All posts by z3u9t.icu

When Daniel Farke walked into Leeds United, they had just been relegated from the Premier League to the Championship, so it was natural that they lost a number of big names. A few players were snapped up by sides who remained in the top-flight, with Tyler Adams joining Bournemouth and Luis Sinisterra following him to the south coast on an initial loan that has just been made permanent. Jack Harrison may also end up signing for Everton long-term at the end of the campaign if a release clause is activated.

Elsewhere, Robin Koch left to join Frankfurt (and has agreed pre-contract terms ahead of the end of his Leeds deal), while there were loans for Max Wober (Borussia Monchengladbach), Marc Roca (Real Betis) Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin) and Rasmus Kristensen (Roma).

Leeds are fighting for an immediate return to the Premier League and are just a point shy of the automatic places right now after a six-game winning streak (albeit having played a game more than Southampton), but there's still a prospect of them losing one of their top talents this summer.

Ex Summerville team-mate hints at exit

In a recent Instagram post, Crysencio Summerville celebrated Leeds' 3-0 win over Rotherham at the weekend, sharing a photo of he and his team-mates celebrating one of his two second-half goals.

Underneath the post, Feyenoord right-back Lutsharel Geertruida commented "yes, leaving very quickly in the summer!", and this could be significant because of the pair's prior relationship. They were team-mates for the Netherlands' Under-21 side during qualification for last year's European Championships as well as playing together at Feyenoord's academy.

Summerville is too good for the Championship

As you can see in the table below, Summerville has by far the strongest case to be named the best player at Leeds this season. He leads the way for goals scored, overall goal involvements, chance creation and accurate crosses, terrorising Championship defences in a number of different ways.

Minutes played

2,249

6th

Goals

14

1st

Assists

7

2nd

Goal involvements

21

1st

Chances created per game

3

1st

Accurate crosses per game

1.7

1st

Dribbles per game

2.4

2nd

Where could he go if he does leave? Well, it's previously emerged that title-chasers Liverpool are showing an interest, while Champions League contenders Aston Villa regard him as a "long-term target" and Europa League outfit Brighton are keen too.

Farke could supercharge Gnonto by unleashing Leeds' £14k-p/w star

The exciting full-back made his debut for the club against Rotherham last time out.

ByDan Emery Feb 13, 2024

All of those clubs, especially Liverpool, could carry a real allure for Summerville regardless of whether Leeds are promoted, but it still seems like they need to go up to have any chance of keeping him. The 22-year-old has shown this season that he's quite frankly too good for the Championship, and he surely won't fancy spending another year playing second-tier football when he has the opportunity to launch his career elsewhere.

Summerville remains under contract until the summer of 2026, and Leeds may push for an extension to try and ward off his circling suitors.

Arsenal are back on track after their wobble in the festive period, with two Premier League wins on the bounce, albeit the victory against Nottingham Forest was much closer than it probably should have been.

The only way Mikel Arteta can make the week even better for the fans is by announcing a new signing, yet the North Londoners have been all but silent this month.

However, recent news has suggested Edu and Co could be about to burst into life and hijack a deal being worked on by one of their city rivals for a youngster who could replicate the trajectory of one Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal on the lookout for the next big thing

According to Football Insider, West Ham United's initial negotiations to sign FC Nordsjaelland's incredibly exciting youngster Ibrahim Osman failed earlier this month, and while they are set to try again, Arsenal are now ready to pounce and hijack the deal themselves.

However, the report has also revealed that the Gunners are not the only Premier League side looking to take advantage of the Hammers' problems, as Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion could also make late bids.

The fee required to complete the deal has not been reliably reported as of yet, but Football Insider has noted that it must be in excess of the £16m that the Irons initially offered.

While the final fee is sure to be expensive for an unproven teenager, Edu and the rest of the Arsenal board might feel confident that they can get the best out of the young Ghanaian due to Martinelli's successful transition from a relative unknown to one of the team's most important players.

Osman could follow in the footsteps of Martinelli

Now, claiming that a 19-year-old playing in the Norwegian first division could go on to become the next Martinelli, a player who scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 34 Premier League starts last season, is undeniably a big claim, and while Osman might not necessarily reach the same heady heights as the Brazilian, there are some similarities.

