All posts by z3u9t.icu

If there is one thing Arsenal have really lacked this season, it’s goals.

Mikel Arteta’s side are set to finish second in the Premier League this weekend, but as things stand, they have scored 18 goals fewer than Liverpool.

With their attacking output such an apparent weakness, it’s hardly been surprising to see the Gunners linked with a host of brilliant strikers and wingers in recent weeks, with Rodrygo perhaps being the most exciting of them all.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, the North Londoners might now be looking at a potential alternative to the Real Madrid star, someone who’s been compared to Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal transfer news

Before we get to the star in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other players linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo.

Transfer Focus

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

The former has scored an unreal 53 goals in 51 appearances this season while providing another 13 assists for good measure, so even though he’d reportedly cost the Gunners between £60m and £70m, it would be hard to say he wouldn’t be worth it.

Likewise, Mbeumo has been on fire for Brentford this season, scoring 19 goals and providing nine assists in just 41 games, making his £60m price tag seem more than reasonable.

However, another name that has recently entered the picture, and someone who could be an ideal Rodrygo alternative, is Ademola Lookman.

Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are looking for a new winger this summer, and the Atalanta star is someone they are interested in.

In fact, Plettenberg claims that talks with the Nigerian international and other players “are in full swing.”

According to stories from earlier this year, the former Napoli star could cost the North Londoners up to £55m, and while that’s a lot of money, he’d certainly be worth it, especially as he’s won comparisons to Saka.

How Lookman compares to Rodrygo and Saka

So, before we get to why Lookman might be an ideal alternative to Rodrygo, let’s examine this comparison to Saka and where it has come from.

Well, in this instance it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, before creating a list of the ten most comparable players.

By doing this, it has been concluded that the Englishman is the second most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Nigerian across the last 365 days.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.78

0.79

Shots

3.23

3.39

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.53

0.63

Live Passes

33.8

33.0

Shot-Taking Actions

5.44

5.93

Interceptions

0.12

0.16

The best way to see how this is worked out is by taking a look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including but not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, shots, crosses into the penalty area, live passes, shot-taking actions and more, all per 90.

In short, there are a lot of statistical similarities between the “world-class” 27-year-old, as dubbed by the BBC’s John Bennett, and Saka, although were he to join the Gunners, he’d almost certainly have to play off the left – where he is still comfortable – which makes him an alternative to Rodrygo.

So, who comes out on top when we compare the pair’s output from this season against one another?

Interestingly, it’s actually the London-born dynamo who comes out on top, as in 39 appearances, totalling 2826 minutes, he has scored 20 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an incredible average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games or every 104.66 minutes.

In contrast, the Brazilian international has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists in 50 appearances, totalling 3290 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games or every 143.04 minutes.

Ultimately, Rodrygo would certainly be a statement signing, but should it not materialise, Arsenal may end up better off bringing in Lookman, as he’s both more productive and incredibly similar to Saka.

He's like Isak: Arsenal plan talks to sign £105m Gyokeres alternative

The free-scoring forward would be perfect for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 22, 2025

Turning their attention away from title celebrations and towards the summer transfer market, Liverpool are now reportedly preparing a medical for one target who they believe will sign for the club within a matter of days.

Salah reacts to Alexander-Arnold boos

Whilst the focus throughout this week has been on further celebrations within a Liverpool squad who have seemingly not stopped partying since confirming their Premier League title victory, it was only a week ago that Trent Alexander-Arnold was at the centre of headlines for all the wrong reasons.

After coming off the bench for the first time since confirming his Liverpool exit, the scouse-born right-back was met by a chorus of boos with every touch of the ball in a moment that has since caused plenty of debate.

Everyone has seemingly had their say on the controversial moment, including Mohamed Salah, who chose to defend his teammate in a recent interview with Gary Neville.

The Liverpool forward said: “I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him. I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”

“We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months. Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”

He plays a lot like Wirtz: Liverpool plot huge move to sign £85m "magician"

Liverpool are ready to throw the kitchen sink at a marquee attacking signing this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 17, 2025

Away from the headlines, though, Liverpool still have a right-back to replace and whilst the debate has continued, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have reportedly seemingly made a move to do exactly that.

Liverpool preparing medical for Frimpong

With Alexander-Arnold on his way out, those at Anfield have instantly shifted their focus towards a fresh option down their right-hand side. According to GiveMeSport, Liverpool are now preparing a medical for Jeremie Frimpong and believe that they’ll have their deal wrapped up to sign the Bayer Leverkusen star in a matter of days.

