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Rayados defeated Pumas to claim the final Liguilla spot and will now face Toluca in the quarterfinals.

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In Liga MX, it’s long been said that the regular season and the Liguilla feel like two entirely different tournaments. For 17 matches, consistency matters, but once you make it into the Liguilla, all bets are off. We've seen top seeds fall to the lowest-ranked qualifiers time and time again. That’s how the phrase “The Curse of the Superlíder” came to be. Some teams even try to avoid finishing first just to dodge the supposed jinx.

Others aren’t so superstitious. They aim to dominate from start to finish, hoping to turn regular-season form into postseason success.

A couple of years ago, Liga MX introduced the Play-In to shake things up – borrowing from the NBA format – to give more teams a shot at the playoffs. Where the top eight teams once went straight into the Liguilla, now those ranked seventh to 10th face off in the Play-In. It’s a term still unfamiliar to many fans in Mexico.

But the execution raises eyebrows. Two full weeks of rest for the top seeds while four lower-ranked teams scrap it out? That’s a long pause in a league where momentum can mean everything. In the NBA, teams barely get two days between games. In Liga MX, fans wait 14 just to sort out the final playoff field.

The Wait Is Over: Pachuca and Rayados Clinch Final Liguilla Spots

Pachuca and Monterrey won their respective Play-In matches and are the final two teams to punch their tickets to the Liguilla, which kicks off May 7 and 8 with the quarterfinals.

It’s the end of the road for FC Juárez and Pumas—thanks for playing, but the Liguilla is for title contenders, and these teams never truly looked like more than filler. In the end, there were no surprises: the stronger sides advanced.

GOAL breaks down how the quarterfinal matchups will play out and who the favorites are to move on.

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  No. 1 Toluca vs No. 8 Monterrey

  finished as the top seed in the Clausura 2025 after an exceptional end to the regular season, going unbeaten in their final seven matches.

  Under the guidance of Antonio Mohamed, Toluca will face Monterrey, with the first leg set to be played at the “Gigante de Acero,” while the return leg will take place at the Nemesio Diez.

  Toluca – Key to Success:

  Mohamed’s squad traveled to Playa del Carmen in southern Mexico to prepare for the Liguilla with their sights set on winning an 11th league title. Their preparation itself may be the key—Toluca will head into the first leg of the quarterfinals against Monterrey having gone 18 days without an official match. The team is hopeful that the long break won’t disrupt the momentum they built by winning six of their last seven matches to close out the Clausura 2025.

  Players to Watch:

  For Toluca, it’s hard to highlight just one name – Paulinho and Alexis Vega deserve equal billing. The attacking duo combined for 21 goals during the regular season, with the Brazilian Paulinho claiming the Golden Boot after scoring 12 times.

  Monterrey – Key to Success:

  It’s a clean slate for Martín Demichelis and his side. After defeating Pumas in the Play-In, Monterrey grabbed the final Liguilla ticket and silenced recent criticism. The return of Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres will be crucial in this series, and the team is also hoping to get Sergio Ramos back from injury after he missed both Play-In matches.

  Player to Watch: Germán Berterame

  Berterame hasn’t had his strongest season with Rayados, but after being booed by fans during the Pumas match, he responded with a goal that could reignite his confidence just in time for the Liguilla. He’ll be central to Demichelis’ plans as Monterrey look to make a deep playoff run.

  GOAL's Prediction:

  Toluca is the better team overall. In fact, they were the best in the tournament, boasting the strongest offensive line. One area where Monterrey has struggled, however, is defense. While it's a bold call, we predict that will advance to the semifinals, making them our top candidate to win the title. didn’t stop playing, but did. We’ll see if the inactivity affects them.

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  No. 2 América vs. No. 7 Pachuca

  , reigning three-time champions, are resting and recovering injured players as they wait to find out their quarterfinal opponent, which will come from the winner of the Monterrey vs. Pachuca Play-In clash.

