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Arsenal's frustration over Viktor Gyokeres could lead to a renewed approach for Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins.

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• Gyokeres pursuit potentially on hold
• Arsenal considering Watkins again
• Gunners weighing up multiple strikers

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Portuguese outlet (via ), Arsenal have at least temporarily shelved interest in Gyokeres. It follows unsuccessful talks with Sporting CP, in which the Portuguese champions are said to have held firm over an £85 million ($116m) asking price, with the Gunners only offering £55m ($75m). It was only recently reported that Sporting's insistence on being paid the full release clause, as opposed to a lower amount, is down to a fractious relationship with Gyokeres' agent, who could claim a 10% penalty payment from Sporting if the club rejects any offer over the value of €60m (£51m/$70m).

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It appears to have turned Arsenal back onto Watkins. Although not going as far as suggesting that interest in Gyokeres is over, the has reported that a fresh approach for Watkins is not being ruled out. To keep all options open, the Gunners are weighing up a move for him at the same as still exploring deals for Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal fell short in a late bid to sign Watkins in January because they didn't meet Aston Villa's £60m valuation, but the asking price is unlikely to be different now.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Watkins has scored 75 goals across his five Premier League seasons to date, never dipping below 11 since he first joined Aston Villa from Brentford in the summer of 2020. The 29-year-old, who scored England's winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, is the definition of a late bloomer – he was a product of Exeter City's academy and was 24 when he played in the top flight for the first time.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  The Gunners need to figure out which striker suits them best. Gyokeres would be the most expensive but isn't proven in one of Europea's top five leagues – Liverpool know first hand from Darwin Nunez that signing Liga Portugal's best striker is not guaranteed success. Sesko is the youngest and therefore offers the most long-term upside, but his goal output in the Bundesliga is respectable rather than outstaning. Watkins wouldn't be much more than a short-term boost, which only kicks the metaphorical can a little further down road.

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has claimed that he is enjoying playing in the Club World Cup, despite the pressure of an increased number of games.

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• Neto says players should be thankful for tournament
• Would rather be playing than resting
• Comes amid concerns over player welfare

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Neto has been one of the Blues' standout players so far in the United States, scoring in both games against LAFC and Flamengo, and has admitted he is enjoying playing in the tournament. The Portuguese international continued to say that he believes his team should be more appreciative of playing in the tournament and that other clubs will be wishing they could have been playing. The comments come amid criticism of the Club World Cup for the extra playing demands put on players who have already played full, intense seasons.

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  WHAT NETO SAID

  Neto was questioned as to whether he would rather be playing than on holiday in the off-season, to which he replied, via ESPN: "100 per cent sure. We have to be thankful. We are here playing this tournament. There would be a lot of players that would love to be in my place and in the other place. We have to enjoy it."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Several players and footballing bodies have already raised concerns over player welfare amidst an increasingly busy footballing calendar. Strikes have been threatened by key figures in the game, including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, over fears that severe injuries could occur. Despite this, the Chelsea player is content with playing more minutes.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The Blues play their final game of the Club World Cup group stage against Esperance Tunis on Tuesday night knowing that a point will be enough to see them through to the knockout rounds. They currently sit on three points, joint with their next opponents, but have a stronger goal difference. Flamengo have already qualified with six points.

One of the areas Manchester United have struggled for depth this season has been at centre-forward. After loaning out Marcus Rashford, Ruben Amorim has been limited to three real options up front.

One of those, Joshua Zirkzee, has recently excelled as a number 10. The Dutchman has showcased elite technical skills, and his performances in that deeper role could make Amorim reluctant to start him up top.

That leaves Danish duo Rasmus Hojlund and 17-year-old Chido Obi as the two players tasked with leading the line. Hojlund’s run of goalscoring form was lean, but he now has two goals in three games for club and country. Obi is an exciting talent but still inexperienced.

Thus, it might not be a surprise that United are targeting a new striker ahead of the summer window.

Man United's hopes of signing a new striker

One of the strikers who many clubs across Europe seems to want this summer is FC Porto star Samu Aghehowa.

The Spaniard has made a big impression this term in Portugal and is now a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Transfer Focus

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Indeed, according to a report from Caught Offside, one of those sides is the 13-time Premier League champions. The report suggests that Amorim ‘is a big fan’ of the centre-forward and is thought to be ‘driving the Red Devils’ interest’ in Aghehowa.

However, they will not be alone in their pursuit of the Spanish striker this summer. La Liga giants FC Barcelona are strongly interested, and Lamine Yamal is ‘understood to be personally pushing’ for the club to sign his Spain teammate.

