All posts by z3u9t.icu

Tottenham are considering a hijack on Crystal Palace as they make an approach to sign one £11 million forward wanted by the Eagles.

Postecoglou calls for drastic change as Spurs work to back him

So far, Spurs have agreed to two major signings in the form of a loan extension for winger Timo Werner and a £40 million deal to sign English sensation Archie Gray from Leeds United.

Hijack as Borussia Dortmund meet asking price to sign "quick" Tottenham ace

The Germans have swooped in to spoil a big club’s talks.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 13, 2024

The north Londoners have also shipped plenty of deadwood, with Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon and Japhet Tanganga leaving upon the expiry of their Tottenham contracts. Joe Rodon joined Leeds in a £10 million permanent deal as well, helping to sweeten the deal for Gray, with Tottenham also agreeing to terminate Tanguy Ndombele's contract as the former club-record signing joins OGC Nice on a free transfer.

Tottenham are expected to make another attacking signing after Werner too, as the likes of Wolves winger Pedro Neto, Palace star Eberechi Eze and others become linked with N17 moves.

Stat

Total (Transfermarkt)

Appearances

31

Goals

11

Assists

6

Minutes per goal

208

Minutes played

2,285

Club chairman Daniel Levy is ready to back Postecoglou in the coming weeks, according to various reports, and it is believed Spurs are even willing to pay the entirety of Eze's £60 million release clause in their pursuit of a new forward.

"We need change. Change has to happen," said Postecoglou on Spurs' summer transfer business.

"You can’t want to alter your course and expect the same people are going to be on that. It’s just not going to happen. We’ve had two windows and we’ve had some development of players, for sure, but when I say we’ve still got a long way to go, that’s what I’m talking about. It’s impossible to say you’re going to have drastic change and yet expect everyone to be on that journey.

"It’s not for the want of trying. It’s just that we’re going to play a certain way, we’re going to train a certain way and we’re going to have a certain mindset. And that’s not for everyone."

Another interesting player they've been linked with is former academy gem Marcus Edwards, and they could get him on the cheap. Portuguese newspaper Corriere de Manha recently claimed that Sporting value the winger at around £17 million, but Spurs' 35 per cent sell-on clause means that figure would come down to just £11 million if Postecoglou's side bid.

Tottenham consider hijacking Palace bid for Edwards

Football Insider have another update on the matter, and they claim Palace are readying their own bid for the 25-year-old.

However, Levy is still in the background, with FI writing that Tottenham could rival Palace in the race to sign Edwards and hijack Oliver Glasner's side – similarly to how they prised Gray from Brentford's clutches earlier this summer. Spurs have also made an approach by asking to be kept informed about the situation.

The Englishman racked up 15 goal contributions, six goals and nine assists specifically, in 44 appearances across all competitions last season. Edwards has been praised for his form at Sporting in flashes, and it is believed he is open to a Premier League return.

Everton have been heavily restricted as to what they can spend in recent transfer windows, following their recent financial situation which resulted in an eight-point deduction last season.

Sean Dyche’s side have desperately lacked investment, with the club needing to act in a sensible manner this window if they are to pull further clear of any looming relegation worries.

He brought in Udinese striker Beto for £30m last summer, but the 26-year-old only managed to score three times in the Premier League in a disappointing campaign for the Portuguese frontman.

It was certainly a bold move from the club to splash that amount of money on a new talisman given their PSR troubles and it appears to be a move that has backfired considering Beto failing to make the impact he would have envisaged.

However, despite his failings at Goodison Park, Dyche and Co are looking to recruit another high-profile talent who could form a partnership with one player currently on Merseyside.

Everton interested in signing Belgian talent

According to reports in Belgium, Everton are interested in signing Vfl Wolfsburg midfielder Aster Vranckx this summer.

The Belgian talent, who also has admirers from Napoli and Fiorentina, only has one year left on his current deal, with the Toffees looking to sign the 21-year-old for a cut price this summer.

Vranckx made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga last season, as Wolfsburg registered a 12th-placed finish under boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Whilst there’s no rumoured fee for any potential deal for the youngster, he’s valued at £13m by CIES Football Observatory, with Dyche’s side getting a potential bargain should they sign him for another around that price mark.

