Arsenal Could Sign £15m Mini Ozil To Partner Odegaard

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Fenerbahce ace Arda Guler, as Mikel Arteta bids to bolster his squad this summer following a title-challenging season.

The talk of the Gunners’ transfer window so far has focused on the future of Declan Rice, however, Edu could be eyeing more than just one midfield upgrade ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

With Champions League football confirmed for next term, it’s integral that the north Londoners introduced reinforcements to remain on Manchester City’s tails and produce a fight among Europe’s greatest.

Hailed as the ‘Turkish Messi’ by local media in Turkey, relayed by talkSPORT, Arsenal could land a generational talent in Guler, with the Gunners leading the race according to Football Insider.

Transfer expert Pete O’Rourke claimed via the site that Arsenal had leapfrogged fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in the bid to secure the teenager's signature, adding that Arteta’s side are ‘seriously exploring’ a deal.

The 18-year-old penned a new deal with the Turkish giants last year, with a release clause of just €17.5m (£15m) included.

What could Arda Guler offer to Arsenal?

In 20 total appearances in the Super Lig this season, Guler has shone playing among seasoned professionals in Turkey at just 18 years of age.

In his breakthrough campaign, the Ankara-born gem contributed to seven goals, scoring four and assisting three in playing an average of 46 minutes per game, as per Sofascore.

Hailed as “magical” by members of the media, the teenager could blossom under the guidance of Arteta, who has thrived in nurturing his young side that went toe-to-toe with treble winners Manchester City last season.

While Guler was the standout performer for his side last term, as per Sofascore, Arsenal’s skipper Martin Odegaard was a dominant influence on the Gunners, as highlighted by being named the club’s player of the season.

Playing in the same role as the Norwegian, Arteta could teach the Turkish superstar a valuable lesson in the art of playing in the Premier League, potentially even unearthing his next version of Odegaard in the process.

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There is evidence to suggest that the duo could form a formidable force in midfield, attributable to their creative exploits in their respective campaigns, with the 24-year-old skipper averaging 2.1 key passes per game, a rate almost identical to the Fenerbahce ace’s two.

Learning the ropes at Real Madrid at the tender age of 16, Arsenal’s captain could be the perfect mentor for the teenager with his fellow left-fotter in Guler breaking through at a similar age. However, the youngster could also return the favour by aiding the £120k-per-week wizard's game.

Lauded a “sensation” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the teenager could give Odegaard added creative freedom as conveyed through his assured presence on the ball.

As per Sofascore, Guler maintained a stellar pass completion rate of 85%, while creating seven big chances in his debut season in the Super Lig.

The two talents could fuse to bolster each other's game, for the greater good of the Gunners who could see their attacking midfield set for years to come.

Wolves Owners Offer Lopetegui Transfer Message

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui has been assured that the club will make several first-team signings following the sale of Ruben Neves this summer, according to Dean Jones.

No side scored less goals than the club's 31 in the Premier League last season and with a talent like Neves leaving, there's a lot of work to be done to address the glaring weaknesses left in the squad.

Money was initially an issue for Wolves, with the club facing financial difficulties, but following the big-money sale of the Portuguese midfielder, there have now been assurances to Lopetegui that deals will be made and money will be spent.

What's the latest Wolves transfer news?

With their star player in Neves leaving, Wolves have their work cut out for them as they look to replace the midfielder's presence within the squad, and they've had their eye on a young, promising talent from the Championship.

Bristol City's Alex Scott is a name that is on the club's radar according to Birmingham Mail, but they face stiff competition for the prospect, with Serie A side Inter Milan also interested in him, Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb reports.

The club has been faced with financial difficulties lately, with Lopetegui admitting that competing in the Premier League would be difficult unless they fixed their money issues, but with the sale of Neves, they might have been handed a lifeline.

What has Dean Jones said about Wolves' transfer business?

While losing your highly-rated captain is never easy, the sale of Neves may have been a blessing in disguise for Wolves, with the money generated from his departure helping the club's money problems, Jones revealed.

Speaking to Football FanCast, the journalist said: "The sale of Neves really helps Wolves get back on their feet here. So, it's probably a relief to more than anything to Lopetegui. That Neves deal to Saudi really helps him."

