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West Bromwich Albion will be delighted that they have been able to tie young asset Tom Fellows to a new deal, the 20-year-old extending his contract until 2027 now after worries had grown that he could be off this transfer window.

Fellows will be in line to start tomorrow against Wolverhampton Wanderers as a result in what promises to be a fiercely contested Black Country Derby in the FA Cup, but question marks remain over another midfielder in the Baggies ranks and his future away from this positive development.

If fixed first-teamer Okay Yokuslu does end up departing for pastures new this month, as per reports, Carlos Corberan could well have a perfect replacement up his sleeve in the form of this 19-year-old sensation.

West Brom linked with Birmingham midfielder

According to Turkish outlet Beyaz Gazette, Yokuslu is being lined up for a return to his native Turkey as Trabzonspor are reportedly interested in landing the 29-year-old dynamo.

West Brom losing their dependable number 35 would be a harsh blow right after the ecstatic news of Fellows extending his stay, Yokuslu a regular under Corberan this season with 28 appearances tallied up.

Yet, the Baggies could instantly soften this blow by signing Birmingham City starlet Jordan James as his immediate replacement – Corriere Della Sera first reported on West Brom's interest, via Sports Witness, with Atalanta emerging as a surprise party also sniffing around for the breakthrough 19-year-old prospect alongside Newcastle United, Brentford and Brighton.

Scoring six times this season from central midfield, James would offer West Brom a far more offensive-minded option in the centre of the park compared to Yokuslu.

Over time, this deal could see West Brom even land an upgrade on the 29-year-old with James having so much more room to grow and develop as a player at the Hawthorns alongside an equally exciting Fellows.

How James fits into the West Brom team

Excelling playing as an attacking midfielder this season under Wayne Rooney before the unpopular Blues boss was relieved of his duties, James has also shone playing as a defensive option too.

The young Welshman showcased his aerial expertise – where Yokuslu shines – against Swansea City last time out at St Andrew's, winning 100% of his clashes in the air in a bright 25-minute cameo which also saw him find the back of the net.

Last match away at Stoke City, gifted a start by his new boss in Tony Mowbray in a holding role, James was equally resilient and dogged – winning seven ground duels versus the Potters to help Birmingham pick up a slim 2-1 away win.

Yet, James is not a one-trick pony and has the flair of an attacking midfielder in his arsenal too with two successful dribble attempts also managed on his team's travels to Stoke.

At just 17 years of age, former Blues boss Lee Bowyer described the homegrown talent as "tremendous" with the now 19-year-old just getting better as he matures and refines his craft.

This could well be why West Brom are so keen on adding the dynamic teenager to their ranks this month, James able to come in and competently replace Yokuslu but also able to offer far more than the Turkish number 35 as an attack-oriented presence alongside an equally creative figure in Alex Mowatt.

James would further give the Baggies a source of goals away from overly relying on Brandon Thomas-Asante, with midfield stars John Swift and Jed Wallace seeing their goal output dry up recently.

Coming in as the club's fourth highest earner at £25k-per-week, offloading Yokuslu could see the Championship promotion candidates free up some money to go in for James who is on £1.1k-per-week currently at St. Andrew's.

Tempted no doubt by a heftier pay packet, and the possibility of playing Premier League football next season, James could well be up for making the short trip over from Birmingham to the Hawthorns in a move that could allow Corberan to forget about any need to worry about Okay's future.

Southampton powered on to yet another win in the Championship win last match away at lowly Rotherham United, comfortably beating the basement side 2-0 to move back up to second spot in the division.

Leeds United had momentarily unsettled the status quo in the automatic promotion places with a win away at Bristol City, but Russell Martin's Saints were calm and measured versus the Millers and strolled to their 18th win of the season to date regardless of any outside pressure.

It's a break from the grind of the second tier this mid-week for the high-flying Saints however, playing against fellow Championship side Watford in an FA Cup replay.

This could well be a good opportunity for Martin to rest certain individuals with fixtures coming thick and fast in the league away from this one-off tie, with Stuart Armstrong dropping out in four potential changes…

1 GK – Joe Lumley

Gavin Bazunu might well be rested for the FA Cup replay at St Mary's tonight, with Joe Lumley coming back into the team after playing in the 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road last month.

The former Reading goalkeeper is a competent backup Martin can rely on, with the 28-year-old making three saves in total in the Watford draw to help the Saints seal a replay late on via a last-gasp Stuart Armstrong goal.

