All posts by z3u9t.icu

Arsenal have been prolific in this summer window, yet only have the official announcement of Kai Havertz to show for it.

That being said, it seems that deals for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are all but done, having warded off interest from rivals to bolster their side tenfold.

However, despite that being the best part of £200m set to be expended, it seems Mikel Arteta remains unsatisfied.

His youthful revolution does not stop at incomings, with rumours now circulating regarding the unsure future of Thomas Partey. Should he decide to leave, it is easy to assume that Southampton's Romeo Lavia will be the natural successor, as that report states.

At £50m he represents solid value for a 19-year-old, but with Liverpool and Chelsea having overtaken the Gunners in the race, perhaps an alternative is in order.

Fortunately for them, they have already seemingly identified a target who surpasses the teenage sensation in almost every facet of their games.

As reported before the window opened, Leeds United's Tyler Adams was on Edu's transfer wish list and is valued at just €38.9m (£33m) by Football Transfers.

Given this turn of events, there is no better time to reignite this interest.

How good is Tyler Adams?

Having only joined Leeds last summer, the USA international quickly established himself as one of the Premier League's finest ball-winning midfielders. Now that the season has concluded, he sits fourth for tackles made throughout the whole campaign.

His unrelenting attitude and tireless work rate made him perfect for the physicality of English football, and it did not take long for him to be regarded as the Whites' best player too.

In fact, his average Sofascore rating of 6.98 from last term was comfortably the best out of anyone who started more than five games for the Elland Road outfit.

What buoyed that figure was his exceptional defensive work, although he paired it with a touch of class that Lavia perhaps lacks at this stage in his career. For example, the 24-year-old maintained one key pass, 1.5 interceptions and 3.7 tackles per game in the league, via Sofascore. It is no surprise therefore to see former USA defender Alexi Lalas had labelled him a "monster" in the past.

Meanwhile, Lavia set his level at just 0.6 key passes, 1.1 interceptions and 2.1 tackles per game, with his rating sitting at just 6.80, via Sofascore.

If Arteta is merely seeking a defensive destroyer to partner Rice, he needs to look no further than Adams.

However, what further elevates the former RB Leipzig ace away from the Manchester City academy graduate is his experience, considering he boasts 14 Champions League appearances for the German outfit.

Given the Gunners will make their triumphant return to the competition in the coming season, this kind of pedigree will be key. He even starred for his national team at the recent World Cup, with journalist Clint Smith branding him as "special" after their draw with England.

Lavia would instead be playing just his second-ever full year of senior football should he be preferred, marking yet another gulf in quality.

Given how shrewd and intelligent their business has been thus far in this window, surely the north London outfit must make another smart move by allowing their rivals to overpay for someone who they had already secured a better alternative.

Crystal Palace have tabled an opening offer in the hope of bringing Torino defender Perr Schuurs to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Perr Schuurs?

Schuurs is a centre-back who currently plays his football at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium having moved there last summer from Ajax where he quickly became a regular feature of Ivan Juric’s first team, clocking up 33 appearances during his debut season.

The Dutchman’s contract in the Serie A isn’t set to expire until 2026, but having emerged as the Italian outfit’s top-performing defensive player in his opening campaign, his standout displays have grabbed the attention of Roy Hodgson and those at Palace.

The Daily Mail recently reported that the Eagles have ramped up their interest in the 23-year-old, though if the following update is to be believed, they have already taken their admiration one step further by submitting a bid to bring him to Selhurst Park.

Are Crystal Palace signing Schuurs?

According to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace have made a "first offer" for Schuurs and are "starting to make concrete moves" for their target. The SE25 outfit have, for now, tabled €25m (£21m) even though the defender's asking price is €30m (£25m), and it's stated that the player has "registered the interest".

Torino's 6 foot 2 colossus, however, is holding on to see if more clubs will join the race before saying yes to a move to the Premier League.

Where could Schuurs fit in under Hodgson?

Crystal Palace will be aware that they could lose Marc Guehi this summer who is being pursued by Tottenham Hotspur, so Hodgson will need a replacement should he depart, and having been dubbed a centre-back “mountain” by journalist Josh Bunting, Schuurs could be the perfect successor.

The Nieuwstadt native averaged 3.2 clearances and two aerial wins per league game last season, via WhoScored, so he's a real rock at the heart of the backline, not to mention that he recorded an 88.2% pass success rate which was higher than any of the regular starters at Palace, highlighting his calmness and composure in possession.

