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Ipswich Town are readying a bid to sign a potential Liam Delap replacement ahead of interest from Leeds United, according to a new report.

Delap can leave Ipswich for £30m following Premier League relegation

The Tractor Boys will be returning to the Championship after one season in the Premier League under Kieran McKenna, with their relegation confirmed following a defeat to Newcastle United last month.

Ipswich were the last of the three promoted sides to be relegated, and as a result, a number of transfer rumours have emerged in recent weeks.

A £43m star in the making: Ipswich hit gold on "fantastic" McKenna signing

The exciting talent will be an incredibly important player for Ipswich next season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 4, 2025

One of the main talking points has been on Delap, with the star striker impressing at Portman Road with 12 top-flight goals in 2024/25.

Delap can now leave Ipswich for £30m due to a relegation release clause, and Manchester United are believed to be in pole position to sign the 22-year-old. The Red Devils aren’t the only Premier League side keen, with Arsenal, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham also interested.

As a result, McKenna and Ipswich will need to replace the goals provided by Delap. There have been rumours in 2025 over moves for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland and Sheffield United youngster Ryan One, but a new name has emerged on the Portman Road radar.

Ipswich Town readying bid for Leeds target Geubbels

According to reports relayed by Sport Witness, Ipswich Town are keen on signing FC St. Gallen forward Willem Geubbels over the coming months.

Bundesliga side Union Berlin are thought to be preparing an offer of around €6m-€7m (£5m-£5.9m) for the 23-year-old, however, Ipswich and Leeds are also readying bids of their own, although they don’t state how much the two English sides are willing to offer.

Talking about his future recently, Geubbels said: “My contract runs until 2027. Let’s see what happens. Offers? At the moment, I don’t know exactly what I’m really interested in. If there are any offers, we’ll discuss them.”

Games

40

Goals

16

Assists

3

Yellow cards

3

Red cards

1

Minutes played

2,934

Geubbels has enjoyed the best season in front of goal in his career in 2024/25 and has been with the Swiss side since January 2023. Under contract until 2027, Ipswich may view the French forward as a replacement for Delap as they look for an immediate return to the top flight.

It could be tricky to persuade Geubbels to drop down to the Championship, considering interest from clubs in the Bundesliga and the Premier League, and he has also played in the Europa Conference League this season.

Ipswich look set to try their luck, though, making this one to watch heading into the summer.

All the hope and positivity that was building ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain has all but vanished now.

The defeat to the French Champions has condemned Mikel Arteta’s side to another disappointing end to a season which promised so much back in August.

With all that said, while plenty of players have stagnated or taken a step back for the Gunners this year, some haven’t, such as Declan Rice.

The Englishman has somehow become even more important for the club this season, and he could get better still next year as recent reports have linked Arsenal with an international who’d be a dream teammate.

Arsenal's midfield search

So, before we get to the player in question, it is worth looking at some of the other midfielders Arsenal have been linked to in recent months, like Frenkie De Jong and Kevin de Bruyne.

Transfer Focus

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

The former’s contract negotiations with Barcelona are reportedly not going particularly well at the moment, so there may be a chance for the Gunners to turn the Dutchman’s head, and given his leadership qualities and the fact he’s capable of playing in the eight or six, it would certainly be worth a try.

Now, signing the latter would undoubtedly be a surprise, but the Belgian has been linked with the North Londoners since it was announced he would leave City at the end of the season, and while he’s on the older side, he’d still be a brilliant short-term option, as this season alone he’s racked up 14 goal involvements in 36 games.

However, to get more out of Rice next season, the club might need someone to play slightly further back, like Martin Zubimendi.

The Spanish international is still very much in the picture for Arsenal, and now Miguel Delaney has revealed in a recent report that the deal to sign him is “wrapped up.”

Reports from earlier this year revealed that the impressive midfielder has a release clause worth around £51m, which will almost certainly have to be paid upfront.

It’s not going to be a cheap deal, but given Zubimendi’s ability and experience, it’s one that will be worth doing, especially as he could help make Rice even better.