According to Jones, the Wolves board has also assured the manager that they will be active this summer, saying: "He's been assured that the club will make signings. I still don't think it will be quite to the level he probably dreamed of a few months back and his vision is probably going to have to alter slightly."

How big a miss will Ruben Neves be to Wolves?

While making £47m on a sale is going to help Wolves massively off of the pitch, losing Neves is going to be a big blow on it.

Just in terms of his impact, no one in the side had a better average WhoScored rating than his 6.95 for the club last season and in a team starved for goals, he was the joint top scorer, with six Premier League strikes to his name.

He was head and shoulders above the rest of the side last year, being named Man of the Match on five different occasions, the most of anyone at the club and only Max Killman and Jose Sa played more minutes in all competitions than Neves' 3408, showing how heavily the club relied on him during their struggles.

So, of course, while the money will be a huge help to the side's current financial troubles, Neves is going to be a major miss for the club next season, and they'll almost certainly have a hard job replacing him.

Manchester United Launch Bid For £69m Superstar

Manchester United's search for a David De Gea replacement has led them to Thibaut Courtois, with the Glazers now launching a bid for the Real Madrid superstar according to reports in Spain, via Football 365.

Are Manchester United signing Thibaut Courtois?

The shot-stopper currently plays for Real Madrid and has spent five seasons with the Spanish side, adding even more silverware to his collection since leaving Chelsea. Having won a Premier League title with the Blues, he has since won La Liga with Madrid and has also bagged himself a Champions League trophy.

In 2022/23, he was unable to help his side to claim the league title though, despite featuring in 31 top flight games and conceding only 29 goals.

His showings over the last year have also led to the keeper re-establishing himself as arguably one of the best in his position in Europe, if not the greatest. The Belgian's save percentage of 78.9% for example puts him in the top five percent in that category and his crosses stopped rate has him in the top nine percent too.

It shows that he not only keeps out opposition attempts at goal but can command his box with confidence under barrages of long balls and crosses, something De Gea often struggles with.

Belgium'sThibautCourtois

And these showings have now led to interest from Man United. According to reports from Spain via Football 365, Red Devils chiefs have a real interest in Courtois and have launched a huge 80 million Euro (£69m) bid to land the player over the summer.

The club are of course in the market for a new shot-stopper, with De Gea potentially out of the exit door at Old Trafford. Courtois has Premier League experience to boot and they are apparently offering him £17m (about £325k-p/w) a year to sign on the dotted line.

When does Courtois' contract expire?

The player's deal with Real Madrid is set to expire in 2026, so the Spanish side would likely be hoping to hold onto him for longer than this summer. If a bid as big as this one is indeed on the table though, that could perhaps tempt them into a deal.

If United do land Courtois, they would be getting themselves a shot-stopper who has been described as "top class" by football journalist Josh Bunting and has certainly proven that to be true.

The journalist also added that the performance in the Champions League final against Liverpool was "immense" from the Belgian – and if the Red Devils could add him to their squad then, they would have a much more solid option in goal and some extra bragging rights over their rivals to boot.

Fulham: Whites In Pole Position To Sign Brazilian Star

Fulham are "on pole" for the signing of Fiorentina centre-back Igor Julio, and he is believed to be on closing in on an exit from his club, according to journalist Dimitri Conti.

Who could join Fulham this summer?

Marco Silva's side enjoyed a successful first campaign back in the Premier League last season, finishing in the top half and above the likes of west London rivals Chelsea.

They were even contending for a European spot at one point but fell just short with the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brighton beating them to Europa League and Conference League qualification places.

It was a promising season for Fulham and one which has resulted in plenty of interest in their key assets, with midfield star Joao Palhinha attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Man United.

Meanwhile, it is believed Silva wishes to reinforce his squad this summer as the domestic window officially opens today.

Gil Vicente striker Fran Navarro, for instance, is reliably believed to be of interest to Fulham with Man United duo Harry Maguire and Fred also on their radar.

It has also been mentioned that Fulham are plotting a move for Austria international and Wolfsburg star Patrick Wimmer, as they are with Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Another player they have been linked with is Igor, with reporter Conti sharing an update in a piece for TUTTOmercatoWEB.

