Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on a dream signing in Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry this summer, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Conte pushing for move…
The sensational Bundesliga forward, out of contract in 2023, has been at the centre of exit reports recently as his club still fail to agree terms over an extension.
Bayern, as a result, are currently under some pressure and face the possibility of having to sell him for a profit in the next transfer window while they still can.
Gnabry has no shortage of Premier League suitors, including Spurs, with manager Antonio Conte personally holding a serious interest in the former Arsenal ace.
According to a report by The Daily Star, Conte is ‘pushing’ transfer chief Fabio Paratici and the north Londoners to ‘table a cut-price deal’ for Bayern’s star given his contract status.
The Star believe that Tottenham, as a result, are ‘plotting an ambitious swoop’ to appease the Italian with an update now emerging from Spain.
The Latest: Gnabry ‘most dreamed of’ at Spurs…
Indeed, according to Spanish sources, Gnabry is now the ‘most dreamed of’ signing for Spurs this summer amid reports Conte seriously wants it done.
However, despite his contractual situation, it is believed the Lilywhites ‘would still have to pay a large amount’ for the 26-year-old.
As Paratici and co eye a number of reinforcements in other key areas, this report claims a formal bid is fairly unlikely despite Conte’s affection for the player.
The Verdict: Perfect but uphill battle…
The serious competition for Gnabry’s signature could certainly drive up his price tag with interest also coming from European heavyweights Real Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus.
Regardless of the £63 million-rated Germany ace entering the final year of his deal, it may still be an uphill battle to seal and agreement at Spurs.
If Conte does get his alleged wish, though, and Spurs do attempt a cut-price move, there is little arguing he would be a serious upgrade.
Former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson has recently urged the Lilywhites to get a deal done, calling Gnabry a ‘world class’ player, and the fact he has hit double figures for goals in every single one of his Bundesliga seasons is real evidence of this (Transfermarkt).
While unlikely, it is little wonder the former West Brom winger is seen as a dream signing.
In other news: Fabrizio Romano says ‘monster’ Spurs player is now ‘expected to leave’ this summer! Find out more here.
West Ham have had a wonderful season despite their defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals.
A seventh-place Premier League finish would see David Moyes’ men secure another shot at European glory next year, albeit in the Conference League, and this could be crucial in their pursuit of players who want to showcase their skills on the continent.
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Howeve, the Scot already has some excellent youngsters at the club and could save a fortune by developing and unleashing them next season to see if they are up to the demands of Premier League football.
One such player is left-back Emmanuel Longelo who has been performing well for the under-23s in Premier League 2 this season, contributing one goal and four assists in 17 appearances.
Roshane Thomas declared the 21-year-old as a player to ‘watch out for’ in 2019, and his stellar performances this year have led many to believe that a stable first-team berth might not be far away.
In fact, he even made his full first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League group stage, with his performance being lauded as “very impressive” by Jack Rosser, and this led to interest from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window.
Nothing materialised on that front, though, and this could well please Moyes, who will surely be on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Aaron Cresswell, who will turn 33 before the year is out.
The manager won’t have far to look in Longelo, who appears to have the necessary skills and attributes which are required for success at the top level. With a European appearance in his back pocket already, a full pre-season amongst the first team would be a massive boost to his confidence, and he could be a capable and financially sensible solution to the post-Cresswell dilemma.
AND in other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant
Rangers came from behind to avoid defeat in their latest Old Firm clash away from Ibrox in the Premiership on Sunday.
It was a tale of two halves as the Gers were 1-0 down and flat at half-time before dominating the second 45 and being unlucky not to win the match late on.
Jota had given the hosts the lead in the first half as he got ahead of Borna Barisic at the back post to tap in a cross and Ange Postecoglou’s side also spurned a number of big chances to double their advantage.
Rangers then came out firing in the second half and found the equaliser through Fashion Sakala as he powered a strike in at the near post to make it 1-1 after Ryan Kent played him in down the left of the box.
The Zambia international then had the chance to win all three points for the Gers as he raced clear through on goal but saw his effort crash back off the post with Joe Hart beaten.
Whilst it was a spirited effort in the second half for the Light Blues, there were some disappointing displays for van Bronckhorst to watch. One player who let the head coach down was experienced central midfielder Scott Arfield.
The Canada international came off the bench to score a crucial goal in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic last month and was given the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing from the start. Instead of showing that he deserves more games, his performance suggested that he is better off coming on as a substitute.
