/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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Gunners to 'assess options' for new midfielder after concerns raised about star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fmikel-arteta.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on November 6, 2024")
Martin Odegaard's performance levels have reportedly concerned staff at Arsenal, with the club believed to be assessing their options ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners' season has been mixed, as while the club are in the semi-finals of the Champions League, they trail first-placed Liverpool in the Premier League by 13 points.
Mikel Arteta will be immensely disappointed by his side's domestic campaign given they look destined to finish second for a third consecutive season and have failed to capitalise on Manchester City's collapse.
The club have had to deal with numerous injury issues, including to midfielder and captain Odegaard, who was sidelined for two months with an ankle ankle issue between September and November.
"That's what I want for my career": Diaz on Reds future amid Anfield exit talk
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fluis-diaz_1.jpg "Luis Diaz of Liverpool celebrates his first goal to make it 1-0 during his side's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, on November 5, 2024")
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has insisted that he is close to fulfilling one of his childhood dreams amidst speculation that he could leave Anfield in the summer transfer window.
The Reds are on the verge of winning the Premier League title following their 1-0 win against Leicester City on Sunday, with the team needing just one more victory to cement their place in first.
Despite the Merseysiders' imminent success, there have been question marks raised about a number of players in the squad, including Colombian Diaz.
The attacker has been frequently linked with moves to Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League, but in an interview with TNT Sports Mexico, he argued that he has been able to achieve many of his career goals with the Reds, saying: "That's what I want for my career, to always be remembered for my game, to leave my mark on Liverpool.
"Next season": Deco addresses future at Barca for veteran amidst uncertainty
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fhansi-flick.jpg "Barcelona manager Hansi Flick pictured on September 21, 2024")
Barcelona sporting director Deco has expressed confidence that goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will stay at the club beyond this season.
The Catalan giants could still win a treble under boss Hansi Flick, with the team first in La Liga, in the final of the Copa Del Rey and in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
However, Barca have not always found the 2024-25 season easy to navigate, especially as first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury in October last year.
The club reached an agreement to bring Szczesny out of retirement in October, a month after the former Arsenal shot-stopper had hung up his boots.
"An area to improve" - Nypan snub exposes specific Arsenal transfer failing
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F16%2Fcwsn.jpg "Charles Watts/Sverre Nypan composite")
Arsenal journalist Charles Watts is not "losing sleep" over the Gunners missing out on the signature of talented Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan, but he has conceded that the North London giants could be better at acquiring young talents.
Eighteen-year-old Norwegian starlet Nypan - who has inevitably been compared to Gunners captain Martin Odegaard - was thought to have been on the radar of Arsenal and a plethora of other top teams after bursting onto the scene in his homeland.
However, it was reported earlier this week that Aston Villa are now working to conclude a deal for the 2006-born starlet, as ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery poaches one of the Gunners' reported targets from under their noses.
Nevertheless, Watts does not believe that Arsenal will live to regret letting Nypan slip through the net, telling Sports Mole: "I just haven't seen enough of him to be really emotionally invested that much. He's a young kid, clearly very talented. You don't have the clubs who are chasing him if you're not a very talented young teenager. But I wouldn't be overly disappointed.
Leverkusen chief addresses Alonso future as 'agreement' in place for Real Madrid
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fxabi-alonso.jpg "Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso at a press conference on November 4, 2024")
Bayer Leverkusen chief Fernando Carro has admitted that manager Xabi Alonso's future will be decided in the next weeks, with Real Madrid keen on securing his services.
Alonso is said to have rejected moves to Bayern Munich and Premier League sides in the summer to stay in his post as Leverkusen boss, but his future seems certain to lie away from Germany.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has come under pressure following his side's exit from the Champions League earlier in April at the hands of Arsenal, and the Italian has also been linked with the Brazil national team.
Carro revealed that Leverkusen have an agreement with Alonso that they would entertain approaches for him from one of his former sides, saying: "We have a gentlemen's agreement. If a team he has played for comes, we will sit down and talk and we won't put obstacles in his way. He's played for Bayern, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.
Blow for Spurs in pursuit of £30million 'rival' Premier League defender
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F01%2Fange-postecoglou.jpg "Tottenham Hotspur's Ange Postecoglou pictured on January 4, 2025")
Tottenham Hotspur's chances of signing Chelsea defender Renato Veiga have reportedly been dashed, with the Blues said to be reluctant to conduct business with their rivals.
Ange Postecoglou's side take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday night, but a victory would do little to resurrect his side's dismal domestic season.
