Ange Postecoglou's Celtic side have already wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title for the 2022/23 campaign, following their success last term, but still have four matches left to play.

The Hoops know that their job is already done in the top-flight but they do have an opportunity to pour salt into the wound this weekend as they travel to Ibrox this afternoon.

Celtic could extend their lead at the top of the table to 16 points with a win over their rivals and increasing the gap between the two teams in the final weeks of the campaign could be their motivation after securing the title.

Postecoglou's men beat Hearts 2-0 last time out and the Australian coach could look to make some changes to his side to offer other players a chance to impress, given that their main goal has already been achieved.

Will Aaron Mooy start against Rangers?

Central midfielder Aaron Mooy should be named in the starting XI for today's clash with Michael Beale's team and come in for Danish gem Matt O'Riley.

The ex-MK Dons man lost seven of his eight duels and completed 76% of his attempted passes as he recorded a Sofascore rating of 6.8.

Postecoglou could now ditch the £1.5m fan-favourite, who has started 29 Premiership matches this term, in order to give Mooy a chance to catch the eye after the Dane's less-than-impressive display last time out.

Mooy has only started 13 times in the Scottish top-flight but has consistently produced excellent performances with an average Sofascore rating of 7.13 across his 29 appearances.

The £23k-per-week maestro, who was once hailed as "immense" by journalist Josh Bunting, has racked up four goals and ten assists in the division, whilst completing 85% of his passes and winning 48% of his duels.

He has been able to make a huge impact in the final third in spite of his lack of starts and is a reliable force on and off the ball, with his quality in possession and his strength out of it.

The Australian "leader" – as he was dubbed by his national team coach Graham Arnold – can be a creative presence in the middle of the park and take up O'Riley's position, with the Danish gem having produced 11 assists in the league, by using his ability to create big opportunities for the forwards.

Therefore, Postecoglou could ditch, or rest, O'Riley by finally unleashing Mooy from the start – for the first time since the 8th of April – in the clash against the second-placed side this afternoon.

Joe Root, having put his Test summer back on course on the opening day of the Old Trafford Test, extended his virtuoso performance past 200 on the second as England sought to pile up an impregnable first innings score against Pakistan