  Jardine’s side is hoping to have Henry Martín, Diego Valdés, Luis Ángel Malagón, and Brian Rodríguez back in time to make a strong push for another title, after finishing second in the Clausura 2025 with 34 points.

  América – Key to Success:

  Rest and player recovery. Las Águilas have benefited the most from the break, bringing back key players like Henry Martín and Luis Ángel Malagón. However, the status of Diego Valdés remains uncertain, and they are likely to miss Brian Rodríguez and Jonathan Dos Santos for the remainder of the Liguilla.

  Player to Watch: Álvaro Fidalgo. The Spanish midfielder was one of the standout performers of the Clausura 2025, recording seven goals and three assists.

  Pachuca – Key to Success:

  Home advantage in the first leg. are one of the toughest teams to beat at home, with only one loss in nine games at the Estadio Hidalgo during the Clausura 2025. Securing a strong result in the first leg could prove to be a decisive blow for América in this series.

  Player to Watch: Salomón Rondón

  The Venezuelan forward has netted 10 goals this season, including the crucial one in the Play-In match against Monterrey that secured Pachuca’s spot in the Liguilla. Rondón will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in this knockout round.

  GOAL's Prediction:

  This is a tough one to call, and personally, it will be the most balanced matchup. However, América carry the hope of a potential four-peat. América will edge through and make it to the semifinals.

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  No. 3 Cruz Azul vs. No. 6 Club León

  Cruz Azul and León are set to face off in the Clausura 2025 quarterfinals, scheduled for May 7 and 8.

  enters the matchup riding an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak, though their legs might be a bit heavy as they’ll also be playing a crucial Champions Cup semifinal against Tigres before facing León. That additional fixture could impact their freshness for the two-leg tie.

  On the other hand, Eduardo Berizzo’s León suffered a late-season slump, managing just one win in their last seven league matches. After a strong start to the tournament, La Fiera dropped to sixth place following a dip in form that began with their early elimination from the Club World Cup, which appeared to have an emotional toll on the squad.

  Can León recharge and upset a red-hot Cruz Azul team that may be showing signs of fatigue?

  Cruz Azul – Keys to Success:

  Cruz Azul boasts one of the best defenses among playoff teams, allowing just 16 goals during the regular season. They face a León side that struggled offensively, scoring only 24 goals, the second fewest among Liguilla teams. Keeping a clean sheet will be crucial for Vicente Sánchez’s men.

  Player to Watch: Ignacio Rivero

  The Uruguayan midfielder has been a consistent and influential figure, scoring five goals and providing one assist. He continues to be a key piece for Cruz Azul and will be essential in this Quarterfinal series.

  León – Keys to Success:

  The two-week break could work in León’s favor after their disappointing run to close the regular season. The rest might help the team reset mentally and physically. However, they’ll face one of the toughest opponents left in the tournament – a Cruz Azul side that’s clicking on both ends of the pitch.

  Player to Watch: James Rodríguez

  The Colombian star has had a dip in form in recent weeks, but if anyone has the talent to turn a tie around, it’s him. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the first leg due to suspension, which could significantly impact León’s chances.

  GOAL's Prediction:

  Cruz Azul will advance to the semifinals. Vicente Sánchez’s squad has been one of the most balanced and effective teams this season, both in defense and attack.are a serious title contender, and it would be a surprise if León managed to derail their championship hopes.

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  No. 4 Tigres vs. No. 5 Necaxa

  Tigres vs. Necaxa – experience vs. momentum in a tight quarterfinal matchup

  This promises to be one of the closest matchups of the Clausura 2025 quarterfinals, as both teams come in after strong regular seasons. While it’s no surprise to see Tigres in this stage, the presence of Necaxa, led by Nicolás Larcamón, is a notable storyline. had an excellent campaign, finishing with 31 points and boasting the second-best attack in the league with 36 goals scored.

  Tigres, under Guido Pizarro, have regained some of their trademark rhythm, though it's clear this is no longer the dominant side of years past. Still, their talent—both domestic and international—makes them a dangerous playoff team.