Spurs are in 16th place and have just 37 points after 32 matchweeks, and the club will have to win the Europa League if they are to qualify for Europe.
The Londoners will need to make additions in the transfer market to improve their fortunes next term, especially as the futures of centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are far from certain.
Exclusive: Why Liverpool fans should "accept" Alexander-Arnold decision
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F16%2Fnwtaa.jpg "Nigel Winterburn/Trent Alexander-Arnold composite")
Liverpool fans should "accept" that Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to embark on a different career path with Real Madrid, former England full-back Nigel Winterburn has exclusively told Sports Mole.
The 26-year-old is believed to have made the decision to swap Anfield for the Bernabeu when his contract expires this summer, but he should depart with a second Premier League winners' medal thanks in no small part to a stunning contribution of his own.
Alexander-Arnold's deflected volley propelled Arne Slot's men to a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Leicester City on Easter Sunday, as the Reds moved to within one win of claiming the 2024-25 top-flight title.
Alexander-Arnold's wild celebrations may have sparked renewed hope that he could remain at the club, but that is not expected to be the case, and a portion of Liverpool fans have been highly critical of his decision to leave and how he has gone about it.
United given boost in pursuit of Gyokeres despite interest from Gunners
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fviktor-gyokeres.jpg "Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring on November 1, 2024")
Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is reported to have a release clause of just £60m, with Manchester United and Arsenal interested in bringing him to England.
The Red Devils have implemented a series of cost-cutting measures under the direction of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in response to the club's failing financial health.
Boss Ruben Amorim was only afforded one new signing in the January transfer window - left wing-back Patrick Dorgu - and he may have to sell current members of the squad if he wishes to be given a more substantial budget in the summer.
One position Amorim will almost certainly be looking to upgrade upon will be up front, with striker Rasmus Hojlund having only scored three Premier League goals so far this term.
Man United's 'scouting mission' leads to renewed interest in £64m goalkeeper
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Fdiogo-costa.jpg "Portugal's Diogo Costa on July 5, 2024")
Manchester United have supposedly rekindled their interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as they continue to scope out possible replacements for Andre Onana.
The Cameroon international could do nothing about Pablo Sarabia's free kick in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he has continued to make comical errors in his second season at the club.
Such mistakes very nearly proved fatal against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, only for Man United to pull off a tremendous turnaround and reach the semi-finals with a 7-6 aggregate victory.
Onana is expected to continue as Ruben Amorim's number one for the remainder of the season, as Altay Bayindir has also failed to convince in between the posts, but the Red Devils have been tipped to sign an upgrade this summer.
Tah Tah and farewell: Liverpool given green light for 29-year-old free transfer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F49%2Fjonathan-tah.jpg "Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah pictured on December 3, 2024")
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah has confirmed his decision over his future amid speculation that Liverpool are pushing to sign him on a free transfer this summer.
The 29-year-old entered the last six months of his contract with the Bundesliga champions in January, leaving him free to hold talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.
Barcelona appeared to be at the head of the queue for Tah at one stage, but it has since been reported that the Catalan giants have been forced to cool their interest in the experienced defender.
Even though Tah would be available as a free agent, Barcelona's financial issues have apparently led to them abandoning their pursuit, potentially allowing two other clubs to swoop in.
Berta goes 'behind the scenes' as Arsenal 'start talks' to sign top target
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F17%2Fandrea-berta.jpg "Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta pictured on April 20, 2025")
Arsenal have apparently started behind-the-scenes talks to try to win the race for Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres in the summer transfer window.
The Sweden international is thought to have become the Gunners' top attacking target following the arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta, who agreed to take over as Edu's successor earlier this year.
Berta was keen to sign Gyokeres for Atletico Madrid during his lengthy stint with the Spanish giants, and his admiration for the former Coventry City man has not waned during the striker's phenomenal time in Portugal.
Gyokeres netted his fifth hat-trick of the campaign in all competitions in Friday's 3-1 Primeira Liga win over Moreirense, taking his total for the season to an astounding 47 goals and 11 assists from 46 games.
"A few red flags" - Arsenal told why to avoid Coman signing this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F16%2Fcwkc.jpg "Charles Watts/Kingsley Coman composite")
Arsenal expert Charles Watts has played down the Gunners' chances of completing a deal for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman in the summer transfer window.
Reports last week claimed that Arsenal had initiated discussions with the camp of the 28-year-old, who will likely be allowed to leave the German giants when the market re-opens in a couple of months' time.