Why Vranckx would be the perfect partner for Onana

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has been a crucial player on Merseyside in recent years, featuring 72 times for the club since his £33m move back in the summer of 2022.

His subsequent form under Dyche has seen constant rumours of a £60m move away from Goodison, with Arsenal one of the sides queuing up for his signature during the transfer window.

However, it’s not impossible that the Belgian stays at the club beyond the transfer window, with the youngster able to form a deadly midfield partnership with his compatriot next campaign.

The Wolfsburg “wonderkid”, as described by one source on social media, has produced some excellent stats this season, allowing Dyche to operate with a ball-winner and ball-player in the centre of midfield.

Vranckx achieved an 85% pass completion rate, with an average of 3.8 progressive passes per 90 – allowing for more of an attacking option alongside Onana in the heart of the Toffees side.

Games

24

Pass accuracy

85%

Progressive passes per 90

3.8

Successful take-ons per 90

1.3

Tackles per 90

2.5

Interceptions per 90

1.1

However, he’s also excelled defensively, winning an average of 2.5 tackles per 90, whilst making 1.1 interceptions per game – evidence he can still fit into the Everton manager’s philosophy of being solid defensively before transitioning into attacking areas.

Although they may be faced with some financial troubles once more this season, the signing of Vranckx would be phenomenal business, with the youngster able to transform Dyche’s side and push them towards a mid-table finish.

His contract situation could allow the Toffees to strike a cut-price deal but the club must act quickly if they are to win the race for his services.

Everton can forget about Broja by signing £40m "goal machine"

The club have been targeting reinforcements for their attacking department this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 13, 2024

Chelsea are now prepared to sell a “leader” in January so they can sign an £83 million player, with Enzo Maresca’s side already making contact over a potential move.

Chelsea thrash Southampton 5-1 to extend unbeaten Premier League run

The west Londoners have been tipped as potential Premier League title contenders after a fine start to the campaign, even if Maresca continues to rebuff notions that they could end the club’s near nine-year-long wait for a domestic crown.

Chelsea looking at "big name" £62m striker in "better value" deal than Isak

The Magpies have set an enormous price tag.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 5, 2024

Chelsea haven’t won a title since Antonio Conte led them to the honour in 2016, but they’re making a serious go of it this season – lying just seven points behind league leaders Liverpool and losing just twice.

They came at the hands of Arne Slot’s side and current champions Man City, with Maresca yet to taste a single loss in the league since their defeat at Anfield in October.

Tottenham (home)

December 8

Brentford (home)

December 15

Everton (away)

December 22

Fulham (home)

December 26

Ipswich Town (away)

December 30

Chelsea thrashed Southampton 5-1 at St. Mary’s to extend their unbeaten domestic run to six games, and it is practically impossible to get at least a little bit excited given just how well they’re playing right now.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in the summer, Maresca has implemented an exciting, attack-minded style of play which has pleased both critics and supporters – but Chelsea’s boss is still refusing to get drawn into debates regarding this year’s title race.

“We’re not in the title race. We are not, in my opinion,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s prospects of winning the league.

“What I said to the owners and the sporting directors the first time I met them, because of the age, and because of how good the squad is, for me Chelsea in the next five to 10 years will be one of the teams, or the team, that is going to dominate English football.

“This is what I said this to the club the first time I met them. No matter who will be the manager, for the next five or 10 years, because of the age, the squad, you can dominate English football, and I still think exactly the same.”

Nevertheless, Chelsea will be going into their game against inconsistent Tottenham on a real high, with defender Axel Disasi even managing to get on the scoresheet against Southampton after returning to the starting eleven.

Chelsea prepared to sell Axel Disasi in January so they can sign Tomas Araujo

The Frenchman had missed out on a place in their previous five Premier League matchday squads, but was handed the opportunity to start against Southampton by Maresca.

Disasi ultimately repaid his manager’s faith with a solid display, but there have been reports in the build up to January that Chelsea may look to offload Disasi and free up space for another centre-back.

Chelsea are scouring the market for another central defensive star, and they’ve been linked with Benfica star Tomas Araujo.

