Arsenal have already seen a few big names depart the club this summer, but more squad members face Mikel Arteta’s swinging axe before deadline day on September 1.
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He’s ready to accept an offer to leave.
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The Gunners could have a completely different look to them by the time they face Man United in their first Premier League game of the season next month, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera joining the club this summer.
Madueke put pen to paper on his contract to become a new Arsenal player on Wednesday (Fabrizio Romano), while Mosquera is set to sign his own long-term deal with Arteta’s side this week too.
The five new arrivals replace Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Marquinhos, Nuno Tavares and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who’ve all departed N5 for pastures new, with more surplus players in line to follow them.
According to The Athletic, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko could all leave Arsenal, with uncertainty also surrounding both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
It is a similar case for winger Reiss Nelson, who spent half of last season on loan at Fulham before it was cut short by a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old has been hailed by Arteta in previous campaigns, but given the abundance of quality wingers in their squad, not to mention Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, there is simply no space for Nelson.
“We think the potential is there and we think we’ve seen something in Reiss that is special,” said Arteta about Nelson in 2023.
“He’s been a part of our academy system and now he’s going to have an opportunity. He’s been out for almost three months with an injury, he’s back now, he’s fully fit, and he’s ready to play. He just needs minutes now.
“His attitude and the way he’s matured and evolved over the past year or so has been really impressive, I think everybody is talking about it, and now he needs to do it on the pitch.”
Fulham in talks to re-sign Reiss Nelson from Arsenal
Now, according to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, it appears Fulham are ready to make Nelson their first deal of the summer.
Fulham have entered talks with Arsenal over re-signing Nelson, again on loan, and all parties are working towards finding a solution which would allow the Englishman to return to Craven Cottage for another spell.
Nelson has been on a succession of loan moves away from Arsenal since making his senior debut all the way back in 2017.
Over the last eight years, he’s donned the jerseys of Hoffenheim, Feyenoord and Fulham whilst failing to work his way into becoming a regular starter for his boyhood club – despite Arteta’s praise and some key moments in flashes.
Now is surely the time to try and seal a permanent exit for him, with Nelson’s contract also expiring in just two years.
After already welcoming both Emmanuel Fernandez and Joe Rothwell this week, Glasgow Rangers are now reportedly keen to sign a Premier League gem this summer.
Rangers sign Fernandez and Rothwell
The Gers have well and truly got their summer business underway and now that things have started, they don’t look likely to slow down anytime soon. After welcoming both Fernandez and Rothwell, Russell Martin has taken his incomings count to as many as five since arriving with the likes of Conor Coady also on Rangers’ radar as they look to add to that number.
The latest to arrive, Fernandez told Rangers’ official website after putting pen to paper: “I am honoured, it is a huge club with a great fanbase and I think I can kickstart my career and have a good journey here.
“I was shocked when I heard about Rangers because it is such a big club but it was the place I wanted to be. I haven’t played at this level, there will be a lot of life changes for me, but it is something I want to be part of and I can’t wait to get started.”
Meanwhile, equally delighted to be joining up with those at Ibrox, Rothwell said: “My first reaction? A yes straight away, obviously then with the manager coming in as well it made that decision a little bit easier for me.
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“Working with him and knowing what type of guy he is and how he wants to do things that was an even bigger pull for me, but the club speaks for itself really.”
It’s been the most important week of the summer so far for Rangers, who have now set their sights on welcoming another impressive Premier League talent for Martin.
Rangers keen to sign Owen Beck
According to The Daily Record, Rangers are now keen to sign Owen Beck from Liverpool but will need to sell Ridvan Yilmaz if they are to make their move to sign the left-back on a permanent deal. Recent reports have suggested that the Premier League champions would accept a loan offer for their youngster, although there would need to be guarantees over his game time.
It should come as little shock that Beck has found himself on Rangers’ radar. The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season and following Milos Kerkez’s Anfield arrival, is likely to need either another loan move or a permanent exit to earn further game time.
