All posts by z3u9t.icu

Chelsea are yet to make a firm bid for any other striker this window, according to Paul Brown.

Reports have linked the London club with Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, however, a deal has not materialised yet.

What is the latest striker news for Chelsea?

The Blues are currently undergoing a complete overhaul to their number nine position.

The club have already brought in two players who can play up front, with Christopher Nkunku arriving from RB Leipzig for a fee of £52m and Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson arriving at Stamford Bridge on an eight-year-deal for a reported fee of £30.1m.

In terms of outgoings, Chelsea have sold Kai Havertz, who predominantly played as a forward during his three-year spell at the club, to London rivals Arsenal in a deal worth £65m. The forward was a very divisive player to the Chelsea fanbase, as seen by the reactions to his departure.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku are also set to leave the club this summer, with the Gabonese forward having agreed terms with French side Marseille ahead of a potential move, with the two clubs set to being talks regarding a transfer fee in the coming days. In the case of Lukaku, a potential move to Inter has collapsed due to it being revealed that the Belgian had negotiated with Juventus before the Champions League final, however both Juventus and a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia remain interested in the striker.

The Blues have also been linked with another incoming striker, with reports stating that Vlahovic is a target for the London club. However, The Daily Mail are reporting that the Serbian forward's salary are a stumbling block that could prevent the move from happening, whilst the fact that PSG remains favourites for the 23-year-olds signature may make Chelsea move onto different targets.

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Brown stated that the club have not made a "firm" bid for any other striker so far this summer.

What did Paul Brown say about Chelsea's striking situation?

When asked about Chelsea's forward situation, Brown told FootballFanCast: "I think for a long time, people thought that Vlahovic was going to be the one they went for, but as far as I'm aware, there hasn't been a firm bid made for any other striker. I know that obviously they've already brought in Jackson, and some people believe that Nkunku might be used in that area. Personally, I think that'd be a mistake. But aside from those two, I don't think Chelsea have made a firm bid for another striker. So there hasn't been any progress made on Vlahovic, really, or anyone else.

Should Chelsea buy another striker this window?

Chelsea have a lot more areas that need urgent addressing than striker at the moment.

When it comes to central defence, the Blues need to delve into the market to address that area. Following the news that Wesley Fofana suffered an ACL injury and will be out for the foreseeable future, the club is down to just three remaining natural centre-backs in the first-team squad: Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, and Trevoh Chalobah, with Benoit Badiashille also recovering from a long term injury. Should the reports that Inter Milan wants to sign Chalobah be true, the club would be down to the bare bones in that department, so it would be wise that they use some of their remaining funds for that position.

Another position that is lacking depth is central midfield. The club is hopeful of completing the signing of Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo despite having a second bid rejected for the Ecuadorian that was in the region of £70m. However, should the club add Caicedo to their ranks, they would still be lacking experienced depth, with the only options beyond Enzo Fernandez currently being Conor Gallagher, who is linked with a potential move away from the club, and Carney Chukwumeka, who has only played 30 games of senior football. Instead of adding to a position they have already strengthened in this summer, the club should consider ensuring that the squad has real depth available all around to ensure they can compete on all fronts

Leeds United are expected to make an offer for Palmeiras defender Joaquin Piquerez in the coming days, according to an update from journalist Diego Firmino.

Who is Joaquin Piquerez?

The 24-year-old is now an experienced player who has enjoyed a good career to date, winning nine caps for Uruguay and playing for Palmeiras since 2021, having arrived from Penarol.

Piquerez has made 101 appearances for his current club, generally operating as a left-back but also at wing-back, scoring five goals and registering nine assists in that time. He also assisted 11 times in 53 outings for Penarol, outlining the attacking quality that he can provide from deep.

It could be that Leeds are looking to bring in a new left-back following the form of the hugely disappointing Junior Firpo, who failed to live up to expectations after arriving from Barcelona. That area now looks hugely lacking in quality, and if the Whites are to be among the promotion favourites in 2023/24, such positions need to be filled sufficiently.

Piquerez looks like a primary target for Leeds, following a significant update that has emerged regarding his future as they look to get a deal over the line in swift fashion.

Could Leeds sign Joaquin Piquerez?

According to Firmino on Twitter [via Sport Witness], Leeds are set to bid for Piquerez in the very near future, with a transfer having the potential to develop in a matter of days:

"Since I only talk about exits really, Leeds United interested in Piquerez. If not, proposals should arrive in the next few days. Whether it will come out or not, I don't know, it's another 500. Let's wait."

