The 21-year-old has been one of the key figures in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge this season, with the England international having started every one of the Gunners’ 28 games in the top flight this term.

Saka has underlined his growing importance to the Arsenal team by scoring 12 goals and making 10 assists in 28 games for the Gunners to help Mikel Arteta’s men build an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

The attacker’s current contract with Arsenal is due to expire in the summer of 2024, but reports in the British media last month said that Saka had reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners to extend his deal until June 2028.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano (Photo: Fabrizio Romano / YouTube)

Italian reporter Romano has now taken to social media to claim that nothing has changed in the situation and that Saka is likely to put pen to paper on his new deal shortly.

Posting on Twitter on Tuesday morning, Romano said: “Arsenal star Bukayo Saka will sign his new contract very soon, no changes in the plan as verbal agreement is in place since February.

“Three clubs [two from England and one from abroad] were monitoring Saka’s contract situation since long time but no way: he’s staying.”

In other transfer news, Arsenal continue to be credited with an interest in signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

Recent reports have suggested that the Gunners are leading the race to sign the England international as Arteta aims to bolster his squad ahead of next season.

Now, former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has stated his belief that Rice would be an excellent signing for the north Londoners.

“He’s a midfielder who can do anything,” Wilshere said of Rice. “Anyone who supports any club would want Dec to join. If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in north London, I think he would be very good under Mikel’s watch.

Declan Rice (Photo: Marco Canoniero / depositphotos.com)

“Mikel would develop him, bring him on even more and he would be massive for the team as well. I have had conversations with Dec and told him what he is doing in unbelievable, he is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning.

“You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his future is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s picking up more and more, he’s growing into this man who could play anywhere.

“I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit.”

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The 24-year-old midfielder has been a constant presence in the West Ham United team this season, scoring two goals and making two assists in 26 Premier League games for the Hammers.

Rice has also been establishing himself as a regular fixture in the England team, with the midfielder having notched up five appearances at the World Cup and playing the full 90 minutes in the Three Lions’ recent Euro qualifying wins over Italy and Ukraine.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Marco Iacobucci / depositphotos.com)

Speculation about Rice’s future is nothing new. The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move to sign Rice in the summer transfer window in recent weeks, with the midfielder having also long been touted as a possible target for Chelsea FC.

Former Liverpool FC and England midfielder Murphy believes this summer would be the right time for Rice to seek a move away from the London Stadium – and he feels that Arsenal and Chelsea FC would be suitable destinations for him.

“Declan Rice has to leave West Ham,” Murphy told the Daily Mail. “Ideally he would have gone last summer because it’s been hard for him to maintain his best form in a team that doesn’t keep the ball or boss games as well as others.

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

“He’s 100 per cent ready to move to the next level and at 24 won’t want to wait any longer for Champions League football.

“Arsenal would be a great option and I think he’d be an automatic starter. The lure of Chelsea is also strong, having grown up supporting the club and playing in their academy.”

Murphy’s comments come after fresh reports that Arsenal are leading the race to land Rice this summer.

Football Insider reported on Friday that the Gunners are leading the way in the race to land the midfielder, with Chelsea FC still also interested in pursuing a deal.

The same report states that Rice has rejected West Ham’s multiple offers of a new contract, and that he has his sights firmly set on a move to a club playing Champions League football next season.

Rice’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024, but the Hammers do have the option of extending that deal by a further 12 months, the report says.

Despite his fine form, Rice has recently been challenged to up his game by former Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness.

The Scot feels that Rice has plenty of room for improvement in a handful of areas as he looks to develop into a top-class midfielder.

“He [Rice] needs to get on the half-turn more when he receives the ball from his defenders and play it forward more, and not be content with going back to where it came from and square with his passes,” Souness told the Daily Mail.

Former Liverpool FC star Graeme Souness (Photo: Sky Sports)

“And he needs to chip in with more goals. He has scored twice in the Premier League this season in 26 games and it’s not enough.

“Now Rice has said his piece, too. He thinks that my criticism is ‘harsh’ and that I don’t see him play every week. That’s true. But I have seen him enough, for West Ham and for England.

“I watched the game against Italy and the same things were on show. Any world-class midfield player is on the half-turn most of the time and looking to play forwards. How many times did Rice do that in Naples? Not nearly enough for me.”

Souness added: “I bet Declan is a cracking lad to work with and popular with his team-mates and great to manage. But he needs to aim for the stars. This is just my opinion.”

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The Red Devils have long been touted as a possible destination for the England captain, and the former Manchester United defender feels that this could be the year for the club to make their move.

Kane, 29, has once again been one of the Premier League’s standout players this season, with the forward having scored 20 goals and made two assists in 27 outings for the north London side.

