Arsenal are poised to negotiate contract terms with a target after reaching a club-to-club agreement on his transfer fee, with sporting director Andrea Berta closing in on another potential incoming.
International captain approves Arsenal exit with talks planned in coming days
The Gunners need to balance out their squad.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 17, 2025
The north Londoners have been very active this summer, already sealing deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.
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
25/26 – summer
£140m
Madueke signed his Arsenal contract earlier this week, valid until 2030 (Fabrizio Romano), and he’s joined by Mosquera after Arsenal shook hands on a deal with Valencia to sign the 21-year-old for an initial £13 million, which could rise to £17 million through add-ons.
Arsenal are also finalising a transfer for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, following their agreement in principle with Sporting earlier this week, and reports still surround a potential Berta swoop for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.
They’ve maintained interest in other high-profile left-wingers as well (Ben Jacobs), despite their move for Madueke, so we can expect Arsenal to maintain their busy charge to sign fresh additions before the new Premier League season kicks off next month.
Arsenal to discuss personal terms with Will Wright after fee agreed
Earlier this week, it was reported that Arsenal appear to have won the race to sign highly-rated Salford City striker Will Wright as well (The Sun).
The Gunners made an offer of around £250,000 to sign Wright, plus hefty add-ons, beating Liverpool’s £100,000 bid, and the likelihood is that Arsenal will soon welcome the Englishman to N5.
The teenage sensation, who’s been on fire in pre-season with four goals in three games, was handed his senior debut by Salford last season and featured against Man City in the FA Cup – highlighting just how rated he really is at the Peninsula Stadium.
The Mail and journalist Simon Jones provide an update on Mikel Arteta’s pursuit of the forward, and they report that Arsenal are now set to discuss terms with Wright in the coming days after agreeing his fee – which they report to be north of £200,000.
If all goes to plan, the 17-year-old will be another Arsenal signing of the summer, after he left scouts impressed with his pre-season performances.
Leeds United are closing in on a deal to sign Newcastle United central midfielder Sean Longstaff to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the middle of the park.
Fabrizio Romano claims that the club have placed a £12m bid on the table for the English maestro, who has already agreed personal terms with the Championship champions.
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff
The 27-year-old midfielder started eight of his 25 appearances in the Premier League for the Magpies last season, and would arrive at Elland Road as a proven performer in the top-flight.
However, Longstaff did end the campaign without a single goal to his name in 32 games in all competitions, which suggests that he is not likely to provide much of a goal threat for the Whites from midfield.
Leeds eyeing another Newcastle midfielder
The Premier League newcomers, however, are reportedly eyeing another Newcastle midfielder who could provide a threat at the top end of the pitch.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds United have held internal talks over the possibility of a swoop to sign versatile Newcastle star Joe Willock this summer.
The report claims that the Whites are considering a swoop to sign the English attacker as an alternative to Manor Solomon, as he has the versatility to play in a central midfield role as a left winger.
Joe Willock
It adds, though, that Crystal Palace are also monitoring the former Arsenal man’s situation and that he would prefer a move to London over Leeds if given the chance to pick.
This means that it could be a difficult deal for the Whites to get over the line if they decide to act upon their interest in him, but if they can convince him to make the move to Elland Road, Farke could have his own Mateusz Klich.
Why Willock would be the new Klich for Leeds
When Marcelo Bielsa brought Leeds up to the Premier League, Klich played a key role in the middle of the park with four goals and five assists in 35 games.
Former Leeds midfielder Mateusz Klich.
The Poland international made 1.4 tackles and interceptions per game to go along with his nine goal contributions in 29 starts in the top-flight that term, providing dynamism and energy to the team.
Willock has scored 18 goals in 143 matches for Newcastle in all competitions in his career to date, which suggests that he has the attacking potential to replicate the kind of performances Klich put in for Bielsa in the 2020/21 campaign.
xG
0.14
Top 21%
xG on target
0.09
Top 42%
Goals
0.00
Bottom 3%
Assists
0.17
Top 20%
Chances created
1.84
Top 13%
Touches in the opposition’s box
4.86
Top 5%
He may have ended last season without a Premier League goal to his name but, as you can see in the table above, the midfielder was doing all the right things.
Willock got himself into high-quality shooting positions and delivered decent shots, with 0.09 xG on target per 90, but was foiled by quality goalkeeping, whilst his touches in the opposition box per 90 show that he is a constant threat on the pitch.