The Reds have moved rapidly since the Alexander-Arnold news and are reportedly set to trigger Frimpong’s bargain €35m (£29m) release clause to get their deal over the line. Whilst the Dutchman is a different type of player to Liverpool’s academy graduate, he would arguably offer a larger output down Arne Slot’s right-hand side based on this season’s impressive numbers.

Starts

25

28

Goals

5

3

Assists

5

6

Ball Recoveries

84

130

Frimpong is certainly a player who’s rated highly at Leverkusen too, with Real Madrid-bound manager Xabi Alonso telling reporters last season: “Since I got here for the first time, since the first day, Jeremie has been a key player for us and for myself.

“He’s a great guy. His personality… he brings a lot of joy to the locker room. So you need to keep him having this joy. But as well as become more mature.”

Clocked as the fastest player in the Champions League this season by PFF, the Netherlands star will certainly strike fear into opponents when overlapping Salah down the right flank.

Chelsea are now showing clear interest in signing a 20-goal South American striker this summer, and negotiations could intensify in the coming weeks, according to a report.

Jackson dismissed as Blues falter in top five push

Nicolas Jackson impressed in the early stages of the Premier League campaign, which means the 23-year-old has reached the 10-goal mark, but his performance in the important clash against Newcastle United on Sunday underlined the need to bring in a new striker.

In a game that could have huge ramifications on whether the Blues qualify for the Champions League, Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman, leaving Enzo Maresca unhappy.

Speaking after the 2-0 defeat at St. James’ Park, Maresca said: “His season for us is finished. He is our nine, our striker, so we have to find a solution for the next games. Marc Guiu is our other striker, but he has been injured for three months.

“What you have to avoid is these kind of things, but it happened. Nico is now out for the season and hopefully he can learn for the future.”

Talks planned: Chelsea set to make contact over "unbelievable" £90m PL star

The Blues are set to hold talks over a deal for a Premier League attacker.

ByDominic Lund May 11, 2025

Jackson’s recent performance is unlikely to do the Senegalese forward in any favours this summer, given that the west Londoners were already thinking about bringing in a new striker, and a report from Spain has named Alaves’ Joaquin Panichelli as a target.

Chelsea are showing clear interest in signing Panichelli, given his impressive performances on loan at La Liga 2 side Mirandes this season, and talks could accelerate in the coming weeks, as there is growing interest in his signature.

Fellow BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg are also following the forward, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers, with his entourage of the belief that a move to one of Europe’s top clubs is imminent.

Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Manchester United (h)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (a)

May 25th

Real Betis (n)

May 28th

Panichelli catching the eye in Spain

The Argentine enjoyed a very impressive 2024-25 campaign on loan at Mirandes, picking up 20 league goals, the second-highest number in the division, while also providing two assists.

Of course, it must be noted that the South American is unproven in a major league, with his recent exploits coming in the second tier of Spanish football, but his performances last season indicate he could be able to make the step-up to the Premier League soon.

As such, Panichelli could be an interesting signing for the Blues, but they must make sure to bring in a more proven striker alongside the 22-year-old, and they should be in a strong position to attract a top-level forward if they finish in the top five.

There is no shortage of options for Chelsea, with Arsenal now concerned their London rivals will hijack their move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, while Maresca’s side are also ready to bid for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Fresh from their Premier League title celebrations following a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur, it seems as though Liverpool have already turned their attention towards the summer and one particular winger.

Liverpool crowned Premier League champions

When Jurgen Klopp bellowed Arne Slot’s name in front of an emotional Anfield this time last year, not even those in attendance would have believed that his Liverpool side were champions in waiting. One year on, however, the Reds have done what Manchester United failed to do and Slot has done what David Moyes failed to do by keeping what is now officially England’s most successful club on their perch.

Whilst there’s plenty to celebrate, however, there’s also still plenty of work to do at Anfield this summer. And that should only excite those around the club. Slot’s champions, who rarely looked unlikely to take their crown, still have clear levels to reach which could see them endure a busy transfer window.

The likes of Alexander Isak and Jonathan David have been names mentioned in recent months, which should indicate the attacking overhaul that the Reds are looking to complete this summer.

