Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool tracking Vušković, but Brighton deal could prove costly
Liverpool are monitoring Luka Vušković, but Brighton’s price, Madrid’s interest and a strong contract make
Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Brighton & Hove Albion defender Luka Vušković, but any move for the 19-year-old appears complicated from the outset. The Croatia international has been central to Brighton’s strong opening to the 2026/27 campaign, with the club sitting second in the Premier League after 10 matches.
Brighton have conceded only seven goals, a record bettered only by Arsenal, and Vušković has played a major part in a league-leading seven clean sheets. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, he is being “monitored regularly” by Liverpool ahead of the 2027 summer window, even though his current contract still has four years remaining.
The biggest issue for Liverpool is the price. There is no release clause in Vušković’s deal, which means Julian Ward would need to negotiate directly with Brighton. Reports suggest the club would seek about £85 million, a figure that could climb further if the defender continues his present form.
That would add to a long stretch of heavy spending for Liverpool, who have already reshaped their attack with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. As a result, another major outlay may be difficult to justify.
There is also a separate concern for Liverpool. Vušković’s “dream” is to join Real Madrid one day, and that could complicate matters further. The Spanish club have repeatedly beaten Liverpool in the market in recent years, most notably with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté on free transfers, while also winning battles for Jude Bellingham, Dean Huijsen and Yan Diomande.
Madrid may decide to step up their interest at the end of the current campaign, especially with Antonio Rüdiger expected to leave when his contract expires next year.
Liverpool have spent the last 18 months searching for young centre backs who can eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk. The club captain, now 35, is out of contract next summer, though he has not ruled out staying. After the win at Crystal Palace, he said: “Let’s see what the season brings,” Van Dijk said after last weekend’s win at Crystal Palace. “I’ve had an amazing time already so far. If that will be extended, that’s the case. If not, then I will go somewhere else.”
If Van Dijk does depart, Liverpool believe they have options in place. Jérémy Jacquet has made an impressive start since arriving last summer, Giovanni Leoni is highly rated despite his ACL injury on debut last term, and Ifeanyi Ndukwe could yet be recalled in January after his loan spell at Levante helped him become eligible for a work permit in the United Kingdom.
Arsenal
Gameweek 10 Premier League predictions as Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea headline
Arsenal, United and Chelsea lead a tight Gameweek 10 set of Premier League predictions.
Gameweek 10 arrives with another international break looming, and Sunday’s late meeting between Manchester United and Aston Villa stands out as the pick of the round. Arsenal are back at Emirates Stadium after a fortnight away, while Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur all face testing trips on the road.
Everton vs Coventry may not light up the weekend, but it still carries weight for both sides. Everton are aiming to move above Liverpool, even if only briefly, while Coventry arrive in decent form and have won three of their last five Premier League matches. A first meeting between the clubs in nearly 26 years adds an extra layer.
Tottenham’s recent surge is harder to ignore. Three straight wins, including their result at Stamford Bridge, have changed the mood around them, and their attacking play is beginning to settle. Leeds, though, are unbeaten in four home matches and may be well placed to frustrate them.
Arsenal look well equipped to handle Hull, who have already caused problems for Man Utd and Chelsea on their return to the division. The champions are again top of the table and appear to have steadied themselves after their Carabao Cup disappointment and recent Europa and league successes.
Fulham and Newcastle both come into their meeting under new managers and both have obvious issues to solve, particularly in attack and in recent form. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, face a difficult evening against a City side seeking a response after back-to-back defeats.
Brighton’s consistency continues to impress after their win at Man City, and Brentford’s draw-heavy record makes them awkward opposition. Liverpool also need a lift after successive defeats, but Crystal Palace’s struggles suggest the visitors should edge it.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth’s strong run points towards another victory at Ipswich, while Chelsea should have enough to beat Sunderland despite the hosts’ historical success in this fixture. The round closes with Manchester United and Aston Villa, where a draw would do little to ease the pressure on the Red Devils.
Arsenal
October Premier League award nominees announced
Premier League October award nominees include standout performers and managers across the division.
The Premier League has named the contenders for its October 2026 Player and Manager of the Month awards, with eight players and six managers included on the respective shortlists.
Bournemouth forward Evanilson enjoyed a productive month, finishing October with four goals and one assist from four appearances as his team beat Sunderland, Manchester United and Leeds United after a slow opening to the season.
Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson also reached four goals in the month. The former Chelsea player scored twice in the 2-1 win over Manchester City and also found the net in draws against Brentford and Fulham.
Arsenal are represented by Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice after a perfect month. Konsa impressed in defence while William Saliba was absent, keeping two clean sheets in three outings and scoring his first goal for the club. Rice contributed two important assists at the other end.
Jack Rudoni’s form has helped Coventry City. The newly promoted side took two wins from four matches in October, with Rudoni scoring three times as they moved further away from the relegation zone.
Tottenham Hotspur also had an unbeaten month, and Jan Paul van Hecke played a key role in wins over Coventry, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. No player attempted or completed more passes than the Dutch defender last month.
Brighton have two nominees in Luka Vušković and Bart Verbruggen. Three clean sheets in four matches brought recognition for the Seagulls’ defence.
On the managerial shortlist, Chelsea scored more goals than any other team in October with nine, while Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta guided his side to the top of the table. Roberto De Zerbi, Unai Emery, Fabian Hürzeler and Marco Rose complete the list after strong runs during the month.
Month
Player
Club
August
João Pedro
Chelsea
September
Pascal Groß
Brighton
Month
Manager
Club
August
Sergej Jakirović
Hull
September
Arsenal
Opta Supercomputer Favors Arsenal After Anfield Win Reshapes Premier League Race
Arsenal’s Anfield win has transformed Opta’s 2026/27 Premier League forecast, boosting their title odds.
Arsenal’s visit to Anfield was supposed to expose the scars of a difficult week. Instead, it produced a result that changes the feel of the 2026/27 Premier League season after only nine matches.
The Gunners arrived with the memory of their defeat at League Two Fleetwood Town still fresh, but they handled the occasion with the sort of control usually associated with champions. Kai Havertz’s early strike gave them the platform, and although Liverpool tried to respond with pressure and noise from the Kop, Arsenal refused to bend. Their victory was built on discipline, patience and defensive resistance, and it leaves the look of a collapse far behind them.
Opta’s latest supercomputer forecast now places Arsenal firmly on top of the table. They are projected to finish with 81.21 points and hold a 68.23% title chance, while Manchester City sit second on 71.98 projected points and 18.86% title odds. Brighton are third in the model, Liverpool fourth and Chelsea fifth.
Arsenal’s surge has also pushed their probability of retaining the Premier League title to 68.23%, a sharp rise after Manchester City suffered a second straight defeat. City remain the nearest challengers, though even their prospects are listed below 19%, not including any possible points deduction. Liverpool, already nine points back, have only a 3.06% title chance, despite being considered the most obvious alternative challenger.
Brighton remain one of the stories of the season after beating both of the top two, but Opta still gives them just a 6.86% chance of winning the league. Their more realistic target is Champions League qualification, where they are the only side outside Arsenal and City with better than even odds.
Further down, Manchester United’s position is bleak. Their winless run in all competitions has reached nine games, and Opta now gives them just a 1.48% chance of qualifying for the Champions League. In the relegation projection, Tottenham have moved clear of danger after three wins in a row, while United are suddenly among those with the greatest risk of dropping into the second tier.
