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Real Madrid 'step up pursuit' of PL defender
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fdean-huijsen.jpg "Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen with Milos Kerkez on December 5, 2024")
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen over the international break.
Huijsen has been one of the standout performers in Andoni Iraola's side since he established himself in the backline in December.
The 19-year-old, who arrived from Juventus last summer, has made 16 consecutive Premier League starts having formed a strong central-defensive partnership with Ilya Zabarnyi.
Huijsen was initially called up to the Spain Under-21s squad, before it was announced on Monday that he will replace the injured Inigo Martinez in the senior side.
Osimhen 'among four strikers' on Man United transfer shortlist
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fvictor-osimhen.jpg "Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen celebrates on September 21, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly included Victor Osimhen on a four-man striker shortlist for the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are expected to delve into the transfer market to bolster their forward options after seeing Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund struggle to find their best form this season.
Zirkzee has netted just six goals in 44 competitive appearances since arriving from Bologna last summer, while Hojlund has mustered eight strikes in 39 matches in all competitions.
The pair's struggles have contributed to Man United's overall difficulty in the final third, having registered just 37 goals in 29 Premier League matches this season, meaning that they have been outscored by 13 teams in the top flight.
'A number of clubs': Can Ipswich win race for Liam Delap replacement in summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F05%2Fliam-delap.jpg "Ipswich Town's Liam Delap pictured on February 1, 2025")
Ipswich Town have reportedly been impressed by Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but could face competition from Sunderland for his signature.
The Blues were beaten 4-2 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, and the defeat means they will remain in 18th place with just 17 points during the March international break.
Despite their struggles this campaign, striker Liam Delap has seemingly caught the attention of numerous clubs in the top flight, with the likes of Manchester United said to be interested in his signature.
It is difficult to see how boss Kieran McKenna can convince Delap to stay at the club should they be relegated to the Championship, and he will likely have to look for a successor in the transfer market.
Liverpool open to selling two attackers as Reds make Isak contact?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fdarwin-nunez.jpg "Darwin Nunez of Liverpool after missing his penalty against Paris Saint-Germain, on March 11, 2025")
Liverpool are reportedly prepared to consider selling Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as it emerges they have seemingly made contact with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.
The Reds are reeling from a difficult week which saw them crash out of the Champions League before they lost 2-1 to Newcastle in Sunday's EFL Cup final.
Liverpool will be comforted by the fact that they are still on course to win the Premier League, having established a 12-point lead at the top of the table.
However, their results over the last week make it clear that they still need to strengthen their squad if they are to improve next season.
Exclusive: Heskey explains why Van Dijk contract is Liverpool's top priority
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fehvvd.jpg "Emile Heskey/Virgil van Dijk composite image")
Liverpool should prioritise Virgil van Dijk's contract renewal over Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has told Sports Mole.
Arne Slot's side are on the cusp of winning the Premier League title despite the unwelcome distraction of the trio's contract situations, as they could all depart for free when their current deals expire at the end of June.
If any are to head out of Anfield, they will not be doing so with another EFL Cup winners' medal owing to Sunday's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the final, which Alexander-Arnold missed through injury.
Meanwhile, Salah was largely anonymous as he suffered an unwanted personal first at Wembley, but Van Dijk's performance was praised as the Dutchman made nine clearances and two interceptions, albeit to no avail.
Liverpool goalkeeper 'emerges as target' for Premier League club
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Fcaoimhin-kelleher.jpg "Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher pictured on October 23, 2024")
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is allegedly attracting interest from another Premier League club.
Kelleher has forged a reputation as one of the best number-two goalkeepers in world football having frequently played second fiddle to Alisson Becker despite a string of impressive performances for the Merseyside giants.
However, with Giorgi Mamardashvili moving from Valencia to Anfield at the end of the season, it is already clear Kelleher will be sold if Alisson remains at the club.
With just 65 senior appearances to his name at the age of 26, the Republic of Ireland international is eager to secure regular first-team football from 2025-26 onwards.
Liverpool 'planning to accept offers' for forward in summer transfer window
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F02%2Fjotnun.jpg "Liverpool's Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez pictured on January 11, 2025")
Liverpool allegedly have plans to entertain offers for at least one of their regular attacking players during the summer transfer window.
The Merseyside giants have just endured their worst week of the campaign having been eliminated from the Champions League and lost to Newcastle United in Sunday's EFL Cup final.
Although Arne Slot's side remain 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, there is increasing concern over their development under the Dutchman.
That is particularly the case due to the ongoing contract situations involving Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, none of whom have committed their futures past the end of this season.
