struggles at Chelsea and Manchester United.

However, the World Cup winner does not believe Sancho is ‘showing the quality’ to even play for United, a club sitting 13th in the Premier League.

‘I won’t say that he’s not good enough for the Premier League because that reminds me of the likes of Kevin De Bruyne,’ he told PokerFirma.

‘He was at Chelsea and then things didn’t go well for him, he returned to Germany and then came back. We all know what happened with him at Man City.

‘This question is the same for so many Manchester United players. I think some of them have qualities, but they don’t have the confidence.

‘It’s been a mess at the club over there and for Sancho, I think he might be affected by the club’s struggles off the pitch.

‘I think there are questions about his weight, sometimes, and his ability to fight mentally. And this is something he has to learn, especially when you play for top clubs.

‘At the moment, I won’t say he doesn’t have the talent to play for the top clubs in the Premier League. But who knows in the future, things can change very quickly.

‘But at the moment, he hasn’t shown the quality to stay at Chelsea, and he hasn’t shown the quality to even be at Manchester United, and that’s really something because they’re having a rotten season.’

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Former Chelsea star Joe Cole says it would be a purely ‘business decision’ if Manchester United were to sell Kobbie Mainoo in the summer.

Mainoo broke out of United’s academy to make his senior debut in January 2023 and the 19-year-old has gone on to establish himself as one of the club’s few shining lights across an otherwise turbulent period.

The young midfielder has made 60 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood team and was also one of England’s standout performers as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions finished runners-up at last year’s European Championship.

But widespread reports in January suggested United were ready to listen to offers for Mainoo, with INEOS eager to balance the books and comply with Premier League spending regulations.

Under PSR rules, the sale of homegrown talent represents ‘pure profit’ – and academy products Dean Henderson, Scott McTominay, Anthony Elanga and James Garner have all been offloaded by the Red Devils in recent years.

While Ruben Amorim has been adamant that Mainoo remains central to his plans, it’s understood Chelsea are closely monitoring the situation and could look to lure the England international away from Old Trafford when the summer transfer window opens for business.

‘Manchester United are in the same situation as a few other Premier League clubs, where they’re going to have to sell academy players to avoid breaking Financial Fair Play,’ ex-Chelsea and England winger Cole told Paddy Power of the speculation surrounding Mainoo’s future..

‘There’s no way that Manchester United will want to sell Kobbie Mainoo from a technical and football perspective, but if they do sell him, it will be a financial and business decision.

‘I’d imagine that Kobbie probably doesn’t want to leave United, but he’ll want clarity on where he fits at the club.

‘He’s an England international and one of their better players, so the club looking to sell him will purely be to balance the books.’

Cole is confident the sale of Mainoo would go down like a lead ballon among United supporters.

‘I always worry for football clubs like Manchester United, who are predominately making business decisions over football decisions, and over time, that’s not going to do down well with the fans,’ he added.

‘They want to know the club is going in the right direction, they want to see great players and they’ll want to see Kobbie Mainoo in a United shirt because he’s a brilliant footballer.’

United fans will, no doubt, have been relieved to read some conflicting reports of a possible breakthrough in talks over Mainoo’s contract at the Theatre of Dreams this month, with the teenager’s current deal due to expire in 2027.

Mainoo is said to be demanding wages of around £180,000-a-week to fall in line with some of United’s more established first-team stars.

In January, United head coach Amorim distanced himself from rumours that Mainoo could be set for the exit door at the end of the season.

‘Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club,’ the Portuguese said when quizzed on the rumours surrounding Mainoo.

‘But we know the position that this club is in at this moment, we will see but I really like our players, especially from our academy. I’m really happy with Kobbie, he’s improving and also [Alejandro] Garnacho.

‘The focus is that we have to improve our academy. And you have to bring more [through]. That is something that all the clubs in England have to take advantage of.

‘The players that come from their academies. To play, to feel the shirt, but also to sell them. So our focus is to bring more [through].’

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Manchester United have been warned that Aston Villa are ‘too wise’ to ‘fall into the trap’ of signing Marcus Rashford on a permanent transfer.

Rashford moved to Villa Park on loan during the January transfer window and has largely impressed under Unai Emery, providing four assists in the Premier League and scoring his first goals for the club in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Preston.

Aston Villa are not obligated to sign Rashford permanently but can decide to do so for around £40m due to a clause in the deal.

Ruben Amorim sanctioned Rashford’s departure after freezing him out at Manchester United and it appears unlikely that he will perform a U-turn and reintegrate him back into the Old Trafford squad.

That means United will look to cash in on Rashford but may need to find another suitor as Aston Villa are ‘too wise and too canny’ to sign him on a long-term deal, according to Simon Jordan.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Crystal Palace owner said: ‘I could have bet you any money in the world that Rashford would come alive for Aston Villa.

‘Fantastic, but wait until Villa have got to write a cheque out. I think they’re too canny and too wise to fall into this trap.

‘It’s one thing having a player on loan, playing a small percent of his wages so it’s a small transaction. You have him for four months, it costs you £5-6million, nothing, nobody cares.

‘Everybody knew Marcus Rashford was going to lift a leg at Villa. I think the system helps as well.

‘I just think Villa are too wise for it and first of all, they’re not going to want to pay over £300,000 a week and a transfer fee. It’s too big of a deal.’

While Villa’s desire to keep Rashford is unknown, the England international has been urged not to return to Manchester United.

‘Marcus is having a good time at Aston Villa,’ former Premier League star Emmanuel Petit told PokerFirma. ‘Step by step, he has to return to his best level.

‘For the last two, three years, I think he disappeared from the radar, so the most important thing for him is to get back to his best level by paying regular football.

‘He made the move in January and was back in the England squad. It looks like he made the right decision for his own career in terms of leaving United.

‘Should he go back to Manchester United in the summer? I don’t think so.

‘Rashford needs to concentrate on getting his fitness and his game back. That’s his number one priority between now and the summer.

‘He shouldn’t be thinking about where he will be playing next season. But at Manchester United, he disappeared for a couple of years.

‘The most important thing for him is to come back to the right level. And then after that, maybe he can think about something else, but put those thoughts on ice right now.’

Amorim was asked about Rashford’s upturn in form at Aston Villa at his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon.

‘We have a lot of games to play and I am focused on my team and my players and Marcus is not my player at the moment,’ he said.

‘But every player that performs well on loan is good news for my club so I am happy with that.’

Rashford, meanwhile, said it was a ‘great feeling’ to register his first goals since December 1 in the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Preston and insisted he was ‘enjoying his football’ at the Midlands club.

‘It’s a great feeling,’ he told BBC Sport. ‘It’s always nice for a forward to get a goal, so hopefully it continues.

‘I feel like I’ve been getting fitter and playing better football since I’ve been here. I missed a lot of football before joining up with them. My body feels good and I’m enjoying my football for now.’

Rashford could be set for an exciting end to the season at Villa as Emery’s side prepare for a FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace and Champions League quarter-final against PSG.

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Former Manchester United star Nani says he would ‘love’ to see Viktor Gyokeres complete a move to Old Trafford.

Gyokeres, 26, has established himself as one of the most sought-after attacking players in European football with his extraordinary goalscoring exploits for Sporting over the last two years.

Across a phenomenal debut season in Lisbon, Gyokeres racked up 43 goals in all competitions to attract strong interest from the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Manchester City and United.

