^ ^ Liverpool plot move for Man Utd target to become first signing of Andoni Iraola era

Iraola was confirmed as the new Liverpool boss this week (Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool are weighing up a move for Bournemouth star Alex Scott who is also on Manchester United’s list of summer transfer targets.

A new era has begun at Anfield with the club confirming the appointment of Andoni Iraola as their new head coach on Thursday.

The Spaniard arrives on Merseyside after a fantastic spell in charge of Bournemouth, culminating in European qualification for the Cherries.

Scott was a big part of that success, starting 34 matches last season as he emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young midfielders.

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The 22-year-old is among the names on United’s list of targets as they seek to rebuild their midfield this summer. Inquiries into the cost of a deal have been made with United looking to sign at least two midfielders – three if Manuel Ugarte leaves the club.

But The Sun report Liverpool are also interested in signing the England Under-21 international.

Scott thrived under Iraola last season and is also well-known to Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, who signed him for Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023 when he led recruitment at the Vitality Stadium.

Scott has an excellent season at Bournemouth (Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Scott, while not selected for the final squad, is with the England group for World Cup warm-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica and could make his senior debut on Saturday against the former.

He was quizzed on Iraola’s appointment at Liverpool, believing there are big similarities to how he and Jurgen Klopp want their teams to play.

Iraola could be reunited with Scott at Anfield (Picture: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

‘He is obviously a great manager; you see what we have done as a club at Bournemouth and how we have progressed over the three seasons he was with us,’ Scott said.

‘I think the way we press out of possession is very aggressive, maybe similar to the early Klopp teams Liverpool had, that fierce aggressiveness and pressing with the wingers. I would say he is similar to that.

‘Liverpool fans should definitely be so excited.’

Liverpool have made wide areas a priority this summer with moves for RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain being explored.

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^ ^ The most political World Cup ever?

We’ve got together with Americast and Newscast for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever. How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the US-Iran war affect the tournament? And why are tickets so expensive? Our own John Murray, Newscast's Adam Fleming, and Americast's Marianna Spring and Anthony Zurcher tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on off the pitch. In this episode we look at why the US, Canada, and Mexico were picked as hosts, and who’s benefiting from the Trump-Infantino bromance. Parts 2 and 3 are in the Newscast and Americast feeds on BBC Sounds. Listen to Newscast here: https://ift.tt/q4OcmQ5 Listen to Americast here: https://ift.tt/AtdP17o

^ ^ Jose Mourinho tells Real Madrid to sign £80m Manchester United target

Mateus Fernandes is on Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid transfer wishlist (PA Wire)

Jose Mourinho has told Real Madrid to beat Manchester United to the signing of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to reports in Spain.

Fernandes was signed from Southampton in a deal worth £38m plus £4m in add-ons last year but is now set to be on the move once again following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.

The 21-year-old impressed in his debut season with West Ham and has attracted interest from several clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

United have already begun talks over a deal to sign Fernandes with West Ham demanding an £80m transfer fee for the midfielder.

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However, Spanish newspaper AS report that Mourinho has recommended the signing of Fernandes to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Madrid are holding a presidential election and if Perez is re-elected on Sunday, Mourinho will return to the Santiago Bernabeu as head coach.

Jose Mourinho will return to Real Madrid if Florentino Perez is re-elected as president on Sunday (Getty)

Perez, who is up against the renewable energy entrepreneur, Enrique Riquelme, in Madrid’s first contested presidential election for 20 years, has also promised to submit a club-record bid for an unnamed ‘great player’ if he is re-elected this weekend.

‘On Tuesday or so, I’m going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player. It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history,’ Perez told Horizonte on Thursday.

When asked to name his transfer target, Perez replied: ‘[Michael] Olise is a great player but it’s not Olise, it’s not [Jeremy] Doku either.

‘We’re going to make a significant offer, at least around €150m (£129.6m).

‘He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward. And it’s not [Erling] Haaland.

‘The player is not from the Premier League, and the first thing we’ll do is talk to the club.

‘It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about, generating excitement.’

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^ ^ Marquinhos names Arsenal star as ‘the best in the world this season’

Marquinhos has revealed what he told Gabriel Magalhaes after PSG beat Arsenal in the Champions League final (Shutterstock)

Marquinhos believes Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been the best centre-back in world football this season.

