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da stake casino： In the 2024/25 summer transfer window, Chelsea spent €261m (£216.2m) on transfers, making €198m (£164m) in sales, in order to fund much of this business. A large majority of those sales included academy graduates, being sold in order to comply with PSR.

da 888casino： Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson were all sold after either coming through the Chelsea academy or being initially signed for the academy, meaning all of these sales constitute as “pure profit” for the club – and owner Todd Boehly – on their books.

Chelsea 2024/25 summer sales

Player

Fee (£)

Ian Maatsen

£36.8m

Conor Gallagher

£34.7m

Lewis Hall

£27.3m

Romelu Lukaku

£24.8m

Omari Hutchinson

£19.4m

Angelo

£19m

Diego Moreira

£1.6m

Hakim Ziyech

£0

Thiago Silva

£0

Tino Anjorin

£0

Malang Sarr

£0

Stats taken from Transfermarkt

Whilst most of the sales were players on the fringes of the squad, Gallagher – who captained Chelsea for the majority of last season in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell – made 50 appearances for the Blues, scoring seven goals, providing nine assists and totalling 4,036 minutes played.

The sale of the Englishman may now look to be something of a mistake, considering his soaring market value, although the Blues may well have struck gold with another high-profile sale in the summer.

Chelsea's key academy sales

Gallagher came through the Chelsea academy, going on to make 95 senior appearances, scoring ten goals, providing ten assists and totalling 6,061 minutes played.

The English midfielder was viewed as “priceless” by Mauricio Pochettino, being a clear favourite of his throughout his season in charge.

The 25-year-old midfielder was sold to Atlético Madrid in the summer for a fee of around £35.8m, making 30 appearances so far this season for the Spanish giants, scoring two goals, providing three assists and totalling 1,633 minutes played.

Whilst the Gallagher sale wasn’t the best value, selling him for what is now seen as under his current value, there was another sale in the 2024 summer window, which perhaps was more on the side of a good sale price, with Boehly and co extracting a fee higher than his current valuation.

Chelsea struck gold with 2024 exit

Moving on academy talent like Gallagher has been a common theme in recent years at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues having also cashed in on the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Marc Guehi, among others.

Another among that list is the aforementioned Maatsen, who Chelsea sold to Aston Villa ahead of the current campaign, with the 22-year-old signing a six-year deal for the Villans, costing them around £37.5m.

The left-back has made 30 appearances this season, providing one assist, contributing to five clean sheets and totalling 1,029 minutes played.

Since being sold, Maatsen’s value has decreased according to Transfermarkt, now being valued at €32m (£26.5m).

This would suggest Chelsea made the right decision at the time, selling Maatsen off the back of a strong loan spell with Dortmund, despite Pochettino being “so happy” with the Dutch full-back in the 2023/24 pre-season:

That being said, Maatsen, being 22 years old, still has plenty of time to fulfil his potential, and in years to come the Blues could look back on this deal differently.

But as of right now, Chelsea will be happy with the timing of this sale, and the value extracted from it.

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da stake casino： Liverpool have the chance to move ten points clear at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa this evening.

da prosport bet： The Reds are already seven points clear of their closest rivals, Arsenal, and have played the same number of games, but they can take advantage of playing an extra match tonight by claiming all three points.

Mikel Arteta’s side had reduced the gap to four points on Saturday, before Liverpool’s win over Wolves on Sunday, when they beat Leicester City 2-0.

Mikel Merino, a central midfielder, played as a false nine and scored both of their goals in the win, amid an injury crisis in the forward department.

Arsenal are currently missing Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus for the foreseeable future, which should come as a boost to Liverpool in the title race.

However, the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri as a star in the first-team at The Emirates may keep the Gunners in the fight and concern Arne Slot’s side, as he has caught the eye in recent weeks.

Ethan Nwaneri's emergence at Arsenal

The 17-year-old starlet has benefitted from the injuries Arsenal are suffering from at the top end of the pitch, as they have provided him with more minutes on the pitch across all competitions.

Nwaneri started on the right flank in their 2-0 win over Leicester and, as you can see in the highlights, he produced a moment of magic to open the scoring with his brilliant in-swinging cross for Merino to head into the far corner.