However, with the forward not having yet won a major trophy with the Lilywhites, former Manchester United and England star Ferdinand feels that the time could be right for Kane to move to Old Trafford.

“Man United are going for Harry Kane,” Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel. “Harry Kane isn’t going to Chelsea from Spurs, no chance.”

Harry Kane (Photo: Mark Cosgrove / News Images / depositphotos.com)

He continued: “If you play football as a young kid, what is your goal? To win trophies.

“That doesn’t change as you get older, you want to win trophies, if you can. Not everyone has the opportunity because they don’t play for the right clubs, then you start changing your goals.

“He is at Spurs, who want to win trophies. They can’t, they don’t. Since the Champions League final, they have gone backwards in terms of the way they are playing and closeness to winning things. They are nowhere near it.

Harry Kane (Photo: Vasilis Ververidis / depositphotos.com)

“But you have to ask him the question, that is the questioning we need answering from him. Tell us man, ‘I want to be a one club man, I want to have the statue outside, I’m Mr Spurs’. We will all say, ‘well played, that’s fine’. But there is a chance to come here now, to Man United.

“I would love him to, but the problem you have got is [Daniel] Levy – what price is he going to ask for?”

Despite Ferdinand’s eagerness for Manchester United to sign Kane this summer, it remains to be seen whether the Red Devils would be able to tempt Spurs into selling their star man.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, pictured in training in 2011 (Photo: The Sport Review)

The forward’s current contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is due to expire in the summer of 2024. According to The Athletic, Kane is indeed “one of the options” Manchester United are looking at ahead of the summer transfer window – but Tottenham are “not even contemplating” a sale as things stand.

The same article claims that Spurs have entered into an initial dialogue with Kane about a new contract, but the matter is not advanced as things stand.

Tottenham currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, two points behind third-placed Manchester United having played a game more than the Red Devils.

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Football Insider is claiming that the north London side are still keen on a move for the 21-year-old after the midfielder penned a new deal with the Seagulls to keep him at the Amex until 2027 earlier this month.

The same story says that Arsenal failed with a “number” of bids for the Ecuador international in the January transfer window but retain an interest in the player despite his new deal.

In the same article, it’s claimed that the player himself – who is now believed to earn around £60,000 per week at Brighton – is still keen on moving to a “top tier” club in the future.

The defensive midfielder has been a regular fixture in the Brighton team this season, scoring one goal and making one assist in 22 Premier League outings for the Seagulls.

Declan Rice (Photo: The Overlap / YouTube / Screengrab)

In other Arsenal-related transfer news, the Gunners are being linked with potential swoops to sign both Declan Rice and Victor Osimhen in the summer window.

The Sun is claiming that 24-year-old West Ham midfielder Rice is said to be “top” of Mikel Arteta’s wish-list for the summer transfer window as the Spanish boss looks to bolster his squad ahead of a potential return to the Champions League next season.

The same article claims that Arsenal are also thought to be leading the race to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

Nigeria international Osimhen, 24, has been in sparkling form for Napoli this season to help them top the Serie A table, netting 19 goals and making three assists in 21 league games for the Italian club.

Arsenal will be hoping to be able to attract some top talent to The Emirates this summer following their surprise Premier League title challenge, with the Gunners currently five points clear at the top of the table with 12 games left to play.

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Football Insider is reporting that the north London sider are keen to extend the 30-year-old’s stay at The Emirates, with his current deal set to expire next summer.

The same story says that Mikel Arteta views Xhaka as a “key player” and that the club are keen to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year.

Xhaka would be willing to commit his long-term future to the north London club following their stellar season in the Premier League this term, the story adds.

The Swiss midfielder has been a constant fixture in the Arsenal team this season, scoring three goals and making five assists in the top flight – and starting every single one of the club’s league games.

He played the full 90 minutes on Saturday when Arsenal claimed an important 1-0 victory over Leicester City away from home to keep their place at the top of the Premier League table.

Gabriel Martinelli scored the eventual winner for Arteta’s side against the Foxes as Arsenal made it back-to-back victories in the English top flight.

Martinelli, 21, has scored nine goals and made two assists in 24 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League this term, and former Gunners striker Ian Wright feels that the Brazilian is part of the “future” for the north London side along with William Saliba and Bukayo Saka.

“We know what he [Martinelli] is capable of,” Wright said after Arsenal’s win at Leicester.

“Another one that has signed a new deal and we are happy to have him here. He is the future for us. Him, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are the future for us.

“You want them in situations and games like this so they can get more experience because we are going to need them in the future.”

Arsenal will host Everton in their next Premier League game on Wednesday night.

