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The representatives of an in-form forward have travelled to north London recently to hold transfer talks with Arsenal officials, according to new information.

Arsenal's rumoured transfer plans for 2025

The Premier League title hopefuls remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, and have a real chance of clinching their first domestic crown in 21 years.

£83m Arsenal player's reps now hold exit talks with elite European club

He’d be a big loss.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 9, 2024

Impressive wins over PSG in the Champions League and a comeback against Southampton last weekend highlight Arsenal’s winning mentality right now, but there are still areas of the squad that sporting director Edu Gaspar wishes to address.

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

Reports in the last week have shared that Arsenal are interested in Nico Paz of Como, with the former Real Madrid starlet turning heads after sealing a move to Serie A over the summer.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that the north Londoners would bring in a new striker as soon as January if the right opportunity arises. Arsenal have their eye on Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush, and well-connected former chief scout Mick Brown has “heard” that they could look to bring in a number nine mid-season, despite the stellar form of Kai Havertz.

“You have to credit Mikel Arteta because he’s brought this out of him,” said Brown to Football Insider.

“I’ve heard, though, that if there was the right option out there, Arsenal still want to buy somebody in that position. The problem is there’s not a long list of players who are good enough to play that role and are also available to come to the Premier League. Arsenal won’t want to waste any money they have on a player they don’t need.

“They’ll be prudent, but I know they’ll be looking for areas they can improve, and I think that will be one even with Havertz playing as well as he has been.”

After missing out on a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with Arsenal having an offer rejected for the Slovenian alongside Chelsea and Man United (Fabrizio Romano), there are widespread rumours that Edu could go back in for the 21-year-old.

Benjamin Sesko's agents hold talks with Arsenal at the Emirates

According to TEAMtalk this week, the striker’s agents have been to N5 in recent moonths for discussions with club officials.

Indeed, Arteta’s side have apparently promised Sesko’s people that he would be guaranteed game time if he signed for the club. This has given Arsenal an advantage over fellow interested sides like Man United and Bayern Munich, with Sesko enticed by the possibility of playing for Arteta.

The report also claims that Sesko’s representatives have held talks with Arsenal officials at the Emirates in recent months, so it appears there is a very real possibility of the £63 million star making a move there in 2025.

Another intriguing aspect of this is that Sesko has a “gentleman’s agreement” that he can leave Leipzig, either next summer or in 2026, so the Bundesliga side may not even stand in his way if he pushes to sign for Arsenal.

Aston Villa are riding the crest of a wave right now under Unai Emery and the way things are going, there appears to be no slowing down under the Spaniard.

The 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening was just reward for the Midlands side, repeating their victory over the side that they defeated in the 1982 European Cup final.

Thoughts will now turn back to domestic matters, which should be Emery’s bread and butter. Without a top four finish in the Premier League, they won’t be able to experience the scenes displayed at Villa Park in midweek.

The former Arsenal manager has been given free rein in the transfer market to bring players in that he thinks can improve the side, which is evident with regard to the arrival of Amadou Onana.

The Belgian isn’t the only signing that has made an impact in the starting XI, as Morgan Rogers has exerted his influence during the opening few weeks of the season, and he could turn out to be one of Emery’s finest acquisitions.

How much Aston Villa paid for Morgan Rogers

Midway through the 2023/24 campaign, Rogers had scored seven goals and registered nine assists for Middlesbrough, emerging as one of the brightest talents in the second tier.

The former Manchester City youngster was clearly attracting attention due to his exploits for Boro, which led to Emery eventually bringing him to Villa Park.

Rogers cost the club an initial £8m fee, but this could rise to £16m if all the odd-ons were met.

Given how well he has performed in a Villa shirt since making the move, this fee could soon turn out to be a wonderful bargain.

Morgan Rogers’ statistics for Villa

It didn’t take long for the player to settle in at his new club, especially making the leap from the Championship to the Premier League.

In 11 top flight games, Rogers scored three times while grabbing one assist, despite starting eight times. He also played another five times in the Conference League but failed to register a goal contribution in the competition.

This season, he has forced his way into the starting XI for good, playing from the start in all Champions League and Premier League matches thus far.

