Rangers are now believed to have held talks over the signing of a “fantastic” attacking player ahead of next season, in a significant new transfer update.
Rangers chasing exciting signings
Russell Martin will be looking to make a flying start to his spell in charge of the Gers, as they look to wrestle the Scottish Premiership title away from Celtic in 2025/26.
New signings are a must if that is to happen, however, and Rangers continue to be linked with some exciting additions, not least Leicester City icon Jamie Vardy.
The Englishman has played his final game for the Foxes after announcing his decision to leave at the end of last season, and he stands out as an eye-catching option for the Gers, having proven himself at the very highest level over so many years, both in the Premier League and on the international stage with England.
Elsewhere, Rangers are said to be pushing hard to complete the signing of another Leicester player, Conor Coady, while Maccabi Tel Aviv winger Weslley Patati is also seen as a target for Martin’s side.
Rangers hold talks over legendary addition
According to a fresh claim from Football Insider, Rangers have now “held preliminary talks” over the signing of Vardy this summer, with the Scottish giants “accelerating their pursuit” of him.
It is stated that the 38-year-old is the “subject of interest from a number of sides worldwide, including clubs in the United States”, and Martin “feels that the former England international would be a smart signing” for his new club.
At 38, Vardy’s very best days are clearly behind him, but he remains an impressive performer who still possesses plenty of pace and ruthlessness in attacking areas, being hailed as “fantastic” by Claudio Ranieri earlier this year, as well as being lauded by Gary Lineker.
The Leicester legend is one of the best strikers to have ever graced the Premier League, and his passionate style of play, not to mention his ability to wind up opposition players and supporters, could make him an instant hit at Rangers. He holds a net worth of £9m to boot, so if he moved north of the border to play it would be with the intent of winning trophies, not just a final paycheque.
More exciting than Aasgaard: Rangers chasing deal to sign £10m star
Rangers are interested in a deal for a Premier League forward who would be more exciting than Thelo Aasgaard.
ByDan Emery Jul 7, 2025
The Gers may only get a year or two out of Vardy, but if he manages to guide them back to Scottish title glory, he will have done more than enough to justify a short-term stay at Ibrox.
After watching their Premier League rivals make signing after signing, the Gunners are finally starting to make a splash in the transfer window.
For example, after months of speculation, Martin Zubimendi was finally announced yesterday morning, and then, if that wasn’t enough, a deluge of reports suggesting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres is close also emerged.
Arsenal manager MikelArteta
Moreover, the Gunners are now getting close to securing the services of a Premier League star, someone who’d be a far better signing than Noni Madueke.
Arsenal looking at signing another Premier League star
While most of the links to players this summer, and the two signings already confirmed, have been met with positivity from the general fan base, the same can’t be said for links to Madueke.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It was revealed late last week that the Gunners had already reached an agreement on personal terms with the Chelsea player.
There is no denying that the winger is talented, but he’s hardly blown anyone away in West London, and at a potential price tag of £50m, it’s easy to understand why many fans might look at him as a misuse of funds.
Fortunately, the North Londoners are also reportedly closing in on a deal for another Premier League star, someone who’d be a far better signing than Madueke: Eberechi Eze.
At least that is according to David Ornstein, who, on a recent episode of The Athletic’s podcast, reaffirmed reports that Arsenal are highly interested in signing the Crystal Palace star this summer.
Ornstein reveals that he is now one of the club’s top target and is now seriously high in their consideration this summer. Moreover, he revealed that “they’ve held some conversations” with the player’s camp, and that they would like to sign him for under his release clause of £68m.
However, the Eagles are understandably keen on receiving the full fee to sell their talismanic attacker this summer.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Eze’s ability, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, especially as he’d be a far better signing than Madueke.
Why Eze would be a far better signing than Madueke
Okay, so the first thing to say is that, yes, Eze and Madueke do operate in different areas of the pitch, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the former would be a far better signing than the latter.
