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Arsenal have been frustrated once again in their pursuit of a new striker this month, with the club unable to land any of their targets with just a couple of hours left in the window.

Mikel Arteta has constantly been on the hunt for a new talisman to try and aid the Gunners’ chances of catching Liverpool before the end of the season, ending their two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

However, the Spaniard has been unable to identify a player to lead the line, offering that focal point that Kai Havertz has often been unable to do in recent months – as seen with his glaring miss against Manchester City.

Undoubtedly, the supporters would be delighted if they could land a new forward before tonight’s deadline, but it makes sense not to force anything and just land a player for the sake of it.

However, they haven’t given up hope in landing one player after previously making their interest clear in landing the talent over the last couple of weeks.

Arsenal still interested in a late move for attacking star

According to The Independent, Arsenal are still considering another approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins on Monday evening after their first offer was rejected.

It was reported that the Gunners were interested in completing a deal at around the £40m mark, but Unai Emery’s men stood firm on their £60m valuation of the England international.

However, the report claims that the aforementioned fee could be enough to secure a late deal for the 29-year-old, with Villa close to PSR limits, which could aid Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins.

Villa have lost Jhon Duran to Saudi in recent days, but deals for Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio have boosted their ranks – potentially opening the door for Arteta to make another bid for the lifelong Gunners supporter.

It could allow them to forget about another player who’s appeared on their shortlist in recent weeks, with the Englishman offering the club a better option than the youngster.

Why Watkins would be better than Sesko for Arsenal

Benjamin Sesko is a player who’s constantly been monitored by Arsenal over the last couple of years, but as of now, he remains an RB Leipzig player.

This month has been no different, with the Slovenian international once again appearing on the club’s shortlist as they searched for a new number nine.

However, the Bundesliga outfit were demanding a huge £67m for the 21-year-old, which would undoubtedly be a massive risk given his tender age and lack of Premier League experience.

It would be an addition which could set the club up for the long-term, but ultimately, given the time without a league title at the Emirates, immediate success is needed, with Watkins able to produce just that.

When comparing the Villa ace to Sesko for the 2024/25 campaign, he’s massively outperformed the RB Leipzig man in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a better fit for the Gunners before tonight’s deadline.

Watkins, who’s previously been dubbed “world-class” by broadcaster Jack Grimse, has registered more combined goals and assists than Sesko, whilst also registering more shots on target per 90 – highlighting his added clinical edge.

He’s also completed more of his attempted passes, registering more key passes per 90 – subsequently aiding other attackers in the final third and helping them improve their own goalscoring tallies.

The Englishman would be a better fit for the current possession-based philosophy in place at the Emirates, offering Arteta that immediate option to chase down Arne Slot’s side.

With time running out in the window, the Gunners will have to act quickly to make a move for the talisman, with his potential addition arguably the difference between a title fight or not come the end of the season.

Their answer to Tel: Arsenal preparing bid for Arteta's "superstar" target

Arsenal could make a move to land their own version of wanted man Mathys Tel.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Feb 3, 2025

Graham Potter explained why Lucas Paqueta broke down in tears after picking up a yellow card against Tottenham Hotspur.

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• Paqueta broke down in tears after yellow card
• Potter explained the reason for emotional outburst
• Brazilian waiting to learn his fate over betting allegations

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazil international was reduced to tears after he picked up a yellow card for a foul on Mickey Moore in West Ham's 1-1 draw against Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. Paqueta was consoled by his team-mates before manager Graham Potter substituted him.

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  Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association over allegedly breaching betting rules and is due to learn his fate this summer. The player is staring at a lifetime ban if found guilty at the trial, after he was accused of being booked intentionally in order to financially benefit friends and family in Brazil.

• WHAT GRAHAM POTTER SAID

  Speaking on the player's sudden emotional outburst, the Hammers boss said: "I think he's just a player that's trying his absolute best and wants the situation to be better and probably got a bit frustrated with the action. And then you see a human being, not perfect, but I love Lucas. He's given everything and in difficult circumstances, he's in as well. He's given everything and he's absolutely fine now."