Gabriel played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s Premier League title success, forming a solid partnership alongside William Saliba.

The Brazil international was also instrumental in Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final where they were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

After missing the crucial penalty in the shootout, Gabriel was immediately consoled by his Brazil teammate Marquinhos, who has revealed what he told the Arsenal defender before joining his PSG teammates to celebrate their second successive Champions League victory.

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‘I was ready and prepared to celebrate,’ Marquinhos said.

Marquinhos consoled Gabriel after his penalty miss in the Champions League final (GES Sportfoto/Getty)

‘But when I started running, I saw him right in front of me and my team going past him, the same image as after my penalty [miss] in 2022.

‘That’s when I started thinking about my [Brazil] teammate, having empathy, because I’ve been through a moment like that and I know the responsibility.

‘I told [Gabriel] to stay strong, to hold his head high because he’d had an incredible season and an incredible match.

‘I told him that, in my opinion, he was the best centre-back in the world this season. He simply didn’t deserve to carry that burden because, of course, we all want to score penalties.

‘I told him that nothing about that moment would take away from the wonderful season he’d had and that we were going to need him very much. Those were my words to him, so that he could get over that moment as quickly as possible because we were going to need him very soon here.’

Marquinhos and Gabriel are with Brazil’s squad as they prepare for the start of their World Cup campaign.

Brazil will play Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

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^ ^ Emile Heskey predicts where Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool will finish next season

Ex-England striker Emile Heskey (Picture: YouTube)

Emile Heskey has backed Manchester City to win the Premier League next season despite Pep Guardiola’s departure and revealed his top-four prediction.

Ex-Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set to replace Guardiola, who has left Man City after ten years in charge.

Guardiola won 20 trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium, including six Premier League titles, eight domestic cups and the Champions League in 2023.

It has been suggested by some pundits that Man City could be set for a period of transition like Manchester United and Arsenal experienced following the exits of club legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

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But Heskey expects Manchester City to reclaim the Premier League trophy next season and has predicted defending champions Arsenal will finish just fourth.

Following three successive second-place finishes, Mikel Arteta guided Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years last season.

The Gunners appear to have the foundations for more success but Heskey believes they will drop out of title contention, finishing below Manchester United and Liverpool as well as Man City.

Mikel Arteta holding Arsenal’s Premier League trophy (Picture: Getty)

United were one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League during the second-half of the season and are expected to keep on improving under new permanent head coach Michael Carrick.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are set to hire Andoni Iraola as their new manager after sacking title-winning boss Arne Slot following a difficult season.

‘Manchester City will be champions with or without Pep Guardiola,’ the ex-England striker told Hajper.

Heskey's predicted top-four for next season

1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Aston Villa
6. Newcastle United

‘They look good now but they’re really going to come together as a team next season.

‘Pep Guardiola is gone next season. I think he’s had more than enough and he’s happy with everything he’s done.

‘He probably wants a little bit more family time now and will take another break from football like he did after leaving Barcelona.

Ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is set to join Man City (Picture: Getty)

‘Football is difficult, especially when you’re coaching. There’s no set plan. You can have a set plan but then it can be thrown out the window.

‘But even without Guardiola in charge, Manchester City will win the league next season.

‘Top four I’ll say Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal. Then Aston Villa fifth and Newcastle United in sixth.’

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If Heskey is right, Chelsea will endure another underwhelming season under new manager Xabi Alonso, having finished just 10th last term.

On Manchester City’s imminent appointment of Maresca, who left Chelsea in January just six months after winning the Club World Cup, Heskey added: ‘I think he will come in and City will be more or less the same team.

‘I don’t think he will change much or do anything differently.  Guardiola has been there for 10 years and then other managers only last four games. It’s mad, really.

‘Football is football and we all love it and Guardiola has brought something different to the game with his tactics and structures. Everyone wants to be Pep manager but no one else has Pep’s players.

‘I like to see other managers getting good results playing in totally different ways, so the challenges of having total football take on counter-attacking teams who sit back, or a side that will hurt you from corners and free kicks.’

Before the 2026-27 Premier League campaign begins there is the small matter of a summer World Cup hosted by America, Mexico and Canada.

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