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Manchester United’s side is one that has massively struggled over recent seasons, struggling to match the levels that were produced during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.

The Red Devils have now gone 12 whole seasons without a Premier League triumph, with current boss Ruben Amorim the latest to try his luck at Old Trafford.

However, so far, the 40-year-old has been unable to transform the situation, achieving a 40% win rate in his 42 games in the role, leading to a 15th-place league finish this season.

Leeway should be handed his way, however, only having the January transfer window earlier this year to make the additions he wanted to help him in his quest at the club.

However, this summer is a huge period in his stint in charge at the Theatre of Dreams, needing to find the right players for his system if he is to be a success in the role.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions

Viktor Gyokeres is a player who has been firmly on their radar over the last couple of years, but United now appear to be in pole position for his signature after the latest update on his future.

Warren Zaire-Emery is another surprise name on the club’s shortlist, after the hierarchy made an enquiry to sign the PSG youngster, who’s currently valued at £85m.

However, a new name has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with Borussia Dortmund’s midfield star Felix Nmecha on their radar, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Red Devils are preparing an offer to land the 24-year-old this summer, with a £28m price tag mooted for his signature in the coming months.

It also states that the former Manchester City academy star could have his head turned by the Red Devils ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but that the Bundesliga side have no intention of offloading him.

Why United’s £28m target would be perfect for Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo has been a name on the lips of all supporters over the last couple of weeks, understandably so given the keen interest in his signature.

The 25-year-old has been a player who’s thrived in the division over recent years, but he produced his best-ever campaign last time around, scoring 20 times in the Premier League for Brentford.

However, a deal hasn’t been easy up until now, with the Red Devils having two separate offers rejected, the latest being a fee in the region of £60m.

A deal should be completed smoothly if a fee is agreed, after the Cameroonian international has agreed personal terms with Amorim’s side over a move to Old Trafford.

He could be boosted in his chances of success should Nmecha move to the club, as the German possesses a lot of qualities that would aid the forward in attacking areas.

When delving into his stats from this campaign, he’s thrived in numerous key areas, making him the perfect box-to-box option within Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Nmecha, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by former boss Nuri Şahin, has registered an 88% pass accuracy along with 5.1 progressive passes per 90 – subsequently showing why he’d be perfect for Mbeumo and having the tools to provide him with the opportunities needed.

Felix Nmecha’s stats for Dortmund in the Bundesliga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

26

Goals & assists

5

Pass accuracy

88%

Progressive passes

5.1

Passes into final third

5.4

Progressive carries

1.3

Take-ons completed

65%

Tackles won

1.3

Interceptions made

1.4

Aerials won

1.4

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed 65% of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst also registering 1.3 progressive carries per 90, further demonstrating his desire to take the ball into forward areas.

The German has also starred without the ball, winning 1.3 tackles per 90 and 1.4 interceptions per 90, making him the perfect ball-winning option in the middle of the park.

£28m for a player of Nmecha’s calibre could prove to be one of the bargain additions of the summer, offering Amorim a new dimension to his midfield and taking the side to new heights.

If he can excel without the ball and provide Mbeumo with added chances in front of goal, it would be a sensational signing and one that could push them back up the table in 2025/26.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 28, 2025

West Indies’ net run rate is now miles ahead of South Africa’s and England’s in their Super Eight group

