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They might not have the trophies to show for it at the moment, but this Arsenal team are stacked with sensational players.

One of the most impressive is undoubtedly Bukayo Saka, who has taken on the role of club talisman and has become an output machine in recent seasons.

Likewise, Gabriel Magalhaes has developed from a player often labelled as error-prone to one of the most reliable in the squad and someone who knows exactly how to throw his weight around.

So, fans should be delighted that Arsenal are close to signing a player who embodies some of the best qualities of both.

Arsenal close in on game-changing signing

It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that, in terms of signings, this has been one of the most exciting summers Arsenal fans have had for quite some time.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, the highly-sought-after Martin Zubimendi has finally been announced, alongside the squad-bolstering acquisitions of Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Additionally, the promising Cristhian Mosquera and potentially great Noni Madueke have already undergone their medicals, and the links to Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze persist.

However, there is still one more player, perhaps the most important of them all, yet to be officially secured, although that might be about to change.

At least that’s according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has confirmed that Arsenal are nearing the final stages of their negotiations to sign Viktor Gyokeres.

The Italian journalist stated the following: “The conversation is still ongoing in London. The agents of the player are still in London to try resolve the agreement between all parties involved.

“Gyokeres is fighting to go to Arsenal. But obviously it’s really important to agree on the add-ons. They are really on it on every single hour, every single minute – Arsenal and Sporting are working on this deal.”

While we will have to wait and see what the overall package comes to, reports elsewhere have made it clear that the base fee will be around £55m, which seems like a fair price for a player of his calibre, especially as he could be described as a hybrid of Saka and Gabriel.

Why Gyokeres is a Saka & Gabriel Hybrid

Okay, we know this might sound a little out there to start with, but hear us out, as even though Gyokeres plays in a different position to both players and has some key differences, he also shares some unmistakable similarities.

Starting with Gabriel, for example, the former Coventry City star is a behemoth of a player, and while he might not have the heading ability of the Brazilian, he can certainly use his physique as a size advantage in the same way.

Don’t just take our word for it though, as The Athletic’s Thom Harris referred to the Swedish international as ‘a battering ram of a striker’ earlier this month, and you only need to look at the way he holds off defenders or simply barges past them in any of his numerous goal compilations.

In fact, while he couldn’t finish at the end, the 27-year-old demonstrated his brute strength against the Gunners in the Champions League last season, when he rode the challenges of both Gabriel and William Saliba to get into the penalty area.

Finally, he also has the mentality to match, with reports earlier in the window claiming that he was willing to give up millions to force this move and get the chance to win things at Arsenal.

This is also arguably something he shares with Saka, but the most significant aspect of his game that makes him similar to the Englishman is his output and willingness to put a team on his back.

For example, in 52 appearances last season, totalling 4248 minutes, the free-scoring “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, put the ball in the back of the net 54 times and provided 13 assists.

In other words, the Stockholm-born machine averaged 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes and was unsurprisingly his team’s most productive player.

While the Hale Ender wasn’t quite as prolific, he was still unreal in the games he played last season, racking up 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2619 minutes.

That means the mercurial number seven averaged a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or every 100.73 minutes, and was the club’s most productive player, despite missing over three months of the campaign.

Just imagine how dangerous the Gunners could be next season with the two game-changers playing alongside one another.

Ultimately, it won’t be cheap, but Arsenal appear to be onto a winner with Gyokeres, and the fact that he embodies the best aspects of Saka and Gabriel is proof of that.

Arteta's new Xhaka: Arsenal hold talks to sign "monster" £30m CM

The impressive midfielder could add some extra bit to Arsenal this summer.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 17, 2025

Tottenham star Mathys Tel has revealed his disappointment at been omitted from the club's Champions League squad by manager Thomas Frank.

• Tel not included on final list for European campaign
• Admits the decision is tough to take
• Thomas Frank called him to tell him the bad news

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tottenham splashed out £30 million (€35m) to make Tel's move to the club permanent this summer following a loan spell from Bayern Munich. However, the forward will not be part of Tottenham's Champions League squad for 2025-26 after being left out by Frank. The new boss was left in a difficult position due to the lack of homegrown squad members in his squad at north London and also omitted injured star James Maddison from his list along with Kota Takai and Yves Bissouma.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Frank did include Randal Kolo Muani, following his deadline-day move from PSG on loan, but subsequently had to break the bad news to Tel. The French star has now revealed the conversation he had with his manager and admits is was painful to hear the news.

