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Marseille have reportedly opened talks with Copenhagen for Sweden wonderkid Roony Bardghji to bring competition for Mason Greenwood.

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• Marseille shortlist Copenhagen winger Bardghji
• Have already got in touch with the club
• Will compete with Porto for his services

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Marseille have entered preliminary discussions with the Danish giants for Bardghji, as they are eager to reinforce their attacking options ahead of a return to the Champions League. However, the Olympians are yet to table an official offer for the teenager.

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  Bardghji’s potential arrival is seen as a strategic move to provide healthy competition for Greenwood, who enjoyed a stunning debut season in France. Under the stewardship of Roberto De Zerbi, the former Manchester United star flourished in Ligue 1, finishing as the league’s joint-top scorer with 21 goals, a tally matched only by Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Marseille are not alone in their pursuit of the young winger, as Portuguese powerhouse FC Porto are understood to have already made a concrete bid for Bardghji. This has prompted the French side to act swiftly and decisively to secure the services of the teenager.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While strengthening the attack is a priority, Marseille are also looking at defensive reinforcements. One name high on their list is Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley. The 22-year-old has drawn interest from several clubs, with Strasbourg and West Ham United also believed to be tracking his situation closely. The club’s summer recruitment plans now reflect the ambition of not just challenging domestically, but also making an impact on the continental stage as they find themselves among Europe's elite for the first time since 2022–23.

Amid increasing rumours linking Alexander Isak with a move to Arsenal this summer, a former Invincible has revealed the similarities between the Swede and former teammate Thierry Henry.

Arsenal Invincible compares Isak and Henry

The rumours surrounding Isak should come as no surprise. The forward has been the star of the show at Newcastle United in recent seasons and perhaps no more so than in the current campaign, scoring the Magpies’ second goal on their way to defeating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

That form has only continued at international level too, as he scored a stunning goal for Sweden in a thrashing of Northern Ireland this week.

If Newcastle’s reported price tag is anything to go by, then they’re well aware of the battle that they’ll have on their hands this summer. The Magpies have reportedly slapped a valuation as high as £120m to sell Isak this summer in the hope of fending off the likes of Arsenal.

Only adding fuel to the transfer flames, however, Arsenal Invincible Philippe Senderos has revealed the three traits that the talented striker shares with former teammate and Gunners legend Henry.

Arsenal told Hale End has a gem with no ceiling who may be better than Saka

He’s one to watch…

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 26, 2025

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, when asked about whether Isak can reach Henry’s levels, Senderos said: “Well, why not?

“He definitely has the attributes to be able to do that but to reach the heights of the likes of Thierry Henry, you need to be special in terms of your mental approach to the game and this is developed over years, but you have it when you start. To be compared to Thierry is a big big honour because Thierry was and is a special type of person.

“Speed, for sure, dribbling attributes and direct to the goal, links up well. He’s (Isak), not only a goalscorer, he also makes his teammates play and do better. Yes, he does, but again I go back to Thierry and the amount of years that he’s been doing it and how special he is and was as a player, he still has a long way I would say.”

Isak must be top of Arsenal's wishlist

On course to lose out on the Premier League title for a third season in a row, Arsenal must send a statement this summer – Mikel Arteta must welcome a big name and a striker capable of winning the Golden Boot.

His side have enjoyed an impressive rise since his arrival six seasons ago, but the Spaniard must now take the Gunners to that next level. And Isak would play a large part in that alongside rising stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who are expected to play larger roles next year to strengthen the squad even further.

Whilst Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have scored a combined 22 goals, Isak alone has found the back of the net 23 times in all competitions for the Magpies. His price tag may be hefty, but there is no doubt that the Newcastle star would be worth every penny.

A player who has similar traits to Henry, as revealed by Senderos, Isak looks destined to steal the headlines this summer.

Lionesses star Chloe Kelly remains in talks over a move to Arsenal and has granted the Gunners a period of exclusivity.

