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Chelsea have just three games left in the Premier League to ensure they will not spend a second successive season shackled to just domestic football.

The Blues have flattered to deceive for a long time now but recent performances have suggested that there is life in Mauricio Pochettino's project yet, and with a favourable run of fixtures to close out the campaign there is hope that a major step can be taken towards revival.

Still, Chelsea are seventh after 35 matches and will need to leapfrog Newcastle United while warding off Manchester United to secure a spot in the Europa League.

Champions League qualification is mathematically impossible but streamlined recruitment this summer could see that goal realised next year, with a prolific centre-forward needed for progress.

Chelsea eyeing new striker

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, coveted Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is not excited by the thought of returning to Ligue 1, with Paris Saint-Germain interested.

Instead, the Nigeria international is hoping for a transfer to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea favourites for his signature and set to battle it out this summer.

With the report further stating that he enjoys visiting England with friends, it would seem that all roads point to London.

The Blues are prepared to offer a fee of around €80-90m (£69m-£77m) to land Osimhen and in doing so, might just secure the final piece of the puzzle to ensure success next season.

How Victor Osimhen would fit in at Chelsea

Osimhen – hailed as a "monster" by analyst Raj Chohan – reached staggering levels of goalscoring success last season as Napoli stormed toward the Scudetto, dominating Serie A with a flourish.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, the £212k-per-week striker scored 26 goals and added four assists from 30 starting appearances in Serie A, averaging 1.1 key passes and 4.3 successful duels per game.

Speaking of his qualities, well-respected Chohan further said: "Osimhen holds up the ball and is better aerially than Haaland & Núñez whilst making the same type of runs. Obviously not as good a finisher."

This season, the out-of-sorts Naples side have been far less impressive and currently languish in eighth place after much instability and strife, though Osimhen has still maintained a clinical output despite battling injury problems, scoring 15 goals from 21 league starts.

As per FBref, the Lagos-born phenom ranks among the top 16% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals, the top 8% for shots taken and the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

At Chelsea, a team that have proved themselves promising creators but poor finishers throughout the campaign would thrive with Osimhen starring as the attacking focal point, with his qualities making him a major upgrade on Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson's first season in England has been punctuated with fierce criticisms over some of his wayward shooting, but there is plenty of promise within his dynamic skill set and, in fairness, the Senegalese has posted 16 goals from 41 games, which isn't a bad return.

The 22-year-old also offers more of a contribution toward team play, ranking among the top 20% of positional peers for progressive carries and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90, but Osimhen has been described as "world-class" by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and this is what Stamford Bridge desperately needs.

It is the same way that Liverpool's Darwin Nunez offers more all-round than Erling Haaland, but the disparity in effect in the final third makes the Norwegian's threat indisputably more impactful.

Jackson has scored 13 Premier League goals while missing 22 big chances. Osimhen, conversely, has missed 38 big chances in Serie A across the past two campaigns but he's also bagged 41 times.

Chelsea must pull no punches in moving for Osimhen this summer, and while Pochettino will hope that Jackson can find success while playing second fiddle next season, he must not enter the new season as Chelsea's first-choice frontman.

Chelsea eye Disasi replacement who's one of "the best CBs in the world"

The Blues are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the impressive and versatile defender.

By
Dan Emery

May 8, 2024

Arsenal star boy Bukayo Saka has emulated the efforts of Gunners great Thierry Henry by registering a flurry of Premier League assists.

