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Liverpool have reportedly found a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah next season, with an in-form Premier League player identified.

Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future

Salah has been one of the Reds' greatest players of the Premier League era since arriving in 2017, scoring endless goals, breaking records and winning trophies along the way. In fact, he could arguably now even be considered one of the best footballers in the club's history, perhaps only behind the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard.

There are definite question marks over the 31-year-old's future at Liverpool, however, with strong interest from the Saudi Pro League expected to arrive once again next summer. The Merseysiders rejected a huge £150m bid from Al-Ittihad last summer, but they will surely show further interest, and his head could be turned by a move.

Salah is out of contract at Anfield in 2025, so next year could be a big moment, with the Reds either having to sell him for a massive amount of money, or hope that he signs a new deal. Should he leave, however, there would be a gaping void in Liverpool's attack, and it would be vital that a fantastic player arrives in his place.

Liverpool eyeing Michael Olise

According to Football Insider, Liverpool have identified Crystal Palace star Michael Olise as a possible option to replace Salah next summer, should the Egyptian superstar move on.

"Liverpool are closely monitoring Crystal Palace sensation Michael Olise, sources have told Football Insider. The Merseysiders’ recruitment team have dispatched top scouts to regularly watch the 22-year-old, who scored a brace in Saturday’s (30 December) 3-1 Premier League win over Brentford.

"Liverpool are assessing the Frenchman as a potential attacking target as they assess the market for long-term replacements for 31-year-old Mohamed Salah. Saudi Arabia wants the Egyptian superstar to be the Pro League’s marquee star and, while he is expected to stay at Anfield in the January window, a summer move is highly likely."

In fact, the report even states that Liverpool have been "closely following Olise’s progress for five years", so they have clearly been admirers for some time.

The 22-year-old could be a fantastic signing by the Reds if they can strike a deal, and while Salah staying would still arguably be the better outcome, he has all the tools to be a great replacement.

Liverpool could supercharge Robbo with move for £52m "dominator"

Jurgen Klopp’s side are flying at present but will be eager to bolster the ranks for the business end of the season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 31, 2023

Similarly left-footed out on the right-hand side, Olise has an ability to beat a man, create chances and score goals, as his tally of six goal contributions (five goals and one assist) in just eight Premier League appearances this season highlights. He has been described as a "wonderful" player by Palace manager Roy Hodgson in the recent past, and unlike Salah, his best years could only be ahead of him.

The Frenchman may feel that he has outgrown the Eagles come the end of the season, and if Liverpool do have to replace Salah, he looks like a perfect fit who would be considered a long-term addition at Anfield for many years, especially after starring with two goals on Saturday against Brentford.

Manchester United are in the market for new arrivals this window and transfer insider Dean Jones has now given his verdict on links between the Red Devils and one of Europe's finest playmakers.

Manchester United's January window…

January has come at a good time for Erik ten Hag as he looks to give his beleaguered squad a lift following an inconsistent run of form and the Red Devils' support will have an appetite for new arrivals this month.

Manchester United fans may be made to wait on that front, though, owing to football director John Murtough's comments last month suggesting that a quiet few weeks may be in store at Old Trafford.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

He stated at a Fans Forum in December: "Looking ahead to the January transfer window, we are not expecting it to be particularly busy. There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like."

Reports in the last few days have claimed that Crystal Palace playmaker Michael Olise is on the radar at Old Trafford and could be involved in a swap deal with former England Under-21 international Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who could head to Selhurst Park in a player-plus-cash agreement; nevertheless, this pursuit is more likely to develop in the summer window.

Now, journalist Jones has given his thoughts on an alternative Manchester United target who has been linked with an exciting move to Old Trafford.

Dean Jones reacts to Paulo Dybala rumours

According to reports, Manchester United could look to bring in Roma attacking midfielder Paulo Dybala this window. The Argentina international has a release clause worth just around £10-11 million, which could make him an affordable solution to the Red Devils' lack of a creative spark in the engine room.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones has indicated that Dybala would be a "mouthwatering" signing for Manchester United, and he has gone as far as to label him as "one of the best of his generation" in his position; however, he has also labelled any potential transfer as a "big risk" due to this being another marquee name heading towards the end of their prime.

