Arsenal: Arteta Could Secure "Prolific" £165k-p/w Vini Jr Clone

Arsenal have already invested heavily during this summer, as Mikel Arteta seeks to make them a true threat to claim that Premier League crown. However, with other links continuing to persist, it seems they are far from finished…

Which players have Arsenal signed?

Although the report in question emerged back in May, it remains a fine option for the Gunners to potentially capitalise on Barcelona's financial situation and tempt Ferran Torres from their clutches.

The Spaniard moved to the Nou Camp in an initial £46.3m move from Manchester City but has struggled to establish himself as a mainstay in Xavi's title-winning outfit.

Perhaps a switch to the Emirates could help reignite a career that once promised much, and in turn, strengthen one of the few positions that has not been bolstered this window.

His acquisition would be the fourth thus far, with announcements for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber arriving late last week to join Kai Havertz.

Perhaps fans can expect one or two supplementary additions to add the requisite depth needed to truly compete with Pep Guardiola's treble-winning heroes.

How many goals does Ferran Torres have for Barcelona?

Having now spent two years with the Catalan giants, the 23-year-old dynamo still retains a promising future even if his career has stalled somewhat.

A tally of just 14 goals and nine assists across his 71 games in Barcelona will hardly excite fans, but it was his work at the Etihad that should ignite some form of hope in this potential deal.

After all, during the 2020/21 season, the Spain international posted 13 goals and a further three assists in just one year for the Manchester club, suggesting that in the right environment, he could thrive.

As a natural left-winger with a preference to drift inside onto his right foot, immediately Torres draws comparisons with some of the game's most prolific inverted wide men.

However, it is FBref that actually seeks to promote the similarities he shares with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, given the Brazilian's inclusion on his 'similar players' list.

vinicius-jr

With speed, trickery and proficiency that makes the former Valencia man a constant threat to defenders, this is further emphasised through his ranking against other attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe. When compared, he sits in the top 12% for touches in the opposition penalty area, and the top 8% for progressive passes received per 90, via FBref.

He could provide an added layer of attacking impetus, as someone willing to accept the ball in tight spaces and forge chances from nothing.

Los Blancos' star man is famed for this ability too, yet has benefitted from spending the last few years in a rampant Real side alongside a prime Karim Benzema.

As such, last term saw the 23-year-old post 44 goal contributions across all competitions, somehow surpassing the 42 he had recorded the year prior in which his strike won them the Champions League.

Whilst Torres – who scout Jacek Kulig once lauded as a "prolific goalscorer" back in 2021 – is far from reaching such heights, perhaps a switch to the imperious environment that Arteta has cultivated could see the £165k-per-week finisher recapture and even surpass the levels he has proven himself capable of in the past.

His versatility and goal threat is sure to improve this already impressive and improving Arsenal side.

Rangers Could Have An Ideal Kamara Heir In Record-Breaking Teen Gem

With Glasgow Rangers managing to complete the majority of their transfer business early, securing seven signings by mid-July, the onus is now on trimming the squad at Ibrox.

Antonio Colak has already departed, joining Italian side Parma for £2.5m, while Fashion Sakala could be set to follow him, with an unnamed side from Saudi Arabia looking to sign the Zambian forward for a fee of £4m.

Michael Beale doesn’t appear to be stopping there, with another few squad players set to leave in order to bring some funds into the club. Scott Wright is nearing a move to Turkish side Pendikspor, however, it could be Glen Kamara who brings in the biggest transfer fee.

Is Glen Kamara leaving Rangers?

There has been plenty of interest in the Finnish midfielder, with Besiktas eyeing up a swoop for him, while Leeds United also seem to be keen on getting a deal done.

Beale has put a £5m price tag on the player, and he will be hoping a team can come forward and pay this as it would give some more funds to play with during the transfer window.

Having made just 17 starts across all competitions under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Beale last season, he slipped down the pecking order with the signing of Nicolas Raskin during the January window.

