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Still on the hunt for incomings even with Bryan Mbeumo seemingly on the way, Manchester United are now reportedly battling against clubs in the Saudi Pro League to sign a midfield ace.

Mbeumo waiting to undergo Man Utd medical

After going back and forth in negotiations with Brentford, it looks as though Manchester United have finally taken a step closer to signing Mbeumo this summer. The Red Devils are now reportedly finalising any add-ons in an offer that will exceed the £60m mark, while Mbeumo is now waiting for approval to undergo a medical at the club.

The forward is on course to become United’s second arrival of the window, but he’s unlikely to be the last. If recent reports are anything to go by then INEOS are still on the hunt for a goalkeeper and a striker this summer.

The big question on that front has been just who will arrive to fill that quota. The likes of Emiliano Martinez have been among the headlines on the goalkeeper front, but whether Aston Villa sell one of their star men to a rival even in the face of PSR troubles remains to be seen.

He's better than Cunha: Man Utd close in on signing "phenomenal" star

Manchester United look set to complete their second signing of the summer after Matheus Cunha.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 25, 2025

Meanwhile, when it comes to strikers, it did look as though Ruben Amorim could get a shock reunion with Viktor Gyokeres. United were certainly in the race, reportedly making the Swede their No.1 target, but ultimately he set his sights on Arsenal with negotiations still ongoing.

That may not be the last time that the Red Devils interact with his representatives, however. Reports are now suggesting that another one of their clients are on United’s radar this summer.

Man Utd now battling to sign Ndidi

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Manchester United are now battling to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City this summer. The experienced midfielder is attracting plenty of interest following the Foxes’ relegation, including from the Saudi Pro League, and is now free to leave the King Power Stadium if his £9m release clause is triggered this summer.

Represented by the same agent as Gyokeres, United shouldn’t find it too complicated to open discussions for a midfielder who could provide Amorim with a bargain solution to his Casemiro problem.

While Ndidi’s arrival wouldn’t steal the same headlines as Cunha or Mbeumo, it would have importance in its own right. Carrying the ball at a far better standard while proving more effective off the ball, Ndidi is more athletic than the ageing Casemiro and could crucially offer the quality in depth that Amorim requires.

Earning around £75,000-a-week at Leicester, Ndidi wouldn’t exactly disrupt United’s wage bill either. That, alongside his £9m release clause, makes him a viable option for INEOS and the Red Devils in the coming months.

There’s a lot going on down Anfield Road this summer, and there’s more yet to come for Liverpool’s Arne Slot as the Premier League-winning manager pieces together a squad capable of sustaining title charges across so many years.

Few predicted Liverpool would be crowned champions after Jurgen Klopp stepped down from his post, but the Merseysiders proved a cut above their rivals to win the title at a canter. However, now is the time for investment, having spent nominally in last summer’s market.

Whether the Reds manage to offload Darwin Nunez and bring in a flashy new striker remains to be seen, but there’s little question that Jeremie Frimpong, who has already signed, and Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz, who are on the verge, will improve the Merseysiders and then some.

It’s all going swimmingly, but Liverpool will be frustrated by their failure to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, the centre-back instead signing for Real Madrid last month in a £50m deal.

Why Liverpool wanted Dean Huijsen

Analyst Ben Mattinson remarked last season that Huijsen was “the most in-demand centre-back in the world”, and after such an impressive breakout campaign with Bournemouth, it’s clear to see why.

The archetypal modern centre-half, Huijsen, only 20 years old, can do it all, defending with steely tenacity and spraying balls forward with the artful elegance of a midfield maestro.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 7% of Premier League positional peers last term for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 4% for interceptions and blocks per 90.

With Virgil van Dijk approaching the autumn of his illustrious Liverpool career, the left-sided Huijsen would have been the perfect fit, but instead Liverpool will have to turn their attention elsewhere.

The Spain international is off the cards, then, but FSG may yet authorise a move for an up-and-coming defensive star.

Liverpool enter race for new CB

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Liverpool have joined Chelsea in the race for Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo, who has an €80m (£68m) release clause in his contract.

The 23-year-old might be higher on Chelsea’s list at the moment, but that’s not to say Liverpool won’t accelerate their plans in the coming weeks, once other areas of the field have been dealt with.

