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According to reports in The Sunday Express, Arsenal could face competition from Manchester City in the race to sign West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Sunday Express says that Citizens boss Pep Guardiola is still keen to sign the Northern Ireland international having attempted to bring him to the Etihad Stadium during the summer.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph reported last Thursday that Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is also ready to reignite his interest in the 29-year-old as he looks to strengthen his defensive options.

How has Evans done this season?

Having missed the start of the campaign with a thigh injury, the Baggies captain has started his side’s last 12 Premier League matches, and he led them to just their fourth clean sheet in the top flight this term when they drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

Would he be a good signing for Arsenal?

He certainly would be.

With Per Mertesacker edging closer to retirement and Nacho Monreal currently filling in as a left-sided centre-back in the Gunners’ three-man defence, it seems clear that the north London outfit need more cover and competition for places in their backline.

The 29-year-old is highly experienced but he also brings plenty of defensive qualities, and as well as being a leader and willing to put his body on the line, he is also good in possession – something that is important for Arsenal’s style of play.

Should Arsenal be threatened by City?

They probably should be, yes.

City are currently the favourites to win the Premier League and will fancy their chances in the Champions League too, and if Evans wants his best chance of winning trophies then he may feel that a move to the Etihad Stadium would increase his opportunities to do that.

When it comes down to first-team football, the 29-year-old may feel that he would be more likely to play at Arsenal, but with question marks over Eliaquim Mangala, Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany’s fitness, he could get more starts than he may expect.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is eyeing a sensational swoop for Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, according to Don Balon.

What’s the word?

Both players have been linked to Real Madrid this season due to their positive form.

Kane has been thriving season-by-season and as it stands he is just one goal short of leading Premier League scorer Mohamed Salah, who has hit 13 for Liverpool so far.

The Tottenham hitman was named in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or vote, while Hazard has regained form for Chelsea, scoring five goals and creating two assists in his last eight outings.

Don Balon reports that Manchester City are now looking at the pair, with Guardiola keen to weaken Chelsea and Tottenham by taking their star attractions.

What should Chelsea, Tottenham do?

In this day and age, players have much more control when it comes to transfers.

More often than not, they get their wish when they want to move on to another club.

In this instance, Hazard and Kane are key members of their respective outfits and under no circumstances should Chelsea or Tottenham make it easy for City.

The North-West outfit have plenty of money to spend on transfers, but if the price tags on Hazard and Kane are raised significantly, then it may warn them off.

If a club sells one of their best players to a direct rival, not only does it weaken their team, it lessens their reputation in the market.

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Leonardo Bonucci is attracting interest from Chelsea who are exploring the prospect of taking him from AC Milan are just one season, according to Corriere Dello Sport.

What’s the story, then?

The report claims that Bonucci is already unsettled at the San Siro, which has raised the possibility of him making a swift exit.

They say that the two clubs currently in the hunt for the Italian’s signature are Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, who are looking to win and requalify for the Champions League respectively.

They also report that Bonucci was exploring his options abroad when he left Juventus last summer, and that he could revisit that prospect this time around.

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Man United should swoop as they can offer Champions League

So far, Jose Mourinho has preferred to recruit younger central defenders, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, to freshen up his backline at Manchester United.

That is surprising, given his usual penchant for experience and it is clear that someone with greater authority is needed if they are to swiftly close the gap on Manchester City.

There aren’t many – if any – better out and out defenders in world football than Bonucci and he is also an organiser who would bring fantastic discipline to Old Trafford.

Tottenham are yet to make a move in this season’s transfer window but could be set to battle Arsenal for their first signing.

Mauricio Pochettino will battle Unai Emery for the signature of Eintracht Frankfurt winger – Ante Rebic according to reports in German outlet Bild. The Croatian winger has impressed during his country’s run to the final of the World Cup and could be set for a switch to the Premier League as a result. Tottenham are long-term admirers of the forward having attempted to buy him during his time with Hajduk Split, so the interest is clearly there.

Valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old spent last season on loan with the Bundesliga club who opted to sign him permanently at the end of the season. The German side could now be set to receive a transfer windfall if a bidding war ensues between the two North London rivals.

