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Tottenham are in pole position to sign a £50 million attacking midfielder over billionaire-owned league rivals Newcastle as a report shares news this week.

Spurs targeting new attacking options ahead of 24/25

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has been widely tipped to bring in another new attacker in the summer.

£63m ace will never play for Tottenham again as he joins five-man exodus

A lot of Spurs players could leave this summer.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 19, 2024

This could be in the form of a new striker, as reliable media sources like Alasdair Gold have backed that Spurs want to fully replace club-record scorer Harry Kane with a prolific number nine when the window reopens.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Tottenham wish to bring in a wide attacker as well, to provide that extra cutting edge in the forward areas – not to mention another avenue for goals and assists.

Many star players have been linked within the last month alone, and more are very likely to come to the surface as we slowly approach the summer. They're heavily linked with the likes of Albert Gudmundsson, Eberechi Eze and Pedro Neto, to name a few.

Son Heung-min

15

Richarlison

11

Dejan Kulusevski

6

Brennan Johnson

5

James Maddison

4

Tottenham are currently battling Aston Villa for a place in the top four and Champions League group stage pot for next season, but either way, supporters can expect a busy next transfer window ahead of Postecoglou's second full campaign in charge.

Another ace who Spurs are supposedly very interested in is Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibb-White. The Englishman, who's been key under former Lilywhites boss Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground, commands a price tag of around £50 million.

Forest are facing the prospect of having to sell as they bid to balance their books in regard to PSR, with the club already suffering sanctions from the Premier League.

Tottenham well-placed and favourites to sign Gibbs-White over Newcastle

According to Football Insider, sharing an update this week, Spurs have been given a potential boost in their pursuit of the player.

Indeed, it is believed that Tottenham are well-placed and favourites to sign Gibbs-White over Newcastle, coming after Eddie Howe's side entered the race for his signature fairly recently.

The 24-year-old would count towards Postecoglou's homegrown quota, and boasts an impressive 12 goal contributions in the top flight alone this term (five goals, seven assists).

Gibbs-White has also been praised for taking on a leadership role at Forest, suggesting his personality profile may also be pretty appealing for Tottenham.

I'm a big fan of his. I think he is always positive, he gets on the half-turn and plays defence-splitting passes," said former Brighton striker Glenn Murray on Match of the Day this month (via BBC Sport).

"He's just always looking to progress the team. He's just always positive. He's got another side to his game – he doesn't shirk his responsibilities and fights back. For me, that's why he has become a really positive leader for Nottingham Forest."

Manchester United may have found their long-term answer to be Lisandro Martinez's centre-back partner moving forward, according to a new transfer update.

Man Utd need defensive signings

The Red Devils have had such a poor season under Erik ten Hag, leading to serious doubts surrounding his future, and there are new signings required all over the pitch. While wide and central midfield additions are important in their own right, bringing in defensive reinforcements could be the number one priority, with plenty of issues in that area.

Raphel Varane, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are all now ageing figures, with the trio in their 30s, leaving 26-year-old Martinez as the only genuinely long-term option moving forward.

United have been linked with plenty of defenders of late, with Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo backed to move to Old Trafford for a fee in the region of £40m. This season, he has completed 90.1% of his passes across 27 appearances, as well as averaging 3.3 clearances per game.

The Red Devils are also believed to be considering tabling a £65m+ offer for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who is arguably one of the leading players in his position in La Liga, also becoming a key man for Uruguay. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Lille sensation Leny Yoro has been linked with a switch to United, too, possessing the long-term potential to become one of the finest centre-backs in the world.

Man Utd may have found Martinez partner

According to a new update from The Times, Manchester United want to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi this summer, seeing him as the ideal man to come in and be Martinez's partner at the heart of the defence.

The Red Devils are believed to have scouted the England international extensively throughout this season, and now a move to Old Trafford could be on the cards. Arsenal are also keen, however, so it may not be easy for them to get their man.

Guehi stands out as an excellent option for United, and while Palace would likely demand a huge amount of money for his services, he ticks so many boxes when it comes to what they need in defence.

