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Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is heading for the exit door this summer, as he has no intention of signing a new contract with the club, according to a recent report from L'Equipe.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

Mikel Arteta already has the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah to choose from in attack, with Balogun currently on loan at Reims, however Football Insider report the manager wants to bring in a new striker in the summer transfer window.

Arteta is aiming to bring in a player who is completely different to the options he already has, urging the club to bring in someone who is powerful and physically-gifted, to give his side more balance going forward.

With those parameters in mind, the manager has set his sights on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dusan Vlahovic, with the latter set to be made the Gunners' priority target, although it would take a huge fee to convince Juventus to sell the Serbian.

If a new attacker is brought in, there will be stiff competition for the starting spot up front, particularly because Arsenal almost exclusively utilise a formation with a lone striker, and they may need to let some players go this summer.

According to a report from L'Equipe (via Sport Witness), Balogun's departure is becoming inevitable this summer, as he has no intention of extending his current contract without guaranteed game time.

As such, the Gunners are hoping to sell the forward for at least €30m (£27m) in the upcoming window, with Marseille becoming the latest club to join the race for his signature, amid links to Everton, Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Should Arsenal sell Folarin Balogun?

The 21-year-old has been enjoying a fantastic loan spell with Reims, having scored 18 goals in Ligue 1, a figure that places him right near the top of the goal-scoring charts.

Arteta has clearly been impressed with the £32k-per-week starlet's performances, describing him as "incredible" back in February, which indicates the Spaniard would be keen to keep him at the Emirates Stadium.

However, it is probably not feasible to keep the New York City-born marksman, as there will be so much competition in his position next season, particularly if either Vlahovic or Calvert-Lewin is signed.

It would also be unwise to drop Gabriel Jesus, given the number of goals and assists he has provided in the Premier League this season, therefore Arsenal should cash-in on Balogun, and invest the money into other areas of the squad.

Liverpool have made contact to ask for updates on the situation of Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch ahead of the summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Gravenberch to Anfield?

The Merseyside outfit have James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract at the end of the season, and with Arthur Melo also set to be returning to Juventus following his unsuccessful loan spell, reinforcements will be needed in that area.

The Reds have been long-term admirers of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham but they have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign him, as decided by Jurgen Klopp and FSG. Chelsea’s Mason Mount reportedly remains a priority heading into the upcoming window but 20-year-old Gravenberch is a new left-field name to have now been linked.

The Dutchman still has another four years remaining on his deal at the Allianz Arena, but having made just one start this season in the Bundesliga, he has fallen significantly out of favour and could therefore be on the move.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Thomas Tuchel’s star is on the shortlist of options at Anfield, alongside the likes of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo – and it would appear that they have already taken the first official step towards a potential deal.

According to 90min, Liverpool, alongside Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, have “asked to be kept informed” of Gravenberch’s availability in the weeks and months ahead. Bayern’s ace is currently “unclear” as to where he stands or whether he is even part of Tuchel’s plans moving forward, so he is therefore “set to analyse his chances” of gaining regular game time as the season draws to a close.

It is also claimed that Klopp’s side are looking to add up to three fresh faces to the centre before the start of the new term, and the £156k-per-week gem has been identified as a cheaper quality alternative to some of the other high-profile and in-demand targets mentioned above.

Would Gravenberch be a good signing for Liverpool?

Gravenberch has only made two goal contributions since joining Bayern but that isn’t an accurate representation of what he’s capable of given his limited opportunities, and having been dubbed “indispensable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he could yet be a fantastic acquisition for Liverpool.

The 6 foot 3 midfielder has posted 25 goal contributions (12 goals and 13 assists) in 103 senior appearances for Ajax as a teenager. Meanwhile, over the past year, he ranks in the 93rd percentile for shots and averages 3.47 shot-creating actions every 90 minutes among other players in his position (FBref).

Finally, Gravenberch knows what it takes to be successful, having already secured several senior trophies since bursting onto the scene at both Ajax and Bayern, so will hopefully be able to match the winning mentality of the current squad already on Merseyside.

