Scott Parker might well be known to many in the Premier League as a former goalscoring hero on the books of West Ham United, but his managerial career in the top league to date has been anything but a smooth sailing experience.

Indeed, the 44-year-old has only ever collected nine wins from the dug-out when taking control of a top-flight team. Still, after guiding the Clarets to automatic promotion in style with only two defeats from 46 Championship clashes last season, he will fancy his chances at rewriting this negative narrative.

He will certainly be helped in his efforts to keep the Lancashire side afloat if he is given plenty to spend this summer transfer window, with a new target who has previously set the EFL alight now catching the eye at Turf Moor.

Burnley add 20-year-old star to shortlist

Whilst Leeds United explore moves aplenty with Aaron Ramsdale and Emiliano Buendia linked, the Whites’ fellow automatic promotion winners haven’t been overrun with rumours of their own.

Danny Ings has been speculatively linked with a return to the Clarets, alongside Chelsea outcast Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also being tipped to make the move from West London, but one new rumour involving ex-Birmingham City star Jordan James has emerged.

Journalist Alan Nixon has revealed that Burnley are taking a look at the now Rennes midfielder as a possible replacement figure for Josh Brownhill, with the newly promoted outfit prepared to splash £12m to land the 20-year-old’s services.

Whilst James could come in and replace Brownhill, considering the experienced Clarets ace is being linked with a switch to Everton among other established top-flight destinations, Parker will pray that the former St. Andrew’s product could actually bounce off the 29-year-old well, with the youngster perhaps going on to be as influential as Tom Cairney once was in the heart of Parker’s midfield at Fulham.

Games played

63

Goals scored

10

Assists

4

Games missed through injury

47

How James could be Parker's next Brownhill

Despite missing 47 games of Parker’s tenure through serious injury, the much-loved Cottagers servant would still manage to pick up a hefty tally of ten goals and four assists from 63 games under his methods.

Much like Cairney, James has shown for ex-employers Birmingham in the Championship that he has a similar eye for firing home an effort or assisting a teammate, leading to Rennes boldly picking him up for a sturdy £8m fee.

In total, the 20-year-old would pick 12 goal contributions for his boyhood side from 105 clashes, with a hope now on the Wales international’s end that a return to England results in him becoming a Premier League established performer for Parker’s relegation-threatened side.

After all, whilst Cairney did shine in glimpses under the 44-year-old’s guidance, he hadn’t yet made a full name for himself in the top flight. Now, at 34 years of age, the Fulham veteran has added 144 Premier League clashes to his glittering career resume, with James presumably eager to make similar waves if he does relocate back to England.

CM

40

3

2

DM

21

0

0

AM

16

3

1

LM

10

2

0

RM

9

0

0

The table above further reinforces the idea that James could become Parker’s next iteration of Cairney in time, with the Clarets target capable of playing all across the midfield positions much like the Fulham captain, away from simply offering up the same goal-threat as the number ten.

Labelled as a “standout” young player when on the books of the Blues by journalist Josh Bunting, it will be intriguing to see how seamlessly the 20-year-old makes the transition up to the bright lights of the Premier League.

Yet, if there’s one figure that should be able to get the best out of James, it’s Parker, considering he was once a wide-eyed starlet himself in the middle of the park trying to cut his teeth, away from previously working with Cairney.

Dream Burnley XI after promotion: Egan-Riley replaced & £30m star arrives

Scott Parker will want lots of new signings through the door at Burnley after their triumphant return to the Premier League.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 1, 2025

With the summer transfer window set to open on the 1st of June, it is clear that Chelsea are going to sign a striker. The Blues, who face Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday, are strongly linked with several new names who could lead the line for them.

A recent report from Kieran Gill for The Mail named some of the striker targets the Blues are chasing this summer. They include Eintracht Frankfurt youngster Hugo Ekitike, also wanted by Liverpool, and fellow Bundesliga striker Benjamin Sesko, currently playing for RB Leipzig.

However, there is another man the West Londoners are interested in, for whom they are thought to be leading the race to sign.

