Liverpool are cruising toward the Premier League title, with a variety of scenarios meaning that Arne Slot’s side could have the quest wrapped up before the end of the week.

However, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes will be hard at work on the transfer front, getting everything in order ahead of the summer window.

Although Liverpool have exceeded expectations this term, there’s a sense that the Reds carry a number of weaknesses that need to be ironed out ahead of Slot’s second season at the helm, with Mohamed Salah the architect of most of Liverpool’s success in and around the final third.

His contract has been renewed, but the 32-year-old’s form has also dipped, and it’s clear that work needs to be done in order to bring him back to his A-game ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Mohamed Salah's dip in form

Salah has gone six games without a goal in all competitions, with his performances in particular against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United drawing criticism from some onlookers.

However, it’s hardly surprising that he’s plateaued of late, having carried the weight of a multi-title-challenging football club on his back for the lion’s share of the season.

Salah, for what it’s worth, has posted 32 goals and 23 assists across all competitions this season, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher saying he’s “one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.”

And anyway, it’s not as if he’s been dismal of late. As per Sofascore, the 32-year-old has created seven big chances since last scoring in the Premier League four games ago, hitting the woodwork twice during the recent victory over Leicester.

Salah remains head and shoulders ahead of his goalscoring rivals in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, even though it’s been four fixtures since he last made the net bulge.

1.

Mohamed Salah

33

27

2.

Erling Haaland

28

21

2=

Alexander Isak

30

21

4.

Chris Wood

30

18

4=

Bryan Mbeumo

33

18

His Liverpool teammates haven’t been the most helpful in front of goal, with FSG set to bring in some fresh firepower this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Set to win the English title, Liverpool are gearing up to aim big, with one of Europe’s foremost players on the club’s radar.

Liverpool learn conditions for world-class forward

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have learned that they could potentially sign Raphinha this summer, with financially-troubled Barcelona not against selling their most valuable asset.

With a vested long-term interest in the winger, Arsenal and Chelsea are both keen too and intermediaries have informed Premier League suitors that he could be available for around an £80m transfer fee.

Raphinha, 28, has indeed been one of the best players in the world this season and would significantly strengthen Liverpool’s robust attacking line, perhaps even restoring Salah to his absolute best.

Why Liverpool should sign Raphinha

If the money is indeed there to be spent on a rising sensation such as Raphinha, it feels like something of a no-brainer for a Liverpool side that will be desperate to consolidate its place at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool have dipped in form and fluency over the past several months, with Slot unwilling to utilise his wider first-team squad with the rotation that perhaps some fans have hoped for. But with a player like Raphinha, Liverpool’s frontline would only go from strength to strength, actually restoring talisman Salah to full strength.

Like Salah, Raphinha has adjusted his tactical approach to suit his burgeoning prolific ability. There’s no denying he’s a high-level athlete, with a powerful gait and fleet-footedness that once led his former Leeds United teammate Dan James to hail him as a “magician” of a footballer.

On that note, Raphinha is also Prem-proven, which is always a bonus. Littered with flops is the road toward superstardom on English shores.

But he’s never played as well as he is right now, within Hansi Flick’s attack-centric La Blaugrana set-up.

As per FBref, the Brazilian ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goal contributions and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, perfectly illustrating his newfound place among the game’s top brass.

There’s also the matter of Raphinha’s Champions League campaign. With 12 goals and seven assists from 12 matches on the continental front, it’s clear why he’s among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, something Liverpool fans will hold onto hopes that Salah will claim.

But with Barca challenging for a treble, there’s every chance that “Europe’s best player in 2024/25,” as he has been called by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, will swipe the crown.

Hypothetically, if Slot could succeed in capturing and preserving Raphinha’s ridiculous output, unleashing it on the left flank at Liverpool, then there’s no telling how dynamic and deadly his title-defending frontline might be next season.

Right winger

70

19

21

0.57

Left winger

54

30

20

0.93

Attacking midfield

8

1

7

1.00

Central midfield

1

0

0

0.00

Such a balanced attacking force could be exactly what Salah needs to stay firing next season, with the in-form Luis Diaz potentially playing in a centre-forward role to accommodate both players.