Why Zubimendi would make Rice even better

When Arsenal signed Rice for a club-record £105m in the summer of 2023, there was a general expectation from fans and pundits alike that he’d come in and be the club’s new number six for the foreseeable future.

After all, he spent the majority of his time at West Ham United playing in front of the defence and excelling there.

However, while he has made many appearances in that position since moving to the Emirates, his role has evolved, and now, when everyone is fit, he plays as the left-eight.

This new position has allowed the Englishman to have far more of an impact in the attacking phases of play, and with eight goals and ten assists this season alone, it would be fair to say it’s a change that’s more than worked out.

So then, why would Zubimendi help him reach yet another level?

Well, simply put, while the “world-class” Spaniard, as dubbed by former teammate Kieran Tierney, can also play in both roles, he specialises at the base of the midfield, and given his age and relatively clean injury record, he’d be able to completely take over that role in the team.

In turn, this would free the former Hammers captain to become even more attacking next year and increase the number of explosive, lung-busting runs fans have become more accustomed to in recent years.

Furthermore, the Real Sociedad star’s presence there should provide more reassurance to the Gunners’ number 41, as his underlying defensive numbers are pretty impressive.

For example, according to FBref, he sits in the top 6% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for shots blocked and clearances, the top 7% for percentage of aerial duels won, the top 11% for percentage of dribblers challenged, the top 14% for aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

Appearances

323

17

Minutes

21215′

984′

Goals

10

1

Assists

9

0

Major Trophies

1

1

On top of that, he’s already vastly experienced, having made 232 appearances for La Real and 15 for Spain, who he helped beat England in last year’s European Championship final.

Ultimately, while it’s not the most exciting signing, Zubimendi looks like he’ll be able to slot in and compliment this Arsenal team perfectly and help Rice become even more unplayable.

Kai Havertz upgrade: Arsenal send scouts for "unpredictable" goal machine

The free-scoring forward could be just what Arsenal need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 9, 2025

While there is certainly more than one issue at Manchester United, much of the current problems can be centred around the long-standing woes of one key position – centre-forward.

Since arriving from Atalanta on a £64m deal back in 2023, Rasmus Hojlund has just scored 24 goals in 88 games in all competitions. Another Serie A import, Joshua Zirkzee, scored just seven times during his injury-curtailed debut campaign in Manchester.

Prior to Hojlund’s arrival, Erik ten Hag had been forced to rely on an injury-prone Anthony Martial for much of 2022/23, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s hasty exit, a fact that led to the shock, short-term signing of two-goal loanee, Wout Weghorst.

The January addition of the Dutchman marked the lowest ebb in United’s search for a stop-gap, short-term striker – following the days of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Odion Ighalo – while the desire for more long-term acquisitions, like Hojlund and Zirkzee, has also backfired.

Season

Player

Goals

2024/25*

Bruno Fernandes

8

2023/24

Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund

10

2022/23

Marcus Rashford

17

2021/22

Cristiano Ronaldo

18

2020/21

Bruno Fernandes

18

2019/20

Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial

17

2018/19

Paul Pogba

13

2017/18

Romelu Lukaku

16

2016/17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

17

2015/16

Anthony Martial

11

2014/15

Wayne Rooney

12

2013/14

Wayne Rooney

17

2012/13

Robin van Persie

26

That latter pursuit has sparked speculation surrounding the capture of Ipswich Town’s 22-year-old talisman, Liam Delap, although Ruben Amorim’s side need a proven, ready-made goal machine to arrive through the door this summer.

The latest on Man Utd's striker search

Alongside the desire to bring in a new number ten, in the form of Matheus Cunha, the latest reports indicate that the Red Devils are also ramping up their pursuit of Delap, with the Englishman available for £30m this summer, amid Ipswich’s imminent return to the Championship.

The former Manchester City academy graduate has enjoyed a fine season regardless of the club’s collective woes, after scoring 12 Premier League goals, although such a move would still represent a risk, considering he scored just eight times for Hull City in the Championship last term.

