On Sunday, Arsenal will have a chance to win their first trophy of the season – and their first major silverware since 2020 – when they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. As we approach the business end of the season, Mikel Arteta and his squad are still in contention for four trophies.

The Carabao Cup is the most straightforward, in the sense that it only requires them to better their opponents over 90 (or perhaps 120) minutes. However, they have finished as runners-up three times since last winning the trophy in 1993 – most recently when City beat them 3-0 in 2018.

They need three more wins to lift the FA Cup, while a nine-point lead in the league – albeit after playing a game more than closest challengers City – leaves them in pole position for the title. A first-ever Champions League win remains a possibility after Tuesday’s victory over Bayer Leverkusen, with Sporting CP next up in the quarter-finals.

Concerns over PSR could force Arsenal to be creative in the summer transfer window, but that doesn’t mean they won’t sign any new senior players. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines including updates on two potential targets.

Tonali path opens up

Arsenal-linked midfielder Sandro Tonali has also been mentioned in connection with Manchester United. However, the Red Devils now look to be set on the Italian’s team-mate Bruno Guimaraes.

United are reported to be in advanced talks for the Brazil international, who joined Newcastle in January 2022. The 28-year-old is under contract until 2028, with a fee of £69million mooted.

Juventus have also been monitoring Tonali but are believed to feel they can’t compete with English clubs financially. This could leave Arsenal with a free run at the former AC Milan star, though Newcastle are unlikely to sanction exits for both midfielders without a top replacement lined up.

Pio Esposito agent speaks out

Arsenal could find themselves making changes up front over the summer, with questions over the future of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. Inter Milan star Pio Esposito is one player whose name has come up after an impressive season for club and country.

The Italy international, 20, returned to the San Siro after banging in the goals on loan at Spezia last term. He already has eight in all competitions for Inter along with three in five senior international appearances for the Azzurri.

Mario Giuffredi, the player’s agent, has now confirmed Arsenal are admirers of the youngster. But indicated a move isn’t on the cards for the foreseeable future.

“Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear,” he told Radio CRC. “He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next 10 years. The boy is in love with Inter.”

Liverpool’s goalkeeping department underwent a big change last summer.

We saw Giorgi Mamardashvili complete his long-awaited move from Valencia while Caoimhin Kelleher went to Brentford. Two more goalkeepers arrived as part of the shakeup with Armin Pecsi coming in as well as Freddie Woodman.

Alisson Becker of course remains No1 – and is set to reign in the Anfield net for another seasons at least – but the recruitment process never stops.

Now it appears that the Premier League champions are about to get involved in a transfer scrap with Manchester United for a young goalkeeper creating a “buzz” at his current club.

The North West derby isn’t confined to the pitch anymore. It’s spilling into the transfer market, and this time the prize is a 19-year-old Welsh wonderkid who’s turning heads far beyond the Cymru Premier.

Kit Margetson, the highly-rated Swansea City goalkeeper currently on loan at Connah’s Quay Nomads for the 2025/26 season, has suddenly become the hottest property in goalkeeping circles. According to a report in the Daily Mail, Manchester United are actively pursuing a deal for the youngster, with Tony Coton—the scout credited with landing Senne Lammens—spotted in Flintshire recently running the rule over him.

Coton’s presence created quite a buzz in North Wales, and for good reason. Margetson, son of former Manchester City keeper and current Wales goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson, is no ordinary loanee. The Wales under-age international has been a standout performer during his stint at Connah’s Quay, racking up clean sheets and minutes in a side that went on an impressive unbeaten run. His maturity, distribution, and shot-stopping have him earmarked as a potential star at the highest level.

But United aren’t alone in the chase. Liverpool and Crystal Palace are also named among the interested parties, turning what could have been a quiet acquisition into a full-blown Premier League tug-of-war. The fact that two of English football’s most storied—and fiercest—rivals are now locked in battle over the same teenage talent elevates this from routine scouting to outright warzone territory.

