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da realsbet： Aston Villa’s inconsistent Premier League form continues.

da poker： On Saturday, the Claret and Blue Army were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by bottom three dwellers Ipswich, despite the fact the Tractor Boys were reduced to ten men on the cusp of half time; Axel Tuanzebe dismissed against his former club.

That means Unai Emery’s team have failed to win any of their last four in the Premier League, slipping down to ninth, thereby finding themselves below the European positions, ahead of Wednesday’s mouthwatering meeting with current runaway league leaders Liverpool at Villa Park.

Before that clash, it’s time to analyse the Villans’ current attacking options, assessing how a youngster, currently out on loan, could make a big impact.

Aston Villa's attacking options

Villa’s attacking options saw a major overhaul during the January transfer window, most notably the fact that Jhon Durán departed, joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a reported fee of £71m.

Meanwhile, despite interest from Arsenal, Ollie Watkins remained a Villa player, later joined by Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, the duo arriving on loan from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, while £23m was spent to bring in Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.

Rashford, in particular, has caught the eye during his two substitute appearances so far, creating more ‘big chances’ last weekend than any other Premier League player, despite only being introduced at halftime.

So, with the arriving trio and Watkins, as well as Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers, who Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian described as an ‘incredible talent’, Emery certainly has some talented attackers at his disposal.

However, could the best of the lot currently be out on loan, starring in the EFL, ready to shine in the Villa first team in the near future?

Aston Villa's future superstar

Back in January, after being recalled from his loan spell at Stockport County, Lyall Thomas and Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports reported that Emery was planning to ‘assess’ youngster Louie Barry in training, before making a concrete decision over his future.

Well, he was then loaned out again, this time to Hull City, but this does not mean the young forward doesn’t have a future at Villa Park.

Still only 21-years-old, Barry has already had a noteworthy career. He first made headlines by joining Barcelona’s fabled la Masia academy from West Bromwich Albion in 2019, but returned to England a year later, signing for Villa for a reported £880k.

He was then in the spotlight again in January 2021; with the entire Villa first team and coaching staff in isolation following a Covid-19 outbreak, the U23s were tasked with facing Premier League champions Liverpool in an FA Cup tie, with Barry equalising for the youngsters on the cusp of half time, an amazing moment, even if the Reds ultimately prevailed 4-1 in the end.

Barry has subsequently been sent out on multiple loans by Villa, appearing for Ipswich, Swindon, Milton Keynes, Salford and Stockport, starring for the Hatters earlier this season, scoring 15 goals in just 24 appearances, named EFL League One player of the month in both August and November, as Dave Challinor’s side chase back-to-back promotions.

He’s been so impressive that Barry was recalled from his loan spell at Edgeley, his final appearance for Stockport coming against Villa’s fierce rivals Birmingham City on New Year’s Day, this not a coincidence, waving farewell following a 1-1 draw.

Daniel Storey of the i Paper noted that he was Barcelona’s ‘first English prodigy’, with Barry himself stating “I loved my time in Barcelona… but I decided to come back close to home [when] we had got wind that Covid-19 might be a big thing.”

He’s yet to get off the mark for the Tigers, making three appearances for Hull to date, including in Rubén Sellés’ starting lineup for the very first time against Norwich on Saturday.

So, let’s see how he compares to two of Villa’s most high-profile current forwards, namely Watkins and Rashford.

Louie Barry vs Ollie Watkins vs Marcus Rashford 2024/25 comparison

Statistics

Barry

Watkins

Rashford

Appearances

27

34

26

Minutes

1,936

2,369

1,569

Goals

16

12

7

Assists

3

9

3

Shots

74

80

41

Shots on target %

51.4%

41.3%

36.6%

Goals – xG

-0.2

-3.1

+2.2

Shot-creating actions

2

66

49

Take-on success %

50%

22%

41.4%

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As the table outlines, Barry shares some of the best attributes with both Watkins and Rashford, while mirroring the latter in his ability to operate off the left flank or in a more central role.

