All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Birmingham City fans will be counting down the days now until the bumper Championship fixture schedule is released, with the full set of matches finally out in the open for eager Blues fans next Thursday.

Then, it will be full steam ahead with pre-season matches galore, as the expectant St. Andrew’s masses clamour to see some new, major signings in the flesh.

So far, only Phil Neumann has hopped on board the Birmingham train, but there will surely be more fresh purchases to come, especially as the clock gradually starts to tick down to the start of the hotly anticipated second-tier season.

Chris Davies and Co. could be about to land a surprise new signing from the Eredivisie if reports are correct, away from ongoing pursuits of former heroes such as Demarai Gray.

Birmingham offered chance to sign Eredivisie talent

Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Birmingham have been offered to chance to snap up Finnish talent Oliver Antman this summer.

Bailey does further state that Blackburn Rovers have also been offered up the same opportunity, but the Blues will hope they can flex their muscles once more in the market by snapping up the standout Go Ahead Eagles winger over Valerien Ismael’s men.

The Finland international has been a top performer in the Netherlands for some time now, and whilst there is a lot of sentimentality attached to Birmingham wanting to bring Gray back to St. Andrew’s, landing the services of Antman instead could be seen as an even more exciting purchase.

Why Antman could be a more exciting signing than Gray

After all, it’s not as if the former Blues winger has been setting the world alight in the Saudi Pro League as of late.

Transfer Focus

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

Worryingly, his output across 2024/25 so far for Al-Ettifaq has only seen the Jamaica international collect a solitary assist from 25 games, with no goals coming his way.

Therefore, the declining 28-year-old might not be cut out for the pressures of Championship football anymore, irrespective of his previous eight goals and four assists at the level with his hometown side.

Games played

32

Goals scored

6

Assists

15

Shots*

1.7

Key passes*

1.5

Big chances missed

11

Big chances created

16

On the flip side, when assessing the table above, Antman looks more than ready to cause havoc in the demanding division, with the 23-year-old very much at the peak of his powers in the Dutch top-flight currently.

Whilst Gray has unfortunately receded into his shell in the Middle East, the ex-FC Nordsjælland attacker has exploded into life on the books of the Eredivisie side, with a mammoth 16 big chances created across his 32 league clashes, away from tallying up a stellar record of six goals and 15 assists.

To add further context, the waning Al-Ettifaq number 11 only managed to create four big chances across the same period, with Birmingham needing to cut all emotion from their transfer dealings if they want to significantly strengthen their options.

Instead of going after Gray, they must prioritise a move for Antman, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig even going on to hail the 23-year-old’s “creative” prowess recently.

With seven goals under his belt too on the international stage with Finland, it feels as if the Go Ahead Eagles ace could soon take the English game by storm.

Antman’s creative excellence will also be music to the ears of the likes of Jay Stansfield and Alfie May, as a new, exciting Championship campaign begins to hurtle into view.

Stansfield 2.0: Birmingham City keen on signing "dynamite" £10m forward

Birmingham City would seriously improve their attacking options in the Championship by snapping up this promising talent.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 19, 2025

It’s finally confirmed. Matheus Cunha has left Wolverhampton Wanderers to join Manchester United in a £62.5m deal.

The move was agreed last month, but the Brazilian has now officially departed, giving Vitor Pereira some funds to work with this summer.

Pereira will have to spend wisely to replace the former Atlético Madrid star, as he was capable of moments of genius for the club during his two-and-a-half-year stint in the Midlands.

Indeed, he perhaps single-handedly kept the club in the Premier League last season, especially after they suffered a dreadful start to the campaign.

Matheus Cunha's 2024/25 season in numbers

Last season, he finished with 23 goal contributions – 17 goals and six assists – across 36 matches for the club in all competitions.

It was his displays in the top flight, however, that earmarked him as a target for several clubs.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25

36

17

6

2023/24

36

14

8

2022/23

20

2

1

In the Premier League, he ranked first among the Wolves’ first-team squad for goals and assists (21), shots on target per match (1.3), big chances created (13) and key passes per game (1.8).

These statistics were mighty impressive, and it makes Pereira’s job of sourcing a replacement that much harder.