At 23, the £44,000-a-week Englishman remains a young player who could remain at the top level for another decade, but he is already hugely experienced at the same time, making 95 appearances in the Premier League and also winning nine caps for England. International teammate Maguire has lauded him his form after breaking into the Three Lions set-up.

Ratcliffe has an "incredible" top contender to replace Ten Hag at Man Utd

Manchester United fans wouldn’t complain at this Erik ten Hag replacement.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 29, 2024

To have a Guehi-Martinez defensive axis could immediately make United look so much more solid in the coming years, so the Red Devils should view the Palace man as a primary option in the summer transfer window.

One game to go, just one more match, and we'll know whether the Premier League title is staying in Manchester or coming to North London for the first time in two decades.

Mikel Arteta's young Arsenal side have proven once again this season that they are the real deal, and regardless of the title's ultimate destination, they are here to stay and challenge Pep Guardiola's juggernaut for some time to come.

Alongside Sporting Director Edu Gaspar, the Spaniard has helped to transform the North Londoner's squad with impressive additions like Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz, but one player who could use some real competition is Bukayo Saka.

The club poster boy has been the first name on the teamsheet for several years now, but based on recent reports, he could soon have the perfect teammate to push him to new heights.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from former BBC journalist Ibrahim Sannie Daara, Arsenal have enquired about the availability of West Ham United sensation Mohammed Kudus ahead of the summer transfer window.

While this is certainly exciting news for the Arsenal faithful, the same report also revealed that Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have all done the same thing, while Liverpool are set to trigger the Ghanaian's £75m release clause in the coming weeks.

There is a lot of competition for the Gunners to overcome in this transfer battle, but with the club on the precipice of lifting major honours, they might be able to sell themselves better than the Reds.

Moreover, while Kudus could come in as a Saka challenger, his positional versatility could also see him take over from Kai Havetz as the number nine, replace Leandro Trossard as the long-term leftwinger, or even move into the midfield to partner Martin Odegaard.

Ultimately, it will be a tough deal to complete, but for £75m, the club should fight tooth and nail for it.

How Kudus could fit in at Arsenal

Now, there are several ways Kudus could come in and make Arsenal a better team. The first is as a serious challenger to Saka.

According to respected data analyst Ben Mattinson, the former Ajax ace is "very similar to Saka" in that he has an immense impact on games from the right, assisting his teammates and scoring goals himself.

Appearances

47

47

50

45

Goals

17

20

13

17

Assists

7

14

7

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.51

0.72

0.40

0.42

For example, in just 20 starts on the right side of the attack this season, the "generational" forward, as described by journalist Gary Al-Smith, has scored 13 goals and provided one assist, meaning he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.4 games – an output similar to Saka's average of a goal involvement every 1.3 games from his 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances.

However, what sets the Hammers star apart is his versatility. While he would likely come in to challenge the Englishman for that place on the right, he would also be able to play in multiple other positions, keeping the rest of the team on their toes and adding a new dimension to the North Londoners.

Appearances

39

42

7

90

Goals

20

14

3

23

Assists

5

3

2

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.64

0.40

0.71

0.35

For example, in 42 appearances as a centre-forward in his career, the Accra-born sensation has scored 14 goals and provided three assists, meaning he averages a goal involved as the number nine once every 2.4 games. This isn't far off Havertz's return of a goal involvement every 1.9 games as a striker, coming from his return of 36 goals and 12 assists in 95 starts.

Finally, while the 23-year-old has played on the left a few times in his career and could, therefore, challenge the likes of Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, his considerable experience playing in attacking and central midfield roles could allow him to flourish as a more attacking midfielder alongside Odegaard.

For example, in 46 games as a central midfielder, the 5 foot 9 ace has scored 11 goals and provided three assists, while in 44 games as an attacking midfielder, he's scored 12 goals and provided six assists, meaning he averages a goal involvement every 3.2 and 2.4 games, respectively.

Ultimately, it would be an expensive deal to complete, but signing Kudus would provide the club with a star who would genuinely challenge Saka. Moreover, his ability to start almost anywhere on the pitch would give Arteta a level of tactical freedom not offered by any other player.

