More stories

  • in

    ‘I don’t like the English weather and only went for the shops’ reveals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target

    RAFAEL LEAO has revealed that he does not like English weather amid rumours of a move to the Premier League.The Portuguese scoring sensation has attracted interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months.
    Rafael Leao has said he does ‘not like’ the weather in EnglandCredit: Getty
    The Reds were recently tipped to be preparing an offer for the forward that would see Luis Diaz heading to Italy.
    Speaking ahead of AC Milan’s Champions League last 16 tie against Tottenham in London, Leao appeared to dampen the rumours.
    He told Kick Game’s YouTube Channel: “I don’t like the weather there.
    “I went shopping the first time I went to London.”
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    The 23-year-old also spoke about how much he enjoys living in Milan.
    He praised the city’s cuisine, nightlife, shopping district and the Duomo barber shop, where he gets his hair cut.
    The Rossoneri forward has contributed towards 15 goals in Serie A this season, a league that he has also admitted that he finds “easy”.
    He added: “Serie A is very easy, yes it seems.
    Most read in Football
    “Before reaching Serie A I was in France, where the first year was difficult. They came in hard. 
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    “But when you’re skilled, when you’re faster, you can create and make a difference.
    “The second year was much better and I grew a lot.
    “I have to show the world what I can do on and off the pitch.”
    AC Milan want to keep hold of the impressive forward and are preparing a new big-money contract in order to keep hold of him. More

  • in

    Arsenal star Kieran Tierney ‘open to Newcastle transfer’ with left-back dropping down pecking order under Mikel Arteta

    ARSENAL star Kieran Tierney is reportedly open to joining Newcastle this summer.That’s after tumbling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
    Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney is open to joining NewcastleCredit: Getty
    Tierney, 25, has been at Arsenal since 2019 after a £25million move from Celtic.
    An instant hit with fans, he’s clocked up 122 games for the Gunners in that time.
    But Tierney has been unable to hold down a regular spot in Arsenal’s side due to numerous injury problems.
    And he is now firmly out of the loop following last summer’s capture of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Versatile teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu has even been preferred on the left at times this term.
    And The Chronicle now claims Newcastle are keen on signing Tierney this summer.
    Eddie Howe has transformed the Magpies into top four contenders just one year after a mega-money Saudi takeover.
    Smart signings like Dan Burn and Nick Pope have instilled new-found discipline in Toon’s watertight defence.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And Tierney is seen as the missing piece of the jigsaw in place of Matt Targett.
    Indeed, it’s reckoned 35-time Scotland international would jump at the chance of first-team football at St James’ Park.

    And boss Arteta revealed yesterday that he is unsure over Tierney’s Emirates future.
    He said: “I don’t know (if Tierney is available for transfer), I’m not even thinking about it.
    “I’m thinking about what’s best for the team and the players with the right to play minutes, which they all deserve.” More

  • in

    Arsenal ‘closely following’ Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga amid rumours of summer transfer move

    ARSENAL are reportedly keeping tabs on Celta Vigo’s breakout star Gabri Veiga.The North London side have been linked with the midfielder along with Manchester United.
    Arsenal are ‘closely following’ Gabri VeigaCredit: Getty
    However, the Gunners appear to have made the next steps as they are said to be “closely following” his progress, according to a report by Spanish publication Faro de Vigo.
    The 20-year-old has been having an impressive season for the 13th-placed club in LaLiga.
    He has scored eight goals and assisted three more in his 22 appearances in Spain’s top flight.
    He has been highly regarded as Celta Vigo’s best player alongside former Liverpool star Iago Aspas.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Veiga became a permanent member of the first team in January after spending the first half of the season without a squad number.
    And many fans are already calling him ‘a revelation’.
    Celta Vigo are said to be reluctant to let Veiga go, however, club chiefs are confident that they will be able to sell him for a record fee should he decide to leave.
    The Gunners could view Veiga as a long-term project that could step up to first team.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    Veiga is not the only midfielder the club have been linked with as Arsenal also hold an interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and West Ham’s Declan Rice.
    The Gunners tried to sign Caicedo in January but were rebuffed by the Seagulls and are likely to try and sign him again in the summer. More

  • in

    How Arsenal could line up as Mikel Arteta plans huge summer transfer overhaul with four major ins and SIX huge outs

