All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United will soon have more than £100m to play with should the Declan Rice transfer windfall be invested back into the squad as expected.

Rice's move to Arsenal is edging ever closer, leaving West Ham not only in need of a replacement but also upgrades in various other positions.

Who will replace Declan Rice at West Ham?

David Moyes' men have been linked with numerous replacements for Rice, though it is becoming increasingly clear that none of those on their list of targets will fulfil the midfield role in quite the same way.

One name who is repeatedly touted as a target for Moyes is Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, with the Evening Standard suggesting West Ham have now held talks with the Serie A heavyweights over a loan move with the option to buy.

It is claimed that the Europa Conference League winners would be prepared to pay £16m to permanently sign the Switzerland international, who spent last season on loan in the Premier League with West Ham's London rivals Chelsea.

How good is Denis Zakaria?

Zakaria was one of the top midfield talents on the continent across five seasons as a regular for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, leading to a switch to Juventus in January 2022 as he neared the end of his contract.

Since then, however, the Swiss has played 18 league matches across half a season with Juventus and a whole season with Chelsea. As Telegraph writer Stefan Bienkowski put it, Zakaria's failed loan spell at Stamford Bridge was "a complete waste of time and talent".

The circumstances of Zakaria's loan period at Chelsea must be factored in, with numerous players and managers coming and going last season.

Indeed, the 26-year-old showed what he was capable of in glimpses, as his 88.9 pass-completion percentage over the past 12 months places him in the top 5% of all midfielders across Europe's top five leagues, as per FBref.

However, not since 2020-21 has Zakaria played more than 16 games in a league season, and West Ham supporters need no reminding of what happened when they previously loaned a player from Juve with the option to make it permanent.

Simone Zaza made just 11 appearances for West Ham in the 2016-17 season, eight of those in the Premier League and each without scoring. In fact, so bad was the forward's loan spell that just five months after signing he was on his way to Valencia and he was not seen again.

Zakaria and Zaza are different types of player, of course, but the warning signs are there. The Italian was also recruited by Juve amid much fanfare, only to last only a season – four months more than Zakaria, at least – before being shipped out to east London.

West Ham cannot say the warning signs are not there, either, as Zakaria ranks in the bottom 1% of all midfielders across Europe's elite leagues for progressive passes (1.78 per 90 minutes) over the past year, and in the bottom 17% for blocks (0.89 per 90), an area he once thrived in.

While the need for a Rice replacement is apparent, Zakaria is surely not West Ham's man.

Tottenham Hotspur have tabled a "crazy offer" for Galatasary duo Victor Nelsson and Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports out of Turkey.

Who will Spurs sign after Maddison?

The Lilywhites have surprisingly got a couple of deals over the line already, and new manager Ange Postecoglou will be thrilled.

Spurs confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli recently in a deal worth around £17.2 million, and just days later, playmaker James Maddison joined for £40 million from Leicester City.

Maddison in particular is a pretty big coup for £40m, especially considering he was the Foxes star player last season and racked up an impressive 19 top flight goal contributions (10 goals, nine assists).

It is believed Spurs aren't done there, though, with the north Londoners chasing a star centre-back to plug their leaky defence which conceded more league goals than any other side above 15th last season.

The likes of Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) and Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven are reliably thought to be of interest with talks ongoing, but according to a piece of news from the continent, Nelsson is also still on their radar.

Turkish news outlet Milliyet (via Sport Witness) has an interesting update on the Dane, and his teammate Nicolo Zaniolo, with Tottenham apparently making a "crazy offer" in an attempt to sign the Galatasary duo.

Galatasaray vice-president Erden Timur has apparently travelled to London for talks, where Spurs are mentioned, and it is believed he "sat at the table" with Tottenham to discuss both players.

In what is a very unique bid, Postecoglou's side apparently lodged an offer of two to three of their own players plus €30-35m (£26m-£30m) in cash for Zaniolo and Nelsson, thought there is no mention as to which Spurs stars were sacrificed.

Timur is allegedly eager to negotiate player exits and raise funds, and while he was not happy with Tottenham's proposal, talks remain ongoing.

The Galatasary chief originally valued both players together at around £52 million.

What's been said about Nelsson and Zaniolo?

Reşit Ömer Kükner, a member of the Galatasary board, holds Nelsson in very high esteem with the centre-back being called a "Danish lion" and model "athlete".

Meanwhile, former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson praised Zaniolo during his previous links to Tottenham – branding the Italy international a "steal".

The ex-England international even likened his potential transfer to the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, who have done well since singing for Spurs.