Arsenal "frontrunners" to repeat Saliba masterclass with "insane" £86m gem

The incredible ace could be a generational talent.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 10, 2024

Right now, the Crystal Palace faithful will be devastated that the Premier League season is coming to an end, given their recent form.

Oliver Glasner has completely transformed the club, with both the players and fans buying into his philosophy and approach.

The Eagles are flying, evading defeat since the start of April and winning five of their last six, including a 4-0 demolition of Manchester United.

However, due to the incredible performances, it’s put numerous stars in the shop window ahead of the summer, and therefore, the new boss will look to bolster the team in the likely event that key players depart.

Crystal Palace want a new midfielder

According to a report from journalist Bobby Manzi, Palace are interested in signing Gabriel Sara of Norwich City.

The Eagles have been monitoring the midfielder, even sending scouts to watch him recently.

It’s reported that if a move for Sara is to take place, then a fee of at least £20m will be demanded to let him go.

However, it may not be a simple move, with the Brazilian still having two years left on his contract and other Premier League clubs also keeping an eye on him.

Why Sara could become the next Eberechi Eze

It goes without saying that Eberechi Eze is one of the biggest jewels at Selhurst Park, and his influence on the side is all but irreplaceable.

The England international has had to deal with two injuries this campaign, missing eight games in total, but he’s still racked up 23 starts in the Premier League.

Over these matches, the number ten has scored nine goals and provided three assists, which has led to the interest of other Premier League clubs, who could make a move for the 25-year-old this summer.

However, his potential exit could be eased with the signature of Sara, who has also been excellent over his 46 games in the Championship.

Goals

13

9

Assists

12

3

Shots (per game)

2.2

3

Key passes (per game)

2.6

2

Tackles (per game)

2

1.2

Balls recovered (per game)

4.9

4.9

Duels won (per game)

4.8

6

As displayed above, there are plenty of similarities between Eze and Sara, which makes the Norwich star the ideal replacement for the Eagles attacking midfielder.

For example, both players provide a huge direct threat via their ability to score goals, while they can also hurt the opponent via creativity, as shown by their goals, assists, and key passes, which is why football analyst Ben Mattinson has described Sara as “ridiculously talented" – as well as hailing him as a possible "Eze replacement".

The two midfielders are also extremely well-rounded, as their out-of-possession work is immense, as highlighted by their tackles, balls recovered, and duels won, but they’re also willing to take risks on the ball, enabling them to create moments of magic out of nothing.

Even Ben Mattinson has referenced the duo’s similarities in terms of their “dynamism and off the ball tenacity,” which often separates Eze from his positional peers.

However, the main difference is that Sara is far more versatile, having shown that he can play across the midfield this season, mainly in a double pivot, but he can also play out wide.

Overall, Palace have created a blueprint for signing Championship gems and turning them into stars, such as Michael Olise, Adam Wharton, and, of course, Eze, and Steve Parish will hope that Sara can be the next example of their excellent scouting.

Crystal Palace's 7/10 star is now becoming as undroppable as Eze

The incredibly talented gem has firmly established himself in Glasner’s best XI.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 3, 2024

The Premier League season finally came to an end on Sunday, and while Arsenal put in another brilliant showing and pushed Manchester City all the way to the end, it'll be another summer of working out what they need to do to take that next step.

It would be hard to find too many holes in Mikel Arteta's current side. After all, they produced the best defence and second-best attack in the league this season, but something they do lack is a prolific number nine.

However, based on recent reports, that could be about to change, and Bukayo Saka could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this potential deal.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from the Standard's Simon Collings, Edu's 'key priority' this summer is a new forward, and one of the main targets is RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško.

Over the last week or so, the Slovenian's name has been constantly touted for a move to North London, with reports from Germany, via Collings, suggesting his new release clause is around £55m.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, there are two issues.

Arsenal

Premier League

21/05/2024

Chelsea

Premier League

21/05/2024

Manchester United

Premier League

21/05/2024

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League

21/05/2024

AC Milan

Serie A

21/05/2024

First, the clause is set to expire at the end of June, and second, many other sides, including Manchester United and Chelsea, are also interested in the striker.