It wouldn’t be the first time that Beck features in Scotland either, given that he also spent time on loan at Dundee. It was then that their technical director and former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan told reporters: “With Owen Beck, you can take all the data away from the player and it will tell you this: he gets forward, his engine’s good, it’s all good.
“What it won’t tell you is that Owen is a great kid with wonderful personality. He has a great team ethic, and he can’t do enough for the people around him. His first thought is always the team, and I like that in younger players. He’s made himself into a better footballer. He’s clever.”
How sad that Liverpool’s smart business sense in the transfer market will likely prevent Arne Slot’s side from becoming engaged in the frenzied crowd come August, when panic stations are manned ahead of the impending closure date.
Ah well. There are worse problems for a side to have. Liverpool, having won the Premier League with relative ease last season, have already completed a series of signings to plug gaps ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, where a title must be defended and where expectations will be heightened across tournamental fronts, where the Reds perhaps fell flat.
Still, that shiny league title softened the blow of losing the Carabao Cup final, did it not? However, we can’t deny that Liverpool suffered a dip around spring, a rough patch which limited the scope of Slot’s extraordinary success.
More quality was needed, and that’s why Richard Hughes has overseen such an imperious start to the summer market, with the sporting director now turning his head toward central defence.
Why Liverpool want a centre-back
Earlier in June, Liverpool agreed to sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £30m plus add-ons. A buyback clause has been written into the contract.
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah
The move will not be finalised until the defender completes his duties with England at the U21 European Championship, but he won’t be a Liverpool player next season.
With a question mark also hanging over Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool have set their sights on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is anticipated to leave Selhurst Park this summer. Anfield has emerged as the leading suitor in the race.
We all know of Real Madrid’s expertise in warping Spanish media, but the fact remains that Konate has been left ‘disappointed’ after rejecting Liverpool’s latest contract offer, and is indeed heading into the final year of his £70k-per-week contract.
However, if Liverpool fail to get a deal for Guehi over the line, a fresh face will still be needed to strengthen the rearguard.
Liverpool register interest in Guehi alternative
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have entered the race for Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, who plays for Valencia in La Liga.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Though the Reds will slow the pace after their breakneck start to the window, Hughes will remain attentive to opportunities and is keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old as Arsenal begin to accelerate their own interest.
Indeed, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that the Gunners are locked in talks for the rising star, with a €20m (£17m) being agreed.
Valencia'sCristhianMosquerain action with Atletico Madrid's Samuel Lino
If Liverpool want to complete a hijack, they will need to move fast.
Why Liverpool want Cristhian Mosquera
Guehi would bring a certain completeness to Liverpool, and he’s proven in the Premier League besides, but he’d cost quite a fee at £50m.
If a breakthrough is found vis-à-vis Konate, would it make sense to launch such a bid, especially when Guehi already harbours certain reservations about playing time?
He’s an excellent player, but Mosquera is showing significant potential and could be a worthwhile project for Slot and his coaching team over the next few years, especially as he’s already shown a certain precocity in chalking up 90 senior appearances for Valencia, having turned 21 today.
Cristhian Mosquera for Valencia.
Across the 2024/25 campaign, the Spaniard, born and reared in Alicante to Colombian parents, Mosquera actually started 37 of Valencia’s league fixtures, with his one absence coming when his side faced Barcelona at Camp Nou. They lost 7-1.
Coincidence? Likely not. The hulking defender’s natural ease in high-pressure situations would have been perfect for that match, and when looking at how his metrics compare to Guehi’s over the players’ respective league seasons, you begin to see exactly why he’s so coveted.