"Perhaps he could be the next Kulusevski or Bentancur – a steal from Italy in the January window," said Robinson to Football Insider.

Manchester United are now leading the race to sign Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana after positive talks with his camp, according to a report from Football Insider.

Which goalkeeper are Man United signing?

With David de Gea's future with Man United in major doubt, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has continued to run the rule over potential replacements for the Spaniard, and Fabrizio Romano has recently provided an update on their pursuit of FC Porto's Diogo Costa.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Romano confirmed United "like" Costa, but he also added the Portugal international will be "expensive", meaning Ten Hag may choose to pursue other options.

One such player is Onana, with United officials recently holding a meeting with the Inter goalkeeper's agent to discuss a summer move, and a more recent report from Football Insider indicates a breakthrough has now been made, with £50m the mooted figure involved.

According to the report, Man United are now in pole position to sign the Cameroonian shot-stopper, with "positive discussions" recently taking place between all parties.

Ten Hag is said to be a "huge" fan of the 27-year-old, having previously worked with him at Ajax, and that existing relationship means United could be well-placed to win the race for his signature, despite interest from elsewhere.

Chelsea have also had discussions with Inter Milan, and they are not yet out of the race for the former Ajax man, however he is keen on a move to Old Trafford.

Who is Andre Onana signing for?

Man United appear to be in a very strong position to sign the £67k-per-week shot-stopper, and there are indications he could be a clear upgrade on De Gea, given that he has recorded a far better save percentage per 90 than the Spaniard in the past year.

Not only that, the Cameroon international is seemingly far more willing to get involved in the play, averaging 43.81 touches per 90 in the past year, which places him in the 89th percentile compared to his positional peers.

Given that De Gea's distribution has been called into question at times, it is vital that his replacement is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and Onana has received plaudits for his excellent passing range.

Lauded as a "superstar" by members of the media, the Inter goalkeeper has proven that he is more than capable of replacing De Gea, and it is exciting news that a move could be edging closer to completion.

Newcastle United have identified Wolfsburg's Felix Nmecha as a transfer target, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The latest Newcastle United transfer news – Felix Nmecha identified

Having qualified for Champions League football for the first time in 20 years, Eddie Howe's men have a crucial transfer window ahead of them as they look to bolster the side ready for their return to the promised land.

The Magpies have already been linked with AC Milan's Sandro Tonali, and they're also currently the favourites to land want-away Leicester City superstar, James Maddison.

With Champions League football on the horizon, they won't stop there, though, and the club are keen to continue adding depth to their attack, with Wolfsburg's Nmecha the latest name reported to be on their radar.

"Newcastle has entered the race for Felix Nmecha – confirmed," revealed the German journalist, adding that it was an "open race" to sign him. with Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund also mentioned with interest.

The Telegraph, meanwhile, believe Nmecha is available for around £15m.

How does Felix Nmecha compare to Zinedine Zidane?

The former Manchester City prospect has shone since joining the Wolves, with eight goal contributions in 30 Bundesliga games this season and has caught the attention of Newcastle who join Borussia Dortmund in their pursuit of the talented 22-year-old.

As he has made his name in Germany, Nmecha has been favourably compared to the legendary Frenchman, Zinedine Zidane.

While he hasn't come close to matching the former Real Madrid hero's incredible feats in the game, he plays a very similar style of football to Zidane.

Known for his strength on and off the ball, the 22-year-old gem resembles the former Ballon d'Or winner in that sense, with the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar known for out-muscling opponents and steamrolling through the centre of midfield.

The 22-year-old gem, who was described as an "advanced playmaker" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has fantastic close control that is also similar to the Frenchman's, as well as his calm composure on the ball and his nonchalant ball delivery.

While he's known for his offensive output, Nmecha also likes to get stuck in as well, averaging 1.4 tackles a game in Germany last season, another striking resemblance to Zidane who never shied away from a tackle in the heart of midfield.

Zidane was also known for driving forward with the ball at his feet, and at just 22 years old, the Wolfsburg man has already shown glimpses of that ability, completing 22 progressive carries into the final third of his opponents' areas last season.

According to The Guardian's Rob Smyth, the former Real Madrid man's ball retention skills are probably the best we've ever seen, and while Nmecha certainly isn't as polished or as accomplished as Zidane in that sense, he has shown an ability to carry the ball, and drive through the channels while holding onto possession at an astounding rate. In fact, the German was dispossessed just 13 times last season, a number that will likely only improve as the years go by.

