Arsenal are now in club-to-club talks with a Premier League side over another transfer, as Mikel Arteta receives new sporting director Andrea Berta’s full support in his attempts to end the Gunners’ long wait for title glory.

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ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

Having already sealed confirmed deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter set to be announced shortly after completing a medical (David Ornstein), Arteta’s side certainly aren’t slowing down.

Arsenal appear determined to bridge the gap between themselves and English champions Liverpool, who won the league by a seismic 10 points last season, and Berta will be mindful of the excellent business their rivals have already conducted themselves this summer.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£65m

With Man City and Chelsea also making splashes in the market, competition at the top of the table will be rife, and Arsenal are attempting not to be left behind.

Reports suggest that Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, and the Sweden international could well join them in time for their pre-season tour of Asia later this month.

Alongside the prolific 27-year-old, who netted an outstanding 54 goals in all competitions last season, Arsenal have held positive negotiations for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who would join in a deal independent of the club’s chase for a new left-winger.

While Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has been mooted as Arsenal’s “dream” target in that area, Berta appears to be moving for Chelsea forward Noni Madueke as an alternative.

The England international has already agreed personal terms to join Arsenal, as widely reported, but there’s been a slight wait for them to make formal contact with Chelsea.

However, it now appears that the wait is now over.

Arsenal open talks with Chelsea over "surprise" Noni Madueke deal

As per talkSPORT and other reliable media sources, Arsenal have opened club-to-club talks with Chelsea over signing Madueke, with the broadcast giant saying he’s “emerged as a surprise candidate” to become their fourth signing of the window.

It is believed that Chelsea value their man at north of £50 million, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano also sharing a key piece of information from his own sources, via X.

An initial bid has apparently gone in for Madueke, which is worth £50m including add-ons, but as things stand, that still won’t be enough.

Chelsea want more than £50m as a fixed fee, not including add-ons, with the west Londoners referencing Anthony Elanga’s £55 million move to Newcastle, among other similar deals, as a yardstick for Madueke’s valuation.

Talks remain ongoing, and it appears there is still some ground to cover in negotiations before we can call this one a ‘done deal’.

In terms of the 23-year-old’s quality, he would be an excellent option, with Enzo Maresca even calling Madueke one of his “best players” from last season. It does plunge the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard into serious doubt, though, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one of the duo depart before deadline day if Madueke is signed.

Having already welcomed Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol, Leeds United are now reportedly targeting a move to sign an alternative option to recent target Noah Sadiki.

What Leeds are planning next after Bijol

After splashing out to sign Bijol from Udinese, reports suggest that the 49ers are not done. Names such as Habib Diarra and Sadiki have found themselves on Leeds’ radar as of late and it looks as though adding another midfielder to Daniel Farke’s squad will be among the priorities in the coming months.

The Whites have even reportedly made an official offer worth as much as £24m to sign Diarra and could be closing in on their target sooner rather than later if reports are to be believed. Meanwhile, Sadkiki has also been the subject of a reported bid with the 49ers clearly ready to follow up the signing of Bijol by spending big again.

The Union St.Gilloise star would be another impressive signing and could partner Ao Tanaka at the heart of Farke’s side to form a midfield duo capable of achieving Premier League survival and more next season.

What may help their pursuit to sign Sadiki is the news that rivals Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 amid financial problems. Without a direct rival for the midfielder’s signature, those in the Midlands could have a simple route towards his arrival.

He'd be unstoppable with Tanaka: Leeds make offer to sign "complete" star

Leeds are looking to sign a new midfielder this summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 26, 2025

If that does not prove to be the case, however, then it could be another interesting midfield talent who arrives to offer those at Elland Road an instant boost.

Leeds targeting Mahdi Camara

According to Footen France, the 49ers and Leeds are now targeting a summer move to sign Mahdi Camara, who could arrive as an alternative to Sadkiki. The Stade Brest midfielder is reportedly available for as little as £13m this summer in what could quickly turn into a bargain deal in Yorkshire.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)	Ao Tanaka	Mahdi Camara
Minutes	3,584	2,659
Goals	5	5
Progressive Passes per 90	7.04	3.76
Ball Recoveries per 90	5.90	3.32

Whilst Camara struggled to match Tanaka in possession last season, the Frenchman did showcase his goalscoring ability from midfield in what could offer Farke an unexpected threat going forward.