The Report by David Hopps23-Jul-2016Pakistan 57 for 4 (Masood 30*, Misbah 1*, Woakes 3-18) trail England 589 for 8 dec (Root 264, Cook 105) by 532 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsOld Trafford 2016 was the occasion on which Joe Root, England’s cheeky chappie, reacquainted himself with the more fulfilling qualities of Test cricket. Having put his Test summer back on course on the opening day of the second Investec Test, he completed the journey on the second to lead England to what is surely an impregnable first-innings score against Pakistan.For ten-and-a-quarter hours, Root not only conquered the Pakistan attack that had overcome England at Lord’s, but also explored something meaningful about himself. Impeccable on the first day and indefatigable on the second, the batsman who turned his place at No 4 into a crusade for batting freedom indicated that he can irrefutably lay claim to the mantle of greatness at No 3.Pakistan needed a solid response in the 24 overs before the close. Instead, wearied by 152.2 overs in the field, they had a nightmarish time courtesy of three wickets for Chris Woakes, who is making such an impact on the series that more flamboyant figures would by now be hailed as rising heroes and about to launch a range of clothing on the back of it; even he must find it all quite agreeable in an unassuming sort of way.For 12 overs, Pakistan proceeded calmly enough, but Woakes had Mohammad Hafeez loosely caught at second slip with his sixth delivery – and added a return catch in his fourth over when Azhar Ali’s lopsided push suggested he was suffering from subsidence.Pakistan’s unhappy day was complete when Younis Khan produced a characteristic leaping fend at a short, leg-side delivery from Ben Stokes to be caught at the wicket before the nightwatchman Rahat Ali proved ill-equipped for the task, giving Woakes a third wicket as an agitated response to a bouncer ended up at short leg. Shan Masood batted through for 30 not out, but even he had one or two hairy moments.Woakes now has a Test batting average markedly higher than his Test bowling average which is always a good look for an allrounder. There is no bombast about him, but England’s cricketing public is finally beginning to appreciate his talents.But the day again largely belonged to Root. His 254 was the third highest England Test score against Pakistan and the second highest by an England batsman at Old Trafford. On a pristine batting pitch, he emphasised perfection first, ingenuity second, as he secured a second Test double hundred.Only in the final slog did his reckoning desert him, Wahab Riaz deceiving him with a slower offcutter which he hauled high into the leg side for Mohammad Hafeez to take a fine running, diving catch from deep midwicketHe benefited from two moments of fortune before lunch – the sort of luck he had complained (with only partial justification) in the build-up to the Test that he had been lacking.On 143, he botched a pull against Mohammad Amir, the sort of stroke that caused his downfall at Lord’s, but the ball fell short of the fielder. Root and Amir – his most dangerous adversary – smiled as if sharing a private joke. Then on 159, an edge against the legspinner Yasir Shah died just in front of Younis at slip, somewhat assisted by Younis’ stiff-backed response.But the overriding impression was of a batsman of undoubted class and sure touch who had once again attuned himself to the rhythm and demands of Test cricket. Ironically, his 200 was brought up by his most creative moment, whipping a reverse sweep against Yasir to the third man boundary. Do not underplay the extent of his challenge: over the past three years, Root has been selected in multi-formats 25% more than any other England player with Moeen Ali next in line.Pakistan must be concerned about the workload being undertaken by a four-strong attack. Amir needed treatment on what seemed to be a jarred knee on a hard, unforgiving surface and, as for Yasir, a potentially decisive figure in this series, he clocked up figures of 54-6-213-1. Root’s decisive footwork against him was a large factor in that.Even before Pakistan’s collapse, there had been enough fleeting signs to suggest that this pitch will eventually turn towards the bowlers – occasional moments of uneven bounce, such as the ball that bowled Alastair Cook on the opening day, and one or two signs of turn for Yasir. But England’s progress was blissful as they added 219 in the first two sessions for the loss of Woakes, a 30-carat nightwatchman, in the morning and Stokes in the afternoon.It was four overs before the close of the first day when Woakes was given the chance of some nightwatchman duties. He was wise to leap at the opportunity on such a welcoming batting surface. While Woakes prospered, Stokes, the allrounder protected by the change of order, wandered around the balcony, checked his bat, chewed his fingernails. The nightwatchman who seems a convenience to a batsman late on one day can be a hindrance to personal ambition on the next.It was Woakes who signalled England’s intent on the second morning, outscoring Root by a considerable margin. He cut and drove Rahat Ali to pep up the opening overs, required treatment for a blow on the elbow, and found time to log his first six in Test cricket when he fashioned an uppercut over the slips off Amir. He fell for 58 from 104 balls, 13 minutes before lunch, when Yasir forced a return catch from around the wicket.Stokes made an irritated exit on 34 when he was given out caught down the leg side on review, the third umpire Joel Wilson concluding that the ball had feathered his glove as he pulled at Wahab Riaz. It was a borderline decision – Snicko offered more convincing evidence than Hotspot – but sometimes borderline decisions are what you are landed with and it is hyper-critical to condemn either the system or the umpires involved for an unavoidable state of affairs.Jonny Bairstow also gave England impetus as Root, partly through fatigue, partly through a desire to see things through to the declaration made only 41 in the middle session. Bairstow was reprieved on 9 by the wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and, if the initial edge off Yasir was tough, the ball happened to bounce up so invitingly for him that two further grab-and-goes before the ball hit the deck were hard to explain away.That left Root and Bairstow to rattle up a century stand, a post-tea slog bringing 56 in 6.2 overs. Root entered the Test having converted only one of his last 10 Test half-centuries into hundreds and he was in the mood to make someone pay. Misbah-ul-Haq, a Pakistan captain committed to playing the game in a fine spirit, must have got sick of congratulating him.

Eddie Jones, the England rugby coach, was in attendance at Lord’s as the country’s cricketers prepared for the first Test against Pakistan