While he may have scored just once and chipped in with two assists, his performances have been dazzling under Emery, who has deployed him as an attacking midfielder.

Indeed, in the Premier League, the 22-year-old has created four big chances, averaged 1.4 key passes per game and succeeded with two dribbles per game, proving how influential he is going forward.

The Englishman also averages 1.8 shots per game in the top flight, while he has even missed three big chances across six matches, indicating that his goal tally should certainly be more than one.

The more he plays, the better Rogers will get. Judging by his recent displays, there is no reason why he can’t reach the very top, especially with experience in the Champions League against teams such as Bayern.

Did Emery sell a player in the summer who is currently outperforming Rogers this term, however? As Moussa Diaby has taken to life in the Middle East with ease…

Moussa Diaby’s Villa stats under Emery

The Frenchman became the club’s record signing in the summer of 2023, arriving from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of £51.9m, clearly suggesting that Emery meant business ahead of his first full season in charge of the club.

The winger made a total of 54 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring ten goals and grabbing nine assists in the process. Given the record fee, there was no doubt Diaby was expected to offer more in the final third.

With the need to move a couple of players on to comply with financial fair play regulations (FFP), Emery accepted an offer of around £50m to sell the winger to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, thus ending his spell in the Midlands after a solitary campaign.

Recouping the fee they paid out for him just 12 months prior was good business by the manager, but this is looking like a slightly hasty move on their part, especially with his current form for his new side.

Moussa Diaby's record since leaving

Many may have questioned his decision to move to the Middle East, despite approaching the peak years of his career, but Diaby has showcased his talents for Al-Ittihad during the early stages of his spell.

The £130k-per-week sensation may not have opened his account since his move from England, but he has registered seven assists in just six league games, a sublime start.

Metric

Diaby

Rogers

Goals

0

1

Assists

7

2

Key passes per game

3

1.5

Big chances created

9

4

Successful dribbles per game

2.3

2

Shots per game

1.5

1.8

Previously hailed as “perfect” by one prominent analyst, Diaby has taken to life at his new club with ease and there appears to be no stopping him.

Along with his assists, Diaby has also managed to create nine big chances in the league, while averaging three key passes per game and succeeding with 2.3 dribbles per game – a success rate of 61% – which clearly proves just how effective he is in the final third of the pitch.

Compare these statistics to the ones that Rogers has recorded this season, and it is clear who is enjoying the more productive season. No doubt about that.

Of course, Diaby did struggle at times for Villa, often being played out of position as a centre-forward, but perhaps a change of scenery has done him the world of good.

Aged just 25, he looks like he could be coming into the best years of his career, which may mean Emery sold him a tad early.

Rogers has plenty of time to get better and if he continues to demonstrate the form he has shown over the first few weeks of the season, he could enjoy a season to remember.

Gerrard nearly sold Aston Villa star who's now one of the best in the PL

Gerrard nearly sold one of Villa’s star men back in 2022.

1 ByConnor Holden Oct 4, 2024

“I’ve not really been practicing them, just been messing about after training and stuff,” were the words of Cole Palmer after he casually scored four goals against Brighton, including one stunning free-kick.

Oh how good it was. The Chelsea star is a phenomenon and one who seemingly takes no notice of just how good he is.

You don’t practise free-kicks, Cole? Rubbish. That was right out of the top drawer. It was right out of the locker of someone who stays behind after training and sinks free-kick after free-kick right into the top bins.

He’s hilarious really. Palmer gives off this persona that’s actually quite refreshing in the modern day. It’s not robotic, it’s not a load of media trained garbage. It’s just Cole being Cole.

Last season he was only second to Erling Haaland in the Premier League’s scoring charts and he’s attempting to give the Norwegian another run of his money this season.

In six league outings, he already has half a dozen goals and you can bet he’ll score plenty more between now and the end of the campaign.

Cole Palmer's performance vs Brighton in numbers

Seven shots, four goals. That’s all that matters, right? This was a clinic in how to find the net from the Englishman who put in a performance that shocked the rest of the country.

