Sky Sports News have now backed a big striker development out of West Ham United as some promising Premier League transfer news emerges.
The Lowdown: GSB set sights for Moyes…
The Hammers, and by extension owners GSB, could apparently back manager David Moyes with a £150 million summer window kitty, according to insider Claret & Hugh.
[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-newest-updates/” title=”West Ham newest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]
If West Ham’s head coach gets to invest this much funding in his first team squad, one of the first key areas to see an upgrade may well be further forward as Moyes seeks to end the club’s long wait for a new striker (The Times).
Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, who is out of contract at the end of this season as things stand, is firmly on the agenda with The Daily Mail reporting that West Ham are in pole position and ‘will move’ if he does not pen new terms in north London.
The Latest: Sky Sports back development…
Now, backing those claims, Sky (Tuesday, 12:00) have shared their own update for Irons supporters – saying West Ham and GSB are indeed ‘set to make a move’ for the 22-year-old.
Nketiah’s ‘good form’ has attracted interest from east London and talks over a new deal are failing to advance.
The Verdict: Time to pounce?
Signing the Englishman on a free transfer is a fairly low-risk piece of business going by potential and recent plaudits.
His manager Mikel Arteta, having called Nketiah a ‘beast’ in training, has also drawn attention to his ‘powerful’ physical traits in the past with Arsenal’s head coach clearly being a big fan.
Meanwhile, following past links to the former Leeds striker, pundit Noel Whelan has lauded him as a potentially ‘fantastic signing’ for West Ham and even likened him to ex-Upton Park hero Jermain Defoe.
Taking this into account, Nketiah is a target who should, at the very least, be considered by Moyes.
In other news: ‘Evolving situation’ – Journalist says West Ham are eyeing a ‘massive signing’ for Moyes, find out more here.
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronkhorst has been issued a big boost over Ibrox loanee Aaron Ramsey and his current injury situation.
What’s the talk?
According to The Scottish Sun, the Rangers midfielder’s hamstring knock is not as bad as it was first feared by the medical staff at Ibrox and he is set to return before the end of the campaign.
The report claims that he is keen to be fit for the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night, with the Welshman ‘desperately’ fighting to be available for selection. Although, it remains to be seen – for now – whether or not he will be able to make the Gers’ matchday squad.
Supporters will be buzzing
The Gers supporters will surely be buzzing with this news as it means that they are likely to see Ramsey back in action for the Light Blues in the coming weeks.
They may have been fearing the worst when he hobbled off holding his hamstring against Celtic in the Scottish Cup but this update has allayed those concerns as they now face the prospect of seeing him make his return against RB Leipzig this week.
Having Ramsey back and available for selection will be a big boost for Gio van Bronckhorst as he has shown glimpses of the quality he can provide on the pitch.
The ex-Arsenal man has averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.98 across five appearances in the Premiership as he has popped up with two goals – including one against the Hoops in an Old Firm clash.
Rangers have huge matches coming up as they battle Leipzig for the right to compete in a major European final before facing Hearts in the final of the Scottish Cup later this month. The Gers have the chance to win two trophies, assuming they do not overturn Celtic’s six-point Premiership lead in the last three league outings, and Ramsey’s return will improve their chances of getting them over the line.
He has shown that he can show up in big moments – as he did against Celtic – and that is why having him back will be a big boost if he can make the squad against Leipzig.
The mercurial midfielder can be a difference-maker with his quality in the final third and, hopefully, he will be able to show that once again at Ibrox against the Bundesliga outfit, which is why this news is a key relief for the head coach.
AND in other news, Rangers played an Ibrox blinder with £22k-pw “cornerstone” who’s like “Graeme Souness”…
Cole Palmer scored on his first Stamford Bridge start in almost four months as Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 to move back into the Premier League’s top four, but it was another attacking player taking all the plaudits.