  Tigres – Keys to Success:

  Tigres’ offensive collective play from midfield forward will be their greatest asset. Despite their deep roster, a few players have underperformed—Uriel Antuna among them. The winger will be looking to prove himself in this series, not just to his coach Guido Pizarro and Javier Aguirre, but also to earn back consideration for the national team and a larger role in the Liguilla.

  Player to Watch: Juan Brunetta

  The Argentine midfielder has been at the heart of Tigres’ attack, contributing to nine goals (six goals, three assists). Much of the team’s creative spark and title hopes run through him.

  Necaxa – Keys to Success:

  Necaxa’s main objective will be to keep their scoring form while shoring up their defense. They head into the playoffs as the worst defensive side among the qualifiers, having conceded 29 goals. They'll need to find a way to contain Tigres’ potent frontline while continuing to capitalize on chances up top.

  Player to Watch: José Paradela

  The attacking midfielder was outstanding throughout the regular season, helping Aguascalientes’ side secure a top-five finish. He tallied eight goals and seven assists, becoming a central figure in Larcamón’s setup.

  GOAL's Prediction:

  Experience will prevail – and Tigres have it. With veterans and proven playoff performers, Tigres are expected to outlast a spirited Necaxa side in a close-fought series.

Still looking to turn their season around, Wolverhampton Wanderers look set to welcome their second signing of the January transfer window, with a new midfielder thought to be on his way to Molineux.

Wolves transfer news

Those in the Midlands have already added one reinforcement this month in the form of Emmanuel Agbadou, who has finally ended their search for a much-needed central defender. But they’re seemingly not done there and rightly so.

As things stand, Vitor Pereira’s side are destined for a Premier League relegation scrap right up until the bitter end, which could end in disaster if they fail to welcome further key additions before the end of the month.

On the transfer front, the rumours have continued to arrive regarding potential moves for the likes of Renato Veiga, who has found himself on the fringes of Enzo Maresca’s strongest Chelsea side.

It’s not the versatile Swiss midfielder who’s stealing the biggest headlines, however. Instead, those in the Midlands have reportedly turned their attention towards Portugal in what has become quite the trend at the Molineux over the years.

According to reports in Portugal (as relayed by Sport Witness), Wolves have now all but sealed a deal to sign Manu Silva from Vitoria Guimaraes – with the midfielder already “on his way” to the Midlands to join up with Pereira’s side, as per Jornal de Noticias.

In a package worth a reported €12m (£10m) this month, Wolves look set to get their man, and in doing so, an ideal replacement for Mario Lemina, who currently looks destined for Saudi Arabia.

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 5, 2025

Signing from Portugal has certainly gone well in the past, and after earlier reports indicated their interest, it looks as though Wolves are set to sign Manu Silva and hand Pereira another welcomed boost this month.

"Strong" Manu Silva brings key versatility

Whilst he is likely to be used primarily as a midfielder, Manu Silva’s ability to also play as a centre-back will undoubtedly help a Wolves side often left short on defensive options, even after the arrival of Agbadou earlier this month.

The 23-year-old has unsurprisingly found himself at the centre of praise since Wolves’ interest emerged, with Rising Star, which takes a closer look at emerging talents, praising his “strong” aerial ability and “effective ball distribution” earlier this week.

For just £10m, Manu Silva could quickly become a bargain buy at Wolves if he goes on to play an integral part in their survival. Potentially following the same path as Ruben Neves from Portugal to the Midlands, the young midfielder will be one to watch at the heart of Pereira’s side.

Potentially two signings down, Wolves have so far enjoyed a successful January transfer window, to say the least.

Still desperately searching for reinforcements, Manchester United are now reportedly set to accelerate a move to sign a young forward in an alternative to Mathys Tel ahead of Monday’s deadline.

Man Utd transfer news

After a month full of frustration on the transfer front, the Red Devils are at least set to get their business underway and welcome Patrick Dorgu from Lecce. The left wing-back will finally provide Ruben Amorim with a natural option for his 3-4-2-1 system and solve a Luke Shaw problem that has persisted under a number of different managers over the years.