Like Watkins – who has netted 12 times – he is a clinical finisher, scoring 16 goals so far this season, while over 50% of his shots hit the target, currently ranked first in EFL League One this season for shots on target per-90 (1.86), despite having not played in that division since 1 January.

Meantime, he is also a supreme dribbler, similar to prime Rashford, having been successful with 50% of his take-ons, albeit his assists and shot-creating action statistics are significantly lagging behind the other two.

Nevertheless, all the signs are there that Barry – who was hailed for having “incredible” composure by Declan Rice – will be a top-class forward in the future, so he is one that Villa supporters should remain excited about.

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da aviator aposta： Chelsea are now seriously interested in signing an “unbelievable” £62m star, and they have now been in contact ahead of a possible summer move, according to a report.

Maresca's striker search

da realbet： Christopher Nkunku could be on the move this summer, while there is also growing interest in Nicolas Jackson, which may intensify the need for Enzo Maresca to bring in at least one new striker at the end of the season.

Aston Villa are named as one of the clubs that could make a move for Jackson in the summer, joining the race alongside Newcastle United, who are believed to have made the 23-year-old their priority target, amid fears Alexander Isak could move on.

However, with both Nkunku and Jackson struggling to find the back of the net on a regular basis, Maresca may decide to make a move for a new striker this summer, regardless of whether the duo move on.

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During the January transfer window, the Blues were linked with a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of the forward.

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea have been in contact with Cunha ahead of a potential summer move, alongside Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, with the three London clubs seriously considering activating the £62m release clause.

The Brazil international’s performances for Wolves this season have attracted the attention of some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, and the release clause included in his new contract means the door could be open for a deal.

The Blues are said to view the Wolves star as a key signing for their project, indicating he could be among their main striker targets for the summer.

"Unbelievable" Cunha could upgrade Chelsea's frontline

With Jackson sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Nkunku has been given the nod at striker recently, but the Frenchman has struggled to make his mark, finding the back of the net just twice in the Premier League this season.

Jackson’s form has also been on a downward trend after a positive start to the campaign, failing to score in 2025, so it would make sense for Maresca to bring in a top striker in the summer.

Cunha’s performances in the Premier League over the past two seasons indicate he could be a real upgrade for Maresca in attack, having bagged 25 goals in 57 games for Wolves during his first two full campaigns, while also picking up 11 assists.

The 25-year-old even bagged a hat-trick against the Blues last season, and he received high praise for his performance from journalist Alex Richards.

da bet esporte： Things might be going wrong for Arsenal at the moment, but the future is still bright.

da leao： Mikel Arteta and Co have built a team jam-packed with incredible talent, be that from the academy, underappreciated gems or big-money signings.

For example, Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly look set to star in the first team for years to come, while the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães have become world-class defenders.

Even Martin Odegaard, who’s having a down year, and Declan Rice, who stands as the club’s record signing, have more to give in the coming years, and one of Arteta’s most controversial signings is worth millions more than both midfielders.

The valuations of Rice and Odegaard

There is no escaping from the fact that this season has been disappointing for Odegaard.

So far, the club captain has only been able to score three goals and provide six assists in 2208 minutes of action across 28 appearances, which comes out to an underwhelming average of a goal involvement every 3.11 games, or every 245.33 minutes.

Moreover, in some of the must-win games against sides the Gunners really should be beating, like Everton, West Ham United and Fulham, the 26-year-old has just not stepped up.

However, with that said, he’s got an impressive track record in North London, as shown by his successive Player of the Year awards, so it is understandable that the CIES Football Observatory continues to value him at around €88.6m, which converts to about £73m.

Rice, on the other hand, is valued at a whopping €108.3m, which converts to about £90m, and while that is less than the £105m he cost the club a year and a half ago, it’s still an enormous sum of money for a central midfielder, although more than justified.

The former West Ham captain might have taken some time to get up to speed this term and struggled last weekend, but he has generally been one of the North Londoners’ better players in recent months.

The Englishman has managed to adapt to the left-eight role rather well, and, on top of his ball-winning ability, has been a useful ball-progressor for the side, mostly from his ability to maraud up the pitch, which has led to his teammates nicknaming him ‘the horse’ – make of that what you will.

