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La Liga giants Barcelona have informed Arsenal that they'll open talks over selling them a £51 million star if Ronald Araujo stays at the Nou Camp.

Edu and Arteta set sights on signing new defender for Arsenal

While a lot of the noise previously has revolved around the Gunners' need for new attacking options, many reports in the last fortnight suggest that Arsenal could bring in another defender or two.

Edu prepared to make Arsenal bid for £102m star as cut-price move possible

The Gunners think he’s ideal.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 2, 2024

Sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta, who work in tandem when it comes to the club's recruitment, are believed to still be keen on a new striker after missing out on a deal for RB Leipzig sensation Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal made an offer to sign Sesko, who instead chose to sign a new contract at Leipzig, with club chiefs now on the lookout for alternatives to the Slovenian. However, as well as upgrading the attacking areas, they're keen to bolster their back line.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are pivotal players at the heart of an Arsenal defence which conceded the fewest goals of any Premier League side last season. However, given that Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakiub Kiwior and Ben White are preferred as makeshift full-back options, reports claim the north Londoners are targeting another star centre-back.

Arsenal

29

Man City

34

Liverpool

41

Everton

51

Man United/Crystal Palace

58

Arsenal are believed to be major contenders for Riccardo Calafiori, now backed by Fabrizio Romano, with the Italy international impressing both at club level for Bologna and for his country at the Euros.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is another rumoured Arsenal transfer target for Arteta's defence, coming amid his standout campaign for England at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old has been a major plus-point for Gareth Southgate in some otherwise criticised performances, attracting attention from Arsenal and other elite sides.

Barcelona tell Arsenal they can sign Kounde if Araujo stays

Barcelona star Jules Kounde, who is currently representing France at the Euros, is one of the more ambitious names mentioned.

The £220,000-per-week centre-back, who has predominantly featured as a makeshift right-back for Barca since 2022/2023, is seen as a key player but the Catalans also need to make sales for financial reasons.

According to Sport this week, Barcelona have told Arsenal they can sign Kounde if they pay £51 million, but even that won't be enough if Araujo leaves the Camp Nou. The 25-year-old's future is tied directly to that of his teammate, with Barca making it clear to Arteta's side that Kounde won't be going anywhere if Araujo departs Catalonia.

However, if the Uruguayan commits his future to the club, Barca will open talks with Arsenal over Kounde's sale.

Arsenal have come a very long way over the last few years, from midtable mediocrity to successive title races.

Mikel Arteta has turned the Gunners into a serious proposition in the Premier League, and one of the players who's been with him since the start is Gabriel Martinelli.

The young Brazilian – he's still only 22 – joined the club for £6m in 2019 and is one of the most talented players in the squad.

However, he didn't have the best of campaigns by his own lofty standards last season, and based on reports, the club seem to be interested in another young winger who has lit up the Euros this week and won comparisons to the Arsenal man.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a report from The Athletic earlier this month, Arsenal are interested in Athletic Bilbao's exciting young winger, Nico Williams.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Chelsea, Newcastle United and Barcelona are keen to land the Spaniards' services this summer.

While the competition is far from ideal, the good news is that according to The Athletic, the 21-year-old has a €55m – £47m – release clause inserted into his current contract, which should simplify that part of any possible transfer.

Overall, it could be complicated to get over the line, but given his stellar campaign last season, impressive form at the Euros, and comparisons to Martinelli, Williams seems like a player well worth signing.

How Williams compares to Martinelli

So, where do these comparisons between Williams and Martinelli come from then? Well, the first comes from FBref, which looks at every player in Europe's top five leagues and creates a list of the ten most similar players in their position, and in the case of the Bilbao man, they place the Arsenal ace as the seventh most similar winger in the top five competitions.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.46

0.58

Non-Penalty Goals

0.20

0.27

Progressive Carries

5.70

5.67

Progressive Passes

2.63

2.90

Shots on Target

0.76

0.89

Goals per Shot

0.09

0.10

Tackles

1.24

1.34

The best way to see this is by looking at the pair's underlying numbers, such as their non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, their actual non-peanlty goals, progressive passes and carries, shots on target, goals per shot and the naumber of atckles they make, all per 90.

However, it goes beyond just their statistics as well.

For example, after watching the Spaniard, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed is "on another level", run Italy ragged on Thursday night – for which he won the Player of the Match award – the Daily Telegraph's Sam Dean claimed that his "willingness to run at defenders" reminded him of what Martinelli can do at his very best.