"We've talked about Dybala coming to the Premier League for years. I resigned myself to the fact that he is never actually going to come last year, yet here we are talking about him again. I just feel like it is a big risk to sign Dybala because there always seems to be something that holds him back from fully fulfilling his potential.

"I'd be very careful about targeting somebody like this because the expectations will be so high, and it will be extremely difficult for him to meet them."

Gabrielle Robinson suffered an ACL injury which has ruled her out for the rest of the NWSL season leaving head coach Vlatko Andonovski "heartbroken".

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• Robinson got injured against the Utah Royals
• Will play no further part in this edition of NWSL
• Andonovski is in a spot of bother

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Robinson sustained the injury during Current's 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals on Saturday. Robinson has been a key figure in City's backline and had played every minute of the first 10 matches of the National Women's Soccer League until she tore her anterior cruciate ligament.

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• WHAT ANDONOVSKI SAID

  In a club statement, Andonovski said: "Gabby has been one of the league's best defenders this year and we are heartbroken for her. She has worked so hard to make an impact on our club. She has one of the best attitudes around this injury and we are confident she will make a full return as she tackles her recovery process with a positive attitude. Her teammates have been incredibly supportive, and we have talented players that will be able to step in during her absence."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Current's early success this season has been driven by their forwards, with the team setting an NWSL single-season record by registering 15 different goal-scorers. However, their defensive solidity has also been crucial. Initially, the team faced challenges, particularly on set pieces, but recent improvements saw them secure three clean sheets in five games in May. Robinson played a pivotal role in these defensive efforts and currently ranks in the top five defenders of the NWSL this season for clearances and blocked shots.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  As Robinson embarks on her recovery journey, the team will look to continue their impressive season with the support and talent of the remaining squad members. Current will be back in action on Sunday evening against Seattle Reign FC in another NWSL fixture.

Aston Villa have made some exciting signings under Unai Emery and reporter Dean Jones has had his say on a known target who he believes could be a "sensational" addition in the West Midlands.

Aston Villa's high-profile transfer strategy…

Last summer, the Villans made an impact in the market by recruiting high-profile players ahead of the 2023/24 campaign commencing, with Youri Tielemans, Nicolo Zaniolo, Clement Lenglet, Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres arriving at Villa Park.

On the face of it, their transfer strategy has worked and Emery's men are nicely positioned for a tilt at finishing in the top four at the bare minimum. However, they could go one step further and challenge for the Premier League title, form permitting.

Premier League Table: Latest EPL standings for 2024/25 season

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By
Stephan Georgiou

Apr 22, 2025

Despite a quiet first half of the window for the Villans, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Crvena Zvezda full-back Kosta Nedeljkovic is close to joining the club and will subsequently return to his current employers on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Galatasaray winger Wilfried Zaha has been linked with a shock move back to England this month and Aston Villa have reportedly made contact over a swoop for the Ivory Coast international in a potential signing that would produce more fanfare than Nedeljkovic due to his age and experience.

Now, journalist Jones has signalled his belief that an alternative target linked with the Villans would be a "sensational" piece of business by Emery, as per reports.

Dean Jones drops verdict on Aston Villa target Paulo Dybala

In the last few weeks, Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Roma attacker Paulo Dybala, according to reports in Italy via Birmingham Live. The report states that the Argentina international has a release clause worth around €13 million (£11.2m), though it does expire today and contact is believed to have been made between both parties.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reporter Jones thinks that he would be an astute piece of business as the Villans continue on their upward trajectory, as he told the outlet:

"A deal for Dybala really would be sensational and obviously there will always be part of any Villa fan that would like that to happen but Emery and the recruitment team have to be very careful that if they are to pursue something like that it is for the right reasons and he fits with the philosophy and character of the side.

"He’s an unbelievable player but you would need something like that to be happening for the right reasons and his injury record definitely has to be considered. He misses so many games."

Labelled "unplayable" by Massimiliano Allegri, Dybala has contributed on the goal front for Roma this campaign, netting six times and laying on a further six assists (Dybala statistics – Transfermarkt).

Aston Villa have lofty ambitions and a fully fit and firing Dybala could help Emery's men move a little closer to realising their aspirations in 2023/24.

Gareth Southgate was reportedly asked to explain his call to axe Jack Grealish from the England squad, such was the shock at his Euro 2024 omission.