First, if the "skilful and direct" winger, as data analyst Ben Mattinson described him, were to join Arsenal this month, then, in effect, he'd be mirroring the move of Martinelli, as while he may be well-known in Norway, Osman is still an unknown quantity to the vast majority of Premier League fans in the same way the Arsenal man was when signing from Ituano.

Second, the 19-year-old is, as Mattinson says, a "1v1 specialist" and blessed with "electric speed", and while Martinelli's tendency to take players on has been quelled somewhat recently, these are attributes he clearly possesses. Hence, seeing what Osman could become after a few years at the Emirates is easy.

Lastly, Mattinson highlights the possibility of moulding the young Ghanaian into a central striker in the future due to his "good ball-striking" ability, which has always been discussed regarding Arsenal's dazzling left-winger.

Ibrahim Osman's Senior Career Record

Games

39

Goals

4

Assists

5

All Stats via Transfermarkt

There is clearly a lot that could tie the Nordsjaelland star to the former Ituano gem, but away from those things, he is a talented and promising young footballer, and while his goal and assist tally might not blow people away, it's still encouraging for such a young player.

Arsenal make enquiry to sign £26m-rated Havertz replacement

The 24-year-old has been impressing in Italy this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 31, 2024

Ultimately, if Arsenal have a genuine opportunity to hijack this deal, then they should take it. If Osman can become even half the player Martinelli is, the Gunners will have another brilliant winger among their ranks.

West Brom are reportedly showing an interest in signing an exciting talent who has "got everything", with Newcastle United and Brighton also in the mix to snap him up.

West Brom transfer news

The Baggies are unlikely to be busy in the January transfer window, but at the same time, it would be a surprise if no new faces arrived to strengthen their Championship promotion hopes. One player who has emerged as a strong transfer target is Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, with the Hawthorns seen as a good destination for the young Englishman. He is struggling for minutes under Daniel Farke this season, although it remains to be seen if the Whites would want to send him to a direct rival.

Hertha Berlin's Derry Scherhant is another option for West Brom, with the 21-year-old primarily playing in the 2.Bundesliga this season, and Bournemouth and Wales striker Kieffer Moore could also be brought in, giving him a chance to enjoy more regular minutes than he is getting at the Vitality Stadium.

While the Baggies need to be looking at players who can make an impact from the off, planning for the future is also hugely important, and it looks as though they are eyeing the signing of someone with a massive ceiling.

West Brom want Jordan James

According to Corriere Della Sera [via Sport Witness], West Brom are interested in signing Birmingham City youngster Jordan James, with the 19-year-old a highly-rated prospect.

The midfielder is wanted by a host of top clubs, however, with Premier League sides Newcastle, Brighton and Brentford all mentioned as potential suitors, as well as Serie A team Fiorentina. The list of clubs keen on acquiring his signature is thought to be getting "longer by the hour", with Birmingham demanding a €10m (£8.5m) fee.

Admittedly, it does look as though West Brom are the outsiders to get their man, but it is encouraging to see them showing such ambition in targeting a player of enormous long-term potential. Wales manager Rob Page has heaped praise on James, saying:

"He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it. He ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything. He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that."

At 19, James already has 79 appearances to his name in the Championship, showing that is more than capable of being a reliable squad immediately for West Brom, while eight caps for Wales while still in his teens is arguably even more impressive.

West Brom could sign "special" rival for Weimann before the deadline

West Brom could further bolster their attacking positions with this January deal.

ByKelan Sarson Jan 21, 2024

It feels more likely that the teenage midfielder will head to the Premier League if Birmingham sanction his exit, but if he sees the Baggies as a team that could go up this season, as well as give him regular playing time, there is still a chance that they could sign him.

After playing out an impressive draw away at Anfield and spending Christmas Day atop the Premier League table, Arsenal have been seriously out of sorts over the last few weeks.

Mikel Arteta's men followed up their impressive draw with back-to-back league losses to West Ham United and Fulham before they crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 home loss to Liverpool.