The teenage sensation, who can play centrally or out wide, has racked up three goals and one assist in his last seven appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, including two goals in his last four outings in the Premier League.

His positivity in possession is refreshing to see as the England youth international consistently looks to make things happen by taking on his man in the final third, which makes him an exciting player to watch in action.

In fact, Nwaneri ranks within the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Men’s Big 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for successful take-ons per 90 (3.71). This proves that the left-footed forward is able to consistently get the better of defenders to drive the ball up the pitch for his team.

Youngest players in Premier League history

Player

Age on debut

Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

15 years, 181 days old

Harvey Elliott (Fulham)

16 years, 30 days old

Matthew Briggs (Fulham)

16 years, 68 days old

Izzy Brown (West Brom)

16 years, 117 days old

Aaron Lennon (Leeds)

16 years, 129 days old

Via Opta Analyst

As you can see in the table above, Arsenal made him the youngest player in the history of the Premier League back when he made his debut in 2022 against Brentford.

You can also see that current Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, who has only made nine substitute appearances in the league this term, was the youngest player after he made his debut for Fulham, before Nwaneri took that record from him.

Now 21, Elliott is yet to break into the first XI on a regular basis and the Reds may have to look elsewhere to find their answer to Nwaneri, as one of their young loanees has shown the potential to make the step up to the first-team – Ben Doak.

Ben Doak's form this season

Liverpool sent the Scotland international on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough at the start of the season to go and play a full campaign of senior football to develop as a player.

The left-footed sensation, who made his debut for Celtic under Ange Postecoglou at the age of 16, is an electric forward who looks to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

24/25 Championship

Ben Doak

Starts

21

Goals

3

Big chances created

7

Key passes per game

1.9

Assists

7

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Doak has showcased his creativity ability, particularly, in the Championship for Michael Carrick’s side this term.

The 19-year-old starlet, who does not turn 20 until November, is enjoying a fantastic first season of regular first-team football and it will be crucial learning for the teenage whiz, who may have his sights set on emerging as a regular for Liverpool in the future.

Why Ben Doak could be Liverpool's own Ethan Nwaneri

Whilst he is a couple of years older than Nwaneri, Doak could emerge as the club’s own version of the Arsenal talent by coming into Slot’s squad as a left-footed, teenage, ace with the ability to provide a spark in the final third next season.

Earlier this season, Ally McCoist heaped praise on the Scotland international after a strong performance against Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol for his country. The pundit compared him to Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, who has scored 34 goals in 76 games for the Spanish giants by the age of 21, by claiming that both stars play with freedom and that they are both “fearless” on the pitch.

This suggests that, if McCoist’s comments are accurate, Doak has the right mentality to step up at Liverpool next season because he will go in with a fearless attitude and be ready to perform on the biggest stage.

24/25 Championship

Ben Doak (per 90)

Percentile rank vs att mids and wingers

Assists

0.35

Top 6%

Expected Assisted Goals

0.23

Top 15%

Progressive carries

6.78

Top 1%

Successful take-ons

1.77

Top 22%

Touches in opposition penalty area

6.12

Top 2%

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed right winger is also similar to Nwaneri in the sense that he constantly looks to drive forward with the ball, taking on opposition players, to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.

Doak is a progressive dribbler and could be an exciting talent for Liverpool fans to watch as he could get the supporters off their seats with his ability to fly down the flank and commit defenders.

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It is now down to the Middlesbrough loanee to prove to Slot in the summer that he has what it takes to make the jump to the first-team at Anfield next season, so that he can emerge as their answer to Nwaneri on the right wing.

da apostebet： Arsenal have been throttled by injury setbacks over the past few months, but the biggest prize is still up for grabs – and Mikel Arteta knows his side can go all the way.

da betano casino： Indeed, it would take a collapse of epic proportions to fall at the Emirates against PSV Eindhoven next week after winning 7-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. One of the Madrid sides will meet the Gunners in the quarter-finals.

By then, Arteta will hope to have Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli back in the mix, suppressing the selection crisis that has pulled Arsenal away from Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Tuesday evening’s thrashing of PSV was a reminder of what Arsenal can do, even when sapped, even when depleted. This is a world-class outfit, and with a few well-placed summer signings, could make the 2025/26 campaign one for the history books.

