All posts by z3u9t.icu

Arsenal and sporting director Edu by extension are "vying" to sign Celta Vigo attacker Gabri Veiga this summer, according to reports out of France.

Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

Mikel Arteta's side have got to work with a plethora of marque transfer deals already this summer, having sealed the signings of Kai Havertz from Chelsea, midfielder Declan Rice in a £105 million club record deal and defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax for £38.5 million.

The capture of Rice in particular, who has become the most expensive English player of all time above Jack Grealish (Man City) and Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), represents an almighty victory for Arsenal as as Arteta captures his top target.

After weeks of talks, the 24-year-old has made the move to north London alongside both Havertz and Timber, but reports suggest even more could follow the trio.

Arsenal have spent north of £200 million so far this window, though the Gunners are reported to still be chasing Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia among others.

To make way, the likes of Thomas Partey and Folarin Balogun are rumoured to be on Arteta's transfer list, so the north Londoners may have to negotiate more outgoings after Granit Xhaka before confirming more signings.

Regardless, that isn't stopping the emergence of more Arsenal transfer rumours, with a report by le10sport and journalist Alexis Bernard sharing news on their interest in Veiga.

The Spaniard, who's just enjoyed an exceptional campaign in La Liga, is a man in demand and Premier League clubs are apparently chasing his signature.

Arsenal are one of them, alongside both Spurs and Chelsea, who are all "vying" to sign the 21-year-old. Veiga apparently won't be joining Ligue 1 giants Paris-Saint Germain either, opening the door for these interested sides to make their move.

Adding further detail, Bernard writes for le10sport that Veiga is "expected" to make the move to England this summer, as a host of top London sides including Arsenal battle for his signature.

How good is Gabri Veiga?

The attacking midfielder stood out as one of Celta's star players last season, scoring 11 goals and assisting four others in 36 La Liga appearances.

As per WhoScored, Veiga ranked as their third-best performer overall whilst also sitting in their top three for shots at goal, key passes made and successful take-ons per 90 in the Spanish top flight.

Called a "top" player by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Veiga has been praised by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for his obvious "quality" in the final third.

Ex-Celta boss Carlos Carvalhal, speaking to Sky Sports recently, also identified Veiga as a crucial player in his system when he took the reins.

"When Mingueza broke the lines, he would push into the position occupied by Gabri Veiga and Gabri Veiga would then jump one position, moving into the position of Iago Aspas. Iago Aspas would jump too. This is football. It is how we created the situations," explained Carvalhal.

"With this way of playing, Gabri Veiga was like a fish in water. He knew when to jump. He knew when to join the attacks. He was very hungry to do that. And he knew that he had Fran Beltran and Luca de la Torre to balance the team on the left. This was important."

Chelsea have now been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo, as the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has "said yes" to the project at Stamford Bridge, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Who are Chelsea signing this summer?

Mauricio Pochettino is still eager to strengthen his midfield this summer, with the Blues recently being linked with a move for Lyon's Rayan Cherki, who is valued at £43m by the French club, amid interest from Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia also remains an option, however, Football Transfers reports that he would prefer to move to Arsenal this summer, while Football Insider claims Liverpool are now closing in on a deal for the 19-year-old.

The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg has recently revealed that Brighton are planning to hold out for £100m to sanction Caicedo's departure this summer, with the Ecuadorian said to be Chelsea's "main target".

However, the Blues are unwilling to match Brighton's valuation, and they have now entered formal talks to discuss a deal for the 21-year-old with the hope of getting it done for a fee of around £80m.

Romano has now provided another update on Chelsea's pursuit of the central midfielder, recently telling GiveMeSport: "Chelsea hope to get the deal done for around £70million or £80million, with some loans included.

"Let's see because, with Brighton, it is always tough. But the discussion is ongoing and Caicedo already said yes to the Chelsea project, so the negotiation is on. Let's wait and see."

