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Tottenham may have finally reached a decision on Timo Werner's loan move after it emerged that they are eyeing another option to play in his role this summer.

Werner left wondering

Tottenham are certain to be strengthening this summer, but whether RB Leipzig loanee Werner falls into that bracket remains unclear.

The German arrived from Leipzig on loan in January, and made a positive impact for Ange Postecoglou's side. In his 13 Premier League appearances for the Lilywhites, the former Chelsea man found the net on two occasions, grabbing another three assists to help Spurs finish in a Europa League spot.

But at 28 years old he is unlikely to get much better than he already is, and though there is a £15m option to buy the forward written into the loan deal, there is as of yet no indication that it will be triggered. Any agreement needs to be made quickly, with the clause only valid until the European Championships kick off in less than a month's time.

£55k-p/w Tottenham ace praised by Conte and Mourinho set to leave for £0

His career in north London has fizzled out and he seems set to leave.

By
Ben Browning

May 20, 2024

Quizzed on the move last month, Postecoglou refused to be drawn, saying: "In terms of his future, like most players, the decisions will be made at the appropriate time. I think he's been a great signing. He's been a really important part of our structure and I think he can also improve."

Now, Leipzig have perhaps been handed the biggest indication that Spurs will opt out of a permanent move, as it has emerged that they are eyeing up alternatives just days after the end of the season.

Spurs considering move for Premier League alternative

That comes courtesy of Tottenham insider and transfer intermediary Paul O Keefe, who has taken to X to reveal that Tottenham "are looking" at replacing one ex-Chelsea man with another, in the form of Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Moving to Forest for £3m last summer, the once Bayern Munich target has enjoyed a fruitful season, netting eight goals across his 29 appearances, three more than Brennan Johnson (who he replaced at Forest) managed across the season for Spurs.

The winger has drawn plenty of praise this season too, with Jermaine Jenas waxing lyrical about him on Match of the Day following two goals against Sheffield United.

“It was Callum Hudson-Odoi who shone for Forest. The quality was there to see", he explained. “So much has been spoken about him. Technically it’s an incredible finish for the first goal on the bounce. A bit of top-spin and bend it to get into that corner. It’s a real quality finish.

“Every time he came down the left-hand side he sat Jayden Bogle down".

It remains to be seen whether Forest would entertain a sale for the 23-year-old, who still has two years to run on his £80,000 a week contract at the City Ground, but with financial fair play firmly still a concern for the Reds, a reasonable bid may well give them pause for thought.

Leeds United are open to selling a £7,500-per-week star during the 2024 summer transfer window after the player fell out of favour with manager Daniel Farke.

Leeds United transfer rumours

Leeds' 2023/24 Championship campaign ended in disappointing fashion. The Whites blew their chance of automatic promotion by winning just one of their final five league games. They then made it to the play-off final before coming up short against Southampton.

£15 million Leeds United star now ready to quit as Dortmund eye deal

He wants to jump ship after promotion failure.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 8, 2024

Following their defeat at Wembley, Leeds' focus must now turn to the upcoming transfer window as they once again prepare to battle it out for promotion to the Premier League. Norwich City forward Josh Sargent has been tipped to make a move to Elland Road and reunite with his former manager.

Elsewhere, reports suggest that Leeds are keen on Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, while PEC Zwolle’s Anselmo García MacNulty has been linked with a move to West Yorkshire as well. Leeds also wish to make Joe Rodon's stay permanent after he impressed on loan from Tottenham during this past season.

Leeds looking to cash in on £7,500-p/w star

However, for all the potential incomings, it looks as though the Peacocks are looking to move some players on this summer. Crysencio Summerville is expected to depart after Leeds failed to secure promotion to the Premier League, with Crystal Palace one of the sides credited with an interest in the Dutchman.

While Leeds are unlikely to want Summerville gone, it has emerged that the club are open to selling another of their senior players. The man in question is Charlie Cresswell.

The defender played 127 minutes across Leeds' first two Championship games of 2023/24, but notched just eight more minutes of league action during the remainder of the campaign – with six of those coming since the turn of the year.