For Liverpool, the interest makes perfect strategic sense. With Alisson locked in as the undisputed number one, the club has been methodical in refreshing the goalkeeping depth chart. Mamardashvili’s arrival signals long-term planning, but adding another high-potential youngster like Margetson could provide competition and succession planning for years to come. Interestingly, there’s a Welsh connection that might give the Reds an edge: Margetson could slot into Liverpool’s under-21 side, coached by former Wales manager Rob Page. The two families go way back—Page and Martyn Margetson shared squads for Wales U21s in the early 90s, played together at Cardiff City, and overlapped during Page’s senior international days. While Martyn didn’t serve on Page’s national team staff from 2020-2024, that personal history could open doors in negotiations or development pathways.

Manchester United, meanwhile, see Margetson as a potential future-proofing move. With questions lingering over Andre Onana’s consistency, Coton’s scouting trip suggests the Red Devils are looking beyond the immediate to build depth and secure the next generation. Landing a talent who’s already impressing on loan while attracting multi-club attention would be a statement of intent from INEOS-era recruitment.

The stakes are sky-high because this isn’t just about one player—it’s about supremacy in the modern transfer arms race. Liverpool and United have spent decades defining English football’s elite rivalry through trophies, but now they’re clashing over future assets in the shadows of lower leagues. A win here could tilt the balance for a decade, providing either side with a reliable homegrown (or at least British-developed) goalkeeper who understands pressure from an early age.

Swansea will have the final say, and they’ve already shown steel by rejecting a six-figure bid from Brighton earlier in the cycle. But with United pushing and Liverpool circling, the asking price is only heading one way—up.

Europe is on notice because when Liverpool and Manchester United go head-to-head off the pitch, the rest of the continent feels the tremors. This battle for Kit Margetson isn’t just heating up; it’s boiling over. And whoever emerges victorious might just have secured the next great English/Welsh No.1 before the rest of the world even realizes he’s ready.

The old rivalry never dies—it evolves. And right now, it’s evolving into something far more dangerous.

As the Gunners still contemplate trying to pull off a remarkable quadruple this season, Berta still has one eye on the club’s recruitment, while it’s expected that several first-team stars will also move on.

Arsenal‘s forward line could see the biggest area of change, with Victor Gyokeres showing flashes that he could be a trusted starter going forward, while our sources can reveal that there is every chance both Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are moved on.

And now a fresh report claims that the Gunners are ready to rival the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid when it comes to trying to secure the signature of Bayer Leverkusen sensation Christian Kofane.

Sports Boom reports that the 19-year-old attacker, who started both games against Arsenal in the round of 16 Champions League tie, has emerged as a top target for the north London outfit, although he will not come cheap.

Kofane has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Bundesliga since joining Leverkusen from Albacete last summer.

While the stats—seven goals and eight assists in 38 games this season—do not exactly match his asking price at first glance, the teenage forward has produced some exhilarating performances for Die Werkself in his debut campaign. The Cameroon international’s blend of physicality, technical skill, and clinical finishing has turned heads across Europe, earning him a reputation as a “Grade A+” talent in scouting networks.

The report adds that Kofane has actually been on Chelsea’s wishlist for a long time and that he could end up potentially replacing Liam Delap at Stamford Bridge.

Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid also hold a long-standing interest in the Leverkusen star, especially with veteran Barca frontman Robert Lewandowski in the twilight of his career and Real hardly blessed with central striking options.

However, it appears to be Arsenal that are the frontrunners at this stage, with Berta tipped to pull off another transfer coup, although it’s almost certainly unlikely to be at the €60-70million (£52-60m) price point that Leverkusen are chasing for the Cameroon international.

This move would send a clear €70m message: Arsenal aren’t just competing—they’re dominating the market for the next generation of elite forwards. While Chelsea dream of a long-term replacement and Madrid/Barca eye succession planning, Berta has positioned the Gunners to snatch away one of the Bundesliga’s brightest emerging talents right from under their noses.