Forming a midfield partnership capable of scoring 10 goals between them would certainly go a long way towards survival for those at Elland Road given how the Premier League has a history of blunting previously sharp Championship frontlines.

What’s more, the fact that Camara is represented by the same agent as Sadiki may help any deal this summer. If the latter fails to complete a summer move to Elland Road, then it could be an easy transition to negotiate for Camara, who would be an excellent alternative option.

Bangladesh’s batters asserted themselves on Pakistan’s bowlers as the Rawalpindi Test witnessed a riveting fight for first-innings honours

Karthik Krishnaswamy23-Aug-2024

Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das shared a crucial stand on third day•AFP/Getty Images

On a 35-degree third day broken up into sessions of uneven length – including a three-hour morning session – to accommodate Friday prayers, Bangladesh’s batters weathered a period of early hostility before asserting themselves on Pakistan’s bowlers as the Rawalpindi Test witnessed a riveting fight for first-innings honours.Shadman Islam laid the foundations for Bangladesh’s resistance with a 93 spanning more than five-and-a-half hours, and Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das built on this with half-centuries of their own. At stumps, Bangladesh were five down and 132 adrift of Pakistan’s first-innings total, with Mushfiqur and Litton at the crease, having added an unbroken 98.Litton joined Mushfiqur at a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s innings. Mohammad Ali had nipped out Shadman with the last ball before tea, and Shakib Al Hasan had fallen early, chipping the part-time spin of Saim Ayub to the fielder at cover. The sixth-wicket pair took quick charge of the situation, rattling along at more than five an over and launching a decisive counterattack against Pakistan’s quicks when they took the second new ball late in the day. Bangladesh scored 67 off the last 11 overs of the day, with Litton unfurling some exquisite strokeplay along the way.The high point of this came in the 89th over of Bangladesh’s innings – the 77th of the day – when Litton tore into Naseem Shah. He stepped out and chipped the first ball of the over straight back over the bowler for a one-bounce four, and followed up with an exhibition of pulling and hooking – two unstoppable fours and a massive six over square leg – to race past the half-century mark.That over went for 18. Having conceded just 15 runs from his first 12 overs of the innings, and picked up a wicket in that time, Naseem gave away 62 in his last eight. Those numbers reflected Pakistan’s wider fortunes: Bangladesh’s scoring rate went from 2.97 in the first session to 3.33 in the second to 5.08 in the third.Pakistan, though, still have a 132-run cushion, and will begin day four knowing they are two wickets away from Bangladesh’s lower order.They had to work extremely hard for the five wickets they did take, though, in conditions that were excellent for batting once the first new ball lost its shine. Pakistan’s discipline and persistence for most of the day, however, ensured that Bangladesh also had to work hard to earn their late scoring spree.Starting the day on 27 for no loss, Bangladesh scored just 12 runs in 12 overs before the first drinks break, losing Zakir Hasan along the way. Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi were relentless with their probing in the channel and found enough movement to imperil on-the-up shots, and Bangladesh’s top three resisted them for most part through a combination of skill, judgment and a bit of luck.Pakistan made their breakthrough in the fifth over of the day, however, when Naseem’s angle across the left-hander, and a bit of away seam movement and extra bounce, coaxed Zakir into a hard-hands push away from the body. Mohammad Rizwan – back as keeper after going off the field with cramps late on day two – flew to his left to complete the catch off the edge.Runs flowed slightly quicker when the third and fourth seamers came on, and Najmul Hossain Shanto drove Shahzad crisply for fours through mid-off and extra-cover when he overpitched. But those were marginal errors from Shahzad as he bowled to a plan, bringing Shanto forward with fuller lengths while angling the ball into him from round the wicket. Having habituated Shanto into front-foot drives and blocks into the cover region with a slightly open bat face, he pulled his length back slightly and got one to nip back in off the seam and bowl him comprehensively through the gate.Bangladesh were 53 for 2, and the seven overs before the next drinks break brought Shadman and Mominul just 12 runs.Through all this, Shadman batted with poise, except for a couple of ungainly moments against the short ball when he top-edged pulls off Mohammad Ali and Shahzad, the ball falling safely in front of the long leg fielder both times.Pakistan players celebrate the dismissal of Shadman Islam•AFP/Getty Images

