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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has his sights set on three more big name summer signings as he attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for the top four, reports the Sunday Mirror. 

The club are hoping to clinch a £22million double signing from Dutch giants Ajax, with Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld and Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen emerging as the clubs prime transfer targets.

Rodgers is also eyeing a move for Chelsea full back Ryan Bertrand, who he believes he can tempt to Anfield having previously worked with the player at both Chelsea and Reading.

However the Eriksen deal currently looks the most likely, with Ajax manager Ronald De Boer admitting the club will not stand in the midfielder’s way should they receive a satisfactory offer for the £15million rated midfielder.

De Boer said: “I would want nothing more than having Christian with us for a few more years.

“But we realise that the interest in this kind of player is huge. And I can also understand that he wants to make another step in his career. I can’t stop him.”

“If ­Liverpool go back to really good possession play, it can be a success for Christian. But it does mean that their entire way of playing has to change. It is up to Christian what he wants. If he feels good going to ­Liverpool anyway, then it is up to him.”

Alderweireld meanwhile has rejected the chance to discuss personal terms with Norwich City after the club had a £7million offer accepted – leaving the door open for a move to Liverpool.

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“I am keeping all my ­options open,” said ­Alderweireld. “I am not rushing out the door. The whole picture of my next club has to be perfect. With every offer I am ­receiving this summer, I look at the pros and cons. The total package of my next club has to be right for me.”

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Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes looks set to join Blackburn Rovers after the clubs agreed a deal that could be worth up to £8 million, according to the BBC.

The Scot is due for a medical at Ewood Park today, having already agreed a four-year deal with the Championship new boys. The move is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours.

Steve Kean has been chasing the 22-year-old all summer, and will be delighted to have finally made a breakthrough with the deal for a striker who scored 40 goals for Huddersfield last season.

It is understood the fee will be paid across the duration of the contract, with add-ons expected should Rhodes help Blackburn to promotion.

Kean is desperate to add to his squad before the transfer window slams shut on Friday, having lost new signing Leon Best to a long-term injury.

Rhodes has already bagged three goals for club and country this season, including a first international goal during Scotland’s 3-1 friendly victory over Australia.

Huddersfield have released a statement explaining they are expect to lose Rhodes for a club record fee, with their previous highest being £2.5 million from Ipswich for Marcus Stewart in 2000.

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Rhodes will be hoping to be available for Blackburn as soon as this weekend. Steve Kean’s side have made a decent start to life in the Championship and are unbeaten after their first three games.

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Departing PSG manager Unai Emery, 46, is the leading candidate to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, according to the Express. 

However, the highly-rated coach has endured a chastening experience in France this season and his confidence could have been affected to the extent that he cannot take on a job under such scrutiny right now.

What’s the story, then?

The report states that Luis Enrique and Max Allegri were both ahead of the Spaniard in the pecking order among the hierarchy at the Emirates but have expressed concern over the management structure, which has allowed Emery into the mix.

It goes on to say that one potential stumbling block could be the fact that Emery will demand £8.5m per year to manage in North London and Arsenal may be unwilling to part with that kind of cash.

The report also recalls some support from Wenger for Emery during some of his tougher times at PSG, in which the Frenchman reaffirms his belief in the Spaniard’s competence.

The job is too big for Emery

He showed at Sevilla that he is a good coach and adept at getting slick, adaptable performances from a lesser group of players but Emery has struggled to manage the expectations and egos in Paris.

The task of following Wenger and sating fans who are expecting a brave new era to emerge in the immediate aftermath of the Frenchman’s departure is sure to be as taxing and his confidence may well have been knocked.

Further, Emery lacks experience of English football and the level of scrutiny on these shores are not ideal for someone who is coming off the back of a high-profile failure.

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1. Thou shalt always be the first to say ‘Have you seen this?’

Arsene Wenger is famed for saying ‘I did not see it’ when his side are the beneficiaries of a generous decision. But you don’t miss a thing, you see it all. And your mates respect you for it. Wenger could learn a thing or too from you.

