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Will Arsenal’s spending spree continue?

So far this summer, the Gunners have already signed Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martín Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, with the latter unveiled on Thursday.

Meantime, a £52m move for Noni Madueke appears to be close, while the Gunners continue the chase for both Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres.

It was clear that Mikel Arteta needed to add plenty of attacking firepower to his squad, but do they now have a new defender in their sights?

Arsenal's pursuit of a new centre-back

Earlier in the window, as noted by Stuart James and Guillermo Rai of The Athletic, Arsenal, amongst many other clubs, held a genuine interest in signing Dean Huijsen, before the Spain international chose to move to Real Madrid instead.

Transfer Focus

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

Thus, despite having William Saliba and Gabriel, who Oliver Hopkins of Opta’s the Analyst notes is arguably the best duo in the Premier League, the Gunners recognise they require greater depth in that position.

Thus, as reported by Football London, Arsenal remain interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, adding that the Spanish youth international is ‘keen to sign’ for the Gunners, so much so that he has rejected a new contract with los Murciélagos.

Ed Aarons of the Guardian has previously reported that the “monster” defender would cost around £16m, so could he swap Mestalla for North London?

How Cristhian Mosquera would improve Arsenal

Mosquera has been with Valencia since the age of 12, his senior debut coming against Atlético Baleares in the Copa del Rey in January 2022, accumulating 90 appearances for los Che’s first team, scoring his first-ever senior goal against Leganés in February.

He was also part of the Spain squad at this summer’s under-21 European Championships, starting three of their four matches in Slovakia, having also helped la Rojita win Olympic Gold in Paris 12 months ago.

Analyst Spencer Mossman praises Mosquera’s ‘tenacious tackling’ and ‘impressive’ improvement when it comes to his ‘ball playing’ ability, while also left impressed by his versatility.

Meantime, Jonas Bartsch of Total Football Analysis adds that the youngster has an ‘outstanding footballing IQ’ and ‘exceptional situational awareness’, so let’s assess his statistics from La Liga last season.

As the table outlines, Mosquera ranked generally very highly for all defensive metrics in La Liga last season, especially when it comes to the percentage of dribblers tackled and ball recoveries, made all the more impressive by the fact that Valencia spent the campaign battling against relegation.

Now though, let’s assess how he compares to Arsenal’s first-choice target – and Mosquera’s compatriot – Huijsen.

As the table outlines, Huijsen’s statistics are pretty much all more impressive than Mosquera’s, but this is to be expected considering the former Bournemouth man is a full-Spain international, and is the one of the two who has just joined Real Madrid.

Nevertheless, Mosquera’s statistics are still impressive, ranking higher for passing and ground duels, ensuring he is an exciting, high-potential Spanish defender in his own right.

Thus, it is clear that the 21-year-old would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad, joining Madueke and co in bolstering Arteta’s already talented ranks.

Fabrizio Romano: Player set for imminent Arsenal medical after deal agreed

The Gunners are closing in on another signing.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 12, 2025

Arsenal are ready to splash the cash in a serious show of ambition this summer, with Mikel Arteta and co desperate to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title, which has spanned over 20 years.

Arsenal convinced they can seal "huge signing" after "showdown talks"

The Gunners are growing in optimism.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 5, 2025

Sporting director Andrea Berta has already sealed deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter two unofficial but confirmed by multiple reliable media sources.

Arsenal will pay around £56 million for Zubimendi, with all documents regarding the Spaniard’s transfer signed and finalised, while Norgaard has apparently undergone the first part of his medical in N5.

Berta has shown a tendency to spin many plates at once when it comes to transfer targets, with Arsenal also believed to be after two new wide players. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke have all been linked this week, but signing a right and left-winger could depend on whether Berta sells one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli.

In any case, Arsenal have been working on deals for Eze and another star for the left-hand side (Fabrizio Romano), all while actively seeking their desired new striker – which could be one of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal are advancing talks for Sesko and Gyokeres, before deciding which one would best suit the club’s needs both in a financial sense and on the field.

However, one player who’s likelier to arrive before any of the aforementioned attackers is Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.

Arsenal enter "decisive" phase of talks for Cristhian Mosquera

As per CaughtOffside, Arsenal have entered their “decisive” phase of talks for Mosquera, who’s already agreed personal terms over a move to the Emirates.