Southampton should keep Ruben Selles as manager even if they get relegated to the Championship, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Saints struggling

The Saints continue to be involved in the Premier League relegation battle, currently sitting bottom of the table, two points from safety, having also played one game more than 17th-placed Leicester City.

Selles was given the manager’s job on an interim basis after the departure of Nathan Jones at the end of February, and while there has not been a major turnaround in results, there have been some promising signs, recently drawing 3-3 against Tottenham Hotspur.

As such, there have now been calls for the manager to be offered the job on a permanent basis, regardless of what division Southampton find themselves in next season.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

In an interview with GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that Sport Republic should look at offering the interim boss the full-time role as manager. The journalist said:

“I think Rubén Sellés would be a good shout to get it. I think of the continuity, he knows the club and obviously knows the players as well. I’m sure Southampton fans would see him as somebody who could get them straight back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

“He’s very good at working with younger players, which he’s got a previous track record of and that would only be good for Southampton.

“I think he’d be a tailor-made fit to stay at Southampton, if they do go down and to try and lead a rebuild of the club and get them back to the Premier League.”

The Verdict: Right call?

There has certainly been an improvement in Southampton since the 39-year-old took the reigns, digging out a vital 1-0 win against relegation-threatened Leicester City, and picking up a hard-fought point in a 0-0 draw at Manchester United.

Journalist Jacob Tanswell has previously claimed the young manager is ‘ambitious’ and ‘wants to coach at the top’, while also adding that the players have been ‘impressed’ ever since he arrived at the club.

However, whether the Spaniard is worthy of being offered the full-time job depends on his performance for the remainder of the season, as it is still early days in his managerial career.

If Selles manages to orchestrate a great escape in the final 10 games of the Premier League season, then there is no question he should be offered the job on a permanent basis, potentially making this one to watch.

Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece has shared an update on rumours regarding a move for Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany.

The Lowdown: Alemany offer

There has been plenty of speculation coming from Spain in regards to Villa adding to their boardroom. Reports suggested that club held discussions with former Real Betis director Antonio Cordon, with a recent update also claiming Alemany was of interest.

It was thought that Alemany rejected an offer to move to the Midlands from Barcelona, and Preece has shared what he knows.

The Latest: Preece’s comments

Preece shared a Q&A for Birmingham Live on Thursday morning, where he was asked about Alemany following the rumours of a move.

He said that ‘Villa have stressed’ there is nothing in the reports, although Preece said that the ‘noises’ coming from Spain makes him think Unai Emery wants another director in alongside Johan Lange.

“Re Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany, Villa have stressed to me that there’s nothing in those reports, likewise Cordon who left Betis last week. I am quite sceptical, though, given the noises surrounding the sporting directors. I do feel Emery wants another man to come in and perhaps support Lange.

“We’ll see what plays out in the summer… Let’s just say that. Emery wants another man he can trust by his side when it comes to the big decisions involving his playing squad.”

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The Verdict: Interesting

Villa allegedly ‘rate’ the work that Lange has done, however, even though the club have seemingly rubbished rumours about Alemany, an off-field addition could still be one to watch. Lange could be working long hours this summer, with Christian Purslow expecting an extremely busy transfer window at Villa Park.

Therefore, bringing in another sporting director to work alongside the 43 year-old may prove be a wise move, bringing a fresh approach to the club ahead of Emery’s first full season.

Emery has reportedly been given a level of control none of his predecessors have been allowed, so he may want to work closely with Lange and another director of his choice, so it could be an interesting few months both on and off the pitch.

Man City among the clubs ‘lining up’ to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham and the Premier League champions have been told his price tag.

The Lowdown: City linked…

Pep Guardiola’s team are one of the many elite sides to have been linked with a move for the 19-year-old in recent months, alongside the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Reports have suggested that City are in contention for the England international’s signature, coming as club captain Ilkay Gundogan’s future remains up in the air.

The German’s contract at Eastlands expires at the end of this season, potentially making sporting director Txiki Begiristain contemplate his successor.

The Latest: City given Bellingham price tag…

As shared by reliable journalist David Ornstein on Twitter, City are indeed ‘lining up’ for Bellingham as well as a queue of other suitors.

