All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham United are reportedly interested in Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike, as David Moyes searches for squad upgrades this summer.

The Scotsman is under pressure to deliver new signings this window after obtaining £105m from the sale of captain Declan Rice, as the Hammers bid to improve on their relegation-threatened 2022/23 campaign.

Could West Ham sign Hugo Ekitike?

As reported by news in France, West Ham are one of the clubs named to have interest in Ekitike, alongside Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest.

The report claims that the 21-year-old ‘attracts the eye’ of the east Londoners, with an exit rumoured from PSG just months after the club secured the permanent signing of the forward.

Signed by PSG for €28.5m (£24.5m) following a loan spell at the club with an obligation to buy from Stade Reims, the youngster could reluctantly be on the move already.

How good is Hugo Ekitike?

After a blistering 2021/22 campaign for Reims, the rising star captured the eye of PSG, however, reports speculate that he could depart this summer with game time not guaranteed and his place in the pecking order in Paris being seemingly low.

While the news is disappointing for Ekitike, who fulfilled a “logical” move to the capital, the 21-year-old could find his path leading to competing in one of the world’s most competitive leagues, as West Ham eye the youngster.

Once lauded as an “absolute talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the striker has already made a name for himself in France, netting 13 Ligue 1 goals and registering eight assists in 51 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

While his game time at PSG was rather limited, making 12 starts out of 25 appearances, the youngster managed to score three times in the league for the Parisians, as well as recording four assists to showcase the impact he can have in the final third.

Building on his 10 goals and four assists the season prior, the striker could be the perfect acquisition for Moyes to target at West Ham, as the Irons weigh up their forward options.

With Gianluca Scamacca’s departure imminent, the Hammers need a presence to fill his boots, as well as a talent that could eventually take the reins from Michail Antonio, who at 33-years-old could soon be nearing the end of his best days.

The Jamaican has one year remaining on his contract, adding to Moyes’ pressures to equip a forward this summer.

In Ekitike, the Scotsman could secure the perfect heir to Antonio, in a player that possesses a similar playing style to the “reliable goalscorer”, as hailed by members of the media.

The 21-year-old has been identified as a ‘dedicated off-ball striker’ by scouting site Scouted Football, a role mirrored by the 33-year-old at the London Stadium as highlighted by his season heat map portrayed last term, via Sofascore.

Averaging 1.48 carries into the final third per 90 last season, the youngster could offer a new dynamic to West Ham’s attack in place of the veteran, who averaged just 0.59 per 90 in this area in the Premier League.

At such an early age, the hungry forward could be an asset as reliable as Antonio for years to come, in a move that could relieve Moyes of his stresses regarding equipping a finisher to his side.

An update has emerged on Leeds United's efforts to bolster their playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign…

What's the latest Leeds transfer news?

According to Football Insider, the Whites have made an enquiry over Everton central defender Mason Holgate as they pursue a deal to sign him during the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Sheffield United and Southampton have also made contact with Sean Dyche's side in order to gauge how much it would take for the Toffees to sanction a move.

It states that the manager has told the former West Bromwich Albion loanee that he is free to leave but his £72k-per-week wages could limit his options unless the Premier League team are willing to continue paying a percentage of it.

Where can Mason Holgate play?

The 26-year-old enforcer is an extremely versatile defender who has proven himself capable of playing in any position across the back four, as well as in a defensive midfield role.

His flexibility to be deployed in either a full-back spot or in the heart of the defence would make him a useful player for head coach Daniel Farke, who could then forget about the possible departure of Max Wober.

Despite having only been signed in January for £10m from Red Bull Salzburg, it has been reported that the Austria international is set to complete a move to German side Borussia Monchengladbach on loan.

The 25-year-old ace, like Holgate, is a versatile player who has played at left-back, centre-back, or in a no.6 position, although both players predominantly play at the heart of the backline.

Therefore, Farke could forget about the blow of losing, if the move goes through as reported, Wober by bringing in another gem who can cover across multiple positions to alleviate any injury or suspension issues when needed.

Holgate, who was once hailed as a "leader" by the Liverpool ECHO's Sam Carroll, is also a player with the potential to be an excellent signing for Leeds due to his quality.

The English brute has endured a couple of disappointing top-flight seasons with Everton, as he has failed to average a Sofascore rating higher than 6.65, but his form prior to that was impressive.

