Along with Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal has the strongest representation on the PFA Men’s Player of the Year shortlist.

After an amazing season with the Gunners, which saw the team win the title with 85 points, seven more than runners-up Manchester City, Declan Rice, Gabriel, and David Raya have been considered for the prize.

Erling Haaland and Ryan Cherki of Manchester City are also nominated, as is Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, who finished third in the Premier League with a record 21 assists. 

Cherki is also a nominee for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, along with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United and England, 16-year-old Max Dowman of Arsenal, Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool, and Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth.

Despite his performances in front of goal, Haaland, who scored 27 goals to win the league’s golden boot, is not the clear favorite.

Mohamed Salah, a former Liverpool winger who helped his team win the title last year, is not on the shortlist this year due to a lackluster season.

The annual presentation, which takes place at Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, August 25, will reveal the winners of the men’s PFA Player of the Year awards.

The three Arsenal players are the favorites to receive the prize, but even though the Gunners won the title, Fernandes’ record-breaking season could provide an unexpected outcome that evening.

Despite ongoing rumors linking both midfielders to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain has no plans to consider offers for Vitinha or Joao Neves.

Journalist Dani Gil, who works in Paris and writes for publications like COPE, claims that the French champions view the two as untouchable and are never ready to engage in talks.

With both Florentino Perez and rival Enrique Riquelme announcing ambitious sporting ambitions in recent weeks, the rumors have intensified in the run-up to Real Madrid’s presidential election.

During an appearance on Horizonte, Perez fueled the rumors by hinting that he would approve a bid of at least €150 million for a top player if re-elected.

Early sources suggested either Vitinha or Joao Neves, but The Telegraph subsequently stated that Michael Olise, a winger for Bayern Munich, was the main target.

Nevertheless, connections to the PSG midfield duo have persisted. According to Dani Gil, the Parc des Princes hierarchy’s attitude has been clear-cut. Club executives see the rumors as little more than outside chatter and are unwilling to even explore the prospect of a sale.

Their position is scarcely shocking. Both Portuguese internationals played crucial parts during the season, and Luis Enrique’s team just celebrated winning the Champions League for the second time in a row.

Additionally, PSG is in a fully contractually strong position. The Parisian board spent well over €100 million to put together the alliance, and Vitinha and Joao Neves are both committed to the club until June 2029.

Their playing time indicates how important they are to the team, and both are among Luis Enrique’s most reliable players. Consequently, the club’s message is unambiguous: neither player is available.

In the meantime, the election campaign is still dominated by Real Madrid’s transfer ambitions. Names like Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Erling Haaland have all been heavily mentioned in the promises and rumors surrounding the two presidential contenders, in addition to Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Focus has also shifted to the dugout, where Enrique Riquelme has been strongly associated with Jurgen Klopp and Florentino Perez is apparently favoring Jose Mourinho for a second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, continuity rather than change continues to be the main focus in Paris. PSG is not under any financial pressure to profit from their greatest assets after bolstering the team with additions like Illia Zabarnyi and Lucas Chevalier.

Vitinha and Joao Neves will continue to be at the center of Luis Enrique’s plan for the 2026–2027 season, barring an unforeseen turn of events. However, both will focus on playing for Portugal at the next World Cup before that.

Scotland international Andy Robertson has joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool this summer.

Spurs’ first summer acquisition after avoiding Premier League relegation is the Scotland international.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi of the Spurs stated, “Andy is someone I’ve admired for many years and he will bring outstanding technical qualities, experience, leadership and mentality to our team.

“He is a proven winner at the highest level over a long period and is someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch.

“I can’t wait to start working with him and seeing the positive impact he will have on everyone around him.”

Due to Liverpool’s inability to bring back Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma, Tottenham attempted to sign Robertson in January.

According to reports, the 32-year-old chose to continue with his initial plan to join Spurs despite Juventus’ late inquiry.

Robertson had a prosperous nine years in Merseyside, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 378 games. With 93 caps for Scotland, he will captain the Tartan Army at their first World Cup since 1998 this month.