Arsenal may have the chance to land one of Andrea Berta’s dream targets this summer. The Gunners will be carefully crafting this summer’s transfer window as they look to keep the nucleus of a very successful squad together while trying to upgrade where needed.

Mikel Arteta’s men are already Premier League champions, but they fell just short of the Champions League title, and they know they likely need to improve if they want to beat the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich without relying solely on a massive defensive effort, as good that effort was against PSG.

Arsenal want some more quality on the left wing and midfield, while they could yet add another striker in anticipation of Gabriel Jesus’ likely departure.

Alvarez situation blows up

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez shocked many when he revealed his wish to leave the club during a World Cup interview. He said: “I spoke with ​people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the ​best thing for everyone is ‌a transfer and I want to fulfill my dream. It’s not the time to talk about ​this, but I also can’t hide ⁠it. I try to ⁠be an honest person.”

Those comments came after Barcelona stirred up interest in Alvarez, and it led Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil to say: “Barcelona doesn’t respect and us believe they can belittle us. I feel great sadness in the face of Julián Álvarez statements.

“It was not the right day to make those statements; it was Messi’s day and that of the Argentine national team, not just Julian’s. Last year, Barcelona did something very similar with Nico Williams and Athletic Bilbao. Julian has a dream, and we at Atlético also have dreams. It is true that he spoke to us, but it is equally true that he knows our position well, because we have been very clear: Atlético does not want to sell. He is a great player and we are very proud to have him with us”

Arsenal will be watching keenly

Rodrigo Valle via Reuters

It is no secret that Arsenal chief Berta is a huge fan of Alvarez having spent a huge fee to sign the Argentine while he was with Atletico. The Gunners have continually been linked with a move for Alvarez and are said to be in contact over a move, but he has typically been off the table given he has a long contract and a very expensive release clause with Atleti.

As you can see from the Gil comments, Los Rojiblancos still don’t want to sell, but Alvarez pushing for a move can change that, and while he seems to be angling for a Barcelona move, it’s not out of the question that he would feel the same – or similar – about the Gunners, given they are now winning major titles, which could be a central part of his ‘dream’.

Alvarez can play on the wing and up top, which could really suit Arsenal this summer, given their needs, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to one of their long-term targets potentially becoming available.

‘Muchachos‘ — or ‘The Land of Diego and Lionel‘ — has become the defining soundtrack of Argentina at a World Cup.

Born in the stands, adopted by the players, and now ringing out across stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is one of the most emotionally charged football anthems ever written.

With Lionel Messi defying age and logic to (somehow) create more history at the 2026 World Cup, the song has never felt more relevant.

What is Argentina’s ‘Muchachos’ song?

The lyrics were written by Argentine fan Fernando Romero, who rewrote the words to a 2003 hit by Argentine band La Mosca — ‘Muchachos, esta noche me emborracho’ (‘Guys, tonight I will get drunk’).

It was written following their win over Brazil in the 2021 Copa América, their first international title in 28 years. The famous song references Diego Maradona, who inspired Argentina to their World Cup triumph in 1986 and died in 2020, describing him as cheering Messi on “from the sky” alongside his father Don Diego and his mother La Tota.

It also pays tribute to the young soldiers lost in the Falklands War, and the years of heartbreak in finals before the 2021 Copa América victory over Brazil finally ended the drought.

Romero went viral after a TV broadcaster showed him singing the song outside a stadium, and it led to an official release prior to the 2022 World Cup and has been a staple ever since.

Messi himself chose it as his favourite football chant before the 2022 tournament and it became the soundtrack to Argentina’s Qatar journey to becoming champions, and now, it is back to spur on La Albiceleste once again with additional lyrics added.

Argentina ‘Muchachos’ chant lyrics

Lyrics in Spanish

Lyrics in English

‘Muchachos’ may be the anthem of the current and previous World Cup, but it is not the only song heard echoing around Argentina’s matches. Fans have also been belting out another song titled: ‘El que no brinque es inglés’ — ‘Whoever doesn’t jump is English’. That is one that would be sung even louder if they were to meet England in a tournament.

There’s also a brand-new song that also emerged for 2026, set to the rhythm of Argentine singer Gilda’s ‘No me arrepiento de este amor’. These lyrics focus on how this could be Messi’s last World Cup as well as the Argentinian dream of another World Cup triumph.

Maradona has also been honoured in song with — ‘El Diez’ — a hymn to the number ten that rang out across Mexico in 1986 and has never truly gone away.

Read more on GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham are said to be on the verge of bidding for a Manchester United target as they look to fulfill a position of need this summer. Spurs have already snapped up three new signings this summer, signing Jan Paul van Hecke for big money, while they have also added free agents Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi.

Roberto De Zerbi is being given a war chest this summer, although the North London club’s recruitment is not exclusively manager-led. The Italian is getting a say after keeping Spurs in the top flight, but the club’s recruitment chiefs are also having input, and that is no different when it comes to the midfielder search, which is now hotting up after a bid for Sandro Tonali was rejected.

Fernandes becomes the focus

via Reuters

Spurs tried to sign Tonali from Newcastle United for £75million, only to see their bid rejected. According to TeamTalk, they have now turned their focus to West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and they are preparing to make a bid.

It’s claimed Tottenham will now make a bid of the same value to West Ham for the ‘quick’ Portugal international, who was seen as one of the most promising young players in the Premier League last season.

The 21-year-old ‘superstar’ was a shining light in a struggling West Ham’s midfield, with Nuno Espirito Santo describing his season as ‘fantastic’, and he will have immediately been considered by plenty of Premier League clubs after the Iron were relegated.

Manchester United have been heavily pursuing Fernandes, reportedly engaging in conversations coming into the summer, but they are yet to make a formal bid. Spurs are now expected to do just that, and that could see them beat the Red Devils to the chase.

It will be interesting to see if United now make a move of their own, and there will be concern from Spurs if they do, given Michael Carrick can offer Champions League football next season, while Spurs have no European football at all to offer.

Midfield transfer battle inevitable for Spurs and Man Utd

via Reuters

Spurs and United were perhaps always likely to come up against each other in this midfielder search. Both clubs are in need of midfielders, with Yves Bissouma having left Spurs, while United have lost Casemiro this summer.

Midfielders who can hold down the fort in midfield while also having an eye to get forward are always in demand, and there aren’t enough quality options to meet demand. Beyond that, United and Spurs both have a particular interest in proven Premier League commodities, which further narrows down the list.

The crossover was always likely, and this particular transfer battle could see this summer transfer window reach exciting territory at a time when many expected it to be quiet due to the World Cup. Meanwhile, West Ham will be hoping this bidding war is just getting started.