Matches (starts)
37 (37)
34 (34)
Goals
1
3
Assists
0
2
Clean sheets
8
11
Touches*
65.7
64.9
Pass completion
91%
84%
Key passes*
0.0
0.5
Ball recoveries*
5.1
4.3
Dribbles (success)*
0.1 (56%)
0.4 (86%)
Tackles + interceptions*
2.4
2.6
Clearances*
3.3
4.6
Ground duels (won)*
2.3 (70%)
2.9 (63%)
Aerial duels (won)*
1.1 (45%)
2.0 (54%)
Just a reminder that Mosquera is only 21. You really can see why Arsenal are so interested in bringing him over to the Emirates. However, Mosquera’s blend of steely tackling and crisp passing play, those fundamental defensive virtues, could be developed into something world-class at Anfield.
Slot promotes a ball-playing game, and he expects his centre-halves to contribute, picking out those in space upfield to spark a devastating transition.
Cristhian Mosquera for Valencia.
And if that weren’t enough, Mosquera also ranked among the top 18% of central defenders in La Liga last term for progressive carries and the top 7% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref, emphasising a mobility to rival Guehi’s and indeed an athleticism which allows him to roam about, hoovering up danger and recycling it into something positive.
This is an interesting element for any defender to equip to their toolkit, but when you are so naturally talented in winning the ball back, as Mosquera is, a “truly magnificent centre-back” is created, as has been noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Moreover, Mosquera’s success in the air might not be great, but it will improve. Guehi, too, finds his stronger challenges come on the ground, and so it’s curious indeed that the La Liga star is already performing to a higher standard in that regard, in fact superior to all his positional peers across Spain’s top flight as well.
No doubt, Palace have the more refined man. However, given Liverpool already boast two of the finest defenders on the globe in Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk, does it not make sense to sign the developing star, who could learn from the superstars already under Slot’s wing ahead of a more prominent role in the coming years?
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Birmingham City were an absolute joy to behold at the very top of League One last season.
Chris Davies’ rampant Blues would only lose three of their 46 league fixtures, leading to a colossal 111-point total being reached, with standout figures such as Jay Stansfield very much raising the excitement levels with a bumper 19 strikes tallied up in third-tier action.
Come the end of their very enjoyable League One marathon, Birmingham would go on to accumulate a mightily impressive 84 goals.
They won’t be receding into their shell when heading back up to the Championship, with plenty of fresh strikers now being linked to make the switch to St. Andrew’s to boost their already frightening firepower, which includes a promising Premier League-bound talent.
Birmingham monitoring situation of £10m striker
According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the super-confident Blues are now monitoring the situation of Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph.
GIVEMESPORT states that Birmingham have been interested in the Spanish hotshot for some time now, with Davies’ men potentially seeing this opening in the summer transfer window as the perfect opportunity to strike up a deal.
RC Strasbourg are also noted as an interested party- on top of a January £10m bid from Real Betis being mentioned – but Birmingham have successfully flexed their muscles recently to win a similarly expensive striker from a Premier League side.
Of course, Stansfield cost £15m to pick up from Marco Silva’s Fulham last summer, with everyone at St. Andrew’s hopeful that Joseph can go down as an unbelievable success story much like the former Cottagers forward.
How Joseph can be Stansfield 2.0
It was somewhat of a gamble to fork out £15m for Stansfield’s services, considering the electric number 28 only had 21 strikes next to his name in senior action in the EFL before confirming a permanent Birmingham stay.
Now, that lavish fee doesn’t look too steep, with Stansfield an integral part of the Blues’ promotion story.
When moving up a division, Birmingham will be keeping their fingers crossed that Joseph can play an equal starring role, but this time around he could be the exact figure they desire in helping Davies’ men consolidate themselves as a Championship-worthy outfit.
After all, despite fading into the background at times last season under Daniel Farke’s wing, Joseph would still chip in with three goals and three assists in league action. This is a more than respectable return when you weigh up the fact that the 21-year-old only started 11 Championship contests.
With Leeds now in the big time, Joseph will be worrying that his first-team opportunities will become even more sparse. Therefore, a move to St. Andrew’s could be just what the Spain U21 international needs to kick on as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Stansfield, a fellow young striker who was also on the periphery of his then employers, Fulham, before finally becoming a main striker option in the West Midlands.
