Benjamin Sesko has admirers from all over Europe (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been set a new price to sign top striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.

Sesko has gained admirers from all over Europe following hi…

Declan Rice made Graeme Souness eat his words with two sensational performances in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid.

Rice produced two Player of the Match displays to help Arsenal stun European champions Real Madrid and advance to the semi-final stage.

It was two brilliant Rice free-kicks in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium that set Arsenal on their way but the England midfielder was just as influential at the Bernabeu.

Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist both praised Rice for ‘running the show’ against Madrid just a few days after Souness questioned his status as a ‘world-class’ player.

Writing in a Daily Mail column in-between the quarter-final legs, Souness said: ‘There is nothing to dislike about Declan Rice but we need to apply some perspective before declaring him world class for scoring two free-kicks against Real Madrid.

‘He comes across as a great guy, I like to hear him speak and he talks with great honesty. I’m sure he is a dream to have in the dressing room but I’m sorry, two wonderful free-kicks do not make you a great player.

‘We get over excited easily in this country, particularly in the media, we are all guilty of it. Even if you win the FA Youth Cup you are considered a “club legend”. 

‘We are too quick to apply ‘”legend” or “worldie” status on the back of emotional events. We need to calm down and not get ahead of ourselves. 

‘We talked about a genuine world class player in Kevin de Bruyne last week. Declan is not there yet.’

Souness said Rice needed to offer more in the final third to take his game to the next level.

He added: ‘The challenge now is for him to go on and be better in that area.

‘Obviously, he has worked hard at his game and is improving. At 26 I don’t ever see that work ethic changing in him either.

‘He certainly is a wonderful dead-ball kicker and that is why, despite being 6ft 2ins tall, he is being sacrificed for set-pieces because otherwise with that physique he’d be a wonderful aerial threat in the box.’

Rice in ‘another bracket’ after Madrid displays

Ex-Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand said Rice had entered ‘another bracket’ following his superb performances in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

‘You need games like this in your career. You need to get to places like this to be properly judged,’ Ferdinand said.

‘He’s stood up against the holders of this trophy and he’s not just competed, he’s run the show, he’s run the show in both games.

‘He’s put himself in another bracket, I think after these two games he’s in another bracket.’

Fellow TNT Sports pundit McCoist added: ‘Over the two games, he’s been the outstanding player on the pitch.

‘He was monumental. He was the best player on the pitch in both games. His level of performance was quite magnificent.’

Arsenal legend Wright hails Rice

Meanwhile, Arsenal hero Ian Wright was also full of praise for Rice after Real Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League.

‘Nobody can ever question him,’ legendary ex-Arsenal striker Wright said on the Wrighty’s House podcast.

‘You see all these podcasters being disrespectful, but Declan Rice, over two games, absolutely wiped the floor with that team with his performance.

‘It was a performance where you’re looking at a player and you’re thinking: yeah, we know he’s good and he’s getting better. We saw the two goals last week that we haven’t seen before.

‘We’ve seen on a weekly basis that he’s just improving and getting better in any position that he’s asked to play in, whether that’s crashing the box, whether it’s six, whether it’s eight.

‘He was everywhere! He was everywhere! As we sit here right now, he is in the top three midfielders in the world.’

Rice will make his 100th appearance for Arsenal before the end of the season, having joined the club in a £105m move from West Ham in 2023.

Next up for Rice and Arsenal in the Champions League is a semi-final clash with French champions PSG, who have already knocked out Aston Villa and Liverpool.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Picture: TNT Sports)

Rio Ferdinand urged Sir Jim Ratcliffe not to sell Alejandro Garnacho as Manchester United produced a miraculous Europa League victory over Lyon.

United looked set for an embarra…

Manchester United produced a stunning comeback in Europe (Picture: Getty)

Joshua Zirkzee took a swipe at the Manchester United fans who left Old Trafford early after the miraculous Europa League victory over Lyon.

Trailing by two goals, U…

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes (Picture: TNT Sports)

Paul Scholes has revealed he ‘thought’ Manchester United had signed a player in the mould of Alan Shearer when they brought struggling striker Rasmus Hojlund to Old Tr…

England legend and former Champions League winner David Beckham (Picture: CBS)

David Beckham says he ‘knows who he will be supporting’ in the Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and PSG.

