All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Leeds United are not messing around in their efforts to build a squad that can avoid being relegated from the Premier League at the first time of asking next season.

It is clear that Daniel Farke and the recruitment team have placed an early emphasis on strengthening the defence, as three of the club’s four summer signings so far are defenders.

Leeds officially completed the signing of Sweden international left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille on Tuesday, to replace Junior Firpo as the first-choice left-back at Elland Road next term.

The Championship champions have also added two new central defenders to their squad this summer, as Sebastiaan Bornauw and Jaka Bijol have joined the club, from Wolfsburg and Udinese respectively.

Leeds will need to turn their attention to the attacking areas of the park before long, though, to make sure that their attack is ready for the Premier League.

TEAMtalk recently reported that the club would like to sign Manor Solomon permanently, but that negotiations have reached a deadlock, which means that it remains to be seen whether or not he will be returning to West Yorkshire.

Why Manor Solomon would be a risky signing for Leeds

Bringing the Israel international back to Elland Road ahead of a season in the Premier League could be a risky move for the club, given that he previously played at that level and had to drop down to the Championship.

Solomon first made the move to England with Fulham in 2022 and the winger enjoyed a decent, yet unspectacular, time at Craven Cottage, with a return of five goals in and zero assists in 24 matches in all competitions.

The 25-year-old then signed for Tottenham Hotspur the following summer and managed zero goals and two assists in six games for Spurs in all competitions before joining Leeds on loan last year.

Appearances

24

Goals

4

Big chances missed

0

Big chances created

1

xA

1.43

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, Solomon was far from an outstanding performer during his time in the top-flight, as he rarely contributed as a scorer or a creator of goals for Spurs or Fulham.

However, the right-footed sensation did produced ten goals and 12 assists in 39 appearances in the Championship for Leeds last season, as he hit his stride on the left side of Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system.

This shows that he knows the system and has proven that he can deliver in the pressure cooker that is Elland Road, but there is no guarantee that the forward will translate those performances up to the Premier League.

That is why Solomon is a potentially risky signing for the Whites to make this summer, and may be why they are looking at an alternative target.

Leeds submit bid to sign new winger

According to Africa Foot, Leeds United have made contact to sign Jeremie Boga from OGC Nice before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Premier League side have already submitted an offer of €15m (£13m) to snap up the Ivorian talent, although it remains to be seen whether or not that is enough to tempt the French club to part ways with him.

Transfer Focus

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

Boga’s contract with the Ligue 1 side is due to expire in the summer of 2027 and this means that the current window could be their last chance to extract maximum value out of him, as he will only have one year left on his deal next year.

The outlet adds that there is interest from teams in the Turkish Super Lig, which could offer competition to Leeds, but it does not reveal whether or not they have also made offers for the 28-year-old attacker.

Africa Foot does state, though, that the former Chelsea youngster, who also played for Birmingham City, would not be against a return to England this summer.

Why Leeds should sign Jeremie Boga

Leeds should push to win the race for the 28-year-old attacker because he could be an even better option than Solomon to fill the hole on the left wing for Farke in the Premier League.

Whilst he has not played, bar one game for Chelsea, in the English top-flight, Boga has proven his qualities in Ligue 1 and the Serie A during his career, two of Europe’s biggest leagues.

The Ivorian ace is coming off the back of a disappointing season, with three goals and one assist in 24 games for Nice, but Leeds could see that as a positive as it could allow them to land a bargain deal for the forward, who has offered far more in front of goal in previous campaigns.

In fact, Boga’s performances in the 2023/24 campaign in Ligue 1 for Nice suggest that he has the ability on the ball to offer even more to the team in the Premier League than Solomon.

xG

4.23

Top 22%

Goals

6

Top 13%

Shots on target

19

Top 16%

xA

4.26

Top 18%

Assists

6

Top 15%

Chances created

33

Top 21%

As you can see in the table above, the former Chelsea youngster ranked highly among his positional peers in Ligue 1 as both a scorer and a creator of goals, ending the season with more goals and more assists than Solomon has managed in the Premier League in his career to date.