If Newcastle are to make an impact in the Champions League next season and really push forward, signing a player like Nmecha, who has clearly shown shades of what made Zidane such a special talent, would go a long way towards helping Howe's side realise that goal.

Declan Rice is incredibly keen on making a move to Arsenal this summer following several rejected bids from West Ham.

When will Arsenal sign Declan Rice?

While the Gunners are not the only club interested in Rice's signature, they are certainly first in the queue at present. Arsenal have submitted two bids already for the midfielder, both of which have been rejected by West Ham as they feel they can get more money from a potential deal.

According to journalist Dharmesh Sheth, however, there are reports that Rice has his heart set on a move across London.

"It looks like the primary focus now is Declan Rice. And we think they're getting encouraging signs that Declan Rice wants to move to Arsenal."

"Look, it's interesting this, because there are so many noises from different areas surrounding this potential deal with regard to Declan Rice," Sheth told Sky Sports News's Transfer Talk podcast.

He added: "If you believe, you know, some people are saying, on the one hand, he only wants Arsenal. Arsenal are confident of getting him, there's a degree of optimism that the deal will get done."

Following a second-placed finish last season, in which they pushed Manchester City for the Premier League title, Arsenal are in need of reinforcements ahead of a busy upcoming campaign. Mikel Arteta wants to bring in several fresh faces at the Emirates as the Spaniard's young and exciting squad are tested again next term.

While Rice could cost approximately £120m, the 24-year-old has already proven himself to be one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League, and even guided West Ham to a European trophy at the end of last season in the form of the Europa Conference League.

It looks, therefore, as if it may only be a matter of time before Rice makes the move to Arsenal, despite Manchester City's interest in the Englishman. It would be one hell of a coup for the Gunners should they wrap the deal up.

Who else do Arsenal want to sign?

With Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey looking likely to leave the Emirates this summer, the Gunners need to bolster their midfield, with Rice not the only midfielder they are interested in signing.

Southampton's defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia has been strongly linked with a move to north London following a stellar breakout season with the Saints, albeit there are a number of other clubs interested in the 19-year-old.

Further up the pitch, Arteta looks to have a deal sorted for Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz. The German, who has scored a Champions League-winning goal during his time at Stamford Bridge, looks to be on the move for approximately £65m.

The defence is also an area where Arsenal are eager to strengthen their depth, with an opening £30m bid for Ajax's highly-rated Jurrien Timber having been made over the past few days. The 22-year-old would prove a versatile option for Arteta with the ability to play at right-back and centre-back.

Arsenal are set for talks with the representatives of Folarin Balogun regarding his future at the club amid interest from a number of top European sides, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The striker spent last year on loan at Stade Reims in Ligue 1, where he scored 21 league goals in 37 games.

What is the latest news with Folarin Balogun?

Balogun is potentially looking to depart the Emirates this summer in search of more regular first-team football after his positive loan move last campaign.

With the club already having Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli in his position, and reports stating that the club is interested in bringing in Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, a move looks more likely than ever.

When asked about his situation, Balogun simply said: "Contractually I have to go back. Because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.

"But I'm not sure what is going to happen in the future. A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we'll see what happens."

According to reports from Italy, a number of Serie A clubs are interested in bringing in the forward who recently declared for the US national team. Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli all have interest in the forward, with Napoli eyeing the forward up as a potential Victor Osimhen replacement.

Clubs in France also have reportedly registered an interest in the forward, with Marseille and Monaco being the two most prominent clubs, and his record in Ligue 1 last season may well convince these clubs to push hard for the player as they know he has performed at that level before.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about the situation?

Speaking on The Here we Go Podcast, Romano revealed that a meeting is imminent between both the club and the player's representatives with the aim of deciding on the players asking price.

Romano stated: "Keep an eye on Italian. Both Inter and AC Milan are well-informed on the situation with Balogun, also RB Leipzig, Olympique Marseille, Monaco and Crystal Palace have enquired about Balogun.

"So keep an eye on this player because soon there will be a meeting between Balogun and Arsenal, the player's agents of course and the club, to decide the price tag and clubs will decide how to act."

Which move would be the best for Balogun?

Inter Milan is an intriguing option for the 21-year-old, with the Champions League finalists set to lose Romelu Lukaku at the end of his loan spell – despite their interest in a permanent deal. whilst reports state that Edin Dzeko could leave the club as a free agent.

The US forward could find himself playing a lot of first-team football at a very high level should he join the Nerazzuri. Whilst AC Milan also offers a clear path to the first team, the uncertainty and turmoil within the club make it an environment that Balogun could benefit from avoiding.

