All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

What’s that, is it a light at the end of the tunnel? Chelsea are making headway and the most interesting point of the Blues project lies in the giddy attacking talent at Enzo Maresca’s disposal.

Cole Palmer is the centrepiece of course but an overreliance on his talent from last season has been tempered. Now, there is some exciting new talent to diversify the attacking efforts.

Of course, there are a couple of resurgent stars that have actually been on the books for over a year now. Indeed, the closed qualities of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku are beginning to unfurl.

Chelsea's current strikers

Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal last summer, completing a deal in excess of his £30m release clause. Nkunku arrived earlier in the summer in a £52m transfer, with a move actually being agreed with RB Leipzig some time before, in a gentlemanly fashion.

Nkunku’s maiden year on English shores was not so much affected as ravaged by injuries. The France international scored three times in the Premier League last year but started only twice.

He’s scored three goals from six matches under Maresca though, notably bagging the winner against Bournemouth last weekend. He’s only started three times and looks like he could be a real menace throughout the campaign.

Jackson, aged only 23, had greater success, avoiding any annoying layoffs to post 17 goals from 44 matches, albeit missing a staggering 24 big chances in the Premier League last term, scoring 14 goals.

This season, the rough diamond has two goals and an assist from five matches. His total Chelsea tally stands at 19 strikes, whereas his French counterpart has just six goals to his name.

Both could end the striker’s curse at Stamford Bridge. So many talented centre-forwards have seen their time in west London prove to be a footnote in the background of an otherwise impressive career, with one such man being Alvaro Morata.

He’s certainly enjoyed a resurgence, having actually outscored the aforespoken forwards since they arrived at Chelsea.

Alvaro Morata's resurgence after leaving Chelsea

Chelsea signed Morata for – wait for it – a then club-record £60m fee in 2017 under Antonio Conte, bringing the Spaniard in from Real Madrid after his relatively prolific stint with the European heavyweights.

It went wrong. Morata took on the rather cumbersome weight of essaying to replace Diego Costa at Chelsea and though starting brilliantly, with nine goals from just 14 appearances, he ended the season with 15 from 44 fixtures.

He was jettisoned back off to the Spanish capital at the midpoint of his second year, this time signing for Atletico Madrid in what would become the most nomadic of wandering careers. After scoring 24 goals from 72 matches as a Blue, he can hardly be considered a success.

24/25

AC Milan

2

1

0

23/24

Atletico Madrid

48

21

5

22/23

Atletico Madrid

45

15

3

21/22

Juventus

48

12

9

20/21

Juventus

44

20

12

19/20

Atletico Madrid

44

16

5

18/19

Atletico Madrid

17

6

1

He’s been comparatively prolific, with the newly-signed AC Milan star’s 22-goal haul since the start of last season surpassing the Chelsea totals of both Jackson and Nkunku.

Morata, who earned a jaw-dropping £170k per week at Chelsea, is a good striker – he spearheaded Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph – and has even been rather generously claimed to be “on par with Erling Haaland” by Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.

Urr, maybe not, but he was still a major miss for Chelsea and has illustriously resurrected his career since leaving, even outscoring Jackson last term for good measure.

Chelsea star who was let go for £0 is now worth more than Fofana & Sancho

Chelsea let star go for £0 and now he’s worth more than Wesley Fofana.

2 ByConnor Holden Sep 16, 2024

Liverpool fans would have been entering into this weekend’s Premier League contest versus Nottingham Forest with expectations that their side would cruise to a win, especially when you consider the fact Arne Slot had guided his confident Reds side to three league wins from three prior.

However, football can be a funny old game and it would be the visitors who would surprisingly walk away from Anfield with all three points, courtesy of a Callum Hudson-Odoi strike deep into the second 45 minutes.

That would silence the Anfield masses watching on, who would have been very disappointed with the collective showing against Forest being so lacklustre, as the likes of Mohamed Salah, among others, had a very rare off-day.

Salah's performance vs Forest

Salah was nowhere near his sumptuous best against Nuno Espirito Santo’s underdogs, having completely torn Manchester United to shreds at Old Trafford just the game before this shock loss back on home turf.

Out of five dribble attempts on the day, the usually electric and tricky Egyptian would only complete one as Forest managed to keep him at bay, whilst the quiet Reds number 11 would only muster up two on-target efforts as well at Matz Sels’ constantly targeted net.

Likewise, the tenacity and energy usually apparent in the 32-year-old’s game wasn’t there, with just two duels won from nine attempted, as Forest’s gameplan to stifle the usually free-flowing Reds attack worked to perfection.

