Dembele has impressed for Fulham and is now wanted by Chelsea, according to reports from France. The 19-year-old striker stands at 6ft and has scored 14 goals in the Championship this season, in addition to 6 assists. He may be a good youthful back up for Diego Costa, with Falcao, Loic Remy and Alexandre Pato expected to leave this summer.

More: 4 Signings Antonio Conte Wants To Make At Chelsea

If Oscar leaves, who should replace him? Have your say by commenting below.

Liverpool Gossip Round-Up: Klopp Closes In Double Deal For German Internationals

Oli Price-Bates March 30, 2016

It is being widely reported that Jurgen Klopp is closing in on signing two established German internationals in the latest batch of Liverpool-related transfer gossip.

Whilst Klopp has had an up and down first season at Liverpool, this summer he will have a chance to imprint his trademark on the team with his own signings. That could start with some former players.. here’s the latest gossip.

Mario Gotze wants £20million summer switch to Anfield (Daily Express). Since joining from Borussia Dortmund in a £40million deal, Gotze has struggled to develop and with just one year remaining on his current contract, he is widely expected to leave this summer. Former manager Klopp is interested and reports suggest that the player would love a reunion. This would be some coup for the club and highlight the benefits of installing a manager of Klopp’s calibre - pulling power cannot be underestimated. Whilst the Express are not the most reliable source, this story does appear to have legs, with widespread media suggesting a deal is in the pipeline. Gotze’s discomfort combined with Klopp’s desire for German talent add up to make this appear a realistic summer deal.

Klopp also wants to sign £12million German left-back Jonas Hector (Daily Mirror). Jonas Hector’s rise has been meteoric over the last two years and he has now established himself as Germany’s first choice left back. Despite managing to become the leading left back for his country, Hector remains at lowly FC Koln and the chance to join Liverpool may be too hard to turn down for the defender. Statistics highlight that his overall performance appears to be a lot better than Moreno’s, whilst in attacking areas he excels over the likes of Nacho Monreal and Cesar Azpilicueta. This is illustrated by his 1.09 successful take ons and 0.13 assists per 90 minutes. He also wins 65% of his aerial duels, more than Aaron Creswell, Moreno, Monreal and Azpilicueta - showing that he can be just as effective defensively.

Albert Moreno to sold to make way (Various). With Hector and Jetro Willems targets at left back, Moreno could be the man to leave. The Spaniard has failed to show enough of a balance between attacking qualities and defensive solidarity - often leaving his side exposed down the left-hand side.

Lucas Moura pours cold water on Liverpool rumours (Liverpool Echo). Lucas Moura has pretty much ended all speculation regarding his future by confirming that he would like to stay with PSG in the French capital. Moura told the French media: “My dream is to continue my career here, win a lot of titles and then return to Sao Paulo. “That’s my goal.” Liverpool had been linked with the Brazilian, as they look to add another to their growing contingent. Alongside Roberto Firmino and Phillipe Coutinho, the chemistry and flair would be flowing in Liverpool’s attack. Perhaps the likely arrival of Gotze means Moura is no longer needed, though.

Gossip: Kroos Considering Arsenal Offer, Man Utd Want Barca Star & Chelsea’s Roma Raid

Oli Price-Bates March 16, 2016

We’ve had a look over the latest rumours emerging from around Europe. Today’s gossip column looks at several hotly tipped big moves including Toni Kroos potentially coming to the Premier League. You can follow all the latest news and gossip as it happens by following us on Twitter @FreshFootball.

Toni Kroos considering offer from Arsenal (AS)

Reports in Spain suggest that Arsenal are one of a number of Premier League clubs that have made an advance to sign Toni Kroos from Real Madrid this summer. The German is reportedly considering his future at the club and Madrid may be willing to let him leave as part of their planned squad overhaul. According to the report originating from AS, Madrid have earmarked Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante as a replacement as he would offer more defensive security. The chance to sign Kroos cannot be missed by the Gunners. He’s a world-class player and the perfect player to keep that midfield ticking from deep. If Kroos were to become available, you would expect the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City to get involved in the bidding. The news comes from AS who can sometimes publish reliable rumours, but they do often speculate and can sometimes publish stories to suit their agendas so don’t buy the t-shirts just yet.

