Wolves Could Sign Next Jota In ‘Extraordinary’ Wonderkid

Wolverhampton Wanderers are keenly monitoring the availability of Barcelona winger Abde Ezzalzouli in the upcoming summer window.

What’s the latest on Abde Ezzalzouli to Wolves?

According to the Daily Mail, Julen Lopetegui’s side is set to rival Premier League rivals Leeds United for the 21-year-old’s signature.

The Moroccan is currently enjoying a productive loan spell at Osasuna and this outlet has alluded to the fact that the Blaugrana need to raise sufficient funds before they themselves dip into the transfer market.

It has been reported that a deal for the youngster “won’t come cheap” but this hasn’t offset English interest.

Where would Ezzalzouli fit in at Wolves?

The five-cap international made his senior debut for the Catalan giants in a 1-1 league draw with Alaves in October 2021 and became the first Moroccan-born player to feature for Barcelona’s first team.

Two months later, he then netted his first goal for his parent club in a 2-2 against Osasuna to project himself into international stardom and alert the Barcelona hierarchy to his brewing potential.

After this, the manager and Spanish legend Xavi described the winger as “extraordinary”, which is perhaps the highest of praise, especially coming from one of the most technically gifted and masterly skilful players since the turn of the century.

Morocco and Barcelona player AbdeEzzalzouli

As a result of his impressive progress, the playmaker was rewarded with a new deal until 2026 and was loaned to fellow La Liga side Osasuna to cement some more regular minutes.

In 27 appearances in all competitions for his opening campaign for Los Rojillos, Ezzalzouli has registered seven goal contributions.

The £7m-rated man was then called up for Morocco’s 2022 World Cup squad and made three appearances off the bench for the Atlas Lions.

The signing of Ezzalzouli would be a smart and admirable coup for Wolves, who are still yet to replace the dynamism and goal-scoring touch that Diogo Jota showcased during a wonderful three-year stint in the Midlands.

During this time, the Portuguese recorded 63 goals and assists in 144 appearances for the Premier League outfit and was an integral member of the side that secured Championship promotion, as well as consecutive top-half finishes in the first two seasons following their rise to the top-flight.

Both are equally dazzling players with the former Old Gold man ranking in the top 6% of Premier League wingers for progressive carries and the best 7% for successful take-ons during his final campaign in the Midlands.

By way of comparison, Ezzalzouli ranks in the best 8% of positionally similar players for carries and the best 2% in the whole of Europe's big five leagues for successful take-ons, suggesting there is a vast amount to get excited about.

Moreover, Lopetegui’s men have only mustered a shocking return of 26 goals in 31 Premier League games this campaign, which means they are the 17th-lowest scorers in the division this term.

Wolves could definitely benefit from an injection of attacking quality and mastery to add to their firepower for next season to avoid the same underwhelming goalscoring statistics.

Liverpool Transfer Blow On £155k-p/w Target

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has handed Liverpool a transfer blow amid their recent links to midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

What is the latest Liverpool transfer news?

It's well understood that the Reds are in the hunt for a new midfielder but may have to scout around for a cheaper alternative to the much-coveted Jude Bellingham, who has been linked with a departure from Borussia Dortmund.

With that being the case, the Premier League club have recently been linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Gravenberch.

Indeed, as per German news outlet BILD, a "delegation from Liverpool had sought talks with Gravenberch's management in the past few days" and so it seems as though Jurgen Klopp's men have a very real interest in the 20-year-old.

However, while talking on the latest episode of the Here We Go podcast, Romano explained that Bayern have already decided to keep the player, so any move will be difficult to complete.

He said: "We know that Liverpool want Ryan Gravenberch. So Liverpool are waiting for the player to speak to Bayern.

"But from Bayern's side, the decision is already made, they want to keep the player. So the only way is for the player to go there and tell Bayern: 'I want to leave.'

"But at the moment, this has not happened and Bayern are still pushing to keep the player for one more season."

Will Ryan Gravenberch join Liverpool?

Seeing as the midfielder – who reportedly earns around £155k per week – has hardly played this season, he may want to leave Germany.

Indeed, after arriving from Ajax last summer, Gravenberch has managed just 348 minutes of action in the Bundesliga.

With that in mind, the youngster may want to force an exit away from Bayern Munich. And by the sounds of it, that's the only way this deal could be completed with the German giants not keen to see the talent leave.

Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch.

For now, though, it remains unclear how the player feels about the whole situation. Indeed, when quizzed about the Liverpool interest, journalist Christian Falk revealed that Gravenberch "didn‘t want to comment".