  When asked if he has spoken to the Selecao star about the incident, Potter replied: "No, I haven't had a chance to."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Potter's men will be back in action on May 11 as they take on Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

This season has been something of a roller coaster for Ipswich Town fans.

Kieran McKenna’s side came into the campaign as one of the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League, and while they are in the drop zone, they have played far better football than most would’ve predicted.

Moreover, with reinforcements signed last month and safety just three points away, there is still every chance they’ll be able to beat the drop, especially if Liam Delap keeps up his impressive form.

However, survival would be even more of a possibility had the club been able to secure one of their prior transfer targets, who’s currently outscoring the young striker.

Liam Delap's season so far

Following Ipswich’s surprise promotion last season, it was clear that they were going to need more firepower to stand any chance of remaining in the division for more than a single campaign.

So, the club turned to Manchester City’s young prospect Delap, who had spent 23/24 on loan with Championship outfit Hull City, and even though he had only racked up a haul of eight goals and two assists in 32 games, the Tractor Boys decided to splash £20m to bring him to Portman Road.

It may have been something of a gamble at the time, but as we know now, it’s one that has more than paid off.

For example, in just 25 games under McKenna, totalling 1806 minutes, the 22-year-old marksman has scored nine goals and provided two assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.27 games, or every 164.18 minutes.

However, it’s not just the output that makes the Winchester-born star such an important player for the Suffolk side, as his ability to hold up the ball, bring others into play and occupy opposition defenders also makes him a real handful.

With that said, while Delap is having a brilliant season, he is being outscored by another Premier League star the club tried to sign in the past.

The Premier League star Ipswich tried to sign

With how brilliantly Delap has played for Ipswich this season, the player in question has to be someone pretty special to be outscoring him, and they most certainly are.

Morgan Rogers is one of the most exciting players in the top flight, but before he moved to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023, McKenna told the press that the Tractor Boys were “certainly there or thereabouts to bringing him here a couple of times.”

Unfortunately for the Portman Road faithful, the Northern Irishman wasn’t able to get his man, and after impressing in the northeast, he earned a £16m move to Aston Villa, where he has gone from strength to strength.

For example, in just 33 appearances across the league, Champions League and FA Cup this season, the “magnificent” talent, as dubbed by former professional Stephan Warnock, has scored 11 goals and provided six assists.

Such an incredible tally more than justifies his new valuation of around £67m from CIES Football Observatory.

Ultimately, Ipswich have their own super talent in Delap, but we can’t help imagining that safety would be all but assured if they were able to get a hold of Rogers as well.

Better than Godfrey: Ipswich loan star who left in 2018 is now like Saliba

The talented defender was great for Ipswich.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Feb 9, 2025

Their first FA Cup title, Richards held a clean sheet and Turner went unused on the bench as the Eagles made history at Wembley Stadium

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• Crystal Palace defeat Man City 1-0 to win first FA Cup title
• USMNT's Richards starts, has standout performance
• Matt Turner earns medal as backup goalkeeper

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Chris Richards started and played all 90 minutes as Crystal Palace lifted their first FA Cup in club history on Saturday, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final of the 2024/25 competition. A first half goal from England international Eberechi Eze proved to be the difference, while goalkeeper Dean Henderson made an emphatic save on a penalty kick attempt from Egyptian attacker Omar Marmoush as well.

  25-year-old Richards played a fantastic match, keeping City's star-studded attack – including Erling Haaland – goalless all evening.

  Fellow USMNT regular, Matt Turner, was named to the bench as the backup goalkeeper for the affair for Palace.

  Richards and Turner became the second and third USMNT players to lift the coveted English trophy, following in the footsteps of legendary goalkeeper Tim Howard – who won the competition with Manchester United in 2004.

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  Richards helped Palace keep a clean sheet across all 90 minutes, putting in a blistering performance as the right central defender in a back-five system. He completed 82 percent of his passes while registering 40 touches on the ball. He completed five passes into the final-third of the pitch, while defensively, he made four blocks and recorded 12 clearances.

  Seven of the 12 were headed clearances, while he also made two defensive recoveries as well.

