All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Arsenal are now very keen on signing an “amazing” Barcelona player this summer, with Mikel Arteta viewing him as the perfect addition to his squad, according to a report.

Gunners eyeing La Liga stars

The Gunners have set their sights on a number of La Liga stars ahead of the summer transfer window, given new Sporting Director Andrea Berta’s extensive links to the Spanish league.

Omar El Hilali is the latest player to emerge as a potential target, given that the Espanyol defender has an attractive release clause of just £12.5m, while new options are also being considered in more attacking areas of the pitch.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, alongside Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and the north Londoners have recently made contact to discuss a deal for the Spaniard.

£42m star now expected to join new club as Arsenal scouts really impressed

Mikel Arteta is keen to breathe new life into his Arsenal squad this summer.

BySean Markus Clifford Mar 15, 2025

Amid the Spanish club’s financial struggles, Arsenal have also expressed interest in Barcelona players in recent months, with Raphinha being identified as a target back in December, and they are now very keen on a move for a midfielder.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states the Gunners have shown the most interest in signing Barca’s Marc Casado, who has emerged as a key player for the La Liga title contenders this season.

Arteta views Casado as the ideal addition to his midfield, given his tackling ability, and there is a belief he would be a good fit for the Spaniard’s style of play.

That said, it could be very difficult to get a deal done this summer, considering Barcelona are currently unwilling to sanction a departure, given the midfielder’s importance to the team.

There is also a huge £83m release clause included in the 21-year-old’s contract, which could be another potential stumbling block for Arteta.

"Amazing" Casado emerging as key player for Barca

It has been a real breakthrough season for the youngster at Camp Nou, making 35 appearances in all competitions, having solidified his place as a regular starter for the La Liga giants.

As noted in the report, the Spaniard’s tackling ability is particularly impressive, but he is also capable of making attacking contributions, ranking very highly for assists per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Pass completion %

89.9% (92nd percentile)

Assists

0.21 (93rd percentile)

Tackles

3.12 (90th percentile)

There are now doubts over Thomas Partey’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium, with the Ghanaian holding talks with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona ahead of a potential free transfer in the summer.

Casado, who has been lauded as “amazing” by Hansi Flick, has proven he could be an excellent replacement for the midfielder, but it does not seem like a deal is particularly likely this summer, given Barcelona’s reluctance to sell the La Masia graduate.

It looks set to be an interesting summer for Chelsea after another trophyless domestic season at Stamford Bridge, this time with Enzo Maresca in the dugout.

The Blues decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the 2023/24 campaign and brought the Italian in to replace him, but the Conference League is the club’s last chance to land a trophy this term.

Chelsea may want to make further changes to their playing squad to build a team that can compete for the Premier League title, or at least the League Cup and the FA Cup.

One player whose future is currently up in the air ahead of the summer transfer window is Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho, who the club have a £25m obligation to buy.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that the Blues will have to pay the Red Devils a fee of £5m to opt out of that obligation, and it remains to be seen whether they will do that or pay the £25m to sign him permanently.

Why Chelsea have a big problem with Jadon Sancho

Chelsea and Maresca have a big problem with this Sancho dilemma because there are pros and cons to either keeping him at Stamford Bridge or paying £5m to send him back to Old Trafford.

On the one hand, £25m to sign an England international who turns 25 this week seems like good business with fairly low risk, given the nature of the fee and the time he has on his side to contribute over several seasons.

Chalkboard

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

On the other hand, Sancho’s performances on the pitch across all competitions for the Blues this season have been a cause for concern, as the winger has only produced two goals and five assists in 29 matches.

This shows that the £100k-per-week forward has failed to make much of an impact at the top end of the pitch from a wide position for Maresca’s side, which is why there may be reticence to splash out £25m to sign him permanently.

Moments like the goal above have been few and far between and Chelsea may feel that they could find better value for money elsewhere in the domestic market, as they once did with the signing of Damien Duff from Blackburn Rovers.

