Rooney offered surprise coaching lifeline, Huijsen news, Arsenal to wrap up deal

Wayne Rooney could be offered a surprise managerial lifeline by Blackburn.

Blackburn only appointed Valerien Ismael in February after John Eustace quit to join Derby, but the Frenchman is already under pressure after winning just one of his eight games in
charge.

4

This notebook has been told Cheshire resident Rooney would be a contender to step into the hot-seat at Ewood Park.

Rooney has been out of work since being sacked by Plymouth in December after winning just five of his 25 games in charge.

The England and Manchester United legend turned TV pundit still harbours ambitions to be a success in the dugout after spells at Derby, Birmingham and DC United.

Cherries to cash-in – where will Huijsen go?

Bournemouth are resigned to losing defender Dean Huijsen this summer.

Huijsen has a £50million release clause in his contract and has held talks with a host of clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.

The 20-year-old is also on the radar of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich but talkSPORT understands he is more likely to remain in the Premier League.

Liverpool are looking to sign a new centre-back even with captain Virgil van Dijk agreeing a new contract.

Huijsen’s arrival would facilitate the possibility of England international Jarell Quansah, wanted by Newcastle, departing.

Spain international Huijsen, who cost Bournemouth a bargain £16m, also fits the profile of Chelsea’s recruitment policy.

Meanwhile, Spurs are likely to lose Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid in the forthcoming transfer window.

4

Gunners keen to wrap up Zubimendi deal

Arsenal are confident their move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi will be completed by early June.

Gunners fans were concerned by reports in Spain that Real Madrid would attempt to hijack their move for Zubimendi.

However, sources close to the Emirates Stadium have told talkSPORT negotiations are progressing well to make the Spain international their first signing of a busy summer.

Zubimendi has a £52m release clause in his contract that Arsenal have told Sociedad they are willing to activate.

The 26-year-old Basque native previously looked set to move to the Premier League last summer.

A deal with Liverpool was agreed, but Zubimendi ended up staying put in Spain after a last-minute change of heart – but now he looks set to finally make the switch to the English top flight.

4

4

Worth his weight in Silva

Fulham are braced for a battle to keep manager Marco Silva beyond the end of the season.

Silva’s stock is high after leading the Cottagers to the FA Cup quarter-finals and into contention for a European place.

With Bournemouth hopeful of persuading Andoni Iraola to commit his future to the Cherries, Silva is emerging as a front-runner to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

Postecoglou faces the sack even if Spurs win the Europa League after leading the north Londoners to SEVENTEEN Premier League defeats this season.

As previously reported by talkSPORT, ex-Everton and Watford boss Silva, who has also been touted for a possible switch to Juventus, has a release clause of around £8m in his contract.

Fulham would ideally like to tie Silva down to a new long-term deal, but he is not in any rush to put pen to paper.