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The Athletic is claiming that both of the Premier League clubs continue to hold a strong interest in signing the 19-year-old ahead of next season as they look to bring the England international back to the Premier League.

The same story says that although Real Madrid still consider Bellingham to be a “priority signing” for them, they are aware that they may not be able to compete with the financial strength of the Premier League clubs.

According to the article, Real Madrid have been working hard on a possible deal to sign Bellingham “for months” but the Spanish club are facing competition from two of England’s top clubs.

Real Madrid will continue to push to land Bellingham this summer, but they are aware that any package they are able to offer is likely to fall short of what will be available in England, the story says.

Bellingham is widely considered to be one of English football’s most exciting prospects, and he has been a regular fixture in the Dortmund team this season, scoring 10 goals and making five assists in 24 games in all competitions.

The teenager also scored one goal and made one assist in five games for England at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool FC have been struggling to find consistent form this season and the Reds are currently 10th in the Premier League table and 11 points adrift of the top four.

The Merseyside outfit have lost three of their last four Premier League games and now face a serious uphill battle to get back into the Champions League qualification spots before the end of the season.

And former Aston Villa man Gabriel Agbonlahor feels that Liverpool FC – who lost 3-0 to Wolves on Saturday – will not be able to attract the likes of Bellingham if they fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“I think the problem, Paul, is that you have been linked with Bellingham,” Agbonlahor told a caller on talkSPORT over the weekend.

“Liverpool fans want Bellingham in, but he is not even going to look twice at coming to Liverpool. He is going to choose Manchester City, Real Madrid, all these other teams if you are not playing in the big competitions.”

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The Blues have been heavily linked with a move to sign the 22-year-old from Benfica in recent days and widespread reports on Monday suggested that the south west London club had tabled a €120m (£105.6m) bid for the Argentina international.

Should the transfer go through at that price, it would become the British transfer record signing after Manchester City paid £100m to Aston Villa for Jack Grealish back in 2021.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea FC will be able to get a deal over the line for the defensive midfielder before Tuesday’s transfer deadline – but former Manchester United defender Ferdinand reckons that Fernandez would be an excellent signing for the south west London club.

Speaking on Vibe With Five, Ferdinand said of Fernandez: “Bad player, wicked player. He’s got it. He’s a good player. I’d be surprised if he comes in and isn’t a success.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Photo: BT Sport)

“He’s a top player. He was the best young player at the tournament in the World Cup I thought. He was integral for them. His passing, his composure for a young player was top, and he won’t be fazed if he handled the World Cup the way he did.

“He played at Benfica a big club in that country and the demands at the club, he’s used to pressure. The money is irrelevant if you look at it and think he could be here for five or six years. Chelsea are on a mad one.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reported to be closing in on the deadline-day signing of midfielder Jorginho from Chelsea FC.

Jorginho (Photo: @jorginhofrello / Instagram)

The Athletic is claiming that the north London club are targeting the Italy international after having so far failed in their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The story, written by David Ornstein, suggests that Arsenal are now keen on recruiting Jorginho, whose contract at Chelsea FC is due to expire in the summer.

Arsenal’s cause could be helped by Chelsea FC’s proposed move to sign Fernandez from Benfica as it would push Jorginho further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, the article says.

Jorginho, 31, has scored two goals in 18 Premier League appearances for Chelsea FC so far this season.

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The Italian reporter took to his personal Twitter account to deliver updates on Chelsea FC’s interest in the 22-year-old on Sunday as the Blues aim to bring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge this month.

According to Romano, Chelsea FC want to sign Fernandez “at all costs” and are willing to shell out €120m (£105m) to bring him to the south west London club before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Posting on social media on Sunday evening, Romano wrote: “Chelsea are back in direct talks with Benfica for Enzo Fernandez. They want the player at all costs — Chelsea would be prepared to pay €120m fee.

“Benfica president Rui Costa has still no intention to accept — but Chelsea will insist to get the deal done now.”

The Italian journalist then followed up that Tweet by claiming that the Blues have scheduled a fresh round of negotiations with Benfica about a possible deal to bring Fernandez to the London club.

Romano also claims that the player himself would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge before the deadline.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano (Photo: Fabrizio Romano / YouTube)

Romano posted early on Monday morning: “Chelsea have scheduled new round of talks for Enzo Fernández on Monday. Full focus on getting it done, player side won’t be an issue.

“Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the board are on it — Chelsea will reach €120m, depends on Rui Costa.”

Fernandez was a key part of the Argentina squad who won the World Cup back in December, with the defensive midfielder having scored one goal and made one assist in seven appearances in Qatar.

He’s been a regular fixture for Benfica this season too, having netted one goal and made five assists in 17 league games for the Portuguese club.

