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"Big summer of change": What to expect from Reds ahead of their title defence
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F19%2Fdavid-lynch-and-diogo-jota.jpg "Liverpool supporters should expect a summer of change")
Liverpool will have conducted significant business in the transfer window by the time their title defence in 2025-26 gets underway, Reds expert David Lynch has insisted.
The Merseysiders are set to take on Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, and they head into the clash as champions having beaten the Gunners to the title with four games to spare.
However, while Liverpool have experienced success on the pitch, they will likely have to be active in the transfer market given there are question marks about a number of players in the squad.
When asked by Sports Mole if fans can expect the ownership to hand Slot a summer warchest, Lynch claimed that supporters are likely to see several changes to the team, saying: "It seems that's the noise coming out of the club. I had a conversation with someone a couple of weeks ago at Liverpool, and they're not playing that down [whereas they] usually would be all about expectation management.
Gunners make 'first offer' for striker, with Arteta under pressure to deliver
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fmikel-arteta.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on February 22, 2025")
Arsenal are reported to have made an opening offer for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres as they look to build a title-winning side.
The Gunners will travel to take on champions Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield, where they will give the Reds a guard of honour following their triumph.
Boss Mikel Arteta will likely lead his side to a third consecutive second-placed finish, with the club having missed out on silverware for a fifth consecutive campaign.
The Spanish manager is certain to be under more pressure to win a major trophy in 2025-26, and he will hope to be backed in the summer transfer market in order to achieve his goals.
United at risk of losing Fernandes with Saudi Pro League 'refusing' to give up
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F02%2Fbruno-fernandes.jpg "Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes pictured on January 12, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly braced for approaches for Bruno Fernandes from Al-Hilal despite Ruben Amorim's insistence that the captain is not for sale.
The Red Devils will take on West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday, and a defeat on the weekend could leave the club in 17th place by the end of matchweek 36.
While United's domestic season has been poor, they could still qualify for the Champions League should they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on May 21.
Captain Fernandes has been key to the club's continental success, with the Portuguese the team's leading scorer in the competition (seven).
Heading home? Ronaldo 'could' rejoin former club in spectacular summer move
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fcristiano-ronaldo.jpg "Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring for Portugal against Poland in October 2024")
Cristiano Ronaldo could reportedly complete a spectacular return to Sporting Lisbon this summer, with the legendary forward viewed as a potential replacement for Viktor Gyokeres.
Sporting are preparing to sell goal machine Gyokeres in the upcoming market, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid among the clubs being linked with the Sweden international.
According to Fichajes, his departure could open the door for the Lisbon giants to re-sign Al-Nassr's Ronaldo, with the Portugal international, as it stands, set to be available on a free transfer at the end of June.
While Sporting would not have to pay a transfer fee for Ronaldo if his contract ends, it would still be a huge operation from a financial point of view, as the 40-year-old would want incredible wages.
Man City in line for Liverpool favour as Forest 'identify Gibbs-White replacement'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F15%2Fmorgan-gibbs-white.jpg "Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White on March 3, 2025")
Manchester City could reportedly be handed a boost in their Morgan Gibbs-White transfer mission by Liverpool, as Nottingham Forest have identified a Reds man as a possible successor to the Englishman.
Following reports that Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz has agreed to join Bayern Munich this summer, Gibbs-White could jump to the top of City's shortlist of prospective Kevin De Bruyne replacements.
De Bruyne was not offered a new contract by the Etihad powers-that-be, meaning that the 33-year-old will be ending his glittering 10-year City career at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
With five goals and nine assists to show from 31 games for Champions League-chasing Forest this season, Gibbs-White would be a natural fit to fill the De Bruyne void, and the Tricky Trees are braced for offers for the 25-year-old.
Spurs 'enter race' for City 22-year-old, but they might already be losing
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F02%2Fmncmac.jpg "Manchester City's James McAtee and Divin Mubama celebrate on January 11, 2025")
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered the running to sign Manchester City midfielder James McAtee this summer, but they will face stiff competition for the playmaker.
Ange Postecoglou's creative ranks have suffered two major blows in recent days, as both Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison have been ruled out for the rest of the season with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Nevertheless, the Lilywhites will be competing for Europa League glory against Manchester United in the final in two Wednesday's time, and victory would provide a pathway into the 2025-26 Champions League.
Tottenham's negotiating power in the transfer market would be significantly strengthened if they can force their way back into Europe's top competition, even if they are doomed to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Berta breaks convention as Arsenal 'begin contract talks' with experienced attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Farsjes.jpg "Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard pictured on July 27, 2024")
Arsenal have reportedly commenced conversations with Leandro Trossard over a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The 30-year-old's current terms expire in just over a year's time, and there has been talk of a possible transfer to the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window.
The upcoming market could represent Arsenal's last chance to recoup a decent fee for the former Brighton & Hove Albion man, who is not a long-term option in the Gunners' attack.
However, Trossard has been a useful asset to Mikel Arteta this season, making a staggering 53 appearances across all competitions and coming up with 10 goals and eight assists in the process.
Man City 'discover' AC Milan's decision over Walker future
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F14%2Fkyle-walker.jpg "AC Milan's Kyle Walker celebrates on February 2, 2025")
AC Milan have reportedly decided to pursue a permanent deal for Manchester City loanee Kyle Walker.
Walker joined the Italian giants on loan in January after struggling to find his best form in the first half of the season with Man City.
The 34-year-old was no longer a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola and ultimately headed off to Italy in search of regular game time.
Walker went on to start seven of his first eight Serie A appearances for Sergio Conceicao's side, but has been unable to regain his spot since he returned from an injury absence.