Arsenal's summer transfer plans

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both ruled out for the season, but Arsenal don’t have the cannons they so covet even when both forwards are fully fit.

An out-and-out number nine is needed, and while Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is the first-choice target, it may be more realistic to target the £58m-rated Benjamin Sesko instead.

But Arsenal need to focus on more than just one frontal third. Indeed, news broke out in January that the north Londoners are progressing to the advanced stages of negotiations with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, transfer slated for the summer after he rejected Liverpool last year.

Then, of course, Arteta and projected new sporting director Andrea Berta will need to seek a reinforcement or two on the flanks. Saka and Martinelli might be absent but even a fully-fit Arsenal squad this season has suffered from the absence of potent depth.

Raheem Sterling’s loan move from Chelsea will conclude in a few months, and on the basis of the evidence, it would be a travesty to pursue a permanent deal for the 30-year-old.

Given the significance of getting it right with a new striker, Zubimendi and perhaps something else too, Arteta may want to consider the future of a current Gunner plying their trade out on loan.

He flattered to deceive in the past, but there’s enough promise to suggest he may deserve a second shot – especially since he’s being compared to none other than Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.

Arteta could save millions with Arsenal loan star

Arsenal are by no means in need of a rebuild; this is the best Gunners team in a generation. However, investment is a must this year and Arteta may be inclined to bring one player back to the fold to ease the financial burden.

That player is Fabio Vieira, always regarded as a talented and technical player but struggling to meet the rigours of Premier League football after signing from Porto in 2022 for a £34m fee.

He made 49 appearances for Arsenal across his first two campaigns, scoring three goals and registering nine assists, but ultimately failed to nail down a starting berth – there’s still time though.

Now 24, the Portuguese playmaker is back at his former stomping ground on loan, and after a slow start has become an important cog in Martin Anselmi’s machine.

Fabio Vieira – Porto Stats in 24/25 (all comps)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

15

1

3

Attacking midfield

9

1

0

Central midfield

4

2

1

Left winger

1

0

0

Data via Transfermarkt

As you can see, Vieira’s playmaking abilities and flexibility have seen him operate across a range of tactical roles, with his performances on the right flank in particular sure to have helped in overcoming the absence of Saka these past few months.

He also ranks among the top 16% of attacking midfielders and wingers performing in the Europa League this season for pass completion and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, highlighting the creative spark that could have enhanced Arsenal’s attacking fluency this season, perhaps adding a dimension to ensure the strikers hit their stride.

Such skills have seen the £45k-per-week talent be likened to Manchester United’s captain, as per FBref, with Fernandes also boasting sharp ball-playing skills. In fact, football writer Muhammad Butt has even described the Portugal sensation as a “genius” on the ball.

While Vieira isn’t on his compatriot’s level, his smooth passing and competent defensive work – superior to that of his time in an Arsenal shirt – suggests he might not be finished in north London just yet. Writer Hayley McGoldrick has even described him as “special, special player” with an “incredible” ability to make an impact.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, Vieira has created seven big chances from only 12 starting appearances in Liga Portugal this term, also winning 50% of his ground duels. This latter metric is important, for he won 41% and 45% of such battles across his two campaigns in the Premier League.

Defensive contribution serves as one of the central pillars of Fernandes’ game. Man United have fallen by the wayside in recent years but his leadership has been a saving grace. Just imagine Old Trafford’s current state in a Fernandes-less world.

This is of course reflected through the metrics: the 30-year-old has averaged 2.3 tackles per Premier League game this term while winning 51% of his ground duels. Such a success rate (almost identical to Vieira’s) might not seem all that impressive, but you must remember such players operate in the thick of opposition defensive zones.

Before Vieira left for Porto, Arteta reportedly confirmed internally his desire to keep the midfielder on the books, saying he “aligns perfectly” with the club’s vision.

There’s time yet for this one to make a stunning resurgence, and it’s just a shame that he’s not at the Emirates now to provide relief for Arteta’s injury-hit side.

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da doce： Barcelona are believed to be eyeing a move for a Manchester United player that Ruben Amorim wants to see the back of this summer.

Latest Man Utd news

da mrbet： There is plenty of Red Devils transfer news doing the rounds at the moment, not least regarding the future of Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford following a tumultuous season.