Salah’s multi-dimensional output would only be reinforced by Raphinha’s arrival, and even though £80m would make him one of the most expensive players in the club’s history, it’s something FSG will want to consider.

Nunez upgrade: Liverpool likely to see £50m bid accepted for "mini-Salah"

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Darwin Nunez is expected to leave Liverpool this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 20, 2025

Following a disastrous start to life at Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers are reportedly already considering sacking Valerien Ismael and could yet hire a former MLS manager in his place.

Ismael already under pressure at Blackburn

Coming in to replace John Eustace, who completed a shock move to Derby County, many would have been hoping for Ismael to pick up where the man he replaced left off. That has proved to be anything but the case, however. Since arriving, the former Watford manager has won once in eight games, which has seen Blackburn fall from play-off hopefuls to mid-table obscurity in the Championship.

Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Norwich City

01/03/2025

Derby County 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

08/03/2025

Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

12/03/2025

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Cardiff City

15/03/2025

Portsmouth 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

29/03/2025

Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Middlesbrough

04/04/2025

Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday

08/04/2025

Luton Town 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

12/04/2025

After finally picking up the first win of his reign last time out, Ismael will be desperate to see his side kick on and finish the season strongly in the remaining four games.

The Blackburn boss told reporters after defeating Luton: “Congrats for the boys. Until the red card it was the gameplan we expected. In the first half we wanted to be really strong as we knew we had to face the challenge with a team who are fighting to survive.

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

“They put a lot of balls in the box so you have to defend and show togetherness and we made it perfectly. In the transition we didn’t play well. We wanted to get more in behind but the main focus was to stay strong. That was the first step and the second one was to get behind them and we made it perfectly with the goal we scored.”

Even after that long-awaited victory, however, Blackburn may already be running out of patience and could reportedly turn towards a fresh candidate.

Blackburn considering Wayne Rooney

According to talkSPORT, Blackburn will now consider hiring Wayne Rooney if they decide to sack Ismael in the coming weeks, offering the former MLS manager a much-needed lifeline in the process. The Manchester United legend has endured a nightmare spell in the technical area in recent times, with his stint at Plymouth Argyle the last in a growing list of failed moves.

There’s no doubt that Blackburn would be taking a major risk. As disappointing as Ismael has been, it could be argued that he needs a full summer in charge before those at Ewood Park deliver their full judegment.

Blackburn must act with caution and not fall down the path that Birmingham City once followed by hiring Rooney. The Blues were play-off hopefuls under Eustace, but decided to welcome the Premier League icon nonetheless.

That same campaign they soon sacked their new manager and relegation followed. Blackburn, at all costs, should avoid taking the same risk.

Liverpool are Premier League champions in waiting and could now make a surprise move in the transfer market that would make headlines across the globe, per reports.

Liverpool looking to build on impending Premier League success

The Reds are set to become league winners under Arne Slot and there is plenty of excitement over what comes next at Anfield once the summer window opens. Despite being the Premier League’s strongest side this term by far, resting on their laurels won’t be permitted by anyone connected with the club as they strive towards establishing themselves as England’s elite club for years to come.

Expectedly, the Reds hierarchy are well down the line in identifying targets and Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is on the radar amid his £50 million release clause being set to become active this summer. Barcelona’s Raphinha could be a statement arrival at Liverpool if they can meet his £77 million price-tag. However, it remains to be seen whether they free up space by cashing in on Luis Diaz.

Milos Kerkez is an obvious pursuit for Slot to help provide competition for Andy Robertson in the form of the Cherries full-back, with the latter well into his prime despite his importance to the cause.

Better than Frimpong: Liverpool want to sign "one of the best FBs in Europe"

Liverpool could be about to forget about Jeremie Frimpong with a move for a Premier League right-back.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 23, 2025

Ultimately, Liverpool will be the go-to club for agents to try and plot a way for their clients to earn an elite move, and plenty of players will be offered to the impending champions over the duration of the window. However, it is more likely that the Reds will be ambitious in their mission to continue thriving under Slot, and Simon Phillips has dropped a claim of sizeable proportion involving one of their summer targets.