Rebic netted six goals and notched two assists in the Bundesliga as well as three goals and three assists in the DFB Pokal – two of which came in the final against Bayern Munich. He got on the scoresheet during Croatia’s win against Argentina – his only goal of the tournament.

Pochettino is looking for a new winger to add some depth to the Tottenham attack, and Rebic would be the perfect addition. With bags of energy and a high work rate, he fits in perfectly with the Argentine’s system.

The Lilywhites need to do everything they can to beat the Gunners to his signature.

Tottenham fans, thoughts?

Newcastle United should turn their attention to West Bromwich Albion forward Jay Rodriguez amid claims by Sky Sports News that he will cost around £20m.

What’s the word?

It is no secret that the Magpies are in need of some firepower this summer following lacklustre performances from Dwight Gayle and Joselu last season.

The Daily Mail reported on Sunday that the North-East outfit were in talks with the Baggies regarding a swap deal involving Gayle and Salomon Rondon.

Given that club owner Mike Ashley has been limited once again with transfer funds, Newcastle are trying to find affordable deals.

However, they should be focusing on Rondon’s teammate Rodriguez instead.

Sky Sports News claims that Burnley had a £15m offer rejected for the attacker by West Brom, who want around £20m to sanction a sale.

Why should Newcastle get involved?

Rodriguez did not exactly set the world alight last season as he managed just seven goals during West Brom’s doomed journey down to the Championship.

However, the 28-year-old had very little service up top, and he resorted to playing out wide for the majority of the time.

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At Newcastle, the former Southampton man would be given the main striker role, and he could cause damage now that he has a clean bill of health.

In 141 Premier League appearances in total, Rodriguez has scored 33 times and created 14 assists.

A regular runout over the course of a season could see the striker becoming a reliable goalscorer for the Magpies.

The sticking point could be the fee, but if Ashley releases some funds, there is no reason why Newcastle should not be in contention.

According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, Newcastle United are in talks with centre back Fabian Schar about a move to Tyneside. The 26-year-old currently plays his football at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna and has done so since 2017, while he also did his bit in helping Switzerland reach the last 16 of the World Cup this summer in starting all three of their group stage matches.

And it appears that Rafa Benitez’s Magpies are keen on the defender, which should be of interest to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, as the door could be open for the Reds to finally land the perfect Virgil van Dijk partner in the form of Jamaal Lascelles, having been linked with the defender in recent times.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Dutchman’s arrival back in January has had a big impact on the backline at Anfield, as the Liverpool defensive unit has without doubt become more solid and effective with van Dijk at the heart of it.

In fact, the former Southampton man appears to have brought the best out of Dejan Lovren, yet doubts still remain over his season-long capabilities given the Croatia international made a few costly errors earlier on in the campaign – thus, a perfect van Dijk partner still needs to be sought.

And with Newcastle eyeing up a move for a centre back, it could well be in preparation for the possible departure of Lascelles, which should thus prompt Liverpool to ask the question about landing the mightily impressive 24-year-old.

The defender played as big a part as anyone in helping the Magpies to a tenth place finish upon their return to the Premier League last season, with the club’s captain appearing in 33 of their 38 league matches, and missing the other five only as a result of injury.

Be it scoring vital goals at one end to making crucial defensive contributions at the other, the Englishman certainly proved his top-flight credentials last term to suggest that he could be destined for big things in the game, and those big things could come at Liverpool.

Alongside the authoritative van Dijk, who is also remarkably calm and composed on the ball, Lascelles could help form a formidable central defensive partnership at Anfield, what with the latter not afraid to put his body on the line, and able to carry out defensive duties supremely effectively.

Thus, it’s no real surprise that the Reds have been linked with the Newcastle ace in recent times, and with the Magpies themselves seeking another centre back, perhaps anticipating Lascelles’ departure, the door could be open for Liverpool to finally land the 24-year-old.

Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!

West Ham United new boy Fabian Balbuena made his debut for the club in their 3-1 pre-season friendly win against Aston Villa at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium on Wednesday night, and Irons fans were loving what they saw from him.

The east London outfit signed the Paraguay international from Corinthians on a three-year deal earlier this month, and he lined up alongside Angelo Ogbonna at the heart of the defence against Steve Bruce’s men.

While the 26-year-old showed that he is able to pick a pass, he also proved that he is something of a no-nonsense defender with some big clearances with both his head and his feet, and he could well be a dark horse for the Hammers in the Premier League this season.

