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After coming away with just a point from their Champions League opener against Atalanta last month, there was a feeling that Arsenal had to go a step further and claim all three at home to Paris Saint-Gerrmain last night.

Not only did Mikel Arteta’s men do precisely that, but they did so with relative ease, and despite potentially having less of the ball than they would have ideally liked in the second half, they looked comfortably superior to the French champions all game.

There were plenty of excellent performances from the Spaniard’s side, but two stood out: Kai Havertz and one of his more experienced teammates, who put in what might have been his best display of the season so far.

Havertz performance vs PSG

Arteta opted for an unchanged XI last night, which meant that Havertz made his seventh start of the season, and as he has done in practically every one of those games, he put in an excellent performance at the sharp end of the pitch.

The former Chelsea ace was a constant thorn in the Parisian’s side throughout the game and opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a perfectly timed run and header into the bottom corner.

The German could, and probably should, have picked up an assist in the second half as well, but Gabriell Martinelli got on the end of his perfectly weighted pass and rifled the ball straight down Gianluigi Donnarumma’s throat.

It was an almost faultless display from the Gunners’ number 29, and while that might sound hyperbolic, it’s an opinion shared by the Sun’s Jordan Davies, who awarded him a 9/10 on the night, writing that he was ‘brave and brilliant’ for his first goal and is now a ‘top-class centre-forward.’

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On top of all of that, Havertz also produced some brilliant individual statistics on the night. In his 94 minutes of football, he took two shots on target, scored one goal from an expected goals figure of 0.30, produced an expected assists figure of 0.17, took 48 touches, was successful in 100% of his duels, played one key pass, won four of seven aerial duels, and even made one interception and three tackles.

Minutes

94′

Goals

1

Shots on Target

2

Expected Goals

0.30

Expected Assists

0.17

Touches

48

Dribbles (Successful)

1 (1)

Key Passes

1

Aerial Duels (Won)

7 (4)

Interceptions

1

Tackles

3

Overall, the 25-year-old was easily one of Arsenal’s best players last night, but one of his older teammates deserves just as much praise.

Thomas Partey's performance vs PSG

Yes, the more experienced teammate in question is Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, who has rolled back the years so far this season, although last night may well be his best performance so far in 24/25.

The 31-year-old was tasked with starting his eighth game of the season against the French giants, but right up until he was taken off in the 64th minute, he looked ready and raring for the midfield battle, which, alongside his teammates, he bossed.

In fact, respected analyst Ben Mattinson was so impressed with the former Atlético Madrid ace that he described it as one of his “best games this season.”

Likewise, Davies, who awarded him an 8/10 on the night, wrote that he ‘made some crucial interceptions and showed real composure playing out from deep.’

Minutes

64′

Touches

34

Passing Accuracy

27/29 (93%)

Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Lost Possession

2

Interceptions

3

Dribbled Past

0

Tackles

1

Unsurprisingly, then, the Odumase Krobo-born maestro also produced some stellar statistics on the night. In his 64 minutes of action, he took 34 touches, maintained a passing accuracy of 93%, won 100% of his duels, lost the ball just twice, made three interceptions, wasn’t dribbled past even once, and made one tackle.

Ultimately, Havertz continued to show why he is the striker to take Arsenal forward last night, and at the same time, Partey reminded everyone that he is still an incredibly gifted footballer who could once again become an integral cog in the Gunners’ midfield if he can remain fit this season.

Arsenal teen who was causing more excitement than Nwaneri has already left

The sensational youngster looks set for an incredible career.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 30, 2024

Arsenal chiefs believe one good value striker would be a much better signing than Sporting Lisbon superstar Viktor Gyokeres, even if manager Mikel Arteta would actually prefer the latter.

Arsenal still targeting new number nine for Arteta

Over the summer window, sporting director Edu Gaspar elected not to bring in a new number nine, instead placing their full faith in Kai Havertz – following the German’s excellent displays in a makeshift centre-forward role.

Arsenal have new injury concern alongside Ben White as star spotted limping

The Gunners will be hoping that there is no lasting damage to their key men.

ByDan Emery Sep 23, 2024

The Premier League title hopefuls were linked with a host of interesting strikers, including the likes of Victor Osimhen before the Nigerian was ultimately forced to settle for a loan move to Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray.