    DESPITE their table-topping performance so far this campaign, Arsenal could still line up very differently by the time next season starts. According to The Times, Arsenal’s impending Champions League qualification could spark a spending spree which could see four major players brought in.
    Mikel Arteta is set to overhaul his squad in the summerCredit: Getty
    Declan Rice is one of their top targetsCredit: Getty
    How Arsenal could line up next season
    However, departures will also be needed to help fund these signings.
    The report suggests as many as six players could be off in the summer.
    Among the incoming players, Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo have been extensively linked to the Emirates.
    Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his midfield to fight on multiple fronts and provide injury cover.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Full-back is another area Arteta wants to address, with Ivan Fresneda and Denzel Dumfries both linked.
    Other targets include Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Victor Osimhen, though they will only go after the former if they fail to sign Rice or Caicedo.
    A possible line up next season could see Osimhen leading the line while Rice and Caicedo marshal the midfield with Inter Milan star Dumfries patrolling the right flank.
    Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka is set to be the highest profile player to fall victim to the squad overhaul.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Granit Xhaka is set to be a casualty of the new arrivalsCredit: Getty
    Kieran Tierney’s limited minutes could see him on the chopping block too, with a £25m price reportedly being set.
    A decision is also set to be made on Emile Smith Rowe, who has struggled with injuries.
    On loan stars Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Folarin Balogun are all set to leave to help fund the summer spree.

    If Arsenal don’t land Rice or Caicdeo, Milinkovic-Savic could partner Thomas Partey while Fresneda comes in at right-back.
    Meanwhile, the versatile Takehiro Tomiyasu could become the team’s second choice left-back, while Ben White can cover for William Saliba at right centre-back.
    Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus could return up top too.
    An alternative look at how Arsenal could line up More

  • in

    Arsenal set to suffer Vitor Roque transfer blow with 18-year-old Athletico Paranaense wonderkid wanting Barcelona move

    ARSENAL are set to miss out on Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque as he has stated his desire to join Barcelona.The Spanish giants have been leading the race for the Athletico Paranaense forward, who turned 18 on Tuesday.
    Brazil’s Vitor Roque score six goals at the U20 South American ChampionshipCredit: AP
    He has made 37 appearances for Paranaense, contributing seven goals and three assists.
    On top of his club form, he has bagged six goals in 11 appearances for Brazil’s U20s – all of which came at the South American championships earlier this year.
    Arsenal are among a host of other clubs chasing his signature, including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.
    However, it now seems unlikely he will move anywhere but the Nou Camp after recent remarks about the Catalan club and striker Robert Lewandowski.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Speaking to Sport, he said: “I feel ready to make the move to Barcelona, of course. It would be amazing to play with Lewandowski.
    “Barcelona is a dream. If I end up there, it will be a great joy for my family and me. It’d be a fantastic move.”
    Known as ‘Tigrinho’ – or ‘Little Tiger’ – in Brazil, Roque has already been likened to legendary striker Ronaldo and Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.
    And he is not expected to go cheaply as his Paranaense contract contains a £53million release clause.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is now technical director for Paranaense, has made it clear Roque is set to leave.
    The 74-year-old said: “Vitor will probably be sold.
    “He’s 17 years old and has a lot to learn on the pitch. But he’s been playing in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores since he was 16.” More

  • in

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was ‘annoyed with star’s behaviour’ before shipping him out on loan transfer

    NUNO TAVARES used to “annoy” Mikel Arteta at Arsenal before he was shipped out on loan.The Portuguese left-back left the Emirates last summer to join Marseille on a season-long deal.
    Nuno Tavares is on a season-long loan at MarseilleCredit: EPA
    A fresh report says his behaviour used to ‘annoy’ Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty
    The 23-year-old only moved to the Gunners from Benfica in 2021 but struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
    He made just 22 top-flight appearances for Arsenal before the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko forced him to look elsewhere for first-team action.
    He has enjoyed a rollercoaster start to life in France.
    Tavares has managed to score six times for Marseille to win over supporters but his hot-headnesses has landed him in disciplinary trouble.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Last month he was sent off late on in his side’s 2-1 win over Montpellier for viciously kicking opponent Arnaud Souquet and was reprimanded by the club.
    Montpellier defender Christopher Jullien was furious with Tavares’ challenge on his team-mate, with the pair becoming involved in a shoving match.
    Incredibly Tavares was initially only shown a second yellow card, before it was upgraded to a straight red following a VAR review.
    His latest outing was in Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain where local media slammed his performance.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Tavares was deployed in the unfamiliar position of right-back for the game by manager Igor Tudor before his poor first half display led to him switching to his natural side.
    However, that failed to have any impact as both he and his team-mates were easily swept aside by PSG.
    L’Equipe claims that he “sometimes seemed lost on the pitch” during the match.
    And then they state that Arteta and his staff were “often annoyed with his behaviour” and that is why they agreed to loan him to Marseille.
    But Arsenal have obviously not given up hope on Tavares developing into a top player.
    They refused to include an agreement to buy in the deal with Marseille – that is despite the star himself admitting that he wanted one inserted. More