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• French forward Henry dazzled in England
• Saka now starring on the flanks
• Teed up a goal in five successive matches

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international is charged with the task of delivering end product for Mikel Arteta’s side. He has embraced that responsibility, with a half-century of assists being registered for Arsenal alongside 59 goals – through 232 total appearances.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Saka rarely misses games through injury, which has ensured that he remains a key figure at Emirates Stadium. At the start of the current campaign, the 23-year-old winger has been at his creative best – much to the delight of those around him.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Saka registered another assist for the Gunners in their entertaining 2-2 draw with Manchester City, as he swung over the corner that allowed Gabriel Magalhaes to nod the north London giants in front. Having also teed up efforts against Wolves, Aston Villa, Brighton and Tottenham, Saka has become only the second Arsenal player to provide an assist in each of the club’s opening five games of a Premier League season.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Club legend Henry was the first man to achieve that feat, as he set the English top-flight alight between 1999 and 2007. The World Cup-winning Frenchman is Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer and sets the standard for many – including Saka – to try and match when pulling on a famous red shirt.

Talk of an imminent comeback for Neymar has been quashed by Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus, who doesn't expect the Brazilian back until the new year.

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• Neymar damaged his knee in October 2023
• Is back on the training pitch following recovery
• Still a long way to go before returning to action

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 32-year-old ruptured his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a World Cup qualifying match in October 2023, which led to immediate surgery. Since then, Neymar has been on the road to recovery, but Al-Hilal fans will have to wait until at least January 2025 to see the forward back on the pitch.

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  WHAT JORGE JESUS SAID

  The Brazilian has often posted videos and pictures of him sweating it out on the training pitch or inside the gym in the last few weeks, which led to claims his return was imminent. However, Jesus has come out to set the record straight, telling reporters: "Neymar is a very important player, not just for Al-Hilal but for the league as a whole. However, I can't specify an exact date for his return. We will assess his condition again in January."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As Neymar recovers, Al-Hilal have had to make necessary adjustments to their squad. Under the Saudi Pro League regulations, teams are allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21 for the season. Given Neymar's long-term injury, the club opted to replace him on the roster with new signing Marcos Leonardo from Benfica. However, Neymar has been included in Al-Hilal's AFC Champions League squad for 2024-25.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  With only one goal in five appearances, Neymar’s output has been underwhelming in Saudi Arabia so far. However, there is optimism among fans and the team management that the Brazilian star will regain his form and fitness, bringing the flair and creativity that made him a household name worldwide. Hence, all summer transfer rumours, including a move to Inter Miami to reunite with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, were quickly shot down.

A European club is working on a deal to sign one £14.5 million player from Leeds United in the summer transfer window, coming after his exceptional campaign.

Farke preparing for Championship play-off final with Leeds

The Whites face off against Southampton at Wembley today in a season-defining clash, and one which will determine whether manager Daniel Farke can guide Leeds back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Leeds United in pole position to sign 25 y/o international

Leeds are already eyeing key squad improvements in the transfer window.

By
Josh Barker

Apr 27, 2024

The Championship promotion hopefuls will be contending with Russell Martin for that same prize, with both the Saints and Leeds relegated to England's second tier in 2023 and narrowly missing out on an automatic spot.

It's one of the most tense, entertaining games football has to offer – and Farke is determined to reign triumphant as he eyes a return to Europe's most competitive, prestigious division.

"Nobody is more motivated than me," said Farke on the Championship play-off final.

"I wouldn’t sign a contract for any other club on this level. I don’t judge my time at Norwich as unfinished business, we were in the Premier League, last year I was in the Bundesliga, my aim is to work on the Premier League level. This is my big motivation, to work there again with an exciting club, it’s very special in different ways. If it was easy then it’s not my job. I always like challenges, where you can create something special.

"If possible to create a bit of a legacy. There are coaching legends here at Leeds, we all know their names, hopefully in a few years when we can bring the club back, I can be proud I played a little part in the history of this club. First step is to return back to the Premier League.

"Play-off final is always special because it’s a do-or-die game, you can’t repair mistakes. You can repair over 46 games with some other good results. Cup games you have to be spot on, the focus is pretty special and the concentration level is very high."

The result of his hugely anticipated encounter will also have a real bearing on their transfer plans. Leeds want to sign Joe Rodon permanently, for example, with player sales also key to bolstering their summer kitty.

Max Wober has enjoyed an excellent temporary stint at Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, so he could be a candidate to bring in funds.