It seems as though the Seagulls are willing to hold their ground and demand a huge fee for one of their prized assets, but it is exciting news that the player himself is seemingly very keen on the move.

Is Moises Caicedo going to Chelsea?

At the moment, Chelsea appear to be front runners for the Brighton star, however they are not the only Premier League club in the race for his signature, as Manchester United have made initial contacts to discuss the details of a potential move.

Given that Man United have Champions League football on offer, it could be difficult for the Blues to secure a deal for the Ecuador international if their Premier League rivals formalise their interest with an official bid.

However, the Blues still stand a very good chance of winning the race, and they would be getting their hands on a fantastic player, with the starlet making 100 tackles in the top flight last season – the second-highest amount of any player.

Journalist Ryan Adsett hailed the maestro as "world-class" back in March, and he played an integral role in Brighton's push for the Europa League, averaging a Sofascore match rating of 7.08, the fourth-highest in the squad.

The loan signing of Denis Zakaria did not work out last season, with the Switzerland international making just seven league appearances, and N'Golo Kante has now left to join Al Ittihad.

As such, Pochettino is in need of a top-quality defensive midfielder, and Caicedo could be the perfect replacement.

Tottenham Hotspur's decision to sign Guglielmo Vicario over Brentford's David Raya has "Daniel Levy all over", claims journalist Paul Brown.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news – what's the latest on Guglielmo Vicario?

Before there were any developments regarding the 26-year-old Italian, Spurs were heavily linked to Brentford's Spanish shot-stopper David Raya, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting on June 17th that personal terms between the player and Spurs had been "agreed."

However, on June 22nd, Sky Sports reported that the North London club had verbally agreed a £17.2m fee with Serie A side Empoli for their highly-rated keeper, Vicario.

The Italian international's price is substantially lower than the Bee's asking price for Raya of £40m, which the Lilywhites were 'reluctant' to pay.

The 6 foot 4 titan has spent the last two seasons with Empoli, making 71 appearances for the club after initially joining on loan from Cagliari in 2021.

The West London club might've driven too hard of a bargain for their player, as with just a year left on his contract and no substantial interest from a side other than Tottenham, they risk losing him for free next year.

What has journalist Paul Brown said about Tottenham Hotspur signing Guglielmo Vicario over David Raya?

Brown was honest in his assessment that, for many Spurs fans, this is probably somewhat of a disappointment considering the heavy links to David Raya over the last few weeks.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "To go for someone a little bit more untested in terms of the Premier League and to go for someone who is not going to command such a high transfer fee is a little disappointing I guess, but it is Daniel levy all over."

Brown was quick to point, however, that it could be down to the club having plans to spend big elsewhere on the team, adding: "So I think wherever that ends up being a good thing will depend where else they spend their money this summer and if fans can see the club being ambitious, and if more importantly Harry Kane can see the club being ambitious in other areas. It might not matter so much so let's see."

Will Guglielmo Vicario be a good signing?

The 26-year-old has come off a good season for Empoli, playing 31 times for the side and averaging a match rating in Serie A of 6.85, just slightly lower than Raya's rating of 6.97, per WhoScored.

His underlying numbers, however, don't make for great reading.

According to FBref, who compare players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the one area he stands out is touches, where he sits in the top 9% amongst keepers, which under Ange Postecoglou's attacking brand of football will be essential.

However, he is only in the top 31% of keepers for save percentage, top 41% for goals against and only the top 58% for crosses stopped, all per 90.

However, it can be hard to judge a goalkeeper using statistics alone, so what have people said about him in Italy?

Well, he has got perhaps the best endorsement a keeper could ask for in Italy, the approval of Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy's most famous and beloved shot-stopper of all time hailed Vicario as "extraordinary" in an interview with Radio Sport Anch'io (via Gianluca Dimarzio).

So if he has the backing of Buffon, maybe he'll prove to be an even better signing than Raya ever would've been.

