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Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme, via the Daily Mail, pundit Jamie Carragher says he believes Tottenham Hotspur are still a long way behind Arsenal following their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Spurs finished above the Gunners for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s 21-year reign as manager last term, and they were four points ahead of their north London neighbours prior to their derby clash at the weekend.

However, first-half goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez gave the hosts the win, with the gap between the two sides in the Premier League now just down to a single point.

It was another disappointing away performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s men against one of their top-six rivals, after they also lost without scoring when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United last month.

While Carragher believes that Spurs could come out on top in terms of top flight standings this season, they still aren’t at the same level because of Arsenal’s dominance in the past.

Speaking on MNF, via the Daily Mail, the former Liverpool defender said: “Tottenham just have the edge and will finish above Arsenal this season, but a power shift, no.

“It has to be five or six seasons where you finish above your rival. I think a big foreign player would choose Arsenal.

“Until we start treating Tottenham like we treat Arsenal, the Manchester clubs and Liverpool, that’s when you think they have overtaken them.”

Even at this relatively early stage of the campaign, Tottenham and Arsenal lie 11 and 12 points respectively behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, and they already look to face a huge battle to be involved in the race for this term’s title.

Not only is Zlatan Ibrahimovic a wonderful footballer, he is also very good value when it comes to the media.

It had been claimed that the 36-year-old would retire from professional football when he suffered a serious knee injury in April.

The Swede was just not interested in hanging up his boots, however, and made his return for Manchester United during Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

The fact that the striker’s first contribution was a flying volley says just about everything that you need to know about his character.

It would have been easy for Ibrahimovic to retire at the end of last season as he did not have anything else to prove following a brilliant campaign in English football.

Ibrahimovic is not like us, however, as the ‘lion’ has returned hungrier than ever.

His return to the fold is a massive boost for United, and the club’s supporters were out in force to hail the striker following some Monday morning motivation.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not injured despite sitting out the Premier League clash with Arsenal at the weekend.

Ibrahimovic failed to make the 18 for the fixture at the Emirates Stadium, and it had been thought that the Swede had picked up a problem after recovering from knee ligament damage.

The 36-year-old will also miss United’s Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night, where the Red Devils will look to qualify for the round of 16.

Mourinho, however, has revealed that Ibrahimovic is not carrying an injury but recovering from intense muscular work which is designed to strengthen the area surrounding his knee.

Mourinho told MUTV:

“He is okay but he needs, now and again, specific work on the muscle that supports that knee that went through such a difficult surgery.

“When he works really hard on that, he gets fatigue and you cannot play with fatigue. It is something that we knew would happen now and again, that he needs to stop playing to become ready for harder work for prevention.”

Mourinho, speaking ahead of the CSKA match, later confirmed that Ibrahimovic was in his thinking for the Manchester derby with Manchester City this weekend.

The experienced forward is yet to start a match after recovering from knee surgery, but he has appeared off the bench on four occasions.

Jordan Henderson was largely instructed to play more of a holding role at Liverpool last season.

The midfielder and club captain has always had his critics, but he had a decent campaign at Anfield as he led the team to a top-four finish and the Champions League final.

At the World Cup in Russia, England manager Gareth Southgate has so far selected Henderson ahead of Eric Dier, and it has proved to be the right call.

What do you think of the World Cup so far? Let us know and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.

However, during the Three Lions’ dramatic last-16 win over Colombia on Tuesday night, the 28-year-old did not play an influential role.

England were a matter of minutes away from moving into the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win, but a late equaliser forced the decider into extra-time and then penalties.

Henderson put his nation’s progression into doubt by missing from the spot, but his blushes were saved as England won 4-3.

The penalty miss was disappointing, but that can always be down to luck, therefore it should not hugely impact on Henderson’s performance.

The midfielder  – valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt – was mainly required to carry out defensive duties in the middle of the park, but he failed to make an interception and he committed just one tackle

In terms of his distribution, Henderson made only one key pass, but he did show strength in aerial challenges.