With the side's main problem of late being the frontline's inability to finish their chances, the club have unsurprisingly been linked to several strikers this month, including Getafe's in-form Borja Mayoral.

The Spaniard has been impressive for the Deep Blues, but the Gunners would be better served signing the latest forward touted for a move to N5: Ajax's Brian Brobbey.

Arsenal transfer news – Brian Brobbey

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are in the market for a new striker and have 'cast an eye' over Ajax's 21-year-old goalscorer.

There has not been a reliable report as to how much a move for the young forward might cost the Gunners, but Football Transfers' Expected Value model has placed the Dutchman's worth at around €17.9m, which is about £15m.

While the price – if accurate – shouldn't be a problem for the Gunners, the other interested party might be.

According to the Mirror, alongside Arsenal, Manchester United are also fans of Brobbey, with Erik ten Hag personally 'keeping tabs' on his situation in Amsterdam.

While the interest of the Red Devils could complicate matters for Arsenal and even lead to a bidding war, Brobbey's form this season suggests that it might just be a war worth fighting.

Arsenal can forget about Borja Mayoral with Brian Brobbey

Now, with the north Londoners managing just one goal from their 63 shots since Christmas, either of these in-form frontmen would likely come into the side and have an immediate impact.

Still, with Mayoral being five years the Dutchman's senior and set to cost potentially over £20m more than him – with a fee of £39m suggested – a move for the "insane" Ajax man, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, just makes more sense.

The argument for the 5 foot 11 forward is further strengthened when comparing the pair's underlying numbers, as despite still being quite impressive, Mayoral's numbers pale in comparison in most relevant statistics.

For example, in his 15 matches, Brobbey has scored eight non-penalty goals and provided four assists from a non-penalty expected goals and assists figure of 13.5. In contrast, Getafe's talisman has played 19 games and scored eight non-penalty goals while providing just one assist from a non-penalty expected goals and assists figure of 6.7.

So, while the numbers might suggest that the Spaniard is a better finisher, they also heavily indicate that his current hot streak is unsustainable, something borne out in his season-by-season goal tally – having only once previously reached double figures for league goals in his senior career.

Stats per 90

Brobbey

Mayoral

Matches Played

15

19

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.99

0.40

Goals

0.58

0.71

Non-Penalty Goals

0.58

0.47

Progressive Passes

1.09

2.78

Progressive Carries

2.34

1.30

Shots on Target

1.61

1.01

Passing Accuracy

77.7%

74.8%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.95

2.20

Goal-Creating Actions

0.51

0.36

Successful Take-Ons

1.09

0.83

Aerial Duels Won

2.77

2.43

All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season

Other areas in which the Amsterdam-born "goal machine", as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, outshines his competition include progressive carries, shots on target, aerial duels, shot and goal-creating actions, and he is a more accomplished dribbler as well.

Arsenal could sign dream Onana alternative in £50m ace who's like Kroos

The 24-year-old could take Arsenal to the next level.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 12, 2024

Ultimately, with the Gunners said to be slightly hamstrung by FFP concerns, it would have made sense to target Brobbey over Mayoral even if he was ever so slightly less talented than the Spaniard, so the fact that he appears to be a more well-rounded and impressive forward on top of costing potentially £20m or so less makes this deal a no-brainer.

Chelsea have claimed back-to-back Premier League wins over Luton Town and Crystal Palace recently, and it looks as though their campaign is finally on the up after a mixed start to the 2023/24 season.

Mauricio Pochettino was expected to return the club to the top four following his arrival in the summer and while that may be out of their reach, a solid second half of the campaign could give them a solid base to work with ahead of 2024/25.

Although the Blues have spent more than £1b since Todd Boehly took over the club in 2022, this lavish spending doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon, especially with the January transfer window in full swing.

While the spending this month likely wont reach the levels of January 2023, it is clear that Pochettino is looking to add a player or two, especially to his attacking department.

With Nicolas Jackson currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty for his country, a striker will be an urgent requirement for the Stamford Bridge side, and they have identified a target from La Liga…

Chelsea transfer news – Artem Dovbyk

According to a report from The Sun late last month, the Blues have shown interest in Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, and they could pounce in the next few weeks.