This explosiveness out wide, which he shares with the Brazilian, is one of the main reasons he's such a fantastic addition to the Gunners' attacking corps.

Despite the buzz around his name at the moment and the incredible return of eight goals and 17 assists he racked up in 37 games last season, data analyst Ben Mattinson claims the Pamplona-born gem still possesses bags of "untapped potential" and that as "one of the best wingers on the market."

Ultimately, this combination of his incredible form at club and international level and his similarities to Martinelli should be more than enough to convince Edu Gaspar and Co that Williams would be a spectacular signing this summer.

Arsenal could sign Odegaard 2.0 in £51m Euro 2024 star

The “superstar” in the making could be a generational talent.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 21, 2024

Manchester United have been backed to launch an audacious move for a winger who has already had three spells in the Premier League, according to reports.

Man Utd chasing Joshua Zirkzee deal

There is an increasing possibility that Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee becomes Manchester United's first signing of the summer, but they will have to fight off competition to land the Bologna forward for Erik ten Hag.

As per Sky Sports, the Red Devils have "made it clear" that they are willing to meet the striker's €40m (£33m) release clause this summer, and are now in talks with his representatives, led by super agent Kia Joorabchian.

Joshua Zirkzee's Serie A season

Appearances

34

Goals

11

Assists

4

Shots on target per 90

0.95

Key passes per 90

1.40

Mins per goal/assist

184

They are not safe yet though, with other clubs still circling for the forward. AC Milan remain a threat, having been the first club to show interest in the striker. Meanwhile, Juventus are also among those keen on the striker, having already taken Bologna's manager this summer and now considering a move to reunite the two.

Meanwhile, recent reports have also linked Liverpool with an audacious late move for the striker, though given Cody Gakpo's improvement and the presence of Darwin Nunez a move seems tricky for the Reds to pull off. As it stands, all signs point to Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe being the furthest advanced and leading the race, which leaves it likely that Zirkzee could be stepping out at Old Trafford on a regular basis next season.

But United aren't willing to stop there when it comes to bolstering their attack.

Man Utd willing to bid for Lookman

Now, an audacious report from Italian outlet CalcioMercato [via Sport Witness] has credited Manchester United as one of several Premier League sides tracking Ademola Lookman.

The Nigerian forward had difficult Premier League spells with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City, grabbing 11 goals across three seasons, but has been rejuvenated with Atalanta.

He scored a hat-trick to help them beat Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final and inflict Xabi Alonso's only defeat of the campaign and grabbed 11 goals and eight assists in 33 Serie A outings to help the Bergamo side into a spot in next season's Champions League.

It is form that has reportedly caught the eye, with the report claiming all of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are chasing him. To ward that off, Atalanta have slapped a hefty €60m price tag on his head (£50.7m), but even that is doing little to sway the trio.

Indeed, it is claimed that all three sides are "willing to make an offer" close to that mark in a bid to bring the 26-year-old back to the Premier League.

It seems a fanciful claim, with Chelsea and Liverpool both already well stocked in the wide departments and Manchester United seemingly looking elsewhere as things stand after making an early move for centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and now being linked with a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Meanwhile, Lookman is down to the final two years of his £37,000 a week deal with Atalanta, and as a result, £50m to land him would seem an excessive sum. Signing Lookman would seemingly be a continuation of transfer strategies of old, rather than the new streamlined model that Ratcliffe is hoping to bring about.

Newcastle United are far from perfect this season, but there is enough quality at Eddie Howe’s disposal for the manager to craft another knockout campaign.

While the Magpies have claimed seven points from nine in the Premier League, they are 12th in the standings; however, the congested nature of the campaign means fourth-place Chelsea only hold a five-point advantage.

Whether Newcastle consolidate a fine run of form over the winter months – as they did last year – remains to be seen, but Howe will take understandable solace in his side’s more polished and coherent recent performances after a tumultuous transfer window.

However, it feels like some outside aid is needed, and with midfield emerging as a priority position for technical director Ross Wilson, it’s no surprise that Elliot Anderson continues to be linked with a return home.

The latest on Elliot Anderson to Newcastle

We all know the story. Newcastle’s PSR problems. Selling Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to circumvent a ban. Shaving fringe quality instead of selling a superstar.

But the 23-year-old midfielder has grown into a force to be reckoned with, Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel going as far as to call him “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League”.

This is a sentiment shared by Howe, who was candid in discussing why Newcastle sold their prized homegrown talent to a Premier League rival, and underlined his desire to win him back.

