SETTABLOID – Page 369

Arsenal considering shock £40m move for Champions League final star

Arsenal are considering making a shock move to land a player who will feature in tonight’s Champions League final at Wembley.

With finalists Borussia Dortmund admitting they can’t afford the £40m fee to re-sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United on a permanent deal, the Gunners are weighing up whether to take the talented 24-year-old to the Emirates in a move that would stun the football world.

Sancho’s situation with Erik ten Hag broke down after the United boss failed to include the player in his travelling squad to face Arsenal at the Emirates last September.

The Old Trafford outfit subsequently lost the game 3-1 to Mikel Arteta’s side, with the Dutchman slamming Sancho in his post-match press conference in North London., saying the player had not travelled due to ‘his performance in training’.

However, Sancho has been busy rebuilding his career since then, through a loan move back to his former club Dortmund, playing a part in their stirring journey to the Wembley’s showpiece final.

The news that BvB can’t raise the fee to make the deal permanent has alerted Arsenal sporting director Edu to the possibility of a shock move for the Camberwell-born England international.

It is understood Sancho would be open to the move as he requires a similar project to find his best form again following his struggles at United – with Arteta’s vibrant young side the perfect platform for the rejuevenated Sancho to continue to regain his form and confidence.

Arsenal to sign one of two elite strikers as Chelsea risk massive transfer setback

Arsenal will almost certainly land a new centre-forward this summer and the race to become Mikel Arteta’s new No 9 will reportedly come down to Victor Osimhen and another goalscorer, with Chelsea at risk of missing out.

Arteta likes current striker options Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah but is well aware that they are not quite good enough to fire Arsenal to regular silverware at the very highest level. As such, even though Jesus has been a loyal servant to Arsenal in the past few years, he will be replaced ahead of next season.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney in the past, while they have also held talks with Bologna about Joshua Zirkzee.

Zirkzee’s transfer to the Emirates was deemed to be close at one stage, but Arsenal have since switched their focus to other attackers.

rsenal could now choose between two deadly strikers, as Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio states that they are also weighing up a statement deal for Napoli’s Osimhen.

“Yes I think he [Sesko] is one of the top targets of Arsenal. Not only Arsenal, but of AC Milan over in Italy. I think Arsenal will go for a striker,” the reporter said.

“Even Victor Osimhen could be a target, because Arsenal needs a striker like that, a real number nine. So we will see if Sesko or Osimhen, but I think Arsenal will be in for one of these two important strikers in the summer.”

Chelsea have pursued Osimhen for some time, and he is understood to be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

However, TEAMtalk revealed on Friday that while Osimhen’s switch to Chelsea is still alive, a lot needs to happen before it can be finalised.

With Napoli wanting over £100million, Chelsea will need to sell several players first before they can pay for Osimhen, so they do not break Financial Fair Play rules.

One of the players Chelsea will try to sell first is winger Raheem Sterling. But finding a club who is willing to pay his £325,000-a-week wages will be a very tough task.

It seems Arsenal will get to choose between Sesko and Osimhen this summer, with Chelsea forced to wait and see which striker is left for them to negotiate with.

Hansi Flick a great admirer of Barcelona midfield prodigy’s playing style – report

Barcelona are looking forward to a fresh start under their new manager, Hansi Flick. Both the team and the players are hopeful that this change will bring about positive results.

Among the numerous discussions surrounding this transition, a report from SPORT highlights the significance of young midfielder Gavi in Flick’s strategy.

Gavi’s aggressiveness and versatility make him a crucial player and Flick believes he can either play in an advanced position or pair with Frenkie de Jong at the base of the midfield, forming a strong partnership.

As of today, despite the optimism surrounding this new chapter, there are concerns about how Flick’s tactical approach will mesh with Barcelona’s traditional style, which is always a topic of debate among the fans and the club’s community.

The financial challenges facing Barcelona add another layer of complexity to this situation, but Flick is confident that the current squad has the potential to compete for all major titles, but some roster changes are anticipated during the summer transfer window.

