A week on from the start of the new Premier League season and Arsenal finally look ready for the challenge ahead.

It had been a slow pre-season for the Gunners but a 3-0 win over Bilbao has calmed the nerves, particularly after Viktor Gyokeres opened his account in the red and white.

A series of matches both on foreign soil and at the Emirates Stadium had left supporters feeling frustrated at a lack of change, but they got change on Saturday where the forward line certainly looked more potent.

Kai Havertz even got on the scoresheet, presenting Mikel Arteta with a dilemma over who to pick at centre forward next weekend when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Before then, Arteta and Andrea Berta may hope to get another signing across the line.

Arsenal's transfer plans before September 1st

With Noni Madueke and Gyokeres signed, Arsenal have ticked off two of their biggest priorities this summer: sign some backup and competition for Bukayo Saka, and sign a new striker.

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However, there’s a lingering feeling that the Gunners need more in their forward line.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard went goalless through pre-season and question marks are being raised again about the quality of the options on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack.

As a result, Eberechi Eze’s name is once again doing the rounds and according to one report, a deal now looks closer than ever.

That’s according to Football Transfers who report this weekend that Eze is ‘closing in’ on a move to the Emirates.

Financial terms have already been agreed between Arsenal and Palace with Arteta’s side set to pay a total fee of £55m to Palace for the England star, with £30m set to come upfront. That’s lower than Eze’s reported £68m release clause.

Talks over the structure of the remainder of the instalments are ongoing but it’s not thought as though that will be a major sticking point.

Why Eze could be Arsenal's new Emile Smith Rowe

Let’s cast our minds back to the early years of Arteta’s reign in London. The years are 2021 and 2022 and it’s safe to say that it’s not entirely rose for the Spaniard.

However, Saka and Smith Rowe (you know how the song goes) came along and acted as the club’s saviours.

The latter may have only scored four senior goals in 2020/21 but came alive in 2021/22, scoring ten times in 33 league outings for the club.

A product of Hale End, he was adored by Arsenal fans and his crafty, clever skills won hearts from all corners of the Emirates.

We all know how it ended for the England international with his injury woes ultimately seeing him join Fulham last summer, but he certainly has similar attributes to Eze.

Not only can both players feature from the left wing, but they’re also excellent attacking midfielders who are capable of scoring goals. In 2024/25, Eze netted 14 in all competitions, with eight goals coming from 34 Premier League appearances.

To really rubberstamp the similarities, we’ve compared how Eze performed last season with Smith Rowe’s best term at Arsenal.

Smith Rowe (21/22) vs Eze (24/25)

Stat (per 90 mins)

Smith Rowe

Eze

Goals

0.47

0.28

Assists

0.09

0.28

Shots

1.88

3.47

Key passes

1.41

2.01

Progressive passes

3.99

3.37

Shot-creating actions

3.15

4.69

Progressive carries

3.05

2.40

Successful take-ons

1.50

2.33

Carries into final 3rd

2.07

1.67

Stats via FBref.

As far as the numbers are concerned, there are some notable differences during their peak seasons so far in English football.

Smith Rowe looked like the more prolific goalscorer while Eze, who is a “magician” in the words of Micah Richards, was more creative.

Ultimately, though, they share the same sort of style. They like to carry possession, beat their marker and influence play from similar zones in the final third of the pitch.

Smith Rowe captivated Arsenal fans with his running style and ability to glide past players. Eze shares that trait and would no doubt become a quick fan favourite if he traded Selhurst Park for the Emirates.

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Related Arteta's next Rice: Arsenal hoping to sign "phenomenal" £104m talent

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 9, 2025

The side will be captained by New South Wales allrounder Jack Edwards for the day-night two-day fixture