The first reason is down to their respective output, as in 43 appearances last season, totalling 3303 minutes, the Palace ace scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.
That means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, and, on top of that, he scored important goals, such as the winner in the FA Cup.
In contrast, the Chelsea ace racked up a tally of 11 goals and five assists in 45 games, totalling 2625 minutes, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.81 games, or every 164.06 minutes.
The second reason the Eagles’ “superstar,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, would be a better signing is their underlying numbers.
Non-Penalty G+As
0.52
0.44
Progressive Passes
3.37
3.05
Progressive Carries
2.40
6.81
Key Passes
2.01
1.42
Passes into the Final Third
1.70
0.71
Live Passes
29.5
29.2
Shot-Creating Actions
4.69
3.50
Goal-Creating Actions
0.35
0.35
Successful Take-Ons
2.33
1.99
Tackles
1.35
1.11
Ball Recoveries
5.07
3.72
For example, when we take a look under the hood, the former QPR gem comes out on top in practically every relevant metric, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, key passes and successful take-ons.
These statistics demonstrate that, in addition to scoring goals, the 27-year-old is a brilliant creator and someone who can generate chances through his passing and carrying abilities.
Ultimately, if Arsenal can only afford to sign one other attacking star from the Premier League this summer, then they have to go with Eze, as he’s simply better than Madueke in every meaningful way.
Talks open: Arsenal submit offer to sign "standout" 17 y/o after Zubimendi
The midfielder is the Gunners’ second summer signing.
Invincibles beaten on home patch after collapsing in chase of 146
ECB Media02-Aug-2024Nicholas Pooran was at it again, making his second big-hitting half-century in a row to secure back-to-back victories for Andrew Flintoff’s Northern Superchargers in the Hundred.In front of 24,160 expectant fans at the Kia Oval, Pooran ensured the theme of the day was Superchargers teams crashing the party – and clearing the boundary – after the women’s team won in an equally comprehensive manner earlier in the day.The two wins signalled the end of both Oval Invincibles sides’ 100% records, and left both men’s and women’s competitions wide open.Pooran’s 65 came from just 41 balls, with four mammoth sixes, and navigated a difficult start for his side to see Superchargers to 145 from their 100 balls. Pooran found it easier than most to find or clear the boundary, but Ollie Robinson’s 20 from 10 added some late impetus and gave the visitors a competitive total at the break.The Superchargers bowlers never let Invincibles get away in their chase, with Jordan Clark, Dillon Pennington and Matthew Potts all miserly up top. They received good support from their team-mates in the field, with Adam Hose and Mitchell Santner himself taking tidy catches in the deep.Santner was one of a trio of spinners, alongside Adil Rashid and Matt Short, who backed up the good work their seamers had started to give Invincibles nowhere to go in the middle of their innings.As the home team’s hopes began to fade, there was still time for Donovan Ferreira to pepper the spectators with five sixes in a 24-ball 49. The South African’s enterprising and entertaining knock briefly threatened to turn the game on its head before he was dismissed by Potts, but his was a lone hand – the only player to pass 20 in a chase that never really got into sixth gear.Meerkat Match Hero Pooran said: “For me it’s about being consistent with my mindset, and playing the situation of the game. In the past I’ve been in similar situations and just got out, but today I just felt like I had to respect the situation and just be there at the end.”Oval Invincibles bowled really well with the new ball; Spencer Johnson bowled really well. For me it was all about being there. As the innings prolonged for me, it felt like it got better, but in saying that it felt like if we could get anything over 130 then it was game on. And I just felt like we could only get there if we constructed the partnership or if I could stay till the end.”It’s brilliant. Getting back to back wins in a format like this is really important. Coming outside of our home venue too, coming here to the defending champions and getting a win is really important for us to continue growing as a group as well. We’re heading back to Headingley on Sunday and hopefully we can continue ticking the boxes and getting the right result.”