How much Chelsea paid to sign Damien Duff

Back in the summer of 2003, Roman Abramovich splashed the cash to bolster the squad to compete for major honours, and one of the first signings of his era in charge of the club was Duff.

The Blues reportedly paid a fee of £17m to sign the Blackburn Rovers star after he had scored nine goals and provided one assist in 26 matches in the Premier League during the previous season.

His first season at Stamford Bridge ended with a solid return of six goals and 13 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions, as he showcased his ability to score and assist goals from a wide position.

The left-footed star followed that up with ten goals and 13 assists in 48 games in the 2004/05 campaign, including six assists in ten

Champions League outings, and helped Chelsea to win the Premier League title for the first time.

His form dipped in his last season at Stamford Bridge, with just three goals and four assists in all competitions, but he contributed to another top-flight title.

Overall, Duff turned out to be excellent value for money for the Blues, with his goals and assists in his first two seasons, as a domestic signing, and Maresca may have unearthed the club’s next version of him with Pedro Neto.

Why Pedro Neto is Chelsea's new Damien Duff

Unlike Sancho, Neto is similar to Duff in the sense that he is also a left-footed winger who wants to run at opposition players and take them on to make things happen for his side – an exciting player to watch.

Speaking about the Portugal international earlier this season, pundit Troy Deeney said: “Pace scares people. Coming in off that left foot, he can shoot or he can cross, but he’s also got that raw speed which is going to back defenders off.”

One of the great things about Neto is the simplicity of his game. He does not need to do fancy tricks and flicks to get by players, instead looking to just drive with his ball control and speed to put defenders on the back foot – just as Duff did during his time at Stamford Bridge.

As you can see in the clip above, the former Wolves and Lazio man took a touch out of his feet and smashed the ball into the bottom corner, rather than trying to overcomplicate it with more touches or by trying to find a top corner.

Chelsea reportedly paid £54m to sign the forward from Wolves last summer and he has shown more moments of quality than Sancho has this season, with five goals and six assists in 34 matches in all competitions.

Starts

16

xG

2.05

Goals

3

Key passes

31

Big chances created

6

Assists

4

Dribbles completed

23

As you can see in the table above, Neto created 31 chances in just 16 starts and provided four assists from a wide position, which shows that he can offer a big creative outlet on the flank.

However, an accumulation of 2.05 xG in 16 starts as a forward suggests that Maresca needs to find a way to get the winger into better goalscoring positions, to make the most of his finishing quality.

Only Enzo Fernandez (ten) and Cole Palmer (19) have created more ‘big chances’ for Chelsea in the Premier League, though, so there is not much that needs to change from his performances in that sense.

If the manager can get Neto to add more goals to his game to go along with his creative brilliance then the Blues could have another Damien Duff on their hands, as the Portuguese starlet already shares so many similarities with the Irishman.

After Yamal: Chelsea can soon unleash the world's second-best wonderkid

The Chelsea youngster could emerge as a first-team option for Enzo Maresca next season.

ByDan Emery Mar 21, 2025

Like Duff, Neto is a left-footed winger who wants to beat players with pace and dribbling, rather than using fancy skills, and is a player who can consistently create high-quality chances for his teammates to find the back of the net.

Tottenham Hotspur may have to brace for the departure of an “incredible” player this summer, with a number of clubs lining up for his signature amid tensions in the dressing room.

Tottenham's summer transfer plans

The type of summer transfer window Tottenham will have is largely dependent on how they finish the campaign, with a Europa League triumph likely to put them in a good position to attract some top players, given that it means Champions League football will on offer next season.

Spurs are particularly keen on strengthening in attacking areas, with a deal to sign Lazio forward Gustaf Isaksen now advancing, while they are also looking to sign a new striker, and moves are now being made to sign Lille’s Jonathan David.

Ange Postecoglou has also had issues at the opposite end of the pitch this season, with Archie Gray being handed a lot of game time due to the scale of the injury crisis in defence, which suggests a new centre-back may be needed this summer.

Tottenham genuinely interested in move to sign "unbelievable" £100m forward

Spurs could make a surprise move for a winger, having emerged as one of the clubs most interested in his signature.