  He won four of five aerial duels, and one of two ground duels.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Turner and Richards joined Howard as Americans to play in the FA Cup final, but previously, both John Harkes and Christian Pulisic had featured in the finale of the competition as well. Pulisic, in fact, was a runner-up for three straight seasons with Chelsea and even scored in their 2020 final defeat to Arsenal. However, only Howard had lifted the trophy prior to Saturday.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Palace will celebrate their FA Cup title over the course of the weekend and into next week before they wrap up their Premier League campaign with two remaining matches against Wolverhampton and Liverpool.

  Richards and Turner, meanwhile, will look to see their names announced on the USMNT roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer. Mauricio Pochettino's roster is set to drop before the end of May.

Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian believes Chelsea can, following his £20 million ($27m) investment, become a "billion-dollar franchise".

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• Acquired 10 per cent stake in the trophy-winning Blues
• Watched them complete domestic treble at Wembley
• Sees interest building in America and around the world

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ohanian, the husband of tennis icon Serena Williams, has acquired a 10 per cent stake in the Blues’ women’s team. He has seen them complete a domestic treble in 2024-25 with WSL, League Cup and FA Cup honours.

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  The last of those trophies was captured at Wembley Stadium when seeing off Manchester United 3-0, with Ohanian and Williams among those in attendance. The dominant west London-based outfit are being told that "the sky is the limit".

• WHAT ALEXIS OHANIAN SAID

  Ohanian told of his ambitious plans for the future: "Chelsea is very unique. These are the queens of global soccer and they’ve got the trophy case to prove it. I feel so humbled. This is a very special club.

  "The sky is the limit. You heard our president say this club is unapologetically ambitious – I want to get that tattooed on me. That is what we’re trying to build here. Not just to be the best team, but the best team in the world and at the forefront of women’s sport.

  "This will be a billion-dollar franchise one day and I hope my dollars, my pounds, can go towards that and especially back home in America, this is going to be America’s team."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Ohanian had already stated his desire to build Chelsea’s fanbase in the States when saying on social media in the wake of his stake purchase: "I’ve bet big on women’s sports before – and I’m doing it again. I’m proud to announce that I’m joining Chelsea FCW as an investor and board member.

  "I’m honoured for the chance to help this iconic club become America’s favourite Barclays WSL team and much, much more."

Former Leeds United man Jermaine Pennant believes Daniel Farke should reintroduce a player who wants to leave the club to the squad next season, as he has Premier League quality.

Leeds on course for promotion

Leeds boosted their Championship promotion chances significantly with a dramatic 2-1 victory against Sunderland in their last match, with Pascal Struijk striking late to put his side seven points clear of third-place Burnley.

With 13 games left to play, the Whites are in a very strong position to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking, and Pennant has told Football FanCast he fancies his former side’s chances of going all the way.

“I can’t see a massive crash, I can’t see a massive dip in form. With the Championship, there’s so many games, but I think Leeds are in a comfortable place. Will they win the league? That’s a question to be asked, but for automatic promotion, I think they’re looking odds on.”

Leeds now considering signing £5m Sunderland star and "interesting" striker

Leeds are beginning to put plans in place for next season and are keen on adding more firepower to their forward line.

By
Brett Worthington

Feb 19, 2025

After suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2023, the West Yorkshire outfit were forced to loan out Rasmus Kristensen and Jack Harrison to top-tier clubs.

When asked whether Farke should bring any of the players currently out on loan back into the fold next season, the former Leeds man said: “I think Jack Harrison. We’ve seen teams come into the Premier League and not invest in Premier League players who can do the job. The Championship and the Premier League is such a drastic difference.

“So a player like Harrison who’s been in the Premier League and is in and out but knows all about it, I think they need to keep players like that and bring him back in.”

Harrison keen to stay at Everton

The £90k-per-week winger has received regular game time at Everton this season, and during the January transfer window it was reported he wanted to earn a permanent deal with the Toffees, rather than returning to Elland Road.

Of course, that stance could change if Leeds are promoted to the Premier League this season, but the 28-year-old may also still be keen on being a part of the David Moyes rebuild, having played a key role since the Scot returned to Goodison Park.