حقق المنتخب الفرنسي فوزاً مستحقاً على منتخب أوكرانيا أمس بهدفين نظيفين في إطار منافسات تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.
وجاء هدفا منتخب فرنسا عن طريق مايكل أوليس لاعب بايرن ميونخ في الدقيقة 10 قبل أن يضيف كيليان مبابي نجم ريال مدريد الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 82.
وبحسب وكالة الأنباء الفرنسية “فرينش فوتبول نيوز” فإن منتخب فرنسا وباريس سان جيرمان قد تعرضا لضربتين موجعتين في لقاء مساء أمس.
أقرأ أيضاً.. وسط برود ديشامب.. منتخب فرنسا يفجر غضب باريس سان جيرمان بسبب ديمبلي
وقد تعرض ديزري دوي وعثمان ديمبلي للإصابة في مباراة أوكرانيا مساء الجمعة، قبل المباراة الثانية في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لمونديال 2026 ضد منتخب أيسلندا.
وسيضطر عثمان ديمبلي نجم باريس سان جيرمان لمغادرة معسكر منتخب فرنسا، قبل أن تتلقى الجماهير الفرنسية خبراً صادماً آخر بانسحاب ديزري دوي.
وقد تعرض دوي صاحب الـ20 عاماً لإصابة مفاجئة في ربلة الساق أمس الجمعة وغادر اللاعب بين الشوطين وسيعود إلى فريقه باريس سان جيرمان مرة أخرى.
وتمثل هذه الأنباء ضربة موجعة لباريس سان جيرمان قبل استئناف دوري أبطال أوروبا، في الوقت الذي تعرض فيه لويس إنريكي مدرب الفريق لإصابة بالغة يوم الجمعة، بسبب دراجة هوائية وسيخضع لعملية جراحية في الترقوة.
Liverpool are making bold moves on the market and could offset some of their early ventures by selling one of their rising stars, according to David Ornstein.
Liverpool seeing plenty of movement in both directions
Arne Slot is the man in charge at Anfield and is already a hero among supporters, and his stock is only likely to have risen recently given the Reds have signed Jeremie Frimpong and more arrivals are expected to follow.
Florian Wirtz is next in line, putting pen to paper on a deal until 2030 that will generate plenty of headlines around Merseyside.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is also on his way to Liverpool, and it shouldn’t be too long before the Hungarian international becomes the latest shiny new addition to be rolled out at Anfield.
Marc Guehi’s contract situation at Crystal Palace has put the Reds on alert, and there could now be potential for further activity to unfold if the England international is open to joining the red half of Merseyside amid alternative interest from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
He could surpass Salah: Liverpool now prepared to sign another £100m star
Liverpool are in the market for a centre-forward this summer.
By
Angus Sinclair
Jun 19, 2025
Streamlining a squad that deserved every element of their success last term isn’t always easy, but Slot doesn’t appear to be someone fond of sentiment in any way, shape or form.
In light of this, Liverpool are now closing in on an agreement that would see one of their stars head to Germany this summer.
Ornstein: Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah set for Bayer Leverkusen
According to Ornstein, Jarell Quansah is close to agreeing a move to Bayer Leverkusen from Liverpool on a deal that could be worth in excess of £34 million.
Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue, and despite no formal bid being in play yet, all parties are ‘progressing’ in their mission to get a deal done.
Labelled “amazing” by teammate Alexis Mac Allister, Quansah made 25 appearances last campaign as the Reds stormed to the Premier League title, though an exit may now be the best course of action for his career.
Coming in as a pure profit sale, the 22-year-old’s departure is likely to be heralded as smart business from FSG, even if it will bring his 17-year association with the club to an end if he were to exit.