Piquerez may not necessarily be a household name to many Leeds supporters, but he is someone who could be a really shrewd signing as they look to bounce straight back in 2023/24 and sealing promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.

The fact that he has won nine caps for a Uruguay side featuring so much talent from Luis Suarez to Fede Valverde says a lot about his quality, and the Whites could arguably be signing someone who is far too good to be playing in the second tier of English football.

At 24, Piquerez is still relatively young, making him a long-term acquisition for Leeds, and while his contract doesn't expire until the end of 2025, he shouldn't cost too much, and more funds should be available following 49ers Enterprises' takeover at Elland Road.

It is essential that an upgrade on Firpo comes in, avoiding another transfer error and ensuring someone consistent arrives, and Piquerez's experience to date suggests that he could make an ideal signing.

There is the risk that he has never tested himself in European football, and therefore could find it difficult to adjust to the pace and power of the English game, but if Daniel Farke sees him as a strong option to come in at left-back, the Leeds manager has to be trusted in the transfer market, bringing in the players he wants in the process.

Aston Villa are one of several Premier League clubs who are interested in signing Wilfried Gnonto this summer, according to a fresh transfer update.

How good is Wilfried Gnonto?

The Whites ace is only 19 years of age, but he is already making a name for himself, winning 12 caps for Italy and catching the eye at Elland Road since arriving from FC Zurich last summer. In total, he has registered four goals and assists apiece in 28 appearances, looking to provide some attacking magic while others such as Patrick Bamford struggled around him.

With Leeds now consigned to a season back in the Championship following a bitterly disappointing 2022/23 Premier League campaign, it looks highly likely that Gnonto will move on to pastures new in order to avoid at least a year of plying his trade in the second tier of English football.

The teenager isn't going to be without suitors, and has been linked with a move to Villa recently as they continue to make strong headway this summer – already bringing in the likes of Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans from Villarreal and Leicester City respectively.

What's the latest on Gnonto to Aston Villa?

According to Football Insider, Villa are rivalling a number of Premier League sides in the race to snap up Gnonto in the current transfer window, having enquired about a move for him alongside fellow target Moussa Diaby, with the Villans thought to have had a £30m bid for the Frenchman rejected by the Bundesliga outfit.

The key update amid Villa's interest is that Leeds are now thought to be expecting Gnonto's departure.

Football Insider claimed: "Leeds are expecting Wilfried Gnonto to depart from the club in this transfer window. There is a lot of interest in the winger, with Aston Villa, Everton and Crystal Palace all having made enquires for the Italian international.

"The Italy international has been attracting clubs from his home country as well as top teams in England throughout an impressive debut campaign in the top flight."

Gnonto could be a fantastic squad addition for Villa ahead of the beginning of the 2023/24 season. He may not necessarily be a definite starter, but he can certainly challenge other wide players for regular football. While he is still extremely young, his caps for Italy show that he is already wise beyond his years and should only improve in the coming years, making him a strong long-term option this summer.

Gary Neville has described the Leeds maestro as "really good" in the past, while Italy boss Roberto Mancini has lauded the "quality" that he possesses, with such praise from two high-profile figures further outlining what an exciting prospect he is.

While there is clearly strong competition for Gnonto's signature this summer, Villa surely jump out as one of the most appealing options for him considering the huge progress being made under Unai Emery, as well as the fact that the Villans can promise him European football next season following their qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Manchester United are believed to be continuing their bid to sign Atalanta starlet, Rasmus Hojlund, with the Red Devils stepping up their search for a new number nine.

What is the latest on Hojlund to Man United?

According to Sky Sports journalist, Dharmesh Sheth, the Old Trafford outfit are currently in negotiations with regard to the signing of the 20-year-old, with Erik ten Hag and co also hoping to seal a deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper, Andre Onana.

Writing on Twitter regarding those two possible arrivals from Italy, the transfer insider revealed: "Manchester United bid worth €45m now in for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana as per @lauriewhitwell.

"Gap in valuation exists – but feeling is it can be closed. United still looking at alternatives. Talks continue with Atalanta over striker Rasmus Hojlund."

As per 90min, the Serie A side could well demand as much as €80m (£69m) if they are to part ways with the Danish marksman, albeit with United currently unwilling to go beyond €60m (£51m).

How many goals has Rasmus Hojlund scored?

For all the talk regarding the youngster's "incredible maturity" and the fact that he is believed to be "similar to [Erling] Haaland" – according to his former boss Christian Ilzer – the one-time Sturm Graz man is still an incredibly raw and relatively unproven talent, having scored just nine league goals for Atalanta last term.

