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      Mykhailo Mudryk ‘set for baptism of fire against Man Utd with Arsenal confident of completing £84m transfer’

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      ARSENAL are reportedly confident of landing Mykhailo Mudryk in time to face Manchester United next weekend.The winger has been tipped for a move to England and is the No1 transfer target for the Premier League leaders.
      Mykhailo Mudryk could be set for a bumper Arsenal debutCredit: Getty
      The Gunners have had two bids rejected already for the 22-year-old by Shakhtar Donetsk.
      A third offer worth around £62million plus add-ons was being lodged.
      However, Shakhtar wanted a larger fee up front for their star, now the North London club are prepared to break the bank with a club record £84m bid.
      Mudryk is in Turkey with his team-mates for a warm-weather training camp during the winter break.
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      And despite Shakhtar wanting a larger fee up front for their star, “there is an acceptance” a deal will be concluded soon.
      Now The Times are claiming that Mikel Arteta’s team firmly believe they will have the Ukrainian international on-board for their crunch clash with United at the Emirates on Sunday, January 22.
      Mudryk and his representatives have already agreed a five-year contract with Arsenal.
      And he has broken his silence over a transfer to Arsenal.
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      After news of a fresh approach broke, Mudryk took to Instagram and posted a praying emoji on his story.
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      Arsenal go into the weekend five points clear at the top of the table ahead of their trip to Tottenham tomorrow in the North London derby.
      They then return to home turf next week for the showdown with fourth-placed United, who take on title challengers Man City today, next weekend. More

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      Newcastle ‘interested in Ruben Neves transfer and could join Arsenal and Barcelona in transfer hunt for Wolves star’

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      NEWCASTLE are reportedly interested in Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.The mega-rich Magpies are claimed to be monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation.
      Ruben Neves is a reported target for NewcastleCredit: Getty
      Neves’ Wolves contract expires at the end of next season.
      And the Portuguese ace is on Newcastle’s wishlist, according to the Daily Mail.
      However, as it stands there has been no contact with Wolves or with Neves’ representatives.
      But Toon are thought to be keen on signing a holding midfielder this month.
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      Neves has plenty of Premier League experience, and has skippered Wolves this season with Conor Coady out on loan at Everton.
      He has netted four times in 17 Prem games so far this campaign.
      Neves has previously been linked with Arsenal and Barcelona.
      Back in October, he revealed it would be a “privilege” to play for the Spanish giants.
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      Elsewhere, Manchester United are another team who have been linked with his signature in the past.
      Now Newcastle have emerged as admirers, with Neves seemingly unlikely to sign a new contract with Wolves.
      However, the Magpies will not make a big money signing this month unless someone picks up an injury or a good deal becomes available. More

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      Watch World Cup joker Emi Martinez gatecrash Sky Sports interview to kiss Aston Villa scorer Leon Bailey

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      EMIL MARTINEZ gatecrashed teammate Leon Bailey’s post-match interview with Sky Sports last night to plant a kiss on the Aston Villa goalscorer.The goalkeeper hit the headlines last month after helping Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar with crucial saves in their shoot-out victory over France.
      Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez was pumped up after the win over Leeds UnitedCredit: AP
      “It was really great to see the team be there for each other” 🙌Leon Bailey and Ashley Young reflect on a big win for Aston Villa with a brief cameo from Emi Martinez 😅 pic.twitter.com/quL1dhmyoG— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 13, 2023

      He returned to club action earlier this month after being granted time off to return to his homeland and celebrate that success with his international colleagues.
      The 30-year-old was back in Villa’s side for the 1-1 draw with Wolves on January 4.
      But he returned to winning ways at club level yesterday as they defeated Leeds United 2-1 in the Premier League.
      Winger Bailey, 25, neatly finished off a swift counter-attack to give the hosts an early lead at Villa Park.
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      Emiliano Buendia headed home midway through the second period to double that advantage before Patrick Bamford’s late strike for Leeds set-up a nervy finish.
      But Martinez and his pals held on to claim the crucial three points, and the ex-Arsenal stopper’s joy was on full display afterwards.
      Bailey and teammate Ashley Young were being interviewed on the pitch live on Sky Sports when the South American marched up behind them.
      He grabbed Bailey then planted a smacker right on the goalscorer’s head as they were mid-conversation.
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      Martinez, who has splashed out £20,000 on a guard dog used by the US Navy Seals to protect his medal and family, caused a furore moments after collecting the Glove Glove award after La Abliceleste’s World Cup triumph by putting the trophy to his crotch and thrusting it forward.
      His antics back in Buenos Aires then sparked more controversy after he goaded France’s Kylian Mbappe by holding a baby doll with the star’s face on it during the victory parade. More