2 RB – Kyle Walker-Peters

Martin might well not have the same luxury afforded to him in resting Kyle Walker-Peters however, having started Mason Holgate in this spot in the tie at Vicarage Road.

But, the now former Southampton number six ended up being recalled to Everton on Deadline Day to move elsewhere and so Walker-Peters could be retained for the FA Cup clash tonight.

The 26-year-old was solid enough in the straightforward Rotherham win last time out, not having to overly exert himself to help his side pick up a routine three points.

3 CB – Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Lethargy potentially setting in won't be an issue for Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the 22-year-old loving life on loan at the Saints at the moment.

Only missing two games all season long in all competitions, Martin won't be hesitant in the slightest at keeping the Manchester City loanee in his starting eleven tonight.

4 CB – Jan Bednarek

Martin will be a little wary at the prospect of overplaying Harwood-Bellis' centre-back partner in Jan Bednarek however, resting his Polish defender in the original tie away at Watford.

Yet, Bednarek's early headed goal in the Rotherham clash at the weekend could mean he's kept in the side after such an impactful display – the 27-year-old a standout performer at the New York Stadium.

Amassing a ridiculous 135 touches of the ball versus the relegation-threatened Millers, Bednarek's soothing presence on the pitch could see Southampton sail into the next round of the FA Cup with ease.

5 LB – Jayden Meghoma

Jayden Meghoma will be clamouring for another senior start at left-back, with Martin willing to give the young Saints prodigy another go versus Watford after gifting him a start in the previous Cup match.

It would be a great learning curve for the 17-year-old to play alongside the likes of Bednarek and Walker-Peters, with the teenager impressing versus the Hornets last month by amassing two key passes when playing out from defence.

6 CM – Will Smallbone

Will Smallbone could well be retained for tonight's game under the St Mary's floodlights, the 23-year-old putting in another solid display from the centre of the park against Leam Richardson's Millers last match.

Smallbone was involved in the thick of the action throughout the game, missing one big chance in the one-sided affair whilst also constantly creating chances for his teammates at the New York Stadium with two key passes notched up.

7 CM – Flynn Downes

West Ham United loanee Flynn Downes will also stay in Martin's first-team plans tonight, despite having a quiet afternoon in truth against Rotherham.

Downes wasn't quite at his measured best on the ball – coming in at an 85% passing accuracy when his average for the season is usually higher at 94% – but his other performances this campaign means Martin is unlikely to axe him off the back of one sub-par showing.

The silky 25-year-old was at his best in the game just before the Rotherham away day, bagging a rare goal against his former club Swansea City on the way to the high-flying Saints securing a classy 3-1 victory after dominating.

8 CM – Joe Rothwell

Stuart Armstrong could be the only casualty from the central midfield trio for tonight's game against the Hornets therefore, with January purchase Joe Rothwell coming in to fill in for the absent Scotsman.

Armstrong was uncharacteristically poor on the ball versus Rotherham, giving away possession 23 times in South Yorkshire.

As a direct consequence, Martin could see this game with Watford as grounds to give Armstrong a breather and to utilise Rothwell instead.

The AFC Bournemouth loanee – who was once described as a "super talent" by one of his former managers in Tony Mowbray when the pair were at Blackburn Rovers – stood out in the 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road when selected, only giving the ball up four times before being hauled off just shy of the hour mark.

9 RW – Adam Armstrong

Adam Armstrong being selected at right wing might raise a few eyebrows from an outsider's perspective, but it's a spot the lethal attacker has made his own in recent weeks for the Championship promotion hopefuls.

It's seen Armstrong become an assist machine as well as a goalscoring hero, showcased in the Saints beating Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 in the middle of January.

The former Newcastle United man helped himself to a solitary goal in the emphatic win as expected, but also set his teammates up to get in on the act with him by registering two assists.

10 ST – Che Adams

This clever masterstroke has allowed Martin the freedom to play both Armstrong and Che Adams in the same lineup, a terrifying attacking combination for second-tier defences to attempt to thwart.

Onto nine goals for the season from 25 appearances, Adams will hope to get to double digits by scoring against Watford tonight.

Walking out onto the Old Trafford pitch is a special moment for all players, but it must be magical for those Manchester United stars who can call it their home.

Many have gone on to succeed, while others have had a not-so-successful time at the club, with a player's first impression often remembered by the United faithful.