A recent report has claimed that United are willing to listen to offers for the 20-year-old at the end of the season, with Amorim wanting to move him on. This comes after he walked straight down the tunnel after being substituted against Ipswich Town last week. It is said that a “lack of discipline and some controversial episodes have exhausted the patience of the board” at Old Trafford, which could lead to Garnacho finding another club ahead of next season.

Elsewhere, an audacious move for Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star Florian Wirtz has been mooted at Old Trafford, with the 21-year-old enjoying another excellent season for the Bundesliga champions, scoring nine goals and registering 10 assists in the league.

A possible move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has also been mentioned, but Arsenal are reportedly providing stiff competition for the Nigerian’s services.

Barcelona want "phenomenal" £70m Man Utd ace

According to a report from Spain, Barcelona are keen on signing Manchester United ace Garnacho this summer, as they look to bolster their attacking options.

The report states that the Argentine’s “profile would fit the team’s idea of play” and he is described as an “attractive option” for the Catalan giants.

United supporters may be split when it comes to Garnacho’s future at the club, with some not wanting to see such a talented young footballer leave the club – someone who could ultimately be a big part of their future.

That said, others may feel that the attacker’s reported poor attitude is no help to anybody, especially Amorim, with the Red Devils’ head coach needing everyone to pull in the same direction.

It would certainly be a shame for United to lose Garnacho, valued at £70m, considering what a gifted footballer he is, with former defender David May hailing him after making 100 Red Devils appearances, saying:

“It is phenomenal, considering his age. He has an abundance of pace and he will score goals. If he gets kicked, he will run at them again. He will always give 100 per cent. He’s a massive part of this club going forward.”

Garnacho is undoubtedly one of United’s best attacking players on his day, scoring 23 goals in 126 outings for the club, but ultimately, if his attitude isn’t where Amorim wants it to be, there can only be one winner in the debate.

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For that reason, he will either have to knuckle down and show his boss that he is worth persevering with, or United may well cash in on him in the summer, signing a replacement who Amorim believes is better suited to what he wants.

da dobrowin： There might have been a nervy ten-minute spell in the second half, but last night’s game went about as well as it could have for Tottenham Hotspur.

da fazobetai： Ange Postecoglou’s side went into the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie against AZ Alkmaar a goal down and in the knowledge that should they fail to overturn the deficit, their season was over.

Fortunately, the North Londoners came out flying and, on another night, could have easily won by an even greater margin.

There were stand-out performances across the pitch for the hosts, including Wilson Odobert and another youngster who looks set to reach the very top.

Tottenham's stand-out players vs AZ

Odobert moved over to the right in the starting lineup in place of Brennan Johnson last night, and to say he took his chance would be a massive understatement.

The French winger found himself in the perfect place to put away Dominic Solanke’s pass across the box in the first half to give his side the lead and then positioned himself brilliantly to do the same again in the second half, which restored their aggregate lead.

It wasn’t just his goals, though, as the former Burnley gem was a constant threat throughout his time on the pitch and didn’t give the Dutch backline a moment’s rest.

The watching press were just as impressed, with football.london’s Alasdair Gold giving him a 9/10 match rating at full-time for his match-defining efforts.

Unsurprisingly, his statistics make for great reading, as in 78 minutes of action, he amassed an expected goals figure of 1.03, scored two goals, took two shots on target, completed three of four dribbles, took 50 touches and even made one interception and two tackles.

Odobert’s game in numbers

Minutes

78′

Expected Goals

1.03

Goals

2

Shots on Target

2

Dribbles (Completed)

4 (3)

Touches

50

Interceptions

1

Tackles

2

All Stats via Sofascore

In all, it was the sort of performance that means he must now be simply undroppable for the next game, which could also be said for one of the other teenagers who started last night, a youngster who could be something truly special.

Spurs have found an undroppable star

The good news for Postecoglou is that you could make a compelling argument that the majority of last night’s starters put in performances that would make them undroppable.

However, in this instance, it was 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall who started at the base of midfield and put in what might just be his best display since moving to the club in the summer – even if he was somewhat involved in AZ’s goal.

The young Swede was absolutely everywhere on the pitch, putting out fires at one end and then popping up at the other to help progress the ball or play a lovely pass.