The versatile centre-back could come as a like-for-like replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who mutually shook hands on a contract termination this week following his Arsenal injury hell.

Arteta’s side have seen a £12 million offer rejected for Mosquera, but are planning to go back in with a new bid which could be as high as £26 million, including bonuses and add-ons.

The Spaniard is said to be very keen on joining Arsenal and even snubbed a new contract proposal from Valencia, with Berta said to be edging closer to a full agreement.

The move could be sealed pretty soon, and barring any unexpected twists, Mosquera appears poised to become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window.

Footall Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes him as an “elite” young player, with Mosquera playing more minutes than any other player under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

A lot has gone very right for Chelsea so far this summer.

Enzo Maresca’s men overcame what many assumed would be too big a hurdle in Paris Saint-Germain to win the Club World Cup, and have been making some great moves in the transfer market.

The three big signings made so far are undoubtedly Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro, but the club show no signs of stopping there.

For example, recent days and weeks have seen them linked to bona fide superstars like Rodrygo, who could cost up to £86m, and more up-and-coming talents who could develop into stars, like Xavi Simons, who appears to have a £52m price tag on his head.

However, it’s not all about bringing players in, as Chelsea have made several sales, and now it appears that one of the most important players has agreed to leave, which could help fund moves for the Real Madrid and RB Leipzig stars.

Why Chelsea want to sign Rodrygo & Simons

It’s certainly the case that, as things stand, Chelsea have plenty of attacking options in their squad. However, ultimately, having more can never hurt, and when they’re of the quality of Rodrygo and Simons, they could end up being hugely impactful next season.

For example, despite playing out of his preferred left-wing position for most of the last two seasons, the Brazilian “superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.

That means the former Santos gem has been averaging a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes across the last two years, which is undoubtedly impressive.

Moreover, when it comes to the Champions League, which the Blues will finally be back in again, his record is remarkable.

In his 64 appearances in the competition, totalling 3883 minutes, the 24-year-old has scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.64 games, or every 99.56 minutes.

However, what’s crucial to consider here is that eight of his 25 goals have been game-winning, and eight have come in the knockout rounds, so he could prove essential if the West Londoners want to make it far in the competition next season.

The Leipzig ace might not have the same pedigree when it comes to Europe’s top competition, but he was still seriously effective for the German outfit last season.

For example, in 33 appearances last season, totalling 2763 minutes, the Amsterdam-born monster scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes.

Moreover, despite turning 22 only a few months ago, he has already won 28 senior caps for the Netherlands, in which he has scored five goals and provided four assists, suggesting he’s not fazed by the big stages either.

In all, signing both players would make Chelsea a far more formidable proposition next season, but they’d likely need to make a big sale to do so, which, based on reports, they may well do.

The Chelsea star who has agreed to leave

While their incomings have dominated the conversation for fans, and understandably so, Chelsea have already made a few notable sales this summer, with Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga going to Arsenal for a combined fee of up to £57m, for example.

Transfer Focus

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

However, with the club still clearly looking to make some sizable additions to the squad, some more consequential sales may have to follow.

As things stand, the exits that feel most likely to happen include João Félix’s return to Benfica, Raheem Sterling’s move to an unnamed Champions League side, and potentially the sale of Nicolas Jackson for a tidy profit.

Yet, there is now another, far more important Blues star who is being linked with a massive departure: Enzo Fernández.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, the Argentine international is now a key target for Real Madrid, and a player their new boss, Xabi Alonso, has an ‘obsession’ with and sees as ‘essential’ to improve his midfield.

The report makes it clear that the West Londoners are reluctant to part with their midfield maestro, but he has already given the green light to the Spanish giants, who are working on an offer worth around €150m, equivalent to approximately £130m.

While that is a massive amount of money, and would go a long way in helping to bring in some other game-changing talents, this might be a move that’s hard to stomach for fans if it happens.

After all, the World Cup winner has now made 115 appearances for the Conference League champions, in which he has scored 16 goals, provided 23 assists, and really helped turn Maresca’s side into one that can give anyone a game.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen if this deal goes ahead, but if it does, BlueCo needs to ensure they use the entire fee on new, exciting additions, such as Rodrygo and Simons.

Their new Hazard: Chelsea set to hold talks to sign £95m "superstar"

Chelsea could be set to hold talks to sign a Dutch superstar

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 21, 2025

Arsenal are primed to go again next season, sights set on the biggest prizes. Mikel Arteta’s transfer efforts this summer certainly speak of ambition.