ByDominic Lund Mar 30, 2025

The need to sign a new centre-back may also be exacerbated by a potential departure, with a report stating Real Madrid are now expected to make a huge bid for Cristian Romero, whose future in north London is uncertain.

There has now been a new update on Romero’s future Tottenham future, with a report from Spain revealing he is being targeted by Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and his departure is now becoming increasingly likely.

The centre-back is said to have criticised the Spurs medical staff, which has caused tensions in the dressing room, while he is also disappointed by the lack of additions to the squad, and their poor performance in the Premier League.

As such, Postecoglou may be tasked with bringing in a replacement this summer, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi being deemed the most suitable option.

"Incredible" Romero could be huge loss

Since arriving at Tottenham for a fee of £42m, the defender has been a key player, and he has continued to perform well across a number of key metrics over the past year, despite his side’s struggles in the Premier League.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

2.10 (88th percentile)

Aerials won

3.14 (90th percentile)

Non-penalty goals

0.08 (83rd percentile)

Not only that, but the Argentina international has received high praise from the media throughout his time in north London, with Alasdair Gold once lauding him as “incredible.”

That said, the 26-year-old will have just two years left on his contract by the summer, and if he has no desire to commit to new terms, Tottenham should cash-in, rather than letting him run his deal down.

There have been suggestions Spurs would be willing to sanction a departure for £60m, which would allow them to make a tidy profit, while also providing the funds to bring in another top centre-back.

Whilst Leeds United have only managed to win one of their last five Championship matches, Daniel Farke’s side still remain on course to secure promotion come the end of the season.

The Whites sit second, just two points behind leaders Sheffield United, with striker Joel Piroe deserving a lot of credit for his performances in the first team throughout 2024/25.

The Dutchman has notched 15 goals in the league throughout this campaign, sitting as the club’s top scorer and second-highest in the division – highlighting his impact.

Jayden Bogle has also cemented his place at right-back in Farke’s side, featuring in 37 outings, with the £5m forked out for his signature in the summer now appearing to be a bargain.

However, high hopes were held for numerous players in recent years, with none of them able to feature at Elland Road anymore after failing to reach their full potential.

Leeds talents who failed to live up to their potential

Midfielder Lewis Bate joined Leeds in a £1.5m deal from Chelsea back in the summer of 2021, with high hopes of becoming a first-team regular in Yorkshire.

However, the 22-year-old would only make five appearances at Elland Road over a four-year period, before leaving on a free transfer and joining Stockport County last summer.

Cody Drameh was another player tipped to have a key role for the Whites as a youngster, having the potential to be a crucial player in the club’s backline after arriving from Fulham in 2020.

After just 10 first-team appearances and three separate loan spells, he also departed on a free transfer in the summer, looking to kick-start his professional career at division rivals Hull City.

The aforementioned pair aren’t the only players to fail to deliver in Yorkshire, with one other star sold after being unable to match the ambitions placed on his shoulders.

The former Leeds star who could’ve been their own Van Dijk

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been a leading talent in world football over the past few years, being a leading figure in the Reds’ success under various managers.

Many argue the Dutchman is the best centre-back of all time, winning eight major honours during his time at Anfield, including a Champions League title – helping him finish in the top three of the Ballon d’Or.

Stars like him don’t come around very often, but Leeds could’ve had their own version in the form of Leo Fuhr Hjelde, who was sold to Sunderland back in January 2024.

The 21-year-old originally joined the Whites from Celtic back in 2021, with the potential to emulate the success of Van Dijk given the praise previously heaped on him.

Former Ross County boss John Hughes tipped him to be “the next Van Dijk” before his move to Yorkshire – highlighting how impressive the addition of the defender was at the time.

Games played

10

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

78%

Chances created

1.2

Tackles won

1.2

Duel success rate

55%

Interceptions made

1.7

However, during his first two years at the club, he was restricted to just six appearances, unable to break into the side given their Premier League status.

An impressive loan stint at Rotherham United saw him return to the fold under Farke in 2023, but would only last six months before being permanently offloaded – joining the Black Cats in a £2m deal.