Moving on someone who isn’t in future plans is a shrewd move and Beale may already have a long-term heir at the club, with teenager Bailey Rice shining during his time in the academy over the previous year.

Who is Bailey Rice?

The 16-year-old joined Rangers last summer from Motherwell's academy, having rejected their offer of a professional contract and moving to Ibrox for an undisclosed fee.

It has certainly been a move which appears to have paid off, especially with his impressive 2022/23 season for the B team.

Across 21 matches, Rice chipped in with three goal contributions – two goals and an assist – which is decent for a player who primarily operates as a defensive midfielder.

He was playing alongside players aged two and three years older too, proving that his talents could carry him all the way to a regular spot in the first team.

Indeed, he did become a record-breaking sensation against Livingston in February as when he entered the pitch in the dying embers of the 3-0 win, he suddenly became the youngest-ever player to feature in a league match for the Light Blues.

It is surely a sign of things to come, however, Beale won't be putting any undue pressure on the teen starlet, letting him do his talking for the B side and also while representing Scotland across the youth age groups.

Rangers manager Michael Beale.

He already has accumulated 22 caps for the U17 side, scoring once, and it won't be long before he makes the step-up again to U19 level, with it being a matter of when, not if, before his talent is rewarded.

The future of the defensive midfield position at Ibrox looks safe for the next couple of years, with Rice looking ready to explode onto the scene at the Gers if everything works out.

Farke Could Form “Electric” Leeds Duo By Signing £29k-p/w Gem

If afforded the right resources, Daniel Farke is more than capable of directing an instant Premier League return for Leeds United.

The 46-year-old managed Norwich City in two promotions from the Championship and will begin his hunt for some new players to join his Elland Road revolution.

Last summer, Victor Orta’s experimental transfer strategy played a significant part in the club’s relegation. The signing of too many unproven and unknown players ultimately cast an unbreakable shadow over the Yorkshire outfit.

Three different managers were unable to pinpoint how to maximise the talents of the squad, but with a promotion specialist at the helm, things could look very different.

In this new era, Amad Diallo should certainly be one of the primary targets.

What’s the latest on Amad Diallo to Leeds United?

According to Football Insider, Erik ten Hag will make a decision on Diallo’s future in the “next few weeks.” However, the expectation is that the youngster is likely to leave again on loan in search of first-team football.

This comes amid reports that Leeds are eyeing a possible temporary move for the one-time Atalanta starlet, following the 20-year-old's phenomenal season-long loan spell at Sunderland last season.

How good is Amad Diallo?

The £29k-per-week star joined Sunderland in August 2022 and was an absolute revelation in the Championship. In an unstoppable season, the winger scored 13 goals at a rate of 0.46 per 90 to become the club’s top scorer.

This scintillating form was somewhat of a surprise as he was largely anonymous in a frustrating short-term at Rangers at the tail end of the 2021/22 campaign, in which he only made 13 appearances due to injury and inconsistency.

However, he’s always had burning potential that had patiently waited to be unlocked. Upon his move to Old Trafford in 2021, Ole Gunnar Solskjær predicted the forward to reach unparalleled heights and said: “His speed, vision, and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition.

"He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come."

With Diallo on the right wing and on Wilfried Gnonto on the other touchline, Leeds could be a frightening offensive force next term.

The Italian joined the English side last summer, and in 14 Premier League starts, he notched six goal contributions. Although it was a tricky debut season, he still displayed a commendable fearlessness and directness that made him of the club’s most dangerous assets. This is partly portrayed by his rank within the best 25% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries per 90 and assists per 90.

Wilfried-Gnonto-Leeds-premier-league-everton-transfers

His effervescence and quality have been earmarked by Gary Neville, who said: “To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position. Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of teammates, really good honestly.”

Therefore, Diallo, who had been described as “electric” by The Athletic’s Peter Rutzler, is already a proven Championship asset, and with Gnonto, the pair could dominate defenders come August.