And there’s more still to come, even after deals for free-scoring striker Viktor Gyokeres and up-and-coming defender Cristian Mosquera are wrapped up, as is expected.

There’s space for a few more forwards, and the depth of such plans will become clearer upon the resolutions to the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, both wide forwards rumoured to be expendable.

A playmaker would also go down well in north London. Arsenal had registered their interest in RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, but the Dutchman has instead been at the centre of Chelsea’s advancements, with that one now in the pipeline.

However, with Martin Odegaard settled in his senior role, Arteta will want to consider the ramifications a big-money signing might have on some of the exciting up-and-coming prospects.

Arsenal's teenage talents

Arsenal commenced their pre-season tour in Asia with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan. A familiar scoreline, but also new parts which demonstrate Arteta’s vision advancing to the next stage.

Bukayo Saka being the goalscorer is nothing new, but the likes of Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri’s starring roles highlight the next batch of elite Hale End prospects arriving at Arteta’s door.

We, of course, know all about Nwaneri, he who emerged onto the scene as a youngster and settled into a role of seniority last year, scoring nine goals and supplying two assists across 37 matches in all competitions.

Against Milan this week, the 18-year-old operated from a central playmaking berth, and it made an interesting comment on his positional value away from the right wing.

However, Dowman made his senior debut against the Italians, emerging from the bench and replacing Saka beyond the hour mark. A symbolic switch if ever there was one.

Where Dowman, 15, is best suited positionally remains to be seen, but after Arteta hailed the attacking midfielder’s “incredible” first taste of action, the outfit will want to be wary of hampering his development.

Arsenal lining up another attacking midfielder

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal chiefs are locked in talks with the entourage of Eberechi Eze, who has immortalised himself at Crystal Palace after scoring the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final.

The 27-year-old has a £60m release clause in his contract and the Gunners are the firm favourites to complete a deal, should he be on the move this summer.

Eze, an England international of growing importance, could find himself at the centre of a concrete bid from Arsenal in short time, now that a move for Gyokeres has been wrapped up.

Why Arsenal want Eberechi Eze

In 2020, Eze joined Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers in the Championship for a £20m fee. He has since become “one of the best players in the Premier League”, in the words of teammate Tyrick Mitchell, posting 40 goals and 28 assists across 148 matches for the Eagles.

The Three Lions star is something special, all right, with his strong athletic build and winged feet making him a dangerous opponent for even the sternest defenders.

As per FBref, Eze ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for assists and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90.

His average of 1.7 key passes, two dribbles and 4.8 successful duels per Premier League game last season, as per Sofascore, furthers the argument that he’s exactly what Arteta needs to add a dimension and ensure that the biggest prizes across multiple fronts can be chased next term.

The problem is that Eze’s arrival would spark congestion in the creative midfield position for Arsenal, and this could lead to the stunting of Dowman’s growth. Nwaneri’s midfield role against Milan suggests his future lies in the middle, while the acquisition of Noni Madueke will surely see him play on the right, Dowman’s other preferred role.

And given the prodigious potential that Arteta has in the teenage superstar, is this really the course of action that the club wants to head down?

Of course, some would argue that Dowman must be eased onto the major stage over the next few years, allowed to grow into his skin without the weight of responsibility that could foil so many youngsters.

But Odegaard is set to continue as the Emirates creator-in-chief over the coming years, and Nwaneri could be his deputy for an age.

Given that Dowman is so ilky and fleet-footed on the ball, bearing an age-belying confidence, you could make the comparison between him and Eze, so there is the fact that he would emerge onto the scene and be impeded by a more accomplished and complete positional rival who has a similar style of play.

And if Arsenal do push ahead with the signing of an out-and-out winger, which is a separate focus to that of Eze, then it would make sense for the Palace man to operate chiefly within a central berth. Thus, Dowman would indeed find himself further down the pecking order than he might hope for.

There’s no question that Eze is a “superstar”, as has been said by analyst Ben Mattinson, but is his signature really needed? It might feel like this is so, but Dowman is one of the most talented teenagers in world football, and he could break through to the Arsenal first team sooner rather than later.