Chelsea could sign their next Morata in "lovely" £39m sensation

Mauricio Pochettino wants to add a true finisher to his side this January.

ByTom Lever Dec 31, 2023

The report states that the former Paris Saint-Germain manager has sent scouts to watch his performances for the Spanish side – who are taking La Liga by storm this season – and it looks as though he is clearly impressed with what has been relayed back to him.

Girona currently values the attacker at £39m and while this is a lavish fee, it isn’t as high as what Pochettino could spend.

Claudio Echeverri

19th December

Santiago Gimenez

18th December

Dusan Vlahovic

15th December

Victor Osimhen

15th December

Viktor Gyokeres

12th December

The former Paris Saint-Germain coach wants to add a more physical centre-forward to his side and, standing at 6 foot 2, Dovbyk certainly fits this profile.

Chelsea has had plenty of success in recruiting players from the Spanish top flight in the past, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Pedro and Cesc Fàbregas all thriving at Stamford Bridge in one way or another.

One of their best signings in recent years, especially with regard to the centre-forward position, was that of Diego Costa during the summer of 2014 as he arrived from Atlético Madrid.

The hulking striker enjoyed plenty of success in Spain and Chelsea could sign Costa 2.0 if they manage to secure the signature of Dovbyk this month.

Diego Costa’s Chelsea statistics

The burly Brazilian-born frontman took a while to hit his stride in Europe, and it wasn’t until he joined Atlético Madrid in 2010 that his talent began to shine through.

He did score eight times during his maiden season at the club, but spent the following campaign on loan at Rayo Vallecano, albeit with this giving him a wonderful platform to showcase his skills without the pressure of performing for Atlético on a weekly basis.

216

83

120

59

36

9

36

9

30

6

25

1

19

5

16

10

15

3

13

5

9

1

Ten goals and four assists in just 16 La Liga matches was enough to convince Diego Simeone of his abilities and, over the next two seasons, Costa found the back of the net on 56 occasions as he led the club to Copa del Rey and La Liga glory along with a showdown against Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final.

José Mourinho was impressed and brought the striker to Chelsea that summer, and it proved to be a stroke of genius, with Costa spearheading their charge to a first league crown since 2010 under the enigmatic Portuguese coach.

A further 38 goals were scored in the next two seasons, but by the start of the 2017/18 campaign, he had rejoined Atlético and his Chelsea love affair was over.

Dovbyk has also taken the long road to achieving success in a major European league and his form this season for Girona could lead him to becoming another Costa for Chelsea should he move to England this month.

Artem Dovbyk’s season in numbers

The Ukrainian striker finally began delivering on his vast promise during a spell at SK Dnipro-1 in his homeland, scoring 54 goals in just 86 appearances and this convinced Girona to lure him to Spain ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

It has since proven to be a masterstroke, with the 26-year-old already netting 11 goals and registering six assists in just 18 league matches as the club currently occupy the heady heights of second in the table, level on points with Real Madrid.

Michel, the Girona manager, had plenty of praise for his centre-forward following a game against Barcelona, saying:

“I haven’t seen the statistics, but I saw a dominant Barca, and they had many shots on goal, but Girona was as always, and I like it. Last year we had no chance of winning and lost 0:1. On a tactical level, Xavi wanted to press us, but we managed to overcome the high press. We used the space, Dovbyk and Tsygankov played a sensational game in the first half."

Dovbyk is not just starring for his club, but also impressing across the continent. Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the Ukrainian is currently ranked in the top 1% for assists per 90 (0.41), the top 10% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.65) and the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (7.41) and these statistics clearly demonstrate he would be an ideal signing for Pochettino.

With Jackson unavailable for potentially the next four weeks and Armando Broja looking like he will depart the club, the manager is desperate to recruit another forward in the next week or so.

In Dovbyk, the Blues could sign a player who is ready for the Premier League, especially considering his performances in the Spanish top flight of late.

The move is a no-brainer for Pochettino and, at a fee of £39m, he isn’t going to find someone who can find the back of the net on a more regular basis for cheaper.

