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Jurrien Timber “wants to join Arsenal,” and with the deal getting “the green light by all parties”, it shouldn’t take long for the player to officially join the North London side, claims journalist Paul Brown.It has been a busy start to the transfer window for Arsenal, with the deal for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz reportedly reaching its conclusion, the ongoing saga over West Ham United’s Decan Rice, and now the rapid pace at which the deal for Timber seems to be developing.

Arsenal transfer news – what’s the latest on Jurrien Timber?

The Dutch defender has impressed for Ajax for several years now, and this time last summer, it looked like his performances had earned him a move to Manchester United with former manager Erik ten Hag.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side now looks to be in the driving seat for the player’s signature, with David Ornstein first confirming the Gunners’ interest in the 22-year-old on June 19th.

The deal looks to have rapidly developed since then, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Arsenal have submitted a second bid for the 5 foot 10 dynamo in the region of €45/48m (£39/41m) and that the Timber “loves Arsenal’s project and wants to join them.”

What has journalist Paul Brown said about Jurrien Timber to Arsenal?

Brown was very confident that Timber’s move to North London was just around the corner as all parties seemed to be nearing an agreement on the transfer.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “Timber clearly wants to join Arsenal. It seems to have been given the green light by all parties so far, so I do think that one will happen and it won’t take very long to get done.”

How good is Jurrien Timber?

Timber has been one of Ajax’s stand-out stars for a couple of years, first making his debut for the club on March 7th 2020, in a 3-1 win over SC Heerenveen.

Since that game, he has pulled on the famous red and white of the Netherlands’ biggest team 121 times, scoring six goals and assisting another four.

Despite not getting his move to United last summer, he still had a great season in the Dutch capital, averaging an impressive rating of 6.89 across his 34 Eredivisie matches, per WhoScored.

One of the Utrecht-born gem’s biggest strengths is his positional versatility, having played as both a centre-half and right-back during his career, something that has unsurprisingly caught the eye of Arteta.

The Spaniard has developed a system in which the team’s right-back often tucks in as a third centre-half when the team has the ball, and while Ben White has proven to be excellent in this role, he would likely benefit from some competition and some cover, which is where Timber could truly add value to the team.

If Arsenal really are about to sign the “unbelievable” player – as once described by national teammate Daly Blind – their backline could be much scarier next season.

Everton could potentially complete the signing of Leeds United striker Rodrigo this summer, according to an update from journalist Paul Brown.

Have Everton been linked with Rodrigo move?

The Blues remained in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth last season, staying up on the final day after a nerve-shredding 1-0 victory at home to Bournemouth.

After two poor years in the top flight, it is essential that Everton now kick on and look to finish higher up the table, but new signings will be required in order for that to happen, with quality too often lacking all over the pitch of late.

Rodrigo is one player who has been linked with a summer move to Elland Road, having suffered relegation with Leeds United last month. It is highly unlikely that he will stay on and play in the Championship in 2023/24, so a new challenge will appeal to him instead, with his current deal expiring next summer.

Are Everton being backed to sign Rodrigo?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Brown talked up the idea of Everton making a move for Rodrigo during the summer transfer window, saying they would be able to fund his services:

"Rodrigo, clearly, is the kind of signing that Everton could currently fund. Until new investment comes in and the board is properly reshuffled, it's difficult for Everton to commit huge funding to any kind of transfer at the moment.

"That is an interesting one. He does have a pretty good goalscoring record in the Premier League, particularly if you compare him to Everton's current strikers."

Rodrigo could be a strong short-term signing for Everton, providing Sean Dyche with the extra firepower that is needed, considering they only scored 34 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, highlighting the importance of bringing in more natural goalscorers.

At 32, the £100,000-a-week Leeds man isn't getting any younger, but eight goals in 28 caps for Spain outlines his pedigree as a footballer, and he is still at a level where he can be a key man for the Blues for a couple of years. He was also described as "absolutely sensational" by Gary Neville last season.

Of course, the hope is that Everton become more financially strong this summer if the ownership issue changes, but for now, players of Rodrigo's ilk are ideal, with his experience and eye for goal both weapons that can aid Dyche's side and help them pull away from the relegation zone.

يستعد فريق مانشستر يونايتد لمواجهة مانشستر سيتي بالديربي يوم الأحد المقبل، في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتحدث إريك تين هاج، مدرب مانشستر يونايتد، عن موقف الثنائي برونو فرنانديز ورافائيل فاران، من اللحاق بالمباراة أمام مانشستر سيتي.

