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Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of one player who’s now effectively ruled out every other destination this summer, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.

The Blues are expected to be very busy in terms of both incomings and outgoings before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Enzo Maresca has already watched Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Armando Broja, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Lesley Ugochukwu leave Stamford Bridge this summer, raising nearly £220 million transfer fees.

This has allowed Chelsea to balance out the squad and make room for key new additions, with UEFA pressuring the west Londoners to produce a ‘positive transfer balance’, or face an inability to register summer signings for next season’s Champions League.

With more also expected to depart, Chelsea are currently in talks to seal a few further incomings as BlueCo give Maresca their full backing.

Chelsea have been linked with RB Leipzig sensation Xavi Simons for a while now, and it looks like things are seriously heating up.

Maresca’s side are advanced in their talks and The Netherlands international has removed Leipzig from his Instagram bio – a clear indicator that his move to London is gaining traction with Chelsea reliably believed to be far down the line in negotiations.

Some reports even suggest that Chelsea have reached a “total agreement” for Simons and only the final details are to be ironed out, but this is yet to be backed up by the wider media.

Simons isn’t the only player who’s dropped hints about a potential move to Chelsea on Instagram, either, with Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho deploying similar social media tactics.

The Argentine boldly liked a post from Fabrizio Romano linking him with a switch to London, which is again seen as a clear suggestion that he wants to join them.

Tottenham and Aston Villa have been named as alternative landing spots for Garnacho who’s determined to leave Old Trafford, but according to Ornstein, Chelsea face zero threat from either of them.

Alejandro Garnacho rules out every other club but Chelsea

The reporter, in an update on X, states that Garnacho only wants Chelsea ‘or nothing’.

For The Athletic, Ornstein writes that talks are ‘now advanced’ for the 22-year-old, who’s effectively ruled out all other options but a switch to Cobham.

In a further boost for Chelsea, United have been forced to drop their previous asking price of £70 million to around £50 million, as per the BBC, so Maresca could see the exciting winger join his squad in a cut-price deal.

Garnacho’s public Red Devils fallout could be cause for concern over his attitude, but The Telegraph report that Chelsea are satisfied with his personality after conducting extensive background checks.

MatériaMais Notícias

No primeiro jogo comandado por Dorival Júnior em seu retorno, o São Paulo venceu o América-MG por 3 a 0 e conseguiu sua primeira vitória no Campeonato Brasileiro. Os gols ficaram nas contas de Luciano, Calleri e Marcos Paulo.

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A partida começou bem movimentada, com gol do camisa 10 ainda no primeiro tempo. Mesmo com a forte pressão do Coelho, o goleiro Rafael foi um dos grandes destaques da partida, fazendo excelentes defesas e salvando o Tricolor paulista. Ao término do duelo, teve seu nome ovacionado.

Em um jogo que caminhava para um 1 a 0, com poucas chegadas do São Paulo, teve o placar ampliado por Calleri. E ao apagar das luzes, Marcos Paulo completou.

Elenco do São Paulo se despede de Ceni

Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

TRÊS MINUTOS E QUASE GOL…
O jogo começou bem movimentado no estádio do Morumbi. Com apenas três minutos de jogo, o São Paulo encontrou uma boa oportunidade com Calleri e Michel Araujo. O camisa 9 foi acionado na ponta direita e cruzou para Michel, que finalizou, mas a bola saiu por cima do gol.

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É LUCIANO!
Com bastante pressão do lado Tricolor, não demorou muito para abrir o placar. Aos 20 minutos, Michel Araujo conseguiu desarmar Marlon e deixou Luciano na entrada da área. O camisa 10 aproveitou e finalizou. Matheus Cavichioli não deu conta e falhou feio na defesa.

O América-MG até chegou a reclamar com o juiz sobre uma possível falta no lance da roubada de bola, mas a arbitragem de vídeo validou.

Após o gol do Tricolor, o América-MG reagiu, com Lucas Kal – que arriscou de longe. Entretanto, Rafael fez uma ótima defesa.

SALVA RAFAEL!
Mais uma vez, perto dos 40 minutos do primeiro tempo, Rafael salvou a pele do São Paulo após uma sequência perigosa de lances do América-MG. Lucas Kal tentou a primeira após um rebote da zaga tricolor. Rafael agiu rápido e defendeu.

