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Arsenal are a club that have dramatically transformed over the last few years.

From missing out on the Champions League places in 2021/22 to just missing out on the semi-finals last season and pushing Manchester City to the final day of the Premier League campaign.

Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have overseen a total overhaul of the playing squad during their tenures in North London, but one thing that hasn't changed is the importance of poster boy Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End superstar has been an ever-present in the team over the last few years despite being just 22 years old, although based on recent reports, the Englishman could soon have a genuine rival to push him forward and give him the chance to rest as well.

Arsenal transfer news

According to Belgian outlet GVA, Arsenal are one of several clubs interested in PSV's star winger Johan Bakayoko.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that the Belgian's name has been mentioned at Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

However, the good news for the North Londoners is that they seem to be the favourites, with the story claiming that they are the 'most concrete' option at present.

According to the report, Arsenal will have to pay around €45m – £38m – to get their man. While that's not cheap, it might prove value for money based on his performances last season, especially as he could become a genuine rival for Saka.

How Bakayoko compares to Saka

Now, the first thing to say is that Saka is clearly one of the most important players at Arsenal and one of Arteta's most trusted stars. In the last two seasons alone, he has played 7616 minutes of senior football.

So, while Bakayoko is an incredibly talented winger and someone who could provide the Englishman with some serious competition, it would be unfair to expect him to come into the club this summer and immediately be on the same level as the Hale End superstar.

That said, how do the pair compare? From a pure output perspective, the Ealing-born gem comes out on top with a staggering 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 games last season.

However, while the "insane" PSV prospect, dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, can't quite match those numbers, his haul of 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 appearances – an average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games – is genuinely impressive and suggests that he could undoubtedly chip in from the right when called upon.

How about their underlying numbers, then? Is it another win for the North Londoners starboy?

Well, interestingly, the two wingers come out looking rather even. For example, the Gunners ace emerges victorious in metrics such as his non-penalty expected goal and assist figure, progressive passes, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles, blocks, interceptions, ball recoveries, and aerial duels won, all per 90.

Whereas the Belgian "entertainer", as dubbed by Mattinson, looks better in statistics like actual non-penalty goals and assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, passing accuracy and successful take-ons, also all per 90.

That said, the fact that the PSV star plays in a much weaker league must be considered when comparing his underlying numbers to those of a player in a top-five league.

Ultimately, Saka needs a rival on the right in this Arsenal side, not just to help him push on and get even better but also so he doesn't have to play every minute of football for the next three seasons. Therefore, considering his performances last season, signing Bakayoko this summer looks like a brilliant idea.

He's open to a move: Arsenal targetting £317k-p/w star who'd unlock Rice

The “phenomenal” talent could help get the best out of Rice.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 26, 2024

Jose Mourinho is famed for his wild goal celebrations, but the Portuguese botched his latest when getting an on-field knee-slide all wrong.

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• Amrabat netted stoppage-time winner
• Fenerbahce bench spilled onto the pitch
• Portuguese coach took clumsy tumble

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss saw emotion spill out of him when watching Fenerbahce snatch a dramatic winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor. Sofyan Amrabat settled that contest in the 12th minute of stoppage-time.

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  After seeing his side claim all three points with virtually the last kick of the game, Mourinho raced onto the pitch alongside the rest of those on the Fener bench – including players and coaching staff. The 61-year-old was determined to savour the moment in style.

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  Unfortunately for Mourinho, his celebration went a little awry. He had intended to slide on his knees across the turf with arms raised. The playing surface was not as slick as the Portuguese expected, leading to him taking a clumsy tumble that almost saw him face-plant the pitch.

West Ham United will have a primary objective in mind ahead of Julen Lopetegui's first term at the helm: reclaim their place in European competition and look to push for a domestic trophy.

The club has a taste for gold after winning the Europa Conference League under David Moyes in 2022/23, but the chequered form of last season and Scotsman's perceived pragmatic style of play have beckoned in the new era.