Simon Phillips: Liverpool 'sniffing around' Cole Palmer

According to Chelsea journalist Phillips, Liverpool are “sniffing around” Chelsea star Cole Palmer alongside Premier League rivals Manchester City, who are said to have made an enquiry about the Three Lions international.

Valued at £85 million+, the Manchester-born midfielder has enjoyed another successful campaign despite being off-colour in recent weeks, registering 14 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

Cole Palmer’s key Premier League statistics – 2024/25

Chances created

78

Pass accuracy

83%

Shots

115

Shots on target

46

Completed dribbles

44

Touches in opposition box

136

Admittedly, Palmer’s form has dropped in a difficult period for Chelsea, though they remain in the hunt for a Champions League slot under Enzo Maresca. Conceivably, the Blues missing out on a place in Europe’s premier competition could ignite the fire of a controversial move to one of their Premier League rivals, but it would be a difficult deal to conclude for all parties.

Either way, a swoop for Palmer, who has been labelled “outstanding” by Paul Dickov, would illustrate a heavy level of ambition from Liverpool as they strive towards defending their title next term.

Nottingham Forest are now very keen on signing a £26m midfielder who is becoming increasingly likely to leave his club this summer, according to a report.

Forest's summer transfer plans

Even the most optimistic of Forest fans wouldn’t have predicted their levels of performance this season, with Champions League qualification still very much on the cards, although they were dealt a blow with the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa at the weekend.

It was an afternoon to forget at Villa Park, with the Tricky Trees’ three-game winning streak in the Premier League coming to an end, but they remain in third place, four points clear of nearest rivals Chelsea.

However, should the Tricky Trees manage to qualify for Europe’s elite competition, they may have to improve their squad depth this summer, with Nuno setting his sights on targets in a range of different positions.

Bringing in a new striker is of particular importance, with the likes of Crystal Palace’s Jean Philippe-Mateta and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres among the targets, while Marseille winger Luis Enrique could be signed to provide competition for Anthony Elanga at left-wing.

£25m release clause: Nottingham Forest join hectic race for "superb" star

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ByTom Cunningham Apr 7, 2025

Not only that, but Nuno could also look to bolster his options in the middle of the park, with a report from Italy revealing Nottingham Forest are now very keen on signing AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah (via Sport Witness).

Musah is likely to exit the San Siro this summer, with a €30m (£26m) fee mooted, having put in some disappointing performances this season, recently being substituted in the first half after making a major error against Fiorentina.

The 22-year-old was booed off the field by the Milan fans, which could lead to a move elsewhere this summer, and a number of Premier League clubs are lining up for his signature, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also expressing an interest.

"Incredible" Musah needs to move on this summer

The midfielder’s relationship with the Milan fans is seemingly at breaking point, given their reaction to his substitution at the weekend, and he may need to move on for the good of his career.

While it was undoubtedly a disappointing performance from the American, he is still very young at just 22, and there are plenty of indications he would have a lot to offer Forest in the Premier League.

Journalist Kyle Bonn lauded the Milan ace as “incredible” earlier this season, and he has performed pretty well across some key metrics for midfielders over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, most notably impressing with his dribbling.

Statistic

Average per 90

Assists

0.12 (73rd percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.43 (96th percentile)

Progressive carries

3.25 (98th percentile)

Should Musah decide he needs to move on this summer, he could be a bargain at just £25m, and Forest could be well-positioned to win the race for his signature, should they manage to achieve their goal of qualification for the Champions League.

With INEOS planning a summer rebuild, Manchester United are reportedly open to allowing a big-money transfer flop to depart this summer as Serie A giants Juventus set their sights on a bargain deal.

Man Utd's need for an attacking overhaul

Whilst Ruben Amorim’s backline has far from been secure throughout the opening period of his reign, his biggest problem arguably lies in attack. The Red Devils have lacked a clear presence for some time and have often been left to rely on Bruno Fernandes to light the spark of a dying flame at Old Trafford.

