/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
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Reds identify 'possible reinforcement' in case Van Dijk leaves Anfield in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Farne-slot.jpg "Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on October 20, 2024")
Liverpool have reportedly identified Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni as a possible replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
The Merseysiders positive season is at risk of being dampened should they lose stars Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, who are all set to leave Anfield when their contracts expire in the summer.
Van Dijk insisted after the Reds' 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on Sunday that there would be news on his future before the end of the season, but doubts continue to grow with the end of 2024-25 approaching.
Boss Arne Slot faces the daunting prospect of having to replace his captain in the upcoming transfer window, especially as links to Paris Saint-Germain have intensified in the past days.
'A real possibility': Should Van Dijk leave Anfield to further boost his legacy?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Fvirgil-van-dijk_1.jpg "Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk pictured on October 27, 2024")
Paris Saint-Germain have been touted as a possible destination for Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who is currently set to leave the club for free in the summer.
Van Dijk led his side out at Wembley against Newcastle United on Sunday but his team suffered a 2-1 defeat in the EFL Cup final, with the Magpies deserving winners.
The Dutchman will almost certainly end the campaign with a Premier League winner's medal given the Reds are 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League.
However, with no resolution in sight in regard to a contract extension, Van Dijk's departure from Anfield in the summer upon the expiry of his contract looks increasingly likely.
'Transfer interest': Is Dutch star answer to United's attacking problems?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fbruno-fernandes.jpg "Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes on March 13, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly interested in the signature of RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons, with the club having failed to impress in the final third under Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils emerged as 3-0 winners against Leicester City last Sunday, though the three points did little for their league position given they are currently in 13th place with just 37 points.
One of the reasons for the team's poor form this season has been their displays in the final third, with their return of 37 goals making them the seventh-worst offensive side in the division.
Wingers Marcus Rashford and Antony were both sent out on loan in the January transfer window, and Amorim will need to reinforce in attack if he is to guide his team back into the top four next term.
'Next week' - Key meeting 'set to be held' to discuss Man United forward's future
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fantgar.jpg "Manchester United's Antony celebrates scoring their second goal on September 17, 2024")
Officials from Manchester United and Real Betis will reportedly meet next week to discuss Antony's future, with another loan move for the 2025-26 campaign believed to be a serious option.
The 25-year-old joined Real Betis on loan from Man United in January, and he has been in impressive form for the Seville outfit, scoring four times and registering four assists in 11 appearances in all competitions.
As it stands, Antony will head back to Old Trafford this summer, but recent comments from Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim suggested that the forward is unlikely to be in his parent team's plans for next season.
"When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there. If you don't have physicality, you will struggle a lot," Amorim told TNT Sports. "Antony is so much better now in Spain. It's [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it's physicality."
Dutch wonderkid 'wanted by Barca' to solve important issue in squad
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fgivairo-read.jpg "Feyenoord's Givairo Read on March 16, 2025")
Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Feyenoord defender Givairo Read during this summer's transfer window.
The Catalan giants are planning to sign at least one full-back in the upcoming market, with Espanyol's Omar El Hilali and Rayo Vallecano's Andrei Ratiu both believed to be options ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
According to SPORT, Read is also viewed by Barcelona as a transfer target, with the 18-year-old identified as an ideal acquisition considering that he is unlikely to prove to be too expensive, while his ceiling is seen as extremely high.
The report claims that the Catalan team have scouted the teenager on more than one occasion this season, but there could be competition from the Premier League in the shape of Liverpool.
Osimhen latest: Man United-linked striker 'to communicate major decision in April'
/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")
Galatasaray chief Abdullah Kavukcu has said that Victor Osimhen will inform the Turkish giants in April whether he is open to joining them on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window.
The Nigeria international made the move to Galatasaray on loan from Napoli last summer, and he has been in excellent form for the Istanbul outfit this term, scoring 26 times and registering five assists in 30 appearances.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding the 26-year-old's future, as he is not expected to be with his parent club next summer; Manchester United are currently being heavily linked with the striker, while it is understood that Chelsea are in the mix.
Kavukcu has said that Galatasaray are expecting to be informed of the forward's plans in April, while he claimed that "the top five clubs in the world" are all interested in signing him this summer.
Barca 'could swoop' for soon-to-be free agent after £100k-a-week Prem 'snub'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fhansi-flick.jpg "Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick on August 27, 2024")
Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Lille midfielder Angel Gomes on a free transfer this summer.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding the 24-year-old's future, as he is preparing to leave Lille when his contract expires at the end of June.
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the playmaker, who has scored twice and registered one assist in 20 appearances at club level this term.