Leeds
73
6
3
Leeds U21s
33
19
3
Leeds U18s
4
1
1
Spain U21s
11
8
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
That was the case even as Stansfield scored a blistering 38 goals for both the Fulham U18s and U21s combined, with Joseph not that far behind on a healthy total of 20 on the youth pitches at Thorp Arch, away from also hammering home six strikes in the senior ranks.
Staggeringly, Stansfield would only ever reach two senior goals at Craven Cottage, but all of that is firmly at the back of his mind now as Birmingham’s leading star.
The “dynamite” Leeds forward – as he was once glowingly labelled by U23 scout Antonio Mango – will want to be held in the same high esteem soon, rather than fighting it out for scraps at Elland Road.
Therefore, another statement striker deal could soon be on the cards at St. Andrew’s, as Joseph possibly joins and fires in the goals to make Birmingham’s transition to Championship life as smooth as possible.
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It’s set to be a busy summer transfer window at Celtic Park, as always seems to be the case.
Kieran Tierney has already secured his Celtic return, resulting in much excitement, but many more signings are set to follow.
Now, the Hoops are closing in on a “fearless” new winger reminiscent of a certain Liel Abada.
How Liel Abada is faring after leaving Celtic
Countless players have enjoyed longer Celtic careers, with many making many more appearances in green and white hoops, but Abada will always be remembered fondly by the supporters.
Just 20 years old at the time, Abada arrived from Maccabi Petah Tikva for a reported fee of £3.6m in the summer of 2021.
He netted the first goal of the Ange Postecoglou era in a Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland, scoring 29 times and registering 22 assists in 112 outings for the club, named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year during his debut campaign.
A few of Abada’s goals are why he is so fondly remembered by fans, namely a stoppage-time winner against Dundee United, as well as goals during Old Firm demolition victories, adding the third in a 3-0 win in February 2022, before bagging a brace during a 4-0 hammering of Rangers later that year.
Celtic winger Liel Abada.
However, after being sidelined with a long-term injury and due to growing tension following the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Abada was sold to MLS side Charlotte FC for a reported fee of £10m in March last year, representing a tidy profit.
Since then, he’s been pretty impressive in America, scoring 13 goals in 46 games, also registering three assists.
Now, Celtic could be set to land their next goal-scoring winger.
Celtic set to sign a new wide-attacker
As has been widely reported, including by reports in Belgium, Celtic are now set to sign Benjamin Nygren from Nordsjælland for a reported £2m fee.
Nygren was also linked with Anderlecht but has allegedly chosen to head to Scotland in favour of heading elsewhere in Europe. As such, he is ‘expected to complete his move to the Premiership’.
Speaking to Swedish outlet Fotboll Skanalen earlier this month, Nygren admitted “it’s clear that there is a lot of interest. I have done extremely well this whole season… I will leave”.
The 23-year-old winger made his senior debut for hometown club IFK Göteborg, before spells with Genk and Heerenveen, joining current side Nordsjælland in January 2022, scoring an impressive 35 goals in 107 appearances for the Tigers.
His form at club level saw him earn a senior international debut earlier this year, featuring in all four of Sweden’s fixtures in 2025 to date, scoring against both Northern Ireland in Stockholm and Hungary at the Puskás Aréna just last week.
So, let’s assess why he’s so similar to Abada.
Goals
15
3rd
Assists
2
69th
Shots
82
3rd
Shots on target
40
1st
Shots on target %
48.8
10th
Big chances missed
14
3rd
Average SofaScore rating
7.42
4th
As the table outlines, like the Israeli, Nygren is very much a goal-scoring wide-attacker, hence why he had more shots on target than anyone else in this season’s Superligaen, also ranked in the top three for goals, shots and big chances missed.
International teammate Alexander Isak described Nygren as “fearless” and full of “confidence”, adding that he thoroughly enjoyed playing alongside a winger who is able to “provide good crosses”.
