After a hectic summer transfer window, Nottingham Forest have now reportedly joined a hectic Premier League race to sign a Manchester City gem who Pep Guardiola loves.
Latest on Nuno and Nottingham Forest
As busy as their transfer window was, it’s Nuno Espirito Santo who stole most of the headlines at the City Ground after he revealed a rift between himself and owner Evangelos Marinakis. It sparked instant reports that the Portuguese manager could be facing the sack and rumours suggested that his frustration came as a result of Forest’s transfer activity.
Since then, however, Nuno has got his wish. Nottingham Forest signed a goalkeeper in John Victor and welcomed reinforcement at full-back by signing Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nicolo Savona. Add in the likes of Douglas Luiz, Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee, and it’s hard to see what else those at the City Ground could have done to satisfy their manager.
On paper, Nuno’s transfer problem should be solved. But now he must get results. Forest have won just one of their opening three Premier League games, with that win against Brentford coming before the public spat between Nuno and Marinakis.
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Those in the Midlands will be hoping that the international break has helped things cool down and set Forest back on course for success. With a trip to Arsenal awaiting Nuno’s side next weekend, there would be no better way to get back on track than by defeating a side of the Gunners’ calibre.
Meanwhile, as the action continues on the pitch, Forest have kept one eye on the transfer window and already have one 2026 target in mind.
Nottingham Forest join Nico O'Reilly race
According to Caught Offside, Nottingham Forest have joined the race to sign Nico O’Reilly from Manchester City in 2026. Joined by Lyon, Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, the Midlands club have plenty of competition for the midfielder’s signature, but could yet pull off an impressive coup.
It should come as no surprise that several clubs are interested in the 20-year-old, either. The big question is whether Forest or the rest of the chasing pack can lure Manchester City into a sale.
Guardiola is also a big fan of the midfielder and may not be keen to sanction his exit. The Spaniard told reporters last season: “He played really good. He’s a number 10, we cannot forget. But he has the pace, he is so intelligent and quality with the ball. In the final third he has vision. He played really good and had an impact.”
Of course, O’Reilly wouldn’t be the first Manchester City gem to join Nuno at the City Ground. McAtee decided to leave the Etihad in search of game time this summer, with Forest stepping up to offer him exactly that. Now, another rising star could follow suit.
Arsenal are currently working to tie up a few key summer deals for Mikel Arteta, as the Gunners also prepare to kick off their pre-season tour of Asia against AC Milan on Wednesday.
After announcing the signing of England international winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea for an initial £48.5 million, rising to £52 million with add-ons (Sky Sports), defender Cristhian Mosquera is poised to follow soon.
£50m "game-changer" would now love to join Chelsea despite Arsenal approach
The Blues have been handed a boost in their pursuit of an attacker.
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Arsenal reached an agreement with Valencia to sign the 21-year-old some time ago, and reports suggest he’s undergone a successful medical in north London (Tribuna Deportiva Valencia).
However, sources from both sides are refusing to disclose the reason for Mosquera’s announcement delay (Tribuna Deportiva Valencia), and they’ll likely delay unveiling his capture until after their tour of the Far East.
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
25/26 – summer
£140m
Arteta’s side are in the market for a central attacking midfielder too, with both Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and now RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons among Arsenal’s chiefs targets for the role.
Bolstering that area of the squad and bringing in someone to complement captain Martin Odegaard will immediately be prioritised once they finally seal a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal reached an agreement in principle with Sporting over the signing of Gyokeres midway through July, for a total fee of around £64 million including add-ons (The Athletic), but it is taking some time to fully finalise his transfer to N5.
The final round of negotiations has reportedly centered around the conditions of those add-ons and bonuses involved, which could take the fee up to £69 million (The Guardian), with Gyokeres’ agent even agreeing to waive his fee to make this move happen.
Viktor Gyokeres has "chosen to go to Arsenal" with Man Utd rejected
The hold-up has prompted reports that Man United could mount a late hijack for the 27-year-old, and Fabrizio Romano even confirmed this morning that intermediaries have invited the Red Devils to make a bid of their own.
