Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has made quite the impression already since taking over from his predecessor, Edu Gaspar, in late March – and the 53-year-old is personally very keen to get one transfer over the line.

Arsenal complete signing with medical "done", announcement due "this week"

Mikel Arteta is set to welcome another player.

4 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

Berta is currently attempting to seal an array of deals behind-the-scenes, right after the club officially announced the arrivals of Spanish duo Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi, with Christian Norgaard also completing his move to Arsenal after a medical (David Ornstein).

Arsenal are in advanced talks for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, and the prolific 27-year-old could be joined by either Real Madrid star Rodrygo or Chelsea’s Noni Madueke as the Gunners also target a new left-winger.

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

Madueke has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, but Rodrygo is understood to be their “dream” target in that area, and Berta is known to do work on targets simultaneously before pressing ahead with the best deal.

Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera has agreed terms over an Arsenal move too, but the Premier League title hopefuls are yet to find an agreement with his club and some reports suggest that talks for the 21-year-old have stalled.

Moves for either Madueke or Rodrygo, as reliably reported, won’t impact their talks to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal have held positive talks over signing Eze, but it is believed that Berta and co do not wish to pay the England international’s full £68 million release clause as all parties attempt to find a solution.

Eze is rumoured to be keen on joining Mikel Arteta’s side, though, giving the club some encouragement that there is a deal to be done here.

Arsenal could offer "emerging star" in swap deal for Eberechi Eze

There are a few avenues Arsenal could go down in their attempts to find a full agreement, and one of them is a potential player-exchange.

That is according to journalist Rahman Osman, who told The Sun this week that Arsenal could offer an unnamed “emerging star” to Palace in a swap deal for Eze.

Berta himself is personally “determined” to sign the 27-year-old – who scored 14 goals and registered a further 11 assists in all competitions last term – and the Italian has held talks with his representatives.

He will keep trying to convince Palace to part company, but the south Londoners are just as steadfast in demanding Eze’s full release clause be paid. That being said, Osman also reports that they might be open to accepting a “promising defender” as part of the deal.

A proven Premier League star, Eze spearheaded Palace to their first ever major trophy with the FA Cup final-winning goal against Man City at Wembley last season – 14 years after he was released by Arsenal as a 13-year-old academy youngster.

Chelsea have been on a tear this summer.

Enzo Maresca’s side stunned plenty of fans and pundits alike on the pitch by adding a Club World Cup title to their Conference League title and have been just as active off of it.

For example, the board have been able to shift a number of players they no longer wanted, like Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga, while also bringing in several who could seriously improve the squad, like Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens.

However, they aren’t done there, as they’ve been heavily linked with the mercurial Xavi Simons, and now it would appear as if they are closing in on another player who’d be a dream teammate for the Dutchman.

Chelsea target dream teammate for Simons

While Chelsea continue to be linked with a host of players this summer, one of the more prominent over the last week or so has been Simons.

Transfer Focus

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

Reports from earlier today even claimed that the Blues are actually closing in on a deal for the RB Leipzig ace, which could see him move for around £52m.

While that is no small sum of money, it does feel like fair value for a 22-year-old star who racked up 11 goals and eight assists in just 33 appearances last season.

Interestingly, in addition to signing the Amsterdam-born star, the West Londoners now also seem intent on bringing another player to the club who’d be a dream teammate for him.

At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has reaffirmed that Chelsea are incredibly interested in Jorrel Hato, suggesting that he is ‘ready to accept personal terms’.

More than that, the Italian journalist has revealed that the Blues are in talks with Ajax and view the defender, who is keen on the move, as their “next top priority.”

Romano makes no mention of the fee required to sign the player, but stories from earlier this month claim it could be around £60m, and while that is a lot, it might be worth paying, especially as Hato could be a perfect teammate for Simons.

Why Hato would be a dream teammate for Simons

So, one of Simons considerable strengths is that he’s comfortable playing in the middle of the park as a ten, or out wide as a winger – and sometimes up top – so when it comes to forming a partnership with full-back, it would be incredibly beneficial if they could overlap and come inside depending on what is needed in that moment.

Fortunately, Hato is such an intelligent and gifted footballer that he can do just that.

While he prefers to come inside and invert, at least that’s what he does more often at Ajax; you can see his ability to overlap in his heat map from last season.