On top of that, Boga, who was hailed as a “unique” talent by coach Michael Beale, also showcased his quality in Italy with Atalanta and Sassuolo, with 20 goals and 13 assists in 136 matches in the Italian top-flight.

The Leeds target, who scored 11 Serie A goals in the 2019/20 season, is an experienced and quality left-sided attacker who has shown that he can deliver goals and assists in multiple major European leagues.

There would be some concern over his disappointing form last term, though, but Farke will surely back himself to help Boga to get back to his best, which would make him an even better option than Solomon, who has not delivered anywhere near the same level of quality in a major league.

Their new Klich: Leeds considering move for PL star after internal talks

Leeds United are reportedly considering a deal to sign a star who could be their next Mateusz Klich.

ByDan Emery Jul 9, 2025

There was a point during the overtures of the summer transfer window that Liverpool were clear ahead of any hopefuls in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool are considered frontrunners in the race to sign the French forward, but Chelsea and Manchester United are also locked in negotiations with the Bundesliga club and the player’s representatives.

It’s an open race, and one which the Anfield side will be frustrated that they cannot advance in, given Darwin Nunez still sits firmly in Arne Slot’s squad. The Uruguayan striker is expected to leave the club this summer but, despite interest from Serie A and the Saudi Pro League, real progress has not yet happened.

Luckily, not much should change on the Ekitike front just yet, with his employers standing firm on their €100m (£85m) price tag – a valuation they don’t seem keen to meet.

Since Nunez is all but set to go, it would be wise for the Reds to search for alternatives, and Viktor Gyokeres is a name that has been bandied about.

Liverpool's interest in Viktor Gyokeres

Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League and does have the capacity to double down on their staggering £150m valuation of Alexander Isak.

Thus, alternatives like Ekitike and Sporting’s Gyokeres have been mapped out, and the latter is certainly an attractive option, given he has scored 97 goals across 102 appearances for the Portuguese club.

Arsenal and Manchester United have both shown more concrete interest than Liverpool in recent weeks, even if the Reds are keen, with the Gunners sure to be emboldened by the striker’s intimation that he would rather move to the Emirates than Old Trafford.

There’s no doubt that Gyokeres would prove an upgrade on Nunez, whose natural talent hasn’t been enough to make things click in England’s top flight, but the former is 27 and Sporting chiefs want his €100m (£85m) release clause met, which would put him in the same park as Ekitike.

Liverpool reportedly made contact with the Sweden international back in May, though there are concerns that his ridiculous rate of scoring would struggle to translate into Premier League life, and that’s why Liverpool have made contact with an exciting upgrade.

Liverpool open talks for Nunez replacement

As per the latest from TEAMtalk, Liverpool believe they have found a way to offload Nunez and solve their quest for a number nine at the same time.

Indeed, that’s by offering the 25-year-old, along with Federico Chiesa, to Napoli in return for Victor Osimhen, with talks having already happened regarding a potential swap deal.

Osimhen, 26, has just completed a successful loan spell with Galatasaray after a divorce from the Naples side, and his summer transfer is a given.

Valued at £60m, the Nigerian goalscorer is more affordable than the other forwards we’ve mentioned, and if Nunez, Chiesa or both are included in the package, he would be cheaper still.

Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen

Frugality has been something that dissenters have targeted FSG with for a while, but who can say Liverpool’s owners have been anything but ambitious in the market thus far this month?

Even so, there’s a lot going on in the Anfield offices, and the coffers aren’t inexhaustible. Osimhen represents an affordable deal for an elite-level marksman.

Ekitike has a high ceiling, but the Frenchman isn’t as refined as Napoli’s man right now, and perhaps Osimhen is also more accomplished than Gyokeres, who has yet to prove himself at age 27 in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Indeed, the rangy centre-forward has been hailed for his “world-class” finishing by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, and that’s something Liverpool have been lacking at the front of the ship to be sure.

24/25 – Galatasaray

41

37

8

23/24 – Napoli

32

17

4

22/23 – Napoli

39

31

5

21/22 – Napoli

32

18

6

20/21 – Napoli

30

10

3

But goalscoring isn’t Osimhen’s sole forte. Powerful, robust and more dynamic than he might seem at a glance, the £83k-per-week striker likes to drive forward with the ball at his feet and make things happen for his teammates.