However, another of Arteta’s big signings is now worth even more than the midfielder, and substantially so.

The Arteta signing worth millions more than Odegaard and Rice

While the likes of Saka and Saliba are just as, if not more important, to the team, neither one was signed by Arteta.

Kai Havertz, on the other hand, was for around £65m in June 2023, and while he’s a player who generates mixed opinions, he’s one that the CIES Football Observatory value at a staggering €130m, which converts to a cool £108m.

Not only is that a massive £43m increase on the fee paid by the Gunners, but it’s also £35m more than Odegaard’s valuation and £18m more than Rice’s.

That is a number that is sure to generate some strong opinions from some, but there may be a few reasons as to why it’s so high, starting with the fact that, for all the flak he gets for missing chances, the German has a pretty good record when starting down the middle.

For example, while he ended last season with 14 goals and seven assists in 51 games, he scored eight goals and provided all seven assists in just 18 games as a central striker.

Havertz’s 24/25

Competition

Prem

UCL

EFL Cup

FA Cup

Appearances

21

8

4

1

Goals

9

4

2

0

Assists

3

2

0

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

0.75

0.50

0.00

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, before his hamstring injury, the “superb” attacker, as dubbed by Arteta, scored 15 goals and provided five assists in just 34 appearances, which works out to a goal involvement every 1.7 games and leaves him the team’s top-scorer.

Finally, there are factors off the pitch, such as the fact he’s still just 25 and has a contract with the club that is set to run until the summer of 2028.

Ultimately, Havertz will continue to be a striker who divides opinion, but his record is better than most people give him credit for, and there is still time for him to improve further.

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da 888： Leeds United took another step towards promotion back to the Premier League on Saturday as they picked up a point against West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road.

da bet sport： Whilst the Whites would have preferred to claim all three points against the Baggies, especially after they took the lead through Junior Firpo in the first half, it was another point closer to the top-flight and better than a loss.

Daniel Farke’s side are three points clear of Sheffield United in second place and eight points clear of Burnley in third, although the Clarets have a game in hand over the top two.

The West Yorkshire outfit were surprisingly blunt at the top end of the pitch against the Baggies, as they only created one ‘big chance’ in the 90 minutes.

Joel Piroe played the entire match and did not get a single shot off, on or off target, as his teammates failed to create any opportunities for him, and he failed to create any chances for himself.

Joel Piroe's form this season

That was a surprise because the Dutch centre-forward, who joined from Swansea City in the summer of 2023, has been in lethal form in front of goal in the second tier this season.

The left-footed marksman has scored 15 goals from 10.71 xG in 25 starts in the Championship, whilst taking 2.1 shots per game on average, which shows that he has been ruthless with the chances that have come his way in the division.

Championship top scorers (03/03/2025)

Player

Appearances

Goals

Joel Piroe (Leeds)

35

15

Borja Sainz (Norwich)

30

15

Josh Maja (West Brom)

26

12

Wilson Isidor (Sunderland)

32

12

Callum Robinson (Cardiff)

27

12

Stats via BBC

As you can see in the table above, Piroe is the joint-top scorer in the league, alongside Norwich City winger Borja Sainz, and he will be hoping to move clear of the Spaniard to win the Golden Boot, as well as promotion, at the end of the season.

The former Swans attacker has already outscored his 2023/24 tally of 13 goals in the Championship, and his current form is a testament to his professionalism as well as his quality, as he started the season as the second-choice to Mateo Joseph.

Farke went with the Spanish academy graduate for the opening eight matches of the Championship season, but the Spain U21 international only found the back of the net twice in those games.

That provided Piroe with an opportunity to step in and make the number nine position his own, which is exactly what he has done – as evidenced by his position at the top of the league’s goalscoring charts.

Things may not have gone as favourably for the Dutch centre-forward, however, if the timing had been different and a former Leeds youth forward – Rafa Mujica – had been in his way instead of Joseph.

Leeds once had Rafa Mujica

Back in the summer of 2019, Victor Orta swooped to sign Mujica from Barcelona B on a free transfer, after his contract with the Spanish side expired.