Erik ten Hag hasn’t had a tremendous amount of luck with his signings, with every signing he’s made, bar Andre Onana, picking up at least one injury since joining.

However, there’s one player in particular who has had a troubled start to his Red Devils journey.

Mason Mount’s first impression

In the summer, Mason Mount was at the centre of a battle between Liverpool and Man United, with the huge rivals both eager to acquire his signature. As it proved, the Chelsea star turned his back on the Merseyside club to join the Red Devils, which already put him in the United faithful’s good book.

The fee, however, was rather steep, with the England international setting Ten Hag back by £60m, which both raised eyebrows and excited those involved with United, especially when he was handed the iconic number seven shirt.

Former United icon John O’Shea was personally a huge fan of the signing, stating to talkSPORT: “It’s a fantastic addition and he will add to the goals in terms of creating and scoring them himself too”

Whereas content creator Mark Goldbridge wasn’t quite as convinced by the signing of Mount after watching him in the first two games of the season:

“Ten Hag has got to make this Mount signing work. Right now, it just looks baffling and damaging to what we were building last season.”

Mason Mount’s season so far

Prior to his arrival at United, Mount was Chelsea through and through, playing 195 games for his boyhood club, scoring 33 goals and providing 37 assists, so it was quite a shock to see him depart Stamford Bridge.

Back in 2021, United legend Roy Keane spoke extremely highly of the 25-year-old, comparing him to Red Devils great Paul Scholes:

“The way he plays the game, almost like Paul Scholes, plays like a kid on the street, it all comes very easy for him. Good first touch, seems an honest kid, he has a goal in him, he has an assist.”

Fast forward to today, and Mount has yet to show that for his new club after enduring a rough spell. The midfielder has only played eight Premier League matches for United, starting four, with 50% of those being the first two matches of the season.

Since then, he has been unavailable for most of the campaign, with writer Casey Evans calling him the “new Donny van de Beek,” who is now on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.

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As with Mount – who has typically operated in an attacking midfield role in his career to date – the Dutchman found it difficult to find a place for himself in the United side, with the presence of a certain Bruno Fernandes denying him regular game time.

Prior to his January exit, the former Ajax man – who signed on a £35m deal back in 2020 – had scored just twice in 62 games in all competitions, having never really recovered from a slow start to life in Manchester, in which he started just four league games in his debut season.

23/24

Unknown

16

23/24

Unknown

6

22/23

Pelvic

7

22/23

Pelvic

5

22/23

Knock

1

Mount could be set to follow a similar path, with two injuries having seen him miss 22 matches already this season, and his return date seems to keep being pushed back by Ten Hag.

The one-time Derby County loanee has become the forgotten man, but his injury troubles over last season in particular should have sent warning signs to the recruitment team at Old Trafford, alongside the fact that his last start for Chelsea was almost a year ago.

In truth, it’s still extremely early in Mount’s United career, and he has plenty of time to turn things around, but his first impression has been far from the one eagerly anticipated in the summer.

Chelsea and Todd Boehly are reportedly willing to splash the cash on a new "goal machine" ahead of the summer transfer window.

Chelsea striker rumours

The Blues, under Mauricio Pochettino, are currently gearing up for an EFL Cup final against Liverpool this weekend at Wembley.

However, in the Premier League, it has once again been a season to forget at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea currently 10th in the table on 35 points from 25 games. The club have scored 42 goals in the top flight, with every side apart from West Ham in the top half scoring more than the Blues. As a result, it looks as if a new marquee striker signing is at the top of the wishlist for Boehly ahead of the 2024/25 season.

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One name who has been heavily linked is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with reports even suggesting that the Nigeria international has chosen to move to Stamford Bridge. However, there also appear to be alternatives, which seemingly include Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, with an exciting new development now emerging.

Chelsea ready Dusan Vlahovic move

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are willing to break the bank to put a total of €60m (£51.3m) on the table to sign Vlahovic. It is claimed that the Blues continue to look for new offensive alternatives and are eyeing the Juventus man, however, Arsenal and Real Madrid also appear to be the main favourites in the race alongside Chelsea.

There could be competition for the Serbian striker’s services as a result, but Chelsea are the only club named willing to make an offer.

Since moving to Juventus from Fiorentina back in 2022, Vlahovic has continued to find the back of the net at a reasonable rate, scoring 36 goals in 87 games. He was quickly labelled a “goal machine” by U23 scout Antonio Mango and was also previously hailed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Alessio Tacchinardi has also praised the striker during his time in Turin, describing the player as “extraordinary” back in 2022.