Chelsea legend Cesar Azpilicueta remains keen on joining Inter Milan before the start of next season, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Azpilicueta set to leave Chelsea?

The £180,000-a-week defender has been a wonderful servant for the Blues down the years, proving to be a model of consistency and enjoying great success along the way.

Azpilicueta has made 508 appearances for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge back in 2012, winning one Champions League crown and two Premier League titles along the way, but it could be that his long stay at the club is about to come to an end.

The 33-year-old's current Blues deal expires next year, and rather than leave for free at that point, the Blues could accept that this summer is the right time to allow him to leave. The player himself also appears to be keen on a new challenge, with a fresh update emerging regarding the situation.

What's the latest on Azpilicueta's future?

Writing on Twitter, Romano said that Azpilicueta still intends to join Inter this summer, despite interest from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao:

"Understand Athletic de Bilbao is not concrete option for César Azpilicueta. Personal terms agreed with Inter and no intention to consider other proposals, as of now. Two year deal in place but it all depends on Chelsea's green light to let him go as free agent."

Azpilicueta will unquestionably go down as a Chelsea legend, given the many years of top-level service he has given, being hailed as "amazing" by fellow Blues icon Petr Cech.

That being said, this summer does arguably feel like the right time for him to move on, in a decision that could ultimately end up suiting all parties. At 33, the right-back's best days are now behind him, with Reece James firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, and he will feel that he can enjoy one more challenge during the autumn of his career.

Getting Azpilicueta's aforementioned salary off the club's wage bill would also be bonus, potentially generating more funds for new signings, as Chelsea look to make a number of key additions before the beginning of the campaign.

Should the Spaniard end up staying on, it certainly wouldn't be an issue, though – he can continue to be a solid squad player – but it would be a surprise if that happened now, unless the club decide they want him to see out the remainder of his contract.

Heart of Midlothian released Michael Smith, Gary Mackay-Steven and Ross Stewart from the club following the expiration of their contract at the end of last season and considering the latter two made nine appearances between them during 2022/23, they won't be particularly missed in terms of value to the squad.

Smith, on the other hand, will be a tough one to get over, especially with the right-back turning into a club stalwart of sorts since arriving from Peterborough United back in 2017.

The 34-year-old made over 200 appearances for the Tynecastle outfit during those six years and his departure leaves a big void to fill on the right side of the defence. The only senior right-sided full-back is Nathaniel Atkinson and Naismith will be aiming to bring in an heir to the Northern Irishman sooner rather than later.

With this in mind, the 36-year-old is currently targeting a move for Japanese youngster Riku Handa this summer, with the 21-year-old seemingly keen on a move to Europe, despite only joining his current side, Gamba Osaka, in January.

Could Hearts sign Riku Handa this summer?

Given Smith's departure, any potential move will have to be a priority for Naismith, even if it is just a loan move.

He was recently called up to the Japanese national side for their Kirin Cup, yet didn’t make an appearance, however, it surely won’t be long before he makes his mark on the senior international stage for Japan.

Across 17 appearances in the J1 League in 2023, Handa grabbed an assist and averaged 0.9 key passes per game while creating three big chances, showcasing his ability to push forward as often as possible and these statistics are actually an improvement on the numbers Smith generated last term.

Indeed, for context, the former Hearts gem failed to register any assists and made 0.8 key passes per game along with creating two big chances, not much of a difference but Handa played 11 fewer matches.

The Japanese starlet even won more total duels (4.5 to three), made more tackles (2.3 to 1.6) and more interceptions per game (1.8 to 0.8) than Smith last season, underlining that he was just as effective defensively as he was bombing up and down the wing with ease.

With the Europa Conference League qualifiers taking place at the start of August, Naismith doesn’t have long to assemble a squad which he hopes can improve on their 4th-place finish in the Premiership last season.

By making a move for the £558k-rated Handa, they will be getting an exciting young talent who can shine at both ends of the pitch and the 5 foot 9 gem could become an ideal heir to Smith in the Hearts backline.

