All posts by z3u9t.icu

One "key" Chelsea player has apparently opened talks to join a new club and it could even happen in January.

Chelsea stars who may leave

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino could add more new names to his squad in January, but there are a few squad members who also seem set for the exit door.

Chelsea already moved to offload a host of players over the summer transfer window, raising around £230 million in the process (Transfermarkt). Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi were all either sold or loaned out before deadline day.

The aforementioned crop may soon be joined by defender Trevoh Chalobah, who is apparently "90%" likely to leave Chelsea in January. As well as Chalobah, it is believed left-back Ian Maatsen is "set" to depart Stamford Bridge, coming after talks over a new deal for the Dutchman went nowhere. Chelsea are apparently searching for Maatsen's replacement too.

There had been some suggestions in past weeks that Marc Cucurella could leave, but those reports have died down somewhat, as the Spaniard is now featuring regularly under Pochettino. Thiago Silva, who's started all 11 of their Premier League games this season, is out of contract at the end of 2023/2024 – so he seems destined to leave next year.

Thiago Silva opens Fluminese talks

The Brazilian has been an incredible servant since joining on a free transfer from PSG in 2020. Silva has gone on to become a fan favourite and recently described as a "key player" by journalist Pete O'Rourke for Football Insider.

Silva is a veteran of the game and helped Chelsea to a 2021 Champions League triumph at the expense of Man City. Sharing an update on his future, journalist Jorge Nicola has told his YouTube channel that the 39-year-old's talks to join Fluminese next year are "underway". While this is over a summer move, Silva's contract expiry date means that a winter exit is also possible – albeit a "small chance".

The South American ace has been praised by Chelsea teammates, like Benoit Badiashile, who told talkSPORT that he's a "real leader".

Passing

Concentration

Blocking the ball

"First and foremost, it's a real honour to play alongside him," said Badiashile on Silva this year.

"And do you know what? For a young player like me, he's someone that makes things easy. He's a legend, isn't he? He's a real leader, he's very, very experienced of course. Any of the advice that he gives me is always welcome, he's advised me not only when we've been playing – he's spoken to me during the game.

"But also before the game and in training as well. So he's someone that you can only learn alongside. And as I say, it's an absolute honour to line up alongside him."

A sinking feeling is engulfing Norwich City at the moment as they continue to struggle in the Championship this season.

Despite starting the campaign with four wins in their opening six matches – and playing some of the most attractive football in the second tier – Norwich have now won just two of their last ten games.

Whilst the doom and gloom continues to have a stranglehold on the Canaries, Jonathan Rowe has been a rare beam of light in a dark period for the club.

The fleet-footed winger has attracted Premier League interest with his scintillating performances at Carrow Road.

Jonathan Rowe's 23/24 statistics

Rowe is a product of the Norwich academy and signed his first professional contract in October 2021.

After impressing with the club's under 23's, he was fast-tracked into the first-team squad at just 18, making his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace.

At the end of the 2021/22 campaign, Norwich were relegated back to the Championship, but Rowe had established himself as an exciting prospect on the wing, turning out on 13 occasions in the top flight.

Although multiple injury setbacks prevented him from carrying that momentum into the second tier, making just three appearances last term, he's certainly made up for lost time this season.

The 20-year-old has been the star of the show; a prodigal entertainer, who opens his box of tricks and dazzles defences with his speed, skill and agility.

When he receives the ball out wide, he's so direct and difficult to stop in full throttle but unlike most wingers his age, he's supplied an end product to match, scoring eight and providing two assists in 18 matches, with seven of those strikes coming in the Championship.

Rowe's exploits in front of goal are even more impressive when you look at how supremely clinical he's been in the final third.

Goals

7

Expected goals (xG)

3.03

Goal conversion %

21%

Shots per game

2.1

Big chances missed

3

All stats via Sofascore

The destructive wide player, whose blistering form was rewarded with a call-up to the England under-21 squad for the very first time in October, has outperformed his xG by 3.97 and converted one in five of his opportunities, paying ode to how lethal he is in front of goal.

Rowe isn't the only Norwich player who has showcased his devastating form this term, however, with winger Christos Tzolis currently ripping it up on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Christos Tzolis' Dusseldorf goal record

Unlike Rowe, Tzolis has been sent out on loan to aid his development having featured 15 times for FC Twente last term and is now plying his trade in Bundesliga 2.