وكانت هناك شكوك حول مشاركة فرنانديز وفاران في مباراة دور الـ16 لكأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي مساء الأربعاء أمام نوتنينجهام فورست، لكنهما شاركا في المباراة التي حسمها فريقهما بالفوز بهدف نظيف.

وأشارت تقارير إلى وجود شكوك حول جاهزية فاران وبرونو فرنانديز لمواجهة الديربي أمام مانشستر سيتي.

اقرأ أيضًا | تين هاج: ما فعله فولهام خاطئًا وعليهم الاعتذار لـ برونو فرنانديز

وقال تين هاج في مؤتمر صحفي يوم الخميس: “لقد ناضل فاران وفيرنانديز ليكونا مع الفريق وخرجا بشكل جيد من المباراة، أعتقد أنهما سيكونا متاحين، يوم الأحد”.

وغاب هاري ماجواير عن مباراة الأمس، ومن المقرر أن يغيب أيضًا عن ديربي مانشستر.

ويتعافى كل من لوك شاو، وليساندرو مارتينيز، وأنتوني مارسيال، وتيريل مالاسيا، وراسموس هويلوند وماسون ماونت، وآرون وان بيساكا من الإصابات.

Speculation continues regarding just who will be named as the next permanent manager at Leeds United, with the Whites likely seeking to secure an instant return to the Premier League next season following their recent relegation.

With Sam Allardyce no longer at the helm following his brief, four-game stint in charge, recent reports have suggested that Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard could be the man to take his place in the dugout, with the 43-year-old already said to have held talks with the Elland Road outfit.

The former England international has been out of work since October following the end to what was a rather underwhelming, 11-month stint at Aston Villa – where he lost 19 of his 40 games in charge – although prior to that the up-and-coming coach had done a "magnificent" job during his first managerial post at Rangers, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The iconic midfielder notably guided the Ibrox outfit to the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020/21 season as the Gers went the entire league campaign without tasting defeat, having finished 25 points clear of bitter rivals Celtic at the summit.

For all that previous success, however, it is seemingly a different kettle of fish trying to guide a club out of the Championship – as Gerrard would need to do at Leeds – with pundit Ally McCoist only recently sounding a word of warning to the Englishman, after describing the second tier as "completely different dynamic to the top flight".

As such, the Yorkshire side may be better served finding a suitable alternative who has greater experience at trying to push for promotion, with former Fulham and AFC Bournemouth boss, Scott Parker – who has been named among the list of contenders – perhaps the man for the job.

Should Leeds appoint Scott Parker?

Much like his former England colleague, the 42-year-old is currently out of work after enduring a miserable stint abroad at Belgian outfit, Club Brugge, having lasted just 12 games with the Pro League side before being sacked back in March.

Prior to that, however, the youthful coach did impress due to his fine work in the Championship, having notably led the Cottagers to promotion at the first attempt back in the 2019/20 season, following a play-off final victory over Brentford.

Lauded as a "special" managerial talent by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, Parker did suffer a swift relegation in the following campaign in west London, albeit while again repeating his promotion heroics in the 2021/22 campaign with the Cherries.

As per The Telegraph, that experience of steering clubs back into the promised land that is the Premier League is a 'huge plus', even if the highly-rated coach did somewhat sour his reputation having been dismissed at the Vitality Stadium back in August after criticising the club's recruitment policy.

With Parker's time in Brugge having also failed to pan out, the 4-3-3 tactician will likely be chomping at the bit to get back in the game sooner rather than later, hence the need for Leeds to consider handing him the task of securing a rapid return to the top flight.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is reportedly weighing up an 11th-hour bid to take control at Manchester United.

What’s the latest Old Trafford takeover news?

Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been the frontrunners when it comes to an Old Trafford takeover from the Glazers, with the pair submitting third offers at the end of April.

Ratcliffe appears to be leading the race, though, with reports in recent days suggesting that he has taken a significant step closer to a deal. The INEOS group are set to enter final talks with the Glazers unless the Qatari group led by Jassim increases their bid, and it looks as if they are considering doing just that.

The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan has been providing updates throughout the entire process when it comes to a possible takeover and shared a further development in the last 48 hours.