2. Thou shalt always have an opinion and stick by it

You may as well be Stan Collymore in disguise. Your opinions are strong and sometimes controversial, but you’re proud of them. Don’t let anyone tell you what to think, stand by your opinions and scream them at those who disagree. Loudly.

3. Thou shalt never wait for MOTD

You’ve got better things to be doing than waiting up until 10.30pm for Match of the Day. You’ll probably be out, so it’s lucky you spent the afternoon with Jeff Stelling to get your football fix. It’s much more entertaining, too. Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer are nowhere near the same league as Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson.

4. Thou shalt always stick a Saturday acca on

And a Sunday one too. You know deep down that money would be better off in your rainy day fund, but you convince yourself you’re going to win that mega 28-fold acca from a £1 stake one day. You’ve got to be in to win it, after all. Just ask Ray Winstone, he loves it.

5. Thou shalt use Twitter, not Final Score

You don’t just want scores, you want reaction and details. Final Score will tell you Emile Heskey has scored in the 46th minute. Twitter will tell you it went in off Emile’s left arse cheek and he still doesn’t know he’s scored despite it being 20 minutes later. Good times.

6. Thou shalt waste your life away playing Football Manager

If you didn’t then you won’t know who Cherno Samba is. If you did, you’ve had his name on the back of every shirt you’ve bought since 2001. Legend.

7. Thou shalt never let the Sunday League team down

You sank 12 pints, 18 shots and half a bottle of that dodgy looking liquor from the top shelf last night, but everyone knows you’ll be ready to boss the midfield come kick-off. You’re Mr. Reliable.

8. Thou shalt always remember to change your fantasy football team

Your mates call you the tinker man because you play around with your fantasy football team each week and still get results. Research is a paramount, complacency is for amateurs.

9.  Thou shall never say no to a kick about

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had a long day at work and all you can think about is your bed. Your mates have invited you for a kickabout and you wouldn’t miss it for the world.

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Demba Ba famously admitted he plays football with his mates in his back garden almost every day after training. You’re pretty much Demba Ba, just without the strawberry syrup addiction and millions in the bank.

10. Thou shalt never miss a lads night out

You’ve got work in the morning but that won’t stop you hitting the tiles and getting yourself ‘mortal like.’ Andy Carroll does it, so why can’t you?

11. Thou shalt always put football first

Always. There’s simply not contest when it comes to anything else. You’re not changing for anyone.

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Swansea’s Michael Laudrup and Cardiff boss Malky Mackay have played down being linked to the Everton job to replace David Moyes.

Both managers are thought to be in Everton’s radar to replace Moyes, who will take over as Manchester United manager from July.

Blues owner Bill Kenwright says he will take his time to find a suitable replacement for Moyes but several big names are thought to be in the frame, including Swansea boss Laudrup and Cardiff’s Mackay.

Both managers have had impressive seasons, Laudrup leading the Swans to Capital One Cup glory and Mackay securing the Championship title with the Bluebirds.

However, the pair have insisted they want to continue the good work they have each done at their respective clubs next term.

Laudrup, 48, said: “It’s always flattering when you’re being connected with clubs. After a great season with Swansea, we know have a very important next year.”

Mackay, meanwhile, admitted it was nice to be linked but is looking forward to the challenge of being in charge of Cardiff in the top flight.

“It’s certainly very flattering to be linked to such a job like that but I’ve got something that we’ve built and we’re really looking forward to coming into the Premier League,” he said.

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“I’ve got an awful lot of hard work over the summer.”

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The Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have been relatively pleased by the recent form that their team has shown signs of, but at this stage in the season – it’s all about results. 

With their dream of regaining the Premier League still merely a fantasy at the moment, the attention of our resident Gunners is already beginning to turn to next season.

With Arsene Wenger leaving the club after 22 years this summer, our punters feel that his successor has to arrive with a bang and bring in an array of quality so that the Gunners can improve their luck next season.

