Hot Football Transfer Gossip: Bayern ‘tracking Dier, Juve ‘target Alexis’, Man Utd ‘in Pogba talks’

It was quite a good season for Tottenham and Arsenal last year, apart from the fact that they both thought they would win the league because all they had to do was finish above Leicester and then they didn’t, but the north London duo may find it even harder to overtake the Foxes next season if Sunday’s Hot Football Transfer Gossip is to be believed.

Both clubs could lose key players to bigger, better teams, with Bayern Munich reportedly monitoring Eric Dier and Juventus keen on Alexis Sanchez.

After being impressed by Dier’s displays at Euro 2016, the Sunday People says Bayern are doing “background checks” on the England midfielder, during which they will probably uncover the fact that he is actually Portuguese and then his composure on the ball will start to make sense. Hopefully they don’t uncover anything dodgy though, like that he collects Barbie dolls or voted Leave.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Express says Gunners forward Sanchez is Juve’s “number one target” to replace Alvaro Morata. The Italians only received £23m for the Spanish striker and Alexis would probably cost double that, but the Turin club will have no shortage of funds if they flog Paul Pogba.

Manchester United are once again linked with the enigmatic Frenchman today, with the Sunday Telegraph stating that Jose Mourinho is “in talks” to sign the midfielder, but that the Red Devils would have to pay a world record fee of up to €135m, which at post-Brexit exchange rates will probably be something like £250m.

It’s a busy weekend for Mourinho, with the Observer reporting that United are also “closing in” on deals for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

The club are reportedly confident that Dortmund will accept their offer of £30m for the Armenian playmaker, while Zlatan doesn’t have much else going on anymore, following Sweden’s feeble exit from the Euros.

The Daily Star Sunday says that Mourinho has also made a £30m bid for Wolfsburg’s German international midfielder Julian Draxler, although he’ll probably only sign him if for some reason the Mkhitaryan transfer doesn’t go through, and if for some reason Draxler actually wants to come.

All these incomings could be bad news for Morgan Schneiderlin, who the Sunday Mirror says could be allowed to leave Old Trafford to join Everton. New Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is ready to pay £20m for the midfielder he sold to United last year for £25m. Would that mean he’d be buying him back at a profit or a loss?

West Ham’s pursuit of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette is looking distinctly less promising based on the Sunday Mirror’s claim that Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are now interested in the Frenchman too. Or maybe it was Lacazette’s agent who told them that.

Elsewhere, Tottenham could face competition from Paris Saint-German for Dutch striker Vincent Janssen (L'Equipe), Stoke will complete the £16m signing of Saido Berahino this week (People) and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is set to make a £10m bid for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie (Sun on Sunday). Ah, now it all makes sense - Benitez doesn’t actually realise that the Magpies have been relegated to the Championship!

Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez, and Dani Alves head home to be on Copa America rosters

Five-times world player of the year Lionel Messi of Argentina, Chile's Alexis Sanchez and Brazilian Dani Alves were among the big names in the final rosters announced on Monday for next month's Copa America Centenario.

Sixteen teams will be competing on United States soil in the 100th anniversary of soccer's oldest international championship and each of them has submitted a squad of 23 players.

Messi heads a powerful roster for Argentina, who will launch their bid for a 15th championship title in Group D play against defending champions Chile on June 6 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Arsenal striker Sanchez, Chile's second-most capped player after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and a veteran of two World Cups, will be representing his country in his third Copa America.

Right back Alves, one of the most decorated footballers of all time in European club competition, is part of a Brazil lineup that will be seeking a ninth victory in the South American championship.

Other notable names in the final rosters announced on Monday included Michael Bradley of the United States, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez of Mexico and James Rodriguez of Colombia.

The tournament will start on June 3 when hosts the United States take on Colombia in Group A at Levi's Stadium before Brazil launch Group B play the following day against Ecuador at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Mexico get their campaign underway in a tough Group C against 15-times winners Uruguay at University of Phoenix Stadium at Glendale, Arizona.

