Latest news with #PremierLeague-level
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool transfer news: Reds encouraged in Milos Kerkez chase as Arne Slot learns price tag
Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth defensive duo Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen in the summer transfer window - and they have received a promising update Liverpool will not rest on their laurels after securing the Premier League title. Arne Slot's side may have clinched the title with four games to spare, but they know that strengthening is a must in the summer transfer window. The Reds are already turning their attention to the plans for the summer, when director of football Richard Hughes will come to the fore. There are a number of positions that need to be addressed if Liverpool are to remain top of the pile next season, while their exits from other competitions revealed a lack of squad depth. Defence is an area of interest, with the uncertainty over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold and the possible departure of Kostas Tsimikas providing positions that need addressing. Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez is expected to leave once the window opens in the summer, with Atletico Madrid a possible destination for the erratic striker. Here are the latest stories from Mirror Football on Liverpool's transfer plans. Iraola's honest admission Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has admitted that the club will be unable to stop Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen from leaving this summer if sizeable bids arrive. Liverpool are among the clubs keen on the defensive duo and will be encouraged by Iraola's words. "We don't really know what is going to happen in the summer, we are still focused on other things, but right now all the players are ours and, if nothing happens, they will continue to be ours next season also. So I don't think it's going to be different from other summers," he told Sky Sports. "We will focus on trying to improve the team, and add new players if we can, and if some player leaves because someone comes with what the club considers to be a good offer, we have to be ready for those situations, but not with fear. It is something that all the clubs, especially the ones who are not at the highest level like the top, top teams, have to get used to." Mbeumo price tag Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs who have been keeping an eye on Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo. The forward has scored 18 goals in the Premier League this season and is reportedly considered as a possible successor for Mohamed Salah. His form and the subsequent interest has forced Brentford into action and, according to the Telegraph, they have set an asking price of more than £60million for Mbeumo. "I think it's pretty high, no matter what, if I'm honest," Bees boss Thomas Frank said when asked if Mbeumo's asking price could increase if he hit the 20-goal landmark. "But, as you know, he's very happy here at Brentford!" Investor explains Wrexham choice Kaleen Allyn, who is part of a billionaire American family, has explained why she decided to invest in Wrexham, rather than Premier League sides like Liverpool. "We looked at some Premier League-level teams but you become a fraction-of-a-fraction owner," Allyn told The Athletic. "You are a small, small investor. You don't have a lot of power. You can't really engage." "I explained this wasn't really compelling to us. He replied: 'No, Kaleen, think lower down in the pyramid'. I'm thinking, 'Surely lower down means more risk'. I don't know if I can look my family in the face and say: 'Hey, this is going to be a great investment and be safe'. "He just said: 'I can't give you their names at the moment but you do need to speak to these people I have in mind, please trust me' — and that's how I got introduced to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney."
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Matchday 32: The three best bets to add to your Premier League accumulator
For more stories like this, follow The Athletic's sports betting section. Outside of a couple of clear home favourites, this weekend's Premier League slate looks remarkably even. That makes finding the right betting angles all the more difficult, but fear not — once again, we've plucked out three selections for your slips. Advertisement Poor, helpless Leicester. Everyone looks forward to playing them. This weekend, it's Brighton's turn. Given that their run of six straight wins from February to March has turned into three straight defeats and an FA Cup exit, boy do they need a fixture like this. Regardless of the Seagulls' dip in form, they're understandably heavily favoured to beat the league's whipping boys. Southampton may be bottom of the table and seven points adrift, but at least they've scored in each of their last four games; the Foxes, meanwhile, haven't scored in any of their previous seven. ❌ 0-3 Newcastle ❌ 0-3 Man Utd ❌ 0-4 Brentford ❌ 0-2 Arsenal ❌ 0-2 Fulham ❌ 0-2 Crystal Palace ❌ 0-2 Man City ❌ 0-3 Wolves Leicester become the first team in English football history to lose eight consecutive home league games without scoring a goal. 🤯 [image or embed] — WhoScored (@ 7 April 2025 at 22:02 Last week, we took Newcastle United to beat them in under 3.5 goals, and that hit, so we'll rinse and repeat this time around. Putting a goals cap in place lengthens the odds in the bettor's favour, and only one of Leicester's last six games has exceeded this mark. The fact that they rarely — if ever — contribute to the scoresheet means their opponents have to go big to spoil this bet. Each of Everton's last five games has come in under 2.5 — a remarkable run that flies in the face of an otherwise goal-happy league. Even frenzied contests against Liverpool and Arsenal couldn't spark the goal returns we became accustomed to seeing in January and February, back when David Moyes' appointment inspired a surge in form and confidence. In the Scot's first six games, the Toffees averaged three goals per game; in the six since, that average has dropped to 2.2. Now, they're drifting toward the end of the campaign, drawing six of their last eight games and rarely scoring more than once. They simply don't have the attacking firepower to consistently punish Premier League-level defences. Advertisement This Forest game could easily be more of the same — and not just because the visitors' defensive record (37 conceded in 31 games) is the joint fourth-best in the division, but because their attack has been diminished by injuries, too. It's not clear yet whether Nuno Espírito Santo will have a striker to call upon, as Chris Wood (hip) and Taiwo Awoniyi (hamstring) missed last weekend's visit to Villa Park. Winger Anthony Elanga deputised up front in that game but withdrew at half-time due to discomfort. These question marks, combined with Everton's stodginess, could be enough to buck the trend of Forest away games in 2025, which have almost always hit the over. The hallmark of a doomed team is frequent late collapses. Southampton have suffered plenty this season, en route to being confirmed as the earliest team ever to be relegated from the