All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Former Glasgow Rangers chairman Dave King has confirmed that a takeover of the club is expected to be finalised in the middle of June, ahead of the summer transfer window.

The US health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises are poised to take control of the Light Blues in just over a month, which will mark the start of a new era at Ibrox.

Results on the pitch in recent seasons suggest that a new direction and new leadership have been a long time coming, as Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership title in each of the last four seasons.

The Light Blues, who held their rivals to a 1-1 draw last time out, are going to end the 2024/25 campaign without a single trophy to show for their efforts, and with Barry Ferguson in interim charge after Philippe Clement was dismissed earlier this year.

Rangers will be on the lookout for a new manager to lead the club into a new era under the 49ers, and there are already plenty of names being floated around.

One popular suggestion has already been ruled out as a contender, though, as it has been revealed that Steven Gerrard will not be the new Rangers manager.

Why Steven Gerrard will not be the next Rangers manager

The English head coach is currently a free agent, having left Al-Ettifaq earlier this year, and this means that the Gers would not have to pay any compensation to bring him back to Ibrox.

Despite being an attractive target, having also won a Premiership title for the Light Blues during his previous spell as the manager in Glasgow, the 49ers will not be pursuing a deal for the English boss.

TEAMtalk recently revealed that the new owners want to appoint a manager who does not have any links to the club, as they want a fresh face to build a new philosophy and way of playing to lead the team forward.

The report claimed that the 49ers are planning to build the club gradually, and their first move is going to be to appoint a manager who can lead a long-term project at Ibrox.

TEAMtalk’s article does not explain outright why they do not want anyone with prior experience at Ibrox, but it could be to avoid complacency and to avoid emotions dictating decisions.

It is the kind of ruthless decision that suggests that they could also be ruthless with underperforming players in the summer transfer window, particularly when it comes to the ones who are near the top of the wage bill.

The top ten earners at Rangers

Rangers have failed to win the league title in each of the last four seasons. This means that they have underperformed for several years, and suggests that the squad is not good enough.

James Tavernier, who has registered four goals and ten assists in the Premiership and the Europa League this season, is reportedly the top earner at Ibrox on a weekly wage of £30k.

As the captain and a regular starter who contributes with goals and assists on a regular basis, it is hard to argue that he does not provide value for money at this moment in time.

James Tavernier

£30k

Vaclav Cerny

£27k

Cyriel Dessers

£27k

Danilo

£26k

Jack Butland

£25k

Rabbi Matondo

£23k

Dujon Sterling

£22k

Tom Lawrence

£22k

Ianis Hagi

£21k

Nicolas Raskin

£19k

As you can see in the table above, though, there are some players who are not performing well enough this season to justify them being among the top earners at the club.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Jack Butland is one of those players who have not done enough on the pitch in the 2024/25 campaign to make his £25k-per-week wages worthwhile for the Light Blues.

The 49ers should, now, be ruthless in the summer transfer window by attempting to move on from the former England international, so that he is not part of the new era at Ibrox, as will be the case for Gerrard.

Why Jack Butland should not be a part of the 49ers era at Rangers

Rangers will need to make brutal decisions on players in order to improve the squad and to ensure that they can compete for major trophies next season, which means that they will have to make some bold calls on stars who have not hit the heights they once reached.

Butland enjoyed an excellent debut season with Rangers after his move from Crystal Palace on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, as he kept 25 clean sheets in 58 appearances in all competitions for the club.

The current campaign has not gone as smoothly for the experienced shot-stopper, though, as he is currently the second-choice behind Liam Kelly and has only kept 14 clean sheets in 42 appearances.

Unfortunately, errors, like the one in the clip above, have become too commonplace for Butland, who was once described as “error prone” by journalist Luke Hatfield.

The English goalkeeper conceded 1.32 more goals than expected, based on the xG of the shots against him, and kept two clean sheets in his ten outings in the Europa League this term.

Appearances

38

26

Save percentage

71%

67%

Clean sheets

18

10

Error led to shot

1

2

Error led to goal

0

2

Penalties committed

0

1

As you can see in the table above, Butland’s form in the Premiership has also declined after his impressive debut season in Scottish football between the sticks, as he has been an unreliable presence in goal for the Light Blues with his mistakes.