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2024Scott Boland will play for the Prime Minister’s XI in the two-day pink-ball fixture against India in Canberra in order to keep himself match ready should he be needed during the Test series.Sam Konstas, who played for Australia A against India A, will also feature alongside Matt Renshaw who was overlooked for that series despite being the reserve Test batter earlier this year. Jack Edwards, the New South Wales allrounder, will lead the team and is joined by state team-mate Ollie Davies for the game on November 30 and December 1.”The Prime Minister’s XI match presents an opportunity for a highly talented squad to impress against a strong Indian team in their only pink-ball hit out prior to the second Test,” national selector George Bailey said. “We are utilising the opportunity to maintain Scott Boland’s match fitness in his preparations as part of the Test squad.”Konstas is one of four members of the Australia Under-19 side that won the World Cup earlier this year who will be part of the PMs XI alongside quicks Mahli Beardman, Charlie Anderson and Aiden O’Connor.Beardman, the 19-year-old Western Australia fast bowler, was a shock addition to the tour of England in September and he has still only played one professional game. For Anderson, the call-up follows a hasty NSW debut earlier this season when he was a last-minute replacement for an ill Josh Hazlewood in the One-Day Cup match against Victoria where he claimed 3 for 37 and opened the bowling alongside Pat Cummins having only traveled to shadow the senior squad.The ACT are represented in the 14-player squad by pace-bowling allrounder Hanno Jacobs while local premier cricketers will support the PM’s XI side throughout the game.Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Taking on India, one of the best sides in world cricket featuring the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, will be an amazing experience for the squad, particularly knowing that millions of fans around the globe will be watching the match.”The match is expected to be Rohit Sharma’s first of the tour after the India captained missed the Perth Test after the birth of his second child.Prime Minister’s XI squadJack Edwards (capt), Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Scott Boland, Jack Clayton, Aidan O’Connor, Ollie Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Lloyd Pope, Matt Renshaw Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan

Marseille president Pablo Longoria has opened up about the departure of key midfielder Adrien Rabiot after his dressing room bust-up with England international Jonathan Rowe. Longoria says Rabiot's exit was not pre-determined and the club have been left with a void after his transfer to AC Milan. However, the Marseille president claims the club needed to act to maintain the spirit of discipline.

• Rabiot and Rowe's dressing room fight

  After a 1-0 defeat against 10-man Rennes in the first game of the season, tensions escalated in the Marseille dressing room, ending in a physical altercation between Rabiot and Rowe, which saw a young player knocked unconscious. The pair were subsequently banished from the squad and put up for sale, with Rowe joining Bologna before Rabiot headed to AC Milan – the pair came up against each other on Sunday in Serie A.

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• AFP
  

  Marseille president has no regrets about losing Rabiot

  The incident rocked the club's start to the season and saw Rabiot, a crucial midfielder last season, exit Roberto De Zerbi's team. While the president admitted they have lost a quality asset, he feels it was the correct decision.

  "It's good to close this matter and look forward. I have no regrets because we were very clear," he told . "We have to say things about Adrien. The first is that it doesn't change the consideration I have for him. I believe the player has brought us a lot. But when you have the strong conviction that the club must be structured in such a way that decisions are respected, there are no regrets. When you are loyal to your princes, you can sleep peacefully."

  Longoria further added: "The situation as such is regrettable because no one wants to reach this point of no return, especially when we are talking about a player who is important in sporting terms and for the team. But regarding the follow-up and the decisions taken, when you do things according to your convictions, there are no regrets."

• Former teammates hold no grudges against each other

  Rabiot was asked about the events that transpired between him and Rowe last week when he attended a press conference. The player insisted that there is no bad blood between them and that it will be nice to see him. He also shared that the two texted each other after departing from Marseille. Milan won 1-0 against Bologna with Luka Modric sealing the win for the Rossoneri with his first goal.

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• AFP
  

  Marseille to clash with Real Madrid in Champions League opener

  Marseille have signed Brighton's Matt O'Riley on loan as a replacement for Rabiot. The French club will be travelling to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Madrid in their opening fixture of the Champions League on September 17.

Chelsea have now made an approach over a deal to sign a “special” Premier League player, according to a report.

Blues keen on new defenders after Colwill injury

After such a positive pre-season, during which the Blues emerged victorious in the new-look Club World Cup, the Blues suffered a major injury blow, with centre-back Levi Colwill set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ACL injury.

Consequently, Enzo Maresca wants to sign a new centre-back, although the Italian has revealed that club chiefs are hoping that one of the current players will be able to step up to the plate in Colwill’s absence.

Maresca said: “I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.”

In the west Londoners’ Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah were given the nod at centre-back, and the Cobham academy graduates kept a clean sheet with the help of Reece James and Marc Cucurella on either side.