division last weekend after 31 games. They're now in the unenviable situation of trying to surpass Derby County's record low points total of 11 (they're on 10). The Saints just need a win, or a handful of draws, and they often start games looking like they might achieve that, but then late on, they unnerve themselves and throw it away. In each of their last eight league fixtures, Southampton have scored or conceded a goal in the 75th minute or later. More often than not, they've been on the receiving end of those. They host Aston Villa this weekend, who could be forgiven if they start the game a little sluggish. The Villans poured their hearts and souls into Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, and with the second leg coming around fast, they'll likely rotate heavily for this game. Much-changed XIs often struggle to find an immediate rhythm, especially off the back of a highly emotional night in Europe, and could need a half to get going. There's also the chance Unai Emery steadily substitutes on attacking players in the second half to find a goal, and we know full well Southampton will struggle to deal with that. Advertisement Acca odds: 5.4/1 Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Kaoru Mitoma: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brentford Goalkeeper Targeted as Bayer Leverkusen Plan Summer Move
Brentford Goalkeeper Targeted as Bayer Leverkusen Plan Summer Move Brentford Goalkeeper Mark Flekken Attracts Interest From Bayer Leverkusen Mark Flekken's future at Brentford has been cast into doubt following fresh reports from Sky Sports Germany that Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen are considering a summer move for the Dutch international goalkeeper. Advertisement The 31-year-old, who joined Brentford from Freiburg in the summer of 2023, has quickly established himself as the Bees' number one, making 30 appearances in all competitions this season. While Brentford's defensive record has been inconsistent — conceding 45 goals with six clean sheets — Flekken has largely impressed, particularly in a league as demanding as the Premier League. Photo IMAGO According to Sky Sports Germany, 'Leverkusen have already made contact with the Dutch international.' The report adds that Flekken is viewed as one of the leading candidates to resolve uncertainty in Leverkusen's goalkeeping department, where Xabi Alonso has rotated between Lukas Hradecky and Matej Kovar. Flekken remains under contract at Brentford until 2027, but a transfer fee in the region of €15 million (around £13 million) could be enough to tempt the Premier League club into negotiations. Advertisement The move would mark a return to the Bundesliga for Flekken, who previously impressed in Germany with Freiburg before crossing to England. Photo: IMAGO Our View – EPL Index Analysis For Brentford fans, this news comes with mixed emotions. Mark Flekken may not be a headline-grabbing name, but his importance to this side cannot be overstated. He's brought calmness, shot-stopping consistency, and Premier League-level distribution to a team that has had to weather injury spells and defensive reshuffles all season. The worry isn't just about losing a quality goalkeeper — it's about what that says for Brentford's trajectory. With Ivan Toney gone and the club battling to remain stable in the mid-table pack, selling Flekken would feel like another step back when momentum is so desperately needed. Advertisement And while £13 million might look reasonable on paper, the cost of replacing a settled, high-performing goalkeeper in this market would likely outweigh the fee received. Fans would rightly expect reinvestment, not just in a replacement but in a statement of intent that Brentford aren't simply becoming a stepping stone. Losing Flekken to a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso's compelling project, would be understandable. But Brentford must fight to retain their core — or risk slipping backwards in a league that punishes stagnation.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ange Postecoglou Confirms Van de Ven Absence for Liverpool Clash
Tottenham's defensive issues have deepened, with Ange Postecoglou confirming that Micky van de Ven will miss their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool. The Dutch defender, who only recently returned from a long hamstring layoff, has not suffered a fresh setback but is deemed not yet ready for the demands of Premier League-level intensity. This news comes at a critical time for Spurs, who are already without Radu Dragusin due to a serious knee injury and remain without Cristian Romero. Van de Ven's absence means Postecoglou must once again reshuffle his backline as his side prepares for a crucial period in the season. Van de Ven made his long-awaited return to action last Thursday, playing 45 minutes in Tottenham's Europa League clash against Elfsborg. It was his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea on December 8, a setback that sidelined him for seven weeks. Postecoglou initially suggested that Van de Ven was being 'kept on ice' with a view to making his full return this week. However, speaking ahead of Spurs' trip to Anfield, the Australian manager explained why he decided to hold the defender back. 'He doesn't feel like… he got through the game no problem, but we had a look at the figures towards the physical [side] you know, he does a lot more training and he got through it OK, but the Premier League's a whole different beast.' Postecoglou's approach is understandable. The Dutchman's pace and composure have been vital for Spurs this season, and risking another setback could be costly with key games still to come. Tottenham's injury crisis at centre-back has forced them to be cautious with Van de Ven's recovery, especially with Dragusin out and Romero not yet fit to return. The addition of Kevin Danso in the January window provides some relief, but it is clear Postecoglou is planning for the long-term rather than rushing his key defender back. 'Hopefully we're in the final of the Carabao Cup, hopefully we're still in the FA Cup. I just don't see the sense right now in risking that.' Spurs' ambitions stretch beyond domestic cup competitions, with European football resuming in a few weeks. Postecoglou is fully aware of the demands ahead and is prioritising a fully fit squad for the months to come. 'Having [new signing] Kevin [Danso] in is a massive bonus for us, so no he's not, and he hasn't re-injured the injury or anything like that, it's just that I just feel we need to get more into him.' The upcoming fixtures will test Tottenham's defensive resilience. A trip to Anfield is always a daunting challenge, and without Van de Ven, Postecoglou will need to rely on alternative solutions at centre-back. The next few weeks could define Spurs' season, and ensuring the Dutch defender returns fully fit could be the difference between success and disappointment. With the Carabao Cup final and a crucial run of Premier League fixtures on the horizon, Tottenham will need to navigate this period carefully. If they can keep pace at the top of the table and remain competitive in all competitions, Van de Ven's eventual return will provide a timely boost for the squad.