The next seven days could be crucial for the club as they seek reinforcements, but if the Girona striker makes his way to London, the Blues will be significantly boosted ahead of the second half of the season.

Michael Beale hasn't quite been able to stamp his authority on Sunderland just yet, the ex-Rangers manager picking up just one win from his opening three games in charge of the Black Cats.

It's not as if the second-tier side have been humiliated in any match under their divisive new manager however, Beale only coming up short with one defeat so far from his opening trio of Championship contests.

He could well tinker with the lineup for Sunderland's lunchtime game on New Year's Day against Ryan Lowe's Preston North End in a bid to find the golden starting eleven that clicks everything into place, a team worthy of competing for promotion and going the distance instead of narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

Here's the Sunderland predicted XI for their showdown with the Lilywhites, with three potential changes from the 1-1 draw with Rotherham United last game present…

1 GK – Anthony Patterson

Anthony Patterson will continue being Beale's first-choice goalkeeper, the Sunderland shot-stopper making three saves last game – as per Sofascore – to ensure the Black Cats came away from Rotherham with at least a point.

2 RB – Jenson Seelt

Playing in an unorthodox right-back position last match, Jenson Seelt still put in a competent display against the Millers.

Seelt's composure on the ball stood out in the game under the New York Stadium floodlights, misplacing just three of his 41 passes before being hauled off by Beale in the second half.

Timothee Pembele will give Seelt competition now however, the former Paris St.Germain defender fit enough for a cameo off the bench in place of Seelt against Rotherham.

Still, Beale should keep faith in his young Dutch defender who has barely put a foot wrong playing as a stand-in full-back to date.

3 CB – Daniel Ballard

Daniel Ballard makes up the next part of an unchanged back four, the ex-Arsenal centre-back resolute versus the Millers with 12 aerial duels won in total over the course of the 90 minutes.

Clearing the ball away seven times too, Ballard will hope his efforts against Preston are rewarded with a clean sheet.

4 CB – Luke O'Nien

Sunderland's captain was the standout performer from a resilient defence against Leam Richardson's hosts last game, winning an astounding 16 duels in total.

Luke O'Nien was also measured on the ball playing out from the back, misplacing just six passes as a calm but authoritative presence in the 1-1 draw.

5 LB – Trai Hume

Trai Hume will also be retained at left-back for the test of the Lilywhites on Monday – switching over to the left-hand side to make up for Niall Huggins being sidelined – with the Northern Ireland international constantly involved in passages of play at the New York Stadium.

Hume would accumulate a staggering 120 touches in the draw, showing off his dominance in the air with four out of five aerial duels won.

6 CM – Pierre Ekwah

Pierre Ekwah will also start against Lowe's Lilywhites, the central midfielder focusing on his football still despite interest from Premier League suitors which is predicted to heat up this January.

Ekwah wasn't at his best in South Yorkshire last match however, only winning a solitary duel in the competitive clash.

7 CM – Dan Neil

Dan Neil and Ekwah have formed a formidable partnership in recent weeks from holding midfield, with Neil the more creative and forward-thinking of the fixed duo.

That was apparent in the Rotherham game, with Neil attempting to test Victor Johanssen in the opposing goal with one off-target effort whilst notching up five accurate long balls in the clash to push his timid team further up the pitch.

8 RM – Abdoullah Ba

The first change Beale could make to his starting eleven would be dropping Patrick Roberts for Abdoullah Ba, gifting the 20-year-old a rare start owing to Roberts hobbling off the pitch last game.

Roberts came off with a suspected muscle issue, but Ba deserves to start regardless of the ex-Celtic man's ailment potentially ruling him out.

Ba impressed throughout the 75 minutes he was on the field versus Rotherham when replacing Roberts, 100% successful with all of his dribble attempts in the contest with the French winger regularly twisting and turning Millers defenders for fun.

The young French attacker will see this as the perfect opportunity to kickstart his faltering campaign again, proving to his manager that he's a useful weapon within the Black Cats ranks to rely upon.

9 CAM – Alex Pritchard

The second change could well see Jobe Bellingham drop out of the starting lineup for the more experienced Alex Pritchard, Bellingham nowhere near his electric best against Rotherham.