During the 2020/21 campaign, he averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.82 across 28 Premier League games, and that came after a superb rating of 7.01 over 27 matches throughout the previous season, in which he demonstrated his dominant defending with a ground duel success rate of 69%.

The latter score would have left him top of the Whites team during the 2022/23 campaign, which suggests that the potential is there for him to be an outstanding performer for the club.

Wober, on the other hand, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.84 in 16 league outings for Leeds last term, which placed him third within the squad of players with at least one start and won 51% of his battles on the ground.

Therefore, Holgate could replace the Austrian titan both in terms of quality and versatility if Farke can use his coaching skills to get the Everton man back to his best, which could be aided by a drop down to the Championship to play a lower standard of football.

West Ham United are said to have entered the race for highly-rated defender Ian Maatsen.

What’s the latest on Ian Maatsen to West Ham?

This week, Chelsea played their first-ever game under Mauricio Pochettino, and it ended with a resounding 5-0 pre-season victory over League Two outfit Wrexham.

Maatsen began the encounter in his unfavoured position of left-wing and sparkled. In the first half, the full-back actually netted twice.

His glistening potential is likely to give Pochettino a major selection headache due to Chelsea’s fierce competition at left-back.

The 21-year-old is rivalled by Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, and Lewis Hall, whilst a pathway at the London Stadium looks far clearer.

According to the Guardian, West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten has shortlisted Maatsen as a target if Aaron Cresswell leaves.

The Blues has not made a decision on the Dutch’s future, but he has made an extremely positive impression on Pochettino. It's also thought that the west Londoners may command a fee of £20m.

With manager David Moyes assessing his dubious left-back situation, Maatsen could be the most attractive option.

Is Ian Maatsen a good signing for West Ham United?

Last season, young gem spent the season on loan at Burnley and was a key component of a side that cantered to the Championship title.

The Chelsea graduate demonstrated that was a supreme attacking threat and a solid defensive asset – this is mirrored through his average of 2.0 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game, as well as ten goal involvements. The impressive consistency across 39 Championship appearances meant he was named in the division’s team of the season.

This was also recognised by Vincent Kompany, who said:

“He's just turning into something that we expected him to be able to become. He's a very, very versatile full-back with lots of energy and great potential."

Maatsen has previously spent time at Coventry, and goalkeeper Simon Moore also noted the youngster’s imperious quality, saying:

“It says a lot about how good he is that even a slightly off day stands out as exceptional.

“It is not normal. The kid is bright, he’s hugely talented, he wants to learn, and he never gives up. Maats has got an exciting future ahead of him.”

From a West Ham perspective, signing a player of this potential and profile would be an astute piece of business, especially when you consider the gradual decline of Cresswell.

Last campaign, the Englishman averaged lower figures in a number of defensive metrics compared to 2021/22, including tackles per game (0.8 vs 0.9), interceptions per game (1.0 vs 1.1), and blocks per game (0.4 vs 0.6).

He is now 33-years-old and has been at West Ham since 2014 – it was a glorious chapter that ended in a Europa Conference League triumph.

Therefore, the youthful and accomplished Maatsen would be a fantastic option for Moyes and the east London outfit.

From the player’s view, if Cresswell departs, he would only have to compete with Emerson for the starting spot.

The Irons also have the added incentive of competing in the Europa League to add more appeal to the move.

Fulham have now made a bid of €25m (£22m) for Benfica defender Morato, who is keen on a move to Craven Cottage this summer, according to a recent report from Maisfutebol.

What's the latest Fulham transfer news?

At the moment, Fulham appear to be bracing for a couple of major departures, with Aleksandar Mitrovic reportedly telling relatives he will never play for the club again, in light of them valuing him at £52m to ward off interest from Al Hilal.

Marco Silva's future is also in doubt, with the manager's agents meeting with representatives of Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in London, to discuss a potential £40m deal to manage in the Saudi Pro League.

With the future of their star striker and manager up in the air, it is a worrying time for Fulham, however, they still remain active in the transfer market, having recently submitted a bid of £15m for Ajax defender Calvin Bassey.

However, considering the Dutch side paid £20m for the 23-year-old last summer, it seems unlikely they would be willing to part with him for a lower amount, and the Cottagers have now identified Morato as a major target.