As Coman is out of contract in two years' time, he would almost certainly be a cheaper alternative to Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, but Watts expects the Frenchman to pack his bags and leave for Saudi Arabia.
"It's not for me this one," he told Sports Mole. "Arsenal seem to be linked with every Bayern Munich player who's potentially on the market. I can never say never when it comes to transfer links. It's not one that I've heard of myself. There's a few red flags there.
Liverpool 'learn asking price' for Villa forward Watkins
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F15%2Follie-watkins.jpg "Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates on April 12, 2025")
Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs to learn a potential asking price for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.
The 29-year-old has established himself as a club legend during his stay in the West Midlands, one which started back in 2020.
Watkins took his tally to 86 goals and 41 assists from 217 appearances in all competitions as he played a starring role in Villa's 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
However, after the game, the England international was prepared to broadcast his frustration at being left out of the starring lineups for both legs of the recent Champions League quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain.
Leeds hold 'increasing interest' in £10m-rated Premier League goalkeeper
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F01%2Fsam-johnstone.jpg "Wolverhampton Wanderers' Sam Johnstone on August 31, 2024")
Leeds United are reportedly contemplating shelling out in the region of £10m for a Premier League goalkeeper during the summer transfer window.
Daniel Farke and his squad head into Monday's fixture with Stoke City knowing that they could earn a return to England's top flight if results go their way.
Conceding just 29 goals in 43 matches, the statistics suggest that strengthening at the back should be down the list of Farke's priorities.
However, long-serving goalkeeper Illan Meslier has not always convinced between the sticks this campaign, and veteran Karl Darlow has been given the nod throughout April.
Man United 'weighing up' swoop for former player this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F13%2Fruben-amorim.jpg "Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim during his side's match against Real Sociedad, on March 13, 2025")
Manchester United are allegedly giving consideration to trying to re-sign one of their former players during the summer transfer window.
On Sunday afternoon, Ruben Amorim witnessed his side suffer their 15th Premier League defeat of the campaign as they succumbed to a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Red Devils now sit within two points of 17th position in the standings, albeit still having the Europa League semi-finals to look forward to as they bid to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Regardless of the outcome, Amorim is eager to rebuild his squad at Old Trafford, strengthening a number of positions expected to be on his agenda.
Neto winner 'triggers' Chelsea transfer as Blues face £5m summer call
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fmadsan.jpg "Chelsea's Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho pictured on January 25, 2025")
Chelsea's £25m obligation to buy Jadon Sancho from Manchester United has reportedly triggered thanks to their win over Fulham, but the Blues can still back out of the deal.
Enzo Maresca's men dramatically fought back from a goal down to take all of the spoils in Sunday's West London derby, as Tyrique George and Pedro Neto cancelled out an Alex Iwobi opener.
Sancho came on for the second half of that all-capital clash at Craven Cottage, but the 25-year-old could not build on an underwhelming tally of Premier League contributions in a Chelsea kit.
Sancho made a positive impression upon his arrival from Old Trafford last summer, but he has only come up with one goal and one assist in his last 18 appearances for Maresca's side in the top flight.
"From day one" - Truth behind Salah-Saudi transfer links revealed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Fmohamed-salah_2.jpg "Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring on March 8, 2025")
Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has revealed the truth behind the Saudi Pro League's pursuit of Mohamed Salah after the Egypt international committed his future to Liverpool.
Salah entered the final six months of his previous Anfield contract in January, leaving him free to enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs ahead of a possible free transfer in the summer window.
However, the 32-year-old's priority was always to come to an agreement over a new contract with Liverpool, who announced earlier this month that he had penned a two-year extension until 2027.
Salah was memorably the subject of an apparent £150m bid from Al-Ittihad during the last knockings of the summer 2023 window, and rumours also circulated surrounding a world-record £200m offer, which came to nothing.
From Guardiola to Galactico: City star eyed as Real's 'perfect' Kroos successor
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F17%2Frodkdb.jpg "Manchester City's Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne pictured on January 26, 2024")
Real Madrid are reportedly considering an incredibly ambitious move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri this summer as they finally endeavour to sign Toni Kroos's successor.
Los Blancos kept Barcelona honest at the top of the La Liga table with a smash-and-grab 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, triumphing thanks to a last-gasp winner from Federico Valverde.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's men remain four points below the Catalan giants at the La Liga summit, and the 2024-25 campaign has been one of negatives rather than positives for the 15-time European champions.
Real's limitations were exposed in a 5-1 aggregate annihilation at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, where Ancelotti's famed front four experienced little joy against the Gunners' backline without the invention of Kroos.
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