Whilst he’s only made 12 appearances this campaign, at the age of just 21 he still has bags of time to fulfil the hype that was placed on him as a teenager.

However, any success he will achieve won’t be for the Whites, with the club potentially living to regret their decision to sell him should he get anywhere near Van Dijk’s level.

Farke has found Leeds' new Pablo Hernandez & it's not Aaronson

Daniel Farke has unearthed a star who’s followed in the footsteps of fan-favourite Pablo Hernandez.

2 ByEthan Lamb Apr 3, 2025

Liverpool are on their way to becoming Premier League champions and could soon have more positive news to share with their supporters as they hold an advantage in the race for an exciting midfielder, per reports.

Liverpool gear up for summer window after Salah announcement

Liverpool fans were treated to the news on Friday that Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year extension at Anfield following months of speculation over his future.

The Egypt international has become an iconic figure among supporters and a talisman under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, who will now hope to convince Virgil Van Dijk that he should follow his counterpart’s path.

In essence, rectifying internal issues is the first step towards squad planning for next season. Looking towards the market, Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to sign Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan for a fee in the region of £87 million.

Defensively, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is on the Reds’ wishlist as Slot aims to bolster his side to fight on all fronts. With the Premier League title on the way, showing ambition in pursuing premium stars will be the main priority once the off-season comes around.

Liam Delap is another player that Liverpool want to sign as Ipswich Town veer closer to relegation. Nevertheless, Chelsea are also pursuing a deal that could amount to £30 million.

Scouts wowed: Liverpool now stepping up push to sign 14-goal Feyenoord star

He could replace Luis Diaz.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 10, 2025

Undoubtedly, competition is set to be fierce this summer among the Premier League elite. Manchester City, Arsenal and others will want to rebuild to provide a sustained title charge, so Slot and FSG will have their work cut out in pushing agreements over the line.

Having said that, Liverpool may have a key advantage over Pep Guardiola’s men as both sides fight tooth and nail to sign one of Europe’s brightest midfielders.

Liverpool confident of winning Xavi Simons race

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool feel they can beat Manchester City to sign RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons due to the strong Dutch contingent they already have present at Anfield.

Slot, Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch are part of the Reds’ fabric, which they feel can entice the Netherlands international to opt for Merseyside over other destinations.

Xavi Simons’ key Bundesliga statistics in 2024/25

Goals

7

Assists

5

Chances created

42

Touches in opposition box

67

Completed dribbles

25

Duels won

107

Valued at just over £60 million, Simons could potentially come in as a replacement for Luis Diaz, while Manchester City are eyeing the 21-year-old as a long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne.

Labelled “amazing” by ex-teammate Dani Olmo, the Amsterdam-born man has registered eight goals and six assists across all competitions, featuring either in attacking midfield or off the left flank.

Now, the onus is on Liverpool to push a deal over the line. Fresh blood is needed to maintain the hunger for silverware in years to come, and Simons would be a statement signing to bolster the ranks.

Will Celtic secure a sixth treble in just nine seasons?

On Easter Sunday, the Celts swatted aside St Johnstone 5-0 at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, with Callum McGregor breaking the deadlock and Daizen Maeda bagging a brace, while Adam Idah and Jota were also on target.

Thus, the Hoops will now face Aberdeen in the final on 24 May, also looking to secure a fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title before then, requiring just a point against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday to become champions again.

While Brendan Rodgers’ team continue to dominate on the park, does he have his eye on a new winger in the transfer market?

Celtic seeking to sign a new winger

As reported by Alan Nixon of the Scottish Sun earlier this month, Celtic are ‘eyeing’ a move to sign Stoke City winger Million Manhoef.

The 22-year-old only joined the Potters as recently as January 2024 from Dutch side Vitesse for a reported fee of £3m, but journalist Graeme Bailey believes he is now valued at £10m by Stoke.

So, would this be a good move, and could Manhoef emulate those among Rodgers’ current attacking options?