Man United: Deal for "incredible" star "waiting to happen"

Manchester United could look to secure Brentford goalkeeper David Raya this summer if veteran stopper David De Gea is to leave Old Trafford this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Manchester United's goalkeeping situation?

As per The Athletic, Manchester United reportedly offered De Gea a new contract at Old Trafford before eventually changing their mind on the decision at the last minute.

The 32-year-old has since received a new proposal from the Red Devils ahead of this term; however, he is now out of contract at Manchester United as he mulls over his future and is a target for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, according to The Sun.

Despite the fact De Gea's 12-year stay at Manchester United looks to be in a perilous position, he would still ideally like to be kept on at the Premier League giants if both parties can come to a compromise in negotiations.

Sky Sports have revealed that Manchester United are considering several goalkeeping options as Erik Ten Hag looks to strengthen his last line of defence, including the likes of Raya, Inter Milan's Andre Onana and Porto stopper Diogo Costa.

De Gea was named on the Red Devils' official released list and any push for another goalkeeping addition is believed to be a separate case to the future of the Spaniard.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has stated that Raya, who earns around £25k-a-week at the Gtech Community Stadium, is indeed on the radar at Old Trafford and may be a potential replacement for De Gea.

Jones stated: "Raya is a pretty simple deal waiting to happen, if United want to go down that path. And if de Gea is going to leave, we've heard for some time that Raya is on their radar as somebody that could replace him."

Would David Raya be a good signing for Manchester United?

Raya, who has been hailed as an "incredible" player, has earned a reputation as an accomplished goalkeeper in the English top flight due to his shot-stopping abilities and composure with the ball at his feet, a trait that Manchester United boss Ten Hag has traditionally demanded from his man between the sticks.

Last season, the 27-year-old made 39 appearances in all competitions for Brentford, managing to amass 12 clean sheets, as per Transfermarkt.

David-Raya-Brentford

FBRef show that Raya was a key part of why Brentford secured a top-ten finish in the Premier League, recording a save percentage rate of 77.7%.

As per WhoScored, the Spanish stopper also ranked in Brentford's top five performers across the term, behind Ben Mee, Bryan Mbuemo, Ethan Pinnock and Ivan Toney, earning an average match rating of 6.97/10 for his exploits on the field.

Manchester United will be looking to build on an impressive 2022/23 campaign under Ten Hag and bringing in someone like Raya could help to take the Red Devils to the next level at Old Trafford.

Spurs Could Get £200k p/w Ace To Commit His Future In N17

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane signing a new contract at his boyhood club at some point is a 'possible', according to journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

What's the latest transfer news involving Harry Kane?

According to The Independent, Manchester United have decided to drop out of the race to sign Kane this summer due to his current employers, Tottenham, adopting a tough negotiation stance involving the England international.

The report adds that Manchester United are 'conscious' of Manchester City's failed pursuit of the 29-year-old back in 2021 and don't want to waste their off-season trying to land Kane only to be rebuffed by Spurs continually.

Le Parisien via GOAL detail that Kane has admirers from the continent in the form of Paris Saint-Germain and the Ligue 1 giants are said to want to make Kane a 'marquee' addition despite not currently having a manager in place at the Parc des Princes.

It is expected that Kane would cost the French giants in excess of £100 million to acquire, which is a big part of the reason Manchester United pulled out in their attempts to tempt him to Old Trafford.

Capology understand that Kane has one year left on his deal at Tottenham and is believed to pocket £200,000 per week in north London.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Sheth has revealed that there is a possibility Kane could now commit to a new contract at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Sheth stated: "Tottenham do not want to sell Kane, least of all to a Premier League rival.

"I see a few scenarios that could happen with Kane, and they’re obvious really. Tottenham's number one choice would be Kane signs a new contract at Spurs and spends the rest of his career at the club. It's possible, but how likely, I don't know.”

Should Tottenham Hotspur look to tie Harry Kane to a new deal?

Spurs should look to tie Kane to a new deal with every fibre of their being, as he is an elite striker with the propensity to produce moments of magic consistently in the Premier League.

