ARSENE WENGER EXTENDS HIS ARSENAL CONTRACT.

Wenger informed the board on Tuesday that he will put pen to paper on the £8million-a-year deal that has been on the table for nearly the duration of the just concluded EPL season.

Pressure mounted on Wenger after the Gunners failed to make the top four for the first time in the Frenchman's 21-year tenure.

But the FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea, gave Wenger some respite at the end of a disappointing campaign.

Wenger revealed following the final that he would be sitting down with the board this week to confirm where his future lies.

Wenger said: “I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement.

We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere.

"This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful.

We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge and that will be our focus this summer and next season.

“I am grateful to have the support of the board and Stan in doing everything we can to win more trophies. It’s what we all want and I know it’s what our fans around the world demand.”

Majority owner Stan Kroenke said: “Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe.

It’s what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect and we won’t rest until that is achieved.

"Arsène is the best person to help us make that happen. He has a fantastic track record and has our full backing.”

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis added: “There is no complacency anywhere at this club. Our goal is to compete for and win trophies here and in Europe.

Everything we do is designed to make that happen and we will be working hard on and off the pitch this summer to improve and make a strong challenge next season.

"The club has grown beyond recognition in every aspect in recent years and we have the platform to be successful and meet the ambitions we and our fans share.”

Wenger also admits he needs to slim down his squad.

"First of all, we have a very heavy squad at the moment so maybe we might lose some players.

We want to keep the strength we have and build on that," Wenger said. "We will work very hard to find the additions of top, top quality.

"I believe that our squad is very strong and we will only look for top-class people who can strengthen our team now.

The basis is there so we need the additions who will make a real difference.

“I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement.

We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere.

"This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful.

We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge and that will be our focus this summer and next season.

THE MOST VALUABLE FOOTBALL CLUB IN EUROPE REVEALED!

Manchester United have been revealed as the most valuable football club in Europe, reports The Mirror Sport.

The club have an Enterprise Value (EV) of £2.7bn - more than any other club on the continent.

That’s according to the latest KPMG Football Clubs’ Valuation report which uses EV to fairly compare what clubs are worth regardless of the structure used to finance their operations.

It also does not consider the business and sporting results achieved by each club in the 2016/17 football season.

It works out as a seven per cent increase in EV for the Red Devils and puts them ahead of Real Madrid who have the next largest EV of £2.6bn.

Barcelona are in third with an EV of £2.41bn, Bayern Munich are in fourth with an EV of £2.13bn and Manchester City are in fifth with an of £1.73bn
Six of the top 10 most valuable clubs in the report are from the Premier League, with
Arsenal in sixth, Chelsea in seventh, Liverpool in eighth and Tottenham in 10th.

The report also found that the EV of Europe’s 32 leading clubs now stands at a massive £26.09bn, a 14% increase.

THE TOP TEN
1 Manchester United
2 Real Madrid
3 Barcelona
4 Bayern Munich
5 Manchester City
6 Arsenal
7 Chelsea
8 Liverpool
9 Juventus
10 Tottenham.

Andrea Sartori, KPMG’s Global Head of Sports and the report’s author, commented: “The aggregate value of Europe’s 32 leading football clubs suggests that the overall value of football, as an industry, has grown.

"While this is partially explained by football’s broadcasting boom, the internationalisation of the clubs’ commercial operations, their investment into privately-owned and modern facilities, and overall more sustainable management practices, are also key reasons for this growth.

“In terms of media rights value, the English Premier League sits comfortably at the top of European leagues, although other major leagues have outlined well-defined strategies to compete for the attention of global fans.

"However, unlike other factors, an individual club’s ability to influence their broadcasting income is often limited, despite the very evident impact this revenue stream has on their Enterprise Value.”

RIYAD MAHREZ HANDS LEICESTER CITY HIS TRANSFER REQUEST.

Riyad Mahrez has stunned Leicester by handing in a transfer request and wants to challenge for major honours next season.

Mahrez played a major role in helping the Midlands club to win the Premier League title last season.

The Algeria international was named PFA Player of the Year, but he failed to reach the same standards last season as his team failed to finish in the top half of the table.

The 26-year-old now feels the time is right for him to move on and hopes the Leicester fans will understand his decision as he wants to keep competing for major trophies.

Mahrez said: "Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and transparent with them and have therefore informed the club that I feel now is the time for me to move on.

"I had a good discussion with the chairman last summer and we agreed at that time that I would stay for another year in order to help the club as best as I could following the transition of winning the title and in the Champions League.

"However, I am fiercely ambitious and feel that now is the time to move on to a new experience.

"I've always enjoyed a good relationship with the Chairman and everyone at the club, and I hope I have been able to repay the faith shown to me by my performances and commitment on the pitch during my time here.

"I've had the four best seasons of my career at Leicester and have loved every moment.

