Premier League news and talking points
Arsenal won’t axe ‘club icon’ Wenger
The Sun reports that Arsenal will allow Arsene Wenger to decide his own future and won’t sack the long-serving manager because he is a “club icon”.
The Gunners are in sixth place in the Premier League and Wenger is under pressure to deliver Champions League football next season.
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With their top-four hopes fading fast, Arsenal’s last chance to qualify for Uefa’s elite club competition is by winning the Europa League. But according to le10sport in France, even if Arsenal don’t qualify for the Champions League, he won’t face the sack because the Gunners’ board see Wenger as a “club icon”. Wenger, who became Arsenal boss in 1996, signed a two-year contract extension at the end of last season.
Ferdinand: Conte not worried about Chelsea job
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand believes Chelsea manager Antonio Conte won’t be worried about his future at Stamford Bridge. Conte has been under pressure after a number of heavy defeats but Ferdinand says the Italian “won’t be thinking about that”. Quoted by the Daily Star, the BT Sport pundit said: “He’s a big manager, won the league last season. No one wants to be under pressure, no one wants to be criticised or put under huge scrutiny, but he won’t be thinking about that.”
Moyes impresses West Ham board
West Ham United will offer manager David Moyes a two-year contract this summer provided he keeps the club in the Premier League. Moyes’s current short-term deal expires at the end of the season, but the Daily Express says he has impressed the West Ham board since being appointed in November.
Silva is favourite for the West Brom job
The Birmingham Mail says that former Watford manager Marco Silva is the bookies’ favourite to replace Alan Pardew, should the West Bromwich Albion boss get the sack. The Baggies are bottom of the Premier League and it has been reported that Pardew could be fired if results don’t turn around in the next couple of games.
Premier League transfer news and gossip
Courtois agent will ‘listen’ to Real
Thibaut Courtois admits that his agent will “listen” to offers from Real Madrid even though he is in talks with Chelsea over a new contract. The goalkeeper’s current deal at Chelsea expires in 2019 but he has become a major transfer target for Real. Courtois previously played for Real’s city rivals Atletico and his children still live in the Spanish capital. Speaking to the Daily Mail after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Barcelona, he said: “I have one year left and I’m happy and talking to Chelsea. They have bet on me from the first moment and that is not forgotten. I do not think [Real Madrid president] Florentino Perez calls me, he will call my agent and he will listen to him.”
Christian Pulisic: Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea/Bayern Munich
Chelsea are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic, the Daily Mail reports, but they will face competition from Bayern Munich. The Mail says that Chelsea are lining up a bid for the 19-year-old USA international this summer, but reports in Germany suggest he could cost up to £88m.
Jorginho: Napoli to Manchester United
Jorginho’s agent says Napoli could sell the defensive midfielder this summer and open the door for a move to Manchester United. The Sun reports that Jorginho could be “sacrificed” by Napoli with the Serie A side keen to sign Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria. Agent Joao Santos said: “He wants to stay, although we’ll have to see if Napoli agree with that. If a player like Torreira arrives from Sampdoria, then that will require an important investment and Jorginho could be sacrificed to make way. I think they’d rather sell Jorginho than Amadou Diawara, who is younger.”
Daniele Rugani: Juventus to Arsenal
Arsenal will be in the market for a central defender in the summer and according to The Sun their top target is Juventus ace Daniele Rugani. Although the Gunners have shown interest in the 23-year-old Italian international, they have not made any firm offers. Rugani’s agent Davide Torchia said: “Rugani is an international player. He could play in any league. He’s young, elegant in the way of playing. I know that various top European top clubs follow him.”
