Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has firmly dismissed speculation linking forward Julian Alvarez with a transfer to Arsenal or Barcelona.
The Argentine international has been the subject of intense media scrutiny regarding a potential departure from the Spanish capital.
Premier League title contenders Arsenal and La Liga rivals Barcelona had recently emerged as potential suitors for the striker.
“You are crossing the line a little with Alvarez.”
“He’s an Atletico Madrid player and has a long contract with the club.”
Enrique Cerezo, Atletico Madrid President
Arsenal seek attacking reinforcements
Mikel Arteta’s side have struggled for consistency in front of goal during recent domestic fixtures.
The Gunners were eliminated from the FA Cup following a quarter-final defeat by Southampton, laying bare their need for final-third additions.
The former Manchester City forward represents an attractive option, having already scored 17 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions this season.
Champions League priorities take precedence
Speculation over the World Cup winner’s future intensified after he remained an unused substitute during Atletico’s recent La Liga defeat against Barcelona.
However, manager Diego Simeone appears to be resting his prolific frontman for their upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou.
The Madrid club currently sit 19 points behind league leaders Barcelona, making European success their undisputed priority for the remainder of the campaign.
Should both sides progress from their respective European ties, Arsenal and Atletico could meet in the Champions League semi-finals.
Inter Milan are preparing a summer move to sign Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as a long-term replacement for Yann Sommer.
The Serie A giants have reportedly placed the 29-year-old at the top of their transfer wishlist following a difficult domestic campaign for the North London club.
Spurs are currently enduring a torrid run of form, sitting 17th in the Premier League and hovering just one point above the relegation zone.
Having failed to win any of their last 13 league matches, the English side are believed to value their primary shot-stopper at an accessible €15m to €20m.
De Zerbi faces injury dilemma
The former Empoli player recently underwent hernia surgery ahead of the international break.
It remains highly uncertain whether the Italian international will recover in time for Roberto De Zerbi’s first match as Tottenham manager against Sunderland next Sunday.
If the regular starting keeper remains sidelined, Antonin Kinsky could be called upon to return to the starting lineup.
Kinsky previously endured a difficult evening during last month’s heavy 5-2 Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid.
Vuskovic hints at London return
Meanwhile, highly rated Croatian prospect Luka Vuskovic has suggested he will return to his parent club next season.
The 19-year-old defender has enjoyed a stellar loan spell at Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, scoring five goals in 25 top-flight appearances to aid their survival bid.
Despite reported interest from European heavyweights Liverpool and Bayern Munich, the teenager remains firmly tied to Tottenham until the summer of 2030.
The incoming De Zerbi is also exploring further squad reinforcements, with preliminary talks already underway to secure an unnamed South American signing.
Former referees’ chief Keith Hackett says Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli should have been sent off for pushing match official Sam Barrott during Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Southampton.
The Brazilian international received only a yellow card after shoving the referee in an attempt to take a quick free-kick at St Mary’s Stadium.
The controversial incident occurred as Mikel Arteta’s side suffered a shock 2-1 loss on the south coast.
Hackett criticises lenient officiating
Hackett, a former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, believes the leniency shown towards the winger could set a dangerous precedent.
The retired FIFA referee insists that dismissing the 23-year-old was the only correct course of action under the laws of the game.
“When Arsenal’s Martinelli pushed match referee Sam Barrott in a rather aggressive manner, there was no other outcome than Barrott showing a red card,” Hackett told Football Insider.
“In failing to do so, I was disappointed.”
“Sam Barrott is a top class official, but on this occasion, he’s let his colleagues down at all levels of the game.”
Arsenal suffer another cup exit
The north London outfit have endured a difficult period, having recently lost the League Cup final to Manchester City prior to the international break.
Saturday’s defeat completely ends their hopes of lifting domestic cup silverware this campaign.
Goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles secured a memorable victory for the Saints, rendering Viktor Gyokeres’ equaliser a mere consolation.
Southampton are now heading to Wembley, extending their impressive unbeaten run to 15 matches across all competitions.
Meanwhile, the out-of-form Gunners attacker is approaching a full month without finding the back of the net.
Mohamed Salah has decided to leave Liverpool this summer due to a fractured relationship with manager Arne Slot, according to his former international team-mate Mohamed Aboutrika.