He has money to spend, that much is certain. But spending it on the right players will be the most important aspect.

Wolves search for a Matheus Cunha replacement

As reported by journalist Sebastien Denis earlier this week, writing for Foot Mercato, Wolves are reportedly targeting a swoop for FC St Gallen striker Willem Geubbels this summer.

Leeds United are also keen on securing his services following a prolific campaign in Switzerland.

A €10m (£8.5m) asking price is all that stands in Pereira’s way and given the financial rewards on offer for another season in the top flight, this fee won’t be any issue whatsoever.

Across 31 matches in the Swiss Super League for St. Gallen, Geubbels scored 14 goals and grabbed three assists.

Although typically deployed as a centre-forward, the youngster is also able to operate on either wing, and this flexibility will be a major bonus for the club.

This is evidenced by his performance across a range of metrics. Geubbels created seven big chances in the Swiss top flight, while also averaging 1.4 key passes and 2.5 total shots per game for St. Gallen.

Not quite at Cunha’s level, yet. But a move to Wolves could see him improve swiftly, especially with exposure to some of the best defenders in Europe.

Hailed as both “powerful” and “quick” by Kai Watson writing in the Rangers Journal in January 2024, Geubbels will offer plenty to the current Wolves squad.

Watson also stated that the youngster “plays the deeper role as part of a front two because of his creative ability.” And this could see him exuding the qualities that made Cunha such a hit at Molineux since joining in 2023.

Pereira must act quickly to snap up the young forward, especially as plenty of interested parties are keen.

Wolves now in transfer race with Leeds to sign "future star" for £8.5m

Wolves are among the teams keen on signing an exciting young forward.

ByBrett Worthington Jun 12, 2025

Newcastle United are confident that they will keep Alexander Isak in the squad this summer, but a new striker is being chased all the same.

Eddie Howe wants more firepower in the attacking third, with Callum Wilson ageing and out of contract, and William Osula, 21, drifting through his maiden year as a Magpie.

Well, The Telegraph understand talks with Brighton & Hove Albion are on the brink of kicking off for the transfer of Joao Pedro, who is valued at £60m and who the Seagulls are willing to sell this summer.

Newcastle open talks for sought-after star

Pedro, 23, is proven in the Premier League and has the dynamic faculties to complement Isak, rather than outright replace him. However, there may be an even bigger fish Howe could add to the Tyneside pond.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, putting their name in the hat as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all tussle for the striker’s signature.

Ekitike might be the talk of the town, but it doesn’t seem like any suitor would be willing to meet the Bundesliga club’s €100m (£85m) valuation of the 22-year-old. Saying that, the player’s entourage have informed the relevant parties that a reduced figure may yet be agreed.

Newcastle agreed an initial £26m deal to sign Ekitike when he was at Stade de Reims way back in 2022, but he rejected their interest when Paris Saint-Germain came calling.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Newcastle

Newcastle might have felt the force of Ekitike’s rejection in the past, but he was a teenager who had been presented with a proposal to remain in his homeland with the cream of Ligue 1’s crop.

PSG didn’t work out for him, only scoring four times across 33 senior showings before being rehoused in Germany with Frankfurt, but it’s here where the striker has found his feet, with his first full campaign at the club ending with 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.

His displays have actually led analyst Ben Mattinson to praise him as “one of the best strikers out there.”

As far as Pedro’s concerned, Ekitike is the superior player, and if Bailey’s on the money (quite literally) with his claims that Frankfurt’s £85m demands might be slashed, putting every effort into convincing the Frenchman feels like a no-brainer.

Goals scored

0.53

0.46

Assists

0.28

0.28

Shots taken

4.00

1.94

Shot-creating actions

3.55

3.33

Touches (att pen)

6.88

5.64

Progressive passes

1.86

3.60

Progressive carries

3.27

3.05

Successful take-ons

1.83

1.34

Ball recoveries

3.06

2.73

Tackles + interceptions

0.81

1.16

As you can see, the two forwards are matched up rather well, but Ekitike clearly has the edge, outperforming his South American counterpart across most relevant metrics.

