Have you seen my Trepup story?

Have you seen my Trepup story?

Where would Riyad Mahrez fit in at Arsenal?

Do Arsenal need to sign Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez?

Just days after Riyad Mahrez announced his intentions to leave Leicester City this summer, Arsene Wenger refused to rule out a move for the winger. But would Mahrez be a good addition for Arsenal?

After earning a new two-year contract, despite a frustrating season which saw Arsenal fail to mount a sustained title challenge, Wenger revealed he was targeting a selection of "top, top quality" signings to build on the club's end-of-season surge and FA Cup win.

Mahrez - the 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year - has certainly shown he is capable of those first-class performances Wenger is after and theFrenchman publicly stated his admiration for the player over the weekend. But would he be a good fit at the Emirates Stadium?

Mahrez was largely disappointing last season, as Leicester struggled to follow up their unlikely Premier League success. After scoring 17 times and producing 11 assists during that title-winning campaign, the Algerian registered just six goals and set up three others in the league last term.

However, despite that drop off, four goals and two assists in nine Champions League appearances were a reminder of his ability in big games and Wenger appears unconcerned about his struggles to consistently affect Premier League games in 2016/17.

"I think he had a huge impact at Leicester when they won the championship, like everybody else," Wenger told BeIN Sports. "It's been a different season this year but it doesn't take anything away from his qualities."

Mahrez's numbers compared to Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez

In fact, over the past two seasons combined, Mahrez's numbers compare well with those posted by Arsenal's top men, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. While Sanchez has more goals (37 v 23) and Ozil has more assists (28 v 14), Mahrez matches Sanchez for dribbles completed and isn't far off the Chile forward in terms of chances created - despite playing for a Leicester side regularly on the back foot this year.

With more of a goal threat than Ozil and the Sanchez-like trickery to unlock a defence and break through the lines, Mahrez offers an interesting attacking option for Wenger.

Fitting into a 3-4-2-1

The key question for the Arsenal boss is where would Mahrez fit into his plans? It will be a consideration for Mahrez, too, given the fact his Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy snubbed a switch to the Emirates Stadium last summer after being left unconvinced the Gunners' style would suit his strengths.

That issue centres on what system Wenger expects to use next season. After stepping away from his favoured 4-2-3-1 and seeing his players produce an end-of-season winning streak in a 3-4-2-1 set-up, the Arsenal manager is likely to be keen to stick with his new plan.

After all, the formation has given the backline added protection, freed up flying full-back Hector Bellerin, allowed Aaron Ramsey to shine in a central role, placed Ozil and Sanchez in pockets of space between the lines, and handed fit-again Danny Welbeck licence to stretch the play as the spearhead of the attack.

What is most important is that the system takes advantage of the quality of the players individually as much as possible," Wenger told the club's official website.

After lifting the FA Cup himself and seeing Chelsea and Tottenham both enjoy sustained success in the league with three-man defences, there's plenty of evidence to suggest Wenger should stick with the winning formula.

So, where would Mahrez fit in? The 26-year-old predominantly plays wide right and likes to cut in on his left-foot at Leicester. But with the width in Arsenal's 3-4-2-1 provided by wing-backs - and Mahrez presumably not planning to do a Victor Moses-style role-swap - it will be Ozil and Sanchez he will be competing with for a starting spot.

Where would Mahrez fit into Arsenal's 3-4-2-1?

Wenger could play Sanchez up front but Welbeck showed his importance in the cup final, with his pace and direct running creating room for Sanchez and Ozil to exploit, and the manager appears to like the idea of the England international and Olivier Giroud battling for that spot.

With the central roles in the system requiring more defensive discipline than Mahrez is associated with, he would seemingly be left as a back-up option from the bench. That would surely be an unattractive prospect for a player who last week described himself as "fiercely ambitious" when announcing his decision to leave Leicester.

Back to 4-2-3-1?