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• Kelly hoping to seal Arsenal transfer
• Gunners granted first refusal
• Talks being held on three-year deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kelly joined Arsenal on loan last season from Manchester City and went on to win the Champions League with the Gunners. The Lionesses star is now in talks to join the club permanently after her City contract expires at the end of the month. According to The Athletic, Kelly has interest from clubs in Europe and the United States but, interestingly, "has granted Arsenal a period of exclusivity." The winger has told her camp to give Arsenal first refusal in contract talks as discussions continue over a three-year deal.

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  The hope is that Kelly will be able to reach an agreement to join Arsenal permanently on a free transfer. The Lionesses star will only look at other clubs if a compromise with the Gunners can't be found. Kelly played 13 times for Arsenal last season after her move, scoring twice and contributing three assists.

• WHAT KELLY SAID

  Kelly has spoken about how moving to Arsenal was the "best decision" in a new interview. She told Versus: "It all happened so quickly. One minute I was thinking of taking a break from football, potentially a permanent one, and the next I was moving back down to London. From the moment I arrived at the club though, I knew it was the right move for me. I got my smile back. I was learning again, loving the game again. Even if we didn’t win the Champions League, it still would’ve been the best decision I could have made. But that win? That just made it unforgettable."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KELLY?

  Kelly is currently on international duty with England ahead of Euro 2025. The Lionsses start their campaign with a clash against France on July 5.

Olivier Giroud is set to return to Ligue 1 after a short-lived MLS spell, with the French striker agreeing to join Lille in a surprise summer move

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• Giroud agrees to join Lille from LAFC
• Set to return to Ligue 1 after brief MLS stint
• One-year deal agreed, with option for another

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Giroud is on the verge of returning to France after a disappointing spell with Los Angeles FC. According to , the 38-year-old striker has reached an agreement with Lille over a one-year contract, with an option to extend for another season. While his deal with LAFC runs until December, both parties are expected to part ways soon so that he can complete the transfer.

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  The former Arsenal striker's MLS stint didn’t quite live up to expectations. Despite winning the 2024 U.S. Open Cup and competing in the Club World Cup, he managed just five goals and three assists in 37 appearances. Les Dogues need a replacement for the outgoing Jonathan David, and they see Giroud as a short-term solution to bring experience and quality to their attack as they aim to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish in Ligue 1.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  It has been 12 years since Giroud last played in the French top-flight, having left Montpellier to join Arsenal after winning the Ligue 1 title in 2011-12.

  Lille president Olivier Letang has already confirmed the club's interest in him, saying: "I’d love to see him join us. He brings everything we seek, tactical fit, experience, high standards, and great human values. But he belongs to another club, and I don’t see how it could happen easily."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GIROUD?

  Ther Frenchman must finalize his LAFC exit before completing the move. If all goes as planned, he’ll sign with Lille in the coming days, marking an emotional homecoming and potentially his final chapter in top-flight football.

The process is ramping up for the forward's potential move, with an official bid reportedly having been made

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• Derby bid $8 million for Agyemang
• Forward currently at Gold Cup with USMNT
• Derby finished 19th last season in Championship

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Patrick Agyemang has been linked with several clubs over the past month, but it appears as if Derby are the frontrunner after the team reportedly bid $8 million (£5.8m) for the Charlotte FC and U.S. international striker.

  The Championship side, which fought off relegation last season with a 19th-place finish, have been linked with the 24-year-old for more than two months. Agyemang has reportedly green-lit the move. However, Charlotte have not yet accepted the bid, according to the same report.

  Agyemang is seen as a late bloomer whose stock is rising at the right time, with the World Cup less than a year away. He has scored 17 goals in 59 MLS appearances, and also scored for the USMNT in the Gold Cup.

  The Athletic was the first to report the bid from Derby, along with Agyemang agreeing to the move.

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  A physical player at 6-4, Agyemang has the potential to thrive in the Championship, a league in which athletic strikers tend to succeed. Yet, a move wouldn't come without risks. Not all striker transfers to bigger clubs have paid dividends – Jozy Altidore's move to Sunderland or Ricardo Pepi's transfer to Augsburg are examples, with the latter's struggles in Germany costing him a spot in the 2022 World Cup.