• WHAT TEL SAID

  He told Le Telegramme: "It's clear that when you're not on a list, it definitely hurts, but I'm someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I've worked a lot on the mental aspect, so today it's definitely a disappointment, I would have liked to be there. But the coach's choice is the coach's choice, we can only respect it and we're going to work to come back in the best possible way."

  Tel was also asked how Frank told him about his omission and added: "Quite simply, with respect. He called me, he simply told me his choice and then you could see the list appear on the networks."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TEL?

  Tel is currently with the France Under-21 team due to face Serbia on Monday. He will then return to Spurs and look forward to a Premier League clash against West Ham on Saturday. Tottenham's first Champions League game of the season is against Villarreal on September 16th.

Adrien Rabiot has opened up on his relationship with Jonathan Rowe after a fight between the pair resulted in them being sold by Marseille.

• Milan signed Rabiot from Marseille
• Insists friendship with Rowe unaffected despite bust-up
• Frenchman could debut for the Rossoneri against Bologna

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Milan completed the signing of Rabiot from Marseille for €10 million (£8m/$11m), including bonuses, handing the ex-Juventus a three-year deal. The move came after Rabiot was frozen out in Marseille, having been banished to the transfer list following a dressing room altercation with Rowe after a 1-0 defeat to Rennes. Rowe has since left for Bologna, setting up a quick reunion between the pair in Serie A.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The transfer reunites Rabiot with Max Allegri, under whom he thrived at Juve. For Milan, the deal represents a chance to add experience and versatility to their midfield, especially as they aim to push Inter, Napoli and Juventus in the Serie A title race and make progress in Europe. The Rabiot-Rowe spat, while sensational at the time, is unlikely to overshadow the Frenchman’s fresh start at San Siro, with both players now in Italy and facing each other directly.

• WHAT ADRIEN RABIOT SAID

  Speaking at his official Milan unveiling, the 30-year-old downplayed the incident with Rowe and insisted there was no bad blood between them: "There's nothing special with him. We texted each other after he went to Bologna and I went to Milan. We'll see each other on Sunday at San Siro; it'll be nice to see him. He's a good guy. What happened in Marseille is something that could happen anywhere; it hasn't changed our relationship. I'll be happy to see him, and he will be too."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RABIOT?

  Rabiot is in line to make his debut this weekend when Milan host Bologna at San Siro, where he will come face-to-face with Rowe once again. All eyes will be on how the midfielder settles back under Allegri, and whether the reunion adds extra spice to what could be a heated fixture.

Glasgow Rangers booked their place in the next round of Champions League qualifiers after a 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos in Greece on Wednesday night.

The Light Blues rode their luck at times before they eventually went 1-0 down in the 53rd minute, only for substitute Djeidi Gassama to score his second goal in as many games for the club just seven minutes later.

Whilst it was another positive result for the Gers, who beat the Greek side 2-0 at Ibrox last week, there were some concerning moments and performances on the pitch for Russell Martin’s side.

The team news was met with some surprise as Gassama was initially left on the bench again and Kieran Dowell was selected from the start, and the former Norwich man failed to justify the manager’s continued faith in him.

Why Rangers should drop Kieran Dowell

With the Gers travelling to Motherwell for the opening game of the Scottish Premiership season on Saturday, Martin must drop the English winger from the XI.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe

Dowell started the first leg against Panathinaikos at Ibrox last week, on the right wing, and produced zero shots on target and zero key passes in 75 minutes before being taken off, whilst he also missed a ‘big chance’.

This time around, the Everton academy graduate had zero shots on goal and created zero chances in 74 minutes on the pitch on the right wing, which shows that he was equally as ineffective.

This is why Dowell, who has not offered any threat in front of goal as a scorer or a creator, should be dropped for the clash with Motherwell, but he is not the only player who should face the axe.

Why Rangers should drop Max Aarons

Summer signing Max Aarons was selected at left-back once again and looked too uncomfortable away from his favoured position at right-back for most of the match, before switching to the right for the last 17 minutes.