Chelsea cruise past Everton 2-0
After four winless matches, Enzo Maresca could hardly have asked for a better moment for his most influential player to announce his return from the groin injury that has wrecked his season up to now, and it came in the 21st minute, the England forward sweeping his side into the lead from Malo Gusto’s clever pass.
Fresh from scoring a first-ever career goal in November, it was Gusto who then got the second from Pedro Neto’s cross before half-time.
Everton’s last win at Chelsea came in 1994 whilst David Moyes had never tasted victory on this ground. After four league wins in five and with the Blues in faltering form, it looked an opportune moment to settle both of those scores, but Maresca’s talisman ensured the day would be all about him.
This has been the most difficult year of Palmer’s career, suffering two significant injuries and making a fraction of the impact he enjoyed during his first 18 months at Chelsea His last goal from open play on this ground came in January, but when his chance came finally to correct that aberrant stat, he took it as though he had been banging them in all season.
Wesley Fofana played a short ball in midfield to Gusto, whose pass through the lines was wonderfully calibrated. Palmer’s run caught Everton cold and he breezed through the centre of their defence and smacked the ball by Jordan Pickford at his near post.
Alejandro Garnacho attempted the spectacular in search of Chelsea’s second with a wicked drive that cleared the bar by a fraction, then suffered a horror miss when he pounced on Carlos Alcaraz’s woeful pass but tapped wide of an open goal.
Chelsea’s second was delightfully simple. Neto made it, zipping around Vitalii Mykolenko on the right and crossing low for Gusto, arriving in the box at speed and knocking it past Pickford.
And it was the Portugal international who left former defender Stephen Warnock feeling relieved he is no longer playing, as he gushed about the 25 year-old during punditry duty for BBC.
Minutes
90
Assists
1
Dribbles (successful)
4 (2)
Duels (won)
11 (6)
Jack Grealish missed a golden chance to bring Everton back into it with a shot on the slide that sailed across goal and wide before Reece James was denied from a free-kick by a save by Pickford.
The final chance was Everton’s, Iliman Ndiaye rolling the ball against the post with Robert Sanchez beaten, but Chelsea by then had done enough.
Former Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been accused of spitting at an ex-Salford City player.
FA reviewing claims Hannibal spat at Leeds fans
Now at Burnley, Hannibal, was accused of spitting at Leeds United supporters during the Clartes’ 2-0 win over the Whites in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old came on as a late substitute at Turf Moor, with a complaint made by a visiting supporter.
Lancashire Police said it is “aware of an alleged incident involving a Burnley player during the second half of the Premier League game between Burnley and Leeds United at Turf Moor on Saturday”. The force added: “We are currently working with Burnley Football Club to establish the facts.”
Meanwhile, The FA are also reviewing the claim, and should an investigation follow, former referee Keith Hackett said Hannibal could be banned for at least three matches.
“The spitting allegation will be investigated by The FA, having entered the public domain. If proven, the player faces a suspension. It is classed as violent conduct and a minimum of three games.”
However, following the claims over the weekend, a former opponent of Hannibal’s has also made a spitting allegation at the midfielder.
Matty Lund makes spitting claim against Hannibal
Replying to Mike Keegan of The Daily Mail, who covered the news of FA reviving the claim, midfielder Matty Lund alleged that Hannibal spat at him during a match where the Tunisia international was a Man Utd player.
Lund player for Gary Neville and David Beckham’s Salford City for four years, but left in the summer and is currently without a club. His claim appears to come from an incident the season before his move to Salford, when his Rochdale side drew 0-0 with a United U21 team featuring Hannibal in the EFL Trophy.
The 34-year-old won three caps for Northern Ireland and came through at Stoke City, playing for Burton Albion in the Championship in 2017/18.
Arsenal and Man City have developed a fierce on-field rivalry over the years, and they could now be involved in a “surprise” transfer saga away from the pitch too.
Andrea Berta's priorities after busy Arsenal transfer window
Sporting director Andrea Berta made a real splash during his debut summer window as sporting director, overseeing a £250 million-plus spend on eight major signings to bolster Mikel Arteta’s title challenge.