Anderson is now a sensation, though, and Premier League tax has been levied by the Tricky Trees, who are set to demand in excess of £100m for a player now being chased by Manchester City and Manchester United too.

Newcastle will try, but this is sure to prove an elusive signature to land.

It’s important that the St. James’ Park side learn from their past mistakes, though, and don’t part with their new version of the Three Lions star.

Newcastle have an even bigger talent than Anderson

He’s had a tough time of late in regard to injuries, but Lewis Hall’s emphatic return to the field at Newcastle has remind English football of the calibre of their exciting up-and-comer.

The 21-year-old has now started three Premier League games in a row for Newcastle, and already he has reshaped the tactical fluency that was sorely missing in the early stages of the campaign. He was instrumental in taking control against Tottenham, and unfortunate not to have claimed three points.

Hailed as “the best player on the field” by reporter Andy Sixsmith, Hall has only just regained full fitness but is indeed reminding the Premier League of his elite quality.

Minutes played

90′

Touches

75

Shots (on target)

3 (0)

Accurate passes

36/43 (84%)

Chances created

0

Dribbles

2/2

Recoveries

6

Tackles won

4/4

Interceptions

2

Clearances

4

Duels won

8/15

He’s so defensively sound while playing dynamically and always looking to develop Tottenham’s attacking patterns through intelligent build-up work and calculated movement.

This is further evidenced through FBref’s data. The platform reveal the England international to rank among the top 10% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 18% for progressive passes, the top 7% for through balls, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for tackles won per 90.

Journalist Harry De Cosemo claimed that the young full-back “makes such a difference” when starting from the opening, and no mistake there.

The vultures are bound to start circling before long, and while Newcastle may struggle to re-sign a homegrown talent in Anderson, they may have an even bigger talent in their ranks, and it is crucial that Howe is given the security to build around him.

Shades of Woltemade: Newcastle holding internal talks to sign £21m "magician"

This attacking star could improve Newcastle’s final third quality, just as Nick Woltemade has done of late.

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 4, 2025

One player still on the books at Manchester United has been told that his Old Trafford “career is over” by a former Red Devils midfielder.

Players who could leave Man Utd in 2026

2026 could be another busy year at Old Trafford in regards to incomings and outgoings, with Ruben Amorim and INEOS continuing to make their mark in Manchester.

The Red Devils have four players out of contract at the end of the season, one of which is midfielder Casemiro.

Players out of contract at Man Utd in 2026

Harry Maguire

Casemiro (option until 2027)

Tom Heaton

Tyrell Malacia

Man Utd have the option to extend that by a further 12 months, however, Amorim and INEOS seemingly clashing behind the scenes regarding the Brazilian. Amorim wants to keep Casemiro whereas INEOS want him to take a pay cut from his current £350,000-a-week wage.

There are also numerous loanees away from Man Utd who could seal permanent exits at the end of the season. Rasmus Hojlund is at Napoli, Marcus Rashford is at Barcelona, Jadon Sancho is at Aston Villa and Andre Onana is with Trabzonspor.

United could look to move the quartet out on a full-time basis, with options to buy inserted in Rashford’s move to the Nou Camp and Hojlund’s move to Napoli. Now, another one of the four has been told he has no future at the club by a pundit.

Man Utd now racing Arsenal to sign "complete" £45m Bundesliga attacker

He’s scored more goals than Sesko this season.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 21, 2025 Strachan tells Onana his Man Utd “career is over”

Former Man Utd midfielder Gordon Strachan, speaking to Esports News relayed by The Manchester Evening News, feels that Andre Onana “has played his last game” for Man Utd and would be “shocked” if he played for the Red Devils again.

Onana’s Man Utd contract is worth £120,000-a-week and there is no option to buy for the Turkish side at the end of the season, with the ‘keeper’s Manchester deal not expiring until 2028.

United forked out just under £50m on Onana back in 2023, but after numerous errors at Old Trafford and Amorim now having Senne Lammens, a permanent exit could make sense for all involved next year.

Forget Anderson: Man Utd in talks to sign "world's most underrated footballer"

Tottenham Hotspur have been hunting for a new talisman over the last couple of seasons, but none have been able to emulate the incredible levels achieved by Harry Kane.

The 32-year-old rose through the ranks in North London, even being sent on numerous loan spells in the EFL, before making himself a fan-favourite in the Lilywhites’ first-team.

He would spend a decade scoring goals for fun in the Premier League, subsequently achieving a total of 280 strikes for the club – the most of any player in their history.