And while it's easy to argue that he could get more playing time in England and so might want to leave, you could also claim that he won't want to give up his Bundesliga dream just yet either.

After all, it was only last summer that he opted to join Munich despite being wanted by a number of top clubs across Europe.

Arsenal Must Reluctantly Unleash £25m "Warrior"

Arsenal are back in Premier League action today, but face a monumental task to maintain their unlikely title push as they travel to Newcastle United.

It is a clash that pits the third-most in-form team in the division, the hosts, against Mikel Arteta's threadbare outfit, in what could well be one of the matches of the season. It was this fixture last season that essentially ended the Gunners' chances of top four, so they will be keen to exact revenge to keep pace with Manchester City.

However, they will have to do so without either of their starting centre-backs, who are both set to be out yet again. William Saliba continues his lengthy and unsuccessful recovery from his longstanding back injury, whilst Gabriel Magalhaes is their latest casualty, having been forced off in their win over Chelsea.

Although Jakub Kiwior might have impressed on his full league debut, earning a 7.0 rating, he will now be thrust into the deep end and potentially partnered with the struggling Rob Holding.

arsenal-chelsea-ben-white

The Poland international had been drafted in to mitigate the former Bolton Wanderers dud, who had disappointed of late, but it seems there is no rest for the unfortunate north London side.

However, one option could prevail, in that instead of starting the 27-year-old, Arteta could opt to take a leaf out of the Scotland national team's book and reluctantly deploy Kieran Tierney in the heart of defence. Anything to keep Holding out of the team.

Will Kieran Tierney start vs Newcastle United?

Having seen his play time limited this campaign due to injuries and the emergence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, the former Celtic man has still managed 23 league appearances, although most have been from the bench.

His 6.68 average rating in the league is somewhat unfair given he has averaged just 28 minutes per game.

For Scotland however, in their recent EURO qualification matches, this rises to 7.00, where he averages two clearances, 1.5 tackles and one interception per game from centre back, via Sofascore.

To pair this with an 82% pass accuracy, the creative assets of the £25m man could come in handy for a side that will seek to dominate the ball and build from the back.

For comparison, only one of Holding's last five matches has merited above a 6.5 rating, with the sole outlier only bolstered by a consolation goal against the Cityzens.

Ashley Cole has spoke highly of the Scotland international in the past, telling Sky Sports (via The Metro) that his personality could prove important for these big games: "When he’s in the team, they are a different side. He’s willing to defend, he’s that kind of leader and warrior they need in this team."

Perhaps Tierney could prove the Chelsea legend right, by showcasing that he is not the best of a bad bunch remaining, and instead worthy of a place in and around the team for next season too.

Neil Jones Drops Significant Liverpool Transfer Update

Liverpool are interested in signing all three of Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch this summer, according to reliable journalist Neil Jones.

Will new midfielders arrive at Liverpool?

It is no great secret that the Reds will be looking to strengthen significantly in the middle of the park ahead of next season, with that area of the pitch proving to be problematic throughout 2022/23.

Having previously been the team's engine room, it has been far too easily to get through this term, with age catching up with certain individuals and the rest of the team struggling because of it.

Liverpool have been linked with a host of signings, and while Jude Bellingham has been the most high-profile, it has been made clear that the club aren't willing to blow most of their summer transfer budget on one player, despite his enormous talent.

Instead, it is vital that at least two or three new midfield faces arrive in the upcoming summer transfer window, in order to transform the Reds' midfield and make it a force again.

Mason-Mount

Could Reds secure triple signing?

Mac Allister, Mount and Gravenberch have arguably emerged as the most likely additions in recent weeks, and taking to Twitter, Goal's Jones said that the trio are indeed "very much on the agenda":

"Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount, Ryan Gravenberch very much on the agenda."

If Liverpool could bring in all three of those individuals, it would certainly represent a positive window, considering the youth and quality they would bring to the squad. Mac Allister has excelled for Brighton all season, scoring ten times in the Premier League, and his intelligence and class could make him an instant hit at Anfield.

While Mount hasn't had his best season for Chelsea, he is still a top-quality player with 36 caps for England, and Gravenberch has been considered one of Europe's brightest young midfielders for a number of years now.

It could certainly be argued that a true defensive midfielder is also required at Liverpool, however, given Fabinho struggles, with these three players at their best in more attack-minded No.8 roles. If the Reds could bring in Manuel Ugarte, for example, it would be the icing on the cake, although whether the funds are there to sign four midfielders is certainly up for debate.

Man United Takeover Update Involving Jassim

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani’s bid to take control at Manchester United is favoured by most leading minority Old Trafford investors, Football Insider report.

What’s the latest Man United takeover news?