It’s worth noting that Benfica do not want to sell their prized defender, but if Liverpool are serious, they may be able to tempt the player to push for an exit before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

What Tomas Araujo would bring to Liverpool

Liverpool wouldn’t have just made themselves known as suitors for Huijsen because many of their divisional rivals had registered interest; the Reds’ data-driven approach would have seen the Dutch-born talent profiled extensively.

He is indeed off the cards, but Liverpool could sign a similar player in Araujo, who has been hailed for his “magnificent” rise to prominence in Portugal by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Having graduated from Benfica’s academy and having completed a season-long loan with Gil Vicente in 2022/23, Araujo has now completed 68 senior matches with the Eagles, winning the Taça da Liga last season (effectively the Portuguese version of the League Cup).

Limited to just 20 appearances across all competitions in 2023/24, having returned from his promising loan spell, Araujo has now become a mainstay in Benfica’s first team, going from strength to strength to attract the attention of Liverpool.

And when collating his data from the 2024/25 campaign with Huijsen’s, you begin to see that Liverpool could actually strike gold in signing this second choice, for he matches up with the Spaniard nicely indeed.

Matching Huijsen across ball-playing metrics, Araujo has also proved himself to be more accurate in the duel and more active across tackling and intercepting areas, albeit making far fewer clearances than his fellow Iberian.

Curiously, Araujo also recovered more balls, which speaks highly of his athleticism and energy, covering ground. This would be especially important in the Premier League, which is played at a higher pace than the Liga Portugal.

And furthermore, Araujo is also a capable right-back, playing out wide when the situation demands it. The fruits of this can be found in his 0.6 dribbles per game, also maintaining a crispness in his passing while creating openings for his teammates in a similar vein as Huijsen.

He might not have the goalscoring advantage on Real Madrid’s new recruit, who already is an expert at using his rangy frame in the box, but then he has shown on occasion an ability to find the back of the net with a leaping effort.

A balanced defender who has proven his ability to shake things up on the biggest stage, Araujo is the real deal. Across the 2024/25 Champions League season, he ranked among the top 17% of central defenders for shot-creating actions and the top 1% for tackles per 90 (FBref).

Given Liverpool’s pressing need for more depth and quality in the rearguard, especially with Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain and Jarell Quansah linked with a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, Araujo could be the perfect fit.

The Benfica star’s ball-playing and -carrying strengths indicate a style which Huijsen has performed so well in the Premier League, so now it’s up to FSG to steal ahead of Chelsea in the transfer tussle.

Perfect for Isak: Liverpool told £75m bid for PL star will be accepted

Liverpool may need to sign a new left-sided forward this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 14, 2025

Chelsea have certainly ruffled the feathers of England’s top clubs over recent seasons, with their outlandish spending and recruitment capturing the headlines.

Huge money being spent in the modern game is no surprise, but very few have matched the Blues’ levels of around £1.3b in the last three years alone, which would surely raise questions about their PSR standing, right?

Well, actually no, as Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit in the best position out of any side in the Premier League at present, sitting £300m in the green, after sales of their women’s team and other assets in and around Stamford Bridge.

There’s no denying the loopholes surrounding the current regulations are there for all to see, but no team has quite taken advantage quite like the Blues – enabling them to continue their heavy spending this summer.

With three deals completed since the window opened less than 10 days ago, that would make a solid summer market for many teams in the division – but not Chelsea – with plenty more names still in the mix for a move to the Bridge this summer.

Chelsea’s pursuit to make more signings this summer

After a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, many sides would be content with limited business, but not Maresca’s men, leading to various areas of the pitch subject to investment this summer.

Hugo Ekitiké has been a name mentioned within the attacking department, with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Fermin Lopez targeted and reinforcements in the middle of the park.

However, the backline hasn’t been forgotten about, with centre-back Ousmane Diomande once again on their radar after previous interest this summer, according to O Jogo via CaughtOffside.

The report claimed that the 21-year-old is seen as an immediate and long-term acquisition at the heart of the backline, but face tough competition from Arsenal for his signature.

It also states that the Sporting CP youngster also has a €80m (£67m) release clause in his deal, but doesn’t mention if they would be open to negotiating a deal for a cheaper price.