Chelsea’s main striker target

It will be fascinating to see who the Blues pursue this summer, with regards to their centre-forward targets. Of course, they seem to be strong contenders to sign Ekitike and Sesko, but they are arguably not their preferred choice.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to a report from Chris Wheeler of The Mail, Chelsea are currently the favourites to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. The Blues have ‘edged ahead’ in the race in recent days, perhaps swung by their Champions League qualification, which was confirmed on Sunday.

This has been corroborated by journalist Graeme Bailey, with the transfer insider outlining that the Blues are now ‘confident’ that they will beat Manchester United in the battle for his signature, having already held ‘fresh talks’ with the player.

Any deal for the in-demand striker would cost in the region of £30m, owing to a relegation release clause in his contract at Portman Road.

Why Delap would be a good signing

Few players in their first Premier League campaign have made as much of an impression this season as Delap. In what was a disappointing season for Ipswich as a whole, the England under-21 forward certainly made a big impact.

The 22-year-old, who is the son of Stoke City cult hero Rory, played 37 times in his first full Premier League season. In that time, he managed to bag himself 12 goals and also chipped in with two assists.

One of the biggest positives about Delap is his consistency. His longest goal drought in 2024/25 was seven games, which actually came in the final few games of the season.

Aside from that, he was a consistent scorer for the Tractor Boys, even finding the back of the net against Chelsea in a 2-0 win at Portman Road.

If the Blues do manage to sign Delap, then he is in safe hands under Enzo Maresca. The Italian coach certainly knows how to get the best out of a clinical goalscorer, given the form Jamie Vardy showed under him for Leicester City last season in the Championship.

In 37 games under the now-Chelsea boss, the Foxes legend helped himself to 20 goals and two assists. That included 18 strikes in 35 Championship appearances, to help his side win the league and return to the top flight.

Maresca certainly knows how to handle a deadly centre-forward and get the best out of him, be it as an individual goalscorer or his general striker play.

In a team that scored 89 goals in 2023/24, Vardy had to be selfless too, and Maresca helped him fit in with the team’s dynamic.

Well, that can certainly be said about Delap, too. One person full of praise for the Ipswich star is analyst Ben Mattinson, who described him as “a problem for every Premier League defence”. He’s also been described as a “monster” by teammate Alex Palmer.

The stats on Sofascore from this season show he is more than just a goalscorer, but a well-rounded striker. For example, Delap won an average of two aerial duels per game and played 21 key passes this term.

Delap key stats in 2024/25 PL season
Stat	Per 90 mins	Total
Shots	2.3	68
Shots on target	1.1	32
Dribbles completed	1.4	40
Aerial duels won	2	58
Expected goal involvements	0.37xGI	10.75xGI
Stats from Sofascore

Vardy and Delap are also noted as similar players among those in their position in both Europe’s top five leagues and in the Premier League, as per FBref, reflecting their statistical likeness.

For example, the Ipswich forward averages 0.34 goals per shot on target and 0.24 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes. In comparison, Vardy averages 0.35 goals per shot on target and 0.32 goal-creating actions each game.

The fact that they are so similar surely plays into Maresca’s hands, too. He surely knows how to get the best out of his number nines, and they are certainly like-for-like players, as the stats back up.

Maresca knows what he is doing when it comes to getting the best out of a striker. Delap will surely fit the bill nicely, as someone who is happy to work hard for his team and can score goals at a good rate, too.

If he can be as good as Vardy was under Maresca, then Delap will surely be a success at Stamford Bridge.

He's shades of Drogba: Chelsea open discussions to sign "the next Mbappe"

Chelsea needs to sign a striker or two this summer

2

By
Ross Kilvington

May 27, 2025

After overseeing a third-consecutive promotion to make unforgettable history, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have now reportedly put Wrexham in pole position to sign a clinical MLS talent.

Reynolds & McElhenney full of praise for Parkinson

Whilst it’s Reynolds and McElhenney who steal the headlines, Phil Parkinson is one of the main reasons why Wrexham find themselves in the Championship from National League frustration. The experienced manager will forever be a legend at the Welsh club and is now set to take charge of a side in England’s second tier for the first time since Bolton Wanderers in the 2018/2019 campaign.

Reynolds and McElhenney are well aware of their manager’s impact too. The former told reporters after promotion was sealed: “You can look at so many beating hearts at the club but it all goes back to Phil, I mean the leadership in that locker room and we thankfully don’t make football decisions but the faith that the club has in Phil and the community has in him speaks volumes.”