Make no mistake, Gyokeres is a high-level finisher and complete in his forward play, but Liverpool would be gambling in bringing him to the Premier League over someone more proven in Osimhen. The Premier League champions, after all, need the best of the best.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 4% of forwards across Europe last season for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive carries and the top 16% for ball recoveries per 90.

This shows that he’s mobile and efficient in utilising his athleticism, not just standing as a target man in spite of his prowess in the box.

Silky and stylish and all the rest, Osimhen would be a credit to Liverpool’s first team, bringing a fiery personality and a winning mentality.

Gyokeres is a physical force of a player himself, but he simply hasn’t achieved the same heights as Osimhen despite being a year his junior, and given that he would cost more, Liverpool will need to consider their options carefully, lest they make the wrong choice and hinder their chances of defending their Premier League title with Slot at the helm and indeed struggle to conquer trophies on tournamental fronts.

He's better than Gordon: Liverpool among favourites to sign £77m winger

Liverpool may need to replace Luis Diaz in the transfer market this summer.

4 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 17, 2025

With the summer transfer window well and truly back open, Aston Villa have a huge few weeks ahead.

After failing to qualify for the Champions League after defeat against Manchester United on the final day of the season, the West Midlands side find themselves in the Europa League.

That surely makes them less appealing to top players they are looking to sign, and also means they have less money, which could make it tough to turn the loan moves of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford into permanent deals. Spain international Asensio did not have a buy clause in his loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and it is unclear if he will come back.

Well, if it turns out that Asensio doesn’t re-sign for Villa, they seemingly have a replacement in mind.

Villa's potential Asensio replacement

It would certainly be a huge blow for Villa if they were to lose Asensio, who had a great impact and brought lots of technical quality in attacking areas to their squad. However, they seem to be targeting a fellow Spaniard to replace him.

According to a newspaper in Spain, via Caught Offside, Unai Emery and his side are seemingly targeting a move for Real Betis attacker Jesus Rodriguez. He reportedly has a release clause worth £30m in his current deal, but Betis are negotiating a new contract with the view of increasing the price of that release clause to around £43m.

Of course, the release clause makes this a complicated situation, and on top of that, Betis are thought to be set on keeping Rodriguez.

However, Villans’ sporting director Monchi ‘is determined to sign’ the attacker, and ‘will be leading negotiations to get the deal done’ this summer.

Why Rodríguez would be a good signing

Despite being just 19 years of age, Rodriguez had a strong second half of the campaign with Betis, after breaking into the first team under Manuel Pellegrini following a stint in the youth team until December.

The Seville-born sensation played in 32 senior games last season for the club, scoring three times and grabbing one assist. He played a lot of first-team football, too, notching up 1739 minutes, the equivalent of 19 full 90-minute games. If anything, that shows the trust Pellegrini has in him already.

The 19-year-old attacker performed well in the UEFA Conference League last season, too. Although Betis lost in the final to Chelsea, he had an important role in their quest to the final, playing eight games and scoring against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.

There is no doubt about it, Rodriguez stepping into Asensio’s shoes at Villa Park would be no mean feat. Not only is he ten years younger and therefore far less experienced, but the impact he had at Villa would be tough to recreate.

Even Asensio himself struggled to continue the form he showcased during the early part of his career in the West Midlands. He scored eight times and grabbed one assist in 21 games, but after a rapid start, couldn’t keep up his hot run of form past the start of April.

When looking at the underlying stats on FBref last season for both Rodriguez, a Spain U21 international, and Asensio, there are some numbers that stack up well against each other. One of those is goal-creating actions, in which the Betis man averaged 0.41 per game compared to the Villa loanee’s 0.66, showing they are both involved in their team’s goals regularly.

Described as an “explosive” player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Rodriguez will certainly bring dynamic ball-carrying to Villa Park, more so than Asensio of the stats are anything to go by. The 19-year-old averaged 4.31 progressive carries each game last season, compared to Asensio’s 2.72 per 90 minutes.