Such a feat highlights his incredible goalscoring prowess, but his ability to score 30+ goals in 50% of his ten years in North London further showcases his eye for the back of the net.

However, after numerous failed trophy attempts, the hierarchy were left with no choice but to sell Kane to allow him to further his career, with the forward subsequently joining Bayern Munich for £82m in 2023.

In the years since his move, countless options have tried to fill the void, but many have failed, leading to one player assuming the responsibility under Thomas Frank in 2025/26.

How Kolo Muani compares to other strikers in the PL in 2025/26

With Dominic Solanke, Spurs’ club-record signing, struggling with an ankle issue, the Lilywhites hierarchy decided to back new boss Frank with added reinforcements in the centre-forward area.

Richarlison assumed the role of operating as the number nine, but the Brazilian’s injury record ran the risk of potentially having to call upon an academy star to fill the void.

As a result, French international Randal Kolo Muani was signed on deadline day, with the hierarchy securing his signature on a season-long loan from PSG.

A loan fee in the region of £5m was forked out for the 26-year-old’s signature, with the deal appearing as a potential risk-free and bargain deal until the end of 2025/26.

Such a deal generated excitement within the fanbase, after the centre-forward netted 10 goals in just 24 appearances during a separate spell on loan at Juventus last season.

However, a little over two months on from his move, Kolo Muani has struggled with the expectations placed upon him, subsequently only featuring four times in the Premier League and failing to score a single goal.

His underlying figures also highlight the struggles he’s endured in North London, with the Frenchman ranking lowly in numerous key figures for a lone number nine.

He’s only registered a total of 0.47 shots per 90 in England’s top-flight – with such a tally ranking him in the lowest 1% of all other attackers in the division this season.

Kolo Muani’s other tallies of 1.4 touches in the opposition box and 0.4 aerials won per 90 also place him in the first percentile – further highlighting his lack of positive impact to date.

He suffered a broken jaw in the draw with Manchester United last weekend, potentially seeing him spend time on the sidelines – which could give the striker a period to reflect on his dismal start in England.

The Spurs star who could end Kolo Muani’s Spurs career

Kane’s departure, coupled with Kolo Muani’s lack of form, has certainly rubbed salt into the wounds of the Spurs faithful, with their loss now Bayern Munich’s gain.

The Englishman has carried on his tremendous goalscoring form away from North London, with the striker reaching the next level in his career after his big-money transfer.

Kane has netted a staggering 108 goals in his 113 appearances for the German outfit, with his numbers this season simply eye-boggling and certainly leaving the fans wishing he was still on their books.

He’s already scored 26 times in all competitions in 2025/26, with the entire Lilywhites senior squad only scoring 29 times combined during the same period.

Players like Kane don’t come around very often, with their Spurs faithful extremely lucky to have been able to witness his goalscoring antics first hand between 2013 and 2023.

Kolo Muani has so far failed to live up to the heights many expected, with his temporary deal in North London not expected to turn into a permanent one, given his recent lack of form.

However, the club appear to already have the perfect solution to their long-term centre-forward issues in the form of academy graduate Will Lankshear.

The youngster only joined the club’s youth setup back in August 2022, subsequently making the move from Sheffield United at the tender age of just 17.

Upon his switch to the capital, he linked up with the U21 side, but rapidly caught the eye with his goalscoring ability – with his 2023/24 campaign his best to date.

He found the net a staggering 32 times in just 35 appearances, leading to his first-team debut under Ange Postecoglou during the injury-hit campaign in 2024/25.

Lankshear managed to appear in six separate matches for the Lilywhites, half of which came in the Europa League, with the 20-year-old netting his first senior goal against Galatasaray.

However, he’s followed in Kane’s footsteps in moving into the EFL for valuable senior minutes to continue his development, with the youngster spending the current season on loan at Championship side Oxford United.

He’s already made an immediate impact at the Kassam Stadium, scoring four times in his 14 league appearances to date – leading to one analyst calling him a “Harry Kane regen”.

Games played

14

Goals scored

5

Shot on target accuracy

43%

Passes completed

75%

Dribbles completed

50%

Touches in opposition box

2.9

Fouls won

1.5

Chances created

1.2

Lankshear’s underlying stats from the ongoing season highlight his incredible nature in the final third, which could see him be catapulted into the first-team reckoning in 2026/27.

He’s achieved a 43% shot on target accuracy rate and scoring with 50% of the efforts he’s registered – offering the clinical nature that Kane possessed in London.