Liverpool struck gold on "world-class" star who was worth more than Palmer

This Liverpool star has immortalised his name after his years of service.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 28, 2025

Isak, given his outstanding Premier League record at Newcastle United, should be the dream move for Slot. Amid the Swede’s hefty £100m+ valuation though, David wouldn’t be a bad second choice. The LOSC Lille forward is set to become a free agent when the summer arrives, allowing his next club to land one of the bargains of the window.

Strikers aside, meanwhile, it looks as though Michael Edwards is also looking to sign another winger when the summer arrives, reportedly turning towards Ligue 1 and a frustrated player.

Liverpool make first Seghir enquiry

According to L’Equipe, Liverpool have made their first enquiry over signing Eliesse Ben Seghir from AS Monaco this summer. The winger is reportedly valued at just €30m (£25m) and is becoming frustrated by his game time in France, where he has started just 18 of 31 Ligue 1 games.

At 20 years old, Monaco’s caution would be seen as understandable if it wasn’t for Ben Seghir’s impressive form throughout the current campaign, which has seen him score nine goals and assist a further four in all competitions despite those limited starts.

Dubbed an “exciting” player by scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, Liverpool’s interest should come as no surprise and their status as champions may yet go a long way towards beating Manchester City to Ben Seghir’s signature, with the Blues also showing some interest.

A young talent frustrated by his game time at Monaco, the 20-year-old is certainly one to watch as the summer transfer window approaches, having already drawn in a sponsorship deal with Adidas, who are soon to return as Liverpool’s chief kit manufacturer.

Newcastle United are “keen on signing” a £70 million “tank” this summer as Eddie Howe looks to further strengthen his EFL Cup-winning squad, according to a new report.

Newcastle pushing for Champions League

Newcastle have had quite the season. Wow fans across the Premier League with their relentless, electrifying performances? Check. Turn Alexander Isak into one of the most feared strikers in Europe? Check. Win the EFL Cup – their first major silverware in 70 years? Double check.

Now, it’s time to add the icing on the cake by qualifying for next season’s Champions League. And by the looks of it, Howe and the Magpies are in a good position to do so.

Currently sitting third in the Premier League with just four games to go, the Magpies kept their Champions League destiny firmly in their own hands on Saturday with a resounding 3-0 win over Ipswich Town — a result that also confirmed the Tractor Boys’ immediate return to the Championship after a tough season back in the top flight.

Isak, Dan Burn, and 21-year-old William Osula all got on the scoresheet at St. James’ Park, with Howe particularly pleased for Osula. Speaking after the match, he said: “He is a player of rich potential and hopefully that is a real confidence lift for him.”

Howe also reflected on the race for the top four, adding: “It will go down to the wire. The important thing today was that we bounced back from last week. We have been very consistent and now we have four huge games.”

Newcastle remain keen on signing Marc Guehi

Whether Newcastle make the Champions League or not, Howe is still planning to strengthen his squad this summer — aiming to keep the momentum going rather than risk stagnation.

And among the club’s top transfer targets is, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi — a player they have been chasing for some time now.

The Magpies had four bids rejected for the England international last summer, the highest being £65 million. However, according to Romano, Newcastle remain “keen” and are ready to go back in for him again when the window opens.

Romano also reports that Tottenham Hotspur, who had a £70 million ($89 million) bid turned down last summer, are still very much interested, while Guehi’s boyhood club Chelsea are also in the race.

Guehi, who has the same agency as Anthony Gordon, has established himself as one of the Premier League’s outstanding defenders over the past three seasons and has shone on the international stage too, making the Team of the Tournament at Euro 2024 as England reached the final.

Josef Bursik, Guehi’s former youth teammate, once described him perfectly.

“He’s an absolute tank,” he said. “It’s like having a brick wall in front of you — he’s massive.”

As Everton go in search of replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they could now reportedly receive a green light to make their move for one target who looks destined for a new club.

Everton commence search to replace Calvert-Lewin

Those at Goodison Park have known for some time that they’ll need to sign a striker this summer with Calvert-Lewin set to depart as a free agent and that has handed The Friedkin Group the chance to get their search underway. A number of impressive names have already been mentioned amid that search too, with Liam Delap arguably the pick of the bunch.

Everton closely follow "elite" £30m+ star who is set to seek new challenge

The Toffees are in the market for reinforcements.