It might be tough to secure a deal for the 20-year-old forward with so many other clubs interested, but if Arsenal can get it done before his £55m price tag increases, it would be excellent business.

How Šeško can supercharge Saka

So, with Šeško having only started one game in his career in a position other than striker – it was left-wing – he would only join Arsenal to play up top. This means his direct competition would be Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, and when it comes to goalscoring, he has them both beaten.

In his 42 games this season, the Radeče-born dynamo scored 18 goals and provided two assists, while the former Manchester City star scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 36 games, and the German found the back of the net 14 times and provided seven assists in 51 games.

Appearances

42

36

51

Goals

18

8

14

Assists

2

8

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.44

0.41

However, the "exceptional" prospect, as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has his potential competition beat not just in goals and assists; when looking at the trio's striker-relevant underlying numbers, he once again comes out on top.

For example, the 6 foot 5 marksman produces a higher non-penalty expected goals figure, scores more non-penalty goals, has a higher percentage of his shots on target, takes more shots on target, converts his on-target shots more often and even though he takes fewer overall shots than Jesus, he has a better conversion rate there as well, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.45

0.39

0.39

Non-Penalty Goals

0.82

0.24

0.41

Shots on Target %

53.2%

34.5%

39.7%

Shots

2.77

3.35

2.32

Goals per Shot

0.30

0.07

0.18

Shots on Target

1.47

1.16

0.92

Goals per Shot on Target

0.56

0.21

0.44

Overall, it's hard to deny that the former Salzburg gem is a "real goalscorer", as Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell put it, which is precisely how he would help supercharge Saka's assist figures.

In his 35 league appearances this season, the Hale End superstar racked up a seriously impressive haul of 16 goals and nine assists, but he should have had more.

Appearances

35

Goals

16

Expected Goals

16.81

Assists

9

Expected Assists

11.33

According to Understat's expected assist figure, he should have had at least two more, or 11.33 to be exact – they have not recorded his assist for Gabriel's goal against Crystal Palace.

So, had the Englishman had a more accomplished out-and-out striker in the centre as opposed to the midfielder-come-forward in Havertz and the notoriously profligate Jesus, who has underperformed his expected goals by over three, he would have reached a genuine world-class return of 27 goals and assists in the league alone.

Ultimately, while the forwards at Arteta's disposal this season have been impressive, neither one has shown themselves to be a killer in front of goal in the same way Sesko has.

So, if Arsenal can activate the Slovenian's release clause before it expires, they may well have the perfect number nine to help their wide players explode next season.

Arsenal eyeing move for "mind-blowing" £43m Trossard upgrade

The incredible talent could help take the Gunners to the next level.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 21, 2024

Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement is showing no signs of relaxation, making moves to sign Jefte and Oscar Cortes in a bid to bolster his squad ahead of next season.

It looks like youth is clearly on his mind, as a current Arsenal teenager looks like he could be the next arrival at the Light Blues…

Rangers transfer news

Scotsman journalist Graham Falk has provided an update on the Light Blues transfer activity which concerns Arsenal defender Reuell Walters.

The player is out of contract and has apparently rejected a new deal to remain at the Emirates beyond this summer, indicating that he could be an ideal signing for Clement in the coming weeks.

Rangers have enjoyed some previous success in recruiting young talent from the Premier League, most notably Calvin Bassey back in the summer of 2020.

Rangers' next Calvin Bassey

The Nigerian defender moved north of the border four years ago, joining up with Steven Gerrard’s side ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

Arriving with plenty of raw potential, Bassey enjoyed a wonderful two-year spell at Ibrox which saw him win both the Premiership and the Scottish Cup while playing a key role as the Gers reached the 2022 Europa League final.

Player

Fee

Club joined

Calvin Bassey

£22.5m

Ajax

Nathan Patterson

£16m

Everton

Alan Hutton

£9m

Tottenham Hotspur

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst

£8.5m

Arsenal

Jean-Alain Boumsong

£8m

Newcastle United

Via The Scottish Sun

His displays on the continent caught the attention of Ajax, who shelled out a fee of just under £23m to sign him in 2022, a deal that represents the biggest fee Rangers have ever received.

