All posts by z3u9t.icu

Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun will be "keen to leave" this summer if the club don't guarantee him first team opportunities, according to reports.

What's the latest news on Balogun?

The 21-year-old is currently attracting a lot of serious interest from clubs abroad as reliable journalist David Ornstein shared recently. Indeed, the player's future could be a big topic for Arsenal this summer and Ornstein has reported that they face a big decision.

Balogun's contract expires in just over two years, giving Mikel Arteta's side a dilemma over whether to sell this year or implement him into the first team – as it is currently very unlikely he will extend his contract with the club.

Currently on loan at Reims in Ligue 1, the forward has absolutely dazzled under Will Still, prompting some of the continent's best sides to take note of his exploits.

It has been reported that AC Milan, Inter, Marseille, Monaco and RB Leipzig are just some of the elite sides eyeing a move for Balogun.

Now, 90min has weighed in with their own update, as it appears the England Under-21 international is set to give Arsenal an ultimatum upon his return to north London.

Indeed, it is now believed that he will be 'keen to leave' the club permanently if Arsenal don't guarantee him first-team minutes. Balogun is apparently due to hold 'crunch talks' with the club over his future, Another loan move has been ruled out by the striker's entourage, meaning his potential exit will be a permanent one.

90min adds that RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Union Berlin, Nice, Lyon, Villarreal and Sevilla are all taking an interest in Balogun – and he is just as popular in the Premier League.

Brentford, Leicester City, Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace are all keeping tabs on the exciting youngster, with the Bees particularly seeing him as an alternative to Ivan Toney – who faces a lengthy ban due to the betting charges against him.

What should Arsenal do with Balogun?

We believe the solution is obvious – the Gunners should guarantee Balogun first-team minutes next season.

As we've already seen with defender William Saliba, it is entirely possible for returning loanees from France to make an immediate impact in Arteta's first team.

Called 'incredible' for his form by Arteta, Balogun has been quite simply scintillating in front of goal – scoring 18 in 26 top-flight starts.

He's also attempted an impressive 3.3 shots at goal per 90, more than any Gunners forward in England – making you wonder what exactly is stopping him from breaking through.

Losing such a highly talented player would be a real shame and we believe his best place next season is at The Emirates.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is preparing to bolster the ranks this summer with European qualification on the cards, and Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram has been earmarked.

What's the latest on Marcus Thuram to Newcastle?

According to The Telegraph, Frenchman Thuram is among the names the Magpies recruitment department are considering when assessing the optimum strategy to take across the forthcoming months.

With the 27-year-old's contract in Germany set for expiry in a matter of months, there have been a whole host of outfits vying for his name, with the Toon joined in their intrigue by the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.

The ten-cap France international has been of interest to technical director Dan Ashworth for some time now, with 90min's Graeme Bailey stating that Newcastle were "very keen" on a move before the winter transfer window.

Who could Thuram replace at Newcastle?

Thuram was beset with injury woes for much of last campaign, plundering only three goals from 23 matches as his travails were compounded by an inability to harness the requisite fitness for success.

This year, the 25-year-old has enjoyed far more fruitful fortunes, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists from 30 matches across the German Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, with journalist Raj Chohan hailing him as "clinical" for his frontal feats.

After blitzing into life in the early phase of the campaign, scoring ten goals from 15 league clashes before the season paused for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Thuram has discernibly slowed the pace as the season has continued, though this is somewhat to be expected given the din of the speculation surrounding his future and the knowledge that his time at BORUSSIA-PARK draws to a close.

Described as a "goalscoring monster" for his offensive prowess by sports writer Robin Bairner, the £54k-per-week menace also ranks among the top 9% of forwards across Europe's big five leagues for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, which illustrates his knack at pushing the ball up-field and driving at defenders to bypass opposition lines.

If Howe and Ashworth succeed in swiping him up on a free, he could even be the heir to Callum Wilson's role in the Toon team, with the 31-year-old striker's contract up at the end of next season.

Wilson has scored 15 goals from just 27 matches this season, including only 18 starts, and ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe for rate of goals per 90, though he doesn't rank very highly across the majority of non-goalscoring metrics, illustrating his poaching demeanour on the pitch.

Thuram boasts youth and energy where Wilson does not, and could be a "world-class" – as once heralded by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer – acquisition for St. James's Park, especially considering that qualifying for Europe comes with a startling increase in match action.

With the winds changing on Tyneside, Howe must act with conviction to sign a worthy successor to embody the ascension that shows little sign of slowing down.