The final of the prestigious tournament will be held on June 26 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Expanded by four teams, the Copa America is being staged this year outside the South American CONMEBOL nations for the first time.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil demand big summer signings before discussing new contracts

MESUT OZIL and Alexis Sanchez have put talks over a new contract on hold until the end of the season following their dramatic slump in form.

The attacking duo are Arsenal's two most expensive signings and remain crucial to the club's ambitions.

With two years left on their contracts respectively, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had been hopeful of securing their long-term futures.

But according to The Times, talks have failed to progress and have apparently been shelved until the summer.

It is claimed Ozil and Sanchez want around £160,000-a-week in wages and need convincing the Arsenal squad will be strengthened by signings in the summer.

The likes of Granit Xhaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Leicester youngster Ben Chilwell have all been linked with a move to the Emirates.

Ozil and Sanchez are also said to want reassurances that Arsenal will fight for the Premier League and Champions League next season.

After being top of the league in January, Arsenal have slipped to fourth in the league, just four points above Manchester United.

And they now face a battle to salvage their season by qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Real Madrid Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Wanted, Latest Toni Kroos Rumours

Rumours linking Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez with a move to Real Madrid have emerged, and the Gunners are reportedly eyeing midfield kingpin Toni Kroos to travel in the other direction.

Per TransferMarketWeb (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris), Los Blancos are “desperate” to sign Sanchez as a replacement for James Rodriguez and Isco, who have both been linked with moves away from the Spanish capital.

The 27-year-old forward has been a smash hit since moving to the Emirates Stadium from Barcelona, and his past with the Blaugrana wouldn't stand in the way of a transfer to Madrid, per Harris.

Sanchez's contract runs until 2018, and so far, he's yet to agree to a new deal with the Gunners. Per FourFourTwo, manager Arsene Wenger recently admitted the Gunners and Sanchez aren't close to an agreement.

The Chile international has struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks, and via Arsenal's official Twitter account, he absolutely hates it when he goes through a scoring slump:

Injuries have hampered Sanchez in the 2015-16 campaign, but when he's been able to play, he's usually looked very good. In six UEFA Champions League starts, he has scored three goals, per WhoScored.com.

The 27-year-old has always done his best work as a striker in a system with two forwards, but similar to his time with Barcelona, Arsenal have mainly employed him as a winger. Los Blancos would likely use him out wide as well, or give him a free role that would allow him to dart all over the pitch.

He would present a clear upgrade over Isco and Rodriguez, who have both struggled tremendously this season and appear to have lost the faith of manager Zinedine Zidane. As shared by Sport Witness, the two have faced plenty of criticism as a result, and AS were particularly harsh after the 1-0 loss against Atletico Madrid:

But convincing Arsenal to sell Sanchez could prove tricky. The Chilean is by far the club's top attacking option and a fan-favourite, and so far, he's yet to give any indication he's looking for a move.

Arsenal have fallen behind in the Premier League title race in recent weeks, were just knocked out of the FA Cup and are likely to bow out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as well. If their struggles continue, fans will be anxious for some positive news, and selling Sanchez would be the exact opposite.

Wenger would have to be mad to ship out Sanchez at this time, so unless Los Blancos are willing to throw bags of cash at the Gunners, a transfer is unlikely.

But perhaps Arsenal's reported interest in Kroos could help. According to AS (h/t the Sun's Toby Gannon), the Gunners are among a list of clubs interested in his services, and the report claims Real have already identified Leicester City's N'Golo Kante as a replacement should he leave.

Henry Winter of the Times thinks Manchester City would also love to add the 26-year-old:

The former Bayern Munich star moved to Spain in 2014 and has been a regular starter for Los Blancos ever since. He was one of the club's top players last season, and while he hasn't reached the same level in the current campaign, he remains a pivotal player.

