Former Arsenal player Nigel Winterburn is hopeful that manager Arsene Wenger can convince Alexis Sanchez to stay at the club once Alexandre Lacazette signs.
It has been widely reported that the Lyon striker is closing in on a move to the Emirates, which could cost the Gunners a club-record £52m.
Sky Sports claimed on Tuesday that Lacazette has already completed a medical at the club’s training ground, and will pen a five-year contract.
The news will be great for Arsenal fans, but there is still an uncertainty over the future of star man Sanchez.
The Chile international has not signed a new contract with the Gunners, and numerous clubs, including Manchester City and Chelsea, have been linked to his signature.
Arsenal run the risk of losing the 28-year-old for nothing when his contract expires at the end of next summer, but Winterburn is hopeful that Wenger can work his magic.
He told Sky Sports:
“I hope the Lacazette deal leaves [Sanchez] at the club. He can play on the left, up front or in the hole. Arsenal cannot afford to bring in Lacazette then two weeks later Sanchez leaves. I am hoping Wenger can persuade him to stay for another season, see what happens with the team then sign a new contract.”
According to reports in the Southern Daily Echo, Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk has not handed in a transfer request and the club remain confident that they will keep hold of him.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool and other top Premier League clubs this summer, and the Reds were forced to issue a statement last month apologising to south coast outfit after they were accused of tapping the centre-back up.
That hasn’t stopped murmurings but the Southern Daily Echo says that despite suggestions that the 26-year-old is so keen on a move to Anfield that he has spoken to the Saints hierarchy to force a move, it isn’t the case that he has asked to leave St Mary’s.
The report says that if Van Dijk did submit a written transfer request he would forgo his right to compensation for the remaining five years on his contract.
The Southern Daily Echo adds that as things stand Southampton are confident that they can keep their in demand skipper for at least another season as they don’t believe his value will drop in the next 12 months.
Britain Soccer Football – Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League – St Mary’s Stadium – 28/12/16 Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk reacts Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
How good was Van Dijk last season?
The Dutchman has quickly established himself as one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League over the course of the last two seasons and despite missing the final five months of the previous campaign through injury, he produced some eye-catching performances and statistics.
In 21 top flight outings the 26-year-old won 98 aerial duels, while he showed how comfortable he is on the ball by successfully completing all of the eight take-ons that he attempted and having a passing accuracy of 84%.
Van Dijk also made 140 clearances and 56 interceptions in those appearances last season.
Is this the end of the saga?
Probably not considering the window doesn’t close for another six weeks.
Even though Liverpool have issued the statement saying that they would end their interest in the 26-year-old, stories have continued and the player has yet to say one way or another what he wants publicly.
While it seems highly unlikely that he is keen on a move to Liverpool, Southampton will hope that they can convince him to stay for one more season – especially after he signed a new six-year deal in 2016.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho told reporters on Saturday that he can “guarantee” that David De Gea is not going to leave the club this summer.
Speaking ahead of the Red Devils’ clash against Real Madrid, the club that De Gea has been heavily linked with in the past, the Portuguese boss said: “I can guarantee that he is not going this season.”
The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and the world since joining United in 2011, and he has gone on to make more than 250 appearances for the side, winning seven trophies.
Man United supporters were quick to have their say on the big news via social media, and the majority were understandably ecstatic that the popular goalkeeper would be remaining at Old Trafford for at least another year, with some even saying the announcement was better than a new signing.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman intends to keep Gareth Barry at the club this summer, according toÂDaily Mail journalist Dominic King.
What’s the word?
Doubts have been raised over the midfielder’s future at Goodison Park due to competition for places.
The Mail reporter claims that West Bromwich Albion have expressed an interest in the 36-year-old, but Everton will not sanction a move.
Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Barry made 34 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions, and 23 of those were Premier League starts.
The midfielder, who has been at the Merseyside club for three years, also contributed with two goals and one assist as Everton finished seventh in the top flight.
Is Barry still good enough?
The former England international showed last season that he can still make a contribution on the pitch.
He was a key part of the team and is capable of keeping a first-team place, but it will be much harder given the level of competition.
Even if he ends up having a bit-part role at Goodison Park this season, he can still make an impact off the pitch in the dressing room.
Six new players have so far been added to the squad for the upcoming campaign, so having someone of Barry’s experience within the setup will help the new faces settle.
In addition, with the Toffees in four competitions this season, Koeman is going to need all the strength in depth that he can get.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Arsenal are set to give up their pursuit of Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar this summer.
What’s the story?
Lemar is one of the hottest properties in Ligue 1 right now after a stellar season last term with Monaco, but it appears that the man wanted by Arsenal fans will not playing for the Gunners this season.