Why Celtic could be targeting the next Kuhn

Earlier this season, as outlined by Michael Shearer of Breaking the Lines, Nicolas Kühn was ‘poised to become Celtic’s next great attacking player’, starring in the Champions League and unquestionably the best player in Scotland.

However, in more recent times, the German has not been impressing quite so much, as shown in the table below.

Appearances

25

20

Minutes

1,713

1,298

Goals

14

4

Minutes per goal

122

325

Assists

11

3

As the table outlines, Kühn’s form has fallen off a cliff since New Year’s Day, in fact, he’s scored just two goals in 19 outings since bagging a brace against St Mirren on 4 January.

Rodgers stated that Kühn has appeared in the “most games he’s ever played” in a campaign, attributing his drop in form to fatigue, while Robbie Hanratty of the National adds that Kühn hasn’t looked the same since suffering a ‘suspected broken nose’ against Rangers in early January.

Kühn arrived from Rapid Wien for a reported fee of £3m in January last year, now worth £25m, well, according to his agent anyway, with Celtic hoping Manhoef – who is also a diminutive, left-footed right-winger – would experience a similar leap in valuation should he move to Glasgow, so let’s assess how the duo compare.

Appearances

37

46

Minutes

2,524

3,011

Goals

7

18

Assists

4

14

Goals – xG

-2.8

+1.3

Shots on target %

36.8

41.8

Chances created

49

43

Shot-creating actions

103

24

Take-on success %

38%

42.5%

As the table outlines, Kühn does rank higher than Manhoef for the majority of statistics included, albeit this’ll be largely skewed by his performances during the first half of the season.

Also worth considering that, according to Global Football Rankings, the EFL Championship is the 11th strongest league in the world, with the Scottish Premiership ranked 42nd.

Manhoef, to give him credit, does compare favourably, hence why Jacek Kulig from Football Talent Scout labelled him “quality and versatile”, while Dean Jones told Give Me Sport that the Dutchman is “the sort of player that will get fans off their seats.”

Thus, this would appear to be a good deal for Celtic, and they could open negotiations very soon, considering Stoke City’s season will conclude on 3 May.

Frimpong repeat: "Unstoppable" Celtic star could be sold for big profit

Celtic have made a habit of selling their best players for big fees in recent years, Jeremie Frimpong a high-profile example, but who could be next?

ByBen Gray Apr 19, 2025

Arsenal are now willing to spend big to win the race for a “world-class” striker, who manager Mikel Arteta is a fan of, according to a report.

Season-defining PSG clash on the horizon for Arsenal

The Gunners have fallen short in their pursuit of the Premier League title, and there is now a growing possibility that they won’t even finish in second place, after suffering a 2-1 defeat at home against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side still have an outside chance of having a season for the history books, should they be able to overturn the one-goal deficit and beat Paris Saint-Germain to progress to the Champions League final on Wednesday night.

It will be a tall order for the north Londoners, however, and there is a feeling that a new striker may be required if they are to have a more successful 2025-26 campaign, having identified a number of potential targets.

Arsenal and Berta eye move for £68m star if Saliba is sold to Real Madrid

Real Madrid are interested in the Arsenal defender.

2 ByTom Cunningham May 4, 2025

One player on the shortlist is Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with Arteta’s side believed to be very keen on the Serbian, and there has now been a new update on their transfer pursuit.

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now willing to make a significant bid to win the race for Vlahovic, who could be allowed to leave Juventus for a fee of around €50m – €60m (£43m – £51m) this summer, a fee the Gunners can ‘easily afford’.

Arteta is a fan of the striker, with the Spaniard of the belief he could have the quality to help his side compete for major honours, and the fact that Juventus are open to a sale means it may not be too difficult to get a deal done.

The Serie A side are set to listen to offers for the forward, who currently earns a whopping £364k-per-week, which indicates wage demands could be a potential stumbling block.

Why "world-class" Vlahovic may not be the answer

It is clear that Arsenal are planning to bring in an out-and-out striker this summer, and there are some signs that Vlahovic could be a quality addition, having been lauded as “world-class” by journalist Siavoush Fallahi, courtesy of his performances in Italy.