Gladbach working on deal to sign Wober from Leeds

As per Kronen Zeitung, as relayed by Sport Witness, Gladbach want to sign Wober from Leeds permanently and are working on a deal. The versatile "leader", as dubbed by Jesse Marsch, bagged two goals and three assists across 25 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Wober is tipped for stardom with Austria under Ralf Rangnick at the Euros by Kronen Zeitung following his excellent campaign, but other reports suggest Leeds will be demanding around £14.5 million to let him go for good.

The Premier League season may have only just come to a painful end for Arsenal, but there is no rest for the wicked in the modern game, and while the players are off enjoying their holidays, the club are already hard at work in preparation for this summer's transfer window.

Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have enjoyed a run of brilliant summer windows for a few years now.

Last summer, they welcomed the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, while Manchester City stars Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus helped to raise the standards the season before, and based on early reports, it could be another bumper window this year.

That said, one of the stars touted for a move to the Emirates is a talented youngster who has actually outscored the Gunners' mercurial Brazilian this season.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are interested in Besiktas' highly-rated "wonderkid", Semih Kılıçsoy, and are one of the clubs "best placed" to make a move this summer.

Bailey has revealed that, alongside the Gunners, Manchester City are the other favourites for the youngster's signature, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Newcastle United also interested.

Other reports claim that the 18-year-old could be available for around £22m, which, while not cheap for someone his age, could prove to be a bargain in the future, especially based on his performance this season.

How Kılıçsoy compares to Jesus

Now, due to him being so young and still relatively unproven in European football, Arsenal wouldn't sign Kılıçsoy to be an immediate Jesus replacement. That would be far too much pressure to place on him, and, thanks to his reasonable price tag, he wouldn't need to be that either.

However, despite being so young, the "physical monster," as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, was on fire this year and might be able to displace the Brazilian through sheer talent alone.

For example, in just 35 senior games this year, the "frightening" Istanbul-born ace, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored 12 goals. This means he scored a goal every 2.9 games, or one every 173 minutes, based on the 2083 games he played for the first team.

In comparison, the Gunners' Sao Paulo-born star could only muster eight goals in 36 games this season, meaning he averaged a goal every 4.5 games, or every 238 minutes, based on his 1909 minutes of action. Worse still for the 64-capped international is that his tally of 11 goals from last year is still fewer than the young phenom from Turkey managed this season.

In his defence, the 27-year-old's tally of eight assists this year does take his overall goal involvement haul one higher than his potential competition's, but considering the almost decade age gap, that's hardly significant.

Arsenal keen on "insane" £34m star who could take Saka to the next level

The “complete forward” is incredibly clinical in front of goal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 29, 2024

Ultimately, with such an impressive debut season behind him, it's easy to understand why Mattinson claims Kılıçsoy "won't be in Turkey much longer", and for that reason, Arsenal should do all they can to tempt him to North London, even if it takes him a season or two to stake a claim in the first team.

Manchester City have signed Hugo Viana as Txiki Begiristain's successor, and two signings in particular convinced them to land the sporting director.

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• Man City appoint Sporting's Hugo Viana
• Will take over from Begiristain next summer
• Two Sporting signings convinced Man City

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Begiristain has been at Manchester City since 2012 and has been very successful as the club's director of football. Earlier this month, the eight-time Premier League champions announced that the Spaniard would be leaving his post at the end of the season. The club subsequently announced that Viana would join the club as Begiristain's successor, starting in the summer of 2025.

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  Portuguese outlet Record have now revealed that Manchester City placed Sporting's Viana and Girona's Quique Carcel at the top of their list, but opted for the former Newcastle man for several reasons. Manchester City valued Viana’s ‘discreet and reserved profile’ and were also impressed with his ability to form a close relationship with coaches. Sporting's signings of two specific players under Viana also impressed the Manchester City hierarchy. The two players in question are Viktor Gyokeres and Morten Hjulmand, both of whom have both starred for the club and are likely to be the club's next major sales.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Gyokeres has scored 11 goals in eight league matches for Sporting this season and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR VIANA?

