Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes West Ham star Declan Rice only wants to join the Gunners and a move is "closing in", according to reports.

Who could join Arsenal this summer?

It's set to be a pivotal summer at the Emirates Stadium and one which could well determine whether the north Londoners maintain their place among England's elite next season.

Arsenal narrowly missed out on their first league title in nearly 20 years last season, with Pep Guardiola's treble-winners beating them to the punch, but reports suggest that Arteta is determined to reshape and improve.

Central midfield is of top priority this window, leading to their serious chase for Rice and Brighton star Moises Caicedo among others. Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan, as he nears the end of his contract, is also of serious interest in north London.

Meanwhile, in terms of other positions, it is believed that Arsenal are now targeting Chelsea star Kai Havertz for the forward areas, and there have been links to potential additions at right-back.

Going back to Rice, the pursuit is hotting up, with TEAMtalk sharing what they know on the situation amid advanced negotiations.

It is believed they're on the brink of finalising an agreement for the 24-year-old, who has just won the Europa Conference League and his first major trophy at West Ham. However, there is one final hurdle to clear, which is the compromise on a final fee.

The Irons are hoping for around £100 million plus add-ons for their prized asset, but Arsenal would rather pay closer to the £90m mark. Despite this, Arteta's side are very much "closing in", and the Gunners boss has "never wavered in his belief that Rice wants to only join Arsenal".

Edu and co firmly believe they've won the race for his signature despite serious interest from Bayern Munich, with the latter side apparently now deciding not to advance.

Who is Declan Rice?

David Moyes' star player proved yet again why he is so in demand with his performances last season.

Indeed, the "sensational" midfield enforcer finished 2022/2023 as West Ham's best-performing player by average match rating, all while making more interceptions per 90 than anyone in their side (WhoScored).

Given Arsenal's need to shore up that area of the squad, we could think of few better than Rice to upgrade Arteta's options, especially since he is both homegrown and proven in the Premier League.

It will be interesting to see what fee both sides eventually settle on for the transfer.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has suggested that Lionel Messi could feature for the national team in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

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• Messi struggling with injury at Inter Miami
• Was called up to Argentina squad
• Could feature against Paruaguay or Peru

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Messi has been struggling with a muscle injury, having missed four Inter Miami matches in a row. However, he returned to MLS action on October 8, coming off the bench 10 minutes into the second half in the match against Cincinnati before joining up with his Argentina team-mates.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi has had a fine start since joining Inter Miami in a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in July. He has scored 11 goals in 13 appearances for the Florida club, but has only found the net once in his five MLS appearances.

  He remains in staggering form for Argentina, too, having failed to score in just one of his last 15 matches for his country, firing in 23 goals in that time.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Scaloni hopes to have the World Cup winning captain available for 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay and Peru.

  "We still have training, it is important for Leo," Scaloni told reporters. "We saw him [looking] well, we will talk before practice to see if he plays from the beginning or not."

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Messi could be in action when Argentina host Paraguay on October 13. The world champions have won both of their matches in the campaign so far and sit second to Brazil on goal difference.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jason Molumby is a wanted man, according to reports.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old star, as per The Sun journalist Alan Nixon.

Now, pundit Carlton Palmer – who played for both the Baggies and the Whites – has commented on the situation and believes that their star player would only be sold due to the club's perilous financial situation off the pitch.

What is the news regarding Jason Molumby?

Nixon claimed that the recently relegated Premier League side were interested in moving for the former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder as they prepare to retool their squad ahead of their first season back in the Championship.

Another report from the local media states that whilst West Brom would prefer to keep Molumby at the club, the club is in such a poor financial position to where they have to consider any reasonable offers they receive as they look to balance the books.

This news coincides with reports that the Baggies manager Carlos Corberan has made the shortlist for the job at Leeds, which could help push the move through with Corberan previously having been full of praise for the midfielder, stating after their win against Stoke City in April: “I think the personality and the goals that he has are very huge.”

Will Jayson Molumby stay at West Brom?

It is difficult to see how Molumby stays at West Brom, given the club's financial position.

The Baggies narrowly missed out on promotion last campaign, and as such their last parachute payment of around £30m was swallowed up.

The club have since received a four-year, £20m loan from American private investment company MSD should keep the club ticking over however if the club wants to attack the transfer market, they will have to sell players to fund moves.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer expressed his bewilderment behind the news, stating:

“This is a strange one, for me, Why would West Brom want to sell one of their best players? Maybe the uncertainty of the ownership of the football club and the financial positions that they’re now finding themselves in, maybe that’s forced their hands.”

