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Leeds United failed to do what they set out to do on the deadline day of the summer transfer window, as they were ultimately unable to bring in any new signings.

Speaking ahead of the deadline, Daniel Farke said: “In defence and midfield, goalkeeper position and full-back position, we’ve done really good business. But we spoke quite open and honest about it, we would need to add some more quality up front. We need to stay awake until the last hour of this window.”

Their head coach was clear in his assessment that the squad needed more quality added to it in the attacking positions, but the board failed to land any of their targets.

Journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that the club came close to sealing a deal to sign Harry Wilson on a permanent transfer from Fulham, only for their Premier League rivals to pull the plug at the last minute.

The Wales international scored six goals in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, and could have been a strong addition to the squad on the right flank.

Now, unless Leeds decide to dip into the free agent market, Farke will have to attack the top-flight with the tools that he currently has at his disposal, until January at least.

Why Leeds need more attacking quality

As Farke said, the Championship champions needed, and still need, more quality at the top end of the pitch, and their start to the season has highlighted that.

The Whites have only scored one goal in their first three matches in the Premier League, a penalty against Everton, and are yet to score a goal from open play in the division.

Leeds created four ‘big chances’ in those three outings. Three of them came in the 1-0 win over Everton and one of them was the penalty converted by Nmecha in that clash.

This shows that Farke’s side have struggled to create as well as to score at the start of this season, which may be why he was so insistent on reinforcements coming through the door.

Noah Okafor

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dan James

Wilfried Gnonto

Lukas Nmecha

Jack Harrison

Joel Piroe

Brenden Aaronson

Sam Chambers

As you can see in the table above, Leeds are not particularly well-stocked on the quality front in the attacking positions, when you consider who is filling those slots.

Per Sofascore, Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha scored three league goals each last season, whilst Noah Okafor and Jack Harrison both scored one goal from the wing. In the 2022/23 Premier League season, James and Gnonto both scored two goals each, and Aaronson struck once. This is the first season back in the division for all three of them.

These statistics do not suggest that the Whites are going to be free-scoring in the Premier League this season, given that the seven attackers they have who have played in a major European league combined for 13 goals in their last top-flight campaigns.

This is why Farke must look for creative solutions to that problem, and one possible way to solve the team’s attacking woes could be to unleash 18-year-old academy talent Sam Chambers.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The Scottish youngster was handed his first-team debut by Farke in the 2024/25 campaign, playing in the FA Cup and the Championship, and could provide something different at the top end of the pitch for Leeds.

Why Leeds should unleash Sam Chambers

It may seem like a stretch to suggest that an 18-year-old talent should be thrown in at the deep end to play Premier League football in the hope that he can help the team to avoid relegation.

However, Farke has proven in the past that he is willing to throw academy players into situations, Archie Gray being the main example during his time at Elland Road.

Todd Cantwell is, perhaps, a more relevant example in this instance, though. The English attacker started off his career as an attacking midfielder and only scored one senior goal before the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

Farke did not get the attacking signings needed at Carrow Road for that season and opted to move Cantwell out to the left wing, as a nimble and technically gifted playmaker who could cut inside, and it was a genius move, as the forward went on to score six goals and provide two assists, per Sofascore.

Chambers could follow a similar path as he has mainly played as an attacking midfielder in his youth career, but the teen talent has also been compared to Jack Grealish, Emile Smith Rowe, and Tyler Dibling, who have played wide attacking midfield roles, like Cantwell did under Farke.

Speaking to the YEP, SCOUTED editor Llew Davies hailed Chambers: “Shown some top ability to slide past players from deeper areas with smooth changes of direction and tempo. [He] breaks open games, beats presses, creates positive attacking situations. Suck-push style of dribbling, little bit [like Jack] Grealish, Emile Smith Rowe and [Tyler] Dibling.”

It is not hard to see that comparison to Grealish when you consider the little he was able to show on the pitch for the first-team in his Championship debut against Plymouth last term.

Chambers came on at right-wing and attempted two take-ons and completed three carries in just 17 minutes, per FBref, showing a willingness to drive forward with the ball at his feet, using his close-control and imagination in possession.

In the last 365 days, Grealish has attempted 4.02 take-ons per 90, as per FBref, and the Leeds teen managed half as many in just 17 minutes in the Championship, which speaks to the style of winger he could be.