However, the Belgrade-born striker hasn’t exactly set the world alight this season, netting just nine goals in 26 Serie A outings, failing to score in his last six matches.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Serie A

26

9

4

Champions League

9

4

1

Italian Cup

2

1

0

While an asking price of £51m is reasonable, the fact the 25-year-old’s wage demands could be high is another issue, and Arsenal may be better off making a move for a striker who has been in much better form this season.

Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is an interesting option, having scored a remarkable 52 goals in 49 games this term, although there may be concern about the fact he is unproven in a major league, so there is no easy solution to Arsenal’s striker search.

Crystal Palace have now made an enquiry to sign a 28-year-old on a free transfer ahead of rival interest from fellow Londoners Fulham, according to a recent report.

Palace shop for Glasner replacements just in case

Given how the season started for the Eagles and how it could end, it has been quite a turnaround for Oliver Glasner and Palace, as they remain in the hunt for a top-half Premier League finish and could win England’s oldest competition this month.

Sky Sports: Crystal Palace now want 4-2-3-1 manager should Glasner leave

Steve Parish has his eye on a new managerial target if Glasner departs Selhurst Park.

ByBrett Worthington May 6, 2025

Reaching the FA Cup final and guiding the club away from relegation trouble likely means that Palace chiefs are going to want to extend Glasner’s stay at Selhurst Park. However, the links of a potential move away at the end of the season are not going away. In the last couple of months, Glasner was linked with a move to RB Leipzig and it’s now being claimed that he is the number one choice for the Bundesliga side.

As well as RB Leipzig, Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in appointing Glasner as their new manager should Ange Postecoglou be sacked at the end of the campaign.

These links have made Palace put their own ducks in a row, and according to Sky Sports German reporter Philipp Hinze, Palace are interested in appointing Danny Rohl as their new manager should Glasner depart. However, they are not the only teams chasing the German, as Leicester City and Southampton are also keen on the Sheffield Wednesday boss.

Crystal Palace make enquiry to sign 28 y/o on free transfer

But while the future of Glasner remains up in the air, Palace chiefs are looking ahead to the summer and already have their eye on one player they would like to bring to Selhurst Park. According to TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace are now considering signing midfielder Yvan Neyou on a free transfer.

The report states that Palace are among the clubs who have joined the race to sign Neyou, who is set to leave Spanish side Leganes when his contract expires. It is claimed that La Liga side Valencia are leading the race to sign the 28-year-old, but his performances for a struggling side have alerted the attention of Palace as well as Fulham.

The Eagles have now made an enquiry to understand if Neyou would be interested in a move to Selhurst Park, but have yet to make an offer. Neyou’s consistent form, defensively and offensively, in a side that is struggling at the foot of the table has plenty of appeal to clubs operating on a smaller budget.

Apps

28

Starts

25

Goals

1

Assists

1

Touches per game

49.0

Key passes per game

0.4

Passes per game (accuracy)

31.3 (87%)

Interceptions per game

0.9

Tackles per game

1.9

Balls recovered per game

4.0

Palace are of course wary of the interest in Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton – winning the FA Cup and gaining access to European football could be required to ensure Neyou joins the duo at Selhurst Park instead of replacing them.

Liverpool have opened talks over a deal for an attacking midfielder, who has now been told he can leave his club for a fee of just £19m this summer, according to a report.

Reds set sights on attacking midfielder

In recent days, the Reds’ pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong appears to have gained traction, with a move for the Dutchman, who is set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, now edging closer after advanced talks were held.

However, Frimpong is not the only Leverkusen star who could be on his way to Anfield this summer, with Arne Slot also looking to bring in a new attacking midfielder, and talks have been opened over a deal for Florian Wirtz.

That said, the German will not be cheap, with a £126m price tag mooted, so FSG could also look at bringing in a low-cost alternative, and an approach has now been made over a different attacking midfielder, who could be available for a bargain fee.

A Salah-esque signing: Liverpool agree personal terms with "insane" target

Liverpool are ready to begin their summer shopping spree.