More exciting than Gyokeres: Romano reveals Arsenal's new "top target"

The sensational game-changer would be an incredible signing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 24, 2025

Wayne Rooney has lifted the lid on his unlikely bromance with former Manchester United team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger. The two played alongside one another at Old Trafford for two years and to this day they remain good friends but the German's character surprised the ex-England international.

• Rooney taken aback by Schweinsteiger's manner

  When Germany and Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger swapped the Bundesliga for Premier League giants United in 2015, Rooney was expecting the midfielder to fit the German stereotype of an "efficient" player. Instead, the forward was pleasantly surprised to learn that his new team-mate was quite the "prankster".

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  What Rooney said

  In the latest episode of the 'Wayne Rooney Show', he said: "Thierry Henry made a comment. Bastian Schweinsteiger won't leave me alone. He keeps just following me everywhere. So the comment was that, it was like T-Bag (Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell) and his guy [from Prison Break] with him. Basty’s brilliant. He's so much fun and he's come out with his dad. His dad's a good character as well. I've said to him all the time, when he signed for Man United, I thought, we sign this really efficient German, he's gonna come in and, you know, really organised and that, and he comes in and he’s like the biggest joker prankster I've seen. And then with Bastian, even when he was at United, me and him end up on FaceTime to Thomas Muller. He was on FaceTime this morning, Thomas Muller, who is out in Vancouver at the minute. And I'm like, I think I've been kidded all these years that these Germans are very efficient. They’re just big pranksters! Even Bastian's dad, who, I think, he said was 72, but he was all great fun." 

• Rooney and Schweinsteiger are two of the greats

  The two players will go down as some of the best players of their generation. Rooney was one of England's best-ever forwards, and Schweinsteiger had a hugely successful career, both for Bayern but also in winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany. Despite having quite different backgrounds, these two showed that friendships can blossom from just about anywhere.

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  Rooney and Schweinsteiger's plans for the future

  In another anecdote about spending time in South Korea with former United team-mate Ji-sung Park, Rooney said he and Schweinsteiger planned to go to the famous German festival, Oktoberfest, one day.

  He added: "Ji-sung Park again took us out for some Korean food for lunch and to try on some Korean school uniforms, which was quite strange. It was cringy. And do you know what I think, just for Ji-sung Park, we've all done it. Because we love him that much. We all said, okay, we'll just do it. And we all knew how cringy and how bad it looked. I didn't put the trousers on it. I said I'll put the shirt and the jacket, and the tie on. It's been great. And we went to one of the famous towers here. And like you have in Paris, where you have the lock, where you write the message and make a wish? It was like one of them. And so me and Schweinsteiger done a message each on either side of the lock, so mine was, 'Basty, can you please take me to Oktoberfest?' He said, 'Yes, I will but you have to wear the outfit'. We’re gonna try and organise it."

An “unbelievable” £50m striker is ready to step in and join Manchester United if they do not complete a deal for Benjamin Sesko, according to a report.

Man Utd making progress in Sesko pursuit

Man United have been going head-to-head with Newcastle United for the signature of Sesko, and there has now been a promising new update, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein suggesting the Slovenian would rather make the move to Old Trafford.

However, given that an agreement is yet to be reached with RB Leipzig, it remains to be seen whether United will be able to get a deal over the line, and it has been revealed that there are some alternative options on the shortlist.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos is of interest, while it is also well-known that Ruben Amorim’s side hold an interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

According to a report from The Sun, Watkins is now really keen on a move to Old Trafford, with the Villa striker ready to step in and join instead of Sesko, if the Red Devils are unable to get a deal for the Slovenian over the line.

Aston Villa are treading a fine line PSR-wise, and having failed to cash-in on the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey, they may be forced to sell their centre-forward, who could command a fee in the region of £40m – £50m.

However, there are other Sesko alternatives on the shortlist, with FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis also named as potential options.

"Unbelievable" Watkins could excel at Old Trafford

Unlike Sesko, the Villa star has already proven himself in the Premier League, and he enjoyed a very impressive 2024-25 campaign, recording attacking numbers which suggest he could now be ready to test himself at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

Former footballer Stephen Warnock also lauded the England international as “unbelievable” for his performances in the 2023-24 campaign.

That said, a deal for the Torquay-born striker could still be on the expensive side at £50m, and there may be little re-sale value, given that he is now 29-years-old, which poses a problem for Man United, who are already well-known to be struggling PSR-wise.