We shouldn’t be surprised by his performance levels anymore but this was ludicrous stuff as the Chelsea star helped Enzo Maresca’s side on their way to another victory.

Slowly but surely, this Blues side are now starting to find their groove and they look like a very difficult team to stop.

Maresca’s men are the division’s top scorers with 15 goals and are now cementing themselves as real contenders to seal a top four berth come the end of the campaign. Given the mess that the Italian inherited, not many had them there at the start of the season.

But, truth be told, they have an amazing squad. They have amazing depth and to be quite frank, they should be one of the highest scorers in the Premier League.

Minutes played

90

Goals

4

Expected goals (xG)

2.41

Touches

46

Accurate passes

17/25 (68%)

Key passes

4

Crosses

1/4

Long balls

6/7

Shots on target

5

Shots off target

2

Duels won

3/5

Tackles

1

With Palmer in tow, they are showing that. The way he took all of his goals was remarkable. The free-kick was the pick of the bunch.

He cooly tucked away his first which was laid on a plate by Nicolas Jackson before firing home a penalty for the second. The third was ridiculous. A free-kick from range had power, it had dip and it had curl to take it away from Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton net.

His fourth was taken excellently too, running onto a Jadon Sancho ball inside the area before firing home at the near post. Is there anything this man cannot do? Seemingly not.

Chelsea have signed plenty of players over the last few years but he is undoubtedly the very best. Scarily, they could have another Palmer on the way.

Chelsea's next Cole Palmer

Does the name Kendry Paez ring any bells? If you’re of a Chelsea persuasion it should do.

Back in June 2023 it was confirmed that the Blues had reached an agreement with Independiente del Valle to sign a 16-year-old Paez for a fee in the region of £17.2m.

He cannot legally move to Stamford Bridge before he turns 18 so it won’t be before 2025 that we see him in Chelsea colours.

That said, he’s already begun to make quite the stir back in his homeland of Ecuador, scoring seven goals and supplying five assists as a teenager throughout the domestic 2024 season to date.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The “insane” talent – as described by content creator Alex Goldberg – has already played for his nation too, earning 15 caps at such a tender age in which he’s found the net twice.

This is a special talent and one who possesses Palmer-like qualities. An attacking midfielder by trade, the 17-year-old can also play on the right-hand side. Crucially, like Chelsea’s current main man, he’s also left footed.

A further look at the numbers will tell you just how good this young kid is. He ranks within the top 1% of positionally similar players in leagues similar to the top-flight of Ecuadorian football for assists per 90 minutes (0.37), as well as sitting in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90 (3.34) and the best 6% for succesful take-ons per 90 (1.48).

If we compare those numbers to Palmer, the England international makes 3.74 progressive carries and completes 1.60 take-ons. So, in that regard they’re pretty similar. When it comes to chance creation, Palmer registers 0.45 assists per 90, so again they’re quite close in that category too.

A dazzling dribbler capable of magical moments, including the goal below, it’s terrifying to think that Chelsea have another Palmer-esque talent on their way to the Bridge.

The Blues have focused their efforts on recruiting the very best young players around and in talents like Paez and Estevao Willian there is no sign of Maresca’s squad getting any worse.

Chelsea's 8/10 star was just as unplayable as Palmer vs Brighton

He completed six dribbles and won 7 duels

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 28, 2024

Hearts are set to add another player to their ranks this summer, with The Scotsman reporting that a deal is very close for Calem Nieuwenhof.

Who is Calem Nieuwenhof?

The 22-year-old currently plies his trade for Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia and despite being relatively early on in his career, has already impressed with his performances for the club.

He was handed his league debut for the side as a 19-year-old, and he was around the squad when they claimed the league title a season earlier. Despite being in his teens, he started five games during that 2020/21 campaign and didn't look out of place either, bagging a goal and an assist from midfield. Despite falling out of favour a season later – he didn't start a single league fixture and managed only two appearances – he really burst onto the scene in 2022/23.

From two games to 26 in the A-League, he became a key player of the WSW team and was arguably one of their most impressive stars with his marshalling displays in the centre of the field. He bagged four goals and one assist, the best tallies of his career, and helped them to fourth in the division.

