According to World Football Index, Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Colombian teenager Anderson Arroyo.

What’s the story?

Arroyo is believed to have previously undergone a trial with Liverpool, who have been closely monitoring his progress over the last 12 months.

According to World Football Index, the Reds have now agreed a deal with Independiente del Valle in order to secure the signature of the highly-rated 18-year-old defender.

Arroyo is also believed to have had a trial with Mallorca, and it is understood that he will be loaned to the Spanish outfit – who operate in the second tier of Spain – in order to secure a work permit.

It is a transfer that has largely gone under the radar, but Liverpool are said to be excited about the potential of the full-back, who is already an Under-20 Colombia international.

Who is Anderson Arroyo?

Capable of operating on either side of a back four, Arroyo had a trial with Liverpool in 2016 at the age of 16, and has been monitored by the Reds ever since.

Arroyo is believed to have been a wide midfielder during his youth career, but has now developed into an attacking full-back.

He represented Colombia at the 2015 South American Under-17 Championships, and has since become an Under-20 international for his country.

World Football Index calls Arroyo a player with ‘excellent acceleration and athleticism’. Meanwhile, the teenager’s qualities on the ball are also referenced in the report.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It appears that Arroyo’s immediate future will be at Mallorca after joining Liverpool, but the club’s supporters should be excited about the potential of the young defender.

Liverpool have struggled to find a consistent performer at left-back in recent years, and Arroyo could well develop into a future star for the Premier League club.

Celtic’s good form in 2018 continued on Saturday as they saw off the threat of Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, winning 1-0 at Celtic Park.

It was always going to be a tough 90 minutes for the Scottish champions, Hibs have performed well against them all season, but a Leigh Griffiths strike was enough to secure all three points and maintain their lead at the top of the table.

While a positive day, fans were left disappointed by injuries to some key first team players like Leigh Griffiths and Craig Gordon, who were both forced off early in the match.

Griffiths has struggled with a number of calf injuries already this season and today was his first start since Boxing Day, with Brendan Rodgers opting to utilise Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele in other matches.

He was visibily upset at realising he would again face treatment, especially when given a big chance to impress, and he’ll be hoping the injury isn’t serious.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Supporters took to Twitter to discuss the injury and what it means for the team…

Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina impressed before illness forced him off in his side’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St Mary’s on Sunday, and Manchester United fans have urged their club to sign the 24-year-old.

The Gabon international has struggled with injury since joining the south coast outfit from Juventus during the summer transfer window, but he showed the ability he does have throughout the first-half against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

However, he was forced off 12 minutes into the second period because he was ill, but United supporters saw enough of the African midfielder to know that he would be a good signing for them in the future, especially with Michael Carrick retiring and doubts over the futures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera.

They took to social media to give their thoughts on Lemina, and while one said he’s “better than what we have”, another said “I’d 100% have him”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

According to reports in The Independent, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s first-choice midfield target this summer is Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos, rated at £72m by Transfermarkt.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Mourinho is seeking to strengthen the Red Devils midfield this summer with Paul Pogba struggling when asked to play alongside Nemanja Matic in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Michael Carrick retiring at the end of the season and with continued doubts over the futures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera.

The Independent says that the player he wants to bring in to strengthen in the middle of the park is Kroos, with the club already having a long-standing interest in the Germany international having tried to sign him before he joined Real Madrid in 2014.

The report adds that while he is seen as a key player at the Bernabeu, word has got around that the Champions League holders could make some high-profile sales in the summer, and the 28-year-old could be one of those to go if they receive a respectable offer.

How has Kroos done this season?

He has been one of Real’s standout players in what has been a largely disappointing campaign – especially in La Liga.

The 28-year-old has scored four goals and provided a further seven assists in 29 appearances in all competitions, and he continues to be a key player for the Spanish giants either from a central or defensive midfield role.

According to WhoScored.com, the Germany international has a passing accuracy of 92.9% across 25 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League this season, while he has made 62 key passes and successfully completed 18 of the 25 dribbles he has attempted.

Would he be a good signing for United?

He certainly would be.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The 28-year-old would be the ideal missing piece of the puzzle if Mourinho wanted to play a three-man midfield of him, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, and there is arguably no better player in the world in his position than Kroos.

Considering he will still have four years left on his contract this summer, it would likely take a huge offer to convince Real to sell, and that could be United’s big problem in bringing him to Old Trafford.

Southampton are in desperate need of points heading into this weekend’s Premier League action.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have picked up just five top-flight wins all season, and only one of those has come in their last 15 matches.

As it stands, the coastal club are out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Despite the Saints’ current predicament, the slight positive is that they have only lost once in their last six league games.

The team’s FA Cup form has been positive as they find themselves in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Last weekend, Pellegrino’s side took on Burnley at Turf Moor, and they were staring at another defeat until Manolo Gabbiadini saved them in the dying minutes with an equaliser.

Earlier in the season, Southampton were beaten by the Potters 2-1 at the Bet365 Stadium.

With only 11 league games remaining, the coastal club need to collect as many points as possible in order retain their place in the division.

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson thinks that this weekend’s encounter is a crucial one for Southampton.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The pundit told Sky Sports:

“For me, Southampton have to win this game. It’s like a cup final for them because after this four of their next five games in the league are away from home. This is probably one of Southampton’s biggest games in a long time, especially with an FA Cup quarter-final coming up. They have the chance to reach the last four so they’ll want to get a couple of positive result in the league before that.”