Man Utd eyeing move to sign £50m+ CF with 25 G/A in 24/25 alongside Sesko

The Red Devils are in the race for a striker, who could be brought in instead of Benjamin Sesko.

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 5, 2025

Consequently, it is clear to see why Sesko has emerged as Man United’s number one target, and it is exciting news that they are in a strong position to win the race for his signature.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was ecstatic after the Red Devils defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a special night for Fernandes, as he reached two huge personal milestones. In a match marred by rain and red cards, Fernandes explained that United deserved the victory, as they "haven't been getting the points" they wanted.

• United edge Chelsea after red card extravaganza

  Manchester United secured their second win of the season in the Premier League at the Old Trafford on Saturday, as goals from Fernandes and Casemiro helped the hosts edge past Chelsea 2-1 after both sides lost one man each to red cards. In what was a record-breaking evening in England's top-flight, Ruben Amorim and Co. will aim to build on this victory to trigger a turnaround in fortunes.

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  Fernandes explains how United beat Chelsea

  Speaking to reporters after the game, the United captain said: "You want to perform but at the end of the day what matters is points. We haven't been getting the points we wanted. 

  "At the end of the game we were very strong in defending our box and putting them in positions of crossing. "We got the [Chelsea's] red card because our mentality was starting the game so strong. The players have to run behind whenever Ben [Benjamin Sesko] goes for the ball and that's what Bryan [Mbeumo] did. 

  "It [United's red] didn't change anything. We wanted to close the middle. Without [Liam] Delap who makes the runs for the team, Joao Pedro wants to link up. We gave them the chance to go down the side and then close them with our wing-backs. Our centre-backs were very good to defend the box." 

• Personal milestones? Check

  Fernandes opened the scoring in the 18th minute, thus bringing up a century of goals for the Red Devils in his 200th appearances. "Obviously I'm very proud of that – two massive milestones. Not something I was aiming for. I just aimed to play the next game," the Portuguese international added.

  The 31-year-old became the 19th player in United history to reach triple figures for goals. Fernandes brought up the milestone in his 296th game for the club, averaging a goal roughly every three games.

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  When do United play again?

  Amorim's men are slated to play two more fixtures ahead of the international break in October. Next weekend, they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford, before hosting newly-promoted Sunderland on October 4.

Chelsea’s crisis deepened after their 3-1 defeat to Brighton, with footage emerging of Moises Caicedo appearing to lash out at Jan Paul Van Hecke in a post-match brawl at Stamford Bridge. The incident has reportedly drawn the FA’s attention, with possible sanctions looming over Enzo Maresca’s struggling side just as injuries and suspensions continue to pile up.

• Caicedo's post-match brawl at Stamford Bridge

  Tempers flared at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s 3-1 home loss to Brighton, as Caicedo appeared to strike former team-mate Van Hecke during a heated altercation. The Ecuadorian midfielder, already frustrated by his side’s collapse, confronted Yankuba Minteh before turning his anger on the Seagulls defender. The FA are expected to review the footage, with both clubs likely to face disciplinary action for failing to control their players.

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  FA to take retrospective action against Caicedo?

  Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey told Sun Sport that the FA will “look at it again” after VAR deemed the footage inconclusive. He believes both clubs could be charged, and retrospective action against Caicedo remains possible if clearer evidence emerges. The incident adds to a growing list of off-field distractions as pressure mounts on Maresca after another dismal home performance.

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  Chelsea's on-field and off-field issues

  This latest controversy comes at a time when Chelsea can ill afford more problems. Injuries to key players have left Maresca short of options, and a potential suspension for Caicedo would further weaken an already thin midfield. The defeat to Brighton underlined deep-rooted issues in recruitment and discipline, with the club once again struggling to balance talent and temperament.

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• Caicedo could face suspension against Liverpool

  Chelsea now face an anxious wait for the FA’s final verdict on Caicedo’s actions. Should the midfielder be banned, Maresca will be forced to shuffle his midfield once more ahead of a daunting clash with Liverpool. With fan frustration growing and results worsening, the Blues’ season threatens to spiral further out of control.

Liverpool succeeded in claiming three points to start their title defence, defeating Bournemouth on a frenetic evening at Anfield.

However, as cool as Arne Slot comes across, he will know full well that his Liverpool have plenty of work to ply if they hope to retain their Premier League crown while fighting for silverware across the campaign’s various other fronts.

