Tag Futebol

Arsenal are interested in a deal to bring Carlos Soler to The Emirates in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by French media outlet France Bleu Paris, who claim that, despite having only joined Paris Saint-Germain from Valencia CF in a €20m (£17.2m) deal this summer, due to the Spain international’s lack of game time at Le Parc des Princes, the central midfielder could be on the move once again this winter.

The report goes on to suggest that Mikel Arteta’s side are one club keeping a close eye on the situation of the 25-year-old, with the Premier League leaders weighing up a potential move for the playmaker in the January transfer window.

Santi Cazorla 2.0

Considering just how talented a player Soler undoubtedly is, coupled with central midfield being an area of the pitch in which Arsenal currently lack any real depth, should Arteta have the chance to launch a move for his compatriot in January, it would appear extremely wise for the 40-year-old to do so.

Indeed, despite featuring in just seven Ligue 1 fixtures – only four of which have come as starts – so far this season, the £43m-rated talent has still managed to catch the eye, having already scored two goals, registered one assist and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 0.6 key passes and taking 0.4 shots per game.

These returns have seen the 25-year-old average an extremely impressive Sofascore match rating of 7.13, not only ranking him as Christophe Galtier’s ninth-best performer in the league but also as the 35th-best player in the top flight of French football as a whole.

However, it was undoubtedly over the playmaker’s 32 LaLiga appearances for Valencia last season that Soler most caught the eye, with the £95k-per-week talent scoring 11 goals, providing five assists and creating five big chances, in addition to taking an average of 1.3 shots, making 1.7 key passes and completing 0.6 dribbles per match.

These metrics saw the 13-cap international who Semra Hunter dubbed “unbelievable” average a simply sensational Sofascore match rating of 7.15, not only ranking him as Che’s best performer in the league but also as the joint 15th-best player in the Spanish top-flight in its entirety.

Furthermore, the player who has been likened in style to former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has also impressed for Spain at the Qatar World Cup this winter, scoring one goal and averaging an extremely impressive Sofascore match rating of 7.30 in La Roja’s 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica in their opening fixture of the tournament.

As such, it would very much appear as if Soler would represent a fantastic addition to the more defensively-minded Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park at The Emirates, with the Spanish sensation very much looking to possess the potential to become the Gunners’ next Cazorla-esque talent in north London.

Arsenal have been struck with a big injury blow before their trip to Chelsea in the Premier League this lunchtime after manager Mikel Arteta revealed some “bad news” over one of his most reliable stars…

What’s the latest?

Versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was forced off with an injury during the Gunners’ 1-0 win over FC Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday. The Japan full-back replaced Ben White in the second half but limped off minutes before full-time.

Speaking via the club’s official website, the Spaniard said:

“We don’t know [what the issue is]. He felt something and we didn’t want to take any risks. With the amount of games that we’re playing, it’s part of it. It can happen in training, it can happen in games and unfortunately, it happened to Tomi today,” he later added:

“It is very difficult to get the balance and to get the right performances and win matches, and resting some players and keeping them fresh is always challenging, we have tried to do our best. Today we had bad news with Tomiyasu, but I think for the rest it has worked pretty well.”

Big blow for Arteta

The 23-year-old machine was largely a bit-part player at the start of the new top-flight campaign, having picked up an injury during pre-season, but in recent outings, he has started at left-back in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, even with Kieran Tierney fit at times.

Indeed, Tomiyasu has started four straight matches in the role, in which Arsenal have remained unbeaten and that includes an impressive 3-2 win over Liverpool, as well as clean sheets against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

The Japanese “warrior” – in the words of ex-teammate Mitchell Dijks – is a right-back by trade and can also play centrally too, making him an integral and valuable part of Arteta’s squad.

Even with Zinchenko back in training, the £16m man would have still been in line to feature at Stamford Bridge. Not only may it be too soon for the Ukraine gem but Arteta may have wanted to rotate Ben White, who has played the third-most minutes of any Gunners defender.

Tomiaysu proved against the Reds, who finished second to Manchester City last term, that he could deliver against the very best, having pocketed Mohamed Salah in a “Cancelo-esque” fashion, as revealed by Football FanCast at the time, so his presence up against Graham Potter’s wing-backs or the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz would have certainly been welcome.

As such, his likely absence this afternoon will come as a gutting setback to Arteta and the squad as they will be without a quality option in defence, even if that’s one from the bench – just as the Gunners boss says, it’s “bad news” on that front.