George Dobell12-Jul-2016Eddie Jones, the England rugby coach, was in attendance at Lord’s as the country’s cricketers prepared for the first Test against Pakistan. Jones and his assistant, Steve Borthwick, watched on as England trained indoors at a rain-soaked Lord’s and assessed the fitness of a number of players in and out of the squad.James Anderson and Ben Stokes bowled in the nets as they continued to recuperate from shoulder and knee injuries respectively. Both hope to feature in Championship matches for their counties starting at the weekend. Mark Wood, who has been added to the Lions squad, was also in attendance, although he decided not to bowl indoors.Steven Finn took part in the session despite a badly bruised right knee. Finn sustained the injury when he fell in his follow through while bowling at Scarborough a few days ago. He has had a scan, which showed nothing untoward, and was able to train with strapping over the bruise on Tuesday.Chris Woakes missed training, however. He felt unwell and remained at the team hotel. A spokesman insisted he would be fine for the Test and said he was expected to train on Wednesday.Jones and Borthwick had invited the England management – Trevor Bayliss, Andrew Strauss and Paul Farbrace – to dinner before the rugby union side’s successful recent tour of Australia and the cricket management reciprocated here with a view to sharing ideas and experiences. The knowledge of Bayliss’s fellow Australian Jones might be worth tapping into when England head Down Under to defend the Ashes in 2017-18.Also invited to the session was the 19-year-old Lancashire legspinner, Matt Parkinson, who last month claimed five wickets on debut against Warwickshire at Old Trafford and has played just three first-class game. The England management hope that, by monitoring and encouraging the best county spinners, they can accelerate their progress in the game.England Lions squad

Dawid Malan (Middx, capt)
Daniel Bell-Drummond (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Northants)
Joe Clarke (Worcs)
Brett D’Oliveira (Worcs)
Sam Billings (Kent, wk)
Liam Livingstone (Lancs)
Liam Dawson (Hants)
Tom Curran (Surrey)
Jamie Overton (Somerset)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancs)
George Garton (Sussex)
Mark Wood (Durham)
Sam Curran (Surrey) * to join squad for last two matches only

Wood was added to the England Lions squad for the Tri-Series against the A teams of Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which starts in Cheltenham next Monday, after coming through a practice session at Lord’s ahead of Thursday’s first Test.Wood, who underwent an operation on his left ankle in April, is in the early stages of his comeback and picked up his first wicket of the season in a NatWest T20 Blast fixture for Durham against Leicestershire on Sunday.He has claimed 26 wickets in eight Tests to date, and played a significant role in England’s 3-2 Ashes win last summer. He will play in a second Blast game for Durham at home to Northants at Chester-le-Street on Friday night before linking up with the Lions.”The England medical staff have been working closely with Mark and Durham throughout, and a series of 50-over matches with the Lions offers a good opportunity for him to take the next steps in his return to cricket,” explained James Whitaker, the National Selector.”He is a great example of a player who came through the Lions with an outstanding tour of South Africa in the winter of 2014-15 to make his Test debut last summer, and his inclusion should give a boost to this Lions squad, as well as giving him the chance to work with the younger bowlers in the squad.”Meanwhile, the Lions are monitoring the fitness of Jamie Overton, who suffered a back injury when bowling for Somerset in their Specsavers County Championship game against Middlesex on Monday.

Everton are hopeful of having a takeover deal completed soon but a report from Football Insider has revealed that a deal for 777 Partners to take the reins is not yet close to happening.

What is the latest on a potential Everton takeover?

The Toffees are currently struggling to avoid the drop in the Premier League and will be hopeful of securing their top flight status soon. They are currently sat in 17th and any drop down to the Championship could be catastrophic both for their current finances and potentially for any interested buyer.

Everton are looking to try and secure some additional funding ahead of the build of their new stadium, which they plan to bring to life on Bramley Moore Docks. That could involve a new buyer coming into the club and current owner Farhad Moshiri is already looking at three prospective candidates ahead of a takeover deal.

It is 777 Partners that looked as if they could be the ones to secure a deal for the Toffees too, with some reports suggesting that a deal was moving along nicely and was even "close". However, a new report from Football Insider states that the idea talks could soon be completed is "premature" and that instead, it may take much longer for anything to go through.

Whether an eventual deal would be a full takeover or not is also unconfirmed, as FI say "reports suggesting Miami-based 777 Partners are on the brink of completing a deal are wide of the mark". Moshiri is holding talks over potentially handing everything over to a buyer or it could just be a small stake in the club – which would secure additional funding but wouldn't see a completely new owner at Goodison Park.

777 Partners are not the only interested party either. The Liverpool Echo reports that MSP Sports Capital are another firm that could potentially invest in Everton, with talks having already taken place between Moshiri and their two co-founders Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad. MSP though would only buy a 25% stake in the Premier League side.

What is happening with Everton?

It's not just off the pitch in which the Toffees need some help. They could use it on the field too, with Sean Dyche managing to drag the club away from the relegation spots by only a point currently. The side may not be in the bottom three right now but with two games left, it is still a very real possibility.

The club then need to focus on ensuring they stay in the top flight for now. Once they have secured their safety and can plan ahead for at least another season in the Premier League, they will then be a lot clearer about where they stand and can push on with takeover talks.