Arsenal have decided not to go for Osimhen in January, despite his rumoured break clause which would allow him to leave Turkey for another club mid-season. The north Londoners also had their eyes on Ivan Toney, who eventually sealed a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.

Arteta decided against signing Toney due to holding a theory that the Englishman wouldn’t fit in with the squad’s chemistry, according to some reports. Then, of course, there was their widely reported pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

Appearances

42

Goals

18

Assists

2

Minutes per goal

115

Minutes played

2,057

Arsenal made a proposal for Sesko, as did Chelsea and Man United, but the Slovenia international decided against a move to England and penned a contract extension at Leipzig instead.

Reports since the summer window’s closure have refused to rule out the possibility of Arsenal bringing in a new forward at the turn of the year, with Edu considering a “big-money” striker bid in January.

Arsenal chiefs think Jhon Duran would be better than Gyokeres

According to Football Transfers, both Arteta and those within Arsenal are seemingly at odds over who to bring in.

Indeed, it is believed both Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran and Sporting’s Gyokeres are being internally monitored, but there is a disagreement over whom to go for. Arsenal chiefs believe Duran would be a better signing than Gyokeres, while Arteta would prefer the Swedish sensation, who’s stood out as one of Europe’s most prolific frontmen lately.

Duran, valued at around £40 million by Villa, has started the season in rip-roaring fashion after being heavily linked with an exit all summer.

“Unai Emery thinks in the next few years he can become one of the best strikers in the world,” said Villa director Monchi.

“He is 100% convinced. But what is the problem? We also have Watkins and Duran wants to play. He thinks he is better than Watkins. That is normal because every player thinks he is better than their teammates. To manage Ollie Watkins and Duran is not easy but in the end it is the best for the team. If you have two big strikers it is better than only one.

“Did Duran want to leave the club? Yes. That is normal because he wants to play. But now we spoke with him yesterday and he is happy. He is training well.”

Rangers could potentially end up with a "lite version" of Chelsea owner Todd Boehly at Ibrox, according to former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness.

Rangers takeover latest

On the pitch, things aren't going too swimmingly for the Gers currently, with Philippe Clement finding himself under pressure to keep his job, following his side's 3-0 defeat away to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership before the international break.

Away from the action, there is also plenty going surrounding a potential takeover, with fresh reports claiming that American investors are considering bidding for Rangers. The club is valued at around £150m, with top shareholders Dave King and Douglas Park believed to be open to the idea of selling up in the near future.

There are clear positives to a takeover happening, in terms of how it could benefit Rangers in a financial sense, further helping them close the gap on Celtic. There are also warning signs, however, with American owners proving to be hit-and-miss in the Premier League, from Liverpool bosses FSG to the more reckless Boehly, who has spent a fortune at Chelsea but is threatening to create a civil war with Clearlake Capital at Stamford Bridge currently.

Rangers could get "lite version" of Todd Boehly

Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness discussed the takeover situation at Ibrox, saying Rangers would ideally bring in a "lite version" of Boehly as their owner.

"I’ve dealt with international owners, and the thing is that you can’t generalise. There are good American owners and bad American owners. Look at Liverpool – they had Hicks & Gillett, who were a disaster, and now they’ve got Fenway Sports Group. They’re doing a decent job, so you can’t generalise.There are some smart ones.

"There are US investors who can use their ears and not have their egos at the front. If they bring people with experience in football with them then it would be great for Rangers because ultimately they will have access to huge capital. That’s the key thing. There’s no need to go mad, you’ve got to do it wisely – that’s what it’s all about. Hopefully they won’t follow Todd Boehly’s example. A lite version of him would, in many ways, be welcome at Rangers."

There is plenty to like about the idea of a less extreme version of Boehly coming in at Rangers, but the Chelsea owner should act as a warning, in terms of what could happen. They cannot afford to be in a position where they are suddenly splashing new investment all over the transfer market just for the sake of it, potentially leaving them in a worse position further down the road.

FSG-like owners are perhaps what the Gers should strive for more, even though they are divisive among Liverpool's fanbase, with the Boston Red Sox bosses known for being relatively frugal, but also developing Anfield significantly and overseeing many top signings thanks to their 'Moneyball' style analytics-based recruitment.

Rangers blundered by releasing SPFL star who's now worth more than Yilmaz

The Light Blues had a howler when they opted to allow the defender to walk away for nothing.