Gold was seriously impressed with the youngster, giving him an 8/10 on the night and describing his showing as ‘superb.’

At the same time, journalist Mitch Fretton went a step further, describing it as “generational.”

Bergvall’s game in numbers

Minutes

84′

Passing Accuracy

44/48 (92%)

Key Passes

1

Dribbles (Completed)

3 (3)

Touches

66

Duels (Won)

7 (7)

Interceptions

5

Tackles

2

All Stats via Sofascore

Such strong praise is more than backed up by the midfielder’s statistics, as in 84 brilliant minutes, he took 66 touches, completed 92% of his passes, played one key pass, completed 100% of his dribbles, won 100% of his duels and made five interceptions and two tackles.

Ultimately, it was a simply sublime game from the former Djurgården star and, just as with Odobert’s, one that has surely made him undroppable for the foreseeable future.

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da pinnacle： Glasgow Rangers will be playing in the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the second time in the previous four seasons.

da bet esporte： Of course, the last time the Ibrox side reached this stage of the competition, they went on to reach the final in 2022, suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.

Even the most optimistic supporter surely can’t envisage another sparkling run this season, especially as Barry Ferguson’s side were outplayed on Thursday evening.

As the end of the season edges nearer, thoughts now turn to whom the next permanent manager will be ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Whoever is appointed, they face an important summer transfer window which could make or break the club in their bid to challenge Celtic for domestic supremacy.

A few first-team players will need to be sold in order to free up the wage bill, while there are likely to be several offers coming in for those who have impressed for the Light Blues this season.

Indeed, Hamza Igamane appears to be attracting some interest ever since making his mark in the senior squad. Could he be one of the players sold this summer?

Hamza Igamane's Rangers future

The Moroccan striker may have cooled off following a hot start to his Ibrox career, but there is no doubt just how good the centre-forward could become.

At the time of writing, he has scored 13 goals and grabbed three assists across 36 matches in all competitions. He has settled in nicely to domestic football, failing to be caught out by the physical nature of Scottish football, but it has been in Europe where Igamane has performed well.

Four goals and an assist in eight Europa League matches – with only four of those being starts – doesn’t tell half the story.

He scored a stunning brace against French side Nice during a 4-1 away victory in November, before opening the scoring with a well-taken effort against Tottenham Hotspur just a few weeks later.

Transfer Focus

Expand Collapse

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Everton scouts were present at that game to watch Igamane score and they were impressed by his display against the Premier League side.

With the transfer window just a few weeks away at that point, Philippe Clement was bracing himself for any bids that were going to arrive for one of his star players.

Hamza Igamane’s statistics for Rangers

Metric

Europa League

Premiership

Goals

4

9

Assists

1

1

Big chances created

1

6

Successful dribbles per game

1.7

1.4

Shots per game

1.6

2.9

Via Sofascore

Thankfully, he remained at the Light Blues, but it appears as though fending off clubs this summer could be a different story indeed.

According to Football Insider, the Toffees are preparing to come back in for the 22-year-old when the season comes to an end as David Moyes looks to bolster his attacking options.

Marseille and Sevilla will provide stiff competition, however, and should a bidding war erupt, the Gers must stand firm and only accept the best possible fee for their striker.

Whatever happens, Igamane is going to leave sooner rather than later, especially if he continues to shine.

The Gers will need to find a replacement. They might not have to look too far…

Rangers looking at Igamane replacements

Recent news has emerged from Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, who claims that Rangers are looking at St Mirren centre-forward Toyosi Olusanya as a potential option for next season.

The Buddies’ striker is certain to leave the club at the end of the season due to his contract expiring, which could lead the Gers to make their move and seal a bargain signing in the process.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a productive spell in Paisley and found the back of the net against the Light Blues last month as his side claimed a 2-0 win at Ibrox.

The Ibrox faithful will be looking for big things in the transfer market, especially if the takeover by 49ers Enterprises occurs in the coming months. Bringing in someone like Olusanya, however, could add some solid depth to the first-team squad and represent a perfect Igamane replacement.

Toyosi Olusanya’s season in numbers

The Englishman has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances for St Mirren this season, nearly double the tally he reached during the 2023/24 campaign.

Eight of those goals have come in the Premiership, where his direct approach has caused teams plenty of problems.