With that in mind, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is among those seemingly under consideration as a potential upgrade, while The Mirror have only recently reported that Amorim and co are keen on a deal for Napoli’s Victor Osmihen.

Transfer Focus

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

According to the report, the Old Trafford outfit are ‘pushing’ to strike a ‘cut-price’ deal for the Nigerian sensation, with Amorim said to have made the on-loan Galatasaray man his ‘top striker target’.

The belief is that United are keen to strike a bargain £40m deal with the Serie A side, capitalising on the fact that the 26-year-old is set to enter the final year of his current contract back in Naples.

Amorim is said to ‘favour’ a move for Osimhen, ahead of Delap, and it’s easy to see why…

Why Osimhen could be the best signing since Bruno Fernandes

It has been made clear that INEOS are keen on pursuing a youth-centric approach to transfer dealings, a fact showcased with the recent signings of Patrick Dorgu (20) and Ayden Heaven (18), during the January transfer window.

That desire to plan for the future is all well and good, but United are crying out for figures who can instantly hit the ground running in Manchester. No longer can Amorim and co afford to play the waiting game.

Going down the route of signing the likes of Hojlund simply hasn’t worked, with the Old Trafford hierarchy needing to snap up players entering their peak years – much like with the capture of Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.

From his Man of the Match performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on debut, the Portuguese playmaker has looked every bit a Manchester United player. Fast forward just over five years, and the now-30-year-old boasts 96 goals and 85 games in all competitions for the club.

It could be argued that bringing in Osimhen would represent a signing of similar ilk, with the former Lille man having ripped it up wherever he has been, as evidenced by his career tally of 144 goals in 258 club games.

Previously the driving force behind Napoli’s Scudetto success in 2022/23 – in which he scored 26 league goals – the towering striker is currently thriving out in Turkey, having only recently powered to 30 goals for the season across all fronts.

Lauded as the “best striker on the market” by Statman Dave, Osimhen looks like a centre-forward at the peak of his powers – much like Fernandes represented in his final full season at Sporting CP.

Games (starts)

24 (22)

33 (33)

Goals

21

20

Goal frequency

89mins

147mins

Big chances missed

21

7

Big chances created

10

9

Assists

4

13

Key passes*

1.1

3.2

Pass accuracy*

67%

75%

Successful dribbles*

0.6

0.9

Possession lost*

7.7

22.8

While yet to sample Premier League action, Osimhen has proven himself in France, Belgium, Italy and now Turkey, with it unlikely that he’ll find the jump too great a challenge next term.

In the case of Hojlund, United can hardly be too surprised by his current woes, considering he scored just ten goals for Atalanta prior to moving to Manchester. The promising Dane is a player of potential, but in Osimhen, Amorim could find the real deal.

Indeed, with club legend Gary Neville stating that Fernandes is the only signing of the last decade who has “done more than I thought he would”, perhaps the Napoli outcast could be the best addition since the Portugal star’s arrival.

New Cantona & Berbatov: Man Utd on the verge of signing £90k-p/w "maverick"

Man Utd appear to be closing in on what could prove to be a real marquee move

ByRobbie Walls Apr 22, 2025

With how poorly this season has gone for Tottenham Hotspur, this summer is set to be a seismic one.

Regardless of whether Ange Postecoglou is still the manager, the squad needs a sizable overhaul, which means Daniel Levy and Co need to get ready to spend.

However, it’s not just incomings that could shape the squad, as reports linking Cristian Romero with an exit seem to be never-ending at present.

Fortunately, if the World Cup winner is sold, it would appear that the club have already identified someone who’d be a dream replacement.

Tottenham transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other exciting players Spurs have been linked with in recent weeks, such as Jobe Bellingham.

Transfer Focus

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

The Sunderland star, and younger brother of Jude Bellingham, is supposedly available for around £20m this summer, and with former professional Adrian Clarke claiming he possesses a “Dele Alli-style” in the way he plays, he could be a perfect addition to the club’s growing crop of promising youngsters.

However, the North Londoners will also need first-team quality, which would explain the resurfacing links to the £60m Eberechi Eze.