As a natural number ten, Chambers can bring invention and a willingness to drive forward out wide by playing on the right wing, a positional change that Dibling, Grealish, Cantwell, and Smith Rowe all went through as they emerged as Premier League-grade talents at the time.

The Scotland youth international has only scored four goals in 43 U18 and U21 games for Leeds, per Transfermarkt, but Grealish only scored six goals in 43 games for Aston Villa’s reserves before his Premier League breakthrough.

As a player whose natural game is to drive with the ball and to be creative in tight situations and in big spaces in transition, Chambers could come into the team to be the creative spark that Leeds have lacked so far this season.

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ByDan Emery Sep 2, 2025

That could, in turn, help the other forwards in the team to increase their output in front of goal by putting them in better positions to be effective in the final third, which is why Farke must consider unleashing Chambers as wildcard option on the right-wing.

Aston Villa have been limited by the Premier League’s ill-famed Profit and Sustainability rules this summer, but Unai Emery remains in charge and the club have spent wisely to ensure they have the tools to tackle the season ahead.

And while roadblocks have been swerved over the past few months, with the recent £40m sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United an example of how the Midlands outfit have been hamstrung this term, one or two further additions may yet be made before the September 1st deadline.

That sale, poignant as it is, could lead to the signing of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, with Emery personally driving the potential deal. He’s full of untapped potential, but the Spanish tactician might just be the perfect man to lift him toward that high ceiling.

But it’s not just the frontline Emery is mulling over, with a deal in the works for a new defensive player too.

Aston Villa eyeing new defender

Aston Villa welcomed 19-year-old centre-back Yasin Ozcan to their fold this summer after a pre-contract agreement, but the former Kasimpasa star has headed straight out on loan to Anderlecht.

However, a right-sided and versatile player remains of interest to the Villans, with Emery interested in signing an up-and-comer skilled across defence and in a number six berth.

Indeed, according to Foot Mercato, Villa have been buoyed in their summer-long bid to sign teenager Jaydee Canvot after the Toulouse star rejected a proposal from Saudi Arabia, and may be preparing a new offer for him in the final days of the window.

The £17m-rated youngster has already been the subject of one Aston Villa bid this summer, and it would appear Emery is persisting in his chase, and maybe that will pay off.

Why Villa want Jaydee Canvot

Canvot only broke into Toulouse’s senior set-up last season, starting 12 Ligue 1 matches in total, having featured for only five minutes across the opening 15 fixtures of the term.

Shifting between central defence and an anchoring midfield role, Canvot showed why there’s such excitement around him, assuredly completing 87% of his passes and also completing 70% of his dribbles, denoting control and purpose when carrying the ball forward.

His precision and adeptness in reading the game suggest he would be perfect for life in the Premier League, already framed at 6 foot 2 besides.

This versatile defensive style even suggests that Canvot could emulate his countryman Boubacar Kamara and play a similar role at Villa Park. Data-driven platform FBref has actually recorded Kamara to be one of Canvot’s most statistically similar players, ranking among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for through balls and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90.

His passing and natural predilection for forward play further underscore his potential in Emery’s system, and that also substantiates the claim that he could be the next version of Kamara, who has been described by the boss in the past as being “very important” to the side’s build-up and link-up play.

However, the 25-year-old has suffered his share of injury problems since joining Aston Villa from Marseille in 2022, and so while Canvot would replicate him in jumping to England over the Channel and settling in Aston, Birmingham, he would also ease the worries around another setback to Kamara, providing a similar presence and absorbing the fruits of his more experienced peer’s teachings.

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The Athletic’s David Ornstein has noted that Canvot is “viewed as a [sic] top prospect,” and Villa would provide him with the perfect nurturing ground to grow into his skin and reach the level of first-team stars such as Kamara.

As they tend to do every year, Chelsea have made the most of the summer transfer window.

On top of shipping off those deemed no longer necessary, the Blues have added some seriously exciting talent to the side.

However, arguably the most exciting player to make their way to Stamford Bridge this summer is someone they technically signed last May: Esetvao.

The Brazilian teenager, who respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described as a “future Ballon d’Or winner”, has already impressed in pre-season, and it just feels like a matter of time until he truly announces himself in the Premier League.

Chelsea might be able to get even more out of the former Palmeiras gem should they complete the signing of another incredible talent they’ve been heavily linked with.

Chelsea target perfect teammate for Estevao

Despite already making several brilliant additions to the squad this summer, Chelsea continue to be linked with potentially game-changing stars.