1 ByDan Emery Sep 8, 2024

Rangers need to be in a position where they are able to spend more on signings and modernise Ibrox, but they must be sensible in making the right choice for their next owners, or risk going backwards.

Chelsea only have four points from a possible nine to start their Premier League campaign under Enzo Maresca, but the Blues have shown glimpses of a prosperous future.

Spirited in defeat against Manchester City on the opening day, dazzling in victory at Molineux, winning 6-2 amid masterclasses from Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke, and unlucky during last weekend’s draw against Crystal Palace, fizzling out after a blistering start, there are signs of a promising project in development.

Maresca will be displeased with his side’s loss of control during the second half against the Eagles, but the frontline continues to purr, and Madueke looks like he’s shaping into a real menace on the right flank.

Noni Madueke's start to the season

Chelsea signed Madueke from Dutch team PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, welcoming the one-time Tottenham Hotspur youngster for a £29m fee.

He might have burst into life this term but Madueke hasn’t had it easy since his arrival, joining at a turbulent time and failing to quite hit the ground, with Spanish media musing that he was seeking a way out of the club in December 2023.

Last season, he grew in stature under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership and was once hailed as a “mentality monster” by personal coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, something that has served him well in biding his time and rising to the fore at Stamford Bridge.

As per FBref, his newfound goalscoring quality has seen him rise to rank among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored, at a rate of 0.53 per 90.

Moreover, he also ranks among the top 7% for pass completion, the top 4% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, emphasising the technical and progressive properties that have won Maresca over, convinced the Italian to entrust him with a crucial role.

It’s indeed quite the show of faith for Maresca to have pushed Sterling toward the exit while continuing to promote Madueke’s skillset, with the 29-year-old joining Arsenal on a season-long loan.

Of course, Jadon Sancho was brought in soon after, with the fleet-footed winger hoping for a big resurgence after falling by the wayside with Manchester United.

Why Chelsea signed Jadon Sancho

With Sterling gone, Chelsea wanted to complete their bulging frontline with something of a like-for-like change, and while some have questioned the necessity of the deal, a long move with an option to buy for just £25m could prove to be a masterful piece of business from the Blues.

The England international, aged 24, is only three years on from signing for Man United in a £73m transfer, but he’s only scored nine times in the Premier League and spent the latter half of last season back on loan with Dortmund given his fractured relationship with Erik ten Hag.

So why did Chelsea sign him? And does Maresca believe that he can rekindle the dynamic player’s qualities, recapture the prodigious potential that had led to him being lauded as a “phenomenon” by talent scout Jacek Kulig?

Chelsea’s first team would have been just fine without the ace, but bosses viewed the possible venture as an opportunistic move. After all, Sancho has scored 53 goals and claimed 67 assists across 158 matches for the Yellow Wall.

He will not be overburdened by responsibility in west London and can focus on his football. He’s not the only Chelsea man in need of a resurgence this year, however, with Reece James the most lucrative name in Maresca’s ranks to be hoping for a return to the fore.

Why Reece James could still be Chelsea's main man

James joined Chelsea for a grand total of nothing, scoring on his debut against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, as a 19-year-old, during a 7-1 romping.

He’s one of the club’s most talented players and was handed the captain’s armband in August 2023, having joined the club’s academy aged six. James’ fortunes since have not been auspicious, for he has been ravaged by injuries and pulled from his one-time position at the height of the game.

As you will see below, James is utterly mesmerising when fit and performing at his best, and Chelsea could certainly do with his skillset readily available throughout the campaign.

Matches (starts)

26 (22)

Goals

5

Assists

9

Clean sheets

5

Touches*

76.1

Pass completion

90%

Key passes*

1.9

Ball recoveries*

4.8

Tackles*

1.3

Ground duels won*

3.8 (61%)

Not only is he a devastating attacking outlet, but James also enjoyed the defensive side of the game, wrecking his opponent’s offensive efforts, using his stocky frame and athleticism to outwrestle and dispossess.

According to Transfermarkt, James is still worth £34m despite his recent woes, meaning that he is actually worth more than both Madueke and Sancho, who are valued at £24m and £26m, respectively.

It’s worth noting that less than two years ago that value stood tall at £59m, and were it not for his injury misfortune, would perhaps stretch loftier still.

Malo Gusto, 21, is an excellent prospect and impresses when he takes to the pitch for Chelsea, but he’s no James, who offers a distinctive sheen to complement his leadership ability.