Schuurs, who has the versatility to operate slightly higher up in defensive midfield alongside his usual role, also likes to contribute at the opposite end of the pitch having provided two assists and scored one goal himself during the previous term, as per Transfermarkt, so he’s an incredibly well-rounded player and would be an asset for the boss to have in his squad.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to striker Moussa Dembele as Julen Lopetegui aims to strengthen his squad on a budget this summer.

This latest link could be a perfect signing at Molineux, with the Frenchman potentially capable of solving the side’s goalscoring woes while allowing the Old Gold to remain tight to financial burdens, with no fee required.

What’s the latest on Moussa Dembele to Wolves?

As reported by Express and Star, Wolves are one of the clubs interested in Olympique Lyonnais striker Dembele.

The forward is set to become a free agent, with the report claiming that the Midlands club are ‘monitoring’ his movements.

It’s expected that Wolves will face ‘considerable competition’ in the race for the 26-year-old’s signature, with a host of unnamed clubs eyeing the talisman.

What could Moussa Dembele offer to Wolves?

Lauded as an “unbelievable talent” by former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie, the Frenchman was once a loved figure in Glasgow.

In a total of 94 appearances for the Hoops, Dembele contributed to 69 goals and assists – assisting 18 and scoring an impressive 51 goals (via Transfermarkt), cementing himself as a worthy candidate to lead the line.

His efforts in Scotland saw him snapped up by Lyon, where the 26-year-old has netted 70 goals in 172 appearances, and with his contract expiring this summer, there are rumours that the forward could continue his scoring streak at Molineux.

Lopetegui is crying out for a goalscorer, which, when rewinding a few seasons, could not have been predicted considering the form of Raul Jimenez in leading the line for Wolves.

The Mexican marked the Midlands club’s return to the Premier League in style, registering 21 goal contributions in his debut campaign, scoring 13 and assisting eight in a streak that didn’t expire past one glory term.

It was a recurring feat in the 2019/20 season, where he scored an improved 17 goals and recorded six assists, in strike play that was critical to his club’s success, as highlighted through their consecutive 7th-place finishes.

When his form dipped, so did his team’s, as shown by Wolves not finishing in the top 10 since those campaigns that displayed his talents in front of goal.

Now, Lopetegui must get the Old Gold back to their old ways, which he could achieve by signing a striker as similarly competent as Jimenez in his glory days.

In the Mexican’s best-scoring Premier League season of 2019/20, he averaged a scoring frequency of a goal every 191 minutes, with Dembele averaging a goal every 105 minutes last campaign in Ligue 1, in which he netted 21 goals in 30 appearances.

Therefore, it could easily be argued that the Frenchman has the capabilities to reinstall the potency in front of goal at Molineux that was once displayed by Jimenez, in a move that could give Lopetegui the opportunity to take Wolves up the table in his first full season in charge.

Manchester United officials have held a meeting with the agent of Inter Millan goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news involving Onana?

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag appear to be making concrete moves in the transfer market, with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount looking like he could be the first high-profile signing of the summer.

After two rejected bids, those at Old Trafford are now reportedly closing in on a £60m deal for the England international, with a five-year deal already agreed between Mount and United.

It doesn’t look as if the club will stop there, though, and with David de Gea’s future up in the air, with his contract set to expire at the end of the month, Onana, who worked under Ten Hag at Ajax, has emerged as a real target.

Reports previously suggested that Man United were in pole position to sign the goalkeeper, who Mark Goldbridge described as “box office to watch when he's got the ball under pressure”, and a further update has been shared.

According to Romano in the last 48 hours, Man United have held a meeting with Onana’s agent, Albert Botines, with the Cameroon international expected to cost around €50m (£42.9m).

“Andre Onana’s agent Albert Botines had direct meeting with Manchester United today.

“Man Utd are approaching goalkeepers to explore options in case de Gea leaves — still waiting for final decision on that one. Inter won’t sell Onana for less than €50m with add ons.”

Is David de Gea leaving Man United?

Ten Hag could be left with a real shortage of goalkeeping options ahead of the new campaign. As mentioned, De Gea is out of contract at the end of the month and David Ornstein has claimed a departure looks a possibility.