Logo depois, o Coelho levou perigo mais uma vez, com um desvio de Everaldo. Em uma defesa que parecia quase impossível, o arqueiro tricolor evitou um possível empate.

Mas não parou por aí. Matheusinho também tentou um cabeceio, e mais uma vez o defensor se destacou.

O primeiro tempo terminou com o Coelho não empatando por pouco, se aproveitando bastante das falhas na marcação são-paulina.

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SEGUNDO TEMPO VOLTA MOVIMENTADO… E PARA OS DOIS LADOS
A volta do intervalo começou agitada para os dois lados. Logo no primeiro minuto da etapa final, Michel Araujo acionou Rodrigo Nestor, que lançou para Calleri. O camisa 9 desviou por cima do gol. Pouco tempo depois, foi a vez do Coelho.

Matheusinho deu um bom passe para Aloísio, que duelou com Beraldo e finalizou. E mais uma vez, Rafael salvou.

Até boa parte do segundo tempo, o América-MG pressionou bastante o São Paulo, em busca do empate. Mas mesmo com todas as oportunidades, se não falhava na finalização, a bola parava na defesa tricolor. Dorival fez algumas mudanças na equipe para tentar ampliar o placar, mas o Tricolor chegava muito pouco no gol adversário.

TOCOU NELE E FOI GOL!
Mesmo com a forte pressão do América-MG e as poucas oportunidades encontradas pelo São Paulo, Calleri chegou e resolveu! Alisson começou a jogada, com um lance para Caio, que conseguiu um bom cruzamento para o argentino. O camisa 9 desviou de cabeça e ampliou o placar para o Tricolor.

ACABOU? MARCOS PAULO MOSTRA QUE NÃO
Praticamente ao apagar das luzes, Marcos Paulo conseguiu o terceiro da equipe. O jogador aproveitou um erro de Ricardo Silva e finalizou sem dar chances de defesa paraCavichioli. Marcos Paulo se empolgou tanto que tirou a camisa na comemoração e levou um amarelo.

PRÓXIMOS JOGOS
Com a vitória, o São Paulo chega a três pontos na tabela, enquanto o América-MG segue com nenhum, na lanterna da tabela. O Tricolor volta a campo na terça-feira (25), contra o Ituano, pelo jogo de volta da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. Já o Coelho joga na quarta-feira (26), contra o Nova Iguaçu, também pelo jogo de volta pela terceira fase da Copa do Brasil.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO 3 x 0 AMÉRICA-MG
SEGUNDA RODADA – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Data e hora: 22/4/2023 (sábado), às 18h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Morumbi, em São Paulo (SP)
Árbitro:Wagner do Nascimento Magalhaes (Fifa/RJ)
Auxiliares:Thiago Rosa de Oliveira (RJ) e Cristhian Passos Sorence (GO)
VAR:Thiago Rosa de Oliveira (RJ) e Cristhian Passos Sorence (GO)
Público e renda: 41.006 / R$ 1.554.942,00

Cartões amarelo: Pablo Maia (SAO), Patryck (SAO), Lucas Kal (AME), Everaldo (AME), Raí Ramos (SAO), Luciano (SAO), Dorival (SAO), Éder (AME), Marcos Paulo (SAO)

GOLS
Luciano (1-0); Calleri (2-0); Marcos Paulo (3-0)

SÃO PAULO
Rafael; Raí Ramos, Arboleda, Beraldo e Patryck (Caio, aos 13´/2ºT); Luan (Gabriel Neves, aos 13´/2ºT) Pablo Maia, Nestor (Alisson, aos 30´/2ºT) e Michel Araújo (Wellington Rato, aos 21´/2ºT); Luciano (Marcos Paulo, aos 30´/2ºT) e Calleri
Técnico: Dorival Júnior

AMÉRICA-MG
Matheus Cavicholli; Nino Paraíba (Marcinho, aos 25´/2ºT), Éder, Ricardo Silva, Marlon; Lucas Kal, Juninho, Martínez; Matheusinho (Felipe Azevedo, aos 16´/2ºT), Everaldo (Adyson, aos 16´/2ºT), Aloísio (Wellington Paulista, aos 25´/2ºT).
Técnico:Vagner Mancini

Sunderland are now close to reaching an agreement over the signing of an “absolutely sensational” player, according to a key update from journalist Loic Jego.