For the Bergamo-based side to be demanding such a hefty fee despite that relatively uninspiring goal tally is rather ludicrous, with there seemingly similarities to be made between United's previous, costly capture of Amad Diallo from the Serie A side.

The promising Ivorian was just 18 when he was signed on a £37m deal by United back in January 2021, with that sizeable price tag coming despite the fact that the teenager had made only five first-team appearances for his former employers.

While there are hopes that the winger can finally make his mark at Old Trafford next season – after scoring 14 goals on loan at Sunderland last time out – Amad has thus far been on the periphery at his parent club, having been restricted to just nine first-team appearances for the Red Devils since arriving in England two-and-a-half years ago.

At present, it does look as if United may have overpaid for a player who has had little impact at the Theatre of Dreams thus far, with it yet to be seen if the diminutive wide man will come good over the coming years.

With Ten Hag in desperate need of a striker who can come in and make an immediate impact – with Anthony Martial currently the only senior centre-forward at the club – the Dutchman can ill-afford a repeat of the Amad tale, hence the potential reservations over bringing in Hojlund to be the club's number nine solution.

Of course, the latter man has shown flashes of brilliance in his short career to date – having scored 12 goals in just 21 games during his time in Austria – although his acquisition would still represent a real gamble and a costly one at that.

With the Red Devils having gone a decade without a league title triumph, the need for immediate success is now growing.

Can Hojlund be the man to deliver that much-craved league crown? On the evidence of his promising, yet far from prolific form in Italy, that appears unlikely…

Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven has personally agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Dutch journalist Mike Verweij.

Who are Spurs signing this summer?

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, England international playmaker James Maddison and winger Dejan Kulusevski are all now permanent Spurs player – with the latter signing indefinitely after an 18-month loan spell.

New manager Ange Postocoglou, speaking after the captures of Vicario and Maddison this window, has been left particularly enthralled by their quality and believes they have the right character for a winning dressing room.

“It’s not just about the talent they bring as footballers,” said Postecoglou.

“Both those guys have got it in abundance. I could hear it in their voices when I spoke to them. I had a couple of chats with both of them before we signed them and I knew that they were the right types to bring into the dressing room.”

After the aforementioned trio, it is widely expected that Israel international winger Manor Solomon will become a Tottenham player, with FIFA rulings allowing him to join Spurs on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.

The former Fulham star impressed on a temporary spell at Craven Cottage last season, which will have prompted Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy to make a move.

He certainly won’t be Tottenham’s last hurrah, though, as the north Londoners are believed to be attempting the signing of a centre-back this summer – leading to interest in both Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen and ven de Ven.

The latter defender has been heavily linked with a move to N17, and Dutch reporter Verweij has a promising update.

Personal terms are seemingly done for the Netherlands international, on a contract until 2028, with van de Ven seemingly agreeing to join Spurs.

Who is Micky van de Ven?

The 22-year-old, who starred for Wolfsburg under Niko Kovac last season, has even been revered for his “lightning fast” speed by the Bundesliga’s official website.

“Van de Ven can be a nightmare for attacking players with his immense strength, determination and precision tackling scuppering the most promising of forward moves,” Bundesliga wrote.

“With incredible pace and passing ability among his many assets, the Netherlands U21 international – who captained his country at the 2023 UEFA Europan Under-21 Championship – is on course to become a regular for the senior Oranje in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Kovac has heaped praise on van de Ven for his exceptional form, calling him “extraordinary” in a recent interview.

“Micky is a great boy [and] a really good footballer,” said Kovac.

“What he’s showing at the moment is extraordinary.”

Newcastle massively over-achieved last season.

After a sensational campaign under the stewardship of Eddie Howe, the Magpies have found themselves in the unlikely position of playing Champions League football in the upcoming season.

Therefore, the club is now in a frantic phase of getting the squad capable of competing in domestic and European competitions.

They are targeting a new left-back, and Antonee Robinson has been tipped for a move to St James Park.

What’s the latest on Antonee Robinson to Newcastle?

According to the Evening Standard, Fulham are prepared to sell the defender for around £35m this summer.

This outlet revealed that the £25k-per-week ace is refusing to sign a new contract, and with his current deal expiring in 2024, the Cottagers could be set to cash in to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

As well as Newcastle, Marseille, Manchester City, and AC Milan are also interested in the American.

Would Antonee Robinson be a good signing for Fulham?

The pacey full-back spent the majority of his youth career within the youth ranks at Everton, but he was unable to break through into the first team and was eventually sold to Wigan Athletic.