I feel immense pride to have been a part of what we have achieved during my time at the club, culminating in becoming Premier League champions.

"The relationship I share with the club and our amazing fans is something I will treasure forever and I truly hope they will understand and respect my decision."

BOURNEMOUTH SIGN CHELSEA'S GOALKEEPER.

Bournemouth have made their first major signing of the summer after agreeing a £10million deal to sign Asmir Begovic from Chelsea.

Begovic enjoyed a memorable season with the west London club having won the Premier League title, but failed to establish a regular place in the side as Thibaut Courtois has established himself as first-choice keeper at Stamford Bridge.

Bournemouth were hoping to clinch his signature and the Bosnia and Herzegovina keeper was thrilled to put pen to paper on a long-term deal.

He will join up with the south coast club on July 1.

Begovic enjoyed a brief loan spell with Bournemouth back in 2007 where he made eight appearances and is relishing the chance to work under Eddie Howe next season.

Begovic said: "“AFC Bournemouth is an exciting, ambitious club which has everything in place for a very bright future.

“Being part of a title-winning team at Chelsea was amazing but I felt now was the right time to move on because I want to be playing regular football.

“I am coming into an important part of my career and I want to show people what I am capable of.

“When I spoke to Eddie Howe I knew AFC Bournemouth was the right club for me and I want to bring my experience to the squad, both on and off the pitch.

“I’m really excited to be part of the journey here and hope I can help take the club to another level.”

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said: “Asmir is an outstanding goalkeeper who has proved himself capable of performing at the highest level over a number of years.

“He is at the right age and the right fit. He is a leader as well and exactly the kind of character you want in the team.

“Asmir will provide great competition to the excellent group of goalkeepers we already have here and his experience will prove invaluable in the dressing room and on the pitch.

“I look forward to him being a very important player here for years to come.”

ARSENAL SET TO SIGN NIGERIAN YOUNGSTER, HENRY ONYEKURU.

Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal for Nigerian teenager, Henry Onyekuru.

The winger has had a fine season with Belgian club KAS Eupen where he is the top scorer with 23 goals.

So many Clubs in Europe including West Ham, Liverpool, Club Brugge, and Anderlecht are monitoring his situation, but Arsenal appear to have won the race after reportedly triggering his release clause of £6.8m.

Celtic failed with a bid to sign him in January as the Belgian side wanted to hold on to their prized asset but now they could be willing to let him move on.

After the interest from the Scottish champions in January, Onyekuru admitted: "I have made my decision to leave. I have already agreed with Eupen that I am joining my new club after this season."

Everton were thought to be close to a deal to sign the Nigerian in January, but according to Soccer Nigeria, Onyekuru who is an ardent Arsenal fan, looks likely to join the Gunners in the Summer.

LUIS ENRIQUE'S LIKELY REPLACEMENT AT BARCA LEAVES PRESENT JOB.

Ernesto Valverde is leaving Athletic Bilbao, the club have announced.

The move paves the way for the manager to be named the replacement for Luis Enrique at Barcelona, as many expect.

According to The Mirror Sport, Valverde, a former Barca player, is believed to be the front-runner to take over at the Nou Camp when the news is revealed next Monday.

The chances of that being Valverde, a former Barca player, increased on Tuesday night with Athletic confirming the 53-year-old will not be in charge of the Basque outfit next season.

A brief club statement read: "Ernesto Valverde will not continue as coach of the first team of Athletic Club in the 2017/18 campaign.

"The coach, accompanied by president Josu Urrutia, will hold a press conference on Wednesday, May 24 at 1200 (local time) at San Mames."

El Correo reported over the weekend that
Valverde had already signed a two-year deal to take over from Enrique on May 29.

The deal was apparently done, according to the publication, on Sunday morning and for Valverde will “fulfil one of his dreams after two previously-failed attempts”.

The 53-year-old knows all about the Catalan club, having played for the Spanish giants between 1988 and 1990.

He was a member of Johann Cruyff's famous 'dream team' side and won a Copa Del Rey and a European Cup Winners' Cup during his time at the Nou Camp.

Valverde has had a fair amount of success during his time at Bilbao, having led his team to Champions League qualification in his first season in 2013, as well as a Copa Del Rey triumph in 2015.

Meanwhile outgoing Barca boss Luis Enrique will take charge of his final match at the Nou Camp on Sunday as Barcelona bid to win the La Liga title for the 25th time.

Enrique's side host Eibar needing a win to stand any chance of lifting the trophy, with their fate balancing on whether Malaga can beat league leaders Real Madrid.

Barcelona currently sit three points behind Madrid with just one game to go, but with a better head-to-head record.

FULL TIME AT STOCKHOLM... AJAX v MAN UTD.

AJAX 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2.


Pogba 18', Mkhitaryan 48'.