However, those at Old Trafford may not be done there. Bayern Munich’s Tel still has quite the decision to make after seemingly rejecting Tottenham Hotspur and becoming the subject of Manchester United’s interest, making him one to watch.

He’s not the only young forward on their radar, though, and the Premier League giants could yet turn towards an alternative if they suffer the same fate as Tottenham in the coming days.

Man Utd struck gold on "generational" star worth way more than Tel & Quenda

One young talent is worth his weight in gold to Man United

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By
Joe Nuttall

Feb 1, 2025

According to FootMercato, Manchester United are now accelerating their operation to sign El Bilal Toure before Monday’s deadline. However, to say that any deal would be a complicated one would be an understatement.

First and foremost, Stuttgart are reportedly looking to make Toure’s loan move from Atalanta permanent by triggering their €18m (£15m) option.

The German club will then reportedly aim to sell the 23-year-old to Manchester United for €25m (£21m) plus bonuses before loaning him back from Old Trafford for the rest of the season.

It’s worth noting that to complete all of those stages, Manchester United, Atalanta and Stuttgart have just two days until the window slams shut.

"Strong" Toure could be Hojlund repeat

23 years old and a player who’s yet to truly set the world alight on the goalscoring front, Toure is showing far too many similarities to Rasmus Hojlund, who has struggled in a Manchester United shirt. And the last thing that the Red Devils need is another struggling striker having already welcomed Joshua Zirkzee last summer.

Struggling for minutes on loan at Stuttgart, Toure is unlikely to find the game time he needs at Manchester United, even as Hojlund and Zirkzee continue to struggle under Amorim.

That has not stopped the praise from coming his way since arriving in Germany, with Stuttgart board member Fabian Wohlgemuth saying via the Bundesliga’s official website: “El Bilal Touré is another strong addition to our attack.

“He has demonstrated his qualities in France, Spain and most recently in Italy with Atalanta. He’s the type of player we haven’t had before, and his exceptional speed will add another important facet to our attack.”

Hansi Flick is considering handing wonderkid Dani Rodriguez his Barcelona first-team debut against Real Valladolid on Saturday.

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• Barca wonderkid could make first-team debut
• Barcelona take on Real Valladolid on Saturday
• Flick wants to rotate squad ahead of UCL semi

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona could witness another La Masia product making his first-team debut on Saturday as manager Flick is set to include 19-year-old winger Dani Rodruguez in his matchday squad against Real Valladolid in La Liga, according to .

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Flick is considering rotating his squad ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Inter next week. Three academy stars, Rodriguez, Landry Farre, and Noah Darvich were spotted in first-team training this week and it is believed that the German manager is poised to reward the youngsters' hard work by including them in the matchday squad.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rodriguez joined the Catalan side from Real Sociedad as a 14-year-old. In the 2024-25 campaign, the winger remained sidelined for a long period due to a muscle problem, but in the 10 appearances he made for the youth side, the teenager scored three goals and provided several assists.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  After their clash against Valladolid on Saturday, the Blaugrana are set to jet off to Milan to face Inter on May 6.

Arsenal are considering an offer to sign another high-profile striker, which could happen within these next two days, as manager Mikel Arteta and interim sporting director Jason Ayto identify alternatives to Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal target centre-forward in final days of January window

This year’s winter window closes on 3rd February, so the Gunners are running out of time to get a prolific new forward through the door after long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal offered £50m attacker who scored 21 goals last term

The Gunners are still searching for a new forward.

By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 1, 2025

Arteta has admitted that Arsenal want a fresh attacking option, but it is highly likely they’ll miss out on top target Watkins. Villa rejected their opening £60m bid earlier this week, and now that Jhon Duran has sealed a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, it is pretty obvious that Unai Emery will be unwilling to part company with two top strikers in such quick succession.

Emery’s side also may have been unhappy at the timing of Arsenal’s offer, which was right before Villa’s Champions League win over Celtic, so relations with their Premier League rivals certainly wouldn’t have been helped.