The 21-year-old youngster arrived at Carrow Road from Greek side PAOK in 2021 where he won the club's Player of the Season award following an impressive 16 goals and ten assists in 46 appearances.

Whilst opportunities to replicate that form have been few and far between in England, Tzolis is currently enjoying a fruitful spell at Dusseldorf.

The Greek dynamo, who was described by Wagner as "top class" after scoring his first goal for Norwich last term, has showcased that quality in Germany by supplying the same number of contributions as Rowe – eight goals and two assists – in five fewer matches.

Clearly a talented youngster, much like the Englishman, Tzolis will hope to hit the ground running when he returns to East Anglia at the start of next season and in turn, demonstrate the quality that the Canaries have been missing out on.

Manchester City are willing to submit a huge offer to bring a rising star to the Premier League in January, according to a fresh report.

Man City's summer signings

The Sky Blues secured four fresh faces during the previous transfer window in the form of Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic, and despite the squad’s impressive form this season, club chiefs are of course assessing who they could sign in January.

The Etihad Stadium outfit have been linked with moves for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz and AC Milan forward Francesco Camarda, but should the hierarchy fail to secure the services of the latter player in particular, Pep Guardiola has set his sights on one of his teammates at the San Siro Stadium.

Man City want to hand “important contract” to record-breaking star

They have “seriously tried” to sign him in the past.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 28, 2023

The Serie A’s left-winger Rafael Leao has firmly established himself as Stefano Pioli’s overall best-performing player so far this season with a match rating of 7.14 (WhoScored – AC Milan statistics), but it’s not the first time that he’s been on the radar of the champions in England.

The Portugal international was strongly associated with a switch towards the end of last year, and whilst a deal for the 24-year-old has failed to come to fruition ever since, the following update would suggest that the board are willing to go one step further in order to secure his services in 2024.

Man City preparing bid for Rafael Leao

According to Spanish reports (via CaughtOffside), Man City are interested in Leao ahead of January. The Premier League giants are “keen on signing” the attacker and are claimed to be “willing to offer” approximately €150m (£129m) to get a deal over the line.

The AC Milan star will likely find a move attractive considering that he could compete for trophies on a regular basis, not to mention that he’d be able to get coached by Guardiola, so this could be one to keep a close eye on in the near future.

Leao could be a "difference-maker" for Guardiola

In the Serie A this season, Leao already has seven contributions, four assists and three goals, to his name in 12 appearances, which shows how prolific he can be in the final third, and he’s constantly posing a threat even if the end product isn’t always there (Transfermarkt – Leao statistics).

Standing at 6 foot 2, Almada’s native has recorded 21 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – AC Milan statistics), highlighting how much of a “difference-maker” he can be in the opposition's area, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Sponsored by Adidas, the forward is even a versatile operator having been deployed in five different positions over the grass since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even as an attacking midfielder, so his ability to provide cover would make him a useful option to have in the building.

Having been named AC Milan’s Player of the Year during the 2021/22 season, Leao knows what it takes to be successful and is clearly getting the individual recognition that he deserves, so should the club get him to put pen to paper, it would be a massive coup for Guardiola and Man City.

Everton could have an opportunity to offload one of their first-team players in January after it emerged that interest has surfaced in his services from elsewhere.

Everton's 10-point deduction…

As everyone will now know, Everton are at the centre of a storm that has hit the headlines in the Premier League over the last few weeks following their controversial 10-point deduction for financial breaches, which they have since appealed and hope to find the outcome of out before the end of the campaign.

The outlet indicate that the Toffees haven't been informed by the independent commission why the figure of 10 points was deemed appropriate and they are of the belief that receiving a sporting penalty for financial irregularities away from the field is unfair.

Outside of the media circus surrounding docked points at Goodison Park, it is easy to forget that Sean Dyche's men are also embroiled in a takeover saga on Merseyside as 777 Partners look to secure control of the club.

Nevertheless, The Sun claim that any deal that would involve the organisation purchasing Everton could be cast into oblivion after it emerged that the US Department of Justice are probing alleged money laundering offences committed by the firm, of which 777 deny all charges.