Goal-creating actions

0.41

0.66

Progressive carries

4.31

2.72

Carries into penalty area

3.17

0.93

Take-ons completed

2.44

1.06

Ball recoveries

4.72

3.05

It is not hard to see why Rodriguez will be Emery’s new Asensio. Not only are they both Spanish attackers who can play across the frontline, but he has the technical quality of the former Real Madrid star, combined with the habit of being involved in goals, even if that is not directly.

This seems like a deal Monchi wants to get over the line, and for £30m, the value of his current release clause, it could be an excellent piece of business for the Villans.

He's scored at Villa Park: Aston Villa racing to sign "fantastic" £42m star

Only Jacob Murphy, Mohamed Salah and Anthony Elanga assisted more goals than him last season…

1 ByTom Cunningham Jun 12, 2025

In a move that would see them get one over on Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United are now reportedly plotting a last-ditch hijack to sign an England international this summer.

Full focus on Bilbao for Man Utd

Although there are still three Premier League games left to play, they are likely to be seen as opportunities to rest key players at Manchester United. The Red Devils’ domestic campaign has long been over and they could yet finish as low as 17th to increase their embarrassment to beyond simple failure. But, in quite the twist, they could still qualify for the Champions League.

After smashing Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate, Manchester United will square off against fellow strugglers Tottenham in a game between two sides desperate to change the narrative of their seasons.

Like those at Old Trafford, there’s still every chance that Spurs finish as low as 17th in the Premier League. But, just like United, they could do the unthinkable by securing Champions League football through the Europa League.

Given just how much both sides have struggled this season, that qualification wouldn’t be without its controversy and many have already had their say, including Arsene Wenger.

The legendary ex-Arsenal manager recently told reporters: “No – they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League.

Same agent as Dorgu: Man Utd now offered chance to sign "incredible" winger

He’s a serial winner.

ByTom Cunningham May 10, 2025

“Especially when you’re in the Premier League where already five teams qualify. I think it’s something [for Uefa] to think about and to review. On the other hand, people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize (of qualifying for the Champions League).”

However, if Manchester United end their season lifting the Europa League, the words of Wenger will simply become an afterthought, and their summer transfer window could suddenly come to life.

Man Utd plotting late Angel Gomes move

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are now plotting a last-ditch hijack to sign Angel Gomes ahead of Tottenham this summer. Squaring off both on and off the pitch, the two Premier League sides are chasing the England international as his LOSC Lille contract comes to an end and he becomes a free agent at the end of June.

Whilst it is reportedly Spurs who lead the race, Manchester United should hold the advantage that Gomes came through their academy not so long ago. Having left as an attacking midfielder in 2020, the 24-year-old has since reinvented himself as a No.6 in France and could now make quite the return to Old Trafford this summer.

Dubbed “always impressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gomes looks set to have quite the decision to make between his boyhood club that let him go and a Premier League rival this summer.

Manchester United are believed to be in contact with a club’s director of recruitment over the signing of an “outstanding” goalkeeper this summer, according to a new report.

Man Utd produce historic comeback

Ruben Amorim’s side may have had a season to forget, but their 5-4 win over Lyon on Thursday evening was one of the most dramatic nights Old Trafford has ever witnessed.

Having led 2-0 and seemingly heading into the semi-finals of the Europa League with ease, United suddenly found themselves drawing 2-2 after 90 minutes, before then trailing 4-2 in extra-time against ten men.

Remarkably, the Red Devils scored three times in the remaining minutes, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty, Kobbie Mainoo brilliantly curling home and Harry Maguire heading in a memorable last-gasp winner.

It was a remarkable evening that has kept United’s season alive, and given the nature of their victory over Lyon, there will be some who feel that their name is on the trophy. Regardless of what happens this season, though, lots of new signings are a must, including in goal to replace Andre Onana, and one intriguing transfer target in that position has now emerged.

Man Utd make contact for Kaua Santos

According to Sport Bild, Manchester United have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche over the signing of Kaua Santos this summer. The German outfit want £51m for his services and would rather keep hold of him.