The youngster is also keen to get on the ball whenever possible, ranking in the 80th percentile for passes completed, whilst also completing 50% of the dribbles he’s attempted.

Whilst Kolo Muani will need to be cut some slack for his lack of impact, he’s ultimately failed to hit the heights expected of him, with other options needing to be considered.

Lankshear will no doubt be chomping at the bit to make an impact in North London, with Frank desperately needing to hand him the chance to impress upon his return from his loan spell in the summer.

Spurs have "one of Europe’s best finishers" & he could end Richarlison's stay

Tottenham Hotspur can offload Richarlison if Thomas Frank shows faith in one other squad member.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 14, 2025

Sunderland fans need to soak up their side’s unbelievable story in the Premier League while they still can.

Of course, it would be monumental for the Black Cats to pull off an unexpected top-four finish on their return to the top-flight, but also, it’s potentially a tad unrealistic to expect them to be competing for a spot around the Champions League table all season long.

Fans of the Wearside giants wouldn’t be turning their noses up at safety, after all, having seen their beloved team be in the doldrums all the way down in League One, once upon a time.

But, after a mightily impressive five wins have now been collected from their opening nine league games, expectations have arguably shifted, with a comfortable mid-table finish – come the end of the gruelling 38-game marathon – not the craziest shout.

Regis Le Bris will just have to hope the bubble doesn’t burst anytime soon, as a possibly challenging January transfer window now comes into view.

Latest on Wilson Isidor's future

This is one major drawback to your success story being constantly in the limelight, as other suitors now attempt to poach your best talents from you.

Sunderland will have to stay strong, therefore, during what will be a likely hectic January window, with Football Insider recently revealing that scouts from several top clubs are tracking Le Bris’ main marksman in Wilson Isidor.

This comes after the composed Frenchman fired home his fourth Premier League strike of the season already, away at Chelsea last time out.

All this speculation surrounding Isidor’s future isn’t completely new, though, with reports back in September stating that Aston Villa were looking at the ex-Zenit St Petersburg attacker as another option up top, with a £35m price tag also rumoured.

With Villa struggling at the moment to get a tune out of Ollie Watkins, it isn’t the wildest suggestion to say that they could put their money where their mouth is and go after the Black Cats’ four-goal hero shortly, with Isidor being noted as looking “very comfortable” in the Premier League by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley directly after his side’s fantastic Stamford Bridge away day.

Brian Brobbey

4

0 + 1

Eliezer Mayenda

6

1 + 0

Sunderland aren’t overflowing with striker options if Isidor does depart, with Brian Brobbey – who cost a hefty £17.3m from Ajax this summer – yet to get off the mark for his new employers, away from putting his brute strength to good use against Chelsea to assist Chemsdine Talbi’s late winner.

Moreover, Eliezer Mayenda has somewhat faded into the background after a promising Championship campaign, as Sunderland now potentially prepares to go after this new striker, in a sensational January switch, to ease any Isidor-based worries.

Sunderland plot move for new striker

Even if the 6-foot-1 focal point were to remain put, Sunderland might be looking at adding depth to their centre-forward department, anyway.

Based on reports from Football Insider, the Black Cats could soon be welcoming back a familiar face to the Stadium of Light in the form of Chelsea hotshot Marc Guiu, who experienced an extremely short-lived three-game loan stint on Wearside earlier this campaign.

The £50k-per-week attacker would, unfortunately, be recalled, owing to injury issues depleting Enzo Maresca’s options in the striker spot.

Now, however, new reports suggest that a loan move for the Spaniard to return to Le Bris’ ranks might well be on the cards, as a spectacular return is plotted.

It will be interesting to see if the Blues do allow for Guiu to return to the North, considering the former Barcelona youngster has come back to Stamford Bridge and made quite the impression, with Maresca stating that the much-talked-about 19-year-old is “absolutely” in his first team plans, after bagging a Chelsea goal in the Champions League versus Ajax.

It could even be boldly argued that Guiu is a bigger talent than his Villa-linked counterpart, as the Spain U21 international now attempts to potentially set the Premier League alight, if a return to the Black Cats is signed off on.

How Guiu compares to Isidor

Initially, this might seem like a slightly naive take, considering Isidor is being tipped to move away from the Stadium of Light for £35m, after collecting four Premier League goals.

Transfer Focus

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

In stark contrast, Guiu is yet to fire home a single Premier League strike situated in West London.