Gyokeres is just one away from equalling that tally this term and the Portuguese champions have grown increasingly resigned to losing their star striker when the summer transfer window opens for business.

Ruben Amorim received widespread praise for the work he did with Gyokeres as Sporting stormed to the club’s first Primeira Liga title in 19 years last season.

And Amorim’s move to the Theatre of Dreams last November has intensified speculation that Gyokeres could be set to follow in his footsteps, with Sporting reportedly willing to do business for a fee in the region of £58million at the end of the campaign.

Featuring as a guest on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, ex-United winger Nani described the tough challenge he faced coming up against Sporting and Gyokeres his last ever match for Estrela da Amadora.

‘My last game of my career was against Sporting. We lost 6-1 I think or 6-0, I don’t know [actually 5-1],’ Nani told his former United team-mate Ferdinand.

‘It was incredible. After ten minutes we were losing 3-0.

‘But the way they play, the striker they have, Gyokeres, it’s amazing. The way they played was amazing.

‘The patterns they have on the team, the way they move the ball. The wingers, this [Geovany] Quenda kid, was making a difference as well.’

According to Nani, Gyokeres has added a level of ‘maturity’ to his game this season and now has all the attributes to succeed at a top club in the Premier League.

‘The last few games I saw him play, he’s much more mature,’ the four-time Premier League winner explained.

‘He’s not playing the same, he’s using his qualities on the right moments now, he’s not losing energy every time.

‘Now, he sets the ball back to the players who have to run with the ball. He controls the game for the team.

‘He’s making goals, he’s making assists, so I think he’s a player who can play in the Premier League. Trust me.

‘If he was playing the same today as he was one year ago I would say no because, in the Premier League, the defenders will eat him because he just wants to run with the ball.

‘But now, he’s playing with his head and he’s really strong. It felt like he was a rock! Powerful. I swear, I swear.’

The former Portugal forward continued: ‘I would love to see him at Manchester United because we need players.

‘If he can go to Manchester United and do the same that he’s doing here, I would be very happy because he scores so many goals.

‘He scores every week! If he doesn’t score, he assists, he creates for the team.

‘He’s very powerful, he’s a player who can run for 90 minutes at the same speed. It’s incredible.

‘You need to come to Portugal to see one game and you will see how strong this guy is.

‘Playing back to the goal and rotating… oh my god! No defender can stop him.’

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Mikel Arteta has said he is ‘very excited’ about the summer transfer window and expects to oversee a ‘big’ period of spending to help take Arsenal the ‘next step’.

Arsenal are expected to invest heavily on a new striker in the summer after failing to bolster Arteta’s attacking options during the January transfer window.

The Gunners did express interest in signing several forwards – even making an official bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins – but their failure to complete a deal has proved costly since the window shut.

Arsenal still had hopes of chasing down Premier League leaders Liverpool a few months ago but have since slipped 12 points adrift of Arne Slot’s side.

As well as signing a striker, Arteta is also keen to bring a new midfielder to the Emirates Stadium this summer, with Martin Zubimendi heavily linked with a move.

A big-spending summer will require some departures, however, and ex-England striker Darren Bent believes Gabriel Jesus will be the ‘first to go’ when the transfer window reopens.

Jesus suffered a season-ending injury in January but had underwhelmed for Arsenal even before that blow, scoring 26 goals in 96 appearances for the club.

Asked which players he expects Arsenal to offload to make way for incoming signings, Bent said on talkSPORT: ‘Gabriel Jesus. He’s got to go.

‘I think he will be the first to go, Gabriel Jesus. Because when I think of the left side, it’s Trossard and Martinelli.

‘You keep Trossard for an option off the bench, but not as a starter; he plays too many minutes. You’ve got Trossard and Martinelli on the left.

‘Centre-forward, you’ve got Havertz at the minute and Gabriel Jesus. Gabriel Jesus can go. On the right, you’ve got Saka and Nwaneri. It’s that centre-forward role, I think, that needs to be looked at.’

Arteta ‘very excited’ for summer transfer window

Arsenal were one of the few Premier League clubs not to make any signings in January.

Arteta expects a different approach from the Gunners in the summer, however, telling reporters: ‘It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.

‘When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.

‘Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary.

‘But it’s a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.’

Arsenal appointed ex-Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director over the weekend.

Berta, who will be in charge of the club’s transfers, said: ‘I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club.

‘I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone in to re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

‘The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.

‘I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.’

After over two weeks without a game, Arsenal return to Premier League action on Tuesday night against London rivals Fulham.

Arteta’s side then face Everton this weekend before turning attentions to a huge Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

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Mikel Arteta has hinted Arsenal are primed to invest heavily this summer and make significant additions to his squad in the transfer window.

The Gunners appear destined to finish the season as runners-up for a third year in a row having failed to keep pace with runaway leaders Liverpool.

A win against Fulham tonight would reduce the gap to nine points ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield, but even the most positive of optimists would concede the title is a foregone conclusion.

With that in mind it is, perhaps, understandable that some minds have already begun to drift towards the summer, particularly given last weekend’s confirmation of Andrea Berta’s appointment as Sporting Director.

Arsenal kept their powder dry in January, with many of their top targets unattainable, and opted against making any new signings.

Kai Havertz’s season-ending hamstring injury rendered that decision a huge error, but it will at least mean Arteta is armed with a warchest this summer that should allow him to plug the gaps in a squad that has come tantalisingly within reach of the trophies he and his fanbase craves.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game against the Cottagers, Arteta outlined his priorities for the close season and said: ‘First of all we need to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase certain quality and skills that we need to now go to the next step.

‘It is going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.

‘I said as well that the last five were big. So every summer is big because it’s an opportunity.

‘It’s a big summer for many things because first of all you have to maintain all the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.’

Arsenal’s immediate focus will, however, centre on beating opponents who have provided stubborn resistance against them of late and haven’t lost any of their last three games against their London rivals.

Bukayo Saka’s likely return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for four months represents a welcome boost and Arteta insists he and the club’s medical team have done everything possible to ensure the England star has made a full recovery.

‘Bukayo is ready to go,’ Arteta said. ‘It’s another massive weapon with him. It is a massive boost for him and the team to have him come in at the most important part of the season.

‘We know his impact [and] how important his role and contribution is to success.’

‘There is not a single player in the squad that has produced the numbers of Bukayo in the past three seasons — that’s it.

‘We have ­remained very competitive without him and many other players. That’s a big credit.’

Wayne Rooney has revealed three teams ‘made approaches’ to sign from from Manchester United.

Rooney looked set to leave Old Trafford in 2010 after a public fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson resulted in him handing in a transfer request.

The ex-England striker even released a statement in which he confirmed his desire to leave, insisting it was not down to money but ambition.

But Rooney then made a U-turn and signed a new five-year contract at Manchester United, ending up staying at the club for another seven years.

The footballer-turned-manager ended his United career with more than 550 club appearances and five Premier League titles to his name.

Rooney remains the club’s all-time leading goalscorer but admits the second-half of his career could have turned out very differently.

‘When I told Manchester United in 2010 that I did not want to sign a new deal and put in a transfer request, three clubs came in for me,’ Rooney told BBC Sport.

‘Manchester City are often talked about as being one of them, but I don’t think that was ever an option for me – the teams who made an approach were Chelsea, Real and Barcelona.

‘In my head, I was ready to go and play in Spain and some talks did take place.

‘A deal with Real looked more likely for a couple of days but it was Barcelona whom I thought about the most, and how I might fit into their side alongside Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets.