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West Ham supporters, some of whom are split on the club re-signing a former Irons star, were quick to have their say on Balbuena’s performance via social media, and while one said “he looks like everything Oxford was supposed to be”, another said “somebody will be throwing £50m at us for him next summer”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Manchester United are hoping to wrestle the Premier League title back from rivals City in the coming season, and despite a realtively unhappy pre-season, fans inside Old Trafford will still expect big results.

The Red Devils have seen manager Jose Mourinho openly complain about various aspects of the summer break, and if the club don’t bring any new players in over the coming days, then things could well turn even more sour for the Manchester club.

However, we think some additions will be forthcoming, and we think we’ve picked out one or two players who can do the business for United this term.

One player who impressed in this summer’s World Cup and would be an excellent addition to the squad is Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who was superb for the Foxes last term and looked even better for Nigeria in Russia.

The £22.5m-rated midfielder looks ready to take the next step up in his career, and it doesn’t come much bigger than making the leap to a club the size of Manchester United.

Ndidi is strong as an ox, good on the ball, and despite having plenty of experience behind him already, is still only 21.

The Nigerian would be a superb addition and could be the long term successor to Nemanja Matic. Much like Ngolo Kante at Chelsea, Ndidi could well be the energetic ball winning midfielder all top clubs in the Premier League need these days.

Man United fans what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

Manchester City made the perfect start to their Premier League title defence.

The Citizens were given a tricky opening day fixture with a trip to the Emirates to face Unai Emery’s Arsenal. However, Pep Guardiola’s side strolled the game and never looked in danger. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring in the first half, and Sergio Aguero should have doubled their advantage after the interval. Bernardo Silva wrapped up proceedings with a superb volley from a Benjamin Mendy cross.

Guardiola will be pleased with his side’s performance after leaving Leroy Sane and Kevin de Bruyne on the bench against the Gunners. New signing Riyad Mahrez was decent on his debut, but there is plenty more to come from the Algerian. After failing to sign a defensive midfielder to compliment the winger’s arrival, City will likely splash the cash in the January window.

One man they should try to sign is Leicester City lynchpin – Wilfred Ndidi. Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the Nigerian midfielder enjoyed an excellent 2017/18 season where he made 33 appearances in the Premier League, notching three assists. Ndidi’s form continued into the new campaign with the 21-year-old impressing during the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The youngster is the perfect long-term replacement for Fernandinho in the heart of the City midfield. The former Genk man averaged 4.2 tackles per game in the Premier League last season, no one in the league averaged more, highlighting the protection he would give to the City backline (WhoScored). His 76% passing accuracy would need to improve to flourish in a Guardiola system but working under the ex-Barcelona boss will do wonders for his development.

Leicester will not want to lose their prized asset, but City have the funds to tempt them into business.

City fans, thoughts?

Liverpool confirmed their status as title contenders with an impressive 4-0 rout of West Ham in their Premier League opener.

Mohamed Salah continued his excellent form with an early goal from an Andrew Robertson cross in the first half before Sadio Mane swept home just before the interval. Despite appearing in an offside position, the Senegalese winger scored his second after the break with a wonderful finish before Daniel Sturridge wrapped up proceedings with his first touch of the game. The Reds look well equipped to challenge Manchester City for the title.

Jurgen Klopp will be pleased to see his new signings look good as Naby Keita and Alisson Becker both made their Premier League debuts. The German will also be glad to see Joe Gomez enjoy a solid game at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. With Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip injured, the 21-year-old was finally given a chance to impress in the centre and took his opportunity with both hands.

Gomez won every tackle he attempted against the Hammers, only Trent Alexander-Arnold made more for the Reds, as he kept Marko Arnautovic quiet. The England international also made four clearances which was more than any Liverpool player (WhoScored). The former Charlton youngster is capable of dictating the tempo of the game from the back and completed 92% of his passes against Manuel Pellegrini’s side. His performance suggested he could be the perfect man to partner van Dijk in the heart of defence.

His showing will likely earn him another starting berth against Crystal Palace on Monday before a visit from Brighton at the end of August. If his form continues, Lovren could face a real challenge to earn back his place in the side.

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Liverpool fans, thoughts?