It is claimed that Red Devils director of recruitment Christopher Vivell spoke with him during Frankfurt’s Europa League quarter-final first leg tie against Tottenham last week, as they look to entice the 22-year-old to Old Trafford.

Santos could be a strong addition for United ahead of next season, having enjoyed an impressive campaign for Frankfurt in Europe, standing out as a key man at a young age, especially for a ‘keeper. The Brazilian has started five matches in the Europa League this term, prior to being eliminated by Spurs on Thursday night, and the Red Devils may see him as having a higher long-term ceiling than Onana.

Santos has been hailed as an “outstanding” player by Bayern Munich and Germany legend Thomas Muller, while analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as among the “most promising” young ‘keepers in Europe.

While Onana has had good moments in a United shirt, he is an error-prone player who doesn’t seem to bring calm to the defence, and if Amorim wants to take his team to another level, an upgrade is required.

Saved by Maguire: Man Utd must axe star who lost the ball every 4.8 touches

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ByRobbie Walls Apr 18, 2025

Santos is admittedly still a goalkeeper learning his trade, but his performances this season suggest that he would be an exciting signing who should only grow as a player.

Michael Owen is a player who will forever live in the hearts of Liverpool supporters, emerging through the academy and making a name for himself in the first-team at Anfield.

The now-retired striker made just shy of 300 appearances during an eight-year period, notching 158 goals – sitting in the top ten for the club’s highest goalscorers.

He would win the Ballon d’Or in 2001, winning the award at the tender age of just 22, before leaving the Reds in the summer of 2004 to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.

His achievements on Merseyside have undoubtedly cemented him in the club’s history forever, with his goalscoring record a huge reason for the love he received from the fanbase.

Fast-forward 21 years on from his subsequent departure, current boss Arne Slot has the opportunity to land a new version of the England attacker.

Liverpool to plot £40m summer bid for PL star

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are keen on making a move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer should they be relegated from the Premier League.

However, the Reds are not alone in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United just three other sides wanting to land the youngster.

Despite the Tractor Boys’ lowly league standing, Delap has managed to notch 12 goals in 30 league appearances – three times more than the club’s next highest goalscorer this campaign.

The report states that the striker has a £40m relegation release clause in his current contract, potentially a bargain given his recent form in England’s top flight.

Despite the interest elsewhere, it would be a superb addition, allowing the young star to follow in the footsteps of Owen at Anfield and taking his own career up a notch.

Why Delap could be the next Owen for Liverpool

Former Reds striker Owen was a freak of nature during his time on Merseyside, with the striker becoming the second-youngest player to ever claim the Ballon d’or.

Whilst Delap is already at the same age as when the 45-year-old claimed the trophy, he still has a lot of work to do before he gets anywhere near emualting such a feat, but the signs of following in Owen’s footsteps are all positive.

The Ipswich ace – who has burst onto the scene at a similar age – has already wasted no time in demonstrating his goalscoring quality at the top-level, possessing a similar skillset, with his pace in behind the backline causing constant problems – just as Owen demonstrated during his eight-year spell in the first-team on Merseyside.

He’s just six goals off the iconic striker’s tally from his own first season in the Premier League, doing so whilst featuring for a lower-quality side – highlighting how impressive he’s been for Kieran McKenna’s side.

If he is to reach the levels set by his compatriot, Delap is in desparate need of a big-money move to a top-six side this summer, but given his nationality, Slot’s side would have to pay a premium for his signature – but it would be worth every penny, especially if his figures from this season are anything to go by.

How Delap compares to Liverpool’s current striker options

Whilst sitting top of the Premier League table, Liverpool have struggled to rely on a striker, with Mohamed Salah often being the man to produce the goods within the final third.

Whilst the Egyptian has registered 54 combined goals and assists in just 45 games across all competitions, with it unthinkable to imagine where the side would be without his contributions.

Strikers Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez have struggled to nail down the centre-forward role, often sharing the role between themselves over the past couple of months.

However, the pair have only registered 11 combined Premier League goals between them in 2024/25, a tally lower than Delap has managed on his own at Portman Road.

