Tokyo Olympics 2021

Premier League 2020-21

Liverpool to battle Barcelona for Olympique Lyon star – Reports

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According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Liverpool are interested in signing Olympique Lyon star Memphis Depay and have joined the race to sign the player in the summer.

After a poor spell with Manchester United, Memphis Depay moved to Olympique Lyon, where he has turned his fortunes around. He has been a key player for the French side and has been pivotal in the race for their first Ligue 1 title since 2008. Depay has scored 14 goals and contributed nine assists in the league so far.

The Netherlands international has caught the eyes of clubs across Europe, with Barcelona amongst the clubs linked with the Lyon player. Depay was on the verge of joining Barcelona last summer, but a move failed to materialize, forcing him to stay in the Ligue 1 for another season.

Depay’s contract expires this summer, and according to reports, he is keen on a new challenge and will not be extending his stay with Lyon. Liverpool have now joined the race for the 27-year-old and will battle the likes of Barcelona for the player’s signature.

Liverpool looking to strengthen their attack in the summer

Liverpool will aim to strengthen their attack ahead of next season.
Liverpool will aim to strengthen their attack ahead of next season.

After struggling for results this season, Liverpool will aim to strengthen their attack as they prepare for next season. The Merseyside club have been liked with a plethora of players including Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Rodrigo De Paul and Leeds United’s Raphinha in recent weeks.

Memphis Depay is the latest forward linked with a move to Liverpool as he is one of the big-name players who will be without a contract in the summer. Signing Depay up will be an excellent piece of business for Liverpool as he has been impressive for Lyon this season.

However, a possible stumbling block in Liverpool’s chase for the Lyon man is his preference for a move to Barcelona, where he will be reunited with former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman.

Published 02 Apr 2021, 18:21 IST


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Sergio Aguero chooses his next club with offers from Barcelona, Chelsea and PSG – Reports

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Sergio Aguero has his heart set on a move to Barcelona as per reports in Spain. The Manchester City striker is leaving Etihad this summer after his contract expires, as was announced earlier this week.

According to Foot Mercato, Sergio Aguero has multiple offers on his table right now. PSG, Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Barcelona have all shown interest and are keen to hold talks with him.

However, Marca claim Sergio Aguero is looking for a move back to Spain to play for Barcelona. The Catalan side are also desperate for a big signing this summer and Sergio Aguero could be the perfect fit.

Barcelona are keen on signing a striker this summer and have been linked with several stars. Ronald Koeman is reportedly eyeing a move for another free agent, Memphis Depay, while the new club president, Joan Laporta, is reportedly looking to raise funds to sign Erling Haaland.

Pep Guardiola on Sergio Aguero leaving Manchester City

Manchester City made a bold decision this week by not offering Sergio Aguero a new contract. Pep Guardiola spoke about the club’s decision and said:

“We have still two months ahead, and today I saw the training session how brilliant he was and his commitment. Sergio is irreplaceable. I could say in terms of numbers he can be replaceable, it’s not easy when you see more than 360 games played and more than 250 goals, the amount of titles.

“So it’s the legend, the best striker this club has ever had for this century through the years, but is irreplaceable in the souls, in the hearts, in the minds of our fans, of our people, of the players that played alongside him and all the managers who worked with him.

“He’s a fantastic person, a human being, and I’m pretty sure if his mind is still aggressive like he is, he can extend his career longer and longer than maybe two or three or four or five years.”

Manchester City are also looking to sign a striker this summer and have been linked with former Chelsea and Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku. City reportedly have Erling Haaland on their wishlist too, but the Norwegian has several other sides chasing him.

Published 01 Apr 2021, 12:14 IST


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Arsenal eye €50 million move for Chelsea target – Reports

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Arsenal have set their sights on signing Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan this summer. Reports suggest the Gunners are keen on replacing Hector Bellerin and the former Real Madrid man is their top target.

According to a report in Todo Fichajes, Mikel Arteta has asked the Arsenal board to make a move for the Moroccan this summer. The report also claims that the Gunners management is also on board and are preparing a bid.

Achraf Hakimi has been a key figure at Inter Milan, and the chances of the San Siro side selling him are slim. However, Arsenal are keen on testing the waters by making a €50 million move as per the report in Todo Fichajes.

Inter Milan signed the 22-year-old right winger-back from Real Madrid last summer after his impressive spell at Borussia Dortmund. The Moroccan played at right-back and as a right-winger at the Bundesliga side, but at San Siro, he has featured as the right wing-back in Antonio Conte’s three-at-the-back formation.

Apart from Arsenal, Chelsea have been linked with Achraf Hakimi as reports suggest Thomas Tuchel is keen on signing a right-back this summer.

Arsenal urged to sign Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan

While Arsenal have long been linked with Achraf Hakimi, Kevin Campbell has urged his former side to make a move for him this summer. The former striker believes the Moroccan star will not come cheap but would be worth the money if Mikel Arteta gets him. He told Football Insider:

“Arsenal are in the market for a right-back and Hakimi is a brilliant player. I think the club will tread very carefully when they look who to sign this summer. Will Inter Milan even sell Hakimi? They are looking great. Going after players that are performing at the peak is always difficult. If the club see him as the best choice though they have got to go all out for him.”