Manchester United eyeing Barcelona stopper to replace David de Gea (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as a replacement for David de Gea, who they are anticipating will join Real Madrid this summer. Ter Stegen is playing in Barcelona’s Champions League fixtures, but Claudio Bravo remains the teams number one in La Liga. The chance to become the undoubted number 1 at United would surely be tempting for the young German. Whether Barcelona would be willing to approve a deal that would allow arch-rivals Real Madrid to strengthen is another matter. If Manchester United managed to seal this deal then they wouldn’t miss de Gea too much, as Ter Stegen isn’t far off his level and has plenty of time to improve, aged just 23.

Chelsea to make £30million offer for Roma defender Kostas Manolas (Il Tempo)

Reports from Italy suggest that Roma are desperately trying to extend the contract of their star defender Kostas Manolas, amid interest from several top European clubs. The report lists Chelsea as a possible destination, whilst Arsenal have long been linked with the Greek defender. But Chelsea seems like a more likely move, with the London club set to release John Terry and concerns remaining over the form of Gary Cahill. Signed for £10million from Olympiacos, Roma will not want to sell Manolas, but they wouldn’t be short changed in any sale.

Jack Butland set to commit long-term future to Stoke City (Telegraph)

23-year-old Butland is thriving at Stoke City and he has no intentions of moving on anytime soon. The Englishman is reportedly set to sign a new five-year contract, committing his long-term future to the Potters. A move to a bigger club would make no sense at this stage of his career, unless he could be guaranteed as first choice. The only big club that might be able to offer him that status anytime soon is Manchester United, if de Gea did leave in the summer. Either way, Stoke are not going to sell Butland for a low amount of money and a new contract would only raise his value even more. This is brilliant news for Stoke City fans.

You can follow all the latest news and gossip as it happens by following us on Twitter @FreshFootball.

Gossip: Arsenal Beat Man Utd to Zlatan, Chelsea Prepare £50m Bid & Spurs Seal £12m Deal

Oli Price-Bates March 12, 2016

Although the season is far from over, the gossip never stops and there has been a lot high-profile moves touted in recent days.

Stay up to date with all the transfer gossip, news and betting tips by following us on Twitter @FreshFootball

Zlatan wants to join Arsenal (Thierry Henry)

In an appearance on Soccer AM on Saturday, Thierry Henry sensationally appeared to reveal that he knew Zlatan Ibrahimovic wanted to join Arsenal this summer when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires. “I’ve heard he wants to come” he said on Zlatan, but then proceeded to reiterate the focus for Arsenal remains on winning the Premier League this season. Despite him being a free agent, would Arsenal agree to the players huge wages when he is already 34? With the players agent already revealing that Zlatan knows where he wants to play next season, there could be something in this.. but for now we’ll be taking it with a few kilo’s of salt. Of course Zlatan knows Henry well and with the Frenchman recently securing his coaching badges, there are rumours he may be the next in line to manage Arsenal.. would he have the pulling power to bring the Swede to a club like Arsenal? With competition from the likes of Manchester United, who have money to burn, the Gunners face un uphill, but not impossible struggle.

Chelsea readying £50million+ bid to re-sign Romelu Lukaku (The Sun)

Embed from Getty Images

Chelsea are reportedly interested in resigning former striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian moved to Everton for £28million, but the London club will reportedly have to pay double that if they want to bring him back to the club. The player himself would surely be hesitant at moving back to a club that gave him so little opportunities, but with Everton failing to progress as he might have hoped, then he may be tempted. I’m sure if he were to become available though, the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United would be extremely interested and the 22 year old would surely favour a move to one of those three clubs, over returning to Chelsea.