The Crystal Palace maestro has enjoyed another strong season south of the river this year and has a tally of six goals and 11 assists in 33 games.

With that said, if the stories about Romero’s potential exit are true, who’s the signing who could come in as an ideal replacement?

Well, that would be Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, as, according to a recent report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the North Londoners are one of several sides keen on the Spaniard.

In fact, alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United, the Lilywhites have already made contact over the player.

However, on top of getting ahead of the pack, Levy and Co will need to stump up £50m to activate the 19-year-old’s release clause.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Huijsen’s immense ability and sky-high potential, one well worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a perfect Romero replacement.

Why Huisjen would be an ideal Romero replacement

So, the first thing to say is that, in an ideal world, Spurs would be able to keep hold of Romero and sign Huisjen as well, but if the former is to leave, there are a few reasons why the latter would be a perfect replacement.

The first is that he’s already the ideal blend of youth and experience, as at 19 years old, there is a good eight years until he hits the peak age for centre-backs, per research from The Athletic, but at the same time, he already has a decent amount of first-team experience.

For example, this season alone has seen him make 29 appearances for the Cherries, of which 24 have been starts, and in those, he’s scored twice and provided an assist.

Furthermore, the “phenomenal” Amsterdam-born monster, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already won two senior caps for Spain and even started in the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, when you compare the teenager’s underlying numbers to Romero’s, he comes out on top in most metrics, including but not limited to actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, key passes, aerial duels won, shot-creating actions, interceptions, blocks and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.17

0.13

Non-Penalty G+As

0.14

0.07

Progressive Passes

4.42

4.01

Progressive Carries

1.49

0.85

Passing Accuracy

83.6%

89.0%

Key Passes

0.63

0.42

Shot-Creating Actions

1.68

1.19

Goal-Creating Actions

0.14

0.14

Tackles

1.49

2.25

Blocks

1.54

1.20

Interceptions

2.16

1.34

Clearances

6.88

3.38

Ball Recoveries

4.18

5.42

Aerial Duels Won

2.74

2.39

Ultimately, while Romero remains a superb defender, Huijseni is not far off him, so even if the Argentine isn’t sold this summer, Spurs should do all they can to sign the Spanish international.

4/10 Spurs star is now in real danger of becoming their next Dele

Spurs drew 1-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 11, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has now reportedly held a meeting with a 52-year-old official over joining the Lilywhites, and it is believed that the club are also ready to make him a significant offer.

Tottenham criticised after lacklustre Premier League campaign

Sitting 14th in the Premier League table, after tasting 15 defeats in the top flight alone this season, Ange Postecoglou’s side have faced backlash from large sections of supporters throughout 2024/2025.

£165k-per-week star determined to quit Tottenham after talks with his camp

The player is seriously considering his options.

5 ByEmilio Galantini Mar 27, 2025

These same sets of fans have also organised protests in relation to the running of their club from ENIC and Levy, with Spurs still yet to win a piece of major silverware since their League Cup triumph in 2008.

Chelsea (away)

April 3rd

Southampton (home)

April 6th

Wolves (away)

April 13th

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

Postecoglou is being repeatedly linked with the Tottenham sack as well, and if their form doesn’t pick up, this could well become a reality, with the north Londoners also reliant on a good run in the Europa League to salvage what has been a disastrous campaign overall.

“As long as they’ve got the American Football, and they’ve got Beyonce in the summer, they’re happy, the owners are happy,” said Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp earlier this season.

“It looks like a business model that everyone can be happy with that can be successful. “But does that breed a winning environment? No it does not because something is fundamentally wrong. They have tried to do both, but it has not worked and it has not worked the way Daniel Levy wants it to.”

Technical director Johan Lange also hasn’t had the desired impact on transfer strategy some might have hoped for, since the Dane took over from ex-managing director Fabio Paratici following the Italian’s resignation.

If Spurs are to become successful, the appointment of a perfect director is imperative, and it is now believed that they could turn back to Paratici.