Everton eyeing "sensation" who's earning rave reviews in his country

The Toffees could land a star for the future…

ByTom Cunningham Dec 6, 2023

777 co-owners Josh Wander and Steven Pasko are currently undergoing the Premier League's Owners and Directors' Test. At the same time, the 12-week deadline initially given for the completion of the sale after Farhad Moshiri agreed to pass on his 94% stake in the Blues has now passed, creating more uncertainty to pile on to the trials and tribulations suffered over a rocky few years at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, on the transfer front, Everton could now have the opportunity to sell one of their out-of-favour stars and gain a financial boost come January.

Tottenham Hotspur want Ben Godfrey

According to 90min, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to push to sign Everton defender Ben Godfrey as they look to bring in defensive cover once the transfer window opens. The report states that the England international is on the Lilywhites' shortlist and has impressed scouts in N17 over the years.

Five similar players to Ben Godfrey (FBRef)

Club

Player

Hellas Verona

Davide Faraoni

Crystal Palace

Joel Ward

Freiburg

Lukas Kubler

Nottingham Forest

Serge Aurier

Sampdoria

Fabio Depaoli

Godfrey is reportedly determined to leave Goodison Park after falling down the pecking order under Dyche and could be available for a fee of £20 million plus add-ons. Jarrad Branthwaite is also a target for the north Londoners; however, the Toffees will resist any offers for the former PSV Eindhoven loanee in January.

Labelled "great" by former Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand, Godfrey has made 79 appearances in all competitions during his time on Merseyside, registering three assists in the process (Godfrey statistics – Transfermarkt).

Nevertheless, a move away from his current surroundings is becoming an increasingly likely prospect and could give Dyche some valuable resources for the January transfer window, making this one to watch.

Celtic, barring a recent slip-up against Kilmarnock, have remained on course to win their third consecutive Scottish Premiership and their first since the return of Brendan Rodgers. Some at Celtic Park may have been fearing the beginning of their side's capitulation following their recent league defeat, but a 2-1 victory over Feyenoord in the Champions League has put an end to any concerns.

As things stand, the Hoops sit five points clear of Rangers, having played one more game. With the title still very much in the balance, Celtic may turn to the January transfer window to fix any glaring issues in Rodgers' squad. And that could see one specific winter target arrive.

Celtic transfer news

The exits of Ange Postecoglou and Jota stole the headlines in Scotland this summer before Celtic reacted by welcoming Rodgers back with open arms. The former Leicester City boss instantly hit the ground running too, creating some breathing room at the top of the league. As we head into the second half of the campaign, however, Rodgers arguably has some issues to address – ones that the transfer window could solve. When the winter window swings open, the Scottish champions could act once more.

According to The Daily Mail's Stephen McGowan, there's a strong possibility that Celtic sign Estoril left-back Tiago Araujo. McGowan told PLZ:

"Tiago Araujo is a very strong possibility for Celtic in January. I suspect that is one that might happen."

It's no surprise that Celtic are looking to add defensive solidity to their side in January, given their firepower at the other end will be missing due to Kyogo Furuhashi potentially missing up to a month whilst playing for Japan at the Asia Cup. Given that Rangers could be as little as two points adrift of Celtic if they win their game in hand, Rodgers will want to ensure that his side remain solid in the Scottish Premiership – something that Araujo may help with.

Araujo would be an "instant upgrade"

Still, only 22 years old, Araujo is on the up and likely to get even better to potentially hand Rodgers an ideal upgrade. Araujo's stats show that he's already keeping up with current Celtic left-back Greg Taylor's stats in some areas, which could leave him in good stead if he secures a January move to Scotland's top-flight.

Player

Expected Assists

Take-on Success

Total Duels Won Per Game

Ball Recoveries Per Game

Tiago Araujo

0.90

40%

3.5

5.6

Greg Taylor

0.57

37%

4

5.8

Araujo's impressive numbers make the praise that he has received no surprise, with Celtic Way writer Stewart Ross describing in his scout report, via X:

It certainly seems as though the "flamboyant" left-back – as he was described by talent scout Jacek Kulig – could be an ideal addition to Rodgers' side in January and as the window swings open, we may well see the deal take place if McGowan's claim proves accurate.