Now, attention turns to who they could realistically acquire instead of the England international, and Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović could be an option.

The Serb is out of contract in 2026, meaning Juve have a serious decision to make about his future if they cannot agree fresh terms. Vlahovic, on a surprisingly hefty reported £313,000-per-week wage in Turin, has scored 12 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Arsenal consider weekend bid for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, writing in a piece for TEAMtalk, Arsenal are considering an offer for Vlahovic this weekend.

The ex-Fiorentina star is open to making a move to England, handing Arteta a boost if Arsenal are to submit an imminent offer for Vlahovic, who is apparently one of their top targets.

However, a potential deal is deemed complicated, given Juve have next to no time to source a replacement. The Old Lady did seal a loan move for Randal Kolo Muani earlier this window, but manager Thiago Motta isn’t convinced that he can lead the line alone as they attempt to reignite their chase for Champions League football next season.

If Arsenal can somehow persuade them to part company, Vlahovic would certainly bolster Arteta’s attack.

“I’ve been saying it for a long time,” said former Juve striker Roberto Boninsegna about Vlahovic’s quality in an interview.

“He’s strong, massive, he fills up front, he’s a reference, he’s a ‘left-footer’ full of courage. A good centre-forward.”

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah may not win the Premier League Player of the Year award, with Virgil van Dijk tipped for glory instead.

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• Salah told Van Dijk should win POTY award
• Egyptian has broken records this season
• Club captain imperious in defence

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Salah, who has endured a terrific run of form in the 2024-25 campaign with the Reds, ended a mini goal drought in his team's 5-1 humiliation of Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, which sealed the Merseyside club's 20th English top-flight title. He is also the frontrunner to win the Golden Boot this year with 28 strikes to his name in 34 league appearances. However, despite his heroics for Liverpool, ex-Manchester City star Richard Dunne believes that Van Dijk has been the most influential player in Arne Slot's team and the Dutch defender should be given the Player of the Year award.

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• WHAT RICHARD DUNNE SAID

  Speaking to , Dunne said: "The Player of the Season has to come from Liverpool, and I think you have three players to pick from. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch are the players that immediately spring to mind. The way Gravenberch moves the ball from defence into attack, his fitness and his stature have been fantastic this season.

  "People will say Liverpool would be nowhere near the level they are without Salah’s goals and assists, but for me, it has to be Van Dijk. He brings a calmness and coolness to the club. Without him in the side, Liverpool don’t have the same calibre of leadership; he’s been a standout player for them week-in, week-out, which is the decider for Player of the Season."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Salah's goal against Spurs helped him become the outright highest foreign goalscorer in the Premier League, leapfrogging City icon Sergio Aguero in the race. With 185 goals to his name, he is now fifth on the list of all-time highest scorers in the Premier League, behind only Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Slot's men will next face Chelsea as the newly crowned English champions on Sunday in a Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Leeds United can solely focus on their efforts to earn promotion to the Premier League in the second half of the season after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Millwall on Saturday.

They were beaten 2-0 by the Lions at Elland Road in the fourth round of the cup and only have Championship football to play between now and the end of the season.

The match did provide Daniel Farke with the chance to take a look at some of the fringe players in the squad, though, and hand a full first-team debut to Sam Chambers.

He made his debut in an 11-minute cameo against Plymouth Argyle in November, but this was the 17-year-old attacking midfielder’s first start at senior level.

Sam Chambers' performance against Millwall

It was, perhaps, a step too far too soon for the teenage starlet, as he lined up from the start as part of the attacking midfield trio behind Spanish striker Mateo Joseph.

He was up against a Championship-grade defensive set-up from Millwall, who selected first-choice defenders Japhet Tanganga and Jake Cooper, and failed to have much of an impact on the game.

As you can see in the table above, Chambers missed his only ‘big chance’ to find the back of the net for the first time at senior level, and the youngster did not create anything of note for his teammates.