Indeed, should you strip away Pedro’s penalties in the Premier League last season, he would rank among the bottom 21% of the division’s forwards for goals scored per 90.

Oh, Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has praised the Brighton man’s “magical” ability on the ball, but Ekitike might just be ‘Europe’s most elegant striker’, so say the Bundesliga, in any case.

But the proof is in the pudding, and Frankfurt’s number nine passes the eye test, all right. There’s a certain lightness to his dribbling, with an underlying creativity that would see him hit the ground running on English pitches, in Howe’s system.

Pedro is a talented footballer, but Ekitike is simply that bit better, and Newcastle have got to aim for the stars as they go from strength to strength.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig believes Ekitike “could reach world-class striker levels.” Pedro is a talented guy, but is the same scale of potential also applicable to him?

This is a tough case, with Frankfurt proving stubborn in their appraisal of the striker and rival interest against top-drawer outfits making PIF’s task difficult.

But just imagine if they pull it off; it would remind the footballing world that there’s a new superpower on the block.

Schar upgrade: Newcastle among favourites to sign "unbelievable" £40m star

Newcastle will be looking to improve their defence this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 16, 2025

Chelsea are carrying on their busy summer transfer window after sealing a move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with Enzo Maresca’s side now setting their sights on another exciting young centre-forward.

Chelsea could sign second striker after Liam Delap

The former Man City starlet joins in a £30 million deal following Ipswich’s confirmed relegation to the Championship, and fresh off the back of a 12-goal Premier League season, there is potential for Delap to do well at Stamford Bridge.

"Elite" player green-lights move to Chelsea with formal bid expected soon

He could be their next signing after Liam Delap.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2025

After completing a medical earlier this week (Fabrizio Romano), Delap becomes Chelsea’s first signing of what is expected to be a busy window, and it is believed yet another striker could still follow the Englishman.

Rank

Team

Points

GD

3

Man City

71

+28

4

Chelsea

69

+21

5

Newcastle

66

+21

6

Aston Villa

66

+7

7

Nottingham Forest

65

+12

This is made all the more possible by clubs showing a genuine interest in striker Nicolas Jackson, who could leave Chelsea this summer and make way for another number nine, likely to be Hugo Ekitiké of Eintracht Frankfurt as things stand.

“Liam Delap is joining as well as another striker that points in the direction of Hugo Ekitiké of Frankfurt,” wrote reliable journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, this week.

“There’s been a lot of contrasting reporting on Jackson and what his future will hold now it looks like two new strikers are arriving at the club.

“At the very least, he now has big question marks hanging over his head, but what is the latest on him?

“Chelsea do like Jackson, but there has been a desire to upgrade him and bring more competition in. They believe that he doesn’t have enough to lead Chelsea in the Champions League right now, so have looked to bring in others.

“In terms of a selling standpoint, they will very much listen to any offers that come in without actively pushing to sell him.”

Phillips adds that Manchester United, Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid are all interested in the Senegalese and are considering making an offer, so an exit for Jackson is very much a possibility.

Now, as one African striker is faced with the prospect of leaving Stamford Bridge, another has been given the chance to join Maresca’s squad.

Chelsea make "official offer" to sign Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong

According to Africa Foot, Chelsea are seriously moving in pursuit of Villarreal striker Karl Etta Eyong.

The “promising” Cameroonian, as stated by this report, has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, scoring once in La Liga for the first team and a further 19 for Villarreal’s B squad, with the 21-year-old also attracting attention from Toulouse, Getafe, and Leganes.

However, it is Maresca’s side who appear to be in pole position. Chelsea have made an “official offer” for Etta Eyong, submitting a five-year contract proposal until 2030, with the option of spending next season at sister club Strasbourg to help further his development.

There’s been no confirmation of whether the player or Villarreal are inclined to accept this proposal, but it may be one to watch over the coming days.

Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta have been alerted to the price tag of a “gifted” attacker, and it has dropped by nearly half compared to last year, as the Gunners are presented with a £63 million discount.

Mikel Arteta praises Andrea Berta with Arsenal summer transfer update

Before their final game of the Premier League season, Mikel Arteta was asked about the club’s summer recruitment drive, which is now set to take centre-stage after a very disappointing campaign.

