Arsenal's chances of signing Fabian Ruiz have been significantly boosted following a transfer decision by Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who shone in his country's European championship victory over the summer, has piqued the interest of the Gunners despite a challenging season in France.

Ruiz managed to score seven goals and provide three assists from 35 appearances across all competitions, clocking just over 2,000 minutes on the pitch. Most of these contributions came during PSG's Coupe de France campaign. His performance at Euro 2024, where he netted two goals and provided two assists, is a testament to his potential in a well-oiled team.

Considering his inconsistent season at PSG and the club's own transfer activities, Ruiz's departure seems plausible. Arsenal is reported to have initiated contact, as per Duncan Castles. It's also been suggested that any potential deal hinges on Arsenal offloading a midfielder, with a loan move followed by an obligatory purchase being the likely arrangement, reports Football London.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah has big advantage over rivals for new season - but so does Erling Haaland
READ MORE: Premier League winner explains why he snubbed Arne Slot and Liverpool for La Liga return

A crucial piece of the puzzle could soon fall into place as Arsenal has agreed a fee of up to $45m (£35m/€42m) with Fulham for the sale of Emile Smith Rowe, according to Football.London. This could pave the way for Ruiz to step in as his replacement, especially with PSG's pursuit of Joao Neves giving Arsenal an additional edge in securing the Spanish player.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that French heavyweight PSG is nearing a deal to sign Neves from Benfica for a fee of $76m (£59m/€70m), with Renato Sanches set to move the other way. It's also been suggested that PSG is keen to wrap up the deal as soon as next week, which could provide Arsenal with a clear timeline if they decide to pursue Ruiz.

Fabian Ruiz of Spain (Image: Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Alternatively, Arteta and Edu might turn their attention to Ruiz's Spanish compatriot Mikel Merino, who currently plies his trade at Real Sociedad and has already been linked with a move to the Emirates. With the Gunners having now sealed a deal for Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, with a medical and announcement imminent, they can shift their focus to other targets.

Bolstering the midfield is high on Arsenal's agenda ahead of the 2024/25 season. With links to both Ruiz and Merino intensifying, it seems likely that a decision will be made soon on which midfielder to bring in, while also facilitating several departures.

Liverpool.com says: The Reds will be watching what Arsenal and Manchester City do this summer ahead of a possible title battle next year. While Liverpool is yet to bring anyone in, nothing its rivals have done so far will be particularly scary.

Adblock test (Why?)

Manchester United have added Andreas Georgson to their coaching staff, as the latest addition to Erik ten Hag's backroom team.

The 42-year-old joins from the Norwegian side Lillestrom, where he held the position of head coach since the beginning of the year. Georgson has a rich history in football, having previously served as caretaker boss for Malmo in his native Sweden, and also worked with Brentford, Arsenal, and Southampton.

In addition to Georgson, United have also appointed Jelle Ten Rouwelaar as goalkeeping coach following Richard Hartis' departure. In his new role, Georgson will work closely with Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher, as United aim to improve on their eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah's first impression of Arne Slot at Liverpool leaked by ex-teammate
READ MORE: Chelsea told asking price for Julian Alvarez transfer as Man City striker eyes move

As part of their preparations for the upcoming season, United have already faced Rosenborg and Rangers in pre-season matches. They are now embarking on a tour of the USA, where they will face off against rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as La Liga team Real Betis.

The Red Devils will then challenge Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10, just six days before the start of the new Premier League season.

Ten Hag has added to his backroom staff (Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Despite rumors of job insecurity following last season's struggles, ten Hag managed to secure his position after leading United to an FA Cup final victory. The triumphant match saw United defeat rivals City at Wembley, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Liverpool.com says: Manchester United is certainly making changes off the field as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's revolution continues. But it remains to be seen whether these chess moves will be enough to drag a squad that finished eighth last season into the top four, let alone challenge for the title. It also seems that Erik ten Hag, who only just kept his job, is getting further support. Time will tell if these decisions pay off but, for now, we're not too worried.

Adblock test (Why?)

Harry Maguire has opened up about the heartbreak of missing key matches due to injury, labeling it the most challenging period in his career. The Manchester United center-back has been sidelined with a calf injury, which not only saw him miss out on United's 2-1 FA Cup win against rival Manchester City, but he also had to sit out of Euro 2024.

Reflecting on the setbacks, Maguire told the Daily Mirror: "It was probably the toughest moment of my career. I worked so hard throughout the year, to get myself in a position where I was in a really good position physically and mentally, to play the FA Cup final and then think about the Euros."

He continued, detailing the frustration of his recurring injury: "To have an injury which was, to be honest, not a big injury, it was just a calf injury, but it was only a three-week injury, but I had three setbacks with it."