As hard as Pakistan were pushing, however, the three-hour first session was always going to be a test for them. Having gone without a boundary through the first two hours of the day, Shadman found his release when Shaheen served up a pair of freebies in the 24th over of the morning, driving a half-volley to the cover boundary and punching a full-toss back past the bowler. Then he stepped out to Salman Ali Agha and drilled him through the covers for another boundary to enter the 40s.Naseem returned to the attack, and his day, which had begun so brightly, began to unravel with three fours conceded in his last two overs before lunch. Mominul hit two off successive balls – a cheeky uppercut over the slips followed by a premeditated step back and across to flat-bat a marginally short-of-length ball wide of mid-on – before Shadman closed out the session with a pulled four that brought up his fifty.Shadman and Mominul put on 94 for the third wicket, before Shahzad broke the partnership in the fourth over after lunch. The wicket was near-identical to that of Zakir: a fullish length from round the wicket drew Mominul half-forward to defend, and inward seam movement pierced the bat-pad gap.Pakistan twice came close to getting an lbw soon after this, with Shahzad reviewing a not-out call off an inducker against Mushfiqur Rahim and Shadman reviewing an out call against a slider from the offspinner Salman Ali Agha. Both reviews went Bangladesh’s way.As the second session wore on, Shadman began to look dangerous, rushing from 64 to 93 in just 25 balls, hitting six fours in that time. Then Ali took a leaf out of Shahzad’s playbook and bowled him with the last ball before tea: once again, a ball from round the wicket that nipped into the left-hander and bowled him through the gate.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had one striker at the very top of his transfer priority list, but the expectation is that he’ll now remain at his club for another window.

Related Fabrizio Romano: Arsenal given "green light" to sign "machine" after agreement

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The Gunners have showcased serious ambition under new sporting director Andrea Berta this summer, having already announced the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£75m

This trio of deals takes Arsenal’s transfer expenditure to around £75 million, not including add-ons, but Arteta’s side are certainly not done there.

Chelsea have given the green light for winger Noni Madueke to join Arsenal (Fabrizio Romano), in a deal worth around £50 million, and the 23-year-old is poised to become the seventh player in six years to swap Stamford Bridge for the Emirates Stadium.

Despite striking a deal for Madueke, Arsenal haven’t given up on their pursuit of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, and talks have been held with the 27-year-old’s representatives in an entirely separate move to his England international teammate.

However, the one signing all Gunners supporters want to see above all is the potential addition of a new striker.

Arsenal scored just 69 Premier League goals last term, far below their previous tallies of 88 and 91 in the 22/23 and 23/24 campaigns, and it is widely reported that they’re now in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres in an attempt to solve this conundrum.

However, the Swede who scored 54 goals in all competitions last season wasn’t always their main target.

Benjamin Sesko expected to remain at RB Leipzig this summer

That is according to reliable journalist Christian Falk, who wrote in his FactFiles column, as quoted by CaughtOffside, that Benjamin Sesko is set to be priced out of a transfer away from RB Leipzig.

Sesko was Arteta’s “first choice” potential striker signing for Arsenal, but the Slovenia international is now expected to remain in the Bundesliga, unless a suitor is willing to pay close to his £78 million price tag.

“Benjamin Šeško was Mikel Arteta’s first-choice option to reinforce the striker position,” said the head of football at BILD.

“However, Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s former sporting director, was more focused on Viktor Gyökeres because the Sporting Lisbon star is a cheaper option.

“Now, at the moment, Šeško is too expensive for Arsenal and Manchester United. So, it seems he’s going to stay put for another season, unless a potential suitor is prepared to come in and pay €90m [£77.5m].

“It could still happen, but as we’re seeing with Arsenal, not every club is willing to pay this amount.”

أثنى لاعب نادي برشلونة السابق على قدرات لامين يامال، نجم الفريق الحالي، موضحًا أن الأخير يستحق الفوز بالكرة الذهبية عن العام الحالي.

يامال صعد للفريق الأول بنادي برشلونة خلال موسم 2024، حيث ظهرت موهبته بشكل واضح على الرغم من خروج البلوجرانا دون تحقيق أي لقب.

