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A “superb” Newcastle United player is reportedly the subject of strong interest from another Premier League team, with Chelsea now preparing an offer for him.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have been linked with plenty of potential signings in recent days, with Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto one player who has been mentioned as a target for Eddie Howe. The 23-year-old has scored 49 goals in 141 appearances for the Brazilian side.

Meanwhile, Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade has also emerged as a possible option for Newcastle in one of the upcoming transfer windows, with Liverpool also thought to be providing competition for his signature, as they look to strengthen their own defensive depth.

A rumour suggesting another signing from another Brazilian club has also emerged, with Sao Paulo winger William Gomes linked with a switch to the Magpies. Known for his dribbling ability, talks are said to have taken place over the move, with the 18-year-old likely seen as a long-term addition.

Should Alexander Isak move on at any point in the near future, a top-quality replacement will be required, and Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani has been backed to come in and fill the void that the Swede would leave. Current manager Luis Enrique doesn’t see him as an important part of his plans.

Chelsea preparing offer for Newcastle hero

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea are readying an offer for Newcastle hero Isak, as they look to prise him away from St James’ Park.

The Blues are willing to pay £63m for the services of the 25-year-old, who has been one of the Magpies’ most influential figures since arriving from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022. It isn’t stated if a January or summer move is preferred.

Of all the players that Howe would likely not want to lose moving forward, Isak must be right near the top of the list, considering he is one of the Premier League’s most feared attacking players. The Sweden superstar has scored 38 goals in 76 appearances for Newcastle, with his one-in-two ratio highly impressive, while Alan Shearer has made it clear what he thinks of him.

With Newcastle languishing in 12th place in the table going into the weekend action, and Chelsea looking promising under Enzo Maresca, there could be concern from Magpies supporters about Isak’s head being turned by a move to Stamford Bridge.

"World class" Arsenal ace set to miss Newcastle with Calafiori and Odegaard

Arteta will be minus a few key men.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 1, 2024

He would represent an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson, so it is easy to see why the west Londoners would be keen on snapping him up, but hopefully, the St James’ star still sees his future at his current club for plenty more years to come.

Cycling legend Bradley Wiggins has taken a cheeky dig at former boss Dave Brailsford for his role in Manchester United's terrible season.

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• Former cyclist criticises Man Utd director
• Ridicules plans to win 21st league title
• 'No time for him', says Wiggins

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 2012 Olympic road cycling champion and Tour de France winner did not wish to hide his feelings about his former boss at British Cycling and Team Sky, who has been working at United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 28 percent stake in the Red Devils. Brailsford has been working on 'Mission 21', the plan to deliver United's 21st league title by 2028. But the plan is not exactly on track as United are on course for their worst league finish since being relegated in 1974. The club is also in disarray off the pitch amid the decision to make a further 200 staff redundant. Wiggins ridiculed his handling of the club while speaking at an event on Friday.

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• WHAT WIGGINS SAID

  "I’m not a fan of Dave Brailsford. I couldn’t even sit here and say, ‘I don’t like him, but I respect what he has done.’ I really haven’t got a lot of time for him, to be honest," Wiggins said, via . "Mission 21? More like Mission Championship."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wiggins fell out with Brailsford in the aftermath of the 'jiffy bag' scandal which tarnished his and Team Sky's achievements, as well as the revelation that Wiggins had gained therapeutic use exemptions to take a banned substance. In 2017 Wiggins dismissed Brailsford's 'marginal gains' theory, which he put forward as the secret to his success in cycling, as 'a load of rubbish'.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  United players were reported to be unimpressed when they met Brailsford. According to , Brailsford told the players that he lived on the most exclusive street in Monte Carlo, but that he was coming to Manchester because he was going to help make United better.
 The players left the room rolling their eyes and shaking their heads.

Ipswich Town are already plotting to replace a summer signing with a “huge talent” from the lower leagues, according to a new report.

The Tractor Boys picked up their first win of the Premier League season on Sunday as they pulled off a surprise 2-1 win away at Tottenham Hotspur. Those first three points of the season have removed a huge burden, and Kieran McKenna will hope that can help his side can kick on for the rest of the campaign.