Marseille and Monaco both offer the striker a chance to continue in the league where he shone last campaign, with Marseille also able to offer Champions League football, but it remains to be seen whether the Ligue 1 clubs could compete financially with the other sides interested.

RB Leipzig have a fantastic track record of developing players, and Balogun would get the chance to come into the side as the Christopher Nkunku replacement. The forward could potentially have the opportunity to form partnerships with some of the most highly rated talents across Europe at the German club, who also have a strong history with American players.

Whatever club ends up buying Balogun this summer, they will have a fantastic prospect with plenty of room to grow to look forward to.

Liverpool will face competition from Portuguese giants Benfica as Reds manager Jurgen Klopp seeks a deal for Feyenoord captain Orkun Kokcu this summer.

What's the latest on Orkun Kokcu to Liverpool?

That's according to a report from the Netherlands (as relayed by the Liverpool Echo), which claims that the recently-crowned Eredivisie champions' captain is attracting interest from multiple angles after a brilliant campaign.

Due to Premier League interest, Feyenoord are hoping for at least €40m (£34m) for their star midfielder, and while Benfica are pushing hard to land the Turkish ace, the allure of Jurgen Klopp's outfit could swing the odds in his favour.

Earlier this year, former Liverpool gem Dirk Kuyt stated his desire to see the Anfield side make their move for the 22-year-old, which could be realised this summer as the Reds look to replace departees James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Should Liverpool sign Orkun Kokcu?

It's fair to say that it's not been a bad season for Kokcu, who scored 12 goals and served five more from 46 appearances across all competitions en route to divisional glory in the Netherlands, ending Ajax's five-year dominance.

Dubbed a "true leader" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Feyenoord captain offers an impressive goalscoring prowess to complement a dynamic slant to his midfield play – two elements that could prove enticing to Klopp considering Harvey Elliott's five-goal haul was the highest of any Liverpool midfielder this term.

Klopp's team tends not to find prolific success from the centre, instead relying on the marauding creativity of full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold while harnessing the blistering frontal potency of the likes of Mohamed Salah and co.

But the season gone past illustrates the need for change after the Reds fell by the wayside and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven seasons, and Kokcu could change that.

As per Sofascore, he recorded a stunning average match rating of 7.48 in Eredivisie this term, complementing his direct contributions by completing 85% of his passes, making 2.8 key passes and 1.2 tackles per game, and succeeding with 58% of his attempted dribbles.

Truly an all-encompassing midfielder, burgeoning and yet to channel the full scope of his potential, much like Nice machine Khephren Thuram, who could yet forge a deadly midfield alliance with the 20-cap Turkey international on Merseyside having received reliable and heavy links with a move to Klopp's team.

With holding midfielder Fabinho likely to retain his spot in Klopp's system despite a campaign where he flattered to deceive, the more progression-centric duo could wreak havoc behind Liverpool's frontline, with Kokcu, who ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Men's Next 8 divisions, as per FBref, for both shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, achieving a state of confluence with his "tenacious" – as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – prospective teammate.

Thuram has been regarded as "dangerous" and "powerful" by club peer Aaron Ramsey, and himself ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90.

The state of confluence that Liverpool might craft with a deal for both of these exciting dynamos could be the perfect remedy for the seasonal strife, and it must be enacted by new technical director Jorg Schmadtke to ensure that the desired ascent takes the Reds right back to the top.

Manchester United only scored 58 Premier League goals during 2022/2023, the lowest out of any side in the top six and there is no doubt Erik ten Hag needs to sign a top-quality striker or two during the summer transfer window.

Indeed, out of those 58 goals, only seven of those were scored by out-and-out centre forwards, with Cristiano Ronaldo (one) and Anthony Martial (six) getting on target, further emphasising the point that the Dutchman needs proper firepower if he is to mount a title challenge next term.

With regard to this, the Old Trafford side have set their sights on Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic according to Gazzetta dello Sport and any potential move may cost Ten Hag around €90m (£78m), however this is much cheaper than the reported £100m it could cost for United to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, a known transfer target.

This suggests that the Serbia striker could be an ideal Osimhen alternative for the Dutchman ahead of 2023/2024 and could allow him to focus on other areas of the team rather than splurge the majority of his budget on just one player.

Could Manchester United sign Dusan Vlahovic?

With the Bianconeri failing to qualify for the Champions League due to a fresh ten-point deduction, the Serie A side could be willing to sell Vlahovic during the transfer window, just 18 months after signing him.

There is no doubt Osimhen has enjoyed the better campaign out of the duo, scoring 30 goals compared to the 14 for Vlahovic.