Now, journalist Duncan Castles has told The Transfers Podcast that Sporting are unhappy with Gyokeres’ conduct, informing the striker last week that he’s in breach of contract for refusing to train.
His lawyers defended against this by accusing Sporting of going back on their gentlemen’s agreement that Gyokeres could leave Sporting for a certain fee. So, there is a legal dispute apparently going on in the background, and the sense is now that Rui Borges’ side are attempting to make his exit as difficult as possible.
In some good news for Arteta, though, Gyokeres has “chosen to go to Arsenal” and will continue forcing through a move to north London, with United facing a brutal knockback if they decide to enter the race.
“There was a story in Portugal over the weekend that Manchester United had come in and gone over the top of Arsenal’s offer and that Sporting were very close to agreeing a transfer fee with Manchester United for Gyokeres,” said Castles.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrating.
“I’m told by sources at Manchester United that that’s not true, and also by people close to Gyokeres that it’s absolutely not true, and even if it were true, Gyokeres would not go to Manchester United. He has chosen to go to Arsenal, and he will continue to force that move.”
Gyokeres bagged 54 goals in all competitions for Sporting last season, leading the line in their charge for a first domestic double in around 20 years, but his memorable spell in Portugal isn’t about to end smoothly.
Nottingham Forest are now in talks to sign an “insane” £30m winger, who could be brought in as a replacement for Anthony Elanga this summer, journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed.
Elanga set to seal £55m Newcastle move
Forest, of course, made an unexpected push for the Champions League places last season, and Elanga was key to their success, finishing with a total of six goals and 11 assists after featuring in every single Premier League match.
Anthony Elanga
However, the Sweden international is poised to seal a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the very near future, having recently arrived on Tyneside ahead of the big-money move to the Magpies.
It will be a difficult task for Nuno Espirito Santo to find a suitable replacement for the winger, but the Tricky Trees have wasted no time searching for potential options, and they are now in talks over a deal for PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko.
That is according to Jacobs, who took to X to reveal that Bakayoko is viewed as a replacement for Elanga by Forest, and he could be available for a relatively affordable fee, with the Dutch side looking to receive around £30m.
However, Newcastle have also been named as potential suitors, which could pose a problem for Nuno’s side, although it is unclear whether they will remain keen after the deal for Elanga is wrapped up.
Nottingham Forest identify Elanga replacement in £50m Premier League star
Nuno is considering his options.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 5, 2025 "Insane" Bakayoko could be ideal Elanga replacement
Nuno is likely to consider Elanga’s departure a big blow, having singled out the 23-year-old for high praise after scoring in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United last season, saying: “It was an amazing goal because he (Anthony Elanga) did it all by himself!
He has ability and pace to drive with the ball and it was magnificent to see.”
However, all the manager can do now is try and bring in a like-for-like replacement, and Bakayoko could fit the bill, given that the PSV winger is also a fantastic dribbler of the ball, showcasing his ability to take-on defenders regularly over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90
Non-penalty goals
0.51 (97th percentile)
Progressive carries
7.41 (99th percentile)
Successful take-ons
2.68 (94th percentile)
Touches (Att pen)
7.41 (99th percentile)
The 22-year-old has also been lauded for his “insane” talent by football scout Ben Mattinson, and given his age, he is well-placed to be a fantastic long-term replacement for Elanga.
As such, it is exciting news that Forest have now made an approach for Bakayoko, and £30m could be a fair fee, given his talent, but they will be hoping that top clubs do not renew their interest, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich previously being named as potential suitors.
Tottenham Hotspur appear to have lost out in the race for a highly-rated forward, as La Liga champions Barcelona agree terms to seal his signature before Thomas Frank’s side had the chance.
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Spurs are expected to back their new manager to the hilt this summer, especially after they qualified for the Champions League with their historic Europa League final win in Bilbao.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The Lilywhites are set for a significant financial windfall, which Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge described as “huge” in terms of their recruitment drive. Chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange no longer have to operate under a sell-to-buy policy, with Spurs already agreeing a permanent deal for Mathys Tel as they continue to scour the market for new wingers.