Whilst on the face of it, the Manchester City academy graduate has outscored the pair, his underlying stats are also better than the aforementioned pair – highlighting what a superb signing he would be this summer.

Games played

30

20

25

Goals & assists

14

9

7

Shot-on-target accuracy

45%

32%

39%

Take-ons per 90

1.4

1

0.7

Take-on success

47%

38%

38%

Aerials won

46%

44%

34%

Fouls won

1.8

1

1.3

Delap, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has also achieved a higher shot on target accuracy rate, showcasing his clinical nature within the final third.

He’s also completed more take-ons per 90 this campaign and also having a higher aerial success rate, offering an all-round presence that the club have missed in the last few months.

Given the form of the current Reds strikers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to no one to see either of them offloaded during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Should they leave, Delap has showcased that he’s a perfect option to replace either of the current forwards, improving further with higher-quality players around him.

If he moves and gets anywhere close to the levels produced by Owen, it would be a bargain deal at £40m, potentially taking Slot’s reign at Anfield to the next level.

Best signing after Van Dijk: Liverpool struck gold on "world-class" star

He’s been one of the best footballers in the world for quite a few years.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 8, 2025

Ipswich Town appear to have their eyes on an “exciting” EFL star who “scores and creates goals”, according to one Sky Sports pundit.

Ipswich Town transfer rumours with McKenna’s side in relegation zone

The Tractor Boys’ return to the Premier League looks like it may only last one season, with Kieran McKenna’s side nine points adrift of safety with nine games remaining.

A defeat at Portman Road last time out was coupled with Wolves’ win at Southampton and has left Ipswich with plenty of work to do in the final months of the season.

Best signing since Davis: Ipswich struck gold with "wrecking ball" star

Leif Davis has been one of Ipswich’s finest signings during the Kieran McKenna era.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 20, 2025

Should Ipswich suffer relegation, there could be a number of exits, including star striker Liam Delap, with several top-flight giants eyeing a move for the impressive forward, including Man Utd and Chelsea.

Hearts striker and captain Lawrence Shankland, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has seemingly been identified as a possible replacement for Delap at Portman Road.

Loanee Kalvin Phillips is also unlikely to make his move permanent, and his replacement could be 6ft 6 midfielder Kalidou Sidibe, who currently plies his trade with French side En Avant Guingamp.

Towards the end of 2024, Ipswich were also linked with Peterborough United star Kwame Poku, alongside Southampton, Championship side Burnley and Scottish giants Rangers.

Ipswich Town told they can sign “exciting” EFL star if relegated

Now, talking to Football League World, Sky Sports co-commentator and pundit Don Goodman has labelled Ipswich target Poku as an “exciting” potential signing in the Championship, appearing to urge the Tractor Boys to make a move if they’re relegated.

“Well, Peterborough have finally found their mojo, haven’t they? They’ve just put a seven-game unbeaten run together, far and away their best run of the season. It took way too long.

“Kwame Poku, 10 goals and six assists this season from just 20 games, 19 starts, is very impressive. It’s on the back of 11 goals and seven assists last season.

“He’s been on my radar for a couple of seasons now, along with Ephron Mason-Clarke, who is now doing really, really well at Coventry.

“If you’re Burnley, Southampton or Ipswich, it’s obviously going to depend on which players stay and which players leave. That’s assuming Southampton and Ipswich will be in the Championship, Burnley will hope to be in the Premier League.

“So whether he’s ready for the Premier League just yet is a debate to be had, but certainly if I was a Championship club and I needed an exciting, ball-carrying winger that both scores and creates goals, he would be on my radar.”

Games

139

Goals

28

Assists

28

Minutes played

9,828

It could well be one to keep an eye on, and with Ipswich at this stage likely to come straight back down, someone like Poku could help in the final third as they aim to bounce back up.

Over the years, Chelsea Football Club has been the home to countless centre-forwards who have captured the hearts of the fanbase with their impressive displays on the pitch.

Eidur Gudjohnsen featured for the Blues over a six-year period, amassing over 250 appearances, but catching the eye with his finishing ability in the final third.

