Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger raised some eyebrows this week when he discussed his departure from the club.

On Friday, the club confirmed that the Frenchman will leave his position at the end of the season, despite having a year left on his contract.

During his pre-match press conference, the 68-year-old said that the timing of the announcement “was not really my decision”.

However, according to BBC Sport, Wenger, who has guided the Gunners to three league titles this season, clarified that he was “happy” for the club to decide when to confirm his departure, and that the “timing of the announcement was right”.

For the majority of this season, as well as the 2016-17 campaign, Arsenal fans were keen for the manager to step down as they were frustrated with the lack of genuine challenges for the Premier League title.

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The club have not taken the English crown since 2004 and they are likely to miss out on a top-four spot this season as they are 11 points adrift.

After Wenger attempted to clarify his recent comments, insisting that they referred to the timing and not the decision itself, Arsenal fans posted their reactions on Reddit.

Comment from discussion Ornstein: Arsene Wenger has moved to clarify his comment that the “timing” of his departure “was not really my decision” related to the announcement on Friday rather than the decision itself #AFC.Comment from discussion Ornstein: Arsene Wenger has moved to clarify his comment that the “timing” of his departure “was not really my decision” related to the announcement on Friday rather than the decision itself #AFC.Comment from discussion Ornstein: Arsene Wenger has moved to clarify his comment that the “timing” of his departure “was not really my decision” related to the announcement on Friday rather than the decision itself #AFC.Comment from discussion Ornstein: Arsene Wenger has moved to clarify his comment that the “timing” of his departure “was not really my decision” related to the announcement on Friday rather than the decision itself #AFC.Comment from discussion Ornstein: Arsene Wenger has moved to clarify his comment that the “timing” of his departure “was not really my decision” related to the announcement on Friday rather than the decision itself #AFC.Comment from discussion Ornstein: Arsene Wenger has moved to clarify his comment that the “timing” of his departure “was not really my decision” related to the announcement on Friday rather than the decision itself #AFC.

Alan Hutton will see his current Aston Villa deal expire this summer, and the Scot has been widely tipped to leave the club on a free transfer.

Hutton joined Villa from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2011, and has made more than 150 appearances for the club in all competitions.

This season, the 33-year-old, who is believed to be a transfer target for Leeds United, has been a regular – appearing in 28 Championship matches.

There is no question that the Scot has an impressive footballing pedigree, but it seems that he will leave Villa in search of pastures new at the end of the season.

The thought of that occurring, however, is not music to the ears of the Villa supporters.

Indeed, the club’s fanbase have taken to social media to demand that Hutton, who is valued at £1.4m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is handed a new contract ahead of a potential return to the Premier League.

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Hutton was a substitute in Villa’s 1-1 draw with Derby County at the weekend, and that was actually his first Championship appearance since the end of March.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

As the season winds down and the transfer window draws into view, fans of all clubs are looking for signs that can hint at their club’s proposed market activity wherever they can find them.

One that has become more common in recent years is the idea that a player who is chosen to model the new kit cannot be among those the manager is seeking to get rid of.

It would appear that Manchester United fans have fully bought into that way of thinking – wishfully or otherwise – regarding the future of popular forward Anthony Martial.

The Frenchman – valued at £58.5m by Transfermarkt – has slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, especially after the arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January.

But, it is clear that the Reds fanbase want the forward to remain at the club past this summer and we’ve taken a closer look at the best of the reaction…

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As reported by The Daily Mail, Newcastle United are interested in signing Donis Avdijaj this summer from German side Schalke.

What’s the story?

Newcastle fans are hoping for an exciting summer transfer window, desperate for the club’s decision makers and financial backers to support Rafa Benitez and help them climb the table from their 10th-placed finish in the English Premier League.

One name on the club’s radar is 21-year-old Donis Avdijaj, according to The Daily Mail.

The paper reckon the attacker is set for an exit from the German club this summer, who would be willing to part with him for a knockdown price of £2.5m, with the player having just a year left on his contract.

The report states that Newcastle are joined by Everton in pursuit of the Kosovan international.

