Southampton
Leeds recall key duo, Spurs defender out, Toffees sweating on playmaker’s fitness
The 36th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some vital matches at the top end of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening, with Manchester City winning 4-3 at Newcastle United – Ferran Torres (3) and Joao Cancelo got their goals. Leeds United demolished Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor in the early kick-off on Saturday – Rodrigo (2), Mateusz Klich and Jack Harrison were on the scoresheet. Southampton vs Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United completes the Saturday line-up. There are four games on Sunday, three of which could have a major bearing on who qualifies for Europe this season. Liverpool have a golden opportunity to move j...
Southampton lining up move for £18m-rated star with 108 Premier League appearances
Southampton will attempt to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a season-long loan with the option to buy, The Express reports. The Saints were interested in the England international last summer, but they were beaten to his services by Fulham, who signed him on a temporary deal. The 25-year-old has had a difficult campaign with the Cottagers, registering just one goal from 31 appearances across all competitions. Loftus-Cheek will return to the Blues this summer, but he could struggle to break into Thomas Tuchel’s plans with the competition for places. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is a big admirer of the midfielder’s talents, and he is prepared to offer him the chance to revive his career. The south coast outfit will propose to sign the Blues graduate on loan, with the optio...
Southampton confirm Ryan Bertrand will leave for free at the end of this season
Southampton have confirmed that defender Ryan Bertrand will leave the Saints this summer when his contract expires and will be available on a free transfer. The Englishman has spent seven years on the south coast, racking up an impressive 240 appearances for the club. In that time, Bertrand has also featured in a Carabao Cup final and two FA Cup semi-finals, while helping Southampton achieve their highest ever Premier League table finish. In a statement on their website, Southampton thanked Bertrand for his contribution to the Saints. “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that Ryan Bertrand will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season,” the statement read. “Everyone associated with Southampton would like to thank Ryan for his contribution to the history of ...
Arsenal to compete with Manchester City to sign defender with 19 international caps
Arsenal could compete with Manchester City to sign Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand during the summer transfer window, Goal.com claims. Bertrand has been with the Saints for seven years, but he looks set to head for the exit door after negotiations over a new contract broke down. The 31-year-old will be available on a free transfer when his deal expires next month, and the Gunners are among the top contenders to secure his services. Sportslens view: The Gunners were linked with a move for Bertrand in January, but a deal failed to materialise before the deadline. As a result, the north London club have had to cope with just one specialist left-back in the first-team squad in Kieran Tierney. Cedric Soares and Granit Xhaka played there recently when the Scot was nursing a knee ligament inj...
‘Still the best’: Some Liverpool fans drool over player who was ‘outstanding’ vs Southampton
Liverpool kept their top-four hopes alive with a 2-0 home win over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday. With Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur dropping points earlier, the victory meant the Reds still have a slim chance of finishing in the top four. Goals in each half earned Liverpool all three points against the Saints, although the performance was unspectacular from Jurgen Klopp’s side. Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead in the 31st minute when he headed home a delicious cross from Mohamed Salah. Thiago Alcantara doubled the advantage towards the end of the match with his first goal for the club. One player who was really impressive during the game was Alisson, with the goalkeeper making a string of saves to keep the Reds on the game. The Brazilian has made some costly ...
Key Leeds duo on the bench, Spurs star keeps place, Blues midfielder ruled out
The 35th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening as Leicester City went head-to-head with Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium. The Magpies upset the odds with a superb 4-2 victory – Callum Wilson (2), Joe Willock and Paul Dummett got the goals. Leeds United ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at home to Tottenham Hotspur – Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo were on the scoresheet. Christian Benteke and Eberechi Eze were on target as Crystal Palace triumphed 2-0 at Sheffield United. Manchester City will have to wait to clinch the title after losing 2-1 at hom...
Premier League releases statement about return of fans
The Premier League have released a statement regarding the return of supporters to stadiums. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom in early 2020, all football in the country was postponed in March and did not resume until June. The end of the 2019/20 season was played behind closed doors. The 2020/21 campaign began in September, with all games still being played in empty stadiums. Fans briefly returned to certain grounds in December, but they were soon shut again. Arsenal fans in attendance in their fixture against Burnley in December The Premier League hoped that spectators would be able to attend the last two games of the season. Now, they have reaffirmed that ambition in a statement via their official website. They have confirmed that subject to a government decision,...
Eight changes for City, Arsenal star may miss out, Baggies winger could return
The 34th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some important matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening, with Southampton and Leicester City fighting out a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. James Ward-Prowse put the home side in front from the penalty spot, but Jonny Evans bagged an equaliser for the Foxes. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made eight changes to his starting XI for the visit to Crystal Palace on Saturday. However, his tinkering didn’t impact the outcome as City eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park – Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres got the goals. Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck were on target as Br...
Southampton reportedly eye summer move for 24-year-old defender
Southampton are reportedly looking to sign a left-back in the summer transfer window. According to Football Insider, the Saints have earmarked Souleyman Doumbia as a potential option. The report claims that Doumbia is seen as a potential replacement for Ryan Bertrand, whose contract is set to expire this summer. Southampton are monitoring his situation ahead of the summer window. The Saints could face competition from French outfits Lyon and Nice for the Ivory Coast international. Doumbia joined Angers on loan in January, and it was later converted to a permanent deal. The 24-year-old has a contract at the club until 2023 and has been capped three times by the Ivory Coast national team. He has established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back this season, m...
Celtic reportedly battling West Ham & Steve Bruce for striker with 78 goals in 118 games
According to TEAMtalk, Scottish Premiership giants Celtic and Premier League trio West Ham United, Newcastle United and Southampton all have Young Boys striker Jean-Pierre Nsame on their summer target lists. The Cameroon international has scored 78 goals in 118 games since joining the Swiss giants from Servette in 2017, and it is not surprising to see British clubs eyeing him. Celtic are looking to strengthen their squad this summer ahead of next season’s battle with Rangers, and Nsame could prove to be a perfect addition to their striking ranks. Odsonne Edouard is likely to leave Parkhead this summer with Premier League clubs keen on him, and the Young Boys star could be an ideal replacement. West Ham also need a striker after manager David Moyes decided not to bring in a direct replaceme...
Reds go on the attack, Chelsea duo set for recall, boost for West Ham
The 33rd round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening with Everton recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal courtesy of Bernd Leno’s own goal. Liverpool’s top-four hopes suffered a blow as they were held 1-1 by Newcastle United at Anfield. Mohamed Salah put the home side ahead, but Joe Willock snatched a point for the Magpies with a 95th minute equaliser. In-form West Ham United loanee Jesse Lingard will be fit to face Chelsea in the early evening game after shrugging off the effects of cramp. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to recall Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva to his...
Southampton confirm Arsenal target to leave club on free transfer
Southampton have confirmed that Arsenal and AC Milan target Ryan Bertrand will leave the club for free this summer. Bertrand has spent the last six years of his career on Southampton’s books, scoring eight goals in 240 appearances, but he will walk through the St Mary’s exit doors at the end of the 2020-21 season after failing to reach an extension agreement with the club. The Saints have announced the 31-year-old’s departure, thanking him for his sterling contribution to their cause while insisting he will always hold a special place in the heart of the club’s supporters. “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that Ryan Bertrand will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season,” a statement on the club’s official website read. “Bertrand was a key part of the te...