Jassim appeared to be trailing Sir Jim Ratcliffe when it came to a takeover from the Glazers, with reports suggesting the Glazers were leaning towards the latter of the two.

It was even claimed that Ratcliffe was closing in on purchasing United, however, Jassim has since launched an 11th-hour bid in a final take-it-or-leave-it offer.

Jassim’s bid was once again for 100% control at Old Trafford, and it seems as if he is the preferred byer by many investors in Manchester.

Football Insider shared a story in the last 48 hours regarding a potential takeover involving Jassim. They said that is offer is preferred by most of the leading minority investors:

“Two well-placed sources – one with a direct investment interest and one from within the football finance industry – insist that the Qatari proposal is favoured among influential minority shareholders.”

What are Jassim’s plans at Man United?

It does seem as if Jassim won’t give up without a fight, and should he complete a stunning takeover worth around £5.5bn, it looks as if there will be funds to improve Erik ten Hag’s side straight away.

French stars Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga have been linked as targets if he claims control, whereas he is also eyeing an upgrade or rebuild of Old Trafford.

Not only that, Jassim would also clear all Old Trafford debt and create a separate fund directed solely at the club and community, showing how he could possibly transform the Red Devils both on and off the pitch.

Therefore, it is exciting to see that minority shareholders at United see Jassim as the preferred buyer, but of course, the Glazers need to be on board as well, and hopefully, supporters won’t have to wait too long until an official announcement is made over the next steps, with time ticking to get a deal completed ahead of the summer transfer window.

Claims 44 y/o Would Be Huge Risk For Spurs Job

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed it will be a "huge gamble" for Tottenham Hotspur to hire Arne Slot as their new manager.

What is the latest Spurs manager news?

Despite having fired former boss Antonio Conte some months ago, and then subsequently firing his interim replacement Cristian Stellini, it still remains unclear who will be Spurs' head coach next season.

At Chelsea, for instance, they may still have Frank Lampard in charge as caretaker – much like Ryan Mason – but it's almost certain that Mauricio Pochettino will be taking over in June.

The same cannot be said about Tottenham. However, at least a new candidate has emerged as the favourite for the role in the form of Feyenoord manager Slot.

Despite that, while talking on 90min's Talking Transfers, Bailey has claimed that Spurs are still "talking to others" and warned against hiring the Dutchman.

He said: "He's emerging as the strong bookmakers' favourite, but I'm told they are talking to others.

"So I do believe Spurs in this instance, whether they don't know who the first choice is, we'll have to see how talks go.

"It's a huge, huge gamble, it really is a huge gamble from their side.”

Why is Arne Slot a risk for Spurs?

Seeing as the 44-year-old has no experience of management outside of the Netherlands in the Eredivisie – having been the manager of AZ Alkmaar before Feyenoord – it certainly is a bit of a risk to give him a shot at this job.

However, there are obvious comparisons to fellow Dutch coach Erik ten Hag, although he'd at least done some coaching in Germany with Bayern Munch II before heading to Manchester United via spells with FC Utrecht and Ajax.

Interestingly enough, Slot has actually recently commented on all these rumours, but it seems he is keeping his cards close to his chest for the time being.

Indeed, he told Dutch media (via Evening Standard): "We're here for next Sunday's game. I'm not here to talk about my future. That could mean that English journalists are leaving with their tails between their legs."

"You'll get the same response from me as your colleague: I'm here for Sunday's game, which we are taking very seriously. So you won't get a response from me on that matter.

"It's going to be a very boring press conference."

He added: "I’m under a huge magnifying glass in everything I say about this subject. So I choose to say as little as possible again … when it comes to new clubs there’s a huge scale in every word I use, so I try not to talk about it until I can say something about it."

And with Bailey noting that Tottenham are still considering other names, it feels as though this particular manager race still has a way to run yet before we'll know who will take charge in north London next term.

Man Utd Making "Big Push" For £80k-p/w "Machine"

There has been an update with regard to Manchester United's pursuit of Chelsea star, Mason Mount…

What's the latest on Mount to Man United?

According to journalist Alex Shaw – writing on Twitter – United boss Erik ten Hag is seemingly "making a big push" for the England international, with recent reports suggesting that the Red Devils are set to launch a £55m bid for the 24-year-old.

In the attached piece for the Daily Telegraph, Jason Burt suggests that the former Ajax head coach is 'confident' that he can tempt the 36-cap gem to make the move to Old Trafford this summer, with the midfield maestro facing an uncertain future in west London with just 12 months left to run on his existing deal.