ثم انفجر يامال بشكل كبير خلال الموسم الماضي مع برشلونة وتحت قيادة المدير الفني هانز فليك، حيث ساهم في فوز البلوجرانا بثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس السوبر الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا.

أقرأ أيضًا .. لامين يامال يثير القلق في برشلونة قبل مباراة فالنسيا بـ الدوري الإسباني

وفي حوار مع صحيفة ماركا، يرى بابلو توري، لاعب نادي ريال مايوركا الحالي وبرشلونة السابق، أن يامال يمتلك موهبة استثنائية.

وقال توري: ”إنه لاعب خارق في الثامنة عشرة من عمره الآن، لكن كل ما فعله في السابعة عشرة وحتى في السادسة عشرة يظهر موهبة مذهلة، لا داعي لقول أكثر من ذلك”.

وأتم توري في حديثه عن يامال: “فنيًا، هو لاعب مذهل، لكنه الآن، حتى جسديًا أصبح وحشًا، ويبذل جهدًا طوال الوقت ويكرر ما يفعله ويضغط بشدة، ويقضي على الفريق المنافس ويستمتع، إنه لاعب مذهل وهو يستحق الكرة الذهبية هذا العام”.

Still searching for a new No.9 even if it’s not Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool have now reportedly initiated contact to sign a 17-goal striker who once terrorised Virgil van Dijk.

After a quiet first summer in charge, Richard Hughes has silenced all doubters at Liverpool this summer. He emerged victorious in the race to sign Florian Wirtz in a British transfer record, swooped in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong and even returned to former club Bournemouth to sign Milos Kerkez. But he’s not done there.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have now made their first approach to sign Isak from Newcastle United and have told the Magpies that they’re willing to break their transfer record for the second time this summer to welcome the Swede.

Signing Wirtz was a statement of intent from Liverpool, but signing Isak would arguably blow that out of the water. The one weakness in Arne Slot’s side last season came in the No.9 role and the Newcastle star stood out as the Reds’ dream target to solve that problem. Now, in the mood to spend, he could arrive.

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That said, it almost goes without saying that it will be a complicated deal and Newcastle’s stance remains a difficult one to change. So it comes as no surprise that Isak isn’t the only name on Liverpool’s radar, with an approach also made towards Frankfurt star Ekitike, who is wanted by Newcastle themselves.

Alongside the widely reported two targets, Liverpool have also set their sights on a Premier League rival who previously dominated Van Dijk.

Liverpool make contact to sign Watkins

As reported by The Daily Mail, Liverpool have now initiated contact to sign Ollie Watkins. Those at Anfield reportedly contacted the Villans to discover details over how much a deal for the forward would cost this summer amid their PSR problems in the Midlands. Whether that means a cut-price deal can be formed remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Watkins would be an excellent addition.

Appearances

10

Goals

6

Assists

2

With six goals in 10 appearances against Liverpool, including a hat-trick against Van Dijk and his teammates in a stunning 7-2 thrashing in 2020/21, the Reds know more about Watkins’ quality than they’ll care to admit. Alas, five years on from that thrashing and he could at last become a teammate rather than a thorn in their side.

Villa boss Unai Emery won’t be keen to lose his star striker, and those around Villa Park will likely share that stance. The Spaniard, full of praise for Watkins during his 17-goal haul last season, told reporters: “He’s amazing. Because he’s a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing.

“When he is scoring goals, it’s the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he’s contributing to help the team. But even when he’s not doing both, he’s working for the team.”

Watkins’ 16 top flight goals last season was actually one more than Ekitike’s 15 in the Bundesliga, and given the difference in quality between the two leagues he could provide more guaranteed end product.