However since 2019/20, there hasn’t been much of a difference in their total goal record, with the Nigerian international finding the back of the net 76 times compared to 72 for the 23-year-old, proving that he is a more than adequate alternative.

Indeed, even this term, there isn’t much in it with regard to goal-creating actions per 90 (0.33 to 0.29), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.67 to 2.1) and shots per 90 (1.84 to 0.94), with the Serbian coming out on top for the first metric.

Journalist Emmet Gates lavished praise upon him last year, saying:

“Dusan Vlahovic has the ability to be a generational talent, but he's suffering in this iteration of Juventus.

“To paraphrase a famous Zlatan line: He's a Ferrari being driven like a Fiat.”

Perhaps a change of scenery would do him the world of good, and a talent like his deserves to be showcasing his ability in the Champions League.

Those statistics show that there isn’t much difference between him and Osimhen in various metrics this term, and as he would cost significantly cheaper, Ten Hag must make the move as soon as possible.

YouTuber Conor McGilligan has expressed doubt over Che Adams amid recent rumours suggesting he could be on his way to Leeds United.

What is the latest Leeds United transfer news?

The Whites could well be playing in the Championship next season and will have to then adjust their transfer plans accordingly.

Adams is one player who has already been relegated, as Southampton are destined to finish at the very bottom of the Premier League table.

As a result, they will probably be losing a few players this summer and it seems as though the striker has emerged as a target for Leeds.

Indeed, as per a report in TEAMtalk from last week, Adams is almost certain to leave. On top of that, the player has been linked in the recent past with Football Insider noting that the Whites are "admirers".

While speaking about it on the One Leeds Fan Channel, McGilligan didn't seem to think it was the best idea though.

He explained (11:23): "Apparently Leeds have a long-term interest and it wasn't just Victor Orta in [for] Che Adams and yeah, there's potential for Leeds to go in there and make that move.

"But I'm not 100 per cent sure that's viable now. I think that ship’s sailed."

Who will Che Adams join this summer?

Interestingly enough, former England international Carlton Palmer has also offered his verdict on the recent rumours with Everton linked as well as Leeds.

He told Football League World: "Both of these clubs could be plying their trade in the Championship next season.

"He has a year left on his contract, [but] I think any new manager would want to keep him in the building for now, given he scored 22 goals for Birmingham in the 2018/19 season.

"I think you would go to the January transfer window, and make a decision on his future depending on how he is doing, and how the season is going on a whole for the club."

However, Leeds were also linked (via The Sun) with a £10m move for Adams last summer but no deal ever materialised.

Seeing as the £30k-p/w attacker has scored just five league goals since then as his team has been relegated, it's not hard to see why McGilligan feels the ship may have passed regarding this particular deal.

Still only 26, though, Adams could potentially provide a good option for somebody next term in either the Championship or the Premier League depending on how things turn out.

Liverpool's appointment of Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director is now thought to be "imminent", according to a fresh update.

What's the sporting director situation at Liverpool?

It has been a tough season for the Reds, with Premier League title aspirations existing back in August, but a fifth-place finish eventually coming their way after a string of poor results. It is a campaign that has seen a number of players struggle, including the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, but there have also been issues off the field.

The influential Michael Edwards left his role as sporting director last year, having been the mastermind behind the signings of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, among many others, and he was replaced in the role by Julian Ward. It was then announced late last year that he would step down at the end of this season, potentially suggesting that all is not running as smoothly as it once did at Anfield.

The search has been on to find Ward's successor and Schmadtke has emerged as a front-runner in recent weeks, having most recently been sporting director at Wolfsburg. Now, a significant update has emerged – one that suggests his appointment is now a matter if when, rather than if.

Is Schmadtke set to become Reds' sporting director?

According to Sky Sports Germany [via Sport Witness], "nothing can go wrong" with regards to Schmadtke heading to Liverpool, with an announcement now believed to be "imminent". The Reds want him in charge as soon as possible, in order to bring stability to the club before the summer transfer window opens.

It is stated that he will work closely with Klopp on potential signings, with his main area of focus being the Bundesliga, given his experience in that league.

Nailing the right replacement for Ward is absolutely essential for Liverpool this summer, with the role of sporting director such an important one in football these days, not least their eye for new signings and the relationship they have with the manager.

While Schmadtke is reportedly a controversial character at times, with a penchant for falling out with people, Klopp has picked him out for a reason and he is to be trusted with such decisions, as something of a new era begins at Anfield, following the departure of the likes of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of the season.