Premier League clubs to Darwin Nunez transfer

Arsenal have launched a 'charm offensive' to entice Benfica frontman Darwin Nunez to join the club this summer, reports in Portugal claim. The development comes in light of Express Sport's report on Tuesday detailing that initial background conversations had been held between the Gunners and the Uruguayan's reps.

Mikel Arteta and Edu are preparing for a big summer in which a new No 9 will be top of the agenda as they bid to close the gap on the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The club are actively seeking to find a replacement for former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could also be off due to their expiring contracts.

It means Arsenal will need to be busy when it comes to recruiting forwards and it's clear plans are already beginning to take shape.

Express Sport understands Nunez, Victor Osimhen and Armando Broja are also set to be considered alongside previous targets Alexander Isak, Jonathan David and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Dusan Vlahovic was top of Arsenal's wish-list but the Serbian eventually chose to join Juventus from Fiorentina in January.

Now reports in Portugal from Record are also detailing Arsenal's interest in Benfica's Nunez, who is high in demand.

The 22-year-old has 20 goals in 22 Primeira Liga outings for Benfica so far this season and is quickly emerging as one of the finest young strikers in Europe.

Arsenal are seemingly aware of that and are reportedly trying to entice the player's reps by talking up a move to north London.

The idea is to try and beat the race for Nunez with several other clubs expected to enter the running.

That includes both Newcastle and West Ham, who have already made a play for the prolific goalscorer, who is valued at around £67million by his club.

West Ham bid as high as £47m in January but their offer was rebuffed.

David Moyes' side do have plenty of cash to spend and could return to the table at the end of the season.

Premier League Best Player in Liverpool

Liverpool manager has already sanctioned the sale of one Premier League superstar during his Reds reign but doing it for a second time could prove costly, Jurgen Klopp has been told he sold the "best player in the league" four years ago when he cashed in on Philippe Coutinho - and parting ways with current talisman Mohamed Salah may not work quite as well.

Liverpool reaped the benefits of Coutinho's transfer fee, with La Liga giants FC Barcelona forking out a staggering £142million to make the Brazilian a member of the Blaugrana. The Reds put that whopping sum towards additions in their own squad, purchasing shot-stopper Alisson Becker from AS Roma and Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

The rest is history, as the aforementioned duo still play integral parts in the Liverpool squad to this day, while already boasting both a Premier League and Champions League title under their respective belts. Many argue that those honours would not have been possible without the sale of Coutinho, as his exit directly funded two crucial players coming in.

However, Sky Sports pundit and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards has claimed that in his final full season at the club, Coutinho was the best player in the Premier League. Reflecting on the midfielder's failed stint at the Camp Nou, Richards told BBC Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast : "I’m surprised it didn’t work out for him though, I thought it would have been perfect for him. When he left [Liverpool], he was the best player in the league wasn’t he?"

Fast forward four years and Liverpool yet again boast the best player in the division in the form of Salah. The Egypt international has reached stratospheric levels of form this season, with a staggering 28 goals and 10 assists in 36 outings across all competitions.

Fears are growing that Liverpool may have to cash in on their most prolific forward as the player and the club have so far failed to reach an agreement in terms of his next contract. Salah's current deal expires at the end of next season, meaning this summer presents Klopp's last chance to cash in on the forward before he could potentially walk away for nothing a year later.

Premier League rivals and Barcelona for £33m Antony transfer

Liverpool are looking to bolster their attack in the transfer window this summer despite signing Luis Diaz in January, but Ajax star Antony could be the answer this summer - though they face a battle, Liverpool are battling several Premier League rivals, as well as Barcelona, in their attempts to sign Ajax star Antony.

The Reds have made improving their attack a priority in the summer transfer window despite already owning a deadly arsenal of weaponry going forward. Luis Diaz joined in January to add to a stacked attack, that includes Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.

But Jurgen Klopp is not done yet and is looking at the next generation of top forwards with uncertainty surrounding the future of Salah. The latest contract offer was rejected by the Egypt international, who will enter the final 12 months of his deal next season.

Liverpool to identify several wide forwards and one player that plays in the exact same position is Antony, who has been sensational for Ajax. Since filling in for Hakim Ziyech, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the Brazilian has been one of Erik ten Hag’s best players.

Liverpool are not the only club interested in the 22-year-old, though, with UOL reporting that Barcelona are also keen on landing the winger. While not named, a collection of Premier League outfits are included in the battle for his signature.

In fact, Barca see themselves as the favourite for Antony as they continue to improve their squad under Xavi. Despite the financial problems at the club, the Spaniard has brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres while Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen will sign on free transfers this summer.

Liverpool squad player will stay

Former Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish reckons Joe Gomez could snub offers to leave Liverpool in the summer because of Jurgen Klopp and the “good atmosphere” he has created.

Gomez was the first-choice alongside Virgil van Dijk before a serious injury ruled him out of last season and therefore England’s European Championship campaign.

But since returning Gomez has slipped down to fourth choice behind Van Dijk, Joel Matip and summer signing Ibrahima Konate, meaning he’s been limited to just one Premier League start this term.

He has, however, started two FA Cup fixtures this month and McLeish reckons Klopp’s man-management style, Gomez’s wages and the “good atmosphere” at the club will be enough to keep the defender at Liverpool despite potential offers to leave.

McLeish told Football Insider: “Gomez was seamless (v Nottingham Forest). He looked comfortable enough but, of course, he’s not got the same athleticism as Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“But Klopp will no doubt be training the guys underneath the current XI players who he relies on. He will make sure he’s got the players with the same kind of footballing attitude and brains.

“These players are in the situation of being at a fantastic club. They seem to be happy enough on the wages they’re getting. The manager seems like the type of guy who will talk to you.

“He’ll tell you why you’re not playing and but also why I’m not allowing you to go, we need you as part of the squad. There’ll be a time when you come in so when you do come in, you’ve got to be at your best.

“A lot of them seem happy to stay there. There must be a good atmosphere.

“They are well paid but they must have great affection for the manager and the setup. There’ll be a time when you come in so when you do come in, you’ve got to be at your best.”

Meanwhile, Gabby Agbonlahor has called on Jordan Henderson to increase his creative output in the absence of Liverpool wing-back Alexander-Arnold.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “It’s very difficult to know who’s out there who is going to come in for Trent Alexander-Arnold for limited game time.