He has been far too ‘error prone’ in the top-flight, with five errors that have led to shots, goals, or penalties for the opposition, and has kept eight fewer clean sheets, which has led to him losing his place to Kelly.

Therefore, the club must be ruthless with Butland and attempt to move on from him in the summer transfer window because his performances suggest that he should not be a part of the new 49ers era at Ibrox, as his performances have not aligned with his place in the wage bill.

Rangers can forget Gerrard & Rose by appointing "world-class manager"

With Steven Gerrard and Marco Rose the current front-runners to be the new Rangers boss, should the 49ers appoint a “world-class manager” instead?

ByBen Gray May 7, 2025

It is now down to the new owners, once they are in place next month, to make that call and to recruit an upgrade on him before the start of next season.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, a La Liga club’s President has now confirmed that sit-down talks have been scheduled with Manchester United to sign a highly paid attacker.

Man Utd ease into Europa League final

After some unforgettable chaos against Lyon at the quarter-final stage, it seemed unlikely that Manchester United would be in for a simple affair against Athletic Bilbao in the final four. Yet, as the final whistle sounded at Old Trafford last night, there was no sigh of relief thanks to a stressful encounter. Instead, it simply confirmed what the Red Devils had known for some time following a 7-1 aggregate mauling of the Spanish outfit.

Into the Europa League final as a result of their impressive victory, Manchester United will now square off against Tottenham Hotspur in a game that both sides desperately need to win to salvage what have otherwise been disastrous campaigns.

United boss Ruben Amorim had his say on the final following the Bilbao game, telling reporters: “I’m just worried about the next game, trying not to get any injuries for the final. We need to win it. If we don’t win it, it means nothing for us. So let’s see.

“We have to have a full squad, that is really important. And we need to study the game quite well. And we need to have a little bit of luck. Today we suffered a goal, but we had so many transitions to score a goal and we didn’t.

Man Utd now prioritising move to sign "dominant" Champions League finalist

He’s a Champions League finalist.

ByTom Cunningham May 8, 2025

“We have to be clinical. It’s quite similar for me and Ange [Postecoglou]. It’s a tough moment, one of us is going to win. But it’s going to be a big final and we are going to try to win.”

Meanwhile, whether they win the Europa League or not, Manchester United could be set to bid farewell to one particular player with talks now reportedly scheduled over his exit.

Real Betis chief confirms Antony talks

As confirmed by club President Angel Haro, Real Betis have now scheduled sit-down talks with Manchester United about signing Antony for another season. The Brazilian, who makes over £10m-a-year in wages, has enjoyed a revived spell away from Old Trafford – taking his tally up to nine goals in all competitions – and could now spend another campaign away from the Premier League.

Haro told El Partidazo, as relayed by Sport Witness: “Keeping Antony as our own is very, very complicated.We’ll have a meeting with Manchester United to extend the loan for another year, to be able to share a percentage of the player. It’s about seeing the willingness of the player and Manchester United.”

Dubbed “special” by Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini during his loan spell at the club, the Antony revival may only be set to continue if he stays put in Spain for another season, but it seems clear from Haro’s comments that the La Liga outfit cannot afford his wages and transfer fee for a permanent move.

Setting their sights on reinforcements with or without promotion to the Premier League, Sheffield United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a defensive reinforcement whose quality they know all about.

Sheffield United set for key play-off battle

With Burnley and Leeds United already promoted and left to battle it out for the Championship title, Sheffield United must turn towards the play-offs and Wembley success if they are to take their place in the Premier League for next season. That is, of course, easier said than done though. The play-offs are rarely routine and have the chance to throw up the kind of shocks that the Blades will be desperate to avoid.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder reacted to the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion recently, telling reporters: “Congratulations to Daniel (Farke) and Scott (Parker) and their two teams, for those clubs to have the ability to reach 100 points shows you what the division is like, and we’ve finished up the third best team in the division.

Sheffield United eyeing Wilfred Ndidi as £9m relegation release fee emerges

He has a lot of admirers…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 30, 2025

“The season went to the 44th game and I thought we had a right go, created some chance, but the goals have killed us, it was two poor goals, and the penalty hands the initiative back to them, despite us always carrying a threat.