Danyal Rasool22-Jun-20242:02

Ganga: Chase is a utility player for West Indies

West Indies 130 for 1 (82*) beat United States of America 128 (Gous 29, Chase 3-19, Russell 3-31) by nine wicketsFor much of T20 World Cup 2024, USA haven’t looked out of place against any side, but West Indies were a class apart against them. A brilliant bowling performance from the spinners spearheaded by Roston Chase was followed up by a chase that was sledgehammer-like in its brutality. Shai Hope crunched an unbeaten 82 off 39 balls, smashing eight sixes along the way as Nicholas Pooran helped him finish the game off with 55 balls and nine wickets to spare.By the end, the contest looked like the first real mismatch USA have been on the wrong side of as they ran out of ideas bowling to Hope, who until now had only played one match all tournament. He would reach his half-century in just 26 balls – the fastest in T20 World Cup history for West Indies – before only speeding up after Jonathan Charles holed out. Pooran and Hope unleashed fire and fury towards the end as the game hurtled to an early finish, plundering the last 53 runs in just 14 deliveries.The game was set up, though, by a disciplined bowling performance led by the wily old hand of Chase. Not by any means West Indies’ most glamorous spinner, Chase didn’t even get to bat against England in the previous game. He showed his all-round value with a statement performance, though, ripping through the USA’s middle order and breaking the back of the innings.Akeal Hosein had played his customary role upfront, squeezing USA in the powerplay, while Andre Russell’s three wickets helped the hosts continue to shackle USA whenever they tried to get a partnership going. The extra bounce Alzarri Joseph generated to dismiss Andries Gous just as he was beginning to whir into full gear ended up being the sliding doors moment for USA, who, in truth, were never close to competitive from that moment on. West Indies, meanwhile, are back with a bang.Gous’ brief resistanceIt seems a long time ago, but for a short while in the second half of the powerplay in the first innings, it looked as if Gous – now the second-highest scorer of this tournament – had turned the tide on West Indies. Halfway through, it was West Indies’ powerplay, having conceded just 13 in the first three overs. But Gous, who nearly took USA home against South Africa with an unbeaten 80 off 47, stormed to a flier once more, punishing the length deliveries of Joseph to help plunder 35 off the final three of the powerplay.It helped USA put on 48 in the first six – their second-highest powerplay score at this World Cup. But with large parts of the middle order misfiring since their early couple of wins, USA needed Gous to press on as he did in the previous game. So when he holed out off Joseph after a bright 16-ball 29, trouble brewed for the co-hosts.Chase leads the West Indies rallyRoston Chase picked consecutive wickets in the 14th over•ICC/Getty Images

West Indies did not allow USA to post a big score and take the game deep; they were chasing net run rate as well as points in Barbados. Once Joseph had cleared Gous from the path, Chase and Gudakesh Motie had free rein to run rings round the rest. A bit of extra turn did for Nitish Kumar, but it was the Chase show from there.Aaron Jones had just walloped a 101m six, but it didn’t stop Chase bravely flighting the first ball of the spell up to him on the stumps. Jones missed and Chase cleaned him up, but it was the double-strike in his third over that truly crippled USA. Corey Anderson’s desperate run with the bat continued when he was trapped on the back pad plumb in front, before slowing the next one right up, duping Harmeet Singh into lobbing it up straight to point. Chase was wisely bowled out in one four-over spell, with figures of 3 for 19 not flattering him in the slightest.It’s Hope that kills USA offThere were calls for Hope to be included in West Indies’ starting line-up right from the start. Instead, it’s Brandon King’s injury that paved the way for him to come in, and leaving him out suddenly feels even more perplexing. He lit up his home ground with a sizzling display, ensuring West Indies got ahead of the rate early, and from thereon the contest turned into a run-rate salvage operation.No bowler was spared the brutality of his raw power, and when a heave over mid-off cleared the rope, he brought up a scintillating half-century. But Hope wasn’t fading away; if anything he kicked it up a notch, smashing the hapless Milind Kumar for three consecutive sixes in the ninth over, priming West Indies to the sort of run-rate boosting win they so badly needed.

Everton have reached a “verbal agreement” over the signing of a Premier League player this summer, according to a significant update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who are Everton being linked with signing?

The Blues continue to be linked with possible summer signings, with David Moyes well aware of bringing in immediate key men and also young players with bright futures.

Nineteen-year-old Reims ace Valentin Atangana has been backed to join Everton before the start of next season, potentially being seen as a long-term successor to Abdoulaye Doucoure at the heart of the midfield.

The Blues are also thought to be leading the race to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola making it clear that the Englishman no longer has a future at the Etihad, having failed to justify the £100m paid for him back in 2021. He could love the idea of a new challenge on Merseyside, however, with Moyes allowing him to express himself.

In terms of outgoings, Jarrad Branthwaite’s Everton future continues to be a big talking point, as they try to keep hold of arguably their most prized asset. Chelsea are among those who have been mentioned as suitors for the Englishman, but many huge clubs are keen on him.

