Football rumours: Arsenal keen on signing Alexander Isak and Michael Olise
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that Arsenal are considering bringing in a striker and winger this summer, with Newcastle forward Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise among their targets.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has managerial options outside of Bayern Munich and will make a decision in the next week or so, his agent says via the Metro.
Ex-Liverpool and Everton boss Rafael Benitez will take over as manager at Sao Paulo, less than month after he was sacked by Celta Vigo, claims The Sun.
Chelsea are preparing for offers from Liverpool and Ligue 1 outfit Paris St Germain for England international defender Levi Colwill.
Social media round-up
Players to watch
Benjamin Sesko: Chelsea and Manchester United are monitoring the RB Leipzig forward, who has a 50 million euro (£42.8 million) release clause, says Ben Jacobs.
Serge Gnabry: Tottenham are interested in the former Arsenal forward, with Bayern Munich willing to sell the Germany international, reports Football Insider.
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What Julian Nagelsmann’s agent said about prospect of joining Bayern Munich
Nagelsmann was weighing up next move before extending Germany contract
36-year-old had been tipped to make a sensational return to Bayern Munich
Agent confirmed that talks were taking place with multiple potential suitors
By Jamie Spencer
Apr 19, 2024
Bayern Munich were in talks with Julian Nagelsmann
Bayern Munich were in talks with Julian Nagelsmann / Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/GettyImages
Prior to Julian Nagelsmann signing a new contract to remain Germany head coach until after the 2026 World Cup, his agent had hinted that talks were taking place with former club Bayern Munich in addititon to a handful of other teams.
The former Bayern boss, who was surprisingly sacked by the Bavarians just 13 months ago, initially had a contract with the DFB until the end of Euro 2024 on home soil this summer. But an expected return to club football, having made his name as a manager before his 30th birthday, hasn't happened.
Representing Nagelsmann, Volker Struth stated on German podcast Spielmacher that a decision on the 36-year-old's future was likely to be made iimminently, which turned out to be case when the DFB then confirmed the contract extension on Friday morning.
"It will be decided soon, in the next five, six or seven days. It would be complete nonsense to say that we are not talking to interested parties," Struth explained earlier in the week.
"Without saying who the interested parties are, I can only say that it is not just Bayern Munich. That is normal. It is my job and it would be a bit of a joke in the media to say we are not in talks. Of course we are talking now," he clarified.
Bayern are on the hunt for a new boss after already confirming that Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Nagelsmann, will be leaving the club this summer. They were eyeing a treble when he was dismissed but ended up scraping only the Bundesliga title and have gone backwards domestically in 2023/24.
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern Munich in March 2023 / Alexander Hassenstein/GettyImages
Nagelsmann was a name being discussed internally at Liverpool, with the club yet to decide on a successor to Jurgen Klopp. The shortlisting process has been data-led, leaving doubts over Nagelsmann due to the need to prove himself in terms of character rather than coaching alone. Concerns over his maturity and a swagger bordering on arrogance previously led to issues at Bayern and a reluctance to change frustrated some players.
Chelsea didn't feel Nagelsmann had the right personality for them prior to appointing Mauricio Pochettino last summer, while Tottenham Hotspur didn't take initial interest in the German beyond the due diligence stage before formally pursuing Ange Postecoglou instead.
Ruben Amorim has scored particularly highly as part of Liverpool's search, while Roberto De Zerbi remains of interest. Nagelsmann was not first in line to get the job. Prior to recommitting to Germany, he was also linked with Barcelona but was considered an outsider.
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Power Rankings: The best teams in Europe - Week 25
90min ranks the ten best teams in European football
Bayer Leverkusen the undisputed best team after dethroning Bayern Munich in Germany
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Dortmund and PSG rank well after booking Champions League last four places
By Jack Gallagher
Apr 19, 2024
Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance
Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance / Lars Baron/Staff/Getty Images
After a 12-week hiatus (sorry about that), 90min's best teams in Europe power rankings are back in business.
And in case you haven't noticed, it's been rather fun in the European footer world of late. So, following in a week in which:
Bayer Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title EVER, dethroning Bayern Munich after 11 seasons of dominance.
Real Madrid knocked holders Manchester City out of the UEFA Champions League despite conceded 33 shots on goal. Yes, 33.
Bayern Munich shockingly beat the almighty Arsenal at the Allianz Arena. Yes, SHOCKINGLY (swear).
