LONDON: Brighton are reportedly ready to submit a lucrative offer to secure the services of Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott in an effort to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new English Premier League (EPL) season.
According to The Sun newspaper , the club has made Elliott their main target after the 22-year-old England player is said to be finding it increasingly difficult to get playing time under Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Brighton are said to be ready to bid around £40 million to convince the Reds to let go of the player, who made 45 appearances last season in all competitions – mostly as a substitute.
The move was also supported by the presence of James Milner, a former Liverpool senior player who is now with Brighton and was Elliott’s mentor when they shared a dressing room at Anfield.
In fact, Brighton’s more open and attacking tactical approach is seen as more in line with Elliott’s playing style, compared to other teams such as Nottingham Forest who were also linked but rejected by the player.
Liverpool are also reportedly open to considering offers, particularly to raise funds to pursue Newcastle United sensational striker Alexander Isak.
Elliott, who joined Liverpool from Fulham in 2019, still has great potential and is expected to be a key name in the England national team of the future, making the race to sign him even more exciting in this summer window.
LONDON: Arsenal have identified Brahim Diaz as an alternative target if they fail to land Rodrygo from Real Madrid in this transfer window.
The Gunners are in the process of strengthening their front line by looking for a left winger in addition to a quality number nine.
Rodrygo, 24, is the main target for Mikel Arteta’s squad after the player’s future at the Bernabeu is still unclear, in addition to Nico Williams, who has long been wanted by Arsenal.
Brahim, 25, is reportedly the best option besides Rodrygo and is much cheaper than the former Santos player.
Arsenal are said to be willing to offer up to 42.6 million pounds to bring the versatile striker to the Emirates.
However, it is not yet certain whether Diaz is ready to make the move to the Premier League. Bayer Leverkusen, currently managed by Erik ten Hag, are also interested in the Moroccan player.
Arsenal also have to compete with Saudi Arabian clubs such as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal who are capable of offering up to 110.8 million pounds to sign Rodrygo.
Rodrygo may have thought long and hard before deciding to move to a league in the Middle East, but such a high offer would be difficult for Real Madrid to refuse, let alone for a player who is not the first choice of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
However, Rodrygo still has hope of returning to the first team under new manager Xabi Alonso.
LOS ANGELES: New European champions Paris Saint-Germain arrived in the United States this week for the Club World Cup and have set their sights high on the FIFA tournament.
“I think it’s a great competition. Our target is to win a fifth trophy this season,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League in Munich two weeks ago.
The French giants defeated Inter Milan 5-0 to win the European Champions League title for the first time in their history.
Despite being dominant in the domestic competition, PSG had previously been looking for a formula to dominate the European stage – including spending big to secure the services of star players such as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
PSG have played 58 matches since last August and have also swept all domestic trophies in France this season.
PSG’s first match in the Club World Cup is against Atletico Madrid, starring Antoine Griezmann, at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena tomorrow (early Monday morning).
They will also face South American champions Botafogo from Brazil and Seattle Sounders in Group B.
After the Club World Cup, PSG will begin their new campaign with the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.
BILBAO, Spain: Ahead of the Europa League final between two teams ranked 16th and 17th in the English Premier League – Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – a fight broke out between groups of supporters of both teams.
So 70,000 Man United and Spurs fans flooded the city of Bilbao in a relaxed and calm manner ahead of the final action early tomorrow morning.
However, in the nearby city of San Sebastian, the situation turned violent when a group of supporters fought.
In a viral video, football hooligans are seen fighting and throwing objects at each other.
Local residents reported the incident to the police at 9.20pm after witnessing the bad behaviour of English fans on Fermín Calbeton Street.
According to witnesses, the fight broke out when two large groups of supporters began shouting and insulting each other.
It turned violent and everyone started reaching for objects to throw. One even used the table as a weapon.
Local police rushed to the scene after receiving a report and the situation was brought under control.
No arrests have been made so far, but authorities remain in the area to control the situation.
An ambulance was also sent with several supporters receiving treatment at the scene.
LIVERPOOL: England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool, the club he has been with since he was six years old, he said on social media X today.
The Liverpool-born player built his career from a young age to become one of the world’s best right-backs – winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup with the English club.
“This club has filled my whole life – my whole world – for the past 20 years. From the Academy to now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside the club will stay with me. I will never forget how much I owe you all.
“But, I never knew anything else and this decision is about experiencing new challenges, taking myself out of my comfort zone and challenging myself personally and professionally,” said Alexander-Arnold, admitting it was the hardest decision he had ever made.
The 26-year-old, who has been a regular in Liverpool’s attack, has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid, who are keen to use his services starting with next month’s Club World Cup.