AND in other news, Forget Gabriel Jesus: Arsenal’s £90k-p/w “talent of the century” must make his World Cup squad…

Everton masterminded a sensational victory over Crystal Palace this afternoon, which is one that Frank Lampard will enjoy as the pressure was very slowly mounting.

Although he had endured three tough games, they did fall to defeat in all three leaving them floundering near the relegation zone.

However, with today’s result, they move comfortably into mid-table.

The 44-year-old will be looking forward to the next three fixtures against winnable opposition, hoping to build upon this result and continue climbing the Premier League.

One man he certainly has to thank for today’s performance is Alex Iwobi, who put in another workmanlike yet classy display that turned the game in their favour.

It marks yet another game where the Nigerian has maintained his sensational resurgence.

Having already been the “hero” once last season against Newcastle United – as journalist Paddy Boyland put it – the 26-year-old stepped up again on Saturday.

It was a creative masterclass, as Iwobi notched two assists on his way to achieving the best SofaScore rating of anyone on the pitch, with 8.0.

Although many might point towards the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the catalyst for this result, as he scored the opener, it would be insulting to once again deny the 58-cap maestro the plaudits for a spectacular display.

Of his 53 touches, he actually lost the ball 14 times. However, in his case, it is indicative of a midfielder desperate to create something even if it meant relinquishing possession. The risk clearly paid off today, as he gave three key passes on his way to creating two big chances.

That’s not to suggest that he abandoned his defensive work too, as he still managed to win 50% of his duels whilst also making two tackles.

It was a near-perfect all-around display that stole the show.

Iwobi now boasts five assists already this campaign as well as a goal, noting how his move to midfield has transformed him as a player.

Should he continue this form, the winger-turned-midfield is likely to be at the heart of anything good that Lampard’s Everton might muster.

Good results in the next three games are crucial for that to happen.

Leicester City are considering a move to sign Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Old Trafford exit likely

The Dutchman has fallen out of favour under Erik ten Hag having played just 19 minutes of football since the start of the new Premier League season, with his lack of game time seeing him dropped from the Netherlands’ international squad last year.

The 25-year-old is currently out of action after picking up a knock, but with an Old Trafford exit looking inevitable, either in January or next summer, it appears that the Foxes are keen to give him a new lease of life at the King Power Stadium.

The Latest: Leicester eyeing Van De Beek

According to ESPN, Leicester are ‘interested’ in van de Beek, with United targeting ‘some kind of return’ on the €45m (£38m) they paid for him two years ago.

Whilst the chances of him making Louis van Gaal’s World Cup squad are effectively gone, it’s stated that there is ‘still time to prove’ himself as the player he once was, with the clock now ‘ticking’ on his future with the Red Devils.

The Verdict: Tielemans replacement?

With the long-term status of Youri Tielemans uncertain after being linked with a departure this summer, van de Beek would be a suitable replacement for the Belgian should he leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The ‘Muller-esque’ star, as labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 41 goals and provided 34 assists during his time at Ajax, with whom he won three senior titles.

If he can regain this kind of form, he would be a revelation in providing another goal threat from midfield alongside James Maddison, and there’s a strong chance that a move to the Midlands could be happening in the near future.

Newcastle United are reportedly seen as a ‘possible destination’ for Inter Milan central defender Stefan de Vrij.

The Lowdown: One of the best

De Vrij is currently one of Europe’s best defenders, having accumulated over 170 games for Inter over the last five seasons, including over 20 appearances in the prestigious UEFA Champions League (Transfermarkt).

Hailed as a ‘world-beater’ by former Premier League defender now pundit Alan Hutton, he was a Serie A champion with Inter in the 2020/21 campaign, while he also has over 50 caps for the Dutch national team.

The Latest: ‘Possible destination’

As per Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), St. James’ Park is seen as a ‘possible destination’ for De Vrij, whose contract at the San Siro is set to expire next summer.

The North East club could rekindle previous interest in the 30-year-old, and agree a pre-contract with him in January that would see him sign for free in the summer.

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The Verdict: No-brainer

To sign a player of De Vrij’s quality and experience on a free transfer is surely a no-brainer for the Tynesiders.

It would likely mean having to move on one or two centre-backs, with four senior ones in the squad at the moment including new signing Sven Botman, but De Vrij is a player who could take them to the next level, potentially taking over leadership responsibilities from Jamaal Lascelles.

The six-foot-two colossus’ pedigree and top level experience would help attract other big names to the Magpies too, which could really kickstart their long-term project.