Sakhu Mpofu of Total Football Analysis outlines how he is best as a right-winger who likes to ‘invert into the centre’, while he is also described as “versatile” and ‘one of the most underrated” players in Denmark’s top-flight.
Thus, it is clear that Celtic are set to secure the services of a high-quality wide-attacker, with similar natural goal-scoring instincts to one of the previous incumbents of the right-wing position, Abada.
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Chelsea’s eventful summer window so far has produced plenty of different stories emerging from behind-the-scenes, with Enzo Maresca still looking to bolster his squad further and preferably in time for the Club World Cup later this month.
BlueCo have just two more days to register new players before the competition begins, and with £97 million worth of prize money on the line, it is little surprise that Stamford Bridge chiefs want to take it seriously.
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Striker Liam Delap has already been signed from Ipswich for around £30 million, the value of his release clause, and he’s set to snub a spot in Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 squad for the Euros so he can feature at the CWC for Chelsea.
“I am definitely not disappointed,” said Carsley on Delap not leading the line for England.
“I am delighted for Liam and his family. I think it is a brilliant thing for an English centre-forward to play in the Premier League at such a prestigious club like Chelsea. Hopefully he will do really well there and push for the senior team. We will move on, we moved on quite quickly.
England's LiamDelapin action with Portugal's Francisco Chissumba
“I think we have always known that two or three of the players could move to clubs that were playing in the Club World Cup and we have been preparing for this for a while.”
In terms of who could join Delap in time for the CWC, Chelsea have a number of different plates spinning.
Ipswich Town 2-0 Chelsea
8.08
Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich Town
8.05
Ipswich Town 2-2 Aston Villa
8.04
Ipswich Town 1-2 Southampton
7.83
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
7.55
via WhoScored
Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké continues to among Chelsea’s top priorities, while new talks have been held over a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato this week (Simon Phillips). Chelsea also have a number of rumoured top targets for the wing, including Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.
AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan, who’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract, remains high on the agenda as well.
AC Milan's MikeMaignanreacts
Chelsea opened talks with Milan over signing Maignan, and the France international is believed to be equally keen on a move to Stamford Bridge. However, as Milan demand around £25 million to sell their captain, with Chelsea only wanting to pay £10 million (Sky Sports), they are looking to find common ground on his price tag.
Chelsea could force Robert Sanchez out if they sign Mike Maignan
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, if they do seal a deal for the 29-year-old, it could spell trouble for Robert Sanchez in particular.
The mainstay keeper started 32 Premier League matches under Maresca last term, but it is believed Maignan’s potential arrival could push Sanchez out of the Chelsea exit door, alongside fellow shot-stopper Djordje Petrovic.
Chelsea’s extensive backlog of keepers, which still includes £150,000-per-week outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga, needs to be trimmed.
Maignan is a truly “elite” keeper, as described by Liverpool star Alisson, so he’s definitely worth having for a cut-price fee, but it is a given that Chelsea will have to find new homes for half of the shot-stoppers in their squad as well.
Crystal Palace now have Europa League football to look forward to next season, and already the club are planning for the summer as they eye up a move to sign a “superb” Bundesliga midfielder, according to a recent report.
Wharton’s Crystal Palace future in doubt despite FA Cup win
Adam Wharton has been a standout performer since his arrival in SE25, and his performances have caught the attention of teams at home and abroad. Despite missing a large chunk of this season through a groin injury, Wharton has played 20 times in the Premier League and was a huge part of the Eagles’ FA Cup glory.
Heading into the summer transfer window, he is now very much a wanted man, as teams start to circle with significant interest. Last week, it was reported that Man United boss Ruben Amorim is personally driving the Red Devils’ move to sign Wharton. It’s claimed that United are in the strongest position to sign the Englishman this summer, but they are not the only team chasing the midfielder.
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Newcastle United have also been heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old, while Arsenal are said to have joined the race to sign Wharton, as they plan to close the gap at the top of the table.