Leeds United have had to readjust their managerial expectations following the supposed failure to land Brendan Rodgers, but one man on their shortlist could actually pose a surprise upgrade.

What's the latest on Carlos Corberan to Leeds United?

In a report outlined by The Guardian, there is a showcase of other names that the 49ers will seek to interview in the coming weeks.

One particular head coach stands out, as the West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan not only has prior history at Elland Road but has shone in the Championship of late.

Whilst their prime target seems set to return to Celtic, this Spaniard offers a more than viable alternative, one that is arguably better suited to their current plight and therefore an improvement on the Northern Irishman.

Is Carlos Corberan better than Brendan Rodgers?

Whilst Rodgers has spent time at the level the Whites find themselves at, it has not been since 2011 when he guided Swansea City into the Premier League. Ever since then his path has been at a much higher level, and the belief he is above stepping back down should present an almighty red flag for the west Yorkshire outfit.

Meanwhile, Corberan is shining in his second role in the division, having first taken an unlikely Huddersfield Town side into the playoffs, only to lose to eventual winners Nottingham Forest.

His work at the Hawthorns has arguably been at a similar level, having masterminded the turnaround from relegation candidates under Steve Bruce to true promotion chasers last term. \

During his 33 games in charge of the Baggies, he maintains a 1.70 points-per-match average, having won 17 and conceded just 37 goals, via Transfermarkt.

In fact, across all of his matches in the Championship, he boasts 51 wins from 122 games (41.8%).

For comparison, Rodgers only maintained a 1.49 points-per-game average during his spell in the second division, just below the 1.50 of Corberan.

To acquire the 40-year-old gem would also be to invest in a coach brimming with fresh ideas, able to lead the club into a brighter future. He would join already in great form, whilst Rodgers was dismissed just before his Foxes side succumbed to the drop.

In an effort to emphasise the revolutionary ideals of the ex-Olympiacos boss, former Whites starlet Romario Vieira told The Athletic exactly what made him such a special tactician:

"In six months with him. I developed 10 times more than in my first year. The way he wanted us to play, everyone was like, ‘This guy’s crazy’.

“He was always insisting on it. Even though we weren’t getting it right, we were always doing it and when we started to get it right, that’s when everything clicked. I was, like, ‘This guy’s a genius’."

Whilst Rodgers also occupies that same 4-2-3-1 style as his potential alternative, it could be argued that the minor details between their philosophies obviously have huge repercussions on the respective form of their sides.

One of these two coaches is slowly building a platform for unlimited managerial success, whilst the other is returning to an old job out of comfort following a disappointing spell and sacking.

The 49ers might have failed in their first pursuit, but it could prove a stroke of fortune should they manage to tempt this fine substitute, who will know too well what it's like to be at Elland Road, making him a fine, fine upgrade for the club.

Aston Villa have reached an "agreement" to bring Villarreal defender Pau Torres to the Premier League, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

Is Pau Torres joining Aston Villa?

Quique Setien’s academy graduate will be out of contract at the end of next season meaning that the ongoing transfer window is his club’s final opportunity to cash in should they not want to lose him for free, and 90min have claimed that he’s told them that he’s ready to leave.

The Yellow Submarines centre-back has reportedly been made a top target by the Midlands outfit with Unai Emery a “big fan” of the 26-year-old having managed him for 105 appearances during his time in his homeland.

The La Liga star’s deal has a £55m release clause included but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that NSWE and Monchi will pay "way less" than that, and if the following update is anything to go by, the conditions of the deal have already been addressed.

Taking to Twitter, Ornstein revealed that Aston Villa have finalised a deal for Torres with the defender having given the green-light to complete a summer move to the Midlands. He wrote:

"Aston Villa have now reached an agreement with Villarreal to sign centre-back Pau Torres. Personal terms are also in place for 26yo Spain international defender to join in what’s another big coup for #AVFC + manager Unai Emery."

Is Torres a good signing for Villa?

Aston Villa will already be aware of what Torres is capable of due to Emery’s existing connection to the centre-back, and having also been dubbed an “extraordinary talent” by his former coach Javier Calleja, he would be a fantastic acquisition for the boss.

The Spain international averaged 4.1 clearances, 1.7 aerial wins and 1.3 tackles per league game last season, via WhoScored, so is a real rock at the heart of the backline, but he also likes to push his team as high up the pitch as possible having ranked in the 99th percentile for most progressive carries by centre-backs.