Steven Naismith has a big job as Heart of Midlothian manager this summer, not only to bring a few more players to the club but to prevent the good ones he has at his disposal from leaving.

Winger Josh Ginnelly was one of their bright sparks last term, registering 20 goal contributions – 13 goals and seven assists – across all competitions has been offered a new contract by the Tynecastle outfit, however, they are waiting on a response.

Three Championship clubs have reportedly offered him a contract and Maccabi Haifa also hold an interest in the player.

Keeping him could prove decisive to their chances of qualifying for the Europa Conference League group stages, which would give the club a monetary boost.

Naismith will also be aiming to rejuvenate some of the players already at Hearts, with defender Craig Halkett hoping to recover soon from his agonising anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered midway through last season, and he isn’t planned to return until the autumn.

Getting him back to full fitness will be the key priority for Naismtih, especially due to his importance to the club.

Could Craig Halkett be a key player for Hearts next season?

Former Tynecastle defender Andy Webster certainly thinks so, saying: “I think they definitely miss Craig Halkett when he doesn't play. I think he's a big player for Hearts.”

Despite missing the vast majority of the campaign due to injury, in the eight matches that he played, Hearts were unbeaten in seven of them, clearly showing how important he is to their defence.

Since joining Hearts from Livingston in 2019, he has played over 100 times while also netting ten goals from centre-back, a solid total and he enjoyed his finest campaign for the club during 2021/22 as they reached the Scottish Cup final and finished third in the Premiership.

Across 28 games, the £3.4k-per-week titan helped his side keep eight clean sheets while winning 6.9 total duels per game – a success rate of 67% – and making 1.1 tackles and 4.5 clearances per game, showcasing his abilities at the heart of their defence.

Indeed, Halkett ranked fourth in the squad for overall rating that season (7.14/10) while also ranking first for accurate passes per game (51.1) and clearances per match, while finishing sixth for tackles made each outing, further indicating just how important he was to the team.

There is no doubt Hearts missed the centre-back during his injury woes as they finished fourth in the league and the onus will be on Naismith to revive him ahead of a crucial campaign and get him back fighting fit.

Leeds United are finally rid of Andrea Radrizzani, and his exit brings hope for a brighter and more sustainable future in Yorkshire for this prestigious club.

Despite being the man to lure Marcelo Bielsa to Elland Road, leading them back to the Premier League, the Italian former chairman made some questionable decisions during his ownership which drew scrutiny from the fans. By placing their home stadium up as security in a bid to buy Sampdoria, he had burned his final bridge.

However, the 49ers were willing buyers of such a staple of English football, with their desire to gain an instant return to the top flight surely high on their list.

This is a task that will not come easy given the diminished allure of their outfit, so perhaps a shrewd acquisition in the mould of a top Championship player could be a more intelligent investment.

Fortunately for the Whites, Bright Osayi-Samuel is one such name who reportedly wants a return to English football after a spell in Turkey. Leeds could give him just that, given their interest.

Who is Bright Osayi-Samuel?

Although he left Queens Park Rangers for Fenerbahce back in 2021, the 25-year-old dynamo remains a highly-rated asset who boasts fine experience in the division.

Given the struggles faced in that right-back spot last term for the Whites, he could mark a top option to make them immediately solid in a position of weakness.

Whilst he has struggled somewhat this year, the Nigeria international did maintain a 6.89 average rating the campaign prior, upheld by an 88% pass accuracy, 75% dribble success rate and 1.3 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

For comparison, Luke Ayling could only muster a 6.60 average rating, somehow outdoing his torrid 6.61 rating from the 2021/22 season.

Having spent two years in Blackpool and a further four in the capital, Osayi-Samuels' experience is vast despite remaining quite young.

Through the words of his former boss too, it is easy to understand why this would be such a masterclass by the 49ers, as he has shown form of shining within the Championship.