With Son Heung-min’s future uncertain, amid links to Saudi Arabia, the likes of West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus, Man City outcast Jack Grealish, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo have all been linked within the past fortnight.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
Tottenham face competition from Man United for Mbeumo, who’ve now submitted a fresh £60 million bid for the Cameroonian, while Bournemouth are expected to demand around £70 million for Semenyo (The Athletic).
Levy and Lange will need to either dig deep into the Tottenham coffers or get very creative in their pursuit of a high-profile winger, as all of their reported targets are likely to cost a premium.
The north Londoners did have their eyes on a bargain option, though, in the form of FC Copenhagen starlet Roony Bardghji.
FC Copenhagen midfielderRoony Bardghji.
Bardghji, dubbed the ‘Swedish Messi’ by some, burst on to the scene with a heroic performance against Man United in the Champions League nearly two years ago.
He bagged a stunning late winner against them at the end of an unlikely 4-3 group stage victory over the Red Devils in November 2023, with Bardghji set to leave Copenhagen on the cheap this summer as his contract expires in late December.
The 19-year-old, after coming back from a serious injury, is now on the verge of joining Barcelona – but Spurs did try their hand.
Barcelona hijack Tottenham talks for Roony Bardghji
Tottenham held talks with Bardghji and his representatives in a bid to tempt the winger to London, according to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, but Barça are now seemingly set to “win the race” for his signature.
Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic in action with FC Copenhagen's RoonyBardghji
That is according to TBR again in another update this week, with Bailey reporting that while Tottenham hoped to inspire a ‘Lucas Bergvall-type’ transfer by opening talks with Bardghji, Hansi Flick’s side have hijacked their move by closing in on a deal for the top talent.
This is echoed by reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano, who believe that Bardghji’s move to the Camp Nou is merely a matter of time with terms agreed.
Levy has now missed out on a potential bargain forward who could’ve joined for the meagre price of just £1.7 million, not to mention a player who’s been likened to Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah.
“He has very similar characteristics to Mohamed Salah,” said Scandinavian journalist Nicklas Degn.
“When Copenhagen have to come up with something brilliant or unlock a team, it is Roony they look to. He has this unique talent.”
It would be hard to deny that this season was a disappointment for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side may have done well in the Champions League and finished second in the Premier League, but the club’s ambition was to win a significant honour, which they failed to do.
There were a number of players who failed to deliver, with Gabriel Martinelli being one of the attackers who really flattered to deceive.
Arsenal's GabrielMartinellireacts
Interestingly, the Brazilian’s inability to get back to the levels he showed in 22/23 might have cost him his place in the team, as recent reports have linked the club with an exciting youngster who could be an ideal upgrade.
Arsenal's chase for a new winger
Much of the chatter this summer has been about Arsenal’s need for a new winger.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Fortunately, they have several players on their radar, albeit that have yet to formally make a move for any of their targets.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has been one name linked, as has another Spanish-based forward in Nico Williams. However, if they are unattainable, then they could look forwards the Bundesliga.
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are now one of a handful of teams interested in Leipzig star, Antonio Nusa, ahead of the transfer window reopening on Monday.
While the report claims that the interest from the Gunners is currently the most notable, other teams like Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, and Napoli are all keen on the dynamo, presently valued at €45m, which is about £38m.
It could be a somewhat complicated transfer to get over the line, but Nusa could be a special player, and someone Arsenal should pursue, especially as he could be an upgrade on Martinelli.
How Nusa compares to Martinelli
One of the significant strengths of Nusa is that he can play in a number of positions, be that off the right, up top or even wide midfield, but when it comes down to it, his most natural and best role is as a left-winger.
Therefore, if the “ridiculous” Norwegian entertainer, as dubbed by journalist Dean Jones, is to join Arsenal this summer, then one of his main competitors for game time would be Martinelli, so how do the pair stack up against one another?
Well, when it comes down to their raw output this season, it would be fair to say neither was prolific, but even though he’s almost four years his junior, it’s the Leipiz star who comes out on top here.