Molumby made 43 appearances for the club in the Championship last season, notching up eight goal contributions and recording an average rating of 6.56, according to WhoScored.

The Irishman has been capped 20 times by the Republic of Ireland and has received plenty of praise for his play style, with current Baggies boss Corberan describing the 23-year-old as an “animal” earlier on in the season.

The former Brighton player has a market value of around €3.2m (£2.8m) and should Leeds be willing to negotiate to a price that exceeds that value, the Midlands club may have no other choice but to part ways with the midfielder.

ScorecardWill Tavare bedded in for a six-hour century•PA Photos

Will Tavare completed a six-hour century as Gloucestershire built a strong position on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Leicestershire at Bristol.Resuming their first innings on 236 for 5, the hosts declared on 466 for 8, Tavare top-scoring with 101, well supported by Phil Mustard (72), Jack Taylor (60) and David Payne (54 not out). Gavin Griffiths finished with 4 for 101.In reply, Leicestershire slumped to 14 for 3 before a fighting stand of 102 between skipper Mark Cosgrove (48) and Mark Pettini (54). They fell in quick succession and by the close the visitors were back in trouble at 165 for 6, trailing by 301.Tavare, who missed much of last season with a knee problem, was unbeaten on 73 overnight and moved to a painstaking hundred off 271 balls. He had batted for six hours and 12 minutes when bowled by a full-length ball from Griffiths.It was Leicestershire’s only success in the morning session, despite beating the bat on numerous occasions. Mustard, unbeaten on 13 at the start, was 51 not out at lunch, having shared a stand of 89 with Tavare and helped Gloucestershire to three batting points.Mustard fell soon after the interval, bowled by Neil Dexter aiming a big hit over the leg side, having faced 159 balls and hit 7 fours.His application, allied to that of Tavare, gave Taylor and Payne licence to play positively after Craig Miles had been caught at short-leg off a lifter from Richard Jones for five to make it 378 for 7.Taylor breezed to his half-century off 65 balls, with 6 fours and a six, before being caught behind attempting to pull a ball from Griffiths.Payne needed only 48 deliveries to reach fifty, having struck eight fours and a six. He and Liam Norwell added 33 before Mustard declared, leaving the Leicestershire batsmen a tricky period before tea.Paul Horton was pinned lbw by Payne, playing across the line, for six and when Harry Dearden fell for eight to another leg-before decision upheld in Norwell’s favour off the last ball before the break the visitors were 14 for 2.That became 14 for 3 when Dexter looked to drive Payne at the start of the evening session and edged a catch to second slip where Chris Dent leapt to hold a sharp chance.Batting started the look more straightforward from the moment Cosgrove joined Pettini and they gradually led a recovery.Cosgrove was merciless on anything short from the seamers and had moved to within two of a half-century when carelessly giving a return catch to off-spinner Taylor to make the score 116 for 4.Pettini moved to his fifty off 77 balls, with 9 fours, but in the same Norwell over was caught behind attempting to leave the ball.Colin Ackermann was forced to retire hurt with a hand injury on eight with the total 146, having been hit by a delivery from Craig Miles and Ben Raine fell for a duck, caught behind off the same bowler. Ned Eckersley was 25 not out at stumps.

Liverpool will continue to monitor the market as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild after a challenging campaign, and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch is one young talent who they are 'pushing' to sign.

What's the latest on Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool?

That's according to the Mirror, who state that Klopp has received the green light to complete a move for the Dutchman, who has endured a frustrating maiden term in the German Bundesliga with the formidable champions.

The player is said to be 'keen' on a move to Anfield and, while in an ideal world he would remain at the club he chose to kickstart his career one year ago, a lack of minutes and the offer of prominence at Liverpool could result in a transfer, with a fee of around £25m enough to prise him away.

Especially considering that James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left the club; Alexis Mac Allister has been signed for £35m but the robust Gravenberch could be new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke's masterstroke this summer.

Should Liverpool sign Ryan Gravenberch?

Gravenberch forged 103 appearances for Ajax and was a key component of an outfit that gleaned the Eredivisie thrice and the KNVB Cup twice across three campaigns, catching the eye of many an outfit across Europe and subsequently earning a €24m (£20m) transfer to Bavaria.