Trevoh Chalobah once called the 24-year-old “one of the best in the world”, and it’s clear to see why. Chelsea are at the foundational phase of a new era but need experience and true quality to complement the exciting potential filtering through.

One hailed as an “absolute superstar” by The Athletic’s Liam Twomey, James could be the difference-maker for Maresca this season, and if he can utilise the ongoing international break as a final period of convalescence ahead of a return to full fitness, Chelsea might just restore the talisman to inspire them to heights unseen in several years now.

Chelsea have a 16 y/o rising star who could become their answer to Osimhen

Chelsea have a young superstar striker already in their ranks.

ByConnor Holden Sep 6, 2024

Joao Felix and Atletico Madrid have never been a good match. One is an exciting player, who can pull the strings in a frontline full of attacking talent. Meanwhile, the other is moulded by the tactics of Diego Simeone.

There’s nothing wrong with that, either. Simeone is one of the best managers in world football. But, there’s a reason that the likes of Diego Costa have thrived where Felix and others have failed. It takes a certain player, perhaps those rougher round the edges, more aggressive, to really suit the system built by the Argentine. And, well, that has never been Felix.

The former Benfica forward is a far tidier player, far more elegant than, say, Costa. He has never been a forward who can feed off scraps in a more conservative approach, hence why he perhaps should have steered clear of Atletico in the first place.

After an average loan spell at Chelsea, though, it looks like Felix and Simeone are set to finally part ways this summer.

How old is Joao Felix?

Still only 23 years old, Felix is reportedly ready for the next step in his career. Indeed, he wants to make a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, with Atletico willing to sell the forward, but only for an £85m fee after they initially splashed out £113m on him back in 2019, according to The Daily Mail.

A move to the French capital may have been identified as a potential option due to the uncertain future of Kylian Mbappe, who has just one year remaining on his current contract. According to Fabrizio Romano, PSG have told the star forward that he needs to either sign a new contract or leave this summer, rather than depart for free in a year.

Given Lionel Messi’s departure, combined with added uncertainty over Neymar’s future, too, the Ligue 1 outfit could yet look towards the likes of Felix to add some much-needed firepower this summer.

After all, what better way to replace one of the most expensive players of all time, than with one of the most expensive players of all time?

Why was Joao Felix stripped of the number 7 shirt?

In the biggest hint yet that Felix could be on the move this summer, Atletico have stripped the Portugal international of his number seven shirt, handing it back to Antoine Griezmann – as seen in this latest video shared on their Twitter account.

According to Relevo, too, Simeone and Felix no longer want to work together, giving the La Liga side quite the situation to work out. Given their reported price tag of £85m, though, it remains to be seen whether or not a top club comes in for the want-away forward.

Speaking about the forward at the end of last season, Simeone said: “Bids for Joao Felix? We’ve to see if the proposal will be good financially for the club, that is crucial. Spanish clubs? Same.”

If this is to be the end of the forward’s time in Spain, he will not look back on it with the greatest fondness, having found the back of the net just 34 times, and recording just 18 assists in 131 appearances for Atletico Madrid.

Wherever he ends up next, Felix will hope to finally get his career back on track.

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made it 'very clear' to Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount that he is a 'priority target' at Old Trafford this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news involving Mason Mount?

According to reports, United have already had two initial bids for the England international turned down by the Londoners.

However, another bid is expected to land shortly with the Red Devils are still considered as being the side that are in pole position to sign the £80k-a-week ace.

Nevertheless, Simon Jones, who is a journalist for the Daily Mail, has delivered another update in his Transfer Confidential that may worry Manchester United fans, revealing that their pursuit of Mount has now put them in a position where Ten Hag might need to choose between signing a high-profile striker or goalkeeper this summer, as their budget won't allow them to strengthen both positions.

Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane was also a target for the Red Devils previously; however, any move to bring in the 29-year-old now looks to be off the table.

Manchester United star Luke Shaw spoke about Mount when asked if they had been in contact in an interview cited by METRO while on international duty, stating:

"Yeah, obviously he’s not here [Mount was injured]. I think it’s all just a bit of banter really, obviously we have a joke and a laugh about it. I am not too sure what goes on behind the scenes; it’s to do with the club really.

"But of course when we’re here and together we have a joke about it but like I said I don’t know too much what’s going on."