Ipswich loan flop has seen his value soar 123% since leaving

The talented striker just couldn’t get to grips with things at Ipswich.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 13, 2024

Jack Clarke’s future at Ipswich in doubt

Jack Clarke was one of many arrivals at Portman Road during the summer transfer window, but already his future has been thrown into doubt. It hasn’t been the best of starts for the 23-year-old, as he’s yet to score for his new side, with his only contribution going forward being an assist in the draw against Aston Villa back in September, and he has only started three of the nine league games he has played in.

This situation has led to Leicester City keeping an eye on Clarke and weighing up whether to make a move for him. The winger signed a contract until the summer of 2029, so Ipswich will be in no rush to sell him for cheap, but the Foxes are monitoring Clarke and have a long transfer plan in mind.

Clarke cannot play for another club this season, as he played for Sunderland before joining Ipswich. Therefore, Leicester plan to wait until the summer before making an attempt for Clarke. It will be down to Ipswich to decide what to do when that time comes, but the Tractor Boys already have their eye on a potential replacement.

Ipswich could replace Jack Clarke with Kwame Poku

According to TBR Football, Ipswich Town are keeping an eye on Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku and his situation at the League One club. The 23-year-old has been a Posh player since joining them in August 2021 from Colchester United, where he had scored six goals in 75 games in all competitions.

Poku, who was described as a “huge talent” by former Colchester boss John McGreal in 2020, has been mightily impressive for Peterborough this season, scoring 10 goals in 15 league appearances, three of which came on Saturday, as he bagged a hat trick against Cambridge United. He also has five assists to his name, making him a key contributor for the Posh going forward.

As things stand, Poku is set to become a free agent next summer, and he has interest from teams such as Ipswich, Southampton, Burnley, and Millwall. Meanwhile, Rangers had scouts present for Peterborough’s game on Saturday, as they wanted to watch him live in action.

Peterborough are keen to tie Poku down to a new contract as they try to avoid losing their star man on a free transfer, but his arrival at Portman Road could see Ipswich let Clarke leave, as Poku will be fighting for a place in the starting XI with the form he is showing.

Mohamed Salah revealed Arne Slot was "frustrated" with "sloppy and slow" Liverpool before turning it around against Southampton.

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• Southampton took the lead in first half stoppage time
• Slot was unimpressed with Liverpool's first-half display
• Nunez and Salah turned up the heat to get the three points

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite Southampton's Will Smallbone stunning the home side by scoring the opening goal just before the break, Liverpool mounted an inspirational comeback after half-time to claim a 3-1 victory, putting another key win on the board in their quest for their record-matching 20th league title.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As Slot sat in the stands serving a suspension, the cameras captured his agitated reaction, with his head in his hands, reflecting his disappointment over the sloppy defensive mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker that led to the goal. However, the Dutchman's pep talk in the break seemed to do the trick for Liverpool as Nunez and Salah found the net within a space of a few minutes, shifting the momentum towards the hosts. To cap off a brilliant second-half performance, just two minutes from regulation time, the Egyptian maestro netted his 27th goal of the season from the spot to seal the three points for The Reds.

• WHAT SALAH SAID

  In an interview with , Salah spoke candidly about what transpired during the break, revealing the anger felt by the manager.

  "It was a bit of frustration," Salah explained. "His head was going for us. We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don't think we played good today. If you want to win the Champions League or Premier League you have to win these games like that."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  With 70 points from 29 games, Liverpool are currently in first place and 16 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand. The Gunners will be aiming to close the gap when they take on Manchester United on Sunday.

A “sneakily good” Arsenal player has now formally told the club that he wants to leave N5, with the January transfer window fast approaching.

Players tipped to leave Arsenal in January

Beyond January 1, clubs will have an opportunity to revamp their squads and bring in much-needed upgrades in key areas, with a view to finishing this campaign in strong fashion.

Arsenal make approach to sign £160k-per-week star who Wenger wanted in 2015

The player admitted that Arsenal’s ex-manager wanted him in north London.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 13, 2024

Arsenal are usually quiet in January when it comes to incomings, but amid the ongoing injury crisis sweeping Mikel Arteta’s squad, it could be wise to push summer plans forward – even in the absence of influential sporting director Edu Gaspar.

Jason Ayto will take Edu’s role at Arsenal on an interim basis, with the official travelling to the US this week for an imperative Gunners meeting. This sit-down, which also includes the Kroenkes, Arteta, managing director Richard Garlick and director Tim Lewis, is a yearly scheduled summit to discuss transfer planning for 2025.