Liverpool are also interested in Wharton, and it’s been reported that they are planning to make a £60 million bid to sign the Palace man. However, given the Eagles have qualified for the Europa League, their stance has tightened, and it’s been claimed they wouldn’t consider any bid less than £80 million.
Crystal Palace eyeing move to sign "superb" £15m+ midfielder
And while the hope will of course be to convince the England starlet to stay put, according to Sky Germany, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Nadiem Amiri from Bundesliga side Mainz 05, making plans to buff up their midfield ranks just in case.
Sky Germany report that Amiri’s exit from Mainz is a possibility this summer, as Palace, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing the midfielder, as well as teams in Serie A.
The 28-year-old was asked about his future after Mainz’s final game of the season over the weekend against Bayer Leverkusen, which they drew 2-2, and the German didn’t give much away: “Go on holiday now; then we’ll see.”
Apps
30
Goals
7
Expected goals
5.47
Assists
5
Shots per game
2.1
Key passes per game
2.1
Interceptions per game
0.5
Tackles per game
1.7
Amiri, who has been dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, with this report claiming he could cost between 18 and 20 million euros, which is roughly £15-16 million.
The midfielder, who can operate as a number ten or more defensively, is under contract until 2028, and the fact that Mainz have qualified for Europe next season will toughen their stance, given Amiri has been an important player this season with seven goals and five assists in 30 Bundesliga games.
Chelsea are big fans of a marquee Real Madrid star as BlueCo plan to sign an “elite” level player this summer, with Enzo Maresca’s side expected to undergo a seismic overhaul.
Chelsea's transfer plans amid Champions League race
The Blues are currently attempting to seal Champions League qualification for next season, which will have a key effect on their ability to attract and pay for their desired top transfer targets.
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They’re currently level on points with Aston Villa and sit fifth by the skin of their teeth on goal difference, and things could look very different by the conclusion of the next Premier League matchweek.
2. Arsenal
68
3. Newcastle United
66
4. Man City
65
5. Chelsea
63
6. Aston Villa
63
7. Nottingham Forest
62
Chelsea simply cannot afford any slip-ups in their final two matches against Man United and European spot rivals Nottingham Forest, especially considering Stamford Bridge officials are aiming to be ambitious when the summer window reopens for business.
They will be competing in the Club World Cup as well, a tournament which could yield a seismic financial windfall of around £97 million if they win it, so Chelsea are understandably taking it seriously.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, sharing another significant update on the club’s transfer plans, Chelsea ideally want to sign two of their top targets before the CWC commences, and they’ll have a brief window from June 1 to June 10 to do so.
Phillips also reports that Chelsea have “big plans” in the works, and one of their aims is to bring in an “elite” senior player.
Chelsea would love to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo
As per the reliable journalist, writing via his Substack, £202,000-per-week Real Madrid star Rodrygo is one man in this bracket who they seriously admire.
Albeit unlikely, Chelsea “would love” to sign Rodrygo, and he is among the men who they’d be willing to break their wage structure for, depending on if they seal their spot in the Champions League for next season.
“Chelsea would love to sign any of the above three [Harry Kane, Alexander Isak or Rodrygo], and are looking at potential opportunities around players like this,” wrote Phillips.
“Obviously all three will be seen as unrealistic and the reality is that they are very unrealistic, because we don’t want to pay over our wage structure for any players.
“However, if Chelsea get Champions League football then wage structures (with incentives) will go up at the club and players will be earning more on bonuses. This could make the overall wage package on offer a bit more appealing to players.
“We have also had it confirmed that Chelsea are prepared to break their wage structure for the right player, and the three mentioned above would fall into that category. I’m not saying we will sign any of them by the way, just that Chelsea are looking to bring ‘elite’ players I guess as well as youngsters.”
The Brazilian has starred for Real with 13 goals and 10 assists in 50 appearances this season, all while featuring as a striker, left-winger and right-winger under Carlo Ancelotti.