This outlay made Arsenal one of the Premier League’s most lavish spenders, and they recorded the highest total net spend when factoring in their lack of significant player sales.
Rank
Club
Gross Spend
Sales
Net Spend
5.
Sunderland
£183.4m
£42m
-£141.4m
4.
Tottenham
£171.2m
£17m
-£154.2m
3.
Manchester United
£232.4m
£61.7m
-£170.7m
2.
Liverpool
£446.5m
£228.1m
-£218.4m
1.
Arsenal
£267m
£10m
-£257m
The arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres were arguably worth the Gunners’ massive outlay, and before even considering any January recruitment plans, Berta is working on new deals for some of Arsenal’s key stars.
Arsenal were gifted an almighty boost by William Saliba’s agreed contract extension, which will keep him at the club until 2030, and Berta is swiftly lining up a new contract for winger Bukayo Saka as well.
Saka is expected to put pen to paper before Christmas, according to Football Transfers, and his prospective fresh terms could bring him in line with Arsenal’s highest earners.
The 24-year-old is poised to earn around £250,000-per-week once he signs, but this number could go even higher to smooth negotiations over.
Once both Saliba and Saka are tied down for the foreseeable future, Berta can turn his attention back towards the transfer market, with journalist Pete O’Rourke sharing that the Arsenal recruitment team have their eyes on one of Germany’s rising stars.
Arsenal and Man City eye "surprise" Nathaniel Brown move
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who told Football Insider that both Arsenal and Man City are targeting Eintracht Frankfurt star Nathaniel Brown.
The German Under-21 international left-back penned a new contract himself earlier this year, keeping him at Eintracht until 2030, so the Bundesliga side are in a very solid position to demand good money.
What’s more, Arsenal have Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back already, something not lost on O’Rourke, but he insists that Berta is looking at a “surprise” move for Brown at some point over the coming transfer windows.
The 22-year-old bagged three goals and seven assists from 26 Bundesliga appearances last season, featuring both as a left-back and left-midfielder, so Brown has more uses than simply filling in on the left side of defence.
He’s already off the mark for Eintracht this season too, and Arteta may well be taking note of his attacking capabilities amid the uncertain futures surrounding super subs Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
According to WhoScored, only Omar Marmoush averaged more key passes per 90 in the final third than Brown for Eintracht last season, with the youngster finishing 24/25 as their third-best performer overall behind the Egyptian and Liverpool star Hugo Ekitiké.
On the face of it, Brown isn’t a major requirement right now, but it is clear as day why Arsenal are taking note of his exploits in Europe.
All football fans will be familiar with the chant “can we play you every week?”, but it would be more apt if Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters started signing “can we play in the Carabao Cup every week?”, even if it hasn’t quite got the same ring to it.
This is because, having already ousted West Ham in round two, Wolves beat Everton 2-0 in the EFL Cup at Molineux on Tuesday, thanks to goals from Marshall Munetsi and then Tolu Arokodare.
So, despite having beaten two top division teams in the League Cup, the Old Gold have lost all five Premier League matches they’ve played so far, the club’s worst-ever start to a season, following last weekend’s 3-1 reverse at the hands of Leeds.
On Saturday night, Wolves will face Spurs in North London, and an appointment with Doctor Tottenham might just be what they need to cure their relegation woes, but Vítor Pereira will need to unleash his “huge talent” if his side are going to get off the mark in the capital.
Jørgen Strand Larsen's importance to Wolves
This is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ eighth successive season in the top division, their longest stay since the 70s, but many fear that the streak could come to an end, given that they continuously sell their best players.
In 2023, it was Matheus Nunes and Rúben Neves who were sold for big money, with Pedro Neto and Max Kilman following suit 12 months later, while Rayan Aït-Nouri and Matheus Cunha were sold for a combined £93.5m during the most-recent transfer window.
