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"It's an honour" Real Madrid's Premier League target opens up on transfer rumours
/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")
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has labelled it "an honour" to be linked with a move to a club of the stature of Real Madrid.
Huijsen is enjoying a breakout season at the Vitality Stadium, following a £15m move from Juventus over the summer, aiding the Cherries in their pursuit of European football.
Bournemouth have never played on the continent before, but thanks to a strong partnership with Illia Zabarnyi at the back, Huijsen has been instrumental in their ascent up the Premier League table this season.
Despite his slender frame, Huijsen has made the most clearances (126) and headed clearances (62) of any teenager across Europe's top-five leagues this season, but he has also been praised for his ability to be a ball-playing central defender.
"There is one weakness": Will Reds address weakness that Newcastle exploited?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fdavid-lynch-and-ryan-gravenberch.jpg "Newcastle may have exposed one of Liverpool's weaknesses")
Liverpool have been prone to being physically outmatched by their opponents at times this season, and additions to address that would be welcomed, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has claimed.
Newcastle United emerged as 2-1 victors against the Merseysiders at Wembley in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, and though Federico Chiesa halved the winners' lead in second-half stoppage time, the Toon held on for a deserved win.
Arne Slot admitted in the aftermath of the match that his side struggled to deal with the Magpies' intense performance, and Lynch echoed the Dutchman's sentiment.
Speaking to Sports Mole, the Reds expert argued that Liverpool have at times been caught out by physically imposing opponents, and the club will almost certainly seek to address those issues, saying: "I think back to the Atalanta game last season where a team going man for man, turning it into physical duels all over the pitch - Liverpool just couldn't cope with that.
Koeman drops hint on potential Van Dijk destination after PSG links rubbished
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fvirgil-van-dijk.jpg "Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during his side's Premier League match against Leicester City, on December 26, 2024")
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has dropped a hint on where Virgil van Dijk could move if he departs Liverpool this summer.
Van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season, and rumours have intensified over the past week that a move away from Anfield is looking more likely, with a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain potentially on the cards.
The disappointment of Sunday's EFL Cup final defeat to Newcastle United has not helped matters, with the result being used as an engine to further push the potential story around the Dutch defender leaving the club.
A move to Saudi Arabia has also been mooted, but national team manager Koeman has weighed-in on those rumours.
Liverpool draw up four-man Bundesliga shortlist?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Fnico-schlotterbeck.jpg "Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck on December 11, 2024")
Liverpool are reportedly interested in four Bundesliga stars ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Reds are expected to make several changes to their squad this summer despite sitting top of the Premier League table.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are all at risk of leaving on free transfers, with the trio out of contract at the end of the season.
There is also a possibility that several other players could leave the club, including Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, who have both been linked with moves away from Anfield.
"I haven't heard anything" - Eriksen makes Man United exit admission
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fchristian-eriksen.jpg "Manchester United's Christian Eriksen reacts on October 19, 2024")
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has admitted that he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Eriksen has made 99 competitive appearances since he joined Man United from Brentford last summer, contributing seven goals and 17 assists.
However, the Denmark international has struggled for regular playing time this term, having made just nine Premier League starts in 2024-25.
Eriksen, who is out of contract this summer, has confirmed there have been no discussions over a new deal, leaving him on course to walk away for nothing when his deal expires at the end of June.
Exclusive: Heskey has one idea that could save Nunez's Liverpool career
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fehdn.jpg "Emile Heskey/Darwin Nunez composite image")
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has suggested that Darwin Nunez could still have a future at Anfield, but not as Arne Slot's starting number nine.
The jury has been out on the Uruguay international ever since he joined in a record-breaking deal from Benfica in 2022, arriving for an initial £64m which could rise to as much as £85m through performance-related add-ons.
Nunez has only managed seven goals in 40 matches across all competitions this season, though, and he was overlooked for a spot in the first XI for the weekend's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final, only being given a half-hour run-out off the bench.
In contrast, lethal Magpies striker Alexander Isak scored his 23rd goal of the season in all competitions at Wembley, and the Swede has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool in the event that Nunez leaves amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia.
'First choice': Modric makes decision on Real Madrid future
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fluka-modric.jpg "Real Madrid's Luka Modric on February 23, 2025")
Luka Modric has reportedly decided whether he intends to remain at Real Madrid past the end of the season.
Now in his 13th campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Croatian superstar has already cemented his legacy at the club.
As well as making 579 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions, Modric has won 28 pieces of silverware, including four La Liga titles and six Champions League trophies.
However, now at the age of 39, Modric is reaching the end of his playing days and it has been questionable whether his longevity at Real will extend into next season.
Mainoo among six Man United players up for sale this summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F05%2Fkobbie-mainoo.jpg "Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo on January 5, 2025")
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly one of six players who will be put up for sale during the summer transfer window.
Earlier this month, Sir Jim Ratcliffe laid bare the club's ongoing financial struggles, claiming a fee in the region of £89m was due to be paid to other clubs for instalments agreed when signing players in the past.
As such, United will not be in a position to spend freely during the off-season, despite the desire of Ruben Amorim to stamp his mark on the squad.
However, there will naturally be opportunities to generate income through player sales in an effort to compile a group capable of returning to the top half of the Premier League table.
Mudryk to leave Chelsea on loan amid Bundesliga interest?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Fmykhaylo-mudryk.jpg "Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in September 2024.")
Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is allegedly the subject of surprise interest from a Bundesliga club.
Since arriving at Stamford Bridge in January 2023 for a fee that could reach in the region of £89m, Mudryk has failed to justify his price-tag.
Just 10 goals and nine assists have been contributed from his 73 appearances in all competitions, and the Ukraine international is currently facing the possibility of a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
At the back end of last year, reports emerged that Mudryk had failed a drugs test and he is serving a provisional ban until the 'B' sample is officially revealed.
Simons asking price 'revealed' amid Man United, Bayern interest
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fxavi-simons.jpg "RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons on March 8, 2025")
Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly among the clubs who have discovered the asking price of RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
The 21-year-old spent 18 months on loan at Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain before joining the Bundesliga club permanently in January for an initial €50m (£42.1m) plus add-ons which could see the fee rise to around €81m (£67m).
Simons has established himself as an important first-team player for Leipzig, scoring 18 goals and registering 19 assists in 68 appearances across all tournaments, with 10 goals and 14 assists recorded in 43 matches last season.
This term, Simons has struggled with an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for a few months, but the Netherlands international has still contributed with eight goals and five assists in 25 games for Die Roten Bullen.
Not Man United or Chelsea: Which PL clubs could Gyokeres join this summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fviktor-gyokeres.jpg "Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates on March 9, 2025")
Liverpool are one of three Premier League clubs who could reportedly pip rivals Manchester United and Chelsea to the signing of Sporting Lisbon's in-demand striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
The 26-year-old Sweden international has established himself as one of the deadliest strikers in Europe since joining Sporting from Coventry City for a reported £21m in July 2023.
Across all competitions, Gyokeres has scored an exceptional 83 goals and has registered 25 assists in 91 appearances for the Portuguese giants, contributing with 40 goals and 10 assists in 41 games so far this season.
Gyokeres, who is expected to leave Sporting this summer, has unsurprisingly caught the attention of several top European clubs, with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim allegedly 'desperate' to reunite with the striker at Man United.
'Sweeter on the Swede': Isak stance becomes clear as Arsenal, Liverpool suffer blow
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Falexander-isak.jpg "Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates on March 16, 2025")
Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona have all reportedly suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old has established himself as one of Europe's most prolific strikers and has become a fans' favourite at St James' Park since joining the Magpies from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63m in August 2022.
Isak has found the net 58 times in 100 appearances for Newcastle, and he recently became the seventh-fastest player in Premier League history to score 50 goals in the division, doing so after 76 games.
The Sweden international also scored in Newcastle's historic 2-1 triumph over Liverpool in the EFL Cup final last weekend, helping the Magpies win their first major domestic trophy for 70 years.
Aston Villa 'open to selling' midfielder following successful loan spell
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fenzo-barrenechea.jpg "Valencia midfielder Enzo Barrenechea in January 2025.")
Aston Villa are reportedly prepared to cash in on midfielder Enzo Barrenechea during the summer transfer window.
In July, Barrenechea was included in the deal that took Douglas Luiz to Juventus, the Argentine moving in the opposite direction in a separate transfer worth in the region of €11m (£9.3m).
While the inclusion of Barrenechea was partly due to both clubs needing to meet their relevant financial regulations, there was still hope that the player could progress into a first-team player in the West Midlands.
Within two months, though, the 23-year-old was allowed to make the loan switch to Valencia where he was expected to earn regular first-team football.
Recoveries and renewals: Arsenal to start 'formal contract talks' with key attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Fgabsak_1.jpg "Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli pictured on February 25, 2023")
Arsenal intend to begin formal discussions with Bukayo Saka over a new contract ahead of his comeback from a long-term hamstring injury, according to a report.
The 23-year-old - who is reportedly targeting a return from his operation in time for the first leg of the Gunners' Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid - will enter the last two years of his agreement this summer as things stand.
Saka last agreed a four-year extension with the North London giants in the summer of 2023, since when he has continued to come on leaps and bounds under the wing of Mikel Arteta.
Despite not making a single appearance since December, Saka has still provided the joint second-most assists (10) in the current Premier League season, only fewer than Mohamed Salah's 17 for Liverpool.
Forest 'will do everything they can' to keep Liverpool-linked attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fmorcal.jpg "Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi pictured on April 2, 2024")
Nottingham Forest are reportedly ready to fend off Liverpool if they express an interest in one of their star players.
The East Midlands outfit are currently enjoying one of their most memorable campaigns in a generation, defying pre-season relegation predictions to challenge for Champions League qualification.
With nine matches remaining, Forest sit seven points clear of sixth-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League standings, the current anticipation being that a top-five finish will be enough to earn a place at European football's top table.
However, the downside to Forest's outstanding form during 2024-25 will be higher-profile clubs ramping up interest in their squad during the summer transfer window.
Man City 'clear the way' for midfielder exit as 'ideal replacement' is identified
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fpep-guardiola_1.jpg "Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on October 5, 2024")
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to let one of their first-team midfielders leave the club in the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola has endured arguably his most challenging season as Citizens boss and his ageing squad that has been hampered with injuries and is currently involved in a hotly-contested battle to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Securing a top-four, or top-five, finish in the Premier League would likely boost City's chances of luring some of their top transfer targets to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new season.
The Citizens are expected to continue their much-needed squad rebuild in the summer, one which began in January with the additions of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis for a combined fee of around £180m.
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