McElhenney then added onto that by saying: “In Phil we trust and Ryan and I always find it silly that at the end of the games it’s us standing here with microphones because we’re not the ones out here on the pitch doing the work.”

Alas, the Hollywood stars are far from finished even after securing a place in the Championship. They, alongside Parkinson, will have their sights set on causing their biggest upset yet in the Championship, and the summer transfer window is likely to play a large part in that.

Wrexham lead Sunusi Ibrahim race

According to GiveMeSport, Reynolds and McElhenney are now leading the race to sign Sunusi Ibrahim for Wrexham this summer. The Montreal talent is reportedly valued between $300,000 and $500,000 (£222,000-£370,000) this summer and could be on his way to English football after struggling for starts in the MLS.

Although there may be some concerns that Ibrahim, 22, has yet to earn his place in Montreal’s starting side, it must be said that it’s not for the want of trying. The Nigerian has scored seven goals in around 1,000 minutes this season – the same as just over 11 games – but has still been forced to settle for a bench role.

Reynolds and McElhenney plotting Wrexham move to sign "great" 7-goal star

He could be their first Championship signing…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 29, 2025

Whether that starting place would come his way at Wrexham is the big question. Those in Wales can’t risk getting things wrong on the transfer front ahead of their return to England’s second tier and whether they take a risk on an MLS talent remains to be seen.

As ever, of course, Wrexham will be ones to watch when the transfer window swings open amid links to Ibrahim and Cardiff City’s Isaak Davies in recent weeks.

Chelsea’s capture of Liam Delap was Enzo Maresca’s first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window.

It will likely be the first of many as the Italian looks to sign high-profile stars that will improve his squad ahead of next season.

With Champions League football to look forward to for the first time since the 2022/23 season, Maresca is going to spend in order to be fully prepared for the group stages.

As such, the club have been linked with numerous attacking players in recent weeks. Hugo Ekitike is someone that the manager is keen on bringing to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s Club World Cup fixtures

Date

Opponent

Venue

Monday, June 16

Los Angeles

Mercedes-Benz stadium

Friday, June 20

Flamengo

Lincoln Financial Field

Tuesday, June 24

Esperance

Lincoln Financial Field

Via Chelseafc.com

He could cost around £84m, however, which may prove to be a stumbling block. Samu Aghehowa is another striker on Maresca’s list of targets, but he could cost roughly the same as Ekitike if Chelsea are serious about bringing him to London.

Wide options are also being targeted and Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is a talent that the Blues are desperate to have before the start of next season.

How much would the German side demand for the Englishman to let him move to the Premier League?

The latest on Chelsea's pursuit of Jamie Gittens

Gittens has been linked with a move to Chelsea over the previous few weeks, and it appears the club are serious about signing him.

According to Ben Jacobs on Sunday, the Blues have had a bid rejected. He said on social media: “Understand Dortmund want around £42m for Jamie Gittens. Chelsea’s opening bid of £30m has been turned down but positive talks continue. Chelsea happy to wait until after the June 10 deadline if no breakthrough ahead of the Club World Cup.”

Less than a year ago, Gittens was hailed as the future of Dortmund and was looking to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham.

Since Nico Kovac took over as coach, however, the youngster has struggled to fit into his system, and it now appears they are looking to cash in on the winger.

Since making his debut for the club in the 2021/22 season, the 20-year-old has amassed over 100 competitive appearances.

A total of 31 goal contributions – 17 goals and 14 assists – have been registered in that period, establishing him as one of the most promising young wingers on the continent.

While landing a player of Gittens’ quality this summer, do the club need another wide option?

Maresca can already count on the likes of Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Tyrique George and Mykhaylo Mudryk (when he returns from his suspension) to play on either wing.

Add in the fact that they have signed Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda, it is evident that this area is rather stacked with players.

Instead of spending another £40m-£50m on someone like Gittens, no matter how talented he is, perhaps directing these funds to other areas of the squad should be deemed a bigger priority.

A new goalkeeper, for example.

Chelsea preparing to make move for new goalkeeper

It is no secret that the Blues have struggled to find a consistent number one goalkeeper in recent years.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and Robert Sanchez have all held the position over the previous few years, but none truly convinced the supporters, with Kepa and Sanchez notably-error prone.