Chelsea 'learn' Aston Villa's decision over Disasi permanent move
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Faxel-disasi.jpg "Aston Villa's Axel Disasi on February 15, 2025")
Aston Villa have reportedly decided against a permanent move for Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi.
The Frenchman, who joined Chelsea from Monaco in 2023, was a regular feature in his first season at Stamford Bridge, starting 29 of his 31 Premier League appearances under Mauricio Pochettino.
However, Disasi ultimately fell down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca and was subsequently allowed to leave on loan in the January transfer window.
Villa agreed to pay a £5m loan fee to recruit Disasi until the end of the season, although there was no buy option included in the deal.
Man United 'willing to pay £51m' to sign PSG UCL hero
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F19%2Fgianluigi-donnarumma.jpg "Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates on May 7, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly prepared to table a €60m (£51m) offer to sign Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Andre Onana is currently Man United's first-choice shot-stopper, but he has made a number of high-profile errors since joining the club from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023.
As a result, the Red Devils could look to bring in a new goalkeeper to either replace Onana or provide him with competition for the number one spot.
According to Fichajes, Man United are weighing up a surprise move to sign PSG's Donnarumma when the transfer window opens this summer.
Statistical breakdown: How Zubimendi compares to Arsenal's current midfielders
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F41%2Fmartin-zubimendi.jpg "Spain's Martin Zubimendi pictured at a press conference on October 9, 2024")
A changing of the guard will soon occur in the Arsenal midfield, as the Gunners are now said to have reached a verbal agreement to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad this summer.
The 26-year-old could not bear the thought of leaving his boyhood club for Liverpool last year, but there should be no late change of heart this time around, having given Arsenal his word over a long-term agreement.
All that is left for the Gunners to do is to trigger the £50.8m release clause in Zubimendi's Real Sociedad contract, after which the Spaniard will become both Arsenal's first signing of the summer and the first arrival of the Andrea Berta era.
The Euro 2024 winner's predecessors Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both out of contract at the end of the season, but how do Zubimendi's numbers stack up to Arsenal's current crop of midfielders?
Chelsea 'initiate contacts' with Arsenal-linked attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Fchristian-pulisic-rafael-leao.jpg "AC Milan duo Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao in September 2024.")
Chelsea have reportedly opened talks over a potential move to sign AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao.
The Portuguese winger has made 270 appearances since joining Milan from Lille in the summer of 2019, racking up 70 goals and 62 assists.
Leao has continued to be a key player in the Milan side this season, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists in 48 matches in all competitions.
However, there appears to be considerable doubt as to whether he will still be at the club beyond the end of the upcoming transfer window.
Liverpool identify La Liga star as 'top target' for summer window
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Farne-slot.jpg "Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on February 16, 2025")
Liverpool have reportedly identified Athletic Bilbao midfielder Mikel Jauregizar as a top target for the summer transfer window.
The Reds were unable to recruit a defensive midfielder last summer after failing in their bid to land Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.
Ryan Gravenberch has since established himself as a holding midfield option, starting all 34 of his Premier League appearances this season.
However, the Premier League champions are still keen to strengthen Arne Slot's squad with a new number six option ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Following in Adams's footsteps: Shirt numbers available to Zubimendi at Arsenal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F36%2Fmartin-zubimendi.jpg "Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi on August 24, 2024")
Liverpool may have beaten Arsenal to the 2024-25 Premier League title, but Mikel Arteta's men can celebrate one small victory over the Reds in the transfer market.
Indeed, esteemed journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday morning that the Gunners had reached a verbal agreement to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who was on his way to Anfield last summer before having a change of heart.
One year later, the Euro 2024 winner is finally ready to take the Premier League leap, and with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch excelling at the base of the Liverpool midfield, the Premier League champions no longer have a desperate need for Zubimendi.
However, as Arsenal currently stand to lose both Thomas Partey and Jorginho when their contracts run out at the end of the season, striking a deal for Zubimendi was of paramount importance, and the Gunners will soon activate his £50.8m release clause after getting the green light from the player.
Fabregas reveals Barcelona defender will not move this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fcesc-fabregas.jpg "Como coach Cesc Fabregas on February 23, 2025")
Como boss Cesc Fabregas has revealed that Barcelona defender Eric Garcia will not move this summer despite interest from the Italian club.
Garcia was believed to be close to joining Como in the winter transfer window after struggling for regular game time in the first half of the season.
The Serie A side were reportedly on the verge of agreeing a €7m (£5.9m) deal with Barcelona, only for Hansi Flick to block the transfer to keep Garcia at the club.
Flick felt that the defender was still an important player and was ultimately reluctant to let him leave the club in January.
What Zubimendi will bring to Arsenal as 'verbal agreement' reached for £50.8m move
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fmartin-zubimendi.jpg "Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi celebrates after scoring on August 18, 2024")
Arsenal have reportedly struck an agreement with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi over a summer transfer and will soon trigger the Spaniard's €60m (£50.8m) release clause.
After the Euro 2024 winner rejected the chance to join Liverpool last year in favour of remaining in San Sebastian, Arsenal moved to the head of the queue to bring him to England this time around.
It was reported in January that the Gunners were well-poised to seal a deal for Zubimendi ahead of the 2025-26 season, in spite of the midfielder having second thoughts about a Premier League move last year.
Real Madrid have reportedly been lurking in the background, hoping to hijack the Gunners' prospective move for Zubimendi, but Los Blancos' attempts to tempt him away from the Emirates have apparently ended in failure.
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