FOOTBALL NEWS ........ *Erik ten Hag planning double Man Utd raid after taking over at Bayer Leverkusen* *UEFA Champions League Final 2024/2025: PSG Vs Inter Milan – Full Tactical Preview* *Real Madrid set deadline to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold as Xabi Alonso intervenes* *Barcelona’s Joan Garcia stance is now clear as Newcastle United eye £21m deal* *Arsenal in talks to sign £67 million striker* ---- https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEDSehI7BeAqvVI861V *Erik ten Hag planning double Man Utd raid after taking over at Bayer Leverkusen* Manchester United could see former boss Erik ten Hag attempt to land two of their players who are up for sale after being appointed Bayer Leverkusen head coach following Xabi Alonso's exit Erik ten Hag is set to look at Manchester United as he plots his first moves as Bayer Leverkusen boss. The Dutchman was appointed as the Bundesliga side's head coach following Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid. Taking over at Leverkusen marks Ten Hag's return to football following his sacking by the Red Devils in October, after overseeing a disappointing start to the season. That does not appear to have deterred him from casting an eye on Old Trafford when looking at the signings he hopes to make for his new team. Leverkusen could yet come away with a good deal from such an approach. United are ready to listen to offers for any of their squad following a dismal season season which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League. Diabys rise at Bayer Leverkusen And Ten Hag appears keen to land a United duo who have little hope of a future at the club. Kicker claim that both Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are being discussed by Leverkusen's decision-makers. A move for Antony has been deemed more likely, after the Brazil international impressed on loan at Real Betis. The former Ajax ace failed to break into Ruben Amorim's plans and United are keen to cash in on a player they signed for £82million. Garnacho meanwhile has been told to find another club by Amorim. The Argentina international reacted badly to being left on the bench for the Europa League final against Spurs before being left out of United's squad for their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season. Diabys rise at Bayer Leverkusen And Ten Hag appears keen to land a United duo who have little hope of a future at the club. Kicker claim that both Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are being discussed by Leverkusen's decision-makers. A move for Antony has been deemed more likely, after the Brazil international impressed on loan at Real Betis. The former Ajax ace failed to break into Ruben Amorim's plans and United are keen to cash in on a player they signed for £82million. ----- *UEFA Champions League Final 2024/2025: PSG Vs Inter Milan – Full Tactical Preview* The 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League Final is a clash of contrasting philosophies. On one side, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), under Luis Enrique, have developed into an exciting, fluid attacking team, blending youthful dynamism with devastation. On the other hand, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan epitomises defensive resilience, constantly changing shapes, and ruthlessness in transition. Both teams have earned their place in this UCL final, overcoming unique challenges on their respective paths. While PSG had to recover from a faltering group-stage campaign, Inter’s consistent defensive solidity saw them qualify comfortably for the knock-out rounds. This Champions League Final tactical preview examines the contests tactical intricacies, focusing on where the game can be won or lost. It also highlights the technical details that underpin both teams’ approaches. Inter Milan: A Tactical Masterclass In Pragmatism Inter Milan’s success this season has been founded on their ability to control games without dominating possession. Simone Inzaghi has implemented a 3-5-2 system that prioritises compactness, low build-up play, constant rotations and frightening in transition. Their structure is designed to minimise vulnerabilities while maximising opportunities in key moments. Inter’s defence is their greatest strength. Throughout their Champions League campaign, they have spent only 16 minutes in a losing game state, which demonstrates their ability to contain opponents and maintain control. The back three of Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, and Yann Bisseck functions as a cohesive unit, with each player excelling in specific defensive roles. Bastoni, in particular, plays a big role due to his contributions to Inter’s build-up play. His 5.5 progressive passes and 2.05 progressive carries per 90 minutes place him among Europe’s elite ball-playing defenders. His ability to bypass pressure and distribute into advanced zones opens up opportunities for their wing-backs to attack space, as shown in the semi-final versus Barcelona. Inter’s wing-backs, Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco, play a dual role in ensuring defensive width and providing an attacking outlet. Dumfries, with his athleticism and timing of forward runs, is dangerous. He receives 7.65 