This ability to fulfil both roles without much bother will do two things.

Firstly, it will mean he can avoid getting in Simon’s way, depending on where he is on the pitch.

Secondly, it could also see him get more game time due to his adaptability, which in turn will allow him to develop a more effective partnership with the Leipzig star.

Away from their position, the reason they’d be great teammates at Chelsea is that the “exceptional” talent, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also a part of the Dutch national team.

Therefore, they’ll have even more time than most to get a proper understanding of one another’s game.

Finally, while the 19-year-old wonderkid’s primary role will be to defend, he’s also shown an ability to create chances for his team, as in 33 league appearances last season, he racked up six assists to go with his two goals, which suggests he could provide a decent number of chances for the former PSV Eindhoven star to score.

Appearances

31

Starts

30

Minutes

2592′

Goals

2

Assists

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

Minutes per Goal Involvement

324′

Points per Game

2.23

Ultimately, Simons looks like he’ll be a brilliant signing for Chelsea, but if the Conference League champions want to get even more out of him next season, signing Hato as well would be a good place to start.

Unofficial Chelsea swap deal possible as club open talks for Maresca outcast

It could be one in, one out at Stamford Bridge.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 23, 2025

أعلن هانز فليك، مدرب برشلونة، عن قائمة الفريق لمواجهة خيتافي مساء اليوم الأحد، لحساب منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

برشلونة يسعى إلى تحقيق الفوز على خيتافي من أجل مواصلة التنافس على لقب الدوري الإسباني، وذلك مع قوة ريال مدريد.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 10 نقاط وبفارق خمس نقاط بشكل مؤقت عن ريال مدريد المتصدر بالعلامة الكاملة وبرصيد 15 نقطة.

وابتعد ريال مدريد في صدارة الدوري الإسباني أمس بشكل مؤقت، عقب انتصاره على إسبانيول بهدفين دون مقابل على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

أقرأ أيضًا.. تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام خيتافي اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

وشهدت قائمة برشلونة استمرار غياب لامين يامال عن صفوف الفريق الكتالوني، في ظل عدم تعافيه من الإصابة التي يعاني منها على مستوى الظهر.

يامال لم يشارك مع برشلونة أمام فالنسيا الأسبوع الماضي في الدوري الإسباني، وكذلك أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتواجد في الناحية الأخرى باو كوبارسي في قائمة برشلونة، بالرغم من تعرضه لإصابة خفيفة أمام نيوكاسل، لكن فليك أكد أن اللاعب سيشارك ضد خيتافي.

ويغيب جافي أيضًا في ظل عدم تعافيه من إصابته على مستوى الركبة. قائمة برشلونة لمباراة خيتافي في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا، فويتشيك تشيزني، دييجو كوشين.

خط الدفاع: جول كوندي، باو كوبارسي، رونالد أراوخو، أندرياس كريستنسن، جيرارد مارتن، إريك جارسيا، جوفري تورنتس.

خط الوسط: فريكني دي يونج، بيدري، فيرمين لوبيز، مارك كاسادو، مارك بيرنال، داني أولمو.

خط الهجوم: فيران توريس، روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، رافينها دياز، روني بردجي، أنطونيو فيرنانديز، ماركوس راشفورد.

🚨 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓#BarçaGetafe pic.twitter.com/E716PJfaj4 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2025

While it wasn’t a disaster, it’s hard to deny that last season was a disappointment for Arsenal.

Instead of finally getting over the line and winning the Premier League at the third time of asking, Mikel Arteta’s side had to make do with another second-place finish.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, as the North Londoners made it to the Champions League semi-finals for just the third time in their history, and when fit, Bukayo Saka was once again one of the best players in the country.

Even though he missed almost four months of action, the Hale Ender managed to amass a sensational tally of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.

Yet, to reach yet another level next year, the 23-year-old may need some more assistance, which is why fans should be excited about reports linking Arsenal to a world-class winger who’d be a dream teammate for Saka.

Arsenal's winger search

With the need for attacking reinforcements undeniable, it’s not been much of a surprise to see that, alongside the strikers, Arsenal have been linked with a host of dangerous wingers this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

One of the names that has been heavily linked with the Gunners has been Chelsea ace Noni Madueke.