READ MORE: Chelsea told asking price for Julian Alvarez transfer as Man City striker eyes move
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Trent Alexander-Arnold swap, Mohamed Salah contract, Kubo latest

Maguire recounted the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced: "When I first did the injury, I thought I'd be fit for the FA Cup final. So I pushed myself for the final, then I had a setback in the week leading up to the final, which ruled me out of it. At that time, it was no problem, I was going to be fit for the Euros. Then I went away with England and had another setback, so yeah, it was so frustrating,"

He concluded with a reflective note: "When I look back, I wish I'd no chance with all of them, so I could have got my head around it. But it just didn't happen and maybe I just pushed myself to get back too early."

Maguire shared his experience of supporting England from afar, saying: "I managed to get over it and was still in contact with a lot of the lads." He also noted that his teammates made him feel included: "Obviously a lot of them are my really good close mates and even though it was tough that I wasn't over there, they did make me feel like I was still part of the group."

Despite not being present, he found ways to enjoy the tournament: "It was tough to not be there but I still managed to watch the boys play and had big groups with my family and friends, who are all big England fans, so I still enjoyed the summer, watching them do well."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Harry Maguire of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley FC at Old Trafford on April 27, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

On the club front, Maguire is optimistic about Manchester United's future under Jim Ratcliffe's leadership. "It's exciting times for everyone involved with the club and it's definitely going in the right direction again," he said. "As a player and someone who cares about the club, it's really good to see."

Maguire, speaking about Ratcliffe, stated: "He's really interactive with the players and that's important. It's really good just to see them with the lads. The structure now, I really think it's going to work.

"There's more energy coming into this pre-season and more excitement. Last season was difficult, with so much uncertainty with every member of staff and even players. It's definitely a more energized club to be involved in now. I do believe the structure they have got it will get back to where it should be."

Liverpool.com says: Maguire is a classic Manchester United signing, really. He was over-priced and has flattered to deceive as a result. There is a decent enough player in there but he hasn't really shown his best so far at Old Trafford. If the club is now as well run as he thinks it is, he might not be there a great deal longer.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool, to a certain extent, picked Arne Slot as a candidate who could offer a degree of continuity. But Curtis Jones has revealed that interesting changes are already being made.

Nobody could knock the Jurgen Klopp era, least of all Jones, who was given his chance in the first team by the legendary manager. But after so long, everyone is cautiously looking forward to the idea of something a bit different.

It is, without doubt, an exciting pre-season. Tonight (the early hours of Saturday for UK fans) we get to see what Slot football looks like in a match for the first time, having already got some tantalizing training glimpses.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Slot gives Alexander-Arnold update, Tsimikas 'leaving', Gordon offered contract

READ MORE: Kostas Tsimikas announces 'I'm leaving' Liverpool with unusual transfer declaration

And if Jones is anything to go by, there have been no early issues with player buy-in. Speaking ahead of the friendly with Real Betis, the 23-year-old sounded almost evangelical about Slot-ball.

"He's amazing [to work with], actually," Jones revealed. "I've said it a lot, it's probably the happiest I've been in terms of a style of play that suits me and the lads that we have in our team.

"It's a clear plan. In the training stuff he's fully involved, he coaches us a lot.

"He's big on the finer details of things. We've got a certain way of playing — he knows it's going to take a little bit of time because it's obviously a big change."

Jones is thriving in the new Liverpool regime. (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

On hearing this, the natural instinct is almost to want to protect Klopp. But this kind of excitement about Slot is exactly what everyone would want to hear from the players.

It's great that the Dutchman has enthused the group (or Jones, at the very least!) so quickly. And it's fascinating to hear the perspective that the new style might even suit the squad better.

Should that prove to be the case, it would be a real vindication of Slot's appointment by Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and the team. Liverpool always wanted to find a coach that would fit with the profile of the squad, rejecting Ruben Amorim partly on the basis of his preference for three at the back, and the early signs are promising that it has found someone who can take a Klopp squad and leave his own mark on it.

Liverpool.com says: This is an exciting update from Jones. Obviously, nobody was going to come out and slate Slot, but the midfielder didn't have to be this effusive and visibly enthusiastic.

And ignoring the gut reaction to jump to Klopp's defense, it is probably true that some of the technicians within the squad (and there are plenty) could be given an even greater platform to showcase their talents. The key will be in how Slot marries this with other elements that Liverpool will certainly not want to lose from its identity.

Adblock test (Why?)

Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota has become the latest to return from his holiday and link up with Arne Slot's squad. He has met up with his colleagues in Pittsburgh ahead of this evening's friendly with Real Betis, immediately making a fitness admission.