However, five starts from 33 matches across all competitions in Germany this season will do little to convince the precocious talent of committing his future to the club despite winning the title this year, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka unlikely to fall out of favour any time soon.

Previously hailed as the Netherlands' "greatest talent" by ex-Ajax ace Wim Kieft, the £152k-per-week machine ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 23% for progressive passes, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 27% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, which emphasises the dynamism of his trade and hints at a future as one of Europe's most destructive conductors.

If Klopp succeeds in signing the 21-year-old, he will strengthen the Dutch spine Anfield currently boasts, with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo occupying prominent roles either side of the centre of the park, where Gravenberch could pull the strings and inject the unrelenting intensity to send the Kop into rapture.

He could forge a distinctively slick partnership with Gakpo, who has impressed since signing from PSV for an initial £35m last winter and scored seven goals and three assists as he ostensibly slots into the departing and iconic Roberto Firmino's all-encompassing frontal role.

Adept and weaving the threads of Klopp's hundred-hued tapestry together with his creative ingenuity, Gakpo ranks among the top 10% of forwards for rate of assists, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 1% for tackles per 90.

Such metrics play into Gravenberch's favour – and indeed vice versa – because of his role in tethering the midfield to the attack, opening space for the inversions of wide forwards such as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, and keeping the robustness intact with his multi-faceted approach.

Lauded for his "dominant" demeanour on the pitch by his former youth coach Brian Tevreden, the confidence that exudes from Gravenberch's tenacity in the middle will keep the system ticking, and the countrymen could play significant roles in the next phase of Klopp's dynasty in Liverpool.

The Red Devils have already lost eight games in all competitions in 2023-24 and another change in the dugout is now inevitable

Erik ten Hag is currently overseeing Manchester United's worst start to a campaign in 60 years – a damning statistic that was confirmed after the team's dismal Carabao Cup last-16 defeat against Newcastle. There was to be no repeat of United's final victory over the Magpies last term, as Eddie Howe's makeshift side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils spectacularly failed to bounce back from a humiliating derby loss to Manchester City, which left them eight points outside the Premier League's top-four after just 10 games. Ten Hag's side have also been beaten twice in the Champions League, and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages.

"It is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United," Ten Hag admitted to reporters after the Newcastle game. "It is not good enough by far and we have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing."

Those were the words of a man who knows he is already on borrowed time. The players have stopped giving their all for Ten Hag and the poor results will continue until the United board hand the Dutchman his P45.

The uncertainly surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's proposed minority takeover at Old Trafford and the Glazer family's continued failure to address the falling standards on and off the pitch certainly haven't helped Ten Hag. But he has blown a sizeable transfer war chest on a bunch of misfits, and hasn't been able to get a clear philosophy across to a squad in desperate need of some structure.

Ten Hag's ruthless approach with players that have, in his eyes, stepped out of line – such as Jadon Sancho – has also backfired. Dressing room leaks have become more and more frequent, and the critics have drawn their knives.

The question is: who could United turn to next to lift this group of disheartened, confidence-stricken flops? GOAL is on hand to run through the potential candidates to succeed Ten Hag, starting with a certain Italian genius making waves on the South Coast…

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  Roberto De Zerbi

  If United want a progressive manager with a distinct style of play who can bring entertainment back to a disillusioned fanbase, there are few better options out there than Roberto De Zerbi. The former Shakhtar Donestk and Sassuolo boss has worked wonders at Brighton since his appointment in September 2022, taking the club to the Europa League for the first time in their history.

  De Zerbi has been compared to Pep Guardiola because of his possession-based system and insistence on playing out from the back, with some reports even suggesting that he could fill the Spaniard's shoes when he eventually leaves his post at Man City.

  United would be wise to swoop for De Zerbi before their local rivals, and not just because of his obvious tactical nous. The 44-year-old is also a master when it comes to the development of talented young players, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma and Pervis Estupinan all improving drastically under his stewardship.

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  Zinedine Zidane

  Zinedine Zidane has been linked with the United post several times over the last decade, and there may never be a better opportunity to snap up the Frenchman – who has been out of work since calling time on his second spell in charge at Real Madrid in May 2021.

  During his first stint at Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane delivered three Champions League titles in a row – a feat that has never been matched – along with six other trophies. He was one of the best footballers of his generation and has also proven himself as an elite manager who can handle the biggest egos and pressure of expectation at the very highest level.