Maresca is very well-stocked at full-back, with the likes of James and Malo Gusto to choose from on the right, but the Blues have now stepped up their interest in a new signing, having lodged an enquiry over a deal for a Premier League right-back…

Indeed, according to a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea have now made an approach to Manchester City over Rico Lewis, who is currently in talks over extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

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Pep Guardiola is determined to keep hold of Lewis, amid widespread interest in the right-back’s signature, with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa also being named as potential suitors.

Nottingham Forest have already tabled a €30m (£25.9m) proposal for the 20-year-old, which was immediately knocked back, indicating it could take a significantly higher bid to tempt City into a sale.

"Special" Lewis held in high regard by Pep

It could be difficult for the Blues to get a deal over the line, given that Guardiola clearly rates the starlet very highly, having once suggested he is a very well-rounded full-back.

The City boss said: “In the training sessions we always thought this guy has something special. Defensive he is aggressive enough. He has the margin to improve but with the ball inside he is so good and outside we saw today, one v one good crosses and good finishing.”

The England international is an ideal fit for Pep’s system, and perhaps Maresca’s, given that he is a superb passer of the ball, averaging a pass-completion rate of 91.9% per 90 over the past year, which places the City ace in the top 1% of all full-backs.

Lewis also got off to a flying start to the new campaign, picking up an assist in his side’s 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he clearly has a huge future ahead, but given that Chelsea already have James and Gusto, the deal should not be a priority.

Aston Villa are now keen on signing a “quality” £40 million striker who former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is a big fan of, according to a new report.

Alejandro Garnacho now open to Aston Villa transfer

The Villans have been very quiet in this transfer window so far, adding just two new players to their squad having been forced to work around PSR requirements before they could pursue any deals.

Aston Villa keen on £21m international star but he's already in talks with Man City

Aston Villa are the latest team to show an interest in a player who has a low release clause until the end of July.

1 ByBrett Worthington Jul 21, 2025

Now that issue has passed, and the Premier League edges closer to getting underway, Villa could be about to start making an impact in this transfer window. The Villans are keen to add more power to their forward line, and one player who has emerged as a target is Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.

The Argentine is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, as the Red Devils don’t consider him a part of their plans, and he’s been left behind in Manchester as the club have jetted off to Chicago for their pre-season preparations.

It was reported last week that Villa made an approach to Garnacho about a move to Villa Park, as United look to get around £70 million for the winger. Now, in a boost to their pursuit, Garnacho is said to be open to the idea of playing for Aston Villa and working under manager Unai Emery. It just remains to be seen if the club can agree a transfer fee with United.

Aston Villa and Wolves in race for Mika Biereth

As the club works on a potential deal for Garnacho, according to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are also interested in signing striker Mika Biereth from AS Monaco.

The report states that Biereth’s fine form since joining the French side has now caught the attention of not just Villa but Newcastle United, Wolves and Everton from the Premier League. Indeed, the forward joined Monaco in January and scored an impressive 13 goals in 16 Ligue 1 games.

Despite the fact that he is under contract until 2030, Caught Offside reports that Biereth can leave Monaco for a fee of £40 million, which would mean Monaco would make a huge profit after paying Sturm Graz just €13 million (roughly £11 million) six months ago.

The 22-year-old is already known in England, as he started his career at Fulham, and while he didn’t play for the first team, he earned a move to Arsenal. Biereth didn’t play again in the first team, but he scored 11 goals in 21 Premier League 2 games in the 2021/22 season.

Apps

16

Starts

16

Goals

13

xG

11.32

Left-footed goals

1

Right-footed goals

12

Shots per game

2.6

Chance conversion

31%

Assists

2

Big chances created

8

During his time in the UK, Biereth had a spell at Motherwell, during which he was dubbed “quality” by manager Stuart Kettlewell. Meanwhile, after his spell at Arsenal, Ian Wright was left very impressed by his performances and stated he was “incredibly proud of him”.

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير آخر التطورات الخاصة بـ موقف لاعبي فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي المصابين، وعلى رأسهم أحمد سيد زيزو وحسين الشحات، موضحًا موعد عودة إمام عاشور بعد تعافيه من المرض.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة كهرباء الإسماعيلية مساء السبت المقبل، في المواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات الجولة العاشرة بالدوري المصري.