Tillakaratne Dilshan cast aspersions on the conduct of former and present team-mates -particularly Angelo Mathews – soon after his final ODI, against Australia on Sunday

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Aug-2016Tillakaratne Dilshan cast aspersions on the conduct of former and present team-mates -particularly Angelo Mathews – soon after his final ODI, against Australia on Sunday. Prompted to speak on the challenges faced in his 10-month stint as Sri Lanka captain between April 2011 and January 2012, Dilshan suggested he did not have the support of some team-mates. He also said he had been hurt by his sudden removal as captain, following the year-end tour of South Africa, in which Sri Lanka lost both series, but won a Test in South Africa for the first time.Dilshan had been named captain after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene had both resigned from that post. It was Jayawardene who eventually replaced him after the South Africa tour.”I didn’t actually plan to take the captaincy, but the SLC president asked me to take over for six months until we find someone else,” Dilshan said. “Unfortunately, we had also lost two bowlers. Murali [Muttiah Muralitharan] had retired. Nuwan Kulasekara was injured. Ajantha Mendis was injured. I didn’t have great resources.”Angelo Mathews had a calf injury for a year that stopped him from bowling. That must be because of my misfortune, because after I had stepped down, we went to Australia after a week. In that week, Mathews started bowling. That must be because of Mahela’s good fortune.”Mathews did bowl during Dilshan’s captaincy, but had a reduced workload. He did not bowl in nine of the 20 ODIs under Dilshan, and never delivered more than five overs in a match. This workload did see a substantial increase when Jayawardene resumed captaincy.In Tests, Mathews did not bowl in 12 of the 16 innings under Dilshan, though at the time, he was not an integral part of the Test attack. Mathews had also suffered leg injuries even prior to Dilshan’s captaincy, most notably when he missed the 2011 World Cup final due to a quad strain, and has managed his own bowling load carefully since he became captain.Though Dilshan said the manner of his ousting did cause hurt, he insisted he did not let “personal issues” affect his cricket. Sri Lanka’s first assignment after the South Africa tour was the 2012 tri-series in Australia. Dilshan top-scored in that tournament, hitting 513 runs at an average of 51.30.”At the end of that South Africa series, I put everything aside. I went to Australia, scored 500 runs, and became Man of the Series. It didn’t matter to me who was captain. I wasn’t concerned about who ousted me as captain. I always play for my country. I didn’t worry about those personal things, but I was hurt.”Dilshan’s own first assignment as captain had been Sri Lanka’s tour of England, but broke his finger during his 193 at Lord’s in the second Test. He suggested it had been with some reluctance that Sangakkara took on the captaincy for one Test, after that injury ruled Dilshan out for the game at Southampton.”There actually wasn’t anyone who was willing to be captain. Everyone resigned after the 2011 World Cup. In England a ball hit my hand and I broke my finger, and the former captains were asked to lead, and they said no. After that only when it was talked about that someone like Sanath Jayasuriya or Thilina Kandamby be made captain that someone presented himself to be captain. But I guess there’s no point talking about those past things anymore.”But I am proud that it is players that I brought into the team at the time who are winning matches now. About six or seven of the players today are cricketers who I’d given a chance to. At the time it was a problem for me, because people asked me why I was giving young players so many opportunities. But today, we should look at players like Dinesh Chandimal.”Dilshan still has two more T20 matches to play before he becomes an ex-cricketer across formats. He said the decision to retire had been spontaneous.”I hadn’t planned to retire, before the series,” he said. “Whether someone tells me to keep playing or stop playing, that’s not what’s important. What is important is what I feel. I started the series thinking that I’ll play for another year – at least in T20 cricket. But when I woke up on the 25th I felt that it was time to go.”To be honest I could easily play for another year or two. But we have to look to the future. If I play for another two years and leave, there’s only 18 months before the next World Cup and that’s unfair to the team. A young player could be blooded in that time. Since I started opening six years ago, we haven’t found a permanent partner for me. I’ve opened with about 10 people – so that’s a problematic area for us. If I keep playing we won’t be able to get two batsmen settled in that place. I’ll be able to get some rest.”

Celtic are once more worrying over the future of boss Ange Postecoglou, with Football Insider reporting that the club are bracing themselves for approaches from a Premier League club this summer.

Will Ange Postecoglou leave Celtic this summer?