Everton reach "verbal agreement" with £50,000-a-week Tete

Writing on X, Romano claimed that Everton have now come to a “verbal agreement” with Fulham right-back Kenny Tete over a three-year move to the club this summer, with his £50,000-a-week Fulham deal coming to an end this month.

Tete may not be the most earth-shattering signing for the Blues, but he has proven to be a solid servant for Fulham, more than holding his own in the Premier League and being hailed by pundit Robbie Mustoe.

“I just love the way they defend as well. Kenny Tete I think is often another one who is underappreciated. He doesn’t half do a good job, he’s a good defender, steady on the ball, I think he’s a fan favourite and he was missed last year, I think it was last year that he was out for a while. I just made a quick note about him, he was one of those unsung guys at a club that is really important to the way they defend.”

Kyle Walker had been linked with a summer move to Everton from City, but Tete is 29 years of age, and therefore six years younger than him, meaning he could be the more shrewd choice.

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Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Jun 21, 2025

The fact that Tete has shown that he can perform in the Premier League makes him a safe bet for the Blues, rather than bringing in someone from a different league, and he can provide several years of good service at the club.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wasn’t hanging about when he acted swiftly to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in a deal worth £30m.

“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”

Those were the words Delap said upon arriving at Stamford Bridge, and he will have plenty of chances to lift titles next term.

The Blues are back among Europe’s elite and this could give Delap a perfect chance to continue his development.

The 22-year-old is a rising star, no doubt about that. Will Maresca be keen on signing even more young starlets throughout the duration to complement Delap?

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025 Chelsea enter race to sign English sensation

Indeed, Brazilian talent Estevao is set to link up with the Blues this summer. As too is Sporting CP talent Dario Essugo.

It appears as though Maresca is keen on bringing the average age of the squad down, and it might go even lower should he succeed in signing the latest player to be linked with a move.

According to Caught Offside, the Blues have now entered the race to sign Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling but face competition from a wealth of sides, namely Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United.

The €60m (£51m) asking price may deter Maresca, especially considering how much the club have spent already this window.

Still only a teenager, Dibling has an extraordinarily high ceiling and may even be a bigger talent than Delap.

Why Chelsea must sign Tyler Dibling

Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich last season in what was his maiden season in the top flight.

Considering the club was relegated, scoring only 36 goals all season, that’s not a bad tally. Such was Delap’s impact, his goal involvement accounted for 39% of the club’s total throughout the season.

Dibling’s Premier League stats for Southampton (2024/25)

Goals

2

Assists

0

Big chances created

3

Key passes per game

0.6

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

Shots per game

0.8

Via Sofascore

A move to Stamford Bridge will give him the chance in the Champions League, but a move for Dibling could see Chelsea sign an even bigger talent.

While Delap struggled to earn game time at City in his teenage years, Dibling is already a bona fide star despite his young age. He made his debut for the Saints aged just 17 in August 2023, having returned to the Saints after a brief spell with Chelsea U18s.

His breakthrough came last term. The teenager made 38 appearances in all competitions for the south coast side, scoring four goals and grabbing three assists.

Given how poor the club were in the top flight, Dibling was arguably the brightest spark, but it is unlikely he will want to play Championship football.

Hailed as a “special talent” by journalist Josh Bunting, Dibling put himself in the shop window with his displays last season.

Despite his tender years, the youngster is currently ranked in the top 19% when compared to his peers across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons (2.16) per 90 over the previous 365 days, rubberstamping his exceptional potential.

Given the talent among those divisions, this stat proves that Dibling loves getting the better of his opposite man.

The question is, will Maresca take a gamble on him this summer? If so, then a bigger talent than Delap is set to be unleashed.

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Posts 2 ByRoss Kilvington Jun 16, 2025

It’s the start of a new era for Rangers.

On Thursday, Russell Martin was unveiled as the Ibrox club’s 20th permanent manager, appointed 102 days after Philippe Clement was sacked in February.

At his introductory press conference, Martin vowed to “prove people wrong”, acknowledging he is under pressure to deliver a winning team instantaneously, so could the signing of a “world-class” new centre-forward aid Rangers’ cause?