Transfer Focus

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

One of the most prominent links has been to Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, who has made it clear he only wants a move to Stamford Bridge.

Another name touted for a move to West London, and perhaps a more pressing transfer given Levi Colwill’s injury, has been Piero Hincapié of Bayer Leverkusen.

However, there is another international who the Blues have been chasing for some time now, someone who could be the perfect teammate for Estevao: Xavi Simons.

Yes, according to a recent report from the continent, Chelsea have maintained their intense interest in the RB Leipzig star.

On top of that, the journalist has revealed that the Dutchman has “decided to join Chelsea” and has now turned “down interest from Manchester City.”

Tavolieri does not mention how much the 22-year-old might cost, but based on reports from earlier this summer, it might take a fee of around £61m to get him out of Germany.

That is certainly a lot of money to spend on a young player, but Simons has more than proven his ability in recent seasons, and he could be perfect alongside Estevao.

Why Simons would be perfect for Estevao

One of the reasons Simons could be such a brilliant teammate for Estevao at Chelsea is that he has already followed a similar path in his short career.

Now, there is undoubtedly more expectation on the young Brazilian’s shoulders, but the former La Masia ace has been talked about as a future superstar for years now.

For example, he made his first team debut for Paris Saint-Germain at just 17 years old, earned his first senior cap for the Netherlands at 19 years old, at the World Cup mind, and has been described as having an “extremely high footballing IQ” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Impressively, the 22-year-old has been able to cope with and navigate these pressures brilliantly over the last few years, and because of this, he’d be well-placed to help Estevao do the same in the coming campaigns.

With that said, the other reason the former PSG gem would be an excellent teammate for the 18-year-old is the simple fact that he is an output machine.

Appearances

33

Minutes

2763′

Goals

11

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

Minutes per Goal Involvement

145.42′

For example, in just 33 appearances for Leipzig last season, totalling 2763 minutes, the dynamic “game-changer,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 11 goals and provided eight assists.

In other words, the former Amsterdam-born dynamo maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes, meaning he’d be able to provide an abundance of chances for the Franca-born maestro to bolster his own goal and assist tallies.

Moreover, he’s just as comfortable playing off the left as he is in the middle of the park, meaning there would be plenty of chances for him to develop a relationship with the young Brazilian.

Ultimately, Simons would be an excellent signing regardless of who else was in the squad, but he could be even more important for Chelsea now Estevao has made his way to West London.

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Liverpool have already had a transfer window that serves as a statement of intent to their rival Premier League teams that they aim to retain the title, and it seems that they have no intention of stopping yet.

Three of Liverpool’s top ten most expensive transfers ever have come in this window, including club record signing Florian Wirtz for £100m plus £16m in potential add-ons. Arne Slot wants to further increase his attacking firepower, and his current main target is Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.

At present, Newcastle have been rejecting Liverpool’s advances for the Swedish striker. The Magpies had been looking to bring in a striker in the event Isak leaves, but top targets Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike went to Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively.

Slot hasn’t given up on bringing in Isak yet, but he has identified his next target if the clubs can’t come to an agreement.

Liverpool wants Barcola if they can't get Isak

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano revealed that if Liverpool can’t get Isak, Barcola will become their new top target. Romano hinted that this is a story that could grow over the next week. For the coming week, Liverpool will stick to their pursuit of Isak, but if that fails to develop, they are likely to switch their attention over to Barcola.

The 22-year-old is one of the hottest talents in Europe after registering seven goal involvements in PSG’s journey to becoming Champions League winners, including an assist in the final. In all competitions, Barcola managed 35 goal involvements last season and was instrumental in his team winning the Quadruple.

Romano added that Isak or Barcola are unlikely to be the final deal that Liverpool completes this window, as they want to add “a quality centre back, a player with chances to develop”.

Liverpool's Next Generation

Some Liverpool fans may be questioning why Barcola is the next transfer target if they fail to sign Isak, considering Isak is a traditional striker and Barcola, while he has played centre forward, is more of a winger. The answer may be that Barcola is not a replacement for Isak but is instead a replacement for Mohamad Salah.

While still performing at the top level, Salah is 33, and it’s likely that either he is sold next summer or he leaves for free in 2027. Barcola could be seen as the long-term replacement for Salah, and if they can’t sign Isak this year, they could bring Barcola in now and go back for Isak next summer.