But, Isidor is very much prone to a no-show here and there in attack, too, with a mammoth 20 big chances missed last season in the Championship.

Consequently, his insane tally of four strikes, despite averaging just 12.8 touches of the ball per Premier League clash, is very unlikely to be sustainable in the long run.

Whereas, all of Guiu’s numbers to date in the senior game point in the direction that he could become even more lethal if given extended runs in a first-team setting, with the 19-year-old already being branded a “nightmare” for defenders to deal with by talent scout Jacek Kulig, irrespective of him only lining up for 30 senior games across his fledgling career.

The Granollers-born starlet has also been able to find the back of the net in some very intimidating environments, with the Blues’ number 38 already managing to score in the Champions League for both Barca and Chelsea, even if he still cuts a wide-eyed presence.

Chelsea

20

7 + 0

Barca Atletic

17

6 + 4

Barca Youth League

8

2 + 0

Barcelona

7

2 + 0

Sunderland

3

1 + 0

The table above only reinforces Guiu’s “exceptional” goalscoring ability – as he was once also lauded by former youth coach Albert Capellas – with Guiu even managing to fire home one solitary effort for Sunderland earlier in the season, before he saw his spell come to a sharp close.

Nine goals on the books of both Chelsea and Barca at a senior level will also encourage the Black Cats even more as they prepare to go back in for their ex-loanee, with a confidence that he could step up and be Sunderland’s main man if needed, having never looked fazed by any of the hurdles that have disrupted his journey so far.

There is also so much room for Guiu to grow and learn, with Le Bris perhaps the perfect manager to get more out of the exciting Spaniard in the short term, having garnered a “meticulous” reputation as a head coach, as noted by one of his ex-players in Matteo Guendouzi.

Moreover, the former Lorient boss also played a pivotal role in Jobe Bellingham exploding into life more on Wearside and eventually joining Borussia Dortmund, with Guiu perhaps dreaming of a similar rise, which is kick-started by working under Le Bris again.

On the contrary, Isidor could well have peaked already as an effective poacher in the Premier League, as Sunderland now works out the best possible contingency plan if their much-loved number 18 does leave imminently, with everything pointing to Guiu rejoining the ranks being a smart next move.

Forget Xhaka: £9.5m “colossus” is Sunderland’s best signing under Le Bris

Sunderland could now have found their best signing since Regis Le Bris joined the building in this £9.5m warrior.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 28, 2025

It’s still early on in the season, but Arsenal are looking near enough unstoppable at the moment.

Mikel Arteta’s side won their tenth game on the spin against Salvia Prague on Tuesday night, and for the eighth game in a row, kept a clean sheet.

Moreover, the Gunners sit atop the Premier League table ahead of a weekend in which Liverpool play Manchester City.

However, Arsenal are not the perfect team, and for large parts of the season, creativity has been a problem, although they now have a star in the side playing like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal's creativity this season

Now, it should be said that overall, this Arsenal team is arguably the closest to being perfect out of every side in the Premier League.

After all, they have far and away the best defence, have managed to score 18 goals, and still, there is a sense that they could go up another couple of gears over the coming months.

However, as with every team, the Gunners have had some areas of weakness this season, notably in their open play creativity.

For example, in the aftermath of the draw with City, everyone’s favourite Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, argued that the club’s problem “is creating.”

At that time, it was difficult to disagree with him, as Arteta’s side created just two big chances despite having 67% of the ball. Then, in the game against Liverpool a few weeks before, they didn’t have a single big chance.

Another way this lack of creativity is clearly visible is in the lack of assists for the club’s top players, such as Saka and Odegaard.

For example, while the former has put in some good performances this season, he has yet to register a single assist in the league.

Appearances

8

6

Minutes

594′

204′

Assists

0

1

Assists per Match

0.00

0.16

Minutes per Assist

N/A

204′

Likewise, while the captain has had to deal with several injuries, his return of one assist in six appearances, totalling 204 minutes, is still underwhelming.

Fortunately, things have started to improve in recent weeks, and other players have begun to step up and enhance their own creativity, especially one star who is starting to emulate the best aspects of Saka and Odegaard in his own game.

The Arsenal star playing like Saka & Odegaard

Some of the players who have stepped up in recent weeks include Leandro Trossard, who provided an assist against Burnley, and Jurrien Timber, who did so against West Ham United.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, there is another regular starter who has been steadily improving the creative side of his game and can now do some of the things fans expect of Saka and Odegaard: Declan Rice.