The 25-year-old star, who was once described as “special” by Mikel Arteta, has the potential to deliver goals and assists at an impressive rate if given more opportunities at Leeds, and if he gets more luck with goalkeepers not stopping his high-quality shots.
Willock only started 11 times in the Premier League under Eddie Howe last season, and a move to Elland Road could provide him with a chance to play week-in-week-out and deliver quality in the final third on a regular basis, to be Farke’s own version of Klich in midfield.
More important than Gudmundsson: Leeds open talks to sign £19m star
Leeds have made an enquiry about a deal to sign a star who would be an even more important signing than Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Sunderland are back in the Premier League and have now engaged in talks over a signing that would send out a signal of intent to their competitors, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Sunderland find out the latest in pursuit of Clement Bischoff
In the modern day, club chiefs speaking out on the availability of a player or their current situation isn’t an uncommon practice at this time of year.
Subsequently, it will come as no surprise to hear that Brondby sporting director Benjamin Schmedes has addressed rumours surrounding Sunderland target Clement Bischoff amid links between both parties.
He stated: “Clement has one year left on his contract, and that puts us in a situation where we’ve had strong discussions for a long time. But nothing is official yet, so there’s no agreement.
“We’re in dialogue, and we’ll see where it ends. Noah has two years left, so it’s a different case.”
Making strides ahead of their official Premier League return, Clermont Foot midfielder Habib Kieta is also on Sunderland’s radar and QPR, Stoke City and Crystal Palace are also believed to be in the running for his signature.
Sunderland in advanced talks to sell "fantastic" 22 y/o in permanent deal
Would moving him on be the right decision?
ByHenry Jackson Jun 22, 2025
Inevitably, beating the drop will be the immediate priority for Sunderland in 2025/26. While Jobe Bellingham’s sale will enable money to be spent, they will need to invest wisely to compete with other financially secure competitors in the grand scheme of things.
Nevertheless, Sunderland hold a pull that is rare for a promoted side due to their rich history in the English top-flight, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone like Jordan Henderson return to the North East if a deal were right for all parties.
Letting their presence be known to others, the Black Cats are now reportedly plotting a swoop for an international goalkeeper that would make headlines.
Romano: Sunderland in active talks to sign Marcin Bulka
Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Sunderland are in ‘active talks’ to sign OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka as part of their ambitious project to stay in the Premier League.
Despite being ‘approached’ by several other clubs, the Black Cats are the only side mentioned in the conversation and it remains to be seen whether further developments will occur down the line.
Labelled “superb” by PSG boss Luis Enrique, the Poland international kept eight clean sheets in 40 appearances last term and recorded a save percentage rate of 75.8% in Ligue 1.
Admittedly, Sunderland will need to rely on their goalkeeper next campaign to have a realistic chance of staying in the top-flight, so bringing someone of Bulka’s calibre in would certainly help, even if that puts Anthony Patterson’s future as number one in doubt.
Still on the hunt for an Andre Onana upgrade, Manchester United have now reportedly submitted an opening offer worth £13m to sign a Champions League-winning shot-stopper.
Man Utd's goalkeeper search still ongoing
Having already reinforced their attacking options with the arrival of Matheus Cunha and with negotiations ongoing to sign Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United have turned their focus towards their goalkeeper department.
Onana’s position as Old Trafford’s No.1 has seemed at risk since his debut season and the former Inter Milan man could finally be forced to relinquish his role if United get their wish this summer.
To that end, a number of names have been mentioned as potential options, with the most prominent of which being Emiliano Martinez.
Best Young Player winner Argentina's Enzo Fernandez,GoldenBall winner Argentina's Lionel Messi,GoldenGlovewinner Argentina's EmilianoMartinezandGoldenBoot winner France's Kylian Mbappe pose
The World Cup winner reportedly prefers a move to Manchester United over Barcelona and could be on his way out of Aston Villa amid their PSR concerns this month.
Meanwhile, what would help speed things up in the goalkeeper department is if AS Monaco complete their move to sign Onana. The Ligue 1 side are reportedly interested in signing the Cameroon international in an unexpected move this summer.
By showing Onana the door, it would almost be a guarantee that Manchester United will welcome another goalkeeper this summer. It would just be a matter of who. As much as Aston Villa will be concerned about their PSR situation, they’ll no doubt be desperate to avoid selling one of Unai Emery’s star players to a Premier League rival this summer and that may leave INEOS scrambling for other options.