Speaking at the beginning of 2024, Daniel Farke explained his reasoning for not playing the 21-year-old.

"He won’t be picked until he is ready, mentally ready," Farke said in January. "I just want players who want to be there, accept their role and are fully on it. It’s no accusation. I totally get Charlie’s point but the ball’s in his court. One thing’s for sure – we don’t present him as a gift and wrap him and give him to a club, [if] the club doesn’t fulfil our expectations.

"Either there is a solution where a club reaches our expectations for a player full of potential, or not. Then he has to accept his role with the mindset of ‘I’m ready to fight.’ This is why I haven’t picked him in recent weeks and why I won’t pick him until the situation is sorted."

Journalist Alan Nixon (via Caught Offside) has reported that the defender is expected to leave Leeds this summer amid his struggles for any sort of first-team football. Cresswell is currently earning £7,500 a week on a deal which runs until 2027, but the Whites are looking to cash in on him this summer for £3m.

No potentially interested teams are mentioned in the report, though it is thought that Cresswell has gained interest abroad, namely in France and Germany.

Arne Slot has remained tight-lipped on Liverpool's chances of signing Newcastle's wantaway striker Alexander Isak ahead of Monday's massive clash.

• Slot addressed ongoing Isak saga
• Liverpool face Newcastle on Monday
• Isak will not be involved for Magpies

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The summer transfer saga rumbles on with Isak refusing to play for Newcastle and Liverpool yet to make another bid for the Sweden international. The offer of £110 million ($148m) came three weeks ago and boss Slot says there is no update to share on the Anfield club making another. But the Dutchman appreciates it remains the hottest topic in football during this transfer window.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Isak wants to move to Anfield but Newcastle are refusing to sanction the transfer. Earlier in the week the Swede issued an emotional statement, hinting at "broken promises", while Newcastle replied with a firm rebuttal. And while this happens the Magpies are playing without their star striker, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last term, and have been unable to find a suitable replacement.

• WHAT SLOT SAID

  Slot said: "What I can tell you is not a lot. And if someone else asks that question, it's going to be the same answer. As I've said so many times and it's been shown on Friday, I could impact the game with who we had on the bench. Federico came in and scored a goal. So it would be much nicer for us to talk about the players who we have but I understand you have to ask the question."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ISAK?

  Newcastle are desperate for a resolution to the Isak conundrum as soon as possible. Not only to end the circus which is currently engulfing them but also because they have gone three consecutive Premier League matches without a goal, having bagged 21 goals in the eight prior to that. And it's Liverpool who they face next.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are considering an investment in cricket side Welsh Fire amid their success at Wrexham.

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Wrexham won back-to-back promotionsNow playing in League OneOwners eye different sport WHAT HAPPENED?

Wrexham have won two successive promotions from the National League and now find themselves in League One, where they have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season. Now, Reynolds and McElhenney are reported to be eyeing a different sport.

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Per BBC Sport, the co-owners have "made contact" over investing in Welsh Fire, a cricket team that plays their games in Cardiff. Glamorgan have a 51% stake in the team, and Reynolds and McElhenney are said to be exploring the idea of investing themselves.

WHAT DAN CHERRY SAID

Welsh Fire's chief executive Dan Cherry has confirmed that initial contact has been made.

He said: "It is a feasible option. Contact's been made.

"There's not been anything substantial come back yet, but we're in the process and I know that they'll certainly be included in any process that we've got going forward.

"All bids and offers that are going to come in are going to be interesting to us, and we're going to have to evaluate what the best bid is for us.

"There's obvious interest in what Ryan Reynolds and the guys have done at Wrexham, which has been fantastic for football in north Wales.

"That doesn't necessarily mean to say that it'll be the right option for us, but if they're interested in talking to us, obviously it's an exciting proposition."

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Wrexham play Crawley Town on Saturday in their next League One outing.

Bayer Munich star Harry Kane opened up on his penalty miss against boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur during 4-0 win in pre-season on Thursday. This was only the second time that the England captain has played against Spurs since leaving the club in 2023. Kane scored the opener for the Bavarian side and three minutes later squandered a penalty as he skied the ball over the crossbar after losing his footing.