It looks as if a move to London for Vlahovic could be one to keep an eye on following this update, and he could come at half the price of Osimhen, who has a £100m+ release clause.

To say Glasgow Rangers have been revitalised under Philippe Clement would be an understatement. The Belgian manager took over a club in crisis and has since restored the confidence needed to ensure the Gers can go toe to toe with Celtic.

Indeed, they are now in a Premiership title hunt and clearly have the momentum following their recent run of form.

The 49-year-old has had to endure plenty of injury problems which have engulfed his squad since taking over, which included having to go through the festive spell missing eight players.

This meant he had to adapt his squad and feature a few players out of position in order to retain their shape during matches.

The notable change was that of Dujon Sterling, who has featured in a variety of positions under Clement and has performed well in each one, proving that the Ibrox side have signed a solid player who can adapt his game to fit the needs of the team.

Dujon Sterling was one of Michael Beale’s first signings

Following the trophyless 2022/23 season, Michael Beale looked to undergo a summer rebuild which would hopefully give him a platform to build a side capable of challenging Celtic.

The versatile defender signed a pre-contract agreement with the Light Blues in May last year and, on the surface, it looked like a reliable signing.

“I am delighted to welcome Dujon to Rangers, he is an exciting young player who, I’m sure, will be a great addition to our squad,” beamed Beale as he welcomed Sterling to Glasgow.

“He is a very powerful and strong defender, who has fantastic attacking qualities and I look forward to working with him at Rangers.”

High praise from the former manager and added depth was required in the defence, which is what Sterling would offer.

He has experienced plenty of highs and lows during his first year in Scotland, but his market value has risen rapidly due to his performances.

Dujon Sterling’s market value at Chelsea

The Englishman started his career at the Stamford Bridge side, going on to make just two appearances for them during the 2017/18 season.

His market value at that time was €2.4m (£2m) according to Football Transfers, yet he failed to make the grade at the Blues and went through a succession of loans over the next five seasons in order to secure regular first team football.

During this period, Sterling played 38 League One matches while starring 58 times in the Championship, but the chance to move to Rangers was clearly too good to turn down.

It has since proven to be an inspired move as his market value has increased and if he can maintain his current form, there is no doubt it will grow exponentially.

Dujon Sterling’s market value at Rangers

Despite the Englishman playing only 21 matches for the Ibrox side since joining last summer, he has emerged as a player who Clement can trust to fill in the gaps when key players are missing.

With this, his market value has increased to its current total of €3.1m (£2.6m) according to Football Transfers, and this represents a solid value for a player who cost the Gers nothing.

The 24-year-old has yet to even reach his peak and the more games he gets under his belt in the coming years, the better he will perform.

Dujon Sterling's season by numbers

While Beale made his move to bring the youngster to Scotland, he only played seven times under the Englishman as he could not work his way into the starting XI.

A handful of appearances followed during the early stages of Clement’s reign, but it was not until the Gers faced a crisis in the heart of their midfield that the Belgian turned to Sterling to solve his problem.

With Ryan Jack and Nico Raskin out injured for the League Cup final against Aberdeen, combined with Jose Cifuentes missing the clash due to suspension, Sterling came in alongside John Lundstram and did an excellent job, claiming his first major trophy in Scotland.

15.7

0

1.1

2.9

6.4

He kept his place for the next two league matches, against Motherwell and Celtic, and once again, he showed that his talents could be used in various different ways.

Having featured at right-back, left-back, and then in central midfield, the former Chelsea gem had more tricks up his sleeve when the Light Blues travelled to Perth last weekend to play St Johnstone.

Scott Wright had a poor first half which forced Clement into making a change and this saw Sterling emerge for the second half as the right-winger.

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During his 45-minute cameo, the 24-year-old not only made one key pass, but he also delivered one successful cross, missed a big chance and also won a penalty in what was a display full of attacking vigour, something that Wright lacked in abundance.

The 5 foot 11 gem was hailed for his showing following the game, with journalist Jonny McFarlane perhaps being his most vocal supporter, saying:

“What a player Dujon Sterling is. Versatile across multiple positions. Supreme attitude. Powerful and athletic. Will make Rangers a fortune if properly developed.”

Nothing seems to be fazing the defender, especially as he has gone on to demonstrate the full spectrum of his talents across different positions, while shining in each one.