Arsenal will face Paris Saint-G…

Alexander Isak will be the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer (Picture: Getty)

Alexander Isak has been urged to join another Premier League club amid speculation linking the Newcastle United striker with a big-money summer…

Theo Walcott discussing the 2025 Champions League (Picture: BBC One)

Theo Walcott has named the ‘favourite’ to win the Champions League after the four semi-finalists were confirmed.

One of Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelo…

Joe Cole discussing Arsenal’s Champions League hopes (Picture: TNT Sports)

Joe Cole believes Paris Saint-Germain have a ‘huge advantage’ over Arsenal for their Champions League semi-final tie.

The Premier League and Ligu…

Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

Rio Ferdinand was blown away by the performances of two Arsenal stars after the impressive Champions League victory over Real Madrid.

Arsenal booked their place in t…

Bukayo Saka was involved in a half-time altercation (Picture: X)

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka shoved injured Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal during a heated half-time altercation at the Bernabeu.

The Gunners kept Real Madrid at bay during …

Ex-England midfielder Joe Cole (Picture: Getty)

Joe Cole believes Chelsea and Arsenal should look to a record-breaking Champions League striker to solve their goalscoring issues.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal are expected to sign new strikers …

Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season (Picture: Getty)

Jurgen Klopp is growing frustrated with his role at Red Bull and would be open to a stunning managerial return at two destinations, according to reports.

Klopp left Pr…

Manchester United believe they are leading the transfer race (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United are ‘favourites’ to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer after Arsenal made a surprising transfer decision.

A number o…

‘Come on!’

‘I don’t think they’ll have enough to win it.’

‘Seriously.’

Manchester United are unsure if Joshua Zirkzee will play again this season after he picked up a hamstring injury against Newcastle United.

Zirkzee, 23, limped off in the second half of Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle after starting the Premier League clash ahead of Rasmus Hojlund.

The Netherlands international endured a miserable first-half to the season but has improved in recent weeks, scoring a crucial goal in United’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg against Lyon.

Zirzkee will certainly miss the must-win second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night but his spell on the sidelines could stretch all the way to the summer.

BBC Sport say Manchester United have been carrying out tests to determine the extent of the injury and are concerned he will not recover before the end of the season.

Ruben Amorim will give an update on Zirkzee’s condition when he speaks to the press on Wednesday ahead of that crucial European clash with Ligue 1 side Lyon.

The quarter-final tie is finely poised at 2-2 ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee enjoyed a dream start to his Red Devils career, scoring on his debut in the Premier League opener against Fulham back in August.

But he then endured a barren four-month period without a goal and suffered the ignominy of being subbed off in the first half of a Premier League match against Newcastle.

At the time, several pundits suggested Zirkzee would be moved on in the summer but he has shown improvement in recent weeks, scoring in both of United’s last two European games.

Given his upturn in form, a prolonged spell in the treatment room will be a blow to Amorim as he attempts to save Manchester United’s season.

Sitting 14th in the Premier League, United have nothing but pride to play for in the league but winning the Europa League will not only secure a major trophy but see the club qualify for next season’s Champions League.

If the Red Devils get past Lyon they will face Athletic Bilbao or Rangers in the semi-finals. Tottenham are among the clubs in the other side of the draw.

Manchester United’s preparations for Thursday’s clash with Lyon hardly went smoothly as they were thumped 4-1 by Newcastle at St James’ Park.

‘They are a million miles away from mounting a Premier League challenge,’ Clinton Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live after United’s drubbing.

‘Maybe four or five years away so that shows just how bad they are. Their recruitment has been nowhere near good enough and Amorim might want to bring in his players in the summer but they also need to get rid of a lot.

‘But no players want to leave the football club because they have brought players in on big money.

‘Amorim has come in and he has wanted to change so much. He’s started by playing his formation and style of play, but then says he hasn’t got the players to do it.

‘They would have been better off with Erik ten Hag – and that is saying something!

‘Amorim comes out to the media – and speaks ever so well – but Manchester United fans don’t want to hear him talking about how they are not good enough.

‘He has been brought into the club to deliver and it feels like the mentality at the club is all wrong at the moment.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Manchester United are unsure if Joshua Zirkzee will play again this season after he picked up a hamstring injury against Newcastle United.

Zirkzee, 23, limped off in the second half of Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle after starting the Premier League clash ahead of Rasmus Hojlund.

The Netherlands international endured a miserable first-half to the season but has improved in recent weeks, scoring a crucial goal in United’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg against Lyon.

Zirzkee will certainly miss the must-win second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night but his spell on the sidelines could stretch all the way to the summer.