It was a valuable experience for the 17-year-old talent, however, and it will, hopefully, be one that he learns from in order to perform better when Farke decides to select him next.

In The Pipeline

The German head coach, though, could unearth an even bigger talent than Chambers by dipping into the academy to bring up 17-year-old Rhys Chadwick.

Why Rhys Chadwick could be a big talent for Leeds

Like Chambers, the teenage sensation is a versatile midfield player who can play in a central, defensive, or attacking role in the middle of the park.

The Scottish attacking midfielder has scored one goal and provided three assists in 14 U21 matches for the Whites, after a return of two goals and one assist in 26 games for the U18s.

Chadwick, meanwhile, has been on fire for the U21s this season. The English ace has racked up five goals and three assists in 13 Premier League 2 games, alongside a haul of four goals and seven assists in seven cup matches.

As you can see in the clip above, Chadwick is a midfield player who wants to get up the pitch to put pressure on the opposition in order to create turnovers and chances for himself in the final third.

His impressive return of 19 goals and assists in 20 matches in all competitions for the U21s this season, despite still only being 17 years old, speaks to how successful he is at making an impact at the top end of the pitch.

Fewer touches than Darlow: Leeds must axe 3/10 dud after Millwall nightmare

Leeds United crashed out of the FA Cup.

By
Matt Dawson

Feb 8, 2025

He has outperformed Chambers at youth level as an attacking force, whilst playing in similar positions, and that is why the potential is there for him to emerge as an even bigger talent than the Scotsman if Farke is willing to hand him a chance to impress in the first-team in the weeks and months to come.

It is now down to the German head coach to bring him in at the right time to provide Chadwick with an opportunity to showcase his quality in the final third at first-team level.

Julian Alvarez hopes Atletico Madrid sign Tottenham's Cristian Romero as the striker is eager to share the dressing room with his Argentine teammate.

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• Romero is on the wishlist of both Atletico & Real
• Has two years left on his Spurs deal
• Alvarez wants him at Atletico

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Interest from both Atletico Madrid and their city rivals Real Madrid has intensified in recent weeks, with Romero reportedly open to exploring opportunities in Spain. Having joined Spurs permanently in 2022 for £42 million, the 27-year-old still has two years left on his contract, which could complicate negotiations.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tottenham hold a strong negotiating position given Romero’s contract length and market value, currently estimated at €75 million (£64m/$85m). Despite that, Atletico believe they could drive the price down, especially if Tottenham fail to secure Champions League football for next season.

• WHAT ALVAREZ SAID

  Speaking to Spanish outlet , Alvarez made no effort to hide his hopes to see Romero at Atletico and said: "I hope [he joins]! I hope it happens. He's a great player. One of the best centre-backs in the world, in my opinion. A teammate on the national team and a great person. Such a great addition to the team would be a great help.

  "[Atleti] feels more like Argentina compared to the Premier League. Maybe also because of the language, or, as we were saying, there are many Argentinian team-mates, the coach too, and so I felt a bit more like Argentina. It's like a family, very close. The passion, courage, and heart that Atleti identifies with is felt a bit more from within."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Romero has previously admitted that Spain's top division remains a personal goal. In an interview with last month, the Argentine defender confessed: "La Liga is left for me to play in, I would love to, to tell you the truth. I would love to play there because it’s the league I’m missing. I try to above all live the day to day. There are almost two months until the championship ends and in my head it’s always [about] performing to the maximum, trying to finish in the best way possible.

  "We’re in the semi-final of the Europa League. It’s an important step for the club after so many years where they hadn’t reached those stages. To say I’m happy [with that]? No, because in the end I want to win it, but it depends on a lot of things. After that, once the championship finishes, we’ll see. The truth is I haven’t spoken to my representative yet but I’m open to anything. In my head, I always [think about] growing, also [about] going to new places to keep growing but I don’t want to talk about that yet because there’s a few months left of the championship."

Alejandro Garnacho has hit out after Manchester United’s Europa League final loss as his brother slammed Ruben Amorim for dropping the Argentine.