Likewise, the new centre-back that Romano mentioned could also be a part of this new generation. Like Salah, Virgil Van Dijk looked at stages last season that he would leave on a free when his contract expires. He also signed a two-year deal and, at 34 years old, next summer may be Liverpool’s last chance to sell him for a fee.

Similarly, Ibrahima Konate only has one year left on his current contract and could leave next summer, so a new centre-back could be a replacement for either of them.

The centre back that Romano mentioned is Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, who has admitted to modeling his game on Van Dijk. Since both Barcola and Leoni share traits with important ageing members of the squad, they may be Arne Slot’s ideal next generation. In this case, it wouldn’t necessarily be Barcola or Isak but one this summer and the other next summer.

Arne Slot would have been delighted when he led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season in spite of FSG’s reluctance to wield their purse after Jurgen Klopp packed up and left.

Who can say the Dutch coach needs a wide range of signings? He bagged gold without any real investment last year. Now, though, the tactical mastermind is being handsomely rewarded.

A range of impactful signings have already been made, with Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz strengthening the frontline. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have refreshed the full-back ranks. Giorgi Mamardashvili joins Alisson Becker between the sticks.

Liverpool's next transfer target

Attacking additions usually draw the biggest acclaim. But Liverpool also need a centre-back, and this became clear after the vested interest in Dean Huijsen was made known.

But Huijsen has signed for Real Madrid in a £50m deal, joining Trent Alexander-Arnold. Thus, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has turned his attention to Marc Guehi, though the Crystal Palace defender is also on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, with the Londoners currently weighing up an official bid.

If Liverpool don’t sign the Three Lions star, it seems they have identified Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato as the man to complete Slot’s backline, with transfer insider Ben Jacobs confirming the teenager is on the shortlist.

Hato is also in Chelsea’s sights, and it is the Blues who lead the race at this stage. However, Liverpool could steal ahead should they mount a concerted effort, with a shrewd £40m price tag floating about.

Why Liverpool should sign Jorrel Hato

With Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain, Real Madrid lurking and the Frenchman just one year away from free agency, it feels like bringing in a centre-back is a matter of urgency this summer.

Especially as Jarell Quansah left for Bayer Leverkusen in a £35m package last month.

Hato might only be 19, but he’s already emerged as one of Ajax’s leading players, playing 111 senior matches for the Dutch giants and earning six caps for the Netherlands national team.

His fast-track rise to stardom – Hato has been hailed as “one of the best young talents in football” by U23 scout Antonio Mango – and versatility suggest he could be Liverpool’s next version of Cody Gakpo, who also joined the Anfield side directly from the Dutch Eredivisie.

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Central midfield

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Gakpo, 25, signed for Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven for £35m in January 2023, and he has since become one of the staples of a trophy-winning Reds side, with pundit Peter Crouch even claiming he had “gone up a level” in Slot’s system last season.

Last season, he scored 18 goals and supplied seven assists for the Premier League champions, maturing in a fixed role coming off the attacking left flank.

Hato could emulate his countryman, with his dynamic positional qualities sure to see Slot shuffle him about before he grows into his skin in England and establishes himself as one of the Premier League’s leading centre-halves.

The defensive phenom might not have played in his natural central role all that much throughout the 2024/25 season, but he still finished ranked among the top 1% of positional peers for pass completion and the top 12% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref, thus illustrating his properties that are well suited for the position.

Though Hato is an unrefined gem, he is a jewel all the same. And Slot has demonstrated across the past 12 months his capacity to lift his countrymen – Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch – up and up into the upper sphere of European stars.

With Hato, he can repeat the trick, coaxing the player into a starring role over the next few years.

Scouts sent: Liverpool eyeing move to sign new 6 foot 3 Guehi alternative

He’s caught the eye of the Reds’ scouts.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 23, 2025

In a move that would instantly replace Mohammed Kudus, West Ham United are now reportedly in contact to sign a Premier League-winning attacker who Graham Potter wants at the London Stadium.

Potter "very pleased" to sign Diouf

It may have taken the sale of Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for them to get going on the transfer front, but get going West Ham have. The Hammers announced the arrival of El Hadji Malick Diouf to welcome their first big signing of the summer and Potter instantly expressed his delight.

Now that they’ve got going with their spending, West Ham may not stop there. Reports are now indicating that those at the London Stadium have made their first move to sign the £300,000-a-week attacker on loan.