Phoenix lose 6 for 12 in 25 balls as Ben Duckett’s 92 goes in vain
ECB Media03-Aug-2024
James Vince creams one through the covers•Nathan Stirk/ECB via Getty Images
Southern Brave went top of the table after a dramatic Birmingham Phoenix batting collapse at Edgbaston. Chasing 170 after James Vince’s unbeaten 90, Phoenix were well-placed at 92 for 1 after 49 but then lost 6 for 12 in 25 balls to slip to defeat.Both sides went into this match at Edgbaston with two wins from three, but Brave’s 169 for 2 – the second-highest score of the season – proved more than enough, despite Ben Duckett’s 92 for the Phoenix: none of his team-mates managed as many as 12.After Phoenix captain Moeen Ali won the toss and opted to bowl, Vince and Alex Davies got the visitors off to a solid start, posting 31 off the Powerplay, and then putting the hammer down to reach 81 off 45 balls after one Sean Abbott set of five went for 22.Southern Brave turned the tide with regular wickets•Getty Images
Davies was caught by Jacob Bethell off Benny Howell and Leus du Plooy could only muster nine off nine before he was also caught by Bethell, but from then on Vince and West Indian man mountain Kieron Pollard set about the bowling. Vince scored 90 from 47 balls with six fours and six sixes, and Pollard crashed 38 from 22.In reply, it looked like Duckett had designs on winning the game on his own, racing to a 21-ball half century as Phoenix reached 92 for 1 from 49 balls and the game absolutely in the balance.But ignited by a tight Chris Jordan set which culminated in Liam Livingstone slicing a high catch to du Plooy at point, Brave took five wickets for five runs in 18 balls to effectively seal the match, their stellar attack of Jordan, Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, Akeal Hosein and Tymal Mills proving too good.While Duckett hit eight fours and five sixes, the rest of the side hit just four fours between them.”It was a nice pitch, particularly up front,” Vince said. “Their bowlers bowled well at the back end and it was tricky to get the ball away at the death. Chris Jordan was fantastic, and once we got into a rhythm, we squeezed them really well. It’s a fantastic group of players and people are performing at the right times.”
Gloucestershire 196 for 5 (Hammond 42, Gregory 3-34) beat Somerset 194 for 6 (Banton 77*, Green 47) by five wicketsBen Charlesworth hit the penultimate ball of the match for six to give Gloucestershire a thrilling five-wicket Vitality Blast South Group victory over arch-rivals Somerset at Taunton.The visitors chased down a target of 195, including 13 off the final over bowled by Ben Green, Charlesworth hitting an unbeaten 24 off 13 balls at the death. Miles Hammond contributed 42 and Beau Webster 39.The home side had posted 194 for six, 32 of them coming off a last over that saw Josh Shaw removed from the attack for two full-toss no-balls above waist height. Tom Banton hit six fours and four sixes in his 77 and shared a sixth-wicket stand of 88 in 6.4 overs with Green, who blasted 47 off just 25 deliveries.Somerset reached 58 for two in the six-over powerplay after losing the toss, seeing Will Smeed depart to a catch at cover off David Payne and Tom Kohler-Cadmore caught at mid-off for 22 in the fifth over, bowled by Shaw.Banton was dropped on 11, 12 and 20, Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor twice spilling chances at mid-off and Ollie Price failing to hold onto an opportunity at fine-leg.Even so, the visitors continued to take wickets, Marchant de Lange producing three sharp overs. Boundaries dried up, and at 148 for 5 at the end of the 18th over, with Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, and Lewis Gregory dismissed cheaply, Somerset looked short of a competitive total.That changed when Payne went for 14 off the 19th and more so when Green smacked 6,4,4,2 off the first four balls of the final over, sent down by Shaw. Two of the deliveries were above waist high on the full and resulted in no-balls, as well as the umpires ordering the seamer out of the attack.Off-spinner Price was asked to bowl the last four deliveries of the innings and Green collected another four and a six before holing out to wide long-on. Banton had played a key role and Somerset ended their innings with momentum.Cameron Bancroft fell for a five-ball duck at the start of Gloucestershire’s reply, caught at mid-off off Gregory. But by the end of the powerplay, the visitors had raced to 55 for one, James Bracey having hit Riley Meredith for three successive fours and Hammond looking in fine touch.The pair had added 66 in 5.2 overs when Hammond skyed a catch to long-on off Roelof van der Merwe, having hit the previous delivery for six. Bracey, on 31, followed in the next over, miscuing a catch to point to give Gregory a second wicket.Taylor and Webster then kept Gloucestershire on course for victory with sensible cricket before taking 20 off the 15th over, bowled by Jake Ball. Their stand of 65 in 6.1 overs ended when Taylor skyed a catch off Josh Davey with 44 needed from 27 balls.Webster fell to brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Banton off Gregory at the start of the 18th over, the Somerset skipper becoming their leading all-time wicket-taker in T20 cricket, before back-to-back boundaries from Price left Gloucestershire needing 21 off two overs.With Meredith off the field due to a back spasm and unable to send down his last two overs, it fell to Green to bowl at the death and both Price and Charlesworth smashed sixes to seal a remarkable victory.