Rangers looking to bolster their attacking option

As previously reported by Tom Victor of the Daily Mirror, Rangers are hoping to sign Jamie Vardy on a free transfer this summer, claiming that the England international is ‘weighing up’ an offer from the Glasgow giants.

Vardy has spent the last 13 seasons with Leicester City, with whom he won the Premier League, the FA Cup and a Community Shield, scoring exactly 200 goals in 500 appearances for the Foxes, very aesthetically pleasing round numbers.

Now a free agent, countless clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, Como, Wrexham and New York Red Bulls have all been touted as potential suitors, but could Martin convince his compatriot to make the move north of the border?

Should he do, it could be a Morelos-like move for Rangers.

How Vardy could replicate Morelos at Rangers

During six seasons at Rangers, Alfredo Morelos scored 124 goals in light blue, with the Colombian, almost unquestionably, the club’s best striker since suffering liquidation in 2012.

Of these goals, 29 came in UEFA competition, meaning Morelos is Rangers’ all-time record scorer in Europe, smashing the record previously held by Ally McCoist, one that had stood since 1997.

But is Morelos really Rangers’ best centre-forward of the modern era? Let’s find out.

Selected Rangers strikers 2016-present

Players

Tenure

Games

Goals

Mins per goal

Igamane

2024-present

46

16

166

Dessers

2023-preesent

109

51

134

Danilo

2023-present

48

12

165

Morelos

2017-23

269

124

152

Roofe

2020-24

102

38

127

Čolak

2022-23

39

18

123

Sakala

2021-23

92

24

199

Defoe

2018-22

74

32

100

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table outlines, no Rangers striker in the post-promotion era has come anywhere close to the 124 goals Morelos managed, even if Jermain Defoe, Kemar Roofe, Antonio Čolak and current forward Cyriel Dessers do actually boast better minutes per goal ratios, helped by their smaller sample sizes.

So, could Vardy be the club’s best centre-forward since el Buffalo? Well, let’s assess his statistics this season to answer that question.

Jamie Vardy 2024/25 Premier League statistics

Statistics

Vardy

PL rank

Goals

9

26th

Expected goals

11.2

14th

Shots

56

40th

Shots on target

23

33rd

Shots on target %

41.1%

48th

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As the table shows, Vardy’s Premier League statistics this season do not immediately leap off the page, but it is worth considering that he was playing in a generally hopeless Leicester side, who won just six matches all season and were relegated.

Thus, the fact that Vardy still ranked 14th for expected goals and only 25 players managed to score more goals than him is impressive.

Writer Henry Winter believes Vardy is still a “world-class finisher”, while Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who knows a thing or two about scoring goals, believes “he is still producing”, describing his captain as a “leader”.

Also worth noting that, the previous campaign in the EFL Championship, Vardy netted 20 times across all competitions.

This underlines the fact he would be able to produce for Rangers given that, according to Global Football Rankings, England’s second-tier is the 11th strongest league in the world, while the Scottish Premiership is ranked at 43rd.

Thus, if the Gers can convince Vardy to move to Ibrox, possibly using the allure of potential Champions League football, he would surely be an excellent addition.

After all, this is a goal machine we’re talking about here, someone who bagged 145 Premier League goals.

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Posts ByDan Emery Jun 3, 2025

Heading into their away tie with Newcastle United on Sunday, Chelsea were deep in some pretty impressive form in the Premier League.

The Blues were five league games unbeaten heading into his one – which included a stunning 3-1 victory being picked up against Arne Slot’s title-winning Liverpool – but all that positive energy came crashing down at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe’s Magpies ran out comfortable 2-0 victors.

Chelsea’s task on the day was made a lot harder by a clueless first-half red card, but there would have still been a lot to moan about from Enzo Maresca’s perspective at the full-time whistle, irrespective of his side having to play all of the second 45 minutes a man light.

Chelsea's biggest underperformers at St James' Park

Before touching on the rash red card, the likes of Noni Madueke struggled to ever get going in attack for the visitors.

Whilst Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak busted a gut for the Toon cause up top, Madueke was timid and limp in approach, seen in the 23-year-old failing to a register a single effort on Nick Pope’s goal during his forgettable 45-minute stint, as well as losing all four of his contested duels.