“We’ve had to learn on the job and the season doesn’t end here, we’d have had to get 95+ points, so it is an insane season. The players will learn from this because we’ve fallen short.”

After officially finishing third, Wilder’s side will now square off against sixth place in the Championship play-offs, which will be Coventry City if nothing changes on the final day this weekend. With Millwall, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough all forming the chasing pack, however, Sheffield United will only know their fate at the end of this weekend’s fixtures.

Sheffield United join Ciaron Brown race

Away from the action, the Blades have seemingly commenced their summer plans even without knowing their fate. According to Graeme Bailey for EFL Analysis, Sheffield United are now racing to sign Ciaron Brown from Oxford United this summer but face competition from both Norwich City and Middlesbrough for his signature.

Those at Bramall Lane will be hoping that their place as promotion hopefuls this season and hopefully a top flight club in the coming weeks will tempt the versatile defender.

Brown is a versatile centre-back that Sheffield United know all about too, having witnessed him pocket the talented Ben Brereton Diaz in Oxford’s stunning 1-0 victory over Wilder’s side last month.

As per Fotmob, Brereton Diaz was hooked after 59 minutes, having created just one chance and taken just two touches in the Oxford box. Brown, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent game and ended the afternoon without being dribbled past once and with 15 clearances to his name as his side kept an impressive clean sheet.

Praised for his “fantastic attitude” by former Oxford boss Liam Manning last season, Brown may now have done enough to earn a big move this summer.

After putting in what might be one of the club’s all-time great performances away to European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday night, Arsenal had the task of dispatching Ipswich Town yesterday afternoon.

Given the hype before their Champions League game and the sheer jubilation that followed it, it wouldn’t have been all that surprising to see the Gunners struggle to motivate themselves for a Premier League game that ultimately now means little in the grand scheme of their season.

However, Mikel Arteta has instilled a certain philosophy in his team, and they came out flying against the Tractor Boys, coming away from Suffolk as fully deserved 4-0 winners, with the likes of Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard seriously impressing.

Yet, as good as the two starters were and as vital as they will be for the rest of the season, one of the second-half substitutes is now worth considerably more than both and could even be the Gunners’ new Cesc Fàbregas.

Merino & Trossard's game vs Ipswich

With Thomas Partey set to miss the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain thanks to his brainless yellow card in the closing stages of last week’s win, Arteta left him out of yesterday’s starting lineup, moving Merino into midfield and starting Trossard up top, in preparation for the upcoming game.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

While some were understandably worried about changing a winning formula, it would be fair to say it was a tweak that worked perfectly.

For example, the Belgian scored a goal in both halves and what made them all the more impressive was that he did so with little space to manoeuvre in the box, which might be how he has to operate next Tuesday.

We weren’t the only ones impressed with the former Brighton & Hove Albion man either, as the Standard’s Simon Collings awarded him an 8/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘made his case’ to start against PSG and ‘offered more than just goals.’

Moreover, be it the confidence he’s gained from playing up top or the simple fact that he’s now had a sizable run of games in the side, the former Real Sociedad star was phenomenal and earned an 8/10 rating from Collings.

For example, his brilliant backheel allowed Gabriel Martinelli to score his 50th goal for the club, and while he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, he was here, there and everywhere in the middle of the park, as exemplified by his statistics.

For example, in just 57 minutes of action, the “duel monster,” as dubbed by Arsenal content creator Adam Keys, amassed a combined expected goal plus assists figure of 0.48, provided one assist, took 33 touches, played one key pass, was accurate in 100% of his crosses, created one big chance, won ten duels and made six tackles.

Minutes

57′

Expected Assists

0.04

Assists

1

Expected Goals

0.44

Key Passes

1

Big Chances Created

1

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (1)

Touches

33

Duels Won

10

Tackles

6

Dribbled Past

0

In short, both Trossard and Merino put in stellar displays yesterday and should now be nailed-on starters for next Tuesday’s season-defining encounter.

Yet, both players are worth considerably less than one of yesterday’s substitutes, who could be the club’s next Fabregas.

The Arsenal gem worth millions more than Trossard & Merino

So, first things first, how much are Merino and Trossard worth today? Well, according to Football Transfers, the former is worth around €39.7m, which is about £34m, and the latter is valued at €31.8m, which is about £27m.