Perhaps the major piece of Black Cats transfer business that has emerged recently is their pursuit of OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, who is considered a top summer target.

Sunderland are believed to be in talks with the 25-year-old over a move to the Stadium of Light, as Regis Le Bris strengthens his options between the sticks ahead of his side’s return to the Premier League in August.

A five-cap Poland international, Bulka has plenty of pedigree as a top-level player, and Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique is an admirer, calling him “superb” after coming up against him in Ligue 1.

Sunderland supporters will surely be keen on seeing the Pole complete a move to the club as soon as possible, and now a fresh update has emerged regarding their interest in him.

Sunderland close to agreement with Bulka

Now, according to Jego on X, an agreement between Sunderland and Bulka is now “imminent”, as the Black Cats close in on a new signing.

This is fantastic news for Sunderland, who know the importance of doing significant transfer business, in order to avoid a swift return to the Championship next season.

Bulka now has made 73 appearances in Ligue 1, as well as enjoying six Europa League outings, while scout Jacek Kulig has lauded the Nice stopper as an “absolutely sensational” goalkeeper.

In Anthony Patterson, Sunderland already have one excellent option in goal, with the Englishman such an influential presence last season, starting 45 of his side’s 46 Championship matches, but there have been teams sniffing around for his signature.

Competition for places is vital in the Premier League anyway however, and Le Bris will know that he has to be ruthless in leaving good players in reserve, assuming the latter stays at the club this summer.

He'd be amazing with Bulka: Sunderland in the race to sign £7m sensation

Sunderland could really improve their defensive options by landing this star alongside Marcin Bulka.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 27, 2025

Bulka feels like a signing of intent for Sunderland, and there is still plenty of time for the Black Cats to complete further business between now and the end of the transfer window.

As Thomas Frank prepares for his first season as Tottenham Hotspur manager this campaign, he will want to make an immediate impact and adhere himself to the fanbase.

The Dane has the responsibility of leading the club towards the top end of the Premier League after struggling to impress throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

He will also lead the Lilywhites into the Champions League, needing to have key depth across the squad if they are to be competitive in various competitions.

However, after taking the reins, Frank will unsurprisingly be wanting to make his own impression on the side, needing to make signings who will improve the options at his disposal.

Alongside incomings, outgoings are also needed to allow players not at the level required to move on, handing the manager the funds he needs to sustain their recent European success.

The latest on Spurs’ transfer activity this window

Centre-back Cristian Romero has been a name constantly mentioned with a move away from Spurs this summer, with Atlético and Real Madrid both interested in the Argentine.

It’s been reported over recent days that a £60m fee could be enough to prise him away from North London, potentially leaving a huge hole within the side’s backline.

However, the supporters shouldn’t worry, with moves already being made to land other defenders, leading to Castello Lukeba emerging on their shortlist, according to Foot Mercato.

The report claims that Frank’s side have been keen on a move to land the French youngster, who made 31 appearances for RB Leipzig across all competitions in 2024/25.

It also states that the 22-year-old currently has a €90m (£77m) release clause in his contract, but he could be allowed to depart for a lower fee should a deal be negotiated.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Romero replacement

Whilst Romero has been a player who has divided opinion during his spell at Spurs, his showing in the Europa League final is evidence of the talent he possesses.

The 27-year-old was handed the Man of the Match award during the historical triumph, and understandably so when delving into his stats from such a performance.

He made 10 clearances, five of which were with his head, along with six duels won, helping the Lilywhites keep a clean sheet and end their near two-decade wait for a piece of silverware.

Losing the Argentine would be a huge blow, leaving Frank with a massive task to replace the star who’s showcased his talent over the last couple of months in North London.

However, a deal for Lukeba would be a superb one, having all the tools to move the club in the right direction and fill the void left should the centre-back depart this window.

When comparing their respective stats from the most recent season, the Frenchman has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing why he could be the perfect replacement.

Lukeba, who’s been labelled “one of the best centre-backs” by one writer at The Athletic, has registered more progressive passes and carries per 90 in 2024/25, highlighting the ability he possesses to play out from the back.

Games played

23

18

Minutes played

1577

1416

Progressive passes

4.6

4.5

Progressive carries

1.1

0.7

% of tackles won

71%

70%

Clearances made

4.2

3.6

Blocks made

1.7

1.1

Aerials won

67%

60%

Without the ball, he’s been just as dominant, winning more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst also making more blocks, subsequently handing Frank the defensive quality he needs.