It is highly possible that exit deals are a regular topic of discussion at this meeting, and there are a few players who the North London club must make decisions over.

Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both out of contract and set to leave the club next summer as things stand, so Arsenal must decide whether to sell in January, extend their deals or let the duo depart for free.

Arsenal may decide to sell Takehiro Tomiyasu in two months as well, according to some reports, with the £100,000-per-week defender enduring a nightmare when it comes to injuries this season – playing just six minutes all season.

Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney is almost certain to leave, and fellow left-back Jakub Kiwior’s future appears far away from the Emirates.

Kiwor tells Arsenal that he wants to leave

Many reports have linked the Poland international with an exit in the last few days, with The Boot Room now claiming that Kiwior has formally told Arsenal that he wants to leave, amid interest from Serie A.

A return to former club Spezia is on the cards, as well as a potential reunion with Thiago Motta at Juventus, with the prospect of Kiwior ending his two-year stay in north London growing more likely.

The 24-year-old is a bit-part player under Arteta, and that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon, which is a shame considering the promising start he made in 2023.

“I’m going to give out my underappreciated performer of the week, I’m chucking it out there early, Jakub Kiwior,” said Robbie Earle on NBC Sports about Kiwior last year, via The Express.

“He could have had a bad start with the handball, the penalty, it looks like it brushes off his knee or whatever. I think we got to the right decision. No drama, to go to Newcastle with that atmosphere, with that forward line, with that type of game with very little Premier League experience.

“People have asked ‘why hasn’t he come in?’ with the Saliba situation and Holding. He looks calm, he looks composed. No massive dramas, no massive mistakes.

“I wouldn’t say he’s been brilliant, but to not say anything about him is a compliment, you didn’t really notice him. You’re up against [Alexander] Isak on one side and Callum Wilson, who know their way around, they’re physical, good players. I just think he’s a sneaky good little signing who might be sneakily good for the future.”

The Barcelona winger is already doing things in the professional game that demand comparison with Lionel Messi and Pele

Lamine Yamal has always looked up to Lionel Messi. The Barcelona legend was – and remains – his one and only idol. "I never had another," Yamal admitted to . "I once took a photo with him. I was unknown."

He wasn't just unknown, though; he was still only a baby, just a few weeks old when he and his mother partook in a 2007 photoshoot organised by for a charity calendar. But that image of a 20-year-old Messi bathing an infant Yamal has already assumed iconic status. The symbolism is almost too perfect: it's as if Messi is anointing his heir, baptising Barca’s next messiah.

Flattering as he finds the comparisons with the GOAT, the humble Yamal is unsurprisingly reluctant to fully embrace them. The 17-year-old says that "reaching Messi's level is impossible" but nonetheless hopes that "maybe one day I will be like him".

He already is, though. He plays in the same position for the same club with which Messi made his name immortal, and is presently wowing fans all across the world with similarly devastating dribbling skills and wondrous collection of crosses.

There's arguably only one significant difference: Yamal is even better than Messi was at the same age. In fact, the NXGN 2025winner might just be the most talented teenager the sport has ever seen…

• Putting Rabiot in his place

  Yamal was still only 16 when he was named in Spain's squad for Euro 2024. He even had to bring homework with him to Germany – and yet it was the student who ended up schooling established senior stars on one of the game's grandest stages.

  In the run-up to France's semi-final showdown with Spain, midfielder Adrien Rabiot made the dreadful mistake of underestimating Yamal. "If Lamine Yamal wants to play in the Euros final with Spain, he will have to do much more against us than he has done so far," the Bleus midfielder warned in a pre-match press conference. "We will put pressure on him so that he is not comfortable."

  Rabiot didn't put any pressure on Yamal, though. On the contrary, he couldn't even get close to the teenager, sent one way, then the other, as Yamal swiftly shifted the ball onto his left foot before bending into the top corner of the France goal to cancel out Randal Kolo Muani's early opener as Spain came from behind to triumph 2-1 at the Allianz Arena.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Surpassing Pele & matching Messi

  When the full-time whistle blew in Munich, Yamal screamed into the camera, "Speak now!". Rabiot didn't, though, which was probably for the best. There was no need to embarrass himself any further. He'd just been taught a lesson by a kid that wouldn't turn 17 until the eve of the final.