  The Portuguese sporting director is likely set to join Manchester City early in 2025 as he will be shown the ropes by Begiristain before his departure to smooth over the transition process.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have drawn the Reggae Boyz in a two-leg knockout series in mid-November

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• USMNT to play Jamaica in November
• Mauricio Pochettino's first competitive fixtures
• Mexico will face Honduras after beating U.S.

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mauricio Pochettino has his first competitive games as U.S. manager confirmed, as his side will take on Jamaica in the Nations League quarterfinals next month.

  The reigning holders of the competition have a two-leg series set for mid-November. The first is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Kingston, with the follow set for Nov. 18 in St. Louis.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The USMNT have won the first three editions of the CONCACAF Nations League, most recently beating Mexico in the final in March – a run which required a 3-1 victory over Jamaica on the way. El Tri, meanwhile, seem to have secured a more favorable draw. They are slated to face Honduras in a two-leg series, while Jesse Marsch's Canada side are set to square off against strugglers Suriname.

  Pochettino's start to life as the U.S. head coach has been mixed. A 2-0 win over Panama was followed by a 2-0 loss in Mexico – with a much-changed side struggling on the road.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  While the USMNT have enjoyed success overall against Jamaica, their record on the road hasn't been quite so comfortable. Six of the 10 fixtures held in Kingston have ended in draws – although the U.S. has won three of the other four.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

  Pochettino's side will disperse to their club sides before reuniting for the duo of games next month. The new manager is expected to once again make do without some key injured players, as Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun aren't expected to be available until 2025.

West Bromwich Albion will enter the next Championship season slightly apprehensive at this moment in time, with lots of work needing to be done to fix the uncertain mood at the Hawthorns currently.

Carlos Corberan is being linked with a switch to a number of different clubs, with some reports even stating that he's been interviewed for the Burnley vacancy recently, whilst the likes of Kyle Bartley, Cedric Kipre and Alex Mowatt could soon be out of contract if their deals aren't renewed by the close of this month.

Yet, if the Baggies can ride this storm out and secure the future of Corberan alongside some key first-team personnel, they could well be in the promotion reckoning again, on the contrary, when a ball is kicked to start the 2024/25 campaign.

The Spaniard could even be convinced to stay put just off the back of one statement signing.

West Brom going after £6m-rated ace

According to report by Football Insider last week, West Brom are going back in for former loan star Mikey Johnston this summer, with a £6m price tag now slapped above his head by Brendan Rodgers' Celtic.

West Brom could do with more reinforcements going forward, owing to the club's recent retained list revealing that Matt Phillips would be allowed to walk away on a free transfer, and that could come in the form of Johnston, but it remains to be seen whether that hefty fee puts the West Midlands outfit off.

With Baggies chairman Shilen Patel also revealing that the club will have to be "resourceful" this summer when penning an open letter to the West Brom fanbase, a move for Johnston could well be deemed too extortionate to get over the line.

Yet, it could now be deemed as a necessary capture to potentially keep Corberan on-side and not have his head turned.

Why Johnston could get Corberan to stay

Johnston was exactly the electric signing the Baggies needed last season to raise the excitement levels at the Hawthorns, with the current Celtic man taking to Championship football like a duck to water after walking in through the door on loan in January.

The 25-year-old winger – who was described as being "special" by Corberan in 2023/24 – would help himself to an impressive eight-goal contributions from just 18 matches, with seven of those being goals for his loan side, matching Grady Diangana's total for the season, albeit from 18 games fewer than the ex-West Ham United attacker.

Endearing himself immediately to the Hawthorns faithful, with tricky gung-ho ascents forward becoming his speciality, Johnston would end up filling the void left behind by Jeremy Sarmiento jumping ship to Ipswich Town expertly, with the powers that be at West Brom now intrigued to see what the Republic of Ireland international can do over a full 46-game campaign.