The Leipzig talent has also won more aerial duels and made more clearances per 90, with his tallies nothing short of sensational given his tender age – having the chance to improve further in the years ahead.

Whilst losing Romero would be something no Spurs fan would want this summer, Lukeba is evidence that there are better options out there within the transfer market.

It’s unclear how much the Bundesliga side could command for his services, but if the Argentine does depart North London this summer, a move for the Frenchman must be the priority.

More important than Kudus: Spurs plot move for "phenomenal" £40m PL star

Tottenham Hotspur are making a move to land another talented Premier League star.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 3, 2025

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future is still up in the air, but that won’t prevent Everton from signing a new striker this summer.

After an impressive start to life at the helm, David Moyes is looking for ways to take the Toffees to the next level. It’s like he never left.

Backed by The Friedkin Group, Moyes means business. However, his efforts to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap appear to have been thwarted, the English striker opting to sign for Chelsea.

He’s not the only talented forward on the market, though, and Everton may yet secure a thrilling addition.

Everton could sign Delap alternative

As reported earlier this week by German outlet BILD, Everton are among the clubs to have registered their interest in Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade this month, though the DFB-Pokal champions are hoping to tie the 23-year-old down to a new deal.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are among the other contenders, so it won’t be easy for The Toffees, but Moyes will hope to convince the German that he would be making a prudent move by joining the ranks at Bramley Moore.

Stuttgart have placed a loose valuation on their towering talisman, but they could be seeking as much as €50m (£42m), should the competition remain thick over the coming weeks.

Why Everton should sign Nick Woltemade

With Delap a no-go, Everton would strike gold in signing Woltemade, with his distinctive, rounded style of play leading data-driven site FBref to record Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak as one of his most comparable players, among those in his postition across Europe’s top five leagues.

Woltemade scored 17 goals across 33 matches in all competitions this season, including every round of Stuttgart’s triumphant DFB-Pokal campaign, and has been hailed for his “sensational” finishing ability by reporter Bruno Alemany.

That 17-goal return surpasses Delap’s, the Ipswich man bagging 12 from 37 matches in the Premier League, but it’s his complete skill set which suggests Moyes should do everything he can to complete a deal.

Harking back to FBref, Woltemade is recorded to have ranked among the top 3% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top-five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for passes attempted, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

He’s the full package, all 6 foot 6 of him. It’s definitely a peculiar profile, with Woltemade a clinical finisher, progressive passer and creative outlet, with neat footwork and clever movements.

This does bear a similarity to Isak, who has been hailed as “the complete striker” by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.

League Stats 24/25 – Alexander Isak vs Nick Woltemade

Stats (* per game)

Isak

Woltemade

Matches (starts)

34 (34)

28 (17)

Goals

23

12

Assists

6

2

Shots (on target)*

2.9 (1.4)

1.8 (0.9)

Big chances missed

18

11

Accurate passes*

14.9 (77%)

12.3 (72%)

Big chances created

11

8

Key passes*

1.1

1.3

Dribbles*

1.2

1.1

Duels won*

2.8

4.4

Stats via Sofascore

The Sweden striker scored 27 goals from 42 appearances this season, but he also dazzled with his silky running and nimble shimmies from left to right, left to right.

He’s of course operating at a higher level than Woltemade, but the template is there and Everton could offer the grounded pathway to achieve his goals.

The problem, as ever, is that Woltemade is a talented striker with a good track record, and thus bagging him will be no easy feat. But if Everton can sign such a unique profile, physical and imposing and technical and dynamic, it could revolutionise the club’s frontline.

With similarities to Newcastle’s Isak, throwing the kitchen sink at a deal is surely a no-brainer.

Related Moyes' own Richarlison: Everton to make huge offer for "sensational" CF

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Posts ByEthan Lamb May 29, 2025

The David Moyes revival has already taken Everton so far; Goodison Park is unrecognisable from the tumbledown slump that the Scotsman inherited, confidence at a low ebb after colourless football under Sean Dyche’s wing.

Dyche did a good job, all told, but he couldn’t take the Toffees any further and rightly parted ways when The Friedkin Group looked to christen their ownership with an uplifting appointment.

Moyes has done very well indeed, losing just four of his 16 Premier League games at the helm. However, he needs new recruits this summer, especially at the front of the ship.