For example, in 36 appearances for the German outfit, totalling just 2185 minutes, the Langhus-born ace scored five goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every three games, or 182.08 minutes.
In contrast, the Gunners’ number 11 scored ten goals and provided six assists, but did so in 51 appearances, totalling 3564 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 3.18 games, or every 222.75 minutes.
Okay, what about their underlying numbers, then? Which winger comes out on top when we take a look under the hood?
Unfortunately for the former Ituano, while he does do better in some metrics, like shots, shots on target, and passes into the penalty area, he comes out as a clear second-best in the vast majority of others.
Non-Penalty G+As
0.52
0.38
Progressive Passes
3.09
1.87
Progressive Carries
3.61
4.69
Shots
1.94
2.12
Goals per Shot
0.13
0.12
Shots on Target
0.75
0.94
Goals per Shot on Target
0.35
0.28
Passing Accuracy
73.2%
71.4%
Key Passes
1.57
1.56
Passes into the Final Third
1.65
0.47
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.37
1.40
Live Passes
30.8
25.4
Shot-Creating Actions
3.34
2.90
Goal-Creating Actions
0.28
0.25
Tackles
1.69
0.92
Blocks
0.88
0.73
Interceptions
0.52
0.16
Clearances
0.56
0.70
Successful Take-Ons
2.25
1.48
Ball Recoveries
4.38
3.10
For example, the former Club Brugge gem emerges victories in metrics like non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, shot and goal-creating actions, key passes, tackles and many, many more, all per 90.
Moreover, the 20-year-old “1v1 specialist,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, also does far better when it comes to successful take-ons per 90, which could help make the North Londoners’ left-hand side so much more effective.
Ultimately, Martinelli could still be a valuable squad player for Arsenal next season, but it’s clear that, despite being considerably younger, Nusa is the better winger and, therefore, someone the club should be going all out to sign.
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The exciting wonderkid would be a superb addition to the Arsenal squad.
Arsenal need a striker. Andrea Berta knows it, Mikel Arteta knows it, the fanbase knows it, the whole world knows it.
So, who will that man be? Well, with dream target Alexander Isak out of the running, it looks like it has come down to two candidates.
The first of which is Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede ended the 2024/25 campaign as the most goal-laden striker in Europe but there are doubts. Strange doubts at that considering how many goals he’s scored.
He is a beast, a physical player who can throw a defender to the floor and most importantly, he certainly knows where the back of the net.
Gyokeres is the finished article but clearly, Arsenal are thinking about the bigger picture too. That’s where Slovenian powerhouse Benjamin Sesko comes into the equation.
The latest on Arsenal's pursuit of Benjamin Sesko
A year ago, Arsenal were incredibly interested in bringing the RB Leipzig centre forward to the Emirates Stadium.
However, the striker decided to pen a new contract in the Bundesliga, which has seen him stay for another year.
Now, it would appear as though he’s ready to move on. Reports revealed nearly a week and a half ago that initial talks had begun and a deal has begun to accelerate in recent days.
Indeed, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg, the player is now ‘keen’ on signing for Arsenal this summer with advanced talks concerning personal terms in motion.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
That said, actually agreeing on a transfer fee is where the deal could get challenging. Plettenberg reveals that Sesko has a €80m (£67m) release clause but the Gunners cannot ‘simply trigger’ it.
That’s because the structure of a deal is said to be ‘complicated’, meaning a fee is now being negotiated freely.
Why Sesko would be a dream signing for Martin Odegaard
The 2024/25 campaign was undoubtedly the nadir of the club captain’s time at the Emirates to date.
After suffering an ankle injury early in the season, Martin Odegaard missed the best part of two months and simply wasn’t the same since.
Odegaard scored just six times in 45 games and only three of those goals came in the Premier League. It’s a far cry from the 15-goal term he enjoyed in 2022/23, where no midfielder scored more top-flight goals in England than him.
While the Norwegian still provided 12 assists, that number could soar to dizzy heights with a proper out-and-out centre-forward leading the line, not a Mikel Merino or Kai Havertz.