The young marksman scored seven goals in 33 appearances for Barcelona B during the 2018/19 campaign and Leeds confirmed that he would initially link up with Carlos Corberan’s U21s side at Thorp Arch.

Mujica soon went out on loan to Extremadura and Villarreal B during the 2019/20 campaign, before spending time on loan with Real Oviedo and Las Palmas in the following season.

At the end of the 2020/21 campaign, following two years as a Leeds player, Las Palmas signed the Spanish centre-forward on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

Where Are They Now

Expand Collapse

That is a decision that the powers that be may now come to regret, as Mujica has gone on to develop into an excellent centre-forward who has thrived in multiple countries.

After one season with Las Palmas as a permanent addition, Portuguese side Arouca swooped in to sign the number nine in the summer of 2022, and that is when his career really had lift-off.

Rafa Mujica's form in recent seasons

The former Leeds United academy talent enjoyed a strong first season with the Liga Portugal outfit as he racked up 14 goals and one assist in 32 appearances in all competitions.

He followed that up with an exceptional return of 23 goals and four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese side in the 2023/24 campaign. Meanwhile, as aforementioned, Piroe scored 13 goals in the second tier for Leeds that season.

Mujica, who was hailed as “magnificent” by former boss Pepe Mel, then earned himself a big-money move to Al-Sadd in the summer of 2024, as they swooped in to sign him for a reported fee of €10m (£8.3m).

Since making that switch to Qatar, the 26-year-old centre-forward has been in incredibly lethal form, and has even been more prolific than Piroe at league level this season.

24/25 season

Mujica (Stars League)

Piroe (Championship)

Appearances

13

35

Goals

14

15

Conversion rate

26%

20%

Minutes per goal

78

146

Big chances missed

10

5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Mujica has only scored one fewer goal than the Dutch attacker, despite playing just 13 times, and has averaged far fewer minutes per goal in the current campaign.

Whilst some may point to the league that he is playing in, the former Leeds man also starred in the Portuguese top-flight – home to the likes of Porto, Sporting, and Benfica – in the previous two seasons with Arouca, which shows that he can score goals on a regular basis at a good level.

The Spanish marksman never got a chance to make his first-team debut, let alone start the first eight matches of a league season as Joseph did, and some may wonder what would have happened if he had been given that opportunity at Elland Road.

He has developed into a top-quality number nine, who has starred in Portugal and Qatar, and that is why Leeds should rue selling him to Las Palmas back in 2021, as they missed out on the chance to help him fulfill his potential at Elland Road.

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It will now be interesting to see whether or not the 26-year-old, who still has plenty of time left in his career, return to Europe to play in one of the major leagues in the future.

da 888casino： New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has already informed the Gunners that he’s keen on one forward, with Edu Gaspar’s replacement looking ahead to the summer transfer window despite not yet officially starting his job.

When Andrea Berta will begin role as Arsenal sporting director

da pinup bet： The 53-year-old’s decade-long-plus stint at Atlético Madrid attracted serious plaudits, with Berta working alongside Diego Simeone for the vast majority of that time and delivering real success on the field.

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Berta’s early signings helped Atletico to win their first La Liga title since 1996 during the 2013/2014 season, and they became the first team since Valencia in 2004 to loosen Barcelona and Real Madrid’s stranglehold on the division.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

He also netted Atlético a handsome net profit through his dealings with Barça over Antoine Griezmann, first selling the France international legend to the Catalans for around £109 million in 2019 only to buy him back for just £17 million in 2022.

Berta also orchestrated high-profile Atlético deals for the likes of João Félix, Julian Alvarez, Álvaro Morata and Diego Costa during his tenure as director, and while some of those acquisitions were more successful than others, he is a very capable heir to Edu.

Berta is expected to commence his role as Arsenal sporting director in the “coming weeks”, according to journalist David Ornstein, but that hasn’t stopped the transfer chief from conjuring behind-the-scenes plans for this summer.

Indeed, as per The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, who was previously on the books at Atlético during Berta’s tenure, is a target for the official.

