EXCLUSIVE: Al-Hilal make fresh £43m offer for Mitrovic

AL-HILAL have made a fresh £43million offer for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Saudi side are hopeful their latest bid, which equates to 50m euros, will be enough to convince Fulham to sell their talisman.

Yet if the Cottagers choose to reject it, it is doubtful Al-Hilal will go any higher. 

Mitrovic, 28, is keen to take up the opportunity in the Middle-East where he would see his wages skyrocket. 

Fulham have been reluctant to let go of Mitrovic, who has banged in 111 goals in 206 games for the West London club.

But they have already signed a new forward in the form of Raul Jimenez, who started the 1-0 win Wolves over Mitrovic on Saturday. 

Zaniolo flying in to complete Aston Villa transfer

Nicolo Zaniolo will touch down in Birmingham tomorrow to complete his loan move to Aston Villa from Galatasaray.

The 24-year-old Italian international was already on Unai Emery’s summer wish-list as he looked to strengthen his squad to cope with the additional demands of playing in Europe this season.

However, an ACL injury suffered by attacking midfielder Emi Buendia in training last week increased the need for Emery to find a quality replacement. 

Villa’s injury crisis worsened at the weekend when Tyrone Mings also suffered an ACL injury which threatens to end his season.

Zaniolo is well known to Villa, whose president of football operations, Monchi, signed the winger for Roma in 2018, during his time with the Serie A club.

The Italian snubbed a move to Bournemouth in January and Spurs have also failed in previous attempts to lure the talented forward to the Premier League.

However, the opportunity to work with Emery and team up with Monchi again will see Zaniolo sign an initial loan deal with a £25million option to buy, which will become an obligation to buy if certain targets are met.

Zaniolo made 128 appearances for Roma, before signing for Galatasaray in a £13m deal in January and scored five goals in 10 Super Lig appearances.

He will undergo a club medical tomorrow before joining up with his new Villa teammates at their Bodymoor Heath base.

Old video resurfaces of Caicedo calling Man Utd ‘dream’ club

An old video of Moises Caicedo has resurfaced following his move to Chelsea.

Caicedo, 21, completed his £115m move – a British transfer record – on Monday.

However, before the Ecuadorian joined Brighton, he revealed his dream club to play for was actually Man Utd.

He told reporters in 2020: “My dream is to play for Manchester United.”

After joining Chelsea, he said midfielders Claude Makélélé and N’Golo Kante were his inspirations.

He added: “When I was a kid, I supported Chelsea and used to watch the games.

“Now it is amazing to be here. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I can’t wait to start with the guys, to give my best and to write my own story”

Arsenal considering move for top Spurs target

Arsenal are considering a transfer for Edmond Tapsoba, according to the Express.

The Gunners are interested in a move for the Tottenham-linked defender after the future of Gabriel was thrust into doubt.

Having started every single Prem game last season, the Brazilian found himself on the bench for tactical reasons in the 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest.

And this has sparked suggestions he could seal a surprise switch to Saudi Arabia, although Arsenal have no plans to sell the 25-year-old.

Instead, the north Londoners could look to bring left-footed Tapsoba following the injury of Jurrien Timber – who could be sidelined for months.

Brighton CEO on Caicedo Chelsea transfer

Brighton CEO Paul Barber has admitted his surprise at Moises Caicedo joining Chelsea over Liverpool.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Liverpool’s a fantastic football club.

“For any footballer to have the chance to play at Liverpool, you’d imagine that they’d be running up the M6 but it wasn’t to be.

“Moises and his advisors decided for whatever reason that London was their preferred destination, and ultimately Chelsea.”

Caicedo sealed a £115m transfer to Chelsea on Monday.

Chelsea considering Schmeichel move

Chelsea are considering a shock transfer for former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Schmeichel, currently at Ligue 1 side Nice, is open to a move should an appropriate offer materialise, according to the Mail.

It comes after Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid on loan.