The Scottish Premiership side have once more sealed the league title with games to spare. It means that the club have now won back-to-back top-flight trophies, while the side also swooped to bag the Scottish League Cup title, beating their Old Firm rivals once more for that particular piece of silverware – and can complete a treble next week.

It means that boss Postecoglou has now managed to win four trophies in just two campaigns during his time in Scotland. Prior to that, the manager has been an Australian champion on four occasions, won the Asian Cup with Australia and also won the Japanese Championship with Yokohama F. Marinos. It means that he has won trophies pretty much everywhere he has been – and that has now led to reported interest in potentially taking him to England.

According to Football Insider, Wolves' potential search for a new boss could lead them to Postecoglou. The side currently have Julen Lopetegui in charge, but the manager could potentially depart the side this summer with issues over the club's potential spending ability and promises that have been broken over signings being made.

It means that the Premier League outfit could need someone new at the helm in the near future, and Celtic believe Postecoglou could be one of the names bandied around as a potential successor at Molineux. With the boss only having a one-year rolling deal at Parkhead, that also means he is necessarily not committed to the Scottish side in the long term.

Is Ange Postecoglou going to the Premier League?

The Celtic boss has a superb win rate at the side so far, having managed 93 games and won 66. It means his win percentage stands at 71% – an incredible record for any side.

In comparison, Lopetegui has won ten and lost ten of his games with Wolves, leading to a win percentage of just 38%. Whilst he has been able to steer them away from the drop zone, it still remains the worst rate of his career as a boss, and compared to Postecoglou, it pales in comparison – though Celtic are more high-flyers, of course.

The manager is arguably well-deserving of a chance in the Premier League, although Celtic will be desperate to keep hold of him. Current Australia boss Graham Arnold has called Postecoglou "fantastic" in the past, showing that he is also impressing his colleagues and others in the game, and if Wolves did want to try something different this summer, they could do a lot worse than the 57-year-old.

Therefore, perhaps Celtic have every right to have their concerns.

كشفت رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عن رجل مباراة ليفربول وآرسنال، في إطار منافسات البطولة.

والتقى ليفربول وآرسنال على ملعب “الإمارات” مساء اليوم الأحد في الجولة الثالثة والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي.

وحقق آرسنال الفوز على حساب ليفربول بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف وحيد (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وبحسب ما كشف الموقع الرسمي للبريميرليج، حصل لاعب فريق آرسنال بوكايو ساكا، على لقب رجل المباراة ضد ليفربول، بفضل تصويت الجماهير.

وتمكن بوكايو ساكا من تسجيل هدف التقدم لآرسنال في الدقيقة 14، وبلغت دقة تصويباته 59%.

وحصل على أعلى نسبة تصويت من قِبل الجماهير، والتي بلغت 54.5 %، ويليه جابريل ماترنيلي بنسبة 17.6%.

ScorecardFile photo – David Miller stroked his fourth List-A century in a big chase to give South Africa A a five-wicket win•AFP

David Miller slammed his fourth List A century to help South Africa A nail a 288-run chase with five wickets in hand against National Performance Squad in the quadrangular series on Wednesday. Both teams are out the race for a spot in the finals, however, after Australia A sealed the second spot with a one-run win over India A on Tuesday.Miller’s unbeaten 124 off 104 balls took South Africa to 288 for 5 in 46.3 overs at the Ray Mitchell Oval in Mackay. That was after the NPS batsmen put together a collective display to steer them to 287 for 7.Miller strode out with South Africa having lost both their openers with 54 on the board. That would soon become 62 for 3, when he was joined by Qaasim Adams and the pair strung together a 91-run partnership in 102 balls. Adams was dismissed for a 52-ball 44, before Andile Phehlukwayo joined Miller for a 35-run stand. Thereafter, wicketkeeper Dane Vilas and Miller shut the door on NPS, coming together for an unbroken 100-run sixth-wicket partnership. Miller had hit nine fours and six sixes; Vilas stayed not out on 45 off 39 balls, helped by four fours.The spinners Matthew Short and Kyle Gardiner took two wickets each, while Hilton Cartwright accounted for opener Khaya Zondo.NPS had to rebuild early after choosing to bat with Matt Renshaw perishing in the fourth over for 16. Caleb Jewell and Sam Heazlett then struck half-centuries and added 115 for the second wicket, before the rest of the middle order made handy contributions to drive NPS to 287.The two teams will clash again in the third-place play-off on Saturday. The final takes place the following day at the same venue.