BySean Markus Clifford Apr 14, 2025

The Ipswich Town star will reportedly be available for just £30m this summer if Kieran McKenna’s side suffer Premier League relegation, which at this stage looks inevitable. Therefore available at a bargain price, Delap has reportedly attracted a number of interested parties, with Manchester United and Chelsea among those joining Everton in the race to sign the forward.

Whilst on paper Everton are unlikely to win such a race, the return of David Moyes has seen them pick up the kind of form that would see them enter the race to secure European qualification rather than the battle to survive in the Premier League – crucially increasing the attraction of a move to the Merseyside club this summer.

Following his side’s latest impressive victory – a last-gasp 1-0 win over high-flying Nottingham Forest – Moyes told reporters: “I have got to say it was a great goal but thoroughly deserved. It certainly merited a win and I though we played very well, when you come to a team sitting third in the Premier League and the semi-final of the FA Cup. I think if anyone was going to score, it was us.”

It’s the type of victory which will have done the Toffees no harm both on and off the pitch as they position themselves to sign a fresh attacking option this summer.

Everton could get green light to sign Ferguson

After struggling to make his mark on loan at West Ham United, Evan Ferguson finds himself at a career crossroads that Everton could take full advantage of. According to TeamTalk, with the Hammers unlikely to trigger a permanent deal, Everton could receive the green light to sign Ferguson this summer.

The forward looks almost certain to join a new club away from both Brighton and West Ham, and may yet find himself on his way to Merseyside. The deal will not come cheap, however, given that Brighton were reportedly demanding as much as £45m for his signature in January and may not come down from that price in the coming months.

Whether Friedkin look to make a statement by spending such money to land Ferguson’s signature will certainly be interesting to see. Dubbed “fantastic” by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi just over two years ago, the 20-year-old will be desperate to return to his clinical best next season.

Manchester United might be rotting in the lower levels of the Premier League tower, but there’s a hopeful feeling that Ruben Amorim is brewing something worthwhile at the Theatre of Dreams.

The business end of the domestic season might be one big dead rubber, but the Red Devils are still in with a shout for redemption in the Europa League, preparing for the two-legged quarter-final tie against Lyon.

Winning the second-rate continental title would hand United a golden ticket into next season’s Champions League, an incredible thought given the overall narrative of Man United’s season.

But winning is in this club’s DNA, and if INEOS manage to complete a positive transfer window, there’s every chance that Amorim could turn a much-needed corner and start to build something special.

Though United’s goalscoring woes have led online discourse to centre chiefly around the need for a new centre-forward, that’s hardly the only position requiring surgery right now.

Where Man Utd need to strengthen this summer

Rasmus Hojlund has fallen by the wayside this season, having scored just three times in the Premier League across 26 appearances. Though he’s often devoid of service, the young Dane is hardly imposing himself on defenders, serving dutifully as the focal frontman.

Joshua Zirkzee, at least, offers a bit more across the park, but then he’s also lacking the clinical touch in front of goal that the Manchester side so desperately need to reach the next level and bring some attacking fluency back to the team.

However, Old Trafford needs furnishing across any number of further areas. Some of the rot will depart at the end of the term: Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans – earning a combined £335k per week – are all approaching the end of their contracts.

Depth will thus be needed, with Amorim himself confirming that “big players” are needed. Patrick Dorgu, a tactically suitable wing-back, has already been welcomed, but another wide defender should be targeted and indeed an athletic midfielder too.

However, with Antony and Marcus Rashford out on loan and neither expected to play a part in Amorim’s future plans, a wide forward is also needed, and INEOS are lining up the perfect man, one of Europe’s very best.

Man Utd pushing for UCL superstar

TEAMtalk have reported that Man United have received a major boost in their bid to sign Barcelona’s Raphinha following the Brazilian’s bust-up with head coach Hansi Flick at the weekend.

Transfer Focus

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

While Raphinha has been one of the best attacking players in Europe this season, such an altercation will only fan the flames of his potential departure, especially when considering La Blaugrana’s interminable financial problems.

Understood to be worth in the ballpark of €80m (roughly £67m), the 28-year-old is obviously in the upper financial bracket but has showcased through the 2024/25 campaign that Amorim would receive bang for his buck.

With United deemed to be ‘pushing’ for his signature, the former Leeds United man could be the marquee summer signing that is needed.

Why Raphinha would be perfect for Amorim

Barcelona signed Raphinha from Leeds for £55m in 2022, the winger rejecting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea to move to Spain.