‘In the end I decided to stay at United, but Barca had an incredible team then and any player would have loved to have played in it.’

Current England star Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a similar dilemma to Rooney but is expected to force through a move from Liverpool to join La Liga giants Real Madrid this summer.

That decision has sparked a backlash from some Liverpool fans who see no reason for Alexander-Arnold to leave, but Rooney sympathises with the 26-year-old.

‘Real are the same now with superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, so of course it must be appealing to Alexander-Arnold to think about playing alongside them – anyone would feel the same,’ he added.

‘He has been at Liverpool for almost 20 years – since he was six – but the reality is that most players move at some point – that’s why there are so few one-club men like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

‘I would not blame Alexander-Arnold for wanting to do something a little bit different – like a fresh challenge in a new country – Spain would be a really good move for him.’

Alexander-Arnold looks set to leave Anfield as a Premier League winner, with Liverpool 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal ahead of Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby against Everton.

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Bournemouth have made a decision on whether to permanently sign Kepa Arrizabalaga when his loan transfer from Chelsea ends.

Kepa became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he moved to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a fee of £71million.

Though he won the Champions League and Europa League, he struggled for form and consistency in west London and has spent the last two campaigns out on loan.

He barely played while at Real Madrid but has found a new lease of life at Bournemouth this season, conceding just 29 goals in 22 Premier League games, though he has made the odd howler.

The Spain international’s efforts have unexpectedly propelled the Cherries into the race for Champions League qualification, with the club just four points off the top five.

Much of the transfer speculation on the south coast has revolved around players Bournemouth could sell this summer including the £75m-rated Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool target Milos Kerkez and Chelsea linked Dean Huijsen.

But Andoni Iraola’s side are also looking ahead to who they want to sign and according to The Times they are likely to try to sign Kepa permanently.

The report also adds that they are not interested in bringing in Liverpool’s No.2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, at least not as part of a swap deal for Kerkez.

It is said there is a £5m release clause in Kepa’s contract which expires next year and Enzo Maresca has no desire to use the 30-year-old despite Chelsea’s own goalkeeper issues.

Back in December it was reported that the keeper wasn’t interested in a permanent move to the Vitality stadium but that stance may have changed given Bournemouth’s European aspirations.

Kepa was initially the hero on Sunday after brilliantly saving Erling Haaland’s penalty in Bournemouth’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City, but was criticised after failing to save Omar Marmoush’s winning goal.

‘The keeper’s made a few mistakes recently against Spurs and Brentford and he won’t be happy,’ Manchester United legend Roy Keane told ITV after the game.

‘He’s got to save this. At this level you have to save it.’

Kepa will next be in action when Bournemouth host Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.

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AFC Bournemouth have slapped a £75m price tag on Antoine Semenyo with Chelsea reportedly plotting a move in the summer transfer window.

The Blues are keen on the Ghana international but face competition from fellow Premier League clubs Liverpool and Tottenham for his signature.

Bournemouth, understandably, do not want to lose Semenyo, who has established himself among the best attacking players in the top-flight.

Semenyo, who can operate on both wings and can also play as a centre-forward, has conjured up 15 goal involvements in 33 games this season.

The Cherries only paid £10m to sign Semenyo from Bristol City in 2023 and the 25-year-old is under contact at the Vitality Stadium until June 2029.

Semenyo has particularly shined under the management of Andoni Iraola, with Bournemouth fighting to qualify for Europe for the first time in history.

Tiago Pinto, Bournemouth’s president of football operations, and the club’s technical director Simon Francis are both calm over Semenyo’s future.

The south coast club are prepared for a busy summer of ins and outs but are determined not to allow anyone to pick off their best players on the cheap.

That’s why they have put a £75m price tag on Semenyo, as they hope it will ward off interest from Premier League rivals, The Sun have reported.

Semenyo, who has previously declared himself as an Arsenal fan, has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the English football pyramid having previously played in National League South, League Two and League One.

Along with Chelsea, Liverpool have been linked with Semenyo but Didi Hamann has warned his former club over a move for the Ghana winger.

‘Antoine Semenyo is a talented player and has done very well this season, he’d certainly be a name to get Liverpool fans excited,’ Hamann told BestOffshoreSportsbooks earlier this year.

‘Having said that, it can be hard to tell if players will fit into a team like Liverpool on the back of what they have done with other clubs in the Premier League. 

‘Because of that there is no guarantee that he would be a success.’

Football pundit Tim Sherwood believes Bournemouth are destined to lose Semenyo and a number of their other superstars at the end of the season.

‘Semenyo, without doubt, must leave the football club, [Justin] Kluivert the way he’s carrying on, [Milos] Kerkez will leave, [Dean] Huijsen we’ve talked about, the centre-half,’ Sherwood told Sky Sports.

‘Bournemouth cannot keep these players. If the Liverpool’s and the Arsenals and the Chelsea’s, Man United who need players [come calling]. They’ve got better players than Man United have.

‘The manager, he’s been allowed to develop in the Premier League at a club with very little expectation and it’s a dream job for him, but he’s had to create that himself because when he went in there it was very, very difficult.’

Mikel Arteta says he let an ‘exceptional’ player leave Arsenal when he sanctioned Emile Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham.

Smith Rowe ended his long association with the Gunners last summer, moving across London to Fulham in a deal worth more than £30m.

The playmaker joined Arsenal at the age of 10 and went on to make 80 Premier League appearances for his boyhood club.

Smith Rowe struggled with injuries throughout his time at Arsenal, however, and struggled to make an impact during his final season at the Emirates Stadium.

The England international has enjoyed a promising first season at Craven Cottage, scoring five goals and making two assists in the Premier League for a Fulham team who have climbed to eighth in the table.

Despite this, Fulham boss Marco Silva recently urged Smith Rowe to produce more ‘consistency’ and Arteta admitted this was also an issue during his time at Arsenal, though he pointed the blame at his various and reoccurring injury setbacks.

Arteta still believes Smith Rowe, 24, can become a ‘top, top footballer’ and says he has ‘tremendous quality’.

Asked about his former player at his pre-Fulham press conference on Monday morning, Arteta said: ‘It’s exceptional [his quality].

‘He’s got all the attributes to become a top, top footballer. He was unable to get that consistency with us, especially with the injuries. But he has tremendous quality.’

Silva, meanwhile, said of Smith Rowe: ‘He’s had good games, others not too good. He needs to find his level to perform consistently well – Premier League demands a lot from you.

‘We have been working with him, to be in his best physical shape. He has to take some steps soon. I really like him, trust him, he’s had an impact and he will be in the future too.

‘People like to look at the negative sides. As a manager, I like to look at the positives.

‘We all expected him to have an impact in every game in a Fulham shirt. He’s had an impact in maybe half of the games he’s played.’

Arsenal have Bukayo Saka back at their disposal for the first time in three months for Tuesday’s London derby against Fulham.

‘Bukayo Saka is ready to go,’ Arteta said. ‘All the careful things are already done.

‘Now it’s about putting him in the grass at the right moment. But he’s pushing because he really wants to. We have respected the timeline and we have done everything. He is ready to go.

‘Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have. We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success. It’s great to have him back again.’

On the threat of Fulham, Arteta added: ‘They are always a tough opposition.

‘They are well coached and they have been together for many years. They have great organisation and individual quality.

‘They have a very clear identity and idea of how to approach the game. So we have to be very good to beat them.