وقال أحمد شوبير في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “حسين الشحات شارك في المران الجماعي اليوم بعد غيابه أمس، أجرى آشعة وفحوصات بعد تعرضه لكدمة في الكتف، لكنها لن تعيقه عن المشاركة في المباراة القادمة”.

وأكمل: “طاهر محمد طاهر بطل وجدع ويموت نفسه مع الفريق، شارك اليوم في التدريبات بعد أن أثبتت الفحوصات سلامته عقب شكوته من تقلصات في العضلتين الأماميتين في مباراة القمة، لكنه بحالة جيدة وعاد للتمرين”.

طالع.. خاص | لاعب الأهلي يقترب من الانضمام لـ منتخب مصر

وأردف: “شارك محمد شكري الظهير الأيسر في التدريبات الجماعية وحالته جيدة، ومن الممكن أن يدخل قائمة الفريق في مباراة الإسماعيلي، وأفشة شارك وزيزو أيضًا، لكن المستمرين في الغياب هم جراديشار وكريم فؤاد وأشرف داري”.

وواصل: “إمام عاشور يستمر غيابه عن المشاركة في التدريبات منذ يوم 14 سبتمبر، تخطينا الأسبوعين ولن يعود قبل شهر بعد تعرضه لفيروس A وكل فترة يخضع لتحاليل، وما زالت التحاليل تؤكد ارتفاع في الأنزيمات، والطبيب يتابعه”.

وأتم: “وبعد أن تصل للمعدل الطبيعي سيعود إمام للتدريبات، وسيخضع لتحليل جديد الأسبوع المُقبل لحسم موقفه من العودة”.

Juan Cuadrado has lifted the lid on a tense transfer negotiation with Antonio Conte, revealing he was reluctant to sanction his move to Juventus

Cuadrado says Conte tried to block Chelsea exit due to Juve falloutColombian reflects on eight years at Juventus and Champions League regretCriticised the way his departure was handled by the club’s managementFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Cuadrado has revealed that his permanent transfer from Chelsea to Juventus in 2017 was almost scuppered by then-Blues manager Conte due to the Italian's acrimonious relationship with his former club. In an interview with , the Colombian detailed the tense negotiations that secured his move to Turin.

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Cuadrado joined Chelsea in 2015 but failed to establish himself before moving to Juventus on an initial loan. The move was made permanent during Conte's tenure at Stamford Bridge, a period in which the Italian manager still held a strained relationship with the Juventus hierarchy following his own departure in 2014. Cuadrado went on to spend eight successful seasons in Turin, winning five Serie A titles and becoming a fan favourite.

WHAT CUADRADO SAID

The former Bianconeri player also recounts the negotiations that led him to Juventus and his relationship with Conte, he said: "Conte didn't leave Juventus on the best of terms, so there were some problems; he didn't want to let me go. Other teams were also interested in me, especially abroad, but when I heard about Juve, I told my agent that I only wanted to play for the Bianconeri.

"I became a Juventus fan. My mother still lives there, my children were born in Turin. Lucas is six, Lucia is nine. I experienced eight magical seasons, winning five league titles and several cups. Compared to Cuadrado in Florence, I was more complete and, above all, more mature. My only regret is losing the Champions League final in Cardiff."

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ON JUVENTUS DEPARTURE

The 37-year-old ended up leaving Juve in 2023 and signed a one-year deal with Inter, but the decision to leave Turin was not his.

"De Sciglio's injury had increased my chances, [coach Massimiliano] Allegri wanted to keep me," he added. "For my part, there was no doubt: I would have stayed. Then the management changed, the coach left and I was left waiting. While I was waiting for a call, I read on social media that my adventure with Juve was over. I would have preferred a word or a private message. I was upset, it was very sad. But that's football. The fans are and always will be in my heart."

‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results’. Well, Manchester United are finally mixing things up a bit this summer.

Indeed, the recent captures of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha – signed for a combined fee of around £130m – point to the Red Devils going down the Premier League-proven route, something that has hardly been the norm in recent years.