With Everton stepping into a new home at the Bramley-Moore dock, it feels the right time to replace the ailing Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a new number nine.

Everton's search for a new striker

Calvert-Lewin has been a stalwart for Everton, playing 270 matches across nine seasons, scoring 71 goals. He’s out of contract this summer, though, with brittle fitness levels and consequent struggles for form suggesting he should be allowed to leave.

Transfer Focus

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

Beto’s resurgent as a focal frontman, but Everton want more, with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Tim Kleindienst identified as the perfect player to join Moyes’ project.

According to Caught Offside, TFG are ready to pay the €35m (£30m) asking price for the powerful striker, though the same could be said for Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Further interest from overseas complicates matters, but Everton’s willingness to place a bid suggests that Moyes and the owners are driven toward making improvements during the off-season.

Why Everton want Tim Kleindienst

Time was when Everton would cede swift defeat in a jam-packed race for a talented striker, Goodison Park devolving into something of a hotbed for disappointment in recent years.

But this is a new era, and Moyes has restored the feel-good factor. Kleindienst, 29, could make this new feeling even better still, with a clinical track record in Germany denoting his capacity to confidently take Calvert-Lewin’s place in the squad.

The Germany international has scored 16 goals and added ten assists across 32 matches for Gladbach this season, arriving from Heidenheim last summer.

Standing at 6 foot 4, he carries the imposing physicality that Moyes has made such good use of throughout his managerial career, and with Kleindienst winning 4.7 aerial duels per Bundesliga match this season, he has what it takes to flourish in the area Calvert-Lewin so expertly excels.

DCL vs Kleindienst 24/25 (league stats only)
Stats (* per game)	Calvert-Lewin	Kleindienst
Matches (starts)*	23 (19)	30 (30)
Goals	3	16
Assists	1	7
Big chances missed	1	14
Pass completion	64%	62%
Big chances created	1	11
Key passes*	0.3	0.9
Dribbles*	0.4	0.4
Tackles + interceptions*	0.7	1.3
Total duels won*	5.5	6.9
Stats via Sofascore

The two strikers have a lot in common. Both strong and tall, they win many duels through their focal role in the air; each forward dribbles infrequently, with neither proving the most accurate in his passing.

However, therein lies the disparity. Kleindienst is far more fruitful in his passing, so creative and intelligent with his knock-ons, his lay-offs. Indeed, as per The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, the German is “an exquisite one-touch player”.

Defensively, there’s a lot to admire too. FBref record Kleindienst ranks among the top 19% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 11% for interceptions and the top 1% for both blocks and clearances made per 90.

To be sure, signing a striker on the brink of their thirties would be something of a risk, but Kleinsdienst’s athleticism, power and dynamism would be perfect for an Everton side on the up.

Profiled in a similar way to Calvert-Lewin and coveted by divisional rivals, Everton will want to make this statement of intent.

An amazing Rooney repeat: Everton open to signing "world-class" PL star

Everton are at an important juncture as they prepare to reinforce David Moyes’ squad this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 6, 2025

After defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, it’s safe to say Arsenal have demonstrated they are capable of battling with Europe’s elite.

Mikel Arteta has transformed the side after taking the reins in December 2020, overseeing a transition that has taken them back to Premier League title challengers in recent seasons.

However, the Spaniard is yet to complete the job of winning the title, desperately needing to push for such an achievement in 2025/26 to cement his legacy at the Emirates.

If the 43-year-old is to go one better and end their two-decade wait for a title triumph, he will need the hierarchy to support him in the transfer market to allow him to have the best chance of success.

With the summer rapidly approaching, rumours have already been swirling over potential targets, with most of the links being in the same area of the pitch.

An update on Arsenal’s pursuit of new forwards

Over the last couple of days, Arsenal have received a huge boost in their pursuit of landing a new striker, with an update provided on the future of Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres.

New sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in making the Swede his number one target after previously holding talks with his representatives over a move to North London.

However, the latest update has confirmed that he’s not interested in a move to fellow English side Chelsea, potentially putting the Gunners in pole position for his signature in the coming months.

He’s not the only attacker touted with a move, with the likes of Kingsley Coman and Nico Williams also hugely admired ahead of the summer window.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Gunners are already in advanced talks to land the Athletic Club star and are more than willing to trigger his £50m release clause in the coming months.