''PLEASE DON'T GO''... KOSCIENLY BEGS SANCHEZ.

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has urged Alexis Sanchez to stay at the Emirates as uncertainty over the Chilean's future continues to gather pace.

Sanchez has carried the Gunners on occasions this season, netting 28 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions, and scored a brace on Tuesday evening to secure a 2-0 win over Sunderland.

His future is still up in the air having so far refused to put pen to paper on fresh terms with his current contract set to expire by the end of next season.

Arsenal go into the final day a point behind Liverpool in the race for the top four and host Everton at the Emirates while the Reds take on already relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield.

"Firstly, he scored a lot of goals for us but his first job is not to be a striker, it is more midfield but he is an unbelievable player.

He just wants to fight and have the best result for the club," Koscielny told Sky Sports.

"When you have a player like this in your team, to show the way we want to grow together, it is important and I think he has a lot of players behind him to keep him.

"I don't think there are a lot of players like him and a player like this who can be the difference during the game, it's rare.

We want to keep him with us because we know he is so important for our team."

EUROPA LEAGUE FULL TIME RESULTS.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 CELTA VIGO 1.

OLYMPIC LYON 3 AJAX 1.

FULL TIME AT ST. MARY'S STADIUM...SOUTHAMPTON v ARSENAL.

SOUTHAMPTON 0 ARSENAL 2.

Sanchez, Giroud.

FULL TIME AT ESTADIO VICENTE CALDERON... ATLETICO MADRID v REAL MADRID.

ATLETICO MADRID 2 REAL MADRID 1 (2-4agg.) .

Saul, Griezmaan.

Isco.

FULL TIME AT TURIN... JUVENTUS v MONACO.

JUVENTUS 2 MONACO 1.

Mandzukic 34', Alves 45'.

Mbappe 69'.

FULL TIME AT STAMFORD BRIDGE... CHELSEA v MIDDLESBROUGH.

Chelsea 3 Middlesbrough 0

Costa 23', Human (OG) 34', Matic 65'.

ANTONIO CONTE WANT TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON, NOT WITHSTANDING THE IMMINENT DEPARTURES OF TERRY, COSTA, AND OTHER STARS.

Antonio Conte insists he is only just getting started with Chelsea poised to clinch the title.

The Italian will bring the trophy back to Stamford Bridge this week, if his side beat Middlesbrough tonight and West Brom on Friday.

“For sure, we are in a moment of transition.” he said. “We are losing a lot of top players who have written the story, the history, of this club."

Diego Costa is set to go to China in the summer and Conte says: “This season we lost Ivanovic, we lost Mikel and, next season, we'll have lost John [Terry] - three players.

“Don't forget Oscar, who went in the January transfer market when we sold him.

“Now it's very difficult to face this problem [Costa] and I don't want to think about this problem.

"I want to focus on the present and be prepared to face every situation and find the right solution."

Chelsea could bring in up to six or more players this summer with reinforcements being sought throughout the side.

Conte added: “I think that we are building. We are building. We are starting to build this season. If we are able to win, it's a great achievement for us.

When you start to build, it's very difficult to win during the season. Instead we stayed there.

“Now we are building to try and create a good foundation to ensure that Chelsea always stay in and fight for the Champions League.
"We have to try to win the Champions League and the title.

ANTONIO CONTE CLAIMS THAT TOTTENHAM WERE AHEAD OF CHELSEA AND COULD HAVE EASILY WON THE LEAGUE.

Antonio Conte says Spurs would have run away with the title had it not been for his relentless Chelsea team.

The Blues host Middlesbrough on Monday night, bidding to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points following the north Londoners’ shock defeat at West Ham on Friday.

Chelsea could now go on to win the title before Spurs play again as they travel to West Brom on Friday in what could be the title clincher for the Blues, while Mauricio Pochettino’s men host Manchester United next Sunday.

But Conte has credited Spurs for being the only team in the Premier League to apply any pressure to his side.

He said: “In this season, if Chelsea had not performed in this way, Tottenham would win the title without difficulty.

“Only this great season (from us) is pushing them to fight and, maybe, to win or not to win the title.”

He added: “I must be honest about this topic. I think that Tottenham have an advantage if you compare them to Chelsea.

“Mauricio Pochettino is a really good manager and is now working with his team for a third year.

“Tottenham, last season, fought to win the title - Chelsea arrived 10th. You can see our transfer market, and Tottenham’s transfer market.

“Tottenham, in their project, have an advantage if you compare them to us.

This is my first season and I found a lot of situations, a lot of players.

“Pochettino has been working there for three years and has changed a lot of players, and is working very well.

“For me, Tottenham are a really strong team and it’s normal to see them fighting for the title. But, I repeat, Tottenham’s position for me is more advanced if you compare Tottenham’s to Chelsea.”