Soccer Football – Europa Conference League – Group A – RFS v Fiorentina – Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia – November 3, 2022 Fiorentina’s Riccardo Saponara celebrates scoring their third goal with Fiorentina’s Igor REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

According to his information, a major overhaul could occur at Fiorentina this summer as the future of manager Vincenzo Italiano appears to be resolved.

La Viola reached two major cup finals last season, but that apparently won't stop some players seeking pastures new, with Igor being one of them.

Conti says his suitcase is "already in hand", meaning he is on the verge of leaving, and Fulham are "on pole" to bring him to England.

The Whites are apparently favourites for his signing as they seek to build upon last season's brilliant efforts.

Who is Igor?

The Brazilian was one of Fiorentina's key defensive players last season – ranking in their top three for tackles made, interceptions and clearances completed per 90 in the Italian top flight (WhoScored).

He also sits sixth in their squad for most Serie A minutes played, and with just over 12 months remaining on his deal, Fulham could get him for a fairly reasonable price.

The left-footed centre-back is also still just 25-years-old, meaning he has many years at top level still feasilbly ahead of him.

Chelsea Plotting Summer Swoop For £80m Gem

Chelsea target Moises Caicedo will not be sold for £100m+ this summer but is expected to cost in the region of £70m-£80m from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Will Moises Caicedo be allowed to leave?

The Ecuadorian midfielder has enjoyed an impressive campaign on the south coast which has seen the Seagulls manage to secure a spot in the Europa League for next season.

Caicedo featured in 37 of Brighton's Premier League games this season and started in a whopping 34 of them (via Transfermarkt).

However, it does seem he could be set to leave this summer despite the prospect of European nights to come at the Amex Stadium next season.

Brighton have already seen Alexis Mac Allister depart this summer after the Argentine completed a £35m move to Liverpool on Thursday.

And it is believed that they will not stand in the way of the 21-year-old, Caicedo, who is expected to bring in considerably more money than his former teammate, Mac Allister.

Indeed, speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has provided some insight towards a potential move from the south coast to west London with Chelsea believed to be seriously interested:

"Chelsea are absolutely into the race. Chelsea are convinced that Caicedo is kind of perfect player for the idea.

What's the point? I heard something about £100m value for Caicedo. No, the idea from sources I spoke to is that Caicedo is gonna be worth maybe £70m/£80m no more than this."

Who is interested in Caicedo?

Of course, Chelsea have been credited with interest in the Ecuadorian midfielder ahead of the summer window but there are also other reported suitors.

According to Romano, there is interest also coming from other Premier League sides with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United keen on the 21-year-old.

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This comes just months after the Gunners made a serious move Caicedo in the January transfer window which saw two bids – worth up to £70m – rejected by the Seagulls.

It is also believed Arsenal are set to launch their first bid for Declan Rice over the coming days but it has previously been suggested this would not deter their interest in Caicedo.

The Blues will not have any form of European football ahead of the new campaign, however, they will likely provide a financial battle to match any other side.

Todd Bohely's willingness to invest the cash into Chelsea since his arrival cannot be ignored with the Blues having spent around £600m over the last two transfer windows.

With N'Golo Kante expected to leave the club over the coming days and the likes of Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher also linked with potential moves away, the door could certainly open up for the Ecuadorian at Stamford Bridge.

Aston Villa Keen On Bringing £63k p/w Ace To West Midlands

Aston Villa are in the race to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres this summer and have 'no concrete competitors' for his signature, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

What's the latest transfer news involving Pau Torres?

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have made an 'official move' to sign Villarreal defender Torres this summer and his current employers may be forced to cash in on his services.

The report states that Torres is out of contract at the Yellow Submarine in 2024 and it is said that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery would be keen to link up with his former player.

90min also understand that Aston Villa are monitoring Torres and detail that he has a release clause in his £63k-a-week contract at Villarreal worth around €50 million (£43 million).

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has also been identified as an alternative target to Torres, with Aston Villa keen to sign some high-profile names to help them balance both domestic and European football next term.

FootballTransfers have revealed that Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus are in the race to sign Torres in the off-season as they look to bolster their respective backlines.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti thinks that Aston Villa could have a free run at pursuing Torres this summer due to complications within Juventus and Tottenham's interest.