As per The Athletic's David Ornstein, the Portsmouth-born ace is said to be 'leaning towards' a move to the Theatre of Dreams at present, with Ten Hag believed to have been tracking the player's progress since his days on loan at Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem back in 2017/18.

Where would Mount fit in at Man United?

As Burt's recent report outlined, Ten Hag is said to be prioritising the signing of a 'dynamic number eight' this summer, with that a role that Mount could well comfortably slot into – albeit despite typically lining up as an attacking midfielder or on the flanks.

The midfield "machine" – as hailed by journalist Nizaar Kinsella – seemingly possesses the willing work ethic and defensive quality needed to be able to thrive in that deeper role, showcased by the fact that he ranks among the top 12% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for tackles made.

Chelsea's Mason Mount

The major benefit of utilising the £80k-per-week man as a box-to-box option would be his creative prowess, however, as he notably ranks in the top 7% for progressive passes, at an average of 5.93 per 90, across the last 365 days.

Although the contract rebel endured a disappointing season at Stamford Bridge after contributing just three goals and two assists in the league this season, prior to that the coveted dynamo registered double figures for each of those two metrics in the top flight in the 2021/22 season.

That ability to make an impact in the final third could well help to ease the creative burden on Bruno Fernandes, with the Portugal international ending the campaign having created 32 'big chances' in the league – the most of any player in the division.

Much like Mount, the 28-year-old – who has 28 goal contributions in 58 appearances across all fronts this season – is also a real master a providing incisive, forward passes, showcased by the fact that the former Sporting CP ace has averaged 7.04 progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

The part-time United skipper would seemingly relish the prospect of lining up alongside the Chelsea man next season, having stated back in 2021:

"I really like Mason Mount – he’s been consistent from the beginning of the season but, if people will watch numbers, he’s not had so many goals as other players or assists as other players but, for me, as a performance he’s been really, really top.”

That glowing praise is a further indication of just what a talent Mount is, with Ten Hag having the makings of a truly exciting duo involving the 5 foot 11 ace and Fernandes.

Celtic Can Pair Carter-Vickers With "Dominant" 21 y/o Titan

Celtic's defence has come under fire since the knee injury to central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers ended his season at the start of May.

The Hoops have conceded nine goals in the five matches the USA international has missed so far after they only let in 29 goals in 33 Scottish Premiership games prior to that.

Ange Postecoglou's side shipped three against their Old Firm rivals and lost 4-2 to Hibernian in the last five outings in the top-flight and the head coach could be in the market to add another centre-back to his squad this summer.

One defender who has been linked with a move to Parkhead is FC Volendam ace Xavier Mbuyamba. Sky Sports reported that Celtic and Watford are both eyeing up the talented youngster, who has been compared to Virgil van Dijk.

Who is Xavier Mbuyamba?

The 21-year-old centre-back has enjoyed a strong season in the Eredivisie, having left Premier League side Chelsea last year, and could now form an excellent partnership with Carter-Vickers at the back for the Hoops.

Once described as "dominant" by scout Jacek Kulig, he could emerge as an ideal central defensive partner as that word was used by ex-Hoops midfielder Kris Commons to sum up the American's impact in Scotland.

Mbuyamba won 73% of his aerial battles in the EFL Trophy for Chelsea's U21s last season and has won 53% of his battles in the Eredivisie this term.

Carter-Vickers, meanwhile, won 69% of his contests in the Premiership, including 74% of his duels in the air, and has proven himself to be an imposing figure at the back for Celtic since his move from Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis last summer.

Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

These statistics suggest that they could be a dominant duo for Postecoglou in the 2023/24 campaign as they are both capable of winning the majority of their physical battles and stopping opposition players from getting the better of them on a regular basis.

The Volendam star, who Kulig also hailed as "elegant", has also showcased his raw defensive instincts with 3.5 tackles and interceptions and 5.4 clearances per game in the Dutch top-flight, whereas Carter-Vickers made 1.6 and 2.9 per match respectively for the Hoops in the Premiership.

The significant difference in defensive actions could be down to Mbuyamba's side being 14th in the division, instead of competing for the title, as his side has to defend more in matches, but it does show that the ace is capable of making regular interventions at the back.

Carter-Vickers and the 21-year-old titan could, therefore, be an excellent pairing at the back for Celtic due to their dominance and defensive strength and Postecoglou must work hard to beat Watford to the ex-Chelsea man's signature.

"Exceptional" 29-y/o Could Stay At Spurs Amidst Exit Rumours

There is a good chance that Harry Kane stays at Spurs this summer despite heavy interest from elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Harry Kane?

The England captain has one year remaining on his contract at Spurs, and given their failure to qualify for European competition, the 29-year-old could depart in search of success elsewhere.