TEAMtalk have an update on their interest in the Portuguese, as Maresca looks to reshape the squad into future dominators of English football.

It is believed that Chelsea are prepared to sell Disasi in January and have made contact over Araujo, with their defender’s sale seen as crucial to potentially striking a deal for the latter defender.

Despite being called a “leader” in defence at points, Disasi is also seen as “limited” by some behind-the-scenes at Chelsea, prompting their interest in Araujo, who is believed to have an £83 million release clause in his contract.

The 22-year-old, who can also play at right-back, is emerging as one of the Primeira Liga’s most promising defenders – which has apparently turned heads in west London.

Arsenal have been in direct contact with a £102 million midfielder as they target potential replacements for Thomas Partey, who is widely expected to leave after four years at the Emirates Stadium.

Partey tipped for Arsenal exit this summer

The Ghanaian is viewed by supporters and critics alike as a faithful servant to the club.

£109,000-per-week star may have played last game for Arsenal with exit approved

Mikel Arteta is now against keeping him at the club.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 7, 2024

Signed from Atletico Madrid for around £45 million in 2020, Partey has gone on to amass 115 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, playing a particularly important role during their 2022/2023 Premier League title challenge.

However, last season, a combination of injury problems and falling down the pecking order resulted in the 30-year-old making just 14 league appearances. Partey has also entered the final 12 months of his contract at Arsenal, meaning sporting director Edu Gaspar will have to sell this summer for the greatest return on a potential transfer.

Appearances

115

Goals

5

Assists

4

Bookings

24

Red cards

1

Minutes played

7,794

The £200,000-per-week midfielder is attracting interest from abroad. Indeed, Partey has been subject to a potential offer from Saudi Arabia, and it is rumoured that Turkish Super Lig sides are keeping a watchful eye on his situation as well.

Fabrizio Romano says Partey is set to leave Arsenal in the next transfer window, so attention will turn to who Mikel Arteta will bring in to replace him. Arsenal are targeting Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi as one option, with Edu also monitoring Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz.

Both are likely to cost a premium, at least £50 million-plus, with Zubimendi's release clause standing at around £52 million. While this could be a draw for the north Londoners, reports suggest Zubimendi has shown no desire to leave Sociedad – making a deal pretty difficult.

Villa are also pretty unlikely to entertain a deal for their talismanic midfield star Luiz, who bagged 10 goals and 10 assists for Unai Emery in all competitions last season on their road to the Champions League.

Arsenal in direct contact with Benfica star Joao Neves

Now, as per HITC and journalist Graeme Bailey, it is believed they've tested the waters over Benfica star Joao Neves as an alternative, with his agents looking to open up offers for him to depart.

The 19-year-old starlet made 33 Primeira Liga appearances for Benfica last season, scoring three goals and registering an assist in that time. According to WhoScored, Neves stood out as one of their best performers going by average match rating per 90, with only Ángel Di María and Rafa managing a higher number than the teenager.

HITC claim Arsenal have been in direct contact with Neves over joining them this summer, but there's a pretty roadblock in the way. His release clause stands at around £102 million, a figure which Edu and co are unwilling to pay as things stand, with Liverpool and Man United adopting the same stance.

Unless things change in this regard, Neves looks set to remain in Portugal.

Liverpool are in a dire rut of form at the moment and the pressure only ramped up on Arne Slot following their 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday evening.

As if Slot didn’t think things could get any worse, what hasn’t helped is Mohamed Salah’s remarkable interview after the game.

The Egyptian has been on the substitutes bench for the last three games and according to reports, will not travel to Milan when the Reds face Inter in the Champions League this week.

What Mo Salah has said about his Liverpool future

Salah was in conversation with reporters after Liverpool’s dismal draw with Leeds at the weekend and it’s safe to say he did not cover Slot and Co in glory.

“‘I’m very disappointed, Salah began. “I’ve done so much for this club – everyone can see that – over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.”

The Liverpool great continued: “It’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. Club promised me a lot in summer. So far I I’m on bench three games, so can’t say they have kept those promises.

“I say many times I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship, I don’t know why. It seems like someone does not want me in the club.