An alternative would be for Wenger to revert to 4-2-3-1 and play Mahrez as part of the three behind Welbeck, alongside Ozil and Sanchez. It's an enticing idea, which would no doubt see the trio inter-changing positions and causing opposition defences problems across the backline.

Last season all three of them featured among the top 11 players when it came to fashioning clear-cut chances, according to Opta. Together they would possess some serious creative power.

Mahrez could form an attacking trio with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez

However, for that to happen Wenger would have to find solutions elsewhere on the pitch to cover for the weaknesses which forced him to change formation in the first place.

Explaining his reasons for changing tactics to Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry in May, Wenger said he felt his team were lacking "security through the middle". If he were to go back to 4-2-3-1 he would need to bring in additional players to address that problem.

Better central midfield options - especially with Santi Cazorla ruled out until November - who can protect the backline but also instigate attacks, and a centre-back capable of producing, week-in, week-out, the kind of powerful, physical defensive display Pet Mertesacker came up with in the FA Cup final would be required.

Would Mahrez's arrival benefit the team enough to force another shape change and additional investment to make that work? Or would Wenger be better off finding specialists - as Antonio Conte did last summer with Marcos Alonso at Chelsea, for instance - who can improve his new 3-4-2-1 formation?

It's a dilemma for the Arsenal manager to ponder - and highlights the difficulty in recruiting "top, top quality" players who fit your system and style.

Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed as cover star of FIFA 18

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League for the fourth time on Saturday

Cristiano Ronaldo has added another accolade to his personal honours list after being named as the face of FIFA 18.

The Real Madrid star, who recently won his fourth Champions League title, will be the cover star for the popular game, released on September 29.

The FIFA 18 developers recently recorded Ronaldo's data during a training session at a mobile EA Capture studio in Madrid.

Data capture of Ronaldo's acceleration, run cadence, skills and shooting technique were all recorded to "bring veracity to his likeness and personality in FIFA 18".

"The world's best player has helped fuel the biggest leap forward on the pitch that we've ever delivered," said Aaron McHardy, Senior Producer for EA SPORTS FIFA.

"We are extremely excited to partner with Cristiano - working with him we learned a lot about his unique play style and what makes him so special. His passion, energy and global fanbase make him the perfect ambassador for FIFA 18."

"It is a real pleasure to be on the cover of FIFA 18," said Ronaldo. "It's a great feeling and I am grateful to have been chosen."

Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Mohamed Salah but are yet to agree a fee with Roma

Mohamed Salah will cost Liverpool their joint-transfer record

Liverpool look to have moved closer to signing Mohamed Salah after Sky in Italy reported personal terms have been agreed - although a fee is yet to be agreed with Roma.

It is understood Salah met with Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool in the last few days and that an agreement in principle has been reached with the player and his representatives.

However, no talks have taken place with Roma since Liverpool had an initial £28m offer rejected and the Reds are also looking at other options, including Lazio winger Keita Balde.

Salah scored 19 goals for Roma last season as they pushed for the Serie A title

Roma's American chairman, James Palotta, told US radio station SiriusXMthat, "for the moment, there is nothing with Liverpool. We'll see what to do".

If the deal goes through, it will equal Liverpool's current transfer record paid to Newcastle for Andy Carroll in 2011.

Former Chelsea forward Salah joined Roma for £13m last summer following a season-long loan the season prior.

Salah's career at Chelsea never got going and he was sent out on loan to Fiorentina before joining Roma, for whom he scored 19 goals in 39 appearances last season as they pushed for the Serie A title.

Jurgen Klopp has already signed Dominic Solanke and wants Virgil van Dijk

If he moves to Anfield he will become Liverpool's second signing of the summer window, following Chelsea's Dominic Solanke.