As such, signing a new ‘keeper this summer should be what Maresca is focusing on.

Well, according to Sky Sports, the Blues have told AC Milan that they are willing to pay a transfer fee in the region of €15m (£12.6m) to secure the services of Mike Maignan.

It’s a fee that could get them close to completing a move with journalist Graeme Bailey reporting on the saga that the Blues now expect to sign the Frenchman in time for the Club World Cup.

The Milan number one has been with the club since the summer of 2021, making a total of 163 appearances for the Serie A side, notably impressing at club level and on the international stage, most recently against German in the Nations League.

If Maresca wishes to improve his options between the sticks, then signing the 29-year-old is clearly a must.

Why Mike Maignan would be a better signing than Jamie Gittens

The Blues have a plethora of wingers available to make an impression under Maresca but their goalkeeping department leaves plenty to be desired.

Last year, Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen were both used by Maresca. The Spaniard made 34 appearances, while Jorgensen played 23 times for the club.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Across his 34 games, the Spaniard kept just ten clean sheets, conceding 37 goals in the process. Jorgensen managed to keep only nine clean sheets while shipping 22 goals.

To summarise, the Blues need someone who could be the main choice under Maresca. A player that will win them points when the club aren’t playing well.

In that regard, Maignan is the ideal choice. He was hailed as “world-class” by writer Carlo Garganese in 2022 for a stunning performance against Inter Milan.

Across his 163 games for the Italian giants, Maignan has kept 59 clean sheets, working out as one every 2.7 games.

In the Italian top flight last season, the Frenchman made 2.7 saves per game – a 71% success rate – while also keeping 12 clean sheets, conceding 1.1 goals per game, was successful with 95% of his passes within his own half and averaged 46.5 touches per match.

When compared to his positional peers in Serie A, Maignan ranks in the top 10% for passes attempted per 90 (37.02), while also ranking in the top 7% for defensive actions outside his penalty area (1.86) per 90.

That last statistic is important, signifying that the 29-year-old plays quite far off his goal line in order to distribute the ball and stop opposition attacks.

Maignan is now the French number one and with Milan not in any European competition next season after an eighth-place finish in Serie A, joining Chelsea makes sense for all parties.

He will be able to establish himself as the number one ‘keeper at Stamford Bridge while playing in the Champions League once again.

Could they secure his services for a fee just north of £10m? It would be tough, but not impossible, that’s for sure. He could turn out to be a much better signing than Gittens should Maresca get a deal over the line.

Related Better than Delap: Chelsea step up move for £85m "monster in the making"

Chelsea are looking to improve their attacking options further

Posts 1 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 9, 2025

Celtic are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign FC Nordsjælland forward Benjamin Nygren, whose contract expires at the end of this year, on a permanent deal this summer.

The right-sided attacker could become the second official signing for the Hoops in the off-season, after the club confirmed Kieran Tierney’s arrival on a free transfer from Arsenal earlier this week.

Celtic's transfer priorities this summer

Following the much-needed signing of Tierney to fill their gaping hole at left-back, with Greg Taylor out of contract this summer, Celtic appear to have turned their attention to the wide areas.

Nygren is ‘expected’ to sign for the Scottish giants to bolster their options on the right flank, but they are also looking for a new forward on the left side of the pitch.

It was recently claimed that the Hoops are in talks with left-winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s representatives over a move from Royal Antwerp, and the Scottish Premiership champions are in negotiations with Sarpsborg over a move for Norwegian flanker Sondre Orjasaeter.

This makes it clear that Celtic are after a right-footed left-winger – Balikwisha or Orjasaeter – to go along with the signing of Nygren, who is a left-footed right-winger.

New wingers are not the only signings on the agenda for Brendan Rodgers this summer, though, as the Northern Irish head coach is also looking to improve the depth of his midfield.

Celtic believe they can land bargain deal for Premier League star

According to West Ham United-focused outlet Claret & Hugh, Celtic are interested in a deal to sign Scotland international Andy Irving, who is for sale, in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Hammers are open to offers for the 25-year-old central midfielder, as ‘almost everyone’ is for sale at the Premier League side.