If the Villans successfully fend off any interest from United, then the Red Devils could yet reportedly welcome a two-time Champions League winner in the coming months.
Man Utd submit first Andriy Lunin bid
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United submitted a bid worth €15m (£13m) to sign Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid but have since had that offer rejected by the Spanish giants. A deal is still there to be made, however, even if the Red Devils must increase their offer.
Having rejected the £13m offer, Real Madrid are reportedly demanding around €25m (£21m) to sell Lunin this summer in what should be seen as an affordable price for those at Old Trafford to match.
Starts
7
34
Saves P90
1.86
2.59
Save Percentage
65%
68.9%
Whilst the Ukraine international deserves credit for how he stepped up for Thibaut Courtois at times last season, there remain question marks over his ability to become a permanent No.1 elsewhere.
It is Lunin’s ability on the ball that stands out rather than his shot-stopping skills according to Ben Mattinson, however. The analyst was full of praise for the Madrid man, dubbing his ball-playing ability “great” albeit whilst also describing the goalkeeper as a “top shot stopper”.
Amorim keen: Bayern Munich now open to selling Man Utd target for just £30m
Ruben Amorim wants to sign him this summer.
1 ByHenry Jackson Jun 22, 2025
Although the jury is still out on Lunin, it’s clear that United must replace Onana this summer and doing so by signing a two-time Champions League winner could be the way to do exactly that.
Arsenal are going to sign a forward or two this summer, going by numerous reports over the last few months, and it is vital that new sporting director Andrea Berta gets these transfers right as the club look to win their first Premier League title in decades.
Arsenal targeting new striker and winger this summer
A lot of headlines recently have centered on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with Arsenal appearing to settle on the Slovenian as their priority striker target as things stand.
Fabrizio Romano says "deal is agreed" for "perfect" player to join Arsenal
Everything is in place for a move to be finalised.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 10, 2025
It was believed that Arsenal had been working on deals for both Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, before deciding which move would be better suited to the club (BBC), but it appears the former is now their preferred striker signing.
Fabrizio Romano shared news late last week that the north Londoners began advancing in talks for Sesko, with discussions underway between all parties.
RB Leipzig are said to be holding out for at least £70 million to sell Sesko, and Arsenal are expected to make their first official offer this week.
“I have a very good feeling on Sesko moving to Arsenal. Meetings have already taken place,” said Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg over the weekend.
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
“RB Leipzig are expecting the first offer from Arsenal for Benjamin Sesko next week. I am totally convinced Sesko will play for Arsenal next season.”
Alongside their pursuit of a new striker, Berta is believed to be targeting a new winger. Bukayo Saka’s long-term absence midway through 2024/2025 seriously hampered Arsenal last season, while uncertainty surrounds Leandro Trossard’s long-term future as he enters the final year of his contract.
Leroy Sane wants to join Arsenal after talks with Mikel Arteta
According to recent reports, £242,000-per-week Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane is a genuine target for Mikel Arteta.
The Germany international was rumoured to be closing in on a new deal at Bayern, but despite reportedly agreeing terms, Sane hired a new representative in the form of super-agent Pini Zahavi to help negotiate an even better extension.
This has majorly stalled Sane’s agreement over fresh terms, allowing Premier League sides to swoop in and tempt the former Man City star with a return to England.
Christian Falk reported last week that Arsenal have held talks with Sane’s camp over a move to the Emirates, where’d be reunited with Arteta, and now CaughtOffside have provided a further update on the situation.
They now report that Sane wants to sign for Arsenal after holding talks with Arteta, and it is also believed that the 29-year-old has a “written offer” to join them on the table.
Leroy Sane for Bayern Munich
However, Galatasaray, Fenerbache and Bayern have all presented larger salary offers, so while Sane has a preference for N5, Arteta’s side will need to up their proposal.
“He (Sane) currently has four written offers,” said the unnamed CaughtOffside source.
“The highest is from Fenerbahce, followed by Bayern Munich contract extension, and then Galatasaray, and lastly Arsenal.
“His preference is Arsenal, but he wants them to offer more in wages. His first wish in making his decision is Champions League football, and that’s why he has not told Fenerbahce yes, because they play Champions League qualifiers.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is certainly not hanging about when it comes to improving his squad.