Solanke is set to join the club on July 1 when his contract with the Premier League champions expires for a fee expected to be in the region of £3m and set by tribunal.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is also understood to be interested in Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, whom Sky sources believe will cost any suitors in excess of £50m.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny set to join Juventus

Wojciech Szczesny looks to be leaving the Gunners for Juventus this summer

The Italian champions have reached agreement with the Poland international over a four-year contract worth £3.5m per season.

Szczesny has impressed the domestic double-winners during a two-season spell on loan at rivals Roma, who finished runners-up to Juventus in Serie A this season.

However, the 27-year-old is likely to spend his first season as understudy to Gianluigi Buffon, 39, who is set to retire after the final year of his current contract in Turin.

Szczesny made 181 appearances for Arsenal

Szczesny joined Arsenal's academy from Legia Warsaw in 2006 and made a total of 181 appearances for the Gunners' first team.

The 27-year-old signed a long-term deal in November 2013 to keep him at the Emirates until 2018.

Hopes of a treble for Juventus and Buffon's first Champions League triumph were wrecked by Real Madrid, 4-1 in Cardiff, on Saturday night.

Cheick Tiote dies at the age of 30 after collapsing during training in China

Former Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has died at the age of 30 after collapsing during a training session in China.

Ivory Coast international Tiote moved to China in February to play for second division side Beijing Enterprises and he was training with his club when he collapsed.

He was taken to hospital but it has now been confirmed that he passed away after emergency treatment.

Tiote arrived at Newcastle in 2010 from FC Twente and played seven seasons for the club, the first six of those in the Premier League.

But Tiote would only make one Championship appearance in his seventh season at St James' Park and he made the move to China last year.

Cheick Tiote played seven seasons for Newcastle

Tiote's representative Emanuele Palladino said: "It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises.

"We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family's privacy be respected at this difficult time."

"We ask for all your prayers."

Virgil van Dijk wants transfer to Liverpool from Southampton this summer

Virgil van Dijk has told Liverpool they are his preferred destination this summer, ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City.

The Southampton captain has established himself as one of the finest central defenders in the Premier League since moving from Celtic for £11.5m in September 2015.

Liverpool are refusing to comment on the speculation, but it is understood they are prepared to break their transfer record to land him.

Personal terms have not been finalised with Van Dijk, but Liverpool are prepared to match the contract offer from Manchester City which could be as much as £200,000 a week.

Pep Guardiola has identified him as a priority target as he looks to strengthen his defensive options this summer, though City are concerned about the price they may be forced to pay to land him. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is also an admirer.

Southampton are determined to hold on to the Dutch international, with club chairman Ralph Krueger stating last month the Saints would be prepared to reject bids of up to £60m in order to keep the 25-year-old.

However, Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring him to Anfield and Liverpool are prepared to spend big in order to do so.

And sources indicate Van Dijk has been impressed with Klopp's personal involvement in Liverpool's effort to sign him.

If Van Dijk were to join Liverpool, he would be the latest in a series of Southampton players to move to Anfield in recent years, following in the footsteps of Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Rickie Lambert.

Sports Network News: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVIEW

Sports Network News: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVIEW: Another enthralling season in the Champions League ended with the imperious Real Madrid defending their title by beating Juventus on Satur...

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REVIEW

Another enthralling season in the Champions League ended with the imperious Real Madrid defending their title by beating Juventus on Saturday night.

As so often, Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show, scoring twice in a resounding 4-1 victory that saw Zinedine Zidane's side become the first to retain the trophy in the modern era.

It was a fitting end to another Champions League season of high drama, jaw-dropping goals and matches that will stick long in the memory.

We take a look back at the best of the season just gone in Europe's foremost club competition.

Real Madrid lift the Champions League trophy after their win over Juventus on Saturday night

Zinedine Zidane's side made history by becoming the first to defend the Champions League

GOAL OF THE SEASON

There have been some crackers this season, from 30-yard rockets to sumptuous chips, but few would disagree that the best was left until last.

The goal Mario Mandzukic scored for Juventus in Saturday night's final must rank as one of the finest - if not THE finest - ever scored in a European final.