Andrea Berta informs Arsenal that he wants Matheus Cunha

According to their information, Berta expressed his desire to sign Cunha during talks to join Arsenal, with the Brazilian also expected to be available for the value of his £62.5 million release clause this summer.

Wolves signed Cunha on an obligation-to-buy loan deal from Atlético for around £43 million, and he’s since gone on to become a pivotal player at Molienux, starring in an array of different attacking positions.

The 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist boasts 15 goals and four assists from 29 appearances in all competitions this season, earning 11 caps for Brazil, and he’s been one of the Premier League’s outstanding non-big six forwards this term.

Interestingly, former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has previously tipped Berta to sign Cunha for Arteta by using his La Liga connections.

The South American can operate as a second striker, centre-forward, through the middle and in both wide areas, making him an extremely attractive option for the north Londoners.

da betano casino： No one could’ve foreseen the struggles Manchester City have endured this campaign, especially coming into the season looking to claim their fifth successive Premier League title.

da bet7： Pep Guardiola’s side have lost nine times in their 28 outings – an unthinkable tally – especially given their previous success during the last few years of his reign.

The FA Cup remains the only trophy they can win in 2024/25 after being knocked out of all other competitions – highlighting how dismal the campaign has been for the Citizens.

A rebuild is desperately needed in the summer, continuing from the work in January, with new signings needed to push the side back towards the summit of the division.

Key players have also failed to deliver at crucial stages of the season, with two players needing to be on top form if they are to right the wrongs of this season.

Rodri & Phil Foden’s stats for City in 2024/25

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out of action since the end of September with an ACL injury, with his presence greatly missed at the heart of the side.

The Spaniard looks set to return for the start of next season, hopefully able to reach the levels he achieved before his setback, allowing the side to compete for titles once again.

As for midfielder Phil Foden, he’s struggled to match his displays from the last campaign, which saw him claim the PFA Player of the Year award, showcasing the levels he produced.

However, this time around, he’s been largely inconsistent, unable to match his previous form, only registering seven goals and two assists in his 23 league outings.

Both players will certainly remain pivotal to any revival that takes place in 2025/26, but the same can’t be said for one player who needs to offload during the summer window.

The City player who earns more than Foden & Rodri

Over the years, City have made some stellar signings, helping them reach the heights they’ve previously hit, with Erling Haaland undoubtedly one of the best additions in their history.

The Norwegian striker has notched a staggering 118 goals in 136 appearances, worth every penny of the fee they forked out to land the talisman back in the summer of 2022.

However, midfielder İlkay Gündoğan was a player who was part of a fairytale reunion in the summer, rejoining the club after leaving for Barcelona just 12 months prior.

The German was a fan-favourite during his first spell, scoring twice on the final day against Aston Villa in 2021/22, securing another league title for Guardiola and the Citizens.

It’s safe to say his second spell hasn’t been as successful, as he has struggled to nail down a regular place and has been looking past his best when called upon over the last couple of months.

The now 34-year-old has only started 16 times to date, with his showing against Real Madrid in the Champions League evidence that he’s not at the top level like he once was.

His contract is set to expire in the summer and given his age and lack of positive displays, it would be no surprise to see the club allow him to depart to conduct the next stage of their rebuild.

However, when taking his wages into account, it is a no-brainer to allow him to depart, with Gundogan currently earning a staggering £230k-per-week at the Etihad.

Man City’s highest earners in 2024/25

Rank

Player

Gross pay per week

Gross pay per year

1

Erling Haaland

£525,000

£27,300,000

2

Kevin de Bruyne

£400,000

£20,800,000

=3

Bernardo Silva

£300,000

£15,600,000

=3

Jack Grealish

£300,000

£15,600,000

5

Omar Marmoush

£295,000

£15,340,000

6

John Stones

£250,000

£13,000,000

7

İlkay Gündoğan

£230,000

£11,960,000

8

Phil Foden

£225,000

£11,700,000

9

Rodri

£220,000

£11,440,000

10

Josko Gvardiol

£200,000

£10,440,000

Stats via Capology

His subsequent earnings are higher than those of Foden and Rodri, with the first-team stars currently earning £225k and £220k-per-week respectively, despite their personal successes in recent times.