The Blues have also been told what it will take to land him with Dortmund setting a marquee price tag of around £132 million.

Writing in a piece for The Athletic, Ornstein and colleagues hint that City could see Bellingham as a replacement for Gundogan given the latter player may leave for free this year.

The Verdict: Perfect player…

Gundogan was Guardiola’s first ever signing at the Etihad and he has gone on to become a faithful servant, endearing himself to supporters with a real on-pitch leadership and crucial moments in big games.

However, if City are to say goodbye to him in 2023, Bellingham could be viewed as the perfect like-for-like successor.

The midfield ‘monster’, as dubbed by members of the press, has been a shining light for Dortmund yet again this season – standing out as their best player by some distance.

Bellingham ranks as their best-performer overall by average match rating, as per WhoScored, all while completing more successful take-ons and attempting a higher number of shots per 90 than any Dortmund player.

The all-round gem also has more tackles per game to his name than any other member of Dortmund’s squad (WhoScored) – further exemplifying his sheer quality.

Liverpool could potentially sign both Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount during the summer transfer window, according to an exciting new update.

The Lowdown: Bellingham and Mount rumours rife

The Reds have been endlessly linked with new midfield signings this summer, with the club surely set to make significant additions in that area.

Bellingham and Mount are perhaps the two most prominent links at the moment, with the England international duo’s future up in the air.

The former is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, while the latter is refusing to accept Chelsea’s current contract offer to him.

The Latest: Pair could both join Liverpool

According to Football Transfers, Liverpool could actually sign both Bellingham and Mount in the summer, with the Chelsea man ‘not viewed as an alternative’ to his international teammate.

The report states that Jurgen Klopp will be given a ‘significant transfer kitty’ for new signings and that the English pair could be two main additions.

The Verdict: Perfect summer business

If Liverpool managed to sign both Bellingham and Mount this summer it would be magnificent business – the type that could completely transform Klopp’s team moving forward.

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The duo already have 58 England caps between them, despite only being 19 and 24 respectively, and they possess both the technical brilliance and energy to make the Reds’ midfield a force again.

Bellingham is clearly the bigger star of the two, considering he is one of the best young players in the world – Roy Keane has said he ‘has everything’ – but Mount could also be a really shrewd signing.

Granted, he isn’t having his best season for Chelsea – who is, in truth? – but he can operate as a No.8, No.10 or even out wide, and his tactical nous is well-documented, with Jose Mourinho once calling him a ‘very, very intelligent’ player.

Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici is believed to be keeping tabs on Bristol City starlet, Alex Scott, although the Lilywhites could face competition for the teenager’s signature.

What’s the word?

According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, the north Londoners are one of the Premier League clubs are who are showing interest in the playmaker, with a potential January exit from Ashton Gate having not been ruled out.

Writing on Twitter regarding that admiration for the 19-year-old, the transfer insider stated: “Several Premier League clubs are looking at 19-year-old Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott. Told there is a realistic possibility of a sale in January but price an issue. Bristol City want £12m. Bournemouth, Wolves, Leicester, Leeds, Brighton & Spurs all tracking Scott.”

This follows reports from during the summer transfer window which claimed that Spurs were keen on the young Englishman, with it looking as if Paratici and co could follow up that interest this month.

Spurs’ next Alli

Scott has warranted such clamour for his services as a result of his standout form for the Robins over the past year or so, with the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ – as he has been affectionately dubbed – already racking up 70 senior appearances to date despite his tender years, providing 11 goal involvements in that time.

That quality has been recognised by teammate Andy King, with the veteran midfielder having given the attacking midfielder a glowing reference last month, stating:

“I think I went on record last year and said that he was probably the best 17-year-old I have played with. When you look at some of the players who I’ve had the privilege of playing with, you look at Ben Chilwell, Harvey Barnes, people like that who have gone on to play for England, I saw them at 17/18 and I think certainly, at 17, Scotty was ahead of those.

“He can go as far as he wants because he’s got a mature head on his shoulders and all the talent in the world.

“What will stand him in the best stead is that he is willing to learn, and he will listen, not just with me but with anyone who gives him information, he knows you’re just trying to help and that will take you a long way.”