McFarlane is correct, Rangers will go on to make a fortune out of Sterling whenever he begins to attract attention, as versatile players like him are getting rarer and rarer, that’s for sure.

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When the time comes, however, Clement will be keen on securing the best fee possible for a player who did not cost a penny when he arrived in Glasgow.

From starting the season as a backup right-back to the club captain, to becoming arguably a key member of the first-team squad, it has been quite a remarkable few months for Sterling.

With injuries likely between now and May, he will still have a big part to play as the Gers aim to win their first Premiership title since 2021.

Manchester United’s 2023/24 campaign can only be described as underwhelming, with the FA Cup being the only title left to be won.

There are plenty of reasons for the lack of progression this season, but fingers are beginning to be pointed towards Erik ten Hag for his approach and style of play.

In truth, injuries have had a huge role to play in preventing the boss from fielding his best starting lineup, but those who have been given a chance, bar a handful, have failed to perform.

With that in mind, there’s one individual who has struggled to get going this season above all, with his statistics and output speaking for themselves.

What Man United actually paid for Antony

Last summer, Antony followed in the footsteps of Ten Hag by joining Man United from Ajax, but it hasn’t exactly been an easy 18 months in England for the Brazilian.

Arriving with an enormous £82m price tag on his head, the task at hand was as simple as it gets: perform extremely well or receive an endless amount of criticism.

The winger's start to life at Old Trafford couldn’t have gone any better, scoring on his debut against Arsenal and netting in his first three Premier League starts.

However, just a few weeks later, Antony received plenty of backlash for his trademark spin in the Europa League, with pundit Robbie Savage calling the 24-year-old “embarrassing.”

As the campaign progressed, Antony’s performances became more inconsistent, to the point where his value has significantly dropped in just over a year. That's not ideal for a man on wages as high as £200k-per-year and over £10m annually.

Antony’s transfer value in 2024

After a tough first campaign, Antony was supposed to truly make the right-wing position in United’s team his own this season, especially after starring in the 3-1 pre-season win against RC Lens with a goal and an assist.

However, that certainly hasn’t been the case, with the number 21 struggling to have any real impact in attack whatsoever, failing to register a goal contribution in 21 Premier League appearances.

In fact, his only two of the campaign both came against League Two opponent Newport County in the FA Cup, and this has led to him losing his place in the side to Alejandro Garnacho.

Antony’s lack of quality and the fact he’s lost his place in the team has caused his estimated worth to plummet by £52m as per Transfermarkt, and the table below shows his value ranks compared to other first-choice right-wingers in England. it's certainly alarming viewing.

Bukayo Saka

£102m

Phil Foden

£94m

Mohammed Salah

£55m

Dejan Kulusevski

£47m

Cole Palmer

£38m

Antony

£30m

Even though he is far less valuable, plenty of the United faithful are calling for Antony to be moved on in the summer, but Ten Hag has still stuck by the attacker, saying:

“He has a big potential. He hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is. It is about proving his talent. It is about him.”

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In truth, Antony’s future as a Man United player is completely up in the air, and that’s the case for lots of players due to the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. But one thing is certain: the Red Devils massively overpaid for the Brazilian.

A member of Ange Postecoglou's squad will be out of action until April after sustaining a fracture in his foot, as news comes out of Tottenham this week.

Spurs dealt injury blows throughout 2023/2024

Since the beginning of this season, an alarming stat for the Lilywhites has been the sheer amount of long-term absences for key players.

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It's testament to the job Postecoglou has done that, regardless, they're still in the driving seat to secure Champions League qualification ahead of Aston Villa. Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Giovani Lo Celso, Ashley Phillips, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur have all spent a month or more on the sidelines this campaign, with worries now surrounding van de Ven after he was taken off against Villa last weekend.

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Luton Town (home)

March 30th

West Ham (away)

April 2nd

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 8th

Newcastle United (away)

April 13th

Just after November, Spurs had to cope without star duo Maddison and van de Ven for a large period following their injury blows against Chelsea, with Postecoglou even forced to deploy a makeshift centre-back pairing of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at points.

Sessegnon is also out for the rest of the season after picking up yet another hamstring injury, but sports scientist Dr Rajpal Brar has backed the left-back to return stronger.

“He still has plenty of time right? It is just one of those things with injury cycles or muscular injuries where it can be really tough to get out of, even for more developed players," said Brar

"There has certainly been cases where other players have got into it (injury cycles) and got out of it. It is not by any means a death knell for his career or anything.