Newcastle United have earmarked RB Leipzig sensation Dominik Szoboszlai for transfer ahead of the looming summer transfer window, with manager Eddie Howe looking to strengthen his thriving team.

Following the affluent PIF takeover in October 2021, Newcastle have returned to prominence in the Premier League and have confirmed their place in the top four with a game to spare after a tremendous campaign, but now must cement their newfound stature with quality additions.

According to Sky Sports, the Magpies have now sent scouts to observe Szoboszlai in action twice during the last fortnight, with an inevitable expectation to maintain levels and impress both domestically and continentally next term.

Sky Sports also claimed earlier this month that the 22-year-old is an 'internally discussed destination' for Howe's outfit, and with a €70m (£61m​)​​​​​​ release clause in his contract, it is a deal that might just be within the Magpies' capabilities, having spent a club-record £63m on Alexander Isak last summer.

How good is Dominik Szoboszlai?

Hailed as a "generational talent" by journalist Marcel Moeller, Szoboszlai has certainly lived up to such a tag with his exploits in Leipzig, having scored nine goals and supplied 13 assists from 45 outings for his side this term, including striking during a recent 3-1 victory away against Bayern Munich.

He has been heralded as the "complete" package by journalist Bence Bocsak, and demonstrates this by blending creative potency with unwavering tenacity, ranking among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers over the past year for assists, the top 14% for progressive passes, and the top 12% for blocks and the top 11% for clearances per 90.

The 30-cap Hungary captain would enrich a team already oozing with quality, perhaps offering an offensive threat of a different kind: Joelinton, forward turned penetrating midfielder, has impressed with his energy and intensity this term, but boasts just three assists; the imperious Bruno Guimaraes has been his team's nucleus and is a devastating threat, but occupies a deeper, all-encompassing midfield role.

Szoboszlai would thrive in-and-around the final third, with the £70k-per-week phenom efficient on both wings and from deployment behind the centre-forward.

He could forge a deadly partnership with the aforementioned Isak, who has earned plaudits for his predatory instinct despite a hindered maiden campaign in English football that has left him absent for 13 matches due to injury, dubbed "electric" by United's manager.

The £120k-per-week Swede has scored ten goals and provided two assists from just 17 starts for the Toon, ranking among the top 19% of forwards for goals, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, and there will be confident optimism that the best is very much yet to come.

With the addition of a superlative attacking midfielder behind the dynamic 23-year-old, Newcastle could achieve their goals, taking the next step in their meteoric ascension under Howe's leadership.

Declan Rice has already spoken to England teammate Bukayo Saka about a potential move to Arsenal this summer, journalist Chris Wheatley has revealed.

What's the latest on Declan Rice and Arsenal?

The West Ham United captain looks set to depart East London this summer with a number of top clubs interested in a move, and Arsenal are believed to be the frontrunners for his signature.

Mikel Arteta reportedly sees the £60k-per-week ace as an ideal fit to help his team compete with Manchester City again at the top of the table next season.

The England international is reportedly keen on a move to the Emirates, and Wheatley claimed on his YouTube channel that conversations have taken place between him and Saka about a potential move.

"Declan Rice, we know that he is keen on joining Arsenal. He's already spoken with his England teammate Bukayo Saka about the move, asking questions about the club," he stated.

"I do feel that this is a move that Arsenal really want to get done this summer."

Should Arsenal pursue Rice?

Given that there is a high-reported asking price of £120m, as well as interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, this would be a huge transfer for Arsenal if they can pull it off.

Arteta reportedly wants to add more physicality to his midfield, and as Granit Xhaka has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen, additional quality in the area will be worth paying a premium for.

Rice would arrive with plenty of Premier League experience as West Ham's talisman and captain, and at just 24, he could be a key member of the Arsenal side for years to come.

He is well acquainted with Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White from their time together as England internationals, and he could slot straight into the Arsenal midfield in two positions.

He could either play as the deepest midfielder instead of Thomas Partey or Jorginho, with Martin Odegaard and even Xhaka or another more advanced option ahead of him, or he could replace Xhaka as a number eight ahead of Partey.

Arsenal are reportedly keen on a deal for Moises Caicedo in addition to Rice, and the two could line up together to form a robust and young midfield to help the side raise their level yet again.

Arteta has transformed his team from finishing in fifth place to challenging for the league within a year, and a statement signing like Rice could help them further as they return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years.