The Englishman was good enough for the Blues last season, racking up a tally of 16 goal involvements in 41 games, but with a price tag of up to £50m, it’s easy to understand why some fans would be hesitant.

Moreover, it’s hard to see the former PSV Eindhoven ace being a dream winger addition for Saka, which isn’t the case when it comes to Rodrygo.

According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal remain very interested in the Real Madrid star.

The report has revealed that even though fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on the Brazilian international, the Gunners are in ‘a favourable position’ to secure his services, and have expressed a willingness to meet the financial demands of Los Blancos to make it happen.

According to stories from earlier this summer, the fee needed to bring the winger to North London is likely to be around £78m.

That’s certainly a lot of money to spend on one player, but Rodrygo would be worth it, and Saka’s dream winger signing.

Why Rodrygo would be a dream signing for Saka

As things stand, Saka is the only world-class attacker at Arsenal, and the fact that he was the club’s most productive player despite missing over three months of action last season only reinforces this point.

So, the first reason Rodrygo would be the Hale Ender’s dream winger signing is that the Brazilian’s output would help alleviate some of the immense pressure on him.

For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 106 appearances, totalling 7229 minutes.

That works out to a goal involvement every 2.03 games, or every 139.01 minutes, which is impressive enough in isolation, but is made all the more so when you take into account the fact he was played out of his preferred left-wing position for most of that period.

Moreover, the former Santos gem has shown himself to be capable of scoring massive goals in season-defining games – think back to the game against Manchester City – and so he’d be able to help the Gunners’ number seven realise his ambitions of winning major honours.

However, it’s not all down to what he can do on the pitch alongside the Ealing-born monster.

The second reason he’d be a dream addition for the 23-year-old is that, thanks to his versatility, he’d be able to fill in on the right when needed and, in turn, allow the Englishman to rest when needed.

This could help the talismanic international avoid fatigue-related injuries and prolong his career at the highest level.

Ultimately, from his output and big game experience to the ability to play off the right when needed, Rodrygo would be the dream winger signing for Saka.

Therefore, while it won’t be cheap, Arsenal should do everything possible to bring him to the Emirates this summer.

Eze & Gyokeres will love him: Arsenal explore signing £65m "mini Salah"

Just imagine this player alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze at Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 8, 2025

How strong will Wolverhampton Wanderers be this season?

Last time round, Wolves were rooted in the relegation zone when Gary O’Neil was sacked, only for Vítor Pereira to come in and save them, most notably enjoying a six-match winning streak in the Premier League, the club’s best sequence since 1970.

However, as the Old Gold prepare for an eighth consecutive campaign in the top-flight, arguably their two best players have been sold, namely Matheus Cunha to Manchester United and Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City, so reinforcements will be required.

Thus, are Wolves about to sign one of the most exciting young players in British football?

Wolves seeking attacking reinforcements

So far this summer, as they seek to replace Cunha, Fer López has joined from Celta Vigo for a reported fee of £19m, while the signing supporters are really excited about is Jhon Arias’ arrival, joining from Fluminense for around £15m.

The Colombian international scored his first goal in old goal on Saturday, netting during Wolves’ 2-1 friendly defeat to Girona at Montilivi.

Now though, could he be joined by an even more exciting winger?

Well, according to a report by journalist David Lynch, Wolves are interested in signing Ben Doak from Liverpool this summer, with West Ham also noted to be “keen”.

Transfer Focus

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

Lynch also states that Liverpool rejected bids from both Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace, worth up to £20m, for Doak in January, with Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph claiming that he is valued at £30m, amid interest from Merseyside rivals Everton in May.

Wolves have only ever spent more on three players, namely the aforementioned Cunha, Matheus Nunes and the enigma that is Fábio Silva, but could Doak soon swap Anfield for Molineux?

What Ben Doak would bring to Wolves

Doak, who is still only 19 years old, joined Liverpool from Celtic for just £600k worth of compensation in 2022 and, even though he’s made just ten senior appearances for the Reds, he’s certainly one to watch.

Following his senior Scotland debut against Croatia in Zagreb last October, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound, former Scotland midfielder James McFadden was gushing with praise for the teenager.

He labelled Doak “rapid”, while noting he possesses the “technical ability” to go with his raw speed, concluding that he “gets himself in really good positions to cause problems”.