Bangladesh survived 12 overs before stumps but will have to return to face a relatively new ball on Friday

Karthik Krishnaswamy22-Aug-2024A 240-run fifth-wicket stand between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan formed the centerpiece of a dominant second day for Pakistan as they declared at 448 for 6, leaving Bangladesh to see off a tricky hour or so before stumps. Bangladesh did so, with openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan surviving 12 overs, but they will have to come back and face Pakistan’s four-pronged seam attack on day three with a ball that is still relatively new.Pakistan looked to up their scoring rate when they resumed after tea, with Rizwan announcing their intent by stepping out and clouting Shoriful Islam for a big six over long-on. The shot triggered a bout of cramps, and Rizwan continued to hobble as he collected 37 off 42 balls after tea to finish unbeaten on 171 when Pakistan declared.Pakistan’s aggressive intent after tea cost them one wicket, when Shakib Al Hasan’s guile undid Agha Salman’s attempt to hit him against the turn, bringing about a sliced catch at backward point. But it also brought quick runs, as Shaheen Shah Afridi slogged two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 29 off 24.Rizwan came out and kept wickets when Bangladesh’s innings began, but cramps forced him to leave the field after 7.3 overs, with Sarfaraz Ahmed taking over behind the stumps. In all, Rizwan was on the field for all but 4.3 overs of the day’s play.Having added 44 on day one, Shakeel and Rizwan batted on for the best part of two sessions before Bangladesh finally broke their stand, with just over 15 minutes to go for tea.The visitors’ long-awaited moment of inspiration came from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who dangled up a teasing offbreak that dragged Shakeel onto the front foot to defend, then dipped and turned sharply past his outside edge, leaving him reaching for the ball and dragging his back foot out of the crease. Litton Das completed the dismissal with lightning glovework after collecting the ball somewhere around the seventh-stump line.This was a dismissal with a margin of millimeters; the tip of Shakeel’s toe was on the crease when the bails began to flash.There had been only millimeters in it an over earlier, too, when Shakeel – who had routinely left his crease against the fast bowlers to negotiate movement – shouldered arms to Hasan Mahmud and Litton, alert to the possibility, threw down the stumps. Then, Shakeel had plonked his bat into the crease and landed a fraction of a second – a fraction too small for the frame rate of the TV cameras to capture definite proof – before the bails lit up.Litton had been involved in most of the small sprinkling of nervous moments that Shakeel and Rizwan endured during their 63.5 overs together. He had moved alertly to his left to create a diving opportunity when Rizwan lobbed up a bat-pad half-chance off Mehidy, but hadn’t been able to finish the job. He had missed an even tougher chance, down the leg side, off Rizwan’s glove when he had tried to sweep Shakib.That these moments were so infrequent, and so far from being genuine chances, reflected how well Shakeel and Rizwan batted as they brought up their respective third Test hundreds. It also reflected how much the conditions had eased up since the start of the Test match, when Bangladesh had made full use of the new ball and early moisture to reduce Pakistan to 16 for 3.Proof of the transformed conditions – though the tiredness in the Bangladesh seamers’ limbs also contributed, no doubt – came when Bangladesh took the second new ball, ten overs after lunch. Both batters had brought up their centuries by then – Rizwan going from 91 to 97 by stepping out and launching Shakib for a big six over wide long-on, then whipping him over midwicket for four to reach three figures – and they greeted the return of the fast bowlers with a series of gorgeous strokes.Rizwan eased Hasan Mahmud through cover point in the 82nd over, and in the next over Shakeel stood tall to drive Shoriful on the up through cover.The batters embraced when Shakeel played that shot, perhaps recognising the fact that it was his first boundary of the day, and his unhurried, unbothered manner while going through 123 balls without one.Shakeel made up for that in the overs that followed, pulling Shoriful and Nahid Rana disdainfully when they tried to bounce him, and whipping Rana off his hips when he veered too straight.Rana had tried the short-ball ploy in the first session too, and occasionally made both batters look awkward. But it came at a cost: his five overs in the morning went for 32 runs.Rizwan scored most of those runs, including back-to-back falling ramps over the slips off bouncers angling into his body to go from 46 to 54. In Rana’s next over, he showed more of his range against the short ball, hooking him for a six over backward square leg.Rizwan was by far the quicker scorer of the fifth-wicket pair during the first session, adding 65 off 100 balls. Shakeel had less of the strike, and made quieter use of it, scoring 32 off 77 without adding to his five boundaries from day one. By lunch, Rizwan had overtaken Shakeel having started the day 33 runs behind.Their methods may have been different, but their effect on Bangladesh was similarly dispiriting. Shakeel’s defence, in particular, looked unbreachable at times; he was beautifully balanced at all times, and invariably met the ball right under his eyes with the bat’s full face.As the day went on, Bangladesh’s spinners began to take on a greater share of the workload, and both Shakib and Mehidy put a difficult first day – they had gone for a combined 36 from their six overs – behind them and performed an admirable holding job. Much of their day-one despair had been related to Pakistan’s clinical use of the sweep. They responded by attacking the stumps far more, and bowling a touch quicker than they had earlier, with protection in the deep square on the leg side. Both used drift cleverly, and Mehidy on occasion extracted sharp turn too.