German giants Bayern Munich and United’s Premier League rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be interested in a deal. As for a fee, Aghehowa reportedly has a £84m release clause in his contract.

Why Aghehowa would be a good signing

What a fantastic debut season it has been for Aghehowa as a Dragoes player. The 20-year-old has been on fire, scoring 21 goals across all competitions, as well as chipping in with three assists in that time.

United know all too well how dangerous the 2024 Olympic gold medalist can be in front of goal. Two of his six Europa League strikes this term came against the Red Devils, back in October in a game that ended 3-3 thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Harry Maguire.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig described Aghehowa as a “monster in the making”, for the early impression he has made in his career. He possesses all sorts of important traits one would want from a top striker: quick, physical and intelligent in front of goal, just as he displayed against United.

The young attacker is capable of scoring all kinds of goals, the hallmark of all good strikers. Take this strike against AS Roma, also in the Europa League. His control in the box to bring the ball down and then the composure to execute the overhead kick is second to none.

Samu could be the dream alternative for Viktor Gyokeres this season. Although it seemed like Ruben Amorim might try to bring the Swede with him to Old Trafford from Sporting, The Athletic recently reported that Arsenal are strongly interested in the former Coventry City star.

Gyokeres has been even more prolific than the Porto star this season in Portugal, scoring 42 times in 42 games for the Lisbon club, grabbing 11 assists, too. That includes 30 goals in 26 games in the top flight in Portugal.

Despite the difference in goal numbers, the pair are still comparable via FBref, and the similarities are there to see.

For example, Aghehowa averages 0.54 goals per shot on target and 0.12 goal-creating actions each game this term, compared to 0.35 goals per shot on target and 0.15 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes. That said, the former is a far greater threat in the air.

The deal to sign Aghehowa would be an expensive one for the Red Devils, just shy of £100m. However, that might be the investment they need to make in order to supplement the goals of Hojlund, ZIrkzee and Obi.

If they miss out on Gyokeres this summer, perhaps Aghehowa is the perfect alternative to help take Amorim’s side to the next level.

De Gea 2.0: Man Utd already let an "underrated" Onana upgrade leave for £0

Man Utd could be set for a summer of change in the goalkeeping ranks

By
Robbie Walls

Mar 31, 2025

Alisha Lehmann has opened up on the criticism that the Switzerland women's team received after they went down 7-1 against FC Luzern’s Under-15 boys team in a warm-up game last week. The Swiss women's team are preparing for the 2025 European Championship as hosts. They will be aiming to put the heavy friendly defeat behind them quickly with a view to making it through to the tournament knockout stages.

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• Lehmann responds to critics
• Switzerland women's team lost 7-1 to U-15 boys' team
• Switzerland are hosting Euro 2025

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  While the outcome of the match was supposed to remain secret as it was played behind closed doors, a player accidentally posted footage on TikTok and revealed that the Swiss team had lost 7-1. Juventus star Lehmann and Alayah Pilgrim were both seen in the footage, which was viewed over 70,000 times before being deleted.

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  Lehmann has now responded to all the criticism the team got after the humiliating loss. The Bianconeri midfielder claimed that she has nothing to prove to the critics and would prefer to answer them with her performances on the pitch. "As a team, we ignore that and concentrate on what we can influence," she began. "Today, we don't have the time to analyze scientific studies."

• WHAT LEHMANN SAID

  The 26-year-old is excited to take part in the Euros again after featuring at the 2022 tournament in England, as she told reporters: "The atmosphere at the tournament was fantastic – I hope we can experience similar emotions here in Switzerland. It's something very special to be able to play in a home tournament. I'm really looking forward to it."

  Lehmann further threw light on the Swiss side's rigorous training, which included the loss to Luzern's U15s team, as she said: "That's no problem for us. We've prepared ourselves as best we can, both physically and tactically, and we're ready to give it our all."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SWITZERLAND?

  Hosts Switzerland will kick off their Euro 2025 campaign against Norway on July 2 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.

Cristiano Ronaldo used to shower his Real Madrid team-mates with generous gifts, according to former goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

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• Ronaldo generosity revealed at Real Madrid
• Would buy team-mates and staff gifts
• Casilla full of praise for Portugal star

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo enjoyed a stellar nine-year spell with Real Madrid after joining the club from Manchester United in 2009. The Portugal superstar won a host of trophies, including four European Cups, and wrote his name into the history books as the club's all-time top scorer.

