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Bournemouth identify 'two goalkeeper targets' amid Kepa uncertainty
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fkepa-arrizabalaga.jpg "Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on December 26, 2024")
Bournemouth are reportedly aware that it will be difficult to keep Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga beyond the end of the season.
Arrizabalaga is enjoying a successful loan spell with the Cherries after spending the 2023-24 season on loan at Real Madrid.
The Spaniard has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, keeping five clean sheets in 20 Premier League appearances.
Arrizabalaga has played his part in Bournemouth keeping their number of goals conceded down to just 32 in 27 matches, giving them the third-best defensive record in the top flight.
Former Liverpool defender opens door to "dream" Anfield return
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F31%2Fsepp-van-den-berg.jpg "Liverpool's Sepp van den Berg in action in training in July 2024")
Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg has claimed it would be his "dream" to return to former club Liverpool later in his career.
Van den Berg joined the Bees in a move worth roughly £25m in the summer, after impressing during preseason for Liverpool, and on loan at Mainz last season.
The 23-year-old is currently out with a knee injury, but has started 24 games in all competitions for Thomas Frank's side this season, helping the side in their ambitions of qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history.
The Dutch centre-back moved to the capital along with Fabio Carvalho, and has enjoyed much more first-team action than his fellow former Liverpool teammate, making the most of opportunities handed to him thanks to injuries at the back for Brentford.
"A fish out of water" - Is Merino still the answer to Arsenal's attacking crisis?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fcwmm.jpeg "Charles Watts/Mikel Merino composite image")
Mikel Merino was a "fish out of water" up front in Arsenal's loss to West Ham United, and Mikel Arteta should now consider a formation change, according to Charles Watts.
The former Real Sociedad midfielder was given the nod as an emergency number nine in the London derby after coming off the bench to devastating effect against Leicester City, netting a late brace in that 2-0 win at the King Power.
However, Merino failed to make a similar impact from the first whistle in the 1-0 defeat to the Hammers, where he missed one big chance and only had two shots in the entire game, both of which were off target.
With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz out for the season, though, Arteta is down to the bare bones up front, and his only real alternative is to recall an out-of-sorts Raheem Sterling and stick Leandro Trossard up top.
Newcastle eye ex-academy player as part of £97m Bournemouth raid?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Feddie-howe.jpg "Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe celebrates on March 30, 2024")
Newcastle United will reportedly consider raiding Eddie Howe's former side Bournemouth for three of their star players in the summer transfer window.
The Magpies were relatively quiet across the last two transfer windows, with their need to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules one of the key factors behind this.
Howe will hope that there is money to spend in the summer, though, and their pool of potential targets could widen if they manage to secure Champions League football next season.
Newcastle currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and are level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, as well as three points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest - who they beat 4-3 last weekend - with 12 games remaining.
Ruben Amorim 'urging' Man United hierarchy to sign Sporting star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fgeovany-quenda-viktor-gyokeres.jpg "Sporting Lisbon's Geovany Quenda and Viktor Gyokeres on September 22, 2024")
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly stated his intent to sign Sporting Lisbon teenager Geovany Quenda this summer.
Amorim was the man who brought the 17-year-old into the Sporting first team at the start of the season, and he is now a regular in the side, while also receiving a first senior Portugal call-up.
With a fair chunk of the season still to play, Quenda has already played 40 matches for the Primeira Liga leaders this season, contributing to seven goals from a variety of wide positions.
Quenda's versatility could be hugely useful to Amorim, who remains committed to implementing his 3-4-3 system on his Man United side.
Real Madrid join Man United in race for £62m-rated centre-back?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fcarlo-ancelotti.jpg "Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti pictured on August 25, 2024")
Real Madrid have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 22-year-old was one of the most impressive players at Goodison Park when Everton and Man United drew 2-2 on Saturday, and he has been a target for the Red Devils for over a year now.
However, both of their summer bids, believed to be in the region of £40m, were quickly rebuffed by Everton, who found them to be a long way below their valuation of the young defender.
With Branthwaite continuing to go from strength to strength in a rejuvenated Everton side under David Moyes, though, interest is set to follow this summer.
'Creativity and imagination': Farke praises Leeds transfer work amid promotion push
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F01%2Fdaniel-farke.jpg "Manager of Leeds United Daniel Farke applauds fans after his side's Championship match against Derby County, on December 29, 2024")
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has highlighted the deal involving Ao Tanaka in praising the club's work in the transfer market.
On Monday night, the Yorkshire giants recorded their most important of the 2024-25 to date as they fought back to beat Sheffield United by a 3-1 scoreline.
As a result, Leeds sit five points clear at the top of the Championship table and seven points ahead of third-placed Burnley in the race for Premier League promotion.
Much has been made of Leeds possessing, by far, the strongest squad in the second tier of English football, despite the midfield issues that arose earlier in the campaign.
Messi 'getting closer' to sensational Barcelona return this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Flionel-messi.jpeg "Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi pictured on January 29, 2025")
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi is allegedly edging nearer to an incredible return to Barcelona.
In 2021, the curtain came down on Messi's iconic 17-year stint at Camp Nou, a consequence of the Catalan giants being unable to afford to retain the services of arguably the sport's greatest-ever player.