He also ranked in fourth for the amount of tackles won by any player in the entire league with 50, and his 2293 minutes played was the tenth highest in the division. It showed how crucial Nieuwenhof became for his team, as they continued to play him week-in and week-out.

Are Hearts signing Calem Nieuwenhof?

It's these displays that could now see him leave his home country and head to Scotland. The youngster is now a wanted man, with Scottish Premiership side Hearts trying to secure a deal for the 22-year-old.

It seems as though that transfer could be quite far along now too, according to a report from The Scotsman. They state a deal it is at an "advanced stage" and there is little left to do in terms of getting the midfielder to put pen to paper. Whilst a deal has not officially gone over the line yet then, it does appear it will happen in the very near future, with Nieuwenhof rejecting the opportunity to stay on with the Wanderers in spite of a fresh contract offer.

Nieuwenhof looks to be a promising addition to Hearts' squad by Steven Naismith. Having finally made a signing in Michael McGovern on a free from Norwich, they now look to be moving swiftly on and strengthening other areas of their team, and Nieuwenhof could certainly help shore up their midfield, with his age also meaning he has the potential to get even better and perhaps to double or even triple the investment the Scottish side have made on him.

He's yet to make his debut for the Australian national side or their Under-23 team, but you would have to think that with the trajectory he is on, he could feature for them in the future. An appearance on the international stage would certainly help increase his value – and so the midfielder does seem like a worthy investment from the Jambos whether he stays for the long haul or thrives and moves on.

Aston Villa could be "able to activate a deal" to land Ferran Torres this summer if they wait for "the back end of the transfer window", claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

Aston Villa transfer news – What's the latest on Ferran Torres to Aston Villa?

What Unai Emery has achieved at Villa is nothing short of remarkable. Taking the side from a potential relegation scrap to a scrap for European places, he has completely turned the club around, and it looks as if some major players in Europe could be on their way to Villa Park over the summer.

So far, the West Midlands side have already welcomed Belgian international Youri Tielemans through the door from the recently relegated Leicester City, a player that only last year was heavily linked to Arsenal.

However, the player touted with a move to the Claret and Blue that might just excite the most fans is Barcelona and full Spanish international Torres.

The Daily Mail have reported that due to the Catalan club's dire financial situation, the 23-year-old could join the Villains on a season-long loan with an option to buy for just £21.5m.

What has transfer insider Dean Jones said about Ferran Torres to Aston Villa?

Jones was clear that the player himself has been very upfront about his desire to remain at Barcelona, which could make it harder for Villa to get a deal done. However, he points out that a deal could be made easier if he isn't given much playing time come August.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "I think the Ferran Torres one could still become interesting. He obviously doesn't want to leave Barcelona, and it seems like he's made that pretty clear. But the deeper we get into this transfer window, the more I wonder if he might actually end up leaving.

"I mean, if we get to a situation whereby the season in Spain begins in August, and he's not in the picture, and you get him towards the back end of the transfer window. I wonder if that's when Villa might be able to activate a deal like that."

Would Ferran Torres be a good signing for Aston Villa?

Torres, who has been hailed as "world-class", would be a brilliant signing for this new-look Aston Villa side and be a true signal of intent that they are here to stay among the big boys of English football.

It would also be the perfect way for the Foios-born dynamo to reignite his career following a tough few years in Catalonia. The former City gem hasn't been bad for the La Liga champions, he just hasn't been able to start as frequently as he may have hoped would be the case back in 2021.

According to WhoScored, he only started 14 La Liga matches last season, coming off the bench 19 times, averaging an overall rating of 6.48 across all his league appearances.

His underlying numbers are still impressive, with FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, placing him in the top 12% for touches in the opposition's penalty area, the top 15% for non-penalty goals and non-penalty expected goals, all per 90.

He has impressed for the national side as well, with former Spain manager Luis Enrique saying: "He is one of the players whose crosses are the best in LaLiga."

If Villa can get this deal over the line, they might be fighting for more than just Conference League football next year.

Wolverhampton Wanderers losing Max Kilman this summer would be a 'bizarre' situation amid interest in his services from Napoli, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Max Kilman and Napoli?

