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'Very close': Why Reds almost sold star to Saudi Pro League, and why he stayed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Farne-slot.jpg "Liverpool manager Arne Slot during his side's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, on December 22, 2024")
Liverpool reportedly almost agreed a fee with Al-Nassr for the sale of striker Darwin Nunez but decided against his transfer as they did not have a replacement lined up.
The Reds are set to take on Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night in the Premier League and could extend their lead over second-placed Arsenal to nine points should they win.
Arne Slot's side have also scored the most goals in the top flight having netted 56 times in 23 games, with Mohamed Salah directly responsible for 21 goals while also registering 13 assists.
Cody Gakpo has also earned praise for his performances in front of goal, but Nunez has at times been criticised for his performances having only scored four times in the Premier League.
Arsenal 'make decision' over permanent Neto deal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fneto.jpg "Arsenal goalkeeper Neto on January 29, 2025")
Arsenal have reportedly decided that they will not pursue a permanent transfer for Bournemouth loanee Neto.
The Gunners recruited the former Barcelona goalkeeper in the closing stages of the summer transfer window after they allowed Aaron Ramsdale to join Southampton on a permanent deal.
Neto has rarely been used by Mikel Arteta this season, with his playing time partly affected by the fact that he was cup-tied for Arsenal's EFL Cup campaign.
With David Raya regarded as Arsenal's undisputed number one, Neto has had to settle for just four competitive appearances this season.
Chelsea dealt blow as PL defender gives 'green light' to Real Madrid
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fdean-huijsen.jpg "Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen celebrates on December 22, 2024")
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has reportedly given the green light to join Real Madrid this summer amid rival interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
The centre-back is already being linked with a move away from the Vitality Stadium despite only joining the club from Juventus in the summer.
Huijsen, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Roma, had to wait for his chance to establish himself in Andoni Iraola's starting lineup.
The teenager's opportunity came in December when an injury to Marcos Senesi opened the door for him to get a long run of games in the Bournemouth backline.
Barcelona, Real Madrid to lose out to Newcastle for Spain Under-19 international?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Fantonio-cordero.jpg "Malaga youngster Antonio Cordero in September 2024.")
Newcastle United are reportedly the favourites to secure a deal for Malaga youngster Antonio Cordero.
Sitting in sixth position in the Premier League table and having reached the EFL Cup final, the Magpies can claim to be enjoying a fine season under Eddie Howe.
However, the Newcastle boss has just seen his squad reduced by two players, Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron having signed for Juventus and Atlanta United respectively.
In the short term, it is a double blow to a group already limited in numbers due to ongoing issues with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Chelsea complete record transfer of teenage wonderkid
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F36%2Ftodd-boehly.jpg "Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly on August 18, 2024")
Chelsea have completed the signing of Kairat prospect Dastan Satpaev on a long-term contract.
The winter transfer window concluded with the Blues having facilitated a number of notable outgoings while only adding one youngster to their ranks.
Acquiring Mathis Amougou from Saint-Etienne continued the trend of signing some of the globe's most promising youngsters on deals lasting at least six years.
Despite the next trading point not starting until June, Chelsea have remained busy in their efforts to add yet further starlets to their roster.
Saliba 'dreaming' of Real Madrid move as Arsenal set asking price
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fwilliam-saliba.jpg "Arsenal's William Saliba pictured on December 27, 2024")
Arsenal defender William Saliba is reportedly 'dreaming' of a transfer to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.
Since being integrated into Mikel Arteta's squad on the back of several loans back in France, Saliba has developed into one of the best centre-backs in world football.
A total of seven goals have come from his 116 appearances in a Gunners shirt, the France international forming a resolute partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.
There is an argument that the pair are the best central-defensive combination in world football at this present time, yet Arsenal face a fight to retain Saliba's services in the long term.
Man City star set for 'showdown talks' over future as summer exit looms
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fbernardo-silva-kevin-de-bruyne.jpg "Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in training on November 25, 2024")
Bernardo Silva will reportedly hold showdown talks with Manchester City amidst uncertainty over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.
The Portuguese playmaker has spent almost eight full seasons with the Citizens since joining from Monaco for a reported £43.5m and has been a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine during this period.
Bernardo has made 388 appearances for Man City across all competitions, scoring 69 goals and registering 69 assists, and he has won 17 trophies including six Premier League titles and one Champions League.
The versatile 30-year-old has been an integral part of City's success under Guardiola, but his form has dipped this season during a period in which the Citizens have collectively struggled on all fronts.
"I have to be careful what I say": Salah's ex-teammate drops Liverpool bombshell
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fmohamed-salah_1.jpg "Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during his side's Champions League match against Lille, on January 21, 2025")
Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has suggested that Mohamed Salah is more likely to leave the club than sign a new contract as he is not respected enough by the Merseyside giants.
