Arsenal are hopeful that Bukayo Saka will make his long-awaited return to the pitch at some point over the next week, according to the Independent.

The Gunners have been without their talisman for a month now, with his last appearance coming in the Carabao Cup final before the international break.

Unsurprisingly, Mikel Arteta’s side’s form has unravelled without Saka, losing three of their five matches in the winger’s absence. Sunday afternoon’s defeat at the hands of Manchester City was particularly deflating for the North Londoners, although they remain at the top of the Premier League and very much in the race for multiple honours.

A report emerged last week indicating that Saka is dealing with a delicate Achilles issue that needs to be carefully managed to ensure he doesn’t further aggravate the problem.

It was stated that his possible return date was still up in the air, but Miguel Delaney of the Independent now reports that Arsenal hope to have him back ‘over the next week’.

Saka may have endured something of a down season regarding his output, although he’s still remained one of the most productive players in the Gunners’ squad. Thus, his return will be a huge relief for Arteta and Arsenal supporters.

If Delaney’s suggestion turns out to be accurate, Saka could be ready in time to make the squad for the Newcastle game on Saturday.

Can Bukayo Saka rediscover his form?

The perception has generally been that Saka has not been anywhere near his best for Arsenal this season. While this is true in some regards, the underlying numbers would suggest that his performance levels have still been extremely high, and that he’s mostly just endured a cold streak regarding output.

He remains in the 94th percentile for expected assists per 90 minutes, the 94th percentile for chances created, and the 85th percentile for dribbles completed. These numbers indicate that he’s still been carrying the Gunners’ attack, but he hasn’t been rewarded with the surface level statistics that you would expect.

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While he undoubtedly dropped off in the month leading up to his latest setback, he clearly wasn’t fit during that period. He hasn’t just suddenly forgotten how to play football, so fans shouldn’t be overly concerned.

That said, whether he can rediscover his best form in the remaining weeks of the season is a different matter. Even if he makes the bench for the Newcastle clash, the likelihood of him getting back up to full speed before crucial Champions League matches are slim.

Arsenal supporters may not witness the best Saka until next season.

Liverpool are being tipped to move for an elite PSG forward they view as a ‘real opportunity’ to sign this summer, while sporting director Richard Hughes is also said to be lining up a £92m double midfield deal.

The Reds are expected to spend big again this summer after a hugely disappointing campaign under Arne Slot, although the Dutchman is expected to keep his job if Champions League qualification is secured.

The additions of a new left-back, centre-back, central midfielder and potentially two new wingers are thought to be the main priorities for Liverpool, and it appears that one of those positions could be filled by a top PSG talent.

Liverpool ready to raid PSG for elite attacker

One player who has been on the club’s radar is highly-rated winger Bradley Barcola, and now a fresh report from Anfield Watch claims a summer swoop for the 23-year-old could be on.

With Mohamed Salah leaving and Liverpool fans continuing to be unimpressed with Cody Gakpo’s underwhelming displays, signing another wide player ticks a number of boxes for Slot going forward.

The versatile Barcola is a perfect fit in that regard, in that he can play off the left or right, although he is more suited playing in Gakpo’s position.

The chances of the France international being available this summer have grown, largely due to the fact that he has only started 15 Ligue 1 games this season, although he has fared much better in the Champions League.

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Barcola has previously been valued at £100m (€116m, $133m), although that figure may now have dropped, given that he only has just over two years left on his contract.

And Anfield Watch reports that the attacker, who has scored 12 goals and laid on seven assists for PSG this season, is now a player Liverpool feel is very much attainable this summer

Indeed, the Reds are confident there is a real chance Barcola is made available this summer as PSG look to recoup funds to strengthen other areas of their team.

While the Frenchman would be a straight swap for Gakpo on the left flank, the fact that he can play on the right too would go some way to offsetting the loss of Anfield legend Salah.

Anfield chiefs plotting spectacular double midfield raid

Liverpool are being tipped to complete two superb midfield deals this summer at a potential cost of around £92million.

The Reds are expected to bolster their engine room this summer, regardless of whether Arne Slot is still in charge or not, as doubts continue over the futures of both Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones.

We exclusively revealed on Friday that Liverpool are stepping up their interest in Palace maestro Adam Wharton, having identified him as a concrete target to replace Real Madrid target Mac Allister.

Our sources state that the Reds have completed significant background work on a potential deal for Wharton, who will cost £70million – a club-record sale for Palace.

Anfield Watch, meanwhile, suggests that two midfielders might arrive on Merseyside this summer, with Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes also pursuing Nordsjaelland’s Caleb Yirenkyi, a player he greatly admires.

Hughes is said to view Ghanian Yirenkyi, who grew up a Liverpool fan, as a strong option to provide backup and competition for Wharton in the defensive midfield role on Merseyside.

Indeed, it’s reported that Liverpool have ‘moved one step closer’ to signing Yirenkyi after making contact with his camp, with Hughes battling the likes of Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton for a player who is expected to cost around £22m.

Gordon makes Liverpool, Bayern transfer decision

Meanwhile, our sources can reveal which team is likely to win the race to sign Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon this summer, as Liverpool and Bayern Munich both step up their pursuit of the England man.

Amid PSR pressure and a need to generate funds to re-invest on new signings, Newcastle are begrudgingly ready to cash in on one or two of their best players this summer.

Offers for the likes of Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Gordon are anticipated, and Sky Sports reporter, Sacha Tavolieri, claims Gordon has ‘already informed those close to him that he would be open to a move to Bayern Munich’.

For their part, Bayern view Gordon as the perfect foil for Luis Diaz on the left wing, and are keen to have two top options for every position in Vincent Kompany’s title-winning squad.