The former Norwich man, who was handed a 4/10 player rating by The Scotsman, made an almost costly error early on in the match when he failed to deal with a through ball and allowed their forward to race clear on goal, only for Jack Butland to make a vital save.

That mistake seemed to set the tone for Aarons for the rest of the night. He looked hesitant to be aggressive with his defending and looked uncomfortable trying to push forward on his weaker left foot, which is why he was just as bad as the ineffective Dowell.

Jefte came on, replacing Dowell, in the second half, and looked far more comfortable at left-back, as you would expect given that it is his natural position, and should be given the nod over Aarons on Saturday.

As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian defender won more tackles and attempted more crosses in 17 minutes than the Bournemouth loanee managed in 90.

Jefte, as a left-footed player, is more comfortable progressing with the ball to take up crossing positions and more confident at going in for tackles with his left foot, which is why it was not a surprise to see him put up superior statistics in his short time on the pitch.

32 SPFL goals: Rangers could sign "complete" CF who's a dream for Moore

Rangers could land a dream signing for Mikey Moore by swooping for this reported transfer target.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 30, 2025

It is now down to Martin to ruthlessly axe his new signing from the starting XI, unless he plans to drop the captain James Tavernier from right-back, in order to have a natural left-back in the team on that side.

Arsenal are not just after widely-reported top target Eberechi Eze during this final stretch of the summer, as sporting director Andrea Berta looks to end his debut transfer window at the Emirates Stadium with a bang.

Eze is still a hot topic in north London after weeks of links, and there is very much a possibility he does end up sealing his desired move across the capital before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Arsenal remain in dialogue with the England international’s camp, as they have done since June (Fabrizio Romano), and Eze is believed to have also spoken with both Berta and Mikel Arteta directly (Ben Jacobs).

The 27-year-old is also very keen on a move to Arsenal, as reliably reported, so this is definitely one to watch in the coming weeks, as Berta considers adding to their already-impressive contingent of new signings totalling £200 million-plus.

Eze, while a top priority, is joined on Arsenal’s list of late-summer targets by Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

Arsenal made an approach for Jacquet, who only signed a new deal in May, and TEAMtalk report that the 20-year-old is becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the prospect of a move to N5.

Alongside the Frenchman, it is claimed that Blackburn Rovers sensation Igor Tyjon is another one to watch.

The 17-year-old has already made two senior appearances for Blackburn since rising through the ranks, whilst also scoring six goals in 12 appearances for their Under-21s, and he’s seen as a very exciting prospect.

“Igor has been a standout young player since I have been at the football club,” said former Rovers boss John Eustace last year.

“He had a fantastic pre-season. He’s just played for England in the week. I was delighted to give him his debut today. He has worked, very, very hard. He’s a 16-year-old boy and we have to remember that. He is certainly one for the future.”

Arsenal given Blackburn Rovers reply after making second bid for Igor Tyjon

According to The Athletic, Arsenal have already had a bid rejected for the teenager, but Berta has since gone in with another offer.

However, the outcome is the same, with Blackburn snubbing Arsenal’s second bid to sign Tyjon as the Gunners are forced to weigh up a third approach.

The attacking gem is already among Rovers’ youngest ever debutants, and he’s tipped for a very bright future, so it could be worth the effort from Arsenal’s perspective.

“Igor Tyjon became the club’s third-youngest ever player when he came off the bench against Bristol City last month,” said Football League World pundit, Toby Wilding, in late 2024.

“He’s already scoring goals consistently at under-21 level while still only being 16-years-old, and signed a new contract with the club in the summer despite reported interest from Manchester United.

“I think when you look at that progress that he is making and the potential he has, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him more involved with the first team and making an impact in the not too distant future.

“You can understand, with all that in mind, why Blackburn fans are getting rightly excited about him.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed Curtis Jones is expected to be fit for Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton. The midfielder is poised to return after picking up a knock in the Reds’ 1-0 Premier League victory over Arsenal before the international break.

• Jones set to miss Atletico clash

  Jones subsequently missed Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday afternoon and will also be absent when his side take on La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid in their Champions League opener at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

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  Midfielder in line to return against rivals Everton

  However Liverpool boss Slot is now hopeful Jones will return to the fold for the visit of fierce rivals Everton this weekend. Both teams have made strong starts to the season, with Slot’s side having won their opening four league games while David Moyes’ men have lost just once in the same number of games.