Why the £50m star could be Arteta’s very own Vini Jr

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has been one of Europe’s most deadly forwards in recent years, notching a tally of 45 goals across his last two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti.

Many thought he would win the Ballon d’Or for 2024, but was pipped to the post by Manchester City’s Rodri, with his standing in such an award highlighting how threatening he has been in Madrid.

However, in the recent Champions League clashes with the LaLiga giants, Arsenal managed to silence the Brazilian for large spells, only managing to get on the scoresheet after a mistake within the backline.

There’s no denying he is a hugely talented player, with Arteta able to land his version of the superstar this summer should they complete a deal for Williams.

The Spaniard has been labelled as a similar player to Vini Jr by FBref based upon their respective figures from 2024/25, showcasing how impressive the transfer target has been.

When delving into the stats, the 22-year-old has managed to match or better the Madrid star in numerous key areas, with any move undoubtedly improving the forward line in North London.

Williams, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Eduardo Hagn, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical nature in the final third.

How Williams compares to Vini Jr in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Williams

Vini Jr

Games played

27

25

Goals & assists

10

16

Shot-on-target accuracy

37%

30%

Shot-creating actions

5.2

5.2

Tackles won

0.8

0.2

Take-ons attempted

8.2

7.5

Aerials won

40%

12%

Stats via FBref

He’s also managed to win more of the aerial duels he’s entered, whilst also attempting more take-ons per 90, offering Arteta a real all-round threat within the final third should he join the club.

If the Gunners are to finally end their drought without a league title, it’s pivotal that the hierarchy back the manager with the right additions to help him in his quest.

The Athletic Club star ticks all the boxes with his pace, constant attacking threat, and his end product, with the £50m fee touted a potential bargain should he get anywhere near the levels produced by Vini Jr in recent years.

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Already preparing for the summer transfer window, Aston Villa sporting director Monchi reportedly sent scouts to watch one of his attacking targets in action last weekend.

Aston Villa's Turkish recruitment mission revealed

The Villans rarely seem to get things wrong in the transfer market these days, for the large part, they’ve got Monchi to thank for that. Their sporting director particularly excelled in the January window, welcoming both Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford online whilst also signing Donyell Malen on a permanent deal from Borussia Dortmund.

Aston Villa in contact to sign "magnificent" France U21 rising star

They could land an absolute bargain…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 1, 2025

Unai Emery’s side have only benefitted from that recruitment ever since too. As things stand, they’ve still got both the Champions League and FA Cup to play for and are set to battle until the very last to secure qualification for Europe’s elite competition next season. But Monchi isn’t resting there.

The likes of Dusan Vlahovic have already made the headlines regarding a potential summer switch to Villa Park and those in the Midlands certainly have the ambition to make such a move happen. Given that the Juventus star is also worth just £33m this summer, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Monchi could land a bargain deal, either.

Away from the Serie A star, meanwhile, the Villans have reportedly set their sights on another attacking target. According to The Boot Room, Monchi sent fresh scouts to watch Baris Alper Yilmaz last weekend as his Galatasaray side squared off against Besiktas in one of the biggest games that Turkish football has to offer.

Ultimately, Yilmaz ended the day on the losing side as Besiktas handed Galatasaray their first league defeat of the season, but that may not be enough to dissuade Villa from making their move this summer.

Despite a game to forget, the 24-year-old has still managed 11 goals in all competitions this season to attract the interest of Villa, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

"Special" Yilmaz could replace Rashford

Whilst Rashford’s loan spell has so far been a great success, it still remains just that and it remains to be seen whether Villa will trigger their option to secure his signature on a permanent basis this summer. Instead, they could turn their attention towards the younger Yilmaz, who could prove to be just as successful under Emery.

Praised throughout his time in Turkey’s top flight, former coach Ilker Puren told reporters when asked about Yilmaz: “I think Baris Alper Yılmaz can play very comfortably for many teams in the Premier League at the moment. He’s a very special player.

“We worked a lot together. If Barıs Alper improves himself with his final ball, he can easily play for the best clubs in the world such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal.”

In the last eight of the Champions League, Villa have been among those top clubs this season and could now make a statement by signing Yilmaz when the summer arrives.

He wasn’t at his best as Galatasaray lost last weekend – recording just 0.10 expected goals and 0.06 expected assists – but Yilmaz is undoubtedly a player to watch in the coming months as Villa prepare their move.