Could Clement replicate this move by luring Walters to Scotland in the next few weeks? Quite possibly; the youngster certainly looks to be the complete package.

The 6-foot gem has made a name for himself with various youth sides at the Gunners, making a total of 80 appearances for the U21 and U18 age groups over the previous four seasons.

Mikel Arteta clearly had big plans for the 19-year-old as he was named in the matchday squad now fewer than 11 times throughout the 2023/24 campaign, including in the Champions League, yet he failed to make a first-team appearance.

Walters was hailed by Will Balsam back in April as he went on a mazy run to set up Ethan Nwaneri’s goal during a youth match, saying: “Walters ability to carry through midfield and find runners in behind is what makes him such a special talent. Hopefully Arsenal find a way to extend his contract.”

Further lauded as a "ball-playing monster" by analyst Ben Mattinson, it looks as though Walters is set to become a free agent when his current deal expires at the end of this month and Clement should be doing everything he can to snap him up on a free transfer.

If developed properly and given consistent game time, Walters could raise his profile significantly in Scotland – as Bassey did after moving north of the border – which will increase his market value.

The Nigeria international has proven that in the past, giving young players a chance can certainly pay dividends, which suggests bringing the Arsenal teen to Scotland may be a wise decision by the 50-year-old.

Rangers eye move for set-piece specialist to replace Barisic

Rangers look to be seeking another signing in the coming weeks…

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 3, 2024

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS now in charge, the future looks set to be far more promising at Manchester United.

Old Trafford’s glory days are in the past, with the last decade being a difficult period for the Red Devils.

From the function of the club behind the scenes to the performance on the field, it’s been well below standard, and that simply must change.

Ratcliffe will start by looking to move on players of no use, particularly those that are earning high wages, with one player who earns more than Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund surely on his way out.

Donny van de Beek’s future at Man Utd

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed back in April that Donny van de Beek will return to Man United this summer.

The former Ajax star joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan last season, but the German club have rejected the option to buy of around £9m.

The Netherlands star will look for a new club in the summer, with United also keen on letting their £39m man man embark on a new adventure.

However, according to more reports in Spain via TEAMtalk, Van de Beek will have three potential destinations: Girona, Lazio, and Inter.

Van de Beek’s career at Man United

When Van de Beek originally joined Man United back in 2020, the move didn’t exactly make much sense to begin with.

The number 34 was set up to fail from the get-go, with his main position, attacking midfield, taken by Bruno Fernandes, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer operating with two defensive midfielders, of which Van de Beek is not.

Therefore, it’s no surprise to see that his minutes were extremely limited, especially because the United captain is always available and the best performer in the side.

Throughout his time at the club, the midfielder played 62 times for the Red Devils, scoring two goals and two assists, which is a rather uninspiring return.

Last season, Van de Beek attempted to revive his career at Frankfurt, but he only started four games, spending the majority of his time on the bench. But what exactly does he earn at Man United?

Van de Beek’s salary at Man Utd

It’s fair to say that Garnacho and Hojlund have had much more of an impact at United than Van de Beek already.

Hojlund netted ten goals in the Premier League last term while the Argentine scored seven and provided five assists, with the youthful duo becoming key players in the side.

Alongside Kobbie Mainoo, the two attackers look set to be the faces of the new United era, not just because of their quality right now but also because of their potential.

However, the number 11 and number 17 aren’t exactly the highest earners in the squad, even earning less than Van de Beek.

Andre Onana

£120k

Van de Beek

£90k

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

£90k

Rasmus Hojlund

£85k

Diogo Dalot

£85k

As you can see, the Dutchman currently earns £90k per week, which equates to £4.68m per season.

For context, the attacking midfielder earns nearly two times more than Garnacho, earning 50k per week, while also having a higher salary than Hojlund, earning £85k per week.

Now, although he isn’t on an astronomical wage, such as Casemiro, for example, who earns a weekly wage of £350k, he hasn’t been able to justify his take home whatsoever.