90min decided it's time to rank the best ten teams on the continent:
10. VfB Stuttgart
Deniz Undav, Sehrou Guirassy
Unbeaten for quite a while / Leonhard Simon/GettyImages
With Leverkusen rightfully taking all the headlines thanks to their spellbinding unbeaten run this season, VfB Stuttgart perhaps haven't got the credit they've deserved for their current spate of form.
So that's what we're going to do: give Stuttgart the props they deserve.
Sebastian Hoeness' side have been genuinely fantastic in recent months, and are currently enjoy a 10 game unbeaten run the Bundesliga thanks to the wonderful performances of Serhou Guirassy and co.
Fantastic stuff.
9. Inter
Simone Inzaghi
Cruising to a Serie A title / Giuseppe Bellini/GettyImages
Having lost just once all season - way back in September - it's fair to say that Inter have had the Scudetto wrapped up (okay not officially, but it's coming) for quite a while.
The Nerazzurri have been irrepressibly good in Italy throughout the 2023/24, it's just a pity they couldn't bring that form to the UEFA Champions League too.
8. Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins
Big win / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages
The wheels had been threatening to fall off for Aston Villa heading into last weekend's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and then Unai Emery's side went out a put in a season-best performance.
The Villans were utterly electric in the second half on Sunday, securing a well-deserved 2-0 win, and, thanks to Tottenham's slip up on Saturday, they gave themselves a three-point cushion in the race for a top-four finish.
Super stuff.
7. Sporting CP
Ruben Amorim
Amorim's side are flying / Diogo Cardoso/GettyImages
Ruben Amorim is one of the most talked about managers in Europe right now, and if you've seen his Sporting CP play you'll know exactly why.
And if you haven't, well maybe this league form will give you an indication of why Liverpool and co. are so interested in Amorim's services:
- Played: 29
- Won: 25
- Drawn: 2
- Lost: 2
- Goals scored: 84
- Goals conceded: 27
6. Manchester City
Manchester City v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League
Out of the Champions League / Anadolu/GettyImages
Manchester City's hopes of securing a second consecutive treble were brought to an abrupt end by Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, with Los Blancos prevailing in a penalty shootout at the Etihad Stadium.
And while the result was thoroughly disappointing for City fans, the performance was actually quite good - with the Cityzens having 33 pops at goal in the game. It was just one of those days.
5. Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich
Winning goal / Alexander Hassenstein/GettyImages
Everyone thought that the in-form Arsenal were going to brush aside a seemingly hapless Bayern Munich side in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Don't lie, everyone did.
And yet, despite all their issues on and off the field this season, for two games Bayern put it all together. They followed up a professional performance at the Emirates Stadium with a genuinely brilliant one at the Allianz Arena on midweek to secure their place in the semi-finals.
4. Borussia Dortmund
Marcel Sabitzer
Impressive win / BSR Agency/GettyImages
Yeah, there's a lot of Bundesliga teams in the power rankings this week; but deservedly so.
Like Bayern, BVB were underdogs heading into their Champions League quarter-final clash, but exceeded all expectations with a wonderful performance at the Signal Iduna Park.
Cheered on by a raucous home crowd, Dortmund were able to secure a stunning 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid to seal a 5-4 aggregate win.
3. Paris Saint-Germain
FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain: Quarter-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
The best player in the world / Christian Liewig - Corbis/GettyImages
Although football's a team sport (as you definitely already know), PSG are proof that when you have a generationally good forward in your squad, you can probably just rely on him to take you to the promised land.
That's how good Kylian Mbappe is, and that's exactly what he did this past week - bagging a brace to secure PSG's place in the semi-finals at Barcelona's expense.
Don't be surprised if Mbappe fires PSG all the way to the final this season.
2. Real Madrid
Manchester City v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League
Through to another semi-final / Anadolu/GettyImages
For the 12th time in the last 14 seasons, Real Madrid have made it through to the Champions League semi-finals.
That is an utterly ridiculous stat, isn't it?
Having knocked holders Man City out too, they're rightfully now considered the favourites to win the competition for a 15th time too.
Yes, that is another ridiculous stat.
1. Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v SV Werder Bremen - Bundesliga
Champions / Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/GettyImages
For the first time ever, Bayer Leverkusen have been crowned Bundesliga champions.
Guided by Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen have enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign, making surprisingly light work of the rest of the division by winning all but four, which were draws, of their 29 games to date.
They haven't lost in DFB Pokal or Europa League competition either - meaning a bloody historic completely unbeaten treble is still on the cards.
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