Doak spent last season on loan at EFL Championship club Middlesbrough, making 24 appearances for Boro, before his campaign was curtailed in January by a hamstring injury.

Nevertheless, he certainly produced enough on Teeside to capture attention, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout praising his “on-the-ball bravery and unpredictability”, asserting that “he’s on track to becoming a top Premier League winger”.

Meantime, his then-manager at Liverpool Jürgen Klopp stated that Doak is a “good dribbler” who is capable of using both feet, while Léo Aschi of Give Me Sport adds that he is an “aggressive and powerful player” who is “blessed with physical attributes”.

So, let’s see how he compares to possible future teammate Arias.

Appearances

24

35

Minutes

1,789

3,118

Goals

3

4

Assists

7

13

Shots

1.2

1.3

Shots on target

0.8

0.6

Shots on target %

63.64%

43.06%

Chances Created

2.3

2.8

Take-ons completed

1.8

2

Take-on success %

39.33%

48.34%

Touches

50.8

74.4

As the table documents, while many of Arias’ statistics are more impressive than those of Doak, he did so in significantly more minutes, and the Scotland international is often more of a goal threat, with an exponentially higher proportion of his shots finding the target.

Also, worth noting that the duo were plying their trade at a similar level; Global Football Rankings believe the EFL Championship to be the 11th strongest league in the world, with the Brasileirão only five places higher.

Thus, while the Colombian might be more impactful straight away, he is 27 years old, so the fact that Doak’s numbers are, pretty much across the board, on par if not better, at just 19 years old surely makes him the bigger talent.

Put succinctly, Arias will prove to be a useful addition this season, but Doak could be a transformational signing in both the short and long term.

Wolves agree £14.8m deal to sign new player compared to Morgan Gibbs-White

He can play in a range of positions.

ByCharlie Smith Aug 3, 2025

A Manchester City academy player who hasn't played for the club in years has joined Polish side Radomiak Radom on a season-long loan.

• Man City player on the fringes
• Last appearance in 2022-23 season
• Secures loan move to Polish side

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City have confirmed that the 22-year-old will spend the season with the Polish Ekstraklasa outfit. The full-back, who had a loan stint at Stoke City last term, could make his debut for the Polish team this month.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wilson-Esbrand joined City from West Ham in 2019 as a 16-year-old but since making his debut in 2021, he has made just three appearances for Pep Guardiola's side. His long-term future is almost certainly away from the Etihad, and now he will hope to impress at Radom. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Since joining City six years ago, the England Under-21 international has had loan spells at Coventry City, Reims, Cardiff City, Stoke, and now Radom. To date, he has made 50 appearances in his career, scoring one goal during his stint with Reims.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Radom currently sit eighth in the Polish top-flight after seven matches this season. Wilson-Esbrand could make his debut for his new team on Sunday when they travel to 12th-placed Legia Warsaw.

The new deal covers the next ODI World Cup as well as away Test series in India and England

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-2024Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has had his contract extended until the end of 2027 meaning he will guide the team’s defence of their ODI World Cup title that year as well as throughout next cycle of the World Test Championship.When McDonald was initially appointed in 2022 it was on a four-year deal which took him to midway through 2026. That would have seen him finish after the next T20 World Cup. He had stated that he was likely to be a one-term coach citing the demanding nature of the job and the fact that Justin Langer had only served one four-year term, despite Langer wanting an extension back in 2022.However, if McDonald had walked away in mid-2026, a new coach would have come in at an awkward time. Australia’s 2027 schedule looks like one of the heaviest calendar years the men’s team will have ever had. They host four Tests with New Zealand in December and January of 2026-27 before playing five Tests in India in January and February. Then they return home for a one-off Test against England in March to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket, with a two-Test home series against Bangladesh also scheduled but likely to be moved.Related