There will be somewhat of an inquest now after this sobering defeat, involving many of the first-teamers that had sparkled under Slot in August, with Salah receiving a 5/10 rating post-match by Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle, who labelled his showing as “frustrating” on the whole.

It wasn’t only the former Chelsea man that let himself down in this slim loss, however, with Dominik Szoboszlai also way off the pace, after really coming into his own under Slot in previous Premier League clashes.

Szoboszlai's performance vs Forest

Heading into this contest, the Hungarian midfielder would have been over the moon with his early season form, having looked lively under the new Dutch manager with one assist notched up from four league games.

However, everyone is prone to having a bad day at the office as was seen in the ex-RB Leipzig man’s showing at the weekend, with the midfielder squandering possession a dire 18 times in total which then helped the away side to build up more confidence.

Stat

Szoboszlai

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Expected goals (xG)

0.16

Expected assists (xA)

0.08

Touches

75

Accurate passes

46/59 (78%)

Possession lost

18x

Stats by Sofascore

Looking at the table above, Szoboszlai’s performance lacked that killer pass to unlock the rigid Forest defence, with 75 touches of the ball and 46 accurate passes resulting in nothing of note being created, with a poor 0.08 next to his name in terms of xA.

In stark contrast, the below-par Reds number eight would amass 11 fewer accurate passes versus Erik ten Hag’s bewildered Man United side but managed to pick up an assist, as his display in that game was more on the front foot – like the rest of his on-fire teammates – and less pedestrian.

The 23-year-old would also fall victim to a low 5/10 rating from the Liverpool Echo after the dust had settled on the shock loss, with Doyle stating that Szoboszlai made ‘too many wrong decisions’ on the day that proved costly.

Slot could well have to rejig his line-up after such a disappointing defeat, therefore, with Szoboszlai potentially one name on the chopping block up next, as Liverpool begin their Champions League journey versus AC Milan this coming Tuesday night.

It wasn’t going to be all smooth sailing for the Reds under a new managerial regime, with the first bump in the road out of the way, as the likes of Salah and Szoboszlai are now well aware that they will have to step up their game.

10x possession lost: Slot must drop 6-pass Liverpool dud after Forest loss

The Reds fell to a shock defeat at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 14, 2024

Wolverhampton Wanderers' recruitment has seen them travel far and wide in recent times, with the club shifting their focus to South American talents over the last couple of transfer windows.

This summer alone, they completed deals for Brazilians Andre and Pedro Lima, aiming to sign talented youngsters at a bargain price, making an impact on the first team before potentially leaving for a hefty profit.

Santiago Bueno is another example, with the Uruguayan centre-back joining the club from Girona last summer after an impressive stint with the Spanish outfit in LaLiga, which saw him make 34 league appearances in 2022/23.

The aforementioned duo will be hoping to make an immediate impact in the Premier League this season, helping Gary O’Neil’s side push for a top half finish during the 2024/25 campaign.

Andre and Lima will be looking to follow in the footsteps of another Brazilian duo in the club’s first team who have hugely impressed after their respective moves to Molineux.

Cunha and Gomes’ stats at Wolves

Forward Matheus Cunha to this day remains the club’s record signing, joining back in 2022 from Atlético Madrid for a reported £44m.

The 25-year-old originally moved on loan with an obligation to buy, with Cunha enjoying the best goalscoring campaign of his career last season, registering 14 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

He’s often provided that moment of magic in the final third, as demonstrated in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last season.

As for Joao Gomes, he’s enjoyed a phenomenal start to life in England after his £15m move to the West Midlands, joining from Brazilian outfit Flamengo during the January window in 2023.

The 23-year-old has since featured 48 times in the Premier League, scoring three times, including a double against Tottenham Hotspur during the 2-1 victory in North London last season.

His subsequent form has seen him linked with the likes of Spurs and Liverpool – an indication of how impressive he’s been since making the move to Molineux.

However, another big-money move by the club hasn’t worked out anywhere near as well, with boss O’Neil needing to move on one current first-team member at the next opportunity.

How much Cunha and Gomes earn in 2024

Just a couple of years ago, Wolves splashed £27.5m on a deal to sign Portuguese forward Gonçalo Guedes from Spanish side Valencia on a five-year-deal.