Cunha scored 17 goals last season, directly involved in 39% of Wolves’ Premier League goals, despite sitting out five matches due to various suspensions.
Thus, he was always going to leave a rather large void in the Black Country, one that Jørgen Strand Larsen is attempting to fill, having himself scored 14 times during his debut campaign at Molineux, netting twice so far this season, both in the Carabao Cup.
As already outlined, Wolves have become accustomed to selling their stars in recent times, but recognised the potentially disastrous consequences of allowing Strand Larsen to leave, thereby rejecting multiple bids from Newcastle for the Norwegian’s signature, the highest of which was £55m.
The 25-year-old has been nursing an achilles issue, thereby sitting out the defeats to Everton and Newcastle, before being introduced off the bench against Leeds on Saturday, so he simply must start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, but which new teammate will help get the best out of him?
Wolves' new Matheus Cunha
On deadline day, Wolverhampton Wanderers signed striker Tolu Arokodare from Genk for a reported fee of £24m.
The Nigerian international started against both Newcastle and Leeds, in the aforementioned absence of Strand Larsen, before opening his account in old gold by scoring off the bench in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
From his time in Belgium, Arokodare is certainly highly rated, with Graeme Bailey labelling him a “huge talent” and at 6 ft 6 in (197 cms), he is imposing and a major attacking threat.
Earlier this year, the striker bagged his first two international goals, netting for Nigeria against Russia at the Luzhniki and then during a victory over Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier in Uyo earlier this month.
At club level meantime, Arokodare scored 22 goals in 34 appearances for his first European club, namely Valmiera in Latvia, spending time at Köln and then Amiens, before truly bursting onto the scene with Genk.
Last season, he scored 23 goals in all competitions for the Smurfs, thereby sharing the Jupiler Pro League golden boot.
The table below indicates how prolific he was in Belgium.
Goals
21
1st
Goals inside the box
21
1st
Headed goals
3
1st
Shots
158
1st
Shots on target
52
1st
Big chances missed
34
1st
Aerial duels won
156
3rd
% of aerial duels won
63.41%
5th*
*minimum 100 won.
As the table documents, Arokodare led the way for all attacking metrics in Belgium’s top-flight last season.
Worth highlighting that all 21 of his goals were scored inside the penalty area, including three headers, underlining his style of play, albeit the fact he missed a whopping 34 Opta-defined big chances has to be a concern.
Nevertheless, the fact he won the third-most aerial duels is commendable, emphasising how he could be useful to Wolves.
Pereira has favoured a back five as Wolves boss, a shape which would allow him to deploy two centre-forwards together, having notably seen Cunha and Strand Larsen work in tandem last term.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Thus, if he selects Arokodare and Strand Larsen together against Tottenham, it would prevent one or the other from becoming massively isolated while, together, they’re capable of causing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero problems, potentially helping Wolves cause a massive shock in North London.
100% passing, 100% dribbles: Wolves star is as undroppable as Strand Larsen
Wolves secured their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Everton.
Birmingham City are now in talks to sign a right-back who has been likened to Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier, according to a new transfer report.
Birmingham City sign wingers Gray and Osayi-Samuel
The Blues have been busy in recent days, bringing back academy graduate Demarai Gray on a permanent deal ahead of the Championship season.
Gray returns to St Andrew’s from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq and penned a three-year deal in the Midlands.
Birmingham City enter race to sign £6m "monster" ahead of Sheffield United
The Blues have joined the race to sign a defender from a Premier League club.
2 ByBrett Worthington Jul 2, 2025
Shortly after, Birmingham also announced a permanent transfer to sign Bright Osayi-Samuel after he left Fenerbahce, with the versatile winger also signing a Blues contract until 2028. Talking after making the move to Birmingham, Osayi-Samuel said:
The club and co-owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady aren’t stopping there, though, with striker Kyogo Furuhashi also in advanced talks over a move from Rennes.
With all these attacking additions, Chris Davies and co also want to strength at the back, and now, a new full-back is also of interest.
