Premier League LIVE: Huijsen set to join Real Madrid, Slot on Frimpong as Liverpool close in, Guardiola refuses to discuss Wirtz
talkSPORT
19 – 24 minutes
Live Blog
Updated: 16:17, 16 May 2025
With a bumper weekend of Premier League action and the FA Cup final coming up, talkSPORT has you covered with the latest.
Tonight, Manchester United face Chelsea and Tottenham travel to take on Aston Villa to kick things off.
United and Spurs are preparing for the Europa League final next week, with Ange Postecoglou confirming multiple injury blows.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola and Oliver Glasner have spoken ahead of the FA Cup final, which takes place on Saturday.
Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is set to move to Real Madrid, as Liverpool push to sign Jeremie Frimpong.
Premier League and FA Cup fixtures
Friday, May 16
19:30: Aston Villa vs Tottenham – live on talkSPORT 2
20:15: Chelsea vs Manchester United – live on talkSPORT
FA Cup final – Saturday, May 17
16:30: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – live on talkSPORT
Sunday, May 18
12:00: Everton vs Southampton – live on talkSPORT
14:15: West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
15:00: Brentford vs Fulham
15:00: Leicester vs Ipswich
16:30: Arsenal vs Newcastle
Monday, May 19
20:00: Brighton vs Liverpool – live on talkSPORT
Get a massive 60/1 for Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup OR 30/1 Man City to win with talkSPORT BET (18+ gambleaware.org T&Cs Apply)
Ambitious move
Leeds are frontrunners to sign Callum Wilson should he depart Newcastle this summer, talkSPORT understands.
Wilson’s contract at St. James’ Park expires at the end of the season, but the Magpies have an option to trigger an extra year.
However, if the striker gets the chance to play first-team football elsewhere, they will let him go on a free.
The experienced Premier League frontman has massively struggled with injuries this campaign, only playing 16 games.
But Leeds are targeting Wilson as they look to add more firepower to their ranks after winning the Championship title.
The 33-year-old has scored 88 goals in 237 top-flight appearances.
Credit: Getty
Almost done
talkSPORT understands that Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is set to agree a five-year contract at Real Madrid.
The two clubs reached an agreement earlier this week after Real opted to trigger Huijsen’s £50million release clause.
Even if the deal is confirmed soon, the defender will stay with Bournemouth for their final two games of the season.
He is making himself available to play out of respect for the club.
Huijsen will then join Real in time for the Club World Cup, with that competition beginning on June 15.
The new Man?
Managerless Norwich City are showing an interest in Liam Manning, talkSPORT understands.
Norwich-born Manning’s stock is high after guiding Bristol City into the Championship play-offs.
And it means the Robins would be reluctant to lose him.
The Canaries have already shortlisted Gary O’Neil and Jürgen Klopp’s former assistant Pep Ljinders.
The club are determined to take their time over an appointment.
Credit: Getty
Pep talk
Pep Guardiola has been speaking about the upcoming FA Cup Final, giving an injury update and chatting transfers.
On the big game, he said: “Of course we want it, once we are here we want to lift the trophy. It’s really massively important.
“It was a disappointment last season [in the Final] for our performance. But I’m pretty sure we’ll perform well and we are going to compete against them. It’s important, definitely.”
Guardiola was then asked whether Rodri could be fit as he continues to recover from his ACL injury suffered in September.
He replied: “Rodri is much, much better. I’m waiting for the doctors. When they tell me he’s ready, he’s going to start.
“We don’t want to take a risk and a setback now in this moment.”
And then the Man City boss was also questioned over Florian Wirtz, who talkSPORT understands the club are pushing to sign.
But he wasn’t keen on discussing the German, saying: “Now is not the time to talk about that.
“Before the Final of the FA Cup, I have 24 exceptional players. I’m not going to talk one second about the future.”
Credit: Getty
‘It’s been hard on us’
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito has confirmed that Taiwo Awoniyi’s surgery has gone successfully.
The Forest striker had two operations to repair internal damage caused by a horrifying collision with the post last Sunday.
“He went to surgery, it went well, thank God,” Nuno explained.
“He is under observation now, but he is recovering, we still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits.
“We are concerned but it is positive.”
He continued: “It has been very difficult because of the concern of the injury, the situation he went through.
“It’s been very difficult, very difficult on us and on everybody.
“The concern of the injury that he had, the situation that he entered through, it’s been hard on us.”