Van de Beek is currently in a wage bracket similar to that of Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who have both offered much more on the pitch for the Red Devils than the “invisible” midfielder – as he was dubbed by football creator Liam Canning.

Overall, it’s the best decision for both parties to part ways this summer, but one thing is for certain: Van de Beek has bled United dry over the years.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

1 ByTom Lever Jun 7, 2024

As the Arne Slot era begins at Anfield, Liverpool appear eager to move on a highly rated talent in order to free up funds for new signings.

Reds set for midfield shake up this summer

The big issue for the incoming Dutchman will be reinforcing the Reds' midfield. Despite the arrival of the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo last season, much of the Anfield faithful will agree that their side have failed to replace Fabinho, who left Merseyside the previous summer.

Slot must axe Liverpool sensation who Van Dijk thinks is "world-class"

FSG must cash in on this £35m-rated Anfield star this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 26, 2024

The name currently linked with a move to Anfield is Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. The Germany star is regarded as one of the best in the world in his position and there is no doubt that he would be an excellent addition to the Reds' midfield.

Joining Kimmich on FSG's wishlist is Adrien Rabiot. The Frenchman is a free agent after departing Juventus this summer and would be a cheaper alternative to Kimmich, who would likely fetch a hefty fee.

With fresh faces in the middle of the park clearly a priority, it appears that one midfielder is set to be shown the door at Anfield this summer.

Liverpool look to move on promising midfielder

As first reported on the X account of Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have held concrete talks with German side RB Leipzig over young midfielder Tyler Morton. The Bundesliga outfit are reportedly pushing for a loan with an option to buy, however the Reds are eager to secure a permanent move for the England youth international.

This latest development follows news that Liverpool had placed a price tag of £20 million on Morton as the 21-year old academy product looks set to become the latest player to depart Anfield this summer. For his part, the youngster can "really imagine" himself in a Leipzig shirt, says Plettenberg.

The news of Morton's sale may come as a shock to some of the Anfield faithful with many fans envisioning the midfielder getting the opportunity to break into the Reds' first team after a successful loan spell with Hull City last season. Morton featured in 39 of the Tigers' league games as Hull fell agonisingly short of the playoff places.

The young midfielder also contributed three goals and five assists during his time in East Yorkshire as the Tigers finished seventh in the Championship table. It was his performances in black and amber that caught the eye of his former boss Liam Rosenior, who sang the midfielder's praises in an interview on the club's website back in November 2023.

“Some of his play, honestly, he can do everything as a midfield player. When we were recruiting in the summer, he fits completely into the way we want to play.

“The beauty with Tyler is he can play deep and he can be just as effective there, but what we’ve seen in training is he can create and score goals."

With Morton clearly well regarded at the MKM Stadium, it may come as a shock to see the midfielder not get a chance to prove his worth at his parent club. Despite this, if Liverpool are to receive the £20 million fee that has been reported, it could go some way to bringing in some of the Reds' top targets this summer.

There’s no two ways about it; if Cole Palmer can continue to perform like he did last season, he will go down as one of the best buys in Chelsea’s recent history.

The former Manchester City ace arrived for just £40m, and his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge was simply sensational.

Across just 29 Premier League starts, the versatile forward scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists, the most goal contributions in the entire division.

However, there’s the potential for him to go to the next level during the 2024/25 campaign, especially if the Blues are able to sign one particular target.

Chelsea want to sign a new striker

According to a report from Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea are ‘seriously interested’ in signing Jonathan David.

It’s said that in the past few days, the Blues have made their first move towards signing the player, having enquired about the Canadian centre forward from Lille.

The 24-year-old has just one year left on his current deal at the French side, and as of right now, he can be snapped up for a bargain price of £17m-£21m.

However, due to him being great value for money, Chelsea will face competition from other Premier League clubs, such as West Ham United and Manchester United.

Why Cole Palmer would love Jonathan David

In all honesty, David is a player who doesn’t seem to get the plaudits he deserves, as his record over the past few seasons has been incredible.

The Canadian striker was the star of Lille once again last term, leading the line in a side that likes to dominate possession – averaging 57% of the ball in Ligue 1.