In particular, Liverpool have looked exposed in defence twice in one week since the 2025/26 season kicked off, with the Cherries coming from two goals down before Federico Chiesa’s last magic on Friday after Crystal Palace restored parity twice in the Community Shield before going on to lift the trophy.

Though we all hope to see greater balance at Liverpool over the coming weeks, with the equilibrium restored, but while a new defender and the fluency between the central and deeper thirds left something to be desired, it’s actually the frontline which might receive some attention, with Alexander Isak desperate to rival the impressive Hugo Ekitike for that number nine berth.

The latest on Isak to Liverpool

Liverpool’s pursuit of Newcastle United’s star striker continues to drag on. Isak is desperate to complete a move to Merseyside and is on strike from Eddie Howe’s squad, but the Magpies are adamant they will not sanction his departure without signing suitable replacements, and that has yet to happen.

Given that Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes has already seen a formal £100m offer, plus add-ons, rejected this month, Liverpool will only make their move once encouraged by Toon officials. This has clearly not happened yet.

Of course, the issue is that Ekitike has started his Reds career off in resounding fashion, scoring in both of his appearances for Liverpool so far, and assisting against Bournemouth too.

Hailed for his “brilliant start” to life in England by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, Ekitike’s prolific opening to life as a Liverpool striker bodes well for the future, and even tempers the need for a free-scoring centre-forward such as Isak, especially with improvements needed in other areas.

And despite Liverpool signing young centre-half Giovanni Leoni from Parma for a £26m fee last week, the hunt remains on for a high-level defender.

Liverpool still chasing defender

As per reports from Spain, Liverpool remain focused on completing a late-window deal for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi this month, even with Steve Parish proving to be a difficult negotiator.

Guehi, 25, has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, and despite hitches in discussions so far, it’s reported that Liverpool are closing in on landing the England international for a £35m fee.

Transfer Focus

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

Whether FSG pull the difficult deal off remains to be seen, but Guehi wants to join, and things are expected to come to a head shortly.

Why Liverpool want to sign Marc Guehi

Guehi has certainly had an eventful start to the fresh campaign, starring as Crystal Palace beat Liverpool to lift the Community Shield before keeping a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge, albeit culpable for Eberechi Eze’s fantastic free-kick being ruled out too.

And the spotlight will continue to shine on him if he completes a move to Liverpool, with those of a Reds persuasion sure to expect him to be the “monster in defence”, as commented by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, that he has established a reputation as while with the Eagles.

A sturdy centre-back with a high-level technical game and a composed approach that offers shades of one Virgil van Dijk, Guehi appears tailor-made for Liverpool, and the impact he makes on Slot’s squad could be quite a thing.

Ekitike has earned the plaudits for his performances since swapping Eintracht Frankfurt for Liverpool, but Guehi has what it takes to enjoy an even finer start to life at Liverpool, should Hughes and co manage to close a deal in the coming weeks.

An accomplished Premier League defender who has now captained his side toward two domestic trophies in a matter of months, Guehi knows the English scene well and could prove to be the missing piece in the puzzle for an Anfield side questing for more glory.

Ibrahima Konate’s future is up in the air, and he played like it against Bournemouth, with Carragher noting he was “all over the place” against Andoni Iraola’s well-oiled and lively outfit.

In contrast, Guehi proves a pillar of strength and calmness for Palace, and if Slot can secure that version of the Three Lions star, he could prove the cream of Liverpool’s transfer window, outstripping Ekitike and ensuring this club advances toward the next illustrious chapter.

FBref have recorded that Guehi ranks among the top 11% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for key passes and the top 2% for through balls per 90, so he’s not just a tough-tackling ‘monster’, but a cultured and Liverpool-fit defensive presence besides.

Given that Guehi is the complete package and has enough Premier League experience to do it at the hhighest level week in, week out, he might just prove to be the answer to Slot’s issues, reinforcing the backline while weaving together the fluency on the ball that would favour the likes of Ekitike and fellow recruit Florian Wirtz in finding their feet.

In any case, it’s paramount that FSG seal this deal, lest Liverpool find themselves sold short at critical moments across the term.

Shades of Fabinho: FSG's big-money target now "wants to go to Liverpool"

Liverpool could sign their new Fabinho before the market closes.