Kofane’s rapid ascent—from a bargain move exceeding his €5m release clause last summer to starring against Arsenal in the Champions League—highlights why the interest is so intense. His ability to impact games with both goals and assists, combined with his 1.89m frame and right-footed precision, makes him the perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s evolving system.

The Emirates just got a new prodigy on the horizon. If Berta seals this deal, it won’t just bolster the attack amid potential departures—it could redefine Arsenal’s forward line for years to come.

Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust.

More Arsenal news: Alvarez chase latest; four Newcastle stars targeted Another striker heavily linked with the Gunners is Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, with Arsenal and Chelsea both taking the chance to watch the frontman at close quarters on Wednesday night at Tottenham, and TEAMtalk sources have revealed the Argentine’s preferred destination this summer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are interested in four Newcastle United stars, and the Toon’s Champions League struggles could help at least one signing.

Finally, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have reportedly suffered a huge blow in their quest to bring an Inter Milan star to The Emirates this summer.

The summer window at Anfield is shaping up to be nothing short of explosive. With sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot steering the ship, Liverpool appear poised for a ruthless overhaul that could see four high-profile departures locked in almost overnight. This isn’t tinkering around the edges — it’s a calculated mega raid on the squad’s fringes and even some big names, designed to refresh, refocus, and reload under the new regime.

Four Liverpool sales on the table The Daily Mail’s Merseyside correspondent, Lewis Steele, has dropped the bombshell: four sales are under serious consideration this summer, with Federico Chiesa’s departure ‘almost certain’.

Chiesa, the Italian winger who arrived with sky-high expectations, has failed to make a meaningful impact at Liverpool. More critically, he hasn’t convinced Arne Slot he’s worthy of regular opportunities. His Anfield stint looks set to end with a return to Italy, closing what many already view as a disappointing chapter.

Mohamed Salah could make it a double departure from the wing positions. The Egyptian king faces a long-rumoured move to Saudi Arabia, a saga that refuses to die. If the financial pull proves too strong or Slot’s vision demands a tactical shift, Salah’s exit would represent one of the most seismic sales in modern Premier League history.

Elsewhere, decisions loom over homegrown talents Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez. By summer, Jones will enter the final year of his contract. If no new deal materialises and/or he’s unhappy with his squad player status, a sale makes perfect sense to avoid losing him for nothing next year.

It’s a similar story with Joe Gomez. The versatile defender, once a cornerstone, may crave regular starting football in the last prime years of his career. If he pushes for it, Liverpool could grant his wish and cash in on a reliable, multi-position asset.

These aren’t fringe decisions — they’re strategic. Liverpool are weighing squad harmony, wage bill efficiency, and future planning, all while Hughes and Slot plot the next evolution.

Real Madrid re-open Konate talks — and Liverpool hold all the cards Another potential exit — this time on a free — threatens to sting even more: Ibrahima Konate.

The French centre-half is nearing the end of his contract, and despite multiple offers from Liverpool, no agreement appears close. If a new deal isn’t signed soon, he’ll walk away for nothing in 2026.

Enter Real Madrid, who have thundered back into the picture after previously abandoning their pursuit. According to top reporter Matteo Moretto: “Konate from Liverpool is another option; Real Madrid is in talks with his representatives.”

Madrid are circling like sharks, ready to pounce on a world-class defender without paying a transfer fee. But here’s the twist — Liverpool aren’t panicking. They’ve already sealed a deal to bring young Jeremy Jacquet to the club at season’s end. Jacquet isn’t seen as a direct replacement for Konate, and the ideal scenario remains signing him AND retaining the Frenchman.

If Konate does depart, expect another top centre-back arrival alongside Jacquet. Real Madrid may be begging for mercy in these talks, but Liverpool’s leverage is strong: they control the timeline, hold fresh offers on the table, and have youth reinforcements incoming. Madrid’s desperation could force them into a compromise — or leave them empty-handed if Konate recommits.

Chelsea ban fantastic news for Liverpool The punishment handed down to Chelsea earlier this week — a suspended one-year transfer ban, nine-month academy transfer ban, and £10.75m fine — has delivered a massive knock-on boost at Anfield.