Why Diomande would be a better signing than Guehi for Chelsea

Marc Guehi is a centre-back who has been a leading option in the Premier League, leading to multiple England call-ups, even featuring in the Euros final back in 2024.

The 24-year-old has also enjoyed a season to remember for Crystal Palace, leading the Eagles to their first major trophy in their history, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley – securing Europa League football for 2025/26.

He could’ve been plying his trade at Stamford Bridge to this day, but they prematurely offloaded him to the Eagles back in 2021 for a fee in the region of £18m.

However, the Blues have been firmly in the race to land him this summer, leading to continuous rumours over the England international’s future, especially considering he’s set to enter his final 12 months of his current deal.

Despite the interest in the Cobham academy graduate, they should look to steer clear of a reunion and prioritise a move for Diomande, who’s been labelled a “hybrid” of Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba by analyst Ben Mattinson.

The pair have often been the leading pair in England’s top flight over recent seasons, helping the Gunners concede just 34 times in 38 matches – the lowest in the division – highlighting how big of a compliment Diomande has received from Mattinson.

When comparing his stats to those of Guehi, he’s outperformed him in key areas, including passes completed and progressive passes made – handing Maresca an added ball-playing option from the back.

He’s also managed to dominate defensively, winning more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst making more interceptions – potentially bolstering the defensive department and replicating the success of local rivals Arsenal in such a department.

Whilst a reunion with the Englishman would be a dream for numerous supporters, the club desperately need to look past Guehi in favour of a move for Diomande.

The Ivorian is a younger prospect with a much higher ceiling, potentially blossoming into one of Europe’s leading stars over the next couple of years should he make the jump to West London.

Better than Sarr: Chelsea in contact for "one of the best young talents"

Chelsea are looking to improve their defence this summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 10, 2025

Part and parcel of promotion to the Premier League is the reality that some players are not going to be a part of Leeds United’s future beyond this summer.

Players who did not play regularly in the Championship may not be suited to playing in the top-flight, given that they were not deemed good enough at a lower level, and that is why Patrick Bamford could be in trouble.

The English forward only played 17 times in the league in the 2024/25 season, coming off the bench in all of those outings, and failed to provide a single goal or assist to the team.

No final decision on his future has been communicated by the club or player, but his lack of minutes last season does not suggest that he is likely to be a key player in the top-flight next term.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Meanwhile, another member of Daniel Farke’s first-team squad has already revealed that the club have made a decision on his future at Elland Road.

Max Wober's statement on his Leeds future

Whilst on international duty with Austria, central defender Max Wober has confirmed that the Premier League side have told him to leave during the summer transfer window, as they want to cash in on him.

He told Krone: “Leeds have already told me clearly that they want to sell me.”

Wober’s contract at Elland Road does not expire until the summer of 2027, though, so a team will have to come in with an offer to sign him if they want to move on from the Austrian flop on a permanent basis.

Leeds paid a reported fee of £11m to sign the left-footed dud from RB Salzburg in January 2023, under Jesse Marsch, but it remains to be seen how much of that fee the club would want back for him.

Why Wober must go before Bamford

The West Yorkshire outfit must push the Austria international out of the door at Elland Road this summer before Bamford because he does not, on paper, look to be a player who will provide much value to the squad.

Wober, who was described as “half-hearted” and “slow” against Hull by pundit Tony Dorigo, only played eight times in the Championship this season, playing half as many matches as the striker, and endured a rough time in the Premier League last time out.

As you can see in the table above, the Austrian flop played for Leeds in the second half of their relegation season and failed to step up, with two clean sheets in 16 games.

These statistics, coupled with his lack of minutes this term, suggest that he is unlikely to make the step up to the Premier League, which is why it is a good decision by the club to tell him to move on.

Bamford, meanwhile, may not be a frontline option for Leeds, given his struggles this season, but he is an experienced player who could provide value off the bench and around the squad.

The 31-year-old striker has scored 24 goals and provided 14 assists in 104 Premier League games in his career, including 17 goals in the 2020/21 campaign under Marcelo Bielsa.

Bamford has been there and done it in the top-flight in the past and could impart his experience and wisdom to the younger and less experienced members of the squad as a back-up option next season.