Arsenal find themselves in the midst of their most important transfer windows for years and could now beat Manchester United to a statement addition, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal pushing to sign an elite striker
Make no mistake, Mikel Arteta faces the biggest transfer window of his reign in charge of the Gunners as his side bid to become Premier League champions after pushing their rivals all the way in recent times.
Without doubt, bringing a striker in at the Emirates that is capable of producing defining moments is the Spaniard’s central priority. However, Jack Wilshere doesn’t believe signing a number nine alone will solve all the Gunners’ problems.
Arsenal approach £170k-per-week forward with Berta ready to pay £53m
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Of course, injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus hampered Arsenal’s title charge last term. Nevertheless, Arteta is crying out for an old-school centre-forward to take his side to the next level.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has emerged as a central target for the Gunners. Arteta is personally keen to sign him, but finances may hinder the signing of the Brazil international, who could form a statement pursuit for the club alongside their efforts to land RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Why Arsenal need a new striker this summer
Kai Havertz
Appearances – 36 Goals – 15
Gabriel Jesus
Appearances – 27 Goals – 7
Bolstering other areas will also be in the pipeline for Arsenal, though it can’t be emphasised enough how important a striker is to their tilt at claiming the Premier League title.
Now, reports have emerged suggesting they could have an advantage in the race for one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen.
Romano: Arsenal hold advantage in race to sign Viktor Gyokeres
Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Sporting Clube de Portugal star Viktor Gyokeres would favour a move to Arsenal over Manchester United this summer.
The Sweden international is still firmly on the radar despite the Gunners’ advances to sign Sesko, and the Red Devils now feel it is ‘unlikely’ they will bring the former Coventry City star to Old Trafford.
Commended for his “fantastic” development by Niko Kovac, the Stockholm-born man registered an incredible 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.
Viktor Gyokeres doing his trademark celebration.
Giving his ‘priority’ to the Gunners, Gyokeres, valued at £67 million, is now in clear sight for Arsenal as they desperately search for an elite striker to become the missing piece of the jigsaw under Arteta. Moving forward, it appears they have a good chance of pushing a deal over the line.
Chelsea have signed plenty of attacking players from fellow Premier League clubs over the years.
Some have performed well and lived up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, whereas others have struggled.
Fernando Torres cost the Blues £50m when he joined from Liverpool in January 2011. Considering he was one of the finest forwards in Europe, the expectation was enormous.
A return of just 45 goals in 172 matches didn’t exactly see him shine at Stamford Bridge. Raheem Sterling was another attacking player who failed to star at the club, despite a big transfer fee, ultimately shipped out on loan to Arsenal after being excluded by the manager.
In comparison, Cole Palmer has been a massive hit, registering 68 goal contributions across 94 matches for the Blues since joining from Manchester City.
Elsewhere, Nicolas Anelka, Joe Cole and Eidur Gudjohnsen have all made the move from other Premier League sides to Chelsea since the turn of the century and significantly impressed in their own way.