Credit: AFP
Not a Slot to discuss
Arne Slot didn’t entertain questions on Jeremie Frimpong potentially being set to join Liverpool this summer.
When asked how his week celebrating had been and if he had any updates on Frimpong, he said: “Until now I’ve had a good week, yes!
“It’s going to be a boring answer, and for a whole season, it was about contract extensions, and now everyone wants to know who is coming in.
“We don’t talk about it in public until we sign them and then you can ask me all about it.
“Conor [Bradley] can play it, Joe Gomez, so it is not like once Trent leaves I don’t know what to do.
“But we are always looking at interesting players, who can improve our squad.”
Credit: Getty
Big boost
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Adam Wharton is available for the FA Cup final.
Wharton missed the Eagles’ win over Tottenham at the weekend and raised concerns over whether he would feature.
But Glasner revealed he’s been back in training and is ready.
“Everybody is fit,” the Palace boss said in his press conference. “Adam trained the whole week and he’s available.
“So we’ve got some tough decisions to make, but good decisions to make.”
On the magic of the FA Cup, he added: “Have a look around [the press room]. It’s the magic.
“There are more cameras and journalists here in the last months altogether. It’s a lot of attention.
“We’re playing the biggest stadium in England, in front of 90,000.”
Credit: Getty
‘He’s in great shape’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that Kai Havertz could be set to return for the Gunners this weekend.
Havertz has not played since February after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, with that seemingly ending his season.
However, Arteta now thinks he could potentially feature in the last two fixtures after an impressive recovery.
He said: “We’re going to decide that [whether Havertz can play] tomorrow. He’s done certain part of the sessions in the last two days. It’s with the medical staff and how Kai feels.
“It’s a credit to him and the medical staff and they’ve been pushing.
“He looks in great shape and you see the transformation on him, which is really impressive”
Credit: Rex
Sensational swoop?
Rodrygo looks set to leave Real Madrid this summer and Arsenal have been linked with a stunning move for the Brazilian.
ESPN’s Spanish football correspondent, Sam Marsden, has given an update on the unsettled winger’s situation.
He told talkSPORT: “Yeah, more than a suggestion [that Rodrygo will leave]. I think that Real have to make a big decision this summer.
“Rodrygo seems to be the one that’s being pushed towards the door, I think one of Rodrygo or potentially even Vinicius Jr has to go.
“Because you’ve got Mbappe, you’ve got Vinicius Jr, they all want that same space. I don’t know how much of a say Xabi Alonso will have in things.
“Rodrygo has made it clear he wants to play on the left, he’s been playing on the right at Real Madrid, so he’s the most obvious one to go.
“But Vinicius Jr might be a bigger money-spinner, and may actually fix their problems a little bit more because they’ve kind of got that status problem between Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, and Bellingham in the shadows as well.
“Maybe Xabi Alonso can make it work, but it’s not worked at all this season.”
Credit: Getty
Closing in
It is expected that Liverpool and Jeremie Frimpong will agree personal terms within the next 48 hours.
A medical has already been planned.
talkSPORT understands that the Reds have told Bayer Leverkusen they will trigger Frimpong’s €35m release clause.
It means the right-back’s move to Anfield is getting closer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement looks to be the Dutchman.
Credit: Getty
Statement
Leeds United insist Ethan Ampadu has their full support as images of his son in a Galatasaray shirt emerged.
Two fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were tragically killed prior to the club’s UEFA Cup semi-final clash against the Turkish side in April 2000 and it remains a sensitive topic among the fanbase.
The images were posted online by Ampadu’s former partner.
The Whites’ statement read: “Leeds United are aware of an image circulating online of Ethan Ampadu’s son.
“Ethan separated from his partner several months ago and has no responsibility for the image in question. Ethan is aware of and sensitive to the tragic loss within the Loftus and Speight families.
“The club asks for Ethan’s privacy to be respected in what is a difficult time for him personally. Our captain has been a leader on and off the pitch this season, demonstrating his commitment to the club, its history, and the broader Leeds community. Ethan has the full support of everybody at Leeds United.
“The club will be making no further comment.”
Credit: Getty
Unlikely favourites
Troy Deeney believes Crystal Palace are favourites to win the FA Cup tomorrow afternoon at Wembley.
Manchester City have dominated English football in recent years and Palace have never won a major trophy before.
But former Watford striker Deeney fancies the underdogs’ chances.
He said on talkSPORT: “Palace have got attacking players who will get at the Man City team. They are very expansive.
“The pace of Eze, Sarr and Mateta as well…they can cause a lot of trouble.”