‘We had a lot of dominance in the last game against them [1-1 draw in December], but they were very clinical. They managed to score the goal and sat back and reduced the spaces.’

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The brother of England star Jude Bellingham has been tipped to make an ‘immediate impact’ at Manchester United should he move to Old Trafford this summer.

Jobe Bellingham, 19, has attracted interest from a number of top Premier League clubs – including United – with his impressive performances for Sunderland this season.

The teenage midfielder has been a mainstay in the Sunderland side over the past two seasons and helped the Black Cats climb into the play-off spots with just a handful of games remaining.

His form was so impressive that Manchester United and Arsenal were said to be considering moves for Jobe during the January transfer window.

Fellow Premier League giant Chelsea have also expressed interest in the younger Bellingham brother and are said to be at the front of the queue to secure his signature this summer.

Ex-Sunderland defender Michael Gray says Jobe is an ‘outstanding talent’ who has the ability to be ‘nearly as good as his brother’, one of the most important players for Real Madrid and England.

Gray also believes the midfielder could emulate Amad Diallo by thriving at Manchester United, insisting he is ‘100% ready for the big stage’ despite hoping he remains at the Stadium of Light.

Asked if Jobe is good enough to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford, Gray told Betfred: ‘I would say yes because he’s an outstanding talent that’s still probably got a bit to learn.

‘One thing I would look at is that Amad Diallo went to Sunderland on loan and he was outstanding.

‘He then goes back to Manchester United, has a couple of injuries and has to bide his time, but once he got himself in the first-team, he’s probably been their best player this season.

‘So when I take all that into consideration, then absolutely Jobe Bellingham could go to Manchester United, even though I want him to remain at Sunderland.

‘I think it’s probably on the cards that he’s going to go somewhere. 100% he’s got the physicality, he’s ready for the big stage.

‘When you look at what his brother’s achieved in a short period of time, I’m not saying that Jobe’s going to reach those levels, but he’s got all the ability in the world to be nearly as good as his brother.’

Like Champions League winner and England regular Jude Bellingham, Jobe came through at Birmingham City before being signed by Sunderland in 2023.

Automatic promotion to the Premier League looks beyond Sunderland but they are on course to finish in the play-off spots ahead of a huge clash with West Brom this weekend.

Jobe could well end up playing alongside his older brother for England, having starred for various youth teams over the past four years.

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Enzo Maresca has been told poaching a player from Liverpool can help Chelsea win the Premier League next season. 

Chelsea will hope to make a more telling contribution to the title race next year after briefly challenging Liverpool for the trophy this season. 

Many expected Chelsea to push Liverpool all the way after Enzo Maresca’s side enjoyed a sensational first-half to the campaign. 

But with nine games to go Chelsea face a fight just to qualify for the Champions League having slipped 21 points behind Arne Slot’s soon-to-be champions. 

Chelsea’s big-spending owners will back Maresca with new signings in the summer and one of their priorities will surely be in goal. 

Neither Robert Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen have nailed down the position this season, costing Chelsea regular points with high-profile mistakes. 

Despite repeatedly defending the duo, Maresca will surely be in the market for a new shot-stopper this summer and has been urged to bring Caoimhin Kelleher to Stamford Bridge.

The Liverpool back-up goalkeeper looks more than good enough to be a Premier League No. 1, having impressed while deputising for the injured Alisson Becker earlier in the season.

With Alisson back in the team and thriving following his injury lay-off, Kelleher will be considering his options and a move to Chelsea would be beneficial to all parties, according to Andy Townsend.

‘Caoimhin Kelleher is absolutely better than Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez. He’s more reliable than those two,’ Townsend told OLBG.

‘I saw him during the Arsenal vs Chelsea game and Sanchez, for such a big and imposing guy, he makes poor decisions.

‘He unsettles his own back four. He’s supposed to have a calming influence and it’s supposed to rub off on those guys.  The best goalkeepers have the defenders turning round and thinking, “he’s got it.”

‘Robert Sanchez, unfortunately, can make some incredible saves, but too often he makes poor decisions.

‘I think there’s a nervousness about what he does and if you’ve got a goalie like that between your posts, that’s got to change. 

‘If Chelsea wants to seriously over the next two or three years have a real tilt at winning the Premier League and I think there’s some way off that. But if they do, then they’re going to need to get another goalie in.

‘Kelleher has shown that in big moments in those cup wins for Liverpool, in big matches. He actually has a very understated way of performing as a goalkeeper.

‘I don’t see him panicking like crazy like some goalies do from corners.  What on earth has come over these goalkeepers nowadays when a routine corner comes in, they’re shoving people, they’re pushing people, they’re screaming at the ref, looking at the ref before the thing’s even been delivered.

‘But Kelleher has got a very understated kind of cool, calm, collected sort of manner about him.

‘He’s an incredibly capable and dependable understudy to Alisson, but it is absolutely now the time for him to go and play.

‘I think he can absolutely go and play at a top six club and I really don’t believe he would let them down.

‘Listen, he’s going to have his moments, he’s going to make his cock-ups like they all do, but he’s got the sort of manner that he can cope, he’s shown it.

‘He’s shown it for Liverpool, he can cope at a big club and I think he can cope at a very capable club on a weekly basis, no doubt.’

Kelleher has been part of Liverpool’s first-team since 2019 but only made 65 appearances for the club, meaning a summer move in order to secure more game-time is likely.

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Matheus Cunha has dropped the strongest hint yet that he will leave Wolves in the summer as a host of Premier League clubs prepare to battle it out for his signature.

Cunha has been Wolves’ standout player so far this season, with his goals a large part of the reason why Vitor Pereira’s side remain just outside of the relegation zone.

The 25-year-old has notched up 13 goals and four assists in 26 league games this campaign and scored his first senior goal for Brazil in the most recent international break.

Such sparkling form throughout the campaign has unsurprisingly seen Cunha linked with a host of top clubs, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all linked with a move for the in-form striker.

Nottingham Forest have also been linked with the striker in recent weeks, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side hoping to make Cunha their club-record signing to provide extra depth in attack.

Wolves were able to hold on to Cunha in the January window and even convcined the 25-year-old to sign a new deal to extend his stay at Molineux.

However, that new deal reportedly contains a £62million release clause which several top clubs may consider activating in the summer.

And Cunha has now appeared to hint that would like to take the next step in his career in the summer once he has helped steer Wolves clear of relegation.

‘I had a lot of offers but I wouldn’t feel well if I had done it,’ Cunha told the Guardian.

‘Some things you can’t control but I couldn’t leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.

‘Now, we’re close to achieving our goal [of staying up]. But I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.’

While the battle for Cunha’s signature is expected to be fierce, it is thought that Arsenal may be front of the queue to complete a deal for the Wolves striker.

And their efforts may have been boosted by the appointment of former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta to replace the outgoing Edu.

Berta helped bring Cunha to Spain from Hertha Berlin in 2021 and former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere believes the Italian could look to be reunited with Cunha at his new club.

‘Berta knows Cunha from their time at Atletico Madrid and it could be a deal that goes through,’ he told AceOdds.com.

‘He’s having a great season in a team that’s struggling to fight relegation. That shows you how good he is and how quickly he’s adapted to the Premier League. He could be a good signing too.’

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Arsenal are confident of signing Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer despite fresh competition from Real Madrid.

The Gunners launched a move for Zubimendi at the start of the year and reports claimed they had all but wrapped up a deal for the Real Sociedad star.