As such, Several key players are expected to be central to Flick’s project. These include Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Lamine Yamal, and De Jong and amidst all this, Gavi is also gaining attention.

Flick admires Gavi’s playing style

It is suggested that Gavi’s playing style aligns well with Flick’s preference for high-intensity, aggressive pressing.

In Flick’s previous tenure at Bayern Munich, players like Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller led this pressing strategy and the young midfielder, with his tenacity and energy, could play a similar role in Flick’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

During his time with Xavi, Gavi was used across several positions, including false 9, and under Luis Enrique, for Spain, he excelled in a more traditional 4-3-3 setup, playing as one of the two central midfielders.

What role could Gavi play under Flick?

For what it is worth, another possible role for Gavi under Flick could be one of the two central midfielders in a double pivot, although De Jong is expected to be the primary player in this position, Gavi could serve as a capable backup.

The main concern about Gavi is how well he will recover from his knee injury. Knee injuries are particularly delicate, and the rehabilitation process can be lengthy.

Flick will likely integrate Gavi into the team gradually, allowing him to build up his fitness and match readiness during the first part of the season.

As he regains full fitness, he is expected to become a key player in a team that will demand nothing less than 100% effort from every player.

Barcelona can sign Javi Guerra for less than €25 million

Barcelona can sign Valencia midfield prospect Javi Guerra for less than €25 million instead of triggering his release clause of €100 million.

According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Javi Guerra is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. And they can sign the 21-year-old Valencia midfield prospect for less than €25 million instead of triggering his release clause worth €100 million.

Who is Javi Guerra?

Javi Guerra has established himself as one of the best young prospects in his homeland in the last few years. A native of Valencia, he spent his formative years with Los Che, rising through the ranks before making his first-team debut. The Spaniard made his senior bow as an 18-year-old in January 2022.

Since then, the 21-year-old has come leaps and bounds at the Mestalla, becoming a mainstay in the middle of the park for Valencia. Guerra enjoyed a solid 2023/24 campaign, amassing 2,735 minutes of game time across 40 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with four goals and one assist.

Meanwhile, Guerra’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. Premier League bigwigs have shown interest in the Spanish midfielder. However, a move across La Liga might be on the cards in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona vying for his signature.

Move across La Liga on the horizon?

Barcelona first showed interest in Javi Guerra last year. However, a move did not materialise, although it was for the best as the 21-year-old Spaniard went from strength to strength at the Mestalla this season. The youngster might feel he is ready to join a big-name club in the summer transfer window.

Widespread reports have created a mountain of speculation surrounding Frenkie de Jong. So, Guerra has emerged as a viable target amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of the Dutch midfielder. The latest update has boosted Barcelona’s prospects as the youngster is available for less than €25 million.

Javi Guerra’s contract with Valencia has a release clause worth €100 million. However, amid Los Che’s urgent need to raise funds, it will be possible to secure the Spanish midfielder’s services for less than €25 million.

Youth coach says ‘Barcelona star will win Ballon d’Or in six years’ as he is ‘better than Mbappe’

Inocente Diaz, the youth coach of Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, believes that Yamal is already a better player than Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, and he confidently predicts that the forward will win the Ballon d’Or award within the next six years.

Yamal’s journey at Barcelona began at the tender age of seven, having started in the smallest category, the Pre-Benjamin team, which is the entry-level for young footballers.

Before joining Barcelona, Yamal played for a club named CF La Torreta. He spent three and a half years there, balancing his time between school and junior football teams.

On May 31, he visited La Torreta in La Roca del Valles to participate in social events and despite his decade-long tenure at Barcelona, Yamal did not seem to forget his roots.

The club officials were deeply touched by his connection with the club and its young players. As a token of appreciation, they presented him with a shirt and a shield from the club.

Better than Messi and Mbappe

Diaz, who is also the coordinator at CF La Torreta, shared his thoughts in an interview with SPORT.