In the top flight, the striker averages 1.8 shots per game, along with creating two big chances and having a 16% goal conversion rate.

He delivered one of his best displays of the season against Aberdeen in January. Not only did he get on the scoresheet, but Olusanya also won 100% of his ground duels, succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts and made one key pass during the comfortable 3-0 victory.

He was praised by his teammate Mikael Mandron after the game, who said: “I don’t think he has any ceiling, I don’t want to put any limits on him. He’s shown this season he can score goals at any time and any type.

“With his quality, pace, power and finishing, that will work at any level, so I don’t think he has a ceiling.

“Yeah hopefully he can stay because he’s so important for us. He’s scored so many goals and what he brings to the team is absolutely amazing. The gaffer said it would take a big offer but if I was any club I’d definitely pay – but we want him to stay.”

There is no doubt the English striker could offer something different to what the Light Blues have in their attacking ranks right now. Securing his services on a free transfer could turn out to be a solid piece of transfer business.

Money will likely be spent should the proposed takeover happen, but this will have to be managed well. Selling a player or two will help raise funds, but these need to be redirected back into improving the playing squad.

If not, Celtic will once again be favourites to win the league title next season.

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da dobrowin： Daniel Farke has done an excellent job in charge of Leeds United to date, helping the club mount multiple serious attempts at promotion from the Championship since his arrival.

da bet vitoria： The German took the reins after the Whites dropped into the second tier at the end of 2022/23, desperately needing a fresh start to try and secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Whilst the 48-year-old was unable to win the play-off final last year, he’s managed to galvanise the squad this time around, sitting top of the table with just eight games remaining after the international break.

However, there are only two points separating the top three in the division, with Farke’s side battling it out with Sheffield United and Burnley for an automatic promotion spot.

Regardless of what division the club finds themselves in next season, multiple players’ futures need to be decided with numerous first-team members out of contract or needing to be sold.

Leeds transfer update ahead of the summer

Junior Firpo’s situation at Elland Road remains unsolved with his contract set to expire at the end of June, opening the door to a pre-contract agreement should any side offer him a deal.

It was previously reported earlier this week that three sides were in talks to sign the 28-year-old, with Real Betis, one of his former clubs, also in the race to sign him this summer.

As for Kalvin Phillips, he’s been a name constantly mentioned with a return to Yorkshire over the last couple of months, especially after his lack of impact since his £45m move to Manchester City.

He’s set to leave the Etihad on a permanent basis this summer, ending his three-year stint in the North West, with Pep Guardiola’s side demanding a fee in the region of £20m for his services.

Despite the aforementioned rumours, Farke desperately needs to make brutal decisions with players currently on the books, potentially offloading one player as a result.

The player who Farke must brutally offload this summer

Leeds’ frontline has so often produced the goods in 2024/25, with Joel Piroe currently sitting as the club’s top scorer on 15 goals, with Borja Sainz the only player to score more in the whole division.

Daniel James and Manor Solomon have both nailed down the wide roles in the first-team, with the pair contributing to 33 of the 76 goals scored by the club this term.

However, fellow attacker Joe Gelhardt has been unable to make such an impact under the German, struggling to nail down a starting place, eventually being loaned out to Hull City in January.

The 22-year-old joined from Wigan Atheltic back in 2020, with real potential to impress given the fact he was labelled “Rooneyesque” by former coach Tim Wyatt – a name given to him due to his stature and finishing ability.

His time in Yorkshire for the Whites has been far from plain sailing, making 58 appearances in all competitions, but scoring just four times since his debut nearly five years ago.

However, he has popped up with some vital moments, including his last-minute strike against Norwich City to secure three vital points in the 2021/22 campaign.

The likes of Mateo Joseph and Piroe have been ahead of him in the pecking order in recent months, restricting him to just three appearances up until January, when he joined Hull on loan until the end of the season.

Joe Gelhardt’s stats on loan at Hull City (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

12

Goals scored

3

Pass accuracy

72%

Dribble success

2.5

Times dispossessed

2.9

Aerials won

26%

Fouls committed

1.6

Stats via FotMob

Gelhardt has since scored three times in 12 appearances for the Tigers, but with his contract expiring in two years, the club may look to cash in on his services to avoid losing him for nothing.

