Arsenal are said to have been given a green light by another club to secure a long-term Andrea Berta transfer target. The Gunners are searching for two main priorities this summer, hoping to strengthen the left wing and the midfield, specifically by signing a new number eight.

Mikel Arteta’s men are in a fine position having won the Premier League title last season, but the Spanish boss knows he needs more to be dominant domestically and on the European stage. But there is a fine balance when trying to improve an already successful squad, and there is an inherent risk of disrupting such a team with exits and arrivals.

It’s for that reason the Gunners want serious upgrades above all else, and they are willing to pay to get them.

Arsenal get go-ahead to chase Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez

According to TeamTalk, Arsenal have been given the go-ahead to sign Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Julian Alvarez by the Spanish club. It’s claimed Atleti are determined not to sell to Barcelona or Real Madrid this summer, but with the forward wanting out, they are willing to sell to the Premier League.

Alvarez has said he wants to leave to achieve his ‘dream’, and it seems he is determined to join Barcelona this summer. The report claims Alvarez is still dead-set on joining Barca, who recently agreed to sign another forward in Karim Adeyemi. With Atleti reluctant to sell Alvarez, Barca would likely have to pay well over £100million, and that would be a big ask for a club that has struggled for debt over recent years.

That could keep the door open for Arsenal, and Alvarez is said to be open to a move to the Premier League if his dream move does not come off. The report claims Arsenal chief Andrea Berta has spoken with Alvarez to verify that information, and he knows the player well from his Atletico Madrid days. Berta actually signed Alvarez for Atleti in the club’s second most expensive deal of all time.

PSG are also said to be interested amid the exit of Goncalo Ramos, and the Champions League winners have reportedly reached out as well.

Alvarez an ‘astonishing’ player

Rodrigo Valle via Reuters

Alvarez is currently at the World Cup with Argentina, and he scored an extra-time stunner to help his nation beat Switzerland in the quarter-final over the weekend. The World Cup comes after he scored 18 and assisted nine for Atletico last season,and last year, he was praised by another former Atletico and Man City striker in Sergio Aguero.

“Atletico Madrid should enjoy having him on their side, and so should the fans,” Aguero said. “I wouldn’t speculate on future signings; I think this is the time to enjoy his achievements with Atletico. What Julian has achieved is astonishing. A player with the ability to move all over the pitch, he demonstrates an enormous level of sacrifice and talent.”

Manchester United are eyeing up a move to sign Wolves star Joao Gomes to complete their midfield rebuild this summer, according to Football Insider.

The Red Devils have completed a deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50m move, while they have shocked the Premier League by triggering the £35m release clause of Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans to bring him into the centre of the team at Old Trafford too.

But United are keen to add a third body to the side, having allowed Casemiro to leave at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte is likely to miss most of the season after suffering a serious knee ligament injury during the World Cup, and a familiar target has now returned to their shortlist.

Man Utd Eyeing Joao Gomes Deal

Gomes, who has been described as ‘insane’, is expected to depart Wolves this summer after the club’s relegation to the Championship, and had been on the verge of a move to La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid for around €40m (£34m).

However, after the Spanish side had a fallout with his agent Jorge Mendes over another deal involving Bernardo Silva, they opted to pull out of the deal for the Brazil international, opening the door for Man Utd to enter the race once again.

Man Utd have a long-term interest in the 25-year-old and are keen on a deal considering his price tag, and how much other targets have been priced at in the window.

Liverpool are also looking at the Brazil international, while there is interest from clubs in Europe too. But with United keen to bring in a more defensive-minded ball-winner to the squad, to compliment the other midfield options in the squad, a move for Gomes would make a lot of sense.

Man Utd Have Big Gomes Opportunity

Gomes is someone who has got plenty of experience at the top level, and he is also someone who has played in the Premier League and knows what to expect.

His profile is much-needed alongside Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, and a young Andrey Santos, and the reported fee would also allow for the club to put more funds towards other potential targets in this window.

Wolves won’t stand in his way, and Gomes would surely be open to staying in the top-flight with a team competing in the Champions League, so this could be a a big opportunity for the club to pull the trigger on someone they are very keen on, while strengthening the squad at the same time.

There were literal noises of shock on the ITV coverage of England vs Norway when Erling Haaland was substituted in exta-time. This proved to be his final involvement at the World Cup, with the Three Lions winning 2-1.

Jude Bellingham very much stole the show as he scored a brace after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway an early lead. Haaland had scored seven goals, including twice in the Last 16 against Brazil, but failed to get on the scoresheet against England.

In truth, he struggled to get involved throughout the game as Thomas Tuchel’s men dealt with his threat well. Even so, many were surpoised when manager Stale Solbakken took Haaland off during half-time of extra time, with 15 minutes to go and his team losing.

The Norway coach later explained the decision: “It was not a tough decision to take him out. He was finished. Maybe I should have taken him out 10 minutes before. “He also got a dead leg in the second half, so that combined with the fatigue. He did everything he could.”

However, a theory has emerged about the true reason Haaland was hooked, which has forced a staff doctor to comment on the claims.

Tony Cascarino Claims He Was Told Haaland ‘Wasn’t Well’

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino told TalkSport that he had been told at half-time that Haaland was actually sick. England midfielder Declan Rice came off early due to his own illness, and Cascarino claimed a simiailr issue impacted the Norway star:

“Whatever we say, he didn’t look right physically. He’s come off, and he didn’t say an injury. So I presume it was exactly what I just said. He suffered from not being well.”

He added: “He was unwell, yeah. He was unwell prior to the game. He doesn’t touch the ball a lot anyway but I was surprised about how much energy he lacked as well.

“Him and [Alexander] Sorloth both looked like they didn’t have the sort of drive and he looked absolutely… I just looked at him afterwards and thought, well, what I’d heard in half-time – I’m saying I know it from somebody who would know that – he was meant to be [sick], he wasn’t well.”

Norway Doctor Addresses Haaland Sickness Claims

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

In light of this theory emerging online, Norway’s national team doctor Ola Sand has addressed the claims. However, when asked by Norwegian outlet Dagbladet if Haaland was sick, he replieed:

Adding to this statement, Haaland was certainly well enough to then go out with his teammates in Miami as they were seen in a nightclub watching rapper Flo Rida perform. This suggests he wasn’t suffering from any bad illness.

The Manchester City ace is now set to take a break before heading back for pre-season. Speaking to Dagbladet, he said: “I’m completely done. I’ll be completely honest.” The report notes that Norway plan to hold a party at the national palace this week as they celebrate their World Cup efforts.