• Kane discusses penalty miss
• Scores against former club beforehand
• Bayern thrash Spurs 4-0

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite Kane's horrific penalty blunder, Bayern secured a thumping 4-0 win over the Spurs. The English forward broke the deadlock in the 12th minute before skying his spot-kick over the crossbar after losing his footing. Kingley Coman then doubled the Bavarian side's lead, before Lennart Karl and Jonah Kusi-Asare added two more goals to the team's tally.

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  After the match, Kane opened up on his comical penalty miss as he expressed his delight that the game was just a pre-season friendly. The 32-year-old spent 19 years with Tottenham, rising up through the ranks into the senior team in 2009. The England captain played a total of 435 games for Spurs and scored 280 goals, a record for the Lilywhites.

• WHAT KANE SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the match, Kane said: "I'm glad it happened in a friendly game. I slipped. As a footballer, sometimes things happen that you can't control."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

  Vincent Kompany's side will play their final pre-season friendly against Grasshopper on August 12, before formally kicking off the 2025-26 campaign against Stuttgart in the German Super Cup on August 16. 

Cricket team caught in crossfire of dispute between a private firm and the Pakistan government

Umar Farooq in Lahore27-Jul-2020The PCB has played down reports that a company based in the Isle of Man may seize assets owned by the Pakistan team currently in the UK, as part of an old legal dispute between the firm and the Pakistan government. A report in the Pakistani daily the quoted a letter from Broadsheet LLC to the Pakistan government in which it said it would “seize the assets of the Pakistani cricket team” because of longstanding dues owed to it by the government.The PCB has been in touch with the Pakistan Embassy in the UK and is believed to have been satisfied that there is little prospect of this actually happening. That belief lies in the legal opinion that the Pakistan team is representative of the Pakistan Cricket Board, an autonomous body, and not of the Pakistan state or government, and so is not a party to the case or liable for the damages. In the letter, Broadsheet says that the Pakistan team is “by the very nature, an asset of the defendant and that monies due to the team and assets of the team are assets of the defendant to the litigation”.The PCB, however, said the ordinance under which it was established makes it clear it is autonomous.”The PCB has no nexus whatsoever with the arbitration and/or recovery proceedings between Broadsheet LLC and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan & National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan,” the PCB said.”Moreover, the PCB stands established under the Sports (Development and Control) Ordinance 1962 as a body corporate having perpetual succession with exclusive authority for the regulation, administration, management and promotion of the game of cricket in Pakistan. The PCB operates through its Constitution as an autonomous entity.”The PCB operates and functions independently from the Government, generates its own revenues and receives no grants, funds or monies from either the Federal or Provincial Governments, or the Public Exchequer.”The legal dispute dates back to the early 2000s, when Broadsheet was hired by General Pervez Musharraf, who was the head of state of Pakistan then, to trace out hidden assets of Pakistan nationals in foreign countries. Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) signed an agreement with Broadsheet, which was eventually terminated in 2003. The termination led to a legal dispute, one resolved in 2018, when an international arbitration court in London ruled in favour of Broadsheet, and established that the NAB was liable to pay damages. It is this payment that remains outstanding.The letter quoted in the was written by Broadsheet to Allen & Overy, the firm that represented the Pakistan government and the NAB in the case, and said that Broadsheet was owed “more than USD 33 million” after it won the arbitration.ESPNcricinfo reached out to NAB for comment, but the body has not confirmed or denied any threat to the cricket team’s equipment being seized. The Pakistan team will play three Tests and three T20Is against England, with the first Test scheduled to start on August 5 in Manchester. The final T20I will take place on September 1.

It's set to be a summer of change at Anfield, as Liverpool look to find their replacement for Jurgen Klopp and hand whoever may be in charge the perfect start to their tenure.