A pair of wicketkeepers and a pair of allrounders feature in this list of emerging players

Deivarayan Muthu24-Oct-2025

Muhammad Abbas (Wellington)

A supremely talented right-hand batter and left-arm seamer, Muhammad Abbas enters the new domestic season after playing three ODIs for New Zealand earlier this year. He made an immediate impact on his international debut, against Pakistan, his country of birth, clattering a 24-ball fifty – the quickest on debut in ODI history – in Napier in March.During the winter, he travelled with the New Zealand A side to Bangladesh and South Africa, gaining exposure away from home. In the third unofficial ODI against South Africa A in Benoni, he picked up 1 for 38 in five overs and hit 66 off 70 balls. At 21, Abbas has the shots and gears to succeed in white-ball cricket and though batting is his stronger suit, he can also do a job with his left-arm seam. A big domestic season could potentially propel him into the BlackCaps’ first-choice white-ball side.Adithya Ashok trained at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai during the New Zealand winter•Super Kings Academy

Adithya Ashok (Auckland)

Auckland wristspinner Adithya Ashok has been identified as Ish Sodhi’s successor and he won his maiden New Zealand contract just before Gary Stead exited as head coach. Rob Walter, the new coach, has leaned on the experience of Sodhi in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. This Ford Trophy and then the 20-overs Super Smash is Adithya’s chance to press his case for a place in New Zealand’s white-ball sides.Adithya built up a strong body of work during the winter, emerging as New Zealand A’s chief wicket-taker in both four-dayers and List A cricket in Bangladesh and South Africa. Between the two A tours, Adithya visited the Super Kings Academy in Chennai to hone his skills during a spin-centric camp.Curtis Heaphy in action in the Global Super League in Guyana•Global Super League via Getty Images

Curtis Heaphy (Central Districts)

A wicketkeeper-batter, Curtis Heaphy averages over 40 in first-class cricket and over 50 in List A cricket. The 22-year-old was the top run-getter in the 2024-25 Ford Trophy, with 502 runs in 11 innings at an average of 71.71 and a strike rate of 77.95. He then helped Central Districts win the 2024-25 Super Smash and broke into the New Zealand A side. Heaphy also contributed handsomely to CD’s first T20 win outside of New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls against Big Bash League (BBL) champions Hobart Hurricanes in the Global Super League in spin-friendly Guyana. He went bigger in South Africa, making a career-best 190 in the second unofficial Test in Benoni. Heaphy could compete with Canterbury’s Mitch Hay for the emerging wicketkeeper’s slot.Max Chu is a 360-degree batter•Getty Images

Max Chu (Otago)

Another exciting wicketkeeper-batter, Max Chu, who represents Otago, has seen his white-ball stocks rise after hitting 230 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 155.40 in last season’s Super Smash. Chu, 25, can play funky shots behind the wicket, which perhaps put him in the ILT20 shortlist (though he didn’t get a gig there) and landed him a deal at the Canada Super60 earlier this month.Chu was New Zealand’s keeper in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup at home and was part of a batch that included Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra and Matt Fisher. This season presents him an opportunity to level up and join his mates in New Zealand’s senior team.Matt Boyle is rated highly by Canterbury coach Peter Fulton•Getty Images

Matt Boyle (Canterbury)

The younger brother of Jack, who will turn out for Otago in the upcoming season, and the son of Justin, who played for Canterbury and Wellington, Matt Boyle is also part of New Zealand’s young talent pool. A top-order batter, who can also pitch in with legspin, Boyle topped the Super Smash run charts last season and scored his maiden List A century during the 2024-25 Ford Trophy. He didn’t score a whole lot of runs on the winter A tours, but is rated highly by many in New Zealand cricket circles, including his Canterbury coach Peter Fulton.Simon Keene poses a threat to batters with his hooping outswinger•Getty Images

Simon Keene (Auckland)

After Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith, Auckland’s Simon Keene, who turned 24 earlier this week, promises to be the next seam-bowling allrounder from New Zealand’s pathway system. Keene bagged a five-wicket haul on his Plunket Shield debut in 2022 and then showcased his ability to swing the white ball in last season’s Ford Trophy, when he razed Canterbury’s line-up with 5 for 29 in Mount Manganui. In addition to his hooping outswinger, Keene can also give it a good whack with the bat like he showed during his 35-ball 81 while opening the batting with Martin Guptill in the Super Smash, and more recently during his 77 off 58 balls from No.8 in a one-dayer for New Zealand A in Benoni.