The former Iceland international netted 78 times during his time at Stamford Bridge, helping the club win multiple Premier League titles along the way.

He wasn’t the only talisman to impress during his time as a player, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring 87 times in 177 games in West London, cementing his own place in the club’s history books.

However, fast-forward to 2025, the club have lacked that focal point under Enzo Maresca, with the Italian yet to make his own stamp on the forward line since his summer appointment.

Christopher Nkunku’s stats for Chelsea in 2024/25

With Nicolas Jackson currently on the treatment table, Maresca has relied upon Frenchman Christopher Nkunku to lead the line for Chelsea over the past couple of weeks.

The 27-year-old has struggled for regular minutes after his £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023, with an ACL injury halting his progress for the majority of last season.

However, he’s been handed multiple starts over the last couple of weeks, looking to fill the void left by the Senegalese international after his recent injury setback.

Nkunku has started each of the last four outings across all competitions, registering one goal and one assist, with both of his contributions coming in the recent 4-0 thrashing of Southampton.

He’s offered a temporary solution to the forward position, which the manager has desperately tried to bolster during his two transfer windows since his appointment.

However, the club may have been better off keeping hold of one player who certainly would’ve offered the focal point the Italian has craved in recent months.

The Nkunku upgrade that Chelsea sold back in 2021

Off the back of winning the Champions League back in 2020/21, Chelsea made some big-money investments, which saw numerous players depart from the Bridge.

Romelu Lukaku arrived in a £97.5m deal from Inter Milan, which resulted in Tammy Abraham leaving in a £34m deal to join Serie A side Roma, ending his long-standing affiliation with his boyhood club.

Whilst it was a superb fee to receive for an academy graduate, they parted ways with an impressive talent who has continued his goal-scoring form away from West London.

Abraham, who’s currently spending the season on loan at AC Milan, has registered 45 goals since his big-money departure, with eight of which coming during the ongoing campaign.

When comparing his underlying stats to those of Nkunku, the Englishman has outperformed the current first-team star, highlighting the mistake the Blues made in allowing him to leave the club.

Games played

21

23

Goals & assists

4

5

Shot-on-target accuracy

47%

45%

Aerials won

2.4

1.4

Aerial success rate

48%

41%

Tackles won

1

0.5

Expected goals

0.6

0.5

Abraham, who’s previously been labelled “sensational” by commentator Matteo Bonetti, has achieved a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate this season whilst also winning more of the aerials he’s entered.

He’s also registered a higher xG to date, finding himself in better opportunities to score than the Frenchman, offering that out and out presence they’ve desired over the past couple of months.

Given his form in Italy, the club certainly may have offloaded the 27-year-old too prematurely, having the tools to offer the needed focal point Maresca craves in West London.

However, unfortunately for the Blues, he will remain a case of what could’ve been had they kept hold of him, with Abraham thriving away from his boyhood with the added minutes he’s received after departing in 2021.

Not just Nkunku: Another "top talent" saved their Chelsea career this week

Another “top talent” has saved their Chelsea career this week after performance against Southampton

ByConnor Holden Feb 27, 2025

It wouldn’t be over the top to suggest that next season is Mikel Arteta’s most important since taking charge of Arsenal in 2019.

The Spaniard has helped to utterly transform the club since he was appointed, but after three second-placed Premier League finishes in a row, the expectation from many is that he will finally lead the team to glory next year.

Fortunately, the board and sporting director Andrea Berta seem intent on giving him the tools to do so this summer, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard already through the door, and a deal for Viktor Gyokeres in the works.

Furthermore, the links to Eberechi Eze continue to heat up, and now it looks like the Gunners are looking at someone who’d be the midfielder’s dream forward.

Arsenal target Eze's perfect forward

Eze has long been a player on Arsenal’s radar, as stories linking him with a return to the club that released him as a child started to pop up as far back as last summer.

Transfer Focus

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

However, it’s really been in the last couple of weeks that the reports have become far more serious.

It now looks like the 27-year-old, who has a £68m release clause in his contract, has agreed personal terms with the Gunners and that talks between the two clubs are ongoing.