Off the ball, he was a lightweight. Via SofaScore, he lost 50% of his aerial duels and four of his seven ground duels throughout the match. He did make two tackles and one interception but he allowed the Celtic players to get the better of him more often than not and that was one disappointing aspect of his play as he did not impose himself on the match from a physical standpoint.
In possession, he struggled. As per SofaScore, he only completed 62% of his attempted passes and missed a ‘big chance’. He also failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and gave possession away 19 times, which shows that he did not provide much quality on the ball in the middle of the park.
Therefore, he let van Bronckhorst down badly as he faltered at both ends of the pitch and did not do enough to justify his start.
AND in other news, Wilson must reignite Rangers swoop for “impressive” 28 G/A flier, GvB needs him…
Former Glasgow Rangers striker Steven Thompson has been left slamming the display of Scott Wright in their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday night.
The Lowdown: All to do
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team have it all to do at Ibrox, after former Manchester City left-back Angelino scored with just a few minutes to go to give RB Leipzig the 1-0 win in the first leg.
It will be interesting to see whether the Dutch manager changes any tactics or personnel for the second leg of the tie, as they will no doubt need to for it to turn the scoreline around.
The Latest: Wright slammed
Speaking on BBC Sportsound (via BBC Sport, 21:26pm), Thompson slammed Wright’s performance after he was taken off for Fashion Sakala just shy of the 70-minute mark, claiming that he was ‘quiet’ and failed to make a real impact on the game:
“Scott Wright has been quiet. In this second half he’s moved out to a more familiar right wing position but hasn’t made much of an impact.”
The Verdict: Anonymous
The fact that Wright was taken off for Sakala with the score at 0-0 is testament to how much he seemed to struggle in the match.
The Scotsman actually ended up recording fewer touches than goalkeeper Allan McGregor, the only Gers starter to do so, while he also had no shots on target and made no key passes, crosses or long balls, losing possession a total of 15 times (SofaScore).
Scottish football journalist Bill Young suggested that the occasion of a semi-final overwhelmed him, and that definitely seemed to be the case.
In other news, find out what ‘monumental blow’ for the Teddy Bears has emerged here!
Leeds United are now plotting a January transfer swoop for an “outstanding” striker, who just scored in the Champions League this week.
Leeds eyeing new striker amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin's struggles
On paper, it was a savvy move to bring in Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer, given that the former Everton man has plenty of experience in the Premier League, but he is yet to pull up any trees since completing a move to Elland Road.
The centre-forward has scored just one goal in 11 matches in all competitions, failing to find the back of the net in his last seven outings, and Lukas Nmecha has recently emerged as the first-choice striker, scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa last time out.
With Daniel Farke clearly doubtful that Joel Piroe is capable of replicating his form from last season, having predominantly limited the Dutchman to appearances as a substitute, the manager may need to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window, and a new target has been identified.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Leeds are now plotting a January bid for Union Saint-Gilloise striker Promise David, who could be available for a relatively low fee, with the Belgian club willing to listen to offers of around £17.5m.
At the moment, David is viewed as a back-up option if the Whites are unable to bring in their other targets, with AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia also of interest, and Farke is personally keen on bringing in the Spaniard.
There may also be fierce competition for the Union Saint-Gilloise star’s signature, with West Ham United believed to be leading the race, while Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be plotting a rival bid.
"Outstanding" David impressing in the Champions League
Lauded as “outstanding” by scout Jacek Kulig courtesy of his performances in the 2024-25 campaign, the striker has gone on to make a name for himself in the Champions League this season, scoring two goals in Europe’s elite competition.
Most recently, the 24-year-old scored the only goal of the game as his side prevailed as 1-0 winners away at Galatasaray, finding the back of the net for the ninth time this season across all competitions.
Promise David’s goalscoring record
Appearances
Goals
Jupiler Pro League
13
6
Champions League
5
2
Croky Cup
1
1
As such, the Canadian clearly has the quality to help fire Leeds to safety, and £17.5m could be a bargain fee for a striker who has proven that he can deliver in the Champions League.
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That said, it remains to be seen whether David would be interested in a move to Elland Road, given that Leeds are now looking like real relegation contenders, having lost five of their last six matches in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s transfer strategy has seen them sign and sell an enormous number of players over recent years, and while it has worked, they’ve also lost out on some brilliant talent.