The 33-year-old forward recently announced his intention to depart Anfield during the international break.
Speculation surrounding his exit has intensified following Liverpool’s heavy 4-0 defeat by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Rift with management forces exit
It initially appeared the Egyptian was choosing to end his nine-year stay on Merseyside entirely on his own terms.
However, former Egypt international Aboutrika has revealed that friction with the current head coach is the primary catalyst for the move.
“One of the reasons behind Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool is the presence of Arne Slot, because we’ve seen issues in the recent period. You, Slot, pushed the man away.”
Mohamed Aboutrika
A breakdown in trust
Tensions between the prolific goalscorer and the Dutchman became highly public late last year.
The former Roma winger openly accused his manager of throwing him under the bus after being dropped for three consecutive matches in December.
With the relationship seemingly broken beyond repair, Saudi Pro League clubs are expected to heavily pursue the attacker’s signature.
“Salah wants to work with peace of mind and enjoy the next phase of his career. Salah doesn’t need any validation from Slot or anyone else.”
Mohamed Aboutrika
Anfield legacy secured
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his departure, the legendary forward leaves behind an astonishing legacy.
He has amassed a remarkable 255 goals and 119 assists in 436 appearances across all competitions.
His historic tenure includes capturing the Champions League, two Premier League titles, and a record four Player of the Season awards.
Liverpool are preparing an ambitious £60m summer bid for Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Malik Tillman as they seek to replace the departing Mohamed Salah.
The Anfield club have identified the United States international as a versatile addition to their forward line for next season.
The 23-year-old only joined the Champions League side from PSV Eindhoven last summer but has quickly established himself in Germany.
He has scored eight goals in 35 appearances across all competitions during an impressive debut campaign.
Preparing for life after Salah
The Merseyside team are bracing for a period of significant transition following Salah’s decision to end his nine-year association with the club.
Despite having another year remaining on his contract, the Egyptian forward will walk away from his reported £400,000-a-week deal at the end of the season.
The prolific winger is currently attracting heavy interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Consequently, Liverpool are expected to be highly active in the upcoming market to secure at least one high-profile attacking replacement.
Revisiting a familiar market
A move for the American playmaker would see the Reds return to a club they successfully raided during the previous transfer window.
Bayer Leverkusen sold both Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool last summer and are anticipating further bids for their remaining stars.
The former PSV standout could operate in multiple roles across the final third to help fill the creative void at Anfield.
His tactical flexibility allows him to impact matches from several different areas of the pitch:
- Operating as a central attacking midfielder to link the midfield and forward line.
- Drifting wide to support the attack and combine with overlapping full-backs.
- Playing as an advanced box-to-box operator to carry the ball forward from deep.
International pedigree
Beyond his club exploits, the versatile attacker is expected to play a starring role for his country on home soil at the upcoming World Cup.
He recently featured in every minute of the Gold Cup under national team manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The lightning-fast forward registered three goals and two assists across six international matches during the summer tournament.
Elsewhere in the market, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Leverkusen’s 19-year-old prospect Christian Kofane as Premier League interest in the German club continues to mount.
Italy players asked the Italian Football Federation for a €300,000 qualification bonus before their shock World Cup play-off defeat by Bosnia.
The Azzurri failed to reach the global tournament for a third successive time after losing 4-1 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw.
Manager Gennaro Gattuso reportedly had to intervene to stop the squad from continuing financial negotiations with the national governing body.
The former AC Milan midfielder insisted that any monetary rewards should only be discussed once their place at the tournament was officially secured.
Disappointment follows premature demands
Moise Kean had given the four-time world champions an early lead in the 15th minute of the crucial play-off tie.
However, a 41st-minute red card for defender Alessandro Bastoni proved costly as Bosnia and Herzegovina eventually forced the game into extra time.
The resulting shootout elimination means the European nation has not successfully qualified for a World Cup since the 2014 edition.
Furthermore, their last knockout victory on the global stage came when they lifted the prestigious trophy in 2006.
Backlash and faint qualification hopes
News of the £261,885 squad demand, which equates to roughly £8,700 per player, has sparked significant anger among supporters.