Also lauded as a “tremendous” talent by former boss Tony Vance, it looks as if Scott is destined to enjoy a bright future at the top level of the game, with a move up the footballing ladder seemingly the next logical step in his embryonic senior career.

Although such a switch to N17 may well require a period of transition, those at Tottenham will be hoping that the England U20 international can follow in the footsteps of compatriot Dele Alli, with the latter man having also been snapped up by the Premier League outfit from lower down the pyramid.

While the playmaker’s time at the club ultimately ended in disappointment – as he was shipped off to Everton a year ago after falling out of favour – it had initially been a sparkling start to life in the top tier for Alli, as he scored ten league goals during his debut season at the club.

The then-youngster – who had joined Spurs on a £5m deal from MK Dons in 2015 – would go on to bag a remarkable haul of 18 goals in the following campaign having truly cemented himself in Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

While the current Besiktas man was unable to maintain that stunning form, he still recorded 67 goals and 61 assists in 269 games for the north London outfit, having made the step up from the lower divisions look rather straightforward.

If Scott can emulate that impact and hit the ground running in Antonio Conte’s side, then any deal could well represent a real coup for the club.

Liverpool have now picked back up on their summer interest in the now Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes.

What’s the latest?

Reports on Tuesday emerged suggesting Jurgen Klopp’s side could now look to the 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder as a potential option likely to be in the summer.

The Telegraph explained the Reds came close to signing the midfielder during the summer before he made the move to Molineux after a proposed deal fell through.

However, as Liverpool’s need for midfield reinforcement continues to rear its ugly head following their defeat away to Brentford, Sky Sports man Anton Toloui has been speaking about the Reds’ interest in the Wolves midfielder.

He said: “It’s an interesting one this, isn’t it, because Liverpool are interested in Matheus Nunes. Now, he’s a player that came to Wolves only in the summer.

“This deal is more likely to be pursued, if they are going to, in the summer – not now. But obviously, this is an interesting topic considering Liverpool, as we know, their weakness is their midfield.”

Reds regret

Given the Reds were believed to have shown their interest in the midfielder over the summer, it would suggest they feel some regret in not landing Nunes when they had the opportunity.

Instead, the 24-year-old made a club-record move to Molineux in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £42.2m, but it has not been an easy ride for Nunes in the Premier League.

Since making the move, Nunes’ successful passes per 90 minutes has taken a hit with less than 30 in a Wolves shirt compared to 42 for Sporting CP last season (via FBref).

However, he has seen an increase in his tackles per game playing for the Premier League outfit with over two per game on average compared to under 1.5 for Sporting.

And it seems as if that is what could Liverpool need to solidify their midfield which does not seem to be providing much support for the back four.

“People talk about Jude Bellingham but Liverpool don’t have a problem going forward, they need a player to stop the opposition coming right through them,” Jamie Carragher said on Monday after the Brentford defeat.

In a Wolves shirt, Nunes has played only once as a defensive midfielder with the majority of his minutes coming from either central midfield or an attack-minded midfield position (via Transfermarkt).

So there may be some concern that Nunes is still not the type of player Liverpool need when you consider Thiago and Fabinho have both completed more tackles this season than the Portuguese midfielder.

Chelsea are notoriously hit and miss in the transfer market, certainly holding their fair share of failed dealings but utilising their affluence effectively enough over the past few decades.

Indeed, having won scores of major honours since the turn of the millennia, including five Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues, there is plenty to remain optimistic about in the life of a Blues supporter.

However, one failure on the transfer front that might haunt Stamford Bridge for years to come is the defeat in the race to sign Achraf Hakimi in 2021, with a heated contest for his signature between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain resulting in the latter emerging victorious in a £60m deal to bring him to the Parc des Princes. 

Since joining PSG, the 24-year-old has made 62 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting nine, winning the 2021/22 Ligue 1 and the French Super Cup. 

This season, the ace has made 21 showings, scoring three goals and assists apiece as the club search for that coveted maiden Champions League trophy to complement the scores of domestic triumphs. 