Conte rejected the fact that he, in fact, enjoyed an advantage over Spurs as the north Londoners played eight more games that his side before Friday due to their European commitments.

He added: “I don’t know, I don’t know. But don’t forget that Tottenham dropped at the first group stage [of the Champions League] and then dropped in the first game in the Europa League.

“If you consider our games and their games, there is a difference of what, eight games?

“But if you consider the squads, the numbers in each squad, you can see the difference: one team prepared to play the Champions League with 25 or 26 players, and another who prepared to play the league, the FA Cup and the League Cup.”

Conte expects the north Londoners to be back among the title challengers next season with Pochettino set to spend big in the transfer market this summer.

“My expectation was a great challenge in this league against City, United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.” he said.

“Next season for us it will be the same. But we have one year to work and then the possibility to go into the market and choose the right players on my idea of football.”

LIVE FROM THE ETIHAD... MANCHESTER CITY v CRYSTAL PALACE.

Manchester City 5 Crystal Palace 0.
Silva 2', Kompany 48', De Bruyne 60', Sterling, Otamendi.

FULL TIME AT BALAIDOS... CELTA VIGO v MANCHESTER UNITED.

CELTA VIGO 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1.


Rashford 68',

FULL TIME AT STADE LOUIS II... MONACO v JUVENTUS.

MONACO 0 JUVENTUS 2.


Higuain 29', 59'.

FULL TIME AT THE SANTIAGO BERNABEU... REAL MADRID v ATLETICO MADRID.

REAL MADRID 3 ATLETICO MADRID 0.

Ronaldo (10', 73', 86').

IT IS NEITHER RONALDO NOR MESSI; DYBALA REVEALS HIS ALL TIME FAVORITE PLAYER.

Juventus striker, Paulo Dyabala took the footballing world by storm with his sensational performances in the Champions League this season.

The 23-year old single-handedly dismantled Barcelona in the first-leg of Juventus' quarter-final with the Catalan giants.

His expertly taken goals brought comparisons with his fellow countryman and five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi.

However, there is another footballing hero from South America that Dybala looks up to, and he does not come from Argentina.

According to the 23-year-old himself, a Brazilian legend is in fact his idol, and someone he would have loved to have played alongside.

"The one player's shirt that I would still love to have is Ronaldinho's," Dybala told UEFA.com.

"One day Gennaro Gattuso promised me that he was going to call him to ask him for a shirt for me, because he'd played with him, but it didn't happen.

"Ronaldinho was one of my favourite players when I was growing up and the image he conveyed to me was that you've got to have fun and play with a smile on your face."

The Juventus forward also explained that this is the difference between football in Europe and in South America.

According to Dybala, stars back home always play with a smile, but this isn't always something picked up on by coaches in the game's top leagues.

DALEY BLIND'S GIRLFRIEND SUPPORTS HER MAN IN A SPECIAL WAY.

Daley Blind's girlfriend has found a new way to show support for the Manchester United defender, reports The Mirror Sport.

Candy Rae Feur was joined by her pals at Old Trafford for Sunday afternoon's game against Swansea.

And they all sported a brand new fashion accessory that ensured they grabbed the attention of fans as they walked in - 'Team Blind' snapback caps.

Candy Rae, a model and dancer by trade, led group of blonde and brunettes to the executive entrance and the box where they watched the action from.

Despite being a footballer's girlfriend, Candy Rae does not like to be referred to as a WAG.

She previously said: “I am not a WAG, I don’t feel like a player’s girlfriend. It is the other way round! He is a dancer’s man!"

Fleur added: “At United every wife or girlfriend will get photographed wherever you go.

"When we were at Ajax and we all went out, there was never a photographer around.

“I love fashion, but I won’t go all dolled up to matches. I just make sure I wear something red and my big red United scarf.”

CHELSEA'S WEAK LINK, REVEALED.

Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew believes there is one area Chelsea are vulnerable under Antonio Conte - and it's in defence.

The Blues have however, conceded the second least amount of goals in the Premier League this season after Tottenham in what has been a successful campaign.

Conte has guided his side to 26 victories in 34 matches and looks set to win the title in his first year in charge of the south west London club.

Pardew heaped praise on the Italian, while providing analysis on Sky Sports during Liverpool's 1-0 win over Watford on Monday night.

However he did pick out an area in which he believes Chelsea can be vulnerable.

"The only slight weakness they have is this channel down [Gary] Cahill's side," said Pardew on Sky Sports.

"Because he [Azpilicueta] is a natural full-back, he can deal with what's coming down the side of the box. Cahill, not so much.

"And obviously this [Marcos Alonso] is an inexperienced player who's had an unbelievable season.
"I don't think anybody would have assumed he'd do that role as well as he has.

"We looked to get in these pockets down the side of [Nemanja] Matic who hasn't got quite the legs of [N'Golo] Kante and then try and get to Cahill.
"But it's very difficult."