Galetti said: “[Aston Villa are] On his track at the moment. There are also Tottenham and Juventus but Spurs, before finalising any market choice, have to wait for the new director. At the same time, the Bianconeri for different reason have yet to understand how all the extra issues will end up. And at the moment, they cannot make any operation on the transfer market. So, we can say that Aston Villa have no concrete competitors in this moment.”

How did Pau Torres get on in 2022/23 for Villarreal?

All things considered, Torres, who has been hailed as "sensational", enjoyed another solid season for Villarreal and it is unsurprising that several clubs are courting his services heading into the transfer window.

In 2022/23, the Spaniard made 39 appearances in all competitions for his current employers, registering a solitary strike, as per Transfermarkt.

As per WhoScored, Torres managed to make an average of 4.1 clearances per fixture in La Liga, showing his agile nature when faced with dangerous attacking situations.

FBRef illustrate that Torres is also excellent in bringing the ball out from the back and has fared well in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive carries, managing 2.24 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the first percentile for this metric.

One of his most unrecognisable strengths is his speed, which saw him clock in at 21.6 miles per hour back in 2021, which put him amongst the top 5 fastest players in the La Liga that year.

Aston Villa are a side on an upward trajectory and being able to attract someone like Torres to Villa Park will only strengthen their credentials as an established Premier League outfit moving forward.

Tottenham Hotspur Ready To Snap Up £50m "Elite Baller"

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to snap up Leicester City midfielder James Maddison this summer, according to a recent report from The Mirror.

Will James Maddison leave Leicester?

Even prior to Leicester's relegation from the Premier League, Maddison appeared to be heading for the exit door, with The Telegraph reporting he was set to be sold regardless of the Foxes' fate, having been linked with several top clubs.

The same report details that Manchester United and Newcastle United are both interested in signing the England international, with his current club set to cash-in, given that he has just one year remaining on his contract at the King Power Stadium.

It has been made clear that the Tottenham board are keen on signing the 26-year-old, regardless of who they appoint as manager, and they have since made a "huge" push to win the race for his signature.

However, Spurs will have to fend off interest from a number of clubs if they are to land the Leicester star, as The Mirror report that several Premier League clubs are also ready to snap him up, including Arsenal and Newcastle.

The Foxes value the attacking midfielder at £50m, however, they may be forced to sell him for around £40m, given his contract situation, which means the Lilywhites may be able to sign him for a cut-price fee.

One thing that is abundantly clear is that the Englishman will be on the move this summer, with the report detailing that he will lead the Leicester exodus.

Should Tottenham sign James Maddison?

Given that a number of clubs that will be in the Champions League next season are interested in the £110k-per-week midfielder, it will be difficult for Tottenham to win the race for his signature, however he would be an excellent addition to the squad.

Hailed as an "elite baller" by members of the media, the maestro was way out in front as Leicester's best-performing player last season, averaging a 7.33 SofaScore match rating in the Premier League, courtesy of his attacking contributions.

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The former Coventry City man weighed in with ten goals and nine assists in total, the highest combined figure of any player in the squad, indicating he is now ready to make the step up to a bigger club.

Maddison's potential availability for a cut-price fee is a real boost to would-be suitors, and Tottenham should undoubtedly test the waters with an opening offer soon, making this one to watch.

Aston Villa eye Rangers midfielder Aribo

A former Glasgow Rangers manager reportedly now wants to sign Joe Aribo in the summer.

The Lowdown: Gerrard favourite

Before the appointment of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the Nigeria international was a firm favourite under Steven Gerrard, as he barely missed a game when he was available, scoring 20 goals and supplying a further 18 assists over the last three seasons (Transfermarkt).

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The 41-year-old even went as far as to call him a ‘stunning’ player back in 2020, a testament to just how much he rates the Nigerian.

The Latest: Aribo wanted

As per The Scottish Sun, Gerrard now wants to sign Aribo for Aston Villa this summer, as they join a transfer race which also includes fellow Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Brentford.

The Nigeria international has so far resisted offers of a new deal at Ibrox, with his current contract set to expire in 2023.

Rangers hope to drive up his price, but could agree to sell him for less than £10m.