It reveals that the Hoops believe that they can land the left-footed maestro for a ‘bargain’ fee, although no exact price tag is mentioned, because he was rarely used by Graham Potter in the 2024/25 campaign, playing just ten times in the top-flight.

Passes made

60.00

Top 8%

Pass accuracy

90.0%

Top 16%

Long passes made

3.89

Top 5%

Long pass accuracy

87.5%

Top 4%

Cross accuracy

50%

Top 11%

Touches

87.78

Top 6%

Irving showcased his quality in possession, as shown in the table above, by ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of key passing and possession-based metrics in the limited minutes that he had on the pitch.

Claret & Hugh adds that the Scottish midfielder is ‘open’ to a move away from the Premier League club in order to go in search of regular first-team football, which is why a transfer to Parkhead could be one that ‘suits all parties’.

Irving, who made his Scotland debut earlier this month against Liechtenstein, appears to have the on-ball qualities to perfectly suit playing in a Celtic team that averaged 75.1% possession per game in the Premiership in the 2024/25 season.

His desire to constantly get on the ball and make passes, short and long, whilst being efficient in doing so, could make him a good fit for Rodgers’ dominant Hoops midfielder, which is why this is a deal that could make a lot of sense for both clubs and the player.

More exciting than Tierney: Celtic expected to complete "no-brainer" deal

Celtic are expected to seal the signing of a star who would be more exciting than Kieran Tierney.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 14, 2025

There could be plenty of change at the top end of the pitch for Leeds United ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, after they made their first signing of the summer on Sunday.

The Whites officially confirmed the signing of Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, with his contract at the Bundesliga side due to expire at the end of the month.

He is a centre-forward by trade, playing 193 career matches in that position, but the German attacker has also played on both the left and right flanks in his club career, which means that he could provide useful versatility across the frontline for Daniel Farke next season.

24/25 (Wolfsburg)

8

20

3

23/24 (Wolfsburg)

39

4

2

22/23 (Wolfsburg)

17

18

4

21/22 (Wolfsburg)

9

31

10

20/21 (Anderlecht)

0

37

18

19/20 (Wolfsburg + Middlesbrough)

4

25

0

18/19 (Preston North End)

0

41

4

As you can see in the table above, though, Nmecha looks set to be a risky signing for Leeds because he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and has failed to deliver goals on a regular basis since the 2021/22 campaign, which included two goals in five Champions League outings.

The 26-year-old star, who was described as a “complete” striker by Vincent Kompany during his time at Anderlecht, could be a quality option for Farke if he can regain the form that he displayed in front of goal in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

With Nmecha’s arrival, and the news that they are after another number nine, Leeds may have to part ways with some of the strikers already at the club, and avoid a Chris Wood repeat.

How Leeds fumbled Chris Wood

The New Zealand international enjoyed a prolific spell at Elland Road between 2015 and 2017 after his move from Leicester ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.

As you can see in the graphic above, Wood, who joined the club at the age of 23, averaged a goal every other game for the Championship side, but he never got the chance to play in the Premier League because of his £15m move to Burnley in 2017.

The Kiwi marksman left before the Marcelo Bielsa revolution in West Yorkshire, and has gone on to prove himself to be a very impressive goalscorer in the top-flight.

Wood, who scored 20 goals in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest in the 2024/25 season, has racked up 89 goals in 263 top-flight games in his career for Burnley, Newcastle United, and Forest combined.

This shows that Leeds fumbled a brilliant Premier League striker option because they cashed in on him before he got the chance to his his peak at Elland Road, and they could be about to repeat a similar blunder with Mateo Joseph.

The latest on Mateo Joseph's future

Earlier this month, journalist Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News that Real Betis had agreed a fee worth up to £8.5m to sign the Spain U21 international this summer.

However, Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, as relayed by Sport Witness, then rubbished that claim and reported that a deal between the two clubs is nowhere near complete.

In fact, Estadio Deportivo stated that there was a big gap between what the LaLiga outfit would be willing to pay for Joseph and what the Championship champions want for their back-up forward.

Now, Sunday’s edition of ABC Sevilla, as relayed by Sport Witness, reports that Real Betis are currently in talks with the striker and his representatives over the possibility of a move to the club.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that Betis, who will play Europa League football next season, are planning to convince the player to make the switch before they enter serious negotiations, after making initial contact with Leeds to gauge a price tag for him.