Keegan stated on Twitter that Jassim is weighing up an 11th-hour bid with Ratcliffe still in the lead. A final decision isn’t expected this weekend, with the preferred bidder likely to be named next week.

Key stages…

It seems as if it is last chance saloon for Jassim when it comes to a takeover, with time ticking for him to make an 11th-hour bid. Should he do just that, it could delay the process even further, with Ratcliffe’s offer resulting in the Glazers’ retaining a 20% in the club.

A deal with Ratcliffe could reach as high as £6bn according to reports, whereas Jassim’s third proposal came in at under £5bn, meaning that he may need to significantly up his bid to stand any chance.

You’d expect there will be further developments over the coming days, and with time ticking ahead of the summer transfer window, every passing day could have an impact on the club’s transfer plans.

Erik ten Hag is thought to be “concerned” that a positive first season in change could be derailed this summer with a transfer budget freeze now in place due to the ongoing takeover process. A number of signings appear to be wanted at Old Trafford, especially in midfield and attack, so the manager will be hoping there is a quick solution to the off-field saga over the coming weeks.

Referee John Brooks and his VAR team may have made a huge error in the recent Liverpool draw for not sending Tyrone Mings off for a horror tackle on Cody Gakpo.

What’s the latest on Liverpool and VAR?

The Reds were up against Aston Villa this weekend in the Premier League but a draw means their hopes of a top-four finish are only just hanging on by a thread.

The away team took the lead in the first half when Jacob Ramsey hit a sweet volley at the far post to open the scoring and it took until the 89th minute for Liverpool to draw level.

Indeed, playing in his final game at Anfield, club icon Roberto Firmino scored from close range to earn the Reds a point on the day.

However, the outcome of the game could have perhaps been different had referee Brooks reached for a red instead of a yellow earlier on in the match.

Shortly before half time, Mings stretched to win the ball but ended up planting his studs into Gakpo’s chest but avoid major punishment.

Did Mings deserve a red card against Liverpool?

As the images above on Twitter show, the Liverpool man was left with some brutal stud marks on his chest but VAR, somehow, evidently felt it wasn’t enough to upgrade the foul to a red card.

It was reminiscent of Nigel de Jong’s horror tackle on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final which also saw the perpetrator avoid a red card – though VAR wasn’t in use back then.

Journalist James Pearce certainly seemed to think it was a foul deserving of more severe punishment. He wrote on Twitter: “Mings very lucky that his challenge on Gakpo isn’t upgraded from a yellow to a red by VAR. Caught Gakpo in the chest with his studs.”

Before adding: “Can’t believe Brooks wasn’t advised to look at the monitor.”

To make things worse, the Reds also had a goal controversially ruled out for offside in the game too and decision that left manager Jurgen Klopp baffled.

Indeed, he told the press (via Liverpoolfcnews): “I asked the referee why the offside goal was offside. He explained it to me. He thinks it isn’t a deliberate action from the defender, I think it is. VAR isn’t sure.”

Aston Villa have had a memorable season in the Premier League during Unai Emery's first spell at the club.

The Spaniard has taken the Villans from lurking around the relegation zone to pushing for a top-six finish with just three games remaining in the league this season.

With the end of the season in sight, a lot of speculation regarding the club's off-field activity has surfaced, surrounding potential summer signings and the pending arrival of Mateu Alemany, who has been director of football at FC Barcelona.

Ranging from Real Madrid ace Marco Asensio to in-demand midfielder Manuel Ugarte, the Midlands side have had their name stamped on several players ahead of the summer transfer window and to tailor Emery's desires to take the squad to the next level in the 2023/24 campaign.

What's the latest on Brennan Johnson to Aston Villa?

Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson has been the subject of a lot of speculation leading up to the summer, as the attacking midfielder faces an ongoing relegation battle with his current club.

As per FootballTransfers, Aston Villa are one of the clubs monitoring the future of the Wales international, who is contracted to Forest until 2026, with other potential suitors including Arsenal, Newcastle United and Manchester City.

However, Forest are reportedly against letting the forward leave the club, and according to the report, they will 'refuse offers' for the homegrown gem. As such, it also remains to be seen how much Johnson would command in the current market, although the aforementioned site estimates his worth to be around £36m.

What could Brennan Johnson bring to Aston Villa?

Villa Park is an exciting place to be as the season comes to a close, with European football still a possibility and Emery getting the best out of his squad, the club look to be on the up ahead of the summer break.