Birmingham City in talks to sign right-back compared to Trippier
According to reports in Sweden, relayed by Sport Witness, Birmingham City are one of the clubs in talks to sign SC Braga right-back Joe Mendes.
Mendes spent last season on loan at FC Basel, however, the Swiss side have decided against signing the 22-year-old on a permanent basis.
Championship rivals Sheffield United and Southampton are also in discussions for Mendes, as are German side Union Berlin and Turkish outfit Samsunspor. The talks are described as concrete negotiations, with Mendes set to be on the move over the coming months.
Kieran Trippier
Newcastle United
Ferland Mendy
Real Madrid
Angelino
Roma
Aleksa Terzic
RB Salzburg
Manuel Lazzari
Lazio
Should he end up at St Andrew’s, Birmingham will be getting a right-back who has been labelled as “another gem” from the AIK academy, providing conception to Ethan Laird in the process.
As can be seen, FBref have likened Mendes to Newcastle star Trippier among others following his displays in the 2023/24 Champions League, so he could be another exciting addition ahead of the new campaign.
Next season is set to be another new dawn for Tottenham Hotspur.
Daniel Levy and Co. made what looks to have been the unpopular decision to sack Ange Postecoglou last Friday and, in his place, hire Thomas Frank.
While fans might’ve liked the club to back the manager who ended their trophy drought, the Danish coach is an exciting appointment, as he took Brentford up from the Championship and turned them into one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League.
Unsurprisingly, then, the North Londoners have been linked with one of the Bees’ best players, Bryan Mbeumo, but if reports are to be believed, they could decide to sign someone else, someone better.
Tottenham Transfer news
Before getting to the star in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other talented players touted for a move to Spurs in recent weeks, like Eberechi Eze and Xavi Simons.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former has been a long-term target for the North Londoners, and while his £68m release clause would represent a significant investment, his tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 games this season suggest he’d be more than worth it.
Likewise, the £67m it would reportedly take to secure Simons’ services this summer may sound like a lot – because it is – but when you consider he’s still just 22 years old and was able to score 11 goals and provide eight assists in just 33 games this year, it doesn’t sound so bad.
However, another Premier League-proven attacker has entered the frame for the North Londoners, someone who could be better than Mbeumo: Antoine Semenyo.
Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports, Spurs have maintained their intense interest in the Bournemouth star, even though that interest originated prior to Postecoglou’s sacking.
The report does not mention a potential price for the Cherries ace, but stories from earlier this month claimed that he could be available for close to £70m.
It would likely be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line this summer, but given Semenyo’s immense ability, it’s one Spurs should be all over, especially as he could be an even better signing than Mbeumo.
How Semenyo compares to Mbeumo
Okay, so we know that Mbeumo is one of the most talked-about targets in England at the moment, and understandably so, as in 42 appearances this season, he was able to score 20 goals and provide nine assists.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
But for our money, Semenyo would be the better signing, and there are several reasons why.
Firstly, while he wasn’t able to produce quite as many goal involvements, the Ghanaian international was still an incredibly effective attacker, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists in as many appearances for Bournemouth.
Moreover, as we all know, a winger is and should be judged on more metrics than just his goals and assists in the modern game, and when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers, the Cherries ace starts to come out on top.
For example, while the former Troyes gem does better in some metrics like shot and goal-creating actions as well as progressive passes, the former Bristol City star comes out on top in the majority of relevant metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, passing accuracy, tackles and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.44
0.42
Progressive Passes
3.06
3.72
Progressive Carries
3.93
3.43
Shots
3.49
2.08
Shots on Target
1.11
0.94
Passing Accuracy
73.4%
66.1%
Non-Penalty xG
0.28
0.20
Shot-Creating Actions
3.71
3.80
Goal-Creating Actions
0.37
0.53
Tackles
1.54
1.29
Blocks
1.88
0.69
Successful Take-Ons
1.94
1.37
Ball Recoveries
4.44
4.12
Aerial Duels Won
1.85
0.90
Moreover, on top of being the more statistically well-rounded player, the 25-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is incredibly versatile.