Per UEFA Euro 2016's official Twitter account, his distribution has been as solid as ever:

But Zidane has tried to use the German in a more defensive role, and his performances have suffered as a result. The presence of Luka Modric means Kroos can't play as a primary playmaker, and he simply isn't suited to be a holding midfielder. It's not a surprise Los Blancos have often looked stronger when Casemiro has been in the side.

Arsenal wouldn't ask him to do too much defensive work, as that's Francis Coquelin's job, and should Kroos and Real deem it best if both parties split up, a move wouldn't be a bad idea. But Kroos seems happy in the Spanish capital and is yet to give any hints he might be looking for a move, so right now, a deal appears unlikely. 

Arsenal hand trial to new ‘Alexis Sanchez’

ARSENAL have given a trial to Chilean teenager Marcelo Allende, who has been dubbed the new Alexis Sanchez.

Allende is regarded as one of Chile’s hottest prospects and is captain of the under-17’s side.

The Daily Mail say the 16-year-old spent two weeks with the Gunners after being given permission by his club Sports Santa Cruz.

Allende has drawn comparisons with Sanchez having been a product of Cobreloa’s youth ranks, which is the club where 27-year-old began his career.

Last month, Allende agent admitted he wanted talks with Arsenal.

He said: “I have a relationship with many European clubs including Arsenal and, another club, so if tomorrow there are options, we’ll talk.

“Arsenal is a great training club and we would be interested in working with them if they give us the possibility to.”

English Premier League giants Arsenal to play two pre-season games in Australia

FOUR decades after they last visited Sydney, English Premier League giants Arsenal are set to return to the Harbour City.

The Daily Telegraph understands the Gunners will play two matches at ANZ Stadium in 2017 as part of their preseason preparation, one against Sydney FC — who should be used to coming up against Premier League opposition by now after this year hosting both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea — and the other against the Western Sydney Wanderers.

While the exact dates of the games are yet to be finalised, they are expected to take place in either late July or early August of 2017 and the tour will form part of Arsenal’s preseason training.

Arsenal's star-studded squad is set to travel Down Under.

It might be a bit of a wait for those eager Arsenal football fans in Australia — and indeed football fans in general — but due to the number of players involved in Euro 2016, trying to fit in a tour next year would have been too challenging.

Some of the most talented players in world football play for the Gunners, including Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has been at the helm of the club for 19 years, is famously stubborn when it comes to his meticulous pre-season regimen and previous attempts that were made to entice him to make the trip Down Under all failed. But in recent years the team has added Asia and the US to its travel itinerary and now Wenger is said to be excited at the prospect of playing in Australia too.

Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in English football, having won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and a record 12 FA Cups. The north London team is also one of the clubs in the running to win this season’s title. With an estimated worth of $1.3 billion, Arsenal are ranked the seventh richest club in world football.

The last time Arsenal were in Sydney was way back in 1977, where they played — and lost 3-1 — to an Australian team featuring John Kosmina and Peter Wilson and coached by Jim Shoulder.

The Arsenal tour is another major coup for ANZ Stadium and the NSW Government and adds to a growing list of football royalty that has played in Sydney recently. Manchester United, Juventus, Tottenham and Chelsea have all enjoyed successful trips, while a Liverpool Legends team will also play an exhibition match against an Australian XI at the venue in January.

Arsene Wenger is set to break with traditional and bring the Gunners Down Under for pre-season.

The Arsenal tour is expected to be officially announced at a press conference tomorrow.

Olympiakos beware! Arsene Wenger reveals secret weapon

With Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla out for the Arsenal’s biggest game of the season, Arsene Wenger will need to think outside the box.

But this is ridiculous!

Bored out of his mind during the pre-match press conference in Athens, he doodled what many believe to be a spaceship.

Wenger has always been known for bringing new and innovative ideas to the English game.

And leaving the planet if Arsenal fail to qualify from their Champions League group might just be his best yet.