The Spaniard has been open to his ideas of strengthening the team through new signings, as revealed by The Athletic last month.

Having contributed to 11 goals this season in 34 league appearances for Forest (scoring eight and assisting three), via Transfermarkt, Johnson has cemented himself as a key player for the club, hence their reluctance to let him potentially vacate this summer.

The City Ground's homegrown talent has even been likened to Villa's Leon Bailey – in terms of statistical profile – by FBref, as the versatile forward has found himself playing as both a winger and advanced central midfielder this season.

He could be a significant upgrade for Emery's budding Villa side, with him outperforming Bailey in many key metrics that will catch the Spaniard's eye.

The "unbelievable" Welshman, as described by his national team coach Rob Page, has averaged more expected goals and assists during the campaign, as well as more goal-creating actions per 90, more tackles won per 90 and more shots on target per 90, via FBref.

Also hailed as an "almost finished article" by Page, the forward has impressed in his first season in the top-flight. At just 21 years old, the eye-catching forward could be a worthy addition to Emery's side, and a player that could flourish under the Spaniard's expertise.

Given the evidence above, he could well be a considerable upgrade to Bailey, who cost a whopping £30m back in August 2021.

Chelsea are believed to be increasingly lacking in confidence over completing the signing of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer.

Will Osimhen leave Napoli this summer?

The future of the Nigerian rising star is a big talking point at the moment, with a number of top clubs eyeing up a move for him at the end of the season. He is enjoying a superb season for Napoli, playing a huge part in their imminent Serie A title triumph – their first since way back in 1990.

Osimhen has scored 21 goals in just 23 league starts in 2022/23, not to mention netting five times in the Champions League, and his absence through injury against AC Milan in the quarter-final first leg arguably cost his side dearly as they eventually bowed out of the competition.

Chelsea are one of the teams who have been most regularly linked with a summer move for Osimhen, with the Blues badly in need of an out-and-out striker this summer. Now, a concerning update has emerged from their perspective, however, as their chances of signing the 24-year-old look to have taken a hit.

Will Chelsea sign Osimhen?

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, sharing news from his sources at the club, Chelsea are "shrinking in confidence" when it comes to their hopes of bringing in Osimhen in the summer transfer window. While the Blues plan on snapping up a "marquee striker to lead the line" between now and the beginning of next season, "Napoli have placed a price tag of over £100million on their star forward, and Chelsea’s financial issues have made a deal extremely difficult to complete".

In order to be able to afford the 23-cap Nigeria international, the club would need to make a number of sales this summer, with the move now looking increasingly unlikely to come to fruition.

This is an undoubted blow for Chelsea, with Osimhen someone who would be absolutely perfect for them, having been lauded as "phenomenal" by Walter Mazzarri in the past, scoring 54 goals in just 94 appearances for Napoli. He has even been compared to Blues legend Didier Drogba, in terms of style, so his physical nature could be perfect for the Premier League.

It looks as though they may have to look at other targets, though, and given Osimhen's potential as a player, he really could end up proving to be one that got away, should Chelsea fail to snap him up in the summer window.

تحدث عصام الحضري مدرب حراس المرمى بالجهاز الفني لمنتخب سوريا تحت قيادة هيكتور كوبر، عن استبعاد عمر السومة من قائمة فريق بلاده المشاركة في كأس آسيا.

ويستعد منتخب سوريا للمشاركة في بطولة كأس آسيا المقرر انطلاقها في الشهر الجاري، بقائمة مكونة من 26 لاعب، ليس بينهم قائد الفريق عمر السومة.

وقال الحضري في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “الكأس”: “السومة لاعب كبير وهداف الدوري السعودي وأفضل لاعب في سوريا، واستبعاده لا يقلل منه، وقد تم استبعادي من قبل عندما كنت لاعبًا على يد كوبر أيضًا”.

وأضاف: “استبعادي من منتخب مصر بقرار من كوبر، كان دافعًا لي للعمل والاجتهاد حتى قرر الأرجنتيني نفسه استدعائي مرة أخرى، فوارد أن يكون استبعاده دافع لي، وهذه قد لا تكون البطولة الآسيوية الأخيرة له”.