There are several hurdles to be overcome in the transfer market, but the rumoured sparsity of coinage at the London Stadium could be mitigated by the sale of Mohammed Kudus, who has an £85m release clause in his contract and reportedly wants to leave this summer.

The Hammers must sign a striker this summer. Michail Antonio is ageing and started only 21 Premier League games last season while Jarrod Bowen cannot be expected to spend another campaign pulled away from the right wing to counter a lack of options – albeit, he does so convincingly.

West Ham transfer news

According to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, West Ham are among the growing list of Premier League. teams taking note of Jonathan David's situation at LOSC Lille.

The Canadian centre-forward is out of contract in one year and has been transfer-listed for £25m, having enjoyed several years of clinical success in Ligue 1.

Chelsea are believed to be the frontrunners at this stage but the Blues have a range of options to strengthen their frontline, and West Ham will hope to entice the player with a role of high importance in east London.

Jonathan David's season in numbers

David has scored 84 goals and added 18 assists across just 183 appearances for Lille – working out at a rate of 0.56 goal contributions per game – since signing from Belgian side Gent in a €30m (£25m) deal in 2020.

Last season, across all competitions, the 5 foot 11 striker scored 26 goals and supplied nine assists across 47 outings. He only bagged twice over Lille's opening 12 fixtures but found his shooting boots in November and has fired unceasingly since.

He's always been a sharpshooter but has reached new levels over the past two campaigns, ranking among the top 12% of centre-forwards in Ligue 1 last season for goals scored per 90 last season and the top 6% for pass completion too, as per FBref.

Furthermore, David's 0.9 key passes per game and nine big chances created (Sofascore) speak highly of his dynamic skill set, a product of that crisp passing ability referenced above.

Said to be "one of the best strikers in the world" by media personality Tony Marinaro, David has spent several years honing his craft in France and now has the striking quality and overall technical acumen to make a real impression in a division such as the Premier League.

West Ham would love to bring him on board.

Why West Ham should sign Jonathan David

It's pretty simple, in all honesty. West Ham desperately need a top-class goalscorer to ensure the transition in the dugout goes off without a hitch.

His demonstrably consistent level would give the Hammers the reliable talisman that they require to fight for a place in European competition, as well as boasting the depth to push through the levels in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

It goes without saying that he would replace Antonio as United's No. 1 figure at the front of the pack. The Jamaica international, aged 34, ranks among the top 17% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90, though among the bottom 40% for goals scored per 90.

Entering the final year of his Irons contract, the veteran ace – West Ham's record scorer in the Premier League with 67 goals – is going to play a part under Lopetegui but he simply cannot be entrusted with the leading role.

David, however, has the robust and athletic skill set to make a real impression, especially as his link-up play eclipses the kind of ball-playing ability that Antonio possesses.

Antonio might be something of a charging bull at times, highly effective and utilising his brutish physicality to great effect, but he is limited when it comes to contributing effectively to advancing patterns.

Indeed, despite only completing 65% of his passes in the English top flight last term, the £85k-per-week forward created just 0.3 key passes per game. David, as discussed above, is making three times the creative passes in Ligue 1 while also proving to be one of the crispest distributors that European football has to offer.

David is still only 24 and ostensibly has several years until he hits his prime. That said, he's already proving himself to be a deadly goalscorer with the kind of expansive style of play to make a real impact in West Ham's team, perhaps even being the perfect man to take the baton passed onto him by Antonio.

West Ham lining up "world-class" £40m Kudus replacement

This talented winger would mark a stunning piece of business for the Hammers.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 25, 2024

We are into the second month of the transfer window being open, and thus far, Arsenal have made David Raya's move permanent and signed 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard – hardly blockbuster stuff.

In their defence, the transfer of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna does still appear to be happening, albeit very slowly, and they have been linked to a whole host of players from Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, but nothing has really happened as yet.