  Zidane doesn't have any experience of rebuilding a team from scratch, but he would instantly command respect in the United dressing room, and his win-at-all costs mentality might be exactly what is needed to lift the club out of it's current slump.

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  Ruben Amorim

  Having been courted by both Chelsea and Tottenham last season, Ruben Amorim is understandably irked by the prospect of being once again linked with a top job in the Premier League. The highly-rated Sporting CP boss knows full well how distracting all of the attention can be.

  "I'm not going to go back to the same conversation as last year," the 38-year-old told reporters after a 4-2 win over Farense in the Portuguese Cup on Thursday. "I'm not going to make any kind of comment on these situations. We don’t know the future, it depends on the results."

  And he's right there: Ten Hag will only be sacked if United's dismal results don't improve. But if the Dutchman is dismissed, Amorim will obviously be considered as a possible replacement because of his impressive results in Lisbon. In just over three years at Sporting, has won four trophies, including the Primeira Liga, and earned a reputation as one of the game's best young tacticians, renowned for his side's pressing, pragmatism and unity.

  Amorim turned down Chelsea last season because he remained fully committed to Sporting. For that reason, it seems unlikely that he'd walk out on the Portuguese club not even halfway through the current campaign. Still, United's interest is real and Amorim is going to accept a top job sooner or later…

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  Graham Potter

  It could be argued that had it not been for Graham Potter laying the solid foundations, Brighton would not be the same force they are today under De Zerbi. Potter transformed the Seagulls into a top-10 Premier League outfit during his three-year reign, which earned him a shot at the big time with Chelsea.

  The Todd Boehly-led ownership regime put their faith in Potter after buying out Roman Abramovich, having quickly decided against sticking with Thomas Tuchel in the early weeks of the 2022-23 season, and the English coach went unbeaten in his first nine games at the helm.

  However, results soon took a turn for the worse as he struggled to manage a bloated squad, and he was powerless to prevent Chelsea dropping into the bottom half of the table. It was no surprise when Potter was sacked just seven months into his tenure, and he's yet to return to the dugout.

  It has been reported that Ratcliffe is considering an approach for Potter if his minority takeover goes through at Old Trafford as expected, and the ex-Swansea City coach would surely jump at the chance to try and rebuild his reputation.

  Potter's coaching credentials are undeniable, but his appointment would likely only alienate United fans further, and he does appear to lack the charisma and self-confidence that is necessary for driving success at a top club.

Josh Tongue, a 19-year-old pace bowler who underwent significant back surgery last year, marked his County Championship debut by claiming a maiden five-wicket haul

ECB Reporters Network16-Apr-2017
ScorecardJosh Tongue, a 19-year-old pace bowler who underwent significant back surgery last year, marked his County Championship debut by claiming a maiden five-wicket haul as Worcestershire handed Glamorgan there second heavy defeat in two matches.Tongue had two wickets to his name overnight and added three more on the third morning to finish with 5 for 45 as Worcestershire eased to an eight-wicket victory shortly before lunch. He removed top-scorer Aneurin Donald for 57 shortly after hitting him on the helmet and the end came swiftly.”It was not the start to the season we envisaged, but it’s where we find ourselves and we have work our way out of this position,” Robert Croft, Glamorgan’s coach, said. “It was inevitable that confidence got dented after we got hurt badly in the first innings at Northampton and the same thing happened here – cloudy conditions conducive to swing and seam. I am giving you reasons, some will say excuses, but once they batted the sun was out and the ball stopped swinging. But as a group we did not bowl well as we can, and not as well as we aimed to bowl.”Worcestershire appear well organised, possess a strong batting line up and their seam attack this season has been strengthened by John Hastings, their overseas signing from Australia, and Tongue. They may lack a recognised spinner with Moeen Ali – who plays against Northants next week – only available for a couple of games at most due to international commitments, but with enough runs in the board Brett D’Oliveira’s leg breaks could be useful.Glamorgan have a long injury list – no Graham Wagg, Will Bragg and Timm Van Der Gugten – but their batsmen appear to lack confidence and technique, and this is reflected in their totals this season with 223 in this game the highest they’ve achieved. When their other bowlers return, they will have an useful seam attack, but there is need for a spinner to add variation. They will hope offspinner Andrew Salter can regain the promise he showed two years ago.They had resumed on 141 for 3 and made a poor start when Colin Ingram, after adding only a single to his overnight score of 41, was caught by wicketkeeper Ben Cox from Joe Leach’s bowling.Chris Cooke soon followed, leg before to Hastings, and though Donald was soon into his stride, twice striking Hastings for four, he lost his partner Kieran Carlson who edged to Cox. After Donald’s departure there was little resistance from the tail – Jack Shantry claiming the final two wickets in the space of four balls – and Glamorgan were dismissed for 223, leaving Worcestershire the simple task of scoring 28 to win.Although they lost their openers – a wicket apiece for Lukas Carey and Michael Hogan – Tom Fell and Joe Clarke saw the visitors stroll to victory ten minutes after the scheduled lunch interval to leave Glamorgan with much to reflect on after the opening two weeks of the season.