However, he’s failed to prove his worth during his time at Molineux, scoring just one Premier League goal before returning to boyhood club Benfica for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

He subsequently was sent on two more loans, once again to Benfica, before moving to Villarreal for the remainder of last season, only scoring three goals over the two separate spells.

Guedes scored two goals against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last month, but he’s only managed 15 minutes of league football so far this season.

The 27-year-old currently earns a reported £90k-per-week as per Capology, a figure that is higher than both Cunha and Gomes, who only earn £60k and £30k-per-week respectively.

Goncalo Guedes

£90k-p/w

Pablo Sarabia

£90k-p/w

Nélson Semedo

£80k-p/w

Hwang hee-Chan

£70k-p/w

Matheus Cunha

£60k-p/w

Given his ridiculously high wages and little impact at Molineux, the club desperately need to cash in on Guedes to avoid losing a huge chunk of their investment on the forward, with the hope being that there can be an escape route in one of the few markets still open across the globe.

Their recent need to sell key players such as Pedro Neto and Max Kilman highlights the club’s financial situation, with O’Neil’s side unable to carry players along the way – especially when they’re earning as much as Guedes currently does in the West Midlands.

Wolves must regret selling PL star who's now worth more than Gomes

He’s gone on to tear the Premier League apart in recent times.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 4, 2024

Arsenal will be going into "selling mode" over the next few weeks, and Kieran Tierney is a player that could find himself "on the market" should he not have "a clear pathway" into the team, claims journalist Ben Jacobs.

Arsenal transfer news – what's the latest on Kieran Tierney?

It has been an unbelievable start to the summer window for the Gunners this year, with one major signing already confirmed in Kai Havertz, who joined the club from cross-city rivals Chelsea for £65m.

On top of that, the North London side appears to have finally made the breakthrough in the Declan Rice saga for a cool £105m, and if that wasn't enough, talks to sign Jurrien Timber of Ajax look to be entering "the final stages", per Fabrizio Romano.

With all of those incomings, it is perhaps no surprise that the club are now looking to move some of their own players on, with Tierney potentially one of them, per Jacobs.

The 26-year-old Scot was the club's number one left-back until last season when Mikel Arteta welcomed his former player Oleksandr Zinchenko to the Emirates, who has since become the undisputed starter on the left side of the defence.

Newcastle United have been linked with the player for much of the past season, but in a sensational turn of events, his former club Celtic could now sign the dynamic fullback.

According to the Sun, Tierney would consider a move back to Celtic Park should the club come after him, partly thanks to the return of Brendan Rodgers, with whom the player shared tremendous success.

What has Ben Jacobs said about Kieran Tierney and Arsenal?

Jacobs made it clear that the Gunners will be looking to offload a few players following their extravagant spending of late, with Tierney being someone who could find himself on the chopping block over the next few weeks.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "I think we're gonna see Arsenal going into selling mode resolving the future of players. Kieran Tierney is another one that will either need a clear pathway or will become available on the market."

How good was Kieran Tierney for Arsenal?

It has been a very stop-start time for the ex-Celtic star in North London, with multiple bouts on the sidelines with injuries, only to be effectively replaced in the one season he managed to stay fit for the club.

Speaking to Sport Bible about just one of the many periods he has missed through injuries, he described it as "the toughest time of my life."

However, when he was fit, he was frequently one of the few bright sparks in a period in which the Gunners struggled on the pitch.

According to WhoScored, before this last season, the flying Scotsman never achieved an average rating lower than 6.64 in his three seasons at Arsenal, which is remarkably consistent for a player that has had so many interruptions in his career already.

He has also been exceptional for his national side over the last few seasons, filling in as a centre-half with Andrew Robertson holding down the left-back position.

So good have his performances been with the Scotland manager Steve Clarke describing him as "the best left-sided centre-back that Scotland had ever had."

If Tierney, who has been hailed as "magnificent", can maintain his fitness from now on, whichever team he joins will have an exceptionally gifted player on their hands.

For all the talk of West Ham United needing to replace Declan Rice, it may well be that David Moyes is in the market for a second central midfielder this summer.

The Hammers' Europa Conference League success papered over what was a disappointing Premier League campaign that ended with the club finishing six points above the relegation zone, and a facelift of sorts may be required.

What is the latest West Ham United transfer news?

Moyes' side have been linked with an array of players across multiple positions, but it is no surprise that midfield targets are right at the centre of the gossip.

From James Ward-Prowse and Harvey Barnes to Amadou Onana and Kalvin Phillips, there are countless options for West Ham to choose from when it comes to filling the void left by Rice.