In 2022/23, despite Tottenham's underwhelming season, Kane recorded 32 goals and five assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Unsurprisingly, Kane was Spurs' most consistent performer during the season and obtained an average match rating of 7.52/10 for his exploits on the pitch, according to WhoScored.

Leading the line with efficiency, Kane also managed to successfully lay on 159 shot-creating actions combining his time on the field in the Premier League and Champions League, as per FBRef.

Nailing down Kane for the rest of his career at Tottenham will undoubtedly be a major priority for Lilywhites' chiefs; however, it will be easier said than done and they will need to match his ambition at the club to win trophies in order to stand a chance of being successful in their endeavours.

Man United In Contact For "Spectacular" Attacker

Manchester United appear to be keeping an eye on PSV Eindhoven attacker Xavi Simons ahead of a potential summer move, according to reports.

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

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of players this summer as the club seemingly look to back Erik ten Hag with a number of new additions.

Two positions that were previously top of Manchester United’s transfer wishlist were midfield and attack. Chelsea’s Mason Mount is seemingly the key midfield target at Old Trafford, with a £40m offer made earlier in the month. That was rejected by those at Stamford Bridge, and the Red Devils improved £50m bid for the England international was also turned down.

In attack, Harry Kane was previously the top attacking priority, however, a transfer for the Spurs star is unlikely. As a result, United have been linked with moves for the likes of Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.

A new final third target has emerged in the shape of Simons, though, who appears to be a player in demand over the coming months.

Fabrizio Romano provided an update regarding Simons on Wednesday, where Manchester United were named. The transfer expert said that Paris Saint-Germain have a buy-back clause for the PSV gem worth just €6m, adding that the Red Devils are one of four Premier League sides that have been in contact with PSV, asking to be kept informed about the situation.

“Paris Saint-Germain buy back clause for Xavi Simons is just €6m! It can only be activated in July, from 1 to 31st. The final decision is ONLY up to the player. He’s waiting to hear from PSG.

“Man Utd, Arsenal, Brighton, Spurs, BVB and Leipzig asked to be informed.”

PSV attacker Xavi Simons.

Who is Xavi Simons?

Simons is primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play on the wing if required. The 20-year-old, labelled as “spectacular” in the media at the end of 2021, made the move to PSV from PSG last summer.

Since then, the Netherlands international has seen his Transfermarkt valuation increase from €8m to a career-high €30m. He has starred in his native country, contributing to 34 goals in 48 PSV appearances. He appears to be going from strength to strength, with scout Antonio Mango stating that Simons “has the X-factor”:

“Xavi has one of the best Football IQ’s as just 19 which makes him incredibly versatile to play anywhere along the front line. It’s visibly clear that Xavi has the x-factor, technically special blended with.”

Therefore, should he make the move to Old Trafford over the coming months, he would add strength in depth to United's attacking midfield ranks, with Bruno Fernandes the only senior option, while also providing an option out wide.

However, following his incredible rise over the past 12 months, you’d expect that PSG would be willing to activate their buyback clause for a relatively low fee, so a deal could prove tricky for the Red Devils.

21-y/o "Leader" On Man United Radar For Summer Transfer

Amadou Onana is an option Manchester United could explore in the summer transfer window, journalist David Ornstein has revealed.

Who could Man United sign in midfield?

Recent reports have revealed that Man United have submitted a final bid for Chelsea's Mason Mount, having agreed personal terms with the England international, but a deal is far from guaranteed as there is a reluctance to meet Chelsea's high asking price.

Erik ten Hag is targeting a midfielder to play alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, and Everton's Onana is a name believed to be on their list of targets.

Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ornstein revealed that Onana is on the list at United, but he is one of a number of players they could target this summer.

"You've got Manchester United as well, who want a midfielder, though as far as we know, they're focused on the more advanced one in Mason Mount at this point in time and the number nine," he stated.

"They are looking at the other positions and you'll have seen reports about Onana and Everton, I'm led to believe he's on the list, and like many, he's one of many options they're considering.