Cricket Australia looks to unify approach to managing quicks

There will then be a WTC final, if they qualify, followed by a five-Test Ashes tour. The next ODI World Cup then takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia during October and November 2027.Keeping McDonald in place for that period means CA has some stability to plan for the extensive schedule. McDonald has an established coaching group around him, including Michael Di Venuto, Daniel Vettori and Andre Borovec, and will add a national pace bowling coach soon. McDonald’s three assistants have each coached the team for different white-ball series in the last two years in order to share the load. McDonald is hopeful those three assistants will get contract extensions until 2027 as well.”Those people are incredibly important to the team and myself,” McDonald said. “So the idea would be to continue to surround myself with those people, and I think they’ve got an appetite to continue on. So I’m hoping that news will hopefully follow this news and they’ll be on the journey long term.”Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has recently suggested he would be open to remaining in his role for longer than may have first been planned, meaning he and McDonald could continue to work together until 2027 having developed a very close working relationship over the past three years.”I am very fortunate to have an exceptional group of leaders, players, coaches and staff who are fully invested in the ongoing well-being, success and development of this group,” McDonald said. “The professionalism, commitment and experience of my fellow coaches and the wider staff have ensured the journey has been extremely successful but just as importantly created a culture of unity, trust and inclusivity.”International cricket has many challenges for all teams and I am particularly proud how the group, players and staff, across all formats have navigated those together.”McDonald took over in the head coach role after the ugly departure of Langer in early 2022 and has guided the men’s team to significant success including the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship titles. The extension means he will have the opportunity for Test series wins in India and England which have recently eluded the side.Australia are currently in a race to qualify for next year’s WTC final at Lord’s in a bid to defend that title with the upcoming India series vital to their prospects.Nick Hockley, the Cricket Australia CEO, said: “Andrew has proven to be an outstanding men’s head coach who as well as delivering exceptional results has built a strong coaching team, methodology and an excellent environment for the team to perform at its best. We are delighted to extend his tenure for a further two years.”

Paris Saint-Germain have been accused of manipulation as ex-international Christophe Dugarry slammed the club's reaction to Ousmane Dembele's injury.

PSG furious at FFF after injuries to Dembele and DoueDugarry sides with France boss Didier DeschampsEx-French international blames PSG for the duo's injuriesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former France forward and 1998 World Cup winner Dugarry has come to his ex-captain, and current national team boss, Didier Deschamps' defence amid the feud between PSG and the French Football Federation (FFF). PSG have expressed their disappointment after the injuries to their players Dembele and Desire Doue, throwing the blame on Deschamps and his coaching staff. On the contrary, Dugarry believes it was PSG who didn't manage the duo's minutes wisely.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

France's 2-0 win over Ukraine came at a heavy cost, as Dembele suffered a hamstring injury just 30 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, while Doue sustained a calf issue. The Ballon d'Or frontrunner is expected to miss six weeks, while Doue will be out of action for around four weeks. 

Per journalist Fabrice Hawkins, PSG were absolutely furious over the injuries to Dembele and Doue, which the Champions League holders referred to as "serious and avoidable." The Ligue 1 giants have accused the French setup of ignoring their warnings about the winger's medical condition, according to In a pre-match press conference over the weekend, Deschamps addressed the situation and tried to calm the chaos brewing behind the scenes.

WHAT CHRISTOPHE DUGARRY SAID

Speaking on with former player Jerome Rothen, Dugarry said: "I'm 100% behind the Federation and behind Didier Deschamps.

"We've known that Dembele has been fragile for several years. Now he's injured, it's just bad luck. If PSG can explain to me and make me believe that Ousmane Dembele never played for Paris when he had too much muscular work, I don't believe it for a single second.

"The manipulation PSG is trying to implement is scandalous; it's disrespectful to the national team and Didier Deschamps. PSG is solely responsible for Dembele's work overload. 

"I understand PSG's disappointment, but the national team is above all else. The coach chooses the players no matter what. [PSG] already have their noses in the LFP (governing body that overlooks French leagues), they also want to have it in the FFF and decide what will happen at the Federation? When I see President Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] alongside Gianni Infantino, explaining to us that the Club World Cup is a good thing…"

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR FRANCE?

France will hope to make it two wins out of two during the ongoing international break as they prepare to host Iceland at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

As Unai Emery builds towards his third full season in charge of Aston Villa, the future of Ollie Watkins looms large.

With Manchester United heavily linked with a move for the England international and Villa walking a tightrope with Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), the club may be forced into tough decisions this summer.

Watkins, fresh off the back of a third straight Premier League season with 15 or more goals, has become an indispensable figure at Villa Park.

However, the lure of a new challenge could test both his loyalty and the club’s resolve.

To keep their accounts in order, Villa have already sanctioned the €77m (£64m) sale of Jhon Durán and are now weighing up offers for Emiliano Martínez.

