Arsenal's new transfer chief will be forced to hit the ground running as Ruben Amorim can breathe a sigh of relief after his Manchester United stars returned to training
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Sport Director Andrea Berta is to have an important summer at Arsenal
Sport Director Andrea Berta is to have an important summer at Arsenal
(Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Domestic football has returned and already there has been some drama in the FA Cup. The Premier League will not make its presence felt for a few more days as attention remains on the cup for at least another 24 hours.
Crystal Palace handily dispatched London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage before Nottingham Forest continued their impressive season and overcame Brighton no penalties. Both sides booked a place at Wembley and amongst the final four with Manchester City and Bournemouth, and Preston and Aston Villa fighting to join them on Sunday.
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Of course, there is no shortage of news off the pitch either. Arsenal remain set to confirm Andrea Berta's appointment as the Gunners' sporting director and an FA Cup draw awaits.
Mirror Football takes a look at some of the latest news and rumours below.
READ MORE: Bruno Guimaraes aims foul-mouthed jibe at Sunderland during Newcastle trophy paradeREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim's stance on Bruno Fernandes exit as Real Madrid hatch transfer plan
Liverpool owners eye new club
Liverpool owners FSG were seemingly interested in purchasing Bordeaux last year but a move failed to come to fruition, their aspirations of extending their sporting empire have not ended however. Now, their attention appears to have been turned once again.
The sports group are now mulling over making an investment in La Liga 2 club Malaga. The Spanish side were once seen as a rising force in football after being taken over by Qatari prince Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani - initially making blockbuster signings including Santi Cazorla, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Joaquin.
However, financial difficulties soon arrived, with the investment from the Qatari chief slowing down before they were relegated to the second tier in 2018. By 2023 they had gone down to the third tier before bouncing back to the second tier last season.
John Henry FSG
Liverpool Owner John Henry has seen FSG interested in expanding its portfolio before
According to the Athletic, FSG are looking to buy Al Thani's majority stake. He currently controls a 51 per cent of the club and it is believed the club could be acquired for as little as £83m. PSG owners Qatari Sport Investment are also said to be interested and could provide competition.
Zubimendi boost
Despite reports from Spain suggesting Real Madrid are ready to hijack Arsenal's move for Martin Zubimendi, the Athletic are reporting that the midfielder is still expected to join the Gunners. Incoming sporting director Andrea Berta will be tasked with securing the signing amid the interest from his form city rivals.
The report states that Arsenal remain confident the midfielder will sign for them in the coming summer and have been 'for some time'. The transfer has long been in the works with Edu said to have laid the groundwork while he was still in his role.
READ MORE: Jude Bellingham's 'special' quality revealed as Marco Reus shares inside knowledgeREAD MORE: Mikel Arteta on brink of completing first Arsenal summer transfer with 'deal done'
The Brazilian resigned from his position in November and former Atletico Madrid sporting director Berta is set to replace him. The Italian will look to get off to a good start by finalising the signing of Zubimendi.
Man Utd injury boost
The international break appears to have allowed Ruben Amorim to start building his squad's fitness. The Portuguese head coach allowed his squad some time off while some players built their fitness during the pause in the domestic calendar.
Five players have since returned to training after injuries. Defenders Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro, as well as goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Altay Bayindir, were spotted back in action at Carrington.
United have been severely hampered by injuries in recent weeks, with defence particularly hard hit. The bench for the 3-0 win over Leicester a few weeks ago had some unfamiliar names on it as Ayden Heaven was stretchered off.
Shaw has been plagued by injuries in recent years and hasn’t featured since the 4-0 win over Everton in December. Maguire and Yoro were shorter-term absentees, but their returns will be just as warmly welcomed. Meanwhile, the injuries to Heaton and Bayindir had left Elyh Harrison as the second-choice keeper for the Leicester game.
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