Tottenham have £12million deal in place to sign Saido Berahino (Daily Mail)

The 22-year-old forward has failed to play regularly under Tony Pulis, despite his obvious talent. With his summer transfer request turned down, Berahino must now hope that the fact he is out of favour means the club will accept reasonable bids. A fee of around £12million looks likely this summer, as I can’t see West Brom turning down such a high amount for a player who is no longer an essential part of the starting line up and has just 12 months remaining on his contract. The Baggies reportedly turned down four bids for Berahino from Tottenham in the summer and since then, Berahino has looked a shadow of his former self. There’s no use in keeping an unhappy players, so West Brom would be wise to cash in. I’d say that this deal is pretty certain to go through when the transfer window opens.

We tweeted earlier this month that a deal had been agreed in principle.

Stay up to date with all the transfer gossip, news and betting tips by following us on Twitter @FreshFootball

In Profile: Arsenal’s Deadline Day Transfer Targets

Oli Price-Bates September 1, 2015

The chaos and the tension of the closing stages of the transfer window are upon us, and news websites and social media feeds are awash with talk of who might be Emirates-bound before the deadline passes and Europe’s top football bosses put their wallets away for a few months.

Arsenal fans have become accustomed to their club being linked with seemingly every top European footballer with his eyes on a move, and it can be difficult to know exactly who these hopefuls are when so many names crop up on the back pages each day.

With so much hinging on the outcome of these final day deals, not least the Premier League betting odds that so often shift when a big player arrives on these shores, here is a run-down of the men linked with Arsenal in the past month.

Mauro Icardi

Last season’s top scorer in Serie A has reportedly been the subject of a £32million bid from Arsenal, but Inter Milan are understandably reluctant to sell the 22-year-old striker.

Icardi, who hails from Rosario in Argentina, started his football career at Barcelona, before a successful loan spell at Sampdoria, during which he netted 13 times in 19 games, saw him sign for the club permanently in 2012.

He signed for Inter for an undisclosed fee, having averaged a goal every three games at Sampdoria, and he has been a huge hit at San Siro ever since.

Last season he finished as joint top scorer in Serie A with Luca Toni, netting 22 goals, despite Inter’s disappointing eighth place finish in the league.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini will sorely miss the young hot shot if he leaves the club anytime soon.

 

Riyad Mahrez
With six goals in his last six Premier League games, Leicester’s Algerian winger is all-of-a-sudden one of English football’s hottest properties.

Given Arsene Wenger’s admission that he wants to add goalscorers to his squad, it is to be expected that a link with Mahrez would be made.

Leicester picked Mahrez up from Le Havre in the French second division, and he has proved one of Nigel Pearson’s most astute signings.

Mahrez scored twice against Sunderland on the opening day, and is playing very much the Arsenal way, showing a great touch, a positive attitude, and great creative vision.
It seems unlikely that Arsenal would be able to prise him away from Leicester, though, especially when Wenger is keen to add an out-and-out striker to the squad first.

Karim Benzema

After months of speculation about his future, it looks like Karim Benzema will be staying at Real Madrid this season, leaving Wenger to look elsewhere.

Little needs to be said about Benzema. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll know that this 27-year-old is the real deal – a striker with pedigree, and a one-in-three international scoring record to show for it. Even Olivier Giroud wanted him at the Emirates, but it looks like it won’t be happening – or at least not before Christmas, anyway.

Victor Wanyama
With Anthony Martial of Monaco heading to Old Trafford for a rumoured £36m, and deals seemingly unlikely to be struck to tempt Gonzalo Higuain or Edison Cavani away from their respective clubs, it might be that Arsenal need to be more realistic, and more opportunistic as well.

Victor Wanyama has said he wants out of Southampton. This is a midfielder who was at the very heart of some of the best football played in the Premier League last season, and he has been badly missed by Saints boss Ronald Koeman when he has missed games through illness this season.

He could provide not just cover, but competition for Francis Coquelin, and that could be key to a successful season once injuries start to take their toll on the Arsenal squad.