That price tag is reported to be as high as £13m, as per Mundo Deportivo’s separate report on Sunday, which is not all too dissimilar to the fee that the Whites received for Wood from Burnley.

Why selling Joseph could be a Wood repeat

As aforementioned, the New Zealand international moved on from Elland Road for a big fee before he had the opportunity to fulfill his potential as a Premier League goalscorer.

Joseph is not in the exact same situation as Wood was in, as he only scored three goals in 39 matches in the Championship this season, but it would be a similar move in the sense that he would be leaving before fulfilling his potential.

The Spanish marksman produced three goals and three assists in just 11 starts, mainly coming off the bench, as he found himself behind Joel Piroe in the pecking order.

Selling him now would mean that Leeds will never see him flourish at first-team level, which would be a shame when you consider the level that he could reach in the future.

Non-penalty xG

0.36

Top 29%

Shots total

2.73

Top 11%

Shots on target

1.05

Top 17%

Non-penalty goals

0.21

Bottom 34%

xAG

0.13

Top 20%

Assists

0.21

Top 6%

Shot-creating actions

2.31

Top 20%

Touches in the opposition’s box

5.25

Top 10%

As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old marksman showed plenty of encouraging signs in the Championship, as he regularly got shots on target, got himself into great postions to score, and was effective at creating chances for his teammates.

However, Joseph, who was hailed as “dynamite” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, needs to find consistency in his finishing, because that appears to be the one area of his game that is letting him down.

The Leeds youngster, though, scored 19 goals in 33 games for the club’s U21 team and has scored eight goals in 11 caps for Spain’s U21 side, which suggests that the potential is there for him to deliver goals on a regular basis.

Given his impressive scoring record at youth level and the great situations he is getting in at first-team level, it could be down to confidence or nerves in front of goal that is stopping him from exploding for Leeds.

This is why Joseph leaving to sign for Real Betis, amid talks with the Spanish outfit, could be a Wood repeat for Leeds because it could be another case of a promising young forward leaving to fulfill their potential elsewhere.

The Championship champions could end up watching on as Joseph finds his feet in front of goal to become a regular scorer for Betis, given that the rest of his game already appears to be at a high level.

Terms agreed: "Dominant" £17m star says yes to signing for Leeds United

Leeds United appear to be closing in on their first signing of the summer window.

ByDan Emery Jun 15, 2025

The signing of Nmecha has put another hurdle in front of Joseph at Elland Road, but the club should avoid selling him for now due to the potential he has to be a star in the future.

Leeds United are set for a busy summer of transfer business as they look to make sure that their squad is ready to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Athletic reporter Beren Cross has reported that Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff is one of the names on the club’s shortlist of targets to improve their midfield options. He claimed that no bid has been made for the English maestro, but he is an ‘experienced’ player that they like.

Longstaff only started eight times in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign and Leeds could look to offer him a chance to play more regularly next term.

The Championship champions, however, are reportedly looking at another star from the top-flight who would be a way better signing than the homegrown Magpies ace.

Leeds eyeing move for Brentford midfielder

According to CaughtOffside, Leeds United are one of the teams monitoring Brentford central midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites, Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley, Everton, Wolves, Borussia Dortmund, and Napoli are all keeping tabs on the Ukraine international.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that the Bees are set to demand a fee of around £25m for the 21-year-old talent, and that no clubs have made any formal offers for his services as of yet.

Caught Offside adds that Brentford would prefer to keep hold of him to utilise his quality in the Premier League next term, but Leeds must now convince them to part ways with the young gem by meeting the £25m asking price.

Why Leeds should sign Yehor Yarmolyuk

Daniel Farke should push for the club to swoop for the Bees midfielder over a move for Longstaff because of his age profile and the quality that he could provide on the pitch.

He is six years younger than the Newcastle star, at the age of 21, and would arrive at Elland Road as a long-term addition to the group, whilst also being able to make an instant impact.

Yarmolyuk, who was described as a “dynamic” player by Thomas Frank, only started 15 of his 31 outings in the top-flight, but showed plenty of promise in the minutes that he did play.

If you look at his performances in comparison to Longstaff’s in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign, the Ukraine international appears to be the better option for Leeds on paper.