Now, while those are not insignificant valuations, they are, surprisingly so, much lower than Ethan Nwaneri’s, which is a whopping €54.6m, which comes out to about £47m, or £20m more than the Belgian and £13m more than the Spaniard.

It might seem like an absurd number for someone who’s just turned 18, but that might actually work in his favour, as the Hale Ender is already showing an ability to thrive in a title-chasing side at such a young age, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in just 33 appearances, totalling 1294 minutes.

In fact, it’s this ability to step up and perform like a seasoned professional at such a young age that makes him so similar to Fabregas.

The former captain became the youngest player to represent the team in a competitive fixture – a title now held by the Enfield-born gem – when he came off the bench against Rotherham United in a League Cup match in October 2003.

Then, over the next few years, he became a regular starter in the team, so much so that he started the club’s triumphant FA Cup final against Manchester United in 2005.

On top of breaking through in similar ways, there is a real possibility that the Gunners’ “unplayable” young star, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, could eventually move into the position once held by the Spaniard in time, as while he’s thriving on the wing at the moment, his most played position across his junior career was attacking midfield.

Finally, like the former Barcelona star, the teenage phenomenon has already shown that nothing about top-flight football fazes him, which could be one of the characteristics that help him establish a starting role in the first team in the years to come.

Ultimately, while Merino and Trossard should and almost certainly will start against PSG, Nwaneri looks like he will be one of Arsenal’s best players for potentially the next decade or more.

Best signing since Rice: £58m goalscoring "monster" wants to join Arsenal

The incredible international could be just what Arsenal need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 21, 2025

The footballing gods were in playful mood on Tuesday evening, as Manchester United slipped to a 13th Premier League defeat of the season, having been undone by one of their own academy graduate at the City Ground.

Now plying his trade for Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga ripped through the Red Devils at breakneck speed to net what proved to be the game’s only goal, with the fleet-footed Swede having now registered 29 goals and assists since leaving United back in 2023.

Sold for just £15m, the 22-year-old has made that fee look an absolute “bargain” amid his form since – as noted by analyst Ben Mattinson – albeit with new boss Ruben Amorim appearing to refute claims that selling the winger was a mistake.

Speaking in his post-match press conference following the 1-0 defeat, Amorim suggested that in-form players like Elanga – and Marcus Rashford – had been given a fair “chance” to succeed at Old Trafford, while then going on to state that the “pressure is too big” for certain players at the club.

In essence, the 40-year-old appeared to hint that such talents have only been able to flourish after breaking free of the scrutiny that comes with playing for such a historic club like United.

In the case of Elanga, his fruitful stint at Forest has followed a return of just four goals and four assists in 55 first-team games for United – were the club really in the wrong to sell him?

Why Man Utd sold Elanga in 2023

In the view of journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the “only mistake” that the Red Devils – then led by Erik ten Hag – made was “not getting a higher fee” for the Swedish speedster upon his exit almost two years ago, with Elanga hardly setting the world alight prior to that departure.

Despite scoring his first senior goal away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the 2020/21 campaign, it wasn’t until the arrival of interim boss, Ralf Rangnick, that Elanga properly forced his way into the first-team frame the following season.

Much of the winger’s impact came in the final few months of 2021/22, having scored away at Brentford and Leeds United, as well as in the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Those latter two strikes came in just the space of a few days, although as it proved, Elanga wouldn’t score again for the club after that, having been reduced to a bit-part role following Ten Hag’s arrival.

As the BBC’s Simon Stone has stated, the Dutchman ‘did not feel Elanga had the quality needed to be enough of an influence on his squad’, hence the decision to let him depart.

Having failed to score in 26 games in 2022/23, there were likely few objections when the Malmo-born starlet was eventually sold, not least with Alejandro Garnacho having emerged that season.

Hindsight might suggest that Ten Hag was mistaken in his view of Elanga, although it could be argued that United already have a bigger talent on the flanks – he just wasn’t playing on Tuesday…

The Man Utd star who's worth more than Elanga

There were instant comparisons made between the performances of Garnacho and Elanga at the City Ground, with the Argentine perhaps in danger of heading the same way as his former teammate, amid talk of an exit.

