Arsenal are prioritizing a striker this summer and have already held conversations with Leroy Sane, who is on an expiring contract with Bayern Munich. Sane has played better of late and would prefer to remain with Bayern.
Bayern has yet to make formal offer, but a resolution is expected within the next one to three weeks.
Sane previously played in the Premier League with Manchester City.
Peter Vermes and Sporting Kansas City have parted ways after 16 years as manager. Vermes led SKC to four major championships and 11 playoff appearances, eight of them consecutively between 2011 and 2018.
SKC has appointed Kerry Zavagnin as interim manager.
"It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City," Vermes said.
"I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future."
The length of new contracts being offered by Liverpool for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are the biggest impediments in negotations, sources tell ESPN. With both players into their 30s, Liverpool is apprehensive about extending them beyond their best seasons.
Salah is having a career season at the age of 32 as Liverpool also have a comfortable lead in the Premier League title race. Salah could break Erling Haaland's record of 36 goals in a single Premier League season as he currently has 27.
Liverpool rejected a £150 million offer for Salah from Al Ittihad in August 2023. Salah is still widely expected to re-sign with Liverpool, but would be considered most likely to sign in Saudi Arabia should he be unable to agree to terms.
Bukayo Saka is ready to return to the Arsenal lineup after suffering a right hamstring injury on December 21st and subsequently undergoing surgery. Saka began the season with nine goals and 14 assists in all competitions.
Saka was seen in training with the north London side last week and is available for the meeting with Fulham on Tuesday night. Saka could even start in the match.
“Bukayo is ready to go,” Arteta told his press conference on Monday. “All the careful thing is already done, now it’s about putting him in the grass in the right moments, but he is pushing because he really wants it.
“We have respected the time frame, we have done everything and we have to hold him back even. So he’s ready to go.”
Saka's return also comes ahead of the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid on April 8th.
Erling Haaland sustained a left ankle injury in Manchester City's 2-1 FA Cup quarterfinal win over Bournemouth. Haaland hurt the ankle after Bournemouth right back Lewis Cook landed awkwardly on him in a 56th-minute tackle at the Vitality Stadium.
Haaland received treatment and returned to action, but soon fell to the ground in pain and had to come off. City was in a 1-1 tie at the time with Haaland scoring the equalizer after missing a penalty earlier in the match.
Pep Guardiola said after the match that he didn't have an update on Haaland's injury yet.
Viktor Gyokeres has become a prominent candidate in Arsenal's search for a new striker, moving ahead of Alexander Isak due to his more affordable projected fee to leaving Sporting.
Gyokeres has recorded 85 goals and 26 assists in 92 games for Sporting. Gyokeres has been a late bloomer and is not especially quick, but has decent technique and has shown a willingness to improve.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig is another potential target for Arsenal.
Arsenal have named Andrea Berta their new sporting director to replace Edu Gasper. Gasper stepped down from the position in November. Berta spent 12 years at Atlético Madrid and is credited with helping the club compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.
"I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club," Berta said in a statement.
"I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone in to reestablishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.
"The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.
"I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters."
Marco Rose has been fired as manager of RB Leipzig with the side currently a disappointing sixth in the Bundesliga. Rose was appointed by Leipzig in September 2022, replacing Domenico Tedesco in the role.
"Marco Rose has been relieved of his duties as RB Leipzig head coach with immediate effect. His coaching team of Alexander Zickler, Marco Kurth and Frank Geideck have also left the club, along with Frank Aehlig [head of first team football]," Leipzig said in a statement.
Rose previously coached Borussia Dortmund, Gladbach and Red Bull Salzburg.
Arsenal and Liverpool will be among the teams to pursue a transfer for Alexander Isak this summer, but Newcastle United will be reluctant to sell especially if they reach the Champions League. Isak could command a transfer fee that approaches $200 million, which would undoubtedly represent Arsenal's entire budget.
Newcastle signed Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022 for approximately £63 million.
Arsenal have a major need at center forward and Isak gives them size and skill at the position that they lack.
Lionel Messi will return for Saturday's Inter Miami match against Philadelphia Union after sitting out Argentina's World Cup qualifiers during the international break. Messi suffered a hamstring injury on March 16th.
"Leo is good, God willing and if nothing weird happens, he will be named to the matchday roster," manager Javier Mascherano said.
Messi was MLS Most Valuable Player in 2024.
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