Thanks in part to Cristiano Ronaldo and his domineering presence, Jota had to settle for a relatively peripheral role for Portugal at Euro 2024. Liverpool might have been quietly pleased, given his injury history, although there must have been questions in the country after a quarter-final exit.

In any case, now he is back from his break, there is little doubt that Jota will be a more central part of Slot's plans. The club's most clinical finisher by a distance last season, keeping him fit would be a massive boost.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Slot gives Alexander-Arnold update, Tsimikas 'leaving', Gordon offered contract

READ MORE: Kostas Tsimikas announces 'I'm leaving' Liverpool with unusual transfer declaration

Jota has already made a related — and entirely expected — admission on that front. Arriving yesterday evening, he spoke briefly to Liverpoolfc.com.

"It’s great to be back with the team, I just landed in Pittsburgh," he said. "Now I’ll get some rest and get ready to start working tomorrow.

"I’ll try to catch up [fitness-wise] with the team, do my physical work first to be ready to start doing my tactical work to get ready for the new season."

It's no surprise at all to learn that Jota expects to be behind his teammates in the fitness stakes. While he will probably have been doing some level of individual work even while on his break, those who were at the AXA Training Centre before flying out to America have been rigorously put through their paces.

Jota's teammates have already been put through their paces. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Much like Jurgen Klopp, Slot places a firm focus on intensity. While the lactate test is gone, there is a similarly brutal introduction under the new regime.

Whether Jota gets the exact same treatment while out in the US remains to be seen. But it makes sense that he will also be starting with physical work before being dropped into full training.

For the time being, it certainly sounds like we need to temper any expectations of seeing Jota in action. He should have a chance to feature at the tail-end of the US tour, but it will take him some time to get up to speed, and he certainly won't play a part against Real Betis.

Liverpool.com says: There's no cause for concern here. Jota will essentially start his own personal pre-season on a slight delay — if anything, it's good to hear that he intends to catch up to his teammates, hopefully hinting at a slightly expedited program that gets him on the pitch sooner rather than later.

However, it does underline the tricky situation Slot is in with all of these gradual returns. Rejoining the squad is only the start: for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister, who are not expected back until after the US tour, there has to be a real question over whether they will be ready for the start of the Premier League season.

Adblock test (Why?)

There were one or two questions over the future of Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas heading into the summer transfer window. And the self-style Greek Scouser has just "answered" them by declaring that he is leaving the club.

The final season under Jurgen Klopp was a tough campaign for Tsimikas, who more or less found himself relegated to third-choice at left-back. Andy Robertson spent a chunk of the season sidelined, but it was Joe Gomez who primarily stepped up.

But Tsimikas did only sign a new contract at Liverpool last summer. And, crucially, he still appears to be happy at Anfield — something his unexpected transfer declaration only enforced.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Slot gives Alexander-Arnold update, Tsimikas 'leaving', Gordon offered contract

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news as Mohamed Salah could make 'U-turn' and $64m defender offered

It came about as Adrian dropped in on the US tour. The veteran goalkeeper completed a free transfer to Real Betis this summer, but came to say hello to his erstwhile teammates, ahead of the two sides meeting this evening.

He came with a gift for Tsimikas. It was a Betis jersey, with the Greek's name and number printed on the back.

Playing it up to the cameras (from the Real Betis media team), Tsimikas then declared "I'm leaving!" He also mentioned something about his agent.

Of course, we don't really expect Tsimikas to follow Adrian to Spain. And Arne Slot probably won't want him to go anywhere for the time being, with an important role presenting itself over the next few weeks.

Slot has confirmed that Robertson will not be in consideration until after the US tour due to a minor knock. Meanwhile, Gomez is yet to return following his run to the Euro 2024 final, though he did not play a minute for England.

Until that duo are available, Tsimikas will be the main man at left-back. There's even one fewer youth option now, with Luke Chambers set to agree a loan to Wigan Athletic, where he spent the second half of last season.

Adrian returned to Real Betis this summer. (Image: Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Maybe Tsimikas' future could genuinely come under the microscope toward the very end of the transfer window, depending on what Slot has made of his performances, and how he rates his own chances of game time. But for now, there's nothing to read into the fun interaction with Adrian, except that spirits in the camp seem high.

Liverpool.com says: It's worked out nicely that Adrian has been able to drop in so soon thanks to the pre-season friendly. He also met up with a number of other Liverpool stars, and Real Betis made sure to snap him giving a jersey to Mohamed Salah too.

Tsimikas was just making a joke. But it will be interesting to assess where he is at over the next few games, having not really seen him in action for a while.

Adblock test (Why?)