Yet any replacement for Watkins would need to be more than a stopgap – they’d need to match his work rate, creativity, and eye for goal.

As Villa look to avoid a post-Watkins drop-off, attention has turned to one of the Bundesliga’s brightest talents, a striker whose profile mirrors that of Watkins in both style and output.

Aston Villa seeking Watkins successor

According to German outlet BILD Aston Villa have identified RB Leipzig’s Loïs Openda as a key target should Watkins leave this summer.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported that Villa are monitoring the Belgian striker closely, and Openda is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League – though no formal talks have taken place.

The 25-year-old is under contract at Leipzig until 2028 and has a release clause of €80m.

However, BILD reports that a fee of around €70m (£60m) could be enough to tempt the Bundesliga side into selling, if Villa were to lodge a bid, particularly in light of their disappointing 2023/24 campaign.

While Openda has not formally asked to leave, sources close to the club suggest he has expressed frustration behind the scenes – especially as key teammates Xavi Simons and Benjamin Šeško are also linked with summer exits.

Phillipe Clement, who managed Openda at Club Brugge, has no doubts about the striker’s suitability for top-level football.

“He’s super-fast but he also has an eye for goal and will be decisive,” he said. “In difficult times, he’s someone who remains combative. That’s an important quality in life and as a player.”

With Openda valued highly by Leipzig, who paid €40m (£34m) to sign him from Lens in 2023, any move would depend heavily on Watkins’ future.

Why Openda could be the perfect Watkins successor

According to FBref, Openda is one of the most statistically similar players to Watkins in Europe’s top five leagues. On closer inspection, the comparison holds up well.

Goal Involvements (2024/25)

Stat

Watkins

Openda

Goals

16

9

Assists

8

5

Total

24

14

Source: FBref

Openda’s non-penalty expected goals (8.2) were not far off Watkins’ (13.2), and both maintained strong conversion rates – Openda netting nine non-penalty goals to Watkins’ 14.

The Belgian also excels in areas that Villa fans have grown to expect from their lead striker. His progressive carries per 90 minutes (2.12) edge Watkins’ (1.90), and he creates more shot-creating actions (2.42 vs. 1.84).

He also attempts and completes more passes per 90 (13.8 vs. 10.6), though Watkins boasts the better pass completion rate (72.4% to 63.8%).

In front of goal, the differences are subtle.

Watkins slightly edges Openda in shots per 90 (2.84 vs. 2.82) and shots on target per 90 (1.25 vs. 1.14), but both players hover around the same shot-on-target percentage — 43.9% for Watkins, 40.3% for Openda.

Perhaps most intriguing is Openda’s dribbling output. He completes 0.81 successful take-ons per 90 compared to Watkins’ 0.35, with a higher success rate (29.7% to 24.4%).

While not elite figures, they show Openda’s willingness to beat defenders, an attribute Emery may want more of from his next No.9.

There are areas where Watkins still holds the edge. He wins the ball more in the attacking third (0.14 tackles per 90 compared to Openda’s 0.07) and has better discipline and decision-making in link-up play.

But Openda’s progressive passing distance (36.5 yards per 90) compared to Watkins’ 22.7 suggests greater vertical intent, something Emery’s side could lean into more, especially in Europe.

With 27 Belgium caps to his name, Openda isn’t just a runner or a poacher.

He’s a complete modern forward.

Dynamic, intelligent, and tactically flexible enough to play wide if needed.

If Watkins were to leave, replacing him would be no easy task. But in Loïs Openda, Villa may have found the closest thing to a like-for-like successor.

A forward who mirrors Watkins’ strengths but brings additional tools that Emery could sharpen even further.

Transfer Focus

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

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Villa have proved savvy in the market under Emery, blending data-led recruitment with tactical clarity.

Should they pull off a deal for Openda, it could prove one of the most pivotal transfers of their Europa League campaign and another sign of the club’s growing ambition.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Aug 1, 2025

Remember when it felt like very little was happening with Newcastle United in the summer transfer market?

That’s changed. For better or worse, chaos has erupted on Tyneside over the past few weeks, with the £55m signing of Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga the precursor to a flurry of transfer-related activity that has yet to reach an outcome.