Andriy Yarmolenko One of the less-talked-about players rumoured to be on Arsenal’s radar is 25-year-old Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko, who can also operate as a striker and has done so for his current club Dynamo Kiev to great effect. He has scored 19 goals for Ukraine, and would add pace and power to Arsenal’s attacking options, as well as freeing up Theo Walcott from some of his responsibilities on the wing.

Twitter Reacts To Rumours Schweinsteiger And Ramos Are Heading To Old Trafford

Daniel Binns June 22, 2015

Manchester United have been linked to a couple of superstars in the last 24 hours, as Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos are the latest names to be mentioned alongside the Red Devils according to the latest gossip columns.

View image | gettyimages.com

Manager Louis Van Gaal is keen to bolster his squad ahead of a big season, and bringing in players of this stature would certainly put United in good stead for a competitive 2015-16 campaign. German international Schweinsteiger has previously spoken of his admiration of the Dutchman and would seemingly be keen to link up with the Van Gaal if the opportunity arises.

A commanding presence has been lacking in the middle of the park for United and the 30-year-old would certainly fit the bill as demonstrated by the success of both his Bayern and Germany career. Due to his age, the estimated figure is only £7.5 million, which is a bargain by any stretch of the imagination.

But the potential transfer is not without its doubters. German legend Lothar Mattheus was recently reported speaking of his uncertainty regarding the move. He said in a report by ESPN FC , “Bastian has always had a style of play that puts strain on him. He has played on the top level for many years and he will have to pay for that.”
Regardless, having a player of such quality would certainly benefit the 20-time English champions especially as a return to European competition is on the horizon.

Spanish international Sergio Ramos may be the man to tighten up United’s dodgy back line according to Sky Sports. The 29-year-old centre back would add some much-needed toughness and experience to a young and leaky defensive unit, after another decent season with Spanish giant Real Madrid.

Football pundit Guillerm Ballague though doesn’t believe such a deal will take place. The La Liga expert stated, “Number one his buy-out clause is 200m euros. More importantly, Real Madrid do not want to negotiate, do not want to sell the player”.

Rumour has it though that United may enquire about a swap-deal as Madrid have been heavily linked with stopper David De Gea in the transfer saga of the summer. Whatever happens, there will be some high-profile comings and goings around Europe’s top clubs ensuring yet another exciting transfer window in a summer without huge amounts of top level football.

Man Utd Fans Excited As Club Close In On £70m Triple Deal

Oli Price-Bates April 23, 2015

Manchester United fans are excited, and with good reason.

Louis van Gaal’s side have drastically improved on the field and now attentions are turning to what they can do off the field in the summer, and it’s pretty exciting.

If rumours are to be believed United are closing in on a £70million triple swoop for Mats Hummels, Nathaniel Clyne and Memphis Depay.

The combined transfer fee of the trio is pretty huge, but so is the combined talent. Hummels would give United that world class defender they currently lack, whilst Clyne offers a solid improvement at right back. Depay is a player who has already been talked about a lot and has huge potential. He’s scored 20 goals in the Erdivisie this season and could play in several positions for the Red Devils.

Here’s how some Manchester United fans are reacting on Twitter to the news that they could be close to completing a stunning £70million triple deal:

World Class Striker Reportedly Set For Arsenal, Fans Doubtful

Oli Price-Bates April 23, 2015

Arsenal fans look to be set for another summer of Gonzalo Higuain madness as the rumour mill begins to kick into gear. Reports this morning from Calcio Mercato suggested Higuain might finally be set to join the Gunners.

Do we need another striker? Well, it’s not a priority, but there’s definitely room for one more at the club - especially if Theo Walcott leaves. I think Danny Welbeck has shown he is still more of an asset from a wide position, which only leaves Olivier Giroud and Chuba Akpom as natural strikers competing for the lone striker role. To win a title, I really think we could do with another world class goal scorer at the club. Higuain is just that, experienced and quality. His goal scoring record at both Napoli and Real Madrid have been consistently impressive and I have no doubt he will succeed in the Premier League.