Torres, who stands at a staggering 6 foot 2, also knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the level that the Villans are looking to achieve having previously won the Europa League back in 2020/21, so he could inspire the rest of the squad to give it their all on the bigger stage next season in their first campaign in the Conference League.

There has been an update in Arsenal's pursuit of Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya, with the Gunners seemingly closing in on the signing of the contract rebel…

How much is David Raya worth?

As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the north London outfit having seemingly moved a step closer to sealing a move after agreeing personal terms with the 27-year-old, with the Spaniard seemingly destined for an exit with just a year left on his existing deal in west London.

Writing on Twitter, the respected insider stated: "Understand David Raya has reached an agreement in principle with Arsenal on personal terms. Brentford have been informed by player side that he wants to join Arsenal — and talks between clubs over formula/price are now expected to accelerate."

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

This claim has also been supported by the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella, who revealed that the ex-Blackburn Rovers stopper – who is valued at around €20m (£17m), according to CIES Football Observatory – is set to command a fee of £40m.

Is Raya better than Ramsdale?

While that figure may appear rather steep for a player who is approaching the end of his current contract, there is an argument to be made that the Barcelona-born ace could represent a big upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale at the Emirates, with Raya having been branded a "better keeper" by talkSPORT pundit, Gabby Agbonlahor.

Although Ramsdale was crucial in the Gunners' attempted push for the Premier League title last season – having been branded "phenomenal" by club legend David Seaman – the England international did endure something of a rough patch in the latter stages of the campaign.

Despite his heroics away at Anfield in April – in which he was "fantastic" according to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville – the 24-year-old was culpable after conceding a goal inside 27 seconds in the 3-3 draw to bottom side Southampton, having been punished amid his attempt to play out from the back.

That had come after the former Sheffield United man had also failed to keep out Jarrod Bowen's equaliser in the 2-2 draw with West Ham United, with Jamie Carragher stating on commentary at the time that Ramsdale would be "disappointed" not to have kept the attempt out.

Those woes have continued on pre-season as the one-time Bournemouth 'keeper also failed to save Bruno Fernandes' long-range effort against rivals Manchester United, while he 'could arguably have done better' for Jadon Sancho's subsequent strike, according to football.london's Kaya Kaynak.

To then oust Ramsdale from his starting berth with a player who made the most saves in the division last season in the form of Raya could be a wise move, with the Bees ace having also been hailed as "top class" and "one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League" by pundit, Michael Owen (Premier League Productions, 06/03/2023, 19:35).

Raya's notable strength appears to be his ease at playing out from the back as he ranks in the top 6% among his European peers for touches made, while the current Arsenal man, by contrast, ranks in just the bottom 12% in that regard.

Crucially, however, the Gunners target is also adept at keeping the ball out of the net as he ranks in the top 8% with regard to save percentage and in the top 7% for crosses stopped as a sign of his ability to dominate his area, while Ramsdale ranks in just the top 23% and the top 50% for those same two metrics, respectively.

With Raya also a master at racing off his line to sniff out danger, as he ranks in the top 20% for defensive actions outside of the penalty area – in contrast to Ramsdale (top 40%) – it may be that the one-time Southport loanee is set to be more than just a quality backup option next season.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool are still in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer and the player will soon make a decision on his future.

What's the latest on Jude Bellingham and Liverpool?

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been touted as a long-term target for some time now but it remains unclear if he will end up at the Reds.

After all, there is fierce competition for his signature with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City also tipped as possible destinations with Liverpool supposedly no longer favourites to land the 19-year-old.

However, despite those reports, Romano insisted that Jurgen Klopp and co will push for the player "until the end".

When speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalist began (0:50): Liverpool will try until the end, we had reports of Liverpool almost out of the race for Bellingham. But what I can tell you is that Liverpool will insist until the end because they know it's up to the player, he has to decide. And so Liverpool are still in the race.

Before adding that a decision will soon be made by the player's camp (1:11): “So the race is open, but from what I understand, Jude Bellingham will now enter into important days to make his decision.

"He's going to speak to his family of course to his father Mark, who's taking care of the negotiation, then there will be a discussion also between Borussia Dortmund and Bellingham side to decide about the future.

"But important days are coming internally in Bellingham's camp, so into his family, to make a final decision on the future project he wants to pick.

" So this is a really important part of the story for Jude Bellingham. So get ready because April could be a really important month to understand more about Jude Bellingham's future."