That is according to a report from Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol (via Sport Witness), which states that Fulham have now stepped up their interest in the Benfica defender by lodging a "decisive" offer of €25m (£22m) in order to acquire his services.

Silva's side are willing to offer the 22-year-old a significantly-improved salary package, which would nearly quadruple his wages, and the player himself would be keen on a move to Craven Cottage.

The Brazilian has allegedly instructed Benfica to accept the proposal made by the west London club, but Benfica have already turned down four bids in recent days, so it remains to be seen whether £22m is deemed to be a high enough offer.

Who is Morato?

The Francisco Morato-born defender initially made his breakthrough with Sao Paulo, attracting the attention of Benfica, where he has spent the last four seasons, making a total of 50 appearances for the Portuguese club.

However, the 6 foot 3 centre-back has been unable to cement a regular place in the starting XI, making a total of just nine outings in the league last season.

Given that Benfica won the league title last season, it is understandable that the former Sao Paulo man was not able to break into the first team, and he could still be a quality signing for Fulham.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the Benfica ace as "magnificent", while also claiming he "has everything to become a world-class centre-back."

One of the £8k-per-week defender's best attributes is his passing ability, having averaged a pass-completion rate of 90% over the past year, which places him in the 96th percentile compared to his positional peers playing at a similar level.

It would certainly be a risk for Fulham to sign Morato, given that he only has very limited first-team experience, but he is still very young and he is showing signs that he could go on to be a top player.

OGC Nice are now ready to cash in on midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer, according to Foot Mercato, giving Liverpool unexpected hope in their potential pursuit of the Frenchman. The Reds have already welcomed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, as they look to rebuild in the middle of the park.

What's the latest on Liverpool and Khephren Thuram?

At the start of the transfer window, Thuram was very much a name associated with Liverpool's summer plans. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Reds held talks with the Frenchman's agent back in June, but things have since failed to progress.

After welcoming Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, rumours became slightly quieter surrounding Thuram, with reports suggesting the France youth international is ready and expected to stay put for another year in France.

Contrary to those reports though, according to Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness), the Ligue 1 side will now listen to offers of €50m (£43m) this summer, despite the news that Thuram is happy to stay puy.

The news of the potential price-tag could come at the perfect time for Liverpool, who have suddenly been subject to Saudi Arabia's latest pursuit of Europe's elite.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, club captain Jordan Henderson is leaning towards accepting Al Ettifaq's offer this summer, which would quadruple his wages, while Fabrizio Romano reports that the Reds have asked for a £10m fee.

Meanwhile, as if Henderson's departure wouldn't provide Jurgen Klopp with enough of a headache, Al-Ittihad are set to make a £40m bid for Fabinho, with things likely to happen quickly, one way or another, according to Ornstein.

Suddenly, the need for another midfielder could become quite the priority at Anfield, potentially opening the door for Thuram once more.

Should Liverpool sign Khephren Thuram?

Before the potential departures of Fabinho and Henderson, there wasn't too great a necessity to sign Thuram, but it could now become a matter of need rather than want.

Attracting plenty of praise, the latest to deliver a verdict on Thuram was journalist Zach Lowy, who said on Twitter: "Khephren Thuram is just the sort of player that Liverpool need to transform their midfield. Elite ball carrier for someone of his size and really effective at winning the ball high up the pitch — perfect signing for Klopp’s side."

If they are indeed left short in midfield, returning for the Frenchman could be smart. At just 22-years-old, too, he represents an option for both the present and the future. Thuram's age may well be seen as a negative by those at Anfield, however. Jurgen Klopp has already welcomed 22-year-old Szoboszlai, and 24-year-old Mac Allister into his midfield. Having a young midfield is ideal, but it also needs to have the balance of experience.

If Liverpool lose Henderson, in particular, they'll need to replace his leadership. And that's something that, at 22, Thuram will not be able to do. Potentially having to replace Fabinho on top of that, Liverpool may be forced into looking at more proven options, given how important the Brazilian has previously been to Klopp's side.

So, as of right now, whilst Liverpool will have the funds to secure a deal if both Fabinho and Henderson depart, they may look towards a more proven and experienced option than Thuram.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in FC Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, as the Gunners bid to add depth to their title-challenging squad this summer.

