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Despite a 1-0 home defeat to Swansea this week ending an unbeaten run for Arsenal, the general feeling around the Emirates Stadium is one of optimism.

The Gunners look like a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title next season, while a number of summer signings would drill the point home further.

However, there will also be players on their way out of the North London club at the end of the current campaign, with attacking outcast Lukas Podolski surely amongst them.

The experienced Germany international has spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Inter, while he did not start a single Premier League game in the 2014 segment of the season.

With Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez arriving last summer, Podolski is well down the attacking pecking order, with a player of his stature and track record craving regular first-team football.

As such, the former Bayern Munich forward will surely depart this summer; here are three Premier League sides that could land a bargain addition by moving for Podolski in the off-season…

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Newcastle

Assuming that the Tyneside outfit stay in the top flight this season, there is set to be a major overhaul at the club this summer.

A new manager will arrive with plenty of players seemingly set to be sold and a real necessity for quality in the St James’ Park squad.

Podolski could be a shrewd acquisition that would bring the versatility to play in a number of different positions and bolster Newcastle’s limited options in the final third.

With goals in short supply in the North East, the German’s addition as either a central striker or someone to start in a withdrawn role would add menace to the team’s attack.

Aston Villa

One of the key issues that Tim Sherwood will need to address this summer at Villa Park is nullifying the over-reliance on Christian Benteke to get goals for the team.

When the Belgian has been injured or out of form the club have struggled, while his return to prolific showings in recent times has sparked an upturn in fortunes for the Birmingham-based outfit.

There will be a chance that Benteke could leave Aston Villa this summer, but whether he does or not attacking reinforcements would be most welcome.

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Partnering Podolski with Benteke would be an exciting proposition, while if the worst case scenario does occur and the Belgian leaves, the German would be a canny alternative to get goals for the side.

Swansea

Following the sale of Wilfried Bony in the January transfer window, Garry Monk’s attacking options are looking very limited, with Bafetimbi Gomis the only recognised number nine of real calibre at the Welsh club’s disposal.

As such, someone with Podolski’s eye for goal and ability to play as the main striker or amongst the supporting cast would be a smart option.

The Germany international would thrive on the creative supply of the Swansea midfield and wingers, with every chance he could be a revelation at the Liberty Stadium.

Dwight Tiendalli is set to hold talks with Swansea this week over a possible new deal to stay at the Liberty Stadium.

Tiendalli was a free agent when he was drafted in at the start of the season after a horror injury ruled Neil Taylor out for the entire campaign and he hopes to have done enough to earn a new deal.

The form of Ben Davies means Tiendalli did not play as much as he would have liked and with Taylor now back to full fitness it remains to be seen if there will be room in Michael Laudrup’s squad for him.

That will become a lot clearer when talks take place this week and Tiendalli has admitted he would like to stay with the Swans.

“Me and the club are going to talk about the future and we will see where it ends,” he revealed. “We’re going to talk this week. It’s not just about the last couple of weeks, it’s about all the games.

“I have a feeling I did my job well and we will see what happens. Of course I want to stay. I like Swansea.”

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Leeds fans are absolutely furious despite Saturday’s huge win, after news broke that Victor Orta will stay at the club this summer.

It’s been an up and down season for Leeds fans. “Up and down” in this instance literally meaning up then down, down and further down.

After a good run of form before Christmas, fans have watched on in despair as their side’s playoff push has completely evaporated.

With pressure mounting on manager Paul Heckingbottom, his side did him proud on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Barnsley.

Heckingbottom moved to Elland Road from Barnsley in February, so he would have certainly enjoyed the win that came courtesy of goals from Tom Pearce and Ezgjan Alioski.

It’s fair to say fans might not have enjoyed today so much though if they saw the news about Victor Orta.

Orta has taken plenty of stick for his awful recruitment since coming to Elland Road, and Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post reported before the match that reports linking Orta with a move to Deportivo are wide of the mark.

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Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

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Chris Smalling’s talks about a new contract with Manchester United have been put on hold until the end of the season with it uncertain as to whether the defender will still be a United player next season.

The defender is keen to stay at Old Trafford and he is enjoying life at the Red Devils with Louis van Gaal. He has made 22 appearances this season for the club and after a slow start which saw him put in some bad performances, he has greatly improved his game. After getting sent off in November against Manchester City many fans would have been happy not to have seen him play again but now he is quickly becoming a more dependable defender. After receiving two extremely careless yellows it looked like he would be left on the bench for the rest of the season and out of the door this summer. So all being considered – should he stay at Manchester United next season?