That is not to say that Leeds must keep the striker at Elland Road, as a move for him to go and play regular football could still suit all parties, but he has more to offer the team than Wober, who does not have any past success in the Premier League.

Shades of Haaland: Leeds in contact to sign "seriously impressive" striker

Leeds United’s search for a new centre-forward continues, ahead of their Premier League return

By
Robbie Walls

Jun 8, 2025

Therefore, Leeds should make selling Wober a big priority this summer, whilst they can afford to be relaxed about Bamford and his situation.

It has been all but confirmed that Matheus Cunha is going to depart Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.

Their talismanic number ten seems set to join Manchester United for £62.5m, the value of his release clause, with Fabrizio Romano giving the move the famous “Here We Go” as recently as Tuesday.

For the Old Gold, losing a player as impactful as Cunha will be a huge blow. He has been pivotal in the past two seasons, helping to keep them in the Premier League. In the top flight in 2024/25, the Brazilian scored 15 times and assisted six goals in 33 appearances.

Dealing with such a sale will not be easy for the West Midlands outfit. However, he might not be the only key player set to leave Molineux this summer. Nelson Semedo could also be on his way out.

The latest on Semedo’s Wolves future

Just like Cunha is going forward, Semedo is pivotal for this Wolves side defensively. The Portugal international has also had a huge part to play for the Old Gold’s survival this season, but could be in line to depart the club, too.

According to a report from A Bola last Tuesday, a Portuguese news outlet, the player has ‘confirmed that Benfica is trying to sign him’ this summer, on what would be a free transfer. His deal at Molineux expires in a few weeks.

Indeed, the report suggests that Semedo has explained a return to his former side is something that ‘appeals to him’ this summer. He came through the academy as an As Aguias player, and was born in Lisbon.

There is no doubt that losing Semedo would be a blow. He played 34 times for the club in the Premier League in 2024/25, grabbing four assists and taking over the captaincy in the second half of the campaign.

He is also one of the highest earners in the squad, on £80k-per-week. If anything, that reflects his importance on the Old Gold, and given Cunha earns £90k-per-week, that seems to be a trend throughout their squad, for the most part.

There is one example of a high earner whose performances at Molineux do not match up to how much he earns. In fact, he is earning even more money per week than Semedo.

The Wolves player earning more than Semedo

Wolves have put in some disappointing performances at times over the past few years, almost getting dragged into relegation fights in the Premier League. One man who has never really shown his best form for the Old Gold is Goncalo Guedes.

Over two seasons for Wolves, the former Benfica academy star has played just 51 times, having been loaned out back to his boyhood side, and Spanish side Villarreal. He has managed just seven goals and six assists in those appearances.

This season was another frustrating campaign for the 28-year-old, who was once said to be “two years ahead of his age” by former Benfica boss Jorge Jesus. He made 29 Premier League appearances, but could only muster five goals and five assists. He also scored twice in the Carabao Cup against Burnley at the start of 2024/25.

Incredibly, Guedes is one of the players at Molineux who earns more per week than Semedo. Like Cunha, he is on £90k-per-week, although it certainly feels like it is not as reflective of performance as it is for their outgoing number 10.

It certainly seems like Wolves should look to cash in on Guedes this summer. His returns have not quite been what they would have wanted, and they could recoup some of the £27.5m fee they paid for him, whilst also saving money on wages.

If he does depart Molineux, it seems he will not be the only high-earner to leave. With that being said, it does feel like a case of what could have been for Guedes in that famous Old Gold shirt.

Wolves flop who left Pereira "furious" must never play for the club again

Wolves could be busy during the summer transfer window

By
Ross Kilvington

May 27, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now ready to trigger an “unbelievable” player’s release clause this summer, according to reports, with chairman Daniel Levy and co apparently eager to make him a Spurs player before 2025/2026.

Tottenham kickstart summer transfer plans regardless of Postecoglou

Right now, the uncertainty surrounding Ange Postecoglou and his long-term future at Spurs is taking centre stage.