For example, FA Cup winner Marc Guehi was sold to Crystal Palace for just £18m in 2021, and has since become one of the very best defenders in the Premier League.
He has also become a key player for England, starting both games during the international break and scoring his first international goal against Serbia.
However, there is another Cobham graduate who was sold too soon, someone arguably more exciting than Guehi and who looks destined to become an England star.
Ex-Chelsea players to play for England
Due to the sheer number of players Chelsea have sold or released over the last decade or more, it’s hardly surprising that there are quite a few who have gone on to play for England.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
For example, Declan Rice was famously a part of the group of Cobham gems that included Mason Mount, but was released at 14 years old and ended up joining West Ham United.
The 26-year-old would go on to make 245 appearances for the Hammers and captain them to Conference League glory before joining Arsenal for £105m two years ago.
He made his debut for the national team in March 2019 under Gareth Southgate and has since become one of the most important players for the side, accumulating 68 caps during which he has scored six goals, provided six assists, and played in two European Championship finals.
Other former Chelsea players who have pulled on the Three Lions after leaving Stamford Bridge, but aren’t as crucial to the teamlike Dominic Solanke, who made his debut while playing for Liverpool.
While none of those players have gone on to be stars for the national team, another Cobham graduate, who might be more exciting than Guehi, appears to be on track to be one.
The Cobham gem primed to be an England star
While Guehi received plenty of attention for his impressive performance on Tuesday night, and rightly so, there was another former Cobham gem playing alongside him: Tino Livramento.
The Croydon-born full-back joined Chelsea as a child and made quite a name for himself coming up through the academy, even winning the player of the year award in the 20/21 season.
However, after failing to agree on terms on a deal, the Blues sold him to Southampton for around £5m, where injuries would limit him to just 34 appearances in two years.
Yet, those 34 appearances were still impressive enough to convince Newcastle United that he was a player worth signing, so in August 2023, they spent around £32m rising to £40m to bring him to St James’ Park.
Since then, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength, making 83 appearances for the Toon, in which he’s produced four goal involvements, averaged 1.77 points per game, played on both sides of the defence and most importantly, helped the club with their first silverware since the 50s.
All of this was enough for him to win his first senior cap for England under Lee Carsley last November, and then this international break, Thomas Tuchel played him in the first game and started him against Serbia.
Moreover, it looks like he could become a star for the side, as according to some reports, the German has told his staff he views the Toon ace as someone who can become his ‘first-choice left-back.’ Theo Walcott has even stated in the past that he believes Tuchel may have a “future England captain” at his disposal, such is his presence.
Tino Livramento against Arsenal.
Finally, on top of passing the eye test and still having plenty of time to develop, another reason why the former Cobham gem might be even more exciting than Guehi is the fact that his underlying numbers are already stellar.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 4% of full-backs in the league last season for ball recoveries, the top 6% for long pass completion, the top 11% for passes blocked, the top 13% for progressive passes and more, all per 90.
Ball Recoveries
5.86
Top 4%
Pass Completion % (Long)
63.5%
Top 6%
Passes Blocked
0.81
Top 11%
Pass Completion %
86.1%
Top 12%
Progressive Passes
5.26
Top 13%
Total Carrying Distance
207.66
Top 13%
Progressive Carrying Distance
111.68
Top 14%
Progressive Carries
2.73
Top 17%
Passes Attempted (Short)
29.13
Top 18%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
87.2%
Top 18%
Carries into Penalty Area
0.50
Top 18%
Passes Completed (Short)
26.53
Top 19%
Ultimately, while it’s challenging to predict how a youngster will develop, it feels like Chelsea made a significant mistake in allowing Livramento to leave in 2021.
The Chelsea academy star turning Maresca's head after Nicolas Jackson praise
Manchester United had to react to what happened in the 2024/25 campaign after they endured a dismal end to the season under head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils lost 18 of their 38 Premier League matches, finishing 15th in the division, and lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa League.
Instead of opting to change manager once again, despite Amorim’s struggles and some question marks over his 3-4-2-1 system, the club opted to change things by dipping into the transfer market.
Manchester United invested in the forward line, despite a lack of European football, by signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko to bolster the manager’s options up front.
Man United forward Bryan Mbeumo
It is now down to Amorim to find a way to get the best out of those three exciting attacking recruits to ensure that the Red Devils do not go through another dismal season.