With Sesko described as “the new Erling Haaland” by scout Jacek Kulig, perhaps Odegaard could strike up a relationship akin to the one he enjoys with his fellow countryman at international level.
Indeed, it was only this weekend that we got to see the very best of the Arsenal playmaker, who enjoyed a fabulous game for Norway as they beat Italy 3-0.
Odegaard was the one who supplied Haaland’s goal in the tie, sliding a lovely ball in behind for the Manchester City forward to run onto.
It’s safe to say we’ve not seen enough of this in an Arsenal shirt. Why? Two reasons, really. Odegaard’s injury has undoubtedly hampered him but the biggest reason is that Arteta’s system hasn’t relied on a striker getting in behind.
Havertz and Merino are cut from a similar cloth in this regard. They come short to bring others into the game and it largely works. Yet, the Gunners need someone playing on the shoulder of the last man.
Matches
36
Wins
21
Draws
5
Defeats
10
Times Odegaard assisted Haaland
6
Minutes played
2,831
That’s where Sesko comes into the equation. Possessing a similar build to Haaland, the Slovenia international combines pace with brute force to burst past defenders.
He’s far from the finished article, scoring 21 goals last season, but that’s a great deal better than anyone at Arsenal; no one in red and white even found the net in double figures this season.
Odegaard is one of the most creative players in the division, ranking in the top 5% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for assists per 90 minutes and the best 4% for progressive passes. Thus, he needs someone he can actually feed.
As the captain showcased with Haaland in front of him just a few days ago, he can thrive when he’s got someone willing to make runs beyond the defence. Sesko is definitely that man. This could be a match made in heaven for Arsenal.
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As much as a collective team effort is obviously at fault for Manchester United horribly underperforming this season just gone, their woes in attack certainly stick out as a major point of concern.
Rasmus Hojlund would only manage to bag a dire four goals in Premier League action for Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils, whilst another scapegoated striker in Joshua Zirkzee also blew hot and cold throughout the campaign when tallying up just three strikes himself.
Therefore, one summer priority must surely be to bring in a fresh sharpshooter, with Ipswich Town menace Liam Delap once on United’s ever-expanding shopping list subsequently.
Unfortunately for the 15th-placed underachievers, Delap has seemingly chosen Chelsea as his next onward destination over Old Trafford, leaving Amorim’s men to hunt elsewhere.
Man Utd make approach for Premier League striker
Staggeringly, United could get over the rejection of Delap by poaching one of Chelsea’s main strikers.
Indeed, a new report from Football Transfers suggests that United have made an approach for hit-and-miss Blues attacker Nicolas Jackson, with Red Devils technical director Jason Wilcox allegedly playing a big part in wanting to bring the ex-Villarreal man to Old Trafford due to his desire for an athletic centre-forward.
It is also stated further into the report that Chelsea are reluctant to negotiate a sale, but if Delap were to come in and make that starting spot his own, the £55m-rated striker might be potentially more swayed to move to the Theatre of Dreams.
If everything were to click into place for the inconsistent 23-year-old in his new potential location too, he could go down as an upgrade on the much-talked-about former Manchester City ace.
Why Jackson could be an upgrade on Delap
After all, Delap might well be the talk of the town at the moment by bagging 12 league strikes last season, but he’s only ever experienced that one solitary Premier League campaign across his fledgling career.
On the contrary, Jackson has been around for one season longer in the demanding English game, and despite missing a colossal 19 big chances during an up-and-down 2024/25, the Senegalese striker found himself only two shy of the 22-year-old’s total for the Tractor Boys with ten league goals.
Games played
35
30
Goals scored
14
10
Assists
5
5
Shots*
2.3
2.5
Shots on target*
1.4
1.2
Goal conversion %
18%
13%
Big chances missed
24
19
On top of that, the Blues’ number 15 also showed off his sometimes red-hot form in front of goal during his debut season, with a mightily impressive 17 goals and six assists coming his way across all competitions, away from his 13 strikes in Premier League action alone, just bettering Delap’s output.