Napoli are struggling to maintain Champions League status for next season and if they don’t manage it, I’m sure Higuain will want to move on. At 27 I expect him to also want to test himself in the Premier League. I think it’d be great if we gave him a platform to do just that.

Do you think we should spend half of our reported transfer kitty on Higuain? Here’s what some Arsenal fans are saying on the topic:

Gossip: Chelsea To Sign Man City Defender, Spurs & Liverpool Fight For £20m Forward

Oli Price-Bates January 6, 2015

Welcome to the Fresh Football gossip column. Each week (or maybe slightly more regularly) we will review the gossip, give our thoughts and then pick out the best tweet from the fans for each rumour.

Tottenham and Liverpool are in a two way battle for West Brom forward Saido Berahino (Independent)

Berahino clearly has talent, but a lot of Liverpool fans seem to be worried about his £20million asking price. Because he is young and English, his price will be doubled. He’s clearly got potential, but as the tweet below shows, some Liverpool fans really don’t want to see Berahino arrive - perhaps after some bad experiences with over-priced Englishman before.

Chelsea could sign Manchester City defender Micah Richards for free in the summer (Guardian)

Richards is on loan at Fiorentina but his contract at Manchester City expires at the end of the season. Able to play at right or centre back, Richards versatility would be very useful for Mourinho and I’m sure the player would jump at the chance to sign him. It seems the Chelsea fans would be fairly happy with the addition too.

Liverpool have lost out to Inter Milan in their bid to sign Xhederan Shaqiri (TalkSport)

Liverpool fans will be gutted if this happens. After they were beaten to the signings of Willian and Alexis Sanchez, they can’t afford to miss out on another big name winger. Shaqiri is a quality player, available for a very good price. Rodgers will be under pressure if he doesn’t get this one done.

Gossip: Arsenal Chelsea & Man Utd Bid For Barca Defender, Spurs Move For Saints Ace, City Eye Pogba

Oli Price-Bates November 7, 2014

Welcome to the Fresh Football gossip column. Each week (or maybe slightly more regularly) we will review the gossip, give our thoughts and then pick out the best tweet from the fans for each rumour.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd make bids for out-of-favour Gerard Pique (Mail)

The Mail are suggesting that Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd could be after Gerard Pique. They cite reports that the trio of clubs have made a bid, but link to no source for this. They do suggest that Spanish paper AS thinks Pique’s time at Barcelona could be up. He was left on the bench against Ajax and despite his poor form, surely the Spaniard still has a lot to offer? He’s only 27 and was previously considered one of the best defenders around. I’d be surprised if he did leave, but if he does, I don’t doubt that all of these clubs would be interested.

Tottenham plot £20million bid for Jay Rodriguez (Mirror)

This one just won’t go away will it? Mauricio Pocchetino has his eyes on Jay Rodriguez and despite his serious knee injury earlier in the year, he still looks like the clubs main target. I think it’s unlikely Southampton will sell, and if they do, I think they’d hold out for even more than the reported £20million fee. With the Saints flying high this year, there is no need for them to sell, and I’m sure the player won’t push to leave the club, considering both teams league position. This fan thinks Rodriguez is not needed at White Hart Lane, do you agree?

Manchester City are eyeing Paul Pogba and Ross Barkley to replace Yaya Toure (MEN)

There is no doubt that at 31, Manchester City need to start considering replacements for Yaya Toure. The Ivorian midfielders influence is already starting to fade and he was such an integral part of the team. There aren’t many players who could replace him but in Ross Barkley and Paul Pogba, City have identified two targets with the potential to have similar importance at the club. Pogba moving to Manchester City would be the ultimate kick in the face to Manchester United fans, I think he’d quite like it. Both players would cost a huge amount of money, but City have just that.

What do you think about the latest gossip? Let us know by commenting below.

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