Chelsea had been lining up Liverpool’s academy sensation, Josh Abe, widely regarded as one of the world’s best players in his age group. The 15-year-old has even been invited into first-team training, a clear sign of Liverpool’s belief he can already mix it with the seniors.

But with the academy transfer ban now in effect, Chelsea cannot poach Abe in the upcoming summer window. Per The Mail, the removal of this threat is a ‘big help’ to the Reds’ efforts to retain him long-term.

Liverpool must still fend off interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, but neutralising Chelsea’s pursuit gives the club breathing room to secure their prodigy. In a summer of outflows, protecting elite academy talent like Abe is the perfect counterbalance.

This isn’t chaos at Anfield — it’s controlled ambition. Four potential blockbuster sales, Real Madrid scrambling for a key defender, and a major rival’s hands tied on youth raids. Hughes and Slot aren’t just reacting; they’re dictating terms. The mega raid is on, and Liverpool look ready to emerge stronger, sharper, and even more feared.

The Egyptian King’s extraordinary tenure at Anfield has been one of the defining stories of the Premier League era, producing an avalanche of goals, assists, and match-winning moments. Yet, at 33 and with his contract winding down, subtle signs of decline have emerged this season. While Salah remains capable of brilliance, his explosiveness in duels and consistency have waned, prompting the club to plan proactively rather than risk a sharper drop in value or performance.

Selling at the optimal time would provide substantial funds to reinvest in youth and dynamism, ensuring a seamless evolution of the attack. Replacing a phenomenon like Salah is no simple task, but Liverpool appear to have identified a profile that aligns perfectly with their current tactical demands under Arne Slot: direct, high-intensity, and relentless in both phases.

Anfield sources indicate that Minteh stands as one of the club’s primary targets for the right flank. The 21-year-old’s underlying metrics this Premier League campaign have turned heads, showcasing elite traits that could inject fresh energy into the forward line.

Most strikingly, Minteh ranks second in the league for carries into the opposition penalty area, with an impressive 61 such progressive actions—trailing only Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku. This directness and willingness to drive at defenders make him a constant threat in transition, often breaching the final line where it matters most.

Complementing his attacking output, Minteh excels as a “pressing monster.” He leads all Liverpool attackers in ball recoveries, averaging 3.83 per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season. His intensity off the ball fits seamlessly into the high-pressing system that has become a hallmark of the Reds’ identity, allowing the team to regain possession quickly and launch counter-attacks with speed.

Further bolstering his appeal, Minteh sits fifth among wingers for successful dribbles (2.80 per 90) and ranks 10th for big chances created (7), underlining his ability to create danger through individual skill and vision.

The domino effect appears to be falling in Liverpool’s favour. According to reports in Sports Bild, Brighton have reached a personal terms agreement with Köln’s young wide attacker Said El Mala and his brother, paving the way for the Seagulls to secure a direct replacement for Minteh. While a final transfer fee with Köln remains to be negotiated, the progress on personal terms signals Brighton’s confidence in strengthening their squad—freeing them to consider offers for the Gambian star this summer.

Many observers may view Minteh as a step down from Salah’s prolific goal-scoring output, and the raw numbers support that assessment for now. Yet stylistically, he could prove an even better fit for Liverpool’s evolving needs. His penchant for generating crosses, cut-backs, and high-volume entries into dangerous areas would create ideal service for central forwards like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, who thrive on quality delivery inside the box.

With Slot’s prior familiarity from their time together at Feyenoord likely playing a role in the attraction, Liverpool are positioning themselves to strike decisively. If the Brighton replacement plan solidifies, the path to Anfield could open wide—heralding a bold new chapter for the Reds’ attack as they prepare for life beyond one of their greatest-ever players.

According to TEAMtalk, the Gunners are open to selling the Brazilian pair during the upcoming transfer window. The primary motivation? Landing the 26-year-old Argentine forward, who has been a standout performer in La Liga since his move from Manchester City. Arsenal view Alvarez as a transformative addition and could even propose a player-plus-cash deal involving Martinelli and/or Jesus to make the transfer a reality.