By
Matt Dawson

Aug 17, 2025

The Thomas Frank era got off to an agonising start as Tottenham Hotspur fell short against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, but there was much to admire from a spirited and, for the most part, organised north London outfit.

There was a lot to like, but Spurs fell short against the continent’s finest outfit, who clambered back from a two-goal deficit in the late stages. Lots to like, but work to be done, with the need for an attacking midfielder accentuated by the loss.

James Maddison’s injury is a tough one to take. Certainly, the Three Lions playmaker has been left stricken given the promising nature of Tottenham’s season ahead, with the World Cup then on the horizon across the pond.

Looking at the situation through a pragmatic lens, Spurs’ need for an attacking midfielder has been heightened. Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a patella injury, and the controversial failed bid for Morgan Gibbs-White preceded Maddison’s return to the infirmary.

With Heung-min Son having completed a £20m transfer to LAFC in the United States, signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze feels like something of a no-brainer, with that deal in the works. Well, insofar as Tottenham must remain apace with Arsenal in the battle.

But though Frank’s side showed great promise against PSG on Wednesday night, it’s clear that the club are calling out for more than just the arrival of a Maddison replacement, with a deal for Manchester City’s Savinho being chased too.

The latest on Savinho to Spurs

With Son gone and Eze operating frequently from the middle, thrusting forward with electric strides, completing a deal for Savinho feels important.

The Brazilian, 21, joined Pep Guardiola’s side from French club Troyes for around £31m last summer, and he registered 13 assists across 48 matches last term, albeit only scoring three times.

But there’s a lot to like, and Tottenham have opened talks for the rising talent as City pursue a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

Savinho’s lack of bite in the final third is equalised by his snappy physicality and natural creativity. The goals will come, especially if he heads down N17 to work under Frank’s tutelage.

Savinho, who can play across both flanks, would be a fantastic addition, but with Man City holding out for a £67m fee, Daniel Levy and his coterie appear to have earmarked an exciting alternative.

Spurs have made bid for new winger

As per Spanish sources, Tottenham have seen an offer rejected for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, worth somewhere in the region of €40m (equating to £34m).

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The sought-after Japan international believes Sociedad’s ambitions do not match his own, with Spurs hoping to entice him over to London, offering the promise of Champions League.

Daniel Levy will be keenly aware of rival English interest: Bournemouth, Everton, and West Ham have all placed bids of their own, and AC Milan are now emerging as suitors too.

With such thick competition for Spurs’ Savinho alternative, Kubo’s outfit want his €60m (£51m) release clause paid in full.

What Takefusa Kubo would bring to Spurs

Savinho has proven that he has what it takes to impress in the Premier League, with Manchester City expert Steven McInerney remarking that he’s “on the precipice of being a world-class footballer.”

However, £67m is a tall order for a young winger who only scored one league goal for one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the world last season, and Kubo could be an exciting alternative who might even prove the better pick.

A high-speed and nimble winger, Kubo is typically housed on the right flank, though like Savinho, his dynamism lends itself to roles across the frontline.

And his desire to leave Real Sociedad bespeaks his ambition. Despite maintaining a steady creative presence for the Basque side last year, he was let down by his teammates, finishing 11th in the league and creating only 42.5 xG (expected goals), via FBref.

In spite of this, Kubo, who has been described as a “special talent” by journalist John Bunting, enjoyed a promising individual campaign.

Like Savinho, Kubo hasn’t established himself as a free-scoring wide forward yet, but there’s no question that he’s the more clinical of the two.

The Japanese’s flaw in the final third is that he doesn’t work himself into space with enough regularity, instead hugging the touchline and creating for his teammates.

Savinho does this too, of course, and it’s worth drawing attention to the fact that Kubo failed to register even one assist in La Liga last year. However, his underlying playmaking numbers suggest that he has what it takes to enrich Tottenham’s attacking fluency and build-up play.

Ultimately, Frank’s proven record with wingers, taking talented players and fashioning them into stars, suggests that both Savinho and Kubo could go from strength to strength under his leadership.

But, in all likelihood, Tottenham can only sign one. And if that is indeed the case, Kubo has the skill set and the hunger to prove himself at the highest level, having only featured eight times in the Champions League and having yet to reach the potential that was recognised from an early age.

Spurs’ initial offer suggests their interest is genuine, and if Man City stand unwavering on their £67m valuation, he is the winger to go for.

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