All posts by n8rngtd.top

Since Todd Boehly completed his purchase of Chelsea for £4.25b in May 2022, they have spent an outrageous sum of money on bringing in new players to the club. In total, they have spent £1.1bn on transfers into Stamford Bridge.

This has included high-profile acquisitions such as Raheem Sterling on a five-year contract who cost £50m from Premier League rivals Manchester City, and Frenchman Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, who cost £52m.

The Blues have also signed some lesser-known talents, who they hope to nurture over the years and eventually become key players at first-team level. This includes Lesley Ugochukwu, who joined from Rennes for £23.2m and signed a seven-year contract.

One of the best players in the Premier League, Cole Palmer, also signed for Chelsea this summer, for £40m from City. The signing was a bit of a gamble, but that has certainly paid off, with the 21-year-old scoring 20 goals and registering nine assists in 30 league games.

Of course, all these incoming meant Chelsea needed to make room in their squad over the last two seasons. The likes of Mason Mount left the club last summer, to sign for Manchester United for £55m. However, there was one other major sale in the 2023 summer window, which the Blues could well regret signing off on.

Kai Havertz’s season in numbers

The player in question here is Kai Havertz, who joined Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal last summer for a fee of £65m. It took some time for Havertz to find his feet since moving to the Emirates Stadium, but has grown into his role at the club and turned into one of the Gunners’ best players this season.

Despite a slow start to life as an Arsenal player, Havertz has 12 goals and six assists in 35 Premier League appearances, as well as scoring once in the Champions League.

Havertz started off playing in the centre of midfield, fulfilling the role left vacant by Granit Xhaka, who left the club in the summer. However, he has more recently found a place leading the line for Arsenal, and has been very successful in recent weeks.

In fact, the Germany international is Arsenal’s second-most productive player in terms of goal output in the Premier League so far this season. His 18 goal involvements are only bettered by Bukayo Saka, with the Gunners’ number seven having 25 in total, as per Sofascore.

Chelsea fans may well but frustrated at Havertz’s form in his first season Arsenal being so impressive. He is already only 19 goals behind his Chelsea tally of 32 in 91 fewer games than what he played at the Bridge.

Kai Havertz's transfer value at Arsenal in 2024

The £65m that Arsenal paid Chelsea to bring Havertz to the Emirates Stadium last summer has, so far, proved a successful investment. Aside from his superb performances in recent weeks, the 24-year-old’s market value has greatly risen since the transfer.

The Germany international, who has 15 goals in 44 games for his country so far, is now worth a whopping £86m as per CIES Football Observatory, and he is one of the most valuable players in Arsenal’s squad. Indeed, only Bukayo Saka, at £171m, and captain Martin Odegaard, at £128m, are valued higher than Havertz, with Declan Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli equal to Havertz’s value.

Incredibly, not only is Havertz the joint-third most valuable player in the current Arsenal squad, but he is equally as valuable as Palmer. The Englishman is currently tied at the top of the Golden Boot chart with former teammate Erling Haaland and has certainly been Chelsea’s best player this season.

However, he is no more valuable than Havertz, and the former Chelsea man would actually be the joint-most valuable player in their current squad had he stayed, along with Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.

Havertz’s signing has certainly been a good purchase for the Gunners, with pundit Adrian Clarke describing his recent performances as “magic”, following a stellar 6-0 win away to Sheffield United in March.

Chelsea fans and Boehly may well wish that this was one deal that did not happen last summer; after all, they have been struggling in front of goal, Palmer aside. Perhaps Havertz could have been the man to help them find the back of the net more often this season.

Chelsea must rue selling £7m titan who's now worth more than Mudryk

He’s featured in every minute of the 2023/24 campaign.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 29, 2024

Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has explained why fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen saw a summer transfer to Stamford Bridge fall through.

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• Blues made late play for striker
• Nigerian star ended up in Turkey
• Potential there for January deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Premier League giants in west London made a late play for Osimhen as he shuffled towards the exits at Serie A side Napoli. The 25-year-old turned down a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League, after seeing Al-Ahli have an €80 million (£68m/$88m) offer accepted, and ended up agreeing a season-long loan at Turkish side Galatasaray.