Zubimendi was previously linked with Manchester City and Liverpool but rejected advances from both clubs after his impressive performances at Euro 2024 for winners Spain.

Arsenal were believed to be on the verge of signing Zubimendi for around £51m, with Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his midfield options ahead of the likely departure of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.

But the transfer was seemingly thrown into doubt last week as it emerged Real Madrid were considering hijacking Arsenal’s deal and submitting an offer to their La Liga rivals.

Reports is Spain said a move from Real Madrid was ‘increasingly likely’ and suggested Zubimendi could snub Arsenal to move to the Bernabeu.

But it has been widely reported that Arsenal remain confident of signing Zubimendi and ‘expect’ the Spaniard to arrive through the doors at the Emirates Stadium.

The Athletic claim Arsenal are ‘working on the basis’ that Zubimendi will be a Gunners player next season, while a report in Spain says a deal between the two clubs has almost been reached.

Arteta wants to strengthen his squad in the summer as Arsenal look set for a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League.

A number of strikers have been linked with the Gunners, including long-term Manchester United target Viktor Gyokeres.

When Arsenal’s move for Zubimendi first broke, ex-Gunners defender William Gallas questioned the deal and suggested the transfer would be a costly mistake.

‘I can’t understand why Arsenal are signing Martín Zubimendi, they have so many midfielders and that should not have been the priority,’ Gallas told Spin Genie.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand echoed that sentiment on his podcast earlier this month, saying: ‘They don’t need that player.’

After more than two weeks without a game, Arsenal return to Premier League action on Tuesday night against London rivals Fulham.

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Viktor Gyokeres is now a prominent transfer target for Arsenal this summer as the Gunners look to bring in a new centre forward.

The Sweden international is wanted by a host of clubs across Europe amid another stunning campaign at Sporting Lisbon having scored 42 goals in 42 games in all competitions this term.

The 26-year-old has netted an incredible 85 goals in 92 games since arriving from Coventry City in 2023, thriving under Ruben Amorim in Portugal following his arrival.

Amorim is now eager to bring the Swede to Old Trafford but Manchester United are not thought to be among the front runners in the race to sign him.

Chelsea and Liverpool are also firm admirers in Gyokeres but Arsenal are now expected to step up their interest following the appointment of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.

The Athletic report Gyokeres has ‘long been admired’ by Berta with the former Atletico Madrid chief set to play a key role in Arsenal’s recruitment drive this summer.

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak has been Arsenal’s top target to lead their attack and is Mikel Arteta’s favoured option to solve their issues up front.

But it would take an enormous fee to prise the 26-year-old away from St James’ Park with Newcastle hoping to tie him down to a new long-term deal.

Gyokeres could therefore represent a more realistic option for the Gunners.

The striker, who is believed to favour a move to England this summer, has a release clause of €100million (£83m) but could be allowed to leave for less than that with Sporting reportedly willing to accept between £63m and £70m for their prized asset.

Arsenal also have long-standing interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko with United and Chelsea also keen on the Slovenia international.

But mounting interest from rival clubs means it is currently unclear whether Arsenal will pursue a move for the 21-year-old.

Arsenal’s troubles up top have been well documented with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both ruled out for the rest of the season.

With no other recognised striker option, Arteta has turned to Mikel Merino with the midfielder now deployed up top.

Arsenal saw a move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins turned away during the January transfer window and also discussed moves for Alvaro Morata and Mathys Tel.

Arteta insisted throughout January Arsenal would not rush into any panic buys.

‘If we can get the right player, that’s what we are actively looking at. But any player? No. We need someone that makes us better, and makes an impact on the team.’

Manchester United could face a battle on their hands to keep Bruno Fernandes with Real Madrid readying a bid for their club captain, according to reports.

It has been a hugely disappointing season for United, but Fernandes is one of few to emerge with credit in the bank for his performances.

Despite his leadership coming into question from some quarters, the midfielder’s eight goals and nine assists have dug Ruben Amorim’s side out of several holes throughout the campaign.

But the cash-strapped Red Devils could now be faced with a major dilemma after the Daily Star reported that Real are considering making a £90million offer for the Portuguese international.

The Spanish giants are said to have sent scouts to watch Fernandes this season and consider him a long-term replacement for Luka Modric.

And it could be a busy summer for Carlo Ancelotti’s side who also appear close to agreeing a deal to bring Trent Alexander Arnold to the Bernabeu when his Liverpool contract expires at the end of the season.

Fernandes, meanwhile, signed an extension to his United contract only last summer which now runs until 2027 with the option of a further year.

While United will be reticent to part ways with their club captain despite their financial woes, previous comments made by the 30-year-old may provide some clues as to how Fernandes, himself, feels about leaving Old Trafford.

‘We have to have a team that competes’

When signing his new deal last summer, Fernandes was understandable that United would not yet be challenging for the Premier League title.

But the midfielder was insistent that he wanted to see the club be brave in the transfer market to improve the quality within the squad.

‘The club knew that I want to compete with the best teams. They knew that we needed to improve the team. And I think that we’re doing that,’ Fernandes told United’s official website back in August.

‘Obviously, I said to them: “I don’t need you to promise me that we’re going to win the league.” Because no-one can promise that.

‘But at least that we will have a team to compete and be competitive through the season, to try to achieve silverware and to compete in the highest levels.

‘I think the club is doing that. It’s trying to bring people in to get more players with quality in the team; to get more competitive, [so everyone is] fighting for your place.

‘But my first choice was always to stay at the club. It was not even demands, but the things that I wanted to see: the club going forward, [so] I could see a future on that.’

However, with United languishing in 13th place, Erik ten Hag long since sacked and few summer signings hitting the ground running, it’s unlikely that Fernandes will view this season as one of great progress for the club.

Previous offers to leave

While Fernandes did extend his deal in the summer, he has also been frank that he did have offers to leave Old Trafford in the summer.

‘I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave,’ he recently revealed. ‘We talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying.

‘They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future of the club or not. I spoke at the time with (Erik) Ten Hag also.

‘He was very clear with me, the club was very clear with me, that they thought I would be a big part of this rebuild. I thought that we could be successful.’

‘Very happy at this club’

But despite those offers, Fernandes did sign an extension and, speaking prior to the most recent speculation around his United future, the midfielder insisted he was more than happy where he was as long as United are competing for trophies.

‘I’m in the same boat as my team-mates. It doesn’t matter how much you do, how much you score, how much you assist… It’s about the team,’ he said.

‘I’m very happy at the club. Obviously, I want to win trophies. I want to be in the biggest competitions, I want to fight for the big trophies. That’s what I said to the club. That’s what the club said to me that they want to do.’

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Liverpool believe they are ‘nailed on’ to sign an in-form Premier League star ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Milos Kerkez has enjoyed a brilliant season at Bournemouth, helping the Cherries challenge for European football and reach the latter stages of the FA Cup.

The 21-year-old’s form has attracted interest from a number of clubs, with the likes of Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea all eyeing up summer moves.

Kerkez is contracted to Bournemouth until 2028 but the south coast club are expected to cash in this summer for around £50m.

An intense transfer battle between some of the biggest clubs in England could still unfold but Liverpool believe they have already won the race for Kerkez’s signature, according to The Sun.

It is claimed Liverpool expect Kerkez to arrive at Anfield at the end of the season, with Arne Slot intent on making the Hungary international his new first-choice left-back.