“But again this club, I always support it. my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday because I knew I wasn’t going to start and told my mum and dad to the Brighton game [next Saturday].”

How Salah trained on Monday

Salah smiled and chatted with his teammates on Monday as he attended the club’s first training session since his outburst over the weekend.

He arrived on the training pitch in conversation with French striker Hugo Ekitike. Salah listened as Slot addressed the squad and then took part in a series of warm-up and passing drills, interacting with the likes of Curtis Jones, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The session was overseen by Slot who is really up against it now. Who the Liverpool board decide to side with, Salah or the Dutchman, will be very interesting.

The last seven days could not have gone better for Arsenal fans.

Sunday saw them utterly dominate Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Then, if that wasn’t enough, the Gunners took on and, in the second half anyway, quite comfortably beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Things do not get any easier this weekend, though, as Arsenal travel to second-placed Chelsea, and if Mikel Arteta wants to ensure his side collects all three points, he should make one ruthless change to the lineup.

Arsenal's record against Chelsea

Sunday’s game will be the 212th competitive meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea, with the first being a Division One game in November 1907, which the Blues hosted and won 2-1.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, since then, it’s the Gunners who have generally had the better luck in this fixture, winning 85 games, drawing 60 and losing 66.

Moreover, since taking the job in December 2019, Arteta has had a sensational record against the West Londoners.

Of the 13 competitive games he’s managed against them, the Spaniard has masterminded a victory eight times – including in the 2020 FA Cup Final – settled for a draw three times and lost just twice, the last time being in August 2021.

The last game between the sides was in March of this year at the Emirates, and it would be fair to say it’s not one that has lived long in the memory, as the hosts ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Mikel Merino header.

In all then, while this Sunday will be a tough test for Arsenal, Arteta and Co shouldn’t be too worried as they have an exceptional record against Chelsea.

With that said, on top of the enforced changes in attack, the manager should ruthlessly drop another of his starters from Wednesday to ensure it’s another win in the books.

The Arsenal star Arteta should drop

While the performance against Bayern on Wednesday was one of Arsenal’s best in a long time, there was one player who struggled somewhat: Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Hale Ender, who is valued at £39m by Transfermarkt, started just his fifth game of the season, and it was really quite clear that he wasn’t as sharp as some of his teammates.

For example, while he wasn’t the only one at fault, he could have dealt with the pass that led to the visitors’ goal, and as the match went on, Michael Olise gave him more and more trouble.

Equally, as per Sofacore, his woes were evident as he lost the ball nine times from just 25 touches, or once every 2.7 touches.

However, even though he struggled, there can be no doubting his immense ability, potential and attitude, and so, while it’s a long way away, club insider Hand of Arsenal’s claim that he’s a “future captain” does not sound all that far-fetched.

With all that said, for the good of the team and to ensure they have an easier time collecting all three points at the Bridge, Arteta should replace the youngster with Ricardo Calafiori.

The Italian international has been nothing short of sublime this season.

Whether it’s in defence or going forward, the 23-year-old seems able to do it all with ease, and not only that, but he does it with a certain style as well.

Described as a “wild horse” of a full-back by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean and “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” by journalist James Benge, the former Bologna man pops up all over the pitch and causes nightmares for opposition defenders.

Moreover, on top of the four goal involvements he’s produced this term, the Rome-born monster has some unreal underlying numbers to his name.

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.16

Top 2%

Shots Total

1.58

Top 2%

Goals + Assists

0.41

Top 4%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.46

Top 4%

Aerials Won

1.89

Top 5%

Goals

0.15

Top 7%

Shots on Target

0.41

Top 8%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals and total shots, the top 4% for goal-creating actions, the top 5% for assists and aerial duels one, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, with Sunday’s game being hugely crucial for Arsenal, it would make sense for Arteta to bring Calafiori back into the team in place of Lewis-Skelly.

The best since Henry & Vieira: Arsenal star is "the best in the world"

The incredible Arteta signing will rank alongside Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 28, 2025

Sitting to the side of the Bernabeu during Arsenal’s triumphant night inside the Bernabeu last season, Rio Ferdinand was left in awe of an 18-year-old strutting his stuff.