It would be a brutal call to make, but given the drop-off endured by the club in 2024/25, action needs to be taken in the summer to prevent a similar situation from occurring once again.

Funds are needed to provide the manager with the opportunity to strengthen the squad and complete an overhaul, with the German’s wages going a long way to offer new alternatives elsewhere.

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da realsbet： An “outstanding” Sheffield United player now looks set to sign a new deal at the club, according to an update from reliable journalist Danny Hall.

Sheffield United preparing for final Championship promotion push

da bet sport： The Blades secured a massive 1-0 victory away to rivals Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, which wasn’t only big for local bragging rights, but also in terms of their Championship promotion hopes.

While some of Chris Wilder’s squad are currently out on international duty, the squad will be preparing for one more major push when the full squad reconvenes next week.

United have eight matches remaining in the Championship this season, sitting second in the table and level on points with current leaders Leeds United, and more importantly, two ahead of third-placed Burnley.

A huge amount of current focus is understandably on the Blades’ promotion charge, but it is also important that key players are retained at the end of the season. Now, an important update has emerged regarding one such figure.

"Outstanding" Sheffield United ace looks set to sign new deal

Speaking in a Q&A for The Star, Hall claimed that Jack Robinson looks set to sign a new deal with Sheffield United, triggering an extra year in his current £25,000-a-week contract and describing it as “good news”.

“I believe so. Chris Wilder said recently that Robinson’s extra year would kick in once he played 25 games but there was some uncertainty over whether that meant 25 appearances, made 25 starts, in the Championship or in all competitions…and there was also a suggestion he’d have to play in 50 per cent of United’s games to trigger the extension.

“Either way, he’s made 25 Championship starts now so it would certainly seem we’re set for another year, at least, of the skipper at Bramall Lane. Good news, for me, especially considering Anel Ahmedhodzic (more on him later) would otherwise be the only senior, contracted player at United beyond the summer, and his deal expires in 2026.”

This is great news for the Blades, with Robinson such an experienced player these days, making 148 appearances for the club overall and thriving at centre-back.

The 31-year-old has been an influential figure for United throughout the 2024/25 campaign, starting 25 Championship matches and winning three aerial duels per game, while Wilder has lauded him, saying:

“Jack was in the team for the first two games, he was our outstanding player last season, head and shoulders our player of the year he scooped up almost everything at the awards ceremony and rightly so and the skipper finds himself out of the team. What does he do? He gets on with it, gets himself ready, puts himself in a good position physically to make sure when the door opens he makes it hard now for the others to get back in.”

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Whether Robinson stays at Bramall Lane beyond 2026 or not remains to be seen, but for now, having him at the club for another 12 months is a no-brainer.

da 888casino： It’s no secret that Chelsea have been targeting a new striker over the last 12 months, with Enzo Maresca still unable to land the talisman to take the club to the next level.

da pinnacle： Nicolas Jackson has been the Italian’s main option at the top end of the pitch, scoring 10 goals in his 30 Premier League appearances throughout 2024/25.

However, there have been doubts over his long-term suitability for the role, especially after receiving a straight red card in the clash against Newcastle United for a deliberate elbow on Sven Botman.

Whilst he scored in the Europa Conference League triumph last night, his terrible first touch when bearing down on goal highlighted the need for new attackers this summer.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, the manager and the hierarchy have wasted no time in lining up potential options to lead the line in their title push throughout 2025/26.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Given Chelsea’s recent antics in the transfer market, it’s a surprise to no one that they are likely to be busy once again this summer to bolster Maresca’s ranks.

Viktor Gyokeres, Joao Pedro and Emanuel Emegha are just three names that have been mentioned as potential targets, but no deals have yet been completed for any of the aforementioned targets.

However, they may not need to pursue moves for any of the stars, with the Blues closing in on signing Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

He claimed on Wednesday that the Blues have taken the lead in the race for his signature, with Manchester United’s chances now decreasing after failing to secure any European football next season. Jacobs also confirmed that the Blues have held positive talks to sign the £30m star.