He expressed immense pride and joy about Yamal’s progress. “For us, it is a huge satisfaction to have Lamine here. It was a long-awaited day for us.

“He has always been a very respectful and formal boy and he is still the same, he knows where he is and what he wants,” said Diaz.

Díaz beamed with pride as he reflected on Yamal’s journey from a small club to becoming one of the brightest stars at Barcelona and in the national team. He boldly stated, “In six years, he will win the Ballon d’Or.

“He is even better than Messi. He possesses a unique blend of physical attributes reminiscent of both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Achieving what he has at just 16 years old is extraordinary.

“This current Barcelona team is different from previous years, and Lamine stands out.”

When asked if Lamine Yamal is already at the level of Mbappe, Díaz didn’t hold back. He declared, “Mbappé will have to fight against him. Lamine is better than Mbappé, the Frenchman has a lot of publicity because he will sign for Madrid, but the future goes through Lamine Yamal.”

Yamal’s story is not just about his impressive skills and potential but also about his humble beginnings and the support he received along the way.

His commitment to his roots and the high praise from his former coach paint a picture of a young footballer destined for greatness. With his talent and grounded personality, Lamine Yamal seems poised to make a significant impact on the world of football.

Barcelona’s new manager sees Pedri better than €120 million-rated Bayern Munich midfielder

Journalist Diego Torres Romano has shared some exciting news about Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick, and his admiration for the young midfielder Pedri.

Flick, who previously managed Bayern Munich, is extremely impressed with Pedri, even more so than he was with Bayern’s rising star, Jamal Musiala, whose current market value stands at €120 million.

Flick is anticipated to bring a lot of tactical changes to Barcelona and one significant change will be the team’s formation.

Instead of the traditional 4-3-3 setup, Flick plans to use a 4-2-3-1 formation as this system features a double pivot, which means there will be two defensive midfielders playing in front of the defence.

Now, at Barcelona Flick will have several talented players who can fit into this role, including Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ilkay Gundogan. All of these players are capable of complementing a more defensively-minded midfielder in the double pivot.

Flick has special plans for Pedri

However, Flick has special plans for Pedri. He envisions Pedri playing in a more advanced position on the field. He wants Pedri to be the team’s primary creative force, utilising his exceptional passing skills.

By positioning him just behind the striker, Pedri will have the freedom to operate between the lines, where he can make the most of his ability to deliver precise final passes.

This new role will not only allow Pedri to showcase his creativity but also help him become more involved in the attacking phase.

Flick believes that this positioning will enable Pedri to make more frequent runs into the penalty box, increasing his chances of scoring goals.

For what it is worth, improving his goal-scoring ability has been a personal goal for Pedri in recent years as well, and this tactical adjustment could help him achieve it.

While other players like Fermin Lopez have made a strong case for themselves, especially after their performances in the 2023/24 season, Flick is leaning towards using Pedri because of his unique creative talents.

Barcelona hesitant to pay €30 million to sign Kalvin Phillips

Barcelona will face a stumbling block in the bid to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips due to his price tag of €30 million.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Kalvin Phillips is the subject of interest from Barcelona. Recent updates had suggested that the Manchester City midfielder had offered his services to the Blaugrana. However, the Premier League club’s asking price of €30 million poses a problem for Barcelona.

Kalvin Phillips and his Manchester City frustrations

Kalvin Phillips has seen his career come to a grinding halt since joining Manchester City from Leeds United nearly two years ago. The Premier League champions beat other English bigwigs to the signature of the English international, who would have been delighted after securing a move to the Etihad.

Little did he know his progress would stall after barely featuring for Manchester City in two seasons. A loan move to West Ham United in the second half of the 2023/24 season did not work out either as the 28-year-old barely featured for the East London club. Phillips managed only 319 minutes of game time in 10 appearances for West Ham.