There is little denying he’d be an immediate upgrade to Chelsea’s wide options and further forward, but this attempted move would be a big reach to say the least, given his importance to Real and suggestions he could cost up to £131 million.
Manchester City may not have won either the Premier League or Champions League this season, but they could end 2024/25 on a high note next weekend.
Of course, winning the FA Cup won’t right the wrongs of what has been a largely dismal campaign for the Etihad side, but it would be a nice consolation prize.
While everything will be focused on that final next week, Pep Guardiola will certainly have one eye on improving his squad, especially with the transfer window set to open in a few weeks.
Manchester City manager PepGuardiolaapplauds fans after the match
City will take part in the revamped Club World Cup in June, and the window opens on the first of that month, before closing ten days later. This is to give those who are partaking in the event this summer a chance to get a head start on their business.
Despite bolstering the first-team squad in January with signings such as Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez, Guardiola wants more this summer.
Players such as Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White have been heavily linked with a move to Manchester this summer as replacements for the departing Kevin De Bruyne.
Could City’s first signing be a defender, however? As it appears, Guardiola is closing in on a deal to sign a player could replace Kyle Walker at right-back.
Kyle Walker’s future with Man City is uncertain
After eight and a half trophy-laden seasons with the club, the Englishman joined Milan on a six-month loan deal during the winter transfer window.
He has played 14 games for the Italian giants, but it looks as though he is likely to return to Manchester once his temporary spell ends in a few weeks.
Football Insider stated last month that Walker is likely to take a pay cut should he return to his parent club, and it is highly unlikely that he would be the starting right-back heading into the new campaign.
An upgrade or replacement for the former Tottenham Hotspur man is certainly needed.
Man City closing in on move for Brazilian defender
According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, City are pressing ahead in their bid to close in on the signing of Flamengo defender Wesley Franca before the Club World Cup starts next month.
He goes on to state that Wesley is the preferred option to come in as the new right-back next season, placing him higher than Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.
The Brazilian came close to sealing a move to Atalanta last summer, but the move broke down at the final hurdle. Flamengo had even rejected a proposal of £20m by Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg earlier this year, meaning City might have to splash the cash.
Mathues Nunes has been deputising at right-back for City in recent months, and it is clearly a position which needs strengthened heading into the 2025/26 season.
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With interest in Wesley intensifying, Walker might have to get used to playing a backup role next term.
Why Man City want to sign Wesley Franca
Wesley is still only 21 years of age, but has already racked up a total of 127 appearances for Flamengo, winning the Copa Libertadores and two Brazilian Cups during his embryonic career thus far.
His progress in Brazil has been followed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, who recently took to X to praise the youngster, saying: “Wesley França (21, 2003) has really been coming of age recently.
“He’s been exceptional for Flamengo this season, his games matured which brought super consistency. Be surprised if he doesn’t play in Europe next season.”
Elsewhere, he was hailed as the “best RB in Brazil” by respected analyst Ben Mattinson earlier this month and Guardiola could have a star in the making should he make the move to City.
His philosophy recently appears to be signing players who have yet to hit their peak that have the potential to become world-class stars in the future.
Wesley Franca celebrates for Flamengo.
Wesley certainly fits this bill well indeed. Should City secure his signature, ideally before the Club World Cup, then the Spaniard will have the right-back position locked down for the next few years.
Especially as he is a better option than a returning Walker, that’s for sure.
Why Wesley Franca is an upgrade on Kyle Walker
When compared to his positional peers in the men’s next 14 competitions, Wesley has shone in a range of metrics. He currently ranks in the top 14% for progressive carries (2.72), successful take-ons (1.29) and progressive passes received (9.48) per 90 over the previous 365 days.
Compare this to Walker, who fails to even rank in the top 60% for progressive carries (1.26), successful take-ons (0.46) or progressive passes received (2.28) per 90 when compared to his peers across the top five leagues in Europe. It is clear who has offered more going forward in the previous 12 months.