A player in the form of Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Thomas Partey would do very nicely indeed. The 24-year-old is valued at £13.5 million on Transfermarkt, but that doesn’t tell the full story of how important he’s been for the Spanish side over the course of this season.

Having played in over 45 games so far this season, the defensive rock has been exceptional and a big part in providing a shield for the already tight-knit Madrid defence.

Arsenal’s need for a defensive midfielder stretches back over a number of years with the Gunners never really finding an adequate replacement for Patrick Viera all those years ago. Thomas Partey isn’t quite at the level of the French legend yet, but he certainly has the potential to be one day.

A brilliant tackler with decent agility and mobility, he’d be right at home in what is becoming quite an exciting midfield at the Emirates alongside the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, if the latter renews his contract.

Landlords verdict: 

Arsenal are in desperate need of summer recruitments following a mostly disappointing season.

Both quality and quantity is needed at the Emirates, and Thomas Partey is a player very capable of helping Arsenal move up the table.

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Significantly, Arsenal have been needing a defensive midfielder for a while, with a number of signings over the last few years not quite going to plan. Bringing Partey in wouldn’t necessarily solve Arsenal’s problems, but he’d be a great choice to plug the gaps in their midfield.

Thoughts… Let us know!

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Tonight’s Premier League affair between Arsenal and Sunderland may have lacked the vital ingredient of any classic football match, goals, but it was an intoxicating, exciting, gripping and dramatic scoreless draw which guaranteed the Black Cats’ Premier League status for at least another season.

Indeed, it was a backs-to-the-wall, one-moment-will-decide-it affair, and possibly the most entertaining nil-nil of the season.

But just in case you missed it – perhaps you were busy watching Corrie with the missus – we’ve listed the three biggest talking points, so your mates don’t have to find out!

Pantilimon wins this season’s Underrated Glove award

With the likes of David De Gea, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris all enjoying superlative form this season, the pivotal performances of Costel Pantilimon have gone unfairly unnoticed.

Despite starting just 22 Premier League fixtures this term, the 6 foot 8 Sunderland No.1 ranks joint-fifth in the division for clean sheets, leaving him on equal terms with Chelsea’s Courtois, and fourth for number of saves.

And the Romanian international was absolutely intrinsic in Sunderland claiming another clean sheet this evening. He began with a sensational close-down of Jack Wilshere as the Arsenal midfielder careered into the box, and ended with a string of saves from point blank range as the Gunners peppered Sunderland’s goal. Overall, he finished up with seven saves.

Needless to say, Sunderland fans on twitter were very impressed:

Arsenal lack killer instinct

Over the last few weeks, many have come to the opinion that Arsenal are just a few signings away from a title-winning side. That may be true – and in terms of using the ball, they were absolutely fantastic once again this evening.

Yet, they lacked the killer instinct of a Chelsea or Manchester City, failing to convert 28 shots and 74% possession into a goal – despite the fact Sunderland didn’t get out of their own box until the hour mark. This now makes it three games without a goal for Arsenal – and 270 minutes since they’ve netted at the Emirates.

Although blame can’t be placed on a single individual, one has to question Olivier Giroud. In terms of hold-up play and occupying defenders, the France international did his job tonight, but he lacked that poacher-esque ability to turn up in the box at the right time and turn a half-chance into a goal, ending the match with only three efforts – equating to just 11% of all Arsenal’s chances. Entering the summer, the Gunners should be looking for a world-class upgrade on the 28 year-old.

Offer Dick Advocaat anything he wants

Since arriving at the Stadium of Light at the expense of Gus Poyet in March, Dick Advocaat has transformed a Sunderland side that at one point looked destined for relegation.

Under his leadership, the Black Cats have lost two, drawn three and won four, making him directly responsible for over half of the club’s victories in the Premier League this season – and of course, their great escape from relegation via a draw this evening.

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The former Netherlands, PSV, Rangers, Russia and Serbia manager has continually insisted he won’t stay on at Sunderland after the end of the season, apparently due to his wife not liking Wearside too much.