Liverpool transfer news

As things stand, it looks as though Ruben Amorim is on course to be the man who will be tasked with replacing Klopp at Liverpool following an incredibly successful period at Sporting CP which could yet end with a league and cup double. Once that potential deal is sealed, the Reds' summer plans will become far clearer, but reports are already suggesting that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are aiming to build a side that will suit Amorim.

The Reds have already been linked with Porto midfielder Alan Varela, who Amorim will know plenty about in Portugal's top flight and have also been linked with a move for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande. Both players could slot straight into the 39-year-old's system should he arrive at Anfield this summer. But whilst arrivals hand him a boost, Amorim could be left panicking about finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah.

No Salah, £60m star signs: The Liverpool team Amorim could build at Anfield

Things could look quite different at Anfield come August.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 16, 2024

The links to Saudi Arabia have not gone away and reports suggest that it's still a possibility that the Egyptian leaves Merseyside this summer. Liverpool, however, could have a plan in place.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United this summer to replace Salah should he decide to leave. The West Ham winger has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League and is undoubtedly destined for great things – great things that could come at Anfield next season.

Not many would be capable of stepping up to replace Salah, but Kudus is among the rare players who have shown the ability to do just that.

"Brilliant" Kudus should be a no-brainer for Liverpool

Even if Salah doesn't leave this summer, Liverpool should be looking the way of players like Kudus. Salah is now 31 years of age and has shown signs as of late that he may not be at the peak of his powers for much longer, leaving the Reds in need of a successor. And Kudus appears to tick every box. He's a Premier League-proven player who may only get better in the coming years, meaning that now could be the perfect time for Liverpool to strike.

David Moyes is among those to have praised the winger this season, saying after his performance in a recent 5-0 win over SC Freiburg: "The first one reminded me of those old dribbling wingers who used to run and take people on, with snakey hips to find a way through. It was a brilliant individual goal – a real Roy of the Rovers type goal."

With that said, with or without Salah, Kudus could be an ideal way for Liverpool to kick off a new era this summer.

Want a new sports podcast to listen to? We've got a few you might enjoy…

If you have ever wondered about the net worth of athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo or LeBron James, argued about the intricacies of Chelsea's transfer deals or simply just can't get your head around the price of jerseys, then we've got just the podcasts for you.

The off-field industry that powers the world of sport – from elite-level soccer to American football or even athletics, whatever it may be – is full of compelling and sometimes downright unbelievable stories.

Here, GOAL takes a look at some of the best sports industry podcasts to listen to.

• SportsPro podcast
  

  SportsPro Podcast – SportsPro

  SportsPro’s editorial team and regular high-profile guests bring listeners weekly comment, insight and analysis on the matters of the moment in the global sports industry.

  Never ones to be pigeonholed, the SportsPro Podcast content ranges from interviews with the likes of Gary Lineker and Ice Cube to detailed breakdowns of the industry executives shaping the business of sports while also championing DEI in sports and underrepresented groups.

  • Listen on Apple Podcasts
  • Listen on Spotify

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• The Price of Football – Kieran Maguire and Kevin Day

  Every week, Kieran Maguire and Kevin Day examine the money behind the beautiful game, analysing the latest news stories, answering listeners' questions, and interviewing the men and women who run the show. With football’s bottom line under more scrutiny than ever and fans having a greater interest in football finances, the show has broad appeal, covering transfer budgets to club takeovers.

  • Listen on Apple Podcasts
  • Listen on Spotify

• The Footballco Business Podcast – Footballco

  Coming from Footballco (the owners of GOAL), the Footballco Business Podcast focuses on the media, brand and marketing side of the sport. The fortnightly show features high-profile guests from the biggest brands and clubs involved in football, as well as innovative content creators and designers.

  Previous guests have included executives at Juventus and Atlanta United, content creators like Ben Black, leading designers from adidas and Puma, award-winning directors Asif Kapadia and Taika Waititi and broadcasters like Peter Crouch and Alexi Lalas.