"But they've got their ownership situation which is complicating it all. So this market is just absolutely wild."

Should Man United sign Onana?

The 21-year-old has had an impressive debut season in the Premier League despite Everton's struggles, and has been a standout performer for the Toffees.

amadou-onana-everton-transfer-newcastle-premier-league

Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez described the midfielder as a "leader," and he could bring a lot of strength and dynamism to the United midfield.

His height could prove to be invaluable in the middle of the park, and he ranks in the top 7% of midfielders for aerial duels as per FBref.

It remains to be seen whether he offers enough on the ball for Erik ten Hag, given that he ranks poorly for progressive passes, but he could help glue together the midfield trio, and at just 21, there is massive potential for him to grow.

If United do sign Mount, then it seems unlikely that they will pursue another expensive midfield signing, but if they pull out of a deal for the Englishman, then Onana is a ready-made alternative they could explore.

Uncertainty over the ownership situation means that a deal may have to be completed later on in the window, but should Onana join, he would be an investment which could reap rewards in the long run.

West Ham: Could Make Ambitious Bid To Sign £110k p/w Ace

West Ham United target James Maddison 'would be an absolute star signing' at the London Stadium if he was to move to the Hammers from Leicester City, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving James Maddison?

According to The Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Maddison and have submitted a £50 million joint bid to try and land the England international and his teammate Harvey Barnes.

The report states that the offer is set to be rejected by Leicester City, who will want to recoup more money for two of their prize assets in the transfer window.

Sky Sports claim that Newcastle United are in the race for £110,000 per week earner Maddison and it is believed that they are currently in pole position to land the Coventry-born star.

Nevertheless, Tottenham may now formalise their attraction towards Maddison this summer now that they have a new manager in place in the form of former Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou.

Writing in his column for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has revealed that West Ham United are interested in Maddison this window as they eye a creative midfielder.

Jones also suggested that Maddison joining the Irons could help to soften the blow of losing Declan Rice, who looks set to leave the London Stadium, stating: "Maddison would be an absolute star signing. They are definitely not front-runners for him as Newcastle and Tottenham are expected in a tug-of-war battle for this signing but West Ham, fresh off that recent European success, would love to make the £110,000-a-week man an offer. His creativity and personality would bring a new dimension to the team and his star factor would help recover from the loss of Declan Rice, when he eventually goes."

Would James Maddison be a good signing for West Ham United?

Maddison enjoyed a productive campaign on an individual level for Leicester City even though the Foxes suffered relegation to the Sky Bet Championship and showed why he is highly regarded as a playmaker in the Premier League.

All in, the 26-year-old made 32 appearances for his current employers, registering ten goals and nine assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Leicester midfielder James Maddison

As per FBRef, Maddison was also a key chance provider for Leicester City during the season, successfully performing 138 shot-creating actions.

Unsurprisingly, the former Norwich City man also ended up at the top of the tree, becoming Leicester City's most consistent performer in 2022/23, earning an average match rating of 7.24/10, according to WhoScored.

Moving forward, Maddison would add another dimension to West Ham United's midfield if an ambitious bid for his services was to come off; however, they would have to beat off stiff competition from a number of appealing options to him.

Newcastle United Eyeing Loan For "Terrible" £190k-p/w Flop

Newcastle United are interested in a deal to sign Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on loan this summer, according to reports.

Is Harry Maguire leaving Man United?

The Red Devils centre-back first arrived at Old Trafford from at the time Premier League rivals Leicester City back in 2019 and over the years has become a regular feature of the first-team, clocking up 175 appearances since joining, not to mention that he’s also Erik Ten Hag’s captain.

The England international, however, made just eight starts and the same number of substitute outings in the top-flight last season so is significantly out of favour, and he’s already been linked with an exit with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton all keen.

90min have reported that the 30-year-old wants to stay and fight for his place beyond the summer, but with his boss already searching the market for replacements, it appears that they are open to sanctioning his sale, which has alerted Eddie Howe at St. James’ Park.