Deeney continued: “Man City have gone a bit too inverted. Everything’s too inside the pitch at the minute, it’s too congested.
“It’s too similar to what we see with Arsenal, you know what you expect and if you can stop it, then they don’t have a Plan B.
“It’s a weird game where you’d think Palace are probably favourites.”
Credit: Getty
‘One of the greatest’
Jamie Vardy will play his final game for Leicester City this weekend at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes icon is set to end his career at the club with his 500th appearance while potentially scoring his 200th goal.
His last match will occur exactly 13 years from the day he signed.
Speaking about Vardy ahead of Leicester’s meeting with Ipswich, manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said: “When you see the amount of times a player is performing at the highest level, that’s the biggest achievement.
“When you’ve performed 13 seasons at this level, coming up to 500 games, 200 goals, that says it all.
“The standards you set yourself, you live your life around football and how you perform.
“Then you look at the trophies he has won, the individual achievements. It’s the total package for one of the greatest.”
Van Nistelrooy added: “There’s many dates and numbers coming together, but the way I know him, he’ll come in and do his best to try and win the game.
“That’s what he’ll think about, that’s his aim. If that comes with a goal for him, or an assist, that’s how he’ll think.”
Credit: Getty
Ruled out
Despite the positive update from Eddie Howe on Sven Botman, it seems Joelinton’s season is over.
The Brazilian hasn’t played since April 19 and has been working to get back to fitness over recent weeks.
But Howe has confirmed that he’s unlikely to feature in either of Newcastle’s last two games of the campaign.
The Toon boss said: “Yeah, he’s working away behind the scenes.
“He’s typical Joe, he’s absolutely put his foot to the floor to try and get back fit because that’s his nature.
“He wants to be involved, but he’s not close yet, he’s still working his way back.
“I think the biggest possibility is that we don’t see him again this season, then we get him ready for next year.”
Credit: Getty
Botman update
There have been concerns at Newcastle that defender Sven Botman had picked up another serious knee injury.
Botman started his first match in over three months last time out, but he had to be taken off early in the second half.
Reports of another issue followed, however, Eddie Howe has eased worries and given a positive update this morning.
Howe told his press conference that Botman is a doubt to face Arsenal, but he confirmed he hasn’t suffered an ACL issue.
“It was a knock actually. I think he sort of got a bang on his knee – it was sore,” he said. “We’re not sure about Sven’s availability for the weekend, we’ll give him every chance to be fit.
“We don’t think it’s a serious one.”
Howe then continued: “No, no, that’s not the case at all [the issue being a new injury related to ACL].
“I think he’s been unlucky with the ACLs. Obviously I think the first injury he had came from a knock as well.
“That ended up being a really minor operation, but you’re gonna get knocks and bangs and bruises in the position that he plays.
“This is a similar type of thing. I think he’s just been really unlucky on the last two occasions.”
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Sven Botman of Newcastle United reacts to an injury during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Chelsea FC at St James’ Park on May 11, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Familiar face
Harry Kane will come up against Tottenham this summer.
It has been announced this morning that Kane and Bayern Munich will host Spurs in a pre-season friendly.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will compete in the Telekom Cup on Thursday, August 7 at the Allianz Arena.
It is the first time the club will have played away at the Allianz since the group stage of the Champions League in 2019/20.
There will be no away supporter allocation, but fans have been told they are invited to buy general sale tickets.
This will be the second year in a row that Tottenham will play against Bayern and their all-time top goalscorer.
Last summer, Spurs played the German giants twice, with the first meeting in South Korea and the second back in London.
Credit: Getty
‘I expect the best’
Tottenham face Aston Villa tonight in their final game before the Europa League final next Wednesday.
It’s a fixture that is going to favour Villa, who are pushing for a place in the Champions League next season.
Spurs are predicted to rotate hugely and prioritise fitness for the final, but Emery still thinks it’s going to be a huge test.
“Of course, they are trying to manage to play Premier League and to play Europa League,” Emery said.
“How they are performing in the Europa League is really fantastic.
“They’re in the final, and how they can prepare as well as possible for the final maybe is their first objective.
“I think they’re going to play with their better players, they are going to try to compete getting their best performances to be ready for the final.”
He continued: “As well, because to play in the Premier League each match, for the supporters, for the league, is always important.
“I expect of them the best preparations for this game and for the final they’re going to play, with the best players they have.
“Maybe some players are coming back after being injured or someone is not available.