Metric
Wesley
Walker (PL only)
Key passes per 90
1.3
0.5
Big chances created
2
2
Assists
1
0
Total duels won per 90
6.1
2.3
Successful dribbles per 90
1.3
0.2
Defensively, Wesley ranks in the top 7% for tackles won (2) while also ranking in the top 17% for percentage of aerial duels won (60.5%) per 90 when compared to his peers.
Yet again, Walker trails his younger rival in these metrics, ranking in the bottom 69% for tackles won (1.01). Although he does rank in the top 19% for percentage of aerial duels won (59.4%), this is still lower than Wesley’s output.
Internacional'sWesleyin action with Flamengo'sWesleyFranca and Luiz Araujo
It is evident that Walker is on the wane and if he remains with City throughout next season, he likely won’t be starting many games. Perhaps Guardiola will retain his services due to the experience he can provide in certain matches, but going forward, someone younger and fresher will be key to City’s success in this area.
Wesley ticks all the boxes and would be an important signing for the club. Can they bring him in before the Club World Cup starts? Or shall Flamengo hold firm until the competition is over.
Things could get interesting over the next few weeks. Watch this space.
Man City preparing for summer move to sign "incredible" £80m West Ham star
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a bid to sign a new striker target who’s been “surprising” on-lookers with his form this year, as manager Enzo Maresca and Stamford Bridge chiefs begin to make transfer plans for the summer.
Chelsea's rumoured striker targets for the summer window
Nicolas Jackson is still yet to score a single Premier League goal this calendar year, while Christopher Nkunku was left out of the matchday squad entirely for Chelsea’s last game against Fulham.
Chelsea join race to sign £43m forward who scored winner at Stamford Bridge
The Blues have set their sights on a Premier League forward who has “blistering pace”.
ByDominic Lund Apr 22, 2025
Maresca’s shortage of prolific strikers has forced the Italian to get creative in recent weeks, with Pedro Neto even being utilised as a centre-forward in that time. Chelsea’s boss will be very eager to fix this hole in the squad ahead of his second full campaign in charge, and it is believed the west Londoners are eyeing a few top striker targets for next season.
Everton (home)
April 26th
Liverpool (home)
May 4th
Newcastle (away)
May 11th
Man United (home)
May 16th
Nottingham Forest (away)
May 25th
According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea have the likes of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, Ipswich Town starlet Liam Delap, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké and long-term target Victor Osimhen on their radar.
Sesko is a “very serious” potential signing for Chelsea, following another excellent campaign with Leipzig in the Bundesliga, while Delap is likely to be up for grabs this summer after Ipswich’s relegation to the Championship.
Sesko
The latter’s contract has a £30 million release clause tied with Ipswich’s relegation, so Delap could be a very astute option after his impressive season in an otherwise struggling team at Portman Road.
However, other elite clubs who are on the look-out for number nines will be fully aware of the 22-year-old’s exit clause too, and Sesko’s, which is rumoured to currently stand at around £62 million.
With Arsenal, Man United and Tottenham also in the market for proven forwards, according to reports, the competition will be fierce, so Chelsea may also have to think outside the box when it comes to solving their striker woes.
Chelsea preparing £43m bid for Como star Assane Diao
According to reports out of Spain, it is now claimed that Chelsea are targeting Como’s new striker, Assane Diao.
Assane Diao for Como.
The Senegal international only just signed for Cesc Fabregas’ side in January, and has enjoyed a rip-roaring first few months of his Serie A career with eight goals from his last 15 top flight matches.
There is now a belief that Chelsea are preparing a £43m summer bid for Diao after being impressed by his excellent form at Como, with the 19-year-old “surprising” critics after a prolific start.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Diao, so he’s clearly turning heads in the Premier League, with journalist Antonio Mango also calling the teenage talent “ridiculous” within his first few weeks as a Como player.