  • Listen on Apple Podcasts
  • Listen on Spotify

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• Unofficial Partner Podcast

  The Unofficial Partner Podcast covers the business of sports, with an assortment of insightful guests, expertly hosted by award-winning journalist Richard Gillis, who has previously worked in the sports business industry, including time with Havas/Cake. The Unofficial Partner Podcast is separated from many others by its host's lack of tolerance for dancing around the issues, along with his ability to find the story.

  • Listen on Apple Podcasts
  • Listen on Spotify

Vipers 261 for 7 (Dean 60*) beat Storm 239 (Knight 67, Luff 60, Norris 4-45) by 22 runs Tara Norris played a starring role, claiming 4 for 45 in eight overs as Southern Vipers staged a brilliant fightback to beat arch rivals Western Storm by 22 runs in a high-calibre Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy South Group encounter at the Bristol County Ground.Put into bat, Vipers raised a competitive 261 for 7 from 50 overs thanks to half centuries from Georgia Adams, Danni Wyatt and Charlotte Dean. Heather Knight and Sophie Luff threatened to make light work of that when scoring 67 and 60 respectively in a hundred partnership for the second wicket, only for Storm’s chase to hit the rocks in the face of an inspired spell from Norris, who was ably supported by fellow seamers Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier and Paige Scholfield.Handily-placed on 149 for 1 in the 26th over, the hosts suffered a dramatic collapse, losing seven wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs and, despite the best efforts of tailenders Claire Nicholas and Lauren Parfitt, were bowled out for 239 inside 48 overs. Victorious in their opening two fixtures, Vipers are top of the group and, with four matches to play, have put themselves in with a decent chance of making the final at Edgbaston on September 27.Storm appeared to be cruising to victory when Knight and Luff staged an increasingly authoritative partnership of 130 in 22 overs, the second wicket pair both registering half centuries to put their rivals firmly on the back foot. When Knight was caught behind off a Bouchier no ball on 23 and then dropped by Scholfield at mid-wicket off the same bowler on 52, it looked like being Storm’s day.But Scholfield atoned by catching Luff at mid-on off the bowling of Adams, an interjection that proved a defining moment in the game, sparking an unexpected collapse in which the hosts slipped from 149-1 to 180-8. Left-arm seamer Norris was at the heart of the turnaround in fortunes, claiming four wickets in a devastating 19-ball burst, including the prized scalp of Knight, who was bowled for 67 via a bottom edge, at which point Storm were required to score a further 102 from 20 overs with their batting inspiration back in the changing room. Having already had Georgia Hennessy caught at the wicket, Norris again struck twice in quick succession to remove Katie George and Alex Griffiths, both held by the ubiquitous Scholfield.Bell then bowled Nat Wraith to finish with 2 for 41 from nine overs and Scholfield accounted for Emma Corney, after which Nicholas and Parfitt did their best to make a game of it, staging a spirited stand of 47 in eight overs for the ninth wicket. But Adams, who finished with 3 for 23, claimed the wickets of Nicholas and Niamh Holland, leaving Parfitt unbeaten on 33.Having posted a match-winning opening stand of 111 in Saturday’s seven-wicket triumph over Sunriders, Adams and Wyatt picked up where they left off to provide Vipers with the perfect start, staging an assured alliance of 105 in 19.4 overs on a surface that held few demons for batsmen. Taking advantage of the fielding restrictions and some wayward bowling, these two proved adept at rotating the strike, running hard between the wickets and scoring primarily behind square to plunder 90 runs from the first 15 overs.England one-day star Wyatt established herself as the senior partner, taking few risks in cutting and pulling her way to a 54-ball half century which included half a dozen boundaries. Demonstrating sound shot selection, Adams realised the same landmark from 70 balls as runs came easily against a Storm attack that lacked express pace and penetration.Quickly realising that it was difficult to hit down the ground and that taking the pace off the ball would generate additional bounce, Luff called upon her triumvirate of off spinners in an attempt to change the dynamic, a strategy that paid dividends when Wyatt uncharacteristically gave Fi Morris the charge and saw her middle stump knocked back. Attempting to make the most of the platform afforded by the openers, Bouchier went aerial. only to play one shot too many, loft a flighted delivery from Knight straight to mid-off and depart for 16 in the 27th over.When Adams was called through for an ill-advised single by Dean off the bowling of Knight and comprehensively run out for 55 by Luff’s smart pick-up-and-throw from backward point, Vipers had lost two wickets in 10 balls and, at 149-3, were in danger of losing crucial mid-innings momentum. Scholfield succumbed to Nicholas for nine, top-edging a sweep to Parfitt at short fine leg, and Emily Windsor was caught behind for 14 off an arm ball from Knight, who extracted extra bounce to finish with 2-36 from 10 overs to help Storm wrest back a degree of control.Ella McCaughan attempted to open up the off side and was bowled by a ball that nipped back at her from George, while Carla Rudd was lured onto the front foot by Hennessy and fell prey to a smart stumping from the exemplary Wraith as Storm’s death bowlers continued to turn the screw. Determined to make amends for running out her captain, Dean remained unperturbed by the fall of wickets at the other end, putting fielders under pressure with clever placement and hard running in a stabilising innings of 60 not out from 70 balls, with four boundaries, to haul the visitors to respectability.