  The following day, Yamal made more history, breaking Pele's record as the youngest player ever to appear in a World Cup or European Championship final.

  He created a goal in Berlin, too, setting up Nico Williams for Spain's opener in their 2-1 victory over England, meaning he ended the Euros with four assists – twice as many as any other player at a tournament that featured world-class playmakers such as Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes – which is frankly farcical for one so young.

  What was arguably even more impressive, though, was that he finished with 15 or more chances created (19 in total), shots on goal (18) and dribbles attempted (33). The only other player to do that at any of the last two Euros or World Cups? Messi, of course.

• 'Something very, very special'

  Plenty of players over the past decade have been hailed as 'The new Messi' – and each and every one of them has found the label far too heavy a burden to bear. Some were simply overhyped, others just couldn't cope with the weight of expectancy, while Ansu Fati, for example, has had the gross misfortune to be blighted by injury issues that have stalled a once-promising career.

  In that context, there's always been a reluctance to pile too much pressure on Yamal's slender shoulders. As former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker told during last summer's Euros, "Messi is from another planet and I don't think you want to put that [comparison] on him, but there's no question that if Lamine keeps his feet on the ground and doesn’t have serious injuries, he is going to be very special indeed.

  "He already is, of course: if you judge the players at [the Euros] and age has nothing to do with it, he would be top three or four. And at 16! He's still a child! I've not seen anything like this.

  “I remember the emergence of Wayne Rooney. You could tell he was special but even he didn’t do this. Pele scored two in a World Cup final but he was 17, nearly 18. Even Messi didn’t really emerge internationally until his late teens.

  “What we’re seeing here is something very, very special. How special, we will have to wait and see. To do what he is doing, I can’t quite get my head around it. Some kids live up to the expectations, a lot don't. But with this kind of talent, I would be surprised if we don’t see some kind of greatness."

  We've certainly seen nothing since the Euros to challenge that assertion. In truth, Yamal's performances during the 2024-25 campaign have made the Messi comparisons utterly unavoidable.

• 'Essential to look after him'

  There obviously remains a risk that Yamal will fail to realise his stratospheric potential. Fame and fortune can change players, no matter how well supported they are by a club, coaches, family and friends.

  "It's essential to look after him because he's still a kid, he's talked about a lot in the press and he knows he’s important," Barcelona legend Rivaldo pointed out in an interview with . "He has to be very intelligent because football changes you a lot. He must have people by his side who talk to him and help him in his career so that he can be the best in the world."

  Furthermore, when the goals are so lofty, and the targets set so high, the lows can be devastating, especially in a modern era characterised by kneejerk reactions and social media pile-ons. It's already abundantly clear that Yamal will now be judged by the most rigorous of standards, with the great Francesco Totti arguing earlier this season that the youngster doesn't score enough goals.

  "He is very strong, he flew at the Euros… And he seemed to be flying this season, but then he dropped a bit,” the World Cup winner told the podcast. “He is still very good, but he still scores very few goals."

Wolves have joined a queue of clubs looking to try and sign a young talent for a bargain fee this summer, it has emerged, as Gary O’Neil looks to strengthen his squad on the cheap.

Wolves target youth

Part of Wolves’ strategy over the summer was to buy younger talents to develop as they look to build a squad capable of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

In the wake of Pedro Neto’s exit to Chelsea, the Old Gold replaced him with former Manchester City youth talent Carlos Forbs, who turns 21 in March, while the only player over the age of 24 signed was goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who arrived from Crystal Palace.

It has yet to work out for the Molineux side, but their first wins of the season have pulled them clear of the relegation zone as things stand and O’Neil will be hoping that the players he has signed only continue to improve over the course of the season, with money scarce in the Midlands for any January or summer additions and the club looking to follow a self-sustaining model.

That could see players leave once more in the summer, with Matheus Cunha among those linked with a move away from the club, along with fullback Rayan Ait-Nouri.

However, that will not change Wolves’ youth-driven policy, and now they have joined the race to sign a potential bargain.

Wolves interested in signing Celtic talent

That comes according to Football Insider, who name Wolves as one of five sides showing an interest in Celtic forward Daniel Cummings after a series of impressive performances at youth level.