Mikel Arteta and Edu have had a stellar transfer window so far, confirming the signing of Chelsea star Kai Havertz while Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are in the pipeline to be announced as arrivals next week.

Despite surpassing expectations last season, the north Londoners will aim to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City, with adding quality in depth essential this summer.

Is Taremi going to Arsenal?

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, relayed by football.london, Arsenal are interested in Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, who could be a valuable asset in Arteta’s bid to add strength in numbers.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United already this summer, with a separate report in Portugal valuing him at no less than €20m (£17m).

O Jogo claim that the Gunners are monitoring the striker, who is entering the final year of his contract at Porto.

How good is Mehdi Taremi?

Praised as “intelligent” by scout Antonio Mango, the 30-year-old has been an integral member of Porto’s squad, cementing himself in the top three of the side’s best performers in Liga Portugal.

Averaging a match rating of 7.38, the Iranian striker registered a mammoth 29 goal contributions in 33 league appearances, scoring 22 and assisting seven in a memorable individual campaign, via Sofascore.

Adding numbers like these to his CV, there’s little surprise that the forward is attracting interest from the Premier League.

Indeed, he stacks up well compared to a certain Harry Kane too. Over the last two campaigns, the Spurs star has found the net on 59 occasions compared to Taremi's 57.

For Arsenal, a player as clinical as the Bushehr-born ace could give Arteta an added outlet for goals in attack, with a figure that could provide significant depth to the title-challenging squad.

While the Gunners have a strong attack, there’s always room for improvement, and with Gabriel Jesus netting 11 goals in 26 Premier League appearances last term, there is undoubtedly room for more goals in the front line.

The north Londoners have welcomed Folarin Balogun back from his emphatic loan spell at Reims, in which the 22-year-old scored 21 in 37 Ligue 1 appearances, giving the boss a potential headache for selection.

There has, however, been speculation that the United States international could depart this summer having made his wishes to be the leading striker for Arsenal clear, leaving a potential gap in the squad for a forward to challenge Jesus.

Taremi could be a risk-free alternative to Balogun, who has had just one imposing senior goal-scoring season in his budding career so far.

Last season wasn’t an unusual feat to record for Taremi, who has become a favourite in Porto since signing for the club in 2020 from fellow Portuguese outfit Rio Ave.

In 147 appearances in all competitions, the 30-year-old has contributed to a monstrous 129 goals scoring 80 and assisting 49 to showcase his consistent ability in the final third, via Transfermarkt.

Averaging 0.52 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, the Iranian could be a safer bet for Arteta than the 22-year-old Balogun who averaged 0.45 non-penalty goals per 90.

It could be a smart move for Edu to cash in on Balogun while his value is high, and to add a seasoned scorer to the side to compete with Jesus next campaign.

Manchester United appear to be keen on bringing more than just one midfielder to Old Trafford this summer after agreeing a deal to sign Mason Mount.

Who could Man United sign this summer?

Talk of Mount’s move from Chelsea has understandably dominated the early exchanges of the transfer window.

Yet, more work is being done behind the scenes by Erik ten Hag and co, with a move for Sofyan Amrabat also on the table.

That’s according to RAI Sport (via Football Italia) who suggest that United are ready to double the player’s salary in a bid to tempt him to English football.

That said, they will need to cough up the €30m (£26m) asking price that Fiorentina have placed on his head.

What is Sofyan Amrabat’s style of play?

The Moroccan was a star player at the Winter World Cup in Qatar as his nation reached the semi-finals during an extraordinary run.

Eventually named in Football FanCast’s Team of the Tournament, as voted for by readers, it was perhaps a surprise that he didn’t get a move in the winter when the likes of Barcelona were interested.

Now an attractive proposition for United, a £26m fee would be a bargain for a 26-year-old who possesses some fabulous qualities.

At the end of the season, he took Declan Rice “to school” in the Europa Conference League final, although his team would eventually lose that showpiece 2-1.

Everything good the team did came through Amrabat in that match and it only offered further weight to the claim that he is the epitome of a big game player. He showed as much during the World Cup where his 2.3 tackles per game were more than any other midfielder in the squad

When compared to other players in the same position across Europe’s top five leagues, that isn’t an area Amrabat usually thrives. Indeed, the Fiorentina star ranks in the worst 33% for that metric, per 90 minutes, via FBref.