“I’m sorry, is Lewis-Skelly really 18? His date of birth is right, isn’t it?”

It’s a fair question to ask. Myles Lewis-Skelly made enormous strides during the 2024/25 campaign. At the start of he was playing U21 football. By the end of it he was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year, was a full England international and had helped guide Mikel Arteta’s team to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Not bad at all, is it? While Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman continue to be spoken about as generational talents, the most complete Hale Ender we’ve seen in years is Lewis-Skelly.

However, is everything now starting to unravel? It’s been a difficult campaign for the teenager to date.

Why Lewis-Skelly has struggled for game time at Arsenal

Arsenal’s injury problems last term were well-documented. To the benefit of Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko could barely get a game and Riccardo Calafiori spent more time on the treatment table than on the field of play.

Such a sequence of events meant that even Kieran Tierney enjoyed something of a career revival at the Emirates Stadium.

For Lewis-Skelly, however, he was the biggest winner of Arsenal’s lack of depth throughout 2024/25. He enjoyed a phenomenal season as a result, featuring on 39 occasions for the senior team, assisting two goals and scoring that strike against Manchester City.

The celebration summed up everything the Hale Ender is about. He’s a jovial, unique and confident character. He’s certainly cemented himself as one of the finest young players on the planet.

2025/26 has been more challenging. Now 19, he is yet to start in the Premier League and has enjoyed just 86 minutes of top-flight action.

While the Champions League has seen the teenager start twice, he missed out on a spot in the starting XI last week when summer arrival Piero Hincapie was selected ahead of him in Prague.

There are several reasons for his lack of action, not least Calafiori’s improved fitness but also from a tactical point of view. There is a feeling that the Italian’s defensive discipline is stronger, while Hincapie’s overlapping ability, more aligned with the inverted Leandro Trossard’s skillset, is perhaps a stronger dynamic.

While Arteta is right to manage the youngster’s minutes, it did set off alarm bells, not just among supporters but also England boss Thomas Tuchel.

Lewis-Skelly has been a regular feature in Tuchel’s squads since he was given the Three Lions gig and the full-back even scored on his international debut towards the beginning of the year.

But, the German made it abundantly clear that he needed more minutes during October’s break. “Being a good citizen isn’t enough,” he warned the teen.

Lo and behold, he was left out of the fixtures for the November break. Tuchel stated that “Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes.”

Such news sparked fear regarding the academy graduate’s future at Arsenal. Sky Sports reported this week that he was being monitored by Premier League clubs, although the Gunners are not keen on selling anyone in the January transfer window.

Lewis-Skelly is still young but there may well be another figure in the defensive ranks growing more concerned about what the future holds.

£50m signing should be worried about his Arsenal future

Cast your mind back to the beginning of Arteta’s tenure in north London. The defensive ranks were not pretty at all.

Who can forget that day in August 2021 when Manchester City beat the Gunners 5-0? Their back five that day included Cedric, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney.

How far they have come since. Arsenal now boast the best defence in the league having shipped just five goals. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are easily the best centre-back partnership in the division, while they arguably have the two best full-backs in the form of Jurrien Timber and Calafiori.

All of that means that a certain Ben White has endured quite the downfall at Arsenal, not necessarily due to his own faults but the north Londoners have simply improved significantly.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

A big issue for White has been his fitness. Last season he missed a large portion due to injury which meant he only started 13 league fixtures.

This term, while he has improved his fitness and fought hard to put himself back in the reckoning, Arteta has preferred Timber. Understandably so, too.

The Dutchman has cemented his spot and in the words of the Standard’s Simon Collings, he is “the best right-back in the Premier League right now.” There is no escaping that for White, and his lack of game time proves it.

The full-back started the win over Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season but since then he has not played a single minute of Premier League football.

He has been an unused sub on eight occasions and is struggling to earn minutes in any other competition as well. The 28-year-old has just 82 minutes of Champions League football under his belt and while he has started the League Cup wins over Port Vale and Brighton, has only managed the best part of 70 minutes in both of those games.