The 52-year-old is nearing the end of his worldwide ban from football employment, which will expire on June 30, and this has apparently piqued Tottenham’s interest as they seriously consider re-hiring their ex-transfer chief.

Daniel Levy holds Fabio Paratici meeting as Tottenham ready "rich offer"

That is according to Radio Rossonera, who also report that Levy held a meeting with Paratici on Thursday over the prospect of snubbing AC Milan and re-joining Tottenham instead.

Milan were considered overwhelming favourites to hire the Italian, but now Spurs have entered the race for his services as they ponder replacing Lange with their former employee.

As relayed by this report, it is also believed that Tottenham are ready to make Paratici a “rich offer”, but they expect a quick response and won’t wait around.

Paratici was responsible for the signings of Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie and Pape Sarr, who have all played a key role at various points since their arrival at Hotspur Way.

The official also knows the club very well already, and is known to be a tireless worker behind-the-scenes, so perhaps his return would even inspire Tottenham before next season.

Rightly or wrongly, Manchester City have proven particularly astute sellers when it comes to their academy assets, with recent years having seen the Etihad side rake in a profit on players they have developed in-house.

During their glittering success under Pep Guardiola previously – which notably saw the club win four Premier League titles in a row – few could contend with any such sales, with the Citizens marching on regardless.

Now, however – and somewhat conveniently – those decisions are coming under the microscope amid the champions’ sticky season, particularly with Guardiola and co now in need of a squad overhaul to freshen up their ageing ranks.

The obvious case that has come under scrutiny is the decision to cash in on Cole Palmer back in the summer of 2023, with journalist Rory Smith among those to have questioned the decision to sell “someone who might be the best player in the Premier League for £40m”.

Since departing the Etihad, Palmer has chalked up 60 goals and assists in just 79 games for his new side. In that same time frame, Phil Foden, for instance, has registered 56 goal involvements for the Citizens.

Whether the 22-year-old would have flourished quite so successfully had he stayed put in Manchester remains to be seen, with the Englishman now part of a growing list of ex-City stars who are operating in the Premier League.

Man City's academy graduates in the Premier League

Palmer is the most notable academy graduate who is now shining elsewhere in the top-flight, although he may have even been overshadowed by a certain Morgan Rogers of late, with the Aston Villa star looking particularly lively on international duty.

Sold by City for just £1m back in 2023, the midfield machine was praised by Three Lions legend, Glenn Hoddle, for his “wonderful” performance against Latvia, having also been likened to a young Wayne Rooney for his powerful display.

That latest outing has come following a stunning season back at Villa Park for Rogers, with the 22-year-old contributing 19 goals and assists for the Midlands side.

Elsewhere, Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap – who left City for £20m last summer – has scored ten league goals for the Tractor Boys, with the England youth star now being touted with a potential move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Already operating for the Blues is Jadon Sancho, who left the Etihad back in 2017, as well as another academy graduate in Tosin Adarabioyo, with the towering centre-back having impressed since making a free transfer switch from Fulham last year.

Phil Foden

Man City

£109m

Cole Palmer

Chelsea

£109m

Michael Olise

Bayern Munich

£54m

Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

£42m

Brahim Diaz

Real Madrid

£38m

Romeo Lavia

Chelsea

£33m

Rico Lewis

Man City

£33m

Liam Delap

Ipswich

£29m

Jadon Sancho

Chelsea

£25m

Felix Nmecha

Borussia Dortmund

£23m

There could well be another familiar face set to join the names mentioned above in the near future, with rivals Manchester United looking to pounce on one of those to have been discarded by Guardiola’s side.

The ex-Man City star who could be on his way to Man Utd

As well as those competing in the Premier League already, there are other high profile talents who have gone on to flourish abroad, since featuring in the City youth ranks at one stage.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Michael Olise and Brahim Diaz – who scored against City earlier in the campaign – are two such figures, while a perhaps lesser-known quantity is Felix Nmecha, with the 24-year-old currently on the books at Borussia Dortmund.

The towering midfielder – whose brother Lukas also previously played for the club – was allowed to depart on a free transfer back in 2021, having made just three first-team appearances under Guardiola.