The Englishman has returned to Manchester City after a disastrous loan spell with Manchester City. So, a summer departure from the Etihad might be on the cards, with Phillips open to moving abroad to resurrect his stuttering career. Barcelona can be one of his potential destinations.

Barcelona move on the horizon?

Reports this week have claimed that Kalvin Phillips has offered his services to Barcelona. The latest update has suggested that the Catalan giants are open to signing the 28-year-old English international in the summer transfer window amid their search for a holding midfielder heading into the summer transfer window.

Sergio Busquets has left a gaping hole in the Barcelona midfield since his departure last summer. Oriol Romeu failed to fill the void left by Busquets’s departure and will likely leave Barcelona this summer. However, while Phillips is a viable target, Manchester City’s asking price of €30 million is a stumbling block.

Barcelona might not have the funds to cough up €30 million to secure Kalvin Phillips’s services in the summer transfer window. So, it will be interesting to see if Manchester City will compromise on the valuation to pave the way for the player’s move to Barcelona.

Arsenal can seal clever £32m signing that would be bitter pill to swallow for Ivan Toney

Arsenal could secure a shrewd summer deal by snubbing Ivan Toney and bringing one of his Brentford team-mates to the Emirates Stadium instead. The Gunners have been linked with a move for Toney over the last two years, with the England striker widely expected to move on before the start of next season.

Toney has repeatedly stated his desire to join a top club in the near future and is about to enter the final year of his Brentford contract, which suggests that he could be sold this summer. However, it seems Arsenal could reap the benefits of overlooking Toney in favour of a move for Bryan Mbeumo.

Mbeumo is thought to be attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United ahead of the upcoming summer window. He has emerged as one of Brentford’s most important players after making a seamless transition to the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship in 2021

Bryan Mbeumo is thought to be attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle

Bryan Mbeumo is thought to be attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle (Image: GETTY)

The Cameroon international is able to play out wide and through the middle, which would allow him to deputise for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard at Arsenal. The Gunners have been crying out for a new winger to allow Saka to be rested and Mbeumo could be the perfect fit, especially when his low transfer value is taken into account.

He is rated at just over £32million by Transfermarkt, potentially making him a bargain for Arsenal if the north Londoners decide to join the race for his signature. It remains unclear what Brentford would demand for him but the fee would almost certainly be less than Toney’s.

Mbeumo recently fuelled rumours that he could leave Brentford by admitting that being linked with top clubs was an ‘enticing’ prospect.

“I’ve spent five seasons at Brentford in a club that knew how to help me grow and take a step forward,” he told L’Equipe. “But yes, I want to play in the biggest competitions, in the best clubs. It’s still enticing to see some big teams interested in me. We’ll see.”

A move to the Emirates Stadium for Mbeumo would undoubtedly be a bitter pill to swallow for Toney, who has made no secret of his interest in playing for Arsenal. Last year, he revealed his childhood admiration for the Gunners during a candid chat with Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast.

“If the chance came along, then I’d have to look more into it,” said Toney when asked for his thoughts on a future move away from Brentford. “The manager knows I want to play at the highest level possible, whenever that time comes then so be it.

“My time at Brentford has been good, probably one of the best times of my whole career. The next club I go to, if I was to move, would be the right club. I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life, but from young I’ve liked Arsenal.”

Arsenal and Tottenham can save millions in transfer market as duo shine during off-season

Ethan Nwaneri and Mikey Moore could be ready for big seasons of senior football after their performances for England this week. The Arsenal and Tottenham duo shone at the U17 European Championships despite England’s quarter-final defeat against Italy.

Nwaneri scored a stunning goal against the Italians, assisted by a driving run and expert pass by Moore. The latter slalomed beyond several Italy defenders before setting up Nwaneri, who curled a stunning left-footed effort into the top corner.

The goal gave England the lead after just 16 minutes, and the positive start suggested the Young Lions may go on to win comfortably. However, Italy equalised through Mattia Liberali in the 29th minute and, in familiar Euros agony for England, they went on to win on penalties.