• Slot confirms plan for recovering star

  Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atletico, Slot said of Jones: "He will train with the squad tomorrow, hopefully he will be with the squad on Saturday."

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• Jones emerges as key Liverpool figure under Slot's guidance

  Jones has emerged as a key figure under Slot’s stewardship, featuring in Liverpool’s opening three league fixtures against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal in 2025-26. The 24-year-old also made 46 appearances in all competitions for the Merseysiders in 2024-25, scoring three goals.

Manchester United are now in a strong position to win the race for a “fantastic” Carlos Baleba alternative, despite rival interest from Juventus.

Man Utd eyeing Baleba alternatives after halting pursuit

It was always going to be difficult for Man United to lure Baleba to Old Trafford this summer, given that Brighton & Hove Albion were set to hold out for £115m, and Ruben Amorim’s side are now believed to have pulled the plug on the deal.

As a result, the Red Devils have been forced to move on to different targets in central midfield, and a number of exciting options have made their way onto the shortlist.

Amorim knows Morten Hjulmand well, with the United boss working with the midfielder during his time at Sporting, but given the £68m release clause in his contract, a deal could be on the expensive side.

However, according to a report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Man United should be in a strong position to win the race for Hjulmand, despite rival interest from Juventus, as they are less likely to be put off by the huge asking price.

The Italian club, on the other hand, had been hoping to sign the maestro for less than half of Sporting’s asking price, and consider the Portuguese club’s current valuation to be way too high.

Man Utd chiefs convinced they'll win race for "elite" number one stopper

The Red Devils are feeling more than optimistic…

1

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Aug 18, 2025

As such, the Red Devils are better-placed to sign the 26-year-old this summer, and the next few days are said to be crucial, with Juventus standing no chance of winning the race if Amorim’s side decide to launch a formal move.

"Fantastic" Hjulmand impressing for club and country

The Danish midfielder has certainly impressed at international level in recent times, with compatriot Andreas Christensen saying: “Morten has become extremely important to the team. For us in defense, he always offers a passing option and provides a lot of tranquility. He is a fantastic player.”

Christensen is right to point out that passing is one of the central midfielder’s key strengths, as his ability in possession of the ball has regularly been on display for Sporting over the course of the past year.

That said, there are some doubts over whether the Sporting star is a like-for-like alternative to Baleba, given that the Brighton midfielder is arguably more solid defensively, having averaged more tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90 over the past year.

Not only that, but Man United should also be wary of Hjulmand’s huge asking price, as £68m would be a huge sum to pay for a player who is yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues.

FIFA is reportedly unlikely to advance a proposal to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for 2030, despite recommendations from CONMEBOL, South American FA leaders, and several presidents from the continent. The Guardian reports that while FIFA heard the pitch and will share it with stakeholders, there is internal skepticism about the plan.

• 'There’d be too many uncompetitive matches'

  The report quoted a source who stressed that the potential of 128 matches in 2030 and the lack of competitiveness in that expanded format would be costly to FIFA's bottom line, and tough for president Gianni Infantino to push through.

  “Gianni would not get that vote through Council even if he wanted to,” a FIFA source told the Guardian. “The overwhelming feeling around the table – and not just in Europe – is that 64 teams would damage the World Cup. There’d be too many uncompetitive matches, and it would risk damaging the business model.”

  FIFA and CONMEBOL met on Tuesday to discuss the potential expansion, with the South American delegation praising the talks following the meeting following their pitch earlier this year.

  "We believe in a historic 2030 World Cup!" CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez said in a social media post after the meeting. "Thank you, President Gianni Infantino, for welcoming us and sharing this journey toward the centennial of football's greatest celebration. We want to call for unity, creativity, and believing big. Because when football is shared by everyone, the celebration is truly global."

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  The numbers behind a shift

  CONMEBOL would stand to gain the most from another World Cup expansion. The Guardian reported that a source familiar with Tuesday’s discussions said Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina argued they could host the entire group stage.

  A 64-team tournament would allow more than 30 percent of FIFA’s 211 member associations to participate and give all 10 CONMEBOL nations a shot at qualification, compared with just six direct spots next year – plus the potential for an additional inter-confederation playoff place.