A move has progressed significantly on Thursday with everything now pointing towards the English talent joining. Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday evening that he will sign his Chelsea contract in the next 24 hours.

How Delap could repeat Chelsea's Palmer success story

Cole Palmer may have endured somewhat of an uncharacteristic drought in front of goal over the last few months, but he’s still managed to play a vital role in the success endured by Chelsea.

The 23-year-old went 18 games without a goal across all competitions, before slotting home a penalty against league champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge – securing a huge win in their hunt for a top five finish.

Whilst he’s still not managed to score since that triumph back on the 4th of May, he has provided key moments for some of his teammates, including two assists against Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday.

His latest contributions have taken him to 69 combined goals and assists in his 91 appearances for the club, after joining the Blues in a £40m deal from Manchester City back in the summer of 2023.

However, Maresca could land his next version of the English star this summer, with a deal to take Delap to West London appearing to be entering its final stages.

The pair both plied their trade together within the Manchester City academy as youngsters, looking to do the same in forward areas once again at the Bridge for the Blues in 2025/26.

Should the 22-year-old reach the levels set by Palmer in West London over recent years, he would be a splendid signing by the board, with his £30m clause potentially being a bargain.

When comparing his stats to those of Palmer this season, Delap has managed to outperfrom him in numerous key areas, offering the manager the focal point he craves in the first-team.

He may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has managed a higher goal per shot on target rate, showcasing his clinical edge within the final third.

How Delap compares to Palmer in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Delap

Palmer

Games played

37

37

Goals & assists

14

23

Shot-on-target accuracy

44%

36%

Goals per shot on target

0.3

0.2

Take-on success

47%

45%

Aerials success rate

43%

22%

Fouls drawn

1.8

1.6

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more take-ons and drawn more fouls, therefore offering Maresca a more all-round option in the final third – which could take the side to the next level as a result.

Delap has also won more aerial battles than the current Blues star, handing the side the needed focal point in which the manager has desired since his arrival.

With a deal appearing to be edging closer to being completed, the Englishman would be an excellent addition, having the ability to develop further in the years ahead at the Bridge.

£30m in today’s market would be a super price for a striker who’s already proven his talents in England’s top-flight, potentially being the missing piece in Maresca’s Chelsea puzzle and creating a deadly partnership with Palmer once more.

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da realbet： Sunderland are back by popular demand and could now look to make a statement signing to kick off their latest Premier League era in style, according to a report.

Sunderland look to establish themselves in the Premier League

da fezbet： The Black Cats are a recognisable force in the top-flight, albeit their lengthy absence from competing against the elite may mean consolidation will be needed before thoughts of further progress under Regis Le Bris.

Unfortunately, Jobe Bellingham’s move to Borussia Dortmund has created a sizeable void in midfield, something that has left ex-Sunderland man Darren Williams feeling a tinge of regret.

He stated: “We brought him in at a low cost and two years later we’re making a good amount on him – I’d have love to see him play for us in the Premier League and test himself.”

Later, he added: “I wish him all the best. It’s fantastic money. The club has made good money from the last four players sold.”

It can’t be disputed, an initial £27 million sale is good business for Sunderland, but who do they bring in to replicate his impact? Reports suggest Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra could be on his way to the Black Cats to strengthen their engine room.

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On the same token, Sunderland want to complete a transfer for Tommy Doyle from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Cherry-picking targets from familiar environnments will be important to ensure the North East giants are ready for the top-flight, though they will want to balance that with finding value for money on the market.

Speaking of which, the newly-promoted side have now put their hat in the ring for a defender who has won four back-to-back titles and featured in the Champions League.

Sunderland looking to sign Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers

According to journalist Graeme Bailey in conversation with 67 Hail Hail, Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is a target for Sunderland and could be on the move for a fee between £25 million to £30 million this summer.

He explained: “As we know, every player has his price in this Celtic squad. And I think there’s a real danger that Carter-Vickers leaves.

“That won’t go down well, but Celtic could probably get good money for him. What would he cost, £25-30m to sell him?