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  Ronaldo was also a generous team-mate both on and off the pitch, according to Casilla. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper has revealed how Ronaldo would regularly present the team, and the club's staff, with expensive gifts which were gratefully received.

• WHAT CASILLA SAID

  He told The After Show at Post United: "He's a phenomenon, a superhuman person, who helps even the last kid who comes up through the youth academy. Ask him for anything and he'll give it to you. When we went to the United States for preseason, he bought all the staff – physiotherapists, security guards, etc. – this year's iPhone, this year's Apple Watch. There are details like that that he doesn't mention, because it doesn't make sense to mention them. He's a person who likes to thank everyone around him."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

  Ronaldo has recently penned a new two-year contract extension at Al-Nassr and has vowed to make history with the Saudi Pro League side as he bids to win his first silverware with the club since making the switch to the Middle East in January 2023.

Real Madrid are on the verge of signing Alvaro Carreras but are in no mood to pay the full €50 million buyout clause for the Benfica defender.

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• Los Blancos closing in on Carreras
• Madrid refuse to pay €50m release clause
• Deal could be completed for around €40m

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Marca, Real Madrid are close to signing Carreras from Benfica. The Portuguese club have softened their stance after realising the 22-year-old is fully set on a move. The talks between both clubs have been progressing well, with the Spanish club set to close the signing in the next few days.

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  The negotiations between Madrid and Benfica have been far from straightforward. The Portuguese club made the Los Blancos toil hard to move the deal forward, which was why the left back couldn't join the Spanish giants for the Club World Cup. At one point, talks stalled due to Benfica’s firm stance on demanding the full €50m release clause. However, Madrid held their ground, refusing to meet that valuation. Behind the scenes, the efforts of Carreras’ agent, Gines Carvajal, proved crucial in keeping the deal alive.

• TELL ME MORE

  One key element helping the deal move forward is youth talent Rafael Obrador. The 21-year-old left-back, who spent last season on loan at RC Deportivo, has been offered as part of the deal for the former Manchester United defender. The La Liga club will reportedly receive €5m and likely retain a buy-back option. For now, Madrid's valuation and Benfica’s have a reported difference of €8m, which is likely to be resolved after the Club World Cup.

  Meanwhile, Man United are also set to benefit from the deal, earning over €9m as part of the transfer agreement.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID

  Both parties are yet to meet face-to-face, but optimism is growing that a deal could be reached soon. Meanwhile, Madrid continue their preparations for the Club World Cup semi-final against PSG, set to be played on Wednesday.

Chelsea's star midfielder Enzo Fernandez believes the Blues can win the Club World Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final. The Blues will start as underdogs against a PSG side who have won every trophy on offer in the 2024-25 campaign and have displayed fiery form in the Club World Cup thus far. Yet, the Argentine feels that they can upset the European champions.

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• Fernandez confident of beating PSG
• PSG are favourites to win the Club World Cup
• Blues face PSG in CWC final on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 2024-25 season undoubtedly belongs to Luis Enrique's PSG, who won their record 13th Ligue 1 title and lifted their maiden Champions Trophy this summer. They have now set their eyes on the Club World Cup after scoring eight goals against Inter Miami and Real Madrid in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.

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  PSG will start Sunday's final in New Jersey as overwhelming favourites; however, World Cup-winning Argentine midfielder Fernandez firmly believes that the Blues can stun the Champions League winners and clinch their second trophy of the season.

• WHAT ENZO FERNANDEZ SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the 24-year-old said: "The key, I think, is that in finals you play very focused. We know that we can’t give them space and we know that we can't give them chances, because they have very good players. Winning this Club World Cup would be very important for the club. Obviously, Chelsea have won it in the past, but a second wouldn’t be a bad thing!

  "So we’ve been preparing for the match in the best possible way. We know we are facing a great team, but we are confident in ourselves and are also a great team. So we have prepared well and now we will go out onto the pitch and give our best."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Enzo Fernandez's side will be taking a break following the conclusion of the Club World Cup and will be back in action next month. They are scheduled to play two pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan at home on August 8 and 10, respectively, before they kick off a brand new season of the Premier League.

Liverpool icon Ian Rush heaped praise on Mohamed Salah and has backed the Egyptian to succeed Trent Alexander-Arnold in a new role for the Reds.

• Salah hailed as an inspiration by Rush
• Liverpool legend glad the Egyptian renewed
• Backs PL Golden Boot winner for new role at the club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Iconic former Liverpool striker Rush was lavish in his praise for Salah, labelling him an "inspiration" for the young players at the club and backing him to fulfill a new role next season, formerly held by Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid.