It will just rest on whether Jackson can become even more clinical donning United red, but he would surely be chomping at the bit to prove any Stamford Bridge doubters wrong if a move is signed off on.
Nicolas Jackson
Of course, there is also surely a worry on Chelsea’s end that Delap’s heroics for Ipswich are just a lightning in a bottle moment, with the bright lights of a new West London environment perhaps working against the potent Tractor Boys number 19.
United will just be praying the “unbelievable” attacker, as he’s been labelled glowingly in the past by pundit Peter Crouch, can hit his stride making the switch up North, making their failed attempts to land the £30m target less painful in the process.
If he manages to come out of his bumpy stint at Stamford Bridge stronger for it, he could be just what United are searching forward to head into a hopeful, new era under Amorim.
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Chelsea have been one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the transfer window over the last few summers. The Blues have become notorious for signing lots of players in the summer window, and 2025 will seemingly be no different. A deal for Liam Delap is all but confirmed.
Now, it seems they have moved on to new targets, including one at the other end of the pitch. Fabrizio Romano exclusively revealed on Tuesday morning that they have contacted AC Milan over a potential move for goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The France international is thought to be a player high up on their list of targets for a new shot-stopper.
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
However, Maignan is not the only Frenchman linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea's search for a new striker
As it has been over the past few years under Todd Boehly, it will be a busy summer for Chelsea. They have identified some key targets and are working on bringing them in, or, in Delap’s case, have done so already.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Next on the list is Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, most recently by journalist Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Germany reporter claims the Blues ‘remain very active in the race’ for the Frenchman this summer, with talks having ‘taken place’ already.
However, the West London outfit are not the only club targeting a move, with Plettenberg explaining that ‘more teams are showing interest’ in Ekitike, although he does not name them. As for the price, the transfer insider confirms the £84m package still remains for the attacker.
Why Ekitike would be a good signing
It has been a strong season for Ekitike in 2024/25. He has left a great impression, reminding European football how good he is after a tough spell the previous campaign for Paris Saint-Germain.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Very much a revitalised star at Frankfurt, the 22-year-old has scored 22 goals and grabbed a further 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for the club this season. That included 15 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga games.
The Frenchman has shown he has the ability to score goals in important games. This term, he has bagged against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the top flight of Germany, and against eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League.
This signing feels similar in many ways to that of Kai Havertz. Chelsea signed the German from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen back in 2020 for a fee of £71m. He went on to make 139 appearances for the club.
Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz
Although the 25-year-old burnt his bridges at Chelsea by joining major rivals Arsenal, he will surely go down in folklore in West London.
One of the 32 goals Havertz scored in that famous Blue shirt was the winner in the 2021 Champions League final, delivering the club their second title in the famous competition.
The are similarities between that deal and the one for Ekitike, with the fact that both have performed superbly in Germany’s top flight, a key likeness. In his final year as a Leverkusen player, Havertz bagged 12 goals and six assists in the league.
There are also similarities between Havertz and Ekitike’s numbers on FBref during their most recent Bundesliga season. For example, the German attacker averaged 0.66 goal involvements per 90 minutes during 2019/20, compared to 0.81 each game last term for Ekitike.
Goals and assists
0.81
0.66
Key passes
1.54
2.16
Shot-creating actions
3.55
4.47
Goal-creating actions
0.42
0.48
Ball recoveries
3.05
3.66
Ekitike was described as a “world-class” operator earlier in the season by football talent scout Jacek Kulig. Even though they are signing Delap, having depth up front will be important, and Ekitike will bring goals and assists to the side, too.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
His all-round play is certainly similar to Havertz’s. If he can match the ultimate high of scoring in a Champions League final that the German had in a Chelsea shirt, then he will surely be a successful addition to the club.
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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.
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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.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
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.”
Liverpool have the luxury of playing out the remainder of the Premier League campaign as champions after they won their second title in the division, and their 20th top-flight title overall.
The Reds officially won the league at the end of last month when they hammered Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in a phenomenal 5-1 victory in front of their own supporters.