Yes, the all-action, tough-tackling midfield monster who, in the words of Thomas Frank, has been one of “the best in the world” since his £105m arrival in 2023, has now become something of a creative force for Arteta and Co.

For example, his incredible deliveries from corners and free-kicks are now practically a cheat code for the Gunners, and if they don’t result in a goal, at least they result in a brilliant chance.

However, it’s not just from dead-ball situations that the Englishman has started to show an Odegaard-esque range of passing.

For example, while the attack started from a corner, his delivery for Mikel Merino’s equaliser against Newcastle United was practically in open play.

Then, against Slavia Prague, he delivered a pinpoint-accurate cross into the penalty area for that Spaniard to once again get his head on it.

Finally, in addition to the five assists he has provided this season, his underlying numbers further highlight how his overall creativity has improved.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in the league for progressive passes, the top 4% for total passing distance, expected assists, and crosses, the top 8% for live-ball passes and switches, and more, all per 90 minutes.

Progressive Carries

2.80

Top 1%

Inswinging Corner Kicks

2.69

Top 1%

Total Passing Distance

1104.63

Top 4%

Passes Attempted (Long)

11.75

Top 4%

xA: Expected Assists

0.22

Top 4%

Dead-ball Passes

7.84

Top 4%

Crosses

5.82

Top 4%

Corner Kicks

4.03

Top 4%

Total Carrying Distance

304.48

Top 4%

Progressive Carrying Distance

143.28

Top 4%

Carries into Final Third

2.57

Top 4%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.22

Top 6%

Passes Completed

61.34

Top 6%

Progressive Passing Distance

281.08

Top 6%

Passes Completed (Medium)

28.54

Top 6%

GCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.22

Top 6%

Touches

80.93

Top 6%

Touches (Att 3rd)

22.28

Top 6%

Touches (Live-Ball)

80.93

Top 6%

Passes Completed (Long)

5.93

Top 8%

Live-ball Passes

64.48

Top 8%

Switches

0.67

Top 8%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

1.23

Top 8%

Carries

48.69

Top 8%

Passes Received

55.63

Top 8%

Ultimately, Rice has been an incredible player for Arsenal over the last two years, but this season, he has taken another step forward and is showing a passing range and level of creativity you’d expect from Saka and Odegaard.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 5, 2025

It is the start of a crucial period for Tottenham Hotspur, so can they continue their impressive start to the campaign?

Having accumulated 14 points so far, Spurs begin the weekend third in the Premier League table, following a 2-1 victory over Leeds United before the international break; Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus the scorers.

Next up, Sunday’s visit from Aston Villa commences a very tough looking fixture list for Thomas Frank’s team, who will take on Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Manchester United (H) and then Arsenal (A) in their subsequent four league fixtures.

If the Lilywhites are going to collect a respectable number of points from these matches, Frank must make one key star, reminiscent of Dele Alli, a central figure, both literally and figuratively.

Dele Alli's rise and fall at Tottenham

Last month, Dele Alli was released by Como, having made just one appearance for the Lariani, this a nine minute cameo against AC Milan at San Siro in March, cut short as he was sent off.

That was his first, and so far only, appearance for anyone for 748 days, back in the footballing wilderness at the age of just 29.

In his pomp though, Dele was one of the best midfielders in the world, earning 37 England caps, starting against Colombia, Sweden and Croatia as the Three Lions reached a first World Cup semi-final in 28 years back in 2018.

For Tottenham too, as the graphic below demonstrates, he made 269 appearances for Tottenham, directly involved in 126 goals, a key figure in Mauricio Pochettino’s incredibly strong side.

During this period, Pochettino labelled him “one of the most talented players in England”, while teammate Harry Kane stated “Dele has everything. He scores goals, makes runs, creates chances. He’s an unbelievable player”.

That ability to both create chances as a midfielder but also score goals like a centre-forward is what made prime Dele unique, so which member of the current Spurs squad could replicate this?

Tottenham's new Dele Alli

During a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in Seoul, James Maddison ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out for, probably, the entirety of this season.

Thus, Tottenham acted fast, knowing that they needed to add some creativity, so, after failing in the attempt to sign Eberechi Eze, acquired Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for £52m, who isn’t a bad alternative.

The Dutch international has been highly-rated for many years now, making his senior debut for Paris Saint-Germain, before really announcing himself on loan at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 22 goals and registering 11 assists during the 2022/23.

More recently, he has been at RB Leipzig, certainly impressing during his two seasons in Saxony, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelling him a “game changer”, while his market value has now soared to as much as £97m, as per CIES.