So, what does he offer? Well, ranking in the top 5% for pass completion and the top 8% for progressive passes, this is a player who is remarkably composed and possesses wonderful vision.

He is a conductor, think the likes of Andrea Pirlo, who will sit back and dictate the play. He sits in the best 2% for medium pass success and in the top 1% for long pass success.

The Moroccan is rarely involved in the final third, ranking in the worst 34% for shot-creating actions but he does like to maraud past the opposition. As such, he is in the top 12% for progressive carry distance and the best 18% for overall carries.

With that in mind, he could well be the perfect partner for Casemiro in the middle of United’s side.

The bullish Brazilian has been a revelation since arriving in English football, ranking inside the top 4% of midfielders across Europe for tackles, blocks, clearances and aerials won.

Unlike Amrabat, he doesn’t maraud forward as such, and as such sits inside the best 62% for carries and the worst 29% of midfielders for total carry distance.

What this means is that the two could complement each other perfectly. Casemiro could sit back and break up the play before handing it over to Amrabat whose immense passing range and ability to carry the ball forward would ensure Ten Hag’s men are on the counter as soon as they’ve won back possession.

Hailed as a “monster” by Carlo Garganese, this would be a superb signing, particularly for the price. Just imagine him and Casemiro.

Celtic confirmed the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as their replacement for Australian Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, and the new coach has already secured his first signing.

The club officially unveiled central midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on a five-year deal from Valerenga for an undisclosed fee with the 50-year-old manager saying:

“We are delighted to bring Odin to the club and to secure his signing so early in the window. He is a player who has been in the club’s scouting and recruitment system for some time. I have looked at him closely and believe he is someone who can make a big impact at the club."

The former Leicester City boss still has over two months left to make further additions to his side, and the Northern Irishman must now reignite the club's previous interest in Denis Huseinbasic.

Who is Denis Huseinbasic?

In April, the Hoops were touted with interest in the FC Koln prospect, who is a central midfielder by trade and he could be the future of Celtic's midfield alongside Holm.

The £4k-per-week prodigy only started seven matches in the Bundesliga during the 2022/23 campaign, but managed to showcase his potential at both ends of the pitch in limited minutes.

Huseinbasic ranks in the top 1% of players in his position in the men's top five leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for tackles (2.62) and blocks (1.82) per 90, which shows that the 21-year-old has excelled defensively when given an opportunity to play.

The talented youngster also scored five goals in all competitions, which also places him in the top 5% of players in his position for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.45) over the past year.

These statistics suggest that the Germany U21 international has the potential to be an impactful player at both ends of the pitch, and playing regular football in Scotland, as opposed to rarely starting in the Bundesliga, could allow him to flourish and showcase his talents week-in, week-out.

At the age of 21, Huseinbasic could be an excellent long-term addition, which is also the case with Holm, who caught the eye in his home country of Norway last year.

The 20-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.96 across 22 Eliteserien matches in 2022 and completed 88% of his passes to go alongside a duel success rate of 60%, which shows that the new Hoops signing has the potential to be a reliable passer and a midfielder who can dominate games from a physical perspective.

Therefore, Huseinbasic – who manager Steffen Baumgart hailed as "very ambitious" – and Holm could both be future stars of Celtic's midfield as they, hopefully, progress and develop with more experience.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in West Bromwich Albion youngster Rico Richards, as Unai Emery plots to steal a rising star from the club’s rivals.

It’s expected to be a busy summer at Villa Park, as both Emery and Monchi aim to take the side to the next level following on from last season’s highs.

The Spanish duo will be hoping to bolster the squad with depth in all areas, as Emery explained to The Athletic in April, which is something they could do by introducing the talent of West Brom’s Richards.

What’s the latest on Rico Richards to Aston Villa?

As reported by Football Insider, Villa are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign the 19-year-old talent who will leave West Brom this summer at the expiry of his contract.

The report states that talks are ‘well underway’ and making good progress, with Villa ‘confident’ in reaching a full agreement with the player.

Who is Rico Richards?

Hailed as a “technician” by analyst Tom Williams, the teenager has shone for the Baggies’ academy sides and made his Championship debut earlier this year, playing ten minutes against Hull City.