Appearances

25

31

Pass accuracy

85%

87%

Passes into the final third*

2.93

4.41

Crosses into the penalty area*

0.00

0.25

Tackles + interceptions*

3.84

3.85

Clearances*

0.90

2.05

Dribblers challenged*

3.05

3.41

Blocks*

1.92

1.61

As you can see in the table above, Yarmolyuk could offer more to Farke’s team with his play both in and out of possession, particularly when it comes to progressing the ball into the attacking third whilst remaining efficient with his passes.

These statistics suggest that the Brentford ace is very similar, if not better, defensively to Longstaff, but is more effective at making things happen at the top end of the pitch.

Therefore, the £25m-rated midfielder would be a significantly better signing than the Newcastle man because he can deliver more quality immediately, having outperformed him in the Premier League, whilst also offering more to the side in the long term due to his age.

He could be a terrific investment for the future, at the age of 21, whilst also being a Premier League proven star who can hit the ground running for Farke next season, which is why the Whites must seal a deal for him this summer.

The new Phillips: Leeds want to sign £15m star with "undeniable" potential

Leeds United are reportedly keen on a star who would be Daniel Farke’s own Kalvin Phillips.

ByDan Emery Jun 9, 2025

Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have been blessed with an abundance of world-class players in the past.

The likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira were unreal in the early 2000s, while Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez were the shining lights of the latter Arsène Wenger years.

However, on top of the bonafide stars, the Gunners also had more than their fair share of those who fell one or two rungs below, those who were still incredibly talented but are now seen as cult heroes more than anything else.

Theo Walcott would likely fall into the category for many fans, as while he never really fulfilled the potential so many believed he had, the former England international was still more than a handful, responsible for some iconic goals and was arguably the club’s best attacker for a season or two.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking Arsenal to an international who could be the Mikel Arteta’s own Walcott.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other talented internationals touted for moves to Arsenal in recent weeks and months, like Rodrygo and Mohammed Kudus.

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The former is reportedly available for around £84m, which might be a fee worth paying, as in 51 games for Real Madrid this season, he has scored 14 goals and provided ten assists.

On the other hand, Kudus might prove even more challenging to pry away from West Ham United as, according to reports from last week, he has a release clause worth up to a staggering £120m in his current deal.

Fortunately, another attacking talent has entered the frame for Arteta and Co: Anthony Elanga.

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in the Nottingham Forest star ahead of the transfer window reopening next week.

The report claims that, alongside the Gunners, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all been watching the Swedish international ‘closely.’

However, on top of dealing with the potential competition, the North Londoners would have to stump up a hefty fee of around £60m to get their man.

It could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Elanga’s ability and the potential for him to improve further, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he could be their new Walcott.

Why Elanga would be Walcott 2.0

Okay, while there are certainly numerous reasons why Arsenal would want to, and probably should, sign Elanga this summer, let’s first address just why he could be the club’s new Walcott.

The first is that, like with the former Southampton gem, it would be another example of the Gunners signing an exciting and dynamic right-winger who can play in other positions from a fellow Premier League side.

Moreover, while the Swede is a fair bit older than the Englishman was when he moved to North London, the fact he’s still just 23 years old means there is plenty of time for him to further develop and grow in N5.

However, there is another, even more significant similarity between the two players: their pace.

While he was playing under Wenger, the former Arsenal star wasn’t always necessarily the most technical of footballers, but he was blisteringly quick, as shown by the Castol Football Index calculating his top speed to be 22.72 mph in March 2014, which converts to about 36.56 km/h.

In comparison, the Forest star reached an even higher speed of 22.78 mph this season, which is about 36.66 km/h, but did even better and hit 22.93 mph last season, which is around 36.91kmph.

Impressively, that is currently the fourth-fastest sprint since Premier League records began and more than justifies his statement that he’s “one of the fastest players in the league.”

Elanga’s 24/25

Appearances

43

Minutes

2752′

Goals

6

Assists

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.41

Minutes per Goal Involvement

152.88′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Finally, on top of being absurdly fast, the “special” talent, as dubbed by manager Nuno Espírito Santo, is also a potent threat, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists in just 43 appearances, totalling 2752 minutes this season.