A number of world-renowned clubs are interested in signing Sunderland starlet Jobe Bellingham, according to a new rumour.

Sunderland appoint Michael Beale

The Black Cats have gone through a busy period at the club in recent weeks, following the sacking of Tony Mowbray after some disappointing results. It was a decision that arguably felt harsh, but it was clear that the Englishman was no longer seen as the best man to usher in a new era.

On Monday, Michael Beale was confirmed as Sunderland's new manager, with the 43-year-old taking charge after being relieved of his duties at Rangers earlier this season. He could be an exciting young addition at the Stadium of Light, saying it is a "huge honour" to be joining the club.

The Black Cats continue to be linked with potential new signings during the January transfer window, and Beale will no doubt want some freedom to shape his squad to his needs as he looks to seal promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.

Sunderland have been backed to make a move for Sevilla B attacker Musa Drammeh, for example, while a return to the club for Amad Diallo has also been mooted, following an impressive loan spell last season. They could also find it hard to keep hold of key players, however, and a significant update has emerged regarding one such star.

Huge clubs want Jobe Bellingham

According to a new transfer update from TEAMtalk, both Chelsea and Real Madrid are keen on signing Sunderland youngster Jobe Bellingham, with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus desperate to keep him and the club "adamant" he won't be allowed to leave.

"Chelsea and Real Madrid are among several top clubs tracking Sunderland starlet Jobe Bellingham, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal. The 18-year-old midfielder is considered to be one of the world’s most exciting young talents, putting in some impressive performances for the Black Cats."

It is clearly going to be difficult for Sunderland to retain the services of Bellingham for years to come, considering how high his ceiling is as a player, having been hailed for his "athleticism and technique" by Mowbray recently.

Appearances

21

Goals

4

Assists

1

Shots per game

1.5

Clearances per game

1.4

The 18-year-old is already an undisputed key man for the Black Cats, with Bellingham scoring four times from midfield in the Championship this season, and if older brother Jude is anything to go by, the sky could be the limit for him.

Sunderland, and Beale in particular, will be desperate to at least keep Bellingham until the end of the season, at which point his head could be turned by a fresh challenge at one of Europe's biggest clubs. To lose him midway through the campaign would be an almighty blow to their hopes of going up in 2023/24, though.

Arsenal's hopes of finally lifting another Premier League crown took a mammoth hit away at Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

The back end of 2023 has not been kind to the Gunners who now only have one win to show for their efforts in their last five games.

The defeat against West Ham was perhaps unfortunate, no matter how poor they were in both boxes. Indeed, they registered a whopping 77 touches in the opposition's penalty area without scoring.

This time they did score as they ultimately slipped to a 2-1 defeat. On this occasion, they certainly did deserve it. This was one of the worst performances under Mikel Arteta's reign so far and leaves them in a battle to secure a top-four berth, let alone challenge for the title.

They are now level on points with Manchester City and could slip even further behind in the race if Liverpool beat Newcastle on New Year's Day.

There were a host of nominees for the Gunners' worst performer on the day, but Eddie Nketiah was sadly one player who didn't stand up when it mattered at Craven Cottage.

Eddie Nketiah's performance in numbers

This was a glorious opportunity for the English forward to stake a claim to Arteta. After all, he already has a hat-trick this season in the league – against Sheffield United – and Gabriel Jesus hasn't exactly been prolific, scoring just three Premier League goals.

However, this is a player who now hasn't scored away from home in the top flight for a year. He ends 2023 without an away goal to his name at this level; a statistic that rather sums up the attacker's laboured approach to the game.

There is no doubting that Nketiah is a good finisher. He's a cracking poacher but the fact of the matter is he doesn't possess the tools to be a threat against a low block. The 24-year-old also doesn't offer a great amount in the build-up phase either.

That was seen first-hand against Fulham were he dropped an "utterly anonymous" performance as SPORTbible's Tom Marshall-Bailey put it.

This was a torrid afternoon for Nketiah with the striker perhaps rightfully earning just a 4/10 match rating courtesy of the Standard. That may even be rather generous for a man who managed just 24 touches of the ball – six fewer than goalkeeper David Raya – and only eight accurate passes in 90 minutes of play.