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  WHAT MIKEL SAID

  Ex-Blues midfielder Mikel has told of why Osimhen did not end up in England – with the potential still there for a deal to be done in January: “I know what Victor wanted, I know what the club offered him, I know where we got to, we finally got to a compromise, both sides had to compromise, it was just some little things here and there, paperwork, medical, and a few issues we just couldn’t get over the line and we didn’t have much time. Both sides really played their part in terms of getting the deal done, and I commend Chelsea for that because I can see their ambition of where they want to take this club now and also on Victor’s side, how much he really wanted to come to the club.

  “He was disappointed it didn’t happen. I spoke to him when the transfer window shut, I gave him a call, we spent 20 minutes talking, I said, ‘listen, I’m always here for you, you need to keep your head down, you need to keep working hard, keep training, I know it’s not the best situation right now but I know you’re strong’. You know, Victor’s a strong character, he’s a bit like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa and that’s something we’re missing at the club, strikers who have that edge, who have that bite who can intimidate defenders and Victor definitely has that.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mikel added on rekindling interest in the next window: “Definitely there are no issues. I think if we have to pick this back up again like I said, whenever it is, January or next summer, we know where we are, we know where we’ve stopped, and it’s just little details that need to be finalised and the deal will be done. So for me, the club is in a very happy place with Victor and Victor is in a very happy place with the club. I want to make sure, I’m not going to rest, I want to make sure I get him to the club because I know, not because he’s my friend, or he’s like my younger brother or he’s Nigerian, no, he is one of the best strikers in the world right now, he’s Africa’s best player, I know what he can bring to the club and I’m sure a lot of Chelsea fans know what Victor can bring to the club.

  “Victor has come under a lot of criticism about this because people don’t know the ins and outs of what happened. You need to know that before you criticise the kid. Victor really, really wanted to come to the club and he had to compromise a lot to come to the middle because we did reach an agreement in terms of the salary, in terms of what he wants, it was just a few minor details here and there that we couldn’t get over the line. For me, hearing all that nonsense about Victor being greedy, a lot of people talking down about him. No, I think it’s time, especially Nigerians, support him, it’s time people around him, friends, Nigerian fans, get behind him and support him. Like I said, if we have to pick it back up again, if there is interest come January, Chelsea still want Victor and Victor still wants to come to Chelsea, we know exactly where we are. It’s not a matter of it being difficult, we’re just going to get the deal done.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Osimhen is said to have a release clause in his deal at Galatasaray that can be triggered by as many as 10 leading European clubs in the January transfer window. Chelsea are one of those and remain in the market for another proven No.9.

Newcastle United are interested in completing the signing of a defensive "jewel" this summer, according to a fresh transfer update.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies continue to be linked with lots of potential new signings at the end of the season, as PIF look to provide Eddie Howe with enough funds to make significant reinforcements.

Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande has jumped out as a primary target in recent weeks, with the 20-year-old Ivorian considered an ideal long-term partner for Sven Botman at the heart of Newcastle's defence. Contact has even reportedly been made with the defender, further suggesting that he could come to Tyneside in this summer.

Elsewhere, Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher could depart Stamford Bridge in the coming months, and the Magpies are seen as contenders to sign him, battling Tottenham for his signature. There have also been links surrounding Brentford and England ace Ivan Toney should Howe decide that he wants to add to his attack.

Newcastle fans will also be hoping that a number of key players stay put rather than move elsewhere, and Callum Wilson could now reportedly remain at the club. That's partly due to Financial Fair Play and choosing not to bring in an expensive striker in his place.

Newcastle want defensive "jewel"

According to a new report from Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are keen on signing Salernitana centre-back Lorenzo Pirola in the summer window.

The 22-year-old is described in the report as a "real jewel" of a player, and there is hope that the Magpies could snap him up for a fee of around €30m (£25.7m).

Pirola could be exactly the type of profile that Newcastle are looking for ahead of next season, in what is a crucial area of the pitch to add at least one new face. Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles are now both in their 30s, with the latter also currently out with a serious ACL injury, so they hardly represent the long-term picture at St James' Park.