Due to the recent arrival of Fabinho in the Liverpool team, the Reds’ club captain could find himself without a position.

However, judging by the performance against Colombia perhaps it would be in the player and Liverpool’s best interests to allow him to play further up the park in midfield, or alternatively switch him out wide right.

One display should not be enough for Klopp to rip up his entire plans for Henderson, but it does give the manager food for thought.

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Manchester United have met with Lazio for talks over a move for Serbian international midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, via TalkSport.

What’s the latest, then?

The report claims that representatives from Old Trafford have had a meeting with senior officials at the Italian giants with a view to beating Juventus and Real Madrid to the signature of the powerhouse midfielder.

The report also says that Lazio value the 6ft 4in tall star who played in all three of his country’s World Cup matches out in Russia this summer at a staggering £130m, which would shatter United’s transfer record.

The report also claims that figure is non-negotiable, but that the midfielder is considering his options this summer following Serbia’s elimination from this summer’s showpiece.

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Lingard could solve United’s midfield woes

Jesse Lingard has flourished in a deeper midfield role as England have rampaged into the semi-finals of the World Cup, showcasing a different side to his game, as he has previously been viewed as a winger or a number 10.

That serves to bolster Jose Mourinho’s central midfield options and combined with the arrival of Brazil international Fred, means that United do not really need to smash their transfer record for Milinkovic-Savic.

United’s defence is the area that is in need of more urgent surgery and at £130m, Ed Woodward should leave Juventus and Real Madrid to fight it out for the Serbian.

Leeds’ hunt for a striker is seemingly going to continue for much of the window. 

The Yorkshire club have struggled to find a forward to lead Bielsa’s forward line. For weeks the club has been linked with a move for Derby County striker Matej Vydra but it seems a deal for the attacker is stalling as he holds out for a move to a Premier League club.

With that in mind, Leeds have now turned their attention to Kasimpasa SK striker, Mbaye Diagne according to Turkish Football.

The Breakdown

The Senegalese striker has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances for Kasimpasa last season according to Transfermarkt. Having only spent six months at the club and with a further three years left on his deal, it would seem that getting deal wrapped up for the striker may require a reasonable fee.

The tall six foot three forward, is now on Leeds’ radar having missed out on Bobby Reid, Abel Hernandez and most recently, Matej Vydra.

The forward may not have a great record in one of Europe’s top leagues but at this stage in the transfer window, a striker with 12 goals in 17 games in a league that is still competitive, may just turn out as a success for Leeds.

The club don’t have many options up front and with the time running out to strengthen up front Leeds might just have to take the deal.

Diagne may not be the name that Leeds fans want but he might just have to do.

Thoughts Leeds fans? 

Leeds United’s transfer window has been quiet thus far with little by way of concrete movement into Elland Road to report, however, that trend appeared to change earlier today.

According to a report from The Yorkshire Evening Post, Jamal Blackman is set to sign for Leeds imminently after the club struck a deal with Chelsea to sign the 24-year-old goalkeeper on loan.

Considering Leeds only have Bailey Peacock-Farrell available between the sticks, the decision to sign Blackman is certainly one which has been made out of necessity, but there is reason to suggest that they should have targeted a proven goalkeeper with plenty of Premier League experience, namely Fraser Forster of Southampton.

Southampton’s latest move in the transfer market could well indicate that their fantastic shot-stopper, has become available for a summer transfer after falling down the pecking order at St Mary’s Stadium.

Forster lost his place as Southampton’s number one last season after making a handful of mistakes for the club, and Alex McCarthy took full advantage of his chance to shine in the first-team by playing a starring role in the Saints’ successful survival bid.

However, the arrival of Angus Gunn earlier this week in a £13.5 million deal has left Forster as the club’s third choice goalkeeper and seemingly surplus to requirements.

According to a recent report from The Sun, Southampton are willing to listen to offers for Forster this summer with McCarthy and Gunn expected to go head-to-head for the number one shirt.