That switch to Wolfsburg was followed by a move to another Bundesliga side, Dortmund, in 2023, with Nmecha having been earmarked as the replacement for Real Madrid-bound Jude Bellingham.

Fast forward just over 18 months, and the word is that the 6 foot 3 ace could be on his way back to Manchester to join up with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, with recent reports indicating that the Red Devils are interested in making a summer move.

The three-cap Germany international is deemed to be valued at around €48m (£40m), amid such interest, with United viewing him as a perfect replacement for the likes of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in the centre of the park.

What makes Nmecha so appealing is his apparent likeness to the man he replaced at Dortmund, with he and Bellingham both towering, box-to-box midfielders who have shone for the Bundesliga side. Indeed, the official Bundesliga website described them both as ‘equally versatile midfield operator[s]’.

The two men are particularly alike with regard to their ability to drive forward with the ball from deep, with Nmecha ranking in the top 15% of midfielders in the Champions League for successful take-ons per 90 this season, while Bellingham is just ahead as he ranks in the top 6% in that regard.

Equally, that composure in possession is also showcased by the fact that Nmecha has a pass completion rate of 89.4% in Europe, with his Madrid counterpart again only just ahead, on 89.9%.

Not that Nmecha has hit such heights as the England star, but for City to have let a player of that mould move on for nothing, it could certainly come back to bite them – not least if he goes on to shine at Old Trafford.

Pep can finally axe Foden by unleashing Man City's 19-year-old "superstar"

Pep Guardiola could freshen things up at Manchester City down the line by unleashing this young superstar.

2 ByKelan Sarson Mar 26, 2025

Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have come on leaps and bounds.

The Gunners have been transformed from a team languishing in midtable mediocrity to one not only qualifying for the Champions League at a canter but consistently challenging for the Premier League title.

Such a dramatic transformation has been possible thanks to the manager’s leadership and the transfers made under his watch, both the incomings and outgoings.

However, while the majority of departures over the last few years have ultimately helped the team, a strong argument could be made that Granit Xhaka’s exit in 2023 was a mistake, although the good news is the club may finally have someone who could replace him in the starting lineup.

How Granit Xhaka's Arsenal career unfolded

Xhaka completed his move to Arsenal from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2016 for around £30m.

The Swiss international’s first couple of campaigns in red and white were not poor per se, but he joined the Gunners at a time in which they were regressing under former manager Arsène Wenger, and, unfortunately, his arrival did little to stop that slide.

Moreover, on top of not contributing much to the attack due to his position on the pitch, the tenacious midfielder began to build a reputation as a bit of a hothead, which, while not necessarily untrue at the time, most certainly became a defining part of his character to many fans and pundits alike.

Everything came to a head in the infamous game against Crystal Palace in November 2019, when frustration with the team, then-manager Unai Emery and a dismal performance led fans to boo when the midfielder was substituted.

In response, the former Mönchengladbach star swore at the fans and threw his shirt and the captain’s armband to the floor, which he was subsequently stripped of – understandably so.

It looked for intents and purposes that the Basel-born firebrand’s time in North London was up.

Still, somehow, Arteta convinced him to stay and fight for his place, which he certainly did, as, over the next few years, he went from outcast to essential cog in the Spaniard’s ever-improving side.

16/17

46

4

3

2

17/18

48

3

8

0

18/19

40

4

5

0

19/20

41

1

2

0

20/21

45

1

2

1

21/22

30

1

2

2

22/23

47

9

7

0

The 32-year-old’s best campaign at the club was undoubtedly his last, as he was able to combine his fiery nature and leadership with his ability to maraud up and down the left-hand side and, thanks to his wand of a left foot, he ended the season with nine goals and seven assists to his name.

Since then, the 135-capped international moved to Leverkusen for around £21.4m, helped them to their first league title ever, and while they don’t look like they’ll get over the line this year, are once again in a title race, so when some fans suggest the club shouldn’t have sold him in 2023, it’s easy to see where they are coming from.