“Shameful. Nothing else to say about it.”
“Just goes to show where their hearts are.”
Despite the heartbreaking exit, unusual reports suggest the team could still feature at the upcoming tournament in North America.
As the highest-ranked unqualified nation, they remain first in line for a reprieve should geopolitical tensions force another competing country to withdraw.
Championship side Southampton stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Ross Stewart initially put the home side ahead during an electric first half on the south coast.
Viktor Gyokeres eventually equalised for the Gunners, threatening to crush the hopes of the second-tier outfit.
However, substitute Shea Charles vindicated his manager’s pre-match prediction by sweeping home an 85th-minute winner.
Echoes of a historic triumph
The dramatic victory secures a 14th semi-final appearance in this prestigious competition for the Hampshire club.
It also perfectly mirrored their legendary 1976 FA Cup final upset against Manchester United.
Players donned commemorative yellow shirts to mark the fiftieth anniversary of that famous trophy win.
Former Saints striker Alan Shearer praised the performance on BBC One, insisting the giant-killing was thoroughly deserved.
“This is not a fluke.”
Attacking midfielder Leo Scienza echoed those sentiments after delivering a standout display against the top-flight heavyweights.
“There are no words to describe how much we fought today. It was not luck, we fought so hard and we deserved it. Amazing.”
Eckert completes remarkable revival
Reaching Wembley caps an astonishing mid-season turnaround orchestrated by German coach Tonda Eckert.
The former under-21s manager inherited a squad languishing 21st in the Championship following the November dismissal of Will Still.
The relegated side had previously endured a miserable 2024-25 campaign, dropping out of the Premier League with a historically low total of just 12 points.
They have since surged to seventh in the table, sitting just one point behind Wrexham in the race for a play-off spot.
The jubilant head coach praised his squad’s resilience against elite opposition.
“Over the 90 minutes it was very well deserved.”
Wembley treble remains possible
The revitalised squad now face a crucial Tuesday trip to the Stok Cae Ras to battle Wrexham for a top-six position.
That upcoming league encounter carries massive importance for their immediate promotion ambitions.
Remarkably, this resilient group could end up visiting Wembley three times this season.
They are guaranteed an FA Cup semi-final appearance, but could easily return for both the tournament’s showpiece match and the Championship play-off final.
Lionel Messi scored his team’s first goal at their new 26,700-capacity home as Inter Miami came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Austin FC in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
The historic fixture marked the MLS Cup champions’ first competitive match within their namesake city, having spent the previous six years playing in Fort Lauderdale.
However, the visitors threatened to spoil the opening-day party when Brazilian defender Guilherme Biro netted the first-ever goal at the newly built Nu Stadium.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner quickly restored parity, heading home just four minutes later to delight fans seated in a stand bearing his own name.
Suarez rescues a point for hosts
Austin regained the advantage early in the second half when Jayden Nelson finished a rapid counter-attack following a rare dispossession of the Argentine captain.
The Texas-based outfit frustrated the hosts for long spells, hitting the woodwork twice and seeing a strong penalty appeal waved away before the interval.
Miami manager Javier Mascherano turned to his bench in search of an equaliser to salvage what he had previously described as a “dream day” for the franchise.
His decisive substitution proved fruitful as 39-year-old veteran Luis Suarez volleyed in from close range with nine minutes of regulation time remaining.
The home crowd almost witnessed a fairytale conclusion, but a trademark curling free-kick from their talismanic number 10 rebounded agonisingly off the post in the dying moments.
Beckham’s 13-year vision realised
The hard-fought point ensures the reigning title holders remain unbeaten in their last five MLS outings, while Austin are now winless in their previous four fixtures.
For Miami co-owner David Beckham, the inauguration of the stadium represented the culmination of a journey that began more than a decade ago.
The former England captain formally selected the city as the destination for his expansion franchise in 2013, exercising an option granted during his playing days with LA Galaxy.
“When I came to America and the MLS 20 years ago, my dream was to win championships, help raise the game of soccer that I love so much and to build my own team,” Beckham stated before kick-off.
“Thirteen years ago, I announced Miami was my choice, we had no name, no fans, and no stadium, but today I stand in our new home as champions.”