Manager officially quits club after Paratici urges Tottenham to hire him

The ex-Lilywhites director is widely rumoured to be nearing a return to Spurs.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

May 20, 2025

Postecoglou’s immediate focus is on ending Spurs’ 17-year wait for a major trophy and guiding them to a place in the Champions League draw for next season, but even if he seals a fairytale ending to an otherwise dismal campaign, the Australian is still expected to part company.

David Ornstein and other reliable media sources report that Postecoglou will likely leave Tottenham, even if they win the Europa League, so Levy and the Lilywhites could soon have a managerial conundrum to resolve before next term.

That being said, there are suggestions that the club have still kickstarted summer transfer plans, regardless of who is eventually confirmed as their head coach.

French newspaper Le Parisien recently stated that Tottenham are in talks with Lille star Jonathan David, after the striker confirmed that he’ll be leaving when his contract expires this summer.

The north Londoners could sense a real opportunity here to strengthen their ranks at zero transfer cost, which is made all the more imperative by credible information that Tottenham could be set for a ‘sell to buy’ summer (The Telegraph).

Davie’s potential arrival would also allow Spurs to free up funds for other targets, like Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

The England international has enjoyed another terrific campaign at Selhurst Park, ending it by scoring the FA Cup final-winning goal for Palace at Wembley on Saturday, which clinched the club’s first ever piece of major silverware at the expense of Man City.

Tottenham ready to trigger Eberechi Eze's release clause

Eze added to his tally of 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions against City, and it seems pretty inevitable that an elite club will make a serious effort to prise him away from south London.

His contract expires in 2027 too, and the attacking midfielder hasn’t committed his long-term future to Palace, indicating that he could be open to another opportunity away from Palace, five years after he joined from QPR.

Tottenham are believed to be contenders for Eze this summer, with one Spanish media source sharing a pretty significant update on the matter.

Indeed, the report from Spain states that Tottenham are ready to pay £68 million for Eze and trigger his release clause, and the £100,000-per-week forward could be living out his “final months” at Palace.

Postecoglou’s side will, of course, have competition for his signature, so it is by no means a certainty that they win the race for Eze, but there is little doubt he’d be a serious upgrade to the squad.

“Who’s a better player than Eze? For me he’s absolutely top, if he was luckier this season he would have five or six goals,” said Oliver Glasner about Eze at the very start of the season.

“He’s always dangerous because he has the quality and ability at 1-1, he’s such an unbelievable finisher. In some situations, he can improve, he’s a guy who can always score, and he’s someone who everyone likes.

“This is why he’s on the pitch, because he’s able to score goals.”

Chelsea have now opened discussions with the representatives of a marquee forward, who Barcelona legend Ronaldinho says he loves watching, with manager Enzo Maresca seemingly looking to add more flair to his squad.

Chelsea target new winger this summer amid uncertain futures

Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk face uncertain long-term futures at Stamford Bridge, meaning Chelsea could dip into the market for a new winger this summer.

Chelsea hold extensive talks to sign £38m ex-Fulham star who Mourinho wants

The Stamford Bridge legend is a long-time fan.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 7, 2025

Mudryk faces a lengthy on-field ban after failing a drugs test, while some reports claim Sancho could be used in a Chelsea swap deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, after the club trigger his obligation to buy clause.

Chelsea are also open to selling Madueke, amid interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa (GiveMeSport), while fellow attacker João Félix is also widely expected to depart west London again this summer after a lacklustre loan spell at AC Milan.

Sweeping changes are therefore anticipated at Chelsea ahead of another potentially busy summer, with reliable journalist Simon Phillips claiming a new wide player is among BlueCo’s top priorities.

Gittens is believed to be a key target, with talks already taking place ahead of the first window, which will open on June 1st and give Chelsea the chance to sign desired players before their Club World Cup campaign.

However, it is now believed that Gittens is emerging as a key target for Arsenal as well, so Maresca’s side face stiff competition from the Gunners, with some reports claiming the latter are favourites as things stand (Ruhr Nachrichten).

Chelsea hold discussions with AC Milan star Rafael Leao

According to Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo, Chelsea have their eyes on a superstar alternative to Gittens – AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.

The Portugal international is a key player for Milan, amid reports that his contract includes a sky-high release clause of around £149 million, which will reportedly only be active from July 5th to July 15th (Foot Mercato).