But the performances of Nwaneri and Moore are likely to get fans excited about the upcoming Premier League season. The attacking duo can save their respective clubs millions in the upcoming transfer window by bursting onto the scene next term.

Nwaneri’s strike against Italy came just days after Moore’s own sumptuous effort against Spain. He collected Christian McFarlane’s pass, took a touch inside and curled the ball into the top corner.

Still only 16, Moore is regarded as one of England’s brightest prospects. Despite an injury-hit campaign, he capped some fine form for Spurs’ U18s and U21s by making his senior debut against Manchester City earlier this month.

Moore then played again in the final-day victory over Sheffield United. First-team involvement was a reward for an impressive record of 14 goals in 12 appearances in the U18 Premier League. Ange Postecoglou insisted that Moore had not looked out of place when he trained with the senior side, which became a regular occurrence in the final months of the campaign.

Academy manager Simon Davies has called for caution on Moore. “It’s encouraging that the manager sees something in Mikey but it is just potential at the moment,” Davies told the Evening Standard.

Tottenham’s Mikey Moore is considered one of England’s brightest talents (Imag

He’s a 16-year-old boy. He’s not 17 until August, so he’s a young boy with high potential. We have several of them in the academy.

“It’s exciting for the academy to have a player so young on the bench. But we have to stay calm and consistent. Because at the moment, it is just [potential].”

But there might be little stopping fans from getting excited about Nwaneri and Moore.

Arsenal news and transfers live – Mbappe announcement, Zubimendi update, Sesko ‘offer’

Arsenal are already planning for the summer transfer window at the Emirates Stadium, with the window set to open in a few weeks time.

Just yesterday, RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top target with the player himself also making a big Arsenal decision. With numerous updates on the 21-year-old emerging, the Gunners are said to be preparing a £45million offer, which is £10million below his release clause.

Alongside Sesko, Ferdi Kadioglu, Justin Bijlow, Alexander Isak, Amadou Onana, Youssouf Fofana and Quilindschy Hartman are just a few other names being linked to an Emirates Stadium switch. In addition, negotiations for midfielder Martin Zubimendi are reported to have stalled.

In terms of potential exits, Oleksandr Zinchenko is the latest name to be looked at with Bayern Munich said to be watching on. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe continues to dominate headlines with the expectation he announces his new club in the next few days.

Arsenal will once again embark in the biggest European stage next season, after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta and his team will want to pick up some silverware after going trophyless in the last two campaigns. The Champions League may not be the easiest route to a trophy, but it is the biggest of them all.

However, there is a new format for this season’s tournament, which will take some getting used to for supporters. The previous format of eight groups of four teams with the top two qualifying for the last 16 is gone.

Mbappe’s announcement on his next club could be imminent.

He is widely expected to join Real Madrid. The Spanish giants will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley this evening.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience and I can’t wait to be in my new club,” he told CNN Sport. “I will leave my country [for another league] for the first time.

“I want to win trophies… When you speak about football, [it’s about] winning trophies, being with new teammates. Now, I have my contract with PSG … Everybody knows that it’s soon finishing and we’re going to see what happens.”

Despite Mbappe being a very busy man, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta got his moment with the 24-year-old which sparked some sensational talk of a potential last-minute change of heart.

The Gunners are reportedly looking at American midfielder, Rokas Pukstas.

The 19-year-old has been one of the standout players for Croatian side Hajduk Split. He began his career at Sporting Kansas City’s academy before being offered a trial at Manchester United in 2019.

He then spent time with Barcelona’s academy and joined Hajduk Split in 2020. European clubs, particularly from Germany are said to have taken note of his performances as well as scouts from Premier League trio Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham.

A new report by Calcio Mercato (via Sports Keeda) claims that AC Milan are considering a move for Gabriel Jesus.

The Italian giants are looking for a replacement to Olivier Giroud who will depart the club this summer. Jesus joined Arsenal for a £45m fee from Manchester City in 2022.