Since the summer of 2019, for instance, the only player plucked from a top-flight rival for a significant fee was that of Mason Mount, with then-boss Erik ten Hag dishing out £55m to prise the Englishman from Chelsea.

Of course, that statement deal has hardly worked out, considering the injury-hit playmaker has scored just four goals in two years, although the warning signs were there, with Mount scoring just three goals in his final year with the Blues.

Such woes hopefully won’t be replicated with regard to Cunha and Mbeumo, however, with the pair fresh off the back of having scored 35 league goals combined in 2024/25 – just nine fewer than United recorded collectively last season.

Ruben Amorim’s forward line has been given a much-needed fresh lick of paint, although a new number nine still remains elusive. Might there be an option within the Premier League to consider?

Premier League striker wants to join Man Utd

£64m was spent on Rasmus Hojlund in 2023. A further £36.5m was dished out on Joshua Zirkzee a year later. And yet, here we are, still waiting for a reliable and clinical centre-forward to arrive at Old Trafford.

The most prominent name to have been linked in recent weeks is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with recent reports indicating that talks have been held regarding a potential move for the 29-year-old.

That said, the Midlands side appear to have rebuffed such interest amid their desire to keep hold of the Englishman, with alternative options also being considered by Amorim and co.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per GIVEMESPORT, United have been presented with a chance to sign Nicolas Jackson from Stamford Bridge, with the Senegalese striker said to be keen to join the club this summer.

The report adds that contact has been made to gauge whether or not the Red Devils would be interested in pouncing on that potential opening, with Jackson’s role at Chelsea under threat following the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.

While the west Londoners’ would surely need to compromise on their reported £100m asking price for the 24-year-old, an affordable deal could well be one for United to consider this summer.

Why Jackson could be a clever capture for United

On the face of it, plucking the former Villarreal man from his current home might not be too popular a move for those of a United persuasion, with Jackson enduring a mixed time of things in English football.

The mercurial talent notably came under fire for his recent red card in the defeat to Flamengo at the Club World Cup, having also been sent off against Newcastle United at the tail-end of the Premier League season.

He can undoubtedly be erratic – as evidenced by his 19 big chances missed in 2024/25 – although there is reason for optimism, with the forward boasting a respectable record at top-flight level to date.

Across his two seasons at Chelsea, the £100k-per-week marksman has hit double figures for league goals in each of those campaigns, scoring 14 and ten times, respectively, for the Blues. He’s a player who has got “Louis Saha vibes”, according to Rio Ferdinand.

That solid record would certainly be an upgrade on what United’s current options have to offer, with Hojlund and Zirkzee scoring just seven league goals between them last time out.

Jackson’s Premier League record
Stat (*per game)	23/24	24/25
Games (starts)	35 (31)	30 (28)
Goals	14	10
Goal frequency	200min	224min
Big chances missed	24	19
Goal conversion	18%	13%
Assists	5	5
Big chances created	8	6
Key passes*	1.1	0.9
Successful dribbles*	1.5	0.6
Stats via Sofascore

What that impact also points to is that – like with Mbeumo and Cunha – Jackson has proven that he can make the difference at Premier League level, having even been dubbed a “monster of a striker” by John Obi Mikel.

Cunha, for instance, has scored 27 league goals across the last two campaigns, while Mbeumo – who did endure a spell out with injury in 2023/24 – netted 29 times in that same period, with the pair only just ahead of Jackson’s return of 24.

Throwing that ‘proven’ trio into the mix to lead the line for Amorim could well be just the solution to help steer United back toward European qualification. Yes, it might not be a title-winning combination, although needs must as far as the Red Devils are concerned.

Jackson wouldn’t be the most glamorous of additions, but, with Alexander Isak noted as the most statistically similar striker to him in Europe – as per FBref – perhaps there is a diamond there waiting to be unearthed.

He finishes like RVP: Man Utd make "phenomenal" £67m CF their main target

Manchester United have set their sights on a new talisman for Ruben Amorim.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 24, 2025

It wasn’t long ago that those of a Newcastle United persuasion were itching for something to happen in the summer transfer market, and rightly so at that.

Well, plotlines have been gathering apace on Tyneside over the past several weeks, but maybe not in the manner which the club or indeed the fanbase had anticipated.