According to 90min, Wolves are open to letting Max Kilman go this summer despite rejecting an opening bid of around €35 million (£30 million) for the 26-year-old from Serie A champions Napoli.

The report states that Napoli defender Kim Min-jae is set for Bayern Munich, which looks to have stemmed their interest in taking Kilman, who could be tempted to leave Molineux on a personal level if an agreeable fee arises between both parties.

Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam via Football Daily gave an update on the state of play surrounding Kilman's future, stating: "The spotlight is on another defender in Max Kilman, they have rejected an offer from Napoli for Kilman; we understand the offer to be around £30m, Wolves value him at £35m plus. So Napoli not far away, they're losing Kim Min-jae to Bayern Munich, so they need to replace him, and they have identified Max Kilman as the one to do that."

As per David Ornstein of The Athletic, Wolves are set to demand £34 million for Kilman as they look to maximise their profit this summer on key assets.

Defensive duo Conor Coady and Nathan Collins have already left the building this window at Molineux to join Leicester City and Brentford, respectively.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones has stated his belief that the notion of Kilman leaving the Old Gold is a 'bizarre' prospect for him to comprehend.

He said: "It is a bit of a bizarre bid; I really wouldn't expect them to be looking to do that. Kilman has obviously had interest in the Premier League as well, but the fact that Wolves fans don't seem that fussed about losing him suggests it would be quite a strange transfer."

Should Wolves look to sell Max Kilman this summer?

Wolves find themselves in a strange situation this summer with Financial Fair Play; however, Sky Sports News have reported that the Old Gold are now not in a position where they are desperate to sell players, with their official account on Twitter stating: "Wolves are now under no further financial pressure to sell any more players this summer, following Nathan Collins' £23m move to Brentford."

Nevertheless, Napoli don't seem to be budging in their interest surrounding the talented Englishman, leaving Julen Lopetegui with a big decision to make heading into the new season over whether Kilman is kept or sold.

Last campaign, the 26-year-old was virtually ever-present for his current employers, making 41 appearances in all competitions for his side, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored show that Kilman excelled in sniffing out danger in 2022/23, completing an average of 4.4 clearances per match in the Premier League.

It remains to be seen what the future may hold for Kilman as both he and Wolves evaluate his next career steps ahead of 2023/24 commencing.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly showing an interest in Borussia Monchengladbach defender, Ko Itakura, with Ange Postecoglou's admiration for the Japanese international dating back to his time at former club, Celtic.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

According to Sky Sports Germany, the Lilywhites are said to be rivalling Napoli for the signing of the 26-year-old, with the former Schalke loanee seemingly "open to a change" this summer, as per reporter Florian Plettenberg.

While there is also Saudi interest in the one-time Manchester City asset from Al Nassr, Postecoglou may be hoping that his previous desire to sign the versatile centre-back – who can also feature in midfield – could count in his favour.

Reports back in 2021 suggested that the 57-year-old was keen to sign the 6 foot 2 ace during his first summer in charge at Parkhead, with that followed by further speculation last summer which also claimed that the Greek-Aussie was eyeing a move, in order to bolster his backline in Glasgow.

Who is Ko Itakura?

The 20-cap menace has no doubt warranted such interest from Postecoglou over the years, having previously been hailed as "one of the very best central defenders in the Eredivisie" by pundit Hans Kraay during his prior stint on loan at Dutch outfit, FC Groningen.

Also described as "incredibly fast" by Kraay, the Yokohama-born ace was surprisingly unable to get a look during his time on the books at the Etihad after failing to make a first-team appearance during his three-year stint at the club, albeit with a move to north London potentially set to allow him the chance to finally enjoy a taste of English football.

Whether Tottenham should pursue a move, however, remains to be seen, with there likely to be some intrigue at the fact that Itakura is said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities with Clement Lenglet, as per Opta's Player Radars.

That likeness between the pair is notably showcased by their desire to play out from the back, with Lenglet ranking in the 14% among his European peers for touches made, while Itakura ranks in the top 5% in that regard.