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, renowned journalist Romano has signalled that Manchester United have communicated their vision to Mount at Old Trafford.

Romano stated: "They believe that this is kind of a strategy game, so let's see if Chelsea will change their position on the price in the next few weeks.

"Manchester United have sent very clear messages to the player in recent days, telling him they want him and that he is considered a priority target."

How did Mason Mount fare at Chelsea in 2022/23?

Mount endured an inconsistent campaign for Chelsea, in all honesty, though he still showed flashes of quality in a collectively underwhelming time of things at Stamford Bridge.

As per Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old made 35 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, registering three goals and six assists in the process.

WhoScored detail that Mount had no problem trying to force the issue for Chelsea and showed bravery when on the ball, completing 1.3 key passes on average per match in the Premier League.

According to FBRef, Mount was a handy presence in the engine room with regard to chance provision and successfully mastered 83 shot-creating actions over the course of the term.

Being handed a fresh opportunity somewhere else to show his capabilities may be the best option for the Portsmouth-born ace's career moving forward and Ten Hag could potentially take him to the next level at Old Trafford.

Arsenal have missed out on the signing of Ilkay Gündogan, who appears set to choose Barcelona as his next club, with his agent close to saying 'yes', according to reports in Spain.

What's the latest Gundogan transfer news?

The report all but confirms Mikel Arteta will miss out on a player who would significantly impact his young Gunners side, as Gündogan's agent has apparently told the Catalans they will sign at Camp Nou, with the definitive agreement expected very soon.

This will be a disappointing blow for the Spaniard who would have fancied his chances of picking up the in-demand free agent, with Football London suggesting Arsenal were close to completing the move.

Last week Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker revealed his club were in a 'good position' to sign Gündogan from Man City, while speaking as a pundit in Germany, as reported by The Mirror.

The German would have been a brilliant coup and real statement signing for Arteta's project – a player who has won everything at club level, including the treble with City last season, his experience would've been invaluable.

The reason why Arteta will be disappointed to miss out on the midfielder is quite self-explanatory – Gündogan is a wonderful footballer, who despite being 32-years-old, is at the pinnacle of his game and coming off his best ever season. The 2022/23 campaign saw Gündogan tally up 11 goals and seven assists for City, along with countless key performances and big moments, particularly in crunch time.

Among his best performances was an immaculate brace against Everton in May to put City on their way to another league title. This performance prompted Manchester United legend Roy Keane to hail the midfielder saying: "What an outstanding player. What a player this guy is, absolutely brilliant."

High praise from a rival club's former legend, just proving the point that Gündogan is a special talent. Having played under Pep Guardiola for so many years, and given Arteta is essentially a student of Pep, Gündogan would have fit Arsenal like a glove.

Who are Arsenal linked with?

With Gündogan off the table, Arteta will now likely turn his attention toward alternatives. One name consistently linked with the Gunners is of course West Ham United's Declan Rice, who is fresh off his Conference League success in Europe.

Rice is reportedly being tracked by multiple Champions League sides, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

With Arsenal also reportedly willing to sell Thomas Partey, along with Granit Xhaka departing, Arsenal could be facing a huge effort to rebuild their midfield this summer and Rice could also be joined by Romeo Lavia.

Liverpool will not be making a move for Alex Scott this summer, according to a report from reliable journalist Ben Jacobs.

Who is Alex Scott linked with?

The midfielder has had an electric year in the Championship for Bristol City and has become a key player for the side already despite being only 19-years-old. He featured in a total of 42 second tier games for the Robins in the 2022/23 season – nearly every single league fixture for the club – and 40 of those came as starts. It led to one goal and five assists from the centre of the field, the teenager's best ever career tally for assists.

In addition, when compared to others in his position in the Men's 'Next 8' competitions in Europe, he ranks extremely highly despite his youth and relative inexperience (he's only had two years of first-team football).

He sits nicely in the top 11% for progressive carries for example with a rate of 2.34 per 90 and also fits into the 83rd percentile for successful take-ons, with a total of 1.22 per 90 to boot.

It's led to plenty of clubs from higher up the pyramid sniffing around his signature – but one club that won't be making a move is Liverpool according to journalist Ben Jacobs. He states that the Reds have indeed scouted and had a look at Scott but that they won't be making a move to sign him. Instead, that leaves the path empty for some of the other interested Premier League sides, namely Wolves and Tottenham.