The clause can also be paid in multiple installments, making it slightly easier for interested parties, but this is still a hefty investment to say the least. Clubs will most likely look to whittle down this monstrous price, and Chelsea are believed to have held informal discussions with Leao’s camp ahead of a potential move, alongside Al-Nassr.

The main question is – would Leao be worth the effort? The 25-year-old’s return of 12 goals and 13 assists this season tells just half the story, with Ronaldinho on record stating that Leao is one of his favourite players to watch.

“Leao does not need my advice,” said the Brazil icon.

“He is a great player. He is one of the players I most enjoy watching.”

Incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell is now pushing Rangers to replace Barry Ferguson with a “genius” manager, according to a report.

49ers eyeing manager as takeover edges closer

Last week, it was confirmed that Thelwell is set to take over as sporting director upon the expiration of his contract with Everton, and it could be a summer of major change at Ibrox, with the 49ers now edging closer towards acquiring ownership of the club.

As such, the prospective new owners have started to work on appointing a new manager to replace interim boss Fergurson, and a move for former boss Steven Gerrard is now being considered, alongside recently sacked RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose.

There have also been suggestions the 49ers could move for Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, as there is doubt over the German’s future at Elland Road, despite leading his side to promotion from the Championship this season.

Celtic and Rangers race to sign "brilliant" 11-goal Scotland international

The Bhoys are looking to beat their rivals to a deal…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Apr 30, 2025

According to a report from Football Insider, Thelwell has been put in charge of overseeing the search for a new manager, and he is now pushing for Rangers to appoint Sean Dyche, who is available after being sacked by Everton earlier this season.

Ferguson is not expected to be handed the job on a permanent basis, with Thelwell currently exploring his options, and he has informed the club’s hierarchy that he believes Dyche would do a brilliant job as manager.

The sporting director has experience working with the 53-year-old, having spent time together at Goodison Park, but there have been suggestions they didn’t have a good relationship, so it is unclear whether he would be interested in taking over at Ibrox.

"Absolute genius" Dyche could excel at Rangers

In the Englishman’s most recent roles, he has been tasked with keeping teams in the Premier League, rather than pushing for a spot higher up the table, but he did a stellar job to ensure the Toffees retained their top-flight status after replacing Frank Lampard.

The job at Ibrox is very different, given that Rangers fans expect to compete for the Scottish Premiership title every season, but there are signs the former Burnley boss could be up to the task, having led the Clarets to two automatic promotions from the Championship.

The Kettering-born manager may be famed for his defensive approach, but it is an understandable mindset when taking Burnley to places like Anfield and Old Trafford, and his promotion-winning side were the Championship’s joint-top scorers in 2015-16.

Having also been lauded as an “absolute genius” by former Burnley academy coach Lee Waddington, there are plenty of signs that Dyche could be a success north of the border.

The striker situation at Arsenal has been a nightmare for boss Mikel Arteta for many months now, unable to rely upon his two senior options for the majority of the campaign.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have missed a combined 28 Premier League games between them, with the pair currently sidelined with hamstring and knee issues respectively.

Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard are just two of the players who have been tasked with filling the void at the top end of the pitch, with the latter scoring three goals in his last two outings.

As a result, it’s a surprise to no one to see the hierarchy already targeting attacking reinforcements to help Arteta in his quest to win the title in 2025/26.

Numerous players have already been hugely touted with a switch to the Emirates during the upcoming window, certainly improving the options available at the manager’s disposal.

The latest on Arsenal’s pursuit for a new striker this summer

Ever since the appointment of sporting director Andrea Berta, it’s been clear to everyone who Arsenal’s number one target is to become their new talisman this summer.

The former Atlético Madrid man has already held talks with the representatives of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres over a switch to join the Gunners in the coming months.

The Swedish international could be available for a fee in the region of £60m this window, a potential bargain given his record of 48 goals and 11 assists in his 47 outings this season to date.

However, another name has emerged on their shortlist in the form of Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, potentially making a shock move across the capital to join Arteta’s side.

According to French outlet RMC Sport, the Gunners have made an enquiry over a potential move for the former £52m signing, who could leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Why Nkunku could become Arteta’s next Havertz

As previously mentioned, Arsenal forward Havertz is currently on the sidelines through injury, with Arteta missing one of his key talismen within the final third.