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• Grealish left out of 26-man England squad
• Three Lions team-mates shocked at decision
• Southgate asked to explain call by senior player

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester City star Grealish was a high-profile name cut from England's final Euro 2024 squad on Thursday, with former captain Harry Maguire another noteworthy casualty due to injury. Now, reports one senior Three Lions player spoke to Southgate to try and understand the decision to drop Grealish and explain it to team-mates, while others rallied round the 28-year-old.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report adds that Grealish, who was said to be 'stunned and upset' by the news, did not have the best season for City but had hoped he had done enough to convince Southgate he deserved to play for his country at the Euros. It will be a matter of time whether or not this hurts England's chances of winning the tournament in Germany.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  On Thursday, Southgate explained his decision to leave out the former Aston Villa man – who scored just three goals and bagged one assist in 20 Premier League games for City this season.

  He said: “In the attacking positions we’re blessed with a lot of options and [James Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] give us something different. They were tough calls, but we back our decisions but recognise we could’ve gone a different route. It was sad to have to deliver that news to them.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While winger Grealish heads off on his summer break, England have their final Euro 2024 warm-up match on Friday against Iceland. After that, they begin their European campaign against Serbia on June 16 in Germany.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will want to start his Manchester United rebuild off with a statement signing.

However, that doesn't mean that the Red Devils will overpay for players, as they have done over the last decade.

The first major signing of the INEOS era could be a right winger, with Erik ten Hag keen to improve the balance in attack.

3 dream signings Berrada could make at Man Utd including his next Haaland

Omar Berrada is to enter Manchester United as their new CEO.

By
Matt Dawson

Jan 23, 2024

Man United set their sights on new forward

This week, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Man United target Michael Olise can be acquired for less than his £60m release clause.

Speaking to The United Stand with Mark Goldbridge, the reputable transfer insider said: "I think it's less than this (£60m release clause). There are many clubs interested in this boy. Chelsea will still be there and for Man United, it's an opportunity they will consider.

"It's a big opportunity when a player like this has a release clause. Arsenal have been scouting the player many times so it could be quite an open race. It won't be decided now."

Despite Chelsea's interest in the winger, his preference according to prior reports in January would be a move to Old Trafford.

A move for the France gem would occur in the summer due to United's financial fair play restrictions.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

How Michael Olise compares to Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka's rise to the top has been fantastic to witness, with the Arsenal academy graduate now being classified as the best winger in the world by ESPN for the 2022/23 campaign.

The 22-year-old is continuing to thrive this campaign under Mikel Arteta, with the forward netting ten goals and providing 13 assists in 29 games across all competitions.

Man United's interest in Olise means they could sign their own version of Saka, as the duo have plenty of similarities according to FBref's similar player model.

Just like the England star, the Palace dynamo has been excellent this season, scoring six goals and picking up three assists in just ten Premier League starts. However, his season has been heavily impacted by an injury picked up during the summer.

Nonetheless, let's look at a handful of statistics from this Premier League season that prove Olise would thrive at United, while also comparing him to Saka.

Olise has proven to be one of the most "dangerous" attackers in the Premier League, as per analyst Ben Mattinson, with his output being the main talking point of his game. As you can see, the French forward ranks extremely high for both goals and assists, with only the most elite being able to produce both, the Arsenal star being one of those.

Both left-footed, they can also shift the ball onto their right to find a teammate in the box. Olise has a deadly cross, and both players love to cut inside to shoot or provide balls to the back post. Another aspect of their game that makes them among the best is their relentless work off the ball for their team in the press or tracking back to make tackles.

Overall, Olise would stroll into the United starting XI and replace Antony, who scored his only goal of the season against Newport County last weekend. The Palace artist could just transform United's attack.

EXCLUSIVE: The American star spoke to GOAL about life, learnings and the USMNT ahead of this summer's tournament

"I appreciate the question, to be honest."

Christian Pulisic breaks into a smile. He could, truthfully, do without 99 percent of the questions he answers on a daily basis. He is a private person by nature, but he's spent the entirety of his adult life being American soccer's most famous figure. From the age of 16, Pulisic has lived a very public life in front of a country desperate for him to succeed. It's a big weight, one that Pulisic has now grown up with on his path towards and through superstardom. Shouldering that for anyone would be difficult; doing so as someone that tends to be more reserved is much, much harder.