طالع | فيديو | منتخب سوريا يفوز على كوريا الشمالية بهدف السومة في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

ونفى الحضري تعمد كوبر استبعاد السومة من أجل إقالته والحصول على الشرط الجزائي، وأكد أن الأرجنتيني لا يفكر بتلك الطريقة، وإن كان يفكر بهكذا أسلوب، لكان تقدم باستقالته في وقت مضى.

وواصل: “عندما تصدر قرار وارد ألا ينال إعجاب جميع الجماهير، ونحن كجهاز فني نحترم كل اللاعبين، كما أن كل فرد في الجهاز الفني له تخصصه، وتخصصي حراس المرمى يحترمه كوبر، وعندما يتم الحديث عن اللاعبين يكون كوبر هو صاحب القرار الأخير”.

واستكمل: “لا يوجد سبب فني لاستبعاد السومة من قائمة منتخب سوريا، كل ما في الأمر هي وجهة نظر جهاز فني يجب أن تحترم، ولا ننظر للانتقادات”.

وأشار: “كوبر لن يتراجع عن قراره، تعاملت مع كوبر 4 سنوات وهو المدرب الوحيد الذي لم يحدث بيني وبينه خلاف حتى عندما كنت أجلس احتياطيًا أو يتم استبعادي”.

وأتم: “كوبر تعرض لهجوم إعلامي شرس بعد قرار استبعاد حسام غالي لأنه كان قائدًا للنادي الأهلي ونجم كبير، وحينها لم يتراجع كوبر عن موقفه ولم يعود للمنتخب مرة أخرى”. قائمة سوريا لكأس آسيا

حراسة المرمى: إبراهيم عالمة، طه موسى، مكسيم صراف، أحمد مدنية.

خط الدفاع: أيهم أوسو، عمرو جنيات، مؤيد الخولي، خالد كردغلي، مؤيد العجان، ثائر كروما، عبد الرحمن ويس، عمرو الميداني.

خط الوسط: إبراهيم هيسار، محمود الأسود، ألمار إبراهيم، خليل إلياس، إيزاكيل العم، فهد اليوسف، كامل حميشة، محمد عثمان.

خط الهجوم: عمر خربين، عمار رمضان، محمد الحلاق، أنطونيو يعقوب، مارديك مارديكيان، بابلو صباغ.

Liverpool remain interested in signing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves during the summer transfer window and have now learned he is available for £50million.

The Lowdown: Neves on the move?

The 26-year-old remained at Molineux beyond last summer’s transfer cutoff, in what was a surprise development, considering he was widely expected to leave the club and even said goodbye to his own fans.

Neves has enjoyed another strong season for Wolves, despite the team’s struggles as a whole, scoring five goals and averaging 2.4 tackles per game in the Premier League.

Constant reports recently again claim that the Portuguese will depart at the end of the season, with the club deciding that now is the right time to sell him.

His contract expires at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, meaning he would be able to leave for free at that point and Wolves would make no profit on a top-class and expensive talent.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Neves plenty of times in the recent past and a new update has now emerged.

The Latest: Liverpool still keen

According to Football Insider, the Reds are indeed eyeing up the signing of the Wolves maestro this summer, with Barcelona and Manchester United also in the mix.

It is noted that Liverpool ‘enquired’ about Neves’ availability during the January transfer window but were swiftly informed that he was going nowhere at that point.

The situation is now very different, however, and Wanderers will likely accept a £50million bid for the midfielder, regardless of if they avoid relegation from the Premier League or not.

The Verdict: Ideal summer target?

In many ways, Neves could be an ideal option for Liverpool to bring in this summer, with the 38-time capped Portugal international someone with proven Premier League pedigree, having racked up 169 appearances in the competition.

He has only recently turned 26, meaning he could well be entering the peak years of his career, and his combination of technical brilliance and tenacious tackling could be exactly what is needed in the Reds’ ailing midfield.

As mentioned, he has averaged 2.4 tackles per match in the league, but also enjoyed 2.5 clearances and 1.5 interceptions, while completing 84.4% of his passes at the same time.

If Liverpool could snap up Jude Bellingham and Neves, that could go a long way to easing their problems this season, with the pair replacing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson instantly, even if the Wolves hero is arguably not quite as defence-minded as the Brazilian, playing as both a No.6 and No.8 this season.

Considering the Portuguese’s pedigree – journalist Tim Spiers has described him as ‘outstanding’ – £50million could actually be a good price, although fighting off Barca and United may not be easy.