Romeo Lavia would last far longer on the St James’ turf, but he wouldn’t be deserving of any praise himself come full-time either, with his lackadaisical approach early on gifting the ball to Newcastle to take the lead via Sandro Tonali.

Moreover, the usually electric Cole Palmer once again failed to spark into life with possession squandered a hefty 14 times, but the elephant in the room that remains is Nicolas Jackson’s hot-headed dismissal.

Jackson would brainlessly connect with Newcastle defender Sven Botman using his elbow, meaning the ex-Villarreal centre-forward will now be suspended for the rest of the season.

This could be the last time Chelsea fans see the 23-year-old lead the line for the Blues in the Premier League, therefore, with the pantomime villain very much turning into Stamford Bridge’s next Kai Havertz.

Chelsea's next Havertz

Much like Jackson now, Chelsea fans would regularly lament the amount of missed chances Havertz would spurn for their team when he was still on the books of the West London outfit.

That is the case despite the German popping up with 32 strikes overall – which included the now Arsenal man scoring a winner in a Champions League final.

Despite that, he would still infuriate the Stamford Bridge masses with his consistent wastefulness, seen in him missing a colossal 14 big chances in Premier League action during his final Blues season.

Jackson’s Premier League numbers by season for Chelsea

Stat

Jackson (24/25)

Jackson (23/24)

Games played

30

35

Goals scored

10

14

Assists

5

5

Big chances missed

19

24

Goal conversion %

13%

18%

Big chances created

6

8

Stats by Sofascore

Jackson has actually bagged a promising 29 strikes in total for Maresca’s men over two seasons, yet – much like Havertz – he gets regularly under the skin of the restless Chelsea fanbase with his off performances, seen in him missing a mammoth 19 big chances during the 2024/25 campaign.

Therefore, his hot-headedness away at Newcastle could be the final straw that sees Jackson – the club’s new Havertz-like scapegoat – moved on.

London Evening Standard journalist Dom Smith suggested that the £32m signing ‘ruined’ his side’s chances of a big win, handing him a dismal 2/10 post-match rating.

But, it shouldn’t be completely ruled out that the 23-year-old goes on to be a success elsewhere, with Havertz showing in flashes for Arsenal – as per his 29-goal haul from 85 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s men – that a damaging experience for the Blues isn’t the be-all-and-end-all.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson May 11, 2025

Celtic have made a habit of bringing back former players in recent times and could now be set to repeat the trick in surprise fashion, according to a report.

Celtic look to kickstart summer transfer business

Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another supremely successful season at Parkhead and stands only one game off completing a domestic treble, coming against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.

The Bhoys have already won the Premier Sports Cup and Scottish Premiership title, setting the scene for a summer that could see some exciting arrivals at Parkhead.

Club icon Kieran Tierney will return to Celtic on a free transfer once his Arsenal contract expires next month, completing a whirlwind comeback after leaving for the Gunners back in 2019.

With Jota set to miss up to nine months of action, the Bhoys could also look to bring in Stoke City winger Million Manhoef. However, the Dutch star may cost around £10 million to prize away from the bet365 Stadium.

Scottish talent Lennon Miller is also on Celtic’s radar and is set for a summer of speculation following a fine couple of years at Motherwell, even if the Scottish Premiership champions are likely to be one of a number of clubs interested in his services.

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Posts ByDan Emery May 5, 2025

In a global marketplace, homegrown signings are important for the Bhoys to ensure they can meet squad quotas for European competitions.

Ultimately, Scottish players have always formed a strong part of Celtic’s backbone and club culture. Callum McGregor and James Forrest are shining examples, though they are rare examples from the academy set-up in recent years.

Now, the Hoops could be set to turn to one of their former youth graduates in a surprise move, per recent developments.

Celtic eye surprise move for Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan

According to The Herald, Celtic are lining up a surprise move for Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan, who spent seven years coming through the ranks at Lennoxtown before signing for Tranmere Rovers in 2022. Since then, the 27-year-old has featured for Forest Green Rovers before pitching up at Pittodrie, where he has filled in at times for Dimitar Mitov this campaign.