Alongside the Spaniard, Dean Henderson has been linked with a permanent move to Nottingham Forest following his loan spell last season, and should the pair seal exits, United would have just 37-year-old Tom Heaton as their only option.

Therefore, pursuing someone like Onana, who has just come off the back of a solid first season with Inter Milan, keeping 19 clean sheets in 41 games and coming in of praise from Pep Guardiola after the Champions League final, appears to be a smart decision. It looks as if a move will be one to monitor, and it’ll be interesting to see if United make a formal offer over the coming weeks.

Newcastle United are creeping closer towards a breakthrough in negotiations for Leicester City's James Maddison, but still face a battle to reach an agreement for the England international.

What's the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle?

According to CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs, Newcastle "will move" for the 26-year-old after sustaining a vested interest in his services since failing with a £50m bid last summer.

The sticking point at present lies in the fact that the Foxes feel their prized midfielder is worth £55m, whereas Newcastle's sporting director Dan Ashworth is unwilling to pay more than £40m for a player relegated from the Premier League this term and with just one year left on his current deal.

Having qualified for the Champions League this year after two decades away, the Magpies are looking to make first-rate moves to bolster Eddie Howe's squad and an attacking midfielder has been highlighted as an area for investment.

Should Newcastle sign James Maddison?

The £110k-per-week star endured a torrid season with Leicester succumbing to the drop after years of impressive work under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, notably winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

However, Maddison can hold his head high after producing prolific and robust performances with regularity despite his outfit's woes, scoring ten goals and supplying nine assists from 28 starts in the Premier League, subsequently mentioned among the "world-class" crop of talent England boast at present by Dean Saunders.

The three-cap gem could catalyse Newcastle's midfield in a manner not too dissimilar to that of Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian maestro thriving at the heart of Arsenal's centre over the past several seasons following his £30m permanent transfer to the club after an initial loan deal.

The Gunners captain is listed as the most comparable midfield player to Maddison via FBref's 'Similar Players" model, and ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 14% for rate of assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for progressive passes, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90.

This illustrates the sensational calibre and impact the "wizard" – as dubbed by footballer Babayele Sodade – has had on this resurgent Arsenal team, now fighting at the forefront of the Premier League pack after years mired in obscurity.

Maddison could emulate this at St. James's Park, ranking among the top 1% of peers for rate of non-penalty goals, rate of assists and shot-creating actions, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90 – praised as a "monster" by journalist Josh Bunting.

Indeed, both players evidently possess that intricate ability to carry the ball forward and unlock a defence with relative ease.

Given the sheer brilliance of Odegaard's trade and his orchestrating prowess, it's clear to see that Newcastle would only flourish by procuring a signature worthy of matching the prominent player in both merit and effectiveness, and Maddison is the man for the job.

Manchester United are reportedly ready to revive their interest in Brighton and Hove Albion star, Moises Caicedo, with the Red Devils having previously snubbed the chance to sign the midfield maestro.

What's the latest on Caicedo to Man United?

According to journalist Sam Dean, the Old Trafford outfit are said to be among a host of Premier League clubs who are keen on signing the 21-year-old this summer, albeit with any deal set to cost beyond £70m.

Writing on Twitter, the respected source stated: "Brighton will demand significantly more than £70m for Moises Caicedo this summer. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all shown interest — and Liverpool could yet become involved, depending on the eventual cost."

In his attached piece for The Telegraph, Dean reveals that the Seagulls are 'willing' to let the Ecuadorian starlet leave the Amex ahead of next season, despite the youngster only signing a new long-term deal earlier this year.

Should Man United sign Caicedo?

It would certainly be a long time coming if United were to sign the 5 foot 10 sensation this summer, with the club having pulled out of a move to sign the then-teenager from Independiente de Valle back in 2021 after the deal became too 'messy' – as per Manchester Evening News – prior to the exciting prospect joining Brighton for just £4.5m.

That decision not to pursue a deal for Caicedo now appears a notable error as far as the Red Devils are concerned, with the midfield "jewel" – as hailed by historian Enrico Castro-Montes – having blossomed into a leading presence on the south coast of late.

As manager Roberto De Zerbi noted, the one-time Beerschot loanee could "become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and in Europe" such is his outstanding talent, with the dynamic gem looking like a player who has "no limit".

Not only would Caicedo be a player that Erik ten Hag could build his side around over the next decade or so, due to his relative youth, yet the 30-cap gem could also prove to be the Dutchman's answer to Declan Rice, with the pair said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, as per FBref.