To put the struggles of Manchester United’s frontline into true context, as impressive as Joshua Zirkzee’s headed effort against Lyon was in midweek, it was just the seventh goal that the summer arrival has managed in all competitions this season.

Amorim will be well aware of the troubles that his frontline have faced in recent months, but that didn’t stop the Manchester United manager from heaping praise on both Zirkzee and Ramus Hojlund in midweek, telling reporters: “Sometimes the most important player in the game is the guys that come on during the game. So he did his job quite well.

“But again, Rasmus, especially during the first half, he did a lot of runs and pushed the team forward, in one moment that we were struggling to find the right moment to press the opponent. So he did his job. And then Josh did a great goal and also did a great job when he was inside of the pitch.”

Bye-bye Onana: Man Utd seriously interested in "incredible" English 'keeper

Onana had another evening to forget against Lyon.

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 11, 2025

However, that praise may not be enough to prevent the changes that INEOS want to make this summer, as the exit door reportedly swings open for one particular player.

Man Utd open to selling Hojlund at discounted price

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Manchester United are now open to selling Hojlund at a £20m discount rather than recouping the £72m they paid to secure his signature in 2023.

As a result, Italian giants Juventus have been tentatively named as interested in a fresh swoop to sign the Dane over the coming months, in what could turn into a bargain should Hojlund realise his best form.

However, the strength of their rumoured interest is currently unknown as there has been no contact between the clubs, while Napoli have been credited with an interest in Hojlund in the past.

Priced at a reported €60m (£52m), Hojlund desperately needs a fresh start away from Manchester United and a summer switch to Juventus would offer exactly that. Given that he earns a reported £85,000 a week at Old Trafford, it should come as no surprise that INEOS are keen to show the door to what has been a major transfer flop.

Rasmus Hojlund at Man Utd	Stats (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances	85
Goals	24
Assists	6

Given their financial concerns, cashing in on the likes of Hojlund may well be a must for Manchester United this summer in what looks set to be an easier decision with every passing week.

Celtic: champions of Scotland again.

On Saturday, the Hoops demolished Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice, Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah both bagging braces, as they secured a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title, and a 13th in only 14 seasons.

So now, even with an Old Firm to come on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers’ focus has already, somewhat, turned towards summer plans, so could he snap up a “quality” new wide-forward?

Celtic's winger target

According to a report by Bréhima Diakité of Africa Foot earlier this month, Celtic are ‘monitoring’ Ajaccio winger Moussa Soumano, with Brentford, Leicester City, Leeds United and Atalanta amongst those also interested.

Soumano is just 19-years-old, his 20th birthday is coming up this summer, and he plays for Ajaccio in Ligue 2, scoring four goals and providing two assists for L’ours this season, with the Corsica-based club down in 13th, despite being in France’s top-flight as recently as two seasons ago.

Thus, could Ajaccio be forced to sell their most-prized asset?

How Soumano compares to Celtic's current forwards

Scout Mathieu Duhamel describes Soumano as a “quality” winger, adding that he is “capable of dribbling” with both feet and is a “promising player” who “should leave Ajaccio this summer” in order to “take a step forward” in his development.

Avradeep Mukherjee of Sports Illustrated believes Soumano would be a ‘valuable’ squad member for Rodgers, considering he can play both out wide and as a centre-forward, while the original report notes that he is valued at around €3m (£2.5m).

So how does he compare to Celtic’s current forward options? Well, he’s unlikely to usurp Daizen Maeda in the depth chart, considering the Japanese forward has now scored 33 goals this season.

With four Premiership matches remaining, followed by the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen, Maeda is still on course to break a few records, as the table below highlights.

Celtic players to score 25+ goals in a season (2004-present)

Players

Season

Goals

John Hartson

2004/05

30

Scott McDonald

2007/08

31

Gary Hooper

2011/12

29

Gary Hooper

2012/13

31

Kris Commons

2013/14

32

Leigh Griffiths

2015/16

40

Moussa Dembélé

2016/17

32

Scott Sinclair

2016/17

25

Odsonne Édouard

2019/20

29**

Kyōgo Furuhashi

2022/23

34

Daizen Maeda

2024/25

33*

*season ongoing. **season curtailed by Covid-19.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As shown in the table, since Henrik Larsson’s 41-goal haul in 2003/04, only Leigh Griffiths nine years ago has broken the 40-goal mark in a single Celtic season, with Maeda requiring seven goals from the final five fixtures to match this; it’s very possible.