Chelsea's frantic dealings in the transfer window since the takeover by Todd Boehly was always going to be a risky strategy given the Premier League's strict FFP and PSR rules.

It was announced last week that the Blues had made a loss of £90.1m in the financial year ending 30th June 2023 – hardly a surprise given the club have splashed over £1b on transfers within the last two seasons.

With the news of the club's recent financial situation, the Stamford Bridge outfit could land themselves in hot water with the Premier League – potentially receiving a points deduction similar to what Everton did in 2023.

Given the losses, the club may have to operate on a shoestring budget in the next couple of transfer windows to comply with the regulations to avoid any potential sanctions.

This could provide opportunities for boss Mauricio Pochettino to allow some youngsters to stake their claim for a place within the first-team squad, with one player in particular deserving of a run in the team next season.

Financial Fair Play: What is PSR, how does it work and who's in trouble?

Leicester City have become the latest club charged with an alleged PSR breach, but what could happen next?

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 16, 2024 David Datro Fofana's stats since joining Chelsea

Chelsea forked out around £8m-10m on striker David Datro Fofana from Molde during the January window in 2023, with the Ivorian making three appearances for the Blues during the 2022/23 season.

His lack of game time saw the 21-year-old join Union Berlin on loan for the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, where he made 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring just twice, before being recalled by the Blues.

Fofana joined Burnley this January, with the striker gaining valuable Premier League experience before his return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

He's since excelled in England's top flight for a side who have struggled for large periods of the campaign with the striker offering Vincent Kompany's side hope of completing a great escape.

The 21-year-old has scored four times in his eight appearances for the Clarets, including an unbelievable strike in the draw away at West Ham United, skipping past a couple of players before unleashing one of the fiercest efforts on goal you're likely to see.

His successful form in a struggling side must give Chelsea fans hope that he can be a hit at Stamford Bridge and follow in the footsteps of a fellow Ivorian who enjoyed a brilliant career at the club.

Datro Fofana touted as the next Didier Drogba

The "exciting" striker, as labelled by journalist Hrach Khachatryan, could prove to be the answer to the club's long-term solution to their goalscoring problems.

Fofana, who's been dubbed "a baby Drogba" by Turkish commentator Hakan Gulec, could see the Blues steer away from any potential deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian potentially costing the Blues over £100m – further adding to the club's FFP troubles.

If the striker turns out to be even half the player that Drogba was for the Blues, they will have signed themselves an absolute gem and a bargain for the £8m-10m fee touted.

Drogba, who joined the Blues from Marseille in 2004, became a legend at Stamford Bridge, bagging an impressive 164 goals in 381 appearances for the club – including a vital goal during the Champions League triumph in 2012.

Fofana will be well aware of the Ivorian's impact at Stamford Bridge given his role and nationality and, if given the opportunity next season, then he might be able to follow in the footsteps of their great striker of yesteryear.

However, it's still very early days in Fofana's Chelsea career, with the youngster needing to take his career game by game and ignore the hype before making a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.