The West Ham United skipper has been mooted as a possible target for Ten Hag this summer, although a reported valuation of around £100m is likely to prove something of a stumbling block, while rivals Arsenal are also believed to be "leading the race" for his signature at present, as per Fabrizio Romano.

As such, finding an alternative to the 24-year-old in the form of Caicedo could represent a real coup, with the pair both alike due to their creative, front-foot quality from the centre of the park, showcased by the fact that the Englishman racked up 240 progressive passes in 2022/23 in the league, while the Seagulls ace recorded 219 for that same metric.

Equally, the dominant duo have also proven themselves to be particularly effective at winning back possession for their respective clubs, with Caicedo ranking in the top 11% among his European peers for interceptions, while Rice ranks in the top 5% in that regard.

That similarity is also illustrated by the fact that while the latter man averaged 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game combined in the top flight this season, his younger counterpart was only just ahead after averaging 4.2 per game for those same metrics under De Zerbi.

That would suggest that even if Rice – who has been lauded as the "best central midfielder in the country" by ex-United man Paul Parker – does prove unattainable this summer, turning to Caicedo could allow Ten Hag to find his own version of the West Ham machine.

Chelsea remain very much "in the race" to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Caicedo leaving Brighton this summer?

The Blues have a vital period ahead of them in the transfer market, as they look to forget all about a horrible 2022/23 season and kick on into the future. In order for that to happen, the right players need to come in, with incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino no doubt already eyeing up potential deals.

One player who looks set to be on the move on in the coming weeks and months is Caicedo, who enjoyed a superb campaign for Brighton, proving to be one of their most influential figures. The 21-year-old featured in 37 of his side's 38 Premier League matches – 34 of them were starts – and flourished alongside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Pascal Gross in the middle of the park.

A bigger challenge now lies ahead for him, however, and Chelsea are one of numerous top clubs who have been linked with a move for him, as well as the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, in what looks set to be a fierce battle.

Are Chelsea in the mix to sign Caicedo?

Writing on Twitter, Romano said that Chelsea are right in the mix to sign Caicedo this summer, alongside Sporting CP midfield Manuel Ugarte:

"Chelsea remain absolutely INTO the race for Moises Caicedo. Nothing has changed. He’s in the list, 100% — no matter what happens with Ugarte deal, still ongoing."

Caicedo could be a fantastic signing by Chelsea if they manage to snap him up before the start of next season – Graham Potter has called him "fantastic" in the recent past – adding the legs and quality that their midfield badly needs.

The 30-time capped Ecuador international is already such an impressive player, despite his tenders years, with an average of 2.7 tackles per game coming his way in the Premier League in 2022/23, as well as an 88.8% pass completion rate. That shows what an effective all-round midfielder he is, so the difference he could make to the Blues could be immeasurable.

He is still so young, so he should only go up another gear in the next few years, and if Chelsea managed to sign both him and Ugarte, they could be the bedrock of a hugely exciting new-look midfield that also contains Enzo Fernandez, with Mateo Kovacic potentially leaving and N'Golo Kante now in his 30s.

Journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur player Ivan Perisic will "probably" leave this summer.

Who will Spurs sell this summer?

It's going to be a pretty busy next few months for the club, even if they no longer have to worry about any actual football matches.

Indeed, the Premier League season came to an end on the weekend – with Spurs finishing eighth – and now Daniel Levy will have to intensify efforts to find a new manager and a new sporting director.

Until those appointments are made, there can be no certainty about any of the club's intentions in the summer transfer window but Gold seems to think one man will likely be leaving regardless.

When talking on his YouTube channel, the journalist said that alongside goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Perisic will be heading for the exit door.

He said (1:33): “Some of them may be heading off, you know, I would say among those players, I've just said you would imagine [Rodrigo] Bentancur, [Cristian] Romero would be a big part of the future going forward.

"Lloris and Perisic, probably, you think, will go this summer.”

Why would Spurs sell Perisic?

It's already expected that Lloris will be leaving as this has been reported for some time now with Spurs on the hunt for a new goalkeeper.

However, it might be more of a shock to learn that Perisic could be off as well. After all, he only arrived from Inter last year and his £180k-p/w contract doesn't expire until the summer of 2024.