Cameron Carter-Vickers for Celtic in 2024/25 – Scottish Premiership (Fotmob)

Duels won

170

Aerial duels won

125

Tackles won

20

Recoveries

131

Accurate long balls

62

“That’s a lot of money for a centre-half at the moment. And I think there’s a real chance that he’s not at Celtic come the start of September. Leeds like him a lot, and Sunderland. I know that he was on West Ham’s radar as well. To be fair, he’s got three, four, even five (clubs interested).”

Lauded for his ‘exceptional’ few years by Bailey, Carter-Vickers is Celtic’s joint-highest earner on £37,000 per week and definitely wouldn’t come cheap given he has four years left on his deal at Parkhead.

Nevertheless, Sunderland, alongside Leeds United, have faith that they can land him, so it remains to be seen how this one plays out.

da cassino： It’s safe to say no Leeds United fan could have envisaged the impact midfielder Ao Tanaka would have had during his debut campaign at Elland Road.

da lvbet： The Japanese international joined the club in a £3.5m deal from German side Fortuna Düsseldorf, a transfer that now appears to be a bargain given his importance to Daniel Farke’s side.

He managed to register 43 appearances in the Championship during 2024/25, scoring five goals in the league, including one against Sheffield United, which was crucial in their promotion battle.

Such displays led to the 26-year-old being included in the Championship Team of the Season, being joined by teammates Jayden Bogle and Daniel James.

If the side are to secure survival in the Premier League next season, they will need to conduct shrewd business, with bargain deals needing to be replicated – just as it was for Tanaka 12 months ago.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new signings this summer

With just a couple of weeks until the transfer window opens, Leeds have already started work on numerous deals and are targeting various players across the globe.

James McAtee and Sean Longstaff are just two midfielders who have been touted with a switch to Yorkshire this summer, with their Premier League experience likely to be vital.

However, other targets have been on their radar, including Borussia Mönchengladbach star Julian Weigl, that’s according to a report in Germany, via Sport Witness.

The 29-year-old, who’s been a target in recent months, has once again appeared on their radar, with the report claiming that Farke is keen on a reunion after their stint in the Bundesliga together.

It also states that he may be lured to Elland Road by his compatriot with the opportunity to be a regular starter in their hunt for survival, said to be in any negotiations.

Why Leeds’ latest target could be even better than Tanaka

The chances of securing Premier League safety in 2025/26 will be a tough task for Farke’s men, that’s especially if recent seasons in the top-flight are anything to go by.

Each of the last six teams to reach the promised land have all suffered immediate returns to the Championship, such is the gap between the two divisions.

Such a feat highlights the need for crucial investment, prioritising quality over quantity to build on the impressive work conducted by the German in recent seasons.

Transfer target Weigl would certainly do just that, with the 29-year-old having key experience at the top level, as seen by his stint at Borussia Dortmund over a four-year period.

When comparing his stats to those of Tanaka from the current campaign, he’s managed to match or better him in numerous key areas, highlighting the quality he possesses.

How Julian Weigl compares to Ao Tanaka in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Weigl

Tanaka

Games played

33

43

Minutes played

2881

3584

Pass accuracy

90%

88%

% of tackles won

61%

50%

Blocks made

1.7

1.2

Interceptions made

1.5

1.4

Take-ons completed

88%

41%

Aerials won

67%

62%

Stats via FBref

The German, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Toni Kroos, has registered more passes completed this campaign, whilst completing more take-ons, showcasing the threat he poses in possession.

He’s also managed to win more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst completing more interceptions – handing the Whites an added defensive presence in what’s likely to be a difficult campaign.

Weigl has also won more aerial duels, potentially posing a threat from set pieces, offering a different dimension as the club looks to buck the recent trend in the Premier League.

It’s unclear how much a deal for the Mönchengladbach star would set the hierarchy back this summer, but from the stats he’s produced, he could prove to be a superb addition.

If he’s able to get anywhere near the levels produced by Tanaka in recent months, he will be an excellent option in the top flight and potentially provide the difference between safety and relegation.

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