Mark Warburton once claimed:

"I thought he was very, very good. If you remember Bristol City away earlier in the season he gave the full-back a torrid time. He's been very good in spells in games but today he was consistent from the first whistle to the 75th minute. I'm not sure many teams have that blistering pace. As long as he knows how to use it and that's the key for him learning the game."

He continued:

"He's working so hard. He's got that sheer pace which terrifies defenders and when he uses it wisely like he did today he looks a real handful. Today he was outstanding and deserved the applause."

The £15k-per-week whiz clearlt has all the attributes of an electrifying winger, but the added intelligence to defend staunchly now.

He could utilise all these skills to return to England and help reinstate Leeds into the Premier League, marking a true transfer coup to help them cruise out of this division.

Newcastle United could be set for another summer of spending to bolster their impressive squad after securing Champions League football next season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Tino Livramento?

According to The NUFC Blog, Newcastle are plotting a move for Southampton star Valentino Livramento this summer.

As per the report, the club's hierarchy have been in contact with representatives of the talented full-back and are also interested in his teammate Armel Bella-Kotchap.

Livramento is represented by the same football agency – Wasserman – as Eddie Howe and Newcastle stalwart Ryan Fraser, so it is claimed that clear lines of communication have been made in pursuit of the player.

Would Livramento be a good signing for Newcastle?

It is no secret that Howe is a big believer in nurturing young English talent, something he proved during his tenure at Bournemouth and has started to implement in his current team with England U21s international Anthony Gordon the latest to join the fold at St James' Park.

As a result, the signing of Livramento – who has a reported price tag of £40m – would make perfect sense for the Magpies manager and could even be the rightful heir to Kieran Trippier's huge role in the team.

Unfortunately, the 20-year-old – hailed a "great talent" by former Spurs ace Ledley King – suffered an ACL injury in April 2022 but did manage to return to the final two games of the season when Southampton had already confirmed relegation from the Premier League.

The rising star – who graduated from Chelsea's famous Cobham academy – played a key role in his breakout season with Saints over his 28 top-flight appearances, scoring one goal, registering one assist and creating four big chances, as well as averaging 1.7 interceptions, 1.9 tackles, 1.1 successful dribbles and 5.1 duels won per game, proving that when fit he is a consistent all-rounder on the right flank.

Indeed, the youngster is unlikely to come in and steal the starting spot from Trippier next season if he was to join the club this summer, however, with the England international now 32 years old and Livramento easing his way back into football after a horrific injury it could be the perfect opportunity to bring in an understudy who already has huge potential and top-flight experience.

With that being said, there is no doubt that Livramento would be a fantastic signing for the Magpies this summer and would give them a ready-made Trippier heir who can develop his craft and learn from one of the most experienced right-backs in the league to fulfil his true potential.

Aston Villa have been linked to a La Liga ace, in a signing that could bolster Unai Emery’s midfield this summer.

The Spaniard has enjoyed an emphatic first season at Villa Park, however, is on the path to exceed further expectations, having secured the club European football next campaign.

From Marco Asensio to Pau Torres, the Midlands outfit has been rumoured to be a potential new home for an array of stars in the Spanish top division, with the latest rumoured target following suit.

What’s the latest on Andre Almeida to Aston Villa?

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this month that the Valencia midfielder, Andre Almeida, has 'caught the attention' of Aston Villa.

The Portuguese midfielder is also rated by Brighton, with the struggling Spanish giants aiming to free up finances this summer to reinforce other areas of the squad.

The report claims the 23-year-old could be sold for a figure around €30m (£26m) after shining in what has been an abysmal season for Los Che.

What could Andre Almeida bring to Aston Villa?

Despite being part of a Valencia side still mildly threatened by relegation from the Spanish top tier, Almeida has settled into his surroundings impressively since signing from Vitoria Guimaraes last summer.