He’s ebbed and flowed a bit over his three terms in La Liga, but Raphinha has found his footing and then some in Flick’s setup, having incredibly scored 27 goals and laid on 20 more assists across 47 matches in all competitions this term.

While his catalogue of goals takes the cake, Raphinha is one of Europe’s most creative players, making 23 big chances in the Spanish top flight alone. On top of that, he’s won 55% of his duels, as per Sofascore, which is no small feat for an attacking player.

The potent force behind Barcelona’s Champions League charge, Raphinha is being regarded as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender after such an impressive haul.

In fact, Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley has even pronounced him to be “Europe’s best player” this season, such is the sheer heights of his influence over a resurgent Barcelona side.

His new-found deadliness in front of goal has actually led data-driven site FBref to record Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as one of his most comparable players.

He’s been United’s bane for some time, but the Egyptian’s talents would go down a treat in Amorim’s system, who could sign a younger and more athletic version in Raphinha.

Goals

0.71

0.70

Assists

0.32

0.47

Touches

56.29

45.23

Touches (att pen)

5.31

8.93

Shots taken

3.61

3.338

Shot-creating actions

5.41

4.30

Progressive passes

4.27

4.02

Progressive carries

3.03

3.85

Successful take-ons

1.52

1.34

Comparing the respective players’ performances over the past year, you begin to see the value that Raphinha would add to Amorim’s squad, adding a Salah-like attacking certainty to the mix.

Raphinha is a silky and fleet-footed winger, but he’s traded in some of that unrelenting intensity for a more refined and purposeful goalscoring presence.

Liverpool are going to win the Premier League title and so much of their success is down to Salah’s remarkable consistency in and around the final third. Across 45 matches in all competitions, the 32-year-old has scored 32 goals and supplied 22 assists for his teammates.

With Amorim’s preference for overlapping, energetic wing-backs, you start to see the vision. Raphinha is hardly lazy, but his tactical approach, working so well at Camp Nou, could remain intact or maybe even rise to the next level, becoming United’s attacking superstar and being afforded even more room to showcase his prolificness.

Given that he’s already thrived in the Premier League before, with Leeds, Raphinha might just be the tonic to United’s troubles. Dan James once remarked that the £201k-per-week talent is a “magician” of a winger, but since he’s been away, there’s been a discernible shift to something more mechanical, economical, effective – call it what you will.

The important bit is that Raphinha has hit a new level and is reaching some rather concrete Ballon d’Or-related conversations. He could emulate Liverpool’s Salah and lead the Theatre of Dreams back to glory.

Not just Bruno: Amorim's "key" Man Utd star just showed he’s undroppable

Man Utd played out a 0-0 draw against Man City

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 7, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are making contingency plans if they decide to sack under-pressure head coach Ange Postecoglou, with Fabrizio Romano sharing more news on another managerial candidate alongside the heavily-linked Andoni Iraola.

Tottenham shortlist managers to replace Ange Postecoglou

Last week, The Athletic backed multiple other reports that Postecoglou’s job at Spurs is under real threat, following an underwhelming second season in charge which has seen the Lilywhites drop to 14th in the table.

15 league defeats for a club of Tottenham’s calibre quite simply isn’t good enough, and according to Romano, Postecoglou is solely relying on a good run in the Europa League if he stands any hope of keeping his job beyond this term (GiveMeSport).

Chelsea (away)

April 3rd

Southampton (home)

April 6th

Wolves (away)

April 13th

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

While the Australian prays for a Europa League run which would help restore faith in him as the right manager to lead Spurs forward, chairman Daniel Levy and the boardroom are reliably believed to be drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements for Postecoglou.

Iraola is in pole position for the possible Tottenham vacancy, according to various media sources, but other candidates are in the frame as well. Fulham boss Marco Silva has impressed at Craven Cottage, standing out as their most successful manager of the modern era, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed at N17.

Spurs are interested in Silva as a new managerial candidate, while Brentford manager Thomas Frank is also understood to be among the names who Tottenham are thinking about appointing (The Athletic).

The north Londoners could also look to Europe in search of the right man for their dugout, and one prestigious name who’s already been mentioned is Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi.

The 48-year-old guided Inter to a Serie A title last season and a Champions League final in 2023, and he’s currently competing with Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a hotly-contested race for his second Scudetto in charge at the San Siro.

Some reports claim ex-Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici has recommended Inzaghi to Levy, and Romano has now shared an update.