That said, it’s worth remembering that as Elanga toiled in 2022/23, a star was born in Garnacho, with the then-teenager ending that campaign with nine goals and assists in the senior ranks.

In a team that looks far too content with playing it safe in attack, Garnacho is, to his credit, a risk tasker – so too, is Amad Diallo.

As previously explored, the Ivorian had fallen behind the likes of Elanga in the pecking order amid a muted start to life in Manchester, with the diminutive left-footer having arrived on a £19m deal from Atalanta in January 2021.

It has arguably taken until this season for the one-time Rangers and Sunderland loanee to truly become a central figure at Old Trafford, but boy, has he taken his chance.

Player

Current club

Market value

Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United

£46m

Marcus Rashford

Aston Villa

£42m

Alejandro Garnacho

Manchester United

£38m

Scott McTominay

Napoli

£34m

Mason Greenwood

Marseille

£29m

Anthony Elanga

Nottingham Forest

£29m

Dwight McNeil

Everton

£21m

Angel Gomes

Lille

£17m

Andreas Pereira

Fulham

£17m

James Garner

Everton

£17m

Following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell – which yielded two goals and one assist for Amad – the 22-year-old had been the shining light of United’s campaign, up until last month’s cruel injury blow, having chalked up 12 goal involvements in only 20 games under Amorim.

The wing “wizard” – as previously hailed by journalist James Copley – has nine goals and eight assists to his name in total this season, with Elanga, meanwhile, having contributed six goals and nine assists for Forest.

Currently leading his former colleague for goal contributions, Amad is also deemed to be the higher value asset, according to Transfermarkt, having seen his worth soar to £34m. Elanga, by contrast, is valued at ‘just’ £29m.

That rising valuation has followed the signing of a new long-term contract for the £120k-per-week sensation, with Amorim also providing a boost after suggesting that his rising star is set to return before the campaign is over.

As that bumper new deal has indicated, Amad represents the future of Man Utd. Elanga – for all his positive displays since leaving Old Trafford – is now part of the past.

Man Utd's £50k-p/w star is in danger of becoming the new Anthony Elanga

Man Utd saw Elanga come back to haunt them on Tuesday evening at the City Ground

ByRobbie Walls Apr 2, 2025

Aston Villa are now preparing an ambitious January move to sign a “seriously impressive” midfielder, with his current club now willing to cash-in for £30m.

Villa looking to bolster options in midfield amid Elliott uncertainty

Despite Harvey Elliott making a solid start to life at Villa Park, scoring on his first start in the EFL Cup defeat at Brentford, his future is now in doubt, with Unai Emery unwilling to give the midfielder any game time as of late.

As there is an obligation to buy clause is activated if the 22-year-old plays in just ten matches this season, he has fallen down the pecking order considerably, and there are now major doubts over whether the Liverpool loanee will remain at Villa beyond January.

As such, Emery may need to bring in another midfielder in the upcoming transfer window, and there has now been a new update on the Villans’ pursuit of Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now preparing an ambitious January move to sign De Cat, and they are keen to accelerate talks, amid growing interest from elsewhere, with Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Brighton also in the race.

Scouts from across Europe have been left impressed by the Anderlecht maestro, and the Belgian club would be willing to cash-in for the right fee, with a £30m asking price being touted.

The Villans are now readying a bid of €22m – €25m (£19m – £22m) up front, such is their level of interest in the youngster, who has been likened to Manchester City star and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

Aston Villa plotting £18m bid for "tremendous" defender, Martinez is a big fan

The Villans are planning a move for a new centre-back, who is also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

ByDominic Lund Nov 27, 2025 "Seriously impressive" De Cat is one for the future

The 17-year-old is held in very high regard by scout Ben Mattinson, who took to X to provide an overview of his key strengths earlier this year.

Although he is still very young, the teenager, who stands at a towering 6’4, has already established himself as a key player for Anderlecht, making 20 appearances across all competitions this season.

Given that the Belgian is yet to prove himself in a major European league, he may not yet be at the level to make an instant impact at Aston Villa, but the starlet has the makings of a future star, and it is little wonder so many top clubs are keen.

Are the glory days heading back to Stamford Bridge?

Having enjoyed so much success during the two decades of Roman Abramovich’s ownership, Chelsea supporters cannot help but hark back to the past and hope that current players can replicate those from then.