Messi has since spent spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, the assumption being that he will either end his career at the latter or back in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys.
However, according to journalist Alex Candal of DIRECTV Sports, a scenario could play out where the legendary attacker could once again feature in La Liga.
Adios Alejandro? Garnacho 'questioning' Man United future
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F05%2Falejandro-garnacho.jpg "Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho on January 26, 2025")
Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly 'questioning' his long-term future with the club.
The Argentina international was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the winter transfer window.
Napoli were understood to have failed with a £40m offer, while Chelsea were also believed to be interested in securing his services.
Garnacho may have stayed put following the end of the transfer window, but there is still considerable doubt surrounding his future with the 20-time English champions.
Bayern preparing to launch £42m bid for Real Madrid attacker?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Farda-guler.jpg "Real Madrid's Arda Guler with Lucas Vazquez on December 7, 2024")
Bayern Munich are reportedly prepared to table a €50m (£42m) bid for Real Madrid attacker Arda Guler.
The Turkey international has experienced a difficult time since joining Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.
Guler was restricted to just 13 competitive appearances during his first season due to injury and selection decisions, although he still showcased his talent with six goals in 10 La Liga matches.
However, he has continued to find regular game time hard to come by this season, having started just nine of his 27 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and five assists.
Chelsea, Man United among four PL clubs targeting Juventus star?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Fkenan-yildiz.jpg "Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz on December 17, 2024")
Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly among four Premier League clubs interested in signing Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz.
The 19-year-old has been a regular feature in Thiago Motta's side this season, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 38 competitive appearances.
Motta has utilised the teenager on the right and left flank as well as in a more central role behind the main striker.
Yildiz's performances have supposedly caught the interest of several top Premier League clubs ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
De Bruyne 'accepts' new role as City legend set for 'crunch talks' with Guardiola
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fkevin-de-bruyne.jpg "Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne on February 11, 2025")
Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly set to hold crunch talks with Pep Guardiola over his Manchester City future after accepting he will only play a bit-part role next season.
The 33-year-old, who turns 34 in June, is out of contract in the summer and is one of several Citizens stars who is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola recently hinted that he is ready to make widespread changes during a major squad rebuild this summer, as he targets recruiting new players who can adapt to the demands of playing regularly in multiple competitions.
De Bruyne, who was named Man City captain following Kyle Walker's January departure, is now in his 10th season at the Etihad and is the longest-serving player within Guardiola's current first-team squad.
Chelsea 'to have meeting' over potential deal for €30m-rated Argentine starlet
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fian-subiabre.jpg "River Plate youngster Ian Subiabre in May 2024.")
Chelsea are reportedly preparing to step up their interest in yet another South American youngster ahead of the summer transfer window.
Having won just three of their last 12 matches in all competitions, the Blues find themselves down in seventh position in the Premier League table and out of the FA Cup.
With Enzo Maresca also having to contend with an array of various injury issues, it has become clear that senior additions will need to be made ahead of 2025-26.
However, two highly-regarded starlets will be linking up with the squad, Brazil international Estevao Willian and Ecuadorian star Kendry Paez due to be integrated into the fold once they have turned 18 years of age.
The Haaland effect? Man City 'offer' first-team role to Arsenal, Liverpool target
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Fsverre-nypan.jpg "Sverre Nypan of Rosenborg on August 17, 2023")
Manchester City are reportedly hopeful of beating both Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign Norwegian starlet Sverre Nypan.
The 18-year-old midfielder is widely regarded as one of Europe's brightest prospects having excelled in the senior team at Rosenborg.
Nypan became the youngest player in Rosenborg's history when he made his senior debut as a 15-year-old in 2022, and he has since made a total of 60 first-team appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists.
The Norway Under-21 international contributed with eight goals and 10 assists in 33 matches during the 2024 campaign, with Rosenborg settling for a fourth-placed finish in the Eliteserien.
Arsenal could emerge as 'firm favourites' to sign in-demand £70m attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fjamie-bynoe-gittens.jpg "Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens on January 21, 2025")
Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund attacker Jamie Bynoe-Gittens ahead of the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta's side are expected to splash the cash on a new striker ahead of next season, while they have also been linked with recruiting a new wide forward.
The Gunners were tipped to bolster the attacking department in January, but they were unable to recruit any of their desired targets and are now paying the price, as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are all sidelined with injuries.
Arsenal's struggles in the final third were highlighted in last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League, leaving them 11 points behind leaders Liverpool who have played a game more.
Man United facing Premier League competition for Lookman?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fademola-lookman_1.jpg "Atalanta's Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring on February 23, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly set to be rivalled by Newcastle United for the signature of Ademola Lookman.
The Nigeria international has seen his future draw significant speculation since being involved in a dispute with his manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Atalanta BC's boss labelled Lookman as "one of the worst penalty takers" that he has ever seen after the forward missed a spot-kick in the heavy Champions League defeat to Club Brugge.
Lookman took to social media to hit back at his manager by calling the remarks "deeply disrespectful", with the public spat fuelling rumours that the attacker could leave Atalanta this summer.
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