His record in the French top division was particularly impressive, scoring 19 goals and providing four assists in 30 starts, which is a remarkable record.

Only Kylian Mbappe netted more than him in the league, which just highlights the calibre of player he’s putting up similar numbers to.

Goals

0.65

0.45

xG

0.60

0.60

Shots

2.60

2.57

Shots/goal

0.22

0.18

Key passes

1.10

1.22

Progressive passes

2.70

2.15

As you can see, David is the definition of a true number nine: a player whose only interest and main goal is to put the ball in the back of the net.

When compared to current first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson, for example, the former KAA Gent prospect is much more dangerous in front of goal, as simply displayed via his goals per 90 minutes.

Last season, the Senegal striker proved to be rather wasteful in front of goal at times, squandering plenty of golden opportunities, hence his poor xG-to-goal ratio.

However, that will no longer be the case for David, as he overperformed his xG last season, which is just one reason why Palmer will love him.

Having a clinical striker in the side can truly take a team to the next level, and David could have a similar influence on Chelsea’s number 20, who created 17 big chances but only registered 11 assists.

This proves that poor finishing on the end of his creativity prevented him from increasing his output, and having a “world-class” finisher – as dubbed by journalist Manuel Veth – to aim for in the box would see him become even more dangerous.

Overall, David is an elite centre-forward who has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and given his cheap fee, Chelsea simply have to move for him this summer.

No Jackson, £226m trio sign: Enzo Maresca's dream lineup at Chelsea

Chelsea are set for a busy summer with plenty of signings expected.

ByTom Lever May 29, 2024

Despite winning a third consecutive Scottish Premiership title, Celtic are reportedly now set to lose one of Brendan Rodgers' future stars, with a medical already scheduled.

Celtic transfer news

It's been a quiet transfer window so far at Celtic Park with Sead Haksabanovic the only departure and not a single incoming through the door as of yet.

Of course, that hasn't stopped the rumours from coming, however. The Bhoys have been linked with the likes of Adam Idah and even Euro 2024 star Giorgi Mamardashvili. The latter would be a particularly impressive arrival to replace the retired Joe Hart, whilst Idah would also be a welcome arrival on a permanent basis.

The Norwich City striker starred on loan last season, finally discovering his goalscoring touch, and even made himself a hero by netting a late winner in the Scottish Cup final against Old Firm rivals Rangers. With that said, a permanent deal this summer would make perfect sense for both parties. On the outgoings front, meanwhile, Matt O'Riley's future continues to be questioned, but it is a future star heading for a summer exit.

Celtic could ease possible O'Riley exit with swoop for SPFL goal threat

The Hoops are facing interest from the Premier League in their star midfielder.

1 ByDan Emery Jul 3, 2024

According to Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph, Rocco Vata is now set to join Watford with a medical scheduled as soon as today and a four-year deal on the line, which would see Celtic receive £240,000 in training compensation.

Just 19 years old, Vata's exit will deal Celtic a frustrating blow, especially for such a low compensation price for a player who could yet reach his potential in years to come.

Rodgers a fan of "strong" Vata

If Rodgers' previous praise is anything to go by, then he's certainly a fan of the young striker. The former Leicester City boss told BBC Sport: "There’s been a lot of noise around Rocco but any young player has to earn the opportunity. I’ve given many young players opportunities in my career. But I like Rocco, he has qualities. He is strong, he’s aggressive, he wants to get goals. When he came on he got his goal and he had other opportunities."

Speaking about Vata's future at the time, the Celtic boss continued: "That will be up to him. He’s a talent. It depends what the mentality is with him and his representatives. You get some young players whose representatives will tell you if they are not playing in the first team, starting, they don’t want to stay. You better go then, because you have got to earn the right."

Months later, of course, we know Vata's decision despite that praise and Celtic may now need to look elsewhere for future stars. The young Irishman featured for the first-team twice last season, scoring once to offer Glasgow a glimpse of his impressive potential. It's Watford who will now benefit from that potential, however, in what could quickly look like a solid deal this summer.