Now, while we like to moan, it's probably in large part down to the Euros and Copa América only just coming to an end, as a number of the club's top targets were tied up with their national team, including Spain's Nico Williams, who has been constantly touted with a move to N5 this summer.

The 22-year-old was a star performer for La Roja over the last month or so, and while he would be an incredible addition, the club already have a young winger worth way more than him.

The latest on Nico Williams to Arsenal

The latest development regarding Arsenal's interest in and potential move to sign Williams is that Mikel Arteta has identified the Spaniard as one of his primary targets.

While the club are aware that his preference is to join Barcelona, they're still going to try and convince him to move to North London this summer.

The transfer itself is still set to cost £49m due to the supposed €58m release clause in his contract with Athletic Bilbao, and it's this clause that gives the Gunners a chance to land the winger, as reports suggest the Catalans side are reluctant to pay it upfront, which is a non-negotiable for the Basque outfit.

It's undoubtedly a lot of money to pay for someone who only turned 22 last week, but based on his unreal performances last season and during the Euros, it's hard to disagree with.

For example, in just 37 appearances for Bilbao last year, he scored eight goals and provided 19 assists, while for the national team this summer, he scored twice and provided one assist in the seven games he played en route to glory.

It would be fair to say that adding Williams to Arsenal's attack this summer would make them an even more dangerous proposition to deal with next season, although even at £49m, the Gunners have a winger among their ranks worth way more than that.

Bukayo Saka's valuation in 2024

Yes, the star in question is, of course, Bukayo Saka, the club's beloved poster boy.

According to Transfermarkt, the Hale End superstar is worth a whopping €140m, which converts to around £118m, or about £69m more than Williams' release clause.

Now, this may sound excessive, and in any other era of football, it probably would be, but given the Englishman's performances, potential and importance to the Gunners, it's not.

Despite being just 22 years old, the "incredible" winger, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already made 226 senior appearances for the club, in which he's scored 58 goals and provided 53 assists.

That means he's averaged a goal involvement every 2.03 games across his career, which is made all the more impressive when you factor in that he had to play all over the pitch in his early campaigns, making 22 starts at left-back, for example.

It's not just club football where the "legend in the making," as Kulig dubbed him, is starring, either. In 40 senior caps for England, he has scored 12 goals, provided seven assists, and won back-to-back Player of the Year Awards.

Even during the Euros, when the Three Lions looked like they would be knocked out by Switzerland, he pulled out a screamer to keep the country's hopes alive.

Ultimately, while Williams would be an exceptional signing, Arsenal shouldn't forget that in Saka, they have a genuine world-beater and a player worth every penny of his enormous valuation.

Arsenal struck gold on "phenomenal" star who's worth way more than Merino

The incredible player has been a game-changer since his arrival.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 18, 2024

Pep Guardiola does not feel "proud" of his raging dressing room tirades but the Manchester City boss sometimes is "unable to control himself".

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• City's new documentary shared dressing room clips
• Guardiola was seen having a go at Foden and Rodri
• The manager admits he needs to tone himself down

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Catalan tactician’s passionate side is showcased in a teaser for the club’s upcoming documentary, , which highlights his relentless drive and fiery motivational methods. One standout clip features the 53-year-old shouting at his squad: "That's why no one did four Premier Leagues in a row! That's the reason why! Because it's so difficult!"

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  The 90-minute documentary also reveals moments when frustration boiled over, including during matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Rodri’s red card in the former and Phil Foden conceding a late penalty in the latter led to Guardiola seething in the dressing room.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  However, reflecting on his actions, Guardiola admitted: "I’m not really proud sometimes, right after the game, when I’m angry for my emotions to pass it on to the players."

  He further explained: "I am a human being; I make mistakes, but I don’t like that. In that moment, 10 men down and then giving away an unnecessary penalty, sometimes I cannot control myself either.”