West Ham make contact to sign Grealish

According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, West Ham have now made their first approach to sign Jack Grealish, who has been shown the door at Manchester City this summer. Potter is reportedly a fan of the £300,000-a-week international and the Hammers could yet welcome his arrival in what would be an excellent addition.

West Ham have experienced Grealish’s quality first-hand more times than they’ll care to admit and the London Stadium even saw him find the back of the net for Man City in a frantic 2-2 in the 2021/22 campaign.

Although Grealish has struggled in the last 12 months at Manchester City, he is still very much a player capable of making all the difference when at his best.

Even as he has continued to fall down the pecking order at The Etihad, Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for the West Ham target. The Spaniard previously told reporters last season: “I’m pleased for Jack.

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The Hammers could continue their summer spending.

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“Jack has the sense of the street, a player from the street. Most of the players, for our fault – the manager – are so academic. Jack is one of those players that came to fight in these stadiums when the people shout; he is a fighter.”

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is said to be livid with a change of heart from Morgan Gibbs-White, which opened up his delayed potential move to Tottenham, according to an intriguing new report.

"Unreal" player makes Tottenham or Inter transfer decision with terms agreed

Spurs and the Serie A heavyweights are both very interested.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 15, 2025

Forest have now written a letter to both Gibbs-White’s agent and Spurs, threatening legal action over what they’re convinced was an unlawful approach from the Lilywhites.

Thomas Frank was set to sign the 25-year-old late last week, with Tottenham poised to trigger his £60 million release clause. A medical was even booked last Friday at Hotspur Way, but after this unexpected twist, Gibbs-White has now been forced to wait.

Son Heung-min

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James Maddison

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Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

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via WhoScored

Tottenham remain hopeful of signing Gibbs-White, despite Forest’s intentions not to sell (Sky Sports), and the England international has reportedly made it clear to Marinakis that he wants to join Spurs.

However, Forest appear determined to at least drag out this move for as long as possible, if they can’t stop it.

Fabrizio Romano told GiveMeSport on Monday that it is a very “tense” situation, but Spurs are confident they’ll be able to proceed soon and make Gibbs-White their fourth signing of the summer after Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus.

If the potential £60 million deal goes through, it would take their summer spending to around £150 million, with chairman Daniel Levy making a serious statement of intent to back new manager Frank ahead of 2025/2026.

Forest are allegedly furious with both the confidentiality of Gibbs-White’s release clause being exposed and Tottenham’s approach to the player himself, which technically breaks Premier League rules, but it is also very commonplace in today’s football transfer market (Rob Dorsett).

Taking this into account, a report by Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey has shared more information on the saga, with Marinakis angry for another key reason.

Forest livid after Tottenham hijack part-exchange deal involving Gibbs-White

According to Veysey, Forest were in advanced talks with Man City over a part-exchange deal, which would’ve seen Gibbs-White go to the Etihad Stadium and James McAtee head to the City Ground.

However, Tottenham hijacked City’s move for Gibbs-White, which was close to being finalised, and the playmaker ultimately changed his mind about a move up north – choosing to join Frank’s side instead.

This “U-turn” from Gibbs-White and his camp is said to have infuriated Marinakis, and a lot of his anger stems from this.

If Forest are forced to sell the former Wolves star to Spurs, they’ll need to head back to the negotiating table with City for McAtee, and could end up paying an even higher transfer fee for the 22-year-old.

As supporters and clubs alike wait for this situation to be resolved, Gibbs-White is back training at Wilford Lane, but Forest still face the very real prospect of losing both Anthony Elanga and their star attacking midfielder in quick succession.

Glasgow Rangers have agreed a deal to sell a prominent Ibrox player during the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer Gers update from Sky Sports.

Martin's ruthless transfer approach at Rangers

Russell Martin has taken on a huge job at Ibrox, with the Englishman tasked with not only closing the gap on Celtic, but becoming Scottish Premiership champions again.

The 39-year-old is certainly speaking well in his early weeks and months in charge at Rangers, providing a ruthless outlook when it comes to the type of players he wants to sign this summer, and outlining what will put him off bringing in some individuals.

“People need to be desperate to play for this club and not just be an option. When we have spoken to people and they say, ‘Well, I need to hear my options,’ we are onto the next one. People need to be desperate. Spoke to Joe [Rothwell] and there was no other choice on his mind, and he had a lot of options.