While they may never see a player as good in their position as Petr Čech, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard or Dider Drogba ever again, did an up-and-coming Chelsea youngster put in a display reminiscent of a Chelsea superstar from more recent times against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday?

N'Golo Kanté's Premier League legacy

Given how widespread football and football coverage is in the modern era, it is very rare that any player can be truly described as completely unique.

However, N’Golo Kanté certainly falls into this category, considering we’ve not seen the like before or since.

He was a key figure in Leicester City’s title triumph against all odds a decade ago, before winning another Premier League title, the FA Cup and Champions League with Chelsea, as well as the World Cup with France.

At just 5 ft 6 in (168 cms) tall, he possessed seemingly endless amounts of energy, covering every blade of grass match after match, racking up more tackles, blocks, interceptions and distance covered than anyone else to ever grace the Premier League.

Now 34 years old and playing for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, his unique skillset is underlined by the fact that Didier Deschamps recalled him to his French national team squad last week after a year away, starting against Ukraine at Parc des Princes, still unable to find someone better at being Kanté than Kanté.

Now though, which current Chelsea player put in a Kanté-esque display at Turf Moor?

Chelsea's new N'Golo Kanté

The major talking point ahead of kick off between Burnley and Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime was the fact that Moisés Caicedo was left on the bench.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With games against Barcelona and Arsenal up next, Enzo Maresca decided to rest his star midfielder, after he had completed 90 minutes in both of Ecuador’s matches during the international break, these friendlies against Canada in Toronto and then New Zealand in Harrison, New Jersey.

This presented Andrey Santos with an opportunity to stake a claim, and he certainly did just that.

The table below documents the Brazilian’s impressive display in Lancashire.

Accurate passes

34

11th

Key passes

1

6th

Defensive actions

12

1st

Clearances

4

3rd

Interceptions

4

1st

Tackles won

3

3rd

Duels contested

10

2nd

Duels won

7

2nd

Ball recoveries

4

1st

Touches

63

6th

SofaScore rating

7.3

3rd

The table emphasises Santos’ excellent display against Burnley, leading the match when it comes to defensive actions, interceptions and ball recoveries, as well as winning seven of his ten duels and putting in three tackles, all Kanté-esque traits.

Matthew Judge of Goal noted that deputising for Caicedo is always an ‘unenviable’ task, but the Brazilian put in an ‘excellent’ display, given that he provided ‘a solid shield’ in front of the Chelsea backline, a key reason why Burnley rarely threatened, awarding him an 8/10 rating.

Meantime, Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport asserted that it was Santos’ “best performance to date” for the club.

The 20-year-old joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama back in January 2023, but did not make his debut for the club until the Club World Cup in June against Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

He spent last season on loan at BlueCo’s other club Strasbourg, impressing all Ligue 1 observers, including Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout, who asserted that he is an “incredible midfielder in the making”.

Well, with massive games against Barcelona and Arsenal up next, was this the game Santos came to the fore and asserted himself as a key figure in this Chelsea team, as Kanté was during an ultra-successful period?

Chelsea have Palmer 2.0 with a "left foot made of gold" & it's not Estevao

The promising talent could be the perfect solution to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer problem.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 22, 2025

Tottenham are believed to be at the front of a queue for one of Europe’s most exciting strikers as we slowly head into the January transfer window, according to a new report.

Tottenham poised for active January after attacking struggles

Spurs’ struggles this season have exposed a glaring deficiency that threatens to derail their campaign — the absence of a reliable, clinical striker capable of converting chances on a regular-enough basis.

As January approaches, manager Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure to address what has become the most pressing issue hampering Spurs’ progress.

Since the start of 25/26, they’ve registered the second-lowest rate of shots on goal out of every Premier League team, and currently sit 17th in the division for expected goals per game.

xG

11.0

17th

Non-penalty xG

11.0

16th

Progressive passes

413

12th

Shots

110

19th

Shots on target

40

15th

Average shot distance

15.6 yards

17th

Their lack of attacking edge was on display for all to see during Spurs’ 4-1 defeat to North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with the Lilywhites barely managing to lay a glove on the home side, barring Richarlison’s out-of-this-world lob from the half-way line.