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  not only delves into Guardiola’s emotional leadership but also chronicles City’s unprecedented journey to their fourth-successive Premier League title. The documentary captures the highs and lows of the campaign, providing fans with an intimate look at the sacrifices and determination required to maintain such dominance. Guardiola’s passionate speeches and fiery reactions are two of the central themes, underscoring the immense pressure that comes with managing one of the world’s top football clubs.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr have been given a big boost in the title race as Al-Hilal suffer first defeat in 18 months in the Saudi Pro League.

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• Al-Hilal beaten 3-2 by Al-Khaleej
• Gave away a 2-0 lead to lose the match
• Still have a six-point lead over Al-Nassr

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jorge Jesus' side perfect start to the campaign came to a stuttering halt as they threw away a two-goal lead to succumb to a 3-2 defeat to Al-Khaleej away from home. Marcos Leonardo and Aleksandar Mitrovic handed the visitors a comfortable lead but a second-half capitulation forced them to leave Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium empty-handed on Saturday evening.

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  Abdulla Al-Salem struck in quick succession after the half-time break to erase the deficit and bring Al-Khaleej on level terms with the league leaders. However, it was Fabio Martins who dealt the hammer blow after finding the net late in the 85th minute, which sealed the three points for the hosts.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite the shock defeat to sixth-placed Al-Khaleej, Al-Hilal still find themselves six points ahead of Ronaldo & Co. However, Al-Nassr could have seen the deficit reduced to half if they had beaten Al-Qadsiyah on home turf on Friday evening, instead, they suffered a 2-1 loss despite their Portuguese talisman finding the net. Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad could make the most of the slip-up by Al-Hilal and displace them from the top spot if they beat Al-Fateh on Sunday.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AL-HILAL & AL-NASSR?

  Both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr have AFC Champions League commitments against Al-Sadd and Al-Gharafa respectively to focus on next. After the continental challenges, they will shift their attention back to the domestic league with Al-Hilal travelling to Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr hosting Damac.

After a plodding start, Arsenal's transfer window is finally heating up.

The Premier League runners-up have already welcomed in goalkeepers Lucas Nygaard and Tommy Setford, but now they appear to be on the verge of finally completing the deal to sign Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori as well.

Moreover, the links touting Mikel Merino for a move to the Emirates this summer haven't gone away.

However, based on recent reports, the Gunners are moving quickly to secure the signature of a star who could be the perfect alternative instead.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Duncan Castles on Football Transfers' Transfers Podcast, Arsenal are interested in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

In fact, Castles revealed that the Gunners have been in "discussions" with the Parisians over the £147k-per-week Spaniard, but any move would depend on the North Londoners moving a midfielder first, which appears to be happening with Emile Smith Rowe.

A potential fee is not mentioned, but Castles does claim that any move would likely be structured similarly to the David Raya deal, meaning an initial loan with an obligation to buy next year.

If Arsenal can secure Ruiz's services on an initial loan in the coming weeks, that would be incredible business, although it could mean that Merino doesn't join.

How Ruiz compares to Merino

So, while both players can play in a couple of midfield roles, they are both primarily central midfielders who are likely viewed as the perfect options for Arsenal's left-eight position, but which would be the better choice? Well, when it comes to output, it's a close fight.

For example, the Sociedad ace scored eight goals and provided five assists but did so in 45 appearances, while the "incredible" PSG man, as dubbed by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, scored three goals and provided seven assists in 35 appearances.

That means that while the former produced more goal involvements, his average of one every 3.46 games was practically indistinguishable from the latter's average of one every 3.5 games.

However, when you really get into the nitty-gritty of it all and look at their minutes per goal involvement, it's the former Napoli "artist," as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who comes out ahead. He averaged one every 224 minutes to his competitor's average of one every 277 minutes.