Obi-Mikel desperate for Arsenal not to sign "unplayable" Gyokeres alternative

The ex-Chelsea midfielder suggests he’d be a major threat under Arteta.

1 ByEmilio Galantini May 22, 2025

The Gunners end 2024/2025 with no silverware, despite being tipped to win this year’s Premier League title and mount serious challenges across other competitions as well.

Since Arteta’s appointment, there hasn’t exactly been a lack of investment in the squad, and some critics are beginning to wonder whether he is really the right man to end Arsenal’s two-decade-long-plus wait for a domestic league crown.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

However, 24/25 hasn’t been without major obstacles for Arteta either, with the 43-year-old lacking major firepower upfront for the majority of this term. Injuries to Kai Havertz – who has since returned to action – and Gabriel Jesus meant that Arsenal had been forced to deploy Mikel Merino as an emergency striker for months.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were also unavailable for extended periods at points during the campaign as well, proving very unfortunate, and it highlights the need for Arsenal to reinforce their squad with further attacking quality.

Speaking in his pre-Southampton press conference, Arteta expressed his desire for Berta to bring in more “firepower” this summer, all while sharing his high expectations for the ex-Atletico Madrid chief, who officially joined in late March.

“I think he’s going to be a big contributor with his experience, and the fact that he’s already won in very difficult contexts and the way he’s built teams, he is exceptional,” said Arteta about Berta.

“I think we have to share that responsibility and Andrea is going to be a key part to driving the plans and the ideas we have and try to execute them, and we are here to support him.”

Andrea Berta handed £63m Rodrygo discoCunt after Arsenal open talks

A key target who has emerged this week comes in the form of versatile Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who England star Jude Bellingham thinks is “underrated” and the “most gifted” player in their squad.

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg stated earlier this week that Arsenal have opened talks over signing Rodrygo, and the Brazilian has shot to the “very top” of Berta’s transfer wishlist for the wide area.

Reports last year claimed Real president Florentino Perez was demanding around £130 million to sell the 24-year-old to Man City, but according to journalist Anton Meana, this price has dropped by nearly half.

Meana, speaking on Cadena SER show El Larguero this week, shared news that Real’s asking price for Rodrygo is now £67 million – meaning Arsenal can sign the South American star for £63 million less than previously believed.

£67m for a player of Rodrygo’s quality seems extremely tempting, and this potential deal has been made all the more doable by this latest financial update on an increasingly developing story.

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 ByEmilio 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.

Son Heung-min

7.00

Pedro Porro

6.98

James Maddison

6.98

Dominic Solanke

6.85

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

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.”

A £50 million-rated Crystal Palace star has now told club chiefs that he is ready to leave this summer amid interest from Manchester United and others, according to a recent report.

Crystal Palace chasing midfield reinforcements

Whether Palace win the FA Cup and therefore secure Europa League football or not, it looks as though the South Londoners are going to be very busy in the summer transfer window.

New target: Crystal Palace interested in signing "fantastic" £9m "monster"

The Eagles have set their sights on a midfielder, who is set to be available for a bargain fee this summer.

ByDominic Lund May 1, 2025

A couple of weeks ago, Palace announced that midfielder Will Hughes agreed a new contract until 2027, but it is still clear Oliver Glasner and co. have their eyes on adding to their options in the middle of the park. Highly-rated Sunderland pair Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham have been linked with moves to Selhurst Park, but they are not the only options under consideration.

Palace are now interested in signing Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, as the midfielder can leave the Foxes for just £9 million, given that he has a relegation clause.

However, they are not alone in the race, as Everton and Fulham from the Premier League are also interested in a deal. Palace are also in the running to sign midfielder Rayan Cherki from French side Lyon. However, the Premier League side are considered ‘dark horses’ in the race, given that there are many other teams from England also looking to snap up the exciting attacker.

£50m Crystal Palace star tells chiefs he wants out

Signing players like Ndidi and Cherki may become a top priority for the Eagles, given the fact they could be about to lose a key player. According to TBR Football, Eberechi Eze has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave the club this summer amid interest from Premier League teams.

TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey has now reported that Eze feels it is the right time for him to leave Palace. This news comes amid significant interest from teams in the Premier League – Manchester United are hopeful of signing Eze, while Spurs consider signing Eze as a replacement for Son Heung-min and Liverpool are considered the frontrunners to secure a deal.

Bailey said on Eze’s situation: “Much will depend on Palace’s demands around his release clause; very few are needed to be paid in one lump sum, and I don’t believe that Palace will do that to Eze either. Tottenham love the player; we know that – but they are not alone – Manchester City like him a lot. I am told that Pep Guardiola is an admirer.

“City are looking at bolstering their attacking midfield ranks, but Florian Wirtz is ahead of him in that regard, and I believe so are Lucas Paqueta, Charles De Ketelaere and Francisco Trincão, but I would not dismiss it totally. Newcastle and Aston Villa also admire him, and if he does go – it will be a team playing in Europe.

Apps

142

Goals

30

Assists

23

“Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all fully aware of him and are fans of his talents, but I don’t believe he is a priority for them as it stands. Eze, for his part, feels the time is right to move and has expressed this to Palace.”

Eze, who has been dubbed “frightening” by teammate Joel Ward, would cost teams a minimum of £50 million this summer.

Celtic are already probing for reinforcements this summer and have now set their sights on a talented gem who could offer a towering presence at Parkhead, per a report.

Celtic look to kickstart summer transfer business

The Bhoys are marching towards the end of the season in style and could finish the campaign with a domestic treble should they defeat Aberdeen at Hampden later this month.

Brendan Rodgers has once again shown his managerial prowess, domestically and in the Champions League, which he will hope can help his case in earning significant backing from the Hoops’ hierarchy this summer.

Looking ahead to the window, Celtic could make a surprise move for Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan to help fill their homegrown quota for European competitions next term.

Scott Bain could leave Parkhead in search of first-team football, and the Lennoxtown academy graduate fits the bill as a club-trained asset ready to step in.

Sarpsborg winger Sondre Orjasaeter is also on the list at Parkhead, though it remains to be seen whether Celtic will firm up interest in the Norwegian once the window opens for business.

"Very good" £3 million Brendan Rodgers signing now wants to leave Celtic

The Bhoys could offload him this summer…

BySean Markus Clifford May 5, 2025

Despite excitement over potential arrivals, Celtic aren’t assured of their place in next year’s Champions League league phase and need to navigate the final qualifying round to certify a spot in the competition.

Nevertheless, speculating to accumulate has to be the aim for the reigning Scottish Premiership champions. They have enough money in the bank to make a statement, so expect some exciting new faces to strengthen Rodgers’ talented group.

Casting an eye to the continent, Celtic are now in the mix to sign a towering young defender who could add further strength to their backline.

Celtic very interested in signing Veljko Milosavljevic

According to Max Sport, Celtic are ‘very interested’ in giant Red Star Belgrade defender Veljko Milosavljevic as Rodgers looks to add further solidity heading into next season.

For now, the Bhoys have been told the 17-year-old isn’t for sale, which is a stance that could change as clubs from England and France position themselves to sign the Serbia Under-19 international, who stands at 6ft 4.

Veljko Milosavljevic’s season for Red Star Belgrade – all competitions

Appearances

28

Goals

0

Assists

3

Prioritising the future, Celtic are always in the market for talent with sell-on value. While experience is always a bonus, the scope to develop stars of the future is a major avenue towards the club earning significant capital to reinvest.

Carrying the ball from deep, Milosavljevic has completed an average of 1.9 dribbles per match in the Serbian top-flight, illustrating a degree of comfort in possession that would fit Rodgers’ high-octane tactical framework.

Nevertheless, growing competition for his signature will leave Celtic with work to do as they look to convince another prodigious star to commit their future at Parkhead.

The thought of winning regular silverware and competing in European football may well be a tempting one for Milosavljevic, but you get the impression he will also need first-team guarantees.

One of Aston Villa’s top earners is reportedly open to a summer exit due to limited playing time, according to a new report.

Aston Villa's forwards thriving in charge for top five finish

Despite being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa are enjoying a superb run of form, having won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions. Their most recent triumph was a resounding victory over high-flying Newcastle United at Villa Park.

