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Arsenal should consider making a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara amid reports from the Daily Mail that Aaron Ramsey is still no closer to signing a contract extension.

What’s the word?

This time last season, the Gunners found themselves in a sticky situation when Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil entered the final year of their contracts.

Sanchez ended up moving to Manchester United in January, but Ozil opted to stay put by signing a new bumper deal.

The North London outfit are in a similar predicament, but this time with Ramsey, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract.

According to the Daily Mail, manager Unai Emery is confident that a deal will be struck, but he wants pen to paper before the transfer window closes on August 9.

If Ramsey opts against staying put, then the Gunners should look at other options.

Why Thiago?

Alcantara is no stranger to being linked with a move to the Premier League, and it is easy to see why.

The Spain international – valued at £54m by Transfermarkt – is an all-round midfielder who can perform offensive and defensive duties.

The 27-year-old is a reliable passer of the ball, and regularly sets up attacks from deep, but he has struggled with injury problems over the years.

That could be a concern for Arsenal, particularly if Bayern demand a huge figure, and they may well do given that Alcantara’s contract does not expire for another three years.

Money could be the main stumbling block on a potential deal, but the midfielder is a proven winner having secured seven league titles across Spain and Germany.

That alone should be enough for Arsenal to consider a move.

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According to The Telegraph, Everton are on the verge of signing Bernard on a free transfer, but it could spell trouble for Ademola Lookman.

What’s the word?

On Monday, The Telegraph reported that the Merseyside outfit were closing in on the capture of Bernard, who became a free agent when his contract at Shakhtar Donetsk expired at the end of the season.

If the Brazilian does finalise a switch to Goodison Park, then he will be Marco Silva’s third signing, following Richarlison and Lucas Digne.

The news is positive for the club as it adds weight to the attacking department, but it does question the future of Lookman.

After spending the second half of last season on loan at RB Leipzig, the Bundesliga club have been keen to sign the 20-year-old on a permanent deal.

Such is Everton’s desire to keep Lookman, the club have slapped a £30m price tag on the winger’s head, according to The Mirror.

How will Bernard affect this?

From the club’s point of view, it is clear that Lookman is in Silva’s plans.

However, Bernard signing will limit the opportunities for the young attacker, making it that much tougher to break into the team.

At Leipzig he impressed by scoring five goals and creating four assists in 11 Bundesliga outings.

In his career so far, the youngster has scored 22 goals and produced seven for his teammates.

If Lookman was already open to moving on from Everton, then Bernard’s arrival could push him further towards the exit door.

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Liverpool fans think they made a huge mistake by not signing Thomas Lemar, after the Frenchman made his Atletico Madrid debut in the Super Cup.

Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Lemar earlier this year, and fans are now regretting missing out on the versatile attacker.

The Reds of course sold their primary playmaker in Philippe Coutinho in January, and attempts to replace the Brazilian have gone awry.

The move for Lemar never really went all the way, before a summer move for Lyon talisman Nabil Fekir fell through at the last second.

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Lemar’s versatility would have been a huge boost for Klopp, as he could fill in as another winger or occupy that half-space in midfield where Coutinho played last season.

The 22 year-old, valued at £63m by Transfermarkt, racked up nine goals and ten assists in Monaco’s league-winning campaign in 2016-17, and followed that up with four goals and 12 assists last season.

He wasn’t at his best in the Super Cup clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday, but he did look smooth in possession and it was easy to see why he was lined up to begin with.

Fans feel this will be the one that got away, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Manchester United were left frustrated in the transfer window as Jose Mourinho made it known his demands for improvements were simply not met by the men in charge at Old Trafford. 

The signings of Fred and Diogo Dalot were seemingly not enough for the Portuguese manager, and it seems the war of words might have had an effect, with United set to appoint a first ever director of football to oversee future transfer dealings.

We here at the Transfer Tavern do feel Mourinho could have been afforded one new player at least, and eyes will now firmly be on the January transfer window to see if the club can indeed do some business.

One man we think the Red Devils should have signed over the summer before he committed his future is Wolves star Ruben Neves, who has gotten himself off to a superb start in the top flight.

The Portuguese midfielder was the standout performer for the Championship winners last term, and he has carried that form right through.

However, there was talk he could have been on his way in the summer before he signed on at Molineux, and we feel that United could have missed a trick, and should reignite a bid in the winter window.

While Wolves won’t want to sell, when a club like Man United come knocking it can be hard to resist, and it might well just plant the seed in Neves’ head about moving away from the Midlands.

Classy on the ball, young, and hungry to succeed, Neves would have been a superb addition at Old Trafford and there’s little doubt he could have made the step up.

United fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

According to German media outlet Bild, Celtic are ready to make an offer of €7.8m (£7m) for Wolfsburg centre-back Jeffrey Bruma.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Bild report that the Bhoys are considering launching an offer for the 26-year-old, who appears to be surplus to requirements at Wolfsburg after he was left out of their 18-man squad for the cup clash with Elversberg at the weekend.

Bild report that if the Scottish Premiership holders offered £7m for the Dutchman it would likely be accepted, considering they currently have six central defensive options to choose from.

The report adds that if the former Chelsea man wants the move it will probably happen, with Brendan Rodgers obviously keen to add some quality to his backline after what has been a shaky start to the campaign for the likes of Kris Ajer, Jozo Simunovic and Jack Hendry.

Would he be a good Celtic signing?

With plenty of experience in club football and with 25 caps for his country, it is clear to see that Bruma has plenty of pedigree, and he has the added bonus of knowing Rodgers, who has split the fans with his comments on the future of Dedryck Boyata, well from his time at Stamford Bridge having joined the west London outfit’s youth system in 2007.

However, according to stats-based website WhoScored, two of the 26-year-old’s biggest weaknesses are his discipline and his tackling, and the fact that he isn’t involved for Wolsburg right now more than suggests that he isn’t any better than what Celtic have right now.

If the Bhoys are to bring in a new central defender they need someone who will make an instant impact and get the likes of Ajer and Hendry organised, and spending £7m on Bruma to do that would have to be seen as a risk and yet another waste of money sanctioned by chief executive Peter Lawwell.

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With the transfer window officially slamming shut at the end of this week but Premier League sides being unable to do business on the inward front for some time now, Football FanCast’s expert writers have been analysing the performances of English clubs during the summer.

Crystal Palace left most of their business late but eventually got four bodies through the door, not least including the highly-rated Max Meyer. However, were the Eagles shrewd operators during the transfer window or will they come to regret some of the decisions made in recent months?

Football FanCast’s expert writers answer below one simple question – what will prove to be Crystal Palace’s biggest mistake of the transfer window?

Greg Potts – Another striker needed

“Keeping hold of Wilfried Zaha was clearly the biggest priority for Roy Hodgson during this summer and it is a huge success for the club to have been able to do that. In reality however they cannot rely on the Ivorian all season and I’m of the opinion that Palace should have signed another striker. In fact, Hodgson should’ve totally overhauled this department. Tears would not have been shed at Selhurst Park if Benteke was sold and the same could be said for Connor Wickham and Alexander Sorloth who have failed to impress. Selling all three could have raised the funds to buy two top number nines who would have pushed this impressive Palace team forward.”

James Beavis – Not signing another right-back

“When Hodgson was pictured looking fed up, drenched and slightly confused on the Vicarage Road touchline on Sunday, you have to wonder whether he regretted his decision not to sign a new right-back during the summer. Yes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is clearly a talent, but he is also young and probably shouldn’t be relied upon to start every Premier League match this season. The Eagles certainly showed their lack of quality in depth when Joel Ward replaced the suspended youngster against Watford, with their two goals coming from the Hornets players on his side of the pitch, and Hodgson should have known better than to find himself in this situation given the vast experience he has.”

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Danielle Joynson – No deal for Ruben Loftus-Cheek

“It was a move that appeared to be out of their hands, but failing to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a blow for Palace. Despite the Chelsea midfielder experiencing injury problems during his loan spell at Selhurst Park last season, he consistently impressed for the Eagles. One thing that Palace have needed for some time is strength in depth – it is a long hard season and injuries are inevitable, so ensuring that there is quality on the bench is imperative. The Chelsea man’s position in the middle of the park is fluid, which means that he could have been used in a variety of scenarios for Roy Hodgson. For some reason, though, Palace were unable to re-sign a player that could have made a significant impact this season.”

Will Jones – Not replacing Christian Benteke

“At some point this summer, perhaps whilst sipping upon a colourful cocktail beside a pool or with a pair of beige slacks rolled up to above his ankles as he strolled along a beach, Roy Hodgson made a big decision. He decided to stick with Benteke. Perhaps the sun had got to him.

“The big Belgian needed replacing this summer. His long standing inability to find the back of the net is fast becoming a millstone dragging the Eagles down. The club are far too reliant upon Zaha to deliver sufficient goods to stave off relegation whilst their big money striker repeatedly spurns clear goal scoring opportunities.

“Perhaps the relatively recent arrival Sorloth is the answer, or even the other newcomer, Jordan Ayew, but Benteke absolutely isn’t. If the 27-year-old doesn’t rediscover his goalscoring touch quickly then Hodgson could find himself with time to vacation again far sooner than he expected.”

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Crystal Palace lost out to Southampton this weekend as their positive start ended abruply before the international break.