Will Bellingham join Liverpool?

Whoever signs Bellingham will have to spend a small fortune on the Englishman. Indeed, as per a report in The Sun from last January, around £100m upfront will have to be paid – on top of wages in the region of £300k-p/w.

After he starred for the Three Lions at the World Cup, it's little wonder so many top clubs are after the teen.

Premier League legend Alan Shearer praised Bellingham for his efforts in Qatar, saying on BBC Sport (via Daily Mail): "He has some engine on him and his energy is incredible from the first to the last minute. He is the one trying to get up there and drive England forward."

While Rio Ferdinand added: "Equally comfortable receiving the ball on the backfoot here as he is here in the number ten spot. I don't quite know at the moment what he is going to be. Is he going to be another Steven Gerrard, [Frank] Lampard type or maybe a defensive midfielder?"

Those Gerrard comparisons will certainly have Liverpool fans excited and it sounds as though they could yet land the talented midfielder.

Newcastle United are keen on signing Enzo Le Fee, and the midfielder has now confirmed he wants to leave FC Lorient in the summer, as reported by 90min.

Who will Enzo Le Fee join this summer?

Le Fee has been linked with a move away from Lorient for quite some time, with it being reported back in November that Leicester City were following the midfielder closely, however they were not the only Premier League club interested in his services.

Newcastle were named as potential suitors in the same report, while West Ham United and Fulham are also said to have scouted the Frenchman, with Borussia Dortmund and Lazio headlining the interest from abroad.

Now, a more recent report from 90min claims that the Magpies are still admirers of the 23-year-old, with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also joining the race for his signature. In what comes as a boost to every side interested in the Lorient star, he has expressed his desire to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer, saying:

"I have a special bond with the club and that's why I wanted to extend my contract at the start of the season. I waited for a contract offer from Lorient until December. It never came. Now, I don't expect anything from the club and I won't extend my contract. I hope to leave this summer so that my transfer will bring money to Lorient."

Would Enzo Le Fee be a good signing for Newcastle?

Hailed as "superb" by football scout Jacek Kulig, the maestro has been very impressive over the course of the past year, ranking in the 89th percentile for assists, and the 97th percentile for successful take-ons per 90, highlighting the threat he poses on the front foot.

Not only that, but the playmaker is well-drilled in the defensive side of the game, particularly specialising in his tackling ability, averaging 3.17 tackles per 90, in the 95th percentile, a big improvement on the amount recorded by Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff in the same time frame.

The £12k-per-week earner has weighed in with an average match rating of 7.27 in Ligue 1 this season, a higher figure than any Newcastle midfielder, which again indicates he could be a real upgrade to Howe's midfield.

As such, the Magpies should move swiftly to ensure they win the race for Le Fee, amid growing interest from some of the Premier League's top clubs.

Chelsea have made contact with Mauricio Pochettino regarding taking over at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Potter under pressure

The Telegraph’s Matt Law has claimed that Graham Potter could be sacked should he not pick up results over the next two games, with the 51-year-old Argentine allegedly on the list of potential successors.

The former Spurs boss reportedly actually turned down an approach from Todd Boehly despite being keen on a return to the Premier League, but an update has now emerged to the contrary.

The Latest: Chelsea hold talks

According to Football Insider, Chelsea have ‘made contact’ with Pochettino as they consider a change in the dugout.

The Blues have ‘spoken’ to the out-of-work boss, and it’s now believed that he would be ‘interested’ in accepting the job should it become available, in what FI’s report describes as a ‘twist’.

Talks ‘at this point’ haven’t yet turned into anything more serious, but with him still owning a home in London, this could be one to watch.

The Verdict: Perfect candidate

Pochettino has been dubbed a ‘world-class’ manager by pundit Jamie O’Hara and he would be the perfect candidate for Chelsea.

The Murphy native will already be used to the style of play in England from his time at Tottenham, where he won 160, drew 60 and lost just 73 of his 293 games in charge.

Spurs’ former coach has a preferred 4-3-3 attacking formation and knows what it takes to be successful at a club with huge expectations like the Blues, having secured three trophies during his spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

Pochettino is also currently a free agent so the Stamford Bridge higher-ups wouldn’t have to pay any compensation to secure his services, making this a move suitable for both parties.

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League standings after a resounding 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners were in a rampant mood as they stuck four goals past a managerless Eagles outfit, who just days ago sacked Patrick Vieira, with Bukayo Saka (two), Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli all finding the net.