Sunderland are in talks over completing the signing of a versatile player in the summer transfer window, according to a promising new update.

Who could Sunderland sign this summer?

The Black Cats are reportedly interested in snapping up Clermont midfielder Habib Keita before next season gets underway, but they will have their work cut out getting a deal over the line.

That’s because a host of English clubs are keen on acquiring his signature, with Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City and Crystal Palace all keeping tabs on him.

Elsewhere, Sunderland are said to be leading the race to sign Vladyslav Vanat this summer, with the Dynamo Kiev striker a potentially exciting addition for Regis Le Bris, as he looks to have enough firepower in his squad to aid their chances of staying in the Premier League and avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

West Brom youngster Isaac Price has also emerged as a reported target for the Black Cats, with the 21-year-old a player who could have a bright future in the game. The midfielder has already scored six goals in 18 caps for Northern Ireland, summing up his potential.

Sunderland in talks over signing £2.5m midfielder

According to a new report from Africa Foot, Sunderland are in talks with the representatives of Yverdon Sport midfielder Moussa Baradja over a potential £2.5m summer move to the Stadium of Light.

The 24-year-old is looking for a new challenge after his team were relegated from the Swiss Super League last season, and the Black Cats are hoping to “reach an agreement” in the near future following contact.

Baradja isn’t necessarily a player who is well-known to the English audience, but he could be an astute signing by Sunderland, in what is such an important transfer window for them.

Perhaps the Frenchman’s greatest asset is his versatility, allowing him to thrive as a defensive midfielder and a more attack-minded one, as well as being able to do a job on the right wing.

This is sure to appeal to Le Bris, who knows the importance of squad depth ahead of Sunderland’s return to the Premier League, and Baradja would likely come in as a relatively cheap addition, assuming they can get him for just £2.5m.

He has made 29 appearances for Yverdon Sport, chipping in with four goals and three assists in that time, and he will be able to offer quality at both ends of the pitch.

Granted, Sunderland also need to sign players who have proven themselves in the Premier League, but Baradji looks like shrewd business that could ultimately be effective over time.

He's the new Le Fee: Sunderland battling English clubs to sign £1.2m star

Sunderland is monitoring this promising midfielder who could be Regis Le Bris’ next Enzo Le Fee.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 23, 2025

Still only 24, he wouldn’t be coming in as a quick fix for the Black Cats, instead arriving as a squad player and hopefully becoming a key man as time passes.

West Bromwich Albion’s Championship season derailed at a worryingly quick pace last campaign.

Heading into Christmas last year, the Baggies were just about holding onto a playoff spot in sixth position, but right after Carlos Corberan’s exit to Valencia was confirmed, West Brom’s promotion push fell off a cliff.

Their woes on the pitch weren’t helped whatsoever by their demoralising striker situation, as the majority of 2025 in the second tier for the Baggies had to be endured without 12-goal menace Josh Maja leading the line owing to injury.

He will be back and raring to go under Ryan Mason’s guidance, but more strength in depth is desperately needed up top just in case Maja suffers from another season-ending setback, with Leyton Orient goalscoring sensation Charlie Kelman now reportedly on the shopping list.

West Brom's ongoing pursuit of Kelman

With Daryl Dike also prone to a long-standing issue in the Hawthorns treatment room, it’s no shock to see West Brom are attempting to be proactive in adding more stars to their often depleted centre-forward department.

Journalist Darren Witcoop first revealed at the tail-end of June that West Brom were keen on adding the Queens Park Rangers outcast to their squad this summer after an explosive loan stint with Richie Wellens’ O’s.

Even though Orient would come up short in their bid to win promotion to the Championship, Kelman would still manage to come out on top as the division’s top goalscorer, with a lethal 26 strikes coming his way in all competitions.

Yet, the 23-year-old has seriously struggled in the second tier previously – with no goals next to his name from 23 appearances in the unforgiving league – meaning other targets might well be sought after by Mason and Co, with one loanee also on the Baggies’ radar potentially even more exciting than the golden boot recipient joining the club.