Minutes Played

90

Touches

24

Accurate Passes

8/12 (67%)

Expected Goals (xG)

0.21

Expected Assists (xA)

0.01

Key Passes

0

Duels Won

6/9

Possession Lost

9x

Fouls

1

Shots

2

Nketiah offered very little throughout, managing just one chance of note, firing wide from a tight angle during the first half.

Nketiah's future at Arsenal

In truth, it would be a great surprise if the forward's time at Arsenal came to an end in January but if the Gunners are serious about toppling Manchester City come next May, they need an upgrade.

They don't just need an upgrade on Nketiah, however. They need a more natural goalscorer than Jesus too.

A deal for Ivan Toney is one the club "want" to do as per Miguel Delaney of the Independent but with a £100m asking price previously touted, splashing such an amount of cash in January will not be easy.

That said, even before a striker arrives, raising funds by selling Nketiah might not be the worst idea. His overall goal tally speaks volumes and he's attracted interest from across the league too.

Only this weekend was it reported by The Daily Mail that Arsenal had rejected an enquiry from Crystal Palace for the former Leeds loanee.

Well, after this display, it may not be a surprise if they chase up a few bids over the course of the next month. Nketiah will very likely be an Arsenal player once the window closes, but that is a sad fact that speaks volumes of the club's recent plight. They need to get rid, and get rid soon.

We're only just over a week into the January transfer window, but Gary O'Neil and Wolves have already lost a couple of strikers. First, Fabio Silva was allowed to join Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers on loan until the end of the season, and then Sasa Kalajdzic followed him out the door, this time returning to Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Between them, Silva and Kalajdzic made 19 appearances in the first half of the Premier League season, but they were only on the pitch for a combined 419 minutes as O'Neil favoured other options. However, he can't be expected to lose two players and not sign a single replacement, and that's why Wolves have reportedly escalated their interest in PSG's Hugo Ekitike.

Ekitike was first linked with a move to Molineux in the spring of 2022, when Bruno Lage was still the manager, with journalist John Percy reporting that the club had been watching him. Then, earlier this month, Wolves reportedly lodged an enquiry about signing the 21-year-old.

Wolves table Ekitike proposal

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Wolves have approached PSG with an offer to sign Ekitike on loan. Bundesliga club Wolfsburg have been also been "studying the possibility", but the difference is that Wolves' proposal includes an option to buy at the end of the season.

While those two clubs have been the "most urgent" up to this point, there's a feeling that Ekitike "will have no shortage of suitors" as he slowly gets closer to a departure from PSG.

It was only last summer that the reigning champions signed him permanently for a fee of around £25m, having initially taken him on a season-long loan from Reims. He scored four goals and provided as many assists in 32 appearances in 2022/23, starting 12 Ligue 1 games, but he's hardly featured this term.

Ekitike hasn't taken to the pitch since PSG's season opener, when he made an eight-minute substitute appearance, and was apparently "banished" from their Champions League squad because he refused to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan as part of a deal for Randal Kolo-Muani.

11-goal season will excite Wolves

Ekitike finds himself in a miserable situation at PSG, with his big move seemingly ending his tatters. He'd earned the switch to the Parc des Princes with a dazzling breakout season at Reims though, where he scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 26 appearances. As the table below shows, he was among the most efficient, creative and clinical players in the division that year.

Goals

0.71

4th

Assists

0.31

7th

Goal contributions

0.92

4th

Goals above xG

3.5

9th

His form prompted manager Oscar Garcia to declare that "there is something very special about him", while journalist Julien Laurens dubbed him an "amazing talent". Wolves will believe that the player is just waiting to be unlocked in an environment where he can play much more regularly – after all, he's still only 21, so he has ample time to press the reset button on his fledgling career.

Celtic may hope to facilitate more business concerning both incomings and outgoings at Parkhead this month and could be presented with several opportunities to offload an individual at the club, according to a report.

Celtic announce Nicolas Kuhn and eye more additions…

This window, Celtic fans have had to wait to see any action on the transfer front; however, they were finally treated to their first signing of the month on Tuesday night as Nicolas Kuhn finalised a move from Rapid Vienna on a five-and-a-half year contract.