“But I know we have to play our best and we have to focus 100 per cent in our gameplan, for 90 minutes, respecting them.”
Credit: Getty
New kit
Chelsea have announced their new kit for the 2025/26 season ahead of their game against Man United tonight.
Explaining the design on their website, a statement reads: “The 2025/26 home shirt features a textured clash print with our classic blue paired with a brighter shade – embodying the youthful spirit that has shaped west London.
“White and red trims add more Chelsea heritage colours and a specially adapted crest, which matches the colourway and inspiration of the overall design, finishes the shirt.
“With London standing for creativity, innovation and an ever-evolving cultural landscape which is embedded into Chelsea Football Club’s DNA, it is fitting that in our 120th year this incredible city has such a visual representation on our home kit.”
Ex-Blues players, music artists, celebrities and other stars feature in the release video below…
Nearly there
talkSPORT understands that Liverpool have told Bayer Leverkusen they will trigger Jeremie Frimpong’s release clause.
The Dutchman’s clause is 35 million Euros, and after talks with the player and the club, the Reds are set to make their move.
Frimpong would be a direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, given just how good he is at attacking.
He is also versatile and can play on either wing as well as at right-back.
But if he does join, he could be a Fantasy Premier League manager’s dream.
Credit: Getty
Almost there
talkSPORT understands that Dean Huijsen Real Madrid medical is now booked.
The centre-back will undertake the procedure inside the next 24 hours before finalising his transfer from Bournemouth to the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos have agreed to pay the £50 million release clause in Huijsen’s contract.
The young defender has enjoyed an incredible season for the Cherries and was on the radar of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, but he has chosen a move to Real Madrid.
There he will join Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Another one
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Timo Werner has a hamstring injury.
The German international has played just eight minutes of Premier League action since early January.
He has dropped down the pecking order as the campaign has gone on, and he won’t be playing on Friday against Aston Villa or in the Europa League final on Wednesday either.
But in better news, Heung-min Son is set to play some part.
Other nominees
Of course, with Player of the Season, we also have Manager of the Season.
For this, there are five nominees.
Arne Slot: It would be incredible if the Dutchman weren’t nominated for the award after guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first year as Reds boss.
Eddie Howe: Newcastle United are on course for their greatest season in Premier League history, given they won the Carabao Cup are on track for a place in the Champions League.
Nuno Espirito Santo: No one expected Nottingham Forest to get European football this season, but that is what they’ve achieved thanks to the former Wolves boss.
Thomas Frank: Brentford are on course to earn a place in the Europa Conference League this season, which given they lost Ivan Toney and his replacement, would be some achievement.
Vitor Pereira: When Pereira arrived at Molineux Wolves were in the relegation zone
Paul Mitchell will continue to overhaul the Newcastle United squad this summer.
Major changes were made during the January transfer window, with Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly leaving Newcastle United.
Their departures have helped Newcastle’s PSR position, and will allow the club to invest in the summer. Newcastle United want to make three signings, as Paul Mitchell gets set to flex his muscles as a recruiter.
But while the Magpies’ PSR position has improved, there will still be more outgoings. The Newcastle United squad must continue to evolve, especially if Eddie Howe guides his team back into Europe.
Matt Targett of Newcastkle United (13) arrives for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Bromley at St James’ Park on …
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Matt Targett’s Newcastle United future
The likes of Callum Wilson and Jamaal Lascelles could leave when their contracts expire, while fringe players could be sold.
One of those players is Matt Targett, with the Athletic reporting that the left-back is likely to leave Newcastle United during the summer transfer window.
The Athletic report that Lloyd Kelly’s move to Juventus stopped Targett from departing in January, with various clubs trying to sign the 29-year-old.
Leeds United targeted Targett, but were unable to strike a deal for the man who cost Newcastle £15million in 2022.
Matt Targett’s important Newcastle United role
Newcastle United were absolutely right to keep Targett once it became apparent that Kelly would be leaving.
While Targett does not play regularly nowadays, he has now become even more important to Eddie Howe.
With Kelly gone, Newcastle are short of a left-back. That has seen Targett shoot up the pecking order, with the former Aston Villa player completing the full 90 minutes against Birmingham City on Saturday.
Targett is now Lewis Hall’s understudy, and could be part of a special few months on Tyneside.
Newcastle are in the Carabao Cup final, still in the FA Cup and challenging to qualify for the Champions League. If the Magpies are able to end their trophy drought and return to Europe’s elite competition, Targett will be grateful he stayed put.
