Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is likely to return to the fold at Anfield after AFCON, before moving to America in the summer transfer window, Richard Keys has claimed.
It’s been an interesting situation surrounding Salah in recent weeks, with the Egyptian forward embroiled in controversy after he called out the club and Arne Slot in an explosive interview. Salah suggested that the club were throwing him under the bus, also claiming that his relationship with Slot had broken down.
Salah’s interview came off the back of being dropped to the bench for three consecutive games, which the former Chelsea forward clearly couldn’t understand. Salah was omitted from Liverpool’s Champions League squad to face Inter Milan a few days later, but he returned off the bench against Brighton on the weekend.
Richard Keys: Mohamed Salah to Leave Liverpool for America
Writing in his blog, Keys has claimed that after speaking to his ‘Arabic colleagues’, Salah is expected to return to the Liverpool fold once he returns from the African Cup of Nations. However, a move to the MLS could be on the cards next summer, Keys has hinted.
“I’ll share with you what a lot of my Arabic colleagues are telling me about Salah. The smart money is on a return to the fold post AFCON, and a move in the summer – to America.”
A move to America would certainly be an interesting one for Salah, considering the rumours surrounding a transfer to Saudi Arabia over the last few years. GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Salah is a target for Saudi clubs ahead of the January transfer window, with Al-Hilal one of the frontrunners if he were to move to the Middle East.
Arsenal have accepted an offer for one of their important players this summer, as Turkish outlet Sporx reports that an exit could be just around the corner.
The Gunners are looking at the possibility of some sales over the course of the transfer market, with the squad featuring plenty of quality and depth in almost every position.
As Trossard enters the final year of his contract with Arsenal, several teams have been showing interest in a deal to sign the 31-year-old this summer.
With recent rumours surrounding an exit, Turkish outlet Sporx claims that Arsenal have accepted a €20 million (£17.2 million) bid from Besiktas to allow Trossard to leave the club.
The final decision is now down to the experienced forward, as the report claims that there is also intense interest from Saudi Arabia with some clubs looking to use their financial muscle to get a deal done.
Any final call on his future may come in the next few weeks, as Trossard is currently away on international duty with Belgium at the 2026 World Cup.
The 31-year-old has already scored two goals and assisted once for the Red Devils during a challenging campaign so far, which continues with a clash against Senegal in the round of 32.
A decision could follow his side’s exit, whenever that may be. For now, though, his future seemingly remains up in the air.
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Trossard Has Been Key For Arsenal
Since signing him from Brighton back in January 2023, Trossard has been nothing short of a key star for Arsenal whenever the team needed some inspiration.
Be it his impact from the start or from the bench, the Belgian star offered plenty of quality and versatility without any question of where his place in the team may be.
That selflessness, and his ability to arrive in the most important moments, has cemented his place as an icon for years to come. His 174 appearances have been made with 36 goals and 34 assists.
Arsenal could be handed a decent transfer windfall as their rivals Chelsea are eyeing up a deal for a former player.
At times, he has been the scorer Arsenal needs. At other points, he has been the one to set them up. While there may be stars who can add even more quality, Trossard has been nothing short of an immense signing.
Replacing him will be tough, but if Arsenal can recoup some money for an experienced star entering the final year of his deal, then it may prove to be an even better bit of business.
When Diego Maradona warned the footballing world about hosting the World Cup in the USA and Mexico, few realised he predicted one of the most controversial features of this summer’s tournament.
The 2026 World Cup has been a polarising one thus far for several reasons, and there have been plenty of decisions that have frustrated fans. None more so than the introduction of hydration breaks, which FIFA brought in to keep players safe in humid conditions.
Back in the UK, a heatwave has had England supporters heading to their local supermarkets to buy fans and stock up on water. Temperatures of 30 degrees are the norm in the USA and Canada, but for players who spend their club seasons in Europe, it’s a major issue.
That said, the hydration breaks haven’t solely been focused on benefiting players’ welfare. The break in play has been a commercial tool for many countries outside the UK, a development Maradona foresaw when speaking eight years ago.
Maradona Ridiculed Hosting World Cup in North America
The late Maradona, who passed away in November 2020, hit out at FIFA’s decision to take the World Cup to the USA, Canada and Mexico. In a clip from an interview back in 2018, he reacted scathingly to the three nations being handed the tournament:
“There’s no passion. The Canadians may be good skiers, and the Americans wanted to have four periods of 25 [minutes] for the advertising.”