How about what's going on under the hood then? Is it just as closely fought there? No, no, it is not

When it comes to their underlying numbers, Ruiz is the clear winner, coming out in the majority of metrics, including non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, passing accuracy, passes into the penalty area, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles won, interceptions, and successful take-ons, all per 90.

In his defence, the former Newcastle United ace comes out ahead in a few metrics, such as ball recoveries, aerial duels won, progressive passes, and blocks, but that's about it.

Ultimately, if Arsenal have to choose between signing Merino or Ruiz in the coming weeks, it makes far more sense to sign the latter. His raw output is practically the same, and his underlying numbers are far superior.

Arsenal move for "sensational" £21m Neto alternative who's like Saka

The impressive international would be an excellent addition to the Gunners’ squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 26, 2024

Celtic have been handed a boost as one of their transfer targets is keen on a move to Glasgow this summer, it has been reported.

Business slow for Celtic

It has not been quite the summer many Celtic fans hoped for following their Scottish Premiership and Cup double last season, with Brendan Rodgers' side looking largely the same as it did at the end of last season.

They have confirmed the arrival Kasper Schmeichel on a one-year-deal to replace the retired Joe Hart, while Finnish shot-stopper Viljami Sinisalo has also arrived from Aston Villa.

Celtic now open to offers for trio who take home a combined £30,000-a-week

The three players are deemed surplus to requirements at Celtic Park.

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By
Ben Browning

Jul 29, 2024

But despite very little action in the window so far, Rodgers was staunch in his belief that the club will kick into gear between now and the end of the transfer window when quizzed on the slow-going summer.

"We know the targets we want to bring in. There's still a long way to go in the window. We know what we want to do and the priority positions we want to improve.

"Whilst the club are getting on with that myself and the coaches are focused on the improvement of the team physically, tactically and technically. By the end of August I would expect us to have the players that we want in.

“I’ll make it clear to the Celtic supporters we want to improve, get better. We don’t want to stand still this season, we know we want to improve the squad and by the end of the window shutting I’d expect us to be that."

Now, they have been handed a boost in pursuit of one of their defensive targets, though a deal may still take some time.

Good news for Celtic in Bueno chase

That comes over Wolves defender Hugo Bueno, who is now "eager" to move to Parkhead on loan. According to Give Me Sport, the defender has "serious doubts" over game time at Molineux, having made just seven Premier League starts across the 2023-24 campaign.

As a result, a loan move is "appealing" for the 21-year-old fullback. In even more positive news, Wolves are "becoming more open-minded" to letting him leave for the upcoming campaign, despite having already rejected an offer for Norwich for his services this summer.

A temporary exit would be unlikely to cause too many issues, with Bueno still having four years left to run on his £10,000-a-week deal at Molineux, meaning that Wolves will remain in a strong position over his future even 12 months on.

The defender was hailed as a hard worker by Wolves U23 boss James Collins, something that Celtic fans are sure to appreciate should he move north of the border.

“You talk about hard work, and that boy works harder than anyone I know. After we finish training he grabs a bag of balls and he’s doing little stepovers and jinks.

“Some people think that’s luck or talent, but that’s not talent. That’s him working extremely hard at his craft to become more threatening in the attacking third", Collins explained.

Bueno's arrival could see Celtic look to emulate the success story of Paulo Bernardo. Like Bueno, he was a 21-year-old starved of first team football (he played just 750 minutes of Portuguese top flight football in 2022-23) with others ahead of him in the pecking order.

12 months on, he is set to rejoin Celtic on a permanent deal after a successful loan, something that the Bhoys will almost certainly be keen to emulate with Bueno should he succeed at Parkhead.

Mohamed Salah is not writing off Manchester City's Premier League title chances despite Liverpool going eight points clear of Pep Guardiola's men.

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• Liverpool beat Southampton 3-2
• Salah's brace takes Reds clear at top
• Not writing off title rivals Man City

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 32-year-old scored twice in Liverpool's 3-2 comeback win at Southampton on Sunday, a result that opened up an eight-point lead over second-placed City in the Premier League. Even though Guardiola's team have lost five games in a row in all competitions, Salah suggested the Reds cannot get carried away.