It was not only the delightfully ambitious overhead kick finish, executed with inch-perfect precision, but the stunning team move of passing and keepie-uppie that came before it.

Leonardo Bonucci's cross-field pass found Alex Sandro, who crossed first time for Gonzalo Higuain to touch the ball back to Mandzukic. When he controlled on his chest, there seemed little danger.

But somehow, with his back to goal and apparently losing his balance, the Croatian hooked the ball beyond goalkeeper Keylor Navas. This goal top a superb shortlist, with honorary mentions for Gareth Bale's stunning first-minute volley against Legia Warsaw, Mesut Ozil's individual goal against Ludogorets in Bulgaria and Radamel Falcao's delicious chip away to Manchester City.

Mario Mandzukic scores his stunning overhead kick for Juventus in the Cardiff final

The Juventus striker showed extraordinary athleticism to hook the ball into the net

The Croatian striker rounded off a brilliant Juventus team move with a moment of genius

Mandzukic drew Juventus level at 1-1, but they would ultimately be defeated 4-1 in the final

SAVE OF THE SEASON

We've seen some glorious saves as well, but the best was surely the triple save Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak made against Bayer Leverkusen.

Although Atletico led this quarter-final tie 4-2 following the first leg, scores were goalless on a nervy night in the Vicente Calderon.

Midway through the second half, the German side were pushing for an away goal that may have made for an interesting finale. But the Slovenian wasn't having any of it, saving from Julian Brandt and then Kevin Volland twice in quick succession to keep his clean sheet.

It was a one-man show of defiance from Oblak when it seemed far easier for the opposition to score.

Other stand-out saves include the strong-wristed block produced by Bayern's Manuel Neuer to deny Ronaldo and the roly-poly stop made by Tottenham's Hugo Lloris against Bayer Leverkusen.

Jan Oblak pulls off one of the three quick-fire saves that denied Bayer Leverkusen

Hugo Lloris somehow kept out Bayer Leverkusen's Javier Hernandez by rolling along the line

PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON

When push comes to shove in the knockout stages of the Champions League, you want your best players to stand up and be counted.

And that's precisely what Cristiano Ronaldo did in Real's quarter-final with Bayern Munich back in April.

Not only did he score two crucial away goals in the Allianz Arena during the first leg, he took personal charge of the outcome when the second leg went to extra time.

Having already scored in normal time, Ronaldo struck twice more in an eventual 4-2 Real win, proving conclusively that he is the man for the biggest occasion.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored five of Real's six goals against Bayern in their quarter-final tie

HEARTBREAKING MOMENT OF THE SEASON

It seemed scripted that Juventus and their legendary 39-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would finally end their wait to lift the Champions League.

A succession of outstanding defensive performances saw them beat Porto, Barcelona and Monaco to reach the final in Cardiff.

And with this trophy the one glaring omission from Buffon's glittering CV, it surely was his time. But Ronaldo and Real had other ideas and the legendary Italian stopper was left looking absolutely crestfallen as the trophy bypassed him once again.

Fear not, however, as Buffon said he feels confident there is one more season in him as he desperately tries to get his hands on the famous trophy.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon looks dejected at the end of the final

The legendary Italian keeper still hasn't lifted the famous Champions League trophy

SURPRISE PACKAGE OF THE SEASON

It's always brilliant when a swashbuckling young team come along and challenge Europe's established elite and that's precisely what we had with Monaco this season.

Leonardo Jardim's exciting side were a joy to watch, taking the game to some of the continent's more experienced teams without any fear whatsoever.

Fired by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Radamel Falcao, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Fabinho and Bernardo Silva, they were more than happy to out-score teams.

They brilliantly sent Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund packing in the knockout stages before meeting their match in miserly Juventus, but had the consolation of a first French league win since 2000.

If they can somehow keep their talented squad together this season, they will certainly challenge again.