“He has plenty of time and the key will be some methodical rehab, then some good fortune so you have to hope for the best. He has more time to build back and there is also not as much pressure to get back than say a 29- or 30-year-old who is angling to get back to play and get a new contract or whatever it is, whereas it is different for a younger player.”

Alongside Sessegnon and Richarlison, who's also on the treatment table but expected back much sooner, an update has come to light on back-up keeper Fraser Forster.

Forster out until mid-April after foot fracture

According to journalist Wayne Veysey, writing for Football Insider, Spurs keeper Forster is set to be sidelined until mid-April after sustaining a fracture in his foot last month.

The Englishman, who stands behind Guglielmo Vicario in the pecking order, will apparently be absent for another five weeks before being eligible for Postecoglou's match day squad.

Forster, who joined on a free transfer from Southampton in 2022, is under contract with the Lilywhites until 2025.

Arsenal are having another impressive season under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are still fighting for major honours in the Premier League, which they currently top, and the Champions League, where they face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

After disappointment last season, where Arteta’s side failed to win a major trophy despite leading the league for much of the season, they needed to get the signings spot on in the summer.

So far, the money they spent on Declan Rice, which was £105m including add-ons, Kai Havertz for £65m and David Raya on loan have been worth it. Although Jurrien Timber has yet to play a prominent part due to injury, many believe the £38m fee Arsenal paid is good value.

If there is one area of their squad Arsenal could look to strengthen next, it is out wide. The Gunners are arguably quite light there, which has been a cause for concern for Arsenal fans. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are their first-choice wingers, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are the other options and Gabriel Jesus has filled in there too.

With Arsenal seemingly likely to target a winger in the summer of 2024, there is one exciting talent that the Gunners have been linked with, in particular, who could come in and challenge Saka and Martinelli for the starting spots.

Arsenal looking to strengthen their attack

The name on everyone’s lips as to who could add to Arsenal’s depth out wide is Atheltic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams.

The 21-year-old, who is the younger brother of Ghana international Inaki Williams, is enjoying a stellar season, and has been one of the most in-form wingers in the world this season and could be available for just £47m, the value of the player's release clause.

It is not just Arsenal who are interested in Williams next summer. Athletic Club will also have to fend off interest from two other Premier League sides, Chelsea and Liverpool, to be specific if they want to keep their star man at San Mamés beyond this season.

In an interview with Caught Offside, Arsenal journalist Charles Watts explained the Gunners' interest in signing Williams, explaining that he is “understood to be high up on their list of potential targets”.

How Nico Williams compares to Bukayo Saka

Williams can certainly be considered a throwback winger. He loves to take on a defender in one-on-one situations, and is incredibly unpredictable on the ball, possessing the ability to go on the inside or outside of a defender.

Able to play on the left or right wing, he is a captivating forward and according to football analyst Ben Mattinson, could uproot Saka or Martinelli from the side. Mattinson explained that Williams is "good enough to displace" Arsenal's widemen and that he "could be a serious challenger & raise their game”.

In terms of profile, Williams is quite dissimilar to Saka. The Spaniard is an explosive ball carrier, and whilst Saka is not bad in this sense, the Bilbao star carries the ball at a far greater speed and can accelerate and decelerate in a way few players in the world can. He is two-footed and able to go either way, making him so unpredictable.

The numbers also stack up in Williams’ favour to suggest he is a better dribbler than Arsenal’s number seven. The Spain international ranks in the top 5% of positionally similar players in Europe for progressive carries per 90 minutes, averaging 6.11 per 90 minutes, compared to Saka’s 5.10 per 90 minutes according to Fbref.

To further back that up, the Athletic Club winger averages 3.36 carries into the final third per 90 minutes and 2.60 carries into the penalty box per 90. This places him in the top 15% and 12% respectively.

In comparison, Arsenal’s Saka averages 2.41 carries into the final third per 90 minutes and 2.16 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 43% and top 20% respectively, a clear drop-off.

Where the England winger excels compared to Arsenal's transfer target is with final-third creativity. According to Fbref, Williams averages just 1.68 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, the 63rd percentile, whereas Saka averages 2.04 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, the 78th percentile.

The Spain international also plays fewer key passes than the Arsenal man. The winger averages 1.83 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to Saka’s 2.46 key passes per 90 minutes. This places Williams in the 63rd percentile, whereas Saka ranks in the top 13%.