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  Joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has become one of the greatest players to ever grace Anfield. The 33-year-old is currently the third-highest goal scorer of the club, helping the Reds win two league titles and one Champions League among other domestic honours since arriving from Roma. Last season, Alexander-Arnold served as the team's vice-captain, with Virgil van Dijk wearing the armband. However, Rush, Liverpool's all-time top scorer, is confident of Salah filling the void by become Van Dijk's new deputy.

• WHAT IAN RUSH SAID

  Speaking to , Rush said: "Without doubt [Salah remains integral], I was really made up when he signed the new contract. The first half of last season, you know, he was incredible, and in the second half it was probably more about his assists. He is changing his game now to do that.

  "What I like about him now, ever since he was injured when he did the shoulder (in 2018), you look at his physique and he is not going to get injured again.

  "His determination to be successful is there and when you speak to him, he is looking to learn and most probably the best part about him now is he is helping the younger ones as well.

  "[He tells them] 'If you want to be doing that, you need to be doing this'. So he is an inspiration to the younger players to tell them if you want to achieve what Mo Salah has achieved, this is what you have to be doing.

  "You have to work hard in training, you have to do that and maybe sometimes that goes unnoticed about such a great job that he has done.

  "That is why I am happy he has signed for two years and looking at his performances, I look at the [ages] of 28 and 29 and you work on your weaknesses and over the age of 30 you are taught to work on your strengths. And I think that is what Mo is doing and, as I say, it goes unnoticed about the work he helps the younger ones off the pitch.

  "One hundred percent [he should be vice captain] and he captained them against Preston didn't he? I think Van Dijk is doing what Van Dijk does, he is incredible and he leads them there."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?

  Salah has arrived without any problems for the pre-season, playing the first half against AC Milan on Saturday. He is expected to feature in Liverpool's next game, scheduled to be played on July 30 in Yokohama.

Ruben Amorim has opened up on his "no bullsh*t" relationship with Manchester United part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

• Amorim opens up on Ratcliffe relationship
• Man Utd boss "knows his place"
• Says there is "no bullsh*t" between them

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Portuguese says he and Ratcliffe regularly speak, with the latter often sending him GIFS on WhatsApp. The former Sporting CP boss added that the two are very open and honest with one another, but he still "knows his place" at United. 

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  WHAT AMORIM SAID

  He told reporters on United's tour of the United States: "We speak on the phone, he sends me messages, he sends me GIFs. You call it GIFs? Like joking. So we have this kind of relationship. I think it’s really easy to deal with Jim. Easy in the sense that if you know your stuff, if you know how to explain any decision, you’ll be fine with him. If you try to use some bullsh*t in big words with him, he’s going to knock you. So for me it’s really easy. I will say whatever I need to say with, of course, a lot of respect, like with everybody. I know that he’s the owner of the club, I know my place. But when I need to say something, I will say it naturally, with no bullsh*t. I can say that – with no bullsh*t. I’m not [talking] around the subject, I’m really direct and I think it’s something that he likes a lot."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While the pair have a good relationship at present, that may sour if Amorim does not get United off to a good start for the 2025-26 campaign. The Red Devils finished trophyless last season and ended up 15th in the Premier League. Ergo, the 40-year-old will be under pressure to deliver results on the pitch, else Ratcliffe may not be so genial with him.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Amorim will hope he can build on United's encouraging pre-season campaign when they take on Everton on Sunday night in the last match of their Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants ex-Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood to join him in Saudi Arabia at Al-Nassr.

• Ex-Red Devils forward starring in France
• Worked with CR7 at Old Trafford
• Bid being readied by Saudi Pro League side

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Greenwood has attracted interest from around the world after leaving Old Trafford for Marseille on a permanent basis in 2024. His debut campaign in French football delivered 21 Ligue 1 goals and a share of the Golden Boot.

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  He has been linked with teams in Spain – where he previously impressed on loan at Getafe – and Italy. Marseille are understandably reluctant to part with a prized asset and will have to pay Premier League giants United 50 per cent of any fee generated from a sale.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Their resolve may be tested, though, with claiming that Ronaldo wants more proven performers alongside him at Al-Nassr in a bid to bring his trophy drought in the Middle East to a close.

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  TELL ME MORE

  He has already welcomed Portugal international colleague Joao Felix to Riyadh, but is now said to be pushing for Greenwood to tread a similar path. The 23-year-old forward passed up the chance to head for the Saudi Pro League last year.