The duo are also alike due to their ability in the air, with the £31k-per-week Gladbach menace ranking in the 36% for aerial duels won, while Lenglet ranks in the top 38% in that regard, utilising his 6 foot 1 frame.

Although the belief is that the Lilywhites are hoping to bring the Frenchman back to the Premier League on a permanent deal following his loan spell last season, the 28-year-old hardly set the world alight in the 2022/23 campaign, having been branded an "imposter" by pundit Jamie O'Hara amid his errant form.

Remarkably, not only was Lenglet part of a defence that conceded 63 league goals last term, but the Barcelona man also recorded just a solitary clean sheet from his 26 league outings at centre-back, with his 6.65 average match rating, as per Sofascore, ranking him just 20th among his teammates at N17.

To think then that Postecoglou could land a possible carbon copy of the former Sevilla man with the signing of Itakura could be of concern to the Spurs faithful, with supporters likely to want to see an improvement on last season's shaky defence.

While the Japanese defender is his own man and is clearly a player that the one-time Australia head coach has watched closely in recent years, that similarity to Lenglet will not exactly be sparking much excitement in north London, if a deal is to go ahead.

Arsenal have not been afraid to buy from their Premier League rivals in recent seasons, having welcomed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City last summer, and already tied up a move for Chelsea's Kai Havertz this window.

Mikel Arteta, if he sees someone come available who can improve his team, will do all he can to secure them.

This has never been more apparent than of late, as his spending seems set to surpass £200m as the window rumbles on into July. If he is to end Pep Guardiola's monopoly over English football, there will be no greater opportunity.

Especially if they are the ones to pry Aymeric Laporte from the Etihad too, marking yet another player who could take that well-trodden path down the country.

Reports from Spain late last week have suggested so, with the Gunners having entered the race for the £120k-per-week Spaniard who struggled for game time last term.

Would Aymeric Laporte improve Arsenal?

Although the 29-year-old would only muster 24 appearances across all competitions during that treble-winning campaign, just a few years earlier he was a big favourite of Guardiola's.

The former Barcelona boss even went as far as to brand him "the best left-sided centre-back in the world" at the time.

This kind of pedigree was emphasised through his form in the league during the 2021/22 season, as he maintained a 7.12 average Sofascore rating, which made him the fifth-highest-rated centre-back in the whole of the Premier League and interestingly enough, the second-best left-sided centre-back behind a certain Virgil van Dijk.

What helped elevate these figures was his ball-playing excellence, as he maintained a 95% pass accuracy and a 75% dribble success rate, and tied it up with 1.8 clearances per game too, via Sofascore. That pass success rate just so happened to be the best in the entire top-flight that term, to emphasise Guardiola's claim.

FBref supplements this further, as when compared to other centre-backs across Europe, the UEFA Nations League winner sits in the top 1% for passes attempted, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.

Combining this kind of power and elegance with William Saliba could immediately form one of the best defensive pairings in world football, and the perfect duo to underpin Arteta's possession-dominant philosophy.

Last season saw the young Frenchman maintain a 91% pass accuracy of his own, alongside a stunning 90% dribble success rate. However, his 1.3 tackles and three clearances per game outline him as slightly more capable of nullifying opposition attacks too, via Sofascore.

Standing at 6 foot 2 and 6 foot 4 respectively, but with a confidence on the ball that a diminutive creative midfielder would be proud of, the combination of Laporte and Saliba could underpin a new period of English dominance handed to Arteta by his rival.

Gabriel has done little wrong since moving to the Gunners but in Laporte, the north Londoners would only go up a gear.

A deadline has been set for the completion of Mason Mount's transfer to Manchester United from Chelsea.

Will Mount join Manchester United?

The Red Devils have already seen two bids rejected by Chelsea for Mount, the latter of which was worth somewhere between £50m-£55m when add-ons are taken into account. However, the Blues have stood firm and, while initially wanting £75m for the midfielder, would now accept a figure around the £60-65m mark.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, time could be running out for a move, with a short deadline set for the finalisation of the deal.

"The conversation between Man United and Chelsea for Mason Mount continues," stated the journalist. "Man United will bid again, as I told you. Mason Mount has an agreement with Man United, wants to go to Man United, but timing will be crucial."