But according to Sky Sports Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, United are further down the line in signing another player. It is claimed that negotiations are already in play with Juventus over a move for Denis Zakaria, who will be eager to prove himself in the Premier League after a forgetful spell at Chelsea last season.

Juve are said to be hoping to sell Zakaria this summer, rather than exploring another loan offer with the chance to purchase, with the former Borussia Monchengladbach ace on wages of around £90k a week, according to Capology.

Is Denis Zakaria a good option for West Ham United?

On the basis of last season, West Ham supporters can be forgiven for questioning exactly why their side are interested in bringing in a player who started only five league games for their London rivals.

Quite simply, it did not work out for the Switzerland international at Stamford Bridge. But that is not to say he cannot have a major impact down the road at the London Stadium.

Indeed, if the rumours are to be believed, Zakaria's arrival could spell bad news for Tomas Soucek. Despite his limited playing time over the past 12 months, Zakaria still ranks in the top 5% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion (88.9%), as per FBref.

That compares to a pass-completion percentage of 71.3% for Soucek, which ranks him in the bottom 7% among his positional peers across Europe's elite leagues.

That ability to keep things ticking along in midfield would come in handy for Moyes, but Zakaria is also strong in other areas. Using data from the 2021-22 campaign while with Serie A giants Juventus, the 26-year-old showed he is comfortable getting the ball past an opponent as he averaged 2.13 take-ons per 90 minutes, compared to 0.54 for Soucek last season.

Zakaria also outperformed Soucek across those respective seasons in terms of carries (32.4 v 17.4) and goal involvement (0.23 goals and assists per 90 v 0.16), though the latter did come out on top for more defensive metrics such as tackles won (1.18 v 0.95) and interceptions (1.69 v 1.36).

As put by former Chelsea player and now BT Sport pundit Joe Cole after Zakaria belatedly made his Blues debut in November's Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb, the midfielder looked "excellent" and particularly impressed with his ability to get around the pitch.

Moyes may well have accepted that he will not find a true like-for-like replacement for Rice, with a couple of new players potentially needed to share the workload.

In Zakaria, he can land a player who thrives in many similar areas to outgoing Rice and will prove an upgrade on Soucek in what could yet prove to be an exciting midfield overhaul.

La Liga champions Barcelona are expecting to collect €10 million (£8.5m) from Tottenham Hotspur to sign defender Clement Lenglet, according to reports out of Spain.

Who will Spurs sign this summer?

Links to centre-backs are going to be prevalent at Spurs for most of this summer transfer window as the Lilywhites chase star defensive options for incoming new manager Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham conceded more top flight goals than any other side above 15th in the Premier League table last season, highlighting their dire need for reinforcements in that area of the squad.

Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba, as per recent media sources, is being targeted by Spurs as talks progress – with the Burkina Faso international also very open to joining.

Meanwhile, Juventus defender Gleison Bremer is also on their transfer shortlist with Man United captain Harry Maguire, so the north Londoners appear determined to add quality to their backline.

Lenglet, who spent the 2022/2023 season on loan at Spurs, has been linked with a return to the club permanently with Barca looking to balance their wage bill.

According to Spanish news outlet Sport on Monday, via Sport Witness, the Catalans are expecting Tottenham to fork out an £8.5 million bid for the Frenchman this summer.

The cheap price is down to Barca's selling desperation, which has given Spurs a strong negotiating arm to play with as they consider bringing Lenglet back to north London.

What's been said about Clement Lenglet?

The 28-year-old made 26 league appearances for Tottenham last season, amassing a solid 87.5% pass accuracy out from the back, so he could be ideal for Postecoglou's fluid, attacking system.

Lenglet did have his critics over 22/23 but long-serving Spurs number one Hugo Lloris thinks he can be strong in both one-v-one situations and aerially.

"He's a modern defender," said Lloris.

"Comfortable to be able to play from the back. He has a great left foot and can be very strong in one v one and he's strong in the air."

Meanwhile, Spurs pundit John Wenham said Lenglet appears "very reliable" when at his best, having given a glowing review to Football Insider after the centre-back's north London derby performance.

"“The fact he has instantly come in for Ben Davies and we don’t look any weaker, that is a huge credit to him really," said Wenham.

“He’s a new signing to the Premier League, I know he has a lot of experience from Barcelona and with France but he already seems very reliable, like we could drop him in for any fixture.“

Aston Villa reportedly remain in the race to sign one of Unai Emery’s former players in the chase for a La Liga gem.