The 18-year-old has managed to find the net 22 times in 20 games for the youth sides this season, including five goals in five Champions League youth games for Celtic, helping the young Bhoys to three wins and leaving them above Real Madrid in the early standings.

Lage sold Ait-Nouri's replacement who's now ouranking every Wolves player

The former Wolves man is flourishing this season

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 28, 2024

But Cummings is out of contract with Celtic as things stand at the end of the campaign, and the reports claims that the teenager “could leave the club for a minimal fee with cross-border compensation only €310,000″ [£250,000], following in the footsteps of the likes of Ben Doak and Rocco Vata”.

It is added that “Wolves, Fulham, Ipswich, Sunderland and Burnley” all had scouts watching him in his most recent UEFA Youth League game, where he scored the only goal of the game as Celtic edged past Club Brugge before the senior team were held to a draw later in the day.

Still yet to make his debut for Brendan Rodgers’ table-topping senior side, several clubs are positioning themselves in the hope that it never happens, while Wolves will be among them, hoping that they can snag the talent on the cheap in several months time should contract talks not reach a resolution.

It’s been a confusing season for Ipswich Town so far this year.

Kieran McKenna’s side have looked incredible in games against some of the Premier League’s big boys like Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, but then somewhat lacklustre against the more beatable sides like West Ham United and Leicester City.

That pattern continued on Tuesday night as the Tractor Boys fell to a 1-0 home defeat to struggling Crystal Palace, and while they weren’t blown away, it was still an incredibly disappointing result.

There were tepid displays all over the pitch for McKenna’s side, but one of the worst was Jack Clarke, who just hasn’t looked like himself this year, and if reports are to be believed, he could soon have some more competition due to a transfer reminiscent of Ali Al-Hamadi’s.

Clarke's struggles this season

Ipswich opted to pay Sunderland £15m for Clarke this summer, and while that’s a lot of money for someone who had never played in the Premier League before, it was understandable based on his form for the Black Cats.

For example, across the 22/23 and 23/24 campaigns, the York-born “diamond”, as former manager Tony Mowbray described him, scored a whopping 26 goals and provided 18 assists in 92 appearances.

That means the former Leeds United prospect averaged a goal involvement every 2.19 games, which is undeniably impressive for a wide player and certainly good enough to warrant a move to the top flight.

However, for whatever reason, the Englishman’s sensational form for Sunderland has not followed him to Suffolk, and, as things stand, he’s provided just a single assist in 13 appearances, which, to put it lightly, just isn’t good enough.

Now, in his defence, it’s unlikely that his talent has suddenly evaporated, and in time, he could reach the heady heights he did in the northeast, but at the moment, McKenna needs another wideman he can call on when Sammie Szmodics needs rest, and therefore it would be wise to sign a rival for Clarke.

Fortunately, that may be happening, as the Tractor Boys were linked to an up-and-coming EFL talent just a few days ago who could be the ideal candidate.

The EFL talent who could rival Clarke

So, to get straight to the point, the promising talent in question is Chesterfield forward James Berry-McNally, who, according to a report from Spain late last week, has caught Ipswich’s eye this season.

The report claims that, alongside the Tractor Boys, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are keen to land the 23-year-old and that his £5m price tag has not deterred any of them.

Were the Blues to go ahead and secure the Englishman’s signature next year, it would mirror the move for Al-Hamadi in that it would be the club once again dipping into the fourth tier for an up-and-coming youngster to help give them a boost part-way through the season.

Moreover, like the Iraqi international, the Chesterfield ace is thriving and clearly a cut above the rest in the league.

For example, in 21 games so far, the Wigan-born dynamo has scored nine goals and provided two assists, which is made all the more impressive by the fact that ten of his 21 appearances have been in left-midfield.

Ultimately, nobody should expect Berry-McNally to come into this Ipswich team and immediately displace Clarke and Szmodics on the left.

However, with the former clearly struggling, he would be able to provide more competition for a place, which could, in turn, push the former Sunderland ace to get back to his best.