Andy Robertson has been a legend at Liverpool – making over 300 appearances for the club and starring in the Premier League and Champions League wins in 2020 and 2019 respectively – but looks past his best.

Kerkez is said to favour a move to Anfield over the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, having discussed the transfer with international team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai.

England hero Gary Lineker recently heaped praise on Kerkez and admitted he could see the Hungarian joining Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.

‘He’s really good,’ Lineker said on his podcast. ‘I think they might struggle to keep him at Bournemouth. I saw the links with Liverpool and that makes sense. It makes sense.’

Anfield boss Arne Slot played down Liverpool’s links with Kerkez after his side beat Bournemouth last month.

When asked directly if Liverpool are considering a move for Kerkez at the end of the season, Slot replied: ‘I don’t think I have to talk about players that we are interested in, let alone a player from Bournemouth.

‘He’s playing over here, he’s having a great season, as many, many other players are here as well.’

As well as targeting a new left-back, Liverpool could also be in the market for a right-back this summer as Trent Alexander-Arnold edges closer to joining Real Madrid.

The England star has reportedly agreed terms over a move to the Bernabeu as he comes to the end of his contract at Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are also set to become free agents at the end of the season but Liverpool are optimistic they can keep at least one of those players at the club.

Following a lengthy international break, Premier League champions-elect Liverpool return to action on Wednesday night with a Merseyside derby against Everton.

Slot’s side are 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with nine league games remaining.

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Arsenal have announced the appointment of former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta as their new sporting director and Edu’s replacement.

The Gunners were left stunned last November when Edu resigned from his post after five years at the Emirates, in which time he helped transform Mikel Arteta’s side into title-contenders, overseeing many a successful transfer.

Following a dismal January transfer window, where they failed to sign anyone and address their lack of firepower up top, the Premier League club stepped up efforts to find a replacement sporting director.

And on Sunday they confirmed the arrival of Berta who departed Atletico in January after 12 years at the La Liga giants and previously worked at Italian teams Carpenedolo, Parma and Genoa.

‘I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club,’ the Italian, 53, said upon the announcement.

‘I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone in to reestablishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

‘The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.

‘I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.’

Over the past eight years, Berta made 52 signings for Atletico at an estimated expenditure of €828million (£684m) and was influential in many more deals prior to that.

Andrea Berta’s best Atletico Madrid signings

Perhaps Atletico Madrid’s best two players of the past decade have been Jan Oblak and Antione Griezmann.

Oblak has consistently been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and practically a steal in the transfer market, costing £13m from Benfica in 2014.

Berta actually made a £64m profit on Griezmann after he signed the French World Cup winner, sold him to rivals Barcelona at a huge cost and then brought him back two years later on the cheap. In all, the forward has 197 goals and 91 assists for the club.

Though he only spent one season in Madrid, £24m signing Rodri is also among Berta’s success stories, with the defensive midfielder going onto win the treble and Ballon d’Or at Manchester City.

Sometimes the cheapest transfers are the best and that was certainly the case with Luis Suarez who was snapped up for just £5.5m by Berta after being controversially binned off by Barcelona in 2020.

Though 33 at the time, the former Liverpool striker delivered one last outstanding season as he fired Atletico toward the La Liga title, the second won during Berta’s time at the club.

Andrea Berta’s worst Atletico Madrid signings

Of course, not every signing has been success, with Joao Felix, currently on loan at AC Milan from Chelsea, among Berta’s flops.

The fourth-most expensive player of all-time, costing £113m, the Portugal forward never adapted to Diego Simeone’s style of football and after several loan moves he was finally sold to Stamford Bridge at a substantial loss.

Monaco’s title-winning team of 2017 featured many star players like Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva, so there was excitement when Atletico signed Thomas Lemar, then a Arsenal and Liverpool target, for around £58m.

29 goal contributions in 189 games and just four appearances in the last two seasons show the attacking midfielder wasn’t worth the hype.

Another seemingly no-brainer of a transfer was to re-sign Diego Costa for £50m after he was unceremoniously dumped by Chelsea in 2017, but his second spell at the club was a disaster, yielding just 19 goals in three years.

Additionally, Berta signed current Arsenal target Matheus Cunha and Gunners fans may be hoping for some deja vu following his explosive form for Wolves this season.

He wasn’t outstanding at Atletico, though the real transfer mistake was letting him leave Madrid too soon.

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Chelsea have expressed interest in signing Jules Kounde but look set for disappointment in their pursuit of the Barcelona defender.

Kounde has made more than 100 appearances for Barca over the last three seasons, emerging as a key player for the club following his €55m move from Sevilla.

Chelsea tried to sign Kounde when he was at Sevilla but Barcelona won the race to bring the highly-rated Frenchman to the Nou Camp.

The move has proved to be a resounding success, with Kounde starring in Barca’s La Liga title win in 2022-23 and helping the Spanish giants climb to the top of the table this season.

Chelsea intend to sign a new centre-back this summer and are ready to revive their interest in Kounde, according to Spanish outlet Sport.

It is claimed Barca are aware of Chelsea’s interest and are working on a new contract to keep him at the club beyond his current deal which expires in 2026.

Signed predominately to play at centre-back, Kounde has in fact starred on the right this season and Barcelona are pleased with his development and versatility.

Kounde is said to be ‘very happy’ at Barca and planning to stay at the club for ‘many years’.

The 26-year-old, who has 42 caps for France, has a difficult relationship with former Barcelona boss Xavi but is thriving under his replacement, Hansi Flick.

The only factors that could persuade Kounde to change his mind and consider a move to Chelsea is the potential pay-rise on offer and the chance to play at centre-back on a regular basis.

Explaining his decision to snub Chelsea for Barcelona, Kounde said at his Nou Camp unveiling: ‘It’s true that I had the opportunity to sign for Chelsea but we had to wait for Barca to find an agreement with Sevilla.

‘When I saw that it was possible, I chose Barcelona, I was very clear about that. It’s a big club and an ambitious project.’

Barca could be set for an extraordinary season as they chase the La Liga title and Champions League trophy.

Flick’s side are currently top of La Liga, level on points with Real Madrid, while they face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Chelsea, meanwhile, face a battle for Champions League qualification following the international break, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca’s side briefly threatened to rival Liverpool for the title earlier in the season but fell away dramatically following the Christmas period.

Chelsea should, however, still finish the season with some silverware ahead of the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

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Manchester United academy coach Colin Little has revealed that Cole Palmer came ‘close’ to leaving Manchester City for Old Trafford as a teenager.

Palmer, 22, has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in Premier League football since joining Chelsea and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year after an extraordinary debut season at Stamford Bridge last term.

Manchester City’s decision to allow Palmer sign for a direct rival raised some questions at the time and Pep Guardiola has since gone on record admitting the £40million move was a ‘mistake’.

However, it has emerged that Palmer flirted with the possibility of leaving City for arch-rivals United three years before he had even made his debut for the Premier League champions.

According to United Under-18 coach Little, Palmer has always been a ‘big United fan’ and the forward ‘ummed and ahed’ about moving to the red half of Manchester when he was aged 16

‘I know Cole Palmer’s family quite well, I know his dad and his uncle, and we were close to getting Cole Palmer when he was about 16, believe it or not,’ Little explained on The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast.

‘He was umming and ahing and I knew he was a big United fan.’

But City eventually made Palmer a ‘good enough offer’ and the young Englishman would go on to commit his future to City – that is until he joined Chelsea in 2023.