According to Sky Sports News, the former Germany Under-20 international has joined for a fee of around £3 million and will don the famous number ten jersey at Parkhead, which has been worn by club icons such as Moussa Dembele, John Hartson and the late Bertie Auld.

With his signature wrapped up, the Hoops may now focus on strengthening other areas of the field as Brendan Rodgers looks to gain an edge in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership title.

Bringing in a striker is believed to be a priority for the Irishman and a loan deal could be in the offing for Celtic to add some extra offensive firepower, as per The Daily Record.

Oh Hyeon-gyu, Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyun-jun and Marco Tilio are all on Asian Cup duty, leaving the Glasgow giants light in attack. Several feasible options from the Premier League have now been evaluated by recruitment chief Mark Lawwell.

Three left-backs Celtic could sign to finally replace Bernabei

The Hoops are reportedly keen to add another left-back to their squad this month.

ByDan Emery Jan 17, 2024

The Scottish champions are also keen to recruit at left-back and Liverpool starlet Owen Beck is a target following an impressive spell in the first half of the campaign at Dundee.

Fringe men could also continue to head the other way this window and interest is intensifying in one man who now looks certain to leave Parkhead, as per reports.

Sampdoria want Rocco Vata…

As per Football Insider, Sampdoria have joined Bologna and Como in the hunt to sign Celtic youngster Rocco Vata amid his contract situation at Parkhead. The 18-year-old is free to leave in the summer due to his deal being set to expire and all three sides are believed to have registered their interest in his services, with the Hoops actually granting a January exit.

Rocco Vata's statistics in 2023/24 – all competitions

Appearances

22

Goals

13

Assists

0

Born in Glasgow, Vata is a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international; however, he is yet to feature in a senior game under Rodgers this campaign and it looks likely that his development will continue elsewhere despite being a standout for the Hoops' B team.

Labelled someone with an "exciting future" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vata has featured four times at senior level for Celtic and is an academy graduate.

Despite this, Kuhn's arrival appears to have put him further down the pecking order under Rodgers and a clean break between both parties looks to be the most likely outcome at this point.

West Ham have pulled off one deal so far in the January transfer window, signing midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season. However, that wasn't all that David Moyes wanted to do at the start of the month.

The Scotsman also wanted to recruit a new striker, with the position described as a "priority" in the latter part of that year, but despite an injury setback for Michail Antonio that will keep the frontman out until the middle of next month, there hasn't been any movement so far.

One potential candidate for the Irons is Armando Broja, a player who's long been admired at the London Stadium. His future was expected to be one of the big stories of the window's final phase, and that's proving to be the case on deadline day.

West Ham make final bid for Broja

According to journalist Dean Jones, West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Broja on loan on Thursday, as have fellow Premier League suitors Fulham and Wolves, with all three teams making a new bid.

In an attached article for SportsLens, he adds that Chelsea had been insistent on a loan deal followed by a £35m obligation to buy, but their stance has now changed at the last minute, and they got in touch with the trio of clubs to ask whether they'd be interested in a straight loan instead.

However, Fulham have now won the race, securing a deal with a £4m loan fee, meaning both Wolves and the Hammers' offers have been rejected.

"Clinical" Broja could have been Lingard 2.0

Broja really made a name for himself during a loan spell at Southampton in the 2021/22 season, when he scored six Premier League goals and earned praise from the competition's all-time top scorer in Alan Shearer. “Let me tell you, this lad is clinical,” he said. “His goal against Brentford made him the youngest player in Premier League history to score in each of his first four home starts."

West Ham look to sign "scary" forward as Benrahma and Fornals exits near

The duo’s departure could pave the way for a winger.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 1, 2024

While the Albanian has only scored once in the top-flight this season, Shearer's verdict still holds true across his whole career, where he's netted 18 times from an xG of 16.1.

Vitesse (loan)

10

7.0

Southampton (loan)

6

5.9

Chelsea

2

2.4

The last time West Ham signed an attacker on loan from one of the 'big six' in January, it was a resounding success as Manchester United's Jesse Lingard lit up the league. Lingard would score nine goals and set-up five more in 16 appearances, and win the Premier League's Player of the Month award for April too. If West Ham want a new striker now though, we're really getting into the panic stations stage of the window.