Mbeumo has already scored twice, against Grimsby and Burnley, since moving from Brentford, but United supporters are still waiting to see the best out of Cunha in a red shirt.
Why there is more to come from Matheus Cunha
The Brazil international has failed to score a goal or create a ‘big chance’ for the team in his three Premier League starts for United so far this season, per Sofascore, which shows that he has had an underwhelming start to his career in Manchester.
However, there is no need to panic because Cunha is a proven Premier League star who has shown that he can deliver consistent quality at the top end of the pitch, as evidenced by his form for Wolverhampton Wanderers last season.
The chart above shows that he should be a huge upgrade on Mason Mount in the number ten position when he finds his feet at Old Trafford and starts to deliver the kind of performances everyone knows that he is capable of, due to his ability to make an impact in front of goal.
Cunha, who signed for Wolves from Atletico Madrid, has proven that he can score goals and create high-quality opportunities for his teammates at an impressive rate in the Premier League.
Appearances
32
33
xG
9.49
8.63
Goals
12
15
Big chances created
7
13
Key passes per game
0.9
1.8
Assists
7
6
As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian maestro scored 27 goals and created 20 ‘big chances’ in 55 appearances in the top-flight for Wolves in the last two seasons, outperforming his xG by a significant margin in both of those campaigns.
This shows that Manchester United have signed a star who is proven in the division and will deliver quality in the final third if Amorim can set the team up to get him in enough positions to make an impact at the top end of the pitch.
Manchester United's Matheus Cunha
Therefore, there is no need to panic or rush to judgement over Cunha’s fairly slow start to life at Old Trafford, because there is plenty more to come from the Brazilian maestro, given what he has already achieved in the Premier League in the Midlands.
If the former Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder does fail to translate his Wolves form over to Manchester, though, Amorim may find the club’s own homegrown version of Cunha from the academy.
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Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
19-year-old attacking midfielder Jack Moorhouse, who is currently on loan at Leyton Orient in League One, could emerge as Manchester United’s own Cunha in the future if he continues to develop and progress in his career.
Why Jack Moorhouse could be a homegrown Matheus Cunha
Judging young players and predicting what their ceiling is or how they will develop over time is not an exact science, which is why so many players fail to make the grade after emerging as exciting talents early on in their careers.
Moorhouse did not burst onto the scene at 16 like Lamine Yamal or score in the Premier League at 18 like Kobbie Mainoo, but he has shown some very promising signs that bode well for the future.
The teenage talent scored four goals and provided two assists in 13 starts as an attacking midfielder for the Red Devils at U18 and U21 level, per Transfermarkt, almost a goal contribution every other game.
Analyst Ben Mattinson, in the post above, was impressed by his performances for United’s academy sides, describing him as a “game-breaking ball carrier” who is “ideal” for the left-sided number ten role in Amorim’s system, which is currently occupied by Cunha.
Moorhouse’s best performance for Leyton Orient so far this season came in a 3-1 win over Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy, and his display was Cunha-esque on paper.
Minutes
63
Sofascore rating
8.1
Shots
2
Goals
1
Pass accuracy
86%
Key passes
2
Dribbles completed
3/3
Duels won
4/6
As you can see in the table above, the Ireland U21 international showcased his quality as a goalscorer, a creator, and a dribbler, which are Cunha’s main three attributes as a player.
You can see in the clips above that Moorhouse loves to drive forward with the ball at his feet, taking players on, and he scored an excellent goal from range with his weak foot.
Albeit against very different opposition, the goal was not too dissimilar to the one that Cunha scored against Premier League champions Liverpool earlier this year for Wolves.
Both Moorhouse and Cunha are attack-minded midfielders who can score goals and create chances for their teammates, but they are also exciting players to watch because of the way they carry the ball and take defenders on.
Therefore, Manchester United may be brewing their homegrown version of the Brazil international at Carrington and Leyton Orient, and it is now down to the Irish maestro to develop and take the next steps in his career to convince Amorim to bring him into the first-team next season.
Amorim can revive Mainoo by binning £150k-p/w flop in Man Utd system switch
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim can revive Kobbie Mainoo by changing his formation.
West Ham United have made contact over a summer deal for an “incredible” £20m defender, who has now been identified as a key target, according to a report.