Pulisic's life, of course, is flooded with questions. They've become harder to answer over the last few years. As things went downhill at Chelsea, for example, they also became somewhat repetitive.

"What can you do to fix this?" "What's going wrong?" "What must change to make sure this doesn't drag on even further?"

He answered those and thousands of others, both with his voice and with his play for AC Milan this year. But, on this day, Pulisic isn't here to answer those questions. He's hardly even talking about soccer. No, this is all about a question significantly more personal to him, one that he wishes he was asked more often.

"How are you?"

"When you start doing interviews all the time you get similar questions," Pulisic tells GOAL. "You can kind of go into that interview mode. I think I just kind of give the same old boring answers, but I think it's important to ask questions and it's important to get people, I don't know, talking about things that actually are interesting to them.

"My whole life is soccer all the time, and that's all people want to know about. It's normal, I get that's what you want to ask about. That's what's happening. That's what that's what we're known for. I guess I'm a pretty private person, so I wouldn't say that I want people to know more about me like, say Tyler [Adams] and Weston [McKennie] obviously do. I'm OK with people not knowing anything about me, but that doesn't mean that it's not good to ask sometimes about how other people are."

Ahead of the USMNT's quest for success at Copa America on home soil, GOAL sat down with Pulisic to discuss his life-changing season, the upcoming tournament, a potential legacy moment and, most importantly, how he's doing.

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  'Maybe the best I've ever been'

  For much of the last few years, the outside world has equated Pulisic's happiness with his soccer career. In some aspects, it's a fair reflection of his life. It is all a bit easier when things are going well at work, after all, whether you're a teacher, accountant or, in Pulisic's case, the most famous American soccer player on the planet.

  It's not all there is to life, though. As a professional athlete an ocean away from home, there are so many aspects that often go overlooked. Culture, family, friends… most of Pulisic's life does take place outside of soccer.

  There's no denying that this past year has been special, though. Pulisic's move to Milan has worked wonders, on and off the field.

  On it, Pulisic proved his doubters wrong throughout the season, scoring 15 goals while providing nine assists in all competitions. Off it, he's found a new home in Milan with one of the world's biggest clubs, one which offers him a new life experience in Italy.

  Pulisic is in a good place. Things are going his way at the moment.

  "From a soccer standpoint, everyone looks and, yeah, individually pretty good season," he begins, "but I will say, yeah, away from the game I'm doing really well, maybe the best I've ever been. I'm feeling like I'm in a good place. I'm excited to be back in the States for a bit. I've been seeing a lot of family and friends and just enjoying time in the country."

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  Changing perspectives

  For the first time in several years, Pulisic heads into a summer with his head held somewhat high. His final years at Chelsea had weighed on him.

  The playing aspect of it was clear to see. Under several managers at Stamford Bridge, Pulisic could never quite build moment. Injuries, bad luck, coaching decisions – it seemed like so much went against him at all the wrong times.

  So, every time he joined up with the USMNT, the questions would come. How nice was it to be back with the USMNT? Could the national team pull him out of Chelsea misery? What kind of momentum could he build before the long trip back to London?

  There are no questions like that this summer. For the first time in years, Pulisic heads into a major tournament in good form. It's not lost on him, either. This summer, there's no overthinking or second-guessing; Pulisic knows he's ready.

  "Depending on how your season goes, you always – and I learned to improve on this – but you can put too much of your emotion on that," he says. "Can I enjoy myself this summer? Should I feel good going into it or is it just like, 'It was a failure and you need to do this'?

  "I think it's important, no matter what happens, to just save yourself and put the game aside and go home with a good attitude and just try to relax and rest, see the people that you love."

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  Playing with your boys

  Weston McKennie tells a story about his first day with U.S. Soccer’s Under-17 Residency Program. It was his first day in Florida and players packed into busses. McKennie found his seat and turned to the player next to him, who made sure to introduce himself.

  "Hi, I'm Christian Pulisic."

  All these years later, five members of that residency program have represented the USMNT at a World Cup: Pulisic, McKennie, Tyler Adams, Haji Wright and Luca de la Torre. It's one of the things that makes this U.S. group so special: they have quite literally grown up together.