  Yet, it is a move that could help Agyemang stand out in a crowded USMNT striker race. Agyemang has two goals in four Gold Cup matches for the U.S. this summer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Agyemang famously rose from playing Division III collegiate soccer with Eastern Connecticut State prior to eventually landing in MLS.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AGYEMANG?

  Agyemang and Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT play Guatemala on Wednesday night in the Gold Cup semifinals.

Lionel Messi made MLS history by scoring two goals in five straight matches – an unprecedented feat in the league.

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• Riding a five-game winning streak in MLS
• Fifth place in the East with 38 points
• Three games in hand

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lionel Messi once again put on a masterclass, scoring both goals in Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Nashville SC. With that performance, the Argentine legend extended his streak to five consecutive MLS matches with a brace, setting a new league record.

  Speaking after the match, head coach Javier Mascherano was full of praise for Messi and acknowledged the growing concern around his workload.

  “Obviously, we’re monitoring the situation daily and having ongoing conversations with him,” Mascherano said. “We’ll find the right time to give him a break. What he continues to do is unbelievable – breaking records every three days. He’s the flag bearer of this team, our leader, and he sets the standard for how we compete. It’s truly a blessing to be part of this stage of his career.”

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  WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

  The coach also came to the defense of Luis Suárez, who hasn’t scored in his last three league matches.

  “It wouldn’t be right for me to criticize someone who’s scored over 500 goals in his career,” said Mascherano. “Luis is a great player, just like Leo, Busquets, and Jordi. When he doesn’t score, the discussion starts – but he gives us so much more. Just two weeks ago, we were talking about his wonder goal against Palmeiras. Football is dynamic. As long as our top players are healthy, I’ll back them – and our young players – all the way.”

  Mascherano also noted that managing Suárez’s minutes is a priority moving forward, especially after playing on artificial turf in Boston.

  “It wasn’t ideal for him. We wanted to sub him off earlier, but the moment wasn’t right. Still, we’ll manage his time carefully. His quality is unquestionable," Mascherano said.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi scored the 69th free-kick goal of his career. The Argentine is now just eight goals shy of tying Marcelinho Carioca, who leads the all-time list with 78 free-kick goals.

  Roberto Dinamite follows with 74, and Juninho Pernambucano sits at 72.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

  Mascherano and company will visit FC Cincinnati next Wednesday, aiming for a sixth-straight MLS win against one of the league’s top teams.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and girlfriend Tolami Benson attended Wimbledon to watch Carlos Alcaraz beat Cameron Norrie to reach the men's semi-finals.

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• Saka meets Alcaraz at Wimbledon
• Spaniard beat Great Britain's Norrie
• Girlfriend Benson also in attendance

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Arsenal star Saka was in attendance to watch Alcaraz's emphatic victory over Great Britain's Norrie on Tuesday. The Spaniard eased past his opponent in straight sets by a 6-2 6-3 6-3 scoreline, setting up a meeting with American fifth seed Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, and found time after the match to have a chat with England international Saka.

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• WHAT SAKA SAID

  Posting on his Instagram, Saka said: "Pleasure to meet you. Good luck with the rest of the tournament."

  The pair may well have chatted about last year's European Championship final, when Alcaraz's native Spain got the better of Saka's England on the same day the tennis star won his second Wimbledon title.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Joining Saka at the All England Club was girlfriend Benson as well as Arsenal team-mate Jurrien Timber and his partner Rose de Back. They aren't the only members of footballing royalty to be spotted at Wimbledon so far this summer, with the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Roy Hodgson, David Beckham and Gareth Southgate among those snapped watching the tennis unfold.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SAKA AND ALCARAZ?

  Arsenal have had some players return for a summer training camp in Marbella as they go through their pre-season preparations, with Saka expected to feature in friendlies against the likes of AC Milan, Tottenham and Newcastle later this month. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will return to Centre Court on Friday for his semi-final clash with Fritz.