  • in

    Arsenal set for huge summer overhaul with four transfers including £80m Declan Rice but SIX players face the axe

    ARSENAL are reportedly set for wholesale change in the summer transfer window as they eye FOUR signings and SIX departures.The Gunners hold a two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table in what has been a sensational season to date.
    Declan Rice is being heavily linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Moises Caicedo nearly secured a switch to the Emirates in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    And while the title is now their focus, it must not be forgotten that Champions League qualification is all but secured.
    According to The Times, the revenue brought in through a top-four finish could fund a spending spree.
    Mikel Arteta wants to bring in two central midfielders, a winger and a left-back at the end of the season.
    Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are two players that have been explicitly named as targets in the report.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Arsenal are confident of beating Chelsea to West Ham’s £80million captain Rice, 24.
    And they are also set to renew their interest in Brighton man Caicedo.
    It remains to be seen who else they will go after, but names they are linked with include Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda and Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries.
    There is also set to be a mass exodus at the Emirates come the end of the campaign.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
    Kieran Tierney has featured very little for Arsenal so far this seasonCredit: Getty
    One player at the top of that list of exits is expected to be left-back Kieran Tierney.
    The Scot, 25, has started just four Premier League games this season following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
    But Arsenal are not expected to let him go cheap as they look to make back the £25m they spent on him four years ago.

    Two more sales are likely to come in the form of Albert Sambi Lokinga and Nuno Tavares – who are on loan at Crystal Palace and Marseille respectively.
    Folarin Balogun, who is thriving at Reims, is also set to depart.
    He is second in Ligue 1’s top scorer charts and will not want to return to North London to be third-choice behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
    Arteta needs to make a decision on Emile Smith Rowe – who has played little more than 100 minutes this season due to injury.
    And midfielder Granit Xhaka is a potential surprise departure if his contract situation is not resolved.
    The Swiss, 30, will become a free agent in the summer of 2024 and could leave if Rice and Caicedo join Thomas Partey and Jorginho as Arsenal’s options in the middle of the park.
    Granit Xhaka is set to enter the final 12 months of his dealCredit: Getty More

  • in

    How Arsenal could line up against Everton with Mikel Arteta planning more changes… but will Partey return to his XI?

    MIKEL ARTETA has revealed that Arsenal have to be harder for their opponents to predict.The Spanish manager is planning his team for their Premier League fixture against Everton on Wednesday night.
    Mikel Arteta is preparing his team to face EvertonCredit: Getty
    Thomas Partey made his return from injury against Leicester CityCredit: Getty
    Arsenal’s predicted line up against Everton
    Thomas Partey is back in training after his lay-off with injury and could come back into the team.
    However, he is lacking game-time as he only featured for the final ten minutes in the win over Leicester City.
    But if Arteta is willing, then he could give him a chance to start over January arrival of Jorginho.
    Arteta said on Partey: “He hasn’t obviously trained much, only had a session and he will train today.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    “It’s what it is, he was out for a couple of weeks and he needs to get the rhythm.”
    Centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães are set to keep their places in the team despite their bust-up.
    Arteta insisted that they “love playing” with each other and were simply “demanding” the best from each other.
    He added: “They are a happy marriage.
    Most read in Football
    “They love playing with each other but they are really demanding of each other and everything is fine.”
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Aaron Ramsdale, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White are also set to keep their spots in the starting eleven.
    Goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli was able to brush off a knock against the Foxes and will likely keep his place.
    The Brazilian could then be joined by Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in supporting the striker.
    Eddie Nketiah will continue up front in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
    Although, Jesus could be back in time to feature before the international break in March.
    Alternatively, Arteta could keep Jorginho in place of Partey and leave him rested.
    The manager could also hand breaks to Zinchenko, White and Martinelli and give more minutes to Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard.
    An alternative XI to take on the Toffees More