"Sources believe that this deal has to be completed by the end of next week. So this is why for Chelsea this is another crucial point."

If Romano's sources are correct then a deal for Mount would need to be done by July 2nd, putting a potentially difficult deadline on an already tricky deal.

As Romano states, United are expected to bid again for the 24-year-old, who only managed 24 appearances in the Premier League last season for a chaotic Chelsea side who had three separate managers during the campaign.

New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly eager to hold contract talks with Mason Mount as his current deal expires in the summer of 2024. However, his time at Chelsea seems all but over now, with the club not wanting to lose him for free.

For United, signing Mount from a rival would be an astute piece of business. The attacking midfielder managed a combined 70 goals and assists in 195 appearances for the Blues and has thoroughly impressed every manager he has played under.

Who else will Man United sign?

Naturally, Man United are not only interested in signing Mount and are expected to bring in several players during the transfer window. However, even Erik ten Hag himself has admitted to being unsure over available funds given the club's current ownership situation.

It appears United are interested in signing a central striker this summer, with Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Rasmus Hojlund all having been linked. It would take a whopping transfer fee to lure any of them to Old Trafford this summer and United have already pulled out of a potential deal for Kane as a result.

The Red Devils were strongly linked with Napoli sensation Kim Min-jae as a centre-back option considering his €50m release clause, but it seems Bayern Munich have jumped ahead of the English club in the queue.

Ten Hag may have to wait for clarification on the takeover process before being able to make significant moves into the transfer market this summer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to explore the transfer window if reports linking the club to a La Liga gem are to be believed.

Molineux was rejuvenated by the news that Julen Lopetegui will remain as manager following Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns, with the Telegraph adding that the club will be able to spend on a budget this summer.

The latest link could unleash a fierce talent at Molineux, in a player that could challenge one of Lopetegui’s top performers.

What’s the latest on Geoffrey Kondogbia to Wolves?

As reported by Spanish publication AS – relayed by Sport Witness – Wolves remain interested in Atletico Madrid midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.

AS stated that the 30-year-old would be a good signing for Wolves, explaining that he ‘fits’ what the Midlands club need both financially and on the pitch.

The link between player and club has been evident since January, when Fabrizio Romano revealed that Wolves approached the Spanish giants in the winter transfer window.

With one year remaining on his current contract, AS claims that Atleti have a price tag between €5-6m (£4-5m), placing him within the club’s tightened price range.

What could Geoffrey Kondogbia offer to Wolves?

Following the confirmation of Joao Moutinho’s departure and the saga surrounding Ruben Neves’ future, it’s expected that Lopetegui will seek a midfielder this summer.

Lauded as a “monster” by former talkSPORT reporter James Dodd, Kondogbia could be the man to not only succeed the Portuguese aces, but also challenge the current crop of talent in the squad.

Despite only making 10 starts in La Liga this past campaign, the Central African Republic gem maintained a win rate of 62% within his total duels, recording an average of 3.8 per game – reinforcing his dominance in deep midfield, via Sofascore.

At 30 years old and having played in the top divisions in Spain, France and Italy, the experienced whiz could fill the vacancy left by Moutinho in the bid to form strong connections with the talent on show at Molineux.

While Mario Lemina has impressed since signing for Wolves in January from OGC Nice, the former Southampton man could find his space challenged by Kondogbia.

When comparing the two via FBref, the Atletico ace comes out on top in attributes vital for defensive midfielders to possess.

The La Liga star averages in the top 1% of players in Europe in his position in terms of interceptions per 90, averaging 2.41 to Lemina’s 1.05, communicating the experienced player’s ability to read and dictate play.

A similar pattern is highlighted when it comes to the duo’s rate of tackles per 90, with Lemina averaging an albeit impressive 2.95 overshadowed by the £107k-per-week ace’s 3.51 per 90, which places him among the top 3% of midfielders in Europe over the past year.

Lopetegui could fulfil his wish of bolstering his squad significantly while adhering to the necessary budget limits in signing Kondogbia, and with the transfer window officially open, only time will tell if the Spaniard can make the deal a reality.