Monaco's team of bright young things left us thoroughly entertained this season

Tiemoue Bakayoko scores the header that sent Pep Guardiola's Manchester City crashing out

OVERACHIEVERS OF THE SEASON

Hats off to Leicester City, the people's Premier League champions who took Europe's top competition in their stride.

In the first-half of the campaign, their excellent performances in the Champions League were the complete opposite to woeful domestic form and probably saved Claudio Ranieri's job.

They topped a group that contained Porto, Copenhagen and Club Brugge, adapting to the pressures of the tournament without any problem. It looked as though a 2-1 away defeat to Sevilla in the last-16 might end their hopes, but Leicester, by now managed by Craig Shakespeare, stormed back to win 2-0 at home.

Ultimately they succumbed to wily Atletico Madrid in the last eight, but only after launching a bombardment of the Spanish club's goal in the second leg at the King Power. As they were in their miraculous Premier League title campaign, Leicester were a breath of fresh air for the Champions League this season.

Wes Morgan celebrates after scoring for Leicester in their last-16 victory over Sevilla

The Premier League champions were eventually beaten by Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid

HUMILIATION OF THE SEASON

There was a degree of inevitability about Arsenal being paired with Bayern Munich in the last-16, but few could have predicted the utter humiliation that followed for the Gunners.

Any lessons acquired from recent meetings with the elite sides at this stage of the Champions League were completely disregarded in a 5-1 first leg thrashing at the Allianz Arena.

Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Co made mincemeat of a callow-looking Arsenal team as the pressure mounted on Arsene Wenger. The ruthless German side then continued the embarrassment by repeating the scoreline in the return at the Emirates, running rings around the Premier League contenders.

At least Arsenal fans will be spared another humbling of this nature next season having failed to qualify for the competition.

Alexis Sanchez looks distraught after Bayern Munich complete their 10-2 win over Arsenal

Arjen Robben and the ruthless German side ripped Arsenal to shreds in both legs

Jose's £252m striker wishlist: United ditch Griezmann chase and now hunt is on for big-money buys of Belotti, Lukaku and Morata

Jose Mourinho assembles new list of targets after Antoine Griezmann deal falls through... as Manchester United turn their attention to classic No 9 and make Romelu Lukaku a top target

Manchester United have cooled their interest in Antoine Griezmann as Jose Mourinho steps up his efforts to buy a new target man this summer.

United have prioritised signing a No 9 ahead of pursuing an £86million deal for Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann. Mourinho's top target is Everton's Romelu Lukaku.

News United had called off the move coincided with a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold Atletico's transfer ban for breaching regulations over the signing of minors.

   Antoine Griezmann is set to stay at Atletico Madrid as Manchester United cool their interest

The ban means Atletico could not have registered a replacement for Griezmann until January and the player tweeted on Thursday night to say: 'Now more than ever #Atleti.'

Griezmann is expected to sign a new contract with a buyout clause in excess of £100m.

United revised their plans once it became apparent that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knee injury would end his spell at Old Trafford.

Instead of looking to Griezmann as a second striker, Mourinho has switched his attentions to finding a direct replacement for Ibrahimovic.

      Jose Mourinho is keen on signing a No 9, with Everton's Romelu Lukaku on his shortlist

The Swedish star scored 28 goals in his first season in English football but will be 36 when he is expected to return to action early next year.

Lukaku is the top target if United are prepared to pay £100m. The Belgian is represented by Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola, who insists Lukaku has an agreement with Everton that he can leave if 'certain clubs' want to sign him.

Alvaro Morata, who was given his Real Madrid debut by Mourinho, is another candidate. Real value him at £65m but are considering a £48m offer from AC Milan as they look to make room for £113m Kylian Mbappe.

United may also target Mbappe and Andrea Belotti, who has an £87m release clause in his contract at Torino.

  Alvaro Morata is another man in United's sights; he was given his Real debut by Mourinho