It is worth bearing in mind that Arsenal have a lot more possession than Athletic Club, meaning there is more chance for Williams to dribble and carry the ball than there is for Saka, because, naturally, they might face higher lines, whereas Arsenal come up against lots of teams who sit deep and defend in a low block.

To put that into statistical context as per Sofascore, Arsenal average 61.9% possession per match, the third most in the Premier League. In comparison, Athletic Club average just 49.5% possession per game, with nine other La Liga sides ahead of them.

Whilst some people believe Saka’s future could lie as more of an interior, Williams is undoubtedly a winger, and he could well become Arsenal’s first choice if Arteta does move Saka into a more central role one day.

Regardless, at just 21-years-old, with an incredibly unique profile and a good transfer value, Williams offers a really good option for the Gunners next summer. Whether or not they decide to bring him in, and can beat rivals to his signature remains to be seen, but he is certainly a good choice for Arsenal.

Portugal have had one of the greatest players of all time turning out in red and green over the last 20 years, with Cristiano Ronaldo making his international debut at the age of 18.

The iconic forward helped his country win the European Championship back in 2016 and has been Portugal’s record scorer for many years. But who else is on the list? Football FanCast takes a look at the top Portugal goalscorers, with a detailed view of the very best the nation has produced alongside Ronaldo…

All information correct as of 16th May 2025.

Rank

Player

Caps

Goals

1

Cristiano Ronaldo

219

136

2

Pauleta

88

47

3

Eusebio

64

41

4

Luis Figo

127

32

5

Nuno Gomes

79

29

6

Helder Postiga

71

27

7

Rui Costa

94

26

8

Bruno Fernandes

78

25

9

Nani

112

24

10

Joao Pinto

81

23

=11

Nene

66

22

=11

Simao

85

22

=13

Andre Silva

53

19

=13

Hugo Almeida

57

19

15

Rui Jordao

43

15

=16

Fernando Peyroteo

20

14

=16

Jose Augusto Torres

33

14

=16

Diogo Jota

47

14

=19

Matateu

27

13

=19

Fernando Gomes

48

13

=19

Bernardo Silva

100

13

Here is a detailed look at Portugal’s top goalscorers:

10 Joao Pinto 23 goals (81 caps)

Physical striker Joao Pinto represented Portugal at Euro 1996, Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, winning 81 caps across an 11-year international career.

Pinto was also known for his aggression and bad tackles as well as his goalscoring, picking up a number of red cards during his career. In fact, he famously hit Argentine referee Angel Sanchez in the 2002 World Cup after he was shown a red card, receiving a six-month suspension as a result.

9 Nani 24 goals (112 caps)

Well-known by Manchester United supporters for his nine-year stint at Old Trafford, Nani actually made his debut for Portugal 12 months before his move to England.

The tricky winger provided 24 assists in his 112 caps alongside his 24 goals, and turned out in five major tournaments for his country. The last was the most memorable, though, with Nani captaining Portugal to Euro 2016 glory after Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off injured in the final against France.

8 Bruno Fernandes 25 goals (78 caps)

If there’s one player who could step up as Portugal’s talisman once Cristiano Ronaldo retires, it could well be Bruno Fernandes.

The Manchester United captain has surged into the top 10 of Portugal goalscorers over the past year, reaching a quarter-century during their most recent Nations League campaign.

A previous Nations League winner with his country, Fernandes may well have the likes of Luis Figo in his sights before he hangs up his international boots.

7 Rui Costa 26 goals (94 caps)

Rui Costa may have been an attacking midfielder, but still racked up an impressive 26 goals for Portugal in 94 games. Compare this to his club record – 66 goals in 498 appearances – and it shows that Costa was more prolific on the international stage.

The creative Costa made his debut in 1993 and retired in 2004, with his last game for Portugal ending in Euro 2004 heartbreak in the final against Greece.

6 Helder Postiga 27 goals (71 caps)

Helder Postiga scored one of his 27 Portugal goals against England in Euro 2004, with his late equaliser helping his country advance via a penalty shootout.

The former FC Porto and Tottenham striker played in five major tournaments for Portugal and scored in three successive European Championships before retiring in 2014 after a group-stage exit at the World Cup.

5 Nuno Gomes 29 goals (79 caps)

Striker Nuno Gomes, best known for his time at club level with Benfica, made his first Portugal appearance in 1996 and last in 2011, with the forward hitting his prime in 2001 with nine goals in as many games.