However, Maeda aside, the other two positions in Celtic’s attack are very much up for grabs.

Kyōgo Furuhashi was sold to Stade Rennais for £10m in January, while Jota, who rejoined the club from Rennes in the winter, is set to spend the next few months on the sidelines, after suffering a knee injury against Dundee United on Saturday, joining in the post-match celebrations at Tannadice on crutches.

Meantime, Kühn’s form has fallen off a cliff since the turn of the year, Yang Hyun-jun, who’s currently sidelined, is very hit-and-miss, while Adam Idah is also yet to establish himself as a regular starter.

Thus, these positions in Celtic’s attack are certainly up for grabs, and Soumano certainly appears to have the talent to come in and stake a claim.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Similar to Maeda, as already alluded to, Soumano is comfortable playing both as a striker and a winger, while his £2.5m valuation would be a bargain, just as the Japanese forward was, arriving from Yokohama F. Marinos for a reported £1.5m back in January 2022.

That deal has proven to be a masterstroke for those at Parkhead – perhaps this could be the next transfer coup?

Related Celtic set to lose "fantastic" player until 2025/26 after painful injury

The Bhoys will have to do without one of their star men.

Posts BySean Markus Clifford Apr 28, 2025

Nottingham Forest are now interested in signing another Manchester City player alongside James McAtee this summer, according to a new report.

Nottingham Forest are chasing McAtee as summer plans begin

The Reds still have a lot to play for in this campaign, but given what they can achieve, the hierarchy at the City Ground are already putting plans in place ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Instead of Cunha: Nottingham Forest now eyeing "incredible" £50m PL forward

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ByDominic Lund Apr 24, 2025

Forest have been heavily linked with strengthening their forward line this summer, as Nuno Espirito Santo wants to take some of the burden off Chris Wood. But the Reds are also looking at improving their midfield options, and a recent report has revealed that the Premier League side are working on a deal to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus. Forest are set to have intensified talks with his representatives, and an offer could soon be on its way.

As well as working on potentially signing Luiz, Forest are also among the teams interested in signing McAtee from Man City. The Englishman will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer, and while it is unclear if City are ready to sell, Forest are keeping an eye on his situation.

Nottingham Forest want to sign £100m Man City star

But McAtee is not the only City player who is on the Premier League side’s radar, as according to Caught Offside, Forest have now surprisingly joined the race to sign Jack Grealish from City.

The report states that the Reds see Grealish as a statement signing, especially if they can secure Champions League football for next season. However, they are not alone in the race for the England international, as teams such as Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and West Ham are also keeping an eye on his situation.

Grealish, who earns £300,000 a week (£15.6m per year) at the Etihad, is under contract until the summer of 2027, but given he has played just 19 games in the Premier League this season, with only seven coming as a starter, his time with City may be coming to an end.

Since moving to the Etihad in a deal worth £100 million, his career has kind of stalled, and a move to someone like Forest could rejuvenate his football career. Despite the lack of game time, Grealish is a player Pep Guardiola likes, as he labelled him “incredible”.

Apps

189

Goals

27

Assists

29

“I want him to make goals and assists, and he does too, but it’s not about that. It’s about his contribution without the ball and what he can produce for the other ones. We didn’t sign Jack Grealish for the incredible goals or assists at Aston Villa. It was for another reason. He competes with top, top players as well, and he knows it perfectly. He never complains about that.”

Already thinking about potential life without loanee Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa are now reportedly battling Paris Saint-Germain to sign an in-demand winger who’s ready for a new challenge this summer.

Aston Villa's transfer plan

Even though the race for Champions League qualification is yet to reach a conclusion, Aston Villa are seemingly already preparing for the summer transfer window, which could be busy on all fronts.