For example, thanks to him being ambipedal – equally able to use both feet – he’s more than happy playing off the right as he is on the left and can even play up top or in midfield if he’s needed to.
Therefore, the dynamic “maverick,” as dubbed by Mattinson, could come in and fill in wherever he’s needed, in turn giving Frank far more tactical flexibility than he’d get from someone only dangerous off the right.
Ultimately, either Mbeumo or Semenyo would be excellent additions for Spurs, but thanks to the latter having the more impressive and promising underlying numbers, combined with his ability to play almost anywhere, we reckon he would be the better signing for the North Londoners.
Alongside Son: Frank must axe £165k-per-week Spurs "monster"
It would be best for Spurs to cash in and help Frank kickstart his time at the club.
They might have finished second in the Premier League and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, but we aren’t sure anyone at Arsenal would consider this season to be a success.
Long gone are the days in which a top-four finish was celebrated like a trophy at the Emirates, as, thanks to Mikel Arteta and Co, the team are now serious contenders for every competition they enter – meaning a third runners-up medal in as many league campaigns is far from ideal.
Considering the team created the best defence in the league while scoring 17 goals fewer than the eventual winners, it’s pretty clear that to help the squad get over the line next year, the board must invest in offensive players.
Arsenalplayers pose for a team group photo before the match
This line of thinking may help to explain Arsenal’s reported interest in Aston Villa’s brilliant Morgan Rogers, although even if he were to join the club, he’d be worth millions less than one of his new teammates.
Why Arsenal want Rogers
So, if the reported price tag of around £100m proves to be true, just why do Arsenal want to spend that sort of money on one player, and would he even be worth it?
Market Movers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?
Well, the answer to the second question is most certainly yes, and there are a few reasons why, starting with his output.
For example, in 54 appearances for Villa this season, totalling 4496 minutes, the Halesowen-born star was able to score 14 goals and provide 15 assists.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.86 games or every 155.03 minutes, and that is just the sort of offensive capability the North Londoners need in their squad.
For example, Martin Odegaard is the team’s current starting attacking midfielder, and while he’s been brilliant in seasons past, he really struggled this year, ending the campaign with six goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3447 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement on average every 2.5 games, or every 191.5 minutes.
Just imagine if Arteta could take the Norwegian off, or rest him completely, and start the dynamic Englishman in his place.
Finally, at just 22 years old, the five-capped international could grow alongside some of the team’s other younger stars, and then there is his ability to play in multiple positions, from midfield to out wide.
Left Winger
83
21
9
Attacking Midfield
46
14
10
Right Winger
39
9
13
Centre-Forward
21
6
4
Left Midfield
8
3
1
Right Midfield
6
1
3
Second Striker
1
0
0
Yet, even then and at the fee reported, Rogers would be joining Arsenal with a lower valuation than one of his new teammates.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Rogers
Now, while Arsenal are blessed with a host of incredibly talented players these days, from Declan Rice and David Raya to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, it’ll likely come as no surprise that the star in question is none other than Bukayo Saka.
The Hale End superstar has developed into a talismanic figure in North London since his debut under Unai Emery, and his valuation reflects that, with the CIES Football Observatory pricing him at a whopping €157m earlier this year.
That converts to a staggering £132m, or £32m more than Rogers could end up costing the Gunners this summer, and while that is a sizable difference, it would be hard to argue it’s not fair.
Appearances
37
54
Minutes
2619′
4496′
Goals
12
14
Assists
14
15
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
0.53
Minutes per Goal Involvements
100.73′
155.03′
For example, even though the 23-year-old missed over three months of the season with a hamstring injury that required surgery, he was still able to rack up a sensational haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances, totalling just 2619 minutes.
That means the North Londoners’ “future legend,” dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or 100.73 minutes, which is not only better than the Villa ace managed but also simply world-class.