After a first trophyless season since 2016/17, the Spaniard has begun the summer transfer window with a bang.
Manchester City managerPepGuardiolabefore the match
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss looks to have completed a deal for Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for a fee in the region of £46.3m, while Lyon’s Rayan Cherki is close to signing on a deal worth at least £25m.
Why Man City are signing Reijnders and Cherki
Reijnders could turn into a bargain given how impressive he was for Milan last season. Across 54 games for the Italian side, he scored 15 goals and grabbed five assists.
This came despite the club missing out on European competition after finishing eighth in Serie A last term.
AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders.
The Dutchman may prove to be an ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who leaves at the Etihad end of the month. In Cherki, Guardiola has also secured a player for a fee which may well turn out to be one of his finest deals.
The Frenchman shone for France in their Nations League defeat to Spain on Thursday evening. Making his debut when he came on with just 30 minutes left, the winger scored and provided an assist in the 5-4 defeat.
For a combined fee of just over £70m, it is certainly money well spent by the Spaniard as he looks ahead to the Club World Cup and next season.
There is a player at the club who is worth more than the pair put together, however, and he shone throughout 2024/25.
The Man City star who's worth more than Reijnders & Cherki
Brazilian winger, Savinho, made the move from Troyes to City last summer after impressing on loan at Girona.
Not many expected him to settle in as well as he did, as the youngster went on to register 14 goal involvements – two goals and 12 assists – in 45 games for the club.
Goals
1
Assists
8
Big chances created
11
Successful dribbles
1.8
Shots per game
1.9
Key passes per game
1.6
Such was his impact at the start of last season, former Arsenal midfielder turned pundit, Paul Merson, claimed that the winger could turn into a “superstar” for City.
Indeed, when compared with his peers across the big five European leagues, Savinho ranks in the top 4% for progressive carries (6.61) and in the top 4% for successful take-ons (2.69) and touches in the attacking penalty area (7.57) over the previous 365 days.
These statistics are evidence of his stature among the best wide players on the continent, and he will only go from strength to strength next season.
According to the Football Observatory, Savinho is currently valued at €100.5m (£85m) after an excellent debut season in the Premier League.
Therefore, he is worth more than what look to be two of City’s newest arrivals, demonstrating how good he has been since the start of last season.
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Guardiola will be hoping that Reijnders and Cherki can make similar sorts of impacts at the club when the 2025/26 campaign begins in August. No doubt about that.
Forget Cherki: Man City also open £42m talks for "one of the best" #10's
City are now making moves for another attacking midfielder…
The season is over and attention will now turn to what Celtic are going to do in the upcoming summer transfer window to improve their playing squad.
Brendan Rodgers already has one new addition lined up to come in this summer, as Kieran Tierney will join on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Arsenal.
As you can see in the graphic above, the Scotland international enjoyed an incredibly successful first spell at Parkhead after coming up through the academy system, winning five Scottish Premiership titles before his £25m move to Arsenal in 2019.
He is now set to return on a free transfer to bolster the manager’s options at left-back as the first signing of the summer transfer window for the Hoops.
Whilst there will be a focus on incoming signings and how the Premiership champions can strengthen their squad, Celtic also have to be wary of losing their top talents.
They sold Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer and Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes in January, and Nicolas Kuhn is one star who could follow them out of the door.
Why Nicolas Kuhn could leave Celtic this summer
Writing for Sky Sports last weekend, journalist Anthony Joseph claimed that there is ‘plenty of interest’ in the left-footed wizard after his impressive season for the club.
Crystal Palace, Everton, and Leeds United have all been credited with an interest in the German attacker this year, but it remains to be seen whether any of them are prepared to make a tangible move for him this summer.
This interest in his services, though, does suggest that there is a chance that the former Rapid Vienna winger could move on from Parkhead ahead of next season, if offers start coming in for him.
Clubs being keen on snapping him up should not come as a surprise to anyone, though, because Kuhn enjoyed a terrific season for Celtic across all competitions.
Appearances
32
Goals
13
Big chances created
11
Key passes per game
1.6
Assists
9
Dribbles completed per game
1.8
As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old wizard delivered brilliant performances in the Scottish Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign, with 24 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 32 appearances.
It would be a big blow to lose Kuhn from the squad, because of the goals and assists that he can provide from the right flank, but the Hoops are reportedly looking at a star who could be a dream replacement for him.