Inter Milan are all but guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season, while Arsenal are lagging far behind the Premier League’s top four. Their only chance to make it to the elite competition is by winning the Europa League, where they face Slavia Praha in the quarter-finals.

Published 29 Mar 2021, 12:09 IST


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Manchester United News Roundup: Club told to pay €120m release clause for LaLiga star, Red Devils ‘steal’ Real Madrid target’s signature, and more — 27th March, 2021

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Manchester United signed off from domestic football on a thoroughly disappointing note as they crashed out of the FA Cup’s last eight due to a 3-1 defeat to Leicester City. The Red Devils will look to return to winning ways when they play Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford in April.

Ahead of a summer where they’re expected to strengthen massively across the pitch, it comes as no surprise to see them linked mega-money moves, including a potential €120m outlay for a Spanish star. On that note, here is a look at some of the latest Manchester United news.

Manchester United were ‘extremely close’ to signing Ismaila Sarr

Watford v Cardiff City - Sky Bet Championship
Watford v Cardiff City – Sky Bet Championship

Manchester United were strongly linked with Ismaila Sarr during the summer transfer window last year and came ‘extremely close’ to signing him, according to ex-Watford sporting director Filippo Giraldi.

The Senegalese wideman, still on the books of the Championship side, has been tipped for a big-money move to several Premier League sides since the Hornets’ relegation. While he even garnered attention from champions Liverpool, Giraldi revealed that it was the Red Devils who came closest to signing him. He explained;

“We were extremely close, I was personally negotiating with them [Manchester United]. We weren’t able to reach an agreement. And I think Ismaila [Sarr] is very young, he will arrive for sure. He missed probably an opportunity, but I think also for his football to stay here and get 10 goals and 10 assists, he’s deciding the league. I think for Watford in the condition they are at the moment it’s lucky he stayed.”

Sarr was one of the many options considered by Manchester United during the summer window last year alongside the likes of Ousmane Dembele, David Brooks, and priority target Jadon Sancho.

Update on Marcos Llorente interest

Manchester United have been told to pay Marcos Llorente’s release clause or forget about signing him, as per MARCA. The Red Devils have identified the Spaniard, who has established himself as one of the best players in LaLiga Santander under Diego Simeone, as one of their targets come summer and were believed to be readying a bid worth €80m.

Now, a report claims that Manchester United have been told Llorente can only leave should his staggering €120m release clause be triggered by them. The Spaniard could see his wages doubled if he moves to Manchester United. However, Llorente is in no hurry to leave Atletico Madrid as per the report and could renew his deal at the club.

Manchester United ‘steal’ Pau Torres signing from Real Madrid

Villarreal CF v Granada CF - La Liga Santander
Villarreal CF v Granada CF – La Liga Santander

Manchester United have reportedly left Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ‘very angry’ after having ‘stolen’ Pau Torres from under their noses, as per a claim from Spain. Torres, who has been linked to the Blancos and the Red Devils for over a year, was tipped to replace Sergio Ramos should he leave the club.

However, with Manchester United also keen on bolstering their defensive options, they have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Villarreal’s €65m man, leaving Real Madrid furious as they’ve lost out on a priority target. Torres ‘seems determined’ to move to the Premier League and Manchester United are in pole position to land his signature.

Also read: Red Devils offer £68.5 million for Atletico Madrid star, Club told how much Erling Haaland will cost and more

Published 28 Mar 2021, 00:33 IST


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Arsenal interested in AC Milan star who dreams of playing for Manchester United – Reports

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AC Milan’s Franck Kessie is turning into an influential figure at the San Siro and it now appears the self-professed Manchester United fan is wanted by Arsenal.

According to Talksport, the Gunners are interested in the Ivory Coast midfielder, who has previously admitted that it is his dream to play for the Red Devils. Arsenal believe Kessie would be a perfect fit for their team, but the Rossoneri midfielder could walk into the current Manchester United team as well.

Kessie joined AC Milan in 2017 on a two-year loan deal, with an obligation to buy. The Ivorian managed 54 appearances in his debut season at the San Siro and soon became a pivotal figure at the club. Manchester United got a first-hand account of the player nicknamed “The President” during their home leg tie in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League. Kessi had a brilliant goal disallowed by the VAR and was the Rossoneri’s best player on the pitch, justifying Arsenal’s interest in him.

The Gunners, along with West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, failed in an attempt to bring the player to the Emirates in December last year. AC Milan are eager to tie their star man down to a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2026, which could hamper Arsenal’s plans. Kessi, who has a £42m price tag, has missed just one league game this season but failed to inspire his team against Manchester United in the second leg at the San Siro.

AC Milan welcomed the Red Devils to their den knowing that a win or a scoreless draw would be enough to see them through. But Manchester United deservedly took the lead in the second half through Paul Pogba and the Rossoneri could not get back into the game. Despite getting knocked out of the Europa League, Kessi gave a good account of himself across both legs and Arsenal could be tempted to return for him in the summer.

Arsenal and Manchester United would love to have Kessie in the team next season

Franck Kessie
Franck Kessie

The Gunners are enduring a difficult season under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal have made it to the quarterfinals of the Europa League but are tenth in the Premier League, 16 points behind Manchester United in second place. Both teams could use a player like Kessie in the team next season, but pricing him away from AC Milan will not be easy.

Published 20 Mar 2021, 00:05 IST


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