Chelsea FC have been busy in the January transfer window so far and should Fernandez arrive at Stamford Bridge, he would become the eighth new arrival this month after Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto all joined the Blues.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a fee to sign Chelsea Under-21s striker Jude Soonsup-Bell to their academy set-up, according to reports.

(Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Evening Standard is claiming that the 19-year-old is set to leave Chelsea FC to join Spurs, with the north London club set to offer him a long-term pathway to the first team through loans from next season.

Soonsup-Bell, who the newspaper claim is “highly regarded” at Chelsea FC, was also the subject of a similar offer from Manchester City but he is now expected to join Spurs.

Chelsea FC are back in Premier League action on Friday night when they host London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

The post Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea FC back in ‘direct talks’ to sign 22-year-old appeared first on The Sport Review.

The Belgian striker produced a bright cameo display when he came on for the final eight minutes of Arsenal’s thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester United at The Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

It was the 28-year-old’s first appearance for the Gunners following his move to the north London club from Brighton and Hove Albion last week.

With Gabriel Jesus still sidelined, Trossard will offer Arsenal more attacking options in the coming weeks as Mikel Arteta’s men look to sustain their Premier League title challenge.

And Gunners forward Martinelli was pleased to see the club complete a move to bring Trossard to The Emirates this month.

Speaking to ESPN Brasil (via Metro), Martinelli said of Trossard: “He’ll be a very important player for us. We know his quality.

“He did very well at Brighton and will certainly help a lot. And we are trying to welcome him in the best possible way so that he can be calm and show his football.”

Trossard scored seven goals and made two assists in 16 Premier League games for Brighton this season before his switch to Arsenal last week.

Arsenal are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand over second-placed Manchester City.

They are set to take on Everton, Brentford and Manchester City in their next three Premier League games, and former Liverpool FC star Jamie Carragher believes that the Gunners have what it takes to win the title for the first time since 2004.

“It’s not just the points gap but it’s Arsenal’s performances in big games,” Carragher said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. “They aren’t just getting over the line, they are streets ahead of the opposition.

“The Champions League will be a factor for City. Once they start getting to the quarter and semi-finals in April, those City players will be focusing on the Champions League. I just think Arsenal will pip them.”

However, Carragher’s fellow pundit Gary Neville feels that Manchester City remain as the favourites to win the title this season.

“We’re so far out – 19 games to go – to be getting asked about this,” said Neville. “I don’t think Man City have started yet – they have been messing around. Pep Guardiola has been rotating. When they start to purr, I think they’ll motor on and put pressure on Arsenal. The run-in doesn’t start until April.”

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The Gunners were thought to be close to signing Ukrainian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk but ended up losing out to London rivals Chelsea FC in the race for his signature.

Arsenal continue to be linked with possible attacking signings this month as Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined with a knee injury.

According to Italian journalist Romano, there is no update on any Arsenal interest in Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha – but the Gunners remain open to bringing in new acquisitions, whether on loan or on a permanent basis.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Romano said: “Everything is quiet on Wilfried Zaha for the moment, and Arsenal will not sign players for the sake of it.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano (Photo: Fabrizio Romano / YouTube)

“They will consider possibilities, whether on loan or permanent, but it has to be the right player. Arsenal are not afraid to spend big money despite missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk.”

Arsenal have been deploying 23-year-old striker Eddie Nketiah as their main forward during Gabriel Jesus’s spell on the sidelines, and the English attacker has been in good form, netting five goals in his last six appearances in all competitions.

However, former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland forward Robbie Keane feels that Arsenal are in need of further reinforcements up front this month.

“I think it’s unlikely that we will see too many big-name players moving, with the possible exception being Arsenal,” Keane said earlier this week.

“If you look at them, they don’t have an out-and-out striker who they can rely on. Eddie Nketiah is doing really well for them at the moment, but he’s young. Missing Gabriel Jesus is massive for them in trying to maintain their title challenge.

“To have a chance of getting over the line ahead of Manchester City, I think they’re going to need to go and get someone who could get you 20 a season.”

Mikel Arteta (Photo: Marco Iacobucci / depositphotos.com)

Premier League leaders Arsenal will host Manchester United at The Emirates on Sunday afternoon as they look to keep up their recent good form.

The Red Devils will be without key midfielder Casemiro after the Brazilian picked up a suspension as a result of his booking in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

And Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea admits that the absence of the midfielder will be a big loss for Erik ten Hag’s side this weekend.

“One of our best players cannot play one of the best teams,” De Gea said after Wednesday’s draw at Selhurst Park. “I don’t understand why we had to play today and they didn’t, that could make the difference on Sunday. He is a big loss for us.”

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