Hutchinson 2.0: Ipswich could sign £100k-p/w "superstar in the making"

The incredible talent could provide Ipswich with what they need to stay up.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 1, 2024

The Arsenal and France legend weighed in on recent critques of Pulisic, including his leadership style

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• Henry asks to stop expecting Pulisic to be something he's not
• Legendary striker says its on U.S. to highlight the positive, not negatives
• U.S. seek redemption in third-place game

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Christian Pulisic was given the captain armband for the United States men's national team's third-place match against Canada Sunday night. For some, it was viewed as a call from Mauricio Pochettino for his biggest star to provide more leadership for a team that has struggled with inconsistency over the past year.

  Yet, Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry implored USMNT critics to stop expecting Pulisic to get out of his comfort zone and be a more demonstrative leader.

  "Christian Pulisic is a good player, very good player, and for the first time, is playing week in, week out, and delivering in a good team in Europe. But you also have to stop that narrative that maybe he's not that type of leader. Stop, don't force him to be that. He is a technical leader." Henry said on CBS's prematch coverage of U.S. vs. Canada. "But is he that enforcer type of leader? [Gennaro] Gattuso wasn't [Andrea] Pirlo, Pirlo wasn't Gattuso if you know what I mean. That doesn't mean he's not the best in this team as a player.

  And Henry stressed that attempting to change the U.S. player into something he is not is counter-productive.

  "He is very good at a lot of things, but he doesn't have maybe that type of leadership, and it's OK, right?" Henry said. "Stop making him something that he is not because when it comes to that, you're going to highlight his weaknesses. Concentrate on what he can do. He's a very good player."

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• WHAT HENRY SAID

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Entering Sunday's match against Canada, Pulisic had 32 goals and 18 assists in 76 appearances for the USMNT. Still, despite his overall success, there was criticism over his performance in the Nations League semifinal loss to Panama on Thursday, in which he took just one shot on goal.

• WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?

  The U.S. will reconvene in June, playing friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before kicking off in the 2025 Gold Cup.

This season has been full of ups and downs for Arsenal thus far.

Mikel Arteta’s side have dropped points in games they really shouldn’t have, like last weekend, but have then bounced back with an emphatic win like they did against AS Monaco.

However, while much of the team have been unpredictable and some way off their scintillating best, Bukayo Saka has taken another step forward and has now cemented himself as unquestionably the Gunners’ best and most important player.

So, recent reports linking the club with a striker who could help the Hale End icon get even better should leave fans incredibly excited.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are interested in signing Juventus star Dušan Vlahović in January.

The report has revealed that Arteta is pushing the club to make a move for the Serbian international next month, who is valued at €70m by the Old Lady, which converts to around £58m.

However, the Gunners are unlikely to have a free run at the talented striker, as the report also claims that Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are ‘monitoring’ his situation.

It will likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Vlahovic’s incredible ability, one well worth pursuing, especially as he could help Saka reach another level.

Why Vlahović would make Saka even better

So, to get straight to the point, there is one key reason why Vlahović would make Saka even better: his raw output.

Yes, over the last few seasons, the Serbian international has proven to be a reliable scorer of goals, so playing him down the middle over the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz should see the Gunners’ mercurial number seven’s already impressive assist tally explode.

For example, since the start of the 22/23 season, the Belgrade-born goalscoring “machine”, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored 42 goals and provided nine assists in just 98 appearances, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 1.92 games, during a time Juventus have been far less dominant in Serie A.

In contrast, the former Chelsea ace has scored 33 goals and provided ten assists in 120 games, which comes to a reasonable but less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.79 games.

Lastly, Jesus, who Havertz has replaced, has scored 20 goals and provided 17 assists in 88 appearances across the same period, which comes to an average of a goal involvement every 2.37 games.

However, his form this season has been diabolically poor, and it feels like his future lies elsewhere.

With that said then, it’s quite clear that the “phenomenal” Juve attacker, as dubbed by journalist Ollie Spencer, is the most effective of the three, so just imagine how many goals he’d be able to score playing alongside Saka, who has already racked up 12 assists in 21 games.

Likewise, having a more traditional number nine to his left should also help the 23-year-old Englishman reach another level.

Ultimately, while Havertz and Jesus are good players to have in the squad, it would appear that Vlahovic is the superior striker.

Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him in January.

Arsenal's "frustrating" star may have just become their new Mesut Ozil

The special talent has gone off the boil at Arsenal and perhaps resembles Mesut Ozil.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 12, 2024