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      From Ighalo to Bebe and Michael Owen… Man Utd’s most bizarre transfers ever after January loan for Wout Weghorst

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have turned to Burnley flop Wout Weghorst in a bid for goals.The Dutch World Cup ace has joined on loan from Burnley until the end of the season after United forked out £2.5million to cut short his Besiktas spell.
      Man Utd have signed Wout Weghorst on loanCredit: Getty
      And this is far from the first time a United signing has raised eyebrows, particularly in a January window.
      Here are ten of the strangest signings the club have ever made.
      Odion Ighalo
      Odion Ighalo fulfilled his boyhood dream by playing for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Ighalo arrived in 2020 with a record of having scored 16 goals in a Premier League season, though that was at Watford four years earlier.
      After a dreadful run in front of goal at the end of 2017 he left the Hornets and headed to China.
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      With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperate for goals up front, the club turned to Ighalo, who would fulfil his dream of being the first Nigerian ever to play for Man Utd.
      He failed to score in the Premier League but chipped in with crucial goals in the FA Cup and the Europa League, leading to his six-month loan from Shanghai Shenhua being extended for a further year.
      Ighalo departed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in 2021 after falling out of favour.
      Bebe
      The signing of Bebe was investigated by the Portuguese police for corruptionCredit: Getty
      The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani show Man Utd have a knack for noticing a quality Portuguese youngster.
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      However, when Bebe rocked up in 2010 from Victoria Guimaraes for a bumper £7.4m fee, eyebrows were raised.
      One reason for this was that Fergie only met the player, who was 20 at the time, a day before completing the transfer.
      In 2012, the Portuguese police even investigated the deal for corruption.
      After three loans, he joined Benfica permanently in 2014 where he made just one appearance.
      However, he is now enjoying a fruitful La Liga career in Madrid at Rayo Vallecano.
      Michael Owen
      Michael Owen secured Old Trafford immortality with a last minute winner over Man CityCredit: Getty
      When Cristiano Ronaldo left Man Utd, former Liverpool legend Michael Owen was hardly the favourite to succeed him in the famous number seven shirt.
      Nor was the injury-hit England legend particularly in demand at the time, after being relegated to the Championship with Newcastle.
      Owen admitted it was “out of the blue” when Fergie gave him a call, offering a pay-as-you-play deal.
      The striker would stay at Old Trafford as a fringe player for three years. But despite him not scoring every week, the goals he did score tended to be important.
      He netted a hat-trick away to Wolfsburg in the Champions League group stage and helped United to the League Cup with a Wembley goal against Aston Villa.
      But, most importantly, he secured Old Trafford immortality with a last minute winner over Man City in a 4-3 win in the 2009 Manchester derby.
      Dong Fangzhuo
      Dong Fangzhuo only ever started one gameCredit: Getty
      In 2004, Man Utd made the surprising signing of Dong Fangzhuo from Dalian Shide.
      The striker, who is the only Chinese player ever to play for the Red Devils, was then immediately farmed out to feeder club Royal Antwerp.
      And his record of 34 goals in 71 games over two seasons suggested he could ultimately end up being more than just a marketing gimmick for United.
      In January 2007, Dong was given a Man Utd squad number for the first time.
      However, he failed to enter Fergie’s thinking and had his contract terminated in 2008, having made just one start and two sub appearances.
      Henrik Larsson
      Henrik Larsson stayed at United for just ten weeks because of a promise to his hometown clubCredit: Getty
      Like Michael Owen, Henrik Larsson arrived with a record of having previously been one of the world’s top strikers.
      And despite being 35 years old, Larsson still had significant pedigree, having won the Champions League with Barcelona the previous season.
      However, the Larsson deal raised eyebrows because of the sheer brevity of it.
      The striker was lauded for his professionalism by Fergie after scoring one goal in seven Premier League outings during a ten-week loan.
      But despite United begging him to stay, Larsson decided to return to Sweden in mid-March so as not to break a promise to start the local season with hometown club Helsingborgs.
      Manucho
      Manucho was a surprise signing from the Angolan leagueCredit: Getty
      Man Utd’s scouting system appeared to have truly gone global when they snapped up Angolan league star Manucho in January 2008.
      At the age of 24, he had a healthy record of 34 goals in 78 games with Petro Atletico, but had never played outside his homeland.
      Immediately after he signed, United would be forced to loan him out to Panathinaikos in order to help the player get a work permit.