Now, Enzo Maresca is looking to wrap up a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro.
If a deal can be sealed in the coming days, the manager will be hoping he will turn into a Palmer 2.0 rather than a Torres.
Chelsea closing in on signing Joao Pedro
The Italian has made no secret that he is looking to bolster Chelsea’s attacking options this summer.
Jamie Gittens is someone whom the Blues have been tracking for quite some time, and they even had a bid rejected a few weeks ago.
Their £55m bid a few days ago was accepted, however, and the English winger is set to undergo a medical in London.
Jamie Gittens
Could Pedro follow suit in the coming days? According to The Athletic, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brighton regarding a move for the Brazilian, and it is in excess of £50m.
His medical looks set to take place over the next few days, and the Blues are closing in on adding another top-class forward ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Pedro has scored 22 goals and grabbed ten assists across 88 Premier League games in his career. This is perhaps a decent record rather than spectacular, but Pedro offers more than just a clinical threat in front of goal.
Pedro’s PL statistics for Brighton last season
Goals
10
Assists
6
Big chances created
11
Key passes per game
1.1
Successful dribbles per game
1.1
Shots per game
1.7
Via Sofascore
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Pedro ranks in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.33) and successful take-ons (1.34) per 90.
Additionally, the Brazilian forward also ranks in the top 3% for progressive carries (3.05) per 90 while also ranking in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) per 90 over the previous 365 days.
These statistics indicate that Pedro could be an exciting signing indeed, especially with his wonderful attacking traits.
Combine this with the fact that he can operate either as a centre-forward or as a shadow striker will give Maresca plenty of flexibility in where he deploys the Brighton star.
With a move close to completion, Pedro could link up extremely well with another Chelsea target – Mohammed Kudus.
Chelsea exploring move for Premier League star
While Gittens looks like he is closing in on a move to the Stamford Bridge side, he isn’t the only winger Maresca is eyeing up.
Blues insider Simon Phillips provided an update on the Blues’ pursuit of Kudus on X, saying that “Chelsea still trying for Kudus as well” amid the recent speculation.
Indeed, the club had made a proposal worth around £50m to West Ham United regarding the Ghanaian winger, yet this was rejected rather swiftly by the Irons as the player has an £85m release clause.
West Ham's Mohammed Kudus
Maresca appears keen on landing the player, however, and he could well go back in and make an official bid to test West Ham’s resolve.
If he can land both Pedro and Kudus this summer, the pair could work well together. That’s for sure.
Why Chelsea must sign Mohammed Kudus
Pedro will be signed to challenge Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson for a centre-forward role, with Maresca keen on making use of his strengths in the opposition penalty area.
As such, Kudus would be deployed on the flanks, where he can deliver crosses and provide a host of chances for the Brazilian.
During his two seasons with West Ham, Kudus has scored 19 goals and recorded 13 assists across 80 matches. This works out as a goal contribution every 2.5 games, which is a more than respectable figure.
In the Premier League last term, the former Ajax starlet succeeded with an impressive 2.9 dribbles per game, while also creating four big chances and averaging one key pass per match.
His ability to beat his opposite man was certainly on display throughout the 2024/25 campaign. Indeed, he ranked in the top 3% for successful take-ons (3.2) per 90 when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues.
Furthermore, Kudus also ranks in the top 17% for crosses into the penalty area (0.52) per 90 and in the top 20% for ball recoveries per 90.
Journalist Gary Al-Smith hailed the African winger as a “generational talent” back in 2023, just a few months after he made the move to West Ham and while his second season might not have been as impressive as his maiden one at the London Stadium, Kudus would still be an excellent signing for Chelsea.
Not only would he add some competition to the wide areas, but his abilities would work in tandem with Pedro, allowing the duo to flourish in the Premier League and Champions League next season.