The Mail report that Arsene Wenger is resigned to missing out on the 21-year-old and will instead focus his transfer window thoughts on cutting down the fringe players at Arsenal that are eating up his wage budget.
The paper even say that Arsenal could be done with their summer transfer spend completely in a move that is unlikely to go down well with supporters.
Will they regret giving up Lemar?
If Monaco do not want to sell Lemar then of course Arsenal cannot force them, however not signing him could be something they come to regret, especially if another club come in over the next 12 months to take him away from Ligue 1.
The left winger had an outstanding season last term, scoring 14 goals and providing 17 assists in all competitions for his side as they marched to title success in France.
Adding that kind of ability to the Arsenal squad could be massive, especially if they end up losing Alexis Sanchez this summer or next.
At the very least, if the deal cannot be done this summer then Wenger must resolve to make another bid to land him in 12 months. He’s simply too big a talent to see go elsewhere.
Vincent Janssen has been struggling to get a game at Tottenham Hotspur since his 2016 move from AZ.Last season, the Dutchman started just seven Premier League matches and made 27 in total, scored two goals and provided two assists.Spurs are three games into the current campaign, and Janssen has had just one minute of action after making a substitute appearance in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.According to the Daily Mail, the 23-year-old rejected a deadline-day move to Brighton, but his chances of playing more at Tottenham have decreased following the club’s signing of Fernando Llorente from Swansea City.Despite failing to move himself to the top of the order at Spurs, Janssen is still seen as a crucial member of the Netherlands team.On Sunday, he played the full 90 minutes of a 3-1 World Cup qualifier win over Bulgaria.Tottenham fans watching the game gave mixed reactions to the forward’s performance on Twitter.
According to reports in Spanish publication Sport, Aston Villa are eyeing Saint-Etienne manager Oscar Garcia as a potential replacement for the under-fire Steve Bruce if results don’t improve.
Despite once again being one of the pre-season favourites for promotion, the Midlands outfit have won just one of their opening seven Championship matches this term and lie 18th in the table.
After bringing the likes of Conor Hourihane, Scott Hogan, John Terry, Neil Taylor and Robert Snodgrass to the club since he replaced Roberto Di Matteo last October, both the fans and the chairman Dr Tony Xia will have been expecting to see results, but it hasn’t really happened yet.
Garcia has experience of managing at this level with Brighton and Hove Albion and Watford, but having only taken the reins at the Ligue 1 outfit this summer a move seems unlikely.
Aston Villa supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, and they were divided with their opinions.
While some described it as “rubbish” and believe they should stick with Bruce, others say the Spanish boss is ‘exactly what Villa need’.
Brighton & Hove Albion ended Newcastle United’s winning streak in the English Premier League with a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Tomer Hemed was the Seagull’s hero on the day, netting early in the second half to send a long-distance travelling support home without the points.
Newcastle had the chances to get themselves back into the match, most notably through Jonjo Shelvey, Joselu and Mikel Merino but just couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
The Magpies had won their previous three fixtures in the top-flight but will now have to attempt to bounce back in next week’s massive fixture at home to Liverpool.
That good form is probably why Newcastle fans are remaining upbeat about their chances of staying up this season after their promotion from the Championship last term.
They seem completely unfazed by the defeat and took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Sunday’s action in Brighton…
According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal are preparing a bid for PSV Eindhoven star Hirving Lozano after his phenomenal start to the season.
What’s the Story?
Arsenal Chief Scout Steve Rowley has been keeping a close eye on PSV Eindhoven forward Hirving Lozano, and the Gunners could be set to prepare a bid for the 22-year-old.
A Mexican international, Lozano only made the move to Europe from his motherland in July but has already set Dutch football alight…
How good has Lozano been this season?
Simply put, sensational. Lozano has only just arrived in Europe, following a July transfer from Pachuca to PSV, so would be forgiven if he had to adjust to the European game. However, the 22-year-old, who is valued at £9million on Transfermarkt, has hit the ground running.
In 6 Eredivisie games, Lozano has scored 6 times and has blown the Dutch media away with his supreme talents. Some have compared the Mexican to Luis Suarez, who also had a similar immediate impact upon landing in the Eredivisie.
Would Lozano be a good signing for Arsenal?
While Lozano still has plenty to prove regarding his talents, their has rarely been a player who has made such an impact in a European league in such a short space of time. This has sent scouts into overdrive, with many European elite clubs keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
Lozano would not break into the first team immediately if he were to join Arsenal, but he could take some time bedding into their style of play, which complements his talents perfectly.