Category Sports News

Al Hilal prepare an £80m offer to sign Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United, Florian Wirtz would prefer to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich, while Emiliano Martinez looks set to leave Aston Villa.

Al Hilal are preparing an £80m offer to persuade Manchester United to sell their captain, Bruno Fernandes, 30, with the Portugal international one of the few players at Old Trafford that could demand a hefty transfer fee. (Football Insider)

Fernandes has been set a deadline of next week to decide if he wants to leave Manchester United and sign a deal worth £200m with the club from Saudi Arabia. (Mail)

Bayern Munich could launch a blockbuster move for Fernandes although the transfer fee United would want may prove to be a stumbling block. (Teamtalk)

Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, is increasingly likely to leave Manchester United this summer after becoming disillusioned at his role under head coach Ruben Amorim. (ESPN)

Garnacho’s representatives are set to hold talks with Manchester United to discuss the Argentine’s future after he was dropped for the Europa League final loss to Tottenham. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Manchester United also look set to sell England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, in a bid to ease financial pressure on the club. (Sun)

Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 22, would prefer to move to Liverpool instead of Bayern Munich if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer. (Athletic – subscription required)

Bayern Munich believe Brighton and Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma, 28, is a viable alternative to Wirtz. (Sky Germany)

Real Madrid view Liverpool and Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as the natural successor to Croatia international Luka Modric, 39, who is leaving the Bernabeu this summer. (Fichajes in Spanish)

RB Leipzig have been in contact with Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta about a potential deal to sell 21-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko. (Sky Sports Germany – in German)

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, 27, could depart Spurs this summer with clubs in Spain keeping a close eye on the Argentina international’s situation. (Football Insider)

Wolves and Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, 25, is still happy to join Manchester United this summer despite their failure to qualify for European football next season. (Sky Sports)

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 32 is set to leave the club with Saudi Pro League teams and Manchester United interested in the Argentina international. (Teamtalk)

Bruno Fernandes and Florian Wirtz would prefer to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich, according to Al Hilal’s £80 million offer, and Emiliano Martinez looks set to leave Aston Villa.

Bruno Fernandes, 30, is one of the few Portugal internationals at Old Trafford who could demand a sizable transfer fee, according to Al Hilal, who are preparing an £80 million offer to sell him. Football Insider

Next week is the deadline for Fernandes to decide whether he wants to leave Manchester United and agree to a £200 million deal with the club. (Mail)

Fernandes could become a major player at Bayern Munich, but the transfer fee United might want could prove to be a hindrance. (Teamtalk)

Alejandro Garnacho, 20, is becoming more likely to leave Manchester United this summer after becoming dissatisfied with his position under Ruben Amorim. (ESPN)

After being dropped for the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, Garnacho’s representatives are scheduled to speak with Manchester United about his future. (Telegraph requires a subscription)

Kobbie Mainoo, 20, is a midfielder for England who will likely be sold by Manchester United as a way to relieve their financial strain. (Sun)

If Bayer Leverkusen leaves him for Germany, midfielder Florian Wirtz, 22, would rather move to Liverpool rather than Bayern Munich. (Athletic – A subscription required)

Kaoru Mitoma, 28, a winger from Brighton and Japan, is regarded as a viable substitute for Wirtz, according to Bayern Munich. (Sky Germany)

Real Madrid design Alexis Mac Allister to replace Croatia international Luka Modric, 39, who is leaving this summer. (Spanish phrase for “fichajes”)

About a potential sale of Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko, 21, RB Leipzig have spoken with Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta. (Sky Sports Germany, German)

Real Madrid’s Cristian Romero, 27, may leave Spurs this summer, with Spanish clubs keeping an eye on his situation. Football Insider

Despite failing to qualify for European football next season, Wolves and Brazil’s Matheus Cunha, 25, is still content to join Manchester United this summer. (Sky Sports)

With Saudi Pro League teams interested in the Argentina international and Manchester United, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 32, is set to leave the club. (Teamtalk)

Scottish Cup final: Aberdeen v Celtic

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 24 May Time: 15:00 BST

It’s almost time for the talking to stop.

But until Saturday at 15:00 BST, we can all still have a say on how the Scottish Cup final is going to play out.

Most favour holders and treble hunters Celtic, who could add to their record tally in the competition with a 43rd title

Aberdeen are aiming to in the tournament for the 10th time and for the first time since 1990, when they beat Celtic on penalties.

Scott Brown, former Aberdeen & Celtic player

I think Celtic from an attacking point of view will have too much for Aberdeen. It’s difficult to look beyond a Celtic win because of that threat.