Hannah Hampton stepped into the spotlight with a heroic performance for England in their Euro 2025 quarter-final win over Sweden, saving two penalties while battling a bloody nose. The 24-year-old, who replaced Mary Earps as England's No.1, joked she's "better with one nostril" as the Lionesses edged a chaotic shootout to book a spot in the semi-finals.

• Hampton saves two pens with bloody nose
• 24-year-old steps up after replacing retired Earps
• Jokes she's 'better with one nostril'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hampton was the hero in England’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Sweden, saving two spot-kicks to help secure a 3-2 win after a 2-2 draw. She suffered a bloody nose during extra time but played through it to complete a memorable night.

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  WHAT HAMPTON SAID

  Speaking to the media, Hampton said about her bloody nose: "I thought I’d gotten away with it at first because there was nothing coming out. Then I sat up and [blood] just started streaming. As a few other girls say, I’m better with one nostril, so I think I might have it [a tissue up a nostril] again in the next game."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Hampton’s rise comes after a turbulent spell with the national team, including public doubts about her attitude and the fallout from Earps’ international retirement. On her rise into the squad, she added: "The girls have got behind me a lot. They know how tough it’s been for me while being in and around the England environment. To be able to go out and help them tonight and for the whole team to put on a performance like we did, it’s a lovely moment.

  "All the girls were ecstatic. They’ve seen the hard work that I’ve put in and how difficult it’s been. They’ve helped me get to this point, and I’m happy to be wearing an England shirt again. I just want to do whatever I can for the team to get that win."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE LIONESSES?

  Thursday's performance was a defining moment in Hampton's England career. Her courage and composure under pressure show she’s more than ready to wear the No.1 shirt. England will now focus on recovering from a bruising quarter-final ahead of their semi-final clash with Italy. The Lionesses will hope her form continues as they look to defend their Euros title.

Jose Mourinho has reportedly asked Fenerbahce to try and sign Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz – but that pursuit is likely to end in failure.

• Real Madrid expected to sell a first-teamer
• Mourinho wants Diaz at Fenerbahce
• Moroccan unlikely to leave La Liga side

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Amid claims Madrid are expected to sell at least one first-team player this summer, reports in Turkey, via Football Espana, state that Fenerbahce are interested in signing Diaz and that Mourinho has 'personally asked' the club to sign the 25-year-old.

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  The report, however, adds that Fenerbahce are unlikely to get their way on this as Brahim is 'almost certain' to stay at Madrid for at least one more season. The Morocco international is expected to sign a new deal with Los Blancos, despite the fact he is likely to be on the fringes of Xabi Alonso's side next season. So the Turkish giants may have to admit defeat on this one.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Brahim, who spent three seasons on loan at AC Milan before earning a more prominent role at Madrid from 2023, is expected not to play as much next season due to the summer arrival of Franco Mastantuono. Moreover, rising star Arda Guler could limit his game time further still.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The attacking midfielder, who can also play as a winger and scored six goals in 56 appearances for Madrid in 2024/25, is currently on a deal until 2027 but if he signs this new contract, that may make it much more difficult to recruit Diaz – particularly from a financial viewpoint.

Manchester United are set to finish ninth in the Premier League while Arsenal will finish fourth, according to ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole.

• Cole predicts full table
• Expects United to endure a terrible campaign
• Arsenal tipped to fall out of title contention

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cole and the rest of his TNT pundits have made predictions for the 2025/26 season, and the ex-Chelsea star is very down on the prospects of both United and the Gunners. Ruben Amorim's side limped to a 15th-placed finish last season and while Cole does expect them to improve, he believes they will once again be marooned in mid-table. 

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  Cole has backed Liverpool to win the Premier League title for the second successive year, with Manchester City runners-up and Chelsea in third. Arsenal, he predicts, will finish fourth, potentially falling away from title contention despite them finishing as runners-up last season. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  By comparison, his fellow pundits, Alan Shearer and Owen Hargreaves, have predicted United to finish sixth and seventh respectively, while they have both backed Mikel Arteta's side to finish second. All three believe Liverpool will once again be crowned champions. 

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The Premier League kicks off next Friday when Liverpool face Crystal Palace. Arsenal and United kick off their season against each other.