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  WHAT MOHAMED SALAH SAID

  He told Sky Sports: "They [Salah's goals] were very important, especially after being down 2-1. It's the most important thing to have won the game. Each game is different. They [Southampton] had a game plan and played very well. We managed to come back and win the game. I think we have a good game plan, we played our game and I was confident we would create chances. It's great. Hopefully, we keep going in that direction. We have a game against them [Manchester City] so hopefully, we win it and go 11 points clear. Man City is Man City. They have a bad time now but they have great players."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool can land a potentially decisive blow in the title race next weekend when they host an out-of-sorts City at Anfield. If they win that, they will go 11 points clear of the defending Premier League champions. But with City winning four league titles in a row, they cannot be underestimated with 26 games of the season remaining.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Before that heavyweight Premier League clash between table-topping Liverpool and City, Arne Slot's team have the huge task of facing defending Champions League kings Real Madrid at home on Wednesday. City host Feyenoord in the same competition a day prior.

Aside from the defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday, pre-season has been relatively successful for Tottenham Hotspur thus far.

They might not be the most formidable opposition, but wins over Hearts, Queens Park Rangers, Vissel Kobe and the K-League XI have given fans a glimpse into how Ange Postecoglou's side might approach next season.

However, with less than a month remaining in the transfer window, Daniel Levy and Co must ramp up their work in the market and bring the Australian manager the right players to help him succeed in North London.

Fortunately, that appears to be happening, as the latest star touted for a move to N17 would be a real level-raiser and the perfect teammate for Son Heung-min.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham have maintained their interest in Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke and held discussions with his entourage to glean more information about a potential transfer.

The report claims that the Lilywhites are 'prepared to test Bournemouth and the player's resolve' with an offer in the region of €50m, which converts to about £43m.

It's claimed in the story that the Englishman would be open to a move 'provided he receives a good offer', although with Arsenal and Liverpool supposedly interested as well, Levy and Co might want to get a move on should they wish to secure his services.

Solanke might not be the most exciting striker around at present, but he proved his talent last season, and under Postecoglou, he could be unreal alongside Son.

Why Solanke would be Son's dream teammate

Okay, so while there could be any number of reasons why Solanke would be a great teammate for Son, from his personality to the way he conducts himself in training, there is really only one that matters, one that overrides all other reasons for someone in his position: his output.

When it truly comes down to it, the attribute the Lilywhites captain probably wants most in the number nine to his right is clinical finishing, someone he can rely upon to bury the chances he works hard to create out wide or in midfield. With the Cherries ace, that's what he'd have.

For example, in just 42 appearances for the South Coast outfit last season, the "outstanding" centre-forward, as Paul Merson dubbed him, scored 21 goals and provided four assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement once every 1.68 games.

Impressively, his 19 Premier League goals were enough to see him come joint fourth in the top goalscorers list, alongside some of the biggest stars of the season, such as Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins.

Moreover, the Englishman's incredible haul of 24 goals and assists would have comfortably made him the top goalscorer in the Spurs squad last season and the second most productive player behind only the South Korean star.

Lastly, you only need to look at Understat's conclusion that Son underperformed his expected goals in the league last season by 3.34 to see that he needs a reliable striker next to him. In the former Chelsea gem, he'd have precisely that, and this time next year, we'd wager that Understat would have him much closer to his expected assist number, if not slightly over it.

Ultimately, while Tottenham still scored a decent number of goals last season, the fact that six teams scored more is evidence enough that they need a new striker up top. Solanke could be the perfect candidate, and if they can secure his services for close to £43m, then Levy and Co must.

Strong interest: Spurs move for £40m "monster" Gallagher alternative

The talented midfielder would be an interesting addition to Postecoglou’s system.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 2, 2024