Important summer on the horizion for West Ham
West Ham are set to part ways with a number of long-serving players in the summer, with Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings all confirmed to be leaving upon the expiration of their contracts.
As such, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has insisted the Hammers will need to be busy in the summer transfer window, at which point Graham Potter will have the chance to bring in some players more suited to his style of play.
Potter is well-known for his possession-based style of play, which means it could be wise to bring in a new centre-back who is capable of playing out from the back, and the Irons have now made contact over a deal for a defender.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, West Ham United are now serious about signing Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and they have enquired about his potential availability this summer.
Harwood-Bellis has been identified as a key target for the Hammers, and an approach has now been made, with the Saints likely to lose the centre-back, who they originally signed for £20m.
Despite being a part of a struggling side this season, the 23-year-old has impressed West Ham’s scouts this season, and the Englishman’s age means his best years could still be ahead of him.
Harwood-Bellis could be "incredible" signing for West Ham
The 2024-25 campaign was far from ideal for the Saints, but there are some signs the centre-back could be a solid signing for the Irons this summer, having received high praise from Pep Guardiola in the past.
The Manchester City manager said: “I’m happy that he’s settling in the Premier League. He’s an incredible threat for Southampton from set pieces and a composer when they have the ball because the manager insists the way they have to play, they have to be close, to move differently.”
The England international’s attacking quality was also on display during his Three Lions debut, scoring on his debut in the 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland back in November.
Having impressed for both club and country at times last season, there are signs that Harwood-Bellis could flourish in a better side, so it is promising news that West Ham are stepping up their pursuit of the former Manchester City man.
Manchester United were beaten on Friday night. Again. That’s 18 Premier League defeats for the Red Devils this season, whose one chance of a reprieve lies in Bilbao, Spain, next week.
On Wednesday, Ruben Amorim’s side will have the chance to secure Champions League football next season by defeating similarly beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Neither side’s domestic campaign warrants a place among Europe’s elite next year, but United have always had a knack for clawing their way toward silverware, even throughout the dreary post-Sir Alex Ferguson years, who stepped down at the end of the 2012/13 season with one more league trophy under the belt.
FA Cup
2x (15/16, 23/24)
League Cup
2x (16/17, 22/23)
Community Shield
2x (13/14, 16/17)
Europa League
1x (16/17)
Winning the Europa League is crucial. Man United are 16th in the Premier League and need to find a route out of this mess. Especially when securing a place at the continent’s highest level next year could be the definitive factor in determining Bruno Fernandes’ future.
The latest on Bruno Fernandes' future
Fernandes, 30, has been Manchester United’s peerless leader over the past several years, the best performer of a rotten bunch but one who can hold their head high all the same, and that has attracted interest from elsewhere, as recently reported by Fabrizio Romano.
He’s clinched 19 goals and 19 assists apiece this season, with Amorim even claiming the Portugal star is the “perfect captain” for the Old Trafford side, labelling him a “legend.”
But with interest from the Saudi Pro League, it’s crucial that a positive end to the season is secured. United can’t afford to lose their playmaker, their leader, their main influencer.
INEOS are, however, gearing up to sign a successor, one who hopefully will be able to learn from the Magnifico over the next few years.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz may be out of United’s reach, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich locked in a battle for the lucrative ten, but a degree of shrewdness has been shown in United preparing to move for a much cheaper, yet just as exciting, star.
Man United enter talks for sought-after star
According to Caught Offside, Man United have been approached by Rayan Cherki’s agents as intrigue in the Lyon man ramps up ahead of the summer window.
Many clubs are interested in the artful playmaker, but it’s felt that Liverpool and United are showing the most concrete interest at this stage. as they chase a deal for the France U21 international.
Rayan Cherki
Liverpool are big admirers, but their vested interest in Wirtz means United have a golden opportunity to advance discussions with Cherki’s camp and seal a deal promptly.
Reports from earlier this month have even suggested the 21-year-old could be available for a cut-price £25m fee, his Lyon contract about to enter its final year.
What Rayan Cherki would bring to Man United
Cherki has been in fine fettle this season, and no mistake. Across 43 fixtures in all competitions, the wily Frenchman has scored 12 goals and laid on 19 further assists in all competitions.
Olympique Lyonnais' RayanCherkiapplauds fans
It’s worth mentioning that Wirtz might be outscoring him with 16 goals, but Cherki’s creativity is wedged at a higher level than the Die Werkself man, who has claimed 16 assists, highlighting just how talented he is.