Morocco’s monumental push for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was a further indication of Chelsea’s misfortune in failing to lure the player to west London; the African nation were defeated by France in the World Cup semi-finals, ending a historic charge for glory unprecedented on African soil.

As per Sofascore, the former Real Madrid man recorded a rating of 7.0, playing an integral role for his side and flourishing down the right.

Registering one assist and proving to be an incessant thorn in his opponent’s sides, Hakimi averaged 0.7 shots per match and completed 83% of his passes, also winning 55% (7.0 per outing) of his total duels.

And despite earning plaudits for his attacking efforts, it was actually on the defensive side of the spectrum that Hakimi truly shone, like a lurid lamplight in front of his foes, preventing and blinding them from making meaningful progress; he averaged 3.8 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.2 clearances per outing, keeping three clean sheets.

The blow of seeing the “brilliant” phenom, as lauded by Oliver Holt, slip through the Blues’ fingers like sand will indeed have stung, but been somewhat buffered by the knowledge that Reece James continues to ply his trade in Chelsea colours. 

Regardless, owning two of the game’s most talented would have resulted in a force down the right flank that could stake its claim against any throughout Europe.

So, Chelsea will have lamented the failure to bring him to the Bridge last year, and for a player who “made history” – in the words of Kylian Mbappe – at the World Cup, the rueful gaze returns.

Chelsea will move on, as football always does, but fans are now reminded of what could have been. 

Leeds United are reportedly keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund defender, Raphael Guerreiro, with a move in the January transfer window potentially on the cards.

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Graeme Bailey, via TEAMtalk, who suggested that the Premier League outfit are keen to strengthen their current left-back options, with sporting director Victor Orta viewing the Portugal international as a top target.

The transfer insider stated:

“As it stands, it appears Guerreiro is not in a hurry to depart Dortmund. Despite no new deal agreed, he knows clubs such as Leeds are watching. Indeed they were in attendance in the last few weeks,

“He is going to get through the World Cup finals and then assess the situation. Dortmund have a host of issues to resolve, like Moukoko and Bellingham, but Guerreiro is another very much towards the top of their agenda.

“Leeds like Guerreiro a lot, and they think he would be an ideal fit. If he was available in January, I believe they would do it – but they are happy to wait for him until the summer.

“However, I would not rule out the possibility of a loan move although Pascal Struijk has been performing well – he is very much a defensive full-back rather than a wing-back and I believe they may look for another option, although the return of Stuart Dallas could get them through until the summer.”

This follows a recent report from 90min that claimed the Elland Road outfit had sent scouts to watch the 28-year-old in action in Germany, with the France-born star facing an uncertain future with the Bundesliga side with his existing deal set to expire in the summer.

‘Amazing’ signing

A new addition on the left of the defence has arguably become something of a necessity as far as Orta and co are concerned, with the Whites having been left distinctly short of options in that role this season as a result of injuries to both Stuart Dallas and Junior Firpo.

That fact has forced the ever-versatile Pascal Struijk – who can also operate in central midfield or at centre-back – to slot into that full-back berth, although the 23-year-old is seemingly not a natural fit in that role, while also offering little in an attacking sense with just one goal and one assist so far this term.

With teenager Leo Hjelde the only other option to take on the left-back vacancy, it has laid bare the need for a quality, senior addition such as Guerreiro to help bolster Jesse Marsch’s ranks in the New Year, with such an acquisition potentially set to prove vital in the battle to stave off the drop.

The 58-cap dynamo – who is currently representing his country at the World Cup in Qatar – has been a truly consistent presence for Dortmund over the years, with the £59k-per-week ace having scored a remarkable 37 goals and registered 39 assists in 206 games to date for the club.

That includes an impressive haul of three goals and three assists in all competitions so far this term, including two goals in just four Champions League appearances, having regularly been producing the goods at a high level on the biggest stage.

As pundit Paddy Kenny suggested, adding such an asset to the Yorkshire side could well prove to be an “amazing January signing” for the club, particularly with the chance to land Guerreiro on a cut-price deal amid his contract uncertainty.

While it may prove hard to tempt the player into leaving Champions League football for a possible relegation scrap at Leeds, Orta must surely do all he can to get a deal over the line.