Ross Doohan’s season at Aberdeen – all competitions

Appearances

18

Goals conceded

27

Clean sheets

5

Labelled “brilliant” by Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie, his final match with the Dons could come against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final before a move if the scenario were to materialise. Third-choice Hoops stopper Scott Bain could leave with only a year on his deal left, opening up a slot for Doohan to make his way back to Glasgow as he features on a list of potential alternatives.

Celtic are required to have four club-trained players and the former Scotland Under-21 fits the bill, making it easier for Rodgers to piece together his final 25-man squad for whatever European league phase his side end up in.

Admittedly, Doohan wouldn’t be a signing that would attract much fanfare, but his arrival could be beneficial in light of quota requirements.

Manchester City are eyeing a £30 million-plus move for a former Real Madrid defender this summer, as Pep Guardiola looks to shore up his side’s shaky backline, according to a new report.

City eyeing Champions League qualification

After a poor start to the campaign, City have shown signs of resurgence in recent months. While they’re still not quite at the level that brought them sustained domestic dominance in recent years, Pep Guardiola’s side are now firmly back in the hunt for Champions League qualification — a prospect that seemed highly unlikely just a few months ago.

Speaking to the club’s official website, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan recently addressed the importance of securing a top-four finish, calling it a “responsibility” to ensure City remain among Europe’s elite despite an underwhelming season.

“Our team is made and built to be more than this — it’s built to be a contender for the title every single year.For various reasons, we haven’t been at our best for a long period of the season. We are where we are right now, and we need to accept the situation.

“There are minimum targets that have to be achieved at this club, and that’s definitely qualifying for the Champions League next season. We have to do it – it’s our responsibility.”

City eyeing move for Lazio defender Mario Gila

One of Manchester City’s most pressing issues this season has been their defensive frailty. In the Premier League, Guardiola’s side have already conceded more goals than in any previous campaign under the Spaniard — and the most since the 2009/10 season, when Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini led the team to a fifth-place finish.

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Posts ByBen Gray Apr 19, 2025

Guardiola attempted to bolster his defensive options in January, bringing in centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens and highly rated teenager Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. However, Khusanov has struggled to impress since his arrival, and reports suggest he could already be sent out on loan this summer. As for Reis, the 19-year-old is seen more as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate solution to City’s defensive issues.

According to CaughtOffside, City are now eyeing Lazio centre-back Mario Gila as a key target for the upcoming transfer window. Pep is reportedly a fan of the 24-year-old’s “composure, passing ability and understanding of defence”.

The report adds that Lazio are open to selling the former Real Madrid defender for a fee in the region of £34–39 million. However, City will face stiff competition for his signature, with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid themselves all monitoring the situation closely.

Gila has been one of Lazio’s key players this season, starting 26 of the club’s 28 Serie A games, winning an impressive 33 tackles and making 118 recoveries.

Chelsea are making moves for their desired summer transfer targets, with BlueCo reaching out to yet another player who’s keen to leave Bayern Munich.

Chelsea hold talks with Dean Huijsen and Jorrel Hato's agents this week

As per reliable Stamford Bridge journalist Simon Phillips, both Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato and Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen have been subject to approaches from Chelsea in the last few days.

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 18, 2025

As per the reporter’s sources, writing via his Substack, Chelsea held talks with Hato and Huijsen’s representatives, just before their Europa Conference League loss to Legia Warsaw in west London, with Enzo Maresca on the hunt for new defenders this summer.

Trevoh Chalobah is likely to leave Chelsea again this summer, despite being recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace in January, while Wesley Fofana has been sidelined through yet another long-term injury.

Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Fulham (away)

April 20th

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 10th

Man United (home)

May 18th

Ajax mainstay Hato is able to provide cover at both centre-half and left-back, so the Netherlands international is an astute option, while Huijsen’s £50 million release clause has piqued interest from Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea after his excellent campaign at Bournemouth (David Ornstein).

The competition for both men’s signatures will be fierce, though, so Maresca’s side will have earmarked a number of defensive targets ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

Chelsea must get this summer’s transfer window right, and Maresca also has a chance to bring players in early ahead of their Club World Cup campaign, following confirmation from the Premier League that there will be an additional transfer window open from June 1st to June 10th.