Bellingham could well be experiencing lethargy, the teenager rarely given a breather this campaign in an unforgiving league – the 18-year-old midfielder failing to register a single shot on the Rotherham goal, whilst successfully completing just two of his six dribbles on the night.

Pritchard deserves another run-out in Bellingham's place, the former Huddersfield Town man still able to conjure up moments of magic for the Tyne and Wear side despite reaching the twilight of his career now at 30 years of age.

The ex-Terriers man has received glowing praise throughout his Black Cats career for his obvious pedigree and ability on the ball, described in the past as having "incredible technique" by Not the Top 20 Podcast host Ali Maxwell in set-piece situations.

10 LM – Jack Clarke

Jack Clarke also possesses dazzling ability at this moment in time for Sunderland, showcased throughout this second-tier season to date.

Clarke's equalising goal against Rotherham was his 12th strike of the season already, the Tyne and Wear outfit heavily reliant on the former Leeds United man to lead from the front and secure results off his own back.

Not fazed by this pressure on his shoulders whatsoever, Clarke will no doubt want to be the hero again versus Preston tomorrow lunchtime.

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘confident’ that they can sign Hugo Ekitike in the summer.

The Lowdown: January bid

A reported £33m deal for the 19-year-old to move to Tyneside from Reims fell through on deadline day in the January transfer window, so Chris Wood from Burnley ended up being the only attacker to come through the doors at St James’ Park.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/” title=”Newcastle news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

However, journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that the Magpies have been ‘told’ that they can sign Ekitike this summer instead, but it is not clear whether the same kind of fee will be required to seal a deal.

The Latest: Newcastle confident on Ekitike

Taking to Twitter, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle are now ‘confident’ of signing Ekitike.

Expanding in his latest article for 90min, the journalist added that they hope to wrap up a deal ‘soon’ after Eddie Howe ‘pinpointed’ him as a target back in the winter.

Sources close to the player have revealed that he is ‘keen’ to move to St James’ Park as the Magpies target another striker to bolster their ranks.

The Verdict: Get it done

After failing to sign him in January, the St James’ Park board simply must now get a deal for Ekitike over the line.

Described as a ‘very special‘ player earlier this season by his manager Oscar Garcia, the teenager has a big future ahead of him, and some in France even go as far as to believe that he could be the ‘next Mbappe‘.

With 10 goals and four assists in 25 matches across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), Ekitike has burst onto the scene in his home country, so this would be an exciting deal for the Tyneside club if they can finally go through with it.

In other news, find out what exciting NUFC transfer update Keith Downie has now revealed

Manchester United are still working towards having their ideal squad at Old Trafford and have been offered an intriguing swap deal scenario that could see a renowned striker arrive.

Manchester United continue their transfer mission

While the cat remains firmly among the pigeons regarding Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford, INEOS are likely to be already plotting potential additions to the squad come January and beyond, with the belief now that he will be given time to turn things around.

PSR will need to be respected, and Manchester United spent over £250 million during the summer. Hence, it remains to be seen how much wriggle room they have to invite more arrivals into the Old Trafford dynamic.

Delivering an update on someone who could opt to swap the capital for life at the Premier League giants, Ben Jacobs has claimed Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has a gentleman’s agreement to sign for the Red Devils next summer.

He stated: “I’m told that there’s kind of a gentleman’s agreement that next summer if Wharton doesn’t sign a new deal, he can leave for somewhere in the region of £60m-£65m.”

The England international may be the final piece to complete Manchester United’s midfield jigsaw, while also providing a younger alternative to an ageing Casemiro, who is into the last year of his contract.

Cost of sacking Ruben Amorim revealed as Man Utd's coaching spend surpasses Virgil van Dijk fee

INEOS would have to spend big…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 3, 2025

INEOS have shown they are willing to spend serious money, with Bryan Mbeumo becoming the Red Devils’ sixth-most expensive signing at £71 million. Nevertheless, the opportunity needs to be right for all parties.

With that in mind, Manchester United could now take advantage of a lucrative swap deal that may see one of Europe’s most renowned marksmen arrive at Old Trafford.