Atletico Madrid will demand that Tottenham Hotspur pay Yannick Carrasco’s release clause, according to Marca journalist David G Medina. 

The lowdown

Journalist Jason Burt reports that Spurs have opened dialogue with Atletico in the hope of completing a deal for Carrasco prior to the transfer deadline on Thursday night.

Antonio Conte is apparently a long-term admirer of the Belgian, who has scored 81 times in his club career, and tried unsuccessfully to sign him in January.

While Burt claimed that Carrasco would be available for ‘far less’ than his release clause, the media in Spain are saying something quite different.

The latest

Marca writer Medina tweeted that Atletico will ‘not negotiate for Carrasco’ before the end of the transfer window, stating that either the €60m (£51.3m) release clause is paid or ‘nothing’ will happen.

However, he does say one can assume Tottenham will go ahead and pay the fee due to the finances available in the Premier League.

“Atleti does not negotiate for Carrasco. Either the 60 clause is paid or nothing. Another thing is that seeing the potential of the Premier it is assumable that they do so.”

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The verdict

A £51.3m deal would take Spurs’ spending for the summer past the £200m mark. They would duly move top of the Premier League spending table for the current transfer window, leapfrogging West Ham and Chelsea.

In fact, it would be the third-biggest signing in the club’s history, ranking just behind their moves for Tanguy Ndombele (£54m) and Richarlison (£52.2m).

Spurs have just paid £45m to make Cristian Romero’s loan permanent, and this would be an even further sizeable outlay.

There’s a chance that we see a game of brinkmanship ahead of the Thursday night deadline, with Spurs no doubt aware that Atletico are under pressure to sell players in order to comply with La Liga salary cap rules.

Carrasco has been called a ‘brilliant player’ and a ‘very dangerous’ ‘goal threat’ by Kevin Campbell, but just how high can the Lilywhites go at the end of a busy summer?

Everton are ready to rival another Premier League club in the chase for Antoine Semenyo… 

What’s the word?

According to The Guardian, the Toffees have enquired about the availability of the Bristol City marksman. Crystal Palace are also pursuing the deal, and with both clubs needing to replace injured or outgoing strikers, it could make for an interesting transfer battle.

The 22-year-old is expected to command a fee of around £20m for the Robins, who rejected a £10m bid from Bournemouth earlier this summer.

He can be Calvert-Lewin 2.0

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin yet again ruled out with another lengthy injury, Everton have been left searching for a starting striker to deputise in his absence.

Reports have linked them with a number of forwards from Ligue 1, but perhaps shopping in the Championship could see them pick up another cheap gem who can be moulded into a top Premier League striker.

It could be a repeat of their £1.5m acquisition of the talismanic Calvert-Lewin, who was signed from Sheffield United in 2015.

Despite a troubling injury history, he has still netted 58 goals for the Toffees, including a 16-goal haul during the 2020/21 top-flight season.

Semenyo had something of a breakout season in 2021/22 and could bring huge value to this Everton team. The Ghanaian could directly replace the goals of Calvert-Lewin, and his link-up play could even surpass that of the England international, who has previously been noted for this trait.

Last season in the Championship, he scored eight goals and set up a further 12, which suggests that he could provide a creative outlet for some of the Toffees’ tricky wingers who would support him.

Labelled a “dangerous” forward by his former manager Phil Parkinson, Semenyo gives every indication that he could come into Goodison Park and be an instant hit.

Also providing 1.1 key passes per game, a huge improvement on Calvert-Lewin’s 0.6 from last season, it could mark a change away from Everton’s reliance on a target man and see Frank Lampard alter his approach towards a passing style which may suit his players a bit more.

With Everton desperate for a reliable presence up front, they could do much worse than signing the young, up-and-coming Semenyo. It could mark another successful coup when exploring attacking options from the EFL, if the move comes off.

The Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has confirmed that Everton are now ‘definitely’ interested in signing Armando Broja.

The Lowdown: Bid incoming?

The Goodison Park outfit’s interest in Broja has been reported throughout the window, with claims that they could even make a bid for the Chelsea striker.

A deal to sign former Wolves left-back Ruben Vinagre meanwhile is ‘done’ pending an official announcement, according to Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, and so the Merseyside club can now focus on securing other targets ahead of the start of the new season.

The Latest: Broja interest

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Taylor has now revealed that the Toffees are ‘definitely still interested’ in signing Broja, alongside Newcastle United:

“Everton and Newcastle are definitely still interested, but Newcastle would prefer a loan. But a source close to Broja tells me he’s only interested in a permanent move. He doesn’t want to go out on loan again.”