The Premier League already received a glimpse of the players that Unai Emery is capable of attracting in the January transfer window and, if reports are anything to go by, the Spaniard’s pull-power could be on full show yet again this summer. That said, any incomings are unlikely to come without the sacrifice of departures amid reported PSR concerns.

As a result of those issues, the rumours have already been coming thick and fast over just who could be heading for the exit door at Villa Park this summer. The vultures are seemingly beginning to circle around Emery’s best talent too, with Chelsea reportedly interested in Ollie Watkins and Liverpool eyeing a summer swoop to sign Morgan Rogers.

Given that both Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are on course to leave at the end of their respective loan spells from Manchester United and PSG, losing Watkins and Rogers at the same time could leave Villa’s attack almost entirely decimated.

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BySean Markus Clifford May 10, 2025

What those exits could allow Aston Villa to do, however, is sign an in-demand winger who would instantly ease their loanee woes and reinforce Emery’s frontline once and for all.

Aston Villa battling PSG to sign Fofana

According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are now battling PSG to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon this summer. The winger has enjoyed an impressive season at the French club, who are enduring financial struggles of their own, and now has a queue which includes PSG, Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle United in pursuit of his signature.

Despite Lyon’s financial struggles, any deal to sign Fofana in the coming months will not come cheap. Reports indicate that the Ligue 1 side have set a hefty price tag of around €50m (£42m) to sell their 20-year-old star.

Dubbed “explosive” by analyst Ben Mattinson earlier this season, Fofana has scored 11 goals and created another six in all competitions throughout the current campaign and could be worth splashing out on this summer.

For £42m, Villa could sign a player who’s keen on a new challenge and one who could become both the present and future of Emery’s frontline.

Of all Mikel Arteta’s signings as Arsenal boss, there has perhaps been none as controversial as Kai Havertz.

Since the German joined the club for £65m in the summer of 2023, he has faced his fair share of criticism from fans and pundits alike, and considering his slow start to life in North London, scoring one goal and providing one assist in his first 12 Premier League games, it’s wasn’t hard to see why.

However, once he moved up top, things started to look much, much better, and before his hamstring injury in February, the German international had amassed a tally of 32 goal involvements in 47 appearances there for the club.

Yet, if recent reports are to be believed, even a rate of return such as that might not be enough to keep him in the starting lineup, as the club are now confident of signing one of Europe’s most exciting strikers.

Arsenal's striker search

Before getting to the striker in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other top poachers Arsenal are reportedly interested in ahead of the summer transfer window, such as Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian international could be available for around £58m at the end of the season and with a tally of 20 goals and six assists in just 41 appearances, that could prove to be value for money.

Closer to home, the Gunners have kept Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins on their shortlist.

Transfer Focus

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

The Englishman is a player liked by new Sporting Director Andrea Berta, and, with a haul of 29 goal involvements in 49 games this term, it’s not hard to see why, although he’s still some way off the club’s most exciting target: Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Spain, the North Londoners have maintained their strong interest in the Sporting CP monster and are now ‘confident’ of securing his signature.

However, there is still the small case of his fee, which, according to the report, would be around €70m, which comes out to about £60m.

While that’s a sizable sum of money, this is still a transfer Arsenal should do all they can to get over the line, as Gyokeres could be transformational for them, even if he’d be bad news for Havertz.

How Gyokeres compares to Havertz

Should Arsenal get this transfer over the line and bring Gyokeres to the Emirates next season, it would undoubtedly be with the intention of having him start as many games as possible.

So, that would also mean that, when fit again, Havertz would be his primary competition for regular game time, but who comes out on top when we compare them?

Well, despite his decent rate of return in the last year or so, the Sporting CP star wipes the floor with the former Chelsea ace when it comes to their raw output, which is, of course, the most important metric for a number nine.

For example, in 46 appearances, totalling 3700 minutes, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored 47 goals and provided 11 assists.

That means he’s currently averaging 1.26 goal involvements per game or one every 63.79 minutes, which only lends credence to ESPN Head Writer Mark Ogdan’s claim that he’s “the hottest striker in Europe.”