The good news is that Hale End might have just handed Arteta his new Xhaka.

Arsenal's new Granit Xhaka is making an impact

Since his departure, there have been a few players that Arsenal fans have looked upon as potential ‘Xhaka replacements’, from Declan Rice last season to Mikel Merino this year.

However, in reality, the former plays the left-eight role in an entirely different manner to the Swiss ace, and the latter has simply not performed well enough or consistently enough to be compared to him this year.

Instead, the true heir to the former Gooner could come from the academy in the shape of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, it’s true that the youngster has primarily played at left-back this season, but there are a few reasons he could be the 32-year-old’s true successor, and the first is the fact he’s not really a full-back.

Instead, the Islington-born gem is a midfielder, and across his senior and junior career, that is the position he’s played more than any other, with left-back being a close second thanks to his emergence in the first team this season.

On top of that, the 17-year-old, whom former wonderkid and U18 coach Jack Wilshere described as “unplayable,” also has a sensational left foot on him, which we’ve already seen several times this season, such as when he helped to set up the opening goal against AS Monaco in December. Like the former Arsenal skipper, he’s evidently capable of playing balls between the lines and playing in a progressive manner.

Finally, on top of everything else, the incredible prospect, who Hale End expert and podcaster Will Balsam dubbed a “different beast,” has shown he has a fiery side to him.

He notably mocked Erling Haaland following his superb strike against Manchester City earlier this month and then, in a negative sense, when he picked up a straight red card for his foul on Mohammed Kudus last weekend.

Ultimately, Xhaka was a brilliant player for Arsenal, and while it might still be early days, it looks like they may have finally found his true successor in Lewis-Skelly.

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The agents of a Manchester United player, who has received high praise from Ruben Amorim, are now actively working on a summer move, with a Champions League club keen on a move.

Major rebuild needed at Old Trafford

Man United have recently announced they will make up to 200 more staff redundant, in the latest series of cost-cutting measures put in place by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, with the club saying: “The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.”

Difficult decisions are being made behind the scenes to make United profitable again, but a major rebuild of the squad will be needed if they are to start competing for the top honours.

The Red Devils are sitting 15th in the Premier League table with less than a third of the season left to play, so it is clear an overhaul is needed this summer, and a number of first-team players could face the axe.

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One player not mentioned on that list is Mason Mount, who has had a tough time with injuries this season, missing the last 10 Premier League games with a thigh issue.

However, a new report from Inter Live has now revealed Mount’s agents are now actively working on securing a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, with Inter now willing to bring the midfielder in on loan.

Inter would only be willing to sanction a loan move, with an option to buy, but they would be willing to make a significant contribution towards the 26-year-old’s salary, which is said to be very high.

The Englishman arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of £55m nearly two years ago, but his value has now plummeted to just €30m (£25m), after a difficult spell in Manchester.

Mount struggling with injuries

Injuries have not helped the central midfielder, but in truth he has struggled in a Man United shirt ever since arriving from Chelsea, registering just two goal contributions in all competitions.

Amorim has been full of praise for the £250k-per-week earner in the past, saying: “I have to tell you I love that kid. You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad, and this is the most important thing for me.

“I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he’s trying to stay fit and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he’s shown, for example, in Chelsea.”

However, the former Chelsea man has been unable to put his persistent injury problems behind him, having now missed a total of 45 games since joining the Red Devils, so it may be wise to move Mount on this summer, and Inter being willing to make a big contribution to his salary is a bonus.

It’s been an absolutely frantic last 48 hours at Tottenham, and that isn’t just concerning their dramatic move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White after confirming the arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

Tottenham talks held with £50m star amid Gibbs-White chase, Frank's a fan

Spurs have discussed another potential deal.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 10, 2025

Spurs announced Kudus’ signing in a deal worth £55 million on Thursday evening, with the versatile Ghanaian becoming the first player to swap West Ham for the Lilywhites since Scott Parker in 2011.