With a lack of left wingers at Corberan's disposal, as Adam Reach has also been let go of who can play down the left-hand flank, signing Johnston feels like an ambitious deal that could have legs, even if the wild £6m price tag is off-putting.

The Baggies chairman will aim to try and strike a balance between spending big and remaining cautious in the transfer market, with Johnston deemed a splurge that could be worthwhile.

West Brom eyeing up move to sign Jonas Olsson 2.0

West Bromwich Albion could sign their next Jonas Olsson if this summer buy is pulled off.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 13, 2024

Lamine Yamal has sent out a Clasico warning to Real Madrid after helping Barcelona to hammer Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

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• Blaugrana in impressive form
• Heading to Santiago Bernabeu
• Flick's squad feeling confident

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A big week for the Blaugrana has seen them register nine goals across meetings with Sevilla and Bayern. They recorded five in La Liga action on Sunday, before seeing off Bundesliga giants 4-1 in elite European competition.

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  Raphinha bagged a hat-trick against Bayern, while Robert Lewandowski was also on target against his former club. Barca are now readying themselves for a trip to Santiago Bernabeu to face arch-rivals Real on Saturday.

• WHAT YAMAL SAID

  Teenage wonderkid Yamal is looking forward to that contest, with Barca feeling buoyant. He has told reporters: “El Clasico? Before this match we were already feeling very confident, we believe we are the best team in the world, and I think we are proving it. We will go with all our strength, and may the best team win.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Yamal added on claiming a morale-boosting victory over German heavyweights: “It was very important to beat Bayern 4-1 in a very important week. We're doing very well this season, but there's always the worry of what will happen in the Champions League. We're a great team and we've shown that.”

Manchester United are interested in signing one of Erik ten Hag's former players this summer, according to reports.

Manchester United transfer rumours

New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is embarking on his first summer transfer window with Manchester United. Despite the club finishing 8th in the Premier League table last time out, the life-long Red Devils fan has opted to keep Erik ten Hag in the dugout heading into the 2024/25 campaign and is expected to offer the Dutchman a new contract.

Naturally, this means Ten Hag and co. are expected to have a busy summer transfer window as they aim to finally return to the top of English football over a decade on from their last domestic league triumph.

Man Utd are interested in signing Rennes youngster Desire Doue, while they have also been linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka and are thought to be interested in signing Maximilian Beier.

At present, however, it appears centre-back is a priority area for the Manchester outfit. United have reportedly agreed terms with Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite over a contract worth between £150-160k a week, but have recently seen a £45m offer for the stopper knocked back by Everton.

Manchester United interested in former Erik ten Hag player

Outside of Branthwaite, Manchester United have been credited with an interest in two more centre-backs in the form of OGC Nice and French defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Lille centre-back Leny Yoro.

Now, however, a fresh name has been tipped to make the move to Old Trafford this summer. The player in question is Bayern Munich and Netherlands centre-back Matthijs De Ligt, who previously worked with Ten Hag when the pair were plying their trade at Ajax.

De Ligt left the Dutch giants for Juventus in 2019, where former Bianconeri defender Andrea Barzagli praised him for his "incredible" potential. However, he seemingly holds a good relationship with his former manager, backing him to succeed at Manchester United in 2022.

“He is someone who loves his job and he loves to work,” said De Ligt. “He’s really into the details. This makes him a really good trainer. He has a lot of qualities (to succeed). We will have to see how he goes.”

That existing relationship could prove crucial this summer as CaughtOffside is reporting that Manchester United and Bayern Munich have shown a mutual interest in completing a transfer for De Ligt. However, negotiations are not advanced at this stage, with all contact taking place through intermediaries for the time being.

De Ligt, who made 30 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions in the 2023/24 season, is currently earning around £260,000 a week on a deal which runs until 2027.