Should the club achieve promotion in the coming months, added investment will be greatly needed if the side are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship – with players from the current squad ultimately needing to be sacrificed.

Joffy has proven that he’s unfortunately not going to be Premier League quality should the Whites reach the promised land come the end of May, brutally needing to cash in on his services to allow Farke to strengthen this summer.

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da bet7k： Wingers have played a key part in Liverpool’s success over recent years, helping them win multiple domestic and continental trophies under various managers.

da heads bet： Mohamed Salah has been a key part in the success endured throughout 2024/25, undoubtedly being the star in Arne Slot’s side that claimed the Premier League title.

The Egyptian has registered 28 goals and 18 assists in his 37 appearances – the highest of any player within the division, highlighting his importance.

His new two-year contract at Anfield will enable him to be a star for multiple more campaigns, potentially adding to the two league triumphs he’s already won on Merseyside.

However, there’s only so much work he can do on his own, with the 32-year-old needing to be joined by reinforcements within the final third to sustain any long-lasting success.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Over recent weeks, Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, looking to secure a move away from the Bernabeu this summer.

The Brazilian, who also has admirers from Arsenal ahead of the transfer window, has registered 23 combined goals and assists this campaign – undoubtedly handing Slot the added quality he desires.

However, such a deal could prove to be too expensive in the coming months, with Athletic Club’s Nico Williams emerging as a key target, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report states that the Reds have been monitoring the 22-year-old for a number of months and are considering a move for the winger, who’s registered 18 goals and assists in 2024/25.

It also claims that the LaLiga outfit won’t stand in the Spaniard’s way in the coming months, as long as any interested party forks out the entirety of his £50m release clause.

Why Liverpool’s £50m target would be Liverpool’s best LW since Mane

Sadio Mané is a player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his spell at Liverpool, proving to be one of their best signings of the modern-era at Anfield.

The Senegalese international, who joined from Southampton for £36m in the summer of 2016, spent six years on Merseyside, producing countless moments of magic along the way.

He registered a staggering 120 goals in his 269 appearances for the club, an average of one every 2.2 outings – undoubtedly leading them to their title triumph in 2019/20.

However, he would leave for German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, leaving a huge hole within the first team setup – something which they’ve failed to replace in the three years since.

Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have been the two players to often fill the void over the last couple of seasons, having various levels of impact as seen by their total of 23 league goals combined in 2024/25.

Both have shared the role in the title-winning campaign, but could find themselves with decreased game time next season should Williams arrive at Anfield.

When comparing his stats to those of the aforementioned duo since Mane’s departure, the Bilbao star has outperformed them in numerous key areas, handing Slot the club’s best option since the departed winger.

How Williams compares to Diaz & Gakpo since Mane left in 2022

Statistics (per 90)

Williams

Diaz

Gakpo

Games played

95

89

104

Goals & assists

36

37

56

Progressive carries

5.7

4.2

2.7

Carries into final third

2.7

2.4

1.8

Shot-on-target accuracy

40%

36%

39%

Crosses completed

5.7

1

3.5

Take-ons completed

3.1

2.2

1.6

Stats via FBref

Williams, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Zach Lowy, has registered slightly fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered a higher shot on target rate – showcasing his threat in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more progressive carries per 90 and completed more carries into the final third, handing Slot an added threat when driving into the final third at Anfield.

He’s also completed more take-ons than current first team members Diaz and Gakpo, whilst completing more crosses – handing other options on the books the opportunities to improve their own tallies.

It would be a superb addition should the club trigger his £50m release clause this summer, having the potential to improve massively in the years ahead, given his tender age.

Should he reach the levels produced by Mane on Merseyside, it would be one of the best additions they could make in the near future, setting them up for added success during the Dutchman’s tenure.

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da pinnacle： Arsenal’s summer striker search is set to be one of the major topics for discussion in N5, with two big-names in Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko rumoured to be Andrea Berta’s top two targets.

Arsenal hold talks over signing Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko

da betcris： Reports from reliable media sources indicate that this centre-forward duo feature the highest on Berta’s striker target list.