The Verdict: No-brainer

After the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur, getting in a striker is a no-brainer for the Blues, and Broja would certainly be a smart addition.

Dubbed as ‘devastating‘ by Albania assistant coach Sergio Porrini, the 20-year-old already has four goals in 14 caps for his country, on top of the nine that he managed while on loan at Southampton last season (Transfermarkt).

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He is a player Frank Lampard will of course know well from his time at Chelsea, and one that the Englishman greatly admires, having called him ‘very talented’, ‘fast’ and ‘strong’ back in February (Metro).

Nonetheless, Lampard will want other new faces to come through the doors alongside Vinagre before the season starts, and Broja could slot in straight away against his former club on the opening day if they can get a deal done quickly.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could be set to lose promising youngster Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

As per talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, the 22-year-old is “likely” to leave the Black Country this summer, amid reported interest from the likes of fellow Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, Everton and Nottingham Forest.

He told GIVEMESPORT regarding Gibbs-White: “He’s more likely to go [than stay]. He hasn’t signed the contract that he’s been offered, I think that’s because he doesn’t feel appreciated having been sent out on loan the last couple of seasons.”

The Englishman – who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United – reportedly has an asking price of around £30m, with the Old Gold believed to have already rejected a £25m offer from Frank Lampard’s Toffees.

Supporters will hate it

That news will no doubt spark a great deal of frustration among Wolves supporters, many of whom are likely to be perplexed at the club’s refusal to hand the Salford-born gem more regular game-time in recent years.

A member of the World Cup-winning England under-17 side of 2017, Gibbs-White has long been tipped for stardom, although he has found it increasingly difficult to force his way into the first-team plans with his parent club, making just ten Premier League starts for the Old Gold thus far.

Handed his debut as a 16-year-old five years ago, the expectation then would have been that the £9.9m-rated ace would now be a focal point of the senior team, but at present it would appear that his future is set to lie elsewhere.

Any frustration among supporters will also be heightened by the fact that the starlet had been so impressive during his temporary spell at Bramall Lane last season, netting 11 goals and providing nine assists in 35 league appearances for the Championship outfit.

While it may have come in the second tier, that run of form has showcased the threat that the playmaker can offer in the final third, having also been dubbed “sensational” by former Blades team-mate Billy Sharp.

With a move to a rival top-tier club currently in the offing, Wolves may well be left to rue their decision not to hand a more prominent role to the 5 foot 10 menace, and it would be no real surprise if the player does feel underappreciated by Bruno Lage and co.

AND in other news, Shi can sign Lage his own Harry Kane with Wolves swoop for “incredible” goal machine

Crystal Palace are interested in signing Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.

What’s the word?

That is according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who took to Twitter to issue an update on the 19-year-old centre-back, along with an update over the clubs who have enquired about signing the youngster.

Taking to social media, Romano said: “Chelsea will sign two centre backs this summer but will also make final decision on Levi Colwill, as multiple clubs are interested in signing the English centre back on a permanent deal.

“Leicester, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Nottingham Forest have asked for Colwill.”

Vieira’s dream

Colwill spent last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, where he enjoyed regular first-team football in a campaign which saw the Terriers reach the Championship play-off final.

He featured 57% of their Championship games and amassing two goals and one assist along the way.

For his first season in professional football, it’s an impressive return for the 19-year-old, so you can understand the level of interest which surrounds him.

Having signed former Chelsea defender Marc Guehi, Palace manager Patrick Vieira will greatly understand the potential of Cobham prospects and could move for a defender either way, with a tactical switch which would see Palace set up with a back five said to be on the cards.

If this is the case, the 45-year-old is rightly on the lookout for a left-footed centre-back, which ironically seems to be the theme of this summer’s transfer window.

Vieira will require a player who is comfortable operating on the left side of defence and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Colwill demonstrated those tendencies in his debut campaign at senior level, ranking third in the Huddersfield squad for accurate passes per game, with his average of 41.9 per match at a completion rate of 78.4% speaking volumes about his ability as a young player in possession.

He would offer a different but much-needed option at Selhurst Park, occupying both elegance and a tenacity within his playing style, his average of 1.7 tackles per game the Terriers’ second-highest in 2021/22.

Quite simply, he appears to be Vieira’s dream defender.

AND in other news – “Will probably leave”: Journalist drops big Palace transfer claim that’ll delight supporters