But while that all makes rosy reading for Bayern, our transfer transfer insider, Fraser Fletcher, can reveal Liverpool’s take on the whole situation.

Fletcher has been informed Gordon – who is a lifelong Liverpool fan and was on the Reds’ books before leaving for Everton aged 11 – would choose Liverpool over Bayern.

Of course, Anfield chiefs sealing the deal is contingent on the Reds putting big money on the table, and at the very least coming close to the numbers Bayern will likely put forward.

But it’s no secret Liverpool are in the market for one and more probably two new wingers in the summer, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande also on their radar.

Liverpool’s need for fresh attacking talent stems for the upcoming exits of club legend Mohamed Salah, while Federico Chiesa is primed to depart.

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Arne Slot already has a mountainous burden on his shoulders following a difficult season at Anfield. The Reds have not impressed as hoped following last summer’s spend in excess of £400million, with no-one expecting the same expenditure this year.

However, with Mohamed Salah leaving the club, Hugo Ekitike set to be sidelined for a prolonged period with injury and Ibrahima Konate linked with an exit, Liverpool are well aware of certain priorities. But that doesn’t mean the recruitment has to stop there as the ECHO breaks down what a dream (but realistic) squad would look like for the 2026/27 campaign.

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Adam Wharton joins

One name many fans will be glad to see popping up on Liverpool’s radar of late is Adam Wharton. For weeks, it’s been reported Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in the £80m-rated midfielder, but it’s now been reported that Liverpool are part of the race, too.

Real Madrid and Inter Milan have also been touted as rivals for the England international’s signature, though talkSPORT has tipped Liverpool as a new contender. Wharton, 22, would very likely be the biggest expenditure of Slot’s summer in the event he did join, especially as midfield isn’t the highest-priority area for reinforcement at present.

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That could be set to change in the very near future, however, given Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic are each on contracts due to expire in 2027. Of those, Jones would be the most obvious candidate for an extension considering Endo will be 34 by the time his deal runs out and Bajcetic hasn’t progressed as hoped after he first burst onto the scene.

There’s also the incessant links between Real Madrid and Alexis Mac Allister, who has slumped in form this term and will become a free agent in 2028. If there’s any inclination the Argentinian doesn’t intend on penning a new deal, this summer could be Liverpool’s last opportunity to get a premium return on their investment.

And Wharton sticks out as the high-calibre replacement who can thrive in that metronomic role to relieve others of pressure. And although there are other areas where major investment may be required, jumping to recruit the Crystal Palace star now could pay dividends down the line.

A significant hole looks set to emerge on Liverpool’s right flank this summer. Salah has already confirmed he’s bound for the exit, creating a great deal of pressure for whomever is tasked with filling his boots at Anfield.

Expecting a like-for-like replacement to replicate Salah’s impact would be folly. However, signing Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth would give Liverpool a project player with a tremendous ceiling to perhaps one day challenge for the same heights.

Bournemouth’s French striker #22 Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates scoring their second goal for 2-3 during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium

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Eli Junior Kroupi has 10 goals in the Premier League after only joining up with Bournemouth from Lorient last summer(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The Frenchman is largely profiled as a striker or supporting forward but Kroupi in fact drifts wide to the right a lot to deal damage. This habit was again witnessed in Bournemouth’s recent wins over Arsenal and Newcastle, scoring the opener against the former.

Kroupi, 19, wouldn’t come cheap as the Daily Mail reported Manchester United, Chelsea and certain Spanish clubs are interested. It’s been suggested the player is ready to leave the Vitality Stadium but would still cost a hefty £60m.

It helps Liverpool’s case that Andoni Iraola is set to depart Bournemouth when his deal expires this summer. And given the Spaniard has been touted as a potential replacement for Slot should he leave, there could even be a swift reunion at Anfield.

Free-agent Senesi signs

Liverpool have already moved ahead of time to pick up one new addition in defence ahead of the summer. The January acquisition of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes was the clearest indicator yet that there could be change coming in the backline.

Konate could yet still leave on a free in July, though there are now signs he’ll pen an extension. However, with the ageing Virgil van Dijk poised to depart 12 months later and Joe Gomez’s contract expiring at the same time, more is needed.

Van Dijk has been a bastion in central defence for the Reds since 2018 but the soon-to-be 35-year-old will soon leave a vacuum in his wake. Having already spent big on £55m Jacquet, it makes sense to add at least one more modest and experienced option alongside him.

Marcos Senesi of AFC Bournemouth acknowledges the fans

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Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi could be a superb free signing(Image: 2024 Getty Images)

In that vein, departing Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi could be a very smart pick-up, with Rhys Williams another who looks bound for the exit. The three-cap Argentina international has been a consistent standout in Bournemouth’s back line since joining from Feyenoord in 2022.

And Slot will know precisely the kind of talent he has on his hands considering their previous work together in Rotterdam. At 28, Senesi is slightly older than the typical profile of player Liverpool might go for.

However, the funds saved by his Bosman status would mitigate much of the risk, and a little more experience in the role could go a long way to helping develop 20-year-old Jacquet at a faster pace.

Final dream 2026/27 squad

To summarise, Liverpool will at the very least see Salah and Andrew Robertson leave the squad this summer, while Williams and Calvin Ramsay are also expected to depart. Senesi and Wharton’s arrivals would bolster Slot’s options in defence and midfield, while Kroupi could be the dream signing to ease Salah’s departure.

Here is how that final squad would look:

Alisson, Mamardashvili, Pecsi; Jacquet, Bradley, Van Dijk, Senesi, Konate, Kerkez, Gomez, Leoni, Frimpong; Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Jones, Elliott, Bajcetic; Kroupi, Chiesa, Isak, Gakpo, Ngumoha.

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