Deployed primarily an attacking midfielder, the 19-year-old is versatile in his position behind the striker, with the ability to play on either flank as well as centrally.

In 19 Premier League 2 Division 2 appearances last season, the 6 foot Englishman contributed to nine goals, scoring four and assisting five in an impressive feat in the final third for the skilled teenager.

Described as a player that “loves dribbling” by Williams, the youngster could offer a lot to Emery’s side, and would follow in the footsteps of academy stars that have made the cut to the first team, including the likes of Jack Grealish and a certain Jacob Ramsey who transitioned into being a regular starter.

Possessing the ability to play centrally and on the flanks like Richards, Ramsey initially filtered out Bertrand Traore with his top performances over the past few seasons, a trend that Richards could follow as he bids to dislodge someone of Emiliano Buendia's standing.

Signed from Norwich City in the summer of 2021, the Argentine playmaker secured 32 goals and assists in his final Championship campaign with the Canaries, however, has failed to show his full potential as of yet in the Midlands.

The 26-year-old has registered just 18 goal involvements in the entirety of his Villa career which has spanned over 78 appearances so far, showing his struggle for form in the Premier League.

With the "splendid" Richards – as dubbed by Joe Chapman – potentially arriving at Villa Park, the youngster could target Buendia’s spot in the starting 11, just as Ramsey did in claiming the right-flank as his quarters.

As per The Athletic’s Steve Madeley, the teen has been described by unnamed coaches that have worked alongside him as being an individual with an ‘eye for a goal-creating pass’, to a level that is ‘rarely seen in players his age’.

With his composure on the ball and in the final third, Emery could discover a revelation in Richards, in a talent that could grace his side for years to come and emulate the success of youngsters that have excelled before him at Villa Park.

Chelsea's desperation to land top midfield target Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion could come at a particular cost for academy product Conor Gallagher.

Brighton's insistence on Chelsea paying £100m for a player who has four years to run on his recently-signed contract may see the Blues offer a player in part exchange.

According to The Mirror, Gallagher could be the fall guy, with Chelsea potentially set to give the long-serving midfielder – thought to be worth £30m – to Albion plus a fairly sizable sum on top.

Should Chelsea keep hold of Conor Gallagher?

Selling a player of Gallagher's quality, who has been shaped by the club during his 15 years in West London, could be the first howler of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.

Gallagher starred on loan with Crystal Palace in the 2021-22 season, earning the first of his six England senior caps in the process, before being given a chance to impress in a tumultuous season for Chelsea last time out.

The 23-year-old made 35 appearances in the Premier League – the joint-most of any Chelsea player, along with Kai Havertz – while no Blues player won WhoScored's Man of the Match award on more occasions.

Gallagher's 0.14 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes over the past 12 months ranks him in the top 13% of his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues, meanwhile, and he is in the top 4% for progressive passes received (6.09 per 90), which records completed passes of at least ten yards towards the opposition's goal.

With figures like that, FBref's comparison model adjudges Jude Bellingham to be the player most like Gallagher in terms of statistical profile. For example, Gallagher's 0.17 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes last season was similar to that of Bellingham's 0.23 at Borussia Dortmund.

Gallagher and Bellingham also find the target from a near identical number of their shots (39.3% and 34.8% respectively), and likewise when it comes to passes completed – 81.1% v 81.7%.

The similarities do not stop there, as Gallagher and Bellingham touched the ball in the opposition penalty box 3.28 and 3.51 times respectively per 90 minutes last season – showing a knack to get themselves in dangerous positions.

Factor in the defensive side of their games, with Gallagher averaging 2.56 tackles per 90 last season compared to 2.54 for Bellingham, and Chelsea may just have a future £100m player on their hands – the fee Real Madrid were happy to splash out for the England international.

It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino once dubbed him "Kante with goals."

Gallagher has been hailed plenty for the way he goes about his business, with then-Palace boss Patrick Vieira describing him as "really humble" after scoring twice in a 3-1 win against Everton in December 2021.

Vieira also predicted Gallagher would continue to improve throughout his career, yet the Blues will not reap the rewards of that if they are to let him leave this summer.

Caicedo would be a superb and potentially transformative signing for Pochettino, but it should not come at the expense of letting such a superb homegrown talent in Gallagher leave.