Who is he?

Having excelled for Schalke’s youth and reserve side, there has been much excitement about Avdijaj’s potential for a number of years now, with the German club hoping to cultivate his skills with loan moves at Austrian side Sturm Graz and Dutch outfit Roda.

With 17 goals and 13 assists for those clubs in 59 appearances, he has progressed well as a youngster, but has failed to win his way into the Schalke first team to follow in the footsteps of Mesut Ozil and Julian Draxler.

It’s clear though he has potential and perhaps a move to St James’ Park could be the making of him, especially with Rafa Benitez’s track record recently of turning the unexceptional into star talents for the Magpies.

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At the reported £2.5m, it would be a relatively risk free move and is something they should seriously consider this summer.

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‘Shrewd addition’ or the ‘next Michael Silvestre?’

Arsenal fans are torn about their potential new addition, West Bromwich Albion defender, Jonny Evans.

The Northern Ireland centre half, 30, has been linked with the club persistently since the January transfer window where they almost brought the player in, only for a deadline day bid – reportedly £12million – to fall through.

But now that vice-captain, Laurent Koscielny, has been ruled out for at least 6 months, speculation linking Arsenal to return for the ex-United defender this transfer window has been rife.

The Sun report that efforts have been relaunched to bring the want-away player to North London and suggest that Evans could be available on the cheap with the defender rumoured to have a £3million relegation release clause with West Brom.

However even with the discounted asking price, Arsenal supporters are less than convinced that the three time Premier League winner is right for the club.

Gunner’s fans have been busy on Twitter reacting to the rumours and for the most part they are not very keen on the idea of the ex-United man moving to North London.

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Here is a selection of the best of what’s being said…

Manchester United have agreed a fee with Porto for Diego Dalot and arranged a medical for later on this week, according to Sky Sports. 

What’s the latest, then?

Sky Sports report that an undisclosed fee has been agreed between the two clubs for the 19-year-old full-back, who is understood to have a £17.4m release clause in his contract with the Portuguese giants.

They go on to say that a medical is now set to take place later on in the week ahead of a move to Old Trafford for the teenager, who only made his first-team debut in February.

Dalot is a right-back by trade, making him an ideal replacement for Antonio Valencia next season but can also play at left-back if needed, which may also see him fill in for Ashley Young at times in 2018/19.

Dalot is an overdue Valencia replacement

For a side such as Manchester United, with their very reasonable title ambitions, to be going into yet another season with wingers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, left over from the Sir Alex Ferguson era converted into their first-choice full-backs would just not be acceptable.

Dalot is raw and his purchase is an uncharacteristic risk on a young player from Mourinho and the hope is that he actually plays him; either in his preferred right-back role or as the makeshift left-back he can be, and doesn’t hoard him as a another young player to sell on for a profit.

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If he can use his younger legs to scamper up and down the right for United, delivering quality from wide areas and enabling Mourinho to drag his defence higher up the pitch, then he will be worth every penny.

Tottenham Hotspur should try to sign Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez if the club’s pursuit of Manchester United star Anthony Martial fails.

What’s the word?

Mahrez and Martial play on opposite wings, but if the North London outfit struggle to get a deal over the line for the United attacker, then they need to focus on other transfer targets.

The Leicester star is regularly mentioned in the transfer gossip columns, and has on two occasions tried to leave the King Power Stadium.

Manchester City are the most recent club to be linked to the Algerian’s signature, but Tottenham should join the conversation.

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Last season, Mahrez scored 13 goals and created 13 assists for the Foxes.

He would slot in well to Mauricio Pochettino’s system and could potentially form a strong link-up with Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli.

Would Leicester do business?

The 2015-16 Premier League champions have stood firm in the past on refusing a sale for Mahrez.

The Algerian has made it clear numerous times that he wants to move on, but Leicester have been stubborn in negotiations.

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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy also tends to stand by his guns when it comes to transfer figures.

If both clubs are unwilling to budge on certain aspects of a deal, then it could reach an impasse.

It is certainly worth Tottenham seeking information regarding Mahrez’s availability and if he would be open to joining Spurs this summer.