His first Portugal goals didn’t come until 2000 when he starred at the European Championships, and he even scored four times in one game against Andorra.

4 Luis Figo 32 goals (127 caps)

Hugely successful at club level with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter, iconic winger Luis Figo never won a major tournament with Portugal, where he made appearances in 16 successive years between 1991 and 2006.

The former captain got so close in 2004, but suffered defeat in the Euros final to Greece and retired after the tournament. However, he reversed that decision and represented his country at the 2006 World Cup. As well as being Portugal’s fourth-highest scorer, Figo also sits fourth for caps behind Pepe, Joao Moutinho and Cristiano Ronaldo.

3 Eusebio 41 goals (64 caps)

A Benfica icon, Eusebio is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and was nicknamed “O Rei” (“The King”), turning out for Portugal between 1961 and 1973.

He won the Golden Boot at the 1966 World Cup with nine goals and scored 12 of his 41 goals in the same year. Eusebio also won the Ballon d’Or in 1965 and retired from international football at the age of 31.

2 Pauleta 47 goals (88 caps)

Prior to Ronaldo’s dominance, Pauleta was the main man for Portugal in front of goal and was even named captain of the national side for a brief period in 2004.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker led the attack at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, and after also being included in the 2006 World Cup squad, announced his retirement after a fourth-place finish in Germany.

1 Cristiano Ronaldo 136 goals (219 caps)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats for his country are truly remarkable, scoring an incredible 136 goals in 219 appearances. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend is still going strong for his country in his 40s while playing his club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

After making his international debut as a teenager way back in 2003, Ronaldo has got better with age, hitting double figures for goals in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has won the European Championship and the Nations League with his country.

Celtic and Brendan Rodgers have a dream to sign a rather ambitious transfer target this summer, but face significant obstacles to make it become a reality ahead of the new season.

Celtic leave title in Rangers' hands

A bonkers 3-3 draw with Rangers at Ibrox over the weekend kept Celtic top of the Scottish Premiership for now, a point ahead of their Glasgow rivals but having played a game more than Philippe Clement's side, leaving the title in their rivals' hands.

The Scottish Premiership title race

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Goal Difference

Points

Celtic

32

23

6

3

51

75

Rangers

31

24

2

5

50

74

It has been a tough season for Brendan Rodgers' side despite their success in Scotland's top flight, with a tough Champions League group stage seeing them concede a mammoth 15 goals and losing four of their six games. Winning just one, they finished bottom of their group with the second worst goal difference of anyone in the group stage.

Despite their struggles abroad, they could still claim a domestic double, with Rodgers' side in the semi-finals of the Scottish cup against Aberdeen, while Rangers take on Hearts in the other semi-final, potentially setting up another Old Firm derby in the final.

Celtic chiefs eyeing up swoop for 6ft 2 keeper who doesn't have a weak foot

The Hoops are eyeing up a replacement for current number one Joe Hart this summer.

ByDan Emery Apr 10, 2024

There are no shortage of question marks heading into the summer transfer window, with it set to be a busy one for Celtic and their transfer team Should they get their way, it could well be a record-breaking one too.

Hoops would "love" to sign Kieran Tierney

Now, they have been handed a boost in their dream to bring Kieran Tierney back to Celtic Park after it emerged that Arsenal have already told the defender he can leave the club this summer.

The North London side paid Celtic £25m in 2019 to take Tierney, then Celtic's captain, to the Emirates Stadium, where he currently earns £110,000 per week. After a strong start to his career with the Gunners he found himself down the pecking order and has spent this season on loan with Spanish side Real Sociedad.

Now, TeamTalk claim that Tierney has "already been informed that he will be available for sale" this summer and that the defender "intends to use the European Championships as a way to display his talents", with Scotland in a group with Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

It is added that Arsenal value the defender at around £25m ahead of the summer transfer window, and while Celtic "would love to bring him back to Glasgow if they get the opportunity", that sort of fee is "thought to be beyond Celtic’s financial capabilities" amid reported interest from Aston Villa.

However, Villa are keeping tabs on several defenders as things stand and should their interest not materialise, there doesn't seem to be a long line of suitors for the 26-year-old Scot. With Arsenal having tried to sell him permanently last summer only to let him leave on loan, Celtic will be hoping a repeat will allow them to lure him back to Celtic Park either on loan or at a cut-price fee.