Salernitana ace Pirola has experienced a tough season with his team, who sit bottom of Serie A by some distance, but he has still arguably stood out as one of their best players. He has averaged 3.2 clearances and 2.3 aerial duel wins per game in the competition, as well as winning 1.3 tackles per match, which is impressive considering he is one of the youngest members of the squad.

The fact that his side have been relegated to Serie B also means that could be expected to move on, and this could be beneficial for Newcastle, giving them an even better chance of signing him.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 26, 2024

Back in 2019, it was reported that both Manchester City and Manchester United were eyeing a move for Pirola, with the pair watching him for Italy at the Under-17 World Cup. This further shows his potential as a player, and why the Magpies should look to strike a deal for him.

World Cup winner Emi Martinez has dusted off his trophy celebration when helping Argentina to parade their latest Copa America crown.

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• Routine started at 2021 Copa America
• Continued after Qatar 2022 triumph
• Team-mates still seeing the funny side

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Aston Villa goalkeeper has become famed for his somewhat bizarre antics on and off the pitch, with a reputation being earned as one of the best players of mind games in world football. As a result, Martinez has become something of a penalty-saving king.

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  His exploits when facing nervous opponents in a battle of wills from 12 yards out have allowed Argentina to savour back-to-back Copa America triumphs and a World Cup win at Qatar 2022. At the first of those events, in 2021, Martinez picked up the coveted Golden Glove prize.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  He celebrated said triumph by sticking his award against his crotch – with that routine quickly becoming his party piece. He caused a storm when collecting another top keeper award in the Middle East, before seeing the families of team-mates emulate his efforts with the World Cup trophy.

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  WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

  Villa boss Unai Emery said he would “speak to” Martinez about his celebrations, but the 32-year-old sees no harm in his actions. He said in the wake of capturing a global title in Qatar: “The gesture I made with the best goalkeeper trophy was a joke with my team-mates. I had already done it at the Copa America, and they all said to me, ‘No way’ to do it again. Even Leo [Messi] told me that. I did it for them, nothing more. It lasted a second and that was it.”

A major European side are reportedly set to speak with Leeds United over completing the signing of a £44,000-a-week player this summer, as they look to get him on the cheap.

Leeds transfer news

The White are preparing for two huge Championship playoff clashes with Norwich City, as they look to make a speedy return to the Premier League. Daniel Farke's side make the trip to Carrow Road on Sunday lunchtime, before hosting the Canaries next Thursday evening.

What happens in those games, and then potentially the playoff final at Wembley, will be significant when it comes to the transfer business that Leeds can conduct this summer, in terms of both the calibre of players and funds available.

Fenerbahce striker Michy Batshuayi has been backed to seal a move to the Whites in the coming months, with the Belgian possessing plenty of experience in English football, scoring 15 goals in 77 Premier League appearances. There is also the potential for a reunion with Kalvin Phillips, as the Englishman looks to bring an end to a nightmare spell at Manchester City, and West Ham on loan for that matter.

Promotion to the top flight could also be so vital when it comes to keeping hold of key players, however, with Crysencio Summerville a hugely influential figure who continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool. Now, a new update has emerged regarding another individual who could leave Ellland Road in the summer.

Leeds likely to lose £44,000-a-week ace for good

According to SiamoLaRoma [via Sport Witness], Roma are keen on signing Diego Llorente permanently from Leeds, looking to get a cheap deal over the line this summer. They are hoping to "pay a relatively low price" for him, believing his lack of success at Leeds will force the Whites into a weak negotiating position.

The £44,000-a-week defender has spent this season on loan with the Serie A giants, impressing there in the process, making 28 appearances in the league and enjoying a 91.7% pass completion rate. He is thought to be "highly respected" by his colleagues and "appreciated" by manager Daniele De Rossi.

It does feel as though a permanent exit for Llorente this summer is the best outcome for everyone concerned, although Leeds clearly won't be delighted by the idea of selling him for less than they want. He does still have two more years on his current Whites deal, however, so they should be able to ensure that Roma don't take them for a ride.

The 30-year-old is undoubtedly a good player, one with 10 caps to his name for Spain – Luis Enrique once said he was "amongst the best" around in his position for his country – but he seems happy at Roma and there is no great desperation for Leeds to keep him on.