What is Alex Scott's transfer value?

A deal won't be cheap for the player even though he is only 19. That's because Jacobs adds that Bristol City want around £25m for his signature – a huge fee for a player who has yet to leave the Championship.

However, when you consider the impact he has had on the game already and some of the high praise he has receieved, it comes as no surprise. Even Pep Guardiola has hailed Scott for example, as he called the midfielder an "unbelievable player."

Indeed, some Reds fans may feel that, considering his talent, their club should be in the race to try and bring Scott to Anfield.

West Ham United still have a list of candidates that could replace David Moyes, with RMC Sport, via Get Football News France, reporting that Christophe Galtier is on their radar as someone who they could swoop for.

Is David Moyes staying at West Ham United?

The Hammers struggled to get going in the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign, with the side finishing in just 14th place on 40 points. It meant that they were just six points clear of the relegation places and were a whopping 31 points away from the top four. However, despite their shortcomings in the top flight, they ended up being crowned Europa Conference League winners. With a victory over Fiorentina in the final, the club secured a European title and ended the season on a high note.

However, despite claiming that victory, the future of manager David Moyes has been uncertain. Heading into the final, it looked like a defeat could see him exit the club, while reports since have suggested that his future now remains with the Hammers. The former Man United boss has been with the club since 2019 and has now overseen 179 games with the side, averaging 1.55 points-per-match. It seems then as though his tenure may continue and he could even reach 200 games with the club.

A report from RMC Sport though suggests otherwise. They state that West Ham do have candidates that could replace Moyes at the club and that Christophe Galtier is one of the names they are considering. The manager has recently been in charge of PSG but is set to leave the club according to this report and has plenty of other clubs sniffing around him.

What is Christophe Galtier's managerial record?

Galtier is coming off his best ever season as a manager when it comes to points-per-match average. With PSG, the boss managed a total of 2.16 ppm. Prior to that, he was in charge at Nice in France and managed a respectable 1.84 with that side too. He also has plenty of experience in terms of winning silverware, having won the Ligue 1 title on two occasions, as well as the French League Cup and French Super Cup.

If West Ham did decide that now was the time to part ways with Moyes then, Galtier could be a more than adequate replacement for the manager – although he has yet to be tested in the Premier League and has only ever been a boss in France.

Newcastle United target Dominik Szoboszlai is “aware” of the “concrete interest” from St. James’ Park, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Who is Dominik Szoboszlai?

The RB Leipzig midfielder first joined Marco Rose’s side back in 2021 from RB Salzburg, who are owned by the same company, and he has since become a regular feature of the first-team, clocking up 91 appearances to date.

The Hungary international was the Bundesliga outfit’s overall second best-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 7.32 last season, with this impressive form having seen him attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League.

Sky Sports reported in May that the Magpies had sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old twice within the space of a fortnight, and the player himself sparked rumours of a move when responding “next question” after being asked whether he would still be at his club beyond the summer which has now been backed up even further.

Are Newcastle signing Szoboszlai?

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg now reveals that Szoboszlai does know about the admiration from Newcastle and stated that PIF and Eddie Howe have highlighted him as a primary target for the upcoming window. He wrote:

“News #Szoboszlai: Player is very open to leave RB in summer as he’s aware of the concrete interest from @NUFC as revealed. He’s a top transfer target of #NUFC. Release clause of around €70m (£60m). RB bosses not happy with his latest statements. It’s a question of the price now.”

Could Szoboszlai be a good signing for Howe?

Newcastle are clearly serious about landing Szoboszlai having already deployed chiefs to assess him on multiple occasions, and having been hailed a “pure quality” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, it would be a massive coup should the board be able to bring him to the northeast.

RB Leipzig’s attacking midfielder posted 14 goal contributions (eight assists and six goals) in 31 Bundesliga appearances last season, form which saw him receive four man-of-the-match awards, but he also excelled even when the ball didn’t hit the back of the net.

The EM Sports Consulting client recorded 150 shot-creating actions which was higher than any of his fellow teammates, and 117 crosses which was the second-biggest total throughout his squad, as per FBRef.

Finally, Szoboszlai is a versatile operator having played in seven different positions across the grass since first bursting onto the professional scene which will no doubt be yet another attractive attribute to the boss, making him the perfect central candidate to put pen to paper at St. James’ Park.