United’s defence has been one of their biggest problems this season with van Gaal not being completely sure of what his strongest back four is. The back four has chopped and changed all year and earlier in the season Smalling was someway behind Jonny Evans and Phil Jones  in the pecking order but it seems his current form has brought him to the front with van Gaal picking him to start for the last five matches in a row and Roy Hodgson calling him up to play for England.

In September Smalling suffered from being played out of position similar to how he finished last season but he has come to be fairly reliable (okay he has had the occasional off day, but everybody does its natural). When you look at this season’s statistics against some of the Premier League’s other defenders- John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma all have worst statistics than Smalling. He passes forward more, makes more interceptions and scores more goals but his weakness lies in winning headers.

There might be a solution to this. Mats Hummels has been linked with joining Man United’s defence over the summer and with eight defenders already on the books someone with surely have to go. They could make it easy and move Smalling on seeing as his contract is already up but it means the defenders will need to show van Gaal what they are made of for the rest of the season.

Smalling plays better against a traditional centre back and with Hummels being known for being dominate in the defence it could be the perfect partnership. Smalling has greatly improved as the season has gone on- he has come into his best just when it matters.

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After looking at all that it seems like Chris Smalling is growing to really fit in to United’s back four and as he wants to stay at Old Trafford I think van Gaal should get his contract written up before the likes of Arsenal come and snap him up.

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Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has called for a change in the international calender to reduce the number of games in a season.

The Spaniard is preparing his Blues squad for their 59th game of the season on Sunday against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.

That figure is larger for those players who are full internationals, with England alone having played nine games already this season.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already called for international friendlies to be abolished, labelling them a “hindrance”.

Meanwhile, England coach Roy Hodgson has spoken of his frustration at trying to assemble a squad during international breaks, with many club bosses seeing it as a chance to rest players rather than allowing them to join up with their countries.

Now Benitez has called for internationals to be reduced, with one solution being the introduction of a two-tier system in qualifying.

That would stop fixtures such as last month’s San Marino v England game, which saw the Three Lions romp home to a comfortable 8-0 victory against a side who have only ever won one game in their history.

“We play too many games in a season,” said the Spaniard. “I wouldn’t say just international games but they [the players] are playing too many games.

“We maybe have to check at the competitions and maybe reduce some of them.

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“To see a game where you can win 8-0 at international level is not an amazing experience for anyone, so you have to have a Group A for top sides in Europe.

“You then have a Group B and if they do well they can go to Group A, so you have less games.”

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According to a number of reports, West Ham United are considering a move for Stoke City attacker Xherdan Shaqiri in this summer’s transfer window.

The 26-year-old has scored seven times and registered six assists in 32 Premier League appearances for the Potters this season, and will surely move on if Paul Lambert’s side are relegated to the Championship for the 2018-19 campaign.

Shaqiri’s talent has never been in doubt, but there are suggestions that the Swiss lacks the work-rate and indeed desire to be a player at the top level.

West Ham boss David Moyes was able to have a closer look at Shaqiri on Monday night when Stoke visited the London Stadium in the Premier League.

It was the attacker’s strike that Joe Hart spilled to allow Peter Crouch to send Stoke ahead, and there is no question that the former Bayern Munich winger, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, was the away side’s player of the night.

Boasting three dribbles and two shots, Shaqiri was regularly involved in the final third of the field, whilst a passing accuracy of 90% shows just how well he used the ball.

Statistics of 54 touches and three key passes also demonstrate his effectiveness on the night, and there is no question that he has the ability to slot into one of West Ham’s attacking positions.

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There are occasions where Shaqiri frustrates, but he has been Stoke’s standout player this season, and the possibility of the former Bayern Munich attacker linking with Marko Arnautovic in the final third of the field is an exciting thought for the West Ham fans.

There is every reason to believe that Shaqiri would continue to improve alongside the likes of Manuel Lanzini, and the pair could cause havoc together next season.

According to reports from The Metro earlier this week, Manchester United are considering a summer bid for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.

The Belgium international has been in stunning form since Tim Sherwood took the Villa Park reins from Paul Lambert in February, going on to claim ten goals in ten appearances across all competitions – including a hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers and the opener in the Villains’ 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool.

But whether he’s quite at the standard of 13-time Premier League winners Manchester United remains open to debate. After all, the Red Devils have boasted some of the greatest strikers in world football down the years and their current strike-force – Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao – isn’t too shabby either.

So before the Old Trafford out fork out a whopping £30million for the beastly Belgian, Football Fancast feels compelled to consider some alternatives on their behalf. Would one of these FIVE be a better fit for United?