Alexander Isak wants to leave the club and sign for Premier League champions Liverpool, who last weekend saw a £110m bid rejected for the Sweden international. However, he has since returned to United’s training facilities, his future uncertain.

Such an offer would have been insulting were it not so blatantly an unsettling tactic, and the gravity of the situation weighs heavily on Eddie Howe, who at least is buddied with Sudarshan Gopaladesikan, United’s new technical director and successor to the contentious Paul Mitchell.

Dealing with the unwanted sale of Isak, arguably the Magpies’ best player, marks a testing start for Gopaladesikan, but he certainly seems to be making the most of a bad situation, pushing full throttle for a fitting replacement.

Newcastle pushing to sign striker

There’s a bleak sense that Isak, 25, will play Premier League football in red for the upcoming season, though his sale to Liverpool, of course, hinges on Newcastle signing a suitable successor at number nine.

And the first-choice target is RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, with a formal offer already lodged. What comes next is unknown; the Slovenian is assessing his options with Manchester United ready to table a bid of their own.

Should Sesko wind up at Old Trafford, it will feel like yet another blow for the Tynesiders, who have faced their share of rejection across the past few months. That said, there’s an alternative forward who might end up being the better pick.

According to Portuguese journalist Eduardo Burgos, Newcastle have revived their interest in Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, and while they have yet to make an offer, Howe’s transfer coterie have been monitoring him across 2025.

The Liga Portugal giants will hold out for €80m (equating to £68m), putting him in the same ballpark as Sesko.

So then, which one to go for?

Why Newcastle should sign Samu Aghehowa

Aghehowa is a 21-year-old centre-forward who left La Liga and joined Porto from Atletico Madrid in a bargain deal worth €15m (about £13m). The Madrid-based side retained a whopping 50% sell-on clause.

Curiously, Chelsea had agreed a £34m deal for the powerful goalscorer, only for the move to collapse and for him to join Porto for a cheaper fee.

He’ll be grateful for that turn of events, no doubt, for the past year has been one of fundamental development for Aghehowa, whose maiden campaign with the Portuguese giants yielded 27 goals and three assists across 45 matches in all competitions.

As per FBref, the 6 foot 3 powerhouse ranked among the top 14% of strikers across Europe last year for goals scored per 90 (0.71), which certainly bodes well for his future success as a goalscorer at the forefront of the global game.

Newcastle might want to consider raising their interest higher still, as Aghehowa could even turn out to be a better signing than Leipzig’s Sesko.

Sesko is unquestionably a talented forward with prowess lying in his athleticism and power. That said, he’s raw, and there’s no telling as to whether his potential will be reached.

A detractor could argue that Samu plies his trade in Portugal, regarded a division of inferior quality to the Bundesliga. Although it’s clear that the Porto talent has an aptitude for scoring goals on any field of green, for he previously did well in La Liga, netting nine times across 35 games in his breakout term, and bagged six times across last year’s Europa League campaign too.

Samu Aghehowa

Porto / Liga Portugal

30

19

Bradley Barcola

PSG / Ligue 1

34

14

Luca Stassin

St. Etienne / Ligue 1

33

14

Aleksey Batrakov

Loko Moscow / Russian PL

29

14

Emanuel Emegha

Strasbourg / Ligue 1

27

14

Benjamin Sesko

RB Leipzig / Bundesliga

33

13

Aghehowa’s league goals alone placed him above all within or beneath his age bracket across Europe’s major leagues, and that includes Sesko, who has since turned 22.

And it’s not as if the former Chelsea target hasn’t made his mark against those competing on English shores. After all, he bagged a brace against Man United on the continental stage last year, winning five aerial duels and covering much ground besides.

Given that Newcastle need a striker who will promise goals with consistency, it might be worth switching focus to Aghehowa, who is shaping into quite the formidable focal frontman, sinewy and tall and clinical in the danger area.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has remarked in the past that the Spaniard is a “monster in the making”, and with similar strengths in physicality and ball-striking, who could truly argue that Sesko has the higher potential, given that he’s yet to truly announce himself as a prolific marksman?

With 27 goals and seven assists across 64 Bundesliga outings, Sesko has a lot to prove, but he’s a big talent, for sure, and Howe has the tactical nous and interpersonal skills to will him toward elite status.

Just imagine what the acclaimed manager could do with Aghehowa leading his Magpies line.

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