And when he joined the north London outfit, big things were expected. Pundit Paul Merson wrote for Sportskeeda: "I'm a huge fan of Ivan Perisic, he's a top player who works as hard as anybody else on the pitch.

"For every young kid who wants to be a professional footballer – watch this player and see how he makes things happen on the pitch. He sets the tone with his work ethic and professionalism and will turn out to be a great signing for Tottenham."

However, it's safe to say he's not really impressed with a report in the Daily Star noting how the Spurs "flop" had been slammed by some supporters as the "worst signing ever".

With that in mind, maybe it's not quite surprising that he could be set to leave in the summer. Although, as mentioned before, this likely won't be confirmed until Levy appoints a new manager or director.

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey could leave the club during the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Dean Jones.

Has Bailey had a good season for Villa?

The Villans' fortunes have turned around so much this season, with things looking bleak earlier in the campaign when Steven Gerrard was in charge. Since Unai Emery has come in as manager, however, they have been transformed, with results and performances going up a significant gear.

So many individuals have improved under the Spaniard as the season has gone on and Bailey is one of them, because a more consistent and dangerous presence in Villa's attack. The £100,000-a-week attacker has scored and assisted four times apiece in the Premier League in 2022/23, with his most recent assist coming in the 2-1 win over Tottenham earlier this month.

The 25-year-old's current deal at Villa Park expires in the summer of 2025, however, and while there is still a couple of years left on it, there is the possibility that the club decides to potentially accept an offer for him at the end of the season.

Could Bailey leave Villa this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Bailey is someone who could possibly depart once the summer window opens:

"I think there will be a market for him. He's the type of player that will always attract a certain level of club. I would be surprised if he was at Villa next season, even if he was to have a banging last game of the season."

This is a tricky one for Villa, with Bailey's displays much improved in recent months and his age meaning he could improve further in the coming years. That being said, he does arguably feel like someone who could both be improved and who Villa could receive good money for, so it is a key decision to make in the coming months.

The key ultimately depends on whether Emery sees the 19-cap and three-goal Jamaica international as an important figure moving forward, or if he believes there are stronger options out there.

Granted, he has got better after some questionable form in the past, but a more prolific wide man could help take Villa to that next level this season – someone who can deliver more relentless numbers than eight Premier League goal contributions in 32 appearances.

If Bailey stays, it is unlikely that many supporters will be complaining, but equally, there would be logic in letting him go, helping boost Villa's summer transfer kitty in the process.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Sergio Reguilon now fears the axe by manager Antonio Conte as Barcelona eye a surprise move to sign the former Real Madrid talent, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Conte overhaul looming?

The Spurs head coach is reportedly plotting a major summer overhaul with as many as six major signings on his mind (The Telegraph).

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Conte wishes to add a reserve goalkeeper, right-wing-back, central defender, two midfielders and a new forward to his ranks as he prepares for a first full 2022/2023 season in charge at the Premier League club.

Several Lilywhites players have been tipped to make way as transfer chief Fabio Paratici is tasked with balancing the books and ensuring Conte’s transfer market wishes are fulfilled.

Now, sharing an update on who could leave north London, chief football writer John Cross of The Daily Mirror has an update for supporters.

The Latest: Cross makes Reguilon claim…

According to his sources, La Liga giants Barca are eyeing a ‘sensational’ move to sign former Real Madrid academy ace Reguilon from Spurs.

As well as this, the 25-year-old ‘fears he is not part of Conte’s long-term plans’ as he grows fearful of the Italian’s possible axe.

It is thought that Reguilon ‘could be surplus to requirements’ and it looks ‘increasingly likely he will leave’.

The Verdict: Let him go?

Depending on whether Madrid activate their £27.5 million buy-back clause for the defender or if it is Barca who end up swooping in, letting Reguilon depart should be considered by Paratici and Conte.

Ryan Sessegnon has been shining in the left-wing-back role when deployed and the Spaniard’s exit could help to balance Spurs’ worrying homegrown quota issue.

The potential fee will also bolster Paratici’s transfer kitty to fund summer swoops and appeasing Conte’s wishes in the summer will be crucial in keeping him at the club.

Lauded as a ‘top-class’ player by former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson, a Reguilon sale may well be one to watch out for regardless of his quality at times.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano: Conte could lose ‘monster’ Spurs player who’s now ‘expected to leave’…find out more here.