The Englishman would be an expensive but exciting addition to Arteta’s side, and now it looks like Berta and co are interested in adding another attacker who’d be his perfect forward: Ademola Lookman.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in the Atalanta star this summer.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Napoli are all keen on the Nigerian international.

On top of having to deal with the competition, the Premier League runners-up will have to stump up a fee of around £50m for the former Everton ace.

It’s a lot of money to spend on another attacking player, but Lookman has been incredible for several years now, and would be a dream forward signing for Eze.

Why Lookman would be a dream forward for Eze

There are several reasons why Lookman could end up being a dream teammate for Eze at Arsenal, but the first and most crucial is unsurprisingly related to his output.

While the former Everton and Fulham ace struggled to show how good he really was during his time in England, he has had no such trouble since making his way to Italy.

Across his 118 games for the Bergamo outfit, totalling 7538 minutes, the “world-class” attacker has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

In other words, the 29-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes since joining the Serie A side.

Just imagine the numbers the Palace ace could produce playing behind or alongside someone as dangerous as the Wandsworth-born star.

That brings us to the second reason the former RB Leipzig ace would be a great teammate: his positional versatility.

Due to the 27-year-old’s ability to play across the entire frontline, there will be plenty of minutes available to him at the Emirates next season, and as such, he’d have plenty of time to form a real connection with Eze and learn his game.

Moreover, he’s also able to play in attacking midfield and could therefore offer cover for the Englishman and make sure he is not overplayed.

Finally, Lookman has also proven to be a big game player, someone who can get his team over the line all by himself and is totally unfazed by the big occasion.

You only need to look at the 2024 Europa League final to see this, as he scored a hat-trick and won the final for Atlanta despite them being the clear underdogs.

With one of Eze’s motivations for joining the Gunners likely being the chance to win the biggest competitions, this is especially important.

Ultimately, Arteta and Co need to improve Arsenal’s attacking options ahead of next season, and signing both the Palace and Atalanta stars would be an excellent way to do that.

Saka's dream CAM: Arsenal submit bid for £45m superstar & it's not Madueke

The experienced international could be a game-changer for Arsenal and Bukayo Saka.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 10, 2025

West Brom are “finalising” a move for a “tremendous” international defender in the summer transfer window, according to a new claim regarding their upcoming business.

Mason eyeing "positive future" at West Brom

Ryan Mason took charge at The Hawthorns earlier this summer, with the former Tottenham midfielder tasked with guiding the Baggies back into the Premier League as soon as possible.

The 34-year-old has certainly spoken well about what he hopes to see West Brom achieve under him, focusing on a “positive future” with plenty of success.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion. This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan base and I am excited about what we can achieve together. Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started. I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”

Mason will know that new signings are required in order to aid their Championship promotion push in 2025/26 and have already brought in centre-back Nat Phillips and centre-forward Aune Heggeb. Now, they are closing in on a new international defender.

West Brom "finalising" move for centre-back

According to journalist Ben Jacobs on X, West Brom are now “finalising” a move for CF Montreal and USA centre-back George Campbell.

“George Campbell is finalising a move from Montreal to West Bromwich Albion. American centre-back left out of Montreal’s draw with Orlando yesterday ahead of formalising the transfer.”

Campbell could be an impressive signing by West Brom, even though some supporters may have reservations because he has never played in Europe before, only representing Montreal, Atalanta United and Atlanta United 2 in his club career.

Granted, that is a fair concern to have, but the 24-year-old is now a one-cap USA international who will hope to feature prominently at his home World Cup next summer, and Gonzalo Pineda has heaped praise on his abilities as a player.

"I can see a center back with tremendous potential. He’s a center back that is physically gifted. His aggression when he presses between the lines was fantastic today, so I was pleased with his performance before he scored the goal. He did a couple tackles on the ground, and we gained a couple important balls in transition that helped us to continue the attacking. I am very happy with his performance."smallRelatedWest Brom plot move to sign "fantastic" free agent Mason thinks will be keyHe played in the Champions League last season.Hopefully, Campbell takes to the English game seamlessly, assuming he does join West Brom, coming straight in as an influential starter who can inspire the Baggies back into the Premier League.