Dominic Solanke’s persistent injury troubles have crippled Tottenham’s forward line since pre-season.

The England international underwent ‘minor ankle surgery’ in October and has managed just 47 minutes of football all campaign, depriving Frank of his primary goalscoring outlet.

The absence of Tottenham’s club-record signing has left a massive void that nobody has adequately filled. His latest setback follows multiple injury problems throughout last season, with the 28-year-old’s record proving a major concern for Frank.

This, combined with Randal Kolo Muani’s own fitness problems, Richarlison’s inconsistency and Mathys Tel’s rumoured unrest, means that Spurs have been repeatedly linked with a new centre-forward.

One of their chief targets, according to multiple reports, is FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.

The young Spaniard is being targeted by Spurs ahead of the January window, alongside the likes of Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who has reportedly held direct talks with Frank over a move to London in the winter.

Aghehowa was once close to joining Chelsea in 2024 before he pulled out of the move to Stamford Bridge, and that decision has paid dividends.

The 21-year-old has scored 36 goals in 60 total appearances in all competitions since the start of last season, with Aghehowa now having his pick of Premier League suitors ahead of 2026.

Tottenham lead Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal in race for Samu Aghehowa

According to CaughtOffside and journalist Mark Brus, Tottenham are currently leading the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle in the race for Aghehowa as they show the strongest interest.

This follows a report from Tuesday that Spurs are prepared to strike a deal for the forward as early as January, but Porto apparently won’t budge on his £88 million release clause.

The former Deportivo Alaves sensation, who Brus describes as ‘one of the most exciting young strikers in the game’ right now, has also been revered as a ‘madman’ number nine by other members of the press.

Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, Spurs’ new co-sporting director duo, could have more funds to play with in January thanks to the Lewis family trust’s recent £100 million capital injection.

Some of these funds could be reinvested into their recruitment drive, and the signing of Aghehowa would certainly be a mid-season statement in Frank’s hunt for silverware and a top four finish.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the market for quality attacking reinforcements come January and have now been told how much it will take to land a winger who is thriving in one of Europe’s top-five leagues.

Thomas Frank has had mixed luck with signings since walking through the door in N17, and many would argue that Spurs’ capture of Mohammed Kudus has been their best bit of business so far.

On the flip side, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani may take a little longer to fully settle at the club after some mixed performances, which is part and parcel of football at the end of the day, and the latter’s been very stop-start due to multiple injury problems.

As January approaches, signings will be necessary for Tottenham to kick on under Frank’s stewardship, and he already appears to have identified some exciting names to help their push for a strong Premier League finish.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is a high-profile Spurs target and may be on his way to N17 amid the Lilywhites’ wish to recruit a new winger as a top priority, rather than a fixed number nine.

Looking towards in-form Premier League stars may be their preference. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is another name wanted by Tottenham, and they have made an approach for the Senegal international, even if he could cost close to £70 million.

Truthfully, Spurs have the financial muscle to acquire top talent, but half the battle may be convincing players that their project has more to offer in the long term than rival clubs.

Competition for new additions in mid-season is usually fierce, though Tottenham have been told in no uncertain circumstances how much it may cost to bring one of their known targets to North London if they decide to press ahead with a move.

Tottenham told how much it will cost to land Takefusa Kubo

According to Pete O’Rourke on Football Insider’s Inside Track, Tottenham target Takefusa Kubo has a £52 million release clause inserted in his Real Sociedad contract, and any bid submitted matching that figure would be enough to enter direct negotiations with the player.

He explained: “He’s been continually linked with the move to the Premier League with Tottenham, Liverpool over the years, Aston Villa as well. Top young player who’s done really well for Real Sociedad. So, it’s no surprise that the top European clubs are looking at the Japanese international as well.

Takefusa Kobe at Real Sociedad – is he worth £52 million?

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“He has got a release clause in his contract, so it would be straightforward if Tottenham wanted to go and sign him in January. £52million, it’s not a cheap deal by any stretch of the imagination. So, that will come into consideration if Tottenham are to firm up their interest in Kubo as well.”

Lauded by Zinedine Zidane for his “very interesting” tendencies as a player, Kubo has emerged as a target amid concerns over whether Everton would be willing to let go of Ndiaye, though it remains to be seen whether Spurs can land either of their targets.