BBC Sport say Manchester United have been carrying out tests to determine the extent of the injury and are concerned he will not recover before the end of the season.

Ruben Amorim will give an update on Zirkzee’s condition when he speaks to the press on Wednesday ahead of that crucial European clash with Ligue 1 side Lyon.

The quarter-final tie is finely poised at 2-2 ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee enjoyed a dream start to his Red Devils career, scoring on his debut in the Premier League opener against Fulham back in August.

But he then endured a barren four-month period without a goal and suffered the ignominy of being subbed off in the first half of a Premier League match against Newcastle.

At the time, several pundits suggested Zirkzee would be moved on in the summer but he has shown improvement in recent weeks, scoring in both of United’s last two European games.

Given his upturn in form, a prolonged spell in the treatment room will be a blow to Amorim as he attempts to save Manchester United’s season.

Sitting 14th in the Premier League, United have nothing but pride to play for in the league but winning the Europa League will not only secure a major trophy but see the club qualify for next season’s Champions League.

If the Red Devils get past Lyon they will face Athletic Bilbao or Rangers in the semi-finals. Tottenham are among the clubs in the other side of the draw.

Manchester United’s preparations for Thursday’s clash with Lyon hardly went smoothly as they were thumped 4-1 by Newcastle at St James’ Park.

‘They are a million miles away from mounting a Premier League challenge,’ Clinton Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live after United’s drubbing.

‘Maybe four or five years away so that shows just how bad they are. Their recruitment has been nowhere near good enough and Amorim might want to bring in his players in the summer but they also need to get rid of a lot.

‘But no players want to leave the football club because they have brought players in on big money.

‘Amorim has come in and he has wanted to change so much. He’s started by playing his formation and style of play, but then says he hasn’t got the players to do it.

‘They would have been better off with Erik ten Hag – and that is saying something!

‘Amorim comes out to the media – and speaks ever so well – but Manchester United fans don’t want to hear him talking about how they are not good enough.

‘He has been brought into the club to deliver and it feels like the mentality at the club is all wrong at the moment.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

‘Collectively, individually, they are off the charts right now.’

‘I think they’re the favourites.’

Liverpool have been urged to beat Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to a £30m transfer deal this summer.

Despite taking Liverpool to the precipice of a Premier League title, Arne Slot is keen to strengthen his Anfield squad in the summer.

Top of Slot’s wishlist – now Mohamed Salah has signed a contract extension and Virgil van Dijk looks set to follow suit – is a new striker.

Liverpool have dominated their Premier League rivals playing without a recognised striker for much of the season.

Slot has had Darwin Nunez at his disposal but appears to have well-founded doubts over a player who has largely flattered to deceive following his big-money move from Benfica.

With Liverpool assessing their options for a new striker, Anfield hero Dietmar Hamann has recommended a move for Liam Delap.

The Ipswich Town striker, who can be signed for just £30m once the Tractor Boys’ relegation to the Championship is confirmed, has scored 12 Premier League goals this season.

His form has caught the eye of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal but Hamann has urged Liverpool to enter the race.

‘I think Liam Delap has been brilliant for Ipswich,’ the former Champions League winner told PokerFirma.

‘You have to say that he’s been in a poor team, as the bottom three have been this season, but he has shown how good a player he is.

‘I think he would really strengthen Liverpool, they have to try and keep Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who has been the only forward they can rely on, but Delap would be a great addition.

‘He is young, up and coming and hungry, when you’re doing well as a team it’s so important that you bring new hunger in because a lot of Liverpool’s players have already won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

‘Bringing hungry players is so important and Delap would be one of them, I think he would be a great signing because there are not many centre forwards available.’

Liverpool have been tentatively linked with Alexander Isak but Hamann has warned his former club the Newcastle United striker could cost ‘triple’ Delap.

‘Looking at both Liam Delap and Alexander Isak, Isak might cost double or even triple what Delap would,’ he added.

‘Isak is a great player and I wouldn’t mind seeing him in that red shirt, but Liverpool have never been massive spenders, even when they bought Virgil van Dijk it was with the Philippe Coutinho money.

‘They haven’t been the biggest spenders but getting either Delap or Isak will be good business.’

Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League looks set to be confirmed before the end of the month as Kieran McKenna’s side prepare to face Arsenal this weekend and Newcastle United the next.

Liam Delap, the son of Premier League cult hero Rory, had a stint Manchester City before joining Ipswich Town last summer.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

‘I can definitely see that.’

‘He’s a special player.’

‘He’s a special player.’