Steven Smith’s third century of the series carried Australia to 300, while India bounced back through wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav’s 4 for 68 on debut

The Report by Daniel Brettig25-Mar-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:34

Chappell: First thought Kuldeep’s selection was gutsy

Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wristspin gave this series yet another unexpected twist, trumping the far more consistent theme of the Australian captain Steven Smith’s batting excellence, as India enjoyed the better of the first day of the decisive fourth Test in Dharamsala.Having reached lunch at a domineering 131 for 1, Australia gave up their last nine wickets for a mere 169, all on a surface that showed itself to be by a distance the most evenly paced of the series. That they did so was down largely to Kuldeep, who was given a key role immediately upon the afternoon’s resumption by the stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and responded with a delectable spell that turned the direction of the day.Though Smith motored to his third century of the series – one of only six visiting batsmen to score that many in India – he was left without significant top-order support, and of the rest only Matthew Wade was able to endure for any protracted period. A good indicator of the different nature of play in Dharamsala was that the innings went by without a single recourse to the DRS, in sharp contrast to earlier matches. The new ball in Australian hands looms large as a key to the match.An irony of Kuldeep’s display was that he had come into the side in place of Virat Kohli, who was reduced to drinks duties after concluding that his strained right shoulder was not going to be 100% fit for this match, the last of the Test season. Turning the ball sharply both ways while maintaining an immaculate length and line, Kuldeep recalled the problems created for Australia by another left-arm wristspinner in Sri Lanka last year – Lakshan Sandakan.The Dharamsala pitch offered pace and bounce for both fast men and spinners to exploit, and it was the fresher fingers of Kuldeep that were best able to take full advantage rather than either Ravindra Jadeja or R Ashwin. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who replaced Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav had both found new-ball movement before Smith took control of proceedings with some help from David Warner.After Rahane lost the toss, Bhuvneshwar’s first ball of the match swerved away from Warner at drivable length. Warner chased it and edged, but the chance was grassed when Karun Nair could get only one hand to it. That incident was a necessary stroke of luck Warner needed after a largely barren series, and after Matt Renshaw was beaten and bowled by a Umesh delivery that straightened down the line, he and Smith were quickly into stride by using the extra pace and bounce offered up by Dharamsala’s hard pitch and thinner atmosphere.1:19

Steven Smith: highest average for a captain v India

Smith wasted little time to get moving, capitalising on any errors in line or length and at one point miscuing a hook at Umesh, so eager was he to get after the bowling. On another day the ball might have plopped into the gloves of Wriddhiman Saha, but here it fell safely.Warner was a little more sluggish after that early chance, covering up in defence to ensure he did not miss any of Bhuvneshwar’s inswingers, and on one occasion cuffing a boundary over the slips when trying to avoid a short ball. The arrival of spin helped Warner build momentum, as the Dharamsala surface offered the odd bit of spin but otherwise played in a friendly fashion in the morning session.Kuldeep was called upon for a pair of overs before the lunch interval, but he too was struck for boundaries as Smith and Warner set a highly promising platform for the tourists.Rahane and his bowlers reset their plans during the interval, focusing on greater economy while encouraging Kuldeep to maintain a full length and test Australia’s batsmen on the drive. Warner seemed preoccupied with trying to cut or force off the back foot, and in trying to do so from a delivery well pitched up, he succeeded only in edging to slip.Shaun Marsh, so stubborn in the second innings in Ranchi, flicked limply at an Umesh delivery and was taken down the leg side cheaply, before Peter Handscomb was out to a lovely piece of bowling from Kuldeep. The ball was tossed up and slower, drifting enough to drag Handscomb’s bat away from his pad and then breaking back through the gap to splay the stumps.Glenn Maxwell thought himself capable of muscling Kuldeep out of the attack and managed one lofted boundary, but he too was unable to be sure of which way the ball was turning. Two balls after reaching the rope, he went back to what he thought was a stock ball and instead found himself beaten and bowled by a googly.Smith’s earlier rapid scoring had slowed, and it was a subdued celebration on reaching three figures. He seemed likely to shepherd Matthew Wade to the tea break, but with five minutes to go edged an Ashwin drifter to slip, the ball after Wade had sneaked a bye from a ball that turned expansively.Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon all offered momentary support to Wade, who played sensibly to ensure the visitors at least reached the 300 mark. But Kuldeep’s return to the attack accounted for Cummins, before O’Keefe was run-out by the substitute fielder Shreyas Iyer, who many had expected to be playing in place of Kohli. Needing to win the match to claim the series, India’s selectors had instead gambled on the extra bowler – Kuldeep’s wiles offered the richest of rewards.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to bolster their defensive options in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Theo Hernandez to Newcastle?