The "phenomenal" attacker who is more exciting than Kelman

One bonus of having Mason in the dug-out is his connections to the Premier League, with the 33-year-old perhaps able to raid ex-club Tottenham Hotspur for some of their top, young assets.

Will Lankshear is certainly one up-and-coming talent that could tick many of West Brom’s boxes in their search for a deadly, new striker, with reports recently suggesting a move for the 20-year-old to return to the Hawthorns on a loan basis is on the cards.

Of course, there may be some hesitancy on West Brom’s end about diving back in to land the promising striker – considering he netted zero times last season during a brief loan stint – but it’s clear he has more to give away from these struggles, having already bagged a senior strike for Spurs.

Indeed, Lankshear was arguably shoved into the deep-end last campaign at the height of West Brom’s problems on the pitch, with his unbelievable goal record at youth level in North London potentially ready to come to the surface in men’s football now, especially as a familiar face in Mason – who worked closely beside him at Spurs in youth circles – would be by his side.

Games played

61

209

Age

20

23

Goals scored

32

47

Assists

5

11

Staggeringly, despite playing 148 games less than Kelman, the four-time England U20 international is only 15 goals off matching the ex-Orient loanee’s entire career goal tally, albeit from primarily playing Premier League 2 football.

Still, with Kelman only managing a meagre 13 goals from 101 clashes away from his celebrated O’s spell, the “phenomenal” youngster – as he was once labelled by football journalist John Wenham – could well be deemed as the better option.

After all, the QPR reserve attacker would also cost a significant fee to win, which makes the move even riskier when assessing his patchy goalscoring record away from East London.

Whereas, Lankshear would be picked up temporarily, with the 20-year-old no doubt eager to right his earlier West Brom wrongs if he were to join as the Baggies gun for promotion glory.

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Manchester United have submitted a loan proposal to sign an “outstanding” £166,000-a-week star from Bayern Munich, according to a new report.

Man Utd submit Nicolas Jackson enquiry as they close in on Mbeumo

The Red Devils have only managed to make one signing so far this summer, and that came right at the start of the window with the arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves. The hope was that Bryan Mbeumo would soon become the club’s second signing, but it is a transfer that has taken a long time to get over the line.

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Those at Old Trafford have already seen two bids turned down for the Cameroon international, but they have not given up on finding an agreement, and according to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, United are expected to wrap up the transfer of Mbeumo in the coming days ahead of their tour to the USA. The Premier League side are expecting a breakthrough in talks in the coming days after having opening offers turned down by the Bees.

Despite the arrival of Cunha and the potential arrival of Mbeumo, United and Ruben Amorim are keen to add a new striker to their ranks. The Red Devils have been linked with several forwards, with the latest name being Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea. Jackson could leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and United have made an enquiry over signing the striker, who could be available for just £60 million.

Man Utd make loan proposal to sign £166k-p/w Bayern ace

Mbeumo and Jackson are not the only players United are chasing, as according to Caught Offside, Man United have made a loan proposal for Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha, but the German giants have turned it down.

Palhinha, who earns a weekly wage of €192,308 (£166,481), is considered to be no longer in the plans of manager Vincent Kompany and therefore can leave the Bundesliga champions this summer. United have identified the Portuguese international as a target, but they were keen on striking a loan deal, which Bayern aren’t on board with.

Bayern Munich want to sell Palhinha on a permanent basis and are looking to get between €30-35 million, which is roughly £25-30 million. United are not the only team chasing the midfielder, as Tottenham Hotspur have also made an enquiry, while Fulham and West Ham are also interested in a potential deal.

Joao Palhinha’s Premier League stats
Apps	68
Goals	7
Assists	1

The 30-year-old, who has been dubbed “outstanding” during his time at Craven Cottage by John Wenham, played just 17 games in the Bundesliga last season, and he only featured once in the Club World Cup, which was 45 minutes against Benfica.

Palhinha’s potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him likely replace Casemiro and partner his international teammate Bruno Fernandes in Amorim’s midfield selection. However, United would have to stump up money to sign the midfielder, and given their financial situation, they may look to alternative targets, whether they are cheaper or on a temporary basis.