Football news: Arsenal make move for wonderkid as Arne Slot forced into Mo Salah defence

Arsenal are stepping up their search for a striker with the Premier League title race all but over, though leaders Liverpool did slip up against Fulham on Sunday

Though they fell to defeat to Fulham on Sunday, Liverpool retain a virtually unassailable lead in the Premier League title race. That means their title rivals’ attention is already turning towards the summer transfer window.

All eyes will be on Arsenal and their pursuit of a new striker. The lack of a top-class forward is seen by many as being one of the key reasons for their failure to push on from their current spot in second place.

The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. But it appears they are now eyeing a Championship wonderkid who has been compared to Leicester legend Jamie Vardy.

Elsewhere, Liverpool boss Arne Slot has leapt to the defence of Mo Salah after another disappointing performance from the Egyptian.

Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest football news.

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Arsenal eye Championship teen

Arsenal will look to bolster their frontline this summer and could pursue several strikers to aid their Premier League hopes. Their desire to bring in a prolific No. 9 has seen them linked with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres – but Blackburn youngster Harvey Higgins could also move to the capital.

Higgins is currently on the books at Ewood Park but, according to The Sun, there is also Serie A interest in the teenager, who could cost Arsenal around £1.5million with Blackburn due some compensation.

The 16-year-old scored on his debut for Blackburn’s Under-21s when he was just 15. Already he is is an England Under-16 international with his versatility seeing him play up front or out wide with comparisons being drawn with Jamie Vardy

Amorim rejects Neville criticism

Ruben Amorim has been quick to hit back at Gary Neville, who was less than impressed with the quality on show in the Manchester derby, and equally unimpressed with the “love in” that the opposition players showed each other after the final whistle.

The Red Devils boss has defended his players and claimed that the United legend turned pundit is excessively critical. “I understand everything,” said Amorim. “I understand that Gary Neville is critical about everything, so I understand that part. I also understand that we are in a moment where we are having the worst season in history. Manchester City won everything in the past, but this season they are struggling.

“So we are not in the best moment to give the best spectacle to every fan. When we are not fighting for the big things, of course it’s different. But you have to look at it within the context of the game and I understand the critical aspect of players who played in this game in a different way, because they were fighting every time for the titles, so it’s a different context.”

Slot defends Salah form

Liverpool were dealt a first away defeat of the season at Fulham with Mohamed Salah’s struggles in the final third continuing. The Egyptian has been prolific for much of the season but, other than penalties, he’s endured a quiet period and is now seven games without a goal from open play.

Salah was unable to help the Reds rescue the game at Craven Cottage as the hosts edged out a five-goal thriller but Arne Slot insists the criticism that comes the way of his forward is only because he has set such phenomenal standards for so long and has backed him to rediscover his goalscoring touch.

“Maybe Mo should take it as a compliment because his numbers weren’t normal when he was scoring,” said the Liverpool boss. “The good thing about Mo is that he knows what kind of player he is. Mo will show up again, I don’t worry about that.”

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