progressive passes per 90 minutes, positioning himself to impact the final third. ..... *Real Madrid set deadline to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold as Xabi Alonso intervenes* Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract is set to expire at the end of June but the Reds could still earn a transfer fee from Real Madrid as they look to do a deal quickly Real Madrid could agree a deal with Liverpool to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold before his contract runs out within the next 24 hours. The La Liga side are said to have accelerated talks with the Reds in a bid to quickly get a deal over the line. New boss Xabi Alonso would like to see Alexander-Arnold in his squad in time for Los Blancos' first match of the Club World Cup. Real face Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18 and want to take advantage of the first part of the transfer window between June 1 and June 10 that has been facilitated for the competition. Liverpool want to earn a fee for their full-back if he is to depart before the end of his contract next month. Alexander-Arnold has already announced his decision to depart Anfield and endured an emotional goodbye on the final day of the season. ..... *Barcelona’s Joan Garcia stance is now clear as Newcastle United eye £21m deal* Newcastle United and Barcelona are eyeing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The Magpies are expected to have a busy summer, which should include a goalkeeper arriving at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe wants at least four signings, with the Magpies eager to bring in Nick Pope’s long-term replacement. Newcastle United tried to do that in 2024, but were unable to due to PSR. Fortunately for Newcastle, their financial situation is different in 2025. That should result in a goalkeeper arriving, with Newcastle interested in James Trafford. They also have alternatives, with Caoimhin Kelleher available for £20million. Then there is Joan Garcia, the 24-year-old whose name is being relentlessly linked with the Magpies over in Spain. Barcelona’s plan to sign Joan Garcia ahead of Newcastle United There were even false claims that Garcia was close to signing for Newcastle United that have been played down on Tyneside. But he is a goalkeeper that is on the Magpies’ radar, while he is also a target for Barcelona. Garcia wants to be the number one goalkeeper wherever he goes, and the La Liga giants could be prepared to make that happen. According to Catalan radio station RAC1, Barcelona will sell Marc-Andre ter Stegen if they sign Garcia. They also state that Barcelona are confident that Garcia will join them following a board meeting on Thursday. He is available for £21million due to a release clause in his Espanyol contract. Newcastle United to bid for Joan Garcia alternative All signs currently point towards Garcia joining Barcelona rather than Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Toon officials appear to have their eye on someone else. It has been reported that Newcastle are expected to bid for James Trafford, who almost joined the club last summer. His reputation has been enhanced by the season he has had, with the 22-year-old keeping 29 clean sheets in the Championship with Burnley. Trafford believes he is world class, and he will get the chance to prove that if he joins a Newcastle United side that are set to return to the Champions League. ..... *Arsenal in talks to sign £67 million striker* With the Premier League season now firmly behind them, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be focussing on the transfer market. The Gunners have finished as runners-up in the top flight in each of the past three seasons, and the Spaniard will be desperate to see his side finally win the title next term. In order to do so, though, the North London outfit are likely to have to strengthen during the upcoming summer transfer window. Now, it appears that they are in talks with a Bundesliga striker. According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the London side have begun talks with RB Leipzig about a possible move for striker Benjamin Sesko. Plettenberg claims that Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, has had a meeting with his German counterpart in recent days. He also claims, however, that it is currently unclear whether or not Arsenal can afford to sign Sesko, who has a release clause in excess of £67 million in his current contract. Sesko, 21, joined Leipzig from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and has since scored 39 goals in 87 games for the German side across all competitions. Arteta and those in charge of Arsenal’s recruitment are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements with both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz having struggled last term. The pair both spent time on the sidelined with injury but also failed to impress in front of goal, scoring just 12 Premier League goals between them as Arteta’s side once again fell short. The Gunners are therefore on the hunt for a new forward and Plettenberg claims that, while Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is high on their list of targets, the club’s current focus is on Slovenia international Sesko. .......