Arsenal have reportedly made contact to sign Tottenham defender Cristian Romero in the summer transfer window.

It’s been a slow start to the window for the Gunners, who have signed Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier so far.

Tzolis is likely to make an impact on the first team and push to become a potential starter, whereas Meslier is only likely to be a backup.

The North London club were interested in signing Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior in the summer transfer window, but the Brazilian has now signed a new deal with the La Liga giants.

It remains to be seen where Arsenal will turn to next in terms of signing a new winger, but they also appear to be in the market for a new defender.

Arsenal eye Tottenham star

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have made contact over a potential move to sign Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Spurs would understandably rather sell abroad.

Romero, described as ‘one of the best centre-backs in the world’ by Roberto De Zerbi, looks set to leave the club this summer, with Atletico Madrid pushing to secure his signature.

The Gunners could be in the market for a new centre-back this summer after William Saliba suffered a back injury after the World Cup.

Arsenal have plenty of defensive cover

Stephane Mahe via Reuters

Even with the injury to Saliba, Arsenal still have plenty of defensive cover at the back.

Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes are all options for the Gunners in defence.

Signing a new defender in the summer transfer window is only going to mean they have too many options when everyone is fit.

A short-term free agent signing would have been a smart move, but investing heavily in a player like Romero doesn’t make too much sense.

The Gunners will be hoping Saliba isn’t out for too long and he can return to action before the end of the year.

West Ham start life in the Championship this weekend with a first round EFL Cup tie at home to Portsmouth.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men then begin their league campaign eight days later with an away trip to fellow relegated Premier League side Burnley.

The Hammers are red-hot favourites to lift the Championship title come May but that will be easier said than done with so many other teams pushing for promotion.

West Ham’s transfer business this summer has so far revolved around outgoings, with Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville bringing in a total of £140m following their respective moves to Tottenham and Al Hilal.

Transfer incomings may well happen over the coming weeks to further boost their squad for a big year in the Championship.

Hammers making Parrott move

West Ham are making a ‘big play’ for AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott, according to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook.

The Republic of Ireland international has thrived in the Eredivisie ever since first linking up with Excelsior Rotterdam on loan during the 2023/24 season.

Following a return of 17 goals in 32 games for Excelsior, AZ paid £6.7m to Tottenham to sign Parrott on a permanent deal.

The Dutch club now look set to make a big profit on the Irishman, who is valued between £20-30m, if he is to depart after plundering 51 goals and also helping them win the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield during his time in Alkmaar.

Parrott’s exploits for the Republic of Ireland on the international stage have also brought him to the attention of clubs, with the likes of Fulham, Ajax, PSV, Real Betis and Como all reportedly showing interest.

The addition of the ‘top, top striker’ would undoubtedly give West Ham some more firepower and strengthen their chances of making an immediate return to the Premier League.

Parrott’s return to England

Parrott has always looked destined to return to England at some point in his career following his goalscoring heroics in the Netherlands for Excelsior and AZ.

Featuring in four games for Tottenham in the 2019/20 season, the Dublin-born player needed loan moves to help aid his development but they didn’t always go to plan, as was the case at Millwall and Ipswich Town.

Following an impressive spell in League One with MK Dons and a decent year with Preston in the Championship, a temporary move to Excelsior was the start of what has been three incredible years for him.

His move to the Netherlands has proved to be the making of him and he will deservedly get a big-money transfer to a club in the not too distant future.

Parrott’s ability to find the net on a regular basis for club and country will stand him in good stead, with West Ham possibly the team set to benefit if he returns to London from AZ prior to the summer transfer deadline.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) have published open letter to under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is clinging to his job following the scuppered FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term in charge but some of FIFA’s 211 member associations have lost faith in the 56-year-old’s ability to lead world football’s governing body following his hugely controversial attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup.

While Infantino’s FFE plan is currently dead in the water, UEFA’s 55 member associations are keen to see a change of leadership amid their threats to boycott FIFA competitions, including future World Cups.

“UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions,” European football’s governing body said in a statement on Thursday. “First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.

“These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.

“Yesterday’s announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing.”

More Countries Now Backing Infantino

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo

However, Infantino has support from other countries and governing bodies. Six countries pledging their support for Infantino were named earlier this week, and more have subsequently followed.

The executive committee of the African confederation (CAF) have unanimously confirmed its support for Infantino.

Mexico, co-hosts of the recently-concluded 2026 World Cup finals, have also backed Infantino despite its own regional confederation CONCACAF calling for a “comprehensive reckoning” with his presidency, per Reuters.

Argentine FA Throw Support Behind Infantino

REUTERS/Lee Smith

And now, in a major boost for Infantino, Argentina’s FA, led by president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, have thrown their full support behind the current FIFA president.

The AFA’s open letter, translated from Spanish to English, reads: “On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and its Executive Committee, we address you, dear President, and by your worthy intermediary to the FIFA board, to express our support for the management carried out during the last 10 years, which had as its major axes the development of football around the world and institutional solidity based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model.

“In this sense, in relation to the recent events that are public knowledge, we must recognise the decision of the Administration to withdraw a project that generated, within the football family and since its inception, many more uncertainties than certainties.

“That is why it is worth highlighting the assumption of the mistakes made in this process and the apology expressed in the heartfelt message deployed to the 211 FIFA member federations. Prioritising governance standards is a fundamental pillar for strengthening good relations between FIFA, its member associations and confederations.

“From our vision, this transformation was based on a model of transparent governance, respect for statutory structures and the follow-up of democratic procedures, essential principles for the football family to be united, firm and working to continue generating improvements in sports and institutional, which have an impact on a better quality of life for millions of human beings who practice our beloved sport.

“Consequently, by virtue of the proximity of the next FIFA Congress, the Association that I proudly preside firmly believes and reaffirms that the way is to continue working under its leadership, in order to be able to continue developing a better and, even more inclusive football.”

Argentina’s players and coaching staff are currently under investigation by FIFA following the post-match altercations that marred Spain’s World Cup final triumph on July 19.

FIFA are yet to announce whether Argentina were guilty of violating its disciplinary code at the New York New Jersey Stadium last month.

Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game as Spain were crowned world champions for the second time in their history.