Although Harrison has been impressive in the top flight in the past, amassing five goals and seven assists for the Whites in the 2022-23 campaign, this season has not been his best, with the Everton loanee still yet to record a goal contribution in any competition.

As such, it’s not the end of the world if a return to Elland Road isn’t on the cards this summer, and Farke may perhaps focus more on bringing in Manor Solomon on a permanent deal, with Pennant also particularly impressed by the Israel star.

Inter are reportedly interested in Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford with the England international's Barcelona dream faltering.

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• Inter interested in signing Rashford
• Man Utd outcast wants a summer move
• Barcelona unable to strike deal with Man Utd

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford is very likely on his way out of Manchester United this summer after the 27-year-old's winter fallout with boss Ruben Amorim, which saw him go out on loan to Aston Villa in January. The England international wants a move to Barcelona, with the Catalan giants interested; however, the move may not come to fruition as La Liga's champions are not willing to match the Red Devils' demands.

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  The Sun has now reported that Inter are interested in signing Rashford this summer after their Champions League final humiliation against Paris Saint-Germain. The Nerazzurri are keen on rebuilding their squad, especially amid reports that boss Simone Inzaghi may be headed for the door with Al-Hilal on his trail.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Aston Villa are also interested in bringing Rashford back to Villa Park this summer after his strong loan stint under Unai Emery; however, the Midlands side missed out on Champions League qualification and may not be able to afford the 27-year-old's massive wages. As such, if Barcelona also back out of the deal for Rashford, Inter will have a straight shot to sign the winger, who has been called back to the England national team by Thomas Tuchel.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  Barcelona are reportedly open to a loan deal for Rashford, and if the Catalan side can sort out the winger's wage dispute with United, the Catalan side may be the likeliest to strike a deal for Rashford. However, Inter will be keeping a keen eye on the situation as they look to rejuvenate their squad.

Potentially stealing the transfer headlines once again, a Premier League insider has now backed Aston Villa to lead the race in pursuit of one particular attacking reinforcement this summer.

Aston Villa transfer news

After grabbing the spotlight by signing Marco Asensio, Axel Disasi and Marcus Rashford on loan as well as welcoming Donyell Malen and Andre Garcia on a permanent basis in the January transfer window, Aston Villa look destined to return to the market this summer.

A recent 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace certainly suggests that there’s still plenty of work to be done in the Midlands and the Villans seem to be well aware of that with the transfer rumours coming thick and fast.

Among those who have reportedly emerged onto Villa’s radar is Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, who could yet arrive to replace Jhon Duran following his January exit to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

The young forward has enjoyed an excellent debut season in Portugal, potentially sparking a Premier League battle for his signature when the summer arrives. He’s not the only attacking addition on Villa’s radar it seems, however.

Aston Villa lining up summer swoop to sign "aggressive" want-away £20m ace

He’s a wanted man…

By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 27, 2025

Former Premier League scout Mick Brown now believes that Aston Villa will be in pole position to sign Ferran Torres from Barcelona this summer in a move that would bring the winger back to English football.

Aston Villa backed to enter pole position for "incredible" Torres

Speaking to Football Insider about Villa’s potential move to sign Torres, Brown said: “He’s got that Premier League experience with Man City and Villa would give him the chance to play more regularly than he is at Barcelona. Their contacts in Spain will allow them to do their work behind the scenes and probably move to the front of the queue to sign him.

“They could do with a right-winger in the summer, that’s somewhere Emery wants to strengthen. Bailey and his other options come into the side, they do what they do, but they’re not a shoo-in to play every week and that’s what they need.

“Emery wants a stronger option who can nail down his place in the side. He wants more firepower on that side as well, because their left-hand side is very strong with the likes of Malen, Rashford and others.

“Adding quality and balance on the right will make them even more lethal. So it’s definitlely a deal which makes sense for Villa and I think it’s one they’re going to work on.”

Previously praised for his “incredible sense of goal” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, Torres desperately needs a return to English football. The Spaniard has started just seven La Liga games all season and is unlikely to win his place back anytime soon amid competition from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

At Villa, meanwhile, if Rashford does not arrive on a permanent basis, then Torres could instantly receive the role he has been looking for since leaving Manchester City.