With Monchi recruited as resident of football operations, the Spanish duo could present Villa Park with a marquee signing in his first bit of business at the club.

What’s the latest on Pau Torres to Aston Villa?

The saga surrounding Villarreal defender Pau Torres’ potential move to Aston Villa has been ongoing since January, with news coming this week confirming the club's desire to sign the Spaniard remains.

Reported by 90min in the winter transfer window, Torres was mentioned as a name that was on Emery’s radar to bring to Villa Park following his decision to trade La Liga for the Premier League at the start of last season.

This week, Fabrizio Romano stated on his Here We Go podcast that Villa were now “pushing” to sign the centre-back.

“They [Tottenham] always appreciated Pau Torres, but at the moment it is Aston Villa, the club pushing for Pau.”

As relayed by 90min, the Spaniard is said to have a €50m (£43m) release clause in his contract with the Yellow Submarine.

What could Pau Torres offer to Aston Villa?

Hailed as an “extraordinary talent” by former player and youth coach Javi Calleja, Torres could undoubtedly take Villa’s defence to new heights.

Such claims require support and the Villarreal-born star has recorded numbers that rank him amongst the best-performing centre-backs in Europe over the past year.

As per FBref, the 26-year-old ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in terms of his rate of progressive carries, averaging 2.24 per 90 to showcase his advanced competency of being a ball-carrying defender.

Such traits are lauded in the Premier League, allowing play to build from the back in a quick burst from defence to attack, with Torres possessing attributes in a variety of areas in progressive play including making 5.81 progressive passes per 90.

Emery could sign himself one of the most assured centre-backs on the ball in Europe in signing his former player, having previously stated that he'd “never seen” a central defender like him, via football.london.

While Tyrone Mings was a regular presence for Villa in the 2022/23 campaign, the 30-year-old – who made 35 league appearances – could find himself as part of a positive transition at Villa Park seeing younger stars take centre stage in Emery’s reign.

While the Spaniard’s abilities in progressive play blow the Englishman’s resources in that area out of the water, his defensive attributes show to be stronger also, as highlighted by him averaging 1.27 tackles per 90 to the Villa man’s 0.43.

With Monchi on board in the Midlands, it could finally be time for Emery to be reunited with his former player whom he has been rumoured to have wanted to bring to Villa Park for months.

Liverpool will be in the market for several additions this summer to strengthen ahead of 2023/24 as Jurgen Klopp looks to kickstart a new era at Anfield following the departures of multiple experienced assets.

Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left the building following their contracts expiring at Anfield and are unlikely to be the only players to seek a new challenge this summer.

In terms of potential additions, both Manu Kone and Ryan Gravenberch have been linked with the Reds. At the same time, Alexis Mac Allister has made his move to Anfield.

What's the latest transfer news on Mason Mount?

Another name that had been mentioned in connection to Liverpool previously but now looks set to move elsewhere is Chelsea ace Mason Mount, who has agreed personal terms with Manchester United over a switch to Old Trafford, as per Football Insider.

The Football Insider report states that Manchester United and Chelsea are now 'advancing' over the conditions of the prospective transfer and it now looks like the Red Devils have beaten Liverpool to his signature.

And, it has been reported that Man United look increasingly likely to sign the midfielder, though Chelsea's valuation is a slight issue at the moment.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones thinks that Liverpool will be inconvenienced by the fact that Mount looks set to move to Manchester United.

Jones told FFC: "I mean, it'd be annoying for sure [if Liverpool missed out on Mount]. I mean, they've definitely been in the picture here and they've been kept in touch with what's going on with Mason."

How will Klopp and the Reds feel?

Losing out on a player you're interested in to a rival isn't an easy one to take, especially when you factor in that Mount fits Liverpool's system and homegrown player dilemma. In 2022/23, the 24-year-old made 35 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, registering three goals and six assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Following their failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham, Mount. who has been hailed as a "superstar", was thought of by some as an alternative target to the teenage sensation due to his energetic approach and eye for a pass. As per FBRef, Chelsea playmaker Mount has excelled compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of progressive passing, having completed around 5.95 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days, putting him in the seventh percentile for this metric.

WhoScored notes that Mount also carried a goal threat for Chelsea in 2022/23 from the middle of the park and averaged around 1.4 shots per game during the campaign.

Not by coincidence, Mount always seems to be well-regarded by his coaches and former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel singled him out for his application on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge in an interview back in March 2022, stating: "It is always a pleasure to work with Mason because he is the kind of guy who comes with a smile on his face to every single training session. It is always 100 per cent in matches, he accepts every challenge and that is why it is so nice to work with him."