Likened to Newcastle United ace Bruno Guimaraes by FBref, the defensive midfielder enjoys a battle in the engine room, as well as being a strong distributor of the ball and competent in transitioning play.

Such strengths are supported by his numbers, with the 23-year-old “talented” gem – as per scout Antonio Mango – averaging 2.42 tackles per 90 minutes, as well as flexing his ability in moving the ball in averaging 7.11 progressive passes and 2.64 progressive carries per 90.

In La Liga this season, the Portuguese ace has maintained an accurate passing rate of 85%, and has secured four assists, showcasing his competency as a ball-playing midfielder – as per Sofascore.

The youngster could be a strong addition for Emery to introduce to his midfield, and could prove to be a perfect pairing for Boubacar Kamara, who has had his game time limited since arriving due to injury.

The Frenchman, like Almeida is a strong asset to have in deep midfield, branded as a “monster” by Villa pundit Ty Bracey, the 2022 signing showcases a more combative side to the art of the defensive role, which could balance the attacking expertise of the Portuguese.

While the Valencia star’s numbers are more influential in progressive play, Kamara is better defensively, averaging 2.94 tackles per 90 to his 2.42, as well as ranking in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for blocks per 90, with 1.92 – as per FBref.

Having a midfield pivot of two defensively competent players with one ball player is a combination for the ages, and one that has been successful throughout the history of the Premier League.

Take Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri for Manchester City this season, and Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka for Arsenal, both duos are powerhouses in retrieving the ball, with one individual in each partnership excelling in playing the ball.

While Douglas Luiz’s position in Emery’s midfield is paramount, competition could allow the Spaniard to exercise what his best formation and combination in the middle of the park may be, making Almeida a strong contender this summer.

Leeds United suffered relegation down to the Championship last week as they finished 19th in the Premier League table with a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day.

The Whites are now braced for a summer of change, as they remain without a manager following Sam Allardyce's exit, and that could include plenty of movement in the playing squad.

One player who could be on his way out of Elland Road is central midfielder Marc Roca, who arrived at the club from German giants Bayern Munich last summer.

The Athletic's Phil Hay has reported that an exit is 'likely' for the 26-year-old and that he could make a return to Spain, where LaLiga outfit Real Betis have been credited with an interest in his services.

Who could replace Marc Roca at Leeds?

U21 midfielder Lewis Bate, who has been out on loan at Oxford United in League One, could make the step up to replace the Spaniard next season.

The 20-year-old, who has played four first-team matches for the club, offers similar attributes to Roca in the middle of the park as he has the ability to create chances for his teammates from a central midfield position and has the defensive awareness to make interventions at the back on a regular basis.

In League One, the youngster averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.84 across 28 appearances and made 1.1 key passes and two tackles and interceptions per game for his side.

Roca, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.81 in the Premier League across 32 matches and made 2.7 tackles and interceptions and one key pass per outing for Leeds.

This suggests that the pair, who both averaged between 79 and 80% pass accuracy in their respective divisions, are both combative midfielders who can also put their foot on the ball and use their quality to find teammates in attacking positions in order to create goalscoring opportunities.

Recruitment analyst and U18 specialist Connor Rowden claimed that Bate's ability to "control" games is "unparalleled" amongst his peers and this suggests that the academy gem could excel in the Championship in games that Leeds are expected to dominate in as teams potentially sit back in low blocks in an attempt to counter-attack against a side that was just in the top-flight.

He could use his ball-playing quality to wear down teams by rotating possession and shifting the opposition from side to side before utilising his creativity to play a killer ball to find a teammate in the final third.

The former Chelsea starlet's creative statistics in the third tier this season indicate that he has been able to translate his skills from youth level over to senior football and Leeds must now hand him an opportunity to showcase his talent in the second tier in 2023/24 after a full year of development under his belt.

Bate, based on his solid form for Oxford this term, could make the step up and save the club millions by coming in as a direct replacement for Roca, assuming the Spaniard does depart the Yorkshire side this summer.