2021/22

37

0

2022/23

46

7

2023/24

51

9

2024/25

26

2

2025/26

6

0

When White signed in a £50m deal from Brighton back in 2021, journalist Tom Barclay wrote that the Gunners had acquired “one of the best prospects in English football.”

That much was certainly true. Despite his price tag, he proved to be an inspired pick-up, perhaps one of Arteta’s best since becoming Arsenal manager.

Signed as a centre-half, he quickly became the number one choice at right-back and was an England regular for a period of time under Gareth Southgate until that alleged fallout.

He only missed one league game during his debut year at the Emirates, played 46 matches the following season and then reached over half a century of appearances in 2023/24. Indeed, in the words of one content creator, he was Arsenal’s “most reliable player.”

Not just a rock-solid defender, he had attacking quality in abundance, registering 16 goal involvements between 2022/23 and 2023/24. His link-up and combination play with star man, Bukayo Saka, was a huge weapon for Arsenal.

Now, however, he’s made to settle for a place on the bench and unlike Lewis-Skelly, he doesn’t really have time on his side.

Linked with Manchester City in recent weeks, Arsenal may not want to get rid, but it would not be a surprise if White forced Arteta’s hand next summer if he continues to be omitted from the starting lineup.

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres is set for a period on the sidelines after picking up a suspected hamstring injury, with a reliable club insider sharing the true extent of his problem and expected return date.

Gyokeres was just beginning to catch fire with three strikes in his last three appearances, following a barren run of seven consecutive games without a goal before he ended the drought against Atlético Madrid.

Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United

8.84

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

7.97

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

7.68

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

6.69

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

6.68

via WhoScored

The 27-year-old, signed for an initial £55 million which could rise to £64 million if add-ons are met, was brought in by sporting director Andrea Berta as the club’s statement signing of the summer.

After a sensational haul of 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting CP, marking him out as one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen, Mikel Arteta was understandably excited by Gyokeres’ arrival at N5.

While Gyokeres hasn’t exactly ‘free scored’, the Sweden international has added something entirely unique to their forward line with pace, power and intelligent runs to drag opposition defenders away and free up space for Arsenal’s attackers.

Gyokeres has also averaged more shots at goal per 90 than anyone else in the Arsenal squad so far this season, but they’ll now be missing his threat for a while.

Arteta admitted he was “concerned” by Gyokeres’ injury after hauling him off at half-time against Burnley last weekend, right after he opened the scoring at Turf Moor, and supporters are anxious to discover the results of his scans this week.

The early prognosis is that Arsenal expect Gyokeres to return for their North London derby against Tottenham right after the next international break, with the Scandinavian omitted from Sweden’s squad for the international break.

Insider reveals true extent of Viktor Gyokeres injury at Arsenal

Now, according to reliable insider Hand of Arsenal via X, this still looks like the most likely outcome so far.

It is believed that Gyokeres’ injury is on the “minor” end of the spectrum, and while more tests are still to be conducted, the club are “relaxed” about his situation.

This comes as a major boost for Arteta, who is already without the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke.

Arsenal have done amazingly to navigate this plethora of injuries to attacking players, with makeshift number nine Mikel Merino showcasing his ability in the role once again at Slavia Prague on Tuesday.

Speaking before their win away to Burnley last weekend, Arteta said that Odegaard, Havertz and Madueke are all closing in on returns and could play against Tottenham as well.

The north Londoners could have a near-full attacking complement for one of their most important games of the season, with Havertz blowing away Arsenal staff after his faster than anticipated rehab.

The same can be said of Madueke, who has apparently been racing to get back fit.

Rangers have now reportedly launched an opening enquiry to sign Mujaid Sadick from Belgian side Genk in an attempt to hand Danny Rohl his first arrival at Ibrox.

The new manager has got off to a mixed start in Scotland, with victories over Kilmarnock and Hibernian at least stopping the rot in the Scottish Premiership before heartbreak in extra-time against Celtic. As Roma entered Ibrox in midweek, there may have been some hope that Rohl’s side could cause an upset before their problems were laid bare for all to see once again.

The Italian side raced into the lead courtesy of Matias Soule in the 13th minute, before Lorenzo Pellegrini put them out of sight just before half-time. Whilst it was no thumping, the gulf in quality was clear at times as Roma picked up a 2-0 victory.