He then found himself at the west London outfit in 2020 and has emerged as one of the club’s most consistent and admirable performers.

During the 2021/22 season, in which Marco Silva’s side cantered to the Championship title, the 33-cap international made 36 appearances, averaging 1.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions.

He has continued this impressive consistency in the top flight with figures of 1.8 and 1.5 for the same metrics respectively across 35 outings, as well as managing a 77% pass accuracy and being responsible for nine clean sheets, as per Sofascore.

The 6 foot ace has often displayed his defensive solidity, but he has shown he is a formidable force going forward as he ranks within the top 20% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for successful take-ons and progressive carries per 90.

Described as “electric” by Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic, Robinson looks ready to make the next step in his career and could be a cheaper, more attainable alternative to Theo Hernandez.

Gianluca Di Marzio tweeted that Newcastle are “monitoring” the Milan star, but it has been suggested that the Frenchman could cost more than €80m (£69m).

Nevertheless, Robinson is still a fabulously capable option with Premier League experience, defensive tenacity and offensive verve who could seamlessly slot into Newcastle’s plans.

An update has emerged on Chelsea and their plans to bolster their attacking options in the summer transfer window…

What’s the latest on Victor Osimhen to Chelsea?

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Blues are one of a number of clubs pursuing a deal for Victor Osimhen from Napoli ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have a meeting with the player’s representatives planned as they eye up a swoop for the Nigerian, whose priority is to move to the Premier League, in the coming weeks.

There is no mention of how much the Italian side are prepared to demand for their star number nine but Le Parisien recently reported that it would take a staggering €180m (£155m) to secure his services this summer.

How would Victor Osimhen fit in at Chelsea?

Pochettino typically lines up with a 4-3-3 system and as such, Osimhen could play through the middle as his starting centre-forward, with new signing Nicolas Jackson lining up on the right.

Chelsea are reportedly set to sign the £30m Villarreal attacker this month and the club’s head coach could utilise him off the right flank, despite him predominantly playing as a centre-forward in Spain.

Jackson has experience of playing on the right wing and he could form an exciting partnership with Osimhen in the final third, as both players have showcased their ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

The Blues only scored 38 goals in 38 Premier League matches and bringing in two forwards with the potential to explode in the final third would be a huge boost to Pochettino ahead of next season.

Osimhen, who was described as a "goal-scoring machine" by journalist Josh Bunting, enjoyed a fantastic 22/23 campaign as the Nigerian number nine plundered an exceptional 26 goals in 30 Serie A outings for Napoli, which is 19 more than any Chelsea player managed in the top-flight last term.

These statistics suggest that the 24-year-old, who has scored 59 goals in 101 matches in all competitions for the Italian ourfit, would be a phenomenal addition to the squad and one that could finally solve their woes in front of goal.

Jackson, meanwhile, struck 12 times in 16 LaLiga starts for Villarreal and created seven 'big chances' for his teammates, suggesting that the 22-year-old ace could offer a huge goal-scoring threat whilst also being able to provide Osimhen, and others, with opportunities to score.

Indeed, the thought of both effervescent forwards in the same front line must be a mouthwatering thought for everyone associated with Chelsea.

Aston Villa have submitted an enquiry to bring Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds?

The United States international only arrived at Elland Road from RB Leipzig last summer and firmly established himself as the Whites’ overall best-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 6.73, but having missed the last 12 top-flight games with a hamstring injury, couldn’t contribute towards trying to maintain their status.

TEAMtalk have since reported that the 24-year-old has told Yorkshire chiefs that he wants to return to the highest division with Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool all credited with an interest, but it would appear that several other clubs have now entered the race to secure his services, Unai Emery and Monchi being one of the parties in the Midlands.

Are Aston Villa signing Adams?

According to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa have "enquired" about Adams ahead of the new campaign, with Brighton and Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Everton also having "joined" the admirers who are considering submitting a £25m offer.

Leeds will no doubt be aware that they will have to cash in on a number of their prized assets during the upcoming window, and should the midfielder seal an exit, he clearly won't be short of potential suitors with the teams queuing up to land him.

Being a defensive midfielder, Aston Villa will be aware that Adams isn’t strong offensively having recorded zero goals or assists since joining Leeds, but he’s an absolute rock when it comes to the natural aspect of his game. He was dubbed a “machine” by journalist Wes Rucker and he could be a fantastic acquisition for Emery.

The USA skipper ranked in the 99th percentile for tackles by midfielders having made 89 last season, which was more than any other member of his squad, via FBRef. He also site in the 97th percentile for blocks, so is great at sitting in front of the defence and protecting his defence and goalkeeper.