Looking back, Maradona’s dig at ‘four periods of 25 minutes of advertising’ holds true for the much-hated hydration breaks. Viewers outside of the UK are greeted by adverts which roll 20 seconds after the first hydration whistle and end just 30 seconds before the restart.
UK broadcasters BBC and ITV don’t turn to additional adverts; instead, they cut to their studios for mid-match comments from pundits. The US in particular breaks to cut to commercials, and experts believe advertising revenue generates more than £189m in America alone, per The Sun.
Some question whether the breaks are more about boosting commercial revenue than about factoring in player welfare. US television uses more ad breaks than the UK, and their timing differs: shows often lead straight into one another rather than taking a break as they do in the UK.
Maradona, who won the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico, also criticised the culture of North America and the country where he achieved glory: “Mexico doesn’t deserve it. The Mexicans come up against Brazil or Germany… and ‘boom,’ they’re out.”
FIFA raised suspicions about the rationale for hydration breaks after making three-minute stoppages mandatory for every match during the tournament. That even includes games played in air-conditioned stadiums or in mild temperatures.
What World Cup Managers Think
Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters
Hydration breaks are undoubtedly causing uproar among fans of the sport who aren’t fond of four breaks in play. For managers, though, it gives them the opportunity to gather their players and put tactics across, especially if they are losing.
Several goals were scored immediately after these breaks, although overall match momentum dropped 17 per cent on average during hydration breaks in the group stage. That’s why, unsurprisingly, there are a fair few coaches who have made their feelings clear over the feature.
England boss Thomas Tuchel isn’t a fan and feels they are a hindrance: “I think that it interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought. Of course I had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and needed but they were shorter.”
Didier Deschamps echoed Maradona’s stance when speaking back in March. The France boss said: “It’s good for you, the broadcaster, to have the commercial break, but having those three minutes changes the game… No matter the team, if they’re on a roll, three minutes ruins everything.”
There have been instances when the breaks have benefitted a team, including Brazil in their 3-0 win over Haiti. Carlo Ancelotti alluded to this after the game: “We have a possibility for player recovery, and you can also put some adjustments on the game.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists that the breaks are used only to keep players safe. When fans look back on the tournament in years to come, it’s fair to say that many will be reminded of the breaks rather than the events that unfolded on the pitch.
Arsenal will be looking at how they can further strengthen this summer as they look to defend their Premier League title and add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.
The Gunners ended a 22-year wait to be named English champions once again last season, but were also beaten in the Champions League and League Cup final.
Midfield is certainly a position the Gunners are expected to target for strengthening this summer as they look to go again and it sounds as though they are looking to do business with another one of their Premier League counterparts this summer.
Arsenal make verbal offer for Bruno Guimaraes
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have seen a verbal offer “worth less than £60million” for Newcastle United favourite Bruno Guimaraes turned away by the Magpies, with the north east outfit’s current stance being that the Brazilian is not for sale.
It is yet to be seen if the Gunners increase their offer, but a report in the Athletic will allay some fans’ fears that they could lose Guimaraes if Arsenal increase their offer to a certain amount.
The report states: “Contrary to claims in Brazil that Guimaraes has a release clause of around £60million ($79.3million), Newcastle deny that any exit trigger exists in his contract.”
The Brazilian has been instrumental in Newcastle’s rise back to being regular contenders for Champions League qualification since his arrival from Lyon in January 2022. Over the past four-and-a-half seasons, the 28-year-old has made 195 appearances, scoring 31 goals and registering 32 assists.
Newcastle have already seen one star depart this summer with Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona for £69million ahead of the World Cup and are not looking to sanction any further exits for their best players.
Guimaraes could be tempted by Arsenal offer
Unlike the Alexander Isak situation last summer, Guimaraes doesn’t seem like the type of character to go on strike amid transfer interest from a bigger club. However, a potential move to Arsenal does make sense.
It feels as though a new era is beginning at Newcastle this summer after the Magpies struggled to a disappointing 12th-place finish, having qualified for the Champions League in two of the previous three seasons. They also lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025.
Although Guimaraes will be considered a Magpies legend, the opportunity to play for the reigning Premier League champions and compete for the biggest titles could tempt the midfielder if the Gunners do return with an improved offer.
Currently though, the 28-year-old is starring for Brazil at the World Cup, having started all four of their games so far, recording four assists. Without a doubt, the midfielder’s price tag will increase if his form at the tournament continues.