“Same with Manny [Emmanuel Fernandez], spoke to my old manager at Peterborough, Darren, and he spoke so highly of him, and he has the potential to be anything he wants to be, I really believe that. Max [Aarons], loads of options in Europe but wanted to be here. Hopefully, because of the strength of the relationship with myself and Gilly [Matt Gill], but also because he wants to come and win and be part of something.”

There are likely to be plenty of ins and outs at Rangers before the transfer window reaches its conclusion, and it looks as though one current player’s time at Ibrox is now coming to an end.

Rangers agree deal to sell £9,000-a-week defender

According to a fresh update from Sky Sports, Rangers have now “agreed a deal” to sell centre-back Robin Propper back to former club FC Twente this summer.

“Rangers have agreed a deal for defender Robin Propper to return to Dutch club FC Twente. He moved to Ibrox last summer and will now be allowed to return to the Eredivisie if he can agree personal terms. Rangers will also allow the likes of Leon King, Ben Davies, Clinton Nsiala and Jose Cifuentes to depart this summer.”

This feels like the right decision by Rangers, despite Martin recently confirming the agreement in place and admitting that he has been “really impressed” with Propper since coming in as manager.

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Minutes played

1851

Clearances per game

4.0

Aerial duel wins per game

3.2

Tackles per game

1.6

Interceptions per game

0.9

Goals

2

Assists

0

The 31-year-old has struggled to wholly convince on a consistent basis since arriving from Twente in the summer of 2024, making only 21 starts in the Scottish Premiership last season.

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ByRoss Kilvington Jul 12, 2025

The £9,000-a-week defender also isn’t getting any younger, meaning the Rangers can cash in on him now and use the funds to look to bring in a younger centre-back option – one who could be a regular starter for Martin.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is a man on a mission this summer. While the Blues have reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup, thoughts are still on improving the team ahead of next season.

Maresca has already signed Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr this summer, but they won’t be the only arrivals at Stamford Bridge. That much is certain.

With the club set to compete in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season, the former Leicester manager will be aiming to have a squad strong enough to mount a potential challenge.

As such, he is keeping an eye on developments regarding a few players. Lyon youngster Malick Fofana has been earmarked as a target. As to Xavi Simons, who is ready to make the step up from RB Leipzig this summer.

Signing some of the best young talents on the continent appears to be the philosophy that Maresca is going for, although he will need some experience mixed in along with the youngsters.

One player whom Maresca is desperate to land is Borussia Dortmund talent Jamie Gittens, having tracked him for the previous few months.

Chelsea’s interest in Jamie Gittens

Despite having a wealth of options in the final third, Maresca is looking to make some big changes this summer.

Christopher Nkunku looks destined to leave the Blues after just two seasons, while Nicolas Jackson has attracted attention from elsewhere, notably Arsenal.

If both of these players depart, then the club will be keen on adding replacements to their squad.

Bolstering his wide options is another priority for Maresca, especially considering Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk is set to face a lengthy doping ban, meaning he won’t be able to play for the club.

As such, targeting a move for another winger or two is in the club’s best interests, hence the approach for Gittens.

The Blues had a bid of £42m rejected by Dortmund at the start of June for the Englishman, as they value him at around €65m (£55.5m), which Chelsea have yet to meet.

Positive talks have been held between player and club, but until that asking price is met in the coming weeks, Gittens won’t be making the move to England.

Last season, he registered 17 goal involvements – 12 goals and five assists – across 42 games for the German side, despite falling out of favour slightly during the second half of the season under new coach Niko Kovač.

Indeed, the youngster doesn’t quite fit into the Croatian’s style of football, hence why it looks as though they are willing to let him leave this summer. Of course, this depends on whether Chelsea can meet the asking price.

Still aged only 20, Gittens has plenty of room to develop and challenging for trophies while competing in the Champions League next season will certainly aid him.

Should the Blues secure a deal for the player, he could work wonders alongside another potential signing…

Chelsea discussing move for Premier League forward

Delap won’t be the only forward to make the move to Chelsea this summer. Hugo Ekitiké has been one of the club’s main transfer targets to add depth to this position, while West Ham United player Mohammed Kudus has also been linked with a move.

Transfer Focus

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

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are discussing a potential swoop for Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro.

“Let’s not forget the interest from Chelsea in Joao Pedro,” said Romano when talking on his official YouTube channel.

“He remains a player of interest, and they are having conversations because they like him and are following closely.”

Brighton are looking for a fee of around £60m in order to sanction the sale of the Brazilian.