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur pair Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose could be on their way to Manchester United this summer, according to The Sun.

What’s the story?

Alderweireld’s future has been a major talking point in recent weeks, with uncertainty growing over the defender’s long-term position at Spurs.

The majority of the first team have penned fresh contracts over the past 12 months, but Alderweireld is yet to commit to a new deal.

Tottenham fans have been on Twitter begging the Belgian to stay, but The Sun claims that he is unhappy with the club’s contract offer of £110,000 per week.

It is believed that Alderweireld wants close to £140,000 a week, and United are reportedly becoming increasingly confident that they will land his signature.

The publication adds that the Red Devils will also move for Rose, who has missed the majority of the season with a knee injury.

The good news for Spurs, though, is that talisman Harry Kane intends to stay put for at least another season.

Can Tottenham afford to lose both?

Even though Rose has been an integral member of the team in the past, Ben Davies has been doing a solid job as left-back.

Letting the England international move on would not leave Spurs in a worrying position, but losing Alderweireld is a different matter altogether.

The former Atletico Madrid defender has formed a strong partnership at the back with Jan Vertonghen.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He has emerged as one of the best in his position in the Premier League, and if he were to join United, it would immediately weaken Tottenham’s status.

Selling one of their best players in the team to a major rival would be a mistake from Tottenham.

[ad_pod ]

According to reports in The Mirror, Everton are ready to make Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere a big-money offer to join them this summer, and Toffees fans have been quick to react to the rumour.

The Mirror says that the Merseyside outfit are ready to offer the 34-cap England international a more lucrative deal than the one he has been offered by the north London club, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Arsenal want to keep the 26-year-old at the Emirates Stadium after he forced his way back into Arsene Wenger’s plan following a season-long loan move to Bournemouth last term, where he proved his fitness having been so injury-prone previously, but he was also linked with a move to Liverpool last month.

Everton supporters have taken to social media to give their verdict on the story, and while one said “stop it Everton, you’re embarrassing all of us”, another said he “would be the best player at the club”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

West Ham United will have a very close eye on Manuel Lanzini after it emerged that the playmaker suffered a knock on international duty.According to reliable injury data analyst Ben Dinnery, Lanzini is unlikely to play for Argentina against Spain this week.The 25-year-old is said to have suffered an injury during victory over Italy at the weekend.

The extent of the problem is not yet known, but the Hammers will be hoping that Lanzini is fit for this weekend’s Premier League game against Southampton.

The team will return to the London Stadium for the first time since the chaos that ensued at the ground during a 3-0 defeat to Burnley.

A number of fans forced their way onto the pitch to protest against the club’s board, and as a result, extra safety measures will be put in place.

Given that the team have suffered defeat in their last three Premier League matches, a win is much-needed against the Saints.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Therefore, having Lanzini unavailable would be a big blow, but he has not yet been ruled out of the clash.

Liverpool are two games away from potentially reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, but they have a big test to pass.

The Merseyside outfit will take on English rivals Manchester City in the quarter-finals after ousting Porto in the last-16 stage.

The Premier League meetings between the two clubs this season have been highly entertaining, with 12 goals being scored in total.

The first encounter at the Etihad Stadium ended in misery for Jurgen Klopp and his men as they suffered a 5-0 defeat and lost Sadio Mane.

The Senegal international was given a red card for catching goalkeeper Ederson in the face with a high boot.

The fixture at Anfield, though, was much brighter for the Reds as they came out on top in a thrilling 4-3 result.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

In fact, Liverpool are the only club to beat Pep Guardiola’s side in the league this season.

On Wednesday night, the North-West outfits will go head to head at Anfield in the first leg of the quarter-final, and the home fans are feeling nervous.

As reported by Sky Sports, Everton are one of the teams interested in signing Watford attacker Richarlison this summer.

What’s the story?

If The Toffees are to improve next term then they badly need to add goals to their game. Seven of the eight teams currently ahead of them in the English Premier League have scored more this season.

One player that could add fresh ideas to their attack is Brazilian Richarlison, who has impressed in spells during his debut season at Watford this term.

That’s according to Sky Sports, who say that Everton are part of a three-team pack, that includes Manchester United and Chelsea, keeping tabs on the 20-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window.

He’d cost a fair whack though, with the outlet also reporting that Watford are looking for a fee of around £40m for his signature.

[ad_pod ]

Can he make a Goodison Park impact?

With five goals and four assists in his first 18 appearances for Watford, Richarlison looked set to be on his way to a magnificent first year in the English Premier League.

He hasn’t directly contributed to a goal since December though, leading many to question whether he has what it takes to perform consistently at this level.

Sky Sports report though that Watford deem that lack of form as a result of fatigue, with the 20-year-old having played in the summer months in the Brazilian top-flight last year, meaning he’s played 12 months of football without a break.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

If that’s true, a few months of rest could see him firing on all cylinders again either for Watford or a new club like Everton.

If the Toffees are to bite though, the reported £40m fee seems rather steep and they should only move for the player if they can negotiate that down, with resources also needed to be spent in other areas of the team.