Tottenham sources "guarantee" Simone Inzaghi interest

Writing for GiveMeSport, the reliable journalist claims his Tottenham sources “guarantee” interest in appointing Inzaghi, but it will by no means be an easy one to pull off.

The Italian is currently in full focus at Inter, where his side will also be competing in the Club World Cup from June 1st, with Romano adding that Inzaghi doesn’t look like a “realistic” opportunity for Spurs at this stage.

That being said, Romano hasn’t completely ruled out a Spurs move for the £169,000-per-week tactician, and Inzaghi could be worth the effort given his stellar reputation among players who’ve worked with him.

“The squad has been together for years. Inzaghi is a phenomenonal coach. I’ve never had a better manager, even though I had top coaches like Eriksson and Hughes,” said ex-Serie A striker Felipe Caicedo on his time with Inzaghi.

“Inzaghi has that special factor that other coaches lack. He manages to get inside your head, he tells you the right things at the right time. This bond with the players makes the difference. Then maybe tactically he is not yet on Guardiola’s level, but he is an excellent coach. And the results are there to see.

“During the six months I spent at Inter, we didn’t win the Scudetto due to our own fault.”

In the almost six years he’s been in charge, Mikel Arteta has helped to transform Arsenal.

He’s led the North Londoners from mid-table mediocrity to genuine Premier League and Champions League contenders.

The Spaniard’s tactical nous and standard-raising philosophy have undoubtedly played a massive part in this turnaround, but so has the club’s recruitment and promotion of youth players, like Bukayo Saka.

The Hale Ender has gone from promising prospect to the face of Arsenal and undoubtedly their most important attacker, although, based on recent reports, the club are looking to sign someone who is playing better than him at the moment.

Arsenal target superstar star attacker outperforming Saka

Since making his debut for Arsenal in a 2018 Europa League group stage match against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava, Saka has gone on an incredible journey with the club.

Transfer Focus

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

Despite being moved around the pitch and then spending plenty of time at left-back in his early career, the Englishman has now become the club’s go-to right-winger and the first name on the teamsheet when fit.

In all, the 24-year-old has made 280 appearances for the Gunners, in which he’s racked up a sensational haul of 76 goals and 73 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.87 games.

However, due in part to his injury, he has performed a little under par this season, and now it looks like the club are looking to sign someone who is outperforming him.

At least, that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Arsenal are still very interested in Michael Olise.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are now preparing an ambitious plan to sign the Bayern Munich star and are willing to break their transfer record to do so, preparing an offer of around €150m, which converts to around £132m.

That’s an outrageous sum of money to spend on a player, but given Olise’s ability and potential, it might just be worth it for Arsenal, especially as he’s outperforming Saka.

How Olise compares to Saka

So, the first thing to say is that it seems highly unlikely that Arsenal would sign Olise to outright replace Saka.

After all, the Hale Ender has become the face of the project and probably the most beloved player of the last 20 years among the fanbase.

Instead, the Frenchman could be looked at as someone to offer competition, or, as has been the case with Noni Madueke, someone who can interchange with the Englishman during games, almost making the idea of a starting position antiquated.

With that said, it’s worth looking at how the pair have stacked up against one another since the Bayern ace’s move to Germany.

Last season, his first in Baveria, saw the 23-year-old rack up a sensational tally of 20 goals and 23 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3842 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.27 games, or every 89.34 minutes.

Appearances

55

37

Minutes

3842′

2619′

Goals

20

12

Assists

23

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.78

0.70

Minutes per Goal Involvements

89.34′

100.73

Appearances

20

17

Minutes

1583′

1211′

Goals

9

6

Assists

10

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.95

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvements

83.31′

151.37′

In contrast, Saka scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2619 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or every 100.73 minutes.

Okay, what about this season then?

Well, the former Crystal Palace star has really taken it up a notch, already scoring nine goals and providing ten assists in 20 appearances, totalling 1583 minutes.

That comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.05 games, or every 83.31 minutes, and truly justifies analyst Filipe Sousa’s description of him being a “nightmare” for defenders.

For his efforts this season, the Gunners’ talismanic number seven has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances, totalling 1211 minutes.

That comes out to a somewhat underwhelming – for his lofty standards – of an average of a goal involvement every 2.12 games, or every 151.37 minutes.