Romano: Aston Villa star club are "happy" with could leave for right offer

He’s future at Villa Park isn’t guaranteed.

ByBarney Lane Apr 22, 2025

A significant factor behind Villa’s recent success has been their in-form forward line, with Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen all playing pivotal roles in recent months.

Asensio, in particular, has been hugely impressive since joining on loan from PSG in January, notching five goals and four assists for Unai Emery’s side — including a brilliant brace in a 2-1 win over top-four rivals Chelsea back in February.

Speaking on the Spaniard’s impact, former Villa defender Matthew Upson described him as “world class,” telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “He’s going to play a big part in the exciting finish to the season they have ahead.”

Leon Bailey attracting offers to leave Villa

With Asensio and co. flying at Villa Park, one man who has found game time hard to come by this season is Leon Bailey. The Jamaica international, who joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, has started just 14 Premier League games this term — though his cause hasn’t been helped by injuries, particularly since the turn of the year.

Amid his struggles, GIVEMESPORT now reports that the 27-year-old, who earns £120,000 per week, could be open to leaving Villa Park this summer if the right offer comes in, and there are suitors queuing up to tempt him away.

According to the publication, Bailey would prefer to stay and fight for his place in Emery’s plans, but if it becomes clear that regular minutes are unlikely, he would be “prepared to listen to offers from interested parties”.

Bailey has scored 22 goals and provided 24 assists in 142 appearances for Villa since joining from Bayer Leverkusen — a respectable, if unspectacular, return for a player who cost the club around £30 million.

While consistency has sometimes eluded him, the Jamaican winger has certainly shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Villa Park. One such moment came in Villa’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League back in March, where Bailey found the back of the net inside just three minutes.

Commenting on the goal, former Chelsea forward Pat Nevin was full of praise: “The game has started in slow motion and the goal was scored in slow motion. The ball was played to the back post and Tyrone Mings nods it back and the defenders were stationary. The control from Leon Bailey is sensational and it was a lovely little side-foot finish. Dream start for Villa.”

Arsenal are now readying a £30m bid for an attacking midfielder, who plays for one of their Premier League rivals, and there is a feeling it could be accepted, according to a report.

Gunners looking to strengthen in attack

As we edge closer to the end of the Premier League season, it is becoming more apparent the Gunners need to bring in reinforcements in attacking areas this summer, with Mikel Arteta once again having to make do without a striker yesterday afternoon.

Arteta’s side dropped another two points in the Premier League title race at Goodison Park, although Leandro Trossard did manage to get on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw against Everton, which left them 11 points behind Liverpool.

A new striker is of particular interest to Arteta, and three centre-forwards continue to be linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, namely Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.

Berta now convinced £48m star wants to join Arsenal after recent meeting

The Italian thinks he’s “hugely attracted”.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 5, 2025

However, with Bukayo Saka’s absence exposing the lack of depth in the squad earlier this season, a winger could also be brought in by new sporting director Andrea Berta, with Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams now thought to be interested in making the move to north London.

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal and Berta may want to bring in another attacking midfielder and are readying a €35m (£30m) bid for Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.

El Khannouss could be set to leave Leicester at the end of the season, with his side now looking very likely to be relegated from the Premier League, and the Gunners have seemingly offered him an escape route.

The north Londoners believe the Moroccan has great potential, and there is a feeling Leicester could be willing to cash in, given their difficult financial situation amid impending relegation to the Championship.

"Special" El Khannouss needs to leave this summer

It hasn’t been the best of debut campaigns in the Premier League for the 20-year-old, having picked up just two goals and one assist, however, it was always going to be a tall order to stand out in such a poor side.

With the Foxes set to be relegated, the Belgian-born starlet needs to move on this summer, and there are indications he could be a solid signing for Arsenal, having been lauded as a “special” player by some members of the media.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson also speaks very highly of the attacking midfielder, which suggests his attacking numbers could increase dramatically if he played in a better side.

A new striker should be Arsenal’s priority for the summer, but it is promising news that El Khannouss is also being targeted, given the lack of depth in attacking areas.