Newcastle have missed out on a range of their top targets, and while Eddie Howe has welcomed Anthony Elanga to his squad for a £55m fee, it’s clear that much needs to happen over the coming weeks, with the Premier League campaign looming large.

With Alexander Isak brooding in the background and defensive targets such as Marc Guehi and Malick Thiaw appearing priorities for the Magpies, it’s easy to forget that Howe wants a new central midfielder, but that too remains one of the club’s most important transfer objectives.

Newcastle plan to sign central midfielder

Last month, Newcastle sold homegrown midfielder Sean Longstaff to newly-promoted Leeds United in a deal worth £12m. Longstaff, 27, played a bit-part role fro his boyhood club and only started eight Premier League matches last term, the last of which came a week into December.

More depth is needed in the engine room, though, and Aston Villa’s John McGinn has been earmarked as an alternative. Everton have already seen a bid knocked back this summer, and Unai Emery doesn’t want to part with his captain.

In which case, United might turn to Ajax talent Kenneth Taylor, with NUFCBlog revealing inside information that confirms Taylor has been added to the shortlist.

The 23-year-old Ajax midfielder has been valued at £25m, and was also the subject of a formal offer from Portuguese giants Porto last month.

Why Newcastle want Kenneth Taylor

Ajax left something to be desired in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, but Taylor confirmed the strength of the club’s revered academy once more, claiming the Player of the Season award after winning the Marco van Basten award the year prior, acknowledging the outfit’s most exciting up-and-coming talent.

Having graduated from the youth ranks and made his first team debut back in 2020 as an 18-year-old, Taylor has only gone from strength to strength over the past four years as a senior in his homeland, having made 165 appearances in total and earned his first five caps for the Netherlands.

Last term, though, he truly came into his own, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists for his teammates across 52 matches in all competitions, operating across the different areas of midfield.

Though McGinn would add some industriousness, energy and spirit to Howe’s project, Taylor’s Dutch verve and hunger to impress at the highest level could make him the perfect alternative, perhaps even a better signing, bringing a sharp potency in front of goal that might be needed, should the matchless Isak be playing in different colours over the looming campaign.

Matches (starts)

33 (29)

34 (27)

Goals

9

1

Assists

6

4

Touches*

46.1

34.9

Pass completion

83%

87%

Big chances created

7

6

Key passes*

1.1

0.9

Dribbles*

0.4

0.6

Ball recoveries*

2.5

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.6

1.4

Duels won*

3.5

4.1

As you can likely draw from the table above, Taylor is more of an able force in the final third than McGinn, placing an emphasis on pushing into dangerous positions and striking on goal.

Moreover, Taylor finished the 2024/25 campaign ranked among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe for goals scored, the top 7% for through balls and the top 2% for goal-creating actions, with his energetic and forward-moving style leading data-driven site FBref to liken him to Newcastle’s Joelinton.

This exciting mix of strong athleticism and creativity is exactly what Newcastle need to complete their set in the middle of the park.

Though McGinn has a wealth of Premier League experience and is a natural-born leader, Howe has carefully wrought a dynamic and hardy engine room that could do with a touch of youthful exuberance to complement the commanding Bruno Guimaraes, the elegant Sandro Tonali, and, indeed, Joelinton’s raging intensity.

McGinn would be a credit to Newcastle’s team, to be sure, but it’s unlikely that he would nail down a starting berth from the outset, given the strength of the Magpies’ existing options.

Further, the 30-year-old earns £120k per week at Villa Park, and whether the Newcastle chiefs would feel it a prudent move to make a bid for such a player when they would play a utility and squad-rousing role is a pertinent question, especially as the Lions would expect to bank a figure in excess of £30m for their stalwart.

Taylor, however, would be content with joining the club and absorbing the fruits of his impressive midfield peers’ craft. He’s only 23 years old after all, and has plenty of mountainous heights left to scale before reaching the level that his skill set suggests is attainable.

While Howe will be determined to address the more prominent points of concern at St. James’ Park, signing a defender and a goalscoring forward, he will also be aware that the new campaign will bring the added expectation and intensity of a return to the Champions League.

With Longstaff gone, a player of Taylor’s playmaking and progressive quality could prove a certain success for the long-term stability of Howe’s project.