Now, it should be said that he suffered another hamstring injury at the start of the campaign and is clearly still not at 100%, but even so, he would likely admit his output has been a little disappointing this season.

Ultimately, while it would cost an egregious sum of money, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Olise, as he could help get the best back out of Saka, and a team with the pair of them in it is a scary team indeed.

The new Rice: Berta enters race to sign £70m midfield "machine" for Arsenal

The international superstar could become Mikel Arteta’s next Declan Rice at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 3, 2025

All the talk at Elland Road at the moment centres on whether Daniel Farke will remain in the Leeds United dug-out, heading into an unforgiving December list of fixtures.

With five defeats from your last six games in the Premier League, the last thing a bruised Whites outfit needs is back-to-back fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea up next, especially as City will want to immediately respond to their Champions League embarrassment at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

Therefore, an Erling Haaland-led effort could take their frustrations out on the pitiful away side, with the German’s grip on his job post looking even more fragile, if they’re on the receiving end of a drubbing.

The powers that be in West Yorkshire will surely have a plan up their sleeve if they do decide to finally bite the bullet and get rid.

Who could replace Farke at Leeds?

As the 49ers gear up to potentially replace Farke at Elland Road, one man who is unlikely to move to England is former Union Berlin boss Bo Svensson.

Indeed, according to reports from Germany, he is unlikely to return to the managerial game soon, having recently turned down approaches from Rangers and Union Saint-Gilloise. He has also been allegedly on the relegation-threatened side’s radar, but that looks like it will now be stopped in its tracks, before anything serious materialises.

This surely swings the door wide open for Brendan Rodgers to be a prime candidate to oust the ex-Norwich City boss.

TEAMTalk recently revealed this week that the former Celtic manager would be keen on a return to the Premier League with Leeds.

After all, Rodgers has been here before when picking up the pieces post-Claude Puel’s failed stint at Leicester City, with the Northern Irishman even going on to clinch an FA Cup success with the Foxes, before furthering his varied managerial career in Glasgow.

The out-of-work 52-year-old coming in now could well be a masterstroke as Leeds attempt to turn around their hopeless season.

Perhaps Rodgers could have the same impact at the Whites that Regis Le Bris has managed to have at Sunderland, in such a short space of time.

How Rodgers could be Leeds' own Le Bris

Scanning back to just last season, Leeds did finish above the Black Cats in the Championship promotion standings, accumulating 100 points to lift the title, while Le Bris and Co secured promotion via the more adventurous route of the playoffs.

Yet, in the here and now, the Wearside underdogs find themselves all the way up in a dizzy seventh position in the early top-flight standings, while Farke hangs onto his employment, as he drags Leeds into the relegation spaces.

Sunderland fans are rightly singing the praises of their overachieving manager at this moment in time, with Leeds now potentially wanting a Le Bris-style figure of their own in Rodgers, to bring the good times back to Elland Road.

Rodgers, before going on to manage at Liverpool and the King Power Stadium, did manage to show off a similar breakneck transition to the Premier League like Le Bris is experiencing at the Stadium of Light.

His Swansea City side jumped all the way up to 11th in the league standings, right after promotion was sealed come the end of the 2010/11 season.

Games

312

Wins

139

Draws

71

Losses

102

Points accumulated

488

He would further reinforce his reputation as a capable boss in the tough division with the Reds, as he nearly delivered a Premier League triumph at Anfield. But, it will be his transformative presence at Leicester that will give Leeds fans the most hope that he can push them up the division, much like Le Bris has managed on Wearside.

From four full seasons at the King Power helm, Rodgers would collect 64 league victories, with a fifth-place finish clinched during his first full season at the helm quite the achievement, considering Puel ended his reign with the Foxes on five defeats from his final six games.

Coincidentally, that is the exact form Farke now finds himself deep in at Leeds, with a move for such a “world-class” manager in Rodgers – as Gabriel Agbonlahor once labelled him – perhaps just what the doctor ordered in turning around the Whites’ dismal fortunes.

Le Bris is yet to receive such a wild tag, but it surely won’t be far off if he clinches an unbelievable mid-table finish for the Black Cats.

Yet, with time on Leeds’ side still, they could also mount a surge up the division, too, if they were to gain Rodgers’ services.

49ers can fund Parrott move by finally selling "poor" £11m Leeds dud

Leeds are set to be active in the January transfer window, with Troy Parrott a leading target.

1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 27, 2025