Arne Slot came in to replace Jurgen Klopp last summer and has already equalled the number of Premier League titles won by the German in his nine seasons on Merseyside.
However, the former Feyenoord coach may hope for more success in the cup competitions next season and beyond, after his team failed to win either of the domestic cups or the Champions League.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
In order to do that, the Dutchman could look to improve the quality and depth of his squad in the upcoming transfer window to target more trophies next term.
This could mean that some players who have featured regularly could be either lesser-spotted in the 2025/26 campaign or sold in the summer, and one star who may fall into that category is Diogo Jota.
Why Diogo Jota's future at Liverpool is uncertain
The Portugal international, who joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers almost five years ago, has played 36 matches in all competitions so far this term, despite missing 18 games through injury for club and country.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
Jota has started 15 games in the Premier League and the Champions League for Slot, which shows that he has been utilised fairly regularly by the Dutch head coach when you factor in his injury absences.
His future at Anfield remains uncertain, however, due to his performances on the pitch and his lack of availability through injury, as he has missed 72 matches through injury since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Jota, whose last goal came against Everton in April, has been absent for at least 18 games in each of the last three seasons, and this means that Liverpool cannot rely on him to be consistently available each year.
Appearances
25
Starts
15
xG
7.59
Goals
6
Big chances missed
13
Key passes per game
0.4
Assists
3
As you can see in the table above, the former Wolves star’s performances on the pitch have also left a bit to be desired, as he has underperformed against his xG and rarely provided much in the way of creativity for his team.
This is further evidenced by his return of zero goals and zero assists in four appearances in the Champions League earlier this season for the Reds, and may explain why journalist Ben Jacobs recently revealed that there is a chance that Jota could be sold this summer.
Diogo Jota scores for Liverpool
Liverpool could seal the forward’s fate by swooping to sign a reported target who has the quality to be miles better than the Portuguese flop for Slot.
Liverpool eyeing up LaLiga sensation
According to Rousing The Kop, working with journalist Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have made contact with Real Madrid to be kept informed on Rodrygo’s situation in the Spanish capital.
The report claims that the Reds want to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch in the upcoming summer transfer window, and are open to signing players in central or wide areas to add to what they already have.
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It reveals that the Premier League champions have been alerted to the potential availability of the Brazil international, who has had to accept a reduced role since the arrival of Kylian Mbappe last summer.
However, the report adds that there is no guarantee that Rodrygo will be available to sign from Real Madrid this summer, but the Reds have made contact to ensure that they will be in the know if that does become the case.
If Liverpool can strike a deal for the forward, who is reportedly valued at €100m (£85m) by the Spanish giants, then they could land an attacker who is miles better than Jota.
Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo
The Premier League side should pursue a deal for the Brazilian star if he becomes available because he could come in as a big upgrade on Jota ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Rodrygo, as aforementioned, has not been as prominent at the top end of the pitch for Real Madrid because he has to compete with Jude Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr to get the ball in the final third.
Despite that, the 24-year-old star has still racked up 14 goals in all competitions for the Spanish giants this season, as shown in the highlights above.
Since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Rodrygo has scored 49 goals and provided 27 assists in all competitions for Real. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has scored 31 goals and assisted 15 for Liverpool in that time, which speaks to the difference in quality between the two forwards.
Appearances
28
42
xG
8.49
6.29
Goals
6
11
Big chances missed
16
3
Big chances created
3
7
Assists
3
7
As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian dynamo has also outperformed the Reds attacker at league and Champions League level in the current campaign, overperforming against his xG whilst Jota has underperformed.
The chart above also shows that Rodrygo, who can play on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward, offers far more than the Portugal international when it comes to progressing play through passes, carries, and successful take-ons.
This means that the £85m-rated star, who was described as “world-class” by Luka Modric, could be miles better than Jota for Liverpool because he has the ability to score and assist more frequently and more efficiently, whilst also offering significantly more in the build-up with his passes and carries.
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Therefore, Slot must hope that the board can wrap up a deal for the LaLiga star if he becomes available this summer, because the versatile forward could be a terrific addition to the squad as an upgrade on Jota.