Well, you can hardly blame her – but the Black Cats need to throw the kitchen sink at Advocaat to retain him this summer, because they’re much stronger with him. Overwhelmed with emotion, the 67 year-old struggled to hold back tears after the final whistle, so he’s clearly enjoying his Sunderland tenure too.

For the club’s sake, let’s hope they’re not farewell tears.

Callum McManaman is struggling with an ankle injury ahead of the Norwich game and faces a race against time to be fit.

McManaman initially picked up the injury during the FA Cup victory over Everton at Goodison Park and was also forced off during the victory against Newcastle last time out.

Boss Roberto Martinez has now revealed he is a big doubt for the crucial clash against the Canaries this weekend and he will be monitored over the next couple of days.

“Callum’s been carrying an injury to his ankle, which caused him to be substituted against both Newcastle and Everton,” Martinez told reporters.

“Our major concern now is making sure he’s fully fit and able to take to the field against Norwich.

“He hasn’t trained with the rest of the team yet, and the next 48 hours will be crucial.”

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Latics are three points adrift of safety going into the game and Martinez can ill afford any more injury problems at a crucial stage of the season.

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West Ham fans are split on the latest transfer reports, after the Mail on Sunday linked the Hammers with moves for Jack Butland and Joe Allen.

It’s been a long season for West Ham fans, but most supporters would agree they do have some very talented players in their squad.

Declan Rice has shown his potential despite his mistake against Arsenal on Sunday, and Arthur Masuaku has proved he can be a valuable weapon for the Hammers if given the correct freedom.

Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic bring plenty of creativity, pace and goals to the attack, but above all else David Moyes’ side is missing a spine.

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Mark Noble has shown glimpses of his former self but been largely underwhelming, and the goalkeeper situation seems to get worse every week.

Given all of this, it is perhaps no surprise to see the Hammers linked to Stoke City’s Allen and Butland.

The pair may be all set to get relegated, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good enough for the top tier as individuals, and Butland in particular would surely be an upgrade for the Hammers.

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Fans are split on the rumours though, with some asking for both, some wanting neither, and some picking and choosing between the two.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

If there is one thing missing from this stage of the Premier League campaign, it’s the fact that there is no real title race.

Chelsea are dominating the Premier League, and it seems no one else is going to challenge them for the top spot. If anything, there is more of a battle for the other remaining Champions League places. So is the standard of Premier League slipping?

At this point of the season, Chelsea are just a point better off than they were 12 months ago. But, as I am sure we all remember, it was not a dead cert that Chelsea would win the title. In fact, they finished their season in third place. The top four spots looked very different overall this time last year. Liverpool were in second with 71 points: now they’re in 5th with just 57 points.

Manchester City, on the other hand, were in third after 31 games in April last year. They’re in fourth now, but on a horrendous run of games. The points difference between the side then and now? A staggering nine points. City went on to take the title last year – now, they’ll just be glad to finish within the top four.

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Arsene Wenger’s north London side? Much of the same. At this point, they have just two more points to their name than they did last year, but it just happens to be the difference between sitting in fourth and now in second.

Are the teams getting worse and is the standard dropping? For some sides, the quality of their football has been sub par compared to last year. The current champions Manchester City are falling short of the side they one were. Their recent successive losses show no sign of slowing down, and their manager’s job hangs in the balance.

Liverpool were undoubtedly going to struggle this season. Following the departure of their top goalscorer Luiz Suarez to Barcelona, their attacking presence isn’t what it once was. And surely they have not quite recovered from the loss of last year, and of what could have been.

Manchester United are the new addition to the top four, being the only side to make a noticeable progression over the last year – unsurprisingly since dropping David Moyes for a competent manager. Twelve months ago United were a joke, and now they’re making their way back into Europe.

By next year, with some luck, there will be an actual title race to watch. Chelsea will still be one of the sides to watch, but should have some more serious competition. Manchester United will be looking to make a real mark next year as Louis Van Gaal will have a year’s Premier League experience under his belt.

And Arsenal will probably be in fourth.

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