Celtic eyeing move for new winger
According to GIVEMESPORT, Celtic are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Peterborough United forward Kwame Poku in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that there are up to a staggering 26 teams eyeing up the Ghana international, whose contract with the Posh is due to expire at the end of next month.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that the Hoops have sent scouts to watch the attacker on a regular basis this season, with a view to potentially swooping for him in the coming weeks.
GIVEMESPORT adds that Celtic and Rangers are both in a strong position to sign the winger because they would not have to pay as much money in compensation as English teams, due to UEFA’s cross-border compensation rules, which would allow them to offer a more attractive contract.
The report does reveal, though, that Birmingham City, who have been promoted to the Championship in England, have already submitted their contract offer to the left-footed star.
With this in mind, Celtic must press ahead with their interest in Poku to challenge Birmingham for his signature, because he could be a fantastic replacement for Kuhn.
Why Celtic should sign Kwame Poku
If the club’s German wizard does move on from Parkhead in the weeks or months to come, Rodgers will need a new left-footed right winger who has the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.
Poku’s performances for Peterborough in the third tier of English football suggest that he could be an ideal signing to replace the impact that Kuhn has at the top end of the pitch.
Whilst some may question the standard of League One, it is worth remembering that Matt O’Riley produced seven goals and five assists in 27 League One matches for MK Dons before his move to Celtic.
Poku could follow in his footsteps by making the move to Glasgow to be a star for the Hoops as an exciting attacking force on the right wing, coming in to replace the productivity that Kuhn provides.
Celtic manager BrendanRodgersbefore the match
The 23-year-old sensation, who was described as “unplayable” by manager Darren Ferguson, has provided goals and assists on a regular basis in England over the past two seasons.
Appearances
37
27
Goals
11
12
Big chances missed
11
3
Big chances created
10
9
Key passes per game
1.5
1.2
Assists
7
8
As you can see in the table above, Poku has delivered 23 goals and 19 ‘big chances’ created in 64 appearances in League One for Peterborough, which shows that he has the potential to make a big impact in the final third.
Like Kuhn, the Posh star is also a left-footed attacker who predominantly plays on the right flank, cutting in onto his stronger foot to cause problems for opposition defenders as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
With this in mind, Poku could come in as a dream replacement for the Celtic number ten, if he does move on this summer, because he is similar in style whilst also having the potential to provide goals and assists at a similar rate.
McCowan 2.0: Celtic agree deal to make "brilliant" star their 2nd signing
Celtic have reportedly agreed a deal to make their second signing of the summer, and he could be Luke McCowan 2.0.
ByDan Emery May 26, 2025
It is now down to the Hoops to submit a contract offer of their own in an attempt to convince the winger to turn down the chance to sign for Birmingham.
Despite their struggles at times this season, Wolverhampton Wanderers have been fairly consistent in front of goal. They currently sit in the middle of the pack when it comes to goals scored in the Premier League, and their 51 strikes is more than seven clubs.
According to Understat, the Old Gold have massively overachieved in their expected goals tally this term.
The metric currently has Vitor Pereira’s side at 42.83 xG, meaning they have scored 8.17 more goals than they should have. It is also the biggest overachievement on expected goals this season by any Premier League club, and by some distance.
If there is one man who has helped them to overperform so much, it is undoubtedly Mathues Cunha.
Cunha's form this season and his Wolves future
It has been yet another unbelievable campaign for Old Gold talisman Cunha. Their number 10 has been sensational for the second consecutive year, helping to keep them in the Premier League and dragging the club through tough times on the pitch around Christmas.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhacelebrates scoring their first goal
The 25-year-old, who is an Olympic Gold medalist with Brazil, has bagged 15 goals and managed six assists in 31 Premier League games this season. His 17 goals in all competitions are the club’s most, with Jorgen Strand Larsen the only other player in double figures.
He has put in some excellent performances, including one goal and two assists against Leicester City just weeks ago. However, perhaps his most significant was a goal and an assist against Manchester United in December, in a 2-0 win at Molineux.
However, the Old Gold forward, who has become a star at Molineux over the last two seasons, may not be able to call himself a Wolves player much longer.
A few days ago, Fabrizio Romano reported that ‘talks remain ongoing’ for Manchester United to sign him this summer, who explained ‘deal remains at advanced stages’, which suggests it will be done soon enough.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhareacts
It does not appear that Cunha will stay at Wolves beyond this season, so they will need to replace his goals. They have recently been linked with someone who could do just that.