That ability to beat a man won’t only open up more goalscoring opportunities for Chelsea’s forward line, but it would also drag more players towards him, thus opening up more space in the final third for the likes of Pedro and Co.
Much will depend on the fee West Ham demand, especially if the Blues are paying over £100 to sign both Gittens and Pedro in the coming weeks.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
If several players, such as Christopher Nkunku and João Félix, can be moved on, this will give Maresca the money to spend on bringing Kudus to Stamford Bridge.
If he manages to get all his transfer targets in the door before the start of next season, Chelsea could be a team to watch, that’s for sure.
A better signing than Gittens: Chelsea offered "world-class" £45m PL star
Chelsea could seal a better deal than Jamie Gittens joining the Stamford Bridge ranks by winning this £45m star.
After finishing the 2024/25 campaign on a high, Newcastle United approached the summer transfer window with excitement. But as is becoming habitual on Tyneside, there have been challenges and setbacks.
However, one of Eddie Howe’s superpowers is his ability to weather adversity and rally his club, and so in spite of missing out on Bryan Mbeumo and Joao Pedro and Mohammed Kudus and maybe Matheus Cunha too, the Magpies are beginning to take shape.
Mbeumo
A deal with Nottingham Forest has been agreed for Anthony Elanga, worth £52m. A bid for Burnley shot-stopper James Trafford is also ongoing, and that one looks like it will end positively.
Alexander Isak, moreover, is set to remain at St. James’ Park. Even so, Howe wants a new centre-forward, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike confirmed to be on the radar.
However, it’s going to be a difficult deal to pull off, and an alternative option has been earmarked.
Newcastle chasing a new striker
Any interest in a centre-forward on Tyneside is laced with a measure of trepidation. Newcastle fans would love to see a new number nine welcomed to the fold, but not at the expense of Isak’s place in the team.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
Luckily, PIF have no plans to sell their £200m-valued talisman. With Callum Wilson having departed St. James’ Park at the end of his contract, securing a new nine is a necessity, not a luxury.
Ekitike might be at the top of the shopping list right now, but he’s simply too expensive at £85m, a valuation Eintracht Frankfurt aren’t willing to budge on.
That’s why Newcastle are setting their sights on Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. According to Caught Offside, the Magpies have joined the growing list of clubs – also containing Arsenal and Manchester United – who are interested in the England star.
Naturally, Villa don’t want to sell, but they have priced the 29-year-old at £50m, and if Newcastle were to table such an offer, they might just find themselves in an interesting position.
Why Newcastle want Ollie Watkins
Consistently one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards over the past few years, Watkins would bring experience and dynamism to a Newcastle side in need of just his profile.
Principally a central striker, Watkins’ high-energy running and ability to play through the lines have seen him deployed on the left flank in Unai Emery’s Villan system. This is perfect for Howe, who likes to shuffle his offensive pack.
The 22-year-old Ekitike scored 22 goals and assisted 12 more across all competitions last season, but he’s still an uncut gem, only really having displayed the full extent of his quality across one campaign at the highest level.
Watkins, conversely, is proven across five years in ostensibly the toughest league in the world.
Ollie Watkins’ Premier League Career by Season
Season
Apps (starts)
Goals
Assists
24/25
38 (31)
16
8
23/24
37 (37)
19
13
22/23
37 (36)
15
6
21/22
35 (33)
11
2
20/21
37 (37)
14
5
Data via Sofascore
The Three Lions star has even been described by podcaster Rohan Jivan as “one of the best centre-forwards in Europe”, with his completeness and experience at the highest level exactly what Newcastle need to one-up their previous campaign.
It’s not going to be easy, for sure, but the Toon are now shaping into one of the recognised big hitters in the Premier League, fixed at the top end of the table.
Ekitike is undoubtedly one of the biggest talents in the business, but given his extortionate pricing and indeed the chances that he might not immediately acclimatise to the English game, bagging Watkins to provide instantaneous results might be the best course of action for Howe’s ambitious plans.
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