Little added: ‘He was at that age where you’re allowed to leave, 16 is it? And they were umming and ahing, Manchester City, about it.

‘I think in the end Manchester City made him a good enough offer.

‘But really, he was always a Manchester United fan and it was close anyway, I remember speaking.’

Little continued: ‘I think City needed to show him a bit more love and that kind of stuff.

‘We never quite got it over the line but it would have been nice if we did, wouldn’t it?’

Palmer has been nothing short of a revelation since swapping City for Chelsea, scoring 39 goals in 78 games for the west London giants.

However, the England international is without a goal in his last ten appearances in all competitions in what has been undoubtedly his most frustrating spell for Chelsea to date.

A hamstring injury meant Palmer missed Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal before the international break, as well as England’s World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Latvia.

But Palmer returned to first-team training on Friday and there are hopes he could be involved on Thursday night when Enzo Maresca’s men face off against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have also been pictured in training at Cobham this week after working their way back from muscle injuries.

Manchester City have joined rivals Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign highly-rated youngster Hugo Larsson and have begun talks over a big money transfer.

Larsson, 20, has become the subject of much transfer speculation thanks to his impressive form for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite his tender years, he’s played nearly every game for the German club this season, helping them to fourth in the Bundesliga and the quarter-finals of the Europa League where they’ll face Tottenham.

The midfielder has also been capped eight times by Sweden and helped boyhood club Malmo win the Allsvenskan title in 2023.

Well-regarded for his passing, tenacity and physical prowess, Larsson’s many admirers include Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs, while Manchester United have also shown ‘strong interest’ in the Swede.

Other top clubs around Europe, including some of Frankfurt’s Bundesliga rivals are also keeping tabs on the 6’2″ youngster.

And Sky Sports Germany now report that Man City have entered the fray and may even be leading the race for Larsson’s signature.

It is said Frankfurt are aware of the Citizens’ interest and initial talks with the reigning Premier League champions have already been held.

Despite buying Nico Gonzalez for £50million in January, Pep Guardiola is keen on more midfield reinforcements with Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan out of contract in the summer.

However, Larsson will not come cheap, with Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche demanding at least €60m (£50.1m) for the talented youngster.

The Eagles are also under no pressure to sell having recently extended the 20-year-old’s contract until 2029.

Upon signing his new deal, Larsson said in October: ‘‘Today is a great and happy day for myself and my family. I feel incredibly comfortable at the club and in the city and have felt a great deal of trust from day one.

‘My first year in Frankfurt was amazing and I’m looking forward to many more years with the eagle on my chest.’

Guardiola is plotting a mini-overhaul of his squad after a difficult season that has left Man City fifth in the Premier League and at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League.

The FA Cup is the only trophy left that they can win this campaign and to do so they must first overcome a tricky quarter-final clash at Bournemouth on Sunday.

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Two Arsenal stars could leave the Emirates this summer if Mikel Arteta finally signs one of his top transfer targets, according to reports.

It’s been an underwhelming season for Arsenal so far, with the club set to finish runner-up in the Premier League title race for the third consecutive year.

With nine games left, the Gunners are 12 points behind Liverpool and they have also failed to win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Their only hope of avoiding another trophyless season would be to win the Champions League but they are not fancied to beat holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

As such, Arteta is planning a substantial overhaul of his squad this summer transfer window, with no less than seven players to be sold or released.

This includes the likes of Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko who have all been long touted for a move, but The Times report two more stars could be on the chopping block.

It is said that both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli’s futures at Arsenal will be in doubt if Arteta is able to sign a new winger.

While signing a striker is the priority, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike on their shortlist, the manager would like to bring in a new wide forward to support an attack that has struggled with injuries and scored 16 fewer goals than Liverpool.

Trossard, who has scored four goals in the league, is the likelier of the pair to be moved on with his contract expiring in 2026 and has come under criticism at times this campaign.

Alan Shearer said the Belgian lacked ‘hunger’ in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, while Gunners fans believe it would be a ‘mistake’ if the club extended his current deal.

The 30-year-old signed for the north London club in January 2023 from Brighton for £20million and has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

As for which winger could replace Trossard or Martinelli, the report adds that Arteta will once again make a move for Nico Williams, who has long been linked with swapping Athletic Bilbao for Arsenal.

The 22-year-old helped Spain win Euro 2024 last summer and has followed that with another stellar campaign, recording nine goals and seven assists in all competitions so far.

The Gunners wanted to buy Williams in the last transfer window but were unable to pay his €58m (£48.5m) release clause.

For now, Arteta is preparing his side for their first clash since the March international break, with Arsenal hosting Fulham on Tuesday night.

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Dietmar Hamann says Everton supporters would ‘understand’ if Jarrad Branthwaite wanted to join Liverpool as the gap is currently so big between the two Merseyside clubs.

Branthwaite broke into Everton’s first-team in 2020 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most sought-after young defenders in Premier League football over the last two seasons.

The 22-year-old centre-back has put himself firmly in Manchester United’s sights with his assured performances at the back – and the Red Devils had two sizeable offers rejected by Everton last summer.

Recent reports claimed Branthwaite would be open to a move to Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, but only if United secure Champions League qualification by winning the Europa League.

Real Madrid and Chelsea have also been credited with a strong interest but recognise that a deal will not come cheap, with the Toffees believed to be demanding a fee in the region of £80million for their prized possession.

But according to Hamann, it is not beyond that realms of possibility that Branthwaite could complete a controversial move to Everton’s bitter city rivals Liverpool when the summer transfer window opens for business.

There remains uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk’s future and Hamann is confident the Reds would be able to ‘find a solution’ if they were serious about signing the England international as a replacement.

‘It’s been a while since someone made the move between Everton and Liverpool, I know there was talk of Anthony Gordon recently who does have that blue connection,’ the ex-Liverpool and Germany midfielder told Cardplayer.com.

‘Nicky Barmby did it, but I do think that the gap between the two clubs at the moment is so big that Everton fans would understand if he wanted to go there.

‘The gap is big but I hope that it closes in the sense that Everton improve with their new stadium and try to get back into Europe, we know there is a huge rivalry there.

‘But in terms of Jarrad Branthwaite, if there is interest there then Liverpool will be able to find a solution.’

Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer and Liverpool have grown increasingly resigned to losing the right-back.

Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk are also out of contract at the end of the season and Hamann believes tying down the latter should now be considered a ‘priority’ at Anfield.

‘Keeping Virgil van Dijk has to be the priority for Liverpool, he is the heart of the team,’ the 2005 Champions League winner explained.

‘He stabilises everything and makes other players better. He’s just a rock at the back and he’s been for a number of years now so I think he’s the most important.

‘It’s a bizarre situation because we don’t know whether he’s been offered a contract or whether he’s holding out for more money or what the situation is. So it’s very hard to tell.

‘But I would find it very bizarre if these players hadn’t been offered contracts. If they have been offered a contract you can’t be too harsh on the club because the players might want more money or a longer deal so there is negotiation there.

‘It’s very hard to make a statement or to judge because you don’t know what the situation is, but the bottom line is, I don’t think it would happen at any other club that three players are out of contract in three months’ time.’

Hamann hopes Liverpool have contingency plans in place and ‘players in mind’ should Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold all edge towards the exit door over the coming weeks and months.

‘There’s about ten or 12 games to go and you don’t know what’s going to happen with them, when are you going to think about a replacement, it will be too late and that probably makes players more expensive,’ he continued.