The Verdict: Too cheap

Given that he is 25 years of age and has not yet hit his peak, selling Aribo for less than £10m would be far too low a price for the Gers to let him go.

Considering that they sold Nathan Patterson to another Premier League side in Everton for £16m in January, the Light Blues need to be looking at the same kind of figure if they are to let Aribo depart for England as well.

Described as ‘unreal’ by Villa defender Ezri Konsa, the midfielder could certainly make an impression in the Premier League, so the Gers should not let him go cheaply.

In other news, find out what potential ‘big boost’ for RFC has now emerged here!

Rangers played a blinder over Joe Aribo

Under Steven Gerrard, Rangers made some excellent signings that made up the backbone of the team which eventually won their first Premiership title in a decade last year.

One of these was Joe Aribo, who was incredible during the undefeated league season and has also been a key player this term as a historic run to the Europa League final has got Gers fans everywhere dreaming of continental glory.

The 25-year-old signed for Rangers in the 2019 summer transfer window on a free transfer, but the club had to pay £300k due to cross-border transfer rules. His market value currently sits at a whopping £9m, so the Gers still have the ability to make a stunning profit on the player.

With Aribo’s contract due to expire at the end of next season, Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be aiming to tie down the Nigeria international to a long-term deal in order to stave off potential Premier League interest.

His performances this season have been excellent, especially prior to the New Year, and despite Rangers falling away domestically after the winter break, the club’s European run will surely inflate fees for the likes of Aribo.

Among positional peers in Europe’s top leagues, the £45k-p/w star sits in the 99th percentile for aerial duels won (3.22) and the 97th percentile for interceptions (1.88), illustrating that his all-round game is one of the finest in the country.

His attacking abilities have also been demonstrated during the current campaign, as he has contributed eight goals and ten assists in 54 matches in all competitions so far.

Former Charlton team-mate and now Aston Villa regular Ezri Konsa previously lavished praise on Aribo, dubbing his playing style “unique”, and that comment is fair. The 25-year-old makes the Rangers team better when he plays and offers a different dynamic to Van Bronckhorst’s side.

There’s no guarantee that the 25-year-old will be in Scotland next season given the aforementioned transfer interest, but whatever happens over the summer, Rangers will be able to demand a huge fee for him. Either way, they hit the jackpot by picking up Aribo for a song three years ago.

AND in other news, “Signals from the club..”: Rangers now dealt huge blow, it’ll leave supporters gutted…

Man United eye James Ward-Prowse move

James Ward-Prowse is currently a target for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag looks to get some transfer business done early.

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Sun, who report that both Man Utd and Manchester City have made the 27 year a target ahead of next season.

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The Southampton midfielder won’t come cheap, however, with the report stating he could cost a whopping £75m while his current contract does not expire until 2026.

Man United’s next Beckham?

Man Utd are having yet another difficult season and with the news of Erik ten Hag’s appointment giving some hope to the supporters ahead of next season, the side needs a major overhaul.

Targeting proven English talent could well be a good start for the incoming boss and Ward-Prowse certainly has established himself in the Premier League.

The midfielder has made 302 appearances for the Saints and scored 43 goals, with an incredible 14 of them being direct free kicks, proving how good he is from dead-ball situations. Theo Walcott described his free-kick ability as a “good weapon to have” and few would argue against him.

He is currently only second behind United legend David Beckham in the Premier League all-time free kicks scored and there is no doubt that he could almost be a Beckham 2.0 for United and eventually overtake the former England captain in the record books.

The player offers more than just a goalscoring threat at free-kicks however, he has grabbed five assists during the campaign so far.

With Man Utd suffering from numerous injuries during the season, Ward-Prowse has featured for a total of 93.5% of Southampton’s 33 matches this season, and in all of the team’s Premier League fixtures for the previous two seasons. The new manager will want to have players who can be fit for every match and the 27-year-old certainly fits the bill.

With current teammate Oriol Romeu labelling the player as “unbelievable” recently, then ten Hag could be onto a winner by signing him as Man Utd aim to end their five-year trophy drought.

AND in other news, Ten Hag could unearth new Berbatov for MUFC by signing 152-goal “hero”

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