A university student watches the 2023 final with his peers, but there is only disappointment to bond over

Abhijato Sensarma20-Nov-2023Ashoka University looks barren on Sunday afternoon. The campus is a grand, polished feat of architecture situated in the middle of nowhere in Sonipat, an hour north of Delhi, where land has been given to private investors by the government to create urban university spaces.The university’s students have no one but each other for company most of the time. On Sunday afternoon, many walk towards the multipurpose hall in the sports block to watch India play Australia in the World Cup final. A grand screen is unfurled. More than 300 are expected to come by over the afternoon. The faces of a few of my friends wear expressions of regret, and the India flag painted on. For some of them, their relatives have gone to watch the match live in Ahmedabad, but the next best thing we can do is put on our India jerseys and gather here.The hustle of academic life and the length of one-day internationals means most of us have watched the tournament on our own so far – on our phones in between classes, huddled in small groups at mess tables, or on our laptops when we should have been paying attention to the professor delivering a lecture. Today, we get together to celebrate India’s inevitable coronation.There are seas of “Virat” jerseys in both the stadium’s stands and in our hall. At one point, my room-mate leans towards me and jokes that he will buy a shirt with Kuldeep Yadav’s name on it just to stand out from the crowd. I grin, but we don’t have a lot to joke about once Travis Head catches Rohit Sharma’s mishit in the tenth over.Wickets keep falling. The 300 or so people gathered in the hall are almost as silent as the 90,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium when Virat Kohli is cleaned up by Pat Cummins. Soon enough, a few people filter out of the hall to grab a delayed lunch or because they can sense the dream faltering already.

My social media feed has tragicomic pictures of fellow Ashoka students with Shami posters, shaky footage of people celebrating India’s initial dismissals at the hall, and one-liners to cope with Australia’s chase

A girl sitting in front of me has slid down to the floor. Her back is to the screen as she completes an assignment due soon, but she is also praying to the picture of a Hindu deity on her screen. Like many others around me, I lean forward and ask for His blessings too. We do so jokingly, but as we wait for an acceleration that never arrives in India’s death overs, our prayers turn serious.Some of us slowly get up from our seats each time the ball crosses the 30-yard circle, only for the sound of expectation to be replaced by “oohs” and “aahs” as another Australia fielder inevitably cuts off the boundary. The crowd’s pent-up energy finally explodes when Mohammed Shami comes to the crease – for now and ever, he has ascended to the status of cult hero – and nudges a ball off his pads for a rare boundary. But he is dismissed soon as well. There isn’t much else to cheer for and we leave the hall during the innings break.I go back to my hostel room and watch the second innings with a couple of friends, preferring their company over the 100 or so who have returned to the screening hall. But when India pick up their third wicket in the powerplay, I tell my room-mate: “Just one more wicket and we should go back there to celebrate with more people.”That next wicket never quite arrives. We sink into our chairs or under our blankets as Head keeps smacking India’s bowlers into the stands. Hope fades and fades. The crowd empties from our hall and in the stadium, where the orange seats acquire a strange hue on our screens as the camera keeps cutting back to the prime minister and other disappointed celebrities. My social media feed has tragicomic pictures of fellow Ashoka students with Shami posters, shaky footage from the hall of people celebrating the wickets India took, and one-liners to cope with Australia’s chase.We see the Australian cricketers rush to the middle and celebrate another World Cup victory, letting the visuals plunge a dagger through our hearts. Then we switch to watching the latest episode of for some comfort. It’s a fun watch, though I’ve already seen enough celebrity faces for the day.Midway through the episode, I hear impromptu cricket being played on my floor. A tennis ball echoes in the corridor, followed by the appeals and suppressed laughter of those who had probably been watching the final, like us. They are coping with the loss in their own way.
My mind drifts away from the disappointment on the faces of India’s players as well as those of my friends.We remain within a university campus, whose glitzy barrenness doesn’t compensate for the visceral heartbreak of the World Cup final any better than the Narendra Modi Stadium does in Ahmedabad. But at that moment, I realise we’ll move on, rediscovering the imperfect joys of sport in the cracks of our campus and its industrial polish soon enough.