He is Manchester United's top target this summer, but it remains to be seen whether he will choose to leave Spurs, having become their all-time top scorer this season.

Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Romano claimed that Kane could stay at his club, given how difficult a deal will be to negotiate for him, and that Spurs will still try to tie him down to fresh terms.

"I think yes, I'm told that there is a chance because Daniel Levy is prepared to fight in a crazy way to keep the player, to offer him a new deal and also to show Tottenham fans after a difficult season, they can keep the player at the club," he stated.

"For sure Harry Kane is considering some options, because Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is 100% convinced that Kane is the perfect striker for his idea, but again negotiating with Daniel Levy will not be easy at all, so I don't see that as an easy one for Manchester United."

What should Kane do?

At 29 years of age, Kane is still yet to win a major trophy, and Spurs have steadily declined in performance levels since reaching the Champions League final four years ago.

With no sporting director or manager in place for next season, it seems that the Lilywhites are still a long way off challenging Manchester City at the top of the table, and if Kane wants to win silverware, it likely will not come at Spurs.

If he departs England, with Real Madrid reportedly interested, he would lose the chance to become the Premier League's all-time top scorer, as he is currently 47 goals behind Alan Shearer, but he could give himself a great chance at winning major honours.

A move to Man United could be appealing, given the progress they have made under Ten Hag, as well as the opportunity to secure the Premier League goals record, although there is less guarantee that the Red Devils could challenge at the top of the league than there would be at Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.

If the striker, who has been described as "exceptional", values the top scoring record highly, then staying at Spurs will allow him to accomplish that goal, but extending his contract could dramatically lower his chances at winning a league title or Champions League than if he departed this summer or next.

Arsenal: £30m Transfer Would Be Bad News For Nketiah

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a Ligue 1 star to bolster their attack, as Mikel Arteta prepares for a busy summer in charge at the Emirates.

While the Gunners enjoyed a high-scoring Premier League season, in a year that teased north London with their first league title since 2004, there is always room for improvement which the Spaniard could achieve in signing their latest target.

What’s the latest on Elye Wahi to Arsenal?

As reported by Foot Mercato late last month, Arsenal are interested in signing Montpellier forward Elye Wahi this summer.

The report claimed that the Gunners were in ‘pole position’ to sign the striker, who is believed to be valued around €35m (£30m).

In a recent interview with 100% Paillade, Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin revealed that Arsenal are a club that the goal machine “likes a lot”, as relayed by Get Football News France.

What could Elye Wahi offer to Arsenal?

Lauded as “powerful” by Francis de Taddeo, ex-academy director at his former club Caen, the forward could be an exciting revelation for the Gunners.

North London has enjoyed its fair share of French strikers, from Thierry Henry to Olivier Giroud, and it’s not unfamiliar for the club to have a Frenchman leading the line.

In 33 Ligue 1 appearances, the 20-year-old has contributed to a total of 24 goals, scoring 19 himself and assisting five in a memorable individual season, via FBref.

The interest sparks questions as to what his place would be in Arsenal’s side, and most importantly how this would affect Gabriel Jesus.

gabriel-jesus-arsenal-elye-wahi-transfer-gossip-edu-arteta

Arsenal’s number nine has had a strong first season in the capital, despite missing a chunk of action after undergoing knee surgery for an injury sustained at the Qatar World Cup.

Arteta was left with little option following the Brazilian’s absence, with no option but to see Eddie Nketiah lead the line, a player that had previously struggled to maintain game time.

The Englishman did a stellar job in standing in for the former Manchester City ace, notably scoring twice against Manchester United, however, the issue remained that there was no other option for Arteta to consider other than the forward with ten Premier League goals prior to this campaign.

In Wahi, Arsenal would not only gain a stronger option to contest and interchange with Jesus but a forward in himself that is capable of leading the line.

As per FBref, the striker averages 0.64 non-penalty goals per 90, placing him in the top 7% of forwards in Europe in this area which signifies the prolific nature of his game.

Arteta could replicate the success that Pep Guardiola has in being able to rely on Julian Alvarez to get among the goals in the absence of Erling Haaland, which would be a huge step in terms of Arsenal’s progression, but certainly bad news for Nketiah.

Indeed, the Argentine has capped off a wonderful first season in English football where in the process of winning the treble, found the net on 17 occasions, a great deal better than the nine-goal haul of Arsenal's back up striker.

This season may well have been all about Haaland but Alvarez certainly played a huge part in dragging City across the line.

Therefore, another striker potentially arriving in north London could mean the end of the road for the 24-year-old Nketiah, who has struggled to impose his quality during his career at Arsenal so far.

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