  "It's incredible, right?," Pulisic says. "I've talked about just how close I am with this team. It's stories like that that just show that. Obviously, I've known Weston for so long and Tyler as well and we've just become like brothers.

  "Coming into every camp, it just feels normal. It's nice playing with guys like that. They have your back and you have their back always. We know when it's time to get serious but just having these guys around to mess around with, just your boys, it's pretty cool."

  Pulisic is, of course, the face of American soccer, the most famous of the bunch. For years, though, he's been able to lean on his longtime friends as part of the group's pursuit of redefining American soccer. None of them feel like they have to do it alone because they have each other – and they always have.

  It's made the difficult moments a bit easier. After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Pulisic was soon joined by a new generation of USMNT stars led by his longtime friends. That group went on to qualify for the 2022 tournament and will almost certainly be the leaders of the team looking to change the course of history in 2026.

  It's a tough task, for sure, but one made easier by knowing that they're doing it together.

  "It's super important," he says. "It's great. We go through things and we're always talking to each other regularly throughout the season and of course when here. There's really nothing better. "

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• An iconic moment ruined, but more on the way?

  Pulisic's goal against Iran could have been, and should have been, truly iconic.

  It was his "Landon Donovan against Algeria" goal, the one that sent the U.S. into the knockout round of the 2022 World Cup. For decades, posters of Pulisic celebrating that goal would have been in every American soccer fan's bedroom. It should have been a defining moment.

  Everyone knows what really happened. That celebration never came. As his teammates reveled in the moment, Pulisic was down injured, unable to stand. He never got the chance to pump his fists in the air or snarl at the camera. He never got the opportunity to be uplifted by his teammates or point towards the American fans in attendance. Instead, all he could do is lay there as what should have been a career-defining photo instead turned into reason to panic for the USMNT.

  For American fans watching either at home or in Qatar, it was one of the defining moments of the 2022 World Cup: the long ball from McKennie, the header down from Sergino Dest, the gutsy finish by Pulisic, who truly sacrificed himself for the team. It's a moment many fans will remember for a long time.

  But how does Pulisic remember it? How does he feel about it all? Does he view that signature moment as a defining goal or a moment diminished by an injury that took away his chance to celebrate?

  In truth, he doesn't think about it much. He's happy he scored. He is, of course, unhappy with what happened after. In his dreams, that goal, that moment, would have been much different, but that's not what Pulisic got on that night in Doha.

  "I would say that it's true, I guess, that it would have been, and it was, a huge moment," Pulisic says. "Normally it would have been – I don't know what I would have done – but I would have been excited. I would have had a pretty cool celebration with the team. You could see the team wanted to run over and celebrate, but it was like, I just didn't have that.

  "It's funny, but sometimes, things work out that way. I wouldn't have changed it for the world. So the way it happens, that's how it happened. Unfortunately, I just had to celebrate that one laying in the goal.

  "I hope to have many big moments. It's not like I feel like 'Oh, I need that one moment, that iconic celebration'. That's not how I think. I want to go in and I want to win these tournaments. At the end of the day, people will talk about that and that's what they'll remember."

West Ham United are "now close" to sealing another January signing with talks "advancing fast", according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

West Ham seal Kalvin Phillips deal

On Tuesday, the Hammers agreed a deal to sign Man City midfielder and England international Kalvin Phillips on a season-long loan with the option-to-buy.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

By
Luke Randall

Feb 1, 2024

David Moyes' side will pay his full £135,000-per-week wage packet and may opt to take him permanently in the summer, depending on developments, with technical director Tim Steidten, co-chairman David Sullivan and West Ham's recruitment team winning the race for his signature.

With Phillips apparently set to undergo his medical today, West Ham will land a midfielder with proven Premier League experience and a player who can really reinforce Moyes' charge for another European qualification place.

It's been quite a busy last 48 hours or so at the London Stadium, as overnight reports also suggested that West Ham have opened talks over a deal for FC Nordsjælland winger Ibrahim Osman.

The Ghanaian, who is a product of the 'Right to Dream' academy much like Irons star Mohammed Kudus, could well join the club after Phillips.

West Ham talks advancing fast for Osman with agreement "close"

Now, respected transfer source Romano has shared his own update on the matter – backing similar claims from insider ExWHUemployee.