ByAngus Sinclair May 13, 2025

According to a report from France (via The Boot Room), Liverpool have now opened talks over a deal for Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who has been informed he can leave the French club for a fee of just £19m this summer.

Cherki has just 12 months remaining on his Lyon contract, which means he is set to be allowed to leave for a very low price at the end of the season, and the Reds are now in discussions to bring the attacking midfielder to Anfield.

There may be competition for the Frenchman’s signature, however, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City also making contact to ask about a potential deal.

"Wizard" Cherki draws comparisons to Lionel Messi

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an extraordinary season with Lyon, picking up 31 goal contributions in 43 appearances in all competitions, having particularly caught the eye with his displays in the Europa League.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Ligue 1

29

8

10

Europa League

12

4

8

Coupe de France

2

0

1

Such is the starlet’s ability, he has received very high praise from teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who said: “He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.”

“He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse.”

Former Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has even gone as far as likening the youngster to one of the greatest-ever players in the past, saying: “Cherki is comparable to (Lionel) Messi in terms of technical quality.”

A fee of just £19m could be an absolute steal for a player with the potential of Cherki, and a move to Anfield would surely be a very attractive proposition for the playmaker, given that Liverpool defied expectations to secure a record-equalling 20th league title this season.

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi after months of negotiations, but a surprise update has now shared news of what could be a very lengthy delay when it comes to announcing his capture.

Martin Zubimendi set for Arsenal medical with Real Sociedad deal agreed

The 26-year-old, nearly 12 months after rejecting Liverpool’s advances, is now set to make his long-awaited move to the Premier League with Arsenal instead.

Big Odegaard upgrade: £100m PL star becomes Arteta's dream Arsenal signing

The international would add some much-needed bite to Arsenal’s midfield.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 28, 2025

The BBC’s Sami Mokbel was first to share news that Zubimendi is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal before completing a £51 million switch to the Emirates Stadium, with the Spain international close to becoming Andrea Berta’s first official signing as sporting director.

The reaction to his imminent arrival has been overwhelmingly positive, following many productive years as a key starter for boyhood club Sociedad in La Liga.

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

Zubimendi was a mainstay under ex-Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, helping to guide them back into the Champions League for 2023/2024, and played a role in helping Spain reign triumphant at the Euros last summer.

“Arsenal believe they are acquiring one of the world’s best holding midfielders in Martin Zubimendi, and they are not the only ones,” said Sky Sports journalist Nick Wright.

“Having also been coveted by Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, his elite credentials are clear. Zubimendi won the European Championship with Spain last year and has thrived domestically as well as internationally, helping boyhood club Real Sociedad win silverware in the Copa del Rey and playing a key role in their return to the Champions League.”

Former Man City financial advisor, Stefan Borson, also praised Zubimendi’s capture as an astute one in terms of cash flow, following reports in January that they were already advancing on a pre-summer deal (The Mail).

“It’s a great deal for Arsenal at that price. It’s low risk given the quality,” said Borson to Football Insider.

“I don’t think it’s a PSR situation why they are signing him in the summer, I think it’s simply a case of that works for all parties for him to move in the summer.”

When Arsenal could announce Martin Zubimendi deal amid potential delay

According to Spanish news outlet Diario Vasco, Zubimendi’s medical in N5 should happen before Saturday.

The Spain squad, which includes Zubimendi, are going on an international tour of duty as they prepare for a UEFA Nations League semi-final clash against France next week, leaving little time for Mikel Arteta’s side to formally complete the steps needed.

Interestingly, while the medical appears set to go ahead soon, it is believed that Arsenal may not announce Zubimendi’s capture until July.

Diario Vasco state that this may suit all parties, as both Sociedad and Arsenal can then count Zubimendi’s transfer as a transaction for the next financial year, which starts on July 1, without having to register him on their 2024/2025 accounts.

With PSR and FFP taken into consideration here, Gunners supporters are facing another lengthy wait regarding Zubimendi confirmation, but all indications are that he can be considered an unofficial Arsenal player at this point.