Leeds must axe Bielsa signing who's not started for them in 2 years

Leeds United will look to move on this forgotten Marcelo Bielsa signing when the playoffs have concluded.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 10, 2024

Instead, it is a case of cashing in on Llorente and bringing in fresh faces in the summer window, at which point Farke will have hopefully guided his side back into the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola has claimed some people want Manchester City wiped off the face of the Earth due to their alleged breaches of financial rules.

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• Man City hearing into club's 115 charges begins
• Champions could face heavy sanction
• Guardiola says people want City wiped out

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester City face Arsenal in a huge Premier League clash after a week that has seen a hearing into the club's 115 charges for alleged breaches of FFP rules begin. The Premier League champions could face a points deduction or even a competition ban if found guilty, with a verdict expected in early 2025.

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  Speaking ahead of the match at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola was asked about criticism of his team's performances and went on to speak about the hearing and his belief that people want his team to receive a strong sanction if found guilty.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  He told reporters: "During a season, you can say, 'Oh, it was a bad season'. But for performances some people say, 'Oh, it's a disgrace, it is a disaster, it's unacceptable'. No, during 90 minutes it's one bad afternoon when they were better. But I would say – I'm sorry, I want to defend my club, especially in these modern days when everyone is expecting us not to be relegated, to be disappeared off the face of the Earth, the world – that we have better afternoons than the opponents. That's why we win a lot.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Manchester City will become the first team in English top-flight history to win their opening five league matches in five seasons if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.

Pulisic urged to ignore a Premier League return at Liverpool, with the USMNT star thriving at AC Milan.

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• Left Chelsea in summer of 2023
• Rediscovered his spark in Italy
• Advised to shun interest from England

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United States international Pulisic, who is filling the armband again for his country as Captain America, bid farewell to English football when severing ties with Chelsea in the summer of 2023. He enjoyed a historic Champions League triumph while with the Blues, but struggled at times for form and fitness.

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  Both of those qualities have been found in Italy, with the 26-year-old forward becoming a talismanic presence for Serie A heavyweights. There has been talk of Pulisic attracting interest from England once more – as Liverpool begin to draw up plans for life without Mohamed Salah – but he is being advised to stay put.

• WHAT EX-USMNT STAR SAID

  Former USMNT star Herculez Gomez has told of the Pulisic to Anfield rumours: “I don’t hate it, and I understand that it’s Liverpool. I’m not going to get into a discussion about which team is bigger – whether it is Liverpool or AC Milan. Milan is one of those teams that the brand is notorious, it’s a massive club. He’s finally found a place where he’s valued, it doesn’t matter who the coach is, he feels comfortable in multiple positions. I wouldn’t jeopardise that for a move back to the Premier League.

  “I like the fact that he has found a place where he’s thriving, I like the fact that he feels comfortable in a set-up and he is the man there and they think of him as a leader, they think of him as an important piece to that puzzle right there. So I don’t want want him going anywhere. I’ve finally found a Christian Pulisic that is doing well at the club level, and I do think these performances are going to translate at the international level, so I would like for him to stay.”

  “I understand the glitz and the glamour of the Premier League, but you don’t jeopardise that – certainly if you are at a place like AC Milan – just to test the water of the Premier League. You don’t need to prove anything to anybody.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Pulisic has registered 20 goals for Milan through 58 appearances, posting personal bests along the way, and is tied to a contract through to 2027. Liverpool may continue to look in his direction as Egyptian superstar Salah will see his deal on Merseyside expire in the summer of 2025.

It might not feel like it following another year of just missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City, but it's a great time to be an Arsenal fan at the moment.

Mikel Arteta has propelled a side that struggled to qualify for the Europa League a few years ago into consecutive title challenges and built a team full of superstars in the process.

However, not only has the Spaniard welcomed the likes of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus into the side, but he has also developed youngsters like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and based on recent reports, the club could be about to sign a player who could be their next version of the latter.

Arsenal transfer news

According to reports, via football.london, Arsenal's sporting director Edu Gaspar is 'leading the charge' to sign Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque from Barcelona this summer.

