Manchester United eyeing Haaland after Rangnick appointment
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has been linked with a move to the Premier League for months now and it appears that ManchesterUnited are set to pursue him at the end of this season.
According to a report from Mirror, the Premier League giants believe that the appointment of Ralf Rangnick could give them an edge in the transfer chase.
The 63-year-old German manager signed Haaland for RB Salzburg back in 2019 and he knows the player well.
The Red Devils will be hoping to make the most of their relationship and lure him to Old Trafford next summer.
Apparently, the player has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a fee of £63 million next summer and Haaland certainly has the potential to justify the outlay in the long run.
Hammers keen on Tarkowski
Meanwhile, West Ham United are set to make a move for the Burnley defender James Tarkowski during the January transfer window.
David Moyes is keen on improving his back four when the transfer window reopens and he has identified the experienced Premier League defender as a target.
Tarkowski will be a free agent at the end of the season and Burnley could look to cash in on him in January in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
According to the Sun, the Hammers will submit a £7 million bid for the 28-year-old centre back and it remains to be seen whether the Clarets are willing to accept the offer.
Arteta backs Nicolas Pepe
Mikel Arteta has sent out a strong statement regarding the future of Nicolas Pepe at Arsenal.
The former Lille winger has not been able to replicate his top form since his move to the London club and he has been linked with a move away from Arsenal for months now.
However, Arteta claims that the player has his full support and he has a very big future at the club.
The Gunners paid a club-record fee for Pepe and he has shown his quality in bits and parts so far.
It remains to be seen whether the player can add more consistency to his game and establish himself as a key attacker for Arsenal over the coming months.
Recently the winger was heavily criticized for his red card against Leeds United where he headbutted midfielder Ezgjan Alioski. However, Arteta feels that the player has apologized and taken full responsibility for his actions and he will learn from this experience and move on.
Arteta said: “I will give Nico my full support all the time. He knows the things he has to improve, but as well we all know his qualities.
“He has some responsibility and I have some responsibility which is to get the best out of him, get the best position for him and the best areas for him to do what he can do with the ball.
“I can’t fault at all his effort and if you see any of his stats the way he is trying for the team, the way he is working, it’s the best since he’s been at the club.
“But there are certain aspects he can do better because he has the ability and that’s where I’m going to put the pressure on him to deliver what he can do.
“But to say it’s a threat for him to finish his career [at Arsenal], it’s not at all like that.”
Arteta added: “The club made a huge investment on him and people expect a lot from him because he has this quality.
“I said many times with the striker and attacking players that being consistent is the most difficult thing. When you have to create, unlock the door and score goals.
“But this is why he is here and he needs to embrace that challenge and go for it. And we have to provide the best possible scenarios for him to be able to do that.”