Now that Forster has found himself as third choice keeper at an average Premier League club, it’s perfectly plausible that he may be forced to take a step down to the Championship in order to resurrect his flailing career and, with Leeds’ goalkeeping situation to consider, a move to Elland Road is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.

Blackman’s imminent arrival suggests that Leeds have indeed come to a final decision in the transfer market, but they may be forced to rue a missed opportunity if one of their promotion-rivals eventually secures Forster’s signature.

At this moment in time the most important thing for Forster is that he is playing first-team football on a regular basis, so a move to Leeds United would have made perfect sense for the 6ft 6in stopper.

Leeds fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Newcastle fans are all saying the same thing after the latest transfer news, that there’s no way Mike Ashley will sanction a mega-money move for Miguel Almiron.

According to Ed Aarons of The Guardian, both Newcastle and West Ham are targeting Atlanta United’s Almiron.

The 24 year-old, who has 13 Paraguay caps, is valued at around £20m according to Aarons’ report, which would of course break the Magpies’ transfer record, but the rumoured Benitez target is a surprise given they have shown no signs that they are willing to pay anywhere near that amount for one player this summer.

Both clubs are of course seeking a new number ten, and Almiron clearly has the traits to make it in the Premier League.

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The MLS star is absolutely rapid, can play either as a number ten or on the wing, and has grabbed eight goals and 11 assists in 21 league games this season for Atlanta United.

West Ham have already done plenty of brilliant business, and they are seeking a creative midfielder to be the final piece of the puzzle.

Newcastle on the other hand have done virtually no business at all, and Rafael Benitez is desperate for both a striker and a number ten.

Loads of fans are saying the same thing though, not expecting Ashley to splash the cash and smash the record. Plenty are loving the links too though, heaping praise on the electric Paraguayan.

Either way, you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Leeds United transfer target Domingos Quina is set to be offered a new contract by West Ham United to ward off interest from any potential suitors, according to Sky Sports.

What’s the story?

The 18-year-old midfielder joined West Ham in 2016 after having spent time at Chelsea’s and Benfica’s academies but is yet to make a senior Premier League appearance for the Hammers.

The hot prospect was touted as one of the top young talents in Europe by West Ham’s academy director Terry Westley when he signed for the club but he hasn’t yet hit the heights many thought he would.

He has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Leeds this summer, but now it appears West Ham are reluctant to see him leave and the youngster could be offered a new deal.

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Wait in the wings

According to Sky Sports, if Quina rejects the offer of a new contract at the Hammers, he could be available for as little as £600,000 and will be on a high after just helping Portugal win the Under-19 Euro Championships.

Of course, it will be difficult to out-muscle Barcelona if they retain their interest but Leeds could offer Quina a much quicker route to first team football and he would add much-needed flair and creativity in midfield.

It all hangs in the balance at the moment and it’s up to the player where he sees his future, but should he reject a new deal at the London Stadium, Leeds should be quick onto the scene to snap up the highly-rated youngster.

Leeds United midfielder Ronaldo Vieira looks to be on the verge of signing for Serie A side Sampdoria having been pictured landing in Italy, and Whites fans on Twitter know who they want to replace the 20-year-old.

The England U21 international is reported to have been the subject of a £7m bid from the Italian club, and considering he looked as though he was only going to play a bit-part role this season given his pre-season so far under Marcelo Bielsa, it appears as though the Yorkshire outfit have cashed in.

The search for his replacement will now have begun, and some of the Elland Road faithful appear to want technically-gifted Brentford defensive midfielder Ryan Woods, who has impressed and made 127 appearances for the Bees since joining them from Shrewsbury Town in 2015.

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Leeds supporters, some of whom are desperate for the club not to re-sign a former 23-year-old star, were quick to have their say on the 24-year-old Championship ace via social media, and while one described him as “better than Vieira”, another said “Woods is the obvious choice”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…