‘I’m sure they do their homework and that they’ve got players in mind, but it’s a very strange situation.

‘Liverpool do their business differently to other teams and clubs – but you have to say that in the past and it hasn’t done too much harm.’

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Fiorentina head coach Raffaele Palladino has poured cold water on rumours linking Moise Kean with a return to the Premier League, insisting the forward is ‘happy’.

Kean flattered to deceive across an underwhelming three-year spell with Everton, but the 25-year-old finally appears to be fulfilling his potential back home in Italy.

Since joining Fiorentina from Juventus last summer, Kean has racked up 15 goals and three assists in 26 league appearances, making the Italy international an instant fan favourite in Florence.

Kean’s impact in Serie A has been such that his performances have attracted the attentions of a number of top teams in England, namely Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United.

All three clubs are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window and have reportedly placed Kean on their shortlist of targets.

Reports emanating out of Italy last week suggested Newcastle had even opened talks with Kean’s agent over a potential deal. Arsenal and Chelsea’s interest remains just that for the time being.

There has also been some speculation surrounding the future of ex-Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, but Palladino insists both players remain committed to his project at Fiorentina.

‘When a player has to make a decision, he doesn’t look at the money, but at the love of the club and their ambition,’ Palladino replied when asked how Fiorentina plan to keep hold of sought-after stars like Kean and De Gea.

‘Our players have exceptional human and sporting value. David [De Gea] and Moise are happy here.

‘They came from a particular situation and they’ve found love and trust. In the end, it will be their choice.’

Kean’s goalscoring exploits this season earned the forward a place in Luciano Spalletti’s squad for Italy’s Nations League quarter-final with Germany this month.

The former Everton man scored twice in a thrilling second leg in Dortmund, but it was not enough to see Italy progress.

Asked how Kean had managed to rediscover his scoring boots, Palladino responded: ‘I think the credit should be given to the boy for everything he has done and for the path he has built.

‘Then also to the fans and team-mates who have supported him so much.

‘He has ambition and maturity, he can still grow and he is the present and the future of the national team.

‘He must never lose his physical shape and we work on it every day.’

It’s understood Kean’s contract with Fiorentina contains a €52million (£43.5m) clause.

His deal at the Stadio Franchi runs through to the summer of 2029.

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Arsenal and Liverpool are both considering a move for Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca, according to reports in Italy.

The 24-year-old has been in impressive form for Udinese this season, scoring 10 goals in Serie A so far.

According to Messaggero Veneto, both Arsenal and Liverpool are keeping tabs on Lucca’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, the report claims that they also face competition from Nottingham Forest, while Lucca has been ‘sounded out’ by Atletico Madrid.

Udinese, who currently sit 10th in Serie A, are holding out for a €30 million (£25.1m) fee for their striker.

Last month, Lucca caused friction with his Udinese teammates after he took the ball off club captain, Florian Thauvin, to take a penalty against Lecce.

Lucca, a towering striker at 6ft 7in, scored the spot kick following a heated argument and was not joined by his teammates during the celebrations.

The Italy forward was then substituted by Udinese’s head coach, Kosta Runjaic, in the 37th minute.

‘I made the decision because someone who is not following the rules in that moment is not showing respect for the whole team,’ Runjaic said after the incident.

‘And we are a team. All that we have achieved so far as a team, these 36 points, was a team performance. So nobody’s bigger than the team, nobody’s bigger than the club.

‘Such things happen. I’m quite clear and I’m quite calm. We’ll speak about this, but it’s not for me a big story.’

Lucca has also indicated that he is keen to leave Udinese in order to improve his chances of starting for Italy’s national side.

‘To be a starter means to be one of the 11 best Italians,’ Lucca said in an interview with Sportweek in January.

‘To do that would mean playing for one of the top teams in Italy or abroad.’

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Geovany Quenda shares a number of ‘similarities’ with Lamine Yamal and has ‘everything he needs’ to be one of the biggest stars in European football.

That’s according to Sporting assistant manager Tiago Teixeira, who has witnessed Quenda’s meteoric rise first-hand across what has been a remarkable 12 months for the Chelsea-bound 17-year-old.

Quenda was only fully integrated into Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad last summer, after an impressive pre-season, and the teenager hasn’t looked back, making 44 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese champions.

The youngster’s eye-catching performances quickly attracted the attentions of the who’s who of world football and Manchester United reportedly held talks with super-agent Jorge Mendes in November over a possible deal.

Speculation that Quenda could follow Amorim to Old Trafford rumbled on across the winter, but the Portugal Under-21 international, who can play on the wing or at right wing-back, remained in Lisbon as the January transfer deadline came and went.

However, Chelsea jumped to the front of the queue and wrapped up an agreement to sign Quenda for a fee in the region of £42million earlier this month, with the versatile attacker set to join in 2026 on a seven-year contract.

According to Mail Sport, Enzo Maresca played an instrumental role in discussions to lure Quenda to west London and it appears the Blues have got their hands on a potential superstar in the making – just ask Teixeira.

‘He is very, very good as a dribbler. He is impressive physically and can beat his direct opponent both inside and outside,’ Sporting assistant Teixeira told The Athletic.

‘I see similarities with Lamine Yamal. Both of them started playing senior football at 16, 17.

‘Yamal is already playing for Spain but Quenda has just been called up by Portugal for the first time and I’m certain he’s going to be a regular in the national team for years to come, and a star of the Champions League.

‘He will get better with age and keep growing in confidence. He has everything he needs.’

Sporting defender Ivan Fresneda is sad to see Quenda leave but believes Chelsea fans should be incredibly excited about the player that will be joining them at the end of next season.

‘I have a very good relationship with Quenda, I’m 20 and he’s 17. Because of our age, we also have that relationship,’ he told FlashScore earlier this week.

‘I was surprised [by his rapid rise], of course.

‘All you have to do is watch the training sessions, stay here for a week and see what that kid does, you’d go mad.

‘Chelsea’s interest doesn’t surprise anyone at the club. Quenda is going to be big in the future.

‘This season, next season and from now on. He’s going to be something to talk about.’

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Manchester United have made Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincao a prime target for the summer transfer window, according to reports.

United have already missed out on Geovany Quenda, with the Sporting winger now due to move to Chelsea next year in a deal that could be worth up to €50 million (£42.1m) with add-ons.

According to The Sun, Ruben Amorim is ‘desperate’ to land Trincao this summer and is convinced the 25-year-old can make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

Trincao already has experience of playing in England’s top flight from his season-long loan at Wolves in the 2021-22 campaign.

Wolves passed up the chance to land Trincao on a permanent deal and Sporting ended up signing the Portugal international from Barcelona on an initial loan deal in July 2022.

Sporting made the move permanent for €7m (£6m) the following year but Barcelona included a €25m (£20.8m) buyback option, which expires in 2026, and retained 50 per cent sell-on clause as part of their agreement.

Because of Barca’s sell-on clause, Sporting are holding out for United to trigger Trincao’s €80m (£66.5m) release clause this summer.

Trincao has been one of Sporting’s standout performers this season with 11 goals and 12 assists across all competitions so far.

He also scored two goals for Portugal in their 5-2 victory over Denmark in the Nations League on Sunday night.

Trincao will still have two years remaining on his contract with Sporting at the end of the season.

When asked about his future in November, the winger said: ‘We have not spoken yet about my contract renewal.

‘Everyone knows I am happy here at Sporting. I am very happy, I love Lisbon, this is my club, of course I am happy.’

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