Speaking to the media at full-time, Rohl admitted his disappointment – saying: “It’s disappointing, the result. We did, in some key moments, not the right things that we should do.

“I’ve said this many times, and I will repeat this, this game at the moment we need to grow in. We want to win this game in the future, but at the moment there are a lot of things that we have to increase.

“In the second half, I changed the shape and had one more player higher on the pitch. I felt then until the 75th minute that there could be something if we used one moment to bring the belief or the confidence in a good direction. But we couldn’t, and then in the end it was a very experienced side we played.”

Fewer touches than Butland: Rohl must axe Rangers man who lost the ball 11x

Rangers have now lost four out of four in the Europa League, and Danny Röhl must drop the flop who lost the ball 11 times against Roma on Thursday.

Nov 7, 2025

Defensively, Rangers were found wanting once again and it’s something that the 49ers must address in the January transfer window. As Rohl aims to mark his own stamp on the current side, a central defender should be at the top of his shopping list.

Rangers launch Mujaid Sadick enquiry

As reported by journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Rangers have now launched an enquiry to sign Mujaid Sadick from Belgian side Genk in the January transfer window. The 25-year-old has seemingly impressed the Gers and may have first caught their attention when he pocketed summer signing Chermiti in a 1-0 win over the Scottish giants in September.

The central defender completed 45 of his 46 attempted passes, made 15 defensive contributions and was not dribbled past once in a dominant display against Rangers. Chermiti, meanwhile, was limited to just one touch in the opposition box and was dispossessed three times. In a night to forget for the struggling striker, Sadick thrived.

It’s also worth noting that the Spaniard can play right-back as well as centre-back in what could offer Rohl crucial versatility. As far as first arrivals go, Sadick would be an excellent option to turn to in the January transfer window.

Rohl must drop another Rangers transfer flop with Chermiti

Newcastle United are believed to have stepped up their interest in completing the signing of an “astonishing” player with a huge release clause in his contract.

Newcastle transfer news

Magpies supporters will want to see plenty of transfer business conducted in the next couple of transfer windows, following a relatively quiet time of things during the summer. One report has claimed that Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is being lined up as a replacement for Martin Dubravka between the sticks, potentially pushing Nick Pope to be the future No.1 at St James’ Park in the process.

Another intriguing rumour that has emerged has seen Newcastle linked with a move for Paul Pogba, whose career has fallen apart in recent years, following drugs charges that ended up leading to an 18-month ban, reduced from four years. He is available to play again from next March, however, and the Magpies are apparently eyeing a move in January, though take that one with a pinch of salt.

More realistically, Las Palmas winger Alberto Moleiro is also seen as a transfer target for Eddie Howe’s side, with sporting director Paul Mitchell sending scouts to watch him in action. Arsenal are also in the mix to snap up the 21-year-old, though, so competition for his signature could be strong.

Newcastle step up interest in "astonishing" ace

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Newcastle and Mitchell are pushing to sign Sporting CP forward Geovany Quenda, stepping up their interest in him. He has an £84m release clause in his current deal, highlighting his ability. That said, the Magpies are far from alone in showing an interest, however, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Juventus and Chelsea all mentioned as suitors in the update.

Quenda is a player with an immense amount of potential, so it is no surprise to see many huge European clubs competing to acquire his signature. If Newcastle were able to pip others to the signing of the 17-year-old, it would feel like a major statement of intent, with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez saying of him: “A player who loves to create imbalances. Technical quality, but a quality that is not normal for someone at 17 years old.

“He had an excellent European Championship with the U17s. He has stepped into the first team of Sporting and demonstrated an astonishing personality. And now he has shown that he is ready for the national team. Great news for Portuguese football.”

Despite still only being 17 years of age, Quenda has already made 18 senior appearances for Sporting, scoring and assisting twice apiece, and he has been capped by Portugal at both Under-21 and Under-17 level, scoring six times for the latter.

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The Portuguese clearly wouldn’t be signed by Newcastle as a polished player who can immediately be a star man, but his long-term potential is vast, and he should be seen as a primary target who could grow into a future hero at St James’.