      After securing his work permit in summer 2008, he made one Premier League appearance before being sent out on loan to Hull.
      He then left permanently for Real Valladolid in July 2009.
      Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
      Vanja Milinkovic-Savic with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2014Credit: https://twitter.com/SFUnion_/status/545560893099347968/photo/1
      Not a transfer window goes by in which Man Utd aren’t linked with Milinkovic-Savic.
      Few fans remember though, that the club actually managed to snap up the Serbian international in 2014.
      However, it was not Lazio midfielder Sergej who joined, but his brother – goalkeeper Vanja.
      After signing from Vojvodina for £1.55m, Milinkovic-Savic was loaned back to the Serbian club before being released in 2015 after failing to secure a work permit.
      But after a spell in Poland, he would go on to make a successful career in Italy with Torino.
      And in World Cup 2022, his performances between the sticks were one of few positives for Serbia, who bowed out at the group stage without a win.
      Andy Kellett
      Andy Kellett joined in a loan swap deal from BoltonCredit: Getty
      A name few Man Utd fans will recognise is midfielder Andy Kellett.
      Out of favour with Championship side Bolton, Kellett joined Man Utd on loan for half a season in 2014-15 with Saidy Janko moving on loan the other way.
      Wanderers boss Neil Lennon said Kellett “thought he was winding him up” when he mentioned Man Utd’s interest.
      Kellett would only appear for the reserve team during his short stay at United and even suffered the ignominy of losing to parent club Bolton in the Manchester Senior Cup.
      Now 29, he plays his football at non-league Guiseley.
      Lee Grant
      Lee Grant is far more memorable for his exploits at Derby and Burnley than Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      Ex-Derby and Burnley player had spent two years as backup Stoke City goalkeeper before being released in 2018.
      He was then snapped up by United as very much the third choice goalkeeper behind David de Gea and Sergio Romero.
      Grant’s debut would come at home to former club Derby in the League Cup after Romero was sent off.
      But it didn’t go to plan as United were knocked out via a shootout with Grant failing to get near any of the Rams’ penalties.
      Grant would make his first start a year later in a 2-1 Europa League defeat at Astana in Kazakhstan, before retiring and becoming Ipswich goalkeeping coach.
      Peter Beardsley
      Newcastle legend Peter Beardsley played for Man Utd firstCredit: Getty
      Newcastle legend and Liverpool title winner Peter Beardsley would not be the first name that would come to anybody’s mind from Man Utd’s alumni.
      But he actually played for the Red Devils before ever appearing in the Magpies jersey that he would make his own.
      In 1982, he joined Man Utd from Vancouver Whitecaps after making a splash in the North American Super League.
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      The future England star would make just one appearance, in a League Cup tie with Bournemouth, before heading back to Canada.
      A year later, he would move to boyhood club Newcastle and the rest is history. More

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      Marcus Rashford vs Erling Haaland: Stats show who is deadliest striker in Manchester ahead of Man Utd v Man City derby

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      ERLING HAALAND has been the striker to watch this season, taking the Premier League by storm.With 21 goals and less than half the season gone, he is widely expected to smash the current record of 34 Prem strikes in one season.
      Erling Haaland is well on his way to breaking the record for most goals ever scored in a Premier League seasonCredit: Reuters
      But it is Marcus Rashford who has been more potent in front of goal recentlyCredit: Getty
      Three of those goals came against Man Utd at the Etihad earlier in the season, so Erik ten Hag will be well aware of the need to deal with the threat of the 22-year-old.
      But since the World Cup, United striker Marcus Rashford has shown that he is capable of giving City something to think about.
      The England star has a hugely impressive seven goals in the last six matches for United.
      That’s a figure even Haaland has been unable to keep up with, with the ex-Dortmund ace on a more modest four from five since the World Cup.
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      Rashford also leads the assist count with two to Haaland’s zero.
      And on total shots and shots on target the England star is also in the lead.
      Rashford and Haaland had very different experiences of the World Cup break.
      The Man Utd ace headed to Qatar and fired his way back into form with a goal against Iran and a brilliant brace against Wales.
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      Marcus Rashford has a significantly better strike rate than Erling Haaland since the World Cup
      Haaland meanwhile holidayed in Marbella following Norway’s failure to qualify.
      The Norwegians missed out on a play-off place after finishing third in a group containing Netherlands and Turkey. More