When looking at his league metrics this year against Wirtz’s, you begin to see why United are so keen on getting a transfer wrapped up quickly.
Matches (starts)
29 (21)
30 (24)
Goals
8
10
Assists
10
12
Shots (on target)*
1.4 (0.7)
2.5 (1.2)
Big chances missed
1
7
Pass completion
84%
82%
Big chances created
21
17
Key passes*
2.4
1.9
Dribbles*
1.5
2.7
Ball recoveries*
2.8
3.6
Tackles + interceptions*
0.7
1.4
Duels won*
3.2
5.3
Lyon’s star boy has created 21 big chances from just 29 Ligue 1 matches this year, also averaging three dribbles every two games. Cherki might not be quite so combative or active in the duel, but he’s hardly given a poor account of himself.
For a United side that has suffered from colourless attacking play at times this term, this could be a real treat for Amorim next year. Moreover, he’s only missed one big chance in the league, scoring eight times, which further denotes his suitability, so clinical when afforded a chance.
Former Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles, speaking to BBC Sport, waxed lyrical about his Lyon teammate. “He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.”
It’s the kind of flair Man United need to restore the attacking fluency that has been absent all year long. As per FBref, Cherki ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 2% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 4% for passes attempted and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.
It’s an almighty demonstration of his elite-level quality, so much so that FBref’s data-driven algorithm has revealed Wirtz is one of his most statistically comparable players.
Given the financial restrictions at Old Trafford, compounding the need for signings across many positions, it’s unlikely Sir Jim Ratcliffe would green-light a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s man, with the current transfer interest from Liverpool, City, and Bayern revealing demands of a €150m (£126m) fee.
Cherki, who may well come at over £100m cheaper than the German star, would provide the same flair and gusto. He might not be as refined or indeed potent, but Amorim could nurture him to the fore and shape him into such a player in the coming years.
The Athletic’s Alex Barker has made the bold claim that Cherki could be a “future Ballon d’Or winner,” and if he manages to steady the ship at the Theatre of Dreams, he’d have taken a strong step closer to achieving that lofty goal.
Not just Hojlund: Man Utd must axe one of Ten Hag's best signings in Bilbao
Manchester United fell to yet another defeat last night, losing 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal are now working on a huge offer for an “unbelievable” striker, who has been identified as their top target for the summer transfer window, and they want the deal done as soon as possible, according to a report.
Gunners' striker pursuit heating up
Another trophyless season was confirmed following the Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, underlining the need for Mikel Arteta to strengthen his squad this summer, and a striker could be the final piece of the jigsaw.
It was always going to be a difficult task to defeat PSG, but the lack of an out-and-out striker made it all the more difficult for the Gunners, with Mikel Merino leading the line in a makeshift role, and a number of top-level forwards have now been identified as summer targets.
Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is one of the names on the shortlist, with the Gunners now making a £85m bid for the Swedish striker, amid fears of a Chelsea hijack, while Andrea Berta is also keeping a close eye on Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick.
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Schick could be an attractive option, given that the 29-year-old may have a price tag of just £34m, but a report from Spain has revealed Arteta’s side could also be willing to break the bank for a striker.
Arsenal are now said to be working on a stunning offer for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, which could amount to €150m (£127m), having identified the 25-year-old as their top target for the summer window.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
The Gunners are now willing to make a huge bid, with a view to getting a deal done as soon as possible, and they are hoping an offer in that region will tempt Newcastle into a sale, despite the Magpies’ eagerness to keep hold of their star player.
"Unbelievable" Isak could take Arsenal to next level
While Arteta’s side may have missed out on a trophy this season, they are clearly not too far off winning a major honour, having reached the Champions League semi-final, and the signing of Isak could enable them to take that final step.
The Sweden international has shown clear signs of development since arriving in the Premier League, and the current campaign has been his most prolific to date, while scoring in the EFL Cup final to help end his side’s 70-year trophy drought.
Season
Premier League appearances
Goals
Assists
2022-23
22
10
2
2023-24
30
21
2
2024-25
32
23
6
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also been impressed by the Newcastle star, lauding him as an “unbelievable threat”, while also praising the striker for his speed earlier this season.
Arsenal will be boosted by Kai Havertz’s return from injury ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, but Isak could take them to the next level and allow them to compete for both the Champions League and Premier League next season.