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Sesko is fresh off the back of a career-best Bundesliga campaign with Leipzig – bettering his 2023/2024 tally with 21 goals in all competitions – while Gyokeres has quite simply been unstoppable with 54 goals in total across 24/25.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Berta has held extensive talks over a move for Gyokeres (Florian Plettenberg), but Arsenal have also since begun concrete negotiations for Sesko as well – leading to some confusion over who the club’s main target actually is.

Sky Germany’s Plettenberg reported last week that their focus is on both men, but either deal would prove to be “extremely expensive”, prompting Berta to consider the two options very carefully.

Either way, another reliable journalist in David Ornstein fully expects one of Gyokeres or Sesko to seal a switch to Arsenal last summer.

“They’ve got a decision to make between Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, both fantastic options and talents,” said Ornstein to NBC Sports.

“I do expect one of them to come into the Emirates Stadium this summer.”

BBC journalist shares update on Arsenal signing Sesko or Gyokeres

Responding to this burning question in a Q&A, about whether Arsenal are going to sign Sesko or Gyokeres, the BBC’s Sami Mokbel has shared “information” on Arsenal’s talks for the pair.

He says that Arsenal are attempting to confirm the “frameworks” when it comes to deals for Sesko or Gyokeres, before they make a final decision on who to go for.

“In terms of Gyokeres or Sesko – my information is that the club are working towards confirming the frameworks of both deals before making a final decision on which to proceed with,” said Mokbel.

“Sesko has near-universal backing at the Emirates but, crucially, will be the more expensive deal. Gyokeres’ chances of moving to Arsenal have increased since Andrea Berta’s appointment as sporting director. Price is key here. Sesko ticks many boxes in terms of profile, he is younger than Gyokeres and plays in a stronger league (the Bundesliga) according to recruitment data. But some of the reported figures indicate he could cost £93million.

“Gyokeres is more economical, but would see the club divert from their longer-term strategy given Sesko has always been a target.”

Sesko already rejected a move to Arsenal last summer, so he’s been a long-term target for Arteta, pre-dating Berta’s arrival as sporting director.

Given just how highly the Spaniard must rate him, splashing in around £93m for the 22-year-old would be a real show of backing to their manager by the Arsenal board.

da realbet： Milos Kerkez could well be on his way to Liverpool this summer, but Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are said to be eyeing another left-back, too.

Kerkez in talks with Liverpool

da bet vitoria： A new left-back has been seen as a priority position to strengthen in this summer, with Andy Robertson no longer the force of old, and Kostas Tsimikas arguably not at the level required to be a regular starter for the Reds.

Bournemouth ace Kerkez has emerged as the leading option for Liverpool at left-back, with the Hungarian reportedly set to agree personal terms and holding talks with the Premier League champions over a summer move to Anfield.

The 21-year-old has the potential to be a superb signing for the Reds, having shone for the Cherries all season long, even making it into Gary Neville’s Team of the Season on Monday Night Football.

Meanwhile, Robertson has discussed his future at Liverpool with Jamie Carragher, saying: “I have only got a year left. So I hope all you guys (the fans) can help me with making the same noise around a new contract as you did with Mo and Virgil’s! Maybe you (Carragher) can stop linking the club with other left-backs as well! No look, I’ve had eight wonderful years so far and I have a year left. I am not as young as I once was but I love this club and I have had some great memories here, so let’s see what the future holds.”

Liverpool working on another left-back signing with Kerkez

Now, according to ILovePalermoCalcio [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are working to sign young Palermo left-back Gioacchino Barranca this summer, as Edwards continues to not mess around this summer, as he continues to try and get a deal for Kerkez over the line.

The Reds are believed to be “moving in the background” with regards to the 17-year-old, looking to pounce during the summer transfer window ahead of Atalanta and Torino.

Even the most ardent Liverpool supporter would struggle to claim to be an expert on Barranca, given his age and the fact that he is yet to represent Palermo at senior level.

The left-back has made a combined 50 appearances for their Under-17s and Under-19s, though, and the fact that a club of the Reds’ stature are tracking him speaks volumes about his long-term potential.

Barranca could come in as a future star at Liverpool, initially going into the academy setup or even being sent out on loan to aid his development, being seen as the eventual understudy to Kerkez once Robertson and Tsimikas move on.

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It is always vital for the Reds to plan for the future, ensuring the club continues to be in a good place for many years to come, and the Palermo teenager would be an astute addition in that respect.