Salah has earned legendary status at Anfield where he has recorded 237 goals and 106 assists in 383 appearances, winning seven trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time has been Arne Slot's go-to man in attack this season, with the Egyptian king scoring a division-high 21 goals and registering 13 assists in 23 Premier League appearances to fire the Reds six points clear at the top of the table.
However, speculation over Salah's future on Merseyside remains rife, with the Saudi Pro League-linked 32-year-old due to see his current contract expire in less than five months' time.
Man United, Barcelona learn Mateta asking price as Lyon 'controversy' emerges
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fjean-philippe-mateta.jpg "Jean-Philippe Mateta in action for Crystal Palace on September 14, 2024")
Crystal Palace have reportedly set their asking price for in-demand striker Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been a standout performer for the Eagles since joining the club in January 2021, scoring 42 goals in 135 appearances, and he was named the club's Player of the Season in 2023-24.
After enduring a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign, Mateta has scored six goals in his last five Premier League appearances and he now seems to have rediscovered the prolific form that he displayed at the backend of the previous season when he scored 14 goals in his final 16 league games.
Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Mateta, who showed exactly what the Red Devils have been missing when he netted a brace in Palace's 2-0 victory at Old Trafford just over a week ago.
Man United monitoring £60m Premier League star 'very closely'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F03%2Fcungui.jpg "Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha and Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes pictured on September 15, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly continuing to monitor the situation involving Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha.
The West Midlands outfit announced earlier this month that they had successfully negotiated a new long-term contract with the Brazil international.
Being handed fresh terms was reward for the 25-year-old contributing 11 goals and four assists from 23 Premier League appearances this campaign.
However, at a time when Wolves sit just two points clear of the top-flight relegation zone, a release clause has allegedly been inserted in Cunha's new deal.
Taking notice: Two European giants place Villa youngster 'high on list'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Flamare-bogarde.jpg "Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde pictured on August 31, 2024")
Aston Villa youngster Lamare Bogarde has allegedly emerged as a transfer target for two European giants.
Having spent much of the last two campaigns on loan with Bristol Rovers in League One, the 21-year-old's future at Villa Park appeared to be up in the air.
However, having been kept in Unai Emery's first-team squad for 2024-25, Bogarde has proven to be a valuable squad member during a hectic six-month period.
Seven starts and four substitute outings have been made in all competitions, the former Netherlands Under-21 international being used in a variety of different roles.
Chelsea leading race for 'Swedish Messi', but are Blues failing to address glaring issue?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Froony-bardghji.jpg "FC Copenhagen's Roony Bardghji pictured on March 6, 2024")
Chelsea are reportedly preparing to step up their interest in FC Copenhagen attacker Roony Bardghji, who has been dubbed the 'Swedish Lionel Messi'.
The 19-year-old memorably burst onto the scene during the 2023-24 Champions League campaign, scoring one of his side's four goals in their momentous 4-3 group-stage win over Manchester United.
Bardghji ended last season with a respectable total of 10 goals from 36 appearances across all competitions, but he missed the final portion of the campaign with a severe ACL injury.
The Kuwait-born teenager has now been sidelined for a total of nine months with the issue, but he is now in the latter stages of his recovery and is thought to be on track to return before the end of the month.
The worst-kept secret is out: Arsenal's first summer transfer confirmed!
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fkieste.jpg "Arsenal's Kieran Tierney, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling pictured on January 12, 2025")
Celtic have confirmed that they have reached a pre-contract agreement to re-sign Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney at the end of the season.
The Scotland international entered the last six months of his deal with the Gunners in January, leaving him free to enter discussions with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement for the summer.
A return to Celtic has long been expected to materialise for Tierney, and Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers affirmed that a deal would happen at some point in 2025 when questioned during the January transfer window.
Celtic have been working behind the scenes to re-hire the 27-year-old for the 2025-26 season and beyond, and the Scottish Premiership champions have now confirmed that a reunion is on the cards.
Could Chelsea's 'limitless' budget help Blues secure club-record transfer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fmurmil.jpg "Nottingham Forest's Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic pictured on January 6, 2025")
Chelsea have reportedly drawn up a plan to win the race for Nottingham Forest's Murillo this summer after trying and failing to lure him away from the City Ground in January.
Enzo Maresca's men are said to have been one of three clubs to consider a swoop for the highly-rated Brazilian midway through the season, a list that also included Barcelona and Juventus.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo's side slapped a not-for-sale sticker on the head of Murillo, who has played a pivotal role in the Tricky Trees' shock surge for the Premier League title and Champions League football.
Forest ultimately agreed a new long-term contract with the 22-year-old, whose new terms run until the end of the 2028-29 season, but a sizeable bid could still turn their heads given that they only forked out €12m (£10m) to sign him from Sao Paulo.
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