Up to £100 million in prize money will be on the line during this year’s CWC, so Chelsea will be keen to reinforce areas of the squad in time to compete.

Chelsea contact Kim min-Jae with defender keen to leave Bayern Munich

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, it is now believed £198,000-per-week Bayern defender Kim min-Jae is a target for Maresca’s side.

The South Korean, with nearly 70 international caps, is apparently “very open” to departing the Allianz Arena this summer, despite being trusted by Vincent Kompany as a consistent starter.

Chelsea have reached out to min-Jae’s camp for discussions, as per Aouna, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have done the same, as both sides look to reinforce their backlines.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to England for years, with Tottenham registering an interest in min-Jae during Antonio Conte’s tenure in charge.

Back in 2020, during José Mourinho’s time at Spurs, it was also reported that Son Heung-min was pushing the club to sign min-Jae – so he’s clearly highly-rated by his peers behind-the-scenes.

Chelsea’s grip on a Champions League spot looks more and more uncertain by the day, especially after Enzo Maresca’s Blues stumbled to an unconvincing 0-0 draw versus Brentford on Sunday.

Indeed, the race for that final coveted spot in the Premier League’s top four is heating up, with the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Manchester City all fancying their chances over the up-and-down West Londoners.

Unfortunately for Maresca, one dud at his disposal is slowly becoming his team’s next version of Timo Werner, with the German a colossal failure in-front of goal for most of his cursed stay at Stamford Bridge.

Werner's frustrating Chelsea stint

Werner would join the Chelsea ranks back in 2020 with a growing reputation for being one of Europe’s most clinical strikers, costing the Blues a pretty £45m subsequently.

Indeed, the Stuttgart-born star had managed to fired home a staggering 113 goals from 213 games donning a RB Leipzig strip – across his two spells – but his time in the English capital with Chelsea would be anything but lethal.

In total, the former Chelsea number 11 would slot home a weak 23 strikes from 89 games playing for the Premier League giants, leading to Werner retreating back to Leipzig in the summer of 2022 to try and recapture his deadly edge.

Now on the books of Tottenham Hotspur – where he continues to struggle with zero league strikes picked up in 2024/25 – Chelsea will definitely jot down the deal for Werner as a blunder in the transfer market, coupled with the fact the German would relocate back to the Bundesliga for just £25.3m.

History could now be unfortunately repeating itself with this dud in Maresca’s camp, with the wasteful flop also costing Chelsea a hefty amount, only for the expensive attacker to be staring the exit door in the face after one too many passive performances in West London.

Maresca's very own Werner

The Champions League chasers aren’t exactly blessed with plentiful numbers in the centre-forward department, considering both David Datro Fofana and Marc Guiu are sidelined currently, alongside Nicolas Jackson being drip-fed more and more minutes recently after battling back from injury issues of his own.

Therefore, Maresca has had his hands tied behind his back somewhat when it comes to team selections, resulting in a goal-shy Christopher Nkunku having to regularly lead the line.

The Frenchman was particularly below-par away at Brentford on Sunday, with the former Leipzig attacker – which is where the similarities with Werner begin – only registering one shot on goal all game, before Maresca dragged him off at the half-time interval.

With just three goals all season long in the top-flight, Nkunku will now have the same unwanted tag above his head as the German in being an extortionate waste of money, with the 27-year-old only amassing a weak 17 goals on English shores overall, after costing an eye-watering £52m to obtain back in 2023.

Nkunku’s career G/A record

Club played for

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

RB Leipzig

172

70

52

Paris St. Germain

78

11

4

Chelsea

53

17

5

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Moreover, his explosive spell with Leipzig – which saw him collect a stunning 122 goal contributions from 172 games – makes his poor showings at Stamford Bridge even harder to stomach, with Nkunku managing just 18 touches on average this season in the Premier League as a presence now too afraid to leave a lasting mark on a contest.

Even labelled as one of Maresca’s “passengers” versus the Bees according to one football journalist, the beginning of the end for Nkunku at Chelsea already looks to be underway, with the Blues perhaps having to offload the inconsistent Frenchman for way below his past £52m price tag – much like they had to with Werner.

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Posts ByConnor Holden Apr 6, 2025