Tottenham fans have been discussing a possible swoop for Real Madrid playmaker Isco, and a whopping 90 per cent of fans want Levy and Pochettino to make their move.

Despite winning the Champions League just over a month ago, Real Madrid seem to be in a bit of turmoil at the moment.

Zinedine Zidane stunned the footballing world by announcing his departure, and Julen Lopetegui’s switch from the Spain job hasn’t exactly been a smooth transition.

Isco hasn’t expressed his desire to leave, but he has been linked with moves to North London on countless occasions ever since Pochettino heaped praise on the Spanish superstar.

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The 26 year-old has been strutting his stuff at the World Cup, and his performance against Iran in particular drew huge praise.

Valued at £67.5m by Transfermarkt, Isco wouldn’t come cheap, but he would make the rest of the league sit up and take notice.

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There is a real feeling that Pochettino’s side is just one superstar signing away from really challenging Manchester City, and fans clearly agree, as the vast majority backed a big money move for Isco.

You can find the full poll results down below…

Everton have been strongly linked with a move for Mexican winger Hirving Lozano, and the 22 year-old’s incredible World Cup has shown he could be the signing of the summer for the Toffees.

While there will be plenty of teams sniffing around Lozano after his incredible World Cup, the winger’s relationship with Marcel Brands could still push the scales in the Toffees’ favour.

Lozano was brought to PSV by Everton’s new director of football, and the player has commented on Brands’ desire to see him in blue.

Barcelona have also been linked with a move, but the prospect of being the star of the show at Goodison rather than a depth addition at the Camp Nou could push him towards Merseyside.

The young winger scored 17 and added eight assists in the Eredivisie last season, and has carried that form into some sensational performances in Russia.

Who do you think will win the World Cup? Let us know here and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.

The 28-cap Mexican scored one of the most memorable goals of the tournament thus far, downing Germany in his side’s 1-0 win to kick off group F.

He has shown exactly why he’d be the perfect fit to get fans off their seats at Goodison though, as it’s not all about the goals he scores.

The youngster has completed ten dribbles across the three group games, and added five key passes. Everton have far too many players with poor end product, so a young winger who can not only beat his man but find the right pass afterwards would be a welcome addition.

His assist to Javier Hernandez in the 2-1 win over South Korea showed his composure when carrying the ball forward, and one can only imagine the amount of chances he could create for the likes of Cenk Tosun, chances that were sorely lacking for the big Turk last season.

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Aforementioned, it’s going to be quite the battle to win the race for Lozano, but if Brands can work his magic it could the signing of the summer.

So, Everton fans, do you think you can win the race for Lozano with Barcelona sniffing around? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

If Rafael Benitez makes the right signings this summer, Newcastle could have a good enough squad to be a huge threat on the European spots, much to the excitement of the Toon faithful in the Transfer Tavern. 

The surprising departure of Mikel Merino has left a reasonable hole in Newcastle midfield. The Spaniard had a solid season with the Toon and now Rafael Benitez needs to find a replacement. He hasn’t been linked with a move for the club but Everton’s Muhamed Besic is someone they Magpies should be targeting.

Although he hasn’t consistently shown his quality, Muhamed Besic has the talent that could play in any of the top Premier League sides. However, after struggling with injuries at Everton, the Bosnian international has never managed to remain in the Everton side. Indeed, Besic played 23 appearances in the league in his first season at the club but has since never even got close to reaching that number.

In the second half of last year, Besic was sent to Middlesbrough where he played 15 games and helped the side get to the playoffs. With a new boss at the Toffees, Besic may see that his future lies elsewhere, given his lack of action at the club over the years.

As a player, Besic is ideally suited to playing at the base of a 4-2-3-1. Within Benitez’s system, he would be a great partner next to Shelvey as he has the mobility and pace to cover. With the ball, Besic is also very talented and is comfortable starting attacks from deep.

If Newcastle can get him fit, a cut-price deal could be a steal for the Magpies.

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So Newcastle fans – should Rafa splash the cash?