Liverpool are now lining up a club-record bid to sign an “incredible” former Manchester City player, who could cost over £100m this summer, according to a report.

Reds eyeing Darwin Nunez replacements

Darwin Nunez has received widespread criticism this season, and there were suggestions the Uruguayan could make a move to Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window, although he ultimately ended up staying at Anfield.

However, it is clear the end could be near for Nunez, as the Reds are stepping up their pursuit of a new striker, and a recent report has revealed they have opened talks over a deal for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Contact has also been made with the representatives of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but the Sweden international will not come cheap, as the Magpies are looking to hold out for a fee of £148m for their talisman.

"Tenacious" £50m Premier League ace "close" to move with Liverpool in pole

The Reds are in pole position currently.

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By
Henry Jackson

Mar 14, 2025

As such, Isak may be unattainable this summer, and another option is seemingly moving up the list of targets, with a report from Anfield Watch revealing Liverpool are now lining up a club-record bid to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

The Spanish club value Alvarez very highly, and it may take an offer of over £100m to tempt them into a sale, but the Reds are undeterred by the valuation, having been keen on the forward for quite some time.

Prior to the former Manchester City man’s move to La Liga, talks were held with Pep Guardiola’s side, but an agreement could not be struck, given the high asking price and an insistence that Luis Diaz would be used as a makeweight.

There could be a new approach made for the 25-year-old, however, as he is viewed internally as a perfect fit for Arne Slot’s side, given his work-rate, ability to play in multiple positions, and keen eye for goal.

"Incredible" Alvarez is proven at the top level

During his time with Manchester City, the striker was lauded as “incredible” by Guardiola, who also praised him for the “massive” contribution he made to their success.

Despite having a penalty ruled out in controversial fashion against Real Madrid earlier this week, the Argentina international has gone on to impress at Atletico Madrid, too, racking up a remarkable 22 goals and five assists in all competitions.

That said, considering the Atletico star is contracted until 2030, it may be very difficult to prise him away from the Spanish side this summer, and some other targets mentioned in the report may be more attainable.

The Reds are said to hold a good relationship with RB Leipzig, which could give them the edge in the race for Sesko, while Isak is believed to be keen on a move to Merseyside.

Barcelona have completely ruled out the prospect of pursuing Nico Williams and other targets, instead diverting all their attention to Luis Diaz.

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• Liverpool refuse to sell Luis Diaz
• Barca determined to sign him anyway
• Williams interest has been dropped

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona have decided to go all in for the signing of Liverpool left winger Diaz this summer, having ruled out the prospect of signing Williams from Athletic Club as well as other targets such as Marcus Rashford and Rafael Leao. Recent reports even suggest that the Spaniard is in talks with the Basque side over a new deal.

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  states that the Catalans have pulled out from their pursuit of Williams and believe Diaz is the best option to reinforce their attack ahead of the 2025-26 season. Although Liverpool, on their part, remain adamant on keeping the Colombian, Barca are aware that with the deadline of the transfer window still three months away, there's enough time for the tide to turn. Besides, the Reds' will have to offload some players to adhere to Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, having already signed wing-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and remain locked in in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, who will reportedly not be sold for anything less than €140 million (£118m/$156m).

• WHAT LUIS DIAZ SAID

  The Colombian international has kept all his doors open, explaining that while he wouldn't mind renewing is contract at Anfield beyond 2027, his camp has already began talks with other clubs. "I'm very happy at Liverpool. They've treated me well since the first day. We're talking with other clubs. It's the transfer window, it's normal. If Liverpool renews my contract, or if I have to stay the two years I have left, I'll be happy. It's up to them," he said.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  It remains to be seen if Barcelona can convince Liverpool to reduce their asking price for the attacker. Per past reports, the Premier League champions are demanding a fee in the region of €80m (£67m/$89m). Much will depend on whether they can manage to conjure significant income in the form of sales, especially considering that they will be paying Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia's €25m (£21m/$28m) release clause this week.