That comes out to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.38 games, or every 152.88 minutes.

Ultimately, Arsenal need to add more attacking talent to the squad this summer, and someone who’s a genuine threat while also being incredibly fast sounds like just the player they should be signing.

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It is practically indisputable that Arsenal are in the market for a new striker this summer, and Mikel Arteta’s side have now been handed the chance to get one over on arch rivals Tottenham by signing a key target of Thomas Frank’s side.

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New sporting director Andrea Berta is currently busy attempting to negotiate agreeable terms on a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but find themselves some way off the Bundesliga side’s asking price of around £68-85 million, according to Sky Germany’s (Florian Plettenberg).

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

Arsenal negotiations for Sesko have been ongoing since late May, but if a deal cannot be struck for the Slovenia international, Berta does have other reported striker targets on his shortlist.

Arsenal have also worked on a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who is currently keen on a move to north London and open to joining other high-profile Premier League suitors like Man United.

“Viktor Gyökeres prefers a move to the Premier League, and would welcome an Arsenal bid,” reported Ben Jacobs on X recently.

“Arsenal still deciding between Benjamin Sesko and Gyökeres. Andrea Berta simultaneously advancing both deals. Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m. Arsenal have always been one to watch, but it will depend on Berta now because he is also in ongoing talks for Sesko at the same time, with a bid for one of the two targets expected soon.”

Either centre-forward would be an upgrade on Arteta’s current options. Sesko is fresh off a career-best Bundesliga campaign at Leipzig, while Gyokeres has just guided Sporting to their first domestic double in 20 years after scoring 54 goals in all competitions.

However, Arsenal now also have a new left-field option.

Arsenal offered Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat

According to website Just Arsenal, Dynamo Kyiv striker Vladyslav Vanat has been put forward to Arteta’s side.

Vanat scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, helping Kyiv to lift the Ukranian Premier League title whilst ending the season unbeaten. He also finished 2024/2025 as the division’s top scorer with 17, and this has attracted some attention from England.

It is now believed that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Vanat, who has a reported £17 million release clause in his contract. Arteta doesn’t view the 23-year-old’s signing as an urgent need right now, but is fully aware of Vanat’s quality, so it’s apparently a situation they could revisit later in the window.

However, if they do decide they want him, Arsenal will need to be wary of rival interest. Manchester United, Leeds United, Everton, and Tottenham are all keen on Vanat, with the latter even viewing him as a “priority signing” for new manager Frank.

Chelsea are leading the race for a £67m “monster”, and they are now pushing hard to get a deal over the line, according to reports.

Blues set sights on another striker after Delap

The Blues are looking to make improvements to their squad prior to the Club World Cup later this month, and they now appear to be closing in on an early deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with the signing set to be announced imminently.

However, perhaps given that Delap is still relatively inexperienced, the Blues remain keen on bringing in another striker this summer, and they continue to battle it out for the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

RB Leipzig centre-forward Benamin Sesko is another name to have regularly been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and a report from Caught Offside has now revealed that Chelsea are leading the race for the Slovenian, alongside competition from Arsenal.

Leipzig are set to hold out for a fee of €80m (£67m) for Sesko, with the Blues among the frontrunners, having identified the 22-year-old as the perfect fit for BlueCo’s long-term project, given his eye for goal and raw power.

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The Gunners could provide competition for the striker’s signature, however, with Mikel Arteta believed to be a fan, and sporting director Andrea Berta has already held direct talks with the German club over a potential deal.

"Monster" Sesko could be fantastic signing for Chelsea

The deal for Delap may well be edging closer to completion, but it would not be a bad idea to bring in another top striker this summer, and the Blues are now believed to be pushing hard to get a deal for the Leipzig star over the line.

With Enzo Maresca’s side set to return to the Champions League next season, the manager could do with greater strength in depth, and the Slovenia international is held in high regard by scout Ben Mattinson, who described him as a “monster”.

The 6-foot-5 forward also maintained a solid record in front of goal throughout the 2024-25 campaign, regularly finding the back of the net in all the competitions he featured in for Leipzig.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Bundesliga

33

13

5

Champions League

8

4

0

DFB-Pokal

4

4

1

As such, Sesko could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea this summer, as they look to build on the 2024-25 campaign and start competing for major trophies once again.