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      Chelsea ready to axe under-performing first team stars and ‘end player power’ to throw support behind Graham Potter

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      CHELSEA’S big-name flops could be booted out as co-owner Todd Boehly wants to end “player power” and support boss Graham Potter.That’s the claim after Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham left the Blues tenth with just one win in nine Prem games. 
      ManangerGraham Potter’s future is reportedly safe as Chelsea chiefs focus on whether the club’s failing players should be keptCredit: Getty
      The Telegraph say club chiefs have not even discussed the possibility of sacking Potter but WOULD consider a squad clear-out
      Chelsea chiefs want a reversal of the culture under previous owner Roman Abramovich, who was thought to favour superstar players over managers when it came to the crunch.
      CBS suggest Potter has been “informally assured” by the club board that he’ll be backed to make changes during the transfer window.
      And the former Saints boss has pleaded for unity amid Chelsea’s worst run for 12 years
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      After Fulham landed their first win over the Blues for 16 years, Potter said: “It’s important to stick together and try to get through this tough period.
       “It’s really frustrating, incredibly challenging. I feel for the supporters.”
      The future of  erratic attackers Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz could come under the fiercest spotlight.
      And although Joao Felix’s red card on his debut proved costly against the Cottagers, Chelsea are prepared to spend big to sign him permanently.
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      That’s if the loan winger from Atletico Madrid continues to impress as he did for the first 58 minutes.
      The Blues are also eyeing £35million-rated PSV wideman Noni Madueke.
      Potter reportedly also trailed the 20-year-old Londoner, an ex-Spurs youngster, when he managed Brighton. More

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      ‘Everybody is suffering’ – Under-fire Chelsea boss Graham Potter admits he’s struggling to see end to horror slump

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      WORRIED Graham Potter is struggling to see a way out of Chelsea’s slump.A sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions, a sending-off and another injury was the cost of Thursday’s trip to Fulham.
      Chelsea are in a full-scale crisis and fans are becoming restlessCredit: Alamy
      Graham Potter is under mounting pressure at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      Boss Potter is finding it hard to spot any positive signs from his 128 days in charge as he bids to reshape the Blues with the club on its worst run in 30 YEARS.
      He said: “It’s tough to see any light or any green shoots because we’re still hurting from defeat.
      “I can’t sit here and say things are improving when the results are like they are.
      “What we do know is that we know a lot more about the club, about the players, a lot more about what we need to do to get the club back to where it should be.
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      “At the moment, it isn’t there.
      “Lots of things have happened over a period of time that have manifested themselves into the situation we’re in now.
      “Everybody is suffering and looking not necessarily for someone to blame but for a simple answer.
      “And it’s not that simple.
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      “We know the challenges we have. We don’t want to use them as an excuse but they are what they are.”
      New-signing Joao Felix’s straight red card on his debut — and three-match ban — is a massive blow to Potter.
      He also has 11 senior players on the injury list after Denis Zakaria was carted off with a thigh problem.
      Now he must rouse the players to host Crystal Palace tomorrow with pressure increasing on him despite the relaxed attitude of chairman Todd Boehly.
      Potter added: “It feels like you’ve taken one step and then all of a sudden something happens.
      “You feel like you’re making progress watching Felix, then all of a sudden, boof, he’s not here for three matches.
      “It’s the position we’re in, we’re suffering and trying our best to improve it.”
      The Blues, meanwhile, are in talks with PSV Eindhoven over a move for £35million-rated England Under-21 winger Noni Madueke, 20. More

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      Tony Adams: I’ve not been this excited about Arsenal in 20 years – Partey is Vieira and Petit rolled into one