The report has revealed that while the 19-year-old only moved to Catalonia in January, a lack of game time and communication from the club and manager means a move away is now a real possibility, and with a release clause set at around £42m; it wouldn't be unrealistic for a Premier League side like Arsenal to make a move.

While the existence of a release clause is good news for the Gunners, the interest of other sides, including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, isn't, although the sizable and influential Brazilian contingent at the Emirates could be an advantage in this situation.

It won't be an easy deal to complete, and £42m is still a significant amount of money, but with previous comparisons to Real Madrid's new star Endrick, it would be one worth pursuing, especially with how well Martinelli has developed in North London.

Arsenal's next Martinelli

Now, considering Martinelli originally cost Arsenal just £6m in the summer of 2019 and is now worth around €100m – £85m – per CIES Football Observatory, it would be fair to say he's already been a success in North London, and while it's impossible to be sure about Roque's future, the pair share some apparent similarities beyond just their nationality.

For starters, both youngsters are incredibly exciting and dynamic attacking players. The Barça prospect is primarily a centre-forward who has played out wide in the past, while the Gunners' Brazilian gem is primarily a winger who has played down the middle at times.

Second, they both enjoyed a brilliant season in Brazil before securing their move to Europe.

The former Ituano ace scored six goals and provided two assists in just 17 games before moving to the Emirates. In contrast, the "explosive" former Athletico Paranaense star, as described by sporting director Alexandre Mattos, scored 21 goals and provided eight assists in 45 games before moving to Spain.

Lastly, when the Gunners sealed the deal for Martinelli five years ago, it was led by Edu, and as the report has revealed, the Gunners' sporting director is again using his expertise to lead the 'charge' for another incredibly talented Brazilian prospect.

Ultimately, signing Roque for around £42m would represent a massive investment from Arsenal, but with comparisons to Endrick and unmistakable similarities to Martinelli, it would likely be an investment worth making.

Arsenal eyeing their next Aubameyang in free-scoring £120m "animal"

The incredible forward has been in red-hot form this season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 24, 2024

The 2023/24 season came to an end in the best possible fashion for Manchester United last Saturday. It had not been an easy campaign for Erik ten Hag’s side prior to their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City just one week ago, yet they ended on a high note.

It was a spectacular performance from the Red Devils in the Wembley spectacle, nicking two goals through academy stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, but also defying City throughout the game and holding out for a 2-1 victory; only Jeremy Doku could breach United’s defence.

That victory secured United Europa League football for next season, something which they failed to do through their finish in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s side came eighth in the top flight this season and were some way off securing a Champions League spot; eight points to be exact.

With European football secured for the 2024/25 season, it makes it easier for United to attract big-name players to the club over the summer transfer window.

As per talkSPORT, INEOS are “confident” of securing the double signing of Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite. Recently, they have also been linked with another exciting prospect in European football, who they could make a move for this summer.

Man Utd looking to sign versatile attacker

The player in question here is versatile PSG attacker Xavi Simons, who has spent this season on loan at RB Leipzig. It has been a wonderful year for the young Dutchman, and his performances have potentially earned him a move to Old Trafford.

That is, if the reports are to be believed. According to Spanish reports, via TEAMtalk, United are “determined to sign Simons on a season-long loan”. PSG are seemingly willing to sign off on another loan move, which would be Simons’ third in as many seasons.

A loan move would suit United better in many ways, because it would not impact their summer transfer budget much, at least in comparison to how much he could cost the club. Simons’ current value is £85m, according to Football Observatory, which represents a considerable saving for United.

However, as per the reports, Simons has “no real desire” to represent the Red Devils, or indeed play in the Premier League. Instead, he prefers a move back to his old side, Barcelona, where he came through their famous La Masia academy. This may not be possible this summer, given Barca’s financial strife. A move to Old Trafford may be Simons’ only option.

Why Simons would be a good signing

The signing of Simons would certainly represent good business for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. In the last two seasons, he has been in stellar form.

For PSV during his loan spell in 2022/23, Simons won the Golden Boot in the Eredivisie, scoring 19 goals in 34 games, as well as registering nine assists. This season for Leipzig, he has eight goals and 13 assists in 32 Bundesliga games, as well as two goals and two assists in eight Champions League games.