The German joined the club in a £65m deal from Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, with supporters unsure of where his best position would be at the Emirates.

However, his record of 29 goals in all competitions during his two years in North London is evidence that he’s more than capable of featuring as the club’s central striker.

His absence has been felt throughout the last few months, with the likes of Merino featuring in an unnatural position to make up the numbers whilst he continues his recovery.

Arteta could land another version of the German international this summer should they complete a deal for Nkunku, with the Frenchman following in a similar vein in joining from Chelsea.

He’s also come into question about which position suits his playstyle the best, but has still managed to outperform Havertz in numerous key areas in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.

The former RB Leipzig star, who’s been labelled a “monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature in the final third.

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst completing more take-ons and achieving a higher tally of carries with the ball into the final third – highlighting the danger he poses with the ball at his feet.

It’s unclear how much their London rivals would demand for his services, but it could be a risk worth taking with the positives massively outweighing the negatives with the Frenchman.

He’s fallen massively out of favour in West London throughout this season, with Arteta having the opportunity to sign another one of the Blues’ stars and transforming them into a key player for their title charge next campaign.

He'd make Rice unstoppable: Arsenal preparing bid for "world-class" star

Arsenal could be about to make a move for one player who would play a huge role under Mikel Arteta.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 26, 2025

Everton have escaped from the hellscape where they struggled for many years under the dysfunctional ownership of Farhad Moshiri, with The Friedkin Group and David Moyes restoring the hopes of the fanbase.

While leaving Goodison Park, which first hosted football matches in 1892, is a saddening thing, the move to Bramley Moore on the bank of the River Mersey is fitting, stepping into a new home at the beginning of a new era.

However, these new beginnings aren’t without their nostalgia. A healthy dose. Moyes, after all, is back at the Toffees helm 12 years after leaving to join Manchester United.

And it might not stop there, with Moyes looking to reunite with one of his trophy-winning stalwarts over at West Ham United.

Moyes eyeing reunion this summer

As per ExWHUEmployee, West Ham believe Everton are going to raid them for centre-midfielder Tomas Soucek this summer, with Moyes personally driving the deal.

Soucek, 30, has played a pivotal role at the London Stadium since Moyes signed him from Slavia Prague for £19m in 2020, but West Ham would now be willing to cash in for the right price.

The club insider has confirmed that Soucek is indeed a top target for the Toffees and that an official move is expected in the coming months.

WhyTomas Soucek would be a great signing

Soucek might have entered his third decade but he’s never been a player reliant on his pace. Instead, the Czech Republic international thrives on his strong, physical style and knack for popping up with big moments.

Moyes clearly loves him, having wielded one of his Irons stars no more than Soucek, who has scored 39 goals in five years for the club.

His quality is reminiscent of that of Marouane Fellaini, one of Moyes’ former protegees. Sharing athletic profiles, the two midfielders from different eras performed similar roles under the Scottish tactician.

The fact that Moyes signed the Belgian from Everton for £23.5m in his first transfer window after swapping Goodison for Old Trafford emphasises the high regard he held him in.

And now he looks set to repeat the trick with the towering Soucek, who has been hailed as a “machine” by former West Ham correspondent Tom Clark.

The 6 foot 4 Fellaini played 177 times for both Everton and United, though he was far more efficient for Moyes on Merseyside, notching 57 goal involvements for Everton compared to just 32 for the Red Devils.

Moyes knows how to get the best out of such players, which is why Soucek would be a fantastic and willing addition to this exciting new era.

As per Sofascore, Soucek might have scored seven goals in the Premier League this season but he’s been equally as important in protecting and advancing West Ham’s midfield, averaging 5.2 duels per game.

The £90k-per-week giant actually ranks among the top 3% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, as well as the top 1% for aerial battles won per 90, as per FBref, truly emphasising the impact he could have at Everton.

In a physical and industrious Moyes system, Soucek could provide Everton with several years of hard graft.

The 61-year-old would utilise his physicality and natural goalscoring sense to shape a former favourite at West Ham into his new version of Fellaini at Bramley Moore.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 18, 2025