Gyokeres vs Havertz
Player	Gyokeres	Havertz
Appearances	46	34
Minutes	3700′	2776′
Goals	47	15
Assists	11	5
Goal Involvements per Match	1.26	0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement	63.79′	138.8′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

In comparison, prior to his injury, the former Bayer Leverkusen star had amassed a tally of 15 goals and five assists in 34 appearances, totalling 2776 minutes, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.70 games or one every 138.8 minutes.

There is an argument to be made that the Portuguese league is an easier level, but given the extent to which the former Coventry City gem is outperforming the Gunners ace, we reckon he’d still be more prolific in a top-five league.

Ultimately, if Arsenal have the chance to sign Gyokeres this summer, they have to take it, even if it spells the end of regularly starting games for Havertz.

Better than Kiwior: Arsenal want to sign 'one of the best CBs in the PL'

The incredible international would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 23, 2025

Right throughout Todd Boehly’s reign as owner, Chelsea have not held back on signing elite young talents.

It has been a clear transfer strategy at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues looking to bring players to the club regarded as some of the hottest prospects in world football.

Perhaps the best example of this is Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, who will join Chelsea for £29m this summer. He was described as a “wonderkid” showing all the “signs of a top player” by football scout Antonio Mango. He is just one of the young talents the Blues have signed under Boehly’s ownership.

This summer, Chelsea could add Ajax defender Jorrel Hato to that list, if recent reports are to be believed.

The latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Hato

It would be an excellent signing if Chelsea can bring Hato to Stamford Bridge this summer. According to a recent report from Sky Sports, the Blues are ‘seriously considering making a move’ for the Dutchman this summer, and have ‘longstanding’ interest in signing him.

However, they will face competition from two Premier League giants, with Sky Sports also suggesting that newly-crowned champions Liverpool, and Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal are also interested.

In reality, it is not hard to see why the West Londoners are so keen to bring Hato to the club. At just 19 years of age, he is a full international with the Netherlands and has played 108 times for Ajax already.

Described as a “magnificent talent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Hato has played 28 times in the Eredivisie this season, scoring twice and grabbing six assists. He has also captained the club three times, a superb achievement at 19.

Chelsea do not have a clear path to signing Hato, and will face stiff competition from Liverpool and Arsenal if they are to do a deal.

However, if they are not able to sign the Dutchman, then an alternative may be hiding in plain sight in the academy.

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Chelsea's in-house Hato alternative

If the Blues can’t sign Hato himself, then why not promote their very own “Hato alternative” from the academy? At least, that is what football analyst Ben Mattinson has coined Chelsea’s young defender Ishe Samuels-Smith.

The West Londoners poached Samuels-Smith from Premier League rivals Everton, for a reported £4m two seasons ago. The highly-rated youngster has recently renewed his deal at Stamford Bridge until 2031.

At just 18 years of age, Samuels-Smith is yet to have any kind of first-team involvement on the pitch. Yet, he has featured on the bench three times this term under Enzo Maresca, which included two games in the Premier League back in February.

For the U21s, the youngster has had a key role to play. Skippering the side on five different occasions, Samuels-Smith has featured 23 times this term, scoring two goals and grabbing four assists from full back.

In fact, that is one of the standout features of his game. Just like Hato, the Manchester-born defender can play anywhere across the back line, even slotting in a right-back this term despite being left-footed. He has also played further forward as a wing-back.

The 18-year-old has impressed in the EFL Trophy this season for the Blues, as the stats on Sofascore reflect. In three games in the competition, he put in 3.7 tackles, made two interceptions and won two aerial duels per game.

Passes completed

46

138

Long balls completed

2.7

8

Key passes

1.3

4

Tackles

3.7

11

Interceptions

2

6

Aerial duels won

2

6

It surely does not seem like a first-team debut for Samuels-Smith can be too far away. The Blues academy skipper is clearly a talented player, putting in some excellent performances this term and showing great versatility.

If they miss out on signing Hato, then there might not be a better alternative to the Dutchman than their talented academy star.

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