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      IT takes a lot to impress Tony Adams these days.The Arsenal idol has seen too many false dawns at the Emirates to allow himself to get carried away by a few positive results.
      Tony Adams rates the modern-day Gunners as their most exciting squad in the near 21 years since he retiredCredit: Getty
      Thomas Partey has been ‘out of this world’ and releases fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard for his brilliant playmakingCredit: Getty
      Partey has been compared to the combined talents of iconic Arsenal midfield pairing Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel PetitCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      So when he admits that he has not felt this electrified by his former club since he retired, you know that something special must be happening.
      Because the man who captained the Gunners for 14 years and won ten major trophies, including four top-flight titles, is convinced Mikel Arteta is creating a team to compete with anyone in the game.
      And ahead of Sunday’s North London derby, he predicts a very different outcome to the last time these bitter rivals met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      It is now almost 21 years since Adams made the last of his 669 appearances for the club and he said: “This is the most excited I’ve been by an Arsenal team since I retired.
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      “There’s a group of guys who look like they have a chance of actually winning the title and now they’ve come this far they can’t settle for second place.
      “I absolutely love what I’m seeing this season and defensively they’ve gone to another level.
      “The manager has stopped rotating his team and we’re not being so stupid at the back.
      “For the previous two years under Arteta and even before him when Unai Emery was in charge, there was a constant desire to play out from the back at all costs. It was suicidal football and their success rate in getting the ball out of their own half was only ten per cent.
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      “Now Aaron Ramsdale is happy to put his foot through the ball when it’s needed and I really  like the confidence and swagger he’s brought to the team after  20 years of Arsenal keepers being too respectful.
      “Having Ben White at right-back has also made a huge difference because, hallelujah, we finally have full-backs that can defend.
      “When you have an out-and-out winger like Bukayo Saka, you don’t need an attacking full-back and White has been able to fit in next to William Saliba and fill the gaping hole that we used to leave in that channel.
      “White is comfortable at full-back and though Saliba and Gabriel still have an occasional mistake in them, as a unit they’re really solid.
      “The Dixon, Bould, Adams and Winterburn combination at Arsenal was so successful because we worked as a unit and knew each others’ games inside out.
      “You need consistency and familiarity from playing together on a regular basis and that’s what is happening with this Arsenal back four.
      “But any defence is only as good as the protection from in front and my player of the season so far is Thomas Partey, because he’s been out of this world.
      “He’s Patrick Vieira and Manu Petit rolled into one and I’m loath to bring attention to how well he’s playing because I feel Arsenal have been getting away with it.
      “If you don’t put someone on him, he will dictate the game because he breaks things up for fun and gets the whole team  playing.
      Adams believes the Gunners are rediscovering the type of defensive solidity made famous by his partnership with Steve BouldCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is a ‘wonderkid’ who should be PFA Player of the Year, according to AdamsCredit: Getty
      “Having Partey playing every week after all his injury problems has released Martin Odegaard and means we don’t have that crazy thing with Granit Xhaka trying to drop in at left-back to provide cover any more.”
      But it is not only in defence where Adams has seen this young Arsenal team come on in leaps and bounds.
      He said: “Saka is a wonderkid. He makes goals and scores goals. He should already be the PFA Player of the Year.
      “I’ve been waiting for the last three years for him and Gabriel Martinelli to get tired but they just keep going.
      “And that’s a good job for Arteta, because without those two kids dragging the team for the last two seasons, he wouldn’t still be in a job.”
      Despite Arsenal holding a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, 56-year-old Adams is still not convinced they are heading for their first title since 2004.
      He recalled: “In February 1989, we were 19 points ahead of Liverpool but we still went to Anfield needing to win on the final day to win the title.
      “Absolutely the nerves creep in when you find yourself out in front and suddenly thinking, ‘Oh my God, we’re top of the table and we might actually win the league’.
      “What worries me now is that, when push comes to shove, Manchester City have too many options in their squad.
      “There’s not a lot on the Arsenal bench and, as well as he’s doing at the moment, I don’t think you win the league with Eddie Nketiah as your striker.
      Ben White offers good old-fashioned stability at right-backCredit: Getty
      “They need reinforcements and they need Gabriel Jesus back from injury to get them over the line. That could be the title decider.”
      All of which makes tomorrow’s trip to Tottenham all the more  important.
      No one at the Emirates has  forgotten how Spurs were awarded a soft early penalty last May before Rob Holding was sent off and the team lost 3-0 to effectively wreck their hopes of Champions League qualification.
      But Adams points out: “Last time we had Cedric, Holding and Tomiyasu in defence and Elneny in midfield. This will be an entirely different Arsenal team.
      “Tottenham played a very simple game up to Harry Kane and we didn’t cover it. But this time  we’ll have Partey cutting off his supply line.
      “Kane’s approaching his thirties and Arsene Wenger would tell you he’s not going to be the same player physically for much longer. But that’s Tottenham all over. 
      “This current group of players are miles away from challenging the top teams.
      “The annoying neighbours are there for the taking but it’s also their cup final — and all they’ve got to play for on Sunday is the chance to stop Arsenal from winning the league.
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      “Tottenham had a great team when I started   playing against them. We were the underdogs and we just went out and kicked them off the pitch.
      “But that completely changed once we’d won our first title and they were always in our shadow after that. And that’s how it is shaping up again now.” More