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HARRY KANE

After just one season of superlative form, snapping up Tottenham’s Harry Kane this summer would be a huge risk on Manchester United’s part, but nonetheless one that offers huge goalscoring rewards.

After all, the 21 year-old is the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League this term with 20 goals in 30 appearances – a total only surpassed in the top flight by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

More than simply his goals, it’s the England international’s all-round game that truly stands out. He’s good on the ball, dangerous in the air, deadly in front of goal and infectious in his enthusiasm, earning him comparisons with Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller and England greats Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham.

Admittedly, it could be a summer too soon for the Tottenham talisman. He’d hardly be the first or the last one-season wonder in the Premier League, and he still has a lot to learn.

But United have made a point of maintaining their synonymy with the England national team throughout the years and Kane appears to have an incredibly bright Three Lions career ahead of him.

CARLOS BACCA

After two fantastic seasons at Sevilla, Carlos Bacca’s £21.3million release clause is almost certain to be triggered by one of Europe’s top clubs this summer.

Indeed, the Colombian international’s 21 goals last season fired the La Liga outfit to the 2014 Europa League title, but he’s already surpassed that impressive haul this year in seven less outings, bringing his total for Los Rojiblancos to 45 goals in 97 appearances.

Powerful, quick and unorthodox in style, the 28 year-old seems like a natural suitor the physical demands of Premier League – and he’d add some much-needed penetration to United’s often static front-line.

Admittedly, however, Bacca’s relatively untested compared to some of the other names on this list, having spent the majority of his career in South America and with Belgian side Club Brugge.

But based on his current form, £21.3million is an absolute bargain – and £9million cheaper than Benteke.

Paulo Dybala

Palermo prodigy Paulo Dybala is the striker everybody seems to want this summer – including Manchester United.

His return of 13 goals and 10 assists in 32 Serie A appearances has attracted interest from the Red Devils, Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG and Juventus to name a few, whilst earning him comparisons with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez.

High praise indeed, but the 21 year-old certainly shares the latter’s drive and potency on the counter-attack – which is exactly why the Premier League’s top clubs should be trying to snap him up this summer.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has made no secret of his desire to cash in on the young Argentine, continually hyping Dybala in the tabloids like some sort of boxing mogul.

His £29.5million release clause is more than affordable for United; the bigger challenge is beating their continental rivals to the striker’s signature.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Robert Lewandowski may have moved to the Allianz Arena only last summer, but he’s struggled to adapt to the style of Pep Guardiola’s highly technical Bayern Munich side – despite a return of 23 goals in 43 appearances this season.

Indeed, the Poland international is your classic No.9 of the Alan Shearer or Didier Drogba mould, but he’s utilised more as a poacher by the Bavarians boss – and, on occasion, even found himself fielded on the left wing.

There’s been some grumblings of discontent in the tabloids and if founded in truth, the Red Devils would be wide to offer Lewandowski an escape route to Old Trafford.

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There’s no questioning the 26 year-old’s talent; few strikers throughout the history of the sport have scored four goals in a single game against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and he boasts a potent return of 126 goals in 228 appearances from his time in Germany.

Furthermore, having signed the 6 foot striker on a free transfer last summer, the Bavarians might be more willing to part with Lewandowksi than some would expect – for the right price, of course.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

If PSG don’t intend to sell Edinson Cavani this summer as recent tabloid speculation suggests, then they’ll probably be forced to part with Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who, rather timely, is now verging upon the final year of his Parc de Princes contract.

Admittedy, at 33 years of age the enigmatic Swede doesn’t offer too much in the way of longevity – and you get the feeling he and Louis van Gaal would either hit it off or completely hate each other.

Yet, Ibahimovic is indisputably the greatest striker of his generation, the only genuine competitor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the last five years and a natural winner – he’s not ended a campaign without a title since 2003. That’s right, twelve seasons on the bounce.

And 28 goals in 31 appearances this term suggests the former AC Milan and Barcelona star still has a bit left in the tank. Although he’s clearly fond of Paris, the Premier League is one of the few remaining challenges left his career.

Peter Schmeichel recently claimed Ibrahimovic was ‘born to play’ for United, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper is set to end his time on Tyneside in the summer after the North East club refused to offer him a new contract.

Harper has given 20 years of service to his boyhood club but has made just 155 league appearances for the Magpies as the 38 year old continues to play second fiddle at St James’ Park.

Shay Given dominated between the stick for the majority of Harper’s time at the club and now Dutch hotshot Tim Krul and impressive stopper Rob Elliot have the one and two spots between them.