Prediction: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic

Shaun Maloney, former Celtic player

I anticipate that this game could be tighter than recent meetings, depending on how aggressively Aberdeen choose to defend without the ball.

In past matches, Celtic’s full-backs have been crucial in initiating attacks, and given the one v one skill of their wingers, I expect them to create numerous big opportunities.

Aberdeen have quality players like Kevin Nisbet, Shayden Morris and Jamie McGrath, who can capitalise on spaces left if Celtic are not at their best without the ball. However, if the match unfolds similarly to previous encounters between these teams, Celtic are likely to score enough goals to secure the trophy and the treble.

Rachel Corsie, Scotland captain

Inevitably there has to be goals. While it’s hard to see any other outcome beyond Celtic winning against Aberdeen, especially when in Glasgow, there is always a tiny bit of optimism when it comes to fandom!

That said, making it through extra-time and enjoying a couple of goals is the best I could manage.

For a team that knows finding success on cup final day so well, Aberdeen will need to be ready to lay bodies on the line and hope that fortune favours them for any other likely outcome.

Prediction: Celtic win on penalties, 2-2 AET

Leanne Crichton, former Scotland midfielder

I anticipate a fiercely contested Scottish Cup clash between Celtic and Aberdeen, with both sides bringing high intensity and emotion to the occasion.

Aberdeen will no doubt be determined to end their season on a high and I expect them to throw everything at the game in search of a statement victory. However, Celtic’s experience and quality, particularly in big matches under Brendan Rodgers, should ultimately shine through.

With their attacking depth and composure in key moments, I’m backing Celtic to deliver another trademark Hampden performance and lift the trophy once again.

Willie Miller, former Aberdeen captain & manager

Everything would have to go the Dons’ way, though Celtic will be the biggest Scottish final favourites for some time and with a treble at stake everything to play for.

However, it’s a one-off game and the champions might be over confident!

If the Dons pull it off, it will be a major shock, but in football shocks do happen.

Scottish Cup final: Aberdeen v Celtic

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 24 May Time: 15:00 BST

It’s almost time for the talking to stop.

But until Saturday at 15:00 BST, we can all still have a say on how the Scottish Cup final is going to play out.

Most favour holders and treble hunters Celtic, who could add to their record tally in the competition with a 43rd title

Aberdeen are aiming to in the tournament for the 10th time and for the first time since 1990, when they beat Celtic on penalties.

Scott Brown, former Aberdeen & Celtic player

I think Celtic from an attacking point of view will have too much for Aberdeen. It’s difficult to look beyond a Celtic win because of that threat.

Prediction: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic

Shaun Maloney, former Celtic player

I anticipate that this game could be tighter than recent meetings, depending on how aggressively Aberdeen choose to defend without the ball.

In past matches, Celtic’s full-backs have been crucial in initiating attacks, and given the one v one skill of their wingers, I expect them to create numerous big opportunities.

Aberdeen have quality players like Kevin Nisbet, Shayden Morris and Jamie McGrath, who can capitalise on spaces left if Celtic are not at their best without the ball. However, if the match unfolds similarly to previous encounters between these teams, Celtic are likely to score enough goals to secure the trophy and the treble.

Rachel Corsie, Scotland captain

Inevitably there has to be goals. While it’s hard to see any other outcome beyond Celtic winning against Aberdeen, especially when in Glasgow, there is always a tiny bit of optimism when it comes to fandom!

That said, making it through extra-time and enjoying a couple of goals is the best I could manage.

For a team that knows finding success on cup final day so well, Aberdeen will need to be ready to lay bodies on the line and hope that fortune favours them for any other likely outcome.

Prediction: Celtic win on penalties, 2-2 AET

Leanne Crichton, former Scotland midfielder

I anticipate a fiercely contested Scottish Cup clash between Celtic and Aberdeen, with both sides bringing high intensity and emotion to the occasion.

Aberdeen will no doubt be determined to end their season on a high and I expect them to throw everything at the game in search of a statement victory. However, Celtic’s experience and quality, particularly in big matches under Brendan Rodgers, should ultimately shine through.

With their attacking depth and composure in key moments, I’m backing Celtic to deliver another trademark Hampden performance and lift the trophy once again.

Willie Miller, former Aberdeen captain & manager

Everything would have to go the Dons’ way, though Celtic will be the biggest Scottish final favourites for some time and with a treble at stake everything to play for.

However, it’s a one-off game and the champions might be over confident!

If the Dons pull it off, it will be a major shock, but in football shocks do happen.