Another impressive part of Simons’ game is his versatility. Across his first-team and youth career, the 21-year-old has played right across the front line, at centre-forward, both flanks, as a number 10 and even in central midfield. Not only that, he has consistently put up some impressive numbers right across all the roles he has played. Having a player with as much versatility as Simons in your squad could well be invaluable for United next season.

Simons' quality is also reflected in his Fbref stats when compared to other midfielders in Europe over the last 365 days. Firstly, his impressive creative nature shines through. The 21-year-old is a wonderful creative influence, adept at threading through balls into the path of his teammates in the final third.

He could receive passes on the half turn from the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, then look to find teammates ahead. The two would certainly be a duo to excite United fans with the latter taking English football by storm of late, notably earning a place in England's provisional squad for the European Championships after just months of regular senior football.

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By
Matt Dawson

May 21, 2024

So, how would that combination work? Well, given the United target averages 2.71 key passes per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 3%, and 2.19 passes into the penalty box, which places him in the 2% of midfielders in Europe, it would work pretty well indeed.

When carrying the ball, Simons is an explosive dribbler, who is able to swiftly change direction thanks to his quick turn of pace, and slalom in and out of opposition defenders because of his low centre of gravity. He averages 4.93 progressive carries per 90 minutes and 4.27 carries into the final third per 90 minutes. Both of these metrics place him in the top 1%. Simons also averages 1.22 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 2%.

The Dutch maestro is an impactful player on the game in general, which is reflected in his stats. He averages 6.07 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 1%, and 0.66 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 2%. He always finds a way to make things happen.

One of the negatives of United signing Simons this summer would be how he actually fits into the side under Ten Hag, or indeed a new manager.

Indeed, Simons’ versatility is a benefit, yet, United have depth in several of the positions he particularly excels in. On the left wing, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are first choice, and at number 10, they have Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount as their depth there. Fernandes is particularly important under Ten Hag, and it seems unlikely he would be displaced.

Simons could play as a centre-forward, providing a rotational option along with Rasmus Hojlund, who is now United’s only striker following Anthony Martial’s departure. However, the Dutchman is more productive playing in a deeper role. As a result, seeing him play alongside Mainoo – scorer of a tremendous FA Cup final goal – in the centre of the pitch might well be the answer.

Finding a role for him could be problematic but having a player of that quality and versatility to supplement United’s squad and add great depth is arguably too good to turn down.

Football scout Antonio Mango described Simons on X as “wonderful”, and, given the stats looked at, it is hard to argue against him. He would certainly be a sublime partner next to Mainoo in midfield.

Man Utd eye dream Branthwaite alternative who's "similar" to Ferdinand

The Red Devils could be looking to secure a long-term centre-back addition…

By
Robbie Walls

May 28, 2024

Former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain forward Jese Rodriguez has made the latest move in his journeyman career as he heads to Malaysia.

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• Jese signs for Johor Darul
• Former Real Madrid and PSG star at another club
• Was most recently playing in Brazil

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jese has struggled to find a permanent home after leaving Los Blancos and had been on the club hunt again after a short spell in Brazil with Coritiba. The Spaniard had been training without a club since January but has now signed for Malaysian side Johor Darul in an attempt to return to match fitness.

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  Once tipped for stardom, injuries did not help Jese, who struggled to assert himself as a regular starter at Real Madrid behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. Paris Saint-Germain took a chance on the forward in 2016 and paid €25 million (£21m/$27.5m) for his services. However, Jese was out of favour under Unai Emery in the French capital, struggling for minutes and making just 12 appearances for the club. A series of loan spells and subsequent club hopping has now led him to Malaysia.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Johor Darul have become the 10th club of Jese's career. Despite the forward only being 31 years old, Jese has played for Real Madrid, PSG, Las Palmas (twice), Stoke City, Real Betis, Sporting CP, Ankaragucu, Sampdoria and Coritiba. Only at Madrid and Las Palmas has Jese made more than 20 competitive appearances for the club.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JESE?

  Jese will join Johor Darul and link up with a number of Spanish-born players already at the club. Oscar Arribas, Natxo Insa, Juan Muniz and Jordi Amat – now captain of the Indonesian national team – will welcome their compatriot to Malaysia.