Okay, how do their pair stack up against one another when we look at their underlying numbers, then? The Claret and Blue star did spend a sizable part of the season out wide.
Well, rather unsurprisingly, it’s the 43-capped superstar who once again comes out on top, doing better in almost all relevant metrics, such as actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, tackles, shots and shots on target, key passes and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.71
0.42
Non-Penalty G+As
0.78
0.52
Progressive Passes
3.65
3.55
Progressive Passes Received
13.3
5.43
Progressive Carries
5.00
3.29
Shots
3.44
1.59
Shots on Target
1.15
0.58
Passing Accuracy
75.5%
73.2%
Expected Assists
0.41
0.15
Key Passes
3.02
1.47
Passes into the Final Third
0.78
2.11
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.98
1.62
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.63
0.09
Live Passes
33.5
24.7
Shot-Creating Actions
6.09
3.04
Goal-Creating Actions
1.20
0.46
Tackles
1.51
1.24
Blocks
1.15
0.75
Interceptions
0.16
0.17
Clearances
0.42
0.58
Successful Take-Ons
2.14
1.91
Ball Recoveries
3.65
3.44
Ultimately, Arsenal should be looking to sign Rogers this summer, as he’d add far more creativity and attacking flair to the team, but he’d have to hit the ground running to see his valuation even approach Saka’s.
Arsenal set to submit bid for "incredible" star who's like Rodrygo & Yamal
The impressive winger would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Manchester United are now reportedly shock contenders to sign a struggling player from arch-rivals Manchester City this summer.
Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time that a player has crossed the Manchester divide. The likes of Carlos Tevez and Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel spring to mind in what is a list full of controversy. Tevez’s switch proved to be particularly successful too, with the Argentine winning the Premier League ahead of his former club whilst at The Etihad.
Appearances
99
148
Goals
34
73
Assists
14
32
Since the talented forward, many have decided against crossing the divide between the two Manchester clubs. The trend isn’t completely dead just yet, however.
Across the last 12 months, as Leroy Sane has deliberated over a new contract with Bayern Munich, Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign the German winger alongside many others. Sane, of course, enjoyed great success at Manchester City but could now join the Red Devils on a free transfer when the summer arrives.
What is clearer than ever is that the narrative has flipped between the two sides. Whilst in the Schmeichel era, it was the Citizens watching on with envy, hoping to steal Manchester United’s stars, it is now the complete opposite. The Red Devils would likely take several of Pep Guardiola’s stars in a heartbeat at Old Trafford, especially following such a disastrous campaign.
Man Utd set to sell star Amorim texted Ratcliffe about in major overhaul
The Manchester United manager isn’t messing around.
ByTom Cunningham May 23, 2025
On course to finish as low as 16th off the back of already losing the Europa League final, Manchester United and Ruben Amorim must get things right this summer. In a desperate position, it could be the perfect time for a Manchester trend to reappear in the transfer window.
Man Utd shock contenders to sign Grealish
According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, as relayed by GiveMeSport, Manchester United are now shock contenders to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City this summer in a deal that all parties could yet be happy to complete. The former Aston Villa star has struggled to take his place in the spotlight for some time at The Etihad despite taking home over £15m each year in wages, so City would be happy to sell while the player himself wants a regular starting role.
One Manchester club’s trash may well prove to be another’s treasure, then. For all of Grealish’s struggles, he remains a three-time Premier League winner full of the experience that Amorim desperately needs at the heart of his side.
Even though he has failed to break into his strongest side too, Guardiola has shared plenty of praise for Grealish – telling reporters following an impressive performance in the FA Cup against Leyton Orient: “Both wingers have been outstanding; Savinho and Jack were outstanding, they created chances.
“I’m pleased for Jack. Jack has the sense of the street, a player from the street. Most of the players, for our fault – the manager – are so academic. Jack is one of those players that came to fight in these stadiums when the people shout; he is a fighter.”