The Leeds talisman would also provide the Spanish manager with wonderful versatility having operated in seven various positions around the pitch since the start of his career, including in the midfield and even all across the backline, which is yet another attractive attribute to any boss.

Finally, Adams captained the USA at the 2022 World Cup so will possess plenty of leadership qualities and could bring some much-needed organisational skills to the squad, so for a player that is this well-rounded, a deal would be hard to turn down should the chance present itself.

Everton are keen on a deal to bring PSV Eindhoven forward Isaac Babadi to the Premier League, according to reports from his homeland.

Who is Isaac Babadi?

Babadi is an academy product at the Philips Stadion having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to become a regular feature of the U21s side, after getting promoted last summer, but he’s yet to make any senior appearances under Peter Bosz.

The Netherlands U18s international, who is naturally a left-sided winger, will be out of contract at the end of next season meaning that the current transfer window will be the Eredivisie outfit’s final chance to cash in, with a cut-price deal potentially up for grabs.

The Toffees failed to sign a single new player in January and Sean Dyche will know that attacking reinforcements are desperately needed given how close he came to relegation, and the 18-year-old looks like he's been highlighted as a possible ideal candidate.

Are Everton signing Babadi?

According to The Eindhovens Dagblad (via The Liverpool Echo on June 14 at 10:52am), Everton, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion are all “interested” in a swoop for Babadi ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

PSV’s reserves starlet was reportedly recently listed as one of Europe’s top 50 greatest talents so is already showing the world what he’s capable of, and it appears that his impressive performances have caught the eye of the chiefs at Goodison Park.

Everton will know that Babadi wouldn’t be able to immediately slot into the first-team having had no senior experience under his belt, but after being hailed a “wonderful talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig, there’s no doubt that he would be an exciting addition for the long-term future of the club.

The 2022 Euro U17s participant, who earns £920-per-week, clocked up nine goal contributions (five goals and four assists) in 30 Keuken Kampioen Divisie outings last season. Over the course of the campaign, he recorded 33 shots, which was the fourth-highest total throughout his squad, via FBRef.

The PSV attacker is also a versatile operator having been deployed in six different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, so he would be a great option for a manager at any age level to have in the building and a player who would likely be more than worth investing in.

After witnessing Simone Zaza’s infamous – and frankly spectacular – penalty miss at Euro 2016, clubs would have been forgiven for halting any interest in the striker, such was the shambolic nature of the Italian’s stuttering run-up and blazed effort in a game of such magnitude.

No strangers to making bold – and often bizarre – deals in the transfer market, though, West Ham United were unperturbed by that spot-kick horror show, eventually signing the player from Juventus on a season-long loan deal later that summer.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing in football, with GSB likely wishing they had heeded the warning signs, as the journeyman forward went on to distinctly underwhelm in a Hammers shirt.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news!”]

One of many notable names to have failed to make the grade for the east London outfit over the last decade or so, Zaza’s time in English football is only noteworthy for just how brief it was and how little impact he made.

Having been signed for a reported £5m loan fee by then-Irons manager Slaven Bilic, the Policoro native went on to feature just 11 times for the club in all competitions, spending a mere 571 minutes on the pitch and failing to register a single goal.

In the end, all that came of his Premier League stint was two yellow cards, with those bookings costing the club £2.5m apiece in relation to his loan fee.

Such was the dire nature of Zaza’s time in east London, Bilic and co eventually severed ties with the player just a matter of months into his loan spell in order to avoid having to pay an appearance-related £20m purchase option, as the striker secured a January move to La Liga side Valencia.

Upon his departure, the Italian’s father insisted that it had been a “huge mistake” to make the move to the London Stadium, with the club and their supporters seemingly thinking the same.

Since then, the 30-year-old has somewhat faded from view, eventually making his return to Italy after an 18-month stint in Spain, with the 18-cap international now plying his trade for Serie A outfit Torino.

He has scored just 20 goals in 102 games across all competitions for his current club, notably failing to find the net in ten league appearances so far this term, all of which have come as a substitute.

Such has been Zaza’s decline since his stint in the Premier League, he is now valued at just £1.8m by Transfermarkt, despite having reached a peak of £22.8m back in January 2018 after a brief purple patch at the Mestalla.

As for West Ham, the only saving grace is that they hadn’t agreed to a permanent deal in the first place, with Simone Zaza now just another name on their list of failed centre-forward additions.

In other news, West Ham eyeing swoop for “aggressive” £45m-rated warrior, just imagine him and Rice