Gittens remains a priority, but if Maresca is able to sign both the Englishman and Pedro this summer, they could make for a fantastic duo next season.

Why Joao Pedro would be unplayable with Jamie Gittens

When he is compared to his fellow peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the previous 365 days, Gittens has shone in several metrics.

His penchant for beating his marker is evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (3.57), while the winger also ranks in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.53) and in the top 7% for carries into the penalty area (3.06).

Not only does this show he is a handful for defenders, but it allows him space to get into the best positions in the final third.

As such, he would be excellent at providing Pedro with chances aplenty in the Premier League and Champions League next term, no doubt about that.

The Brazilian netted ten goals in the top flight last term, grabbing six assists in the process.

Centre-forward

119

34

18

Left winger

40

14

0

Attacking midfield

27

11

1

Right winger

5

0

0

What was most impressive is that the 23-year-old scored once every 195 minutes for Brighton while finishing the season with a goal conversion percentage of 21%.

He only missed seven big chances, too, suggesting the Brighton star is extremely clinical in the penalty area.

Combining this with Gittens’ desire to get the ball into the box as often as possible, means the pair could shine together next season.

Once hailed as “magical” by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his ability on the ball, Pedro could be the ideal replacement for the likes of Nkunku and Joao Felix, who are both expected to leave.

His Premier League experience means the striker should be ready to slot into the starting XI without the need to settle in.

A fee of £60m sounds extravagant on the surface, but with the club needing players of Pedro’s quality for their Champions League campaign, that is the price Maresca must be willing to pay.

For now, the focus is on going as far as possible in the Club World Cup, especially with $125m on offer for the winner.

The Italian is still looking to bolster his team, though, and he could make a bold statement by capturing Pedro and Gittens.

Maresca is now pushing Chelsea to sign £150k-per-week World Cup winner

The Italian and his staff are big fans.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025

Arsenal are making serious moves in the summer transfer market and have already held numerous talks over targets, but Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are now resigned to losing out on an “exciting” target with a deal agreed for him to join Man City.

Berta is already poised to seal deals for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, with Berta keen to reinforce Arsenal’s attack as well.

£67m player prioritising Arsenal move as agent holds meeting, it's not Sesko

He’s pretty keen on a move to north London.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

Arsenal have all the details of Zubimendi’s signing agreed, according to both David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, with AS also reporting this week that the delay in his arrival is a result of Sociedad wanting to finalise his exit as part of the next financial year, which commences in July.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Kepa, meanwhile, is currently attempting to complete a £5 million move from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium, with the Spaniard looking set to come in as David Raya’s new understudy following Neto’s return to Bournemouth.

Following Zubimendi and Kepa, they are believed to be in the market for a new winger as well, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo standing out as a “dream” target for Arsenal, even if it is unlikely to materialise as things stand (Fabrizio Romano).

Obviously, Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker has dominated headlines over the last few weeks, and two names in Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko have stood out in particular.

Arsenal have held concrete talks over a deal for Sesko in recent weeks, with some reports in Portugal now claiming that an opening offer for Gyokeres has landed from north London as well (Record).

As per the BBC recently, Arsenal groundwork has been laid over moves for both Sesko and Gyokeres, so Berta could be testing the waters for either man right now ahead of deciding which one to fully prioritise.

Unfortunately for the club’s new transfer chief, he doesn’t have that same luxury when it comes to attacking midfield target Sverre Nypan, who’s now set to join City.

Arsenal in disbelief after missing out on Sverre Nypan deal

The Norwegian wonderkid has now sealed a switch to Eastlands, and will join City in a near-£13 million move from Rosenborg despite Arsenal’s serious interest.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to The Boot Room, Arsenal chiefs are in disbelief they’ve missed out on signing Nypan, and were convinced they’d land him before news emerged of the 18-year-old’s pending switch to Manchester.

“It’s weird. Arsenal thought they got him,” said Bailey.

“It was actually Aston Villa who came on (strongest). Arsenal are a little bit shocked that City have ended up getting him. They (Arsenal) thought City were out of it and felt they had beaten him to him.”

Nypan has drawn comparisons to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard whilst being hailed as an “extremely exciting” talent by Norwegian media.

The teenager bagged eight goals and 10 assists in all competitions during the 2024 season, piqueing interest from Arsenal, but the Rosenborg sensation has elected to link up with Pep Guardiola instead.