"They will get resolved": When will Reds' contract standoff be concluded?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fdavid-lynch-and-mohamed-salah.jpg "Liverpool will resolve some of their contract standoffs")
Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed.
The Merseysiders were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon at Wembley in the EFL Cup final, with Federico Chiesa scoring a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time.
However, manager Arne Slot can have few complaints with the scoreline given the victors created the most threatening chances, while the Reds rarely troubled goalkeeper Nick Pope.
With the final out of the way, Lynch told Sports Mole that full attention can turn to the contract situations of the three stars out of contract without distracting from the rest of the league season, saying: "The Carabao Cup final is out of the way this weekend so surely this time, [contract talk] is not taking anyone's focus away from anything.
Chelsea make decision over permanent Sancho transfer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fjadon-sancho.jpg "Chelsea's Jadon Sancho pictured on September 14, 2024")
Chelsea have reportedly already decided whether they intend to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis.
The Blues pulled off the surprise loan addition of the out-of-favour England international during the summer transfer window, United jumping at the chance to negotiate a deal.
That was a consequence of Sancho having again fallen out of favour with then-head coach Erik ten Hag and United needing to bolster their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules in any way possible.
Furthermore, an option to sign Sancho for a fee in the region of £22m was also agreed by the two teams, a full-time switch seemingly a foregone conclusion.
Man United 'set to increase' Rashford asking price ahead of summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fmarcus-rashford.jpg "Marcus Rashford in action for Aston Villa on February 9, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly likely to increase the asking price of Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window.
Having failed to impress Ruben Amorim upon the Portuguese's arrival as head coach, the long-serving attacker was allowed to link up with Aston Villa on loan.
The move is currently working out for all concerned, Rashford having made four starts and five substitute outings with four assists to his name.
Widespread reports have indicated that Villa have the option to sign the 27-year-old for £40m at the end of the season.
Arsenal, Chelsea 'move ahead' of Liverpool in race for Serie A star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Finter-milan.jpg "Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram celebrates on March 11, 2025")
Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram.
The Frenchman is currently in his second campaign as an Inter player after joining the Italian giants from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2023.
Thuram scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 46 competitive matches during his first season in an Inter shirt, including 13 strikes in the Italian top flight.
The 27-year-old has already equalled his Serie A tally from last term, having reached 13 goals in 28 league matches for Simone Inzaghi's side.
Real Madrid eyeing Spurs star as one of three summer targets?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fromvic.jpg "Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur pictured on October 30, 2024")
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero as one of three centre-back targets.
Los Blancos are keen to strengthen their backline this season after seeing their lack of depth exposed following injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militao.
Alaba spent over a year on the sidelines before he returned to action in January, while Militao is out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Those injuries created an opportunity for academy product Raul Asencio to establish himself as part of Carlo Ancelotti's squad.
Championship defender attracting interest from West Ham, Milan?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F06%2Fmaxime-esteve.jpg "Burnley's Maxime Esteve pictured on January 17, 2025")
West Ham United and AC Milan are reportedly among the clubs who are circling for one of Burnley's star defenders.
Scott Parker's side have been permanently in the headlines this campaign, partly through their indifferent attacking exploits at a time when they have put together a prolonged unbeaten streak in the Championship.
Despite only sitting in third position in the standings, the Clarets have gone 25 games without suffering defeat, largely due to their incredible defensive performances.
As well as recently going 12 league games without conceding a goal, Burnley have shipped just 11 goals in 38 second-tier fixtures as they bid to return to the Premier League.
Real Madrid considering summer move for Arsenal defender?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fcalwil.jpg "Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori and William Saliba celebrate on January 25, 2025")
Real Madrid have reportedly identified a key Arsenal defender as a potential summer transfer target.
Los Blancos currently find themselves as underdogs to retain the La Liga title now they sit in second place in the standings having played a game more than leaders Barcelona.
However, during a campaign where they have struggled for players at right-back and in the middle of their defence through injury, there is an argument that it has been an admirable effort from Carlo Ancelotti's men.
Nevertheless, it has emphasised that fresh faces for the backline will arrive ahead of 2025-26, particularly at a time when the average age needs to be reduced.
Man City 'learn high price tag' for Real Madrid midfielder
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Feducam.jpg "Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni pictured on June 1, 2024")
Manchester City have reportedly learned how much they would have to pay to get a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga over the line.
Pep Guardiola started a transitional period for City during the winter transfer window through making four new additions, including that of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.
The 23-year-old has since gone on to make seven starts and one substitute outing for City, highlighting he has a regular role to play for Guardiola going forward.
However, there are several City midfielders who could depart the Etihad Stadium during the summer transfer window, including the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan.
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