  The proposal was first floated at the FIFA Council in April but was met with quick resistance. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin called it a 'bad idea' that would lower tournament quality and weaken qualification, while CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani echoed those sentiment, saying, "They can study all they want, but it just doesn’t feel right.”

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  Other issues at hand

  The Guardian also reported that more European clubs want to be included in the next edition of the expanded Club World Cup, with the new format kicking off last summer. FIFA is considering hosting the tournament every two years and teams are vying for the large prize and appearance money the Club World Cup offers. 

  Proposals for both expanding the Club World Cup and the 2030 World Cup would need to be ratified in a FIFA Council meeting. The next one is next month, but the report notes World Cup expansion is not currently on the agenda. 

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• Looking ahead

  While there's of debate on the future of the World Cup, the upcoming 2026 tournament is getting closer. The draw for the tournament's group stage is set for Dec. 5. 

Leeds United have now been handed the opportunity to hijack a move for a “superb” midfielder, as his move to a rival Premier League club has stalled.

Leeds keen on new attacking midfielder before deadline

With the summer transfer window now winding down, there is still work to do at Elland Road, with Daniel Farke keen on bringing in a new attacking midfielder, and a number of different options have made their way onto the shortlist.

However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has made a poor start to life at Leeds, missing three big chances in the EFL Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, before going on to blaze his penalty over the bar in the shoot-out.

Farke publicly backed Calvert-Lewin after the Englishman’s disastrous debut, saying: “For him, it’s a little bit like a pre-season. I’m happy that he has the chance and I know that a top fit, 100% Calvert-Lewin use this chance but he needs desperately the minutes today to build up his fitness.”

That said, it would not be a surprise if the manager is privately having doubts, and with the Whites perhaps in need of another striker, alongside an attacking midfielder, they are now one of the clubs to “enter the scene” for Getafe’s Christantus Uche.

Leeds now showing strongest interest in signing "incredible" £70m maestro

The Whites are very keen on bringing in a new central midfielder.

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By
Dominic Lund

Aug 27, 2025

That is according to reporter Eduardo Burgos on X, who reveals Leeds have now been handed a boost in the race for Uche, with a hijack possible, given that his move to Wolverhampton Wanderers has now stalled.

The Nigerian is blocking the move to Molineux via his agents, with a number of other clubs now “evaluating the situation”, including Crystal Palace, OGC Nice and AC Milan.

The 22-year-old is expected to cost around £17m, but it remains to be seen whether he is keen on a move to Elland Road, having been hesitant to commit to a move to Molineux.

Uche could be "superb" signing for Leeds

The Getafe star took a little while to adapt to life in La Liga, but he enjoyed a very strong end to the campaign, receiving particularly high praise from scout Jacek Kulig.

The Nigeria international’s versatility would also be very useful for Farke, given that he is able to play in both attacking midfield and at centre-forward, with the jury still out on Calvert-Lewin, while it remains to be seen whether Joel Piroe can adjust to the Premier League.

Uche is in fine form, having already picked up a goal and an assist in La Liga this season, but a move to Elland Road seems a little unlikely, given that he is hesitant to join Wolves, who are a more established Premier League side.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealed why star winger Federico Chiesa was left out of the Reds squad for their upcoming Champions League fixture against Galatasaray this week. The Italian displayed impressive performances in the club's last couple of matches. After starring with two assists in the win over Southampton, he scored the Reds' solitary goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

• Chiesa's impressive run of form

  Chiesa enjoyed an impressive run of form last week as he scored a goal and provided two assists for the Reds. He first starred with a couple of assists in the club's 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup and then scored the only goal for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 

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  Chiesa dropped from Liverpool squad for Galatasaray clash

  Earlier on Monday, Liverpool announced a 21-member travelling squad to Turkey that will face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday. While Slot named a star-studded roster, Chiesa was a notable absentee from the list of players.

• Slot revealed why Chiesa was left out

  Speaking to reporters, the Liverpool manager said: "He got a little niggle, I think it is the word you use here in England, in the last game against Palace. He tried it today, he was on the pitch in the beginning but he couldn't end the session, so we decided not to take him because in a few days it's Chelsea again."

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  Chiesa important for key Premier League away fixture

  Chiesa has proved to be a key member of Slot's first-team in the 2025-26 campaign and the Dutch coach will hope that he recovers from his injury soon and be ready to take the field in their crucial away fixture of Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.