Both Martinelli and Jesus have been valuable contributors under Mikel Arteta, delivering key moments and versatility in attack. However, neither has cemented himself as an undisputed regular starter in recent times. Martinelli has seen his minutes reduced, often deployed from the bench, while Jesus has faced competition and recovery challenges following injury setbacks. For two players of their calibre, a move to a club where they can feature week-in, week-out would represent a fresh chapter — and they remain highly regarded assets capable of thriving elsewhere.

Alvarez, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, would represent an upgrade of the highest order. The versatile forward has already proven his Premier League pedigree during his successful stint at Manchester City, where he contributed to multiple trophy hauls. Since joining Atletico Madrid, he has continued to impress, showcasing elite goal-scoring instincts alongside creative playmaking that unlocks opportunities for teammates.

Arsenal’s current project under Arteta is built to challenge for major honours annually, and securing a player of Alvarez’s profile would signal ruthless ambition. The Gunners appear better positioned than Atletico to compete consistently for Premier League titles and deep Champions League runs. Returning to England could appeal to the South American, who knows the league’s demands and would likely command a significantly higher salary at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

That said, competition remains fierce. Barcelona have long been linked with Alvarez as a priority target, while other elite sides have registered interest. Atletico are expected to demand a substantial fee — reports suggest figures north of €100m could be required — making any deal a bold financial commitment.

Yet Arsenal’s willingness to include established first-team players like Martinelli and Jesus in negotiations adds a layer of intrigue and aggression rarely seen from the club in recent windows. This isn’t just about addition; it’s about calculated evolution — sacrificing depth in one area to elevate quality across the board.

If this bold gambit succeeds, Alvarez’s arrival could redefine Arsenal’s frontline and push them closer to the European elite. The Brazilian duo’s potential exits would sting for supporters, but in the relentless pursuit of silverware, such decisive moves may prove essential. The summer window is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in North London history — and Arsenal are playing to win.

Liverpool transfer target Alessandro Bastoni might be available for approximately £40million this summer rather than the previously stated £60million price tag. Inter aim to offload the Italy international to generate funds for their own incoming transfers, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Liverpool are among the numerous clubs linked with an interest in Bastoni, with Barcelona reported to have expressed their interest to the player’s representative, Tullio Tinti, in recent weeks. Several English clubs could reportedly also emerge as potential buyers if he is keen to move to the Premier League.

A transfer within Italy seems unlikely given Bastoni’s reported net wages, which are said to exceed £80,000. That salary reportedly means very few clubs in his homeland are prepared to sign the two-time Serie A winner.

Liverpool already have Jeremy Jacquet arriving this summer, though they might still be seeking another central defender. Ibrahima Konate’s contract is expiring, and Joe Gomez’s future has been uncertain over the last few summers.

Bastoni’s fellow countryman Giovanni Leoni also remains in rehabilitation following surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament tear on his left knee. Bastoni has had a challenging month and continues to face boos during fixtures in Italy.

The hostile receptions come after he celebrated the sending off of Juventus player Pierre Kalulu during Inter’s victory over the Turin team. The defender confessed to exaggerating his fall to get his opponent a second yellow card and aid his team in winning the Derby d’Italia.

Bastoni said: “I exaggerated the fall once I felt contact with Kalulu to try and win a foul, but I have to apologise for my reaction afterwards as it wasn’t nice to see, even if it was very human.

“I was caught up in the heat and intensity of such an important match. I’m sorry it went that way.

“I think it’s right to take responsibility, but my character and my career shouldn’t be questioned. I’ve played more than 300 professional matches.

“I didn’t expect so much noise around it … I’ve seen a lot of hypocrisy and heard people say things that just don’t make sense. I thank those who commented fairly, saying I made a mistake without condemning my character.”

He added: “On a personal level, it hasn’t affected me too much … we’re exposed to this kind of media scrutiny, so I’m used to it, and I’m capable of handling it. I feel more sorry for my wife and for my daughter, who doesn’t yet understand.