According to The Guardian, West Ham have offered Gomes a contract worth £100,000 a week, but the midfielder has rejected the chance to make the move to the London Stadium.
'We've had offers': Yuri Alberto agent reveals Premier League, La Liga bids
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Fyuri-alberto.jpg "Yuri Alberto of Corinthians on July 16, 2024")
Wolverhampton Wanderers are allegedly among the clubs who have made an offer for Corinthians attacker Yuri Alberto.
The 24-year-old is no stranger to spending time in Europe through his spell with Zenit St Petersburg, where he contributed six goals and four assists from his 15 appearances in all competitions.
However, Alberto has since forged his growing reputation back in Brazil where he has chipped in with 64 strikes and 18 assists from 165 outings in a Corinthians shirt.
Since the start of 2024, Alberto has scored a remarkable 38 goals, naturally putting himself on the radar of teams competing in Europe.
Arsenal preparing contract renewals for two wonderkids?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fmyles-lewis-skelly.jpg "Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly pictured on February 2, 2025")
Arsenal are reportedly prepared to offer new contracts to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri following their first-team breakthrough this season.
Lewis-Skelly has emerged as a viable left-back option for Mikel Arteta, having featured in 26 competitive matches this term.
The 18-year-old has started nine of his 14 Premier League appearances, including Sunday's 1-0 win over North London rivals Chelsea.
Nwaneri had to settle for a substitute role against the Blues, but he has still earned the chance to make 29 appearances, contributing eight competitive goals during that period.
Man United 'to scout forward duo' as Red Devils face major summer decision
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fhugo-ekitike.jpg "Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike on February 8, 2025")
Manchester United will reportedly scout Ipswich Town's Liam Delap and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike on Friday evening, as the pair prepare to go head-to-head for their respective national teams.
Delap is set to take to the field for England Under-21s against France Under-21s, with Ekitike in line to represent the latter.
Man United will move for a new centre-forward this summer, and it has recently claimed that Ekitike is on a four-man shortlist which also includes Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, Napoli's Victor Osimhen and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
According to the Daily Mail, Man United will send scouts to watch Ekitike in action, but the Red Devils will also be keeping an eye on Delap, with the forward in excellent form for Ipswich during the 2024-25 campaign.
Contract update: Real Madrid defender 'close' to signing new deal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fraul-asencio.jpg "Real Madrid's Raul Asencio with Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger on December 1, 2024")
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio is reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal with Los Blancos.
Asencio has established himself in the first-team setup this season after learning his craft in Real Madrid's academy system.
The 22-year-old made his La Liga debut in November after the door to the first team opened up due to injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba.
Asencio has since gone on to feature in 30 competitive matches for Carlo Ancelotti's side, with 20 of those appearances coming from the first whistle.
Ronaldo's Al-Nassr to launch 'stunning move' for Arsenal star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fgabriel-magalhaes.jpg "Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates with William Saliba after scoring on September 15, 2024")
Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are reportedly prepared to launch a move to sign Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Al-Nassr is currently home to a number of top names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte, Marcelo Brozovic and Sadio Mane.
Ronaldo is out of contract at the end of the season, although Al-Nassr are keen to agree a new deal with the Portugal international.
While they are working to keep Ronaldo, the Saudi Arabian club are also scouring the market for more potential high-profile additions.
Barcelona facing prospect of academy players exodus in summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F03%2Fhansi-flick_1.jpeg "Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick on January 18, 2025")
Barcelona are reportedly facing the prospect of a La Masia exodus during the summer transfer window.
At a time of financial turbulence, head coach Hansi Flick has still managed to put together a squad that sits at the top of the La Liga table and remains on course for glory in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
A wide array of academy graduates already feature in Flick's squad and the expectation is that other starlets will be bloodied as the German's reign continues.
However, as per Sport, a scenario has arisen where as many as 10 youngsters could depart Camp Nou at the end of the season.
"Who's going to replace Son?": Jermaine Defoe on the future of Spurs' attack
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fjermain-defoe-and-son-heung-min.jpg "Tottenham Hotspur may have to plan for life without Son Heung-min")
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has exclusively told Sports Mole that Spurs will be thinking about how to replace Son Heung-min.
The Londoners were beaten 2-0 by Fulham on Sunday, with the club failing to find the back of the net for the second time in three Premier League games.
It was also the 11th match in 12 games that captain Son had not scored in, and his performances have brought his long-term future into question.
Defoe believes that Son's form is natural given his age, but feels Spurs will be actively looking to find a replacement for the winger, telling Sports Mole: "It's part and parcel - players get older, players move on and it's about the next players, it's about the academy.
Berta influence: Arsenal 'to join race' for in-demand Atletico star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fpablo-barrios.jpg "Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios in November 2024.")