McGinn, of course, would be a shrewd and impactful signing, but in five year’s time, Taylor could be among the finest midfielders across the continent, whereas the Scotland international will be staring at his career twilight.

Better signing than Sesko: Newcastle agree terms with £30m "monster"

Newcastle desperately need to kick on in the summer transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 7, 2025

After an inauspicious but victorious start to their Scottish Premiership title defense, Celtic’s need for attacking reinforcements was emphatically underlined further.

On Sunday, after the champions’ flag had been flown, the Hoops struggled to break down a solid and stubborn St Mirren, requiring a deflected strike from Luke McCowan with just two minutes remaining to pinch all three points at Parkhead.

In less than a fortnight, Brendan Rodgers’ side will take on either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava in a season-defining Champions League play-off tie, the first leg in Almaty between that pair ended 1-0 on Wednesday, and supporters are concerned about the squad’s current lack of quality.

So, with that clash looming large, could Celtic soon sign a new highly-rated youngster?

Celtic's search for firepower

Inarguably, Celtic’s squad is weaker now than it was in May, largely due to the fact Nicolas Kühn has been sold to Como for a reported fee of £16.5m.

The German winger scored 21 goals across all competitions last season, most notably bagging a brace during the famous Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, also on target as the Hoops came agonisingly close to a victory over Bayern Munich in Bavaria.

This saw him sold for a more than 500% profit, having arrived from Rapid Wien for just £3m a year and a half earlier, but fans are demanding that this money be reinvested in a similarly high-quality replacement.

Well, according to a report from TEAMtalk, Celtic are intensifying their interest in Brøndby winger Clement Bischoff, with Premier League trio Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Brighton also noted as being interested.

Transfer Focus

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They add that, should he move to Glasgow, he would add ‘dynamism’ to Rodgers’ wide options, valued at just over £6m.

It’s safe to assume Celtic have sent scouts to Brøndbyvester, given their long-standing interest in Brøndby​​​​​​​’s top scorer last season Mathias Kvistgaarden, who instead joined Norwich City for £6.9m, but will the Scottish champions land their man this time?

What Clement Bischoff would bring to Celtic

Still only 19 years old, Bischoff made his Danish Superligaen debut as recently as February 2024, but was a key figure for Brøndby last season, making 39 senior appearances across all competitions, 27 of which were starts.

He scored two league goals, on target against Viborg and Lyngby, while also providing ten assists, starting both legs of Brøndby’s Conference League qualifying victory over Havnar Bóltfelag to start this campaign. He also started their first two Superligaen fixtures, scoring the only goal as they beat Nordsjælland away from home last month.

His performances saw him included in Denmark’s squad for the under-21 European Championships earlier this summer, starting three of four fixtures, netting against Ukraine and during the quarter-final defeat to France in Prešov.

During that tournament, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelled him a “quality winger”, adding elsewhere that he is “flamboyant”, noting that his strengths include “explosive” pace, dribbling, ball-striking technique and the fact he is ambidextrous.

So how does he compare to the man he could well be replacing in Glasgow Kühn?

Clement Bischoff at Brøndby vs Nicolas Kühn at Celtic comparison
Statistics	Bischoff	Kühn
Appearances	49	69
Minutes	2,765	4,263
Goals	3	24
Assists	12	18
Shots per 90	2.04	2.27
Shots on target %	44.4%	43.3%
Crosses per 90	3.09	1.66
Dribble success %	38.7%	49.5%
Big chances missed	3	10
Big chances created	11	21
Average Sofascore Rating	7.12	7.26
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table documents, while Kühn comes out on top for the vast majority of metrics, it’s worth noting that Bischoff is still a teenager, while the German joined Celtic as a 24-year-old, and played almost twice as many minutes during the timeframe analysed.

The young Dane’s statistics are largely similar to Kühn’s, which is certainly high praise, coming out on top when it comes to shooting accuracy and crosses per game, while only a small amount below in terms of shots, assists and chances created.

Thus, Bischoff is clearly an ultra-talented player, one that could prove to be a bargain if Celtic are able to secure his signature.

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Perfect for Tierney: Celtic made approach to sign Euro U21s star

Celtic reportedly made an approach to sign a star who would be perfect for Kieran Tierney.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 6, 2025