The Dutch international has featured in each of Tottenham’s last four Premier League matches, starting three of them, but is yet to score for Spurs, his sole assist coming on debut against West Ham.

So, let’s take a look at his statistics so far.

Shots

9

5th

Shots per 90

1.94

4th

Shot-creating actions

9

5th

Attempted take-ons

18

3rd

Progressive carries

16

5th

Carries into final 3rd

12

3rd

As the table notes, Simons has pretty impressive attacking statistics at Tottenham so far this season, despite the lack of tangible end product.

However, the majority of his minutes have come as a left-winger, which is very much not his best position, significantly more likely to thrive in a number ten role.

Well, against Leeds a fortnight ago, he was finally deployed through the middle, flanked by Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert, with Mathys Tel leading the line.

This has to be the set-up Frank uses going forward, especially in matches where Tottenham are going to be dominating territory and possession.

The recent 1-1 home draw with bottom of the table Wolves the prime example of this, with Simons shunted out to the left flank, with João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur both starting at the base of midfield, which felt unnecessarily cautious.

Simons scored ten Bundesliga goals last season, the second-most of any midfielder, behind only Jamal Musiala, showing that he can be a goal-scoring threat when utilised correctly.

In his prime at Spurs, Dele was unplayable as a goal-scoring number ten, and Simons has shown similar attacking instincts at previous clubs, so he needs to be given attacking freedom in a similar way.

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2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 18, 2025

West Ham United have a proud history of promoting youth players.

The likes of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Mark Noble have all made their way through the Hammers’ legendary academy.

In more recent times, Declan Rice is probably the best player to come out of the club, and while he did go on to join a London rival, he did so after 245 appearances.

Since he left, the club have struggled to replace him, but that may soon be about to change with someone Jarrod Bowen rates highly.

West Ham's most exciting academy stars

The good news for West Ham fans is that, while the first team might be somewhat lacking in quality, there are plenty of promising youngsters in the academy at the moment.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

For example, they might just have a homegrown version of El Hadji Malick Diouf soon in Emeka Adiele.

The 18-year-old left-back has been in fine form this season, and as things stand, has amassed an impressive tally of one goal and six assists in just eight appearances for the U21 side.

Described as someone “full of confidence and tenacity” by one analyst, it might not be too long until fans get to see him in first-team action.

The same could be said for one of the academy’s best goalscorers: Josh Landers.

The 18-year-old Scotsman joined the Hammers from Hibernian in February of this year and, as one analyst puts it, as one analyst puts it, has “hit the ground running.”

So far this season, the Innerleithen-born gem has already scored five goals in five appearances, totalling 269 minutes for the U21s, which is a goal every 53.8 minutes.

Appearances

12

8

Goals

9

5

Assists

0

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.75

0.62

Finally, although he is a bit older and has now played in the first team, Callum Marshall is still someone worth keeping an eye on, having been named Huddersfield Player of the Year while on loan there last season.

West Ham's future Rice

So, while it’s clear that West Ham have a number of exciting attackers and even the odd full-back coming through, who is the youngster that might one day emulate Rice? That huge task falls to the hugely promising Preston Fearon, but what makes him similar to the Hammers’ former captain?

Well, firstly, like the England international, the 18-year-old gem joined the East Londoners from Chelsea.

More crucially than that, though, he’s someone who can play a few different positions but is primarily a midfielder. More specifically, he thrives as a six and an eight.

Central Midfield

14

0

5

Defensive Midfield

9

0

2

Attacking Midfield

2

0

0

Right Winger

1

0

0

Right Midfield

1

2

0

Centre-Back

1

1

0

For example, since joining the Irons’ academy set-up, the youngster has made 39 appearances across the U18s and U21s, of which 14 have been in central midfield and nine in defensive midfield.

Moreover, on top of his defensive sensibilities, the exciting prospect is capable of chipping in with goal involvements as well, with him scoring three and providing seven assists in his career so far.

Finally, he is also seen as a player who could genuinely make it into the first team, and not just be a part of the squad, but really thrive.

For example, on top of featuring in pre-season, he has also received praise from Bowen, who described him as a “special player” and went on to tell the club’s website that he’s “never seen someone nutmeg so many people in training.”

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2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 10, 2025

Ultimately, it’s hard to predict how a youngster will develop in football, but it does seem as if Fearon has it all, and therefore, he could end up becoming West Ham’s new Rice.