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that the Magpies are "monitoring" AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez as Dan Ashworth plots moves to improve Eddie Howe's squad.

The reporter, however, has added that there are no ongoing negotiations between the two clubs, as it stands, and it remains to be seen whether or not the Premier League side will firm up their interest with an official offer for the defender.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Italian side would demand a fee of at least €60m (£51m) for the defender, who is also in the sights of Manchester United.

Would Theo Hernandez be a good signing for Newcastle?

The France international would be a terrific addition to Howe's side as he would be a huge upgrade on current Magpies left-back Dan Burn.

Hernandez has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the Serie A in recent seasons. He was named in the league's Team of the Year in the 2021/22, 2020/21 and 2019/20 campaigns and enjoyed a strong 2022/23.

The exciting dynamo, who was hailed as a chance-creation "machine" with "dangerous" crosses by editor Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.96 across 32 outings and contributed with four goals and three assists from left-back, whilst he also won 59% of his defensive duels.

This was a step down from the Sofascore rating of 7.24, along with the five goals and six assists the defender produced, he managed in the division in 2021/22.

However, his recent displays still make him a significant upgrade on Burn. The Newcastle defender was a solid and unexciting performer throughout the season just gone and bringing Hernandez in could take the team to the next level in that position.

Burn averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.78 across 38 Premier League matches and contributed with one goal and zero assists, whilst he also won 56% of his duels.

The £55k-per-week titan has averaged 4.25 progressive carries and progressive passes combined per 90 over the last 365 days, which ranks in the bottom 37% or lower among his positional peers in the men's top five leagues and European competitions.

Hernandez, meanwhile, has averaged 7.58 per 90 for Milan over the last 365 days and ranks in the top 11% of full-backs for progressive carries per 90 (3.37), which suggests that the ex-Real Madrid prospect would offer far more in transition to help his team get up the pitch.

These statistics indicate that the Milan ace would be a huge upgrade on Burn as he is capable of delivering higher-quality performances week-in, week-out, whilst also being able to provide a greater threat in the final third and being more efficient in his physical contests.

Lionel Messi opted against returning to Barcelona over the summer, as he headed to Inter Miami, and Deco is pleased to see his ex team-mate “happy”.

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Free agent after running down PSG dealReturn to Camp Nou speculated onMoved to the United States insteadWHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine icon dropped into the free agent pool when reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. There was plenty of talk at that stage regarding an emotional retracing of steps to Camp Nou, but such a move never materialised as Messi went chasing the American dream.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Deco, who once played alongside Messi and is now sporting director at Barca, has told of the Blaugrana missing out on a stunning coup: “I wasn't in the conversations [about Messi's return]. Obviously, Messi is one of the greatest idols in the club's history. He's happy now and that's what I think he had to look for in his career. About returning to Barcelona, it would have been something spectacular, as he is the greatest player in history, but things ended up happening like this and you can see that he is happy. That's what matters most. He is playing, and I hope he plays for more years, because people who like football, who like him, will be happy to see him happy.”

WHAT THEY SAID

While Messi will not be turning out for Barca again, with a January loan move also being ruled out, he is being lined up for a return to Camp Nou at some stage in an exhibition or friendly game. Deco added on that plan: “He will definitely play a farewell game at Barcelona, but when that will be, we don't know. He will always be the greatest idol in the club's history. The club had great idols, like [Johan] Cruyff, Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, having spent 20 years at the club during which he found the target on 672 occasions and won 35 trophies. He is now tied to a two-and-a-half-year contract at Inter Miami, with that deal including the option for an extension through another World Cup year in 2026.