Football news LIVE: Man Utd are set to receive bids for the club today (Image: GETTY)
Midweek European action was rounded off on Thursday with the first leg of the play-off matches in the Europa League. Attention now turns back to domestic football and another exciting weekend of the Premier League.
Manchester United took a 2-2 draw from their clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Thursday. Now they are set to receive opening bids to buy the club, with the soft deadline set for today.
Meanwhile, a host of managers are set to speak to the press ahead of their team being in action this weekend. Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways in the lunch time kick-off at Aston Villa on Saturday, while new leaders Manchester City are at Nottingham Forest.
There are also big clashes towards the bottom of the table. Everton host Leeds, while an improving Wolves team take on Bournemouth.
Make sure to stick to our blog to keep up with the latest big football news throughout the day. You can stay in the loop by following the live updates below...
Chelsea starlet Andrey Santos has reportedly been denied a work permit.
The 18-year-old joined from Vasco Da Gama in January and starred for Brazil at the recent U20 South American Championship.
But Chelsea's huge flurry of midfielders has seen Santos denied a work permit.
According to the Daily Mail, he failed the Governing Body Endorsement test by a single point. Players must earn 15 to automatically qualify for the right to work in the UK.
Chelsea could decide to send Santos on loan to gain the necessary experience.
Richard Arnold could face the sack if Qatar's takeover bid for Manchester United is successful. Arnold was announced as the new Red Devils' CEO in January 2022.
However, things could change if the Glazers complete a sale. French outlet L'Equipe claims the potential Qatari owners already have two candidates who could become the new CEO.
The report says Hassan Al Thawadi and Nasser al-Khater are both in the running. The deadline for initial bids for United is 10pm today.
Arsenal and Manchester City have been charged by the FA following Wednesday's match at the Emirates. A statement says both sets of players surrounded the referee at different times during the game.
It is alleged both clubs failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion. Arsenal's alleged incident occurred in the 56th minute, while City are charged with incidents in both the 42nd and 64th minutes.
It is already the third time Arsenal have been charged by the FA in 2023. Both clubs have until Tuesday to respond.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has begun mind games with Mikel Arteta by insisting nothing has changed in the title race despite victory over Arsenal on Wednesday. City are top of the Premier League table having leapfrogged their rivals in midweek.
Guardiola held his press conference a short while ago ahead of Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest. He said: "Arsenal still have one game in hand so nothing changed much.
"If you are a lot of points or a lot of points back, it is a big difference. But we were tight and it's forgotten and we're just thinking about Nottingham Forest."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has given an injury update on four players ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United next week. Callum Wilson missed the draw at Bournemouth last Saturday, while Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin were taken off with injuries.
Howe says Almiron and Saint-Maximin have trained this week and are fine. However, there are still doubts over Wilson and Willock.
Willock is unlikely to be fit to play Liverpool on Saturday evening due to a hamstring issue. Wilson needs to train on Friday in order to be in contention against the Reds.
Harry Redknapp has been backed to be a "top-class" appointment by Leeds. Ray Parlour believes the former Tottenham boss would be ideal on a short-term basis at Elland Road.
The Mirror claims Redknapp is open to coming out of retirement. Parlour told talkSPORT: "Absolutely. Go back to basics.
"I just think he can get the best out of players, he had good coaching staff around him as well. Sometimes it's not all about coaching, it's about man-management. And I think Harry would be top class at that."
Manchester United have appointed a new director of football operations. David Harrison has held the same role at Everton but will switch Goodison Park for Old Trafford at the end of the month.
Harrison has been at Everton for 27 years in a variety of roles, including manager of the ticket office. United say he will report to football director John Murtough with "responsibility for ensuring that our football operations run as smoothly and effectively as possible."
Harrison said: "I will always cherish my memories of 27 years at Everton and wish everyone at Goodison and Finch Farm all the best for the future. Now, my focus is on helping Manchester United create the best possible operating environment to support success on the pitch."
We can confirm Director of Football Operations, David Harrison, will leave at the end of this month to take up a new role at Manchester United.
Best of luck for the future, Dave, and thank you for your service over the past 27 years.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has challenged his players to be more efficient to turn their form around. The Gunners have not won in their last four matches and were knocked off top spot in the Premier League by Manchester City in midweek.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Arteta said: "Obviously you want to get maximum points and we didn't in the last three games. We have to look at ourselves as well, we have to be more efficient for the amount of play and situations that we've generated.
"We haven't had enough points and that's down to us. We have to improve that because we want to win more games."
Football news LIVE: Mikel Arteta wants his team to be more efficient (Image: ARSENAL)
Barcelona fear they could be without four players for the second leg against United. Gavi is already out of the game at Old Trafford next week due to suspension after picking up a yellow card on Thursday.
Pedri could also be missing after limping off with an injury in the first half. Mundo Deportivo claims Ousmane Dembele looks unlikely to return from his injury.
Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets is a big doubt as he continues to recover from an ankle injury he suffered against Sevilla on February 5. Barca's midfield could be seriously depleted as they aim to progress in the Europa League.
Football news LIVE: Xavi may have a selection issue for the second leg against Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
Spanish press have dubbed Barcelona's draw with United a 'scandal'. Barca came from 2-1 down to claim a draw in the first leg of the Europa League tie.
However, the hosts were adamant they should have been awarded a penalty late on. The ball hit Fred's arm in the United 18-yard box from close range.
Spanish outlet Sport are not happy at the decision from the referee and VAR not to award a spot kick, claiming it was scandalous. Robbie Savage, who was on commentary at the time, disagreed and felt the right decision was reached.
Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds is interested in investing in another sport's team, reports say. The actor has enjoyed success as co-owner with Rob McElhenney at the National League side.
The Welsh team are pushing for promotion back to the Football League this season and enjoyed a run to the fourth round of the FA Cup. But it is claimed Reynolds could divide his attention by investing in National Hockey League team Ottawa Senators.
As reported by TSN, Reynolds is said to have held talks over the possibility of purchasing the Senators. An official bid could be launched soon.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has sent a two-word message to his team-mates following Wednesday's loss to title rivals Manchester City. The Gunners went down 3-1 and were leapfrogged by their opponents in the table.
Saka scored Arsenal's goal from the penalty spot to equalise. But a poor second half saw Mikel Arteta's side lose at home for the first time this season.
But Saka had a clear message for his team-mates on social media. He simply posted: "Keep believing."
Today is the deadline for opening offers to buy Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar remain the two frontrunners to buy the Old Trafford club.
Ratcliffe made his intentions public to bid for United last month. Qatar, meanwhile, are looking to seek assurances from UEFA that they can buy United.
Qatar are preparing a £5billion bid for the Red Devils, according to Sky News. But Rules created back in 2012 protect the integrity of the Champions and Europa Leagues from multi-club ownership and the Qataris already own Paris Saint-Germain.
Current United owners the Glazers revealed they were open to selling the club last November.
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