It was the first time that the north London giants took the field following their exit from the Europa League and they certainly put that result behind them.

The defeat to Sporting CP in midweek also saw a couple of worrisome injuries emerge, with William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu both missing this encounter, though in their absence, Rob Holding stepped up to prove all his doubters wrong…

How did Rob Holding play against Palace?

The prospect of the forgotten centre-back starting for the foreseeable future made several Arsenal fans worry about the title race, with some viewing the Englishman as not being up to the standard required.

However, he was arguably one of the better players on the pitch for Mikel Arteta, particularly in the first half.

By the full-time whistle, he was the only starting defender to still be on the pitch as the Spaniard tinkered with his options, likely planning for future inconveniences and affording some rest to his regular starters, with Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior earning minutes.

The £40k-per-week titan was heavily involved throughout the 90 minutes, registering the second-highest number of touches (87), in which he delivered 64 accurate passes, including 100% of his five long balls finding an Arsenal shirt, via Sofascore.

He also won a whopping 11 duels, made five clearances and put in two successful tackles, helping thwart the threat on offer from Wilfried Zaha, who on his day can be a major threat to any backline.

"Rob Holding been solid in heart of defence so far," noted Evening Standard journalist Simon Collings at the break, whilst former Hale End graduate Nico Yennaris also gave the 27-year-old – who cost Arsene Wenger just £2m from Bolton in 2016 – his flowers on Twitter.

Although few endorsements were as glowing as the one from NBC Sports lead Joe Prince-Wright, who said: "Rob Holding doing his best Virgil van Dijk impression so far. Some majestic passes out of the back."

Given the stick that Holding received before he even stepped out on the Emirates turf on Sunday afternoon, his performance would've surely shut up a few doubters and just maybe, the 6 foot 2 colossus can have a big say in the title race in the coming weeks, if not months.

Gianluca Scamacca’s time at West Ham United was a disaster.

There are still many question marks shrouding the signing.

Firstly, the transfer strategy of the hierarchy to pinpoint the Italian as the preferred target, when his style dramatically contrasts what David Moyes was trying to achieve.

Secondly, the striker's own obvious lack of motivation or willingness to adapt, eventually lead to his career in east London petering out into irrelevancy.

This summer, the Irons have massively strengthened the midfield with Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse and added Konstantinos Mavropanos to the defence.

The final piece of their window is the striker and a new name has emerged as a possible target…

What’s the latest West Ham United transfer news?

According to the Guardian, West Ham are looking to add some attacking reinforcements, with Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and free agent Jesse Lingard tipped to join the London Stadium.

But, as per the Daily Mail, a lesser-known figure by the name of Georges Mikautadze, is also under consideration for the Irons.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

The forward could possibly be available for around £8.5m this summer and a move to the Premier League could be his chance to formally announce himself to European football.

Currently, Moyes’ striking options consist of the veteran Michail Antonio, the influential Danny Ings, and the young Divin Mubama, so there is definitely an opportunity for Mikautadze to shine.

Who is Georges Mikautadze?

The 5 foot 9 phenom signed his first professional contract with Metz in 2019 and joined Belgian First Division side Seraing on loan – across two seasons and 57 appearances, he registered 40 goal contributions and in the summer of 2022, he returned to France looking to prove a point.

In the 2022/23 campaign, the former Lyon academy graduate recorded 31 goal involvements in Ligue 2, which meant he was named the League’s best player and top-scorer as his side secured promotion.

In the first two games of the current Ligue 1 season, Mikautadze has scored once and crafted an assist, with his manager Laszlo Bolini showering the youngster with praise, calling him a “deadly striker.”

After looking at the manner in which the 16-cap international has excelled at his previous clubs, it would be worth West Ham opting to take a punt on his potential.

It would be difficult for Mikautadze to perform worse than Scamacca in east London.

Over the past 365, ranked against his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the Italian sits within the lowest 15% for non-penalty xG per 90, touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, and assists per 90, as well as the bottom 49% for shot-creating actions per 90 and progressive passes per 90.

This is a damning indictment of his inability to contribute towards offensive sequences or get on the end of chances.

Antonio alluded to the fact that Scamacca wasn’t a good fit for West Ham and said:

"The problem is, he can’t play the way the gaffer plays. He needs a different type of manager to play his type of football, [one who can] have other players play off him and stuff like that.”

Therefore, the £14k-per-week gem deserves a chance and he could continue his excellent form in the Claret and Blue of the London Stadium.