Indeed, Romano writes on X this morning that West Ham talks are advancing fast for Osman, and they're "close" to reaching an agreement to sign the African.

The exciting 19-year-old has made 16 appearances at club level this season, with Nordsjaelland coach Johannes Thorup heaping praise on his versatility and speed in the attacking areas.

"He is a fast winger and striker, and I have huge expectations for him to be skilled," said Thorup (via Ghana Soccer Net).

"He has the pace which is important for us to have on at least one of our strikers. I don't want to say that he has to take over for someone, but people can probably figure out that there is a player who is really good for us in the Super League, who might be really hard to keep."

The Nordsjaeland manager may well be proven right by these latest developments, as Osman appears to be nearing a move to east London.

Plenty of teams are arriving in Germany with high hopes, but some will fail in dramatic circumstances

It's so close we can almost taste it. Euro 2024 is now just a day away, with the best players from around the continent descending on Germany for what promises to be a superb summer of football.

While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in mid-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for four weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.

Here at GOAL, we like to think we know a thing or two about the beautiful game, and so we've asked our team of writers and editors to make their predictions for the tournament. From the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament winners to the dark horses, we've got you covered on what to expect from the this hotly-anticipated Euros.

Today, we asked our team to predict who will be the biggest disappointments at the tournament – here's what they had to say…

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  'Potential for Spain to be worse than 2022'

  Joe Strange: Remember Spain’s glory days of back-to-back European Championship wins, with a famous World Cup triumph sandwiched in-between? It’s been 12 years since La Roja last dominated international football and their current squad looks a long way off being able to replicate that in Germany. They endured a miserable World Cup in Qatar, losing to Morocco in the last-16, and with injuries and problems up-front biting, things have the potential to be even worse this time around, particularly with Italy and Croatia also in their group.

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  'Safety-first Southgate will be England's undoing'

  James Westwood: Gareth Southgate is blessed with the strongest squad at the tournament, but his history suggests that will count for little when it really matters. World-class operators like Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham must be given the freedom to express themselves for England to unlock their full potential, which won't happen under their pragmatic, safety-first manager. The jury is also still very much out on Southgate's in-game decision-making, and it's highly likely that will be England's undoing in the latter stages of the tournament.

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  'Mad to think how far Italy have fallen'

  Matt O'Connor-Simpson: Expectations are already at a record low for Italy, but when you look at their group, it’s not inconceivable that they fail to even make it into the knockout stages. Albania are going to be chomping at the bit for just their fourth-ever major tournament game, the Azzurri are pretty unlikely to get anything against Spain while tournament specialists Croatia will also fancy their chances. It’s mad to think how far Italy have fallen since winning this competition three years ago.

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  'France's over-reliance on Mbappe will cost them'

  Stephen Darwin: Expectations will again be high for France to go all the way in Germany, especially given they have, on paper, a favourable group. There's no denying their over-reliance on Kylian Mbappe, however, and that will cost them at Euro 2024, where the new Real Madrid signing will have a rare off-month and they'll be shockingly knocked out at the round-of-16 stage. After 12 years and six(!) major tournaments, it will finally be time for Didier Deschamps to move aside and let someone else have a go.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to capitalise on Barcelona's financial troubles with an approach for defender Jules Kounde.

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• Barca have severe financial issues
• La Liga outfit may have to sell players
• Arsenal eye move for Kounde

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  reports that Arsenal have enquired about Barca star Kounde, and the Spanish outfit's struggle with hefty financial issues may force them into selling players, including the French international defender.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Barcelona's monetary problems are well known, so much so that La Liga president Javier Tebas commented on the matter earlier this year.

  “They have two or three top-class players they can sell. If they sell them, then they can solve a great part of their program. With that, they can generate income that doesn’t generate debt interest and can pay players," he said.

  That may mean players like Kounde could be sold, and potentially for a fee below what they would like – opening the door for sides such as Arsenal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The former Chelsea and Manchester United target joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2022 for a fee in the region of £42 million ($50m) and has since made 88 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals along the way. The right-back, who can also play at centre-back, helped Barca win La Liga in 2023.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Kounde – who earlier this season dismissed rumours he wanted to leave Barcelona – is currently representing France at Euro 2024 in Germany, with the 2018 World Cup winners next in action on Monday against Belgium in the last 16 of the competition.