What happens if Martinelli leaves Arsenal?

Arsenal are ready to sell Gabriel Martinelli at the end of the season. He has scored only one goal in the Premier League and provided two assists in 22 games. Arsenal are in talks with the agents of AC Milan’s left winger Rafael Leao discussing a possible move for approximately £75million but RB Leipzig’s Norwegian […]

Arsenal are ready to sell Gabriel Martinelli at the end of the season. He has scored only one goal in the Premier League and provided two assists in 22 games.

Arsenal are in talks with the agents of AC Milan’s left winger Rafael Leao discussing a possible move for approximately £75million but RB Leipzig’s Norwegian Antonio Nusa is also being considered together with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon but it is highly unlikely coach Eddie Howe will let him go. Nusa has been compared with Brazilian Neymar because of his dribbling skills and electric pace as a winger.

Leandro Trossard has consistently overshadowed Martinelli for Arsenal this season and Mikel Arteta has built a trust in him and currently starts him if he is fit and available. That limits Martinelli’s opportunities but he won’t lack clubs who will bid to sign him with his presence, physical stamina and determination.

Barcelona have also been discussing Gabriel but they are likely to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United as he has done well on loan at the Nou Camp and the supporters have taken to him and he is very popular.

If Martinelli does move, Arsenal will sign a replacement which will bring into the picture, Gordon, Leao and Nusa plus Atletico Club’s star performer Nico Williams. There could be an intense bidding war amongst the elite clubs at the end of the season.

 

Rodri and Tonali are in demand

Real Madrid had scouts sitting in the comfy padded seats at St James Park Stadium when Newcastle played Manchester City. They travelled from Spain to watch midfielder Sandro Tonali as Los Blancos look to strengthen this summer. However, there was a double reason to book a flight to the UK.

I can reveal that it is Manchester City’s Rodri who is most wanted by the Spanish giants. He has a contract until 2027 but Real are clever at luring top Premier League footballers to the Bernabeu. The Ballon d’Or winner is 29 years of age now whereas Tonali is only 25 but Newcastle would want approximately £100million before they let him out of the door.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Tonali during the past few weeks and have regularly sent scouts to report on his progress and I am hearing that if the Gunners are to buy him they will try and tie up a deal before the summer.

It all gets a little complicated with Manchester United entering the picture. They have to replace Casemiro in midfield as he is definitely leaving in the summer having been a good servant to the club. He is a hero on the terraces and his partnership with Kobie Mainoo has been one of the backbones of Michael Carrick’s success since he took over as interim manager.

Real Madrid have failed to replace Luka Modric since he left last year for AC Milan and either Rodri or Tonali are seen as the solution to their midfield.

 

Brazilian Roque for Stamford Bridge

The step up from Ipswich Town to Chelsea has been too much for Liam Delap who has scored only three goals in 33 matches. The Blues management are looking at Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque as a replacement if they move Delap on in the summer. I have heard they are prepared to spend £45million to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Roque moved from his native Brazil to Barcelona but the move didn’t work well for him or the club and he returned home last year. Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior says the Brazilian would work well with his players and his strategy and Chelsea will be anxious to tie up a deal well before the 2026/7 season to allow him time to settle in London.

 

Forest see the shoots of revival

Nottingham Forest can see the shoots of a revival growing and are confident they can avoid the dreaded drop into the Championship league.

This weekend they face Fulham at home which they believe they can win. If Forest succeed, they place Tottenham in a difficult position because they face Liverpool at Anfield.

We can assume Wolves and Burnley are gone, despite Wolves winning their last two games, which leaves one other club to join them in the relegation drop. Tottenham are only one point ahead of Forest and West Ham who seem to be playing with renewed confidence while Spurs are rock bottom and that is coming from their players, not me.

Forest coach Vitor Pereira refused to comment on his side’s hopes to get out of their sticky position and said, “Believe me, this is too much for me. I just care about my team. All my energy I put into what we can control and the way I can help my team. Every day I study, study, study and I plan. I try to find solutions to help them. A manager in my opinion is there to support his players and to try to help them physically and mentally. I just have energy for this. I cannot focus on anything else. If we are playing a particular team then I will study them but it is more important to me to be with my team.”

Later this month Forest travel to Tottenham in what will be a defining match which neither team dare to lose.

 

Barry and Beto told they must improve

Everton strikers were singled out on Monday’s briefing and both Thierno Barry and Beto have been told they have to follow their former team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin who is now with Leeds and has scored 10 goals already this season. Barry has scored six and Beto five. As a striker or a forward you are judged on your numbers and most people at Everton think their strikers’ position needs the most attention for improvement.

In many ways Calvert-Lewin and Barry and Beto are similar in that they run all the channels from wing to centre and even from attacking midfield, all are reasonably quick and have pace. However, where Barry and Beto are falling down is their finishing determination. According to the Everton assistants what they are doing in training is to get both of them to drive directly at defenders, drop a shoulder and move forward with their pace.

Everton have a top class coach in David Moyes and he is ably assisted by club legend and England international Leighton Baines and their main concentration at the moment is to get more from both Barry and Beto or there could be changes made in the summer.

 

Why Forest have sacked three managers this season

Life is never easy playing for a team owned by Vangelis Marinakis the Greek billionaire and Nottingham Forest’s coaches, players and the club hierarchy know that only too well. Four coaches in a season is incredible, even for him. Many of Forest’s problems stem from the appointment of Edu as Global Head of Football last July. Nuno Espirito Santo, in my opinion is a very good manager and