Manchester United are confident that they can get a deal done to sign Mount, though Erik Ten Hag is wary of the impact the ongoing battle for the ownership of the club may have on their transfer business, as per ESPN.

Nevertheless, it looks like Liverpool's chance to nab Mount from Chelsea has fallen by the wayside, which is a shame given his suitability to Klopp's tactical framework.

Glasgow Rangers are plotting a move for right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel this summer, with Michael Beale looking at improving the depth of his squad.

What’s the latest on Bright Osayi-Samuel to Rangers?

According to Turkish outlet Sporx, Rangers have tabled a bid for the Fenerbahce defender ahead of the transfer window, however, the report states it is unclear how they will respond to this offer.

He could cost the Ibrox side around €10m (£8m) as per A Spor (via Sport Witness) if any deal is to go through, and with clubs such as AFC Bournemouth and Leeds United keeping tabs on the player, Beale must act swiftly if he wants to secure his signing.

Could Rangers sign Bright Osayi-Samuel?

There have already been plenty of departures out of Ibrox, with the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent and Filip Helander leaving on the expiration of their contracts, while Scott Wright and Jon McLaughlin could be sold.

Beale looks set to undergo a major rebuild and having already signed three players before the window has even opened, could Osayi-Samuel be the fourth to join the Gers?

The fee could be the only barrier to a move. However, given his qualities on the right flank, he could be an ideal heir to James Tavernier over the next few years. The captain will turn 32 years old during the early stages of next season, and although he has shown no signs of slowing down, registering 28 goal contributions in all competitions during 2022/23, Beale will need to think of someone who could eventually take over from him.

He has scored 101 goals and registered 117 assists for the club, stunning numbers for a right-back and unlikely to be bettered, however, the 25-year-old Osayi-Samuel has spent the majority of his career operating as a winger before dropping to the right side of defence, thereby he knows how to score and create chances.

Indeed, the Nigeria international has 21 goals and 26 assists to his name thus far in his career, while his former manager (and ex-Rangers boss) Mark Warburton has hailed him as someone who “terrifies defenders”, further underlining his attacking capabilities.

This is further justified by the fact he has achieved more successful dribbles per game than Tavernier this term (0.9 to 0.8), although he is still some way short in terms of big chances created (13 to 1) and key passes per game (2.9 to 0.4). However, moving to the Gers could grant him a licence to roam forward in a similar vein to Tavernier and create more opportunities for his teammates.

Beale could make a shrewd investment by signing Osayi-Samuel this summer, especially with his versatility, though an £8m transfer fee could yet be a key stumbling block.

Newcastle United are looking to make a "sensational" move for West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer, according to a new update.

Is Rice leaving West Ham this summer?

The 24-year-old has grown into a wonderful player for the Hammers, and on Wednesday night, he lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy, following a dramatic late win over Fiorentina in the final.

The general consensus is that that was Rice's last-ever appearance in a West Ham, with the £60,000-a-week midfielder now set for a new challenge this summer. A move to a Champions League-playing club is likely on the cards, and as things stand, Arsenal look like the favourites to snap him.

Newcastle can also promise elite players a place at Europe's top table next season, however, as they approach what has the potential to be a memorable summer transfer window.

In that respect, a fresh claim suggests that the Magpies could be eyeing an audacious move for Rice, as they look to seal some eye-catching business.

Are Newcastle signing Rice?

According to Football Insider, Newcastle "are considering a sensational bid for Declan Rice as they look to hijack Arsenal’s deal", in what is a major update. The report goes on to add that they are "interested in the West Ham star in what would be a stunning swoop".

That being said, the Gunners are still believed to be "leading the race" to snap up the England star in the coming weeks and months, with a "verbal agreement" in place and move to the Emirates potentially just "days away".

Rice could be the perfect summer signing by Newcastle, should they gazump Arsenal and others for his signature, also representing a huge signal of intent if they are chosen as his next club.

The West Ham star has arguably grown into one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, being lauded as "world-class" by former Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley and maturing into a huge box-to-box presence.

In 2022/23, Rice scored four goals and registered two assists in the league, but he also averaged 2.1 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game, showing that he has become someone who can thrive on and off the ball.

For England, he was also an ever-present at the 2022 World Cup, starting every game, and he could even be a future captain of his country, further outlining why Newcastle signing him would feel so significant.