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• Man Utd lose Europa League final to Spurs
• Garnacho hits out after being dropped by Amorim
• Star's brother also takes aim at Man Utd coach

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United’s horror season had been hinging on their ability to win the Europa League, as despite struggling domestically, Amorim’s side had made their way into the final against Tottenham Hotspur. However, it was yet another disaster for the Red Devils as they slump to a 1-0 loss to the Lilywhites after Brennan Johnson’s scruffy first-half goal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  For the final at San Mames, Amorim made the decision to drop Garnacho to the bench with Mason Mount starting instead. The decision came as something of a shock as the Argentine had started all of United’s matches in the knockout stages of the Europa League, and the 20-year-old has now questioned the Portuguese coach's decision while also opening up about the Red Devils' 'sh*t' season.

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  WHAT GARNACHO SAID

  According to TyC Sports, Garnacho said: "It's obviously tough for everyone after this season, which was really sh*t, both now and after losing the Community Shield. We didn't beat anyone. Up until the final, I played every round, I helped the team. Today, playing 20 minutes… I don't know.

  The Argentine also remained cryptic when asked abouthis future with United, as he said: "The game has an influence, but the season itself and the situation at the club… I'm going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Garnacho's brother, Roberto, also slammed Amorim for dropping Garnacho for the Europa League final against Spurs. On Instagram, Roberto wrote: "Working as no one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus. Wowe, hahahahahaha."

  Instagram (@rrobber7)

Arsenal have made an approach to sign a star attacker in excellent form this season, with the player now apparently set to leave his club this summer.

Arsenal target new forward as Premier League title hopes diminish

Interim sporting director Jason Ayto and the recruitment team are already planning for next season, with the Gunners’ hopes of a Premier League title this season taking a real hit this week as they full a further five points behind Liverpool all without scoring a single goal.

Arsenal offered £302k-per-week Zubimendi alternative who'd cost just £29m

The Gunners have been approached with an intriguing proposal.

By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 23, 2025

Jarrod Bowen’s diving header gifted West Ham all three points at the Emirates last weekend before the Gunners made the trip to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, where a 0-0 draw was probably a fair result given the two teams combined for just three shots on target.

Mikel Arteta must now put all of his eggs in the Champions League basket if he wishes to guide Arsenal to their first piece of major silverware since their FA Cup triumph in 2020, but he’s set to attempt European glory without a natural centre-forward in his ranks.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the rest of this season through injury, with Arsenal potentially regretting their decision not to acquire a top-class number nine when the January transfer window was open.

Ahead of a hopefully more successful Premier League title challenge next season, it is believed that the north Londoners are keen to rectify this in the summer.

Many big-name forwards have been linked with moves to N5, but a versatile option who could certainly be worth considering is Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

The Serie A centre-forward, who plays as a second striker and out wide for the Nigeria national team, boasts 17 goals and seven assists from 29 appearances in all competitions under Gian Piero Gasperini – but he’s recently been at the centre of a fallout with his manager.

Gasperini blasted Lookman’s penalty-taking ability after the 27-year-old had a spot-kick saved by Simon Mignolet during the second leg of Atalanta’s surprise 5-2 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs, with the manager describing him as the “worst penalty taker” he’s ever seen.

Lookman publicly hit back at Gasperini for his jibe, and it’s safe to say tensions have escalated in Bergamo as a result.

Ademola Lookman set to leave Atalanta as Arsenal make contact

According to Sky Sports transfer reporter Sacha Tavolieri, this situation has opened the door for Arsenal and other interested sides to poach the African.

Indeed, Tavolieri writes that Lookman will no longer be an Atalanta player next season, and it is a “done deal” that he’ll depart them this summer. He adds that Arsenal have made contact over signing the in-form forward, so they’re a viable destination.

However, Liverpool have taken more “concrete steps” in the chase for his signature, which could cost around £54 million, according to other reports.

CaughtOffside also reported a few days ago that Arsenal and Liverpool are “most advanced” in the race for Lookman, so a potential move is gaining traction.