Man Utd could swap Joshua Zirkzee for Dusan Vlahovic

According to Tutto Juve, Manchester United are set to be offered Dusan Vlahovic plus cash in exchange for Joshua Zirkzee, and the Netherlands international could be allowed to leave Old Trafford after not featuring frequently under Amorim.

On the same token, Vlahovic is out of contract in 2026, meaning he may be part of a deal that secures Zirkzee’s exit rather than being allowed to leave on a free transfer next summer.

Joshua Zirkzee in 2025/26

Dusan Vlahovic 2025/26

Appearances: 4

Appearances: 7

Goals: 0

Goals: 4

Assists: 0

Assists: 1

No figure has been mentioned in the event of a potential transfer. Regardless, Vlahovic coming in the other direction would address Manchester United’s need for a prolific striker who can deliver in the present.

Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal

Patrik Schick

Bayer Leverkusen

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

Christopher Nkunku

AC Milan

Alexander Sørloth

Atletico Madrid

Likened to Arsenal’s new signing Viktor Gyokeres for their physical styles and clinical finishing, he has scored 149 career goals in total inside 347 appearances, with 62 of them coming at Juventus since his move from Fiorentina in 2022.

Now potentially gearing up for a new challenge, his arrival would take the Red Devils’ forward line up a notch despite their recent impressive signings, though it remains to be seen if a deal with Zirkzee factored in will be a solution that works for all parties.

Arsenal are unrecognisable from the disjointed and wandering outfit that Mikel Arteta took charge of over five years ago.

Though the Spaniard has failed to win any silverware across his five full seasons at the helm (bagging the FA Cup after replacing Unai Emery midway through the 2019/20 term), the Gunners are now one of Europe’s elite units.

With Bukayo Saka the poster boy, Arsenal have become a force to be reckoned with, and though the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi bespeak the club’s transfer vision, the Hale End academy stands as strong as ever. Saka would attest to that.

But with a meteoric rise comes heightened interest in the product. Arsenal have some of the most talented footballers in the business, and Real Madrid have started sniffing around.

Real Madrid want Arsenal talent

It was less than a week ago that news emerged of Real Madrid’s mounting interest in Arsenal’s star centre-back William Saliba, who has been instrumental in creating one of Europe’s superlative defensive forces over the past few years.

But the Frenchman, 23, isn’t the only one on Los Blancos’ radar. Indeed, though Saka has also been reported to be on the La Liga giant’s radar in 2025, Arsenal and Arteta must be concerned following revelations about an even bigger talent.

Could that be possible?

Well, Max Dowman’s incredible start to life as a professional during the Gunners’ pre-season tour says it could be so.

And according to Spanish reports, the 15-year-old prodigy has impressed Madrid scouts of late, with an official offer not out of the question in the coming years.

Dowman has the potential to become a generational player, so let’s hope the relevant parties come together and agree that his future is best served in north London.

Why Max Dowman is a bigger talent than Bukayo Saka

Dowman was introduced in Saka’s stead (a portent of things to come?) as Arsenal beat AC Milan 1-0 earlier this month, and Arteta could only marvel at the youngster’s “special” introduction to the senior stage.

It’s important not to overinflate an up-and-coming prospect when they have only just started cutting their teeth, but there’s little question that Dowman is a cut above the rest.

An attacking midfielder with fleet feet, remarkable power for one so young and an incredible amount of confidence, it feels likely that Arteta will hand him his senior debut at some point during the 2025/26 campaign.

Given the noise surrounding him already, there’s every chance that Arsenal have got an even bigger talent than Saka on their hands; should his progress over the coming years be managed deftly, Arteta could have one of the game’s most dangerous players in his mix.

Saka started off as a relative unknown, but he’s now a world-beater. The Three Lions superstar made his Premier League debut aged 19, in January 2019, during a 4-1 win over Fulham. It looks likely that Dowman will eclipse his countryman’s record and then some. Indeed, expect a Premier League debut this season at the tender age of 15.

24/25

25

6

11

23/24

35

16

12

22/23

38

14

12

21/22

38

11

7

20/21

32

5

4

19/20

26

1

5

18/19

1

0

0

Dowman might not have made his (competitive) senior debut for Arsenal yet, but does that not add to the fanfare?