Whether you feel Harper has shown great loyalty to the club or a distinct lack of ambition, it is extremely rare to see a player stick to a single club for 20 years and that is something to praise.

Harper is continuing to pick up his coaching badges but is yet to make a decision on his long term future after the summer.

“It has been a privilege to be a professional at such a fantastic football club,” Harper told the Evening Chronicle.

“If you had said to me as a raw kid from Seaham I’d be at the club for 20 years as a professional, I would have said you were mad.

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“People describe the club as an emotional roller-coaster and it certainly has been. I’ve had some fantastic times here. There have been some difficult times as well, but I have enjoyed it all.”

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Writing in his column for The Evening Times, former Rangers hero Lee McCulloch believes Graeme Murty should select Kenny Miller for this weekend’s massive Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.

What’s the story?

Sunday’s fixture represents Rangers’ last chance to win silverware this season and an opportunity to show progress has been made against Celtic this season.

Having failed to beat the Hoops since Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club, it’s an enormous task for Graeme Murty and his men but Lee McCulloch reckons that selecting Miller will go a long way towards securing a result.

Writing for The Evening Times, the former Gers captain said:

On an occasion like this, you need to use your experience and there is nobody more experienced than Kenny Miller. I know it is only one game and one goal, but he came in and his confidence will be high. He would be in my side.

The way Celtic play, you are all but guaranteed that they will score. So Rangers need to score at least twice if they are going to win.

Having Miller and Morelos in there gives you a real threat. You need to turn up with a belief that you are going to win the game and you need to set out to win it.

Can Kenny Miller be the difference in what will be a high tempo, high pressure match?

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Derby hero

Miller has one of the greatest scoring records against Celtic of any Rangers player, scoring 10 goals in 18 matches including one in a Scottish Cup semi-final which the Light Blues went on to win on penalties.

Although he’s been a less important figure at the club this term, he has scored five goals and created five assists, demonstrating he still has what it takes to produce for the club.

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It’d be a big ask for him to start Sunday’s match but perhaps a role from the bench would be more suitable if the game is tight in the second half.

There aren’t many other players you’d fancy more to bag a goal on the big stage against the Hoops than the former Scotland international.

The Premier League might be about to receive a bit of a shake up.

While Mourinho has been his loud usual self and Manchester City have been taking the headlines, Arsenal have been quietly getting on with business each week. The Gunners had a fantastic game against their London rivals West Ham at the weekend and if they carry on playing like that then anything is possible.

Arsenal could be set to retain the FA Cup, steal second place in the Premier League and they are still in with a chance of progressing in the Champions League. Monaco may be in extremely good form at present – conceding just four goals in 17 outings – but Arsenal’s form is equally as impressive.

Their latest victory, the 3-0 thrashing of West Ham, was Arsenal’s fourteenth from their last 17 outings in all competitions. At the start of the season no one would have believed it was possible.

They failed to beat Everton, Leicester, Hull, Swansea and Stoke – so how have they become one of Chelsea’s closest rivals for the title?

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Manchester City failed to win again at the weekend, losing 1-0 to relegation contenders Burnley, and with their chances of securing the title for the second year in a row looking less likely, Arsenal appear to be showing some intent on upsetting what initially looked like a forgone conclusion.

The Gunners have won four in a row since their defeat in the first leg of the Champions League against Monaco and they have had over 20 different goal scorers in all competitions this season. At the beginning of the season there was a clear divide in the Arsenal fan base between those who wanted Wenger to stay and those who wanted him to go, but he could be about to pull off their best season in a number of years.

The camp is still divided, though, as many believe it is time to start the post-Wenger era of Arsenal’s existence, but the Gunners’ manager is confident that they can overcome a first-leg 3-1 defeat to beat Monaco tonight and is proving he might still be the perfect man to guide Arsenal forwards.

Realistically, Arsenal look set to be the only English team who could qualify for the next round of the Champions League. Manchester City lost their first-leg against Barcelona and, with their current form, it seems unlikely that they can come from behind at the Bernabeu.

If Arsenal manage to beat Monaco and City are knocked out, it could be the final push Arsenal need to force a way in to the top two of the Premier League.

They are only seven points behind leaders Chelsea and, with them already of the Champions League, the Blues; against PSG seemed to be playing on their minds during their 1-1 home draw with Southampton on Sunday.

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Wenger’s critics seemed to have quietened down over recent weeks and their win over Manchester United in the FA Cup an  fantastic performance against West Ham means things may just be improving for the veteran manager.

If their form continues until now and the end of the campaign hen it may just be one of Arsenal’s best seasons in quite a few years.

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