The 24-year-old has already promised to excite supporters on the field when speaking in his first interview as a Tottenham player, and there was a real expectation that Gibbs-White would immediately follow Kudus to N17.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Tottenham talks for the England international accelerated rapidly on Thursday, with reliable media sources reporting that the 25-year-old was all set to join Thomas Frank’s side and a medical had been scheduled for Friday (Fabrizio Romano).

However, in an absolutely stunning turn of events, Forest put a stop to the deal and are considering legal action against Spurs, over what they perceive to be an illegal approach for their star forward.

While Gibbs-White’s move could still happen, with the expectation being that Forest can’t completely block it, this transfer will at the very least be delayed, as first reported by Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett.

With Tottenham now braced for a legal saga surrounding their potential deal for Gibbs-White, the club do remain in the market for other transfer targets, and they still maintain a serious interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

Yoane Wissa pushing to leave Brentford amid Tottenham interest

Reports earlier this week claimed that Tottenham have made contact with Wissa’s representatives, with talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook now sharing an update on the situation.

Crook states that Wissa is keen to reunite with Frank at Spurs, and the Congolese centre-forward is now “pushing” for an exit from the Gtech Community Stadium as he seeks a high-profile move.

The 28-year-old is currently in his prime and in the form of his life, having netted 20 goals in all competitions last season, and this has motivated Brentford chiefs to slap a £50 million price tag on his head.

Brentford have already lost a few key men this summer, including Frank, with Christian Norgaard joining Arsenal and Man United still locked in talks over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo.

The Bees will likely dig their heels in when it comes to letting yet another “exceptional player” leave, but Wissa would come as an excellent potential replacement for Richarlison, who’s reportedly attracting interest from Brazil.

Liverpool have reportedly made their first approach to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and could now break the British transfer record for a second time this summer.

Liverpool make first approach to sign Isak

Whilst the initial consensus was reportedly that Newcastle United’s attempted move to sign Hugo Ekitike would not leave the door ajar for Isak’s exit, Liverpool didn’t seem to receive that message. Now, according to David Ornstein, the Reds have made their first approach to sign the Swede in another big-money deal.

As things stand, Newcastle’s stance, as it has always been, is that Isak is not for sale. But Liverpool’s decision to make their approach may yet have loosened their grip on one of the Premier League’s hottest talents. From ‘not for sale’, a record-breaking £120m price tag has now been mooted, which could hand Liverpool the encouragement they need.

Liverpool’s admiration for Isak is far from new and it certainly isn’t a surprise. If there was a weakness in Arne Slot’s Premier League-winning side last season, it came in the No.9 role, as Luis Diaz was often forced to play out-of-position to lead the line and Darwin Nunez continued to struggle.

Now that both have been linked with moves away to Bayern Munich and now AC Milan respectively, however, Liverpool may finally have the funds and room to welcome the ultimate solution to their striker problem. In one summer, the Reds could go from Diaz, Nunez and Mohamed Salah to arguably the world’s best trio in Florian Wirtz, Isak and Salah.

Starts

34

25

38

Goals

23

10

29

Assists

6

12

18

Expected Goals

20.3

9.4

25.2

There’s still a long way to go before Isak becomes Liverpool’s next No.9, but that’s not to say Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes don’t already have their next trick planned.

What Liverpool plan to do next in Isak chase

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool will “for sure” submit a club-record bid to sign Isak this summer and follow up their initial approach. The Swede is their “dream” target in a deal that could reportedly cost in the region of £120m.

Romano said on his YouTube channel: “For sure, Liverpool want to try for their dream target with an eventual club-record bid. Liverpool have intention to try and they made an approach with Newcastle.”

The transfer specialist then went on to reveal that if Liverpool fail in their pursuit of Isak, then their attention will turn back towards Ekitike. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been the subject of a £60m+ bid by Newcastle, but the Magpies could now be facing a lose-lose situation up against the Reds in a ruthless mood.

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As the season approaches and the transfer window progresses, both forwards are likely to steal plenty more headlines. As things stand, however, in a transfer battle between Liverpool and Newcastle, it seems as though the Premier League champions have the edge.