Here is a teenager who conducts themselves with such swagger and style on the pitch that Madrid are desperate to get their hands on his signature before he pens his first professional deal at the Emirates.

Let’s hope that Arteta and technical director Andrea Berta have their wits about them and ensure Dowman stays at Arsenal for many years to come.

He’s the real deal, and in fact, he might prove to be an even bigger talent than Saka.

He's as fun as Alexis: Arsenal in pole position to sign "special" £68m star

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reshaping his frontline this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 29, 2025

Liverpool may well be lining up an explosive late move for Alexander Isak in the ongoing transfer market but for Arne Slot and Co, further strengthening the forward line should not be the priority.

After all, despite adding Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong to their ranks, the Reds’ defence looks worse than it did last season.

Trent Alexander Arnold and Jarell Quansah have both left, Joe Gomez is injured and Ibou Konate could follow Trent to Real Madrid.

As a result, Slot has had to tinker with his backline during pre-season. The likes of Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and young Trey Nyoni have all played in the centre of defence in recent matches.

With Liverpool dreaming of retaining their Premier League title this season, they need someone to partner Van Dijk.

Liverpool's search for a new centre-half

In the centre of defence, the Reds have had two main targets this summer.

They first looked at prising Dean Huijsen away from Bournemouth but they were left frustrated by Madrid yet again. The Spaniard only wanted Real and he headed back to his homeland.

Marc Guehi is another priority target for Liverpool and according to reports, they are set to step up their pursuit of the Crystal Palace captain after the Community Shield on Sunday.

Valued at £45m, they are due to hold talks with the Eagles about signing the centre-back before the September 1st deadline.

Transfer Focus

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

Yet, he’s not the only defender on the club’s radar. Indeed, according to Football Espana, Barcelona star Ronald Araujo has emerged as an option.

They reveal that Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs are also showing ‘serious interest’ in the 26-year-old. Manchester United are also said to hold ‘long-term interest’ in the Barca defender.

How Ronald Araujo compares to Marc Guehi

At just £45m, bringing Guehi to Anfield would be a brilliant piece of business. He’s 25, thus approaching his prime, he’s Premier League-proven and having captained Palace, he’s a natural leader.

Including the brilliant price on offer, there are very few cons to signing such a proven player in the remaining weeks of the window; he’d surely hit the ground running swiftly.

However, Araujo is a genuine elite defender and has shown as much for one of the greatest clubs in the land in recent years.

Described by legendary centre-back Carles Puyol as “one of the best defenders in the world”, Araujo could be a brilliant market opportunity for Liverpool.

He’s capable of playing in the middle of defence but also competently at right-back. After missing the first half of the 2024/25 campaign with a hamstring injury, the defender went on to play 24 times at centre-back and played a starring role at the back as Barcelona reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Unlike Guehi, he’s playing at the very highest level and he’s more versatile too, having played seven times at right-back in the last two seasons.

So, what sets him apart?

Passes completed

79.3

43.3

Pass accuracy %

92%

84%

Key passes

0.48

0.47

Progressive passes

5.83

3.94

Progressive carries

0.71

0.65

Attempted take-ons

0.12

0.44

Tackles won

1.07

1.00

Interceptions

1.07

0.82

Aerial duels won

3.93

2.00

Over the last year, Araujo has showcased that he is an elite defender in a number of metrics. He ranks inside the best 2% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won per 90 minutes.

In the air, he’s evidently streets ahead of Guehi. His pass success rate of 92% betters Guehi and ensures that the Barca stalwart ranks within the best 12% of centre-backs in Europe for that metric.

A beast in the air, Araujo also possesses the ability to play out from the back, making him the perfect fit for Slot’s backline.

Cut from a similar cloth as Virgil van Dijk in terms of his physicality, if Konate does end up leaving for the Bernabeu, then there are very few better replacements around the continent.

Slot's next Gravenberch: Liverpool lead the race for "incredible' £50m star

Liverpool are hoping to sign a PL star this summer, and it’s not Alexander Isak.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 10, 2025