The Eagles though will remain confident of a good season under veteran manager Roy Hodgson, and with so much pace and talent in the squad, Palace should have enough in the locker to ensure survival for another season.

However, eyes will be turning to January despite the summer window only just coming to an end, and we at the Transfer Tavern think the club should look to the Championship for a few additions.

One such player we think would be a superb addition for the Eagles is Brentford forward Ollie Watkins, who has made a blistering start to the season for the Bees and was on target once again this weekend as they saw off Nottingham Forest.

The former Exeter man has adapted to Championship football with considerable ease, and the next logical step in his career would be a move to the Premier League.

With the style of football Palace play, it’s an easy assumption to make that Watkins would slot right in, and there is little reason to doubt his ability will see him become a top flight player one day.

Should Watkins get his move, there’s no doubt he can excel in the Premier League, and Palace and Hodgson could well be the perfect place for him.

Palace fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

After Tottenham’s group for the Champions League was revealed on Thursday afternoon, manager Mauricio Pochettino and everyone at Tottenham should feel quietly confident. 

The Lilywhites have been drawn with Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV, and, while this is certainly not an easy group, they can take a lot of confidence from what they achieved last year.

Drawn with champions Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in 2017, underdogs Tottenham went on to top their group without losing a game. Had they not reached those heights last season, this one would be more of a daunting prospect.

Of course, Barcelona will be a tough proposition, but there is no reason why Pochettino’s men cannot do to them what they did to Real Madrid at Wembley last season.

Inter Milan, whilst they have made some high profile signings over the summer, such as Radja Nainggolan and Stefan de Vrij, they are not the side that they have been in the past. They scrapped into a qualification place last season, well behind leaders Juventus and Napoli, and have had a six year absence in the Champions League. While the name ‘Inter Milan’ sounds daunting historically, the past few seasons suggests that Tottenham are superior.

Dutch champions PSV will also be tough for Tottenham , but it is another one that they should have no fear about. Pochettino by now has the confidence in his players to go anywhere in Europe and perform. It should no longer be a confidence, rather an expectation.

This is not an easy group, and there aren’t any ‘easy games’, but Tottenham have proven over the the last two seasons that they can step up and perform in Europe.

Liverpool face one of the most important months of their season so far.

The Premier League is currently on hold with international friendlies taking place all over the world. Liverpool will return to action next week against Tottenham at Wembley before kicking off their Champions League campaign against Paris St Germain at Anfield. The Reds will also face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup before facing the Blues in the league.

It could prove to be a season-defining month for Klopp as Liverpool look to secure their league title in the Premier League era. The German has guided his side to four wins from their opening four games to put the Reds top of the league. The ex-Dortmund boss should be keeping a close eye on any potential January transfer targets as the New Year approaches.

One man he could target is Chelsea midfielder – Cesc Fabregas. Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, the Spaniard has been a key player for the Blues since joining the club from Barcelona back in 2014. The ex-Arsenal man was crucial under Antonio Conte but is yet to feature under Maurizio Sarri. Fabregas has less than one year remaining on his current deal and Liverpool could grab a bargain in January.

The Spain international remains one of the top midfielders in the world and could flourish alongside Naby Keita in the Liverpool midfield. Fabregas would replace the creativity Liverpool lost when they sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona back in January. The 31-year-old averaged 2.7 key passes per game last season, more than any other Liverpool player, highlighting what his arrival could bring to Klopp’s side (WhoScored).

Landing Fabregas could prove to be a masterstroke for the Merseysiders.

Liverpool fans, thoughts?

When West Ham signed Marko Arnautovic in the summer of 2017, it wasn’t immediately met with support from fans. 

The club had spent a record fee for a player that was as temperamental as he was talented. The question loomed as to whether he was worth his £25m price tag.

With just over one season spent at the London Stadium, the Austrian is proving that he is worth every bit of his price tag, and more.

The forward bagged 11 goals and six assists last season in 31 appearances, earning himself the Hammer of the Year Award. He looks to have started this season in similar fashion, already scoring three goals and notching one assist in five outings this year.

In fact, in 2018 alone, only one man has had a hand in more goals than the Austrian- Mo Salah. The Egyptian has contributed towards 23 Premier League goals, while Arnautovic has helped towards 16. Nonetheless, to be second to a player who had one of the best seasons in recent memory last year is testament to how well the 72-cap international is playing.

A lot of credit has to go to The Hammers’ owners David Gold and David Sullivan. The businessmen had the foresight to see the importance of this signing, regardless of how fans initially reacted. The fact that Arnautovic’s previous club, Stoke, got relegated the season after he left is a further indication of how important he is to any team that he plays for.

After West Ham’s first win of the season on Sunday, they will hope to kick on with their season, and Arnautovic will spearhead that charge.