Wolves' ideal Cunha replacement
If Cunha does love Molinuex, which does seem likely at this stage, then a shock move for Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth, who has previously played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, could be on the cards for Wolves.
Caught Offside reported earlier this week that he is ‘attracting interest from the Premier League’, with Wolves, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa all linked with a move. The price is not clear at this stage, but he cost the Spaniards £27m last season, so it could well be around the same number.
If the Old Gold are looking for someone to help them forget about losing Cunha, Sorloth could be that guy.
Atletico Madrid's AlexanderSorlothcelebrates scoring their second goal
He has been excellent for Atleti in 2024/25, scoring 17 goals and grabbing two assists in 32 appearances. Earlier in the season, Dougie Critchley described him as “sensational”, and it is easy to see why.
The Norwegian made headlines recently for scoring an incredible four goals in 30 minutes in Atleti’s 4-0 La Liga win over Real Sociedad. After just 11 minutes, he already had a hat-trick, in one of the most eye-catching performances of the season.
It is for reasons like that, as to why Sorloth could be the perfect man to step into Cunha’s shoes. There are stats, via FBref, which suggest he can take on the mantle of scoring consistent goals for the Old Gold.
For example, he averages 1.09 goals and 0.55 goals per shot on target per 90 minutes. Comparatively, Cunha averages 0.54 goals and 0.37 goals per shot on target each game.
Goals
1.09
0.54
Shot on target %
45.3%
41.4%
Goals per shot
0.25
0.15
Goals per shot on target
0.55
0.37
Expected goals
0.81xG
0.29xG
Earlier, Wolves’ overachievement on expected goals was referenced, and that is certainly something that stands out for Sorloth. He is overachieving on expected goals by 0.28 per game this season, showing that he, too, can help maintain such a record.
Alexander Sorloth celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid.
There is no doubt about it, Cunha would be a big loss for the Old Gold. However, replacing him with such a clinical player like Sorloth, who can maintain such an impressive goal scoring rate, would be excellent business.
He can help fill the Neto void: Wolves looking to sign "special" £50m star
Wolves have joined a host of clubs in eyeing a move for a Premier League midfielder
Whilst Sunderland had to dig deep in order to beat Coventry City over two entertaining playoff matches, Sheffield United enjoyed a fair more straightforward route to the Wembley showpiece.
The Championship high-flyers easily got the better of Liam Manning’s Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate, with the Blades barely having to break a sweat to defeat the dazzled Robins.
Chris Wilder’s men won’t be heading into their promotion-or-bust showdown with Sunderland full of arrogance that another simple win will be picked up, however, with Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats far more of a formidable foe for United to try and topple.
The Sunderland players who could hurt Sheffield United
Whilst Bristol City just about managed to sneak into the playoff picture in sixth position, the Wearside outfit have been in and around the top six for some time now, with the Black Cats desperate to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Wilder’s side will have other ideas obviously, but the Blades will have to be switched on throughout, meaning the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor will have to be kept quiet all match long.
After all, the Championship side’s top goalscorer for the season would get the ball rolling for his side away at Coventry, with an emphatic finish breaking the first leg deadlock.
Wilder will require the likes of Michael Cooper and Jack Robinson to be as switched on as they were against the Robins, with a well-deserved two clean sheets tallied up.
But, there is also the added test of keeping Bellingham quiet in the forward areas, with the 19-year-old sensation reportedly on the radar of Borussia Dortmund, and for good reason, after picking up four goals and three assists himself in league action.
Le Bris’ men aren’t solely reliant on these two to conjure up a spark, however, with centre-back colossus Daniel Ballard actually proving to be the difference-maker last time out with a last-gasp header.
Thankfully for Wilder, he also possesses a goal-hungry defender in his ranks, similar to Ballar,d who will be keen to leave his mark on the nail-biting contest at Wembley.
Sheffield United's very own Ballard
Amazingly, much like his ex-Arsenal counterpart managed versus Coventry, Anel Ahmedhodzic has previously found himself in the right place at the right time to fire his team into a momentous lead.
Way back in April 2023, United teetered on the edge of a return to the Premier League. The promotion-hungry Blades needed just one more precious victory to get over the line, and after Ahmedhodzic’s flick beat the West Bromwich Albion keeper to give Paul Heckingbottom’s men a 2-0 lead, their joyous return to the big time was finally confirmed.