“Receiving death threats is unacceptable. I feel for her, and also for referee [Federico] La Penna, who found himself in the same situation … they should not be subjected to this kind of thing.

“Football has been like this for 100 years, there are incidents for and against you, and we need to stop constantly complaining and acting like moralists every time there’s a case like this, ever since [Diego] Maradona’s handball goal.”

The Dutch skipper turned 34 this season and his current contract runs until June 2027. While van Dijk remains one of the Premier League’s most dominant centre-backs, Liverpool’s hierarchy recognises the need to plan for the post-van Dijk era and have drawn up a shortlist of elite replacements: Inter Milan’s Bastoni, Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck.

Although the club secured promising young talent last summer in Giovanni Leoni and agreed an early deal for Jeremy Jacquet to arrive at the end of the current campaign, both prospects are still developing. What Liverpool require now is an experienced, top-level leader who is already performing at the highest standard — and the 26-year-old Italy international fits that profile perfectly.

According to Barcelona-based newspaper Sport, Liverpool and Barcelona have become the two primary suitors for Bastoni. The Reds have submitted a fresh enquiry after Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Inter Milan are now seriously considering a sale of their left-footed centre-half.

Inter previously valued Bastoni in the €70-80m (£60-69m) bracket, yet the latest reports indicate they are now open to letting him depart for €50m (£43m). At that price, the deal would represent outstanding value for a player widely regarded as Serie A’s premier centre-back.

Barcelona, however, stand as formidable competition. The Catalan club view Bastoni as a key summer target and are understood to be confident of securing his signature. Sport suggests the defender himself prefers a move to the Camp Nou — a stance frequently highlighted by sources close to the La Liga side.

Yet Liverpool’s interest is far from superficial. Our sources confirmed earlier this month that the Merseysiders regard Bastoni as the “ideal” long-term successor to van Dijk. As far back as December, it was revealed that the 26-year-old is open to a major career step in his prime years, with the Premier League very much on his radar.

The situation at Anfield adds further urgency. Joe Gomez has been linked with an exit, while Ibrahima Konate is yet to sign a new contract despite Liverpool submitting their most lucrative offer to date on 6 March. Even with Leoni and Jacquet on the books, the club may still require additional central-defensive reinforcement depending on how the Bastoni, van de Ven or Schlotterbeck pursuit unfolds.

At €50m, Bastoni would not only deliver immediate quality and leadership but also represent a shrewd financial investment for a Liverpool side determined to remain competitive at the very top. The Italian superstar’s arrival would signal a bold statement of intent — and could well mark the beginning of a new defensive dynasty on Merseyside.

Arsenal are not merely window-shopping at St James’ Park this summer — they are circling four of Newcastle United’s most valuable assets with a ruthlessly ambitious £325 million blueprint that could leave Eddie Howe’s side stripped of its spine while the Magpies are still reeling from European humiliation.

Newcastle were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona on Wednesday night, losing 7-2 at the Camp Nou and 8-3 on aggregate. Eddie Howe’s side performed well in the first half of the second leg, getting themselves back level twice, but they were blown away in the second half. The defeat has left the Toon at serious risk of missing out on European qualification for next season: they currently sit ninth in the Premier League, three points behind seventh-placed Brentford. With Champions League football now almost certainly off the table, at least one elite star could push for a move this summer — and Arsenal are perfectly positioned to pounce.

It emerged on Sunday that both Arsenal and Liverpool are tracking Lewis Hall’s situation, having been hugely impressed by his displays this season. Subsequent reports in the Spanish press have claimed Arsenal are actively planning a move for the left-back, who is valued at £65-70m.

We revealed on February 27 that the Gunners are drawing up a £75m bid for Anthony Gordon, seeing him as an elite replacement for Gabriel Martinelli at left wing. However, Newcastle are eager to keep the forward as he is a key player. It will take an offer worth £95m or more to convince them to sell the England ace.