Are Newcastle signing Maguire?

According to The Sun, Newcastle “want to rescue” Maguire on a loan basis this summer, but Man United are only happy to let him go permanently, meaning that PIF will have to buy him should they want to secure his services.

The M16 defender “can leave” if the price is right, but the reason they won’t green-light a loan is because they would be helping a rival and gaining no financial benefit themselves. Should the northeast outfit come forward with a cash offer, it could be a “different story”.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.

Should PIF submit a bid for Maguire?

Newcastle will know that Maguire can be a decent player in his prime but in recent seasons he’s not lived up to expectations at Man United, which has seen him described as “terrible” by members of the media, so PIF should avoid this move at all costs.

The World Cup participant, who’s sponsored by Puma, ranked as Ten Hag’s 18th worst-performing defensive player during the previous term averaging just 0.5 tackles per game, as well as placing 17th overall in their squad ratings, via WhoScored.

The Sheffield-born player, who also failed to record a single goal or assist, is currently pocketing £190k-per-week so his wage demands would be way too high to match, with the club’s highest earners being Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes on £120k-per-week.

Howe and the Magpies board should look elsewhere should he want to add to his defensive ranks.

£518k Teen Could Be Sunderland’s Simms Successor

Ellis Simms' return to parent club Everton in January was a huge blow in Sunderland's pursuit of a Premier League return, but they may just have found an adequate replacement.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Benfica youngster Luis Semedo is very close to joining the Championship side after failing to agree new terms with the Primeira Liga heavyweights.

What impact did Ellis Simms have at Sunderland?

Simms made a huge impact in his half-season spell on loan at the Stadium of Light, scoring seven goals in 17 league matches to not only help Sunderland adapt to life back in the Championship, but also compete in the higher reaches of the division.

The 22-year-old may have departed with 31 league games of the campaign left to play, including the two-legged play-off semi-final, yet he still finished as the club's fourth-top scorer behind Jack Clarke (9), Ross Stewart (10) and Amad Diallo (13), the latter of whom also impressed on loan from a Premier League side.

With an average of a goal every 0.56 league games, only Stewart (0.86) was more effective in attack for Sunderland this past season than Simms, who also chipped in with a couple of assists.

Sunderland ultimately battled on to reach the play-offs without Simms, where they went on to lose 3-2 on aggregate to promoted Luton Town, but it remains to be seen what could have been with the Everton academy product in their ranks for the second half of the season – especially considering he started just two Premier League games for the Toffees after being recalled.

Could Luis Semedo replace Simms at Sunderland?

On the face of it, it is easy to see why Semedo is being touted as a like-for-like replacement for Simms. After all, both players are similar in stature, measuring in at roughly the same height at 6 foot 3.

Semedo, whose playing style has seen him described as "a big physical unit" by football reporter Josh Bunting, also has an eye for goal, as reflected by the four goals he scored in four games for Benfica in the 2022-23 UEFA Youth League.

However, whereas Simms arrived at Sunderland with some experience of first-team football under his belt following spells on loan with Blackpool and Hearts, Semedo has so far represented only Benfica B and Portugal U20.

Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray.

Even before finding his scoring boots in European competition last season, Benfica clearly saw plenty in the youngster as they handed him a professional contract in August 2020 when he turned 18.

While his overall numbers at age-grade level are hardly much to shout about, having scored just twice in 18 Segunda Liga appearances last term, Sunderland have a habit of finding gems in need of fine-tuning – not least Stewart, who went from scoring two goals for Ross County in 2020-21 to 26 goals in his first full campaign with the Black Cats.

With Diallo also heading back to parent club Manchester United – though a possible loan return has been touted – Sunderland need to be smart with their transfer business to plug an obvious gap – or gaps.

As boss Tony Mowbray stated in January, any new signing "has to fit the criteria of what we need". If it is another talented young attacker in need of fine-tuning that Sunderland are indeed after, Semedo – who at a reported €600k (£518k) is a low-cost punt – might well be their man.

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