The “dominant” Bosnian – as he’s been labelled in the past by scout Jacek Kulig – will hope he has more dramatic moments like this strike up his sleeve ahead of the Blades’ forthcoming trip to Wembley, but his overall defensive game this season is also in-keeping with Ballard’s imposing presence, away from mirroring his notable eye for goal.
Across 38 games in the Championship this campaign, Ahmedhodzic has been able to pick up a respectable 15 clean sheets, with his total overall donning Blades red and white in the tricky division across two campaigns coming in at a bumper 31.
Games played
72
84
Goals scored
9
6
Assists
3
1
Clean sheets
31
18
Ballard lags behind on a lesser 18 when looking at the table above, with his impressive goal tally of six also trumped by the Blades number 15, even from 12 fewer league games.
This will be a fascinating battle to take in when the Championship playoff final rolls around, with one of the two defensive enforcers having to inevitably make do with second-tier life again.
Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic
The £14m-rated colossus will be praying he’s the lucky centre-back that returns to the Premier League, but anything can happen when the nerves are ramped up.
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Chelsea have not held back in the transfer market under new owner Todd Boehly. The Blues have certainly been comfortable to splash the cash, aiming to build a new dynasty at Stamford Bridge, and particularly looking to strengthen in attack.
Over the past few seasons, they have signed several new attackers, including permanent deals for the likes of Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and even a loan move for Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.
They even have three young attackers joining in the next couple of seasons, further strengthening their options in forward areas. That does not include summer targets for 2025, with Kenan Yildiz one player they are linked with.
The latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Yildiz
It seems as though the race to sign Juventus attacker Yildiz is on this summer, with Chelsea set to go head-to-head with one of their biggest rivals, Arsenal, to bring the 19-year-old to London. Whether he moves to West or North London, however, remains to be seen.
Juventus'KenanYildiz
A recent report from Caught Offside suggests that the Blues have been ‘intensifying their efforts’ to bring the youngster to Stamford Bridge in the next few months. As well as facing competition from the Gunners, newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, 13-time winners Manchester United and their rivals Manchester City could all show interest.
As for why Enzo Maresca’s side want to add Yildiz to their ranks, he has been impressive for the Old Lady this term. The Turkey star has eight goals and five assists across all competitions for Juve, and has played everywhere across the frontline. They are eye-catching numbers for such a young player.
With that in mind, his price might not come as a shock, though it is certainly a high fee Juve could demand. Caught Offside report that he is worth £85.2m, if he is to depart the Allianz Stadium this summer.
Juventus' KenanYildizcelebrates
Incredibly, the Blues have an attacker worth even more than the 19-year-old sensation.
The Chelsea star worth more than Yildiz
Of all the attackers the Blues have bought, none has made the impression that Cole Palmer has. The England international has been in lean form for a few weeks, but his time at Stamford Bridge overall has been exceptional.
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The 22-year-old, who hails from Wythenshawe in Manchester, has an exceptional record in that famous Blue shirt of Chelsea.
He’s managed 39 goals and 24 assists in 85 games so far, and was crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for his 33 goals in as many Premier League games last term.
This term has been slightly slower for the former Man City star. He has managed 14 goals and nine assists in the top flight, although has now gone 12 games without a goal. In that timeframe, he has chipped in with three assists.
With that being said, his underlying stats from the past two seasons, courtesy of Sofascore, show just how talented he is. For example, the 22-year-old averaged 2.5 key passes per game last term, and a slightly better 2.6 key passes per game so far this term.
Goals and assists
1.2
0.7
Key passes
2.5
2.6
Big chances created
0.6
0.6
Dribbles completed
1.8
1.5
Expected goal involvements
0.93xGI
0.76xGI
When considering all that, it might not be a surprise to learn that Palmer is valued extremely highly by Football Transfers. They have him worth £100.2m, higher than any other player in the Chelsea squad.
Interestingly, that is around £15m more than the amount Juventus would be looking to charge for Yildiz this summer. If anything, this further highlights the importance of Palmer to the Chelsea side.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer
They certainly got lucky with Palmer when they signed him in 2023. He has proven to be a revelation, an “insanely consistent” player as Statman Dave called him. Despite his struggles in recent weeks, there is no doubt about the quality of Palmer.
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