Arsenal have reportedly identified Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios as a potential summer transfer target.
The Gunners are currently focused on trying to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League title race and preparing for their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid.
However, off the pitch, it has been widely reported that Andrea Berta is due to become the club's new sporting director after the departure of Edu.
Such a change will represent a new era behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal bid to make strides on the pitch in their search for silverware under Mikel Arteta.
'I know I'm not performing well': Liverpool forward opens up on form amid exit talk
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fliverpool.jpg "Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa on February 9, 2025")
Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has acknowledged that he is struggling for confidence in the final third.
Nunez has been selected in the Uruguay squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia, those games to be played on March 21 and March 25 respectively.
However, the 25-year-old - who with 13 goals is the highest international goalscorer in Marcelo Bielsa's squad - is currently enduring the worst run of form in his career.
Since the start of November, Nunez has only netted five time across 29 appearances in all competitions, a mix of outings in the starting lineup and from the substitutes' bench.
"I'm waiting for my chance": Potential new international confident of Leeds future
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fisaac-schmidt.jpg "Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt in December 2024.")
Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt has revealed that he has been backed to eventually become a regular in the Yorkshire giants' backline.
Towards the end of the summer transfer window, Leeds made the decision to commit to a £2.5m deal to sign Schmidt from St Gallen.
Having contributed seven goals and 20 assists from his 108 outings for the Swiss side, it appeared realistic to expect the 25-year-old to earn minutes for the Championship side.
Instead, the versatile full-back has only been provided with 25 minutes of football in the second tier of English football, those outings spread across seven matches.
"Very happy" - Will Man United forward leave Old Trafford this summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Frasmus-hojlund-alejandro-garnacho.jpg "Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho on March 16, 2025")
Rasmus Hojlund has said that he is "very happy" at Manchester United amid the recent speculation surrounding his future.
The Denmark international ended a 21-game run without a goal when he hit the back of the net in Man United's 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday night.
A tough 2024-25 campaign has seen the striker only manage eight goals and two assists in 39 appearances for the Red Devils, and there is currently a host of talk surrounding the forward's long-term future at Old Trafford.
Man United are planning to sign a new striker this summer, with head coach Ruben Amorim believed to be keen on Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.
Wolves 'send scouts' to watch Brazilian starlet: Will previous deal help them?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fvitor-pereira.jpg "Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira on February 22, 2025")
Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified another Brazilian youngster as a potential transfer target.
The West Midlands outfit have made a habit of recruiting Brazilian players in recent years, whether that be full internationals or players with promise.
As it stands, Andre, Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha are all representing their nation at senior level having advanced their careers at Molineux.
Meanwhile, Pedro Lima was acquired from Sport Recife last summer with the promise of earning regular game time at Wolves in the long term.
Bellingham wanted at Old Trafford? Man United 'join the race' for midfield star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F03%2Fobjud.jpg "Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham pictured on June 1, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly joined the race for Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham.
The 19-year-old has been in strong form for Sunderland during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring four goals and registering three assists in 34 appearances in the Championship, with the Black Cats currently fourth in the table.
However, even if Regis Le Bris's side are able to secure promotion to the Premier League for the 2025-26 campaign, it is understood that Bellingham will be on the move due to the amount of interest in his services.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund are said to be among the clubs interested in the midfielder, who is the brother of Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea battling for Argentine star?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Ffranco-mastantuono.jpg "River Plate youngster Franco Mastantuono in August 2024.")
Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs who are ready to make an approach for River Plate youngster Franco Mastantuono.
Under the stewardship of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the Blues have been relentless in their efforts to secure some of the top talent in South America.
Among those include Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez - arguably the most highly-regarded teenagers in Brazil and Ecuador - penning deals to move to Stamford Bridge in July.
An array of other prospects have already linked up with Chelsea, including Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino who left Boca Juniors for West London.
Atletico's Alvarez stance 'revealed' as Liverpool's interest is 'confirmed'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Fjulian-alvarez.jpg "Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez on September 19, 2024")
Atletico Madrid sporting director Carlos Busero has insisted that the Red and Whites "have no intention" of allowing Julian Alvarez to leave the club during this summer's transfer window.
The Argentina international has been in outstanding form for Atletico during the 2024-25 campaign following a high-profile move from Manchester City last year.
Alvarez has scored 23 goals and registered five assists in 44 appearances, including seven goals and one assist in 10 Champions League matches before his side's elimination by Real Madrid in the round of 16.
The 25-year-old's agent recently claimed that Liverpool were keen on his client last summer, and there is currently speculation surrounding the forward's future, with a return to the Premier League with the Reds thought to be possible.
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