Arsenal have also identified Sandro Tonali as a potential signing to elevate their midfield. They held initial talks with Tonali’s agents in January, with the Italian weighing up a potential move away from St James’ Park. Tonali would love to secure a move back to Serie A, but such clubs would not have the necessary funds to complete a deal. Newcastle value the playmaker in the region of £86-100m. Arsenal will face competition from Manchester United for Tonali; the Red Devils have registered their interest in the 25-year-old, and it was suggested earlier on Wednesday that he is ‘quite open’ to a move to Old Trafford.

Right-back Tino Livramento is the fourth and final Newcastle star being eyed by Arsenal. The Times confirmed earlier this week that Arsenal are monitoring both Livramento and RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba ahead of potential moves this summer. Arsenal would love to replace frustrated full-back Ben White with Livramento, as it would give them even better competition for Jurrien Timber.

The numbers tell their own story. Hall at £65-70m, Gordon at £95m+, Tonali at £86-100m, and Livramento commanding a premium price of his own — the cumulative outlay to land all four would comfortably eclipse £325m. That is not fantasy; it is the scale of Arsenal’s calculated aggression while Newcastle are vulnerable.

Yet for all the excitement around a quadruple raid, realism must prevail. Despite Arsenal’s interest in all four players, they will likely only be able to sign one this summer. Financial regulations, squad harmony and the sheer volume of elite targets mean Mikel Arteta’s side must choose their moment and their man with surgical precision.

Newcastle’s Champions League exit has opened a rare window of opportunity. Arsenal’s scouts have done their homework, their board has prepared the bids, and their manager has identified exactly where these four Toon stars would fit like missing pieces in a title-chasing jigsaw. The question is no longer whether Arsenal want them — it is which one they will ultimately take while the Magpies are down.

Is Eberechi Eze starting to find his best form in an Arsenal shirt? On Tuesday night, he scored an absolute rocket to break the deadlock as the Gunners ousted Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 from the Champions League. This was the 27 year old’s first-ever Champions League goal, seeing him reach a unique feat.

This took Eze’s tally to nine since arriving at Arsenal, of which five have come in North London derbies against Tottenham, the team he infamously turned down to join his boyhood.

Eze opened his Arsenal account against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup, also bagging the winner at Mansfield in the FA Cup earlier this month. Thus, as has been widely publicised, he has become only the second English Arsenal player to score in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup in a single season for the club.

The other is Theo Walcott in 2012/13, who bagged 21 goals that season, including a hat-trick as Arsène Wenger’s team fought back from 4-0 down to beat Reading 7-5 at the Madjeski in the Capital One Cup. These though are the only English players to achieve this feat, which begs the question, how common is this for any player to achieve?

Arsenal players to score in 4 competitions in a season (2005-present)

Note: *Europa League included rather than Champions League.

Well, it turns out this is actually a more common occurrence than it may seem. Danny Welbeck and Eddie Nketiah both achieved this during the bleak Europa League era, hence why Walcott and Eze are the only Englishmen to do so when including the Champions League. As Arsenal enter the crucial home stretch of the season, with four trophies still up for grabs, supporters will hope Eze proves to be more Alexis Sánchez than Lucas Pérez.

Well, the summer signing from Crystal Palace is set to continue in a central role, both figuratively but also literally. On Wednesday, Ståle Solbakken confirmed his Norway squad for their pre-World Cup friendlies next week against Netherlands and Switzerland, a list that did not contain the name of his captain Martin Ødegaard.

Earlier in the week, Arteta stated that “Ødegaard is pushing hard to be ready for the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday”, which does not really tell us much about his availability. He did see 13 minutes off the bench at Spurs, but is still nursing a knee issue sustained at Brentford so, even if he is available for Wembley, it’s surely highly-unlikely that Ødegaard will start against Manchester City.

Thus, once again, Eze will complete the midfield trio alongside Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice and, after a stupendous Champions League goal, he deserves it. We all know what happened the last time Eze faced Man City at Wembley…. more of the same on Sunday please!